Sunday, April 3, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
First days in Beja
Luis asked if I'd post some of my journal entries from just after we arrived in Beja. I'll read through and post some other excerpts from my time in Beja in the coming months.
December 30, 1991
I cannot believe this happened. I cannot believe I'm here. . . (where?) . . . BEJA!
Okay, so it's like this. This morning we went down to call Elders Baird & Brohamer with weekly stats. Elder Brohamer greets me with, "Sisters! I've got news." That's Zone Leader Code for Transfers. I thought only Sister Edwards would be going—but he started off with me! I couldn't believe it. . . I kept telling him that if he was kidding, I'd be so upset. Beja, and with . . . Sister Holsinger! I had under one hour to pack, but I got it done. Elder Bangerter & Elder Harvath arrived to take me and my companion to Beja. It is beautiful—Our area is Sweet (According to the Elders)—Our house is great and I just wrote a note to Elder Williams to tell him that "my companion and I are now the first sisters in Beja." (A little side note for those who may not know. Elder Williams was my MTC teacher. He'd told me that there would 'never' be sisters in Beja. . . Ü. . . so I was particularly happy to send that letter to him.)
That was such a perfect transfer. No words. I know I'll be very happy here. Sweetness!
Love,
Sister Turner
December 31, 1991
I love our area. It is incredible, old, and beautiful. Sister Holsinger and I wandered around the streets, after our two grand tours, in pure excitement and admiration.
I feel like the sprint in my mission is on. . . I feel like we are ready to see some great miracles in Beja. The President wants to see Beja branch grow, so that construction can begin on the new chapel. The President is right! I know Heavenly Father will help us to find those who are seeking the gospel. we already LOVE our area. We're great as a team. Her Portuguese is better than mine, and I'm grateful for that. I need to speak. I want fluency. I thought it was funny—No one understood me today. I felt kind of tongue tied. Nothing was coming our right. I was tired.
I think I heard the New Year's Eve celebration. Ü
Love,
Sister Turner
December 30, 1991
I cannot believe this happened. I cannot believe I'm here. . . (where?) . . . BEJA!
Okay, so it's like this. This morning we went down to call Elders Baird & Brohamer with weekly stats. Elder Brohamer greets me with, "Sisters! I've got news." That's Zone Leader Code for Transfers. I thought only Sister Edwards would be going—but he started off with me! I couldn't believe it. . . I kept telling him that if he was kidding, I'd be so upset. Beja, and with . . . Sister Holsinger! I had under one hour to pack, but I got it done. Elder Bangerter & Elder Harvath arrived to take me and my companion to Beja. It is beautiful—Our area is Sweet (According to the Elders)—Our house is great and I just wrote a note to Elder Williams to tell him that "my companion and I are now the first sisters in Beja." (A little side note for those who may not know. Elder Williams was my MTC teacher. He'd told me that there would 'never' be sisters in Beja. . . Ü. . . so I was particularly happy to send that letter to him.)
That was such a perfect transfer. No words. I know I'll be very happy here. Sweetness!
Love,
Sister Turner
December 31, 1991
I love our area. It is incredible, old, and beautiful. Sister Holsinger and I wandered around the streets, after our two grand tours, in pure excitement and admiration.
I feel like the sprint in my mission is on. . . I feel like we are ready to see some great miracles in Beja. The President wants to see Beja branch grow, so that construction can begin on the new chapel. The President is right! I know Heavenly Father will help us to find those who are seeking the gospel. we already LOVE our area. We're great as a team. Her Portuguese is better than mine, and I'm grateful for that. I need to speak. I want fluency. I thought it was funny—No one understood me today. I felt kind of tongue tied. Nothing was coming our right. I was tired.
I think I heard the New Year's Eve celebration. Ü
Love,
Sister Turner
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Some Photos and Some Quotes.
Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction. —Al Bernstein
Penicillin, X-rays, rubber, even Silly Putty and Post-It Notes
were all fortuitous by-products of looking for something else.
—Hirsch Goldberg.
Every exit is an entry somewhere else.
Remember that Columbus was looking for India
when he found America.
—Tom Stoppard
In every problem or set back there is the seed of an equivalent
or greater benefit—if you will only stop and look for it.
—Bob Moawad
quotes from the book think big. . . compendium incorporated
Monday, March 14, 2011
Journals.
For or Against? I am for. Here is why. . .
A while back I was feeling low. Life was so challenging, I felt as though I was struggling through each day. I decided to go back and read through some of my journals from 2005 to 2008. I was dumbfounded. As I read over those words, my words, it was as though I was standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, looking down into its depths. I was astonished at how deep my pain had been. I was sobered by those memories.
With that perspective, I recognized the simple joy of NOT BEING THERE ANYMORE! My challenges are different now, to be sure. I am living a LIFE. It is confusing sometimes. At times, it hurts—even now. Truly, though. . . life is good. I was so grateful to have my journals, to be able to reflect and truly see how far I've come. The pains are different up here on the canyon overlook. They are not nearly so overwhelming. I have so much more hope for happiness now and in the future. I am so grateful to be where I am now.
Keep a journal. You may need it someday.
A while back I was feeling low. Life was so challenging, I felt as though I was struggling through each day. I decided to go back and read through some of my journals from 2005 to 2008. I was dumbfounded. As I read over those words, my words, it was as though I was standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, looking down into its depths. I was astonished at how deep my pain had been. I was sobered by those memories.
With that perspective, I recognized the simple joy of NOT BEING THERE ANYMORE! My challenges are different now, to be sure. I am living a LIFE. It is confusing sometimes. At times, it hurts—even now. Truly, though. . . life is good. I was so grateful to have my journals, to be able to reflect and truly see how far I've come. The pains are different up here on the canyon overlook. They are not nearly so overwhelming. I have so much more hope for happiness now and in the future. I am so grateful to be where I am now.
Keep a journal. You may need it someday.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Just something beautiful to contemplate.
I took this a few years ago from my back porch. In this world we are blessed with so much beauty all around us. The greatest beauty, to me, being the loving relationships between family and friends.
I just added. . .
An album link. Please no one run for cover. Ü No matter how any of us change, I still see us this way.
The link is on the side bar, but I'll put it here, too.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=379698&id=659509987&l=d113683db6
Enjoy!
The link is on the side bar, but I'll put it here, too.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=379698&id=659509987&l=d113683db6
Enjoy!
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