Dear family and friends,

Great news from family this week. Emma, Jaxon, and our grandson Freddie live in Virginia while Jaxon is in medical school. During our weekly family Zoom call, little Freddie was wearing a proud smile and a “big brother” tee-shirt. Emma and Jaxon confirmed with smiles (amidst that look of morning sickness) and pride that their next child is on the way. We are thrilled for them and with the wonderful growing family that we have. On the family text group expressions rang out from siblings like:

Eeeeee!!!!, No way!!! Yay!!!!!, Wahoo!!! Congratulations!!, Hooray! We are so excited for you guys!!!, Oh my gosh… I’m so excited for you!, This is such fun news, Em (except the sickness). Love you!! So excited for you, Yay!! Congratulations! I hope you start feeling better soon, Congratulations Emma we love you!!! Freddie will be the sweetest brother!

Joan and I added, “Congratulations Emma and Jaxon and Freddie! You guys are wonderful.”

This week in Utah has been full — caring for health needs, worshiping in the temple, and reconnecting with family while coordinating our Maui responsibilities from afar.

We are grateful for those who support us and substitute in meetings that we can’t attend in person. The addiction recovery program (ARP) sessions, emotional resilience classes and Sunday School lessons continue with capable facilitators and teachers.

Last Saturday, I took a walk on the Murdock Trail to the Lindon Utah Temple. While listening to the recent BYU Devotional talk by President Dallin H. Oaks, I passed by a couple going the other way that looked familiar. A moment later they turned around and caught up with me. It was Chris Bailey, an associate of mine for many years at BYU Capstone. We had a nice greeting and visit about Capstone, the Temple, family, etc. He is on the high council in the Lindon Utah Stake. In preparation for the new Lindon Utah Temple, he and his wife are called to create videos of stake members expressing feelings about their temple experiences. They gave me the YouTube information for their videos, we shared about our Maui service, exchanged contact information and went on with our walks. Later I watched several of the episodes and felt inspired. We so much look forward to serving, worshiping, and receiving comfort, peace and revelation in our Lindon Temple. (click here for the Lindon Utah Stake, “In the Covenant” episodes)

On Sunday, we tuned in by Zoom to our Ward in Kahului Maui to hear a really good friend of ours speak on his last day in the ward. He has been so inspiring in his service in many capacities. And his sacrament meeting talk was spiritual, scholarly, doctrinal, and inspirational. He is moving to another ward on Maui so we will continue to interact. Mid-day on Sunday we had lunch (homemade soup and sourdough bread) with our son Mike and his wife Becca and their lovely four children. They welcomed us fully. We visited, shared, did crafts, and had a family home evening message. I gave a message on, “How do we do as Jesus taught and love those who are not very loveable or nice.” We had a good discussion and then little Carter insisted that I play guitar so we sang a few Primary songs. I was surprised at how well I did reaching for the right chord progressions. Sunday evening we had dinner with Jana and Brent and family, then went to the Lehi Utah Stake Trek Kickoff Fireside. We are so looking forward to bringing our Maui ward youth to Utah in June to join with Lehi trekking in the mountains east of Heber.

On Monday, Joan and I enjoyed a road trip to St. George for a ‘play.’ On Tuesday we returned via Zion National Parkwhere it was absolutely beautiful for February. Upon our return and in between activities we studied, Come Follow Me, President Oaks recent talk, and scriptures. I found peace and joy studying some Genesis, Isaiah and Nephi chapters, and as prompted by President Oaks, I’m studying Humility (verses listed in the Topical Guide). Later in the week we attended a session at the Saratoga Springs Temple.

Amid travel, family gatherings, and service responsibilities this week, one scripture stayed with me. In Exodus, Pharaoh repeatedly hardens his heart after the Lord commands through Moses and Aaron to, “Let my people go.” In Exodus 10:1-3 we get this question from the Lord, “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?” President Spencer W. Kimball referenced this verse and said, “The monarch (Pharaoh) was obdurate, deceptive, and stubborn. During the suffering of each plague he made the promise, but when relief came, he ignored his promise…” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Years That the Locust Hath Eaten, 1970) While studying this, the spirit whispered to my mind, “Ken, is there anything the Lord would like you to let go of. How long will I refuse to humble myself before the Lord?” I’ve been pondering this and hope I can be humble and let go of less important things or thoughts in favor of the more important things, including commandments and covenants. 

Thanks for reading. God bless you all.

Elder and Sister Hardman