Message from Bahia Blanca Argentina Mission - Ethan arrived safely!

Dear Durocher Family,

We are sending you this email to inform you that your son, Élder Durocher, has arrived safe and sound here in the Mission Argentina Bahía Blanca. At this moment your son is traveling to his new area and Monday he will be able to write you to tell you how he is doing.

            Sincerely, the Elders from the office.

Misión Argentina Bahía Blanca.

Morgan's 36/2013 letter - Sept 9th 2013 - Photos

  Dear Family,

So Mom you might be wondering why i never emailed today during the day, but heres the reason. So our Elders in our zone has to email in the Family History Center and theres only 2 computers, and so they are using them during the day, and the ZoneLeaders usually just go at the end of the day, after dinner and everything, so that were not interfering with other Elders getting to email home, then we also do some paperwork stuff at the same time. I guess thats just how they do it in Waipahu, so im just gonna go with the flow. There may be some times that i can email in the daytime but im not sure whats gonna happen. Sorry its like Midnight Utah time, hopefully i dont wake you up when you get the notification haha.

But i have had an good week. Wednesday we had a few appointments with Dade Emmicks, and Mug's Nautu, and someone else. So we had our lesson with them, and then said goodbye and farewell. It was actually really really hard to say goodbye to them, i didnt realize how close i came to these families, and how much i love them. I have never gotten so close to families in a ward before, and never gotten so attached, maybe because ive been here so long. I really wish i could have had more time in Hauula, but the Lord has called me another way. All my free time on Wednesday was spent saying bye to members, and finishing up last minute things before i left the area. Oh and i spent lots of late nights signing journals of other missionaries. In our mission when you get transferred, all the missionaries sign your journal and say some nice stuff to you, and then you sign theirs and put pictures and drawings, and your info or whatever else in there. Since we have 42 missionaries in Laie Zone, thats a lot of Journals to Sign, and pictures to print. I ended up leaving my Signing Journal in Laie, cuz not everyone got to sign it. I will get it in a few weeks when i see them again. Oh yeah so in 2 weeks on Sept 21 i think, Elder Holland is going to come to Hawaii and give a fireside to all the missionaries on Oahu. So what an amazing opportunity were gonna have to hear from an Apostle. Im super excited for it.

Thursday Morning i packed up all my suit cases, which made me realize, Dang i have so much Junk! I need to lighten up my Luggage, so when i get some money im gonna be sending a few packages home. Then we drove to Honolulu, saw the Mission President, got my new companion, then headed out to Waipahu, my new area. I didnt even have time to unpack when we got home, i just dropped them off, and we headed to all our appointments for the rest of the day, then that night around 9 i was able to finally unpack and get situated. My new companion is Elder Jensen from Payson Utah, he is one of the most Solid Missionaries i have ever met. I have already learned so much from him. He has a strong and burning Testimony, and a motivation to work like i have never seen before. So Our Mission President asked the missionaries to all tract 2 hours a day, so we have been trying to be an example of obedience to the Zone. So we have tracted every single day, and I have learned so much from Elder Jensen Tracting. Im used to knocking on the door, talking to them, saying a prayer for their family, then asking them if theres a good time we can come back and share more. But nope not Elder Jensen, he just started teaching them and sharing his Testimony on the spot right after the prayer. So i have been working on doing that, because then we can share the message right then and there. Its amazing. We have found like 5 miracle people, who we tracted into and want us to come back and visit them this next week. Im excited for this next transfer and all i can learn from Elder Jensen.

So one of the stories of people we met when we were out just talking to everyone we saw. We were actually looking for someone else, and saw a group of people having a party, drinking and smoking. We walked over to them, and introduced ourselves, and asked if we could say a prayer for them. We asked what we could pray for, then prayed specifically for them for Heavenly Father to bless them. Then after the prayer, the whole mood of the group just lightened. Before they were kinda vulgar, and stuff, but then after the prayer you could just see everyones mood and countenance lighten. They thanked us for the prayer, then we taught a little bit about Prayer and Heavenly Father and bore Testimony. We found out 2 of them, Tiffany and her Mom, were members but in-active for 30+ years. They invited us to come back on Saturday for dinner. So we went back Saturday and had  a nice dinner with them, we talked mostly to Tiffany's Boyfriend, and found out I knew his Mom back in Big Island when i served there, but he's not a member. Nor is Tiffany's Daughter a member, so we shared the Restoration with the Whole family. The lesson went great, and we are going to see them again in a couple days.

Its just amazing to see how many Miracle Me and Elder Jensen have found these last 4 days that i have been here in Waipahu. So on Sunday i was shocked to see how small my new Ward is, Maybe about 100 or less people who were at sacrament. When i was used to 300-400 Members In Hauula 1st ward, and about 300 members in Hauula 3rd ward. Its a way smaller ward, so i think it will be easier to get to know everyone faster. My ward is named Honouliuli, haha thats a mouthful huh!? Pronounced (Hon-oh-oolie-oolie)  or something like that haha. Our first sunday we went around greeting all the members, introducing myself, and welcoming them to church. Church was great, im excited to be in this ward, and be able to serve here, and learn all i need to learn.

I love my Savior so much! I know he has a perfect plan for all of us. He wants us to come closer to him, and to follow him, but thats up to us. Im greatful for my mission and the opportunity i have to serve Heavenly Father, and to be able to serve his Children here in Hawaii. And im super proud of Ethan, and being on a mission, Im so excited for him to fly to Argentina and begin a next chapter of his missionary experience. I love you all so much! THanks for everything!

Oh and some side notes, Dad and Nick, im not really attached to that yellow honda quad of mine. So if you think i can get a good price selling it go ahead. But if you dont think it will make very much, and should stay in the family, im cool with that too. I dont really care either way, how much do you think its worth?

And Ethan thanks for your email, and going through ever sibling and saying what you love about them. Your such a great example to your Older Brothers!

Love Elder Morgan Durocher

Ethan's last letter in the MTC - Sept. 2013

Dear Family,

       Its pretty exciting knowing that I'll be leaving on MONDAY!! The time has come and gone by so fast. I am so glad that i was able to get the experience from the MTC. I have been matured and progressed into a missionary who can go out into the field and survive. I know that I don't know the language all that well, but with working hard and the gift of tongues, Ill be able to survive. I am pretty nervous about going to Argentina due to the "Unknown" that has not be seen. I'm willing to have faith to take that leap of faith into unknown territory. I hope that ill be able to strive to learn the language and become fluent so that ill be able to communicate the prayers of my heart to the ones that i will come to love. I am so glad that I have had the people in my family and my friends who have helped form me into a man who is worthy and strong enough to take the challenges coming my way head on. Thank you Mike, Nick, David, Annie, Elder Morgan Durocher, Mom, Dad, you are MY family, and i wouldn't have wanted to have had any other siblings to pick on me, harass me, give me a hard time, or slap me around then you. You have helped me mature more then most of the people in the MTC.

     So this week the district right before us left on Monday, so Elder Sioka became my new companion because he hasn't to be here for a couple more weeks. He had a seizure, and had a surgery in his nose or something. He has to wait to get permission to be given the okay to leave onto his mission to Texas. Hes an awesome guy! He is a Samoan from American Samoa, who knows Samoan, Tongan, English, and is learning Spanish. He is the most spiritual guy that i have ever met. He has such a powerful testimony about this gospel. He has a love for his savior that he isn't afraid to shout to the heavens. He is an amazing example to me. He is very smart and is good with scriptures and pulling ones out of nowhere for our lessons when teaching our investigators. He has been such a blessing in my life. He is such an Amazing missionary. hes the Samoan in one of the pictures I've sent home.

     Ill be heading to SLC at 8:30 am on Monday, and will catch a plane at 1:50 Pm to Atlanta, and then from there to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am so happy that Ill be able to go to Argentina and help others come unto Christ, who have been prepared by our Father in Heaven. I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that they love all of us no matter how far or close to him we are. I know that this is where and what I am supposed to be doing with my life right now. I know the God prepared me for this work and is proud of me. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very real. I know that no matter how far away we feel, how dark it is, how dim our light might be, There will always be light within, and with Faith we can become bright. Have Faith and exercise that Faith. God knows everyone of us. I challenge you to Re-read The Book of Mormon, just start reading, and I promise if you do it with real intent, you will feel something and feel the Spirit as you do so. 

   Durocher= The Rock = Diamonds= Diamonds in the rough

  I love my family so much and I know that You= Dad, Mom, Mike, Nick, Michelle, David, Annie, Morgan, Gavin, Cambree, Hayden know how much I Love You. I couldn't have asked for better examples in my life! You have helped make me into who I am.  

 Mike

  You are strong, steadfast and immovable, and Loving in all aspects. You have always been there for me from day one. I remember the bond that we had from the time that I was little and go smacked in the back of the head with a branch and I came running home and you took care of the gash that I had on the back of my head. The times that you have always protected me from harm, when ever and where ever I was. You helped me grow and get into motorcycles and being protective of my family. You put time in and I thank you for that. I love you so much Mike, you have been such a good example of taking life challenges head on and overcoming them. You are an amazing Father and have shown me how to be a good Father.

Nick

  Me and you seemed to always butt-heads. With things that you gave me a hard time about, if it came to eating to much, being a baby, whining about things, or just saying stupid things. You always gave me a hard time as long as i can remember, always getting on me about something. I hated that you would do those things to me when i was growing up. I didn't realize it until the past couple years, but the pressure you always put on me, all the things that you did to me, was to help me develop. It help my maturing process that needed to happen. You are part of the reason why I am able to be more mature then others here. You put pressure on me since i was born so that i was able to grow strong mentally, emotionally, and physically. You helped me become an Independent person who can walk tall and with out a crutch. Thank you for always being there in one way or another. I love you so much Nick. Show your family the love that you showed me. 

David

    I am so blessed that I was able to get closer to you over the past year, before I didn't know you. I didn't know my brother. I have been so blessed to be able to spend so much time with you. You have taught me so much! You showed me how to be myself around people and not care what people think. I love that you are so confident, and you have a right to be. You have an amazing personality, that i had not seen since you were in high school. Thank you for letting our family see that part of you again. You are an amazing man and will be an amazing father to your future children. I miss spending time with you. I Love You BrodaDave!

Annie

  You are our the Durocher family center piece. With out you we would have been unbalanced and it wouldn't feel right. I am so glad that I have the Best Sister! You and me have also always been close since forever. I don't know if that's because I am the baby of the family and you were trying to play house and i was your baby and your the mom or something but we have always been close. I have so much love for you! You have become an amazing women and I cant wait to see you again. I carry the rock you gave me around everywhere that I go. I made you that promise, so ill try to keep my end. It nice to have a item that came from you, that reminds me of you and our family. I love you Sista!!

Morgan

  We have always been close, but in age. You and I were always fighting, punching, wrestling, yelling at each other, doing something to get on each others nerves. It always worked too. To other people it looked like we hated each other. I know for a fact that it was completely opposite. It may have not seemed like it at the time but it brought us closer together. It helped teach us how to be able to handle future friends, companions, and in a few years a wife. It taught us patience and how to let the little things the bug us just blow over. We have always been together, I honestly don't remember ever being separated for this long and so far away from each other. We have always been near each other because we were forced to, like when mom would MAKE us hug after a fight or because we just were. I am so glad that we are able to serve missions together at the same time. I cant wait to see you again! I love you so much Elder Morgan Durocher. Congrats on being Zone Leader. You are an amazing missionary and have changed so many lives.

Mom & Dad

  You both know how I feel, and how grateful for you I am. You have raised Six children who have there Heads on straight and good shoulders that can bare the weight that will be put on them. You have done more for me then i could possible write in an email. Just know that I love you both and you have been such a good example to me, and have helped me become the man i am today. Thank you for all that you do for me and will do. I am so grateful for you.

 Know this, "Pain is Temporary, it may last for a minute, an hour, a day, or even a year, but eventually pain will subside and something else will take its place, but if I quit however, it will last Forever."

  That is one of my favorite quotes. Don't let yourself ever stop moving forward. The road is rough and you'll want to quit, but you can make it through! Sacrifice for the things you love, and Love the things your sacrifice.

   I Love You!! I hope you know that! 

                    Love Elder Durocher^2

Durocher Family Camp - Labor Day Weekend - September 2013

Hello Elders!

I’m writing a quick note here for the Elder Brothers!  Here are a couple shots of the camping trip, but I have about a hundred more.  I’ll put some on Facebook later.  The camping trip to Mirror Lake area of the Uinta’s  which is 20 miles East of Kamas, was very cool!  (Michael works in Kamas that is 15 miles east of Park City.)  I got off early on Friday and got Heidi her apartment stuff that was in the garage.  After I got the trailer packed up I headed for Kamas to scout out a camp spot for everyone.  I looked up one canyon called Smith Morehouse, but it was full of campers and wouldn’t allow ATV’s.  Next I met up with Mike and we headed up the Mirror Lake canyon and found a great spot that was tree lined and full open for all the large vehicles.  Dan brought 4 machines and Ethan’s fixed motorcycle (didn’t ride the motorcycle though and Nick now has it to sell at his place,) in his big enclosed trailer.  After we started setting up camp, Mike left to message everyone to describe where we were.  He ended up finding Nick and they followed in together from Kamas.  Dan came in the morning and David & Lindsay by 1:30pm.  Annalisa and Apollo had some turmoil with their house and had to move over the weekend.  The house they were in had mold and Annalisa is very sensitive to that getting in her lungs so they found a great place in Sterling, a city between Blackfoot and Aberdeen, ID, which is close to American Falls Reservoir. 

Saturday afternoon we had a rain storm come through but within an hour it had passed.  We loaded up wheelers and went to a trailhead to climb up an ATV road.  We had to start back before it got dark, but it was a blast!  Sunday morning after making breakfast we headed up to Mirror Lake in our vehicles to let the day get warmer and walked around the lake.  After we got back we loaded up trailers to  another trail and ate a packed lunch.  Got some great photos and we could see our camp way below.  Dinner was fantastic over the campfire and then we played Smirf!  Monday morning we packed up camp and each headed home to put things away.  We had a great time together and missed both you boys, but know that we continued the tradition and will do it again after Morgan gets back next summer!  WOW….that sounds awesome!

Much luck to Ethan as he heads to Argentina on MONDAY!  OMGosh….that sounds so weird…but awesome!  Better write me soon Ethan so I know you got there ok!  I’ll be praying for you non stop!  Well, I do that already for my kids, but I’ll be thinking of you as you travel and send all my love with you.  Pretty sneaky trick, but it was funny to trick me into thinking you were headed for Nampa, ID.!!

I have to say how impressed I was with Lindsay to have this be her 2^nd ever camping trip!  She was a great sport and help in camp and dealing with roughing it in the woods!  (Poo-pot) J   Haaa.   David and Lindsay got engaged to be married on Thursday evening.  Hurray!  Love her ring that is original vintage 1920's ring!  LOVE IT!

You all know I love being with my Kiddo’s so thanks for being there! 

Love you kids!

Mom

(Sorry about the tilted photos....the blog won't keep them in the preferred orientation!)