I Love To See The Temple - December 17, 2018

Temple with Herman Fernandez. This guy is a G

Indy North and Indy West zones shared a zone conference on Wednesday (December 12, 2018). We are so grateful for the talents that helped us feel close to our Savior through piano solos, vocal presentations and stories and poems. A wonderful day!

                   

 "He can't and wont ever forget about us because he has engraved us on his palms"

This weekly is going to be nice and spiritual but first I need to say Elder Lindstrom and I are going to be staying here in White River for another transfer so I am pretty pumped... also we have a ping pong table in our apartment and we got permission to play so I have been grinding and ill be honest I think I might take up ping pong... imma go pro. Elder Lindstrom doesn't like playing against me so I play lefty to make it fair haha. so I started as Elder Turley then I went to Farmer Elder Turley then Spanish speaking Farmer Elder Turley and now I am Spanish speaking Sensei Farmer Elder Turley.

Okay now for the spiritual part... first things first. We went to the temple this week and wow what a time.... the spirit in the temple is incredible. It is so strong. I definitely received  gooooood revelation. Some of you may ask "Elder Turley what was your answe?r" and my response would be "receive your own revelation". I challenged myself back during general conference to read all of President Nelsons talks from General Conference and I have been doing that.  There was one recently that really struck me. Its a talk from 1988 and he talks about doing the impossible. He states the question about halfway through "How can we do the impossible?" and then he goes on to tell us three things that we need to have achieve the impossible. Faith, Focus, Strength and courage. but right now I want to talk about Focus. He makes an analogy to binoculars.  He says if you take one lens and make it your perspective and then take the other lens and make it Gods perspective and then you look through it and you have one perfect picture.... and he says this perfect picture is having an eye single to the glory of god.  Also this perfect image we can see is the attitude of having an eternal perspective.

I love this so much because I have been able to see in my life how much I have changed and before my mission if i would have looked through my "spiritual binoculars"they would have been out of focus because the two lens would not have been in sync but right now I truly think I would have a clear image. I have really been striving to make my will his will and be in tune with he spirit as much as possible.  Elder Lindstrom and I have seen miracles. like legit  miracles. its been amazing. I am so grateful for this mission and everything it has done for me. i know my savior loves me and he lives. I know God has a plan for me and he knows my thoughts and my desires and especially my potential and I am striving my hardest to reach that full potential while I can. I have changed tremendously on my mission and its solely because I have taken a step back and humbled my self (a lot) and grabbed on to his hand, that has been reaching down for me. He has placed people in my path that I will forever be grateful for and companions and people that I have taught. Everything happens for a reason and I know that for sure. He has a plan for me and as crazy as it sounds and how much I hated the idea of gong to Indiana and speaking English in my mission call, it all happened for a reason. 

i love you guys but more importantly I love my savior, I read a quote today in the Book of Mormon that I love... it was in Spanish so it roughly said "He can't and wont ever forget about us because he has engraved us on his palms" he is there for us always and we just need to reach out to him. 

Elder Turley

Que Pasa- December 14, 2018

              

                                                         Exchanges with Elder Young

               

               Just a random kid we befriended at the library

MIRACLES DO EXIST!

Alright everyone. Sorry I did not write a weekly or email anyone this past week. We changed our pday to today because we got to go to the temple!!!! What's a time.

But I appreciate all the emails that I received, what saints you are. But man these past 2 weeks have been ~good~

I'm trying to think of things from last week but I can't so I'll just say a little from this week. 

We had zone conference on Wednesday and that was awesome. I got to see all of the buds and chat a little. My companion continued to ask me after zone conference "how do so many people know who you are?".... Speaking of companions I got some quotes from him this week

"Dude I have this one cologne that is too dangerous for the mission" "why" "because it makes me indenialable, the ladies can't resist, it takes away their agency"

Me to Elder Lindstrom "dude isn't It cool that we hold the priesthood, like the exact same authority that Jesus christ had and performed all those miracles and Moses parted the red sea and Jesus created the earth" Elder Lindstrom to me "yeah the same authority that the hermanas don't have"

Elder Lindstrom "I think I just peed a little"

Elder Lindstrom "Me and the S word have a bad relationship, he's so clever and sometimes he just slyly puts himself in my mouth"

Elder Lindstrom "I like the khakies and the green tie.......... It's sexy" 

Okay I got plenty but I don't want to annoy you with a really long weekly email. I asked prez dawg what was gunna happen with me to see if I should get comfy in this area for the rest of my mission and his words were "I'm still not sure what to do with you"

Also at zone conference I needed to ask permission to go to this guy's restaurant and get free food because he's a dope dude... And it's out of our area by like 30 min... So I attempt to ask prez dawg at zone conference and he says "what is your missionary purpose" and he stumped me... I had nothing... And he said "do you have a missionary purpose?" and I said "uhh president have you ever had Mexican food before, and it's free" and he said with a slight grin on his face "yeah you are good to go" and proceeded to pat me On the back.... What a guy

Also sorry this is getting out of hand but I got another story. My weekly on Monday will be spiritual. So yesterday we go to the restaurant to eat but my man Dino isn't there. He is the owner of this restaurant so we are like freak we gotta pay now... But I had the faith. Elder Lindstrom only got like 3 tacos of the cheap meat but I get four tacos. 2 fish, 1 tongue, 1 intestines with horchata... I'm going all out because I have faith that a miracle will happen. And we go to pay after eating. And the lady at the register says in her broken English. "my brother, DINO, just called and apologizes that he couldn't be here, but he said you guys eat for free so have a good night" MIRACLES DO EXIST!

Alright everyone. It's a been a week and I will make the one on Monday more spiritual for your well being.

INSPIRED - December 3, 2018

Someone here legit owns a wolf.....I think
I peed my pants when it growled at me....

 

 

A member and his friend took us to MANNS GRILLE
 (The best burger place in history)

We had a service project as a Branch.

A cold snowy day for interviews
We got a sweet new crockpot!!

See like that little button on your screen, its says 'reply",
yeah just like that and tell me how you are doing... sweet thanks

so everyone this week is going to be a little short because I totally forget (didnt want) to write this email... hahahha sike I love talking to you guys... well mainly its me talking to you guys because I don t really receive emails back.... butttt see like that little button on your screen, its says 'reply", yeah just like that and tell me how you are doing... sweet thanks. 

Also this week I completely chopped My Hair off... I got it buzzed hahaha. I mean why not right... So yes that is why my hair is short...

I just want to share my testimony of this gospel.  Specifically on how we can receive revelation not only for ourselves but for the people that are in our stewardship. Recently as you guys know I got transferred back down to Indy to be the district leader of the Spanish District here... and let me tell you. I am loving it. I love my companion. I love the missionaries. I love the members here. It was definitely inspired by President Carlson to send me here. My \Father in heaven knew exactly what I needed in my life to help me become the person he wants me to become. and president knew that here in Indy is where this would happen. Right now in my life I am probably the happiest and the most spiritual I have ever been!!! Is it a coincidence that those two things go together........ I don't think so.

But yes I have been really praying hard and studying hard these past couple weeks and it is so cool to have a relationship with God. He really. Does love us and he really Does listen and answer our prayers. He is out there and he is waiting for us to reach out to him. I'm grateful for this opportunity on my mission to really understand who God and Jesus christ are to me. And to really truly understand the love they have for me.

I love this church and this gospel. It's true. It's true. It's true... I can't say that enough. 

Love,

Elder Turley

I DONE GOT CULTURED - November 19, 2018

D&C 31:8 "And you shall strengthen them and prepare them against the time..." Thank you Elder Turley for showing me that through the Light of Christ, we can not only share it with others, but amplify our own. Exchange Miracles happen 😂 — with Gavin Turley. ( Elder Vang)
November 19th

                 Some of the Young Women from Keystone

Some of the Moms from Keystone

Elder Linstrom  (guys I love my companion)

Dang it feels like yesterday that I was writing one of these... I guess that is what happens when you are enjoying missionary work. It flies by. 

I need to tell you how thankful I am for Elder Lindstrom (my companion)... Oh man me and him have so many good laughs. We are both super childish so we have a good time and crack a lot of dumb jokes with each other and we just are constantly laughing.. What a time

But man this week has Been AWESOME! I don't even remember what exactly happened each day but there are 3 days that I want to talk about... Friday and Saturday.

TUESDAY-- So we went to mutual to get closer with the young men because they need some loving... But then we were walking around and I realized the young women were combined with the keystone ward (my first area in the mission) (my home ward). And so I got to see all the moms that loved on us as missionaries and the young women that hopefully didn't love on us as missionaries... 

FRIDAY-- I went on exchanges con Elder Vang! I freakin love this dude. He has a CRAZY story. He knows 5 languages. Mong, Japanese, Korean, English, Spanish.... And yes in that order. He is a straight stud and we definitely bro'ed out. But he is a very young missionary so it was fun to talk with him and tell him stories about the Mish and just talk with him. Also this exchange was probably one of the most spiritual exchanges my whole mission... Elder Vang and I taught a couple lessons and man WE TAUGHT. and then not even with people we were teaching but with each other. We had such dang spiritual talks with each other... (I may have made him cry... In a good way tho) the gospel is true.

SATURDAY-- So today we were still on exchanges with the Elders but also we had our branch activity. And we did a cultural night. Probably the most fun I have had at an activity. There was a TON of food. And then people did different acts and dances and singing after wards.... From Mexican dances to Nicaraguan dances. Oh and I got to try a lot of different food... I tried this drink called "cacau" I don't know how to spell it. But it was pretty good. But the best part of the whole activity was honestly 2 things.. We helped past out drinks and man I just love people. It was good for Me to meet a lot of the members. And then after wards. When we were all cleaning up. They were doing karaoke and so we were just jamming and having a good time and we were all dancing. It was so much fun. I was definitely cultured... Haha

so tbh my spirituality level right now is probably like 17/10 haha but freal. my studies have been dang good lately and i am loving life and the gospel. but this week Elder Lindstrom and I did something that was soooo cool. so we have been working on hope lately... so we have really been studying it lately and what it means in life... and so obviously we all have our struggles in life and our stresses (except me because i live stress free) BUTTTTT lately i have been thinking about the future and after the mission and all that ~fun~ stuff. but i have been kinda stressin about school and future family and jobs and all that. so Elder Lindstrom and I went into our patriarchal blessings and in our journals we wrote down every single blessing that is stated in the blessing...like everything single thing that is promised to me. and so we both wrote down our things, but it was so cool to see how many things are promised to me personally in my life. and now to tie in hope..... with all these stresses in life, EVERY STRESS was answered by these blessings.... the future family, the schooling, the mission, EVERYTHING. and and so it is just my job to act in faith in this life and have hope that i can achieve all these blessings. and i know that if i am living and following the gospel then everything will be fine. so now i ma back to being stress free....

love, your favorite missionary (hopefully) with the name of 

Elder Gavin Karl Turley

INDYYY - November 12, 2018

The New Spanish Trio In Indy!

This is the new Spanish gang (I promise the Elder next to me has his eyes open)

Elder Bearson (love this dude)

                    Elder Bingham

     Elder Pond ( Love this dude)                                     Elder Pond and Sister Burrel

The Airport (Love Eldre Vasquez)

                                        Then there were Two.... Elder Lindstrom and Turley

AM I LUKE WARM OR BURNING HOT?

Wow this week has been wild. So like I said I was going to be transferred in Indy to be in a trio, well I am in a duo again. The trio got split up but it okay because one of my companions went with elder Vazquez. So we got to see him at the airport so that was legit. (love that dude and all his brownness).

So yeah I was with Elder Brau and Elder Lindstrom but this week has been wild because we had many doctors appointments for Elder Brau and so we drove a lot... One time we had to drive 2 hours away.... What a time. But yes now I am with Elder Lindstrom and I love him so much! He is such a great missionary. He has been out here for 2 transfers... So he is still young but he is powerful. He has such a strong testimony in the gospel and his Spanish is pretty good.

But I looovveee being back In Indy. We cover Most of Downtown and then east and south of downtown. We have a lot of Good People we are working with. And I am excited to get them all baptized. I love the district I am in. There are a lot of good missionaries here and they all know how to work hard... (partly because we are Spanish missionaries so we are more righteous) lol. But it's true. Everyone is EXACTLY obedient down here and it has been super good. I have learned a lot already from this district and the missionaries are super cool. It is a district full of Spanish missionaries... And my whole district serves in my branch. So yes we have 9 missionaries in one branch haha

So this week I have been thinking a lot about the scripture in revelations... Being Luke warm. And 2 weeks ago I was talking with a friend and they were talking to me about my Spanish. And I was pretty scared to be in a Spanish district. And be the district leader because my Spanish isn't that good. And I wasn't very excited... But then as I have been thinking about this scripture, I realized I was Luke warm. I was being Luke warm about my missionary work and about my Spanish... The lord has asked me to speak Spanish to these people and I was being Luke warm... So it finally hit me... And now my attitude has changed so much towards Spanish. Me and my companion speak it all the time to each other. In fact this week (tomorrow) we are doing a day of no inglés. Only Spanish. But already this week my Spanish has increased a ton. And I love speaking it to the other missionaries in the district because they help me. Buuuttt for those that are still reading... Ask yourself "am I Luke warm or am I burning hot... Am I all in with whatever the lord has called me to do in this work right now or am I just Luke warm."

Also just barely I read the story of the brother of Jared (what a guy) and obviously we know the story in the book of Mormon where the brother of Jared asked the lord the touch these stones to have light in the boats... But when we relate that story to ourselves, it makes it that much more powerful... Do we ask the lord to touch us so we can be the light in other peoples lives... The reason the brother of Jared had these stones was to have like to make it across the 'dark waters'.... This world is very dark. And sometimes we get lost... But with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the light.  And others in this world don't have the light... They search for it, they want it... And we need to be the light. We need to be glowing with the gospel so that they can make it across these dark waters to their heavenly father... And for us that have the gospel, this light... Are we glowing like the sun or are we dim. Are we just Luke warm... Or are we burning hot because we are all in with all of our heart, might, mind and strength.

Sorry I'll jump off my Pedastool now. But this is what has been going through my head. And I have definitely been trying to be all in, Especially with my Spanish.

Love you all and thanks For everything

Elder Turley

DEMOTED - November 11/5/2018

Something you NEVER see in Arizona

Halloween with Elder Arbon

Hair cuts before the transfer

Not sure what is happening here but they seem pretty serious about it.

Wow this week has been ~fun~. So let me tell you why......So lace up your sandals and slip on your boots because it's about to get ~wild~

So to start it off we had P-day... 

Tuesday we had zone conference and this story kinda explain my subject.... So we are giving our zone training. It's me and Elder Moake and the stls and we are playing this jeopardy game with the zone and one of the questions that I decide to ask is "How can we be exactly obedient but still achieve the goal of 6 months to sexy?" but President Carlson walks up to me and says "uhhh what did you say" so now I'm like oh shoot I just said that in front of Prez Dawg and Sister Carlson... So he very openly rebuked Elder Moake and I and made us change the questions hahhaha. It was funny. We were all having a good laugh about that one. (make sure to read the end of this email to get the end of the story) 

Next we went on exchanges with the Plymouth Elders for 2 days over Halloween and we had a blast together...  And then the rest of the week happened... 

But Saturday morning we got our transfer calls and I am leaving Elkhart and GOING BACK TO INDY!!! I am just a little excited. So Elder Moake will be getting Elder Estrada who is a Mexican so he can teach him good Spanish and they will train a new Spanish Elder... And I will be going into a trio with Elder Lindstrom and Elder Brau. Yes still speaking Spanish I am excited... And I will also be the district leader over the Spanish branch...

But to finish the story I am going from zone leader to district leader which I am excited about but rarely do missionaries ever get moved down. And we have been joking that I am getting demoted because I said 6 months to sexy in front of Prez Dawg. 

But I am definitely excited to serve in downtown Indy and be back where I started.. Also some of the members (and non members) from my first area know about me coming and they are excited to see me again and take me out to lunch.. So I'm pumped. 

This week has been a little slow not physically or temporally but spiritually... So I am excited for the new transfer to get back into being exactly Obedient... We all have our vices and Satan knows how to get us even if it is just a minor thing... But I am ready to give it my all in this new area with my new companions...

But everyone, we all have our weapons that we hold on to and we don't want to give up... (not literally but spiritually)... Think about what your weapons are and why you haven't given them up... Maybe we are prideful, maybe we are scared, maybe we don't have enough faith to make the next step.... But really think about these weapons and ask God to give you strength to give up these weapons and these weaknesses... And I can promise he will help... He has helped me multiple times on my mission and I know he can do the same to you.... Just have faith. That's all you need. 

Love, your favorite emeritus zone leader, 

Elder Gavin (my new address is... Send me a letter pleeaasseee) Turley