S. Turley, WEM

Dear Family and Friends,

We got a media referral by phone on Friday afternoon and decided to go visit him that evening when we had some extra time. When we arrived, he seemed pleased to see us and said that he couldn't talk then, but would like a Book of Mormon. So we left him with the book and our card. About a half an hour later, he sent us a text message and saying thanks and that he would see us at church on Sunday. We planned to save him a seat in the chapel. He told us that he spent Christmas with a member family and had become curious in the Church from that experience. Sadly, he got called in to work on Sunday morning and could not make it. However, we suggested doing a church tour with him later this week so he could see the building and also so we could share some more about our services and beliefs. He is very excited for Thursday at 2:00. Needless to say, so are we :)

Our investigator still hasn't gone to jail yet, but we had a good talk with him yesterday. He agrees that he needs to just go do his commitment and get it off his shoulders. And he told us that he really does want to be baptized. I have high hopes that he will. Sometimes he is just a little bit lazy. Aka, human. Since he has already received the missionary lessons a few times, we suggested that he write down questions that he has or things that he didn't completely understand from his learning before so that the message we share can be more fully applied to him and that the topics that he is really interested in . He also said that he reads better from the scriptures when it is something that he has a question about, so I am grateful to know now how to better help him come unto Christ and see how the Gospel can bless him.

I planned my personal study this week to finish the book of Mark on the 24th so my personal study on Christmas Day would be Luke chapters 1 and 2. As I read, two ideas really struck me. The first was that we have a VERY similar purpose as missionaries to John the Baptist. His purpose was to turn the hearts of the children to the Lord and prepare the way for the Savior to come. That in essence, is our purpose as missionaries. We too invited others to come unto Christ and prepare the way for the Savior's Second Coming. I also loved reading about Mary. As I learned I thought that it was no wonder other religions worship her. She was amazing. When visited by and angel and told her mission, she simply replied, "be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 2:38) and throughout the next chapters, she continued to praise the Lord and submit to the will of the Lord. The Savior clearly had a heighten awareness of the all things Spiritual, but he also had a wonderful example of following God from his mother. It was all planned out perfectly.

Thanks for the Christmas wishes! Love you all!
S. Turley