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
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