Thank you so much for the wonderful letter! It really sounds like everything is going great, and that life moves on at it's regular rapid pace. Thank you for the pictures and for the love. You are really all so great!
This week was really great, as usual! We were on exchanges for the beginning of the week with the missionaries from Shumen, we had the opportunity to teach Bulgarian at a Conference for the Senior Couples in the Mission held here in Varna, which was really fun (I could only think of Grandma and Grandpa Madsen, and Grandma B). We taught about counting, which was fun--it seems so strange to see them struggle, and even stranger to remember that 8 months or so ago, I was just the same. How time flies. After that, Conference was really wonderful--I really could understand it well this time, and the talks were just what I needed to hear, on so many accounts. There is no way that these men are not prophets and Apostles, no way that they were not inspired of the Holy Ghost to speak those words on those topics. What a blessing, what a blessing. One of our wonderful investigators came with her daughter to the Saturday morning and Sunday Morning Sessions, and her little daughter (with a little help from one of the Senior Missionaries) was quiet enough that she really got to listen to some of the talks. She is so excited to get baptized, but just needs some help gathering the strength to quit drinking coffee. Prays on her behalf would be very appreciated--she truly is a wonderful daughter of God.
Mother; Things are great! I love you so much, just so you know. People do grow pumpkins here, but they are not orange...they are gray, and they have extremely thick rinds, unsuitable for carving (apparently), and there is not really any harvest celebration that I know of. We will be having a Halloween Celebration as a Branch however! It should be fun. That looks like a fun car! I am glad sad to see the old CRV go, but such is life I guess. Also, I love you so much, have a great week!
Father; thank you for the pictures! There is a Sister in our Ward who is a nurse by profession, but a comedian on the side (not really, but she is funny enough to be one), who asks me how your work is going every time I see her. I usually say something about it being joyful. She is an older lady, who is in charge of the Primary, and loves children. It is so neat to see how she just lights up around little children. Thank you for doing what you do! I love you Dad.
Paige; wow! You look so good. I love you little Sister--I hope you saw why I love the Stake Dance so much more than any School Dances that I ever attended. There is always more happiness and joy in righteousness, little Sister. I liked the talk about the Barrier and the Sharks...let us always have our binoculars at the ready!
Ronnie, it really looks like you have a great group of friends--always keep them close, and always remember to always be inviting all to join in. The Savior was always inclusive, as opposed to the opposite, and we should always do our best to follow his example. Also, bravo for scoring the touchdowns! I love you little Brother.
Lizzie! I am sorry that it is a little bit later, but I want to share my birthday memory! There are so many, but I think some of my favorite memories are of your great family Home Evening Lessons. I don't remember if I have said it before, but I still have that little Red Piece of Paper with the motto of that one Submarine Pilot who sailed under Antarctica, and always carried three sayings in his pocket. I remember how you taught us so well from the scriptures and from the words of the living prophets, even though you were so little! You always have been a wonderful, smiling presence in my life, from the day that you were born. I love you so much little Sister, you really are one of a kind, and I hope that you don't ever become any other way!
Just a quick thought about love--I was so struck not only by Elder Holland's talk about motherly love, but just by the love and care that truly radiated in the Eyes of the General Authorities and Auxiliary leaders. Love really is the key to all of our relationships--if we can truly learn to "see other people through the eyes of their parents, their Heavenly Parents", as one of the new Aposltes said. It truly will change how we live and how we act. I need to work on that, and I am excited to apply other things as well. I love you so much, have a great week!
With a smile,
Elder Hardy
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