Holidays - More baptisms coming up - More cooking November 24, 2014

This week has been good. It started rough with how I was feeling last week, but then P-Day was fun. We went to our chapel, which is the hang out spot for missionaries. It's also the mission office. Or where the mission office is. Haha! But I got to play volleyball. It was a lot of fun. I mean, I'm not the best. But I'm definitely better at volleyball than I am and soccer. And let's not even mention Basketball.  Anyway. Then we went to the other Elders flat. The other Elders in our District. That was fun. Just talked and hung out. Probably what we will do today. Anyway. Then we all went our separate ways for appointments. Then we met up after and went out to dinner. There is this place called Spur. They are all over SA. But they all have like American city names. It's funny. It's a pretty good restaurant. But on Mondays they have a 2 for 1 Burger deal. They are really good. Anyway. It was fun to do that.

The other exciting thing is that I have been getting things ready to send home. I probably won't send much home, since Wilkinson probably has a lot of his own stuff to take home. But I have small presents and letters for everyone. It has been fun. I got a little creative at wrapping. As always. Just a little bit different than normal. Since I didn't have our HUGE assortment of Christmas wrapping and bows to help me. But needless to say, I think I did a pretty good job. You will just have to see.

Friday was another fun day as well. We needed more baptismal interviews done. So Elder Brasher came back with me. It was a good day. We had Sister Maphosa and her son Mduduzi pass their interviews. They are nice people. The husband wants to get baptized as well, but he has been working in another Province for the past like two months. So he will get baptized when he gets home. Mduduzi is 11. He is a cool kid. We also had Sister Doreen pass as well. Sister Doreen is a VERY old lady. But she lives with her even older Sister. Sister Mathebe. Who I am pretty sure is Momma Odie from Princess and the Frog! But anyway. Sister Mathebe is a member. But Sister Doreen speaks like NO English. But we worked a lot with her. She learned enough to pass the interview. She is VERY excited to get baptized.

Other random Friday things. I made corn bread. It's good. I'm sure you have heard of pap. The starchy stuff they eat here. It's basically corn meal. But it's white. The corn bread was good. But white cause their corn meal is white. I also made enchiladas. They were good as well. It was fun to be with Elder Brasher again. We ended up talking a lot of the night again! It's just good to catch up and talk with someone who is a little bit more like you. He's a sweet kid. I really like him. 

Now we have transfers tomorrow. Elder Dzowa is getting transferred. So today will consist of cleaning the flat and the car. Getting everything ready for the new elder. We were told we had to do that from now on at transfers. personally I think it's nice. Cause I am sick of getting to a new area and having a filthy flat. 

Oh, here's some other random things. So I went borrowed a puzzle from a member. It was nice. Did a quick puzzle, don't know if that's allowed. But it was nice. Did my 200 piece puzzle and listened to Josh Groban's Christmas cd. It was a good night! Haha! I love that cd!

Other random things. I made home made alfredo sauce yesterday. And then had no good noodles. I cooked them and then they tasted like mildew. I was very upset. So now I have to go buy new noodles so I can enjoy the delicious alfredo! I am excited! 

Well. It was great to hear from everyone. I love you so much! Next week should be more newsy with a new companion and all. Pray that i like him ;) Haha! Love you!

Love,

Turner

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. AGAIN. Our land lord and his family randomly decided to have a Thanksgiving dinner this year. I am very excited! Also. Our recent converts the Ndlovus want to have a Thanksgiving dinner. So I will be getting one on Thursday and Saturday. Who knew I could have two in a country where they don't even have Thanksgiving!

Joining the ward choir - Ambassador is baptized - a bit of homesickness November 17, 2014

Well this week has been good. I have had some good things happen. But for some reason, the last couple of days have been really rough. I have felt like I was settled into Florida. But then again, I felt like I wasn't really at home. It has been really frustrating. Then I heard from Morgan. It has been a couple of months since I have heard from her. Anyway. Then I had updates on friends and it all kind of made me pretty home sick. Also. Hearing about my siblings that I love so much. It's hard to know that I am missing all of these sweet things in their lives.

First. Micah. I wish I could snow board. People here always ask me if I snowboard or ski. I say snowboard. I mean, I do, kind of. But I am definitely not even close to as talented as you. I think it's so sweet that you saved up to buy a board and all of the other stuff! I am actually really jealous. You will have to teach me when I get home. Cause when I get home, there will be snow! But have fun! And be safe!

Second. People here love soccer. Obviously. And I like to brag about Matthew and Micah about how they are great players. I have especially been talking a lot about how Matthew is a University Athlete and that he is going to play in the Nationals Tournament. I seriously think that is the coolest thing ever. So proud.

Third. Rachel. Still sad that I missed all of your volleyball. But hearing about all of the boys that want you! Haha! And don't worry, there are still boys in Africa that like you! Everyone thinks you are so pretty! They also think you are older than me :).

BFF - 4 year old Lincoln

Alright. Well. Here are some of the highlights of the week. I think I wrote about him last week. But I will again. I have a best friend. He is four years old. Half Indian. His name is Lincoln. He is so cute! And hilarious! He likes to entertain us in the mornings. And during lunch. He and his brother Aiden are the coolest. Anyway. Last week, during weekly planning, he wanted to hang out with us, so he sat and colored on our whiteboard while we did our weekly planning. He also likes to give me movie updates about all of the super hero movies. And "How To Train Your Dragon 2". Best friend. Too bad they are moving in a month.

Here is a good news minute. So I decided I should get one of my suits cleaned. Cause one of them was getting pretty bad. Anyway. I got it cleaned for R60! Which is a little less than $6. And it was actually done really nice! Super convenient to have cheap dry cleaning.

I also got my hair cut, it looks okay. The lady wasn't very pleasant. But oh well. She cut the sides SUPER short. But what can ya do? I mean, I like it, but there were some changes that I would have had her make. But she was in like such a rush! But you know. I am pretty particular about my hair. When people ask, I always tell them that I was the kid that cried when I got a "bad" hair cut when I was a kid. Wow. What's wrong with me? Haha!

We also had a baptism. Ambassador. Super sweet kid. I really like him. We are now working on his little brother. He should be baptized either on the 30th of November or the 14th of December. But Ambassador was baptized by his friend Innocent. Who is also a really sweet kid. I really like him as well.

Turner and Ambassador

It has been raining a lot here recently. The weather is freaking bipolar. It was really nice weather this morning. I was sitting outside with my bffs Lincoln and Aiden while they were showing me all their toys. And now it is pouring rain. It's kind of depressing. At least it's p-day. Cause missionary work in the rain is possibly the worst thing ever. The days are long when it rains.

It's getting closer to the holidays. I am really going to miss being around. I am just really trying as hard as I can to not think about what is going on at home. And focus on the fun things that will happen for me here. Like Skyping home on Christmas! That is super exciting! We are also singing in the ward choir now. It is directed by the Lauren and Chase of South Africa (sad thing, they are going to Cape Town for the whole month of December). Anyway. We are singing Christmas songs. It's fun. But I am carrying the Tenor section. Scary. I think I forgot how to sing as well. Yikes. But it will go well! I also have some Mormon Messages. I am going to start sharing the ones about Thanksgiving. Cause, duh, American Thanksgiving is coming!

Well. This is the last week of transfers. I am working on writing new letters to everyone to send home with Wilkinson. Can't believe he is going home. Never thought it would come. Anyway. I am also gonna try and find an ornament for this year to send home with him! Can't miss out on that tradition! Anyway. I have a week to figure it all out!

Oh! Can't forget the cooking! This week, I have been making some delicious Indian curries. They weren't that great. But I am getting better. I also can't expect too much, since I haven't made curry ever. In my whole life. But they were great tasting, I just need to get the consistencies right. they both just ended up a little bit dry. Hmm..wonder what I will try to make this week?!

Well. I love and miss everyone so much. I hope this week will go by a bit better. Well. Not that the past week was bad. Just the rough patch at the end. I would be okay to miss that this coming week. Well I don't want to stop writing. Because I love writing home. It makes me feel close. As you have said many times before. I am feeling that now.

I love you both so much!

Love,

Turner