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