Elder Marc Turner

Homeward bound

2010-07-15T20:25:00.001-07:00

I'm coming home July 22!!!

Hit a record

2010-06-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hey there
my week was amazing, in my mission last week we hit a record of baptizing 108 children of God in one week. It is such a blessing to be on my mission right now, and to be a part of this miracle. I love BRAZIL, I will never forget the experiences I have had here on my mission. I love the people here, thank you everyone for all your support and letters. Here in Brazil they do not make guacamole with their avocados, they make shakes, I know that doesn't sound good but you would be surprised they are actually good.

Love, Elder Turner

Still serving in Niteroi

2010-06-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone
I am now a district leader with a new companion, his name is Elder Lewis and is from Wenatchee, Washington. We have taught a lot of people and have met a lot, but no one went to church, so that was kind of a bummer. I am loving my mission, President invited us to read the Book of Mormon with him in a month, so ya we got to read fast. It's been two weeks since we have started and I am in Alma, so I think I am doing pretty good. I am feeling the spirit so strong as I read the scriptures, it is amazing. We had Stake Conference this past week, it was a satellite broadcast from the US. Elder D Todd Christofferson and some people from the seventy spoke, along with President Julie Beck. It was pretty good to hear their message. I am so glad Joseph and Stephen are going to church, it makes me so happy to see that the Lord is doing miracles. I am loving every minute of it here in the field, I wish I could stay longer. I know now for myself that this is the only true church of Christ here on earth, I love being a member and a representative of His church.

Guacomole any one?

2010-06-22T08:23:00.001-07:00

Um grande abraco (a big hug)

2010-05-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

May 17, 2010

Hello, well my head is still hurting, but it is doing a lot better now. I have headaches every now and then but the doctor said that is normal for the next couple days. The funny thing is that I don't remember anything, just waking up in the hospital. I went in to the hospital on Tuesday and left on Saturday. This week was good my companion was able to baptize our investigator without me. I also have two black eyes from my fall, I look pretty funny. Hey Stephen, I saw the pictures of you Eagle Project, nice work bro. I am proud of you for going to church. Love you and miss you

Elder Turner bashed and broken but still kicking

May 13, 2010

Hey there Mom, I am writing this email on the asking of my Mission President. On Tuesday I was playing soccer and slipped and hit my head. I had to go to the hospital, but don't worry mom everything ok, I already did all the exams and did all the medication necessary...everything is A OK Don't worry I'm having a blast here on the mission like always. You know your son, always trying to be the "bright" one in the group. Love you Mom

April letters

2010-05-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

April 12, 2010

Hello, well transfers were last week, I was transferred to a place called Niteroi. It is actually the place that got most damaged by the rain here in Rio, so everything is dirty and muddy still. I was also called as the Zone Leader, more responsibilities, but many blessings. This week went well, my new companion Elder Gardasz and I baptized her name is Vanessa. Well maybe one day we will have sun here again in Rio
Love, Elder Turner

April 19,2010

Hello, My week went well in the beautiful city of Niteroi. I was able to baptize a man named Marcos and a kid named Jao Gabriel. The city is beautiful, I can see the statue of Jesus Christ from my house, the only problem is the road was completely washed out, so we can't drive up there, bummer... a picture from my bedroom window will have to do. Love and miss you all Elder Turner

April 26, 2010

Well this week didn't go as well as i would have liked, no baptisms, it is full serving as the Zone Leader, I never have had to talk to the Mission President on the phone so much. Last week we had a mission counsel in which all the Zone Leaders met together at the Presidents house. We had breakfast, talked about the next Zone Conference, about each Zone and their progress and had lunch there too. It was a pretty cool experience, I love you and miss all of you, thanks for all your support
Elder Turner

Transfer to Niteroi

2010-04-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody... I was transferred last week and I am now in a beautiful place called Niteroi. It is actually the place that got most damaged by the rain and mudslides here in Rio. I got here right after a huge rain storm so everything is really dirty and muddy here still but I am doing well. I am now a Zone Leader so whoo, hoo. Last week went well, My Companions name is Elder Gardasz and we baptized Vanessa, sorry no picture, our computer doesn't work very well. Niteroi is a very pretty city, I hope to send you some pictures soon. This week we were able to baptize Marcos and Joao Gabriel, the work continues on... Love you and look forward to talking with all of you on Mothers Day. Love, Elder Turner

Still alive as ever

2010-04-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Dad,
Well this week went pretty good, we didn't baptize, but i am studying a lot about the life of Jesus Christ and each time I study my testimony gets stronger and stronger. My shoes and clothes are hanging in there, it is starting to get cold here and I am sure the rains will start coming. I am buying some cologne for all of you, could you put some money in my account, I want to buy a few more things before I come home. Well, that is about all from Brazil, Love you, Elder Turner

Baptism

2010-03-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

I baptized this week,her name is Brenda,she is the daughter of a less active member. She is 9 years old,it was a great experience. I am loving the mission, thanks for everything mom, for your guidance and love. I love you all Love, Elder Turner

Visits from Area President and President of the Seventy

2010-03-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

This week was AMAZING,we had a special conference with Elder Rasband, president of the Seventy and President Soares, area President of Brazil. The spirit was really strong, we were all challenged to study the life of Jesus Christ for the next month, with a promise that we will grow closer to the Lord more than ever before. I am growing closer to my Savior as I study about His life in Matthew, Luke, Mark, John and 3 Nephi. It is amazing the spirit that I am feeling as I study His life. I wanted to invite all of you to do the same because I am seeing the difference it is making in my life and my mission. Dad, I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I am so grateful for His example of obedience and His love for me. I know that He lives and that He loves me. Thank you for your example in being a great Father.

Spiritual crocodiles

2010-03-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

We had our Zone Conference this week which was great. Our President taught us about spiritual crocodiles and how we need to be careful with the choices that we make here on our mission and afterwards. I finally got my birthday package from you and letters from Grandma THANKS My testimony is growing each day with each new experience. Thanks Dad for everything that you have done for me. I don't have words to thank you for teaching me the restored gospel. I love you Elder Turner

Carnarval

2010-03-04T08:40:00.000-08:00

Hello, I am writing a few days early because Carnarval is next week...the whole week, so we are not allowed to track any where. I am having a blast as a trainer, and enjoying the experiences here in Brazil. I can't believe how fast the time is going, it is amazing. I am so grateful for the blessings that I have had since I have been here in Brazil..my week is going great. We had interviews with the Mission President which I always look forward to. Joseph, Stephen always remember that it is you that makes your future, no one else. I love you guys and miss you always. Until next time Love, Marc

No Water

2010-03-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

Well, my week was a tough and good one. We baptized woo hoo, two brothers...cool. The tough part was that the water was cut and the font was only filled to my shins so my companion and I had to go to the reserve with buckets and carry them to the font. I think we each carried 20-25 buckets. After that I was tired but ready to baptize. The weather is hotter than usual, 105 today and we haven't had any rain for two weeks. I found a silver coin, it is from the year 1852, pretty cool. Love you
Elder Turner

2010-03-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Brazilian Pizza

2010-02-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

Check out this pizza, it was huge and delicious. Ramos is a pretty cool place, my companions name is Elder Souza and he is from Sao Paulo. Hey Stephen if you want to get to know God, the best way to do that is by reading the Book of Mormon. I promise that when you do this you will receive the answer you are searching for. I know, because I had the same question and received my answer to my prayers. Never give up on the Lord Stephen, He helps you as you ask and as you obey His commandments. I love you and have a great week

2010-02-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

2010-02-12T17:25:00.000-08:00

OCTOBER LETTERS

Well, I noticed that my English is getting worse, we taught an american here and it was difficult to speak it. I have to translate from Portuguese to English in my thoughts, he thought it was very funny but understood me. It would be cool to baptize an American here in Brazil, we will see. I am going to work my hardest to continue on blessing the lives of these people with the gospel that has blessed me so much in my life. I love you and hope that all is going well with all of you Love Elder Turner

I was transferred last week, I am now back in Rio De Janeiro in an area called Ramos, it's pretty cool area, not so many hills so my knees can have a rest for now.I was able to baptize two people last week. It was hot this week, up to 40 degrees celcius, don't know what that is in farenheit. I hope all is well, love you all

General Conference was amazing

2009-10-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

This past week was great! General Conference was amazing, I loved every part of it. My two favorite speakers were Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Elder Scott reminded me when he came to the mission he said almost the exact same thing, it reminded me of the spirit I felt almost one year ago. Elder Holland bore a miraculous testimony on the Book of Mormon. I thought it was amazing how he had the Book of Mormon of Hyrum Smith in his hands during his talk. I felt the spirit shed upon me as he testified of the truthfulness of that book and the power that it has, I know the Book of Mormon is true, I have grown to know this on my mission. I fullfilled one of my goals for my mission.... Marcelo is 15 and was baptized on General Conference Sunday! He is a cool kid and has a great spirit!
I love you and hope all is going well with everyone

Love, Elder Marc Turner

September 2009 letters

2009-10-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

9-17-09

This week was great for me, I had two baptisms on Sunday and on Friday we had zone conference which was amazing also! I am still reading the Book of Mormon, it is the 6th time I have read it on my mission, I can't stop reading it, it has literally become my addiction. I know it is the word of God like the bible is too. Hey, Stephen I ate something exotic this week, it is called Buxo in Portuguese and when translated it means bull stomach!, yea I ate the skin of a bulls stomach, gross but worth the experience:)

9-27-09

Hello, this week was a rough one when teaching, kind of a bummer, but this week is new and we will see what it brings. I am having a lot of spiritual experiences here on the mission. I am so very grateful that I chose to serve a mission. This past week my president challenged everybody to start the Book of Mormon again. He also said that we have to read 20 pages each day, so I am doing that. My mission has been a great experience so far, I am feeling the spirit stronger each time I read the Book of Mormon, the spirit so strong in my life when I say my prayers and read the Book of Mormon, it is absolutely amazing the power of the spirit. Our president also asked us to wake up earlier, so that we can offer a prayer alone to the Lord before companion prayer. I am now serving as a district leader and was able to go to Petropolis for some training.

2009-08-14T08:18:00.001-07:00

gripe, baptisms and soccer shirts!

2009-08-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hello family!
It is winter here in Brazil and will be cool up through
august. I was sick last week, with what they call "gripe" (the flu). I am starting to feel a little better now. My area here is a lot harder to find families to teach. I am speaking almost fluently Portuguese now so things go smooth when talking with investagators. My knees are giving me some troubles every now and then but doing pretty good. This week (August 3rd) our mission baptized 65 people! My companion,(Elder Young) and I baptized two this past week, this week was a good week. Well that is all for me on this side of the world! Love and miss you all Elder Turner

Nara

2009-06-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

Theresa

2009-06-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Baptisms!!

2009-06-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hello!! I am still in Juiz De Fora with Elder Elmer, transfers are next week so we will see. Time is going by fast, I almost have 10 months out on my mission!! Can you believe it? I am sorry to hear about Grandpa Bill, I am going to miss him like everyone else. I wish I could have seen him one last time before I left on my mission, but I know I will see him again. My week has gone pretty well, we have had two baptisms in the last two weeks, both on Sundays and both Sisters. Nara is 36 and way cool and Theresa, she is 83! She bore her testimony on Sunday and was one of the most spiritual experiences I have felt. It was very powerful, she bore her testimony on the plan of salvation and how she was so happy that her family has already done the work for her grandma... It is never boring here in Brazil, there is always something new or different that I learn. I meet new people everyday, we met a guy this last week that believes in reincarnation. It is starting to get pretty cold down here, the months of June and July are the coldest months in Brazil, and I am in on of the coldest areas in the mission! One of the sisters in the ward teaches Massage Therapy and her class needed to practice so we volunteered, I got a foot massage! and boy did it feel good! I am getting a nice farmers tan, looks pretty funny:) I am looking forward to reading Grandpa Bill's eulogy that Dad wrote, I know that we will have the chance and privilege of seeing Grandpa again if we endure to the end. I love all of you and your support, keep the letters coming!
Love, Elder Turner

Transfered to Juiz De Fora, Minais Gerais

2009-05-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hello! yep transfered, but just to another ward, I am still with Elder Elmer. The work here is okay, we have marked for the 31st for one baptism, and we are working with another family to baptize this up coming sunday, so ya all is good here in brazil. It is getting kind of cold here, actually June and July are the coldest months of the year, so I am getting to the time here in Brazil. I can't believe I already have 9 months, it is amazing how fast time goes by. Iremember in the airport when you were taking photos, and the security came and told you to stop! haha.
It was great talking with all of you guys again, that was kind of different this time, I was having trouble speaking english because I am almost always speaking portuguese. It was weird that I had to think of words to say in english. I know that this is the work of the Lord and I am so grateful that I am here being a representative of his Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love you and miss you

Elder Turner

2009-05-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

"Thank you"!!! from Elder Dantas

2009-05-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

Hello Sister Turner! How are you? I am writing you to thank you for sending money to your son, so that I could buy a camera. Thank you very much. I have prayed for God to bless you and your family. Elder Turner is a great missionary. He likes to work, he learns really fast and has attributes of a leader. My name is Elder Dantas, I am Brazilian and from a state called Bahia. I invite all of you to come to Brazil and visit me in Bahia when and if you can. Thanks for everything, Happiness for you all.

Zone Conference

2009-05-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hello! This week was great,we had zone conference and it was amazing to hear President Bezerra and the assiants speak. I felt the spirit so strong, he talked about how we need to recognize what is the nature of our calling and how we need to be more focused on our purpose as missionaries, and that we will see the results if we do so. I bought my own cuia and bomba, so I will be making your own herbal drink when I get home! I looks kind of gross but it tastes good to me!
Love you and thanks for everything! Until next Sunday Elder Turner

2009-05-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

Are you sure it is a "herbal" drink

2009-05-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

trying new things

2009-05-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Hello family, well I tried a herbal drink called tererei, it is kind of disgusting at first but now I love it! I am going to buy the container that is used for the drink, it is called a cuia and a bomba. Work is slow right now in this area, it is hard to find people to teach, but I jut got to press on. Thanks for everything!
love you a lots Elder Turner

Another day in Brazil

2009-04-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hello!
I am doing good here in Grajau, it is a large city..I will send pictures soon. I tried a new dessert called candica. It is like a sweet soup, and very good! I will try to get the recipe so I can make it for you. It was sure hard to leave Petropolis but I know that it is just part of being on a mission! I am so happy that I am here on a mission and helping in the Lords work. Thank you for everything Love you!! The elder down under in Brazil:)

Transferred!

2009-04-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody!
I am doing good here, I am in a new area now. Grajau, Juiz Fora, Minas Gerais. Yea, I am not in Rio de Janeiro any more! My new companion is Elder Elmer from Joseph City, Arizona. I can't believe it is almost Mother's Day wow, it feels like yesterday that I talked with all of you.. Well everything is good here and I am still breathing and all:) I am trying to gain weight, but the walking is not helping! Love you! Elder Turner

General Conference was amazing!

2009-04-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Family,
This week we met a lot of people that had hard hearts and didn't want to understand what the scriptures have to say... in other words it was a hard week, no baptisms, but I will continue to work. This weekend was amazing GENERAL CONFERENCE! I felt the spirit so strong, hearing the words of the prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the Church. I liked what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke about..the lonely road of Christ. Pretty powerful. I liked how the conference was centered on our afflictions, temples, choices and missionary work. I hope you guys had the chance to hear these words of power. Love you all and miss you all always elder Turner

2009-03-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

check out the shoe!

2009-03-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

2009-03-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

Russo

2009-03-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hello! Thanks for the photos, it is starting to warm up here but not alot, yesterday we had "russo" which means fog!. I never have seen worse fog, things disapear right in front of you. I had one baptism on Sunday, her name is Aline and she is 10 years old. She is the daughter of a member that is returning to the church after 20 years of being inactive. Miracles are happening here in Petropolis. I am so happy that I am here on a mission and helping in the Lords work, It is true! Love Elder Turner

2009-02-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

I love to read!

2009-02-23T21:33:00.000-08:00

Well hello there everyone, How is everyone doing? Well, I can officially say it gets really hot here in Brazil. In Petropolis, we haven't had rain for the past week, a blessing and a curse. Well, I finished the Book of Mormon again, I love these scriptures: Moroni 9:6, Alma 29:9, Alma 26:12,16, Mosiah 3:16. I still like my missionary scripture 2 Nephi 22:2. I think I am going to start Jesus the Christ again or maybe the Book of Mormon! I haven't decided yet, they are both such great books. Yeah, Mom, do you remember before I left on my mission how I hated to read...now I can't stop! Still learning the language more and more each day. Here is a story for you, my companion Elder Dantas is native to Brazil, he was showing me some pictures and in one of them was Jeremy Clark! I couldn't believe it, so if you can call the Clarks and let them know or maybe get a hold of Jeremy, small world. Elder Dantas is really funny, we are always smiling in the street and really having a blast together. Thanks for all of your support, you don't know how much it means to me. Thanks again for everything. Love Elder Turner

BAPTISMS, BAPTISMS, BAPTISMS!!!!

2009-02-19T15:02:00.000-08:00

I had two baptisms here in Petropolis, Rafaela Baitelli Sales Da Costa and Leonardo Guimaraes de Carvalho. I was so happy, I didn't baptize them but I did my part in helping them be prepared for this sunday the 15th. My companion, Elder Dantas ( he is from Bahia, Brazil) baptized Leonardo and a member/boyfriend baptized Rafaela. It was so great! We are trying to teach new people but carnival is starting this week so it will be really hard:) D&C 88 is a great section, read up! Para Bems!!! (Woot Woot!!!) Love you all and miss you always
Elder Turner

The Book of Mormon is true!

2009-01-16T05:29:00.000-08:00

Hey there, it is almost Christmas time, oh wait..it is Woot! Woot! Presents! My first Christmas not at home. Wow that sounds weird. How is everybody doing? Everything is pretty good here in Petropolis. My first day here I had to climb the eternal staircase. I was about halfway and I thought I was going to die! I started reading the Book of Mormon again. This time I am marking everything that deals with Faith, Repentance, Baptism and the Holy Ghost. I got a new book for this and I bought a little memory book that I am putting some things I want to remember from my mission. I can't believe how much the Lord and the mission has blessed my life. I have learned more here than I have in my entire life, spiritually that is. I haven't gotten any blisters or gotten sick yet. My legs feel like rubber every day though. So has anything exciting happen in the USA? My trainer Elder Kzeczik only has three months left and then he goes home. It is so beautiful here in Petropolis, I don't think I have ever seen a place more beautiful! On top of the mountains you have a great view of about half of Rio, if there are no clouds. Yesterday there was so much fog that you could barely see 100 yards in front of you. Elder Franscisco said that it is actually common here. He is so funny, I saw pictures of him before his mission and I barely recognized him. He has lost like 20 pounds on his mission. If that happens to me I will come home in a coffin! He He I would like to ask all of you to read the Book of Mormon again. It is amazing how much the spirit will testify the truth of it to you. I hope you will all read it and make sure you pray about it. Thanks for everything you guys do for me. Merry Christmas from Brazil or "Feliz Natal" Love and Miss you all Elder Turner or Timmy Turner as they call me here:)
Scriptures:
3 Nephi 5:13 (Disciple of Christ)
Enos 1:27 (Place of rest)
John 15:16 (Chosen me)
John 3:8 (wind=spirit)

Transfered!

2008-12-11T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hello, I am an a new area called Petropolis. It is amazing area, I am in the mountains, so it is a lot cooler, but I have to walk up stairs to my apartment, so my legs are always tired. We have a washing machine in our house. We eat alot of rice and beans, and when I say alot, I meant everyday!. My favorite so far is the stroganoff. It is alot different than n the states. I don't know why, but they use different spices and it is made with chicken not beef. There is also a dessert here called acai, it is so gooooooooooood, it is by far my favorite thing to eat here, acai is a plant in the Amazons that they make this shake, really good. I have started a journal, one that I write when I feel the spirit throughout the day. I have this mini notebook and when I have a feeling I write it down and than at night I transfer it to the journal that Grandma Jeannie and Grandpa Dee gave me. I read it the other day, I couldn't believe how many things I already forgotten! I am so thankful for my journal, it is capturing all the memories and feelings I am having here on the my mission. Love, Elder Turner

2008-12-11T22:38:00.001-08:00

First Baptism!

2008-12-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

Hello!
It has been raining alot here, I bought an umbrella or in Portuguese an quardachuva. I am not getting too wet here, it's kind of funny because the umbrella only keeps my upper body dry, my legs and feet are another story. Sunday November 30th I had my first baptism!, it was amazing. His name is Daniel Braga dos Santos, 19 years old and is so cool. The first time we taught him I knew he would be baptized, he was full of the spirit when he came out of the water. We are trying to get the rest of the family baptized but it is kind of hard. His dad won't go to church, his mom won't read, his sister is starting to come around but she has alot of doubts about the church and his brother is having problems with h ow only through being baptized in the church of Jesus Christ can you be saved. Some of my favorite scriptures:3 Nephi 27:14, I use this scripture almost everytime I talk about the atonement of Jesus Christ. Moroni 9:6, this scripture talks about how we need to always work diligently especially in these last days. Alma 60:36 When Captain Moroni writes the leader of his enemies, saying that he doesn't glorify in power but glorifies in his God. I finished reading Jesus is the Christ and I am starting to read Our Search for Happiness by Russel Ballard. It's a really good book for an investigator. Well that is about all, Love Elder Turner

3 Months!

2008-12-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Family,
Well another week in Rio, I can't believe how fast time is going here. I have been here for almost 3 months! No baptism, but still teaching people. On Sunday, the primary sang and talked about what they learned this year. Christmas is almost here, and people are starting to decorate already. I am starting to get a weird tan line," American Missionary" at the neck and arms, it looks funny. I had my first zone conference this week in the area called Jacarapagua ( yeah, it is hard to say). It was amazing, me and Elder Kzeczik practiced how to invite people to read the Book of Mormon in front of the whole zone! The chapel I was at was two stories, one for the Chapel and gym and the upstairs for all the classrooms. Elder Pili already got Dengue, the mosquito bite that no one wants. He is doing good so far but he is still in the early stages. In the conference President Bezerra talked about how we are not suppose to be drinking coke and asked us not to drink it, I love coke! We had lunch here and it was pizza, real pizza!. I think there was like 25 boxes and it was gone in like 30 minutes! I ate 13 slices... I am starting to gain a little weight, up to 175. That's about all here..lover Elder Turner

Brazilian money

2008-12-05T06:19:00.000-08:00

November news

2008-11-29T08:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Family,
Things are great here in Maduriera. I would take pictures but my trainer said that my camera would probably disappear quickly, but I sneaked one picture of a hill that I had to walk up. It was dreadful and the person we were going to see wasn't there! The weather hasn't been hot for a while, but I am told the days are coming where it will be 115. It has actually been raining this past week. One day the wind was blowing so hard I saw people's umbrellas snapping and break. One day, I think it was Wednesday last week something funny happened. There were these kids behind this gate when we were knocking on someones door. They first asked where Elder Kezcizik was from. He said he was Brazilian. Then they looked at me and they asked if I was Mexican, I said no and then they asked if I was German, I tried not to laugh when I told them I was American. They didn't believe me at first so I spoke some English to them. I had the greatest experience this week. On October 30th we had a mission conference and guess who spoke? It was Elder Richard G. Scott. It was an amazing experience, all the missionaries got to shake his hand, I said I would never wash my hand again! He left us with a challenge; to write down everything we hear, see and feel. He specified mostly on what we feel, what we feel are personal revelations given to us through the spirit. He told us that your knowledge about the Savior will grow. I have been writing since he gave us the challenge and my knowledge has grown just like he said. I want to challenge every one to carry a journal, notebook with you everywhere you go, because you never know when the Lord will speak to you through your heart. It was an amazing experience to meet and be taught by an apostle of God. The language is going...alright. I can understand somethings ( they speak very fast) but it is really hard for me to speak to the people right now, patience... I've had opportunities to share spiritual thoughts and to teach short lessons to members. Last lesson I taught on how we always need to prepare and I shared with them the story about the "soldier who stood by" (Alma 44:12-14) It was amazing, I love that story. I also gave a spiritual thought in our district meeting. I spoke on how we need to serve with love and I used the scripture 1 Cor 13:2. I love giving spiritual thoughts and teaching the members. Well I love you all and miss you always '
Love, your son and brother Elder Turner
P.S. I saw my first Brazilian monkey, sorry no picture. It was sitting on the wall of an investigator's home.

Rain, Rain, and more Rain.....

2008-11-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

Hello,
I have never seen so much rain, I have been wet for almost a full week! It hasn't rained for the last two days, so we are drying out, it is getting hot here and muggy. The food is amazing here, we have lunch at a members house every day except for our p-day. and they are great cooks. My companion and I get along great, he is trying to learn English and me Portuguese. He says that I speak like someone who has been here for 6 months, I don't believe him. I am learning a lot faster, but I am far from being able to communicate well with the people. they have a weird accent here, it is really hard to understand them sometimes. They keep saying shhhh on their words.

Love you and miss you always, thanks for everything you do for me

Love, Elder Turner

GO FLAMENGOS!!!!!!!(soccer team here)

Sugar Loaf Mountian, Guanabara Bay

2008-11-19T20:55:00.000-08:00

Oi Mae e Pai
Como vai minha famiia? Hoje e meu primeriro dia em Ri de Janeiro. Eu estau a casa de Presidente de Missao. Isto e marvalhoso aqui em Rio. Ocuidade e muito bonito. Eu esperanso a voces poderia estar aqui. Eu amo a voces. Love Elder Turner

Don't tell mom

2008-11-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Dad, futebol and soccer has started here and people are always watching it. We have taught alot of lessons but no one has a specific date to be baptized. We have asked but they keep saying maybe or not yet. But you never know. I have had some interesting experiences here, don't let mom read this part.... (too late) we were walking to this media referral on this street called tatui, bad street to go on at night. It was around 3:00 p.m. and about half way we started hearing gun shots in the distance. As we got closer to the street we were going to, a cop car came around the corner, stopped about 20 feet past us and they all got out with their machine guns...yes machine guns and started doing the swat search. We then heard some more gun shots, 3 more cop cars, full of cops passed on the street that we were heading towards. All in all afterwards we decided not to go to that reference referral again. Well, I love you and miss you always . Love Elder Turner

Goodbye to Sao Paulo, Hello Madureira

2008-11-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

I am in my first area called Madureira, it is in the middle of the mission. My first companion is Brazilian, his name is Elder Kezicik, yeah it is a hard name to pronounce. I love it here, it like twice as hot than Sao Paulo but I haven't gotten a sunburn yet but I got my first blister yesterday, one of many to come! I have had the opportunity of meeting some of the members and teaching some people the first and second lesson. Right now we have two people with a baptism date, hopefully it goes through. Their names are Maria and Ligia, both girls. We are also teaching a part member family, Luis Marcos is the father and a member, Oliver, Ronny, Donald, Steve, and I can't remember the others...they are all over eight years old. Yesterday I had the opportunity of teaching the members a lesson about how members are missionaries and how missionaries are angel. It was great, I felt the spirit so strongly. Love and miss you Elder Turner

Elder Turner and roommates

2008-11-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

Every thing is great here in Sao Paulo. General Conference was really good. My favorite speaker was Jeffrey Holland when he spoke about angels. That struck me the hardest. It brought to my mind all the angels in my life. First was you mom, than you dad, then the rest of the family. The list kept going as I thought about it. This whole Conference I felt was directed towards missionary work in one way or another. The language is coming along, I wish they could just put a chip in my brain and I would know Portuguese instantly. Thank you for all you have done for me, I love you with all my heart. Love, Elder Turner

Street Contact, awesome feeling

2008-11-07T20:11:00.001-08:00

Oy mai tudo bom? Everything is going great here, the new roommates are cool, Elder Ogrizio, likes to work out a lot, so I work out with him every night. The language is starting to come along, I can do the first lesson in Portuguese or roughly at least. We went proselytin on Friday and it was awesome, it was a great experience. We were walking down the street and we saw this homeless man. We left him with a card to call for a free Book of Mormon. When we started to walk away I h ad this feeling that I should go back and give him one of the Book of Mormons I had in my hand. So we went back and I gave him the book, we opened it to Moroni 10:3-5 and asked him to read it. Later that day when we were walking we saw him reading it! It was such a awesome feeling. Elder Turner

Having a blast

2008-11-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

I have been having a blast down here. I had dois amigos de domitorios that were Brasis and they were awesome. There names were Elder De Souza and Elder De Maria. They left this morning but were our roommates for three weeks so we had some good times. My district is fantastic we are from all over. Eu aprendo portugues e eu starting faiar muito bem. In other words I am learning Portuguese and I am starting to speak fairly well. I have my street contact down now and this week we are working on the 2nd lesson. The people here are so great, the Brasies are always nice and just cheerful all the time. I get to go proselyting next week and I am both nervous and excited. I just need to keep studying the gospel and the language and the Lord will help out on the rest. Chi ama calas sempre. Elder Turner

Long flight to Brazil

2008-11-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hello, I am doing great, I was a little sick in the bginning, had some jet lag going on. It is great here. The people are wonderful. I am starting to learn Portuguese and so far so good. I have five roommates, one being Elder Pili and my companion is Elder Glade from Bountiful, Utah. I hope to write more but until then, I love you and miss you..Love Elder Turner

Elder Turner saying his goodbyes

2008-11-07T13:49:00.001-08:00

Stephen video taping Marc April 22, 2008

2008-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

Marc opening mission call April 22, 2008

2008-11-07T08:58:00.000-08:00