Here's a Plan- December 31, 2012

I CANNOT believe that Grant is home now. That is so crazy..... It seems like we were hanging out riding bikes through Irvine on New Years Eve just yesterday. But that was two years ago! That is so fast. I hope he's doing well, and sounds like he's still awesome. 
And DanyDane! I hope he's loving 1 Green Hollow.

This week was great. It was pretty surprising though, on Thursday morning, when we got out to go to district study, we opened up to this huge snow storm going on. Hah it was super fun. It took about 30 minutes to drive to the chapel, which usually takes 5 or 6 minutes, and then we were walking to the church with the snow above our knees hah man! It was a new experience. And even the Quebecois here said it was big. So that's good. 
But we spent the whole rest of the day shoveling out our car and others that we saw and tried to help. It was actually pretty fun. People are amazingly much more open to talk when you're shoveling their parking spot for them. 

yes mom, I'm going to buy gloves today.

It was a little hard this week to meet with our investigators, but we got a few lessons squeezed in. Our friend Rachael came to church yesterday too! That was Elder Lanning's first investigator at church, so he was super happy. She is a friend we knocked into when we were waiting for a member (Sister Charles) to finish preparing the meal she invited us over too. So we talked to Rachael and then told her about Sister Charles, and since then we've taught 3 lessons to her. She's having a lot of difficulties right now with her husband and friends, and had really liked our message. Then, she drove Sister Charles to church yesterday because Sister Charles's car wasn't working! that was awesome. She couldn't stay for all the 3 hours, but we think she enjoyed sacrament meeting. 
It was a great Sunday too, because it was all about missionary work. Soeur Bourdon and I spoke in sacrament meeting (she's a new missionary from France) and also the ward mission  leader, Brother Morales. Then! In the 3rd combined hour, we had a discussion about goals and rescuing others, and we got to introduce the Family Mission Plan! it was something we were working on in Ville Marie, with Elder Rasmussen's help. So now we're starting it here in La Salle. The Ward is awesome, and they're really willing to do missionary work, so we're looking forward to helping them with these goals, to really focus our efforts and then see what miracles will happen here. 


I was able to read Alma 18 today, and I was just blown away at how amazing a missionary Ammon was. I know that story was true, because the Spirit told me it was. 

I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon!

Have a good week!


Love!
Elder Murphy

Hello again!- December 26, 2012

It's weird thinking about 24 hours ago Elder Lanning picked up the phone and put it on speaker, and hearing Dad's voice say, "Elder, hello?" Hah that was great.

It was super good to talk to you guys! Especially that little guy Dane. He must've known we were running out of time so he woke up to get a few words in. But I'm glad to hear everyone's doing well, and was loving Christmas.

But just to be brief, Christmas Eve was great. We made a bunch of cookies and passed by some members and investigators to give them some Christmas Spirit. That was super fun, because some people were just so happy to see someone knocking on their door with 4 cookies in hand. (We're thinking we might start tracting like that) Then we had a little ward concert for an hour, and spent the rest of the night at the 1st Counselor in the Bishopric's home.

Then! On Christmas morning, Elder Rasmussen, Olsen, Lanning and I woke up and opened our 'presents', drank some Eggnog, and then drove over to the Schurmans for breakfast. That was fun. Then we got to talk to our families on the phone at Cedrics house, and then continued passing by members in the ward. It was super fun. We got to have dinner at Sister Ashby's home, who's an active member from Haiti.

So it was a wonderful Christmas. A couple of moments this week made me frustrated, just because of higher expectations for myself, and not being able to be that 'perfect missionary'. I don't know why, but it was bothering me this week. But that led me to think about Christ, and the meaning of his birth. He came into the world, not just to erase our sins, but for us to come unto Him in every aspect. Even in our natural shortcomings. The fact that He came, and He lived and died for us brought comfort to me that really does not come from any other source. I'm really grateful for those experiences that bring me closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son. I'm beginning to realize that not about how wonderful or amazing of a missionary we can be, but more just how much do we rely on Christ, and love Him, and in turn love our neighbors. And I know that it's because of His Atonement that we can overcome these weaknesses, that we can overcome ourselves and become more like our Brother.

Thanks for everything. Thanks for being such a wonderful family.

Love,
Elder Murphy

Just a good week- December 17, 2012

K, first things first. Cole, I need you to go outside and have Dad help you with rebounding. I heard that you're doing super well! But, just a little bit of help will be good. Practice some boxing out and all that (and then remember to jump when you rebound). And have you ever painted before? haha why are you winning all these awards for stuff that's so new, it's amazing.
Bethany! That's super awesome. I don't know if I ever scored 15 points in a game haha. How's your dribbling?
And Dallin, that's lame about your coaches, but just keep pushing. And then destroy the league in the Spring. I sure hope you're getting ready!!

I'm excited to talk next week, but we still don't know how.

Also, I love Alyse's blog post. I don't have time to entirely read them, but even just skimming I get the picture. "Cutest..... love him....... I love being a mom.... "

Well! The weather is great. IT's snowed a couple of inches yesterday and this morning. Driving is definitely a new experience, especially since both Elder Lanning and I are both from California and have never driven in snow before. But it's good, we're taking it slow mom, don't worry.
It's not terribly cold, because a lot of the knocking doors we do are inside apartment buildings, but eventually they're going to run out, so we'll tell you how that goes.
Turns out I don't have gloves or a hat, so we're going to go to the store and buy some.

This last week with Elder Lanning has been awesome. He's a great missionary. He's definitely more quiet than maybe Elder Umana, but he knows how to teach. And find! So that's a great combination. We were really blessed with a number of new investigators this week, and almost every less active member we passed by let us in to teach them. So far no one has come to church yet, but yesterday 7 or 8 less actives who we have seen came to church. It was awesome. It was just so great seeing them and realizing that we really don't do much except for be there for them, and show them a loving hand and then the Lord does the rest.
Also, our buddy Cedric plays a great role in keeping these 'less actives' still in the church. He calls and visits them all the time, and never really lets any of them out of their sight. So, when the missionaries like us come over and drop by, they're ready to open up because they know someone besides the boys in white shirts is thinking about them. I really admire that, and think it's pretty key in our work with these members.

For our teaching pool, we're now teaching at least one person from: Quebec, Egypt, Romania, Jamaica, Barbados, Cameroon, the Philippines, the Sea Shells? (some tiny island off of madagascar) and Guatemala. Montreal is just so awesome. But we were really blessed by letting us find these people this week. Many of them seem to be actually searching for something, and have just loved the idea of the Book of Mormon. Our friend Hutira from Romania read all the way to Helaman since the last time we saw him. And two others have said they'll do the same thing. We're just excited to go back for our first real appointment (not just at the door) to help them out.

One of the most precious things that I've learned so far is just how to better recognize the Spirit. Just being out for this short while and searching for it, praying for it, and then trying to teach by it have been some of the greatest experiences. I've learned some pretty important lessons though. We can't force the Spirit to be with us. If we are seeking for something specific how we would like it, chances are we won't find what we're looking for (for example, an overwhelming once in a life time experience every time you do something good, like reading the scriptures). But really, he speaks calmly, and he prompts us so subtly, that it might be difficult to recognize if we're not humble enough to accept how it is that he will show us. Another thing is that he really is the teacher. I love the verses 26 and 27 in John 14, because they're true. The Spirit really is to comfort us, to teach us, to bring all things to our remembrance. I can testify that those are all true. And I love seeing others recognize truths these as well.

This is the best church in the world, and I know it's the one that Christ leads through his prophet and apostles. What a blessing.

But! Have a good week before Christmas. Find someone you can go help, all y'all.

Love,
Elder Murphy, eh?

Working with our ward- December 10, 2012

Hello!!! That was good to hear about your weeks.
first, Dallin, how was the talent show? I bet it was great. Thats pretty funny, because just 24 hours later I was narrating the Christmas party for the stake. Long story, but basically our friend Cedric (have I told you about Cedric yet? He's the best member missionary I think I've ever met, hes a convert of 15 or 20 years, and is a single man from Vietnam who speaks French English Vietnamese and Spanish, with bits of German and Italian. He's a beast. And he's our best friend here in La Salle.) called me the day before and asked me to create some fillers between all the songs for The Spirit of Christmas party. So, long story short, it was ok. I just read a lot of scriptures before, and hope that people didnt get too bored hah. Ill send you a program of the night, just for fun. But I'm sure Dallin did a far better job than I did.

Well yes! Elder Lanning is awesome. He's from Pleasanton, California, and was in a French area for the last 2 transfers, so he speaks really well (even though we're working in English.) He has a strong desire to serve, and be organized as well, which is super helpful!

So we basically have ALL of these ideas about how to help the ward, not just go knocking and stuff like that (even though we're not scared of doing it). But I just feel like missionaries here have gotten into that tendency, and I dont like it. So I was wondering, maybe for you dad, how did or would you like how missionaries approached you or the ward council in order to help? We're trying everything, working with the young men, visiting less actives, and starting a family mission plan for everyone in order to get the work moving, but I want to work better WITH the ward. Help! We're already building a good relationship, so I just want to take it to the next level.

But its been a busy last couple of days. We arrived at transfers on Wednesday, and found out we didnt have a car hah. So we go to metro and walk quite a bit, taking the busses too, which was way less effective (even though it felt really good to walk everywhere). But on Friday we got our car back, so now we can go visit Chateauguay or Kahnawake (the indian reservation) for our less actives and investigators there. Our area is not as big as Mont Saint Hilaire, but man there are just so many people its incredible. We talk to so many people every day, and then seem to never seen anyone ever again. I'm definitely not complaining though, its one of the blessings of being here on the island.

we have quite a few new investigators, so the work right now is trying to get some regularly scheduled appointments with them so we can either bring some members or get them over to a members house.
We're still teaching Victoria, whos a friend of Catherine Schurman, a 20 year old in the YSA ward, but her family is still going to La Salle. We get to teach her each Sunday night in Chateauguay, so last night it was a good lesson. We got to talk about the Gospel, and how its really what we live in order to be happy, and progress in this life. We teach so many first lessons, but not very many of the ones after, so it was fun teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to her, and having the family involved.

We're trying to go visit the less active members here as well, because the list is just incredible of how many less actives there are in the ward. There's got to be somebody waiting for us to come help them!

Love you guys. I hope this week goes well.

Elder A. Murphy

Powerful Ideas- December 3, 2012

Well I hope that Tommy had a good birthday. Maybe Dane gave him a present or something, at least I sure hope so.
Hosting the talent show!! Dang. Good luck this week Dallin.
I loved what you said about fasting mom. I felt that way too the other week, and then we fasted 3 times that week for different needs of our investigators (it was quite a lot) and it was amazing. Ive really seen my testiony of fasting grow on my mission so far. It really does help you stay more intune with the Spirit, and that helps me feel it more. It's awesome.
Well, yes, transfer calls were on Saturday, and I'm going back to La Salle! Wasn't a big surprise, but it's still a little sad leaving my two friends here in Ville Marie. But, some good news is we'll be staying in the same apartment as the Ville Marie elders now, so it's a 4 man! It's going to be pretty fun. My companions Elder Lanning, and I've just met him once or twice. Seems like a really good elder. This will be his 3rd transfer out in the field.
But man, this week was just packed with things to do and learn, every minute. I don't know what was so different about it, but it was awesome. We didn't get to see Martine our investigator, but she's been pretty sick. And same thing with Huguette! Our poor Quebecoise women are all getting sick so we can't go over there. So sad.
I loved that talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks mom, Powerful Ideas. I feel like it really applied to any missionary serving, or teacher or anything. Focusing on these `powerful ideas` and then doing that until the Spirit helps you and others change.
That kind of goes along with a lesson I've been learning over the last few weeks. I feel like this transfer we've done a better job of explaining why we're here as missionaries, and why we're visitng people. It was good to ask our less active members as well as our investigators, because the responses we got were pretty remarquable. They had no idea! It really made me focus and think about if I've been explaining that well enough to our investigators and less actives, or just expecting them to pick it up with lessons we give, or service. But it was very powerful as we explained a number of times this week that we're hear to help you change your life, by allowing yourself to receive the blessings from the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Iit was no longer just, we're here to share little messages and then leave, even though that was not what we were intending to do. I saw a lot of wide eyes, a lot of tears, and felt the Spirit pretty strongly this week, because people want to change. I believe what Elder Rasmussen said this morning actually, that every one wants to change. I don't know of anyone really who doesn't want to change for the better, even just in a small way. And it's amazing that we get to offer that to people in its fulness, to be able to change their character, even their nature, in order to be happier and to start over again. That was one of the reasons why this week was so great. I feel like those were miracles that God planted in our path this week, he help us realize with the people we teach that change is an option, and that Christ is waiting with his arms stretched open. There's a powerful idea right there.
Some other cool things this week: We had a lesson in three languages this week hah. It was great. The father of these two sibligns only spoke Persian well enough to speak to us, even though he could understand what we said. Then, the brother preferred english, and the sister wanted French. So that lesson was crazy. But still, the Spirit can testify in all three of those languages, isn't that sweet?
We also had an awesome lesson with a 23 year old girl named Amanda. She's living here in Montreal away from her family in Jamaica in order to have a good job and eduacation, and shes a recently baptized Penecostal. So we got to share the message of the Restoration with her, and she just loved it. We explained a number of times that yes, our church has the prophet of God, and also 12 apostles, just like in the New Testament, until she finally got it, but oh boy, when she did! Her face just up hah. It was awesome. It was great testifying of that, of our prophets and apostles, and then getting to watch the devotional last night, because it just reconfirmed our testimonies that we had shared just a couple days before. I hope the next lesson we have with her can help her get ready for baptism.
But yeah! This week has been great. It'll be fun going back to La Salle and working with the ward again. Till next time then
Elder Murphy
P.S. It wasn't that cold this week, but I'm sure its coming soon.

As they really are- November 26, 2012

Kellie!!! That's so exciting! I can't believe she's going to Ohio, that's awesome. And tell Adam Cameron I say hi, I miss that guy.
I can't believe Elder Holland was at MTC. I guess it's about time, but I think I'll just be jealous every time he goes over there.

So! This week was awesome. We were just given blessing after blessing, it was crazy. We found a bunch of new investigators who I'm excited to go visit, like Huritan from Romania who's an orthodox Christian who LOVED the idea of a restored church. And! It was a miracle. We went over to Martine's house this week, for the first real lesson with her, and it was amazing. She's had a super hard life, and has a lot of struggles right now, with her boyfriend and 10 year old kid, but she was willing to listen to us even though she couldn't admit why. So we talked about Christ's atonement, and read Alma 7:11-14 with her. She said she needs Christ, and she kept saying, "this is what i need". And then she read verse 14, and said that she wanted to have that, to be baptized and 'born again', before we even extended the commitment. It was amazing. So we'll be working with her, for her date in January. Then! Our good friend Huguette, a 72 year old Quebecois lady, one of the cutest, and sweetest person I've ever met, just accepted the invitation to be baptized last night, on January 5. She's just awesome, she rides the bus metro for an hour each sunday to come to church, reads the pamphlets 3 or 4 times before we come over, and in just over a week is at the end of Mosiah (she's reading more than anyone else I've helped teach so far). She's awesome.

About what Dad had asked, we're trying to figure out ways to serve people here, because I've seen it work. Because of that one time cleaning the kitchen at our less-actives home, we're now teaching their two kids and a friend who previously wouldn't even take their eyes off the xbox the whole time we were there. It really just changes people when they see you're there to love and serve them. That's basically what we're trying to do for the ward, our investigators and the less-active members. I think I just need to start being more creative, but that's maybe the hardest thing in the world for me hah. I'm trying though!

I read President Monson's talk from this October's Priesthood session, See Others as They May Become, and it got me. I don't know if I've ever read a talk that was so directed for me before. I want to just memorize it and always keep it with me. I just love how he explains that really people ARE ready to change. We've seen that in the last week, with investigators, and less actives, and even active members! When you just serve them, or even just ask, they are willing to change, because they recognize the right, and the Spirit, and what they must do. I also want to 'develop the capacity' as he said to see others as they can become, which really comes through exercising and using the Atonement of Jesus Christ every day. I know it's a process, and it'll go slower than I want it to, but I'm ready.

Also, we got contacted by some Jehovah's Witness missionaries this week, that was awesome hah.

Love you!
Elder Murphy

Let's see, who can I invite?- November 19, 2012

Hellooooo family! It's good to hear from you guys. I'm now starting to enjoy P-days a little bit, which is good. Before I didn't because I got distracted from the work writing you guys, but now I'm getting better at being able to switch right back to the work. I like it more like that, so sorry if that's mean to anyone. 

But! The Trio is awesome. I think we're the only trio in the mission right now, so it's super fun. But really, it is SO easy to do the work every day all day long when you enjoy being with your companions. Elder Rasmussen is an awesome missionary. He's really a leader for us. And then Elder Olsen is just this new, fired up missionary, who has so much love everyone we talk to, it's truly amazing. He's a big guy from Idaho, and is one of the funniest people I know. It's a talent he has to make every bad situation light.

We're trying to ask President to keep us together, because it's so awesome. We even just had a great conversation today about how to change this ward. We're trying to look forward here, and it seems to be working.

But yeah, as mom told me to do, I read my patriarchal blessing on Sunday, and it was just amazing. I absolutely love having that special blessing now in my life. It's given me even more of a testimony of the restored gospel, of the power of the priesthood, but really more importantly, it's helped build my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. I wish I could just talk about this for the whole time. But really, it helps me get back into focus, that I'm here because God sent me here, and I'm going back one day. Might as well help others along the way, huh?

Working in La Salle. So, we're still working with our English La Salle investigators and less active members. And it's good. It was a little strange this week, because every single "less-active lesson" we had was just about how they feel fine, and DO have a desire to come back to church, but maybe we'll see. And I don't know about any one else, but that is not normal for here. Usually no one wants to talk to us. So we're trying to work with a new problem hah. 

But the La Salle ward is awesome. Our Ville Marie (french) ward is 3 times as small, and not very enthusiastic to do anything, so it's always good to see the members in La Salle. And they're all so nice, they ask every week (since we share the same chapel) about when I'm coming back because they would like that. It's super nice of them. So I think we'll try to be more involved in their ward for the next 2 weeks until transfers. I'm not too sure, but I just know I want to go back there and help out the people I already have met. 

But for our ward in Ville Marie, it's a little more slow. We're trying to get it off the ground, basically. The more I'm there, I just realize it's just limping along. So! We just made some big plans today to help it out. We just got a ward mission leader (That's good, and which is a nice addition) who is very willing to do the work. We're currently in the process of cleaning the ward list (that's good), and verifying addresses that have been wrong for 5+ years (that's bad). But the bishop is gaining confidence in us, which is veryy good. One of my favorite things here on the mission, since we're not exactly getting showered with new investigators or anything, is seeing members get excited to do the work. I saw a little bit of that towards the end of my transfer in Mont St-Hilaire, but I saw it in that 1 week in la Salle, and now it's starting here in Ville Marie. I'm super excited. Everyone's not getting excited, actually some members are afraid of me hah because I ask them to do their calling, but the other ones are getting excited. It really makes everything worth while, when they start getting that fire again. 

One thing, in the La Salle ward, there's this awesome family, the Schurmans. They're amazing. They're basically feeding the missionaries all the D.A.'s and their investigators too hah. They've given more referrals than I've ever seen from one family before. So I was talking to them for the longest time about why they were doing awesome, and how we can work on it. And when it all came down to it, the two things that I found was 1) They had a testimony because of prayer, scripture study, and coming to church and 2) They just invited people to church activities. It was almost too good, and too simple. But that's all they kept saying. "We just invite people!" is what I heard maybe 10 times. I think that's the secret! I was thinking, why didn't I just invite people to come to more activities? I was pretty lame. But! I really believe that's it. In our wards here, we're going to start helping the young men and young womens start putting on good activities so they can start inviting their friends. Because really, I absolutely believe that. I think sometimes we wonder why there are no people interested in our message, the most important message in the entire world, and then we just continue not inviting people to anything to actually learn for themselves. Even just a movie night, sports night, anything. 

So, here we go again. Start inviting people to activities! To anything! I want to explain it more by next time, but I think you get the point. People are not just going to be inviting themselves (or it will be very rare). Start doing it fam bam. I'm going to faire un suivi la semaine prochaine. 

At least figure something to start inviting people to. Think about it, pray about it. Good luck. Love you. Share the blessings we have as a family.

Thanks for all you do!

Love,

Elder Murphy

P.S. Please tell grandpa to stop falling!

Woot!- November 12, 2012

Julia!!! Californiaaaaaa! That's so awesome. and I'm so happy for Garrett! What a stud. He's going to do so well. And tell me where Jenica's going!

Cleaning the kitchen - Yeah, that was awesome. But! Our buddy Cedric in the La Salle ward came out with us yesterday after church and he told us that the boy of the family we went and cleaned for called the bishop on Tuesday and asked for a ride to mutual! That was the first time he's come out in who knows how long. That was a little tender mercy. It was awesome just hearing that.

Let me try to answer some questions. Contacting is actually super fun, because the women seem to them we're personable (or cute many of them say hah) when there's three of us. We basically just take turns starting it out, and then any one of us shoots in a question or a testimony whenever it's needed. It's actually super fun. And then the men are more intimidated now, so that's not good. These wards here need some more priesthood, so we're trying to find some men who are ready. We tracted into some awesome Ukranians by the way, they were all super nice. 

It's not thattt cold, even though we usually just go out in a shirt and sweater (well, Elder Olsen and I). It just gets a little cold, but it's not so bad. And yes, I can go get warmer clothes. Maybe next week.

How is montreal different from Mont Saint-Hilaire. Hmmmm. There's just apartment buildings for days here. You can basically go anywhere you want and start knocking, and you find people who are at least semi-interested. That's one of the biggest differences. There's no grass, no corn fields, no trees, it's just a concrete jungle. But the people are just way nicer here to us (only the immigrants, as you can imagine). We meet so many people here from Haiti, Congo, there's some people in the french ward here from Madagascar. It's awesome. We are busy knocking this huge building right now (this week) and we've ran into about 40 Iranians, and they're all so nice. 

Iiiiii was doing really well for writing in my journal actually, until this whole change. Which is sad, because the last week and a half have been an absolute blast, and I haven't written a single thing. I'll start being better.

Downtown montreal is not to far away (the island is actually not that big) but it's not our area. It's not too big, New York is like it's bigger step-brother. That's not too many skyscrapers, but it's still a good city. And there are a couple good parks that I haven't been to, but they sure look nice. 

Well! we picked up 4 or 5 Iranian investigators last week, so we'll see what we can do with that. For the most part though, we're doing a lot a lot of less active work, because these two wards here are just dying. It's sad. We're also trying to find some investigators, who are actually interested. We have so many potentials who we knock into, but no one who's really made too much of a push to show some interest. 

Weirdest food - I don't know how to spell it, but probably just Foofoo. It's this awesome African dish that looked a lot like mashed potatoes, but was more sticky, and you eat it with your hands. It was sweeeet! And it tasted super good. Then she fed us ox-tail and foo foo dumplings, and that was super good. We get fed by Hatians more than anyone else, and it's just a lot of good rice and chicken or fish. 

But, basically, last week we lost our 3 most solid investigators, because Omid and Sara will go to LaSalle for the English (Maybe I'll go back there though!) so we handed them off to the sisters, and then Victoria who is now being taught by the YSA elders. So that was lame. We're basically just going to go find some more solid investigators who speak French and are over 30. 

But the Trio is awesome. I love these two elders, they're so awesome. Elder Olsen is one of the funniest guys I've ever met, he's just crazy. And then Elder Rasmussen is an awesome example for everything. It's definitely the funnest trio I've ever heard of, because everyone seems to sound sad for me, while I think it's just awesome. I could stay in it for a long time.

Like for instance, we did our haircuts today, and I started getting out the clippers, and Elder Olsen asked me to cut his, and I guess I acted like I knew how to cut hair, so I went ahead and cut his and elder Ramussen's hair hah. First head(s) of hair I've ever cut! But don't tell them. It was super fun.

The biggest thing for me was the reason why we're doing this missionary work. We had an awesome Zone Study and Conference back to back, and I learned so much. But one of our Zone Leaders Elder Babin (from Paris France) shared such a powerful testimony at the end of his training about why he's here, and basically just shared that he's here to give others the blessings that he has, that he doesn't really deserve. That was awesome. I've been thinking about that ever since. It's so true! There's no real reason that I can think of that I've been blessed with so many things, and others haven't. You can go through a day here in Montreal and see hundreds and hundreds of people, and no ones happy! It's so sad! Actually, the only happy ones are the immigrants who are super nice and talk with us, but besides that, I don't really see any smiling faces, anyone who's having a good day. So it's been fun, even just saying Hi to people with a smile, and seeing them look at me weirdly. Especially on the Metro! Man, I can't believe I forgot about that. Metro contacting is one of the scariest things I've ever done, but also one of the most exhilarating. I love it. YEAAAAAAH.

K, goal for the week. Think about someone to talk about the church to, and then do it. Next week you're going to give them as a referral to the missionaries. Deal? Good.

Love,
Elder Murphy

Changes!- November 5, 2012

Hellooo! So, kind of crazy. Rushed again for time, and I just have quite a bit to tell, so I'll try my best to get it all down.

So, this week was by far the craziest of my short mission so far. Monday was great, we had a busy P-day, and had some good lessons that night. But then Tuesday, the 30th, was spent all going back and forth to the mission home and to our apartment, because Elder Hopkins was sick. So it wasn't exactly the birthday we had planned out, but it was ok, because it had to be done, and he wasn't feeling very well. So we stayed over night at the mission home Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. It was just so odd because I went out on Wednesday with the Zone Leaders who cover downtown Montreal, which was fun and great, but wasn't the same. Then Thursday we spent the day with President at the mission home, until night then we had 2 lessons we went to. But then Friday morning, Elder Hopkins went home. It was super sad to see him go, but he was confident it was what he needed.

So! Friday morning, President and Sister Cannon and I drove over to the Ville Marie elder's apartment, and dropped me off! So now I'm companions with Elder Rasmussen from Highland, Utah whos been out for about 14 months, and Elder Olsen from Boise, Idaho who is fresh! Elder Rasmussen is training him. But we love the trio! It's been super fun, because they're both studs. They really have a desire to work and to love people, so I'm super grateful I got to be put in to work with them. It's the same geographical area as I was serving before, but now it's French, and we work for the French ward here. The ward is about 30 members, compared to the 130 english members. So, it's been pretty difficult trying to get everything figured out, because I changed zones, so trying to get everything figured out has been a little crazy. We're still supposed to be working with investigators we had in La Salle, but also work in Ville Marie. Crazy crazy. But we're chipping away piece by piece.

But yeah, we started on Friday, and have been working hard ever since, even though a lot of it has been organizing and trying to figure out how to work effectively when we don't have enough klicks (kilometers) to drive for the transfer, but we have so many people to visit and teach. But they're all less-active. But it's okay, it's good work.

So, that's about it. I love Elder Rasmussen and Olsen, they're both awesome. I really hope I can send a picture home soon, but this internet cafe isn't too updated either. I'll try to get it figured out next week. It is fun working in French again! 

But we've been working quite a bit with less actives, because this ward has about 30 members coming, and about 150 I would guess that are inactive or less active in the ward. So the bishop gave us quite a list to go work on, hah, so that's that. It's good work. One family we went to go visit last night was the Flagothoer family, and they were awesome. We're super excited to go work with them more to help them come back to church. But, there was one problem. They're both from Belgium, and spoke wonderful French, which was pleasant to listen to, and easy to understand! It was so fun. We had a good conversation. UNTIL I asked them a question about French, and Sister Flagothoer corrected me, and said that was a question about French ONLY used in Quebec, so I said Okay, and kept trying to explain, but then Brother Flagotheor stopped me and told me that I had a little bit of a Quebecois accent. Not going to lie, that was sad. I was pretty bummed haha. Not even an american accent, it was Quebecois. So, I'm working on that too. 

Also, Elder Rasmussen and I found some Spanish books that we've been looking at, not too seriously, but it's fun. Let the Spanish begin! Maybe not quite yet, but just a little.

But man! Through all these changes and issues, it's been so great to have the help of a loving mission president and also my two new companions. It's helped me just appreciate how it helps just to slow down and be kind to someone, instead of just trying to teach, which was quite helpful actually in this week of teaching. For instance, we didn't teach these 2 less active kids, because we saw their kitchen was messy, so we offered to help. And ohhh boy did we help. I haven't smelled anything that horrible in a long time. But it was good to get it all cleaned out. It was a good lesson though, because no one's really going to care about what message we bring if they're sinking in all their other matters, which we could help in. Good lesson, I'm grateful for it. 

But all the way back on Tuesday, I did something that I thunderously enjoyed (I like that adverb!). I exercised and showered super quick, because I decided to make as much time as I possibly could to just read the Book of Mormon. So I read all in the morning, and then through personal study in Mosiah, about Abinadi and his teachings, and it was amazing. It really helped me see a difference between a day maybe when we don't get much study time because of service or emergencies, and other days when I take extra time, have a real desire, and then seek to apply what I learn. It really made my studies that day an amazing lesson for me. It was a good birthday present actually, because it helped me throughout the whole day. Reading the scriptures, and especially the Book of Mormon has really been such a support for me, and I'm so grateful for that. I hope everyone's reading at home! I know mom said you're in 3 Nephi, which is awesome. I'll try to catch up soon. 

Love you all! I hope I can just fill next weeks e-mail with more answers to questions and just some spiritual experiences for the week, cause this week was just a little crazy. 

Take care,

Elder Murphy

All this new stuff!- October 29, 2012

Dane is smiling so big! So funny! The Zoo Lander face hahah so funny.
Cole, your Halloween costume is priceless. You're so cool big guy, it might beat out all the other costumes we've ever done. Mayyybe.

So! I feel like its been so long, and in some ways it has. It was pretty sad having to leave Mont Saint-Hilaire, with all my friends there, but I think I needed a change, now just being here in La Salle for a couple of days. Tell Maxime Gaboriault I say hi though.

But La Salle is great. Its definitely not downtown Montreal, but it is still SO different from Mont Saint Hilaire. First our apartment is awesome, just like any typical small, big-city apartment. It`s pretty exciting. But really, the big difference is the ward here. It's a pretty big ward for up here, with around 120 members coming every Sunday. And I'm still actually pretty taken back at how enthusiastic they are to do missionary work. Cedric Phan is the missionaries' best friend here, he's the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric, around 35 or 40 years old, convert of 13 years, and its just PUMPED to do the work. He's been out with us almost every single day. He doesn't have a car, so we go and pick him up, and then he just stays with us for the rest of the day working and teaching. It's pretty incredible. He's been such a blessing, because he knows all of the members, the less-actives, and basically all of the investigators too. So he's certainly made this transition so much easier. I'll try to get a picture of him home quick.

My new companion! He is Ryan Hopkins, from Utah, and he's awesome. He's been out 6 weeks here in La Salle but he's still super powerful. He's got a heart of gold, basically. I've been impressed with him every single day about how he serves the people in a Christlike manner. He's awesome.

Oh yeah, our area is English. That's kind of big news. So all of our lessons except for 1 are in English, and the other is French. Everyone here speaks both, but the investigators that we find prefer English, and then if someone we find prefers French, we pass them on to the French elders who cover our same area, and vice-versa for them. So We're really going to try to work on keeping PVL effective every single day so we can still keep up our French. When we knock, its basically 50/50, and I'm not going to lie, I have no idea how to start it off in English or in French, but for right now, I start in French and then if they want we go to English hah. Its super fun. So I'm at least comfortable with speaking in French for contacting and lessons now, since I absolutely have to now. But I actually miss speaking French so much..... Oh well.

Well! We had a wonderful third hour of church yesterday on the Book of Mormon. It was awesome to talk about it for so long, and then to go out and talk to our investigators about it, and then to go home and read it. MAN I love the Book of Mormon. I'm so grateful for it, it truly does just open up the windows of heaven and allows us to receive personal revelation that God wants us to have. I can feel my testimony growing of it every single day. But!, time to go help someone else find out the truth for themselves.

I love you guys! Thanks so much for the emails, Im going to go read them now.
Hope you have some good Oh!s cereal for me tomorrow. That would be a birthday wish.

Love you all so
Elder Murphy

P.S. I'm trying to figure out how to upload some photos, but we're at the community library and it looks like they dont really support that kind of technology. Sad! So maybe I'll send my sd card home soon.

I'm getting transfered to Montreal, mom.- October 22, 2012

Well first, I'm glad to here that Dane had a good baby blessing with the Leininger family, and that dad had a good last week as bishop. I hope you're doing well!

 1) The languageeeeee ok. It's doing well, It was actually pretty exciting, when 2 weeks ago I could really start to understand people better. I remember the first time we taught Kevin and Marilyne, I didn't understand a single word that Marilyne said hah. She has one of the strongest Quebecois accents I've ever heard. But, I can actually understand about half of what she says now! That's pretty exciting! But PVL (Parler Votre Langue) is super important for me. It's really an inspired thing to do that President Cannon has told us to do.

  2) Hah we're eating well! It's been super fun, I went from absolutely knowing how to do nothing, to making some pretty simple meals that tasted ok. Woot! We've eaten a lot of salads (lettuce and sometimes carrots too), spagetti, rice, ground beef or chicken, and fruits and vegies. But yeah thanks for the recipies! Super nice. But we're eating well thank you.

  3)So Beloeil is a relatively expensive place to live, so as Mont St-Hilaire. St-Hyacinthe is the more humble part, where there have been a lot of investigators in the past, but sadly, most of them either don't have a car to come to church or never get to a point where they can fully comprehend the gospel. So we work alot here in Beloeil, St-Julie, where there are some big families. But, they aren't as humble or ready, so it is pretty tough. And no, we're not teaching any more Nepalese, because no one was progressing or really wanting to come to church. I'm going to miss them, but it was the right thing to do.

  4) Yes! I got my birthday package hah, thank you guys so much. Super nice tie, I'm waiting for my B-day to wear it, and then Elder Umana has used the bands to work out  a couple of times (I'll try it tomorrow.) I haven't gotten my card yet, hopefully at transfers on Wednesday. And we made the cake a week ago for Elder Glenn's birthday, and it was super good! Thank you alllll I loved it.

  5) Hah I'll send it home soon.

Buttt here we go. It's been so so fun, working here with Elder Umana. He's a stud, and he's going to be an amazing missionary very soon, because he basically is already, and he's only 6 months into his mission. He's seriously just one of my best friends now, so I'm super sad to leave. Transfers came, and I'm getting moved to La Salle, on the island of Montreal. Scary!!!! I've heard its about 50/50 for English/French, and the ward is held in English, so that's going to be a little bit different. I'll have to stay consistent with PVL. And I'm going to be finishing the training of an elder who came in the transfer after me, just like what Elder Umana did when he came here to Mont Saint-Hilaire. SO I'm pretty nervous, but even more so, I'm just so sad to leave here. I feel like we were just on the brink of bring the ward back together, and build some good relationships with the members when I have to leave. But, I'll go where He wants me to go.

 I'm pretty sad for a couple reasons, because I'm leaving this awesome ward here, Elder Umana, but also our investigators Kevin and Marilyne. They were such a miracle. The first or second week Elder Umana came in, we went to visit them to see what was going on, and they accepted the invitation to be baptized right off the bat. They were so prepared. So we've done a bunch of service for them, because they've had a bunch of troubles with their old apartment (they basically had an explosion of mold that got their kids and them super sick, almost every day) but they were finally able to move to St-Hyacinthe and have a much better apartment and life. Kevin got injured at work 2 years ago, so he's still not working, but he's trying to get ready to work again. They have 3 little kids, Melady, Thomas, and Luca. They're the cutest little kids every hah. They love it when we come over, and Luca is the biggest 9 month old I've ever seen. He's ENORMOUS. But, basically, we were super scared because they had been committing to come to church for a long time, but they never come. So we taught the Restoration again, and they loved it. Kevin said it responded to questions he's always had about why there wasn't a prophet today on the earth. They both committed to read the Book of Mormon. Then we taugh them obedience, and pray often as 2 commandments, and they said Yes yes yes yes. So we were just thinking, 'What? They're accepting everything we teach!' Then we were planning to teach the Plan of Salvation, but we got the impression that we should just teach the Family: A Proclamation to the World, and engage them to be married (because they're not.) It was a HUGE  leap of faith. It was so scary. But last week on Tuesday, we taught it with a member Sister Vadnais, and it was so powerful. They loved it, and agreed with it completely. Even before we committed them to be married, Kevin pointed out the fact that they weren't married hah. So we said, well yes, that's why we're here today. So we answered a couple of their questions, and they said yes! They said they were ready to take that step.

 And then, to try to make this shorter, ever since then, we've seen them 3 times, and they're talking about getting married, talking about preparing for baptism and the steps they have to take. And, they're talking about getting married in the temple, and how they can't wait for that (1 year after baptism of course), but they'll prepare to be ready for that day to be sealed for eternity in the temple. It's literally rediculous how prepared they are. And they LOVED church yesterday, they mixed in so well with the ward. Even their kids went to their own separate classes, and loved it.

  So, I'm super sad to be leaving them at such a precious time for them. Their date for baptism is the 17th of November, so I'll just be expecting a picture in the mail from Elder Umana.

But Kevin and Marilyne and their family, and other investigators we have, I'm super sad to leave. The ward members have been so awesome too. So I'm pretty sad to leave. But! Like I said, I believe that these transfers are inspired, so I'm ready to go work hard in the new area. And, I'm going to have to get transfered again and again anyway, so I'll just try to get used to it.

But! I love you all. Hope all is well. And I'll be glad to take anyone back to Mont St-Hilaire for a couple days whenever they want.

Love,

Elder Austin Murphy

 1) This my friend Vincent Dumas. He's an awesome guy, and will probably serve in Irvine, CA someday.

 2) This Kevin and Marilyne! Luca is in Marilyne's arms, Thomas is in Kevin's, and Melady is between Kevin and I.

Questions questions questions!- October 15, 2012

Alyseeeee! Happy birthday my sista. The 12th was super crazy for us. It was officially the first day I've seen snow here in Quebec. It started snowing during studies in the morning, and just very lightly snowed throughout the rest of the day. Very odd hah.

Murph tore his ACL? Hahah was he Murph-attacking someone to hard?

 I'm proud of Bethany for beating Uni! Good job sis.

 Hah yay questions! Cole: 1) No, I've only been really 'cold' twice. It's actually a super nice autumn here. I'd love to come back to Mont Saint Hilaire every fall. 2) No, I have not taught any Eskimo's yet. 3) No, I haven't watched TV since May 28, except for conference.

 Dad: 1) Well we teach in French and English frequently, but I haven't taught a spanish lesson since Elder Umana got here, because he was nice and said we should just teach French when they can speak it so I can contribute. So I'm happy about it, but the Spanish will be probably prosponed for another time. Ummm, this week was tough, we had 6 lessons total. Everyone canceled on us, basically, so we had a couple of short lessons at the door or things like that, but this week was a big dip for us. The investigators with the most lessons would be Oscar. He's awesome, a single dad from Mexico. He's just super scared to be baptized. So this week, we're hammering in on that. I've taught him about 10 or 11 times, in big or smaller lessons, and he's really had a big change of heart from his first lesson, but he's just a little scared right now. So this week is really going to be fun.

 Bethany: (You).  It's only snowed once (on Alyse's bday) but it was very very light. Hah I don't try to speak Quebecois. It still makes me laugh whenever has a really heavy accent. In fact, one thing we've been noticing, is how in Quebec everyone rolls their r's like in Spanish, unless the r is at the end of the word, then they do the normal french r. So it's very confusing, and very silly to listen to. It's just a very lazy language. Nope! Mont St Hilaire has no subways. Transfer calls are on Saturday (scary!!!!!). P-days, we've actually basically been cleaning all day. I'm sure mom will be happy about that. the apartment is super clean now.

 

Okay! Well, this week was sad, basically every real investigator we have canceled every appointment we had this week, so a little disappointing, but we got to have a lot of fun knocking. One door was super sad though, we got out-niced. He was SO NICE but just said he wasn't interested with this HUGE smile, and bowed to us softly, and had the quietest voice. We didn't know what to do. haha He was just so nice. Sadness!

 So we were kind of bummed this week, because we had almost nothing. But, we kept praying and trying to stay positive which was fun. And so when no one came to church either, that was sad. But then at the end of sacrament meeting, Maxime (the ward missionary leader) said 'hey come over here, I have somebody for you to meet.' Soooo we walked over, and this man basically said 'hi, I just moved to Mont Saint Hilaire, and the missionaries have taught me before, and I'm interested, and my family is too, so when can you come over to teach us?'

  Whuaaaaaaat??? He was like an angel. Man, it was just a miracle. So, obviously, we were pretty excited after that. We're pretty excited to go over there and start teaching their family.

 

One thing I read this week which really touched me was in the Institute manual for the Book of Mormon, under the sectin of Moroni's promise. He told of his experience first praying to know if the Book of Mormon was true or not, and (I don't have it with me) but he said something like, if I was expecting a miraculous overwhelming experience, it certainly didn't happen. It was just a peace, and he could see his faith starting to grow. That was so awesome to read. Because for me, I feel like I expect that too (even though the thousands of times I've heard not to do that). But still! But then when I read that, a true sense of peace came to my mind, that the testimony that I have is enough, because I know that my faith in God has been built and sustained and reinforced by the prophets in the Book of Mormon, and I know that book is from God. And that's what we're sharing here. I'm super grateful for that quote, and I think it's very applicable to anyone who's wondering about their testimony of the Book of Mormon, because it certainly helped me understand what that really means.

 

Well! Don't have time! Love you! hope all is well! You guys are the best! Bye.

 

Elder Austin Keith Murphy

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm General Conference- October 8, 2012

BAM! I don't know, I'm really trying to think of some way to explain Conference Weekend for us, and but I just can't. It was like listening to the prophet of God, and being filled with inspiration and feelings from the Holy Ghost. Besides, that, I don't really know. It was maybe the coolest weekend ever, I'm not sure. 
First, that announcement blew me out of l'eau. HOLY COW. I wanted to scream but I knew that wouldn't have been very reverent. The coolest thing, is just that he said that the Lord's work is progressing, and He needs more missionaries. Oh yeaaaah! I couldn't really think in thoughts at that point, it was just short bursts of energy hah. I felt so inspired to have the prophet and the apostles telling us that we need not only more missionaries, but that they support us and are confident in us, even with our weaknesses and youth. I definitely am so excited for what's going to happen with these incoming missionaries, but I just knew that what President Monson was saying was true (not only then, but throughout the entire Conference). I want to tell EVERYONE to just get out here on a mission, but obviously, it'll require that personal revelation for themselves. But! The call is there. Goodness gracious, I'm getting so pumped up again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's just so awesome, because while we haven't even had huge success in 'numbers', it's just the fact that Elder Umana and working together here as the tools of our Heavenly Father for all the people in Beloeil, Mont Saint Hilaire, Saint-Hyacinthe, all of these places! The Spirit is just so strong here every day, it's ridiculous. There's just nothing better. EVEN beating Woodbridge (But, good job team.) 

Man, so exciting. I think I just want to talk about this for the whole letter, but I'll talk about something else now. 

Ok no, just a little more. Even the girls!!!!!! Man!!!! That's so awesome. I have no idea if any of my friends even read this, but I know  a bunch of them have just been dying to get out on a mission, and then BAM here's your chance. I'm super excited for them, cause I know they're thinking about it. Woot! Sister missionaries! I hope there's a huge turn out soon. It's going to be awesome. 

Ok. 
Yes! It got a little cold, but it's still not too bad. I'm sure I'll be prepared for autumn, but winter - no. I'm not ready.

I don't really remember much from this week because everything in General Conference has filled my brain to the brink, but one thing I remember was NO ONE answered their phones this week. We left more messages and heard more answer machines than we actually talked to human beings this week. I guess, it's because Canadian Thanksgiving is today (woot) so people have been pretty busy, but we're looking forward to everything picking up soon. 

Anyways, back to General Conference. I loved it! It was just awesome because I think I'm just starting to realize why Mom and Dad were always so excited for Conference. Because there really was something I could apply with every talk, and also a confirmation came each time a principle was taught, that it was true. 
One thing I really loved was when a missionary was quoted for saying his success while knocking came from being able to imagine the people as how they could be, not as they are now. Because the latter doesn't really inspire anyone, but if we can imagine them as how they can become, then we'll be able to testify with power to touch their hearts. That was really awesome. Also, another thing I loved was President Uchtdorf's talk about basically loving life. That was so great. I can't wait to get the Ensign so I can read these talks over again, because I took a bunch of notes, but man, I just want to read them again. 

But, basically, to end this email, as I listened to Conference, I could feel the love of our Heavenly Father for us. It's amazing that His love is not conditional on how awesome we are, how many scriptures we can recite, how tall we are, or how well we can understand elderly Quebecois women. As so many of the speakers said, especially President Eyring and President Thomas S. Monson, God is always there, and his love is available for all of us, in so many ways. It's just up to us to act, in order to feel and receive his blessings. I know we have been called to do His work, and it requires work. That's one of the best things. I'm so proud to be called a missionary for this church, because it's not only the truth church of Jesus Christ, but it just requires me to give my best. We're all 'unprofitable servants' before Christ, but He always blesses us when we try. So amazing.

Thanks for the emails/letters! Y'all are the best. And tell Sister Gebara that she is the coolest. That package was so sweet of her, I'll write a letter soon (even though I can't today because we have a zone activity) but I just wanted to acknowledge her for that. Thanks so much Sis Gebara, you're a true friend. Tell Jamie I say hi!

Loves!
Elder Austin Keith Murphy

The Spirit Beareth Witness- October 1, 2012

Cole! good job bud! Service, service. Does Mr. King still work with you guys on that? That's super awesome.

 

  So this week has been great. And yes, it was a little rainy and cold, but it wasn't so bad. It's super fun in the mornings though, because we go to a nearby park and run a couple of mornings every week. It's not even that cold, but we're going to be like Rocky soon, I swear.

 

  We're winding down on the exciting beginning of the transfer because of all the new work with potentials and formers, and now it'll just be some nice hard work. But it's great, I feel like I'm growing in so many ways, even if it's slow. I'm still just trying to learn all that I can from Elder Umana because he's so awesome.

  We have a family that we're teaching, who were some formers, but who have prepared so much by the Lord to receive us again. It was crazy. I had seen them one time before, but they were just so ready when we came over this week. They said: "I have always just wondered by there have always been prophets in the bible, but there aren't any nowadays". So, we had an answer for that. They said, "We're looking for a family oriented church, because usually it's super hard to bring our kids to church". So we had an answer for that. And they needed help moving, and we helped with that too. It was awesome. They still have a long ways to go, but it'll be exciting working with them, because we have a really good relationship built up with them now, and they're super excited to go to General Conference next week.

 

   Speaking of General Conference, WOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm so excited. I can't believe last April I was there, but this time I'm more excited to watch it, even though it'll probably only be in French. Soooo hopefully I can understand all of it (maybe if they don't broadcast a special 'Quebecois' version). Elder umana and I have been reading Preach My Gospel, watching a lot of training videos and General Conference DVDs during the morning or breakfast or at night, so it's been almost like an awesome build up for next weekend. And! It's an awesome tracting tool, which gets people interested all the time. So we're really praying and hoping for a big turn out with investigators. But, we'll work hard to get that done.

 

   We were talking to a Jehovah's Witnesses a couple of days ago (and actually we knocked a street last night which the JW's had just knocked the night before, so people weren't very happy) and it was super interesting. She said she wouldn't ever come to church because there's no after life, because it doesn't talk about it in the Bible, and she said, 'and I know my Bible.' So I was so confused! I just thought, what? How can it not be in the Bible? I knew it was, but couldn't think of specific references, so the next morning I started searching in the New Testament for references of life after death, and stopped after 5 minutes because it was so pointless. It was almost every chapter in John had some, Romans, everywhere. It was so sad. So Elder Umana and I talked about it, and we hope to go see her again, and just talk about the wonderful blessing we have now that there is a living prophet on the earth today. And also, we have the other writings from prophets that help clarify so simply the doctrines in the Bible. It just makes so much sense.

    And also, one of my favorite passages in the New Testament which speaks about this, is Romans 8:16-17. First, I just love how it reads, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God". And that's how we learn these truths, the Spirit bears witness with our Spirits. That's been such an awesome blessing for me so far, and definitely more so in the time to come, that I'm learning to recognize when the Spirit bears witness to me that these things are true. And they are, so that's that.

 

(or 'that's it that's all', which is a funny Quebecois phrase which they use here haha it's pretty funny. blkhasdlfkhweoihfeohflskhfoeihfoeifhfh that's it that's all slkdfhwoeifhsjklefhoiehfoesihfosehfosih).

 

But thank you guys so much! Thanks for your prayers and lettres.

 

Merci! Au revoir! A bientot! A la prochaine (lundi!) 

Elderrrrrrr Murphy

 

1. This was a lion cat that we befriended late Saturday night. We were walking down a street after dark trying to find a former investigator's house, when this guy ran over and ran right into my leg. and then he kept trying to do it over and over again hah. But he was pretty nice, so we took a few pictures with him. Not really relevant to anything, but superr funny!

FIST PUMP- September 24, 2012

Dane loves James Taylor! I love that. He's a good guy, huh.

Oooookay. This week was crazy, maybe the longest week I've ever had. But, in a good way. Elder Umana and I are trying our best to work hard and smart, which is great, because he really knows what to do, and has such a big desire to work as hard as he can. It's really been fun waking up every morning exhausted. So fun.

We did splits with the Elders in Sherbrooke this week, and so Elder Glenn came and spent the day working with me in Mont Saint Hilaire, which was awesome. He was an assistant to the president last transfer (for 3) but he's on his last, so it was really interesting being able to spend the day with him, and hear a lot of his experiences, and try to learn from him as well. One thing that I loved was how enthusiastic he is about missionary work. It's sometimes pretty silly but it's a great example for me.
Elder Glenn and I went knocking for a while and it was getting a little chilly, but we didn't have any coats or anything. Then it was crazy, this couple we knocked into wasn't interested in listening to us, but chased us down afterward and gave us two sweaters to wear. And they told us to take them and not give them back, but we're going to do that. But that was super cool! I'm not sure that I would have done that to someone who knocked on my door at 8:00 at night, but gosh, what a nice and surprising thing to do.

One difficult thing we've been doing together, Elder Umana and I, is only teach 'seekers'. So we had to drop a number of investigators this week, but we both believe that it is what we're supposed to do, to use our time in the best way to find those who are ready. That's been a super great lesson for me this week.

But! Maybe the biggest lesson I learned this week is explained perfectly in Jacob 4. I've loved reading that chapter for a while now, but this week when I read it I was taught a great lesson. After reading Jacob 4:6, and reading about how the prophets have the faith that's strong enough to move mountains, and to do miracles, I was just thinking, 'how do I get there?' and 'why don't I have that now?'. And then! I read verse 7.
"Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things."
Man. That hit me pretty hard. I think I'm starting to understand how the Lord wants to humble me before he is going to just give us all this success, because if he didn't, I would be tempted to think that I did it! Wow. It was such a wake up call. I'm super grateful for that scripture and the lesson that I learned that morning (and have thought about quite often since) that in order to be Christ's disciple and to work these miracles we're searching for, we have to be humble. So there have been many, many moments just this week that have been humbling, but I'm so grateful for them. All it's doing is making me rely more and more on Christ and his Atonement. And if I wished I didn't have them or I could avoid them, then I wouldn't be growing, or be given these amazing opportunities to serve the people here. It was a pretty big lesson for me this week. And I'm sure it's going to only continue, forrrrrrrrrr ever. Woot! Or as Bethany would say, FIST PUMP.

Thanks for everything you do. Thanks for your prayers, they're really helping. Tell Dane I say Hello! I've seen fireee and I've seen Daneeee!!!!!

Love,
Elder Austin K Murphy

Elder Murphy and Elder Umana on a walk through beautiful Quebec.

Chuck!

Daneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!- September 17, 2012

Daneee Gregory Leigninger!! What the heck!!! That is so awesome. I was hoping he would come this week, so it was super exciting to hear that he finally did. What a cutie! And he's already opening his eyes? And singing? And quoting Isaiah? Good Leigninger.

   That's super crazyy I hope Alyse is trying to get some rest. Just email me if you need any parenting advice!

   Woot. Okay, so Dane, listen up, this is your first letter from a missionary to you.

   And dang! Bethany's swing looking so much better. Keep up that practice!! I was very happy to see that Bethany. Seriously, you're already doing super well for just starting, it makes me so proud. Now we just have to start working on Dane.

   Dallin - you look like 5 years older from when I left. What happened? P90x?

   Dad haha don't feed any more Primary children coffee flavored candy hahah.

 

   As I said, I got a new companion! And his name is Elder Umana, from Concepcion, Chile! So sweet. We were in the MTC for 3 weeks together because he was just 1 transfer ahead of me. So it's been super exciting for us, being two new missionaries. But, he had a quote that I really liked, and I have no idea what it is in Spanish, but it's: A new broom sweeps better. Cool cool! He basically just said that we're going to learn together, which is going to be super fun. And already in the last couple days it has been. I don't really consider him a new missionary though, because he seems like he's already got everything down. He's really putting me to work, which is awesome. The Spirit has been stronger than ever in our apartment, and also in lessons and even in tracting. He's a superb example for me in a lot of ways, so I'm very happy to be with him. And I hope I can just learn Spanish! Maybe President Cannon's trying to give me a hint, but I love being with these Latino companions. I think Latino's are the coolest. Even when they laugh at me when I try to say something in Spanish.

 

   But yeah, that's basically everything for this week. We've been working super hard, so sorry that I haven't had time to read any letters or anything like that. We're really just trying to get stuff organized around the apartment, and working for our investigators. So I wish I could read them, but I love working so diligently.

  One thing though, we both don't know how to cook. So the last few days we've been hungry most of the time hah, but somehow the members knew so they gave us a bunch of food. Yay! So this is really going to be fun with Elder Umana learning how to cook.

 

   I hope all is well. Don't have too much fun there at the football games, Dallin.

 

   Church is true, God loves you. And especially you, Dane.

 

Love from Mont Saint Hilaire,

Elder Murphy

 

P.S. TELL MR. KING I SAY HIIIIII!!!!! tell him he's the greatest, and I wish he was my teacher for every year of school. Man he's so cool.

 

P.P.S. This is Elder Osorio and I eating lunch with one of our investigators Sukman from Nepal. He fed us lunch, and it was super good, but superr spicy. Man.

and also, here's me and Elder Umana! Hah We're super excited.

Our church is led by prophets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- September 10, 2012

Salut! Okay, here we go. Crazy week, I hope I can remember everything.

But first of all, I still can't believe that Mom and Dad got iPhones. What the heck.

    Alyse! Crazy to hear you're so close to have my little nephew. That's so crazy!!! Make sure to tell me first though, before anything happens. I'm super excited to be the first one to see him. And Brandon, I'm glad you're ending your night shifts. I think everyone is hah.

Oh, and really, the schedules for B and D sound super good. I love how you both have Mrs. R, haha she's the best.

    But Autumn has hit, or so it seems. Friday and Saturday were still pretty warm, but then Sunday it just suddenly became autumn like no one's business. It was 13C when we were driving home last night (I don't know what that is in Fahrenheit) but it was just a little chilly hah. It's making me super nervous for winter. Because it's still summer, and Elder Osorio's already wearing a jacket over his white shirt haha. Oh boy!

 

    We got our transfer calls on Saturday night. It was pretty exciting, but I'm staying here in Beloeil, and Elder Osorio is leaving! It's pretty sad, he's going to Laval in a tri-lingual area (because he's awesome like that) and I'm getting Elder Umana as a new companion. Pretty exciting! But in my six person district, I'm the only one staying, soooooo that's sad. I'm super excited to stay here though and continue working with the people in Beloeil and Mont St Hilaire, etc.

 

   This week was crazy though. I got to go on 'greenie splits' with Elder Boehme, that was super exciting. I had my first Quebecois poutine, it was super good. We helped direct the 'Deficourir' here in Longeueil, a race put on by the Stake. It was pretty fun.

 

    This week we went to Sherbrooke to serve for the day with the elders there, and it was awesome. But there Elder Vanfau showed me the quote in PMG from President Gordon B. Hinckley, which says, "Every morning..., missionaries should get on their knees and plead with the Lord to loosen their tongues and speak through them to the blessing of those they will be teaching. If they will do this, a new light will come into their lives. There will be greater enthusiasm for the work. They will come to know that in a very real sense, they are servants of teh Lord speaking in His behalf. They will find a different response from those they teach. As they do so by the Spirit, their investigators will respond under the influence of the same Spirit." MAN, what a promise! And I'll just tell you, that in the last few days, even though it hasn't been very long since, I've seen that promise from the prophet come to true. It's seriously been amazing. I'm just so excited to continue doing it, and working harder and praying for the Lord's help, because even just in these last few days, that promise from a real prophet of God has come to life for me. It's helped me strengthen my testimony that the prophets and apostles today are called of God, and are here helping direct us to greater peace in this life, and eternal life in the world to come, through Jesus Christ. So awesome. I love the prophet.

 

I love you guys, I hope all is well. Work hard in school, youngins. But more importantly, set against the wall every day. And say your prayers.

Thanks for everything. I really feel the support from your prayers, and letters and thoughts. Thank you.

 

Love,

Elder Murphy

My middle name is work.- September 3, 2012

Hi! Guess what! Good news! We're getting mail tomorrow, and the zone leaders told me I have 10 or so, so for some reason, it's all coming tomorrow! So that's good. I'll tell y'all if I got everything.

 

Bethany's schedule sounds sweet! Keith and Mrs. Guy, she should be super happy about that.

 

Ok! Sorry I don't have too much time, we need to get back out to our ward party. We already were 'peeling corn on the cob'? Please help me. I don't know what to call that. But we were doing that for about an hour, and now we're going to go eat it, and hopefully some investigators are coming.

 

So I'll try to inform you: Pdays we usually study till 10:30, then we go and do emails, and then shopping for groceries and things like that, then we usually come back to the 'appartment' and write our letters or read some more hah, the boring people that we are. But I love it. But! Today we're all going to hiking Mont Saint-Hilaire as a zone, so that's going to be fun. But then Pdays end at 6, so then we head out and go tract or do passbys or have lessons. So it's some of the fastest hours I experience every single week, but it's good.

 

One little thing yesterday that I was thinking about, was my desire to serve. I've noticed that as some described before as the 'addrenaline' running out after the first few weeks, and then you just have to get down to it hah. So yeah, definitely. But then yesterday, before sacrament meeting, I was trying to go around and talk to people, and just trying to give them a good handshake with a smile (because a lot of times I ask them how they're doing, and I have no idea what they say back) and it was so awesome! It was just because of a little change that I made which made that so worth while. I just wanted to make someone else feel better, and it first made it easier to get up and do something like that, and second, it makes me feel so much better. I guess that's basically what Mom and Dad and the prophets and everyone's been trying to teach me for the last 19 7/8 years, but hey! It was cool to experience it a little on my own. So I'm trying to work on that. I want to study Moroni 7 and develop more of the charity of Christ, in order to be able to help people more. Because even though I can't have much of a conversation with people, I can still say nice things, and then smile when they respond with whatever they say.

 

So! All is well, All is well! This ward is awesome. We had a dinner appointment last night and had Cabbage cigars for dinner, which was awesome. There's really a difference even every single day when a member of the ward does something for us, or offers to help in some way. It's awesome.

 

But sorry! Got to go. Love you guys. I'm excited to get the mail tomorrow, I'll try to write better next week. Tell Grandpa Myres I love working, I know that'll make him happy.

 

Au revoir,

your Elder Murphy

Dear Alec and Sarah,- August 27, 2012

Hey! How's it going?? I just wanted to tell you guys that you're the best. That was one of the funniest moments I've ever had. "Excuse me, does everyone stay in here or do they split up into classes?" Haha, that was hilarious. Oh yeah, this is going to my mom and family, but it's obviously directed towards you cause I just don't have you email address. But that was awesome. I hope you had a good vacation in Quebec, and an even better sacrament meeting in Mont St-Hilaire. It was great to see you just for a few minutes. And sorry, but you literally surprised me so bad I forgot all the names of everyone around me when I was supposed to be introducing them, even Elder Osorio's name hah. Sorry!

 

We had a great week here. We've found a couple of new investigators the last couple of weeks, and so this week we got a chance to talk with them and share the first lesson. And it went really well! But I also got to experience the first time we 'dropped' an investigator because she wasn't interested. Her name is Benedicte, and she's the coolest. You can tell my mom, she reminds me SO MUCH of her hah. No joke. She loves Hinduism, and doesn't really have a religion, but if she did it would be that. She practices wizardry and sorcery, and works a lot with magicians and all that stuff. So that doesn't really remind me of my mom, but she's super nice! It's too bad she doesn't want to meet with us anymore, because I can't get a picture to show how simililar her and my mom are.

 

One thing that's pretty big here are the Jehovah's Witnesses. I mean, I've never been mistaken for a Jehovah's Witness as many times in my life. Literally anyone who says anything besides "I'm not interested" says "Tu es Temoigne Jehovah?" And we say no......... So that's pretty funny how that works out. I guess they're pretty aggressive up here, but it's all good because we're able to clarify who we are a lot of the time.

 

Small thing I've noticed. In French (or just in Quebec, I'm not sure) they say a machine or appliance is working by the verb 'marcher'. It's also the same verb to walk. So kind of like how we say something's running! Like the computer is running. So that was super interesting to learn. But it made me curious to how the Quebecois would tell that silly joke. So I assume it would go something like this:

-Hey! Is your refrigerator walking?

-Umm yeah, it's just right there.

-Well you better go catch it!

-No, I said it's right there, you can even see it. 

-Nevermind.

So! The Quebecois aren't very big on jokes I assume.

 

We have an investigator named Oscar, who's awesome. He's a single dad living with his three kids, and he's from Mexico. He has a bunch of questions, but he's been reading the Book of Mormon every night and tells us every time how he keeps applying verses to his own life, and it's really helping him build his faith. It's so awesome! So we watched teh Restoration DVD yesterday, and he liked it. And he said church is super important, so we invited him to come next week, and he said he probably will. So cool! And he's said all of this in Spanish, so I don't say much to him, but I'm super glad I at least can understand what he's saying. No hablo Espanol! Pero, yo comprendo uno pocito (haha I don't know how to spell that).

 

I've been trying my best to study as effectively and intensly (probably the wrong word) as I can to be able to tell people every day about the Gospel, and the blessing it will bring to their lives. So it's been great, even just this short little month has helped me so much. Can't wait for the next one.

 

But I love you guys. You're the greatest. Tell everyone I say hi, and tell my family they're the coolest. I wish I could tell them all the investigators and experiences I'm having, but there's just not enough time in the day, or in the 1 hour I have for emails. Gospel's true.

 

Love,

Elder Austin Murphy

 

1) Us!

2) Elder Brown! Sister Jeff's nephew! I got to meet him this week, sad that he's leaving this next transfer.

3) Haha poor Blacky. He's the dog of a less active member Sister Pion we go and visit every week. Her friends 'gave him a nice haircut'.

4) Murphy and Blacky can be best friends.