It has been consistently colder and colder as the year ages. I don't think it has gotten above freezing all last week or this, and I hear that it isn't going to improve. Luckily, I have very good snow and cold weather gear, so I am doing alright.
I just hit my six-month mark on Friday, making a quarter of my mission complete. Oh how the time has flown, and how it will continue to fly faster and faster!
With the plunging weather, our teaching has gone down as well. When I became companions with Elder Aston, his area wasn't doing too well, and hasn't really gotten better yet. Church attendance is down, as it typically is in the winter due to colder weather. For some reason, deaf people aren't as willing to come to church when it's cold outside, and a few think it's even closed because of the weather. It would have to take another hurricane to not have church, and even then, we still might. It has been a struggle to teach, but I have been learning a lot about my new companion and about myself.
Probably the most interesting day was Friday. That evening, we went to the restaurant Max Brenner's for our 6-month mark, which had some amazing Mac and cheese and flatbread pizza. Then after teaching a youth group some ASL, we discovered a pipe burst in the women's changing room of the font in the basement. It wasn't horrendous, but it was even slowly filling the font. We got a mechanic from the hearing Ward over to fix the problem, and rolled out at around 10 pm. We then got on the subway with a drunk guy who said some not nice things about us and the church at us. We just signed to each other and feigned deafness.
Hope you are all doing alright, and keep being awesome.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Winter in the City (plus December photos!)
Winter is really setting in here in NYC. Both yesterday and today are below freezing, and the rest of the week looks the same. We got a good amount of snow yesterday as well, and for the first time all winter, it stuck! Many parts of the city were white and frosty, though the city does a good job of keeping the roads clear. Got to shovel it for the first time off the walk in front of the chapel.
Transfer meeting is today, and we have probably the most boring change of everyone -- the four of us are flip-flopping companions! That means I will be with Elder Aston, and Elders Fotheringham and Holloway will be together. The fun part is that we aren't even switching beds or study desks, as we all sleep in the same room and study in the same room. That, and after our rearrangements last week, we have a legit living room now, which is super nice and open!
So, for this transfer the only things that really change are my full-time companion and the people I am working with, as I am technically going into his area. But, I will still go to the branch and do a lot of the same things with the other two as usual. Yeah for ASL transfers!
Transfer meeting is today, and we have probably the most boring change of everyone -- the four of us are flip-flopping companions! That means I will be with Elder Aston, and Elders Fotheringham and Holloway will be together. The fun part is that we aren't even switching beds or study desks, as we all sleep in the same room and study in the same room. That, and after our rearrangements last week, we have a legit living room now, which is super nice and open!
So, for this transfer the only things that really change are my full-time companion and the people I am working with, as I am technically going into his area. But, I will still go to the branch and do a lot of the same things with the other two as usual. Yeah for ASL transfers!
I am writing this on the subway on my way back up to the Inwood chapel to help some sisters with their luggage, which we did this morning as well. We don't get many service opportunities, so we take every one we can get. Also, I will hit six months on Friday, making my mission a quarter of the way over. Only 18 months to go.
Otherwise, the work continues. The apartment has been more tired and sick than usual lately, but I am staying well. We have our struggles, and we are finding ways to overcome them. I appreciate your continuing support, and love you all.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Otherwise, the work continues. The apartment has been more tired and sick than usual lately, but I am staying well. We have our struggles, and we are finding ways to overcome them. I appreciate your continuing support, and love you all.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Pictures from December!
Apparently even missionaries take bathroom selfies!
Wonder what Ryan asked the famous Macy's Santa for? More investigators? Did he share a pass-long card?
The New York City missionaries were very involved in the church's "He is the Gift" campaign during the Christmas season. There were giant billboards in Times Square and the missionaries and members were encouraged to hashtag #ShareTheGift and post photos of themselves with how they would share Christ's gift to the world.
They also caroled outside the New York Public Library. Love the wreath on the lion!
One of the many Christmas markets around the city, this one in Columbus Circle near the temple
Some of what Ryan received for Christmas. I am grateful so many people remembered him.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
January 1, 2015
Happy New Year Everyone! You may be wondering why I didn't send this email out yesterday, as I typically email on Wednesdays. This is because our mission president changed our P-day to today, so that we aren't out and about doing random stuff in the city where New Year's Eve is known for. We did normal missionary work, but had to be inside by 7 pm. That, and we had to avoid Times Square like the plague. Didn't see the ball drop, but that's alright. We all slept through the holiday festivities, which was a good option. Still went to bed at 10:30, and still awoke at 6:30.
This calendar year for me is what missionaries in the mission refer to as our "ghost year" -- the year a missionary is completely in the mission field. So, that means that I will stay in New York for this entire year, from today until New Year's Eve this coming December.
Don't have a whole lot of time, as we are currently rearranging our apartment. Since I got here, we had the beds in the main room and used the bedrooms as study and videophone rooms, and we decided to change it. Once we are done, the beds will be in one room, all our study desks in another, and the main room will be an actual living room. That should be fun and a nice change.
Transfers are next week, and we have no idea what to expect. I've now been with Elder Fotheringham for over four months, so it's about time to change. That, and there is a chance of opening a new ASL/English area in the town of Ossining. For years, a few members have interpreted for the few deaf members in that Ward, though they are all getting burned out. So, two weeks ago, President Morgan called to tell us that each week, one of the two ASL companionships will travel up to Ossining via the Metro North railroad to interpret for church. The other two did it a week and a half ago, and we did it this past Sunday, and it was a neat experience. However, the Metro North is rather expensive, and we aren't able to fellowship our people we work with at church if we are gone, which leads us to speculate that one of us will get sent up to work there, just like in Newburgh. President
hasn't said anything concerning the matter, so we are eagerly awaiting transfer calls on Saturday to see if our program gets messed up or not.
Hope you all have good goals and plans for this year, and make the most out of everything!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
This calendar year for me is what missionaries in the mission refer to as our "ghost year" -- the year a missionary is completely in the mission field. So, that means that I will stay in New York for this entire year, from today until New Year's Eve this coming December.
Don't have a whole lot of time, as we are currently rearranging our apartment. Since I got here, we had the beds in the main room and used the bedrooms as study and videophone rooms, and we decided to change it. Once we are done, the beds will be in one room, all our study desks in another, and the main room will be an actual living room. That should be fun and a nice change.
Transfers are next week, and we have no idea what to expect. I've now been with Elder Fotheringham for over four months, so it's about time to change. That, and there is a chance of opening a new ASL/English area in the town of Ossining. For years, a few members have interpreted for the few deaf members in that Ward, though they are all getting burned out. So, two weeks ago, President Morgan called to tell us that each week, one of the two ASL companionships will travel up to Ossining via the Metro North railroad to interpret for church. The other two did it a week and a half ago, and we did it this past Sunday, and it was a neat experience. However, the Metro North is rather expensive, and we aren't able to fellowship our people we work with at church if we are gone, which leads us to speculate that one of us will get sent up to work there, just like in Newburgh. President
hasn't said anything concerning the matter, so we are eagerly awaiting transfer calls on Saturday to see if our program gets messed up or not.
Hope you all have good goals and plans for this year, and make the most out of everything!
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Christmas Eve
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
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 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
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