We Are So Excited!

What Tillman says is True...

Parker and Hali Turk are expecting a little Girl

July 10, 2011

This will be our fourth grandchild... Yes!

Three boys and a babe!

President Terry Dean Turk

thinks a great name for this little girl is

Tara Deena Turk

(Oh Brother)

Summertime... Whatever!

President Turk was out in the field today with these two great Elders...

Elder Vilca and Elder Rodriguez.

We are in the middle of Summer here in Peru.

All the Elders are out teaching in their short sleeve white shirts and ties.

It was the hottest day of the year today in Trujillo.

These Elders were so excited to get offered a soda pop.

They think that it is scorching hot...

Todays high: 78

President Turk scoffed at them.... He is an Arizona Native.

Our summer average temperature in Mesa, Arizona

About: 110

A beautiful winter day in Arizona: 75

Heck, President Turk was out in his long sleeve shirt and tie

still feeling a little chilly... brrrrrr

You can see a little bit of sweat on Elder Calisaya's face (below) but that is

because he was running to get keys to unlock the Gate.

President Turk's car was accidentally locked inside the Church Compound.

No se preocupen...

(Calisaya, Nichols, Arthur, Mayorga)

La Cucaracha... La Cucaracha

We had another 'Exciting' Zone Leader Council today.

This picture is right after lunch

at the mission home.

These are our four new Zone Leaders

Elder Pacchioni ~ Elder Maximiliano

Elder Luzuriaga ~ Elder McGrath

During the Council today, right at the beginning,

we had a special musical number like we always do.

Elder Maximiliano played his wooden flute and Elder Martinez sang.

So I got my video camera out to record them.

As I turned on the camera, something ran under the table that they were standing behind.

Elder Nichols whispered to me..."Did you see that?"

I saw movement but I wasn't sure what it was.

He informed me that it was a giant cockroach.

My camera instantly left the performers faces and darted to the floor.

I knew this was going to be huge and there was no where for it to go.

Sure enough, right after the musical number and

just after I turned off my camera,

The giant cockroach came hissing straight across the floor at me.

I jumped up and screamed like a woman because I am one.

and one of my Elders screamed with me...

like a woman and he's not one.

I won't mention any names.

The room turned into the game mouse trap.

Someone would spin and turn to try to kill it and miss,

so the next person in line would

try to stomp on it and miss, and then the next would knock over a chair

trying to get it and miss and then the next etc..

There was some twisting, slapping and stomping

until finally it had gone around half of the room and through many of the Elders

and ended up in the front by President Turk.

President turned around and took one big step and squished that thing

to smitherines. (what is smitherines?)

Ooooh, I cringe just thinking about it, yuck.

It was a horrible big crunchy sound.

A couple of the Elders ran out of the room immediately

to get the cleaning supplies.

They knew I wouldn't be staying if it was just there to stare at.

And then the job was done.

And the Council went on without another hitch.

A Bishop asked some missionaries to visit a less active young man named Anthony. The missionaries went by his home several times and never found him there. They knew they needed to report back to the Bishop, So they kept going by his home and started to leave some sticky notes.

They would write simple thoughts like…

Hope things are going great

We would love to see you

We are thinking about you

Check on you soon…

They left 4 or 5 notes during the course of several weeks. Then one day they received a phone call from this young man, Anthony. He wanted to see them immediately. They went to his home and he told them this...

He said that things in his life had spiraled out of control. He lost his job, his girlfriend, and he was barely scraping by financially.

He was depressed and confused.

He ended up on an overpass of a big freeway ready to jump to his death. Then all of a sudden, the sticky notes popped into his head. Hope entered his heart. He knew that someone cared. He got off the overpass and went home and that’s when he called the missionaries.

(True story from Meridian Magazine)

Small acts of kindness can save peoples lives. Everything my missionaries do is a sticky note left on someone’s heart.

Elders & Sisters, every day you are making this kind of a difference. Your smiles, your handshakes, your lessons, your testimonies, your service… they are all important. All of it touches people’s lives and changes them for the better. I promise you that every good deed is an act of Charity.... And we are nothing unless we have Charity.

Keep up the great work.

I love you.

Elder Nash... A Good Sport!

President Turk came home on Friday morning and said that he had just talked to Lima. The Area Presidency was coming for some training and a fireside and Elder Nash wanted to stay in our home for the night.

Super... We love to have company.

But remember the last time I was with him,

I made him pull his car over so that I could throw up.

That was uncomfortable.

But, bring it on, let's just get this over with.

He showed up late Friday night and

we did the necessary small talk and laughing about the car sickness.

Then off to bed.

The next morning at breakfast, we were all eating Lucy's delicious

pancakes and eggs

and we were talking about our sweet missionaries.

One in particular is going through a sad time.

I started to get a little teary and as I was dabbing my eye, I got mascara in it.

It started to water like crazy. I was wiping it

and trying to stay focused in the conversation.

Terry was on the same side of the table as I was, so he couldn't see my face.

I was looking straight at Elder Nash.

We had a wonderful conversation and as we were finishing,

Elder Nash said,

Wow, I just make you cry and throw up.

Uh oh, I didn't have a good feeling with that comment.

I excused myself and went up to my room and looked in the mirror

and oh my...

I looked like this.

Mascara all over underneath my eyes.

Yes, chalk up another great moment with Elder Nash.

I can't wait until we are with him again.

What will it be...

Broccoli in the teeth, a hole in my clothing, tripping down some stairs...

hum mm

Do you think I just jinxed myself?

Follow up for Parker...

When my son Parker was here at Christmas time,

he had the privilege to go out teaching with the Elders.

He was able to teach a sweet lady named Laura

about the Gospel with Elder Edmunds.

She had taken the lessons a few times but was struggling to commit.

They had a very sweet experience testifying about the Temple.

This is Laura. She got baptized!

All three of her children are members of the church.

Her son served a mission. Her oldest daughter's husband is a Bishop,

and her 18 year old daughter is very active.

And now she has joined them.

How exciting.... Her children must be thrilled.

She was baptized by Elder Edmunds 3 weeks after Parker left to go back home.

But before Elder Edmunds left a week ago,

he gave us some of the pictures of her baptism.

Congratulations to her and thank you

Elder Edmunds for the photos.

Thank you Elders!

(Elders Facer, Chacaltana Edmunds, Laura, Elders Retamal, Tabaco, & Rivera)

Top Ten List.... for Prospective Missionaries

After being with a lot of missionaries and watching them closely in their missionary efforts, we have come up with our top ten list of reminders that parents can do to help their son or daughter prepare before the mission.

1. Teach them that the Holy Ghost is a member of the GODHEAD and can be their constant companion. The Holy Ghost has all Knowledge, all Power, and all Wisdom. They need to be worthy and spiritually prepared to always have this gift with them. And then learn to carefully listen and follow the promptings. What else will they need?

2. Give them opportunities to discuss and talk out loud about the Gospel with you and with others. Let them testify of truth at Family Home Evenings, Father’s interviews, with mom in the kitchen, at the dinner table, church activities etc….

3. Have Family Home Evening lessons from “Preach My Gospel.” Let them prepare and give the lesson.

4. Remind them to have quiet time without music, TV, videos, games, or friends. Have them feel comfortable by being still and listening. Teach them that the Lord is always trying to communicate with them. He does this through the Scriptures.

5. Teach them how to work. They need to work like a farm boy from morning until night. They need to be self-motivated and know how to work hard. They should feel uncomfortable just sitting around.

6. Moms cut some strings. Toughen them up. Let them do things for themselves. Teach them how to iron, cook, & clean. We need men and women in the mission, not little boys and girls needing their moms. And Mothers, please don’t cry for them when they are away. They are growing spiritually and Serving and Saving others. It's exciting!

7. Teach them how to greet people with a firm handshake, and look them in the eye and smile. Teach them how to speak with adults comfortably and have a conversation by asking them questions.

8. Manners are important. Teach them how to eat correctly. Teach them how to treat others. Teach them to be kind and put others first and give service to someone everyday.

9. Help them feel our Saviors love. Create spiritual experiences in the home. Testify to them of the things that are true. And then when you write letters to them in the mission, be optimistic and uplifting and bare your testimony.

10. Teach them that they will represent Jesus Christ at all times and in all things. It is a glorious privilege. They will never be able to repay our Heavenly Father for what they are about to receive on their mission... It truly will be some of the greatest years of their life.

Missionaries on the Move... With our Expert, Elder Andersen

Elder Andersen's Turn to Write...

Changes!

Once every six weeks, the missionaries wait with anxiousness near their phones for the call from the Zone Leaders with the big news of if they are staying or going! Who their companion will be, and in what area they will serve.

The process of the changes begins long before the calls go out. President Turk, holding the Priesthood Keys to guide missionary work here in Trujillo, prays and fasts seeking revelation to put missionaries where the Lord needs them. He uses a large board called the “Change Board” with the pictures of each missionary grouped into companionships, districts, and zones.

When he has finalized his decisions, he informs the office and the planning begins. Although normally only ¼ of the mission changes areas in a normal change, when you think about their companions, those that are finishing their missions, and those that are arriving it is quite the event. The office plans up to 12 weeks in advance planning for this one day, making sure that all goes smoothly.

Here is a real example from this last change we had two weeks ago!

Elder Williams was in Chimbote winding down his two years and preparing to return home…

Elder Prebe was sitting in the CCM of Lima, just waiting to leave for the airport and to arrive in his new mission…

Elder Lopez was sitting in his room in Huaraz when the phone began to ring…

Elder Munson has been in Casma… who will his new companion be? Will he stay or go?

Hermana Bigler wanted to know what was happening with her trio of Sister Missionaries… RING!

CHANGES…

Bus tickets had been purchased, food had been planned, the phone calls were made, and everyone was informed.

Monday

Change phone calls are made and the mission is informed who stays and who goes… The carefully planned and orchestrated chaos begins.

Elder Williams climbs in his bus and heads in to Trujillo for his final interview with President. He will be picked up by a companionship to eat, shower, and prepare.

Elder Prebe just keeps waiting…

Elder Lopez has a change! He is headed to the Primavera Zone! He begins packing his bags.

Elder Munson is headed from one side of the mission to the other, from Chimbote Sur to Pacasmayo!

Hermana Bigler is staying, but both of her companions are headed out! She is left to help her new companion.

Tuesday - Finishing Missionaries head home, new ones arrive!

Elder Williams -- With his interview over, he and the 19 other missionaries leaving the mission are carefully reviewing their flight plans and packing their bags to avoid paying overweight. They have collected a lot of things these last 2 years.

Elder Prebe climbs into the bus headed away from the Lima CCM, he doesn´t know much about what lies ahead but has trust that the Lord will take good care of him.

Elder Lopez climbs into a bus for an overnight ride from Huaraz to Trujillo he will arrive early the next morning!

Elder Munson has his bags packed. He has never met his new companion Elder Martinez but knows that they will get along great!

Hermana Bigler has taken great mental notes of the progress of their investigators and is helping her two companions get ready to leave.

Elder Williams is passing through security getting ready to fly home, Elder Prebe is getting off, finding his luggage and meeting President Turk for the first time!

Wednesday – CHANGE DAY!

Elder Williams arrives home to the Salt Lake airport and is greeting by his waiting parents!

Elder Prebe is in trainings all morning… Health, letters, contacting, a message from Pres. Turk and some basic mission standards… It is a lot to take in, and all in Spanish!

Elder Lopez arrived early this morning but was greeted by a companionship who took him to their room, got him something to eat and a warm shower. He will meet his new companion at the change meeting!

Elder Munson climbs on a bus in Chimbote for 2.5 hours headed to Trujillo.

Hermana Bigler and her companions head off to the Change meeting to say goodbye and to find Hermana Cruz.

Elder Prebe in the change meeting is shown a photo of his new trainer, Elder Wright and greeted by his new Zone Leader who will help him get to his new area in Cajamarca!

Elder Lopez goes with his new companion by taxi to his new area here in Trujillo.

Elder Munson climbs on a second bus, headed out of the city to the opposite direction on his way to Pacasmayo!

Hermana Bigler heads back to her area with her new companion to set goals, plan for the change and get to work!

Elder Prebe waits… and waits… he eats some wonderful rotisserie chicken in the office waiting for his bus to Cajamarca.

On this last change day, over 100 travel plans were made. Bus and plane tickets were purchased, visa documentation for both the entering and leaving missionaries was prepared. Down to the minute plans were made for food, and rest for each of the traveling missionaries. Checklists are made and checked twice to make sure that nothing is forgotten. Direct coordination is made with the Lima CCM and the many other individuals that make food, open chapels, and provide transportation for the missionaries and visitors. It might be enough to make your head spin, but it is our life here in the mission and we love it.

Thursday

Elder Prebe finally gets to Cajamarca and meets Elder Wright, his Trainer!

Plans for the next change are already underway.

White Space... What's That?

President Turk and the Assistants are in Huaraz for a few days.

That means that I am getting a little white space.

Lucy and Alicia are off for the week.

And I am going to get a few projects finished.

White Space is important sometimes.

I have only seen 4 missionaries today and my tutor, Mabell.

Now, what to do first?

This is too much White Space.... Arghhh

Huamachuco

President Turk went to Huamachuco last week. It is a beautiful Incan city

up in the mountains that is pretty hard to get to.

The roads are not paved and very bumpy.

Look at the city square. I love these bushes that are sculpted into shapes.

Look in the middle picture below at the pig bush on the far right. Darling!

I love the Incan warrior bushes too.

I want to meet the Edward Scissorhand

who keeps these bushes trimmed.

Do you think he does Ice Sculptures on the side? Ha ha

The bushes are cute but these people are fantastic.

This is the family group that meets together for church.

There isn't even a branch here yet. But these saints are extraordinary.

They are getting bigger and stronger everyday.

When President was visiting he taught in the primary.

Well, okay he taught the whole primary.

There were only 5 or 6 children.

The missionaries and members are like pioneers.

The church has only been in this area for less than a year.

They are just getting ready to form a branch.

(Elder Castro, Elder Zavaleta, Elder Morales, Elder Hargis, Pte. Turk)

There are two new Elders there now.

Elder Castro is with Elder Aburto and Elder Hargis is with Elder Yuca.

Thank you Elders... We Love you and We Love Huamachuco!

And the work goes on...

Here we are at our home away from home... The airport.

We are saying goodbye again.

This time to our dear friend Elder Hunsaker.

His parents came to pick him up so he is

leaving a little later than his group.

He's been our right hand man since we have been here.

Not only did Elder Hunsaker leave, but Elder Garcia is now out in

Florencia de Mora as a District leader.

Elder Monson has replaced him in the office.

We will miss Elder Garcia, but he is not too far away.

Elder Monson is on the far right.

He is a great addition.

These are our office Elders now.

We had to head to get some comfort food after the airport.

We will miss you Elder Hunsaker.

But that's the story of the mission.

and the work goes on...

Three Billy Goats Gruff... Peruvian Style

I was at the airport the other day with my missionaries, and while they were in line getting their luggage checked in... my eyes always wander to the beautiful Peruvian children.

I first saw this glorious little face below and as I was taking his picture...

It was as if he said....

"No, no, please big ugly troll, don't take my picture,

I am just the little billy goat gruff. Wait for my older brother,

He is way fluffier than me"

Well, I couldn't believe it - but it was true.

Here came the older brother with cheeks to die for

and a face that was so cute I really was going to have to pinch it off.

But again it was as if this older brother said...

"Oh big scary troll, just you wait. I have an older brother

that is much more fluffy than I am. We are just little compared to him."

This was inconceivable.

Could it really be true?

Sure enough, an older brother much fluffier than the other two appeared.

So fluffy in fact, that his dimples were deeper

than the deepest canyon.

So deep, I couldn't wait to grab that face and squeeze it.

Three of the fluffiest little billy goats "Cabritos"

I have ever seen.

These children are beautiful.

They are the children of one of our pensionistas.

They came to say goodbye to some of the missionaries

that she feeds every day.

We love our Pensionistas. They are so wonderful to the missionaries.

And I love these little round, fluffy, Peruvian Faced Children!

A Day of Changes.... Constant Changes

This is a very fun and talented group... and I am telling you that

there is not a dud among them.

I have them each tell me something they love to do

so that I can remember them from the activity.

Here is the list...

Aburto - Speed boats

Allred - Cello, piano

Araneda - Soccer, Basketball

Calisaya - Rubik's cube speed demon

Canaan - All about music

Frietz - all about sports- Plays Football

Jaramillo - Plays Pool

Hermana McVey - Loves flowers, gardening and hiking

Mendieta - Conducting Music

Hermana Mendoza - Pianist

Mendoza - Guitar, Rock Climbing, English

Merkley - Throws Hammer, Shot and Discus

Prebe- Volleyball player

Rodriguez - Loves to Draw - English

Russell - Baseball Player - Boise

Sanchez - Plays guitar, Speaks English

Hermana Sanchez - Loves the Foosball table

Zetina - Basketball and Boxing

I love this picture.

All the new Elders in their new dark suits, backpacks and their new pillows.

The Assistants are sticking them in cabs

and sending them to the mission home for lunch.

Here they are getting ready to share their testimonies to the missionaries

at the change meeting. They are just about to

meet their trainers and head

to their first area.

And last a picture at the mission home.

They made it and we are thrilled.

Hello Again Hello

Now wouldn't you want to be greeted by this friendly, good looking group?

They make our new Missionaries Happy.

They work hard for those coming into the mission.

They want to make sure they feel comfortable and ready to fly.

Wow, Eighteen Missionaries... How great is this!

We gathered and loaded them up on the big blue Eagle bus.

And then we were off.

First stop, the Temple Site.

President Turk circled them around and told them

that this is why they are here in Trujillo.

Just as they will be building our new Temple brick by brick

at this very place...

You, the Missionaries will be building Testimonies

Principle by Principle

And all that you do as missionaries

will be to prepare people to come here to the Temple,

Where they can make and keep sacred Covenants

Participate in saving Ordinances,

and be Sealed Together as Families.

We bowed in prayer and President Turk plead with the Lord

that these Missionaries would be Valiant in building

up the Kingdom here in Trujillo

And he promised them that through their obedience

they would feel their Savior's Love like never before.

We all love to come to this place and we can't wait for this

glorious edifice

to be built.

We are praying that we are here when it is finished

Hurry Hurry Hurry

Hurry