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
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| Thanks for the Halloween Box! |
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