Thirty

This week has been really good in Besancon! It has been snowing/raining for the whole week but it has been really fun! 

We also started using the car. Driving is so much fun in France! Not going to lie French drivers are a little crazy. Elder Brills is a really good co-pilot. 

So this week has been a week of Port a Port. At the start of my

mission I just contacted people in the streets, trams, or bus.  For the first five months I did maybe two doors, but now I am a big fan. It is really fun. We have

a member here named Frere Broch and he is super intelligent.  After

church this Sunday he showed us the art of port a port. So normally

before this we did a family questionnaire just to get people talking.  With his method, you do a quick introduction of yourselves but

not too long. After introducing yourself you ask, “do you have a moment please?” (please in French is si vous plaît)  I guess if you say that it is a lot harder for people to say no. 

If they say no you bear your testimony and then invite

them. If they say yes, the first question you ask is,  “Do

you believe in God?”  It is really bold, but we have

already seen a lot of miracles.

The mission is fun, but don't think that it is fluffy fun all the time. 

I have been in the darkest abysses in my mind than ever before.

It is hard stuff but every time if you just continue and keep on going you come out so that much stronger. I know that is made possible through Jesus Christ that He descended below everything just so that he can help you and me. This

is a couple verses from the Book of Mormon that I really

love about Christ.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and

temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled

which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his

people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of

death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their

infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to

the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his

people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God

suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins

of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according

to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony

which is in me.

14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the

Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of

heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be

washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who

taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to

cleanse from all unrighteousness.

15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin,

which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction,

yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to

repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his

commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the

waters of baptism.

16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from

thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will

remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life,

according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.

I know that is true.

Keep the faith, journey on, love on, and do all of it with a smile.

Make it a great week!

Elder Duffy

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Twenty-nine

We went with the Spackmans to a nice villa called Ornnon, It was probably my favorite place I have been in France so far.  It’s holiday season for the people here in France so that just means that everyone is on vacation and either in Paris or another city. We have met a lot of cool people and really cool families. One day it was raining and we were knocking on doors, and because it was raining we actually got in. :-). We actually got into four family houses in a row on this one road and we had really good conversations with them. We're going to go back and try to start teaching them and bring American cookies so pray so that can happen.  We went to Lausanne for zone training. Our mission has a goal to get 187 people committed to be baptized before we have the Elder Todd Christofferson at our conference in two weeks. It's really a high goal for this mission but I know that we can do it! 

This last week has been a little hard because my companion, Elder Brill, has been sick for two days so I hit the area book :-) It is fun calling people. We actually got some contacts it's from it. Last Sunday we got the last active start coming back to church again and she had a super good time.  We really hope that she would continue coming every week. 

Something that I learned from my mission so far is to really work with the members. At the start of my mission I really didn't think about that,  I really just want to go contacting.  I’ve really learned the value of members.

This Sunday the family Brock gave us a cordonee of a family that were interested in being taught the lessons! One of their family members wants to be baptized. 

Tomorrow we get our car :-) It’s actually a pretty nice car.   I won't be able to drive it to start off because not all the paperwork is finished.

A quote that I read this week: The most beautiful things in life are not the things that can be seen or touched or heard it is the things that can be felt. I know that this life is the time that we have to grow physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually so that we can become more like Heavenly Father. I challenge everyone this week: if you don't know that the gospel is true, read the words of modern-day prophets and pray to really know for yourself that's true.  If you have this knowledge for yourself it can be the greatest thing for yourself, for your family, and for your future family. 

Have a fantastic week!

Elder Duffy

Twenty-eight

So funny story, I deleted all my emails accidentally before they could send.
I will have Soeur Spackman send photos. Love you all and I am so sorry
and I will send a super big email next week. But this week I finished
the Book of Mormon in French and Elder Brill and I  will be getting a
car starting March 1 and I will be a driver. Once again so sorry I
just accidentally deleted everything I wrote and I ran out of time.

Love ya,

Elder Duffy

Envoyé de mon iPad

Twenty-seven

Hello everyone, sorry for not emailing last week :-)

I didn’t have Wi-Fi because I was traveling to Lausanne. A lot has happened the last two weeks.  

Two weeks ago I was on the exchange in Dijon with Elder Barbin. We had

many miracles.  We talked to a family.  After a few moments of conversation they said, “It’s really funny that we ran into you, because we had just prayed for God to let us know why we survived a car accident a couple months before.  The spirit was really strong and we had a good conversation. 

I went straight to Lausanne for a finding zone day. We went to four different cities: Bienne, Neutichal, Yverdon, and Lausanne.

As a a zone we had 416 conversations 46 lessons.  It was intense and a long, tiring day but super awesome. I love miracles. 

We have two baptismal dates for Eric and Luigi. Eric is super cool. He is a doctor studying here.  He’s actually part of Doctors without Borders.  He is 35 years old.  (He is the first investigator that I've had that has

taken notes during rendezvous :-)!  Our other investigator is Luigi he's a

student going to electrical school.   

Last week I ate goose for the first time. It was actually really good and a lot like duck. Another cool miracle: right after we left our apartment we had prayed to find a family.  Right when we left our apartment we saw family and we knew we had to stop and talk to them. We asked for directions and they gave us directions.  We told them that we would love to give them American cookies to show our thanks.  (Actually they gave us the place where he works and we went

the next day.)  His name is Niko and he is super cool. He actually ran in two Olympics for Canada and four world championships (100 m and

200 m).  

This last week we went to Annemasse for a conference.  I was able to see several of my friends that I’ve met on my mission.  Elder McKee, Elder Lythgoe, Elder Hansen and Elder Richmond.  The conference was probably the best

conference I have been to. The subject of this conference was how we

can get past opposition.  Also how to find families to teach.  It is what we have

been focusing on…(trying to contact every family and stroller that

we see).   It’s been pretty fun and we have seen miracles, and we are finding families.  

I would like to say something to anyone that is thinking or not thinking of going

on a mission. Go on a mission!  It is really the best decision you can

make. Even if you have things going for you and you don't know if it will

still be there when you come back… Go on a mission! I know if you

go on a mission Heavenly Father can change you in ways that he

couldn't have if you stayed home. I have really seen that in my own

life and I've seen how you become a better person. As I work hard and be obedient to the rules (I have not been perfect) but I can honestly say that I've tried my best.  I know if you do, you will receive all the blessings Heavenly Father has just for you. 

This is the last week of the transfer! This transfer has

gone by so fast. Elder Richmond is really a great missionary and a

great man and it has been fantastic serving with him. 

Something really important that I have learned is to love everyone around you. 

It’s really hard to do that all the time.  As you try to do your best to love others, work hard, and be obedient, you can find the joy of being a missionary.

I also found out I can juggle seven juggling balls at once.  It is

pretty sweet :-). I actually really do hope that I stay for the next transfer.  

We might actually be getting a car because our area so big. I would be the driver :-) 

We went to a Columbian restaurant/food laundry.  I sent some photos of Colombian food that we got for free.  We had a nice chat with the guy from South America while we ate.  

A shout out to Caden and Melissa.  

Their marriage pictures are amazing! They really are super sweet! Another

shout out to my sister Jenessa who just got into the BYU nurse practitioner 

program…she is amazing! 

Shout out to my dad who taught me to use voice activated software…so if there is anything in my emails that doesn't make sense that is why.  Another shout out to my mom who all this and everything I am would not be possible.  I love you so much mom :-)

If you don’t know if you want to go on a mission go.  It’ll be the best

thing you ever do.  It is definitely super hard but it is where

you can grow the most. Just do it.

The scripture that I would like to share this week is actually the

scripture my mission scripture scripture is D&C 68:6.  Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye

shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the

living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

I love you all and remember never fear because you're never alone.

Love y'all and enjoy the ride ;)

Elder Duffy

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Twenty-six

No email this week...Elder Duffy didn't have internet connection.