Seventeen

14 novembre 2015

Dear Families & Friends,

Please be assured that all of our missionaries are safe and secure. Given that France has closed all of her borders, and even though we know of no terrorist sights within our mission, pending further information I am advising all of our missionaries to stay in their apartments and avoid public transportation.

We will keep you informed as all information becomes available.

Love,

President and Sister Brown

Hello family and everyone else,

This week was a whirlwind. So the first 5 days of the week were like
super busy with lessons and things. When we woke up at 6:30 to do
mangoes (which is exercise) I looked at our portable and saw that we
had gotten a text. It was President Brown and he said that there had
been some attacks in Paris so until further notice we were to stay
inside for the rest of the day. The text did not tell what actually
happened so like for the next while after that we were wondering what
was going on and joking that we will all have to leave France and be
missionaires somewhere else so that was fun:) We got dressed and
 in the middle of etudies we received another text
explaining what happened and that we were not to take public
transportation, like buses and trams. That kind of messed up our
Saturday because here in Montpellier everywhere you go is by tram but
ca va. It was a lot of good walking:)

A really awesome thing that happened Saturday is the relief society
made us thanksgiving French style and it was super good, but not like home,
 but nevertheless super good.
Now we have to be in by 6 p.m and we need to stay away from
big groups of people. So we are going to have a super good Area book:)
That's really all that has happened. We have 4 super awesome Amis.
Xia, Jeremie, Ronald, and the Quezzada family. Xia is a student here.
He is from China so he is still studying French and other things. He
came to church which was great.   Jeremie is like 27 years
old and super cool. He speaks really great english and is super chill.
Ronald is super. He went to Cambridge and he is from Britain. He is
here to write a book and he is literally super smart in the ways of
the world. It is crazy that he comes to us to be taught:) Quezzadas
are a part member family. They are super cool also and sister Quezzada
made us banana bread so that was awesome. (Was not the best I have ever
eaten though) #MyMagnificentMom.
So that was basically my week. It has been a little
rough but I know it will be all for my good. My Allez-Vous for
everyone this week is just to smile. C'est tout. Men and Women are
here to have joy. Not to be happy all the time but to have joy. The
Gospel is true. As in the words of President Uchdorf (or almost in the
words) if the Gospel is not working for you, simply simplify.

Love ya,

Elder Duffy

Sixteen

France is going well, it is still pretty hot here. It is like still really nice outside. Some days it is kind of on the colder side but not a lot.

Honestly I have not eaten a crepe from a restaurant. I have eaten one at our apartment but I need to buy one:) 

So we have 3 really solid Amis Xia, Jeremie, and Ronald. They are really cool and coming along.

Actually there are a lot of refugees. Like in the city probably 40 percent.

The missionaries like to eat a lot of Kebabs. Some restaurants are actually pretty sketchy. The general rule is if a Kebab is under 4 euros don't buy it:) 

Well thank you for your love and support, it truly makes all the difference.

Love you, and thank you for everything you do.

Sincerely,

Elder Duffy 

Fifteen

Hello Everyone!

Does time fly or what? It is crazy to think I have been out for almost four months. 

It is hard to tell weeks from each other. This week we went to Nime for district meetings.  In two hours we are going to Aix en Provence and then Saturday we are going to Toulouse. This week we are only going to be in Montpellier for 3 1/2 days. I am pretty excited. 

How was everyone's Halloween?! Here Halloween is when a lot of crazy people get out (plus everyone else) so it was kind of interesting.

But really C'est tout! Something that I have really been thinking about is Elder Anderson’s talk on how “believing is a conscious choice”. If you want a testimony, and want to believe, all you need to do is act. Action is the remedie to fear. An interesting video that I watched before my mission (I believe it is a Ted talk) is the main reason why people don't accomplish their dreams is not lack of resources, it is simple because of fear. I like the scripture that talks about “God has not given us the spirit of fear but of a sound mind”. So my invitation this week is get out there and don't be afraid. Master your fears and become the person that you have always wanted to become. 

Have a fantastic week! 

Elder Duffy 

Fourteen

This week was really good. I am feeling healthier.  I probably regained back all the weight already:) French food is just so good and light.  It is easy to eat a lot of it. 

It was really awesome seeing those pictures and video. Sadie is so cute.

So my new companion is Elder Hansen! He is from Payson, Utah so we have something in common. We both love the Payson temple! That temple is so beautiful, magnificent, sublime, and wonderful. He lives right by it.

Our typical day here is really just the handbook but instead of two hours of study we have four. Personal, companionship, language, and twelve weeks which is like the program for entering the mission field. 

I also just got the Halloween package this week. Thank you so much! Something just like that for Christmas would be amazing. Elder Hansen ate all the Kit Kats… so he is loving it.

The thought that I wanted to share this week is from President Uchdorf’s “Grace” talk from the April 2015 conference. I challenge everyone to read it. 

Something that really struck me was when President Uchdorf recited the story about Jesus and the lady washing his feet. It really stood out to me that nothing we do, no matter how righteous and good we are, can qualify us to enter heaven. It is truly by grace. Then the question can be asked, why do we have to do anything at all? It is through our actions that we show our thankfulness.  It is also how we can utilize the Atonement in our lives. The gift is given but we must do our part to accept the gift. Sorry if that was a little hazy, but when you read the talk you will understand.

Ponderizing is really awesome. My companion and I have found if we share a spiritual thought that week’s scripture is what we use.

I just want to leave with my testimony.  Look at the fruits of living the gospel and applying the principles. It is true. I promise that if you stand firm in the tenebre of life and stand steadfast, you will be happy and find peace.

Sincerely and lovingly,

Elder Duffy 

Thirteen

This week was crazy, awesome, bizarre all at the same time!

I was sick last week. It was like a fever/ chills for 2-3 days and

then it was digestive stuff for like 5 days after at. I am not going

to lie I lost 18 pounds but don't worry I will regain them real

quick;)

The fish recipe that you saw my colleague made. I am not going to lie

but it was probably the best meal that I have had in France yet. To be

honest I have not actually ate a lot of French things. Really for the

most part I eat cereal, sandwiches, and potatoes in that order

everyday;) Mom I miss your cooking a lot. 

Living in France is interesting.

The people here actually are really polite. They are really honest and

tell you how it is. There a lot more crazies in France then in the U.S. 

It definitely adds personality to everything;) 

I feel like we see other missionaries a lot. Since we live with the Zone leaders 

there are always new missionaries sleeping at our apartment and all that. 

I really love the mission unity. 

My french is coming. I can usually get what I want to say across even

though for sure my grammar is off but it is all good. It is coming.

So my new companion is Elder Hansen and he is really cool. We are

having a good time together and I am really looking forward to get to

know him better.

This week we had the comeback conference for all the 6 week old

missionaries and it was awesome. It was really great to see my comp

again.

A cool spiritual thing this week was Elder Perry’s last testimony in

church for his mission. It was so powerful and like the Spirit was

totally there and it was so awesome!

That is my challenge this week: for everyone to share their testimony to someone. I

t can anyone. I know if you do, your testimony will grow and you can really help someone out.

Also this week while I was eating a big carrot my bottom retainer fell

out all in one piece. It's super sad. I will try to take care of that

as soon as possible.

That is it. 

You are a pleasure and joy to me.

Love,

Elder Duffy

Twelve

I am staying in Montpellier but have a new companion named

Elder Hansen. I am really excited for this exchange. My companion Elder Lythgoe is going to a place in between Marseille and Nice and it was sad to see him go. Also Elder Perry returned with honor.  We have two new Elders in the apartment and they are both cool. 

This week I was pretty sick.  It was hard but I remembered Dad gave me Imodium which helped so much! Dad thank you again.

Next week I will send more just know I am feeling better and excited

to start my second transfer. 

I love you so much and thank you for

everything you do.

With Love,

Elder Duffy

Eleven

This week has really gone by so fast. It is so true

that the mission flies by.

The French is coming. I feel like I have made good progress but I

definitely have a long way to go. We watched about half of General

Conference in French and I am not going to lie it was a struggle to

focus but what doesn't kill makes you stronger right?:)

This Friday is the day when I will see if I am staying here our going

somewhere else. I really love Montpelier but not my will be done. 

Montpelier has so much potential. I know missionary

work will keep on going stronger and stronger then before.

One of the Zone Leaders, Elder Perry,  is returning with honor this

week. It has really been a blessing to live with Elder Perry and Elder

Shaw because they really are amazing missionaries who are

dedicated to Heavenly Father and missionary work.  They have really

helped me as I strive to get better.

For the food experience for this week/transfer, I ate rabbit. It was

actually really good. it was a lighter chicken. I am not going to lie

it was hard not thinking of cute little rabbits while eating but it

was good nevertheless.

For the spiritual thought this week: I really loved Holland’s talk in

General Conference about MOMS. I got a little teary. 

The more I have been the mission the more I have realized that

I am not my own. That everything I am is because of my Heavenly and

Earthly Parents and my older brother Jesus. Literally without those

key 5 people I am nothing and would be nothing. I just have to say I

am so thankful for them and for everything they have done for me. I

would like everyone just to think of the part Jesus has played in their

lives.  

I love the Gospel and I love all of you.

I think of you often (but not to often):) and please stay on

the right path to find your personal destiny and internal peace.

Love you all and I know even more than that, that Heavenly  Father loves you,

Sincerely,

Elder Duffy