Called to Serve - Week 16 or 17 probably

So craziness.. I will start from last Monday.  Sister Barlow and I went home after emailing to clean and write letters.  I clean and then I go to take a shower.  I was in the shower and then out of no where Sister Barlow starts banging on the door and screaming saying, "President called! President called!  Guess what is happening!"  I had no idea what to think.  I got out, put on clothes, and then Sister Barlow said that I will be training.  I was so shocked.  I was excited to hear the news, but it was news I WAS NOT expecting at all.  I was more nervous than anything else.  Seriously, this is crazy.  President told Sister Barlow to have me call him.  I called and he let me know that I will be training Sister Moulis from France.  She has been in the MTC in Preston for six weeks.  I was just stunned.  I just kept thinking.. ok I just got done being trained.  Sister Barlow would then be having a companion that has been out for a while.   That is another thing.  I knew that she is a very good trainer and she would be perfect at training this new sister.  President Millar also said that he tried calling us last night, but our phone is wacky and doesn't get reception in our home half of the time.  I was so sad because then I could've told you the news.  I wrote all of you last Monday to let you know because I thought that the letters would get there sooner than I would email you today, but I guess that they didn't. 

The next day, Tuesday, was absolutely excellent.  We were able to teach the people in the small village, Probus, and extend baptismal dates to all of them.  They all said that if they know it to be true by November 15, they will be baptized.  It was incredible.  The members that came with us were so awesome.  I love the members.  Faith is the key to everything.  Tomorrow we go see them all again.  I hope it goes well.  Last Tuesday was just a good, busy day.  I didn't really think about the news that I received before.  It was just a good last day.

On Wednesday, we traveled to Sister Barlow's new area, New Milton.  I know MILTON!! It was so funny when I heard that!  It still hadn't clicked to me yet that I would be training.  When we arrived, I saw my new companion, Sister Moulis.  We hugged and I just thought to myself, "I am just going to love this girl.  I might not be good at anything else, but I can just love."  We drove home afterwards and got to know eachother a little bit.  I traveled ALL day on Wednesday.  Then that is when it sunk in.  I couldn't sleep Wednesday night.  The stress started creeping in more than ever.  I felt that same feeling that I felt while I was at the MTC.  I couldn't eat all of Thursday and wow was it crazy.  Thursday was ok.  I was just still stressed out of my mind that I would have to be leading this area.  I had to watch every little thing that I do from now on because someone is looking up to me.  I just had no idea how Heavenly Father could call me to this at the time.

Sister Nelson, the one from Idaho that I did exchanges with, is the new Sister Training Leader for our Zone.. good thing.  She just kind of helped me breathe.  Afterwards I read this months Ensign.  Oh my goodness did it help me a little bit.  There is talk in there that talks about asking yourself a couple questions when you are going through difficult times and how to just say to yourself, "I will try."  It was just what I needed.  I still though couldn't sleep that night. 

Good thing that Friday was Zone Training Conference and I could speak with Sister Nelson and have an interview with President Millar.  First thing that happened.. when we went to the train station to get on the bus, Elder Astle, my district leader, and Elder Fuller were there waiting for the train also.  Elder Fuller was so nice and said to Sister Moulis that she has the best trainer.  I just tried not to tear up.  Then when we arrived to the conference, I was trying not to cry the whole time.  When finally President Millar called me in to the office to have an interview I just broke down.  I told him that I just felt the world on my shoulders right now.  Something incredible happened though.  I felt Heavenly Father talking straight through him to me.  Everything that he said I knew was right from God.  He told me that Heavenly Father did not call me to fail.  I am a good missionary and he has full trust in me in the area.  He said just to try my best and everything will be ok.  He told me just to love Sister Moulis and help her along the way.  Also he said, while I am teaching just be simple and teach like I am teaching a primary child.  Oh my goodness does Heavenly Father love me.  I felt like what he told me was a blessing.  When he closed by saying a prayer, that prayer was so comforting and I felt his love for me.  I walked of that office thinking to myself.. oh yes I can do this.. I will DOMINATE!! I will never forget that interview and Heavenly Father speaking directly to me.  He really does speak through people.  Elder Romney, one of the Zone Leaders, and Sister Nelson were very concerned about me and it was so nice.  I just feel very loved.  I know that this is the will of Heavenly Father and He wants me to be training Sister Moulis at this time.  I did not get called to do this to fail.  Then afterwards, Sister Moulis told me that Elder Benedetti, my last District Leader and he was actually in Sister Moulis' ward in France back home, and Elder Moulin, French also, said that she has the best trainer.  I just can't believe how much love I feel from these Elders and Sisters.  By the way after the interview we are just supposed to hand shake I think, but President Millar grabbed both of my arms and kind of pulled me in and just said to me you have got this.  It was just incredible. 

I am so blessed to be companions with sweet Sister Moulis.  She is from France and it is very difficult for her to understand and speak the language, but wow is she trying.  She had never spoken English before six weeks ago and she is doing absolutely incredible.  I love her so much.  We have so much fun together.  I have already learned so much from her.  Seeing her work so hard makes me want to work so hard also.  I feel so blessed to be her trainer.  She tells me almost everyday how thankful she is to have me as her trainer.  She told me that she was so nervous to see who her trainer would be.  When President Millar showed her my picture before we met, she was so happy and relieved.  When she told me that I felt so happy also.  She shows so much love towards me and we have a great companionship.  She has came from a total different background than I have and it is so cool to be able to live, learn, and grow with her.  I love seeing her improve everyday. I have to have a lot of patience.  It is good though because that is a characteristic I will have to achieve before I am a mother FOR sure! Heavenly Father loves me so much.  I can't believe that He trusts me to train right now, but it will be ok.  I know that I will just follow what He directs me to do.  If I do this, then I will become a better person and be much happier than being mad and upset about the things that He places on my shoulders.  I can do this.  "I have confidence in sunshine.  I have confidence in rain.  I have confidence that spring will come again.  Besides what you see I have confidence in me!" 

Love,

Sister Gunnell

Sister Gunnell with Elder Gunnell from Wellsville, Utah
GUNNELL POWER!!!!

Camille's new companion, Sister Moulis from France

When Camille ended her letter with the lyrics from

 "I Have Confidence in Me", she had no idea that we had 

added that music to our family video of her farewell

 at the airport.

Week 5,4,3, and 2

From: Camille Gunnell 

Subject: Week 5

Date: July 1, 2013 5:05:37 AM MDT

First off, thank you so much Gigi, Grandma Gunnell, Suzanne, Amy, and mom for the lovely letters.  I loved them and all and the motivation they gave me.  I reread them often! 

This week we have been trying to visit a lot of less actives.  It is has been successful.  There were a couple of less actives that actually came to church, which was really exciting for us!! Church yesterday was great by the way!! We watched the missionary broadcast!! Wow wasn't that powerful!! I loved seeing the whole Marriot Center packed!! I got teary when they were showing the video clips of the missionaries leaving on missions and saying their goodbyes to their families.  It brought back all of the emotions I was feeling.  The broadcast just made me more pumped.  I want to build really good relationships with the ward members so they will trust me with sharing the gospel to their friends.  I hope this will happen.  The people in the ward are so nice!! I love them.  Yesterday, church was very empty and I felt like it just gives me more of a reason to work hard.  I was studying this morning about diligence.  I cannot believe how necessary this is!! I cannot be lazy!! It is easy to coast through the days, but when I work hard I can feel the Spirit stronger in my life.  This is what life is all about.  I want to feel the Spirit always in my life!! If there is any way to keep the Spirit with me I will do whatever it takes.  I love the happiness that I feel when I have it. 

I am still having a difficult time with expressing myself.  I just get so quiet and can't express myself.  I need to practice and practice and practice.  I hope to someday be as good as Sister Barlow.  When Sister Barlow and I am teaching, I don't really say anything because she just has it all down and goes on about it all and I don't know when to butt in.  I don't want to butt in though because I probably will mess up and freeze.  At District Meeting this week, we were practicing with our Zone Leader, Elder Romney.  After we were done teaching the Restoration he just raved about how well Sister Barlow did.  Then he turned to me and said you were really quiet.  I can tell that you are trying to learn Preach My Gospel.  I don't know why, but it was really really hard on me.  I hate when I know I am struggling with something and then someone points out and says it.  I really struggle with this, but Sister Barlow comforts me.  I started tearing up when we were walking to the bus and she was just like "Sister Gunnell I promise you he was in the exact same position as you were.  No one comes out here able to just teach a lesson.  It comes with time."  I think about clogging and how I just wanted to quit the first time I started because it was frustrating and I thought I would never be able to get it.  I feel that exact same way right now.  It is hard not to just give up, but I know in the long run I will see myself speaking to everyone about these lessons and getting all of the points in.  I am so glad that I know that through practice, I can become better because I have seen myself progress through staying with clogging.  All of the little experiences that I have had in my life have helped me be at this point right now.  I just can't believe how God shows me this everyday.  This is how I know that I am supposed to be here :)  I am not going to let anyone rain on my parade.  When I have a hard time I just sing that song and it helps haha!! I love how much stronger I am becoming. 

I love all of you so much.  Thanks for your love and support!!

Much love,

Sister Camille Gunnell

P.S. I am sorry if I don't write you an email back.  I love hearing from you!!!!!!!!!!! I just don't have enough time. 

From: Camille Gunnell

Subject: Week 4.. time is flying.

Date: June 24, 2013 5:05:17 AM MDT

FAMILY!!!

Time is really weird here out on the mission.  I can't believe I am already in my fourth week.  I can't wrap my head around it.  Sister Barlow and I have been trying to reach our goals and we did it this week.  We actually went head and shoulders above it.  We were so excited!! We have been knocking like crazy and trying to teach people about the Restoration.  Our Heavenly Father has blessed us incredibly.  Sister Barlow tells me just to remember these days when days in the mission I am trying my best and my hardest and it feels like I am getting no results.  This past week though we have been able to see miracles and reach our goals.  People have listened to us at their doorsteps and it has been incredible.  Our goal was to get five lessons, but we got seventeen!!!!!!!! It has been hard work, but it is worth it.  Even though people don't give us their phone numbers to contact them again, we have invited them to come unto Christ, which is our purpose here.  We fasted yesterday as a mission and zone to have the hearts of the England people open, we can find successfully, and try our hardest go the extra mile.  In our zone we fasted that we would reach our goal this past week of having 180 teaches for our zone.  Well last night Sister Barlow and I told our District Leader, Elder Benedetti, our key indicators and then we went out knocking afterwards.  After we were done, we had reached our goal of three more teaches.  We called Elder Benedetti back and left a message on his voice mail.  Later that night he called us back and said, "A miracle has happened. As a zone we were at 177 teaches, but because of your message we were able to reach our goal of 180!!!" Is that so exciting or what?! I was so happy! God's hand is in this work.  It is incredible to see these little things that make you know that.  Back home, I probably had these little things occur where I could've seen God's hand in my life more often, but I was so focused on other things.  Out here these moments are so recognizable. 

Funny story of the week for sure was this man that we met in St. Ives.  By the way St. Ives is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!! I will have to go on a P-Day and take pictures because wow!!! Anyways, this old man was probably in his 80's.  We were trying to talk to him about the Restoration, but he was just going on and on about bible stories and stuff.  He knew so much about the Bible.  Whenever we started talking he would interrupt and go off about something in the Bible.  It was very interesting. Well the whole time he was talking to us, he was just staring at me.  (By the way, we met him through knocking so we were at his doorstep.)  Then he came started touching my arm when he said things.  I kind of scooted back.  Then I said something and he said are those your real teeth?! (By the way, a lot of people's teeth here are horrible haha.. they don't believe in braces or brushing.) He was like, "I've already taken mine out for the night." Then he started going off about something else in the Bible when we would ever explain something and then he was like out of no where, " Oh I just could kiss ya, my darling."  It was so weird and it was so so so hard not to laugh.  Then at the end we ended with a prayer.  At this time we were half way out on his lawn because he was just keep on getting closer and closer to me.  After that, he said ok now give me a kiss and he pulled me in and I said no way Jose and I booked it out.  That was so funny.  Hopefully something that we said left him wanting to learn more about the church.  We did try to teach him.  That was just funny.  He wasn't like scary or anything. 

Another story.  There was a girl on the bus.  We were on the bus going to Truro.  We didn't say anything, which is my bad because I should start the conversation, but after a while me and her started chatting about how hot it was on that bus.  Then we started talking about where she was going and what she is studying in school.  She was studying Religions or something so I started talking to her about our church and stuff.  She was really interested and then I gave her some stuff to read and check out.  God seriously does help me.  Then we departed and she was really happy and said she would check the site and stuff out.  Then, at the end of the day.  I was on a bus to go home when she was on the sidewalk.  She looked up right at me and I looked at her and it was like whoa.  We waved and it was like God places people in your paths... I know it.  Even if she doesn't want to learn more, I tried and invited her.  I am so glad to see these miracles.  What are the odds that I would see her again.  I love these kinds of things that happen on the mission.

Everyone.. please make a mormon.org profile for me.  We get 30 minutes to be on there every week.  I would love to look up yours.  Let me know when you have :)

My companion has been sick with a cold this past week, but she has been such a trooper.  I can tell it is weighing her down, but she is keep on going even though she isn't very happy.  I am grateful I haven't gotten it. 

I love this area that I am in. Members say that I will probably be here for half of my mission.  I wouldn't mind.  The people are wonderful and so ready to hear the gospel.  I just feel that there are so many people here that need this gospel in their lives.  EVERYONE needs this gospel in their lives.  My bishop is so awesome.  He shared a scripture with me that is in D&C 100:4.. read it.  It is awesome and I know it to be true.  I know that President Millar is called of God.  I know Heavenly Father needs me here right now. 

Some english things:

1. car park is a parking lot

2. car boot sale is a garage sale (they don't have garages here)

3. pavement is side walk

4. a bonnet is a hood of a car

5. Dad, there are SO many bikers here.  They book it!! I am impressed!! They have all the gear and everything.  It scares me really bad though because the streets are so tiny and I don't understand how they don't get hit!!

6. It is so hard to find addresses because they all have street names.  These street names are normal names that are easy to remember either.  I feel like I have my nose in my map all of the time.  I am slowly understanding directions and how things work here. 

7. EVERYONE has dogs... like seriously everyone!! They absolutely love their dogs.  Everyone takes their dogs everywhere too.  I just want Puppy Annie to be running around with me everywhere that I go here right now.  I am surprised I haven't seen them in church yet ;) jk. 

Quote of the week: "When the distance between you and God gets bigger, who moved?"

I love you and I am so grateful to be here on this Earth today.  I know that serving others brings so much happiness.  Sometimes I just can't believe how I go through everyday.  Then I realize, the only reason I am is because the Lord is on my side.  Because of this, I don't fear :) Missionary work is incredible!! Bishop Trewhella (my bishop here, 32 years old) told this to the congregation last night in Sacrament Meeting and I loved it. "I don't like the words missionary work.  We should change this word to being Christlike." He said it somewhere along those lines.  I loved it.  It is true.  Sometimes when you think of missionary work you kind of get stressed out, but just try to be more Christlike each day. Those missionary opportunities will come because of the way you are living and the way you want to treat others.  You will want to be more like Christ!!

I love love love love love you!! I am so excited to see what another week will bring!!

Love,

Sister Camille Gunnell

From: Camille Gunnell

Subject: Week 3

Date: June 17, 2013, 5:08:47 AM MDT

Hey!!!!!!!

I am doing well.  Missionary work is hard, but it wouldn't be worth it if it was easy :) Some random things that I have seen this week that I though you would get a kick out of.  So you know how our door has the door knob in the middle.. well I know where it came from.  Almost EVERY house here has their door knob in the middle of their door!! I was like we are that cool that the people that built the house brought that idea all the way from England.  I like knocking on those doors because it reminds me of home every time.  Also, everything (and I mean everything) closes before five here.  All of the shops, restaurants, and everything are not open after five.  It is crazy!! The streets are so empty!!! We are pretty much the only ones walking the streets after that time. 

Also, I wake up to seagulls making so much noise instead of chirping I heard from birds up in the pine trees outside of my window at home. 

The Cornish people are awesome.  They say that the Cornish people are a different breed than the English people.  They don't believe themselves to be English.  This area is so fun!!

I love playing the piano.  Because it was Father's Day, the primary children (which is only like five or something) came up and sang a song.  I was at the piano, they gave me the book and said play this. They were just going to sing it without a pianist because they don't have one (like seriously no one plays the piano in the ward).  I was like oh my goodness I can't just play something.  But guess what, I played the song without messing up.  I was so proud, but I knew I couldn't just do that.  Someone was helping me. 

The most wonderful thing about being here in this area is everyone is incredibly nice.  Even if I knock on the door they say I am so sorry but I don't have time right now.  We haven't had any that have been that rude.  It is incredible.  The people here are so lovely.  I can't believe how lucky/blessed I am to be in this area of England.  It is beautiful. 

A word that I have had a really hard time not saying here is Bummer.  I ALWAYS say that and it is a bad word here.  I catch myself saying it all of the time and I feel so bad.  I am trying to take that word out of my vocabulary.  They also spell things way differently here.  Tires, color, theater, etc.  It is weird how it is different here.  A garden is the front of back yard.  Toilet is the restroom.  Fringe is bangs.  Trousers are pants.. pants are underwear.  Bins are the trash can.  Trash is rubbish.  That is just the start of differences here. 

The one thing that I have been most grateful for this week is the values I was taught throughout my life.  There are so many teenagers and people here that were never taught how to be polite or how to treat others.  This world is getting more and more crazy.  On the bus Sister Barlow and I hear conversations that people are having and I just try to sing a song in my head because they talk so nasty.  How sad.. It just makes me realize how much every person needs the gospel in their life to help them realize the purpose in their life.  We ask people while knocking what the purpose of their life is.  I know that is a little deep, but a lot of people don't think there is a purpose and think we just are here to be miserable. It breaks my heart.  This life is wonderful!! It is wonderful to explain this to them even if they aren't interested.  They need to realize that this life is full of happiness and beauty.  I love you and I hope that you strive to be a little better each day.  You can do it!!

Love,

Sister Camille Gunnell

AKA: Milton Dean

AKA: Milly

AKA: Camillionaire

AKA: Camillie Will

AKA: Mil

P.S. My companion is from Michigan.  These are some pictures of our flat.  While proselyting, I can't take pictures after reading that in the white handbook. So I haven't taken a lot this week. 

Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:04:53 +0100

Subject: Week 2!!!!!

From: Sister Gunnell

Hey fam!!

I love you more than you know... like seriously!! I can't believe that I have been out here for almost a month?!!! What in the world!! It is blowing my mind. 

I want to start off with this poem that I got in a packet from my mission president. (I guess it is a song, but I don't know the tune)

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold:

Bring me my arrows of desire:

Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!

Bring me my chariot of fire.

I will not cease from mental fight,

Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand

Till we have built Jerusalem

In England's green and pleasant land.

-William Blake

Isn't that beautiful?! It makes me just want to work even harder.  We are going all day long and it is a struggle, but by the end of the day I feel like I have accomplished so much!!  We are pretty much on our feet all day.  I would've never though it possible to get blisters between my toes, but it happens haha.  I keep going though.  My feet by the end of the day hurt, but that is a sign that I worked as hard as I possibly could that day.  I love this work.

We plan our days to go and find less actives.  White washing is hard because we are starting from nothing, but it is kind of fun.  People ask me all of the time if I am related to Sandy Gunnell, the Olympic runner.  It is funny.  The traveling time takes up a while because the area is so spread out, but it is fun to travel on the busses and see the beautiful green fields and sheep, cows, and horses roaming the fields.  It kind of makes me feel like home except sorry to break it to you, it is prettier HAHAHA.  I love our view at home though.  Nothing gets better than that mountain side. 

We have had a couple dinner appointments, which have been very nice.  They all have been such good food.  I haven't had really any bad food here which is very good :)

There are these things here that are called pasties.  Kind of like a hot pocket, but SSOO much better. This is a big mining community and the wives used to make these for the miners to eat.  They didn't eat the crust because their hands were dirty, but now we eat the whole thing.  It is made up of kind of like pie crust. Yummy!! Because of the mining business and how it went under, there are a lot of people jobless.  It is very sad to see.  There are all of these miner shafts everywhere.  They look like a chimney coming out of the ground.  It is pretty sweet.   The dinner appointments also consist of the best desserts that I have never tried before.  These are some of them lemon merangue pie, rice pudding (I know sound gross but so good), English chocolate (Brooklynn.. Cadbury is everywhere.. remember those little eggs.. yeah that brand), and bread pudding.  I know very bad!! My companion and I run every morning though which is good. I try not to eat any other sweets other than those desserts we have with the members.  My eating schedule is way different now.  Sometimes we don't eat until 8 at night for dinner and lunch is at 11.  We don't have any snacks though which is good.  It is just all over the place. 

Another incredible blessing that I have seen happen is God has literally placed people in our pathways to share the gospel.  It's like they are thrown at us.  They just start talking to us. Yeah, we aren't sometimes even the ones that go up to them.  I see little miracles everyday.  The times I see miracles the most is when I push a little harder or do a little more even though I could've stopped beforehand and would've been ok.  It is absolutely remarkable how Heavenly Father is helping me to get to His children.  This is a difficult mission area to be called to, but we are trying to accomplish as much as possible.  We set goals and this past week we accomplished them!! It was the best feeling ever!! We don't have a whole lot of teaching opportunities, but we practice with one another and it helps.  The people are so kind here.  We knock SSOO much!! At first I absolutely hated it.  I thought it was a waste of time, but now I realize that it makes a difference.  There are so many converts that had the seed planted when they shut the door on the elders or sisters.   I am just glad to know that I am doing my best.  This work is very overwhelming, but I just need to give it my all while I can.  No work goes unnoticed.  We did have a girl come to church with us yesterday.  I hope that she can learn from us and understand that this gospel can bless her life in so many ways (this is one story of where we decided we would go knocking even though we only had 10 minutes til the bus came and then she answered the door and was so welcoming.. miracle). 

I have a very difficult time expressing myself how I want to.  I am trying to be better at this and make the conversation more flowey (if that is a word).  I am trying to understand how to go from different points and make them connect.  This might sound dumb, but I practice in the mirror and it helps haha :) 

Love you so much!! Wish you the best!!

Go out and do a good deed this week.  I promise that if you do you will find happiness.. seriously though.  It is so good to be on the Lord's errand. 

Love,

Sister Gunnell

P.S. Good luck on your talks.  I will be speaking in church that day also!! I feel like we are talking on the same day and its not a coincidence.  I will be at your chapel in spirit and I will know your spirits are with me when I am giving my talk also. 

Bridger!! The big college days are coming up for you!! Get pumped!! They are so fun!! Hope you are having fun working!!

Landen!! Dale!! You give it your all!! Have fun and smile and laugh always.  I miss that smile and laugh of yours more than you know!!

One of the buses she takes every day!

Blisters all the time! We even sent her with Born and Dansko shoes.

Sister Gunnell and Sister Barlow 

Camille is on a mission!

From: Camille Gunnell 

Subject: Week 1.. Booh yeah!!

Date: June 3, 2013 5:29:35 AM MDT

Dear loved ones,

I am having an experience that I would've never thought possible for me to have.  It is all just a blur.  Like all of the time I am thinking.  Is this really happening right now?  Am I really here in England? Am I really going up this street knocking on these doors?  Am I really saying hello to everyone (and I mean everyone) on the streets and seeing them as a best friend or how Christ would see them?! I just can't believe this is all happening!! Because of me saying hello to EVERYONE on the streets you can probably imagine what happens.  Most people are very nice, which I am surprised about, but then I get people that tell me to F off or glare like I am a demon.  Yeah at first it really hit me hard.  I felt bad and I hated them saying and looking at me this way, but then I think hey their loss haha!! I have decided that from now on if anyone says anything rude like F off I will just say THANK YOU and smile haha.  They won't know what hit them.  Wow, missions are crazy!!  I love it for some reason though. 

K start from day one.. The MTC went by like a breeze! During it though, it was the longest two weeks of my life! I was learning and studying so much and trying to get everything they taught me into my head.  I think most of the info rubbed off on me, but I have so much more to learn and study to be a successful missionary.  My companion at the MTC, Sister Shalvis, really taught me about striving to be the best that I can be.  She had a way of teaching people and connecting everything.  It is so hard to connect things to the gospel doctrine for some reason for me.  I love chatting away with people and I can do that easily, but I realize that this is not why I am out on a mission.  I am out here to help people come closer to Christ.  I need them to realize that I am here as a missionary and a teacher.  The MTC experience was great, but I am glad it is over with.  I would not have been able to come on my mission without going to the training center.  I would've been a total wreck that is for sure!! 

Saying goodbye to the 60 people at the England MTC was very hard because of the love and friendship we had for one another.  It was also saying goodbye to lovely President and Sister Edwards.  They were such wonderful leaders.  I loved being able to be there and learn and grow from such wonderful people.  While saying goodbye to President Edwards, he was like, "You are a Fellows for sure!! There must be some Gunnell in you, but total Fellows." (They probably said that because when I bore my testimony I cried and when I was saying goodbye to people I was crying haha.. and you know how the Fellows cry hahaha) Anyways, such a lovely experience.  I can feel myself growing.  I love setting goals for myself and seeing me achieve them.  I set yesterday the goal to talk to everyone, and I DID IT!! It was the greatest feeling.  Now goal number two is to share the gospel or hand out a pass a-long card to everyone!! I am pumped!! 

So it was about a five hour drive to Staines from Preston.  I was half asleep the whole time.  I was so nervous and excited at the same time.  Finding out who you are going to be with for 24/7 for 12 weeks is kind of a big deal!! We got there, ate some pizza, had interviews with President Millar, and then went into the chapel to hear who our companion would be and where we were going to be headed.  My heart was racing!! There were a couple of girls I met that I was thinking, "Oh my gosh! I would love her as my companion!"  It kind of reminded me a little bit of the Hunger Games.  It was that crazy!!  Finally President Millar said at the pulpit, "Sister Gunnell.  You will be headed the very south west part of England. You will be headed to Redruth with Sister Barlow." I couldn't stop smiling.  I don't know why I couldn't, but I just felt so good and I couldn't handle myself.  It was kind of weird haha.  Everyone was clapping everytime someone was announced, which I thought to be a little strange because we were in the chapel, but whatev.  When I saw Sister Barlow I knew she was a keeper haha.  I knew I was blessed right when I hugged her to have her as my trainer.  Since I have been with her for a couple days, I realize how inspired President Millar is.  She is exactly what I need to get started on the right track for the rest of my mission.  She is the most loving person ever and always so sweet.  Man, I can't believe that I got so lucky :) Like seriously no faults about her.  She pushes me.  She is 6' so she books it EVERYWHERE and I have realized that I am pretty slow.  I think that I just get too caught up in looking at England and the beauty around me.  We have had some good laughs together that is for sure!! I am loving it here with her!

We got to Redruth very late it felt like!! We got to our house.. yeah we live in a house not a flat!! It is kind of like those townhouses at BYU that have an upstairs with some rooms and then downstairs is the living room and the kitchen.  Yeah it is way to big for just two people to live in, but it is alright.  It smells old though haha.  t an air freshener, but that didn't help whatsoever.  I am paranoid that I smell like it now and all my clothes do too.. sure hope not.  We cleaned for like 2 days straight.  It was DISGUSTING!! I can't believe it!! It's new so no missionaries have ever lived in it before so we were expecting something nicer haha, but seriously it is great!! We are in the slums of the area but it is pretty cool.  I talk to everyone anyways because I know that angels are watching and helping me out so I don't have anything too scary happen to me hopefully haha.  My companion kind of is a little more timid on talking to people so hopefully she doesn't think that I am too much of a psycho.  She says that she can't believe how confident I am in myself.  Maybe I should simmer it down haha.  The zone leaders drove us here.  It was about a four hour drive. When we got to the house, the bishop of our ward in Redruth came and gave us the key.  He put some food in the kitchen for us.  We have been living off of it since.  I am so glad today we are going shopping.  The bishop is about 30 years old.  He is great!! We went over to his house Thursday night and had a lovely dinner with his wife and two little boys.  It was so fun being there and enjoying their company.  They have been wanting sister missionaries here for about two years now so he is so excited they have finally came! Sister Barlow and I are white washing the place meaning there hasn't been missionaries here for a while so we are pretty much starting from scratch.  I would've never guessed I would come out and be doing this.  There is a lot placed on our shoulders because of this.  Good thing we have a good little ward (about 50 people) and some ward missionaries in our ward.  We went over to the ward missionaries house and went over the ward directory and the less actives.  There are so many less actives it is crazy!! Sister Barlow and I are going to try to visit them also.  There are five big towns where we are serving: Camborne, Hayle, Truro, St. Ives, and Redruth.  Camborne is where we live and that is the slums of them.  We live close to the beach so there are a lot of people that come to Truro and St. Ives for "Holiday" meaning summer.  It is very busy in the summer because everyone comes to the sandy beaches here in the summer.  This is one of the only areas in England that have these beautiful sandy beaches and not rocky.  I didn't even know that there was such a thing in England because I am just used to Pride and Prejudice.  Surfing is huge in this area! It is a very big deal here.  Everyone comes here to surf.  I guess there are big surfing competitions.. yeah I want to go haha, but nope I am on my mission.  I haven't went down to the beach yet to see it, but I hope on one of these P-days I will go.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous since I have came here. My companion says it is because I am here in this area.  She is so sweet.  I have loved it though.  Such blue skies and a slight breeze is just perfect! I have to enjoy it while I can because it will soon be miserable haha. 

I am learning to really get out of my comfort zone.  I am feeling the Lord help me so much.  The first day that I was here I was kind of miserable to say the least.  I felt like how is knocking on doors going to help anyone come closer to Christ.  I have now figured out that I just have to have the best possible attitude I can and see people as Christ would see them.  He would see them with so much potential.  I need to be more Christ like always!! 

This whole missionary experience makes me feel like I am in a total different world.  It seems like my mind has been so focused on me me me for the past couple of years because of college and always thinking about myself, but since being out here I have had to change extremely. The times that I feel the most down are the times I am thinking about myself.  When I think about others I get so happy and know that I can push forward.  I know that angels are helping me press on.. like I can feel it.  It is so crazy. 

We haven't really had any success yet.  It was very hard having our key indicators be all zeros.  We are going to change that though for sure!! I am so pumped to change it!! It is kind of exciting how much Heavenly Father trusts me.  He truly has so much faith in me to call me to this area to bring people to know of this gospel.  I feel blessed even though it will be SO much hard work and patience.  I am so glad that I know that this church is true and how much happiness it can bring into people's lives.  This knowledge helps me wake up in the morning saying to myself today is going to be a great day!! We pray so much out here.. like all the time like I think ok we just prayed five minutes ago.  I hope I am not repeating myself too much hahahahhaha.  I love to pray though.  It is great!!

The people here in this area are so nice.  Even when we are knocking they are like I am so sorry dear (or my love) but I am not religious, etc.  They call everyone my dear or my love and I love it!! They also TALK LIKE PIRATES.  Yeah.. it is sure interesting.  It's hard to take things seriously when they sound like pirates.  I laugh all of the time about it.  And then I start laughing because I can't understand half the things that they are saying and I would feel too embarrased to be like can you say that again.  Everything is like jumbled.  Even the women talk like pirates.  It is so entertaining.  There are so many different accents around England it is insane!!  I just am so blessed to be in this beautiful area with these people.  I am so glad that I know that they are my brothers and sisters and they have that spirit in them.  All they have to do to feel that spirit is to open their hearts and they will be able to feel how wonderful and happy we can be if we strive to feel the spirit. 

I know that this gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is central to this gospel and He can help us in any way through the Atonement.  I am so grateful for the Atonement and for how much Jesus Christ did for me.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel to this earth.  I know that families can be together forever.  I know that understanding the Plan of Salvation can lead us to understand our purpose more fully on this earth.  I know that the work is hastening right now and I am part of it!! Without the gospel, I would be lost and uncertain about everything.  I know that if we put our trust in God, He can help us overcome ANYTHING!! I love you all so much!! I hope you all are happy because you should be.  This is a wonderful time to be living on this earth.  There is so much joy that can be found everywhere.  Find the joy in all aspects of life and I PROMISE that you will be able to overcome and trials or hardships you are facing. 

With love always,

Sister (Camille) Gunnell

P.S. Some things that are happening that are kind of a bummer:

1. Our washing machine is not working.

2. The hot water doesn't get too hot and most of the time it doesn't work so you know what that means.. I don't shower a lot haha.  We have to use cards/keys for our electricity and heating/boiler so we go in and put money on them.  It is so expensive!! We are going to be doing that after this.  The church will hopefully reimburse us.  Everything is very expensive, but we get $100 for travel each month and $120 for food (not$86)...Hallelujah!!  I probably will spend it all anyways because of the cost of everything here.  The members in our ward are very considerate so we have had some dinner appointments and will have some more this week.  I am grateful to be here!!

3.  I wish that Gigi was here to do her ironing magic to all of my clothes. I don't like to iron:)

I love you all!!!!  I pray for you guys so much and I hope that you know ho much Heavenly Father loves you!!  Keep smiling and keep your head up!!  Make goals and strive to fulfill them!!  It makes life way better and it feels good to accomplish them.  Be nice to one another!!  The church is true!!

Sister Gunnell and Sister Shalvis, companions in the MTC

Sisters in Camille's district at the MTC