Min kærlig, fantastisk, vidunderlig, utrolig venner og familie!
Det er so utrolig at snakke med i idag. Det har været en meget interessant uge, men jeg er taknemlig. Vores liv her på jorden er en stor eventyr.Vi aldrig ved hvad skal skete i vores liv. Når man er også på mission, det er mere skøre end normalt liv nogen gange. Jeg tror det er fordi som missionær vi arbejde så meget med menneske. Der er mange interessant folk her, lol! Det er også sjovt fordi jeg er med menneske fra en anden land. så jeg lære meget om deres kultur og livsstil. Så det er altid sjovt! Men jeg vil meget gerne snakke med dig på engelsk fordi i kan forstår mig, ikke? Det håber jeg i faktisk.
Good day to all of you! I hope your having a wonderful week and preparing yourselvs for the wonderful spring we have thats just about here. I am so excited for the warmer weather! You have no idea how wonderful it has been the last 3 days. All the snow in Århus is gone! Its melted and out of my life! lol! The sun as been out and finally the sun is up passed 5! Yesterday we had the sun up to 6:15! Its a miracle! The last few months we have had the sun go down around 3 or 4! So its a nice change of pace having the sun remain up a little longer. Its also been nice because as we walk around the streets we see so many happy danish people! They are just literally leaping for joy seeing the sun! Everyone is outside. I have seen more people on the street then I honestly thought was possible! There out with their kids, dogs, all smiling and playing and enjoying the sunny, warmer weather! Its still a little chilly and we do need a jacket, but its a huge difference from the last few weeks! I cant wait until its finally all warmed up! The work of the Lord will get a huge boost! :)
To begin we had again an exciting p-day... WE DID NOTHING! lol! We were so tired that we went out, emailed, walked around the city for a little bit, then came home and slept! lol! We just took it easy. We also had a few board games in the apartment, like battleship- So that was fun. Lets just say I dominated Æ.Pfeil. He never knew what hit him. Hardy: 1 Pfeil 0.
So Tuesday was a good day, but a little rushed. We got permission from the Danish Council here in Århus to put a A-skilt sign outside on the sidewalk for advertising purposes. So we spent some of the morning designing what we want on the a-skilt. I must say, we came up with some pretty good looking posters. We were happy with them, and so was our mission leader. So we sent them into the printer and got them on Friday. The look great printed, and they were printed in a waterproof style paper and Ink. It cost a little more, but at least we know they will last. I added a picture of my posters in my "chuch tour album" on my facebook. Check out the link...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2111459&id=1429813720&l=6f5bf633d7
Speaking of Pictures, I also added more pictures to my normal missionary album! take a look!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2050153&id=1429813720&l=949816a8a6
Then on wednesday we also had our tour night and it was a HUGE success! We taught 4 lessons all with members! Then to top it all off we gave 4 Book of Mormons out! Oh yea! We had a really great, huge, and wonderful sccessful night! It began with us setting up, then right at 4 we had a member named Eva bring a friend. Well this friend was really old and had no interest in the church what so ever. She was quite rude and said she didnt understand American Danish... whatever... Eva felt bad, but I told her, "At least you gave her a chance to learn." She smiled and laughed and took her friend home. Then around 5, Nicole showed up just to say hi. It was good to see her, and good to see her come on her own to church things. She came early to go to Institute. So that was good to see her motivate herself and do things on her own in the church. Then we had all the youngwomen come for a church tour. Now this is about 12 young women, from 12 to 18.
However one of the young women is 18 and invited some of her older friends along. We we gave them a tour, and it was a good tour. I teased the young women... a lot. haha. I tried to be funny and entertaining, but also point out important gospel principles. Elder Pfeil and my goal is to teach the gospel, but teach it in a normal way. Who says believeing in God has to be weird? The young women got a crack out of me... haha. They were just laughing in their girly laugh and it was just a good experience. I will be honest I didnt think I was that funny of a guy, but in Danish I must be hysterical, as I got lots of laughs, and most of all THEY had a good experience, and the spirit was VERY VERY Strong. When we entered the chapel during the tour, things got immidately quiet, and you could without doubt feel something special. I noticed one of the guests that came, became very focused on what I was saying, I could tell she was trying to figure out, what she was feeling. Then at the end of the tour we took them to the Book of Mormon room and the girls just love it! We would show them the picture and explained each story. I dont know if you have noticed some of the pictures, but some of the guys in the book of Mormon pictures are way buff and huge. I told the girls, I read the book of Mormon so I can be like him one day... They just laughed, and again had a great experience. Then at the very end of the Book of Mormon room, Elder Pfeil and I bore strong testimony, and explained how the Book of Mormon has changed our lives. We invited the guests to take a Book of Mormon and read it and pray about it. Well to our surprise they took the Book of Mormon as well as some phamplets!
Then was we were saying goodbye to the young women this random lady comes up to us and says, What is all this? I not realising what was happening, asked are you a member? "me, no. I just came to institue with my friend and I saw all this!" Well we ended up teaching a lesson about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She just loved it! She was like, "These pictures describe events in the book of Mormon?" Amazing.... Well she took a Book of Mormon, and was way positive. We will stay in contact with her, and see if we can get her taking the discussions. Well at the end of the day, we taught 4 lessons, 4 book of Mormons gone, and a very successful evening! Elder Pfeil and I went up feeling AWESOME! We rewarded ourselves with Pizza and a Diet Coke... Life does not get any better! :)
So after an amazing tour night, we went to bed filled with the spirit! Then to my surprise I woke up with a cold, ok a really bad cold, so probably more of a flu. I guess its the Lords way of keeping me humble... maybe? haha. Or I simply have just been working my tail off, I havent been taking care of myself. So I got sick and well I still am. However I had stuff planned, and couldnt stop the work to rest. So On thursday we left to go on splits in Herning. I am the district leader and Hernings in my district. So we went down there and had a good day. The 2 elders in Herning were 2 people in my MTC group, so it was great hanging out with them. However I was way sick, but I think I put on a pretty good act, as they didnt seem to realize I was sick. I also met a young women in their area that has a baptismal date. She is doing way good, and It will be great to interview her for baptism. I am loving that the mission is baptizing more and more young people! Its terrific!
Then on Friday we met with Naja and Ulu with a member. It was an ok appointment, and I kind of struggled. I was still feeling way sick so it took all I could to stay focused and help her out. Shes still struggling with the Book of Mormon, and coming to church. She didnt come to church again with week... so were trying to find out the real issue. We also met with Nicole that evening to again give her new convert lessons. Shes again doign well, I am a proud missionary, seeing my once investigator still continue moving forward. Its been really rewarding seeing her grow in the church. The other Girl I baptized, Christina, is doing well also. Its just I dont see her! haha. But she writes me occassionaly, and shes doing well! :)
The on saturday and Sunday we had Stake Conference. It was a really good conference. We had our mission president speak, as well as many members I know from other places I have served. We also had our tour stuff set up, and the entire stake was just a talking about it! They were very impressed and couldnt believe missoinaries could do something so great! :) Other wards want to steal it and use it in their builinds... I told them its only for Århus right now.. They smiled, knowing transfers are coming... haha. President Andersen also came up to me and seemed very proud of me and Pfeil. I always get kind of quiet around president and nervous, so I just said thanks... lol. Hes a great mission president! :)
Well everyone, thanks for all your love and support! I sure love you all! Life is good, and I hope you take the time to enjoy it! Sure love you all!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Monday, March 7, 2011
Din Danske Missionær 02-21-2011
Godmorgen kære familie og venner!
Det er bare so dejlig til at snakke med i alle sammen gennem email. Det er helt utrolig at jeg faktisk kan sende en email hele vejen from Danmark til USA på en måde af få sekunder! Vi bo i et vidunderligt tid! Jeg er så taknemlig for teknologi fordi det giver mig mulighed for at snakke med i! Jeg håber i alle sammen har haft en dejlig uge. Det var en svært uge for mig og Ældste Pfeil men, så den er det bare. Det desværre skete til missionær. Men jeg tror jeg skal forklare min uge til dig på engelsk, ikke på dansk. Jeg tror det er fordi ikke så mange af i kan forstår hvad jeg siger. Jeg faktisk at ikke tror at jeg forstår dansk,det er bare en mirakel synes jeg.
Good morning everyone! I hope your having a great day and that this email finds you well and happy. So I hope things are going well for me in Denmark. Its been a crazy last week and were just glad that the new week is finally here.
Well we began the week with a nice p-day. We took it easy and relaxed. We mentally and physically prepared for the week. I will be honest i knew it was going to be a hard week. We were told were going to get more snow and that temperatures are going to drop here in Århus. So I was not excited about that.
Then on Wednesday we met with our investigator Naja. She is the one that has a baptismal date for February 26th. We met with her and shes doing well. We discussed a lot of things like the Book of Mormon and the trinity. We seemed to have a great appointment and she told me she learned a lot. We also found out her daughter Ulu, would also like to be baptized. So that was exciting. We left the appointment and she seemed ready for her baptism. well we had an appointment for Friday, but she cancelled. But she told us she would see us at church on Sunday. Well she didn't show up, which was very disappointing, as that means we have to push her baptismal date to another day. We are not sure what happened, but we will find out this week. :)
We also had our church tour on Wednesday. Nobody came, but were keeping the faith as it takes time for the word to get out. We also had the church tour on Saturday, but the ward was having an activity, so we didn't get to really set up or anything. So the Bishop just said that if anybody shows up, they will invite them to the party, lol. So we sort of cancelled that tour night. However we look forward to a great week of tours this week! :)
We also spent some of our time this week creating a Manuel you could say for our tour project. The Mission president asked that we put together a report that explains the project, so we also worked on that. Its hard as we have the idea in our head, and trying to write it on paper, can be heard. Expressing ones self on paper is not always easy. So that took some time, and were still not completely finished... We have too much to do! :)
We also this week met with Nicole, my new convert. She is doing well, and we had a great lesson with her. She just has a lot on her plate, as a lot of us do, with life. Shes managing it well and I couldnt be more proud of the changes she is making in her life. The gospel really can change people and motivate people to be great, to make them be what our Heavenly Father wants and has created us to be! :) It was a good afternoon, and its been fun to continue teaching someone I baptized after baptism. That doesn't get to happen too much generally.
I don't have a spiritual message for today. But just know that our Heavenly father loves us all and is with us every step of the way in our lives. :) I know it may sound weird, or crazy, but I really know someones with me, leading me and guiding me. I know he feels what I feel and understands perfectly each and every situation I run into. I cant explain to you how much I feel is help in my life right now. This last week as been a week where I really noticed and utilized his help. Things came to my mouth I didn't even think I knew, confidence and motivation popped up in times i was very low. The power and help of God is very real. I sometimes think we don't realize how real and involved our Heavenly Father really is. I know its real. I know its not something I made up or something somebody told me. Hes real, hes there and He loves us all.
I wish all of you a great week! May you find success in all that you do this week! I love you!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Det er bare so dejlig til at snakke med i alle sammen gennem email. Det er helt utrolig at jeg faktisk kan sende en email hele vejen from Danmark til USA på en måde af få sekunder! Vi bo i et vidunderligt tid! Jeg er så taknemlig for teknologi fordi det giver mig mulighed for at snakke med i! Jeg håber i alle sammen har haft en dejlig uge. Det var en svært uge for mig og Ældste Pfeil men, så den er det bare. Det desværre skete til missionær. Men jeg tror jeg skal forklare min uge til dig på engelsk, ikke på dansk. Jeg tror det er fordi ikke så mange af i kan forstår hvad jeg siger. Jeg faktisk at ikke tror at jeg forstår dansk,det er bare en mirakel synes jeg.
Good morning everyone! I hope your having a great day and that this email finds you well and happy. So I hope things are going well for me in Denmark. Its been a crazy last week and were just glad that the new week is finally here.
Well we began the week with a nice p-day. We took it easy and relaxed. We mentally and physically prepared for the week. I will be honest i knew it was going to be a hard week. We were told were going to get more snow and that temperatures are going to drop here in Århus. So I was not excited about that.
Then on Wednesday we met with our investigator Naja. She is the one that has a baptismal date for February 26th. We met with her and shes doing well. We discussed a lot of things like the Book of Mormon and the trinity. We seemed to have a great appointment and she told me she learned a lot. We also found out her daughter Ulu, would also like to be baptized. So that was exciting. We left the appointment and she seemed ready for her baptism. well we had an appointment for Friday, but she cancelled. But she told us she would see us at church on Sunday. Well she didn't show up, which was very disappointing, as that means we have to push her baptismal date to another day. We are not sure what happened, but we will find out this week. :)
We also had our church tour on Wednesday. Nobody came, but were keeping the faith as it takes time for the word to get out. We also had the church tour on Saturday, but the ward was having an activity, so we didn't get to really set up or anything. So the Bishop just said that if anybody shows up, they will invite them to the party, lol. So we sort of cancelled that tour night. However we look forward to a great week of tours this week! :)
We also spent some of our time this week creating a Manuel you could say for our tour project. The Mission president asked that we put together a report that explains the project, so we also worked on that. Its hard as we have the idea in our head, and trying to write it on paper, can be heard. Expressing ones self on paper is not always easy. So that took some time, and were still not completely finished... We have too much to do! :)
We also this week met with Nicole, my new convert. She is doing well, and we had a great lesson with her. She just has a lot on her plate, as a lot of us do, with life. Shes managing it well and I couldnt be more proud of the changes she is making in her life. The gospel really can change people and motivate people to be great, to make them be what our Heavenly Father wants and has created us to be! :) It was a good afternoon, and its been fun to continue teaching someone I baptized after baptism. That doesn't get to happen too much generally.
I don't have a spiritual message for today. But just know that our Heavenly father loves us all and is with us every step of the way in our lives. :) I know it may sound weird, or crazy, but I really know someones with me, leading me and guiding me. I know he feels what I feel and understands perfectly each and every situation I run into. I cant explain to you how much I feel is help in my life right now. This last week as been a week where I really noticed and utilized his help. Things came to my mouth I didn't even think I knew, confidence and motivation popped up in times i was very low. The power and help of God is very real. I sometimes think we don't realize how real and involved our Heavenly Father really is. I know its real. I know its not something I made up or something somebody told me. Hes real, hes there and He loves us all.
I wish all of you a great week! May you find success in all that you do this week! I love you!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Din Danske Missionær 02-14-2011
Kære familie og venner som betyder alt for mig!
Jeg håber at i alle samme har haft en dejlig uge fuldt med mange helt utroligt ting! Min uge var meget interessant men det var godt nok synes jeg. En uge som en missionær er altid en spænende ting. Man aldrig ved hvad kan skete som en af herrens tjener. Der er fordi herren vil gerne har også alle samme udvikle sig og være beder. Det kan man ikke gør hvis man er ikke udfordret. Liv er svært nogen gang men jeg er så taknemlig for den liv som jeg har. Jeg tror vores himmelsk fader har gjort en fantastisk job. Hvor taknemlig jeg er for ham og hans søns evangelium. Men nu skal jeg snakke om mig uge og det skal jeg siger på engelsk, slevfolgie.
Hey everyone! I hope you have all had a great week filled with good stuff and events! So right now I am sitting in the warm church building, with a pastry and some chocolate milk emailing home! I just love p-days. However, I say warm church building as we have snow right now in Århus. Yes, I know SNOW! I thought it was over too, but I guess the lord has other plans in regards to the weather here.haha. Either way, I am not too thrilled for the snow. I think I ordered summer? I hate the late deliveries. haha. So my week was good. To be honest it was just one of those normal weeks one has as a missionary. Nothing bad or really good happened. It was just one of those hard working weeks where nothing much happens, but nothing bad really happens either. I call it a filler week, and that's kind of what I had. :)
So we start the week with yet another p-day. We didn't do much that day, again! lol. Elder Pfeil and I have just been super, super tired. We did go out and take some pictures and kind of enjoy the sites. I am trying to enjoy every minute of Århus as my time here is coming soon to a close. I am almost 100% certain that I will leave this city by next transfers. I have been in Århus for now 6 months, and by next transfers that will make it 8 months. :) We took it easy and prepared ourselves for another week. You have no idea how critical and vital a p-day is for a missionary. :)
Then on Tuesday and Wednesday we had quite a few appointments set up, but all of them cancelled on us. Its been a long time since I have had that many cancellations. It was crazy, and disappointing. :( So i don't have much to say about most of the week unfortunately.
We then on Wednesday evening had our tours again. This is the first night of the real tours to investigators and friends, and it was a big success. We had many of the members show up and see it because it was on a Wednesday and everyone is in the church for mutual. Everyone, and I mean everyone was impressed. Then to top it all off we had 2 potential investigators come and and got a tour from Elder Pfeil and I. It was a great experience and they seemed to enjoy the tour. I could feel the spirit and I think the 2 people realized there is something really special about our church. So we will see if they become future investigators.
Then on Friday we had a specialized training here in Århus. It was a great training and President Andersen did a great job. I really love what he has to say. His input and they way he teaches is very much my style. I learned a lot. President Andersen also got to see our tour project and he was blown away. He got very quiet and was just in awwww the whole time as we gave him a look around. He was very proud and said its going to be an amazing tool to use to bring more unto Christ. So it was very nice to get our presidents stamp of approval. I think president was a little worried that it was going to be something completely different. So i think he was glad to see it how it was.
Then to top it all off the spokesperson for the church in Denmark is actually in the ward. I had no idea and he came and saw the tour project. Well he was very impressed and is getting pictures and an article written in the Liahona about it. He and our mission leader are also going to take it to the newspapers and other news affiliates to get the word out. Then our spokesperson went to the Head library in Århus, and asked if it could be possible to set up some displays about this book inside. They said yes, and now hes working out all the logistics and things to get it all done legally. So were going to have a huge display in the busiest library in Jutland, be in the newspaper and Liahona! I mean the work is moving forward! its amazing! Whats most amazing about all this is the members are doing it all, not me. All these things were there idea. So the missionary work fire is starting to light and I am so glad. Now its just getting the rest of the members to get involved... and that's another story. They will come given time. :)
So I was thinking about my spiritual message for the week and decided to again mention the importance of being a good example. I realized how doing something little really can make a huge impact on people. I realized that my idea of a simple tour, could really spark the imagination and desire of the members to share the gospel. It brings me joy to see that my companions and I's good example of missionary work is starting to rub off on those around us.Now I am not perfect but I realized that doing something really simple can really spark something. Then as you spark that one person, there example can spark anothers and before you know it, were all learning from each other. So I hope you follow our savior, Jesus Christs example. He inspired and still inspires million's upon millions of people. Let us be like him and inspire those just as Christ did.
I wish you all the very best week! Thanks again for all your love and support. I don't know where I would be without it. :)
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Jeg håber at i alle samme har haft en dejlig uge fuldt med mange helt utroligt ting! Min uge var meget interessant men det var godt nok synes jeg. En uge som en missionær er altid en spænende ting. Man aldrig ved hvad kan skete som en af herrens tjener. Der er fordi herren vil gerne har også alle samme udvikle sig og være beder. Det kan man ikke gør hvis man er ikke udfordret. Liv er svært nogen gang men jeg er så taknemlig for den liv som jeg har. Jeg tror vores himmelsk fader har gjort en fantastisk job. Hvor taknemlig jeg er for ham og hans søns evangelium. Men nu skal jeg snakke om mig uge og det skal jeg siger på engelsk, slevfolgie.
Hey everyone! I hope you have all had a great week filled with good stuff and events! So right now I am sitting in the warm church building, with a pastry and some chocolate milk emailing home! I just love p-days. However, I say warm church building as we have snow right now in Århus. Yes, I know SNOW! I thought it was over too, but I guess the lord has other plans in regards to the weather here.haha. Either way, I am not too thrilled for the snow. I think I ordered summer? I hate the late deliveries. haha. So my week was good. To be honest it was just one of those normal weeks one has as a missionary. Nothing bad or really good happened. It was just one of those hard working weeks where nothing much happens, but nothing bad really happens either. I call it a filler week, and that's kind of what I had. :)
So we start the week with yet another p-day. We didn't do much that day, again! lol. Elder Pfeil and I have just been super, super tired. We did go out and take some pictures and kind of enjoy the sites. I am trying to enjoy every minute of Århus as my time here is coming soon to a close. I am almost 100% certain that I will leave this city by next transfers. I have been in Århus for now 6 months, and by next transfers that will make it 8 months. :) We took it easy and prepared ourselves for another week. You have no idea how critical and vital a p-day is for a missionary. :)
Then on Tuesday and Wednesday we had quite a few appointments set up, but all of them cancelled on us. Its been a long time since I have had that many cancellations. It was crazy, and disappointing. :( So i don't have much to say about most of the week unfortunately.
We then on Wednesday evening had our tours again. This is the first night of the real tours to investigators and friends, and it was a big success. We had many of the members show up and see it because it was on a Wednesday and everyone is in the church for mutual. Everyone, and I mean everyone was impressed. Then to top it all off we had 2 potential investigators come and and got a tour from Elder Pfeil and I. It was a great experience and they seemed to enjoy the tour. I could feel the spirit and I think the 2 people realized there is something really special about our church. So we will see if they become future investigators.
Then on Friday we had a specialized training here in Århus. It was a great training and President Andersen did a great job. I really love what he has to say. His input and they way he teaches is very much my style. I learned a lot. President Andersen also got to see our tour project and he was blown away. He got very quiet and was just in awwww the whole time as we gave him a look around. He was very proud and said its going to be an amazing tool to use to bring more unto Christ. So it was very nice to get our presidents stamp of approval. I think president was a little worried that it was going to be something completely different. So i think he was glad to see it how it was.
Then to top it all off the spokesperson for the church in Denmark is actually in the ward. I had no idea and he came and saw the tour project. Well he was very impressed and is getting pictures and an article written in the Liahona about it. He and our mission leader are also going to take it to the newspapers and other news affiliates to get the word out. Then our spokesperson went to the Head library in Århus, and asked if it could be possible to set up some displays about this book inside. They said yes, and now hes working out all the logistics and things to get it all done legally. So were going to have a huge display in the busiest library in Jutland, be in the newspaper and Liahona! I mean the work is moving forward! its amazing! Whats most amazing about all this is the members are doing it all, not me. All these things were there idea. So the missionary work fire is starting to light and I am so glad. Now its just getting the rest of the members to get involved... and that's another story. They will come given time. :)
So I was thinking about my spiritual message for the week and decided to again mention the importance of being a good example. I realized how doing something little really can make a huge impact on people. I realized that my idea of a simple tour, could really spark the imagination and desire of the members to share the gospel. It brings me joy to see that my companions and I's good example of missionary work is starting to rub off on those around us.Now I am not perfect but I realized that doing something really simple can really spark something. Then as you spark that one person, there example can spark anothers and before you know it, were all learning from each other. So I hope you follow our savior, Jesus Christs example. He inspired and still inspires million's upon millions of people. Let us be like him and inspire those just as Christ did.
I wish you all the very best week! Thanks again for all your love and support. I don't know where I would be without it. :)
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Din Danske Missionær 02/07/2011
Hej alle min dejlig familie og Venner!
Det er so godt at være på computeren idag til at skrive til jer! Jeg salvne i alle sammen og ser frem til den dag jeg kommer hjem. Men for nu, så skal jeg arbjeide som in missionær og tjene herren. :) Min uge var god, men jeg tror jeg skal fortælle i på englesk, ikke på dansk! :)
Hello EVERYONE! I hope you have all together had an amazing and fantastic week filled with amazningness. My week was ok, not the greatest week I have ever had, but that happens sometimes. My tour project is in full swing this week and I hope it brings much success. This project has brought much worry and stress and I pray every night for its success. I will tell you more about it in the rest of my letter. But yea... let me give you the low down of my week!
So on Monday, we had another p-day. It was nice as we before we began our p-day we met with one of our investigators Naja. We ended up setting a baptismal date with her for February 26th. Then we came to the church and began emailing home. then we were feeling kind of tired and needed a break. So we went home and just slept. Elder Pfeil and I just collapsed on our couch. haha. Other than that it was a good day and we needed the down time.
Then on Tuesday we ran over to the church and created a baptismal calendar for Naja. It was so exciting to make a calendar for a person that wants to be baptized! We just don't get to do that too often in the danish mission. After we took care of that, we headed out and did some stop bys and contacting on the streets. Then we made our way back to the church and began practicing for our tour project. If this tour was in English, I might not have any issues, but in Danish, its a whole nother story. So we did that for the rest of the evening. My companion Elder Pfeil is a little nervous as Danish is still pretty new for him. However he is doing a great job and is just speaking as best he can. Our tours are coming and were excited to give tours to the members later this week.
Then on Thursday we met with Naja again and talked to her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a good lesson and I think she really enjoyed it. Sometimes I noticed with me that I get too focused on talking about Joseph Smith and The book of Mormon that we forget to just talk about Jesus Christ. So that's what we did. We shared many scriptures in the Book of Mormon about Christ and I think that really helped Naja. After Naja we ran to the church and met up with a member named Sister. Kreiberg. She brought all our posters and stands to set up. She stayed and helped us get things going, and let me tell you it looks amazing! I created the posters on the computer with help from Elder Pfeil. I had most of them created before he got to Århus. Then we sent them via email to sister.Kreiberg and Bro. Kreiberg and they printed them for us. It was so crazy to see my companions and mine work all up! It looked so good! So if you click the link below, you can see my tour project. :) Enjoy
(Copy for paste link) You do not need a facebook account to see photos.
Then on Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday evening we presented the tour to the members. We unfortunately did not have that great of a turn out. I am not sure what happened and its something I am currently working with the mission leader right now. The members kind of disappointed me and Elder Pfeil. We thought we had a little more support, but we didn't get very much of it at all. We had maybe 12 members come all together. But you know, were still faithful this project will work and I know the lord will provide a wake up call for the members. :) However the people that mattered came and they were very impressed.
Then on Sunday we had church of course and a sister missionary that's heading home came and visited with her family. That was kind of fun and it was nice to be around some Americans. We had some issues with investigators at church and some missionary drama. However we got it resolved... however it was stressful. After church we came home, ate lunch, and too be honest I didn't remember what happened. All i remember was I woke up 4 hours later. Elder Pfeil and I crashed, and we crashed hard. We were so tired and stressed that our bodies I think couldn't take it anymore, lol! I mean I have never in my life collapsed that hard before. So after we woke up and did some weekly planning. Then because I am district leader I gave a call to everyone in my district and took care of my responsibilities there. It was kind of weird being on the leadership end of things. After that we went to bed early to get ready for a good p-day... today! :)
Let me tell you it was a very interesting week. I am glad its over and i look forward to a brighter week. For my spiritual message for this week, it is "Think positive." My sister kind of taught me that. I also remember her telling me before I left on my mission, "Remember to Smile". So my message for this week goes to thinking positively and smiling. We had a guest class yesterday at church and the teacher asked us to write down 5 things you are happy about. Any 5 things, and it can be ANYTHING. We did that as a class, and you know what, I realized life is good. IT can be hard but its good. We then shared everything we wrote down and the room was happy and we were all smiling and thinking positively. There was such a different atmosphere in the room that it made me realize how much better life could be if we focused all of our time and energy on the positive things, instead of the negative. I realized that Life is a good teacher and its all part of Gods plan. As Elder Wirthlin would say, "Come what may, and love it."
I wish you all a great week full of positive things and lots of smiles... oh wow... I have not been that cheesy in a long time... I think its time for me to get home... this missionary life is starting to mess with my head. lol! :) Have a good week everyone!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlilg Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Det er so godt at være på computeren idag til at skrive til jer! Jeg salvne i alle sammen og ser frem til den dag jeg kommer hjem. Men for nu, så skal jeg arbjeide som in missionær og tjene herren. :) Min uge var god, men jeg tror jeg skal fortælle i på englesk, ikke på dansk! :)
Hello EVERYONE! I hope you have all together had an amazing and fantastic week filled with amazningness. My week was ok, not the greatest week I have ever had, but that happens sometimes. My tour project is in full swing this week and I hope it brings much success. This project has brought much worry and stress and I pray every night for its success. I will tell you more about it in the rest of my letter. But yea... let me give you the low down of my week!
So on Monday, we had another p-day. It was nice as we before we began our p-day we met with one of our investigators Naja. We ended up setting a baptismal date with her for February 26th. Then we came to the church and began emailing home. then we were feeling kind of tired and needed a break. So we went home and just slept. Elder Pfeil and I just collapsed on our couch. haha. Other than that it was a good day and we needed the down time.
Then on Tuesday we ran over to the church and created a baptismal calendar for Naja. It was so exciting to make a calendar for a person that wants to be baptized! We just don't get to do that too often in the danish mission. After we took care of that, we headed out and did some stop bys and contacting on the streets. Then we made our way back to the church and began practicing for our tour project. If this tour was in English, I might not have any issues, but in Danish, its a whole nother story. So we did that for the rest of the evening. My companion Elder Pfeil is a little nervous as Danish is still pretty new for him. However he is doing a great job and is just speaking as best he can. Our tours are coming and were excited to give tours to the members later this week.
Then on Thursday we met with Naja again and talked to her about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a good lesson and I think she really enjoyed it. Sometimes I noticed with me that I get too focused on talking about Joseph Smith and The book of Mormon that we forget to just talk about Jesus Christ. So that's what we did. We shared many scriptures in the Book of Mormon about Christ and I think that really helped Naja. After Naja we ran to the church and met up with a member named Sister. Kreiberg. She brought all our posters and stands to set up. She stayed and helped us get things going, and let me tell you it looks amazing! I created the posters on the computer with help from Elder Pfeil. I had most of them created before he got to Århus. Then we sent them via email to sister.Kreiberg and Bro. Kreiberg and they printed them for us. It was so crazy to see my companions and mine work all up! It looked so good! So if you click the link below, you can see my tour project. :) Enjoy
(Copy for paste link) You do not need a facebook account to see photos.
Then on Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday evening we presented the tour to the members. We unfortunately did not have that great of a turn out. I am not sure what happened and its something I am currently working with the mission leader right now. The members kind of disappointed me and Elder Pfeil. We thought we had a little more support, but we didn't get very much of it at all. We had maybe 12 members come all together. But you know, were still faithful this project will work and I know the lord will provide a wake up call for the members. :) However the people that mattered came and they were very impressed.
Then on Sunday we had church of course and a sister missionary that's heading home came and visited with her family. That was kind of fun and it was nice to be around some Americans. We had some issues with investigators at church and some missionary drama. However we got it resolved... however it was stressful. After church we came home, ate lunch, and too be honest I didn't remember what happened. All i remember was I woke up 4 hours later. Elder Pfeil and I crashed, and we crashed hard. We were so tired and stressed that our bodies I think couldn't take it anymore, lol! I mean I have never in my life collapsed that hard before. So after we woke up and did some weekly planning. Then because I am district leader I gave a call to everyone in my district and took care of my responsibilities there. It was kind of weird being on the leadership end of things. After that we went to bed early to get ready for a good p-day... today! :)
Let me tell you it was a very interesting week. I am glad its over and i look forward to a brighter week. For my spiritual message for this week, it is "Think positive." My sister kind of taught me that. I also remember her telling me before I left on my mission, "Remember to Smile". So my message for this week goes to thinking positively and smiling. We had a guest class yesterday at church and the teacher asked us to write down 5 things you are happy about. Any 5 things, and it can be ANYTHING. We did that as a class, and you know what, I realized life is good. IT can be hard but its good. We then shared everything we wrote down and the room was happy and we were all smiling and thinking positively. There was such a different atmosphere in the room that it made me realize how much better life could be if we focused all of our time and energy on the positive things, instead of the negative. I realized that Life is a good teacher and its all part of Gods plan. As Elder Wirthlin would say, "Come what may, and love it."
I wish you all a great week full of positive things and lots of smiles... oh wow... I have not been that cheesy in a long time... I think its time for me to get home... this missionary life is starting to mess with my head. lol! :) Have a good week everyone!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlilg Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Monday, January 31, 2011
Din Danske Missionær 01-31-2011
Hej Kære Søskende... (Som betylder familie eller venner, Det er en ord man brug på dansk i kirken. Det er lige som bror eller søstre)
Jeg håber i alle sammen har det godt! Jeg har det udmærket! Jeg elske denmark og herrens arbejde lige nu. Ting gå godt or igår har jeg 2 undersøger i kirken. Det var so dejligt at ser dem i Kirken! Jeg og Ældste Pfeil også gave en tale on vores rundvisning projekt! Det var interessant, men jeg troede vi gjort det fint! Mange er spændt at ser vores projekt! Jeg kan ikke vent at fortælle i os om min projekt!
Hello Everyone! I hope this letter finds all of you well and happy! Its been a really long week for me and my companion Elder Pfeil. I mean so much has happened that its weird for me to think its only been a week. Its just been a week full of all kinds of crazy things.Good things and I am happy to report much success of the work of the lord!
First and for most I have found out about transfers. I are you nervous? I sure was... I was very nervous. In fact when I got the call I got very, very scared. Elder Pfeil and I were in the church assembling some stands for our tour when my cell phone began to ring in my pocket. I stopped assembling and a look of fear came over me and my companion. I walked outside into the church foyer and answered the phone. I hear a voice... a voice of an assistant. He gives me a hi and asks, "So do you want to know about transfers?" I smiled and said, OF COURSE! He then told me that me and Elder Pfeil are both staying in Århus. He then added that president has also called me to serve as a district leader. So I have 2 more months in Århus! I am very grateful for this! :) And I have now more responsiblity in the mission. It should be an exciting adventure, as Morgan would say! :)
Well I began with a pretty mellow week starting with a p-day.We went to lunch with our gift card from winning the cleanest apartment award. That was fun. We then just came up and rested. Then around 6:00 we went with Flemming, our mission leader, to Århus laser printing. There we talked to the guy that's printing our new pass along cards for the tour. So we set that all up and should have them soon. Well I hope anyways... Things are not always as quick as I would like them.
Then on Tuesday I had a leadership training because I am a trainer with President and the Assistants, and those that are in leadership. It was a good training and I learned a lot... Ok to be honest I felt guilty after leaving that training. I realized I have a lot to do to be better. There is always room for improvement. ITs just when you think your doing good and somebody else tells you to do better... It kind of hurts inside. :( But in any case, its better to learn to be better then just remain the same. :)
The on Wednesday we met with a new investigator named Naja. She is from Greenland and was taught in a far away town in Denmark called Skiva. She moved here to Århus and so she was referred to us. We met with her and to be honest I don't know why she is not baptized. Shes answered all our questions beautifully and believes in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. She just struggled with the getting baptized again concept. She feels that because she was already baptized she does not need to again. We shared some scriptures but in the end we encouraged her to pray about it. Then on Saturday we met with her again with the old missionaries that used to teach her. It was a good appointment and she really understood the concept of Authority and baptism. She then was committed to baptism and asked to think about it and pray about it. She said she would. So today before I came to the computer to write to you, we met with her again. She did not make it to church yesterday as she got lost. Well she told us she wants to be baptized! So we set a date with her for the 26 of February. We then talked to her about our baptisms. She then said, wait, children can be baptized? We said yes if they are 8 or older. She got a huge smile on her face and expressed how her daughter thats 11 also wanted to be baptized! So she said she would talk with her daughter about it later this week. So who knows... we might have another baptism with her. But for Naja it really was an amazing experience. She said she prayed about it and got a direct answer. I have never met an investigator so in tune with the spirit. Shes going to be a great member. Who knows... maybe she can also set up the church on Greenland! So yes keep her in your prayers!
We also met with an older investigator of mine named Tobias. He is doing well and loves having us over. He is not too positive with the church, but I am trying to keep a good relationship alive with him, as you never know when he could be interested. But during the appointment he said to us, I think i want to go to church. So I said sure and he came! haha. He came and said he had a good time. The appointment with him went well and we taught about the importance of the Book of Mormon. He is struggling with reading. so we will see. :) I am just so happy he has a desire to see church.
Then on Saturday we had Interviews with our mission president. It went well and president is exited to see my tour project. Speaking of the tour project... so we receive everything this Wednesday and we begin tours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to show the tour to the members. Then next week we start the real tours for every Wednesday and Saturday from 5 to 7 for investigators. So once we get it all set up, I will send pictures next week.
Then on Sunday me and Elder Pfeil gave talks in church. He spoke on everyday missionary life, while I gave a talk on the tour project. Ældste Pfeil did very well and is danish is really coming along. I did just ok... When I am nervous my danish is even worse... and I mean the only reason I am nervous is because of my danish... go figure right? But my message came across and everyone in the ward is very excited about the project. Kristian, a member in the bishopric told me that when I brought up the tour in my talk- the spirit just flooded the room. He said it felt right - he said he felt its going to be a success. The whole ward was buzzing and it was a great day. Then to top it all off we had a random young man, about my age, come in the building asking to meet with us the missionaries. We taught him and he seems really positive about the church. He actually stayed for sacrament meeting. So we might have a new investigator on our hands soon. We also had Tobias and the ward was excited to have some guests. It was a great Sunday and the ward seems to be getting more and more excited about missionary work.
Obviously there was more I did in the week but those were the highlights. Its really hard to write down all my feelings and experiences. Its also difficult to summarize a week long of events in one letter! But I hope you got an idea of how things are going. The work is going forward and I am so happy to be apart of it. I don't have much of a spiritual message but one thing that I really did learn this week is GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYERS! I mean Naja got an answer... it almost seems too easy. I cant believe it. We still have a month to make the date... but I feel confident. It hit me hard this week that she got an answer. I mean, its just a miracle! :)
I hope you all have a great week! I sure appreciate all your love and support!
Din Dansk Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
--
Jeg håber i alle sammen har det godt! Jeg har det udmærket! Jeg elske denmark og herrens arbejde lige nu. Ting gå godt or igår har jeg 2 undersøger i kirken. Det var so dejligt at ser dem i Kirken! Jeg og Ældste Pfeil også gave en tale on vores rundvisning projekt! Det var interessant, men jeg troede vi gjort det fint! Mange er spændt at ser vores projekt! Jeg kan ikke vent at fortælle i os om min projekt!
Hello Everyone! I hope this letter finds all of you well and happy! Its been a really long week for me and my companion Elder Pfeil. I mean so much has happened that its weird for me to think its only been a week. Its just been a week full of all kinds of crazy things.Good things and I am happy to report much success of the work of the lord!
First and for most I have found out about transfers. I are you nervous? I sure was... I was very nervous. In fact when I got the call I got very, very scared. Elder Pfeil and I were in the church assembling some stands for our tour when my cell phone began to ring in my pocket. I stopped assembling and a look of fear came over me and my companion. I walked outside into the church foyer and answered the phone. I hear a voice... a voice of an assistant. He gives me a hi and asks, "So do you want to know about transfers?" I smiled and said, OF COURSE! He then told me that me and Elder Pfeil are both staying in Århus. He then added that president has also called me to serve as a district leader. So I have 2 more months in Århus! I am very grateful for this! :) And I have now more responsiblity in the mission. It should be an exciting adventure, as Morgan would say! :)
Well I began with a pretty mellow week starting with a p-day.We went to lunch with our gift card from winning the cleanest apartment award. That was fun. We then just came up and rested. Then around 6:00 we went with Flemming, our mission leader, to Århus laser printing. There we talked to the guy that's printing our new pass along cards for the tour. So we set that all up and should have them soon. Well I hope anyways... Things are not always as quick as I would like them.
Then on Tuesday I had a leadership training because I am a trainer with President and the Assistants, and those that are in leadership. It was a good training and I learned a lot... Ok to be honest I felt guilty after leaving that training. I realized I have a lot to do to be better. There is always room for improvement. ITs just when you think your doing good and somebody else tells you to do better... It kind of hurts inside. :( But in any case, its better to learn to be better then just remain the same. :)
The on Wednesday we met with a new investigator named Naja. She is from Greenland and was taught in a far away town in Denmark called Skiva. She moved here to Århus and so she was referred to us. We met with her and to be honest I don't know why she is not baptized. Shes answered all our questions beautifully and believes in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. She just struggled with the getting baptized again concept. She feels that because she was already baptized she does not need to again. We shared some scriptures but in the end we encouraged her to pray about it. Then on Saturday we met with her again with the old missionaries that used to teach her. It was a good appointment and she really understood the concept of Authority and baptism. She then was committed to baptism and asked to think about it and pray about it. She said she would. So today before I came to the computer to write to you, we met with her again. She did not make it to church yesterday as she got lost. Well she told us she wants to be baptized! So we set a date with her for the 26 of February. We then talked to her about our baptisms. She then said, wait, children can be baptized? We said yes if they are 8 or older. She got a huge smile on her face and expressed how her daughter thats 11 also wanted to be baptized! So she said she would talk with her daughter about it later this week. So who knows... we might have another baptism with her. But for Naja it really was an amazing experience. She said she prayed about it and got a direct answer. I have never met an investigator so in tune with the spirit. Shes going to be a great member. Who knows... maybe she can also set up the church on Greenland! So yes keep her in your prayers!
We also met with an older investigator of mine named Tobias. He is doing well and loves having us over. He is not too positive with the church, but I am trying to keep a good relationship alive with him, as you never know when he could be interested. But during the appointment he said to us, I think i want to go to church. So I said sure and he came! haha. He came and said he had a good time. The appointment with him went well and we taught about the importance of the Book of Mormon. He is struggling with reading. so we will see. :) I am just so happy he has a desire to see church.
Then on Saturday we had Interviews with our mission president. It went well and president is exited to see my tour project. Speaking of the tour project... so we receive everything this Wednesday and we begin tours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to show the tour to the members. Then next week we start the real tours for every Wednesday and Saturday from 5 to 7 for investigators. So once we get it all set up, I will send pictures next week.
Then on Sunday me and Elder Pfeil gave talks in church. He spoke on everyday missionary life, while I gave a talk on the tour project. Ældste Pfeil did very well and is danish is really coming along. I did just ok... When I am nervous my danish is even worse... and I mean the only reason I am nervous is because of my danish... go figure right? But my message came across and everyone in the ward is very excited about the project. Kristian, a member in the bishopric told me that when I brought up the tour in my talk- the spirit just flooded the room. He said it felt right - he said he felt its going to be a success. The whole ward was buzzing and it was a great day. Then to top it all off we had a random young man, about my age, come in the building asking to meet with us the missionaries. We taught him and he seems really positive about the church. He actually stayed for sacrament meeting. So we might have a new investigator on our hands soon. We also had Tobias and the ward was excited to have some guests. It was a great Sunday and the ward seems to be getting more and more excited about missionary work.
Obviously there was more I did in the week but those were the highlights. Its really hard to write down all my feelings and experiences. Its also difficult to summarize a week long of events in one letter! But I hope you got an idea of how things are going. The work is going forward and I am so happy to be apart of it. I don't have much of a spiritual message but one thing that I really did learn this week is GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYERS! I mean Naja got an answer... it almost seems too easy. I cant believe it. We still have a month to make the date... but I feel confident. It hit me hard this week that she got an answer. I mean, its just a miracle! :)
I hope you all have a great week! I sure appreciate all your love and support!
Din Dansk Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
--
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Din Danske Missionær 01-24-2011
Godmorgen, Godmorgen Kære familie og venner!
Oh hay... det har været en meget hurtig uge for mig. Det er svært for mig at tror at januar er næste end færdig. Vi stort set har kun et uge til februar! Er det ikke spændende? So jeg har det godt slevfolgie. Når man tjene herren i har ikke noget at bekymre over. Lige nu mit fokus med min missionær arbejde er den der rundvisning projekt. Det er en meget stor projekt men jeg synes det er det værd! En ting jeg er faktisk meget begejstret over er hvor dejlig Århus menighed har været. Det har støttet mig rigtig rigtig meget! Jeg tror på grund af deres kærlighed og tillid herren vil velsigne dem alle sammen! Når mit projekt er færdig so skal jeg sender I nogen billede. Jeg kan ikke vent at vise jer! :)
Oh danish... so If you kind of want to know what it says, you can try google translate... However I just did it and it is not entirely accurate. So its up to you! :) But yes I will now write in English! :) I hope all of you have had an amazing week. Its weird to think were already finished with the first month in 2011. It just means its one more month to me coming home! Its just incredible how time fast flies. I know I say that a lot, but really time is flying! The weirdest thing for me was a zone conference last week the mission president, President Andersen talked about release dates. I will probably set mine late February or beginning of march. I will let you know when its all finalized. Well everyone thanks in advance for always thinking of me and reading my emails. I sure love each and everyone of you and appreciate always your love and support.
To begin, me and Elder Pfeil had another wonderful p-day to start the week. Elder Pfeil really likes to shop and heck so do I! haha. So I have no problems hitting the stores. I usually don't buy much but I sure love looking. I found a really nice Danish bible that I would love to take home with me. I think the lord would approve of that souvenir. In Denmark bibles are so expensive because the rights to them are owned by the state wide church, the 'Danske Folke Kirke* (The danish peoples church). So a really nice bible like the ones we use everyday in church are about 800 to 1000 krone's. so around 200 American dollars! yikes! What makes me laugh is why they cost so much. I mean unfortunately danish people are not the most believing anymore... most have never even read the bible, and yet they are so expensive. So I am thinking about going into the store and talking to the manager and explain I come from a church.... maybe they might give a discount to me. Who knows. I have met a lot of nice people who have given missionaries a discount before. So we will see. Elder Pfeil and I also went to a viking museum. He sure loved it. I have been there before but one can always learn more. We had a fun day and felt prepared and ready to work hard the rest of the week. Its amazing how vital these days are to a missionary. I mean if I didn't get my p-day I would have killed out a long time ago! lol! :)
Tuesday was a fun day as we had Zone Conference in a nearby city called Frederica! So we had to do a little traveling using the trains. The good news is we only had to be there for the day. Originally we had another meeting on Wednesday and would have stayed the night there. However recently the sister of our mission president passed away in a car accident. Her burial was that Wednesday so they cancelled the meeting. I am amazed at how strong my mission president was during the conference. This man really has a strong testimony of the gospel. He just lost his sister and he didn't questions one thing of his beliefs. I have the best mission president in the world... haha. I mean what an example he is setting to me and for all the other missionaries. I also found out much more sacrifice's he made just to be mission president. He is a great guy. Because he is so great we had a great zone conference. I learned a lot and am now going to work harder.
Another thing they did at the Zone Conference was announced the cleanest apartment in the mission contest winner! The showed a slide show of all the apartments and let me tell you the entire mission did very well. All of there apartment's looked great! Unfortunately however there could only be one winner for the contest... and the winner is.... ÅRHUS! :) Yep me and Elder Pfeil won the contest for the cleanest apartment in the mission! :) haha. The mission president called in, " The standard for the mission." He was very impressed with it and the fact we used the apartment to build relationships with the members! :) We won a gift card to go eat out! It was a lot of fun. Not only do we get a meal, but we made great relationships with the members doing it! A win win situation if I say so myself! :)
Then throughout the rest of the week we were tieing up odds and ends with our tour project. We made our presentation DVDs, our new pass along cards and everything. We checked the shipping status of all of our posters and they are all arriving on Thursday this week! So I will let you know next week how it looks. Elder Pfeil and I are also giving a talk in sacrament meeting this coming up Sunday to introduce the tour project. We plan on having member tours all next week to get them excited about this experience. We also plan, and committing them to bring one friend to this tour over the next couple of weeks. I am going to really push the members to work as this tour thing is a really easy excuse to invite friends too. I mean this project will only be a success if the members choose to participate! So I hope and pray they catch the missionary fire! :) haha. I will once the tour gets going, write a email on everything I am doing. I will give you lots of details and pictures next week. I know your all curious. So don't worry, I will fill you in! :)
Then on Saturday on a little sadder note we had a member in our ward pass away. He was about 84 but very strong and healthy. However one day he was walking his dog outside and slipped on some ice. When he slipped he hit is head and died. His name is Kay. He was a great guy and always prepared the sacrament and passed out the hymn books. He was also one of the very first members to meet my investigators. Well this was actually my first funeral I believe. When the hurse arrived with the caset.. I had to help them carry it into the church. It was a very surreal feeling as I was carrying somebody that passed away. They whole meeting was also very surreal. I had honestly no idea what to think. In any case it was a good meeting and the spirit was there comforting those that needed it. Nicole my new convert also showed up and gave her support. This was her first funeral too. The ward is handling it well. one thing Nicole noticed is how much more uplifting our funerals are. She has a point. We as latter day saints know where we are going, and what happening the next life. We have no worries about it. So when somebody passes away we simply are sad because we miss them, not because we don't know where they are going. I think it was a testimony builder for Nicole on the plan of salvation. How blessed are we to have it! :)
Well everyone.. I think that's all I have to say about my week. I honestly have not thought of a spiritual message. My thoughts have honestly always been on my tour project. I do what to let you know that I really do have a testimony of this church. I know sometimes its hard to sit through meetings or even go to them. Our church does have a lot of meetings and I completely understand how annoying they can be. However, even with those annoying things I truly do know this church is GODS church on the church. We do have a living prophet and we do receive instruction and guidance through him from the Lord. The book of Mormon is Gods word.. its a book that answers life's toughest and biggest questions. It really is a guide to true and everlasting happiness. I just love it! I love being a Mormon and I love being a follower of Christ.
I sure love you all! I wish you the very best week! HAVE AN AMAZING LAST WEEK OF JANUARY! :)
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Din Danske Missionær,
Ældste Skyler Hardy!
--
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Oh hay... det har været en meget hurtig uge for mig. Det er svært for mig at tror at januar er næste end færdig. Vi stort set har kun et uge til februar! Er det ikke spændende? So jeg har det godt slevfolgie. Når man tjene herren i har ikke noget at bekymre over. Lige nu mit fokus med min missionær arbejde er den der rundvisning projekt. Det er en meget stor projekt men jeg synes det er det værd! En ting jeg er faktisk meget begejstret over er hvor dejlig Århus menighed har været. Det har støttet mig rigtig rigtig meget! Jeg tror på grund af deres kærlighed og tillid herren vil velsigne dem alle sammen! Når mit projekt er færdig so skal jeg sender I nogen billede. Jeg kan ikke vent at vise jer! :)
Oh danish... so If you kind of want to know what it says, you can try google translate... However I just did it and it is not entirely accurate. So its up to you! :) But yes I will now write in English! :) I hope all of you have had an amazing week. Its weird to think were already finished with the first month in 2011. It just means its one more month to me coming home! Its just incredible how time fast flies. I know I say that a lot, but really time is flying! The weirdest thing for me was a zone conference last week the mission president, President Andersen talked about release dates. I will probably set mine late February or beginning of march. I will let you know when its all finalized. Well everyone thanks in advance for always thinking of me and reading my emails. I sure love each and everyone of you and appreciate always your love and support.
To begin, me and Elder Pfeil had another wonderful p-day to start the week. Elder Pfeil really likes to shop and heck so do I! haha. So I have no problems hitting the stores. I usually don't buy much but I sure love looking. I found a really nice Danish bible that I would love to take home with me. I think the lord would approve of that souvenir. In Denmark bibles are so expensive because the rights to them are owned by the state wide church, the 'Danske Folke Kirke* (The danish peoples church). So a really nice bible like the ones we use everyday in church are about 800 to 1000 krone's. so around 200 American dollars! yikes! What makes me laugh is why they cost so much. I mean unfortunately danish people are not the most believing anymore... most have never even read the bible, and yet they are so expensive. So I am thinking about going into the store and talking to the manager and explain I come from a church.... maybe they might give a discount to me. Who knows. I have met a lot of nice people who have given missionaries a discount before. So we will see. Elder Pfeil and I also went to a viking museum. He sure loved it. I have been there before but one can always learn more. We had a fun day and felt prepared and ready to work hard the rest of the week. Its amazing how vital these days are to a missionary. I mean if I didn't get my p-day I would have killed out a long time ago! lol! :)
Tuesday was a fun day as we had Zone Conference in a nearby city called Frederica! So we had to do a little traveling using the trains. The good news is we only had to be there for the day. Originally we had another meeting on Wednesday and would have stayed the night there. However recently the sister of our mission president passed away in a car accident. Her burial was that Wednesday so they cancelled the meeting. I am amazed at how strong my mission president was during the conference. This man really has a strong testimony of the gospel. He just lost his sister and he didn't questions one thing of his beliefs. I have the best mission president in the world... haha. I mean what an example he is setting to me and for all the other missionaries. I also found out much more sacrifice's he made just to be mission president. He is a great guy. Because he is so great we had a great zone conference. I learned a lot and am now going to work harder.
Another thing they did at the Zone Conference was announced the cleanest apartment in the mission contest winner! The showed a slide show of all the apartments and let me tell you the entire mission did very well. All of there apartment's looked great! Unfortunately however there could only be one winner for the contest... and the winner is.... ÅRHUS! :) Yep me and Elder Pfeil won the contest for the cleanest apartment in the mission! :) haha. The mission president called in, " The standard for the mission." He was very impressed with it and the fact we used the apartment to build relationships with the members! :) We won a gift card to go eat out! It was a lot of fun. Not only do we get a meal, but we made great relationships with the members doing it! A win win situation if I say so myself! :)
Then throughout the rest of the week we were tieing up odds and ends with our tour project. We made our presentation DVDs, our new pass along cards and everything. We checked the shipping status of all of our posters and they are all arriving on Thursday this week! So I will let you know next week how it looks. Elder Pfeil and I are also giving a talk in sacrament meeting this coming up Sunday to introduce the tour project. We plan on having member tours all next week to get them excited about this experience. We also plan, and committing them to bring one friend to this tour over the next couple of weeks. I am going to really push the members to work as this tour thing is a really easy excuse to invite friends too. I mean this project will only be a success if the members choose to participate! So I hope and pray they catch the missionary fire! :) haha. I will once the tour gets going, write a email on everything I am doing. I will give you lots of details and pictures next week. I know your all curious. So don't worry, I will fill you in! :)
Then on Saturday on a little sadder note we had a member in our ward pass away. He was about 84 but very strong and healthy. However one day he was walking his dog outside and slipped on some ice. When he slipped he hit is head and died. His name is Kay. He was a great guy and always prepared the sacrament and passed out the hymn books. He was also one of the very first members to meet my investigators. Well this was actually my first funeral I believe. When the hurse arrived with the caset.. I had to help them carry it into the church. It was a very surreal feeling as I was carrying somebody that passed away. They whole meeting was also very surreal. I had honestly no idea what to think. In any case it was a good meeting and the spirit was there comforting those that needed it. Nicole my new convert also showed up and gave her support. This was her first funeral too. The ward is handling it well. one thing Nicole noticed is how much more uplifting our funerals are. She has a point. We as latter day saints know where we are going, and what happening the next life. We have no worries about it. So when somebody passes away we simply are sad because we miss them, not because we don't know where they are going. I think it was a testimony builder for Nicole on the plan of salvation. How blessed are we to have it! :)
Well everyone.. I think that's all I have to say about my week. I honestly have not thought of a spiritual message. My thoughts have honestly always been on my tour project. I do what to let you know that I really do have a testimony of this church. I know sometimes its hard to sit through meetings or even go to them. Our church does have a lot of meetings and I completely understand how annoying they can be. However, even with those annoying things I truly do know this church is GODS church on the church. We do have a living prophet and we do receive instruction and guidance through him from the Lord. The book of Mormon is Gods word.. its a book that answers life's toughest and biggest questions. It really is a guide to true and everlasting happiness. I just love it! I love being a Mormon and I love being a follower of Christ.
I sure love you all! I wish you the very best week! HAVE AN AMAZING LAST WEEK OF JANUARY! :)
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Din Danske Missionær,
Ældste Skyler Hardy!
--
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Din Danske Missionær 01-17-2011
Kære Familie og Venner.
Jeg håber i alle sammen har haft en dejlig uge. Jeg tænke over i og din succes i alt i gør. Jeg håber herren vil forsæt at velsigne i! Jeg har haft en god uge. Det er mærkelig for mig at tænke over januar er næste end færdig. Hold op! Wow! Idag er den 17 af Januar. Tid har skete rigtig hurtig. Jeg har næsten kun 8 måned før jeg er hjem. Det er so utrolig! Problemet er jeg tror jeg skal salvne Århus, or faktist Denmark rigtig meget! Den er land er so magisk, og untrolig. Men jeg tror jeg skal slut med at skriver på dansk på grund af i kan ikke læse hvad jeg har skrivet. So jeg skal nu skriver på englsk! Ha det godt! :)
You got to admit seeing danish written down is pretty cool...Its weird to think that right now i can read that above. I never thought I would be able to learn another language. I want to thank each and everyone of you for keeping me in your prayers. Its only because of your prayers and thoughts that I am where I am today. I doubt honestly my language learning skills. Lets just say when I get home, I am sticking to English and danish. No more languages for me. haha. Anyways, I hope you have all had a great week. I look back to my week and just look at it and say, "Where did the time go?" I have so much to do, but so little time. Well let me tell you my week.
We started off the week with a wonderful p-day. We decided to hit the stores again and look around and hang out in the city center. This time we had our zone leaders with us. They decided to come on Monday and spend the day with us then on Tuesday have some splits. So we looked around and had a little party. Well as much as you can have as a missionary. Its always fun being with more missionaries. In the danish mission you feel so isolated. You would think because were such a small country we would see each other more. However we don't, and its a rare treat to see them.
Then on Tuesday we had our splits with the Zone leaders. They are a good couple of guys. There names are Elder Pearson and Elder Christensen. Elder Christensen was actually a former companion of mine. We had a lot of fun hanging out a little that day. The first half of the day I was with Elder Pearson. We mostly worked on visiting those that used to be taught by the missionaries. To our displeasure most on the list had moved away. However we contacted this cool danish guy while vising others, and he seems pretty interested in the church. So I hope. Mean while my companion Elder Pfeil was with Elder Christensen. They were also doing the same thing, except they accidentally contacted a drunk man that was praying on the streets. Yes you heard me right, a drunk man praying on the street. Apparently this man kissed my companion and was completely drunk. So my companion had quite the little experience. lol. The we switched at lunch and I went with Elder Christensen. We drove all the way to the very edge of our area to visit a temple square referral. However it was a bogus referral and that person did not live there. It was a 40 min drive, so we got there and basically turned around. We didn't stay to work as when the zone leaders are gone there is no way for me to get there. However it was a successful day and we have some possibly new investigators.
The on Wednesday we were with a member family finishing up our posters for our tour project. We found some new issues with them, but fixed them and they are currently on there way to be printed. We should have them by the end of this week. I will send some pictures of them asap. :)
Other than that my week was pretty boring, really. We have hit the streets hard these fast few weeks and have been contacting a lot. Were struggling to find people right now. However once my tour project is in full bloom, I feel we will have some success. I have no doubt. :)
Nicole my recent convert is still doing well. She is going strong with her new boyfriend in the church. Shes enjoying the "Mormon way" of dating. haha. She says the relationship feels more real then what she previously has experienced. She came to church yesterday with her boyfriend and son. Her sons name is Eric and is about 3 years old. Eric had a great time at church and that made Nicole very happy. Eric has never ever been to church before in his life and asked Nicole a very interesting question. During church Eric saw a picture of Christ on the wall.It was just a cartoon picture as he saw it near the primary activity board. Eric asks, "Mom is that man a King?" Nicole just looked at him.. speechless. She commented after and didn't understand how he could have known that. I also thought it was very weird as I know Nicole and Eric really well, and I honestly have no idea either. I just told Nicole...," well, he was with Christ only like 3 years ago... so it comes to reason that maybe he remembers..." She just smiled and said, maybe. I thought it was an interesting experience... It was a good Sunday and Nicole is doing well. Shes happy. I have also heard my other concert Christina is doing well and shes trying to make her way to BYU. She told me that shes planning on at least vising Utah this summer whether she gets in to BYU or not. So shes getting excited for that and is also doing well.
Well my spiritual message for the day goes with Gods plan for us. I have really been thinking about it a lot lately and realized God really is in control of this world. I know sometimes he seems this world is out of control and bad... but if you really think about it... God planned it that way. I have sort of gotten a better understanding in my studies this week that God really planned out our lives and this world pretty well and pretty detailed. He left nothing out. How amazing is that? One think I know is that God really does have a plan for each of us, and that really has been a faith builder for me. I know that if I just simply follow him and do my best in this life, God will keep me on his plan and life will be full and meaningful. It doesn't necessarily mean it will be easy, but I do know it will be more worth it in the end. I hope all of you really think about that plan of his and realize we have nothing to fear as God really is in control. Hes driving this world. SO lets just strap ourselves in and have the faith he gets us safely to our destination. :)
well Everyone, I hope you have an amazing week. Thanks again for all your love and support! Take care!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
Jeg håber i alle sammen har haft en dejlig uge. Jeg tænke over i og din succes i alt i gør. Jeg håber herren vil forsæt at velsigne i! Jeg har haft en god uge. Det er mærkelig for mig at tænke over januar er næste end færdig. Hold op! Wow! Idag er den 17 af Januar. Tid har skete rigtig hurtig. Jeg har næsten kun 8 måned før jeg er hjem. Det er so utrolig! Problemet er jeg tror jeg skal salvne Århus, or faktist Denmark rigtig meget! Den er land er so magisk, og untrolig. Men jeg tror jeg skal slut med at skriver på dansk på grund af i kan ikke læse hvad jeg har skrivet. So jeg skal nu skriver på englsk! Ha det godt! :)
You got to admit seeing danish written down is pretty cool...Its weird to think that right now i can read that above. I never thought I would be able to learn another language. I want to thank each and everyone of you for keeping me in your prayers. Its only because of your prayers and thoughts that I am where I am today. I doubt honestly my language learning skills. Lets just say when I get home, I am sticking to English and danish. No more languages for me. haha. Anyways, I hope you have all had a great week. I look back to my week and just look at it and say, "Where did the time go?" I have so much to do, but so little time. Well let me tell you my week.
We started off the week with a wonderful p-day. We decided to hit the stores again and look around and hang out in the city center. This time we had our zone leaders with us. They decided to come on Monday and spend the day with us then on Tuesday have some splits. So we looked around and had a little party. Well as much as you can have as a missionary. Its always fun being with more missionaries. In the danish mission you feel so isolated. You would think because were such a small country we would see each other more. However we don't, and its a rare treat to see them.
Then on Tuesday we had our splits with the Zone leaders. They are a good couple of guys. There names are Elder Pearson and Elder Christensen. Elder Christensen was actually a former companion of mine. We had a lot of fun hanging out a little that day. The first half of the day I was with Elder Pearson. We mostly worked on visiting those that used to be taught by the missionaries. To our displeasure most on the list had moved away. However we contacted this cool danish guy while vising others, and he seems pretty interested in the church. So I hope. Mean while my companion Elder Pfeil was with Elder Christensen. They were also doing the same thing, except they accidentally contacted a drunk man that was praying on the streets. Yes you heard me right, a drunk man praying on the street. Apparently this man kissed my companion and was completely drunk. So my companion had quite the little experience. lol. The we switched at lunch and I went with Elder Christensen. We drove all the way to the very edge of our area to visit a temple square referral. However it was a bogus referral and that person did not live there. It was a 40 min drive, so we got there and basically turned around. We didn't stay to work as when the zone leaders are gone there is no way for me to get there. However it was a successful day and we have some possibly new investigators.
The on Wednesday we were with a member family finishing up our posters for our tour project. We found some new issues with them, but fixed them and they are currently on there way to be printed. We should have them by the end of this week. I will send some pictures of them asap. :)
Other than that my week was pretty boring, really. We have hit the streets hard these fast few weeks and have been contacting a lot. Were struggling to find people right now. However once my tour project is in full bloom, I feel we will have some success. I have no doubt. :)
Nicole my recent convert is still doing well. She is going strong with her new boyfriend in the church. Shes enjoying the "Mormon way" of dating. haha. She says the relationship feels more real then what she previously has experienced. She came to church yesterday with her boyfriend and son. Her sons name is Eric and is about 3 years old. Eric had a great time at church and that made Nicole very happy. Eric has never ever been to church before in his life and asked Nicole a very interesting question. During church Eric saw a picture of Christ on the wall.It was just a cartoon picture as he saw it near the primary activity board. Eric asks, "Mom is that man a King?" Nicole just looked at him.. speechless. She commented after and didn't understand how he could have known that. I also thought it was very weird as I know Nicole and Eric really well, and I honestly have no idea either. I just told Nicole...," well, he was with Christ only like 3 years ago... so it comes to reason that maybe he remembers..." She just smiled and said, maybe. I thought it was an interesting experience... It was a good Sunday and Nicole is doing well. Shes happy. I have also heard my other concert Christina is doing well and shes trying to make her way to BYU. She told me that shes planning on at least vising Utah this summer whether she gets in to BYU or not. So shes getting excited for that and is also doing well.
Well my spiritual message for the day goes with Gods plan for us. I have really been thinking about it a lot lately and realized God really is in control of this world. I know sometimes he seems this world is out of control and bad... but if you really think about it... God planned it that way. I have sort of gotten a better understanding in my studies this week that God really planned out our lives and this world pretty well and pretty detailed. He left nothing out. How amazing is that? One think I know is that God really does have a plan for each of us, and that really has been a faith builder for me. I know that if I just simply follow him and do my best in this life, God will keep me on his plan and life will be full and meaningful. It doesn't necessarily mean it will be easy, but I do know it will be more worth it in the end. I hope all of you really think about that plan of his and realize we have nothing to fear as God really is in control. Hes driving this world. SO lets just strap ourselves in and have the faith he gets us safely to our destination. :)
well Everyone, I hope you have an amazing week. Thanks again for all your love and support! Take care!
Din Danske Missionær,
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Skyler Hardy
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