Music Changes My Life

I have a fun story for all y'all. I come from a very talented family, and being the easily distracted wild child that I am, I have always been just mediocre. As a teenager, my family tried to get me to play the organ. My grandma played, and my aunt plays, and my sister plays. I refused because it was just another thing for me to be mediocre at, especially compared to family. So, I touched an organ probably three times without  playing anything at all. My poor grandma and older sister had to deal with my being a booger while my grandma tried to teach the both of us. But I refused.

God saw and said, "Ha ha ha, watch this."

And as an 18-year-old, I was made the organist in my college ward. And I have now played the organ in four of my wards in the last 10 years. So, moral of the story is God's got jokes.

Besides my rise to mediocrity in organism (hahahaha, yes!), okay in organ playing, music has become an interesting tool in my life. I never thought as a child that I would go far with music. And really I haven't, but it's one of my talents that has gotten me to different places. Music is one of those things that I have used to express my emotions and to soothe my emotions. Music is meant to make you feel. And music is meant to help you heal.

2018 Christmas Concert

I have been feeling lonely quite a bit lately. And I'm terrible at asking for a friend. So the other day I turned on my Christmas music. Sometimes I say Christmas music is my favorite as a joke.  (It's not a joke.) And, guess what! The song that came on was "He is Born" by David Archuleta.  The last verse says,

Stepping down from Heaven's throne

To show us that we're not alone

The truest love, a single light

The Son of God, Christmas Night.

I have had many experiences, too many to count, where music was the way God spoke to me. Sometimes it has been just the right message at the right time. Sometimes it has been a specific verse from a favorite hymn coming to my mind. Sometimes it has been the warm feeling everyone talks about during a hymn. Sometimes it has been playing piano is the only thing to calm me down. Sometimes it's playing a piece over and over again with several mistakes and the best version being at the meeting it has been prepared for. God has sent angels to help me with my music. I'm still not super great, but music has helped me find the beauty in the world and come closer to God.

I'm thankful for all the times I have been able to serve in church through music. It's been one of the biggest ways I have worked in church since I was 12. And most likely it will be how I continue to work in the church. Luckily, I have learned a few things over the years and am better than I was as a 14-year-old doing random stuff on the Seminary piano. Humility comes quickly to those who must play in front of everybody.

God speaks to us individually. How does God speak to you?

Okay, one last fun story. My first year playing the organ, I played the three verses of the song and then sat at the organ waiting for the person who was designated to come up and say the prayer. I just sat there for 15-20 seconds, and then I looked at the chorister. She whispered, "There's a fourth verse." I said, "Sorry!" and continued with the fourth verse. The congregation sung the fourth verse and then the prayer person came up. One of the bishopric members shared that story throughout the rest of the year and would tell the congregation, "Most of the time, we just need people who are willing to say, 'Sorry,' and then keep on going." I became a great lesson to that ward. As stated above, humility comes quickly when you're in front of everybody.

The Secret to Moving Forward

 This week, I got some unfortunate news. As I drove home, I cried and listened to my Jesus music. The first song to come on was "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" by Steffany Gretzinger.  Near the end of the song, she sings,

I'm still in love

You're still enough for me

Still all I want

You're still my everything

It's as if Steffany took the confusion and mixed up feelings of my heart and put them in a song. I'm still in love with Jesus. (I know it is kind of weird wording, but in the moment, it was enough.) He's still my everything. No matter what comes my way, I somehow still have faith and believe that He is watching over me.

I maybe have cried myself to sleep the last two nights and several other times throughout the days, but I know I will make it.  Somehow I always do. The secret to moving forward is faith in Jesus Christ. When all else has failed me, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are always there.

Between the ages of 15 and 19, my support system collapsed, and I withdrew from people. I couldn't trust anyone to help me, and I turned to God. God was literally the only one who could help me. There's a lot of trauma from those years, and there's a lot of growth from those years. I am not the same person I was before then, and I am not the same person I was during then. The one thing that I will forever hold onto is how God was there.  And He will forever be the reason why I am able to move forward.

I invite you to seek God. Even if you want to shout and curse at Him, He is there and will listen. He knows your hurt. He will help you. I promise God is there and that He will help you move forward.

Another line that is repeated in Steffany's song is, "His faithful hand has held me all this way." It's true.

My Favorite Type of Music is Christmas

In honor of halfway to Christmas, I wanted to share my love of Christmas music with everyone (with a hint of ranting).  My family listens to Christmas music whenever we feel like, whatever day of the year we see fit.  We don't wait for the Christmas "season." All year is our season.

This doesn't make us any less interested in the other holidays of the year.  Take the 4th of July for example.  I love the 4th of July.  I love my beautiful home of The United States of America.  I love that I have the freedom to live here and write my blog with whatever I want on it.  I have USA shirts, socks, and a hat.  I always put my hand to my heart and face the flag when the National Anthem is playing.  I love patriotic songs.  I listen for most of July.  (With a hint of Christmas music here and there.)

Take Thanksgiving for another example.  I play that music every now and then.  There are like three songs.  Maybe if there were more Thanksgiving songs, people wouldn't get so mad at me for playing Christmas songs.  I would totally play Thanksgiving songs.  I was going to write some, and then that didn't happen.

Anyway, back to people being mad at me for playing Christmas music.  Do you know how mad people get when they hear that I listen to Christmas music whenever I want?  So mad.  People get really defensive.  They have to tell me just how wrong it is that I do that.  They tell me I'm not allowed.  They tell me that I'm weird.  They go into their grand arguments about why I can't listen to Christmas music unless it is December.  People have told me, "It makes me too excited for Christmas."  This one is somewhat understandable.  I, too, get excited for Christmas.

But fun, jolly, present opening and Santa seems to be the only thing that people get out of Christmas music.  When I say that I listen to Christmas music all year, I definitely don't mean Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and all those other weird songs.  I don't even really like those ones too much.  I'm talking about Jesus music.  I listen to Jesus music.  When I say Christmas music, I mean And the Angels Cried, Joy to the World, and others like Angels from the Realms of Glory.

People don't believe me that I like to listen to Jesus music.  Who are they to judge how much I love Jesus?  Yeah, I have been rude to say in reply, "Sorry you don't like Jesus."  That was rude of me to say.  I just get upset when people think they can judge my relationship with Jesus.  It's true that people who love Jesus will be better, nicer people.  And maybe I'm not the nicest, but I love Jesus.  And I'm working on it.

Jesus saved me.  And not just from my sins.  I have been in some really dark places in my life.  And I have thought so many times that my life is not one that is worth being on this earth.  I have been so alone so many times.  I haven't been able to trust people around me for years at a time.  I have felt abandoned and hated.  I have been mocked and bullied.  I have had to take on responsibilities that I was not ready for.  But Jesus saved me.  He told me I was worth living.  He told me that He would carry my burdens.  He told me that He is the Light.  He is the Way.  And He is one of many guardian angels.  Have you ever heard any words sweeter or more filled with hope than the hymn "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"?

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

When people mock my joy of Christmas music, they mock the words that have given me strength.  I don't expect anyone to have the same love of Christmas music that my family and I have, but I just wish they would stop mocking.  I say it sometimes as a joke, so that other people don't have to make it a joke for me; it really is my favorite type of music.

Also in honor of halfway to Christmas, here are some awesome videos.

Quitting My Calling

I just want to begin by stating that I am a sinner.  And that my ward is full of absolutely wonderful people.  Upon saying both of these things, I wanted to share an experience with you.  And yes, it's going to be super church-y.

On September 10, 2017, I received a calling that made my soul sink instantly.  My smile vanished.  I usually love meeting with members of the bishopric.  It fills me with hope and joy.  And this was not one of those times.  When I had heard that I was getting released from my previous calling--one that was stressful but that I loved--I was hoping and daring to dream that it would not be anything to do with Visiting Teaching.  And here I was, on the 10th of September, being asked to be a Visiting Teaching Coordinator.  And I said yes.

Why did I say yes?  Why?  Because I was taught that my leaders were given inspiration and that any calling can come from God and even if not totally from God, can still help us to come closer to Him and help others come closer to Him.  That, my friends, is why I said yes.  I said yes because I knew that it could be good.

I went home and cried.  And on that very day--September 10--I began to pray about my calling.  I prayed long.  I prayed hard.  I prayed with real intent.  I prayed to know why God wanted me in that calling and how I could use my personality to help the girls in my ward.  And I listened.  I wrote things down.  I honestly tried to understand.  When October came around, I was able to apply my plea to General Conference talks.  I scoured the contents for answers to my prayers.

As the weeks went by, I shared my concerns about the calling and visiting teaching, in general.  For the first few weeks, I was told that my different point of view was good.  I was told that it was good to know why girls struggled to do visiting teaching.  I was also told that because I had a hard time seeing how my personality fit into this calling, I didn't know who I was.  I was told that I was listening to Satan.  I was told that I needed to pray; I needed to talk to God more and figure out who I am.

And then, as I continued to cry and pray over my calling, my burden lifted.  I believed I could do it.  I did my calling.  I had a few months in which I was okay with my calling.  I knew that I was putting in effort and that that was okay with God.  And I was no longer being rebuked.

I had also found comfort in the words from President Dieter F Uchtdorf from his talk in October:

That's when January hit.  January brought a new "vigor" to visiting teaching.  Relief Society lessons began to be about visiting teaching.  The lessons began to be about how we weren't doing visiting teaching.  And my attitude turned sour again.  My concerns came back, and I voiced them.  (If I have learned something from this experience, it might be that if I have concerns, I really shouldn't say so.)  I began to be rebuked again.  Every Sunday, I would go home and cry and pray.  I prayed long.  I prayed hard.  I prayed with real intent.

I began telling myself that sometimes magnifying one's calling means saying, "I'll try again this week."  Which didn't really help because then people started quoting Yoda to me: "Do or do not; there is no try."  With Yoda's words on mind, I began telling myself that my efforts were doing nothing.  The thought that I had given in Relief Society about aiding people through visiting teaching was doing nothing.  The survey I had created to track visiting teaching was doing nothing.  My desire to truly help others and make sure they were doing alright was doing nothing.  My efforts were a waste.

However, I continued.  I returned to the words of President Uchtdorf and made choices.  I prayed about the sisters that I visit taught.  I asked God about what their needs were.  I asked about how I could help my supervisors.  I asked people how I could help them.

I think this is the part where we should remember that I am a sinner.  I started comparing myself to my roommate.  My roommate is one of the most wonderful people who anyone has ever met.  She serves everyone and is outgoing and talks to people and listens to them.  And everyone loves her.  I saw that people thanked her all the time.  People brought her cards of thanks.  People would talk about her in Relief Society as a good example.  People commented about how she had two demanding callings and that she went above and beyond on both.  And I thought about myself.  I was selfish.  And that's what people were saying to me. I would voice my concerns about my calling, and I was told I was selfish and prideful and that I had a bad attitude and a bad perspective.  I compared my chastisements with my roommate's praises.  I began to see that I was nothing.  And this continued for about a month.

During that month, I happened to ask my bishop if I could be released.  He said no.  And I asked him why.  And he gave me reasons that I don't necessarily find important to share with everyone.  So, I tried again.  (But remember Yoda.  He was still in the back of my mind.)

Eventually, I stopped comparing myself to my roommate.  I renewed my efforts to find and meet the needs of the girls in Relief Society.  I think this is a good time to remind you, again, that I'm sinner; I'm not very good at helping anyone.  Which is a good time to remind myself of this:

I prayed again.  Long.  Hard.  Real intent.  As the weeks continued, Relief Society stayed on the topic of how we were doing awfully with visiting teaching.  It came to a point that we were told the percentages and that they were a "failing grade."  I commented that our ward is so good.  And I truly believe that.  My ward is awesome.  The people in my ward serve each other so much.  We know who needs help, even if we don't visit teach those people.  We know where people are when they aren't at church.  We know if they need more love than usual.  And my comment was shut down.  And we were asked why our visiting teaching was failing so bad?

Under my breath, I said, "Because the visiting teaching coordinator SUCKS!"

I left Relief Society early.  I sat in the hall and cried.  Never had any calling made me feel so worthless.  I don't cry, and this calling has provoked my crying nearly every Sunday for 7 months.  I tried.  I had truly tried.

I went to the Bishop and said, "Can I please, please, please, please, please, please, please be released from my calling?"  And he said yes.

I felt a burden lifted from my shoulders.  I felt peace.  And I know I didn't give a good explanation to my bishop for why I should be released.  But he let me quit anyway.  So, yes, I quit.  Let it be known that Cami is a quitter.  Can you depend on  her?

As of right now, I don't really know why I had that calling.  And part of me still believes that I didn't help anyone.  I also feel really judged.  I think that I am seen as a quitter and that I lack faith.  In the long run, it doesn't matter because God knows my heart.  And I'm sorry if you have ever felt judged by me.  God knows your heart.  He knows your struggles and concerns.  He just wants to see you try.  And I don't care if there isn't a such thing as trying because I believe in it.  We can put in effort and not see the fruits of our labors.  Pretty much that's my life.  I don't know if I do anything good, but I try.  I want to do what God wants me to do.  And I need to stop caring if people think I am doing good.  People are mean.  But they are good at the same time.

Just a few more notes, some things that really helped me get through the last 7 months (besides the October 2017 General Conference, praying, crying, and reading my scriptures) are the following:

• The mormon message "The Will of God"
• The hymn "Come, Ye Disconsolate"
• The efy song "Glorious"
• Long, hot showers

Remember that if you don't think you are doing any good, God still cares about your choices.  You make a difference, and you are dear to Him.

The Atonement and Obedience

Dear Family,

I have come to know on my mission that I cannot change in one day.  I simply have weaknesses that I must live with and work on for years and years and years and years and maybe a lot more years.  So, I have learned--especially in the past two weeks--that what is required of me is to be obedient to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And as I do so, the Atonement will have a part in my life.  Jesus Christ can heal me.  It will be slow in my eyes and get frustrated that I am not changing, but without a doubt, I am slowly being changed.

I have also learned that this means that I will be a stumbling block for others in the process.  I will be their trial that helps them change.  I hate this fact, but 'tis truth.  I may not necessarily be doing anything that is rude, low, or malicious, but I will still be a stumbling block.  I have weaknesses, and I make mistakes.  Others are going to have to live with choices that I have made and will make.  They may not like what I do.  So, they will have to make choices based on mine and learn lessons that are in store for them.  This is the uncomfortable and unpleasant truth of mortality: we are weak.

Luckily, God will let us be perfect in the end if we are obedient to His commandments and rely on the Atonement.

"In a world where sorrow

Ever will be known,

Where are found the needy

And the sad and lone,

How much joy and comfort

You can all bestow,

If you scatter sunshine

Ev'rywhere you go.

Scatter the smiles and sunshine all along your way.

Cheer and bless and brighten Ev'ry passing day."

(Scatter Sunshine, LDS Hymnal #230)

We may have weaknesses but we can still scatter sunshine.  Smile--it's good for the soul.

I love all of you.  I want to apologize for being a hurdle sometimes.  I want to thank you for loving me still.  I am thankful that I have a family that is so kind and generous and patient.  I know that the Lord loves you.  I am so thankful for the Atonement.  I am thankful that I can be more than what I currently am.  I am thankful for infinite chances.  I am thankful for commandments.  I love being a missionary.  I love the people of North Carolina.  And, I love my companion even if she doesn't think I do.  I pray for her and her family every night.  I know that God is watching over them.  He loves them and wants them to be happy.  Keep moving forward, for forward is the best and smartest way to go.  I love you (LOTS). 

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Christmas music heals the soul.

Dear Family,

Most of my past and present companions don't like Christmas music unless it is Christmas.  So, I have't gotten to listen this year.  But, I finally just played some this week.  It was the best.  Let me repeat: it was the best.  I told Sister Judd that I usually start hearing Christmas music in July, so I have had 3 months of deprivation.  (I especially had to turn it on because the weather is becoming Christmas-like. It has been about 65 degrees the last few mornings when I have woken up.)  My companions have told me it gets them too excited for Christmas.  Then I think, Don't you want to be excited for Christmas? It's when we celebrate Christ's birth.  Plus, shouldn't we celebrate His life and birth all the time anyways?  I have to say that Christmas music is so wonderful.

I am so thankful that I got to watch General Conference this weekend.  It was a spiritual uplift that I desperately needed.

To comment on the area, the work, we are really trying hard to find people to teach.  We still have three reliable members that come out with us multiple times a week, but we are doing our best to meet more members and invite them to come with us.

It's almost Christmas!

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Instant Gratification--I like it when I get it.

Dear Family,

I was pleasantly surprised with an email from Sister Boucher this morning.  She is still in Dunn with Sister Olive, who she trained.  But, I was so thankful for the note that she sent:

"You will never guess who got baptized this weekend :)))

I hope I follow you to Durham. You plant good seeds." 

It followed with a picture of a boy before his baptism.  The boy baptized is Emanuel.  His mom is a less active member that I had the privilege of teaching.  She was actually visit taught by Dorinda, Grandma Hunt's sister-in-law, a few years ago.  I am so thankful that I get to be a gardener.  I don't get much harvest, but I am thankful to hear when others do.

It was great gratification to me to get this email.  I am a little narcissistic--that's why I shared it.

Oh yeah!  I have a new companion.  Sister Doty successfully arrived in Nevada last week.  So, Sister Judd is here in Durham.  We are already making plans for our being split next transfer.  It isn't because we don't like each other.  It just is that we have talked a lot about what we have hoped to have happen on our missions.  Our predictions involve her training in Durham, and I will open South Boston.  She hasn't trained yet, and she has 3 transfers left. And, I really really really want to go to South Boston.  I know I could do the work of the Lord.  I could plant some really good seeds.  But, I will do what the Lord asks of me.  I don't know what the future has in store, but I know it has to work out.

I wanted to share something that I read in my studies this week.

Moses 7:48  And it came to pass that Enoch looked upon the earth; and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof, saying: Wo, wo is me, the mother of men; I am pained, I am weary, because of the wickedness of my children. When shall I rest, and be cleansed from the filthiness which is gone forth out of me? When will my Creator sanctify me, that I may rest, and righteousness for a season abide upon my face?

I found a lot of similarities to myself in this scripture.  The hardest part about being a missionary is seeing all of my weaknesses.  I am tired of making mistakes.  I see the pain that I put people (mostly companions) through, and I hate it.  I know that is a strong word, but I have strong feelings towards this.  When I am discouraged, it is because I have made so many mistakes.  I realize that I need to fix the problems that I have caused between another person and me, and I end up making it worse.  I get tired of being unintelligent and annoying and rude.  I have been like this for 21 years.  That is too long.  I end up crying to my Heavenly Father wondering why I have to have so many faults and weaknesses.  Why do I have to keep making these mistakes?  Why am I so contentious?  As I read this scripture, I thought about the Earth being put into a fallen state because of the fall of Adam.  It is a curse of the earth to have weaknesses.  It is going to take a really long time (in mortal terms) to be free of my weaknesses and, forgive my language, stupidities.  I cannot wait for the day that I finally become like Christ and am perfect.  This is the hardest part about being a missionary.  I constantly see my weaknesses, and I don't have instant gratification for trying to improve.  It is slow and painful.  But, it is necessary.  I will eventually be a better person.  I am really going to love that day.

On a better note, I really am happy.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is changing my life for good.  The Atonement is real and changes my heart.  The Atonement comforts, strengthens, stretches, and perfects us.  It allows us to be people that we would not otherwise be able to be.  It allows us to make positive changes in the world.  It allows miracles to happen according to our faith.  It is the glue that holds our lives together.  I love the Atonement.  And, I love learning about it.  I am so thankful for the Savior.  I love that He loves me.  I love that He loves my family.  I love my family.  I love Jesus Christ.  I love a lot of things, like oreos.  I love to open mail from family that talk about all the miracles that are happening in their life.  I love to hear about what others are learning.  I am so thankful to be a missionary.  I am thankful that I am changing even though I have a really really really hard time seeing it.  I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  "I know who I am.  I know God's plan.  I'll follow Him in faith." (children's song)  I love all of you.  I love North Carolina.  I love planting seeds.  It's dirty work, but allows others to reap.  It blesses the kingdom of God.  And now, that I have said all of this, my closing testimony, I think I can pass away.  Just kidding!  I probably shouldn't put that, but I have a morbid sense of humor.  Let's see who reads all the way and actually gets to this part.  If I were reading this, I would probably just skim and miss it.  This letter is way too long.  I will probably have two sentences next week.  I love you.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

P.S. Sorry it is so long.  I can just rant sometimes.

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

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

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

The Healing Effects of Christmas Music

Monday, September 17, 2012, started with a rough morning.  I got up at 8 a.m., which is the time that my alarm clock starts beeping every morning.  I got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, and did a few other morning rituals.  I then looked at the article that I was supposed to read for my class that starts at 9 a.m.  There were several pages.  I decided that I was not going to be able to read that much in ten minutes.  So, I left with a backpack filled to its holding capacity.  My backpack was so full because I had to finish my readings for all of my Monday classes.  I had to have most of my Tuesday readings finished as well, since I knew that I wouldn't have much time after I got home that evening.  I left the house as a grumpy, pessimistic teenager.

I made it to my class on time because I am lucky enough to have an awesome new bike (courtesy of Cherise).  So, I was able to ride down the street and to the Smith Fieldhouse in six minutes with about four minutes leftover to walk into the building and into the correct classroom.  Luckily, my first class went pretty smoothly.  My second class went okay as well.  Though, I didn't have the reading done for that class either.  And, I am always freezing in that class, so that did not help my attitude either.

I then had 3 1/2 hours to do most of my reading and write in my journal and read my scriptures.  I started on the first floor of the Harold B. Lee Library.  I sat in a chair doing my New Testament homework when a creepy looking bug was crawling on my leg.  I calmly flicked it off and resumed my homework.  After a few minutes, another creepy bug was crawling on the arm of the chair that I was sitting in.  It crawled out of my view to shortly crawl back up the arm.  So, I wiped my backpack off, gathered my books and pens, and stood up and walked away.  I continued to wipe off my pants and my back because I was paranoid.  I then climbed the stairs to the second floor.  I entered the Family History area and headed to the far right of the library.  I was then able to start my homework.  I didn't finish any of it.  Also during my 3 1/2 hours of reading, I realized that I had not submitted the topic of my term paper that I have to write for my Human Biology class.  This realization was discouraging.  Why?  The topic was supposed to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 14.

After my underachieving reading time, I went to my ASL class at four o' clock.  I then had to put my glasses on because my sight was blurry from reading continuously for such a long period of time.  I managed to survive the last class of the day.  I walked home because I did not want to pedal my bicycle up the slight incline with a heavy backpack.  So, I trudged.

Two hours.  I had two hours to eat food (since I ate only two granola bars at school), finish my reading, and type some quizzes for my communications class. 
Throughout all of this time, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., my life was filled with sighs, moaning, heaving, and groaning.  Suprisingly, I had a pretty good sandwich when I got home.  After dinner, I set up my equipment in the family room.  I put my headphones on as I started to type.

I chose to put on Christmas music.  I listened to Mormon Tabernacle Choir, SheDaisy, Josh Groban, David Archuleta, and Mannheim Steamroller.   I want to say that I love Christmas music.  I was able to finish the rest of my day with a better attitude even though I still did not get all of my reading done.

I hope that we can all find our happy place.  It is not always the same depending on the day.  Sometimes, we just have to talk to someone.  Sometimes we may have to go play tennis, basketball, or hockey.  We may just go for a run.  And sometimes, we need to put on some music.  In my case, Monday required Christmas music.

Here are some songs for anyone that may need some cheering.

I am sorry that there are not "fun" videos that go along with the music, but I primarily wanted to put the songs up.  I don't know how to just put the song on the blog, so I am sorry.  Thanks.
Love, Cami
P.S. Today is talk like a pirate day.