Mission Boundaries

Today we received a map of Elder Hardy's mission boundaries. Wonder where he'll be going first?

Wednesday is a Special Day

This week in the MTC was interesting, we got locked out of our room again (we have a backup key now) and I got several packages in one day (most of them were from my mother- thanks mom! ) and Aunt Nikki and Nana. Inside were cookies, more cookies and very colorful tasty popcorn: rainbow, watermelon and green apple and other fun stuff! My dad sent me a yo-yo but alas...it was a trick yo-yo and I am not very yo-yo inclined yet so trying my best to use it (and failing). 

Yesterday my companions and I did a split with one of the Elders from another Dutch district who hadn't left yet, (his Visa hadn't come through yet, so he flew to Las Vegas this morning first to serve until his Visa comes through). Elder Christensen and I taught Onderzooker (investigator) by ourselves, it felt kinda weird but we made it through. Teaching in Dutch is a bit frustrating, I know what I want to say but don't know necessarily how to say it YET. I ended up having our Onderzooker read the wrong scripture at first so I said "Het Spijt Mij" which literally translates to "It pains me" but means Sorry. All in time! 

Did some tie trading this week. The American Flag one, I got from Elder Perry in my zone. I got a few other fun ones too, like a Harry Potter Gryffindor tie. haha

P.S. I like the Dear Elder letters since I get them physically delivered to me and an email so I can respond to them on my P-Day. Love and miss you a lot.

Time for me to go, Tot Ziens Mother Dear!

-Elder Hardy

Elder Hardy

Playing homemade croquet to pass some time (We study 10hrs a day)

Receiving packages feels like Christmas morning

Picture collage of Cam's zone, he's near the top right

4th of July with his Missionary Trio

Dutchie group leaving for their missions

Elder Hardy & Elder Norton (Dutch teacher, he served in Suriname 5yrs ago)

Doing some juggling to pass the time

District meeting

Elder Hardy's study area

We Got Mail! (an actual physical card and an email)

Hi mom! My first day at the MTC was pretty interesting, the language is difficult but getting locked out of your room is worse! I'm not sure if my letter has gotten to you yet (I sent it Saturday) but I have two companions so I'm in a trinity haha I've taken pictures of my time here, I sent you a few. My teachers are pretty cool, vershickalick icka means despicable me and ch and g are pronounced in a guttural fashion. In my district there are my two companions, two sisters and I. In the zone, we have two district of Dutchies that are going to the Netherlands/Belgium mission along with a couple of Danish elders and the Swedish and Norwegian have quite a lot on both sides of them. The Dutchies and our district become pretty quick friends, we recognized each others quotes (mostly monty python and hot rod) so it was pretty funny whenever we talk about it. We've been learning a large amount but you can only hold so much water in your hands, so we've been forgetting quite a lot but we relearn it and go through it quite a bit. The food here is pretty good, for my first couple of days we had to eat in the gym because the 1st presidency was training new mission leaders, our district got to meet ours and he talked about opening up Aruba and Curacao since they're main language is Dutch. Also, can you send me some doterra stuff? I've been sick since I've got here and it's getting quite annoying (coughing, runny nose, congested, sneezing) Tell the boys that when they go to the MTC don't eat the hot dogs, they taste pretty funky. Tell dad that I'm starting to wish that I had asked him about his mission journal. Hard to believe it's only been a week, it's taken forever but it's also felt pretty quick, choir was interesting as I only got to go to one rehearsal before a performance (my companions didn't like it very much) well I'm doing a bunch of laundry and I hope my whites stay that way. I miss you all more than I thought I would but even with all of my doubts and homesickness I know that I'm better off here!

Love and miss you all!

-Elder Hardy

Elder Hardy Study Materials

Elder Lewis

Flag of Suriname

Elder Christiansen

Our First Letter from Elder Hardy

Elder Hardy taking a selfie at the Provo Temple

Onward Christian Soldier

God Speed Elder Hardy! What a day! I never could have EVER imagined how emotionally drained we would be after dropping off our first child to the Missionary Training Center (MTC). Yes we are very proud of him, but he will be missed dearly. Thank goodness our last photo of Elder Hardy was of him with a HUGE smile on his face and no tears from him. He was so excited and content with leaving his family that we know he will do great things and serve the people well in the Trinidad Port of Spain Mission. 

Elder Hardy checking his phone one last time before he leaves for the MTC.

Last Lesson

It was great having the missionaries in our home weekly to study with our son helping him prepare for his mission. This was the last lesson before Cameron embarked on his mission to the Trinidad Port of Spain Mission. 

Elder Rodriguez(Whittier, CA), Cameron, Elder Takis(Logan, UT)

Farewell

Elder Hardy's farewell was a success. He said he was more nervous about singing a solo in church than he was about speaking. He did a wonderful job with both. What a great turnout of friends and family from near and far. He certainly felt loved! 

Elder Hardy being set apart as an official missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Endowment Denver Temple 2015

Not sure anybody can prepare you for that moment when you see your child all dressed in white in the temple about to take out their endowment. What a special moment for our family. I am so proud of Cameron and the choice he made to serve a full-time mission for our church. 

Elder Rodriguez, one of Cam's favorite missionaries from our ward.

The Roethig's, we are grateful for their friendship and for supporting Cam on his big day.