Hello Everyone!

We were studying Turkish today and decided if we could think upside down and backwards we could better understand the way sentences are constructed here! Slowly but surely it is coming! The sun is shining and the pollen is flying, but the Magnolia trees smell wonderful along the street we walk every day. People have wonderful little gardens, and the area is kept very clean by people whose job it is to sweep the sidewalks and cobble stones. The taste of décor here reminds us of the styles that were popular in the 60’s in the USA. We live near two huge malls located about a 20 min. walk from our place. The area we live in is called Levent, and our Turkish dictionary says it means “Good looking, strapping young men” from the marines in the Ottoman military called Leventler. Anyway,…that’s a little insight into our surroundings.

Saturday evening we took the Metrobus to an area about 30 min. from home, with the Elders to a home of a couple and their two children. After getting off the bus and walking for about 15 min., we came to a very busy area with shops selling everything you can imagine. Suddenly we stopped between a couple of shops, knocked on an old battered steel door, and one of the Elders called on the phone to let the family know we were there. After the buzzer rang, we climbed two flights of steep stone stairs and we went into their apartment.  The apt. was so small that we all sat on two small couches, knee to knee. It was kind of uncomfortable for a few minutes! The Elders and the wife (husband could not be home in time) spoke Turkish and interpreted for us. These are humble people who are so honest and genuine in their love for the Savior. We are working on getting a fridge for these people because they have a 3 year old and a 4 month old baby, and had to leave their fridge at their old apartment. The Land Lord at their old apt. kept their fridge as they couldn’t pay their rent. We don’t always realize the blessings we have with our homes and surroundings. We’re praying that the husband can find a job and will be able to move his family to a nicer place.

It has been an exciting week with Zone Conference and being able to meet the Elders from Ankara and the Assistants to the President from Bulgaria. We had lunch with President and Sister Wilstead (our Mission President and his wife), who are genuinely some of the nicest hardest working people we know. Their love for the Missionaries and this work is so contagious and humbling. Pres. And Sister Wilstead taught the youth yesterday. They can reach people of any age with their knowledge of the Gospel and their life experience. The youth here are outstanding people who have such great knowledge of the Gospel who are bright, hardworking, fun loving, and who are teaching us about their love for the Savior and the Atonement.

It’s so fun to hear how everyone is doing at home. We truly love to see pictures of the new babies (thanks Anna, and congratulations Mallory and Jason!) and hearing about what everyone is up to.  

Love you all,

Sister Ercanbrack (and Elder Ercanbrack)