September 28, 2009

Hey Mamacita!
Oh, and yes I did know that the package was from all those people. It made me smile so much. I am so grateful for all of the support! And I felt better about that because it was so expensive. The mail people put the price right there in front of your face to make you feel guilty... Just to let you know I will probably leave Greifswald next transfer. During my interview with President he said, "You know you don't stay in your golden city forever, right?" (Remember gold is the new green)

This past week with my new companion blew the last two transfers out of the water! We did pretty much 10 hours of doors. Since we have no investigators, that is what we have decided to do--it is way more fun than stopping people on the street, but don't worry, we do that too. I don't have too much time, I spent way too long writing Katie, but will you just ask her for the stories of Bob and Serge? They are so good, but they take time to type... And I am lazy! I am so sorry.

I was actually just thinking about Uncle Terry this morning. Will you tell him I say hello and that I love him? And, I am looking forward to skiing wtih him when I get home! Oh, and thanks for the update on the Biggest Loser! I love to hear about it! And, surprisingly I never miss the TV or music like I thought I would. I thought it would be so hard, but it is easy. Probably because it isn't even an option.

This part of the letter is for Dad! Sorry I haven't been writing letters, well to you and Mom, I hope you aren't expecting one, with the new transfer and actual hard work it takes our whole time at night to plan. But, we are getting more efficient and soon I will sit down and write you a good decent letter. Thanks for taking care of my bank card, I feel horrible that I don't remember my pin number. I had just used that card like a week before I left and now I have no idea what the number was....

Well, you asked about the language for me... Actually, the language is coming along! I feel like a wall was broken down and all of a sudden I understand what people are saying to me AND people are understanding what I am saying to them. It used to be so confusing. That is the coolest miracle of all! It actually happened like in "The Best Two Years." My trainer left and then I could talk to people.

Oh, and my new companion and I go running every morning! I made excuses to not go running because of being on a bike and now I do both! She wants to wake up earlier than 6:30 and go running together! I told her we could get up earlier in five minute increments. Little by little I will run more and hopefully lose some of my german weight... Most sisters gain weight on the mission... Yucky.

The next part of the message is for the latest birthday boy. Man. Ick. Wierd. He is so Old. Joseph really is an amazing brother and he has such a strong testimony, it comes through so strong in my e-mails. He is so inspirational and has helped me more than I could ever have thought possible as a missionary. I admire him so much, look forward to seeing him someday and for eternity! His smile and laugh make everyone around him happy.

The next part is for Christian! Tell him thanks so much for the birthday package. I haven't recieved it yet, but I can guess the contents. Hm. Probably birthday cake and frosting! Ha, just kidding. Or maybe not. And, I got the letter! I loved it so much. I hope they get a house. Where are they looking? That is crazy, a house. The next thing that comes is a baby. Oh, dear. I am going to miss a birth. Well, I heard about one girl missing five births so I guess one isn't so bad. And, I am not in Berlin, I am north of it, so I haven't experienced the "eclectic" part of Germany, just the sad stories of the old people. Oh, I actually heard a story of one of our members in Wolgast. He worked on the border of the Polish and German border and couldn't bear the thought of killing people. So, he would miss on purpose. Then, as an officer he would order his men to miss people crossing the border too! Then, after a while he started helping people get out! So, the police found out and put him in a torture room. They exposed him to high amounts of radiation, and put him in total darkness for longer than 40 days. One day he got a letter out and it made it to his family, his sister put up a petition and they released him, but made him sign documents saying he couldn't repeat his story. Well, he did tell the story, but no one believed him. Finally after the wall fell an American came and put his story out across the world, and people finally believed what he had been saying for years. Crazy, huh?! Anyway, I really need to go! But, I love you and hope you have a wonderful week! Welp, I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you all so much! Love Sister Turner