Mom,
This week went alright! We had our trip to Teresina on Tuesday almost all day and the meeting on Wednesday all day! It was a really good and spiritual meeting! I always love those meetings and have been extremely blessed by the Lord to have had to opportunity to be not only a Zone Leader but also to participate in those meetings for basically a year. It's not too common for a missionary to be any one thing (DL or ZL or trainer or whatever) for a year solid. But that just means that I had and still have more to learn about being a good leader. It has been tough at times and very stressful and tiring as well, but it has been very very rewarding and continues to be. I hope that I am able to carry with me everything I have learned throughout my whole life and that I can be a good leader if the Lord needs me in the future. I'm not sure what He has in store for me, but I will do my best to be what and who He needs me to be so that I can help not only my own family but also those around me. That's actually something that the Lord has told me in my Patriarchal Blessing is that I will be a big help to those around me, not only in the church but also in the communities where I will live. And when he was here a couple of weeks ago, Elder Aidukaitis said something that really touched me. He said that we cannot help the spiritually weak if we ourselves are spiritually weak. So in order to help others, we have to be in a good, strong position. That really inspired me to always be in a position that will allow me to help others when they need me to help them. I see that here on the mission a lot. There are days that I am all stressed out and down, but my comp is being strong and helps me out. Also when my comp is down and out, I create some kind of strength and determination to help him even if it's not easy. So it's been interesting to see how God helps me when I need to be helped but also when I need to help someone else. This week, after the meeting in Teresina, we had a bit of trouble in finding people to teach. But on Saturday we had a great visit with one of the references that that member gave us the past week. We went after them all and only found 2. One didn't want to hear us in any way, shape or form. But the other was very receptive and heard our message and everything else. His wife (since they are LEGALLY married[miracle in and of itself]) stopped what she was doing and delayed her going to work to hear us as well! They are members of another church but seemed curious to hear what we had to say and the woman even asked a couple of questions! So it was a really good visit and went well! We will be marking the next visit with the member that gave us the reference so that we can go with him. Other than that, not much else to report on here in the area.
Don´t get too stressed out or trunky! Stay focused on what you have to get done so that you don't forget anything! :)
Have a great week!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received August 29, 2016
Mom,
This week was a tough one. Started out fine. I went to a city called Tianguá to visit the missionaries there with their District Leader. It is the place that most reminded me of home that I have been to here... You'll see why in the pictures. But it is a city that is on top of a hill (almost 2,000 ft) and because of that is a fairly cool place to be at night. I realized when I was there just how much cold I am going to feel when I get home.... It's funny how a person can become completely unadapted to a certain climate after so short a time. I have noticed that I sweat a lot less recently and don't feel as hot during the day even though the weather doesn't change. So in other words, when I get to BYU-I, I'm probably going to get sick because of the cold..... But it'll all work out! Got back to my area on Wednesday morning and stayed here the rest of the week. It's been really tough since I got here. Never have I seen an area with so much difficulty to find or even teach investigators. We mark appointments and we get there on time but the person is doing something else or isn't home or something of the sort. The people that we contact on the streets or in their own homes don't want to hear us, and if they let us in, it's just to talk and not to hear our message. Not exactly sure why it's been that way thus far, but we are thinking a lot about how we can change the situation here to make things better. On the bright side, we received 4 references from a member and he said they are really good people and wants to visit them with us! So that got me pretty excited! Hopefully we can get some new investigators there. This week, FINALLY, worked out the baptism of a woman that was taught by Elder Xavier and his last comp here. She was supposed to be baptized the week that I got here, but for one reason or another it didn't work out until this last Saturday. She's dating a man from our ward and I think she got to know the gospel because of him. He baptized her on Saturday and I confirmed her on Sunday. So at least the week wasn't entirely unproductive. This week we will be going to Teresina for our usual monthly meeting. We go on Tuesday and come back through the night from Wednesday to Thursday. Excited to see what I can do better and learn in the meeting!
MY birthday wasn't anything too special. We just worked like we always do. The Dias family gave me that loaf of homemade bread afterwards and Brother Dias took those pictures. He isn't our new LMA. And his son served in Australia, so he knows english and translated your email. They are a really great example of how a family should be. One of the best families that I have gotten to know on the mission. I was able to get the cake made, but one day late. Because the 25th was the birthday of another missionary that lives in the same house as us. So we made the cake and ate it on the 25th. But it worked out well! Just burnt around the edges a bit because we put the temperature a bit high to bake. but it worked out!
Had to be Kannon. But he's only doing what he spent two years learning how to do! He's still contacting new people looking for new investigators with the hope that one will accept his invitations and progress! :) And that´s exactly what I'll be doing when I get home too!
Sei lá eu... I think there´ll be around 10 families or so. And about 15-20 little kids. and some youth as well.
RELIEVED TO HEAR THAT MESSIAS WILL HELP US OUT WITH TRANSPORT!!!!!!!! That was really worrying me. Because if every place we went was using taxi, would have been a lot more difficult and expensive. One of the missionaries that I know here asked if you could bring Maple EXTRACT for him. Also (IF you find them) mint M&Ms. If not, no worries. But most of the people like those cake mixes you sent me and maybe some blueberry muffin mix for a member there in Teresina.
On the 25th, if possible, Lord, I would Follow Thee and a sacramental hymn that I don't have a clue the name or number in English. But in Portuguese it´s called "Com Irmaõs, nós Reunidos" number 117. But if I don´t figure out the name or number in english, just the first on is good!
Don´t worry about the camping class! I will look for some club or something like that that I can do. Or I can work a bit more to save more money and work less during my actual semester. But don't worry about the camping class!
Have a good week and don´t get too stressed out! It´ll all work out!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And thank you so much for everything you do and have done for me over the last 20 years! Wow. I´m getting old!
Elder Gunnoe
This week was a tough one. Started out fine. I went to a city called Tianguá to visit the missionaries there with their District Leader. It is the place that most reminded me of home that I have been to here... You'll see why in the pictures. But it is a city that is on top of a hill (almost 2,000 ft) and because of that is a fairly cool place to be at night. I realized when I was there just how much cold I am going to feel when I get home.... It's funny how a person can become completely unadapted to a certain climate after so short a time. I have noticed that I sweat a lot less recently and don't feel as hot during the day even though the weather doesn't change. So in other words, when I get to BYU-I, I'm probably going to get sick because of the cold..... But it'll all work out! Got back to my area on Wednesday morning and stayed here the rest of the week. It's been really tough since I got here. Never have I seen an area with so much difficulty to find or even teach investigators. We mark appointments and we get there on time but the person is doing something else or isn't home or something of the sort. The people that we contact on the streets or in their own homes don't want to hear us, and if they let us in, it's just to talk and not to hear our message. Not exactly sure why it's been that way thus far, but we are thinking a lot about how we can change the situation here to make things better. On the bright side, we received 4 references from a member and he said they are really good people and wants to visit them with us! So that got me pretty excited! Hopefully we can get some new investigators there. This week, FINALLY, worked out the baptism of a woman that was taught by Elder Xavier and his last comp here. She was supposed to be baptized the week that I got here, but for one reason or another it didn't work out until this last Saturday. She's dating a man from our ward and I think she got to know the gospel because of him. He baptized her on Saturday and I confirmed her on Sunday. So at least the week wasn't entirely unproductive. This week we will be going to Teresina for our usual monthly meeting. We go on Tuesday and come back through the night from Wednesday to Thursday. Excited to see what I can do better and learn in the meeting!
MY birthday wasn't anything too special. We just worked like we always do. The Dias family gave me that loaf of homemade bread afterwards and Brother Dias took those pictures. He isn't our new LMA. And his son served in Australia, so he knows english and translated your email. They are a really great example of how a family should be. One of the best families that I have gotten to know on the mission. I was able to get the cake made, but one day late. Because the 25th was the birthday of another missionary that lives in the same house as us. So we made the cake and ate it on the 25th. But it worked out well! Just burnt around the edges a bit because we put the temperature a bit high to bake. but it worked out!
Had to be Kannon. But he's only doing what he spent two years learning how to do! He's still contacting new people looking for new investigators with the hope that one will accept his invitations and progress! :) And that´s exactly what I'll be doing when I get home too!
Sei lá eu... I think there´ll be around 10 families or so. And about 15-20 little kids. and some youth as well.
RELIEVED TO HEAR THAT MESSIAS WILL HELP US OUT WITH TRANSPORT!!!!!!!! That was really worrying me. Because if every place we went was using taxi, would have been a lot more difficult and expensive. One of the missionaries that I know here asked if you could bring Maple EXTRACT for him. Also (IF you find them) mint M&Ms. If not, no worries. But most of the people like those cake mixes you sent me and maybe some blueberry muffin mix for a member there in Teresina.
On the 25th, if possible, Lord, I would Follow Thee and a sacramental hymn that I don't have a clue the name or number in English. But in Portuguese it´s called "Com Irmaõs, nós Reunidos" number 117. But if I don´t figure out the name or number in english, just the first on is good!
Don´t worry about the camping class! I will look for some club or something like that that I can do. Or I can work a bit more to save more money and work less during my actual semester. But don't worry about the camping class!
Have a good week and don´t get too stressed out! It´ll all work out!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And thank you so much for everything you do and have done for me over the last 20 years! Wow. I´m getting old!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received August 22, 2016
Mom,
This week went okay. We are still having trouble in finding and teaching people, but we are always trying to find new people! Not really sure what's been happening with people that they seem less open to hear us, but we are trying to find ways to get to talk to them. Maybe it's because of the better financial condition of the people that they aren't as open to hearing us. Because of this, we having been focusing more on finding less active members than new people. Because a lot of the time, a less active member is the only member of the church in the whole family, so we are trying to work a bit more on completing these families as a whole. Not entirely sure what we need to do different to be able to find more people and have more people to teach, but we sure need them! We are working well together and we don't have reasons to have misunderstandings or anything of the sort, so that helps a lot. It motivates me to keep working hard in spite of the difficulties we are having in the area. This last week I was able to get to know more members of the ward! The members are really nice and are helpful! As always, we have a few families that always help us when we need it and other members that are excited and willing to help. So at least we have good members and some that are willing to help us with the work! Our Ward Mission Leader was changed this week and now we have a really good one! He is a returned missionary and is very excited and enthusiastic about the work, so hopefully we can work well together to get things moving here in the ward.
I was able to bring all of the food that you sent in the box. And the toys I left with some kids there in Teresina. I left the YoYo with Adria's younger siblings, the Football with Mycahacnnen and his brother and the slinky with Vitor (all young men that I helped baptize there in Teresina). The food I brought with me and some of it I ate during the bus ride! I'm working out a way to have my cake soon! Will definitely work something out! Don't worry about that! Nate and Harrison enter the MTC this week? Glad to hear that it was a good Sacrament meeting and had lots of people! Also glad to hear that Kannon is well! I'll just have to talk with Josh to see how things went for him! Working on my talk a little at a time! Will have it all written and done before I get home!
Have a good week and keep trying to prepare yourself! Because the heat will be intense! But it'll be great!!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
This week went okay. We are still having trouble in finding and teaching people, but we are always trying to find new people! Not really sure what's been happening with people that they seem less open to hear us, but we are trying to find ways to get to talk to them. Maybe it's because of the better financial condition of the people that they aren't as open to hearing us. Because of this, we having been focusing more on finding less active members than new people. Because a lot of the time, a less active member is the only member of the church in the whole family, so we are trying to work a bit more on completing these families as a whole. Not entirely sure what we need to do different to be able to find more people and have more people to teach, but we sure need them! We are working well together and we don't have reasons to have misunderstandings or anything of the sort, so that helps a lot. It motivates me to keep working hard in spite of the difficulties we are having in the area. This last week I was able to get to know more members of the ward! The members are really nice and are helpful! As always, we have a few families that always help us when we need it and other members that are excited and willing to help. So at least we have good members and some that are willing to help us with the work! Our Ward Mission Leader was changed this week and now we have a really good one! He is a returned missionary and is very excited and enthusiastic about the work, so hopefully we can work well together to get things moving here in the ward.
I was able to bring all of the food that you sent in the box. And the toys I left with some kids there in Teresina. I left the YoYo with Adria's younger siblings, the Football with Mycahacnnen and his brother and the slinky with Vitor (all young men that I helped baptize there in Teresina). The food I brought with me and some of it I ate during the bus ride! I'm working out a way to have my cake soon! Will definitely work something out! Don't worry about that! Nate and Harrison enter the MTC this week? Glad to hear that it was a good Sacrament meeting and had lots of people! Also glad to hear that Kannon is well! I'll just have to talk with Josh to see how things went for him! Working on my talk a little at a time! Will have it all written and done before I get home!
Have a good week and keep trying to prepare yourself! Because the heat will be intense! But it'll be great!!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received August 15, 2016
Mom,
Sobral is VERY different than Teresina or any other city that I have been to thus far on my mission. Even though it really isn't that far away (6 and a half hours) it's a lot different! The heat is almost the same, but here there is a lot of wind early in the morning and in the late afternoon. So that helps a lot to cool things off a bit. The city is quite a bit cleaner as well! There are always some parts of every city that are cleaner than others, but here is mostly better! The people are a bit different here as well. A lot of the times that I say Good Afternoon or Good Night to someone, they don't even respond when in other places they always returned the favor. So the people here are a bit more cold. A LOT of people are members of another church. There are some pretty big churches here that are very old! From what I understood, a while back, the separation of race and class was very big and because of that, the city has a lot of landmarks and separations in the city itself. Not sure if any of that made any sense... My english has gotten pretty bad... But more on the missionary side, the work has been challenging here. Because of the other churches culture, a lot of people don't even want to talk to us. When I got here, the group of people that we have to teach topped a staggering 4. But we are working hard to improve that! We have encountered some pretty good people and there are a few members that are preparing friends as well for us to visit. My comp, Elder Xavier, is from João Pessoa, Paraíba. But he moved to Piracicaba in São Paulo. He is one of the other Missionaries that Elder Medina trained! So we knew each other from a while back and things are going great! We are working hard and working together to change things around here. My new address is
Rua Domingos Arruda Casa 151, Junco, Sobral, Cerará.
We live in the second floor of the house. The address there in Teresina was
Rua Babaçu Casa 2826 (i think), Real Copagri, Teresina, Piauí
Glad to hear that all is going well and that you had a good sacrament meeting! Our meeting was a bit different yesterday. It was a Stake Conference in which the Stake Presidency was reorganized! So we had two 70's here for that! Was a very spiritual meeting! With an attendance of 1,364! Was a very full meeting!
Hope that all continues to go well and that your preparations for the travel go well! Get ready for some heat as well! :)
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Sobral is VERY different than Teresina or any other city that I have been to thus far on my mission. Even though it really isn't that far away (6 and a half hours) it's a lot different! The heat is almost the same, but here there is a lot of wind early in the morning and in the late afternoon. So that helps a lot to cool things off a bit. The city is quite a bit cleaner as well! There are always some parts of every city that are cleaner than others, but here is mostly better! The people are a bit different here as well. A lot of the times that I say Good Afternoon or Good Night to someone, they don't even respond when in other places they always returned the favor. So the people here are a bit more cold. A LOT of people are members of another church. There are some pretty big churches here that are very old! From what I understood, a while back, the separation of race and class was very big and because of that, the city has a lot of landmarks and separations in the city itself. Not sure if any of that made any sense... My english has gotten pretty bad... But more on the missionary side, the work has been challenging here. Because of the other churches culture, a lot of people don't even want to talk to us. When I got here, the group of people that we have to teach topped a staggering 4. But we are working hard to improve that! We have encountered some pretty good people and there are a few members that are preparing friends as well for us to visit. My comp, Elder Xavier, is from João Pessoa, Paraíba. But he moved to Piracicaba in São Paulo. He is one of the other Missionaries that Elder Medina trained! So we knew each other from a while back and things are going great! We are working hard and working together to change things around here. My new address is
Rua Domingos Arruda Casa 151, Junco, Sobral, Cerará.
We live in the second floor of the house. The address there in Teresina was
Rua Babaçu Casa 2826 (i think), Real Copagri, Teresina, Piauí
Glad to hear that all is going well and that you had a good sacrament meeting! Our meeting was a bit different yesterday. It was a Stake Conference in which the Stake Presidency was reorganized! So we had two 70's here for that! Was a very spiritual meeting! With an attendance of 1,364! Was a very full meeting!
Hope that all continues to go well and that your preparations for the travel go well! Get ready for some heat as well! :)
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received August 8, 2016
Mom,
Just got to my new area and don't have time to write much, just sending signs of life! I was transferred from Teresina to Sobral in Ceará! The only place that I had never been on my whole mission and now I'm here to finish things off! So excited to be here and be able to get to know new people and a new place! My comp is Elder Xavier from João Pessoa but now is living in São Paulo. Really excited for what the Lord has in store for me here!
Have a great week!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
P.S.
Still a Zone Leader here!
Just got to my new area and don't have time to write much, just sending signs of life! I was transferred from Teresina to Sobral in Ceará! The only place that I had never been on my whole mission and now I'm here to finish things off! So excited to be here and be able to get to know new people and a new place! My comp is Elder Xavier from João Pessoa but now is living in São Paulo. Really excited for what the Lord has in store for me here!
Have a great week!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
P.S.
Still a Zone Leader here!
Email received August 1, 2016
Mom,
This week went way better! We were able to get more done even though we had our Mission Counsel meeting on Wednesday all day. In spite of that, we were able to do a little bit more work wise than last week! So that was really nice! On Thursday we had a division with some of the young men here in the ward! My comp went with Wanderson and Paulo, and I went with Adria! It was great to visit some people with them and be able to help them create the missionary spirit within them! We were able to visit quite a few people that day. Then the other days we were able to work pretty well with visiting people. This Sunday was our ward conference. There were a lot of people there here from the ward and quite a few from the whole stake. Most of the High Counselors and their wives were there and the whole Stake Presidency and their families. So we had a lot of people at church on Sunday, 159 to be exact. But a good chunk were from the stake. But still a really good attendance! The meeting was well prepared and the classes and talks as well. We only had two investigators there, but better two than none! One that was there is the man we are helping prepare to be baptized in a couple of weeks. He is a very simple and humble man with very very little, if any, formal education and is very poor. He works selling water in the center of the city and sometimes that doesn't work out so well. So most of the stuff he has at his house is trash or things that other people give him. His couches his tables his clothes his shoes and pretty much everything he has has been given to him or he found on the street. But we are working with him to stop smoking and drinking coffee. So we'll see how his progress goes!
Glad to hear that all is well and that you are having a good trip! Hope you made it home safely and found everything okay! Now you'll have your hands full to get all the work done that needs done! But it's better to stay busy than to have nothing to do! Will be going to get my box pretty soon! Here in about an hour, I'll have opened it! Thank you so much!!!
Have a great week!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
This week went way better! We were able to get more done even though we had our Mission Counsel meeting on Wednesday all day. In spite of that, we were able to do a little bit more work wise than last week! So that was really nice! On Thursday we had a division with some of the young men here in the ward! My comp went with Wanderson and Paulo, and I went with Adria! It was great to visit some people with them and be able to help them create the missionary spirit within them! We were able to visit quite a few people that day. Then the other days we were able to work pretty well with visiting people. This Sunday was our ward conference. There were a lot of people there here from the ward and quite a few from the whole stake. Most of the High Counselors and their wives were there and the whole Stake Presidency and their families. So we had a lot of people at church on Sunday, 159 to be exact. But a good chunk were from the stake. But still a really good attendance! The meeting was well prepared and the classes and talks as well. We only had two investigators there, but better two than none! One that was there is the man we are helping prepare to be baptized in a couple of weeks. He is a very simple and humble man with very very little, if any, formal education and is very poor. He works selling water in the center of the city and sometimes that doesn't work out so well. So most of the stuff he has at his house is trash or things that other people give him. His couches his tables his clothes his shoes and pretty much everything he has has been given to him or he found on the street. But we are working with him to stop smoking and drinking coffee. So we'll see how his progress goes!
Glad to hear that all is well and that you are having a good trip! Hope you made it home safely and found everything okay! Now you'll have your hands full to get all the work done that needs done! But it's better to stay busy than to have nothing to do! Will be going to get my box pretty soon! Here in about an hour, I'll have opened it! Thank you so much!!!
Have a great week!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received July 18, 2016
Mom,
This week went a little better! We had a division on Tuesday after our Zone Meeting and it went smoothly. We did a little bit of running around and taking care of things the better part of the week. But not too much. On Wednesday morning, we had a surprise meeting with the district and zone leaders here in Teresina. It was just in the morning so that was good. It was a good meeting that helped us as leaders know how to better lead and guide our districts and zones in a more effective way. We were able to receive instructions from President Melo and his assistants. We also ended up going to the doctor a couple of times because my comp isn't feeling all that well lately. So we went to the doc to see what's going on with him. He went and the took some blood to do some tests and we will be going back to the doc on Wednesday to see what is going on. We have been after new people to teach as well, but that too hasn't been too successful. We found only one new investigator this week. Even though we work hard and all, we just aren't having the success that we would like to. In spite of all the trouble, we were able to have 7 investigators in sacrament meeting yesterday! I was really surprised to see some of the people there that went, but they went! So we will work a little more with those people to see what happens with them!
As to the food on Sunday, I really liked what we did when I was leaving! (the cafe rio food) I also had a special request for a family dinner! The classic pot roast (took me a while to remember the name) with mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans! Oh how I love that dinner!!! Glad to hear that the activity went well and that a lot of people went! We are also starting to put on some activities here in the ward that I´m in and it´s going good! That´s one thing that really lacks here is activities with a good attendance. Not so glad to hear about Carter.
Do you know if Conner and Renee have anything planned for their summer break? Or just relaxing? I'm also guessing that Conner will continue working? I can imagine that 3 straight semesters with work is pretty stressful. But glad to hear that it all worked out! Hopefully they´ll take some time to do some temple work as well! Good luck to me! At least in the beginning I won´t have a wife yet. So I´ll be able to get settled in better. All will work out as it is supposed to! Maybe not as smoothly or easily as we would like, but it will all work out!
Have a great week! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
This week went a little better! We had a division on Tuesday after our Zone Meeting and it went smoothly. We did a little bit of running around and taking care of things the better part of the week. But not too much. On Wednesday morning, we had a surprise meeting with the district and zone leaders here in Teresina. It was just in the morning so that was good. It was a good meeting that helped us as leaders know how to better lead and guide our districts and zones in a more effective way. We were able to receive instructions from President Melo and his assistants. We also ended up going to the doctor a couple of times because my comp isn't feeling all that well lately. So we went to the doc to see what's going on with him. He went and the took some blood to do some tests and we will be going back to the doc on Wednesday to see what is going on. We have been after new people to teach as well, but that too hasn't been too successful. We found only one new investigator this week. Even though we work hard and all, we just aren't having the success that we would like to. In spite of all the trouble, we were able to have 7 investigators in sacrament meeting yesterday! I was really surprised to see some of the people there that went, but they went! So we will work a little more with those people to see what happens with them!
As to the food on Sunday, I really liked what we did when I was leaving! (the cafe rio food) I also had a special request for a family dinner! The classic pot roast (took me a while to remember the name) with mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans! Oh how I love that dinner!!! Glad to hear that the activity went well and that a lot of people went! We are also starting to put on some activities here in the ward that I´m in and it´s going good! That´s one thing that really lacks here is activities with a good attendance. Not so glad to hear about Carter.
Do you know if Conner and Renee have anything planned for their summer break? Or just relaxing? I'm also guessing that Conner will continue working? I can imagine that 3 straight semesters with work is pretty stressful. But glad to hear that it all worked out! Hopefully they´ll take some time to do some temple work as well! Good luck to me! At least in the beginning I won´t have a wife yet. So I´ll be able to get settled in better. All will work out as it is supposed to! Maybe not as smoothly or easily as we would like, but it will all work out!
Have a great week! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received July 4, 2016
Mom,
After the transfer was all said and done, I stayed here in my area again and my old comp got transferred! My new comps name is Elder Szpack (pronounced like the guy from Star Trek) and he is from Curitiba, Paraná. I had been his Zone Leader back in São Luís for a while! We had a pretty busy start of the week with transfers and all and then we worked on Wednesday and Thursday normally. And on Friday we had another meeting with a different Area 70! His name is Morôni Torgan and he is a Federal Deputy in Brasilia and also an area 70 (obviously). He came to our mission to help us out a bit and we had a VERY spiritual meeting with him! He is on a whole other spiritual level. He taught us for about a total of 3 hours and was constantly using the scriptures to teach. The only thing that was missing were his own scriptures! He would just ask everyone to open a scripture in any one of the standard works without even thinking about it! Whatever kind of question or doubt that we had, he responded with a scripture or two or three. Just throwing them out there! It was almost like looking up scripture references on the gospel library app, but with him doing all that work. It was truly incredible to see the level of knowledge and comprehension that he has of the scriptures! He's like a walking gospel index! He taught us a lot about how we need to change to be able to help more people come unto Christ and what the people need to know and feel to really become converted. Was quite the experience! We were back to work on Saturday as normal and Sunday as well. This week was a tough one in terms of finding people at home to teach. We went to almost every house that we normally go to and things weren't really working out. We also tried to find new people to teach and that was a bit tough as well. So we've got to look inward and see what is happening so that we can change things here. But we will keep working hard to make things change!
FYI: The other box is here and I will get it on Wednesday! If you could send another cake like last year, that would be great! Other than that, I don´t think there´s anything else. I didn't treat myself because my "treat" was seeing the people there in Timon! That was way better than any other thing I could buy! Sounds Like it was a pretty big family to have so many people there! And that´s nice to hear that they still worked out a way to have the Sunday School part! Glad to hear also that dad has been busy with OT! I realized the other day that today is 4th of July! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! Stay safe!
Thanks for the recipes! And glad to hear that I got into the math class!
Have a great week!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
After the transfer was all said and done, I stayed here in my area again and my old comp got transferred! My new comps name is Elder Szpack (pronounced like the guy from Star Trek) and he is from Curitiba, Paraná. I had been his Zone Leader back in São Luís for a while! We had a pretty busy start of the week with transfers and all and then we worked on Wednesday and Thursday normally. And on Friday we had another meeting with a different Area 70! His name is Morôni Torgan and he is a Federal Deputy in Brasilia and also an area 70 (obviously). He came to our mission to help us out a bit and we had a VERY spiritual meeting with him! He is on a whole other spiritual level. He taught us for about a total of 3 hours and was constantly using the scriptures to teach. The only thing that was missing were his own scriptures! He would just ask everyone to open a scripture in any one of the standard works without even thinking about it! Whatever kind of question or doubt that we had, he responded with a scripture or two or three. Just throwing them out there! It was almost like looking up scripture references on the gospel library app, but with him doing all that work. It was truly incredible to see the level of knowledge and comprehension that he has of the scriptures! He's like a walking gospel index! He taught us a lot about how we need to change to be able to help more people come unto Christ and what the people need to know and feel to really become converted. Was quite the experience! We were back to work on Saturday as normal and Sunday as well. This week was a tough one in terms of finding people at home to teach. We went to almost every house that we normally go to and things weren't really working out. We also tried to find new people to teach and that was a bit tough as well. So we've got to look inward and see what is happening so that we can change things here. But we will keep working hard to make things change!
FYI: The other box is here and I will get it on Wednesday! If you could send another cake like last year, that would be great! Other than that, I don´t think there´s anything else. I didn't treat myself because my "treat" was seeing the people there in Timon! That was way better than any other thing I could buy! Sounds Like it was a pretty big family to have so many people there! And that´s nice to hear that they still worked out a way to have the Sunday School part! Glad to hear also that dad has been busy with OT! I realized the other day that today is 4th of July! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! Stay safe!
Thanks for the recipes! And glad to hear that I got into the math class!
Have a great week!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received June 27, 2016
Mom,
We weren't able to do a whole lot this week. We had divisions twice this week, so that was a pleasant change of pace. Normally when I complete another month on the mission I like to buy an ice cream or something similar. This month I didn't buy anything special. This time I had a division with the Elders in Timon! While I was there, we scheduled some time to go and visit two of the people that I baptized there! Lindalva and Jerônimo! It was GREAT to see them both after so long! Lindalva bought a cake for us to eat and we talked for a while. I was able to take a picture with them both to remember! After I left Timon, the baptism record of Lindalva was lost and her member record was never created. After almost a year, they finally were able to recreate the record and create her member record! She said that she is also working toward a trip to the temple in the future! It will take a little while for her to save the money, but she is still very firm in her decision! That made me so happy to see that she has a strong desire to go to the temple even though it won't be easy for her. A great example of dedication to the Lord! I will attach the pictures along with some others for you to see! Other than that, not a whole lot went on this week. Glad to hear the Corey and Spencer are both doing well! I was thinking about them a few days ago and what they are living and experiencing where they are. Should be very interesting! There are some fast-food places here. There's one or two McDonald's that I've seen and one or two Subway's here as well. Other than that, there's just a chain that they have here called Bob's. Pretty much the same thing as McDonald's. But they all are very far away from my area and are pretty expensive as well. So that makes it kinda hard for us to eat there.
We only had one that we are actually teaching there that will be a pretty long process to get him to baptism. But we'll keep working with him. Other than him, we didn't have anyone at sacrament meeting this week. Not sure about the box. Will call the mission office today to see if it got here or not. At least the people that weren't there were on trek! It really is an amazing experience!
Have a great week and be sure to stay busy!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
We weren't able to do a whole lot this week. We had divisions twice this week, so that was a pleasant change of pace. Normally when I complete another month on the mission I like to buy an ice cream or something similar. This month I didn't buy anything special. This time I had a division with the Elders in Timon! While I was there, we scheduled some time to go and visit two of the people that I baptized there! Lindalva and Jerônimo! It was GREAT to see them both after so long! Lindalva bought a cake for us to eat and we talked for a while. I was able to take a picture with them both to remember! After I left Timon, the baptism record of Lindalva was lost and her member record was never created. After almost a year, they finally were able to recreate the record and create her member record! She said that she is also working toward a trip to the temple in the future! It will take a little while for her to save the money, but she is still very firm in her decision! That made me so happy to see that she has a strong desire to go to the temple even though it won't be easy for her. A great example of dedication to the Lord! I will attach the pictures along with some others for you to see! Other than that, not a whole lot went on this week. Glad to hear the Corey and Spencer are both doing well! I was thinking about them a few days ago and what they are living and experiencing where they are. Should be very interesting! There are some fast-food places here. There's one or two McDonald's that I've seen and one or two Subway's here as well. Other than that, there's just a chain that they have here called Bob's. Pretty much the same thing as McDonald's. But they all are very far away from my area and are pretty expensive as well. So that makes it kinda hard for us to eat there.
We only had one that we are actually teaching there that will be a pretty long process to get him to baptism. But we'll keep working with him. Other than him, we didn't have anyone at sacrament meeting this week. Not sure about the box. Will call the mission office today to see if it got here or not. At least the people that weren't there were on trek! It really is an amazing experience!
Have a great week and be sure to stay busy!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received June 20, 2016
Mom,
This week went alright. We ended on a good note and had two baptisms this Saturday morning! Two boys, one is 13 years old and the other is 10 years old. After some time attending church, they were able to be baptized this weekend! Both were confirmed on Sunday the 19th. We also had one man go to sacrament meeting that I didn't really expect to be there! We found him knocking on doors and he already knew a little about the church through a friend of his and when he played soccer there quite a few years ago. We haven't been able to visit him at home and teach him since then, but he went to church on his own this Sunday! So that made me pretty happy! Other than that, not too much to talk about this week.
At least it only gets that hot for a couple of months in the year and not the whole year round! (I told him about our hot weather here the last few days) During the last months of the year, the temps at night are around 90.... But that's life here in this part of Brasil! Oddly enough Ruby's came into my mind yesterday when I was thinking about food.... We'll have to go there when I get home! If I don't get in the other classes, that's fine. I'll find something to do! I think the box will get here this week or the next. I am going to the mission office every Monday, so I am able to get cards and boxes as they get here. That was a picture of my Eccos. I think they will make it to the end! Although they look pretty bad, they have a solid plastic under the rubber. So I think they'll make it!
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
This week went alright. We ended on a good note and had two baptisms this Saturday morning! Two boys, one is 13 years old and the other is 10 years old. After some time attending church, they were able to be baptized this weekend! Both were confirmed on Sunday the 19th. We also had one man go to sacrament meeting that I didn't really expect to be there! We found him knocking on doors and he already knew a little about the church through a friend of his and when he played soccer there quite a few years ago. We haven't been able to visit him at home and teach him since then, but he went to church on his own this Sunday! So that made me pretty happy! Other than that, not too much to talk about this week.
At least it only gets that hot for a couple of months in the year and not the whole year round! (I told him about our hot weather here the last few days) During the last months of the year, the temps at night are around 90.... But that's life here in this part of Brasil! Oddly enough Ruby's came into my mind yesterday when I was thinking about food.... We'll have to go there when I get home! If I don't get in the other classes, that's fine. I'll find something to do! I think the box will get here this week or the next. I am going to the mission office every Monday, so I am able to get cards and boxes as they get here. That was a picture of my Eccos. I think they will make it to the end! Although they look pretty bad, they have a solid plastic under the rubber. So I think they'll make it!
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Gunnoe
Email received June 6, 2016
Mom,
Wow. Not too much time to respond this week, so I'll just have to respond to the questions and comments. This week was a bit tough. We had all day meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday and then interviews with president on Thursday which ended at almost 6 for me. So we only had Friday and Saturday to really work and visit people. And these two days were challenging. We had trouble catching people at home and very few people were receptive in the contacts we did. So it wasn't the most productive of weeks that I've had. But we were still able to teach a few really good people! We actually didn't have any investigators at church this week. So that was a bummer. But I am not going to let that get me down! We were able to finally catch a husband and wife at home that we taught a couple of weeks ago and were able to teach them again. The lesson went very well. They are such nice and humble people! When we got there, the offered watermelon and we ate a couple of slices and then at the end they sent us off with a huge slice and two pieces of cornbread! They are very open to hear what we teach and are willing to keep the commitments that we make with them. I am excited to see what comes of our other visits! Glad to hear that everyone was able to finish the temple prep class and are all excited to go through the temple! I wish I could be there to go with them, but I know you will be there in my place. Hope that you have a great week and are able to resolve everything! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Love you so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Wow. Not too much time to respond this week, so I'll just have to respond to the questions and comments. This week was a bit tough. We had all day meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday and then interviews with president on Thursday which ended at almost 6 for me. So we only had Friday and Saturday to really work and visit people. And these two days were challenging. We had trouble catching people at home and very few people were receptive in the contacts we did. So it wasn't the most productive of weeks that I've had. But we were still able to teach a few really good people! We actually didn't have any investigators at church this week. So that was a bummer. But I am not going to let that get me down! We were able to finally catch a husband and wife at home that we taught a couple of weeks ago and were able to teach them again. The lesson went very well. They are such nice and humble people! When we got there, the offered watermelon and we ate a couple of slices and then at the end they sent us off with a huge slice and two pieces of cornbread! They are very open to hear what we teach and are willing to keep the commitments that we make with them. I am excited to see what comes of our other visits! Glad to hear that everyone was able to finish the temple prep class and are all excited to go through the temple! I wish I could be there to go with them, but I know you will be there in my place. Hope that you have a great week and are able to resolve everything! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Love you so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received May 30, 2016
Mom,
This week went well. We were able to come across some new people this week that are really interested in learning more about the gospel. It's always nice to find new people that are really interested in learning more. Now we just have to work on help them to progress and continue growing and learning. We had a ward talent show on Thursday last week! It was a really cool activity! Ardia sung a song with another recent convert playing the guitar. It was really cool! It was nice to see that Adria is feeling at ease with the other youth and members of the church here! The lady that you asked about is progressing well! She set a goal for herself to be baptized on the 22nd of June! So that was a big step for her! We will continue working with her so that she can be prepared for that date that she set as a goal! All in all, things are going good! Know that all is well here and that I am happy and healthy and always eating plenty! So happy to be here serving the Lord and having part in the work of saving souls! Even I'm not the one who truly teaches people, I am happy to be an instrument in God's hand in bringing about the changes that the gospel brings.
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
This week went well. We were able to come across some new people this week that are really interested in learning more about the gospel. It's always nice to find new people that are really interested in learning more. Now we just have to work on help them to progress and continue growing and learning. We had a ward talent show on Thursday last week! It was a really cool activity! Ardia sung a song with another recent convert playing the guitar. It was really cool! It was nice to see that Adria is feeling at ease with the other youth and members of the church here! The lady that you asked about is progressing well! She set a goal for herself to be baptized on the 22nd of June! So that was a big step for her! We will continue working with her so that she can be prepared for that date that she set as a goal! All in all, things are going good! Know that all is well here and that I am happy and healthy and always eating plenty! So happy to be here serving the Lord and having part in the work of saving souls! Even I'm not the one who truly teaches people, I am happy to be an instrument in God's hand in bringing about the changes that the gospel brings.
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received May 16, 2016
Mom,
This week went pretty well! We were able to do a couple of divisions with other areas to do some baptismal interviews there and were able to stay busy! This Saturday (14-05-2016) we were able to have the baptism of a young man that we have been teaching for a couple of weeks now! He is such an amazing young man! He is one of those investigators that once he is baptized, I don't worry about him leaving the church ever! He has a really strong testimony and is always working hard to learn more! I have never taught anyone quite like him before! He was truly prepared by the hand of the Lord to encounter and accept the restored gospel at this time and the scripture in D&C 29:7 that talks about the elect of God and how they hear His voice and willingly accept it. It was and always will be a great honor to have been an instrument in God's hands in the conversion of one of His children! We were able to have a woman that we are teaching at the baptism and then at church on Sunday which was great! It was her first time in the church building and I think she liked it a lot! We will be visiting her in the next few days to see what she thought about the meeting! When I said that, I meant as a literal and set-apart representative of Christ. I know that I will always be representing Him, but not as I do now. It will be a bit different when I get home, but I know very well that I will always be carrying His name with me. I will make up a list of a couple of things to send next week for you! I will definitely hold on to a couple of things that I used all this time, but not too much. We will be going to the part of the city that has hotels today, so I'll see if I run across anything! That would be the best way to do it. Go up to the coast right away and visit there and then come back down to Teresina. I think it would be good to pass 2 full days there in Parnaíba to see everyone and also go see some sand dunes that are there close by. Then we can come back down to Teresina and visit the areas here. We could stick around here in Teresina from Thursday until Sunday. Then head out on Sunday maybe after lunch. So glad to hear that the recent converts are going strongly and are going to the temple! That is something that really can make all the difference!
Hope you have a great week and that things continue going well!!
LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
This week went pretty well! We were able to do a couple of divisions with other areas to do some baptismal interviews there and were able to stay busy! This Saturday (14-05-2016) we were able to have the baptism of a young man that we have been teaching for a couple of weeks now! He is such an amazing young man! He is one of those investigators that once he is baptized, I don't worry about him leaving the church ever! He has a really strong testimony and is always working hard to learn more! I have never taught anyone quite like him before! He was truly prepared by the hand of the Lord to encounter and accept the restored gospel at this time and the scripture in D&C 29:7 that talks about the elect of God and how they hear His voice and willingly accept it. It was and always will be a great honor to have been an instrument in God's hands in the conversion of one of His children! We were able to have a woman that we are teaching at the baptism and then at church on Sunday which was great! It was her first time in the church building and I think she liked it a lot! We will be visiting her in the next few days to see what she thought about the meeting! When I said that, I meant as a literal and set-apart representative of Christ. I know that I will always be representing Him, but not as I do now. It will be a bit different when I get home, but I know very well that I will always be carrying His name with me. I will make up a list of a couple of things to send next week for you! I will definitely hold on to a couple of things that I used all this time, but not too much. We will be going to the part of the city that has hotels today, so I'll see if I run across anything! That would be the best way to do it. Go up to the coast right away and visit there and then come back down to Teresina. I think it would be good to pass 2 full days there in Parnaíba to see everyone and also go see some sand dunes that are there close by. Then we can come back down to Teresina and visit the areas here. We could stick around here in Teresina from Thursday until Sunday. Then head out on Sunday maybe after lunch. So glad to hear that the recent converts are going strongly and are going to the temple! That is something that really can make all the difference!
Hope you have a great week and that things continue going well!!
LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received May 9, 2016
Mom,
It was really nice to see you and dad and to be able to talk to you both and Conner and Renee as well! It doesn't seem like it's been as long as it has been! But soon it will all be coming to a bit of a sad
close. Sad because I may never have the honor of being a representative of Christ and because I will be leaving a place that I have come to love so much! But it is all in the Lord's time and I am excited for the things that await after the mission! Even though I know that it won't be a walk in the park, I know it'll be worth it! Sad to hear that there will be people leaving the branch! But I'm sure they have their reasons. And that's awesome that Nate will be going to Tampa!! He and Carter will be going to the MTC pretty close to each other! That'll be a bit of a changing period for their families and for the other youth! Gotta run, we have to prepare a zone meeting for tomorrow. Sorry this was so short!
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!
LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
It was really nice to see you and dad and to be able to talk to you both and Conner and Renee as well! It doesn't seem like it's been as long as it has been! But soon it will all be coming to a bit of a sad
close. Sad because I may never have the honor of being a representative of Christ and because I will be leaving a place that I have come to love so much! But it is all in the Lord's time and I am excited for the things that await after the mission! Even though I know that it won't be a walk in the park, I know it'll be worth it! Sad to hear that there will be people leaving the branch! But I'm sure they have their reasons. And that's awesome that Nate will be going to Tampa!! He and Carter will be going to the MTC pretty close to each other! That'll be a bit of a changing period for their families and for the other youth! Gotta run, we have to prepare a zone meeting for tomorrow. Sorry this was so short!
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!
LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
"Was a bit smaller than my hand"
Email received May 2, 2016
Mom,
This week went well! Seems like it went by so fast. It was really nice to go back to Timon and be in the city again! I was only able to visit one person that I baptized there. I went and saw Irmã Laureana! When we got to her front door, I knocked and her husband came to the door. I saw that the weeds were pretty big in front of their house, so I jokingly asked if they needed someone to pull the weeds. He just said no and shut the door.... He isn't a member yet and I thought that he didn't like the missionaries anymore. So that made me a little sad. But I decided we should wait. After a minute or two he came back and let us in. When Irmã Laureana came into the living room, and saw me her face just lit up! I almost cried and I think she did too. I think that feeling is about what it will feel like when I come home. Because I felt as if I was in my own home and it was just the weirdest thing!
But it was such a wonderful feeling! It was truly amazing to see how much she has grown spiritually! I really could see the difference! And above all, they opened a restaurant right beside their house! So their house is full of food supplies and kitchenware all over the place! But they are both so happy! It was truly wonderful to be able to surprise her with a visit at her own home after over a year! Back here in my area, things are going well. My comp has just a little bit of trouble with always going to visit the same people when we should only visit them one time a week. And when we go there we stay more time than we should. I am trying to work on a way to bring up the subject so that we can be better about that, but you know me, I´m not one to speak up much. I still have trouble in speaking my mind and my feeling, but it's something that I am really trying to work on lately. So we'll see
how that goes. Other than that, things are going smoothly down here. We will have a Leadership meeting with an Area 70 on Friday! So I am really looking forward to that! The rain (what little we had) has come to a stop. So it's sunny almost everyday. Sometimes we have a cloudy day. But not too often. Glad to hear that all is well and that everyone is happy! I really liked the pictures you sent! Looks like everyone had a lot of fun at the reception! Glad to see Nana and Brittany and Vern and Amy and Eliana all there too! I really miss everyone of them!
Tell everyone hi from me and send the whole family a big hug!!!
Love you very much!!!
Talk to you Sunday!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
This week went well! Seems like it went by so fast. It was really nice to go back to Timon and be in the city again! I was only able to visit one person that I baptized there. I went and saw Irmã Laureana! When we got to her front door, I knocked and her husband came to the door. I saw that the weeds were pretty big in front of their house, so I jokingly asked if they needed someone to pull the weeds. He just said no and shut the door.... He isn't a member yet and I thought that he didn't like the missionaries anymore. So that made me a little sad. But I decided we should wait. After a minute or two he came back and let us in. When Irmã Laureana came into the living room, and saw me her face just lit up! I almost cried and I think she did too. I think that feeling is about what it will feel like when I come home. Because I felt as if I was in my own home and it was just the weirdest thing!
But it was such a wonderful feeling! It was truly amazing to see how much she has grown spiritually! I really could see the difference! And above all, they opened a restaurant right beside their house! So their house is full of food supplies and kitchenware all over the place! But they are both so happy! It was truly wonderful to be able to surprise her with a visit at her own home after over a year! Back here in my area, things are going well. My comp has just a little bit of trouble with always going to visit the same people when we should only visit them one time a week. And when we go there we stay more time than we should. I am trying to work on a way to bring up the subject so that we can be better about that, but you know me, I´m not one to speak up much. I still have trouble in speaking my mind and my feeling, but it's something that I am really trying to work on lately. So we'll see
how that goes. Other than that, things are going smoothly down here. We will have a Leadership meeting with an Area 70 on Friday! So I am really looking forward to that! The rain (what little we had) has come to a stop. So it's sunny almost everyday. Sometimes we have a cloudy day. But not too often. Glad to hear that all is well and that everyone is happy! I really liked the pictures you sent! Looks like everyone had a lot of fun at the reception! Glad to see Nana and Brittany and Vern and Amy and Eliana all there too! I really miss everyone of them!
Tell everyone hi from me and send the whole family a big hug!!!
Love you very much!!!
Talk to you Sunday!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received April 25, 2016
Mom,
Glad to hear that it was a good week there for you all and that you were able to spend some time with Conner and Renee! I am excited to spend some time with them as well in October! It will be some much needed time with my broski! This week went well down here in Teresina! Here in the city, there are now 3 Zones with a 3rd stake to come very soon (I think it will be official on May 21/22)! So that's pretty exciting! Will be very cool to be here as a Third stake is organized in the city of Teresina! I am excited for that! I have served in 3 of the wards that are part of these two stakes now. I am getting to know the city pretty well! Tomorrow I will be going to Timon to work with the missionaries there and will be able to see some of the people that I met there! One of the men from the ward there is on the High Council and was at my current ward yesterday! I talked for a while with him and he said that all four of the people that I baptized there are very, very active and strong in the church!!! That made me so happy! And he also said that the young man that I baptized (Jerônimo) has helped to baptize 2 or 3 more people in his family!! I really feel now the true joy of missionary work and know what it feels like. I can now see the promise from the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants being fulfilled! (D&C 18:15-16) The man that went to sacrament meeting last week went again this week. He got there a little late, but he got there on his own again! We will be going to teach him tomorrow! His progress is going a bit slowly at the moment, but we are still trying to help him the best we can! My talk last Sunday was on missionary work. As it always is for the missionaries here! The bishop´s counselor told me that I would give a talk on Sunday morning before the meetings started, so I had PLENTY of time to prepare! But it went well. I don't really have a lot of trouble in getting a talk together. But it's always nice to have plenty of time! This last week we came across an amazing woman knocking on doors! She is a single mom of two kids. She works in a hospital as a nurse and is very open and willing to learn! She is someone that we really want to work with her a lot because she has a lot of potential to be baptized! her two kids are a boy of 19 and a girl of 10. Really good kids as well! I am really grateful that we came across her and are able to be teaching her!
Hope that you all have a great week and that the Lord continues to bless you in all you do!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Glad to hear that it was a good week there for you all and that you were able to spend some time with Conner and Renee! I am excited to spend some time with them as well in October! It will be some much needed time with my broski! This week went well down here in Teresina! Here in the city, there are now 3 Zones with a 3rd stake to come very soon (I think it will be official on May 21/22)! So that's pretty exciting! Will be very cool to be here as a Third stake is organized in the city of Teresina! I am excited for that! I have served in 3 of the wards that are part of these two stakes now. I am getting to know the city pretty well! Tomorrow I will be going to Timon to work with the missionaries there and will be able to see some of the people that I met there! One of the men from the ward there is on the High Council and was at my current ward yesterday! I talked for a while with him and he said that all four of the people that I baptized there are very, very active and strong in the church!!! That made me so happy! And he also said that the young man that I baptized (Jerônimo) has helped to baptize 2 or 3 more people in his family!! I really feel now the true joy of missionary work and know what it feels like. I can now see the promise from the Lord in Doctrine and Covenants being fulfilled! (D&C 18:15-16) The man that went to sacrament meeting last week went again this week. He got there a little late, but he got there on his own again! We will be going to teach him tomorrow! His progress is going a bit slowly at the moment, but we are still trying to help him the best we can! My talk last Sunday was on missionary work. As it always is for the missionaries here! The bishop´s counselor told me that I would give a talk on Sunday morning before the meetings started, so I had PLENTY of time to prepare! But it went well. I don't really have a lot of trouble in getting a talk together. But it's always nice to have plenty of time! This last week we came across an amazing woman knocking on doors! She is a single mom of two kids. She works in a hospital as a nurse and is very open and willing to learn! She is someone that we really want to work with her a lot because she has a lot of potential to be baptized! her two kids are a boy of 19 and a girl of 10. Really good kids as well! I am really grateful that we came across her and are able to be teaching her!
Hope that you all have a great week and that the Lord continues to bless you in all you do!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received April 18, 2016
Mom,
Things are going well here in Teresina! I didn't really miss the heat all that much, but it's not too bad! My new comp is from Rio Grande do Sul! I am in a part of the city that I had only been to once. And that one time was when I got here in the field. My area has the airport right in the middle! So the only time that I was here was when I got off the plane all that time ago! The new area is good! Good people in the ward and good people that we visit and teach. The ward has a pretty small attendance on Sundays. But the members are really nice! We were able to get some good work done this week! We are teaching a man who stopped my comp and his last comp on the street to ask where the church was and how he could get to know more. So we taught him a couple of times this week! We had marked to visit him on Saturday to see if he would go to church, but he wasn't home when we got there. On Sunday I was sitting on the stand (to give a talk) and I saw him enter in the back of the chapel (I forgot what the big room is called where the sacrament meeting happens). When I saw him enter, it made me really happy! He's got a ways to go before he's totally ready for baptism, but he accepted our help for him to prepare for baptism! We also met a woman who heard about the church and went looking online. When she found the church's site, she asked for a Book of Mormon to be sent to her. We went and visited her a couple of days ago. She's a really intelligent woman and doing a course on theology at home! So we'll see how that goes! Other than that, not too much to report on in the new area. Still getting my bearings and getting to know everyone, but I am excited! Teresina is hotter. but not as hot as the last time. It's in the "rainy" season right now, so it's a bit cooler. But not a whole lot!
Glad to hear that all is well!! Have a great week and safe travels!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Things are going well here in Teresina! I didn't really miss the heat all that much, but it's not too bad! My new comp is from Rio Grande do Sul! I am in a part of the city that I had only been to once. And that one time was when I got here in the field. My area has the airport right in the middle! So the only time that I was here was when I got off the plane all that time ago! The new area is good! Good people in the ward and good people that we visit and teach. The ward has a pretty small attendance on Sundays. But the members are really nice! We were able to get some good work done this week! We are teaching a man who stopped my comp and his last comp on the street to ask where the church was and how he could get to know more. So we taught him a couple of times this week! We had marked to visit him on Saturday to see if he would go to church, but he wasn't home when we got there. On Sunday I was sitting on the stand (to give a talk) and I saw him enter in the back of the chapel (I forgot what the big room is called where the sacrament meeting happens). When I saw him enter, it made me really happy! He's got a ways to go before he's totally ready for baptism, but he accepted our help for him to prepare for baptism! We also met a woman who heard about the church and went looking online. When she found the church's site, she asked for a Book of Mormon to be sent to her. We went and visited her a couple of days ago. She's a really intelligent woman and doing a course on theology at home! So we'll see how that goes! Other than that, not too much to report on in the new area. Still getting my bearings and getting to know everyone, but I am excited! Teresina is hotter. but not as hot as the last time. It's in the "rainy" season right now, so it's a bit cooler. But not a whole lot!
Glad to hear that all is well!! Have a great week and safe travels!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received April 18, 2016
Mom,
I've got a little bit more time on the computer today, but not a lot more. It's because I will be going to a new area with a new comp! I am being transferred from São Luís to Teresina! Going back to Teresina again! But this time it's to stay! My comp will be Elder Caetano. Don't really know much about him, but I´m excited! This week was a little bit slow. We had a Zone Meeting on Tuesday and
then my comp and another missionary traveled to a city called Santa Inês to pass the training to them. While they were there for two days, I stayed here with the comp of the other missionary and we worked in the two areas. But on the second day, all of them got really sick. The two that went to Santa Inês got really really sick and the missionary that stayed with me got really sick as well. So on Friday we stayed at home because he wasn't even able to walk. so that was a downer. But now they are a little better and walking at least. I am satisfied with the time and work that I did here in São Luís. I am excited to go to Teresina and be able to work there! It will be a new and interesting
experience. I gotta run because we have a TON of things to do at the apartment! We'll have to quite a bit still to do! But I am excited and anxious for what lies ahead! New opportunities and experiences await!
A GREAT WEEK!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
I've got a little bit more time on the computer today, but not a lot more. It's because I will be going to a new area with a new comp! I am being transferred from São Luís to Teresina! Going back to Teresina again! But this time it's to stay! My comp will be Elder Caetano. Don't really know much about him, but I´m excited! This week was a little bit slow. We had a Zone Meeting on Tuesday and
then my comp and another missionary traveled to a city called Santa Inês to pass the training to them. While they were there for two days, I stayed here with the comp of the other missionary and we worked in the two areas. But on the second day, all of them got really sick. The two that went to Santa Inês got really really sick and the missionary that stayed with me got really sick as well. So on Friday we stayed at home because he wasn't even able to walk. so that was a downer. But now they are a little better and walking at least. I am satisfied with the time and work that I did here in São Luís. I am excited to go to Teresina and be able to work there! It will be a new and interesting
experience. I gotta run because we have a TON of things to do at the apartment! We'll have to quite a bit still to do! But I am excited and anxious for what lies ahead! New opportunities and experiences await!
A GREAT WEEK!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received March 28, 2016
Mom,
Unfortunately I will not be able to send a whole lot this week. We had some timing issues and only one computer to use for the 4 of us in the apartment. And because of that, I got stuck with the least amount of time.
But know that all is well here in São Luís! I am going to Teresina tomorrow and will get the box on Wednesday! Will be sure to enjoy it very much!!
Seeing as my email is so short, I´ll make up for it with some pictures!!
Love you so much!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Unfortunately I will not be able to send a whole lot this week. We had some timing issues and only one computer to use for the 4 of us in the apartment. And because of that, I got stuck with the least amount of time.
But know that all is well here in São Luís! I am going to Teresina tomorrow and will get the box on Wednesday! Will be sure to enjoy it very much!!
Seeing as my email is so short, I´ll make up for it with some pictures!!
Love you so much!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received March 21, 2016
Mom,
Things are going well here in São Luís! This week was a tiring one! One Tuesday we had planned to work with another set of missionaries from our zone (forgot how it´s called in english...) and it went well! Just had one little surprise. When we were getting ready for the district meeting on Tuesday morning, the assistants showed up out of nowhere in our apartment! They just showed up! And said that they would be working with us that day. So we had a division, and a surprise division on top of it all! But it was really good! I was able to work with Elder Lunt from my district in the MTC! He´s one of the Assistants. Then on Wednesday, I went to Santa Inês. Things went well there. One of the missionaries wasn't feeling all that great. But I was able to work with his comp a little bit. Then Thursday until today were pretty normal days. One of the things that I learned in Sacrament Meeting last week was that we shouldn't "improvise" our life. We shouldn't just take things as they come to us. We need to have plans and goals and a structure in life so that we can do all the things that we need to. This week was a good meeting too. Half way through the talks, the power went out! So we had to make do and the speakers just talked a bit louder. It was interesting, but good as well! I believe that next week, I´ll be going to Teresina for the leadership counsel meeting. Not 100% sure, but I think it'll be sometime next week. So I will be able to get my box and any letters that have gotten here. One thing that has been messing with my sense of time is that Easter won't be on Conference weekend this year... This Sunday will be an Easter Sunday a bit different. But I am very excited for General Conference! I've gotta start thinking of things that I want to find answers to in conference. Gotta be prepared! Glad to hear the spring is off to a good start there! Fall started probably the same day that spring started there. But it's still in the cooler part of the year. Not long from now, it'll stop raining and start really heating up! Not looking forward to that! But it'll all be alright! As soon as it's getting really really hot here, I'll be going back to the really cold! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!!
LOVE YOU!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Things are going well here in São Luís! This week was a tiring one! One Tuesday we had planned to work with another set of missionaries from our zone (forgot how it´s called in english...) and it went well! Just had one little surprise. When we were getting ready for the district meeting on Tuesday morning, the assistants showed up out of nowhere in our apartment! They just showed up! And said that they would be working with us that day. So we had a division, and a surprise division on top of it all! But it was really good! I was able to work with Elder Lunt from my district in the MTC! He´s one of the Assistants. Then on Wednesday, I went to Santa Inês. Things went well there. One of the missionaries wasn't feeling all that great. But I was able to work with his comp a little bit. Then Thursday until today were pretty normal days. One of the things that I learned in Sacrament Meeting last week was that we shouldn't "improvise" our life. We shouldn't just take things as they come to us. We need to have plans and goals and a structure in life so that we can do all the things that we need to. This week was a good meeting too. Half way through the talks, the power went out! So we had to make do and the speakers just talked a bit louder. It was interesting, but good as well! I believe that next week, I´ll be going to Teresina for the leadership counsel meeting. Not 100% sure, but I think it'll be sometime next week. So I will be able to get my box and any letters that have gotten here. One thing that has been messing with my sense of time is that Easter won't be on Conference weekend this year... This Sunday will be an Easter Sunday a bit different. But I am very excited for General Conference! I've gotta start thinking of things that I want to find answers to in conference. Gotta be prepared! Glad to hear the spring is off to a good start there! Fall started probably the same day that spring started there. But it's still in the cooler part of the year. Not long from now, it'll stop raining and start really heating up! Not looking forward to that! But it'll all be alright! As soon as it's getting really really hot here, I'll be going back to the really cold! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!!
LOVE YOU!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received March 14, 2016
Mom,
Things are going well down here in the Southern Hemisphere! This week was a pretty tiring one! Started off with planning the Zone Meeting all afternoon and night on Monday, then the actual meeting on Tuesday. On Wednesday I went to another area with another missionary to do a baptismal interview. That day we were going after a lot of people that have passed some time away from the church. We received a list from the Stake President and he asked us to visit those people to see what the chance of progress was. That day we walked probably around 5 or 6 miles! We went after 10-15 names and addresses and found 5. Of those 5 addresses we found, 3 of the names were correct. So we actually found 3 more people to visit. Which is great! 3 people that the missionaries
there can help bring back to activity in the church! But it was a very long day! On Thursday, we were working here in my area with the same kind of list. We were only able to find 3 or 4 people, but it was good! Got to know the area and people better! The on Friday we were organizing and inviting everyone we could to a ward ice cream night. We were responsible for the message and activity. But at the end of it all, the whole activity wasn't very well organized. More than 40 or 50 2-15 year old people showed up just to eat ice cream. So needless to say, it didn't go as well as we had hoped... But we got to eat ice cream! So that was good! Then on Saturday Elder Pinheiro was sick and we stayed home the whole day. I think it was some bad food that he ate and got sick. But he´s all better now! Sunday we spent the morning resting so that Elder Pinheiro could get his strength back. The meetings were really good! I was able to learn a lot. I learned quite a bit with the talks in sacrament meeting! Some new things that I can put in practice in my life! Other than that, not a whole lot going on down here. This week will be a busy one. I will be going to Santa Inês to visit the missionaries there on Wednesday and Thursday. So this week will probably go by pretty quickly.
Hope that all is well there at home and that everyone is happy and healthy! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Things are going well down here in the Southern Hemisphere! This week was a pretty tiring one! Started off with planning the Zone Meeting all afternoon and night on Monday, then the actual meeting on Tuesday. On Wednesday I went to another area with another missionary to do a baptismal interview. That day we were going after a lot of people that have passed some time away from the church. We received a list from the Stake President and he asked us to visit those people to see what the chance of progress was. That day we walked probably around 5 or 6 miles! We went after 10-15 names and addresses and found 5. Of those 5 addresses we found, 3 of the names were correct. So we actually found 3 more people to visit. Which is great! 3 people that the missionaries
there can help bring back to activity in the church! But it was a very long day! On Thursday, we were working here in my area with the same kind of list. We were only able to find 3 or 4 people, but it was good! Got to know the area and people better! The on Friday we were organizing and inviting everyone we could to a ward ice cream night. We were responsible for the message and activity. But at the end of it all, the whole activity wasn't very well organized. More than 40 or 50 2-15 year old people showed up just to eat ice cream. So needless to say, it didn't go as well as we had hoped... But we got to eat ice cream! So that was good! Then on Saturday Elder Pinheiro was sick and we stayed home the whole day. I think it was some bad food that he ate and got sick. But he´s all better now! Sunday we spent the morning resting so that Elder Pinheiro could get his strength back. The meetings were really good! I was able to learn a lot. I learned quite a bit with the talks in sacrament meeting! Some new things that I can put in practice in my life! Other than that, not a whole lot going on down here. This week will be a busy one. I will be going to Santa Inês to visit the missionaries there on Wednesday and Thursday. So this week will probably go by pretty quickly.
Hope that all is well there at home and that everyone is happy and healthy! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received February 22, 2016
Mom,
Things are going well here! Elder Pinheiro is pretty much all better from the dengue he had! Just resting and taking it easy so that he is for sure 100%! I am excited for this week because we will finally be able to work normally!!!! That will be so nice!! It´s been a little while since we have been able to work a full week or even a full day. So it will be really nice to be able to work like we should! And seeing that this whole week he was still recovering, we weren´t able to do very much work unfortunately. BUT! It wasn´t a week wasted! I was able to study a little bit and receive some revelations for my life! Had a pretty interesting confirmation! Not something that I´m going to share though due to the very personal and highly spiritual nature of the background of the story. But it was very interesting and something very inspired! I was also able to feel a little bit of the Lord´s desires for me and my life. Although I am still very young and inexperienced in the things of this life, I know that God has great plans for me! Plans that I am not able to accomplish on my own and will need a lot of His help! It´s always interesting to see the great contrast that exists in the mission field. Between receiving revelations for people I have never met and also revelations for my own life of things that are still on the distant horizon. Or at least seem to be still distant! Whatever the case, I know that my mission is just a beginning and one great preparation for the rest of my life! We will be having transfers this next Monday and Tuesday! This transfer flew by! But I am excited to continue working in this wonderful country! Wherever the place may be! I really like that quote from C. S. Lewis! It is a lot like another story that is about a gardener and a bush. pretty much the same story, but a little bit different. God really can do wonderful things when we put our life in His hands! Glad to hear that Conner and Renee are doing well! Hope everyone there is doing well and is healthy!! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!
Love you!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Things are going well here! Elder Pinheiro is pretty much all better from the dengue he had! Just resting and taking it easy so that he is for sure 100%! I am excited for this week because we will finally be able to work normally!!!! That will be so nice!! It´s been a little while since we have been able to work a full week or even a full day. So it will be really nice to be able to work like we should! And seeing that this whole week he was still recovering, we weren´t able to do very much work unfortunately. BUT! It wasn´t a week wasted! I was able to study a little bit and receive some revelations for my life! Had a pretty interesting confirmation! Not something that I´m going to share though due to the very personal and highly spiritual nature of the background of the story. But it was very interesting and something very inspired! I was also able to feel a little bit of the Lord´s desires for me and my life. Although I am still very young and inexperienced in the things of this life, I know that God has great plans for me! Plans that I am not able to accomplish on my own and will need a lot of His help! It´s always interesting to see the great contrast that exists in the mission field. Between receiving revelations for people I have never met and also revelations for my own life of things that are still on the distant horizon. Or at least seem to be still distant! Whatever the case, I know that my mission is just a beginning and one great preparation for the rest of my life! We will be having transfers this next Monday and Tuesday! This transfer flew by! But I am excited to continue working in this wonderful country! Wherever the place may be! I really like that quote from C. S. Lewis! It is a lot like another story that is about a gardener and a bush. pretty much the same story, but a little bit different. God really can do wonderful things when we put our life in His hands! Glad to hear that Conner and Renee are doing well! Hope everyone there is doing well and is healthy!! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!
Love you!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received February 15, 2016
Mom,
Glad to hear that all went well! Glad to hear that he is now a married and happy man! Sounds like it was a really great weekend for everyone! Sorry to hear that it was so cold!! I saw in one of the pictures that you were wearing just a short-sleeve shirt... When I saw that, I said to myself "she must have been FREEZING COLD!" hahaha. Even though it was cold and gray, looks like it was a really great sealing! Now will start a new life for both of them! One that they will be able to start together. In Gospel Principles yesterday, the teacher said something that I had never thought about. He said that the women (more specifically mothers) of this world have the great blessing and power to bring Heavenly Father´s children to this earth to obtain a mortal body. On the other hand, the men and fathers have the OBLIGATION, the DUTY to take them back to their heavenly home. I had never really thought about it that way before, but it really is true. It´s a pretty big responsibility, but one that is celestial! Their new life and family is getting started now and preparing to go back to God´s kingdom one day. And this is all made possible because of the awesome power of the priesthood! Without this sacred power, the things we do here on earth would have no meaning or lasting effect in the world to come. One thing that I have learned to appreciate here on my mission is the power of the priesthood. I have seen it working first-hand in so many ways, but also in ways that make all the difference. With that amazing power, things that are bound here on earth can be bound in heaven. It is truly something very profound and of eternal importance!
It will be really nice to be able to spend some time with them! I´ve got a lot to get caught up on with my broski!
I really liked the quote from the Elder´s email! It makes a lot of sense that if we as missionaries are worthy and looking for opportunities to share the gospel, that God will put thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts. Sometimes we get caught up on the little things and forget that Heavenly Father is at the front of this work and that He is preparing the way for us. We only need to have confidence in Him, and He will work wonders! You can mail the suggestions if you´d like to! No problem with that! This week was another slow one. Had to go back to Teresina to finish up my Visa documentation and my comp is still sick. So we weren´t able to do a whole lot unfortunately. I´ve got my hopes up that this week will be better! Hope and pray daily that all is well with everyone there at home! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Glad to hear that all went well! Glad to hear that he is now a married and happy man! Sounds like it was a really great weekend for everyone! Sorry to hear that it was so cold!! I saw in one of the pictures that you were wearing just a short-sleeve shirt... When I saw that, I said to myself "she must have been FREEZING COLD!" hahaha. Even though it was cold and gray, looks like it was a really great sealing! Now will start a new life for both of them! One that they will be able to start together. In Gospel Principles yesterday, the teacher said something that I had never thought about. He said that the women (more specifically mothers) of this world have the great blessing and power to bring Heavenly Father´s children to this earth to obtain a mortal body. On the other hand, the men and fathers have the OBLIGATION, the DUTY to take them back to their heavenly home. I had never really thought about it that way before, but it really is true. It´s a pretty big responsibility, but one that is celestial! Their new life and family is getting started now and preparing to go back to God´s kingdom one day. And this is all made possible because of the awesome power of the priesthood! Without this sacred power, the things we do here on earth would have no meaning or lasting effect in the world to come. One thing that I have learned to appreciate here on my mission is the power of the priesthood. I have seen it working first-hand in so many ways, but also in ways that make all the difference. With that amazing power, things that are bound here on earth can be bound in heaven. It is truly something very profound and of eternal importance!
It will be really nice to be able to spend some time with them! I´ve got a lot to get caught up on with my broski!
I really liked the quote from the Elder´s email! It makes a lot of sense that if we as missionaries are worthy and looking for opportunities to share the gospel, that God will put thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts. Sometimes we get caught up on the little things and forget that Heavenly Father is at the front of this work and that He is preparing the way for us. We only need to have confidence in Him, and He will work wonders! You can mail the suggestions if you´d like to! No problem with that! This week was another slow one. Had to go back to Teresina to finish up my Visa documentation and my comp is still sick. So we weren´t able to do a whole lot unfortunately. I´ve got my hopes up that this week will be better! Hope and pray daily that all is well with everyone there at home! Have a great week and stay out of trouble!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received February 1, 2016
Mom,
Because of some unseen and unexpected events, I have no time to email this week.... Nothing bad happened, just had other things going on and it took forever to get on today. But know that I am well and that things are going good here! I am happy and healthy and excited to continue working hard! I cannot believe that he will be getting married next week... That's some crazy stuff! But it'll be good for him! As always, I am super busy! But even busier today with a zone meeting tomorrow. We have to finish getting everything wrapped up. So I've gotta run. Please don't be offended or be sad because of my emails lately! I always want to write a lot more, but the time just doesn't let it work
out. I´ll do better to write more next week for sure! Know that all is well and never forget that I love you!!!! Have a great week and stay happy, healthy, and out of trouble!
LOVE YOU!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Because of some unseen and unexpected events, I have no time to email this week.... Nothing bad happened, just had other things going on and it took forever to get on today. But know that I am well and that things are going good here! I am happy and healthy and excited to continue working hard! I cannot believe that he will be getting married next week... That's some crazy stuff! But it'll be good for him! As always, I am super busy! But even busier today with a zone meeting tomorrow. We have to finish getting everything wrapped up. So I've gotta run. Please don't be offended or be sad because of my emails lately! I always want to write a lot more, but the time just doesn't let it work
out. I´ll do better to write more next week for sure! Know that all is well and never forget that I love you!!!! Have a great week and stay happy, healthy, and out of trouble!
LOVE YOU!!!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received January 25, 2016
Mom,
I am sorry that my email was so short last week! I really had so much to do and so little time to do it all. But this week will be a bit calmer. This week was a bit slower. But not a whole lot! My old comp got to his new area without any problems. My new comp (Elder Pinheiro) is from São Paulo, Zona Leste. A city caller Poá. We are working well together. He is certainly different from my old comp, but things are going well! This week went well! We are working hard now to find a lot of new investigators because my area got cut in half. Another set of missionaries came to the Ward, so that cut the area in half. So now we are after new people to teach in our area. We were able to find a few
new people this week. Not too many, but good people. My zone is having difficulties with some things, but we are working with them about that. And this week my comp and I will be going to Teresina for another Leadership Meeting. So I am really excited about that! I feel that it will be a big help for the missionaries! I have been able to learn quite a bit since I became Zone Leader, but still have a lot to learn. And will be learning new things Always. That's one of the very good things of being a leader, is the opportunity to lead and to learn. Just because I am a leader doesn't mean that I know how to do everything perfectly. Quite the contrary! I am Always perceiving little things that I do wrong or don't do. And I Always learn a lot with the other missionaries too! Being a leader is so great because I can lead, learn, and learn while I lead! It's an amazing combination!
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!
Love you!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
I am sorry that my email was so short last week! I really had so much to do and so little time to do it all. But this week will be a bit calmer. This week was a bit slower. But not a whole lot! My old comp got to his new area without any problems. My new comp (Elder Pinheiro) is from São Paulo, Zona Leste. A city caller Poá. We are working well together. He is certainly different from my old comp, but things are going well! This week went well! We are working hard now to find a lot of new investigators because my area got cut in half. Another set of missionaries came to the Ward, so that cut the area in half. So now we are after new people to teach in our area. We were able to find a few
new people this week. Not too many, but good people. My zone is having difficulties with some things, but we are working with them about that. And this week my comp and I will be going to Teresina for another Leadership Meeting. So I am really excited about that! I feel that it will be a big help for the missionaries! I have been able to learn quite a bit since I became Zone Leader, but still have a lot to learn. And will be learning new things Always. That's one of the very good things of being a leader, is the opportunity to lead and to learn. Just because I am a leader doesn't mean that I know how to do everything perfectly. Quite the contrary! I am Always perceiving little things that I do wrong or don't do. And I Always learn a lot with the other missionaries too! Being a leader is so great because I can lead, learn, and learn while I lead! It's an amazing combination!
Have a great week and stay out of trouble!
Love you!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Pictures from our Christmas Skype :)
Elder Gunnoe visiting with his future Sister-in-law
The kids love to be in the pictures :)
Email received January 11, 2016
Mom,
This week was a very interesting week. That also went by very very quickly. It started off with a very rushed P-day. We spent the better part of the day and night preparing the Zone Meeting for Tuesday. Then Tuesday we had the Zone Meeting in the morning and I spent the rest of the day with one of the missionaries from another area. Wednesday we spent part of the day and night preparing the Zone Conference that would be on Thursday. Thursday we had the Zone Conference with the mission president until 5pm. Then I had to run around cleaning everything up and organizing everything. Friday was a normal day. Saturday was a bit busy resolving some of the left over chores of the
meetings and attending a baptism of another area that evening. Sunday was a normal Sunday. We always visit our investigators and less actives and recent converts with the members on Sunday mornings. Then church in the afternoon and a couple more visits at night. I didn't even see this week passing by! I was so preoccupied with so many things to do that I didn't even see the days passing! But after all was said and done, I am still very thankful for the opportunity that I have to be serving as a zone leader here. I am learning so much and growing quite a bit as well. It really is a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity. Glad to hear that all is well there! Glad to hear that you got home safely and that the week went smoothly! Glad to hear that someone is able to enjoy the snow and the cold! Hope that you are able to stay safe and warm! I know you are always cold!
Hope that you have a great week and that you stay safe!
Love you lots and thank you for all you do for me!
Love,
Elder Cole Gunnoe
This week was a very interesting week. That also went by very very quickly. It started off with a very rushed P-day. We spent the better part of the day and night preparing the Zone Meeting for Tuesday. Then Tuesday we had the Zone Meeting in the morning and I spent the rest of the day with one of the missionaries from another area. Wednesday we spent part of the day and night preparing the Zone Conference that would be on Thursday. Thursday we had the Zone Conference with the mission president until 5pm. Then I had to run around cleaning everything up and organizing everything. Friday was a normal day. Saturday was a bit busy resolving some of the left over chores of the
meetings and attending a baptism of another area that evening. Sunday was a normal Sunday. We always visit our investigators and less actives and recent converts with the members on Sunday mornings. Then church in the afternoon and a couple more visits at night. I didn't even see this week passing by! I was so preoccupied with so many things to do that I didn't even see the days passing! But after all was said and done, I am still very thankful for the opportunity that I have to be serving as a zone leader here. I am learning so much and growing quite a bit as well. It really is a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity. Glad to hear that all is well there! Glad to hear that you got home safely and that the week went smoothly! Glad to hear that someone is able to enjoy the snow and the cold! Hope that you are able to stay safe and warm! I know you are always cold!
Hope that you have a great week and that you stay safe!
Love you lots and thank you for all you do for me!
Love,
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received January 4, 2016
Glad to hear that you all made it up there safely! It´s funny how Conner had a lot of people to help him move OUT.... Just sayin! It´s always nice to have a ward that´s close to home! Here the chapel is 2 minutes walking from home! So that´s really nice! Don´t worry about the email not being too long! I know it´s tough when you´re traveling!
This week was a very busy week! We had some problems to work out as ZLs on Monday night that came out of nowhere. And then we went to Teresina on Tuesday at 1230. We got there around 2030. Was a smooth trip. Nothing to complain about. While we were there, we had a REALLY good leadership meeting! It was a really good experience and chance to learn a lot with the other leaders and our mission president! We talked a lot about how we can have more of the Spirit when we are teaching our investigators. I really learned a lot and hope that I am able to pass everything I can to the Zone tomorrow in our Zone Meeting. Once we got back here to São Luís on Thursday morning, we finished resolving the same problem from Monday. And Thursday and Friday were a bit tough for us because of new years and all. We spent the night just at home. The better part of the members went to other places to be with family or friends, so we just stayed at home. What was really nice was that a family brought us a whole box of food to eat!! That was really nice of them to do!
On Saturday I had a really interesting experience. My comp was a bit down and feeling a bit weary. So he asked me to give him a priesthood blessing. When we got to the chapel for a meeting, we went to one of the classrooms. I stopped to think a little before beginning the blessing. When I began the blessing, I was speaking for myself. But after a few phrases, I started to say things that weren't coming from me. I pronounced some blessings on my companion that really were not from me. I said things that in no way, shape, or form were from my head or even from my heart. I desire the best for my companion, but my own words wouldn't be sufficient. I realized afterwards that I was literally being a mouthpiece of the Spirit of God. I thought about the things I said and felt very strongly that I was truly saying was the Lord wanted to say. Only it was through me that He spoke to my companion. I was merely an instrument in the Lord´s hands to bless my companion. I have NEVER given a blessing like that one. I have NEVER been so obviously guided by the Spirit in what to say. That was an experience that strengthened my testimony of Priesthood power and that it is literally the power of God given to man to act in His name. Very moving experience for me and my companion!
Hope that you are all well back there and that everyone is happy and healthy!
Safe travels back home and stay out of trouble!
Love you!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
This week was a very busy week! We had some problems to work out as ZLs on Monday night that came out of nowhere. And then we went to Teresina on Tuesday at 1230. We got there around 2030. Was a smooth trip. Nothing to complain about. While we were there, we had a REALLY good leadership meeting! It was a really good experience and chance to learn a lot with the other leaders and our mission president! We talked a lot about how we can have more of the Spirit when we are teaching our investigators. I really learned a lot and hope that I am able to pass everything I can to the Zone tomorrow in our Zone Meeting. Once we got back here to São Luís on Thursday morning, we finished resolving the same problem from Monday. And Thursday and Friday were a bit tough for us because of new years and all. We spent the night just at home. The better part of the members went to other places to be with family or friends, so we just stayed at home. What was really nice was that a family brought us a whole box of food to eat!! That was really nice of them to do!
On Saturday I had a really interesting experience. My comp was a bit down and feeling a bit weary. So he asked me to give him a priesthood blessing. When we got to the chapel for a meeting, we went to one of the classrooms. I stopped to think a little before beginning the blessing. When I began the blessing, I was speaking for myself. But after a few phrases, I started to say things that weren't coming from me. I pronounced some blessings on my companion that really were not from me. I said things that in no way, shape, or form were from my head or even from my heart. I desire the best for my companion, but my own words wouldn't be sufficient. I realized afterwards that I was literally being a mouthpiece of the Spirit of God. I thought about the things I said and felt very strongly that I was truly saying was the Lord wanted to say. Only it was through me that He spoke to my companion. I was merely an instrument in the Lord´s hands to bless my companion. I have NEVER given a blessing like that one. I have NEVER been so obviously guided by the Spirit in what to say. That was an experience that strengthened my testimony of Priesthood power and that it is literally the power of God given to man to act in His name. Very moving experience for me and my companion!
Hope that you are all well back there and that everyone is happy and healthy!
Safe travels back home and stay out of trouble!
Love you!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received December 28, 2015
Mom,
Our time is very short this week because we will be going to another area tonight to begin our trip. We will be with these other missionaries tonight and leave tomorrow at 1230. So we don´t have a whole lot of time.
I loved our conversation as well! It was so great to see you all and see that all is well with you! I´m just surprised you didn´t cry! HAhaha
The 31st will be an even bigger party than Christmas was. I don´t think we have a time to be at home earlier than normal. But we won´t be able to get a whole lot done at night. So we´ll end up having dinner with some member maybe.
hope all is well and that you all have a great new year and stay safe! Have a great trip and get back home safely!
Love you!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Our time is very short this week because we will be going to another area tonight to begin our trip. We will be with these other missionaries tonight and leave tomorrow at 1230. So we don´t have a whole lot of time.
I loved our conversation as well! It was so great to see you all and see that all is well with you! I´m just surprised you didn´t cry! HAhaha
The 31st will be an even bigger party than Christmas was. I don´t think we have a time to be at home earlier than normal. But we won´t be able to get a whole lot done at night. So we´ll end up having dinner with some member maybe.
hope all is well and that you all have a great new year and stay safe! Have a great trip and get back home safely!
Love you!!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
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