What Just Happened?!

Dear Family,

All our investigators didn't want to meet with us this week.  Half of them dropped us.  Well, that pretty much sums it up.

Sister Doty also wanted me to tell you that I found the Elder version of myself.  His name is Elder Johnson.  (He's the third Elder Johnson I have served with.) He's in the picture below.  But, here are a few reasons why Sister Doty thinks Elder Johnson and I are alike.  We both answer questions very concisely.  One- to two-word answers.  Also our prayers.  Here are a few examples.

Mine:  "And we're thankful that we got to see Sister Michael.  And Sister Yeates.  And . . . everyone else that Sister Doty already said."  (I was praying at the end of Daily planning and ended up saying what Sister Doty had said at the beginning of planning.)

Elder Johnson's: "And please bless the Sisters that they will know how to help Isabelle progress.  And please help her be baptized . . . if she isn't already baptized."  (We forgot to tell him she was an investigator when he was accounting with us.)

Mostly just the odd realizations in the middle of our prayers are the similarities.

Left to Right: Elder Lewis, Elder Evans, Elder Johnson, Elder Hardy, Sister Turley, Sister Doty, Sister Graff, Sister Seely

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Go with God,

Sister Turley

The Side Effects of Being a Missionary

Dear Family,

There are a lot of things that happen when you are a missionary.  A lot.

First, we get bad tan lines.  Sorry, the picture might be a little disturbing, but I had to share my scary feet with everyone.  The tan gets worse on the weeks without the car.

Second, I got attacked by fire ants.  Hence the little red dots on the right foot.  The picture wouldn't have been as bad if I took the picture at the beginning of the week.  We were riding our bikes on Thursday, and we stopped at a red light.  The light turned green, and as soon as I lifted my foot to pedal, my foot itched.  I looked down and had ants all over my foot up to mid -calf.  So, I pulled to the side, hopped off my bike, pulled my shoes off and started whacking my shoes on the ground.  It was so itchy!

Third, we often draw the plan of salvation.  It is so wonderful to know that there is actually purpose to this life.  I don't know what I would do if I didn't have goals.  Which is number 4: we make goals always.  We always have a plan for what we are doing next.  And, if we don't have a plan, we soon come up with one.  We have direction in our life.  We have something to work towards.

Fifth, we learn the scriptures very well.  We are constantly comparing scriptures to ourselves.  This week was 1 Nephi 16.  In the chapter, Laman and Lemuel and parts of Ishmael's family "humble themselves" four times.  I was getting really annoyed when I was reading it.  I was thinking, you just did that!  But, I thought about many people in my life that do that (including myself).  It is a lot easier to be patient with people when you love them.  I haven't yet developed a love for Laman and Lemuel, but I love so many people out here and at home that humble themselves constantly.  They make mistakes and have to repent frequently.  Love is so important in the work of God.  Love makes the work so much easier; we have so much greater desire to see people progress.  I am so thankful for the wonderful example of my loving Heavenly Father and my family here on this earth.  I love all of you.  Thank you.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

"Be Thou an Example"

Dear Family,

It's one of those short letters again.  We went on exchanges (like most weeks).  And, we still visit people in the hospital.  I didn't lie to a policeman this week.  I didn't speak with anyone in Sign Language either.  We did get to ride our bikes though.  We got a door slammed in our face.  We have a new investigator.  We still have a lot to teach him.  But, he does know now that baptism is essential to enter the Celestial Kingdom.  We hope to teach him a lot more in the coming weeks.  His name is Leroy.

Thank you for all that you do.  Thanks for putting up with my sometimes okay and sometimes not okay emails.  Thank you for hastening the work and finding the will of the Lord.  Thank you for all of your sacrifices.  I love being with you.  I love serving the people of North Carolina.  I love being a daughter of God.  I hope you all have a great week.

Go with God,

Sister Turley