Preparation makes Perfect

Family Mine!

      Thank you for the wonderful letter! It sounds like another successful week back on the farm. (Quite the harvest you had this year!). I love you all am grateful that you are all safe and strong. 

       This week we had a great Zone Training meeting, and some really great miracles. The Assistants gave a great training about becoming a Consecrated Missionary in a joyful way, without putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves--as a demonstration, that had me come to the front, and they put three onions and a cheese grater in front of me. I started to worry at that point. The task was to grate all of the onions as fast as I could, without stopping, without standing up from the chair, and...without crying at all! Needless to say, before I had barely started the second onion, despite my best efforts, I was crying pretty steadily. It was an unrealistic expectation! As we strive to become like our Savior Jesus Christ, we need to remember that we cannot do everything at once, and just because we DON'T do everything perfectly at once does not mean that we are not consecrated, that we are not trying our very best, that we are steadily becoming better everyday, which is what the Savior asks of us, not to change our natures for one day's time. As we push ourselves to be better, but then remember that it is the SPIRIT that changes our natures for the better, not our own efforts, we will not only become what the Lord wants us to become and what we want to become, but we can be joyful while doing it. A great lesson.

     Mother; thank you so much for the package! (In advance). That will save me a lot of time gathering pictures and getting them printed, and so on and so on. Thank you so much. A Duchess! What fun. I will have to let him know. We have not had a chance to watch any meetings or anything like that yet, but we are looking forward to General Conference--it will be a week late, like usual, but I should understand it a lot better this time, and I am really excited to receive such much needed council. Such a great opportunity! I love you so much!

     Father; thanks for the pictures! Also, thanks for the great advice (though you gave it to Mother, I will take it). That truly is a life principle, that the only person who can make you sad is yourself, the only person who can make you be angry is yourself, the only true discouragement is that which comes from the inner voice. It is a great missionary principle ("they didn't come to the appointment...what a blessing! Let's go find out why the Lord wanted us in this part of the City."), as well as a life principle. I love you Dad, have a great week!

      Paige; I agree with Jordan about the stylistic appeal of modesty--it sends a strong message to not only those around you, but to your Father in Heaven, what your priorities are. I know that he is proud of you. Seth Norris...I approve. I love you little Sister!

     Ronnie; you are a stud! Keep being that great example, keep showing your light. One of the greatest qualities of leadership that I think I have learned about as a missionary is that of being a grateful leader. Those who know that their work is appreciated will not only experience more joy in doing their work, in their life, and in general, but will also be more willing to push themselves to do more, to become their best selves. Gratitude, when expressed sincerely and thoughtfully, inspires trust and love in any group setting. I love you little brother, choose the right!

     Lizzie; I love you! Keep your head up, and keep going--if we always win, we will never really appreciate the true value of victory. It is a blessing to loose from time to time. It also keeps us humble, which in turn drives us to improvement (not that you need a whole lot, but still!). I love you little Sister, learn from your amazing big sister, and don't be afraid of being short--it just means that you will live longer! I love you.

     Just a quick thought this week, about being prepared. This week we gave a training about how we can be ready at every moment to teach simple, clear first lessons, to help those we encounter to recognize through the Holy Ghost, that we are servants of the Lord (John 4:7-29). As we taught about it though, one of the key principles that stood out to me, however, was the importance of PREPARING to have the Spirit--if we have not taken the time beforehand, we cannot have the spirit with us. I have very little time--I love you so much, read the scriptures, be prepared, I love you all so much!

Elder Hardy

They sell this fruit at the "Supermarket"...It was green inside, with little gooey seed pod things that tasted like a mix between grapes and kiwi. And it is spiked! 

Banana Bread! And Elder Stakebake.

The reason why it is not a good idea to leave your camera lying around while engaged in Plumbing projects.

Walking Tall Before God...Always

Dear Family Mine!

      Thank you for the wonderful letters and for the great pictures! It looks like everyone is doing great. Also, as I have come to realize again and again, I have a beautiful family! You all really are the greatest blessing that God has given me to this point in my life. I love you so much. 

     This week was actually full of travel again--we were in Veliko Turnovo for exchanges, and I was actually on an exchange with my companion-to-be Elder Stakebig. It was sort of strange, but it was good as well. We got a head start! He is from Utah, a singer and an actor, so this should be a fairly musical transfer, which I am excited for. He has never been a Zone Leader before, so I will be the "experienced one" when it comes to those type of responsibilities; say a prayer for me--I will be needing it. We also went on Exchanges again in Varna, which made the whole week fly by in what seemed like about an hour and a half. 

      Mother; what a great chance to work with those young girls! Our Heavenly Father really does trust those who work with his youth the most--it is a sacred and holy responsibility to work with those who want to learn, who want to grow in knowledge and truth. You get to be like their second mother! (Or Леля as the Bulgarians would say--it means Aunt, but it basically is anyone who is that sort of figure in a child's life). About talking to people on trains or buses...it is the best way to earn the Spirit, and I have seen the blessings of it time and time again. It may not be comfortable to turn around and try to talk to the person behind you after the person next to you turned you down, but the Lord cannot NOT bless you for that sacrifice. One time we talked to people on the Train from Shumen to Sofia for 6 hours straight--at every depot, new people got into our compartment! Exhausting, but wonderful. Love you so much, have a great week!

      Father; back to the grindstone! I love you Dad, and am so grateful for all that you do for us, and for the example you set. And you even do it with a smile! That is one of my favorite things about you--your crazy laugh after you played a joke on someone...priceless! I love you Dad.

      Paige; that is probably a good choice--as I am sure you are finding out, this year is an important one school-wise! Keep working hard in School now, and I promise that it will open doors for you later, and you will be grateful. You are beautiful, I love you.

      Ronnie--good luck this weekend! Remember who you are, little brother, a bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood. Act like that with your friends, and I promise everything that is small and petty will eventually go into place. Read PMG, know that I love you!

       Lizzie; don't worry Sister--short people live longer! I love you little Sister, keep being so wonderful, and don't talk to any boys. At all. Except Ronnie. Talk to him a lot! 

     We had some technical difficulties, so not too much time today, but I just wanted to share a quick thought about walking tall. I think about all the people who are described as being such in the scriptures, and they really are people that we want to emulate. Walking tall does not mean being prideful, does not mean showing off how good or how "righteous" we are, but rather is a characteristic of our relationship with our Father in Heaven. It means walking without doubts or regrets, because we know that we have done all that the Lord has asked us to do, it means that we have nothing to hide, that we have nothing to shield, no secrets before the Lord. It means that we have been honest with him, and because of his Son, we do not have to shrink from his presence, or stoop down in a vain endeavor to avoid his piercing glaze. We know who we are, and we know that we have chosen to follow our Father in Heaven, so we have no shame. I know that as we do that, we will experience true happiness. Our Savior is the best example, who did ALL things that the Father required of him, with perfect obedience. 

     Let's walk tall! I love you all so much, have a great week!

Love,
 Elder Hardy

Pictures from Vladimir's camera

Elder Dahneke and I (and Noah!)

Fasting, not just Starving.

Dearest Family Mine!

     Sounds like a great week! I am glad that you all had a chance to go and see the nature! I wonder if any of the guides or people that you ran into were Bulgarian...quite a few Bulgarian students do Work and Travel Programs in the States, and work in places like Yellowstone, or other places like that. You probably wouldn't have been able to notice--a lot of them speak really good English. I am glad that you had a great time--aren't God's creations something else? I am always in awe. 

     This week was great here in Varna--it was hot the whole week, but then some rain last night, so everything is order! This week we traveled to Sofia for Mission Council, which was great as usual--President Barclay really is inspired of God to lead this Mission. He is great! Other than that, we had a lot of appointments fall through, but it was ok! We went on exchanges with the Varna District this week, and I was with Elder Taylor, my MTC companion--it was strange, but good. We really both have changed since we were together in the MTC, and it was fun to harken back to those days with him. We had a good time and worked hard. He is a great man! We got transfer calls a week early this transfer because President Barclay will be out of the country next weekend, and I will be staying in Varna, but Elder Dahneke will be going to Ruse! I will sorely miss him--he really is a stellar missionary, and a real master of the Bulgarian Language. Transfers are such a strange thing. 

     Mother; no worries--I wouldn't have even known that you wrote a little later. Thank you so much for being so faithful about keeping us up to date. You really are quite good at it! I am glad to hear about Cade--I love that man. Having a schedule is something that being a missionary has really taught me to appreciate--if we don't plan our time, we loose it. It so easily just slips through the cracks. I am doing great, I love you so much, have a great week!

       Father; thanks for sending those pictures! It really looks like you are having a blast. I am glad that all you Brothers had the chance to get together for such a special occasion--what a blessing to all be worthy Priesthood Holders! This week in the Branch we are trying to get a home teaching program going, to start really taking care of each other. How is home teaching going back in the Ward? How is the Bolles family? How are Brother and Sister Davis? I love you so much, have a great week!

      Rees; you can do it! I love you. I don't know if I told you already, but my companion is finishing soon, and will be studying at BYU. I think it would be worth while to get to know each other. His name is Barton Dahneke, he is going to be studying Mathematics. Have a great week!

      Paige; you look great! I love you, good luck in school--pray your brains out! I love you little Sister. Bleh.

      Ronnie--Northwood Football! That is so fun. Treasure it my friend, treasure it--have a blast. Make sure and always remember who you are though, no matter what position you play. Your a Hardy before you are a Husky! If it makes you feel any better, I really can't catch anything out there on the stream anyway. It sure is fun though! Listen to Grandpa--he is really good at helping untie knotted lines for hapless Grandsons! 

     Lizzie; I love you so much little Sister. Make sure and take care of our aging Father--as it can be seen, his hair is a little less pepper than it is salt these days! Know that I care about you and think about you. Have a great week!

      This week, we were having a Mission-wide Fast for more unity and love in all of the Branches, for all of us to come together for a common goal, to put aside our weaknesses and our differences and to just work together. Fasting is a part of our relationship with our Father in Heaven that I don't think that I have really understood until just recently, and I am still understanding the breadth and depth of its importance. This week, however, was a strong testimony of the power of Fasting and Prayer--as Elder Dahneke and I really did our best to pour out our hearts in prayer, and to fast with smiles and with light countenances, I really noticed a difference not only in my own spiritual sensitivity, but in what happening during our Sacrament Services--there were more spiritual experiences shared together as a branch, there were more communal and healthy and bonding laughs, there was simply and tangibly more love in the Branch, and I have no doubt in my mind that that was in direct connection to the fasting and prayer not only from us the missionaries, but from the Members as well, all of us together. Fasting works! Whenever we sacrifice things for the Lord, when we show that the things of this world are not as important as those things of the next, he will always show forth the power of his Spirit in our life. That I know. 

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

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