Sep 30

2013 09 30m

Last Monday was a pretty good day. We were able to write lots of letters and then after preparation day we went to do a couple of Noches de Hogar with some families in our ward. Unfortunately it turns out that an invitation to a Noche de Hogar also means an invitation to dinner (which we didn't know). We took the food home from the second one since we were running a little bit late, but the first one we had to eat (even though we'd already had dinner). Luckily they had plain rice, which was good for me. :)

Tuesday we had a crazy day, and ended with a meeting with all the ward leaders and our ward mission leader. We're going to start helping them come up with organization mission plans and each companionship has been assigned an organization to work with. Hna Anderson and I are going to work with the relief society.

Wednesday was a long day of contacting, and I was unusually tired. However we had two miracles! First, we found a service opportunity which we have been praying for, and second we found a referral for the English Elders. The first miracle started when we knocked on a door, and the woman who answered asked us if someone had called us. We said no, and she disappeared for a minute then came back and invited us in. She led us into a bedroom where her father was lying in a hospital bed all hooked up to tubes. They'd been doing home care for quite a while, and he is really close to gone. He had us read to him from a scripture thought book, and we also read Mosiah 14. Then we said a prayer and left. We think they'll let us come back on a regular basis! That night we were freezing because we'd both forgotten to pack cardigans so we stopped at Wendy's for dinner (no we don't do that regularly). Then on our way home we ran into M, a man who we contacted the first week of the transfer. He had promised that if we found him again he'd let the missionaries come talk to him. We forgot when we said hi, but then halfway down the block Hna Anderson remembered so we spun around and chased him halfway across our area to get his information. It really was a miracle! (Another smiley thing that day was that the English elders found our bikes and left us a note. Picture included.)

Thursday was weekly planning, and just a long day. We met a Pentecostal woman who was very nice, and very complimentary of us for being missionaries and taking time out of our lives, but she said she had to go as soon as we tried to bring up the Book of Mormon.

Friday was a weird day because Hna Anderson and I had to do an exchange with Hna Pulver and Hna Christensen. Hna Pulver and I got invited to a Mission Leadership Training with Elder Garnes (our area 70 I think) so Hna Christensen and Hna Anderson worked together. The meeting was really good, and I learned a lot about Christ like leadership, and taking initiative especially when working with members. It was kind of weird to be one of only a few missionaries without a leadership calling, but I was glad I got to go. It was also nice to see some of the Elders and Hermanas that I love so much and don't get to see very often.

Hna Anderson and I also had a miracle on Saturday/Sunday! We've been really struggling so far finding anyone who is even willing to listen to us let alone want to keep inviting us back. Then, last Saturday we were finally able to meet with one of our potential investigators and his wife. The lesson went really well teaching wise, and they were both so accepting of everything, especially the Book of Mormon, and they committed to come to church and then ... THEY CAME!!!!! It was so exciting! They were a little late, and had to leave part way through sacrament meeting (which is last in our ward), but I think they felt the Spirit of the testimonies that they heard.

I also realized that I haven't sent any pictures for a while. Then I looked back through my camera and realized that it's because I haven't taken any pictures for a while so I took some random ones to send to you. Please excuse the quality... On Sunday I decided I needed my bangs back so I cut them! Then also on Saturday I finally passed the halfway point on my journal! I've been much better about writing this transfer, and I haven't missed a day yet!

I know that this gospel is true! I love being a missionary and helping others come to that knowledge for themselves! I love having a prophet to lead and guide us. Please look for ways to share this gospel with others (or to learn about it yourselves). I love you all!

Love,

Hna Marin Hardy

P.S. This week I'm studying and thinking a lot about fasting. If you get a chance email or write me about it. What are your testimonies, thoughts, and insights about fasting? Do you have any stories about fasting? What are your favorite scriptures about fasting?