Missionary/MMA Fighter

Hello there!

 

     Thank you all for the emails and updates. Sounds like you are staying busy at home. Have fun going back to school, Mom!

    Yesterday we had an awesome P-day! Brother Marx (another professional MMA fighter who trains with Bryan) took us and the two other elders to Jackson's Gym where they train and fight! Bryan didn't come because he has been in Cali these past two weeks visiting family. He gets home today though, and his wife should have her baby the beginning of next month. Anyway the gym was intense! We first put on gloves and hit some bags. They taught us some punches and kicks with a few combos that lead into takedowns. We then learned a few different ground moves to tap somebody out either by submission or passing them out,  like the ankle lock, arm bar. heel lock, and a bunch of different ways to take away their air. We learned a few defensive moves like the full guard and half guard as well. We went live for a while and practiced on each other.  Oh man, it was fun! We took our turns going one on one with Brother Marx and I have never felt so helpless in my life! He was going super easy on us and could still control us with every little move. He did let us win to help us feel good every now and then... Needless to say it was one of the best Pdays so far! So watch out... I have been trained... Tanner I will choke you out.. I think I am ready for a rematch with you too, Dad. So get ready! You will be 50 when we get to wrestle... haha :)

 

      So Ted Ortiz is still all set for this Friday night! We had a really cool lesson with them last week where he and his wife told us how they have had missionaries coming over for dinner for the past 4 or 5 years, but none of the elders have taught him. She said in sacrament meeting when they announced that Elder Weston and I were companions, a little bell went off in her head and she thought maybe we could be the ones to teach him. We were both really touched by that. So why are we the ones that have been able to teach him? Honestly I have no idea, but I am humbled by it. The ward is so super excited about it too! There is a great missionary spirit here now.  Ted asked me last Thursday if I would would baptize him and I am honored to do it. The man is incredible.

 

       Saturday there was a ward service project with helping a lady who has been super sick over the past year and her yard has gone to trash. We decided that it would be a good opportunity to gain some ward trust and  to show just how two Cache Valley brothers can work! And work we did. We spent a couple hours shoveling and laboring among our brothers of the ward. When all was said and done the yard looked awesome! Elder Weston and I looked at each other and both said pretty much in unison... "Man, I am getting soft!" We both had big blisters on our hands from shoveling. It was awesome though, super fun and the ward had a good time.

 

       Wel,l that's about it for this week I believe. Thanks to everybody for their well wishes and prayers!

                                                        Elder Turnbow