Elder Tanner Hardy: "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