The Adventures of My Life

Dear Family,

Seems like a few days ago, I was writing my last letter home. I think
this time around doesn’t seem as along as last time. When I was picked
up on that fateful Saturday by y’all in Dec., it felt like a new world.

Now if the same thing would happen today, my time at the MTC would be
more of a dream if you understand me. Nonetheless, I am enjoying
my time but can’t stop thinking how much time I have left here. I know
it goes by faster if you don’t think about it, but I just have a
hunger to talk to real people and not be confined to such little space.

Mi Espanola is coming along as always. Through the example of my
first companion, I have really been studying hard lately. I know the
harder I work, the more my capacity will be and the more I’ll learn.
It’s definitely a blessing of the spirit.

A lot has actually happened this week. Last Tue, there was this big
hoopla about the possibility of an apostle coming, since we haven’t had
one in a couple of months. So we all decided to get the best seats
possible. As a district we were ready to enter in the gym when the
choir was finishing practicing. (No one can be in the gym while the
choir is practicing, and we seriously got the best seats possible to
us. We were stoked. Then I heard one of the service guys tell a
missionary that Robert K. Dellenbach was speaking. Against all of my
fears, I hoped he wasn’t telling the truth but once the screen showed
up, it was Robert K. Dellenbach! Oh well, I actually really liked hi,
he and his wife had tons of energy. On another side note, guess who I
saw before the devotional? My old branch president (Portuguese branch)
was doing the ushering and my old Branch President, president Carter
was sitting a few rows ahead of me! I had tried looking for him before
but with no success, but now I could tie up all of my loose ends. So I
went and I talked with him and he was excited to see me back and
mentioned he had thought of me lately. Well, that was definitely cool.
the really interesting thing is that he is going to be released in a
week ( probably already happened now) because his 4 years are up. So,
it was neat I had the chance to see and talk to him before he left. I
also saw him again this Sunday.

One of our teachers left us this week. Hermana Bagley got an
internship in Washington D.C., so she couldn’t stay. Friday was her
last day and she something that was totally awesome. After we all
discussed who our favorite BOM prophet was, she then talked her
favorite prophets and related each of them to a missionary in the class
and shared the same characteristics. She related me to Enos. She said
I was ready to leave for the mission field right now and I was so
prepared. ! But, I do have some more preparation to do, so I’m not
ready to jolt yet.

On Sunday, since there wasn’t a Branch Presidency member in our
meeting, it meant the DL (me ) has to teach the lesson. So, I taught a
30 minute lesson on the Holy Ghost, For my lack of preparation. (the
ap’s told me about it the night before . i thought I did a good job.
And I’m not one to complain about it, because I know it will happen 1
billion times when I’m out in the field!!

Our roommates and their district, heading to Mexico, were supposed to
leave yesterday ,but haven’t received their visas yet. They don’t know
when they’re leaving, so it looks like we won’t have new roommates until
next week. I am glad we don’t have to worry about visas! Also on
Sunday, I went with one of my comps, Elder Simpson, to choir because no
one else wanted to go. I had so much fun, it was so cool. I learned
how to sing the bass part, which is the best part I sing! We get to
sing tonight to Gene Cook of the 70 (my teacher’s dad) and it’s going
to be awesome!

On Monday my companionship taught an hour lesson in “Family Home
Evening” I’ve been doing a lot of teaching lately, and I talked about
Elder Bednar’s talk at the last General Conference, tender mercies of
the Lord. It was fun. Well, I better get started on some other
letters. Thanks for all of the letters and support.

P.S My temple day is Tuesday morning and we don’t have gym on
Saturdays, so it’s not likely you’ll see me then!

com amor, Elder Hardy