December 28, 2015

This missionary will not starve after Christmas Presents were opened :)

Having fun at a members on Christmas Eve

This Elder is putting in a lot of miles.... That's how you know they are working hard.  

So much Fun!

Monday: Monday was a lot of fun! We got up, the new Albany car elders came picked us up and we went to the half mission Christmas conference, it was so much fun!! I got to demonstrate to the sisters how to rope! Was the best! And they had to rope all of the zone leaders! Poor elders! Haha it was so much fun! Also had a bunch of other fun random games! I love the Broughs! They are so much fun! But then ended the night trying people, doing a lot of biking! And Saw a recent convert, Karen.

Tuesday: we had our preparation day! Did some shopping, and laundry, and cleaning, then we went out on the bikes, and we found this amazing girl! So Monday night I wrote down as a back up to try potentials near this last guy we had, and well he wasn't home, so we were going to just go see Austin, but I felt impressed, to follow the plans I had made and try the potentials, then I felt prompted to just walk, and to go away from the main road Vincennes, and we talked with some cool people, but o mother way back, we were walking and there was this girl sitting on her railing, and she looks up at us as we started talking to her, and she goes hey guys! We go have you ever talked to missionaries? And she goes you men of Jesus? We go yes! Then she goes I know God made me sit out here tonight because I never sit out here!

And I know he led you to me! We go yes he did! So then she goes well do you got anything to give me? So we gave her a Book of Mormon, and a restoration pamphlet, and then she goes when is your church? I would love to go to church! So we wrote down the time and then she goes well when can I meet with you guys again!? Can we meet tomorrow? And we go yes we can! She goes what time? I pull out my planner and go lets see she points at 3 on my planner and goes how about right there? And we go that would work perfectly! Then she goes awesome, then she tells us her story and goes guys I've been looking for God and a church, and I want to get baptized! So we were pumped! She is awesome! That was truly a tender mercy! Then we met with Bryce a member, and he took us to one of our other appointments. Then on of our other investigators called us the one that almost got baptized the other week, and she called us over to her apartment, and we had a great meeting with her, and was able to comfort her Through this hard time. I was just glad she got back in contact with us!

Wednesday: we had district meeting! Then had a great lesson after district meeting, with this other lady, she told us she had been meeting with jehovah witnesses, and she said after she told the jehovah witness that she was meeting with us too she said the jehovah witness flipped out and goes on and on how we are wrong, and the lady said she chewed out the jehovah witness, because she said she agrees to the Mormon beliefs than hers anyways! So that was cool! He. We busted it in the rain on the bikes! Didn't grab a jacket! So we got soaked! But then we had an awesome lesson with a member, she's super awesome! She is trying to do family to the church. Then we met with that tender mercy from HeavenlyFather on Tuesday today, and we had a great lesson on the restoration and we were able to set a baptismal date with her! But then learned of a struggle she has, so we are ready to help her! But then also met with Karen again! She is super solid!

Thursday: we had some weekly planning! Then met with another investigator, and then met with a recent less active convert, and the.

We pretty much biked around all day trying to find people, not many people outside! But then we met with the careless at our apartment and they took us to he sornsens, we had Christmas Eve dinner! I love them!

Had a lot of good games! We played his one with dice, a brown bag, and candy! Then we did the nativity! It was a lot of fun! Then we came home. We were there for 3 hours! We ate shishcabobs! (However you spell it).

Friday: we didn't do any prostylyting. But we played settlers of caftans with he car elders, then we biked to the Mathis's for dinner!

That family is the best! They are so funny! We ate prime rib! Was super amazing! Then after being there for three hours, we had brother Mathis take us to the church and we Skype home! It was great to see the family! Still feels weird calling them and seeing them.

Saturday: we had brother Kempton come out with us, we didn't have any appointments keep their scheduled appointment. So we started biking around, and by pedal stem started falling off, so my bike is broken!

So we had Dale come pick us up! And we did a lot of walking in the rain! And every appointment we had fell through today!

Sunday: we had a great church service! He talked were focused on distractions from the Christmas spirit, it was some very powerful talks! But then we came home did some studies, then we walked..... No one was home, so we walked to dales, and then he gave us. Ride home we ate supper. And then got changed into suits and we went to the fireside!! Was a very powerful fireside!! Was amazing! Austin came and he bore a very powerful testimony!we then also had Matt turner he got up and bore his testimony for a talk and told his conversion story!

His story is very amazing! Then we came home!

This week was amazing! But I really learned to endure, and to have a good attitude with all that you do! Because it is what you make of every situation.

My scripture to ponderize this week is: Moroni 9:6

Elder Durfee Kentucky Louisville mission

December 21, 2015

This week as pretty crazy awesome! Monday,came had a great lesson with the Hardins a recent convert family., they are awesome! They said goodbye to elder Duncan cause he was getting transferred. But spent most the day with elder Duncan packing.

Tuesday: we got up and we went to the zone leaders apartment, and dropped off Duncan so he could go to transfers. While me and elder Bartok went and worked until our new companions came. We moved all my stuff back over to the other apartment. Had a member come and move the mattress, then me and elder benard, my new companion sat in the apartment until his bike and rest of his luggage came! Then we unpacked, and then had dinner at brother kastellers. Then we went and tried one of our investigators, she wasn't home. So we left a note.

Wednesday: we had district meeting. Learned so much! Then went and had a pretty good lesson with another one of our investigators. Then ate some lunch, then we went out and tried potentials all day, did a lot of biking! And met with Austin! Then met with bishop and brother kastelers, was awesome! We gave updates on our areas! At end I go one of our investigators did the weird girl thing and changed her mind about a member, and bishop goes elder Durfee the fact that toy recalls fined that means you are now ready to get married! Lol was funny! I love bishop!

Thursday: we did weekly planning! That's always good stuff! Then we had some cancelations! :( but we ended up just trying potentials, but then had a great lesson with an investigator with a member there! Was a really good lesson! Then we had one of our investigators text us right before appointment and dropped us! Was super depressing!

Friday: we went and saw bills linne! He is the funniest old guy ever!

Then we tried some potentials, had some appointments fall through! So we tried potentials all day, did a lot of biking! But then had a great lesson with a recent convert and his wife, they are awesome! I love the turners! Then we had dinner at the Mathis's I love them! Then we met with Teresa nall, she's funny! Then had a great lesson with some investigators!

Saturday: we woke up biked hard core to St. John's church, and we did some service for a member for miles for merry miracles! Was a lot of fun! Met some really cool people! We sorted names for a while then we gave food to them till we had to leave, met a lady who knew a on Hermana I served with! Super crazy! Then tried some potentials, then ate dinner at dales! I love him! With Karen! Then we had coorelation at brother kastellers.

Sunday: we had a great time at church! Loved it! Then we did some studying. Then we tried a bunch of people, then we went out and did home teaching with brother brown! He is the funniest guy ever! I love him! Then ended the day with seeing Austin!

Monday: we had an awesome! Christmas party! It was amazing! I taught the sisters how to rope, the party was awesome! But I'll say more about it next week! I'm loving it out here! Hope y'all have a merry Christmas! Love you all!

Don't forget the real reason for Christmas!

Love elder Durfee

 Durfee. Kentucky Louisville mission

Me and my new companion Elder Benard!

What happens when sisters get a hold of your iPad!

December 14, 2015

Well now another transfer comes to an end! And I will be getting a new companion and will be returning the the bike! I hope the weather stays as warm as it has been! It's been in the 50-60 range all week! With lows of 50.

But this week has been super good! We were super busy! Also had a lot of headaches! And stress. But it all worked out in the end as we put our trust in the lord.

Monday: we had a productive preparation day! And we met with is awesome family!  Recent converts! The Hardins! I love them! But then the other appointments we had rescheduled, so we went tracting.

Tuesday: we met with bill linne! He is awesome! I love that guy!

Played a game of trouble! Then we met and met with this other old per guy, brother durbin! He is awesome! He used to fly planes for a living, so we got the basic run down on the type of planes he flew and the structure of them it was super cool! He is one if the funniest guys I've ever met, but then we went tracting, then we taught my recent convert and his wife they are awesome! I love them! Then ended the day with a lesson with a lady that almost got baptized this last Saturday.

Wednesday: this morning we helped brother shurtz with racking his yard, then changed a light bulb, but then we saw a super funny member!

Then we went on an exchange, and I was here with elder follet, we got a lot done in the bike area with a car! Super weird so I got to drive!

But we did some trying people, and had the interview with the lady that was going to get baptized, and she was super solid and awesome!

Thursday: we had an awesome zone meeting! It was amazing! Learned so much! But then seems how we were in a trio exchanges got all messed up, because I had appointments with my investigators that day, I just went on splits all day! And I got a lot done! Met with this aweome family that has baptismal dates! And the member took me out to eat at el nopal! Was super good! Then ended the day with the lady that was going to get baptized, and she was drunk! :( super sad!

Friday: we had a pretty good day! We went and saw bill linne today!

Then we fees hanged back after some complications the three of us had all three phones! Haha, but then we did some service at a members, we took apart her porch and moved piles and piles of wood, it was good to do some service! Then we ate dinner at the Mathis's they are an awesome family! Then I went on splits and I saw a recent convert, she's awesome! But then I ended the night with three of my baptismal dates!

Saturday: this morning was a ward Christmas brunch party! Was a lot of fun! Ate some good biscuits and gravy! And chocolate chip pancakes!

But then we tried some people but then spent all day weekly planning.

Then we went to dales and had dinner! Ate some chicken and dumplings!

Sunday: I was able to see and talk with Allison Blackwell, or Allison smith, it was weird seeing someone I new back at home! But super cool!

But we had this awesome family come to church! Was amazing! They are awesome! They are looking for the true church! But then we came home, finished entering in some area book, then we did some studies, then we had dinner at a members the whites! I love the whites, brother white is so funny! And he has awesome stories from his mission in Utah!

Haha, then we ended the night with a stake Christmas devotional, then had an a,axing lesson with the family that came to church! She just ants to know if this church is true! Which is what reading the Book of Mormon does! It was a very spiritual lesson! I love this work!

I miss y'all and love y'all, hope y'all have a great week!

Love Elder Durfee

December 7, 2015

This wee was a pretty great week! It was super busy!!

Monday: we had a very effective preparation day! Then we went and tried a bunch of potentials, while I was on splits with a member, we met up with this awesome lady! She has been prepared!

Tuesday: we met with Bill linne as usual, then did some area book entering, then had a great lesson with one of my recent converts here Matt, then we had some awesome finding time in both of our areas tonight.

Wednesday: we had district meeting! It was very spiritual, I learned so much! Oh and I learned that there is a returned missionary she served in this mission, and came back and got married and I new her from back at home! It is crazy how small the world is! Then did some tracting! Then we ate dinner with a member! Then had a lesson with a guy and his dad who had looked up some anti, so we had a lot of fun questions to answer!

Thursday: we went and had a great lesson with one of our baptismal dates! She said she wants to get baptized it after Christmas! So we are excited for her! Then had another awesome lesson with Matt! Then did some tracting! Then I went on splits, had a good time! Was able to teach some super lessons! Had a great lesson with the lady I picked up on Monday! She brought up baptism before I even mentioned it! So we were able to set a baptismal date with her!

Friday: we saw bill linne! Then we did a lot of finding all day! Had some funny comments from some people we talked to! Then ate dinner at the Mathis's they are awesome! Then we went on splits I was with Dale!

He is funny! But we had a good lesson with a recent convert, then we met back up and we taught two more of our baptismal dates!

Saturday: we did service in like 20 degree weather! We were helping out with a 5K so it was super cold! But it was a lot of fun! Then we did some tracting, tried a few people, set up some return appointments, then had dinner at dales, he made some meatloaf! It was good! Then met with another one of our baptismal dates! I'm excited for this area! Then we had coordination!

Sunday: we had a great fast and testimony meeting! Then after church, we had a great lesson with one of our investigators, read from the Book of Mormon with her, then tried On my way! People after eating with the kastelers, they are awesome! Then ended the night with teaching more of our baptismal dates! I'm excited for these people!

They are making some amazing progress! But then we ended the night by watching the first presidency Christmas devotional! It was awesome!

Well this week was an awesome week! I love doing missionary work! It's the best!!

I miss you all and love you all,

Love Elder Durfee

Elder Durfee. Kentucky Louisville mission

November 30, 2015

This week was super exciting!! It was also very depressing, and very long and very short! It was a roller coaster ride!

Monday: we did the usual, shopped, did laundry, cleaned, then we hurried out to the Strongs for dinner! It was awesome! Had some spaghetti! Then we had a lesson with this lady that isn't in full belief of the Book of Mormon! But was still a pretty good lesson. Then we tried a few more people, then ended the day seeing on of my baptism dates.

Tuesday: we went and saw Bill linne, he is hilarious! Then we went and threw away one of our investigators couches away, then we set up our thanksgiving dinner with a member, the doss's!!!! Then we ate lunch.

Then we tried some people none were home! :( but had dinner with a member he took us to Texas road house! I had ribs! It was soooo good!!

Then we went on splits I was with. Member Reece barker, saw Mathew and they had made us brownies! Then we met back up at the apartment and planned for the next day.

Wednesday: we had interviews with president Brough! I love the Brough's!!! He is so funny! He taught us a new way to introduce the Book of Mormon it was amazing! We also were given a challenge by sister Brough. And our district leader trained on leaving commitments and following up! Then we had an awesome lesson with this lady while on an exchange! It was the trio in our area with a Spanish missionary!

He's only been out two weeks! Then we tried a bunch of people! And then went tracting! I was the most redneck thing ever! A 10 point whitetail strapped to a trunk of a car! It was hilarious! Then I went out with brother brown and we had an awesome lesson with a lady that was supposed to get baptized  this week! Then we had Dale take us to Louisville to re exchange!

Thursday: we got up studied for like 4 hours then we went to the doss's and they took us to the Hubert's orchard and restaurant for thanks giving! It was a buffet! It was super good! I got sooo full! It was awesome!! Then we came home and did more studies and I took a good long nap!

Friday: we went saw bills linne again! And also saw this other less active penny, she is so funny! Then we ate lunch and then did some weekly planning!! Then had the lady that was supposed to get baptized interview. It was an awesome interview! Then ate dinner at the Canadays! They are funny! He isn't a member! Then we saw sister nall, she's awesome!

Saturday: we had a very stressful and depressing day! We were supposed to have a baptism! But we saw this recent convert this morning, she is awesome! Super funny Asian lady! Then we saw this other member to set up a time to come rack leaves! Then we went and had correlation with our ward mission leader at the church before the baptism and we got a txt from e person that was gonna get baptized and said she didn't want to do this anymore. So we went over there, she said one of the members was contacting her all day, while she was trying to sleep, because she's got a social disorder, and so it stressed her out! And she was having an anxiety attack! :( so she canceled it and doesn't know if she wants to ever meet again! So we didn't have a baptism! It was super sad! But then we went and tracted some, and ate dinner at dales!

He's is funny! Oh with Karen, then saw an investigator, then we ate ice cream at the comfy cow! That is the best ice cream ever! Then we came home.

Sunday: we had a great service! Then had studies! We got one of my investigators to church! The. We went tracting, then saw Matt, was feeling sick! But hopefully gets a job soon! Then we had an awesome deer roast at the Hardins! A recent convert family! They are awesome!!

The roast was amazing! Then I went out with brother brown home teaching! He is sooo funny! I love brother brown!!

This week I truly learned patience and charity, and humility. We must obtain all of these attributes, and exercise them daily with everyone we come I contact with! And also diligence! But I miss and love you all have a great week!

Love elder Durfee

My scripture is alma 13:13&29

November 23, 2015

This week was super amazing! It was a very spiritual week! I would like for all of you to know that God lives and he answers our prayers, when hey are offered in faith! We must do all things with faith! And I know that Christ suffered all things for us!

Monday: so today we had a very productive preparation day! We did some tracting! Tracting in a trio is a lot of fun! So one funny story from it we walked up to a door and Elder Bartok accidentally stumbled into a flour pot and an alarm started going off! Haha we all jumped and looked across the street and there was a house like 2 street over so it wasn't us! Haha

Tuesday: we saw a less active member I have gotten him from 2 packs of smokes a day to 1 pack now! He is trying! He is his old guy and is super funny! We are helping him to work towards getting the priesthood! And we always play a game of trouble with him! It makes his whole day! But to top off the visit elder Duncan stepped in his dogs turds in his kitchen! Haha but then we went out trying people to see and to set up appointments with. We also went out with one of our members brother brown! He is the best! We went home teaching with him!

I get a good laugh everytime I'm with him! Hen we had a good lesson with one of their investigators, it was pretty good he had a lot of questions. Then we went on splits, I went with a member of the bishopric and we saw a recent converts non member wife and had a good lesson with her, then we met with my companions and we met with one of my investigators in that same apartment complex and we had a good reading from the Book of Mormon with her! Then we ended the night with our baptism candidate brother Matt turner! Him and his wife pheodra with the bishop Faulstick there! They are awesome! Bishop Faulstick is awesome to teach with! He has a strong testimony! Had some great laughs then went home.

Wednesday: we woke up it was dumping rain! But we did some area book updating, then we had district meeting! It was great! But Matt had his baptismal interview after district meeting, and we also had a lesson with another girl at the same time, so we used our trio powers! And I went with elder Duncan to the lesson and elder Bartok went with our district leader to matts interview. We had a great lesson, then we went to matts and picked up Bartok and the district Lester and his companion. And dropped them off, then we went and tried some people, then we ended the night with the Hardins they are this super solid recent convert family! They are the best! They had a friend there to learn as well! So tonight I got this phone call from an inactive member and he asked if we could help move him Thursday, we accepted!

Thursday: we got up we helped that member move! He fed us lunch! He is sue or cool! A retired police officer, had some great laughs! But the coolest thing is when we got there he gave me an old restoration pamphlet that the missionaries used to teach with! He said my ancestors founded this area for missionary work! So I will have to look into that! Then we met with one of their investigators and tracted some more, then had dinner at a members she is awesome! Then we went on splits again! I went with Reece barker, he is awesome! He got off his mission a year ago from gauna, we had a great lesson!

While the other two went with brother morry and they saw a less active member, then I went and saw Matt with Reece and had another great lesson! He is the best! Then I tried some potentials with reece, then we went home.

Friday: we woke up did some studying! Then we saw brother Bill linne!

We continued talking to him about quitting smoking! Then played some trouble, then we weekly planned! Weekly planning is so long when you do it for 2 Separate areas in one! I'm basically managing my area by myself, it's fun! Then we went and had another great lesson with Matt!

Told him the time brother kasteler will be there to pick him up tomorrow for his baptism! Then we went ate dinner at the Mathis's They are awesome! Then we went saw a recent convert Teresa nall, she's super awesome! Then we ended the night at the Hardins! They are the best! They are so strong! Love them!

Saturday: today was awesome! So we got up studied, then we went and helped the Mathis's do service! Butchered some chickens! Haha then we ate lunch with them at fantastic four burgers! Then we went and met brother kasteler at the church had correlation, then we filled up the baptismal font, he went picked up Matt and we had a wonderful baptismal service! I had the privilege of baptizing him! He is awesome! Very spiritual! Then the zone leaders, gave us a training on how to help my investigators that are struggling with committing to.

Wing baptized. Then we had dinner at dales! And Karen a recent convert made us pumpkins pies! Then we met with Carmen and had one of the most spiritual lessons I've ever had! Thanks to the inspired training the zone leaders gave us earlier, we were able to read her Mosiah 18:

8-10. Which is the qualifications for baptism, she said yes to all those questions, then I read her the baptismal interview questions she said yes to all of those, then we asked her to pray right now if this is what God wants you to do and when he wants you to do it, she said no, but we pushed alittle bit more, and she said her prayer, asked very direct questions, and the spirit was so strong! She looked up at me and goes he says I need to stop delaying it and get it done! So we reset her date with her then for next Saturday! And we told her she still needed to come to church one more time! So she said she'd be there if we helped her pack and move Monday.

Sunday: we got up, we started off getting investigators to church with rides, the girl we had the lesson with Saturday night, texted me this morning and said I'm not coming to church didn't get enough sleep I had nightmares all night. So our hearts sank! So we headed to her apartment complex and got Austin a recent convert in dales car cause he is giving a talk, and we knocked on her door, and she answered and said I'm not going, so elder Duncan said let's say a prayer right now, I looked a t him and said will you say it? And he went yeah, so he said one of the most heartfelt prayers ever! And the spirit was super strong and we looked at each other like can you feel this? Can she feel this? And she went I'm not going to church but I'll see you at the fireside tonigh, so we mopped to dales down stairs and she called me like 1 minute after being in dales and said hey I'm coming to church! Tell my ride I'm gonna need her! So I got her ride coming and the spirit was so strong! Then we had a great church service and Austin had a great talk on gratitude and trials, he is missing a leg so he had some great personal experiences, then we had a great rest of church, and so then we tried to see some people after church, then we had dinner at the moreys, with the Hardins! And then we hussled to the fireside! We had 13 people there just from our areas! It was awesome!

The fireside was super amazing! Then we came home!

This week taught me that if you do all things in faith and if what you do is focused on what his will is, all things are possible! And my scripture I pondered went well with this! D&C 8:10, which says "

remember that without faith you can do nothing, therefore ask in faith, trifle not with these things, d not ask for that which you ought not." So I know if we do all things in faith they will happen!

My scripture to ponderiz this week is D&C 18:10

I hope you all have a great week! I love you all and miss you a ton!

Keep asking in faith and doing in faith and the lord will bless you!

November 16, 2015

Monday: so elder butler and me had a great last day together! We went played ball with e zone leaders and ate dinner at chick fillet with Dale and Bryce barker, then we met with our baptismal date that is happening this Saturday! Then we came home and he finished packing.

Tuesday: we woke up elder butler put finishing touches on his packing, then we waited for brother neidiffer to get to our apartment and for my two new companions to get here. Then we went our separate ways! But we had a super effective day! We saw a less active in my area, and a lesson with one of our other baptismal dates! We also had a very rough first lesson as a trio with one of their investigators, but we made it through!

Wednesday: we had district meeting!! But then we had a super awesome lesson with this lady elder butler and I contacted on the street, and she is super awesome! Had a very powerful lesson 1 with her and set up an appointment for this coming Wednesday! Then we tried some people in my area and had an appointment fall through then had a great lesson with one of our other baptismal dates in my area, all the baptismal dates are in my area! Then we went tracting in the other area, then the assistants to the president stopped by and gave us a bed frame! I love them! Elders steadman from Mississippi! And elder Waite from Nevada!

 So elder Waite knows McKay Mcgoon! But then we had a chicken and dumpling cook off at a members between her son in law and her son, they were both very good! Hardest decision I've ever made! Then we ended night with some lessons with one of my baptismal dates, and a recent convert Austin!

Thursday: we had weekly planning! Was super long with 2 areas! But was super effective! Then we had a super lesson with the baptismal date that's happening is Saturday! Then we went on splits after some finding in their area, I went with Dale to another one of my baptismal dates, was a super powerful lesson I had with him! Taught the whole lesson with myself and the spirit! Then we had dinner at a members!

Potato soup!

Friday: we went saw bill linne! He is so funny! Had a great lesson with him! And played trouble with him! He is this awesome less active!

But we are working on him! Then we went with a member got a couch and some other furniture for the baptismal date that is happening Saturday! And we also was fed by a recent convert her home made egg are amazing! Then we finished weekly planning! Then we saw some referrals! Then ate a t the Mathis's for dinner! They are awesome!

Cooked this chicken casserole! Then hey asked us to help them butcher some chickens for them next week! Looking forward to that! Then we had a super aweome lesson with this recent converts husband!! It was amazing! He is super interested! But has so,e bad ptsd! Wow! But our teaching as a trio is getting better! Oh we drove past the reformed church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! It was weird!

Saturday: we did some Mormon.org time after studies, then we racked leaves at a members blanches! Then we went and shared mountain of the lord video with brother Lucas! He is awesome, he is going to the temple soon!! I'm excited for him! Then we tried some appointments that fell through! Then we met brother kasteller at dales apartment complex he picked us up we went and got a king size mattress for our baptismal date! They were excited! I'm excited for them! Then we had salmon patties at dales for dinner with Karen a recent convert! Then we had a great lesson with two baptismal dates! They are super awesome! She's been taught everything just needs to come to church!

And her husband is needing to get work moved then we taught another baptismal date and we read from the Book of Mormon and are trying to help her with her understanding! She is coming along and is getting excited for her baptism in December!

Sunday: today was very eventful! Super crazy! So we got up got ready went to ward council, then we were sitting at church and the guy who is getting baptized this coming Saturday didn't get picked up! So me and brother kasteller left leaving behind my two companions and we went to pick them up, well his wife is feeling sick! So we went back to church and got there just after the sacrament! :( so I sat with Dale and brother kasteller, and he told me he would come get me out of preisthood and we would take sacrament in the next wards sacrament. So we went and had a great gospel principles class! Then we started preisthood, set up for members to go out with us on splits! And then we had elders quorum! And brother kasteller came got me we watched three confirmations in that ward and partook of the sacraments! Then we finished preisthood, then we came home and we had our studies because ward council starts at 7:30! Then we tried my referrals and had some awesome success trying them! It was amazing! Got some return appointments! Then we went tracting! Tracting in a trio is so much fun! Had some weird excuses,  one 50 year old guy told us sorry but I don't talk to strangers! Haha but then we had dinner at the whites am turkey dinner! He had some super funny stories from his mission! He is the best! Then we hurried to our lesson with the baptismal date for this Saturday had a great lesson on temples! Had some awesome laughs!

And their one dog can untie shoes! Haha sebull and Delilah! Awesome names! Then we had a great lesson with another one of our baptismal dates! She's so funny! But then we played a trick on Dale! By hiding in his apartment! Haha after listening to one of our other baptismal dates sing in the hallways!

This week was super awesome! The trio Larry, mo, and curly are getting the hang of teaching together! Haha the three stooges! Well I know that this church is true! And that this gospel truly changes lives, and that as we focus on the small things that we have been commanded as it says in D&C 82:10 we will be blessed! So we must do the small things in order to do the big things! Reading, praying and going to church, or as Mosiah 2:22 puts it: " he has promised you that if he would keep his commandments he should prosper in the land, and he never doth vary from that which he hath said, therefore if he do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you!

The scripture I'm ponderizing this week is: D&C 8: 10 " remember that without faith you can do nothing, therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things, do not ask for that which you ought not.

I love this gospel I love the mission! I know that as we focus on the small things and exercise faith all is possible.

Love,

 Elder Durfee

November 9, 2015

This week was super crazy, so we were biking around all the time and teaching a lot of people, we have so much going on right now! I'm loving it here in new Albany! We have so many people here that are preparing for baptism. But the craziest news came on Saturday, we were at stake conference and it was transfer calls, we hadn't received a call all day! It was nerve racking! But we went home and we thought we were clear fro transfers but at 9:30 ish pm we got a call from our district leader and said that elder butler will be getting transferred Tuesday! And that they are combining the areas! So I am going to be in a trio with the car elders. Elders Bartok from Canada! And elder Duncan, we are in a car! It is because there was a lack of missionaries coming out.... So I will be in a trio for 5 weeks because this transfer is shorter because it's right before Christmas! So this next 5 weeks are gonna be good I'm taking over the area all by myself and then we will be working their area as well! And trying to work two areas! It's going to be super busy and craz! I'm excited! And our investigators that we have right now are the best! I have seen this gospel truly change their lives!

Sincerely Elder Durfee,

This week I learned that as we use the atonement we can do anything, so the scripture I am going to ponder this week seems how we were challenged to do so in conference and I challenge all of you to do so as well, mine is D&C 82:10. I love you all and miss you all.

November 2, 2015

This week was filled with a bunch of ups and downs, we spent a lot of our time finding new people to teach! We did a lot of biking around! On Wednesday we helped one of our members sons finish moving into his new house/trailer. it was super fun! lives in a Hollow!!! Then we met with most of our Baptismal dates. They are super awesome!!! I love the people in this area!! they are Hilarious!! 

Thursday we were able to meet with our baptismal dates, they crack me up. Friday was a lot of fun! We had the Trunk or Treat ward party with a chili cook off! it was some good chili!!! we also spent time with our members. Saturday we were out biking until 4, then we had a lesson with this investigator with a Baptismal date and we had one of the recent converts there and one of our other investigators that all live in the same apartment complex! and the investigator we weren't teaching said I know you're drinking and pulled the bottle of vodka and then the cat fight began all three of the girls were just having it out and Elder Butler and me just sat there awkwardly... so we finally got the recent convert to calm down, she left room, and the other investigator started having an anxiety attack and she left, so we talked with the investigator and she was not doing well... it was sad to see what alcohol does to peoples brains. but then we ate dinner with a member in the same complex and then we hung with some investigators in that complex because we had to stop proselyting after 6 due to trick or treaters. Then ended the day with Missionary correlation with our ward mission leader. 

Sunday was a very spiritual meeting! there were a lot of great testimonies bore! I learned so much from the spirit in sacrament and also in the classes. Then we ate lunch with a member and her three boys, then we went and spent time with our assistant ward mission leader, then the ward mission leader picked us up and they fed us dinner! Then met with one of our investigators with a baptismal date the one that moved from homeless to an apartment. they are super awesome! they quite smoking so they were a little irritable today! yeah it was interesting! and their one dog untied my shoe!!! hahaha 

But overall this week I learned how necessary the restoration of the gospel was! from The law of chastity up to the word of wisdom! the word of wisdom was way necessary with all of the addiction that comes from it! it is crazy watching those addictions control peoples lives! I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and for Joseph Smith in restoring Christs one true church and for Thomas Monson in leading and directing our church today! I love the power of prayer and for all the strength we receive from it. 

I love ya'll and miss ya'll! have a great week!! 

Love,

  Elder Durfee  

October 26, 2015

Monday: we had a great preparation day! We taught one good lesson with this awesome member bryce he is gonna go on a mission soon! We also were able to get done all that we needed to! 

Tuesday: We were able to have one solid lesson with one of our baptism dates! she is super hilarious! Then we had a bunch of appointments fall through, but I went on an exchange that day!! it was a lot of fun! I was able to spend it with a spanish Elder!!!! so i had no idea what was being said in any of the lessons or with the people we talked to! it was super cool! but super confusing!! 

Wednesday: we got up and we went to district meeting, we had a member from the spanish branch in Louisville take us he was so funny!! But we had a great district meeting! I learned so much!!! Then we were able to have another lesson with our baptismal date! Then a lesson with one of the recent converts Karen. shes super funny! i love meeting with her! and we met with her with Dale! he is the best! Then we ate dinner at Blanche Doss's house! John Gordon her son fed us dinner! they are the best! love them!!! 

Thursday: WE had an awesome weekly planning session!! Then we went and visited with a less active Bill linne! he is the funniest old man! Then we had a bunch of appointments fall through! but we did meet with one of our other baptismal dates! she is super funny! haha Then ended the night teaching our other bap date that was supposed to get baptized this last saturday. Then the Zone leaders called us up! they said they was gonna come pick us up at our apartment. because there is this part member family that is moving from their area to ours. so this couple was a homeless couple, they lived off the bank of a railroad track overpass! they had three tents, one a bedroom, another an outhouse, and the other one a food pantry! it was the craziest thing i have ever seen!!! super cool!! But we got them moved!! 

Friday: We met with our one baptismal date, and then we met with that couple we helped move on thursday with dale, they are super funny!! I love them!! Then we tried people did alot of biking!! then we hurried to a members house for dinner, we had a great lesson with one of their sons friends, it was a great meeting!!! Then we met with the baptismal date that was supposed to happen on saturday, but we met with her in the ER so yeah, she had passed out in her shower, and one of the recent converts and another one of our investigators found her and called the Ambulance! so we visited her in the ER and so she did not get baptized on saturday. 

Saturday: we didn't have the baptism. she was not feeling very well! and she walked home from the ER which is like 3 miles!! But we met with one of the other Recent converts shes asain and super hard to understand!!! Then ate lunch at the Doss house, Then we met with the lady that didnt get baptized! Then we met with one of our other baptismal dates. Then we had dinner at dales!!! Then met with Austin! he is funny!! 

Sunday: WE had a great sacrament meeting!! Then we busted it to an appointment! she is awesome!!! Then we had a lesson with karen, shes funny! Ate dinner at dales, no one was willing to meet with us.... But we ended the night awesome with a fireside at the mission home!!! It was super spiritual!!! 

Well this week I learned that Everything happens in the lords time his way..

I love and miss you all!!! 

Love, Elder Durfee

October 19, 2015

So Monday we a great day! we had 2 good lessons one with Austin Metzler our baptism date! he is this awesome funny black guy!! haha 

Tuesday: We had zone conference, it was very spiritual! Then we Taught one of our baptismal dates then we saw Austin

a gain and taught him a lesson. then ended the day with a lesson with another one of our baptismal dates.

Wednesday: We taught this awesome lesson with this lady! Then we had a member take us out to lunch. Then we went and saw a less active. Then we went and saw karen a recent convert. and then saw Austin again. 

Thursday: we had a great weekly planning session! Then we did a lot of biking! but we were able to have a lesson with this funny lady! then the other lessons we had fell thorugh! :( 

Friday: We did a bunch on biking! and we taught a couple lessons. Then President Brough came out with us! he is so funny! and awesome! I love President Brough!!! He interviewed Austin for his baptism. Then we ended the night with teaching an awesome lesson and then biking to a members for dinner! Then saw a recent convert! and one of our baptismal dates! 

Saturday: We did a lot of finding in the morning! then we came to the church and started filling up the font! then we went and got Austin to his baptism and had his baptismal service! it was amazing! the spirit was super strong!!! so Elder Butler Baptized him, i assisted with it, and we had another Elder in there to help, it took us two tries to get him, one his half leg floated to the top and his belly was barely under the water so we dunked him a second time and that time we got everything under! it was an experience!   We also had another girl that got baptized for the other area in this ward! Then we had dinner with Dale he is our assistant ward mission leader! 

Sunday: we had church! Austin was confirmed! and so was the other girl! Then we went out trying people on our bikes! and had dinner with a member! they are awesome! the Doss and Gordon residence! haha, then we went to Dales to help him pack his clothes in boxes so he can get sprayed for bed bugs! 

This week was filled with disappointment but as we remained obedient and kept being diligent we were able to see our hard work pay off! keep pushing even when the times seem tough! 

Love, Elder Durfee

Love ya'll and miss ya'll   

All the Elders that taught him for the 6 Months.

Pictures of the trees in Indiana

October 12, 2015

So this week was filled with a lot of biking and finding and teaching so a pretty well balanced week!

Monday: we had a good preparation day brother neidiffer took us to lunch and he plays slug Bug except you can slug back so you gotta be on your toes! Haha then we did laundry and shopped and all that fun stuff, then we were able to have a good lesson so one of our baptismal dates! She's awesome!

Tuesday: we went and saw a less active talked about missionary work and word of wisdom, and played trouble with him haha he's a funny old guy, then we had a quick lunch and went and saw one of our other investigators, she's super funny! Then we biked over to one of our other baptismal dates! She is the best and we took out one of the recent converts out with us! Then we did a lot of biking today trying potentials none were home:( but then we had a great lesson with on other one of our baptismal dates he is super funny! I love him! Then we had a lesson with one of the recent converts, then we biked to another guy. Then we went to see how this one guy that decided not to get baptized the day of his baptism. He isn't interested.

Wednesday: we got up did studies the. Busted it to a lesson she wasn't there :( so we saw some former investigators one knows us as jb Jesus boys! Haha then we tried a bunch of people we had contacted and set up appointments with but none were there! But we where able to have an awesome lesson with this couple with a member brother Romney and it was an amazing lesson! So the wife she was a teacher for one of the members daughters and the daughter gave her a meet the Mormons DVD and they'd watched it and they are super interested! They are amazing! The lesson was fantastic! Then we had another lesson that night with dale another member he's super hillbilly! Haha super awesome he is our third missionary in our group! Had a lesson where us guy had wrote down a bunch of anti questions and we were able to answer everything he had! So he was stumped! Haha

Thursday: we had district meeting!! Then ate a quick lunch then we went out trying potentials, had a great lesson with this one lady she is super funny! And we were talking with people down at the harvest home coming it was huge! and while doing this we were watching this old guy walking with his walker and he hit a dip and his wheels hung up and he just face planted it! He didn't catch himself and busted his nose! He lost a lot of blood! It was crazy, so we helped him up and then we waited for an ambulance to get there, there were a bunch of people with him. Then taught one of our baptismal dates, then went to harvest homecoming that night with a member and I had this drunk come up to me put his arm around me and goes hey Charlie I haven't seen you in forever how you been, so I played along until my companion stepped in and said hey his name is elder Durfee not Charlie, haha it was hilarious!

Friday: we did weekly planning! The. We had a lesson with brother Benham there and this one potential we have it was a good lesson, then we went and had a lesson wi Karen one of the recent converts she is hilarious! Haha then we biked to another appointment we had and the husband came out and said I've been in jail for 12 years and I studies yalls religion and we don't need yalls religion! But they are awesome!

His wife was the one that told us to come back.... But then we tried some more people then we had lunch with this awesome family! They are so funny! The Mathis's then we went and saw another recent convert, she's funny!

Saturday: we got up and biked to the doss's house, and we mowed their lawn! And they fed us lunch! We also mowed Reidas lawn and she fed us egg rolls she's asain and Reida isn't her real name her real name is thongdam viravong, ha then we biked and had a lesson with an investigator that has a baptismal date! Then we had dinner with dale and the car elders here! Then we biked to this guys place and had a great lesson! Then we biked to dales and we had correlation with him.

Sunday: we didn't get anyone to church:( but we had a great day at church I got to meet all of the awesome members here! This ward is a lot of fun! Then we did a lot of biking trying people! Then we had one of our appointments when we met with him at the place he said to he said his boyfriend told him we don't like gays and that we shouldn't talk with him... It threw us both for a loop we did not see that coming! Then we ended the jig with a lesson with one of our baptismal dates! We also have been on the look our for bedbugs because dales apartment complex had bed bugs so and like all of our baptismal dates live in his complex and like two houses away from each other so yeah, we've been really careful! Then dale drove us home.

This area is the best! The members here are amazing! I'm loving it here! D&C 82:10

I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. This has been a verse they has been in my mind all week!

I love you all and miss you all! God loves you and is always there for you! So use prayer to open the door to Christ's atonement!

Love, Elder Durfee

Elder Durfee. Kentucky Louisville mission

The things you do for cute "little" members :)

She was pretty please with her artwork - and Elder Durfee was such a good sport.

October 5, 2015

So Monday was filled with seeing people saying goodbye and packing!

Tuesday: we got up and brother Perry picked us up at our apartment, and off we went to transfer meeting! We ate at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then we had transfer meeting. Then we got to new Albany the members here are awesome! We had a lot of appointments when I got here. The work is super awesome here!

Wednesday: we had district meeting! Then we were teaching all day! We have also been biking a lot it's a bike area here! We played trouble with a less active! He's super funny!

Thursday: we had a great weekly planning session and I was able to learn the investigators and people we are working with here, then we taught some awesome lessons! And we also spent a lot of time biking and talking with people.

Friday: we helped an investigator move his couch out, then we tried to come in contact with a bunch of people! Had dinner with a member! Met with a recent convert here and one less active. Then we had missionary correlation it was awesome! I love the ward mission leader! Played trouble with the less active again! And I won one game! Haha

Saturday: was awesome! I hope all of you watched conference because it was awesome! We watched all the sessions with the assistant ward mission leader dale! He's awesome! He fed us dinner chili with noodles in it! Super powerful talks! The members here have an awesome sense of humor! Promised land here!

Sunday: we watched morning session with the doss family! They are super awesome! Then we went and watched second session with dale! Then we had some lessons fall through! And met with the recent concert!

She's super funny!

This week has been super full and crazy! It's been a lot of fun!

Loving it here with my new companion elder butler!

Me and my new companion! He's super awesome! Great sense of humor!

Elder Durfee. Kentucky Louisville mission

September 28, 2015

This week was a super eventful week!!! We had a great preparation day on the bikes because the car was still in the shop. then we tried a few of our investigators.

Tuesday: WE were able to get our car back!!And then we had a good day of teaching with the hermanas again!! they are fun to work with! I'm gonna miss them! Then we met with a less active member! I'm really gonna miss her!

Wednesday: we had our last district meeting of this transfer! so we had district lunch and district picture! I loved this district! they were a lot of fun! Then we were able to have an amazing lesson with this less actives boy! he was super sweet! his name was Dakota!! he is a super sweet kid! has a lot of concerns for his family and he is trying to be that good example and he is only 7 years old! Then we had dinner with a member, then we had mutual! we played a card game prophet or princess! it was a fun game!

Thursday: we had weekly planning, we were able to plan for our investigators we also were able to try and meet with our investigators in carrollton! none were home. so we went out to Sanders and met with a couple of less actives.

Friday: we spent a lot of driving around trying refferrals we received from the system. and meeting with less active members.

Saturday: we helped a less active by mowing her lawn but when she went out to get gas for the lawn mower and the weed wacker she had locked her keys inside her house! haha so Elder Stevens had to kick her door in so we could get into her house!! it was pretty awesome!!! highlight of the day! Then we set up the church for sunday. then we also went out and tried people but none were home or the ignored us!!! it was depressing but oh well. its apart of missionary work. oh I also got a phone call from my district leader saying that I would be getting transferred from this area! :(

Sunday : we had a great Fast and testimony meeting! I got up and bore my testimony and told the branch that I would be getting transferred! So I got pictures with all of the members here!! we had a member feed us lunch! well dinner, then we went out and celebrated a birthday party with another family and they fed us cake and ice cream! I'm really gonna miss everyone here!!! I have really bonded with them all! they are like my family! but we had a chance to try more investigators but all of our appointments fell through!

This week I learned that no matter how hard to try things may not always turn out the way you want, but no hard work is wasted! so as we work hard at what we need to be doing we will be blessed in his timing!

Love, Elder Durfee