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