Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Florida Thanksgiving

Well Hello mi familia!!!
How is everybody this fine day that is about 70-75 degrees here in Florida with a little bit of run, but nice and warm. LoL I think about the snow alot and how weird it is to think of what time of year it is haha. No but itis really nice here, and I think that I am starting to adjust to thehumidity. We ride our bikes pretty far throughout the day. I sweat like crazy as you can imagine lol. But it's so good I love riding my bike.Although I've had two flat tires this past week haha. But it's all good because there is a bike shop here and the guy that works there is awesome.He's from Kansas. He's awesome lol.
m so glad to hear that you all had such a good Thanksgiving. Mine was pretty good here too. Really different and weird not being at home, but it's all good. We had 3 meals. I am going to send my Camera Card home and show you some pictures of my Thanksgiving and stuff. So if you could send me another one that would be great so that we can go back and forth with two. K? K sounds good. But one house that we went to for Thanksgiving we went to at about 9:00 in the morning because they wanted our help to kill the turkeys that they had. That's right we killed 2 turkeys at their house,then ate them later that day. It was pretty sweet. The way that they cooked them was in like a soup with rice and stuff. Wow it was good.
Happy late Birthday Alicia! I love you!
One thing thatI woullike for Christmas is a watch. Please I need awatch. Nothing fancy, just something that can tell me the time lol. And willyou put it on my time here in Florida. I'm two hours ahead of y'allhere in Utah. Por Favor. Other than that Jerky and whatever else y'allwould like. Wait...PICTURES!!! POR FAVOR! Gracias. I hope that everything is going well with Jared, and the whole family. I'mglad to hear that he is doing good, and he will continue to do good. That'sa blessing from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yeah I feel so old thinking that I am turning 20 lol. But everybody herecan't believe that I am only 19 haha. They think that I am like 28-30haha. I feel like a giant around here sometimes haha. It's awesome I lovethe Latin culture here. The people here are amazing. Most of the time theyare really open to hear about your message. So what do you all want from me for Christmas? I'm trying to think but Ihave no idea. So help me out, and I will do all of my shopping nextMonday.
Thank you mi familia. Elders Sepulveda, Lopez, and Robinson say Hello and that they love you. Oh by the way I haven't received your Dear Elder yet Mother, or any otherletters from anybody. They Holiday has made it hard, but it's all good.I'm expecting something soon though :) I am so happy to hear about they family progressing, and seeing all of themany blessings that we have received as a family. I was praying last nightand received revelation to tell you all as my family that I love you all sovery much from the bottom of my heart. You are my family. I can't explainhow Happy and so very Grateful I am that Heavenly Father has placed me inthis family. You all are my best friends, and my family. Families are soimportant. I hope that we can all continue to grow together, and learn muchtogether, and from one another. Families are key, and are center to thePlan of God. Those that don't have family, will have a family, and havefamily here in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all Sons and Daughters ofour loving Heavenly Father. We are all in the eternal family as brothersand sisters. You my family mean everything to me. I will do anything tokeep our family together and I will do anything for you. I love you ALLwith all of my heart. This includes ALL of my in-laws.

Love,Your Son, Brother, and UncleElder Hardman

After Killing the Turkey..Looks like JD really enjoyed his dinner

Monday, November 22, 2010

First Report from Florida

Como estan? Todo Bien? Espero todo bien.

How is everything going back home? Honestly I didn't even think about the snow, because everytime I walk out the door it's a perfect 75 degrees, and not too humid. I think that I am starting to get used to the humidity. A little bit at least.

So as you already might know I am in West Palm Beach Central. It is a really nice area, and we live in a little town house. It is really nice I love it. Elder Sepulveda and I live with the Zone Leaders, Elder Robinson and Elder Lopez. It has been interesting because we didn't have any Investigators in this area. Needless to say, we have been contacting a lot. I made two potential investigators this week. Granted one of them was in English, but hey I'll take it. Okay speaking of language. Wow. I can't understand a thing most of the time lol. I feel bad because we'll go over to a member's house or something and they'll start talking to me and I just get this dumbfounded look on my face. It's so hard. This is such a challenge. Not to mention that my companion is a native from Puerto Rico.

But, he's been learning English so we haven't had a problem communicating. He is a great companion, and really really is striving to find the prepared people and wants to bring others unto Christ. He is a

great Elder, and I am so very lucky to have him as my first companion. I'm

just trying to get the hang of things. This is so hard!

Oh, this is a biking area too. It's really nice because that is what I wanted while it was nicer weather outside. But wow do I sweat. We all do.

My helmet is usually soaked lol. But it's okay. Yes mother I have been drinking lots of water it's all good.

So the plane rides were good. Except everytime on the decent I couldn't hear for a while after we landed because my ears were hurting so bad. It's all good though. So from Salt Lake to Georgia I was sitting next to this man named Dave. (Bare in mind it was a 3 hour flight). We got talking before we even took off from Salt Lake, and didn't stop talking all the way until we landed in Georgia. I hope you can guess what we were talking about. Anywho long story short, I gave him a Book of Mormon. It was pretty cool. He had a lot of questions, but I know that the Lord was guiding me in what to say. It was pretty sweet.

I'm glad that the party was fun and everything, it sounds like it was a great time. I'm glad that the kids did that for you Mother. Thank you all for doing that! Oh before I forget tell April that I got one letter of hers in the MTC about Karli Tyson. I don't know if she wrote any others than that one. ANywho, I'm glad that I could be there for the party! I hope you didn't cry too much Mother lol. Or anybody else for that matter lol. I'm sorry that it's getting so cold there, but hopefully you'll have a White Christmas this year. Elder Sepulveda and I are striving to have a White Christmas this year, if you know what I mean. We really want to have a White Christmas this year here in West Palm Beach.

The food here is good. Lots of rice and beans but it's all good. I'm happy that I am on a bike though. By the end of the night, Elder Sepulveda and I are so tired we have no trouble getting to sleep lol. We plan, pray, and hit the sack. It's crazy how tired we get. But that's a good thing.

I love the people here though. They are very nice, loving, and love the fact that I'm learning Spanish lol. They always want to hear from the Americano to hear his Spanish haha. It's pretty funny. Oh, my bike did get here if you haven't caught on to that yet haha. So don't worry about that.

I want to thank you all for you supporting me in every way. I thank you for your sacrifices to pay for this mission. I am so deeply grateful for your love and support.

I know that this Gospel is true. I know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ, with Jesus Christ on the right hand of God. Jesus Christ has suffered so much, and knows exactly what we are going through. He wants us to be happy, and strong. He wants me hear on this mission. He knows that there is somebody that I need to find here. I don't know it, but he knows why I am here in this area at this time. He knows why I am learning Spanish. Even though it is so hard, he knows why I am. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all with all of my heart! I thank you so much for EVERYTHING!

Love,

Your Son, Brother, and Uncle

Elder Hardman

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

*Elder has arrived*

He has ARRIVED.....
Jason Arrived on Tuesday,November 16, 2010 in Florida....before he left SLC he got to call and talk to his Mom and Dad. It was great for Mom to hear his voice, but hard to say GOODBYE.. We LOVE our Elder! We MISS him like crazy, but know he is doing the Lord's work and is where he should be. He is ready and excited to TEACH the people!
If you would like to write/or send a package to JD his address is:
Elder Jason Dean Hardman
Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission
7951 SW 6th St Ste 110
Ft Lauderdale FL 33324-3211
United States

He would LOVE to hear from ALL of you!!

Jason's MISSIONARY MUG SHOT....

Sister Hale.......Pres. Hale......Elder Jason Dean Hardman

Last Letter from the MTC

Before I say anything:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER!!!! I LOVE YOU! How was all of your birthday? Sounds like you and Papa had a really good time! I'm very glad to hear that! FELIZ CUMPLIANOS!
Also... "I'M LEAVIN' ON A JET PLANE! I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'LL BE BACK AGAIN." Yes, I got my travel plans last Thursday and I am leaving this Tuesday!!!!!! I'm so flippin' excited! I am so ready! I love being a missionary! I'm still now sure what time I will call you from the airport, but it will be between 5:00 and 8:00 in the morning. I make a stop in Atlanta, then to Ft. Lauderdale! I'll hand write y'all a letter today and give you more details, I don't have my plans with me right now.

I love being a missionary. This is amazing. It is amazing to me how the Lord totally takes over and talks to people. I am merely the person who does it for him here on the Earth. He works in both. And he also works in each because sometimes only one person can say what the other person needs to hear. It is truly amazing, and it is an absolutely wonderful opportunity to be his messenger. I am in his hands. I'm not out here for myself or anything. I am only out here to take His Gospel to those people who are in need of it, and who have been prepared by God. This is not my work. This is His work. He needs me, and I am out here for him. What a great blessing that is. I am so excited to go and talk and meet with the people in Ft. Lauderdale because I know that that's where the Lord needs me to his instrument for those people. This is for Him, and for the people, not me. I love it! I say that in the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Okay now for "details."
Dad please call and check that my bike has been delivered. How unfortunate that would be lol. I really hope that my first area is a biking area. But either way, I know that that is where the Lord needs me at that time. I may not know specifically why, but I know that it is true. This Gospel is true. We are put in the right place at the exact right time that we need to be by the Lord in order to help the Children of God return back to him. I'm so glad that you could go to the temple with Kaitlin! I'm sure that that was a beautiful experience. Because I love the temple. Today was my last time that I can go to the Temple for 22 months! I'm so sad! But trust me, I made sure that I got a hefty feast of Spirit during initiatories, and a hefty feast of temple food afterwards lol.
I can't believe my cousin Kaitlin is getting married! I'm so excited for her! I love you cousin Kaitlin and Jordan!
This week has just been an amazing week. Elder David A. Bednar came and spoke to us on Wednesday! Yeah it was sweet! He talked on how the Answer to everything is always in the Doctrine. It is only in the Doctrine. To understand the principles and applications, you need to understand the Doctrine. The first two are essential, but are nothing without understanding the Doctrine. It truly has helped me understand that that is what Investigators need to understand in order to have the Holy Ghost confirm the truthfulness upon them because the Holy Ghost CANNOT bare witness if they don't understand. They need to make that connection for themselves, and need to understand through the Doctrine found in the Scriptures so that they don't become dependent on other people to answer their questions and stuff. It was truly amazing. Not a bad way to end my devotionals here in the good old MTC.
Okay so I have to admit, I'm really going to miss all of my district here in the MTC. We all have gotten so close together to each other. And our teachers. Our teachers are amazing, and truly led by God to teach us the things that we need to know in the Gospel, and how to take this Beloved Gospel in Spanish to those wonderful people in our missions. One of our teachers yesterday said that anything that we have learned has never been from him, but from God and Jesus Christ. He takes absolutely no credit. He is truly one of the most humble persons that I have ever met We all love our teachers.
Thank you Morgan and all those who work on my blog for keeping that up I love you!!!
Okay so that is really crazy that Karli Tyson got called to the exact same mission that I am going to! I read that and almost started to freak! I am SO excited for her, and if you see her tell her that I am.
Well family not a whole lot to report on this week, but if I think of anything else I will write it in the hand letter that I will write home today. I'm excited to get my package, and if you wanted to throw some beef jerky and some more easy cheese in there I wouldn't be too opposed. I'm just sayin' Ma and Pa. LoL I love you guys.
There isn't any other place that I'd rather be. I love you family! All of my family! Extended and all! Tell Stacy Jerry and Brady that I say Hello and that I love them. Tell Stacy she better write me in the mission sometime lol. Oh by the way thank you so much for sending my mission address. I'll need that. Thank you very much Ma and Pa.
Well family it be time to get going. I love you all so much, from the bottom of my heart! I love this Gospel from the absolute bottom of my heart, and is the true and only way to happiness here on this Earth, and in the world to come. I love you all very much, and thank you all so much for all of your love, and support, and prayers in my behalf. You too are being blessed everyday. Look for at least one way you can see the hand of the Lord in your life each and every day. I promise you that you can't go one day without seeing his hand. I love you guys.
Talk to you on Tuesday!
Love,
Your son, brother, uncle
Elder Hardman

Friday, November 5, 2010

Pictures of our ELDER

Thanks to Sister Roskelly Mom for putting these pictures on FB....The only pictures JD has sent home have already be developed...so I (Morgan) grabbed these from FB and put them up so you could all see some pictures. Hope you enjoy! He only has 2 weeks left and he is SOOO EXCITED to get out and SERVE!!

JD doing 2 things at ONCE....Laundry & Writing emails!
Mother is so proud!Having some fun in the hall

Enjoying class time

Studying really hard (or wants us ALL to think so)

*Hola*

Hola todas personas en my familia!!!! Como Estan? Bien? Yo espero! Estoy
bien! Hoy ha estado muy bien!
I'm writing early this morning because E' Shumway
and I decided to do that instead of while doing laundry lol.
Okay, so I do need a couple of things sent to me.
I need that camelbak bladder that is in my closet in my black camelbak backpack por favor Also, I need 3 pairs of garments shorts sent to me as well. I have ruined 3 pairs while playing soccer. Yes, Dad I have been playing soccer, but football is still my game lol. Love
you Daddy! Also,I need my address for my mission sent to me. Muchas
Gracias!
So I need to know, this has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks or so. How are the boat and trailer doing? Have they been
winterized? Boys go and help Dad do that please. Thank you!
So I got Kaitlin's wedding invitation! I love it! Oh man, I miss them. Good luck with everything Jordan and Kaitlin! You guys are amazing and I
love you! Wish I could be there, but my Spirit and love is there with you guys!
So we got another member of the Quorum of the 12 to come and talk to us this last Tuesday. It was M. Russell Ballard! It was amazing! He talked about communication mostly. And lots of other things. A point of his was that we can become friends with and talk to anybody!We just need to talk lol. Next week Elder Bednar is coming. I'm not supposed to know that, but I have connections lol. It will be my very last Tuesday Night Devotional here in
the MTC too!!!!!!
Flip Elder I am so excited! I'm supposed to be getting my travel plans this week!!!Hopefully maybe even today! But at least tomorrow I think! President Hale has been sending the weekly mission E-mails, and says that He and Sister Hale are awaiting my anxious smile coming around the corner of the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. I'm so stoked! LoL.
My language is coming along pretty good. We had a language lesson yesterday that about made my head fall off but it's all good I think I'm at least some what getting it.
I know that I will get it though I'm not worried.
Yes I did get the package!!! It was amazing! Thank you so much for
everything everybody! Especially the chapstick Alicia lol. Yes, Burt's Bees is pretty amazing I'm not going to lie lol. Thanks for the fruit snacks Isaac and Kenley! I loved them! Thanks for making those cookies with Isaac Mother lol. I know that there must have been flower everywhere but that's okay lol. And for those pictures! Oh man I loved them! Keep sending pictures I love them!
Dad you're killin' me with the whole Utah vs. TCU game!!! Ah and it's even here in Utah!!! You're killin' me Petey! LoL. Just make sure you write me on Monday and give me all the details that you can!
Halloween wasn't Halloween lol. But that's okay yo no necessito una dia de
muerte en mi mision lol.
Well, familly that's pretty much all that has been going on this week lol. I
love all of you and you are always in my Prayers!!! Para Siempre Dios este
con vos! I love all of you guys!
Love,
Your son, brother, and Uncle
Elder Hardman

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Hola Mi Familia

Well hello my family!!! How is everybody doing? I am doing good. I am feeling much much better now. It has been going around our whole districtlol.
We have had an interesting week in our district haha. Everybody has been getting sick. Plus, one of the Hermana's of ours had to go home because she has been battling some pretty serious sicknesses. She was born with a kidney disease and she got sick and everything has kinda gone down from there. But she is doing good. She got really upset one day, and ran out ofthe MTC boundaries and threw her tag down. Elder Shumway and I had no knowledge of this, and we were in the residence hall because I was sleeping...I did not feel good at all. It was time for lunch and so we got ready, and as we were going out of our building, Elder Shumway spotted them walking around the campus on the other side of the fence. We walked over to them,and she told us everything that had been going on. She had been having some trouble in her trio companionship. We talked to her, and she eventually came back into campus and went and talked to a District President. I know that Elder Shumway and I were being guided by the Holy Ghost to find them,even though we didn't even know it. It definitely wasn't a coincidence. Itwas a tender mercy and blessing from our loving Heavenly Father for one of his daughters. E. Shumway and I were just his servants, speaking the things that he needed us to speak at that time. It made my testimony grow leaps and bounds, and yes, Mother I did write it in my journal.

This week for our Tuesday Night Devotional Elder Richard G. Scott came and spoke to us. I can't even say it was him speaking unto us. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was speaking through him. I testify that I know that that is the truth. He definitely is a servant of the Lord, as are all of the Apostles, and prophets, and our beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson.They are true messengers, and people of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My testimony is greatly strengthened through that. It was the mostreal thing that I have ever felt. It is real!

This week has been such a Testimony building week. It has been full of learning. And I am so grateful for that because I KNOW that our HeavenlyFather and Jesus Christ are giving me these things to prepare me for the people who I am going to meet and bring unto Christ in Florida. I KNOW that is the truth. I am so excited, and I cannot wait to get there and use what the Lord has given to me for the children of our Loving Heavenly Father.

Okay, updates and stuff: I'm glad that Hermana Roskelley's Mom got that going and you can see all the pictures that she takes. She asked if our Mother's and families would want to see that, and there was no question in my mind for my Mother and family lol. I love you Mom and Dad. And yes I do write and do my laundry at the same time. I am getting pretty good at multi tasking lol. I'm glad you're proud that I can do that now Mother haha. Tell Jessica Happy Birthday for me, and that I love her so much too! And I hope that all is going well with her!

Morgan and Skyler thank you so much for the ties and that package!!!!!! We love our ties!!!!!! I always know that you will pick good ties!!!!!!Thanks again sister! And those pictures of those beautiful little babies! Raegan is getting so big!!! Give them big hugs and kisses for me!!!
Give all of the little ones a big hug and kiss from Uncle JD! Seriously...please do it from me! Haha I'm sorry that you had to shovel the sidewalks Daddy lol. Honestly,the thought didn't even cross my mind until Mom wrote me a DearElder about it lol. Love ya faja! Good job on the scrapbook Mother!!! I am very proud of you!!! Now just keep it going lol. I know that ya will. I'll try to keep the pictures coming lol.

Okay I gotta tell ya guys, there's a def Elder here named Elder Mercy. He is so tight! It's fun talking to him because it's so relaxing, and he's got such a good personality. Sorry I just had to tell ya that. I'm glad that y'all had fun at the pumpkin carving! I really miss the clamchowder lol. We actually were talking about all of our Mom's home madesoups as well lol. Elder Jensen Mom apparently makes some good clamchowder. But, I know who's is the best :) Yes, I did see the Daybell's!!! It was so fun! I gave them both a really big hug and they made sure that I knew that it was from you guys!!! I probably wasn't supposed to hug Sister Daybell, but it's all good lol.
I'm really glad that Isaac knows where I'm at now :) Keep working with all of those babies raising them up the way that our Lord Jesus Christ wants and needs them to be raised so that one day they can go on a mission too!
Yes D&C 90:11 is good if that scripture is available. Mother have you called E. Shumway's Mother yet? Call her. I know and E.Shumways knows that she would absolutely love it! Good luck with that job Mother!!! I will be praying for you! I know thatyou will get it, you are so qualified and you are just... you. Dad that joke was awesome haha!!!!!! I was laughing so hard!!! Everybodyelse besides Elder Jensen liked it lol. I haven't gotten my package from you guys yet, but I think it will come tonight. I'm hoping!!!!!! I'm glad that your California trip went so good Devin and Alicia! And yes,you are so very blessed to have such a good baby boy! He is truly ablessing in your lives, and in my life as well. As are all of the littlekids! And the little kids to come! I'm so excited to get more!

Thank you for all of your prayers and testimonies! I love them, and they help me more than you guys can imagine! Dad your Giants are in the World Series!!!!!! Por favor keep me updated!
Alright family well it's time to go. I love EACH and EVERYONE of you guys from the bottom of my heart!!! You guys are everything to me, and i know that families are truly a blessing! We will be together forever! I love all of you guys!!!

Love,Your little brother, son, and uncle
Elder Hardman