Shocker transfers!

Yes, indeed this transfer today has completely changed my mission world. My companion, Elder Richards, is going home today, making this my second companion in a row I have been last companions with. My trainer, Elder Fotheringham, also departs today as well. Moreover, I am also leaving Newburgh, as my area is closing! This is happening all over the mission as numbers of missionaries are cut a bit. I really enjoyed the last four months of my mission serving in Newburgh.

Now, I am currently writing from the first place I emailed from my iPad -- Harlem, NY! That's right, I'm back in the main ASL program in the city, perhaps for the rest of my mission. My new companion is Elder Shepard, who is completely deaf! I am his second companion in the mission, and will continue his training. I suspect my ASL skills are going to improve even more as I am with him. From the short time I have been with him, I can already see he is a hard-core jokester.

Many feelings are running through my head as I am sitting here in the aftermath of what has happened. I would have loved to stay upstate a little longer, but it seems the Lord has other plans for me. Even in coming back to the place I now call home in NY, everything seems different. I am sure I will readjust to ASL and city life.

Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York Mission
American Sign Language

My life in splits

First off, thank you for all your birthday wishes. I much appreciated them all. Being 19 doesn't really feel different. People still think I look 16. I'm just waiting for next birthday when I will only have four weeks left on my mission and people will realize that I came out super young. I also don't think there are any other things that now become legal for me to do or buy at this age.

As my companion is going home next week, there have been various end-of-mission events he has been doing recently. And, to save on vehicle miles and allow more work to get done, we have been doing splits with a couple other elders in the area who are going home, and I have been staying in my own area with their companions. I am currently with elders Paiz and Lyons as our companions are going to the Manhattan temple with President Morgan.

This past week has been a little rough in terms of the work, as we haven't really been able to meet with any of our main investigators. Tracting also hasn't been super effective for us lately as well. But, there are still a lot of good things happening with the members. Samuel Porter, who was baptized when I first got here to Newburgh (I wasn't involved in his investigator phase) has had his Catholic wife sit in on two of our lessons. Richard Perkowski is still building his faith and is preparing to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.

Love you all,

Elder Ryan Turner

New York New York North Mission

American Sign Language

11 months and 19 years

It is truly amazing how life passes by as a missionary. Yesterday marked 11 months as a missionary, and tomorrow marks 19 years of life upon this earth. How very grateful I am for both!

I am currently in Elmsford, NY with Elder Smith. I have not been transferred here - both our companions are seeing a play in the city so we are doing a split here for the day. Nothing spectacular is planned for us, but it is cool to be here in Westchester County for a change.

The work has continued on, and we have some new people we have started teaching. So far, we have a couple of prospects to try to set a baptismal date with, but it has been difficult to stay in contact and have appointments happen. Their have been quite a few occasions recently when they have cancelled last-minute or flat-out not showed up. But, there have been other times when we have been able to meet, and those lessons have been really good. I always love it when I am able to testify of truth as I tract and teach.

Some people have asked me which I like better -- NYC or Newburgh. I love them both, and each has their own pros and cons. My time here in Newburgh will probably come to an end soon, so I am enjoying every moment of being upstate before I go back to the city for likely the rest of my mission.

Until next week,

Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York Mission
American Sign Language

There MAY be some good pictures!

Pictures from Ryan's memory card, May 2015

Ryan's caption: "Good thing we aren't solicitors!"

The missionaries got a tour of West Point, including the beautiful cadet chapel

Ryan's district on the Metro North train on the way home from a special meeting with Elder Quentin L. Cook

Getting ready to Facetime-chat with the family on Mother's Day

Sleepy Hollow cemetery doesn't look very scary in the daytime

Ryan eating Oreo pudding from a mix we sent him

Elder Richards, Richard Perkowski, and Ryan at Bro. Perkowski's baptism, which Ryan performed

Ryan was excited to go into the city and play tourist for a day. There are so many parts of Central Park to explore. I wonder what treat he has in his bag?

Hey y'all!

Ran out of time again on a P-day! Everything here is great in New York, and I am loving it as usual. Hope you are all doing well!

Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York Mission
American Sign Language

Newburgh and NYC

Greetings from Grand Central!

So far, these have still been my only two areas, and that is likely how it will stay for the rest of my mission. I am still in Newburgh now, and transfers are in four weeks. However, my companion, the three Spanish elders that we work with, and I are currently taking a trip down to Manhattan for the afternoon. We are going to eat half-pound cookies, walk through Central Park, see Grand Central and the Empire State Building, and anything else we choose to do. So much nostalgia as we enter the subway. 

This weekend, Elder Richards and I had a baptism! I had the privilege of personally baptizing Richard Perkowski, a gentleman in his fifties. He found the church through his girlfriend who is in the New Paltz Branch, and has come a long way in the eight weeks we have been teaching him. This is especially cool because the two of us were here from the first lesson to the baptism and confirmation. He has been a joy to work with, and we are super close with him now.

Otherwise, things have been going good. It is getting more and more humid out, which makes tracting all the more difficult. We spent a total of around three hours or so on Monday doing this, and I felt the layer of sweat sticking to me even as we got home for the night. This summer should be fun, enjoy your dry heat!

As always, I love being here in New York. This mission has both the fast-paced excitement of Manhattan and the quiet serenity of rural Orange County, where I currently serve. A little bit of both is good for me. I know that there is yet much more to come.

Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language

So long!

The last two weeks have been hectic and full of preparation day activities, so I figure I should make an effort to write!

Transfers went well, and Elder Richards and I are staying together for his last cycle. This means that I am sending home two consecutive companions. All of their going-home related activities have been a bit time-consuming on certain days, but I am not complaining. When those end-of-mission things happen -- like going to the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway play, and a temple trip with the mission president -- I typically go with other companions of missionaries going home.

Tracting has continued at its increased rate, and we have been seeing some good stuff. Now, if only we could get back with those people ... some of them give us fake phone numbers or are never there when we drop by. Even some of our specific appointments have ditched us for whatever lame reason. Nevertheless, we continue knocking and teaching.

Now that things are warmer, we have been doing more outdoor service and activities. On Saturday, we helped two member families with yard work, and today we are going hiking near the Hudson river. We blaze trails every Thursday morning and have some other fun things planned for the coming weeks. We just have to make sure we aren't getting mosquitoes or ticks.

Love you all!

Elder Ryan Turner

New York New York North Mission

American Sign Language