The Library we usually go is closed today, so no Bulgarian today, but I am just glad we found somewhere to go! Tomorrow is a HUGE national holiday in Bulgaria (the day when they were officially liberated from the Turkish Yolk), and yesterday was the First of March (a fairly large Holiday), so lots of places are closed today and tomorrow. Also, Martinitsi (it doesn't really work in Latin letters...) has started--I will send some pictures next week of what that means! I did buy a camera, however, I have not yet had much opportunity to use it. Thank you so much for the good advice--I am only going to be a missionary like this once. I am resolved to take more pictures.
Mom, you have fully become a CYT mother--all your children are in the shows! That is awesome. I am glad we can be a source of Gospel conversation for you--keep it up! Good luck tomorrow on your run; just think like Dory: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Thanks for the questions! Alright, answers:
1) I have tried all sorts of different types of breads--I never knew people could do so much with flour and butter and eggs (and LOTS of oil...). Also, I had never eaten Baklava before. Very good!
2) Our "Go-to-meal?" Luninitza (sort of like tomato sauce), spiral pasta, Kai-ma (some sort of mystery meat that comes in blocks and is very cheap), and lots of bread. We can cook it in advance, then just heat it up. Works every time.
3) No, unfortunately!
4) We head towards some appartment buildings, and try the outer door until one opens, head to the top floor, and work our way down, appartment door by appartment door. We go wherever we can get in!
5) At Zone Conferences only, usually.
6) I just say "Short on the sides, not as short on the top," and then just make do with whatever happens. It usually works out fairly well. It's easier when you are an Elder!
7) It is a little Keyboard, and we just have two hours, Sacrament and Sunday School.
8) Happy; you are all doing great, and the sun is out. Bummer: Not everyone on the street wants to listen to what we have to say.
Dad, 10 babies! Wow. You go! And I 100% agree about the power of the spirit to sustain--when we are tired, when things don't look as good as they could, we need to learn to turn to the spirit. That is the only source of comfort that won't ever fail. I love you Dad!
Paige, keep up with the piano, if nothing else, the Hymns. It will bless you in so many ways, your whole life. I only wish that I had worked even harder! Find the joy in it--that is when it stops being arduous to practice. I love you so much, you are beautiful.
Ronnie, you look like you're growing up so fast...keep being the great guy you are. Make sure and say thank you to all those people who came to see you--they love you so much, and I do to. I give the same advice to you I gave to Paige about the piano. It is worth it! Read PMG, start studying up now. You are a great guy!
Lizzie, your hair is so long! You look like an adorable little duckling. I bet that you play Fur Elise beautifully--keep developing that talent, because it will bless you now, and your family in the future. Keep being wonderful!
This week was a great week--on Wednesday we traveled to Varna for a combined District meeting with the Varna District, and it was great. We have some new Zone Leadership, and we are really excited to see the changes and growth that we can see here in Zone 3. I am surrounded by great missionaries! Exciting times.
We had a wonderful lesson with Jenni this week--after a great, full Sunday School we sat down with her and our group leader, Emile, and talked about the Book of Mormon, and she said that she knew it was from God, but would pray and ask to have it confirmed to her. After that we talked about baptism, and after we helped her to understand why she needs to baptized again, she accepted a baptismal date for March 28. The spirit was strong as Emile testified of why he joined this church. It is so important to have members with us in lessons! We are so excited for her to see how the Gift of the Holy Ghost will truly guide her in her life.
We also had a group party this week--charades in Bulgarian...so many nouns that I do not know! It was fun.
This week I was thinking about the importance of the fast offering--truly, as we give of ourselves to others generously, we fulfill the purpose of the fast. As we read in Alma 34, though we may pray and pray all day, without giving of ourselves to others, the fast does not have the spiritual power that it could. We truly have been so blessed by the Lord in SO many ways. We must give to those around us, we must.
Love you all so much! Good luck this week with everything!
Elder Hardy
Pictures didn't work! Next time!
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