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

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

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