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

I'll Be in ******* For Christmas‏

Hey Everybody!

What A Busy Week in Gretna! We did Even more service this week trying to get people ready for the winter season ahead. More Chopping and Delivering wood and even installing a chimney sleeve 30 feet up! It felt good to get up on a roof again. Its Finally starting to get cooler in Gretna. Meaning there's actually some frost on the Ground in the mornings, but it normally disappears by mid day. Elder Wilder and I have been doing a lot of running around and visiting people. Oh! We went to Lexington Last Sunday! Got to hear Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the 70 and the Stake president give some good talks! Sadly we didn't have any investigators show up. They all ditched a few days before. Its hard to get people to understand just how important coming to Church is in the first place, not to mention when there's a General Authority there. Until they actually go they'll never fully understand that its so much more important than whatever else comes up Sunday. I'm glad I've learned for when I go home not to miss Church unless I absolutely have too. I can't afford too! Luckily the Covingtons saved the day again and we went with them using Mark as our "Less Active" hahah. I am going to miss them both so dearly, as well as all of the other Familes in the Gretna area because....

 

Yes, I am finally getting transferred. No big Surprise. Not to pleased either. I would have loved to stay for Christmas, but I'm ok with what the Lord has in store for me else where. I'm going to be serving in a ward. A good Ward from what I hear. In a small city. But then again, all of the cities here are small. Its going to be farther north which means... Yup! You guessed it, I'm Finally going to be serving in WEST VIRGINIA! Parkersburg North to be exact. Its one of the most Northern parts of our mission, so I'll be going to the opposite end of the mission (long Drive tomorrow...) Its on the boarder of Ohio along the Ohio river and we will actually get to cover part of that state as well I Believe so I'm super stoked for that!! And Hopefully with the northerly climate I'll get some snow along too!! The Down side? From what I hear we share the city with another set of Elders, and also share a car. Meaning one week we drive, the next we walk. In the winter. But that means maybe I'll get back into shape! My companion is Elder Hiener (I think thats how its spelt). I know I've met him once before but I still can't recall his face. I hear he's pretty legit though and I'll get along with him great so I'm excited to meet him and work with him. 

 

Well, thats the main bit of news. Now I just have to cope with leaving behind the Town I love, as well as a great Branch (perhaps one of the best in the Mission) and a fantastic companion. Elder Wilder and I have had way too much fun together and we never got in a single fight or even argument. I can't wait to chill with him in the Future. I'm excited for the new challenges ahead, and to finally be a real West Virginia missionary. Its going to be a blast! 

 

Love you All! 

Merry Christmas Season!

Elder Sunada

 

Last week before transfers...‏

That's right, its that time again. Transfers is coming up right around the corner. Let this be a reminder that Next weeks email will come Tuesday. Also this could mean that I may be leaving the little Town of Gretna just prior to Christmas. People keep asking me if I'm tired of Gretna. Really I'm not. I could stay one more very easily. I have a form of Family here. People that I love and care for, and they do so in return. I guess I'll have to do as I've done thus far, and trust that Wherever the Lord sends me, it will serve his purpose and not mine. I've taken comfort in the scriptures:

Isaiah 55
8 ¶For my ^athoughts are not ^byour thoughts, neither are your ^cways my ^dways, saith the Lord.

 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ^aways ^bhigher than your ways, and my ^cthoughts than your thoughts.

So come what may, I'll keep my head up, and love it.

Last night was the First Presidency's Christmas devotional. For any of you who didn't get to see it, may I suggest that you go watch it soon?
http://lds.org/broadcasts/languages/christmas-devotional/2011/12?lang=eng

I wanted to share one of the exciting things that was released during the devotional. President Eyring shared that the Church's work on short videos based on the Bible is now becoming available for all the world to have. He described it as a gift from the First Presidency of the Church to the world. A 9 min Clip was shown of examples during the conference which was so neat to see! Also the Church has announced that some 100 Short clips will eventually be released based on Stories from the bible, free to the world.

“We intend for these videos to be used freely by individuals, families, and groups,” said Elder Lynn G. Robbins, Executive Director of the Media Services Department. “We want to help our own members strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ, and we offer this freely to other churches who may wish to use these videos in a similar way. The message of the Lord Jesus Christ needs to be shared as widely as possible throughout the world.”

I'm super stoked to be able to check these videos out in the Future as well as share these with others to help them strengthen their faith in Christ. I can't wait to make watching the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional a yearly tradition in my family as I feel it really starts off the Christmas season well and with Christ as the Focus.

As for this upcoming week, its going to be a busy one! It always seems that you have the most plans on the last week of the Transfer. A lot of this week is service based. Chopping more wood, scraping up old floors, moving furniture, burning leaves, etc. I've actually got some callus back on my hands! Feels Great :D But we also have some good lesson's planned and are working towards a special focus this week. This upcoming Sunday in yet another special one. Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Presidency of the Quorum of the seventy will be in the Buena Vista Stake and has asked for all missionaries serving in the stake Boundaries to invite all investigators, recent converts, and less actives to a special meeting Sunday morning just prior to the regular Sunday services. Way cool!! Another General Authority this Transfer. Apparently Elder Jensen used to be the Chancellor of Church Education. The Drawback? The meeting is at 9 am in Lexington, some 65 miles way, over a windy mountain pass. So it may be hard to get some of the people we've invited there but I have faith that If they truly put forth the Effort, God will bless them in securing a way for them. Exactly what is going to be said there is any one's guess, but I know that the Spirit of God will be present and all in attendance will come away with a Strengthened testimony of the Restored Gospel. So, if this is my Final Hurrah in the Gretna Branch, then I'm going to do my Darnedest to get people to this conference and leave the Area on a high.

I realize that I'm jumping around quite a bit but I just wanted to comment a little more on Yesterday. We had such a great fast and testimony meeting yesterday! The Spirit really was strong and many great testimonies were borne. I wanted to get up and speak knowing that it could be my last Sunday, but the time went over and I was not able to get up on time. So make sure you never let those awkward moments pass when no one else is getting up. Be the one to start the trend! I will make sure not to let that happen next time. We visited a few other families that afternoon and had a Great Supper with the Covingtons. I really could write a full email just about them and how much they do for us. They even prepared for us a special gift that I will cherish forever. May Heaven Bless them Both!

Well I think I've gotten out most of what I need to for the time Present. I hope that everyone is able to get into the Christmas spirit soon this year. Look for opportunities to serve and give to others. Remember always that Christ is at the Centre of all our Christmas Celebrations and it is all in Loving memory of Him.

Much Love,
Elder Sunada

Happy (American) Turkey day!‏

Hey Everybody!

So I'm back in Lynchburg for Pday, meaning I'm using junky computers 

with limited time so it may be a shorter one. As aformentioned, it was
the American Thanksgiving weekend and I Got STUFFED. So much food! But
Good Food! And I think I'm going to have to go on a diet now haha.
Well maybe I'll just work better at controling my portion size, Until
Christmas that is. 

We spent Thursday partying and eating with the
Rainvillies who had a bunch of their family over. We were able to play
games (it was P-day because we sacrificed time on Monday for it) eat
more food, and just relax. But we were also able to give Bro.
Rainvilles grandaughter a blessing so we made use of it anyways!
Friday we had a district meeting in Lynchburg and were supposed to
have an appointment right afterwards, but it fell through. It actually
worked well because then we were invited to the Campbells family
gathering in Lynchburg for MORE FOOD. 

Yep, I'm going to start running
I think. And I'll have to run now because its going to clock me out in
15 secs.

LOVE YOU ALL BYE!!
ELder Sunada

Another Great Trip to Charleston!‏

Again I'm a day late, I know. There is a legitimate reason however. Due to the American Thanksgiving this week out P-Day was split up for Monday Morning, And Thanksgiving Evening. Yesterday we needed to get Laundry done and I didn't get around to an email so we've made a quick trip to the Library today. Thursday We'll be enjoying a feast with the Rainville Family and I'm pretty stoked for that.

So Last week was a great one! We went up to to stay with the Bedford Elders Friday night so we could catch a ride with them to Charleston early the next morning. Its always fun to stay with other missionaries. We got up around 4:40am and stopped in Roanoke at a McD's for Breakfast where I was able to fill my Timmys mug with hot Chocolate and give out a pass along card. Great Start already! The Drive up was fairly uneventful, aside from Elder Wilder and I singing in the back seat, and we arrived in Charleston about an hour before the meeting. The WHOLE mission was there! It was Crazy! No missionary currently serving has ever had it happen in the mission so that in itself was a special event. I got to see Elders that I haven't seen since the MTC days. It was wonderful. We filled every seat in the chapel and were crammed in on the pews. I got the end seat by the aisle I knew Elder Andersen would be walking down. I thought about how cool it would be if I could shake his hand as he walked by... We studied quietly in our seats and tried to invite the spirit as we waited for him to arrive.

When he entered the room we all sood as he walked in with a warm and friendly smile. As he passed he did not shake my hand, But before even getting up to the stand it was announced that he desired to shake everyone's hand in attendance! The coolest thing is how normal and relaxed he was. He'd say a few words as you'd pass by and look at you with a beaming smile. Once the meeting was officially started he stated that he hadn't prepared any specific message for us, but that we'd be able to ask questions and the meeting would be led by the spirit. Elder Andersen was in town for the Charleston Stake Conference the following day but made a specific point to ask and see us missionaries. Also accompanying him was Elder Seldon of the 2nd Quorum of the 70 I believe. He ask if Elder Seldon would Share his conversion story and a bit of his Bio.

I can't share even a portion of the things he said, even thought I tried my best to take as many notes as I could (probably more during that time than any high school class), but I will share some of the things I feel are relevant and that stood out the most to me.

He told us to pay close attention to Pres. Pitt, and always look to his example throughout our lives. He cautioned us not to compare ourselves to others but to "compare yourself with your best self." He talked about some of the experiences with the other Apostles and Prophets. In a meeting with Pres. Monson just last week he said that it came up that he was ordained an Apostle 48 years ago, and that within a month of that occasion, Elder Andersen was ordained a Deacon at 12 years old. We all feel inadequate at times, but its important to Remember how much Christ loves us and will help us through our challenges. He went into how the Priesthood has a part in all aspects of everyone's lives. He broadened our perspective on the "Paradox of Man," in that In view of all Gods great creations we are nothing, yet we are also his Children and his most prized with the potential to become his greatest. Every Soul is of Great worth.

He encouraged us that in order to help others we must "do our best, and Keep doing it. No goodness that we do will never do anything but help. There is power in being True and Faithful. He said many more things to us that I've been pondering lately and have grown in both knowledge and spirit from. But perhaps one of the greatest things he shared with us was his Testimony of Christ, Boldy proclaiming that he was his Witness, and that He Loves each of us. The Merits of our Redeemer mean we will live again with him in Judgment and Mercy. There was no doubt in my mind that this Man was an Apostle of the Lord, who had been commissioned for the work in which he was engaged. Hearing him speak of Christ increased my testimony as well.

His Final Challenge to us was this. The question that Jesus himself posed Rhetorically to the Pharisees in Matt. 22. "What think ye of Christ?" If we truly ponder that question in our minds and hearts we will grow closer to him that brings us peace and happiness throughout the eternities. Truly it was a day to be remembered in the Mission. I hope I was able to convey at least a small part of the spirit of that meeting. I don't know the next time I'll be under the direct sound of the voice of a servant of the Lord, but I know that I'll always strive for every opportunity that presents itself to do so.

Elder Sunada