Dear Fam and Friends,
This week was a little slower than we would have liked. We had two lessons with investigators and two with less actives. Thankfully both of our lessons with investigators were with members! I am still trying to develop the North Carolina Sister Turley's "Passion for Finding." Not quite there yet. We keep having to tell ourselves, "Just keep tracting, just keep tracting." It is getting a little more difficult to find people now that the Washington Winter is settling in. We had our first really rainy days this weekend. It poured and we were afraid that if we rode our bikes we would get blown over by the wind! We have been joking/not joking that nobody answers the door when it is dark and nobody answers the door when it rains. So pretty much all the time, haha. People actually told us "go home" like we were crazy people when we knocked on their doors. We are going to have to rely heavily on our members, especially as it gets darker earlier and earlier. They say it gets dark at 4 during the winter!
Our lesson with Carla and Joe this week was unique. They had invited a group of friends from the Edmonds Adventist Church to join the discussion. We were nervous going in because we didn't know what the format of the meeting was going to be and whether or not we were setting ourselves up to be attacked. We were pleasantly surprised. With the exception of one member of the group (who was a new-comer that they were trying to fellowship) they were all VERY open-minded. The general feeling in the group was that they belong to that church because it is what most closely resembles their personal beliefs, but they are willing to hear from others to see if there is something they are missing out on that they can find from other faiths :) We were able to share most of the Restoration and a brief overview of the Plan of Salvation while answering their questions. It was really fun! They asked great questions and most seemed to believe Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision. Following the discussion, we invited all to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. They all accepted and thanked us over and over again for coming to their meeting and sharing what we know to be true. The Spirit was SO STRONG with all these searching hearts and open minds learning of Restored truths together. It was so amazing that they all played off of each other and helped one another understand the things they had been taught. At times, one would ask a question, and another would pipe up and explain what we had shared and it was truly a D&C 50:22 experience ("Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together").
I have really enjoyed reading the New Testament the last few weeks, and I wish that we were able to have an hour to study the Book of Mormon, an hour to study the Bible and an hour to study the doctrines of the lessons. Maybe someday I will. I read in Matthew 10 and I had a realization in verse 30 that I really needed. It reads, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." It was amazing to me that God loves me that much to know how many hairs are on my head. It seems so petty and insignificant. Who really cares the number of hairs they have on their head? I don't care to count. But the Lord does. I am that important to God that He is willing to keep a running total. He probably also knows how many gray hairs this mission has given me, too. It's crazy. But it is true.
Love you all lots and thanks for the Birthday wishes!
Sister Turley
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
S. Turley--Miracles in the WEM
Dear Family and Friends,
I have neglected to share with you a number of things over the past few weeks. I feel like every Monday has been crazy and we have been rushed to get in and out of the library. So this might be a bit of a catch-up letter and it may take a lot of explaining about why we are excited about different things, so here goes...
We got bikes this week!...So, we are splitting our ward with a set of Elders. We are assigned to work in the south half of the ward. The good news is that we are in our new apartment! The bad news is that it is on the very north border of the ward. Literally, if we cross the street we are out of our area. We have 600 miles a month to use on our car so that gives us about 20 miles a day. And with travel from our apartment to our area on the south end of the ward, we use about 16 miles daily. So that gives us 4 miles to use for proselyting. And our area is all culs de sac and there is only one way in and out of most places. We had hoped to get more miles, but our mission's mileage budget from Salt Lake has been cut, so that was out. So, we got bikes! Who knew that I would ever be so excited to ride a bike in a dress?? We are grateful to have them so we can visit more people in our area and not be confined to one section. I love helmet hair.
We had an investigator attend church this week! Her name is Lavina and she is Catholic and originally from Texas. She is married to a man from India whom she classifies as a "non-believer." I don't remember what I shared in the past, but a few weeks ago we tracted into Lavina and she invited us into her home. She informed us as we were leaving that she had never invited Mormons into her home, but as soon as she saw us, she felt the Spirit and invited us in. President Bonham has chosen our building and the Everett Stake Center to be guinea pigs in hosting church tours, so we will be doing some trial runs in the next few weeks. We got invitations to the Church tour on Wednesday, and we went around to our investigators and took them plates of cookies (our WMLs philosophy is "cookies work.") with the invitations. We did not get a firm response from any of our investigators about going, so we didn't really expect anyone to show up. But we had a miracle! On Saturday afternoon, we drove our car out to the Church to park and then ride our bikes out to our area. We went in to the Church for a few minutes to write down addresses to people we planned to visit and as we were getting up to leave, Lavina walked in! We were able to give her a tour and an explanation of the services and what would happen during the meetings. She told us at the end of the tour how grateful she was to have come to the tour and know a little bit better what to expect so she would not be as overwhelmed during the meetings on Sunday. She attended church with us yesterday and really enjoyed it. Her favorite class was Sunday School and she participated freely. We are grateful that the Elders were able to give such a wonderful lesson! We meet with Lavina again on Thursday morning and are excited to be able to teach her the full Restoration lesson. The tour brought up a lot of questions about the Restoration that we are excited to address!
We also have a new investigator, Nahal. She is from Iran and consequently, Muslim. She informed us that she has never practiced or believed in Islam. She said that they just lived that way growing up in Iran because it was a requirement. Her husband shared that he is not really interested in religion, even his own. We hope that this will change in the future. They also have a nine year old son. Nahal has a very interesting story. I guess was struggling at one point and really needed help. She started experimenting by praying to different gods and in different ways. And when she started praying to God in the name of Jesus Christ, she felt something different and that it was good. And shortly after that, she had experienced a miracle that was a strength to her. It has given her a very different view on Jesus Christ that is held by most Muslims. It is pretty amazing how well prepared she is to receive the Gospel. She had received a Book of Mormon in Farsi in the past, but unfortunately, the translation has never been finished (It probably was not top priority because we have to get special permission to teach individuals who are Muslim). But her mother is staying with her for a few months from Iran and picked it up and is really enjoying it! It is also wonderful that she already has a number of member fellowshippers (she was a member referral! yay!) in the ward that are excited to sit with her at church and attend lessons with us! We are hoping that her husband will be able to attend church with her in the future. I have heard that he really appreciates the social aspect of the church because they do not know very many people in the United States. Maybe the social conversion will lead to doctrinal conversion.
Yesterday I was reading in Alma chapter 39 (Lari), and had some very interesting ideas come to mind. In verse 16, Alma is describing to his son, Corianton, the work to which he had been called as a missionary. He explains, "And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people..." I thought about the other instances in which the phrase "glad tidings" was used in the scriptures and it is almost always with angels. We often use refer to the verse in Alma 13:24 which asserts that angels are preparing the people in the land to receive the Gospel. And if our call is the same as the errand of angels, then I think very easily that missionaries past and present may be the angels that are preparing the people. We often hear of "angels among us," and they are often described as ordinary people doing an extraordinary work. I do no think that this rules out the reality of having true angels sent from the presence of God to help with the work, but it helped me to have even a different outlook on missionary work. Missionary work is a combined effort between the many different kind of angels, both seen and unseen, resurrected and mortal and spirit. And I would suggest that it takes the efforts of all to be successful.
Do you remember Bennett and Verna from Oak Harbor? Well, they are getting baptized! Tracting miracles. Sister Slade says that they are quote: "SO SOLID." And it gets better! Verna asked Everet (the less active we taught and whose wife, Darlene, got baptized) to baptize her! I don't know if I could be any more excited! I am praying hard to be able to attend the baptism. We can go if it is within 6 weeks of us being transferred from the area and it will be 7 when they get baptized on October 12th (Happy Birthday to Griffin and happy "Rebirth" day to Bennett and Verna!). President said to ask for permission again when it gets closer and he may feel inspired to say yes. But there is another church tour that day, so we will see what happens. I am so excited for them!!!!!!!
Well, I love you all lots and hope that you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Turley
I have neglected to share with you a number of things over the past few weeks. I feel like every Monday has been crazy and we have been rushed to get in and out of the library. So this might be a bit of a catch-up letter and it may take a lot of explaining about why we are excited about different things, so here goes...
We got bikes this week!...So, we are splitting our ward with a set of Elders. We are assigned to work in the south half of the ward. The good news is that we are in our new apartment! The bad news is that it is on the very north border of the ward. Literally, if we cross the street we are out of our area. We have 600 miles a month to use on our car so that gives us about 20 miles a day. And with travel from our apartment to our area on the south end of the ward, we use about 16 miles daily. So that gives us 4 miles to use for proselyting. And our area is all culs de sac and there is only one way in and out of most places. We had hoped to get more miles, but our mission's mileage budget from Salt Lake has been cut, so that was out. So, we got bikes! Who knew that I would ever be so excited to ride a bike in a dress?? We are grateful to have them so we can visit more people in our area and not be confined to one section. I love helmet hair.
We had an investigator attend church this week! Her name is Lavina and she is Catholic and originally from Texas. She is married to a man from India whom she classifies as a "non-believer." I don't remember what I shared in the past, but a few weeks ago we tracted into Lavina and she invited us into her home. She informed us as we were leaving that she had never invited Mormons into her home, but as soon as she saw us, she felt the Spirit and invited us in. President Bonham has chosen our building and the Everett Stake Center to be guinea pigs in hosting church tours, so we will be doing some trial runs in the next few weeks. We got invitations to the Church tour on Wednesday, and we went around to our investigators and took them plates of cookies (our WMLs philosophy is "cookies work.") with the invitations. We did not get a firm response from any of our investigators about going, so we didn't really expect anyone to show up. But we had a miracle! On Saturday afternoon, we drove our car out to the Church to park and then ride our bikes out to our area. We went in to the Church for a few minutes to write down addresses to people we planned to visit and as we were getting up to leave, Lavina walked in! We were able to give her a tour and an explanation of the services and what would happen during the meetings. She told us at the end of the tour how grateful she was to have come to the tour and know a little bit better what to expect so she would not be as overwhelmed during the meetings on Sunday. She attended church with us yesterday and really enjoyed it. Her favorite class was Sunday School and she participated freely. We are grateful that the Elders were able to give such a wonderful lesson! We meet with Lavina again on Thursday morning and are excited to be able to teach her the full Restoration lesson. The tour brought up a lot of questions about the Restoration that we are excited to address!
We also have a new investigator, Nahal. She is from Iran and consequently, Muslim. She informed us that she has never practiced or believed in Islam. She said that they just lived that way growing up in Iran because it was a requirement. Her husband shared that he is not really interested in religion, even his own. We hope that this will change in the future. They also have a nine year old son. Nahal has a very interesting story. I guess was struggling at one point and really needed help. She started experimenting by praying to different gods and in different ways. And when she started praying to God in the name of Jesus Christ, she felt something different and that it was good. And shortly after that, she had experienced a miracle that was a strength to her. It has given her a very different view on Jesus Christ that is held by most Muslims. It is pretty amazing how well prepared she is to receive the Gospel. She had received a Book of Mormon in Farsi in the past, but unfortunately, the translation has never been finished (It probably was not top priority because we have to get special permission to teach individuals who are Muslim). But her mother is staying with her for a few months from Iran and picked it up and is really enjoying it! It is also wonderful that she already has a number of member fellowshippers (she was a member referral! yay!) in the ward that are excited to sit with her at church and attend lessons with us! We are hoping that her husband will be able to attend church with her in the future. I have heard that he really appreciates the social aspect of the church because they do not know very many people in the United States. Maybe the social conversion will lead to doctrinal conversion.
Yesterday I was reading in Alma chapter 39 (Lari), and had some very interesting ideas come to mind. In verse 16, Alma is describing to his son, Corianton, the work to which he had been called as a missionary. He explains, "And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people..." I thought about the other instances in which the phrase "glad tidings" was used in the scriptures and it is almost always with angels. We often use refer to the verse in Alma 13:24 which asserts that angels are preparing the people in the land to receive the Gospel. And if our call is the same as the errand of angels, then I think very easily that missionaries past and present may be the angels that are preparing the people. We often hear of "angels among us," and they are often described as ordinary people doing an extraordinary work. I do no think that this rules out the reality of having true angels sent from the presence of God to help with the work, but it helped me to have even a different outlook on missionary work. Missionary work is a combined effort between the many different kind of angels, both seen and unseen, resurrected and mortal and spirit. And I would suggest that it takes the efforts of all to be successful.
Do you remember Bennett and Verna from Oak Harbor? Well, they are getting baptized! Tracting miracles. Sister Slade says that they are quote: "SO SOLID." And it gets better! Verna asked Everet (the less active we taught and whose wife, Darlene, got baptized) to baptize her! I don't know if I could be any more excited! I am praying hard to be able to attend the baptism. We can go if it is within 6 weeks of us being transferred from the area and it will be 7 when they get baptized on October 12th (Happy Birthday to Griffin and happy "Rebirth" day to Bennett and Verna!). President said to ask for permission again when it gets closer and he may feel inspired to say yes. But there is another church tour that day, so we will see what happens. I am so excited for them!!!!!!!
Well, I love you all lots and hope that you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Turley
Monday, September 16, 2013
WEM--S. Turley 9/16/13
Dear Family and Friends,
This week, we were able to teach Carla again, as well as her husband, Joe. I truly hope that they are earnestly seeking because they are asking all the right questions. They were interested in the Plan of Salvation, so we taught them the first half on Thursday evening. They actually moved our appointment up a week earlier than originally scheduled. Carla loved hearing about the Pre-Earth Life and that we lived with God as Spirits before we came here. She said that was something she had actually contemplated just a few days earlier when her daughter asked her where we came from. Joe asked where our church building was, so we hope that is indicative of an interest to attend church and try it our for himself/themselves.
We also had a second lesson with a woman named Lavina that we tracted into on our first day in this area. During our first meeting, she told us as we left: "I have never invited Mormons into my home before, but when I saw you, I felt the Spirit." The lesson this week was kind of interesting because she wanted it to be more "free-form." We were able to fit a few principles into our answers of her questions. Next time, we plan to use "How To Begin Teaching" more fully and especially explain that when she understands some basics of our faith the answers that she will receive will be more meaningful. She also agreed to attend church next week. I am anxious for that event because she already recognizes the Spirit and hopefully it will be in abundance at Church for her.
Yesterday, we were tracting in an area where a member lives and we decided that we would knock on their door as well. It was really cool, because we had had dinner with the family our first night in the area, but the dad and oldest son were on Safari in Africa (nbd...) so we did not get to meet them that evening. Last night we got to meet the entire family, and without us even suggesting it, the dad encouraged the family to make a goal for the month for doing missionary work. They decided that they are all going to give away a Book of Mormon by October 20th. They said that we could follow-up with them on that goal and we very much look forward to that!
I have continued my studies in Alma this week (Lari) and one of my favorite verses that I have read this week was in Alma chapter 34 verse 16. It explained that our faith has to be "unto repentance" in order to fully apply the Atonement. It is always such a thought-provoking idea to me that faith is a principle of action. But I know that it is. If we don't plant our seed of faith, there is no way that it will grow. Without the action of planting the seed, our faith is good for nothing. But I loved that earlier in the verse that if we do have this faith unto repentance, "mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety." I love that mercy can potentially override justice if we are actively repenting. And I love that we can be "encircled in the arms of safety." It is such a beautiful idea and picture to me. I imagine being encircled in the arms of the Savior who is our safety and foundation in the midst of the storms of life and as we improve ourselves.
Love ya lots!
Sister Turley
PS--Many have asked for my new address. It is the following:
5010 84th St. SW #D21
Mukilteo, WA 98725
This week, we were able to teach Carla again, as well as her husband, Joe. I truly hope that they are earnestly seeking because they are asking all the right questions. They were interested in the Plan of Salvation, so we taught them the first half on Thursday evening. They actually moved our appointment up a week earlier than originally scheduled. Carla loved hearing about the Pre-Earth Life and that we lived with God as Spirits before we came here. She said that was something she had actually contemplated just a few days earlier when her daughter asked her where we came from. Joe asked where our church building was, so we hope that is indicative of an interest to attend church and try it our for himself/themselves.
We also had a second lesson with a woman named Lavina that we tracted into on our first day in this area. During our first meeting, she told us as we left: "I have never invited Mormons into my home before, but when I saw you, I felt the Spirit." The lesson this week was kind of interesting because she wanted it to be more "free-form." We were able to fit a few principles into our answers of her questions. Next time, we plan to use "How To Begin Teaching" more fully and especially explain that when she understands some basics of our faith the answers that she will receive will be more meaningful. She also agreed to attend church next week. I am anxious for that event because she already recognizes the Spirit and hopefully it will be in abundance at Church for her.
Yesterday, we were tracting in an area where a member lives and we decided that we would knock on their door as well. It was really cool, because we had had dinner with the family our first night in the area, but the dad and oldest son were on Safari in Africa (nbd...) so we did not get to meet them that evening. Last night we got to meet the entire family, and without us even suggesting it, the dad encouraged the family to make a goal for the month for doing missionary work. They decided that they are all going to give away a Book of Mormon by October 20th. They said that we could follow-up with them on that goal and we very much look forward to that!
I have continued my studies in Alma this week (Lari) and one of my favorite verses that I have read this week was in Alma chapter 34 verse 16. It explained that our faith has to be "unto repentance" in order to fully apply the Atonement. It is always such a thought-provoking idea to me that faith is a principle of action. But I know that it is. If we don't plant our seed of faith, there is no way that it will grow. Without the action of planting the seed, our faith is good for nothing. But I loved that earlier in the verse that if we do have this faith unto repentance, "mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety." I love that mercy can potentially override justice if we are actively repenting. And I love that we can be "encircled in the arms of safety." It is such a beautiful idea and picture to me. I imagine being encircled in the arms of the Savior who is our safety and foundation in the midst of the storms of life and as we improve ourselves.
Love ya lots!
Sister Turley
PS--Many have asked for my new address. It is the following:
5010 84th St. SW #D21
Mukilteo, WA 98725
These are from our District Pday last Monday. We went to Mukilteo beach and played around and saw the lighthouse!
The District-- Back Row: Elder Wells, Elder Schiess,
Elder Beatty, Sister Smith, Sister Turley
Front Row: Elder Haupu, Sister Tuttle, Sister Lawson
Monday, September 9, 2013
WEM
Dear President Fam and Friends,
Our numbers got a little bit higher this week. I feel like the work will be of the "slow and steady" variety for the next few weeks to get the ball rolling in the area.
We did find one new investigator, Carla, on Tuesday of last week. We found her tracting and it was a very interesting experience for both Sister Smith and I. We were attempting to find a former investigator that was in our area book, but the address didn't seem to exist. So, we decided that we would find a street somewhat close and start tracting. We drove and parked, but for some reason, my feet (of their own accord) took us to the next street over. We started at the bottom of the hill and worked our way up. When we knocked on Carla's door, she invited us in to talk and answer questions while she folded her laundry. She asked us some amazing questions and invited us to come share more in about a week. She invited us to come to a sort of dinner group that she has with some other friends that she classified as "searching." :) She is Seventh Day Adventist (toughie since they believe that Saturday is the Sabbath) and she said that she is not looking to change her faith. But she just doesn't realize that she is. Carla told us that her congregation is sort of a "black sheep" congregation and they do not do all the things exactly like the traditions of the religion says, but they strive to live the higher law, the spirit rather than the letter. Carla also informed us that their congregation has realized that the Holy Ghost does not seem to be as present in their lives today as it did in the lives of the Apostles and their congregation was having a special prayer last Saturday evening to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We tried to share that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is available through the restored priesthood authority (we briefly explained the priesthood), but we were not able to squeeze it in. We look forward to our next meeting with her. Afterwards, Sister Smith told me that as she was walking up the driveway to her home she had a thought that was almost like deja vu that she felt that she would be coming back to this house a lot. Maybe that is why we could not find the former investigator and why we walked back to that street unknowingly.
We are continuing to look for new ways to find. Unfortunately/fortunately, we have already visited all but four of our former investigators and nearly all of our potential investigators. We have been reduced to a couple hours of tracting everyday. I am fresh out of ideas, so if you think of anything, let me know.
This week in my study, I read Matthew chapter 4 (Lari). This chapter contains my absolute favorite verse in all of the scriptures. It is verse 20 and describes the Apostles reactions to the Savior's invitation to follow Him. It states, "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." I have been trying really hard to do that. To leave everything and follow Him. Sometimes I find myself singing a song or wanting to quote a movie that is not part of the missionary approved library and have to remind myself that that is not appropriate. But most of the time, it is having to remind myself to leave my nets of doubt and lack of trust, or weak desire behind. I am trying hard and it is hard to leave all those things behind and solely follow the Savior. Hopefully in time I will be able to "straightway [leave my] nets, and [follow] Him."
Thanks for your prayers and support! Love you all!
Sister Turley
Our numbers got a little bit higher this week. I feel like the work will be of the "slow and steady" variety for the next few weeks to get the ball rolling in the area.
We did find one new investigator, Carla, on Tuesday of last week. We found her tracting and it was a very interesting experience for both Sister Smith and I. We were attempting to find a former investigator that was in our area book, but the address didn't seem to exist. So, we decided that we would find a street somewhat close and start tracting. We drove and parked, but for some reason, my feet (of their own accord) took us to the next street over. We started at the bottom of the hill and worked our way up. When we knocked on Carla's door, she invited us in to talk and answer questions while she folded her laundry. She asked us some amazing questions and invited us to come share more in about a week. She invited us to come to a sort of dinner group that she has with some other friends that she classified as "searching." :) She is Seventh Day Adventist (toughie since they believe that Saturday is the Sabbath) and she said that she is not looking to change her faith. But she just doesn't realize that she is. Carla told us that her congregation is sort of a "black sheep" congregation and they do not do all the things exactly like the traditions of the religion says, but they strive to live the higher law, the spirit rather than the letter. Carla also informed us that their congregation has realized that the Holy Ghost does not seem to be as present in their lives today as it did in the lives of the Apostles and their congregation was having a special prayer last Saturday evening to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We tried to share that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is available through the restored priesthood authority (we briefly explained the priesthood), but we were not able to squeeze it in. We look forward to our next meeting with her. Afterwards, Sister Smith told me that as she was walking up the driveway to her home she had a thought that was almost like deja vu that she felt that she would be coming back to this house a lot. Maybe that is why we could not find the former investigator and why we walked back to that street unknowingly.
We are continuing to look for new ways to find. Unfortunately/fortunately, we have already visited all but four of our former investigators and nearly all of our potential investigators. We have been reduced to a couple hours of tracting everyday. I am fresh out of ideas, so if you think of anything, let me know.
This week in my study, I read Matthew chapter 4 (Lari). This chapter contains my absolute favorite verse in all of the scriptures. It is verse 20 and describes the Apostles reactions to the Savior's invitation to follow Him. It states, "And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." I have been trying really hard to do that. To leave everything and follow Him. Sometimes I find myself singing a song or wanting to quote a movie that is not part of the missionary approved library and have to remind myself that that is not appropriate. But most of the time, it is having to remind myself to leave my nets of doubt and lack of trust, or weak desire behind. I am trying hard and it is hard to leave all those things behind and solely follow the Savior. Hopefully in time I will be able to "straightway [leave my] nets, and [follow] Him."
Thanks for your prayers and support! Love you all!
Sister Turley
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
S. Turley--WEM 9/3/13
Dear Family and Friends,
It has been a crazy week! It has definitely come with unique challenges and blessings. I got transferred to the Harbour Pointe Ward. My area covers parts of Mukilteo, Edmonds and Lynnwood (you will have to look it up on the map). So, now I am almost as far south as you can go in the mission. The good news is that we are only about 15 minutes away from the mission office! My new companion is Sister Smith from Odgen, Utah. We are basically starting from scratch here in the Harbour Pointe ward. The bishop expressed that there has not been a baptism in the ward for about two years and that they have had a rough go of it with Elders being sick or being dumb. So we have our work cut out for us. We are going to have to do a lot of work to find investigators because there are none. We have had the opportunity to meet with a few members of the Ward Council and are trying to get in with more. I am so grateful, because already, some of the ward leaders have given us referrals! We are also splitting our ward with a set of Elders, which is really nice because then we can get into more doors and be working with ward members in every situation. The Elders are Elder Wells and Elder Schiess. Elder Schiess was Elder Bloomfield's trainer, so that is kinda cool. Both of the Elders are really hard workers and very motivated, so I am thankful. The Assistants told me at transfers that they were sending, quote, "fireball" missionaries to the area to get the work going and to help the members to trust the missionaries again. So, I guess that makes me feel good about myself, too :)
Because the mission opened 11 new areas (one of which is mine...) there are not enough apartments for the missionaries. So, Sister Smith and I are sleeping on mats on the floor of the apartment of the other Sisters in our District. There is only one bedroom and the mats barely fit between the two beds. And we are living out of our suitcases because there is no closet space, so that is a joy. But at least we have somewhere to sleep and we are not camping out at the mission home (the housing missionaries halfway joked about us having to do that...). We hope to be able to move into another apartment sometime around the fifteenth. It will be nice to actually feel settled and able to concentrate fully on the work.
I have learned so much in my personal study this week! I have continued in Alma and also started reading the New Testament. I have been meaning to read it for a long time and when President Bonham mentioned it at New Missionary Training, I decided that it was time to just do it. One thing that I loved in Alma chapter 23 was that it talked about lasting conversion. Verse 6 states that the lasting conversion came on the part of the missionaries because the preached "according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy" and the part of "God working miracles in them." I love that the two go hand in hand. We have to do our part and the Lord will do His part. But I got to thinking about how I can receive those gifts of the Spirit, revelation and prophecy, and I turned to Doctrine and Covenants 46. In that chapter, I gathered that the following are some of the most important things that we must do to receive those gifts of the Spirit: love the Lord, keep the commandments, ask for those gifts, seek (or study out) those gifts, give thanks and (verse 33) "practise virtue and holiness before me continually." So, those are on my "To Do" list this week (and forever, in reality...), so that we find and teach those who will be truly converted.
Love you all!
Sister Turley
It has been a crazy week! It has definitely come with unique challenges and blessings. I got transferred to the Harbour Pointe Ward. My area covers parts of Mukilteo, Edmonds and Lynnwood (you will have to look it up on the map). So, now I am almost as far south as you can go in the mission. The good news is that we are only about 15 minutes away from the mission office! My new companion is Sister Smith from Odgen, Utah. We are basically starting from scratch here in the Harbour Pointe ward. The bishop expressed that there has not been a baptism in the ward for about two years and that they have had a rough go of it with Elders being sick or being dumb. So we have our work cut out for us. We are going to have to do a lot of work to find investigators because there are none. We have had the opportunity to meet with a few members of the Ward Council and are trying to get in with more. I am so grateful, because already, some of the ward leaders have given us referrals! We are also splitting our ward with a set of Elders, which is really nice because then we can get into more doors and be working with ward members in every situation. The Elders are Elder Wells and Elder Schiess. Elder Schiess was Elder Bloomfield's trainer, so that is kinda cool. Both of the Elders are really hard workers and very motivated, so I am thankful. The Assistants told me at transfers that they were sending, quote, "fireball" missionaries to the area to get the work going and to help the members to trust the missionaries again. So, I guess that makes me feel good about myself, too :)
Because the mission opened 11 new areas (one of which is mine...) there are not enough apartments for the missionaries. So, Sister Smith and I are sleeping on mats on the floor of the apartment of the other Sisters in our District. There is only one bedroom and the mats barely fit between the two beds. And we are living out of our suitcases because there is no closet space, so that is a joy. But at least we have somewhere to sleep and we are not camping out at the mission home (the housing missionaries halfway joked about us having to do that...). We hope to be able to move into another apartment sometime around the fifteenth. It will be nice to actually feel settled and able to concentrate fully on the work.
I have learned so much in my personal study this week! I have continued in Alma and also started reading the New Testament. I have been meaning to read it for a long time and when President Bonham mentioned it at New Missionary Training, I decided that it was time to just do it. One thing that I loved in Alma chapter 23 was that it talked about lasting conversion. Verse 6 states that the lasting conversion came on the part of the missionaries because the preached "according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy" and the part of "God working miracles in them." I love that the two go hand in hand. We have to do our part and the Lord will do His part. But I got to thinking about how I can receive those gifts of the Spirit, revelation and prophecy, and I turned to Doctrine and Covenants 46. In that chapter, I gathered that the following are some of the most important things that we must do to receive those gifts of the Spirit: love the Lord, keep the commandments, ask for those gifts, seek (or study out) those gifts, give thanks and (verse 33) "practise virtue and holiness before me continually." So, those are on my "To Do" list this week (and forever, in reality...), so that we find and teach those who will be truly converted.
Love you all!
Sister Turley
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