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
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