I love you so much! It sounds like you had a great week! I love reading about your escapades! You truly have the Light of Christ shining in your eyes. Life is great here in Bulgaria, the work moves forward!
So, we got transfer calls this week, and I am leaving Varna, and will no longer be serving as a Zone Leader--in Stara Zagora, I will be in a Three-some (again!), but with a Missionary that just finished being trained, and a new missionary from the MTC. Also, because there is a lack of Priesthood holders in Stara Zagora, I will be serving as the Branch President. It is actually interesting because 8 or so months ago, Elder Stakebake served as the Branch President there as well! It should be a new, exciting, and interesting challenge. I am a little bit nervous about how finding a balance between Ecclesiastical Duties and Missionary Duties will work out, but I am sure it will be fine. It has driven me to my knees already, and I know it will again and again throughout these next few months, but I am grateful for the opportunity to come closer to the Lord. If we knock, he will be there. I have a feeling I will probably have sore knuckles before long, but for that I am grateful.
In other news, we had a neat opportunity to do service for an Irishman who lives in a Village near Varna--he is the second councilor in the Branch Presidency. We moved a bunch of dirt from to his garden in the backyard, and he told us about his crazy days serving in the Irish and British Armies. He had some...just almost unbelievable stories. It was a great experience.
Mother; thank you so much for sending those gifts! I should be sending my...simple Christmas gifts to all of you today, so I hope you get them in time for Christmas! They really are simple, but I hope you know that they are from the heart. I love you so much. I am excited to hear about the daily scripture study! It really does make the difference in so many ways. The Lord cannot NOT bless us for taking even the simplest of steps. In terms of Christmas, I am sure we will get it figured out without a problem. I am looking forward to seeing all of you as well. I love you so much Mother!
Father; thank you so much for sending those pictures! I really do appreciate it. So...any advice? I am really looking forward to being able to work more closely with the members of the Church there in Stara Zagora; I just really hope that I will be able to be a true representative of the Lord for them. In any case, I know that the Lord's hand is in it, and if I am humble, he will not allow me to go astray. Thanks for your example of faithful service, and thank you so much for loving my mother--it has always been such a huge blessing in my life to see how you always support her and love her and are behind every step that she takes. I hope that I can be that kind of husband one day. I love you so much!
Paige; I think of you as well--this past week (or two weeks? I cannot remember) we were on exchanges with the Assistants. and I rode in the big transfer van to an appointment that we had, and I was reminded of us talking together all those mornings going to seminary (or rather grunting to each other, but still). Serving the Lord and learning his word are worth all the sacrifices that we can make for them. I love you so much!
Ronnie; remember, no matter how mean the guy you are wrestling is, it is never an excuse to be mean back--I remember getting pretty frustrated with some people I was wrestling, but it always ended up leading to me making mistakes, not performing better. I love you so much little brother--take care of all those girls that are hanging around the house these days!
Lizzie; I love Volley-ball! Don't let anyone tell you that you are too short--just become a really good setter! I love you so much, have a great week!
As I was reading in the Book of Mormon this morning, I was thinking and pondering about what I could do to be ready for my new assignments, and wondering what I could do to be prepared--I think I was looking for some sort of hint at a skill that I should improve, or a certain topic that I need to focus on working with my new companions and area, something that I could do to improve. The Lord answers our prayers through the scriptures, but not always in the way that we think. As I read 2 Nephi 20:15, I realized what the Lord was trying to tell me; "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it?". We are simply the Lord's tools. He shaketh the saw, and he swings the ax, we just only need to focus on keeping ourselves sharp, being there in the Lord's tool-shed when he needs us, and the Lord does the rest. I know that he exists, and if we seek his guidance in doing good works, He will always guide us. I love you so much, have a great week!
Smiles,
Elder Hardy
Here are some that actually have YOU in them. Tell your folks we think you are as terrific missionary.
These are from the Senior Couple that serves in Varna. They are so wonderful!
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