Transfer week‏

The Start of another Transfer always is a hectic time. Elders Coming and going. Getting up early or staying up late to get things done. Trying to update new planners and getting everything settled just takes a lot of time. But Thus far its all been awesome.

We stayed the Night in Lynchburg and got up early in the morning to Take Elder Bolan to the drop point. After we gave our farewells Elder Stucki and I went back and crashed for a few more hours (we had to have them at the drop at 4am). When we got up we decided that their apartment needed a major overhaul cleaning so I spent nearly 6 hours in the kitchen going over floors, walls, appliances, organizing cupboards and sanitizing everything in sight. Just so you know - I'm not a clean freak but when I see a dirty space and I feel the need to clean I get a little crazy about it.

Finally the Transfer train came in and we picked up my new companion Elder Wilder. He's is as awesome as he sounds, its true. We've been having a great time thus far. I have more in common with him than I have anyone else up to this point so we've been talking alot and quoting music and movies that we used to know back home. Even more exciting is that he's not afraid to get out there and talk to people! We also had our first lesson last night and I felt we did a good job of backing each other up and filling in where the other left off. I'm very excited to get some good work down this transfer and find out what else the Lord has in store for keeping me here. Elder Wilder is loving the area thus far. He's been in more urban area's and was shocked to see how far away houses were and got really excited to see all the fields of Tobacco. He wants to get a service job harvesting Tobacco plants haha.

Lets see, other than that we've just been getting back to regular work. Teaching him the area and meeting lots of people. Oh! President Fowler asked us if we would set up the satilite Broadcast at church for the General Relief Society meeting. Seeing as we didn't have anything left to do at that time we decided to watch it. First time I'd seen it but I really loved Elder Uchtdorfs message about the "Forget me nots" I think it was a great talk that applies to everyone. Check it out!

Well that seems to be all for the moment. OH WAIT. GENERAL CONFERENCE IS ON NEXT WEEK! Its that time again to listen to a Prophets Voice. Its probably one of the most exciting times of the year for missionaries. I hope everyone gets a chance to sit down and watch a least one session.

Its about time for me to get running now.
Love you all Much and Can't wait to get your Mail

Elder Sunada

BAPTISM!!!

Filling the Font

 

 

I feel like a Hobbit

 

 Tiffiney's Baptism! President Fowler on right

  

 The Lawn Mower I killed...Don't worry it got fixed!!

 

Campbells and I

 

 At the Training meeting. 

L-R Sis. Stoutenburg from Wyoming, ME, Elder Klain from Cardston, Sis. Robago from California.

I'm going WHERE?!‏

Wow. Busy Week. Long Week. Much Happened. Much yet to Happen.

So Last Monday Elder Wiederholt and I went on Exchanges. We Spent that night, Tuesday, Wednesday and  Thursday Morning together. Tuesday he was able to give Tiffiney her interview for baptism. Wednesday we both Got up at 2:50am and Drove to Roanoke, then caught the Van up to Charleston. I actually managed to stay awake the whole trip up and back. Dozed a few times in the meeting but besides that I didn't get sleep till 12am that night! We got home just a little after 11PM. It was such a great meeting though! There were trainers from the MTC who flew out and taught us how we could improve the mission. After that meeting my Philosophy on many areas of Missionary work changed. I've got a way better sense of my purpose now. I know how to make Weekly goals happen through Daily Action. And I'm finally seeing why and how the things I've been taught and been teaching to Elder Bolan can be so effective when done properly. It was so cool and I'm excited to see changes across the mission! There was also nearly a Third of the mission there if no a little more so I got to see some old Friends again including Elder Pendleton (My Trainer) and Elder Partridge, who as it turns out is going to be the new zone Leader here! It was a great Trip and I'm so happy I was able to go and learn so much.

Friday was the Big Day for Tiffiney. Big day for us too. Thank heavens for the Branch members who helped out so much in getting things ready. It was the first time a Baptism actually happened in the Area I'm serving in while I was there! So I learned how to do all the Paper work and such. Tiffiney asked President Fowler to Baptize her which was way cool cause he's helped her so much and she said He never forced her to do anything but was always there to help her. He's so great!

Also on Sunday the Lot fell to me to confirm her a member of the Church and Give her the Holy Ghost. That was pretty sweet and something I'd never done before but it wasn't as scary as I would have thought at the Beginning of my mission. I've become quite comfortable now giving blessings and serving in that capacity. So we had a great week all in all.

I suppose your all now wondering where it is they'll be sending me...Well I got the Call and.....I'm going to Gretna!!! haha That's right had you all fooled. Had me fooled too. I'd packed up my desk and nik nacks. Small task mind you. Elder Bolan will be going to Peterstown WV, Which is awesome because I've heard great things about the place. But I'm totally cool with Staying another in Grenta! I've got much left to do here and I'll be getting Elder Wilder, Who I'm told is a very fun guy, to finish up what I've started. I'm super stoked! its going to be a great Transfer I'm sure!

So Don't worry My address will stay the same and I'll be here till I hit my Year mark 6 weeks from now...WHOA.

Till next week, LOVE YALL!
Elder Sunada

On the Road again...

Alrighty, well I've got a busy week lined up! But first I'll do a brief recap on last week.

We've had a pretty good week of meeting with people and getting things ready for Tiffiney's Baptism. We were able to get in contact with and meet with some people that have fallen off the Radar for a while. Sometimes as a missionary there's so much going on that you get overrun and don't know who to see, or who even wants to see you. But I've been surprised more often than not that when I put forward the faith to go and see someone who I don't think really wants us there they often are excited to see us and wonder where we've been. Its a huge blessing and relief and I'm making better efforts not to get those ideas in my mind and just let the Lord direct me where to go.

We spent a day of service at the Campbells. They're so Awesome! Sis. Campbell is a hard worker who's always busy running around doing something (she's also the Relief Society Pres.) Bro Campbell is always good to talk to for a laugh and to make you feel welcomed. Bruce...haha I'm going to miss him too when I get sent out of here. He Keeps me on my toes. He's got smart aleck remarks like Dad which make me feel more at home as well.

Friday was another trip to Buena Vista for a Zone Meeting, Where I was informed I would be heading to Charleson WV for a special leadership training this Wednesday. A good chunk of the mission is going to be there, which is awesome because I love seeing other Elders I've worked with before. Apparently they're flying in some people from the MTC to brief us on some of the changes being made in the missionary program and how we can help transition that in. I'm stoked to get back to Charleston or West Virginia in General. That news made this coming week all the more busy. Today Elder Bolan will be going to Lynchburg on Exchanges and Elder Wiederholt will be spending today, tomorrow, travel on Wednesday and Thursday morning with me. Super long Exchange but we figured it'd make sense since we'll both be going to Charleston. The one thing that is a little messed up is that its a Leadership Training... As of yet I've only been a trainer. News like this is questionable especially when Transfers are the next week. (which reminds me no Email till Tuesday next week)

This may then be my last week in Gretna. I've grown attached to the people here and the quiet lifestyle of the country. There is a chance I could stay but I'm kinda Doubting it at the moment. I wouldn't mind it at all if I stayed but if the Call goes to go elsewhere then I'll be stoked for that as well.

Oh yeah, BAPTISM THIS FRIDAY! Yay! I'm so Excited for Tiffiney. She's changed so much since I met her and I see how much the gospel has changed her life. Its wonderful. Farther happiness and blessings await her I know it! I'll be sure to let Ya ll know how it goes next week.

Till then, Much Love
Elder Sundad

PS. New exciting Letter Policy! Anyone who writes me a letter this month will get a prompt Reply and a limited edition picture! Limited time offer so get those letters rollin!

Sept 2011 pics

 

Chillin With Freddie at his B-Day

 

The Lynchburg District. Minus myself..

 

More Great Southern BBQ! (I still haven't gained any weight since Cave Spring FYI)

 

This is in memory of the Don, (Bro Blackmore) One day I will own a corduroy suit coat. 

Just try and Stop me.

Just A short one!‏

Hey Everyone!

 

This week will have to be a short one due to the Holiday monday and I'm trying to write this at a members before Dinner time!

 

Its been a great week! We had some great lessons and a great Fast Sunday meeting where many great testimonies were born. Elder Bolan and I also got to go to Sharing time in Primary to help out on a missionary lesson! I miss being around the kids! Even though that primary was pretty small (only 2 kids in attendance that day) it was still awesome to relive some of those long lost memories. 

 

Today we did another Photo Shoot with Sis. Joiner from the Lynch 1st ward. Photos of that will be posted some time or another soon hopefully so I'll keep you updated. It was a great chance to spend time with Elder Jensen and Elder Parker. Elder Jensen is of course from Lethbridge and Elder Parker is from Fort McCloud area so we all know people and places in Common back home. Elder Parkers even been through Gargantua cave so we had a good time reminiscing about that. We Also decided to spend some time shopping around at Burlington Coat factory trying on different styles just for kicks and looking through discounted ties. Ties are a big commodity to Elders and trading can be fierce for a nice one. I'm hounded for some of the nice ones I have. I think my collection thus far runs around 50 or so but some elders exceed 200. 

 

We have a solid baptism set for Sept 16 for Tiff and we're super excited for her! 

 

Well I really hate to cut this one short but know that I love you all and I'll try to make up for the lack later on. Perhaps I'll get a small chance tomorrow but if not, I'll be sure to do a proper fill in next week!

 

Elder Sunada