What a letter! I love reading about your escapades and hearing about your faith. Isn't the Gospel just great? It influences everything that we bump into in our life. I am glad to hear about Paige and Ronnie going down to BYU--that will be an amazing experience for both of them.
This week has been great and very humbling. Elder Howard used to joke around that we should never pray for humility, because it was the quickest and easiest way to ensure a whole bunch of trials in the near future. I must have forgotten that, because I prayed for humility at the beginning of the week, and Heavenly Father certainly delivered.We had a fender bender in the car, which led to some experiences with red tape, which is always frustrating--in a word, I caused some inconvenience to people that I love and respect, which is never fun, but always humbling. I have felt acutely aware of my weaknesses this week. I am grateful for it though! I always feel the Spirit so much stronger, my prayers are more sincere, my reliance on the Savior is more urgent when I am humble (or humblED). I hope to be able to gain the ability to humble myself without TOO much help from Heavenly Father in the trial department, but I am willing to do whatever it takes. I am grateful for the Lord's plan to help us to become like him.
In other news, we had a great week teaching one of our investigators, and it really is a huge blessing to see his progress in the Gospel, and to see his hunger, literally hunger to come closer to his Father in Heaven. He really is reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and seeing real spiritual growth. Yesterday he agreed to quit smoking on Wednesday, and he just kept asking for more commandments, so he could "learn to avoid those darn sins!". I love teaching him, and feeling the stretching of my own Gospel knowledge and my powers of simple and clear explanation. I cannot express how blessed I feel to be able to be teaching him. Please pray for him!
Mom, I love hearing about your Young Women's lessons--I really am so grateful for wonderful Youth Leaders who took their callings seriously, who really cared about helping us youth to not only understand the doctrine, but to see it in our lives, to apply it day after day, to learn to love the Savior. I know I am a broken record, but the farther and farther I get into life, the more and more that I realize pretty much every good characteristic that I have is just a shadow of the way you and Dad live, and who you and Dad are. I love you so much, and am so grateful for you!
Dad, thank you for the letter! I am so glad to hear about your missionary experiences--Heavenly Father answers us in ways that we don't expect. As you were talking about testifying about the Restoration, I had the thought "man, I would love to be Dad's companion!". Then, I remembered--I was! Thank you for always being a good home-teacher. Love you so much!
Paige; you are going to be the most beautiful dancer there! I have had that same experience on the bike--that is one of the best feelings in the world, when you see that little inclination icon. You look fit enough to me in the picture. I love you so much!
Ronnie; with that sweatshirt and hair-do...watch out EFY! Go to all the classes, and listen closely--there really are some amazing teachers there at EFY, and it is a great chance to learn and grow spiritually. Look to serve those who are in your group, and you will have a great experience. Look for those who are sad, who are in need of a cool friend like you, who need someone to listen, someone to have a nice word for them. You are going to have a great time!
Lizzie; you look so adorable! That is an amazing show. Aren't you glad for such great and supportive parents? I love them a lot.
I sent a lot of pictures, so I am short on time, but I love you so much, you are wonderful!
Have a great week!
With Love,
Elder Hardy
 |
| (We were watching a lady's baggage at the Bus Station so she could run and buy a ticket...photo shoot time!) |
 |
| Here are photos that Sister Barclay (not President Sister Barclay, but her Sister in Law, who is serving here too) took at our recording session that I thought you might enjoy. We were recording some hymns in Bulgarian. Neat stuff. |
 |
| These are pictures from the Youth Conference that was held last week. They made me be Nephi when we acted out building the boat. I cannot escape it! |
 |
Elder Raisor, with whom Elder Taylor and I were in the MTC went home this past Saturday in order to start school on time; since Elder Taylor and I are both serving here in Sofia, we had a chance to snap some quick pictures! I will miss him, but he will be living in Provo, so I am sure we will be seeing each other.
|
 |
| I have spent SO much time on these busses...It's an interesting relationship! |
 |
| Tuna was on sale at Kaufland last Monday... |
No comments:
Post a Comment