We are already halfway through the cycle as a trio companionship. However, it won't stay like that for long, as next week we are getting two new ASL elders fresh from the MTC. We know all three of us here will be involved in training, though not exactly how we will split it out. Either way, we are super stoked to get some new energy into the program. That, and I've also been in NY for more than a year now, and about 13.5 months on my mission total.
Some signs vary from east coast to west coast. It's always fun to figure out which variations people used, as here in the city of everything there is no uniformity whatsoever. The younger generation tends to be more educated, and uses more to the west coast signing, whereas he older folks who grew up in the east use the older, more eastern ways. Still, it is all ASL -- or at least we hope it is.
I had my first real encounter with Jehovah's Witness ministers the other day. Stereotypically. This involves a very refined but heated argument over the Bible and Book of Mormon, usually resulting in neither side winning and frustration all around. When Elder Shepherd and I came across ASL JW's, he and the man started "Bible bashing" a little. Rather than doing that myself, I instead bore my personal testimony about the validity of the Book of Mormon through the Holy Ghost. My companion did the same, and while I noticed a slight change on his face, he proceeded to try to argue more. Neither side "won," but we won in the fact that we didn't become contentious about our
beliefs, and I enjoyed a spirit of calm during the exchange (see 3 Nephi 11:29).
Love you all,
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Same old, same old
Well, not a whole lot has changed in NYC in relation to the work. We did have a rather good zone conference yesterday. Too bad I and Elder Holloway had to interpret the whole thing for Elder Shepherd. It's especially difficult when missionaries speak either really fast or really soft.
One project I have been working on is something we call the green book. Our area is comparatively large, and travel takes a while. What the green book is is groups of deaf people -- members and non-members alike -- that missionaries have found over the years, grouped by general geographic areas (for example, there are four within Harlem). This makes it so that lookups are more efficient, and shows us people nearby a person if they end up not showing up to a lesson, allowing us to use our time more effectively. The last green book was compiled around 3-4 years ago, and it was left in paper format in a binder in our apartment. For the past long time, I have been digitizing, updating, and improving it. It's something to keep me busy in spare moments and is helping in our finding.
Love you all,
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
P.S. (in an e-mail soon after this one) Just got confirmation of two new ASL elders coming to the North mission in the next week or two. The three of us here will be training them. How exactly it will work, I am unsure. I am sure President Smith will be in more contact with us. The thing we have to figure out is how to add another bed to our current layout. ... Maybe we will form another pentanionship! My real guess is that Elder Shepherd and one of us will train a new guy together, and the other of us will train alone.
One project I have been working on is something we call the green book. Our area is comparatively large, and travel takes a while. What the green book is is groups of deaf people -- members and non-members alike -- that missionaries have found over the years, grouped by general geographic areas (for example, there are four within Harlem). This makes it so that lookups are more efficient, and shows us people nearby a person if they end up not showing up to a lesson, allowing us to use our time more effectively. The last green book was compiled around 3-4 years ago, and it was left in paper format in a binder in our apartment. For the past long time, I have been digitizing, updating, and improving it. It's something to keep me busy in spare moments and is helping in our finding.
Love you all,
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
P.S. (in an e-mail soon after this one) Just got confirmation of two new ASL elders coming to the North mission in the next week or two. The three of us here will be training them. How exactly it will work, I am unsure. I am sure President Smith will be in more contact with us. The thing we have to figure out is how to add another bed to our current layout. ... Maybe we will form another pentanionship! My real guess is that Elder Shepherd and one of us will train a new guy together, and the other of us will train alone.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Trio life
It has been going alright so far in the trio. As both our areas are merged, the work has gotten better. On occasion two of us may have a disagreement and the third acts as a mediator, but overall things are going well. I have especially enjoyed working directly with Elder Holloway, my MTC companion, again. We were on edge with one another for the first seven months, and then after we humbled ourselves and forgave one another our trespasses, our relationship skyrocketed. He is my best friend in the mission and a powerful servant of the Lord.
One of the new Spanish elders in the zone told us he met two ASL elders in the MTC headed to our mission. We still haven't hear anything else about them than that, so I am making a few email inquires to various sources seeking more information.
We're going to the temple in a little bit, which is always exciting. Other than that, not much to report. New Yorkers are still weird, and the gospel is still true. Love you all!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
One of the new Spanish elders in the zone told us he met two ASL elders in the MTC headed to our mission. We still haven't hear anything else about them than that, so I am making a few email inquires to various sources seeking more information.
We're going to the temple in a little bit, which is always exciting. Other than that, not much to report. New Yorkers are still weird, and the gospel is still true. Love you all!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Photos of July
Pictures from Ryan's memory card, taken in July 2015
The huge Mormon Tabernacle Choir is dwarfed by the field at Yankee Stadium
Ryan and Elder Shepherd at the Yankees game
Apparently, this means "halfway there" in American Sign Language -- Ryan hit his one-year mark on July 9
I don't think there's been a memory card sent home without at least one turtle, real or museum
New York City sights, clockwise from left: Empire State Building, Kingsbridge Armory, Bronx tunnel graffiti
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
And then there were three!
Transfers recently finished, and we said goodbye to Elder Hill. He is going upstate to work with the office elders, who help the more physical side of things in the mission; like delivering mail, moving things, getting supplies, etc. That leaves only three of us here in the ASL program, which means we are all companions now. Elder Holloway has joined Elder Shepherd and I. Elder Holloway and I haven't been companions for almost a year, and I know we will do good work together. We've both grown a lot since then.
Now with only one companionship in the program, I suspect things are going to get a little more difficult. The good thing is that both our areas haven't been doing so hot, so combining the work should give us more to do. But, now there is only one companionship in this mission to support the branch. Also, tasks that two typically shared -- example: one (companionship) goes food shopping while the other cleans on P-day -- the three of us have to do together. It should be interesting seeing how things move forward.
I will have more on how the three of us are working together next week!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Now with only one companionship in the program, I suspect things are going to get a little more difficult. The good thing is that both our areas haven't been doing so hot, so combining the work should give us more to do. But, now there is only one companionship in this mission to support the branch. Also, tasks that two typically shared -- example: one (companionship) goes food shopping while the other cleans on P-day -- the three of us have to do together. It should be interesting seeing how things move forward.
I will have more on how the three of us are working together next week!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
The native New Yorkers
I feel as if I am becoming one myself! Nearly a year in this state has allowed some of my mannerisms to adapt to local culture. For example, crowd-weaving is a normal part of my day, and being the only white person on the train is no longer awkward.
As I mentioned some time ago, this is the city of everything. So many things I had never thought of before are evident everywhere. One element that I love is the small-scale economics that are on the subway and the street. On the subways you get young men who carry wholesale-sized boxes of snacks bound together by plastic wrap. They always ask to pardon the interruption, and then go on to list off their name-brand snacks, typically explaining they are doing this to raise money in a good way and keep off the streets. There are also Chinese salesmen numbers 1, 2, and 3 (numbered by my trainer) that roam the subways selling pirated movies and DVDs. In the summertime, the cry of "Ice-cold water! One dollar! One dollar!" can be heard on nearly every street corner.
It is also unique to see the theme of instant gratification. With a city operating on the New-York-Minute, there isn't much time for waiting or patience. I have seen many ads for home-delivered goods and services, and the dollar-slice joints and bodegas (corner stores) offer fast and cheap food on the go. Rarely have I seen a price that isn't rounded (even with tax), as giving change or receiving it seems too big a hassle.
The New Yorkers themselves are a fun lot as well. Street and subway performers liven up the atmosphere, and many are quite good at what they do. Yesterday, an old man playing a march-style beat on his guitar followed us through a park. There is here and there the person collecting signatures or donations or opinions for whatever cause they represent, which as missionaries we really can't become involved with, as what we do and say is representing the church.
As for the beggars of New York, we haven't been given any clear-cut counsel from on high, but generally missionaries accept the standard that the money we have is the Lord's to be used for benefiting us and us only. There have only been a couple times where people tried to use the Jesus guilt-trip, normally they just try to be humble and pitiful. If we have extra food and we see one, we sometimes give him some. Money is a bad idea because you never know which beggars are actually professional panhandlers or will use the money to feed their drug addiction. Thus, food is the safest option.
Hope y'all are doing well with the heat (Except Elder Miller (Ryan's friend Jesse, serving his mission in Brazil), who is experiencing Southern Hemisphere winter)!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
As I mentioned some time ago, this is the city of everything. So many things I had never thought of before are evident everywhere. One element that I love is the small-scale economics that are on the subway and the street. On the subways you get young men who carry wholesale-sized boxes of snacks bound together by plastic wrap. They always ask to pardon the interruption, and then go on to list off their name-brand snacks, typically explaining they are doing this to raise money in a good way and keep off the streets. There are also Chinese salesmen numbers 1, 2, and 3 (numbered by my trainer) that roam the subways selling pirated movies and DVDs. In the summertime, the cry of "Ice-cold water! One dollar! One dollar!" can be heard on nearly every street corner.
It is also unique to see the theme of instant gratification. With a city operating on the New-York-Minute, there isn't much time for waiting or patience. I have seen many ads for home-delivered goods and services, and the dollar-slice joints and bodegas (corner stores) offer fast and cheap food on the go. Rarely have I seen a price that isn't rounded (even with tax), as giving change or receiving it seems too big a hassle.
The New Yorkers themselves are a fun lot as well. Street and subway performers liven up the atmosphere, and many are quite good at what they do. Yesterday, an old man playing a march-style beat on his guitar followed us through a park. There is here and there the person collecting signatures or donations or opinions for whatever cause they represent, which as missionaries we really can't become involved with, as what we do and say is representing the church.
As for the beggars of New York, we haven't been given any clear-cut counsel from on high, but generally missionaries accept the standard that the money we have is the Lord's to be used for benefiting us and us only. There have only been a couple times where people tried to use the Jesus guilt-trip, normally they just try to be humble and pitiful. If we have extra food and we see one, we sometimes give him some. Money is a bad idea because you never know which beggars are actually professional panhandlers or will use the money to feed their drug addiction. Thus, food is the safest option.
Hope y'all are doing well with the heat (Except Elder Miller (Ryan's friend Jesse, serving his mission in Brazil), who is experiencing Southern Hemisphere winter)!
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
July heat and humidity
Ryan's Uncle Scott (Tom's brother) and Aunt Tara were in NYC last week. They took Ryan and his companion to lunch and texted me a picture!
It has been quite warm and humid this past week. I have been sweating a lot more than usual. One time when I looked, NYC was hotter than Mesa, AZ for a little bit! The temperature I can get over, it's just the humidity that kills.
Church attendance was pretty good this Sunday. A beloved member that moved a while back visited, which drew a few more than normal. We also had a missionary farewell for a deaf young woman from the branch going to Salt Lake City West, and her hearing family came. They aren't members, and have a lot of concerns with her leaving, and the sisters are trying to resolve them. I am confident that the Lord will provide in this matter.
The work was slightly better this week, as we meet with a few people we haven't seen in a while. But, things are still a bit slow, which means a lot of trying to find old potentials and less-actives. I am getting to see more of the city that way. For some weird reason, walking through the sketchy parts of Manhattan and the Bronx doesn't phase me, and yet Midtown is completely out of my comfort zone. I'm used to going up large government-run apartment buildings for low-income people known as "projects," but facing a doorman in a nice, lower Manhattan building is not up my alley. One could say my view of viewing the city is different than most. But, I love it all the same.
Elder Ryan Turner
New York New York North Mission
American Sign Language
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