I just bought a scarf.

They always say there's a first for everything, right? 

Like that one time I slept on the roof. Or when I ate a worm. Or when I ran a marathon. ...I guess some firsts are cooler than others.

So, there's this sister in the ward who's a recent convert. And she keeps telling me I need to take better care of myself and drink ginger water and take vitamin c and bundle up more when I go outside. I'd usually just tell her that I'll be fine. That I take care of myself, and that I don't ever really get sick anyway. 

But...then I got sick. It wasn't terrible, but it was bad enough to not be able to work for a day (the most boring day of my life, btw's). So I decided that she was right, and that I should bundle up more, and take better care of myself. After all, it has been really cold and rainy lately. So I bought a scarf. Which is weird. I've always been the type that takes the trash out in the snow barefoot, or goes out and plays in the rain just for fun. But while I'm working...I decided it's better not to risk it. I can't feed sheep if I'm sick in bed.

Anyway. This week was pretty good. We're getting better, number-wise, but investigator-wise...we haven't had many changes. It's honestly been pretty tough, because they've made a new rule that we can't tract after 6pm. And in the afternoon, we almost always have appointments. So...it's kind of been hard to find new investigators. We have received a few refferals, but none that are incredibly solid. We need to pray for more referrals, and then just ask everyone and their dog if they know anyone we could teach.

We'll keep working at it. Nothing is impossible, right? Especially with the Lord on our side. And all of your prayers as well. :)

We have been working with a former investigator who had told us that she didn't want to get baptized. Her name is Patricia. She came to General Conference and told one of the sisters in our ward that she did want to get baptized. I think she still may have some concerns, but she did accept a baptismal date. So we're working with her lots to strengthen her faith and get rid of her doubts and fears before her baptismal date. 

So. That's about all I have to say. Oh, I guess I should explain. I'm writing today, because we changed our Pday to go to the temple. Then I was still feeling a little sickish, so we didn't go. Hopefully we can go another day this week. 

Love y'all! 

-Elder Cannon

P.S. "We stole the Time Square Jumbotron! That's what I'm talking ´bout!"

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Hey y'all.

So, I can't believe another week has gone by. Every time I turn around, it's Monday again. This week was pretty eventful. :) Because...it was my BIRTHDAY!!! 

On Tuesday, we had an almost mission-wide sports activity, and they gave me my birthday package. Awesome. :)Then on Wednesday, we had an FHE with Gloria and Santiago and Lizeth. We got there and everything was decorated with tissue paper flowers and ribbons and such. We ate a delish cheesecake that they had made me (at my request), and then they gave me the coolest present ever! It was a huge poster of the family the day we got sealed. But they put it in front of the Salt Lake Temple. I'll show you pics. Don't worry. It was amazing. :) So now it's hanging in my room. :) 

Then we had our FHE. I gave the lesson. It was about President Uchtdorf's talk this conference called "La Esperanza de la Luz de Dios." The hope of the light of God? It was a good lesson. Well, I thought it went alright, anyway. Haha. :) 

Anyway, then there were the games and the strawberries in the chocolate fountain, etc. Oh, and I can't forget the ayacas. Yes, we're still in Colombia. ;) 

21st birthday? Success.

We talked yesterday with Sebastian and his mom, Marcela. We hadn't talked to them for a loooong time. He's a good kid, but he's only 12, so until his mom accepts the gospel...it'll be hard for him to do so. I mean, it's not like he can just get up on Sunday and walk a mile alone to church. Marcela is really receptive, and always understands really well and asks really good questions, but for some reason, doesn't want to join the church. I think she's just worried about "all the rules." We explained to her that we're not monks. We're normal people. We have parties, we dance, we enjoy life...just, without the alcohol and tabaco. I think it went well. I saw some progress. She just needs to come to church. I really hope she does. Because she would be an amazing member of the church. She already acts like one. Except for maybe a few Word of Wisdom problems. So we're praying lots that she'll soften her heart, and have the courage and faith to join the church. :) 

She'll come around. :) 

Isabel still isn't married. We're still hoping to do it this week or next week...but it's been hard. The truth of it is, she already has all the papers she needs, and the ward members have offered to help out with the cost of the notary. She just needs to make the decision. 

Operation: Contact Everyone went pretty well. We didn't contact everyone... but we got pretty close. We actually found a member from Barranquilla that's been here in Bogota 6 years and just didn't know where the church was. So we're going to visit her tomorrow with the Releif Society President. It'd be awesome if her family also joined the church. :) 

Well family, thanks for everything. I enjoyed reading all your birthday letters on my birthday! Haha. I love you all so much. :) What would I do without you? 

-Elder Cannon

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It's your birthday? I didn't know it was your birthday!!!

Ah, good old Kronk. 

It's not my birthday yet, but it is tomorrow. Thanks everyone for all your wonderful birthday wishes. :)  I still can't believe I'm turning 21. I still feel 18. Well, 19, because I'm a missionary. But 21? Ni modo. 

Life here is pretty good. I'm writing today instead of yesterday because President Andelin changed our Pday to have a sports activity with all the missionaries in Bogota, Duitama and Yopal. More than half the mission! It was great. I played ultimate frisby for the first time in 2 years, and we also played sand volleyball. :) It was a blast. 

I also got my birthday package!!! Happy day. I'll be opening it tomorrow. :)

Elder Coronel already went home, so I'm just here with Elder Sanford. We've already started "Operación: Contactar a todos." Contact everyone, and teach anyone that'll listen to us. :) 

I love being a missionary. I feel kind of old. I'm the oldest missionary in my zone (according to time on the mission...not age). It's just weird. But life is wonderful. 

Isabel has said that she¡s planning on getting married at the end of this month. Please, if you can pray for her, and her husband Armando so that everything will work out, and they will have the desire as well as the means to get married. :) She's amazing. 

Santiago is doing alright. We had a charla franca with him yesterday, and worked some things out. We read Mosiah 27 the other day with Gloria. I don't know if we need an angel to appear to him and strike him dumb...but we do need to figure out some way for him to really feel the spirit and have that change of heart. He's a really great kid, he just needs to feel the influence of the spirit in his life. 

Other than that, we're looking for lots and lots of new investigators. We have a goal to find 11 new investigators this week. I know we can do it. The best thing about righteous goals is that Heavenly Father will always help us complete them. 

Anyway, thanks again for everything! I love y'all. :) 

Elder Joey

P.S. Happy Birthday, Jorge! Te quiero muchísimo! 

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April showers bring May...showers.

I'm basically the biggest fan of April on earth. Except maybe Brother Bringhurst (?) from Eagle Mountain. He used to give me a candy every week in church, just because my birthday was in April. Haha. 

Here, April basically just means rain. And more rain, and more rain. What fun. Luckily, I have a new umbrella, because my old one died. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did, with how much I use it. I bought it almost a year ago in Tunja. Anyway, I'm set and ready to go for this "winter" season. 

This week was pretty good. We're doing pretty well working with our new converts. Now we just need to find more people to convert, and then work with them too. 

Isabel still isn't married. I don't know what's holding her back. She has all the desire in the world. I think she's just worried about what her husband thinks. He wants to get married too, but I guess he's worried about the whole money thing. Marriage has some expensive traditions, like gold rings and parties and cakes and dresses, etc. We're trying to convince them that what really matters is the ceremony itself. Hopefully they'll agree... We're still praying lots and lots for them. 

Our converts are doing great. Please add Santago to your prayers. He's been a little...desjuiciado lately, and hasn't wanted to do much. Gloria and Lizeth, on the other hand, are doing great. Lizeth got her temple recommend, and is going to give a talk next Sunday. :) She's scared to death. Haha. But we'll help her out. I'm sure she'll do great. 

Anyway, Hope life is good for all y'all. Oh! I forgot to talk about Confernece! I loved it SO MUCH!!! And received lots of answers to prayers and questions I had. Some of my favorite talks were President Monson's on Sunday Morning, and Elder Scott's. Elder Hales' in the Priesthood session was good too. Honestly, I just loved all of it. It made me laught how much they talked about turning off our electronic devices. And like when Elder Scott said that if we read a scripture as much as we read our text messages, we'd have them all memorized. Haha. :) They also talked a LOT about missionaries. It's so amazing that we went from 57,000 last year, to 65,000 this year. God knew what he was doing when He inspired President Monson to change the age limit. I've heard lots of people say that they're going to change the mission for men to 18 months, but that would completely defeat the purpose of having more missionaries. This work is just going forward. Like the stone cut out of the mountain without hands. They talked about that several times too. 

I'm so grateful to have Prophets and Apostles on the earth today. This church is so true. I love it. :) 

Love y'all. Happy April. :) 

-Elder Joey

P.S. "Tell me where the talking llama is, and we'll burn your house to the ground." "Um, don't you mean, or?" "Fine. Tell me where the talking llama is, OR we'll burn your house to the ground!" "...that's kind of a crucial conjunction."

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Otra foto. :)

I forgot! Camila came to Bogota this week from Cucuta! I was hoping they were going to get sealed this week, but they didn't. But they did come to church with us on Sunday! :) She's 3 months pregnant, and they're thinking of coming to be sealed after the baby is born. Sadly, I won't be here. I'll have to save my pennies to come down for the sealing. :)

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Happy Easters!

That reminds me of a quote from Nacho Libre. Hahahaha...

This week was good. Actually, it was an okay week. Semana Santa
basically means that everyone either goes on vacation for an entire
week, or they sleep all day every day, and maybe go out to wash the
car. And then on Friday they don't eat any meat besides fish.

What fun.

Isabel was one who went on vacation for the whole week, so we haven't
talked to her since last Sunday. I hope she's doing well. Even more, I
hope she has ganas de casarse. Because all the papers and stuff that
we went all over the place to find are going to expire soon. We're
hoping and praying that everything goes well.

My new companion is awesome. He's the first American comp I've had. It
actually almost never happens here. The Gringos are always with a
latino. So it's kind of cool. He's a hard worker. He's from Arizona.
idk if I've told y'all already.

Elder Coronel, my other companion, is going home in a week and a half.
Crazy. He still can't believe he's done. I can't believe it either.

So, this week is General Conference! And it falls on April 6th. Cool,
eh? I'm actually really excited. It'll be interesting to hear the
number of missionaries serving. Although they'll be the numbers from
December last year. But I'm sure it'll be lots more than last year.
This next transfer we're getting 37 new missionaries! And there are
only 4 leaving. That's 2 entire zones of missionaries! "El estandarte
de la verdad se a izado. Ninguna mano impía puede detener el progreso
de la obra..."

I love this work.

Thanks for everything, y'all. Take care. Stay in school. Don't do
drugs. You know. Sean juiciosos.

Love,
Elder Joey

P.S. The pictures are of when we painted the ceiling at Gloria's
house. I also made a delish peach crumb pie to eat. Yum!


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