Thank you for the wonderful letter! It is so great to hear from you. Wow! It is so weird to think that I am going to be the only missionary in our family...strange. Give her a big hug from me when she gets off that airplane! Or out of the car more likely!
Sorry for the delay--these last 10 days or so have been very busy, yet fulfilling! On Wednesday we went to Sofia and picked up Elder Wilson, fresh out of the MTC--he is from the heart of Salt Lake, and is really great. I really mostly feel bad for him, because the next 9 days (i.e. his first 9 days in Bulgaria) were pretty off the wall. We had a baptism on Friday, the Halloween Party on Saturday (I will be sure to send you pictures next week--I have to get them from Sister Christensen--I went as a wizard), then a Europe East Area Broadcast, with some really great speakers on Sunday. Monday gets it's own paragraph.
We wake up early to catch a 730 bus to Sofia, so that Elder Stakebake and I can be there for a 230 Mission Council with Elder Klebingat from the Seventy, only to get there and find out that there are 2 seats free... but not 3! We frantically checked other buses and trains only to find out that there was nothing that could get us there in time, or even near enough for the Assistants to come and get us in their car. In our slight panic, Elder Stakebake jokingly looks over at the signs and says "there is a flight at 830 for Sofia!". We all laughed, a few seconds passed, then we looked at each other...a few phone calls later, we were in a Taxi going to the Airport, when we realized that Elder Wilson had no personal identification--a few frantic calls and the other Varna Elders were on the way to our apartment which they got into through a miracle, and then speeding to the Airport. At this point, we had found out that the flight, miraculously, actually departs at 855. At around 835, we hadn't bought tickets yet, because we couldn't buy one for Elder Wilson, when someone suggested that we call President, ask to be able to leave Elder Wilson for the other Elders to pick up 6 minutes later, for Elder Stakebake and I to buy tickets, and to just jump on. Thanks to a VERY kind ticketing agent and the insistence of an information lady, about a 2 minute trip through security, and a LARGE depletion in Elder Hardy's MSF for the month, we jumped on the plane at about 850, and were in Sofia by about 930. Heart Attack. We washed President's Car for the headache that we gave him (he was very kind), the Council was WONDERFUL (more on that on Monday when there is more time), and we reunited with our distressed trainee that evening. I will never forget that day.
Other than that, life is fairly normal. I can write more next week.
Mother; we do get an extra hour of study for trainees, and we study the language for an hour every day, whether we have a trainee or not (though we do our best to not cut it short for a lesson, which we may or may not have done before). In terms of a package, the Cliff Bars are great, there are good breakfast things, but I do need some more gray dress socks, and a few ties would be fun as well. Lucky Charms wouldn't be bad either, but whatever you think--I trust you! Thank you so much Mom. I love you!
Father, thank you for your good example! I learned a lot about planning ahead this week, and I am grateful for your example of diligence. I love you so much Father!
Paige; Cabin Leader...Fancy! I love you so much little Sister. Say hello to the Choir for me! Both of my companions sing, so we sang a trio for Zone Conference. Number 100!
Ronnie; pins give the team more points in the end of the Match anyway, so keep it up! I love you so much little Brother. Keep being a good example, love you friends, love your Mother!
Lizzie; I love how all of your candy is organized in that picture. So typical! You are a great example to me, and you sure are sweet! I love you.
The work here in Varna is going well--one young man hasa baptismal date for 12 December--he is a deep thinker, and likes to take things slowly, but he said the opening prayer out loud last night, he expressed a good understanding that he needs to come to church every Sunday after he is baptized, and he committed to read the Book of Mormon every day, so we are hopeful for him! He is one of the funniest people that I have met. Life is great!
When was the last time that we seriously repented? I thought about that this week--if we really can become good repenters, we can always have the Spirit to be with us. I love you all so much!
Love,
Elder Hardy
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