Sunday, May 21, 2017

Eighty-Seven









These last 7 days have been busy busy busy. From what you can see from
our agenda we have been doing lots of pass backs or we have rdvs with
members/larcs. Basically all our lessons have been focused around
familysearch. We have been showing people how it works and creating
their own accounts.

Besides that here are some of the highlights of the week:
Going to the Lesquires house
District meeting#allyoucaneatchinesebuffet
Eating A LOT OF CREPES at Frere Vierat house#amazing
Going to Dax
Going to Ikea
Teaching Adeline and her friends

So, we went to the Lesquires family and basically spent the whole day
with them. It was all good though because it was on our p-day. We went
on a hike following a river in Cambo les bains and it was gorgeous.
Some of the highlights was just sitting by the current and putting our
feet in to the water. It was a really hot day, so the temptation was
really there to have Elder McDaniel push me into the river ;) But
sadly he didn't. Another highlight was Brother Sister Lesquire were
just sitting there by the river really peaceful and then all of a
sudden We hear a scream and both of them quickly darting away from
their sitting place. I guess they saw a snake and let me tell you,
Sister Lesquire does not like snakes.

We had district meeting in Bayonne this week. We didn't discuss on
really anything new. More on the temple and how we can better do
missionary work. As well we talked about the importance of faith and
trust. As well afterwords we went a nearby Chinese all you can eat
buffet. It was simply glutinous amazing pleasure. May the person
whoever created all you can eat restaurants be blessed.

We did a family home evening with Frere Vierat and he shared with us
some of his mission stories and his testimony. It was touching to hear
more of his story. Something that I took from this story is the
meaning of divine love. The love that divinity has for us is simple
there. It doesn't matter what we have done with our lives our the
mistakes made. It is simply just there.

We went to Dax this last Saturday to pass by all the ancient
investigators and members that live there. There was probably 20
people in a 10 mile circumferences area and we passed all of them.
Let's just say we walked a lot. As well, that night when we got back
to Bayonne. Estelle Sanchez, her Mom, her friend, and her two
daughters had a party for us to thank us for helping her, Estelle,
move. There was a lot of food and they made a lot of turkey! When we
helped them with their move they gave us some of turkey and we gave
them a compliment on it. They really took the compliment to heart and
they made a ham of dinde. But it was amazing so no complaints.

We went to Ikea to get two new mattresses. All I can say is I think
the author of the maze runner got his inspiration from Ikea. Super
complicated big store. But they sure got some good meatballs.

We taught Adeline this week. A referral from Paris and her aunt is a
member. It is amazing to see that most of the time it is not the
doctrine of the church that attracts people, it is the people.

Love y'all and have a great moment now,


Elder Duffy

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Eighty-Six








This week has been jam packed with awesome things!
There was so many things I legitally need to just make a list of things and then I will approfondir a little bit:

  • Frere Moustroustguy got baptized!
  • Zone Conference in Toulouse
  • Seeing the abandoned dog and huge dog experience
  • Eternal friends with other missionaires
  • Famille Seube and Famille Boza's soirée famialale on my birthday

FRERE MOUSTROUSTGUY GOT BAPTIZED! He got baptized yesterday and Elder McDaniel and I baptized him. He has some medical problems so two people were needed to make sure everything went smoothly. He got baptized sitting down and everything went very smoothly. He really enjoyed and you could tell he felt happy. As well there was a ward meal which is always an awesome occasion to eat and talk with all the members. 

We had Zone Conference in Toulouse and it went extremely well. There wasn't new things really said but I felt the Spirit very strongly and everyone is just super pumped for the temple dedication. Before the conference I had my interview as well with President Brown, in which he gave me the green temple card for the temple consecration. As well he basically told me I am finishing my mission in Bayonne and if I thought it was a good idea to put another companionship of missionaries here. He gave no promises but we will have to wait and see.

As well this week we were walking to a members house for a rdv and I saw the saddest thing I have ever seen. A really big, super skinny dog that was injured and abandoned. He was limping around and looking for food. I can't imagine how anyone could do such a thing to an animal or no less a human. We must make sure that those that feel abandoned are never so and we help, respect, and love all the living creatures on the world. But as well when we were walking to this same rdv and I saw the biggest dog I have ever seen and he was ticked. He was biting the fence and trying to get to us. But the only problem was the fence was like 5 metal wires that was connected to a bush to the house. He could have easily broken the cords or jump over it but fortunately he didn't.  Let's just say it was an adrenaline pumping moment.

The mission has been amazing but one thing that I can honestly point out is that I have meet people on my mission who we will be friends forever. It is awesome!

This week on my birthday we went to the Seube's and ate and we had a little birthday party. It was a really good time and Soeur Seube made a killer crumble. After Frere Seube drove us to the Boza's and we had a family evening with their whole family of about 12 people plus 9 of there friends that are not members. We did a presentation on the temple and a little on who we are as missionaries. It went really well and we have several people with a lot of interest. Let's just say the Bozas are super fun and they are Spanish. So we had a super big birthday party and since most of the famille Boza make French pâtisseries professionally at there patisserie, let's just say there was a lot of dessert.

Thank you for everyone that wrote letters especially the Palmer family. Thank you for the birthday presents family. You guys are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Have a great week and if we could talk this next Sunday at 15h30 my time that would be great!

Love,


Elder Duffy

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Eighty-five

















21 days till the temple dedication!!!!

The members here are super excited and I have never seen a time during
my mission in which all the members are just so excited to do
missionary week. I have never really seen the spirit of Elijah as much
as I have been seeing it now. People's hearts are turning towards
their roots, their ancestors. Not just their hearts are being changed
but mine is as well. I had never really done any family history work
before my mission but now it is a passion. Their are so many people
who are waiting for these ordinances that are ready now. Let us
search and do our part so that when we get on the other side,  We will
see them and rejoice together.

Today's p-day has been interesting because there are no buses, because
it is a national holiday. Fête du travail, it means that no one works.
So today we have been on the Mormon channel watching talks and videos
and there were 6 talks given. The talks, titled under Hope works, were
like ted talks but on different topics. The talks mostly centered on
how these people's perspectives changed because of experiences. 
They were definitely worth 15 minutes and could get your mind going!

Frere Moustroustguy is being baptized this next Sunday. It has been
amazing to see how his countenance has changed over the course of the
time in which we have known him. It is nothing we did as missionaries.
It was the power of Jesus Christ. The more I have studied about Jesus
Christ the more I have come to understand. Our salvation is entirely
up to Him. He is the master of my salvation. If I love Him, keep his
commandments, trust His words found in the scriptures, live according
to His covenants, take part in his ordinances, and the essential
repentance, this life will still be hard and there will be trials but
we will see things as they really are and we will get through these
things because of Him. He has made not just the difference, he has
made all the difference.

We talked with a Anglican priest from Canada this week and a couple, a
lady from Topeka, Kansas and her partner from Sweden. Every Tuesday we
take a bus to Saint Jean de Port to see Frere Moustroustguy and there
are a ton of international people in Bayonne and Biarrtiz right now. A
lot of people are here to hike Saint Jacques de Constantine, I think
that is how the trail is called) and one of the trial headings starts
at Saint Jean de Port. It's fun to talk with some international people
and learn from them as we share with them.


Love y’all.  These next week should be a good one :)

Elder Duffy


Envoyé de mon iPad


Friday, April 28, 2017

Eighty-four







An Awesome American couple! He served a mission in this region 20 yrs ago.
(Above pictures taken by the same awesome Idaho couple)




This week has been a lot of going a round to members and investigators and talking about the Paris temple. The open house started this weekend and A lot of the members here in Bayonne are at Paris. It is amazing to see the excitement of the members here in France. Members are sharing the gospel with their families and friends like never before!

Highlights:
  • Service at the Seube's and family home evening
  • Had a family home evening with the family Seube with Sister Roussel who was less active but is becoming active again :) The next day we moved and weed wacked their lawn. It's always a good time when you can take off the tie and get dirty
  • District meeting
  • Went to Pau and talked about the temple and geneology
  • Dinner at the Boza's
  • Ate at the Family Boza's house and it was all in Spanish. Definitely not a French meal but Spanish is such a beautiful language and it was a fun time and to see another culture. As well they want to start a branch where they live because their whole family are members and they live in this town which is one hour away from Bayonne by car. So we want to help them create this branch ;)
  • Moustroustguy 
We go to the Moustroustguy families home every Tuesday. The trip takes most of the day because they live deep in the mountains so we take a bus one hour and then Bishop Martin takes us the rest. We ate with them and Frere Moustroustguy is going well. We have almost finished the lessons and he has a testimony he just wants to be certain. So we are praying and hoping that he will have a convincing experience soon.
  • Vierat
Went to the Vierat and did a family home evening. The boys Reuben and Nathan did the spiritual thought which was awesome and about some sections in the Doctrine and Covenants. As well we played spot it #thehardestgame ever.

  • Learning how to make gateau Basque at the Santgerma's house. We went to the Santgermas and had a family home evening with them and they taught us how to make gateau Basque. (It's a really good cake thingy that's very popular in this region.)



Talk:

Here is the talk Elder McDaniel and I gave this Sunday. We were at the pulpit at the same time so we did some ping ponging, aka we gave turns speaking.

D'abord on veut remercier l'Episocopat et surtout Frere Martin qui nous a donné quelques minutes à vous adresser la parole. Notre but pour ce discours est que le Saint Esprit peut toucher votre Esprit et vous pouvez ressentir l'amour de vos parents célestes. Aussi on espère que vous allez recevoir le revelation pour comment vous pouvez vous approcher du Seigneur et comment vous pouvez aider votre famille et vos amis s'approchent au Seigneur aussi.

1. L’Esprit du Dieu saint brûle comme une flamme. C'est la première phrase de la chanson l'Esprit de Dieu Saint, que sera chanté par touts les membres en France ensemble pour le premier fois  en quelques semaines, pour le consecration du premier Temple en France.

Pensez de touts les efforts des Saintes qui sont vécu avant notre époque qui ont rêvé 
De cette occasion merveilleuse. 

En honor d'eux on veut faire un brief résumé de l'église au Pays Basque.

En mars 1968 deux missionaires George Keele et Dane McBride arrivent à Bayonne.
Pendant quelques semaines ils ne font pas de prosélytisme mais rendent visite aux notables de la ville. Ils sont reçus par la mairie, Henri Grenet et par d'autres personalities.

 Ils s'intallent dans une partie de la ville Iruskian au 17 de la Rue de Masure à Bayonne, où se tiendront les réunions de l'église. La salle de culte est au Rez de chaussée et l'appartement des missionaires à l'étage. L'autre moitié de la villa à d'autres occupants.

À le Noël 1968 à lieu le premier baptême, celui de Chantal le Corguillé, âgée de 20 ans.
Après son baptême ils en avaient plusieurs qui sont suivi après. 

Le branche à continué à grandir et à 1995 ce terrain où on se trouve était achetè

En 1996 un centre de Geneologie est ouvert par l'église dans les locaux de la branche. 

Le dimanche 26 avril 1998 a lieu la consécration de l'église 

C'est en 1999 que la branche accède au statut de paroisse 

Parmi nous il y a les plusieurs pionniers de l'église au Pays Basque. 

On veut vous remercier pour vos efforts et votre détermination. En résultat de vos efforts et les efforts des milliers il y aura un Temple sur cet beau Pays.

 Chaque Temple du Seigneur diminue le pouvoir de Satan sur la terre.  Maintenant c'est le temps d'aller en avant ensemble et prêchons l'Evangile

Voici un récit de la prière de consecration du Temple de Kirtland Ohio. Le memes bénédictions nous applique aussi.

12 afin que ta gloire repose sur ton peuple et sur cette maison qui est la tienne, que nous te dédions maintenant, afin qu’elle soit sanctifiée et consacrée pour être sainte, et que ta sainte présence soit continuellement dans cette maison,

13 et que tous ceux qui passeront le seuil de la maison du Seigneur sentent ta puissance et se sentent contraints de reconnaître que tu l’as sanctifiée et qu’elle est ta maison, lieu de ta sainteté.

Partage testimony of my mission and of the changes of people in the last 2 years.
Share that people's hearts will be changed and that people and family members that weren't receptive will be now.

On veut vous laisser quelque mots du Joseph Smith qui se trouve dans les doctrines et alliances 
22 Frères, ne persévérerons-nous pas dans une si grande cause? Allez de l’avant et pas en arrière. Courage, frères; et en avant, en avant, vers la victoire! Que votre cœur se réjouisse et soit dans l’allégresse! Que la terre éclate en chants. Que les morts chantent des hymnes de louanges éternelles au roi Emmanuel, qui a ordonné, avant que le monde fût, ce qui nous permettrait de les racheter de leur prison, car les prisonniers seront libérés.

23 Que les montagnes poussent des cris de joie, et vous toutes, vallées, faites retentir votre voix; et vous toutes, mers et terres, racontez les prodiges de votre Roi éternel! Et vous, rivières, ruisseaux et ruisselets, coulez avec joie. Que les bois et tous les arbres des champs louent le Seigneur; et vous, rochers massifs, pleurez de joie! Que le soleil, la lune et les étoiles du matin éclatent en chants d’allégresse et que tous les fils de Dieu poussent des cris de joie! Que les créations éternelles proclament son nom pour toujours et à jamais! Et je le dis encore, qu’elle est merveilleuse, la voix que nous entendons du ciel, proclamant à nos oreilles la gloire, le salut, l’honneur, l’immortalité et la vie éternelle, les royaumes, les principautés et les puissances

Love y'all and have a great week!

Elder Duffy


Envoyé de mon iPad

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Eighty-two and Eighty-three








Hey Mom,

The flight plans arrived!!!!!!!! Crazy! 

I have a favor to ask you, I did some geneology this Sunday before church and I found 80 family members that can go to the temple. If you could print their cards and go to the temple that would be awesome :)

July 4 will be epic! We will have to go somewhere for fireworks ;)

Thank you for all those photos and videos! It was fun to be a part of your adventure and I have never seen Jenessa so happy before! I am glad she married someone that can make her smile :)

Thank you as well for sending that birthday package :) It is much appreciated and I look forward to seeing your letter :) 

Know I am doing well and that the mission is so awesome! I think one day you and Dad will be a mission President and Mom. I think you two would really enjoy it and be really good at it :)

Have a great week Mom and I love y'a so much. What else can I say, I am a lucky guy to be in such a great family :)


Elder Duffy

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Eighty-one