“I could find no peace of mind unless I was playing sports or in a gym”, were the words of a recent convert from France who is an athlete working in Turkey. He bore his testimony today, and said he loves reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church, because he finds a very deep peace in doing both of those things. He said those activities quiet his mind and he loves and appreciates it so much. In this world of turmoil, it is great to have a place where we can find peace that is everlasting if we seek it earnestly.  He spoke in French, and one of the members translated from French to English, and a Turkish man who speaks English and Turkish then translated into Turkish for the Turkish members.  Everyone got to hear his wonderful testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration. Our newest member, the attorney I told you about earlier, was baptized yesterday! She too bore her testimony in which she expressed profound gratitude for finding the missionaries and learning what she is learning. It is so wonderful to hear and feel the testimonies of these new members. There is such a profound sense of gratitude and enthusiasm with people when we come together in this work.

We have been told that it is not uncommon for Missionaries to have questions about the very gospel we are teaching when we hear so much opposition to the message we are giving. It has been so interesting to learn from a book written by Bruce R. McConkie called “The New Articles of Faith”. Teachings from this book were a main focus of our mission conference with President Lawrence, our Area Authority, last week.  It explains so many things regarding our pre-existence, our lineage, and our ability to become converted into the House of Israel…interesting concept. I was able to download it from Amazon, and I highly recommend it. I feel as though I’m learning doctrine in a new light, and I so appreciate the insights and confirmation of the truth. This is such exciting work and every aspect of it has depths one could never grasp in this life time. Thank heaven for eternal progression! My batteries are recharged and I am grateful for technology that allows almost instant access to the volumes of information that teach me so much! If you read this book I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Elder Ercanbrack and I are team teaching Gospel Doctrine, and it’s my turn to teach this Sunday. This mission is requiring calling on many skills that keep us on our toes. Elder Ercanbrack taught last Sunday and did a great job and had many compliments on his lesson. I’m so proud of him! 

Well, I did play the piano in Sacrament Meeting and it was O.K.  I know I was being helped because I only made a few mistakes and I made it through without passing out with anxiety! I was asked to play next week so maybe that’s a good thing. If you’ve taken piano lessons, keep practicing! You never know when you’ll need to recall those skillsJ. 

We went shopping for steaks last week, and the price of a T-bone at the market is 45TL (Turkish Lira) which is about  $23.00 for one steak!! So, we will not be having steak until we get back to our great home land. My mouth waters to think of barbecuing steak on the deck and enjoying it so much. Next time you eat a steak, enjoy it for us! We heard the price of meat in the US has gone up 30%. Is that right? 

Well, have a wonderful week and know we love and miss you. You are in our prayers daily!!

Sister and Elder Ercanbrack

This has been a fantastic two weeks! A woman who introduced herself to the Elders (unheard of) on the subway is being baptized this Saturday. She is an attorney who is looking for a better life, and has been on line researching the church. She stopped smoking completely within 4 days of learning of the Word of Wisdom. She asked me to speak at her baptism so that will be a great opportunity to feel the Spirit.

 

Also, we just got home from teaching our tutor whom I have told you about. Tonight he agreed to be baptized!! He said he feels so peaceful when he reads the Book of Mormon. He said he is so surprised he is feeling this way about a religion. He said he wasn’t really looking for something new when he agreed to take the lessons. He became familiar with the Elders from teaching us at the Branch and liked them. He had a little curiosity about us agreed to listen. The feelings he felt were so peaceful he decided to continue to let us teach him. The first night we met with him he agreed to say his first prayer ever and he gave two prayers during the lesson!! As a result of his two prayers he has found a job and he also told us that for the first time in seven years his family did not struggle with paying the mortgage this month.

Prayer is so powerful and the Lord has poured out sweet blessings on this young man. He said a prayer this evening and it was just thanking Heavenly Father for all he has,…just a prayer of gratitude in which he told the Lord “thank you and I don’t need anything, I just want to say thank you”. He is so sweet and sincere!

 

We have the unique opportunity here to talk to Muslims and try to understand their culture and religion. Many questions come up when they find we are representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. All of the missionaries have been asked to get a “clean copy” (not previously marked) of the Book of Mormon, and begin reading with the intention to be able to respond to concerns from these wonderful people. If you have the inclination to read the Book of Mormon with new eyes, you may want to get a new, inexpensive copy of the Book of Mormon and begin reading. It is a powerful experience. I’ve learned things I had not known before, and I feel the truthfulness of that book in a feeling of confidence and peace as I read!

 

Two of our Elders from Ankara and two from Istanbul went home last week and we received 4 new ones. One is an Elder Clark from Woodland Hills who will be in Ankara! I have not met him but I look forward to it. We don’t recognize his name. Another of the Elders came in from Bulgaria and is scrambling to pick up Turkish in a hurry. For about a day or two there will be someone who doesn’t know as much Turkish as Elder Ercanbrack and me!!  Oh yes, Terry and I have been asked to teach Gospel Doctrine, and I’m playing the piano this Saturday for the baptism and for Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. I’m so serious when I ask you to say prayers for me!

 

We hope all the Fathers had a great Father’s day.  Skyping on Sunday was so much fun!

Take care of your wonderful selves and keep us posted on what you are up to.

 

Love,

Sister and Elder Ercanbrack

It’s getting really hot and humid here! We’re learning to sweat with dignity and pretend we’re not dripping wet when we arrive somewhere! Luckily everyone is in the same condition!

I forgot to tell about security at the airport coming home from Ankara the other day. Elder Ercanbrack was stopped by security going into the airport because there was something suspicious in our computer bag. I had put six Swiss army knives in our bag for the Elder’s emergency packs to bring home to Istanbul and forgot they were there. There were six of us traveling and when security saw six knives and six people they dispatched a couple of other officers to stand near us until they could figure out what we were doing. Luckily they understood that it was a mistake to have put them there, and let us put them in our large luggage to be checked and let us through. What a relief! We had 4 youth with us and would have regretted having to tell their parents they were in holding cell in Ankara!

Elder Rasband and President Bennette  from Moscow and their wives visited Istanbul last Thursday. We were in 3 different meetings with them and got the solid message that the Lord is hastening his work, and we need to keep up with the Savior. Family History is a strong focus and the youth need to teach the older members how to do it! Keeping ourselves clean and worthy to receive inspiration and do our best in whatever calling we have is another focus. I’m so grateful to have felt their support and know this is the Lord’s work on the earth and the power of the Priesthood is alive and well and working in changing people’s lives for the better.

We cleaned the church for a baptism this weekend,…first one since we arrived. We are so happy to share this wonderful moment with this humble French man who is working in Istanbul. He said he has been searching for truth for many years, in many different belief systems and churches, and finally found the true restored gospel of Jesus Christ on earth today. It’s wonderful to think the Lord has put the Priesthood back on earth to prepare for His Second Coming and let us have the opportunity to work out our salvation. I’m so grateful.

Our Daughter-in-law Anna, and our two grandchildren visited us this week from Finland! It was so fun to be with them and to be introduced to our 8 month old grandson. They are all precious and beautiful and we miss seeing them. We’re planning to go to Finland at the end of our mission to see them which is far too long away! I’ve attached a photo and hope you can see it.

The BYU Chamber Orchestra performed at one of the Universities here in Istanbul last week. They were absolutely wonderful. 47 young students they played with such a big sound you could have closed your eyes and thought you were at Symphony Hall with a full orchestra. We took our tutor Ilkar and his girlfriend Chanel who have been asking questions about why we don’t smoke, drink alcohol, coffee or tea, and other questions about the church. The word Elder in Turksih is “yaşlı” and literally means “Old Man”. When the young Elders introduced themselves to Ilkar as Elder So and So, he laughed out loud thinking they were kidding him. He is impressed that these young “shinny” men would spend two years of their lives here in Turkey teaching about Jesus.  Ilkar and his girlfriend have been coming to activities and seem to really like the members.  Ilkar also brought a friend of his to a gathering after church last Sunday. His friend said I reminded him of Princess Diana! I said, “Gözlerinizi arkadaş kontrol olması gerekir” which means “You need to have your eyes checked my friend”!!! Funny things happen here.

We love you and think of you often! Take care of yourselves and let us know how things are going for you.

We love pictures!

Love,

Sister and Elder Ercanbrack