I can't believe my time as a missionary is at an end. I have love love loved being here and am so grateful I got this opportunity.
We had a pretty good week. I'm sure most of you heard about all the tornados/bad weather, but luckily we didn't get any of it. It was pretty stormy and windy for a bit, but nothing supernatural.
We found 2 new investigators this week, which i am really happy about so Little and her newby will have some new people to teach!
Mason is still doing great and is getting baptized on Sunday. We had dinner w/ the family, so that was great. I'll be sure to put up lots of pictures soon of all these people you don't know :)
Also got to see/say goodbye to Elaine. That was really great. love that lady, but she isn't progressing at all. Sad day.
I got to share my final testimony in Sacrament meeting Sunday. Geesh, I'm really gonna miss this.
Thank you all for your love, support, emails, letters, packages and pictures. You have no idea how much it has all meant to me. Being a missionary is hard work, but y'all make it a little bit easier!!
The Church is True!!
I love you!!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
SEE YA IN 2 DAYS!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Who's excited for me to come home?!?
I AM! Not gonna lie! I am so excited!!!
So this week was slower than a slow-mo snail. Did I mention everyone dropped us? We seriously have Mason, and Dave and Sherri. That's it. So sad.
Jill (a less-active we visit every week) came to church Sunday to see us! We were so excited. That was probably the highlight of our week. She hasn't been to church in years, and everyone was way excited to see her, but mostly we were the most excited.
Not trying to be dramatic, but really, NOTHING happened this week.
We did find a goldmine for tracting though. This huge low-income apartment complex. We found 5 potentials there yesterday.
I can't believe my time as a missionary is winding down. I feel so blessed that I have been able to serve.
I love this gospel. I know Jesus is the Christ. Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet. The scriptures are our guidebooks, the liahona to point us the way to eternal life. The power of the priesthood is real and vital for our salvation. Heavenly Father hears and answers every prayer. The blessings I have received from serving a mission, have far outweighed the sacrifice. The Lord loves us. This work is great!
The Church is True!
I love you!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
PS sorry for the total lameness of this email. I can't think of anything to talk about! I love you all!!!
So this week was slower than a slow-mo snail. Did I mention everyone dropped us? We seriously have Mason, and Dave and Sherri. That's it. So sad.
Jill (a less-active we visit every week) came to church Sunday to see us! We were so excited. That was probably the highlight of our week. She hasn't been to church in years, and everyone was way excited to see her, but mostly we were the most excited.
Not trying to be dramatic, but really, NOTHING happened this week.
We did find a goldmine for tracting though. This huge low-income apartment complex. We found 5 potentials there yesterday.
I can't believe my time as a missionary is winding down. I feel so blessed that I have been able to serve.
I love this gospel. I know Jesus is the Christ. Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet. The scriptures are our guidebooks, the liahona to point us the way to eternal life. The power of the priesthood is real and vital for our salvation. Heavenly Father hears and answers every prayer. The blessings I have received from serving a mission, have far outweighed the sacrifice. The Lord loves us. This work is great!
The Church is True!
I love you!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
PS sorry for the total lameness of this email. I can't think of anything to talk about! I love you all!!!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Good mornin!!!!
So, this week has been SUPER slow. Everyone and their dog drop kicked us in the face. Ya. We've lost some investigators, which is so sad.
Jerry called on cheery morning and told us that he prayed and God told him to go to the Church of Christ. Huh? He was so golden, but something must have happened. We went over later to drop of a white shirt and tie (we had got for him to come to church) but he still was set on his dad's church. Wah. We were super sad about that. Later, another investigator Brenda told us that she had watched "a show on TV about Mormons" and she "could never believe the same way we do." Wah. Twice in one day.
It's okay though, because we were able to find a few potential investigators, three of which are families. So hopefully we'll have some new people to teach this week.
And while I'm being whiney, we also attended a funeral this week of a little 8 year old boy from the ward. He's had cancer for 4 years, and passed on the 10th. Oh my sadness. We had actually never met him (he'd been really sick, obviously) but he sounded like a great kid. He had just been baptized a few months before he passed. It is so great to know the plan of happiness Heavenly Father has set out for us. We know that little boy is in a better place. He must have been a really special spirit to leave this earth life so quickly.
We met with Kurt again. He is so cool. The elders came with us. I asked him one question (about the plan of salvation) and he seriously bore his testimony for 30 minutes (I timed him) and came back to the question at the end. He has a rock solid faith. We're hoping we can get him to progress in the gospel.
Our scripture study class went well this week. We've still only had members there, but more came. Hopefully this week we'll have some non-members or less-actives there. We've been inviting everyone!
Last night we went to visit a family who is so cool. I found out the mom is a social worker and a birth doula! What the?!? She is exactly who I want to be! So we talked about social work and birth for a long time. I told her she is going to be my facebook friend as soon as I get home :)
So ya, not too many things going on. We went tracting lots, so that is always exciting. Didn't have any funny or really cool things happen though...
It's strange to think that I am coming home so soon. It doesn't even feel real. I am so happy that I am able to be a missionary. It has taught me more than I ever imagined it would. I love this gospel.
The Church is True!
I love you!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
PS does anyone have snow? We still have warm weather here. What is the deal?
PPS how has the gospel changed your life? I'm taking responses asap :) (like really, I want to know)
Jerry called on cheery morning and told us that he prayed and God told him to go to the Church of Christ. Huh? He was so golden, but something must have happened. We went over later to drop of a white shirt and tie (we had got for him to come to church) but he still was set on his dad's church. Wah. We were super sad about that. Later, another investigator Brenda told us that she had watched "a show on TV about Mormons" and she "could never believe the same way we do." Wah. Twice in one day.
It's okay though, because we were able to find a few potential investigators, three of which are families. So hopefully we'll have some new people to teach this week.
And while I'm being whiney, we also attended a funeral this week of a little 8 year old boy from the ward. He's had cancer for 4 years, and passed on the 10th. Oh my sadness. We had actually never met him (he'd been really sick, obviously) but he sounded like a great kid. He had just been baptized a few months before he passed. It is so great to know the plan of happiness Heavenly Father has set out for us. We know that little boy is in a better place. He must have been a really special spirit to leave this earth life so quickly.
We met with Kurt again. He is so cool. The elders came with us. I asked him one question (about the plan of salvation) and he seriously bore his testimony for 30 minutes (I timed him) and came back to the question at the end. He has a rock solid faith. We're hoping we can get him to progress in the gospel.
Our scripture study class went well this week. We've still only had members there, but more came. Hopefully this week we'll have some non-members or less-actives there. We've been inviting everyone!
Last night we went to visit a family who is so cool. I found out the mom is a social worker and a birth doula! What the?!? She is exactly who I want to be! So we talked about social work and birth for a long time. I told her she is going to be my facebook friend as soon as I get home :)
So ya, not too many things going on. We went tracting lots, so that is always exciting. Didn't have any funny or really cool things happen though...
It's strange to think that I am coming home so soon. It doesn't even feel real. I am so happy that I am able to be a missionary. It has taught me more than I ever imagined it would. I love this gospel.
The Church is True!
I love you!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
PS does anyone have snow? We still have warm weather here. What is the deal?
PPS how has the gospel changed your life? I'm taking responses asap :) (like really, I want to know)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Finally some snow!!
I've been so happy that we finally got some snow! But it was a weensy 3 inches or so, and it already has basically melted. Everyone here has been crying about it and how the roads are "so awful" and its "so cold." Wah wah. This is nothing. But it has been pretty cold the past couple of days (in the 20's) but today is sunny and nice.
We had a pretty slow week. We really focused on inviting everyone we see to our scripture study class so we gave our flyer's a lot.
We had a great lesson with Mason and his family about the Plan of Salvation. Sister Little gave a really great analogy about repentance saying, "what if you pushed your brother down the stairs, and then you died the next day. How would you feel accounting to Heavenly Father?" We all laughed so hard! Especially Mason's mom! She said, "now don't give him any ideas!" It was the funniest thing ever, I don't know where she got that analogy from. Mason's been reading his scriptures and doing really great! His primary teacher told us that he is such a "different kid" in meaning that he is so serious about the gospel! He didn't come to church this week though, we're not sure why yet...
We saw Jerry 3 times this week! He is doing really great. The Elders came with us to the last lesson to give him a blessing. Jerry has a lot of medical issues, so it was needed. We almost started laughing when the elders pulled out this huge bottle of olive oil from their backpacks to do the anointing. Apparently neither of them had any oil with them so they stopped by the store really quick before the lesson. Little and I were both really confused at first. Anyways, the blessing really brought the spirit and we had such a great lesson about baptism and following Christ. Jerry really does have that desire to come unto Christ and be baptized by proper authority. He is preparing for March 4th! Hooray!!
We also found a new investigator this week named Kurt. He is so cool. He was a referral from a potential investigator we have. He has a strong faith in God, and as we taught the message of the restoration, he seemed to understand everything we said. He always repeated back what we taught and re-explain it how he understood it. So great!! We committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray. We weren't able to meet with him again yet, but we will this week.
Amber is still doing well in the gospel! We met with her and talked about priesthood and auxiliaries and missionary work. She is so funny, and we love teaching her.
JoAnn is doing okay. We watched the restoration DVD with her, because she never keeps commitments, and then told her to call us. She says she wants to change, but isn't doing anything about it... It can be frustrating, but what can you do?
Our scripture study class was great! Well, we didn't have many attend. In fact the only ones that attended were very active members, but that's okay! I taught about the importance of scripture study and why we have them. There was a little historical stuff and timeline in between Malachi and Christ, but mostly just spiritual. Then we all shared our favorite scripture stories about Jesus. It was so great!! I love all the stories, its hard to choose! We talked about Christ talking to Mary and Martha, Him blessing the children, the woman who washed His feet with her tears, His infinite atonement, His miraculous birth, etc. It was really great! I love our Savior. I feel so blessed to feel his influence and power in my life. We are so incredibly fortunate to understand that His gospel is here for all of us.
We had a great Zone Conference where I had to recite D&C 4. I was so mad because I thought I could get away with never having to do it in a zone conference, but they caught me on my last one! So I stand up there and my heart was beating so hard! I state, "I pledge allegiance, to the flag!" Jk, I didn't. But I totally blanked and had to have someone help me get past the first phrase. So embarrassing. I should know it by now-I just completely froze. I felt so dumb. I also had to give my final testimony, which was so weird. I didn't cry though :)
I am so happy that Heavenly Father called me to serve a mission. I am so glad that it was right in His eyes. I have learned so much that I couldn't have learned anywhere else. The gospel is so important!
The Church is True!
I love you!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
We had a pretty slow week. We really focused on inviting everyone we see to our scripture study class so we gave our flyer's a lot.
We had a great lesson with Mason and his family about the Plan of Salvation. Sister Little gave a really great analogy about repentance saying, "what if you pushed your brother down the stairs, and then you died the next day. How would you feel accounting to Heavenly Father?" We all laughed so hard! Especially Mason's mom! She said, "now don't give him any ideas!" It was the funniest thing ever, I don't know where she got that analogy from. Mason's been reading his scriptures and doing really great! His primary teacher told us that he is such a "different kid" in meaning that he is so serious about the gospel! He didn't come to church this week though, we're not sure why yet...
We saw Jerry 3 times this week! He is doing really great. The Elders came with us to the last lesson to give him a blessing. Jerry has a lot of medical issues, so it was needed. We almost started laughing when the elders pulled out this huge bottle of olive oil from their backpacks to do the anointing. Apparently neither of them had any oil with them so they stopped by the store really quick before the lesson. Little and I were both really confused at first. Anyways, the blessing really brought the spirit and we had such a great lesson about baptism and following Christ. Jerry really does have that desire to come unto Christ and be baptized by proper authority. He is preparing for March 4th! Hooray!!
We also found a new investigator this week named Kurt. He is so cool. He was a referral from a potential investigator we have. He has a strong faith in God, and as we taught the message of the restoration, he seemed to understand everything we said. He always repeated back what we taught and re-explain it how he understood it. So great!! We committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray. We weren't able to meet with him again yet, but we will this week.
Amber is still doing well in the gospel! We met with her and talked about priesthood and auxiliaries and missionary work. She is so funny, and we love teaching her.
JoAnn is doing okay. We watched the restoration DVD with her, because she never keeps commitments, and then told her to call us. She says she wants to change, but isn't doing anything about it... It can be frustrating, but what can you do?
Our scripture study class was great! Well, we didn't have many attend. In fact the only ones that attended were very active members, but that's okay! I taught about the importance of scripture study and why we have them. There was a little historical stuff and timeline in between Malachi and Christ, but mostly just spiritual. Then we all shared our favorite scripture stories about Jesus. It was so great!! I love all the stories, its hard to choose! We talked about Christ talking to Mary and Martha, Him blessing the children, the woman who washed His feet with her tears, His infinite atonement, His miraculous birth, etc. It was really great! I love our Savior. I feel so blessed to feel his influence and power in my life. We are so incredibly fortunate to understand that His gospel is here for all of us.
We had a great Zone Conference where I had to recite D&C 4. I was so mad because I thought I could get away with never having to do it in a zone conference, but they caught me on my last one! So I stand up there and my heart was beating so hard! I state, "I pledge allegiance, to the flag!" Jk, I didn't. But I totally blanked and had to have someone help me get past the first phrase. So embarrassing. I should know it by now-I just completely froze. I felt so dumb. I also had to give my final testimony, which was so weird. I didn't cry though :)
I am so happy that Heavenly Father called me to serve a mission. I am so glad that it was right in His eyes. I have learned so much that I couldn't have learned anywhere else. The gospel is so important!
The Church is True!
I love you!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Moroni, The Champ..
I love the scriptures.
I've continued my studies in Alma, and have been reading about Moroni (who totally rules) and Amalickiah (who makes me want to punch in his face!) This is like the best book I've ever read. The Book of Mormon is so cool! I would read it all day if I could, but that wouldn't be very productive. :) If only we could all be like Moroni... (Alma 48:17)
We had a good week. We had a lesson with Hurl (ya, that's his real name) and he is super nice and great. Our ward mission leader and his wife came with us-which was a huge help and brought the spirit in so strongly! He said he would come to church (but he didn't) but its okay - because we are having HOPE.
I taught the lesson principle in our district meeting about hope this week. It seemed to go okay. I found two different talks by Elder Maxwell about hope. Elder Maxwell is the coolest guy ever. I like him like I like Truman G. Madsen. (a lot). So great. Anyway, he said a really great thing, quoting Tolkien in Return of the King, "It is not our part to master the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherin we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they have is not ours to rule." (Yes, I just quoted Lord of the Rings). Isn't that great though? It is true! And we can apply it to our lives every day.
We had a great lesson with Jerry, and a member came with us so we could actually sit down and teach. We talked about the Plan of Salvation, and invited him to pray about it. We also talked about baptism and asked him to pray if March 4th would be the day that Heavenly Father wants him to be baptized. Yay!! We checked up with him a few days ago, and he said he prayed about the Plan of Salvation and felt really good and peaceful about it, but forgot to pray about a baptismal date. So, Jerry is really great, and a bachelor. We walked into his house to see that he had neatly decorated his walls with pictures: old presidents, and moon landings, but also with other things - mostly wrappers of candy, can labels, and cereal and soda boxes, but also some coupons, and a picture of Jesus and Mary Magdalene he ripped out of the pamphlet we had given him. I'm sorry, but it was soooo funny! The walls were completely covered! I didn't laugh until afterwards, but it was a teensy bit strange. We also got to meet Sparkles and Baby more personally, and he told us they are both boys. Love my life!!!!
We found a new investigator named Kristen. She used to meet with the sister missionaries probably 2 years ago. She seems really depressed about life, but wants more and is looking for a church that can bring that to her. We invited her this Sunday, and she said she would come, but didn't show. We'll try again though!!
We've stopped by Cora's house a few times, but she is never home! Stress!!! But we will keep trying and praying that she is still elect!
There was a sad tragedy that happened in Hurricane this week. A sophomore boy was his by a train when he was walking on the tracks. There were 3 elementary school buses full of kids that witnessed it, along with many many other kids. Its been quite traumatic, and lots of kids we've talked too saw the accident. So sad! The community seems to be dealing with it okay and coping well. I don't know why I told you all this, maybe because its not everyday that you hear of someone getting hit by a train. The railroad runs all the way through this town and we hear it everywhere we go; in our apartment, at peoples houses, etc. Sad.
We met with Mason, and he hadn't read from the Book of Mormon like we asked him too, so we read with him. It was so great! Then he downloaded it onto the Ipad thingy they have, and he's been reading ever since! Yay! He came to church too. Only bad thing was when we walked into their house this week, he proudly announces that he just had head lice. Oh sick. Get me away, we were so scared to even move in there! Don't worry, we didn't get it. I would die. And die even more for Sister Little who has huge curly thick long hair. Eh.
We saw JoAnn again. She has been really sick for 2 weeks, but still hasn't kept any commitments (come on JoAnn! How hard is it to watch a 20 min DVD when you are sick or read your scriptures!) So next time will really determine if she is wanting to progress or not...
Sunday was great and we had a wonderful fast and testimony meeting. Afterwards we saw Dave and Sherry! They are going to start reading the Book of Mormon, and we will discuss it next time. I can't wait! Little volunteered me to make some delish homemade oreos to take with us. So excited for our next meeting :)
We also saw Brenda, who seems to be doing okay. Rene was there and she really wants to teach me how to read crochet patterns. So excited. Oh the things you learn! She reminded me that it is important to find common ground with people, and then move to higher ground. It's very true.
Anyway, whew, that was a long email! Things are going well! I am happy and I love this work!
The Church is True!
I love you!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
I've continued my studies in Alma, and have been reading about Moroni (who totally rules) and Amalickiah (who makes me want to punch in his face!) This is like the best book I've ever read. The Book of Mormon is so cool! I would read it all day if I could, but that wouldn't be very productive. :) If only we could all be like Moroni... (Alma 48:17)
We had a good week. We had a lesson with Hurl (ya, that's his real name) and he is super nice and great. Our ward mission leader and his wife came with us-which was a huge help and brought the spirit in so strongly! He said he would come to church (but he didn't) but its okay - because we are having HOPE.
I taught the lesson principle in our district meeting about hope this week. It seemed to go okay. I found two different talks by Elder Maxwell about hope. Elder Maxwell is the coolest guy ever. I like him like I like Truman G. Madsen. (a lot). So great. Anyway, he said a really great thing, quoting Tolkien in Return of the King, "It is not our part to master the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherin we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they have is not ours to rule." (Yes, I just quoted Lord of the Rings). Isn't that great though? It is true! And we can apply it to our lives every day.
We had a great lesson with Jerry, and a member came with us so we could actually sit down and teach. We talked about the Plan of Salvation, and invited him to pray about it. We also talked about baptism and asked him to pray if March 4th would be the day that Heavenly Father wants him to be baptized. Yay!! We checked up with him a few days ago, and he said he prayed about the Plan of Salvation and felt really good and peaceful about it, but forgot to pray about a baptismal date. So, Jerry is really great, and a bachelor. We walked into his house to see that he had neatly decorated his walls with pictures: old presidents, and moon landings, but also with other things - mostly wrappers of candy, can labels, and cereal and soda boxes, but also some coupons, and a picture of Jesus and Mary Magdalene he ripped out of the pamphlet we had given him. I'm sorry, but it was soooo funny! The walls were completely covered! I didn't laugh until afterwards, but it was a teensy bit strange. We also got to meet Sparkles and Baby more personally, and he told us they are both boys. Love my life!!!!
We found a new investigator named Kristen. She used to meet with the sister missionaries probably 2 years ago. She seems really depressed about life, but wants more and is looking for a church that can bring that to her. We invited her this Sunday, and she said she would come, but didn't show. We'll try again though!!
We've stopped by Cora's house a few times, but she is never home! Stress!!! But we will keep trying and praying that she is still elect!
There was a sad tragedy that happened in Hurricane this week. A sophomore boy was his by a train when he was walking on the tracks. There were 3 elementary school buses full of kids that witnessed it, along with many many other kids. Its been quite traumatic, and lots of kids we've talked too saw the accident. So sad! The community seems to be dealing with it okay and coping well. I don't know why I told you all this, maybe because its not everyday that you hear of someone getting hit by a train. The railroad runs all the way through this town and we hear it everywhere we go; in our apartment, at peoples houses, etc. Sad.
We met with Mason, and he hadn't read from the Book of Mormon like we asked him too, so we read with him. It was so great! Then he downloaded it onto the Ipad thingy they have, and he's been reading ever since! Yay! He came to church too. Only bad thing was when we walked into their house this week, he proudly announces that he just had head lice. Oh sick. Get me away, we were so scared to even move in there! Don't worry, we didn't get it. I would die. And die even more for Sister Little who has huge curly thick long hair. Eh.
We saw JoAnn again. She has been really sick for 2 weeks, but still hasn't kept any commitments (come on JoAnn! How hard is it to watch a 20 min DVD when you are sick or read your scriptures!) So next time will really determine if she is wanting to progress or not...
Sunday was great and we had a wonderful fast and testimony meeting. Afterwards we saw Dave and Sherry! They are going to start reading the Book of Mormon, and we will discuss it next time. I can't wait! Little volunteered me to make some delish homemade oreos to take with us. So excited for our next meeting :)
We also saw Brenda, who seems to be doing okay. Rene was there and she really wants to teach me how to read crochet patterns. So excited. Oh the things you learn! She reminded me that it is important to find common ground with people, and then move to higher ground. It's very true.
Anyway, whew, that was a long email! Things are going well! I am happy and I love this work!
The Church is True!
I love you!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
Monday, January 30, 2012
Hoofin it!!!
Wooooooo!!!
This weeks been pretty good. We had some neat experiences.
We were trying to decide what to do, and felt inspired to tract a certain street (29th) So we started in the middle and did both sides. No one was answering the the door the whole time. But I wasn't loosing faith, cause I knew there was someone there who would be receptive. When we got to the 3rd to last door, these little kids answered the door, then this lady (their grandma, named Cora) came and talked to us. We told her about the Book of Mormon, and how it could bless her life. She told us she has been struggling a lot with her family and trying to help some of them get over their addictions. She then said, "wow, yall came at the perfect time!" MIRACLE. We are sooo excited. We have an appointment with her on Tuesday.
We've met with Elaine twice this week. She is really shining! She has been reading and praying a lot, and set herself with another baptismal goal date! February 18th. She came to church this week too. YES!!
We also saw Mason twice. The first time we taught his family the restoration. It was so cute and awesome, because we were talking about how the church Christ set up, has been restored to its fullness on the earth again! Mason asks, "is that church still in existence?" We were able to proudly and boldly answer "Yeah dude! Its OUR church!!!" He was totally in awe of that. I love little kids, so awesome. We went by a second time and played basketball and football with them in the street. It was way fun. He didn't know Sister Little played basketball (and soccer and rugby) so he was blown away at her mad skills. Hahaha. He also came to church this week, with his dad-just the two of them. It shows great initiative that Mason really does want to be baptized.
We also went to return some tupperware to a member-just followin our GPS and she lives WAY back, the very last house down a looong holler. Oh my, I fell in love. They have a beautiful house with a farm on 200 acres of West Virginia mountains. If she asked us to move in, we would have said yes in a heartbeat!! Her husband is not a member (yet) and she wants us to start teaching him. Yay!! We found out that she doesn't even live in our area OR zone (but she is in our ward)! So we got permission to go out there again. Hooray!!
Well, things are going well! I got asked to speak about "hope" in our next district meeting and Sister Little is SOOO happy because she tells me I have no hope every day. Ha!!
I read the coolest section ever in the Doctrine and Covenants. You should check it out! D&C 107. Its all about the priesthood. I loved it.
The Church is True!!
I love you!!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
This weeks been pretty good. We had some neat experiences.
We were trying to decide what to do, and felt inspired to tract a certain street (29th) So we started in the middle and did both sides. No one was answering the the door the whole time. But I wasn't loosing faith, cause I knew there was someone there who would be receptive. When we got to the 3rd to last door, these little kids answered the door, then this lady (their grandma, named Cora) came and talked to us. We told her about the Book of Mormon, and how it could bless her life. She told us she has been struggling a lot with her family and trying to help some of them get over their addictions. She then said, "wow, yall came at the perfect time!" MIRACLE. We are sooo excited. We have an appointment with her on Tuesday.
We've met with Elaine twice this week. She is really shining! She has been reading and praying a lot, and set herself with another baptismal goal date! February 18th. She came to church this week too. YES!!
We also saw Mason twice. The first time we taught his family the restoration. It was so cute and awesome, because we were talking about how the church Christ set up, has been restored to its fullness on the earth again! Mason asks, "is that church still in existence?" We were able to proudly and boldly answer "Yeah dude! Its OUR church!!!" He was totally in awe of that. I love little kids, so awesome. We went by a second time and played basketball and football with them in the street. It was way fun. He didn't know Sister Little played basketball (and soccer and rugby) so he was blown away at her mad skills. Hahaha. He also came to church this week, with his dad-just the two of them. It shows great initiative that Mason really does want to be baptized.
We also went to return some tupperware to a member-just followin our GPS and she lives WAY back, the very last house down a looong holler. Oh my, I fell in love. They have a beautiful house with a farm on 200 acres of West Virginia mountains. If she asked us to move in, we would have said yes in a heartbeat!! Her husband is not a member (yet) and she wants us to start teaching him. Yay!! We found out that she doesn't even live in our area OR zone (but she is in our ward)! So we got permission to go out there again. Hooray!!
Well, things are going well! I got asked to speak about "hope" in our next district meeting and Sister Little is SOOO happy because she tells me I have no hope every day. Ha!!
I read the coolest section ever in the Doctrine and Covenants. You should check it out! D&C 107. Its all about the priesthood. I loved it.
The Church is True!!
I love you!!!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Scripture power!
Hello Everyone!!!
This week has been really great! We had an awesome lesson with Brandi. She is so open and receptive. We asked her what it would mean to her, to know that the true church of Jesus Christ was on the earth today. She said, "well, that would be a way big deal!" She is super nice to us and is excited to learn more!
Also that one mean lady who is always rude to us when we teach her mom (have I told you about her?) well, we had a lesson over there the other day-and she has totally softened to us and told me she would miss me when I go home. Little and I were seriously so confused. Hilarious!! But we are going to have a study with her next week on the topic of "why are there so many churches?" She is warming up to the gospel (we hope)!
We had a great district meeting, and our district leader challenged us to teach 20 lessons a week. Yikes. So that is our goal for next week! If we have the determination and the faith, I know we can do it!
Also we saw Sherry and Dave again. They are sooo nice, and Sherry told us, "We have just fallen in love with you girls!" So nice. They said we could come over anytime to talk about the gospel. Yay!
We also are starting to teach this awesome gospel/folk singer named Barbara. She played her guitar and sang for us. She is so cool. Her mom is a member, so hopefully we'll be able to help her understand the importance of the gospel soon!
So, I have been studying in Alma, all of the missionary chapters. I feel like I've never read them before in my life!! As I read, I am learning that I have been a missionary for so long. I found so many passages that remind me of more modern missionary "things". I made you a list :)
Alma 8-best companions for life!! (I've been lucky to have quite a few of those)
Alma 8:27-companion study
Alma 11:23-rebuking anti people
Alma 17:2-mission reunion!
Alma 21:1-transfers!!!
Alma 21:16-being guided by the spirit
Alma 21:5-11-teaching anti people
Alma 22:1-transfers again!
Alma 22:12-teaching plan of salvation
Alma 25:17-zone conference
Alma 26-zone conference. (Ammon is the zealous ZL)
Alma 27:12, 14- ET'd (emergency transfer)/evacuation!
Alma 27:16-17-seeing a bestie at transfers, or being transfered to an area where your bestie is serving
Alma 27:25-testimony meeting
Alma 28:14-great missionaries duty and experience
Alma 29:4-5-a missionaries battle with the concept of agency
Alma 29:14-great leader (ZL or AP)
Alma 30:57-mission gossip/cool mission stories spreading fast!
Alma 31:32-prays by name for fellow missionaries
Alma 32:6-tracting trailer parks
Alma 32:28-43-using analogies to teach (Leavitt's fav :)
Well, that's as far as I got. Hope you all enjoy those. Ha!
Things are going really well. Time is flying by!
The Church is True!
I love you!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
This week has been really great! We had an awesome lesson with Brandi. She is so open and receptive. We asked her what it would mean to her, to know that the true church of Jesus Christ was on the earth today. She said, "well, that would be a way big deal!" She is super nice to us and is excited to learn more!
Also that one mean lady who is always rude to us when we teach her mom (have I told you about her?) well, we had a lesson over there the other day-and she has totally softened to us and told me she would miss me when I go home. Little and I were seriously so confused. Hilarious!! But we are going to have a study with her next week on the topic of "why are there so many churches?" She is warming up to the gospel (we hope)!
We had a great district meeting, and our district leader challenged us to teach 20 lessons a week. Yikes. So that is our goal for next week! If we have the determination and the faith, I know we can do it!
Also we saw Sherry and Dave again. They are sooo nice, and Sherry told us, "We have just fallen in love with you girls!" So nice. They said we could come over anytime to talk about the gospel. Yay!
We also are starting to teach this awesome gospel/folk singer named Barbara. She played her guitar and sang for us. She is so cool. Her mom is a member, so hopefully we'll be able to help her understand the importance of the gospel soon!
So, I have been studying in Alma, all of the missionary chapters. I feel like I've never read them before in my life!! As I read, I am learning that I have been a missionary for so long. I found so many passages that remind me of more modern missionary "things". I made you a list :)
Alma 8-best companions for life!! (I've been lucky to have quite a few of those)
Alma 8:27-companion study
Alma 11:23-rebuking anti people
Alma 17:2-mission reunion!
Alma 21:1-transfers!!!
Alma 21:16-being guided by the spirit
Alma 21:5-11-teaching anti people
Alma 22:1-transfers again!
Alma 22:12-teaching plan of salvation
Alma 25:17-zone conference
Alma 26-zone conference. (Ammon is the zealous ZL)
Alma 27:12, 14- ET'd (emergency transfer)/evacuation!
Alma 27:16-17-seeing a bestie at transfers, or being transfered to an area where your bestie is serving
Alma 27:25-testimony meeting
Alma 28:14-great missionaries duty and experience
Alma 29:4-5-a missionaries battle with the concept of agency
Alma 29:14-great leader (ZL or AP)
Alma 30:57-mission gossip/cool mission stories spreading fast!
Alma 31:32-prays by name for fellow missionaries
Alma 32:6-tracting trailer parks
Alma 32:28-43-using analogies to teach (Leavitt's fav :)
Well, that's as far as I got. Hope you all enjoy those. Ha!
Things are going really well. Time is flying by!
The Church is True!
I love you!
Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell
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