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
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
Email received December 21, 2015
Oi Mãe!
Things are going well down here! It´s been a bit hotter these last few days, but a lot of wind as always! This week went well! We were able to talk with a lot of people and teach good lessons. We have a couple of really good families that we are teaching. We´re working a lot with these families to get them married and always helping them with their doubts and questions. Did you not get the pictures that I sent last week? I sent 5 or 6 pictures! Let me know! I don´t think I´ll be able to get a picture with santa this year. We don´t have any place that we can get this picture. Our skype call will be around 4 or 5 local time. So around 11 or noon there for you. Is Renee there as well? Or just Conner? Glad that you were able to go to Nicole´s wedding! And I was unaware that Don and Shari moved to Idaho... When did they move?
Things are going all well here. Learning lots as always! We are working a lot here to always find new investigators to have a lot of people to visit. That way when someone doesn't want to progress, we already have someone to take their place. And we are always setting baptismal dates with everyone! It´s one way that we have to see if the person will progress or not. But this week will be a bit tough in terms of missionary work. Everyone will be traveling or with family. So this week will be a bit slow, but we are going to do our best to be our best even when it´s tough.
Hope all the preparations are going well for Christmas and the New Year!
See you in a few short days!
Have a great week and stay safe!
Love,
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Things are going well down here! It´s been a bit hotter these last few days, but a lot of wind as always! This week went well! We were able to talk with a lot of people and teach good lessons. We have a couple of really good families that we are teaching. We´re working a lot with these families to get them married and always helping them with their doubts and questions. Did you not get the pictures that I sent last week? I sent 5 or 6 pictures! Let me know! I don´t think I´ll be able to get a picture with santa this year. We don´t have any place that we can get this picture. Our skype call will be around 4 or 5 local time. So around 11 or noon there for you. Is Renee there as well? Or just Conner? Glad that you were able to go to Nicole´s wedding! And I was unaware that Don and Shari moved to Idaho... When did they move?
Things are going all well here. Learning lots as always! We are working a lot here to always find new investigators to have a lot of people to visit. That way when someone doesn't want to progress, we already have someone to take their place. And we are always setting baptismal dates with everyone! It´s one way that we have to see if the person will progress or not. But this week will be a bit tough in terms of missionary work. Everyone will be traveling or with family. So this week will be a bit slow, but we are going to do our best to be our best even when it´s tough.
Hope all the preparations are going well for Christmas and the New Year!
See you in a few short days!
Have a great week and stay safe!
Love,
Elder Cole Gunnoe
Email received December 14, 2015
Mom,
I don´t know what time I will be able to Skype. I´m not sure if the mission will be establishing a certain time to skype or not. But will probably be around 4 or 5 pm local time. Around noon there at home. But I´ll confirm next monday.
The new area is great! It´s a pretty packed with houses and people. Since it´s the capital, the whole city is pretty packed with stores and all that kind of stuff. It´s an area that has a little bit of the extremes. People very rich and also very poor. But it´s a really good area to work in! We are working really hard to teach a lot of people and mark baptismal dates with everyone we meet. So far, it´s going really well! São Luís is basically an island. My area is a good distance from any beach, so I don´t see the ocean. But I sure do feel the wind that come from the ocean! It helps a lot! I feel like it´s a little more humid here. It´s supposed to be the start of the rainy season this time of the year, but so far, no rain. Hopefully it comes soon! I haven´t memorized the address yet. But we live in an apartment complex, so you would only see the gate from the streetview. I am still a Zone Leader here with a lot bigger of a zone (26 missionaries)! My companion is Elder Gouvea from Sorocaba, São Paulo. He is a great missionary and I am learning a lot with him! He stayed in the area when I came in. This is his 4th transfer here. The city is very developed, but unfortunately a bit unclean. I haven´t gotten my christmas box yet. But I believe it´s in the mission office. And I won´t be able to get it until the new year. We will have a leadership meeting probably in the last week of December or the first week of January.
I am really glad to hear that the elders are teaching a family of 8 people! Hopefully they can continue working with that family to get them baptized! Please send me the email address of Joan! I am so glad and surprised at the same time that she is being taught! That´s so great!! And I am so glad that I was able to be part of what helped her accept the message of the restored gospel! I would love to send her an email and ask how she is doing and maybe help her with her doubts!
It would be good if the emails are just a little bit shorter. They don´t have to be a lot shorter, but just a little. I have some recent converts that I am writing as well and helping them stay active and some other stuff that we do.
I am so glad that I am able to be a part of the Restoration of the Gospel here on the earth. I hope that we can all make good use of this Christmas season and use all of our strength to preach the Gospel to all that we encounter because this is the best time of the year! People are always more open and willing in this Christmas season. And above all, we carry a message that teaches nothing more than the Gospel of Jesus Christ! They truly are Glad Tidings of Great Joy! As we share the Gospel with those that we love most, the Lord will bless not only the lives of those we accept, but also those who share this message. Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves us and because of this love, He gave his own life so that we could live once more.
Love you!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
I don´t know what time I will be able to Skype. I´m not sure if the mission will be establishing a certain time to skype or not. But will probably be around 4 or 5 pm local time. Around noon there at home. But I´ll confirm next monday.
The new area is great! It´s a pretty packed with houses and people. Since it´s the capital, the whole city is pretty packed with stores and all that kind of stuff. It´s an area that has a little bit of the extremes. People very rich and also very poor. But it´s a really good area to work in! We are working really hard to teach a lot of people and mark baptismal dates with everyone we meet. So far, it´s going really well! São Luís is basically an island. My area is a good distance from any beach, so I don´t see the ocean. But I sure do feel the wind that come from the ocean! It helps a lot! I feel like it´s a little more humid here. It´s supposed to be the start of the rainy season this time of the year, but so far, no rain. Hopefully it comes soon! I haven´t memorized the address yet. But we live in an apartment complex, so you would only see the gate from the streetview. I am still a Zone Leader here with a lot bigger of a zone (26 missionaries)! My companion is Elder Gouvea from Sorocaba, São Paulo. He is a great missionary and I am learning a lot with him! He stayed in the area when I came in. This is his 4th transfer here. The city is very developed, but unfortunately a bit unclean. I haven´t gotten my christmas box yet. But I believe it´s in the mission office. And I won´t be able to get it until the new year. We will have a leadership meeting probably in the last week of December or the first week of January.
I am really glad to hear that the elders are teaching a family of 8 people! Hopefully they can continue working with that family to get them baptized! Please send me the email address of Joan! I am so glad and surprised at the same time that she is being taught! That´s so great!! And I am so glad that I was able to be part of what helped her accept the message of the restored gospel! I would love to send her an email and ask how she is doing and maybe help her with her doubts!
It would be good if the emails are just a little bit shorter. They don´t have to be a lot shorter, but just a little. I have some recent converts that I am writing as well and helping them stay active and some other stuff that we do.
I am so glad that I am able to be a part of the Restoration of the Gospel here on the earth. I hope that we can all make good use of this Christmas season and use all of our strength to preach the Gospel to all that we encounter because this is the best time of the year! People are always more open and willing in this Christmas season. And above all, we carry a message that teaches nothing more than the Gospel of Jesus Christ! They truly are Glad Tidings of Great Joy! As we share the Gospel with those that we love most, the Lord will bless not only the lives of those we accept, but also those who share this message. Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He loves us and because of this love, He gave his own life so that we could live once more.
Love you!
Elder Cole Gunnoe
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