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