Pictures!

11-19-12

This week has been a great week! I got to hear from two General Authorities this week! That is pretty rare! And a couple interesting stories. Like we were driving down to Valley Park for my companions doctors appointment and we saw one of our investigators driving on the freeway no where near our area. We keep seeing him in the most random places let me tell you. It happens almost once a week where we see him driving by us whether we are walking around town or driving. It is pretty funny.

         Monday we had dinner at the Carr which was pretty cool. They are from California so they are cool. haha That day we had lunch with Rufus who is a recent  convert. He made us chili. It was really good. We will be at his place again for Thanksgiving.

       Tuesday we had a mission Conference. Elder Choi was are visiting member of the seventy. He is a way funny guy especially because he is from Korea and has an accent. The first thing he spoke about to all of us was Marriage which was kinda intersting... It is weird because it is like I still got 10 months or so left out here. But he gave us really good advice and performing the work and having success. Which we have been having a ton of success here in Hazelwood 2.  We were there for the whole entire day. We were spoken to about having urgency in doing the work especially so we could reach our goal as a mission for the year in getting Baptisms. That night we got a call from Bro. Marko. I did not recognize the name at all. He said he signed up to go out with us that night. So we were like alright. We went by a couple places for appointments. Then while stopping by a less active with him we found out that he was not even in our ward. That he thought he called the other wards missionaires. So it was way funny. He never said anything until the member we visited asked him who he was.  Very funny.

         Wednesday was a good day. We were walking around contacting potentials that we found and while walking down the street we see a car turning on the street. Two guys wearing white shirts and ties were in the car. They had vests on. We thought they were other missionaries at first and we were confused why other missionaries would be down in our area. The car parked and they jumped out and there vests were not sweater vests but bullet proof vests. Then 9 cop cars, and undercover cop cars pull on to the street right behind that one and all parked. A cop parked near where we were walking and he gets out the the car with a huge sludge hammer and tells us that we should walk around the other way so we did not pass the house that the cops had completly made a perimeter arouund. So we walked around a different way. It was just random to see this happening. We did not hear any gun shots while walking away or anything so that is good. That is what happens here in the hood. OH yeah. We then had a miracle happen. We were having a hard time to find a member to go with us to a lesson. While walking to the lesson we passed by a youth in the ward and he came with us to the lesson. He did a great job in the lesson. And we picked up another investgator Sam.

           Thursday we had a good day. We taught a lesson to Andrea, Diaviance, and a couple of there cousins. It was really good. Then we went and taught a part member family and picked up the Father Lee as a new invstigator. He is a way cool guy and askes some of the best questions. It is very impressive. And he is a way funny guy. We also had many appointments all through tis week. More fell through then happened which was sad. OH well it is part of the sifting process I guess!

            Friday We had 4 appointments fall through. That was very frustrating especially since three of those were with potential investigators who a couple of them semed way solid. That night we had a good lesson with the Moises. They are my favorite. Everytime we are there it is way awesome.

           Saturday was good. We had a couple appointments fall through but because they fell through we went and knocked on some random doors in the appartment complex. Which we set two return appointments with potentials with the first two doors we got answers from. The third door we got an answer from invitited us in and we taught him. His name is Mike. Itwas awesome and we set a return appointment for the next day. So we picked him up as a new gator. That was cool.

          Sunday we had stake conference. We had a member from the Seventy there speaking. President and sister Clark both spoke to at the stake conference. They speak at almost every stake conference they have in this mission. They are way awesome. Prez Clark talked about eternal marriage and sister Clark spoke on preparing our youth especially for missions. It was way good. The member of the seventy was a great speaker too. Monica who was just baptized brought her friend to church who we will start teaching tonight actually when we have dinner with the rices! We went to our return appointments after conference. And none of them were there. But while knocking on one of there doors the next door neighbor opened his door and asked us if he could borrow our phone. We let him. He invited us in and we taught him and his finace! And picked them up as a new gators. Way awesome! THen we had an awesome dinner at the Gonzos. Then after had a good appointment with the Moies! We set a date for December 1st for Phil to be baptized then a couple of weeks after that he will baptize the rest of the family when he is ordained a priest. Plus it gives a little bit more time for Beth to quit smoking.

      Today we are going to play football at forest park. We were going to go play at the Arch but changed out minds. So we will be there with a bunch of missionaries playing. IT will be fun! HOpe you all have a great week this week!!!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

11-12-12

Hello everyone! Another great week has come to pass again! We had an amazing week because Monica was Baptized!!! Yes! Here is how the week went!

          Monday, we went to the Arch and walked around downtown. We had 8 missionaries with us. 4 went up in the arch, I was one of the 4 that did not go up because I and the other 3 who were with me already have gone up before. SO we didnt want to spend money on doing that. That night we had dinner at the Rices and taught Monica a lesson. It went well, we watched some Videos of President Monson. It was great.

          Tuesday was a good day with many appointments. We had one fall through and still it was awesome. We taught Boyd that day, he told us that it is hard for him to respect us as Elders for how young we are. We told him it means teacher. That did make him feel all much better. So now we have to take over a really old member so he can respect them when they back up what we say. And he keeps saying how the sabbath is on Saturday. Besides that he likes what we have to say. haha After that we went to Chauncei's. We taught him the first finally. We used the cups for it. It is a visual aid. He really felt the spirit. He really enjoyed it. It was so cool to see him feel the spirit and be able to tell what he was feeling so we couuld let him know that he was feeling the spirit. It was really awesome. He was finally ready to hear the first lesson. Then we taught Monica that night for the last time as an investigator. It was a great lesson. She was so prepared for Baptism.

         Wednesday was good except the couple of dropped appointments we had with potential investigators. That stunnk. We went trying to find past members. We found one while stopping by. We were able to visit for a little bit and now we will be starting to teach them. Tamika the member and her boyfriend Lee. They have two kids together and live together. So we hope It will go well. He seems excited to hear the lessons!  We had a Monicas baptismal interview that night. She passed! Then we had dinner with a Recent Convert the Lewis's. It was great!

        Thursday was good. We had D-meet that afternoon. That morning we had another appointment that fell through with another potential investigator. That stunk when happened. He seemed very cool. D-meet was good. The Kellers who are a senior couple in the office came to it. It was way cool having them there! They are way awesome. We went to Lindas and she taught us the third lesson. It was awesome! She is such a great teacher. I hope they give her a calling to teach. That night we had a great lesson with Andrea and her daughter. They are doing so well. It will be exciting for there baptism in a few weeks.

       Friday we recieved a referal and we went by it on our way down to Elder Bartas doctor appointment. We will start teaching the guy next week. We went and taught Joe who was a potential. We picked him up as a new gator. He had a lot of interesting questions about Aliens and what not. But he is very intersted and has been reading The Book of Mormon. After that we had dinner and a lesson with the Carpinteros. It was awesome because Mike rally opened up during the lesson and we are starting to make progress with him. It is awesome. That family is hilarious though. Every time we are there it is fun.

       Saturday was the Baptism! Monica could not decide who she wanted to have to baptize her and confirm her. She just told my comp and I that she wanted us to do the both. So she left it up to us two to decide which was going to baptize and confirm her. I told my comp that he could choose which one he wanted to do because he goes home in 4 weeks and he has not gotten very many chances to baptize people. So he choose to baptize her and I got to confirm her. It was such an awesome service though. She was truely ready for Baptism and the ward loves her!!! She will do many great things. After the service we did a service project which was our ward and another church putting together some humantarian things together. It was cool.

     Sunday during Sacrament meeting I confirmed Monica. It was such a great experience. It was my first time performing that Sacred ordinance. It was one of the most memorable moments and sacred so far on my mission. After church we went out to go contact some potentials and stuff. It started raining hard. We got so soaked. We were pretty miserable. We then had to go back to out place to change completly and then go to our dinner appointment at the Gonzo's. I even had an umbrella and was soaked. It rains sideways here though... After dinner we went to the Moises with Bro. Gonzo. They had been sick for over a week and still are. We started talking and Beth was having a hard time about the smoking thing and after talking about it she feels much better now and is ready to try. It was a really cool appointment.

    Today we dont know what we are going to do yet. Oh well. Haha Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

11-5-12

Hello Hello, avid readers of my Email and Blog. I hope you still read. hahahaha I really do though. What another great week it was full of finding 4 new gators and many other great miracles! Stay tuned in to hear about it!

      Monday was an intersting day. We went to the Catholic Basillica to catch a service but we got there to late. They do really short services there everyday and not just Sunday. So we were already down town so we walked around checking out some cool old buildings and what not. Some hobos asked us for money, just about what always happens on an everday basis here in City. That night though we had dinner at the Rices and we had Monica there who is getting Baptized this Saturday and we taught a lesson. It was good! We taught her the third lesson again.

      Tuesday was good too. First was D-Meet. We had a good appointment with Monica. We are trying to teach her everything so that she is ready for Baptism so we taught the Word of Wisdom to her. It went well. She said she would live it! So that was awesome! She is so very prepared for Baptism. Then our appartment complex was having a little family halloween type party. It was cool because we were able to do some service and meet some people who live in our complex which we might be able to teach!!!

      Wednesday we were looking for our pms and such and we decided to randomly knock some doors on an appartment building. We got inside with this guy Boyd and picked him up as a new gator. We taugth him the 1st. He liked it but the one thing is that he is a 7th day adventist and is having a hard time accepting that Sunday is the sabbath. But oh well that will come as he finds out the church is true. That night we went to the Rices for dinner and we had to be either in our appartments or with Members on Halloween night. So both of the Halloweens on my mission have been spent at the Rices which is way cool. It was a lot of fun hanging out there that night with members and investigators. It was awesome! Fun stuff it was. We all just sat on the driveway around a fire playing and singing music.

        Thursday was a good day too. We had a couple of appointments that fell through which was sad. But oh well. We had a good appointment with Linda who we just Baptized a little bit ago. It was really cool because she taught us the Second new member lesson. She studied Preach My Gospel. It was so cool because of how great she was at teaching it! It was great! Then we had a good lesson that night with the Moise's! We taught them the Word of Wisdom! It was great! They were so ready and prepared to hear it! We will be doing the Stop Smoking Workshop with Beth. Everyone is in such great support of her. They are so awesome! We had an appointmetn with a Pentecostal Pastor, but he did not keep the appointment. SO hopefully we will get another chance to teach him though. We will see though.

           Friday was good too. We had to go down to Elder Bartas doctor appointment. Then after that we weekly planned at the Library so we could be out in public. Then after that we had to go to the mission office so My comp could renew his Temple Recomend with Prez Clark. I just got to sit in the office during the interview and look through the Mission History books they were cool. Then we had a good appointment with DD.

            Saturday was good. We only had one dropped appointment that day. We picked up a new couple new gators that morning in our appointment with Jenna and Brandon. THey are a younger couple who are engaged who we found by when we helped them raking there leaves. Then we had a great appointment with Monica teaching her the law of Chasity and thithing. It went good. A lot of people feel awkard about us teaching them the Law of Chasity. We always try to make it as serious as possible and with the Spirit. Then we taught Andrea and her daugther and there nieces who we picked up as new gators. That was cool. Because we picked up more gators. It was a great lesson! They have recieved the answer that the BOM is true! They are ready for Baptism. It will be in a month from now.

          Sunday was church, Monica was there of course, and so was Andrea and her daughter. We have great members who helped give them rides! It was awesome though! They loved it and it was also Fast Sunday. It was good. haha The Moises were all sick so they could not make it. It is great having Gators there every week. It makes such a difference with peoples trust in us as missionaries.

   Today we will do something. We do not know yet because it is raining and our other plans can not happen with the rain... oh well. I hope you all have a great week this week!!!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

p.s. some guy sitting behind me in the Library fell asleep and he started snoring almost falling out of his chair. It scared me. haha kinda funny

10-29-12

This was transfer week, Saturday night we got the call for what is going to happen this next transfer! Many cool things are happening! Stay tuned in for what has happened this awesome week!

     Monday we went to the History Mueseum here in the City. It was alright, I was not very impressed though. It could of been way better then it was. There wasn't very much History that was very interesting. OH well. That night we had dinner and a lesson with Monica who will get baptized a week from this Saturday.

      Tuesday was a great day. We had D-Meet that morning Then went by a couple of different potentials and found a few that were good also. We had a good lesson with Chauncei about repentance and just taking one thing at a time because trying to do everything at once. So it is very step by step with him. We then took Riley, the blind guy to teach Monica. Riley is so awesome. ONe of the most favorite people I have met on my mission. There we started teaching her little brother too. We have been trying to get the mother and her sister in on it also. But it has not worked. But it is sweet to start teaching her Brother Lance.

        Wednesday Was a good day also. We had a lot of more checking on all of our pm/la's to do. We spent almost the whole day doing that. It was good because our Mission President asked us to do all of that. We did find some great potential with the pms. It was cool to see. We are already working with some as is. We have been having succes with them. That night we had dinner and a lesson with the Filius family. They are also way awesome. They made Taco Salad which is one of my favorites. haha Also that day when we were driving and seeing our pm's we saw a lady raking her leaves. We pulled over and we raked them for her and now we will be having an appointment with her this Saturday! It was a way cool experionce.

        Thursday was a good day. We had a some appointments end up falling through. But during those times we found some great potentials though to teach who we have return appointments with. Hopefully we will be getting many new investigators this next week! That day it went from being 85 degrees to being under 45 degrees. All in and hour it dropped that fast! It was insane! So crazy! We had a member pick us up at one of the Metro link stations because it was raining so hard! Then they came with us to an appointment with Andrea and Diaviance. It was a great appointment. We set a baptismal date with them two for December 1st! Way cool! It was a way aweomse appointment.

          Friday was good. Except for the couple of appointments that fell through. We had weekly planning that day and had to go down to Fenton so Elder Barta could go to his doctor appointment. So we went down there. Then after we went and had lunch and did weekly planning at China 1 a chinese returant owned by a member where we can get free food. It was in the next ward over from Fenton where my comp served last. Then we got a call telling us that we had to go pick up the Florissant missionaries to the same doctor because one of them had an appointment there also. So we got them from a metro station and took them there. And when we were there again I saw one of my investigators that I taught while I was there in Fenton who is getting Baptized soon!!! That was way cool to see her. Then we finally got back and had a good appointment with Monica. It was awesome. We finished teaching her the Plan of Salvation. Friday night we started exchanges. I went with Elder Anderson to Hazelwood 1 area.

          Saturday was full of crazy stuff. Elder Anderson and I went to go help this 94 year old women clean her yard. WHile doing so Elder Anderson was trimming the hedge with an eletirical trimmer and while adjusting his grip he cut his finger open pretty badly. So a member took him and I to the ER. We were there for quite a while. It was kinda weird being in street clothes there and being there for a long time. I did get to catch some football games while waiting that whole time;) He had to get mulitple stiches. But now he is good! After that whole ordeal we went to the ward trunk or treat party. We had half of our investigators show up! That was awesome! They had a Chili cook off too where we got to be the judges over all the chili. SO we had to try over 20 different kinds of chili and judge them all. They had them in different categories. The Spicy was the last one to try. That was intersting I have to say. Most of them were not very spicy. Until we got to the last one which was the atomic heat. It was supposed to be so spicier then a Ghost pepper. I took a good bite of hit. But it was not as bad as I thought it would be. MY tounge and lips were just numb. NO big deal at all. But it did have way good flavor to it though. That night after we went to the Moises for a lesson. They could not make it to the ward activity because they had to go to a  concert. It was a good lesson. They are awesome. Once they found out that we were both staying they asked us both to baptize them! So then after that we got transfer calls! I am staying here and so Is my companion. I get to kill him off because this is his last transfer! We should have very many baptisms happen this transfer so it will be way cool.

           Sunday was great. The Moises and Monica came to church. It was the primary program also so it was way funny. This little girl who was at the mic kept licking it. Kinda gross. haha So then we had an appointment with Danny after church. We committed him to Baptism and almost got a date too!!! It was really cool. So the success here is awesome.

         This area has a lot of good things going here. It will be exciting to be here one more transfer and Baptize a lot of people. Cool stuff! God Bless all of you.

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

10-22-12

Another week has come and passed. Where does time go? I have no clue. But things are going great because Linda was Baptized! It was amazing! And we set another date with an investigator! so things are working well here.

       Monday, was zone pday so we went out to the building out in St. Peters to play glow in the dark volleyball, and basketball. It was fun hanging out with other missionaries and stuff. It is always great to hang out with other missionaries. After that we had a big FHE at the church. It went great. The Moise family came along with Monica one of new investigators from last week. It was really awesome. After we ate dinner we taught the the third lesson to everyone. It was good and was way solid. Monica and the Moises are way awesome!

       Tuesday was good. We had District meeting that morning. After all of that we had a long way to travel home on the bus. We had two differnt appointments fall through which stunk. But we had a great appointment with Monica that day. Where we comiited her to a date for baptism which is nov 3rd. It was a great lesson teaching the first to her. She really likes it all. She even went to mutual the next day.

       Wednesday was good. We had a couple way good apointments. One of them was with Chauncei. It went really wel. Every time we go there planning on teaching the first lesson but it hasnt happened though because it just always go into something else and we read a chapter in the Book of Mormon which went good because he understood and it was what he needed at that moment. We had antoher good lesson with the Moise family. They want to be batpized, they are just rying to find a date that they can have the baptism on in November. It was great.

    Thursday we had Lindas Baptismal interview that went well. She passed! We had a a good lesson with Andrea and her daugther and her niece. We took Riley and Olivia with us to the lesson. They connected well with them. We picked up two new investigators with the daughter and the niece. So that was cool!

       Friday was weekly planning. That went good. Then we had a lesson with the Carpinteros which was interesting. The lesson was focussed on the Great apostasy and the restoration It was intersting I have to say. haha Then we had dinner at the Moises and watched the Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration. It was great! They loved having the visual and help strengthen there testimony in about him. They really enjoyed the movie though and It made us really happy. It really is good for teaching. They Moises take such good care of us though.

       Saturday was the big day. But before teh baptism we had an appointment with Monica which went well. It goes pretty long because she really loves to talk. The whole lesson was really focussed on Prayer. That was not what we planned to talk about but it the Spirit guided us to that. Really cool. Then we had an appointment fall through with Pierre which was sad... He never dropps appointments. Then we had Lindas Baptism! It was great. her mother came. It was really cool Baptizing her. It was a really sacred moment. I havent had an investigator have me personally baptize them since I was in ESTL. So getting the font was great, being able to perform that very special ordinance. It was really awesome because we have been working for such a long time to get her to this point.

        Sunday was good as every Sunday is. We did not have very many lessons that day though. We did have a good Less active lesson that went very well and we did go by to see the Moises because they missed church because Phil was called into work. We also were able to connect back up with Donna who we havent taught in a while which was really good.

  Today we still do not know what we are doing to have fun but we will ahve a lesson tonight at dinner with Monica and maybe the Moises! I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in ZIon*

10-15-12

This past week was very rewarding! So many great things happened! Many miracles and such other things. A coulpe good stories at that too. Here is how the week went!

       Monday, Pday, Funday, Relaxday, PreperationDay. Yes it is fun. Last Pday was interesting. We went to go see the Anheuser Busch factory downtown. We took a tour of the place. It was intersting stuff. For you who do not know that is where the make Budweiser Beer. We went with our pockets full of  Word of Wisdom Phamplets. haha Jk but we did get some great oppurtunities to share the Gospel to people. Because they asked us what the heck we were doing there. It is a very popular place to tour I guess. Many members mentioned to missionaries to check it out. So we did. It wasn't all that great. We got free Soda at the end though! Then that night we had a dinner and a lesson with a recent convert. Fun stuff.

      Tuesday was a great day. We had d-meet. It was same old same old. It was good. We decided to go tract a little bit after a couple different appointments fallng through. After a few doors this guy, Chauncei invited us right in. We only got to talk to him for a little bit because he had to go somewhere. But it was cool that we got in. Then a couple doors after that these two ladies answered the door. One is married with 5 kids and the other is a single mother of one. Ones name is Heather and the other Ashley. They did not have a male their so we asked them if they could pull some chairs out and we would teach them. We picked them both up as new gators. It was way cool. It was a miracle.

             Wednesday we drove down to Fentons area again so Elder Barta could go back to the chiropractor to get worked on. Then after that we went to the Temple! It was way awesome because as we were getting out of the car I saw Bro. Anson from Fenton who works on the Grounds. I t was cool to talk to him and see how things are going in Fenton work wise. Tiffene who I started teaching down there and who I set a date with to get Baptized had another date to get Baptized very soon. I hope it happens. I also found out someone that I started teaching in Springfield got baptized this last weekend! His date was pushed off for a long time because he was hit by a car while he was on his bike or something. When the ambulance got to the scene he was already dead but the revitalized him and brought him back to life! That is the biggest Miracle I have ever heard of on my mission. So after recovering he was baptized. God saw that he was not ready to go yet that he has a work to do down here.

        Thursday was good. We went back to Chauncei and taught him. When we first talked to him he said he would not convert but then he told us now that he wants too. I love how the spirit works.It is awesome. We had a good lesson. We planned to teach the first but then the spirit directed it otherwise. That night we had dinner and a lesson witht he Moise's. They are my favorite investigators. They rock. They treat us so well. They feed us a bunch and do so much for us. I let them know without my companion knowing that it was my Comps Bday so they threw a little bday party with Ice cream cake. It was good. It was also awesome because Beth Moise had her parents over also so that they could meet us and we could teach them. They actually live in another ward so we have to refer them to those missionaries. But it was an awesome night. One of the daughters friends also. We had a great lesson with them that night. But these people seriously treat us like family. They now consider us family to them. Way awesome.

          Friday was good too. We had a lesson with Linda. We took Riley with us, he is blind so we had to drive him. He is way solid. We had a great lesson preparing her for her baptism this week. I will be baptizing her so I am way excited! It was funny when we picked up Riley he walked out of his house with a bunch of his neighbors. Riley told us that they all think Elder Barta and I are the police and that Riley is snitching on everyone in the neighborhood on what he see's and stuff. The most ridicolous part is that He is Blind so he can not see anything! haha it was funny. Riley told us that we are the first Missionaries they have thought to be police. It was funny. That is what happens in the Ghetto. They think we are the police. No wonder nobody messes with us. They taught that in ESTL also. Funny stuff it is. That night we had dinner and a lesson with a part member family that we just started teaching not very long ago. The Carpinteros. They are way awesome too! One of our favorite families also.

        Saturday we were out looking for a less actives home. While we were walking down the street to his place this girl on her porch called us over. so we went over and she was like who are you guys. We told her who we were. Then she, Monica was like teach me about your church, so we told her to pull out some chairs and she did. We taught her on the porch because no male was home of the age. She committed to coming to church the next day. A member gave her a ride. And she went. That night we had dinner and a lesson with a part member family that we just started teaching not very long ago. The Carpinteros. They are way awesome too! One of our favorite families also. So we picked up a couple new gators that day.

           Sunday was awesome because we had four gators come to church. Linda came because she is getting baptized this week. Well and because she knows the church is true. Then Phil and Beth Moise came without the kids. And then Monica came! It was awesome. The Carpinteros would of been there too but they got sick... They all loved church especially because it was Fast and Testimony meeting. That night Monica told us she wants to get Batpized.

           Today we have a zone pday so it will be fun to hang out with other missionaries. Then we will have a big FHE thing at the church. Both the Moises and Monica are coming! so it should be awesome. While riding the metro link here I met a guy from San Diego who I talked to sitting next to me. That was cool because he has family around Temecula. that rocked. Well everyone have a great week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

10-8-12

This week was great! Even with having quite  a few dropped appointments we have had some great success. And plus it was General Conference!!! YES! That was awesome! Especially with being able to watch it with our investigators which made that much more special. haha It is also sad because I only have one more General Conference on my mission to watch. It is weird only having one more left. 

          Monday we went to the Delmar Loop which is one of the top 10 streets in America, supposedly. It is a cool place but not all that great. haha We went to the Fitzs and had lunch to celebrate Elder Andersons and mine Year mark. Then we had a dinner and a lesson at the Rices home that night.

            Tuesday was good. First was D-meet. We had a couple of good appointments. ONe was with Ronald who was a new investigator as of last week. We were able to teach the first lesson in full. It went well. It went of track a little bit and it was hard at times to keep it foucussed on the lesson. But when we hit the Restroation part it was much better and focussed. Then we had a lesson with the Moises. It went very very well. We taught them the second and the spirit was very strong there where we got a soft baptismal commitment from them. That family is very special.

         Wednesday was good. We had a good recent convert lesson with The Lewis's which went good. They are doing well in progoressing in the Gopsel. Which makes us very happy. That night we exchanged and I had Elder Taylor come down to my area. It was good. It is really funny because He grew up in Washington and then moved to Dana Point his senior year in high school. We know very many people in common. He knows them from Washington and Dana Point but I met a lot of his friends at BYUI who were some of my really good friends actually. So that was kinda cool having all of that in common! We went and taught Pierre that night with him. It was really good. Especially our member did really well in bearing testimony and helping him understand stuff. In prior appointments with him he has not been as open and not as accepting. But he really did have much more of an open heart thought which was awesome for us and more importantly him:)

              Thursday was good. We had a good recent convert lesson with Olivia and with her Grandpa. They are way cool. SOme of the coolest people in the Ward. Then we had some good times trying to get in to see some potentials and such. Then we had an appointment with Linda that night. We set a new date for her which is the 20th of this month. This my be our last chance at getting her baptized because after this we might just drop her from the teaching pool. But we shall see how it goes though. I really do pray that she will get baptized!  Bro. Rice really connected with her. She really likes him. We kept taking all these different members there for lessons but none of them have really connected with her till we took Bro Rice. Which is great. Hopefully it will help out a bit!

             Friday was good. We had a few appointments fall through but that night while teaching Mike we had his son come in and listen and he agreed to take the lessons so now we picked him up as a new gator which I pray will go well. The rest of teh day we had weekly planning and what not and we had an appointment with Andrea who we took an awesome member with us to that appointment but she canceled right at the door because she had a death in the family and was getting picked up by a Family member for something.

               Saturday was awesome.. We watched conference at the church. None of our investigators came to watch it with us there though which was sad. They did watch it at their homes. Well at least they said they did... haha. We had an appointment with a potentail between sessions but that fell through too... Then we had priesthood session. It ended up not working at our building so we got a ride with a member to another building so we could all watch Priesthood session. it stunk becasue we missed a talk  with that happening and so did everyone in our ward and the ward next door to us. Oh well... That is what we get to do today for pday is listen to those talks on lds.org. So it still works out.  After priesthood we had special permission to go out to get shakes which were on bishop. Which bishop got us the permission for us to stay out later. It was great bonding time with people in the ward.

                     Sunday morning session we got to go watch it at our Bishops home. Then had a lunch with them. Then we went to our appointment with a potential whose name is Danny. He lives with a less active member in their basement. We taught him between sessions and he actually watched the last session with his friend! for the last session we went to the Moises to watch it with them. They really enjoyed it! It was a miracle because we almost thought that all this would not ahpen it was a miracle. Conference was awesome. Oh another cool thing Bishop Lake here is actually my 6th cousin. He was telling us of a story about one of his ancestors and that same person he was talking about is my ancestor too! This is not the first distant relative I have met out here.

      I hope you all had a great time watching conference also! Today we will go see Paint Louis and stuff. It will be fun going downtown! I hope you all have a great week this week! God Bless you all!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

10-1-12

This past week was awesome. So many great things have happened. Miracles have been happening and The lord has truely blessed us here in the Hazelwood 2 area. Plus this past week I hit my hear mark!!! Yes I am half way done now. It is way weird to hit that point. It seems like everyday everything speeds up a little bit more and more. And now being on the downhill it will be going even faster. Plus we got 7 new investigators this week! This is how the week went!

         Monday after Emailing we went to the church to go play some Basketball and other sports with the other Hazelwood Missionaries and the Florissant missionaries who are the other city missionaries in the Zone. We were supposed to go to the Arch that day to play football but since it is barely outside or our zone and to many misisonaries were trying to go out of other zones we could not go anymore. Confusing story it was. But it was still good. We ended up playing indoor baseball with a kickball. It was actually way fun to do. That night we went to the Rices for dinner and a lesson. Oh yes.

           Tuesday was awesome because we had zone conference. It was a joint conference with St. Louis Central Zone. It was a really good conference. There they presented this new presentation that the church came out with which is the called The Mormons Next Door. It was a way cool presentation. Great for a QandA thing for non-members. WE are planning on using it in an activity here with the members bring there non member friends. We had some great trainings and such at zone conference. It was awesome being able to see many of missionaries who I have become good friends with. It is wasy fun when we all get to gather together for that stuff. After that we had to go straight to an appointment with a potential gator, Andrea. We taught her and it went awesome and we picked her up as a new Gator. It was awesome. We should be able to pick up her daughter as a new gator this next week also. It was funny because her pastor told her to read The Book of Mormon. So that is why she decided to meet with us. Crazy a pastor of another church telling there congregation to read The Book of Mormon! Pretty sweet though at the same time!

              Wednesday we had a coule differnt appointments. We taught Linda who is now going to be baptized on oct. 20. We had to keep pushing it back because she was not coming to church and such. Then we went by a potentials place to try to contact him. He wasnt there but his dad answered and said he was not there. We were able to teach his dad though and picked him, Ronald, up as a new gator! Then on the way to our appartment to go eat dinner we got a media referal in a txt message. We decided to go contact it right then and we taught the guy, Pierre. And now he is a progressing gator because he actually read what we left for him when we came back for the return appointment. So we picked up three new gators that day. It was awesome.

           Thursday was a great day also. We had a lesson with Donna who was also a media referal. Our member who was there did great bearing testimony. It way well. She asked some of the greatest questions! It really led the lesson well. It was a great blessing. Then later that night we were supposed to have a couple of lessons one with Lyod and one with Melanie but they both fell through. But it worked out great because that night we went to go see some potentials and we picked up three new gators that night. The Moise Family. They are way awesome. They invited us back over Saturday night for a lesson and for dinner! It was a miracle.

             Friday was good. That morning we had to drive down to Fenton my 2nd area because my comp had a doctors appointment down there. That was cool to be down there again. We had an appointment fall through with Andrea, because she had someone in her family pass away that day so it was hecktic. We were able to go find a few more new potentials that day but nothing to special.

            Saturday was a great day full of 4 different appointments. That morning we contacted more potetnials and such. We had members for all 4 appointments. We taught Linda, then Debbie appoitment ended up falling through. Htne we had  an appointment with Pierre. That was very interesting. It took an hour to teach just on principal in the first lesson.  He is reading The Book of Mormon though! THen we had dinner and a lesson with the Moises. It was awesome. It was a good dinner too. But we had a great lesson teaching the first lesson in full. They really liked it. Everything they talked about and questions theyt made always led to the next prinipal. This is the coolest family I have taught my whole mission so far. They are amazing!

          Sunday was alright. No one made it to church. The Moises could not come because they went out of town that morning and then ther others we dont know exactly what happened to everyone else. It has been hard getting these people to church. Our appointment wiht another potetnial fell through which stunk. It seems like when we are teaching the most we have the most appointments fall through. Makes sense right? Then dinner at the Gonzo's is always fun. haha

         I hope you are all having a great time rigyht now. General Conference is this week! It is going to be amazing! I can not wait for it! I have been getting really excited. I never have been this excited for a General Conference before. It is such a great blessing to a Prophet who speaks to us. So please watch and listen to Conference! Don't fall asleep either!!! I love you all. I can not wait to see you all in a year from now!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

9-24-12

This week has been good. It was the week of transfer meeting so I got a new companion. We had a few disapointments with some investigators. But other things are starting to come out of the works so it is cool. We are working are hardest here trying to find those ready for the Gospel.

      Monday Elder Harris and I went to the City so he could see the Arch up close and see some different things. While we were over there taking pictures and stuff I decided that we could go check out the Flea market across the river in Washington Park which is right off the metro link. I got to see a couple of the people we I knew there back when I served in ESt.L. It was kinda cool seeing those people there. It was pretty weird going back into my first area. It has been almost a year since I first got there now. Woah weird crazy! It is awesome though.

       Tuesday we had a couple different appointments with Less actives and part members and investigators. But a couple of them fell through though. OH well. We had a good Recent convert lesson with Olivia and having her Grandpa Riley there with us for it. Elder Harris wanted to go by a couple of differnt people in the ward to say bye to them so we did that for a bit.

       Wednesday was the big day of transfer meeting. It was way awesome being there so I could see many different friends I made with other missionaries. It is was awesome though. I got to say goodbye to a couple of different missionaries who were good friends that I have met in the beginning of my mission. It was sad for that. But oh well. I will see them in a year from now. that is not far away. My New comp is Elder Barta. He is from Boise Idaho. I know like 4 different people serving in Boise right now. Goes home in less then 3 months though. We are co-seniors which is cool. He is much better then the last two comps I have had because he has it together as a person and a missionary. We spent the day shopping for food and then him unpacking. We had a dinner appointment with a recent convert then that was basically the whole day because bussing takes forever.

           Thursday was a great day. We had a good appointment with Linda. She is very much ready for baptism for having a testimony of everything she needs one of. Then right after we had a good lesson with the Titus family. After that we had dinner then we had to bus up to the Hendersons so we could teach them. Which the appoitment was hard because one of the kids ran out of meds.... It was crazy...

           Friday we had weekly planning which we did it at the Library so we could be in a public place so that people could see us and maybe want to know about the church. And just keeps us out of the appartment which I do not like being in even when we have to be there. We had a big day of going around and seeing all of our potentials we have and such. Which we were able to go see a good amount of them and set up appointments later. Busing takes forever... OH well... It was much better system across the river but on this side where we are at it is not as good.

           Saturday we rode the Metro Link down to Shrewbury Station where a member from Fenton picked my comp and I up to take us to a wedding for Nicki the girl I baptized down in Fenton when I was serving there. My favorite convert by far. haha She is way awesome. She got married at the church to Tony who is already a member. They will be going to the temple next spring which I will be here for and will be able to go and see that:) that will be cool seeing my first live sealing on the mission! It was way awesome to see her again and see people down in Fenton that I came close too. That was a way awesome place. Right after the wedding we had to get to an appointment with Linda that we had. After that we had to bus up to the church to have our lesson with LT who is Kathys son but it fell through. So we did a quick lesson with the rest of the family. Then LT showed up and we ended up having him come with us to go play bball with our investigators and us at the church. That was fun. When we were leaving the church a firework show was going on. The city of Hazelwood postphoned their show because during the 4th of July there was a drought and it was dry so they did it this past saturday. Kinda funny.

         Sunday Linda did not come because her car problems, and then The member who was supposed to pick up the Hendersons did not show up... so no one came to church... shoot. oh well. At church I met some people who knows the Downs family in my home ward. That was kinda cool to make that concetion. Then after church we went to the hendersons and we finally had a lesosn with LT and picked him up as a new investigator. That was cool then we had dinner at the Gonzo's. Best food I have had on the mission. It is always good mexican food which I truely miss.

           Today We are going to play some basketball with a bunch of other missionaries. OH yes. It will be fun. We will then have a lesson with Linda tonight. oh yes. And dinner with the Rices. I hope you all have a good week this week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

9-17-12

What a week it has been! Every week is exciting on the mission! And I am being honest about that. Try coming on a mission and you will see that I am right. It has been very rewarding. And this week we got transfer calls so stayed tuned in for what is happening! You will find out what is happening to me later in the email. haha Well here is what the week has been like.
         Monday was kinda boring. We went around window shopping. Just looking at stuff in different stores and stuff. That night we had an appointment with recent converts. That was fun to do. I like teaching those lessons because it is not as much teaching as discussion. Which how every appointment should be no matter what.

         Tuesday we had district meeting for the first time in a couple of weeks because of interviews. We had an intersting appointment with Emonie that day. We had like three appointments fall through that day will all potential investigators. But we still had a couple of appointments stay which we were able to teach though. That makes my day when I can go from appointment to appointment. But it gave us some time to go find some new potentials. It is all sifting through.

         Wednesday was great because we gained a new investigator! Those are always my favorite days. Well except for when we set a baptismal date or have a baptism. Tommy is our new investigator. We committed him to Baptism but it will take probably a few months or more till that can happen. Lets just say we got to work on a few different things but he is willing to work. We had a lot of checking up on potentials that day also. A lot of busing around and walking to a bunch of different places. We found a RLDS church in our area, well now known as the Community of Christ. That was kinda funny to see because they are so rare. While we were walking a member in the ward who is not active saw us and picked us up and took us to one of our desinations. He just saw us walking and got us. Which was nice. He also gave us a referal to teach one of his friends who lives in his basement right now. It was a miracle!

           Thursday was awesome. We had an appointment with Linda. We toke a member with us who got along really well with her. Linda also had her friend there to who we got to teach also. Linda will be getting baptized in a couple of weeks and asked me to Baptize her that day. I feel very honored for her asking me to do that Baptism for her. That night we had an appointment with Kathy, Candace, and Melanie. It was a hard lesson because Noah the three year old was a little wild. OH well. We committed Melanie to come to church because she was the only one who did not get Baptized because she was not coming to church.

           Friday was good. We had weekly planning. Oh yeah. Then we had an appointment fall through with Alisha and Tommy. We even had members coming with us to those and they fell through. It kinda stinks when that happens because members will get mad at us. When they really should not. But we still had an appointment with Mike and picked him up as a new Gator. He is in a part member family. Way funny guy. He gave us a referal that night to go teach one of his friends also. He was almost Baptized last year but he did not. So we are working on that again. haha We had an appointment with Linda that day also that went well. We are very excited for her baptism!

          Saturday was the big day. Transfer calls!!! It was a good day because we had a couple of less active lessons and one lesson with an Investigator. We had a coule of other appointments fall through... We had a lesson with Emonie. We dropped her sister already as a gator and we talked with Emonie and we ended us just dropping her also. Just no progress has been made yet. It is hard for people to progress in City areas like this because it is the Ghetto and it is hard to choose the right when there is so much evil around. Sad day. We helped a family move from a house to another house right around the corner. That was fun moving stuff especially there piano that weighs like a thousand lbs. haha So transfers calls...... drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am staying here in Hazelwood 2. My new companion is Elder Barta. If I am correct this is his last transfer in the mission. So I get to kill off a missionary! We will be co-seniors which will be nice in a sense. So since I am staying here I have spent most of my mission in the Ghetto so far. Nice.

          Sunday was great. Melanie finally came to church! Then Kathy brought her other son to church to. We will start teaching him this week! Many great things are happening!!! Sunday at church I definaly heard about the BYU vs. Utah game. That is riddiclous. How do you miss a close field goal like that? oh my. oh well.

            Today we will be going downtown and stuff. Not sure what we will do yet. I am excited to get a new companion after this last hard transfer my two comps have been and all the crazy stuff. I am excited to start a new transfer off and continue the work here in Hazelwood!!! I hope you all have a great week!!!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

        

9-10-12

This week was very interesting. Last Monday I got a new companion and it had a good start having a Baptism and such. Working hard has really pulled off. Going through more sifting in the area trying to find who the elect are. This week has been a good one let me say.

       Tuesday after emailing we got a little time to go try to contact a few potentials and find some more but then we had to drive out to St. Charles for interviews with President Clark. It was kinda funny because when I was there I was looking at the missionary plaques and I found Lawerence Boswell who was in my seminary classes back in high school. He moved here a couple of years ago and is now on a mission. Just a funny thing I saw. Interviews were great. We had a training by Sis. Clark and the assisants and then President took us out to eat at Olive Garden. It was good:)

       Wednesday was a great day!!! It is weird being back to 2 hours of comp study doing the 12 week program. It is interesting adjusting to that. An hour a day of extra studies takes out a lot more time then you would think. We had then to ride the bus up to the Members we used to live with to clean there place. We were supposed to do it Monday but we could not because we had to have the whole crazy emergency transfer that day. So we cleaned their basement and then had dinner with them. Then we had Scotti's Baptism!!! It went very well. I did the musical number with my Uke and sang "Come Thou Fount" which is an awesome song. After the Baptism we went back down to our area and we contacted a referal! who is now a new investigator!!!

       Thursday was an awesome day because we had many appointments. We had a great appointment with Alisha our new gator. She is way awesome. Then we had a lesson with Melanie and her family who were just recently baptized. It has been hard to get her to come to church so she can be baptized also. We had a good lesson with a former that day but we did not get to pick her back up as a new investigator. It is sad because she admits to Joseph Smith being a Prophet but will not come to church and be baptized. It is weird...

        Friday was a good day. We had weekly planning session that morning. It is hard planning with a missionary who does not know anything going on in the area really. He is still a way new missionary and has struggles with staying focussed on planning even though it is way long it is still very productive in the end. And it gets us organized. We had an appointment and we had to go try to find some new gators from potentials we have. We went to the Temple that night with a member in the ward. It was an amazing night at the Temple. I really enjoy going to the Temple and it is such a nice break from the world and all the worries of our investigators and stuff.

         Saturday was another awesome day with appointments. We went on exchanges. Elder Williams was with me on them. He is a great missionary. We had an appointment with the Three ladies from Thailand. They all look super young but are way older then they look. They look 10 years younger then they actually are. We had a guy from the Frotenac ward come with us to the appointment. It helped out so much. It was a great blessing to have him there to help communicate to them in Thai. Then we had an appointment with Emonie. Her uncle who is a member during the lesson really stressed to her that she needs to start making it to church. She did not the next day... Then after that we had a lesson with Alisha that went well. She is starting to open up way more now. Then we switched back that night.

           Sunday we had church of course. It was good.  After church we had to go back to our place and have studies. Then we bussed to our dinner appointment. It took like 2 hours. It was crazy. We then spent the rest of the day going and contacting all the potentials we have which we have been putting off to see. We set up appointments with a few of them to see them. Hopefully we can turn them into new gators also.

           Today we are probably going to go downtown. We are not sure yet though. haha This Saturday we have transfer calls! Oh yes!!! My thoughts are that my current companion will be transfered out and I will get a new one. We shall see though. I almost would not be surprised if I was transfered to somewhere else and get two 6 week shafts in a row. I think it would be fun to go to another area again. It keeps things spicey. Well I hope you all have a good week! Please write me with your address for where you are now!!!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

9-4-12

This week has been full of crazy things. Running over Snakes, Cats, ladder falling our of the back of a truck in front of us, and someone taking the valve cores out of our tires leaving all 4 tires flatt. We are now in a new appartment, I have a new companion, and things are still rolling. Here is how the week went.

      Monday was kinda boring. I just took a nap after we were done emailing. It felt very nice though. It was very much needed. That night after dinner at the Rices we had a new member lesson with Olivia. That was cool to do and start getting those done.

     Tuesday was great with teaching 3 lessons that day and gaining a new investigator that day. We picked up a lady named Danisheiya as a new gator right before district meeting which was pretty cool. We randomly met her on the street the week before and had an appointment. Then we had a good district meeting. After District meeting we had to drive downto our appointmnet with Linda. we have set a date for her to be Baptized on the 22nd of this month. The lesson with her went well. She has been struggling with smoking though. Please pray for her. Then we had an appointment with Anieya and Emonie. They are not progressing anymore. They are supposed to be baptized on the 22nd also. But they have not been coming to church though... It is a struggle with them...

     Wednesday we moved into our new appartment. There was much delay for when the office elders were to be there with our furniture so we did not get much done there and we had to take care of many different things. It stunk. But oh well! We did get some a little tracting and teaching recent converts and less actives.

      Thursday was an intersting day. My companion decided to break major rules and leave the appartment without me to go work out in the gym that we have in our new appartment complex while I was getting ready because it was close to time to start studies and everything. So ran out when I told him we could not go to the gym at that time. So I had to run after him. He is on a short leash already with the Mission President so he was in big trouble for it. The next day we had to drive down to the mission office so President Clark could talk to him. We exchanged with the DL for the day so that the DL could be with him. Even after the crazy morning we went and taught Linda again and a couple of other investigators. We had dinner with the Maddoxs which was good food.

          Friday I had to drive Elder Melton down to a doctor appointment because we were on exchanges. The appointment was down in my 2nd area, Fenton! It was weird driving through there. But way cool. Which I just received the wedding anoucement for Nicki who I Baptized there. Then we had a another lesson with Danishya that morning after that. We challenged her to Baptism. She said no because she is afraid of the water. Then we had a couple other appointments. Then we had to drive to the mission office so president could speak with my companion and I about what happened. I was in there only for a few mins then I was sent out for a long time. During that long time the assistants and I were looking at the mission history books. I found my cousin who served a mission in this same mission in them. It was fun seeing what areas he served in and who he served with and where he served. I was called back in and then I was asked if I was willing do deal with my companion untill the end of the transfer. I said Yes because I wanted him to see the Baptism that we have tomorrow and It was just a couple more weeks till the transfer was ending. So everything was all good after that.

           Saturday we had a couple of more good lessons. We another one with Emmonie and Anieya. Trying to get them to come to church. They committed to but they did not show up. When we bussed back to where our truck was left at which was near a bus stop. We walked up to it noticing that all four tires were flatt. Someone screwed out the valve cores. We  called a member to come help us our because I just though they were flat and were not missing anything. The member gets there and tells us that it is the valve core that is gone and they need new ones to be inflatted. Good thing he good friend works at the firestone across the street from where we were at. So we got the pieces for free. But our member who came to fill up the tires with air noticed, when he got there, that air compressor was broken. So we called up other people and after almost 3 hours after we discovered the car we were back on the road to our dinner appointment. 

           Sunday we had cordination meeting that morning before church. Scotti who is getting baptized tomorrow the 5th of september was at church along with Linda! After church we had an appointment with the Three ladies that were from Thailand. They all go to UMSL. They are all traditionally budhist, But they are not active in it. They are the first people I have ever taught on my mission who were not Christian which is way different because you have to start at the very begining with them and who God is. It is cool and interesting. They are awesome though. Our member we brought did great with them. But we picked them up all as new investigators! That night we had dinner with the Carrs another awesome family from California. I feel bad they have to be out here and not there. haha. Then we went to contact a couple of referals we recieved with Bro. Carr. It was good. One of them we will start teaching in a couple of days.

          Monday, Yesterday the assistants came to pick up my companion to take him to troy because since the talk with President on Friday that we had he had broken a few more rules that were things President said he had to be exact by our else he would have to be emergency Transfered. So he was ET'd to Troy Missouri to be with Elder Hoggan and Elder Harris came here to Hazelwood 2. He is from Lehi Utah. This is only his second transfer out so I am finishing up his training. Back to the 12 week program we go and having to do two hours of comp study because that is what the program is. There was stuff going on with him and his first trainer also so it was an interesting switch. He is a way cool though. It will be good. I am very happy about the switch actually. On the way to Troy to drop off my old companion and get my new one we ran over a cat on the freeway and it was crazy. I felt so bad about it because I love Cats. On the way back to Hazelwood we saw a bunch of crap on the road. Right when I said to everyone else in the Car, "Why is there so much stuff in the road?" a car right in front of us in the next lane over had a big ladder just fall out of the back and thank goodness it did not fly into our lane but it was great timing though to say that. haha Then a few mins later we were driving and we saw a rope looking thing hanging off the back axel of a car right in front of us. It was a snake! we were on the freeway and that thing was holding on for dear life. Then it lost its grip fell off and we ran over that too...       

            Today we had to email because all libraries were closed yesterday... Our zone has interviews with President today so I am looking forward to that. I always love interviews with President. We just received a referal this morning from Church hq's so after this emailing session we will be contacting that before interviews!!! I love you all. You are so awesome! And I know many of you are at school now and I do not have your addresses! SO PLEASE WRITE ME SO I CAN HAVE THEM!!! :) I hope you have a great week full of great things happening!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*