Weight for it (yes I spelled it that way on purpose)

The. bread. in. portugal. is. AMAZING. That is why I titled my email this way. Of all the places I have been in the world, no where have I tasted bread like this. I wouldn´t die for it, because then I wouldn´t get to eat it, but I would probably kill for it. Jk. But seriously. There are also these little pastries you can buy pretty much anywhere for like 50 centos called pastel de Natas. They are incredible. They are so cheap, but I just might be broke by the end of my mission. Broke and out of shape. That is my into for today. I think I am going to format my emails, (1) something about living in europe, (2) the work (3) spiritual thought. Since we are now allowed to talk to our families every week the church instructed us that our emails home should not be in any way like a travel log or a journal and should focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ and our testimonies, which I think is super cool! But I am living in a foreign country, so I am going to sneak some of those tidbits in there too. 

Ok, the work! I am so excited to get technology because with paper area booking I feel like it is way too easy to let people slip through the cracks. But we have had a great week! We have been teaching this woman who has been struggling keeping some of the commandments. Her first baptismal date was for december, but it had to be cancelled. We have visited her several times since I have been here and she hasnt really been progressing. She comes to church every sunday and reads the book of mormon. She knows its true. We visited her this week and she told us she had stopped drinking coffee all on her own! We had been planning to help her make a plan to stop, but she was able to do it all on her own. She also realized that her boyfriend is not very loyal and so she is now fairly eager to end their relationship! With help from God and a desire to change, we were able to help her accept a new baptismal date and we are so excited for her! Our other friend is progressing too. He came to an activity at the church on friday where all the single people can come and study vem segue-me (come follow me) together, and he loved it! He had wonderful insights and was sharing thoughts about Joseph Smith and referencing the Book of Mormon! He was unable to come to church this sunday because his wife asked him to go to church with her at her church, but I have faith that he and his family will someday, hopefully soon, join Christs church here on the earth and someday be sealed together as a family for all eternity! My testimony has been strenghtened this week of the power of the gospel in healing. A young member of our branch died very suddenly this weekend. She and her mother were at the vem segue-me activity on friday and she was so full of life, and the next day she was gone. She had struggled with serious health problems her whole life, and then, at 30, she passed. Her mother was obviously heart broken but as we hugged her she told us that that was life and that she would see her daughter again. Our ward was heartbroken as well but as we gathered for church on sunday, the mood and spirit was one of joy. We all knew God had a plan, and timing of His own, we knew we would see her again. Our ward has a temple trip coming up this weekend, and everyone is so excited! I just know that because of the power of the priesthood and the ordinances of the temple, our families can and WILL be together for all eternity! That is Gods plan for us, because he loves us!

I guess that could count as a spiritual thought, but I real quick want to share one of my current favorite scriptures. (I have several) It is in Jacob 5:6. It says "cleave unto God as He cleaveth unto you" I love that so much! God is ALWAYS with us! He promises us to bless us and support us as we keep his commandments, and his arm is always extended to us. Nothing will ever change that, He will always be there. But to recieve the fullness of His blessings we must allow them to reach us! We must cleave ourselves unto Him. Truly make Him the center of our lives. We are His WORK and His GLORY. We should make Him ours. That is something I have noticed as a missionary. Right now my focus is on Christ. Everything I do is centered on Him and His love for me and all Gods children. But the focus of Christs life and work has been and always will be US. He LOVES US. Isn´t that incredible? God and His son, the most powerful and glorified beings, LOVE US. Stinkin mortals! I think that is pretty cool.

Any way, love you all. I think you are all pretty cool. Have a good one. You are in my prayers. 

Love Sister Hardy (the people here cannot prounounce my name, every time I say it they look at me with these huge eyes. When they try  it comes out like "ardge" lol, I love it. Its so cute! Anyway, bye! Love Seester Ardge.)

Pictures. Sorry there arent a lot. I saw a swan at this park. that was cool. Also, I was wearing pants. what? And sister hoffman talkingon the phone it the cutest way ever.

Hi Dad!!! I just want to tell you that I love you!!!! I am going to call in a little bit, I hope you are available!!! I want to say hi to you and tell you how much I love you!! Thank you for te pictures, I love them! You are all in my prayers! Tell Rees I love him! He is always in my heart.

love, sister hardy

HI MOM! Yeah, it is still a little chilly here, definitely not summer yet, but summer is gonna be killer so I am going to enjoy it while I can! 

Ronnie and Lizzie look so cute in their costumes! I especially loved the picture of Ronnie holding a baby surrounded by girls with his long hair and muscles. classic. and the one in the letterman jacket, what a stud!! And lizzie looks so pretty!

Tell Grandpa Happy Birthday!! For Grandpa: I love you so much Grandpa! You are such an incredible example to me of steady faithfulness, dependable-ness, and quiet humor. You are honestly one of the funniest people I know and I just want you to know how much I love you! One of my favorite memories is you showing us your beaver face! So funny! I love you!!

I really want to start carrying around granola bars in my backpack for the homeless here. You were always and still are such a great example to me of generosity. Thank you for always being someone I want to emulate! The best mom ever!

Did Rees text Natalie? I hope he goes on that date with her, that would be awesome!

Thank you for your prayers! I love you!

Ill talk to you in a little bit I guess. We are going to go buy our phones this afternoon! So wierd! And im so excited, thanks for the package! We have zone conf wednesday so ill get it then!

LOVE YOU!

sis arge

The age of technology

Hi mom and dad! I am going to call a little earlier today! (not too much earlier, like an hour maybe) I have to get my phone today, so we need to talk about how that is going to work. All the information has been given to us in these little bits and pieces, that is why this is so last minute! I love you guys, and I am going to write a nice long email this week!!!

Your Sister