Email received June 29, 2015

Well here's my departing testimony to the mission... Elders and Sisters of the greatest Ohio Cincinnati Mission,
What a wonderful opportunity it has been to serve among the most valiant souls the Lord has to offer for these last two years. I am eternally grateful for the influence of all those that I've been privileged to serve with and around as we've all labored in this sacred part of the Lord's vineyard. I have grown immensely and my Savior Jesus Christ has truly been able to change me through the enabling power of the infinite Atonement. Although I have not been anywhere near perfect and have made mistakes along the way I know that we are to learn from the past and continue to press onward in the cause of Christ. I know that my Heavenly Father lives and loves me, that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, so that I would have a way to become the man He sent me to become and to be able to overcome my weaknesses and imperfections. I know that Joseph Smith is Their prophet, that he was given the sacred duty to restore Christ's true church and the priesthood authority back to this earth, never to be taken away again. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the true living prophet today and that if we follow his counsel with exactness we will never go astray. These have been the best two years of my life and I look forward to making these next two years the best years of my life as well, because through the Doctrine of Christ we should always be learning, growing and progressing and having the best years of our lives. I love you all and I pray for your continued success. I share my sacred testimony with you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Time definitely has flown on by! We are doing fantastic here in the Western Hills ward.  We have a wedding/baptism this coming week for Jamie and her family :) It will be a wonderful way to celebrate the 4th of July!! It's been a rainy week and it has cooled down a lot which makes life wonderful. I cannot believe how fast time is flying. This has been an absolutely amazing two years. I can't believe it's almost over. I am excited to serve the Lord for this last little bit and then to continue to serve Him as I return home. I am excited Sister Porter Junior and I are working on arranging our departing transfer musical number :) So we're going to go work on that and then this week is going to fly by! I love you all so much and I will see you soon :)

Elder Gunnoe :)

Email received June 15, 2015

Wow what a week that was! Rain, humidity, heat, mini missionaries, nachos, driving, ghetto basketball, fun times!! We had interviews this past week and apparently since it's my last transfer President Porter is saving it for my departing interview... needless to say I was bummed. But we had a very powerful role-play where we were able to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a great teaching experience. We had a couple instances in this past week where I was able to bear a powerful testimony about not only the gospel but the Book of Mormon specifically. I have been reading and listening to a lot of talks and devotionals and I've been learning a ton.. I have two binders for my last transfer of studies, one dedicated to the Priesthood and one dedicated to temples.. wonderful reading so far. Elder Bullen and I are doing great! I was also able to go on exchanges with Elder Clare in Fairfield this last week which was awesome!! talk about a flash back.... It was a great time :) I am looking forward to these last 3 weeks and how much I still have to learn and do! I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week! #ducks #redphone #readyornothereicome

Elder Gunnoe with their "mini missionary" for the week

nachos

Email received June 8, 2015

HOLY COW!! Time? what's time?? I don't know.. it's kind of this unknown thing that flies at the speed of light.. anywho here I am in the beautiful Western Hills Ohio!! Life is so fantastic here.. some highlights from this past week include having a couple of super solid media referrals.. had an AMAZING dinner and evening at the Porter's house, had ice cream for the conference call Monday night at the Porter's, made a lot of progress with a couple of our investigators and life is just wonderful.. It's weird how fast time is going.. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. It'll be great though.. I've been listening to tons of talks and discourses lately so I've been learning and collecting immense amounts of information. It's awesome :) Everyone should read the Book of Mormon.. member and non member alike.. it's a true book and you can know for yourself when you read it and pray to know that it is true and you will receive an answer that it is true. I love you all so much and I will see you soon!!

Elder Gunnoe