Good and sad news- November 25, 2013

Ahh man. Tommy!!!! Happy birthday!!!!!!! You're the best. I love Tommy because he's a boss. He's a wonderful example of love, hardwork, and patience (for the Murphy family). Tommy you rock! Your positive attitude is contageous.

Hello Family!! How are you? Good. Love to all. 

  So, we had a great week this week, but Saturday night we got transfer calls, and I got the call I wasn't expecting or hoping for. Im going to be heading out from Sherbrooke, and going up to Rimouski hah. Oh boy. Elder Pehrson started his mission there, but also got to leave by just about the time Im going up there. Woot!

  Im sure Im going to be raving about Rimouski soon, but man. I can't really properly express myself right now. I am just so sad to leave Sherbrooke.

  This is by far the ward where Ive worked closest with the members and the Bishop, and its been so amazing! Im going to take a picture with Bishop Desjourdy tonight, so ill send it home later. Its just been 4 months of miracles here hah. 

  So I don't really know what to say. I just love Sherbrooke. I know Im going to come back someday. And Dad, thanks for your note you just sent me. I know Elder Wilbur and Elder Hardy are going to do great things here. Im really looking forward to hearing about how they can help this area keep moving. 

Hope you got all those pictures I sent mom and Dad. Those are pictures Ive been taking from teh last couple of days with friends here. 

For updates:

  Jimmy is now working on the 15th of December for baptism, and then to receive the gift of the holy ghost the following Sunday. He's super excited, but now he said he'll probably have John baptism, which I think will be awesome. 

  Carol is preparing for hers on the 20th of December, and is not letting anything stop her hah. 

  Jérémie is awesome, he's going to be ordained as a priest soon, which is going to be huge. Then when Gabrielle is ready, they'll have her baptism. 

  Scott is really starting to find his swing. 

  And the ward is starting to have a real missionary Spirit. Its so awesome to see that, and Im sure the big Christmas party is going to rock here hah. 

So, I love you all!! Dont feel bad that this is a kind of somber email, but its just I have to leave all my friends for a short time. Family, you're welcome to come back with me to visit anytime you want. 

So, I'll be heading out to Rimouski tomorrow, where hopefully everyone isnt all frozen already. This is the Quebec winter we've been waiting for eh?

I love you all! I might sound sad, but Ive had so much joy being able to celebrate with my friends here over the Gospel and how it can change us, and thats not going to change. I have enough info to contact them as I keep moving on. 

Thanks for everything family and friends. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Elder Austin K Murphy

Hello!!!!!- November 18, 2013

Haha sorry mom, for the short email last week!   Thanks for telling me about that from Sister Kupferer!! (mom's note:  a friend in our ward told me she substituted in the special ed classes in our high school last week.  When she told the other teachers that her son is on a mission, they all chimed in unison "Like Austin and Dallin Murphy?!?"  She said all of the teachers sang the praises of Austin and Dallin, who loved the special ed. kids dearly while at the high school).   Is Mike (a teacher in special ed) still there? if you know Id love to find out. I hope Valentine is doing well, as always.

We had mission conference on Tuesday!!!! It was SO GOOD. OH MY GOODNESS. Elder Piper from the first Quorum of the Seventy came and trained us, and oh did he train us. Man alive. I am convinced that it was the best meeting Ive ever been to. He taught us how to respond to questions, how to teach true doctrine instead of surface problems or ideas like principles or applications, and other things. I wish I could explain how much I learned there. Basically, its changed the way that I will teach all other lessons I have here in Quebec, and probably for the rest of my life. Bottom line: It's true doctrine understood that brings power into our lives to change us. We learn more when we receive answers to our questions - and the way to receive those answers from God instead of a 21 year old boy, is through the holy scriptures, prayer, listening to the Spirit. Woo!

That picture of Dane in the hallway is so cute!

Jimmy, Carol, and Gabrielle all came to church yesterday, and loved it. Jimmy hasn't smoked for 10 days, and is doing really well! Im sure it won't be long until he will be baptized. We're just fine tuning now, as he keeps working on smoking (since its been over 30 years now since hes started). Carol is also doing well, shes very excited for her baptism on December 20th (her birthday), and Gabrielle is a boss! Her husband Jeremie is taking huge steps, and I'm super happy about it! Hes awesome. Bishop said it wont be too long until he's ordained and then can baptize Gabrielle!

Josée didn't come to church, and we're still waiting to find out what happened. Mohammed is doing really well, but is obviously hesitant to come to church since he doesnt speak a word of French. 

Bref, we're moving forward. 

We've decided to heed President Patrick's counsel and focus more on helping our less active friends out, and bring them back to the fold. So that's our vision for this week. We had a ward list of about 300 names, while 70 have no information, and 80 live quite a ways away (for us with mile  limits) and so we're going to get this all figured out some how.

We had 13 friends come to church in total for our three teams (with a couple member invites, since it was the primary presentation this Sunday!). I think one of the biggest joys I have here is helping out Bishop Desjourdy, because he's trying so hard and its such a blessing to help him out. Hopefully I can get a picture with him soon and send it home. He's a great friend!

Oh man! I love you all! Hope this was long enough for you mom! Send me questions this week and Ill try to answer them next week! 

Love!

Amour!

Amor!

Elder Austin Murphy

Quick email!- November 11, 2013

Bethanyyy!!! That is so awesome. I loved those pictures mom posted. It must be true - your verticle must be improving.

And only TWO BOYS at the Boys and Girls Club??????????!!?!?!?!? Whaaaaat. I think Dad you're right, Tony Johnson would be devestated. Holy cow!

Hello everyone! 

This week was another great week. I have to be quick:

Jeremie is doing well, he gave the opening in prayer in preisthood on Sunday, and seems to really be getting back into activity. 

We had to push back Jimmys date which was going to be this Saturday coming up, because hes got some work to do on smoking, but! Its for the best. He knew he needed some more time as well, but he's ready to work on it. 

We found a wonderful woman named Josée, who is super sweet. Shes had some big difficulties recently, and is looking for a church where she can express herself, and truly understand what the scriptures teach her. (How about that!) She is wanting to come this next week to church. 

In a nutshell, that was our week. Ill have more time next week. 

Je vous aime tous!! Have a wonderful week!

Elder Austin Murphy

Thanks for your emails!!

November 4, 2013

Hahah Dane, what a cutie. And Dallin, what a boss! That sure doesnt look like Québec, that picture he sent hah.

Whuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I cant believe youre going to live in Texas, Alyse, Tommy, Dane. Whaat. That's crazy. Sounds super exciting!

Hey Mom - way to go!!!!!!!!! Thats awesome! Good work, Im super proud of you and Sister McCombs. Tell her that I tell Connor hi, and he's awesome. And Charlie!! Man, good friends. My idea: Why would the church need her? I think it was the President at BYU-I that gave that talk once about how to invite others, and Dad sent me something recently about that. Just a small thought.

Our Zone Training Meeting was actually really good. The Sherbrooke Sisters gave a training, and then I gave one at the end. It was on how to work in the Lords way, and not our own. I just think its funny how in high school I was scared out of my mind to give a 3 minute presentation in english class, compared to now how I love receiving and giving trainings. Hah silly.

Hello Dad! Sorry about that, Angelic is our friend from Cameroon. And we popped by her place on Halloween night, and she let us in and we read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon with her. Shes planning on coming to church this week. Mohammed is doing well, we brought our friend Brother John Dillman over to his home on Saturday, and it went really well. He takes everything super well as we teach him. He's getting a PhD in computer science here in Sherbrooke University, and so its such a different atmosphere than some other lessons we have. Its great. Hes hoping to come next week as well.

Jeremie spoke to the Bishop yesterday (thanks to a little arranging hehe) and he's doing really well. And Jimmys doing well, we showed him the interview questions, so we know now what we need to narrow in on for these last two weeks. Carol only smoked once this last week!!!! What an improvement!!!!! She's awesome. I swear I still only understand half of what she says because her accent is so tough hah but we love teaching her.

Bethany - good job! You're the best!! Keep that excitement up on the court.

Cole - Who said you could play the piano at church? Thats crazy. Youre so awesome.

Well! We had a great week. It was absolutely filled with miracles.

Wednesday was great too. We didnt have the car for the day so we worked Dominican Republic style. It was super fun! Hah we're definitely very spoiled here in Québec. We had an exciting day of contacting, because we only were able to contact 3 people, because they were all interested! That was a really nice problem. Then we went to the Bergerons home, with little Xavier hah. What a cutie. This is our game of trying to get a picture together, but all he wants to do is run away.

We then had coorelation, and thanks to Brother John dillman, it was super duper effective. We just talked about needs and looking forward, instead of back. It was awesome. What a good present! Oh yeah, we also went and did some service at Johns house in the morning because theyre renovating their house themselves.

I don't have very much more time. But have a great week! We're starting to see families (like mine at home!!!!!!!!!!) make steps in missionary work, and its super exciting. We had PEC in the morning, and Bishop asked us to help the ward go visit some potential Melchizedek priesthood holders. I love working with the ward!!!!!!!!

Love you all! Happy beginning of November!

Elder Murphy 1.

P.S. In total, we all had 10 people come to church as a district. It was super exciting!

 

 

Big week coming up.- October 28, 2013

Hello!! Thanks for everyone for writing, who did. That was so thoughtful of you! Sorry if I dont have time to respond back.

We had a great week here! The biggest thing that happened was jus the fact that we took about 10 different members with us to lessons, and had a couple of the lessons in members homes. Its super exciting to see how much Sherbrooke wants to help out with the work. We also had Stake Conference this Saturday and Sunday, and it was 100% focused on how we can work together in the work of salvation. Now we're trying to see how we can apply it.

Jimmy Moore is doing well, he's struggling a little because his nephews that either live with him or try to are still trying to come over and smoke in his apartment and things like that. And Jimmys a little worried about how he can ''lay down the law'' he says, and if itll ruin their relationships, and just send them elsewhere to go do their drugs. So Jimmys making good steps, but its a little sticky for him right now.

Carol also started quitting cigaretts! Yay!! She started later this week, and is doing well. She had some problems with her propriétaire, but now it's all resolved, so she isn't getting kicked out of her building. Yay! Oddly enough, she's really worried about the influence about not smoking with her family, because they're against the church. Super sad! I swear everyone smokes here.

But we had some more great lessons this week, one being a Mormon.org referral (I think the first Ive gotten here in Sherbrooke). His name is Mohammed, and he's from Iran. He has met the missionaries before in Sweden, and wants to meet with us again here! He's looking for answers, and he seems really sincere. We talked about the role of Jesus Christ, which he said he didn't understand too much, and it was a wonderful experience to see that work on him. So, we'll see him next Saturday.

So! We're moving along here. Elder Hardy is freezing hah, but mainly because he doesn't have any clothes suitable for winter, so today we're going to go buy some clothesyclothes. I am convinced now that I left my winter coat with the Mendoza family in Laval, and then when they went back to Mexico, I guess I never asked for it back. So! Mom, don't be mad if I buy a coat... please?

I love you all!! Merci à tous!

The Lord answers our prayers. Often, as I'm opening my eyes more and more to this, it's through other people. It's remarkable to know that sincere prayers are listened to and answered, and that they are answered for our best every single time. I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter 17 this week, and it was inspiring to read of how Christ served and blessed all the wounded, and the children one by one, and then he knelt down and prayed for them. I'm so grateful to have this knowledge, that God exists, and He loves us. That He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who loves us enough to take up Him our sorrows and our weaknesses, and He prays for us to the Father in our trials and our struggles. We're far from perfect, yet He sees our potential.

Let's lift somebody up this week who's fallen down. Let's follow the example of our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I promise that if you pray for this experience, God will give it to you.

I love you, and have a great week! We have a lot of good things this week, birthday, halloween, and zone training meeting. And we're hoping to bring a lot of friends to church.

Elder Austin Murphy

P.S. For Wednesday the Bergeron family (Yan and Marie-Josée) invited us over for dinner. We love them. I'll take a picture to send it home next week.

Working in unity- October 21, 2013

Yayyy!!! Way to go mom! Thats awesome. I think that sounds like some great ideas. I'm happy to hear that you watched it for family home evening!! Way to go family. And I only received the confirmation from Mom, so I guess Ill trust that everyone else did it too? Im sure everyone just forgot to include it in their emails. Thats okay. No, really, its fine. Im okay. Ill be fine.

Just kidding! Just do it! Get those blessings from being fully invested! Mom way to go on visiting those sisters. What an awesome missionary!

Holy cow!! Haha Dallins pictures were so awesome. I cant believe those pictures.

We had a great week here in Sherbrooke. We had Sister missionaries who arrived in our district for the Sherbrooke ward, Sister Robles (from Mexico), and Sister Laeno (with an nya thingy, from Utah). They're great! Its great to see two missionaries come in and get straight to work, working hard and already finding people. They're both really worried about French but it'll come.

Guess what! Jeremie and Gabrielle are doing really well, they both came to church yesterday. Jimmy was a little sad for us to teach him the Word ofo Wisdom, since hes still trying to find the desire to give up some vices hah, but We believe he'll come around. Carol came to church, but is scared that she'll be kicked out of her apartment this week, which is scary. And we saw Chantal again!! It was great, actually. We passed by again, and she seemed to really have a change of heart. She actually seems like she has been avoiding those drugs for a while, because she seemed much more calm and controlled. She said she wants to be baptized again, and its because she kept reading the Book of Mormon. So she's making really big steps after a couple ones back. So we're very happy about her.

We also met a wonderful woman from Cameron this week, adn started teaching her and her boyfriend Dennis. She said she was almost baptized in Cameroon because the missionaries taught and baptized her whole family, but then she moved here to Quebec. We answered a number of her concerns and questions, and she seems excited to keep meeting with us and come to church (maybe after this week, because we have stake conference coming up). She's a mother of 5 kids, and really wants to follow Christ. Good thing we chased her down the stairs of that apartment building to contact her!

We're been working a lot with the Bishopric to learn how to best serve them and the ward. And its so inspiring. We've come up with a plan with Bishop Desjourdy, and its super exciting. I think this might be the most fulfilled Ive felt here, because we're working hard by ourselves and with the priesthood keys. Its an exciting time here in Sherbrooke! Its especially exciting to see the trust and excitement of the members grow, especially from the Bishop. Ill get a picture with him soon and send it to you, he's awesome! And its exciting to now have a plan inline with the Bishopric and our district. Im learning so much about how to encourage and motivate, its just.......................... I don't know. It's the best.

Well, love you all!!!!! Cant really explain the feelings I have right now. I just love you all, and pray for the best for you. But I just love this work, this area so much. I hope some day you can all come see what Sherbrooke is all about!!

Loves!

Elder Murphy, the elder

1. Sister Hardy sent us some cookies, haha this is the best picture we could come up with.

 

2. Some good friends who left this week. Elder McMurrin, Elder Baker, and Elder Gamez. Good guys!

 

Good news!!- October 14, 2013

So we received transfer calls on Saturday and guess what! We're all staying the same!! Pretty exciting. None of us were expecting that, but we're pretty happy about it.

We had a great week with many little miracles. While sitting with Jeremie during priesthood, I had a prayer in my heart to know how to help him start meeting with the bishop, or to help him want to, and the answer came as I sat there afterwards talking to him. Turns out, all he needed was a little question, and then we talked about what repentance is, and the blessings of it, and then he immediately went and asked Bishop Desjourdy if he could meet with him. What a blessing! There were many experiences like that this week, which are humbling as we put our trust in the Lord, and he can use us to do great things (even if all that means is saying what He puts into our minds and hearts).

I just love this area. I feel like I've grown so much in being Elder Hardys companion, and a helper for the other two Elders here. While its tiring at times to try to keep things in control, I might say, hah its so worth it. Its truly helped me know how to better and more fully rely on the Lord, and learn how to help others in a more Christlike manner. (D&C 121 has been an amazing help).

I just know the Gospel is true. It has helped me get through any difficulty here, and Ive seen it help others overcome weaknesses, harmful habits, and the weight of sin. It really is the anchor that keeps us grounded. I love it!! I'm not sure if i know of a truth more sure, or more reliable. Faith in Christ, repentance, making promises through baptism (or the sacrament) and receiving the Holy Ghost, when made the central part of our lives, really does fill us with joy! Its so true.

Hope you're all doing well!

Our friend Jimmy came to church, and is planning on being baptized on the 16th of November! I'm absolutely at awe of the change that has happened in him so far. And we're only starting!

love you all!

I dont have any more time, but i forgot - this week was CRAZY because Bishop Desjourdy asked us to go to the temple on Saturday so that the ward would be able to go (since he was missing Pristhood holders) so Elder Hardy and I were able to go to the Montreal temple! Haha holy cow! News bomb. That was an amazing experience as well. I'm beginning to learn really how much the Lord is watching over us, and will give all things which are necessary to us, and then some.

AND! I want to commit you to rewatch Elder Ballards talk from this conference, and listen for the challenge he extended for all of us. We need to listen to his council as a family. Please do it, and then email me back once its done. And if you dont email me back, Ill know you're not reading my emails. Sad!

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sherbrooke is king.

Elder Austin Keith Murphy, keep it up Elder Dallin Blake Murphy.

Love! and General Conference- October 7, 2013

Alysessssssssssss birthdayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! Oh Alyse. I hope you have a wonderful birthday on the 12th!!! I havent told you how many times Ive seen 1012 as an address here in Quebec, I think it's their favorite number. And dont worry about the letters you send, youre sending the perfect amount. But I love Alyse, because we're best friends forever (right? If not, I  have a song that might change your mind). She is such a wonderful example of hard work, and having fun! I love seeing how much love she has for EVERYTHING now (thanks to Danneyboy), and for the lessons shes taught me throughout the years. Love! And honestly, the biggest thing is that she lets me tease her. 

Our week was great! Elder Hardy had his big senior week (with the 12 week program) and he did really well. But I can't think of anything besides General Conference now......... But hey! Good story! Elder Hardy and I were knocking recently, and met a nice woman on the top floor of a building who said she wasnt interested. So we asked if we could do some service for her! And she got super super mad. And she told us to leave right away. We started walking down to knock on another door, and she yelled at us, and threatened to slap us. So, we said we still wanted to knock, and so she graced us with a slap in the face, each of us. And then kicked me in the back as she pushed us down the stairs of the building. Hah! It was quite the event. So there you go Alyse, that is the most interesting reaction Ive had knocking here in Quebec.  And then just a couple of days ago, another woman called the police on us because we were knocking doors at 8:20 or so, and the police came and had a talk with us. Hah they were't interested though.

Jimmy had a big change of heart! Hes been reading in the Book of Mormon, and hes now seeing the changes that it has made (even up until now). He committed to be baptized in early December, and then came to General Conference and really liked it. That was big news! He learns a little slower than most, but he's a real sincere guy. So we're super happy about Jimmy! Carol also came, and is doing really well. Shes reducing her cigarettes, and says shes running out of them tomorrow, (hopefully it doesnt just mean she'll go get more when she's done hah). And Jeremie and Gabrielle watched General Conference at home, and really enjoyed it. They are so AWESOME! We've been really trying to help them have better studies between lessons, and it worked well this week, as they taught us back what they've learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they both loved what they read this week in the scriptures. We're getting somewhere!

I just LOVED how you can see how focused the General Authorities are on missionary work. What good leaders! I want to make sure that everyone understand the commitment from Elder Ballard, that we can all pray every single day for missionary opportunities. Can you imagine the changes that will occur if we all do that? Starts with you my fam. Next week Ill do a followup. Especially you Dallin, I hope you'll be praying for it. 

It's amazing the fact that God listens to our prayers. What a thought, that there's a loving Father in Heaven that hears every one of our prayers and answers them in the way which will help us the most. What a blessing it is to know that we're not alone here on earth, and that there is someone watching over us, and that will lift us at all times. We know its true my friends! Now lets help others see it as well. 

Je vous aime tous!!!! À la prochaine!

Elder Austin Murphy (celui à Sherbrooke, Québec). 

September 30, 2013

Yes, sign me up for Team Wes! I'm praying for you my friend, keep it up. 

We had a good week here in Sherbrooke. Lets start with the super positive:   Gabrielle didnt come to church (again... she had some school project) but Jeremie did!! Hes doing really well. When we visited them this week, he said he didnt understand 2Ne2 when they read it together, but then as we finished it and discussed it together, it started to work on him. Hes really starting to see the Spirit in his own life. Awesome! 

Carol is doing really well. She came to church, and even stayed for the ward linger-longer and brought two of her grandchildren hah. Shes slowing down her cigarette intake, which is wonderful. She just seems so much happier now than when we first met her, which is a good sign. She's committing her self to it. 

But, this week Chantal dropped us. We saw her on Thursday, everything was perfect, and she was committed to come again, but then she must have talked to some friends between then and Saturday, because Saturday she told us she's done, and wouldn't explain why. The biggest thing Ive seen here in Quebec is this problem, talking to friends or families who scare our investigators away. So, we're going to try to work on how to help them know how to deal with these situations when they come up. So we're going to give her a couple weeks, and then try her again. Im sure she'll talk to us more next time.

I've been really grateful for the sacrament recently, the power of it. I love the commitments we make through baptism and the sacrament, that we can be renewed in our efforts, and even forgiven for our shortcomings. Its so great!!

Love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ill keep praying for you, keep it up. I think I need to put more exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (huh Brandon?)

Love

Elder Murphy, Austin.

Stay strong.

Holy Cow!- September 23, 2013

Haha when did Dallin get so funny?

Im super glad to hear that Uncle Wes is taking positive steps!!!!!! Way to go Wes! To quote Dallin ''He is such a warrior.'' Keep it up Wes! I expect to go on a super crazy hike with you when I come back, even if you beat me there on the way up and down. 

We had a great week. Here:

Update on investigators: Jeremie and Gabrielle are doing super well. Gabrielle didnt come to church because she was working... darn it... but Jeremie came! First time hes come to church in a white shirt with a tie since Ive been here. And he went in and talked to the bishop. Hes doing super well. Its so fulfilling to see others progress in the Gospel like him. 

Carol is doing well, but she missed church yesterday. Her family is really not supportive of her decision, so we're trying to figure out the best way to help her with that.

Chantal is great! We didnt see her all last week, but then this one we visited her and she committed herself to be baptized. She feels like her ways of obtaining drugs are gone (since the gang wont talk to her anymore), so I guess thats good? And shes committed to stop smoking cigarettes as well. Shes super excited! And she came to church for the first time yesterday and LOVED IT. I kept thinking in awe about how different this environment is compared to her life. the members who brought her home said that she just felt LOVE the whole time, and obviously, l'a aimé beaucoup. Shes got a long way to go, but we're looking forward to these changes shes willing to make. 

Basically, this week went well because

-first, Elder Hardy and I decided to work on humility and gratitude this week. That really helped us open our eyes to the many miracles that are happening around us. It also helped us think more about others, feel the spirit, and then use that in our work. Great!

-We knocked a street because we felt like we needed to, and found Vanessa. She is a student at Sherbrooke University, and at first was scared of us hah. But, it really showed us the promise (that we had studied the morning of) that we will be led to those who are being prepared, or they will be led to us, is true. She lost her mother a month ago, and all of her friends have recently decided to abandon her as well. She said she has been praying for these last few weeks now for God to tell her if He's there, and she hasn't yet received an answer. It was humbling to testify that what shes been praying for can be found in our message, that God will show her His love as she shows her love for Him (Jean 14:21).

- We had a dinner with a returning member named Hans Pikarek. He is officially that man that they make all the commercials for - the most interesting man in the world? That man is Hans Pikarek. I want to know before I say anything, if you search his name on Google if he will come up. Hes got quite the story! Even the story that President Ezra Taft Benson played chess with his father so that he could go on a mission, and won. Hah. Crazy.

- Chantal is just doing so great. She is still really struggling with her addictions, and sometimes makes it hard to see her, but we finally got to see her again and par la suite, she came to church this Sunday (see above.)

- We contacted a referral from our Ward Mission Leader, for a friend named Adriana. Shes a wonderful mom of three daughters, searching for a church to help them build a strong foundation, overcome challenges, and stay together. She really seems sincere about learning in order to help her family.

- We then had a lesson with a less active sister named Sister Marin. The Spirit is really working on her, helped enlighten her mind as she read the Book of Mormon, pushing her to go back to church, and keep the commandments. 

- And then we had an awesome fireside from President Patrick in our ward last night. About how to create a family mission plan. Ill try to send a copy home soon!

To wrap up the whole week, it was just a humbling experience to work on humility (funny, huh). As we redoubled our efforts to work by the Spirit, we really got to see others being changed as they let God's love more into their lives. 

  Ive been pretty happy for my mission so far, and this week was a real example for me of the true joy of being in the Lords service. Hah It was just the best. And we're going to keep going.

Love you all!

Elder Austin K Murphy

P.S. Here's Elder Freeze and I on bikes! Sherbrooke has a lot more hills on bikes than it does in our car.

Also, Elder Hardy and I got some nice jackets, because we didnt have any haha and it was getting  alittle chilly. 

 

 

Love to all- September 16, 2013

Hm. Thanks for the emails, and it was great to hear from you all.

Yesterday, I felt like fasting, and came up with some good reasons, but I think I just found out why. I obviously didnt know about the Gates or Uncle Wes, but i sure hope that a little sacrifice can help. I'll be praying for you all!

It is just really making me think about all of the experiences i've had this week. It was a great week, but of course there were some ups and downs. I couldn't really figure out why the downs were coming, because it really didnt seem to be external, but really seemed to be internal. But, Ill try to explain.

Ive had a lot of good moments to think about where my focus is, on working hard and for which reasons. And Ive been working hard, and trying to help my companion do the same and the other missionaries as well, but why? And long story short, Ive decided (again) to make the change to work for them, to help them out. And everything has been going better ever since. Ive been able to feel the Spirit more guiding us, and teach with more clarity and conviction. Even the sacrament was better yesterday, because again, I commit to take upon myself the name of Christ, so I can serve others. That has been one thing that has helped me out.

The other came to my mind on Saturday thinking about all of this. And it reminded me of a wonderful verse in Ether chapter 12 in the Book of Mormon.

4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with ^asurety ^bhope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which^chope cometh of ^dfaith, maketh an ^eanchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in^fgood works, being led to ^gglorify God.

I got to think a lot about how faith is the starter to give us hope. And I love the way that its been explained to me, how hope is not just wishing something to be true, but rather its as it is explained above, an anchor which can truly secure us in the storms that come. The hope that we can have is available because Christ died for us, and He lives today. All of His blessings are available for us, if we have faith, and live His Gospel. This hope will help us stay on the right path, being 'sure and steadfast, always abouding in good works', which will only increase our faith and hope as we continue to see God's hand in our lives.

It just makes me wonder because nothing really changed on the outside, or nothing really changed in my world for what was happening to me. But rather, in my mind and heart I was able to find greater peace and comfort. And hope.

I pray that the peace of the Spirit will comfort our loved ones in need. I know I was given these little experiences to help me understand a little bit more, and I pray that we might soon know the best way to help. But God is there. He loves us. And let us reach out to those who are in need of that assurance, as we would assuredly reach for those hands when we're in need.

I love you all!

Weve had a great week getting more members involved in missionary work here, and we're seeing really good results! Just like Alyse going out and teaching with the missionaries - way to go! That would be a good challenge for all of you - mom and dad, to go out with the missionaries! Hope it goes well.

And we're seeing good progress in Gabrielle and her husband Jeremie the less active member. He wants to come back to church all the way now!! Woot! And we had a lot of other great lessons this week, but I dont have any more time. Love!

Love for all!! Thanks for everything.

Elder Austin Murphy

P.S. I had NO IDEA that Cole was going into middle school.............................................. I dont know how I didnt put 2 and 2 together to get GRADE SEVEN. That is so crazy!!

Tell Mrs Wright i say hi! And sorry for being so crazy in her class

All of the missionaries who came in with me to Quebec in my district at the MTC are the District leaders in our zone! So we had a great reunion at our Zone Training Meeting. Here's us at the temple!

And then this is something we found on a door, because people HATE knocking sometimes. There are maybe on 1/4 of the doors a pas de colporteurs sign, which means no door salesman, but this was a new one.

On se réunit de nouveau- September 9, 2013

Hello!! I hope everyone had a great week! Sorry about Dallin getting bit by those Dominican Republic dinosaurs! Sounds crazy. Hah I want to go work with him for a week, but I dont think President Patrick will say yes. But Ill try anyway.

We had a great week here in Sherbrooke! Its been pretty exciting. First of all, we had transfer calls last week, and we're staying together, yay! We basically just a had a week full of miracles.

But Ill just start off with the bad first. I messed up cutting my hair on Preparation Day, because a gaurd thing fell off when I was cutting it, andddddd it made a big hole in the back of my head hah. I ''fixed'' it, but that just means that is pretty short. Im sorryyyyyyy mommmmmmmmmmm. I was pretty mad. But! in two weeks, itll be good!!

Besides that, our week was wonderful! We actually went to Montreal on Wednesday because we had a Zone Training Meeting. Elder Hardy and I gave a training on how to bring people to church, which went well. Elder Christensen, my good friend, is a Zone Leader now in our zone, so it was good to see him again. And! It was decided that we were going to do a split with them, so I got to work with Elder Christensen on Wednesday and thursday!! It was super fun. It was great to work with a friend again and we have both grown a lot since we were together, so it was, as he described it, like the sons of Mosiah meeting up again, just on a smaller scale hah.

Thursday when we were together in Sherbrooke, it was crazy. We contacted some amazing people, one being the aunt of Elder Blackurst, who was an Elder who served here, who left the mission when I came in! It was crazy. We passed by a less active member who wasnt home, and then decided to knock that building, and we met Sylvie. She said that she had a missionary nephew, and said who he was, and it was pretty exciting. She isnt a member, and has never really known too much about the church, but she talked about how much of an example her sisters family is to her. We offered to come another time to share a message about the family and how the Gospel can help, and she started crying. You could really tell she was going through some hard stuff, and wants to get help. So we're hoping to see her sometime this week.

We then went to a lesson with Chantal, which fell through, and decided to pass by a woman we had met a month ago, and she let us in and teach her! It was exciting because we were with a member family who came with us to teach, and they loved that. Its not too often for us that we have members with us on the first lesson.

We had a dinner appointment that night, coorelation, and then we saw Gabrielle and Jeremie! They are doing so great. We taught about obedience, using the talk from President Monson, and the commandments of reading the scriptures, praying often, and keep the Sabbath day holy. Basically, it went very well. She understood everything perfectly, and it was a really good balance between Elder Christensen and I. She even said just for the last little bit, she had been feeling down and didnt really want to see us that night, but decided to, and it really helped her know its still what God wants her to do.

I can keep going with all the miracles, but I cant say all of them! But we had two investigators at church, Jimmy and Gabrielle. It was the first time for Jimmy and he really liked it.

Then last night, we passed by another less active member, and she let us right in to talk to her and her son. We had a great lesson, and her friend Real even came in and he was very interested. They have had difficult lives, and she told us about the difficulties shes had in her marriage, and how its hurt her faith. But, she wants to find that faith and hope again. So we gave both of them the Book of Mormon, and they're committed to read before the next visit.

It was really a week that showed me the power of the Spirit as we help people commit to living the Gospel more fully. So many times throughout the week, we saw how people felt the Spirit as we taught, and want to come closer to Christ, by committing to read, or keep other commandments. It was such a good reminder to know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and he wants us all to come unto him for peace and eternal life. All He wants us to do is take little steps to feel of His love, and bam, we want more. Who doesn't want to feel that we're loved? Just read a chapter in the Book of Mormon with a prayerful heart, pray, and you'll feel it.

Love you all!

Anything yall want to know? I really should be getting better at this whole writing home thing, but Im starting to not know what to write. Besides, I FEEL SO GOOD. Everyone should come out and work, its the best.

Loves,

Elder Austin Keith Murphy (very funny Dallin.)

I need to think of better titles for my emails!!- September 3, 2013

Dallins companions with Elder Cannon!! Hah thats so sweet. Maybe he's related to President and Sister Cannon! He should ask him.

Camille! Happy birthday to you on Saturday!! Im glad you had a good one. Man, lets see, what I love about Camille...

Camille lives the definition of a true friend. She loves you, wants to talk to you, has a good sense of humor (come on, I had to). But most importantly, as a true friend, she wants to help everyone move in the right direction. She lives her testimony! Camille loves having a great time. And we have many things in common hah. Thanks for being my dear friend for so long! (23s pretty old huh?)

Spending a few days in San Francisco! That sounds super fun.

We had a great week here in Sherbrooke! We had a surprise trainers meeting, so Elder Hardy and I went to Montreal again. It was great! Insert picture - Here's Elder Umana and I. Elder Umana is out in Ottawa, and just excelling as he normally does. Its so good to see such a good friend again. The training was on how we can refocus on how we are supposed to train, and what we can do to work more in unity and with the Spirit. It was great!

Thats been a big focus for me this week, trying to revert everything I do back to following the impressions of the Spirit. And as expected, its yielding great results. Studies are more focused on investigators and their needs, and therefore, its more of a learning experience, instead of only reading. We also were blessed to find a woman named Chantal this week. It was 8:35 and we had finished everything we planned, but we decided to go knock a couple more doors before we went home. And the second door we knocked on was her door. She immediately asked us to teach her (hah so we agreed) and we came back 2 days later and she had already read Alma 32, understood it perfectly, and wants to change her life. The only big problem is that she has some strong addictions to some bad substances. Its really weighing her down, but we're going to work through it.

We gave Gabrielle a date for baptism this week, and she said she's going to work towards it! Happy about that!

Hope you have a wonderful week!! Hope you get some good teachers, children. Bethany - keep up the good work. Cole - youre getting way too tall.

Love!

Elder Austin Murphy

This second photo is from Austin, Quebec!! So I took a few pictures of stuff in the town hah.

Hello Family!!- August 26, 2013

Denice!!!! How are you?? Tell the family I say hi. And, si Brian, puedo hablar le francais.

How are you? hope you had a wonderful week.

I learned so many great things this week. And the first, I just want to get it out there - on how we can invite others to learn about the truths we love.

It started out with our Zone Conference this week which was AWESOME. President Patrick is just amazing. He talked to us on how we can raise our vision, and work with the Ward Council better. It was just awesome. Its helped me raise my vision of what we're doing, and the spirit of it.

Then yesterday at church, the ward was really showing desire to share the gospel. There were many instances of people talking about it, in priesthood, sacrament meeting, and in ward council. for example, they announced that in a priesthood meeting on Saturday, the Stake Presidency gave the commitment to the stake to get 1000 baptisms in the next two years. The brothers were pretty excited about that! So we're going to now work on accomplishing that.

Brother Bergeron gave the lesson, and it was on President Uchtdorfs talk on how the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can fill our lives if we let it. Brother Bergeron gave strong testimony of it the whole time, and he even talked about ever since hes come back to church (its been a couple months) he's seen that difference in his life. He then shared a story of a woman who came up to him at work, and told him she needed help with some problems in her life, that really darkness was stronger than light in the last while for her. He got to share his testimony which helped her, but ever since then, he's been thinking about giving her a copy of the talk.

- First, that thought to share with her a talk is a prompting of the Holy Ghost. When we get these impressions or feelings to do something good for someone else, that's the Spirit. Let's follow it.

- Second, how easy do you think it would be to give that to her? Shes already come up to him and asked for help. Then, you come back another time, and tell her you've been thinking about something that can help, because you've seen it work in your own life. With love, it would be offly hard to not accept this invitation.

- Third, why not then ask her if she wants to meet the missionaries!!! "Hey, I have to friends from my church who share a message about this, how we can let light and peace into our lives through simple steps. Do you think we could share some of this with you?" To me (at least) that sounds so simple and welcoming.

So, family, this is my commitment to you. This week, think about someone that you could help, or invite. Listen to the promptings that come, as He tells us something kind we can do for them. And then invite.

Hah and Im sorry about last week, I feel like I left a different impression on the week than i wanted to. It was actually a good week last week, I just had a blank when i was writing! So I gave up hah.

This week was great though, we had less lessons than usual (or the last 2 weeks before) but we're just focused on quality now. We had a lesson with our friend Gabrielle, who is the wife of Jeremie Bergeron, a member whos coming back to church. Gabrielle is 20 and Jeremies 23, and they're so awesome. Gabrielle has never been religious or anything, but she's really liked what shes been seeing with the Church. So we had taught about baptism the week before, and then this week we came back and she received an answer from her prayers that its something she should do. She really wants to. We're going to be working now on them reading the scriptures every day, and helping them set a date.

Then, another investigator, Virginie, wants to get baptized as well now! She doesnt understand too much about our beliefs, but the Spirit was strong when we were teaching about the Gospel, and about the blessing of starting over, and being clean from all of our mistakes through baptism. We're definitely going to be going slowly, but she has a desire to start over her life. Its awesome!

We have a number of less active members we're working with, and its great. Great! And the ward now is filling all of the pews (how do you spell that?) in the church, for the first time in years due to so many less actives coming back to church, and the ward is really loving it. Ive heard that since January, this ward is really just loving missionary work.

Love!

Elder Austin Murphy

P.S. Where's the Patch guy from? I feel like I met him before.

P.S. S. S> S> S. S. s. Dallin! Good luck in the DR my friend! Teach some people for me!

Le Liahona- August 19, 2013

UNCLE BRIAN MURPHY!!!!! There you go my friend, feels good huh?

We had a good week here in Sherbrooke! Im super glad everyone had a great week at home. Sounded like a wonderful treat for Grandma and Grandpa Murphy!! You guys are awesome. 

I dont know why I can't think of anything to talk about this week...

Hm. Well, Ive been studying the last ensign about receiving revelation and its been amazing. I really loved the talk from Elder Dallin H. Oaks about how the Lord responds to our prayers in his own time and in his manner. Its been something Ive really been thinking about this last week, since we need some revelation here in Sherbrooke for the area, for the ward, and also for the other missionaries hah. The fact that we dont receive revelation either by only asking God what we should do, or in some cases, God will only answer our prayers as we take that step of faith. It was very enlightening to what I need to do in order to receive revelation from on high for Sherbrooke here. Its given me some good ideas about how I can be better at receiving that revelation. I know its true, and that God really does answer our prayers. It just takes a little bit of work on our part to get it. 

Have a good anniversary kids! All a ya'll. 

Have a good week. 

Ciao

Elder Austin Murphy

August 12, 2013

Hahah Bethany really liked that concert didnt she?

Dane is such a cutie. Im glad we got some smiling, laughing, and frown pictures together. It was super fun to see Tommy and Alyse and Daney here just for a short lunch. Keep up the good missionary work at home!

Mom!!! Youre having your birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Youre going to go kayaking?? Wow. Sounds exciting! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. 

What I love about mommy: I love my mom because of how wonderful of an example that she is to me and everyone else. I cant think of the limits of the blessings that come from a mother that is so strong in her faith and love for us and others. (As well as her strength from carrying all those babies around for so long!) You've always been an example for me mom, Im just trying to show other people what youve showed me!

So, answers to questions:

Yes! Ive been getting dallins letters, sorry that he hasnt been getting mine. Im including him here. 

Elder Hardy and I have found some good people, but the process with them seems really slow. But, we are excited because last night we found a young man named Junior from the Dominican Republic! He has spoken with missionaries before, and is very sincere. Its too bad he'll be moving back to Montreal this Sunday. But! We'll keep going.

District study is fun every week, and its me who decides what to do, but Ive been trying to have some other Elders give trainings so they can learn the most. But its fun to do them, even though its a little funny having a district of 4 elders hah. And yes, we're all in the same ward, and we have the city divided in half. We talk the east half. 

The weather is SUPER nice here. It hasnt been like last August at all. Last year was so so hot, but its been right around perfect, almost every single day. Its incredible. People are actually outside nowadays so we can do street contacting!

And Im trying to take more pictures! But not too many options when mostly youre just looking at the next door youre knocking on hah.

Im glad to hear Mikes doing well! 

What we're doing for P-day today: Emails, shopping, we need to buy Elder Hardy a study journal, wash the car, and hopefully do something else! The last few ones Elder Hardy has taken naps while I clean the apartment, because hes pretty tired hah. But its alright, hes getting used to the schedule. 

This week was awesome! We've been trying to involve members more in our work, which has been a focus from President Patrick, our zone leaders, Bishop Desjourdy, and us! The only issue is we need to find more people to teach so we can involve them! But we took a brother named Frere Beauregard out with us to see a sweet less active woman, Soeur Jetté, and he loved it. He was really excited to teach, and he invited her to church, and then she came! He was so happy about it, he announced it during Priesthood quorum, about how it was an answer to his prayers. Its wonderful to see growth, and how we can help it happen here as we involve members in the work of salvation. 

Love you all! Elder Hardy said he really likes In-n-Out too, so we had a craving for that this week hah. But dont send me one, please.

Have a good week!

Love

Elder Murphy, Austin

 

Here are some pictures of Austin with Dane:

 

 

 

Knocking knocking knocking!- August 5, 2013

Grandpa Myres - Thanks so much for that gift. You're always so focused on missionary work and helping us out. As are all of my grandparents! So many blessings. Thanks Grandma and Grandpas! I sure love you.

We had a great week here in Sherbrooke! We were blessed in a lot of different ways. We did quite a bit of knocking this week, but this area is pretty different. Ive actually never gotten let in doors as often as we are here. I think we've got let in here already more than any other area in my mission hah. People are just letting us in all the time, its kind of strange actually, but in a good way. I think its because Elder Hardy is awesome. 

  Not everyone who lets us in is terrible interested, but still. For example, a nice Nepali family let us in to their apartment without asking us anything, and started teaching us about Buddhism. Hah so thats a bad example. But here's a good one - we decided to knock in a building where a member lives right next to the chapel, and we buzz the first apt and she wasnt interested, and kind of angry. So then we go to the next door down the hall, and knock, and this woman answers, and starts talking to us in Spanish. She seemed VERY shocked that we knocked on her door. And I said sorry, we dont speak spanish! And so she said, thats okay, come on in. We came in and she sat us down at her table with her son, and she starts saying 'Its so good that you are here! I know the church, etc.' Eventually she told us that she was actually baptized in the church in Columbia about 25 years ago, but then after some struggles with the branch and her family there, she stopped going. But she moved here to Sherbrooke, and hasnt met any members yet! Its was a very different encounter, but so great. It was a little sad because she obviously still has some bad feelings towards the church, but it seemed to me it was because of how her family went through some really hard times when she was younger, and she doesnt know how to deal with it. So she wasnt ready to come back (just yet) but we'll be seeing her sometime soon. Her name is Angela, and she was just so sweet and nice, and appreciative of our visit, because she said she was praying for help from God that morning, for help with all of the effects that are still with her. And then, we show up at her door. Pretty special moment. 

So, on that note, Sherbrooke is doing well. We've been meeting a lot of very humble kind people, which is so nice. Elder Hardy's confidence is improving every day, which is something I'm (secretly) trying to help him with. And its such a blessings to meet these kind people as we're knocking doors, because it is helping him a lot. Hah I told him how it was very different from my first area, but we're just getting blessed in a lot of ways. 

Ive grown in appreciation this week for Preach My Gospel. We've been able to dive into it and see what we can learn and improve on, and its been working very well. Thats the thing that keeps amazing me. While no one is perfect in this work, except for Christ, as we follow the directives that we receive from our leaders, we see how its inspired from God. From listening to President Patrick, our Bishop, or the prophets and apostles, we're able to truly see the power of God working through us. Its pretty amazing. Its just a reminder every time we try, that this is Christ's work restored on the earth. It always reminds me of John 7:17 '' If any man will ^ado his ^bwill, he shall ^cknow of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.'' 

Through trying out the teachings of Jesus Christ, we come to know that its true. We can't know if gravity is true if we have never stood up or jumped, neither that the sun is there if we never go outside!

Its amazing, because I know its true. And all it takes is a sincere try to find out for oneself. Lets all try it!

Love you all! Keep up the good work. Im going to print off the emails and read them later, so thanks for those!

Love

Elder Austin Murphy, celui au Québec

P.S. Im feeling better mom, this week was alright. All I have now is a runny nose. So! Tout est bien! Tout est bien!

New game in Sherbrooke- July 29, 2013

haha dang it!!!! Yeah maybe we'll have to wait on the home made rolls.

Hello!!! This is Elder Murphy speaking (Austin). First, i don't think anyone told me about Jamie getting married! Obviously thats okay, but thats awesome!! Way to go!

And thanks for reminding me about sending you the Clarkes email. I dont have it with me, but ill send it next week. 

ANSWERS:

So! Sherbrooke and Elder Hardy are wonderful. Sherbrooke is a bigger city (compared to Mont St-Hilaire) and has 2 universities really close, so many of the housing we've been knocking has been highly populated with students (or the lack thereof, because they're all on break). Its a French city, but a good percentage of the population speak english. We're the Sherbrooke Est team since theres another pair of Elders here, and we work alot on the south side of the river. Its a very pretty city. Very hilly and many many trees. 

  The ward is in French, but pretty closer to bilingual actually. One sacrament prayer was done in French, and the other in English, then the announcements in Priesthood were done in both languages to make sure everyone understood. Pretty cool! The ward is awesome, it was about 80 who were there this Sunday, and they had 3 of us missionaries bear testimonies, and then they took our picture and put it up on the wall hah so that everyone can know who we are. The ward mission leader and bishop seem great, so we`ll be learning how to work with them. 

   My companion! Elder Hardy! From Spokane Washington. Hes great. He is a quiet guy, and very sincere. Its great to be with him to see how he works. But Im seeming to understand now what actually ''training'' means. Its pretty tiring, and Im getting sick so that's not good. He loves to sing (and is very good at it) and has 5 siblings as well! He really likes PB&Honey sandwiches. And hes getting more and more confident with french every day. 

  President Patrick is moving stuff, but taking time which is good. I definitely dont see too much of it now, but Im sure Ill be seeing it in the future. Ill tell you once we see stuff. 

Love you all! The last elders who were here left nothing for us to know about the area, so we've been learning a lot hah. There wasn't really any real investigators they were teaching, so we're starting over. We found some so far, so we're hoping to keep going with that. But its been a lot of knocking so far, but now we have a better idea of people we can visit, since the Bishop gave us a couple of names. And we set up 2 dinner appointments at church, so its looking up. 

Quick funny story! We were knocking out in Lennoxville, and we ran into this living for college students, and six of them were chatting outside, so we went up to them. They said that we were welcome to come in and discuss with them, ('discuss what?'  'anything. thats all we do') and so we told them who we are, and so one guy decided to 'discuss' to us how terrible Christianity and our church are. I won't go into it, but it was a very week discussion, since he didnt want to hear anything we say, and it threw the other college age students out of a loop. Hah it was really weird. He was crazy! So we declined the invitation, and continued on our way. 

You are the best!

Love,
Elder Austin Murphy

P.S. We knocked Durham street the second day in Sherbrooke, because I saw the name on the map!

And, here's my companion and I.