Thank you so much for the wonderful letter! I always love hearing from you, and it was great to hear some news about Rees and Jordan--I never hear from them, but that is probably a result of me not writing them, so there is no blame. I am happy for them, and that is wonderful to hear about Ashley--between the 5 of us (including Max), we will make that complex a Hardy-Alley sweep! I need to write them more. Big White...I am sure it was great, but surely strange with only 5. You probably fit in with all the other families there! No worries--family is forever, so even though it feels like we might miss a few moments together now, those few blinks literally cannot be compared with the happiness and oneness that awaits us if we are faithful. So lets be faithful! I really love all of you so much.
This week was wonderful. We had the Zone Conference from Elder Klebingat on Tuesday, and I actually got interviewed by him (along with a lot of other missionaries) on Wednesday, which was a really neat close to almost 5 days straight with a General Authority. I know beyond a doubt that he was called of God, and that the Prophets and Apostles of the Church really are his servants, and love him with all their hearts. After that, it was exchanges with the Assistants (Elder Howard, the old companion! It was strange--he goes home in a few weeks. I don't like it when former companions go home. It makes me feel like a старо куче), then exchanges with the Elders from Pleven, and some great teaching experiences.
We had a chance with Elder Howard to teach a man who is from Canada, was raised an Orthodox Jew at a private school in New Jersey, and now lives with his Bulgarian wife in Sofia. He really is open to the Spirit, and just kept commenting things like--"I feel so good when I am here," or "I just trust you, and I don't know why!", and similar things--I know that the Holy Ghost really exsists, and works in our everyday life, if we are open to it. We must never be ashamed of living righteously--it is like being ashamed that you have a clean room or that you can run fast or that you are very skilled in something (sorry for the weak analogies...)! It really is power, the most influential power on this whole Earth. We cannot be ashamed of seeking the truth, of seeking joy and light from our Father in Heaven through his Ghost, light that is only gained through righteousness and obedience to his commands. Shame for being righteous is a symptom of incorrect understanding of where true happiness and power come from.
Mother; busy busy busy! That is wonderful. As a missionary I have come to appreciate and be grateful for your astute and well-developed skills of planning and organization. I would love to have you as a guest speaker for a Zone Conference! I am glad that you are ok from your fall! People usually think we are too young to be out on our own, though a lot of young people do study in other countries. They talk by Skype every night however, за разлика от нас! I love you so much Mother, have a great week!
Father; thank you for the pictures, and the encouragement. I love you so much!
Paige; I love you so much little Sister--can you make sure that Ronnie doesn't do anything too...Ronnie-ish on the slopes? I want him to be alive so that sometime I can show him how much faster I am than Him. I love you so much! Did you watch the FACE to FACE with Elder Holland? It is good--you should watch it. I love you!
Ronnie; See above. That is a challenge. I love you!
Lizzie; I am glad that you are happy. Learn from Mom how to be organized, and it will bless you your whole life, I promise. I love you.
I have no more time to write, but I want you to know that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ have glorified bodies of flesh and bones, and the Holy Ghost witnesses of their divinity. I am so grateful for that pure truth given to us through the Restoration (D&C 130:22). The simple truths are the most important. I love you all so much. I'll send you another letter when I am 20, if that isn't too much for you to wait!
Love,
Elder Hardy
Pictures from the Bulgarian Funeral from two weeks ago:
The First one is actually in the Church, right after the actual ceremony, the second is with Elder Sharp and his grandparents (and a random friend that snuck into the picture on the far left), and this is an alley right by the Church. Quite an experience!
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