Dear Family- June 23, 2014

Oh boy!

We had a great week. Church was good yesterday, with not the best turn out but it's okay. There were 13 or us present during the sacrament. Elder Drury and I both gave talks (as well as Julie Lévesque), so I guess you're right mom hah we were doing the same thing over here. I didn't have too much time left to say all that I had prepared, but it was great to speak just for a few minutes. Then Sunday school was great, then I taught priesthood on Elder Oaks's talk on No Other Gods. Caleb and Elder Drury were kind of the only ones awake during the lesson, but their comments were great. 

Bah. It was sure something teaching at church one last time. I really don't think everything has sunk in yet, but I'm glad in a way. 

We got to eat at the Worner's home (who are living at the Duponts) yesterday, after we finally got to go visit a sister who is struggling, Sister Bourdon. We invited her to come back to church, and she said she will in order to talk to President Fourtina. President is aware of her situation and is going to be able to settle things soon. The Worners are so great..... we took pictures at the end, but mine are a little blurry, but they'll put them on facebook or something, so I'll show them to you soon. 

We're having another dinner tonight, then we're having Family Home Evening at Sister Bujolds. Then we're eating lunch at Sister Lafortune's on Tuesday, then heading down to Québec. 

Oh boy. I don't really know what to say hah. Asking for what my feelings are... I'm sad, excited, exhausted, pumped up and ready to go, and happy. I wish I could describe it better than that. I can't actually believe that I'm leaving... I feel like I'm just getting transfered. We've had such a great last couple of weeks, working hard and learning SO many things on how to improve what we do. It's a little sad learning so many great things that I wish I could go back and apply from Day 1, but that's not how it works. I'm going to miss my friends here a lot. 

Elder Drury is going to be training and District Leader here! So awesome. They're going to love it here. 

So, I love you all. Thank you for everything. I'm grateful to my Father in Heaven who gives us so many blessings in so many different shapes and forms. And I'm super grateful to see you all very soon. 

Love you lots! Keep up the great work Dallin! You're the best.

Elder Murphy

Here's a picture that turned out well. Our Home Teaching companionship: Elder Drury, Caleb Worner, and Elder Murphy. 

Hello Everyone!- June 16, 2014

Oh wow. Sounds like you all had a great week. Dad, I hope you got my
letter for Father's day, I sent it last Monday. If not, that would be
so sad! I love you dad! I'm grateful for everything you've done for
me, that I can see and even those things that I don't. And you're a
boss. 
Grandma Murphy! I hope you got my birthday letter!! Love you!!!!!!

   We had quite the week. Sister Bujold is just on fire right now
after her patriarchal blessing. She was so excited she told us quite a
bit about it, but good thing we told her not to share everything hah.
She is so great. We had 2 lessons with her this week, and thanks to
her blessing and daily scripture studies, she is feeling true
conversion. She is changing certain habits she's personally working
on, and her desire to help others learn about the gospel is growing
all the time. So wonderful to see that.
   It was sad, that Steeve has struggling for the last while, though I
don't know how much I've included that in my letters. But he didn't
show up for his lesson on Sunday. There's so many things that I'd
share to make everything clear I won't. We're praying for him though
and trying our best to help him whenever he lets us.
   At church, we had the 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency come up
(LOOK AT THAT! WHAT A
COINCIDENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) for Father's
Day, with his whole family! It was awesome. President and Sister
Fourtina couldn't come up, and they won't be here next week either, so
that was sad news. They're just having a some difficulties with
employees in their company so they can't make it up. But, he said that
on the 25th he'll come to the mission home to say bye hah, so we'll
see about that. But the Stake Presidency asked President Patrick if
the units can start calling missionaries to callings, so everywhere in
the stake missionaries received callings yesterday hah. Example, Elder
Drury got set apart as the first counselor in the branch yesterday. So
now it's official!
   We were 21 at church.

  Then we had an awesome activity on Saturday night! It was SO
AWESOME! We were 30 people all together....... That's never happened
before since I've been here haha. Woot! And about 12 of them were
nonmembers, 9 being invitees of the Duponts and Worners! It was sweet!
We had an activity from Caleb Worner on gardening, and then ate some
good hot dogs and hamburgers. It was super fun to see the Duponts
getting involved with everyone and inviting so many people, as those
are some things they're working on! Wow!

   Oh wow. I just can't believe everything is going by so fast. We had
some great lessons this week, some very less good lessons, and some
great contacts with people. It's amazing to see how things just seem
to work out, when we go forward in faith. Even if it's not how we
planned. Don't worry mom, we're working hard.

But hey, you are all the best. I love you all! Keep up the great work.

Love

Elder Murphy

 Austin and his friend Tan.

 Happy Father's Day!

Great week- June 9, 2014

Hello!! I'm be praying for little Ruby.

Answers: We listened last week to Conference in Rimouski, and yes using the French translation!

  For Sister Woods the family just had a very simple get together on Monday night, but she didn't want any funeral or church services or anything, so that was it. It was very nice and simple. 

  Steeve didn't let us come over to help him this week, and then didn't give the lesson. But! Hopefully he'll let us this week!

  Good! Elder Wilbur's great. Glad to hear you got to go hear his homecoming talk. 

Great to hear from all of you! We had a great weeeeeeek in Rimouski. Rimouski is so great. President and Sister Fourtina were supposed to come to church but they told us they couldn't make it on Thursday, I think, so we had to arrange stuff and then take care of church yesterday. But it was great. Elder Drury, Brother Worner and I gave the sacrament talks, and then since Steeve didn't want to teach the priesthood lesson, I taught it hah. I'm grateful for all of these opportunities to teach. 

It was great! Brother D'Amours came to church!!!!!! He's our less active friend who lives out in Sayabec, 1 hour away, who we visit once a week. He had promised 5 other Sundays he'd be there, but then made his big entrance yesterday. He's quite the character. It was a great step forward for him, especially since he hasn't been to church in 10 to 15 years. So now that he met everyone again and had a great time, we just want to help him come consistently, and come for his spiritual wellbeing, and not only socially. And another miracle, was that Sister Bujold drove down to Montreal with Sister Lévesque yesterday right after church, where she got her Patriarchal Blessing. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was so excited hah, and it's really going to be great for her. Her sister Soeur Lafortune and then Sister Plourde will be following shortly in just a couple weeks. The Relief Society is the core of this branch. What an amazing example of service... Sister Lévesque found out on Friday that Sister Bujold was driving down to Montreal (5 and a half to 6 hour drive there) and agreed to go with her. What an amazing woman. 

So that was great. Two big steps for two awesome members. We're having a branch activity on Saturday at the Duponts, so that'll be great. 

We had an awesome Zone Conference in Québec this week, and it was stupendous. President Patrick had it focused on how the Doctrine of Christ should be the driving force of our work, in all aspects. It was so great. Wow. I don't really know how much to explain it, but it has changed the way I work. It's been helping us with finding, with teaching, with giving service, everything. 

We're receiving the Chicoutimi team this week for 2 full days, so we're trying to figure out how to plan 4 days into 2 but it's great. It's going to be a great week. 

I'm grateful for the chance I have to work every single day, and to be able to help others better understand who our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are. These principles are becoming more and more important for me every day, and it's a blessing to teach these things to my friends here!

Some pictures: Poutine!!!!! On the two year mark.

This is our District!! Me, Elder Drury, Elder Jason (from Guatalupe), Elder Reigner (from Canada), Elder Rock, and Elder Messinger. What great Elders!! Elder Jason and Elder Rock are in Alma, and Elder Reigner and Elder Messinger are in Chicoutimi. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

HEY TAN!!! THIS IS FOR YOU!! You're awesome Tan. You're english is great, by the way. Keep on learning those great phrases. 

Love

Elder Murphy

​

BETHANY!!- June 2, 2014

BETHANYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I love about Bethany: I love that Bethany is so loveable. I love how Bethany forgives me for not writing last week about her birthday, because Elder Murphy is so silly. I love Bethany because she is a righteous example of love and kindness, and a disciple of Jesus Christ. I love her because she cannot tell a joke without laughing hard enough to not be able to finish. I love her because she will not look at any boys, because of fear that her brother will bring his Canadian special forces back with him to give them a piece of his mind. I love Bethany because she is so nice. Happy birthday Bethany.

Dad!! Man, busy already hah. That sure sounds awesome. It was great to have Stake Conference, seeing it now with the perspective of: 'Wouldn't that be sweet to have Dad directing the meeting?'

To answer a couple questions, Stake Conference was wonderful! We were 9 for the Saturday session and then 13 for Sunday. 

Who spoke: On Sunday, for all of Canada, Sister Burton, Elder Holland and President Eyring spoke. It was so great! What I LOVED is that they all spoke about Faith in Jesus Christ. They spoke about how Faith in the Savior Jesus Christ will strengthen our families, it will heal our pains and wounds, it will lead us to serve others and to heal up their wounds, and it was help secure eternal blessings. It was an great lesson for me, seeing the excitement of our leaders to talk with us Canadians, and then to speak so plainly and clearly about Jesus Christ. He truly is the center of our lives, and His church. Thank goodness!

Priesthood holders: I was sad that the moment arrived, and we couldn't help any brothers be advanced in the priesthood, but it'll happen next week. 

Good idea about Steeve! We're going over a couple times this week to help him study and prepare to teach his lesson. 

We had a good week, glad to say that I'm not sick any more. It made it hard to visit people for a while, since no one wanted to see us in order to not get sick hah. But now everything's good. 

Sister Bujold should be getting a call for her Patriarchal blessing in the next couple days! So that'll be great. 

Our friend Sister Woods passed away on Thursday morning. We helped her boyfriend Walter move into Rimouski (they was living 25 minutes out of town), and it was good to be there for him. Her services will be tonight at 7. It's been confirmed to me a number of times this week that this life truly is just a temporary stay on our journey. It's amazing how once our physical body is done, it's done. It stops. But yet our spirit is still strong, and alive, just moving on. I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. Through Christ, all shall be made alive. 

I love you all! I hope you have just as an amazing week this week as I'm going to have!

Love

Elder Murphy

P.S. I hope Dane's as excited to see Elder Murphy as he was to see daddy and mommy.

P.S.S. We got poutine for my 2 year mark this week, but I'll have to send you a picture later. Bye!

Hello!- May 26, 2014

( I asked him why he in one of the pictures he sent home he had a spanish nametag on his shirt under his suit coat, and a french name tag on his suit coat...this was his reply).  

______________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Hah actually, Dallin sent me one of his name tags, and I've been wearing it on my white shirt, since it doesn't show because we wear suits here in Rimouski. It's just a nice little reminder I get to wear every day.

Hey Dad, great to hear about your class with the Deacons. I wonder what would get a group of deacons pumped about reading the scriptures....

Whoa!! Holy cow no Dad didn't tell me about his new calling. Thanks mom! Dang. Sounds like some work cut out for you Dad. You're going to do awesome though.

More about Elder Drury: Elder Drury is always happy and jokes a lot. He loves being positive which is great. He is from Riverton, Utah, and went to Southern Utah University for 1 year before coming out, I believe. He came in the mission when I was in Laval, so he has about 9 months left. (hopefully they'll all be here in Rimouski hah). He's excited to work here, and he worked in a small branch for 8 months already (in english), and so he understands the swing of things, in a way. He says he wants to work on his French, because I think the fact that I'm leaving, and he doesn't understand some of the people we work with is starting to worry him hah. But it's a good worry.

We had a good week. We were really busy up until Thursday, but then not so busy after that. I got a little cold this weekend, but it should be on its way out soon.

Stake conference is this week, which is going to be great. Part of it will be broadcasted from Salt Lake, and its going to be for all of Canada (I guess the church still considers Quebec as a part of Canada). Steeve has taken a lot of steps back in the last couple months, but he's moving forward again. He'll be teaching every 2 and 3rd week of the month in priesthood, and we're trying to be there more often to help him learn how to study. It was a great time studying with him this week. I love helping people feel the power of the Book of Mormon!

We also had lessons with other members, such as Frère D'Amours, and Soeur Bujold. They're both doing really well, which is great. Frère D'Amours SHOULD be coming to church some time soon, he just needs to coordinate with a neighbor, since he lives one hour away and doesn't have money to pay for gas. (long story, I'll tell you later).

So some sad news this week, is that our friend Sister Woods was entered into the 'end of life' home (I don't know how to say that in English) on Friday, and is really declining. She found out in October of last year that she had cancer, but her treatments were all going well, up until last Friday morning. We got to visit her there, and she's very positive, but its very sad to see her go. Sister Levesque and Sister Bujold have been taking turns staying by her side so she won't be all alone, since her family seems to be a little bit too busy to see her, which is really disappointing. But yesterday the thought came to mind, that remember, a couple weeks ago, Sister Bujold drove one extra hour go pick her up and bring her to church, because she asked to have a ride. And I believe that was her last time ever coming to church. I'm really grateful that Sister Bujold did that for her, and she is too.

All is well! At church yesterday, we were 11 present. The Fourtinas and the Warners both couldn't come this week.
But hey, they'll be here next week!

Love you all, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love

Elder Murphy

May 19, 2014

Haha Brandonn!!!! Nice job in your race! Looking big!

And Tommy! I dont have any pictures, but dang thats awesome! Way to go!

Alyse, and Camille, I'm sure you did great as well.

Dad, I will definitely take up that challenge! I just hope you're ready Bethany. We started running in the mornings here, so I'll be ready to help Bethany out. Don't be scared Bethany, I'm not that mean any more.

So we had a great week. Elder Smith was excited to go and get some new exciting responsabilities! And Elder Drury's great! He's come in with a lot of energy, and ideas which are helpful. And he's willing to teach and contact and fellowship which is so great!! It looks like it'll be a great transfer!

Attendance at church was 20 yesterday! Yay! And our friend Claude came! He's a 'friend' the missionaries have had very off and on for the last 5 years, because he has almost been drinking uncontrollably for the last 5 years. But suddenly, one month ago, after he got kicked out of a addiction recovery hospital, he just no longer had the desire to drink. What a miracle! He came and enjoyed it very much, and liked President Fourtina. Teaching has been (obviously) very unstable but we're hoping to pick it up here soon!

President and Sister Fourtina were amazing this weekend, as always. Wow. 

But I'm excited to work with Elder Drury. He is really excited to work here in Rimouski. Its going to be a great tranfer, and a great transition period, trying to help him get as integrated as possible. 

Steeve Bourgoin (finally) came for his interview with President Fourtina yesterday!!! YAYYY!!! So he received a calling, as Elders Quorum instructor (which is great, because it's like throwing him into the deep-end, to really 'help' him to study.) And Sister Bujold got her interview for her patriarchal blessing. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also had a wonderful branch activity on saturday. Another souper, and then a presentation on 72 hour sacks. 

You all are wonderful. Thanks for everything!

Love

Elder Austin K Murphy

Heres Elder Drury and me! (Is that grammatically correct Alyse?)

And as a bonus, Austin looking over the beautiful Quebec City:

Dear Alyse,- May 12, 2014

Hello Alyse! I felt bad that you said I had never written you, so I hope that this can start to heal the wound.

It was great to talk to you and everyone else yesterday! I was surprised at the connection which was great for us, but poor for Dallin. I guess that just goes to show how hard it is over there (hah okay, I'm sorry, I know it's tough as well). 

Good thing when I signed on Dane was happy enough to talk with us. I can't believe he's already saying some big words! What a cute boy. 

How's Tommy doing? How is Dane? I read your blog posts, but you can tell me if you want. 

Our week here in Rimouski was great. A couple members were out of town so we couldn't work with them, and most of the week was occupied with service! We did service at Le Friperie, L'Arbre de Vie, La Moisson Neigette, at Brother Hébert's friend's barn thingy, and then at Sister Woods house. I love service now. I can't believe how much it's changed ever since those groggy Saturday mornings in high school when we'd 'have to go move people' hah. Silly old pre-Elder Murphy. But we did get some lessons in, and invited our less active friends to come to church. Some accepted, but none of them were able to make it. Bah!

But it's okay. I'm excited about this next transfer. We're going to give it our all. The big thing will be trying to reactive members (President Fourtina still wants 40 members at sacrament by the time I leave), strengthening those who are already with us (President Fourtina told us of some plans that I can't really share... but sometime I will!), and then going and bringing new faces in. 

It's a wonderful time to be a missionary! I love how while my responsabilities are here in Rimouski, we all are working for the same goal - me and you! Let me explain:

 - At baptism, we covenanted to take upon ourselves the name of Christ. What does that mean? I bet you have a good answer! Dane probably does too. Baptism was the sign of our commitment to become disciples of Christ. What does it mean to be a disciple? If we then are disciples of Christ, what does that mean? (Hint - Elder Dallin H. Oaks talk from April 2013 General Conference, so good.)

 - The best way to be a missionary, for me or you, is to live the Gospel. Through living the Gospel, we receive so many blessings. The joy that comes to our lives is the best tool for missionary work. You can have as much influence on the lives that surround you as I do! 

So let's do it! What a great time to be a 'light of the world'. 

I love you sister! Tell everyone else I say hi. 

Love

Elder Murphy

Love love love.- May 5, 2014

Hello family! Thanks for your emails! Cole, you were the only one not to write (Brandon and Tommy are excused, for good reasons). But that's okay, we'll talk in a couple days.

So! Rimouski, Rimouski. I love Rimouski. Our week was great. We got to have 7 lessons with less active slash almost active members, which was great. Two of them were with Soeur Bujold, who has been struggling ever since her brother ridiculed her for wanting to go to the temple to do baptisms for family members. Silly Gaston. But it was actually a great experience teaching her the Restoration again, being the base of our testimonies of Christ and His work. The first lesson on Saturday was actually with Sister Fourtina and the Fourtina's son Daniel who just got back from Finland. After our lessons on Saturday and Sunday night, she is doing much better, and accepted her calling as Family History Director hah. Good timing, eh?

We taught her sister, Souer Lafortune, twice, and she is doing very well. They both are working to receive their patriarchal blessings soon, and hope to get it before I leave. They're both wonderful examples of trying to live the Gospel, while being the only members in their families. I think the mold is setting, they're getting stronger as they keep choosing the right.

Our friends who are preparing for the Melchizedek Priesthood, are moving, very slowly. Steeve was supposed to meet President Saturday, then cancelled, and then Sunday, and then didn't show up. That was sad. And Brother Leblond doesn't really seem to want to meet with us anymore, even though he'll come to church. But we'll see! We are now Steeve's home teachers with Brother Warner (Miracle!) so we'll be able to teach him AND have a member who can support him and be his friend. 

So the Dupont's daughter and her husband (the Warner family) just moved last week to Rimouski with their 2 year old daughter. Ah wow, what a wonderful family. He's a returned missionary (who served in Quebec) and is from Alaska slash Utah, and she is a rock star. They're probably now the two strongest members in the branch (maybe 3, with the toddler. She's a little older, but Dane, I think you two would make a great couple). I've met them already 5 or so other times, and it's going to be great to work with them, because they came ready to serve!

We ALMOST has two other great miracles yesterday. Both Brother D'Amours, and Brother Philippe Bourgoin (Steeve's uncle) had promised to come to church, and even spoke with President Fourtina saying that they would come, and then didn't show up. Bah. But Philippe's building is really against him coming, its the second time he's committed to come, and then Sunday morning as he's going to leave, a maintenance problem breaks out and he has to fix it. This time an apartment flooded. But, as you said Mom and Dad, patience. I love President Monson's quote, that says we often forget that the heavenly virtue patience is required, as we expect blessings. So true. Oh how much I wish things would just change with the *snap* of my fingers, but how could I learn patience that way?

So, I love Rimouski. A lot of other things happened this week, but I can't share it all. It'll have to wait. But God is mindful of us. I can feel it. As President Thomas S. Monson said, our Heavenly Father's love never changes, it is simply always there. Sometimes I believe our connection is weakened on the receiving end. But He is there, and He will guide us. Thanks for all your love and support. Keep up the great work!

And let me just say how much I love Mom (We'll talk on Sunday, but here you go) : I love my Mom. She is amazing. She's an amazing woman, mother, and example. I learned in my first area that Mom has never been wrong in teaching me, and oh how that would have helped if I realized that before, but in any case, I realized it now. I'm infinitely grateful for her example and love, in no matter what sort of circumstance we are found in. To me, my Mom's an angel, and I'm not afraid to say it. Love you mom! Happy mothers day!

Elder Austin Murphy

Love!- April 28, 2014

Cole, new Deacon's quorum president! What a great opportunity. You should now go and study the hastening the work of salvation website - it applies even more to you now!

Glad to hear that everyone is back home and happy. I'm sure your anchor was great Bethany. Dad, sorry about your pinky hah. And I don't think I mentioned it earlier, but great job on your missionary fun!

So, we had a great week! A couple of downs, but we're looking up. It was a very sad day on Wednesday, when we went and stopped by Jean-Guy and Christiane's house, and they told us not to come back anymore. I don't know what happened, but Jean-Guy just had a change of heart. My one hope is that if we can help Philippe Bourgoin, Steeve's uncle, come back to church, then he can help Jean-Guy because they used to be really good friends. So we'll see. 

We met together with the men in the branch a couple of times to help them prepare for the priesthood, and progression is slow, but it's coming. And then during Priesthood quorum yesterday we had a discussion on our duties as elders, and how we should act in order to fulfill them, and so on. It was great to see Frère Lévesque get involved in helping them. Everyone needs to feel like they're useful. 

We walked a lot again this week, and ran some hah as we tried to get home on time. It's helped us contact more people, even though there are not very many people on the streets. But the Rimouskois are very friendly people. 

So, this week, in order to work to achieve our goals, we are working a lot with the priesthood, we helped Chantale (a recent convert of a year and a few months) learn how to study the scriptures with references and everything, and got to understand Soeur Bujold better. She opened up to us this week and shared some questions and concerns she has, with certain principles of the Gospel. I think it was really important to express that, and we will go back and strengthen her testimony of the Book of Mormon, and of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. I love how Preach My Gospel explains how simply that everything falls upon those two points, and the Book of Mormon is the proof of the other. What a blessing it is to have the Book of Mormon!

I will take more pictures mom, thanks for the reminder. 

The Fourtinas couldn't make it this week, and we were 11 at church. Also, Elder Smith made a make-shift bread yesterday since we ran out, and it tasted a lot like pupusas, so that's what I'm going to make today. Hah it'll just be Quebec style (sorry Dallin, Dad). 

Oh, I love you all. Thanks for your support, for your prayers for us and for the branch. They are amazing people, and it's an honor to be able to serve and teach them, as well as meet people every day to tell them about the joy I've received through Jesus Christ!

Have a great week! Hope to send some great miracles home next week in my email. 

Love

Elder Murphy, celui à Rimouski.

Easter Weekend- April 21, 2014

Brandonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!! My friend, it was your BIRTHDAY THIS LAST WEEK HOLYY COWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! Man, Monday afternoon last week, we got home and I looked at my calender... ah shoot it's Brandon,s birthday on Saturday. Brandon you're a stud. I love Brandon because he is the coolest. I don't know what inticed such a nice man to join our family, but hey, we'll take him! Thanks for being such a great example. Keep up the hard work you big 26 year old!

Oh, and happy anniversary to mom and dad!

Hey, Dallin, what do you REALLY think about missions? I don't think your letter home was clear enough (EDITOR'S NOTE:  DALLIN'S ENTIRE LETTER LAST WEEK WAS HIS DISAPPOINTMENT IN JABARI PARKER NOT SERVING A MISSION).  

So. We had a great week! As you can imagine. We had a zone meeting in Quebec on Tuesday, which was awesome, and also got to have interviews with President Patrick. What a great man. We talked about the goals for the branch, and what we can do. The Zone meeting was great, where we talked about how to use members in lessons, dress standards (hah) and our commitment to the Lord. 

Coming back to Rimouski, we stopped in Riviere-du-Loup and visited a less active brother, Frère Breton. The first time we visited him about 3 months ago, it was the first time in 10+ years, and wow he was just sunk deep in questions and doubts and these false ideas he's created to make it feel better. And it was great to see that this time was better, but he was still pretty deep down. So, I got to share with him my feelings about all those ideas, and then talk about the Book of Mormon. I don't know how to describe that lesson... But it was great to see that he's open enough to at least realize what's true is true and makes sense, and when other things don't. He said he wants to come some day to Rimouski to see us at church, which was a shock! So we'll pray that he does. 

We visited our friends this week, Sister Lafortune, Sister Bujold, Frère D'Amours, Steeve Bourgoin, Philippe Bourgoin. We tried to reach concerns that they have, ranging from being offended by another member, being depressed about health problems, not really understanding what it means to prepare for the priesthood, and a long history of bad feelings towards the church due to a mean ex-wife. Whew! But I look back over the week, and no one is DRASTICALLY or magically changed, but that's okay. We tried our best to teach true doctrine, and when that doesn't work, just show true love. And it's very rare that that doesn't have an effect on people, even if small. It must be a lesson I am to learn here, which is great. 

Due to the Easter weekend, a lot of active members were absent at church! So we were 8 total yesterday. The Fourtinas couldn't come up, and neither did the Levesques, the Duponts, the Leblonds, Chantale Plourde, and some others. But church was absolutely wonderful. Even if Elder Smith and I gave the talks and then I taught a combined priesthood and relief society lesson since the sisters didn't have any one to teach them hah. What valiant saints they are, coming to church and learning and growing together, even with only 6 'members' and 2 of them had to go after the 2nd hour. Miracle - Sister Bujold drove one hour out of her way to go pick up Sister Woods (who is slowly loosing her battle with cancer) to bring her to church. What a wonderful act of love for a fellow sister in the branch!

Easter was great, with church, a couple hours of walking to contact and pass by friends (Elder Murphy - Dominican Republic style), and then a dinner at Sister Bujold's home, with Sister Lafortune and her husband Roland, and Frère Hébert. What great friends. 

Love to you all! I'm grateful for what Christ did those many years ago, which gives us the faith, hope, and love for everyone. Have a great week!

Love

Elder Murphy

Spiritual Independence- April 14, 2014

Man! Tommy's a doctor! What a guy.

I'm glad everyone's having fun! Especially all of you in North Carolina. Sounds like a blast! (Sounds great in Idaho, too, but... you know... Danieboy is the center of everyone's world right now)

So! We had a great week, thank you. I'm a little bit short for words, but I'll try to right enough to make mommy happy. 

We had a branch activity on Saturday with the Fourtinas, which was absolutely fourtina. We were pretty bummed that we invited a lot of less actives and non members to come, and only one came for 5 minutes before the meal had begun. But, I'm sure we'll be blessed in another way. Sister Lafortune's non member husband, Roland, came which was great! He even accepted to offer to teach the branch on some topic (that we weren't there to hear about) during another fireside! Thats a big deal!

Church was great yesterday, we were 16 in total. I gave a talk on unity, which I felt was a great topic that President Fourtina gave. I wish I could share it all with you, but I didn't really have it written down. But I started out the talk by sharing two stories actually: Dallin's falling out of a tree at the Utah family reunion and healing by Dad's blessing, and then our adventure on the Nicaraguan volano. I related how Dad had to be united with God to know how to respond and give the blessing. And also, that the fact that we were all united to reach the top (with a little bit of encouragement hah), helped us all reach it, and also for Dad to be there to catch Dallin from falling near the top. I didn't purposefully choose 2 stories about Dad saving Dallin, but rather to show how unity and love is essential in our progress towards the eternities. The center of the talk was on John 17:11, and 20-21. I love those verses! Unity is REALLYY a big principle that needs to be understand and practiced here for real growth to happen, so I was glad to try my best to teach that. 

We taught Brother D'Amours and Brother LeBlond in preparation for the Melchizedek Priesthood, and saw small but actual progress. Yay! If we can involve more members in their progression, we'll be able to see some good changes. And turns out that Brother D'Amours received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1988, but after chemotherapy and years of inactivity and being 73 years old he had forgotten. But I hope he'll still want to come back hah. 

President Fourtina reminded us again that we want to work on helping the members become independent. He says that we 3 will all leave some day and the branch needs to be able to support itself in our absense. I love that vision. Two ideas we've had since: A recent convert of last year, Chantale, we are working with her to receive her patrairchal blessing, which is great. But some hints that we've gotten show that she had a big difficulty in reading and understanding the scriptures. So that's going to be a skill that we're going to be working on with her to help her truly become spiritually independent. Sister Bujold we taught yesterday, during one of my favorite lessons that I've had in a very long time. She opened up and said that she would like to have help with the idea of one true doctrine, and hence if not, why would we do temple work? I wish I could explain everything in the lesson, but oh wow it was fun. In studying corresponding scriptures with her, we could see her understanding grow. We read John 3:5, 1 Peter 3:18-20, 1 Corinthians 15:29, and Joseph Smith History about the First Vision, among others. It was great. She still has some way to go in some principles (like this doctrine) but she's willing to learn which is so great. And through this she can become more independent, and then help the other members. 

I love the Gospel. Thanks for your love. 

Love to all!

Elder Murphy

Conference, conference, conference!- April 7, 2014

MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, wow. What a great missionary. I'm sure the rest of you are equally awesome, but no one bothered to share anything. So mom wins for today!

Wow Conference was amazing. I felt like it was a buffet with 100 of your favorite dishes all at once. I'm just amazed at the teachings that we can receive, that fill us with faith, love, and a desire to do better. I want to bring this angry man that we met this week and let him watch any one of those sessions, so he can really learn about what we teach here. Hah we'll see if we meet him again. 

Dad, you're right, that we can work together to help the potential Melchizedek Priesthood holders prepare, as well as getting attendance up at church. I like the idea of fireside, I'll see what we can do. All of these goals have the same grand goal, but it's still a little mind boggling trying to juggle everything. But, we've got help from on high.

  Steeve Bourgoin the recent convert, is committed to work to receive it. His girlfriend Julie (the one who introduced him to the church) is great, but sometimes I don't know if she's helping or hurting his progression. 

  Brother D'Amours is excited to come back, and committed to come this coming Sunday. We saw something online that actually said he might have already received the Melchizedek Priesthood, but its very possible that he did and forgot. Many chemotherapy and radiation treatments may have hurt his memory, as well as many years of inactivity, so we'll double check and then bring him back either way. 

  Brother Leblond, is very mildly committed. But a miracle of the week was that he listened to the Priesthood session, and remembered something! President Uchtdorf speaking of addictions and bad habits struck him, so we discussed that with him, with repentance. It seemed to change his character. So we'll be praying for miracles. 

An experience I had this week, I'd love to share. We were leaving our less active friend Brother D'Amours apartment building in Sayabec, where we saw a woman lifting a cabinet into her car, and needed help. I asked if we could help, and she said yes. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So we helped, and she as very grateful. We then started to talk, and she told us that her brother in law is a member of the church, and she had many questions for us. Wow!  She was open. But the quote that got me - according to my memory, she said, ''Why doesn't he (her brother in law) talk to anyone about this? He acts as though its a secret... but everyone knows that he goes there. Why hasn't he talked to me about this before?''

Wow. Let's not miss opportunities to open our mouths and share what brings us joy. 

I love you all. 

Elder Austin Murphy

Big goals- March 31, 2014

Cole! Wow I'm very impressed by those paintings!!!! Especially the basketball player and the elephant! Wow!

Hello family! Wow I'm sorry. Ill be quick.

This week was incredible. I don't remember if I told you last week, but President Fourtina told us very recently that his goal is to have 40 active members at sacrament meeting by summer. Gulp. Hah when I read that on his email to me, hah my heart jumped. But we've been praying and working for it like mad ever since. We had 25 at church this week, thanks to President and Sister Fourtina and a lot of visiters, but it gave us a little taste of what is possible. 

One thing I realize, more and more as I try to work how I'm instructed through the scriptures, Preach My Gospel, and my leaders, is that by ourselves we can't do everything. I thought I could, but I can't hah. But working through the members, working hand in hand with them, we can bring these struggling members back to the blessings of the gospel. We're starting to see it happen too. Just wait till next week, then the next. We're going to see great things here. 

Président Fourtina also has asked us to prepare 3 men to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, Brother Leblond, Steeve Bourgoin the recent convert, and Brother D'amours. He says that we need active priesthood holders if we want this work to progress here in Rimouski, so we say, Yes boss, and get to work. And he wants it to be done, if possible, by the next stake conference in 7 weeks. Hah. 

And we're helping 5 members or so now on their genealogy. And sharing the hastening of the work with some members so we can work together to bring souls unto Christ! (By the way, you didn't tell me if you watched those videos or not, ill assume that you didn't. Please do it!)

We have huge plans, and are praying to be guided and magnified. It's truly exciting. I'm so grateful for the last weekend we had, where I got to go to the temple and hear from Elder Andersen. Faith in Christ is what is driving us, and will help others in our journey through this life. 

I wish I could explain more, but I don't have any more time. I'm very very very very very happy to be staying, and to be able to work here with these AMAZING latter-day saints. Yes, I'm writing in my journal mom. 

Love you

Elder Austin Murphy

Happy spring!

Dear family,- March 24, 2014

As you will read, Austin's mission got to have a very special experience this week, as they had Elder Neal L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve visit their mission, along with Bishop Causse of the presiding bishopric and Elder Hallstrom of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  Quite unusual and amazing all at the same time.   ______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello Family! Im glad that the funeral went well. Please send Lanny and Barbara my love. They are such amazing examples of disciples of Christ. Thank you for your faith Uncle Lanny and Aunt Barbara. Also, tell Natalie hi! Im so glad to hear that she is doing well.

Oh family. Where do I begin. It's difficult to express how this week was, especially in light of the experiences you're having at home, with Lanny and Barbara and the Bollard's news. But maybe it can shed some additional light to that which you already have!

We had a slow, but actually powerful week up until Thursday, with visits and testifying to members. Then Thursday night we drove down to Quebec city, and then drove down to Montreal early Friday morning, to get to the temple. We got to attend a session at 12, with some friends. And I can't say enough about that trip. I had prayers answered in the House of the Lord that I have been praying for, some for a couple years now. The temple is amazing! The Spirit of God resides there, and it testified to me that the promises we make there are true. The promises made of eternal marriage and sealing are true, and extend after this life. Truly, as Julie said, families are forever, through the power of the Priesthood. 

  We then spent the night at the YSA branch's institute in Montreal (I don't know if I'm allowed to say this, but I'm glad I've never served in a young single adults ward hah). I did get to see some friends that I met and taught in LaSalle and Laval, which was great. Even some former missionaries, like Sister Houde who lives and served here in our mission. What great people. (If I was just a little bit smater, I would have taken pictures.) Sorry mom. 

We stayed the night at the Patrick's home (the mission home), with our district. Thomas Patrick actually received his birthday on Friday, (AND it was Sister Patrick's birthday), and opened it while we were there. He's going to Tahiti! Haha wow. President Patrick's face was priceless. 

We then got a ride Saturday morning to the chapel with President Patrick, and he said we're going early so we might get some personal time with the General Authorities. But as we pulled up and walked in the chapel, we saw 150 other missionaries who had the exact same thought. 

  It was great to see Elder Hardy, Elder Lanning, Elder Pehrson, and Elder Kimzey, my remaining former companions, along with all the other 200 missionaries that were packed into the chapel. And then we had an amazing meeting. The problem is just where do I begin. I was convinced that they wouldn't let us shake their hands because of how many of us were there, but then they did. So we got to shake all of their hands, Elder Andersen, President Patrick, Elder Hallstrom, Bishop Caussé, and Elder Homes. Wow. 

  We were then instructed by Bishop Caussé, Elder Hallstrom, and Elder Andersen, along with their wives. I felt as those disciples 2000 years ago, who said 'Did not our heart burn within us...' as they spoke, and opened the scriptures? Wow. 

Levesque Caussé spoke about the why of service, and how the Atonement should be at the center of our lives and teaching. He said, if anyone asks me what missionaries do, I have a response that I like - 2 Nephi 25:26. It was fun having him teach us in his quick Parisian French. 

Elder Hallstrom taught from Doctrine and Covenants 43:8-9, how in the Church of Jesus Christ, we are to teach and to be edified through the meetings, and how its equally our responibility to do that. As well, we can have this be a turning point in our lives, if we 'bind ourselves' to live in holiness. Wow I loved that. 

Then Elder Andersen taught us for a good 30 minutes. I wish I could express to you all of the things that I learned, and that he taught me. The most important things I took from him were:

 - the Spirit that testified as he taught, that there are Apostles and prophets again on the earth! WOW!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord truly has called men to be His witnesses in our time, to testify of Him. 

 - Elder Andersen spoke to increase our Faith in Christ. He encouraged us to study the passages in the Book of Mormon that teach of the Atonement, and to study the New Testament, for the events and teachings of the Life of Christ. This needs to 'seek deep into your bones'. We need to understand Christ's grace, mercy, and merits. We need to testify of His Resurrection.

 - He mentioned briefly the culture here, which was comforting. He recognized that the Church grows differently here than in Brazil where he lived for years. But he said something that I am taking with me, 'There is not one person that you meet that you can't strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ'. 

  There truly are Apostles on the earth again. I can testify of that. I know that it's true. 

  We were then instructed during Stake Conference on Sunday by Elder Andersen again. Guess what! President Fourtina is NOT the new stake president!! PHEW!!!!! And the stake still has the same boundaries. Good thing. Thats the most important stuff. 

  Elder Andersen taught from Alma 32:41-43, in French. Great to see that he's kept his French all these years. He taught of the importance of Faith in Jesus Christ, diligence, and patience in our own personal progression. It was amazing. 

I feel bad. I want to be able to share everything with you, but my time's running up! This email doesn't really do this week justice. But I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is His Son and that He prepared the way for us to return back to live with our Heavenly Father, as families, if we believe in Him enough to live like Him. Jesus Christ has restored all the tools necessary to help us do that through a prophet of God, and has called men, as He did 2000 years ago, to be apostles, to be witnesses of His life, mission and resurrection. I met one of them this week, and heard him speak, and I know that this is true. The Spirit teaches us truth, and He taught me that this week. 

I'll share with you the rest in a couple months. 

I love you all! Have faith in Jesus Christ, because He is the Son of God. 

Love

Elder Murphy

At the conference with Elder Pehrson... it was dumping snow.

Oh man oh man oh man.- March 17, 2014

DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Y TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man, what a great Dad. I love my dad because of how awesome he is. He is the best Dad ever. He makes me want to be a dad. He makes me want to be happy, to work hard, and to follow his example. Dad, you help me do my best, in all that I do. And of course, he's nice and has a good sense of humor (right, siblings??). Hah sorry, I had to. Thanks for your letter(s) dad, , i took pictures of it and I'll read it later. You're the best!

And to answer some of your questions, comments - President Fourtina actually didn't make it up this weekend as planned..... He had a meeting with the rest of the High Council on Sunday that he couldn't miss. So before we could try to arrange something after we got the news, the members had already canceled the activity in desperation. Hah kind of funny, but very sad. We would have had some less active members and non members come (THEY TOLD US THEY WERE GOING TO BE THERE) but it was cancelled. Can't win them all I guess. 

And, there was another snow storm on Sunday, so we had an attendance of 10 at church. Brother Levesque told me yesterday that he has never seen a winter like this: a winter so long, so cold, and with so many storms on Sundays. Hah man alive.

And we actually have started a Family Home Evening, which is really great. Its great to involve some returning members along with the super active ones, to try to strenghten the relationships between them.

Its funny that Cole was sick this week... cause I was too! And Thursday was the toughest day for me as well. But we got by here. 

We actually had a zone activity in Quebec on Monday before our Zone Training Meeting on Tuesday, where Elder Connor McCook planned it so we could play volleyball haha. It was so fun. I need to get back in shape... but it was great. Just like old times (playing at the BYU volleyball camp). 

I love the members here. Holy cow. Yesterday we had dinner at the Lévesque family with Steeve and Julie, and man. Leaving there I was just so filled with LOVE for these people. So many hardships, but yet they stay strong and are committed to the Lord. What wonderful people. And the whole branch is just so wonderful. 

One example of our role here in Rimouski - we went to  Chantale Plourde's house this week, a member that was baptized actually when my friend Elder Pehrson was here last year. We taught about genealogy and temple work, and she was excited about it, but said she couldn't start because she had 2 membership numbers... so we had to go fix that on Sunday. We've been able to start doing genealogy with 4 or 5 members now, because they have never done it before, and its great. 

One experience I had with service this week... We tried to see Sister Yvette Lafortune this week, but it never worked out. She is doing well, but needs some encouragement and teaching to help her fortify her own testimony, to become independent. On Sunday morning (during the storm) I thought that we should go to her home to shovel the snow and de-ice her car to help her come. We went and with the two of us it took 10 minutes, and she came out at the end and said thanks. Then later, after church, she told us that if we hadn't come and surprised her (by hearing the scrapers on the car) she wouldn't have come to church yesterday. What a good feeling - just the little things that we can do can really help out our friends. 

I cannot express to you in words how I am excited for our special meeting on Saturday with Elder Andersen and Bishop Caussé, neither how worried about the changes that will happen the next day in the Stake. We will see. 

I love you ALL. GOODNESS, I LOVE YOU. Thanks for all that you do. Jesus Christ lives. He is our Brother, and has made possible for us a life with our Heavenly Father again. All we have to do is follow His voice, and live by His Gospel (His teachings and ordonnances). Keep it up, Ne lâchez pas. 

Have a great week. 

Elder Austin K Murphy

Follow the Spirit- March 10, 2014

Who knows why he was writing so much in French today.  I will include the translations.  (Dana)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Salut ma belle famille! Ça va? Comment était la semaine?   (Hello my beautiful family! Okay? How was the week?)

Great. We had a zone activity today, so we have to do emails a little earlier to go down to Québec city. 

We had a great week in Rimouski! Guess what?? President and Sister Fourtina came up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comme ça a fait du bien de les revoir!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow it was great. We got to meet with President Fourtina before church, and discuss the needs of members, and then had some great meetings. Oh they are wonderful. And so fourtina. 

It was funny too, because some of the suggestions that some of you had given me happened with his arrival. He immediately planned an activity for this Saturday, with a meal and then a presentation on finances (since the Branch's yearly goal is spiritual and financial independence). And we had visits at church! The Levesques son was here with his two sons, and then the Kikongi family from Sherbrooke came up! It was great. So thanks to that, we had an attendance of 21 at church. Holy cow, I don't know if the building can sustain that many people at one time (just kidding).

So we're going to be inviting everyone to the activity. 

I love Jesus Christ. I love how he is our brother, and how he helps us out. I love how he brings us back to feel the love of our Heavenly Father. I love wearing his name on my suit (since we wear suit coats here in Rimouski). 

We got the impression to go visit Sister Lafortune on Saturday night, wanting to encourage her to come to church. And it was very important that we went that night, because she opened up and told us a lot (a lot). Just one of those things as we sit and stew over something someone did or didn't do, we can get all worked up, and then those feelings hold us back from doing what we want to do. I talked about the Book of Mormon, and how it was celui qui m'a aidé à acquérir un témoignage de Jésus-Christ, et de son Église rétablie. Grace à ce témoignage, je sais qu'il dirige son église sur terre, et que nous pouvons nous fier à lui et à notre Père Céleste, et nous pouvons recevoir de la force afin de continuer à grandir, malgré les empêchements qui se présentent devant nous  (one who helped me gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored Church. Through this testimony, I know He runs His church on earth, and that we can trust Him and our Heavenly Father, and we can receive strength to continue to grow, despite the obstacles that come before us). It was great. It helped her enough to come to church yesterday, feel the Spirit, and get remotivated to do her best, and to work to get her Patriarchal Blessing, finish the Book of Mormon this month, etc. What a wonderful feeling to be in the Lord's service, even just to help in a small way. If we search for ways to serve others, and follow the Spirit (the impressions that we then receive) we will be guided to help those in need. 

It sure is a different responsibility that we have here, than in other units, since we spend so much time helping strenghtening the members here. But I love it. 

Lanny and Barbara, you are in my prayers. I love you, and I pray that you feel all of our love, and the love from our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. 

Love to all!

Elder Austin Murphy

(Hey Dad! Have a good last week of the 40s!)

Divine covenants make strong Christians- March 3, 2014

Hello la famille! How are you doing???????? Good, I'm glad.

Glad you had a great birthday, Cole. I still can't believe that you're so tall though... 

Mom! We had a great week here, including a Zone Training Meeting, where they actually showed us the Ma Famille pamphlet, and we got to start sharing it with members. It's great, because one of President Fourtina's goals he gave to the branch was to get 10 new names for which we can go to the temple and do the work for them. And no one's really been moving ever since he gave us that, so we're now going to help the members do the work! (Also, because our Genealogist specialist has gotten offended, and won't come to church anymore, or help anyone with genealogy. So we are now the new genealogists hah). It's absolutely wonderful though. I regret never doing too much before my mission, because now we are supposed to know how to do everything, but we're getting by. 

We had English Class this week! And for right now, we're only teaching one college student n from China, who's name is Tan. He's great! He wants to work on conversation skills and pronunciation, so we do just that. He's also midly interested in the Church (even though he knows next to nothing about Christianity), but I've been able to talk a little bit about it with him. We're going to see if we can invite him to take the lessons this week!

Hey guess what! We passed by Jean-Guy and Christiane's house, and they were there!! They let us in to talk just for a couple minutes, and they are doing well and happy. They decided to move (I think the day after we say them last ...) out to a village 20 minutes away from Rimouski, so they've been occupied with the moving. So they said to call later. So that's goodish news! I was at least very happy to see them and know that we still can teach them later. 

Attendance at church yesterday was 15, which was great, with a little addition from the Levesques son and his two sons who came down from Chicoutimi. We had some great meetings, and are happy to work again this week. President Fourtina is coming up this week, so we're excited for him! The Branch misses him and Sister Fourtina a lot. 

    We're having a 'special' stake conference on the 23rd of March, where a member of the quorum of the Twelve is coming! It's super exciting. But, I'm worried they're going to split the Stake. No one has said anything, but if they happen to do it (there are currently 15 units in the stake) we're hoping President Fourtina won't leave us. But I should stop speculating. 

  I love you all! I love covenants. Divine covenants make strong Christians. 

  Quick story: I thought about this last night, I don't think I told anyone before, because I don't know if I realized the importance of it in the moment. Senior year in high school, I was having a bad week, let's say, and I guess it was apparent when I came into and attended Seminary with Brother Bollard as my teacher. When it was finished, I got up to leave as usual, but Brother Bollard stopped me, and asked me to stay to talk. When everyone was gone, he asked what was the matter, and wanted to help. I explained a little bit, and he listened, and told me he was confident in me to do the right thing. It was really just a simple gesture, that helped me when I needed it. I'm grateful for that moment, along with others that have helped me out in times of need. So thanks Brother Bollard! You're the best. 

    It's an honor to be here, on the Lord's errand, to try to lift up the hands that hang down here in Rimouski. And thanks to examples that I have from friends and family, I can serve in order to lift others around me. 

I love you all! Have a great week. 

Elder Murphy

1. Elder Smith is great hah. Here we are! 

 

Walk the walk.- February 24, 2014

Cole!!!!!!! Happy birthday on Thursday!! Wow you're getting so big. I don't know if I'll be able to recognize you in a couple months.

   I love Cole because he is Cole. He loves to be Cole. He excelles at whatever he does (it sure seems like) and is always happy and positive. Cole makes me smile. Especially that picture with Cole teaching Dane how to clap haha. Happy birthday Cole!

Hah I'm glad your rib is better, Dad. No more ninja moves on the court! You also had some really good ideas Dad, Im going to see what we can do here for next Sunday.

Keoki!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah what a good man. Tell Keoki that he's the absolute best. 

We had a great week!!!!!!!!! Church attendance yesterday was 11. I got to pick up Elder Smith on Wednesday in Quebec, and he's great. He's from British Columbia, from a tiny city called 100 Mile House hah, and is a great Elder. He was trained by my friend Elder Christensen in Ville Marie, and was there for 8 months, and now is in Rimouski. He's got great desires to work and learn, which is so great. He's already mingling well with the members. 

 We taught 8 lessons this last week, all with less active, returning, or new members (Steeve). I need to send pictures next week!!! Sorry, I forgot my camera cord today. 

 

  But we're focusing a lot on helping everyone with their duties, such as Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching, and its going really well. We also spent a bit of time this week with a family who got offended, and is thinking that inactive side is looking pretty good, so we're trying to work with the Branch members to go see them and help us out in trying to keep them afloat. It's a really interesting situation, but what isn't an interesting situation?

  Thanks for your prayers and emails. Family is the best. Oh man, I got letters from Dane with pictures of him and his parents, and then a letter from Dallin! That was wonderful. 

  No news on Jean-Guy or Christiane yet. And almost all of our other investigators are either in addiction therapy, or are gone taking care of sick family members. 

  We're starting to work with members on doing genealogy, since the Stake President made that a focus in our last Zone Conference, and so far they seem interested. So many things that I never have done before, but it's for the Branch. I'm so grateful to be able to work here -- I've learned so much. I think Mom you've talked about that often in your letters hah, if everything was easy, I would never learn anything! I'm learning how to care about the one, how to help them progress to receive ordinances, and how to persévérer jusqu'à la fin. 

  I'm also learning how we can truly become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, as we walk the walk, instead of just talking the talk (1 John 2:6). I love trying to follow my Savior in everything we do. He's able to bring the best out of me, as we serve with all our heart, might, mind and strength. Just ask Dallin how that works. 

I love you!

Thanks for everything. Have a great week! I love you all to pieces, especially you Dane. 

Elder Murphy

P.S. ''Have I done any good in the world today?''

Hey! 6 is my favorite number!!- February 17, 2014

Hello everyone! You're all in my prayers, especially the Bollard family.

So we had a great week here in Rimouski (we always have great weeks
here in Quebec). We had a lot fewer lessons this week than the week
previous, but that's okay.

We had a wonderful Zone Conference in Quebec city on Thursday, which
really was inspiring and helpful. President Patrick is amazing. The
things that I loved most was that we are meant to focus our time on
strengthening the branch here, which helped me figure out the question
of time efficiency. He also spoke on the process of sanctification,
and teaching as well. It was great!

So, due to the record breaking storm this weekend (So says brother
Levesque due to how much snow fell), we had an attendance of 6 at
church yesterday. It was wonderful. Elder Kimzey and I, Sister
Levesque, Julie (the Levesques daughter), Steeve, and Brother Hebert.
It was a surprisingly great Sunday though, even with just us 6. That
meant I had to teach Sunday school and a combined Priesthood and
Société de Secours, but it was good. I just dont want people to get
bored of hearing from me. I know though that its true, that by the
prayer of faith we can teach by the Spirit.

President Fourtina informed us as well that he won't be able to come
up for the 2 following weeks either. So, honestly, it's a little tough
without him, but his company is really struggling right now, and he
and Sister Fourtina are working double shifts, and have found it
impossible to come up. So we're praying for them.

We got the news on Saturday, that Elder Kimzey is leaving for
Victoriaville! He's done a great job here in Rimouski, and is sad to
leave, but is also ready for a new adventure. I've just been trying to
schedule things with our friends so he can say bye, and they can send
him off well, since he's a little too shy to ask, but really needs
those words from the members here.

We're a little worried since it seems now that Jean-Guy and Christiane
either have taken a miraculous vacation and have lost their hearing
whenever we knock on the door or call, or they are having a hard time
remembering our number or address of the church. They'll come around
though!

I'm grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, for His life and His
love for us. What a great brother and friend to us all. It's been a
wonderful experience to be able to see how He can help me and others
overcome weaknesses and burdens.

I'm sorry I don't have much to say... I'll try to write more next week.

I love you! Thanks for all that you do. Thanks for your prayers and
emails as well!

Elder Murphy

P.S. So, I'm emailing President Patrick that I'll stay until mid-June,
and if he needs me for more, we'll freeze and skate that bridge when
we come to it.

True love- February 10, 2014

We had a great week here in Rimouski. Among other things, the Chicoutimi elders came over for a split, so we got to spend Wednesday night and Thursday with them. It was good to see other missionaries!

Church attendance yesterday: 16. Jean-Guy and Christiane didn't come, but they're planing on coming this next week, and hopefully our nonpracticing friend Philippe who knows Jean-Guy really well. That would be awesome, eh? Christiane asked us if she could come to church, and she seems really excited, so we're sure hoping they'll come. 

President Fourtina couldn't come up again, but we had some good meetings regardless. I had a talk in Sacrament meeting, and it didn't look good when the first speaker didn't show up, and the second forgot all of her notes at home hah. But luckily I had some visiting family members from the Dupont family come up to bear a quick testimony to help out. It was great! 

I've been thinking a lot recently about Priesthood service and leadership. What this branch needs is strong members, who can stay strong in easy times and also more difficult times. And what they need to be able to live that is to see examples. I've thought a lot about Moroni's letter in Alma chapter 60, when he said that we need to clean the 'inner vessel' before the 'outer vessel'. It's brought me back time and time again to my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How am I doing as a vessel through which God can bless the lives of the people here in Rimouski. 

Bref (in brief), it's given me an appreciation for the Sacrament that I've never felt before. I'm so grateful for the Sacrament, that we take it in remembrance of Jesus Christ and what He did for us, so that we can have the Spirit of God with us. What an essential part of my week. I really look forward to taking the Sacrament now, to take it, promise to my Heavenly Father that I'm WILLING to (or in French it says we WANT to) keep the commandments, always remember Christ, and take his name upon us as his disciples. Then, I can receive the Spirit again! 

I can't really put into words what I'm feeling, for the Bollard family from what I've learned from you at home. I love them so much. I hope that you tell them that I love them. I'm so grateful for examples like them that show love and charity and patience, and faith through trials. I am who I am now, and will be in the future who I'm meant to be, because of examples like them. I don't think I've ever been able to truly explain to Brother Bollard how much of an influence he had on me (as my friend and as my seminary teacher), helping me want to be a better son, brother, and Priesthood holder.  I'm praying for that amazing family. I hope they know that their faith and strength are blessings the lives of people here in Rimouski, Québec. 

The Gospel of true. I don't know of anything that is more true than the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of the Gospel, we can live with our families in peace and love now, and as well as after we die. I know that this is true. God is real, He lives, and he teaches us eternal truths through His Spirit, which testifies of these things, and I'm grateful for my testimony of such truths. 

I love you all! Please have a great week. 

Love

Elder Murphy