September 3

Dear Family,

R. is doing incredible! My testimony of the atonement has increased immensely! We found out he had another addiction, but for over a week now he eats peaches instead ;) ha ha. He hasn't touched coffee, and he only smokes every once in awhile due to stress, and soon that will be over! He is truly a different man than when I first met him. He even is working on his language and watching his swearing problem. His family, even though not totally for us, has seen the change in him and is shocked.

We were so excited for him to come to testimony meeting this week, but he told us he had made a promise to someone else to go to their church and he felt he couldn't break that promise. He told us he knows the church is true, but he is a man of his word. I was really sad, because I know what an impact fast and testimony meeting can have on others. We fasted as a companionship that day and in the morning he came and found us and told us he knows this church is true, and its his church, and he had to come. All three of us bore our testimonies for him, and he said he never had felt the spirit that strongly before and we made him cry.

Ha ha funny story. He noticed the pulpit going up and down for the speakers and he asked us if the spirit did that!? ha we had to break the news and tell him no.. it was by the push of a button. We were cracking up! ha ha.

He has been talking about Alma 32 and Lehi's vision about the tree. He said he is a tree that is full of bugs and disease, and he can't wait to be clean again and sitting in the sunshin "shakin his leaves." ha ha if only you could hear his voice. He is constantly teasing us, and he always prays to God and thanks him for how awesome he is and that he gave him and us a sense of humor. We have pretty much taught him everything we can, and he wants to know more. He just eats it up. The only thing that is holding him back is the Word of Wisdom. He is for sure getting baptized on the 14th. We may be transferred, but he told us he will make us proud if we do leave, but hopes we all stay. Because I am in training I think we will stay, but you really never know. I would love to be there for his baptism, but I am still happy either way.

He is very sick, but has such a positive attitude, he always says even if he dies at least he was able to die the right way, and be baptized by the proper authority. Wow what an incredible man he is, I really feel like this is why I am here. To meet him. I just know it. I get emotional just thinking about it. I feel like I have known him my whole life. I truly love him. I do. The pure love of Christ is an incredible thing. I wish ya'll could see and feel the experiences I go through, but I hope I can do some justice in my emails.

Today we leave for Monahans to do some training for sisters there. Then Friday I am up in Lubbock for a training meetings. Its hard on me having to leave my area so much and my investigators, but I know the Lord is helping us and is taking care of Midland 3rd since i'm helping others.

Game day was a lot of fun, but it made me grateful for the work as well. I was sun burnt and exhausted by the end. ha ha. 

Love and miss all of you!

Sister Turner