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



Self-Control

<-- This is me.  My name is Cami.  Out of adversity, I have learned a lot of things.  Unfortunately, I tend to go back to being the "natural man" and forget what I have learned (Mosiah 3:19).  So, today I will share what I have learned, and hopefully it will help me remember and will help others learn what I have learned.

I don't have control over much, but there are a few things that I do have control over.

I have control of where my feet move.  I have control over what I wear.  And, I have control over how I do my hair.  I have control over the makeup that I put on.  But, I don't have control over how much acne I have or whether my body will start aching.

I have control over who I talk to, but I don't have control over who will talk to me.  I have control of where I go but not over the others that will be there.  I have control over what I think of others.  I have control over what I say.  I have control over what I write down.  I also have control over what information I share.  I do not, however, have control over what happens to information as soon as I share it.  I don't have control of who will be offended by information that I may share, and I don't have control over who will be enlightened by what I share.  But, I do have control over whether I share or not.

I have some control of who I am, but not all.  "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love Him" (Young Women's theme).  I don't have control over my Heavenly Father's ability to create or His ability to love.  But, I do get to choose if I love Him.

I have some control, but not all.  I have control over myself.  And even with that control, I need to do some work.  I need to work on controlling myself a little (or a lot) better.  But, in the end, I have control over myself, but I have no control over others.  And, they don't have any control over me.

I am I.  You are you.



So, even though it isn't the new year yet, I have a resolution:  I will be better. 

I will be the best me ever.  I will be the best Cami that I can.

Life is meant for learning, but life is also meant for celebrating.  Let's all have a learning celebration.

Love,

Cami

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.

Journal Epiphanies

I like to consider myself an avid journal writer.  Unfortunately, I do not right every day, so I am not quite the avid journal writer as others.  But, I was writing in my journal today.  I looked at many of the beginning sentences and end sentences.  I then realized how thankful I am for the words in the middle because my life would not make any sense if I only wrote the first and last sentences.

Examples:
May 30, 2012--"These are the movies that I have seen so far this summer.... She does her laundry, so I know that she has some good hygiene."

June 25, 2012--"Today is Claire's birthday....I don't think I have to worry about anything."

May 12, 2011--"Yes, I am writing in my journal....Well, I must sleep."

June 5, 2011--"Yesterday was Saturday and also my birthday...But, it is over and for that I am glad."

July 25, 2011--"I don't really have much to say....But, I guess I will eventually find it."

October 2, 2011--"Well, I watched eight hours of General Conference this weekend....Well, now you get to memorize all of the people I have mentioned in this entry."

There are some better ones in my journal, but I can't find them at the moment.  I just am glad that there are words in the middle.  It makes my life seem a little more understandable.

I love you all.  I hope you are doing well.  I don't think you read this, but I love you anyways and still hope you are doing well.  Love, Cami

P.S.  "I like to consider myself an avid journal writer....Love, Cami"

Chocolate brings much Joy

Dear family,

You may have realized that I changed the name of my blog.  I don't know how long this will last.  Maybe forever.  I just wanted to share the quote that was on the inside of one of my dove chocolate wrappers.  I ate the chocolate a long time ago, but the wrapper remains in my scriptures.  Yes, I do have candy wrappers in my scriptures.  But, the wrapper says, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."  I really want to celebrate my life more.  I have a wonderful life even if I don't think I do.  I always try to imagine what I would do if I was someone else.  I would hate to be someone else.  I am going through my own trials, and I don't want to go through another person's.  I cannot imagine the strength that others have.  I don't know how they keep celebrating their life.  But, I will keep my own life.  I love being myself and love that I am not you.  I am sorry if that sounds rude to you; it is just that I am thankful that I am I and you are you.  We are meant to be ourselves and celebrate the people that we are.

Thank you for being such supportive family.  I love all of you and am glad that I am able to know all of you.  I hope you are doing well.  Look to the future because you make a difference.  You are the only one who can be you. 

Let's Celebrate!
Love,
Cami

Sometimes we are Nerds

If anyone has ever wanted to know what I do with my brothers, now is the time to read.  My brothers have many legos.  They have people from “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Batman,” and other movies.  They also have some regular zombies and one Justin Bieber.  So, we tend to make “scenes” with the lego people.  They are always rather interesting.


The first two pictures are of the girls who flock to Justin Bieber and are upset that his head got sliced off by a monkey with a lightsaber.

For my birthday, I got a Snow White doll (courtesy of Cherise Turley).  I used it for the first time today.  The story is changed some in this scene.  The dwarf on the far left is giving Snow White the apple.

This is an example of one of the Star Wars scenes.  Yesterday, Emmett had a droid army fighting the clone army in the streets of the Lego City.

 The last picture is of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (Voldemort) using Floo Powder in the fireplace of one of the houses in the Lego City.

This is what we do sometimes in our free time.  We are nerds, we know.  But, this fun.  Sometimes the scenes can get a little graphic especially when a seagull has pooped on the head of a Lego person.