October 27, 2014

Note from Jon's Mom -- I am on the Facebook page "Mission Moms of the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission".  I love this page and love the other moms I have come to know.  One of the moms in particular is Anne Fillmore Garner.  Her son just finished up his time in the Argentina CCM and arrived in the mission this week.  I was secretly hoping that Jon might end up being his companion, but I knew this was a very long shot.  You can only imagine how happy I was when she posted the picture below!!!  Jon had five companions last transfer, so I am so excited for him and believe this will be a much calmer and more fun transfer for him ... and doesn't he look so wonderful?  I see the Spirit radiating from all four of these wonderful people, what a blessing it is for Jon to be serving a mission!

October 24 at 8:14pm

It's official...wait no longer...Justin has a trainer...recognize him? I'm a very happy mom.

 

Hello family --

So this week has been a good one.  Elder Aquino and I worked super hard, and had some great results and then we got changes (transfers).  I wasn't really expecting a change -- I had four companions last transfer and then got put with Elder Aquino, so I thought we might be together for a bit, but then found out I would be training this transfer.  So this change was a good surprise.  I enjoy training so it's a good change of pace.  My companion's name is Elder Garner.  He is a chill (cool) kid from Arizona and we get along super well.  I am pretty sure his Spanish is better than mine was when I started, so that's good. :)

So yeah, this week was good.  We went out and did our thing.  We set three dates for baptisms -- actually this week was amazing ... like super good!  We also worked with Pablina this week, and are hoping she will get baptized soon.  We went over to the house of Gregoria yesterday, and she told us that Pablina's boyfriend left so she can get baptized now, and she also told us that her other son wants to get baptized too, so we should definitely have two baptisms in November, which is my goal.  We also worked with a menos activo (less active) family on coming to church.  They told us they have just been lazy, but have been waiting for the missionaries to come over and call them out, which we did.  I have met a lot of cool people here in this area and feel really positive about what is going to happen in this area -- it shall be super good ;) 

But yeah, everything is going good.  We are working hard, and I know the Lord will bless us for working so hard. I also have no doubt that the Lord loves his missionaries. :)  I know that I am here for a reason and that I am here to help the people in Paraguay that need me. I know that a lot of lives will be changed, especially my own. :)  The good life is good, and the mission is definitely the best two years of my life! :)

Oh and Dad I love that talk that you quoted by Jeffery Holland, it is a super good talk. I have all of Elder Holland's talks downloaded and I listen to them all the time, they are all super good. :)

But I love y'all and hope you guys have a good week. ;) 

Elder Turley

October 20, 2014

Just a note from Jon's Mom -- Ten years ago today, my sweet Tom entered the MTC to begin his mission, and knowing this, I started reminiscing.  I have three sons ... Bill who served from 2003-2005, Tom who served from 2004-2006, and Jon who is currently serving.  When Tom left, Bill was serving, Tiff was living on her own, and I only had three little ones who needed me.  Our house felt so quiet ...  Christmas 2004 was so different -- it's amazing how different things are with six people instead of eight.  You would think six would feel like a house full, but the two boys were so greatly missed! I kind of think I was a little numb when Tom left, like "here we go again,"  and "there goes another son."  I was so thrilled for the boys, so happy they were on missions and serving the Lord.  I knew how important these years would be for them, but oh how I missed them.  When Tom returned home in 2006, all eight of us were back together for the first time in three years.  What a glorious time!!!  I remember hugging all three of my boys and saying out loud "I have eight years until I have to send a missionary again."  Well, those eight years flew by, and now my baby, my last missionary, is serving.  And ... if I thought the house was quiet with six, imagine how quiet it is with just Will and I.  I was never a mom who was excited for their children to move out.  I love my alone time with Will, I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I miss my children ... all six of them ... and their three spouses ... and my three (almost four) grandchildren.  If I had my way, my family would all live within minutes of me, so I could see them every day.  But, that is not the direction our life has taken, and while our house is so quiet, I know that I am a very blessed person ... Life is so wonderful ...  I am so very blessed! But I have to admit I am anxiously awaiting our next complete family reunion! :) Okay enough reminiscing ... On to Jon's email for the week!

Hello Family --

How are y'all doing? This week has been a good week, we got some good work in. I didn't have that baptism this week, but we should be able to get it in the next couple weeks, I'm really not worried.  So want to hear something funny,  Elder Gummersall (my trainer) is my Zone Leader, and the baptismal goal for our Zone is 13 this month.  Well, Elder Gummersall got four baptisms and I got four with another one coming, so Elder Gummersall and I have pretty much taken care of the Zone here in Luque, our current area hasn't seen a lot of baptisms lately, so it's really cool. :)  Basically our Zone is really "killing" it.  ;) 

But as for changes we don't know what is happening.  Right now I am with Elder Aquino.  He is a missionary who recently returned to the mission after having to go home for medical reasons.   President decided this change that he doesn't want to tell us changes because there are a bunch of people who don't work hard on "change" week if they are getting changed (that's a lot of changes).  I understand it, but it might make it difficult to say "goodbye" to any of the members or our investigators, so it will be interesting to see how it all works out.  

So I've been pretty good as far as my health goes.  I haven't really been sick, except for a little bit of allergies.  Nothing too cool. ;) 

But as to the week nothing too special, just the good old busy work, nothing too crazy, the life as a missionary is the struggle, right. Haha :) But, ya, I've been out almost a year ... that blows my mind because I never thought I'd make it this far ... Haha, just kidding, just kidding, just kidding.  The time has gone by super fast.  

So something totally random, I've already been thinking about the first meal that I am going to eat when I get back.  I am thinking Cafe Rio because it is like Mexican(y) and it has a salad, and I haven't had a good salad in forever.  The salads here are like finely chopped heads of lettuce with salt and some oil and lime.  They taste good, but they aren't like the salads back at home.  Who would think I would miss salads.  Ssshhh don't tell anyone. :)

But anyway, I love y'all.  I will be praying for y'all.  You guys are the best and I think you all so much for all the love and support that y'all give me.

For the questions of the week 

1.  Is it transfer week? If not, when is it? Yes, it is transfer week but I don't know if I am going to be changed.  I will find out tomorrow night. 

2. If it isn't transfer week who is your comp? Right now it is Elder Aquino he just got back to the mission a week ago 

3.  If it is transfer week, what is going on with you? I'm not really sure yet what is happening.

4. What is the name of your new companion? Elder Aquino
    Where is he from? Lima Peru

5.  Are you staying in Luque or going somewhere else? I don't know, but I am hoping to stay in Luque, but I will go where the Lord wants me.

6.  What was your happiest moment of the week? Being able to write my amazing family this Monday ;)

7.  What was your hardest moment of the week? I didn't really have anything that hard.  Haha (Mom's note:  So I am on a Facebook site with other moms who have missionaries in Jon's mission, and they were saying today how hot it is getting there -- like 110 with tons of humidity.  I find it interesting that Jon didn't mention the heat, but he is pretty easy going about everything).

8.  What was your most spiritual moment of the week? We had a good lesson in church about loving one another, it was pretty spiritual.

9.  What was your funniest moment of the week?   We were contacting a guy in the street and he was like "Hey, I need to pray with you guys," and so we said a prayer with him, and then he told us he had given us the "Spirit."  Super Mackana.

10.  What can we pray about for you? Just that I can find at least two people to baptize in November, that is my goal.

11.  What was something you learned this week? That the way to keep everything good is to not stress the little things. Just be calm and you will have more success and enjoy the mission more.

12.  How is your health? My health is doing really well, I'm pretty tranquillo.

Well, I love y'all and hope that you guys have a good day ;) 

Elder Turley
AKA the most handsome missionary in all of the land
(Mom's note: I am so glad to see that he still has his fun personality).  :) 

 Elder Aquino

October 13, 2014

Hello Family --


So I don't know much about this week, because it went super fast. It was all pretty much focused on our baptisms, and it turns out we were only able to baptize four of the five.  One of the girls is having trouble with her boyfriend, but we are hopeful.  Next change should be good and we have set the goal for three baptisms. I am happy to be in this area where such great things are happening. 


Other than the baptisms, life is super good.  I am doing good, I am happy to be here and know that this is the mission I need to be in.  I know the Lord has put me here for a reason and that I need to be working every day as hard as I can.  I am here to change lives and I am working hard to do it.

 
I love that I am here and I know the church is true. This week has gone by incredibly fast so there isn't much more to say.  I love y'all and I am so thankful for the support that I have from all of you and know you are all doing the greatest job that you can do.  I am always praying for y'all and know that at times we pass through some bad things in life, but like it says in Ether 12:27, we all have weaknesses and if we humble ourselves in front of God, we will be able to overcome these challenges and these weak things will become strong.  Also, if we have patience, we will be able to accomplish all the things we need to do.


But ya, the baptisms went really well -- I personally was able to baptize Liz, Carina, and Mariella Ortiz.  I believe next week we will have the opportunity of baptizing their sister, so that would be wonderful. :)

Y'all are amazing, I love you. :)
 
Elder Turley

Pictures from Baptism October 11, 2014

The Gospel is growing in Paraguay!  

(Only four of these baptisms were Jon's)!

Such a wonderful picture!

Jon personally baptized these three wonderful people!

 P-day Fun

 

 This adorable girl, Hermana Fardos, is actually one of Jon's "Cousins".  Her mom's Uncle is my late Uncle Paul, Jon's Aunt is my late Aunt Susan! Uncle Paul and Aunt Susan were so much fun, but, unfortunately, they both passed away in a horrible car accident when they were only in their 20's.

Elder Turley and Hermana Fardos live just a couple of hours apart in California, but met in Paraguay, where they are both serving missions!

The missionaries work so hard, it is nice to see them relaxing and having fun ...

at the Cyber on p-day!

October 6, 2014

Hello family how are y'all doing? 


So this week was a good one, it went by really really quickly. There were a bunch of really good things that happened, and a bunch of random, little bit stressful things ya know. First off the people who we are going to baptize on the 11th, one of their daughters is living with her "baby daddy" and she  needs to either get married or have him move out if she wants to get baptized. But the good thing is is that she, and all her family, came to general conference.  They all seem super excited to be baptized this week, so I hope there isn't a problem or we are going to have to put back the date another week or until she can fix this problem.


But other then that the week was really good.  I enjoyed general conference I got some really good notes and was able to learn about how the choices we make now are affecting our future children and grandchildren, and how "decisions decide destiny" ... Overall,  I felt Like the first day was based a lot on that, if we make bad choices we need to live with them and not just try and justify them to make ourselves feel better. One thing that hit me and a lot of the missionaries is how one of the speakers "dropped Cain" (spoke strongly) on how we are letting down God if we know an Elder is doing the wrong thing, but we don't say anything to our President.  It will be interesting to know how much stuff gets told to the Mission President today in the weekly email that we write him. Haha.


But other then that I learned that we need to follow the only living prophet in the world.  To me it seems the way they were emphasizing that, something gnarly (intense) is gonna go down and a lot of LDS people are going to have a problem with it, and when this happens we will need to trust in The Lord, and in his prophets, so that we can follow His will, even if we have a problem with it. I have actually been thinking about the lost books a lot lately because one of our "members" is reading the "Sealed Ultimate Testimony of Jesus Christ," and tried to tell us about it. Luckily I knew the scripture in 2nd Nephi 29 that says that we will see the books of the other Tribes of Israel, so that means we will view many, and not just one, so the book he's reading isn't the "ultimate testimony of Christ",  it's a lie. But I was actually thinking about this topic before. I was thinking about how much gossiping and how many problems the church is going to have when they reveal those books -- I feel like a lot of people are going to doubt the church more and more. But if we follow the prophet, we aren't going to have that problem, we are just going to accept that it's Christ's will and know that what the prophets are doing and telling us is true. In this aspect, it is of grand importance that we know the prophets are really "prophets of God" and that their will is not of man, but of God. 


But overall it was a good week,  we were able to view progress in our area and we are looking to find people for November that we will be able to commit to take the "first saving ordinance" of the restored gospel through their baptismal convenio (covenant). 


But to answer Brownie's question, I can think in Spanish at this point, and I don't have to think about translating things anymore.  I can just kinda speak and it just comes out normally now. One weird thing from this week is that as I was saying something in English, I had to translate it in my head from Spanish to English.  That was a super weird experience. 


But ya I am doing fine we are doing well. Yesterday I had a problem with my comp (his comp is not actually a "missionary" but is just a boy from his Ward who is with him until transfers in two weeks). Anyway, we had to walk home from General Conference because we missed our bus, and we walked an hour, and apparently that's my fault and so he is super mad at me. Sometimes it's weird to think that I am 20 and he is 18, but the amount of maturity that I have on him is giant -- like I never knew how much one's maturity level changes from 18-20 until these past couple days. But no worries, it's all good and I'm being patient. I am only gonna be with my comp until the 22, only two more weeks or so, so that's good. 


I love y'all, and thank y'all for the support that you give me and for the support I have from all my family and friends.


Yo se que la iglesia de Jesucristo esta restaurado y que la profeta Thomas S Monson es llamado de dios para ser nuestro guía en este época en tiempo. Se qué Jesucristo vive que el esta en frente de nuestro iglesia y que el va Revelar su voluntad a través su propuesta como dice in el libro de amos 3:7 que no hará nada Jehová sin que revele sus secretos a sus siervos los profetas. Se qué este es cierto que hoy in día es necesario que tengamos una profeta y necesitamos seguir a el. Y por las personas quien no sabe sí esté es la iglesia verdadera, si José Smith fue una profeta, y si el libro de mormón es la palabra de dios. Te doy la oportunidad a leer, y meditar, y orar sobre estés cosa y testifico que por medio del Espíritu Santo te vas a saber que toda de estés cosas son cierto. Y que usted pueda tener un testimonio fuerte como yo tengo si haga estés cosas. Yo amo el señor y su evangelio y se que sólo por medio este evangelio podemos ser familias para la eternidad y este es el mejor don que podemos tener.

Yo amo a mi familia y se que dios esta bendiciendo a cada uno de ustedes. Te invito a siempre tener una oración en su corazón. Como nuestro padre siempre me ha dicho. Les amo y se que voy a verles en un tiempo corto:)

----------------------

Translation by Mom thanks to Google Translate:

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is restored and that the Prophet,Thomas S. Monson, is called of God to be our guide in this time period.  That Jesus Christ lives in front of our church and that he will reveal his will through his prophets as in the book of Amos 3:7 which says that the Lord does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. This is true in this day that we have a prophet and we need to follow him.  And to the people who don't know if the church is true, if Joseph Smith is a prophet, and if the Book of Mormon is the word of God,Why this is true is that in day to day I must have a prophet and the need to follow . And people who do not know each other is the true church if Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I give you the opportunity to read, meditate, and pray about these things, and I testify that through the Holy Spirit you will know that all of these things are true. And you may have a strong testimony as I do. I love the Lord and His Gospel and know that only through this gospel can we be families for eternity. 


 I love my family and that God is blessing each of you.  I invite you to always have a prayer in your heart, as our father has always told me . I love you and I'll see you in a short time :)

Con mucho amor 

Tu hijo y hermano (favorito)

Elder Turley