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...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Another one makes the step 8-3-09
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
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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
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
Monday, July 20, 2009
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
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
Sunday, July 19, 2009
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.
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
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
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
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