Thank you for that wonderful letter! Life sure is dynamic isn't it? I am glad that everyone got home safely from around the globe, that Jordan doesn't have malaria, that Rees is giving Handy-Manny a run for his money, that Paige is a Future-Ambassador, that Ronnie is discovering the wonderful maze of human relationship, and that Lizzie is being Lizzie! I love hearing from you all.
This week we had Zone Conferences, which were great--we taught about Focusing on the Key Indicators and how that helps us to fulfill our purpose, there was training about the Sabbath Day, Obedience and Trials, and President Barclay blew our socks off about prayer (as usual.) I really love those Missionary Meetings--if you think about all the times in your life, serving a full-time Mission has got to be one of the most condensed periods of spiritual knowledge of anyone's life. Great stuff. We were also on exchanges in Varna, and it was great to get to work again in that great City--good memories (and amazing weather!).
This week I really have felt close to the Lord as we have worked with our investigator--on Sunday morning I called him at 9:00 and he said that he was coming by 940, so we were excited. I was asked to play the piano for sacrament meeting, so I was sitting down early, warming up, but really just anticipating him showing up. 940 rolled by, 950 rolled by, 1000 rolled by, and I REALLY started to pray, just pleading with Heavenly Father to bring him to the building, to un-hedge his way. By the time the opening song and prayer had passed, my prayers had changed to pleas for understanding, for the strength to dispel the real bitterness which was condensing in my heart, to be able to understand his will and accept it. Then, just as my prayers were getting desperate, just as the young man who was baptized's confirmation finished, there he walked in, tie tied smartly, white shirt un-tucked, with a smile. My heart about burst with thanks, as it does even now as I write this letter. God lives. He DOES answer our prayers.
As I was reading in Mosiah 17 this week, another idea also hit me that I would like to share-- it stems from the 20th verse:
20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.
Abinadi would not give up on his beliefs or on that what God had commanded him to say at ANY cost, even that of his own life. A little bit extreme, and certainly not an everyday or hopefully EVER experience for any of us, but there is a principle there that I feel is important. How much is our testimony worth to us? The more and more I have thought about it, in so many ways our BELIEF in something is in large part measurable by what we are willing to sacrifice because of that belief. I don't expect many, if any of us will be expected to give our life for our beliefs, but sometimes I feel we sell integrity to our beliefs at a much lower price. Do we believe enough to sacrifice the "popular approval" of others by dressing modestly? Do we believe enough to sacrifice status by standing up for "old fashioned" ways of thinking. Funnily enough, I think those sacrifices seem more frightening than that of Abinadi, if only because they hit a little bit closer to home. That hit me this week.
Mother; it sounds like I won't even recognize the Ward at this point! It should be fun. I love you so much. Can I get an absentee ballot to vote for you? You have my vote in any case!
Father; give Max and Jacob a big man-hug for me! I love them so much, and am excited to see how we have all changed. All I can think of is Alma 17:1-3. I love you so much, thank you for your example to me!
Jordan; welcome back! I love you so much, send me some of those Slide-show pictures!
Rees; I love you! You'll have to show me some of your skills (not that I am going to have money for a car anytime soon, but still!). I love you.
Paige; isn't it great when hard work pays off? I think that is one of the most satisfying things we can experience. I love you so much!
Ronnie; I would give you my humble suggestion to not pair off. I love you, and trust you. Have a great week!
Lizzie; I am sorry I don't have bigger variety of things to say to you Liz! I love you, and I hope that says it all. Have a great week.
I have the best family in the world, I hope you all know that. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Hardy
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| A Bulgarian Train! |
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| Bulgaria! I think it is beautiful. |
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| One of the District Leaders here in Sofia had a baptism on Saturday--the young guy in the middle. He is a great young man! |
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| Elder Brady and I |
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| Elder Jones (who Visa waited in Max's Mission with one of Max's former companions). |
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| Elder Sharp--he's half Bulgarian. |
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Zone Conference!
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| More from youth conference! |
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