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
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| 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! |
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| Banana Bread! And Elder Stakebake. |
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| The reason why it is not a good idea to leave your camera lying around while engaged in Plumbing projects. |
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