Monday, May 13, 2013

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




2-19-13

*Somehow this email never got posted. I just found it as I was going through all of his emails updating his blog so this is from back in February.

Today I am emailing you because yesterday the Libraries were closed for Presidents day. So here we go. 
               Last Monday we went and Played Raquetball again. It was a lot of fun as it always is. That night after dinner we went and taught a part-member and picked up a new investigator while we were at it.
              Same thing for Tuesday we picked up another new investiagtor and taught a couple of lessons. One with Jerry and Pauline which went well. They were a referal from Bro. peters in the first ward here in Decatur. He ended up being a good lesson. We also stopped by a former gator and picked her back up as a new gator again and started teaching her again. So things are going good. That night the family we live with fed us dinner which was interesting I have to say.
            Wednesday we had a couple of appointments fall though but we were still able to teach that day. One of the appointments was with the Banks that went well. And anther with some other part member family. We work a lot with Part members here. It is good.
        Thursday we had to go to Champaign for a zone conference. It was cool because I got to see the U of I for the first time. It is a cool little city there though. It was a good conference. It took us a little under and hour to drive there which was not so terrible. We got back had dinner and did not have very much time to work and everyone we did try to see was out because it was valentines day...
           Friday was awesome because We picked up a new Gator Mary, who we set a date to be baptized on March the 23rd. It was an awesome lesson. Her daughter is a member of the church and she loves the church. We had much time to go see many different potentials that day also after the weekly planning. 
       Saturday was jammed packed but way aesome because the morning we went to Joels house a recent convert for a lesson and he had 3 friends there a family that wants to be taught so we taught them and picked them up as new gators also! They are way cool. Then we had to go to a wedding for an investigator which ended up being postponed. Which wasted a good amount of time figuring that out. Then we had a lesson with the Carson family which went great. Then we finished the day with dinner at the Bocchios and also a lesson with Charley who will be baptized this Saturday! Yeah!
         Sunday we had many people come to church including 4 of our new gators and Charley. That is a record for here as of right now. Sunday after church we met with this lady who we picked up as a new gator also! so we ended the week with 7 new gators! That night we taught Dustin.
      Yesterday we had zone pday out in Spring field. It was a ton of fun. We really enjoyed hanging out with the other missionaries and what not. We had dinner with an awesome young couple the Halseys then had a lesson with the Speers who are investigators. It was a good day.
     Today we have a few appointments lined up and hopefully they will all go great! Have an awesome week!
Love, 
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*