February 18, 2009

Hey, hey, hey! I am doing good. It sounds like life is pretty crazy is Arizona right now, but it is good to be a little overbusy every once in a while. Then we can enjoy the relaxed moments more fully in our lives. The ward sent me a letter that had a bunch of little notes from all the guys in elders and high priests, it was really cool to get it. I wish every ward in the world could be as strong as Highland Ranch. They really are an awesome ward. Could you tell them that I am very grateful for the notes, and for their good examples over the years, and for always being there to teach me, and to help me progress. Highland Ranch really is the best ward. But to answer some of your questions, the Spanish is progressing. It is better to have a companion that doesnt speak English. I am starting to feel more confident in my Spanish. All of our investigators have been flaking out this week. We had a great lesson with Alvaro. President Page is a stud. He's got a mean gringo accent, and if I can say that you know its bad. But it was a good lesson, but I just dont think they are ready to receive the gospel. President Page had a bunch of awesome experiences with tithing, but Alvaro is still having doubts. So we will keep working with them, and see how it goes. yesterday I got the Valentines package, Thank You So Much! That package rocked! I might have to prepare some of the stuff in the morning, and cook it in the day or something. I dont know, I will figure it out. But thank you so much. Right now I am just trying to make my teaching more clear, and easier to understand. I am trying to be able to share experiences and give examples, but I am working on it. Ok, good story right here. So we just barely started using bikes this week. It is really nice, because we can do so much more during the day. But our second day of using them, a little accident happened. We had jsut finished a lesson, and then this dog started chasing me in the street, and was trying to bite me. So i speed up, and got going pretty fast. Then there was a speed bump, and I noticed some little kids were on the side of the road, so iIdecided to launch of the speed bump like a ramp, and look really cool for the kids (Its not every day they get to see a good looking american do stunts in the street). But as I lifted up off of the jump, i happened to notice that I didnt have a front tire. All I could think was, "Are you serious?" So luckily I am familiar with falling, so I did the old role technic on the asphault. But I was going really fast, so my shirt ripped pretty bad on my shoulder. I had some bad rasberries on my arms, and my hand was cut. But other than that, i was fine. Of course there was a bunch of people in the street who saw it, and they all did the, "OHHH!". So that was embarrasing. But i picked up my tire with my bloody hand, and walked over to those little kids, and told them, "Thats why you were a helmet". A man who saw it, ran into his house and brought me some rubbing alcohol. I didnt know whether to thank him or hit him with my bike tire, that alcohol KILLED! But then i invited them all to hear about the Gospel of Christ, and we ended up getting a new investigator, and we gave everyone pass along cards for the Book Of Mormon. So the moral of the story is, look for missionary opportunities in any situation. And always wear your helmet. Love Elder Hardy