8-12-13

Well these last two years have really flown by guys. It is kind of depressing to write this but here I go.

      Monday fun day. We did some fun stuff in St. Louis that day checking things out, With the bus passes we can get around downtown better then without them. So we take advantage of that here. After that the Gross family picked us up. They took us out to eat for dinner. Then Bro. Gross went with us to teach Teresa and her friend. It was good. It is always nice to get a lesson in Monday night after a dinner appointment.

       Tuesday was good. We had a few things to do that day. Trying to see people getting in contact with gators that have been lost and such. We had dinner with the Sudlows. They are way cool. We ended up having a lesson that night with Alyssa which worked out.

       Wednesday we had our last lunch with the Ackermans. We taught and baptized the son. It was sad doing that for the last time. Then we went to see one of our gators Chip at the hospital. We were told by his member friend that he was at the hospital but we did not know why. Come to find out he was in the psych ward part of the hospital. But thank goodness because we are clergy we got inside to see him. If we were not we would of not been able to see him. It was a good visit with him. Then after that we went to the Smiths with Randy and his wife. She just got back from Germany. We had dinner and a lesson with them. The last lesson actually.

       Thursday was fun. We had d-meet which was not the most fun but then we had some cool appointments that made it fun. One was with Maurice. Then the other one was with Kevin. He is a new gator who came to church this week! It was awesome.

      Friday we met with Maurice again because he wanted to because we are leaving. It was good. That morning we also painted a house. oh yeah.

       Saturday was Randys Baptism! It was awesome. Our mission prez and his family came. We had a great turn out. Randys wife who is a member was so happy to see this. Randy said he never thought he would get baptized before. But now he has done it. It was awesome. I got to take him into the water and Baptize him. It was such a special experience. So amazing. It was a great way to end the mission. After the baptism we got to paint another house. It was fun.

        Sunday was sad because we had to say goodbye to everyone for the most part. After church we went to Randys for lunch. Then we went to our dinner appointment, then to the Coles to teach Alex the second lesson. It was great!

     Today we are cruising through St. Louis again. Then tomorrow we are teaching a lot of lessons then Wednesday we go to the mission home. Then Thursday I fly home! Heck yeah! See you guys this next week! And thank you for all that you do for me. The church has been restored through a Prophet named Joseph Smith, and the fruit of him is The Book of Mormon. Read and pray about it if you do not have this knowledge. I love you all,

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

8-5-13

Hello everyone. What a week it has been. It is awesome though. This is how the week went:)

    Tuesday was good. We had a good appointment that night with Teresa, Alyssa, Will and our new gator Dakota. It was great. We taught the 10 commandments to her because we are trying to help her prepare for Baptism! But it will not happen until after I go home. Oh well.

        Wednesday was awesome. We had a great lesson With Jeff and Karen. He is really starting to progress more.

        Thursday we had d-meet which was alright. Then we saw some part member families like the Astles. We have been trying to get a hold of them for a long time now. We had a great appointment that night With Randy. We taught him the 10 commandments also. Only two more lessons with him before his baptism this Saturday!

             Friday we went looking for some of our pms and our former gators who we have not been in contact for a long time. We had some success but we we were also not able to get a hold of a lot of people we wanted to see. We had a lot of fun that night at the Rebers home. We always do.

        Saturday we had some good appointments. We had one with the Miller family. Then we had a great dinner and lesson with the Kreugers. One of my favorite families here.

        Sunday was great because the Millers came to church! and of course Randy was there. He always is. I bore my testimony in church because it is my last chance to do it there. We then went back to our place to change out of our suits. We started heading to our dinner appointment at the Coles. On our way walking to the Metro station to catch the train I had a feeling to go a different way that took us longer to get there. A more scenic route. We heard some gun shots. We kept walking to the metro station. It did not phase us. We get to the scene of the shooting a couple mins after it happened. If we took the other way we would of been probably been right there when the shooting happened. God was watching out for us. We then had a great time at the Coles. They had a non member friend come over and we taught him and picked him up as a new gator. It was a great week!

     Today we will go to St. Louis probably and have fun in the city. Have a great week. See you soon!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

7-30-13

Hello everyone! I am so glad to email you all. Yesterday we did not get to email because we went to St. Louis yesterday to go get interviews for Temple recomends so we got the ok to email today instead. So here is how the week went boys and girls!

      Monday after we emailed we hung out with someother missionaries. Then we went to the Petersens with Randy for dinner and a lesson it was great!

      Tuesday we had a great lesson with Teresa where she had some friends over and we picked 3 of the up as new gators also! It was pretty cool!

        Wednesday was an exciting day. We had d-meet. After that we were picked up by the Gilberts, one of my good friends from byui's family to go to lunch. Then they took us to the doctors also because My knee has been super swollen and not sure what was wrong with it. I know i did not hurt it, it was just randomly swollen. Found out that it was swollen because my knee was infected from a cist that burst open on the inside. The cist was caused from a scar that I got years ago doing something stupid I am sure. So he drained it out and now I am on meds. It is doing much better now. I was told to not walk on it very much for the rest of the week. I told him we had to go teach people. He told me that I could go to appointments we had set up already but I needed to be laying down with my leg elevated. So Thats what I have had to do this past week. Even though I did not completely stay down as much as I should of... That night we had a couple of appointments. One with the Perez family. They had a couple of non member friends over wanting to be taught so we taught them:) Then we taught Will and Alyssa.

       Thursday was good. We had a couple of appointemnts fall through though. We did teach this member ref, Vince. He was interesting to say the least.

        Friday we had an appointment with Randy at Bro Smiths. It was great. He was for sure ready to be baptized on August the 10th. My last saturday in the mission. He asked me to Baptize him personally. And I accepted. It way awesome to finish off with one last Baptism!

      Saturday we got to see a few people. We also went to the Ward party with Randy. It was fun and what not.

     Sunday was great. We had Jeff at church and also Randy of course, and Teresa came finally! After teaching her since I have been here she came to church. It has been a struggle to get her there let me tell you. Then we had an appointment with her that night because she had to elave church early for work. She really loved it.

       Monday we went to the mission home. My Comp and I challenged out mission president and his daughter to a doubles match in Tennis because They are big into it. We did great for the first 4 games, it was tied. Then they pulled away and won 3 games in a row. They are good.... haha They were close games. It was way fun. It was the first fun thing they have done since they got here. So they were glad to play. We had lunch at the mission home. Weird I will be there again in 2 weeks... We got our temple recomend interviews, my comp and I. So we got them renewed before they expired. So we got apporved to email today because of all the travel and the intervews and what not. We had dinner with a great family last ngiht the Coles.

           Today should  be a good day also!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

7-22-13

Hello, it is Monday again! I do not have very many more times emailing you all, well as a missionary I mean. Crazy how two years fly by so fast! Let me give you a run down on how this week went!

      Monday was fun. We had dinner wtih the Meinhart family. They are great. We then went with Bro Meinhart to teach Teresa. It is getting hard to help her progress. She is not really moving forward. it is frustrating... Oh well.

       Tuesday was a good day. We had interviews with the new mission President! It was fun. He was like well you go home soon so, dont be worried about it. And that was about it. haha We had a big long meeting there after interviews. But then After that we started exchanges. Elder Belnap came to my area with me. It was fun. We had dinner with the kreugers a part member family. Ht e nm husband is cool. we had a good lesson with them that night. And dinner. Yum!

     Wednesday we drove down to Waterloo for d-meet. Well another set drove us because we dont have a car. It was fun though because while we were waiting for the missionaries to come open the building up and get there we ran through the corn fields next to the church. It was fun. After D meet we came back and had an appointment with Jeff and Karen. it went well. Jeff Liked church. Then our next appointment canceled... Then we met with Randy at Bro Smiths place and taught a lesson. We taught the 3rd. It went so very well. It was fantastic:)

        Thursday my comp starting feeling sick. But we went out trying to contact people and what not. The only lesson we had was with Maurice that went alright. It was good still. We taught him the 1st. He randomly showed up with his wife at church last week. htey did not come this week though...

      Friday was a very slow day. My comp was really sick that day so we stayed at our place. he slept most of the day. I sat there, really really bored. It was not so fun... But oh well.

        Saturday morning we had breakfast with a member who we helped clear this forest in their backyard. We had this heavy duty machine and it worked so well. Then after doing that for many hours we went to lunch at the Bishops. Then We went to go teach Chip. We had a great lesson with him. He is going through a rough time also. His power was shut off the day before. Then we had a good appoitnment with Teresa. She asked for a blessing so I gave her one. It really did help her out. Then we went and had dinner with on of my fav familys out here the Mohlmans.

         Sunday we only had one gator come to church... but at least we get someone there every week. It impresses the ward a lot. Its awesome. Then after that we taught Chris a new gator. It was hard to keep it focused though at times...

        Today we still ahve no clue what we are doing. oh well! Have a fun week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

7-15-13

What an awesome week we have had this past week! So many awesome things happened including the Baptism of Andrew! We had a Baptism! Yes!

     Monday was an interesting day. We went to play sand volleyball and the sand was to hot so we played football instead. Then it got even more warmer outside so we walked around the mall for a couple of hours. Story of a missionaries pday. It was alright. That night we had dinner with the Perez family and they had a non member friend over. They are the best.

     Tuesday we had a lesson with Jeff and Karen. Jeff is Karens non member friend we are teaching now. It was the second lesson we taught him. He is doing well. that night we went to teach Teresa. I was a good lesson. At first it was hard to teach with her kids going crazy!

       Wednesday we had D-meet. it was alright. Then we went see a new gator Chip with Bro. Ruiz his friend. it was a great lesson. Then Andrew was interviewed by another missionary for Baptism and he passed! Then we went to see the Patillos. Then they took us to play some dodgeball with some gators.

       Thursday we had a good last lesson with Andrew before his baptism. It was amazing. The rest of the day we did not have any lessons because all our appointments fell through. That seems to happen a lot. oh well.

         Friday was good. We had fun. we had a good dinner at Eckerts with the Gross family. we left our number there hoping the waitress would call and want to be taught. And she did! It was awesome! It has never worked before... We had the best lesson yet with Randy. It went so well with him!

        Saturday was the Baptism! First Baptism in this area! Andrew and his 8 year old sister were baptized. Andrew is 10 so he counts as a convert. It is a part member family that just got active again. My comp and I sang and I played the uke for the musical number. Then we went to a bbq that night after service with Randy and the mission prez and all the missionaries in the stake. It was a blast!   

      Sunday was awesome. A random couple showed up to church! it was great. We are teachign them now. Randy came and so did Jeff. they loved it. It was aweosme because i got to confirm Andrew and Bishop baptized him. it was a great week!
Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

7-8-13

Hey hey hey, Its is Elder Derek Turner. And this week has been great! I hope you all had a great 4th of July. I had an amazing one here in St. Louis!

      Monday was a fun day. We had zone pday. So what we did was play Basketball all day long. Then after that we got picked up by Bro. Mohlman to go to an appointment wtih Teresa and her mother Bonnie. It went very well. We taught them the first lesson. It was our first time meeting with Bonnie. She really liked the lesson that we taught. It really made sense to her.

          Tuesday was good. We only had one appointment happen that day when we had a couple others. The only lesson we had that day was with Randy at the Sudlows, a family in the ward. They are really cool though. It was great to get our gator to a membhers home for a lesson and dinner. We taught him the first lesson as well.

        Wednesday was fun. We had d meet then we wetn to chipotle after where there was a family from Utah who was there and they paid for all of the 10 different missionaries lunches there. It was awesome! We made a good choice in going to there. haha We ended up pointments fall through again. But we had a great lesson that night with Bonnie and Teresa. President Goodrich, a member of the Temple Presidency and also former mission prez in San Fernando came with us to that appointment. Best member present lesson I have ever had with him. He was amazing. It was hilarious when we left because they Teresa has 6 year old girl triplets and they wanted to do the to ti ta dance? So we did it and President Goodrich also joined in. Good times. We also set a date for Teresa to be baptized!

       Thursday was 4th of July! It was great. We met the new mission President and his family. It was great. They are way cool. I feel bad for their daughter who has to do her senior year of high school out here. Then we had a lesson. Then we played kickball. Then went to the WML house for a bbq then we went to the Arch for the Fireworks. It was such a great show. So many people were there!!! It was crazy! We got to stay out late that night too.

      Friday we had weekly planning which was fun especailly with the late night we had the night before. It was so tiring. We had a good lesson with Jeff at Karens. He is a new gator along with Bonnie. That night we had a lesson and then we played some volleyball with Randy and a ton of people from the other ward that we were invited to.

         Saturday we taught Andrew Ackerman. He is getting Baptized this week!!! yeah! thats all that really happened that day that was special.

       Sunday we had church. We had a couple of gators there. 3 did not come who promissed they would. Teresa and Bonnies mom and grandma went to the hospital that morning unexpectadly and is dieing so that is a legit excuse. It was great. I bore my testimony in Sacrament meeting. It was fun I used a surfing anology to missionary work this time. It was cool. That night we saw Teresa and taught Roger for the first time. Another new gator! yeah!

 Hope you all have a good week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

7-1-13

Well here goes another week. It was a good week. Some cool things happened. We set a Baptismal date and what not.

      Monday we went to email like always. It was fun then we went to the Stake Center to go play some basketball. It was fun. Its probably one of my favorite thing to do on pdays. It was a good day. We had dinner with an awesome family that night. The Goodriches. The father was a mission prez and now is in the Temple Presidency. He is great. The whole family is anyways. We went and tried to see some people that night but we did not see anybody. Oh well. Its ok though.

          Tuesday we had many of appointments. First we had an appointment with the Ackermans to teach Andrew. It was a good lesson. We finished teaching the commandments and set the date for July 13th for the baptism. Then after that we taught the Reeds. The lesson went great with them. Then that night we saw the eastmans. That went well. Then we saw Teresa.

       Wednesday We had dmeet then we had a lesson with Randy that night that went so well! he is progressing greatly!

       Then Thursday we had a few lessons. We taught the Andrew again and reviewed over stuff. It went well. Then we Gaught Rick and Teresa. THings are going crazy though. Then that night we saw Jay.

          Friday we had weekly planning Then after that we went to See Randy that night. We haed a good lesson with him. Then we went and tried to contact people. We also saw some less active person.

    Saturday We went out trying to find some more gators. We started teaching some of Ricks friends so things are going well that way. We are getting many referals now actually.

       Sunday at church we taught sharing time in primary. It was a blast. We had a ton of fun.  We were asked to do it. Then we saw some people that night. it was fun.
    Today is zone pday. we will play some bball

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

6-24-13

Hello everyone. Another week has gone by and here we are to Monday again. Time flys by so fast. It is insane! It was a great week.

       Monday, Last Pday we were going to a park to play sports but in rained like no other so a bunch of missionaries just crashed at our place and we had fun at our house doing random stuff. It was good. Then after we had an appointment to teach Makayla our new gator at the Reeds home. The lesson went well.

        Tuesday was a good day. We had a couple of dropped appointments. Probably a good thing because they need to be dropped as gators probably. OH well. That night we went to the Perez home for dinner and the had a non member family there for us to teach and have dinner with. It was awesome! I love members doing missionary work like this.

       Wednesday we had a couple more appointments fall through but we made some good contacts and what not. We had an appointment with the Ackermans. We still havent gotten word when the Baptism will happen. But it will be soon! The also made us dinner. It was great because they made shepards pie and it was made with Lamb. So good!

          Thursday we had d-meet. It was good I guess. We went out trying to contact potentials and what not that we have. We saw the reeds a former and picked the couple back up as new gators. THey are really nice. Then we saw the Millers which was great. They were so happy to see us. Then that night we had a lesson with Randy at our ward mission leaders home. It was good!

         Fridayw as weekly planning. It went alright. After that we did some service for the millers. Then we went to dinner with the Gross family. Then we had an appointment with Jeremy and Jessica. We had a good commitment for them to come to church. They did not though...

           Saturday we were called way early to go help someone move. We did some yard work for another family that we promissed before that then went and helped move a family in our ward. So much service that day. We then went out looking for new gators and we found one. Tomiko. SHe is awesome. Her parents were formers. So it was a good day.

         Sunday at church we had two gators there. We were hoping for more then just that though. But oh well. We got two at least! Then we had dinner with the Mohlmans an awesome family here. It was a great day. We did not get to see the missionary leadership because we had appointments. OH well. Heard it was good. They aer now letting more missionaries use facebook. We have not heard anything of it yet though. Probably wont happen before I go home here. I hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

6-17-13

So I was writing my email and it all erased. dang it. oh well. Everything will be ok. It just will be a little shorter then before.

         Monday we went to the zoo. When I saw the elephants swimming it made me trunky. Get it because they got trunks? maybe not as funny as a I thought It was great because the zoo is free so it was a blast to be there!

      Tuesday we taught a couple of lessons. One with Rick and Teresa. We almost dropped them but then they said they want to move forward. So we will give them another chance at it. Then we taught our neighbors. It was good.

       Wednesday we had d meet which was fun. then after we had a lesson where we picked up a couple of new gators. Then we went to East St. Louis at the church there for a dinner thing they were doing for a missionary who is serving there who is going home this week. It was so cool to see the branch again! I miss them. They all remembered me also right when I walked in. Most of them were screaming with joy. haha it was classic. Got to love those people.

       Thursday was a good busy day. We first went on base to get our passes to go on. Then we taught the Andrew. He will be baptized very soon! Then we went to have dinner and a lesson with the Lockamy families. One of my favorite families here. Then we had an appointment with the Pyles. Then with Jessica. It was a good day.

        Friday was great! We went to the Temple that morning. We have a new gator Tangula. She is way awesome. She is a bus driver and we taught her and hopefully we can see some awesome things happen very soon with her. We had another appointment with Rick and his family. It went a bit better this time. We started exchanges that night and it went well. It was a lot of fun.

      Saturday was a slower day. We had to bus a ton and what not. We only got a lesson in that day. But it was still good.

    Sunday we had two gators come to church! It was amazing! Things are going well here. This week ended up being pulled all together in the end. We had a lesson with Terrion and his wife and picked the wife up as a new gator. it was good. have a great week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

6-10-13

This week has been interesting. It was very rewarding once we hit Sunday though!

       Monday, fun day, pday. We emailed that morning and went to the Stake Center for zone pday. It was a good one except for one missionary who is mentally ill who had a freak out there while we were playing basketball. He wasnt even playing. He just walked in and was crazy. Now I am pretty sure he heading home. So that was kinda sad. We have more and more missionaries go home since this age change. Just some people can not take the stress of a mission. That night we had dinner with the Penet family who is aweosme and now is fellowshiping one our of new gator families!

        Tuesday was a busy day for us traveling around and seeing everyone and our appointments. But it stunk. We had 3 appointments fall through that day. We rode the buses forever also. But whatever. We did pick up two new gators which was awesome. We were coming back for dinner and then we had a couple of people stop us while we were walking home. We taught them then and there. There names were Jessica and Jeremy. They were cool. They even have a member of the church who is living with them  who is inactive with them also. So it is cool. That night we went with President Goodrich in our ward. He is in the Temple Presidency. He is way awesome. We had fun with him also. He used to be a mission President also in California. So he knows his stuff. He took us to some awesome ice cream after.

         Wednesday we had d-meet. We had some fun role plays that meeting. After we went to the worst pizza buffet though... After that we went to have an appointment with Rick and Teresa which went well. The rest of the day we spent trying to see many different people. It was good.

       Thursday we had an appointment with the Miller family. First we did some yard work there. He had us fish with him for a bit behind his house. He lives on a lake. I caught a bass. It was cool. We had a good lesson with his family and also had dinner there too!

       Friday we had an appointment with Ryan and Anna that went well. It was good. Then we saw a pm family the Pyles. Then had dinner with the Rebers that night. They are one of my fav families here. We also had weekly planning that day. It was fun.

         Saturday we had another appointment with Rick and Treesa. It went good. They did come to church again though... It is a struggle with them. That night we went to a Rodeo with the Goodrichs and there non member in laws! It was awesome. My comp was way excited because he is a high school national champ in calf roping. He is way good with a rope. It was great though. We got along great with the non members. It was awesome because this guy was bull riding and got bucked off then the bull lifted him up in the air hitting his butt. It was classic. He is ok though so no worries. Just a broken tailbone maybe.

         Sunday we had church. We had the one gator there which was awesome. Then a part member family came to church also. The son who is 9 wants to be baptized and the mom wants him baptized too so we will have a batpism in a couple of weeks or maybe even three weeks. Depending on how fast he learns! That was a miracle!

Hope you all have a good week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

6-3-13

This week has been awesome!!! A lot of great cool stuff has happened this week!

        Since I emailed you last Tuesday I will update from that day!

     Tuesday was fun. We had a couple of appointments. One with our neighbors which was ok. One of them was a little tipsy. He kept throwing everything off until we just said that we would come back another time when he was not like that. We then had a great dinner appointment where the member had his non member mother there. Then we had a great appointment with Antawn. He is progressing well except he did not come to church...

    Wednesday we had d-meet. It was fun. We have a good district here. We had a long day of walking and trying to contact many different referrals that we have. It got tiring walking so much. Its good though because I get to lose weight though! Which is great! We got to teach some random people on the front porches and picked up a couple new investigators which was cool. 

             Thursday was an interesting day. We were able to teach a couple of lessons that day. They were with some random people again that we picked up as new gators. most of our gators we got last week have been dropped because they will not keep appointments. People have been more flakey here then anywhere else. Oh well. By the end of the day we walked like 10 miles or something like that.

         Friday was an interesting day. We walked around trying to contact all these pm/la families all day. We talked to these three random guys who we picked up as new gators. It was awesome how it happened. That night we went and contacted a referral with a member. It was good because we caught them at the right time. It was the Miller family. We were able to teach and set up another return appointment. So more new gators! That night after we saw a little of the shriners parade that was held right next to where we live. During that the Tornado sirens started going off. First time they have ever gone off for a legit tornado besides just them testing them out since I have been out. It was crazy! So we started to walk to our place. Then started running. Right before we got in our bishop called us and said to get in the basement so we did. It got crazy lightening hitting down everywhere and so much rain and hail. It was insane. It was so windy. Our basement started flooding while we were down there. Not to much though. The carpet was just getting soaked. So we figured out that if we did not get killed by the tornado that we would drown to death. Thank goodness neither happened. It stormed the whole night. The Tornado missed us by like 15 miles or so. There where 3 that we spotted in St. Louis. But we were blessed and we were ok. But it was crazy!

           Saturday we had weekly planning which was fun. Then later we went out contacting around on the buses since we did not have anything till that night. That night we went to the BYU Folk Dance Ensemble performance here at Belleville East High School. It was awesome. We had to show up early because they used this as a missionary tool. Any non member who was there got in for free with the missionaries. So we had 20 non members with our members come which was awesome! We will teach some of them very soon! Before while holding the doors open I heard a girl yell Derek. I was shocked. I started looking around to see who said my first name. Then I saw who it was. It was Emma, a girl I knew from BYU Idaho. I had no clue she lived out here. She lives in the next ward over. She never told me before the mission that she lived out here. So it was weird seeing her for the first time in two years. I told her that she has to call me Elder Turner now but kept calling me Derek. OH well. haha it was cool seeing an old friend! It was way sweet because I got to see many people from my old areas there. It was there only show in the St. Louis area on there 3 week tour. Most of the Tour for the dance ensemble is up in Nauvoo. The stopped here because a girl on the team is from this stake. It was fun though. The performance was amazing! They were so good. The live band was great also. It made me get into Folk music a little more. haha

            Sunday was great at church. I bore my Testimony in church. no one did for like 3 mins or so. And I went up because no one was going up. At church this sister gave us a jar of pickles, famous daves to be exact. I used an analogy on that in my talk related o missionary work so she decided to buy some for us. it was awesome. I got some members here hooked on those now:) After church we went to and picked up two more new gators with a member who refereed these people. We have dinner with those gators this week now! After that we went to the stake center to go to the singles branch break the fast where the whole BYU dance Ensemble was at. We were invited because we were going to have practice right after to sing with them in the Fireside they were doing that night. It was awesome! So my and a couple other missionaries sat at a random table and some of the dancers came and sat with us. After talking to them I figured out that this one girl just got married to Daniel Sorenson like a month ago. Daniel Sorenson was in my ward back in Colton with his family back when I was a kid. So it was funny making that connection. We took some pics together and sent it to her husband and he still remembers me too! It was funny that my family is old friends of her husbands family. Then I got talking to this guy sitting next to her and found out that he is cousins with the Farnbachs who are in my ward back home also. It is such a small world in the Mormon world... haha But it was awesome. I took some pics with him also. After dinner we went and practiced with them the song the missionaries were singing with them. Then we had the fireside. It was awesome! We sang I am a child of God mashed up with another song. It was really cool. It was fun mingling with them before and afterward. It was just nice to talk to normal people. haha there are normal people out here too but they are even more normal. haha

          All in all it was way fun:) I hope you all have a good week! we have zone pday today. going to play some sports!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

5-28-13

What a week it has been! I am not in my new area, Belleville in
Illinois! oh yeah! It is next to my first area. And it is funny
because I am seeing the same people that I saw when I was there on the
busses here. It is typically the same old drunk people. It is really
funny though becuase it is all dejavu. I think that is how you spell
that at least.

So Monday the whole district came up with us to Kaylas
place, and with Cami her member friend we all went and hiked to a
tunnel behind her house. It took close to 2 hours to get there. Then
like an hour and a half to get back. We took a different way back. It
was crazy! But a lot of fun! It was fun hanging out with everybody.
That night we had dinner at Kaylas place and did a lesson with her
also. It was fun.

Tuesday we my comp was in bed for almost the whole day
because he was really sick. We almost went to the E. R. but then I
have him a blessing and he was alright. So we went to the Nashs that
night for a last lesson with them which was great! Then after we met
with Kayla for the last time at Camis place with her parents. She is
so awesome. After we went with them and others to ice cream.

Wednesday was cool because I got to be at transfer meeting
to see all my old friends I have not seen in a few months. It was a
fun. My new comp is Elder Cannon from St. George Utah. He is a cool
guy and defiantly a cowboy. He really likes to rope things. haha We
have a lot of fun together. It is a blast to serve with him! We are
both new to the area because we white washed it. It is fun though. I
know the area decently from serving right next to it. It is cool.

Thursday we went out exploring trying to find people to
teach here. We also had d-meet. We were succesful becuase the first
door we knocked on we picked up a new gator and taught a lesson. It
was pretty cool! Not going to Lie. Then that night we had a dinner
appointment with a pm family and picked up the non member husband as a
new gator. It was great. Because we need people to teach. There is
only like two gators left from the last nissionaries.

Friday was fun because we went out looking for more people
to teach. We taught Rick and Teresa who were left over from the last
misionaries. Then we met someone at the bus stop who we ended up
teaching ehr a lesson on the bench and prayed with her out in public
and picked her up as a new gator too. We are trying so hard to find
people to teach! We then Also saw Antwan who was taught by the
missionaries that were here a year and a half ago back when i was in
east st louis. I taught him the first lesson on exchanges way back
when. And now i am back and we picked him up as a new gator also. It
was a great day!

Saturday we finally got to weekly planning. I the whole ward
roster into the gps that i have. Most of the members are less active
in the ward or part member families so i just put it all in. It has
helped because we were able to go out and see some of those people.
Bussing takes forever though. That night we had a coor meet with the
wml and he is fired up ready to go!

Sunday in church they had me, my comp and the WML all
speak. We were told we would speak just a couple of days before that.
which i was cool with. I love speaking in church. It was cool to see
the Gross family at church. They were imported into the East St. Louis
branch while I was there and now are here back in their ward! We then
taught one of our neighbors that night and picked up 3 more new
gators. a total of 7 this week here!

Monday we went to one of the other wards parties. It was fun.
We also crashed a penecostal party and ate with them also and played
some softball with them and it started raining hard core while
playing. It was fun.

Today we had to email because everything was closed
yesterday. oh well. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*

5-20-13

So we got transfer calls this week and I am going to a new area! oh
yes! Stay tuned to find out where I am going next.
Monday was a cool day. We went to our gators place up in valley
mines to go hiking to a mine. But we kinda got lost so we did not make
it all the way there. We went with another set of missionaries and a
member and a gator. It was fun though. That night we taught Kayla and
had dinner with her family who are awesome! It was a fun day though.
We picked up the parents as new gators also which is cool.
Tuesday was a slow day. We only had a couple of lessons that
day. One of them being with the Nashs. It was our last lesson with
them before there baptism. It was really awesome.
Wednesday was cool. At lunch we exchanged. I was with Elder
Kimball. It was fun. All he had planned for his area was to go tracting.
So we did in his area and we picked up a couple new gators for them.
It was great. I hope they both work out. One of them was a guy who is
friends with many members down here.
Thursday we had d meet down in frederick town. It was good.
They have been struggling in there area so we blitzed there area for
like an hour and we picked them up a couple of new gators just in that
time. That night we had a lesson with kayla at camis place with her
parents. It was good. We had a great lesson with her that we set a
date with her for baptism. I will come back to baptize her. It was
funny that all 6 new gators that were picked up this week in our
district I was there for all those lessons.
Friday we had weekly planning that morning. We saw a few
different people which was good. We dropped a lot of people also. Then
we went and played basketball with some gators which was fun to do
that night.
Saturday was amazing! we had the Baptism of the Nashs! We had 3
baptisms!I got to baptize the daughter which was awesome. It was an
amazing service. My comp and i did a musical number. Then after we
went out to lunch with them. Then we had a lesson with kayla and her
family that night which was great. That night I found out that i am
being transfered to Bellville Illionois. Back to the Ghetto and city i
am going. It is right next door to my first area which was east st
louis. It is not as ghetto but it is. It will be fun! I love the city.
I kinda have finally accepted it that i am meant to serve there being
there my whole mission almost and having to bus around places. It is
fun though. I like it. I can not wait to see what kind of crazy stuff
i will see there. I will be white washing that place too. We live in a
house there which is pretty cool.
Sunday was church of course. It was great. I confirmed the son
Logan. It was awesome. We had Kayla there at church for the first
time! Then we went to go by a couple peoples places after church. Then
had another lesson with the Jaroubek family.
Today we will go hiking again and try to make it all the way to
the mine. we will see though. have a great week!
Love,
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*

Come Thou Fount

5-13-13

Another week in Potosi has come and gone. And it was an exciting one
at that! I got to talk to my family and it was great. 

Monday was Zone pday. We went down to Cape G. for it at the stake
center. It was fun. We played nerf blow darts. They gave us a pvc
pipes and darts and had a war in the cultural hall. It was fun. Then
we played some football also. It was great. When we went through the
drive through at taco bell and I asked the cashier if she have ever
heard of the Mormons and she had not. Then I gave her a pass along
card. Then the manager comes up to the window and I thought he was
going to get mad at me for doing that but he told me they were giving
me a free taco and it was awesome! 

Tuesday We had a lesson with Kayla and her mom. Kendel joined us
for that. It was really good. Then after we went to have a lesson with
the Nash family! We picked up the step sister Kendra as a new gator
also while we were there. She wants to be baptized also but she leaves
soon for a couple of months to go out of state or something. But the
family is all progressing along very well. They will be baptized this
Saturday actually! Yay!!! Then we had a lesson with Ashley that was
cut short... 

Wednesday was interesting. We had a lesson with Mechelle where
we started the stop smoking workshop with her. It was good. So far
from what we know she has not smoked yet. We then went and took down a
tree which was interesting. Kinda fun though not going to lie. 

Thursday We went to D-Meet. Then we went to the Goellers to help
out with the land they have. We do a lot there cutting down trees and
everything you can think of. That night we had a lesson with Kayla and
Tasha who is a new gator. THen after the lesson we went bowling with
them and Cami too. it was fun though i have to say to go bowling. 

Friday Was good also. We had a couple of lessons that day that
were ok. We are dropping a lot of people right now which is good. Then
we to play basketball and had a lesson there before we played which
was good. It was a lot of fun. Except for the fight that broke out
between a member and investigator... its all cool now. 

Saturday we had an exchange so Elder Williams was with me. We
walked around and saw this part member family the Hafleys. Then we
went to Bonne Terre and taught a couple of lessons. Then then late
that afternoon we went up to Kaylas to go do some yard work for them.
And they had a bbq and then we had a lesson and then a Bonne fire
where we picked up another new gator Tanya one of her friends. It was
awesome! 

Sunday we had church it was fun. Then we had a lesson with the
Nashs. Then we got to call home! It was so much fun to call home! Last
time I get to call on my mission! Happy Mothers day by the way to all
you mothers! It was a great week!
Today we get to explore on a hike!
Love,
Elder Derek Turner

5-6-13

Another week here in Potosi! oh yes.

    Monday was a good day. We had a our fun activities then we went to Brians that night for a lesson which went well. It was fun and great and he learned a lot in the lesson.

     Tuesday was god. We had 5 lessons that day which was great for this area. and we picked up two new gators that day. We started the day off by going and teaching Arthur who this is the first time we got to teach him since the first time we taught him. It was good. He is a way old man so it is sometimes hard to keep him focused  Then we taught Phil and Phil jr.  Then we saw Steven and his wife. Which things have been crazy for them because angie went into labor  this week 12 weeks early but now she is ok because she did not have the baby yet. Then we went and taught our down stairs neighbors  They are the couple that we picked up as new gators. it was great! It was a awesome lesson that went very well. They are going to progress great. That night we had a lesson with that Nashs who will be baptized in a couple of weeks!

     Wednesday was a little bit of slower day. We only had a lesson that day with Ashley who now soon can get baptized because she moved out of her bf place! Yes!

     Thursday was interesting  We had district meeting that morning down in fredrictown. We had to drive all the way down there. It is a far drive. We then after we started our exchange It was ok. i was with Elder harris in his area. We taught this guy in a mental institution. He seemed kinda normal but probably not. Then we taught the Shavers a family who has been taught for a long time. Then went by potentials and what not for the rest of the day.

      Friday we switched back and i went back to my own area. Which was great. and we had our weekly planning then which was fun. We make it fun and not boring but very quick at times. We were supposed to go do yard work for someone but it was to wet outside to do it anymore. So we did not. And we wend and taught a couple of lessons instead to Tim and to Missy.

       Saturday we were supposed to do service again but to much rain again. We taught a couple of lessons but that was about it.

     Sunday was great because we had 3 gators come to church which is amazing and then one of our 3 gators brought a friend too who we will start teaching also. SO it was great. We taught 4 lessons that day  which was awesome. we did not expect to get all those lessons. One of them being with a new gator. SO that is 3 new gators this week! oh yes!

  Today is zone pday. Not sure what we are really doing yet. but ti will be fun! i hope! have a great week!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

4-29-13

Hello again from Missouri. What a week it has been!!! Pretty exciting actually!

   Monday we had pday of course. We played bball at a baptist church after emailing. The usual.  We went to a couple of appointments that night that ended up falling through. The normal I guess sometimes. OH well.

     Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday. We had to go down to Cape G for Prez interviews. They went good. It was nice. That will be my last interview I have with Prez Clark for the rest of my mission. Crazyness!!! He goes home in a couple of months. Then we got back here and had an appointment with the Nash's. It was a good appointment. Prez Allred the Branch prez came with us. It was our first appoinment with them we have had and we set a date for the mother and two kids to be baptized may 18th yes!!! It was a mircale! we are very grateful for it.

    Wednesday was good. We had a good appointment with Larry. It has been a very long time since we have gotten in touch with him. Htne we had a god meeting with Katherine. Then we went by so many peoples places trying to get a hold of them and people dropping there appointments. We also had a good lesson with Brian to finish off the day.

    Thursday Was a good day. We went to go meet with Roy and then with Missy. Then we went to the Goelers to go help them with some service on there land. It was good. We got a lot done then we had a lesson with there son in law who is a non member then had a good dinner.

      Friday was awesome! We had 3 appointments fall through! But then we were able to make it up and see other people. That night we played some basketball at the church with investigators and what not.

    Saturday we had to help a lady move in to her parents place. Where we got to teach her non member grandson which was awesome. We moved the whole truck with just my comp and I a lot faster then I thought we would move it. The hardest part of course was the Piano. I have never done so much labor work in any of my areas before this one it is kinda funny.

     Sunday was good. We had one investigator there which was awesome! We after church went and made many stop bys to gators and what not. Then we went by a potential, Mechelle and picked her up as a new gator also! it was awesome!

    Today will be fun.

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

4-22-13

Hey everyone. Another week has gone by here in Potosi. It is funny how many people remember my cousin who served here. I have seen a picture of him in someones house which was interesting.

      Monday we went and emailed then went to a baptist church right next to our place that has a community gym where we played some good ole basketball. It was fun to play. We did that for most of the day. Then we went to our coupole of appointments we had that night that ended up falling through. Oh well. We just had to go by and see other people instead.

     Tuesday was a nice busy day. We had 4 appointments which half of them fell through but we ended up getting two appointments that day to make up for those couple of appointments that fell through. Which we saw Steven and Angie where we picked up Angie as a new gator. Then we saw Phillip and his son. WHere we picked his son up as a new gator also. WHich was cool. We did not expect either of those. Then we saw TIm also. Which we are so close to dropping. Then We saw Missy that day also. Which she is supposed to be Baptized this Friday. Which will be interesting to see if that happens or not. She has been flakey lately.

        Wednesday was good. We did some good ole service for the Gellers. Then we went to a great bbq place with Bro. Pezel our ward mission leader who is awesome. We did coor meet there with him. Then we went and had a good meeting with Clayton and his familly. He will get baptized next week. We hope...

      Thursday we had to go all the way down to Fredricktown in the middle of no where for d meet. The branch building they have there is so small. Then we came back up for a coupole of apoitnments with some people including Tim and a couple of tohers.

     Friday was a good busy day. Thursday night we started exchanged so I was down in Farmington with Elder Kimball. It was fun. We did service at a senior center and had an appointment with a guy who we dropped because he was not willing to keep commitments. Then that night we played basketball with some gators. That day while I was down in Farmington the Assistants came and switched our car with a brand new Chevy Cruze! it drives so nice!!!

        Satruday we had a good day. We weekly planned that day when we were switched back. We had a good appointment with Steven and his wife again. Then we had to go by and see some people because we did not have contact all week long. That night we had a lesson with Aaron and his friend at a race track where then after we got to watch some races with some sprint cars and stuff on a dirt track. It was fun.

     Sunday was good. We had church and then after we had an appointment with Tim. That went well this time. THen we had an apointment with Katherine and her less active boyfriend. It was good.
      Today we will probably go play bball again. oH yeah.

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

4-15-13

What a week it has been. Got a new comp in a new area and things are going good. I am not serving in my cousins old area when he served in this mission like 6 years ago or something.

     Monday was pretty simple. I packed the whole day until at night we had a dinner and lesson at the banks home. Then saw Caleb. I do not like packing....

      Tuesday was a busy day. We went and stopped by many different investigators homes and what not. We had a good lesson with Tobermans. It was fun Then we had a good appointment with the Files and mooths. Then we went by the WML place to say goodbye to him  and thank him for everything because he has been the best WML I  have ever had! It was amazing the things he did for us. Then we finsished up the night at the Bocchicos. It was good though! We had a lot of funt here teachinga  lesson and enjoying good company. That night when we returned we I did my last goodbye to the Ison family. They have been awesome to live with!

     Wednesday we were picked up way early to start heading to St. Louis. Bro. Vogel took us. He is amazing! It was only an hour drive or so to my new area. So we are not to far away from St. Louis but it stil in the middle of no where. we have a huge area and hardly any people in it. We live in a place called Desloge outside of Potosi. Right next to a Walmart! yes. It was the greatest thing when we pulled up and I saw that! We went to a couple of appoitnments with the Kaynes and with Kathrine. My new Comp is Elder Schriver from Enterprise Utah. This is his 5th transfer here. So he knows the area pretty well. Thank goodness I have gps for when I am drving around though. It was a good day of unpacking things.

   Thursday we had d meet. It was ok. A cool family fed us though lunch down in the Farmington ward. the Holme I believe. The mom and dad both served in this mission back in like 1991 to 1993 i believe. Funny thing they returned here. It was cool though. Then We went to contact a referal. And we ended up picking the guy up as a new gator. His name is Arthur. A cool old guy. Then we came back and had a lesson with Tim which was good also. We then were going around trying to get in touch with some others and what not.

    Friday was awesome. We had a lesson with Missy who will be baptized in a couple weeks. Then we had a good lesson with another person that i can not remember the name... Then We had a lesson with Kayla. Then we went down to the church to go place some basketball. We taught a lesson to one of the members gf and picked her up as a new gator. Then we played bball with gators. It was great.

       Then Saturday was my comps bday. It was fun. We went by to try and see people. that night we went to Kaylas place for a Bon Fire for my comps bday. We ended up teaching a lesson and picking up a couple of new gators which she has friends who wanted to learn and what not. That was awesome.

         Sunday was good. At church everyone remembered my cousin who served here in this ward. It was funny. So they are excited that I am here. haha So Things are going well here. Today we will go play some bball. So it will be fun. Not sure what else we will do yet. Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Derek Turner

*Serving in Zion*

4-8-13

Well this week was transfer week. I am going to a new area. Guess where I am going to! Stay tuned in until later in the email to find out what is happening!
     So Monday we went to Springfield for the day. It was zone pday. We got to go on a zipline at a members place and play some sports and have a nice bbq. It was relaxing to just hang out also. We also had a DLZLC that day too. It was alright. That night we went with the Springfield 2nd missionaries to a dinner appointment at the Hines a family I knew when I served there. It was cool seeing them again and eating there yummy food. I really enjoyed it!
     Tuesday we had D-meet. I gave a training on focusing are lessons around the Baptismal Interview questions. And helping out gators gain a testimony of those things! Then after we saw the strong family which was great. It has been a couple of weeks since we have met with them. Then we had a good appointment with The Files also.
      Wednesday we started by doing service at the dmh thrift shop. It was fun. Then we drove down to Macon to meet with the Fisks, which they were not there for the appointment. It was a far drive also... Then we saw the Duncans for a bit which was good. Then we saw another pm family we are working with. then we saw Andrea which was good. 
    Thursday was crazy because we had 7 appointments that day and non of them fell through. Which is rare! We met with Shatonia that morning. It was good in the fact that she had her friend who introduced her to the church there who is a very less active now. Then we went the the Stewarts. It was awesome. We got to help out with a little yard work then teach them a lesson. Then from there we went to Dustins place and had a good lesson. He is starting to overcome his Mothers death. Then we went to meet with Caleb and Heather. We are proably going to drop them again... Then after that we met Steve a new gator that has been hard to get in contact with. Then we met with the Banks and had dinner. They are amazing. One of my favorite families here! Then we went to the Rices. That was a good lesson to. It was an awesome but busy day!
        Friday we had weekly planning that went well. Then we had an appointment with Andrea again. Then with Dustin again also. We got to go by a random part member family that day also and picked them up as new gators also. It was cool. Then we had Basketball that night which we played with a bunch of gators and members which was fun. We always do a lesson with it also.
       Saturday was awesome! It was General Conference so of course it was awesome! I loved it! We went to the Bocchicios that day to watch conference. It was awesome. We did a lesson in between sessions also. They made some great food for it! Then after that we had before Priesthood session we went to the Ison mansion for dinner with them and some gators. It was fun. I loved how in Priesthood they talked a lot about missionary work and getting members to do missionary work also. That was amazing! That night we got transfer calls. I am going to Potosi with Elder Schriver. It is crazy because my cousin who served in this mission about 6 years ago or so served in that same area. So I am excited to look over all his old teaching records and baptize the people that he did not;) haha
      Sunday was awesome also. We had a breakfast thing with gators and our ward mission leader before the morning session. It was fun and good. We then all went the the church to watch conference. It was enjoyable though. Many good talks were given. One of my favorites was Elder Hollands though. Crazy thing was that this was my last General conference on my mission! So the next one I will be home for! I can not believe it! Can you? After Conference we went to the Banks for a lesson. Then we went to the Barthlomews for a lesson and to play some music with them which was fun. It was a good week!
       Today I am going to pack oh yes. It will be fun. But i am catching the wave, are you?
Love,
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*

4-1-13

Happy Easter to all. So yesterday I got a call that I am being emergency transfered to the office to be an office elder. April fools! haha I really am not being emergency transfered. Just a joke. Well I hope your easter week was awesome. So now I am a year older then the last time I emailed you. I turned 21 this past week! oh yeah! so exciting! Thank you for your bday wishes to me! Here is how the week went!
     Monday was a good day. I told you about that in my last email though. 
      Tuesday we emailed that morning because the libraries were closed Monday because of the blizzard. After we emailed we went to springfield for a musical zone conference. It was interesting. It was fun. Some really good famous piano player played for us and what not. He is a good friend of our mission prez. Then we came back here to Decatur for a dinner and a lessons at a members place who invited there friends to be taught. It went well. We have them as new gators now. They asked some great questions that were very deep. it was awesome. That night we went by a random pm family and picked them up as gators also. It was awesome!
       Wednesday was a good day fun full of lessons. It was also my 21st Birthday! We did some service at the thrift shop that morning. It was good! Then we had an appointment with Andrea that went ok. then we taught Dustin and his family. They had some sparkling apple cider that they pulled out in celebration of being 21. It was funny. Then we taught Shatonia. Then after that we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. It was awesome! Then after we went the the Rices for a lesson. Then that night when we came back, the family we live with, the Isons, Threw a little bday party for me. It was awesome!
        Thursday Was alright. We had a good amount of lessons. We saw the Duncans which was good. Then we saw some few others also. That night we went to a memorial service for Dustins mom who just passed away from cancer. It was great to be there in support of him and his family. Then we went to the Bocchicios and they fed us my bday dinner. They made us steak, had vanilla ice cream and peach cobbler my favorite! It was awesome! They gave me a harmonica holder for my bday so now I can play the harmonica and the uke at the same time! crazy!
         Friday was good. We had a good lesson with the sheets. That was fun. then we had a good lesson the Banks and had dinner with them. Then we also saw the Speers which was awesome. We caught them at a great time also on a stop by.
         Saturday we had lunch with the Novaks. Then we had another good lesson with Andrea. We had some appointments fall through as always. But then we played Basketball that night and It was fun! we had a great lesson with them all also.
        Sunday was Easter. I loved church and the talks that were given. After church we did an easter egg hunt with the Isons. It was great! Then we had lunch with the Bocchicios. Then we went and taught Dustin. After that we had dinner with the Deweys. They are awesome also. They have some family that lives in Temecula! Then went by some more pm families and caught them at home! 
     Today will be good. We have zone pday and DLZLC afterwards. Then we will go have dinner with the Hines in springfield my old area. They are way awesome! Conference this weekend will be awesome!
Love, 
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*

Pictures