Mi Familia Como Esta!!!
How is the best family doing this week!!!! It sounds like everyone is doing so great!!! I can’t even believe that Adam comes home tomorrow that is so crazy!!!! I am so glad you will be down there for his homecoming!! Please tell him I love him so much and that I can’t wait to see him in a year!!! And give him a big hug for me!!!!!!! I bet Deb is just so excited and give her a hug to and tell her I love and miss her!
So this week has been just so awesome!!!!!!! The best week ever thus far in my mission! Being with Hermana Vallecillo we seem to be just on fire!! So first we get along so well and it is so fun to be with her! Our personalities are a lot a like, so it has been so great! But we didn’t have investigators so we tracked a lot this week! We tracked in this area called the Isla and I just felt that we needed to go there but it is kind of far away and I thought well maybe another area that is a little closer would be better. But as we headed out the door I felt like, no we need to go to Isla so we did. And as we were tracking some people let us in and some didn’t but we were walking down the street and there was a house kind of tucked back into the trees and Hermana said should we go and contact them and I said yeah but how do we get there? Then we saw a women come out of her house and we said oh my goodness lets go and talk to her!! So we did! We found the path that lead to her house and we said hello and she had a huge smile on her face and said come in and we started to talk to her. Her name is Luz and she is single now and lives with her 3 children. But we started talking by asking simple questions to find out what she believes in! And she said for about 6 years she hasn’t gone to church and she prayed just the other night to God if she should go back to church and if she should go back to the same church and then we showed up at her door!! So crazy huh!?! She loved our message and she had a question about were did we come from and is there life after death! And we Said YES! We know those answers and we can help you receive the answers!! She is so great but she wanted us to come back on Saturday but when we did she had went to the hospital because she had a severe asthma attack and so we couldn’t talk to her again. But when we left the appointment with her we asked when you pray to night and you receive an answer will you be baptized with someone in authority and she said YES!!! So on Tuesday we are going to go back and see how she feels and if she wants to learn more!!! But Luz is so awesome I just felt something so different with her! I know she is one of the chosen ones and we are here to tell her about the truth!
So more cool stories! So as we were talking to her she said that her mom and sister like to talk about religion together and we thought oh that’s really cool! But so the next day we go tracking again to the same area of Isla and we start tracking there but with no luck. No one wanted to hear or they closed the door when we would walk by! It was awful and then we see this young girl out with a little girl and she looks at us and then walks in the door and Hermana said should we talk to her and then we said, no she is going to go inside and close the door and we were just waiting for her to close the door but she didn’t! And so Hermana said lets go and so we said hello and she smiled and said come in! And Hermana and I just looked at each other and thought wow this is weird but as we were talking to her she looked so familiar. So then my companion said wait! Are you sisters de Luz and she said yes how do you know? and we said you look like her and she just laughed. But how cool is that! She is the sister of the lady we contacted the day before and her name is Mrianela and she is 15. But we taught her and like her sister we said if you get an answer from God will you be baptized with some one who has the authority and she said yes!!! So we went back on Saturday and guess what!!!! So we asked how did her praying was going? And she told us that after we left she was talking to her mom about our message and how we told her that to find out an answer she needed to pray! and so her and her mom prayed together and she said after she got done praying, she couldn’t stop crying and she just felt something in her body and she couldn’t stop crying and she said for awhile after she just held her mom and she said I know that it is right and she wants to be baptized!!! So Marielena will be baptized on the 31st of this month!!! GO SPIRIT GO SPIRIT GO!!!! whoop whoop!! Seriously this family is awesome and it would be so amazing if Luz was also baptized with her sister!! Because they are incredible I know the Lord has prepared them before hand and they just needed to wait until the truth came to their doors! So cool huh? I just am so excited and just so thankful to my Father in Heaven that he trusted me enough to find this family please keep them in your prayers that they will want to be baptized!!!
Ok! so another story. Last Saturday we tracked this family but they gave us a wrong address so we stopped at this house to ask if they knew this family. And a dad was out with his son so we asked if he knew them but he said sorry no! So we then asked, well do you want to hear about our message and he said yes! That him and his wife would both be together on Saturday and to come back then! So we did! And when we went to their house we said hello and the wife came to the door and she just looked at us really funny and kind of put out that we came, but she let us in anyway. So we started teaching her and her husband and at first I thought oh no they don’t want anything but it changed. They were so interested!! They wanted us to come back this Thursday and they said they really want to come to church next Sunday!! The wife said I am looking for the truth and I feel your message is true but I want to learn more and we said yes! Yes we will teach you more!!!! And this is a family and they have a little son about 6!! So cool huh!! The Lord has really blessed us this week!! And I can feel him so strongly. I know he is guiding our work!!!!
Ok so another story!!!!! SO I was in my first earthquake!!!!!!!!! It was the weirdest feeling ever!! We were in the house of an investigator and the earth started to shake and at first I didn’t understand what was happening and the doors started shaking and the things and the walls started to shake too!! But it only lasted just a few seconds but still it was crazy. But the most craziest story happened when we were in the house of the investigator. So we were teaching about the plan of salvation and we were talking about the mundo de espiritus and then my companion asked, if an earthquake was to come and you were taken from off this earth where would you think you would go? To paradise or spirit prison? But what is so crazy right after she said that and they sat thinking about their answer, the real live earthquake happened!!! Isn’t that so so so weird>? So right after my comp said what if a earth quake came and took you off this earth where do you think you would go? A real earthquake happened I just sat there and thought, Oh my goodness, my comp has the power to make earthquakes happen!!! LOL!!!!! so crazy huh!! What are the chances of a real earthquake happening, right after she would have said that!!! LOL!!! So crazy! So after the lesson we asked, Do you have any questions and the sister of the wife said no! but I am scared! LOL!!! So funny!! I can’t even believe that happened!!!
So this week has just been so great!! I am Learning so much from her!! And I know that my spanish will improve so much because of her!! Well I love you so much!!! I know this church is true with every fiber of my being. I am so thankful I have this opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father and find his children that are ready for this gospel!!! Because it truly is so perfect!! Thanks for all your love and prayers, it truly strengthens me when I feel down! I love you and I am so blessed to be part of this family!!!
Love always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh!!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
10/4/2010
Hola Familia!!
How is the best family doing!!! I miss you all so much!! This week has been great and cambios went really really well!!
So last time I wrote you we were waiting for a bus to go to San Jose and well we finally got a bus to San Jose at 6 pm so we didn’t arrive in san Jose until 10 pm that night. And yes Hermana Almengor missed her final everything her dinner and testimony. She was pretty sad but pretty nervous to be going home. Her flight left the next morning at 4am so so early!! But she wrote me today and says that she is doing really well!! So once we got to president’s house I met my new companion and she is GREAT!! I really love her! She is from Honduras and is so much like Hermana Vega!!! And guess what the weird thing is she was Hermana Vegas first greenie and I was Hermana’s last greenie weird huh? So we are really actually like sisters, because we have the same mom!! But she goes home in December so I am not sure how long I will be with her, maybe only for this cambio or till December! I dont know. I hope longer because I think we will get along so well together!! She knows perfect English so she has been really helping me to get my spanish down because she can explain in English why they do that or why they say that, so it has been helping me!! I feel I am going to grow so much this cambio and I am so excited because I want to be a great missionary and I can’t say oh I will learn later because I am new, because I am not anymore, in Nov 5th I will have 6 months in my mission and in the mission for a sister to have 6 months, you are old lol!!! But yes I love Hermana Vallenllncio she is awesome!! I really love people from Honduras they are very warm and loving people!!
So the rest of the week after we returned from San Jose it has been great! We are working hard and trying to find investigators BECAUSE we don’t really have any right now, but we both have faith and great goals to accomplish them. And I know and I can feel that we will have great exito here in San Carlos together!!
But as for the storm it has pounded Costa Rica. Well I heard all of Central America with a lot of rain and especially in the mountains it has rained a ton and a lot of land slides that has blocked the roads but they cleaned them all up and no problems thus far so that is great!!!
I LOVED CONFERENCE TOO!!! It was so wonderful!!!! I listened to it in Spanish. I had the option to watch it in English or Spanish and I chose to listen to it in Spanish to help my Spanish more!!
Hey Casey do you have tips on how I can remember the Spanish rules or perfect my Spanish??!!
But no, I could understand it, not every word but the over all meaning I could, which was so awesome!!! I especially loved, well no, I loved ALL the talks. Seriously they were exactly what I needed to hear. The Profeta is so inspired!!! I know that He is the mouth piece of the Lord.
But I loved when Elder Holland said that parents sacrifice everything to send their children on missions and then the children sacrifice everything to bring the gospel to others. I thought that was so true because it is so true, you guys are sacrificing a lot for me to be here in Costa Rica. But I want to make you proud and my Savior proud by giving and sacrificing everything to bring this gospel, this happiness to the people in Costa Rica!! And I loved loved President Thomas Monson’s talk about gratitude!! It touched me a lot and I want to let you guys know how very grateful I am of each and everyone of you!! You are the most amazing family I know!! I am so proud to be representing my Savior and my Family here in Costa Rica!! I love you all so much and so grateful for each one of your examples to me!! I know I am the person I am because you, all of you, You have shaped who I have become and who I want to be!! Thank you for your love and support!!! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN I CAN SAY!!!
Also something that really touched me was after conference the first Sunday session they were talking about pioneers and how they sacrificed everything and they pressed forward with a steadfastness in Christ!! And they had faith in every foot step and then I remembered Sarah Ann Norris and how very brave she was and how very faithful she was to go through what she went through. That when it seemed like she couldn’t go on she did!! She had faith that no matter what happened the Lord would be with her, in every foot step and I felt her very strongly there with me in the chapel! Like she was saying, “If I could do it, you can too!!
And then I felt grandma and grandpa and I felt their Spirit with me too! And I could picture grandma and grandpa watching me. And grandma standing with her cute little hands clasped together smiling at me in her cute little fuscha pant suit and her cute little high heels and I could see grandpa in his white and blue stripped shirt and his cowboy hat and his arm bent with his finger pointing up like how it would when he would eat, and he was smiling at me! And I could hear him say, “Be up and doin!! It was a very sacred moment for me because I could feel them so close to me and I know they are helping me out!! And I want to make them proud!! I want to make all my ancestors proud because each and everyone gave their heart for this gospel and I want to do it too!! Give my all for this gospel! And when the winds of opposition and self doubt come into my mind, I want to be like Sarah Ann Norris and push through with Faith in Every Foot Step!!
I love you all so much! I hope you all know how truly special you are all to me!! Thanks for all your prayers in my behalf!!! I love you like Costa Ricans love arroz con leche!!!
Love always and forever Hermana Turnbaugh!!!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
9/20/2010
Hola Como Esta!!!???
How is the best family doing??? I love and miss you so so much!! Thank you all for your emails they strengthen me so much!! They are truly exactly what I needed to hear!!
Thank you Casey for writing me. Your words were exactly what I was feeling. It is hard and I did think it was because I was a bad missionary but like you said it is their agency and it is beautiful but at times discouraging when you feel you pray and you work and you cry for them but they don’t come to church or they don’t stay active. It is hard but like you said, God loves me and I know that I am doing my best and this is a way for me to put all my trust and love in my Savior. BUT…….. the praying and the hard work paid off this week! We found 3 GREAT families who are all married and that is a huge plus especially here!! And a wonderful women who lost her husband a few years ago who came to church this Sunday!! I can’t express just how much fasting and prayer really works. I think that church really touched her. She said that is was beautiful but we have a cita with her on Tuesday so hopefully she will want to learn more. And we are going to pray so hard for the other families to come to church because all of them are so so great!!!
And one cool experience! I believe it was Wednesday my companion and I were pretty discouraged because all our citas fell through and we were just down, so we went to the church to ask God where we should go! And after our prayer Hermana Almengor went to the bathroom so I stayed in the room and just pleaded with our Father in Heaven and said “please show me where I need to go and who I should talk to!!” SO then we left and I didn’t feel anything and once again I was discourage thinking oh no I don’t have the spirit. I am a bad missionary but then a small little thought came to my mind “go down this one street”, so we did and as we were walking their was a family getting ready for a candle light celebration that was on 14th here and the strange thing is that as I was walking, the little kids stopped and ran up to me and gave me a huge hug!!! But I don’t know these little kids or this family but because of those little kids we started to talk to the parents and they wanted to learn more about the church and we had a cita with them and they were really interested!! So I know that the Lord answers our prayers and he does answer us in a still small voice that if I wasn’t paying attention I would have just pushed the thought out of my mind!! I don't know why those little kids gave me a hug but I know that God loves me and knows that I needed at that moment to feel love from Him and those little kids were angels in my path to reassure me that he is ever mindful of me. I don't know if this family will accept the gospel but it is a testimony to me that the Lord knows us so personally and he will comfort us when we need comfort!!
So on Thursday the President came up to San Carlos for a meeting with all of us. He is seriously incredible!! He is so Christ like. I get chills when he talks because I can feel the spirit so strong. But he taught us how to be better missionaries and better teachers and we learned that we don’t teach lessons anymore but People. And we have to find out their questions of the soul, by inspired questions. So after the meeting we tried it with our investigators and it worked and as we asked questions with love we found out their fears and doubt and many people really are like the scriptures say, people are searching for the truth but they no not where to find it, because their responses were, “how do you know what church is correct” and then we teach about this beautiful gospel and I can see understanding in their eyes, it is so awesome!!!
I l know that Mission Presidents are so inspired and that the Prophet knows how to direct his leaders to make this work more powerful!! I am so blessed to be a part of it!!
So this next week is changes and I have no idea who will be my new companion. The elders in my district joke and say I might be a trainer and I hope not because that would be really scary because I am still new. I only have 5 months in the mission!! So I really don’t think so but this change there are 5 Hermana’s coming in and 5 leaving so this change is going to be really different! And I will probably stay in San Carlos again, probably until December, so that is OK. I like it here, it is hard here, because pretty much everybody is either really catholic or really evangelic and it is hard. But I know that God has great plans for San Carlos and I am glad he has enough confidence in me to say here for 6 months. But I am nervous but like you said mom change is good and it will help me to be a better missionary!! I just need to have more confidence in myself and more confidence in my Savior!! Because with God everything is possible!!!!
But one bad thing is mom and dad I am not going to be able to write next Monday because cambios are Wednesday so that means that our P Days change to Wednesday on cambios, so Wednesday I will write to you all! so don’t be nervous when you don’t get an email. I am fine just in San Jose for cambios!!!
But this week was good! You know moments of hard times but more joy than hard times!!! And I know it will keep on getting better!!! Because I am learning that I am nothing with out my Savior! He is wonderful and so merciful to me and when I say I can’t do it anymore, He gives me strength to go on one more day!! And he is so patience and forgiving!! I love Him! When I am sad and just need someone to talk to, who just understands, He is there always listening to me and I can literally feel his arms around me. I know that prayer is real and that God does hear and answers our prayers I love Him. I am coming to know my Savior in such a personal way than I ever thought before and I am so blessed I have this opportunity to serve him and wear his name on my chest!! I am so blessed!!!!
Thank you for everything that you do for me!! Thank you for your prayers and love!! I can feel them and they lift me up!! You are the best family in the whole world!!!
Love you always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
PS Mom did my new card come because I am not able to use it because it is expired?
How is the best family doing??? I love and miss you so so much!! Thank you all for your emails they strengthen me so much!! They are truly exactly what I needed to hear!!
Thank you Casey for writing me. Your words were exactly what I was feeling. It is hard and I did think it was because I was a bad missionary but like you said it is their agency and it is beautiful but at times discouraging when you feel you pray and you work and you cry for them but they don’t come to church or they don’t stay active. It is hard but like you said, God loves me and I know that I am doing my best and this is a way for me to put all my trust and love in my Savior. BUT…….. the praying and the hard work paid off this week! We found 3 GREAT families who are all married and that is a huge plus especially here!! And a wonderful women who lost her husband a few years ago who came to church this Sunday!! I can’t express just how much fasting and prayer really works. I think that church really touched her. She said that is was beautiful but we have a cita with her on Tuesday so hopefully she will want to learn more. And we are going to pray so hard for the other families to come to church because all of them are so so great!!!
And one cool experience! I believe it was Wednesday my companion and I were pretty discouraged because all our citas fell through and we were just down, so we went to the church to ask God where we should go! And after our prayer Hermana Almengor went to the bathroom so I stayed in the room and just pleaded with our Father in Heaven and said “please show me where I need to go and who I should talk to!!” SO then we left and I didn’t feel anything and once again I was discourage thinking oh no I don’t have the spirit. I am a bad missionary but then a small little thought came to my mind “go down this one street”, so we did and as we were walking their was a family getting ready for a candle light celebration that was on 14th here and the strange thing is that as I was walking, the little kids stopped and ran up to me and gave me a huge hug!!! But I don’t know these little kids or this family but because of those little kids we started to talk to the parents and they wanted to learn more about the church and we had a cita with them and they were really interested!! So I know that the Lord answers our prayers and he does answer us in a still small voice that if I wasn’t paying attention I would have just pushed the thought out of my mind!! I don't know why those little kids gave me a hug but I know that God loves me and knows that I needed at that moment to feel love from Him and those little kids were angels in my path to reassure me that he is ever mindful of me. I don't know if this family will accept the gospel but it is a testimony to me that the Lord knows us so personally and he will comfort us when we need comfort!!
So on Thursday the President came up to San Carlos for a meeting with all of us. He is seriously incredible!! He is so Christ like. I get chills when he talks because I can feel the spirit so strong. But he taught us how to be better missionaries and better teachers and we learned that we don’t teach lessons anymore but People. And we have to find out their questions of the soul, by inspired questions. So after the meeting we tried it with our investigators and it worked and as we asked questions with love we found out their fears and doubt and many people really are like the scriptures say, people are searching for the truth but they no not where to find it, because their responses were, “how do you know what church is correct” and then we teach about this beautiful gospel and I can see understanding in their eyes, it is so awesome!!!
I l know that Mission Presidents are so inspired and that the Prophet knows how to direct his leaders to make this work more powerful!! I am so blessed to be a part of it!!
So this next week is changes and I have no idea who will be my new companion. The elders in my district joke and say I might be a trainer and I hope not because that would be really scary because I am still new. I only have 5 months in the mission!! So I really don’t think so but this change there are 5 Hermana’s coming in and 5 leaving so this change is going to be really different! And I will probably stay in San Carlos again, probably until December, so that is OK. I like it here, it is hard here, because pretty much everybody is either really catholic or really evangelic and it is hard. But I know that God has great plans for San Carlos and I am glad he has enough confidence in me to say here for 6 months. But I am nervous but like you said mom change is good and it will help me to be a better missionary!! I just need to have more confidence in myself and more confidence in my Savior!! Because with God everything is possible!!!!
But one bad thing is mom and dad I am not going to be able to write next Monday because cambios are Wednesday so that means that our P Days change to Wednesday on cambios, so Wednesday I will write to you all! so don’t be nervous when you don’t get an email. I am fine just in San Jose for cambios!!!
But this week was good! You know moments of hard times but more joy than hard times!!! And I know it will keep on getting better!!! Because I am learning that I am nothing with out my Savior! He is wonderful and so merciful to me and when I say I can’t do it anymore, He gives me strength to go on one more day!! And he is so patience and forgiving!! I love Him! When I am sad and just need someone to talk to, who just understands, He is there always listening to me and I can literally feel his arms around me. I know that prayer is real and that God does hear and answers our prayers I love Him. I am coming to know my Savior in such a personal way than I ever thought before and I am so blessed I have this opportunity to serve him and wear his name on my chest!! I am so blessed!!!!
Thank you for everything that you do for me!! Thank you for your prayers and love!! I can feel them and they lift me up!! You are the best family in the whole world!!!
Love you always and forever
Hermana Turnbaugh
PS Mom did my new card come because I am not able to use it because it is expired?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
9/14/2010
Hola!!!!
Hola Mi familia!!! Como Esta!!!! How is my wonderful family doing!!! I love and miss you all so so much!! I am so glad that you guys had a wonderful anniversary and Seth had a wonderful birthday!! I am so happy he got a job working at Trice. That will be great until a tax job comes along. The Lord loves you Seth and he will bless your family immensely! Always put him first and then everything will fall into place!! But Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!!
This week was pretty good! Hard but good! There were no investigators at church again, but It is weird I have peace in my heart that everything is ok and we will have success here. I think these last 5 weeks has been more for me. I think the lord was breaking me down so that he could build me back up the way that he wants me to be!! And I am really glad I have had those really dark moments in my Mission already because I know how much I can take and with the Lord I can endure all things. Yes at times I seriously stare at the sky and wonder what in the world am I doing here and this is so so so hard but then I stop having my pity party and I know that this gospel is so right and so good and everyone needs to hear about it!!
Dad thank for your email and telling me to go and just talk to everyone and confront those fears of talking to people. That is exactly what I needed to hear! It is so true at times I am scared to talk to people but then I realize why should I be scared- no they should lol!!! Because this gospel is perfect and they need it in their lives even if they think that their life is fine. They haven’t experienced true love. The love that only comes from the Atonement and the Savior!!
But no we didn’t get the baptism. She is having problems and we’re not sure what her doubts or fears are but we are going to work really hard because I know Sughlie knows this church is true, she just is having doubts but we are working so hard with her. And other families we talked with just didn’t want anything and that is tough. But I need to have faith and the Lord will prepare those that are ready for His gospel!! And it is kind of like finding a needle in a hay stack but that just means I need to work harder!!
Oh but mom I wanted to tell you!!! So at the beginning of this change I was just having a rough time and we went over to a Senior Missionary’s house because they wanted to meet my new companion. They are really great! but anyway he could just tell I was having a hard time and he said would you like a blessing and I said “Yes please”! so he began and he and I started to cry and it was a beautiful blessing and he said you will be safe and healthy because your mom has prayed for this. But a couple of days later we ran into him again in the street and he said Sister Turnbaugh I never told you, but when I was giving you that blessing I could see your MOM Just standing there. I could see her as if she was really there in the house with us!! He said it was an incredible experience for him, he said!! Mom you have a very strong spirit I know that, because you are here with me and you were there with me in Jerusalem when I need you most. No matter how far away, You are there!! So I thought you should know that! That even though you have never been in person to Jerusalem and Costa Rica you have been in Spirit!! I will never for get that experience it was very Spiritual!!
But San Carlos is great!! Really I just need to work harder and confront all my fears and talk to everyone about this gospel. And I know that I will see the fruits of my labors here. It is hard though because a lot of Hermana Vegas converts are falling away so we have been visiting them so that we can re kindle their fire. But it is hard because Satan knows them and knows that this gospel is so true and he wants to make them fall back into their old habits, but Gods love is stronger!! Because we went to visit a man named Heraldo and he is a recent convert and he has had problems with the Pala bra de sabiduria lol I mean the word of wisdom and so last night we went to his house because for the past 2 weeks he hasn’t come to church and when he opened the door, there was a wall there, and he said I don’t want to come back and I found a different church. But Hermana Almengor and I, so lovingly talked to him about it and I bore testimony to him and said that he needs to, before he makes a decision ask God and He will tell him what he should do!
I know that he felt the spirit because as we were testifying the wall that was once there melted away and he said he would come to church on Sunday! so that is so awesome!! The Spirit is so powerful and it is so so powerful! I love it! It is truly my third companion because I have learned that without it our leccions are horrible but when it is there it work miracles!!! AHH I love this gospel!! It is so wonderful even through the tears and the pain it is so good and I love it with all my heart!!
I want to so bad work at the MTC when I get back because I want to help the missionaries be power houses because there is a war out here and it is not over lives but souls and I want to help them but on their armor before they go out to the field!! So Kiss will you help me? I know I have a while still but please can you help me get into BYU because to get a job at the MTC you need to be a student at BYU first!!
But it is so awesome! seriously my spanish is getting so much better. I can understand so so so much better!!!! It is a miracle and I know it is not me but the Savior. He is the only one that can help me with this language!! I am speaking so much more in the lessons and not only bearing testimony but actually contributing to the lesson it is awesome!! I still have a long way to go but it is exciting when I can understand and I can help teach and talk about my experiences in spanish!! So hopefully when I get to call home I can speak to Laren and Casey and they will be able to understand me!!
Oh but yes Dad they do love their children down here. There is a day for them. The day of children where they have parades and fiestas por them in the schools. It is pretty cool and then on the 15th of this month is there independence day so we are going to have an activity at the church. It will be a picnic so that will be fun. We have been really working with the members because seriously members are key!! It is 10 times better to have referrals from the members because then the investigator has a friend and people to rely on and that is so great!!
But I love this gospel! It is so perfect and I know and testify that my Savior lives and this is His work. He is at the head of this church and he loves us with a perfect love!! To find pure happiness we need to turn to him: I love you all. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts for me everyday, they are such a blessing for me!! Thank you!!
Pura Vida!!
Love always and forever Hermana Turnbaugh!!!
Oh thanks for ordering those scripture covers mom that is perfect that they will come in December that is totally fine and ok I will see about shirts here!! I love you all!!!! Like a Costa Rican loves Plantanos!!! LOL!!!!!
Hola Mi familia!!! Como Esta!!!! How is my wonderful family doing!!! I love and miss you all so so much!! I am so glad that you guys had a wonderful anniversary and Seth had a wonderful birthday!! I am so happy he got a job working at Trice. That will be great until a tax job comes along. The Lord loves you Seth and he will bless your family immensely! Always put him first and then everything will fall into place!! But Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!!
This week was pretty good! Hard but good! There were no investigators at church again, but It is weird I have peace in my heart that everything is ok and we will have success here. I think these last 5 weeks has been more for me. I think the lord was breaking me down so that he could build me back up the way that he wants me to be!! And I am really glad I have had those really dark moments in my Mission already because I know how much I can take and with the Lord I can endure all things. Yes at times I seriously stare at the sky and wonder what in the world am I doing here and this is so so so hard but then I stop having my pity party and I know that this gospel is so right and so good and everyone needs to hear about it!!
Dad thank for your email and telling me to go and just talk to everyone and confront those fears of talking to people. That is exactly what I needed to hear! It is so true at times I am scared to talk to people but then I realize why should I be scared- no they should lol!!! Because this gospel is perfect and they need it in their lives even if they think that their life is fine. They haven’t experienced true love. The love that only comes from the Atonement and the Savior!!
But no we didn’t get the baptism. She is having problems and we’re not sure what her doubts or fears are but we are going to work really hard because I know Sughlie knows this church is true, she just is having doubts but we are working so hard with her. And other families we talked with just didn’t want anything and that is tough. But I need to have faith and the Lord will prepare those that are ready for His gospel!! And it is kind of like finding a needle in a hay stack but that just means I need to work harder!!
Oh but mom I wanted to tell you!!! So at the beginning of this change I was just having a rough time and we went over to a Senior Missionary’s house because they wanted to meet my new companion. They are really great! but anyway he could just tell I was having a hard time and he said would you like a blessing and I said “Yes please”! so he began and he and I started to cry and it was a beautiful blessing and he said you will be safe and healthy because your mom has prayed for this. But a couple of days later we ran into him again in the street and he said Sister Turnbaugh I never told you, but when I was giving you that blessing I could see your MOM Just standing there. I could see her as if she was really there in the house with us!! He said it was an incredible experience for him, he said!! Mom you have a very strong spirit I know that, because you are here with me and you were there with me in Jerusalem when I need you most. No matter how far away, You are there!! So I thought you should know that! That even though you have never been in person to Jerusalem and Costa Rica you have been in Spirit!! I will never for get that experience it was very Spiritual!!
But San Carlos is great!! Really I just need to work harder and confront all my fears and talk to everyone about this gospel. And I know that I will see the fruits of my labors here. It is hard though because a lot of Hermana Vegas converts are falling away so we have been visiting them so that we can re kindle their fire. But it is hard because Satan knows them and knows that this gospel is so true and he wants to make them fall back into their old habits, but Gods love is stronger!! Because we went to visit a man named Heraldo and he is a recent convert and he has had problems with the Pala bra de sabiduria lol I mean the word of wisdom and so last night we went to his house because for the past 2 weeks he hasn’t come to church and when he opened the door, there was a wall there, and he said I don’t want to come back and I found a different church. But Hermana Almengor and I, so lovingly talked to him about it and I bore testimony to him and said that he needs to, before he makes a decision ask God and He will tell him what he should do!
I know that he felt the spirit because as we were testifying the wall that was once there melted away and he said he would come to church on Sunday! so that is so awesome!! The Spirit is so powerful and it is so so powerful! I love it! It is truly my third companion because I have learned that without it our leccions are horrible but when it is there it work miracles!!! AHH I love this gospel!! It is so wonderful even through the tears and the pain it is so good and I love it with all my heart!!
I want to so bad work at the MTC when I get back because I want to help the missionaries be power houses because there is a war out here and it is not over lives but souls and I want to help them but on their armor before they go out to the field!! So Kiss will you help me? I know I have a while still but please can you help me get into BYU because to get a job at the MTC you need to be a student at BYU first!!
But it is so awesome! seriously my spanish is getting so much better. I can understand so so so much better!!!! It is a miracle and I know it is not me but the Savior. He is the only one that can help me with this language!! I am speaking so much more in the lessons and not only bearing testimony but actually contributing to the lesson it is awesome!! I still have a long way to go but it is exciting when I can understand and I can help teach and talk about my experiences in spanish!! So hopefully when I get to call home I can speak to Laren and Casey and they will be able to understand me!!
Oh but yes Dad they do love their children down here. There is a day for them. The day of children where they have parades and fiestas por them in the schools. It is pretty cool and then on the 15th of this month is there independence day so we are going to have an activity at the church. It will be a picnic so that will be fun. We have been really working with the members because seriously members are key!! It is 10 times better to have referrals from the members because then the investigator has a friend and people to rely on and that is so great!!
But I love this gospel! It is so perfect and I know and testify that my Savior lives and this is His work. He is at the head of this church and he loves us with a perfect love!! To find pure happiness we need to turn to him: I love you all. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts for me everyday, they are such a blessing for me!! Thank you!!
Pura Vida!!
Love always and forever Hermana Turnbaugh!!!
Oh thanks for ordering those scripture covers mom that is perfect that they will come in December that is totally fine and ok I will see about shirts here!! I love you all!!!! Like a Costa Rican loves Plantanos!!! LOL!!!!!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
9-6-2010
Dearest Familia!!!!
How is the most wonderful family doing in the whole wide world? And I should know I have been around the world!! LOL!!!
I loved your letters this week they totally made my day! I needed them! this week was a toughie!! But things are better and I am trying not to be down because life is good and like you said what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!! I sure hope not because it is pretty hard, the roller coaster of emotions, you have to go through on a mission!! But thanks for your words of wisdom and encouragement!! and go mom go mom!!!! You are awesome for climbing the Castle Rock Rock!! And I bet that Bella’s blessing was so wonderful. I was thinking about her and the family a lot! So I am glad that it was beautiful and that Bella did so well during the blessing!!
So my Birthday was awesome! Thank you so so so much for your packages. I got them on my birthday from my zone leaders and it totally made my day and I cried when I opened them. Thanks for your letters and pictures of the kids! I loved seeing them. And the card with all your voices. I’m pretty sure I cried like a little baby and I had to listen to it over and over again. But yes! I got them and the shirts and your package full of goodies!!!! It was really good!
So around five a member in our branch wanted to make a cake for me. So I went over there and then my companion said we had a cita but the elders had to go with us. So I said ok because that is not strange for them to come with us.
So my comp said we have to go to Hermana Aledia’s. She is our cook and wait for the elders and so we waited and they showed up but we then had to wait bc our cita didn’t get off of work, they said till 8 pm.
In my mind I thought that is late but oh well!! So as we were waiting Hermana Aledia made us food and I looked at the clock and it was 8:30 and I was like shouldn’t we go, it is getting late and my comp said yes we will in just a minute. But she had her camera out and she was taking pictures and she told everyone to get together and take a picture and make a fish face so I did. And as I closed my eyes I feel wet gooey stuff running down my head and in front of me was a cake with candles on it! It was so wonderful because I didn’t think really that they would do anything for me but they did and it was so fun!! I want to start that tradition after I get home!! LOL!!
But as for the rest of the week it was a little different. We worked so hard and taught so many lessons and we didn’t again have a single investigator at church, it was horrible. I think that is seriously the worst feeling in the world when you walk into church and all the members are watching you and you don’t have anyone there and the gospel principles teacher didn’t hold class because no one was in his class. I felt so sad!!
I don’t know what we are doing wrong. We are studying, being Obedient and fasting and praying, but no investigators. We have prospects but none want to come to church which is so hard. And then..... We were going to have a baptism this last Saturday of an investigator that Hermana Vega found but she didn’t come on Saturday and we waited for her at the church for 3 hours with the president of the rama and our zone leaders were there and she didn’t show up! It was horrible. I was so embarrassed and so sad. But after going around and searching for her we found out that her baby was really sick and she took him to the hospital and she couldn’t tell us. So no baptism on Saturday but hopefully next Saturday!! So it was a week full of ups and downs and just wondering how can I be a better missionary? How can I be the missionary that God wants me to be!! I want to be the kind of missionary that he knows I can be!!
But this week is a new week and we are going to work so hard because I only have 2 more weeks left with Hermana Almengor and we and she needs to have a baptism before she goes home!! She doesn’t want to go home at all because she loves Costa Rica!! She cries a lot and wants more time. It is cool for me to see this because it is hard for me right now getting over this learning curve but I know that I will feel the same way as her when I leave!!
But I love you all so much!! Always remember this!!! You are the best family in the world and I know that this gospel is so true!!!! I know and testify that Christ lives! His hand is in all things and when there is, it seems like darkness and no light at the end of the tunnel, we just need to look and turn towards him because he is the Light of the world!! I feel Him close to me especially when I don’t think I can go one more step or get rejected one more time. But He is there at every door with me and If I put everything in His hands I will have exito on my mission. I love you and I pray for you! Remember that this gospel is true and it is restored on the earth again! this knowledge is beautiful!!! And I am so thankful I get to wear Christ’s name on my chest for the next 13 months!! I will work hard so I have no regrets!!! I love this gospel! It is perfect! Keep me in your prayers you are the best!!
Love always and forever!! Hermana Turnbaugh
Ps: did you ever order those scripture cases? oh and is there button up nice shirts at Ross because I like mine but they are so hot that clip you but lol so it you see any there that would be awesome because here they are sooooo expensive for like one shirt is about 9000 and that is about 18 dollars!! So much but if you could just look for cute button up shirts that would be so awesome!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
This is Kaylie's 1st Apartment
And this is the animal that was living abover her bed!!!!!!!!
The Flood
The Flood
Cleaning up after the flood
Kaylie's 1st ward
Kaylie with a wig on
Looking over Costa Rica
Kaylie with a few of teh children
Saturday, September 4, 2010
8-30-2010
Hola Mi Familia!!!
Como Esta!!! How is the most wonderful family doing thank you for all your emails wishing me a happy birthday they ALL mean so so much to me!!
It will be fun to turn 22 in Costa Rica! It is weird to think, I turned 21 in Jerusalem and now another birthday in another country!! LOL!! But I am not sure what I am going to do. Our little cook lady said to come over Wednesday night so I am not sure! But here in Costa Rica on your birthday they crack eggs on your head. So everyone in the ward tells me that I need to get ready because I will have 22 eggs on my head this Wednesday!! I don't know why they do it. It is just a tradition!! LOL!!
But I am not sure but I won't get my packages until the end of the month because they are in San Jose and I am not going down there till the end of the month but hopefully my leaders are and they will bring them to me! But as soon as I do I will let you know. You guys are so great thanks!!!
So this week has been good, a little easier but still adjusting!! We have been tracking alot and found a couple of families who are pura vida!! So hopefully they will want to learn more!! We have been working so hard and yes my Spanish is improving a lot. Still not great but getting better!! I have to talk so much more, so that is wonderful and a blessing. I know the Lord has been blessing me and walking with me these last two weeks!!
My interview with the president went well. He is awesome! I love him so much and his wife. He is so Christlike. I am so blessed to have him as my president but... so my companion finishes her mission in October but the problem is? there isn't cambios in October so she would get changed in November. But the mission president has decided to send the people who are leaving in October home in September now, at the end of the month, so once again I will have another companion in this area that I will have to show around! crazy huh!?! Heavenly Father sure thinks I can do this huh!¿! lol No I can! It will be hard because my companion will be new but I will know the area so much better!!
So crazy story. So it is their winter here and it rains everyday!! And on Saturday it was a little chilly in the morning so I wore a little jacket thing but by the afternoon it was so hot so we went home to change just for a second and while we were in the house it started to pour! not just rain but pour like buckets full of water. For about 1 hour and guess what our apartment was completely full of water!! We opened the door and it was a river flowing through our house!!!! It was crazy! all we could do was laugh and of course take pictures and the outside was full of water! it was crazy! I have never seen so much water. It was crazy but good thing we were home, that we got everything up off the floor, so nothing got ruined. So it was a blessing in disguise that we went home when we did!! So I will send picture!!
But one sad thing this week is we didn't have investigators at church this week which is always hard my first time because they were either sick or didn't answer the phone which is discouraging. But I know the Lord will help us and next week we will have so many!!
I am really starting to love it here!! At times it is hard and I want to give up but then I think of my Savior and remember that he never gave up! When he asked if it would be thy will let this cup pass from me he said but NEVERTHELESS thy will be done. I Love that word NEVERTHELESS! He had the power to not Atone for our sins but he loved us. And everyday when It is hard, I remember these words nevertheless and go out and work and love the people as Christ would love the people. I have come to know my Savior so much more personally this last year and I know I will come to know him even better this next year!! Because this is His work and His glory and I am just an instrument in his hands. And I want to work so so hard to pay back all that he has given me!!!
I know that this gospel is true. I know and testify that Christ lives and loves us! His atonement is real and when we use it everyday we are showing how much we love him!!!
I love being a missionary!! Keep me in your prayers because I pray for you everyday!!
I love you so so so much!!! And miss you more than I can possible say!!! But these next 14 months will fly by!!! I love you!!
Love always and forever!! Hermana Turnabugh
Como Esta!!! How is the most wonderful family doing thank you for all your emails wishing me a happy birthday they ALL mean so so much to me!!
It will be fun to turn 22 in Costa Rica! It is weird to think, I turned 21 in Jerusalem and now another birthday in another country!! LOL!! But I am not sure what I am going to do. Our little cook lady said to come over Wednesday night so I am not sure! But here in Costa Rica on your birthday they crack eggs on your head. So everyone in the ward tells me that I need to get ready because I will have 22 eggs on my head this Wednesday!! I don't know why they do it. It is just a tradition!! LOL!!
But I am not sure but I won't get my packages until the end of the month because they are in San Jose and I am not going down there till the end of the month but hopefully my leaders are and they will bring them to me! But as soon as I do I will let you know. You guys are so great thanks!!!
So this week has been good, a little easier but still adjusting!! We have been tracking alot and found a couple of families who are pura vida!! So hopefully they will want to learn more!! We have been working so hard and yes my Spanish is improving a lot. Still not great but getting better!! I have to talk so much more, so that is wonderful and a blessing. I know the Lord has been blessing me and walking with me these last two weeks!!
My interview with the president went well. He is awesome! I love him so much and his wife. He is so Christlike. I am so blessed to have him as my president but... so my companion finishes her mission in October but the problem is? there isn't cambios in October so she would get changed in November. But the mission president has decided to send the people who are leaving in October home in September now, at the end of the month, so once again I will have another companion in this area that I will have to show around! crazy huh!?! Heavenly Father sure thinks I can do this huh!¿! lol No I can! It will be hard because my companion will be new but I will know the area so much better!!
So crazy story. So it is their winter here and it rains everyday!! And on Saturday it was a little chilly in the morning so I wore a little jacket thing but by the afternoon it was so hot so we went home to change just for a second and while we were in the house it started to pour! not just rain but pour like buckets full of water. For about 1 hour and guess what our apartment was completely full of water!! We opened the door and it was a river flowing through our house!!!! It was crazy! all we could do was laugh and of course take pictures and the outside was full of water! it was crazy! I have never seen so much water. It was crazy but good thing we were home, that we got everything up off the floor, so nothing got ruined. So it was a blessing in disguise that we went home when we did!! So I will send picture!!
But one sad thing this week is we didn't have investigators at church this week which is always hard my first time because they were either sick or didn't answer the phone which is discouraging. But I know the Lord will help us and next week we will have so many!!
I am really starting to love it here!! At times it is hard and I want to give up but then I think of my Savior and remember that he never gave up! When he asked if it would be thy will let this cup pass from me he said but NEVERTHELESS thy will be done. I Love that word NEVERTHELESS! He had the power to not Atone for our sins but he loved us. And everyday when It is hard, I remember these words nevertheless and go out and work and love the people as Christ would love the people. I have come to know my Savior so much more personally this last year and I know I will come to know him even better this next year!! Because this is His work and His glory and I am just an instrument in his hands. And I want to work so so hard to pay back all that he has given me!!!
I know that this gospel is true. I know and testify that Christ lives and loves us! His atonement is real and when we use it everyday we are showing how much we love him!!!
I love being a missionary!! Keep me in your prayers because I pray for you everyday!!
I love you so so so much!!! And miss you more than I can possible say!!! But these next 14 months will fly by!!! I love you!!
Love always and forever!! Hermana Turnabugh
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