February 27, 2017

P-day in the new area

Hey guys! This week was eventful. Last P day, we played sports as usual. When we got home, Elder Exon hurt his back, so we couldnt go out because we were still walking at that point. Same with Tuesday morning, but he finally was able to go out later in the day.

 

Wednesday, we taught a guy named Dominque. He is a less active member. He talked to us for like 2 hours. He is quite the talker. But he has been going through some tough stuff lately, so he just needed to vent. But he almost started bashing on the Book of Mormon. But we helped clear some stuff up for him. Later, we went to Rob for dinner. He kept tempting me to play Forza, but I sadly had to turn it down.

 

On Thursday, we had zone conference. It was our zone (Richmond East) combined with the Richmond West zone. I got to see Elder Davis and Sister Erickson! And then after the meeting, we finally got a car! It is a 2015 Toyota Corolla. Then later we taught Sister D, who is another less active member. We have been trying to help her quit smoking. A member that we brought suggested that we cut up her cigarettes and leave her with just the filters. That way she can still go through the motions, but no bad stuff. She agreed to the idea. So we got to cut up some cigarettes, which was fun.

 

On Friday, Elder Exon and I each bought a homemade cross from a disabled guy on the street.

 

On Saturday, the senior missionary couple, the Schrecks, took us out to TGI Fridays for dinner. Then they gave each of us a new pair of shoes. They are my favorite. Later, we went and taught Jeffrey and Lindsey P. They are super cool.

 

On Sunday, Jeffrey got the priesthood! We also saw Michael Paxman and Daniel Bryant at the other ward that meets at our building, which is the YSA ward. Both of them used to serve in this mission. Michael was my zone leader back in Waynesboro and I did a little blitz with him. And Daniel came to the Massaponax ward a few weeks ago when I was there. I'm barely starting to learn the names of everyone in the Glen Allen ward. But it's hard sometimes.

 

It was like 85 degrees this entire week. So hot for February! So that was my week. I love and miss all of you so much!

-Elder Turner

February 20, 2017

Boxing clothes for refugees in Jordan

With the Massaponax elders

Hey guys! This week has been a long week. Last P day, we went bowling and played lots of sports. We said bye to a bunch of members. Then we said bye to Shannon Hamilton. But it was a super awesome lesson because we skyped her first missionary in to the lesson. That helped a lot. Im sad to leave her.

On Tuesday, I said bye to some of the Wellings again. We also said bye to the Strowmatts. I almost cried saying bye to them. I'm really going to miss them a ton!

Wednesday was transfer day. I am now in a suburb of Richmond called Glen Allen. I am with Elder Exon. He came out with Elders Davis and Wilkinson. He was just barely a zone leader, but he is now a district leader. We share the ward with sisters and a senior couple named the Schrecks. We got shotgunned into this area, which means that both of us just got into the area. We are supposed to be getting a car next Thursday, so until then, we have been walking everywhere because Elder Exon cant ride a bike because he had surgery recently. Elder Richardson is now in Charlottesville YSA serving as a zone leader. Throughout the rest of the week, we did a lot of service at the church. We packed a ton of boxes of clothes that were getting shipped to refugees in Jordan.

Thursday, we met an excommunicated member of the church named Rob. He is so awesome! When we first walked in, he was playing Forza Horizon 2, which is my favorite game ever!

On Sunday, we had the Schrecks take us to church. We got there late. Then right when we walk in, a man asks us to give him a blessing, so we go and do that. He is a truck driver who lives in a ward near Chesapeake.

I like this ward, but it isn't as good as Massaponax. I'm really going to miss that area. Later, we met a recent convert named Jeffrey P. and his wife Lindsey. Lindsey isn't a member and they just got married like a couple weeks ago. Jeffrey was found by Elders Payne and Kohler. He is super awesome. It's been like 80 degrees the past couple days. That's my week. I love and miss you all so much!

-Elder Turner

February 13, 2017

Bowling for P-Day

Raymond's baptism

Hey guys! This week was a little crazy and super awesome. I forgot to say last week that when I was on exchanges with Elder Morris, we went to part of the Fredericksburg Battlefield. When we were there, we found a big stone pyramid from the Civil war, but it was a little ways away from the road. We saw a little trail that lead to it, so we rode our bikes along the trail. In order to get to the pyramid, we had to cross some railroad tracks, so we left the bikes and crossed the tracks and took a picture with it. Then when I turn around, I see a cop car back at the road where the trail started. It was parked there waiting for us. I was super scared. We went back up the trail to talk to the cop. It turns out that he is only a park ranger. He told us that we shouldnt cross railroad tracks. We said sorry and he was chill about it, so he just left after that. Hahha oops.


Last P day was bowling with most of the zone. Nick Allen, the priest in the ward that likes to hangout with us, went to that.


On Tuesday, it was about 70 degrees outside. On Wednesday, it was still about 70 degrees. On Thursday, it snowed. Crazy Virginia weather. We did an exchange with Fredericksburg A, which is Elders Cox and Jensen. I was with Elder Jensen. We went to the Strowmatts for a while that night, because we didn't have much else to do.


On Friday, we did an exchange with Freddy B. I went with Elder Weir again. He is really cool and loves cars, like me. I broke my bike pedal. So we went to the Strowmatts again, cause I couldnt go anywhere without a pedal that worked.


Saturday was the craziest day. I baptized Raymond!!! It was super awesome and luckily I had Elder Richardson in the water to help me lift him up out of the water. Then we helped Opa Welling with building a wood storage for him. It was also transfer calls that night. I am being transferred on Wednesday and so is Elder Richardson. Both Elders Morris and Miller are staying and are going to be the only elders in Massaponax. We went over to the Strowmatts, because I am going to miss them the most, so I want to see them as much as I can before I leave.


On Sunday, we went to a bunch of members and said goodbye to them. First we said bye to Raymond. Then we said bye to the Bells. Then we said bye to the Dudleys. Brother Dudleys parents were there. His dad is Elder Dudley who is the area authority for this area. It was pretty neat getting to talk to him for a while. Then we said bye to Bishop Meppen and his family. They fed us dinner, which was awesome. Then we said bye to the whole Welling clan. Then we said bye to the Palominos. I will miss them a ton, also.


Anyways, that was my week! Love and miss you all so much!


Shoutout to my brother Gavin, he's turning 10 today!!




-Elder Turner

February 6, 2017

Elder Morris and Elder Turner at the Fredricksburg Battlefield

Found a rock pyramid at the battlefield

Massaponax Elders

Hey guys, not much happened this week, but it was still a good week. Last P day, we went bowling. We did 4 vs 4 combined score. And on the second game, we tied 446 to 446. It was crazy. Then we had dinner with the Ellis family. They are members, but they wanted us to teach their 7 year old son who is preparing for baptism. 


 On Tuesday, Elder Richardson was sick, so I rode my bike around with Elder Morris while Elder Miller stayed with Elder Richardson.


On Wednesday, I had to get up at 5:30 in order to teach seminary. That was pretty fun. We just did a bunch of role plays with them that tested their doctrinal mastery. Then we had district meeting.


Thursday, we did an exchange with Massaponax B. I went around with Elder Morris again. We taught a crazy old guy who kept swearing every other word. That was fun.


For Fridays, we have now started going to an old person rest home from 10 am to noon. This time we played bingo with them.


On Saturday, we helped old Brother Welling build a wood storage shed in his backyard. Then he gave us a big dresser and a big desk.


Yesterday, we went to the Strowmatts for dinner. They had the Super Bowl on and wouldnt turn it off, so it was hard not to watch.


This Saturday, I am baptizing Raymond!!! He has made such a big change with his life since I first met him. It is so awesome to see how the gospel can bless and influence peoples lives!


Anyways, that was my week. Today Im just doing more bowling and sports as usual. I hope everyone has an awesome P day/Monday.

-Elder Turner

January 30, 2017



Snow!

Hey guys! Its been an alright week. Last P day, a priest named Nick Allen came and hungout with us for our activities. He is super cool. We did sports as usual. Then he took us out for lunch.


On Wednesday, Raymond had his baptism interview. So it turns out that he has an addiction to a little something. So, we pushed back his baptism day for February 11. But as of now, Raymond has remained clean of it.


Thursday, we did an exchange with Freddy A. That is Elders Cox and Jensen. I rode bikes around with Elder Cox.


Friday,we did an exchange with Freddy B. That is Elders Galloway and Weir. I rode bikes around with Elder Weir. Didn't have much success either of those days. A lady in our ward who is a little crazy has started smoking and drinking again..... Ugh!


On Saturday, there was a child of record baptism and we went to it with Raymond. He really liked it and can't wait until he gets to do it. Sunday was my 7 month mark! We were supposed to get Shannon to come to church, but never came! We have worked so hard on focusing importance of church attendance, and she keeps saying that she will come, but she never does!


Oh well, people have their agency. Sorry not much happened this week. Love and miss you all!

-Elder Turner


January 23, 2017

New Mission Bike

Please have a sense of humor when you see this picture

Liam typed up his letter and it was accidently deleted.  So, he decided to do a video instead.  Here it is!