We Are the Tools God Uses To Make Them Happier!

Monday August 26, 2013

 

Hey There Everyone!

You wouldn't believe just how fast the time goes by out here! I feel like I just emailed you all! Thanks for the email, sounds like you are all still staying busy, and hopefully having a little bit of fun in the process!

Mom I´ll just answer those questions real quick. Yes, schedule is different. We wake up at 7:30 and go to bed at 23:30. We have a two hour siesta from 14:00-16:00 hours every day where we eat and study, because everyone goes home and everything in Spain shuts down! Also yes, I have an account and a card, and I use euros in cash too.

Well this week I had the wonderful opportunity to bring 3 people in the gate to eternal life! We baptized a family, and then confirmed them yesterday! The baptism was beautiful, and I loved seeing how happy they all were as they came out of the water. Ahh, so amazing. Yesterday I confirmed the little 9 year old girl named Violet, and it went great! Oh, and I also gave a talk at the baptism, in front of the mission president, that was a little nerve wracking...but it went good!

We are working with tons of investigators right now, and we are hoping to have another baptism this weekend, but we aren't too sure if he´s ready yet... but we will see! I love seeing people change in this process, and how we are the tools that God uses to make them happier!

Last P-Day we went bushwhacking up some hills here in Spain! Found some ancient ruins and such, it was so cool. I'll send you some pictures, it really is so beautiful here. I wish we had more time to do things like that on p-day, but really we are always rushed to get to places and to do things!

So that was basically my week. Working harder than I would have imagined, but having so much fun with it. I have learned to appreciate sleep so much, because I am so mentally and physically exhausted after every day. Just google map it, there isn't one street that's not a hill here!

Love you all, and I hope everything is going great. I'm doing great here, so don't worry about me! Have a great week, and enjoy life, WICKEDNESS NEVER WAS HAPPINESS :)

Love, Elder Hardy

Oh, and PSS. One of my favorite songs so far that I've found on the iPod that you all sent is called "I Cry". I think its by Freddie Ashby? Anyways, thanks again for being so amazing everyone! Ether 12:4, scripture for the day. DROP WHAT YOURE DOING AND READ IT!

 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. DAD, MOM, CHAD, BETH, CARS, AUBS.

I pray for you every night, separately. Just know I think about you guys :)

 

 

 

Carson, this is a boy in my ward who LOVES me.

He is 11, and he reminds me of you so much, he is super cool just like you.

 

 

 

 

 

"Is it bad that I enjoy the graffiti here?"

The Field is White and We Are Harvesting It!

Monday August 19, 2013

Hello family!

Ahh I wish I had more time to email, because I got three awesome separate emails today. Thank you all so much, and just know that I read them and will try to reply! You are all the best!

Alright so my week this week! Lets see. So we work hard here, let's just say that. We literally are walking all day, unless we are teaching, which is over like five hours a day. So by the end of the day, you really enjoy your sleep.

We are baptizing a family this weekend, a mom and a dad and a little eight year old girl! She even asked me to do her confirmation, so I'm very excited to do that for her!
 

Hey this is a really fun fact, I flipped out when I heard this. So my companion Elder Escobar was actually companions with David Archuleta in the MTC! They email and everything. So that's mind blowing right?!
 

We are doing great here, working hard, teaching and talking to so many people daily. The field definitely is white, and we are harvesting it. I love that about this place, we are still being brought out of obscurity. It's amazing teaching people something new that they need to know!

The food here is pretty good. Everything is very expensive, so I'm learning to shop smart, for the things that will give me the most energy for the least amount of money. Although sometimes we treat ourselves by buying little pastries at the roadside shops, and they are delicious! Or bread shops, mmm. We also have to buy water, because we cant drink the tap water! And I drink lots, because its so hot here!

The language still is probably the hardest thing for me. I´m learning, but its still so hard to understand people. It still blows my mind that I am learning a whole new language...its a big task when you really think about it! but I know that if I have faith, it will keep coming quickly.

Anyways, I love you all, and so does Heavenly Father! He wants the best for us, just like our parents do. If you have any other specific questions, let me know!

Love, Elder Hardy

 

 

 

 

Elder Hardy with Elder Escobar and Elder McDermitt

 

 

 

One Day in Canada, the Other in Spain!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Hola Todos!

 

Well I don't have very much time to email here. I am at a computer shop kind of thing, and I only have 1 hour and 20 minutes. So I better get started!

 

That's a pretty sweet picture with all the family and the posters, thanks so much to whoever did that for me! Bethany I think? Thank you so much! It was nice to talk to most of you at the airport, sounds like everyone is doing so awesome, and I'm excited to talk to you all again at christmas!

 

Is school starting pretty soon now? Summer seriously flew by, at least it did for me!

Alright, well where to start. Life has been pretty hectic for me in this past week. One day in Canada, the other in spain. How did that even happen? Crazy. Anyways, I arrived in Spain and was picked up at the airport by the president and his wife, and then the ayudantes (assistants). We went directly to the place where we took some pictures, it was like a castle on top of some hill. It was cool to see all of Barcelona. its so vast and overwhelming, oh man. Crazy to think how many people there are that need to hear the message of the restored gospel. There's a big work to do here! My companions are both from Utah, pretty good guys! We are very very obedient, and sometimes even I wonder...why they do things certain ways. Sort of like unneccessary things. But I go with the flow, and try my best to be obedient.

The area that I'm in is called Badalona. It's in the East side of Barcelona, its like a suburb of Barcelona i think, not too sure. But we are going to la sagrada familia today in Barcelona, which I'm super excited about! The Spanish is pretty similar, just with a lisp and a couple unique words only from Spain to learn! I still have troubles speaking and understanding, but I know it will come with time and faith, so I'm not too worried..or at least thats what I tell myself. We walk EVERWHERE. There are buses, but we rarely ever take them. Spain is crazzzyyy. But so cool. Ahh, can't even really describe it! But people are just like everywhere else, some are nice, some aren't. Just depends on who you talk to! The ward is fairly small..I think there are just tons of less actives. But the members there are pretty awesome, so I'm excited to get to know them over time!

Anyways, I took some pictures for you guys, so I hope you enjoy them! I'll be taking some more today for sure, because I'll be right in the middle of Barcelona! Oh, and its true. There are toilets that clean your bum.

Love, Elder Hardy

 

"It's true, there are toilets that clean your bum."  Nice!

 

 



I am guessing this is the view from Elder Hardy's Apartment.

 



 

Quite a view of Barcelona!

 

 

 

Wow! The Mediterranean Sea

Safely in the Spain Barcelona Mission.

Saturday, August 10, 2013.

 

Dear families of our new missionaries,

     We are pleased to inform you that your son has safely arrived in the Spain Barcelona Mission.  Hermana Pace and I, along with the two assistants, met him at the airport.  The group of missionaries we have received are wonderful young men and women, ready to go to work. Their enthusiasm reflects their love for the Savior and we are grateful for the privilege of guiding them along as they serve the Lord.

      Every area in the Spain Barcelona Mission is unique and beautiful, rich in history and tradition.  More importantly, each city is full of children of our Heavenly Father, waiting to hear the glad news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

      Thank you for the trust you have put in us to shepherd your son.  Please know that we feel a great responsibility to guide and protect “our” missionaries.  We love your sons and daughters as if they were our own.  With the Lord’s help, we intend to make their mission experience in Barcelona the most memorable time of their lives.

 Sincerely,

 President and Hermana Pace

 

President and Sister Pace in Spain with Elder Hardy after a long travel night.

 

Elder Hardy said they went straight to "a castle on top of some hill"!

I looked it up and it is Montjuic Hill which translates as "The hill of the Jews".

 

 

 

At the Toronto Airport!

 

Friday August 9, 2013.

 

A sweet email came from Sister Caldwell from the mission home.  She is a senior missionary who has been a gem!  Here is her email and the picture she sent!  I LOVE her for sending this picture.  It is one of my favorites from his mission and he is so Bryce-like in it!  Super happy and excited and a big awesome smile!

 

"Picking up Elder Hardy and taking him the airport was one of our assignments this afternoon :)  Here is a picture of him at the Toronto Airport.  He was so excited!  Felt confident and ready to go!  He will arrive tomorrow morning.

 

Happy day for you all!

Sister Caldwell"

 

 

 

 

Friday August 9th, 2013 Barcelona Bound via Frankfurt Germany.

I'm Going to Barcelona Momma!

Tuesday August 6, 2013.

 

Hola Todos!

HOLY THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE! You really are the best ever. I haven't opened the whole thing yet, but I saw the Ipod and the popcorn and the shirt and the letters and ahhhh I love you guys. You spoil me. I hope it didn't cost too much, it looks like an expensive package! shheeesshh.  Oh and also, I got that letter from you all! With the gift cards. You are too nice to me, I'm excited to spoil myself a little bit and make some good food! I've really been craving good food! AND I FOUND ANOTHER SECRET LETTER FROM YOU MOM!

As always, sounds like you guys are doing amazing! Fun time with baseball, and family, and climbing a mountain together?! So cool, I'm sure that those all made lasting memories with everyone! Pretty jealous, especially about the mountain. It's nothing but flat here! How is everyone doing back at home?! Staying safe and healthy?

So this week was pretty fun! I'll just write about some of the highlights, that's always the best thing to do I think.

Last Monday we went the a Chinese buffet called the Mandarin with the Lopez family, it was the mom's birthday! So on the way back on the subway, we were just sitting and talking, when all of a sudden we see a man kind of yell excitedly and start running towards us! He got closer and I saw he was handicapped. He then shook our hands, but when he shook mine last, he sat down right beside me and started hugging me. And kissing my hand. For about ten minutes, this man was just cuddling me and holding and kissing my hand, while crying! It was a different experience. But it really was nice when I thought about it after. He knew me. The veil for him is thin, and he knows exactly who I am, and who I was. I think he knew me, and that we used to be friends. The only problem is I cant remember. I have a picture that I got from someone's phone, I'll send that at some point!

Another funny story from the subway happened a few days ago! I was just sitting there, when this older lady called me over! So i went and sat down beside her, and she was like "Hey, could you tell all of your Christian followers that they need to stop killing all the Buddhists?" I was so taken aback! hahaha I had no idea that we killed Buddhists....but yeah, I cleared it up with her, explaining that Jesus wouldn't want anyone to kill. But that was a unique conversation for sure. I talk with loootttsss of funny people, and I love it.

We are now teaching a family who just moved here from Spain! We contacted them from ESL classes, its a great missionary opportunity. They are 7th day Adventists, but they seem very open to learning, and they are super nice. The dad is very hard to understand because of how fast he talks, but everyone else isn't too bad. I'm so excited to get them BAPTIZED! haha lets hope :)

Oh and one more thing...im singing in sacrament meeting this Sunday! I'm singing "Mas Cerca Dios De Ti". (Nearer My God To Thee). I'm really excited for it, I have grown a love for singing out here.

Well that was my week. Thanks so much for everything that you do for me. I love you all so much, I'm so excited to read the letters that were sent in my package! I really am so spoiled by you all! But I'm okay with that :)

Talk to you soon!

Con Amor, Elder Hardy

 

Just a mom note:  the ipod was a 2nd hand nano that I could load Mormon Tabernacle and EFY music onto for Elder Hardy.  He will be happy to have a little music.   Just as Elder Hardy's email came in on Tuesday, the phone rang.  It was the Spain Consulate asking to speak to Mr. Bryce Hardy.  His Visa was approved and the busy week began.  The mission home was amazing and took him to the consulate to take care of everything that needed done before the consulate would issue it to him and he could fly out.  His flight was going to be the following Monday and then it changed again to two weeks away, and then it changed again to THAT FRIDAY!   The crazy thing was that I was flying to Toronto on Wednesday and home Sunday.  It was so wild to be there as Elder Hardy was getting everything arranged to leave!    I wondered if I would bump into him in downtown Toronto in his comings and goings.  Here was his reply when I told him the news:

 

 

THANKS SO MUCH MOMMA!   I will hopefully talk with Sister Caldwell soon then, she is so awesome!   I am so excited to go...oh man. This is crazy news! I'M GOING TO BARCELONA MOMMA!

 

 

So The MIssion Is Tough Sometimes.

Monday, July 29, 2013

 

Well Ello Mates!

 

Wow am I ever impressed with the size of these emails! I love reading those little details, definitely makes me smile.

 

Well this week! Not too many interesting things have happened actually, its been a pretty mild week! Isaura and Fernando are doing pretty good, but neither of them came to church yesterday which was disappointing!  But I hope that I'm here to see her get baptized, that's for sure! Fernando is a stud, he is definitely going to get baptized. When we challenged him, he was like "well when Jesus saw john the Baptist, he got baptized right away..so I think I should too."  LOVE IT. He's so golden. The biggest problem with Spanish people is that they usually are very busy, because they need to work in order to support themselves and their family. So getting appointments and such is tough! I think that will be a big issue in Spain as well.

 

So the mission is tough sometimes. The language is hard to learn, and we are expected to teach people in it...crazy stuff. People always stare at you, and give you rude looks. We get yelled at all the time. Doors slammed in our faces. BUT. What makes it all worth it are the cool little experiences. Like this morning, a Jamaican man, about like 25, came up to us and said "Do you guys have anything for me?" Unfortunately all we had because it is our P-day, was a stop smoking card. But he was so appreciative and told us he wanted to change his life. He then like bore testimony about all these cool things that were happening, and why he needed to change! I just love those people, the ones that are searching for God, and just ready to change their lives.  Ahhh, so awesome!

 

So did you guys hear about the missionary in Spain?  The one who almost died on the derailed train? A man in my ward from Barcelona told me about it...maybe that is the reason why my visa is so delayed?  I will never know, but that could be one blessing that I need to count.

 

I'm sorry if this was a lame email, this week wasn't super exciting! But I will send you some pictures to make up for it :)

 

I love you all so much, never forget that!

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

 

 

The Storm that drove them back to the Penthouse!

 

 

Contemplative Elder Hardy

 

 

 

Elder Hardy with Elder Fox

  

 

 

Elder Polite and Elder Vanderstel looking like quite the pair of jokesters!

 

 

This is a mural on the side of a building in Toronto that Elder Hardy thought was cool.

 

 

Moving Into The Penthouse!

Monday July 22, 2013.

 

Howdy There Family!

I don't have too much time today, we have to move furniture and such into our apartment, so I'm going to have to use my superpower typing skills (which I don't have).

So this week has been pretty good! I really like it here in Blackcreek area, Spanish and English work are very different. I like Spanish work a whole lot, and the people are SO NICE. My companions now are Elder Polite and Elder Vanderstel again! Which is awesome, I love them both. I've really gotten lucky with my companion situations!

So one of my favorite things here right now is ESL. We teach English to people for free, every Saturday and Tuesday for an hour and a half.  SO MUCH FUN! Its cool, because I usually teach Spanish people, so I get to practice my Spanish with them too!  But our main goal out of esl is to baptize people. So we always like sing hyms, pray, give homework to read the book of mormon and such, it's really a genius program that we're running. But one of our investigators, Isaura, is our main focus right now. She is christian, but thinks that all churches are true basically, so she is having a hard time committing to baptism. Anyways, one night after ESL, we challenged her to pray about it, then and there. So we all got in a circle, and prayed one by one, with her there. The spirit was so strong. Everyone was crying by the end of it, it was a unique experience. And she felt it too. But she still didn't accept a date. Huge bummer, makes the story have a bit of a plot twist right? So thats our main focus right now is Isaura. Pray for her!

We also have a guy named Fernando from the dominican, such a cool guy. He is so ready for baptism, he is SO AWESOME. Love the guy. His biggest issue is ..., so we are trying to help him through that at the moment.

Other than that, not too much interesting. I love where I'm living now, we live in a penthouse...SWEET. Such a cool view. One day we had to go inside because of a nasty storm, so we took some pics. I will try to send them to you guys, I hope it won't take too long. Let me know how you are all doing!  I love you all so much, and I think about you and pray for you everyday.

Talk to you all soon :)

Love, Elder Hardy

Blessing to go Back to Blackcreek

Monday July 15th, 2013

Hey there Everyone!

 

Man am I ever impressed with this email, IT'S SO BIG! And really shows how awesome and hardworking you all are, I LOVE IT!

 

Well there's so many things to write about, I can barely even keep track! The service efforts are still moving on, I love that. It's nice to see pictures of it all, you all look dirty, that's when you know you're really doing something! Cool to see everyone from the ward, you all look so great and happy! That's pretty heart warming about the old man who said he was just waiting for his turn. Makes me want to get over there and help him! We helped some women from a womens shelter move into their newly assigned house, and I just felt for them. Life is hard, but its how you look at it and react to it. People are awesome.

 

Okay, my week. Lets see, I'm pretty bad at keeping everything in check and remembering exactly what I want to say. My most spiritual moment...okay. It was yesterday, we were at the A's house for dinner. They brought a non-member family along, so that was awesome! At the end of dinner, we began to talk about God. Me and my companion taught and bore our testimonies, but it was nothing as powerful when Sister A bore her testimony. She explained how before her conversion into the church, when she was in high school, she had a special experience. She explained that there was a moment when the veil was lifted, and she saw what it was like when we all were with Heavenly Father in the pre-existence. She said that this only lasted for about a minute, and it has never happened since, but she will never forget it. It was a special thing I was there to hear. The spirit was so strong, and it was a blessing to feel.

 

Also, this whole youtube and Mormon memes thing is getting out of control. It's a blessing that I'm going back to my old ward in Blackcreek...because in this ward, everyone knows me. In church some random mom came up to me with her ipad and was like "HEY IS THIS YOU?!" It was of me and Joe at grad?! hahaha like...woah. Then people asked for my autograph? And then I taught a lesson to the 14-18 year olds in sunday school, and they all knew my first name and I had to like escape after class. It was crazy. Joe, you better be ready for some crazy fans. OH AND THEN WE STOPPED BY AT SOMEONES HOUSE, she was like a 25 year old married girl and she asked if I was the guy. Just ridiculous.

 

I told Chad a funny story in his letter, so when he gets it, im leaving it up to him to share if he wants ;) Don't judge me though.

 

Also here's a crazy one from yesterday. At the members house, they told us about a man down the street known as "The King". He said that he is mean and abusive to Mormons. So of course, I took that as a challenge, and I went to talk to him after because he was on the street! At first he didn't know I was Mormon I guess (even though I'm in a white shirt, tie, and tag?) but he was pretty nice. Then I told him who I was and he said "I don't even want to listen to you, I hate all Mormons." I tried to talk to him, and all he talked about was how Mormons down the street were "fooling around out of wedlock" and so he hates them all. So...yeah. I had lots I wanted to say, but he walked away. I have learned patience, but I sure feel feisty around people like that.

 

I love you guys, and I hope you are all safe. YOU ARE ALL SO GREAT.

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

His response to questions about going to Blackcreek:

Tonight at 6:45, back into Spanish work for me, Elder Wright is getting his companion that was supposed to be here two weeks ago!  New comps are Polite and Vanderstel I believe!