July 28, 2014

Dear Family,

Woohoohoo (with a nervous excited laugh.)  So this week we have been preparing to merge the Elders program with ours because they are both going home.  They gave us their area books; we had a couple of lessons with them this week so they could introduce us to their investigators.  We have been a little nervous, but we were feeling pretty good about everything.  Saturday morning we got our transfer calls...Sister Sadler is leaving and headed to Braunschweig, I will be training and we will be getting Elders for 3 weeks, and then they both head home.  Instead of closing the Elders, they will be white washing, and then in 3 weeks we will take their program for a transfer or two until we have enough missionaries again.  I go from the youngest missionary in this area to the oldest in a matter of days.  Crazy.  Ha, I am trying not to stress myself out (Dad, I need you here telling me to breathe in and breathe out).  The Lord doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls.  We actually had a conference call on Friday night for all the trainers.  I found out I will be training exactly a year from the day that I met my trainer.  Ha, that has been weird.  Have I really been here a whole year?!  I also cannot believe how much has changed since then.  I like what Präsident Kosak said on the conference call.  He was stressing exact obedience. He said that as trainers, it is ok to make mistakes, but not in obedience.  I am so excited to meet my new companion!!  Please pray for her.  She should be leaving the MTC on Tuesday and she'll be in Berlin on Wednesday.  I will pick her up on Thursday.  Because I can't just hang out here by myself, I will be headed to BERLIN on Tuesday to work with the Lankwitz Sisters for a few days!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am sooooooo excited to see Berlin again!!

This week we celebrated Pioneer day and Christmas in July.  Unfortunately I don't have any pics of that, but I will send you some other pictures.

The Elders passed some of their investigators to us this week, including two wonderful families.  They are making changes in their lives that are bringing them closer to Christ.  One of the families has no religious background, but they are so open and anxious to learn more.  It was wonderful teaching them about God's commandment of obedience, and helping them understand that it is because of His love, that we are given commandments.

Oh my goodness, ha sometimes I just can't believe the Lord calls 18-22ish year-olds as missionaries.  This week we had a moment of ''what, are they nuts?!  We're just kids.  They give us a name tag, a map and a dictionary, and tell us to go save some souls.''  Then we calm down, remember that we are called of God, and that ''It is not your responsibility to convert anyone.  That is the work of the Holy Ghost.  Your task is to share your beliefs and to not be afraid.  Stand true to your convictions and faith.  Stand tall, because you are a daughter of God, and He stands with you!'' Pres. Uchtdorf.

Geez, if I didn't already know this gospel was true, the fact ''that the fullness of [the] gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and simple'' D&C 1:23 (18-22 year olds) sure is another proof for me that we are only the instruments in God's hands.  And what a privilege it is to be close to Him and see His spirit change lives.  And then He blesses us again, Ether 12:27.  This gospel is true.  With the testimony in me that is growing everyday, I am trusting more that this is the Lord's work.  We can all trust in the Lord more.  Have faith, not fear.  I know Heavenly Father loves us, everyone of us.  I love what President Monson said in the Relief Society Session last year, ''Heavenly Father loves you—each of you.  That love never changes.  It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account.  It is not changed by your talents and abilities.  It is simply there.  It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful.  God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love.  It is simply always there.''

Thank you for you love, support and letters!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
Have a fantastic week!

-Sister Turner

No comments:

Post a Comment