"Wow, we haven't seen that Guy in a While!"

Dearest Family of mine,

      Thank you so much for the wonderful letter--it is always wonderful to hear about your happenings! It is just incredibly hard for me to believe that Rees has almost finished his Service...where does the time go? And Dylan as well? Strange. Give them both a big hello from me! This week was a short one (how time accelerates!), a humbling one, and a wonderful one. The week started out great with a good Zone Training (everything went fairly smoothly, I didn't put my foot in my mouth too frequently, and the spirit was felt, so that was good). We were on Exchanges with the Elders in Blagovgrad (South of Sofia) directly after Zone Training until Thursday afternoon, and I stayed there in Blagovgrad, so I worked in a different city for a few days. It was weird (but good) to be back in a small city again. They speak with a strange accent down there, so lots of people couldn't understand what I was saying at first, but it worked out just fine. Other than that, Elder Magoffin played the piano for Brat Ognyan and I to sing "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" in Bulgarian together for sacrament meeting, and life is great!

        Mother; to answer your question, I won't be going back to Shumen for exchanges (they are in the Third zone, we are the First Zone), but I will be traveling to some other cities on this side of Bulgaria. And yes, the only change is that Turkey will not be part of the mission, so the new Mission President won't have to travel to Turkey, and can focus his efforts here in Bulgaria, which will be a blessing for him. I had a good chuckle about the "loosing Rees in the Airport" dream--it is the epitome of a Missionary Mother nightmare! Thank you so much for your strength and support and wonderful example to me, Mom. I love you so much. Thank you for raising us with music--it is such a blessing in my life!

         Dad, at this pace, you are going to be a scratch golfer in no time! It seems like every time you go, you say it is your best golf yet! I am glad that you had that time together--those truly are some of my favorite memories with you and your brothers. Say hello to all of them for me. Thank for your encouragement, and for the reminder of what the goal is; there really is no greater joy than that to see the power of the Atonement work in our own lives, and in the lives of others. What a marvelous gift he has given us! I promise I will listen up and dance my heart out.

          Paige; all of the Bulgarian students are finishing up the school year, and having Proms and things here--that includes them driving cars with balloons attached through the streets, honking their horns like crazy people. Please drive safe! I thought of you. I love you, Sister, keep being a great example!

           Ronnie, I am sure that during next week's show, nothing will go wrong, knock on wood. Ha! All jokes aside, I hope that you have a great week. In a little bit, you won't be the only Hardy-Boy at home! Give Rees a good strong hug for me. Also, I want a picture comparing your heights. It should be interesting! I love you so much, keep studying the scriptures, and make them the foundation for your life. It will bring the spirit into your life, I promise. I love you!

          Lizzie, now we can add Track Star to your prodigious list of titles! Always remember however, that the most important name we can bear is the one that we took upon ourselves at Baptism. It is the best one to be recognized by. I love you so much!

            This week was humbling--anytime that I participate in presenting training of any sort, it brings to my attention how very little I know. On exchanges this week it was brought to my attention again and again the areas that I have to improve as a missionary, and as a human being. The good news is that the Lord is a fairly patient teacher, and the spirit is a more than capable guide, so there is hope. 

              This week I thought a lot about choosing our faith and trust in God over our doubts, and how choosing our faith leads to joy, whereas choosing our doubts leads to misery. It really is that way! The Lord has promised us all such wonderful and innumerable blessings and strength if we will  just choose to trust in Him. It is not always easy, but if we choose, then endure, it will turn out for our good. The moment we allow ourselves to doubt, to "turn to the right or to the left," we begin in a downward spiral, the bottom of which is just misery. We can choose to be joyful, as we choose to have trust in the promises and covenants that we have made with our Father in Heaven. I know that that is true family, I have felt the witness of the spirit confirm that to me again and again. I don't always act perfectly on it, but I know it! I love you all so much!

Have a great week! Честито на всичките нови мисионери!

With lots of love,

Старейшина Харди, Младче 

Elder Magoffin and I!

 Last Sunday in Shumen! This is our Group Leader.

A pretty building in Sofia!

The Big City...

Dearest Family Mine,

      It sounds like it was a great week back in the Great White North! Whenever I tell people that I am from a place near to Canada, they ocassionaly respond "Wow, how do you live in a place that is so cold?". Geography is a funny thing. This week has been a good one, and a crazy one. Sofia is a wonderful, crazy, large (emphasis on LARGE) place. Any time, night or day, there are people out on the streets to talk with, and a large number of people (especially the young people) speak good English, which is a strange difference from Shumen. All in all, it is beautiful, and great. I still am a novice when it comes to the public transport, but I am figuring it out. The move was fine; a couple hours on a bus, throw luggage in a taxi, close the trunk with a Bungie cord, all good to go! It was good, I haven't had a chance to get all of my stuff unpacked yet, but I am close. My new companion is Elder Magoffin, a wonderful, dutyful missionary from San Diego, California. He has been in Bulgaria for about a year, and has been in Sofia for about 5 months or so, so he has a good handle on the city. He is a example of Christ-Like love, and quiet competence. He studied for BYU to be a Phsycologist for a year, and then came out. He is very calm, but has strong desires to serve the Lord. He also knows how to be a Zone Leader, which is very comforting, because I have pretty much no idea what I am doing. It works out pretty well! We are giving the training for Zone Meeting tomorrow, so send an extra prayer this way--I will need it!

      Mother, I am so proud of you! You both look absolutely wonderful. I am so proud of you guys. I am sure that your talks were wonderful, and that everyone there felt the spirit. I had a good chuckle about the whole weather-forcast thing--who would have thought! I love you so much. Also, thank you so much for the pictures! You all look so wonderful.

      Father, those are quite some water containers! I was very impressed by how geared-up you both are. You both really are professionals! We (Elder Magoffin and I) had a very good chuckle about the whole "The last thing I'll see is the Temple" sentence. It is very true! Also, it is funny that what you talked about this week was finding time to read the scriptures--that is exactly what we talked about in Priesthood this week. It is quite strange to go from being in a little tiny group, to actually having the full Block of meetings again, having a Branch President...it was quite a shock! It really makes me appreciate what you do even more as a Bishop. It is quite a responsibility! I love you!

      Paige, you are wonderful. Here in Bulgaria, Cathedrials like St. John's (except for hundreds of years older) are all around. There is a park near to the Church building (mission office) here that has pieces of ancient, ancient ruins strewn all about the park, just as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Crazy! I love you so much!

       Ronnie, that is quite the poem Ronnie--I really like it. Such simple, beautiful truth in so few lines! There is a difference, I promise you. It is not always easy to see, but it is real, it is tangible. Stick to that light, and don't let go. I love you little brother, keep up the good work!

      Lizzie, talk about a busy week! From the Cello to the Piano to the Soccor field to the race track, you have got it all under control! You look so grown up--remember that I love you, and that you are a wonderful light in the life of many!

       For our zone training this week, we are going to be working on developing the Charactaristics of Christ, especially humility and charity, and as we have studied and prepared, I have been coming to realize that, in the first place, I need to work harder on developing these attributes, but also what a huge difference who we ARE makes on what we do and what we accomplish. Our character really is the vine from which sprouts all of our deeds, words, actions, thoughts and efforts. He who is charitable will naturally give service, sacrifice for others, be polite, be courtious, and so on. It requires not only a change of our actions, but a change of our natures to truly become like Christ. I know that as we pray fervently and do all we can to develop those characteristics, we will become who we want to become, accomplish what we want to accomplish, and truly be a happy, effective tool in the Lord's hands. Read Chapter Six of "Preach My Gospel"--it is wonderful! 

      I love this work, I love you, and I know this church is true!

With a big Smile,

Elder Hardy

Here Goes Nothing!

Family Mine,

       I agree--it was absolutely wonderful to see all of your smiling (and slightly sleepy) faces as few days ago! Thank you for getting up! Aren't we so blessed to have modern technology in these the Latter Days? I was reading a little bit about Parly Pratt (or was it Sidney Rigdon? Someone) who served as a missionary for 25 years almost continuously, in a time when the Postal Service still rode on the back of horses. And I can see your faces with the click of a button! I agree with Grandma: "This is the future!". In other news, the last few days have been a little strange--it is funny how much can change in such a short time. Three days ago, I was planning who we were going to go visit in Shumen, and now tomorrow I will be on a bus for a new city, new people...strange. Now it is a frantic dash to make sure that I talk with everyone that I can--I may not have many more opportunities to declare repentance to these beautiful people here in Shumen. I really love it here in Shumen, and I know that Sofia is going to be a different world, but the good news is that the Gospel is the same. No matter where we are, the Book of Mormon is still true, there are still people who need to hear it. I love you all so much, да знаете!

       Mother, I love you very much--thanks for all that you do for us, and have always done for us. Is it weird to have a child in surgery? I think this is the first serious break (other than your own!) that we have had in a while. I love you, when I work out in the mornings, I think about you and Dad, out on the road, running away. Good luck this week!

        Dad, I think I said it while we were Skyping, but somewhere in the City Shumen, Northeastern Bulgaria, there is a middle aged Bulgarian man who knows that you are a Gynocologist, and that our last name is Hardy. If a few years down the road, you end up with a patient from Shumen, your welcome in advance! I love you Father, you are a great example to me. Also, we taught Jenny using the little Plan of Salvation Cut-outs (the little people, etc...) and I thought of you. It was very useful--she tends to want to know lots of the little details and all the intricate workings, but it was wonderful to just step back and to see the whole picture. I am so grateful for the simple, clear understanding that we have of God's plan for us. What a blessing to have the Restored Gospel!

        Paige, guess what? You can do it! Seminary is worth it! It isn't always easy (I am a testament of that--I was late PLENTY of times), but I promise it will be a base of sacred knowledge for the rest of your life. I cannot count the number of times I have been grateful for the knowledge I gained in Seminary, now that I am a missionary. Keep being awesome!

         Longboarding? At least it is a decent story, not something like "I slipped on the stairs" (though that is a real danger) or "I tripped on my shoelaces" or something. In all seriousness though, hope you are doing ok, know that I love you and am proud of you. In the end of the day though, I just glad that..."Ronnie's not dead, Ronnie's not dead!", if you catch my drift. I hope you still remember that. I love you!

        Lizzie, you look like an All-Star! I love you lots, and am so proud of you. Keep being so wonderful, and score some goals for me! 

       Not a whole lot more to add, seeing as we had the chance to talk on Saturday, but time for one fun story; we were in a block fairly late last night, and we came upon a black, sort of reflective windows, such that one can see out, but the person outside cannot see in. After we rung the doorbell, we waited, waited, waited, and were about to head down the stairs to the next floor when we hear "Good Evening", in a deep resonant voice come from behind the door. It was quite a shock! After about a 2 minute conversation in which he explained that we couldn't talk at the moment because he was just in the shower, the disembodied voice named Evo gave us his phone number and said we could come back on Thursday to talk, then bid us good night. Elder Raisor and I just looked at each other, looked back at the door, at each other again, shrugged, said a small prayer of gratitude, and walked down the stairs. The Lord works in mysterious ways!

       I know this Gospel is true, I love you all so much. Have a great week!

With Love,

Elder Hardy

       

Всичко Нормално!

Dearest Family Mine,

      This was a good, normal week. We had good exchanges this week, and we continued the search for new investigators. The exciting potential investigators that we made contact with last week have stopped answering their phones (a frustratingly common theme), but we found a few new neat people that we will contact this coming week, so everything is all good. I am really learning that you cannot let the little things get you down, especially when many of those things you have very little control over. I must have a pretty thick head, because I am beginning to realize that the Lord has been trying to teach me that lesson this whole transfer. One of these days I will learn how to be more quick on the uptake! On the more positive side, we got a call from Jenny this week, that she has read through Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, and she wants to talk about some questions, so we are very excited about that. All in all, life is good, and the work goes on!

      Mother; so for Mother's Day, because we have to use the Library computers, the best time that we could find, when the Library will be open and we can come will be on Saturday, May 9th, at 4:00 PM. I know that that is going to be very very early on Saturday morning for you, but the Library is closed on Sundays, and closes at 5:00 on Saturdays. I also realized however, that I am not sure of your Skype address, and that I don't really have a Skype address. It is Ronald.Hardy8. correct? If not, we will figure it out, somehow--we can talk to Elder Raisor's parents, and they can call you or something, or I could just get on my Email really fast to see what your name is. In any case, I hope that that will work out. It will be good to see you guys! Also, thank you so much for what you said about foundations--you always seem to know what to say. I love you Mother!

      Dad, that is a really neat story about the Ward Council in action! That is one thing that I am glad that I got to be a part of when I served in Colorado--it truly is a powerful thing to come together as a group of followers of Christ to help serve those in the Ward. Have I ever met this Scott man? I probably have, but just have a bad memory. Also, know that I am very impressed with both Mom and you--10 miles is an awesome run! You are both going to be so fit (and probably already are!). I love you, and am great for your example.

      Paige--it still is a little bit strange to me when I think about you driving everywhere...be safe! I love you. Do you drive Ronnie around everywhere yet? Know that I love you and care about you. Don't cut off the real foot on accident!

      Ronnie! Wow! That is so cool! You are going to be a great ASB President. I can see why you won--assuming that Northwood is 50-50 girls to boys, you only needed your own vote to tip the tide! All jokes aside, little Brother, that is wonderful. Always remember who you are, and what you stand for. You have a great opportunity to help a lot of people. Remember the principles of Christ-Like Leadership in Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-end of the chapter. I love you so much, and am so proud of you. What a man!

      Lizzie, I love you so much--Sabers? That is pretty big-leauge! You have so many talents, you couldn't hide them under a Bushel even if you tried. I love you so much little sister. How is your scriputre reading?

      Little by little, the Lord teaches us what we need to know. This week, I realized something about prayer. I am not sure if I shared this before, but here it goes. When we pray, we know that we don't pray to change the Lord's will, but rather to bring our will in accordance with his (See Bible Dictionary "Prayer"), and I used to always take that to mean (maybe subconciously) that we shouldn't expect to always get what we pray for, even if it is a good thing, that we need to say, in the end, "Not my will, but thine be done." However, what I realized this week is that just because something is the Lord's will, not our will, does not mean that the Lord is denying us a blessing or something of that sort. In the end, what is his will for us in the first place? To be happy here, to learn, grow, and to live with Him again! The things that are according to His will are not just rejections of our requests, but improvements. We have to remember that, no matter how it might appear, He has better things in store for us than even we do. That is why we have to trust Him. If we truly trust Him, then "Not my will, but thine be Done" becomes a declaration of Joy, not a groan of relentment. It was an epiphany! Not sure if that made sense, but suffice it to say, that if we do all we can to bring our will in line with His, we will be happy. That much I know. 

      This church is true, I love you so much!

With love,

Elder Hardy