Homecoming May 26, 2013

Leaving Peru May 21, 2013

April 29, 2013 1 Corinthians 14:33

Dear Family,

This week was really good. The scripture of the week is: 1 corinthians 14:33. Wow time is flying too quickly. Before I forget to tell you, I will be arriving in the salt lake airport the 21st of may at 12:07 P.M. Wow this past week we all went to trujillo for the conference with elder bednar. It was soo amazing. He really is an apostle of the lord jesus christ. He taught us about how to learn by faith. and how to teach so that others learn by faith. He said some things that I will never forget. especially about teaching with good questions. For 3 hours we were all participating and he is an amazing teacher. He said too many teachers in the church play the game ¨guess what`s in my head¨ as they teach. When he shared his testimony I felt the spirit soo strong I know that he really is one of the 15 people on the earth that has all of the priesthood keys. I know that he is a witness of jesus christ himself. and I we did all get the chance to shake his hand at the end which was really awesome. Elder Waddell will also be coming to our stake conference this week which is exciting. I will be in trujillo tomorrow and wednesday for leaderiship meetings. Thank you all for writing me! you letters mean the world. Mothers day should be like usual, we should be able to skype they same way we have done in the past. its the cheapest and most efficient way. maybe I will hide my face so its more dramatic when I see you in the airport . . haha we`ll see. We are teaching some good people and I feel we will have a few baptisms in these weeks. one sister named brenda is progressing very rapidly. She is keeping her commitments and has her answer from God and has agreed to be baptized on the 11th of may if she feels prepared for that day. We are still working our hardest each day and there is so much to do every day it doesn`t let me think about home. I have just 3 weeks left to give my all to God and after that it will never be exactly the same. Dad once told me that the only regrets we have in this life are when we don`t do our best. I want to make sure I do my absolute best these past three weeks. Thats so awesome that courtney will be talking in seminary graduation. wow I can`t believe how old she is. Life at home didn`t just freeze for 2 years like I thought it would. haha jk. but Im proud of ya courts! I got a birthday letter from Grandma and grandpa holt this week which really helped me. I have the best family in the whole world. Thanks for your examples!! have the best day of your life today!

Elder Hurley

May 20, 2013 From Sister Turk Her last post with Elder Hurley

Monday, May 20, 2013

It's so Hard to Say Goodbye.... to yesterday!

There they go....  more of our children

back to the real world.

But they have been fortified and changed forever.

We heard tender and tearful testimonies from each of these missionaries
and then Elder Hurley sang a song he wrote
about leaving the mission.
Elder Hurley is very talented and has written
and performed some unbelievable musical numbers
through his mission.
Thank you Elder Hurley!

Sweet Missionaries 

We will never forget you...

We will forever love and pray for you.

Elders:  Cornejo, Jensen, Arriola, Richards, Farfan,

Hurley, Alva, Chicche, Minaya, Armstrong and Casanova.

Hermanas:  Doxey and Bond

Goodbye Video

May 13, 2013 3 Nephi 5:13

Dear Family,
This week was grrrrrrreat! The last scripture of the week is 3 Nephi 5:13. When elder Waddell came and talked to us he said that we need less active members in the church, and more disciples of Jesus Christ. wow. awesome That is my lifetime goal. Brenda our progressing investigator is really close to being baptized. She has been to church for a month now and it is very possible that she gets baptized this week. I am just going to do all I can do this week to make it happen and more. I will work till the end but the work will always continue. It is a privilege to be a servant of the lord. It was great seeing you guys yesterday. I've been thinking hard about your inspired question, wingers or Asian Star. With much prayer, meditation, and fasting I have decided Asian star. haha. wherever is good though. We are teaching a lady named jenny. I just know she will be a member of the church soon. She has to attend church one more time but she will probably be baptized next Saturday  Her husband is a less active member but he is really great. She has been thinking a lot about baptism and wants to talk to her husband about it. We have a family home evening with them tonight. Overall time flows by way too quickly and my life is about to change a lot. But I will do my best to adjust quickly. I feel like I have got closer to each of you as I have been far away on my mission. I know that Family relationships are really important to God. Thanks for your love and support and I will be seeing you soon.!!!

Elder Hurley

May 6, 2013 John 8:31-36

Dear Family,
This week was really great. The scripture of the week is John 8:31-36. I was in Trujillo for a couple days for meetings (there are pictures on the blog). I learned so much. I felt the spirit so strong. President invited me to share my testimony at the end of leadership council and I felt the spirit so strong. I really do know that the things I've been taught my whole life are true. I have received the spiritual confirmation for my own self and I will never be able to deny it. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer. I know that God is leading his church today. I know that Thomas S.  Monson is the voice of the lord in these days and he is the only man authorized to exercise all keys of the priesthood. I know also that the Book of Mormon is the literal word of God. I know that the Bible also is. I know the gospel blesses families. I know these things by the power of the holy ghost and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Today we went to a place called cerro de paz. ( peace hill) things sound so boring in English  I will be calling dads phone on Wednesday as my pre call. We can do Skype the normal way. be ready to tell me the best time for everyone when I call on Wednesday  I tried to send a couple of pictures of the many I took. We found a really awesome lady whose husband is a less active member. They are legally married which almost never happens here haha so we are really excited. Yesterday went to pick her up for church with a member and she said she was feeling sick and wasn`t going to be able to go. We offered a health blessing and she accepted. After the blessing we encouraged her to come and explained that there was still time to get ready and come. She decided to get ready and come to church and she did. It was our stake conference. President Turk came and elder Waddell of the seventy. They re organized our stake presidency. Wow such powerful talks. I love you all so much and hope you have the greatest week of your life.
Elder Hurley

A Post from Sister Turk's Blog about Elder and Sister Bednar coming to Speak in the Mission!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

An Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ

 Elder and Sister Bednar's plane made it through the fog!

Oh what a beautiful day....

Elder and Sister Waddell also came with them

and Elder Alarcon our Area Seventy.

 We went straight from the airport to the Temple grounds

Toured the Temple... 

and then off to meet with our missionaries.

This is the first time since we have been in the mission

that we have had all of our missionaries in

one place at the same time.

I cried the whole meeting just looking at them.

 Elder and Sister Bednar taught our missionaries for 3 hours.

They actually had all of us involved and learning 

and loving every word.

We were all enlightened and motivated to 

be better,  to do more, to teach differently.

We were truly taught by an Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ....

One of the Twelve Apostles!

We then had a quick dinner

and we were back in a chapel that was jam packed with 

young single adults.

Another 3 hour meeting with an Apostle.

He left beautiful Apostolic blessings in both sessions.

We will never forget this experience.

The feelings were deep and tender.

Sister Turks Blog April 15, 2013

Good News... Bad News.....

We are in Chimbote 

We started early this morning and drove to meet

with the Chimbote Peru Zone for the first Interviews.

Is your son in this Zone?

Zone Leaders:  Elder Hurley and Elder Wallace.

Elders:  Cano, Almonacid, Chicche, Cuya, Espinoza, 

Fernandez, Garcia, Guymon, Huaman, Miranda, Morales,

Nelson, Palomino, Reyes, Ureta, Whitelock and Yupanqui

We had a full day of everything great and good.

Tonight I am sitting in my hotel room and I turned on the 

news while President went with the Assistants

to meet with Stake Presidents.

I don't watch a lot of news here.

And when I do, I am so grateful to be one

step away from all the crazy things that are happening.

Bombings, threats of nuclear this and that, 

political divisiveness, murders, mayhem,

earthquakes, fires...

I have never been so happy to be away.

To be able to give all our focus to the work of the Lord

has been so refreshing, so uplifting,

and life changing...

When we stay positive

and really try to be in tune with the spirit,

our lives can be calm and full of guidance and peace.

I testify that angels are among us.

And today. more than ever 

WE NEED A LOT OF ANGELS!

April 22, 2013 Job 13:15

Dear Family,

This past week was really good and really busy. The scripture of the week is Job 13:15. We had lots of meetings and lots of plannings to do this past week. We had our zone training on tuesday. It went well and we put some good planning into it. If I haven´t learned anything on my mission, I have learned of the importance of planning to have success. We also had our interviews with president turk. We had to organize pretty much everything with the lunch and refreshments and stuff. It turns out good and we even ate cake for my birthday! We found some really good new investigators this past week. One of which has accepted baptism and has received an answer to her prayers. That is the best part about this work, that we are not alone. But God is with us and his spirit really testifies to the people we are teaching when they show faith. Last monday after I took out my birthday money from western union we found a guy on the street selling guitars.... They were really nice ones too and cheap. After some long negotiating and after the office said I could buy one to give to the office till the end of my mission. I bought a 10 string acoustic guitar. it was only 70 bucks. and it isn`t that big so it should be easy to bring home. :) We are working a lot more efficiently with the members of our ward and it really is the best way. We found 12 new investigators this week and 9 of them were references from members. I thank all of you who have writtin me this last week. I can really feel your support and love. THis week we have the chance to listen to elder Bednar and we are so excited. I hope you have the best week of your life!!!
Elder Hurley

April 15, 2013 Daniel 2:44-45

Dear Family,
This week was great!!! The scripture of the week is Daniel 2:44-45. We had a baptism! Her name is Flor. She is really awesome. I will try to send pictures of the baptism. She was baptized with her little 8 year old kid. Her husband is a less active member but now the whole family are members and we are working so that he activates and that they get sealed later. His father (her father in law) baptized her which was special as well. Its always best to try to have the members baptize them. Especially family.  We have a new announcement in the mission that we can now write our friends and extended family members. So if anyone wants to write me that is reading this letter you can send me an email now at christopher.hurley@myldsmail.net and I can actually respond to you. Craziness  If you could somehow send me the email address of people that you think I might know  I would love to have them. Especially Dayton De Jongs and Willie Atkin, Willie is on his mission but if you can get me his mission address it would be great. Anyone else I might know as well would be great. Thank you for your birthday wishes. This past has been busy, this week is always busy and next week and the week after that. So time is basically flying it is sad. We had a district leader training which went well and also had a meeting with our stake president. He invited us to come give a 15 minute training to the bishops in the stake which was such a great opportunity. We talked to them about setting goals and making plans and the importance of unity and delegating. Also I wanted mom to know I play piano in church every week here in this ward so your dream of me playing piano on my mission for the wards that have no pianist is completed :) Tommorrow we have our zone training and on Wednesday president Turk is coming to Chimbote for interviews and we have to organize a lot of stuff. I am excited. Next week we get to have a conference with Elder Bednar. I am so grateful for the gospel and for the good influences I have had my whole life. I Know that Jesus Christs church really was restored and he himself called upon Joseph smith to bring back lost truths. I feel the spirit every time I share about the restoration and I know it really happened. I also know through my study and fervent prayers that the book of Mormon is the literal word of God. I Know that the bible is also the word of God and helps us to learn more about Christ's nature. I know by the holy spirit that Tomas S. Monson really is a and the prophet upon the earth and that if God wants to tell us something , he will do it through Thomas s. Monson. I know that the gospel blesses families and the a family can be together forever. I Am very grateful for this knowledge. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love you guys so much.
ELder Hurley

April 8, 2013 1 Nephi 14:14

Dear Family,
This week was really great! The scripture of the week is 1 Nephi 14:14. Conference was SOOOO Good. I love these servants of God. Sister Flor has came to church 4 weeks in a row now and has committed to being baptized this saturday the 13th, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT AND WHITNEY!!. Someone else will be having a spiritual birth this same day! She is going to be baptized with her 8 year old kid. Alejandro has also accepted to be baptized. But he might have to work this sunday so prob will be baptized in a couple weeks. I am glad I am staying in chimbote for my last transfer so I can keep helping this people. That was cool seeing my old byu choir teacher and some guys in the byu mens choir on saturday afternoon session. This past week we had zone leader council. It was great. We are all pumped that Elder Bednar is coming to the mission. We played soccer together which is always fun. and my son elder Meza is now a zone leader. so awesome!! Sounds like you guys are having fun. Hope you enjoyed conference. I invite any married couple who reads this letter to go back and re read the talk by elder whitney clayton of the 70 and make plans to try to follow the council. It was really awesome!!! I am so grateful to be apart of the Lord`s work. I love it so much and I am sad it has gone by so fast. I still have 6 whole weeks to work with all my soul here in perú. I love each of you guys so much. Thank you for being examples to me and for teaching me how to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope you have the best week of your lives!!!
Elder Hurley

April 1, 2013 D&C 101:77-80

Hey family,

This week has been crazy awesome. The scripture of the week is DandC 101:77-80. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY.!! Yes dad I did get the money and thank you so much for helping me with my BYU schedule! you are the best. There was an earthquake her nearby chimbote a 5.6 everyone said it was shaking pretty bad but we were in a car driving and didn`t even feel it. Today has been crazy. We moved rooms. Our current room hasn`t been that great and is actually a garage rather than a room haha but our new room is good. We finally got everything. Im jealous the other day I remembered grandmas hot dog potatoes. lucky!! Thanks for writing me and sending me pictures. March flew by. I am really excited for the general conference!! and speaking of apostles. David Bednar is coming to my mission! woohoo. I love that apostle. He is going to be a prophet some day for sure. Just look at a picture of all the apostles and prophet and ask yourself . . who is going to be around in 25 years?.. haha. We had our multizone this past week and president came to chimbote. It went really well. also elder zarian is going to be the new assistant!!! he will do great. my companion and I with a high councilor in our ward organized a stake mission activity that was realized yesterday. It turned out really good we had 3 work shops focused on new converts, members, and investigators, WE got pres turks councilor pres. mendez to come speak and we had some great results. Life is busy and I wouldn`t have it any other way. GOing to trujillo this week for concilio. I love you all so much have a great week!!!

Elder HUrley

March 25, 2013 Helaman 6:3

Dear Family,
This week was awesome. The scripture of the week is Helaman 6:3. The week flew by there was so much to do. Last monday was fun our whole zone went to the big stadium in chimbote and played futbol. We did a cool service this past week too. It rained last week and the people here are not ready for rain at all cuz it only rains a few times a year in chimbote. But this cute little old lady who lives by herself and recently was baptized got soaked by the rain in the night cuz her roof was bad. For the service we took out her old roof cleaned things up and installed a new roof. It was fun. I sent some pictures. We have some good investigators. a lady named flor (whos husband is a member less active and is a dentist) came to church again with her kids. Her kid is going to be baptized this week (he`s 8) and we are hoping that she does it too. A brother named alejandro is also reading and has accepted baptism. He is the head of a wife and kids who are members so we are making plans to help him show more faith and repent. Today was lunes de limpieza. We cleaned all day long and had to verify the other elders rooms too. Fun p day....! Thanks for your letters. WOW  I cant believe courts is gunna turn 18. that is unbelievable. Thanks for all your prayers. I am trying to make the most out of every single day because after a couple months there will be nothing like this. I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!
Elder Hurley

March 18, 2013 Acts 2:17-18

Dear Family

The scripture of the week is acts  2: 17 through 18. This week was great I don`t have any time to write today sorry. But i did go to lima in an airplane. We found an amazing investigator this week whos husband is a member and dentist. She wants to be a member of the church and she came yesterday.  I am happy and focused and I love you guys a lot. sorry for the short message this week!!
Elder Hurley

March 13, 2013 Post from Sister Turk about the Zone Leaders

Zone Leaders...

Here are the newest Zone Leaders...

Elder Castillo, Elder Iler, Elder Tierra and  Elder Vanden Bosch

I have nothing to tell you about the Concilio last week because 

I wasn't there..

But I am going to start putting up all the pictures

from the events that I am missing.

President and the Assistants have been taking

photos of the big events for me...

I will try to catch up for all of you

I love the Zone Leaders

March 11, 2013 Exodus 31:13-16

Hey family!!!
Thanks so much for writing me. Life is going great as a missionary. The scripture of the week is Exodus 31:13-16. I only have like 5 minutes to write this so im sorry. I will tell you the most important things. Went to trujillo this past week which was fun. We have a joven who is possibly getting baptized this week. He is totally ready but just lacks a little faith. We also found a man named alejandro who´s wife and daughter are members less actives. We visited them on saturday and they explained that he hadn´t able to go to church for his work that was far away. but they let him go with benefits which allows him now to be with his family and follow christ. They all came to church yesterday and our goal for his baptism is the 30th of march (happy birthday courtney) I am going to go to Lima this week to do some document stuff. Our zone is becoming more excited and I love them all so much. That is crazy that you guys decided to go to hawaii this week. I was just thinking this past week how cool it would be to go to hawaii again. haha. WEll I love you guys so much and hope that you have the best week of your life. hey you should get me and dad a job at solution reach just for fun haha . sounds like you guys are all doing great. sorry to be short. Have a great week!!!
elder Hurley

March 4, 2013 Genesis 50:23-15

Dear Family,

This week was really great! The scripture of the week is Genesis 50:23 -25. THis week has been crazzzyyy busy. But I like busy. So much to do in the new zone. We have 20 elders in our zone so its bigger than my last zone. and 0 hermanas. We have some good established members here which makes me happy. They seem really willing to help and serve.  I lost my camera for a few days and it worried me a lot. but .. . i finally found it. I sent a picture of the picture i took right when I found it. I was really happy. haha. Thats cool that you researched a lot about chimbote. Ceviche is one of the favorite meals here among Peruvians. It is something that we are prohibited to eat though as missionaries because it is raw fish and many missionaries have gotten sick in the past. :( my pensionistas have made me different almost ceviche dishes with chicken or cooked octopus. Its good. Today we played futbol as a zone and we have a big turf field in my area that is only 5 soles for 2 hours. what a deal. We have some good people to teach and found a family of 7 yesterday that seems really awesome. I sent some pictures of the coast. My area isn`t actually on the coast but we went to the central today. Overall I am excited to work hard these last few months. Thanks so much for all your support. Congrats Matt for graduating college!!!! wow. that's crazy awesome. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys!

Elder Hurley

February 25, 2013 Proverbs 3:5-6

Hey family!

This week was great. The scripture of the week is Proverbs 3:5-6. Thanks for all your letters and help!!! you guys are the best. We had changes this week. (transfers) I will be leaving. I am going to chimbote peru. in the area El Carmen. I will be with Elder Wallace who is from costa rica but he looks like a gringo. I met him last zone leader council he has been a zone leader for 1 change. I am excited to meet lots of new people. I love this area that I am in right now but im excited for a new page. I am excited to go to chimbote. That is like the only place that I have been wanting to see but never served near there. It is a little over two hours from trujillo and is mostly coast. Im sure ill tell you a lot more about it once im actually there. haha. That zone has been struggling a little so hopefully we can bring it up. Thats so cool courts decision! thats exactly how I was. I never thought i would go to byu. . but i did haha. Last week we went to a place called conache. I sent some pics. My time here in laredo has really been amazing. This past week we worked really hard and had lots of lessons. We also had 9 investigators in church. I know elder Zarian will baptized at least 3 of these. I am so gratefull for the life I have been given. I cant ask for anything more. I love you guys a lot and I hope you have the best week of you life this week. elder Hurley