Hey everyone!
What a week it's been. I want to first thank Sister Richardson's
class for sending the puzzle pieces. I received it when President Taylor
and Braden came to zone activity last week and brought all the mail
with them. I spent a bit of time off to the side trying to put it
together. Everyone thought it was cool that I got a puzzle. I thought
I'd take a picture of it and let you know that I finally figured out how
they fit together! Thank you so much! the other picture is of Elder
Hall on his birthday, which was also the same day as my one year mark of
being in Surprise. We baked brownies and sang to him after district
meeting that day.
I'm just going to fast-forward to the best part of the week. We set
a baptismal date with Chris! I talked about how great of an experience
it was last week to have Bishop McLaws with us, and he wanted to be more
involved with it. We had another lesson with Chris at the Crockett's
this past Wednesday night. Bishop went with us, and it was amazing. We
wanted to talk about some of the commandments, and help Chris understand
the kinds of things he would be expected to live in preparation for his
baptism. At first he said he had some questions. He said that his dad
asked him about some of the things he had been learning, and Chris told
him a little about the church and the prophet Joseph Smith. He told his
dad that he wanted to be baptized, that he'd been praying about it and
he felt it was what he needed to do. Chris' dad said he supported him in
his decision, and that he had noticed over the past few weeks how his
son has been a different person, but for the better...he just didn't
know why. While Chris was saying all of this, both Elder Wood and I had
the strongest feeling to just extend a date and move on, but it was just
too great to hear him say these things! He also said that he wasn't
sure if he could serve a mission, and we assured him that he wasn't
required to serve a mission after he was baptized. In my opinion, I
think he'd make a great missionary. He already talked to his dad about
how he, simply put, gained a testimony. He bore his testimony!
As the lesson went on, Chris was asking about commandments. We said
we wanted to talk about a few of them, so we knocked out the big three
right there: Word of Wisdom, Tithing and Chastity. Chris is a big time
triathlete, so the word of wisdom was easy for him. He said that he does
drink green tea here and there. After we taught the principle, we asked
him if he would live it. He said, "Yup." We asked if he would even give
up drinking green tea. He said, "Sure, I don't drink it that often
anyways so no problem!" Tithing, easy. Not an issue for him. Chastity?
Piece of cake. He said that he works with a bunch of guys who always
talk inappropriately about women, sex, things like that, and it makes
him uncomfortable. So he just walks away. He said that his parents
always taught him to respect women, so chastity made a lot of sense to
him. We continued teaching, and he asked if there were any other
commandments to know about. He said he likes commandments, because
they're sort of a challenge to him. He's a pretty competitive-natured
guy, hence his love for triathlons, and he said he wants to learn more
about commandments. We were amazed at just how prepared he is. When we
first started teaching him, we promised him that living the gospel would
help him find greater happiness in his life. He said that he was
already happy. Now he's starting to recognize why that is, it's because
he's already living and keeping the commandments! We invited him to be
baptized on April 14th, and he said yes.
On our way out the door, I told Chris that Satan was going to do
what he could to keep him from being baptized. People might say things,
or opportunities may arise where he may second-guess or question the
feelings that he had been having. I invited him to continue praying
daily, asking for help, and always remember what good he feels when he
reads, prays and comes to church. The next day, we got a call from
Chris. Elder Wood answered it, and laughed when he hung up to tell me
what happened. Chris was driving, slowly turned the corner and
accidentally bumped a woman he didn't see in the crosswalk. He didn't
injure her, knock her over, or anything like that. She wasn't too upset,
and Chris was very sincere in his apology. To be safe, they had a
paramedic check her out, and she's just fine. The police even said that
Chris shouldn't worry about it, it was an honest accident. Chris said he
felt terrible. He had never been in an accident or even pulled over,
and he just felt bad about it all. He started thinking to himself that
he screwed up and couldn't be baptized...but then he remembered what we
said the night before. He called to tell us the story and say that
despite everything that happened, he still wanted to be baptized. Elder
Wood finished the story, chuckled a little bit and said, "I love that
guy!"
Yesterday at church, Chris came to Copper Canyon ward by himself.
He technically lives in West Point, but they start at 9 and Chris didn't
get off work until 6 am and wanted some sleep. Bishop said that wasn't a
problem. He sat by us and Bro. Stringam. Chris leaned over to Bro.
Stringam and said, "Did I tell you that I'm getting baptized on April
14th?" Bro. Stringam responded, "Shut up. No way. That's so exciting!"
We had already told Bro. Stringam about the lesson that night, and he
was such a good sport to let Chris tell him about everything that
happened. A girl in the ward bore her testimony about missionary work,
and said that she has a friend who lives coming to church. She finished
by saying "I like missionary work and I know that it works!" Chris
leaned over to us and said, "Yup, it does work!" The rest of the day he
was telling others about his baptism. At the end of church, he said,
"Man, I wish I could've attended Bishop McLaws' ward today." This
Wednesday we'll be having dinner with Chris at Bishop McLaws'
house. Chris is the man. He's so sincere and he's willing to try new
things all the time. The baptism itself (Apr 14) will be after transfers
(Apr 4), and I sure hope I'll be here to see it. Even if I am
transferred, I won't be able to come back to see the baptism. Yes, that
would be hard. Although I can't be too upset, because I'm just so
grateful that I've had the chance to work with him and see him progress
in the Gospel.
So there you have it, folks! Chris is preparing to be baptized on
April 14th. Elder Wood and I left the lesson that night high-fiving and
happy. Isn't missionary work the best? In Chris' words, it works! I'm
thankful for all of your support, everyone! I feel your prayers and I
wouldn't be able to enjoy this work as much without them. Next week is
the dreaded T-word...transfers. Emails won't come out until Tuesday, and
by then we'll know if I am blessed with another six weeks in the
promised land of Surprise, Arizona. I love this place. Until next week,
take care and be good.
Much love,
Elder Eric James Turner
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| Notes from the primary kids back home in Richland |
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| Elder Hall's Birthday |
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