Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A look into the life of a Sister Missionary
Here are some recent pictures from Sister Cannariato on her mission in Akron. She is quite busy doing some amazing, and also some crazy things! --Her sister Eliza
Monday, July 21, 2008
There's a Tablecloth on My Wall!
Posted by Steph's Dad 7-21-08
First and foremost, I just have to tell the entire world that I have the best family on the planet. The tablecloth was AMAZING! I can’t imagine how much time and energy must have gone into making that. But you’ll be glad to know I have it hanging up on my wall next to my bed so I can look at it and have it brighten my day each time I do. You are the best!
It’s been a pretty busy week and in order to not make this eternally long, I’ll give you some of the highlights:
1. I got a SWEET package from the best family in the whole world. I love my tablecloth!
2. I had to give a workshop about effective finding but it ended up being more about the steps that lead to effective finding, tying those to D&C 4:2. We must serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. I looked up the definitions for each of those words and it was powerful to see the connections between them and finding those that are searching for the truth. I also loved studying Nephi’s example of faith, diligence, and righteous desires.
3.We had a conference called "Zoned Out" Thursday where we got together with 3 other zones and had a day of fun. We had a barbeque, took a tour of the John Johnson Home (definitely the highlight), played scriptorianoid (exactly like scriptureman from seminary), "the Brethren" jeopardy, dodgeball, relay races, and human foosball. Our zone did pretty well and it was fun to spend time with other missionaries. I have to admit though, I was really wanting some spiritual nourishment that day but we’re going to have the normal workshops and things at our interviews this Wednesday.
4. Funny story. After zoned out there was a bus tour that had just pulled up with a bunch of youth from Utah on a church history bus tour. They had finished the tour and sang some hymns, so President Peterson suggested we go and sing our mission song to them (it’s "We’ll bring the world his truth" with the 2 and 3 verses changed to pertain to our mission). We did so and it was really neat to sing to them. Afterwards we went to meet some of the people and it was pretty funny to watch the Elders interact with cute high school girls from Utah. At least for me, anyway.
5. Sunday Sister Knowles sang in sacrament meeting and I accompanied her. She sang a really pretty arrangement of "O, My Father" and it powerful for me to sit and listen to the message behind that hymn as she sang. In the hustle and bustle of life today I think we neglect or disregard that divine relationship we have with our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful that we have a correct knowledge of our relationship to our Heavenly Father and how we fit into the eternal scheme of things. It’s such a blessing to know of the gospel of Jesus Christ—Heavenly Father’s plan for us to be successful in this life and return to live with Him, with the Atonement of Jesus Christ being the center of that plan!
6. I wanted to tell you about a convert of just over a year, Stacey Miles, that’s the gospel principles teacher in our ward. He used to play for the NFL and then was a successful sports agent for 15 years. He has a lot of health problems so he spends much of his time in the hospital for treatment and walks with crutches. I am so amazed at his desire to live the gospel and the strength of his testimony. He has such strong faith and I love being able to learn from his example each week. He just recently lost a friend and it’s been hard for him to deal with the grieving process. He told us Sunday that when he’s at home he’ll turn on BYU-TV, have the hymns playing on his internet, have talks from general conference on his CD player, and his lesson for gospel principle laying out so he can study it. He said that he loses himself in the gospel so he won’t go nuts. :) I loved that idea that the gospel of Jesus Christ is what brings consistency in a chaotic world, what brings peace in times of discomfort or unease, etc.
7. I just wanted to also bear testimony of the power of personal revelation. I’ve been pondering a question for about two weeks now and last night as I was getting ready for bed the answer just hit me. The Spirit didn’t stop there, but continued to bring scriptures and examples and things that’d I’d already studied about to mind to make connections that allowed me to figure out how to best proceed in applying the answers to the question. I know that "Salvation cannot come without revelation" and that "revelation is vital to [our] daily work. ‘This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed’" (PMG 89). I know that the Lord will give you the answers you seek as you qualify for guidance from the spirit by keeping the commandments and honoring your covenants.
I probably better end because I could go on forever, so I’ll just end by saying that I love you, the gospel’s true, and you’re all fabulous. Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Sister Cannariato
First and foremost, I just have to tell the entire world that I have the best family on the planet. The tablecloth was AMAZING! I can’t imagine how much time and energy must have gone into making that. But you’ll be glad to know I have it hanging up on my wall next to my bed so I can look at it and have it brighten my day each time I do. You are the best!
It’s been a pretty busy week and in order to not make this eternally long, I’ll give you some of the highlights:
1. I got a SWEET package from the best family in the whole world. I love my tablecloth!
2. I had to give a workshop about effective finding but it ended up being more about the steps that lead to effective finding, tying those to D&C 4:2. We must serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. I looked up the definitions for each of those words and it was powerful to see the connections between them and finding those that are searching for the truth. I also loved studying Nephi’s example of faith, diligence, and righteous desires.
3.We had a conference called "Zoned Out" Thursday where we got together with 3 other zones and had a day of fun. We had a barbeque, took a tour of the John Johnson Home (definitely the highlight), played scriptorianoid (exactly like scriptureman from seminary), "the Brethren" jeopardy, dodgeball, relay races, and human foosball. Our zone did pretty well and it was fun to spend time with other missionaries. I have to admit though, I was really wanting some spiritual nourishment that day but we’re going to have the normal workshops and things at our interviews this Wednesday.
4. Funny story. After zoned out there was a bus tour that had just pulled up with a bunch of youth from Utah on a church history bus tour. They had finished the tour and sang some hymns, so President Peterson suggested we go and sing our mission song to them (it’s "We’ll bring the world his truth" with the 2 and 3 verses changed to pertain to our mission). We did so and it was really neat to sing to them. Afterwards we went to meet some of the people and it was pretty funny to watch the Elders interact with cute high school girls from Utah. At least for me, anyway.
5. Sunday Sister Knowles sang in sacrament meeting and I accompanied her. She sang a really pretty arrangement of "O, My Father" and it powerful for me to sit and listen to the message behind that hymn as she sang. In the hustle and bustle of life today I think we neglect or disregard that divine relationship we have with our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful that we have a correct knowledge of our relationship to our Heavenly Father and how we fit into the eternal scheme of things. It’s such a blessing to know of the gospel of Jesus Christ—Heavenly Father’s plan for us to be successful in this life and return to live with Him, with the Atonement of Jesus Christ being the center of that plan!
6. I wanted to tell you about a convert of just over a year, Stacey Miles, that’s the gospel principles teacher in our ward. He used to play for the NFL and then was a successful sports agent for 15 years. He has a lot of health problems so he spends much of his time in the hospital for treatment and walks with crutches. I am so amazed at his desire to live the gospel and the strength of his testimony. He has such strong faith and I love being able to learn from his example each week. He just recently lost a friend and it’s been hard for him to deal with the grieving process. He told us Sunday that when he’s at home he’ll turn on BYU-TV, have the hymns playing on his internet, have talks from general conference on his CD player, and his lesson for gospel principle laying out so he can study it. He said that he loses himself in the gospel so he won’t go nuts. :) I loved that idea that the gospel of Jesus Christ is what brings consistency in a chaotic world, what brings peace in times of discomfort or unease, etc.
7. I just wanted to also bear testimony of the power of personal revelation. I’ve been pondering a question for about two weeks now and last night as I was getting ready for bed the answer just hit me. The Spirit didn’t stop there, but continued to bring scriptures and examples and things that’d I’d already studied about to mind to make connections that allowed me to figure out how to best proceed in applying the answers to the question. I know that "Salvation cannot come without revelation" and that "revelation is vital to [our] daily work. ‘This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed’" (PMG 89). I know that the Lord will give you the answers you seek as you qualify for guidance from the spirit by keeping the commandments and honoring your covenants.
I probably better end because I could go on forever, so I’ll just end by saying that I love you, the gospel’s true, and you’re all fabulous. Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Sister Cannariato
Monday, June 16, 2008
yep, here she be
Posted by Steph's Dad 6-16-08
Hi family,
I just thought you should know there was a celebrity sighting here at the Holland branch of the Toledo Lucas County Library…Mr. Miagi from Karate Kid!!!
So really, here’s the rundown for the week. After the accident last week we’re finally back to a full day. Sister Webb still has dizzy spells and fits of nausea, but they’re fewer and less severe than they used to be. I’m so glad that she’s feeling better because it’s no fun being out. She’s really amazing though—it’s been neat to learn from her example how to rely more fully on the Spirit in times of trial. It’s a lesson I’m sure I’ll continue learning throughout my lifetime.
This past week we were able to get in contact with a former investigator and her daughters. We are now teaching them all and are trying to get the fiancé in on the lessons. He was a minister with another church so he’s a bit more hesitant, but I am really impressed with the family’s ability to recognize truth. That’s one thing that I love about the gospel…it just rings true. When people are willing to open their hearts, the Spirit can not only confirm the truthfulness of all things but recognize that it’s true.
Esther’s baptism was this past Saturday. She was so incredibly excited and overjoyed to be baptized. During the talk on the Holy Ghost, she punched her fists in the air as the speaker mentioned how pleased she was with Esther’s decision to be baptized. I just love her. She was confirmed Sunday and was just glowing afterwards. I love seeing how the gospel has brought her great joy.
We had an amazing lesson with Samantha this week. She’s always really open with us but she bore her testimony about the Book of Mormon and the Church at the lesson. She knows it’s true and it’s SO COOL to see that! The challenge for her is that her family is giving her absolutely no support whatsoever. In her words, they’re scared of it because they don’t know it. It really makes her sad that her family and friends back home are against her coming to church and things. But the whole time we’ve met with her has been a miracle because from the get go she was defending the church and the doctrines of the gospel. It’s been amazing to see the light that’s come into her life as she’s come to know these things are true. We’re going to talk with her about baptism this week and also get a recent convert over to her house that had a similar situation when she was baptized. It’s exciting work.
Well, I probably better get going, but thanks for reading. I’m safe (no tornadoes or craziness with the storms…at least not too crazy) and happy. Hope you have a great week!
Loves,
Sister Cannariato
Hi family,
I just thought you should know there was a celebrity sighting here at the Holland branch of the Toledo Lucas County Library…Mr. Miagi from Karate Kid!!!
So really, here’s the rundown for the week. After the accident last week we’re finally back to a full day. Sister Webb still has dizzy spells and fits of nausea, but they’re fewer and less severe than they used to be. I’m so glad that she’s feeling better because it’s no fun being out. She’s really amazing though—it’s been neat to learn from her example how to rely more fully on the Spirit in times of trial. It’s a lesson I’m sure I’ll continue learning throughout my lifetime.
This past week we were able to get in contact with a former investigator and her daughters. We are now teaching them all and are trying to get the fiancé in on the lessons. He was a minister with another church so he’s a bit more hesitant, but I am really impressed with the family’s ability to recognize truth. That’s one thing that I love about the gospel…it just rings true. When people are willing to open their hearts, the Spirit can not only confirm the truthfulness of all things but recognize that it’s true.
Esther’s baptism was this past Saturday. She was so incredibly excited and overjoyed to be baptized. During the talk on the Holy Ghost, she punched her fists in the air as the speaker mentioned how pleased she was with Esther’s decision to be baptized. I just love her. She was confirmed Sunday and was just glowing afterwards. I love seeing how the gospel has brought her great joy.
We had an amazing lesson with Samantha this week. She’s always really open with us but she bore her testimony about the Book of Mormon and the Church at the lesson. She knows it’s true and it’s SO COOL to see that! The challenge for her is that her family is giving her absolutely no support whatsoever. In her words, they’re scared of it because they don’t know it. It really makes her sad that her family and friends back home are against her coming to church and things. But the whole time we’ve met with her has been a miracle because from the get go she was defending the church and the doctrines of the gospel. It’s been amazing to see the light that’s come into her life as she’s come to know these things are true. We’re going to talk with her about baptism this week and also get a recent convert over to her house that had a similar situation when she was baptized. It’s exciting work.
Well, I probably better get going, but thanks for reading. I’m safe (no tornadoes or craziness with the storms…at least not too crazy) and happy. Hope you have a great week!
Loves,
Sister Cannariato
Monday, May 19, 2008
THOUGHTS
(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
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
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
Saturday, April 12, 2008
I love this work!
Posted by Steph's dad 4/12/08
Cello!Sorry last week’s email was so short, we were running low on time so I had to be pretty fast. It’s been a busy week and definitely an adjustment, as it always is around transfers, but it was good nonetheless. We’re still seeing great miracles in this area.With Sister McFarlane leaving, they didn’t know where to put me because the closest sisters were in Tiffin (about 2 hours away). So, lucky me, I got to ride out to Kirtland for transfer meeting. It’s a long drive but I was glad I got to go so I could spend more time with Sister McFarlane and see old companions and friends at transfers. They called a new assistant since one was going home and it was one of my zone leaders from the Toledo zone this past transfer. He’s a great missionary and I’m excited to learn from his example. The other assistant used to be my zone leader in Tallmadge and I have to admit, it's nice to know them both since I still feel like I don't know that many missionaries.After transfer meeting we headed back to Toledo and Sister Webb was, as I said last week, ecstatic. She was so excited to be in the field again because she’d been serving in Kirtland. It’s really been fun to have a companion with such a strong desire to be proselyting. We’ve been able to go out finding since both of us have been in good health, so that’s nice. We’re teaching some really great people and I love it!Ken’s still doing really well. We’ve been able to make a bit of headway with his wife Adrianna so that’s great. They actually had us over for dinner last week and it was fun to sit down and talk with them both about the gospel.Did everyone else think General Conference was amazing?!? I sure thought it was. I loved how there was such a focus on family, the articles of faith, and John 7:17. Esther came to conference on Sunday as well as another investigator, Greg. Greg was found by Sisters Dickson and McFarlane but we were only able to teach him once my first transfer because he was sick and things. Well, he’s read through most of 1 Nephi and was able to hear President Uchtdorf’s talk in the Sunday morning session…perfect for him with his Lutheran background! In our lesson with Greg earlier this week he told us he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true…but at this point it’s intellectual rather than spiritual knowledge so we’re really working on getting him praying and trying to facilitate learning by the spirit in our lessons. I'm excited to have him come out to church this next Sunday so he can see what our regular Sunday service is like.The past couple weeks I’ve been thinking a great deal about the role of full-time missionaries in any given ward. I was so grateful for the insights Elder Bednar gave; ward members are the principle finders and full-time missionaries are the principle teachers. We as missionaries are here to assist the ward in the missionary work in their ward, their area, their lives; we are not here to force the work upon them. We come and go as missionaries but the people we teach need that stability that comes from a ward family. We currently do not have a ward mission plan and I’ve been prayerfully pondering how we can get that going to not only unify the ward and us as missionaries but so we can support, strengthen, and edify the families of the ward through missionary work. I didn’t fully understand how much proclaiming the gospel affected all parts of the three-fold mission of the church. I know that it is essential for our spiritual progression as well as those that are searching for truth. We all need to assist in establishing Zion and helping others grow closer to our Savior Jesus Christ.One more random thought: just the other morning Sister Webb and I were sitting at the kitchen table during companionship study and I simply said, “I love being a missionary.” I’ve said it and meant it many times before, but for some reason when I said it that morning it really hit home to me just how much I really do love this work. It’s such a blessing to be a part of it—of all of it, whether it’s proselyting all of the time or sharing it simply through our examples, giving a random pass-along card, or whatever it may be. We have such a precious pearl of great price, something that our Heavenly Father longs all of His children to have. I’m grateful that I get to assist in that sacred work.Lots of love to you,Sister CannariatoOh, and p.s. I got asked out by an investigator’s son last night…awkward. Funny. Okay—really, really funny. But awkward.
Cello!Sorry last week’s email was so short, we were running low on time so I had to be pretty fast. It’s been a busy week and definitely an adjustment, as it always is around transfers, but it was good nonetheless. We’re still seeing great miracles in this area.With Sister McFarlane leaving, they didn’t know where to put me because the closest sisters were in Tiffin (about 2 hours away). So, lucky me, I got to ride out to Kirtland for transfer meeting. It’s a long drive but I was glad I got to go so I could spend more time with Sister McFarlane and see old companions and friends at transfers. They called a new assistant since one was going home and it was one of my zone leaders from the Toledo zone this past transfer. He’s a great missionary and I’m excited to learn from his example. The other assistant used to be my zone leader in Tallmadge and I have to admit, it's nice to know them both since I still feel like I don't know that many missionaries.After transfer meeting we headed back to Toledo and Sister Webb was, as I said last week, ecstatic. She was so excited to be in the field again because she’d been serving in Kirtland. It’s really been fun to have a companion with such a strong desire to be proselyting. We’ve been able to go out finding since both of us have been in good health, so that’s nice. We’re teaching some really great people and I love it!Ken’s still doing really well. We’ve been able to make a bit of headway with his wife Adrianna so that’s great. They actually had us over for dinner last week and it was fun to sit down and talk with them both about the gospel.Did everyone else think General Conference was amazing?!? I sure thought it was. I loved how there was such a focus on family, the articles of faith, and John 7:17. Esther came to conference on Sunday as well as another investigator, Greg. Greg was found by Sisters Dickson and McFarlane but we were only able to teach him once my first transfer because he was sick and things. Well, he’s read through most of 1 Nephi and was able to hear President Uchtdorf’s talk in the Sunday morning session…perfect for him with his Lutheran background! In our lesson with Greg earlier this week he told us he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is true…but at this point it’s intellectual rather than spiritual knowledge so we’re really working on getting him praying and trying to facilitate learning by the spirit in our lessons. I'm excited to have him come out to church this next Sunday so he can see what our regular Sunday service is like.The past couple weeks I’ve been thinking a great deal about the role of full-time missionaries in any given ward. I was so grateful for the insights Elder Bednar gave; ward members are the principle finders and full-time missionaries are the principle teachers. We as missionaries are here to assist the ward in the missionary work in their ward, their area, their lives; we are not here to force the work upon them. We come and go as missionaries but the people we teach need that stability that comes from a ward family. We currently do not have a ward mission plan and I’ve been prayerfully pondering how we can get that going to not only unify the ward and us as missionaries but so we can support, strengthen, and edify the families of the ward through missionary work. I didn’t fully understand how much proclaiming the gospel affected all parts of the three-fold mission of the church. I know that it is essential for our spiritual progression as well as those that are searching for truth. We all need to assist in establishing Zion and helping others grow closer to our Savior Jesus Christ.One more random thought: just the other morning Sister Webb and I were sitting at the kitchen table during companionship study and I simply said, “I love being a missionary.” I’ve said it and meant it many times before, but for some reason when I said it that morning it really hit home to me just how much I really do love this work. It’s such a blessing to be a part of it—of all of it, whether it’s proselyting all of the time or sharing it simply through our examples, giving a random pass-along card, or whatever it may be. We have such a precious pearl of great price, something that our Heavenly Father longs all of His children to have. I’m grateful that I get to assist in that sacred work.Lots of love to you,Sister CannariatoOh, and p.s. I got asked out by an investigator’s son last night…awkward. Funny. Okay—really, really funny. But awkward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
