Just Listen!

Dearest Wonderful and Beautiful Family!

      What a great week--I had no idea that Paige would be traveling to New York this week! I am glad to hear that you are all doing well, and that everyone got where they needed to be without any problems. The Hardy's have been all over the place this week! I love you all so much.

      This week has been a good one--we were on exchanges with Ruse this week, and Ruse is a really beautiful city. We didn't really get very far because there were a lot of prepared people walking the streets, but that is absolutely no reason to complain! I worked with Elder Machen, who is from Idaho Falls, actually really near to where the Bingham Family lives. It was good to work together. After that, we had a group activity where we played team building games together as a Branch, about how we can avoid temptation, and come together as the "Body of Christ." If you have not read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 recently, I recommend it. They really are great verses. Other than that, it has been a good week--we have struggled to get members to our lessons, but that happens from time to time.

        Just a quick testimony about Senior Couples--there is a Senior Couple here in Varna, and they really are such a huge blessing to the Branch. They give great talks, are a great wealth of spiritual knowledge for all the members, and can fellowship in a way that we as young missionaries just cannot (and really should not). I have a "warm desire" (as the Bulgarians say) to serve when I am older. They are great!

       Mother; Uncle Brandon, the mountain man strikes again! Tell him I like it. I never realized it until I started driving, but driving for that long is no small task! I thank you so much for all that you have done for us over the years, driving us all over the place. I love you so much Mother!

        Father; Our investigators are doing pretty well--our most progressing investigator (with the Family) is doing well, has a desire to be baptized, but is just unsure of when. We are very hopeful for her, and for her husband eventually. Other than that, we have some good potential, but haven't been able to meet enough to see some real progress materialize. In terms of what people usually think about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith...a good number of people think that we worship a God named Mormon, and not Jesus Christ, or that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon (though I think that is fairly normal). Some people are pretty skeptical about why the Church started in America, when they point out that the original 12 Apostles walked these lands (or nearby). The idea of a general Apostasy is not very well understood here in general (at least by those who are religious), but there are still people who are willing to talk. There are 3 youth,1 Primary Child and one in nursery age child in the Branch, and only two of the youth are active, but we do interact with them on Sundays. They really are so different from the other teenagers that we meet on the street--it is night and day. The Holy Ghost makes a difference! With time, they will be the ones going on Missions, coming back, and being the anchors of the Church here--it is exciting. Dad, I love you, have a great week!

      Rees; does Eric have a massive beard and mustache? I love you so much Brother--my companion right now reminds me of you from time to time, which is sort of strange, but in a good way. I love you Brother, do great things!

      Paige; world traveler! Glad to hear that you are safe and sound. I love you so much Little Sister, keep being so wonderful, be a great example to all those around you!

      Ronnie--how is your summer going little brother? I love you so much, be sure and do great things this year, read your scriptures!

      Lizzie; movies in the car? What? It is ok--of all the children that won't be screen-i-fied (to use a Dad-esque word) by watching movies in the Car, it is you! I love you little Sister, keep being a good example!

      Just a quick thought about listening--I have really been trying to be better about thinking before I speak, about hearing what others have to say, not rushing to conclusions, and really saying what I want to say. Elder Dahneke is REALLY competent in Bulgarian, and he has been helping me to learn to speak more clearly and more understandably, wiping away the old habits that I had gained from months of just "making it work" in Bulgarian. As we listen to those around us, we open ourselves up to the voice of the Holy Ghost to whisper the ways that we can help them the most, to help us notice the subtle things that they are saying to us without even meaning to. I have the tendency to just...speak. The Lord gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason! I know that as we learn to observe those around us, the Lord will be able to open our eyes to opportunities to serve, to help, to heal and to nurture. Listening is a sign of love, is a sign of caring for others more than we care for ourselves, a life-long skill. 

      I love you all so much, have a great week!

Smiles!

Elder Hardy

 Almost every day we walk by this Massive Cathedrial. It really is gorgeous!

Pictures from the Activity!

And again! We are flipping over the blanket without stepping onto the floor.

"Quick, chase him down!"

Family Mine!

     Thank you for the wonderful letter. It is strange to think that the School Year already is approaching--how the time flies! I am very glad that you are all safe and sound; fire is a frightening thing. We had some rain here this week (Sea-side rain--sunny, sunny, all of a sudden torrential downpour!), and I will pray for some there as well. 

      This week we gave a Zone Training, and it went fairly well--we taught about answering tough questions, and discerning needs to adjust teaching. It was another testimony to me that really the Lord inspires us to teach things mainly for our benefit in learning them, because two days later, we had a really nice lady that asked some of the same questions that we had used as Role-Play situations for the training! The Spirit really is the ultimate answer when it comes to discovering the Truth of God--there are few greater gifts that we can receive than a confirmation of the truth through the power of the Holy Ghost. As we seek to understand our questions and to find answers in that light, a loving Heavenly Father will always give to those who honestly search, according to their language and understanding. What a blessing!

       Mother; there is one street that leads near by the sea that we sometimes walk on--it really is quite beautiful. We stay nice and far away from the beach though! The town is actually on a bit of a peninsula, so there is a lot of the City that is near the sea. It doesn't usually smell like the sea, but from time to time we get a whiff! And that really is the truth--as much as we may not understand, the Lord knows much better than we the things that we need to learn and to understand, and who we need to serve. You will do great!

      Father; thanks for the picture and the note--it is always fun to hear your voice in the way that you write. I love you lots, Father, have a great week!

       Paige; a junior already...you are going to do great! Remember what the Lord says through Isaiah--if we keep the commandments, our peace will be like unto a river, and our righteousness as the waves of the sea. You will probably, throughout the course of the year, feel a little bit less like a peaceful creek and more like Niagara Falls during flood season, but always remember what is the source of peace--choosing to do the right. Get close to your scriptures, seek peace in them, and I now that you will be able to overcome any stress that you might have. It sure helped me! I love you little sister, have a great week.

      Ronnie; I love you little Brother--keep doing good. Are you old enough to go to dances yet? Almost? I need you to do a little bit of охрана за мене. I love you so much, have a great week!

      Lizzie; wouldn't it be great to have Mother as your Young Women's Leader? Talk about a fun time. I love you so much little Sister!

      A really neat story this week--we were rushing back into Center for an appointment last Monday evening, and we were running just barely on time, when I see a short, sort of confused looking man walking towards us. When he first came up to me, I sort of hesitated--usually when confused looking men wander up to you late in the evening, it does not usually end up in a Quality Gospel Conversation. However, he seemed harmless, and said (in broken English) that he was a Sailor from the Phillipines, here in Varna for a few days. We were in a rush, so I told him that we had to go, gave him a brochure, and we were off, hurrying on. As we were walking away however, we both had the impression that we needed to go back and talk to him, so we did an about face, and ran-walked back up the street, chased him down, and started to talk to him a little more. We came to find out that he was actually a Melchezedek Priesthood holder, working 9 months at a time on a ship to be able to support his children in their University Studies, and that is why he recognized us! We were able to show him where the Church Building was, and he, by another tender mercy of the Lord, was able to get back into town the next day for Branch FHE. Right before we left that night, he shared his testimony of how grateful he was that he had the Gospel, and for the chance to get to meet with a few of his Brothers and Sisters, so far from home, in a foreign land. The Lord knows EACH of us individually, that I know for a fact, for a fact. 

      I love this Gospel, and know that it is true!

With lots of love,

Elder Hardy

Just keep (not) Swimming!

Family Mine!

      Thank you for the wonderful letter! It is always so great to hear about all of your great escapades! The brave firemen of Spokane Washington will definitely be mentioned in my prayers tonight! I am glad to hear that you are all alive and safe, and that everything is all in order. What a scary experience.

     This week has been really quite good--we had a leadership training this week, and Elder Dahneke and I's training went well, despite the fact that we had only been together a week. He really is a good, thorough, deep thinker. I enjoy working with him. We trained about how to give a good companion exchange--they really are important opportunities to learn and to grow. The rest of the meeting was really wonderful--there really are some great, inspired missionaries in this mission. Elder Slinker (the dairy farmer from Kentucky) gave a great training about being fearless, and talking to everyone. He really is a great example of it as well. All in all a great meeting and a great week.

    Mother; it is a branch here, but there are only one or two primary children, but there are twin 14 year old girls who really are just rays of sunshine. We have one or two couples from England who have retired here to Varna, but other than that, they are all Bulgarians--we have visitors from time to time from all sorts of countries, but they are just here on Vacation. We had a family from Japan here yesterday. In terms of Preparation Day, we usually are pretty busy running around from place to place--we try to talk to everyone we can, so it usually takes time to get places. We go to Kaufland, then to an internet hall near the church, then we will usually spend the rest of the time cleaning or planning for the week--we have had to give some training recently, so we usually work on those if we have any leftover time from preparation day. Sometimes we have appointments if people cannot meet other times, and if we don't have any training to plan for or anything, we might go to a park and throw the football (we did that in Sofia once). We are asked not to meet in groups of missionaries at any time, and there are only 4 of us in the city anyway, so it works out. They are usually pretty busy, but good--it feels nice to be organized for the coming week. 

     Father; it blows my mind that Seth is already leaving! He will be a great missionary. Will you send me his Email address? Thank you so much for all that you have done in teaching us how to exercise our Priesthood, Father. It really is a great and important responsibility, and one that I have seen accentuated as I have served as a missionary. There is power in righteousness, there is power in service. Thank you for your great example. Now go get some sleep!

      Paige; you are quite fashionable! I am sure that you dance like a star. Being just a dancer definitely gave me more respect for those who really are good dancers--it takes some serious skill and strength! Are you keeping a record of your talks? I hope I can read them sometime! I love you, keep being wonderful.

      Ronnie; that does look like a great group of friends! I hope you enjoy being taller than Nathan--not sure that it will last! How is the deacon's quorum doing? I hope that you have the chance to serve together, to help others. I promise that it will bring you joy, that is will bring you closer together, and it might even be fun. I love you little brother!

     Lizzie; little Areya sure has a great "Aunt" to look up to! I love you, keep choosing the right, keeping being an example of joy and happiness for those around you. It will bring you peace, and the same to those who come in contact with. I love you so much!

         Many miracles this week, but one especially great one. We had just finished what turned out to be a less-than-successful English Discussion due to some interesting opinions that flared up, and were headed to an appointment in a taxi, with a member with us. When we got to the place where we were supposed to meet our man, he was nowhere to be found, and when we called him, he just said he wasn't feeling well, and we could meet another time. It was around 8:00, so we decided to start street teaching home, and the member decided that he would tag along with us. Nothing was going well, nobody was stopping, when we got the impression to stop street teaching and start tracting--the first enterance we tried was locked, but to our great joy, a nice baba came out and unlocked the door for us, as she was going out to throw away some trash. Long story short, the last door that we had time for, they (a nice, young couple) opened up, told us to wait 5 minutes, invited us in, and we had a great first lesson (with the member present!), and even a return appointment. It was a great blessing. The Lord truly does bless us when we keep going, and just don't give up! There really are few inadequacies that cannot be overcome by consistency and love. Charity really is the vine from which springs so many other qualities--if we love someone, we are patient with them, if we love someone, we are kind to them, if we love someone, we don't give up on them. I know that as we develop true Charity for those around us, we will more quickly become like our Savior, and be an instrument in his hands to do his work. There is no greater joy!

     I love you all so much, have a great week!

Smiles,

Elder Hardy

Elder Dahneke!

The perks of living on the top floor...

The Hobbit-Hole Stairs!

The Young(ish) Man and the Sea

Dear Family Mine, 

     Thank you so much for the wonderful letter! It is always great to hear from you. I am so excited that we converted more Idaho Hardys to the Washington side! It will be really neat to be so near to them. Also, congratulations to Rebecca and Tyree! She really is beautiful, such a precious Spirit sent from our Father in Heaven. What a blessing. Give them my love. All in all, it sounds like a jam-packed, great week.  I love you so much!

     This week has been a good one for us as well--Elder Dahneke is great! It was quite comical when we figured out that in fact I HAD read his letters before I came out--it made me feel very young in the Mission, and him quite old. He really is a great man and a great missionary. Life is a little bit different here in Varna, but everything is great. We talk with lots of tourists (I might end up learning Russian by the end of the summer...not really, but still), people coming from the beach, the whole nine-yards. We have had some neat experiences, and we are working with a really neat family right now, so life is great (not that it isn't usually, but still!) It has been such a blessing to be able to sit before them and promise the blessings that the Gospel can bring to their family, because it not only brings me such joy to think about the joy that they will have, but also deepens my own testimony of these blessings that I so desperately want to have in my own family. Family is truly ordained of God!

     Mother; the birthday lunch! I am so glad that you do that for our Ward--it is so true that just as our normal families need nurture and together time to be strong, the same is with our Ward families. What a blessing for our Ward! (And for those who seek delicious leftovers!) The Branch here in Varna is a lot smaller than that of Sofia, but much bigger than Shumen--the members truly are wonderful. Also, I actually went on-line with the Office Missionary Couple in Sofia before I left and ordered a new set of scriptures, so they are on their way--I will just pay for them out of my personal money--we are still not sure about the blessing, but they were going to look into that, and then get back to me, so I will let you know what comes out of that. I love you Mother!

     Father; you look about as happy as a Grandpa in that picture with Areya! Thank you so much for your letters and for your encouragement--it really is true that the experiences that we have as we truly feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost are precious. It is something that we must always be aware of, we must always be seeking. President Barclay told us something that I hope to never forget-- "At the end of the day, there are fewer greater blessings than that of hearing the voice of the Lord in our life." So true! I love you Father.

       Paige; the "Burb" will live on in our hearts, but she has been called to help others to create timeless memories now. Create some good ones in the new one! I love you Sister, have a great week!

       Ronnie; I love you little brother--does Paige drive you around a lot now-days? I hope so. Take care of our Sisters for me. Read Preach My Gospel! I love you.

       Lizzie; in the branch, there is a young boy who is 10 years old, and is very smart and funny--he reminds me of you! You look very grown up in those pictures. Always remember that I love you and care about you. Have a great week!

      I really am sorry that I do not do a very good job of portraying every-day missionary life--it is harder than I thought to describe! 

      I just want to share a quick story; this week, we met with a really neat man, who throughout his life has gone through many difficult situations, but somehow despite his impossible circumstances, and to his own surprise, has truly built for him a successful and good life. As we talked to him, it struck me extremely sharply how as he talked about the things that he did that drew him out of the hole that he had found himself in, they were all, without exception, principles of truth, principles of God, things that we learn and understand through the restored Gospel--honesty, faith, determination, strong moral codes, etc. These principles, are eternal, whether we realize it are not. We have the great blessing of learning those things, and being able to know how to LIVE THEM, as we live the commandments that our Father has given us. As we have begun to teach him, it has been such a miracle as we have begun to see the connection between the success in his life, and these principles of God. I know, that as we keep the commandments, we will be blessed, that is an irrevocable FACT. I love this Gospel, I know that it is true. It may be hard, but as we live it, we will always be blessed, without exemption, without exclusion. 

     I love you so much, have a great week!

With love,

Elder Hardy

Ти си за Варна? Аз също! (You're headed to Varna? Me too!)

Dear Family Mine,

      Wow! Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures and stories and love. I really feel so extremely blessed by the Lord every time I read your letters. How did a guy like me end up with such a great bunch of beautiful people? I am so grateful for your strength in the Gospel and the love that I feel from you. How important it is that we share that with those around us! In any case, this week was a great, great week, but with an interesting end--I am being transferred to Varna! From one end of Bulgaria to the other. The funny (and surprisingly useful) thing however, is that for the last few weeks every other person that we talk to seems to say "call me in two weeks--I am headed for the Sea!", and now I can say to them, "Hey, me too!". I then get to explain that it isn't really a vacation, then they wonder why I am going to Varna in the beginning of August for anything but a vacation, and then we get to explain about EXACTLY why we are here...it works out fairly nicely. In any case, we had some good exchanges this week, and Elder Howard and I have been seeing some neat miracles as we have been trying to push ourselves to do more. I am a firm believer in Doctrine and Covenants 63:7-10--the Lord does not give signs and wonders to people to BUILD faith, but rather to those who exercise faith, for the blessing of those around them. In other news, everything is great--we are sweating our brains out, even at night (nightly planning is like a sauna sometimes...), but it is great, I love it. 

        Mother; Thank you for all the pictures! I will try to send more, but I always forget to take them, is the problem!I have hope that my scriptures will be put to good use--there are quite a few English speakers here in Bulgaria. In terms of getting them back, I think we can order some from the mission office here, but if not, I will get back to you. The one thing that I will have to ask about is my Patriarchal Blessing--it was inside my scriptures. If I cannot get one sent here, I will let you know. Thank you so much though! We don't have a ton of children here, but there are two little girls (age 9 and 12 I believe) whose parents are inactive, but they come all by themselves, because they want to come to church. They are a great example to all of us. I love you, have a great week!

        Father; I love that picture of you and Paige at work! I had a good laugh at it. I am grateful for the example that you give to me. Have a great week, I love you so much!

        Paige; have I told you that you are beautiful recently? Because you are! Keep working hard, keep being who you are. Take care of the rest of them for me. I love you!

       Ronnie; the Lord answers prayers! I know how you feel--several times I have gone on exchanges, gotten to the city that we were traveling to, and realized that I forgot something important--it is not a good feeling. I have learned a lot about not worrying about things that I cannot control as a Missionary. What matters is finding a solution, not mourning the loss; I am not perfect, but is a good lesson. I love you little brother, nice haircut!

       Lizzie, I love you little Sister. I am glad that you get to spend so much time with our Mother--she is a wonderful woman, truly. Keep reading your scriptures, have a great week!

        I know that the power of the Holy Ghost is real, that he truly is the means by which our Father interacts with us, his beloved Children, here on the Earth. If I can think of one thing that I have learned from my time here in Sofia, it is that the Holy Ghost is a key part of the life of every person, whether we recognize it or not. There are so many ways that His influence has been explained, there are so many different theories and ideas that try to explain what is and from where comes his power, but I am so grateful that in our days, the truth about the Third Member of the Godhead has been restored in its fullness, its beautiful simplicity. He is the comforter, he guides our steps, he confirms truth, he flees at iniquity, he is made manifest in great power and glory, but more frequently in quiet whispers and subtle stirrings, he makes weak things strong, makes us more than we can be, he is our connection with the Father. I have stories to tell to confirm those truths, but not the time to write them. I love you all so much, please, do all you can to always have him with you!

With Love,

Elder Hardy