April 10, 2025 • 25 mins
How did God use a horse and a career in caregiving to prepare Sister Harden for a mission? Through spiritual promptings and divine guidance, she discovered that the Lord knew exactly what she needed to fulfill His plan.
God knows you. He guides you. Will you follow His promptings? Watch now!
Thanks for listening! I'm on Instagram as deardaughtersofgod. Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1iyjqx0cq4kbk&utm_content=qr66nqv
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Stephanie (00:00):
welcome.
My name is Stephanie Eccles.
This is Dear Daughters of God.
Stephanie test (00:04):
This is episode 23 from Horses to Healing, an
Inspiring Journey to missionarywork.
I am a retired schooladministrator
natural storyteller, and I am adaughter of God.
Now, I tell the stories
of our lives from theperspective
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Microphone (Samson Q2U (00:22):
Welcome, Dear Daughters of God.
I address you that way becausethat's what you are to Him.
To our Heavenly Father, you aredear.
Stephanie (00:32):
Today we have a guest and her name is Mary Elizabeth
Harden.
Mary.
Sister Harden (00:38):
So good to be here.
Stephanie (00:39):
Oh, it's good to have you here.
It's so special because MaryElizabeth Harden is now Sister
Harden.
She is Sister Harden because shehas been set apart as a
full-time missionary, For theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints and she's taking thislittle break during her
preparation day to meet with usand share some stories where the
(01:03):
Lord has guided her in her life.
And I think you'll be inspiredby these stories When I first
really remember Sister Hardenwas when she was a primary
child.
I was the primary president, andin December we put on a nativity
scene and we of course alwayshave a Virgin Mary in this
(01:24):
nativity scene.
Sister Harden must have felt aspecial connection with a Virgin
Mary because of her name.
Mary Elizabeth, because she saidto her mother, Jen, wouldn't I
of course be the Virgin Marybecause my name is Mary, and her
(01:46):
mother, came to us and said,this is how Mary feels.
And we thought of course this ishow she feels.
She has this special connectionwith the Virgin Mary.
Mary must play the role of Mary,and she played it such poise and
beauty.
(02:06):
a very special nativity scenehaving Mary Elizabeth play this
part of Virgin Mary.
That was one of my specialmoments with Sister Harden and
now here she has grown up shegives this beautiful farewell
talk it was full of experiencesthat she's had that have led
(02:28):
her, as she's prepared for thismission and in her career.
I was so inspired by them.
I asked Sister Harden if shewould share them with all of
you.
before we share those storiesthough, I'm going to tell you
just a little bit about her.
So here it is.
Sister Harden.
(02:49):
She's 19 years old with a deeplove for horses, especially the
sport of reining.
She's gonna have to tell us alittle bit about that.
What is reining all about?
'cause I don't know what reiningmeans Harden has spent countless
hours training, competing andlearning the value of discipline
and connection.
(03:09):
the youngest of five with threeolder brothers and one amazing
sister, and she's a proud aunt,and it's one of Sister Harden's
favorite titles.
Her greatest joy comes fromliving and sharing the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
She loves spending time witholder adults and has found so
much purpose in serving innursing homes.
(03:30):
That passion led Sister Hardento work hard to earn her CNA
designation and gain experienceas a certified nursing
assistant.
Recently she received a call toserve as a full-time missionary
in the Australia, SydneyMission, which is where my
(03:50):
parents served before theymarried.
So that's special for me also.
It my interest as soon as shesaid that, she could not be more
excited about serving the Lordand the people of Australia.
Can you believe she gets to gothere?
So exciting.
All right, Sister Harden.
We cannot wait to hear moreabout you.
(04:11):
What is this about reining doesthat mean?
Sister Harden (04:17):
It's hard to explain, but, a good way that I
like to think about horses islike any sport that involves a
ball, there's a lot of differentsports and so horses is the same
thing.
There's a horse, but there's alot of different sports.
So reining is a certain divisionin horseback riding, but
basically you walk into thisarena, a big pen, and you have
(04:41):
anywhere from one judge to sixjudges looking at you and your
horse.
they give you beforehand aseries of maneuvers that you
have to, perform in a certainorder and they judge you on it.
they start you at a certainscore and can either subtract or
add points.
that is what reining is.
Stephanie (05:00):
Oh, interesting.
there's so much more to racingthan meets the eye.
Sister Harden (05:11):
Yes, definitely.
Stephanie (05:12):
All right.
Sister Harden you talked aboutbeing a certified nurse
assistant.
And how dear that position wasfor you.
Tell us how you moved into thatand more about horses and how
the two came together and howthese experiences with Heavenly
(05:35):
Father leading you and guidingyou to this beautiful time in
your life before serving amission came to be.
Will you share that with us?
Sister Harden (05:44):
Yes.
it all starts when I was alittle girl.
I took care of my grandparentswith my mom.
She was their main caretaker.
I was at that sweet age whereold enough to understand, but
young enough to wanna be at homewith my mom as much as possible.
I spent countless hours takingcare of my grandparents and I
learned to love it.
I just love taking care of themand I love them.
(06:05):
I have a special relationshipwith them.
So that led me to wonder whatkind of a job I could do that
included something like that.
in high school I decided that Icould become a CNA and there was
a class that I could take to.
Get my certification.
So that is where that allstarted, a special experience I
had this spring, it'd been acouple years and I hadn't
(06:28):
worked.
I just had this certificationsitting in my back pocket and I
decided that I was going to geta job.
I came home and was trying toapply to jobs online and I
couldn't figure out how to dothat.
But I decided I felt prompted.
By the Holy Ghost that I shouldjust get in my car and drive to
(06:49):
the nearest nursing home.
so I did.
the first place I stopped at, Iwas sitting in the car and I was
like, This doesn't feel right.
so I drove away and I was like,this is weird.
I don't know why I felt like Iwas supposed to get in my car
then, but the second place Istopped and I fell.
Good about it and it looks likea nice place.
(07:09):
And I was like I'll just get outand see.
I walked in and asked for a jobapplication and within a couple
minutes I found myself in ameeting with the head manager
and a couple minutes later Ifound, that I was getting a job.
it ended basically with.
Remind me, what is your nameagain?
(07:31):
I was definitely shocked.
I walked out and I didn't knowwhat to think.
I didn't know I could get a jobthat fast.
Stephanie (07:37):
Just
Sister Harden (07:38):
Um, yep, just like that, So it was definitely
by divine design.
as I started to work there eachday, I felt.
God's hand in my life.
I saw miracles.
one of those miracles that isspecial to me is, one of my
residents, I was taking care ofhim and I pressed to ask him if
(07:59):
he was religious.
And I was very nervous.
I.
There is a lot of rules, as aCNA about what you can say and
what you can't say, and youwanna be extremely respectful.
So I thought a lot about it andtook me a week or two but I
finally couldn't get outta myhead.
So I asked him and he said yes,and immediately I felt prompted
(08:20):
to ask him if he'd served amission.
I was scared again.
But I did, and he said that heserved in the Sydney Australia
mission.
My mission,
Stephanie (08:32):
What do you know?
Look.
Sister Harden (08:35):
I know I was taken back.
I couldn't believe it.
we soon became amazing friendsand he has a book about his
experiences and his lifejourney, and I read it and he
has a movie.
I watched it and he just wasable to give me so much life
advice and I love him so much.
I'm so grateful for thatexperience.
(08:56):
It really taught me that Godcares even about our small
details in our lives, Even thatsmall tender mercy he wanted me
to have in my resident to have.
that meant a lot to me.
Stephanie (09:07):
Oh yes.
Sister Harden (09:08):
Yeah.
Stephanie (09:09):
bet he was thrilled to find out you were about to
serve there.
Sister Harden (09:14):
Yes.
Stephanie (09:15):
and he had a
Sister Harden (09:16):
Yeah,
Stephanie (09:16):
from his mission.
Sister Harden (09:18):
he did.
The Sydney Australia mission.
When it first started, theAustralians didn't know a lot
about the church and therewasn't very good views on the
church, so I.
The missionaries realized thatthey could teach the Australians
basketball and that was a reallygood way to help them connect.
they started to teach theAustralians basketball.
(09:39):
long story short, theAustralians started to do really
good in basketball'cause thesemissionaries were teaching them.
And so there's a whole moviecalled The Mormon Yankees about,
the missionaries and how theyhelped the people in Australia
think of the church fondly andhave better connections.
Stephanie (09:55):
Oh, that's so sweet.
The Mormon Yankees.
Sister Harden (10:00):
Yes.
Stephanie (10:02):
Oh, what do you know?
What do you know?
that's so neat how you had theimpression to just drive to
nursing homes and you get to thefirst one and it's just doesn't
feel right.
You drive to the second one itfeels right you walk in the same
(10:23):
day you have a job and they'reasking you, so what's your name
again
Sister Harden (10:29):
Exactly.
Stephanie (10:30):
after they've hired you?
Oh, that's A beautiful story.
So did your CNA experiencecontinue on in that nursing
home?
Sister Harden (10:42):
Yes, it did.
So I learned a lot.
Just about how to take care ofpeople and how to be able to
fill a spirit and act upon it inthe way that heavenly father
wants me to.
And I feel like I can creditthat somewhat to horses.
I learned that a lot,
Stephanie (10:58):
Oh.
Sister Harden (10:59):
As a little girl riding, I have a funny little
story that I can share aboutthat.
when I was little, I was ridingmy horse stitch.
I was very excited because I wasgonna go on a little trail ride,
like a gravel path across a lotof different neighborhoods.
I got onto this trail ride and Iwas just so excited.
(11:20):
before I left, I decided toprove to myself that I was a
really good rider and that I hadcontrol.
I decide to not wear a bridle.
a bridle is a leather headpiecethat goes on a horse and has a
bit at the end that controlsthem and or helps you control
(11:40):
them, right?
And so I, there is other ways tocue horses and so I decided I'll
rely on those other ways.
I'll leave the bridal behind.
And it was good at first and Ifelt so free and was like, look
at me.
Go, I'm so good.
But as the time went on, stitchall of a sudden he took off and
he started running and we weredown this long stretch of gravel
(12:03):
he was running as fast as hecould and I couldn't stop and
there was nothing I could do.
I looked up and I saw that therewas a turn.
And on this turn, the gravelturns asphalt.
I knew that if he tried to runthat fast going across the turn,
across the asphalt, he wouldn'tmake it.
And we would slide.
I braced myself and sure enoughhe did, and he took the turn and
(12:28):
he slid across the asphalt.
We both did, and we banged intoa fence and we broke the fence
and it fell down.
And it was quite a disaster.
Luckily no broken bones orconcussions, and that was
definitely a miracle, but a lotof scrapes and a lot of bruises
for both of us.
Stephanie (12:44):
Oh.
Sister Harden (12:45):
as I've reflected on that experience.
Over the past almost 10 years, Ihave learned a lot.
first I've learned as a littlegirl, I thought that a bridal
was just to control and that wasit.
And I realized that when youteach a horse, they get to
decide if they wanna listen ornot.
And at the end of the day, evenif you have the bridal in their
(13:07):
mouth, they don't have tolisten.
They can say no, and it's abouthow willing they are to listen.
I related that back to Christand my relationship with Christ
and what that meant for me.
as I pondered about it, Irealized that Christ is like my
bridal in my life.
He doesn't take away my agency.
(13:28):
I can decide if I want to followhim and I can decide if I don't
wanna follow him, but he doesgive me this bridal that I can
choose, and if I do, he'll giveme so much direction My metaphor
of the bridal, he'll teach me somuch and direct me.
once I realized that, I startedto try to strengthen my
(13:48):
relationship with Jesus Christand learn about him and his
character so that I could fillall of those movements on the
bridal and follow his directionand avoid, the disaster slide
and all the scrapes and bruises.
I feel like because of I came towork at the nursing home and had
that wonderful experience withGordy I'm very grateful for
(14:10):
Jesus Christ and his guidinghand in my life.
Stephanie (14:13):
Oh, what a powerful metaphor.
Yes.
one doesn't realize what eternalbenefits can come from learning
how to ride a horse and gettinginvolved in the whole
sportsmanship of.
Horse riding And look at that.
(14:36):
at that lesson that came, thateternal lesson, that metaphor
relating that bridal to yourrelationship with your savior.
Jesus Christ.
How beautiful.
Sister Harden.
Thank you for that.
So interesting how you as achild and it just opened that
understanding for you.
(14:56):
Beautiful.
So you were continuing to workat the nursing home.
Were there any other residentsyou worked with there that stand
out in your mind?
Sister Harden (15:09):
Yes, definitely.
I have one resident we becamegood friends and.
I, would try as much as I couldto help her and uplift her days.
there was one particular daythat she was having a hard day,
it is hard when you work withpeople that are in hard
positions.
They don't always have the bestdays, and they have a lot of
(15:29):
trials she was just goingthrough that.
like I said, I'd helped her alot.
I had all of these topics andthings that we talked about that
worked in the past, and I triedthem all and nothing seemed to
be working that day.
I didn't know what to do.
But I relied on that lesson Ilearned with my horse, that I
can rely on Jesus Christ andhe'll guide me and I thought on
(15:50):
my head and said a silentprayer.
Jesus, how can I help this lady?
What can I do?
And I was helping her, and itwas probably noon and I had the
thought music.
So I started asking her, do youlike music?
Do you like pop or country, Doyou want me to sing you a song?
I can sing.
Would you like me to play thepiano or play something from my
(16:11):
phone?
Anything that had to do withmusic, I think I asked her and
none of it seemed to do thetrick.
And I was like, oh, what exactlyam I supposed to do with that?
I couldn't figure it out, but Iwent, I helped some other
residents and about 30 minutesto the end of my shift, I went
in to help her get ready forbed.
(16:32):
Still thinking in the back of mymind, what can I do with that
music?
So as I was helping her getready, I.
Just had two words come to mymind.
Hokey pokey, and it was justthat plain and simple.
That's all I had come to my mindand I, because I thought the
word, music earlier in the day,I knew that it must be music,
(16:54):
but honestly, I couldn'tremember what that was.
I knew at some point I had sangthe hokey pokey, but I couldn't
remember.
Stephanie (17:03):
Oh yes, you were.
You were of a younger generationwhere from my generation I could
have come up with the hokeypokey, but I can see how you
were like the hokey pokey.
Sister Harden (17:13):
Yes, I was definitely like the hokey pokey.
I was confused, so I sat therefor a few minutes, I don't even
know what this is.
Does she know what this is?
Am I gonna sound crazy?
But I finally just committed andI asked her, do you know what
the hokey pokey is?
And she immediately brightenedand was so excited and told me
(17:37):
she loved the hokey pokey.
she would do it all the timewhen she was younger and it just
brightened her day.
we spent the next 10 or 15minutes talking about the hokey
pokey.
And at towards the end I toldher that I'd s seen it for her.
I got my phone after we weredone getting her ready and found
a track of the hokey pokey.
I accidentally picked a 10minute long track.
(17:58):
So
Stephanie (17:58):
Whoa.
Sister Harden (17:59):
was lots of hokey pokey that night, but,
Stephanie (18:04):
Were you
Sister Harden (18:04):
and
Stephanie (18:05):
the actions along
Sister Harden (18:06):
oh, Uhhuh, yep.
Yeah, to set the scene, it'sabout 9 30.
At that point in the assistedliving, everyone is asleep or
quiet.
It is bedtime.
And we were just singing thehokey pokey in case like me.
You forgot.
'cause the last time you sang itwas in kindergarten.
(18:28):
The longer you sing the hokeypokey, the faster and louder it
gets.
So by the end I was yelling asloud as I could and also talking
as fast as I could.
So it was very fun.
at the end we were both veryuplifted, so it was amazing.
Stephanie (18:47):
Oh, what A tender scene.
What A tender scene.
I'm curious, did she try to doit with you?
Sister Harden (18:55):
Yeah.
she was in bed, but shedefinitely sang it with me.
Stephanie (18:58):
Oh.
Sister Harden (18:59):
She loved it.
Stephanie (19:00):
Oh, that is so sweet.
Again, the Lord is in the detailof our lives.
The Holy Ghost whispered to youwith music then the hokey pokey
Sister Harden (19:14):
Exactly.
Stephanie (19:14):
music wasn't specific enough.
Sister Harden (19:18):
I think it is so interesting to me how.
One step at a time, right?
Just like with my bridal, when Iuse that to direct my horses, I
can't tell them everything Ihave in my mind.
I just have to say, go left orgo right?
And eventually that creates thatwhole pattern, right?
Like I have in raining.
But to them it's just one moveand they don't know exactly
(19:39):
where it's going.
And that is definitely how Ifelt that day.
Stephanie (19:42):
I can see that.
Oh I remember that You have ascripture that guided you
through this.
Is that right?
Sister Harden (19:50):
Yes.
Stephanie (19:50):
was that?
Sister Harden (19:52):
it is Proverbs three, five through six, and it
says, trust in the Lord with allthine heart and lean not unto
thy own understanding.
In all thy ways, acknowledge himand he shall direct thy path.
I just love this scripture.
It is so meaningful to me andall these stories I've shared.
Only happened because of JesusChrist.
(20:13):
He got me here every singlestory.
And I credit everything in mylife to him.
He has truly changed my life.
even the small things likesinging the hokey Pokey one day.
Stephanie (20:25):
It humbling and amazing at the same time that he
cares?
So much about those littledetails that he wants to bring.
happiness to everyone and that'swhat brought happiness to that
dear resident in that moment wasthe Hokey Pokey Sung by Sister
(20:47):
Hardin.
Sister Harden (20:49):
Yes, I gained a strong testimony of how much
Jesus Christ cares about, thelittle details in your life
while working at the assistedliving, some of my residents
couldn't remember and seconds orminutes later they wouldn't
remember, but Jesus Christ,still took the time to prompt me
to do things, to make themhappy.
Even if after I walked out oftheir room, they wouldn't
(21:11):
remember.
He still wanted'em to have thosesmall moments of joy, and that
really impacted me.
Stephanie (21:17):
Yes.
Recently I've been, remindedthat moments you were guided to
do by the Holy Ghost aremiracles.
So often we think of miracles aslike the dividing of the waters
that, that Moses did, butmiracles are not just.
(21:38):
Fantastic.
They're little these promptingsyou received turned into
miracles for you and the peopleinvolved.
And so all of these aremiracles, small miracles that
have your life and blessed otherpeople's lives.
And so thank you for sharingyour miracles with us today.
(22:02):
Yes.
Sister Harden (22:03):
I'd like to bear my testimony that I know.
Jesus Christ knows me and heknows my needs and he can
fulfill those and I know that hecan do the same for you.
I know that he knows youperfectly and he loves you so
much.
I'm so excited to teach thepeople of Australia this, it has
changed my life and it will forthe rest of my life.
(22:26):
I have a strong testimony inGod's plan and that everything
is by divine design.
I've learned recently thatsometimes we.
Can't always see God's plan, butwe can fill it, feel him in our
lives.
And sometimes it's hard to fillhim, but we're able to see these
tiny little miracles, and Ipromise that as you look for
(22:49):
these little miracles, thetender mercies, like I shared
today, that you'll be able tostrengthen your testimony, with
Jesus Christ, and be able tofill his love.
I know that has happened my ownlife.
I know that he'll, he will neverlead me astray, and I'm so
grateful to have a guide likehim.
I say these things in the nameof Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Stephanie (23:08):
Amen.
Thank you Sister Hardin.
That is just what we needed isto hear your testimony of our
savior, Jesus Christ, and hisrestored gospel.
it's been a pleasure, SisterHarden I understand that now
you're headed to the missionarytraining center in Provo
Sister Harden (23:28):
Yes.
I leave in two days.
Stephanie (23:31):
two days.
gonna be finished with your homemissionary training time.
That's exciting.
We wanna hear all about yourtime in Australia.
Yes.
So we're gonna ask for updates.
Sister Harden (23:44):
Please.
Stephanie (23:45):
through your mom, Hopefully she'll have a group
email to share with us.
Sister Harden (23:51):
I have the email, so that's how I'll be
communicating.
Stephanie (23:55):
Yes.
I just thought of one more thingthat you shared at the very end
of your sermonette, who are yourmission leaders?
Sister Harden (24:06):
My mission leaders are my aunt and uncle.
there are Carl and Rochelle do,and yeah, that just reminded me
that is a whole nother elementto how Heavenly Father sees me
and he loves me and he knowsexactly who I am.
That is by divine design.
I grew up with them.
I love them.
(24:26):
I'm so close with them, and I amso excited to be with them.
Stephanie (24:30):
Oh, that is amazing that you get to be with them.
That's So neat.
Mr.
Hardin, thank you for spendingthis time with us.
We've been so blessed by hearingabout your miracles prompted by
these moments with the gift ofthe Holy Ghost.
And reminded that our savior,Jesus Christ, is in the detail
(24:52):
of our lives and everyone'slives around us wants to be a
part of our lives.
you for sharing your testimonywith us and we wish you well.
for now, I will say farewell toeveryone.
Until we meet again, sisterHardin.
Sister Harden (25:13):
Thank you.
welcome.
My name is Stephanie Eccles.
This is Dear Daughters of God.
Stephanie test (00:04):
This is episode 23 from Horses to Healing, an
Inspiring Journey to missionarywork.
I am a retired schooladministrator
natural storyteller, and I am adaughter of God.
Now, I tell the stories
of our lives from theperspective
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Microphone (Samson Q2U (00:22):
Welcome, Dear Daughters of God.
I address you that way becausethat's what you are to Him.
To our Heavenly Father, you aredear.
Stephanie (00:32):
Today we have a guest and her name is Mary Elizabeth
Harden.
Mary.
Sister Harden (00:38):
So good to be here.
Stephanie (00:39):
Oh, it's good to have you here.
It's so special because MaryElizabeth Harden is now Sister
Harden.
She is Sister Harden because shehas been set apart as a
full-time missionary, For theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints and she's taking thislittle break during her
preparation day to meet with usand share some stories where the
(01:03):
Lord has guided her in her life.
And I think you'll be inspiredby these stories When I first
really remember Sister Hardenwas when she was a primary
child.
I was the primary president, andin December we put on a nativity
scene and we of course alwayshave a Virgin Mary in this
(01:24):
nativity scene.
Sister Harden must have felt aspecial connection with a Virgin
Mary because of her name.
Mary Elizabeth, because she saidto her mother, Jen, wouldn't I
of course be the Virgin Marybecause my name is Mary, and her
(01:46):
mother, came to us and said,this is how Mary feels.
And we thought of course this ishow she feels.
She has this special connectionwith the Virgin Mary.
Mary must play the role of Mary,and she played it such poise and
beauty.
(02:06):
a very special nativity scenehaving Mary Elizabeth play this
part of Virgin Mary.
That was one of my specialmoments with Sister Harden and
now here she has grown up shegives this beautiful farewell
talk it was full of experiencesthat she's had that have led
(02:28):
her, as she's prepared for thismission and in her career.
I was so inspired by them.
I asked Sister Harden if shewould share them with all of
you.
before we share those storiesthough, I'm going to tell you
just a little bit about her.
So here it is.
Sister Harden.
(02:49):
She's 19 years old with a deeplove for horses, especially the
sport of reining.
She's gonna have to tell us alittle bit about that.
What is reining all about?
'cause I don't know what reiningmeans Harden has spent countless
hours training, competing andlearning the value of discipline
and connection.
(03:09):
the youngest of five with threeolder brothers and one amazing
sister, and she's a proud aunt,and it's one of Sister Harden's
favorite titles.
Her greatest joy comes fromliving and sharing the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
She loves spending time witholder adults and has found so
much purpose in serving innursing homes.
(03:30):
That passion led Sister Hardento work hard to earn her CNA
designation and gain experienceas a certified nursing
assistant.
Recently she received a call toserve as a full-time missionary
in the Australia, SydneyMission, which is where my
(03:50):
parents served before theymarried.
So that's special for me also.
It my interest as soon as shesaid that, she could not be more
excited about serving the Lordand the people of Australia.
Can you believe she gets to gothere?
So exciting.
All right, Sister Harden.
We cannot wait to hear moreabout you.
(04:11):
What is this about reining doesthat mean?
Sister Harden (04:17):
It's hard to explain, but, a good way that I
like to think about horses islike any sport that involves a
ball, there's a lot of differentsports and so horses is the same
thing.
There's a horse, but there's alot of different sports.
So reining is a certain divisionin horseback riding, but
basically you walk into thisarena, a big pen, and you have
(04:41):
anywhere from one judge to sixjudges looking at you and your
horse.
they give you beforehand aseries of maneuvers that you
have to, perform in a certainorder and they judge you on it.
they start you at a certainscore and can either subtract or
add points.
that is what reining is.
Stephanie (05:00):
Oh, interesting.
there's so much more to racingthan meets the eye.
Sister Harden (05:11):
Yes, definitely.
Stephanie (05:12):
All right.
Sister Harden you talked aboutbeing a certified nurse
assistant.
And how dear that position wasfor you.
Tell us how you moved into thatand more about horses and how
the two came together and howthese experiences with Heavenly
(05:35):
Father leading you and guidingyou to this beautiful time in
your life before serving amission came to be.
Will you share that with us?
Sister Harden (05:44):
Yes.
it all starts when I was alittle girl.
I took care of my grandparentswith my mom.
She was their main caretaker.
I was at that sweet age whereold enough to understand, but
young enough to wanna be at homewith my mom as much as possible.
I spent countless hours takingcare of my grandparents and I
learned to love it.
I just love taking care of themand I love them.
(06:05):
I have a special relationshipwith them.
So that led me to wonder whatkind of a job I could do that
included something like that.
in high school I decided that Icould become a CNA and there was
a class that I could take to.
Get my certification.
So that is where that allstarted, a special experience I
had this spring, it'd been acouple years and I hadn't
(06:28):
worked.
I just had this certificationsitting in my back pocket and I
decided that I was going to geta job.
I came home and was trying toapply to jobs online and I
couldn't figure out how to dothat.
But I decided I felt prompted.
By the Holy Ghost that I shouldjust get in my car and drive to
(06:49):
the nearest nursing home.
so I did.
the first place I stopped at, Iwas sitting in the car and I was
like, This doesn't feel right.
so I drove away and I was like,this is weird.
I don't know why I felt like Iwas supposed to get in my car
then, but the second place Istopped and I fell.
Good about it and it looks likea nice place.
(07:09):
And I was like I'll just get outand see.
I walked in and asked for a jobapplication and within a couple
minutes I found myself in ameeting with the head manager
and a couple minutes later Ifound, that I was getting a job.
it ended basically with.
Remind me, what is your nameagain?
(07:31):
I was definitely shocked.
I walked out and I didn't knowwhat to think.
I didn't know I could get a jobthat fast.
Stephanie (07:37):
Just
Sister Harden (07:38):
Um, yep, just like that, So it was definitely
by divine design.
as I started to work there eachday, I felt.
God's hand in my life.
I saw miracles.
one of those miracles that isspecial to me is, one of my
residents, I was taking care ofhim and I pressed to ask him if
(07:59):
he was religious.
And I was very nervous.
I.
There is a lot of rules, as aCNA about what you can say and
what you can't say, and youwanna be extremely respectful.
So I thought a lot about it andtook me a week or two but I
finally couldn't get outta myhead.
So I asked him and he said yes,and immediately I felt prompted
(08:20):
to ask him if he'd served amission.
I was scared again.
But I did, and he said that heserved in the Sydney Australia
mission.
My mission,
Stephanie (08:32):
What do you know?
Look.
Sister Harden (08:35):
I know I was taken back.
I couldn't believe it.
we soon became amazing friendsand he has a book about his
experiences and his lifejourney, and I read it and he
has a movie.
I watched it and he just wasable to give me so much life
advice and I love him so much.
I'm so grateful for thatexperience.
(08:56):
It really taught me that Godcares even about our small
details in our lives, Even thatsmall tender mercy he wanted me
to have in my resident to have.
that meant a lot to me.
Stephanie (09:07):
Oh yes.
Sister Harden (09:08):
Yeah.
Stephanie (09:09):
bet he was thrilled to find out you were about to
serve there.
Sister Harden (09:14):
Yes.
Stephanie (09:15):
and he had a
Sister Harden (09:16):
Yeah,
Stephanie (09:16):
from his mission.
Sister Harden (09:18):
he did.
The Sydney Australia mission.
When it first started, theAustralians didn't know a lot
about the church and therewasn't very good views on the
church, so I.
The missionaries realized thatthey could teach the Australians
basketball and that was a reallygood way to help them connect.
they started to teach theAustralians basketball.
(09:39):
long story short, theAustralians started to do really
good in basketball'cause thesemissionaries were teaching them.
And so there's a whole moviecalled The Mormon Yankees about,
the missionaries and how theyhelped the people in Australia
think of the church fondly andhave better connections.
Stephanie (09:55):
Oh, that's so sweet.
The Mormon Yankees.
Sister Harden (10:00):
Yes.
Stephanie (10:02):
Oh, what do you know?
What do you know?
that's so neat how you had theimpression to just drive to
nursing homes and you get to thefirst one and it's just doesn't
feel right.
You drive to the second one itfeels right you walk in the same
(10:23):
day you have a job and they'reasking you, so what's your name
again
Sister Harden (10:29):
Exactly.
Stephanie (10:30):
after they've hired you?
Oh, that's A beautiful story.
So did your CNA experiencecontinue on in that nursing
home?
Sister Harden (10:42):
Yes, it did.
So I learned a lot.
Just about how to take care ofpeople and how to be able to
fill a spirit and act upon it inthe way that heavenly father
wants me to.
And I feel like I can creditthat somewhat to horses.
I learned that a lot,
Stephanie (10:58):
Oh.
Sister Harden (10:59):
As a little girl riding, I have a funny little
story that I can share aboutthat.
when I was little, I was ridingmy horse stitch.
I was very excited because I wasgonna go on a little trail ride,
like a gravel path across a lotof different neighborhoods.
I got onto this trail ride and Iwas just so excited.
(11:20):
before I left, I decided toprove to myself that I was a
really good rider and that I hadcontrol.
I decide to not wear a bridle.
a bridle is a leather headpiecethat goes on a horse and has a
bit at the end that controlsthem and or helps you control
(11:40):
them, right?
And so I, there is other ways tocue horses and so I decided I'll
rely on those other ways.
I'll leave the bridal behind.
And it was good at first and Ifelt so free and was like, look
at me.
Go, I'm so good.
But as the time went on, stitchall of a sudden he took off and
he started running and we weredown this long stretch of gravel
(12:03):
he was running as fast as hecould and I couldn't stop and
there was nothing I could do.
I looked up and I saw that therewas a turn.
And on this turn, the gravelturns asphalt.
I knew that if he tried to runthat fast going across the turn,
across the asphalt, he wouldn'tmake it.
And we would slide.
I braced myself and sure enoughhe did, and he took the turn and
(12:28):
he slid across the asphalt.
We both did, and we banged intoa fence and we broke the fence
and it fell down.
And it was quite a disaster.
Luckily no broken bones orconcussions, and that was
definitely a miracle, but a lotof scrapes and a lot of bruises
for both of us.
Stephanie (12:44):
Oh.
Sister Harden (12:45):
as I've reflected on that experience.
Over the past almost 10 years, Ihave learned a lot.
first I've learned as a littlegirl, I thought that a bridal
was just to control and that wasit.
And I realized that when youteach a horse, they get to
decide if they wanna listen ornot.
And at the end of the day, evenif you have the bridal in their
(13:07):
mouth, they don't have tolisten.
They can say no, and it's abouthow willing they are to listen.
I related that back to Christand my relationship with Christ
and what that meant for me.
as I pondered about it, Irealized that Christ is like my
bridal in my life.
He doesn't take away my agency.
(13:28):
I can decide if I want to followhim and I can decide if I don't
wanna follow him, but he doesgive me this bridal that I can
choose, and if I do, he'll giveme so much direction My metaphor
of the bridal, he'll teach me somuch and direct me.
once I realized that, I startedto try to strengthen my
(13:48):
relationship with Jesus Christand learn about him and his
character so that I could fillall of those movements on the
bridal and follow his directionand avoid, the disaster slide
and all the scrapes and bruises.
I feel like because of I came towork at the nursing home and had
that wonderful experience withGordy I'm very grateful for
(14:10):
Jesus Christ and his guidinghand in my life.
Stephanie (14:13):
Oh, what a powerful metaphor.
Yes.
one doesn't realize what eternalbenefits can come from learning
how to ride a horse and gettinginvolved in the whole
sportsmanship of.
Horse riding And look at that.
(14:36):
at that lesson that came, thateternal lesson, that metaphor
relating that bridal to yourrelationship with your savior.
Jesus Christ.
How beautiful.
Sister Harden.
Thank you for that.
So interesting how you as achild and it just opened that
understanding for you.
(14:56):
Beautiful.
So you were continuing to workat the nursing home.
Were there any other residentsyou worked with there that stand
out in your mind?
Sister Harden (15:09):
Yes, definitely.
I have one resident we becamegood friends and.
I, would try as much as I couldto help her and uplift her days.
there was one particular daythat she was having a hard day,
it is hard when you work withpeople that are in hard
positions.
They don't always have the bestdays, and they have a lot of
(15:29):
trials she was just goingthrough that.
like I said, I'd helped her alot.
I had all of these topics andthings that we talked about that
worked in the past, and I triedthem all and nothing seemed to
be working that day.
I didn't know what to do.
But I relied on that lesson Ilearned with my horse, that I
can rely on Jesus Christ andhe'll guide me and I thought on
(15:50):
my head and said a silentprayer.
Jesus, how can I help this lady?
What can I do?
And I was helping her, and itwas probably noon and I had the
thought music.
So I started asking her, do youlike music?
Do you like pop or country, Doyou want me to sing you a song?
I can sing.
Would you like me to play thepiano or play something from my
(16:11):
phone?
Anything that had to do withmusic, I think I asked her and
none of it seemed to do thetrick.
And I was like, oh, what exactlyam I supposed to do with that?
I couldn't figure it out, but Iwent, I helped some other
residents and about 30 minutesto the end of my shift, I went
in to help her get ready forbed.
(16:32):
Still thinking in the back of mymind, what can I do with that
music?
So as I was helping her getready, I.
Just had two words come to mymind.
Hokey pokey, and it was justthat plain and simple.
That's all I had come to my mindand I, because I thought the
word, music earlier in the day,I knew that it must be music,
(16:54):
but honestly, I couldn'tremember what that was.
I knew at some point I had sangthe hokey pokey, but I couldn't
remember.
Stephanie (17:03):
Oh yes, you were.
You were of a younger generationwhere from my generation I could
have come up with the hokeypokey, but I can see how you
were like the hokey pokey.
Sister Harden (17:13):
Yes, I was definitely like the hokey pokey.
I was confused, so I sat therefor a few minutes, I don't even
know what this is.
Does she know what this is?
Am I gonna sound crazy?
But I finally just committed andI asked her, do you know what
the hokey pokey is?
And she immediately brightenedand was so excited and told me
(17:37):
she loved the hokey pokey.
she would do it all the timewhen she was younger and it just
brightened her day.
we spent the next 10 or 15minutes talking about the hokey
pokey.
And at towards the end I toldher that I'd s seen it for her.
I got my phone after we weredone getting her ready and found
a track of the hokey pokey.
I accidentally picked a 10minute long track.
(17:58):
So
Stephanie (17:58):
Whoa.
Sister Harden (17:59):
was lots of hokey pokey that night, but,
Stephanie (18:04):
Were you
Sister Harden (18:04):
and
Stephanie (18:05):
the actions along
Sister Harden (18:06):
oh, Uhhuh, yep.
Yeah, to set the scene, it'sabout 9 30.
At that point in the assistedliving, everyone is asleep or
quiet.
It is bedtime.
And we were just singing thehokey pokey in case like me.
You forgot.
'cause the last time you sang itwas in kindergarten.
(18:28):
The longer you sing the hokeypokey, the faster and louder it
gets.
So by the end I was yelling asloud as I could and also talking
as fast as I could.
So it was very fun.
at the end we were both veryuplifted, so it was amazing.
Stephanie (18:47):
Oh, what A tender scene.
What A tender scene.
I'm curious, did she try to doit with you?
Sister Harden (18:55):
Yeah.
she was in bed, but shedefinitely sang it with me.
Stephanie (18:58):
Oh.
Sister Harden (18:59):
She loved it.
Stephanie (19:00):
Oh, that is so sweet.
Again, the Lord is in the detailof our lives.
The Holy Ghost whispered to youwith music then the hokey pokey
Sister Harden (19:14):
Exactly.
Stephanie (19:14):
music wasn't specific enough.
Sister Harden (19:18):
I think it is so interesting to me how.
One step at a time, right?
Just like with my bridal, when Iuse that to direct my horses, I
can't tell them everything Ihave in my mind.
I just have to say, go left orgo right?
And eventually that creates thatwhole pattern, right?
Like I have in raining.
But to them it's just one moveand they don't know exactly
(19:39):
where it's going.
And that is definitely how Ifelt that day.
Stephanie (19:42):
I can see that.
Oh I remember that You have ascripture that guided you
through this.
Is that right?
Sister Harden (19:50):
Yes.
Stephanie (19:50):
was that?
Sister Harden (19:52):
it is Proverbs three, five through six, and it
says, trust in the Lord with allthine heart and lean not unto
thy own understanding.
In all thy ways, acknowledge himand he shall direct thy path.
I just love this scripture.
It is so meaningful to me andall these stories I've shared.
Only happened because of JesusChrist.
(20:13):
He got me here every singlestory.
And I credit everything in mylife to him.
He has truly changed my life.
even the small things likesinging the hokey Pokey one day.
Stephanie (20:25):
It humbling and amazing at the same time that he
cares?
So much about those littledetails that he wants to bring.
happiness to everyone and that'swhat brought happiness to that
dear resident in that moment wasthe Hokey Pokey Sung by Sister
(20:47):
Hardin.
Sister Harden (20:49):
Yes, I gained a strong testimony of how much
Jesus Christ cares about, thelittle details in your life
while working at the assistedliving, some of my residents
couldn't remember and seconds orminutes later they wouldn't
remember, but Jesus Christ,still took the time to prompt me
to do things, to make themhappy.
Even if after I walked out oftheir room, they wouldn't
(21:11):
remember.
He still wanted'em to have thosesmall moments of joy, and that
really impacted me.
Stephanie (21:17):
Yes.
Recently I've been, remindedthat moments you were guided to
do by the Holy Ghost aremiracles.
So often we think of miracles aslike the dividing of the waters
that, that Moses did, butmiracles are not just.
(21:38):
Fantastic.
They're little these promptingsyou received turned into
miracles for you and the peopleinvolved.
And so all of these aremiracles, small miracles that
have your life and blessed otherpeople's lives.
And so thank you for sharingyour miracles with us today.
(22:02):
Yes.
Sister Harden (22:03):
I'd like to bear my testimony that I know.
Jesus Christ knows me and heknows my needs and he can
fulfill those and I know that hecan do the same for you.
I know that he knows youperfectly and he loves you so
much.
I'm so excited to teach thepeople of Australia this, it has
changed my life and it will forthe rest of my life.
(22:26):
I have a strong testimony inGod's plan and that everything
is by divine design.
I've learned recently thatsometimes we.
Can't always see God's plan, butwe can fill it, feel him in our
lives.
And sometimes it's hard to fillhim, but we're able to see these
tiny little miracles, and Ipromise that as you look for
(22:49):
these little miracles, thetender mercies, like I shared
today, that you'll be able tostrengthen your testimony, with
Jesus Christ, and be able tofill his love.
I know that has happened my ownlife.
I know that he'll, he will neverlead me astray, and I'm so
grateful to have a guide likehim.
I say these things in the nameof Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Stephanie (23:08):
Amen.
Thank you Sister Hardin.
That is just what we needed isto hear your testimony of our
savior, Jesus Christ, and hisrestored gospel.
it's been a pleasure, SisterHarden I understand that now
you're headed to the missionarytraining center in Provo
Sister Harden (23:28):
Yes.
I leave in two days.
Stephanie (23:31):
two days.
gonna be finished with your homemissionary training time.
That's exciting.
We wanna hear all about yourtime in Australia.
Yes.
So we're gonna ask for updates.
Sister Harden (23:44):
Please.
Stephanie (23:45):
through your mom, Hopefully she'll have a group
email to share with us.
Sister Harden (23:51):
I have the email, so that's how I'll be
communicating.
Stephanie (23:55):
Yes.
I just thought of one more thingthat you shared at the very end
of your sermonette, who are yourmission leaders?
Sister Harden (24:06):
My mission leaders are my aunt and uncle.
there are Carl and Rochelle do,and yeah, that just reminded me
that is a whole nother elementto how Heavenly Father sees me
and he loves me and he knowsexactly who I am.
That is by divine design.
I grew up with them.
I love them.
(24:26):
I'm so close with them, and I amso excited to be with them.
Stephanie (24:30):
Oh, that is amazing that you get to be with them.
That's So neat.
Mr.
Hardin, thank you for spendingthis time with us.
We've been so blessed by hearingabout your miracles prompted by
these moments with the gift ofthe Holy Ghost.
And reminded that our savior,Jesus Christ, is in the detail
(24:52):
of our lives and everyone'slives around us wants to be a
part of our lives.
you for sharing your testimonywith us and we wish you well.
for now, I will say farewell toeveryone.
Until we meet again, sisterHardin.
Sister Harden (25:13):
Thank you.
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