I'm alive! Добре е!

Family Mine!

      Hey, guess what, family dearest? I am in Bulgaria! I was really beginning to think that I might not ever send an email like this, but here I am. The last two days (Sort of? The last 39 hours that technically has been two days? Time changes throw you for a loop) have been absolutely wild, fast, and wonderful. It started with some tough goodbyes in Colorado, then on the plane! Sister Thatcher and I got to the gate with plenty of time, but we sat on the tarmac for about an hour and a half while they de-iced the plane. That made everyone nervous. Luckily, with a mad dash through the O'Hare Airport and some serious prayers in the security line, we jumped on the plane with just enough time. The flight to Vienna was great (I talked to an Albanian guy for a long time), and Vienna was...gray. I spoke to a Bulgarian guy on the flight to Sofia about his watch for a while, then we landed.

      Sofia is great and busy--I just got back from an hour of stopping people in the street and spewing slaughtered Bulgarian at them. A little cold, but the most fun I've had in a long time. Life is great, President Wilstead is awesome (I told him about Cliff and Betsy), and I can't wait to get out and do it some more.

     много ви обичам!

Старейшина Харди

"Elder, Why is President Calling us?"

Family Mine!

     It was just your average Thursday, and everything was just hunky-dory as Elder Hardy and Elder Christensen sat down for their companionship study, business as usual. They were just getting ready to close, when the phone began to buzz on the table. In the course of about a 5 minute telephone call, it went from a regular companionship study to one that I won't forget for a long time. I'm going to Bulgaria. How about that?

     As much joy and excitement as that gives me, it also comes with a twinge of regret and sadness--things were really beginning to pick up here in the Louisville Ward, and there are some individuals truly seeking, truly on the brink of embracing the joy and peace of the Gospel. We had our first real lesson with Messina and her Mother on Saturday, and it went extremely well--they are stoked about reading the Book of Mormon, her Mother was WAY into the discussion (probably more than Messina honestly), and they were touched by the spirit of the Christmas program on Sunday. We are more than excited for their progression. Members have been inviting their friends like mad, and we have several exciting potential investigators. I guess that is the way life works--the time that you get called away is at the point where you finally are not ready to leave. Again, as always, I know that the Lord has a plan for me, and that if I need to be in Bulgaria now, then that is where I will go. If Messina and her Mother need to be guided the rest of the way by another, I have full trust the Lord will take care of them. How I pray that they will be taken care of!

     Sounds like it was a good week back at home (Wow, only one concert! That's practically vacation!). It sounds like there are some awesome things going on in the Ward, and that you had a great Christmas Program--I sang in ours as well, and it went great. There were a lot of people that brought their friends and relatives, so there was a little extra pressure on the performers, but it went wonderful--there are some extremely talented musicians in this ward. Brother Fanger (an awesome missionary in his own right), gave a wonderful talk that tied it all together. So great!

     I wrote all of you guys letters for your Christmas presents (seeing as it might be a while before I can use a reliable postal service again); I hope you enjoy them--if you can bear with the corniness (you'll see), I hope you feel the love that I have for all of you. Of all the places to spend ones first Christmas away from home, there is nowhere else that I would rather be, there is nothing else that I would rather be doing, but I will still be thinking of you. It looks like the nursing home escapade went well as usual, and those cookies look delicious. I hope the Christmas Adam party goes well also--say hello to everyone for me.

     All in all, this has been a very good week, up and down, in and out, from peaks to valleys, from riverbeds to majestic skies (sorry for all the nature talk today--it is gorgeous outside). From the despair of one of the less-active members we're working with re-deciding that he wants nothing to do with the Church (after telling us the exact opposite last week), to the soaring joy of seeing Messina and her Mother in Church, from the excitement of getting the long awaited news to the realization that it means I have to leave these wonderful people...needless to say stability of emotions does not really happen for a missionary on a regular week, much less one such as this.

      This week, I have been reading in the beginning of the Book of Mormon, about Nephi and his ordeal in the wilderness, and I have really gained even more respect for Nephi and who he was. He was a man of high standards, that always stuck to what the Lord asked him to do, no matter what those around him said. He followed in faith, and he acted with power and assurance brought on by honest seeking. Of all the lessons that Nephi exemplifies and explains however, the most prominent and oft repeated seems to be his absolute trust in the absolute power of the Lord, and the unshakeable affirmation that if we keep his commandments, we will not fail (See 1 Nephi 3:7...and pretty much the rest of first Nephi). I know that as we develop that trust and faith in the commandments of the Lord through the repeated keeping of them, we can have that same power and assurance that Nephi had, we can be guided as Nephi was, we can help others as Nephi did. Obedience really does bring blessings!

     Sorry my thoughts have been scattered today--usually I am more organized. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and hope that we all remember Christ in this crazy season.

     

      Much love,

Elder Hardy

P.S. I should be able to get on at 8:00 (9:00 our time). I am excited to see all your faces!

That Colorado sunrise...

"This isn't my plan, it is the Lord's Plan, but this Plan was made for Me and You!"

Family Mine!

     Wow! Great letter this week! It sounds like things are going great with all the crazy endeavors or the Hardy family (we are one of those nutso CYT families now! It's great!). And thanks for the visa update--I will talk more about it in a second. 

      Mother, you may not have the opportunity to be around bunches of singing children every Sunday now, but it sounds like you'll find a way no matter what. I love it! Whenever I ask around for an accompanist nowadays, I realize how good I had it--your ability to play the piano has shaped my life in so many ways, and I cherish the time I have had to sing with you at my back. I always know you'll be there to help me find my way back if I lose track! I haven't opened my Christmas package yet--I hope there is nothing too perishable in there! I guess you did send it by mail, so I shouldn't really worry about that. I look forward to opening it, and to seeing all your beautiful faces! I thought by this time I would be fairly apt at Bulgarian, so no promises of fluency, but I will do my best. I love you!

      Dad--sounds like you had a very interesting sacrament meeting. Those must be very relaxing and soothing to a Bishop's nerves. Now that I spend all my sacrament meetings keeping track of people in the congregation, trying to help them have a good experience, I think I am beginning to see why Bishops usually look slightly concerned or pensive during meetings. It would be immensely fun to be a missionary in your Ward, Father! I love you so much, and think of you every time I sing "High on a Mountain Top."

      Paige--you are so awesome! I am so proud of you for keeping up that tradition of attending church. I know it isn't always easy or convenient, but I promise it will (and surely has) strengthened your testimony. Keep being such a great example for all those in that choir! Also, I am sure you will make a terrific frog. "Jabi" is how one would say that in Bulgarian (phonetically spelled). I love you!

      Ronnie! Dude! Rockstar! Ugly! You're right: it just doesn't have the same ring as all you other titles. I am so proud of you, and am sure you will bring down the house. Remember to be humble, and turn to the Lord for help. He will help you with this as much as anything else, because He loves you that much. I love you too Brother. Prepare now to serve a mission!

      Lizzie, you look quite wonderful with that cello--it is a classy instrument for a classy and intelligent lady. We need some strings in the family! When I think of you, no matter where I am or what I am doing, a big smile comes to my face. You do that for people! Keep it up. I love you with all my heart.

      It is a serious blessing to me that those people got their visa's before ours, I know it is an answer to prayer, to my pleading to know why, to be shown the reason, to have comfort and fulfillment in my work. Beyond a doubt now, I know that the Lord needs me here in Colorado, that I am not here by happenstance or by some misled government official. I am here because the Lord had things for me to learn, and things for me to do. I know that with all the energy of my soul, and I so grateful for the Lord making that so apparent--no one can tell me that the Lord doesn't answer prayers, no one can tell me that He doesn't hear our pleas for understanding and for comfort. As I read your letter, I almost burst out in laughter and joy (which would have been extremely embarrassing in this very silent library), because I felt the Spirit bearing witness to me that I need to be here. Such a blessing, such a blessing.

      This week has been a week of miracles (which has also been a confirmation of my necessity of being here)--from meeting Bill--a wonderful older gentleman who has been a Do Not Contact for over 30 years that just dropped into church--and watching the power of the Spirit begin to wipe away the pain and sorrow at the loss of his wife of 65+ years ("alright, you've convinced me--I'll come to church the rest of this month." "But Bill, we haven't even asked!"), to watching Messina (the girl who stopped us on the street) and her Mother get embraced by the ward with open arms and open hearts, it has been a powerful week. It hasn't been perfect by any means, there are still large steps to go on all hands and disappointments still came, but I have felt the hand of the Lord in the work so powerfully this week...it has been astounding. 

      We are beginning the Book of Mormon again as a mission, and reading the story of Nephi again has really given me more respect for him in so many ways. He truly was a choice and powerful prophet of the Lord. I encourage you to read his story again. 

       Family, you need to watch the "He is the Gift" video, and use the cards to share it with your friends--it softens hearts, it opens eyes, and it brings all, no matter what denomination they align with, closer to Christ. I promise that as you share it, it will become dearer to you, and that is a wonderful thing. I love you all so much!

      Keep the faith, and have a wonderful (rainy) week!

Your loving Brother,

Elder Hardy

      

I'm not a criminal, I promise!

Family Mine!

     Thank you so much for the wonderful letter and picture--it looks like Spokane is as barren for snow as is Colorado! It has actually been fairly warm here for the last little while, which has been strange, but good. 

     Mom, thanks for the help with this whole deal--I sent it off to Chicago on Thursday, so it should be coming back to you fairly soon (sometime this week). I thought of you when we went in to get the fingerprints, of shuffling through the corridors of the Spokane Courthouse to get to that little tiny back room. I am also grateful Sister Davis was able to get in touch with you--going through the mission office was good, but they are just a little bit (understandably) slow, and I wanted to get it in the mail that evening. The Davises are a wonderful family--I enjoy living with them. Thanks for the update as well--it sounds like I will be here for a week or two longer at least, which is good to know for one's sanity. I love you and love reading about your gospel learning. You are a great example to me!

     Dad, maybe it is just the picture, but your hair looks whiter than ever! Before long, you're going to reach the esteemed status of being one of those Temple workers who sports boldly a well-groomed shock of white hair. What a privilege! That is one of my own personal goals (the bald Temple workers are wonderful too though). I'm glad to hear you got pick out the tree as well--I hope it was plenty large! I love you and think of you often. Thank you for the important lessons you taught me about hard work!

     Paige, it almost seems surreal that you are taking your drivers tests...crazy! Don't pull an Elder Hardy and fail the actual drive the first time--believe me, it's not as fun as it sounds. You'll do great I am sure. I found some wonderful surprises in my suit coat pocket the other day, that made me think of you (see the picture) I would hand them out if they weren't so precious to me! I love you--say hello to Mr. Saccomanno for me!

     Ronnie, with that hat, you are as tall as our esteemed Father. Frightening! I see that you took the liberty of wearing that jacket pull-over thing...don't worry, I "borrowed" it from Dad in the first place, so no hard feelings. I hope you enjoy singing that song as well--it is a great one! Love you Brother Dearest, keep up the good work!

      Elizabeth, get better! I am sure that you will--I have never known something as little as sickness to get in the way of your success. You are going to knock that audition out of the park--I can just imagine you singing that hilarious, wonderful song. I love you!

       This week has been a good one, and a strange one--for starters, we did something that I found hilarious and wonderful for a contacting idea: dog park contacting! We take the Davis's dog to the park and let him run free--dogs are a BIG thing here in Colorado, so the place is usually hopping with people, no matter the weather. You go up, start talking to them about their dog, they ask about yours, you laugh at their funny dog stories, then they ask who you are and where you are from...and boom! You are talking about the church. At that point, we either engage in a gospel conversation, or the person suddenly becomes VERY interested in what their dog is doing, and are suddenly needed at the other end of the park. Not a flawless approach, but a good way to talk to people. Strange, slightly smelly, but good. 

      The strangest part of the week however, was the whole FBI clearance thing; Wednesday morning, Elder Christensen comes storming up the stairs, holding out the phone: "It's from the mission office for you!". At that point, my heart jumped into my throat--I had gotten my visa! The office missionary started off, "President Brown got an email this morning..." my heart rate accelerated the more, "saying that you need to go to the library and read your email--you have to renew your FBI Clearance because you have been waiting here so long." Plummet! The adrenaline drained out of my body faster than...something very fast. After a little bit of reading,a few phone calls, and some filling out paperwork, we got the whole situation figured out, but it was a strange experience. The Lord really knows how to test us thoroughly. It's all good though, because a miracle happened this week.

     We were knocking on some doors, and actually having some success in passing out the "He is the Gift" cards (which you all should watch and share if you haven't), which was a miracle in it's own right. At one door, everything went pretty well, and we left the card and our number, and were walking away to get more cards when we heard a "Hey!" "Hey you!" from down the street. Startled, (someone is initiating a conversation with US?), we turned around to see a young woman jogging up the street after us--after a little discussion, we found out her Mom had told her "some boys from some church" had been on the doorstep, and she should go meet them. She had just moved from Chicago, and was looking for a youth group, and was wondering if we knew of any good ones in the area. As a matter of fact, we did! She seemed excited about coming on Tuesday, and we actually got her involved with some of the youth this weekend for a get-together thing, and she seemed to enjoy it. So cool! The Lord blesses us as we go out and do His work!

      This week, I studied in 3 Nephi 1 and 2; aside from making me think of Tanner Law kneeling under the light of a weakly powered flashlight in an old Jedi robe with a towel on his head, it made me realize the vital importance of remembering. These people were given sign after sign, wonder after wonder, testimony after testimony...and yet in just the space of a few years they would forget all and sink into iniquity. If only they would have remembered! We must always do our part to remember the knowledge and blessings and witnesses of the spirit that we have received. Remember, remember, remember! Don't pull a third Nephi! 

      I love you all so much, and I have faith in the Lord's plan. He's got one, and He's sticking to it, because it is the way for us to have the MOST happiness ultimately. His perspective is not our perspective, His ways are not our ways. Just as Jesus was not sent to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent [Jesus], we are here to learn to do the Father's will always, to bring our will in line with His, to learn to do things HIS way, so we can learn and progress. A tough lesson, but a true one. Funny how those two always seem to go together. 

With Love and a Big Smile,

Elder Hardy 

Wow! I am so happy! Thanks Paige!

Two colors! I such a yucky boy.

FBI Clearance Renewal

FBI Clearance Renewal

Hey, I just got notified that we need to renew our FBI clearances so that they will be good when I get to Bulgaria, whenever that is. I am going to fill out the application in a little bit, and will send whatever I need to to you. If you could shoot me a quick message to know that you got this, it would be great. 

Love you!

FBI Clearance Plan?

Ok, here is what I understand needs to happen in order for this whole thing to work:

1) I have printed and filled out the Applicant Information Form, including every field except Payment. 

2) I will mail that to you via snail mail, in a regular envelope. You will then have that signed form. You can fill out the payment option (they want UPS 2 day--70.00) of the form.

3) As far as I understand, you should be able to then get a new set of my fingerprints on the required card (FD258) from downtown Spokane. Just like last time, we need two sets.

4) You can then mail that all in to the Accurate Biometrics place (see link), and should get it back in two days time, and can then mail it to the Church travel office. 

I'm not sure if this is how it is going to work, but you can call the mission office if you want to get a hold of me--they will be able to call me. I am still not sure if I actually have to go and get my fingerprints actually rolled anew, but if so, I need to get it done as soon as possible. Hopefully you will get one of these messages and we can get this all figured out presto chango. 

http://www.accuratebiometrics.com/fingerprinting_FBI_Procedures_By_Mail.html

That is the link they sent me to get the Form and to see all the steps, if you want to check it out. I will also forward you the email I received from the mission office (if you haven't already gotten one by this point). 

If I don't hear from the mission office by tonight, I will go ahead and mail the form I have signed to you, and hopefully you should get it by this weekend or so, and we can get this process going. Please tell the mission office to contact me to let me know if there is anything else I need to do--I want to get this figured out without too much hassle so we don't have to worry about it, and I can get back to work. 

Love you so much!

Fwd: FW: Urgent - Help, Elder Hardy & Sister Thatcher temporarily serving in your mission

Dear President Brown

Due to delays we are having a potential issue with Bulgaria and possible expired FBI clearances we need to address before missionaries leave the United States.  Because of their delay, the FBI clearances they have previously obtained will be expired before the missionaries can complete the visa process once they arrive in Bulgaria. 

You have 2 missionaries serving temporarily in your mission that we need your assistance with. 

HARDY, Richard Tanner 446471

THATCHER, Megan Lela 461424

We need the missionaries to apply for FBI channelers, hopefully within the next week.  We will also need to obtain apostilles but I can work on that from here once I get the channelers.

Here is the link to Accurate Biometrics

http://www.accuratebiometrics.com/

.html

The missionaries need to fill out the application form, obtain 2 sets of fingerprints.  We want the $70 UPS 2^nd day service – we need an actual form sent to us.  Most likely the missionaries will have to have the forms sent to their parents so have the missionaries email the parents and let the parent know they need to send them to me once they get them.  I will also make contact with the parents.  The instructions on this link are pretty easy to understand but you can call me at any time and I will be happy to walk you through the process.  I think the Church should pay for this as the missionaries families have already born the expense of this process at one time.  If you need to know from me how to bill that let me know.

This doesn’t have to be done today but should be done within the next week. 

I am so sorry to add to your workload...  Do you think you can get the ball rolling on this in the next week?  Let me know. 

Plechette M. McMillan, CTC, Sr. Travel and Visa Coordinator

Re: FBI Clearance Plan?

Tanner,

I called the Police Station here and they don't keep copies of fingerprints. So... you are going to get them taken again.  Sister Holly said that you are living in Boulder.  Here is the information from the Boulder Police Web Site:

The police department's main location at 1805 33rd St. offers fingerprinting on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Fingerprinting is also available at the Community Police Center on 16th Street, just south of Pearl Street, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The cost of this service is $11 per fingerprint card.

Phone: 303-441-3300

You will need to have $22 cash or use your debit card to pay for the two sets of prints.  

Since you are getting the prints done there, I'm not sure that you need to send your application to me.  I can give you the credit card information over the phone (through Sister Holly) and you can send the application in yourself.  Use our home address on the application.  When I get the clearance forms from accuratebiometrics I will send it on to Sister McMillan in the Mission Travel Office.

Let me know what else we can do.

Love you!

mom

Get the Prints Tomorrow!

Elder Hardy,

If you can - get your fingerprints done tomorrow.  It sounds like you can't get them done on Friday.  I called Sister Holly in your mission office and gave her the credit card information.  You will need to print out the form for credit card payment and include it with your application.

We can do this!!

Love you,

mom

Thanksgiving in Colorado--They eat Turkey too!

Dearest Family Mine,

      Happy Thanksgiving to all of you wonderful people! Those were some wonderful pictures--it is sure great to see all of those awesome cousins together. Everyone is so large! Strange. Strange. I especially enjoyed the pictures of the gun range--Uncle Brandon has a nice looking beard, Grandpa as calm and collected with a firearm as always, and Ronnie was looking pretty lethal...to the ladies at least! He was carrying a gun too! 

      Mom, I glad that you got to spend some time with your sisters--it looks like you guys had a great time. I am doing well in terms of supplies, and am still working through the Halloween box (so much candy!). What a neat story about Ruth--the Lord truly does look after His children. What cracks me up is that she had the biblical knowledge, astuteness, and sense of humor to relate the story to that of Jesus--I had a good chuckle about that one! Thanks so much for your diligence in calling--I got an email from the Visa office today reassuring me that they were doing their best, and would let President Brown know as soon as the Visa came. It was a little bit of a let-down to see that email, then realize it was just a note of encouragement, but it was still good to hear. The prediction (according to Elder Taylor) is sometime this week, but who knows. Such a funny situation! I can't wait to look back at this and ponder the lessons I have learned, and chuckle as well--if I could count the number of people who have taken double-takes at my tag...it would be really high. I get a kick out of it (especially when they try to read it). I love you Mom!

      Dad, I appreciate your advice and council every week--it truly is needed and appreciated. I really agree about the whole put-yourself-in-their-shoes thing. I need to apply it! And thanks for your faith in the Bulgarian government--I believe your faith is enough to move mountains, so getting a few measly slips of paper across the Atlantic should be no sweat. I love you Dad, I admire you, I want to be a missionary as good as you were and are. Glad you didn't break anything at the Turkey Bowl!

      Paige, you look remarkably like Jordan in those pictures, but different in your own wonderful way. This is a complement. I love you, keep singing. Ehhhh....Bleh! Ronnie, I have already harassed you sufficiently earlier. You are a great guy, keep sticking to who you are. And don't lick any more train floors! (Don't ask--I have my ways. It's a trick they teach you in the MTC). Lizzie, keep all those boys in line for me, ok? Keep being so wonderful! I love you.

       Thanksgiving on the mission is a weird thing--for us it was just another normal proselyting day, but nobody wants you to just drop by their house with a bunch of family in town, so we planned in the morning, then set up a route to go and leave messages with as many member families as possible. In total, we ate three thanksgivings (though the third was mostly dessert by the time we got there), and shared some messages about gratitude. It was a LOT of food; the whole hollow-leg-as-a-missionary thing gave out after the second dinner, and it was pure will power from that point on. It wasn't as good as your's, Mother Dearest, but it was still good. More than I would have gotten in Bulgaria! Louisville is good--my companion has been here for about 6 months however, so we are working on getting new leads, having exhausted many of our previous options, but there is work to do. We share the ward with a set of Sisters (which is a good and tough thing), so we have to coordinate with them a lot, but we make it work. 

       In the spirit of Thanksgiving, my thoughts were turned to the story of the 10 lepers this week (St. Luke 17:11-19). The last leper, he who returned to thank the Lord, received more than just his physical healing, but was also healed spiritually. Gratitude can do that for us! As we live in a grateful way, we will be happier, because we will see the good things in our life as gifts from God, and that is a great way to live. I am grateful for all you!

With Love,

Elder Hardy

Do the Missionary Shuffle!

Wonderful Family Mine,

     Health! Thanks for the wonderful letter and pictures--everyone looks to be doing well (Ezra is a large man!); it sounds like you are living missionary style (out of a suitcase) due to all the traveling, but it sounds like a lot of fun as well. Say hello to all our relationals for me!

     Dad, tithing settlement is going on in our ward as well, and seeing the Bishop run to and fro reminded me of you. I am gaining more and more of an appreciation and a respect for the role of a Bishop as I serve more closely alongside one now (Missionaries get treated like adults...it is sort of a weird feeling considering my last calling was in the Priest's Quorm. What is even weirder is working with Priests that are not even a year younger than I am. Strange). Know that I love and respect you and am so grateful for the example that you have set for me.

     Mom, I am glad you are becoming friends with the Visa Lady--it makes me smile to think of you two chatting it up on the phone about the workings (or lack thereof) of a far-distant Eastern European government. I am so glad as well that you get to see all your Sisters--Salt Lake wont know what hit them! I love you so much, Mother Dearest, and will pray for you in your calling--talk about a switch! From exuberant Sunbeams to ruminating on the conclusions to be drawn from the ins and outs of King Solomon's reign. I love it. Isn't our church funny? (Also, I love Jorg's talk as well--you should have heard all the missionaries afterwards: "Jorg laid it down!", "Jorg told it straight!". Funny stuff).

     Paige, keep the faith--though you guys may be a bit young and inexperienced, you can still do great things. Say hello to Sierra and Mr. Sox for me, will you? I love you bunches! 

     Ronnie, maybe I've just been conditioned for the last few months, but you and Abe look like missionary companions! Keep it in your sights, and start preparing now. PMG! PMG!

      Lizzie, make sure and take care of Grandma and Grandpa for me--let them know that I love them, alright? I love you oodles as well!

       The title is a stretch ("Missionary shuffle" just doesn't fit the same way "Cupid shuffle" does), but I'll work on it. I am getting transferred tomorrow! No big change (I am still in the same district, meet at the same building, and with a missionary I already know, just in a new proselyting area). It is a little bit strange (I have only been here for one transfer), but I am excited. I am sad to leave this area, right when I felt that we were starting to build a little traction, but I know that the people will be taken care of, and the work will progress regardless. The Lord takes care of his sheep. I will miss the ward members, and the love I have felt here, but such is the life of a missionary (or so I am told--I am still wet behind the ears). I will be serving in the Louisville Ward, with Elder Christensen, our fearless district leader, and we are in car. 

        Speaking of cars, you don't have to worry about my safe driving for two reasons: one, I never drive because to this point it hasn't been considered worth the effort to approve me to drive, and trainees almost never drive anyway, and two, after a cold snap, the Colorado sun returned and melted all the snow in short order. The weather is funny here.

         This week has been a good week, and a tough week. More accurately, it has been a good week BECAUSE it was a tough week (funny how that works, isn't it?). At the beginning of the week, we had high hopes; we had a very full week of lessons scheduled, two with Jake, our baptismal hopeful, and a zone meeting with a guest speaker to boot. We were stoked. All went according to plan until Wednesday, when it all started to fall apart--every morning our phone would buzz, and we would watch our appointments fall through, one by one. We would show up to a lesson and have everything set...but no investigator. After the sixth or seventh cancellation, things started to get tense, and we really began to find out who we were as missionaries. It was a powerful faith building experience, and a poignant lesson on many fronts. The Lord does answer prayers, the spirit is a powerful force, and the Lord never ceases to shower us with tender mercies. This much I am coming to know. I am also coming to learn more fully the incredible power of faith, and how often we overestimate how much we actually posses. Faith is to have no idea what to do, no idea what to say, or where to go, but to trust enough to work your way to Plan W because you believe with all your heart the Lord blesses the diligent worker, those who do their best to serve him. Faith is to read a passage of scripture, then change your behavior because you believe the words of an ancient prophet who you have never met nor never heard, but trust to be inspired of God. Faith is to wake up and suit up and not give up, because you know you are doing the Lord's work, and you know He knows it too.
          Faith is power. I need to be better as harnessing it, but one does one's best. 

          I love you Family, I am grateful for your example in my life. Please, come to know that this is true for yourself. Read the Book of Mormon, and pray about it, then pay attention to how you feel. It will change your life in a wonderful way. Scout's honor!

With love and a grin,

Elder Hardy

(Sorry no pictures! A crazy week--I will send some next week, promise).

Snow Flies, Sun Shines, We Smile.

Dearest Family Mine,

     Thank you so much for your letter (and a big thanks to Ronnie and Lizzie for the handwritten ones!). I love hearing about my wonderful family. 

      And I'm glad you got that picture from Sister Hathaway--they are an awesome family from Idaho (Brother Hathaway reminds me of Uncle Rick...it is actually a little disconcerting from time to time) whose third missionary is returning from Hawaii shortly. They had three out at one time as well, so I think she sympathizes (and rejoices) with you, dear Mother. They are awesome missionaries themselves. Singing in Sacrament was a good experience, one that I hope will help stimulate the work. How grateful I am for the gift of music! Thanks Mom.

       Actually, along that same vein, I have a some long-awaited gratification for you Mother Dearest; remember how years ago, when I was fighting and fighting to get to quit the piano, you said that one day I would send you a letter thanking you for making me continue? Well, I got asked to play the piano for the baptism of an 8 year old boy whose family we had helped move in and had made a connection with--I was honored to say yes, and every moment that I was at those keys I had a silent prayer of gratitude in my heart going out to you, Mom. Here it is: thank you so much for making me take piano Mom, because it is a great blessing in my life. I'm only 7 or 8 years late, but I guess better late than never, right? I love you Mom, thanks for your encouragement and support.

     Dad, thanks for that shot of hope--just in these last few weeks we have again and again been that set of missionaries turned away, but I know that as we remain persistent and faithful, we can be the Lord's hands in blessing someone, that HE is doing the work, we just have to do our best to keep pace. If this work were easy, it wouldn't be worth it, and this work is the MOST worthwhile cause one can be engaged in, so only logically would it be, at times, a tough work. I love you Dad.

     Paige, your flying form is impeccable. Cherish the memories, but move onward and upward Sis. I love you buckets! Ronald, every time the Deacons pass the sacrament, and a Deacon walks by that is as tall as I am, I think of you. Thank you so much for the letter. You are a great guy, and I love you! Lizzie, I loved you letter--you are a ray of sunshine in my life that no Colorado sky could produce!

     Yes Mom, I have a coat and gloves and wool socks (all complements of my goodly companion, the prepared chap that he is), and I am staying warm and happy. It has been quite, quite cold here, but the day after it snows, the sun is back out blazing, so it isn't really that much of a problem. Snow blindness is a real thing however; I have never seen so many people wearing sunglasses in November in my life! It's funny and good.

      Only a few words about the Visa; we had a great mission conference this Saturday (Elder Baxter of the Seventy came--he is from Scotland. "English in it's purest form" as he is known to say), and I feel I solidified a very important lesson, one that I have been learning since I got reassigned, but have seen in the lives of others as well, that lesson being about circumstances. The knowledge that we have about God's plan, and our trust in Him as our all-knowing, flawlessly-loving creator can and should (though it often doesn't) provide us with a very refreshing and faithful look at any circumstance that we are placed in. If we TRULY believe that God does nothing but for our good and experience, than there is no circumstance that cannot be handled, because we know it is part of the plan! With that view, we are left with the simple (if not easy) task of simply doing our best to overcome and LEARN FROM the circumstances that we are in. Praying for a change in circumstances is not wrong, but praying for the strength to succeed in those in which we are placed will make us grow and learn in the way the Lord wants. I am excited to grow! (That being said,I had a funny thought as I ruminated my subject line this morning--I wrote the first part, "Snow Flies," then almost wrote "But Not Elder Hardy." I repented after allowing myself one derisive chuckle). I am glad to have the opportunity to learn to trust in His plan.

      This week was a good one, tough in some ways, but good. We were majorly blessed with a Member referral this week, the long in forthcoming fruit of Elders Quorum football games on Saturday mornings, and he really seems sincerely intent on learning--we have taught him two lessons, and he wants to read the Book of Mormon, so we are very excited about that. We are working to have him in a different member's home every lesson. Other than that great excitement, we have shoveled a lot of snow, done our best to stay warm, and continued the search for those who are willing to listen, A good week.

      I love this Gospel, and what it means. In PMG it says (Pg. 52, paragraph 3), "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." I bear testimony that that is true, and that if we can do our best to come to know and love and follow Jesus Christ, we can be healed, we can receive the strength to overcome all the challenges and struggles that come our way. What a happy message! What a blessing to know! What necessity to help others know it as well! 

      Know that I am well, I am growing, and that I love you all with all my heart. I smile as I write this because I know I am where I need to be. Great stuff! 

      

Your Loving Brother/Son/Grandson/Cousin/Friend/Acquaintance/Enemy (To cover all my bases...)

Elder Hardy 

Mission Conference Picture

Find Me! We almost got everyone to wear a red tie.

The Work Goes On!

Dearest Family Mine,

     I am related to a lot of busy, good-looking, and talented people! Wow! I guess I already knew that, but I love reading your new escapades every week.

     Mom, I love you. I think of you running around, helping everyone get where they need to be, helping singers get warmed up, organizing the band, getting music where it needs to be, fixing a costume or two, and THEN sitting down and playing the piano for two and half hours, and it makes me feel less tired. Thanks for that, and the million other wonderful things you do. (And I am doing good supply-wise. Thank you so much though!)

     Dad, we had our Primary Program Round 2 this week in sacrament, and I missed your comments at the end, that always seem to tie the whole event into a nice package, sealed with the spirit and delivered with love (and probably a tear-stain or two). You are a one-of-a-kind guy. Thank you so much for your example.

     PAIGE! You are a super-star! Your costume looks great, your expressions are priceless, and I already know your voice is gorgeous. Soak it up! Know that you have a big-time fan in Colorado. I love you so much. Ron-Dog, keep up the singing. It is such a gift to be able to sing, one that will bless you for all of your life. My one point of advice--learn NOW not to wiggle like a dying jellyfish whilst you sing; I speak from experience when I say it is a hard habit to break. I love you Brother! Lizzie, I am glad they put you in blue--I'm sure your eyes pierce hearts all the way up to the top-row of the balcony. Keep being good, keep doing your best, and enjoy it. I love you!

     I am glad to hear Grandma and Grandpa are doing well--give them my love.l Grandpa, you can be my designated flyer any day. Grandma, I think of you every night when I put my earplugs in--for all the wonderful qualities of my dear sweet companion, quiet sleeping is one he lacks (through no fault of his own, but it still gives me a good chuckle).

     I love what you said about "gathering up experiences," Mom; It nearly is an everyday occurrence where, when I lie down to sleep and begin to ruminate on the day, I see how the Lord has blessed me with little nudges here and there, little happenings that point me toward something I need to learn, something I need to improve. That being said, to say that I recognize all the ways the Lord is trying to teach me would be a grandiose falsehood indeed. Our Heavenly Father truly must have infinite patience; you would think after thousands of years of setting up learning experiences, pouring out miracles, and bringing people together only to watch your careful work be unrecognized or un-learned from would eventually wear someone down, but alas, He really is perfect. Sort of makes one realize how far one really has left to go down the road to perfection. In any case, I am trying my hardest to be grateful and aware, to see the ways the Lord is blessing and teaching me--I have a ways to go in that respect.

      An experience, then some connected thoughts. We were going around knocking on some doors the other day when we knocked on one, and a man came out polishing a very nice (and very sharp looking) gutting knife which he was just finishing up the handle on (I had no idea it was a gutting knife--he explained. I'll be a real Coloradan one of these days). After we recovered from our initial shock and fear, he invited us over to sit on his porch swing and to talk. He turned out to be a very nice, very devout man. After about ten minutes of hearing him ruminate on principles of faith and personal revelation so close to ours they could have come out of a Gospel Principles manual, we opened the Book of Mormon and began to flip to Alma 32, only to have him sharply tell us to stop, and to give him "bread," not "inventions." It stopped us dead. Though he had such a neat relationship with God, a strong faith in Christ and a desire to learn more about Him, his mind had at sometime been poisoned against the Book of Mormon. After a bit more discussion and he had dropped a few hints about helping us have an "experience like Saul/Paul," we walked away a quite sadly--here he was, searching for knowledge, his Loving Father had sent the answer to his door, and he could not accept it. 

      Cherish the Book of Mormon. Read it. Everyday. Learn to love it and gain a testimony of its truthfulness at all costs. If we know it is true, we know Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that this church truly is the Church of Jesus Christ once again on the earth, and that within it is contained the Priesthood authority to make lasting and binding covenants with our Father in Heaven, that we might return to live with Him again, that we might enjoy eternal life in His presence. Don't delay! If you have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, strengthen it every day! If you don't have one, get one! It will guide us peace, to happiness, I promise.

      Well, if I can get off my soapbox without rolling an ankle, this will have been quite a good week. I look forward to going to Bulgaria, but I love it here as well. Life isn't easy, but it life was easy, it wouldn't be worth it. (Man, I am just full of cliches today, aren't I?). I love you, family, and I love this Gospel. 

       Take care!

Love,

Elder Hardy

P.S. Could you forward my emails to Elise Hommel? Her address is elise.lhomel@gmail.com THANKS

Thanks for the Halloween Box!

No Visa, No Worries!

Well Hello, Family Mine!

      Thanks again for the wonderful letters and pictures--it is always so wonderful to see your bright smiling faces! I am so glad to hear that things are going well and that Grandma and Grandpa are feeling better. Tell them I love them.

       Mom, I am saddened as well to hear about the whole CYT fiasco--isn't it so funny how little is accurately known about what we believe? Every time I talk to people, it seems that I end up explaining to at least one disgruntled child of God that, believe it or not, we are Christian! No pagan worship included! It is so true that there is a lot of work to do, but when I reflect on that, I remember just whose work it is, and I don't worry quite so much--though to me it may seem quite improbable, if not impossible, that all will have the chance to hear the truth in its fullness, I then remember that with God nothing is impossible. Doesn't make it any easier to reason out, but I do know it to be true, so at least I don't have to worry about any more than doing my part. Isn't being on the Lord's team great? I love you Mom, and love to hear from you. Thanks for continuing to check up on my visa, and thank you for the wonderful Halloween package. I couldn't stop smiling. 

     Dad, thanks again for being worthy to receive that patriarchal direction for us, your children. We may be spread out, but it doesn't make you any less our Father! I love hearing from you, seeing your goofy smile, and feeling your spirit, though miles may separate us. I hope to become half the missionary you were, dear Father.

     Paige, I was alarmed to hear that now that you have assumed the prestigious role of fearless senior leader of the Hardy children, you have become so overwhelmed with your duties that you were forced to neglect the more enjoyable of traditions such as pumpkin carving; however, my fears were alleviated when I saw your choice of pumpkin--the ghost pumpkin combined with the simple sharpie message combined for quite the artistic effect. Minimalism is so in! I love you Sister, keep being wonderful. 

      Ronnie, I am sure you stole more than just Candy with that outfit--those 7th grade girls didn't even stand a chance! Keep smiling, and keep remembering who you are--we needle you constantly about being so devilishly charming, but don't let that keep you from your priorities. I love you little Brother.   

      Lizzie, that is possible the most creative and wonderful costume that I have seen in a long time--only fitting for such a creative and wonderful little girl! I love you, and think the world of you. Don't grow up too fast!

       This week was a good one, and a little bit strange--this Friday we had a trainers meeting up in Fort Collins, so we ended up carpooling with some Elders doing Second Transfer training. While this meant that we saved miles and had time to go out to lunch after our meeting (when theirs commenced), it meant that not a ton of missionary work went on that day, which was a bit of a downer (our curfew for Halloween was 6:00, so we barely had time to grab dinner and head home by the time we got back to Erie). On the plus side, they showed Meet the Mormons for all the new missionaries who had missed it, so I did get to see that. It was good--a good portrayal (if not perfect) of the diversity of those who follow the Savior, and certainly a spiritual pick-me-up.

     The work here is difficult, but good--Elder Carstens and I have been working on coordinating closely with the Ward to find those families in our boundaries who are open to letting the missionaries into their homes, so that we can help them feel the spirit and desire to come back to the fold. So many people have so many forces pulling on them from so many different directions, and it is saddening to see how powerful those forces that pull away from the true Gospel are. Satan is good at what he does, he truly is. We need to always be doing the little things, always be improving! How true it is that if we are not actively striving to get closer to our Father in Heaven, we will begin to slide away. Always be reaching, always be improving! It isn't hard, it just takes diligence. Read, pray, ponder, repeat. And come to church! It will keep us safe, it will keep us safe.

     We met a neat guy this week named Lee--we are hopeful that he will begin to read the Book of Mormon and feel it's spirit. He is going blind, but his attitude and trust in the Lord are amazing.

     "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" I love this work, and I love you. my family. We all need to be stretched in order to grow, and though it may be tough, it is always worth it. I know its a true principle, and as we stick to true principles, we will receive blessings. 

      I know this Gospel is true, and I love it. If we weren't ever tested, we couldn't ever become like our Father, and that is the goal. This is a happy Gospel, and I love seeing the joy that it brings to my life, your life, and the life of those around me. 

      Smiles from Colorado (where it rained for the first time today), and all my love. You are the best!

Elder Hardy


Sorry, just one!

Sister Thatcher and I rendez-vous at Trainers meeting. I spoke Bulgarian to someone, and she didn't look dumbfounded!

Greetings from the Land of Never-Ending Sunshine!

Hello Family Mine! 

     Colorado fact of the week: did you know that Colorado receives the most sun (or nearly the most sun) out of all the states? It has been sunny every day I've been here, which is crazy--apparently the sun shines 320-something days out of the year, even in the winter. Things that you learn!

     Glad to hear that everyone is doing well at home; I will continue to keep Grandma and Grandpa in my prayers. 

     Dad, thank you for the good advice (as always); the Lord gave me this chance to work here, and he expects me to use if well--the desire to go to Bulgaria burning in my heart shouldn't be a slowing point, but rather a spur in my side, prodding me to work HARDER here, because I don't know when my time could be up, when I could be called away with the work I've been assigned to do left un-done. Also, thanks for the update on the Yukls--let them know I am thinking about them! 

     Mom, thanks for your testimony and your love--every time we have dinner at a member's house, and I see a mother reminding her kids to practice the piano, I think of you and am grateful for all the love and reminding you have given me in my life. And we have car (our area is large). The first of the two primary programs was this Sunday, and I couldn't help but think of you--it wasn't the same without seeing your wonderful blond head pop-up every time there was a song. Though there were fewer kids in our ward than even half of this ward's, I think our kids sang louder. It was fun though--you have to love their spirit and energy! I love you.

     Paige, you look all too much grown in those pictures--I can just imagine all the little girls in the cast just following you around, basking in your glow. Keep up the good work, know that I love you, and am excited to see you shine! Ronnie, don't worry too much about "living-up" to your brothers that came before--if you keep being yourself (and continue to work hard and improve as I'm sure you are), you are going to be an amazing man; you already have so many good and unique strengths and qualities that are yours, that are specifically about Ronnie. My hope is to one day live up to the standard of the Third-Hardy Brother, in both stature AND success. You rock Ron-Dog. Lizzie, I love those pictures where you are smiling--your smile lights up my day, and I am miles away! (Rhyme!). Keep shining that smile and joy on those around you, and people will be drawn to you, to find out why you are so happy. Share with them why, and keep on smiling! I love you.

     The first full week in Colorado has been a good one, and a hard one; I am beginning to realize how blessed we are to have testimonies that are strong--people fight and struggle and flounder in this life, and all the answers lie at their fingertips in a wonderful little blue book, on their knees in earnest supplication, and before their faces at a worn but wonderful table covered in a pure and white cloth. It is painful to see how close all these sources lay, but how unwilling people often are to just reach out and take them. The spirit is so often beating so hard on their door I feel as though I would go deaf, but they just can't bring themselves to introspection, to pull out the earplugs. 

     We have been working on getting the ward excited about missionary work, so we have visited with quite a few members, and have been inviting them to invite their friends, to have the courage to just ask them to meet with the missionaries. We are hopeful that we can get some good referrals and find more people to teach (the constant struggle), and I have faith that as we continue to strengthen and invite, the Lord will bless us with success. There really are some great people in this Ward--I so badly want them to have a chance to feel the joy of SHARING their joy!

     Anyway, I digress--life is good here in Colorado. We had a funny experience the other day, but one that will hopefully lead to good; we were doing some door-to-door contacting (as Elder Carstens prefers to call it), when we ran into a guy named Wolf. He came out of his house and proceeded to tell us very energetically and loudly about his study of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Koran, and the Torah, and how we was actually an ordained Christian minister (we were a touch skeptical, as you can imagine). I must describe him--tall, long gray hair pulled back by a civil-war style cap (like the ones Rees had), one blue prosthetic eye, one brown real eye, a cigarette dangling in his fist, he was quite a sight. We kept talking to him though, and discovered that though he was very disgruntled with the government of Erie because they were tough on his Veteran benefits, he was actually a pretty nice guy, who cared about his community. We chatted for a while, and gave him a pass-along card to call us if anybody in the neighborhood needed any help (he had informed us of the numerous older people in the area), and went our way (after he had told us to be careful while crossing the street). It was a strange, but good experience. Everyone has the light of Christ!

     I love being a missionary, and I know this is the Lord's work. It is tough work, but the Lord strengthens us. Just as the stripling warriors stood firm, and were "undaunted" (Not even scared!) even when the entire army of the Nephites was crumbling around them, if we are obedient and faithful, we WILL receive strength, we WILL be preserved (Alma 57). They conquered, and so can we conquer the struggles that come into our life. 

     I love you all so much family--I am so blessed to be able to call you all Brother and Sister, Mother and Father, Friends.

Elder Hardy

(P.S. Can you add River Hopkins to the email list? Thanks!)

     

At the Ward Chili Cook Off/ Trunk or Treat. I can't believe he bid me up!

Greetings from the Land of Tall Mountains!

Howdy Family!

     Ok, so not everyone in Colorado is a cowboy (a disappointing discovery, I know), but the Tall Mountains part is true--they are a majestic sight to wake up to every morning.

     Thank you so much for you wonderful letter--it was a treat to see those awesome pictures (tell Hook, whoever he is, to take good care of that hat, and also tell Dad I am glad to see that he took the liberty of re-claiming his jacket, and also that his garden fence looks like it belongs on the cover of a home-improvement magazine). Also, that table you sat at at the Milk Bottle, was the one I sat at maybe a week or two before I left--I think you are actually in my chair Mom. I thought it was funny.          About the whole no-letter thing, President let us all write and send a note with the mission-home address on it and a message letting you know we were safe--I don't think I addressed it wrong, but that could be a possibility. In any case, I'm safe! There you are.

     Tell Grandpa I am thinking about him and praying for him--that sounds like no fun. I will think of him most definitely. Send him a big smile from Elder Hardy!

     Paige, I am so glad that you are having a blast--keep up the push to the end! You will cherish these memories for a long time! Ronnie, I'll have you know I did the whole contact-ordeal in middle school as well; count your many blessing that your vision is good enough now without them! Also, enjoy wrestling--you'll be surprised how often later you'll be glad you did. It really teaches a lot of things! Love you. Lizzie, know that I think you are the cutest braces-wearer this world ever did see. Keep up the hard work in all the facets of your life. I think you are a super-woman!

     So, the rest of the mission actually watched Meet the Mormons about two-weeks before I got here, because the Church made a deal with the theaters that there would be no missionaries attending any of the viewings at the theaters...so I'll probably see it in about two years or so. No worries. It looked good from the previews though!

     Dad, I think of you a lot out here. I mean a LOT; I am so grateful for the many things that you taught me through the course of my life about working hard, about being organized, about making the right calls, even if they are the hard calls. I think about your valiant service when I feel low, and it gives me strength in so many ways. I cannot thank you enough, Father.

     Mom, thank you for teaching me to how to be a respectful person, and how to have good-manners. We get fed dinner every night be the members, and I down every morsel, because of the manners you taught me. I know how to use a fork and a knife, I know how to respect the hostess, how to make polite conversation (not well, but it happens at least), and how to use a napkin. I know how to clean a bathroom well because of blessed little slips of green and yellow paper in that jar on you desk; I am so blessed to have had a Mother like you growing up. Thank you so much!

     Alright, so Colorado. I am in the town of Erie, serving in the Coal Creek Ward or the Boulder Stake--we are about an hour or so (around that) from the mission home, and in a quiet little section of Colorado; I say quiet because it really is quite a happy place--most people are doing pretty well, and life is taken at a slow pace. It really is a nice community, that doesn't seem to have too many problems. The Ward is HUGE (so big, they have to have two primary programs, on different Sundays), but it seems like there hasn't really been a lot of missionary activity here for quite a while. Because of the size of the Ward, a lot of people fall through the cracks, so we do quite a bit of visiting to those sort of people, active and less active alike. The Ward mission leader is a neat guy, a good guy, and the Bishop is nice as well. It was Stake Conference this past Sunday, so I haven't had a real Sunday in the ward, but I have met a good number of the ward leaders. 

     My companion is Elder Carstens, and he has been out about 18 months, but he hasn't trained in a long time, and it sounds like he had a rough time of it with his last greenie, so we are learning together how this whole training thing works. He is from Oregon (not near the Smiths though). He is a good guy, a big car lover. 

      These last couple days have been a roller-coaster in so many ways; from the joy of getting a referral, to the shattering despair of watching all your appointments fall through one by one, to the peace of a great Stake Conference, to the anguish of not knowing what to say to the preoccupied people buzzing by (our area is quite affluent), to the rising joy of a grateful smile from the non-member we moved (we quite a bit of service). I have to keep reminding myself that I am still adjusting, that I have a lot of skills to hone, that, sadly, not everyone recognizes the burning need they have for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and that not every person wants to try their faith, and feel the peace of the spirit.

      It is hard, but I really do mean what I said about feeling I am needed here in Colorado, and am trying to put it into practice in my everyday inner-dialogue. I would lie if I said there was never a moment where I wished that phone would ring and it would be President telling me to pack my bags, but I am working hard to erase those thoughts, and I am beginning to feel real love and concern for these wonderful people of Colorado, for they really truly are wonderful.

     I know that my Redeemer lives, I know that this is his work. I am striving to become more like Captain Moroni (I am studying in the war chapters currently)--he is grateful, humble, hard working, determined, and faithful. I am not as good as him though--I have to work hard to exhibit just one of those characteristics--but I know that if I keep at it, I can be like him.

     I love you all, I take so much joy in seeing your faces and hearing about you. You really are special people. Always be strong, always remember who you are! (Give our missionaries a referral or two--we as members truly are the best finders!).

So much love (but no Bulgarian Keyboard),

Elder Hardy

Our house--we live in the basement

Mountains!

The stables behind our house...

Last day at the MTC!