The Value of Hard Work

Monday July 8, 2013.

 

Hola La Familia Hardy!

 

Como estais?! Yo espero que todo esta bien ahora. I love you all!

 

I hope my Spanish comes when I get to Spain, I know it will be hard though, its so different than other Spanish!

 

Alright so this week! Its been really awesome. I can really feel a difference between this area and last area. With Elder Wright, we have been working extra hard, and we have been seeing the most amazing miracles take place. I've learned the value of hard work, and that's the most important thing I've learned this week.

 

So it's been a great week overall. My llama issue has been taken care of, thanks mom for the set of remedies. I went and bought bananas and apples and tried some things! I also used two pepto bismol tablets, under dire circumstances. But all is well my friends, no need to fear. Its funny though, the day that the llama issue cleared up, I was using a Q-Tip...and to make a long story short, I was deaf out of my left ear for two days...so yeah, that was fun. But one day, I went into the shower deaf, and came out fully able to hear. I have no idea how it happened. But I was pretty excited. So there's my health story of the week :)

 

We have been working very hard in our finding efforts. The Elders in this area before us didn't really leave us with anyone...so we are starting from scratch. But we have three investigators now! One's name is Yulia, a 16 year old girl. Her mom is Brazilian, and dad is Japanese, so I think she speaks both languages! Anyways, we taught her the restoration, and she was just so prepared to hear it! She explained to us that she felt as though we were there as signs that God was calling her back to him. Pretty cool thing to say. I invited her to be baptized on August 4th, and she agreed! So I'm excited for that, hopefully all works out.

 

We also met a family from Grenada, and they are super nice! We met them once and just got to know them for a bit, taught a little of the basics, but we're going to meet with them more! So I'm excited for that, they even have four little kids, so great opportunity!

 

Yesterday was fast sunday, so we went to church and had the opportunity to bear our testimonies and introduce ourselves! It was pretty fun to do that for the first time! Anyways, after while walking around, I noticed that all of the kids and youth were like staring at me and whispering..so I was a little weirded out. But finally at the end of church, the bishop's little son came up to me and was like, "Elder Hardy, are you the guy on YouTube?" And I just laughed so hard! Then like ten of them came up to me and shook my hand, it was hilarious! So they quoted their favorite lines and stuff, we just talked. It was a funny experience!

 

After church, we ate lunch at a members house, they are moving to Magrath. They are also looking for a small place to stay, so ask around! After dinner we went to visit former investigators. Talked to a 20 year old guy with Schizophrenia, he was really nice. But on our way to the next, we found a woman on her front steps, so we stopped to talk to her! She was from Chile! So we spoke Spanish, and talked with her for about an hour. Taught her the whole restoration right then and there, and I gave the first vision to her in Spanish. We have a return appointment, so I'm excited for that!

 

So that was basically my week. Food is good, I'm learning to do some real cheap cooking with ground beef and such. I'm loving it. Tell Chad that Sister Mendenhall from Raymond says hi, she knows him!

 

I love you all so much. Stay happy, there is strength in numbers.

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

 

Elder Hardy sent these pictures in with a Reply to Aubrey who has been sad to see NO pictures of her brother wearing the special tie that she helped to pick out for him.

 

 

"Aubrey I'm sorry I didn't wear your tie that day! But I will wear that super duper cool blue tie tomorrow okay? I still remember going to the store with everyone and we were all picking them. You gave me like 50 different ties to choose from! And that was the one that we both liked best. I love that tie from you, and I'm so happy when I wear it, because I think of you! I love you so much Aubrey, I hope you are staying safe and happy!"

 

 

 

Llama Problems

Wednesday July 3rd, 2013.

Dear Dad, Mom, Chad, Bethany, Carson, and Aubrey!

It's so nice to be able to hear from you guys! Thank you so much for all of the emails, I love being able to read them. I'm sorry if I forget to reply to something, or don't give enough detail. Also taking pictures isn't something that I do very often, so be patient with that!

  

Dad, those pictures of the flood are CRAZY. HOLY. That's got to be the most insane thing I've ever seen. Especially the Saddledome, its just surreal to see something like that that I never would have expected. You are all being great disciples of Christ by giving service to your fellow men. What's going to happen with work now? Do you still have to make it up there somehow?

 

It sounds like you guys had some fun in Magrath/Raymond too hey? I'm jealous, but not really. I hope it was an awesome time! I actually have an Elder Cook here from Magrath, he knows grandma and grandpa! Also Elder Gibb from Lethbridge is my zone leader, cool hey?

 

Okay so biiiggg update for you all. Lets see. Ready for a funny story? It will make you "poop your pants".

 

So. One day we went to a Bolivian family's house for dinner. Lo and behold, we ate llama. With weird giant corn things. It was kinda gross, but I enjoyed it and ate it all. I thought I was fine, but I always had the lingering thought of Elder Grigor's Bolivian bowel problems. Anyways, two days later, I woke up. At three in the morning. And oh boy, did I ever have to go! long story short...I spent lots of time making a new friend with the toilet. It wasn't pretty. I could barely walk without being scared of pooping myself. Even to this day, still having problems. That was five days ago! So that's one update. I've been getting made fun of quite a lot actually because of it, but its pretty scary. I lost five pounds in two days. Its not healthy. So if it doesn't fix itself soon...I might go see someone...hahahaha  That's my story for the week.

 

Alright, update time. So transfers came, and guess what? I had to stay at Elder Campbell's apartment with my companions for a night! So that was pretty cool. He should be home now, there to talk about my llama problems. So I was supposed to stay in Blackcreek area, and I got a new companion. But that night, I got a call! It was the Assistant to the President who said I was needed here in Cambridge, which is an English speaking mission! So now I'm here for two weeks, doing English with Elder Wright. Pretty crazy turn of events. But fun! So I'm doing pretty good, having fun serving people and getting to know people.

 

We had an exciting experience back in my last area (Blackcreek) right before I left! The sisters had a 9 year old girl, Laura, to be baptized! Her mom is inactive. So pretty hard situation. But she got baptized, and her mom just felt the spirit so strong. It was amazing. Beforehand she was quite against the baptism from happening, but after her whole countenance just changed. It was incredible! So many cool stories.

 

Spanish is coming along, but it's hard. People talk so fast, so its hard for me to understand and participate in a real conversation. That has been a bit of a struggle for me here, but its okay, it happens with everyone. Now that I'm in English, it's going to be even harder though. But great opportunity for teaching that I fully understand!

 

I love you all so much. Thank you for all that you do. You're amazing. Never forget that you are all children of Heavenly Father, and he loves you. He knows you. He knows your struggles. He knows your weaknesses. Become humble, and he will make weaknesses become strong unto you. This is a promise. I'm learning these things slowly here, and I'm going to test them out. I want you all to do the same. Pick something you struggle with, and work on it this week! We'll do it together. I love you all, stay amazing.

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

It was Golden!

Monday, June 24, 2013

Hey there Hardy Clan!

 

Well this is some crazy news. Thank you for all of the details, it's hard not knowing these things. I found out by seeing a newspaper here about it all...for the past few days it's been on the front cover, so I only see crazy pictures. Anyways, I'm happy you are all safe. Stay that way. I love you all so much, and I think about all of you individually. haha Chad I remember how much it sucks to have DAYS of work just ruined by nature. Most annoying thing on this earth. ahh crazy crazy crazy. I'll be keeping everyone in my prayers, especially Rob Nelson's family. That is unbelievably devastating. I hope his family will be comforted in knowing that they will be together again. Times like these are when the gospel really can be a strength. Use these humbling circumstances as an opportunity to share the happy message that we know to be true.

 

Well lets see what things I can update you guys on...mostly everything has been pretty typical. Or as typical as missionary life can be. I am used to being stared down, fingered, simply stared at, ignored, yelled at, and every other thing. I am beginning to love it though ;) haha  It all makes it worth it when that one prepared soul makes that decision to have a real talk with you and shows real interest in the church. We teach ESL classes, and the people who come are beautiful in spirit. I love seeing how humble they are, I can relate, learning a language is tough! And being humble is one characteristic of someone ready to accept the gospel! One time I had a guy kind of ask if I could talk with him for a bit. he said "The real reason I came to these classes is to know more about your church." It was golden! That gave me an opportunity to talk to him about it, and leave him with a Book of Mormon! I just love people who are actually interested in hearing our message.

 

Mom I miss your cooking ;) hahaha We are so dirt poor out here...making a good meal just is barely realistic. I love going to members houses though, the Spanish culture is so kind, they never let you leave hungry. And the food is so awesome, I love it! Dad I think I'm going to start making the dinner that you always made, which was actually my favorite.  Rice, chicken, and corn. mmm that sounds so good right now.

 

Well thank you for the update everyone. I love you all so much, I cant say that enough. Make sure that you all stay safe, and help others in their time of need. I look forward every single week to hearing from you guys. You are all amazing.

 

No update on the visa ps. But one crazy cool update, we went to a broadcast yesterday for the new mission  presidents. And they said that throughout this next year, they will be implementing more technology, like allowing us on Facebook, and ipads, and phones, and other cool things! It blew my mind! So we'll see what happens with that! By the time Carson leaves, he'll be tweeting on his mission ;)

 

I love you all. Have an awesome week, congrats on the start of the summer :)

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

OH PS I ATTENDED A BAPTISM YESTERDAY AND I SANG AT IT AND I ALSO TAUGHT A LESSON AT THE FRONT TO EVERYONE ALL IN SPANISH. YES I NEARLY PEED MY PANTS.