Missionary Work Is So Cool - Lots of Work to Be Done Here.

Monday June 17, 2013

 

 

The Best Family In The World!

 

How are you all?!  I'm sure that you are all doing so well, and having so much fun!  I'm happy that you received my letters, I never feel like I can trust the mailing system.

 

Mom I'm going to try to answer your questions now, let's hope I get to them all!

 

Tell me all about who you are serving with!  Companions from where and tell us all about them? 

1. I'm serving with Elder P (Uruguay/Utah) and Elder S (Idaho). Awesome guys, really funny, both fluent in Spanish which is fun! I really like them, couldn't have asked for better!

 

Chathum...tell me about how you got there.  And how was your flight to Toronto?  Did you have any adventures on your way there?  You made your connection ok?  Do you know where Chathum is on a map?  You are right by the US border and Michigan I think!  Cool spot.  Quite far away from Toronto really when your visa comes.  (This is where we were told Elder Hardy was sent to in the original letter from President Scott - glad we didn't mail anything there since he never really was there!)

2. No idea what Chatham is?  I'm in Blackcreek.  Right near downtown Toronto. The ghetto part of Toronto...I'm safe, but lets just say people aren't so friendly...there's been some scary stuff.  haha  But it's all good.  Mostly everyone is Jamaican or East Indian or Asian or African American...maybe 5% white people.  So I stick out even more.  But I love them all, everyone has the potential to become a disciple of Christ.

 

Tell me about your Mission President and your time at the mission home.

 

3. Mission President Scott is awesome!  Super nice guy, went out to dinner with him and his wife my first night I got here!

 

What was your first week of missionary work like?  Are you speaking Spanish?  Are you tired out? 

 

4. It was crazy, but fun. Yes, lots of Spanish. I'm in the Spanish ward, and we teach ESL, so lots of Spanish.  I'm improving, but it's still so hard.

 

Do you eat healthy?  Are you buying healthy food and eating it?

 

5. Trying.  It's hard on a budget.  But we are doing our best. Members feed us a decent amount!  Lots of rice and beans, I love it.

 

What awesome experiences can you share with us from your week and a half? 

 

6. Too many crazy stories, lots that I won't have time to share.  haha.  We've been like verbally attacked by many people, I received my first "flip-off" by some guy in a car, the CONSTANT stares on every bus ride, old ladies completely ignoring you when you say hello.  That one was awkward...and lots lots more.  But it's all good.  haha

 

So yeah, its been a pretty good week though!  I love it here, it's so different, and lots of work to be done here. We had a lady just this morning who was rambling to us about how "everyone in Toronto is drained, I can see it in their eyes".  She wore glasses so she wouldn't get drained.  Long story short, she was not in her right mind.  You wouldn't believe how crazy the world can be, till you get out there and see it.

 

We have taught lots of lessons with tons of cool experiences! One guy named Tom came into ESL (English classes) one day, and said "I'm a catholic, but I had a feeling to come in here". He later said some cool stuff about how he feels a good spirit every time he sees us and stuff! He just has trouble with the Book of Mormon still, but it will come.

 

Missionary work is so cool.  I've learned so much already.  I just really want to get this language down!  It can be very tough sometimes, I'll be honest, but I am someone who keeps on trying and never gets discouraged, that's what I've learned.  Anyways, I love you all, and I really hope you are all doing amazing.  I cant wait for the letters!

 

Talk to you soon :)

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

Elder Hardy sent this picture this week of
Hermano Davis (with his wife) and the District at the MTC

 

 

 

Safely in Canada Toronto Mission!

It appears that Elder Hardy did indeed safely arrive in Toronto Canada sometime today as we received this email from President Scott.  As far as we know, Elder Hardy will still plan to go to Spain when his Visa arrives, but in the meantime it seems that he is in a great place.  We look forward to hearing from him on his next Preparation Day though we don't know for sure when that will be.  We will patiently wait until we hear from him next.

 

 

Dear Brother and Sister Hardy,

 

We are grateful to receive your son, Elder Bryce Hardy as a new missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission.  We are including a picture that we took with him at the mission home when he arrived.  His testimony and enthusiasm for the work are evident.  As his mission president and wife, we thank you for the sacrifice that was made to prepare him to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  As parents who have sent children on missions, we recognize the feelings involved in sending a son or daughter on a full-time mission for the Lord.

 

A dedicated service to the Lord brings many blessings to many people.  As a full-time servant of the Lord, Elder Hardy will be blessed with a greater knowledge of the gospel, as well as a stronger testimony.  He will touch the hearts of many people, and those whom he will teach will be able to change their lives as they receive the peace and knowledge that comes through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.  King Mosiah related the comforting message from the Lord that he received when he inquired about sending his sons into the service of the Lord: “Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life.” (Mosiah 28:7).  The Lord relates in Doctrine and Covenants 84:80-85 that His Elders and Sisters will be taken care of well.  It requires a lot of faith, but we know that the Lord is watching over us all.

 

After prayerful consideration, Elder Justin Steele and Elder Brian Polite, two of our outstanding missionaries in the mission have been called to be your son’s first companions and trainers. 

 

We are sure that Elder Hardy will love his mission as he stays dedicated and focused on the Lord’s work.  We promise to love and care for him.  We testify of the truthfulness of this marvellous work of bringing souls to a knowledge of the Savior.

 

Serving a full time mission can be the most significant and rewarding experience in a young person’s life.  It is rigorous and challenging and requires great spiritual focus.  Successful and happy missionaries abide by a strict code of conduct and obedience.  Thank you for supporting and sustaining your missionary in this great work.

 

Once again, we thank you for the faith you have shown to the Lord and the sacrifices that you are making.  We feel it a great privilege and responsibility to care for your missionary while he serves the Lord and pray daily for his happiness, well being, and success.

 

With love and gratitude,

Brent L. Scott

President

 

 

Elder Hardy with President and Sister Scott in the Canada Toronto Mission

 

Our missionary.  That we love.  Beyond words.

Big Man at the MTC

Thursday June 6th, 2013

Hardy Family!

How are you all doing?!  From these cute pictures, it seems like you are all doing awesome!  Still beautiful and handsome as ever.

 

I seriously look at the photo album every single day, and I share it with everyone to look at. You are all so good looking.

 

Hey Grandma and Grandpa Baril, you guys are so great!  I've shared those 19 boxes of Smarties with so many people.  I went out of my way to give them to people who looked like they needed it.  They were all soooo grateful and surprised, it was hilarious.  Just know that those Canadian candies are a hit!  ;)  And I think I already wrote Grandma Joyce a card before I left, but make sure she knows how grateful I am for her and her support. I love you Grandma Joyce!

 

Thank you all for the dear elders, they are a highlight of every day for me.  It's so nice of you guys to take time to write me and keep me updated!  Dad, I seriously CHERISH that story you told me about the temple and Grandma.  That's such a powerful story to hear!  I love stories like that, it's really a powerful testimony builder.  I hope you will always keep it dear to your heart, because I know that I will.  

 

Chad, thanks for your letter too!  I loved your words of support, they really lifted me up!  And its cool to hear you say you actually love and care about me, deep down I already knew it, I was just waiting for you to say it.  I care about you, and love you so much.  I pray for you daily Chad.  I love you so much my brotha, I miss our wings nights.  When I get back, we better do that stuff again!

 

Alright, let's talk about some stuff that happened this week. An elder left today. Elder -, he came in just last week and I became pretty good friends with him  He's a really nice guy.  Anyways, yesterday he just broke down and said he would have to go home. Turns out that he's an atheist, and couldn't continue teaching.  Really a sad story, I feel really distraught over it.  But I talked with him for a bit, and tried to give him some courage and support.  I hope things work out for him.

 

We can't do things on our own.  There is a purpose for us in this life.  We gotta get through it, and endure.  We're supposed to have joy, and I know that the only true way I could find that was by leaning on Heavenly Father and the atonement.  The only way I was able to feel happy was through my Savior.  I know, without a doubt, that we are here to find joy.  Wickedness never was happiness, I've found that out.

 

I also am continuing with the "singing in the shower tradition" here.  All the new guys who have come in like it too, so I'm basically just Michael Buble in the shower. If only I sounded that good all the time.  ;)  But I love it.  I really miss music, I barely ever get to hear it here!  I really want some way to listen to it, so I've gotta figure that out!

 

Yesterday, I was the big man at the MTC.  I was in charge of directing all of the traffic for the new missionaries getting dropped off.  And it was a record, most cars in history at the MTC.  Over 900! Anyways, I ended up getting burnt, bad.  I'll send a picture.

 

Hey I've got a testimony building scripture for you all!  Just a cool relation between the New Testament and Book of Mormon. So in Matthew 17:11, Jesus is talking to Peter, James, and John! And it actually says that Elias (John the Baptist) will come to "restore" all things!  THAT IS THE PRIESTHOOD!  How cool is that you guys?  The restoration of the gospel was foretold.  If that isn't sweet, I don't know what is.

 

Okay so guys, I'm getting my travel plans today! Ill be calling sometime after 12 I think, for five minutes. Not sure exactly when. Will anyone be home? 

 

I love you guys so much. Stay strong, you're all great. 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

 

I asked Elder Hardy the name of the other missionary besides Elder Stolk. 

His response:

His name is Elder Miller, from North Ogden Utah. He is going to Malaga Spain!
They both got their visas.

 

Elder Hardy is 19.  Time to take him seriously!  

 

 

We had happy birthday donuts sent to Elder Hardy for his birthday.

 

From Wednesday, June 5th when Elder Hardy got to be the "big man"

at the MTC directing traffic as all the new missionaries of the week were being dropped off. 

The other pictures had little too much white skin to post them here!

 

 

On Thursday June 6th, we got a phone call from Elder Hardy saying that on Monday morning he will be flying out to Toronto where he will begin his mission and say until his Visa arrives.

 

We also got a call from Renee Boehmer from the Diamond Valley Branch who had just returned from dropping off their daughter at the MTC for her mission to New Zealand.   She said that they saw Elder Hardy there directing traffic and looking so great and happy.  They knew Elder Hardy from working together on the Youth Celebration for the Calgary Alberta Temple.

 

Smallest District Ever!

 

"We have sisters in our zone now, four. We got three new ones yesterday too. I don't really know any of them though, we are never with other districts except for meals and sacrament meeting."

 



FAM JAM AND MOMMMAAA!!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!  I really hope that everyone spoils you today, because you deserve it.  I love you so much.  Do you have any plans at all?  I hope you do. Treat yourself okay? I will send you a birthday letter when I can, so just be ready for that!

 

Thank you all for the dear elders! I love hearing everything. Bethany I loved yours! Yes, boys are stupid. Just stay away from them alright? ;) You're the cutest one around, so make sure you stay safe :)

 

Alright, let's see what I can tell you about this week.  I sprained my ankle in gym on Saturday!  So I had to get it checked out, it was a stage 1 ankle sprain. Guess what? Completely healed two days later.  It's cool those little miracles and blessings that we recieve daily, how amazing our bodies can be! So that was fun, I'm back to playing volleyball and basketball again!  Oh, here's a crazy story for you!  So in my district on the very first day, we had 7 people. 5 elders, 2 sisters. The two sisters were too good at spanish, so they switched classes the first day. That left us with 5. Then one elder left to the Madrid mtc, so we were left with 4. Yesterday, an elder went home, because he had things he needed to get sorted out. So now we are left with 3. SMALLEST DISTRICT EVER. I'm now in a triple companionship, so basically we are just one district. It's so crazy. But I'm so grateful for them all. And I hope the elder who left yesterday will get things fixed, it was an emotional goodbye and I'm so happy he is using the wonderful gift of the atonement that has been provided for us. Keep Elder - in your prayers!

 

We had a devotional the other day, and in it we sang Come, come ye saints.  The spirit was so strong. I could hear the angels singing with us, I promise you guys that.  It was incredible.  Also, we watched Sister Monson's funeral after.  I don't know if you guys have seen it, but I think it was her grandaughter who sang in it!  And Beth, she reminded me of you.  The song was "Whenever I hear the song of a bird".  Go and read those lyrics.  They are so cool!  I felt the spirit very strong then too.

 

Hey I'm so happy you guys recieved my letters! I love you all. Carson, you better write me back dude ;)  I hope everything is going good, stay strong! Aubrey, how cute are you. I could just picture you reading it all by yourself, you're a smart girl! Learn Spanish now okay?

 

I love you all so freaking much! I have a few scriptures I want you to read. Matthew 10:19-20. This one is more for me, it explains how i need to go about teaching! Teach by the spirit, fear not, becuase my mouth will be filled! Such a cool gift as a missionary, and I've experienced it...in Spanish. Also, read alma chapter 32 as a family. All about faith. Its such a great chapter!  I love it.

 

Last one is Ether 2:24-25. This is for all of you, Dad, Mom, Chad, Beth, Cars, Aubs.  Jesus Christ is explaining that he gives us trials, winds and waves in our sea.  He watches us and how we deal with those waves. Will we sink?  Or will we swim?  This is a test.  He is our light, and He will help us calm the seas.  I challenge you all to swim, no matter how high your waves might be.  Some are higher than others.  Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can all be healed.  Matthew 11:28-30. He already atoned for our sins. Repent, lift those burdens!  He didn't suffer, so that we could hold them on ourselves.  Lighten your loads.  He wants us to.  He loves us.

 

Sorry for that...my missionary side came out..haha. perdon me por favor?  I love you all so much.

 

Love, Elder Hardy

 

In response to my mentioning that his visa is not ready yet and I thought that sending him to Toronto would make sense since he has to fly there anyways on his way to Spain to pick up his Visa in person:

 

I hope it will get here soon. If not, serving in Canada for a bit would be pretty fun! Back to the homeland for a bit, I wouldn't mind!  That's so true, Toronto Spanish speaking would just make sense. But exactly, who knows where I'm needed. I guess we'll see hey? I'm just excited, and nervous. Missionary work is not easy, I'll tell you that! I can't imagine how hard dad must have worked to learn the language!  So impressive. Dad, you're such a boss. Or in Spanish, "como un jefe" (like a boss)

A link to a beautiful rendition of  "Come, Come ye Saints":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ia3gYSvG8M

Here is a link to Whenever I Hear the Song of a Bird:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxMREbfujFA

 

I'm Like My Own Ipod!

Elder Stolk and Elder Hardy off to The Spain Barcelona Mission

HEY HARDY FAM!

 

Well I hit my hump day yesterday, which is actually so crazy.  It feels like I've only been in here for a couple of days!   I'm really happy that it's going by quickly, I feel like I'm just getting lost in the work and I honestly forget about time, its a cool feeling.

 

Well it sounds like things are going pretty good at home from what I've heard!  Mom, you've had some pretty cool experiences in Kansas hey! That's so nice to be able to go to the temple and everything, I bet it was so nice!  I heard there was a big tornado there, did you hear about it?  I really love your dear elders you send, its nice to be updated like that!  Oh and thank you for sending a package,  I'm so excited to get it!  I'll try to wait till my birthday, but no promises ;)

  

Oh, I got a package from Uncle Russ and Aunt Stacie, SO NICE OF THEM :) Such a great surprise, thank you all so much! It was delicious.  The Michelsons sent me a package too, YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!  Thank you so much, I really am so appreciative of that, it meant a whole lot :) I hope you all are doing great!

  

I'm so excited to get that package, did Aubrey put her picture in it?  I cant wait for those extra O's, I need those hugs from you Aubs!

  

Okay mom I'll answer those questions for you!

 

Here are the questions first:

1.  Whatever happened that you didn't see Camilla?

2.  Who is your Branch President?

3.  Can you only take pics on pday?

4.  Do you know anything about your visa?  I called a day ago and the others from your group all have theirs...but not you yet.  Jaime from the travel office thought you might know something before she does.

 

Here are his answers:

1. They wouldn't let me leave the MTC since I came in the gates...they told her I couldn't. Kinda lame, but whatever.

2. My branch president is a President Hollister. He used to be a pro drummer for Ozzy Osbourne. No joke. But he's the coolest guy ever, and has lots of spiritual thoughts.

3. I can take pics everyday...but trust me, not much time or purpose to take many here. In Barcelona I will though!

4. Nope. One guy headed to Madrid, but I'm not stressing it. The Lord knows where I need to be, and when I need to be there.

 

 

Hmm, lets see what I can tell you about this week. Nothing super interesting happened, but a couple cool stories and funny ones too I guess!

 

You should tell Joe this one. Yesterday when I was playing volleyball, a missionary came over and was like, "NO WAY, ELDER HARDY!!  I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN, I WATCH YOU ON YOUTUBE!!" hahahaha  And then two others did the same thing in the mail room! The guys in my district were totally confused...so I had to explain to them. Anyways, pretty funny.

  

Another weird story, I was in the cafeteria the other day, just holding a glass, and it suddenly burst in my hand. Out of nowhere. There was one other missionary who saw it happen, and she was just as confused as I was. Either I am Harry Potter, or have some weird super strength. It was so weird.  Long story short, had about 100 glass shards all over my hand, had to go into the kitchen to wash it off.

 

One last funny story.  Last night after gym, all the guys in my zone were showering.  It's like one large room, with seperate stalls so you cant see each other or anything.  But I just decided to sing a song for fun..and when I finished, they all like begged me to sing more!  So I took requests, and I ended up being in there for like half an hour just singing.  hahaha it was pretty funny, maybe I'll be a pro singer when I come home?  I love singing here, it's like the only music I ever get to hear. Im like my own ipod. I get desperate to hear music, so I have to sing it!

 

Hey have I told you about my teacher yet?  Hermano Davis?  He has got to be the most amazing guy I've ever met, served in Argentina a couple years ago, married now.  Anyways, he's SO GREAT. He's one of the reasons I was supposed to come to this MTC, I know it.  I wish you guys were able to see him teach, holy.  His name is Jeremy Davis, look him up on facebook!  Such a great guy.

  

I love you guys. I hope everything is well. I'm so happy you all got my letters! I'm gonna see if I have pics to send you now.

 

 

Take care Hardy Clan.

Love, Elder Hardy

 

Hey one more thing mom. You are right....I did need to learn how to sew :( I did some ninja kick in my pj's last night, totally ripped a hole in the crotch.

MOTHER KNOWS BEST. 

(just a note from Mom...we had a big discussion the day or two before he left about bringing some sewing stuff with him.  He was determined NOT TO.  I made him let me buy just  a few things for him to put into his suitcase and told him he wouldn't be sorry!  I can't tell you how this made his mother smile!  And so early on!)

Ps ive gained five pounds! But it's a good five pounds. I'm filling out.  Somehow I have a better sixpack...not sure how that works.  But its working!  I excerise everyday, so I'm gaining good weight. I'm so happy about it.

 

 

Mom, i got like 3 compliments on this tie in one day. Success.

Elder Hardy and Elder Stolk

 

 

 With the chair perched like this, and that little twinkle in his eye and smirk on his lips,

it reminds me of my little five year old Brycey!  LOVE THIS PICTURE!

 

It Was All a Funny Test!

Heyyo Fam Jam!

How is everyone doing?!  I just want to let you know that I've sent like two or three letters home...but they may take some time to get there!  I absolutely love receiving dear elders from you guys, it's so comforting to know whats going on at home! It sounds like everyone is doing great!  

Well I have so much I'd love to tell you guys! I hate not having tons of time to email.  So the language is coming little by little still. I'm able to teach like a 30 minute lesson all in Spanish pretty much.  It's still a struggle, and by the end of the day my brain is exhausted.  I just can't wait to be fluent honestly.  But I should be so grateful for how quick I learn, and how I can retain the information really well.  Me and my companion (he's going to Barcelona too) have taught two new investigators (our teachers) tons of lessons now!  We have them both committed to baptism, if they pray to know the message is true! Its pretty funny in our lessons...my companion is struggling with the language, so I literally have to translate for him! I have to say "Puedo explicar a mi companero en ingles por favor?" to my investigator, so it doesn't sound like I'm talking in English behind their back haha.  It's a fun time though, we teach great together.

Sundays are pretty awesome!  Wake up, have about three hours of personal study, then priesthood meeting, then two more hours of personal study, then sacrament where I'm the branch pianist!  So I'm honing my piano skills.  Then we have more study, then a devotional speaker, then a Sunday movie in the gym at the end of the night!  Like a Joseph smith movie.

Okay i had my first really cool experience here last Sunday!  We went on a temple walk, and on our way back, there was this young 20 year old ish couple sitting on the temple grounds. They called us over because they said they were curious about what happened in the temple!  Anyways, we ended up teaching them a spiritual 1 hour lesson right there on the temple grounds!  I taught them about the restoration and the plan of salvation and so much more!   I even answered really tough questions so well, I impressed myself.  Anyways, at the end, he pulled out his temple recommend....IT WAS ALL A FUNNY TEST!  It turned out they were engaged members, and this was something they always wanted to do for a Sunday date together!  Such a great idea, and such a blessing to me. I'm totally going to do that when I'm home.  They were both so awesome.

 

This Tuesday, guess who came to talk to us?!  RUSSELL M. NELSON.  It was so awesome.  You really could feel the spirit enter the room as he came in, I was only like 30 feet away from him when he talked too!  It was so amazing.  He talked all about missionary work.  One thing that I liked that he said was, "Obedience brings blessings.  Exact obedience brings miracles".  I can testify to you guys that this is true!  I've been so blessed here, in tons of different ways.  My testimony has grown so much!  I know I have room to improve in obedience, and as I do, miracles will begin to take place.  One thing that his wife said in her talk was, "We need to pray to find the people who's ancestors are praying for us".  How cool is that?!  We have people rooting for us on the other side of the veil so that we can help their family.  The way I think about it, is one convert, really translates to hundreds with family history work.  Such a cool thing hey? 

Mom and Dad, I am really loving your Dear Elders. I feel so loved out here by you guys.

 

Dad is right, I really am adapting well here now.  My zone all likes me pretty well, although I get made fun of a lot for my Canadian accent...Americans are so ignorant sometimes...shhh don't tell our American friends! haha But they are great guys, I like them.  Oh and I've definitely learned what to eat or not to eat.  That's for sure.

Okay well I'm going to send a few pictures, so you can see a little of my life here!

Love, Elder Hardy.

PS I LOVE THE TIES. I GET COMPLIMENTED EVERYDAY. No joke. Every single tie, people always want to trade, but TOO BAD. I love them.

 

Elder Stolk and Elder Hardy at the Provo, Utah Temple

You Don't Know What You've Got, Until It's Gone - Week One at the MTC

Elder Hardy and Elder Stolk

 

Elder Hardy - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. I can't put into words how much I really do love you guys. You know the saying, "You don't know what you've got, until it's gone"? Well it definitely rings true here. I miss all of your guys' love, and the fun times we had together before I left.

 

Luckily I've gotten lost in the work here at the MTC. I am really striving to do my best here, and I know that its beginning to pay off for me. I've been so obedient to all of the rules so far while I'm here...which is surprising I'm sure for you guys, because I was quite the rebel at home ;)   But I have really felt the blessings of my Heavenly Father in this week I've been here.  Through my exact obedience, I have truly been blessed with so many things out here. I feel a unique comforting feeling, despite this huge change in scenery. Another gift I have been given is the gift of tongues. I have grown so fast in this language. I say prayers all in spanish. I bear my testimony in spanish. I greet people and share scriptures in spanish. Its incredible how powerful our Heavenly Father can be, there's no way I could do all this on my own. I've learned so much about this gospel. I have learned to love it, and my faith has grown much stronger already. I wish you guys could meet my teacher, Hermano Davis. He went to Argentina on his mission, so he's got a harsh accent. But he is the coolest, and most spiritual guy ever. He's so great, and I'm learning lots through him.

 

My companion, Elder Stolk, is from Colorado. Dad, he even beats you for most people in a family. HE HAS 14 PEOPLE IN HIS FAMILY. All natural births. It's pretty impressive hey? Anyways, he's such  a great guy, with a great sense of humour. We get along so well and have gotten pretty close.  We've become great friends in the little amount of time we have had. We have found out that we are both pretty similar too, which is so great. We both play volleyball, so gym time is so much fun for us. We dominate ;)

Well life at the MTC is hard, but its rewarding. This whole MTC thing is actually quite crazy. Imagine a 14 hour school day, all dedicated to things pertaining to the gospel and language. With super strict rules. That's basically what it is. BUT I'M LOVING IT. Being able to have the spirit as my constant companion has blessed me immensely. I can already feel myself personally improving in so many aspects. I'm really growing out here. My testimony is honestly strengthened every single minute.The food is pretty good, even though it tends to cause some traffic jams in my intestines if you catch my drift. Okay that was a little gross, but I hope I got my point across :)   Let's go through a normal days schedule here yes? Basically what happens is wake up at 6:00, get ready, go to personal study for an hour, eat breakfast, more study, companion study, classroom learning with our teacher, lunch, language study, more classroom learning, dinner, more language, then gym, then bed/letter writing time. I honestly have NO free time, except about a half an hour before bed.

 

We taught a fake investigator this week three lessons. IN SPANISH. It was quite hard, but I just let the spirit lead the way, and it helped me know what to say. I think we did pretty well, even though she wouldn't accept our inviation for baptism...good thing she's already a member haha.  

 

Ahh so funny story. Two days ago at breakfast I all of a sudden felt soooo sick. I tried to tough it out and eat. I even said a prayer that I'd be able to feel good and focus throughout the day. But as we know, the Lord can answer our prayers in mysterious ways. Immediately after my prayer, I was like, "COMPANION, WE GOTTA GO TO THE WASHROOM NOW". He kinda hesitated, and then I just PUKED.  I like covered it with my hands and all, just into a bowl on my tray. Little did I know, but he has a weak stomache. He like BOOKED it to the other end of the giant cafeteria, and was gagging for like half an hour. Poor guy. He's the one who gets made fun of constantly now for his weak stomache. Anyways, it was hilarious. I should be more careful about what I say in my prayers, I didn't want to puke....but the crazy thing was that I felt PERFECTLY fine after. So whatever, I guess Heavenly Father has a sense of humor too.

 

Happy Mothers Day Momma. I wish I could talk on the phone with you, I would love that. But I hope you feel my love, I'll be praying for you.

 

Stay Happy, stay healthy. Be strong, and of a good courage :) 

Talk to you all soon!

 

Love, Elder Hardy