I understand that I am still learning Turkish, so my Turkish isn't quite perfect yet, but until a recent call I had with a member I guess I didn't know I needed to work on English more. We were reading with him in the Book of Mormon and started discussing certain principles in the chapter we were reading. When he would answer, he would start in Turkish and then switch into English. He was talking to me about my Turkish and then started saying something about the Book of Mormon in english. He stopped, turned to me expectantly and then said, "Do you understand?" I was like, yeah, I understand the principle, but then he asked me if I could answer his question...there was no question! I sat there a little stumped, so he repeated his sentence again. There was no question. I again looked confused I guess so he started asking me where I was from and then asked if I understood English. He then asked me what my native language was, to make sure that I understood english enough. So, that was an interesting conversation as I tried to explain to him that I was born in the U.S. and that I do, in fact, speak the English language.
Some of the best parts of the week have been hearing some of the questions from the people we are teaching. One lady that we were teaching told us that she had been researching our church through the internet and Youtube and was wondering why Joseph Smith killed two people. We explained that some resources online about our church were false and then told her the best resources for learning about our Church were from the Book of Mormon, the Turkish pamphlets we had, or the church's website. Another question we got was "What physically changes in my life when I become a member of your church? What are the negative aspects and what are some positives?" We really thought out this question and gave an answer about how we can have the Holy Ghost, which guides and comforts us as we go throughout life. We even thought about the social aspect for people who are christian in Turkey, which is a predominantly muslim country. We gave him our best answer, and he responded that he was looking for an answer that talks more about how we change biologically when we become church members. My companion and I sat there for a second, trying to answer that question in the most serious way that we could, and politely answered that nothing changes biologically. We don't grow horns or get super powers or anything, but we do get the Holy Ghost as a companion that leads and guides us and we left the conversation at that.
On Monday, we did exchanges with our STLs, which are the German Sisters who live in Mainz. So, I got to head over there and be a German Sister for a day. It was a super cool experience being able to see all the beautiful places in Mainz, such as Old Town. I also got to have my first member dinner! Yes, all of them spoke German and I didn't understand what was happening, but it was super fun! For dinner, we had ham slapped on top of some cool watermelon. Was it a weird combination? Yes, it was. After that we had chocolate pudding and played the most intense game of Jenga ever. Everyone stares so intently at you during your turn as you try to not shake your hands or this tiny wooden tower too much. So, that was really fun and the most spiritual part for me was when I got to bear my testimony in Turkish. They didn't understand any of it, but I was happy that I got to share with them in Turkish that I knew Jesus Christ is our savior.
The most exciting part of my week also happened on Monday, right before we went on exchanges. We were in some training meetings and kept getting calls from the ZL's, which we couldn't answer. We walk out into the main area of the office, call them back while texting back some friends that we had been having conversations with. When they answered the call, they turned the camera towards the Turkey flag on their wall and asked us if we wanted to go there, before giving us the news that WE ARE GOING TO TURKEY! We will be there the weekend of the 23rd! I am so excited to go to Istanbul and meet all of the members and friends that we have been talking to! We have been calling and texting people non-stop and tomorrow we are having a coordination meeting with the Istanbul Elders to see what we need to do before our trip.
It has been a really exciting week and I am so thankful for all the miracles that happened this week! I am thankful for all of you and your emails and prayers! Before I end this email, I just want to quickly share a message from Elder Jeffrey R. Hollands talk "The Greatest Possession". Elder Holland states, "Of course, we are speaking here of the first great commandment given to the human family—to love God wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, that is, with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. This love of God is the first great commandment in the universe. But the first great truth in the universe is that God loves us exactly that way—wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. And when those majestic forces from His heart and ours meet without restraint, there is a veritable explosion of spiritual, moral power. Then, as Teilhard de Chardin wrote, 'for [the] second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.'
It is then, and really only then, that we can effectively keep the second great commandment in ways that are not superficial or trivial. If we love God enough to try to be fully faithful to Him, He will give us the ability, the capacity, the will, and the way to love our neighbor and ourselves. Perhaps then we will be able to say once again, 'There could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.'" The first great truth is that God loves us. He loves us each personally and individually. He loves us despite our flaws and loves us too much to let us live in a state where we aren't progressing to correct those flaws. I know that God loves His children and that He has provided a way for each and everyone of us to return to His presence. He hears our prayers, He knows our pain, and everyday that we chose to follow Him and His son, Jesus Christ, He is proud of us. He is proud that we are simply trying. I love my Heavenly Parents, and I am so incredibly grateful for the plan that they have made for me and for you.
Sincerely,
Kızkardeş Calder
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