Twenty-one

Dear family and friends,

This week was CRAZY!!!!!!
Not going to lie it was really fun but crazy at the same time.

Monday,
We did the normal studies and cleaning, after that we did some
contacting and than emails. We did contacting on P-day because we were
going to have a lot of missionaires at our place in the afternoon and
it would be harder then so we worked earlier. After that we did emails
and than some shopping. We went into IKEA...
it is like a maze in there, but is was really fun. I bought some
slippers for Elder Shaw because his old ones smell pretty bad.

Tuesday,
We woke up at 5:45  and got ready to go in Lyon by bus. So we prepared
to leave, but something really weird happened. A guy about 22 years old
followed us to the bus.  Before any of the missionaries got on the bus he got on.
The bus driver had to kick him off. I am pretty sure he was drunk :) The bus
ride was really good! It was about four hours long and it was fun talking
with the other missionaires. We got to Lyon and we all met by a
museum by the confluence. It is where two big rivers meet, the
Rhine and another. It was crazy, after talking with all the
missionaires for about an hour we took pictures and headed to a park,
We played football, football American, frisbee and ate dominos
pizza. It was awesome! After that we went to the aquarium and had
talks from President and Souer Brown and their counselors.  Then we
played some games to all in this conference room.
We had masters tacos and all lot of chocolate. It was pretty awesome!
Then we watched Lion King and it was really weird watching a movie but
not going to lie. Then we left and us, the Montpellier
Zone leaders and another companion slept in the Lyon Zone leader's
apartment. It was a awesome day and it was all in preparation day
clothes!

Wednesday,
Woke up, got ready, then headed to the Ecully chapel, this time we
wore suits. We arrived and there was a lot of patteserie and other
breakfast food. Then we had more talks from President Brown and Souer
Brown and their counselors and a special musical number.
The Spirit was really strong and we were all together.  It was just
a really cool experience. After that we ate a lot more food
(meatballs) and than got our Christmas packages and a sack lunch for
the road. We said our goodbyes and got on the buses again. It really
was just super fun and a experience I won't forget.

Thursday,
Christmas Eve, we had some rendezvous and that was nice! At 6 we went
to the Esmieus house and had a Christmas party! There was a lot of
food and it was really good food. Enjoy the pictures;)

Friday,
Christmas! It was awesome. Christmas was the only day that we can
sleep in so I took it. But I still woke up at like 6:35. But I fell
back into sleep until 7:45. Then we opened presents and had muffins
with grape juice. It was really chill and I really enjoyed all the
letters and the packages. Thank you so much Mom and everyone else! It
really means a lot.

Then we headed to the church and did Skype and not going to lie, it
was super weird, it's just like bang, there is everyone, but it was
really good even if I was all little frazzled ;) After that we ate
with Frere and Souer Clark and some Amis at the church and I ate blood
sausage for the first time! It was actually pretty good!  Then we
watched Frozen the movie! Another awesome day!

Saturday and Sunday,
We had some lessons and passed some less actives,
I was trying to still absorb what had happened to me this
last week and it was good to get back to work!

So that was my week! Not going to lie I love the Christmas Spirit.
You can still feel it in the air.  It is because there is more love and
this is the time when we celebrate Christ's birth.
Jesus was a really person and really is the
Son of God and did do all those miracles.  He and Heavenly
Father really live and want us to grow and be happy. Simple said, this
is the true church, learn the Gospel, live It and see how it changes
your life for the better.

Love ya all and have fun in Mexico ;),

Love,

Elder Duffy

PS. Can you send my blue sweater and grey sweater? :)
Thank you and love you all!