Nov. 21, 2010
Webb’s Motel Ottawa, On.
Letter # 17
Dear loves of my life,
Here I sit in a funny little hotel room in Ottawa. The weather has turned and we were pelted with hail for a few minutes yesterday morning. That caused me to put an emergency bag of blankets, flash lite, shovel, first aid kit, clothing and food in the car in case of a mishap because of the snow we are anticipating. I pray it does not snow while you kids travel from Portland and NY to Montreal next week. We can’t wait to see you but if it is snowing and dangerous we would understand if you changed your plans, seriously! Please watch the weather.
It is early Sunday morning and we are to speak at a Stake Conference at 10:00 a.m. We drove in yesterday as dad had a meeting at 3:00 and then I was to speak in the p.m. meeting of the Ottawa Stake conference. They called us about three weeks ago to ask dad to speak in a Priesthood meeting at 3::00 on Sat., me for 15 minutes in the p.m. and then both of us in the a.m. session on Sunday. It was reconfirmed and then once again as we met with one of the leaders, reconfirmed again.
These are such wonderful men who serve in these Stakes. We love the Stake president, President McAteer, in this Stake as he loves missionary work. He wants to attend all our Zone Conferences with the missionaries, he owns 5 Subway stores and offers one free meal to all our missionaries each week, he constantly reminds the Elders he wants to go out and teach with them and he makes missionary work a priority in this Stake. He is such a great man.
Anyway, what I was going to say was, we attended last nights meeting, I took my talk with me prepared to speak for 15 minutes and they announced the agenda of speakers. Not paying too much attention, however in the deep, dark depths of my mind, I had not heard my name announced on the list of speakers for the evening. I asked Nels if he had heard my name and he wasn’t sure either. So I asked the Temple Pres. and his wife (The Galbraith’s) sitting next to me if they had heard whether or not I was speaking and they hadn’t heard either. That is because they are a bit hard of hearing. And the most wonderful couple ever. So we waited….and waited, I was not able to just sit back and relax but still rehearsed in my mind what my message was. In the end I never had to speak. Not sure what happened but I count it as one of those tender mercies. We will see what happens today. I am prepared.
Just before the evening conference we attended a baptism. The Elders who taught Nicole were Elders Vail and Jepperson. They are both such wonderful Elders. Elder Vail has the most wonderful laugh, he is always enthusiastic, he positive and works hard. He wanted to be sent up in the boonies where the weather is brutal, the work is hard and the landscape is rough. He is a cowboy from ID. And he loves the outdoors. Give him a horse and let him go. Elder Jepperson is from Ut. and is a new missionary. They, together make a marvelous team. They just washed and waxed their car and were so proud of how it shined. They love to go beaver hunting with a member’s non member husband to help him gather the dead beavers, mink and other varmints. All our missionaries give four hours of service each week to anyone who needs it member or non member alike. They found and taught this wonderful woman the gospel and she loves it so. She has wanted to be baptized for some time but she is very afraid of the water. She finally made the decision to be baptized last night before the conference. It was held in French. After the talks we all walked to the baptismal font and waited. We waited and waited. She had to gather the courage to go down the steps into the water in the font. The President of the Branch was asked to baptize her and the Relief Society President was there at her side to help her down the steps. They stood there for some time as he sweetly, gently talked her through it. She is a tiny person. Once he started the baptismal prayer, you could see he was all about getting her in and out quickly. He plunged her into the water so deep and so quick that when she came up she let out a yell. She was so happy it was over. She was overjoyed after the baptism. She was confirmed a member of the Church after a talk on the Holy Ghost, and then was given the gift of the Holy Ghost by Elder Vail along with the priesthood holders, the men, gathered around her as she sat in a chair. They placed their hands on her head while surrounding this wonderful little lady. As soon as the prayer was over and she had been given the gift of the Holy Ghost, she popped up out of her seat so fast, that she either fainted or lost her balance, but non the less she fell over. Good thing there were all those men around. They helped her up. As she stood up again she said “L’esprit est fort” wow, the spirit is strong! I love converts. They are so full of love of the Gospel, so enthusiastic and they have experienced such a change in their lives that they almost radiate light. I love this work.
Speaking of conversions, as we see the missionaries work with people, there is such a drastic contrast between those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and those who do not. We see their lives change for the better. On the other hand when they do not embrace it, their lives remain unchanged and they continue to struggle without the help of the Lord. For example a young man from Russia, who the sisters are teaching is a great concern of mine. I have taught him twice. He was coming along so well. He tried to quit smoking cigarettes, pot, drinking, having sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage, and doing other hard drugs. His face, you could see it in his face that he was changing. He physically looked better. He was clean shaven, he smiled. He started reading the Book of Mormon, praying, attending Church. He was so happy. He loved being around the members. Then his girlfriend started “dissing” the church and harassing him because he was meeting with the sisters. She was not a good influence on him and threatened to leave him if he did not start living the life they had had before. They were both in a downward spiral. Their lives were going nowhere, it was very depressing. We could sense the pull of both forces on him. Then the other day, he went missing. The sisters called me upset because no one knew where he was. No one could find him. He had not attended school and had not gone home. He lives with his sister and brother in law and they had not seen him for two days. They were upset. He had no one else other than the girl friend. She did not know where he was either. She was freaking out as well. After two and a half days he showed up again. We saw him at a Stake Conf. just after he had returned. He looked wasted. He had such dark circles under his eyes, and his skin was ashen. I was worried. We still don’t know where he was. Not sure he knows either. He went on some kind of binge or something. He is now throwing up blood and does not want to go to the hospital. His girl friend came with him to a lesson with the sisters at church. They talked it out and she started crying saying, “we have to stop this life, we have to stop, we can’t keep living like this” and she made him take the dope out of his pocket and throw it away in the garbage can along with the cigarettes. I think she realizes that this life that the sisters’ are trying to teach them to live will be one that brings much joy rather than continue in the hell they are currently living. He did it. He emptied out all his pockets and threw everything away. I hope to see him again this week. I am going to encourage him to go to the hospital. I pray for this young man who lost his parents when he was young and has not had any parenting in his life except for his dear sister who does her best to take care of him. I know the teachings of the Savior would heal him physically and spiritually. He is such a dear young man. He has his entire life ahead of him. So does she. I pray for them both, that they together will embrace the gospel. Imagine what that will mean for them, for their children and their children’s children etc. Not to mention all his family who have passed on including his parents. I know Satan does not want this young man to overcome. His power is real, his influence great…but not greater than that of our Father in Heaven. However, we all have agency, the freedom to choose. That is one of the greatest gifts given to man from a loving Father in Heaven. I hope and pray for Leon and his girlfriend.
This was a serious sort of depressing letter. Sorry, I did not mean for it to be so, it was just stuff that was on my mind. There are so many wonderful things that happen from day to day. Miracles the missionaries call me about, kind acts of service etc. I wish I had the time to recount them all. I love this life right now. It is very taxing, very hectic and we run…from sun up to sun down. But, I would not trade it and I feel it a privilege and honor to be out here serving as a missionary. Oh how I love this work. It is true. I am grateful for the love and support of each of you. We feel of your prayers and love. We simply could not continue this pace without your love and support. Thank you, all of you. We love you dearly and pray for you daily.
One more thing, in our search for the perfect or even just decent hotel here in Ottawa, I must say our efforts have been futile. We are so spoiled in the States. Even the Marriott has problems here in Ottawa. So instead of paying silly prices for a room there, and have to pay for internet and parking, we opted to stay in a funny little motel with what we hoped would be firm beds. I must say I was a bit worried as the lady who was checking in with me at the same time was saying she and her friends were going to “booze it up”. They were given the room next to ours. We turned up the volume on our sound machine. No problem. After 5 hours of trying to sleep, on a bed with springs that have sprung, I figured I would just get up and write a letter. As I showered yesterday, the water turned scalding while I was in the shower so I jumped in and out. This happened so many times, I decided to get out. It did not matter how I turned the knobs, the water would stay hot then burst into scalding. Maybe they were working on the plumbing or something but I think we will try another place next time. It was cheap, very basic but sleep is vital. I hope I can stay awake for two hours on the stand today, and through my own talk as well.
Love you all, at this time of Thanksgiving, I give thanks for each and every one of you and for your influence in my life. You are the loves of my life. How could we be so blessed? I am in debt to my Father in Heaven for everything. I love you. Make it a great week and I will try to do the same. I give thanks for all my blessings and YOU are at the top of that list.
Love,
Mom, Shir, Soeur Cannon
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