It sounds like you all had quite the week! From Cour De Lane to Seattle...you are all quite the travelers. I love hearing about all that is going on, and I especially love seeing you! Today we really do have so many wonderful technologies, given to us by a wise Heavenly Father.
This week was really rewarding--we had Mission Leadership Council, and it, once again, was wonderful to see how the Spirit works with groups of people. Councils really are ordained of God--we saw how, one by one, the Spirit brings us together in the training to be presented, the goals to be set, how to deal with concerns and needs of the Mission, how he takes so many ideas from radically different people, and brings them together for the benefit of others. From the council of the 12, to the family council, the Lord works in the same ways, and by the same patterns. Family, I solemnly submit that there is a God in Heaven, and He knows very well what he is doing.
This week we also had some fun teaching experiences; on Wednesday, we had the incredible experience of explaining about Christ's true role to a great Muslim man, and testifying about His eternal role in the plan of Salvation. Sometimes those truths are so ingrained into our own minds and even into our culture that we forget their power until we meet someone to whom the idea is foreign or unknown. Christ really is our Savior, He truly did save us from an actual Fall, of that I am sure! Also, an investigator that Elder Slinker (dairy farm, Kentucky) and I found a year ago here in Sofia, after a year of growing up, accepted a baptismal date this week, and really seems to be excited about meeting it! As we talked about the Baptismal Covenant and read Mosiah 18:8-10 with him, it just suddenly seemed to click. We are going to go over the commandments with him again, so that he knows exactly what "and will keep all the commandments which thou hast given them" means, but we are confident with the Lord's help, he will be baptized this transfer. Such a great blessing.
Mother; the 12 Graders here have already graduated, but the rest of the School kids are in School until June 30 (they start on Sept 15), and the University Students are going to be around for at least a few more weeks, but there will definitely be a change here in little while--there are always students around and things, but they likely will be working the Summer here, not only studying. You look great! I am sure you will be a great coach (well, you already are!). I am excited about the schedule as well, but mostly I am excited to just get it behind me, and get the "blinders" (not really) back on. I REALLY appreciate all that you do for me Mother--I wouldn't be half of what I am without your careful care. Have a great week!
Father; you look like you had a great time! Seattle really is beautiful. I am glad to hear about Audrey-- loving those we serve really is the great recipe not only for Missionary happiness, but happiness in life. I love you so much!
Paige; take the practice tests! They will help you. Also, just remember that all you have been learning in High School will be helping you as well, so don't be too stressed out if you haven't been able to give hours and hours to the test prep. You are going to ace it! I love you.
Ron; Offense! I bet you look like a stud while doing it, too. I love you little/big Brother, and am grateful for everything that you do for our family. Have a great week!
You are all so wonderful, I love you all, the Church is true!
With Love,
Elder Hardy
 |
| 1) Not quite a soap box, but... |
 |
| I am saying the word "Baptism" in this picture. "Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized!". |
 |
| We were teaching some members, and they gave us an "Army Version" of the Bible, in old (er) Bulgarian. Neat! I will send some pictures of the actual text. |
 |
| This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount--the Beatitudes "блажени, ниши по сърце..." great stuff. If you look, there are some old-Bulgarian symbols--some of those symbols actually can represent several letters, you just have to know the word in order to be able to guess which letter the symbol is representing. Fun stuff. |
No comments:
Post a Comment