Elder Tanner Hardy: Missionaries, Missionaries, Missionaries!

Dear Family Mine!

Thank you so much for the wonderful letter! I really do appreciate your constant commitment to keep me up to date with the family affairs, even when life is a whirlwind. I really do feel so blessed not only to count myself as part of all that you do, but also so blessed to be the recipient of so much love and so many prayers. I feel their power. There IS true power in prayer, alien only to those who have not sought it, and therefore not experienced it. I love you all so much!

This week we once again had Zone Conferences (it seems like just yesterday we were having them for last transfer!), and Elder Strobel and I didn't teach, but it was amazing to see all the wonderful missionaries in the Mission, partaking of their Spirit, hearing their testimonies, and just being with them. I love them so much! We also wen't on several exchanges this week, in every city that we had a Zone Conference. From new missionaries of 4 weeks to old, seasoned former companions, I pretty much ran the gauntlet this week, and it really was an instructive experience. The experience brought to my mind the words of Paul in his message to the Corinthians;

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

(1 Corinthians 12)

We really are so many different parts, the Spirit gives us each different gifts, talents, abilities, difficulties, trials and experiences--as we read on in that great Chapter (read it together--it is really enlightening), one part is no more important than the other, just different. It really was made clear to me the truth of those prophetic words this week. For those who were not aware, the scriptures are true!

Mother; thank you so much for getting me all signed up--I really really REALLY appreciate it. I love you so much! About the Bulgarian class, I will try my best, but most of the Missionaries that I both have a way to make contact with and are going to BYU this fall are pretty few (strangely enough). I will try my best though! Maybe I can convince Max to sign up. There are two or three that come to mind, and I will try to get in touch with them. If not, I will either try to just figure it out when I get there, or maybe I will just sign myself up for beginning Russian or something, and try to get a job at the MTC to keep my Bulgarian...who knows. We'll figure it out, I am sure. It is so strange to me that all of those people have now graduated! Give Alex and Christian a big честито for me, and a big hug! I love you so much Mother, and really am so grateful for your testimony, and your example to me.

Father, Steven! I am so glad that you saw him! I love that guy. In terms of golf plans, tentative plans, or even plans in general is probably too strong of wording, but the desire has been expressed for certain. I think those are some of my favorite bonding memories with you and your brothers...I love them (and you) so much! Elder Strobel is an Idahoan to the core, and honestly, serving with him sometimes feels strangely like a family reunion, but in a wonderful way. I am excited to be consecrated to the end, to give it my all--I still have plenty of time! I love you so much Father.

Jordan; Africa! I miss the rain there! I am so excited for you, I bet you are going to have a wonderful time...you will probably even get to use some of your French! There is a member here in Sofia who is from North Africa, and he really has a special spirit about him--they seem like amazing people. I love you so much!

Rees; Auto Zone is sort of like Africa! Yea!

Paige; you really look like such a...woman. I love you so much little Sister, keep the commandments! I love you.

Ronnie; as you grow older, you will find out that so many things are not quite exactly the way they should be, and you will quickly come to find that not all adults (even the really wonderful staff at Mead--they are great) are like Mom and Dad, or your Young Men leader or Bishop (oh wait!). Something that I am sure Dad has told you, that has always stuck with me is "cream rises", meaning that at the end of the day, quality always floats to the top. Ronnie, you are quality. For me, my cream didn't rise in Football or really even Baseball, but in other spheres. Always remember, however, that there is no person's favor who is more important than winning, than winning favor in the Eyes of your Heavenly Father. In the end of the day, focus more on becoming quality cream, as opposed to rising, and the what happens will need to happen. I love you so much little Brother!

Lizzie; did you give Steven a good punch on the arm for me? I love that guy a lot. I love you so much Lizzie, thank you for being so wonderful!

I love you so much Family, you are wonderful, have a great week!

With Love,

Elder Hardy