Monday, April 28, 2014

Hmmm....

Dear Family and Friends, 

Wow. Never thought this day would come. Happy ONE year to the cutest Eli ever!! I remember the day you were born...and what a special day that was for me and the rest of the family. Love you E!

I don`t have much to update you on this week....seems like I just emailed. 

Things are going so well with Sister Puruganan and I. I just love her! Honestly, I have seldom met a more loving and humble person in my life. Not to mention, she is hilarious. Last night we were getting ready for bed and we were talking about walking up the stairs with our laundry....then I hear her say, "Ain`t nobody got time for that." Oh my goodness. So funny! I am hoping that she can teach me some sweet Tagalog phrases soon. 

Yesterday was Branch Conference here in Napanee. Hehe, even with the members of the District it was small. It was fun though, and we had Birthday Sunday after church. Birthday Sunday happens on the last Sunday of each month to celebrate everyone who had their birthdays that month. So, it`s a potluck type thing. It`s awesome....lots of people come to it. 

James. He is the most awesome, prepared, golden investigator ever. I love teaching him!!! We always give him chapters to read with questions to ponder, and he keeps them in a binder and brings them to every lesson. He came to church yesterday for the first time and loved it. He was so welcomed! He set a new date for May 28th, which is his birthday. How cool is that....being born again on your birthday. And he will be turning 40....they say your life starts at 40....

The weather.. ..you are probably all wondering what it is like. Well. Lately the sun will be shining, but it will be cold. It is almost impossible to stay warm here, I`m convinced. I never thought I would say this, but I cannot wait for the Canadian Summer. Yes, it`s super hot. But it`s better than this cold. But, amidst all the cold.....Canada is beautiful.

Oh....my farewell was one year ago today. Scary!

Yesterday someone in the District Presidency asked me what I have learned about myself since being on a mission. I was put on the spot and wasn`t sure what to say because I`ve learned so much. But, what came to mind and what I would like to share is how much I have come to depend on my Heavenly Father. Before my mission, I had a testimony. I knew that God was there and that He loved me. However, that bond and that love is so much stronger. I realize how much we TRULY do depend on Him for everything. I am grateful for all of the times on my mission when I feel like I cannot go any further. It is those times that I feel immense strength, love, and gratitude to my Father in Heaven. I have truly come to know Him better. Along with my Savior. This mission that I have been fulfilling has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Yet, the absolute greatest, and I will be eternally thankful for this time in my life. 

I love you all forever and ever. I can`t wait to talk to you in a few short weeks! Keep being amazing. 

Love, 

Sister Hardcastle

"Have Faith, Have Hope, Live Like His Son, Help Other`s On Their Way"

I don't think it wanted me to pick it up...or even pet it.... 
BEST PACKAGE EVER FROM SISTER BELYEA!
This guy taught me how to knock a guy out on the street....so funny!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Transfers, Easter, Etc...

Dear Family and Friends, 

Hello! You are probably wondering why I am emailing today....well the library was closed on Monday because of Easter, so thus it will be done today. But that's okay because now I get to wish my Sissy a Happy Birthday on her Birthday!!! I love you so much Jac! You are my angel. Have the best day. :) Eat some jello cake for me!

Next...Transfers. I am staying in the blessed land of Napanee. Sister Sears went to Kitchener with Sister Anderson (one of my previous companions). Guess who my new companion is?! You will never believe it....It's a companion that I have already had....Sister Puruganan from the Philippines. It was such a surprise. We got called on Sunday night from Elder Fielding and he said, "Sister Hardcastle, you will be serving with someone that you know very well." My immediate thought was Sister Dyer from the MTC. I was not expecting to be serving with Sister P again, but I am SO EXCITED. We have only been together for one day, but oh my goodness she is incredible! Her testimony inspires me to be better each and every day. This transfer will be a good one. :) What a tender mercy. Elder Fielding also said that President Scott felt inspired to put us together again, and I trust him!

Easter was super great. We went to the Branch President's house for an Easter dinner. and we ate Lamb (symbolizing the Lamb of God). It was....interesting. Tasted good though! We then had two Easter dinners on Monday. I was stuffed, but I made a Hardcastle of myself. 

So. We sold our car. Cool, huh?! We are driving the Zone Leaders' car until we get a new one in May. One of the members from another Branch bought the Malibu, so now we're driving a Chevy Cruze. Just for you Dal. :) It's very touchy though....I feel like I barely touch the brake and I'll give Sister Puruganan a heart attack.

I started my 3rd journal this past week. It's pretty exciting! I think I'll type all of them up and publish a book when I get home. Haha, just kidding. It would never sell. 

Sister Sears and I had a great last week together. Some hard times, but even more good times. I loved the time I was able to spend with her, and it went by wayyy too quickly. We drove to this amazing town called Tamworth to eat at some members' house. It was the most beautiful view ever! Look at the pictures I'll send. :)

All of our investigators are doing pretty well. Not much update. We changed James' baptism date to the end of May, on his birthday. He is doing so well! The two little girls we are working with may not be able to be baptized because of some family issues, but we keep praying!

I know last week that I mentioned I would be going on exchanges with Sister Zerkle, well I was wrong. I went on my fourth exchange with Sister Waldron. She is the bomb. We had such an awesome day together. Many miracles. 

I am so sorry this is so short! We were told to just email quickly because today is not preparation day. So I'm sorry that I won't be emailing back individually, but I appreciate all of the love and support. I hope you all have an amazing week. :) Love you forever!

Love, 

Sister Hardcastle

"Have Faith, Have Hope, Live Like His Son, Help Others On Their Way"

Sister Waldron and I!
Katelynn and Michaela!
District Meeting. We won the trophy :)
The Zone Competition....
The view from the members' house....so pretty! 
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints :) 
Cute eh?!
Of course I bought this.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Happy Easter!

Dear Family and Friends, 

Sooo first things first. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST MOM THIS WEEK!!!!!! I love you so much. :) I will be thinking of you! Have the best birthday ever!

Also, Happy Birthday to sweet Ruthie on Easter!!! I miss you sweetie!!

What happened this week...

Yes, I did hit my 11 month mark, but that's not important. 

This is something that I struggle with almost every week.....remembering what happened!
So bare (bear) with me.

I think I mentioned this amazing part member family that we are working with - The Assestine's. But I shall refresh your memory. We are teaching Shane (12), Sheldon (10) and Shaden (almost 8). The mom is a member, and less active. The dad is not a member. All three boys came to church this past week and the most hilarious thing happened....There is a recent convert here with a big white beard who sits in the back row. Well, the three boys were sitting in the front row and then this happened....

Sheldon - "Look! Santa is here!"
Shaden - "That's not Santa, that's Jesus!"

Oh my word. SOOO funny!!! They continued to argue about it, and it wasn't quiet. I was trying to get them to stop, but it was so funny that I was just laughing. Kids say that darnest things...

So that happened. The two little girls that we are working with weren't able to come to church because the littlest one is sick - but they are still progressing really well. :) They are excited for their baptism!

David is doing well, not progressing too much right now, but we are still meeting with him. 

So I got physical therapy on Friday for my hip. The first time is always the worst right?? It hurt supppper bad. The doctor went on to explain that my hip is like the hip of a 60 year old, so that's good. Wait, it gets better - he has never seen a 20 year old with a hip like mine. Lovely. So I'll be getting physical therapy quite often, so hopefully it starts to help. It hurts to sit, walk, lay, etc. So standing is about my only option. In fact, I am standing while I write this sentence to take a break from sitting. Icing it really seems to help though, so I'm managing. I was able to get a blessing on Saturday by the Zone Leaders....it was a very interesting blessing. I was blessed with understanding and trust in the Lord and was basically told that my hip wasn't going to get better any time soon. So, understanding and trust right? 

We are going on exchanges tonight, and I will be staying in Napanee with Sister Zerkle! I've never been on exchanges with her, so I am super excited! She is from Las Vegas, I think.

The work continues to be hastened, and I continue to be so blessed as an instrument for the Lord. I love the Easter Season and the time that we have to reflect on our Savior. I know that He lives. I know that because He lives, you and I will also. I love this part of The Living Christ -

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And
the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall
see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of
Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall
bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before
Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according
to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—
that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God.
He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the
right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the
hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to
happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.
God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Love you all. Xoxox

Love, 

Sister Hardcastle

"Have Faith, Have Hope, Live Like His Son, Help Other's On Their Way"

11 Months
Wearing my comp's name tag...
Tender Mercy - a mini pooh bear!!!
Yay! Happy Easter! 
A basket from Sister Sears' family!
Sooo yummy!
Beautiful eh?! Such a warm day! I love Canada!

Monday, April 7, 2014

General Conference, Miracles, and 11 Months!

Dear Family and Friends, 

What an incredible week!

First things first - Happy Birthday to Chelsey and Pauline this week! Love you both so very much!

What an amazing week it was in the blessed land of Napanee! I am loving this area more and more as each day goes by. Not going to lie....it was hard when I first got here, but things are picking up and miracles upon miracles were seen this week. So....to begin....

Last preparation day, Sister Sears and I went to a church monument in Bath, Ontario! It is a plaque talking about the early Latter-day Saints in Upper Canada. Apparently President Monson dedicated it not too long ago. It was so awesome! It was right off the shores of Lake Ontario. So beautiful. Look at the pictures that I'll send. :)

Sooo, I mentioned awhile back about this family that we have been working with. The mom, Amanda, is a less active member. Her two daughters, Katelynn and Michaela, are not baptized. Well, recently we've really been struggling meeting with them and making much progress. Well - that changed this week. Drastically. We were able to set a date for baptism with the girls for May 1st. It gets better. They all came to the Branch Easter Party AND General Conference. The mom said that they will now be coming every Sunday, and the girls are SO excited to be baptized. We went to their house in between sessions yesterday and Michaela said the closing prayer. In the prayer she said, "Thank you that we can get baptized in May." Heart melted! I love teaching children. They are so innocent, pure, and incredible. SO much progress and so many miracles. God is so good!

It gets better. Remember David? We dropped by one night last week to confirm our appointment for the following day....Well come to find out - He has quit smoking!!! He set a date to quit on April 9th but he started a week early. He has had a lot of struggles with cravings and hasn't been feeling well because of it....but he is doing so great!! Sister Sears and I were in shock after we talked to him that night. He came to the Branch Easter Party and loved it! He was too sick to come to Conference, but he is still doing so great. His date is for May 8th, but we are talking about moving him up to some time in April!

So the Branch Easter Party was so much fun. I love this Branch. It doesn't take too long to get to know them.... because there are so few. So I already feel like some of these people were my best friends in the pre-existence. We had a yummy dinner....and so many people came! Several non members and 5 of our investigators!

Okay. We are working with another part member family, and they are basically as solid as ever. The mom is a less active member, and all of her kids and her husband are not members. We were finally able to see them this past week! And they came to the Easter Party! So we are teaching three of her boys - Shane, Sheldon, and Shaden. It's hard to keep them street. Shaden is still 7, but turns 8 on May 15th. Shane is almost 13 and Sheldon is almost 10. We are going to try to set them for May 15th to be baptized because then Shaden can be baptized with his brothers! As they were walking out of the church from the party Shaden says - "Mom, can you sign us back up for Church?" So cute!!! We are really hoping to see some progression with them. 

It's warming up!! Feels like spring. The river is no longer frozen over. I didn't even wear a coat when I left the apartment this morning! Spring is in the air and I LOVE IT!

Ohhh I almost forgot! We had Zone Training this past week in Kingston. It was sooo awesome. There was a little object lesson at the end of the meeting that left the whole room in tears. We walked into the room with a bunch of the treats on a table in the middle of the room. The Zone Leaders started asking different missionaries what treats they wanted. Once they picked a treat, the Zone Leaders would say, "Elder Eaton, will you do 10 pushups so Sister Hardcastle can have a donut?" Well one missionary after the next was called....And it didn't take long to figure out what the point of this whole thing was. It was hard to watch Elder Eaton (our District leader) struggle so bad so that we could have a treat. Some of the missionaries said that they didn't want anything, so then the zone leaders would say, "Elder Eaton, will you do 10 pushups so that Elder Orr cannot have a treat?" And thus Elder Eaton would do the pushups even though Elder Orr didn't take a treat. See where this is going? I'm going to let you all think about this one. :) Hint - it has to do with the Atonement. It was amazing. Tears were flowing. We are so blessed!

Sooo, before I finish with my thoughts from General Conference I have some not so good news. I popped my hip last week really bad (not even sure what I was doing), but it hurts so bad. I can't sit without it hurting, or walk or run or really do anything. So it's a slight problem. However, our mission nurse is the best and found a place in Napanee for me to go to. :) I will probably have to get physical therapy, which is scary, but if it makes it feel better, then I'm all for it. 

If I wrote down all of my thoughts from Conference we would be reading this for days. So the one I wanted to talk about was Elder Holland's talk in the Saturday morning session. As disciples of Christ we WORRYWARN, and WEEP. Holy cow. He could not have hit it more spot on. I feel like all I do as a missionary is worry, warn, and weep. AND I LOVE IT. "You may wonder if it is worth it." It is worth it. Everything is worth it. This mission has already been worth it. 

I love you all so very much. Thank you so much for the emails and prayers. I feel so loved. :) Not to mention the many letters I got this week. You are all the best!!!! 

Love, 

Sister Hardcastle

"Have Faith, Have Hope, Live Like His Son, Help Other's On Their Way"

Love you all :)
:)
Church Monument!
Lake Ontario....my home <3 
I love my comp :)
Not sure what this says....hahaha 
Canadian through and through :) jk
Conference - the missionary Superbowl!