Oh my most wonderful family!!!
I am in awe of how truly blessed I am to have a family like you!! Your Letters this week were so incredibly wonderful. I feel of your love and I feel my Saviors love as well for me!! What you said is so very true! I have been hurting deeply and feeling lonely and feeling helpless. But truly I am feeling much better with more faith and with a positive attitude!
This last month I don’t know what it was but I just felt that I couldn’t hardly Breathe! I felt sad and I felt like I had no clue what I was doing and that my Spanish was horrible like I was just starting my mission! Because one member said, I am not going to lie your Spanish isn’t very good, and it hurt so bad! Because no one ever has said that before. Everyone says that my Spanish is good. I know its not perfect but it is good and I can communicate and I can understand. So I don’t know why he said that, but it truly did shake my confidence as a missionary and as a person. And just other things that I have went through this month. I just felt like I didn’t have any confidence in myself at all!
So one day we were studying and I was just hurting so deeply and all I could do was cry so I got up from my desk and I went to my room and I just cried like a baby and I prayed to my loving loving Heavenly Father and I talked to him. I told him everything! Everything that I am feeling and that I have been going through. And He was listening because I felt Him there. I felt a peace that came over me that I couldn’t remember my sadness anymore! I heard in my heart that si se puede or yes you can do it! That your Spanish is not horrible.That you are a good missionary and that He loves me!! I felt his loving arms around me and Him helping me in that moment! That I need to always humble myself before Him! Because I am nothing without Him!
Then I read something from Elder Richard G Scott that said;
"Trust in the Lord. Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trails are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels that you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion, which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and generally entails discomfort and pain!"
Wow huh? It was Heavenly Father telling me that I was ready to learn more! To change my heart into someone that He wants! It hurt but in those moments of pain and sadness I have felt the Atonement working in my life. I know that it is real with every fiber of my being! I know that it helps us get to where Heavenly Father wants us to be! It helps us learn what is true charity and what true patience is! I am so thankful for this experience in my mission. Truly I am because I know that I am learning and growing and I am learning that I can’t do anything without the help of my Savior and Redeemer!! I truly can feel of the infinite love He has for me!! I know that night in the Garden of Gethsemane He suffered pains and afflictions that I can’t even imagine but he did because He loves us! I know that night He saw me my face and all my trials, afflictions and sins that I would pass through in my life. But He loved me and He suffered for me!! What an amazing experience that I have to wear my beloved Saviors name on my chest over my heart to represent Him! These last 17 month He has been with me and I will never be able to repay Him for everything that He has done for me! This week I was thinking of all the blessings that I have in my life and all the experiences that I have had. I am in awe and so humbled and amazed at the love He has for me!! I truly feel like the hymn says: I stand all amazed and the love Jesus offers me confused at the grace that so fully he offers, I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, that for me a sinner, he suffered he bleed and died! I want you all to know that I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Savior lives and that he loves us! I know that this is his gospel and it is perfect! I am thankful for trials in our lives so that we can better come to know our Savior and his love for us!! I am so eternally grateful for this opportunity in my life to serve a mission what an amazing experience this has been. It has been hard but the best thing that I could and can do in my life! I know that it is changing me as a person into something better!!
Thank you for you words. They were exactly what I needed to hear!! I know that I have worked hard and I know that my successes was not because of me it was because of my Savior and Redeemer and I will work with all my mind might and strength for these last 7 weeks of my mission!! So I can say I had no regrets!! I love you! Thanks for listening to the Spirit and writing those incredible words that has strengthen me so much. I am going to print them out so I can read them for always!!
I love you!!
Love always and forever Hermana Turnbaugh
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
9/12/2011
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETH!!!! I hope you had the best day ever!! I am so glad to be your sister!!! Thank you for loving and taking such good care of my sister!! I know you are a wonderful husband and father and the Lord is blessing your little family so much!! I love you thank you for all you do!!! Happy Birthday SET(In spanish!) LOL!!!
Oh my most wonderful parents. How amazing is it that you have been married 34 years! That is such a wonderful blessing!! I know you love each other so much!! I know that you love our family more than anything else! We have been so blessed as a family and it all started when 2 people fell in love! I am so blessed to have you as my parents! I am so thankful that you have always put Heavenly Father first in your lives. You both are so amazing. I am so blessed to be part of this family!! Congratulations on 34 years of love and happiness!
Hola Mi familia!!
How is everyone doing!?! It sounds like everyone is doing so well!! I am so happy about that!! How fun that you went to Le Mis!! I love that musical so much!! But who watched the Kids!?! LOL!! How fun! I love that we do such fun things as a family!! We are so truly blessed to be such a close family that is exactly what God wants. A family with unity and love!
Oh I am so hoping to hear that some one put an offer on the house. I pray everyday that it will sell! I know it will soon!!! That house has a lot of beautiful memories and that is why God is waiting to send a wonderful family who can appreciate the love that the house has!!
This week has been a week of learning and growing! It has been hard and I have spent many nights reading and praying of what I should do and how I can find peace? I never thought I could be tried so much but I know that God knows why and I will look back on this time and know that it was to help me to be a stronger person.. This week I have been brought down pretty low but I know that through trials and afflictions it is to better help us to come to know the Atonement and better come to know of the grand love God has for us!! I know that Prayer is real and I know God hears our prayers! I know that if we put our faith and trust in our Savior we can overcome whatever trial that we might be facing in our lives!!
But we are working hard and we are finding new families to teach! We found a cute little family the other day! They are a couple who is married and the wife said after our lesson “what do I have to do to get baptized? That sentence is what every missionary wants to hear!! I know that she will progress and she said her family is the most important thing to her and we told her how families can be together forever!! I know that family can be together forever. But first have faith and then exercise their faith and be baptized. Because baptism is the first door in the kingdom of God but if they want to pass through the door they must enter in the temple and become a favored family through the sacred priesthood power!
I love this gospel with all my heart I know we go through things to better help us understand the Atonement and to come closer to our Savior and Redeemer! I love the scriptures and the words of the living prophets they help me to find the answers I need from my Heavenly Father!!
I love you all so much. Thank you for your love and prayers!!
Always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
Oh my most wonderful parents. How amazing is it that you have been married 34 years! That is such a wonderful blessing!! I know you love each other so much!! I know that you love our family more than anything else! We have been so blessed as a family and it all started when 2 people fell in love! I am so blessed to have you as my parents! I am so thankful that you have always put Heavenly Father first in your lives. You both are so amazing. I am so blessed to be part of this family!! Congratulations on 34 years of love and happiness!
Hola Mi familia!!
How is everyone doing!?! It sounds like everyone is doing so well!! I am so happy about that!! How fun that you went to Le Mis!! I love that musical so much!! But who watched the Kids!?! LOL!! How fun! I love that we do such fun things as a family!! We are so truly blessed to be such a close family that is exactly what God wants. A family with unity and love!
Oh I am so hoping to hear that some one put an offer on the house. I pray everyday that it will sell! I know it will soon!!! That house has a lot of beautiful memories and that is why God is waiting to send a wonderful family who can appreciate the love that the house has!!
This week has been a week of learning and growing! It has been hard and I have spent many nights reading and praying of what I should do and how I can find peace? I never thought I could be tried so much but I know that God knows why and I will look back on this time and know that it was to help me to be a stronger person.. This week I have been brought down pretty low but I know that through trials and afflictions it is to better help us to come to know the Atonement and better come to know of the grand love God has for us!! I know that Prayer is real and I know God hears our prayers! I know that if we put our faith and trust in our Savior we can overcome whatever trial that we might be facing in our lives!!
But we are working hard and we are finding new families to teach! We found a cute little family the other day! They are a couple who is married and the wife said after our lesson “what do I have to do to get baptized? That sentence is what every missionary wants to hear!! I know that she will progress and she said her family is the most important thing to her and we told her how families can be together forever!! I know that family can be together forever. But first have faith and then exercise their faith and be baptized. Because baptism is the first door in the kingdom of God but if they want to pass through the door they must enter in the temple and become a favored family through the sacred priesthood power!
I love this gospel with all my heart I know we go through things to better help us understand the Atonement and to come closer to our Savior and Redeemer! I love the scriptures and the words of the living prophets they help me to find the answers I need from my Heavenly Father!!
I love you all so much. Thank you for your love and prayers!!
Always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
9/5/2011 & Pictures
How is everyone this week? It sounds like everyone is doing so good!! Oh how sad that Baby Tru was sick! He is better now right? Where did Crystal and Seth go on their Cruise again? How fun for them! I know I love watching their kids too when I have to put them to bed it is so fun to read the Book of Mormon with them and have a group hug! That is so wonderful they are starting those traditions. Those kids will never forget that ever! It is so good to start those kinds of traditions in our homes that our kids will grow up strong and know who they are and that the things of the Lord is important! So I am so glad everyone is happy and Healthy!!!
But yes, everyone is very glad that I will be staying here in Nicoya! I am glad to I know that I have not finished my work in this area. I have so much more to do before I can go home so I need to work hard and run as fast as I can for the final stretch!
So for my birthday we didn’t get to do to much. We had citas far away so when we finally got back to Nicoya it was 8:30 ish so we just went to our Cocinera and she had a cake for me that we had to eat real fast so that we could be back in the house at 9 pm! But it was fun and very sweet that they had a cake there for me! But on Sunday two families wanted to make lunch and dinner for my birthday which was very special!! So it was a great birthday!! But no eggs on my head this year!!
My companion is great! She doesn’t have any fear to talk to people which is a big help to me! So we are working like crazy and trying to find more people to teach! We dont have to many people but we are working really hard to find more. We had a very cool and spiritual experience the other day!! So we had a couple of citas but all of them fell through! So I told my companion we need to pray. We need help in finding people because we can’t do it alone! So we went back to our house and my companion offered a prayer! But before the prayer I told my companion that I am going to write the names of the neighborhoods on pieces of paper. I know you dont know where they are but I know God will speak to us both. So she prayed and after she looked at a card which the barrio is kind of far away. She said I feel like we need to go there so we did! And as we started walking we saw a young mother with her baby and she was walking in the direction we were heading! So I started to talk to her and little did we know that the missionaries were visiting her neighbor before and she was always curious to know who those missionaries were. So she said yes come to my house I want to learn more! So we found a cute little family! The husband is evangelico and the wife is catholic and she said that isn’t right. We need to find the church of Christ so that we can have a family more united! So we shared how they can have that in their lives! It was a very special experience because I know that we can’t do anything in this work with out asking our Heavenly Father where we should go? We can work on our own but it is like we are running in sand and we won’t be able to get anywhere! With his help and his guidance He will lead us to those waiting for this Gospel because he knows who is ready and who isn’t! I have such a strong testimony in prayer!! I love Prayer and the time that I can talk to my Heavenly Father and receive guidance from Him!! I know that the Lord is guiding us in our work here and when we are humble and we let him guide us we will find success but if we try to do this on our own we will be just going in circles!! I know that my Heavenly Father loves me! I love Him and I know this is His work and when we work with Him in His work we will be happy and find success!
I love you all! Thank you for all your love and support! I love this Gospel. I know it is true with every fiber of my being no matter what anyone says. It is true! Because I have prayed to a loving Heavenly Father who has answered my prays and continues to answer my prayers!
I love you all!!
Love always and Forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
Saturday, September 3, 2011
9/1/2011
Oh mi Hermosa Familia!!!
Thank you so very much! To get your birthday wishes today on my birthday it makes my birthday even that much more special!! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH mom for my birthday package it was so cute. I love the clothes that you sent. I am wearing them today!!! I got my package yesterday during changes so it was very special! Thank you for everything you all are so thoughtful!! And there was things that I needed so badly like for my eyebrows so you are very in tuned to my needs mom!! Thank you once again it made my whole day so special!! You are the best family ever to think of me on my 23rd birthday!!! Today my cocinera, she is going to make a cake for me and have a little party tonight and then on Sunday a family invited us over to have dinner and a party with them because their son also has a birthday this month but on the 4th! So it will be very fun and special!!
How fun to be with kisses kids. It sounds like you are having a blast!! I bet Ethan and Ciara are just loving to spend time with you both!! I want to spend time with you both and I will even run a mile and a half with you dad!! LOL!! I think that is so special that you ran with Ethan trust me he will never forget that!! So special!!
So you are probably all dieing to see what happened during cambios (Drum Roll Please)
......................................................................................................................................... My companion had changes and I am here in Nicoya and I am here till I finish my mission because I am TRAINING AGAIN!!!!!!! You have another nieta!!! Your 3rd granddaughter can you believe that!!! So I will be with my companion for 12 weeks until I finish my mission!! I am so excited to be here and to be with Hermana Trejo, she is from Mexico!! She is really awesome! She is fun and really outgoing so that is awesome!!! I can’t believe I am training again!!! When I saw my picture with hers and President announced congrats your a trainer again I couldn’t believe it!! And then Hermana Galvez gave me a hug and said how special it is to train 3 times not that many sisters do! I feel very blessed that God has confidence in me to train again especially my last changes as a missionary! I know that we will find success! I feel really good about my companion she is fun!! She is exactly what this area needs! Last night when we arrived to Nicoya we went to visit our cocinera and she said how much fun to have to sister missionaries that are both so happy and outgoing! So I am excited to work with her!!
We are going to work really hard to find success in this last 12 weeks of my mission I promised myself and my Heavenly Father that we will baptize a family my last change and I know that with the help of my dear Heavenly Father I will be able to accomplish this goal!
I love this work so much! The work is so much like a roller coaster a lot of ups and a lot of downs but I know trials and difficulties are for us to learn and to grow. I know that all my companions were with me for a reason and that I have learned from them and I am a better person because of them!! I know that I have a special purpose here in this area! That I need to find someone here! That is why Heavenly Father is allowing me to be here for another 12 weeks!! I am in awe that my Heavenly Father always has so much faith in me even when I doubt. He is there always cheering me on and telling me I can do it!! I love Him so much!! I feel Him so close to me when I pray!! I know that He is leading and guiding my life in the direction that I need to go!! I love you all! Thank you for loving me so much!!
Have the best week ever! I will write more next week!! Thank you once again for all the birthday wishes!! It made my day so special as if I was actually there with you!! But this birthday was so much easier than the last. I remember I was a pretty sad little girl last year and missing my family like crazy! But you grow and you learn and know I am just so blessed that I can spend my birthday here in this beautiful country that I love so much! I love Costa Rica as if it is my home!!
Love always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
Thank you so very much! To get your birthday wishes today on my birthday it makes my birthday even that much more special!! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH mom for my birthday package it was so cute. I love the clothes that you sent. I am wearing them today!!! I got my package yesterday during changes so it was very special! Thank you for everything you all are so thoughtful!! And there was things that I needed so badly like for my eyebrows so you are very in tuned to my needs mom!! Thank you once again it made my whole day so special!! You are the best family ever to think of me on my 23rd birthday!!! Today my cocinera, she is going to make a cake for me and have a little party tonight and then on Sunday a family invited us over to have dinner and a party with them because their son also has a birthday this month but on the 4th! So it will be very fun and special!!
How fun to be with kisses kids. It sounds like you are having a blast!! I bet Ethan and Ciara are just loving to spend time with you both!! I want to spend time with you both and I will even run a mile and a half with you dad!! LOL!! I think that is so special that you ran with Ethan trust me he will never forget that!! So special!!
So you are probably all dieing to see what happened during cambios (Drum Roll Please)
......................................................................................................................................... My companion had changes and I am here in Nicoya and I am here till I finish my mission because I am TRAINING AGAIN!!!!!!! You have another nieta!!! Your 3rd granddaughter can you believe that!!! So I will be with my companion for 12 weeks until I finish my mission!! I am so excited to be here and to be with Hermana Trejo, she is from Mexico!! She is really awesome! She is fun and really outgoing so that is awesome!!! I can’t believe I am training again!!! When I saw my picture with hers and President announced congrats your a trainer again I couldn’t believe it!! And then Hermana Galvez gave me a hug and said how special it is to train 3 times not that many sisters do! I feel very blessed that God has confidence in me to train again especially my last changes as a missionary! I know that we will find success! I feel really good about my companion she is fun!! She is exactly what this area needs! Last night when we arrived to Nicoya we went to visit our cocinera and she said how much fun to have to sister missionaries that are both so happy and outgoing! So I am excited to work with her!!
We are going to work really hard to find success in this last 12 weeks of my mission I promised myself and my Heavenly Father that we will baptize a family my last change and I know that with the help of my dear Heavenly Father I will be able to accomplish this goal!
I love this work so much! The work is so much like a roller coaster a lot of ups and a lot of downs but I know trials and difficulties are for us to learn and to grow. I know that all my companions were with me for a reason and that I have learned from them and I am a better person because of them!! I know that I have a special purpose here in this area! That I need to find someone here! That is why Heavenly Father is allowing me to be here for another 12 weeks!! I am in awe that my Heavenly Father always has so much faith in me even when I doubt. He is there always cheering me on and telling me I can do it!! I love Him so much!! I feel Him so close to me when I pray!! I know that He is leading and guiding my life in the direction that I need to go!! I love you all! Thank you for loving me so much!!
Have the best week ever! I will write more next week!! Thank you once again for all the birthday wishes!! It made my day so special as if I was actually there with you!! But this birthday was so much easier than the last. I remember I was a pretty sad little girl last year and missing my family like crazy! But you grow and you learn and know I am just so blessed that I can spend my birthday here in this beautiful country that I love so much! I love Costa Rica as if it is my home!!
Love always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
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