In the Durham 2nd ward

Well Everyone,

I am now in Durham.  There is a phrase from one song by Elvis Presley that I have sung many times on my mission, and it only took me two days here to start singing': "In the Ghetto."  But, that is okay.  We are going to have a lot of fun.  We have the car every other week, so we get to ride our bikes and get rides from many members.  This week, we rode down a giant hill.  And, there was a speed bump at the bottom.  I was going pretty fast.  I think I may have gotten a little air as I sped over the speed bump. 

My new companion is actually an old one.  Her name is Sister Doty.  We were companions for about a week in Wilmington.  It was in transfer #4 when I had sent one companion to Norway and waiting for my new companion.

There is a saying that I have said several, many, multiple, a plethora of times, on my mission.  I said it a few times this week.  I say it mostly when we go into peoples' homes and we get to see how their lives have just been turned upside down.   The saying is "Moral of the Story: Keep the commandments."  We really can promise that if they read their scriptures, go to church, and all the other things we teach, they can change their lives.  The message we share can improve the qualities of their lives. I know that if we keep the commandments, we will not get into awful situations.  Our lives will not be unbearably miserable.  No matter what trials we go through, we can be happy as we do the Lord's will.

I love all y'all.  I hope you are doing well.  I am praying for you.  The Lord is preparing us for something wonderful.  That is something else I have thought a lot about.  I have had quite a few adventures on my mission.  I just think, "What is He preparing for me?  What is He preparing me for?"  Be excited that He has such a wonderful plan for you.  I really do love you.  (Or else you probably would not receive a letter.)  I love the Gospel.  I love my Savior.  He is help.  He is the way.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Teaching the Elect

Sorry. This was last week's letter.

Dear Family,

Brother Pipkin continues to grow and flourish in the Gospel.  He is so ready to be baptized.  He is excited.  Really, the rest of the lessons will only be formalities.  We went over the baptismal interview questions this week, and he is ready.  He believes it all.  He does need to be smoke-free for a little while longer as though.

Also, looks like I am headed to Durham.  Made my way from the most southern tip of the mission to the very north.  Should be fun.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes.  It has been really great.  Sister Boucher and I have had treats every day for the last two weeks.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Sprouting Seeds

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, transfers are next week.  There is a pretty good chance that I will be transferring.  So, if you want to send letters, use the mission address.

Well, here was my birthday.  I went to zone training meeting.  President and Sister Bernhisel were there.  So, at the end, Sister Bernhisel and the other sister leaders came up and started singing "Happy Birthday."  So, the whole zone sang to me.  I didn't know what to do.  I just stood there.  Luckily my back was to most of the zone.  Then, Sister Bernhisel gave me a hug.  So, I was pretty uncomfortable for a while.  Singing and hugs--not the best combination if they are not my family members.

Then I went on exchanges.  Lari, I wouldn't have gotten the flowers.  I was in Fayetteville that day.  It must have been the Spirit keeping them from being sent. Thank you for all the packages and cards.  I just opened most of the cards today and Kit's golly.  (My companion doesn't like to check the mail unless it is Preparation day.  And, I am not very assertive.)  My other packages except for one came earlier, so I got to open those.

Brother Pipkin is still on date for the 28th of June.  We get to teach him about 3 times a week.  And, the members have just embraced him.  We had a lesson in a family's home last night.  It has been a hectic and busy week.  We have had a lot of appointments.  I think the many seeds that have been planted in this area are starting to sprout.  Alma 32:37-- "And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us.  And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit."  Brother Pipkin is going to bring forth great fruit!  He has a lot of family he is wanting to teach!  We love the people of North Carolina.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

My aunt sent me the golly.  I made the new sign.

I hope they call me on a mission.

To those known as family and friends:

Well, I turn 21 this week.  You know what that means!  I get to serve a mission.  Oh. Wait. That may have changed a little bit.  I may be a little behind the times.

This past week may have been one of the best weeks of my mission.  On Tuesday, we emailed and then went to the Post Office to pick up a few of my packages.  We got to talk to 6 new people between those two activities.  Then we were able to talk to at least 5 more people throughout the rest of the day.  That was amazing.

On Wednesday, I gave the handbook thought in District meeting. -->side note to myself: devote time and attention combined with dream about dad and Griffin<--  Sorry about that.  I just wanted to remind myself later what it was about.  Then we went on exchange.  We had a great exchange.  We got two new investigators, who have already been to the Clinton Branch, which is the one just south of us. On Thursday, we got a call from a man we had met at the library a few days ago.  His name is Brother Pipkin.  He called to ask for a ride to church on Sunday.  So we called many members and found him a ride.  He came to church and even bore his testimony.  In his testimony, he said that he has already read 1 and 2 Nephi from the Book of Mormon that we gave to him.

After church, we had a lesson with him.  5 members were present even though they came in and out of the lesson due to interviews with the Bishop.  But, we invited him to be baptized on June 28, and he is willing to work towards that. I think Brother Pipkin is the key to gaining a bunch of trust from the members.  They just embraced him.  Everyone who passed him would talk with him and thank him for his testimony.  Brother Pipkin is a miracle.  We have met the elect!  "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts" Doctrine and Covenants 29:7.   You never know--the person sitting outside the library today might just bear his/her testimony in your ward on the next Fast Sunday.

I love all y'all.  Keep moving forward.

Go with God,
Sister Turley

Not Much, Just a Lot of Missionaries

Dear Family and Friends,

This week, Thursday evening, May 22, I got a call from President Bernhisel.  He told me that Emmett got his mission call.  I must be really special!  The President called me personally.  I didn't even have to wait half a week to hear that Emmett had gotten his call.  I don't know how I got so lucky.  He is going to Boston, Massachusetts.  What fun.

I don't know what to write. I don't know what to say.  I guess I should just say what I am thinking.  I am so thankful that we have another missionary in the Spirit World.  I am thankful that I know that Maria only left one mission and was transferred to another.  It was a transfer home. I wish I could offer solace to everyone, but what can one little 20-year old do?  Plus, I know you are all strong, faithful people who love the Lord and already know that it is part of His plan.  You already know that the Lord is there for strength.  You know that you can do anything with His help.  Thank you for being my examples.  Thank you for loving me.  This has been one of my favorite videos in the last five years.  http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-channel-daily/213?v=1839005837001

One of my favorite lines is "Thank you for loving me enough to hurt me."  I forget that sometimes.  Maybe sometimes I am showing my love when I hurt people.  Just kidding! That just sounds bad.  Pretend I did not say that.  But, the only way we are going to grow is if we are cut down and given the chance to regrow.  I need to be cut down some more.  I guess I do my companion and injustice when I don't want to offer correction because I know it will hurt her.  Don't worry; I won't go off this week just giving her correction the entire time.  I know that would just be digging up the roots.  Thank you for loving me enough to hurt me.  I love all y'all.  Have a good week.  Have hope.

Voyo con Dios,

Sister Turley

P.S. That is what Grandpa said to me.  He is teaching me Spanish.

The Atonement Works!

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, I finally punched a companion this week.  Surprising?  Not in the least.  I guess I hit rock bottom.  Then we had interviews a few days later.  And, it didn't come up.  I forgot about it.  That was interesting.

We have four investigators.  They are a family and a referral from some members.  We are hoping to have FHE with them in the members' home.  That would be fantastic.

Life is interesting.  The scriptures are great.  And, I forgot my Restoration pamphlet again, so I cannot show the inspiration that I had.  Bummer.  I am sure you are all thinking at this point that I have written an odd letter.  Well, yes.  It looks as though that is the case.  I know the Gospel is true. I am still a missionary.  I forgot my planner though.  I forget everything.  I am the least prepared missionary you will ever meet.  

I love all of you. Thank you for all the support.  Thank you for never giving up on me.  I know that Christ's atonement is here for everyone.  I can be forgiven for punching my companion.  She can be healed.  Well, the Atonement works. And so do we.  We work.  For what?  Happiness.  Eternal Joy.  Work brings happiness.  Work and the Atonement.  I work for Christ.  He is the Atonement.  He is my employer.  I am here to do His work.  I make mistakes, but I can just get up again.  I love Him.  He is a wonderful employer.  I love you.  You are wonderful co-workers.  I love this world.  I love North Carolina.  It is a wonderful workplace.  There is no greater work than this.  Let us hasten it together.

Weird.  I punched someone.  I think that is the first time.  Ever.  Weird.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Universe Juice

Dear All,

Well, I meant to share a great thing that I found last week, but I forgot my Restoration pamphlet at home.  Bummer.  That is how I work.  I am often heard saying, "I am probably the most unprepared missionary you will ever meet."  I forget everything.  I don't know how well it will go as I get older; I am afraid that I am going to forget my name when I reach 38.  I'm going downhill fast. Fast, I tell ya.  Anyways, the Restoration is great.  Sister Boucher and I use it a lot.  It has been our main lesson the last few weeks.  We will get to planning and say, "What shall we teach the Smith family? The Restoration!"  So, that is what we do.  We teach the Restoration.  And, we use the Book of Mormon.

I am sorry for no letter last week.  Our haircuts took 3 hours, which we were not planning at all.  So, I had ten minutes to write to President Bernhisel and look at some things and log off.  We have quite the adventures here in Dunn.  We have established a very high turnover rate.  We find about 4-5 investigators per week and have 5 different ones the next.  We are learning how to "sizzle socks," in the words of Elder Holland, so that we will have more return appointments that don't fall through.  Retention rate will be improving soon.

I love all y'all.  Hope you are doing well.  Keep moving forward.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

P.S.  This week, I have thought a lot about the movie "Kung Fu Panda."  I think about the part where the other kung fu warriors are telling Po that the dragon warrior can live off of the energy of the universe and a single drop of dew.  I love when he says, "I don't think my body knows it is the dragon warrior yet.  I am going to need a lot more universe juice."  I love it because we just want to do the work, but are stomachs sometimes start growling.  So, we have to eat.  I don't think my body knows it is a messenger from God yet.

The Power of Members

Dear Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

Well, the work was about the same this week.  We found people and they dropped us and repeat.  This is missionary work.  Luckily, we are working with the members more.  Sometimes, members don't know how much power they have.  I certainly did not before I came on my mission.  I know now that members are the finders.  Missionaries just don't find very well.  For some reason, people don't want to listen to us when just knock on their door.  But they are more interested when they have friends that figuratively say, "Hey my two friends can teach you about why I am so happy.  And more than that, they can teach you to find that same happiness."  I know that working with members makes the work happen.  I love the work.  But, I love working with members more.

Thanks for all you do,
Sister Turley

Because of Him

And this was the letter from last week.  Sorry, it has been an interesting ride.  Literally, I hit at least 20 potholes a day.

Dear Anyone who Reads this Blog,

This week was a really good one.  Last Monday, we received a letter from the Director of Media in the Missionary Department about special Easter Media.  We were given the video "Because of Him" to share.  This video is fantastic.  I don't think I can count the number of times that Sister Boucher and I watched it this week.  This is one of the many amazing things about being a Facebook missionary.  I am still trying to figure it out, but luckily the Lord doesn't expect us to be perfect all at once.  As long as we are progressing.  But, the video has helped us a lot this week.  We found a new investigator by using it.  We share the video and are able to ask others what they think of it.  I was able to use #BecauseofHim this week on Facebook.  It really took off.  There are so many great things if you go to this hashtag on Facebook.  I was really excited when I got to see all of the members' testimonies on this site.  It was phenomenal.  I love being a missionary.  I love being able to see the affect that technology has on missionary work.

Now we are just waiting on our tablets.  Some Elders ask President when they are coming every time they get the chance.  I thought it would be March, but that didn't happen.  Technology makes the work explode.

I love all y'all.  It was fun to read of your Easter stories.  Easter is a great time of year.  We got to contact referrals.  We were able to have dinner with the Ginn family and share "Because of Him.'  Afterwards, Sister Boucher and I helped the Ginn family learn how to do FamilySearch Indexing.  It was a fun Easter week.  I loved it.  I love the holidays.  People seem to be more accepting.  Have a wonderful week.

Go with God,
Sister Turley

Ten Virgins

Sorry, this is the letter from two weeks ago.

Hey All Y'all,

This week is a lot better than last week (at least today is).  Anyways, sorry I am a bum and write bad stuff.  This week improved because I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants 63, and it was meant just for me.  It talks about the will of God.  Sister Boucher and I have quite a few discussions about the will of God.  Our views are very different.  Sister Boucher sees it as the will of God is always that the best thing will happen.  For example, if we don't have baptisms, it is because someone chooses to not follow the will of God.  Which, I guess this is true.  But, I have the point of view sometimes that some people are not going to choose to be baptized, so He has placed missionaries there who can handle not having baptisms, and won't give up (completely- okay last week was pretty bad).  I haven't given up yet!  Anyways, I think it is about obedience.  I am doing what the Lord would have me do.  I know that if I do all that He asks me to, I will be able to bless the lives of others.

Also, in Chapter 63, it talks about the ten virgins.  How they will not be prepared to come see Christ at the second coming, in fact, they will be destroyed. "And in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the wicked and cast them into unquenchable fire." (63:54) I just have been thinking a lot about less active members.  There have been quite a few that have said that they know the church is true and that they will come back soon.  I am afraid this is not how it works.  The day of repentance is now.  We are to come back to church now.  If we wait, we will be swept and burnt.  I don't want that to happen, so that is why I am trying to actively use the Atonement.  I am going to repent this week.  I am sorry.  I love all of you.  Please forgive me.  Strength is not my strong point.  So, have a wonderful week.  Just know that I am doing better. Sorry to send such a grievous note last week.  I love you.

Go with God,
Sister Turley

Members and Missionaries: What's the Difference?

Answer: Missionaries wear Sunday clothes every day.

Dear Family and Friends,

Yesterday was regional stake conference.  It was all about hastening the work, in some form or another.  So, Sister Mayfield and I have been talking about how to get more on the same page as the members.  This is going to be a great month.  Our Stake has the goal of 228 baptisms for the year of 2014.  That means 12 baptisms per companionship this year.  We are extremely excited to get this rolling.  That means we have to find people to teach.  We are going to have to work with the members every second of every day.  We can do this!

Also, I got a call on Saturday from President Bernhisel.  He asked if I would accept the challenge calling of Sister Leader.  I accepted.  I guess I didn't mess up enough last time.  We'll see how it goes this next transfer.  It should be rather interesting.

I hope you are doing well.  Sounds like it has been a fun time.  Lots of fun.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

Finding Ideas

Dear All,

Some finding ideas Sister Mayfield and I are using:

- English class for Spanish-speakers.  The Elders in our ward will be doing a lot better with this since they are the ones that speak Spanish.  We got to put up a few fliers this week.

- Putting up fliers for a free Bible.  That is how we found a few investigators.  They wanted a free Bible, so they found mormon.org.  And, we figure a lot of people here want Bibles, so we are going to advertise it a little more.

- We need to do better at asking for referrals.

- We tract a lot.

This is a picture of part of our neighborhood.  It was during the few warm hours we had this week.

The Lord loves us.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

The Adventures of Small Towns in North Carolina

Once upon a time, there were two Sister Missionaries.  They served in North Carolina.  They were from the west, so sometimes the couldn't understand the people they were talking to.  But, that is besides the point.  One day, they decided to go walking down the street.  So they did.  They walked and put cards in doors.  They walked and talked to a man or woman or couple whom they passed.  They walked and enjoyed the sun.  And then, the unthinkable happened: a dog.  There was a dog.  How could there be a dog?  Without a leash?  It was big.  And, so was the other dog that was standing by it.  Then, the black one started barking and running towards the Sister Missionaries.  Then the other dog started barking and running towards the Sisters.  So, one of the missionaries decided that they were going to cut through some backyards.  So they did.  The End.

I didn't know what to write this week.  Sister Mayfield says that when you don't know what to write, just write stories about the dogs chasing us.  Sister Mayfield is terrified of dogs.  She starts hyperventilating whenever she sees one not on a leash.  She got attacked when she was a child.  Also, I actually don't know what week this was.  We only get chased by dogs every day.

Oh! We got to go to the Blue and Gold Banquet on Saturday.  They had really tasty cupcakes.

I love you.  Have a terrific week.  "I know the Lord provides a way."

Go with God,
Sister Turley

Gratitude

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a little taxing.  My spiritual tank was running a little low.  As I was studying for an investigator, I was reading on page 73 in Preach My Gospel.  It was the commandment to pray often.  It says that as we pray sincerely, we will be able to see God's influence in our lives.  So, I wrote down a bunch of ways that I have seen God's influence. Then, a few days later, I was reading in Ether 3.  Jesus Christ showed Himself to the brother of Jared.  Verse 18 says, "and all this, that this man might know that he was God."  Christ was willing to do so much to prove to one man that he was God.  So, I pondered what He was willing to do for me.  I wrote down a bunch of blessings that have shown me that God is there.  I realized amongst all this that I need to be more grateful.  As I am grateful, I am able to fill my spiritual tank.  I am able to handle the pressures of life.

Blessings/ God's Influence in my Life

  Scriptures      Hastening the Work    Love for Companions

Love for Family       Family    Faith     Endurance

    Ability to Learn     Patriarchal Blessing    Dancing

Second Chances    Infinity Chances     Ability to Learn

    And so on and so forth . . .

I would love to hear some things that you have been blessed with in the last year.  I love you.  I am thankful that I have been blessed to have all of you in my life.  I hope you are doing well.

Go with God,

Sister Turley

The Gift of Tongues

Dear Family and Friends,

Honestly!  I don't know what to write.  I am a missionary.  I actually didn't do too much tracting this week.  We did a lot of painting jobs for the member that we live with.  We got a few referrals from mormon.org.  We contacted them.

Oh wait, I have a fun story.  We had a referral from mormon.org named Gail.  We went to her house not knowing anything because our phone is weird and doesn't send or receive complete messages.  (So, we have to send our district leader our goals and actual numbers about three times every week.)  Anyways, we didn't know much about her, so we went to the door.  She came to the door and motioned that she couldn't hear.  So I signed to her, " YOU KNOW SIGN?"  She replied, "YES I DEAF."  So, I asked her about mormon.org and if she had seen it.  She said that she didn't.  I asked her if she had any friends that are Mormon.  She said no, and that she has her own church.  Unfortunately, my ASL is really not great, so I didn't know how to bear my testimony too well.  I said that we believe in Jesus Christ and that the Book of Mormon is a little like the Bible.  We believe the Book of Mormon.  I asked if she wanted to read the Book of Mormon, but she said no.  But, I feel that what I said was not sufficient to help her feel the truth.  My ASL was not good enough to help her.  So, Sister Mayfield and I have thought that we should go over and see if she will teach us some ASL.  Maybe that will get us in.  We haven't gone back yet.  We will see.  

I hope all are doing well.  I love you.  

Go with God,

Sister Turley