Keep on Keepin' on

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, I talked to my family on Christmas.  Apparently my aunt doesn't like that I don't write very much.  I guess this letter won't make her any happier.  It has been a hectic day.  I got to give my companion a trim in the back of her hair.  That was nerve-racking.  Yep.  Next, I am being transferred tomorrow, so I have been packing.  It is so hard to keep everything in two suitcases.  All I know is that I won't need anymore toothpaste or deodorant sent to me for the rest of my mission (and hand sanitizer and chapstick and floss  AND SUGAR).  Next, Sister Billings and I got to go to a blood drive that was being held at the stake center.  We had to lock up.  Then, we rushed ( I may have sped) to the Wilmington 1st Sisters.  We are now emailing.  Fun, fun, fun.  That's about it.  I will send some Christmas pictures next week.  (maybe)

Go with God,

Sister Turley

P.S.  Sister Billings is cracking up as she watches me write this.  I love all y'all.

Christmas Adam Miracle

Dear Family,

Merry Christmas Adam!

I have a miracle story.  In the Wilmington 2nd ward, we have a less active man named Brother George.  (Okay, that isn't his last name, but I will use it here in this story.)  I met Brother George one time before with Sister Budge (I think).  We had a nice chat with him on his porch the first time we met him.  And he asked us if the church was sending sisters now to get him.  He also told us that he knew that he needed to come back to church and explained that he has gone through periods of activity and inactivity.

This week, Sister Billings and I were riding our bikes in a neighborhood, trying to find potential investigators and less active members.  We were heading to a potential investigator's home, but I yelled at Sister Billings (we have to yell to be heard when riding bikes) that we should turn around. I just thought we should go visit Brother George.  So, we knocked on his door.  He invited us in.  His wife was there but did not participate.  She is also less active but wants nothing to do with the church.  We were able to share 2 Nephi 19:6 with Brother George.  We then discussed the roles of the Saviour.  Before we left, he told us that we was about to give up hope again.  But, we were able to invite the Spirit into his life again.

The Zone Leaders said that they stopped by the next day, and Brother George said that it must be a sign that both sets of missionaries stopped by his home.  I love Brother George.  He may seem a little gruff at first, but he is so gentle.  He is funny, and he has a lot of love.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

First Transfer Training Meeting

Dear All,

The highlight of this week was the 1st transfer training meeting.  Each new missionary and their trainer gets to go to this meeting.  So, this was my third transfer in a row going to it.  I also went to this meeting when I was out for my first transfer.  And, they say the same thing every time.  I knew what stories they were going to share, what role plays we would do, what scriptures we would read, and others.  So, at the beginning I was thinking about what the theme was of the meeting.  I decided that the theme was "Book of Mormon and Holy Ghost."  I have been trying to apply what I have heard for the four times that I have been to this meeting.  Then, it finally struck me that I was putting in an honest effort to use the Book of Mormon in contacting and lessons (there is always room for improvement, but that is besides the point), but I realized that I need to work a lot harder with inviting the Spirit.

So, this week, I have been working on inviting and recognizing the Spirit.  My studies this week have focused on prayer and faith.  My prayers have been more sincere this week.  I am trying to invite the spirit more.  

Below is a picture of the package I received from Grandma Hunt this week.  It is hard to see, but it is triangular.  I got it at the 1st transfer training.  I think the mission office knows that the mission president will see me about every week, so they just hold all of my packages and wait until my next meeting to have the president give it to me.  But, one of the assistants to the president, Elder Pollard, picked it up and asked me if I had received a bazooka.  I told him, "No, it is a giant Toblerone."  He asked me, "Really?!"  Then I responded that I didn't know.  At first I thought it was from Lari, and so I mentioned that she probably knew where to find one though.  And, yes I am in my pajamas in the picture (scandalous).

Thanks for all of the support.  I am sorry that my letters are so awful.  Thanks for all of the packages.  My roommate sure loves them too.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

The Book of Mormon

Dear World,

The Book of Mormon is true.  Just read it.  Just pray sincerely.  Just thank Heavenly Father for the knowledge.  And then, share it with someone else.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

One Picture

I thought I would send a picture this week.  I love this giant pine cone.

Light and Dark

Dear Family and Friends,

A few random notes:  I am working on enthusiasm.  Some things in this letter may look sarcastic, but I am just fantastically happy.  Without happiness and enthusiasm, the work is dull and pointless, and nobody will want to hear what we have to say.  Also, we had no car this week because we are now sharing the car with the Spanish-speaking Elders.  Okay, those were my random notes.

Well, I think you all know that this week held Thanksgiving day.  I tracted.  YES!!!  I love it!  Well, that was my Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful to be a missionary.

Right now, one of the biggest struggles is darkness.  Winter is my fourth favorite season.  It is cold. It is dark.  It is cold and dark.  So, I think it makes my top 4 list.  Sister missionaries have to be indoors by the time it is dark, so at 4:30 PM.  When we tract for our whole mission, that is a struggle.  We can't knock on doors or street contact for 4 1/2 hours of the day.  We do our best to get appointments during those hours, but many times we end up having to stay in our apartment.  The darkness keeps us inside.

Today, in my personal study, I was in Doctrine and Covenants 10.  Verses 58-70 talk a lot about the character of Christ.  Jesus Christ is light.  He says, "I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not."  Based on this,  I know that I need to work harder.  I can do it.  Sister Billings and I are going to find ten new investigators this month.  We are going to have two baptisms this month.  We are going to talk with everyone.  We will do our very best, our very very very very very very very best.  We love the people of North Carolina!  We are here to save them and let them know that they can turn to the light.  The darkness cannot stop us.  The darkness cannot stop investigators.  The Light will lead us to victory.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Oh, the Holidays!

Dear Family and Friends,

I thought I would share a fun story with you.  Sister Billings, my new companion waiting to go to Australia, and I were driving to our dinner appointment a few nights ago.  There is a street named St. Nicholas Drive in the neighborhood that we were in, and we eventually crossed it as well.  Here is the conversation we had after we passed it.

Me:  We just passed over St. Nicholas Drive.

Sister Billings:  Okay? (as in why are you telling me this?)

Me: I thought I would let you know that we just ran over Santa.

Sister Billings and I just started laughing.

Well, there goes Christmas.  The Grinch doesn't have to steal it this year.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving, here is a list of what I am thankful for, especially being on a mission:

- going to church every week

- Heavenly Father's patience

- a car

- other missionaries that inspire to do better

- laughing

- people who read the Book of Mormon

- when words come out of my mouth when contacting

- support of my wonderful family

- and more and more

Thank you.  I love all y'all.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

I'm not lost. (Although some people here think I am.)

Dear Family and Friends,

I know.  I didn't write last week.  [insert maniacal laughter here  (if that so pleases you)]  Let me explain why.

On November 5, my district had interviews with President Bernhisel.  One of his first questions was if I felt I was more adaptable than when I first came on my mission.  I replied that I feel I adapt pretty well, even before my mission.  Then, he interviewed me.  Then, he told me that Sister Frampton's visa had arrived.  That is exciting!  But, the Norway Oslo Mission's transfers were in one week.  So, she would be leaving on Monday.

So, we traveled to Raleigh on November 11.  Raleigh is almost 2 1/2 hours from Wilmington, depending on who is driving as it always goes.  So, we spent the day traveling.  We dropped Sister Frampton off at the mission office, and the mission office sisters were going to drop her off at the airport.  I also got the chance to change my home address and ward while I was there.  Then, I traveled home.  My companions for the next few hours were a mother and daughter from the Wilmington wards.  The daughter is in the YSA branch, and the mother is in the ward I am serving in.  That was fun.  I love the Lynches.

Then, I met the Wilmington 1st sisters.  We got my suitcase and my food and headed to the Zone Leaders' apartment.  We had to get a foam pad from them that I could sleep on.  Then, we went to the Wilmington 1st sisters' apartment.

On Tuesday, November 12, we had a mission tour where Elder Baxter talked to us.  The meeting was in Fayetteville, which is about two hours away from Wilmington.  So, we spent the day traveling and also sitting on our bottoms listening to a seventy tell us how to find people to teach.  Needless to say, I was very excited when we got to do some exercising in the morning.  I was so thankful that I got to stretch.

Wednesday, we did transfers with the Sister Leaders.  So, we got to travel for an hour to Holly Ridge to pick up the Sister Leader and drop off Sister Likovich, one of the Wilmington 1st sisters.  Then, we headed back to Wilmington.  Then, we had to switch back the next morning as well.

Then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were fairly normal days.  Sunday, we went to 5 hours of church and also had a few other meetings.  Then, we had a church tour with one of my (Wilmington 2nd's) investigators.  And, today is Preparation day, so I am actually sending a letter.

Tomorrow is transfer day.  I get to travel to Raleigh again.  I get another companion.  I set a personal record this transfer for companions per transfer.  I only had four: Sister Budge, Sister Frampton, Sister Doty, and Sister Likovich.  I am starting my 5th transfer tomorrow, and I have already had six companions.  Tomorrow I get another visa-waiter.  The ward members joke that I am going to be in the Wilmington 2nd ward for my entire mission.  The Lord must have a work for me to do.

I know this church is true.  I know that life changes quickly.  I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet.  I know that Savior lives.  I know that through the Atonement we can change our lives.  This is a gospel of forgiveness.  This is a gospel in enduring with smiles on our faces.  I love all y'all.  I hope you are doing well.  Heavenly Father loves all y'all too.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

It's almost Christmas! . . . I mean, Halloween.

Sorry, this is the email from last week  --Sister Turley

Dear Family and Friends,

Welp, I got a new companion this week.  I know, it wasn't transfers this week; my other companion went home on Medical Release.  And, I am on a roll: having a change in companionship every transfer.  Yet, I am still in the same area.  I don't think that will change next transfer either.  My new companion is Sister Frampton.  She is waiting for her visa. She will be heading to Norway.  We don't know when it will come, but I am guessing it is coming sometime at the end of this transfer.  She has been in North Carolina for a week, so I am training again.  And, I get an hour of language study every day.  I get to hear a lot of prayers in Norwegian.  I am sure I will come out of this companionship with a few Norwegian phrases stuck in my head.  I already have a few.

I have to say, Sister Frampton is my most motivated companion so far.  I love it.  She actually takes action and plans and invites herself over to have lessons.  She is willing to keep working during the entire day.  I love it.  I am so excited for this transfer.  I have a lot of hope for this transfer.

On Saturday, the Wilmington 2nd ward had their Halloween Party.  So, we first got some service in by helping the Relief Society President get hot dogs ready.  Sister Frampton, the brother we were working with (Brother N), and I had a pretty good system.  I would open the buns, Sister Frampton would hold the buns while Brother N put the hot dogs in the buns, and then Sister Frampton would close them and set them in the trays.  We got to do this for a few hundred hot dogs.  I didn't end up eating any hot dogs, but I had some chili that was made for the chili cook-off.

After dinner was trunk-or-treat.  We had a fantastic turnout.  Sister Frampton and I talked to so many less active members and nonmembers.  I got to talk to a girl named Savannah.  She is not a member, but she has been coming to church for a while now.  She went to Youth Conference this summer, and she is going to seminary now.  She comes to church and seminary with the Stake President's daughter.  I got to talk to her, and then I talked with the Stake President's wife.  I feel that we might be getting a new investigator sometime soon.

Sunday was the Primary Program.  And, the women with callings in Primary have been working for weeks to get children to invite their friends to come see what they do in Primary/church.  There were a few families that came that I had never seen before.  Sister Frampton and I split up to meet different people.  She got quite a few more appointments than me, but I will work on that.  I am constantly working on being more bold.  I have a lot of work to do in that area.

Sister Frampton and I had an interesting conversation about God last night.  A question that I posed was, "Because God cannot lie, isn't that limiting God?"  The conclusion that I have come to in my mind is that because God also has agency, just like all of His children, He does have a choice to lie or to tell the truth.  But, because He chooses to tell the truth, He shows how much power He has.  He is able to create more and give more because He chooses to tell the truth.  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland states, "The Father's course was one of agency and choice--the freedom to err but ultimately the freedom to succeed."  This comes from his talk in the September 2013 Ensign.I read it this week, and it is great.  Will you all read it again this week? 

Apparently, I had a lot more to say this week than last.  I love all y'all.  I hope you have a fantastic week.   Doctrine and Covenants 100:1.  I know that God is doing this for me, but I don't exactly understand how He is doing it and planning on doing this.  Life comes, but the Lord knows about it a lot more than we do.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Cemeteries and No Soliciting

Dear Family and Friends,

I thought I would send some pictures.  Yay. So exciting.

This picture is of Sister Frampton and me.  We took this picture on October 28 (last Monday, and also Sister Frampton's birthday).  We got to go to the beach with the other Sisters, who are serving in the Wilmington 1st ward.

This was a less active week.  We saw a lot of less active members this week.  We are here to reactivate.  We have been getting better at having visiting teachers come with us.  We are hoping to find more and more this week as well.  We will keep on keepin' on.  (That is a phrase that people like out here.)

Okay, this is one last picture.  I took this picture when Sister Budge was still my companion.  It looks like we won't be going into that neighborhood much anymore.  I don't know if I have said this already, but I am going to say it again: every neighborhood is a 'no soliciting' neighborhood. 

Sorry I don't have more to write.  I am working, I promise.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Short Reply

Dear Family,

Arlene responded once, asking if I could write any shorter.  I now take that challenge: I am well.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Still Finding

Dear Family and Friends,

We had a miracle this week.  We haven't had hardly any appointments; we have been given bad dates to come by again; we ask members for referrals and receive nothing; we had three dinners with members; but, we had a miracle.

We haven't been able to get a hold of Adam for two weeks.  He has had some troubles, and backed away for a little while.  We have called him, and Facebook messaged him, and gone to his home, but nothing.  During the second session of General Conference, he texted us.  He said that he was going to do it.  He was going to fast the next day.  Then, his girlfriend called because we were planning on meeting with her anyways, so we went to their house immediately after the session.  We set up goals and plans for him to be baptized.  We don't have a date for him, but we have hope that he will be making some changes.  We had a miracle.

We also got to go to the temple this week.  It was amazing.  We went with a sister in the ward.  I accidentally fell asleep in the back of her car (I tend to fall asleep a lot).  But, she is wonderful.  She is trying to get her son's girlfriend to meet with us this week.  So, we have hope that she will be able to set up a time.

 I love all y'all.  Have a wonderful week.  Work harder than you have ever worked before, and then work a little harder.  That is what Sister Budge and I need to do this week.  This week is all about talking with everyone.  I love all y'all.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

The Value of Sister Missionaries

Dear Family,

I tend to have a lot of interesting weeks out here in North Carolina.  And, guess what, this week has been an interesting week.

A few weeks ago, Sister Budge and I were at the home of a teenage boy who had been baptized a few years earlier.  We were sharing a scripture about service.  Then, he asked, "Can you give blessings?" We told him, "No, we don't have the Priesthood."  So then he asked, "Then what do you do?"  We told him that we teach people.  But, the question has stuck with me.

That has stuck with me.  I thought about it a lot today during study.  As Sisters, we cannot give Priesthood blessings.  But, we can still invoke the powers of God and use the Atonement to help others receive blessings.  The biggest reason why I came on a mission was for the blessings of my family.  I may not be able to have the Priesthood and bless others in that way, but I can certainly help bring blessings to people.  Blessings are not limited to Priesthood, but they are enhanced.  Sister Budge and I can bless the lives of others.  We help people make commitments that allow them to receive blessings.

Anyways, Sister Budge and I have a new motto:  GOIN' POACHIN'.  Our ward is split into an Elders' area and a Sisters' area.  Sister Budge and I will now be working a lot more in the Elders' area.  When Sister Budge and I decided that we would start "poaching," I just felt relieved.  I felt free. I feel that we will be getting a lot more work done now.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

He has a plan.

Dear Family and Friends,

First of all, yes, I am now on Facebook.  Some strange person did not hack my account, but I do have to say that it is still a strange person who is posting on it.  This should be an interesting endeavor.  It will be just like proselyting in the area, but online.

Next, Sister Budge and I are still in the process of finding.  As missionaries, we will always be in the process of finding.  

One of our investigators, Anne, made it to Stake Conference on Saturday.  That was a big step for her.  We have been asking her to come to church for a while.  I know that her heart is being softened.  Her daughter, Theresa, is a member.  After lessons, Theresa will stay and talk to Anne.  They discuss what we have just taught and how they feel.  On Sunday, Theresa came up to us and told us that she has seen many changes in Anne in the past few weeks.  She told us that Anne has begun to open up.  I love Anne. I just want her to be able to trust us even more.  We asked Theresa how we can help Anne trust us, so Theresa will be thinking of more for us to do.

Spiritual Message: From the Plan of Salvation pamphlet, page 10: "In paying for your sins, Jesus did not eliminate your agency or personal responsibility--He will not make you clean against your will."  I haven't thought about that much, but it makes complete sense.  If we don't want to be clean, we won't be.  If we resist, He lets us.  We get to choose.

I love the gospel.  I love the work.  It's hard, but I love it.  There is no instant gratification in this work.  Everything comes step by step.  The reward we earn is love.  We love the people of North Carolina.

Go with God,
Sister Turley

Passion for Finding

Dear Family and Friends,

Sister Budge and I are still developing a passion for finding.  We are continually searching for people to teach. Last week, I wrote about Mormon 9.  This week, I reread Mormon 9, and read alongside it Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk from April 2013 General Conference "It's A Miracle."  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/its-a-miracle?lang=eng

My goal is for my faith to overcome my doubt.  The Lord requires a lot from missionaries.  A quote on my desk says, "Faith in the Lord includes faith in His timing."  Sister Budge and I had a discussion about that today.  We need to be patient but urgent.  It is somewhat of an oxymoron, but it is what the Lord requires of us.

There isn't much else to say.  We are in the process of finding.  I love all y'all.  Have a wonderful week.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Mormon 9

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a Mormon 9 week, in several ways.  I have had quite a few experiences with Mormon 9 that I want to share.  I have three in particular that stick out from this week.  The experiences have to do with my quadruple combination, finding, and teaching.

QUADRUPLE COMBINATION

For my mission, I received a new quadruple combination.  I got my name on it and it closes with snap and it is nice and shiny.  As I have been on my mission, I have super-glued the edges because the outside leather wasn't really put on correctly, so it just has been coming off.  I have noticed that the snap comes undone easily.  And, around Alma 30ish, there are tears in the pages right next to the binding.  But, with all of this, I love my quadruple combination.  Then, we were reading Mormon 9 this week.  We were reading it with Adam.  I looked at a member's Book of Mormon and noticed that her copy looked different than mine.  I looked at my pages a little more closely and realized that I was missing 2-3 pages.  My copy didn't come with the end of Mormon 9 or Ether 1.  Luckily, we didn't read all of Mormon 9, so I wasn't lost.  I still know the Book of Mormon is true without having all of the pages in my quadruple combination.

FINDING

Since I have been companions with Sister Budge, we have really been struggling to find people to teach all day.  We have had to resort to tracting.  I had become a little disappointed and wondered how I was disappointing the Lord to cause Him to not let us have people to teach.  What was I doing wrong?  In my personal study in the Book of Mormon, I was reading Mormon 9.  Mormon 9 talks all about how God is a God of miracles.  Mormon 9:21 says, "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

I need to doubt nothing.

TEACHING

Right after church on Sunday, we had a lesson with Adam.  We talked about the Word of Wisdom.  We read part of this chapter with him.  I know that he can quit smoking as long as he trusts in God. I trust Heavenly Father, and I pray for Adam every day.  I know that he can do this.  I just want Adam to keep that every day, and remember the feelings he has every day.

God is a God of miracles.  Ask; He will hear you.  I promise.  I know.  He hears everyone.  He will help you find opportunities to share the gospel.  Go out and share.  Be lovingly fearless.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Well, There Goes the District

Dear Family and Friends,

This is the letter from last week.  I didn't have enough time to send this to my blog.  

Here is a wonderful picture of the Wilmington District.  It is about to change. Only one of the five companionships will stay the same.  That's about all I can say.  I am having a hard time not laughing as I look at the picture.  I am pretty sure I got the most normal-looking picture out of all of our cameras.  

The only companionship that is staying the same is Elder Hook and Elder Larkin.  Elder Hook will be the new district leader, and they are in the Leland area, so the district won't even be the Wilmington district any more.  I will now be in the Leland District.  Elder Mora and Elder Salinas were the Spanish-speaking missionaries in the district.  Elder Salinas will be training this next transfer, so Elder Mora will no longer be in the district.  Elder Williams and Elder Peck are the zone leaders, but Elder Williams is being transferred, so we will have a new zone leader. Elder Perryman is heading home.  He starts school in a few days. (I think he is crazy: only a few days.) I don't know if Elder Packard will be training or not.  And, Sister Shaum is leaving me to go train a new sister in Pinehurst.  And, so I will also be training a new sister here in Wilmington.  That releases me from my Sister Leader duties.  I don't have to teach in any zone meetings this transfer.

PRIESTHOOD

For the past two weeks, I have really been trying to get to know the pamphlets that we use in our lessons.  I have been reading the Restoration pamphlet. As I have been reading, one topic has been repeated: revelation.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are able to receive revelation for ourselves and have the blessings of revelation through a living Prophet.  I know that revelation, or communication from God, is important for our welfare.  We would not be able to be saved without revelation.  Jacob 4:8

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Warning: Here Comes A Novel

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has gone by pretty quickly. Sister Shaum and I always feel that we don't know where time has gone. We get to Sunday evening and think, "Wow! It is already a new week. What did we do?"

ADAM and NATASHA

This week we didn't meet with a ton of people, but there are two people that we have met with a lot. Those two are Adam and Natasha. As we have been teaching them, they have changed so much.  We are still working on some stumbling blocks as we prepare Adam for baptism, but these two are completely different people than when we first met them.  I love these two.  They are great.  Natasha has read the Book of Mormon twice since we first met her.  Sister Shaum and Sister Klingler had already met with her once or twice before I came out to Wilmington, but she has read it twice in the few months that I have been out here.

Adam taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us this week.  It was a wonderful lesson.  We gave him the pamphlet before so he could use it to teach us.  He had many great questions that he asked us.  He has come a long way.  He loves the gospel.  He loves the Book of Mormon.  He has such a great testimony.

BURMESE PEOPLE

The Zone Leaders, or the Elders that are in the same ward as Sister Shaum and me, have been teaching a community of Burmese people.  Sister Shaum and I had the opportunity this week to go read the Book of Mormon with one girl and her family.  Her name is Mue.  Her mother knows no English, and her siblings and she know only a little bit of English.  They speak Corin.  It was rather fun to teach them, but it is difficult to get past just following Jesus.  We read the Book of Mormon, but we had to pause after each verse and summarize in very simple terms.  We started with the very first chapter.

As we were reading, we came to the part of the chapter where Lehi is having a vision.  He saw a pillar of fire on top of a stone.  I just sat there thinking, "How do we tell people that fire on a rock is God?"  I thought about how crazy some things in the Book of Mormon are.  How do we believe these things?  What have I been taught my whole life?  All I know is that the Book of Mormon brings the spirit into my life.  It has led me through rough times.  I know that as I continue to read the Book of Mormon, I will continue to feel the spirit.  Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways.  We will not be able to know all about God in this life.  It is only our job to trust Him and continue to endure to the end.

I love all y'all.  I hope you are doing well.  Continue to listen to the prophet.  It is almost General Conference.  It is almost Christmas.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Who is Jesus Christ?

Dear Family and Friends,

Last Wednesday, I had an interesting experience.  Our district was having district meeting.  We were role playing. I decided that I would role play as Makenna.  This is a person that I truly love and care for.  I was interested in what the experience would be like as I tried to figure out what was going on in her head.  As I role played, I got to thinking: "Who is Jesus Christ?  And why is He so important to me?"

Who is Jesus Christ?

There is a hymn that is not often sung.  It perfectly describes Jesus Christ.  The title is "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

A mighty fortress is our God,

A tower of strength ne'er failing.

A helper mighty is our God,

O'er ills of life prevailing.

He overcometh all.

He saveth from the Fall.

His might and pow'r are great.

He all things did create.

And he shall reign for evermore.

     

Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  He is the creator of the world.  He suffered and was resurrected for all mankind.  Jesus Christ loves us all.  He went about doing good.  

Who is Jesus Christ?  He is my brother, my friend, my comfort, my hope, and much much more.

Why is He so important to me?

I think about my mother every day. The phrases that provoke me to think about my mother are "O'er ills of life prevailing.  He overcometh all."  This at first seems contradictory that He prevails over ills and overcame them, yet my mother died of leukemia.  I know that He has overcome these illnesses that they will not last forever.  There is a life to come after death.  In THAT life, there is no illness; no one will die again.  But, we must experience sorrow and pain in our mortal life for our immortal life to mean anything to us.

The Savior is real.  He loves me.  He loves my sister, Makenna.  He loves my siblings--Emmett, Cherise, and Griffin.  He loves my father Darren.  He loves my step family.  He loves my extended family.  He loves my spiritual family.  He loves all of my brothers and sisters.  He is a strength to them and to me.

Why is He so important to me? Without Him, I am nothing.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Quick Thoughts

Dear Family and Friends,

Sister Shaum and I ran out of time today to do everything, so this note will be rather simple.  This Wednesday, I got to teach at Zone Training Meeting.  Sister Shaum and I talked about using Preach My Gospel with members.  My thoughts during preparation and during the lesson were just that I am thankful that I have been using Preach My Gospel since it was printed.  I knew even before my mission that it was for more than just missionaries.  But, I didn't really use it too often.  I am grateful that my parents decided that we should use Preach My Gospel for family home evenings.  The one thought that has stuck with me is "If we treat the members like missionaries, they will act like missionaries."  The General Conference talk that I think of when I think of this statement is the talk from President Thomas S. Monson titled "See Others as They May Become" from October 2012.  I know that as we see others as what they can become, they will be more likely to achieve their potential.  I love all y'all.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Retry

Dear Family and Friends,

As a sister leader, I get to do exchanges now.  Last week as we were on exchanges,one thought kept running through my mind: "Who am I to judge another, when I walk imperfectly?"  (Hymn # 220)  I was being the "leader" to a Sister who has trained at least two other Sisters.  I was the one doing all of the learning.  I haven't even been out for the whole training period. And, yet again this Wednesday, I have to fulfill my duties as a Sister Leader.  I get to teach during Zone Training.  Kit sent a letter saying that Heavenly Father puts us in positions that cause us to grow.  I believe that with my whole soul.

One other thing that I have been learning this week is hard work.  The Lord requires our every effort.  Alma 60:35 says, "Now see that YE fulfil the word of God."  Heavenly Father requires us to be the means of the fulfilling of His servants' prophecies.  A quote that I heard at District meeting about a week ago was: "Pray as if it all depends on God; work as if it all depends on you."  The other quote that I heard at that district meeting was "Light a man a fire, he'll be warm for a night.  Light a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life."  But, my focus has been more on the first quote.  I have a lot of work to do.  It is going to require all of my energy.  I have to work to the point where I have nothing left to give.  I have also bee reading President Hinckley's talk "Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep" which talks about hard work.  There is much work to do.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

City of Enoch

Dear Family and Friends,

A few weeks ago, the Wilmington 2nd ward had a change in Elders Quorum Presidency.  Sister Shaum and I got to have dinner with the new Elders' Quorum President and his wife last Sunday.  We asked him what his vision was for the Wilmington 2nd ward.  He told us that his vision was the City of Enoch.  I have somewhat adopted that vision.  I wrote it down. I then later modified it to have more meaning to me.  What exactly does it me to have a translated city?  I have come up with the idea that it means a city of avid temple goers.  We have to get ourselves and others to regularly go to the temple.  So, I have set that as my vision.  

I have also found my vision for myself as a missionary.  My vision is Alma 48:11-13,17,18.  This is the passage that describes Moroni.  Verse 17 is the verse that says, "if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever."  But, the verses that mad me realize that this is my vision were the first two that describe Moroni: strong, mighty, "of a perfect understanding," liberty, freedom, thanksgiving, and "who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people."  His goal was to defend his people and bring them to safety.  That is my goal.

This week we said farewell to some members who are moving to Texas.  They were great at attending lessons.  We will miss them.

Every time I saw Sister M, I thought of my mom.  Her mannerisms are somewhat similar, and she is trying to teach her children the same things that my mom tried to teach her children.  She knows the gospel is true and wants to share it.  Her daughter will be attending BYU this year.  She came to a few of the lessons with some young women age girls.  She has a powerful testimony and the love needed to share it with others.  I am truly thankful that I got to meet the M family.

Family and friends, I am thankful to be out here in Wilmington.  I am already making quite a few changes.  I know that God lives and He loves each one of us.  God knows what we need; we don't.  We know what we want, but sometimes we have no idea what we need.  That is why we are all called to serve.  We need to reach out and show others what Heavenly Father knows they need.  I love you.  Keep moving forward.  Do the will of God.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Big Changes in the Wilmington Zone

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a bit interesting.  We had Zone Conference on Tuesday.  There, our district (and zone) learned of a few changes that are taking place.  First, here is a picture of the Wilmington District from Tuesday.

I tell a little about these missionaries from left to right.  Sister Klingler is being transferred tomorrow.  I will no longer be in a "tripanionship."  She will be a Sister Leader (our mission doesn't call them Sister Training Leaders because it is confusing with trainers and training leaders) in a different zone.  Sister Turley is me.  I was told at the end of Zone Conference that I will be a Sister Leader.  Sister Shaum is still a Sister Leader.  (I am sorry to Sister Shaum.  This is the best picture that was taken on my camera.  Elder Peck was not cooperating.)  Elder Peck and Elder Williams are the zone leaders.  They serve in the same ward as Sister Klingler, Sister Shaum, and me.

Elder Hook will be training a new Elder that arrived in Raleigh today.  Elder Winger is going home tomorrow.  The Brother who was taking our picture kept saying that he was afraid of meeting Elder Winger because he had heard such great things about him.  It was rather funny.  Elder Perryman is the district leader.  And, Elder Packard is a great pianist.

This week at Zone Conference, we learned about goals.  We had an "unofficial poll" by the zone leaders.  They asked who in the zone has met or exceeded most of the goals written in their planners.  From the response, we realized that we need to work a little harder to achieve our goals.  My companions and I also got to meet with the new Elders Quorum President on Sunday, and he also talked about goals.  So, what I learned is that we need to write down our goals.  And then do them.  We need to remind ourselves every day what our goals are.  As we remember what our goals are, we are more likely to achieve them.  I know that Heavenly Father will help us achieve our goals if we put in the effort to write them down, read them every day, and work hard.  I love all y'all.  Keep moving forward.

Go with God,

Sister Camille Turley

P.S. My aunt Lari asked if we are on Tornado watch.  My mission is a great target for Hurricanes.  The mission was told to start preparing before I even arrived.  We have buckets that we are supposed to put some belongings and food and other supplies in.  We also have a designated "safe house" that we are to go to if a hurricane is coming our way.  A few weeks ago, our district meetings were about preparation for storms and the different steps to take depending on the severity of the storm.

We have already survived the storm Andrea (just a bunch of rain).  And Hurricane Chantel is headed our way, but it should die down to just rain (if even that) by the time it reaches Wilmington.  I hope we have some good storms this summer.

Book of Mormon

This is the email from last week.  For some odd reason, my emails are being returned to me.

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been rather interesting.  We have quite a few new investigators, but we also lost a few investigators.  We were able to have members at almost all of our lessons.  That is something that missionaries love and need more of.  We want to have members at every lesson possible.  So, help the missionaries out and invite them to have you tag along.  One day, we had a pre-missionary stick with us for most of the day.  We exchanged missionaries (so we had a Jacksonville 2nd ward Sister with us), and then we dropped our car off and hopped into the girl's car.  It was a flock having four of us going everywhere.

Thursday was Independence Day.  We went to the ward's pancake breakfast, and I got to wear a red, white, and blue outfit.  The pancakes were delicious, but the turnout was not what we were expecting.  We thought more people would show up.  That evening, we had hamburgers at the Elder's Quorum President's home.  We then watched their little firework show.

That is about it for the week.  I read the Book of Mormon.  I read in Alma 26.  And, I thought about the phrase "instruments in his hands."  I thought about a piano.  If each person were a key (very large piano), Heavenly Father is able to use us to make beautiful melodies.  If we are stuck, we don't help much with the melodies.  So, we have to unstick ourselves.  The phrase that I wrote in the margin is "Humble ourselves to become melodious in the Lord's hands."

I love all y'all.  I hope you are doing well.  Keep trusting the Lord and helping the missionaries.  We love working with members.  Have a fun week.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

God our Strength will Be

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been raining hard.  We have rainstorms every day.  Whenever we talk to someone about the weather, they have to tell us that it is the abnormal for it to rain like this.  They say that they usually have little showers every day in June, but it has been pouring.  When we go running, we have to watch out for a ton of puddles.

On Friday, I had an interesting experience.  Both of my companions are Sister Leaders (the Sister "Zone" Leaders).  Mission Leadership Council was held on Friday.  So, all of the Sister Leaders and Zone Leaders and the Assistants to the President and the President and the President's wife gathered in Knightdale to have the council.  Because of strange circumstances, I got to sit in the council.  Sitting and listening really put into perspective how new the large numbers of Sister missionaries are.  Not until recently have they even had Sister Leaders.  So, they have a lot of questions about going on exchanges.  It was great to realize how much the work is being hastened. I love the gospel, and I am glad to be a part of the hastening.

On Saturday, Bonita was baptized.  She was confirmed on Sunday.  She already got started on family history work this week.  She has been asking about the temple for a while.  We cannot wait for her to start doing baptisms for the dead in the temple.

After the baptism, we got a ride home from a member.  Then we rode our bikes to contact a referral.  It was the first time riding our bikes.  My bike was working great.  But, Sister Klingler's bike was having some problems.  She got it for $100, and it showed.  It worked alright until the person riding it realized that the other two companions were several yards ahead.  Sister Shaum and I had to ride the bike most of the time because Sister Klingler has asthma and cannot be riding a problematic bike for a few miles.  Also, since Sister Klingler is a bit shorter than Sister Shaum and me, the bike was a bit small.  My legs were coming up a little higher than I would have liked.  

I got to ride the small bike for the final stretch.  As we were entering the neighborhood, all I could do to keep going was breathe, "GOD our STRENGTH will BE (inhale) PRESS FORWARD ever CALLED to SERVE our KING" repeatedly until we were at the house.  The Upper Case words were exhaled and the lower case words were inhaled.  I have never been known for my endurance, so God was my strength.  It was all I could do. And, I made it.  Afterwards, I thought it was really fun.  Just the last stretch was complicated.

I know that God is our Strength. When we rely on Him, we are given the power to press forward.  But when we rely on our own strength, we are weak and unable.  I love my Heavenly Father.  I love Jesus Christ.  I love the Holy Ghost.  I am weak, but I am able to continue through the grace of God.  I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve my Father and to bear witness of His name. I am inadequate to bear the name of Christ, but Christ is so powerful and His message so sweet that the human inadequacies do not frustrate the work.  Only when we forget the Lord do our inadequacies keep us from doing His will.  I love all y'all.  I hope you are doing well.

Go with God,
Sister Turley

Week of 6/17-6/23/13

Dear Family and Friends,

This week, we had exchanges.  My companions are the Sister Leaders, so I will be working with quite a few Sister missionaries in the next few weeks.  This week, Sister Brunner came down to Wilmington.  Sister Brunner is serving in the Jacksonville 2nd ward.  Sister Shaum trained her also.  

This is us.  From left to right: Sister Shaum, Sister Turley, Sister Klingler.  This is the village that is raising me.  We had exchanges this week, and this was at our exchange point.  Sister Shaum is always taking pictures, so she had to take some with the other Sisters as well.  I thought that I should get my camera out because we were already taking pictures, and Sister Shaum doesn't approve that I only have about seven pictures on my camera.

This week, we visited a Chinese sister and her son.  Last week when we visited, she was making homemade dumplings, and this week she had made Mochi.  It was delicious.  The filling was red bean paste.  I loved it. 

We learned that we will be getting another set of missionaries in Wilmington 2nd ward.  We have to share them with the 1st ward though.  They will be Spanishi-speaking missionaries.  That means that we will have three sets of missionaries in the Wilmington 2nd ward.  And, sister missionaries should be moving into the 1st ward soon.  So, by the end of the year, we should have at least 5 companionships in the two wards.  The work is Hastening.

The picture below is just the sign I saw in front of a Baptist church today. I thought that the thought was nice.  I still believe in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I know that this is the true church.  Heavenly Father has restored His gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I love this church.  I know that Heavenly Father is aware of each of us.  He knows who we are.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

On the Coast and Flashbacks

Dear Family and Friends,

I am finally getting pictures to you.  This first picture is my MTC district.  We all were headed to the North Carolina Raleigh mission.  We had one other district in our Zone and they had ten missionaries as well all going to North Carolina Raleigh.  I love these missionaries.  They are some of the greatest people I have ever met.  I don't think that 12 days and 16 hours per day was enough time to spend with these people.  And yes, we all wore blue on purpose.

Unfortunately when we got to the mission home, we found out that some of us would be placed in the Virginia Chesapeake mission which is being formed in July.  Half of the Sisters and one of the Elders in this district will be in the new mission.

My MTC companion is about a month older than Cherise.  We had some great times together.  I can't say that our teaching skills were so great.  During one lesson in the MTC, I introduced a point and then said, "Now Sister Jensen will explain it."  Sister Jensen just looked at me, but then she was able to explain it really well.  She will be in the new mission.  So, I won't be her companion ever again.

Well, my first area in North Carolina is Wilmington.  My companions are Sister Klingler and Sister Shaum.  I believe I may have said that already, but I cannot differentiate one day or letter or email from the next.  This is probably why we have planners.  Actually, I know that is why we have planners. The house is about 20 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.  We went to the beach with a member today during our preparation time.  Now that the summer is coming, we are going to have to stop going because the tourists are coming.  I don't know what else to say.

Oh yeah!  For the first week that I was here, we had little crabs in our yard.  A dead crab was in the driveway, and I was stepping backwards and crunched it.  Sister Klingler was sad that her crab friend was crushed.  I told her that I was sorry.  We also saw a skinny, black snake slither into a hole in the wall the other day.  We were walking up to the house and it just slithered into the area where the hose is connected to the wall.  There are all kinds of critters out here.
 

This is a picture of Wrightsville Beach that we walked on today.  It was nice.  

That is all I have to say.  I love all y'all.

Go with God,

Sister Camille Turley

First Week in North Carolina

Dear Family and Friends,

On the first Tuesday in the MTC, my zone was moved to the "West Campus," or what I loving call it--Wyview.  I got to return to my freshman housing.  There are just too many missionaries in the Provo MTC, so some of us were moved.  More missionaries will be moving into West Campus throughout the summer.  We were the first group to move.  We are creating history.  Or at least that is what we were told.

These past two weeks were somewhat interesting.  Last Monday, June 3, I got to hop onto a plane and fly to Atlanta Georgia, then hop onto another plane and fly to Raleigh, North Carolina.  I got to talk to a lady on the second flight who is not a member.  It was rather interesting.  She grew up baptist and had a lot of questions about missions, Temple Square, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in general.  Our group of new missionaries numbered 28.  We were originally 29, but one of the Elders in my zone had to be sent home for stomach and heart problems.  In the MTC, he was constantly being called to the front desk.

The new sisters (including me) got to spend their first night in the mission home.  The next morning I woke up and, voila, I was all of a sudden twenty.  Sister Hernandez and Sister Lewis, from my MTC district had to tell me happy birthday every time they saw me.  Then, we headed to transfer meeting.  I have two trainers: Sister Klingler and Sister Shaum.  My comment to having two trainers was "it takes a village to raise a child."

I think that is about it.  We have kept busy, busy, busy.  We don't finish our business until 10:30 PM, when lights need to be turned off, so I get to get ready for bed in the dark.  I haven't killed myself yet.  Here is to the future.  I love you all.  I hope you are doing well.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

An Interesting Beginning to my Missionary Experience

Dear Family and Friends,

A few days before I left, Brother Marshall (the ward music man) came to the house and asked to talk to me.  He was wanting to get a musical number together before I left (I would be playing cello).  But, Sundays were too scarce before my time to leave.  But, we ended up chatting for a while.  At the end he told me "Good Luck."  But, then he stated that he did not really like to tell people that when they are going on a mission.  So, he said a phrase in Latin.  I don't remember the phrase in Latin, but he translated it to English: "Go with God."  I loved that.  I also hate saying good luck to missionaries.  If they are serving the Lord with all their heart and mind and might, there is no luck involved.  God is guiding them.

On Tuesday evening, I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  After the setting apart, my father's leg was hurting again (he is better at explaining, and it was bothering him before my setting apart).  So, my dad received a blessing and headed to the hospital.  On Wednesday morning, Emmett got to drive me to the airport.  We arrived at the airport a while before I had to get onto the plane, but we had quite the adventure trying to get to the correct terminal parking.  We turned around at least three times.  We almost backed up into another car.  In the end, we ended up parking in the terminal 4 parking lot.  We had to ride the sky train to terminal 4, then take the shuttle to terminal 3.  We made it just in time to check bags and go through security.  We met the Hancocks at the security.  I gave a few hugs, and John Hancock took a few pictures.  Then, I was off.

Before getting on the plane, I met Sister Griffin from Thatcher, Arizona, who is also going to North Carolina Raleigh.  On the plane, I got to sit by Elder Bloomfield.  We didn't even have to switch anybody seats.  We got to talk.  I am pretty sure that I did most of the talking, and Elder Bloomfield did most of the listening.  After we landed, Elder Bloomfield and I went our separate ways.  I got to ride the shuttle to the MTC.  Turns out, Sister Griffin is in my district.

We met our district.  My companion is Sister Jensen.  We have three companionships of Sisters and two companionships of Elders in our district.  Our whole district is going to the same mission.  Our zone is made of two districts.  Both districts are Elders and Sisters who are all going to the same mission.  The other district is two companionships of Sisters and three companionships of Elders.  We have a really great district.

Yesterday was Sunday.  We went to the Sunday Devotional and then watched Sister Monson's funeral service.  The Sunday Devotional was about preparing us for watching Sister Monson's funeral service.  I had a lot on my mind during the funeral.  As I was watching the Pallbearers take the casket to the car, I thought about my mother's funeral.  I thought about Emmett carrying his mother to her grave at the age of 13.  I just thought, "My brother is going to be a strong missionary."  I am sorry that I make everyone cry.  I just have those experiences to share; they are the experiences that have molded my life to what it is now.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Farewell, Arizona. I shall miss thee.

Today I gave my third "farewell" talk.  I gave a talk in my Singles' Ward in Provo the week before I left Utah.  My topic for that talk was on a gospel principle that I learned about in General Conference.  Last week, I gave a talk on Joseph Smith and the Restoration in my family's ward in Chandler.  And, this week I got to speak with my uncle, Jaden Rosser, and my cousin, Ian Bloomfield.  My uncle is the High Councillor, and I was his companion speaker.  Ian was the ward's speaker.  It was also his "farewell" talk.  He will be serving in the Washington Everett mission, the same mission as my sister, Sister Cherise Turley.  (The link to her blog is also on the left.)  Today I spoke on temples and redemption.

Well, I leave for the MTC in two days.  I will be training for two weeks in the MTC, and then heading to North Carolina.  My contact information is on the left side of my blog.  If you feel like contacting me, please send me a letter.

Love,

Cami

Donating Blood vs. Public Speaking

Yesterday was Sunday.  It was an interesting Sunday.  It was the last Sunday of the semester, so almost everybody was released.  There were a lot of hugs and a tiny bit of crying.  I also gave a talk yesterday.

I was asked on Saturday morning if I would prepare a talk.  I literally had 24 hours to prepare.   Luckily, my talk was supposed to be about a gospel principle from General Conference.  I prepared a 10 minute talk as I was instructed to do.  I had a few things to add to the end if I needed to speak a little longer, and I also prepared in a way where I could cut out some information if I needed to.

Sunday Afternoon
As the first speaker started speaking, my thoughts turned to a few days before when I was donating blood.  When I was donating blood, my heart beat was 60 bpm.  I was wishing that my heart rate could be as low as when I was donating blood.  Apparently, I am more calm watching my blood flow out of my body than when I have to speak to a congregation of people.

Another thought was that I love sharing the gospel with people, but not to that many people at once.

In the end, I had three minutes to speak.  I drastically cut down my talk.  I only remember that my topic was forgiveness and I had quite a few quotes from Elder Craig A. Cardon.  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-savior-wants-to-forgive?lang=eng

Love,
Cami

Why Should We Mourn

As many of you know, I opened my mission call on March 1.  I will be serving in the North Carolina Raleigh mission.  I report May 22. 

And, since I will be serving a mission, I have been reading Preach My Gospel.  Today I was reading the second lesson which is about the plan of salvation.  One sentence on page 52 sums up an experience that I had last year.  The sentence reads, "Those who chose to obey God in this life live in a state of happiness, peace, and rest from troubles and care."  The very last part about rest is the part that pertains to my experience.  I will now provide my experience.

Why Should We Mourn

During my summer term at Brigham Young University in 2011, I learned that my brother’s friend had died, and my roommate’s brother’s friend had also died.  It reminded me that my family had known at least eight people who died in the first three months of the year.  I also learned that my siblings were struggling with the new step family.  My dad had only been remarried for a month.  I just felt so much sorrow for my siblings.

 So, as I knelt to pray that night, I was just so sad.  I was crying before I got the second sentence out.  During my prayer, I wanted to ask when my family would get a break.  Why can’t they just go without trial for a few months?  All I could do was think it; the words never came out of my mouth.  The words were impossible to say.  A new thought, or pair of thoughts, repeated in my mind.  The first thought was, “Rest doesn’t come until after death.”  I knew that; I just wanted to fight it.  Couldn’t my family just have a little rest?  The answer is no.  Rest comes after death.

The second thought was the first half of the second verse of the hymn “Come, Come Ye Saints”: “Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?  ‘Tis not so; all is right.  Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight?”

This life is not hard; we only think it is.  We are weak mortals, yet our spirits are so strong.  There is no reward in heaven if we give up now.  So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back in the battle.

That is the one time that I remember actually getting words as revelation.  I always like to then add the last line of the second verse, but with a little twist.

“We will, by golly, have a tale to tell.  All is well, all is well!”

Conclusion

I love all of you.  I have found that if we are obedient in this life, we will have peace.  Peace eventually comes, but don't give up now.  Don't shun the fight.

Love,

Cami



Patience is a Virtue

For the past few years, I have been thinking about missionary service.  In the past, I knew that as a female I could be a missionary when  I reached the age of 21.  But, last year, I was surrounded by boys who were getting their mission calls.  I had friends in Provo getting mission calls.  I had a few friends in Mesa getting their calls.  I was excited for all of them.  I also have a cousin who is only a few months older than I.  I wanted him to get his mission call.  And, I still do.  I am waiting for him to finish his papers and get out into the field to serve.  I want him to go so badly.  But, the point is that I was surrounded by people who were leaving to preach the gospel.

So, my idea was to be an awesome missionary in Provo, as myself.  But, the problem is there aren't very many people at BYU who are not LDS.  Guess how many people of those few I know... zero.  And, if I actually do know some people who are not LDS, I don't know that they are not LDS.  So, it didn't work very well last semester.

During this past summer, I got to have a small missionary experience.  I participated in the Nauvoo Pageant.  I dressed up as a pioneer and sweat for two weeks.  Okay, we only dressed up for one of the weeks.  But, before and after the pageant, all of the cast members were supposed to talk to audience members and ask for referrals.  We had to talk to people that I didn't know.  That was rather difficult for me.  But, I managed to stay alive and ask one person for a referral.  So, I didn't think I would be a good missionary.



Just a few of the Nauvoo crew

Then, after the Pageant, I returned to the valley with my family.  I was giving a family home evening lesson in which I was incorporating a scripture from Doctrine and Covenants and  Moroni 4:3.  In my notes, I accidentally wrote down D&C 4:3.  So, after the lesson I read Doctrine and Covenants 4:3:

"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work"

I had been called to the work already.  I decided that if I couldn't find others in Provo to inform about the church, I was always welcome to help those who already have the word.  I needed to be an example through action.  I needed to help people by being myself.  So, I moved back to Provo for the Fall semester.  And, I once again started classes and met new people.  But, one day I was in my room by myself and just stood and said, "Why can't I just serve a mission now?  I'm ready."  (Truth is I wasn't really ready.  I still have a long way to go.)

Then, at the beginning of October, an announcement was made that changed my thoughts on my maybe future missionary service.

As soon as the announcement was made, I thought, After winter semester.  So, I have been working on my mission papers since right before the winter break.  I got my dental and physical examinations done in the valley while I was home for Christmas.  I sent my papers to the bishop, had an interview, and the bishop sent the papers to the stake president.

About two and a half weeks after the papers were sent to the stake president, the bishop asked me to come pick my papers up because I was missing some health information: the physician had not recorded my TB test and I needed to get a blood test and urinalysis done.  I received my papers on a Tuesday evening.  That same evening I emailed my health papers to my dad to get the TB test recorded by the physician.  On Thursday, I received a text letting me know that the physician had faxed the papers to the BYU Student Health Center.  Two weeks later, I was able to have my lab work done.  (That was this Friday, February 8.)   Yesterday, I finally gave my papers back to my bishop.

My bishop told me that I was more patient than a few of the other girls that were also turning in their papers.  I told him that I didn't know about that.  But, he reassured me by telling me that some girls text him more than once every day to check up on the progress of their papers.  I have not done so.  But, after church, I was thinking about being patient.  I guess I have been somewhat patient with the situation.  Maybe that is what I have had to learn in the past few months. 

For me, it is easy to be patient with situations.  I need to learn how to be patient with people.  I need to learn how to be patient with myself and with the people that I interact with.  After all, Heavenly Father is extremely patient with me.  He watches me make mistakes, but He doesn't rub it in my face and tell me how terribly I am doing.  He just picks me up, chastises me, and offers to hold my hand along the way.

So, if you constantly find yourself failing, you really aren't.  You only fail when you give up on yourself and decide not to try again.  And to everyone that actually reads my blog, I love you.  And to everyone who doesn't read my blog (which is everyone), I love you too.  Thanks for helping me with my life.  Have a wonderful week.  It's almost Valentine's Day.  Remember that you are loved.

Love,
Cami