The Adventures of My Life

Well…this letter should be a shorter one.  I haven’t heard any news this week in regard to my new potential nephew, so don’t know what is happening…but oh well.  Hmmm….we actually had a pretty good week, taught 30 times.  Amber Fisher is all ready to get baptized, just needs the baptismal interview this next Tuesday and then she will be baptized on Thursday.  It has been a lot of fun working with her and Alfie.  Elder Jensen and I will be singing a duet of Joseph Smith’s Prayer..it’s going to be sweet.  Also, we have a few other sweet investigators….John, the boyfriend of Beth, has already told us that he knows the church is true, that he recieved his answer…which was way cool.  It was a super cool lesson last night at Bob’s house.  It’s kind of sad that I might only have 2 more weeks in Henderson and then I move on to my last 6 week transfer…

I’m doing alright, keeping the spirit with me, reading and praying everyday, I hope everyone else is doing the same….the church is true!!  See ya next week!

Elder Hardy

It was a great week that we just had…although the weather doesn’t seem to agree.  Yesterday, we had a lot of rain and today it is quite windy (kinda reminding me of Wyoming..but not that bad!).  Hopefully the weather will start warming up again..I want to be sweating my shirts yellow, so I don’t have to take them home with me in June .  We had an interesting week, starting out on Tuesday.  Went to Durham, and on the way, Brother Owens took us to eat some southern barbaque (I think I will die if I can’t find southern BBQ in Utah…it is sooo good!).  I made my final request to President Wallis.  He asked me if I had any questions and then I told him that I wanted to finish my mission in Raleigh…where I was taken out without much notice.  He made the classic replay, “We’ll see”.  So…at least I got my little opinion in there…let’s see if it really makes a difference!

On Wednesday, did the usual, all the way up to Roxboro just for a little district meeting.  Came back and did some stuff and I believe we had dinner with Sister Owens and man was it good.  I will have to take you all to see Sister Owens because it gives her lots of pleasure to make yummy food.  On Thursday, of course we did some planning, had a good day I recall and then on Friday, I went to the Dirty “D” (Durham).  Now that was fun and there were tons of hispanics!!  Made me envy the city area.  The only thing is that those hipanics in the city are more hard-hearted.  The hispanics in Henderson are usually way nice and are pretty humble.  But I would still like to go to Raleigh when this transfer expires in just 3 weeks.

On Saturday, I returned to Henderson and we had 3 sweet exchanges, but in some form or another, didn’t turn out well.  In the morning, one of the guys we were going to visit had to work, so we just visited with his wife…didn’t see much enthusiasm from her.  And then we were going to teach Ofelia Lopez’ brother after we ate lunch with them…but that was just a dream.  The lunch was way good, “huevos rancheros” and then she heated up some sweet left-overs…Ofelia cooks way good.  Later on in the afternoon, Deivis Torres…a member that we just found, called and told us that him and his wife would not be able to make it to our dinner with the Bentley’s….that was a bummer, but we still had a great time with them…ate chicken, wild rice and rolls…Sis. Bentley is another great cook in this branch.  Afterwards, we saw a sweet spanish investigator, Marco Antonio Castillo, who can’t wait to read the Book of Mormon, and definately will be at church this next Sunday.

Yesterday, we had a sweet day.  It was mostly an improve day.  I got a call a few minutes before we left for church, asking if I could teach the english principles class.  I was already scheduled to give a talk in spanish sacrament, so I agreed.  So, in Spanish sacrament, I directed the music, passed the sacrament and gave a inspiring talk.  Then I taught the gospel priciples class and then for priesthood, Brother Tomas gave me the lesson book and asked me to teach…so I also taught that class.  Then After church, we taught Amber (who will be baptized next week), went up to Bob’s house and had lunch with the Bentley’s.  Then we did a media, way far way, almost out of our area.  And then to cap it off, we taught John and Beth at Bob’s place.  John is a non member and is the significant other of Beth, who is a member.  It was a super good lesson and we are going to continue with him

That was pretty much my week, I hope you enjoyed it!
Elder Hardy

I don’t think this letter will be too long…but I have been alright this week, things are going well in Henderson…I am staying strong.  We had a lot lined up this last week to get investigators to church, but only one showed up (Lenny Riggan).  We have been teaching this sweet family, Miguel and Vicki Sanchez…who are catholics, but by tradition only.  They are way cool…way friendly…and hopefully we can get them to church (he needs to stop playing baseball on Sundays).  We had a great lesson with them on Saturday, watched the Restoration and the spirit was very strong.  Then, we spent the rest of the day Saturday helping a family move and then at a spanish birthday party (cumpleanos).  We were freezing outside, believe it or not….after a few weeks in the 80’s and 70’s, it dropped down to the 40’s and it snowed a little in the early morning, Saturday!!  Snow in April!!!  I must already be back in Utah!!!  Wait a second..I still have 10 weeks left.

Anyways, we are keeping ourselves busy with the work…The branch is doing well….We will also have quite a busy week this next week, including a dinner on Saturday night with the Bentley’s with some invited guests, Deivis Torres and his wife.  It is a great story how they were found.  A member in our branch had a strong feeling to give him a book of mormon since last September, and finally gathered up the courage.  He is actually a spanish teacher at a school that her grandchildren used to go to.  She gave him a BOM and found out that he was baptized when he was 12 years old in Colombia.  But…she got the wrong address and didn’t get a phone number, so we could never get a hold of him.  On Friday, we were up in Warrenton (where they live) and I decided to look again and as we were walking past a duplex, I had a strong feeling to knock there to look…the first door, no one answered…and the 2nd one, a hispanic guy who spoke good english and it happened to be him!!  It was a great experience.

Well..that was pretty much my week…hope everyone is well.

Elder Hardy

Hello!!!  How is everyone doing this fine spring day (at least it’s nice here).  The trees are blooming, the flowers are out and there is a layer of fresh pollin on the car.  Spring time in North Carolina is wonderful!!  Well, just barely started the new transfer and recieved a new companion last Tuesday (cause Elder Baird left)…his name is Elder Jensen…he’s alright….very quiet and very concentrated…hopefully we can get a lot done.  We already had a good week….almost set a baptismal date with our new sweet investigator Lesha Palmer…she is way cool..I think I was describing her last week…but she is always so happy although she has many sicknesses including MS.  But she wants to get baptized.

We have some other good potentials also and we are always trying to find new people.  Elder Jensen just came from Wilson and he started his mission in Cary, so we have talked about some of the people there.  Seems like a lot of them are doing well.

General Conference was wonderful as always…There were so many good talks, it would be impossible to make a list of them here.  I especially liked Elder Scott’s opening talk on prayer and then Elder Holland’s talk about language…they were way powerful and hopefully I can apply their counsel.

Things are going well….trying to work hard ’till the end….I hope I get transferred to Raleigh for my last 6 weeks…it’s possible!!

Elder Hardy

Hello!!!  How is everyone doing this fine spring day (at least it’s nice here).  The trees are blooming, the flowers are out and there is a layer of fresh pollin on the car.  Spring time in North Carolina is wonderful!!  Well, just barely started the new transfer and recieved a new companion last Tuesday (cause Elder Baird left)…his name is Elder Jensen…he’s alright….very quiet and very concentrated…hopefully we can get a lot done.  We already had a good week….almost set a baptismal date with our new sweet investigator Lesha Palmer…she is way cool..I think I was describing her last week…but she is always so happy although she has many sicknesses including MS.  But she wants to get baptized.

We have some other good potentials also and we are always trying to find new people.  Elder Jensen just came from Wilson and he started his mission in Cary, so we have talked about some of the people there.  Seems like a lot of them are doing well.

General Conference was wonderful as always…There were so many good talks, it would be impossible to make a list of them here.  I especially liked Elder Scott’s opening talk on prayer and then Elder Holland’s talk about language…they were way powerful and hopefully I can apply their counsel.

Things are going well….trying to work hard ’till the end….I hope I get transferred to Raleigh for my last 6 weeks…it’s possible!!

Elder Hardy

This transfer has finally came to a close.  And come to think of it, it actually went by very fast..specially this past week.  We worked pretty hard this week…I am proud of our efforts.  Of course, Elder Baird is going home on Wednesday, but I think we had some good times together.  He really is a good guy.  Has taught me a lot, as well as my other companions.

We started out the week well with some visits to hispanic people last Monday and then a Family Home Evening with the Resendiz family (probably the most faithful hispanic family I have ever met).  That was a lot of fun.  But I was feeling kind of sick..I hard a huge headache…but it later went away due to some rest and some medication from Sister Caceres.  Well…on Tuesday…I can’t remember really what happened, but I’m sure it was a great day!  On Wednesday, we drove around with Brother Owens, delivering medias and also visited with Holly (a recent convert).  It the evening, we had planned a full-exchange with 2 members.  I was to stay with Brother Garcia in his house, teaching Rosa and Beni and my companion was to go with Bob, visiting another part-member family.  Well, the plans all worked out…but just a little later than we had planned.  Originally going to start at 7…Bob didn’t show up and we had to search for the remote control to watch “the Restoration”.  We started around 8, and a few minutes later, Bob showed up and left with Elder Baird.  I then had a sweet lesson with Rosa and Beni and Brother and Sister Garcia were teaching part of the lesson.  They are awesome, I love them!  Anyways, I ended up finishing around 9 and started playing the waiting game (Had to wait untill Bob got back, because the car was at the Garcia’s house).  Soon, it was 9:30 and I couldn’t call anyone cause there was no phone that worked at the Garcia’s house.  I started playing a little with the kids and then I realized it was already 10:00!!  So, with the rule that we have to be in no later than 9:30, I started freaking out a little bit.  But, they eventually arrived around 10:10 and we got back at 10:20…not too bad!

We found a couple sweet people this last week, 1 of which, Lesha Palmer, who came to church and she looooved it.  She wants to get baptized.  But also over the weekend, my allergies started to kill me, because we mowed the yard at Bob’s house and that night, I was all clogged up and couldn’t breath through my nose…it was horrible…it happened last night also.   So…Elder Baird has been saying good-bye to everyone and I am remaining here, just waiting for my new companion tommorow (who I already know who it is through some inside information!!)

Anyways, it has been a good week and I am looking forward to General Conference this next weekend…should be greeeeat!

I love ya all…hope all is well!!
Elder Hardy

Hello everyone….wow, I recieved some pretty crazy news today.  I
haven’t been able to check e-mail in 2 long weeks and BAM…everything
is happening!  Congrats to Gordon and Christi and various others, plus
aparently, Crystal is getting close…sounds really crazy!

This last week has been alright…I will recieve another companion in
about a week..which should help improve things.  Nothing against Elder
Baird, he’s way cool to hang out with, but as we all know those
missionaries that are about to head home don’t usually have their
whole heart into it…if you know what I mean.  I am doing my best to
stay busy though.  We had a good night last Monday (taught an exciting
3 times) and then on Tuesday, I went on exchanges in Burlington and I
had a great time with Elder Hinde (who is like 6 foot 6, 300 pounds).
We taught like 9 times, it was unbelievable…Burlington is one of the
best Spanish areas…and that’s for real!  But back in Henderson,
Elder Baird got sick and I accidently took the car keys, so they
didn’t have any transportation!  Haha…Anyways, Wednesday, we all met
up in Raleigh for Zone Conference.  It was alright…never been a fan
of zone conference…usually, the lunch is the highlight..but it was
just boring spaghetti.  Also, our Zone Leaders did a workshop…it was
downright awful.

On Thursday, we finally put the Lopez’ minivan back together.  We
spent about 10 hours fixing the problem, plus we pitched in to buy the
parts for them.  So, they got the minivan back, but the very next day,
Friday, Luis got into an accident in the other car…so, now they are
back down to one.  On Friday, we had fun doing medias, taught a sweet
lady and then we had pizzas at the Owens and then went on
full-exchanges.  I went with a spanish guy and Elder Baird with an
english member…it was a lot of fun.  Saturday was way fun…we went
shopping with Bob and then we went down to Chapel Hill with the
Bentleys to Stake Conference session for adults.  That was fun, they
took us to a chinese restaurant before.  Then on Sunday, we went with
Bob to Stake Conference…that was a lot of fun.  We went down in the
Motorhome..got there 2 hours early and then Bob fed all of the
missionaries.  Stake conference itself was alright..although hardly
anyone came from our Branch!  Attendance was very weak.

We are going to do super good this upcoming week…I can just feel
it…we are going to preach, teach and baptize!

With Love,
Elder Hardy

Another week has gone by in the Mish….things are going well over
here in Henderson…the weather is really warming up…tommorow, it’s
supposed to get up to 80!!  I do love the spring…especially here in
North Carolina.  But I have started to sneeze with more frecuency
right now…looks like my allergies will be taking off!  Last spring
was miserable at some points…there is so much pollen everywhere in
the spring.  But, I survived..wasn’t that hard!  It looks so pretty
here in the spring..with all of the trees, chirping of birds and also
all of the plants and flowers.  Everyone is also so cheerful.  During
the winter, it seemed like a lot of people were depressed…but
everyone becomes so happy and cheefull during the spring…it’s
definately a good time to do missionary work!

Well…Elder Baird has 2 weeks left.  This last week wasn’t our best.
Previous weeks we had taught over 20 times (pretty good), but we just
taught 11 times this last week…which lead to a “talk” that the Zone
Leader had with me…which was totally inappropriate because we
haven’t been doing anything wrong.  The Zone Leaders that we have
right now have treated me like a jerk sometimes…which really gave me
mixed feelings about them.  But, I do respect them and their
calling…I just need to be more patient and humble I guess.  Elder
Baird hasn’t been too trunky…but I can see the signs coming.  It has
been tough being the only spanish missionary and also with him going
home.  But, just need to keep on going and once again have patience.

Part of the reason that we didn’t teach that many lessons this last
week was the fact that we went to the temple on Wednesday.  It was a
great, uplifting experience.  Brother Owens kindly gave us a ride
there.  We went to the temple book store first and then to the temple.
I really felt peace and love in the temple and the feeling that
everything will all work out.  It was my last trip to the temple down
in Apex…as I will be gone before the next trip.  Also, on Saturday,
we did service for most of the day.  Elder Baird knows quite a lot
about cars….so we helped out Luis Lopez (the recent convert), whose
van had stopped working.  We replaced the water pump and the timing
belt…and due to the dynamics of the engine…it took a while..from 1
to about 8 pm…and we are still not finished.  We got a great deal on
parts from a less-active from Autozone.  This service was another
source of “concern” for the Zone Leader.  I felt that we saved this
sweet family, who are having tons of problems, 100’s of dollars in
parts and labor.  Anyways…the work is actually going quite well…I
am trying hard to stay on task…but I feel in the next 2 weeks, I
will be able to really focus again….

With love,
Elder Hardy

We are here again in the Perry Memorial Library writing email from Henderson, NC to wherever you are.  I have enjoyed this week for the most part.  As always, I can barely recall what has been happening..usually I have a bunch of sweet stories, but my mind just goes blank when I am at the computer.  Who knows….but anyways, we had quite a boring P-day on Monday…didn’t do much, for our activity, we went to Wal-mart and looked at Ipods and stuff…it was alot of fun…trust me!  In the evening, we also taught Lenny.  I asked him what he thought of baptism, and he told me that he knew he should get baptized, he just didn’t know if this was the church.  So, it all goes down to praying and recieving the answer, as always.  On Tuesday, was on exchanges with Elder Frakes (spanish speaker), so I took advantage of the opportunity to do some spanish work….we also delivered a Bible media to this crazy guy who I swear was heavily on drugs.

We also had our interviews with President Wallis on Friday….I only have 2 more left!  Friday was also the day that we held the Pinewood Derby in the churchhouse.  That was tons of fun…there were a few less-actives there, who attended.  The food was great (as always) and the members here are sweet.  Thanks to Sister Owens, we have a dinner everyday of the week and also most of the time, we have an exchange.  We even went on an exchange with Brother Luis Lopez (our recent convert) yesterday, because he recieved the priesthood and also got called as a branch missionary!!  That family (Lopez family) has been progressing very well and has been integrated quite well in the branch.  Also, the Garcia family is doing very well, Brother Garcia recieved a calling.   I will never forget those two families, they mean a lot to me…I just hope we can find a couple more here in Henderson.  I have a feeling that we will form a branch here pretty soon.  President Wallis and everyone is pushing it.  I hope I am still here…that would be so sweet.

Anyways, everything is going quite well….Elder Baird only has 3 weeks left on his mission….I am also going downhill…

Con mucho carino
Elder Hardy

‘ll guess I will begin by stating that I really don’t have strong desires to write a huge e-mail like I have in the past.  I’m getting burnt out of writing huge emails…anyways, we had a good week.  We still don’t have any baptismal dates, but I believe we taught over 20 times.  The one thing we are really doing well on are exchanges.  I believe we almost had an exchange every single day…it was great.

All of the recent converts are doing great.  This last Friday, we had a spanish activity at the church, it was a lot of fun.  First, we ate a whole bunch of good food, then we watched the Lamb of God.  Then, I challenged everyone to give the movie to a friend.  Hopefully, that goes well.  Yesterday at church, we finally got some callings for the hispanic people…it was way cool.  Israel and Laura got called to teach the gospel principles class…so, I will no longer be teaching, unless they aren’t there.  It should be way fun.

I guess not much is happening other than that…we are working hard…

Elder Hardy