Signs of Faith

We have had an Awesome week!! We worked hard, we got Results. It was a lot of fun too! 

 

We've been working to rebuild the area, after nearly a year of little success or prospects. Most of our work has been finding. Knocking on doors, Asking for referrals, street contacting. Things that take a lot of time and often offer few results. But we've been blessed for our diligence. 

 

We chose a few main drags down which we would knock out, as well as look up less active members and former investigators. Pres. Pitt as well as the Zone leaders challenged us to try what they called 2x2x2. Which was that whenever we have an appointment fall through, instead of just moving on to the next appointment knock 2 doors on the right, left, and across the street. Its worked with astounding success. First we found a couple who invited us in right away and was entirely open to our message of how Familes can live forever. We had more success when trying a less active who was not home, but finding 2 potentials to try next week, one of which i feel very good about. And a few weeks ago we tried a referral given to us by a drunk guy on the Bus to visit him. It was a bogus address, but it led us to Carlos. We stopped in and followed up Saturday morning and came at just the right time. He was Lonely and wanted to serve God better. He agreed right away to come to church and DID the very next day. 

Pretty exciting stuff. 

 

I'll have to fill in more as my computer is beeping 40secs left on my session. Its been so great to finally see some good things coming here. Love you all. Love the Lord. 

 

Elder Sunada

Preparing with President‏

Howdy!

 

Thing have been picking up here in Parkersburg North. We've been able to hit the Streets some more, Set up more appointments, and work with the Ward a little better. Tracting in Parkersburg has been a little different. I don't have to walk 10 mins between houses. People have a peculiar way of greeting you on the streets. Some even take the time to shout various Greetings as they drive by in the car. We ride the bus occasionally when we don't have the car, and you get to see the "regulars" or people who buy a Bus pass and ride around on the buses and public libraries for a profession. So far my favourite is a man We've nicknamed "Humbug" Because he's always talking to the drivers and Calls them Humbug. "Been a long Day humbug?", "Rainy weather aint it Humbug?", "You looking forwardward to getting off today Humbug?". It keeps the rest of the the passengers amused, or just annoyed. In any case, I'm hoping to be able to report a few more people we'll be teaching next week. Currently we have a Woman named Goldie. Our main man Craig Dropped us last week because he had too much going on in his life. But I have a feeling he'll be talking to Missionaries again in the Future so no big worries. 

 

Saturday was President interveiws! Its always a good chance to talk to president one on one. I do like being closer to Mission HQ so I have just a slightly higher interaction with him now. Pres. Pitt always has the right way to encourage me to press myself to do better and help others. After talking with him, I'm determined to get a few baptisms while in Parkersburg. And within the next Transfer. I know the man is lead by inspiration and the Holy Ghost because of the way he knows just what to ask and the way I always feel love in his Voice. I would love to be able to be that in Tune with the Spirit. I guess I've got a few years to catch up to him though haha. 

 

In the coming month we're also supposed to have another General Authority visit the mission and direct his time Towards missionaries!! Elder Pieper of the 70 will be spending the better part of the day instructing the WVCM in both Group and individual settings. We've been super blessed to have to much interaction with the GA's of the Church. Maybe even a little bit spoiled. In any case, I'm trying to do my best to finish reading the scriptures we've been assigned. 

 

Also I had Sis. Poole of the ward inform me that a Relative of mine had given a letter to her Husband! Apparently I live in a small world. I haven't gotten it yet but I'm very excited to. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways I don't even know how to count them. I'm so Grateful for being able and well enought to serve and only hope to do better. 

 

Love,

Elder Sunada

 

Timmy Time

Hey Everyone!

 

Sorry for the Delay! Government workers take every Holiday they can so the Library was closed yesterday. 

 

But...

IT FINALLY SNOWED! I mean not a lot of snow, But there is a little snow on the ground and its a tad Chilly outside. In fact the night it got cold our Thermostat inside our apartment also decided to have its battery die. It was a pretty chilly morning inside. But thankfully Elder Heiner had some extra batteries and saved the day. 

 

I Don't know if they did this back home, But the Stake decided that since New Years fell on a Fast Sunday they didn't want to crash any one's party so they moved Fast Sunday to next week. Because of this last moment change they needed some speakers. Turns out the Sunday I went in for Surgery I was also assigned to speak, So this was the perfect opportunity for me to complete my assignment. Bishop Bohning Even made the comment to me that "not even an appendectomy will get you out of speaking. Don't try breaking your leg either..." He's a funny guy.

 

Other than that its been back to work as usual. Some street Contacting, Checking on follow ups, People forgetting or dropping appointments. Missionary life. We did do some shopping at the mall. The first really decent mall I've seen on the mission. Nothing all that exciting but a somewhat big deal. I typically try to avoid the mall unless I need something there. To many people doing normal things. I don't know its just weird as a missionary. I bought a pretty sweet hat though. When I figure out how to upload pictures on to this Libraries computers I'll show it. 

 

OH! And Guess where we went for Lunch?! That's Right. Tim Hortons. And Yes, It was Glorious. I think some people in there were a little concerned with my Enthusiasm. But hey, if you Can't go to home to Canada, The next best thing is bringing a little bit of Canada to you. They just don't get it.  

 

Well I think that's all for this week folks! Hope Y'all had a great New year with plenty of great food and fun to Boot!

 

Elder Sunada

 

Back to the Streets

Wassup yall!

For an update from last week, I am doing much much better! I was discharged from the Hospital on Tuesday evening and stayed the next two nights at the Overbys, who took great care of me and nursed me back to health. We stayed at Souths apartment the rest of the week through Christmas, which made it easier to share the car seeing as I wasn't able to do much work on my feet. But my recovery was rapid! I'm currently back on my feet, off all painkillers as of last Friday. Since then I've been getting around very well. Rarely do I ever feel the surgical pain. I'm almost at full mobility again (I still have a hard time stretching all the way backwards like I used to but all good aside from that). So This week I'm planning on getting back into the full swing of things again as though It never happened.

Christmas has been really fun this year too. Spending it with the other Elders made it so much more enjoyable as we all were able to keep the excitement up. They are good Missionaries who are hard working and fun to be around. I'm in a great District! I really hope Elder Heiner and I will be able to find some to add to our teaching pool so we can get the ball rolling. I've had a much harder time Street contacting here than in any other area. Most people will tell you straight up that they're not interested and just walk off. I guess that's just city folk though. But There are good people here I know it!

OH! And there's also something else way exciting here. I ask the locals what there is to see and do around town. The Answer is typically, Not much. haha but what they don't realize is how cool it is that they have Not one, but TWO TIM HORTONS!! That's right. Timbits in Parkersburg West Virginia. I nearly Cried for joy when I saw that beautiful Canadian Icon. We even have gift cards to go there!! I'm super stoked! But I think that's All I got for the moment.

Thanks again for all the Prayers that went out on my Behalf. My biggest fear was that I'd be stuck in recovery mode for weeks of my mission. But I'm now ready to continue the work I was sent here to do. I know it was by the Power of God that things went so smoothly and that I am as healthy as I am.

I love you all so much and I hope that each of you were able to feel the Spirit of Christ this Christmas Season.

Elder Sunada

Still kickin folks!!‏

Hey everyone

So I'm sure many of you have heard that I've been having a very interesting weekend. Friday night I started feeling stomach pressure and thought I was just suffering from bad gas. Later that night however I couldn't seem to lie down without feeling extreme discomfort. After upchucking twice I asked my companion to give me a blessing of healing, after which I threw up once more and fell fast asleep.

Saturday morning we consulted with the mission nurse who said there was a flu bug going around and it would be best to rest in bed all day. Though the feelings of nausea had faded I was still left with bad stomach cramps whenever I moved and a fever with chills. Sunday morning I noticed that the pains had become localized in my right side. After giving the nurse another call we were told we should go get it checked out at a clinic. The parkersburg south elders left church to come pick us up and after a few quick checks the clinic said that I'd better get over to the ER. After registering it took a few hours to get into a room. All the signs suggested an appendicitis. A CT scan an hour or so later confirmed. I was scheduled for surgery shortly there after. The last thing I remembered was being in the anesthesia room at 10:10.

The operation lasted less then an hour. Pres Pitt and Sis Pitt came up to see me last night as well which brought great comfort. The ward has been great in doing little things for me even though I know them very little. Members from Gretna also gave me a call which was awesome. The surgery itself went well. Even though my appendix had ruptured I got lucky as the were able to remove it through 3 small holes instead of through a large incision. Saving me a gastely scar and some recovery time.

Today I've been doing my best to recover and eat and drink. Currently I'm using a members phone to send this out so I'll have to fill in more details later. I'm so grateful for all the prayers and blessings. I know I've come out better because of them.

I love you all. I'd love your letters too! Merry Christmas!
Elder Sunada

Send a prayer Kurt's way

Elder Sunada went into the hospital this evening for an emergency appendectomy. Both his mission President and wife arrived at the hospital to stay with him through the night and until he is stable. Mom was able to speak to Kurt for a few minutes and he is doing okay, but was a little groggy from pain meds. We feel he is in good hands and expect everything should go well, but a few extra prayers for Kurt couldn't hurt!

Thanks and we'll keep you posted,

Dana

NEW ADDRESS!

1107 32ND ST APT 2
PARKERSBURG WV 26104-1732

USA

 

Hey just a quick update! This is my new address. I'm really excited to be in Parkersburg. We have a lot of work to do and Elder Hiner is Great! 

 

Well thats all I can do for now. Love ya!

Elder Sunada