Thursday, February 20, 2014

Letter received February 20, 2014

Parentals!
What a week it has been! Monday was some sweet basketball in New Castle.  Then we saw one of their recent converts and she had this super awesome parakeet that we were holding on our fingers and shoulders.  Interviews went well.  President Porter said we each individually get our own Temple schedule based on when we came out :)  We'll see how it works!  We've knocked on sooo many doors this week.  Some people have moved, some people aren't interested, some houses have been repo'd, a couple of people have passed on...crazy stuff!  It literally dumped snow on us yesterday.  We didn't know about it but apparently we were supposed to get 2-3 inches...we got 6-8 inches from 10am to 7pm -_-  Fun walking all day.  This lemon bread makes the best breakfast ever!  I hope you like the glass...glad it finally got there.  We've been using Helaman 5:12 (And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.) a lot lately for our quick messages talking to people about faith and having that sure foundation in Christ.  It's so fun calling Bingo!  The old ladies love us :)  It's fun seeing some of their excitement when they win :)  We're going to spend all of p-day in New Castle again.  Fun stuff!  I like 1 Nephi 13:37 (And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be).  Especially in these days where the news can be depressing to watch.  For some reason while thinking about scriptures, Doctrine and Covenants 66 (Section 66 - Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October 29, 1831.  William E. McLellin had petitioned the Lord in secret to make known through the Prophet the answer to five questions, which were unknown to Joseph Smith.  At McLellin's request, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received this revelation.  1-4, The everlasting covenant is the fullness of the gospel; 5-8, Elders are to preach, testify, and reason with the people; 9-13, Faithful ministerial service ensures an inheritance of eternal life.) popped into my head...totally applying that to my life.  Gotta love the Lord!  Thank you so much for the Valentine box!  It's so awesome :)  I've been coloring on breaks.  You and Ma both sent me the "Our Search for Happiness" books.  You guys are awesome.  What a weekend it's been.  Had to shovel again at church this week.  It's official - we have lived through the snowiest Indiana winter on record.  Over 40 inches!  Sad huh?  I tell everyone to visit Mammoth during a big storm :)  We had dinner at Sister Knotts house with the Clarks from the Stake High Council (Brother Clark and his wife).  We had a pork roast with salad and Hawaiian sweet bread with Amish butter!  I was in heaven!  Sister Knotts bought us 3 other loaves of it because it was marked down.  I'm going to gain weight at 7 grams of sugar per slice :)  As you know we're both staying for another transfer!  It'll be nice to see the transition from winter to spring.  Anything fun going on back home?  Yesterday for p-day we went and played basketball with the New Castle Elders then went bowling!  So much fun!  I bowled a 147.  Not bad for not having bowled in a while.  We might do that more often.  This lemon bread is so good.  Those cookies were bomb.  I miss that frosting.  I'm going to get this sent out today.  I love you!
Love,
Elder Gunnoe

This is the "glass" Elder Gunnoe was referring to.  It was a Christmas present he had made for us.


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Letter received February 13, 2014

Mom & Dad,
7 months out!  Time is flyin!  Transfers are next week then it'll be almost March.  Crazy stuff.  It's been a crazy week here.  The training in Marion went well.  720 is the baptism goal for the year.  That's the added up result of all 6 stake goals.  We're going to hit it no problem!  Then we came back and did some work here and then the storm hit.  Got about 6-8 inches which is a ton for around here so that was fun.  Meeting in Anderson on Wednesday went well.  Work was slow but not slow.  14 lessons taught but 8 were member lessons.  We've been doing home teaching for a member who's out of town so that's why.  Interviews tomorrow!  I need my temple clothes sent out...don't know when we're going - I just want em... :)  How are the Olympics going?  Wish I could watch em.  Sounds like Cole is doing well at the I.  Hope the temple trip went well.  I love you!  Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Gunnoe

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Letter received February 5, 2014

Parents!
What's up?!  How goes it?  Things are goin good here in the Ville!  Just an average week here.  This weather is annoying...especially when nobody knows how to predict it.  We might have the biggest snow storm ever here in a week or two but the storm system hasn't even come off the pacific yet so they don't know where it'll go...gotta love it.  It's February already.  January went by fast.  I got to talk to Elder Warrick Monday.  Well, not really talk, I just heard from him but still.  He's doing great.  :)  He's fluent already and loving his mission.  Sister Gulledge is doing well.  Elder Eastwood is doing well.  Elder Adams is doing well.  Elder Unklesbay is doing well.  Elder Gunnoe is doing well...that's me :)  Lots of missionaries out!  Our Stake has a goal for 100 baptisms this year.  As a new mission in 6 months, so basically August to December, we baptized 220 people with 67 in December which is an unheard of number for baptisms in a month.  The goals are high this year!  I need to figure out how to get a couple of Our Search for Happiness books so I can send em out to some people.  Great book!  So, sounds like dad said you don't have much to do...I was thinking of stuff for you!  Do some work in the Los Angeles Temple where you were married :) , go to the Mormon Battalion in San Diego and eat at Casa de Reyes (ask the Phillips), do work in the San Diego Temple (my castle), go camping at Keller Peak or in Big Bear (when it's warmer), do some home improvement together.  That's about all I got for now...haha :)  Well, I hope all is well back home.  I love you!  Thank you for all you do!
Love,
Elder Gunnoe