Week 48

April 25, 2016

Transfers!!! We are staying! No surprises there. Good stuff. 

This week we had a pretty cool experience as a couple of cool brothers came up to us and asked if we were Latter-Day Saints. They turned out to be newly arrived members from Nigeria! AFRICAN BRANCH HERE WE COME! Their names are Fabulous and Kingsley. 

Yesterday after church we went to the Fitzner's house with Samuel, member John, and Emmanuel. John and Samuel not only happen to be neighbors in Samuel's new apartment, but they also lived just 20 km away from each other in Nigeria, and will talk to each other in their local dialect when they feel like it. 

Investigator John had a crazy week. HE ALREADY PAYS HIS TITHING. Apparently one day he just asked Godwin if we pay tithes here and Godwin showed him the envelopes. Since then he's payed every month. It's cool to see how much the Atonement has already been working in his life, I can't wait for him to take the next step in the Gospel, though that won't be for a couple weeks since he'll need an interview with president. 

Mario might get dropped soon, we taught Ernesto, and we are really working on getting new investigators from English course. 

In other news: the elders in our district broke a rope during a tug of war.  Another victory was miraculously getting out of eating the fifth course at a members house, and my pasta consumption has gone up to its summer levels of 350+ grams a meal. 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

 Lunch yesterday. 

The sisters apparently didn't get the memo that we 

were just smiling for the district picture.

Week 47

April 18, 2016

We took a plane down to Nigeria this week to teach... 

John has a baptismal date for May 7th! He is a champ, super ready and willing to change his life with no questions asked to live Gospel principles. 

Samuel still does not have his permanent documents, but he actually got a special exemption from the area presidency that allows him to be baptized without them! I'm not sure exactly what the Fitzners (a missionary couple) said about him to convince the mission president.  Next step... he has to want it too! He has committed to pray and continue reading to know if he needs to be baptized. In our lesson Wednesday he prayed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would grow, and I was thinking "Hmm... I wonder who we know here who could contribute to that?!" Ah… pazienza [patience]. 

We finally got to teach Ernesto!!! We taught him the plan of Salvation and will see him again this week. 

Yesterday church was pretty great. Ernesto and Mario couldn't come so we just taught gospel principles to a bunch of Africans. One of them, Emanuel, who struggles to come to church, was under the impression that someone had been baptized the day before. "No", I responded, "but Samuel should be getting baptized pretty soon". "Who is he?" Emanuel asked. "The fat one?" Basically from that moment I guessed what kind of gospel principles class it was going to be. I LOVED it.

Endurance was spouting a never ending stream of sincere though sometimes random questions "Are there big sins and little sins or are they all the same?" Godwin was dropping some pretty advanced stuff about how Abraham must have had a lot of faith to trust in the Lord's covenant with him.  Samuel was adding his own helpful truths about patience and faith in waiting for promised blessings, and they all enjoyed answering each other's questions, always punctuated by "You understand?" Meanwhile, I was sitting there wishing I had studied up a bit more on the Abrahamic Covenant. They are great and all have such a humble desire to do what's right. 

Saturday night was an awesome talent show organized by the bishop’s wife with tons of non-members. It went late, so we had to leave after the second act (a beautiful Mozart composition), which was good because I heard later on someone sang Coldplay. Good thing I wasn't there. 

Holy cow it was an emotional experience watching the talk by Elder Kearon during lunch the other day. It really is true – seeing and talking to a refugee changes you! It's hard for Americans to understand being so far away from it all, but please help if you can. 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

P day  

Picture from the Mostra [display] we did last week.  

The non-missionaries are our YSA (Young Single Adults). 

Week 46

April 11, 2016

Pretty darn crazy week, here are some highlights:

1. The sisters' investigator texted them Tuesday saying "can I be baptized this Saturday?" She was totally ready and it happened! We announced it in English course and this sweet older lady asked us "so if we come on Saturday do we have to be baptized too?" I reassured her that she didn't, and she came with her daughter and friend! Two of them seem to have some good potential as the sisters' investigators.

2. After the baptism I had an epiphany. We had practiced "Come thou Fount" for just a little bit on Thursday because we were going to sing as missionaries on Sunday, and I had had to play the piano. That makes it kind of hard to practice singing the bass in Italian. So, when we got together as missionaries to practice, I invited Samuel to come sing with me. Turns out he plays guitar and has written about 50 of his own gospel songs. I literally have no way to describe what it was like to have him standing there next to me singing bass in his deep, beautiful, rich, African voice. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Our ward mission leader was killing it on the piano, and it went well when we performed it the next day in church.

3. Miracle time!!! John has been a faithful member of the church for the past few months... Except he's not a member. As of last fall, we aren't allowed to teach or baptize Africans unless they have documents. But he just got his, and we are meeting him to get him ready tomorrow! Bishop was the one who gave us the good news. I am continually taken aback at his charity towards these people. He even does his best to speak to them in his decent English (though they are all taking Italian lessons from the senior couple). 

4. Piero completed his fast with us. He still did not get the sign he was hoping for, but we are giving him one last chance to pray specifically to know if what we have told him is true. It's hard because you can't really look straight into someone's heart and see their motives (although I still hold that the vast majority of the time you can tell if someone will be baptized or not after the first lesson). 

It's been a little hard to come down off the mountain of general conference per se, but we are seeing some big blessings here, thanks for keeping us in your prayers. 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

 Zone calico today was nuts! I am so burnt 
and hopefully weigh a little less now! 

Week 45

April 4, 2016

Conference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was incredible!!!!! I felt so bad for each person who wasn't able to make it but so happy for those that were.

Samuel came Saturday night and Sunday night (the morning sessions) and loved it. Going through the gospel of Jesus Christ this week went really well until he told us how he has already been baptized and feels really good about it.  His brother taught him from the Bible and stuff and convinced him to change his life. He also saw when he was young his father raise a lame man to make him walk. So the priesthood authority thing was a bit of a stumbling block, but I got blown back in my chair, sitting right next to Samuel, when President Eyring said "this is the only true church". It hit with special power. Also, the moment Elder Stevenson mentioned reaching into his pocket, I thought "priesthood keys talk!!!!! Perfect!!" We haven't mentioned that topic since then to him, but Samuel loved it all, especially President Uchtdorf's talk Sunday morning. You know who else did? Mario! I was on an exchange when they taught him Friday but Elder Chugg had counseled him to bring a question to conference, and he said he got an answer to the question during President Uchtdorf's talk! Yes! 

I was busy sitting next to Ernesto. Ernesto is this older Italian man. The sisters were doing a spiritual thought on scriptures last Tuesday; they asked "if you could ask God one question, what would it be?" He responded, "Why am I alive?" I talked to him a bit afterward, but wasn't able to set up an appointment. However, he showed up to the Sunday morning session! At the end I tried to find out whether he had slept through it or not by asking him a question or two, and holy cow he blew me away. "How can I possibly do things in the temple to help my parents and brother who are dead?" Ok, so he understood. He also loves reading, and it seems that recently he has studied a bit online about our church. Anyway I finally convinced him that all his questions could be answered if we taught him something tomorrow called the plan of salvation! 

Also, it was a little hard to understand the Italian translator, but I think Elder DeFeo is a new 70! FORZA ITALIA! His son was in my ward in Rome. And my friend and former stake president Dini Ciacci who came to teach Mauro with us is taking his place as an area 70.  

One part I loved is when we watched the session in Italian and they sang one hymn with the congregation. At first I started singing in English, but the sisters passed out Italian hymnals, and bit by bit we started singing louder and louder until the Italian singing drowned out the English. That was pretty cool. 

Cool thing that happened is the morning of conference.  I read and was just kind of blown away by that first point that we so often undervalue, "God is our loving Heavenly Father". Read that three times. How crazy, how cool is that doctrine?!! It was awesome to then hear about it from my favorite, Elder Hallstrom. Please just because we're used to these doctrines, let's never take them for granted.  This is especially true around our nonmember friends, for whom learning about these truths should be the most important and life changing things that will ever happen to them! 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

At the caves today 

Week 44

March 28, 2016

It's been a good week! 

Tuesday we showed the Easter video to all 50 or so English Course students, it was a pretty massive crowd. It's not easy to control or teach these swaths of Italians who all love to be the one talking, but I really have come to love it.  It was honestly a miracle that they could sit still for the spiritual thought, but it seemed to go well and the sisters harvested some appointments from it. 

Samuel doesn't have his documents, which means no baptism for him yet.  But he is making some great progress. He says he feels at home here thanks to the love people show him.  Our ward has dominated the fellowshipping game.  He even got a ride to church from an old Italian man who had never met him.  And one of our other Africans lived just 20 kilometers away from him in Nigeria so they hit it off well.  But he also feels the Spirit when we teach and has been reading the Book of Mormon! 

Our investigator Mario is a former professional tennis player whose net worth is probably greater than all the other investigators that I've ever had combined. During a recent lesson he asked us what the Church’s stance was on him buying the car he wanted which cost a crud ton of money.  Not having had that problem before, I didn't really know what to say. 

Easter was great! Because of the time change that had just happened in Italy, right as I was reading Alma 7 during a bit of study before church, the sun came up over the apartment behind us and lit up and warmed up the room really nicely. Church was awesome, several of our investigators came.  Unfortunately, like always we were the most popular people there.  My companion had to leave priesthood meeting where he was translating to come with me as I played the piano for a song the primary kids were learning, complete with the signs "go", "stop", and "slow". 

Speaking of kids, the primary Easter missionary activity happened on Saturday. The sisters did most of the planning, but as my dad would say, they should have just known that the kids' favorite part would be "running around like banshees". I ran around with them and had a blast. A lady who invited TWO families to come... is inactive. That's right; if she can do missionary work, YOU CAN TOO! 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

Missionaries at the Easter party. Notice the photobomb by the cute girl in the back. 

Are we finding part member families or is this chemistry class? 

 In this picture I am reassuring one of the kids that we will, 

in fact, be doing an egg hunt at the end of the activity. 

Week 42 and 43

March 14, 2016

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I am being TRANSFERRED! Anziano Flynn, one of the assistants, called me, and when he broke the news... I may have said some things I regret.  Don't let your imagination run too wild.  It's just that I was super confused and was kind of just babbling because I did NOT expect that.

We've been blown out ("white washed" in other missions) which is super weird.  [Both missionaries in a companionship being transferred out of an area at the same time.]  Usually that happens when there is major disobedience involved (uh huh, big problem here) or like zero work being done in the area.  But we have just been hitting or were about to be hitting the standards of excellence!

I'm heading to Bari to be with Anziano Chugg. The cool experience I had though is that this call came during personal study, so right afterward I said a quick prayer asking for help understanding why this would happen.  I was lead to read in the Teachings of Joseph Smith the section about missionary work. I had heard the story before. During a time in Kirtland, many members of the church and even leaders were going apostate. The prophet Joseph probably thought, "Gee, I have to keep the only faithful, solid people I have left right here to help strengthen the saints." But amidst this all, he was asked to send the Quorum of the Twelve on missions to England. It probably seemed crazy to him at the time, but he was obedient and because of it the church survived and thousands were brought to the gospel. So that made me feel a lot better.

So, here is the state of what we are leaving for the new elders:

Maged should be having his baptismal interview on Saturday. When I let him know I was leaving I told him, "It's hard, I really love this ward."  In his not super strong English he responded, "Yea, and I love... you." I think at the end he realized that that wasn't super normal to say, but it's ok, I'm super happy for him, and I love the guy too. 

Liu told us last Tuesday that he wasn't ready for his interview on Saturday. The reason why is pretty interesting though. He has a massive testimony, he knows this is the baptism he needs, and even though this has been an insanely difficult time in his life, he has never felt more peaceful. The previous Sunday he said he left church singing out loud he was so happy. But he understands the commandments very well, and with his companion and son living in Venezuela at the moment, he has some doubts and things he needs to fix privately. But I see this as an eternal family. He wants to bring her here and marry her, and I'm sure the Bishop would be more than happy to do it for free. Until then, the elders can work on getting him to take the step of baptism as soon as possible. 

Mauro has had a change of heart. When we went there the last time, it was as if they were all active members for years. They are praying multiple times a day as a family, he and Rosa are individually reading the Book of Mormon, and there was an incredible spirit of love and joy the last time we went. Plus Dennis has honestly become one of my two favorite young men in the ward.  He and the rest of the family did well putting up with the gospel principles lesson we taught on the fly this Sunday since the teacher wasn't there ha-ha. But anyway he'll be ready to be baptized once Rosa returns from Ecuador after a few weeks visit! 

This Tuesday night we were sweeping water out of our bedroom because our washer flooded.  I will say, if you ever get lazy and don't want to sweep, flooding the house is an excellent way to clean the floor .

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

Left to right: Fabio, the legendary member missionary. We had an appointment cancel this week so we did a little street finding.  A couple times he introduced us by saying "noi siamo qui come... Agenti segreti." [We are here like....secret agents.]  I'm not sure the people understood, but it made us missionaries crack up for sure. Then there's me, Franz Barriga (Shh... but he's my favorite young man here. Such a cool kid), and Elder Saffer, an AWESOME companion who I am very sad to be leaving after three incredible transfers.

March 21, 2016

Wow. 

Reasons I am privileged to come to Bari: 

Bari itself. Our bishop told us that National Geographic rated this area as one of the top places to visit in the world. Today for p-day we went to the beach and played mountain cricket or something like that. We saw other evidence of tourism as we walked past stores like Gucci and Armani and Prada with their $1600 jackets. Most of that is probably not for the locals. 

2. The work. It's going great… I think. Apparently Bari is one of the most desired cities in this mission to go to. It is a missionary ward. Going to correlation and hearing about lots of new converts, having the bishop sit in for 40 minutes and get really involved helped. For example, the Bishop mentioned a primary activity they are planning.  "It'll be great for the kids to get together and have fun, but obviously above all we want them to invite their friends. It should be primarily a missionary activity." That was just music to my ears, it's incredible what the missionary spirit can do to a ward of about 70 people. You don't get that everywhere. 

3. My companion. He is great and super obedient. We walked out of the house first day and I found out we only ever speak Italian outside.  Awesome!  He's one transfer younger than me but has great desire and spirituality and he speaks quite well. He's also a state champion golfer and is going back to BYU to play there. 

Here's a couple cool things:

Saying goodbye to people was crazy. Liu calls us his "little brothers". I'm super glad that he's been able to build relationships with members however, because stuff like his happens. He gave us "Roma" (the soccer team) scarfs the last time we saw him.  I had ceremonially given him a tie the night before; that's a tradition for people you baptize so I'm putting some faith in him!

Mauro drove us to the train station at 6:00 AM the day we left. A few hours later, I found myself in Bari! 

We've done a couple lessons with a pianist named Piero. It was super cool last night to go there and he let me play his piano as we all sang "Israel, Israel God is Calling" as an opening song. 

Samuel! He is a Nigerian referral that we've taught with the senior couple, the Fitzners. He is super cool, about 6'3" and easily over 300 pounds. On Sunday we ate a massivvvveee lunch after church with the ward members, and we put him on "bringing in the tables" duty. I can't wait to see him get an answer that he Book of Mormon is true. Who will baptism him? We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

Out with the old...

...In with the new! 

Liu! 

Mauro.

Maged. 

Week 41

March 7, 2016

What an awesome week!!!!  Yesterday was stake conference so Elder Herbertson, an Area 70 was here. On Saturday morning we got to go with the stake president to pick him up at his hotel and teach Mauro! He is such a cool guy, he's from Wales and likes hiking (he's been to Crater Lake) and has a ton of cool stories.  One that he told us was about the super cool inspiration they received while reorganizing Elder Saffer's stake in Sweden.

We found out that they wanted to do this lesson with us on Tuesday, and it was a straight up miracle that we were able to meet Mauro at 9 am to teach him. We thought a lot about it and decided finally on what to teach, but as we talked about it in the car, President Diniciacci politely let us know that we were basically just going to let Elder Herbertson go for it. And he DID. The spirit was super strong, he cited a story about another dad from a part member family making the step to get baptized after 17 years. I was under the impression Mauro didn't speak English, but he understood it pretty well and eventually said in his thick Italian accent "yes, I know it's true". President Diniciacci also brought some powerful testimony and after we left, told us "now I know why that appointment almost got cancelled but then didn't. It was needed". 

All three of our progressing investigators came the next morning to stake conference, where Elder Herbertson did an incredible job again. He clearly was pretty busy, as he was the main speaker at five separate stake conference meetings. Saturday night during adult session he told an incredible story about a shy woman who took the challenge to pray for someone to give a Book of Mormon to.  She ended up giving it to an African woman on the bus to work, who took the lessons and wanted to be baptized. Then her sister got mad and came up from Africa to "save" her. She came to Bishop Herbertson who said "this is a big mess. Why don't you listen to the missionaries' message and then we'll sort this all out." Two weeks later she wanted to be baptized, and her husband subsequently came up from Africa to fix his wife and sister in law. Bishop Herbertson had the same conversation and four days later he came back desiring to be baptized. This couple then returned to Africa where they converted over 30 members of their family and hundreds more came into the church as the result of a small act of courage by a shy Mormon woman in England. 

On Saturday night at the end of the adult session President Diniciacci grabbed me to tell me how he is really grateful for my smile, "it really makes other people happy". That is super gratifying, I've really tried to make a conscious decision to be (not to fake being) happy. 

On the way to Terni for an exchange I was reading in 2 Nephi. What an interesting coincidence that we had just met someone from Lebanon. The police came over to check all of our passports, and on the front of her passport book was - you guessed it - a cedar.

Miracle of the week was Manfreddi!! That guy we talked to with Fabio. He met us in church and we had a sweet lesson with him. He is pretty smart; we often had to say "yes, that is what we were about to explain". Before we even asked him to do so, he committed to read the Book of Mormon every night and wants to be baptized on April 23rd. 

Actually no, this is the real miracle: remember Margherita? She was a lady who lives in another area we street contacted on New Year's Eve. Well, we got word that by her second lesson she had read through second Nephi, cried during the lesson, and kissed the Restoration pamphlet! YES! 

Love, 

Anziano Cannon 

Zone conference! I can't believe we've been at it for SIX TRANSFERS! 

Notice how Anziano LaPray has been in this picture five out of six times. 

Janos is leaving for the Philippines. We're hoping soon after he will go on a mission!