Elder Tanner Hardy: Rug-burns and Repentance

Семейството ми!

Здрайвате за МТСто! Week four and still breathing! (And loving it!) That encounter with Sister Abram's mother was quite interesting, and a crazy coincidence--what made it even stranger was that she was riding shot-gun in the Sheriff's car at the time of our encounter. I was more than a little confused, but it was cool. It's a small world!

Will you please tell Grandma she is hilarious and I love her--I busted up laughing when I read about her calling, much to the confusion of my companions, simply because I was so happy and just...I don't know. It was just an enjoyable experience. She must be mighty in prayer!

Tell Paige to sing her heart out for me this weekend--I will send boy-ish thoughts her way. Tell Ronnie I am proud of him, and to always remember to put the Lord first, no matter what other priorities arise. Tell Lizzie I am proud of her and that I have to restrain myself from bragging about her Lexile (because bragging is not missionary-like; it is a struggle). I love you guys!

Сега, ще отговоря въпросите ти:

1) My favorite food here are the gyros--they are pretty killer. They make several kinds.

2) I play lots of volleyball (inside and out), and the most intense non-competitive four-square on the planet. Our zone loves it.

3) ALL the speakers are great--our last one was a member of the First Quorum of the 70 from Kenya. He had some great, simple, practical advice to offer.

4) I have seen Sister Ferris several times (though she just left for the field this Tuesday), and I saw Sister Brim earlier this morning.

5) I got the camera--here's hoping that it will work! (I haven't tried connecting it yet).

6) I can understand our teachers fairly decently (far from perfectly); as for native speakers? Not so much. Знам че Бог ще ни благослови със Дара на Езици!

All in all, life is good at the MTC--we hosted again (so we are beginning to feel quite old, even though we aren't even technically half-way done yet). Our investigators are coming along well, though one has been sick and we haven't been able to meet with him, and another doesn't like restrictive religions like the Arabs, so the Word of Wisdom didn't go over to hot. Other than that, they're doing great. Also, we now have a less-active we are working with (our teacher), whose name is Светослав, literally "Holy Glory." Bulgarians have interesting names.

Now, to explain the title; I learned something the other night due to my own stupidity (or maybe lack of foresight rather), that I found amusing and enlightening. I hope you all will benefit:

Some guys were sort of wrestling around after class, right before bed--a slight breach of rules, if not a ground-breaking one. I was walking to brush my teeth, and they were showing some moves, so I (absentmindedly) sort of drifted over there. Before I knew it, I was wrestling around mostly jovially with guy that, as I came to find out, is a national high school champion wrestler. Long story short, I have some pretty sweet rug-burns (from our lovely plush MTC carpeting) on my elbow, foot, forehead and temple, along with a wickedly sore neck to remind me to ALWAYS be exactly obedient, no matter how small it may seem. I was grateful to the Lord for reminding me of that lesson so clearly and so...painfully. There really is no rule to small, or no breach too innocent. (Don't worry, I have since sincerely repented). I plan on remembering the lesson for a long time.

I know the Lord has called us, every one of us, set apart missionary or not, to be on this earth on the last days for the purpose of helping others to come to know the Savior. I love you all so much! (Also, read Alma 13:20--always remember to read your scriptures!)

Please thank the Alleys for me--they sent me some delicious cinnamon bread!

Also, I sent the camera back--should be there pretty soon. And thanks for all the letters and love.(shout out to Kallie Garn and Aunt Nadeen for letters this week!)

Аз знам че това е инстинска Църквата на земята днес. Аз и Обичам! Аз те Обичам!

Старейшина Харди