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.