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
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