Morgan's Thirteenth Letter with Photos

Family & Friends,

This was a crazy week, it flew by like none other!

 

 

 

On Friday we had a baptism at 6 pm, of Rosa Norris. There was only 4 people from the ward, we didnt have very much support from the ward :( The 1st counselor was 35 minutes late, so we had to wait to do the baptism til we got there. We had no Piano player. But that stuff isnt really important. The spirit was there, the talks were great, and really focused on Rosa. She was able to be baptized and Receive the Holy Ghost. Which is what is important. Rosa was really nervous, especially when we got into the water. I said the Ordinance and then submersed her in the water. She receive the Holy Ghost and was Confirmed a member of the Church on Sunday during sacrament meeting, by the Bishop.

 

(This is a picture of Jaslynn, the person i gave a talk at her baptism, and Elder Garr, and the Makaha Elders, Elder Boyle and Elder Willyerd )

 

Saturday was a crazy day. At 10:30 AM i gave a talk at Makaha Elders Baptism. The baptism was for Jaslynn and i met her at a dinner party thing, and she wanted me to give a talk. So i gave a talk on Baptism. The baptism went great. It was over at 11:30.

 

From 11:30 til 2 we were getting everything ready for the Next Baptism, Including the final touches to the program, getting the cloths, and setting up the reception dinner, and decorating. We had a really huge problem come up, but with much struggle and energy we resolved it. At 2 The Wedding/ Baptism of Jordan and Eleanor Started. They were married by the Bishop, did their vows, and kissed each other. Then we proceeded to the Baptism part. A member gave a great talk on Baptism. Then we went to the water font. Brother Davis, a friend of Jordan and Eleanor, Baptized them both. Then we went back to the Relief Society room for the talk on the Holy Ghost, and Closing remarks. After that we had the Wedding Reception dinner thing. We had Spaghetti, Salad, and Bread, and Juice, and Cake.

 

Then at 5 pm the Trunk or Treat started. It was for 4 different wards, Waianae, Nanakuli, Makaha, and Tongan ward. We had some of our Investigators come, so we talked to them, and ate with them. It was really fun, i ate lots of candy, played some games, and talked to lots of people.

 

Then at 7pm, 5 cop cars pull into the parking lot. There was a fight between 2 different families in the ward, that was getting out of control. The 2 families have something personal between them, i dont really know what it is. But the fight was out getting out of hand, and the cops were called, and they had to report what happen. Then about 10 minutes later, We get news of a Tsunami Warning, and that we all have to leave and go home. The Tsunami was a 7.7 ( i think) off the coast of Canada and Alaska, and it would hit us at about 10:30 that night. We went to our house, and then tried calling the Zone Leaders. But the phones would not work at all. Probably because everyone was trying to call each other, it was like overloaded. We finally got a call into them, and asked what we need to do. They didnt know, and they would call us back with information. Then the Cities Sirens went off. At 9 pm we find out that we have to go to the stake center in Makakilo. The Stake Center was in a high part on the  mountain. Which is like a 25 minute drive, like 15 miles. But the traffic was crazy, and the Highway runs along the ocean all the way from Waianae ( where we live) to Makakilo. so it wouldnt be very smart to get stuck in traffic right next to the ocean. So we tried to see if we could drive up to a high part of Waianae. But we couldnt, The Zone Leaders said we had to go to the Stake center. We had to pick up the Makaha Elders, and then Drive there in the stop and go traffic. We made it to the Stake Center at like 10:20, 10 minutes before the Wave was supposed to hit. THe Stake Center was PACKED full of people. People from all over came to the Stake Center. We were there until midnight, when they let us go to the Zone Leaders House and sleep there. They live really close to the Stake Center. So there was like 12 of us elders sleeping in the House all over the place. We finally got to bed around 1 am.

 

Sunday we woke up, drove home. and got ready for church. I confirmed Jordan and Eleanor in sacrament meeting at church. and gave them blessings. It was a really cool experience. Eleanor has a really long hawaiian middle name i had to learn. and then Rosa was confirmed by the Bishop.

 

This week i performed my 1st baptism, and my 1st confirmation. It was a really Great, and Spiritual week.

 

We had Zone Conference, and Mission President Dalton and the Assistants taught us something called the Prayer Approach. The simple version is that when we go knocking on doors, tracting, we have a prayer with them, and then invite them to be baptized within the first 5 minutes of knowing them. Its really cool, im excited to use it this coming week. So that we can find the people prepared by the Lord, and the Elect people. It sounds pretty crazy but its inspired.

 

I hope everything is going awesome back home. Im doing great out here. I love each and every one of you. thanks for reading my emails. Love ya

 

Elder Durocher

 

PS. 

thanks for all the information on the MRI stuff. ill print off this email. Im still not sure what i should do. My back and Leg are feeling about the same as last week. Its still somewhat painful, but i can deal with it. its not as bad as it used to be. I think ill have to pray about it this week to see what i should do. Thanks for all the info though, so i can have options. Ill try to keep you updated the most i can. I love you Mom and thanks for all your help. Thanks for keeping me updated on the Family. Love Elder Durocher

Morgans 12th Letter - Photos

Dear Family

I have had another great week out her in Waianae! Heres an experience i had with an Investigator.

So last week we visited with an Investigator named Trisha. She lives in a Group home, and has a few disabilities. She has been struggling with quitting smoking for the last few weeks. We taught her a lesson, and then at the end of the lesson, Trisha said she wanted to give her Cigarettes to us, so that we could dispose of them. and That she was done with smoking. and she was really excited to be done. We took the Cigarettes, and then had a closing prayer. We told her we would buy her some stuff that helps get rid of cravings. So we go to the store and buy some supplies, like travel Toothpaste/ toothbrush, Gum, Grapefruit juice, Vitamin C, Mouth Wash, Mints, and a few other things.

 By the time we get back to her house, she was crying, and depressed. She told us she wanted us to stop coming to teach her, and she didnt want to join the church, or be baptized. and then she told us to leave. We tried talking to her a  little bit, but she was non respondant, then we  asked if we could say a prayer, and read a chapter out of the book of mormon. We started reading the Book of Mormon, and we didnt know if she was paying attention, cuz her hands were over her face. But by the End we could tell she was getting better, and feeling better. Then we taught her a little bit more.

Then i told her about Joseph Smiths first prayer, and when the Adversary over powered him. and that the Devil was trying to stop him. and That the Devil is trying to stop her from making one of the best choices of her life. We then Read Joseph Smith History. and I began to talk to her more. The Spirit was there so strong, and it was using me as a mouth peice. We were both "Edified." The Book of Mormon brings such a strong spirit. The Book of Mormon combined with the Spirit is the best way to teach. She re committed to quitting smoking. and by the end she was in a happy, cheerful mood again. The difference from the beginning to the end was so clear. It was an Amazing Missionary Experience.

We had a similar thing happen to an Investigator named Rosa, Where we read the Book of Mormon to answer her concerns and the Spirit was so strong. and Testifying to all of us the message was true. She's planning on being baptized October 26th. She talked to her Jehovah Witness friend, and her friend convinced her not to be baptized. So Rosa told us she didnt want us to teach her anymore, and that she didnt want to be baptized. We read 2Nephi 31 with her and the spirit was so strong. and she recommitted to baptism, and shes planning on being baptized this weekend.

We have 2 Investigators Jordan and Lani being baptized and married on the 27th of this month. It has been crazy trying to plan out a wedding plus a baptism. But now weve gotten everything figured out as of today. Please pray for them, that they will be protected from the adversary, or anything concerns or anything else. And that they will be baptized. Rosa is also being baptized this weekend on the 26th, so please pray for her too.

Today for P-Day activity, we played airsoft at a professional arena. We had professional guns and everything. It was super painful when they hit you, especially on the skin. in the 2 places the pellets hit me in the skin, it broke through the skin and started bleeding. It was super fun though, ill try to send a picture. Everyone in our zone except 2 missionaries came to play Airsoft. We played for like 3 hours today for P-Day.

Sounds like everything at home is going well. Sounds like ethan sure had a fun week, with everything he had going on. And cool the family got to get together. and hopefully Annie stays safe on her Trip.

Love you all thanks for the support.

Aloha Elder Durocher

Morgans 11th Letter - Photos

Hawaiis roads are really funky, and messed up. I took a picture of the 2 signs, that dont go together. Because its a One Way road, and then theres a stop sign facing the way your not allowed to go. I thought it was really funny.

It is customary to remove shoes at each home visited.  While Morgan was inside a dog ate his shoe and this is what he found!

Morgan and the district of Elders did a service project on the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor, HI.  Swab the deck Maties!

Dear Family

This has been a good week. It has gone by super fast. My back is doing okay, not better or worse. I think im gonna get an MRI this week and just see whats up inside there. Its super annoying.

 

Weve got 3 investigators that are going to get baptized this month. the first one is named Rosa, she is about 60 years old, and weve been working with her for a couple months now. She feels like she is ready now. The other two are Jordan and Elanor. They are in their late 20's, or early 30's. They have 3 kids, and have the cutest little family. Weve been teaching them, on and off for about 2 months. They are not married, so that needs to happen first. We told Jordan that the Bishop could perform the baptism for No Charge, and he wants to get married, so he was excited about that. But he needs to talk to his wife. So he wants to be Married and then Be baptized, with his wife. His three Kids are all under 6 years old. We took Jordan and Elanor to the Tongan Wards baptism on Friday. Before the baptism we gave them a tour of the church, which went amazing, they love it. Then we went and sat down in the Relief Society room to wait for the baptism to start. They came in, and everyone sat down, the room was packed full of people. We didnt know this before, but it was a wedding, and a baptism. So the Bishop married them together. and then proceeded to the baptism part. Since it was the Tongan ward, a lot of the stuff was in Tongan. So we couldnt understand, Jordan and Elanor dont know Tongan Either. They got to see the Ordinance, and kind of see how everything went. About half of it was in English, and Half in Tongan. At the end of it they sang the closing song. It was Love At Home, and they sang it in Tongan. It was so Beautiful, and i felt the Spirit so Strongly while they were singing the song. I really loved it, that was my favorite part.

 

So last week one of our Members had a Heart Attack. His name is Brother Davis. We were at our Pad eating dinner. So it was about 7pm. We got a phone call and Elder Pincock answered the phone. Bro Davis said we needed to get over there ASAP, and give him a blessing because he was going into cardiac arrest. We race over there, which was a couple minutes away. We pull into the drive way, and hes just laying there on his back, in the middle of the driveway. We jump out of the car, and he says hurry hurry, give me a blessing. He tells me to annoint, and Elder Pincock to Seal and Bless. I fumble with the Oil container trying to open it, and Bro Davis tells me to hurry up. I Annoint him with the oil. and as soon as i finish, he hands me his phone and tells me to call 911. Elder Pincock Sealed and Blessed him while i was calling 911. 911 transfered me to the ambulance dispatchers. I tell her to send an ambulance cuz a man is having a Heart Attack. The Dispatcher Lady asks me why i think hes having a heart attack. I explain the situation. Then she starts asking me a bunch of other questions. In the meantime bro Davis is rolling around in pain, and moaning. She asks if im related to the man, and if he has a history of health problems, and about his breathing, and if his skin is clammy. Im asking Bro Davis questions about his health history and pain, Then Bro Davis says give me the phone. He snatches it out of my Hands and says something along these lines, " I have a history of Health Problems, it runs in my family, i have small valves, and something else, i have been having chest pain all day long, I passed out, i can barely breath, and my vision is Blurry, send me a Dang Ambulance before I die! he says this yelling at her. Then he throws the phone acrossed the drive way. He told us that he was watering his Lawn and Next thing he knows hes laying on the ground, with extreme chest pain. He had passed out, and fallen on the driveway and hit his head. The Phone Starts ringing, so i go pick it up and answer. Its the Ambulance Dispatch lady, she says please do not hang up again. the ambulance is on its way, and i need to know some things before the ambulance gets there. She starts asking me more questions, and then Brother Davis Starts rolling around side to side, moaning, and grabbing his chest. Then his eyes close, hes stops moving and talking, and he's out again. We start calling his name, and moving his hands trying to get a reaction. But Nothing. I cant tell if he's breathing, his chest is not moving, and theres no breath coming out of his mouth. I tell the Dispatch Lady that he went unconscious, and hes lifeless. She asks if hes Breathing, and i say no. She says to check his pulse. I was by his feet, so i tell Elder Pincock to check his Pulse. Elder Pincock froze up and didnt know what to do, i tell him again. Then i say put your finger on his neck and check his pulse, Still Elder Pincock was frozen and useless. I run up to his head, and try to check for his pulse. Brother Davis is still not Responding, moving, or breathing. I was scared. I tell the Dispatch Lady to Hurry and Get here, cuz shes still on the phone. Hes been out for 3-4 minutes by now. Brother Davis all of a sudden takes a breath. it sounded painful and scratchy. He is Struggling to Breath, his Breathing is Irregular. I am kneeling next to him now. He grabs my pants and squeezes super hard. I feel like hes going to rip my pants off. He's Moaning and in pain. He is all sweaty, and i can see from his body language how much pain he was in. I tell the Dispatch Lady that he came to, and is back. Brother Davis Tells me to call his Wife, and tell her to send Kimo to get home ASAP. Kimo is bro Davis's Brother, and Bro Davis's Wifes name is Sheenah. Sheenah was at work, and Kimo left to go bring Sheenah her dinner at work. So i call Sheenah and tell her that her Husband Bro Davis is having a heart attack, and Kimo needs to get home ASAP. I hear her tell Kimo to run home. Then i tell her what happen. She tells us to Elevate this head, so we do. She tells us that shes stuck at work, and cant get off.  By this point in time, Bro Davis went unconcious again. This time not as long, and after like 30 seconds he was back again. I give Brother Davis my hand to squeeze, which ended up being a bad idea, cuz he was sqeezing really hard. after a few more Minutes we hear Sirens. Then 2 firetrucks pull up. 5 or 6 firemen run over to us laying on the ground. They start asking us questions about what happen, if anyone was with him when he fell, and who we were. They ask Brother Davis about his history of heart problems, and where the pain was located at. Then they check his blood pressure, and his pulse electronically. Then We get Brother Davis's Wallet, ID, and Phone. THen after a few more minutes. and Ambulance shows up, they get the stretcher. The Doctor guy comes over and asks more questions. They Put Him on the stretcher. and we give them his Phone and Wallet and ID. They were about to leave and Bro Davis yells for me to come over. I come over and he grabs my hand and thanks me for being there. and Says, "your in charge of my house, and my 4 daughters okay, dont let Me down." They wheel him over to the Ambulance, load him up. and Drive away. Then Kimo shows up, we relate what happen. Then we go inside to check on his 4 daughters. They are all freaking out, and in shock. They are Crying. They were watching the whole thing through the front door, They saw their daddy pass out, and get wheeled off on a stretcher. We give Kimo a Blessing of comfort to know what to do. Then in a little while we left. Cuz we had a meeting we had to get to, and couldnt miss it. We get a voicemail from brother Davis at 1 AM that night, saying that he is okay, and that he is in the hospital, and if we had not shown up to help him at that time, the Doctors say he would have died. He thanked us, and told us we handled it perfectly. Doctors said they are expecting a full recovery.

 

Wow sorry That Story is so long, maybe i went into too much detail. That moment is in-grained into my memory, so thats how i guess i explained it. Heres the short version: Bro Davis a member from the ward, had a heart attack, and went unconscious, we helped him out until the Ambulance could get there, and Now hes okay. :)

 

Yeah so on a lighter note. We got a free washing machine today. and we got 3 free AC's this week, we put 2 of the AC's on the windows of our bedroom, and the other one got stolen from our pad cuz we left it outside. Things have been getting stolen from our pad recently. We had some dumbells for working out, that got stolen, along with a bar and some weights. then this last week, our AC got stolen from our pad, along with a Box Fan of ours. I hope nothing else gets stolen :/

 

Well i Love you Family, THanks for Enduring this extremely lonnnngggggg letter. Thats great to hear about ethans football games. and about David, and Annie.

I love you all so much.

 

Elder Morgan James Durocher

Morgan's Tenth Letter

Dear Family,

Wow what a crazy last 2 weeks back home in Utah, i dont even know where to begin. Yeah i am able to print stuff if i want to, its 15 cents a page, so not too bad. For the last 3 weeks i have been emailing at the Public Library because its less than a mile away from our house. And the computers at the Library dont let you send pictures home, so thats too bad. Next time I email at the Stake Center i will be sure to send all the pictures i have been trying to send the last few weeks. The Stake Center is a 30 minute drive, so its kinda annoying to have to drive all the way up there and back.

 

Crazy all the news i have received from home, seems like everything has been the same at home since i left 10 weeks ago, until the last 2 weeks. thats a lot of news. i was blown away reading it.

 

First off im super glad that there were no complications with Hayden being born, or No health problems that i know of. Crazy to think that both Cambree and Hayden will both be talking and walking when i get home off my mission. Im glad to hear that David is doing well. It makes me happy to hear hes returning to his happy, bubbly personality i remember him having when he was in highschool. I hope for the best for them. Thats fun you learned that Mom and Dave got to learn how to country swing dance together that sounds really fun.

I cant believe Aunt Debbie died. That was really quick, i was expecting her to live for a few more months. I Felt the Spirit so Strong reading that part about Debbie and Larry being together right now. And also know for a fact that the Plan of Salvation is true. That we have a chance to accept the gospel after this life, and that Families can be together forever. I love Teaching the Plan of Salvation, everything about it is perfect, and amazing, and flawless, everything about it just seems right and makes sense. 

 

General Conference was so amazing, i enjoyed this Conference more than i ever have before. I loved and enjoyed listening to every single talk. We watched General Conference at the Church, so there was a special spirit from being in the church, plus the spirit felt by the Apostles, it was an amazing experience. Since Hawaii is 4 hours time difference, our morning session was at 6 AM, so we woke up at 5, got ready, picked up the other missionaries in the next city, and went to the church. I was suprisingly not tired or sleepy at all, which was great, i was able to focus. We invited lots of our investigators to watch General Conference at the church, or at there homes. So im excited to talk to all of them and see what they think about it. None of our Investigators came to the church to watch, so hopefully they all watched it at home. This years General Conference was really focused on missionary work. Maybe i only think that because im a missionary though haha. but There were lots of talks focused on Less Active Members, and Investigators. It was really great. Im am super excited for the Ensign to come out, so i can re-read all the Talks. I am really excited about the Age change for missionaries. I was talking to a member, and she thinks that the age change will double the amount of missionaries serving.  more sisters will serve because they can go at age 19 instead of 21. So sisters will have more desire, will be less Involved or Engaged into school or their career. and they wont yet be married. Then for guys since they can leave sooner, even right out of highschool, they wont have that year they have to wait, where they can be temped by the Adversary. There will be less opportunity or chance for them to get into trouble, cuz i  think a lot of guys get in trouble in that year they have to wait. I really love the change, and i know it was inspired. I bet facebook was "lit up" with comments about the age change. i was betting that its all over facebook, all the young men and women talking about it.

 

Well bad news im getting sick again :( i think its a cold coming on. Hopefully it will pass over soon, since i had a cold in the MTC, so hopefully my body already has some immunity to it, so it doesnt get worse. My back is feeling better this week. I have noticed improvement over last week. My leg and back both have not hurt as much, and have in general felt better. I am still taking Ibuprofen every day to help. Im thinking maybe ill wait 1 more week before going to the doctor, to see if it continues to improve or not.

 

Thanks everyone for all the Prayers, and for fasting for me. I know they are helping me out, even if its not making me better physically, its for sure helping me emotionally to be able to cope with it. I KNOW that Heavenly Father can heal me if that is part of his plan, but i also know he might have another plan for me, which involves other things. And knowing that brings so so much comfort and peace to me. I know he will do whats best for me, and what i need to help me grow.

 

I love and miss you all, thanks for everything.

 

Elder Morgan James Durocher

Morgan's Nineth Letter

Aloha Family

 

So i got a call from a Doctor Chamberland on Friday Night. He is a Doctor from California, and i think he is on a Senior Mission with His Wife. But he is a doctor that is over the missionary department, i think he specialized on backs, because he know a lot about it. I gave him the whole story on my back, dating all the way back from when i innitially hurt it last december. He was really detailed he wanted to know everything. He is a really nice guy. Then he prescribed me with another medicine, i forget what its called, but its the one i took when i had the spasm 1 1/2 months after my surgery. So i started taking that on saturday. I think its feeling better now, i guess ill just have to see how i feel this week. Thanks everyone for Fasting for me on Sunday, the power of Fasting is amazing. And Also thanks everyone for keeping me in your prayers.

 

We met a lady named Tianne on Saturday. She was a Media referal that we recieved through text message, one of her friends got on LDS.org and referred her to us. She is a single mother of 5 kids, ages 14 and down. and shes also taking care of 2 of her sisters kids. We stopped by her house on Saturday, and shared a message about Prophets and The Book of Mormon. She was really excited to see us, and really wants to start taking lessons again and going to church. She used to talk to the Missionaries a long time ago, but she hasnt for a while. She wants to start coming to church with her family. She was really nice, and im excited to teach her again this week.

 

So on Wednesday Morning we drove out to Pearl Harbor to do service. We got to Pearl Harbor at about 9 am. Then they had a Bus drive us acrossed the bridge to an island thing. Then we got there, and met with the boss guy, named Kevin. The boat was the USS MISSOURI, its a battleship from World War 2, and i think it was also in the Korean War, or some other war. It was decommissioned in 90's. and now its a Museum. It had tons and tons of Turrets, and Cannons, and guns on it. A lot of them were taken off though. Our Job was to sweep the Wooden top Deck of the Whole Ship. We had 14 Elders there, and a 800 foot long ship. It took a couple hours to do, we got done around 11, and then the Kevin took us on a little Tour. We got to see one of the big 16 inch cannons, there was a big room thing you go inside, probley 8 people who would work inside. It was cool to see. Then we Left home. I got some cool pictures, ill try to include them.

 

Today for P-Day were having a Zone Barbeque at a NanaKuli Beach Park. This week is Transfers week, specifically on wednesday is transfer Day. Me and Elder Pincock are staying together, and staying here, because i am still training. So i have nothing to worry about. I have 3 months of total training, so 6 weeks left until im done training.

 

I have been out for 2 months today. I have had an amazing experience so far, and im excited for everything to come. My Testimony has grown so much, and my understanding as well. I know My Savior Lives and i know He has a plan for each and everyone one of us. I know that everything we go through, all of our struggles, and trials, and tribulations, are to make us stronger, and make us grow closer to him, and become more like him. I like this scripture from 2 Nephi 2:24 "But Behold, All Things have been done in the Wisdom of Him who Knoweth all things." This has helped me so much going through my Back Struggles, I know theres a purpose and a reason behind all things. And my back problems have strengthened both my Faith, and Humility sooo so much. I hope and pray my back will get better.

 

Love Elder Durocher

 

Im gonna send pictures in another email. Cuz im at the Library, normally im at the stake center to email.  and i think thats what messed it up was sending the pictures and email in the same message.

 

Morgan's 8th Letter

Sorry if this is the 3rd time getting this message. My computer keeps saying the message failed to send to the recipient. If the other 2 emails didnt work, ill have to send the pictures next week, cuz i cant send the pics now.

 

Yet another great week here in Hawaii. So Here in Waianae, and Maili which are both my Areas, i have never seen so many ice cream trucks! I probably see like 2 or 3 different IceCream trucks like  3 or 4  times a day, and then im always hearing the icecream song that they play. Its kinda crazy. Hawaiians also have a Manapua/Snack truck, that plays the icecream truck song, and looks like an icecream truck, but sells snacks and Manapua. Manapua is like a shredded meat, thats inside of a roll. Hawaiians really love it. So i see IceCream trucks, and Manapua trucks, like all the time every day.

We have found 3 new investigators this week, They are all super prepared and super solid. We teach them this week, and im super excited for them, because i know it will bless them so much, and help them so much. I am really enjoying it out here. I love the Weather out here in Hawaii. it took me like a week to get used to it, but Now i Love it. We have an Investigator Named Jordan who really wants to get Baptised with his Wife. They just have a struggle getting to church. Because he just started a new Job, and he has to work on sundays, he said he tried asking for it off but his Boss wouldnt let him. We were gonna work with him some more, to try to hopefully get him baptised. Because Investigators are supposed to come to Church 3 times before they are baptised. So we are working with him on that. He has 2 little kids, ages like 6 and 3. He is really an awesome.

Im gonna explane one of the pictures. So like on wednesday we were driving to some apartments to visit a kid named Jazen. And we parked our car, and then we saw a Pigeon get ran over by a car driving by, the car only ran over the Pigeons wing and Leg so it was still alive and breathing. So the Pigeon hops on one foot to the side of the road. We leave to go see Jazen but hes not home so we go back to the car, grab a Book of Mormon, see that the Pigeon is still there. and then we go to another appointment in the Apartment complex. after the lesson we go back to the car, the pigeon is still there, and drive somewhere else, to another appointment. Then like an hour later we come back to the apartments so that we could look for Jazen again and the Pigeon is gone. So we decide that a Cat must have found the pigeon and took him away. Then We walk to Jazens Apartment, and hes not home. Then We started talking to a little girl named Savanna that just got baptized. and as were talking to her, i look up in the air, and i see the Pigeon that had gotten ran over. Some Little kids tied a string around the birds wings, and hung the bird off of their Balcony. I was so shocked when i saw it, but it was super funny too! I never thought i was gonna see the Pigeon again lol. The Pigeon was just sitting there on the string, haha it was so funny! Then that night at 8 pm, we went to visit a ward member, Brother Hyde, he is the 1st or 2nd counselor to the bishop. We were talking to his son Paa, and Paa told us that they were the car that accidently ran over the pigeon!  Small world haha!

Well I love you All, thanks for everything!

Elder Durocher

Morgans Seventh Letter

Dear Family & Friends

I have had a pretty great week here in Hawaii. Today, Tuesday, is our P-Day for this week. Monday was a normal proselyting day. Tuesday was is our P-Day this week because we went to the temple. It was a beautiful drive there and back, to seee the jungle on one side, and the ocean and beach on the other side. The Temple is super pretty, and Inside is way pretty too. The Temple grounds is super gorgeous, plants and fountains and pools all over the place. We get to go through the temple every 3 months if were on an Island with a temple on it. Which is Oahu, and Big Island. I had a great experience there, and was able to feel the spirit super strong.

We Visited a Less Active Member on saturday. We got along really we'll, and connected really well. We got him to come to church sunday, and hes gonna hopefully keep coming, i think we helped him out really well. Hes like 30 probably, hes got a wife and 2 kids. We had a lot of similarities. Like We both worked at a rental store out of highschool, and both had back surgery, and back problems, and some other things. He opened up and shared a lot of stuff, and we were able to really teach through the spirit, and i connected to him perfectly. It went so well. I feel like we were both Edified, which is a sign of the spirit working. It was really cool. We did some service for them saturday night, then we visited them sunday and monday to teach the 2nd lesson of the Plan of Salvation. We are going to start coming over once a week, to teach them the lessons again. His name is David Quindt, and he told me that i was the good version of him. And i was the version of him that was born into the church. Cuz hes had lots of struggles and problems in life. He joined the church a couple of years ago. and Growing up he said he was the leader of a Gang in LA at age 15 and then by when he was 19 he went to jail, and turned his life around.

My back is about the same as last week. I am having more leg pain though. Im still just Icing it, and taking Ibuprofen. I talked to Starlene at Doctor Reichmans office, which is the guy who did the surgery. She said to just take it easy, ice, and Ibuprofen. and call her back this week. She says she doesnt think i would have re-injured it, and that its hopefully inflammation.

Oh and i think the MTC send you a bill for a shot i had to get in the Mtc. Thanks mom love you.
Well i love you Family & Friends, sorry that this week is so short, but today has been cut short cuz the temple trip. So i love you all thanks for reading.
=

Morgan's 6th Letter, 3rd from Hawaii, 2nd with Photos AKA: Mai Ke Kai Kimo KapohakuOKalani

Dear Family & Friends,

So yet another week here in the mission field. It feels like I was just barely at this computer writing the last letter to my family. Time goes by so fast when you serving other people and serving the Lord.

Well I guess I'll start off by telling you what I've done today. since its the freshest in my memory... lol. So this morning at 7 we started a hike. The hike started a little past Makaha, and goes all the way to the very point of the island at the north shore. So back in the 90's there was a Tsunami or something that destroyed the road past Makaha to the point of the island. It was a road that went all the way around the whole island of Oahu. But now that part is ruined and hawaii doesnt want to rebuild the road. Because somewhere along the road is a holy and spiritual place to Hawaii. It is a place where they say all the spirits of people go when they die. and that its like a resting place. and they dont want to disturb it by having people drive past it all the time. so they dont want to rebuild the highway. So we hike that trail that was ruined. The point of the island was really cool. It had lava rock all over the place. and Tide pools everywhere. So we were playing around on the lava rock beach, chasing crabs, and stuff. The Beach and Ocean is so beautiful and amazing. So that was really fun. not as crazy as our hike 2 weeks ago up mount Kaala.

So on Saturday we were on a Zone Exchange. So i was with Elder all day long saturday in NanaKuli and another city. from 11 til noon we did a window to heaven, so thats like knocking door to door. We found talked to a bunch of people, and got 3 New Investigators, and 4 OYM's (open your mouth). a New Investigator is when you share a message including 2 principles, a closing prayer, and a return appointment and phone number or address. An OYM is when you share 1 principle and get a return appointment. So that was really succesful. and then at 3 There was a party for a guy named Matt Moa who just got off his mission on wednesday, from Mexico. So he had a dinner party thing. So we ate a bunch of food there. Then at 4:30 we visited a Non-Active Member. He decided he wanted to cook us Steaks. So he Made us 2 giant steaks each, and gave us like 3 sodas. they were delicous, and i was soooo full! Then we Still had to go to a dinner appointment with a member at 6 pm. cuz we didnt want to cancel it. So we went to that and had a couple Chili Dogs, and Soda. Cuz they like make you eat alot of food here. Then at 8 we met with the Ward Mission Leader, Brother Wise. To talk about our area, and what we had done that week. We had no idea, but he prepared a dinner for us too! so i didnt want to be mean and say no. so we ate there dinner too, and it was big plates. and they had homemade juice too. I ate 4 dinners that night, i was soooo full! i felt like i was gonna throw up. It was like the most food ive ever eaten.

This Week Me and Elder Pincock have gotten 10 New Investigators, and our regular lessons with our Regular Investigators. So it has been a really successful week. We have seen lots of miracles this week. Ill share one real quick. So on Tuesday we had a dinner appointment with the Saiho's. and so we get to the house. Elder Pincock is reaching out the door, and his hand accidently hits the door and the key to the car goes flying acrossed the road and curb. Straight toward the Storm Drain. It bounces and Stops right on the edge of the drain. if it had gone 1 more inch it would have fallen into the Storm Drain, and we were far away from home, and we dont have a spare. It was nothing less than a miracle. Maybe ill send a picture of it. Ive seen lots of miracles with Our Investigators this week, its really amazing.

So last Night at Our dinner at our members house. We had it at the 2nd counselor to the bishops house. His name is Brother Hyde. He has 3 boys and 2 girls. and 2 cousins that were visiting. Im not sure all of their names. But there is Pa'a who is like 16, Hi'i who is 20 years old, and a 13 year old daughter, and a 8 year old son, and probley a 23 year old son. They are really nice, and way fun to talk to. they're family is really awesome. They gave me a Hawaiin name. cuz they have a book that translates names. and they know a ton of Hawaiin themselves. So Morgan: Mai Ke Kai.. James: Kimo, or Ukali.. Durocher (the rock): Kapohaku.. or The Heavenly Rock is: KapohakuOKalani.. So my name is Mai Ke Kai Kimo KapohakuOKalani.. It was really cool i had fun.

So bad news :( On tuesday morning for exercise time my companion was doing jump rope/ jumping training. And he wanted me to do it too. So i did. I didnt think anything of my back, and that could possibley be hard on it. I feel stupid now, cuz i didnt think anything of it. So that night my back was feeling sore, and a tiny bit of leg pain. The next morning it felt great. By the end of the day, after all the sitting, and walking and moving, and everything it gets sore. So this happen on thursday too. On friday i called Sister Scott who is in charge of health and medical. She told me to take Ibuprofen every 6 hours, and Ice my back, and be careful. and to call her monday. So i need to call her after im done writing. Today its feeling okay. It doesnt feel sore, but thats probley just the medicine. I dont know whats up with my back. But i just feel stupid for even doing the jump rope stuff. cuz it has been feeling great and amazing since my surgery. Like no problems at all. So i have been praying. and have gotten a Blessing. So please just keep me in your prayers Family and Friends.

Thanks everyone for Reading My giant Long Letters, i hope they're not too boring. Thanks for everything family and friends. I love you all so much.

1st Picture: thats a coconut we cut down from a tree, with that machete on a stick. Then we drank some of the juice, and ate some of the meat.

2nd Picture: thats the beautiful beach right outside the city of Kaleloa.

3rd Picture: the beach outside Kaleloa again.

--Elder Durocher

Morgan's Mission - Fifth Letter, Second from Hawaii, First with photos

                                         MTC buddies

                              MTC District and new found friends!

                                 Morgan arrives in Hawaii

                    First Baptism experience

                        Hike to the top of Mt. Ka`ala to be in a cloud  and not be able to see the view!  He's with Companion, Elder Pincock.

                             Mid way down Mt. Ka`ala, beneath the clouds.

I went on 2 exchanges this Week. i went on an excange with Elder Willyerd on tuesday night until wednesday night, and my companion was with Elder Boyle. I guess they do exchanges everyweek so that My companion who Is the District Leader can work with other elders to make sure theyre doing alright. Then i went on an exchange thursday night til friday night, with a zone leader named Elder Grover. It was really fun to go on both the exchanges and see their teaching styles and how they do stuff. IT was an awesome learning experience.

So last monday we thought that my companion had bed bugs cuz he had bite marks all over his body. So we had a member who knows lots about bed bugs, his name is Brother Davis, we had him come over to check. He tore apart Elder Pincocks Bed looking for them but couldnt find any signs of them, he was looking for eggs which look like dirt in the seams. and blood spots from when you squish they when you roll around at night. He said Elder Pincocks bed was totally fine. So then he said it must be in my bed, which scared the crap out of me. So He tore apart my mattress, box spring, and pad, which are in pretty rough shape with holes all over, and sweat stains all over. And he said he found Old Dead Eggs, but no live eggs, and no bed bugs. So the next day we sprayed this chemical on it thats supposed to keep bed bugs away.

We got a weight bench on last monday too. We got it from the Makaha Elders because they didnt want it at their Pad. Pads are what Hawaii Elders call there apartments and houses. So we got a bench and a ton of weights for them. so We have been working out everyday, cuz we get exercise time every morning. So hopefully i can keep from gaining weight here in Hawaii because the members feed you tons and tons of food. and we eat at members house like every single day. The members are so nice here, they are poor here in Waianae, but they always make nice dinners for the Missionaries. The average weight gain for Hawaii Missionaries is 40 pounds. Which is crazy!

So We hiked Mount Kaala Last Monday. We left at 6:30 in the morning, got to the trail head at like 7 to start hiking the mountain. We hiked up a paved path for like a mile or two, and then it turned into dirt and rocks. It slowly started getting more green and more green until we were in the middle of the jungle on a tiny path going straight up the mountain. The last 1 third of the Hike it started getting really steep and slick, and there were ropes to help pull yourself up the trail, it was so steep. We got to the Top, but we were in the middle of a rain cloud, so we couldnt see any of the view :( which was lame. but at the top their was a flat spot, with some old like powerplant or something, it had some creepy stuff up there. it felt like a Dinosaur was going to jump out of the bushes and chase us at any second. I guess that Jurassic park was actually filmed in hawaii, so thats way cool. and Also part of pirates of the caribean was filmed here too. Elder Mortensen, my District Leader told me he saw them filming part of Pirates 4 on one of the Islands he was on. While we were at the Top it started to rain hardcore, like straight up rainstorm. Then the Super Steep, Dirt trail full of rocks, turned into a giant slip and slide. The Dirt all turned into slippery mud, and i slipped like 10 times trying to climb down. We had to use the ropes so much, without the ropes we would have died. you had to be super careful with your foot placement. Then halfway back to the car the rain stopped. And i was able to get a picture when i was halfway down the mountain. Then we lost the Trail, Me, My companion, and 4 other elders. Before we knew it, we were in the middle of the Jungle, in the middle of the forest. So we started following a stream down hill, and walking down hill. We were lost for like 1.5 hours and then we finally found the trail. It was super duper fun, and i had a blast every second of it. Ill try to post a picture of it.

I have had alot of of amazing teaching experience the last 2 weeks. We have committed 8 people in the last 2 weeks to baptism, and all of them accepted it. We just need to keep working with them, so that they will be ready for baptism. We committed 9 people to come to church yesterday but only 1 actually came. it was really sad. but we just need to stay positive, and keep working with them, to prepare for baptism. Were teaching 1 guy named Robert who has been born again christian since he was 18. He is open to learning about it, just to learn, but doesnt really want to read or pray about it. so we need to keep working with him. The 1 person that camed to church is named Leini and she has a smoking problem she needs to overcome, and she has a boyfriend issue too. BUt were working with her and hopefully she can get baptised this month. she is scheduled for baptism, on september 29. She is way cool and super solid. I have met so many amazing people out here, i love it here in hawaii. theres nowhere else id rather be. I know im meant to be here.

Today we had a ward Barbeque at the beach. The food was really yummy, and alot of fun talking to people. It was really sad that we had to stay on the grass while everyone else was playing football and volleyball on the beach sand. but staying obedient is the most important thing i can do to help me have the spirit to guide me.

Heres some amazing food ive had here in Hawaii that ive never seen anywhere else. You have got to look for it as the store and try it. Its called a Melona Bar, its like a popsicle. the one i had was strawberry and it was so delicous. Trader Joes- Almond cookies things, they are like crackers, and super delicous. and the last thing is POG. its Passion Orange Guava. Super delicious stuff! Well i gotta go love you all.

Elder Durocher

Morgans Fourth Letter, First in Hawaii

Family & Friends,

So i have P day on Mondays and i got cut short on my email time, because theres so many other elders trying to write there families and theres not enough computers. and my computer wouldnt turn on for like 25 minutes, ugh it was frustrating cuz i want to be able to tell all of you whats happening here in hawaii.

 

So i got to hawaii on tuesday at 2pm hawaii time, after a 6 1/2 hour flight, plus waiting time. so we left utah at noon utah time and got to hawaii at 6:30 pm utah time, so we were all hungry and tired cuz we hadnt eaten since breakfast at the mtc.  and the Mission President Dalton and 4 elders were waiting at the airport. they gave us lei's, and asked if we wanted to go to a baptism or go back to the mission home and have a big dinner. We all picked the baptism, and so at like 3 the president took all the 14 new missionaries to McDonalds for lunch. We then went to the temple in Laie. and drove past the Polenesian Cultural Center, and drove past BYU-Hawaii. Then at like 6 we went to the baptism in a Tongan Ward. After the baptism they had a dinner with the Tongans at the Church. I just have to say it was very Interesting. Some things i liked alot, somethings i thought tasted funny. That night we went to the mission home, and opened an envelope with our new companions and our new areas. We stayed the night at the mission home. Then the next morning we went to a Transfer Meeting with ALL the missionaries that are on Oahu. so there was like maybe a 100 missionaries. Thats where we met our new companions, and our zone leaders, and our districts.

 

My Companion Is Elder Pincock from Highland Utah. Hes been out for 20 months, and hes my trainer for 3 months. My area is in a city in western Oahu called Waianae. So you could look it up. its right on the coast. and its SUPER DRY on this part of the Island. everything is dusty and dry and dead. Not how i pictured Hawaii to be. But its only like this on this part of the island, the rest of the island is super green. Its so wierd to see the ocean every day, and to think that theres ocean on every side of me. but im sure ill get used to it. The Members here in Waianae are super awesome. and we have so many investigators! we eat dinner at a members house everynight, and the food here is more normal, cuz its not a tongan ward. I am loving the food and the people in this area. This month my companion had 5 baptisms with his last companion, and 1 with me. and we have 5 people that committed to baptism for september. Hopefully they follow through and get baptised. They are all super solid investigators too. We had a baptism on saturday a couple days ago, i gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and i was a witness. It was really great, it was my first baptism! He had already recieved the first and second lesson, so we gave him 2 more lessons and then he was baptised. It was an awesome experience. His name Is Jordan Kamalii, and hes 18 years old.

 

 

 

Today we went on a P-day (preparation day) hike to the top of mount Kaala. Its the tallest peak on oahu. It was a 7 hour long hike, and we got lost on the way down, so we were wandering through the jungle for 2 hours. I took lots of pictures but ill have to send them next time, and ill tell more about it next time cuz i have to go. Ugh i wish i didnt get cut short i only had 20 minutes to write. Normally were supposed to have 1 hour to write family. sorry for the bad grammar, ive been trying to type as fast as humanly possible. Love you all family.

 

 

Mission Home in Hawaii

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Click on this link to see the Mission Home in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Morgan has arrived here and will go through orientation and then be assigned somewhere around the islands.  I probably won't find out for a week or so, where he is.  I talked with him on Tuesday, August 21st as he was waiting at the airport.  He sounded great and it made me so happy to talk with him.  He told me about his experiences in the MTC and the close friends he made there.  He sent a hand written letter home to Ethan and I which was received today.  We sure do miss him and look forward to his next letter and hopefully some pictures! 
Please write to him at:
Elder Morgan J. Durocher
Hawaii Honolulu Mission
1500 Beretania St. Suite 416
Honolulu, Hawaii  46826

He would love you get letters from his family and friends!
Thanks,  Sara

Morgan's Missionary Letter #3

Annalisa's photo from April 2012

 

Morgan will be flying out to Hawaii on Tuesday the 21st of August.  Here is his Mission Home address:

Elder Morgan J. Durocher

Hawaii Honolulu Mission

1500 S. Beretania   Suite 416

Honolulu, Hawaii   46826

 

Dear Family & Friends,

 

My time is super short cuz its my last P-Day before i get into the mission field, so everything is super busy, and i dont have a lot of emailing time left. I wrote mom and told her about my experience giving a blessing but i wanted to share with the rest of the family.

So last tuesday i was teaching My teacher Brother Yamada as he was pretending to be an investigator named casey, and at the beggining of our 3rd lesson he was rubbing his shoulder alot. we asked him if everythign was okay, and he said that his shoulder was hurting super bad, and he wasnt faking it. and then We asked if he wanted a healing Blessing. We then explained what a Blessing was, and how we give them. We asked him again if he wanted one, and he said sure. So i asked him what His REAL name was, and He told us His legal name was, Spencer Humio Yamada. My companion was going to Annoint the Oil, and me seal the Oil, and give him a blessing. I made my faith overcome my fear, so i wasnt very nervous, even though i thought i would be since it was my first blessing. So i had a lot of faith that it would go well, and that the spirit would tell me what to say. We then proceded, He annointed the oil, and I sealed it and gave him a blessing.

The week before i was having a question about why when you feel the Holy Ghost super powerfully, it makes your body feel tired and weak and exhausted. Like examples are 1 nephi chapter 1 when lehi is tired after feeling the spirit and lays down, 1 nephi 17:47 when nephi feels the spirit and is week, and ammon in alma 27:17, and Moses in Moses 1:9-10. Giving the Blessing was an example and a learning lesson for me, of how true this is. My Legs and Arms were shaky, and trembling while i gave the blessing, and i felt like my legs were going to give out, and me fall over. This was The Holy Ghost leaving my body, into Spencer Yamada's So that the Holy Ghost could heal him, and make him better. Then A Guy named Brother Mclay told me the story of when Jesus was walking through the multitudes and asked who touched him. And it was the Old Lady with a bleeding problem, and she knew that if she touched Jesus's Garment or clothing she would be healed. and Mark 5:30 says "Jesus immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him." the footnote for virtue is strength and power. So jesus felt himself get a little tired and thats how he knew someone touched him. Some of the Holy Ghost left Jesus, and went into the woman to heal her, and make her become pure, and clean, and spotless. and this is how i felt during my blessing that i gave. The blessing was super powerful and amazing, words just came to me, and i knew what i needed to say. It was an amazing experience, and My companion Elder Copeland said it was a Powerful Blessing. I have 30 seconds left of writing time. So i gotta go. I love you All. And Im greatful for all the Influence you have been to me in my life. I love you family and friends

Love Elder Durocher

Morgan's Missionary Letter #2

I cant really think of anything specific i want to say but maybe telling you about my week will help me think of some things i wanted to tell you. So last Saturday my permanent retainer broke while eating lunch, i could feel it wiggling around inside my mouth. So on Monday i went to the MTC clinic and they got me an appointment with A local Ortho-dontist, and figured out they were sending me to doctor Christensen. Which is the same Orthodontist that all of us got braces at, so i was excited to see everyone there. we rode the shuttle there, then the glued my retainer back on, but while it was broken my front 2 teeth split a little bit, so they glued it on without pushing my 2 front teeth together, and so i have a little gap between my two teeth which is kinda bugging me. So maybe ill go back and see if they can fix it, or just not worry about it. WHat do you think mom?? This week has gone by super duper fast, it feels like yesterday i was writing you all, so i dont really know what to say. Today our whole district got to go to the temple, which was a great experience cuz i havent got to go in a few weeks, and i got to go with all the guys which made it an even better experience. Being in the temple helped me to think through a couple questions i had about how the spirit works, and how you feel it. Thanks for all the packages you have been sending mom, they have been really helpful, im thinking i want another pair of jeans but i dont know how to describe which ones i want. and i dont even know how well they fit cuz i havent worn them forever. So ill try to figure that out. I got a cold this week from my roommate Elder Alvey, he has the flu but i just have the cold so far. Me and Elder Alvey have been Temporary Companions for the last couple days, so that we dont get anyone else sick and so that we can stay in the room, and both our original companions can go to class. ive been sick since tuesday, i got a blessing and some medicine from the pharmacy so hopefully it will go away soon. We had to go acrossed the street to urgent care for Elder Alvey, so make sure he didnt have any other sickness besides the FLU. I had to miss a few classes yesterday and the day before, so me and Elder Alvey just studied and Rested in our Room. Ive been having alot of fun playing Basketball and Volleyball this week, the 40 minutes we get to play never seems like enough time to play. But oh well there are more important things that need to happen in the MTC. I have had a lot of teaching practice this week, im getting better at it. Ive been studying the spirit a lot this week, and the promise we have that if we have the spirit, it will tell us what to say, in the very second that we need it. I just need to build my faith that on this promise, cuz i get nervous before my lessons, but they always end up going well during the lesson. and i feel like the lessons go good. time is flying by here in the mtc, its been 10 days here already, and i only have 10 days before i fly to hawaii. My plane flys out of SLC on tuesday aug 21 in the afternoon. I dont feel like im prepared enough. i have 1 more P-day, and 1 more letter to home, and then ill be in the mission field. So with ethan moving into my room, im fine with that, im just wondering did he pack all my stuff into boxes or what did he do?? Cuz i know that my room was stuffed full of random stuff, that ethan probley wouldnt use or want. Its awesome that annie finally found a job, i knew she would, im super proud of you annie!

Mom, Brother Maes needs a missionary scripture for my placque, so im gonna have to go with the scripture D&C 4:1-4. or if thats too long just 2-3. you cant go wrong with that scripture.

Thanks everyone for writing back to me, i was able to read through them all but im out of time so i wont be able to write back. Thanks for all your love and support Family, keep me in your prayers, and ill keep you all in mine.

Love Elder Durocher

Morgans First Letter from the MTC!

Hi Mom, and Hi family.                                                                                   August 4, 2012

The last few days here at the MTC have flew by so fast! i have been staying very busy here, and i have been feeling the spirit alot. I got a great group of guys as roommates! they all have such a powerful testimony of the gospel, and theres only 1 other guy from utah. my district is really awesome too, theres 10 people in my district, 4 sisters and then the 6 of us. Their names are Sister Huff, Sister Neilson, Sister Barnes, and Sister Haufepeaufi, and Brother Moodie from Connecticut, Elder Neiman from North Virginia, Elder Alvey from Arizona, Elder Kellog from Alpine Utah, and my Companion Elder Copeland from Missouri. On wednesday i got all my info filled out and my name card, then i got my stuff brought to my room, and then we had an orientation fireside, and then we went back to our rooms and unpacked. That night us 6 guys in our room had a testimony meeting, and we all shared our testimonies, a scripture we like, and why we went on our mission. The rest of the week here has just been filled with Classes, Studying, and Practicing Teaching. I am doing a lot better at role playing teaching than i thought, i thought i would be horrible but when i have the spirit i do pretty good. I still need lots of practice though. I was called as the District Leader, so im in charge of those 10 people i talked about. I feel like this is an awesome opportunity, and im so greatful for the calling, and i hope i can magnify my calling. Im in charge of getting the mail, checking up on all the Elders and Sisters, and making sure everythings going okay, and maybe a few more things im not sure yet. I am loving the food here, for the most part. i think in a few more days ill have it figured out what food i like and dont like. Me and My companion have had chocolate milk for every single meal here at the mtc so far. We plan on drinking chocolate milk every meal until we leave. I love the chocolate milk here, it comes from the byu creamery so it is very tasty. My Companion Elder Copeland is from Missouri, he has been a member of the church for 2 years. he grew up looking and searching for the true church, and he has been to many other churches, but then a friend introduced him the the LDS church, he knew it was true and he was baptised soon after. He has a very strong testimony of the gospel, and he loves to share the gospel and share his testimony. He seriously shares his testimony like 10 times a day. We get along great, we have alot in common, and we have fun talking to eachother. My time is short. i have 7 minutes before the computer kicks me off. I just wanna answer some questions from mom. No i didnt get lunch on wednesday, i had to wait til dinner but thats okay it was fine. I love my companion. the first day went great, i talked about it above. and no im not having texting withdrawals. and i am loving the MTC. Hopefully ill be loving it the whole time im here and not get sick of it in a couple weeks. I love studying the gospel, time goes by so fast. yesterday we had 12 hours of class, and study time. it went by so fast, i learned so much, and yes mom, my back was fine, i didnt feel any pain or discomfort from sitting too long. I am having a problem with getting sleepy in the morning, probley because im used to waking up so late in the afternoon. I have a stong testimony of Jesus Christ. I know he lived and died for us. I know he suffered the atonement so that we could have our sins washed away, to be healed, and to partake of eternal life. I know that the spirit does tell you what to say when your teaching, or else theres no way i could have had some of the lessons i have taught. I love you all so much, thanks everyone for reading this gigantic boring letter that has horrible grammar, im trying to write fast and not with good grammar. thanks for everything, and ill try to write you soon mom, im just so busy and writing hand written letters takes up so much time.

Love You all - Elder  Durocher 

 

Some things i need from the store, because they are expensive here. I want a like 5 spiral ringed notebooks. a Key Ring, My notes on the last General conference which should be in the tv room by the computer. some of those ball point pens that i really love, the ones that have the black and white striped grip, that are BiC. and some colored pencils, and some highlighters. I want a few colors of highlighters, like yellow, blue, pink, green and maybe a couple other colors.

Morgans Farewell & Departure

Friends at Farewell luncheon on Sunday, July 29th

Morgan with Cambree his neice

Morgan dressed up for 70's day at the Singles Ward

Morgans Uncle Bryan and family

One last hug for Ethan.  Might be up to 4 years to see each other again.

Handsome Missionary!

Saying goodbye at near the MTC.  August 1, 2012

Brotherly Love, Nick and Morgan.

"You can do this"

Annie and Morgan, one last embrace

Moms turn.

One last kiss from the Mama!  (can't get the computer to rotate the photo)

Morgan gives baby Cambree one last squeeze.  I love you!

 Drop off at the MTC curbside.  Have a great mission Morgan and enjoy the Best Two Years in Hawaii!  We LOVE YOU!

Missionary Farewell Sunday

Durocher Family - July 29, 2012

Family and Friends gather for luncheon after the Farewell Sacrament Meeting.  The chapel was full, the gym was full and more chairs had to be brought in.  Morgan did a great job with his talk and shared his missionary experience with Halo.  Very funny.

Got to have a funny face shot!

Morgans good friends.  Open your eyes Morgan!

Time Flies when you're Having Fun!

Much has happened in the year and a quarter that has passed since I last posted!  With Morgan soon to leave on his mission, I wanted to get back to blogging and post his letters and photos from Hawaii so family and friends can keep up with his progress.  I recently sent invites to family and friends to attend his Sacrament Meeting Farewell worded thus:

The day is drawing near for Morgan to enter the MTC after many months of waiting!  He received his call to the Apia Samoa Mission in November 2011, scheduled to leave in March 2012.  Due to a back injury and surgery in March he was detained but has healed sufficient to begin his mission.  His mission call was reassigned to the Honolulu Hawaii Mission, and will enter the MTC on August 1, 2012.

I'll update some photos from the last years events as I have access to them.  One of the most fabulous events was the birth of my second grandchild, Cambree Alayna Durocher to Nicholas & Michelle on June 6, 2011.  They are expecting their second child, a boy already named Hayden, to arrive in October 2012.  Annalisa took adventure by storm and landed in Hawaii for 6 months from Novemeber 2011 to May 2012.  We are delighted for her experiences but so glad to have her back.  She spent a month with her Montana Grandparents, Cousins, Aunt's & Uncles and had a great time especially at Brittneys wedding!  Ethan is training for 2012 football season at Lone Peak High School and is working at Firehouse Carwash.  Michaels year has been focused on his studies at ISU in Pocotello, Idaho where he is nearing his last year of school.  Gavin continues to impress with his happy face and excellent vocabulary.  He's turning 5 years old soon!  Wow!  David graduated from USU in the Mechanical Engineering program in Dec. 2011, but did the ceremonial walk in May 2012.  He and Ashlee recenty bought a lovely home in Logan.  David just got a new job and Ashlee will be returning to college!  Great job guys! 

I went on a fabulous trip to Washington DC with my co-workers in May 2012 where Dean & Lynne were fabulous hosts around the city!  It was amazing to experience the history and be granted the 'fast pass' into certain DC sites via D & L.  Thanks so much! In June my brother Bryan retired from the Navy and all 6 siblings and my parents and cousins gathered in San Diego, CA for a phenominal reunion!  What a great family I have!  Love you all!

 We'll be posting more often and thanks for all the support for the Durocher Family!