Hello family!
I don't have much time to e-mail today because we had to fill out a survey thing and this library is pretty limited on our time usage.. We had a good week, lots of walking and talking to people! We had a good lesson with Kim and we are going to try and set a date with her this week. She is very sweet, and I think she is really prepared for the gospel. She is very receptive, it is almost weird! We are just waiting for some opposition to come along because so far she has been pretty solid! It has been rainy today, but it is sooo pretty. Fall is at it's best out here right now! I can't believe it is almost November already! Yep I will hit my 9 month mark on the 17th!
My address is:
2444 Whitfield Rd Apt D
Clarksville, TN 37040
Sorry I forgot to send it last time. Goodness, I am already about out of time and I need to write Pres Hutchings. I will write a letter to send off but tell everyone I love them and I think about you all!
Love always,
Sister Turner
sorry, that was probably the shortest e-mail ever. But I love you all! I'll have more time next week!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Oct. 18, 2010
Hello! We had a great week this last week. Sister Fear and Sister Goff, two traveling sisters came to stay with us on friday night and we went on splits saturday and found 8 new investigators, taught 11 lessons, and contacted 24 people in 4 hours! It was pretty awesome. We went to a neighborhood that Sis Cosper and I were in during the first week and found 4 of them just in that neighborhood. So we have a bunch of return appointments that we have no idea how we are going to get to on time because we don't have a car this week and haven't found any rides yet. It will work out, but it is crazy. We also got a phone call from the Conary's, a family that we taught last monday night. They had been taught for 5 months about 2 years ago but wanted evidence of the book of mormon and the sisters dropped them. So we went back and tried to teach them, but they still were too focused on having the eveidence and basically we told them that until they could read the book of mormon and pray sincerely to know it is true, they would never know the truth. So we told them we'd love to come back but only if they thought it would be worth their time to learn. Well, we thought that was it but they called us on Saturday and told us they wanted us to come back! Now we just have to figure out what is the most important thing we want to focus on teaching. We were thinking about doing a lesson on faith but we don't know yet. Then yesterday we got to go to the Gladys Knight Fireside. We weren't sure we were going to be able to but last minute someone said they could come! I am so glad we did because it was awesome. I have to admit I have never cared much for her music, but getting to know her on a more personal level was very cool. She basically told everyone there, which there was a TON of non members there, that they WILL eventually come to know the truth. She had all of the missionaries stand up in the audience and told us how much she loved us and that it was because of the missionaries sacrifices that brought her the greatest happiness and she told everyone to let us in their door! Haha, it was really cool. She is a very funny lady and already has a huge influence on the people here in the South. It was really cool to hear about her conversion story. Her choir was really good too! She actually sang alot of southern baptist songs, ones that most people out here are familiar with and had everyone clapping but also had a few reverent songs to introduce our hymns. It actually felt more weird to some of the members than anyone else, haha. It was a really cool way to bring all kinds of people together though, it was awesome! I also got to see Jana! The funny lady in Cookeville that got baptized back in April! I ran up to her and gave her a big hug and she just started crying. I didn't realize how much I'd come to love these people out here. Even the ones who give me a hard time! Actually the ones who do give us a hard time I seem to have a greater appreciation for. Probably because I worked hard on them! But it was a great experience!
Do they already have the conference cd's for October? The ones you sent last time were the April conference.. so i just wanted to make sure you weren't sending them twice, haha. Thats okay you didn't send any mail.. I think I was being tested because I haven't gotten ANY mail at all in the last 2 weeks. I was a little discouraged about it last week but its fine now! Sister Cosper has had a dream every night for the last few nights that I get mail, and then in real life it doesn't come, haha. I was wondering, I don't know what kind of long sleeved or warmer clothes I have in the closet, but can you send me some if I have anything? Maybe another jacket and any other clothes there are? Or if you see anything that you think I would like, send it. Its not too cold yet, actually it has been nice during the day and cooler at night but I know the cold is coming! I could use some scarves and gloves and beanies too cuz I only have like one pair. You don't have to send all of it, just send me whatever and I can buy more if I need it out here. Luckily there are stores around! :) Oh, in the big box of shoes I have, I think the boots I bought are in it and it would be good to have those too!
First one: Me and some of the sisters at transfer meeting! Sister Fear, Sister Green and Sister Blackham!
Second: Our sister missionary shadows!
Third and fourth: Pretty fall leaves!
5th and 6th: I found my name! I knew there was a reason I was supposed to be in Clarksville! ;)
7th: Sister Cosper and I at Creosha's house with her little sister and her friend.
This picture did not come through in her email.
8th: Me and Creosha!
Love always,
Sister Turner
Monday, October 11, 2010
Oct. 11, 2010
Hello!
My first week in Clarksville was pretty good! Basically everyone I talk to is either in the military or their spouse is in the military. There are so many good people here though. I am in the 2nd ward, and I met Matt's sister! She came up to me and introduced herself, haha. She was pretty excited! People come and go in this ward so fast it is almost crazy. We didn't have tha car last week and so we had to try and get around on foot. We were a little too nervous to ride bikes yet because the road by our house is hilly and curvy, people drive fast, there is no shoulder on the road, and there are ditches on both sides. I don't know, I guess we felt safer walking? My companion is Sister Cosper, she is from the Salt Lake area. She actually thinks she might know Brittany. She was looking at our family picture and said she looked familiar, and realized that she probably saw Britt at Utah State going to photography. I guess her classes were a floor above the photography room. She is pretty awesome! It is kinda weird being the oldest, realizing I am supposed to be the one who knows what to do! It has been good though. We met a lot of the members this last week, and people we didn't even know gave us rides every so often so it hasn't been too bad. I don't know what it will be like when it gets cold and dark earlier! Last night we had dinner at the Aliki's house. She is from New Zealand and her husband is from Samoa but they lived in Hawaii. They are a way good family! We went finding a couple of the days and both times we seemed to have found the ones who just want to debate.. We first ran into a minister of a non-denominational church who tried to tell us we didn't know the history of the church and that the mormon religion was "the most dangerous plot to lead people astray" he had ever researched. We tried to politely tell him to have a good day and we'd be on our way. We tried to shake his hand and he wouldn't even do that, he was pretty upset I guess. Then as we were walking down the street he pulled over in his car and apologized but mentioned he would still give his blood to change our beliefs. Then yesterday we talked to a pastor who was pentecostal, and told us she didn't need a prophet because she could know what God wants her to do for herself and that she held the same power that the preisthood hold. I am not sure why we found those two to talk to out of all the people here, but Sister Aliki mentioned it was a way to build our own testimonies of the gospel. So I thought that was a good way to look at it! One thing that is kind of hard about his ward is that there are SO MANY children, little ones, who are so cute and I can't hold them! So sacrament meeting is pretty loud, haha. I am excited to serve here though, I think it will be a great place to be. I feel like i have already gained a greater appreciation for those in the military. Their families give up so much for our freedom!
Anyway, things are good. We have the car this week! So we are going to use it to try and figure out our area as best as we can and to see people who live further away. Well we don't have as much time to e-mail today because we are going over to a family's house for lunch and games. There are quite a few missionaries in this area so we get to do fun stuff together! This morning we all went to the church to play basketball for exercise. There are some great elders in this area! Our district leader has 7 baptism dates! Sis Cosper and I have some catching up to do!
I love you all, I hope you are all doing well!
Love always
Sister Turner
My first week in Clarksville was pretty good! Basically everyone I talk to is either in the military or their spouse is in the military. There are so many good people here though. I am in the 2nd ward, and I met Matt's sister! She came up to me and introduced herself, haha. She was pretty excited! People come and go in this ward so fast it is almost crazy. We didn't have tha car last week and so we had to try and get around on foot. We were a little too nervous to ride bikes yet because the road by our house is hilly and curvy, people drive fast, there is no shoulder on the road, and there are ditches on both sides. I don't know, I guess we felt safer walking? My companion is Sister Cosper, she is from the Salt Lake area. She actually thinks she might know Brittany. She was looking at our family picture and said she looked familiar, and realized that she probably saw Britt at Utah State going to photography. I guess her classes were a floor above the photography room. She is pretty awesome! It is kinda weird being the oldest, realizing I am supposed to be the one who knows what to do! It has been good though. We met a lot of the members this last week, and people we didn't even know gave us rides every so often so it hasn't been too bad. I don't know what it will be like when it gets cold and dark earlier! Last night we had dinner at the Aliki's house. She is from New Zealand and her husband is from Samoa but they lived in Hawaii. They are a way good family! We went finding a couple of the days and both times we seemed to have found the ones who just want to debate.. We first ran into a minister of a non-denominational church who tried to tell us we didn't know the history of the church and that the mormon religion was "the most dangerous plot to lead people astray" he had ever researched. We tried to politely tell him to have a good day and we'd be on our way. We tried to shake his hand and he wouldn't even do that, he was pretty upset I guess. Then as we were walking down the street he pulled over in his car and apologized but mentioned he would still give his blood to change our beliefs. Then yesterday we talked to a pastor who was pentecostal, and told us she didn't need a prophet because she could know what God wants her to do for herself and that she held the same power that the preisthood hold. I am not sure why we found those two to talk to out of all the people here, but Sister Aliki mentioned it was a way to build our own testimonies of the gospel. So I thought that was a good way to look at it! One thing that is kind of hard about his ward is that there are SO MANY children, little ones, who are so cute and I can't hold them! So sacrament meeting is pretty loud, haha. I am excited to serve here though, I think it will be a great place to be. I feel like i have already gained a greater appreciation for those in the military. Their families give up so much for our freedom!
Anyway, things are good. We have the car this week! So we are going to use it to try and figure out our area as best as we can and to see people who live further away. Well we don't have as much time to e-mail today because we are going over to a family's house for lunch and games. There are quite a few missionaries in this area so we get to do fun stuff together! This morning we all went to the church to play basketball for exercise. There are some great elders in this area! Our district leader has 7 baptism dates! Sis Cosper and I have some catching up to do!
I love you all, I hope you are all doing well!
Love always
Sister Turner
Monday, October 4, 2010
October 4, 2010
Well, I am getting transferred! I am a little sad to be leaving Portland. I have loved serving here! But president Hutchings called us on Saturday morning before conferece and talked to Sister Blackham first, and told her she would be training! So I knew I was leaving at that point. Then he talked to me and said I was headed for Clarksville, the military town with Sister Cosper! We will be whitewashing the area, and I will be greenie busting Sis Cosper. She has been out for two transfers but she has had the same companion, so that will be interesting! It is also an area that has only a part time car, so I will probably be using my bike! Just as it is starting to get cold..! Which reminds me, I think I am going to be needing some warmer winter clothes. I've heard it gets pretty cold out here. I did get to watch all of conference. it was really good! The theme seemed to be the priesthood and prophet/leadership. Which is interesting because that is one thing that a lot of people out here struggle to understand. They think there are lots of prophets on the earth today! Anyway, so I am kinda sad to be leaving because there is so much happening here in Portland in October. Deborah and Barry are getting married, and she is getting baptized. And one of our other investigators we just commited to pray about a day to be baptized. Then there is the Gladys Knight fireside that we were going to be at all 3 shows to help out. Now I get to go to a new area where neither one of us knows much about, and figure out who is going to Gladys Knight and all of that fun stuff. Although when President Hutchings called and told me I felt very strongly that Clarksville is where I am supposed to be. Which I haven't felt that strong about a transfer yet! I'll probably spend Christmas there too! So that is the update on transfers! Sis Blackham is pretty excited to train I think! A little nervous too because you never know what they will be like! It has really cooled down this past week. Last night it got down to the mid 30's and today I think the high is 60 something.
Well i am glad that you guys had fun at the cabin. I bet it was really nice up there! I can't really think of much else to say. I feel scatterbrained with everything I need to do before transfers tomorrow. I will have to send more pictures later I guess. I am not sure why they didn't get sent in the last letter.
Anyway, I love you all so much. Keep having fun!
Love always
Sister Turner
The first picture is of Sister Hathaway and her daughter Sarah. We had dinner over at their house every sunday! They are awesome!
Wilson road!
Me, out on a random country road, pondering deep thoughts...
Sister Blackham and I taking pictures!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
