Ninety-three

My last email! The mission has been the most strenuous, lovely, tiring, exalting, soul searching, and humbling experience I have gone through by far! It has been such a blessing to have been able to serve in this literal vineyard and not so hidden gem, the south of France and French speaking Switzerland. From Besancon to Bayonne and everywhere in between, I feel like this is my country, culture, and the people of my Personality and spirit. French people might not be so devoted to faith guided religions, but they have an outpouring of love, brotherly kindness, high standard of living, compassion, acceptance, and are ever searching for intelligence. Aka they have an abundance of the light of Christ and I know many will and are finding and accepting the message that we are bringing them as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ. The French people have many honorable qualities that I admire and love and I will be forever appreciative to have been a witness of them.

I am also thankful to have rubbed shoulders with some of the truest, most devoted disciples of Christ I have met anywhere. The Saints in France have been through a lot, and they are on the front lines of the battle against Satan. It would be and is honestly extremely difficult to be a Saint in France, but they are rendered that much more stronger and blessed because of it.

Next shoutout I have to make is to my mission companions! I love all you guys so much. Elders McKee, Lythgoe, Hansen, Richmond, Brill, Curtis, Sorensen, Roemer, Caramelli, McDaniel, and Amison, the more I reflected and my time spent with each one of you I realized how Christlike each of you were/are, and how much I learned from each one of you. I am sorry if I was a control freak and if I sometimes created unnecessary stress in your lives. All I can say is, it was real, and I loved and am thankful for every instant that I spent with you. 

As well I would like to thank Elders Perry, Shaw, Barben, Humphrey, Sauro. You guys made an impact on my mission as much as my companions and I feel as if you were one.

As well an enormous thank you to the Spackmans!!!!! You two made missionary life in Besancon outstanding! I will always remember the chats we had and feeling the power of your testimonies and conversion. As well I have a fond memory of Soeur Spackmans French oignon soup 😋 My mouth is starting drooling just thinking about that soup and those quiches you made. Those meals fueled my body but more importantly give an extra positive boost to my moral. Thank you.

Next shoutout I must make is to my Parents who literally made this mission possible financially and who patiently, over the course of my life taught me by words and actions your faith and your absolute unwavering faith in the faith of your fathers. You have continued the chain of legacy and I will always know your link is unlinkable. Thank you for the secured confidence and love which has been there ever since you knew I was coming into your lives and family. I will try my best to live to secure my own link on our family chain.

As well, thank you to Jenessa and Greg, and Caden and Melissa. Thank you for writing me every week! I know I didn't send the best replies each week, but I highly appreciate your continued presence and attention in my mission and life and I loved to here about yours. When I started my mission neither of you were married, look how much came to pass. I have been a small witness of God's love for you two, and his steady guiding life in our lives.

While I have been reflecting on experiences had and gone, a common string has been woven throughout my mission and my life. That is of my Brother and Savior Jesus Christ. He is and always has been there present. It has been amazing to see how His light has changed those of the people I have met and how His Gospel works. I feel from the deepest, most profond caverns of my soul that He is living and that this is His Church. I have had too many evidences and spiritual experiences before and during my mission. To disembark on this quest of discipleship would be a crime to my honesty and conscience. But I do not live in fear. I try to live in a spirit of understanding and freedom, Jesus makes that all possible for me. 

I would like to bear my testimony by the lyrics of a song I listened to a lot in my mission. In Christ Alone by Owl City.

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light my strength my soul

This cornerstone, this solid ground,  firm through the fiercest Drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when striving cease

My comforter my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground his body lay

Light of the world by darkness slay

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as he stands in victory, sins curse has lost its grip on me

For I am his and he is mine 

bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death this is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of heaven no scheme of man can ever pluck from his hand

Till he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Love ya guys so much! I am so excited to see you next week! A little nervous and sad, but honestly excited to start the next course of my life!

Love you all!

Sincerely,

Elder Duffy