Last letter from the mission field 2/9/2015

Ahhhhhh!! I cant believe I only have one week left! Sooo insane.

I seriously can not wrap my head around it. Do missionaries really leave their mission? Seems surreal.

This week has been pretty good. Since our entire teaching pool just got baptized last week, we spent this week focusing on finding some new investigators. We have a couple of promising potentials, but nothings set yet. 

Major highlights of the week:

On Monday we started the new member lessons with the Mains :) She ended up teaching us most of the lesson hahaha.

Tuesday I finished the quilt I was working on at Kids Quilts. It's the one that I get to take home, so I made sure it looked extra good :) I'm actually pretty proud of it, can't wait to show it to all. 

Wednesday we had Zone Conference. It was so great! The focus was a lot on lasting conversion, and recognizing Gods hand in our lives. All the missionaries who are leaving this transfer and the next, had the the opportunity to share their testimony to everyone. I think once I did that it really hit me that I'll be going home so soon. It was great to see everyone before I leave. 

Thursday we went on splits again with some members of the ward. I went with an older sister and we visited the Holtons, a recent convert/less active family. They've been struggling as of late, but they really appreciated the visit. They are one of the families I've gotten really close to in the short time I'v served in this ward.

Friday was weekly planning. So so happy I only have to do that one more time. There is nothing more tedious than planning sessions on the mission.

Saturday we had a ton of appointments! We normally are lucky if we teach a single lesson on Saturday, but we managed to teach 5.One of the lessons were with the Hays. We explained to Jakob about the new member lessons. His reply: Oh good! i thought you were going to abandon me since i got baptized. Hahaha. As if! :)

 I also hit my 18 month mark on Sat. 

Sunday I ended up praying at every meeting. Ward council, sacrament, Sunday school, and relief society. I don't think they realize i'll be at church next week as well haha. Oh well, I needed the extra blessings :)

This week is going to be great. We have a lot of appointments set up with some of my favorite people. We get to have dinner wit the Mains on Tuesday. Thursday is zone meeting, glad I get to squeeze one last one before I go home. Saturday (valentines day) we're having breakfast with the Holtons, and in the evening is transfer doctrine. I must say, its definitely a relief, not having to stress about if I'm going to get transferred or not :) Sunday after church, I'll head to the mission home to have my departing testimony with President Mendenhall. Afterwards all the missionaries that are going home with me (There are 20 of us!) will have dinner with the Mendenhalls, and the assistants. Afterwards we'll have a testimony meeting, then the rest of the evening is for us to party. We'll sleep there at the mission home, and then in the morning the assistants will drive us to the airport. Then in a few short hours i'll get to see you all again :) CANT WAIT :)

I am so grateful that I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for the Lord. I"m excited to see how i can apply what I've learned to the rest of my life. The biggest thing that I will take away from this mission, is I have learned what it means to truly rely on the Lord. There is absolutely no way I could have done what I've been doing for the past year and a half without His help. Because of this mission, I'v gained a stronger knowledge and testimony on what it means to be a child of God, and that makes it all worth it. 

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."  (2 Timothy 4:7) 

Love you tons and tons. Have a splendid week! :)

Letter from 2/2/2015

Tumbleweeds actually exist! They are all over CO haha.

I heard the Seahawks put up a good fight! Sad they lost though :( I've had plenty of people rub it in my face haha. 

This week was so great. Well- at least the weekend was haha. The week itself was pretty slow :) But oh well! Ruth Main got baptized on Saturday!! And Jakob Hays got baptized on Sunday!! Both of the programs went great, no hiccups or anything. I was asked to speak on Baptism at Ruths service. I think it went well, all things considering. I still really havent gotten over my dislike of speaking in front of a large crowd. 

We're down to zero investigators now haha. We'll have to focus on finding a lot this week. We did get a super promising referral from a member this week. She said that her best friend has been asking her a lot of questions, so the member asked her friend if she could send the missionaries over to her. The friend seemed pretty excited about it! We have an appt with her later on this week.

I made another quilt for charity...

Other than that its been the same old same old. Me and my companion have been having a hard time working together. She doesn't really talk- at all, in conversation or lessons. Its been pretty difficult but whatever. I'm with her for a reason- i just have to figure it out haha.  

14 days till i see you all! Cant wait!!!

Love you tons and tons.

Sister Cannon

Letter as of 1/26/2015

Heeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooo!

Time is going so incredibly fast. 3 more weeks time I see everyone! Super stoked. 

This week has been wonderful.  The best day though was Saturday. Two weeks ago I got a phone call from some missionaries in the Denver stake. They said that Cheri Chavez was getting baptized, and she asked if I could come and support her. I taught Cheri when I was in Parker. She was so close to being baptized then, but her husband wouldn't give her permission, so she ended up dropping us a week before her baptismal date. Turns out she started meeting with missionaries again a month ago, this time in the Denver stake since she had some friends that were members and were fellowshipping her there. Because she lives in Parker though, she got baptized in Denver, but confirmed in Parker. Pretty confusing haha but whatever. I was able to get permission to go down to Denver and witness her baptism. Oh man, I was so incredibly happy I could be there. She was literally glowing with the Spirit. She is one of my favorite people I have ever taught. She would always take notes excitedly when we would teach her, and her book of Mormon was always marked with a ton of the questions she would have. She is going to be a great addition to the church.

This week we've been pretty busy preparing Ruth, and also Jakob, for their baptisms. Everything is looking great for them to be baptized this Saturday, and Sunday. I was asked to speak about Baptism at Ruth's baptism service.

Other than that news, this week has been pretty normal and uneventful. We met with a lot of less active members of the church this week, so that was pretty cool. I love seeing the Light re-enter their eyes as they return to the gospel. 

Hope all is well back home! Can't wait till I can see everyone :) Love you tons and tons and tons, and even more.

Have a wonderful week!

Love Sister Cannon

Letter from 1/20/2015

Hi! Hello! Bonjour! Hey! Howdy! Hola! 

This week has been so great! I love love love my new area. I forgot what ite felt like to be so busy that you have to have to your car between appointments to save time haha. Teaching the gospel back to back to back. Its been truly wonderful.

Ruth and Jakob are both still excited about their baptisms in less than two weeks.

Ruth Main is the most prepared person I have ever taught. We went through most of the commandments with her last week- turns out she's already keeping them. Before we had even taught the word of wisdom, her and her husband Warren decided to dump all their alcohol down the drain, and threw out all their coffee. They paid tithing as well, before we even taught it. She was the one who brought up the scripture in Malachi about pouring blessings through the windows of heaven. Truly amazing. She's going to be relief society president in a year, I can just tell haha. 

The temple is closed for over a month, they are doing construction and expanding some areas, and so the two of them are preparing as many names as possible to take to the temple to do baptisms once it opens again. So amazing! 

Some other major highlights of the week include: going to Kids Quilts again to improve my sewing skills :) 

Went on exchanges with Hermana Hawkins on Saturday. 

Sister Peck and I found a new investigator, named Chacha. Both investigators came to church on Sunday and loved it. taught a total of 20 lessons this week. 

It rained. Then had sunshine. Then snowed. Then hailed. Then sun again, all in the span of a day. CO weather is so bipolar. 

And that's basically it! I'm really happy with this area, and I'm doing my best to finish strong, and not think of home too much. Super hard, when I only have 27 days left, but I'm working on it :)

Love you all so much! Hope you have a wonderful week :)

Sister Cannon

Letter as of 1/12/14

Oh man! This week has been fantastic! Can't wait to tell you all about it :)

 last picture with other comanion

Starting with Monday: 

Obviously I got transferred, as was updated last week. 

picture with new ccompanion Sis Peck

In the evening we went and visited a new investigator, that the previous missionaries had phone two 
days prior of my arriving. Ruth Main and her husband, Warren (he's been less 
active for 40+ years) They have quickly found a place in my heart. We had barely 
sat down when she said "Sisters, I'm ready to get baptized. All we need to do is set a date."
After recovering from shock, haha we set the date of January 31st. We had
her kneel down in prayer right there, and confirm the 31st as the day she
should get baptized, and afterwards there was such an undeniable sense of
peace. We taught her and her husband the plan of salvation, which went
amazing.


Tuesday we did service at Kids Quilts. Each year they send hundreds ob
blankets to children in need after natural disasters, or just impoverished
areas. Seeing as my sewing experience goes to the one pillow I made, I have
a lot to learn. It was a lot of fun though! I already have finished one
blanket, and working on another. They will make a pro out of me yet :)

Wednesday we had interviews with President Mendenhall. Man, he is such a
great man. He gave me some really great advice on how to finish strong,
which I was grateful for.

Later that evening we met with Paul, a less active recent convert. Sister
Falke had actually taught him when she served in this area.

Thursday we had zone meeting, and we started a mission wide fast to prepare
for the mission conference the next day. In the evening I went on splits
for the first time (Companions split up with members in the ward to visit
ppl) It was so weird not being with my companion! I realized how often I
speak in plural being a missionary. I caught my self saying WE promise
you... etc instead of I promise you. Pretty funny, hope I can kick that
habit when I get home. :)

zone leaders

Friday. Oh Friday. Elder Bednar came and visited the mission It was so
incredibly amazing. We sat in the front row so we can get the best
experience :) he spoke on receiving revelation by studying by faith. Then
for over an hour, he just did a question and answer session. It ranged what
sports he enjoyed, to deep questions of the soul. Pretty cool to hear his
thoughts. Later in the evening we had dinner with The Mains (see above) and
then taught the the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism,
Receiving the gift of the Holy GHost, and Enduring to the End). We found
out in the lesson that Warren had met with the Bishop earlier that day, and
he got the Okay to baptize Ruth. Soo excited about that! They are already
planning on getting sealed next January. They had also gotten a family
search account in the week, so they can start preparing names to take to
the temple :) They are so prepared, its not even funny.

Saturday we had breakfast with the Stake Presidency, and then visited a
couple of members.

Damien and Jake! Two of my favorite people in Maplewood

Sunday we had church (Sacrament was soo loud! Definitely an adjustment from
the young single adult ward) And the evening we went and visited the Hays, a
less active family that's returning to the church. We've been teaching their
9 y/o son so he can get baptized. We set him on date for February 1st, so
we'll have two baptisms in a row :) This transfer is going to be so great,
and has been great, and its only been a week!

I'm excited to see the other miracles that can happen in this area.

Hope you had a great week, and are adjusting to the new house! Love you
tons and tons.

Make good choices ;)
Love,  Sister Jessica Cannon

Letter from 1/5/2014

Hello from Henderson CO! :)

Thats right, i got transferred. I'm serving in the Brighton Zone- Henderson ward. My companion is Sister Peck, she's from Texas, and been out 13 months. That's about all I know of her hahaha.

I am so stoked to be back in a family ward for my last transfer. 

Funny story about transfers though. Saturday we gathered as a zone to hear who was going where. When they announced my name, they said I would be serving in Parker, Newlin meadows ward, Man, i was sooo happy, I really wanted to end my mission in Parker. Well Sunday morning I got a call from the AP's, and they said there was a mistake on the printout, and I actually was supposed to come to Brighton. I was pretty bummed, not going to lie, but whatever this transfer is still going to be great. Sister Falke, and Sister Hoemann, some of my past companions, both served in this ward at one point, and i only heard good tings about this area. 

This past week has been pretty great. Me and Sister Hoemann worked incredibly hard, and saw a lot of miracles. Both of us felt like we were going to get swept out of the ward (meaning both of us leave, and two new missionaries come into the ward) so we wanted to make sure everything was set for that. Turns out we were right, we both got transferred out. Sister Harker is in the South Aurora area. 

New Years eve was a party for us. We had to be home by 6pm, mission rules. We ordered pizza, which took an hour and forty five minutes to deliver, we did face masks, coconut oil hair treatments, manicures and pedicures, and drank sparkling cider. :) All super girly things. Except maybe the pizza hahaha.  The pictures from that night are hilarious, i cant wait till you see them. I accidentally left my camera in my suitcase, which sucks because I finally took a lot of pictures this week, but i guess that just means you'll get double next week!

This transfer is going to be amazing. I'm determined to fulfill 2 Timonthy 4:7. I have lots of big goals for this transfer with Sister Peck. I only have 6 weeks left, practically nothing, but still a ton of time to see a ton of miracles.

Love you all so incredibly much!

Peace and blessings :)

<3 Sister Jessica Cannon

Letter from 12/29/2014 sorry we were in the middle of moving and didn't get a chance to post....

HELLO!

I hope you all had a great Christmas! I know I did :)

Quick run through of the events. Woke up at the horrible hour of 530, so that we had time to get ready and open presents before breakfast. We had breakfast at 7 am with some other sister missionaries, we had yummy hash browns, bacon, eggs, and cinnamon rolls. Super good.

Then we got to Skype home! Man, it was so incredibly great to see everyone. Hanging up was the hardest thing, I wanted to talk to you guys all day long. Good thing it isn't too much longer till I get to see everyone again! 

After skyping, we went to the church and watched the first movie of the day. We got permission from President to watch 2 movies Christmas day! We had to choose them from an approved list, but there was a ton to choose from. 

The first movie we watched was Elf. :) So funny! Then we had dinner with the Jones, with all the traditional Christmas foods. Then we came home, and watched Tangled :) I forgot how fantastic that movie was. And that basically was our Christmas day :) It was pretty great considering.

We saw a lot of little miracles this past week. I am so grateful I came out on a mission. The opportunity it has given me to have a better relationship with my Heavenly Father, and my Savior Jesus Christ, makes it all worth it.

This Christmas season, being away from home, has had me rely on that Love from Him so much, and I'm so grateful for that.

Dad mentions how much I'm counting down to when I go home. Yes, I am super aware of how little time I have left, but I also know that its so much time for more miracles to happen. My goal at the end of my mission, whenever that may be ha ha, is to be able to say, as Paul said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" (2 Timothy 4:7)

Love you all sooo much! Thanks for all the support while I've been out, there is no way I could do this without you.

Also, shoutout to Sister Pike! I got your package this week, thank you so much for the wonderful pillowcase :)

Totally made my day! Thank you!

<3 Sister Jessica Cannon