Letter # 26 Happy Easter

Reagan National Airport

April 19, 2011

3:45 p.m.

Letter #26

 

Dear Family,

 

Hello and thank you so much to all of you for the wonderful Birthday greetings yesterday. I feel so blessed. I am the luckiest ol' girl in the world. We are sitting here at our gate waiting to board Air Canada flight 7655 to Montreal, Canada.

 

We have been in Crystal City, D.C. staying at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott. We along with 20 other mission presidents and their wives gathered for another bi-annual mission presidents seminar in D.C. It has been a wonderful trip and to top it off, it was doubly wonderful because we stayed an extra day and a half to surprise Sousan with a visit. My dear sister. Peter was great in orchestrating the surprise visit. He called her on Sunday and told her he was bringing home a couple of missionaries. Peter picked us up at the hotel and we had a beautiful drive to their lovely home in Purcellville. We sure enjoyed our time with Peter. As we arrived home we realized Sou had not yet arrived home from church so we parked ourselves in the family room just as we heard the garage door open. Peter went out to greet her and I could hear her happily chatting away. He told her the missionaries were here and that they were sitting in the family room. She came in the kitchen and bent over to peek in at the missionaries as she said hellooowwwwww…..then her jaw dropped and she looked stunned…then she burst out crying. By that time I was in her arms and we were locked in a bear hug. It was so good to see them both and as always my sis looks beautiful. Their home is lovely and the area they live in is a piece of heaven. We had dinner together, chatted all night and even stayed up til 2:00 a.m. It was so fun. They only problem was that I am unable to sleep in so as the others slumbered, I got up and took a little walk, played the piano (the easy Hymns) did some emailing and read the paper. I don't remember the last time dad slept til 9:30. I was envious but so happy for him. We had breakfast together then Peter went to the office. We took our time talking, and catching up. She put some birthday decorations up and gave me some Ollebrod which is Danish breakfast gruel. I love it. She also gave me some recipes for the mission and the simple hymn book so I can practice in Montreal. It was a wonderful birthday with songs sung to me by Libby and Clara and Libby and Mark, and greetings from each of you who I love. Thank you. I will never ever erase the recording of Clara singing. What a beautiful voice.  We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant after doing some shopping. Sou was attempting to snaze up my style a bit as my wardrobe is a bit drab. Thanks Sou and thanks Nels for just hanging around waiting for us. Dad was a great sport. I gave him my IPhone to challenge me in Solitaire. I will not however divulge the score between us. We have an ongoing battle of Solitaire. Let's just say, I love the game. What a great day.

April 21, 2011

Well, as it goes, I was not able to finish this letter at the airport. So I got up early this a.m. to finish. I wrote an additional two page epistle. It was basically my testimony of the Savior, my gratitude about so many specific things and in particular the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I bore testimony that I know Jesus Christ lives today because He somehow broke the bonds of death, which leads to life in the hereafter. This, to me is one of the greatest gifts given to man. That we can live with our families after this earth life assuming we are living as Heavenly Father commands, is a great blessing.

I am sad I lost this letter because it mentioned so many of you and the reasons why I love you. I don't have time to retype it. Suffice it to say, I love you, thank you for all each of you do for us. We could not keep this schedule up if it were not for the support and love given by you, our dear family and friends. Thank you! I am grateful for this life, for Nels, for our  kids and that includes in-laws, grand kids, parents, siblings, in-laws and dear friends. I feel I am so blessed. I know my Father in Heaven knows and loves me. He gives me direction and correction when I ask for it. He knows and loves each one of you too. You are very lovable.

Have a wonderful Easter and if I ever find the rest of that letter I will be sure to send it. Have a joyous Easter. We are so blessed to know of His love and Resurrection. I am very blessed to have been born on that sacred date commemorating the Resurrection, on an Easter Sunday 57 years ago. Thanks again for all the special birthday greetings. Clara, I will never erase your birthday song to me. And Mark and Lib. yours was really great too. Love you all.

love,

mom, Shir, Mema, Grammah, Soeur Cannon

Picture of Nels and I Pic of Sousan and I and finally Nels and I at the Barlow Building in D.C. Mission Presidents Seminar

To view pictures from the mission click on:

http://flickr.com/gp/canadamontrealmission/5PNoj2

Soeur Shirin Cannon

Sister Shirin Cannon