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/
Elder Hardy
Mission Conference Picture
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| Find Me! We almost got everyone to wear a red tie. |
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