December 30, 2013

Lieber Familie!

Ah! It was so good to see you all last week! I can't believe it has almost been a week, and only a week. Oh my goodness the cutest little kids are sitting next to me right now and arguing about how old they are. ''7order 9 lalalalala'' Haha I thought they were speaking in English and then I realized that it was German and I just understand. Funny how that is because sometimes I try to focus on German and when something is said in English I don't understand.

In Germany they celebrate 3 days of Christmas. Oh my goodness, I ate more those 3 days than I have in my entire life!!!! Ok, that's a little dramatic, but it was a lot of food. So fun being with the members, they made us feel like we were with family. On the 24th we ate with the Pumipiyap family. They are so wonderful, they put in a good word for us and had Santa come visit. Did you know that Santa is Thai?? I'm trying to send pictures but the computer won't let me, I'll try again next week.
Elder and Sister Beesley had us over for breakfast on Christmas morning. It was so great and reminded me of going over to Grandma and Grandpa's! Oh my comp didn't appreciate the toy ball gun. Haha she was just jealous. We had district meeting later that day and read through the white handbook all together, it's a wonderful little book ;) That night we ate with the Hauschs. On the 26th we had a Christmas lunch at the church with everyone who didn't have somewhere to go, investigators, members and friends. It was so good! We have an investigator from China, her name is Yang-Yang. She doesn't have a religious backgroud, so everything we teach her is completely brandnew, but she is so accepting and anxious to learn more. Her prayers are so simple and so heart felt. She loves the ''new meaning of Christmas'' that we celebrate Christ, His birth, life and Resurection and not just presents. I am so grateful to be here. Later we ate with the Stanke family. It has been a great week, everyone has been so loving and welcoming.

Thank you for all the love and support. Shout out to the ward! Thank you so much for the letters and treats! It means so much to me.

Thank you grandma and grandpa for the package, I just got it this morning. It's perfect!

Mom and Dad, thank you, thank you, thank you! I appreciate your hard work to support me and I can feel your love and prayers. I'm doing my best to represent the the Lord well and our family. I think it's interesting that the two names I wear are Jesus Christ's and the family name.

Thank you for the pictures, Mom, Sha and Janae :)

I love you so much!! Have a great week! Happy New Year!

-Sister Turner

December 23, 2013

Lieber Familie!

I can't believe it's almost Christmas! I'm so excited to see you tomorrow! 3pm I will be skyping from the mission office and I will use the skype account you set up for me. Thank you!

That was the first real talk I have given here. My first Sunday they were going to have me give a talk, but we ran out of time so it was just a testimony. But I play the organ pretty regularly. Sometimes I don't have much of a heads up. On Saturday we went to the baptism for one of the Elder's investigators. I show up and find my name on the program, well actually I found out when Bishop started the service and announced I would be playing. Haha good thing my German was good enough to understand that. One of our investigators came, he so badly wants to be baptized, but his family is not ok with it. Please pray for him. As I was talking with him. he said that he could picture his own baptism with his children there supporting him. He is an amazing example of faith and trusting in the Lord's time.

Right now there are 2 sets of sisters (Turner & Hansen and Miesbauer & Ahrenholtz), 1 set of elders (Beck & Taylor), and 2 senior couples the Snows and Beesleys. Oh and Pres and Sis Kosak are technically in our ward as well. I love the ward here. Yesterday we ate with the Ruetz family. So much fun! After dinner Pres Ruetz played the piano and we all sang Christmas songs, I tried to send a short video, but it didn't work, I'll try again next week. And then I played the Savior Redeemer of my Soul, Fleur Ruetz played the violin and Elder Beck sang, we'll probably be doing that one at church next week.

One tradition in Germany I think I'll bring back is that Christmas is not just one day, it's three days.

I'm running out of time so I'm going to cut it.

Love you!

See ya tomorrow!

-Sister Turner

December 16, 2013

Lieber Famile!

Haha ya, Lindsey and I are going to have very different Christmas experiences. I'm wearing thermals, two pairs of tights, thick socks, a couple of shirts and a sweater under my coat to stay warm. I miss the dry Utah cold. Humid cold is very different. Haha we make it work though.

Last Monday was so fun! We went to a Christmas market and enjoyed looking at everything there. Can't describe, ya'll will just have to come see for yourself.

This week I learned to be patient and that the Lord works in His time and in His way. We had a lot of great plans for the week, but Heavenly Father let us know that we needed to be somewhere else. Sis Miesbauer and I were really sick and had to stay home for a few days. The blessing was that we were sick the same days so that Sis Hansen and Ahrenholtz could take the appointments that did not fall through and we were able to recover.

Thursday we had an awesome Zone Conference! The music was beautiful. The talks were great and we got to watch 17 Miracles! Also I found Elder Santiago, he is the Zone Leader in North Berlin. It was fun to see family (of family) haha.

On Sunday I gave a talk, played the organ and played the musical number..Yay. It went well, I wasn't worried about giving a talk in German (it was much better than the first one I gave in the MTC) until I realized Pres and Sister Kosak were there for Sacrament meeting. I said a prayer before and the spirit really calmed me down.

Funny thing this week... with 4 sisters living so close, we have learned that it is important to lock the door when you go to the bathroom, or you need to do a head count before entering.

Thank you so much for the package! I really appreciate all you do. I have also been loving the music you sent!

Love you all!

-Sister Turner

December 9, 2013

Lieber Familie!

We got our first snow fall this week, it looks like you have been getting a bit of snow too. Ah, I miss Utah snow- dry snow. Here it has been more of a sleety-frozen-rain-snow haha lot of fun! So yesterday was the 2nd Advent and the King of Thailand's Birthday, and the 5th or the 6th (I don't remember which) was the Nikolaustag. 2nd Advent means that you can light 2 candles on this candle wreath thing we have, you can probably google it and understand it better than I do.. We celebrated the King of Thailand's birthday with the Hausch family- it was awesome because family is so big in that culture it was easy to talk to people there about how the gospel blesses families. Romy did Sis Hansen's make up, haha remember that she is only 8, haha it looked great! Ok and Nikolaustag is when good little boys and girls put their freshly polished boots outside their door and Nikolaus puts a treat or a small toy in their boot. Ya we found out about that one the morning of when Sis Miesbauer and I got up to go running and saw that our neighbors all had treats in their boots, unfortunately we did not put our boots outside so Nikolaus forgot to visit us.. Oh and we had the ward Christmas party on Friday. They have been planning this party in almost every ward council since I got here. And it was awesome! It was so good seeing the ward all get together loving and welcoming to everyone making our investigators feel loved and invloved. They food was fantastic, but they had way too much and kept trying to give more and more to the missionaries. Big success.

Today we are headed to a Weihnachtmarkt! I am so excited!!

In district meetings we have been talking about how we can have better district unity. Each week we will all pray for a specific companionship and at the end of the week they will share miracles they have seen. During our last weekly planning Sis Hansen and I were talking about our goals for the upcoming week and reviewing goals and actuals from the previous week. Sis Hansen has a bf serving in Mexico and had shared some of their goals. We thought about it and said why can't we have ''Mexico numbers''? We believe we have the faith to see real growth here in Germany. Heavenly Father loves all of His children and He has prepared people here in Lankwitz. We prayed about our goals and then started making phone calls. Everything has been falling into place. We are working to develop our faith to see these miracles. We read in the Bible Dictionary about Fear and it says that fear is something unworthy of a child of God. And fear and faith can not exist in the same body. And why should we fear? We're on the Lord's side :D

I love you all! I can feel your love and prayers strengthen me. I hope you have a great week!

-Sister Carlee Turner

December 2, 2013

Lieber Familie!

Hey I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving! I love the pictures, it looks like you had a lot of fun! So we counted things out and if have a 5 week transfer I'll be home the week of Thanksgiving next year. CRAZY!

I did not actually get to play in the Turkey Bowl.. I brought my shears because I had to fix Sister Dunlap's hair- she let an investigator cut it, possibly worse than Sis Gross' hair. Haha don't worry it looks great now! It was a lot of fun seeing everyone though. President Kosak even played. We did kind of celebrate Thanksgiving. We had District Meeting that day so we had lunch together after. I made the stuffing you sent. Thank you! It smelled just like Thanksgiving! Sis Shöpf and Cameron made a pumpkin/potatoe suppe and the Elders bought a pie/cake thing. Germans don't exactly have pies. It was a lot of fun!

This week I am really trying to overcome my fear of talking to people. Yes, 6 months out and it is still not easy. But the language is getting better. After sacrament meeting I was talking with an investigator, a man we have been meeting with for a few months. I was saying something and just could not put a sentence together. Embarrassed, I apologized for my language skills, but he told me that I shouldn't be down on myself. He said that he has seen my German improve so much. I reminded him of the first time we met and how I really couldn't say anything and Sis Lartey had to do most of the teaching. He told me that he remembered my testimony at the end, he didn't understand everything I said, but he remembered the spirit that he felt. The spirit truly speaks to hearts. It gives me a lot of comfort that I don't have to speak perfect German to help others feel the spirit. I am so grateful that it is the spirit doing the converting and not me.

By the way if you were planning on sending me a tree, please don't. Haha Sis Hansen got a very big package this week. We opened it and found a pre-lit Christmas Tree and ornaments in a smaller package. Hahaha I have no idea what she plans on doing with it after this transfer. Anyone need a tree??

Love you all! Have a great week and smile :D

-Sister Turner

November 25, 2013

The Big Cheese is staying in Lankwitz for another transfer and Sis Arhenholtz will be ''opening'' Lankwitz Sisters 2 and training Sister Miesbauer. Or in other words all four of us will be staying in Lankwitz. This week was a little crazy having five of us in one apartment, but we survived and we are back down to four sisters, ha we literally had to run to get Sister Fordham on her train on time, but we schaffed it (got a little bit of Denglish going on).  Sister Miesbauer is from Austria and is waiting on her visa before heading to the Provo MTC. It is great having a native German speaker in our apartment she has helped me so much and guess what! She likes to run!! We went running this morning and she is excited to get up with me a few times a week. I'm so grateful for that because running has really helped me relieve a bit of stress. The language is getting a little better.. Dad I love your story about the dog. Haha I feel like that sometimes.

I love the pictures! Haha and Snicolas, ah what a cutie!!

Today I read in 3 Nephi about the birth of Christ and the signs in America. I'M SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS! (My companions might be tired of me playing Christmas music all the time) I loved that as the Nephites prepared for battle against the Lamanites they first ''cried'' unto the Lord. Then they prepared, repented and continued to pray. They did all they could and the Lord strengthened and protected His people. In 3 Nephi 4:31-33 they sang praises and their hearts were swollen because of the great goodness of God! It made me realize that I need to show Heavenly Father more gratitude for the blessings I receive. Perfect timing for Thanksgiving. The Germans don't exactly celebrate the Piligrims arriving in America, but not to worry, we will celebrate! We have schnittzel, potatoes (for mashed potatoes (not as good as dad's..)) and stuffing!!! Haha we're pretty excited. Oh and we are headed to Tempelhofferfeld after emails for the Berlin Turkey Bowl. I hope you all have fun in St George! Tell Cam to take pictures four wheeling. Also you might need to do a Turkey Trot in memory of me and Adam. And yes please play with water on the tablecloths! Ha maybe not a whole pitcher this time though.. ;) Hey Brad, remember when you tried to crash an airplane into me?? Haha your story made me laugh mom, thank you.

Thank you so much for the prayers. This Sunday the ward fasted together for one of our investigators. We are all still praying and waiting. On Saturday we went to a baptism for a little boy in another ward. The spirit was so strong. This little boy's mother was baptized my second week here and it was amazing watching them as a family come closer to Christ.

I'll try to send pictures next week.

Love and miss you all!!

-Sister Turner

November 18, 2013

Lieber Famile!

First thank you so much for the package!! I got the Reliv on Monday and the package on Tuesday. They might have come sooner, but I don't go to the office everyday to check. Also I am super spoiled living by the office, most missionaries can only get their mail and packages from the office once every 6 weeks. Really though, thank you so much for everything you sent! I know it must have taken a lot of time.

This week has been a little crazy adjusting to having 4 sisters in the apartment and today we picked up another sister. She is a visa waiter headed to Salt Lake. Ha ah! 5 sisters in Lankwitz, we'll see what happens this weekend with transfer calls.

Thank you for the advice. I have been super stressed this week. We work hard and have fun, but sometimes it is hard to keep things in perspective. One thing Elder Beck DL shared at district meeting was that when you are out finding, if you aren't having fun, then you are doing it wrong. We are missionaries and we are supposed to be dignified, but it is also important to enjoy what we are doing and have fun. Ok so funny things that happenend this week: Sis Hansen and I were in a lesson with some new members, the mother had made a cake. She told us it was practice for her daughter's birthday in January. The cake was good, not the most amazing cake, but we were very appreciative. Sis H and I were talking with the mom when I hear the youngest daughter who is 8 ask her sister if missionaries have memorized things to say when they don't actually like the food. Haha I couldn't help but laugh. Later in the week we were on our way to the bus and we talked with some little girls, they could tell we weren't Deutscher. We told them we are missionaries from America. One little girl was so excited and started counting in English 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, NINETEEEEN!! So cute! Last Monday I took the sisters up to the BrandenburgerTor to take pictures. We got there and saw a protest. We didn't stick around to see what was going on, all we heard was a group of people chanting Obama, Obama, shame on you. Kinda scary.

On Sunday we had dinner with the Pumipiyap Family. Panu made us Mexian food and it was amazing!!!! Ah, Mexian food twice in one week!

The baptism did not go through this week, but the ward will be fasting for him and his family this Sunday.

This week I prepared the hymn I would play on Sunday, right before I felt like I should change the last hymn. I was nervous about changing because I hadn't practiced it. The sacrament meeting was so amazing and the spirit was very strong. Afterward the High Councilman came up and asked who picked out the hymns. I did. Well actually the Spirit. He said it was perfect and that he had felt inspired earlier to change what he had to say that day. Both his talk and the hymn went so well, we knew it was inspired.

Sorry this is kinda all over the place.

I love you all!!

-Sister Turner

November 11, 2013

Lieber Familie,

Thank you everyone for your emails this week. They have really strengthened and helped me. Really though, your faith and positive attitudes have helped me keep a bigger perspective. I'm thinking of the song from The Prince of Egypt right now Look At Your Life Through Heaven's Eyes.

That is so cool that Lindsey got to see Adam and Carson! I love the pictures! Haha and I relived my MTC experience hearing about Lindsey's. I didn't have a bug killing contest..gross, Ha but I am killing spiders left and right here and somehow we still find bees in our apartment on occasion. I thought it would be cold enough that they would be dead now..na ja.

Yesterday we ate dinner with Elder and Sister Beesley, they made us Cafe Rio, oh I miss Mexian food. Ha it is very hard to come by here.

This week the dritt was split up. On Thursday we picked up a ''mini missionary'' who is working with Sis Ahrenholtz and I am now working with Sis Hansen. Sis Fordham is from the states, but calls Hannover home. She will be here til the end of the transfer (2 weeks). It has been an adjustment getting used to 4 sisters in our apartment...

I love this quote from Elder Ballard! :"Brothers and sisters, fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come. These opportunities will never require a forced or a contrived response. They will flow as a natural result of our love for our brothers and sisters. Just be positive, and those whom you speak with will feel your love. They will never forget that feeling, though the timing may not be right for them to embrace the gospel. That too may change in the future when their circumstances change."   Missionary work is hard. It is hard sharing something that means so much to you, something you value and love with all your heart and have it be rejected. I have faith that this gospel is true and that the Lord truly is in charge. This week I have struggled wondering if my efforts are making a difference. When we act in love and faith our efforts are not wasted. I feel strength from you all at home. I love hearing the missionary work you are doing. I am so grateful for your examples!

Love and miss you!!

-Sister Turner

November 4, 2013

Mom and Dad,

How are the empty nesters doing?? Holy Cow! Lindsey is a missionary! That's so crazy! What is her email and mission home address?

I love the pictures of the boys!! Baby Nick is so sweet, I can't wait to meet him! Jack and Sam are getting sooo big! And Cade is a little heart stopper in that suit, haha. Sha, you need to teach him to say, Big Cheese ;)

Things are going well here. Starting to get a little colder but no snow, at least not yet. The 31st was Reformation Day, Präs. Kosak's 50th and Mission Tour! It was fun seeing Sis. Lartey again. We got to hear from Elder Kearon and Elder Fingerle of the 70. That was amazing!

Haha I loved the first line of the letter from Präsident Kosak this week:
"This week was rougher than rough", is one expression used by missionaries. Let me use another one by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Don't miss the joy!"

Missionary work is hard, but we have so much fun!

This week we have been teaching a lot about temples. Sch Hausch and her daughter are so excited to take family names to the temple! A few days after we taught them about temples for the first time, Sch Hausch had already hung up a picture of the Freiberg temple! Seeing their excitement and joy helps me. I miss having a temple so close, I really took it for granted. So many members make big sacrifices to go to the temple and I had at least 6 less than an hour away. There is a safety and blessings that come from going to the temple.

Haha all week I think of things I want to share in the email, but by the time Monday rolls around I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast. Oh botha.

Love you!!

Sister Turner

October 28, 2013

Lieber Familie,

This week is going to be short. Last P-day I took my companions down to Postsdam and today we are headed to the Berlinerdom. We had another exchange this week. Ha it was interesting..we'll just say that it is not a coincidence that Sis Ahrenholtz, Hansen and I are together. I am so grateful for both of them! Friday was Sis Hansen's 20 birthday!

Thank you grandma and grandpa Turner for the package! It was just what I wanted :)

Good luck Wiz! Love you so much! E-mail me!

 

I'll write more next week.

Love and miss you!

Sister Turner

More of Potsdam

 

P-day in Potsdam- soooo pretty in the fall!

October 21, 2013

Lieber Familie,

What a crazy week! I put Sis Lartey on a train and picked up my two new companions Sis Ahrenholtz and Sis Hansen. And on Thursday I went on exchange to Cottbus with one of the Sister Training Leaders. Haha so after one and a half days in Berlin my companions had to navigate their way around the biggest city in the country. They did great! We are still getting used to this whole dritt thing, but I love these sisters. We get along really well and we are learning to teach together. Before they came I was terrified! Haha my leaders gave me some advice and each gave me a spitzname: Elder Hansen (AP) called me the Alpha dog, Elder Beck (DL) called me the Princess of Lankwitz and Präsident Kosak called me The Big Cheese. Haha.

We have a lot of great plans for this week and I am really excited. Leading Lankwitz for this first little bit has taught me that I know more than I thought I did. I have not been able to rely on Sis Lartey, so now I know a little better what I do and do not know. We have only gotten lost a few times.. Amazingly my German has gotten a lot better this week. I have felt my faith grow this week as I have had to stretch. I know I can't do this on my own and I am finally trusting the Lord to take over believing in the promise that when you open your mouth, it will be filled. Growing is uncomfortable, but I am grateful for it.

Yesterday the Hausch family was confirmed. They were glowing after and the spirit was so strong. Sch. Hausch bore her testimony of the Book of Mormon in Sunday school. I have learned so much from her and her daughters. They have such strong, sincere testimonies.

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. It brings me so much comfort and strength. I love 1Nephi 21:15-16 Christ says ''will I not forget thee...Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.'' He knows and loves us personally. Because of the price Christ paid, we all have the opportunity to grow, to change, to become better. You are never alone and you are not forgotten.

Please keep sending me pictures of the babies. I hope you had a great time on your trip and good luck getting Lindsey ready these last few weeks!

I love and miss you!!

Sister Turner

 

 The sisters after zone training:  Sisters Lartey, Dunlap, Clark, Norton, Schrade, me

 My favorite park. Can you believe we found this in Berlin?!

 

Our attempt at self timer...the camera fell last second Sisters Hansen, me, Ahrenholtz

 There's a sad sort of clanging from the clocks in the halls and the bells in the steeples too, and up in the nursery an absurd little bird is popping out to say coo koo.... Distrikt picture

 Zerbster Str 42

 Gonna miss my trainer

 The Dritt picking up my new companions at HauptBahnhof

Peacock Island castle

 Tauschv(exchange) in Cottbus:  So cold the trees need sweaters

 Comp study

 

Taufe taufe!

October 14, 2013

Lieber Familie!

THERE WILL BE MIRACLES WHEN YOU BELIEVE

Oh my goodness, we'll see if I can get through this email without crying.. We have been working so hard with the Hausch family and praying with all our hearts and we have seen and are seeing miracles. On Sunday all three were baptized!! The spirit was so overwhelming. I am so blessed to be able to work with this family. They daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves them so much. I'm at a loss of words, it was just so amazing. Prayers have been answered and through Christ all things are possible.

Another transfer has come and gone. I will be staying in Lankwitz, but Sis Lartey will be transfered to Leipzig with Sis Rasmussen (one of the sisters from my group in the MTC). I will be receiving not one, but two new companions. (And by new I mean new to the area not the mission field.) It's going to be very different doing everything in 3's instead of 2's.  Sis Lartey and I have been moving everything around in the apartment making it ''dritt'' appropriate. Sad to see Sis Lartey go.. Especially because I will be leading the companionship for the first little bit.

Sorry this letter is so short, we are so emotionally and spiritually exhausted. It has been an amazing week. Oh what up, almost forgot that we had a joint teach with Pres Kosak! I have the best Mission President!

Love you all!!

Sister Turner

October 7, 2013

Lieber Familie

Oh my goodness, I LOVE General Conference!! We weren't able to see the last session, but we did get to see the Relief Society broadcast!

General Conference was so wonderful and so needed. I have been struggling the past few weeks  with a lot of discouragement and doubt. I loved what Pres Uchtdorf said: ''Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.'' Of course I am not perfect over night, but I can feel the power of the atonement bringing me up little by little. I have been realizing that my self doubt is not just ''self'' doubt. It is not recognizing and using the help that is always extended toward me, the atonement. Of course I'm scared to talk to strangers in a language that I still can not speak. Frustrated and sad, sometimes holding back feelings or promptings of the Spirit. ''I can't speak German, I don't understand what people are saying to me, I'm not a good teacher, I'm not smart enough, funny enough, etc.'' The words of the prophets gave me so much comfort and hope. Reminding me that I am not alone and to believe in miracles. Pray with all my might, do all that I can in faith and hope knowing this is God's work and He won't let it fail. He won't let me fail. I love my Savior and I am so grateful for His eternal, atoning sacrifice. I have faith that He can make weak things become strong. But it begins with a desire and letting that desire work within you. Why I am here? Because I know what Jesus Christ has done for me. I want everyone to be able to feel that change and redeeming love. I challenge all of you to think about what the atonement means to you, and then to invite someone to come closer to Christ. ''Live by faith, hold to hope and show charity one to another'' -Elder Holland

This weekend Frau Hausch will be baptized! We are so excited and we are still working with and praying for the family. Michelle and Romy are not sure about being baptized with their mother. I am fighting so hard for the this family that the devil does not want baptized. My heart breaks when I hear what they go through. They need the blessing that come with baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Please remember them in your prayers this week.

Wiz! I can't believe you leave in three weeks! How are you feeling? You are going to be so amazing! I am so proud of you!

Sha, I love hearing about your work with the Sister missionaries! And little Ritos.

I love the pictures!! I love the picture of JD on Brad's back and you can see Merri peeking through.  JD definitely has his momma's beautiful eyes!

Mom and Dad have so much fun on your trip!

I love you all so much!! Have a great week!

-Sister Turner

September 30, 2013

Lieber Familie,

Hey, late emailing today, we had an appointment this morning and then went shopping for some fall/winter clothes. I don't know what happened but all of the sudden it's cold here. Haha the cute Sisters in our ward are freaking out that winter is coming on too soon. Apparently last winter was the longest winter Germany has had in 15 or 50 years, I don't remember which....

Haha, Mom, I just bought the same sweater you are wearing in the pic of you holding baby Nick. Süß! Oh my goodness he is soooooooooo cute!!!!!!!! How is Janae?! Send me more pictures! Please :) Also super funny when we are at clothing stores and people come to me asking questions about where things are because they think I work there...different name tags.

We have been really busy this week and we are getting so excited for General Conference and getting our investigators excited as well! With the time difference it will be a little different, but I can't wait!

Sister Lartey is so great to work with. We have been getting so much better at teaching together (with the Spirit). It's kinda funny seeing how we're rubbing off on each other. Haha we work hard and we play hard, or I should say we learn to love what we are doing and everything is enjoyable, haha mostly. The language is still frustrating, but it's coming. One investigator we are working with called us because he found our card in his mailbox a few months ago and finally decided he needed to learn more (that is a miracle because no one does that) we have met with him several times and he is so ready! He is worried because his wife is a hard core Catholic and he wants to be so sure that this is the right church before he talks to her about being baptized. The spirit is so strong when we teach him. He accepts everything so excitedly and loves reading in the scriptures. I love seeing the enthusiam and faith develop as our investigators read Book of Mormon and find out for themselves that it is true. It has been very humbling studying more about the atonement and seeing it bless the lives of those I work with. I am so amazed at the love Christ has for us.

Funny/awesome experience this week: Sis Lartey and I were coming back from playing soccer and she really wanted a strawberry fanta. I told her she was nuts and we just needed to go home and get water. She insisted on going to the store. As soon as we walked in a girl came up and grabbed my arm, in English she said looking at my name tag ''Jesu Christi, you go to church?? I need to go to a church, I'm brand new here and I have been looking for a church to go to!'' You can imagine our excitement! We exchanged info and we will be meeting with her this week. The spirit works in mysterious ways, haha sometimes through companion's need for STRAWBERRY fanta.

Berlin is soo beautiful! Especially with the fall colors, changing leaves, beautiful Sunday. Not sure how I got to be so blessed to serve in the best mission in the world ;)

I love you all so much! Thank you for all the prayers and support!

Sister Turner

September 23, 2013

Lieber Familie,

Thank you so much for the package!! Really! I got on Wednesday when I got back from Tausch (exchange) in Cottbus. I am so grateful to be serving in Lankwitz. Sooo excited!!  We had Zone Conference this Friday and it was awesome!! Seriously so grateful to be a missionary right now! I am so excited to set Lankwitz on fire with the enthusiasm for missionary work. We can see the Gemeinde starting to come around. We have a taufe planned a family on 12 Oktober and we will have the whole Gemeinde there to support and love this family. I love this ward and our investigators so much! I am so blessed to work with these people.

This was a little rough and very emotional. We had a few investigators share sad life stories and that was a little emotionally draining.

I am doing great. My ankle is almost better which is great because I really want to play Fußball again.
Last P-day we went to Peacock island! And guess what! There were echt peacocks there! My goodness, we keep finding these awesome places in the middle of Berlin. I think I might be moving back here in 15 months... This P-day I will be practicing the organ for sacrament meeting, musical number for zone training and cutting the Dahlem Elder's hair-- secrets out the Sis Turner cuts hair.. there goes my p-day.

I love the little tender mercies I see everyday that remind me that Heavenly Father knows and loves me personally ie. Our bus being there exactly when we need it, beautiful sunsets, rittersports on sale!

I am so grateful to be here and to help others come nearer to Christ.

I love you all! Thank you for the pictures in the package, soooo cute!!

Sister Turner

September 16, 2013

Lieber Familie,

Hey, everything is great here! As a mission we have started over in the Book of Mormon and want to finish by Christmas. I love what Pres. said in his last letter ''I invite you, together with Sister Kosak and me, to wake up - let us focus and live our purpose we have. Knowing it by heart is not enough. Feeling - Doing - Becoming will help others to come unto Christ.''

Haha immer noch a roller coaster though. Haha on Tuesday Sis Lartey and I spent two hours looking for two different addresses that didn't exist, haha. We finally bought a soccer ball and now we are so excited to get up for Morgensport. It has been a little colder and rainy and when we get up at 6:30 it's all foggy outside, I love it!! We meet with a specific inactive member of ward every week and this week she had her son come. He is super interested and wants to keep meeting with us. So I still don't understand the language, but on Saturday during one of our lessons, I realized that I was understanding almost everything! I know it is only through the spirit that I am beginning to understand.  Yesterday was Stake Conference and it was awesome!! I really wish I could have understood more of it, but the main theme was really trying to get members more involved with missionary work. I have some super exciting news for next week so stay tuned! Viel Glück Adam!!

Love you all!

-Sister Turner

September 9, 2013

Lieber Familie, 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIZ!!! Heilge kuh (holy cow) I can't believe you're 19 tomorrow! Seriously, was ist los? Love you so much! I hope you have a fantastic day!

 

Quick clarification, I'm still in Lankwitz with my trainer Sis Lartey. We are working on setting the ward on fire with excitement about member missionary work! This week we have been working with a lot of members and inactive members. We are working on strengthening the ward and having more members involved with lessons with investigators and other activities. Every other week we play fußball or frisbee with members, inactives and investigators. I feel like most of the enthusiasm will come from the youth rather than the parents. We are working on sharing Der Erlösungswerk with the whole Gemeinde one family at a time.

 

One investigator we have been working with for a while finally came to church with her whole family yesterday!! We were so excited because she has been trying for months to get her husband to come to sacrament meeting. Yesterday I lead the music for sacrament meeting-- 'no problem' I thought 'leading music is easy, nah' haha well I forgot I still can't speak German and suddenly I'm trying sing German hymns in front of the whole Gemeinde....peinlich....

 

Wednesday we did new missionary first finding. So I got to take a fresh missionary out on the street, just the two of us trying to get contact info, make appointment, talk to people etc. When the APs called and asked if we wanted to come I said heck yes! First finding = delicious food! It wasn't until I was with a missionary who knew less German than I do, that I realized what I had gotten myself into, haha. Good news, I know more German than I give myself credit for. Bad news, I still can't speak this language. I am truly grateful for all that I can do and understand and I am trying to take it just one day at a time. BTW the food after was definitely worth it. 

 

I want to say thank you to all who are praying for me and missionary work. I can really feel your love and support. 

 

Ich habe sie lieb!

 

-Sis Turner

 

Picture 1:  My district last transfer: Sisters Norton, Schrade Lartey and Elders Beck, Geharddson, Hansen and Wolfley

 

Picture 2:  Not the best picture, but I found Humperdinck Staße!

September 2, 2013

Lieber Familie,

 

First transfer finished. CRAzzzy. I will be staying in Lankwitz with Sis Lartey. We are so excited!! We are really trying to get the members involved with the work. For every lesson we plan we try to have a member present. This week we had a tausch (exchange) with the Dahlem Sisters (Norton and Schrade) and the Sister Training Leaders (Walker and Babbit). Shout out to Scott Clark from Sis Babbit, from Morgan, UT.

 

So excited for one family that we are working with. On Monday we brought one of our ward missionaries to the lesson and she was getting the girls so excited to come to church! The girls are so stoked to have friends with similar standards, I am beginning to understand how important the different organizations in the church are such as Primary, YM/YW, RS etc for supporting and strengthening each other. I played the piano again in Primary, love it! German speaking children are soooo cute!

 

In my personal study I have been realizing more and more how merciful and loving our Father in Heaven is. I was reading in Jacob 6 and laughed out loud when Jacob describes our two options a) the Kingdom of God or b) a lake of fire and brimstone and endless torment. It's our choice, it only affects our eternity and he says ''oh be wise; what can I say more?''

The scriptures put it so simply, and yet every day is a struggle to show God my love by being obedient, trusting Him and not getting discouraged. I am so grateful for the Atonement so I have hope and the means to progress and become better each day.

I was thinking about you Dad as I was eating blueberry yogurt and reading Jacob 6:12. You told me that a few years ago when I moved out. I miss and love you.

 

Love you all!!

 

-Sis Turner

 

One more thing.  We have been eating really well....

August 26, 2013

Lieber Familie,

I am sooooo excited for Christmas!!!!!!! Yesterday morning Sis Lartey and I were baking a cake at 6:30 for our Gemeide Essen (ward lunch) and we were playing and singing Christmas music the whole time.

This week has been very interesting.  On Tuesday at the end of our appointment with one of our progressing investigators she asked if we were excited for this Saturday. Of course!.... Is it your birthday?.... No, my baptism!   Ha, wha???

On my first day here (5 weeks ago) we had challenged her to be baptized, but it was never firm. She had dropped our last 2 appointments and hadn't been to church in a few weeks. She told us she really wants to be baptized though. On Thursday we met with her and her family. The Spirit was so strong! Wish I had time to explain but it sufficeth me to say that it was awesome! We have a baptismal date set and we will continue meeting with her and her family!

Cam: we have a member of our ward who just got back from serving in Alberta. So funny, he reminds me of you, and looks like your cousin Clayton.

BTW we learned not to cheap out when buying chicken. Enjoy the pictures....;)

So ZLs Elder Atkinson cut Elder Taylor's hair last week and I will be fixing it today.. Haha

Looks like y'all had so much fun at Lake Powell. I can't believe how big the boys are getting! Jack is so tall! Also thank you for the picture of the boys with the recipes Janae!

Also if anyone sends me packages (not guilt tripping at all, I'm just giving suggestions) We can't buy brown sugar, peanut butter, vanilla extract, recess peanut butter cups, handsanitizer, brownie or cake mixes... I mostly miss peanut butter.

 Dad I need your pie recipes, especially apple, please :)  I tried making the pancakes this week, but we don't have a blender for the egg whites, we don't even have a whisk...so I used a fork and worked with all my might...haha they kinda worked out..hahaha.

So excited for Lindsey and Adam! When does Adam report?

Love you all so much!!

-Sister Turner

August 19, 2013

Lieber Familie,

You know you are a missionary in Berlin when you hear a bus or bahn and immediately start running.

I love Sundays! They are like this magical day that just wipes my memory of all the frustrating stuff that happened during the week. Actually I'm struggling to remember anything that happened this week.

On Friday we decided to go to a part of our area we have never been to in hopes of finding people to teach. We went to a dorf, village, town, (whatever you want to call it) outside Berlin. We didn't have a any luck and we felt like we were wasting time. We went to the bahn stop to wait for the RE. We found a little girl, about Jack's age, named Nora. She was sobbing because her older brother had gotten on the wrong train and accidentally left her by herself. She didn't know where to go or even where she was. We tried to help as best we could and finally decided to pray. We taught her how to pray and told her that anytime, anywhere she can pray to Heavenly Father, especially when she is alone or afraid. Long story short, we waited with her for about an hour and then a family friend came to the rescue and then her dad a few minutes after that. We have had other experiences this week where we didn't know why we were where we where (say that 5 times fast) but we were put exactly where we needed to be. In an MTC devotional Elder Bednar said, or promised, "If you are a good boy or a good girl, obey the commandments and honor your covenants, your steps will be guided, your utterence will be inspired, you will be at the right place at the right time, and you cannot go amiss."

The other day after daily planning, Sis Lartey just started laughing and said "I love being a trainer" Thinking she was being sarcastic I asked her why. She said that because I was new and didn't know what high or low goals were, we set some pretty high goals. She didn't think we would reach them, "But," she said "you come in with all this faith and bam we reached every goal 4 weeks in row!" We have been working so hard, and we really have been so blessed to have investigators almost fall into our laps.

I love this gospel so much and I am so grateful to share it with people all day everyday!

Love you all! Thank you for the letter and picture Cade! I love it!

Headed to the Berlinerdome now ;)

-Sister Turner

August 12, 2013

Lieber Familie,

I feel like every week is a bit of a roller coaster. Sis Lartey and I made our plans and goals for the week, we prayed about it and got to work. P-day we did a little bit of sight seeing, I'll send pictures. On Tuesday all of our appointments fell through except for our appointment with Frau Lach. And she told us she is no longer interested in learning more. All of our back up plans were falling through as well, it was hot, we walked over 12 miles (normally average 5-8), we were exhausted, but we were still smiling! We looked at each other, "Why are we smiling???? Today has been so hard!" I am not exactly sure, but I can definitely feel the Lord strengthening me. Missionary work is so hard, but it is so fun! Wednesday Zone training was great! One thing I learned that I want to apply in helping members become more involved in missionary work is asking them to think about their own conversion. What does the gospel mean to you? Now why are you not telling everyone you know about it? What keeps us from sharing the gospel with others? Being a missionary has got me so excited to be a better member when I'm back home.

On Thursday we saw miracles! We reached our goal of 3 new investigators for the week in one day! Including a man named Zing. We gave him a pass along card and he kept asking questions. He finally invited us into his shop and we taught him for about 40 minutes. We set up another appointment for this week and he is very excited to learn more. On Friday we met with Conny. We met up at a park, cutest park I have ever seen! Seriously, straight out of a fairytale book and planted in the middle of Berlin! I have also decided that I will be proposed to there. Anywhoo Conny is amazing! Right now we are helping her strengthen her relationship with Heavenly Father. We taught her how to pray. It was such a sweet experience (sweet as in tender not SuH-Weet). I know Heavenly Father loves His children so much!

The German language is still incredibly frustrating.... I understand most of what is said at church, and I understand most of what other missionaries say...and that is about it..... I'm not letting it get me down, but it is really hard not understanding what is going on around me. However I am getting pretty good at reading facial expressions and body language, and sarcasm does not translate well.

So this whole fearless bug/spider killing machine thing has gone down the  drain. There are spiders and other weird bugs everywhere! On Tuesday Sis L and I found one that looked like a slug but it had a blue stinger thing. We put it in a cup and it started freaking out and it was strong. We took a few pictures so I might send those later.

We have been doing a lot of running this week and most of that was not for MorgenSport (but when we do run in the morning we run through some amazing places, there are so many random little parks, bridges, ponds, random man-made hills or mounds)....We have had to run to catch so many buses and bahns. Hahaha I wish you could understand how funny this really is. Haha we went to one bus stop, looked at the schedule thought we had missed the bus so we kept watching. I told Sis L I would NOT be running if that bus did come. After a minute, or two, or three, Sis Lartey turns around, sees the bus and yells "oh shizzz" I yelled "Im gonna kill you" Hahah we were laughing so hard we could barely run, we got on the bus sweaty and exhausted, the poeple on the bus may or may not have been laughing at us.... And to all who are concerned, we don't normally yell at each, haha you just had to be there.

On Sunday we had dinner with the Lehmann family. They are so sweet, three little kids. Bruder Lehmann is one of the councelors in the Bishopric. Sachel is the oldest and he is about 4. At church he runs over, grabs my hands, looks up and yells, "Du bist ein Baby" He also thinks my name is Sis Turtle. Haha so cute. Oh and yesterday I played the organ in sacrament meeting. Ha that was interesting. Remember how I taught myself how to play the organ two years ago at the funeral in Teasdale? Well that was the last time I played before yesterday. I may or may not need some more practice...

I miss Jack, Sam, Cade and JD so much! I miss the rest of you too, but mostly those 4 ;) oh and baby Nick! Janae I want to see pictures! Are Sam and Jack soooo excited??

Thank you for all the recipes! Dad can you also send some pie recipes? You learned how to make them on the mish right? Hopefully I can learn to cook and bake in the next 16 months, BTW today is my 2 month mark.

Love you all!!

-Sis Turner

August 5, 2013

Lieber Familie,

 

Ah, where to begin? Throughout the week I think of things I want to write and then when P-day rolls around I forget what I wanted to say. First I'll tell you about some ''little/big" blessings. Four years ago when I was an exchange student in Meißen, I had the worst jetlag. In the middle of the day I would be falling asleep and in the middle of the night I would be wide awake. I don't know how, but I have been so blessed to not have that so we can keep working hard all day. Also I really really really disliked mineral(sparkling) water. I was worried about drinking it at appointments. I was surprised with my first glass here I didn't have a problem and now I even like it. Also (this one reminds me of Sha) my comp is deathly afraid of spiders, and so am I. But somehow I have turned into a fearless bug/spider killing machine. However, I still do not handle snakes very well. Sha, the spiders here are really ugly, but kinda cool, there was one outside our apartment for a few days on a huge web and it hand striped legs.

 

On Wednesday Sis Lartey discovered that her wallet was missing. This literally has everything she needs in it. I was pretty sure it was dropped on the bus the night before. We searched everywhere but couldn't find it. I was worried but I felt that we would find it. We had to find it, we needed it, we're missionaries and Heavenly Father was going to help us. We prayed so many times. On Thursday after Elder Back DL called and said her wallet was at the Bus Depot Lost and found in Dahlem. We went to our next appointment and after we were running to catch the bahn so we could make it before 6 when they closed. We got to the bahn stop just as the train we needed arrived, so we literally ran up the stairs almost slipped on the wet ground around the corner, skirst might have been flying over our heads and the doors closed in our faces. Haha I can't wait to see a replay of that in heaven. We barely missed it and then had to wait for 15 min for the next train...We sat and I started to laugh, ha did that really just happen?? We barely made it to the lost and found on time and we got Sis Lartey's wallet and guess what! EVERYTHING was still in it!! EVERYTHING! We are so blessed!!

 

We had been working hard all week, but a lot of appointments fell through, one investigator who had a baptismal date has dropped off we haven't been able to contact him at all this week, and we weren't even close with our goals. We had been praying and working hard, it has been so hot and we were tired (by the way Dad, I have so much more appreciation for all you do, thank you for working so hard everyday and not complaining). In one devotional in the MTC we were told to develop or work to have the faith to see miracles. I felt that we were putting in the effort, so I began to pray for that specifically. To have the faith for us to see miracles. Ask and ye shall receive. On Saturday afternoon our prayers were answered, we received a referral for a family that we met with and have another appointment for tonight! So excited! Again, it's not about the numbers, but we have been seeing very specific miracles because of specific goals, sincere prayers and hard work. Heavenly Father loves His children so much.

 

Oh hahaha so some missionaries accidentally leave their wallets on buses, well on Friday I accidentally left my companion on the bus....Hahaha we got to our stop, the person in front of me was having a hard time, so I helped them off, turned around to see my comp bent over picking up the cards she had dropped, she looks up in shock to see the doors shut and me waving as she is still on the bus driving away! Hahaha so I walked to the next bus stop, I'm pretty sure I could hear Chariots of Fire playing from the sky as everything went into slow mo as we were reunited. Hahaha I am still laughing about it.

 

Sunday is my favorite! I love meeting with the Gemeinde! They had we play the piano for primary which I loved for two reasons, one of which is that they speak simply enough that I understand most of what they are saying. I love the young women in the ward, they are so sweet. It was really cool hearing everyone's testimonies. The spirit was so strong. After we had lunch with Schwester Gamelin and Schwester Schulte,man these sisters know how to cook, I have never been so full and then they gave a ton of left overs which is awesome because we never have time to make dinner.

I love you all! Sorry I don't have time to respond to everyone, I'll try to send pictures soon.

Have a great week!

 

-Sister Turner

July 29, 2013

Lieber Familie,

 

Ha I am struggling slightly with this German keyboard... Oh by the way I made it to Germany!!! Ha longest day of my liiiiifffffffffffe would be an understatement. by the time I finally went to bed on Wednesday night I had been up for about 33 hours. The flight was great, no problems and it was so fun talking to all of you! By the time we got to the mission home everytime I sat down I almost, or did, fall asleep. Pres Kosak is amazing!! Wish I could explain better but you'll just have to trust me. We went out finding right by the church. Oh my goodness, at that moment I was seriously considering why on earth was I here trying to speak a language I don't know, sharing a message people don't want to hear. I was tired and stressed, trying so hard to smile and just wanting to curl up in a ball and cry. I got your letter when we went back to the church. The first thing I read was the last paragraph all I saw was YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. That night I did a lot of praying and I finally got to sleep. Everything skyrocketed after that! I met my new companion Sis Lartey from Orem,UT. Small world huh? She went to Mtn View, but that's ok ;) We are serving in Lankwitz. Our apartment is about a 4 min walk from the mission home so send all mail and packages there. I can pick them up almost whenever. Oh and always send packages to the mission home. When I'm not so close to the mission home the ZLs bring all packages to Zone Conference and Training, so every 4ish weeks I'll get my packages.

 

Berlin is on fire!! I cannot begin to tell you how many miracles I have seen! The MTC was awesome, but I hate it in comparison to how much I LOOOOVE Germany!! I can feel how much Heavenly Father loves His children. Thursday We met with an investigator named Franciose. She is from Rwanda but lives here with her husband and daughter named Sarah. She has been meeting with the missionaries for a bit. Part way through the lesson my comp leans over and says you should give her the baptismal challenge. She accepted, but she is worried that she won't be perfect.. We still have more to teach but she loves Christ so much. I love seeing the excitement the investigators show when they feel the spirit. Friday we had a distrikt meeting and set some big goals. The leaders told Sis Lartey and I not to worry about numbers this week because I was brand new and we're just getting into the swing of things, but guess what!!!! Miracles are happening, by the end of the week we reached and surpassed goals. We are preparing two investigators for baptism, we have 3 new investigators and we reached our other goals. I know it's not about numbers, but I also know that when you pray for specific goals and then work for them, miracles will happen. Sis Lartey kept telling me: this doesn't happen Sis Turner, we haven't seen numbers like this. Last night the Zone Leader called to tell us how excited he was about the work we have been doing. I know this only possible through Christ because I still can't speak the language. Haha On Saturday we got on the Bahn and we were a little separated I sat down by and man and smiled. He was staring at my name tag, I was too scared to talk to him by myself so I was avoiding eye contact. Ha he was pretty much begging me to say something, so I said oh you noticed my name tag? I'm a missionary. He said ya, smiling looking and me to say more. I gave him a card and told him about eternal families and told him how excited I am that I can live with my family after this life. I asked him if he wanted to learn more and excitedly he said yes! In a "well duh" sorta way. I said great and went to grab my planner to take down his info. He kept smiling looking at me like keep going. I was like, ha wait right now?? My comp then came over and helped me out. We were able to set an appointment and then realized this man, Juma, kept riding the Bahn past his stop so he could keep talking with us. Oh I'm so excited!! I'll tell you more about our other investigators later. Ha I still am laughing at how awkward I was and how Juma almost had to twist my arm to get me to talk.

 

Sunday I got to meet the Lankwitz Gemeinde sp? They had me play for Relief Society because they only have three people in the whole ward who can play. They asked if I can play Hymn #80 I say absolutely and I jump up to the piano and realize it is a German Hymn that I have never heard of, haha I was praying the whole time that I was playing it the way it was supposed to sound. In my interview with Pres Kosak the first day he told he how excited he was that I can play the piano and violin and organ kinda, and that the ward would really need me. Nervously I said ok, but I'll need a heads up and I'll need to practice etc. Pres Kosak said, Sis Turner relax, it's for the Lord not for you, everything will be ok. And it is! Miracles are happening in Lankwitz!

 

Oh I need to tell you about the Ruetz family! They are in the ward, the dad is our Stake Pres. We had lunch with them on Sunday, haha hamburgers and ice water, we felt so American! They are one of the best families I have ever met! Their daughter Leah 17 and Fleur 13 are the sweetest girls and their sons Finn 9 and Goin 2. Little Goin (pronounced John) is the cutest little thing! I love hearing little chubby cheek babies speak in German. Seriously the cutest!!

 

Ok so Sis Lartey is the bomb! Ha I love her so much!! We have a problem though, we never have enough time to talk (believe it or not, ha even though we are already glued at the hip, that's not enough time) so going to bed on time is a little difficult. We're getting better though. I know that companionships are truly inspired!

 

So when I was in Germany 4 years ago it never really got too warm, I must be somewhere else because we are melting here! Hahaha I have never sweat so much in my life! The past few days have been around 35-37 degrees C. And our bedroom is 27 degrees, in the MTC our bedroom was usually 17. I don't know what that translates to in F, but trust me, it's warm. Ha I promise to never complain about AC again. Sis Covey, Bru Ott and Bru Brogden: I am so sorry for complaining about freezing in class. I have now been humbled. It's really not too bad, I'm just always sweating which is definitely new for me.

 

The apartment we live in is so nice! I'll send pictures later.

I hope this letter makes sense and the spelling/grammar ain't too bad ;)

I know that the Lord loves His children everywhere! I have so many amazing experiences I wish I had time to share. Missionary work is fantastic!! I love it! Wiz I am so excited for you!! Will you please write your testimony and send it to me?

Oh it's raining right now!! I love the rain!!

Gotta go! Love you all!

 

-Sister Turner

July 17, 2013

Lieber Familie,

 

Wie geht es Ihnen? I bet y'all are having a great time in Florida! Don't have too much fun without me. Mom, will you be teaching any seminars this time? 

 

I can't believe Tim Hulse is already back, has it really two years? That's awesome you were able to see Anika, I remember when she stayed with us 11 years ago. She would play with Wiz and I on the trampoline. How long is she visiting? 

 

Janae thank you so much for the shoe bags! They are fantastic! Thank you for the Zenfolio instructions, I won't be able to upload any pictures before I leave, but if I have time later I will.

Can you believe that one week from right now I will be in Berlin?!?! Ha it's been kinda crazy realizing that this is our week of "lasts" in the MTC. We are all so excited and a little nervous realizing that we don't yet speak German as well as we would like, but ready or not, HERE WE COME!

 

One thing I will miss is playing Fußball with the sisters in my branch. Yesterday we we playing Fußball on the field and then in turned into American football, ha and then a little bit of Handball and basketball. Eventually I picked up the goal and started to run away with that. Hahaha we have a lot of fun. (Wiz, I have had a bruise on my arm for the past almost two weeks the size of an appricot. Ha I think of you everytimeI see it ;)) I was about to say I have become espcially close with: and then name specific sisters, but I have become so close with all of these sisters. I didn't know I could love and appreciate someone so much, though I've only known them for 5 weeks. I truly am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve them.

 

We received our travel plans on Thursday! We will fly out on Tuesday morning from SLC at 11am. We will have a lay over in Detroit and from there we fly to Amsterdam. We'll have a short lay over and then fly into Berlin at 11am Wednesday morning. I will be able to call on Tuesday before I board in Salt Lake around 9-10ish if you will be home. When you send then package on Monday let me know if you want me to call your cell or the home phone and if you can 3-way Sha and Cade that would be awesome, but if not don't worry.

 

Wiz I am constantly thinking of advice for you, but I always forget by the time I go to type letters. Don't get the pink skirt I got, it's cute, but won't be practical for Honduras. Get skirts you won't need to wear a slip with. I absolutely love my accordian pleated skirts. Start practicing getting ready in 20-25 min and that is with shower included. Learn the best ways to calm yourself down that will allow your companion to stay with you. ie before the MTC I would go run by myself when I would get stressed, but I can't do that here. I usually sit down close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Learn what works best for you. I love you and I know you will be awesome! By the way I have run into Elder Lamb a few times. I recognized him from the picture of you with your future Mission Pres and other missionaries.

 

I wish I had the time to share all I have learned this week, but I don't. One thing I learned last night, perfect love casteth out fear. When we love Christ so much and realize how important this message is for ourselves and everyone, we won't have fear because love/charity is so much greater!

I love you all so much! Please send more pictures/ funny stories of Cade and JD. Have a great week and be safe!

 

-SisterTurner

July 10, 2013

Lieber Familie,

 

Thank you for the package! I was getting low on Reliv and that came just in time. I'm glad you had a great time camping! It sounds like you had a big group. Haha so you lit the neighbors yard on fire?? I thought you learned from Pres Monson's talk that fire is not the right way to get rid of weeds ;)

I really can't believe it has been 4 weeks. We should be getting our travel plans tomorrow. CRAZY!

Indepence Day was really fun. We had a special Patriotic Devotional that night and then watched 17 Miracles. Afterward we went outside to watch the fireworks and eat ice cream. They let us stay up til 11:30. Ha it was really difficult staying awake in class the next day. I'm sorry it rained while you were camping, but the rain here was fantastic! Also tell Cam I finally found/ looked for the cream soda tree. I may have gotten a few odd looks smelling it.

 

This has been a very humbling week. I have been sick for the past two weeks. Don't worry, I'm fine. It got bad at the beginning and seemed to be going away but then it got bad again on Saturday. I received a blessing and some medicine and I felt much better but it still wasn't going away. I went to the doctor yesterday and they gave me an antibiotic. So I'll be fine, it has just been a little frustrating. The language hasn't been coming along as well as I would like. I feel like everyone is finally floating and I'm still drowning in the language. I've had some other struggles and have just been feeling really down. I expect myself to be perfect and I'm frustrated when I'm not.

Last night I was praying begging for help and comfort. The answer I felt was: It's not meant to be easy, only possible. All these things shall be for thy experiece. I realized that I have been trying to do most of this on my own and it took a lot of humbling and bringing me very low to realize that there is no way I can do this on my own. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.   I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who is so very patient with me. "The Lord only has imperfect people to work with. That must be terribly frustrating, but He deals with it. So should we." -Elder Holland

 

On Sunday Pres Peterson called me to serve as the Sister Training Leader for the remainder of our stay at the MTC. I feel grossly underqualified and very inadequate. But I believe the Lord qualifies those He calls, and I am putting my trust in that because I have no idea what I am doing. I pray for a greater capacity to love these sisters and receive guidance for how I can best serve them.

I truly have been so blessed. I am learning so much from my experiences here. Everyone I come in contact with has something to teach me. And I know that Lord places specific people in our lives at just the right time to teach us what we need. And when we act on the promptings of the spirit we are tools in the Lord's hands to bless those around us.

 

Thank you for the letters, packages, support and prayers!  I love you all!

 

-Sister Turner