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

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