Hello! Thank you so much for the wonderful letter, as always. The spirit that I feel as I read of your wonderful examples, escapades, and testimonies neer fails to give me a little boost. Sometimes one can feel disconnected from the goal of this work, but everytime I read these letters, it reminds me why I strive to teach these people--so that them and their children and their children's children can have the joy and peace and direction that are provided to one's family because of the Gospel. I love you so much!
Mom; the sickness has been going around here as well, but I believe I have managed to avoid it--I got a little cough, but soon recovered. It is so fun to hear about your running escapades--don't worry, it will get fun! For me, if I can get past the first 5 or 6 steps, it usually turns out all right. Keep it up! As for sending SD cards, it would probably be better for me to just buy them here--I still have my extra one, and the mission gave us a specific flashdrive to back up pictures onto, so I should be good. I had sent most of the pictures that I had taken (the important ones anyway), so as long as we have those emails, we are good. It is still a bummer though! No worries. In terms of a birthday package, Cliff Bars sound awesome, along with anything small and chocolate. Chocolate covered raisins are not really to be found here as well. Really, the things that you have sent before and the cliff bars...I trust you. I can probably get socks here, and the Hymn Books as well. Last request however, and it is going to sound wierd: Elder Kingsley has really been craving Buffalo Wild Wings Sauce--I am not 100% sure what flavor or whatever, or how one even obtains that, but if you could look it into that, it would be great. He is a great guy, and I think it would be fun to surprise him. You are the best Mom, and I love you so much!
Dad, thank you again for you wonderful letter--your encouragement and advice speaks volumes. I hope that the EMR gets up and running quickly--one of the investigators here in Shumen is a doctor, and I always think of you whenever we interact with him. Thanks for the council about my investigators--it truly needs to be the spirit that softens their heart and leads them to want to change, to become more like the Savior, to join this Church, to live his Gospel. Dad, the more I serve as a missionary, the more and more I appreciate the weight and responsibility of serving as a Bishop--I am sure I understand very little of the breadth and depth, but I just want you to know that I love you, and have immense respect for you. If we could put one priesthood holder like you in every branch in Bulgaria...it would do immesurable good. I love you, you are my example!
Paige. I love you so much, and just cannot get over how beautiful you are in that picture, and how much you look like Jordan! I am sure that you blew their socks off at Solo and Ensemble--don't worry about not going to State--if you were the girl who was a Freshman in Jazz Choir and a Sophomore at Solo and Ensemble, you might not be able to make it through the Hallways for the throng of people trying to get your autograph, and that would be annoying. I love you, keep strengthening your testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is so vital!
Ronnie, you look like a champ on that court! No sleeves, no worries, right? Have fun, score some baskets. Good times! Also, know that I am so proud of you for choosing not to play on Sundays--remember that, make it a concious choice, feel the spirit from that decision. It will be a strength to you in the future. When you sit across from someone in a lesson, and invite them to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy, you will have greater testifying power because you conciously chose to live it yourself. Remember that! I love you, read PMG, I think you are one of a kind, a rockstar!
Lizzie, I hope your finger gets feeling better! Jammed fingers are no fun! Also, have I already told you how awesome it is that you play the Cello? It is a very refined and dignified instrument for a very refined and dignified and disciplined young lady. And also a silly one! Always remember it is ok to be silly sometimes. Life is just better that way. When I grow up, I hope to be just like you Lizzie. I love you so much!
Thank you so much for the news about Sister Dilge--please, give Brother Dilge my love. It fills me with joy to know that you are so in tune with the spirit as a family. We will see her again, of that we can be sure.
This week, we have been pondering as a companionship about some of the council that we have been given as a mission about how to raise the bar with our work, to be even better than we have been, to really see the work progress. As I was pondering these principles, these high expectations and high standards, I came across 3 Nephi 26:9-11, and it really struck me about how the Lord expects his people to learn and grow--yes, he wants us to learn all we need to learn, to become all we need to become, do all we need to do. However, it is not wise or effective to try to work on everything at once--we must show true faith and application of those things that we have already have been given to learn and to understand and to apply before we move on. In essencse, I learned that you don't climb a mountain atttempting a standing broad jump from the base to the peak--it takes steps! It was a great revelation this week.
Also, we learned this week that, due to new missionaries being delayed, we very well could be losing the other set of Elders in Shumen, so it will just be Elder Kingsley and I here in Shumen this next transfer (we are both staying). Consequently, I have also been called to be the District Leader--if we do get new missionaries, then we will still have another set here in Shumen, and that will be our District, but otherwise, I will be the District leader of...Elder Kingsley and I. Not exactly sure how this will work, but I know the Lord will be our guide as we strive to do his work. I only hope that, with his help, I can fulfill these new responsibilities, whatever they turn out to be. Missionary work is funny!
I know this Gospel is true, I love it with all my heart, I want the world to know it, I know that the Lord will strengthen my weaknesses, which are many, if I turn to him. Mother, I agree--if we make it the desire of heart to know him, then will we be blessed with that opportunity. You are the best, I love you all!
Със трайна любов,
Старейшина Харди
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