Morgan's 17th Letter - Photos

Sara here.... I wasn't sure I wanted to post this letter but decided it's important to tell the truth.  This is the truth of what happen to Morgan and a testimony to his strength and fortitude to serve the Lord.  I am very proud of him and hope for the best outcome for the rest of his service on his mission to Hawaii.  Thank You dear Family and Friends for supporting Morgan and praying for his health and well being.

Dear Family & Friends,
So this has been the most craziest Week of my life. I am going to send this email to Mom and Dad, and if you decide that the Family doesn't need to know what happens, or the details of what happen you can just cut these few paragraphs that explain what happen. OR if you want the family to read what happen go ahead and keep it all.

 So me and Elder Maloata, have been getting along okay, not super great just okay. He gets really Moody, and impatient really easily. So I've been trying really really hard to get along with him, and to talk to him, and to become better friends. So last Monday we were emailing at the Library and Elder Maloata got really impatient at another Elder, Elder Merril, and yelled across the library for him to hurry up so we could go. And then i Drove all 4 of us to our House, cuz i wanted to check the Mail and grab some food. So i get the Mail, and the 3 of them are standing in the Elevator. I tell them I'm not hungry anymore so I'll eat later. Elder Maloata says "Get in the Elevator, that's why we came here." I tell him I'm okay and I'm feeling good. He says " Get in the F$@# 'ing Elevator." I say I'm okay. I can tell hes getting angry. So he says here give me the Keys, so i hold them out and he tries to grab them and drops them. So he picks them up, stands up and Shoves me into a wall. 

Then On Tuesday He doesn't want to have language study, he says its a waste of time. So i finally convince him to let me have an extra hour of language study. He falls asleep during personal study, and wont get out of bed. We haven't had a language study since I've been there. I always just have to study by my self. So we go to another Elders Pad for Lunch, Elder Merril and Elder Kniff. We have an hour of lunch break but we don't use all the time. We were having lunch break from 1-2, and we left those elders house at 1:30. We had an appointment in the KPT at 2 pm. so i wanted to drop off some extra food i had, at Elder Johnson, and Elder Bolkcoms House. I ask Elder Maloata since we have 30 minutes of extra time, can i drop off food at the other elders house. He says no, i ask again. He says no. So I'm driving so i Stop at a Red Light and put my Right Blinker on to Just Go to our 2 pm appointment at the KPT. Were at the Light, and Elder Maloata grabs a can of trash and throws it at me, and says "do you have a problem with me?" Then he Slaps our GPS off the windshield, it bounces around and lands in my lap, he grabs it again and throws it right at my head. He then Shoves the Car into Park, and takes the keys out, and Starts walking down the Sidewalk. 

My car is In the Middle of the Stupid Intersection, and there's traffic building up before me. I don't know what to do because i don't want the car towed, but im supposed to stay with my companion and he has my keys. So i get out and catch up to him, and ask for the keys back so i can move the car. He says " Get the F$#@ away from me" I ask him again for the keys, and he says " I said get the F$#@ away from me right now." So i turn back and go back to the car. The Crosswalk lady that's helps children cross the road tells me i need to move my car. I tell her i cant, cuz he has the keys, She had been watching the whole thing. I ask to use her phone to call someone to get the situation figured out. She says I'm not allowed to use it. But she would call her Supervisor. She calls them, and they ask to talk to me. The Cops get all my Information and the Car information. And send a cop car out to us. By now its been 15 Minutes with my car stuck in the intersection. Then i see a random Elder Walking towards me from way down the Street. It was Elder Takahashi, He was on a exchange with Elder Bolkcom. So Elder Bolkcom was with Elder Takahashi for the Day, and Elder Johnson was with Elder Hansen for the day. Elder Takahashi was all confused and told me he had the keys. We jump in the Car, right when the Cops Pull up. We drive to the side of the Road and Talk to The Cops for a minute, and they let us go. Elder Maloata as he was walking by himself ran into elder Bolkcom and Elder Takahashi, and Gave Elder Takashi the Keys, and Elder Maloata and Elder Bolkcom went to their house.

Elder Takahashi hadnt had lunch yet and was hungry, so we went to get lunch, which took like 30 more minutes. Elder Takahashi said My companion Elder Maloata was fine now, and he calmed down, and he loved me. Elder Takahashi Tells me lets go back to the Pad and talk things out. I ask him if hes sure we should go back and see Elder Maloata yet. He says Yes, Elder Maloata Loves you and is calmed down. 

So we walk into the house and Elder Maloata and Bolkcom are in the bedroom talking to each other. So me and Elder Takahashi sit in the front talking to each other. Then Elder Maloata Comes into the Front room, Grabs Me by the Neck, Knocks me over in my chair, because i was sitting in a chair. And he shoves me into the corner of the room. He starts squeezing my neck saying " Do you have a problem with me," " Is there something you wanna say to me." Finally after 15 seconds he lets go, and I start choking for air. Then he goes into a frenzy rampage throwing stuff all over the room. Throwing books and papers all over the room. Knocking stuff off of the Wall. Then he goes into the Bedroom. And Grabs Elder Johnson's $500 Old Tahitian Banjo, comes into the front room, and swings as hard as he can at the TV on the Table. The TV shatters and Goes Flying. Then he swings at the Table, and Then hits the Walls like 6 times. Then he Looks at me, to intimidate me, This whole time im laying on my back in the corner, covering my head and body with my hands and legs. Then he swings right next to my head, barely missing me. The Banjo shatters into pieces. Then he grabs the Kitchen table, and Flips it at me in the corner. Then he goes into the back room again. I think he's done so i stand up and collect my composure. Elder Takahashi and Bolkcom are just standing there in Awe, they have no idea what to do. THen Elder Maloata comes back in, throws a Kitchen GLass and me, it Wizzes past my ear and Shatters on the wall. Glass Flies Everywhere. THen Elder Maloata Grabs my shirt and says "come on were going." I say no im not leaving here with you. I want to stay. He Rips my shirt in half pulling on me. THen i run for safety in the Bathroom. He chases me into the Bathroom.  Then i agree to come with him, so i dont get hurt. He pushed me outside the house, and then slams the door, with him still inside. They live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building, so i walk down to the 2nd floor. and Then i hear Footsteps coming down the Stairs. I sprint down the rest of the stairs and run and jump into the car, and lock the doors. I think Elder Maloata is coming after me to kill me. But then  i see it was only Elder Bolkcom coming with me. We Leave there house. and drive into the City. They Calm me down, and help me to relax. He freaked out for me for no reason, i didnt argue with him, or egg him on or anything. It was ridiculous. 

This happen on Tuesday. So on Wednesday and Thursday i was in a Tri-panionship With Elder Bolkcom, and Elder Johnson ( Our Next Door Neighbor In Cedar Hills). And i was on an exchange with the Zone Leaders a lot too. I got to really get to know Elder Johnson really well. Hes an awesome guy. I spent thanksgiving with Him. I found out we have some of the same friends back home. Mission President Dalton Then had an Meeting with Me and Elder Maloata Separately, and I told him everything that happen. Elder Bolkcom and Takahashi also told president what happen. and President Dalton Decided it was not safe for me to stay with Elder Maloata, and i would get a new companion. President was not happy about Elder Maloata for driving, because he is Black-Dotted and not allowed to Drive. He Told me Elder Maloata has had problems in the past with his last few companions. Friday I got My New Companion. I am now in the Honolulu Zone, In the AuwaioLimu Ward. and Im in a walking area, with Elder Shepherd. ELder Shepherd is soo awesome, we get along fantastic, he is awesome i love him. Im in an English Ward Now. THis has been a really crazy week.

My Back has been doing better this week. It seems like every time i decide i need to get an MRI, my back feels better the next week. Thanks for all the information about doctors. Ill try to print it out when i get a chance. I really dont know what to do about my back about getting an MRI or not. When i talked to President Dalton he says to have a determination to serve a full time mission. and Don't even have thoughts of maybe going home. He says he knows the Lord will provide a way for me to finish my mission. He says to talk to Sister Scott about if i should get an MRI. I have the BEST MISSION PRESIDENT EVER!!! I love him so much, he is such a great guy. He has helped me out so much i love that guy.

I love you MOM and DAD. and Like i said, if you want to cut out the story i sent go ahead. I just thought i better let you 2 know what happen, and the story. Im okay now, Im doing great, so dont be worried about me. Im trying to figure out what the Lord wanted me to learn from that companionship. Or maybe theres something The Lord wanted Elder Maloata to learn from me. My new Zone is pretty cool. Im sad i had to leave my old zone, cuz i was becoming super good friends with Elder Johnson. I feel bad his Tahitian Banjo got smashed into pieces. There were 2 other people that were in my MTC District, in my old zone, so they were super fun to be with. But im looking forward to be in this new area. I think im gonna like it. 

I opened my Christmas and Birthday packages! :) I just couldnt wait. It was too exciting! thanks for the Tie, Watch, Music, Tie Bars, and Candy Stalking, and everything else! I love them all. Thanks so much mom

I love you Family. THanks for all the EMails from everyone! they were awesome to read. I love you all. Happy Holidays!

Love Elder Durocher

Archway through a Banyan Tree root

Companion  - Elder Shepherd

Mountain top hike - Nov. 2012

Root jump over the canal

Morgan's 16th Letter - Photos

Dear Family

I love you all so much! It feels wierd to be alone during this holiday season. But im doing great out here.

So Heres the Big news of My Transfer!! I got Transfered to Honolulu. Im in the Honolulu West Zone, in the Moanalua 2nd Ward. And Heres the crazy thing, im in a Samoan Ward!!!! :) I have to learn the Language too. Because i am in the Samoan Ward my Area covers half of the Island, So we go to Kaneohe, Honolulu, Hon-West, and Waipahu Zones. Which is Basically half of the Island of Oahu!! We have a car, thankgoodness. We live in a high riser apartment that has like 25 floors. The Pad is really nice. My companion is Elder Maloata. He is from American Samoa, and he is pretty cool.

Learning the Language is going okay. All of church is in Samoan, i recognized like 5 different words in church. Samoans freaking feed you a ton of food, and make you keep eating and eating. I hope i dont gain weight, because that would make things even worse for my back. When i left on my mission i started a personal NO-Caffeine goal, and i was hoping to make it through my whole mission without drinking caffeine. I made it all the way until this week when i was at dinner at a Samoan families house, and they gave us Dr Pepper, and i didnt want to be mean and say no. Cuz they hate it when you say no to food they give you. So i drank it. I made it almost 4 months haha.

So my Friend Elder Kniff told me that i probably have the Gift of Tongues, so i shouldnt be worried about learning Samoan. He says i probably have it because i was originally called to a Samoan, language learning, mission. So he says i should pick it up easy. And my Patiarchal Blessing mensions me learning a language on my mission. So hopefully it goes well. Ou Te Alofa Vate 'oe, Means I love you. And O le tusi a Mamona, is The Book of Mormon. Ive learned a few sentences and a few words. But please pray for me to be able to learn the language quickly and easily.

Im the Driver, because my Companion is Black-Dotted, so hes not allowed to drive. So i am trying to learn Roads of Honolulu, along with Kaneohe, and Waipahu, and the roads and cities are so confusing. We have a GPS Navigation thing, but its really crappy and gets us lost a lot.

I finally got you package on Friday of this last week. 2 1/2 weeks, or 17 days after you sent it. It took it a really long time to get here, im not sure why. But at least i got it. I sent Gentry Wiscombe a Letter, and its Been 4 Months and he still has not gotten it, pretty sure it got stolen. I'll be looking for that other package you sent for Christmas.

All the news from home is excting. From the Adamsons, to the Cat Story, to Thanks Giving. I cant believe its already Thanks Giving!

My back and leg have been feeling more sore than normal, i dont know if its my bed, or if its getting worse or what. My bed is pretty crappy and uncomfortable. This last week ive been getting really bad stomach aches. and i dont think its related to what im eating. It dont know what could be causing it. I wonder if Nerves in my back, are connected to my stomach pain? and My Right leg will every once in a while get a wierd nerve pain. and My arms and hands will get a wierd Tingly Sensation. I dont know if its connected to my back or not. But im kinda worried. I think i just need to get an MRI, cuz if there is a pinched nerve or something, just leaving it could make the nerve pain perminent. I dont know what to think anymore. My permanent retainer broke like 3 weeks ago, one whole side broke, so the wire was just dangling down. so i called the Mission Office and i got it fixed. Then it broke again this week, and its still broken, i havent gotten it fixed yet. I figured out last friday that my Fake Tooth is a little loose. While i was eating i thought i felt it move. So i go to the bathroom, and It like squeeks when i wiggle it, and it wiggles forward and backwards a little bit. Its been a week, and it hasnt fallen out. I dont know what to do about that situation.  

 

Love Elder Durocher

Quindt Family

Brother Davis who had the heart attack in a previous letter!

The Hyde Family

Brother and Sister Hyde

Hi'i

Pa'a

Ahi

I forget the youngster's name

 

Outing to Temple Square

Michael and friend Adrienne stayed until Sunday and we spent some time at Temple Square.  After a recent snow storm the Temple grounds were very beautiful and extremely cold!

Sara's 50th Friends Party

A party 10 years in the planning had come off perfectly!  I had a friends party on my 40th birthday and as 50 approached, I had been planning the event with selected friends.  Although I could have invited dozens of woman who have profoundly influenced me, I narrowed it down to 8 locals, knowing my friend Wendy in Idaho, Shanda in Arizona, Debra in Nevada, and my dear own Sister Tamie in Nevada couldn't make it.  I had much delight in making the table pretty and bright at Iggys Grill in Orem.

I greeted my guests and introduced each lady with a words of appreciation on how they enriched my life, knowing each was placed in the chapters of my life by the Lords hand and wisdom.  I thanked each dearly and let them open the gifts I had prepared for them.  Each received a hand beaded necklace with a pendant that says Forever Friend - Forever Sister.  I had pretty colored daisys in vases they could take as well as my favorite nail buff and my favorite candy, Reeces Peanutbutter Cup.  We all talked and chattered like a hive of humming bees!  In fact, Anita brought her very own honey made from her bees!  Thanks so much for coming to my party ladies and letting me share my appreciation!

From the back row, L-R is:
Pam Lee, Karey White and daughter Savanna, Janine Sucher, LaNae Morrill, Tanya Roylance, Anita Worthen & Diana Walters.
Front Row - L - R:
Michelle & baby Hayden Durocher, Sara, & Janine Miner.

It was just fabulous to be together as we don't all live near each other.  Thank You Dear Sisters & Friends!

Sara's 50th Birthday - Family Fun Surprise

I've never had a problem with aging and my 50th was no exception!  The day started out great with lots of Facebook birthday greetings and around 1pm at work a bundle of balloons were delivered from my Mom & Dad that read, "Over the Hill!, with the card saying,"it's only just begun"...Pretty great ehh?  Thanks Mom & Dad!

I left work a little early and went to JoAnn Fabrics and while driving home Ethan called to ask if he could go hang out with friends?  Uhh No!  When I got in the house I heard singing of the birthday song and found all my kids, except Morgan & Annie in my livingroom!  I was so shocked!  We gathered quickly and went to Red Lobster for dinner!  Before leaving the house though I checked the mail I just brought in and found a packet from Morgan!  WhooHOoo!  I brought it along and opened it at the restaurant as well as a card from Mom & Dad. 



Durocher kids plus one!  Welcome Kwinn Sutton to the family!



What a delightful evening we had and Annie called while we were there!  Thanks so much to my children for making the effort to be here for my 50th birthday!  I love you all so much!  Morgan gave me a Hawaii T-shirt, a turtle keychain and a SIX page handwritten letter!  Thanks Morgan!

Baby Hayden is 6 weeks old now and quite the handsome boy.  Grandma kisses were attacking him however and Cambree needs some too!

Morgans 15th Letter & Photos

Dear Family,
This has been a pretty normal week. We got a call on Sunday saying that I am going to get transferred at Transfer meeting on Wednesday. So im leaving my greeny area. I dont know where im going yet, or if im going off island or not, all i know is im leaving Waianae. Im really excited for my first time getting transferred. im excited to see everyone I was with at the MTC at the Transfer meeting.


On Wednesday we had something called a cottage meeting. Its like a testimony meeting for Investigators and Recent Converts. This cottage meeting was At Mission President Daltons house. We brought Jordan and Eleanor to the Cottage meeting. It was like an hour and ten minute drive there. Pretty much the opposite side of the Island. Jordan and Eleanor shared their Testimony, and their Conversion story infront of like 60 people, they did really good. They were really nervous. We thought it started at 7, but we double checked with the Zone Leaders and they told us it started at 6. so we left Waiane at 4:45, and got to President Daltons house by 6 pm. To find out that it didnt really start til 7, and the Zone Leaders were wrong. So President Dalton and Sister Dalton fed us dinner, KFC, and we all talked, and help set up until 7pm. It went really good, and was really fun. I got to see Sister Neilson who was in my district in the MTC and talk to her. Then the rest were missionaries i didnt know.

Sounds like everyone had a good week back home. And that Mom had a great birthday with All the Kids there. Im Glad my package got their right on time. and that the whole family got to eat dinner with each other. Visiting the temple sounds like it was fun. Those were cool pictures too.

My back is doing about the same as last week. Its being really wierd i dont know what to think. I think im gonna get an MRI when i get a chance, and just figure out whats wrong.
Thanks for the last Letter Mom, i really liked it. A lot of cool stuff happening back home.

Love Elder Durocher.

Morgan posted two pictures from the MTC in August 2012


Morgan and Drew Torgeson in the MTC




Morgan and friend Elder Judd in the MTC



Native tree in Hawaii, the Banyan Tree

Morgans 14th Letter & Photos

Dear Family.

Another crazy week being a missionary in Hawaii. It has gone by sooo fast!

 

This Morning for our P-Day Hike we hiked to the top of Maili Point. It took maybe like an hour to hike to the top. Maili point has a bunch of old World War 2 Bunkers, and Look-Out Points. So we explored all those, and played around inside them pretending to shoot down air planes. Then a Helicopter kept circling around us. The Helicopter was getting super freaking close. Like i could see the people inside the Helicopter, and see their faces. I got a few pictures of the helicopter, and the bunkers. The Helicopter kept coming in close, circling out, and then coming back in close again. It did it for like 15 minutes, and then it left. I hope we werent doing something illegal, and the Helicopter was trying to get us to leave. Im pretty sure it wasnt Illegal but who knows.

 

World War II Army Look Out Bunker at Maili Point, Hawaii

Morgan is showing off his 'Squishy and Flabby' arms!  Haaaa!

Morgan looks like he's hovering!  Inside WWII Army Look Out Bunker

 

For Halloween on Wednesday we had to stop Proselyting, and stop doing missionary work at 6pm. So all the missionaries met at the Stake Center to play basketball. I watched them all play while i was sitting on the side. We got pumpkins to carve, and a carving kit. I want to try to make pumkin pie out of our old pumkins, so we'll see how that goes.

 

We set up our christmas tree this week. A member gave us a litte fake 6 foot tree she was giving away, and it has lights on it. Then we cut out Snow Flakes out of Paper, to put on the tree as ornaments. and i made an Angel out of paper to put on the top. Then we got some of our pass along cards of Jesus Christ, and put them on the tree as ornaments. It was really fun.

 

This has been a normal week of missionary work. We taught a lot of people this week. We have a few people with baptismal dates this month. We are focusing on them these next few weeks. One of them is the William Family. The Father is named Robinson. The Parents became members in Guam in the 80's, and then became innactive, and havent gone to church since. None of their 6 kids are baptized. 4 of the kids still live at home. We have been able to get the Dad and the youngest daughter Raslynn to come to church a few times, but the rest of the kids arent as intrested. A lot of the kids names are similar. Heres their names Oldest to Youngest, of the Kids that live at home. Arze-17, Rastin-13, Rastlynn-11, Raslynn-9. I dont know the oldest kids 2 names. Their names are really similar. The William family are Chuukese. And Chuukese have a weird tradition with their Last Names. So the Grandpa of the kids is named William. And all of his Grand Children's last names are named after the Grandpas first name. So thats why all of The Kids have the last name William. Robinson has a different last name than his Children, Robinson's last name, Is his Grandpas First name. So does that make sense? Robinson has a different Last Name than his Children, because your Last name is your Grandpas first name. We are going to focus on this family, to get all of their children baptized.

 

My Leg and My Back have been worse this week. Not good at all. I musta done something that bugged it this week. Hmmm maybe it was because i played a game of Basketball last P-Day :( im sorry! its so hard, and tempting, and they couldnt play cuz they needed 1 more person, so they begged me, and i fell into temptation. I played for like 30 minutes, and was taking it easy, it didnt hurt or bug it to play. But afterwards it was feeling sore, and feeling more nerve pain. I promise I wont play anymore. I feel so dumb, and bad that i did play. Its so hard not to exersize. Because thats what i love to do. I think Hikiing today made my back feel better, so thats good.

 

Thanks everyone for Reading my Emails. I love you all!

 

Elder Durocher