Another transfer come and gone...

Wahoo!! It has been crazy past few days, but not super eventful. Thanksgiving was really great. We ate breakfast at one members, then had dinner at anothers, and dessert at anothers. Wahoo. My comp said goodbye to a lot of people, so that was the majority of the past days. Honestly, I can't even remember what we did, so sorry if this email is super lame and short.
One day we went to visit a referral, and lady (Kelly) who's mother is a member in Ohio (Carol). We knocked, and Carol answered the door. She thought we were Jehovah's Witnesses. We asked if she was a member, and she couldn't remember. "I think I might have been associated with your church at one point." It was a little funny, but I also felt bad, because apparently she has a bad memory as it is, but she had a stroke a few years back and really can't remember anything about her life. She has no idea how long ago she lived in Ohio, or when she moved back to WV, etc. She then said, "you don't believe in Christmas, right?" I assured her that those were the Jehovah's witnesses and we do celebrate Christmas. I just thought it was a bit funny.
We also helped a ward member move. They moved into an awesome old building that used to be a boarding house. The upstairs has like 10 bedrooms and it was so cool. So cool, that it is totally worth mentioning :)
Remember how I mentioned Sister Sandy? She passed away last week, and on Saturday we were given the privilege to help dress her in her temple clothes. It was a really neat experience for me. I have never been to a funeral or seen a dead person, but it wasn't even scary. Sunday night was her viewing, and yesterday was her funeral. It was really neat. The stake pres. wife spoke and pretty much taught the plan of salvation. (none of sis. sandy's family are members) and sis. Truex played the violin. Probably the coolest part of it all, was that the opening song was "I'll fly away" that country/blue-grassy song that I think is played in the movie Oh, Brother Where Art Though. Its been stuck in my head for 2 days now. Its was great, and now I want it at my funeral:)
Last night President picked sis. Truex and I up, and now I'm in Charleston for the next few days. S. Truex left this morning and now I am (in his own words) president's "youngest assistant ever!" (because i'm only 6 weeks out) wahoo! we get to go pick up all the new missionaries from the airport today, and tomorrow I'll meet my new companion. Her name is Sister Durfee and I hear she is great. I've never met her, but I am excited to get a fresh start on things.
I love you all!!! The Lords hand is really in all that we do. The church is true!!! Love, Sister Gunnell

Thanksgiving!

It feels like forever since the last time I wrote, but also that I don't have anything to say!! Well, that isn't true.

So we've been making little progress with Judy. She just doesn't understand why we shouldn't drink coffee, and she won't give it up! Yesterday, I tried to explain that it is a small sacrifice in the long run, and obedience is the important thing. So we'll see what happens; she is supposed to pray about it, but keeps putting it off. She is so hilarious and always has outlandish concerns. Last week she was frustrated that all Mormons have to buy their "underwear" from the same place! "That means one guy has a monopoly on all the bloomers!!" Okay, Judy.... It was truly hilarious though.

We taught Jeff again, and he is totally solid. He is such a great guy, and will be baptized sometime next month.

John is just great. Last week when we taught him, we asked him to say the closing prayer. It was a beautiful and simple prayer, and at the end, Pat was crying and said that in the 45 years they have been married, that she had never heard him pray out loud before! So exciting!

We had a 'mission confrence' type thingy in our Zone last week, and Elder Craig C. Christensen from the Seventy came and spoke with us. It was really great, and just the spiritual boost I needed. He and his wife spoke, along with

Pres. and Sister Thornock. For lunch, he and his wife sat by us sisters. Woohoo! Then later he had and "interview" with me (they just randomly chose missionaries, I think) and asked me about my impressions of the mission and if anything needed to change, etc. It was only like 2 minutes, and really uneventful, but he said I was great, so woo hoo! OH, also, I had to lead the music. Ya, I don't even know how. Embarrassing.

We visited an older lady member Sister Sandy in the hospital a few weeks ago, and then in her house 2 days ago. She was not doing well, and past away yesterday morning. Sadness, but at least she's in a better place.

This kid came up to me in sacrament meeting, who's family is in the ward (the Hursts), and he is usually away at college, he told me that he was companions with Jeff Rutledge for 3 months on his mission and Jeff had told him that I was serving in Buckhannon. So crazy how it is such a small world!

We had a district meeting with the zone leaders there, and I had to recite D&C 4 in front of everyone. Doubly embarrassing and totally stuttering all over the place. But we had some hilarious role-play situations.

So, my companion is going home. She has been sick, and we really aren't able to leave the apartment very much, which is really frustrating. But she will leave either this weekend, or at transfers next Wednesday. Depending on when she leaves, I will probably be shipped to Morgantown with the sisters there until I companion on Dec. 1st. Who knows what lies ahead! But I am really excited to have this shift and be able to get a lot done. My next P-day is Tuesday, so I'll update you all then. For some reason It was so much more difficult to have my p-day 3 days later than usual! I feel totally out of routine. Anyways, the church is still true, and Thomas S. Monson is our true and living prophet!! I hope you all are having a wonderful Thanksgiving, and remember how blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives. I love you all! Love, Sister Gunnell



Fabulous Sabbath!!!!!!!

Its been another crazy and fast moving week!! It started off terribly when we went for a lesson with Judy and her neighbor was there. I can't remember if I mentioned this before, but last week Judy's neighbor gave her a copy of "The Godmakers" yay. Every missionary's dream. NOT. Terrible. So Judy thinks the book is stupid and ridiculous, but her friend drilled us for 2 hours asking every crazy Mormon question we, as missionary's, never want to hear. Some of her questions included: Do you wear special underwear? Do you believe you will have babies after you're resurrected? What about blacks and the priesthood? It was not very fun because she was so closed minded and wouldn't hardly let us talk :( lame. But she really is a good person and we hugged her as we left. Judy said, "She is too closed up in her beliefs for me!" Wahoo! But every day I feel like my brain is exploding for all of the knowledge and experience I am gaining. Truly! There is an endless amount of things to learn and it drives me crazy!! But it is great!

On Thursday we taught Julia who is a devout Methodist, but really loves the Book of Mormon. Then she taught us to weave on her looms and it was so much fun! I felt like a pioneer woman.

The transfer is half over, so that means its my turn to drive! not that exciting. The roads here are so tiny I am always feeling like I'm going to crash. Plus driving down tiny hollers at night when its rainy and all misty kind of gives me the creeps. But I'm getting used to it.

Thank you to everyone who has been so kind to write me letters or send a package (aka Shauna and Aunt Lesa). Truly, i love it so much! Letters really make my day!!

Speaking of which, Aunt Lesa sent me a bunch of candy and I was so excited!! I put all my candy in one of the big drawers in my desk. One morning I found a half nibbled Reece's peanut butter cup and thought, hmmm, my teeth are definitely not that tiny, and I would never only eat half a Reece's cup... So, I just thought it odd, but didn't think about it-until the next morning, I find green tinfoil wrappings scattered EVERYWHERE!! A little mouse ate ALL of my milk chocolate!!!!!! It didn't eat any dark chocolate, or anything else I had in there!! I was so angry I wished that It would get diarrhea. And then I made a plan. So I cleaned out my drawer and put only one thing back-a mouse cube (I had never seen one before, but its like a little square cup where the door closes when something goes inside) with a teeny Hershey milk chocolate square in the back. (Please note how brave I am). Then the next morning, lo and behold! A tiny field mouse was indeed trapped!! I should have bopped in on the head, but A) I was creeped out, and B) it was really kinda cute. So I picked the cube up with a hot pad and chucked it outside (dont worry, I made sure it got out of the cube). Whew!! Hopefully I wont run into any other of them, Yikes! Anyways, sorry that was not mission related at all!

We found a new investigator this week!! It's Shawn, the blind lady I talked about last time. She is so great!! We met with her on Friday, and taught a lesson. Then invited her to church on Sunday and she said she wanted to come!!! Wahoo!

Also, Judy is doing really well! We've taught her a couple of times this week, and helped her clean out her huge messy garage/workshop place (PS Judy is a major pack-rat and saves everything) so that was exciting... But she has progressed a lot! last week she said she didn't think Joseph Smith was a prophet, and this week she said out of the blue, "So, in order for me to be baptized, I have to say that I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?" We said yes. Then she's like, "Well, I think I can say that now." WAhoo!!! So many miracles!!!! She won't stop drinking coffee though, so we're working on that one.

So Sunday rolls around, and we find a ride for Shawn to church. Its kind of awkward, but fun, because we have to lead her around everywhere we go, and introducing her to people is different, just because she's blind, but it was really good!! We were hoping and praying that Judy would come this week (she hasn't come to church once since Sis. Truex started teaching her 5 months ago and we invite her every time we see her). But 20 min into the meeting, no Judy, so we though it was a lost cause. Then!!!! SHE CAME!!!!!! Sis. Truex and I both looked at each other with huge smile and tears in our eyes!!! It was SOOO exciting!!!! She sat by her brother, and we just beamed!!! Then to Sunday school. Shawn and Judy both liked it, and Judy even commented. In Relief Society Shawn AND Judy commented!!! It was SUCH a great day!!! We were so excited! Judy really is excited and ready to be baptized, and we just cant wait!!!!! We are teaching Shawn again on Wednesday, and she said, "I've got a lot of questions for you ladies on Wednesday!" Not sure if that is a good or bad thing :) but I am excited to see her again! Also Jeff was there Sunday, so we had 3 investigators there!! Wahoo!!!

The day gets even better. We went and met with John (the gardener guy) and had a lesson on the plan of Salvation. It was funny because he talked about how when he reads the bible, that heaven sounds really boring and he doesn't want to go to heaven if all we do is sing and praise the Lord. (I couldn't help but giggle.) But he also doesn't want to go to hell because that doesn't sound fun either. So we talked about the plan of HAPPINESS and what heaven truly is going to be like. Then the incredible part was his wife, Pat bore a very strong and powerful testimony about how and why she knows the church is true (she's been a member 10 years, also John has been 'investigating' for 10 years). The spirit was SO strong and I think John really felt it. Pat said that he has made more progress talking to us than anyone else. Also that she has never really told him how/why she knows the church is true, so it was a REALLY big step for them both. SOOO HAPPY!!

Anyways, the church really is true! I love it! And I love this work!!! I hope everyone is doing well!!! Love, Sister Gunnell

November 8th

Wow this week has gone by really fast! A few exciting things have happened! We met with Jeff (who is engaged to a member of the ward) and taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He had a lot of questions, but we were able to answer all of them for him. We asked him if he had thought about a baptism date and he said, "Ohh sometime around Thanksgiving..." we were both shocked! He said, "unless you think I'm rushing it?" we laughed and said no, that he was ready and we were excited for him. So wooohoo!

I truly have been so blessed to see the Lord's hand everyday in the work. It grows more important to me everyday!

We met with Judy last week a few times also. One day, we were doing service with her (aka I was digging the meat out of hickory nuts) and we read Mosiah 5 and was talking about baptism. It was really great and spiritual! She asked us if we really did see a difference in our lives since being baptized. I was able to testify to her that I did! And that because I was baptized and confirmed, I am honestly able to feel the influence of my life every day. She looked at me and said, "I can see that you can. You really do have that glow about you." I was so touched! It truly made me tear up a bit! That is one of the best compliments I have ever received! I love Judy so much. She truly is probably my favorite person I've met so far. She is so hilarious and always get off on random tangents when we're talking about something spiritual. For example: (quick background, Sis. Truex has a lot of physical problems and is sick all the time), Sister Truex was about to extend the baptismal commitment (on that same day I was just talking about) when Judy kind of buts in and says to her, "so, what kind of other sicknesses to you got besides crazy?" I couldn't help my self but bust up laughing!! It was just too funny and too Judy!! Also, I guess when she was taught the law of chastity, she said, "what? so I can't go runnin' down the holler looking for a sugar daddy?" Oh boy! Did I mention she is like 60 something and a widow? I love her. She is too funny. But we did extend the commitment, and she decided on December 12th! We are truly so excited, and hope she can make the date! She needs to come to church every week until then, (because she didn't come Sunday, had to take her sister to the doctors.) But we are just thrilled that she is working towards that date!

Another hilarious old widow I met last week is named Sis. O'Connell. She is really old and has no teeth, and as much energy as the 5 year old autistic boy in our ward. No lie! She gave us huge hugs and kisses on the cheek and was practically squealing with joy the entire time we were at her apartment! She lives at the Buckhannon Manor, which is basically an apartment complex for old people. Everyone here calls it "the high rise" because it is the tallest building in Buckhannon. A whole 8 stories!!! Haha. Anyways, we talked with her and shared some scriptures/spiritual insights, and she told us that we had a "sparkle" like Jesus had in the bible! Again, what a sweet compliment. She also gave us some sparkly Avon body powder and huge three musketeers bars. Woohoo! That was just really funny also.

We have a few potential investigators. One is a lady named Shawn. We got a phone number for her from a dinner appointment one night. Apparently she was taught by the missionaries in North Carolina and was about to be baptized and then moved to Buckhannon. We had an appointment with her, but she wasn't home. Oh, I forgot to mention, she is blind, but from the sound of her voice, not really old. Anyways. We're hoping to meet her in person soon.

We have a lot of work to do this week. Sis. Truex has been sick alllll week, so we have not really done a lot. I feel lazy, but what can I do? I can't go out by myself! :)

I found two scriptures that correlate this week that I really love!! 1 Nephi 21:16 and Mosiah 5:12. I love how it talks about the atonement, and how our names are written on Christ's hands (also, Isaiah 49:16) and then tells us we should have his name written on our hearts! It was just so beautiful to me!

I just finished reading the 4 gospels, and 1st and 2nd Nephi. I've been reading the New Testament and Book of Mormon simultaneously. Can't wait for Acts and Jacob! I've also been reading the new temple ensign. I wish we could go to the temple! So sad! The DC temple is "our" temple, but because it's not in our area, we can't go :( oh well. This work I'm here for is for the living! (Well at least that's what they tell us :)

But things in Buckhannon truly are going really well. I do love it here! I just really hope my comp gets better soon so we can stay busy all the time :)

Also, I met a lady who is the personality doppelganger of Dena (Scoville), West Virginia style. I love her so much! She is hilarious. And there is a man in the ward who almost exactly fits the physical description of Lenny in Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck.

Well, I love you all. I hope everything is going well. I love reading the New Testament. Read the last verse in the book of St. John. It truly is amazing all of the things that Christ did for us. I know the Book of Mormon is true!! Read the Introduction again. It will amaze you! The church is true!! Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell

Hi y'all! (I'm allowed, I'm in WV!)

Things are going really well with me!! I have a few things to tell you about West Virginia, then I'll update you on stuff.

-There are tons of graveyards here. I mean tons!! like every tiny town has 3. Most of them are really old. I guess the civil war started here. Sis Truex and I are going to go out one P-day and look at them all. I love graveyards, so I'm excited.

-Everyone has dogs. Or Cats. My coat is fuzzy, and I get hair on it wherever I go. Thank heaven for lint rollers!

-Everyone gives you hugs. Even if you've never met them before, they hug you. Not the men, of course. But I am still getting used to it.

-The food is truly great! Ward members feed us every night. I've had a lot of mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and pasta. Its really yummy. I have been eating a lot...Plus tons of desserts. Totally worth it.

-The ward is really great! It truly amazes me how I am able to love EVERYONE I meet.

- I have already been out for 1 month! Can you believe that!? I can't. Feels like 5 years.

-The streets in WV have odd names. I noticed a trend, and found 4 streets with the word "lick" in it.

-Beech Lick Rd.

-Mud Lick Rd.

-Three Lick Run

-Gee Lick Rd.

What is the deal? I think it's hilarious!!! Especially Mud Lick Road...

-Also, when people pray, they don't say "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." They just say, "in Jesus' name, Amen." I found that to be interesting.

Things in Buckhannon are going really well! I discovered that our area is a lot bigger than I thought! We have to plan our day/ who we'll see according to what area of town we'll be in, so we don't use up lots of miles.

We met with John (he's like 70) this week who's wife has been a member for 10 years, and his son is a member, and grandson is on a mission somewhere in Europe. He is a Gardener (by occupation, but i cant think of the correct title...a herbalogist or horticulturist?) anyways, he has huge greenhouses in the backyard and he mostly grows cempravivian (sp?) but they are these awesome little plants that remind me of a mix between a cactus, aloe vera plant, and a water lily. They are mostly green, but have red in them and are in all different shapes! He gave me a little pot with 5 or 6 different kinds of them. I love them! So exciting. He has a lot of questions about the gospel, and usually they are kind of hard for me to answer, like, "do animals go to heaven?" He causes us to do a lot of gospel research, but it is good for us! I love him. He is really cool and talks nonstop. He showed me around his greenhouse for 2 hours straight. Quality time!

The lady I told you about last time, Beth, called us and said her beliefs are too strong and to not bother coming over again. Sad. It happens. I think she'll join the church someday.

We are going to start teaching a lady who's husband is a member, and she has an 8 year old boy. Hopefully they will be promising! Their whole extended family is in the ward (oh, they are Chapmans, I guess I could have mentioned that).

We went tracting on Saturday, and I gave away my first Book of Mormon. Go me! Hopefully she reads it and loves it :)

Judy is progressing well. We'll visit her tonight. I think she'll decide to be baptized this month or next. We are going to have a cooking day with her. She gave me her recipe for her bomb apple pie filling. It is so delicious! Last time we were there she prayed with us to know if the Book of Mormon was true. It was really powerful! We just need to help her recognize her answers!

We are also teaching this older lady named Julia. She is super cool! She's Methodist, but believes everything we teach her and loves the Book of Mormon. She has a ton of spinning wheels and looms in her house. She is going to teach us how to weave on a loom next Saturday! I'm so excited! Who knew I'd be learning all of these skills!

Last night, a less active girl in the ward named Chantell had us over and taught us water coloring techniques! So neat! We've been so glad to be able to spend time with her, because she really has been more open to the gospel.

We are also teaching an 8 year old boy, Ethan. I think I already talked about him. But last time we came over, he showed me his Ghostbuster's DVD and said, "in this movie, they talk about how all the people will come out of their graves and be alive again. Is that true?!" it was really funny, and I don't remember that part in the movie, but I told him about the Resurrection, and how Christ was Resurrected, so we all will be someday too. But I assured him that it wouldn't be all creepy and scary like the movie probably showed it. He is super cute.

Sis Truex and I spoke on Sunday. It wasn't that exciting. We just talked for about 7 min each. I talked on preparing our testimonies for trials. Helaman 5:12. I love it.

We had zone conference yesterday. I love my mission president. He taught us all about the Resurrection (imagine that!) and it was really neat!

We had a trunk-er-treat on Friday along with a huge ward Halloween party! We had about 140 people come, including 40 non-members!! It was so great!! We didn't get to stay very long, but at least all these non-members were able to come into the church house.

Anyways, West Virginia is great! It is going to snow soon, its freezing!! I love it here, I'm doing well, and I really love missionary work!! I love you all and hope things are going well at home. The church is true, and I love you!! Love, Sister Kayla Gunnell