(Posted by Steph's Dad.)
Hi family,
This week has been kind of sporadic, so I thought a numbered list woudl be best. Here’s kind of the rundown of the week:
1. I was so sad to hear about Grandpa Almond, Jim’s dad, and our neighbor Carla. Death seems to be everywhere. A senior couple, the Deschamps serving in Kirtland, were in a terrible car accident last week in which Sister Deschamp was killed and Elder Deschamp will be recovering from for the next several months. It is difficult to have such experiences and I can’t find words adequate to express what it feels like. But I know we’re all having similar feelings and I’m so grateful we can find comfort in the words of the prophets and the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will live again.
2. Greg and Esther are both doing well…Greg has been alcohol-free for 10 days now and as a result, his insomnia has kicked in full force. He didn’t get sleep Friday or Saturday night and crashed early Sunday morning, thereby missing church. We stopped by his house Sunday afternoon and when he opened the door, he said, “I figured you’d be stopping by” and proceeded to tell us what’d been going on. I love that he's sticking to his decision to live the word of wisdom and that Heavenly Father is blessing him with the strength to do so. He’s counting down the days to his baptism and is still super excited about it. It’s just so neat to see the change that’s occurred in him over the past several months.
3. Apparently, words gotten around in the mission that I’m 27. I don’t know how that happened, but it did. I can’t decide if I’m going to set it straight or play along. Maybe I’ll have to take a vote for all of you.
4. We are going to get a ward mission plan!!! We were able to talk to Bishop Dewey this week and touch base with him about what a ward mission plan could do for his ward and he’s really excited about it. It’s on the agenda for ward council next week and I’m excited to get it going.
5. We got a phone call from someone we’re teaching to let us know that their house was INFESTED WITH LICE. Yep, that’s what I said: INFESTED WITH LICE. I wanted to buy a box of Nix right then and there. Luckily though, neither Sister Webb and I have it. The Lord truly blesses His missionaries! :)
6. Sorry, I have a lot of funny random things today. At our last district meeting, another Elder in my district (he’s from Rigby actually) handed me a pass along card after district meeting. It had an address on it. His home address. With his brother’s name on it. Apparently he wanted me to write his brother, who was home from BYU for the summer. Hahahahahahahaha, I know. I guess being 27 isn’t so bad :) That is a referral I don’t know if I’ll be able to contact!
7. This past week has had many ups, downs, and quirks, but it has been a great week nonetheless. The Lord continues to bless us and is helping our investigators develop testimonies of the restored gospel. Samantha started reading the Book of Mormon and it’s amazing to see how much she comprehends…I know it will be an invaluable tool in her conversion. She just started a few days ago and is nearly finished with 1 Nephi. The Book of Mormon is such an amazing gift and I wish everyone could understand just how much it can strengthen their faith in the Savior and bless their lives.Well, I better go, but thanks for your thoughts, prayers, emails, and just everything.
I love you!
Sister Cannariato
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Mother's Kirtland Wisdom Day of Word Interviews
(Posted by Steph's Dad)
Hi family! It was so great to talk with each of you yesterday. It was amazing to think how much time has gone by and yet how normal and wonderful it was to talk with you all. I'm glad that things are going well and that you're all happy and well. Becs, I hope your cough goes away soon...that's no bueno!Well, the word came this morning about transfers and I'm staying! I'm really excited to spend another transfer in Holland and to serve again in the Toledo 1st Ward with Sister Webb. Our district of 8 missionaries has 3 people leaving and half of the missionaries in our zone are leaving. It'll be a different experience next transfer but I'm really grateful I've been able to serve around so many dedicated and obedient missionaries. We've had a blast doing the work and enjoying our time in the blessed area of Toledo.I'm really grateful I can spend more time helping the ward become more missionary minded. We're still working on getting a ward mission plan going and I know that it is something that will unify, fortify, and edify the ward...we've just got to get everyone on board. We're going to meet with the bishop this week to talk about it with him.So, this past week was good. We were able to commit Greg to live the word of wisdom, which was a bit of a scary thing because that's pretty much the only thing that is separating him from baptism. It was neat to hear that he'd been praying about wanting to quit drinking and soon after the sisters had knocked on his door. The desire to stop is there and he's been alcohol-free since Wednesday. I'm so proud of him!We were able to attend a baptism with Esther and it was fun to see her recognize the importance of that sacred ordinance being performed by one with priesthood authority. Ether's planning on being baptized June 7.On Thursday we were able to have interviews with President Peterson. I was so grateful to have the chance to talk with him and counsel with him regarding the needs of the area. He's an inspired leader with such great wisdom and strength. He then took us all out to lunch at the Olive Garden! It was so nice.So this past week we had a neat experience. Saturday we pretty much tracted all day and had set a goal to find 2 new investigators to reach our weekly goals. It'd been a crazy week so Saturday was our only time to be out finding. We worked really hard and found some good potentials but only one investigator. As we planned that evening I suggested we take time out on Sunday when we had scheduled in planning to tract some more to find a new investigator so we prayerfully selected streets. After an appointment with a less active we headed out to our first street. We got to the second to the last house on the street and found our new investigator. I love that the Lord will provide for our needs and desires when we act in faith and give of our heart, might, mind and strength.Our trip to Kirtland with Samantha was a blast. It was great to spend time in that sacred place and to have Sam feel of the spirit. I think the more she's learning the more she's coming to realize the magnitude of our message. She recognizes that we all feel fulfilled and she wants that too.Seriously, it was really great to talk with all of you yesterday and thanks for all being available. I'm always so uplifted by your emails and letters and I'm so grateful that you're willing to support and sustain me with your prayers. I love you and hope that your next week is fantastic!Love love love,Sister Cannariato
Hi family! It was so great to talk with each of you yesterday. It was amazing to think how much time has gone by and yet how normal and wonderful it was to talk with you all. I'm glad that things are going well and that you're all happy and well. Becs, I hope your cough goes away soon...that's no bueno!Well, the word came this morning about transfers and I'm staying! I'm really excited to spend another transfer in Holland and to serve again in the Toledo 1st Ward with Sister Webb. Our district of 8 missionaries has 3 people leaving and half of the missionaries in our zone are leaving. It'll be a different experience next transfer but I'm really grateful I've been able to serve around so many dedicated and obedient missionaries. We've had a blast doing the work and enjoying our time in the blessed area of Toledo.I'm really grateful I can spend more time helping the ward become more missionary minded. We're still working on getting a ward mission plan going and I know that it is something that will unify, fortify, and edify the ward...we've just got to get everyone on board. We're going to meet with the bishop this week to talk about it with him.So, this past week was good. We were able to commit Greg to live the word of wisdom, which was a bit of a scary thing because that's pretty much the only thing that is separating him from baptism. It was neat to hear that he'd been praying about wanting to quit drinking and soon after the sisters had knocked on his door. The desire to stop is there and he's been alcohol-free since Wednesday. I'm so proud of him!We were able to attend a baptism with Esther and it was fun to see her recognize the importance of that sacred ordinance being performed by one with priesthood authority. Ether's planning on being baptized June 7.On Thursday we were able to have interviews with President Peterson. I was so grateful to have the chance to talk with him and counsel with him regarding the needs of the area. He's an inspired leader with such great wisdom and strength. He then took us all out to lunch at the Olive Garden! It was so nice.So this past week we had a neat experience. Saturday we pretty much tracted all day and had set a goal to find 2 new investigators to reach our weekly goals. It'd been a crazy week so Saturday was our only time to be out finding. We worked really hard and found some good potentials but only one investigator. As we planned that evening I suggested we take time out on Sunday when we had scheduled in planning to tract some more to find a new investigator so we prayerfully selected streets. After an appointment with a less active we headed out to our first street. We got to the second to the last house on the street and found our new investigator. I love that the Lord will provide for our needs and desires when we act in faith and give of our heart, might, mind and strength.Our trip to Kirtland with Samantha was a blast. It was great to spend time in that sacred place and to have Sam feel of the spirit. I think the more she's learning the more she's coming to realize the magnitude of our message. She recognizes that we all feel fulfilled and she wants that too.Seriously, it was really great to talk with all of you yesterday and thanks for all being available. I'm always so uplifted by your emails and letters and I'm so grateful that you're willing to support and sustain me with your prayers. I love you and hope that your next week is fantastic!Love love love,Sister Cannariato
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