I love this gospel!

Hello all!

 

Sorry we were unable to email yesterday, all of the libraries were closed due to Veterans Day. There was some good that came from it though... we were able to start playing sports an hour early! woo yeah! It's fun to read about the snow and cold you have been experiencing this week, because yesterday we were outside in shorts and tshirts playing baseball/softball! It was a blast. A less active member of our ward hooked us all up with mitts and bats and then he came and played with us. Not to brag or anything, but I was the only one to hit one over the fence. It felt good to crush it!

 

It sounds like it was a really tough and fun game last Saturday! Way ta be, Dyl. Great season!

 

Every time I sit down to email I try and look back on the week and it's all just one big blur! So much happens every single day it's impossible to remember it all. Mom, you would be proud of me though, I have almost filled my journal that Grandpa gave me.

 

President and Sister Miller came to our house Tuesday morning for interviews. While Elder Chalk was getting interviewed I had to teach Sister Miller the Atonement and cover all the points in 5 minutes as if she was a 10 year old girl. When all was said and done and it was over, I thought to myself there is no way I would have been able to do that at the beginning of my mission! It was fun. My interview with President was good as always. And Like a good coach does, he is always pushing to get every drop of excellence out of us. I think that's why our WS coaches are so amazing, and it is a quality that makes President Miller such a good mission president.

 

So some sad news that happened this week is Keith relapsed with smoking. It has been tough on him. He is taking it like a stud though and is getting back on track. It was just hard to see him slip. But we all know that you can't ever get out of a rut until you turn the wheel! He was supposed to baptize Krysha tonight, and that has been really tough too, but he understands everything. Her baptism won't be tonight though, we are still waiting for the wards decision on when best to do it. This ward is weird when it comes to scheduling stuff. Hopefully it happens this week!

 

We had an awesome lesson with Tashia this week! Margie was there and also Jim who is not a member. Tashia also had her member friend Maddi there. We taught the restoration and it went great. Towards the end I invited her to be baptized and she accepted! December 8th is when her date is. Margie got all emotional and bore her testimony to Tashia; it was a powerful moment. I love this gospel! Elder Chalk then turned to Jim and invited him to be baptized. The spirit was strong and I thought there is no way he can't be feeling this. Sadly he said no thanks though. We really feel like as we continue to teach them that he will progress!

 

Funny thing.... For some reason everybody has decided to start feeding us every single time we come over! One night this week we got home and were just sick from eating so much. Elder Chalk looked at me and asked how do I make myself throw up? I told him to stick his finger down his throat. He did, he threw up. It was hilarious! Good times.

 

Sunday we went up to Santa Fe with President Miller and President Sego for our monthly Stake Missionary Council Meeting. It went well! The ride up was not the most fun because President Miller gave us some correcting that needs to be done.  It was about some things that I didn't even know were not ok... haha  but the meeting went well and the ride home was more easy going and fun!

 

This week is mine and Elder Chalks last week together. He goes home next week so I will be getting a new companion. It's pretty safe to say that I will be staying in this area, but you never know! So you are pretty safe in sending things to my Rio Rancho address, mom. I'm glad Brother Montgomery was able to get that to you, they are an awesome family! I'm not sure when I will get the package you sent to the mission office, it'll probably be next week unless they bring mail to our meeting with Elder Paul V. Johnson. 

 

Things are going good here! I am secretly hoping that we can get some snow... I love snow! You all stay warm this week and have some fun! 

Much love! 

Elder Turnbow

 

PS. Remember that God gives every bird its food, but He does not put it in its nest!   -corny quote for the week that has good meaning-

From 170 to 250!

So I must start this email with a little thing I liked about Sunday School yesterday. It is found in the Gospel Principles book on page 142 at the top I believe, talking about things we can do to keep the Sabbath day holy. Pretty sure you can guess what thing I liked!

 

Before I forget, Brittin, there is a member of our ward here in Rio Rancho who was a companion of your dad's! Your dad trained him. His name is Brother Steffenson. Cool Eh?  Happy Birthday too!

 

So it was fun to be a missionary on Halloween! Well kind of, nobody wanted to meet with us for some odd reason. The trunk or treat Tuesday night was awesome though! We had a new investigator come with her fellowshipping family, and then we did a church tour with her! She didn't come to church yesterday, but she is progressing slowly. On Halloween a less active member invited us and a couple other elders over for dinner. It was nice and we all had fake mustaches to wear for the dinner. Walking around that night lots of people told us that we had sweet costumes, I felt cool. haha

 

We had a zone leader conference this week in ABQ and it was sweet! President told us some crazy news! So right now we have 163 missionaries in our mission, before the allotted amount was 170. Well....Now it is 250! Things are about to get crazy!! Also Elder Paul V. Johnson of the first quorum of the 70 is coming to do a mission tour next week and we are meeting with him on the 15. I am super excited. We have been super blessed with special visitors lately, and it's awesome!

 

Friday we had our monthly zone meeting in Santa Fe. I still get nervous standing up in front of the zone and training for three hours, but it went well! The lunch was super awesome after!

 

Yesterday Keith blessed the sacrament for the first time! He did a great job. Elder Chalk and I did it with him. I hadn't blessed the sacrament in a long time, it was neat to do it again. So hey Matt, it was your first week blessing the sacrament and I did it too! Cool stuff. Also for church third hour Elder Chalk and I did a training on the ward mission plan; it was fun and I think we got the ward fired up a bit!

 

We have some awesome new people that we are starting to work with! I talked about Margie Kamakoakalani-Wittkowske last week I think, but we went over there for dinner Friday night and it was sweet. They cooked Hawaiian food and it was delicious! I told them Frank went on his mission to Hawaii and that he came back fat and they laughed and said it didn't surprise them at all! So her husband isn't a member and her great niece tasha who is like 17 isn't a member either. We thought she was a member because she comes to church and even early morning seminary with her friends, but we got to talking to her and nope! So we taught her and she has a ton of potential, we are hoping to set a baptismal date with her and Jim (Margie's husband) this week!

 

A new couple that we found is Charlote and Rudy. We contacted them while they were moving in and then we went back to see them a couple days later. We talked to her on the porch and introduced the Book of Mormon and you could just tell she was loving it. So Rudy came out and we started introducing the Book of Mormon to him and she cut us off mid sentence! She then introduced the Book of Mormon to Rudy after just barely learning about it. It was so cool! We are going back to teach them tonight so hopefully it goes well.

 

Well I just typed all of that going 100 mph so hopefully some of it makes sense. If not I apologize! It sounds like things are great at home! It's fun to read about that's for sure. Sounds like Dylan is being a stud and tearing it up! So cool! This is sad to say but it pumps me up so now I am ready to go throw for 500 yards in missionary flag football! haha (I even bought some 15 dollar cleats last week.)

 

 

You all have an awesome week and cheer loud this Saturday!!! Demolish the Cougars! Love ya!

 

E. Turnbow

 

Surprise Training

Wow it was fun to read about ya'lls week! Good stuff is happening for sure. I'm super glad the boys will be playing in November! It's a fun time of year. Just to clear things up right off the bat, yes that is my hand.

So about the subject of this email... When President Miller sent us our monthly calender for the month of October there was a specialized zone leader training set up for October 25, and we had no idea what it was. President Miller would tell us nothing about it, the only thing he would say is you won't want to miss it, and there may or may not be a special guest! No it wasn't President Monson, but it was President Nally! When I was in the MTC he was the first councilor in the MTC presidency, and he has recently been called as the new MTC president starting in January. His wife Sister Nally is Sister Millers Sister, so hence the connection and why he was able to come here and give us an awesome training! It was a fun day! I will forward a pic from Sister Miller.

Something fun we were able to do this week was service for the Hernandez family! They are a part member family who recently moved into our ward. Chris Hernandez, the husband, is not a member. They have a little farm of a few acres of hay, and a bunch of horses. We went to their farm and cut down some trees that were growing, and cleared some land around their fence. It was legit!  We had a good heart to heart with him while working, and he is so close to baptism but he doesn't want to give up a few habits. He's awesome though and gave us a good time!

We also had contact with another awesome part member family this week. Her name is Margie  Kamaokaukalani- Wittkowski cool huh? They are from Hawaii. She is a member but her husband is Catholic, we have dinner with them this Friday so hopefully we can teach the restoration and see how he accepts it!

Keith was given the priesthood yesterday and made a priest! It was awesome. He is all set to baptize his daughter Krysha on November 10! Wow that will be a wonderful day.

This week was chuck full of stuff let me see... Oh ya!!! Saturday morning we went to the temple!! Woo yeah!!! It was awesome. Elder Chalk had a recent convert going through so we were able to go. While we were there I ran into some members from both of my old areas, it was great to see them again. I never realize how tired I am until I slow down to a stop (which is rarely ever) So when we were sitting in the temple session it was super super hard to stay awake.  It was so peaceful in there and I had no idea how tired I was.

Yesterday afternoon we had an SMCM meeting with the mission presidency and Rio Rancho stake presidency. It was a good meeting. Our Rio Rancho stake presidency is a power house. They are great men!

We had two returned missionaries reporting in our ward yesterday, that was kinda weird but good becasue now they can come teaching with us! (it made Elder Chalk a little trunky :) ) Hopefully he can endure his last couple of weeks!

Well I believe that's about it for now... I will be on for probably another hour or so doing a report so if ya want to shoot me an email or send pics feel free.

Thank you for all the love and support that you send my way! I know all you returned missionaries know that this isn't all fun and games (most of it is though) so thank you for all the encouragement!

The weather here is awesome. stop. We have been playing football for pday. stop. I weigh over 190. stop. I love you all. never stop!

Elder Turnbow

Remember that the blessings always out weigh the cost.   Elder Erying.

Oh, the things you will do as a missionary!

Good morning family!

 

     I was thrilled to hear that the boys put the beat down on Soda! Not just Soda, but the pheasants too! Thanks for the good stuff to read about. It brightens my P-Day that's for sure!

 

This week was filled with many different and cool experiences I guess you could say! Friday afternoon we went to see a former investigator and right when he answered the door, he quickly ushered us in saying, "You are an answer to my prayers!" So long story short he is a minister for a unity church and he was performing a wedding in 15 minutes in his home but didn't have any witnesses. Well, we were dressed for the occasion (thank goodness :)  ) so we called and got permission and then were witnesses for the wedding of Don and Jessica, and my signature is on their wedding certificate. It was a neat experience. Oh, the things you will do as a missionary.

 

We were teaching a lesson this week to a man  and his girlfriend. We were on exchanges and I had a new missionary with me and we also had with us a member from our ward who is getting ready to leave on his mission.    He was drinking and offered us a beer, when we all declined that got him interested so you can imagine what topic we got into.  After some talking he looked at me and said, I bet you cannot look me in the eye and tell me you have never drunk a beer, even just to experiment! It was a cool thing to not even have to think twice or look back on my life. I could confidently and boldly say nope, I never have.

 

Things are going well here, it's still perfect in the day, but you can notice a little temperature drop in the evening and early mornings. Awesome weather!!

 

We get to go to the temple this Saturday! One of Elder Chalk's converts is going through and we get to to with her!

 

Sorry this is a short email we are short on time.

 

Have a blessed week! Love you!

 

Elder Turnbow

You know you are in New Mexico when...

WOW! What a week!

 

So I was very aware of the opening day of the deer hunt since it was something I have looked forward to my whole life, and I know that the opening day of the pheasant hunt is Saturday, and that it is better than Christmas day, -Pres Waldron-  BUT! All that can take a back seat to seeing one you have come to love enter the waters of baptism. Keith was baptized Saturday! It was super crazy how it all went down! Thursday morning we still weren't sure if we were going to have a baptism. Friday was his two week mark of no smoking, but this weekend was also stake conference. We prayed long and hard about it and the spirit confirmed it to us, baptism Keith Saturday. It was clear as day. So we talked to our ward mission leader and bishop, and after long talks, we were planning for a baptism! Then yesterday was stake conference and the bishop told us not to confirm him til next Sunday, but the stake president came up to see Keith and after talking to him briefly told us to get that man the Holy Ghost! Our stake president is a stud.

 

The baptism was awesome. Right before he went down into the water with Brother Montgomery I had the most incredible feeling come over me. The only way I can describe it is the feeling I would get before a big football or basketball game, or right before the gun sounded to start a race. It was that feeling but magnified by 100! It was a feeling that I needed to have.  Keith had some family come and he got emotional talking about his family and wishing they would all follow him, but he was on fire this weekend and I have never seen him so happy. You talk about a man who has come a long ways and has had a change of heart. It's him. I believe it was Brigham Young who said something like this "I believe it's a greater miracle to see a man's heart changed, than to raise a man from the dead." That's all we need to say about Keith. Amazing day!

 

Yesterday we went up to Santa Fe with President Miller again for an SMCM with the stake presidency. It went well and was fun to be with President. Mom you were asking about our zone boundaries.... We cover the Rio Rancho and Santa Fe Stake. So all of Rio Rancho and then our zone goes north up to as far north as the mission goes. So right next to Colorado. The farthest north we have missionaries right now though is Taos. It's the biggest zone geographically speaking. there are 14 sets of missionaries, 3 sets of sisters, and 3 sets of couples too.  We just got a new missionary from the temple square mission and she's from London! I have only talked to her on the phone but her accent is super strong! Thought Grandpa and Grandma might like that.

 

This week was also awesome teaching wise. We set a goal last week to teach 15 lessons to investigators with a member present, and thanks to the tender mercies of the Lord we were able to teach 16! It was sweet.

 

Awesome to hear that West Side took down Aberdeen! I will be sure to talk to Elder Foster this week... He's from Aberdeen. haha

 

Thanks for all the letters and support, I love you all mucho!

 

Elder Turnbow

 

PS. You know you are in New Mexico when at stake conference a speaker will talk in English and then repeat it in Spanish  :)

 

PPS You know that big puzzle that me Aubrie and Courtney put together? (Mainly those two) Well that was this last week in ABQ!

 

Have a great week!

 

 

Oh how great is my joy!

Hello,

 

So what a week! Conference yes was amazing! We were able to watch all the sessions from Saturday morning til Sunday afternoon. I loved it all! President Monson sure started things off with a bang didn't he? How cool is that! When he announced that my thoughts automatically turned to Dylan and what he will do now. Me Court and Dyl could all be serving at the same time! Just listening to those inspired men speak is evidence that this is the Lords church. No doubt at all. There is just something special about being able to watch it as a missionary too, it's just awesome.  With the end of conference it means that we are in suit season again. So we have to wear our suits everyday. I am sorry to say that my suits are really taking a beating!

Zone Leader Council

Last Monday and Tuesday I had the opportunity to go to Taos! Wow it's sweet up there!  We went to Angel fire too because I had to do a baptismal interview for them. It looks like home!  I had a really neat experience while I was up there. We pulled up for our first lesson that night (in a truck by the way :)) and I noticed a 1F Idaho license plate! So I was thinking hmm... I wonder if I will know this person.... I didn't know her but we sure did make a lot of connections! Her name is Lori Allison. She lived in the Beutler's rental home with her daughter at one point! She knows Wes, Roxanne, and Jordan! She said she knows the name Turnbow and Frank sounded really familiar. Anyway, her daughters name is Taylor Porter, she still lives in Preston there and is a senior at Preston. Her dad is Brandon Porter. So she's cousins to like Chaz Spackman and them. Cool huh!? Elder Weston's mom is a Porter too, so we were making all sorts of connections. Lori worked and Kelly's too and I asked her if she knew Jennifer Roberts and yup sure enough! So that was neat.  The missionaries are teaching her (She's not a member) And we were able to teach her a little that night and she wants to get baptized! It was awesome. I want to serve in Taos... Every person we talked to up there was already bow hunting or getting ready for the rifle hunt! Easy conversation starter.

 

Well we had transfers today and Elder Chalk and I are still together! Which means that I will get to fill my hunting tag this year after all! At the end of this transfer he goes home, so I will be the missionary "Killing" him. Hopefully he doesn't get too trunky....

 

Keith is now on day 10 without smoking!! He's doing great. We are now studying the lessons with him and having him teach them to us. It's awesome, he's learning so much more!

 

I'm glad to hear ya beat Malad! I had to do a little fist pump when I read that! Go Pirates!

 

So things are well here. Busy busy busy. Last week we did a zone training in Santa Fe and that went well. The work moves on everyday and i am grateful to be a part of it. Even if I'm that bee who works all his life to get 1/12 of the teespoon full, oh how great is my joy!

 

I love you all, stay close to the Lord.

 

 

Elder Turnbow

 

 

ps. ya'll better go get some wall hangers this week!

 

 

Chuck Full of Awesomeness!

Dear family,

    

      I'm not really sure what happened this week, but it was incredible. The end. Seee ya next week!  

Gotta go!

   Elder Turnbow

Hey there!

     Ok so I was just kidding with the email I just sent. Sorry, I had to do it. It was exciting to hear that you are into the corn and things are going well! Sad I missed the pheasant feast... Good work on beatin the Dragons Matt.

Mom to answer one of your questions real quick... No, I don't get game day french toast...  I made it once for Elder Weston back in North Valley, But that is the only time I have had it. I live on frosted flakes, captain crunch, and milk for breakfast. sad.

      So I don't really know how to exactly write about this week, it was just chuck full of awesomeness. So Friday morning and afternoon was zone conference, and it was incredible, and an answer to my prayers. The topic was "Becoming a Master Teacher" It was great, I learned a ton! So zone conference was 7 hours of goodness and then right after that ended we all piled in cars and headed to El Paso Texas! To describe this drive I would now like all of you to think of the movie Glory Road and their first experience driving to El Paso. I felt like Bobby Joe Hill, Harry Flornoyd, and Nevel Shed. Haha I loved it, it was a great drive. New Mexico really has a beauty of it's own and I love it. It took us like 5 or 6 hours to get down there or so. There were some big dairys just outside of Los Cruces, it was cool to see! haha  It's crazy driving on the free way in El Paso because Mexico is literally right across the street! It's crazy how we were so close to Juarez and it looked like an entire different world. It was scary lookin too. There was a big crucifix on the mountain, and a huge spray paint on the mountain in spanish that said "The Bible is good, read it"

     We spent Friday night in a members home down there and then got ready for the mission conference. It was so awesome to have the entire mission gathered together, I was able to see some elders that I haven't seen in a while! I was sitting in the third row smack dab in the middle for the conference. So cool. Elder Christopherson said he wanted to shake all of our hands, so we were all able to file up to the stage and shake his, Elder Hallstroms, and Elder Wrights hand. There is no doubt that they are men called of God, and there is absolutely no doubt that Elder Christopherson is an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I can't even begin to tell you about the talks all three men gave. One thing that we did in the mission conference is the zone leaders did a special musical number right before Elder Christopherson spoke. We sang Faith in every footstep. That was pretty awesome to be a part of. Sister Miller sent us a couple pics of us practicing i will forward to ya.  Elder Chirstopherson even told us what he is planning on talking about in general conference! Well he said either this one, or one in the future. It sounded super good. Well I don't really know what else I can say about that, it was an experience I will never forget. I took notes so you can read them eventually. One of the main focuses that I really loved was the Name of Jesus Christ, and Charity as the driving motivational force.

 On the way home we stopped in hatch and ate at Sparky's! It's a famous place in New Mexico known for the green chili! Wow it was good! I had a huge green chili cheeseburger and green chili cheese fries! A couple elders got a green chili shake and i tried a little and loved that too. My new personal favorite though is green chili ranch. oh my oh my!  

Well that should about do it for this week, it was a crazy awesome week that's for sure. It went by way too fast. I wish you all could have been there with me! Have a blessed week! Love you!  

 Elder Dallas Turnbow NMAM