(No Subject)

 Hello everyone! It once again has been a long time since I last wrote an email. It's been a little crazy as we have been anxiously waiting for transfer news and figuring out what will be happening with all of us. It also has been sad to say goodbye to some of the Turkish missionaries going home. I feel like our Turkey Zone is unlike other zones where we all are just very close. We see each other every day at the office and hang out all together on P-days, we even have regular coordination meetings with each other. Its been hard to say goodbye and it'll be harder to see them go when we drop off Sister Perry tomorrow. I am so thankful for all the things that they have taught me and have no doubt that after the mission they are going to do the most incredible things.

Another crazy thing that happened was on Tuesday we got transfer calls. Of course, since everyone in Turkey Zone is training we all got asked if it would be OK if we trained. We then got our area news. I have been in Istabul my entire training and have loved every minute that I have served there. The members and the friends I have meet there have left such a significant mark on me and who I want to be after and during the rest of my mission. I have loved serving over there with Sister Henderson and learning from her. I truly have been so blessed to have her as my companion and have complete confidence that whoever she trains next will be incredibly lucky like I was. Sister Henderson will be staying in Istanbul and I will be moving to Ankara and serving over there. I will be training and "pink-washing", which means that me and my companion will be completely new to that area. Sister Henderson and Perry served over there before we got to Germany, so it's not like there's never been sisters over there. I am excited to be in a new area and even more excited to meet everyone in Ankara!

Anyway, this is all the big news. Everything is changing which is a little scary but I have faith that the Lord is involved in this work and that everything will work out how it needs too. I will miss İstanbul and I hope I will have another chance to serve there on my mission.

Quick spiritual thought before I end this email. We had district council yesterday and got some incredible trainings from the three departing missionaries (Sister Perry, Elder Pace, and Elder Steele). Sister Perry shared this poem and I thought I would share it with all of you.

I'll Find You My Friend

Author unknown

I was thinking about our friendship, and these are my feelings:

In heaven we were the best of friends.

We did everything together.

One day, a grand council was called in heaven.

We knew it was an important event.

Everyone was there --

Moses, Noah and Jesus Christ.

Father presented a plan,

And we voted for Christ to be our Savior.

After the council, we ran to get in line

to receive our life package.

In the bustle, we were separated.

I received my package and ran to you.

You were sitting under a tree.

We opened our packages,

Mine said I would be born at a time

When the gospel was restored to the earth.

It said that I would have good parents,

And the fullness of the gospel in my home.

I jumped for joy and we hugged each other.

You were so happy for me. Then you read yours.

I saw the tears in your eyes and I asked what was wrong?

You said that you would also be born when the gospel was restored,

But you would be born in a different place,

And the gospel would not be in your home.

You looked me straight in the eye and said:

 FRIEND, FIND ME!

 No matter what it takes or the trials you have to endure,

 FIND ME,

and bring me the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love this poem and I kind of wanted to leave you all with an invitation. There are so many people who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel on this earth, and you don't have to be a missionary to share the gospel. My invitation is to make a post on social media and to invite others to hear about the gospel. If you don't want to do it on Instagram invite a friend in person. Either way, I know that this will bless lives. I know it has blessed mine.

I love you all! 

Sister Calder