11-9-09 "13 Meses"

Well another change ended yesterday, but not much has changed. No one in the District has changes, so we will all be together again for another 6 weeks. I also completed 13 months in the mission yesterday, which is crazy to thing about. Only 11 months and I leave the field. It makes me want to work hard and take advantage of this time I have to help others come unto Christ.

We had another tough week again. It was one filled with knocking doors and looking for new people to teach. We realized that knocking doors just doesnt seem to cut it here, and that we are going to have to work different in order to find success. So we have a few ideas that we are going to try this week. The first one is an open house that we should have this weekend. Im not too excited about this one, just because it wasnt too planned, but help is help, and we will gladly accept any offers from the wards.

One of the other ideas we have is to set up in the Fayuca. Every Friday they set up a fayuca, where just a bunch of people go and set up tents and try to sell clothing and pretty much everything else. We plan to set up a table and try to just give out as many movies and pamphlets as we can. Hopefully, through just giving away a bunch of material, we can get a few references out of that activity. I think it has possibilities of working well and maybe the interested people will come to us.

The final idea we have, which will start next Sunday, is to teach the members how to invite and make references. Next Sunday, during the second hour, we will teach the members how to do the basics of missionary work. At the end of the class, we will commit each family to invite 2 other families that they know to listen to the missionaries or participate in a family home evening.

We hope that with some more participation of the members, we can get some more going as for the mission work. Its gonna be tough, but that makes it fun at the same time.

Its kinda a boring letter, but right now we are in the ground and pound stage. Just a lot of knocking and contacting, looking for the ones who are ready to accept this message.

Its gotten a lot cooler here, Id say about mid 80s and in the night down to the 60s, so its really nice. Im enjoying the mission a ton and Im greatful to the Lord that I can be a missionary and that i am able to testify to people everyday about the Restoration. I hope you all have a great week!

Con amor, Elder Turley

11-2-09 "Happy Halloween"

Hey!

Well we have now entered November. The time really does fly. It seems like it goes by faster every day. It sounds like you all had a pretty good Halloween. Next year ill be sure that Taylor and I wear costumes so that we can give Cooper some company. Maybe we will go as the evil witches like we did one year. I can never take the image of Taylor wearing the dress out of my mind.

We had a pretty good week. A lot of finding and not a whole ton of teaching, but someones gotta do it. We found 7 new people this week and are just praying that a few progress. Elsa´s Mom kinda died on us when we taught tithing. We are gonna give her some time and go back in a few weeks. Sister Figueroa is really sick, which definitely sounds like satan making his last stand on her. She hasn’t called us for about 5 days, so we are getting worried about the time gap. Hopefully she gets better soon so that she can progress.

On Halloween, we tried to work hard, but it was a little difficult in the evening when everyone was drinking and stuff, so in the end we went over to the building and sat with one of our recent converts, Hugo. The Stake President here is just a great man and he gives some really powerful talks. I sat there the whole evening just thinking about the family and about what you were all doing.

The next day, we had stake conference and it went pretty well too. Jorge, the boyfriend of one of the members went to the Investigators/Recent Converts meeting with President Clark and his wife, and then stayed for about half of stake conference. I don’t blame him. A lot of the talks felt really dry and that they lacked something. President Jimenez, the stake President, saved the day at the end with a really spiritual talk about the Mission Work and how all the members need to step it up. The goal for this stake is for every ward to have 15 missionaries in the field at all times. It’s a stretch, especially for some of the wards here, but it’s a great goal. The Area President also called 3 fasts for northern mexico. We will do one this next Sunday, another in December, and the last one in January. There is a lot of opposition in Northern Mexico right now. The Modern-day Gadianton Robbers, here known as the Zetas. To attack the opposition, we are going to God. The fasts are for us as members in the church, and so that the Leaders in the Government have the capacity to protect the people here. Ive already seen so many Miracles from fasts. If you want to know some of them, just look at stephs belly. She can tell you all about that one. I know that if the members here fast as a team, united in the cause, that God will bless us. We wont only prosper as members, but the Missionary work will also prosper. These months should be some interesting ones.

The Last, and maybe the most exciting, bit of news that ive got for this week, is what happened yesterday. Brother Pedroza and his son Angel received the Melchisedec Priesthood. Brother Pedroza and I were talking the other night, and we were talking about receiving the priesthood. I told him that I would just love to stand in the circle to have the privelege of giving him the priesthood. So after the meeting, we went together and sat down. President Clark gave the priesthood to another recent convert, but then had to go. They called Brother Pedroza and he asked if I could stand in. I thought I was just going to place my hands, but before I knew it I was the lead man. It was an experience Ill never forget. I never even imagined giving someone the Melchisidec Priesthood. Less to the Head of one of the Families that ive grown to love so much here. It was a beautiful blessing, and it felt great to be worthy to give that blessing. I know the Lord was able to bless one of his children through me, but wouldn’t have been able to had I not been worthy.

Later in the day, we went to eat lunch with the Pedrozas. Angel couldn’t go to conference because he had to show up for a draft pick for the military. The Bishop came over in the afternoon to tell him that he could still receive the Priesthood. Angel was grumpy, but after a little convincing from his good ole friend Elder Turley, him and I went down to the church. Again I was offered the opportunity to give the Melchisidec Priesthood, and it felt great. Those two are going to have a great line of authority with some strong members. Im proud of them and how far they have come as a family. Angel plans to leave on his mission in 3 months. If you would have asked him that 10 weeks ago he would have laughed in your face. Its amazing what the gospel and united parents can do for a family.

Well that’s all my news. Thanks for all the letters. I love you all. Have a great week!

Con amor, Elder Turley

10-26-09

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great week. Our week was a tough one, filled with conferences, and a lot of knocking, with little success. But that’s the Missionary Work. Just gotta keep pushing on, with the hope that someone will open up and decide to progress. We still have a few that are progressing. The ones we are really focusing on are Sister Figueroa, the rich lady, and Elsa, the mom of one of the members. Elsa is the one who has the husband that hates mormons and missionaries. For some reason he likes me, so that’s enabled us to get as far as weve gotten. Last Saturday, we had an appointment with her, and I went really prepared. I shared a couple scriptures with her and then we talked about how she needed to make a stand. That if she really wanted the church in her life, then she needed to tell her husband, and that if he really loved her, then he would listen. She agreed and told me that shed talk to him. She wasn’t able to go yesterday, but told us that next Saturday and Sunday, she would be there with her daughter for stake conference. I think if she can just overcome this one obstacle in her way, then she will be able to be baptised and be a strong member in the church. We are going to keep working with her and help her progress as much as she can.

Sister Figueroa, continues excited about the church. She really enjoyed going with us, but wasn’t able to go yesterday, because shes been really sick. Today, Her, my companion, and I are going to fast so that she can receive her answer. She says she wants to decide for sure if shes going to do it and then stay commited, which is a good thing. Shes taking this whole conversion process very seriously and Im excited for when she recieves her answer, or more realizes her answer.

Well, I hardly have any time today, my companion has an interview with the President today, so ive gotta head out. Have a great week everyone!

Con amor, Elder Turley

10-12-09 "Hey"

Hey everyone!

All day Friday I was thinking about 24 Hours of Moab and supporting the teams racing from here. I hope you had a great time and get started on training for next year when you ride it with me!

This week we saw the fruits of General Conference, as we received a couple really cool references. This one lady, Francis, prolly knows the Bible better than half the missionaries in the field. We were teaching the Restoration to her the other day, and when we started talking about James 1:5, she just quoted the scripture before we could even pull it out. She likes the fact that the people who give talks don’t just talk about punishments for not obeying commandments, and she also likes that there is only ONE prophet, because in her other churches, practically everyone stands up and says that God talks to them. Kind of confusing that way.

Ive been maintaining my relationship with the Family Pedroza and the two young men that they have. Its fun doing divisions with them and working and teaching them. I can see them growing and changing little by little every day. Àngel is a great friend, and him and I get along really well. The family made me dinner yesterday, to celebrate my year mark. They are really great people and should go to the Temple this Saturday.

Another success is Brother Rivas. Since I got here, Ive been trying to go and visit him 2 or 3 times every week. He and I made an agreement that we would read 15 Chapters in the Book of Mormon every week so that he could finish before the year ends. We will be going into Mosiah this week, so its cool to see the progress with him. And he just might be going and taking out his endowments this Saturday. Im really hoping and praying that he can.

Im trying to be more and more obedient lately. I decided that Id like to enjoy more fully the blessings of the Lord, and use them with my investigators. The area is tough, so its going to require more blessings of the Lord. Through these efforts, Ive been able to feel the spirit more often and keep it with me, and I don’t want to lose that companionship.

It seems like the efforts with some of the young men are showing results. Àngel told me today that hes got 2 more baptisms in line for this change. His sister´s boyfriend and his sister in law. I decided we are going to focus a lot on them and hopefully see some more baptisms in this change.

I hope everyones doing well. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Con amor, Elder Turley

10-5-09 "YEARMARK"

Well, its been another quick week, and Im excited to say that this Thursday is my year mark in the mission.

These past couple of weeks ive been reflecting on how much ive changed and what I lack yet as a child of God, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints. I have realized that in some areas ive grown a ton, while in others, I still need to work in order to see the growth that Id like, but that’s life. Ive learned more discipline and personal confidence. I learned that a testimony is one of the most sacred things that someone can hold. I also learned that it takes time to change. I still make mistakes in my life even as a missionary, and at times it can be frustrating to see myself fall into one of Satans Pitfalls, but I also realize that God is willing to forgive me, no matter what I do, he is always willing to forgive me. To me that’s comforting. Its something Im trying to help others realize in the field that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can always be forgiven.

This week, we visited Carlos and Lupe a ton to help them feel ready for their baptisms and make that great covenant with the Lord. Lupe, sadly, fell through again. Im thinking that we are going to give her a little time to grow and to feel more ready to make the decision. Carlos came, just like I knew he would. He was one of those chosen people that was just going to accept the gospel when the time came. I thought his cousin, Gustavo was gonna be the one to baptize him, but with a couple last minute problemillas as we say here, I ended up being the one to Baptize him. I felt great about that, because Im really trying to focus more and finding men who want to accept the Gospel. We had the Baptismal service at the end of the Second Session on Saturday. It was cool, because each companionship in the Zone brought a few investigators to watch the service. We are hoping that at least one of them was touched and decided to make the step.

Conference was great, from what I saw. The Stake wasn’t extremely organized so Elder Moynihan and I decided to assign ourselves as greeters and help people figure out where to go. We missed some talks, but got to see a lot. I really loved the last 3 talks in Priesthood Session. President Monson´s helped me put a few things in perspective.

My new companion is Elder Orcillez. People say that HIS name is harder than mine which is pretty funny to hear, as everyone has a lot of trouble saying my name. I managed to bribe one of the Secretaries of the Mission to get me another name tag. Mom will just love it. Its gonna say Elder Turley Lang. All the Mexican missionaries have two last names, so Im gonna have two last names also. My next project is working on the nametag Elder Lang. We will see if that’s possible, but little by little I think I might just get it. Elder Orcillez is from Mexico City. He is by far the strangest missionary ive met in the mission. I just cant predict this guy. We get along fine and laugh a lot, but Im not sure there is anyone stranger here. We have a goal of 3 baptisms for this change, so hopefully we can accomplish that.


Well, after Thursday, its all downhill from here. Have a great time in Moab, Im gonna make sure it’s the last one I ever miss.

Have a great week everyone

Con amor, Elder Turley

9-28-09 "Hello"

Hey, well I dont have a ton of time, because we got changes today. My companion is getting changed, so I gotta go and pick up my new one.

We almost had a baptism yesterday. Worked really hard to get it, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. We seem to be looking good for this next change. Weve got a baptismal service on Saturday, and its also gonna be conference, so that just makes it a double plus. Im talking with some of the stake leaders, and its possible that we get to watch it in English, so that would just put the icing on the cake!

The guy that I won over with my piano song keeps wanting to show me all the music he has in english, so ive got some really classic songs stuck in my head right now. Like Dawn´s Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree. And than I got this other guy who just puts on Classic 70 mexican love songs, so when I come back ill be a Mexican Romance Singer from the 70s. it actually helps me gain a lot of trust from older people here, if I walk around singing really classic songs.

This week we found an old Investigator who really seems like she will progress. Her husband just recently passed away from Cancer, so we are teaching her what she needs to do to be sealed with him and live with him forever. Shes really receptive, and wants to do it, but shes also super busy so that’s our only problem.

Other than that, we are gonna keep working with our progressing investigators and work harder on referrals to see if we cant get some more success here.

Sorry I couldn’t write more, but im short on time. Have a great week everyone!

Con mucho amor, Elder Turley

9-21-09 "Oh happy day"

We´ve approached another end to a transfer, and its crazy to think about. Time goes faster and faster every week. And it seems a lot easier to get lost in the day and just get sucked in to walking, contacting, and teaching. A lot different from the beginning of the mission when I used to think that days were an eternity. So there we go, we see a little growth right there. I think im a lot more laid back and patient, just because of the culture, which also helps me be happy and just talk.

Dad will remember something ive said to him over a million times, that I used to hate sitting down for more than 20 minutes when we were eating as a family or at some other restaurant. I can happily say that that has changed. Its got something to do with the culture, but now I can sit back and just relax and really talk to people. Its something I really like about the Mexican people. They arent in such a rush to do stuff.

We had a great week. Not a ton of work, but some successes. The first one is just a kind of funny success, which we will see more and more of the fruits later and later. The other week I wrote about the guy who hates our church. Has kicked sister missioneries out of his house with shouting and screaming bad words. Hes also done that to the Elders. Well, he heard my song that I made on the piano, and I guess he likes me. So we decided to take advantage of that and went to his house. Our goal right now is to teach his wife, and when we got there, he just left the room and didn’t want to talk to us. So me being the “innocent” American who “doesn´t understand anything because hes American”, well I decided to invite him in to talk. He came in and sat down next to me and I could tell he was about to say some ugly words, so I threw him a curveball and caught him off guard. I asked “Le gusta la musica no?” You like music right? And he gave me a classic surprised face but it opened up an hour of just talking and him putting in classic music. He had a ton of Eagles and Queen DVDs that he was just dying to show me. Well we talked for him about music. Sang a little. And before you knew it he gave us a good ole smile and said we could come back anytime. Now that for me is progress. Im not sure if that man will ever get baptised, but now at least I know hes not gonna yell and scream at missionaries anymore.

Next success, which to me is something more important than a baptism. We have been working with a less active family, who decided they were going to come back to church and be active again. The father had just returned from the US and started taking his whole family again with the goal of being sealed in the Temple. Two of his sons, one 14, and the other 18, werent really into the church. Actually, they didn’t want anything to do with the church, but went because their dad made them. We have been working with them, and have seen some really amazing changes. They havent missed a day of seminary in 2 weeks and this last Sunday they both got ordained into their offices. Daniel, the 14 year old, to a teacher, and his brother, Angel, to a priest. Elder Pacheco and I were sitting on the stand to bless the sacrament. Elder Pacheco hasn’t had a baptism yet in the mission, but when they called the two brothers to stand and announced that they were going to be set apart, I leaned over and told him that what was happening in that moment, even though it appeared so simple, was way more important and beautiful than a baptism. Its something Ive been learning over these past few months. Of course, the Lord loves us, so he gave us another blessing. After the church services, the same Angel, who got set apart in the 3rd hour, had the opportunity to baptize his dad. It was a great service, and we had 7 investigatores and a ton of members.

So those are some really great successes/blessings we had in this week. With whatever time I have left in this area. A lot of it will be focusing on getting that family prepared to go to the temple. Theres still one son who hasn’t been baptized, so we are also going to start the work with him. They are a really great family and a great example to everyone here in the Ward. If you really want something in the Church or in the family, the Lord is going to make it happen for you. All you have to do is have the faith to do your part, and the trust that the Lord will do his.

It seems like I hardly bear my testimony to everyone, so I should do it right now. But im not gonna do it. Just kidding, I`ll do it.

I know that Jesus Christ is the savior of every single person on this earth. I know that while he suffered in Gethsemane, he thought about each and every one of us. We can ALWAYS rely on him.Even if we feel completely alone.
I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It takes the Bible and expands its teachings in a more simple way, so that anyone who truly studies it can understand the teachings and the gospel of Christ. I know that it can help us fulfil everything we need to do here on this earth, in order to return to our Heavenly Father.
Joseph Smith did see God and Jesus in the Spring of 1820. He conversed with them and received guidance. He later became a prophet and restaured the true church of God to the earth. I know that with all my heart. Joseph Smith restaured all the vital ordinances that we need in order to live in the Celestial Kingdom.
I know that I am a child of God and that he loves me with all his heart. He loves every single one of us. When we choose not to pray, that hurts him, because he wants to listen to our problems, our doubts, our fears, our hopes, our successes. He wants us to turn to him and love him with all our hearts. Why? Because he loves us with all his heart.
The ONLY way to return to him again is through the Atonement. Without it, we are all lost.
There are a lot of other truths ive received here in the mission, but I think what ive written covers them all. Because if we believe in the basics, we believe in the rest.

Have a great week everyone. I love you all. Keep strong and do your part!

Con amor, Elder Turley

PS. Im so strong and cute! Remember?

"A day in the life" 9-14-09

So i decided to start a new thing. Im gonna expand Fast Friday into the Mexican country. Im gonna start taking pictures of investigators or members with fast Friday Jerseys. This first one is Gerado. Hes a pretty cool kid and may get baptised sometime soon.

We had a really busy week, preparing for this Missionary Talent show that we put on in the stake. The goal was to get members to invite investigators and just relax, laugh, and feel the spirit. It turned out really well. In my area we had 5 investigators show up and one of them was the husband of this lady we were teaching. Everyone had told me that this guy was just a huge problem and he hates missionaries, but I didn’t have any problems with him. I played the song that I composed and after the show he was really excited to talk to me and about music. So look at that. The composition helped me out in my mission! The real highlight though, was a song that Elder Moynihan, my district leader, Elder Robb, another Elder in the District, and I sang together. Stand by me. We practiced really hard and it just turned out perfect. Some other acts that other Elders put on were a David and Goliath skit and some hymns. Overall it turned out really well, and everyone really enjoyed themselves. We also put some spiritual moments into it, like at the end we sang a song called Faith in every Step. It opened a few new doors for us, so we will see what happens in this next week.

Other than that, we just keep moving forward, working with our progressing investigators, and we may just see a few baptisms this Sunday and the next. Ill keep you all posted.

Have a great week everyone. The video of Stand by Me MIGHT just show up on facebook….

Con amor, Elder Turley

9-7-09 "Almost"

Hello everybody. Im pleased to announce that tomorrow i will complete 11 months in the mission. Almost a year!

Well what happened this week. We were priveliged to listen to the new Area Seventy, Elder Johnson, on Thursday. It was really spiritual and i came out of the meeting a lot more excited to do the missionary work. For a while it seemed like the leaders were just pushing baptisms, not converts. But Elder Johnson came and gave us some really good instructions on how we can get more converts. Ill write down what i liked most.

He told us that our mission as missionaries here is to look for the chosen people. That people go through life and have experiences that lead them to the line of the chosen people. We cant help them rise up towards the line, its something they have to cross on their own. What we do is we find those people who are chosen. We contact them and we contact them really quick. Like less than a minute. One of us testifies, the other one testifies, and then we give an invitation to listen to our message. If the person starts giving and excuse, they arent chosen. If we have to convince them, they arent chosen. But, if the person says yes right away and gives us their dirrection, they have a chance to be chosen. If we look for the chosen people, the possibility of baptising increases substantially. He also told us that we all can tell whos chosen and who isnt and that the investigators that we have that arent chosen, we should drop them and not waste time. Kind of a different kind of instruction, but i liked it a lot.

We dropped a lot of people this week, because they werent chosen, so it feels like we are starting over again, but we do have a couple people that might just be the chosen ones. Jessica is one of the smartest 13 year olds ive seen here in the mission, in one of our lessons, we usually ask a question refering to the atonement, and she was the first person ive seen in my mission to answer that question. We would really prefer to baptise her with her mom and brother though, because we are here to help familias come to Christ, so we are focusing a lot on them.

Our other is Jorge. Hes 23 and his girlfriend is a member. His best friends are also members and we think he might just be able to decide. The only problem is his family. We will give him a few more appointments and see where that leads.

Well thats my update on the area. The heat came back again and in force, so we are sweating like pigs, but i still like it. I wish i could go out and race. Only 13 months and i can get back on my bike. Im excited for that.

Have a great week everyone.

Con amor, Elder Turley

"20 years old" 8-24-09

Hey family and Friends.

An older, 20 year old Elder Turley writes to you today. For my birthday prestent, the Lord sent us the sun, to heat up our day a little. It prolly just peaked over 100 degrees towards the late afternoon, but he got it to us in the end.

The ward is one of the oldest wards in Torreon. We are in the south part of the city in a tiny area called the rosa. The toughest part is that every door has been knocked and people know the missionaries, so we have to take a different approach. We have decided to start supporting the members more with activities and have at least 2 ward activities every month. We hope that more movement in the Church will give the members more opportunities to invite their friends or neighboors that “think” they know what we do. What ive seen in my mission is that when you get someone into the chaple. The chances of getting that same person in the water, increase dramatically. We are going to focus a lot on that and see where it leads us.

Elder Pacheco is my companion. Hes got 3 months in the mission and seems like a hard working elder. The only problem with im gonna help him with is that he wants to do everything on his own. He needs to learn to work as a team make. We will see how this change goes. Its funny that ive got 10 months and its starting to feel like im a lot older.

So Jonny and Thomas go in the MTC. Im really excited for them. That place is just a dream. Someone will have to send me the emails quick, so i can write them and support them in their early moments.

I know im boring. This week we should see some progress with a couple investigators we found, and hopefully ill get you a good story.

The members are great. They love me, they feed me a ton, and I love them. My goal is just to gain their confidence and love them back.

Con amor, Elder Turley

P.S. I started a choir so that should be really fun.

Ya me cambiaron

Well they got me out of there. And i think it was good timing. Im actually going to miss it a lot. Its funny how the work does that to you. There are a lot of great people there and its sad to leave them.

Ive been sent to Torreon. The heat! My area is La Rosa... i think. I still dont really know where i am. I live with 3 other missionaries here and we did a nice cleaning of the house to make it feel more comfortable today. Its hot. Its also kinda a bummer that I wont really be able to celebrate my birthday with anyone but i really appreciate the letters sent today.

As for my week, i cant say too much. We had interviews and that was when i was pretty much told that i was gonna get changed. Other than that the same old grind there. I think Elder Hernandez might get 2 more baptisms before he leaves so im excited to hear from him.

20 years. Wow im old. What do i do now?

Have a great week everyone

Con amor, Elder Turley

8-10-09 "10 months"

Well im a 10 month missionary now. It finally feels like im making some sort of dent into the time ive got. It feels good to know that ive made it this far and that im getting closer and closer every day.
Enrique left us last Saturday. We managed to get him the priesthood and finished what we could teach him. We felt good about completing our part and feel that Enrique will keep getting stronger and stronger in the church. He really was a golden investigator just waiting for the gospel. He even mentioned that he wants to serve a mission. Im excited for him and to see where his life leads him now that hes in the church. Im bummed that I cant be with him any longer to help him out as a new convert, but I guess ill just have to stick with talking through mail.
This week was generally boring I guess. We taught and spent a lot of time with Enrique, helping him with questions and doubts that he had. We also had a really fun activity with him and another recent convert, Jose. We went back to the Sierra de Organos and spent the day climbing and having doctrinal discussions. We taught a lot about the temple and about the teachings of Christ. It was a really fun day and I love being out in nature and being able to teach about the gospel. It’s a double plus.
As for birthday presents. I cant believe im asking for this but I could use some socks. I could also use another pair of jeans and my Vans. I didn’t think id use them as often but situations arise and you gotta be prepared. Other than that….. surprise me!
Have a great week everyone! Think about writing me, especially cause its gonna be my birthday.
Con amor, Elder Turley

Mom could you send this to dads email.... i dont know which one he wants me to use...

Another one makes the step 8-3-09

Well we got another one in the water. Enrique Maldonado Cervantes. A real miracle of the transfer kind of guy. Im sure return missionaries know what im talking about. Ill tell you the story.

We put the date for last saturday, and taught a bunch on monday and tuesday. Then, Enrique disapeared. Of couse stuff like that always happens in the last week before the baptism, so we just waited it out and hoped for the best.
He was gone on wednesday and finally came back thursday night. We were nervous about the time so we decided to teach what we hadnt taught and do the Baptismal Review (questions that are asked in the baptismal interview). Well, long story short, in order to be baptized, Enrique had to be interviewed by the Mission President, normally not a huge deal, but for us its big because Enrique would have to travel about 5 and a half hours just to get to Torreon. I called him and asked him what he thought and he just said, "Si lo puedo hacer" or "Yeah I could do that". It really impressed me.
What impressed me more is that the next day he did it. He went and had his interview and then got on a bus and came back. We had to postpone the Baptism until yesterday, but we got it all done, and, since Enrique is going back to Chihuahua to study, we confirmed him too. In the service, Enrique bore his testimony, and it just hit me what kind of work we do as missionaries. Yeah ive had some hard times, but its all worth it when you meet a person that just wants to change their life and grow. Its a bummer that Enrique wont be in the ward here, but he will have such a better Environment back at school with a big ward and a bunch of kids his age. Hes 23. Im honored to be a vessel of the Lord and to have been able to Baptized and learn so much from Enrique.

Thats the big story of the week. I love you all. Have a great week!

con amor, Elder Turley

Miracles Happen

7-27-09
Hey everyone.

We just got done with our wild adventure. A great hike at the sierra Organos. We got to do some awesome climbing and it was really pretty.
We took our new investigator Enrique with us. Jose our mission leader also came a long. Enrique is really a golden Investigator. Hes gonna get baptized on saturday. He chose me to do the baptism which is an honor and it feels really fulfilling. We climbed some awesome stuff and during our breaks we ended up teaching the Organization of the Church, the Word of Wisdom, and the Plan of Salvation. It went great today, and we had a lot of fun. I finally got to relax and laugh for a little.

thats our most important news. This saturday, if everything goes well, we have our miracle of the transfer.

Other than that my week was pretting boring. Jose should get the Ordained an Elder this week. We are working really hard to prepare him for the mission. Thats all I got for you.

Have a great week. Thanks for writing. I love you all.

Elder Turley

7-20-09 Land of the Lost

I think I jinxed the rain because when i mentioned it, it disapeared for good. Now we get the heat, which everyone says is wierd here. The sun is really really strong here, but thats life. We are still moving on with Luis in his progression. Hes told us its true, now hes just gotta commit to what he knows.
He wasnt able to go to church yesterday, but lets see what happens this sunday. You should take a bunch of pictures at Powell and make an album Id love too feel like I was there. Its one of the things i talk about most here.

Yesterday was ridiculous to the point of being funny. Normally the members are indirect with their comments aimed at us. If you couldnt tell before, we get all the blame for the bad here. Yesterday the Second Counselor of the mission came like he does every 2 months. Hes really good friends with the members that we had to talk to for their gossip problem. Thats when the attacks began, but this time it was open. Me and my Companion took a barrage of cutting remarks and words, and then they turned on the relief society president and aimed some at her. We were wounded, but then the Relief Society President came back with an atom bomb. She is full of love. She asked, If Jesus Christ had an opportunity to help someone, and that person needed the help in that instant, would he have called the Branch President and waited a few days to get money out of the budget and have the president fill out the paperwork required and let him handle it. Or, if he had the means to help, would he have given a little bit of aid, just to see that person a little more happy.
I love that Sister.

Thats life right now. Every time I hear something like that, or feel like im getting attacked, it just gives me more faith in Jesus, because he was attacked way more. Im content with being here. Its helping me grow into someone that i need to become. Have a great week everyone.

Con amor, Elder Turley

7-13-09

Well it sounds like its nice and hot back at home. The good thing about Sombrerete is that it rains almost everyday.
This week it rained harder than ive ever seen in my life. And I loved it. We had to run from the house to the House of Prayer, and needless to say, we got soaked. This week went a little better than last. And I hope it just keeps improving. We had a great experience with one of our investigators. Elder Hernandez and I decided to approach him a little differently. In our lessons, we focused a lot on the importance of Joseph Smith and the fact that Luis, our investigator, needed to decide and find out for himself if he believes that Joseph Smith was a prophet. One day we came for our appointment and began to talk a bit with Luis, to see if he had completed with his commitments. We left 2 movies and a chapter in the Book of Mormon. The movies were for the appointment with us, but he had watched both of them, so we just talked about it. Then we got to the Book of Mormon. He read the chapter and actually had studied it. It surprised me as a missionary, because that is really rare. Im sure Bud, Nat, John and Steve can understand that it doesnt really happen. He pointed out what he found interesting. That Jesus called
12 apostles on this continent, and how the people couldnt understand the voice until the third time. 3 Nephi 11. I then decided to ask him if he felt that the Book of Mormon was the word of God. And he told me yes. I also asked him if he felt Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and why. He gave me a very spiritual answer that showed he had thought about it. We then used that to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put a few more commitments, including a baptismal date. He accepted for the 9th of August. It goes to show what dad said to me in one email. Theres always one person waiting in every area. The game is finding that person and focusing on them. Once theyve been baptised, you start looking for the next one. I like that idea. This transfer we are gonna focus in the few investigators that we have progressing and the rest less active members. I got the second part from Grandpa Lang.

Well that was my week. Few good experiences, but the good ones are worth it. Im still getting some whiplash from the members that I had to talk to, and I just get a kick out of it now. I know I felt the spirit when i talked to them. And I know that God knows who was right.
Now I just gotta be humble and let them work it out themselves.

Have a great week everyone. I expect more emails next week please.
Con amor, Elder Turley

P.S. Bud tu novia parece muy diferente que la ultima. Tienes que decirme como es ella. Y tambien tienes que jugar todos mis juegos,
especialmente Oblivion. Extraño oblivion.

7-6-09

Another change down. Another one begins.

Unfortunately, like the last change, we wont know if someone leaves until tonight. Kind of a bummer, but at least i got one last Prep day with Elder Hernandez. We are really good friends, and that means a lot when you are in a difficult area. Yesterday, I kind of just laughed it all off. 8 People at church, after busting our butts of, we got 8, including the missionaries. I know seriously. I ended up giving my third talk in a row, even though it was fast sunday, but in order to fill the time, Elder Hernandez and I had to kind of give a talk/testimony it actually helped me think a lot more about what i really know, and what i need to work on.

Thats my life in a nutshell. Weve got 2 investigators that feel like they could really make some progress in this new change. They just have to decide to take the steps and to find the answers. Weve had some really good experiences with them this week, and just having that makes me feel better.

Thanks so much for the package. The book you sent me is amazing and I just love reading discourses from the early members of the church because you can see that missionary work was so much more spoken of in those times.
In every talk theres some information given to the missionaries of how they can improve and what they can do and what they should do. Its really strengthening my testimony of certain principles. I also love the Jersey I had no idea you were gonna send something like that. Thanks so much.
When i took it out at interviews, everyone thought it was so awesome and it is. Just in time for the Tour de France. By the way, someone needs to send me some recaps, because im dying here. There is 0 cyclism here.

Well thats my weekly report. I hope it was better than last weeks. Im trying to be more optimistic and happy, and i can see some personal changes Someone give Taylor a hug and a big old kiss right on the lips for me.
I miss him a lot.

Have a great week everyone.

con amor, Elder Turley

6-29-09

Its already almost july wow.

This week was an interesting one on my part. Had some stuff to clear up with some members, which led to some bigger problems, but things seem to be clearing up now. I had to be the bad guy and talk to some of the members, which ive never liked doing, but it always seems like the lord loves to give me those opportunities. From what i saw of the wedding pictures, it seems like it went great. Nat looks beautiful and im so proud of her. I thought about everyone all day saturday. The house also looks amazing. Ill make sure to go to school nearby when i get back, so i can enjoy it. Be sure to send me some more pictures.

Well, its almost the end of the change. Im relieved. I need a new change to get pumped up again. Yesterday we had 0 investigators come to church and an asistance of 17 people, a little disapointing. I also had the unexpected opportunity to give another talk. I share something similar to my farewell, Its true isnt it, then what else matters?. Ive always loved that talk. This week we will see a little more clearing up of the problems with a few members, and some winding down. Have a great week everyone! Happy 4th of July. I wont get much of a celebration here, but what can ya do?

Elder Turley

6-22-09

Hey everyone

This week has been another one of ups and downs. After over six months, I finally got to see Elder Larson again. I missed my good friend from the MTC. Hes been doing awesome, and continues to impress me. We got to hang out and eat some lunch together. It was really nice catching up and seeing someone that I grew up as a missionary with.

Also, one of our investigators, Maria, said that after church last week she felt a change in her life. She wasnt able to go to church this week for stuff that her son did, but shes got a baptismal date for the 28, this next sunday. We are really hoping to get this one. We are trying really hard to at least complete with our part in the mission. 2 Baptisms every month, and I think we can do it. This week will require focusing on Maria a whole bunch, but I think it will pay off in the end.

We went through the whole week, thinking it was going so much better, but then, yesterday, we caught one of the members telling a recent convert that we dont work and that we shouldnt be missionaries, and a whole bunch of other stuff that really isnt true. I think im going crazy, because normally, when we hear that shes said something like that about us (which she does frequently), I get mad, but yesterday, I just laughed.
I know that I am trying my hardest to do my part, and to show my love for the people here, who cares what she thinks.

Well im sure your all excited for the wedding this weekend, so ill keep the letter short. Congratz Nat and John. Im really proud of you. Nat you have always set such a great example for me in my life. Spiritually you have showed such a strong testimony. With school, your a genious.
Thanks for putting the bar so high, and then expecting me to compete.
I love you and Ill be thinking of you all day saturday. Have fun, you really deserve it.

Have a great week everyone
Elder Turley

6-15-09

Well we broke through ALL of Satans defenses and finally won something against him. After three weeks of working on it. Miguel and Maricela were married. I was one of the witnesses. All they did was sign a paper, but we had to do SOOOOO much paperwork so that they could sign it. That happened on friday, and then on Sunday, Maricela got baptized. It was really cool, and even though it was just 6 missionaries, the ward mission leader, and her Sister in Law with her, we all felt the Spirit. We had 3 investigators at church on sunday also, which is amazing considering the assistence was 23 people, including babies and little kids. Of course the branch President decided not to show up, but we pushed through and made it a good day. On of the investigators has a baptismal date for the 28th of June, so we are going to focus a bunch on her. It was a really tough week, but we are finally seeing the fruits of our labors. Elder Hernandez and I both spoke in Church yesterday, blessed and passed the sacrament, and tought Sunday School. It really gives you an appreciation for a ward that functions correctly. We still managed to enjoy the day, even though we were practically running the whole way through. I also started working out more. 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night. I can feel the difference. I feel happier and have more energy. Well thats my week. I hope you all have a great one.

Con amor, Elder Turley

P.S. Aunt Leslie is amazing for writing me so much.

6-8-09

Hey

Well. Ill start out by saying, this change is going to be a growing experience. Its been a tough week. The opposition is working strong.
Id be lying if i didnt say i wasnt a bit discourged, but thats the missionary work. The discouraging part is when you do all you can for a person, but they end up choosing the world instead. We will keep moving forward. President Mickelson, our area authority promised us that if we teach at least 30 lessons without members present, and have at least 2 Baptismal dates every week, then we will see fruits of out labor. Elder Hernandez and I decided to put him to the test.
We have been working really hard to complete our goals, and in that sense, I feel good. I know ive done my part, and theres not much more I can do. We are going to keep on working, and try to fix some problems that a few members have. Sister Dominguez, the Relief Society President is our only support here, really. She loves us and all the members.
Everytime we see her, we actually get more excited to do the missionary work.

We hope to get a baptism this sunday. We have bent over backwords to help out a family. Tomorrow they should get married, and then after church on sunday, Marisela will get baptised. She came to church alone, yesterday, so that shows that she really means it.

We did get to visit some ruins in a city nearby. They were pretty cool.
The city was established just a few years after Moroni died, so everyone was stuck in some deep apostasy, but it was fun to compare what ive seen in other places in the world.

Thats so awesome that Jonny got his call. I knew he was gonna speak Spanish somewhere. 3 in Texas. We are just meant to teach the Texans and the Mexicans.

Have a great week everyone

6-1-09

Well well well. My life got flipped upside down. I guess President Clark didnt feel that Parras was a good enough learning experience, so he decided to send me to Sombrerete, Zacatecas. A short 9 hour bus ride from Parras. What can i say about Sombrerete? Well ive already counted 15 Giant Catholic churches, and who knows how many small ones.
The Vatican comes and visits here every year. Something that ive never seen before is they have got the whole city surrounded by Crosses to protect it from "evil". There are prolly more than 5000 crosses surrounding the city. And then at the top of mount Sombreretillo is a giant cross that gets lighted up at night. At least I wont forget how Jesus died. I mean id rather remember him living, but ill never have to worry about forgetting his story.

I am the Senior companion here. Also the Second Counselor in the Branch Presidency, and the Gospel Principles Teacher. My companion completed 5 months in the mission yesterday. His name is Elder Hernandez and hes a great guy.
Even though everyon says this area is the worst, we are still excited to see what we can pull off. We are gonna change the way everyone looks at this area. Change a lot of stuff here.

Before, they had to go to a different area in order to baptise, but we found a font that will work perfect. So this week we cleaned it up and got it all ready. The challenge that we still have to figure out is how to fill it up with water, but we are working on that one. Also apparantly, a lot of members hate the missionaries, because there have been some really crappy ones. So i just walk around, pretending im a naive gringo, and talk to them like they are willing to do anything for the missionaries. Weve actually seen some success with that. We have the people we want to focus on, and thats what we are going to do. Im kinda excited to learn and show the mission that every area can have success.

Ive also gained a reniewed sense of obedience. Im really going to test the Lord. Just in one week, Ive seen a lot of really amazing things happen. But, I also can see how hard satan works to discourage and to stop what hes built up here. We are gonna win though.

Well thats my weekly report. Im really gonna miss Parras, but it was time for a change.

Love you all!
Elder Turley

5-25-09

Well I just found out im getting changed. We think they are sending me across to Zacatecas, a Catholic control zone. Bye.

5-25-09

My 4th change in Mexico is officially over. 5 and a half months in Mexico. Its pretty crazy to think about where all that time has gone. Ive really enjoyed it here, in Parras. We wont get changed until at least Tuesday afternoon because all the missionaries dont get here until tomorrow. Apparantly all my leaders have been telling the President to let me train a new missionary, so we will see where that goes. I would actually love the opportunity to train. Ill have to let you all know how it goes next Monday. I might get another 6 weeks in Paradise… I mean Parras.
Cool story of the week. We recieved a reference from the offices of some guy who lives in a ranch. The ranch is called the 28 of Agosto, but its pretty far away, about a 40 minute bus ride. We decided that we needed to take every opportunity the Lord gives us, in order to find the people that are ready to accept the gospel, so we went. Since ive never been to this Rancho before, I asked the bus driver to let me know when we got there. Of course he forgot, so we spent a little time in the middle of nowhere, waiting for a bus to come from the opposite direction. After some battling, we finally arrived, to find out that there was no such man who lived in the Rancho, so we proceded to ask every single person who lived there. We knew they were going to say no, but its a good contact approach. You ask and then tell them why we were looking for that person, and then invite them to listen to the message. Everyone said no except for this one guy in aviator glasses. He lives at the edge of the Rancho, and Im almost positive hes a little bit crazy. His sister in law has a Chapel of the Santa Muerte. Crazy stuff. But we went in and taught our lesson to him and his daughter, whos like 19. They really listened and asked some great questions, so we made an appointment for the following day. When we came back we found that they had both read and were ready for the next appointment. And during that lesson, we commited them to baptism. They accepted and then the daughter asked me, “My husband isnt baptised in any church (something really rare here). He wants to get baptized. Can he also get baptized in your church?” Needless to say we jumped on that, and now weve got a good group of four that we will be teaching in the 28 of Agosto. Even though the reference was fake, God led us to the people that would accept the message. Pretty cool huh.
Thats all for this week. Remember that Im still alive so maybe people should start writing me again.
Love you all,
Elder Turley

5-18-09

Hey everyone
Dont have too much to say. We chugged a long this week, but just had some tough times finding success. We had planned a baptism, but it looks like we will hope for this Sunday.
I was surprised how well our turn out was for District Priesthood session. We had 12 in total, including us. It was a pretty fun experience going all the way to Chavez, about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive. We used Jorge and his ambulance to get us there, and packed 9 large men into the back, while 3 sat in front. The meeting was really good. We got to listen to the District President, a Branch President, an ex missionary and an Area 70. The theme was lifting up those who have fallen along the way. I really liked something that the return missionary said. He said “Weve started this work and theres no turning back. We cant because we know the consequences.” Its so true. We know our responsabilities and we know what God requires. We didnt choose this church because it was easy. We chose it because its the only path to return back to our Heavenly Father.
Everyone have a great week. Ill try to work extra hard so i can give you all a good story next week.
Love you all
Con amor, Elder Turley

Hey!

Well I dont have too much to write,
 because I talked to you all yesterday,
 but just wanted to tell you how fun it was to talk.
I know i didnt talk too much, it was just nice hearing
familiar voices and pretending like i was at home for
a day. Thanks for all the encouragement and support.
I love you all. Have a great week!

con amor, Elder Turley

4/27/2009

Hey everyone. Another quick week gone by. Only two more until Mothers day which is going to be awesome.

So right now we are really focusing in on Ofelia and her niece, Diana. They have progressed really rapidly. Of course the mission wouldnt be a challenge if we didnt have problems, so we found them this week. Apparantly Ofelia isnt married. Theyve been together 23 years but still havent sealed the deal. We are working out that one, but its gonna be a tough one to get settled. A lot of prayer and fasting should do the trick.
With Diana, we are planning on getting her baptized this next Sunday. Her mom says yes, but her dad says she needs to be really sure about it, so it kinda got her worried. The amazing thing is that she went to church without Ofelia on Sunday. Ofelia was sick when we went to píck them up, but Diana still went and stayed the whole three hours. After, when I asked her how it went, she said she loved it. Hopefully thats a good sign that we will go with the baptism this week, but who knows.
I almost ate it the other day just like dad. Theres this one street that people literally come out of there houses and stores to stare at us as we ride by. Its a down slope, so we can coast. Our new thing is to do really wierd stuff right in front of the people because there are literally at least 50 every time. One day, we had borrowed a guitar from one of the members and as we went down the slope I stood up on the bike and started playing and singing in front of everyone. It was so funny to watch them all stare at me like that. I took the turn at the bottom a little sloppy and ended up hitting a curb and ALMOST eating it. But it was definately worth it.

Well, thats it. Have a good week everyone and go swimming for me. Its extremely hot here.
Con amor, Elder Turley
P.S. Happy Birthday Bud. May 2nd, 1987

5/4/2009

Hey everyone. Happy to say Im still alive. The flu hasnt really come to the north, but Church was cancelled for everyone. Kinda a bummer.
Im kinda frustrated with the computor, so this wont be extremely long.
This week we really focused on a few investigators to try to help them make their commitments and get them baptized. We set a goal for 4 for this Sunday, but the way things have gone, Ill be happy if we get 2. It wouldnt be a mission if there werent challenges.
We were surprised by the investigators that we thought would be easy in easy out baptisms. We have been battling with them since last Tuesday.
Our new investigators Juana and Luis have progressed so quickley that we arent really sure what else to teach. They started the book of Mormon like 4 days ago and are already in 1 Nephi 20. We plan to get them baptized this Sunday, and it should be an interesting one, as they dont want to get baptized in the Font. We found a cool spot with natural wáter up in the mountains, so it should be an awesome baptism.
This next Monday will be 5 months in Parras for me. Time has flown by, and I hope I can squeeze one more change out of this city. I really do love it here, and am so excited to come back after the mission.

Nat, I already took the picture, but i forgot my camera, so ill get it to you next week.

Well everyone have a great week. I love you all and look forward to calling next sunday! Mom keep your cell on you all day saturday, so we can make plans.

Con amor, Elder Turley

Wipe Out

Brandon,

I ate it on my road bike today. I got pushed off of Decker into a big Sumac tree going about 30 mph. I had time to plan and rolled over my front bars and took the brunt of the crash on my bike upside down. Miraculously, I wasn’t hurt and my bike escaped unscathed. I got up with 15 FF’ers standing around me thinking I was totally munched..I mounted my bike, straightened by seat up, made sure my tires had air and that my wheels were in true and took off down the hill while yelling to my team to get on their bikes and quite standing around. Attached is the picture of the tree I demolished. All I can say is that I believe my life (and bike!) were preserved because of your faithful and devoted missionary service. I can’t thank you enough.

Love, Dad

4/20/2009

Well what can I say for this week.

We finally managed to get Ofelia to Church. After about a month and a half of her saying she would go but never really comitting. We got her. She stayed for an hour with one of her nieces and then had to head back to the house. She said she really liked it though.
The members decided to sing better than they ever had before with the hymns, so she commented that she really enjoyed that. I guess it also helped that I was practically belting everyone. I really enjoy teaching Ofelia and shes really coming along. The goal we have all made for her baptism is the third of May, right in between some birthdays.
Only two more sundays to go!

Unfortunately, with all the others, i cant be as excited. Berenice decided to disapear randomly. It might be her mom, a hardcore Testigo. We do have Edain, her friend on our side, so we should be able to buckle down and push through whatever problems Berenice has.

Something amazing might happen this saturday. We will find out later in the afternoon today but, The Branch is having a temple excursion, and they are really lacking some endowed Priesthood to help out. Today our Branch President is talking with President Clark to see if Elder Knowles and I can go. Im trying not to get my hopes up, but I miss going to the temple so much. It also means we get to go to Monterrey for a day. Pretty exciting, but youll all have to wait until next monday to find out how it goes.

Felicidades Aunt Leslie. The only problem is that I still havent seen the guy yet. How do I know your not just lying and that he really does wear a mask too!

Thats all I got for you all. short, but sweet. Have a great week and enjoy the good life!


Con amor, Elder Turley

Another change in paradise

4-13-2009

I was planning on leaving today. In fact. I had packed a lot sunday
afternoon, because I thought I was going to
get transfered, but no. I get at least another 6 weeks here in Parras. To be
honest Im thrilled. There
are so many great people here, and we have a lot of great investigators.

This week was nuts! So many people from Monterrey and other parts of mexico
came in to ruin Parras for a week.
All everyone did was drink and party and yell at the missionaries. We didnt
have  alot of success this week.
For example. The Priesthood session of conference had an asistence of 4
people. 2 of which were missionaries.
One was the Branch President and the other, the Young Mens President. I was
really disapointed, but we will
keep pushing on. I actually had a really great experience with this one
investigator Berenice.

We had set up an appointment with her and Edain, another investigator. We
went over to Edains house, but Edain
had to go for a few minutes to pick up a friend. We sat on the porch and
talked with Berenice, who is a Jehovas
Witness about Jesus and how he was the God of the Old Testament. It was
actually really easy to show her, and
she was really receptive. Once Edain came back we all went into the house,
but Edain decided to leave. Fortunately
her brother and mom came in and started playing the guitar with Elder
Knowles. He did really well to start a
discussion about the Prophet with those two, while Berenice and I chatted
about Jesus. We talked about my favorite
part of the atonement. Comfort. I shared with her how i first got a
testimony of Christ, and that led into a
discussion about if we have him as a base in our lives, and build a
relationship. We can learn so much more and
recieve so many answers through prayer. After that, we talked about how she
had recieved an answer that the Church
was true, and so her and I read a bit out of the Bible just to reassure her
that she had recieved an answer. Then
the discussion went to how once we recieve an answer, we need to act on it
quickley before we start to forget, and
we talked about baptism, set a goal for us to achieve, and that was that.
Textbook Preach My Gospel right there,
but honestly prolly one of the most memorable lessons I will have had in
Parras. I love just sitting down with
an investigator, and, when the circumstances are right, having a one on one,
deep discussion about things that
matter in this life and the next. Im glad I get another 6 weeks to achieve
the goal that we set together that
night.

Well theres my spiritual story. As for easter, my companion and I forgot
about it until we were sitting watching
a conference session at church. We ate dinner with the Fuantos, chicharron.
Its pig, but not the good part. I
ate the whole thing. I think youll all be surprised by the time I get back
at what I can get down my throat.

Anyways. I love life, I can speak spanish, and Ill keep chugging along. Im a
4th of the way through the mission,
and the time has flown by so quickly.

Aunt Leslie and Aunt Laurie thanks for sending the emails. I love you!

Have a great week, and I cant wait to read more next week!

Con amor, Elder Turley

4/6/2009

Hello everyone. Another week down.
You were all so blessed to be able to go to conference. Our branch didnt have the budget so we have to wait until the District sends the videos. Unfortunately transfers are next Monday, and ive got a bad feeling that im heading out. I hope not, but its not my will. Its good to see though that ive earned the confidence of the ward, and I noticed today as we had an activity with the youth, that people turn to me for what to do. Im the junior companion but everyone asks me what we should do. It feels good to have earned that, but its kind of a bummer that ill have to go at some point and start over again. Thats just the way things are huh.
This week is known as the Semana Santa. Apparantly a bunch of Americans come to Parras during the week just to drink and be sinners. Its funny they do it the week of the death and resurrection of the Lord. Also some guys lose a bunch of wait and carry a cross all the way to the top of the mountain and hang on it like Jesus did. Its pretty nuts how gung ho they go for it here. The only problem is that they do it for the wrong reasons.
We have started talking with some Jehovas Witnesses. Its pretty fun and challenging at the same time. Its good though because im building my knowlege of the Bible a whole lot. The other day we sat down, and they assaulted us with scriptures to try to prove that Jesus wasnt Jehova, but we held our ground everytime. In the end I think they left surprised at how much we knew. They didnt want to set up another appointment, but thats because they knew they were wrong.
We are having some good success with a couple of the young men and we hope to get them ordained this Sunday. We will see what happens, but things are looking good in that aspect.
Also our investigator Ofelia is progressing really well. She has a strong desire to keep learning and can now say some really sincere prayers from the heart. Thats prolly my favorite thing in the mission, to teach someone how to pray and communicate with Heavenly Father. The first time she did it, she had no idea what she was doing. Now she can pray like a pro and its so fun to watch her grow and grow. That right there feels as good as a baptism. We also set a baptism date for her for the end of April. Eventhough I might not be there, im really excited for her.
Well thats all I got for you. I hope you all had a great week. I only heard from very few, so im not quite sure, but have another great week everyone. Aunt Leslie and Jonny are more faithful than everyone else except mom and kimmy.
Kimmy just kiss Joey this weekend. Ive always wanted to but never had the nerves and ive always regretted it.
Con amor, Elder Turley

3/30/2009

Well what should I say about this week. It kinda flew by.
Alergies have come in with a force. I was surprised how many people here got sick, but it came in force. Im used to getting it bad, and one day it got kinda serious, but I survived the day. A Lot of members have medicine, so we make a few more visits to them during the day, and it kinda is helping us build stronger relationships with them.
Our easter campain is kicking in gear and surprisingly more and more members are getting excited. We recieved 7 posters that we will put up around the city, and one for the Chapel.
The whole idea is to get people calling for 1 of 3 different movies. The Lamb of God, Finding Faith in Christ, and a Christmas one. Weve been having a little more success with references and finding new people, so im getting more and more excited each day. The only problem is that sometimes we have trouble getting the movie to work. Other than that, the campain is going very well. Our baptism for sunday got dropped, because the kids dad, whose a return missionary, turns out to be a huge flake. I guess we should have seen that coming, seeing that his son is 15 and still not baptised. We will keep working and see what happens in the end.

We are changing our tactics a little bit, approaching the final 2 weeks of this change. we are focusing on less active members, and young men. Hopefully, if all goes well, we will have 2 ordinations and 1 Baptism. We are going to keep on pushing, and I think they will leave us two alone here for at least one more change. I really like having Elder Knowles as my companion. Hes got a pretty strong work drive, so we get some stuff done.

Other than that, a pretty boring week. Ill go break my leg or something to be able to tell an awesome story next week.

Love you all, have an amazing week.

Con Amor, Elder Turley

Recent Pictures

Zone Conference in March

Fruits of our Labors

Hiking and playing in an old car

3/23/2009

Week 1593
Hello everyone. Its been a good, long, tiring week, and we get our rest day today.
Ill start with some great news. We baptized a nine year old boy yesterday, Cristian.
All he wants to do with his life is serve a mission, so it will be fun to check back in a few years and see where hes at. We had a good long battle with his mom, but no one can deny the feelings of the Spirit and the help of the Lord. It was really good to see that happen, and we are going to start pushing on his mom these next few weeks.
The Work is picking up, and i think thats because Elder Knowles and I have a desire to work and to see some success. We have a few more baptisms scheduled for the next couple of weeks. Transfers is the 13th of April, so we will see what we can do up until that point. I really hope they let us both stay in Parras, because we are both determined to see some good stuff happen.

Cool note of the week! I gave a 17 minute talk yesterday. It felt amazing to just be able to look at everyone and talk, instead of just having to read every word from a piece of paper. People are starting to comment how my language is coming a long, and it feels great.
I had to go through some crappy couple of weeks, but now its all paying off. I can express myself, and im able to teach pretty clearly. I can really see the difference too, because people understand me and its so much more conversational, the lessons.

On saturday, we did our Super Sabado with all the young men and women of the ward. The turn out was way more than expected. In total there were 19 young men and women, not including the missionaries and the President of the Young Men. Our 8 hour adventure began. As Elders, we were kind of misinformed on what we were going to do. We were told we would be doing a hike through the Canyon of the Lima. People said we would get a little wet crossing some creeks and stuff, but they lied. Just to let everyone know first off, I did not swim. The people who planned it and went with us, totally underestimated the difficulty of what we had to do. I was a little shocked. For the boys at home, it would have been a fun challenge.
But with young men and women, it was a struggle. Elder Knowles and I, who have some experience in climbing and bouldering had to take the lead in every obstacle. After we succeded alone, we would have to drop down a rope or something so that everyone else could make it up. Ill be completely honest. It was the most fun ive had in mexico. It reminded me of the good ole days climbing in Malibu Creek State Park. Dont worry, we never did anything we couldnt have.
But Id really love to go back after the mission, to enjoy it fully. The picture is of all the young men with the two missionaries sitting in a burned down car. We flipped it over, and all tried to get in.

Thats all for this week.

Thanks for all the letters. You all really picked it up, with some encouraging from mom.

I love you all, and I hope you have a great week!

Con amor, Elder Turley

3/16/2009

Another week gone by. Hmm… what can I say. The Lord is blessing us a lot this change. We are buckling down, and trying to focus on people, rather than teaching a bunch of new investigatores. Yesterday, we baptised a little boy. I hate to say it but it made me laugh, because Elder Knowles had to baptise him a little bit differently. The kid is afraid of water, so he didnt want to go backwards into the water. Instead, Elder Knowles had to do it forward. The boy didnt go down all the way, so Elder Knowles ended up shoving him really hard.
This week, we were a little down, because it seemed like someone just didnt want us to go back to Parras. Monday night, we headed in to San Pedro, to teach a couple investigatores. We stayed the night there, and had a pretty good District Meeting the next day. We headed back to Parras on the 1 30 bus. During the ride, however, the Zone Leaders called us to tell us that we had to go to Chavez, which is past San Pedro, because we had a meeting with the whole Zone that evening. We got to Parras, had one hour to shower and change, and then got on the 4 PM bus to Chavez. We got there at 6 30, with just enough time to make the meeting. That night, we returned again to San Pedro, unable to teach anyone. We were so excited too. The next day, we got back at around 12, but things just didnt go well, until about 3. From that point on, we started to get more and more excited. And the rest of the week went great.
A cool experience. We were doing our weekly fast, which is a goal in our district. It was 1 PM, 1 hour left before the breaking of the fast, and Elder Knowles and I were dead. We had gone running that morning all the way to the top of Santo Madero, and we werent able to do it with water. All we wanted to do was just go to Hermana Menas house and eat some food. We decided that we should at least try to knock one more door, and then we could end our fast. So we went walking towards this Sisters house, looking for an open door to knock on. Then randomly some guy yelled out at us. Usually I ignore it, but for some reason i turned around and contacted him. We ended up teaching him about the Restauration, and then teaching another guy that was with him. Im glad we decided to stay diligent, and the Lord blessed us for that.
We have so many stories like that this week and the week before, and I guess thats what ive learned so far in this change. Diligence.
Well its time for admonishing. Some serious slackers in the family havent written me for a while. I would love to know whats going on in their lives. Hopefully they get the Message. Happy Birthday on Sunday steph.
I love you all, have a great week!
Con amor, Elder Turley

Week of the Whites

3/9/2009
Well, another week gone by. This one seemed a Little longer for me, because I was the one who had to lead my companion around town. It’s a little bit different when your in charge of who we visit, and what we will do. Im not senior companion, but we are pretty much equals. I have 5 months as a missionary, as of yesterday, and hes got 6 months and one week. Sometimes I feel like I know Spanish better, but then, at other times, he really pulls it out and makes for a good lesson. We decided that we are going to be very obedient this transfer, and not to mention diligent. We got some really good numbers this week, thanks to the Lord and to some good old fashion hard work. Ive started trying something new. In Spanish its ganando confianza. Im starting to talk to people and get to know them. Im thinking this new strategy will help people to trust me, and then we can start sharing the gospel, and get them to open their hearts. We are also going to start use the Fuantos, a family of investigators that just cant be baptize because Jorge can get divorced with his exwife. Its complicated, but they know it all better than most members know it, and its really going to help us, because they can just relate to people so much better. I cant give any amazing stories, just plain old hard work. We are hoping to get a few baptisms in the next couple of weeks. If they go through ill be so happy. I can already see that we will have more success than elder De La Cruz and I had when we were together. I learned a lot from him, mostly what I shouldn’t do, but also what I can do to help win trust. Im really excited to be working right now, and I love living and serving in Parras. Keep writing, even though I get more and more boring every week. I swear ill have something good for you all next week.

Con amor, Elder Turley

Skin n Bones

Hello everyone that gets this. Im not really sure how far it goes.

First off, FELICIDADES to Natalie! You can thank me
when I get home. 

I hope you all had a great valentines day. We were blessed
 with a lot of work that day. And We needed it. This week
 has been really difficult. Usually, if we are low in numbers,
we can just go knocking, and teach a fair amount, but this
week, no way. We worked hard, and hardley had anything
 to show for it. Luckily, on Saturday, we got to teach a
bunch of people. No baptisms yet. I remember when I
was in the MTC and people told me that Mexico Baptizes
like crazy. I think every other mission gets over 2000 a year,
but ours is just trying to get to 1000. Its a good challenge, and I
 think im up for that. Im almost at the point where i can just talk
 in Spanish. I still have some work to do, but im almost there. 

We have interviews this week, and its crazy to think there are
 only 2 weeks left in this Transfer. Im pretty sure Im going to
stay in Parras for at least one more transfer, before they give
me the boot. Im loving it here. Its starting to get a Little greener
. Unfortunately, its also starting to get a lot hotter. Unlike you all,
 we dont get rain in Mexico. 

Well, my companion was a downer, and he didnt want to go
to the circus. We missed our chance. We do get to go to mutual
with the Young men every week. In Zone Conference, President
Clark asked us to focus more on getting the Young Men and
Young Women into church, and reactivating the less actives.
I dont mind, because we get to play baseball.  I think next
week we are going to play dodgeball with them. This past
Saturday was pretty cool, because two nonmembers showed
 up to play some baseball. They had a great time, and they
want to come back next Saturday. 

I played 3 hymns in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Pretty
crazy. I screwed up a bunch, but im progressing Little by Little. 

I might have my first baptism this next Sunday. We have
been teaching the Sister of the Branch President for
sometime, and this past week we set a baptismal date
with her. I really hope it Works out, because I dont want
 to leave Parras without doing SOMETHING.

I think thats it. Nothing really exciting. Trying to get our
 investigators to progress more, but thats that battle right
now. I love you all, and have an amazing week.

Mom I should get the package tomorrow at interviews.
Thanks again.

Kimmy picked the ball back up.

Thanks for all the letters. Im praying for you all, and I
hope your doing the same for me.

I found out that right after I shaved my head, President
Clark changed his mind. So im not supposed to have
a shaved head. I cut it to a three and it feels great!

Con amor, Elder Turley

it's a novel

2-2-09

So ill start out by saying im a Little beaner boy now. Dont worry its not offensive here. Where should I begin. Maybe at the tragedy?

Thursday night. We went over to the house of the Fuantos Family. The two parents cant be members yet because of the whole marriage situation, but they are more active than most the members in the area. Im pretty sure the husband is going to be Branch President one day. Anyways, we went over to their house, to do some góspel discussion and eat some good ol beans and tortillas, like always. Dinner was good. Laura Fuantos knows me by now, and shes amazing. They always joke about how i dont like spicy food, but she makes stuff that I like now. Anyways, we did some góspel talk, and when we were heading out, we noticed the bikes were gone. It broke my heart. Literally. I admit I was a bit spoiled to have bikes, but i mean its me we are talking about. We got a ride home, and still havent found the bikes yet. We prolly will buy new ones this week. They are an expensive 400 pesos. Thats about 35 dollars, maybe less.

The next day, we did our walking. We walked all the way to the top of Parras, to visit a progressing investigator, but she wasnt there. In fact none of our investigators were there. We decided to do the unthinkable, we ventured into the land of Desolation. Thats what I call it anyways, because there are 2 or 3 houses, and its not considered a rancho or a colonia. We traveled through dry river beds, and packs of wild dogs, and finally made it to one of the houses, to find… no one home. We continued our journey to the second house. No one. As we walked to the third house, which was about 2 miles from the edge of the city, we found a man picking up metal from an abandoned house. Clearly this was our golden lesson of desolation. Not really. We taught the guy, but he was a Little off in the head. The fact that he was picking up metal should have told us. He was nice enough, but I dont think we will have any route with that. As we were walking back, we found another man, in the 1st house. We taught him, and invited him to church, but he didnt seem very interested. As we made our way to the third house, accross the dry river bed, we got lost. We made the decisión to follow the river bed, and see if there were other houses, needless to say we walked a lot further than we had to. It was beautiful, but we didnt find anyone else. And that was my experience in desolation. I dont really have a strong desire to go back, but you gotta try at least once.

This week was a Little hard for us. Saturday after la comida, my foot started killing me. Like if i had twisted my ankle or something. I managed to hobble back to the house, but i couldnt walk for the rest of the night. The wierd part is that my foot doesnt look any different, i just couldnt put pressure on it. The next day, I forced myself to work, until I couldnt take it any longer. We went back to the house at 2 PM, and ended up studying for the rest of the day. I read all the conference talks from october, and actually learned a lot. I learned to, take the bad moments, and love them. So ive been trying to do that since. My foot wasnt better the next morning, as we made our 20 minute walk to church. We got a ride home, and then Roel, an 18 year old picked us up and took us to his house. We figured that even though I couldnt walk very much, I could help some of the members with English and stuff like that. Roel s mom made me put my foot in the hottest wáter in the world. All it did was burn. My foot felt worse and worse, and I decided just to put it up, and not worry about it. I didnt know this, but apparantly everyone watches the superbowl here, so Roel watched it, and maybe I looked once or twice.

Last night, Elder De La Cruz talked about it. We decided we may have been too comfortable here, and so heavenly father was giving us a chance to humble ourselves so that we could work harder. I woke up this morning, and I can actually put pressure on my foot, so things will be getting better and better each day. No amazing stories this week about the work. We started off really well, but kinda got slowed down with some roadblocks. Im sure I will have something for you next week.

Questions


It would be a dream come true if they put 4 missionaries in Parras. We could focus more on certain investigators, and areas. Also, we could all team up and get the Members to start working. The Branch President is trying, but nothing seems to motívate them.


Nat

I just finished studying Octobers conference. There are a lot of really amazing talks, with some really good advice. If you look at that versus May 2007, its interesting how different they are. It feels like somethings going down soon.

At 2PM we go to a members house and they make us la comida. It lasts for an hour and after that, we usually work til 9 or 930. Sometimes we go to the Fuantos house, because we can teach, and Hermana Fuantos makes us dinner, so its a doublé plus.

I dont get hit on. Sometimes they say stuff. And my companion will catch it, and tell me later. Other times they whistle, and I usually will turn and say “Que dices?” really manly.
And sometimes I do like it….



So thats it. Im living life. Learning. Struggling. And loving. I read something in a talk given by President Monson, the other day. His talk is called FInding Joy in the Journey. And it really makes you reflect yourself, and how you treat others. I could quote alot of stuff, but Ill quote one thing right now.

“We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.”

That made me think a lot. Especially all the times I came home from school and didnt want to talk. Or the millions of times I yelled at kimmy.

I want you all to know I love you, and that I didnt say it enough. Im not sure why that hits me so powerful, but I dont want to look back and regret. Haha, it sounds like Im dying.

Anyways, Kimmy, thanks for all the times when I was grumpy, that you would look at me and smile, and giggle, until I had to smile and laugh too. I love you.

Jonny. Thats all I have to say. You know it all.

I love you all, and all the support you give me. I think about your examples, when Im having a rough moment, and it keeps me pushing through. I know this is the Lords work, and Im trying to better myself everyday.

Have an amazing week everyone!

Con mucho amor, Elder Turley

one last update this week.....

I forgot to tell everyone. I ate Chicharron this week. Its pig skin. I ate a football in a soup. Its gross. Don't try it.

Picture time

Brandon on the Bus.

Brandon with his Bike and his dirty shoes....