Wow! It was such a blessing to be able to see your beautiful faces the other day--I really have a wonderful family! I am grateful that I got to see Dad, and also that Grandpa was there. We work very closely with the Whitings here in Stara Zagora, and every time that I translate for an interview for President Whiting, I can't help but thinking of Grandpa, extending callings without a translator or anything! I really am grateful for the example of ALL my Grandparents in serving the Lord, in giving of their time back to him. What a blessing it is to serve!
This time of year, from Christmas Eve until two days after New Years (two days, because everyone is nursing a hangover today) are called "The Holidays," and most people have some time off from work, family comes home or people go and visit family, and in general is an interesting time to be a Missionary, but really really wonderful. On Christmas Eve this year, it was just a normal work day, and we really saw some great blessings! We set up an appointment with an...interesting man that we had met about a week before, but we finally got to the appointment, we realized that he wasn't exactly who we were looking for; after 20 minutes trying to get him to sit down and talk, and then 20 more minutes of trying to get hiM to let us walk away, he told us that the last thing he wanted to do was to introduce us to his friend, who had apparently lived in the States for a while, who sold organic water. Despite the pessimistic voice in my head telling me that if this man's friends were anything like himself, we were going to loose another 20 minutes extracting ourselves, we went with him. He brought us to a little back-water shop, and introduced us to his friend. To make a long story short, he was prepared, we taught him a lesson, and set up a return appointment. Without listening to that little voice, just peeping out from behind the pessimism, we would never have found him. It was a little sign of love from a very aware Father in heaven. Christmas Day was great (thank you so much for the great ties and treats!). On New Year's Eve, we had to be in early to avoid the drunks, but we had a dandy old time cleaning the appartment (and pulling out all the things--thanks Dad!). A great Christmas season.
Mother; it was so great to see you! Does it feel weird to have so many teenage children? I am so grateful for all that you do for me, and for the Family. I am plenty warm, I promise!
Father, that was my best Christmas gift, just to hear about the cleaning of the garage! I really am grateful for the things that you have always taught us about doing a job correctly, Father. It is really something that I will always be grateful for. I am also grateful for what you always have taught us about service, and that you got to be on the receiving end for once! I love you with all of my heart!
Paige; I wrote you, I love you!
Ronnie; I love you little Brother! I am glad to see that you still participate in the Nativity Fun! Those family traditions that we have are really a treasure. but they only work if the people that participate are willing! Keep smiling, take care of Paige and Lizzie for me!
Lizzie; thanks for the note! I love you!
I have been thinking a lot about repentance lately, especially with the New Year, as we begin thinking of Resolutions and such. Repentance is more than just a change of behavior, it is a change of how we view ourselves, the world, and our Heavenly Father. True repentance is not just a change of behavior, but a change of our guiding principles, the little rules by which we live our life, to bring them in harmony with the principles of the Gospel. Instead of examining our behavior, may we examine the principles by which we live first, because from there stems our behavior. I love you all so much, Честита нова Година, много ви обичам, и ви пожелавам здраве и щастие през цялата година!
with love,
Elder Hardy
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| Merry Christmas! |
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| The District! |
Dear Elder Hardy,
Merry christmas! It was great to see you! How was your christmas in Bulgaria? Our christmas was great this year. We slept in until 9:20! Dad loved our gift of cleaning the garage so much he cried! It was great! We got great gifts and were very thankful! I love you!
Love,
Lizzie
Lizzie!
Thanks for the letter! You look so grown-up, it is crazy. I am glad that you got to help Dad--he really is great, isn't he? I love you so much, keep smiling, and make sure to give Ronnie a big hug for me. My Christmas was really great. I love you so much!
Elder Hardy
Hey T-man! How goes it?
It was so awesome to talk to you and see your face. I don't want to tell you I miss you so I'll just whisper it. [**I miss you a lot tanner, a lot a lot.**] We had a teenager christmas this year, we didn't even wake up until 9:30! I got a gorgeous canon rebel dslr camera. I love it!!! Mom told me to read the instructions and I have learned how wise it is. It's not really my thing, but now I know how to use the camera which is nice... We also made dad cry. Jordan noticed that dad was disgusted that his garage was so dirty, so Christmas day, while dad was at work, we took a couple hours to organize, move junk and wood, and sweep. Dad said it was the greatest gift he'd ever received. In the past cleaning the garage day has been the longest, filthiest, and worst day ever; this time was different. It felt like we were only out there 1 hour instead 4 and for some reason, it didn't even feel like work. Those are my favorite gifts given and received this year. How do they celebrate christmas in Bulgaria? Is it the same, do they do Christmas trees? How was your Christmas day?
(I don't know if mom told you but I am doing online seminary this year. I love it! It is a lot easier for me because I don't have to wake up so early and I feel as if I am learning more than I did in early morning. The individual setting and feeling of it fit my personality and learning style a lot better. But recently I am having a hard time being fully invested in my study and I find myself just racing through the lesson. Do you have any advise on how to make focusing on seminary more important than the things the worldly part of my mind thinks is more important?)
-Paige
Pa-ha-ige,
I love you so much! I told my companion about your instructions experience, and he got a good laugh (a friendly, warm one, not a derisive one, I promise!). Maybe I am just a missionary, but there is a Gospel analogy in there; keeping the commandments or reading the scriptures may not "be our thing," but it sure is nice at the end! I love you so much. Take some really good pictures for me--with a camera that good, it will be like I am right there in the setting! I love you little Sister.
I am so glad to hear about the experience with the Garage--it is true that when the Holy Spirit is felt, there is "a feeling that every person in the room would be anywhere else in the World at that time"--that is the feeling with service as well. Time flies! Give Dad a big hug and tell him that I love him!
That really is a very fundamental question that every person must find an answer to; how do we "overcome the natural man," in ourselves, that tendency to want to do the worldly thing, to seek the Kingdom of God second or third, instead of seeking it first. First, it is hard for everyone, so don't feel too bad about it. For me, motivation comes from two things: looking forward with an eye of Faith, expecting and seeking the best results, and two, the confirming witness of the Spirit. When it comes to all things (and especially Spiritual things), we have to look past the here and now, and see what our actions will bring us in the long run. Ask yourself: "What are the long-term benefits of focusing on this class right now, instead of whatever else I could be doing?". I promise you that the more you focus on Seminay, the more spiritual power you will have as a missionary or a Mother or a teacher or whatever you become! This year is really one of the greatest chances to get the WHOLE backstory of the scriptures, a basis that will bless you for the rest of your studying and teaching and helping for years to come. Almost EVERYDAY I use things that I remember from seminary, (and sometimes I wish I payed a little better attention!). As you look forward to that result, and act, the spirit will witness to you, that what you are doing is right, and you will have the strength to go on, because of that confirmation of the Spirit. And you will find more long-lasting happiness, I promise, than any worldly thing that could draw your attention.
Also, giving yourself questions before you start studying always makes the study more engaging, and more applicable in the moment. I need to be better about that too!
Hope that helped, I love you so much!
Elder Hardy
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