Email 12/31/12

Man does the time fly! It seems like yesterday I was about to open my mission call, now: I am just over 4 months into my mission; Mandy is at the MTC; and Hunter and Nathan are about to embark on the greatest journey of their lives thus far! I know that Mandy, Hunter, and Nathan will all be some of the best missionaries in the entire world, and I only hope to be half as good as they are bound to be.

Well, it was awesome to see everyone and be able to talk almost face to face with you all. I am glad that Christmas was good to you all and I hope that your New Years will be full of positive resolutions!

 

So guess what? This morning I was giving myself a haircut and shaved off almost half my eye-brow! I reminisced of Dad and "The Torpedo." It is not too bad, just half of my eye-brow is gone! This is going to be an interesting couple of weeks! Sorry there is not much content to this e-mail, but I can't think of anything to write. I love you all and think that you are the best!

 

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letter 12/24/12

Dear Family,

As the month and the year wind down to an end, thoughts of the Savior fill our mind and hearts.  The symbolism in all we see, do and feel remind us of the greatest gift given at Christmas time.  Not only the gift of His life, but His example, His knowledge, His perfection were given to us to know how to live.  I read Sister Reeve's talk from the Relief Society Conference and discovered a new truth; Christ was not only given to us as our scapegoat to heaven.  He did not go through theAtonement to say in our time of frief, "That's alright.  Look forward.  Everything will be better tomorrow".  Although He does know what is in store for each of us, that is only a portion of the Atonement.

He was born, He lived, He taught, He blessed, He healed, He served, He turned, He examplified, he sufferen, and He died so He would KNOW how to succor us.  He has been the Remembrance, He is the comforter, and He will be the hope.  When Christ suffered in the Garden, not only did He provide our way back to Heavenly Father, but He needed to gain the knowledge of how each of us were to get back there.  Your path to solace is much different than mine.  Your spiritual need is much different than mine.  Only one knew the peace each of us need to feel everyday.

When we try to help someone, give them comfort, we are exemplifying the Savior.  President Packer taught: "The Lord provides a way for us to pay our debts to Him.  In one sense we ourselves may participate in an Atonement.  When we are willing to restore to others that which we have not taken, or pay a debt that we did not incure, or heal a wound we did not inflict, we are emulating HIS part in the Atonement.  "That is the reason for this Season".

We rejoice in the knowledge that God comforted us TODAY!  We rejoice in the birth of righteousness and glory.  We rejoice because "We have heard on high...what the gladsome tiding be, which inspire our Heavenly song."  We reflect, as Scrooge has done, on Christmas' past; the joy and family today and the hope of the future Christmas' of our lives.

Christmas is the time for gift giving and probably MORE important, gift receiving.  Although nice, secular gifts are not "present" in this analogy, (although they could...) No, these gifts are those of Eternal principle and "exceeding weight of Glory" (2 Cor. 4:17).  On the anthropoligic scale of negative reciprosity, although very positive, we cannot do one action without the other.  As soon as we give of ourselves, we are given His spirit and light.  We MUST accept the gifts given for them to work in our lives.  Let us give and receive more now then we have hitherto been.

I love you all!
Love ,
Elder Rex Hamblin

Letter 12/1012

Dear Family,
After a crazy and hectic week, we  had a crazy and hectic day!  So this week my letter writing time is even shorter, henceforth a shorter letter.  (Sorry mom, but I am still doing my best to get a letter out to you every week!)

Last week was quite insane.  Tuesday, in particular, was crazy in and of itself.  I shall attempt to use my writing powers to help you comprehend the complexities of that day!  When I first got to the mission, I like all missionaries, was to take a specialized training on the Doctrine of Christ.  The training was scheduled late and we had neither the miles nor the ride to get to the Tri-Cities.  Because Elder Olsen and I missed that one, we had to go to this one last week.  (I am glad I'm not in Ms. Greens class anymore).

The training didn't start until one, and it only takes about an hour to get there.  Once we got to  the training Elder Olsen got an interview with President Greer.  Then after the three hour training, we had to book it back to Milton-Freewater so we could drive over to Pendleton.

Elder Olsen is the District Leader, and has to conduct the baptismal interviews.  Such was the case on Tuesday, we drove to pendleton apparently to have an interview.  Once we arrived at the church we met the missionaries and waited for the lady they were teaching.  And waited, and waited, and waited.

After about an hour we decided to go to her house to see why she didn't come.  We drove to her apartment and the other missionaries went in to see her.  Meanwhile Elder Olsen and I started walking down the road, seeing if we could OYM (open your mouth) somebody.  As we started walking, we thought we heard someone yell at us.  We turned, saw no one, and proceeded around the corner.  We walked about 15 yards when we both felt as if we should go back to see who was talking to us.  We took about 5 steps before the man came dashing around the corner chasing after us!  We started talking with him and began talking about his life.  We told him about God's love for us and tears began to swell in his eyes.

Soon the other missionaries came and the four of us started helping this man.  He had to go to a rehab center, so we just left him with our testimonies and the Book of Mormon.  Just within the 15 minute period we were with that man I could see  the change in him.  It is a miracle what a simple prayer and a simple desire will do.

Anyway, as I said today (P-Day_ was again hectic.  The last P-Day of the transfer anyways is.  We usually play basketball in Walla Walla.  Today we did so, then had dinner with the missionaries there, picked up my new companion, and had an intense hand-off.  6 missionary lessons with Elder Olsen, Elder Bergen, myself and 3 sisters.  It was a crazy day!  Sorry this doesn't had a lot of detail, but I love you all!

Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Rex Hamblin

Christmas

This is what we got for Christmas this year!  To see our Elder's Face!

You're looking good Elder Hamblin!

Email 12/18/12

So, I will be able to Skye you and I think that we are going to try from 2-4 our time (so 3-5 AZ time). I think Elder Bergen will go first, so I will probably call around 4 your time. I NEED YOUR INFROMATION! I know that we will be Skyping at a members home, but I don't know any of the information. We are going over later this week to figure all that stuff out, but I need to know your information so I can call you. (You know, like, if you want to see me... You know me I am indifferent either way!)

 

Sorry this is a day late, but we had a temple P-day this week and did not find out until last Wednesday! The last week was crazy with transfers and everything else that was going on, but it was good to be busy. The life of a missionary is always busy even when the times are slow! I love it!

 

Sorry this is so short, but here are your pictures!!!

I am not the photographer in the family, but I hope these pictures are at least bearable! Have a Merry Christmas and we will talk to you soon!

 

Love,

Elder Hamblin

  Elder Olsen's Birthday.  I gave him a princess stuff because he  wants to marry a princess.

                                                    My new companion, Elder Bergen

Letter, 12/3/12

Dear Family,

As the Christmas lights begin to send their humble twinkle of light to cast away the enclosing darkness, they also send a shimmering reminder of the simple glory of the season.  The lights bring out the best in people and a humble happiness fills the soul.  The Christmas season is once more upon us and beckons the best out of each of our spirits.  How great are these humble lights!  These secular symbols bring heaven to earth for a short period in our mortal lives.  These were just a few of my thoughts as we strolled the streets of Milton - Freewater, spredding the true joy and happiness that only comes through Christ.

Although slow, this week was exciting and gratifying.  We have been struggling to connect with the bishop here and have exchanged many misunderstandings.  I do not think it was anything personal on either side, just to many miscommunications by both parties.  I think over the course of the past week we were able to see eye-to-eye and overcome some of the challenges that has kept us working in unity.  We had the opportunity to go on "exchanges" with him and really try and work some of the problems.  Brother Walkers saying kept replaying in my head, "No matter how flat the pancake there are always two sides."  I know that seeing both sides to situations is vital for working in unity, but sometimes there seems to be a hepitgonal cure in the place of the two sides!

That is one of the hardest aspects of missionary work - accepting the views of others.  To me, everyone would want the gospel and do everything in their power to accept it.  But in D&C 29:7 it says we are called to gather the elect.  Not everyone is prepared to live the gospel right now and need to willing to keep commitments.  One my zone leaders said, "commitments are the thread in which covenants are woven."  So when we are not "harvesting" we are merely "planting" (President Greer).  That is one lesson I am learning very well up here. 

The growing season in North Eastern Oregon is very long, and the harvesting is longer.  It was not until recently that the producers stopped harvesting!  Throughout the harvest, one practice has continually caught my attention; although there are thousands of apple trees to harvest from, they are still planting trees to harvest from in the future.  These young trees are vital importance for it is from their blossoms that the bees pollinate the elder trees. 

So it is with missionary work although "the field is white already to harvest" we must also continually plant the seed for future missionaries and members.  Once these seeds take root, they are vital additions to our church.  Their strong testimonies strengthen and sweeten our faith.  So, in times of slump, I ask myself, "How important is the planting?" 

The week has been full of planting, but success is always the promise of the worker.  We have literally seen miracles, but we must ask, are we the pharisee or the true learner? Both saw the miracles performed by the Masters hand, but both saw something different. 

Love,
Elder Hamblin

P.S. Shippa, read Ether 12:27 and pay attention FIRST "if/then" promise.  X-reference to 2 Cor. 4:17 and Phil. 4:11.  You will know what to do PLEASE write back what you have learned!

P.S.S- DAD D&C 106:4-5

P.S.S.S- Thank you for the Thanksgiving stuff and music! I just got it today. I love you III

Email 12/3/12

I never told you about Kelton Walker, did I? He would always be over with Aldon when ever I was at Graham's house. Let's just say that a personal four-wheeler is a digression from what he used to do and have! That is sad to hear about the Lindsey's. They are such a good family and I know the ward will miss them. I always did look up to Shad. (Even though, technically, I would be looking down at him.) He si a great young man and I don't know what in the world they could have done to recieve a move to St. Johns!

 

Anyway, this week was awesome. It was still a little slow, but it was still amazing! (I know I have to tell you most of the details now, because once I am done e-mailing we go to Walla Walla to play basketball with the rest of our zone, and I just can not focus enough to write letters...I am still sending them though!) I had the opportunity to go to Pendleton for an exchange with one of the Zone Leaders. (Tell Dad we will have to go to the Pendleton Round-Up some day.) We went to another tiny town, Ukiah, which is right on the boarder of our mission. It was a really long drive and took most of the night. I did not mind, it gave me lots of thinking time. Then later in the week we had the opportunity to go stock wood for a campground that a couple stakes up here own. I was happier than a tornado in a trailer park! It had been a while since I was able to do some work like that!

 

Well, I think that is all the main details of the happenings here in Milton-Freewater. I will add a little more thought in my letter. It is good to hear everyone is doing great and the Round Valley Star is back in function!

 

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letter 11/26/12

Dear Family,
Another year is winding down with a new one looking bright before us.  Thanksgiving is placed perfectly in the holiday calendar.  We have the opportunity to reflect on the blessings which our Father in Heaven has given us  and look forward to the celebration of our Savior's birth and the birth of a new year.  I hope all of Thanksgiving was as rewarding to you all as it was for me.  There is a quote that reads, "You'll find that it's not the happiness that makes people grateful, but rather the gratitude that makes people happy."

This past week had been very slow for the work, but very rewarding for the soul.  Reflection and "considering the blessings" has brought a new gratitude to my soul, ergo, happiness.  I was able to reflect deeply upon life and all the blessings therein.  I was able to recognize miracles which had hitherto been unseen.  I was able to seek happiness.

Alma says, "This is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and the humble seeker of happiness" (Alma 27:18).  This ancient council has once again been brought to our attention as President Uchtdorf says"  "Discipleship is the pursuit of holiness, AND "This happiness comes as we find the abundant blessings in our day-to-day lives.  This practise is much easier said than done, but the reward is so much more in our favour.  Now we have even more to rejoice in, but never neglect the bad.  If we only focus on the bad, we have to change our minds and FIND the good in all we do.

With this re-discovered truth, I was able to have an amazing Thanksgiving.  The family we were going to eat with all got the stomach flu.  So we ate at an older couple's home.  One of their sons was there with his wife, and we had an enjoyable Thanksgiving.  We did play Aggravation afterwards, and Brother Hawks plays like dad...

Sorry this letter is so short!  If anyone wonders why I have not written them back, tell them I do not have any time!

Love,
Elder Rex Hamblin

P.S. Aunt Doris is amazing!