Семейството Ми!
Mom; we teach English classes in our church "building"--there usually aren't a ton of people, so it isn't too terribly difficult, but it is still fun. They are more "discussions" as opposed to actual courses (we basically teach them a slower version of the lessons, then help them with their English. We do everything we can to make it a spiritual experience. It is actually really neat). We find students by giving everyone we talk to who knows any English a card with the information on it. People will sometimes call out to us in English as we walk by, so we always backtrack and give them an English card. We shop for food on Mondays at Kaufland (a German-owned "super" market that is about the size of a large Walgreens), but if something goes bad during the week (there aren't very many preservatives in the food), there is a little tiny corner store in the bottom of about every block, so we can pick stuff up at one of those. We still take an hour for language study, and I am starting to understand more--specifics still are sketchy, but I am getting more and more of the main thrust. I'll talk about the phone in a second. Also, I changed my mind about the plaque scripture--could you put 1 Thess. 2:8 on there instead? Thank you so much! I am sending a picture.
Sounds like you are working hard on your running goal (yea!), and that your Sunday School class is wonderful--we need to get some students for Sunday School before we merit a teacher of your caliber! I love you so much, and am so grateful for all you have taught me!
Dad, you are a wonderful example to me--I was making some personal/life goals the other day, and I realized that I was planning my life to be pretty much exactly like yours. I love you so much, and am grateful for you. Keep on running--don't hurt yourself, old man! Jokes--you're still a spring chicken! Love you.
Paige. Crazy fun and cool! You are going to Monterrey! Knock their socks off, little sister--when you went last time, you were the new kid on the block, now you are one of the leaders. Show them how it is done! I hope you know that I think you are beautiful and wonderful, and that I can't believe that you are almost 16. Too old! I love you so much.
Ronnie, it sounds like you are turning into the regular renaissance man; I just had an image of you coming home from your basketball game, pulling off your sweaty Nike Elites, and plopping down to just strum a few bars on the ol' guitar for the talent show. You know, just to pass the time before you take a lead role in the local musical, while simultaneously working on scouting and keeping up in school. You know, no biggie. You are awesome, I love you so much!
Lizzie, you hair is so long! Also, that is a nice looking jacket.When I am feeling tired, I should just think of you and I will get a shot of energy--you do that for people! I love you with all my heart. Keep it up!
Bad news first--I lost my camera, so I am sending pictures off of my companion's--I will get a new one as soon as possible. I most likely left it sitting somewhere, and it got creatively borrowed. That happens, no worries.
In other news, this has been a very interesting week--it started off fairly normally, but around Wednesday, Elder Kingsley started to feel very sick, and he broke out in a fever. Fortunately (but again adding another weird twist to the week), the Assistants to the President came down from Sofia this week to do a two-day exchange with us (they like to do exchanges with younger trainers, and Elder Kingsley is still fairly young in the mission). However, because Elder Kingsley was down for the count both days of the exchange, I ended up working with both Assistants--they switched off being inside with Elder Kingsley, and being out with me. They are both astounding missionaries, and I learned a lot--Elder De Saint Jour has an amazing ability to relate with everyone (we got everyone and their brother's number out on the street), and Elder Richard has a semi-photographic memory, and consequently has a larger Bulgarian vocabulary than a good number of Bulgarians. It was fun to work with both of them, and I learned a lot about what it means to truly be an effective missionary. After they left, Elder Kingsley still wasn't feeling good, so I have spent a lot of time on the phone and in the Area Book the last day and a half--if you had told me 12 months ago that I would go to bed feeling like a Bulgarian telemarketer the next Februray...I wouldn't have believed you. It was very good though--it definitely strengthened my Bulgarian skills, and generated the title to this Email. I will explain:
In Bulgarian, to say that you are looking for someone in particular (on the phone, or at a door), you use the same verb for "to search or inquire." As I was calling potential investigators, I came across a woman named Надежда: hope. Consequently, when someone picked up the phone, I found myself saying "Търся Надежда," which literally means, "I search hope." I had a good chuckle about that one.
The more and more I teach and study about the Message of the Restoration, the more and more I realize how vital it is that we recognize the prophet-hood of Joseph Smith, and come to know, from the spirit, that he was called of God and that he received the AUTHORITY to act it the name of Christ. There are so many voices that proclaim so many ways to know God, or even voices that say it doesn't matter what way you know Him, just that you know Him. Family, my testimony is that this is the way, and that there is no other way. I know beyond a doubt that Jesus Christ taught one Gospel, baptized by one authority, and that authority is here in this Church, because here is found His Priesthood. How blessed we are to know! If only everyone we taught could understand that principle! I invite you, family, to read the Book of Mormon, and pray to know if Joseph Smith truly was a prophet. It is vital knowledge!
In any case, I love you so much, and think the world of you. I am doing great. Love you!
Elder Hardy
Picture for the plaque - pick one!
Picture for the plaque - pick one!
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