Durochers Ditally Dot: Morgan's 35th Letter of 2013

Dear Family,

So this has been a very eventful week, and a very exciting week for me too.

So we had a another Lesson with Nick our Investigator, it went well. He said he wants to be baptized and go through the Temple. He said that he wants to be baptized, but not anytime soon. Like maybe sometime within the next year or so. He doesn't feel like he is ready, and doesn't want to just dip his foot, he wants to jump all the way in, and be fully committed to it. He said that he wants me to be at his baptism because im his brother, and we've gotten so close. I told him I could go off Island during my mission. And he told me if I get transferred off Island, he will fly to Big Island or Maui or wherever I go, and be baptized there. Haha I just wish he would be baptized while I'm still serving here, but at least he knows he needs to be Baptized.

Saturday Morning was the Baptism of Valan Samuelson. We had a member give a talk that's close to the family give a talk on Baptism. Then Me and Valan went to the Baptismal Font, and I was able to perform the Baptismal Ordinance. It was an amazing experience to be able to be the Person Baptizing him, and being able to have the special connection and friendship with Valan for him to pick me to Baptize him. This was my 2nd time actually being the person who performs the Baptism, so it was a great refresher, and motivator to keep on being the best missionary I can, and reach my full potential, and to do my best and work my hardest. Then we had a missionary moment, then a talk on The Holy Ghost, and a Hymn, and a Prayer, and it was over.

Sunday me and my companion bore our Testimonies in Sacrament Meeting. I talked about missionary work in the ward, and expressed my gratitude for all the members in the ward for feeding us, and inviting us into their homes, and helping us. It's always so scary to walk up there and bear my testimony, but I always am glad I did after I sit back down, then im always like, "Oh dang, I forgot to say this, and dang I was gonna say that haha!"

Sunday night Me and Elder Talatau went to BYU Canon Activity Center (where the basketball court arena is). Because its the PCC 50th anniversary this week, Sunday night was the kicker off activity for the week. They had a Huge Musical Fireside. They had a Choir of 150 Tongan's Singing in Tongan, then a Samoan Choir of 130 or so. They had Hawaiian Choir, a Korean Choir, a Japanese Choir, a Fijian Choir, a New Zealand Choir, and an Ulumni Choir. The Ulumni was the Kids and grandkids of the people who helped start and build the PCC in 1963. So there was 2 hours of Music, and not a single song in English for me to Understand. All the Songs sung were Hymns, so I knew what song they were singing. The spirit was super strong there, and the choirs sounded amazing!!

So Sunday I got a call from President Warner, our Mission President. He called and told me another Elder had gotten Sick and had to go home. So he said he had been praying about it and the lord has given me a new assignment to replace him and become a Zone Leader in Waipahu. I was super surprised to get the assignment, but I said yes I would accept the call. So im in the middle of Training Elder Talatau, so he is going to go with the Laie Zone Leaders in a Tripanionship and finish his training. And on Thursday I am going to Go to Waipahu and be the Zone Leader there. That's part of the reason I never emailed yesterday, I had to go to MLC in Honolulu Yesterday. MLC stands for Mission Leadership Counsel, So all the Zone Leaders, and Sister Leader Trainers, fly from the outer islands or wherever they are at, and meet at the Honolulu Tabernacle. Then President Warner and the AP's come and train us and talk to us, then we all discuss and counsel together the needs of the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. So the meeting took from 9am - 3pm. Im super honored and humbled to have this call, and hopefully I can fulfill all my responsibilities, and do my best, and be an example to the other missionaries. So today I have P-Day, tomorrow im going to visit all the members in my wards, and say goodbye, and also say by to all my investigators, and then Thursday I leave Laie. Im super sad to leave my Son, Elder Talatau. We get along super great, just like brothers, I was excited to be with him for a couple transfers, but im glad for the time I had with him.

I know that Heavenly Father knew this was gonna happen so he kind of prepared for it. So We have always had 3 district leaders the whole time ive been in Laie. Then Last week at transfers, they brought in a new District leader, so we could have 4. But now with me leaving, they will go back to 3 District Leaders, which will be fine still. But It was inspiration to bring another in, because they would have only had 2 District Leaders if not for that. And So my wards are getting White Washed, and given to Other Elders in my Zone. So H1 is going to Elder Hansen and Bogner, and H3 is going to Elder Miller and Goodman. Which is a miracle in itself because Elder Miller went on exchange with me a few times, so he knows our Investigators in H3, and can have a nice hand off to him. And Elder Hansen and Bogner have met Mugs Nautu and Dade Emmicks our 2 With a baptismal date in H1 Ward, so they will be a good hand off. I don't know if you are all confused on what I just said, but its is a Miracle that everything happened how it did. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone and everything. Im so glad to be on My Mission, and the Decision I made to come on a mission. It has blessed my life so much, and I have met so many amazing people and had so many amazing experiences. I love you all so much!

Sounds like you all had fun camping last weekend! Thanks for all of the awesome pictures! Have a great week!

Love Elder Durocher