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*

3-26-13

Hello everyone. Everything was closed down yesterday and we were snowed in for a good amount of the day. It stunk but oh well. But hey here I am. And they have now just announced to us that us missionaries can now email not just family but also friends! And we can also email or recent converts too now! This is awesome though! It made me so excited to read that! So if you want to email me now because I know it is hard for a lot of you to write me just go ahead and send me an email! Go ahead and send me an email and tell me how you are doing!!! I could not believe it when they told us this! But hey it happened:) And we had some exciting things happen this week like we had Baptism! and This week I turn 21 on Wednesday March 27th! So here is how the week went!
          Monday was a good day. We played racquetball like we always do just about. We were so supposed to have a lesson with the Perkins family but it did not happen. Not yet at least. Then we had a lesson at the Bochicio home. It went well. We picked up a new gator there also. We have a couple more to get that are in that house. 
     Tuesday was good also. We had many of appointments. But I was not in my own area because I had my exchange with E. Campbell because I am the DL. It was alright. We went up to Clinton for the day with a member to go see many different pm families. It was good. We were up there for most of the day. I actually have to go find an apartment up there for missionaries who will be opening that area next transfer. But that should be easy. I had to do it once before. It will be fun to do because it is interesting doing that whole process. We had some good work there though that day. We then went to Texas Roadhouse with the Clawsons whose family is moving into my ward back home! I got to meet one of the kids when he was visiting his family out here.
      Wednesday we switched back. We had a good appointment with Dustin and Andrea. We reset a date for Dustin to be baptized! May 11th. We then had one of our last lessons with Mary before she was baptized. We then had another good appointment with another pm family.
       Thursday was fun because the ZLs came to do there exchange with me and my comp. I was with E. Anderson. They just blitzed our area for the day which was cool because we got to set up 9 different appointments for that day for us split and go to. For a good part of the day though we had to go up to Clinton to look for a place for the opening area.There is nothing really up there to choose from though. Then we came back and went to go by to a couple of our appointments  We went to visit a random pm family and we ended up talking to two of the neighbors and picked them up as new gators also! It was awesome! Then we had a good appointment with the Rice family which finished off our day. It was awesome. All command and conquer. 
                Friday we had a good lesson with the another pm family that went well. Then we had a lesson with Andrew young and his mother. He has been hared to teach because he can not be controlled. But he was well behaved this time and we had a really good lesson! And we also taught his friend who was there too who asked his parents if he could take the lessons!
              Saturday was good. We had weekly planning. Oh yeah so much fun. But then we got prepare for Marys Baptism! It was awesome! One of my favorite services I have attended yet. Bro. Van Orden baptized her. My comp had to dress in white also and be in the water and assist in bring her out of the water because she is an bigger lady in her 70's so It helped to have that. It was good though. My comp and I performed a musical number also on the Uke and guitar and sung. My comp forgot an extra change of underwear and stuff so he was wet in his suit after the baptism... It was kinda funny though. That night we then had a lesson and Basketball!!!
           Sunday was good. In Sacrament meeting Mary was confirmed. She asked me to confirm her so I got to do that which was way awesome to be able to do. I love confirming people! It was a great honor.  That day after we got back from church all cars were grounded because the snow storm came it. It snowed a foot here! It was terrible! Plus Kyle who takes us out in his truck was not here in Decatur so we could not get out. It stunk because we had to miss out on a couple of appointments that day... 
          Monday was good. We were stuck shoveling snow all morning... We ended up being able to get out at night and shop and have a couple different appointments with the Banks and Irelands. 
        Today we will be going to Springfield for a zone conference. Yeah. Hope you all have good week!!! Bye!!!
Love,
Elder Derek Turner
*Serving in Zion*