Merry Christmas everyone! And to all you who won't get this until after Christmas ... well, happy Kwanza I guess. Sadly, it doesn't look like I will be having a White Christmas, as it isn't supposed to snow until next week here in NYC, but tomorrow's weather is looking rather mild. It is looking like the day will consist of opening boxes from home, making Christmas treats, calling our families, and having dinner at a member's home. Should be fun.
Our zone - a larger grouping of missionaries in an area - got together twice this past week to carol and spread "He is the Gift" at Times Square and in front of the New York Public Library. It was a lot of fun, and it invited a special Christmas spirit into the area. There weren't a whole lot who stopped to listen to us in Times Square, but we had a lot better success at the library. It is awesome to see how the Savior brightens the lives of others.
I'll keep it short as I'm sure you all have other things to get to, but know that I know that Christ is the first gift of Christmas, I invite all of you to keep this in your hearts as you celebrate this year.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
A wondrous winter
So far, the winter hasn't been bad. Had some snow last Wednesday and a bit of rain here and there, but nothing too bad. The weather has been alright, so I can't complain. It is really cool to see the city during the Christmas season, and it seems everyone is a bit more happy.
The entire mission gathered together last Friday for our annual Christmas Devotional. A choir made up of missionaries has been practicing a program for the past month, and it was truly amazing to watch and hear. We all then had a Christmas lunch together, and had some time to see all the other missionaries in the mission. It was held in Ossining, which is probably the central point of the mission, so that meant I got to escape the city for a while. The New York countryside is beautiful, even when all the trees are dormant and lack leaves.
Sunday was bittersweet. We talked with Medardo, our JW investigator, after church, he wanting to show us his birth certificate. We have main problem thus far has been that he thinks that by getting baptized, he will get a green card from the Church. That is something our Church can't and won't do. We bluntly told him that there would be no green card if he gets baptized, and he then signed a few rushing things and walked out, giving us a hard cold shoulder. Later that evening another member who has become good friends with him called us saying that he had told her that we had told him we couldn't baptize him. This isn't what we said at all, confirming that all of us are confused and didn't quite understand each other. This member is now trying to convince Medardo to come one more time to church this coming Sunday so we can discuss and make sure everyone understands each other. Stay tuned ...
The sweet part was that the branch had a baptism! This was a baptism for the sisters in the NYNY South mission, but still benefits the branch. It was a sweet experience, and even their mission president attended. I love seeing our branch continue to grow.
Continue to have a wonderful Christmas season wherever you are. I love you all and appreciate your continued support of my efforts in bringing people closer to Christ.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Notes from questions Mom asked him:
Apartment temperature: The main heating coil is right at my feet, which works way too well when we turn it on. If it is on and kicks on in the early morning, I am sweating in my bed. Overall doing fine about the temperature.
Working out: For exercise, we pretty much always just work out on the floor. The others hate running, and it's the most convenient option to use a workout we have.
The entire mission gathered together last Friday for our annual Christmas Devotional. A choir made up of missionaries has been practicing a program for the past month, and it was truly amazing to watch and hear. We all then had a Christmas lunch together, and had some time to see all the other missionaries in the mission. It was held in Ossining, which is probably the central point of the mission, so that meant I got to escape the city for a while. The New York countryside is beautiful, even when all the trees are dormant and lack leaves.
Sunday was bittersweet. We talked with Medardo, our JW investigator, after church, he wanting to show us his birth certificate. We have main problem thus far has been that he thinks that by getting baptized, he will get a green card from the Church. That is something our Church can't and won't do. We bluntly told him that there would be no green card if he gets baptized, and he then signed a few rushing things and walked out, giving us a hard cold shoulder. Later that evening another member who has become good friends with him called us saying that he had told her that we had told him we couldn't baptize him. This isn't what we said at all, confirming that all of us are confused and didn't quite understand each other. This member is now trying to convince Medardo to come one more time to church this coming Sunday so we can discuss and make sure everyone understands each other. Stay tuned ...
The sweet part was that the branch had a baptism! This was a baptism for the sisters in the NYNY South mission, but still benefits the branch. It was a sweet experience, and even their mission president attended. I love seeing our branch continue to grow.
Continue to have a wonderful Christmas season wherever you are. I love you all and appreciate your continued support of my efforts in bringing people closer to Christ.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Notes from questions Mom asked him:
Apartment temperature: The main heating coil is right at my feet, which works way too well when we turn it on. If it is on and kicks on in the early morning, I am sweating in my bed. Overall doing fine about the temperature.
Working out: For exercise, we pretty much always just work out on the floor. The others hate running, and it's the most convenient option to use a workout we have.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
NYC November, in photos
The Hershey's store in Times Square has some amazing things
The Manhattan Temple lobby
Artichoke pizza. He didn't tell me how it tasted.
The temple spire, from an apartment building above and behind (Lincoln Center in the background)
The trees are colorful in Central Park this time of year
Sewing skills in action
Snow selfie! (first of many, I imagine)
The caption he sent said, "new batteries + easy hymnbook = practicing again"
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Five Months and 2015 just around the Bend!
I've been out on my mission for five months now. It feels like only yesterday that I left for the MTC. But at the same time, every day has been jam-packed with stuff to do, so it feels as if I've been doing this all my life. I think I've lost the meaning of true relaxation, but I am doing fine without it. This is the Lord's work, and I am grateful to be a part of it.
I hope you have all been involved with the "He is the Gift" initiative! It is so awesome to share the love of our Savior this Christmas season, and to see how one of the world's largest cities can become a bit more happy and nice during this time of year. We have plans to go see the Christmas stuff at the Macy's store and the Rockefeller Center tree this afternoon.
For those of you who have been watching the news, you know that there have been some riots here in NYC this past week. Don't worry for me, as I am perfectly fine. Our mission president has had us come home earlier a few nights, and I personally haven't seen anything bad except for more police activity. Most of said riots happen very late at night, so I am always home and sound asleep.
As far as the work, it is still going. Our JW investigator was scheduled to get baptized this coming Sunday, but due to a few more concerns, we have decided to postpone it. We have been teaching his girlfriend as well, and she is still progressing. She says that she is waiting for God to "call" her, and then she will accept a real baptismal date. The two of us have already seen different ways that God has "called" her, and we just need to help her recognize them.
Hasn't really snowed a whole lot yet that I've seen. It snowed some two weeks ago, and it is supposed to snow later this afternoon. The weather itself hasn't been the worst either, and has actually fluctuated a bit. The lowest I've seen it get so far is about 26 above, so not too bad. I am staying plenty warm, and the heating in the apartment works great (when the building turns it on, that is).
Love you all and hope you have a Merry Christmas season. Don't forget to #SharetheGift!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
I hope you have all been involved with the "He is the Gift" initiative! It is so awesome to share the love of our Savior this Christmas season, and to see how one of the world's largest cities can become a bit more happy and nice during this time of year. We have plans to go see the Christmas stuff at the Macy's store and the Rockefeller Center tree this afternoon.
For those of you who have been watching the news, you know that there have been some riots here in NYC this past week. Don't worry for me, as I am perfectly fine. Our mission president has had us come home earlier a few nights, and I personally haven't seen anything bad except for more police activity. Most of said riots happen very late at night, so I am always home and sound asleep.
As far as the work, it is still going. Our JW investigator was scheduled to get baptized this coming Sunday, but due to a few more concerns, we have decided to postpone it. We have been teaching his girlfriend as well, and she is still progressing. She says that she is waiting for God to "call" her, and then she will accept a real baptismal date. The two of us have already seen different ways that God has "called" her, and we just need to help her recognize them.
Hasn't really snowed a whole lot yet that I've seen. It snowed some two weeks ago, and it is supposed to snow later this afternoon. The weather itself hasn't been the worst either, and has actually fluctuated a bit. The lowest I've seen it get so far is about 26 above, so not too bad. I am staying plenty warm, and the heating in the apartment works great (when the building turns it on, that is).
Love you all and hope you have a Merry Christmas season. Don't forget to #SharetheGift!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
It's beginning to look a lot like December (and Christmas)!
The city is definitely ready for the holiday season. Coats and Christmas and candy is everywhere, though not a whole lot of caroling yet. Parts of the city are really lighting up, and I hope to see some of the famous Christmas sights in NYC. Our apartment is ready, as on Friday we set up our tree that can't stand on its own and broke out the Christmas music. 'Tis the most wonderful time of the year indeed.
Thanksgiving was wonderful, as we went to both the branch Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon and then to a member's home that evening. Then we went to yet another member's home to choose from 18 kinds of pie! My stomach was very satisfied by the end of it all.
Elder Aston is our new district leader, and is an amazing elder. He is only two months younger mission-wise than my companion, and is a fearless contacter. I really enjoy having him back here in the program, and we click pretty well (though he clicks even better with Elder Holloway, which scares me).
In terms of service, most of it comes from other missionaries. The people in the branch don't really do a whole lot of service stuff, so we put it out there to the other missionaries that if they want some extra hands in their projects, we are more than happy to help. Some have taken us up on it, and it is always fun. Especially when on Saturday we moved a family and the two of us had to take two 12-ft two-by-fours up 18 flights of very tight stairs because they wouldn't fit in the elevator. Like I said, always fun!
The Church has launched an awesome Christmas initiative to help the world focus back on the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is entitled "He is the Gift, "referring to the fact that Christ was God's gift to all mankind. All sorts of advertising and media influence has gone into this, especially here in NYC. We have new pass-along cards, ads on taxi tops, and even two video boards and a giant billboard IN TIMES SQUARE to spread the true joy of the Christmas season.
I would invite each and every one of you to go to Christmas.mormon.org and watch the 3-minute video that is the focus of this initiative. Also, you can share this with your friends and family with #SharetheGift, as many already have. Join the thousands, if not millions, of people sharing the gift of the Savior this Christmas season! I can personally testify that if we turn our hearts towards the Savior, act upon what we learn about Him, and share what we have found with others, that our lives will have more joy. May you feel His love and my love this time of the year and always!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Thanksgiving was wonderful, as we went to both the branch Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon and then to a member's home that evening. Then we went to yet another member's home to choose from 18 kinds of pie! My stomach was very satisfied by the end of it all.
Elder Aston is our new district leader, and is an amazing elder. He is only two months younger mission-wise than my companion, and is a fearless contacter. I really enjoy having him back here in the program, and we click pretty well (though he clicks even better with Elder Holloway, which scares me).
In terms of service, most of it comes from other missionaries. The people in the branch don't really do a whole lot of service stuff, so we put it out there to the other missionaries that if they want some extra hands in their projects, we are more than happy to help. Some have taken us up on it, and it is always fun. Especially when on Saturday we moved a family and the two of us had to take two 12-ft two-by-fours up 18 flights of very tight stairs because they wouldn't fit in the elevator. Like I said, always fun!
The Church has launched an awesome Christmas initiative to help the world focus back on the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is entitled "He is the Gift, "referring to the fact that Christ was God's gift to all mankind. All sorts of advertising and media influence has gone into this, especially here in NYC. We have new pass-along cards, ads on taxi tops, and even two video boards and a giant billboard IN TIMES SQUARE to spread the true joy of the Christmas season.
I would invite each and every one of you to go to Christmas.mormon.org and watch the 3-minute video that is the focus of this initiative. Also, you can share this with your friends and family with #SharetheGift, as many already have. Join the thousands, if not millions, of people sharing the gift of the Savior this Christmas season! I can personally testify that if we turn our hearts towards the Savior, act upon what we learn about Him, and share what we have found with others, that our lives will have more joy. May you feel His love and my love this time of the year and always!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
The gift of two years
It's the season for thanksgiving! The nice part is that we are actually getting fed tomorrow (our dinner appointments are few and far between)! Also, it is supposed to snow today, though it is currently raining outside. Rain and snow all day. Fun!
I'm starting this email at transfer meeting. Elder Filoso is going up to the city of Newburgh, and Elder Aston, the ASL elder currently up in Newburgh, is coming back to the city. So, today is very busy with getting Filoso out and Aston in. Elder Fotheringham and I are still companions for his next cycle, making me his longest companion. So, my work in the Deaf Branch will continue ever onward for likely at least three more cycles.
We had a freak warm day on Monday. It got up to 66 degrees! I didn't wear a jacket at all, and even felt a tad warm. All you Arizonans are still probably shivering as you read this. But, it's back down into the 30's today, so the universe is in order once more. Regardless, I am adjusting to the weather fairly nicely, though the others keep making jokes about me being from Arizona. I just fire back in the summertime when they are complaining about the heat.
Nothing else of particular importance happened this week. We tried contacting some less-actives with little success, and had a good time in church. Apparently there was a giant mob of protesters right outside our apartment around midnight last night, but only my companion woke up because of the screaming and shouting. I slept right through it. We hear about other civil unrest demonstrations and problems around the city, but seldom see any of them.
As I think about Thanksgiving tomorrow, I reflect on my mission thus far. I am so thankful that I am out here in NYC serving the Lord. I have learned quite a lot about His gospel, about the goodness of the church, and about myself and who I am. I know that I am a son of God, as we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Think of Him during this time of gratitude, and draw joy from the happiness He brings all of us. Also, pig out on all the turkey and ham and ESPECIALLY the pumpkin pie!
... (later, in a separate e-mail) ...
Just finished part one of transfer meeting, and came outside to sleet. It may have snowed a bit while I was in the Inwood chapel, as there is ice and snow on most of the parked cars. Otherwise, today, is a mixture of rain, sleet, and snow.
It's now about 1:45, and I have been in legit snow! White and icy, it descends from the sky. The snowflakes are of all sizes, though I can never see their shape. Elder Fotheringham tells me it gets gross after about a day after snowing, but in the moment it is cool to see. Also pretty wet.
The city is really starting to light up even more for the Christmas season, and I look forward to seeing all the sights. I will get good pictures. Other than that, I think that's about all. Though this shouldn't be much of a problem, stay warm!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
I'm starting this email at transfer meeting. Elder Filoso is going up to the city of Newburgh, and Elder Aston, the ASL elder currently up in Newburgh, is coming back to the city. So, today is very busy with getting Filoso out and Aston in. Elder Fotheringham and I are still companions for his next cycle, making me his longest companion. So, my work in the Deaf Branch will continue ever onward for likely at least three more cycles.
We had a freak warm day on Monday. It got up to 66 degrees! I didn't wear a jacket at all, and even felt a tad warm. All you Arizonans are still probably shivering as you read this. But, it's back down into the 30's today, so the universe is in order once more. Regardless, I am adjusting to the weather fairly nicely, though the others keep making jokes about me being from Arizona. I just fire back in the summertime when they are complaining about the heat.
Nothing else of particular importance happened this week. We tried contacting some less-actives with little success, and had a good time in church. Apparently there was a giant mob of protesters right outside our apartment around midnight last night, but only my companion woke up because of the screaming and shouting. I slept right through it. We hear about other civil unrest demonstrations and problems around the city, but seldom see any of them.
As I think about Thanksgiving tomorrow, I reflect on my mission thus far. I am so thankful that I am out here in NYC serving the Lord. I have learned quite a lot about His gospel, about the goodness of the church, and about myself and who I am. I know that I am a son of God, as we are all children of our Heavenly Father. Think of Him during this time of gratitude, and draw joy from the happiness He brings all of us. Also, pig out on all the turkey and ham and ESPECIALLY the pumpkin pie!
... (later, in a separate e-mail) ...
Just finished part one of transfer meeting, and came outside to sleet. It may have snowed a bit while I was in the Inwood chapel, as there is ice and snow on most of the parked cars. Otherwise, today, is a mixture of rain, sleet, and snow.
It's now about 1:45, and I have been in legit snow! White and icy, it descends from the sky. The snowflakes are of all sizes, though I can never see their shape. Elder Fotheringham tells me it gets gross after about a day after snowing, but in the moment it is cool to see. Also pretty wet.
The city is really starting to light up even more for the Christmas season, and I look forward to seeing all the sights. I will get good pictures. Other than that, I think that's about all. Though this shouldn't be much of a problem, stay warm!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Setting in
Ryan (top left, in hat) at a zone activity talking to New Yorkers on the street
Christmas stuff is starting to spring up around the city! There are some light fixtures on a few stretches, and even some trees in store windows and areas. Union Square has a bunch of shops that are set up there every year at this time, and it is cool to see them get set up. Vendors of all sorts of things sell their wares, and the square is always packed from what my companion tells me.
This week's highlight was definitely Sunday again. The other two ASL elders, Elders Holloway and Filoso, who live with my companion and I and work in the same branch and geographic area, had three baptisms. A deaf mother and her two hearing daughters, ages 13 and 11, entered the waters of baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. What's more is that our recent convert, Ariel, who was just baptized just over a month ago, performed the baptisms! We also had a record 82 people in Sacrament meeting, the main meeting of the church block.
We still have our JW investigator with a baptismal date of the 30th of this month, and his girlfriend that we have been teaching with him has finally accepted the invitation to be baptized, though we don't have a date for her yet. We are still also focusing our efforts a lot on members who don't come to church as often or that haven't come in a long time. We are still seeing small miracles with them, but still need to exercise a lot of patience.
The work is still going forward, and I am loving every bit of it. I enjoy getting your emails and letters, and hope all is well for you. Stay warm!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The night is come
Hello once again! With daylight savings and winter fast approaching, nighttime is now a lot earlier. It's already completely dark at 5:30! However, the city lights create this weird glow on the rim of the night sky. In the city that never sleeps, there is always street and building lights on, and people walking and driving all the same.
Had an awesome zone conference yesterday. All of the missionaries serving in Manhattan gathered together at the temple chapel and received instruction from our mission president. We had to wake up at 5:30 to go over early to set up, but it was well worth it. One of the things he talked about was how we personally know our Savior. It is amazing to see how Christ has touched all of our lives, and how we have each come to know Him better. President Morgan also answered a lot of our questions regarding mission rules and doctrine, which was very helpful and cleared up a lot of confusion.
It is still steadily getting colder, and all the New Yorkers know it. Almost everyone has on some sort of jacket or coat nowadays. On one day when it was only slightly cold, the other ASL elders were ridiculed by a few people for not having any sort of coat on, even though they were fine without it. New Yorkers really are wimps when it comes to cold weather. According to the forecast, it is supposed to to snow next Tuesday, so that should be fun. I may get to see my first snowfall (as I remember nothing of the first two years of my life in Ohio).
Other than that, the work goes steady and onwards. Some awesome things are happening in the branch, and we look forward with brightness of hope. Stay happy and warm!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Had an awesome zone conference yesterday. All of the missionaries serving in Manhattan gathered together at the temple chapel and received instruction from our mission president. We had to wake up at 5:30 to go over early to set up, but it was well worth it. One of the things he talked about was how we personally know our Savior. It is amazing to see how Christ has touched all of our lives, and how we have each come to know Him better. President Morgan also answered a lot of our questions regarding mission rules and doctrine, which was very helpful and cleared up a lot of confusion.
It is still steadily getting colder, and all the New Yorkers know it. Almost everyone has on some sort of jacket or coat nowadays. On one day when it was only slightly cold, the other ASL elders were ridiculed by a few people for not having any sort of coat on, even though they were fine without it. New Yorkers really are wimps when it comes to cold weather. According to the forecast, it is supposed to to snow next Tuesday, so that should be fun. I may get to see my first snowfall (as I remember nothing of the first two years of my life in Ohio).
Other than that, the work goes steady and onwards. Some awesome things are happening in the branch, and we look forward with brightness of hope. Stay happy and warm!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Monday, November 10, 2014
Surprise snail mail
Dear family,
I haven't sent a physical letter to you in a while, so I decided to send one now! I love hearing about what's going on at home in your letters and emails, and I hope my communications home make you happy. I miss Arizona winter weather, and I know I will a lot more in the near future. It should start snowing at the end of the month here, which I am both excited and not for. I will get pictures.
Speaking of pictures, if there are specific ones you want of things here in New York City (Manhattan and Bronx, that is). I can't guarantee I will get them soon, but I will try my best.
I eat a lot of NY style pizza, averaging about six slices a week. That is because we usually go for it twice a week, and I typically get three each time. At a dollar a slice, pizza is definitely a staple to a missionary's diet. And, it never gets old!
Well, that's about all I can think of right now. See my emails for additional stuff about my mission and about New York. Also see (picture below) for a basic diagram of the church building on 65th Street. It's the Manhattan Temple, Family History Center, Distribution Center, and a church building all in one!
-- the temple part has its own elevator that passes the main church building part
-- there is another elevator that does the non-temple parts
-- on Sundays, certain doors inside and outside the temple lobby are opened and closed so that the elevator can be used for church, so both elevators are running. However, it can't go up into the temple when that happens
Hope you are still enjoying life in Arizona. I'll be back before you know it.
Love,
Elder Ryan Turner
Saturday, November 8, 2014
The October photos are here!
Pictures from Ryan's memory card, taken in October 2014
It's finally sweater weather!
Of course my saber-loving son found the sword display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pizza eating in Union Square. Based solely on the number of photos with pizza in them somewhere, I think it's their staple food.
His 3-month mark treat (Oreo ice cream)
The caption he sent says "cooking level at three months." I think it's a quesadilla, but it could also be an omelet?
Elder Turner and Elder Fotheringham contemplate Central Park (and are probably glad they don't have to rake all the leaves)
2 Nephi 12:3: "Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord"
ASL elders in the Central Park Conservatory on a rainy afternoon
The mission president took selfies with each district after interviews
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Power of the priesthood
Tis November already! Weather is cooling down, and Sunday was especially cold here in the city. We were required to be inside our apartments by 6 pm on Halloween to avoid the crazies, and we played games and ate food together. It was a fun night. We went to Central Park last week, which is its own piece of serenity in the middle of the world's third largest city. It can't quite compare to the Manhattan Temple, but it is mostly quiet and cool nonetheless. The trees are changing color all over the city, which is remarkable to see.
There are several experiences I am going to share this week that have really strengthened my testimony of priesthood power. For those of you who aren't as familiar with the term "priesthood," I will now explain it. The Priesthood is the literal power of God given to worthy men for the benefit of others. By its authority, functions of the church are managed, and ordinances such as baptism and the Sacrament are performed. It can also be used to give blessings of healing and comfort for all who desire it, according to their faith. In all, the priesthood is used solely to help other people and to run the church and perform the ordinances thereof.
I had the privilege to participate in giving several priesthood blessings this week and seeing miracles happen. The first was on Sunday, when we gave a blessing to one of our investigators, who has had stomach problems for a long time. Then, on Monday morning, she called one of the members who helped us teach her, and said that for the first time in a long time, she woke up with no pain whatsoever. She apparently described it as having stars in her stomach, and a feeling of relief and joy. Yesterday, we gave another healing blessing to a member's daughter, who has also had stomach problems that the doctors are slow in finding for the last week. They texted us this morning that she was feeling a lot better. We also gave a blessing to Elder Holloway last night to help the pain in his neck subside, and he is doing much better today.
I have a firm belief in the reality of miracles and of the power of the priesthood. I know that God will aid us as long as we have faith, and through His power given to worthy priesthood holders we can be comforted and healed. I hope to see more miracles like this as I continue to serve the people of New York. I am privileged to be serving Him at this time and that I can help ours come closer to Christ.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Things are still going in the branch. Our recent convert now has the Aaronic priesthood and a temple recommend, and is coming to branch baptisms at the temple on Friday! We have two more investigators with baptismal dates -- the woman I will mention below, and the Jehovah's Witness mentioned in the a letter from two weeks ago. Other than that, our investigator pool is kind of shot, so we are trying to find new people.
I had the privilege to participate in giving several priesthood blessings this week and seeing miracles happen. The first was on Sunday, when we gave a blessing to one of our investigators, who has had stomach problems for a long time. Then, on Monday morning, she called one of the members who helped us teach her, and said that for the first time in a long time, she woke up with no pain whatsoever. She apparently described it as having stars in her stomach, and a feeling of relief and joy. Yesterday, we gave another healing blessing to a member's daughter, who has also had stomach problems that the doctors are slow in finding for the last week. They texted us this morning that she was feeling a lot better. We also gave a blessing to Elder Holloway last night to help the pain in his neck subside, and he is doing much better today.
I have a firm belief in the reality of miracles and of the power of the priesthood. I know that God will aid us as long as we have faith, and through His power given to worthy priesthood holders we can be comforted and healed. I hope to see more miracles like this as I continue to serve the people of New York. I am privileged to be serving Him at this time and that I can help ours come closer to Christ.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Religious diversity in the city
The trees are starting to change color as fall moves in. Hopefully I'll get to see more of it when I go to Central Park this afternoon. Weather hasn't gotten too bad yet, but more to come.
Great things are happening here in the Deaf Branch. We had a record-tying 80 people in sacrament meeting, which is our main meeting at church! Our recent convert that was baptized two weeks ago gave the closing prayer, which was both his testimony and prayer of thanks to the Lord for the church in his life, which was awesome to see. He is really immersing himself into the gospel. Afterwards, the South mission sister missionaries in the branch had a baptism, which was cool to attend. It's cool to see how both of the New York, New York missions can work together to build a congregation.
ASL class is different each week. We have a few semi-regulars that come when they can, and a few others that come every once in a while. Sometimes we get a new person. Sometimes no one at all shows up to class. We try to advertise our class by word-of-mouth, and we also have a Facebook page for it. I really want to see it get bigger.
New York City is a very active city in terms of religion and faith. There are so many different chapels, cathedrals, and places of worship I have seen so far, and many more I have yet to see around the city. There is religious graffiti and signs many places, and people of all faiths and cultures everywhere you go. As missionaries for our church, we are generally respected as "Jesus people", and thus don't get too much trouble. There are a few who want to tell us we're wrong, and many more that don't even want to make eye contact, but for the most part people are respectful to us.
We definitely aren't the only ones trying to save souls on the streets. The Jehovah's Witnesses are very big here, and we see their little stands and missionaries everywhere. My companion and I try to exchange pleasantries with them whenever we can, showing how ministers of different faiths can be kind to one another. We had a couple of their Spanish proselyting missionaries come to our apartment, and you should have seen the looks on their faces when they saw our name tags. The Jewish faith is active in trying to reactivate Jews, asking everyone on the street -- including us -- if we are Jewish. There are even a few stand-alones that preach their own doctrine. Needless to say, there is much "fishing of men" here in the Big Apple.
What I have been finding about all the religions is that we all have more in common than we think. Everyone else preaching on the streets is doing the same thing we are: inviting people to change their lives for the better. That is the basis of my work, which is to invite people to come unto Christ through faith in His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. May all of us strive to follow His example.
Love you all,
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Great things are happening here in the Deaf Branch. We had a record-tying 80 people in sacrament meeting, which is our main meeting at church! Our recent convert that was baptized two weeks ago gave the closing prayer, which was both his testimony and prayer of thanks to the Lord for the church in his life, which was awesome to see. He is really immersing himself into the gospel. Afterwards, the South mission sister missionaries in the branch had a baptism, which was cool to attend. It's cool to see how both of the New York, New York missions can work together to build a congregation.
ASL class is different each week. We have a few semi-regulars that come when they can, and a few others that come every once in a while. Sometimes we get a new person. Sometimes no one at all shows up to class. We try to advertise our class by word-of-mouth, and we also have a Facebook page for it. I really want to see it get bigger.
New York City is a very active city in terms of religion and faith. There are so many different chapels, cathedrals, and places of worship I have seen so far, and many more I have yet to see around the city. There is religious graffiti and signs many places, and people of all faiths and cultures everywhere you go. As missionaries for our church, we are generally respected as "Jesus people", and thus don't get too much trouble. There are a few who want to tell us we're wrong, and many more that don't even want to make eye contact, but for the most part people are respectful to us.
We definitely aren't the only ones trying to save souls on the streets. The Jehovah's Witnesses are very big here, and we see their little stands and missionaries everywhere. My companion and I try to exchange pleasantries with them whenever we can, showing how ministers of different faiths can be kind to one another. We had a couple of their Spanish proselyting missionaries come to our apartment, and you should have seen the looks on their faces when they saw our name tags. The Jewish faith is active in trying to reactivate Jews, asking everyone on the street -- including us -- if we are Jewish. There are even a few stand-alones that preach their own doctrine. Needless to say, there is much "fishing of men" here in the Big Apple.
What I have been finding about all the religions is that we all have more in common than we think. Everyone else preaching on the streets is doing the same thing we are: inviting people to change their lives for the better. That is the basis of my work, which is to invite people to come unto Christ through faith in His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. May all of us strive to follow His example.
Love you all,
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Just chilling ... not yet freezing
The temperature continues to decrease, and the city knows it. I'm wearing sweaters more often, though I have yet to bring out the heavy coat. The heating to our apartment came on this morning for the first time, which does a marvelous job at heating our rooms. It goes in spurts of about 15 minutes at a time, then turns off, then back on again later. It's all run by the superintendent, but the way they do it is pretty effective, my companion says.
We had stake conference this weekend (a big meeting that includes a group of congregations, called a stake) which meant all us ASL missionaries got to interpret in front of the whole stake. Each interpreter stood on the stand over to the left side so that all the deaf people could see us. Also, we got a lot of comments from other people and missionaries that they couldn't help looking at us as we were up there moving and signing. One of the speakers that I interpreted for spent about seven minutes of his address telling how to build a road, with detail. I did my best to summarize and explain, and he even apologized to me as he was speaking. That was fun.
Also, as some of you have noticed, I can now use my Facebook for missionary purposes. Please still limit personal contact to email, but feel free to look at, like, and comment on my posts! If you ever need an uplifting message, check my page.
I had an interview with President Morgan on Monday, something that happens every few cycles. We talked about my experience thus far, and from his evaluation, I am adjusting well and working well, which I also feel is true. It was an uplifting experience, and I absolutely love him.
We met two new deaf people who came to stake conference. We taught them both with one of our recent converts, which was an awesome experience. One is a strong Jehovah's Witness, but says that he will join our church and leave the JW's if he comes to know that what we have is the truth. The other, the first's girlfriend, claims that she was baptized at age twelve into our church, but we haven't ever seen her before, and our Branch President can't find her in the Church's records. So, that means we really have two new people investigating our church!
The work is still going forward, and it looks very promising for the deaf branch. Between the two of us, the other ASL elders we live and work with in the mission, and the six ASL missionaries from the NYNY South mission assigned to the branch, we have 17 baptism commitments. If they all go through with it and stay active in the church, the branch size will increase a lot. Our vision is still to make the branch into a ward, which could happen during my mission if we keep at it! Love you all, and hope for the best for all of you!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
We had stake conference this weekend (a big meeting that includes a group of congregations, called a stake) which meant all us ASL missionaries got to interpret in front of the whole stake. Each interpreter stood on the stand over to the left side so that all the deaf people could see us. Also, we got a lot of comments from other people and missionaries that they couldn't help looking at us as we were up there moving and signing. One of the speakers that I interpreted for spent about seven minutes of his address telling how to build a road, with detail. I did my best to summarize and explain, and he even apologized to me as he was speaking. That was fun.
Also, as some of you have noticed, I can now use my Facebook for missionary purposes. Please still limit personal contact to email, but feel free to look at, like, and comment on my posts! If you ever need an uplifting message, check my page.
I had an interview with President Morgan on Monday, something that happens every few cycles. We talked about my experience thus far, and from his evaluation, I am adjusting well and working well, which I also feel is true. It was an uplifting experience, and I absolutely love him.
We met two new deaf people who came to stake conference. We taught them both with one of our recent converts, which was an awesome experience. One is a strong Jehovah's Witness, but says that he will join our church and leave the JW's if he comes to know that what we have is the truth. The other, the first's girlfriend, claims that she was baptized at age twelve into our church, but we haven't ever seen her before, and our Branch President can't find her in the Church's records. So, that means we really have two new people investigating our church!
The work is still going forward, and it looks very promising for the deaf branch. Between the two of us, the other ASL elders we live and work with in the mission, and the six ASL missionaries from the NYNY South mission assigned to the branch, we have 17 baptism commitments. If they all go through with it and stay active in the church, the branch size will increase a lot. Our vision is still to make the branch into a ward, which could happen during my mission if we keep at it! Love you all, and hope for the best for all of you!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Wonder weekend!
Wow, this weekend was awesome!
On Friday, all of the city missionaries met together and watched the new film "Meet the Mormons". It follows six different Mormon families, showing how they have lived aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. It doesn't hit you over the head with Mormonism, but shows how their religion has influenced their lives for good. It's a truly wonderful movie, and I recommend it to all. It's playing in select theaters across the nation, and will hopefully expand.
For all afternoon Saturday, we went to the branch "Wild, Wild West" party at the church. The branch does parties maybe seven or eight times each year, which is just another deaf event here in NYC. Members come, and also members that are not as active and even friends of members to this social that includes food, games, and even a magic show this time. It's a good time for us as missionaries to get to meet new people, and the other elders got a few potential people interested in learning more about us. There are, however, about a dozen people at the party that were there solely for the food, not interested in coming to church at all. Oh well, such are some deaf people.
Sunday was definitely the best day of all. Elder Fotheringham and I spent most of church getting everything ready for the baptism afterwards! On Sunday October 12, 2014, Ariel Chapman entered the waters of baptism and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If you look at the picture on my Facebook page of the two of us and two other men in white jumpsuits, Ariel is the one on the left. John Debrow, the member on the right, performed the ordinance. It was a really spiritual experience, and marks my first baptism on my mission. We will continue working with him to continue to build his faith so that he remains active in the church. Thus is proof that the work is going forward.
On Sunday night, we attended a fireside (spiritual meeting where speakers address a specific audience) given at the chapel adjacent to the Manhattan Temple. L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with his wife; Elder Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife; came to New York to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mormon Pavilion at the 1964 Worlds Fair, and also gave a fireside. We as ASL missionaries got to interpret the event, sitting in the front left, close to the stand. I personally interpreted Sister Hallstrom's talk, and got to both listen to and shake the hand of Elder Perry! This too was just an awesome spiritual experience.
Mom asked about hearing referrals. We typically send those into the mission office, and they then give them to the correct missionaries. Haven't really done this, as we haven't yet found someone who has given us contact info.
The work is still going forward, and I'm loving every bit of it. Hope you all keep doing well, and I love each and every one of you!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Thursday, October 9, 2014
New York in September
Pictures from Ryan's memory card, taken in September 2014.
The mission president and his wife took the ASL elders out for ribs. I was told how much Ryan polished off, so I would caption the bottom picture "Ryan 1, Ribs 0."
One of the nicer pictures I have seen of the Manhattan Temple with a beautiful blue sky
In his list of pictures, Ryan labeled this one (of a package we sent), "Proof that my family loves me"
If you look veeeeery closely, you can see the Statue of Liberty over his shoulder
They may be servants of the Lord, but missionaries still love a good Slurpee
I like to imagine the conversation going on while this series of photos was being taken of Ryan and his companion, Elder Fotheringham. Looks like a great friendship.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
General Conference weekend
Hello again, all! I'd like to give a big shout-out to my friends Elders Jesse Miller and Jemesa Snuka who are entering two different MTCs to start their missions! Their choice to serve as I am gives me strength and hope for my own mission.
I hope everyone was able to watch general conference last weekend! It was truly inspiring to me, as I hope it was for you. If you missed sessions or didn't have the chance to watch it, you can do so at lds.org. Even if you have seen it, go back and review the talks given, as they will still inspire you. I'm starting to through them all again myself.
Transfers are today, which is the meeting where missionaries get shuffled around the mission. As for us here in the ASL program, no one is moving, though my companion is no longer our district leader (a missionary leader who oversees work aspects of a small group of missionaries in an area). So that means I'm still here in the city. Our zone got shuffled quite a bit, and I am saying goodbye to a few of the missionaries I have started to really bond with. Oh well, such is the work. The bright side is I now have more missionaries to meet and serve with.
We've been finishing the lessons with our main investigator, Ariel. He passed his baptismal interview on Sunday, and he will be baptized this coming one! Super stoked for him! The work has been a little slow right now, but his baptism keeps me motivated. We're trying to re-contact some people that were taught a while ago and find some members who haven't been coming to church. Still lots of fun traveling the city every day.
Our rat problem got solved last Wednesday night. We bought some sticky traps, and we found a rat stuck in one that night. It was disposed of, and my companion is no longer stressed or paranoid about it. Still get a few roaches, but those are easy to smash. Besides that, we keep our apartment fairly clean.
I've been out three months already, and time is flying faster and faster. That is one of the great aspects of our time serving the Lord. Hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
I hope everyone was able to watch general conference last weekend! It was truly inspiring to me, as I hope it was for you. If you missed sessions or didn't have the chance to watch it, you can do so at lds.org. Even if you have seen it, go back and review the talks given, as they will still inspire you. I'm starting to through them all again myself.
Transfers are today, which is the meeting where missionaries get shuffled around the mission. As for us here in the ASL program, no one is moving, though my companion is no longer our district leader (a missionary leader who oversees work aspects of a small group of missionaries in an area). So that means I'm still here in the city. Our zone got shuffled quite a bit, and I am saying goodbye to a few of the missionaries I have started to really bond with. Oh well, such is the work. The bright side is I now have more missionaries to meet and serve with.
We've been finishing the lessons with our main investigator, Ariel. He passed his baptismal interview on Sunday, and he will be baptized this coming one! Super stoked for him! The work has been a little slow right now, but his baptism keeps me motivated. We're trying to re-contact some people that were taught a while ago and find some members who haven't been coming to church. Still lots of fun traveling the city every day.
Our rat problem got solved last Wednesday night. We bought some sticky traps, and we found a rat stuck in one that night. It was disposed of, and my companion is no longer stressed or paranoid about it. Still get a few roaches, but those are easy to smash. Besides that, we keep our apartment fairly clean.
I've been out three months already, and time is flying faster and faster. That is one of the great aspects of our time serving the Lord. Hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Oh, October
Oct 1st is today, and the weather is slowly cooling down. I may need a sweater today. I can't wait for the trees to start changing color, as my companion says it is gorgeous. Nothing like autumn back home.
The time here continues to go by faster and faster. My companions warned me of this, and it is totally true. I hope it is for you as well. I am grateful for the mail I get, though they warn me that it will decrease. Any form of communication is appreciated.
We saw a bit of downtown Manhattan last Wednesday afternoon, and even went to the tip of Manhattan, which is the tip of the mission. We are planning to walk through part of Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art today. In terms of the work, we are still teaching and inviting others to come closer to Christ. Probably the highlight of our teaching this week was when Sandra called us back. She told us to stop teaching her a few weeks ago because of concerns and stresses, but she continued to read the Book of Mormon and pray. Now, she wants us to continue with her, and she came to church on Sunday! She's planning to try to move to Utah where Deaf culture is a lot better and where she would feel more comfortable should she join the church. She started out with us as not having any religious faith in anything, to now thinking that what we have to offer is right for her. Miracles happen even today.
Pests and grime are fun to deal with here in the city. We wash our hands every time we use the bus or subway, and don't wear our shoes in the apartment to keep out the muck on the streets and sidewalks. Cigarette smoke and other kinds of smoke aren't fun to walk through. In our apartment, we sometimes find a few cockroaches when we come home, and smash them until they're dead or escaped. About two weeks ago, we realized that we had a rat hole behind the dishwasher, and with it, a rat. My companion is completely terrified of rats, and jumps onto a chair or bed every time he hears it. He is now even sleeping on a top bunk to keep away from it when it comes out at night. Nothing we've done has stopped it, and we've only physically seen it a few times. Borax, weight barricades, hammers, and rat traps have all failed. Time for some scented sticky traps.
LDS General Conference is this weekend! For those of you who don't know about it, it is a worldwide broadcast from Salt Lake City where the top leaders of our church give us counsel and revelation for problems confronting us today, just as ancient prophets did in their day. It is a truly wonderful and spiritual experience, especially when the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, speaks to us. I invite EVERYONE to
watch it this weekend to know what the Lord would have us do today in our time. You can watch it at a local LDS meeting house, with a member friend in their home, or watch it live on lds.org. I know that this will bring you peace and happiness.
Love you all!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
The time here continues to go by faster and faster. My companions warned me of this, and it is totally true. I hope it is for you as well. I am grateful for the mail I get, though they warn me that it will decrease. Any form of communication is appreciated.
We saw a bit of downtown Manhattan last Wednesday afternoon, and even went to the tip of Manhattan, which is the tip of the mission. We are planning to walk through part of Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art today. In terms of the work, we are still teaching and inviting others to come closer to Christ. Probably the highlight of our teaching this week was when Sandra called us back. She told us to stop teaching her a few weeks ago because of concerns and stresses, but she continued to read the Book of Mormon and pray. Now, she wants us to continue with her, and she came to church on Sunday! She's planning to try to move to Utah where Deaf culture is a lot better and where she would feel more comfortable should she join the church. She started out with us as not having any religious faith in anything, to now thinking that what we have to offer is right for her. Miracles happen even today.
Pests and grime are fun to deal with here in the city. We wash our hands every time we use the bus or subway, and don't wear our shoes in the apartment to keep out the muck on the streets and sidewalks. Cigarette smoke and other kinds of smoke aren't fun to walk through. In our apartment, we sometimes find a few cockroaches when we come home, and smash them until they're dead or escaped. About two weeks ago, we realized that we had a rat hole behind the dishwasher, and with it, a rat. My companion is completely terrified of rats, and jumps onto a chair or bed every time he hears it. He is now even sleeping on a top bunk to keep away from it when it comes out at night. Nothing we've done has stopped it, and we've only physically seen it a few times. Borax, weight barricades, hammers, and rat traps have all failed. Time for some scented sticky traps.
LDS General Conference is this weekend! For those of you who don't know about it, it is a worldwide broadcast from Salt Lake City where the top leaders of our church give us counsel and revelation for problems confronting us today, just as ancient prophets did in their day. It is a truly wonderful and spiritual experience, especially when the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, speaks to us. I invite EVERYONE to
watch it this weekend to know what the Lord would have us do today in our time. You can watch it at a local LDS meeting house, with a member friend in their home, or watch it live on lds.org. I know that this will bring you peace and happiness.
Love you all!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
The missionary quiz
I had a million unconnected questions for Ryan, but didn't want to barrage/interrogate/bug him for answers in the weekly letter. So I dreamed up this quiz/survey/questionnaire for him to answer! All of his answers are in red.
1. I
do laundry …
A. pounding it on a rock
B. in a machine in our
apartment
C. in a laundry room in our
building (we are lucky to be one of the very few apartments that does)
D. at a Laundromat
E. I’m supposed to be doing
laundry?!
2. Describe
each of your roommates/companions in 1 word or less:
Fotheringham:
leader
Filoso:
Kind-hearted
Holloway:
Alaskan
3.
I never thought I’d miss the nearness of everything at the MTC.
4.
The strangest thing I’ve eaten so far is a good casserole of our own invention.
5.
The best thing I’ve eaten so far is NY-style pizza.
6.
The food I miss most from home is (not sure).
7.
I’m glad I knew how to cook eggs. I have now learned to cook
rice.
8.
American Sign Language is …
A. easier than I thought it
would be
B. harder than I thought it
would be
C. nothing like my ASL class at
HHS
9.
New York City, in three words: crowded diverse strange
10.
I am already running out of nothing.
11.
How many of your companions snore?
A. one
B. two
C. three or more
D. just me, they say -- on occasion. I apparently sneeze every night without fail as I lie in bed.
12.
Weirdest thing I’ve seen in the subway so far (use extra paper if necessary): A drunk man who would talk to us a few minutes, pause, and then start over saying the same things.
13.
The person who writes me the most (not counting parents and Grandma Carlson) is: Bro. Hansen (our neighbor)
14.
Today I read Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon.
15.
This quiz is:
A. slightly corny
B. making my companions laugh
C. annoying
D. all of the above
E. A and B but not C
16.
Right now I’m thinking my mom:
A. is slightly corny
B. is crazy but a little funny
C. is funny but a little crazy
D. is awesome
E. loves me a lot
F. all of the above
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