Santa...

You knew this was going to happen!

Christmas Devotional

Monday and Wednesday mornings we had a Christmas Devotional for our Missionaries. We introduced our family. Our children bore their testimonies, Parker and Molly sang "The Prayer" and all of us sang

"I know He Lives"

President Turk and I can't get enough of these two.

They helped Papa T give his talk.

We had each of our missionaries prepare a five minute talk on Christmas and Christ. They each came prepared and we pulled names out of bag. The talks were fantastic.

We then ate lunch and had the afternoon to prepare and practice for

the Christmas Program at the Plaza.

The grandsons are somewhere in the middle of this group.

Life Doesn't Get Any Better!

Papa T and Tillman

Landon, Griff & Molly

Hali, Parker & Tillman

Griffadeedoodahday & T -Man

I know, I am running behind.... Much fun to come!

Dear family and friends.... I am so sorry. I am behind in my posts. but Life is beautiful and busy right now. It is 1:00 am and we have another grand day tomorrow. But I wanted to put on a few photos of the kids when they landed. I will catch up after tomorrow.

It was so sweet of the kids to sacrifice and come to Peru.

They have been troopers.

It is hard enough for an adult to get here but with the

babies and all the baby stuff

that has to travel with them now, it is a huge task.

Look closely and you can barely see Molly and Griff behind all of the

baby necessities in the picture above.

This isn't even the luggage. Her husband is getting the suitcases.

Here we are getting reacquainted with Griff. Finally Mama T and Papa T

aren't just pictures in the computer.

Oh the joy of touching the babies.

My children thought that I had hired a big marching band and a ton of

yellow balloons for them but it was for some political person

on the plane with them.

I should have let them think that. I wished I would have thought of it.

THEY MADE IT...

It is quite the journey to get to Trujillo Peru... but everyone is happy to be here... the flight was way better than expected... the little boys were fantastic. Mama T (me) is happier than ever.... There were Tears of Joy for everyone.

Pictures to come... We have got to go to bed.

We have our big day tomorrow. We have been practicing our songs tonight and getting last minute talks, gifts, videos, etc.. for the Devotional in the am and the Program in the pm

GOOD LUCK TO US

Never in the History of all Mankind...

Never in the history of all mankind has a Christmas been anticipated

like this one is for me.

It tops all and any... even over all the children in the world.

Am I making myself clear here...

My children are on an airplane right this minute bringing

our grandchildren to Peru to see Papa T and Mama T.

The cribs are up and made, the diapers and all baby

paraphernalia is purchased.

The guest rooms are ready.

The grass is mowed. The presents are wrapped.

The garland is on the banister.

The tables are set with Santa.

The missionary Christmas program is ready to go...

(They are still working on my donkey and alpaca.)

Our first program is Monday Night and the second is Wednesday.

Ready or not, here we go...

This will be the best Christmas Ever!

Myles and Kat ... Together Forever!

Congratulations Myles & Kat!

I have been a little weepy. Our nephew Myles Turk was married today.

Myles is like our son. President Turk's brother, Randy, passed away several years ago

and we have loved being a little more involved in Myles life. And now he has

found darling Kat... We love her too. It was hard not to be there

but we are thrilled that it was to the right person,

at the right time, in the right place.

This is the Temple in Mesa, Az. where they were sealed

for time and all eternity.

Our home is about 10 minutes away from this temple. We love it.

A little message to Myles and Kat... from the streets of Trujillo

Our New Crop... Ready to GO

We love the feeling that comes in a big wave with the new missionaries. Excitement, Anticipation, Nerves,

Big Expectations, Energy, Purity and Eagerness.

Elders Vilca, Chuiz, Contreras, Lopez, Cerrutti, Gomez, Pillajo, Castrejon, Hermana Herbas, Hermana Ortiz, Ramirez & Zavaleta

And here are the top missionaries in the Jungle... Our trainers.

They know that this is a very important job.

They don't take this lightly.

They are setting the pace and expectations for our

sweet new ones.

Five Good Eggs!

We will miss these five... but they are heading home for the Holidays. They have been a great addition to the Trujillo Mission. We are missing a picture of Hermana Salas from this group but she got delayed in Huaraz because of some protesting. Elder Navia also left a couple of weeks early because of foot surgery. But they are both in the Goodbye Video.

Now this is a great picture. I love all the Elders

but it looks like I have a bad mullet.

My millimeter bangs are finally growing back in a little at a time.

The Saga of Hair-i-mana Turk Continues!

What could possibly happen next?

Video for those Leaving...

They beg me to post this so that they can see it when they get home...

They love it.

What a Shock!

President Turk was leaving the office yesterday when he ran into this man...

Big deal you say?

It was a huge deal to President Turk, you see, this was his Mission President

almost 30 years ago in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

President Joseph Bishop is here in Trujillo setting up an office for his

new ventures with "Cause for Hope" which is a nonprofit

self reliance group. He is looking for office space and an apartment.

President Bishop was a great inspiration and example for President Turk.

Terry was thrilled to see him again.

But who knew they would both have to travel to

Trujillo Peru to see each other again.

This will be exciting to have the Bishops here in Trujillo with us.

What a great surprise!

Planting Seeds... Harvest will Come!

President Turk has been out of town for the last two days in Pacasmayo.

I have been getting a lot done at home.

The office elders invited me to their baptism this week.

This young man is Michael. He is fourteen.

He is standing next to his grandfather who was baptized a few weeks ago.

Michael wanted nothing to do with the missionaries

until he felt and saw a big change in his grandfather.

Then he wanted what his grandfather had.

So he listened to the Elders and knew that

what they were teaching was true.

He was baptized yesterday by Elder Andersen.

He was so happy. He is a great young man.

Elder Jones baptized Grandpa a few weeks ago.

Elder Christensen and Elder Weathers also helped

teach Grandpa. It took a while for him to be baptized

but now he is forever grateful.

Elders you are planting seeds with every truth you teach.

Never feel discouraged if you don't get immediate results.

Just keep up the great work.

The Harvest will Come!

Now we are ready for Christmas...

We had costume fittings today for the show in the Plaza .

These two were born to be

Mary and Joseph, No?

Here are a few of our pretty Angels.

Here is one of the Wisemen... Where are the other two?

Here they are... I had bigger costumes for the shepherds

but these two really wanted to be wisemen.

A little tight but oh well... this is going to be good!

I love a chubby little wise guy... wiseman

Chad Hymas... A New Friend

This is Chad Hymas. He is from Utah and one of the top ten motivational speakers in the world as printed in the Wall Street Jounal. While we were in Cajamarca, he was giving seminars at our hotel. Our assistants walked by his lecture room and he stopped them and said, You're not going to believe this, but I was just praying that I had some spanish Books of Mormon for some of these great people that I have bonded with in my seminars. Our missionaries said that we had plenty of Books of Mormon that we were delivering to a stake in Cajamarca and he was welcome to as many as he needed. He invited our missionaries to attend his last seminar of the day and they helped him sign a bunch of them and give them out. The missionaries brought him to meet us and Elder and Sister Uceda. We had a quick visit and then we had to take the Ucedas to the airport. But he invited us to have dinner with him. While we were eating with Chad, he told us that he served a mission in Thailand before he was paralyzed. He was also married, had two little boys and then he had an accident on his ranch that left him in a wheelchair. He told us a lot of very interesting stories. I wish we could have gone to his seminar. He is an amazing man. He said he would be in Peru in July and would love to come speak to our missionaries. Wow, That would be fantastic. Chad Hymas sets world record in mega marathon of 513 miles from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Click here to read more.

Goodbye Cajamarca...

We said Goodbye to Elder and Hermana Uceda.... They were wonderful.

We finished our Mission Tour here in Cajamarca.

We also said Goodbye to our Missionaries..

We will see them shortly for the Christmas Program.

And a sweet goodbye to Jahaida and her brother Evar, who

run the little snack stands.

While I was taking these pictures, she sold three different men

cigarettes. She just pulls them out of the pack

and hands them a cigarette. She is six.

This does not make me happy.

I gave her a big hug, told her I love her

and I will see her in a couple of months.

Goodbye little friends ... May our Heavenly Father protect you

until we see you again.

We will drive home in the morning.

Goodbye Cajamarca... We Love You.

Jahaida in Cajamarca

We made it... we picked up Elder and Sister Uceda at the airport and we are back at Cajamarca. You know what that means. We are in the little motel room in the square of the city. It has the balcony that overlooks the center. I took this picture of Terry late at night so it isn't great but I wanted you to see where I watch this little girl below.

Every time we come, I watch this little girl that has a refreshment stand right below the hotel room. She is SIX. Her brother that is a little older has another stand further down. I have hours of footage of her on my video camera from past trips. I felt I had to protect her while Terry was at Priesthood training meetings at night. She is there until late at night.

Her name is Jahaida. We talk back and forth from the balcony.

She is always happy.

One night her little sister was there. She looked about 3 years old.

I asked her all about her. She is really five but has a tumor on her spine so

she is small for her age.

This time when we came, I asked her how her little sister was doing and

she said not very good.

Oh boy, talk about a helpless situation. Last time I sent the assistants to find the mother and teach her the gospel. They found her and gave her pamphlets, told her where the church was,

but she has been overwhelmed with the illness of the little girl and

running all these little stands.

It started raining today and Jahaida pulled out a tarp and covered everything and

sat underneath it.

Is she adorable? Arghhhh... this is definitely the hardest thing for me in Peru...

The Children... that are on the streets trying to make some money.

Tomorrow we have a conference with the missionaries and

Elder and Sister Uceda.

That is something to look forward too.

Ross Farnsworth... Larger than Life!

It's my Dad's Birthday ~ December 6th

Here's a little video for you dad.

What did I do to deserve you as a Father?

Lucky must be my middle name... I love you!

Sincerely,

Janet Lucky Turk

(Hermana Turk)

Me and My Shadow...

It's Elder Hunsaker's Birthday today. I can't do a post for every one of my missionaries birthdays But I do want to just say this about Elder Hunsaker... the Lord knew that I was going to need someone I felt really comfortable with and someone that could translate anything and everything I wanted to say on the spur of the moment when I arrived in this country,

and so he gave us Elder Hunsaker.

He has been my shadow this whole time so that I could

understand and speak to all the members here.

It has not been an easy task for him.

He goes to all the meetings and has to translate for me.

How glorious that he was already an assistant when we arrived.

He has a gift with the language and follows through with all of the assignments

from the President. He is a great leader. We feel blessed to have him with us.

Happy Birthday Elder Hunsaker..

We love you!

Oh no... not again!

Another three of our favorites heading to Venezuela.

We just took them to the airport.

I have to drop them and run so that I don't cry.

I love them. They are so sweet.

Venezuela is lucky...

They get Elder Reyes, Elder Huaman, and Elder Herrera

We miss you already!

President Looks Good in White

We went to the Buenos Aires Ward today.

This is a great ward to be in.

Lots of baptisms here. They really know how to help

the missionaries and the new members.

Elder Pickett and Elder Perez are doing fantastic in that area.

Thank you Elders.

Doesn't President Turk look good in white?

A Serious Snooze...

President Turk returned from his road trip with Elder Uceda.

They did a lot in a few days.

After dropping Elder Uceda at the airport,

He had some dinner, talked to Tillman and Griff,

and went in to catch up on the Deseret News and some of his letters.

He then fell asleep in a very uncomfortable chair.

I guess I better wake him and put him to bed.

"Heez zreelly pooped boss..."

(The Gods Must be Crazy 2)

Another one of my favorite movies.

The Hermanas of Huaraz

Here they are... the Hermanas of Huaraz.

Hermanas know how to show love and give love.

We hope they feel our love for them.

(Bakiatis, Chipana, Montes, Lazo, Pres., Salas, Cruz)

Elder Uceda has the gift that keeps on giving.

Elder Uceda was a Mission President here in Lima, Peru many years ago.

He had over 700 missionaries over the 4 years that he served

and he still knows every single name.

Incredible! I am still struggling with the names of our 200 missionaries.

This is one of his missionaries all grown up and now with his own family.

Road Trip... Chimbote and Huaraz with Elder Uceda

And they're off... Missionaries are waiting for them on the other side.

Assistants will be traveling with them today.

Two hours to Chimbote... have a conference. Next morning another

six or seven hour drive... have a conference... Next morning, up early to drive

home 9 hours and then Elder Uceda will catch a plane to Lima.

We will all meet in Cajamarca on Wednesday after a six hour drive.

They will fly to Cajamarca from Lima.

(Elder Uceda and his Wife)

Christmas is Coming...

Look at these cute missionary stockings my sister-in-law, Shara made.

She made one for President Turk and me

And some for our children and grandchildren

We took 6 more to the office.

They are great.

Hermana Mendes made me some darling pillows for our home,

the santa (in the picture) and a cute snowman.

and my mom made beautiful, cozy quilts.

Mom, we love them and thanks for the cute apron!

So Much Love! Elder Uceda

What a wonderful occasion to have Elder Uceda in for a Mission Tour.

We started today with a conference in Trujillo.

We had 120 missionaries there to listen to the sweet and powerful

words of a Servant of the Lord.

He gave them so much to think about.

He was very motivating.

He took the time to talk to each missionary

and shake hands and hug.

He is wonderful.

Now, for the next 4 days we are on our way to Chimbote and Huaraz.

We will go to Cajamarca next week.

His theme... with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength!