May 28, 2015

Elder Hardy is HOME!!!

May 25, 2015

One. Last. Time.

Well this is the last time you have to rely entirely on the written word to know how I'm doing. For the rest of my life I'll be able to just call you. 

I'll keep things short as well. I always like to follow my Mother's example. When transfer calls came in we found out that we are both leaving Lasalle, and our area is closing. So we've been saying goodbye to people and making plans to clean the apartment so the landlord doesn't become an anti-mormon. We're going to be super busy these next few days, but not really doing missionary work. It's kind of weird. Today we're going down the the south shore for p-day to have a BBQ with some Elders that I'm super close to. It's going to be super awesome.  Then tonight we have a dinner with some members to say goodbye. Tomorrow we're cleaning the apartment (including scrubbing the shower walls to remove the crayon-like waxy stuff the previous elders used to draw stuff on the walls) then heading off the island again to have the "last supper," as our ward mission leader calls it, at his house. Then Wednesday Elder Hernandez heads off to Hochelaga to start a new phase of his mission; I get to hang out at the mission home, have a testimony meeting, eat with the elders I'm leaving with, sleep at the mission home, then wake up Thursday. Then I fly. 

At this point I'm pretty excited to get home. This last 6 weeks has been an emotional roller-coaster and I just want it to end. I haven't started packing yet, though that is more a result of laziness than anything else. 

Now...pictures:

The Rodneys. Super nice and cool. The baby (Zion) loves my singing voice.

The Morales Family. Also super cool and awesome.

Chandra our investigator. She cried when we left. Going to miss her.

Me doing service sanding a wall

My comp doing the same. This is before he stepped on a rusty screw and we ended up sitting for hours in the emergency room waiting for his shot.

They wouldn't let me operate the sander. I'm just not buff enough I guess.

May 18, 2015

short e-mails

So I have been accused of writing short e-mails these last few weeks. It's completely true. It's very hard to push myself to write a lot when I have started to think about when I need to start packing and what I should bring and what I should leave. It's not because I don't love you, it's because the stuff that has been going on lately varies only slightly from the happenings of the past two years. I agree with everyone else though. It doesn't feel like 2 years. It feels like maybe a few months. Then I think of all the memories and lessons I've learned. The awesome days and the absolutely horrible days. Funny enough if I had to pick out only a few days to keep from my mission it would mostly be made up of bad days and horrible mistakes. These are the days I learned the most. I'd also keep the personal studies from when I was in Ottawa. I learned more about the Bible and what it teaches about Christ during those months than my entire 4 years of Seminary (though that's not at all seminary's fault). 

What would I trade in exchange for these 2 years? Well, having my calling and election made sure and receiving the promise that I'll enter into exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom with my family, but other than that I wouldn't trade anything. Is it because I loved my mission? Well I loved a lot of things on my mission, though others took the form of "learning opportunities" (as I've mentioned above). Really rather than saying I loved my mission, I'd say I'm grateful to God and His Son Jesus Christ for the blessing and opportunity to serve, and if asked I would do it again. The second time around I wouldn't have to figure out why I was there half way through. I came the first time because it was what I was supposed to do. But I stayed because I have come to love my Savior, and I want to do anything I can to try and repay him for what he did, does, and has covenanted to continue to do for me. Was my service fun? Certain parts of it were, though those are memories that would get tossed out if I had to start losing memories because they are of no lasting value (beyond the friends I've made). I didn't come to have fun, I came to serve. Some missionaries do learn to find our work fun, but for me it has only been service, but like they teach in the newest Mormon message (watch it it's amazing), service is what heals the soul, and gives it substance. It makes it far easier to find ourselves, because there is so much more of us to find (credit to Elder Christofferson for that one).

I love you all so much! I'll be writing you again on Monday ONE LAST TIME!!! 

Love you all so much!

Elder Hardy

p.s. is my topic the same in the Y.S.A ward?

May 11, 2015

More-than-semi-redundant-letters

Well I told you most of what is going on yesterday. It was super awesome to see all of your faces and hear your voices! My companion and I had to take a 30 minute nap after the calls just to be able to keep going. Then we went and visited a bunch of people who had fallen on the wayside during our illness. 

I'm finding it hard to believe that I only have two weeks left. It just doesn't register in my brain that this next weekly planning will be the last one I will carry out to its fullest. Too bad I never got an ipad (lol). That's really my only regret though.

We have a lesson tonight with our recent convert S, and we're going to give a blessing to R's son V. He's 5 years old and was recently declared cancer free after months of treatment, but now he has to return for a brain surgery of some kind. He needs our prayers.

Well I described our day today. Don't really know what else to talk about. Remember that I love you all to pieces. Remember that the Savior is at the helm. Nothing can separate us from his love except rebellion; but if we keep his commandments we will abide in his love (John 16:10ish). 

I know the Savior lives, and will come again at his own appointed day.

Love you!

Elder Hardy

May 4, 2015

Semi-redundant phone calls

Well I totally didn't know until I read mom's e-mail that Mother's day was this next Sunday. I thought it was the week after. Oh well no biggie. We already planned where we are going to do it and stuff. I'm excited to see your faces too! Then I'll see them again a few weeks after that.

Things are going all right over here. I'm still sick, though through the week it wasn't too bad. It got bad again this last weekend and we had to leave church early.  Even during the week when we were working it was hard because I just didn't have any energy. Still chugging along though :)

I've got to keep this e-mail brief because we're running behind, but I'll shoot you another e-mail later this week to confirm what time we're calling. Also I received my flight plans. I don't quite get why it's so long. I told a member about my round-about itinerary and he whipped out his smart phone and in 5 minutes found a flight with one stop in Detroit, then direct to Spokane that would have gotten me home before noon. Same day and same Airline as well. Not that it matters though.

Remember that the Atonement is a power of healing, but also a power that enables us to overcome and move past our weaknesses. I know that because I've experienced it.

Love, Elder Hardy

April 27, 2015

in Sickness and in health

Sorry got to be quick this week. Don't have a lot of time. 

This week was good at first, then we got sick. We were in bed from Thursday through Sunday. We were able to get up long enough for this:

His name is David, and he's a child of record, but his Dad isn't a member (though he's one of the nicest and coolest men I've ever met and I want to be the kind of Dad he is). We're super tight with this family and David asked me to baptize him and Elder Hernandez to confirm him. It was a cool experience and a lot of people were there.

Then we went back to bed.

Not a lot of other news. Still a bit tired, but overall not near so sick. Next week the letter will be longer :)

Love you all a ton!

Elder Hardy

Just me and David:

April 20, 2015

another week another destiny, on this never ending road to Calvary

I'm not sure if I've used that subject already. It isn't really a reference to anything particular. I remembered how much I love that music yesterday and so I've been singing it. 

This week was slower, but it had its miracles. On Friday we met with M, a recent convert, and he had invited his neighbor, T, over to meet us. We had a first lesson and it went well. We set an appointment to help her paint her apartment and Mbrought her to church on Sunday! It was awesome! Also the Woman and her daughters who we visited last Sunday were at church as well! They slipped out after Sacrament meeting, but it was a big step for them! We're seeing them again tonight.

In other news I don't sleep much anymore; my mind just races and turns as I fight off thoughts of what will happen after the mission. Any advice on how to combat that would earn my undying love.

I was told my flight plans a while ago, but haven't received a copy of them yet. Should get them very soon. I know I'm leaving at 10a.m. and arriving like 11p.m. I've got layovers in New York and Salt Lake (don't ask me why).

Haven't received the package yet, but we're swinging by the mission office today so I should get it then. Can't think of anything else I'm supposed to answer.

I love you all!

Elder Hardy

April 13, 2015

Happy Belated Birthday to all the family whos' birthdays I forgot but who didn't forget mine

Thanks for the happy birthday wishes! My birthday yesterday was pretty normal, just a normal Sunday with the visits and the teaching and the missionary work. Had some cool miracles though. We brought along our ward's high councilor for a few hours and when we ran out of visits to make earlier than expected, I called up someone who came to my mind and visited a less-active sister and her mostly-active son. She was and emotional wreck and really needed a visit and a blessing, both of which we were able to provide to her great relief. Then, still having time, the High Councilor called up another name that came to his mind and we visited another less active sister I'd never met and her two daughters. Turns out both Sisters are less-active because of a huge fight that happened about 6 months ago and we were able to talk about it with the second sister and encourage her to put aside her pride and do what is best for her daughters. We gave all three blessings afterwards and set a return appointment. It was awesome. Also one of our recent converts knew that one of his neighbors was a former investigator and saw that her 14 year old son was falling into some bad stuff and the mother was panicking about it. He convinced her (correctly) that the church was exactly what he needs and brought them both to church and arranged himself to have them in his home this Friday so we can start teaching them. We're rather impressed and happy with Brother Bi right now. He just sees someone in dire spiritual need and just responds with firmness and love to guide them to the church (a.k.a the solution to their problem). That's the kind of person I want to be.

I only really told one person about my birthday, our investigator C. She had us over for dinner on Sunday and there was cake and she gave us chocolate and a card that she said not to open till I was gone. It had 20 bucks in it. I was quite upset, but I new if I went back she would never take the money back. Not really sure what to do with it now.

In other news I'm happy to hear that the garden is going well. Honest confession, totally psyched I didn't have to push the wheelbarrows full of dirt. Now I know I've grown up enough that I would have done it without complaint; but still a wheelbarrow not pushed is still a good wheelbarrow (lol).

Also Paige you can come cook for me and my companion here in Montreal. We'll pay you. Neither of us really likes to cook, so our meals are lame. Your steak looked better than anything I've ever produced (except this pizza I bought once. It was awesome. Buying counts as providing by the way)

Today we're going to the south shore to hang out with some Elders I'm really tight with from earlier on my mission. Kind of my birthday present to myself. Luckily the high counselor drove us around yesterday so we are doing great on klicks. 

I took a video rather than pictures of the cake and happy birthday song (on accident) and I can't send that over e-mail so we'll have to wait until my return to watch it together.

Transfer calls were Saturday. No changes for me and Elder Hernandez. No surprise. It's the next one I'm nervous for.

Love you all!

Elder Hardy

April 6, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elder Holland!

Wow Elder Holland can speak! I'm consistently blown away by his inspired orating skills. His wasn't the talk that touched me the most, but it impressed me the most for sure! My favorite was the last talk by Elder Uchtdorf about Grace and mercy. I really felt blessed and edified to have a subject that I have spent these two years studying and struggling to understand properly laid out and explained in a manner that made total sense to me. As unworthy as I may feel at times, the Lord's grace and mercy still are extended to me. 

The work is going ok here in Lasalle. Our teaching pool is low right now because 1). We dropped a number of the old investigators since they weren't interested in anything but our company 2). The people we've found more recently are flaking out like crazy 3). We're struggling to find new people. We aren't discouraged however, and we are still going hard. Our biggest goal is to use the many less-active and returning members we visit to find interested investigators. Why tract when we have a limitless fountain of less-actives to visit and find through? Even just talking to the people near the less active when going to and from the lesson is more effective than just tracting. We're optimistic even if things are slower right now than before.

I'm so amazed at how old all the little ones look! Mads is huge! Ruth and Lizzie are turning into pretty young ladies! Ronnie looks like a beach bum, and Paige looks like a hipster.

Now that I'm done passing judgment I just want you all to know that I love you a ton. The Lord lives, and directs everything from the spending of tithing money, to the words of his humblest (and therefore greatest) servant. I love you all, and Happy Birthday to Paige! Hope you all have a wonderful spring break!

Elder Hardy

March 30, 2015

discount the panic e-mail

So discount the paniced e-mail I sent earlier. I figured it out. I got in to register after some fervent praying. I had no trouble signing up for da classes and now it's done. We can adjust it if we need to, but I've got the classes I want registered for. Now I can stop worrying about it for the rest of my mission.

This week was both good and rough. We saw some miracles, but at the same time we struggled to teach like we were before. Part of it is that S is a member now so we aren't teaching member presents to her, but also we just need to find more real investigators. I've dropped some of the old people now that Elder B is gone. We love them, but they just don't have any interest in accepting the gospel, they just like the Elders. Our time can be much better served finding those who will receive our message, not just us. 

We had a miracle though yesterday. We shared the #Becausehelives video with a family returning to church. After Elder H asked them if they knew anyone who would benefit from our message. The daughter brought up her friend S. We asked what she could do to share the gospel with her. She said invite her over to meet you Elders. We said great, when? She said Thursday at 7p.m. Voila a referral and an opportunity to teach in a member's home. It was awesome to see that, when we really do ask for referrals from everyone, referrals come! The daughter is funny because it doesn't seem like a hard thing at all for her to invite her friend to meet us. Of course she wants to hear the gospel! It's awesome! (What's funny is she's like 25 and a single Mom, not a little girl like you were thinking lol). 

Anyway things are good here in Lasalle. 

To answer your questions Mom: My companion speaks all 3 languages, though only his spanish is perfect (his English is pretty much perfect too, he just lacks confidence in formal settings). We are back in our lonely little basement apartment. It's nice to be back. The car is ours 6 days out of 7. Saturdays the zone leaders claim it so they can visit west island. Thanks for the money. If you do send a package, I love cookies. Your cookies, and chips ahoy. I really don't need any non-edible things. It would just have to go into my suitcase in a couple of months and come back to Spokane. Wait actually shoe laces. I really need shoe laces. I've gone through like 5 sets of shoe laces on the shoes and I am procrastinating going back them full time (from boots) because they don't have shoe laces. :P

Lots of love!

Elder Hardy 

New Companion

The Plan of Salvation

March 23, 2015

Baptisms

So S was baptized this past Saturday (we weren't even close on spelling her name until we filled out the baptismal form) and it was awesome! People actually came to the baptism! The spirit was so strong it was amazing. I baptized her because the recent convert who worked so hard to fellowship her fell less-active about a week before her baptism. It was still a beautiful experience and she looked so happy the entire time.

Then Sunday morning before Church the assistants got a call from President saying that I was going to receive a companion. Not my greenie sadly, I have no idea what's going on with him. Instead President did an emergency transfer and is sending Elder H to me. He's from Mexico. I don't know him that well, but I'm excited just to have a companion again. President is driving him up from Ottawa tomorrow. Spending so much time trying to go it alone (so to speak, the Lord is there always) really taught me why the Lord sends us out two by two. The pressure of doing it all alone was incredible, and I felt like I couldn't get myself organized. Now I feel things will really take off in Lasalle. I'm excited.

I'm impressed with Ronnie and Paige's work ethic! Another play wow, they're relentless! They're going to drive you into the ground Mom! It sounds like everyone is having a blast though. I hope this next week is better for Dad. 

As for registering for classes I'm not stressed about it. Even though I think I know what I'm going to major in, I still will likely mostly just do generals so that I can get them done and not stress about it while I'm in the field. 

Next week when I'm back at the church computers I'll send a bunch of pictures. It's been a while since I did so, but I just don't feel comfortable doing it on these Library computers.

Lot's of love

Elder Hardy

March 16, 2015

Lonely Part 2

First of all the other Elder Hardy looks super stylish in all the pictures he sends home. He`s really catching the European vibe. 

Well I'm still companion-less. To be honest it's extremely stressfull trying to manage an area alone and without the ability to get where I need to be without extensive planning and asking members to sacrifice time and gasoline. Yesterday I reached what we call in missionary terms ''Elder Red'' which means my stress overwhelms me and I have to stop. I ended up finding a quiet room in the church and just puting my head in my hands for about 2 hours. After that I calmed down and prayed and everything was better and I was able to finish the day just fine. I'm doing good now and hopefully I'll get my companion soon. It was a frightening moment however. I really have grown an appreciation for the need for companions. Temporary ones on the mission, and eternal ones afterwards. Not even celestial beings can go it alone.

On the bright side C.. is doing awesome. Her baptismal interview is tonight, and her baptism is scheduled for this Saturday. She's such a sweet spirit and it has been such a joy to witness her conversion. The sad thing is I will probably end up baptizing her because her fellowshipper has gone less-active (ask me about it after the mission. It's too fresh for me to want to talk about it). At least she'll be baptized.

Also do you remember the investigator named G.. back in Terrebonne? He left for Chile and I left before he returned. Well the Elders got back in contact with him upon his return and he is getting baptized the 28 of March! He's asked me to baptize him! I have to ask permission first, but I'm so happy that the Elders didn't give up on him! I knew he would make it!

As for the school stuff I've been praying and I feel I should be in the International relations major, with a plan to specialize in European politics and history. That's the direction I'm going to take for now. I intend to keep praying and pondering (though never during proselyting time I assure you).

I love you all so much! All my siblings look so grown up! Keep being awesome and never forget the Lord loves us, and that if we cling to our covenants he will always uphold and sustain us.

I know the Lord lives, and we are preparing the world for his coming.

Love

Elder Hardy

March 9, 2015

Lonely little me

The big news this week is that I didn't receive my new companion. He was turned back at the Aéroport because his visa mentioned his Belgian citizenship, but failed to mention his dual citizenship in the Republic of Georgia. When he arrived with a Georgian passport the customs agent freaked out and put him on the next flight back to Salt Lake. Now we're just waiting for the Church offices to sort it out and get him over here. In the mean time I'm in a trio with the Assistants and covering an extremely healthy area all by myself. I've been blessed by the Lord so much in the last few days, as I've been able to do what I have needed to (through largely member splits) and am handling the obvious stress of the situation.

On the bright side C is doing super awesome. She came to a special meeting with Elder Kacher of the second quorum of the Seventy and it was a really spiritual experience. Her testimony is really growing, and her excitement for her baptism is growing every day. She's such a miracle and I'm so blessed to have been a small part of it. 

I did receive the information on the different subjects, and to my great consternation they practically all require a calculus class! Is there no Balm in Gilead?! Is there a prophet in Israel?! Can't a man just get through University without studying math!? Sigh. I guess I'll just register for generals and figure it out when I get back­. It may be that I will have to humble myself and take such a class, but I'm going to ask if this cup can be removed from me first.

In other news, I don't have much time today since I don`t have a library card and can't get one since I'm not a permanent resident of the Town of Mount Royal. So I have to use the extra computer time that the Assistants don't use. Know that I love you all, and that I pray for you. Please pray for Elder S that he will be able to come to Canada and serve his mission.<

I love you all!

Elder Hardy

p.s. don`t worry about the pants. They're already worn out. The only pair of suit pants standing has several holes in the legs and the right pocket is destroyed. 

March 2, 2015

Posterity

So up until now my mission genealogy (who trained who) has been rather dismal. I was Elder Murphy's only child, and I had no children, WELL BARREN NO MORE! I received the pleasant surprise of learning that my tenure as a zone leader was to only last 6 weeks. I'm staying in Lasalle and my dead companion is to be replaced by a brand new missionary (we aren't supposed to say "greenie" so I'm trying not to). I don't know who it is yet, but I will on Wednesday. The zone leader area is now one of the Mandarin areas, which is awesome.

This transfer call has taught me a lot about humility. I really enjoyed being a zone leader, and not always for the right reasons. I liked being the big guy on campus and having people shape up when I walked past. I wasn't aware of how huge my head had gotten till it deflated. I have been praying and fasting for the humility to accept this most difficult, least glorious, and arguably most important assignment a missionary can receive. My trainer had a huge impact on my life and mission. Now I will be the same for someone else. All distractions are removed, no leadership duties, just missionary work. I'm determined to make this the best 12 weeks of my mission for his sake as well as mine.

I'm filled with love for this unknown Elder. His mission is the biggest thing he's done so far in his life, and I want to make sure he enjoys it (in the right way of course).

I've been studying repentance a lot lately. I just can't get my mind off of it. How do I achieve that "mighty change of heart" that Alma promises? How do I change my desires? How can I become more converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? I know that the Lord is my Savior for I have felt his purifying power, but I seek the higher effect of the Atonement, Sanctification. I've begun a study of the New Testament (having delved the Book of Mormon extensively already on this topic) with these questions in mind. 

I love you all family! Just so you know I gave up soda and juice in an attempt to lose some weight. It's been over 4 weeks since I touched a soda or a juice. Been 5 since I went to Wendy's. 

I know that Jesus is our Savior. I know he has, does, and will continue to do all that is within his matchless power to bring us back to our Father, if we will but approach him and bring forth "fruits meet for repentance" as John the Baptist said. Christ will come again. I know it for myself.

Love, Elder Hardy

p.s. I don't really need anything. Maybe just some moneys so I can pick up some souvenirs for you all. I'm going to be a bit expensive when I come back, so I really don't need anything.

p.p.s no pictures this week. I forgot the cord.