K.I.S.C (Keep it Simple, Старейшина!)

Моите Хубави Роднини!

     Greetings from Shumen! The weather persists in it's beauty, and so does the work here in good ol' Noisy Town. It was a slightly abnormal, but wonderful week. First off however, I would just like to say thank you so much for the wonderful letters this week--I really felt uplifted as I read your words. What amazing family and friends I have been blessed with! Keep letting your smiles and your light so shine to all those people around you. Sorry again, for the lack of pictures, but I will do my best next week--I just need to get my act together! I promise I have been taking them, however.

     Mother; inspiring words, as always! I so agree about the power of pure testimony--I have felt it many times, that no matter what the other person may be saying, in what ways he may to seek to turn one's words, there is no response for a humble testimony. There is no argument, no matter how well reasoned or presented, that can make truth turn to lie, can change eternal fact to mortal fiction. The truth may be defamed, ridiculed, misinterpreted and dressed up as falsehood, but it cannot be changed from what it actually is. To get off my soap box, I agree. Simple testimony brings the Spirit. I love you so much, Mother! Questions: Our group activity was painting Easter Eggs (and then cracking them on each other's eggs to see who was more healthy), we don't really eat meals together, or with Member families (maybe in bigger cities), I haven't as of yet (I will have to try sometime!), and yes, Elder Raisor is very musical--we are planning on doing a musical number here fairly soon. We actually have been doing good on eating vegetables! The cucumbers are so good here, I just eat them like a banana (that you don't have to peel!). The tomatoes are also extremely good. I love you!

      Dad, your letter was wonderful to read--thank you so much for your example to all of us of working hard, of leading the way for us. I really appreciate that you take the time to read and to ponder and to think of how you can help us. Just that thought alone made me smile. Know that I love you. This week I talked to a Doctor on the street, and he was explaining how he and his wife were going out to a Celo (a little village) for the weekend to get away from the flood of patients. I couldn't help but think of how you simply trade titles from "Doctor" to "Bishop," when the weekend comes around (and everyday in-between), and go from helping people's physical well being to helping their spiritual well being. It isn't exactly the calm and quiet of a Bulgarian Celo, but it has such greater rewards. I love you. Dad. You are a great example of a disciple of Christ.

      Paige! Wow, little sister, you are extremely beautiful. Have I told you that before? You truly are stunning. Those poor young men...in any case, just know that I love you and care for you. Remember that you are a child of God, one of his precious daughters. I am so proud of who you are, and what you have become, and continue to become. Always be that influence for good! You will be a bright light in the life of many. I love you, keep singing! 

       Ronnie, my brother. You look like you own that stage up there. You look good in black my friend! Remember, the greatest happiness in life comes from being obedient to God's commandments--if we surround ourselves with things that help us keep those commandments, we will be happy. I love you, good luck this week!

Lizzie--two goals! Teach me your skills! I am sure as well that it was a great lesson. There really is nothing like teaching to help a person to learn a subject. Only one of the in-numerous blessings of being a missionary. I think that you will make a wonderful missionary, one day, my dear sweet sister (if you decide to do so!). I love you so much!

     This week we had a long exchange with the Zone Leaders, and I really felt that I learned a lot of new things that we can apply in our area. I have been praying for the Lord to show us how we can see some real improvement and change here in Shumen, and I think these things that Elder Howard showed me will make that difference. Now the more difficult (but more rewarding) part: applying them! The big key I believe for a change to happen in my work especially, is going to be just learning to be more simple. I think myself into circles from time to time, musing over the same problems, and forget that I just need to keep it simple! A great reminder.

     This church is true, the truth that is here is simple and pure--if we can just learn to do what the Lord asks, we will be happier. The Lord's will is not always in line with our will, but if we trust Him, we can be sure that it will turn out for our good. Little by little, I am learning that Eternal truth. He loves us, he cares for us. Read the Book of Mormon!

With love, 

Elder Hardy the younger

Who would have thought, a few months later, we would be companions? Elder Raisor is standing next to me. This is from our first day in the MTC. Nuts!

(mom note: I think this is actually at the Bulgarian Embassy)

All it takes is a little Faith!

Family that is Mine,

      Greetings from the wonderful town of Shumen! The weather has really been turning to spring, and the town is coming to life--more people are out and about with their families, and everything has turned from brown to a startling green. Bulgaria really is a fertile land--even the pavement stones have buds it seems like. Life is good here in Bulgaria--we are getting by. We have been struggling to find people to teach this week, which has meant a lot of time on the pavement, but no complaints. If it wasn't difficult, it wouldn't be worth it! The Lord continues to bless us as we work hard. Truth. It sounds like this week was another great week for the Hardy family, busy as ever! I love it.

      Mother--you go! 10 miles is no small feat (pun!). I had a good chuckle about the whole adrenaline thing. I love you so much! If you say it when it isn't Easter, people would probably just be confused. Not sure actually! I will have to try it. They actually provide us with copies of the Liahona in English (as missionaries), so I should be all covered on that front. I really do appeciate it though! We study for personal study and things mostly in English (though I want to start moving away from that if possible, we'll see). There are a fair amount of people who speak some English here (many more in the bigger cities), and a lot of the youth know at least some English. If people have any interest in Computers, you can pretty much be sure they know pretty good English. I will start working on the Mother's Day call--we should be able to do it through Skype (Skype is very widely used here), so we just need to find a place to do it. Either the Library or with a Member. I'll get more information, then get back to you next week. I love you so much!

        Dad, you look so sweaty! That means that you are doing something right. Just to know that I love you a lot, and that I think very very highly of you. You are a great example to me of how to be a Father by how you treat my Mother. Thank you for the picture Grandma on the Zip-Line--I had a good chuckle! Have a great week!

        Paige, you are going to be a regular Chef Boy'R D! (or however you spell that). Don't worry too much about being an Alto--you're the wick, remember? Crazy. I love you, keep achieveing, keep being wonderful. Did I tell you that I think you are beautiful? Because you are! Be safe on the road!

        Ronnie, my little Brother, a bass? What? Crazy. I remember those days my fine friend--I hate to "break" it to you (Ha!), but it might last a while. Or maybe not! Who knows. In any case, keep singing--having some control over you voice only makes it better. And good luck this week! Remember, the most important thing you can do is be nice to people--populartiy is fleeting, but kindness endures, even if it isn't always recognized off the bat, or even at all. Take assurance in the fact that Heavenly Father notices, he cares. With that said, tear it up! If you get a chance, maybe send me a piece of your speech or something. I love you!

       Lizzie, I wish I had your soccer skills! Everyone here is wild about soccer--you would be right at home. It really is a beautiful sport. You are wonderful--remember, smile at them, be nice, run around them and score a goal, and then come back and help them up. It's a good system! I love you so much.

        This week Elder Raisor and I got back into the regular swing of things, after the crazy week we had last week. We had some great lessons with Jenny, but she is just not quite ready to make the covenant of baptism. She is so incredibly smart and spiritually in tune, but it all really comes down to that moment where we must make a decision, step out a little ways into the darkness, and allow the Lord to illuminate our path. We will keep working with her--she is a neat lady. 

         I have been feeling sort of all over the place this week, running to and fro, up and down, but not really getting much accomplished--not too great of a feeling. However, this morning, as I was reading in Ether chapter 6, verse 4, I began to realize something. These people, despite all their best efforts to prepare barges, store food, provide light, air, accomidations, were litterally just shoving themselves off into the Sea, and trusting no other navigation or direction besides the hand of the Lord to guide them to their destination. It just struck me how much faith they had! We truly must do ALL we can to be prepared, to take care of even the little things, but when it comes down to it, we must step back, and watch the Master make our efforts meaningful. Such a great truth, one that I wish I applied better, more often.

    We tried to help some nice old ladies with their garden this week, but they only let us help them for a little bit. Bulgarians are funny that way.    

I love you all so much, take care!

With a smile!

Elder Hardy,  вторият син

Let's Get on the Bus!

Family mine!

       Happy Easter! It was Easter here yesterday (Orthodox Easter is a week later), so it was actually pretty fitting that we watched Conference a week late--all the comments about Easter fit right in! Easter here in Bulgaria was actually really neat--just walking around on the streets, you can just say "Chirst is Ressurected" to people, and they will respond "In truth He is ressurected!", no matter if they are really religious or not. Sort of a neat thing! Christianity really is deep in the race here. This week was a strange week in that we traveled a lot (Sofia and Zone Conference), we had a group activity, and we watched 10 hours of Conference, but it was still a good week. It will be nice to feel like we can actually get some regular missionary work done this week!

      Mother; I knew I should have shined my shoes! Even from the other end of the planet, you keep me honest. I love it! And yes, in June, we will have a new Mission President--President Wilstead will be leaving! That is very strange to me. Also, have no fear--I got my toothbrush when the other Elders got transfered in, so all is well! Thanks for taking care of me. I love you so much, you truly are wonderful!

       Dad, thanks for the letter--the Garden Boxes look wonderful! It seems as if there were many talks this conference about parenthood and families and also about Fatherhood--I just want to let you know how grateful I am for the great example of a Father in Zion that you have been and continue to be to me. It truly is the greatest calling. This week in Zone Conference, Sister Wilstead gave a training about taking initivative, and the bottom line was basically saying "Do good things without being asked"--I felt right at home! Thank you so much for doing your part to teach us to take the initiative--as I look back, we certainly less than receptive students, but thank you for planting that lesson in us. I love you!

       Paige, that steak looks absolutely wonderful! I feel your pain about the cooking time however--as a missionary, the bottom line about eating pretty much comes down to how fast it can go from refrigerator to stomach and still be digestible, so at this point if anything takes more than a few minutes to cook, I start getting antsy. However, always remember, Personal Progress is worth it! I promise there will be a day when you look back and say "Wow, I am glad that I learned these skills!". It will happen! You truly are beautiful, I love you!

       Ronnie, you are a large man! It always feels good to go do something obscenely manly, like digging trenches when it is snowing outside. Puts some hair on your chest! Like we learned at conference however, true manhood is not about the weight we can lift, but much more about the lives we bless through rightious Priesthood service. How is your Quorm? I love you!

       Lizzie, you are a wonderful beam of sunshine--be careful with that drill! I remember how helpful you always are when we are doing family projects--keep it up! Being helpful is a quality that will serve us well all our lives. I love you so much!

       Not a lot of time, just a quick story from Conference--Jenny, our wonderful investigator, came to the Sunday Sessions of Conference, and the whole day we were just hoping and praying that someone would speak about the Sabbath Day (a serious concern of hers). As the final session was coming to a close, we weren't dissappointed (because it was a WONDERFUL session), but still hoping for something, even just one sentence, about the Sabbath day--then, lo and behold, what was the last topic? The Sabbath Day! The Lord truly answers prayers. We knew Jenny really needed to hear it, because about half-way through the talk, phones started to ring, noisy cars drove by more frequently, and then, to top it off, the video cut out, and we had to finish the session with just audio (after a few minutes of confusion). Despite the best efforts of the противник however, I think Jenny felt the spirit, and heard what she need to hear. They truly are prophets of God!

      I have been working on praying more earntestly recently, and it truly has been making a difference--how often do we just say prayers of gratitude? As I have tried to be better about that, prayer has become even more powerful and meaningful for me. I love you all so much!

        You are so wonderful! I sent Rees a letter (email), with his experience in it. He is so great!

With so much love,

Elder Hardy

Kozenak! Sweet bread for Easter!

We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet!

 It looks you all had a wonderful Easter and a wonderful birthday celebration--everyone is so large! Easter here in Eastern Europe isn't celebrated until this coming weekend, but it is such a big holiday, that they get two weeks from school, and everyone goes to visit their family--it is actually pretty neat. There was a huge line outside the Orthodox Church yesterday--those people who said they only go on the Holidays weren't lying! It is a neat time of year when we can all remember the Savior together, no matter the denomination. 

      Mother; sorry I wasn't clear! There is us and another set of Elders here in Shumen, that is all. Four total. It is great! I have been rationing my birthday candy (probably too much), but I really have been enjoying it--I keep it on the foot of my bed. I'll get through it all eventually! We will watch Conference this coming Saturday and Sunday (once all of the translations are uploaded), and it will be all in Bulgarian, so we'll how much I get. Apostles and Prophets use big words! However, the Spirit will surely be the same. We will just watch it as a group in the Building, off of a flashdrive with the files downloaded onto it. I love you so much Mom, know that you are wonderful!

       Dad, I absolutely agree about the studying in the morning--it never seems to be enough even now! Truly, the greatest happiness comes from serving the Lord, no matter the sacrifice. What a blessing it is to be a missionary!

       Paige; your hair! It looks very nice. The gas station is a very scary place sometimes--at first, it is just getting all the mechanics of it figured out, but before long, the numbers on the meter are the scariest part (especially in the "Burb"!). I love you so much, keep being a wonderful example.

        Ronnie; how goes your life, my little Brother? Keep being a goofball, but find those times to be serious as well. The trick is knowing when to be which! I love you so much, know that I think the world of you, eat lots of Spaghetti!

        Lizzie, you look like you are having a great time in those pictures! Keep being wonderful, always remember that I love you and that you are a daughter of God. (And score a few goals for me! Go Orange Bees!).

        Just a few thoughts this week. First, it is strange and good to be back with Elder Raisor--we truly have both changed since we were in the MTC together (funny what a few months can do), but we still have the bond that we developed there. He is a great guy. 

         Jenny is really starting to look ready for baptism--it is so wonderful to see the Lord answer her prayers as she seeks the truth. It seems that every lesson she says "How did you know to talk about that? I prayed for an answer to that last night!" She truly is an amazing woman with an intense desire to follow the Savior, and it is truly humbling to see how the Lord works through us, the thick-headed 19 year-olds that we are, to help one of His daughters learn the truth of His relationship with her. Every time we meet with her, I feel blessed to have the opportunity know her. 

         This week, especially with General Conference coming (or having already come I guess), I want to bear my testimony of the absolute vitality of having a testimony of a living prophet on the Earth in these latter days. For whatever reason, it seems as if all of the people in Shumen who have a desire to argue with us about doctrine picked this week to appear--as we talked with them, and asked them to consider the Evidence of the Book of Mormon for themselves, it so greatly strengthened my testimony of the necessity of having a living prophet. There are so many ways to interpret scripture, there are countless ways to reason and to suppose and to conjecture and to analogize and to literalize (are those actually English words? Not sure) religious topics, to accuse and to defame and to blame. The Lord is not the author of confusion. He speaks with one voice, to the Salvation of his beloved children. How blessed we are to have the priesthood authority here on the Earth again, to be able to receive that direction! I invite you all to ponder that as you watch (or re-watch, I guess!) General Conference. 

       I love you all so much, enjoy the pictures!

With a smile!

Elder Hardy

No time for captions, but I hope you like them! Thanks for all your wonderful pictures!