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