Email 12/16/13

Crazy is the season, but we all still remember the reason! We have transfers this coming up on Wednesday and Elder Barrett is going to be transferred to Vancouver. I will be getting a missionary who is already in my zone, and has been in the zone for sometime, Elder Ehrenzeller. It is too bad, I was looking forward to spending Christmas together with Elder Barrett, but I know Elder Ehrenzeller pretty well and am super excited to spend this wonderful Christmas season with him! He is really funny and LOVES to work, so I don't think that I can go wrong with that! I will miss Elder Barrett, though. We have only been together for 5 weeks, but it feels like so much longer. He has really become one of my best friends and a man that I really look up to. Next transfer will be 7 weeks, to accommodate the week that we lost for our Christmas transfer. I don't think that I told you, but we lost a week so we wouldn't have transfers on Christmas day, and next transfer we will be making it up.

With all the commotion our zone saw much success. Elder Barrett and I were called up twice on Friday to do baptismal interviews for the next day! People are really beginning to feel the change that is coming in the world and will are responding positively. We are finding more and more people who are that much more interested in talking about their families, their religion, or something that they unknowingly know as a gospel principle. Sometimes I want to yell and shout for joy when they start on a topic like that, but then they would just get more freaked out, so I have to refrain myself.

Well, I told you last week that I would share some of my thoughts about the Savior this week (thanks for the subtle reminder;). In the introduction of the Book of Mormon there are two very intriguing topics. The first is found in the 3rd paragraph in saying: "It [The Book of Mormon]...tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." Now this may not seem too special, but I see it as a blessing to the promise found in the last two paragraphs of the introduction. When one follows the instructions given in the introduction then we are promised that we come to know "that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world." This is the second of the two topics that I had mentioned. Both are highly intertwined into one promise-coming to know Jesus Christ is to have peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

There is nothing that I know to be more true. We have a loving Father in Heaven whose greatest gift to man is to dwell in His presence (D&C 88:4-5). One way that we take part in this is by having His Spirit to always be with us so we can live continually in His presence. As we know, though, that we sin in which we fall from the feelings that the Holy Ghost brings unto us. Our purpose here is to have joy (2 Nephi 2:25) and we are inherently seeking to imitate these feelings of the Spirit. Without the gospel perspective, we are lost, seeking for that which the natural man desires causing us to fall into deeper sin and self gratification. Therefore we needed a Savior, someone to teach us, either Himself or through His holy prophets, to bring us back into the presence of our Father, both in this life and in the life to come. His resurrection will bring us into the presence of our Heavenly Father after this life, and His Atonement allows us to return to the presence of the Father everyday. 

I know that I have drawn nearer to my Savior and how grateful I am to do so. This peace is so real, the presence of the Father through the Holy Ghost is only possible through my Savior, Jesus Christ. AND I LOVE HIM FOR THAT! How sweet is the passage in Luke "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Jesus Christ is my Savior and gave his life for me. That is the greatest knowledge that I can speak of.

I love you all and hope you have a merry week!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

P.S. I am good with the packages I love you!

Email 12/09/13

I found my camera!! A missionary had it in his bag and didn't look in it for a few weeks, so here are some pics! I do have to make a request though--please do not post the baptismal photo anywhere. Th church has asked us not to post anything like that on Facebook or on any blogs and things like that. They want to keep the privacy of the individuals. Thanks!

 Today most of our zone went to Multnomah Falls and they were almost completely frozen over. We had a very good time there and that is why I am e-mailing a little later than normal. It was freezing there, but as we hiked the warm spirit from my fellow missionaries kept us all warm all the way to the top of the falls, and what an amazing time to be there.

I don't quite know when I will be able to Skype home. We have transfers on the 18th and I will find out a time for sure right after that. I think that it will most likely be around 3-4 your time, but I told Sister Hamblin to pick a time and I will make it work...I hope!

Well I don't have too much more time, there is much that I have to get done! Mother, let me think on my thoughts this week and I will get back to you next week. Just remind me, or else I will forget to write you my thoughts. I love you and hope that you all have a good week!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letters

11/18/13
Dear Family,
This past week was a miracle in itself as it started slow, but ended with a bang.  As I described in my emails, we have the best missionaries in the mission.  Well, maybe in the world.  But hey, they are pretty good.  I am grateful to be surrounded by such good missionaries.  I know that this upcoming Holiday season will be a white one here in Portland because of all the hard work being put in here.

You know I just realized that this is all in blue ink.  hmmm

Anyway, I wrote most of the highlights of my week in my email.  Sorry about that.  I was very excited about our missionaries and my new companion that I could barely control myself!  I am filled with a new excitement each transfer.  I just become more and more excited! 

We have been making a big push here in the WVM to find 200 new investigators and putting a big emphasis on our DL's.  We are blessed to be in Portland where there are many people to find and where the DL's are the best.  Now when we can find our light and let it shine full time, we will grow more than ever.

This hit me a Sunday or two ago.  A member of our ward was talking about light and my mind was turned to an experience dad told me.  There is a plant which dad has owned for quite some time which he keeps in his office.  For quite sometime this plant has not grown.  For the past few years, a move of offices and some new found knowledge of the plant allowed this plant to grow.  Continuous light is needed to keep this plant growing.  Until this point it was merely surviving on 1/2 the light, but it grew with full light!  Think on that :)

Love you all!
Love,
Elder Rex Hamblin


11/27/13

Dear Family, 

Happy Thanksgiving!  You know, this one is going to be really short.  P-Day we got very busy running around, so I apologize for not writing.  I thought I would still do my best at writing you this week (and actually getting it in the mail!)  This past week was a good one.  Everyone in our zone has been working really hard to find 30 new investigators.  Last week as a zone we found 24, so we are almost there!  Elder Barrett & I are knocking and talking to everyone we meet!  We were promised by Elder Ballard that if we would talk to 10 people everyday, the number of our baptisms would double!  That may seem easy, but it is very challenging...and fun!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love,
Elder Hamblin

Email 12/03/13

Thanksgiving is always a special time of year. I think Sister Amanda Hamblin put it best when she stated that many of the people in the wards where she is serving are converts, and they love the missionaries! This love and gratitude was felt throughout this past week as we gathered together and remembered where we receive our blessings from. The members here are the best, and they show it! To be a member, especially here in Portland, you must be firmly grounded in what you truly know and allow that to literally dictate every decision that you make. The members here in the northeast section of Portland are some of the best people that I know. How grateful I am to have been able to spend such a wonderful holiday with these fine folks and friends.

This past week as we ate like kings, we still knew that we had a work to do. The missionaries in our zone are the best in the entire mission, and I am thoroughly convinced of that. We have been working hard to invite others to come unto Christ, and the missionaries are doing a fantastic job at doing so. They have been inviting many to come unto Christ a by being baptized and helping them receive the restored gospel through making commitments and covenants. I was particularly surprised to see how many people our zone has invited to be baptized and come into the gospel. This is the time of year when people are most focused on Christ, so why not invite them to come closer to Him?

Well, some missionaries MAY have found my camera, so I MAY send pictures next week. Don't be surprised if I don't, but I am just saying that it MAY happen. We will have to see if it really is my camera or not. It is great to hear from you every week and I love to hear all the festivities. I know that I could be better at describing what goes on up here, and it is guaranteed that as soon as I get off the computer that I will remember more to write. Writers block. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 11/25/13

Well winter's greetings from the Wonderful Northwest! Many blessings are in store for this holiday season and I can't wait to see what is in store. If this holiday season is anything like the last, I believe that we are all in for a very special treat! This is a very grateful time (very appropriate for Thanksgiving) around Portland. People seem to be a little kinder and slightly more open, but still politically correct! I guess this is a very different experience for me since I have never been in the big city for the Holidays, but I am grateful to get such a marvelous experience! Too bad I can't share it all visibly with you all...I may or may not have lost my camera. It is yet to be determined, but I just haven't seen it in three weeks. I still haven't looked EVERYWHERE for it, just most of the places it would be. Sorry Mom...

Anyway, this past week has been amazing! Elder Barrett is working me to death! I have been working as hard as I can my whole mission, but now that I am with him, he has kicked it up to a whole new level! We cover an area with about 50,000 people in it, and I think that it is his goal to knock on every single door within our area's boundaries. I don't mind at all! We are working our tails off and are bound and determined that everyone is going to hear the gospel. We have also been working hand in hand with our WML and starting to work with the ward members here much more. It is just such an exciting time to be a missionary in the Alameda Ward! Did I tell you we got another set of missionaries in our ward? Now we have a set of Elders, a set of Spanish Elders, and another set of Sisters! The ward is doing their best to keep us busy, but our WML is really stepping it up. He is also the High Councilman over missionary work in the Stake, so he is trying to set the example for the rest of the WMLs in the Stake. Personally I think that he is doing more than a fantastic job at helping all six of us missionaries while doing a stake calling! I am pretty sure he is the best!

Well, I think this ol' brain has thought of everything that it can think of at the moment. Just one last thought. This morning in my personal study I had the impression to study inspired questions. I went to PMG and read from the Book of Mormon. As missionaries we are called to teach by the Spirit of the Lord and we must invite Him into our every thought, conversation, and action. As we are teaching we teach and testify all we can until we we have physically exhausted ourselves from trying to get the point across. That is not how the Savior taught. We must simply ask questions and let people answer the questions for themselves. Many times the questions that are asked are the questions that are on the mind of those to whom we are talking. It is not until we phrase the question for them that they are able to formulate an answer OR find out the means to which they can find their answer. A question is an invitation to act for yourself; the deeper the question, the more we are able to learn, and man have I learned a lot!

I love you all and hope that you all have a great week! Happy Thanksgiving! PLEASE go out and show someone that you are grateful for them, and not with words!

Love,

Elder Rex Hamblin 

Letter 11/12/13

Dear Family, Wow has this week flown by! We were extremely busy this week doing Stake reports, preparaing for Jacklyn's baptism, and getting Elder Olsen all ready to head for home. Add in an Elder's conference and our monthly MLC (Mission Leadership Council), and you have yourself a full week! I just channot believe that Elder Olsen is already going home, I honestly feel as if I need to go back to Milton-Freewater TO Elder Olsen once again. Ime feels like a running water in my hands or smoke from a flame, escaping. Well, enough about me. As I have already mentioned, this week was Jacklyn's baptism, a very special treat. Earlier, Saturday morning, Elder Rothwell (who is serving in my Zone/Stake) had 2 baptisms in the Tongan ward. We were privileged to attend the baptisms and watch the two wonderful converts make covenants with the Lord. The spirit was strong, although we could not tell what was being said. (The service was in Tongan). The Tongan's support each other very well and many people showed up and gave their support. It was an amazing experience to be a part of and to feel the love that they all have towards each other. Later in the evening was Jacklyn's baptism. The building was freezing as the heat did not work. But the spirits were bright as she prepared for the last minutes covenants with her Heavenly Father. She was slightly nervous, but she was more sure than ever. To hear their testimony afterwards was heart warming and touched everyone present. It was amazing and very humbling. I lvoe you all! (sorry this is SO sporadic, but I have been writing here and there over the last 4 days. I love you!) Love, Elder Hamblin

Email 11/18/13

Well hello there everyone! Portland is good, Portland is great, and Portland is the best! I just thought that everyone should know that, just in case anyone was wondering. This last week we had transfers, after I sent Elder Olsen home. That is a sad day to watch a missionary "die" but I think he will adjust well in the world again. He is too great of a man not to. Anyway I received my new companion Elder Barrett, and he is the man. I have been with many companions, and I don't think that I have had one yet who is as enthusiastic about the work as he is! He loves to knock on doors and there is not a single person whom we have passed by who has not been spoken to by Elder Barrett. This is going to be a short transfer (5 weeks because of Christmas) so I hope that we will be able to stay together for the next transfer too! We have seen many miracles, especially throughout the zone. Transfer weeks are always hard on finding new investigators and we expected that. Transfers are on Wednesday and Elder Barrett and I met with the District Leaders on Thursday. Up to this point in the week, we as a zone had found 2 new investigators. We talked with our DL's and discussed what we could do to help. We decided Friday we would find 5 new investigators, Saturday we would find 10, and Sunday we would find 5. We knew that this was a lofty goal, so we left it in the hands of our DL's to spread through the rest of their districts. I will let you know now that we have the BEST DL's in the whole church right here in our zone. Our phone from Friday to Sunday was flooded with texts from around the zone as the missionaries here in Portland put their trust in the Lord and almost exceeded our goals! Our DL's have the unique ability to really get the missionaries working and I am so grateful that they are so willing to work. Last night Elder Barrett and I were also able to contribute to our zone's goals. We were out tracting all day and had a little success. We just had an amazing lesson with one of our investigators with major heart problems. We talked with him about the Priesthood and asked if he would like a Priesthood blessing. He accepted and we were able to give him a powerful blessing. It was just after 8 when we got out of the lesson and we decided to go and try some former investigators. We had a big book full of them and decided that we would get started with some of them. Anyway, we were looking for 2 who were close together and missed their home. We kept driving and I realized that we were close to another's home. We parked the car and went up to his door and gave it a knock. When he opened the door, he asked if anyone had sent us. We told him no, and he said that a classmate of his was going to send us over! We just happened to be in the neighborhood! He let us right in and told us that he really wanted to know if there was a God or not. He asked us how we knew there was a God, and we were more than happy to share our testimonies of how we came to know God. It was an amazing experience to see the Hand of God in every detail of our lives! I love you all and hope you have a good week! Love, Elder Hamblin P.S. GO ELKS!! Don't worry, I still let everyone know where my hometown pride lies!

Letters

10/28/13 

 Dear Family, 

 I am currently in traffic, so if my handwriting goes bad, I am sorry. I hope what I ahve to write today will be of some use to you. Or at least enjoyable to you!

 I will begin with a story of one of our investigators of whom I have been telling you about, Jacklyn. We had two appointments set up with her this week, but she was sick for the 1st one. Our other appointment was set for Friday night at the church. Fridays are always busy, and due to several fortunate events, we ended up arriving a few minutes late. When we arrived with our member who came with us as fellowship, we found the building open (as the ward was setting up for the ward party the following evening). We found Jacklyn in the building, writing on the Relief Society chalkboard. She greeted us with a big smile, telling us she had already introduced herself to everyone setting up. When we all got settled in and started talking, Elder Olsen and I looked up at the board to see what she was writing. She drew out the ENTIRE Plan of Happiness; that is what we had planned to teach her! She began to describe to us what was to happen in each "phase" of His plan, and why it was so important. To me, this is proof of the charge that the Lord will hasten his work. 

 As a leader I get to see many missionaries on a personal level. How prepared are many of these young men and women! We are witnessing miracles on a much more personal level YET at a grander scale. I hope that each of you will do all you can to assist in the work! 

 Love you all!

 Love Elder Hamblin 

 11/4/13 

Dear Family,

 This past week has been particularly good, not only because we have seen the last Halloween of my mission, but because i was able to see the happy power of families. Those who have not quite recognized the sustaining power we feel and obtain only through families. Elder Perry stated a conference or two ago that the happiest we can be in this life WILL be found in a family unit bound by a legal marriage. Being sealed forever only adds to the happiness we are able to feel. There, I think I have exhausted that point! I was just overjoyed to see all the families out and about. This experience has been the source of my contemplations this week; how much the family plays an intricate role in our lives. Whether our family experiences have been good or bad, we learn MOST from the family setting. We learn what leads to unhappiness and what leads to happiness (even though other's vision may sometimes be obscured, and (in most cases) accountability in some degree, some lessons may be planned, others may be impromptu. What we learn in and from our families determines who we are and what we do. If we look deep enough, we can always find SOMETHING that relates back to our family life! 

 As I was pondering this relation between families, us, and God, my mind was turned (oddly enough) to revelation and reverence. As I saw these families on Halloween night and pondered what I saw, I realize that the parents who took their children out had the "Revelation" of Quality, wholesome recreational activities and their effect on the children. They, the parents, had the "reverence" to show their fellow Portlandians their family pride. Wow, I just re-read back through all of that and realized that it makes no sense. I'm sorry that you have to read all of that, but I am just exhausted! 

 Well, I love you all and hope you have a good night! (oops...I meant week!) 

 Love, Elder Hamblin

Email 11/11/13

WOW, where has the week gone to? Elder Olsen is prepping to go home here tomorrow and I have to drop him off at the Mission Home tonight. I have been put into many many rough situations through-out my mission, but I think that this will be the hardest and toughest one yet. I love Elder Olsen and don't want to see him leave! He has worked me literally to death these last 6 weeks and I love him for that. You may want to "friend" him on Facebook, Trever Olsen. Will you do that for me pretty please. I know that you will love him!

This week was Jaclyn's baptism! Sorry that I don't have the pictures right now, we have been super busy and don't have much time, and I completely forgot my camera. Sorry! It was a great baptism, but there were not many people there, which was a bummer. We tried to get many ward members there and anyone that we have been in contact with, but not very many people were able to attend. (Just a side note if there is a baptism in the stake, PLEASE attend.) Not only were there not many people there, but the building was freezing! But all this was frivolous as we witnessed the power of Godliness manifest in the ordinances (D&C 84:20-21). Then we were able to hear Jaclyn bear her testimony to us all which was well worth every effort that we have put forth thus far. I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended such an ordinance where the Spirit has never been so strong. I know this was a manifestation of miracles that are happening throughout the world because the Lord is calling His people for the last time.

Well, that was my week. I hope you all are doing well! I love each of you!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Email 11/11/13

Hello everyone! If you have received a strange e-mail from me over the past few days, please ignore it. I am not trying to think deeply or lost any of my testimony, someone just hacked into my e-mail account and sent that message. I am sorry for any problems this may have caused. The last line in that e-mail is interesting, "Everything that I am taught to believe is a lie." Well, what I have learned since I have been out is that I KNOW, not just believe, that what I am doing here in the Washington Vancouver Mission is the most important work that I could be accomplishing now in my life. I KNOW that Joseph Smith is a The Prophet and has done more to bring me closer to my Savior than any other person. I love each one of you and hope you have a fantastic day!

-Elder Hamblin (for real...like the real person...)

Email

Here are a few more! I think some might need a little explanation...

The first is an "exchange lunch" (just use whatever you can find for lunch)

The next are pictures of some glasses Elder Olsen and I borrowed from another missionary.

Some missionaries in our zone made that cake for Elder Olsen's birthday. It was pretty awesome!

I don't know if I sent these before, but the rest are from the Longview Zone!

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Pictures

Pictures

Pictures

Email 11/04/13

The rain has began in Portlandia! This past week we have been having many rain drops on our heads, but most of them leading to good and better things. We have been in a slight "drought" of finding new people to teach, and last week we were able to find some people who want to here the gospel! Plus, this morning before we went out for the day we had a potential investigator text us and ask if we could come over and teach her this morning! It really has been a flood of new miracles for the Elders in the Alameda ward here in Portland. I think that the mission is about to split our area and so we are trying to get everything ready for the new set of missionaries that MAY come in. We don't know for sure, but transfers are next week and we'll just have to wait and see then.

Anyway, Halloween in Portland was interesting. There is a very popular, local street in our area where many people in Portland like to "hang out" at. There is more than enough cafes, bistros, bars, and shops to keep there heads wet and their pockets dry. We had to do some Stake Reports on Thursday, and when we were heading back home from the church we took this street. I think that it will be the closest to a zombie apocalypse I will ever be to...! It is a good thing that we had to be home or else I would have slapped these people or died laughing (which I did anyhow). It is amazing how much wickedness is mistaken for happiness or even the slightest goodness. But it doesn't matter who you are, when you embarrass yourself like that, there has to be somebody out there laughing!

There was one aspect that thoroughly shocked me to the core. For the past five weeks that I have been here I have witnessed the literal destruction of self worth moral values which has been evident in the problems people present and confused state they subject themselves to. These problems have almost convinced me that there are just some places that will never accept the gospel. Yet as we made our travels upon Halloween, diligently performing our duties, I saw something that astonished me--families spending time together. I am not saying a lone mother with her kids, or an unmarried couple with kids. No, full families spending time together and enjoying perhaps one of the only nights of the year which they can all be together at once. Smiling faces and happy laughs filled the air as they (the families) went from shop to shop scaring the candy from the owners. My heart took pride in knowing that I have such a knowledge of the true happiness that can only be brought through living as a family.

Well, I think that is all for now. I love you all!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letter 10/21/13

Dear Family, I think that I should start by apologizing to mom. Sorry I forgot your birthday. Happy late birthday! I guess I just wasn't paying attention to the dates and I just got all caught up in the time. I hope you had a good one. This past week was busy, but productive. We had interviews with President Taylor, a treat to rare to pass up. This is always such an opportune time to ask questions about anything and everything about life and the work. IN a leadership position President Taylor asks you about the people you are over. Although you are talking about other people, we learn much about your self. What you need to change and how you can help is wrought upon you as focus on others. This, I believe, derives from the economy of Heaven. As you focus on others, you learn more about yourself. Once again this doctrine affirms true, as I, for myself, learned about what I can do better. God has set up the organization of the church for several reasons. one of them being for the men and women of the church to learn HOW to learn about themselves through other people. That doesn't make much sense, but it all makes sense in my head. I have learned leadership skills as I have dealt with those in my zone. I have seen how I gain revelation as I have sought help for the problems we are asked to help in. I have learned how to see spiritual wounds as I go on exchanges. How grateful I am for this divine help! Well, I have run out of words in my pen...and my head. Sorry mom, but I just can't think anymore! Love you, Love Elder Hamblin

Email 10/21/13

Well hello there! The great Portlandia is just getting better and better! Don't get me wrong, the town is still very weird, but I think everyday that I am here I love this place more and more; granted I probably still wouldn't raise a family here or live here, but when I know that I am protected by the Lord, it is not too bad. I am continually amazed about the strength of the members here. The families here know the very definition of "living in the world but not being of the world." Not only that, but they are coming alive with their missionary work! They keep us very busy and give us much work to do.

We have been teaching Jaclyn (the woman whom we found between the sessions of conference) and we put her on-date for November 9th, the weekend before Elder Olsen goes home. She is the very essence of what the Lord is talking about when he says that we are to gather the elect. She is currently studying Chinese Medicine and is super busy in college. When we asked her on Friday how here reading of the Book of Mormon has been going, she said something like this: 

"I had a mid-term in one of my classes and a major quiz in the other one. I had been really busy in study groups and I have had to use every chance that I get to study for my classes. Every time that I sit down to study I think to myself 'I could study or I could read the Book of Mormon...I think I will read the Book of Mormon.' Then I end up reading it for hours on end and don't really study for my classes....I got a 98% on my mid-term though!"

She is already at 2 Nephi 16, well that was on Friday. She is loving everything that the Spirit is teaching her and I am so humbled and grateful to be a part of it! We hope that she will still be doing good here soon!

I found my camera, it was down at the mission office. I just got it back so I haven't taken any new pictures, sorry. I will be more diligent this next week! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love Elder Hamblin

Letters 10/07/13, 10/14/13

Dear Family,
As we walk around downtown Portland, I see bumper stickers, signs, and even Bill-boards proclaiming "Keep Portland Weird".  It is soon evident to what is being stated as we look at the "modern" styles of the times.  We see bare feet, bongo drums, colored hair, and an interesting style of clothing.  This bike-friendly town has many worldly things and acts, and so it is no wonder why many people are attracted to the Gospel. 

There are many dark acts and places.  So when the light of the Gospel comes, "The darkness comprehendeth it not."  Some people give the "Typical" response, but most show some spark of interest.  We are seeing those who are prepared for the gospel come and invite themselves to learn more.  With this hastening begins a hastening for preparation.  we must do more to prepare ourselves to find "Those who will receive us."

Friday, Elder Olsen and I received a referral for a woman within our area.  She referred herself online on Mormon.org.  Saturday after the second session of General Conference, we were determined to contact her as well as follow Elder Perry's council to talk to more people.  We arrived at her home, but could not find any parking.  We parked down the block and proceeded to her home.

We passed by a few people and talked to every, single, one.  No one was interested, so we continued to this woman's house.  We knock on her door.  We asked for Jaclyn, and she called for her.  A few moments later Jaclyn came to the door.  We began to ask why she referred  herself.  Immediately she told us everything that was keeping her from joining the church, and she was no more than "Curious" to relearn our beliefs.

Years ago a friend had introduced her to the Gospel.  She took the discussions and became upset at the church's policy on various subjects.  Anger and frustration became her companion as she decided to turn her back on the church.  Years of this over-whelming darkness filled her life, as became apparent in her story-telling.  An "Awakening" has recently occurred within her as memories of this friend flooded back to her. A need for religion  was founded in her life.

Who knows where she will go or how much she will accept.  God is working miracles everywhere we look.  The hastening is truly happening and we can only "look up".

I love you all,
Elder Rex Hamblin

10/14/13
Dear Family,

Man this week has been crazy, busy and exhausting.  We made Stake Correlation Reports, ran a Zone meeting, went on several exchanges, and ran a red light.  All in a weeks work!  As we kept busy we also were able to serve several people and help people move.  It is a preparation day like today that helps me focus on for the rest of the week.

Here in Alameda Ward boundaries there is a prison.  A small LDS group gathers on Wednesday nights to read from the Book of Mormon and the Gospel Principles manual.  The missionaries have been invited to help teach these men the Gospel.  This last week I had the opportunity to teach in the prison.  I saw these men have a sincere desire to drink deep the words of life, but because of their current situation, the Spirit is hard to tap into.  They have no quiet moments to ponder these things.  But they don't let that get to them!

I thought to myself of this sincere desire and why it took so long to obtain.  I thought about a man in there who is a RM, a former Assistant to the President.  We currently live in a world where the hastening is strong and our testimonies shine bright, yet there will come a day in our personal future where we too will be tested of our conversion.

If my understanding of the recent conference is correct, this is a time in which we can have hope in!  In 2 Nephi 31:19-21 we are promised eternal life as long as we endure with hope!  This is able to keep the Holy Ghost in our lives, and therefore eternal life.

So as these men continue to seek the peace in their lives, we too must look up and be joyful in the future!  I love you all!  Hope you have a good week!

Love,
Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 10/14/13

Well hello there! This past week has worn me to exhaustion, so today will be a nice relaxing day...I hope! I have just been soooo tired lately that I have not been able to think straight! I didn't think that I would tell you all, but I guess I will. The other night Elder Olsen and I were on exchanges with some missionaries in our zone, and had just got back together for the night. I had been driving the van (yes, I get another van!!) and he asked if I was going to kill us. (FYI, I have changed so much on my mission. Unfortunately my driving skills have not improved.) Anyway, I told him that I would get him home safe and sound and that he didn't need to worry, even though I too was feeling that he should drive. Well I let pride wear and I was so tired and burnt out that I ran right through a red light. Luckily no one was in the intersection, but it was one of those with a camera on it! It is amazing how I find those! I don't really know what will happen now but it was a good lesson to always listen to the Spirit and never ignore a prompting! After I ran the light I pulled over and let Elder Olsen drive home. I think we were laughing so hard that I woke the next morning with sore abs. Although life gets you right in the gut and exhausts you, I think that the only thing that we can do is look up and smile at all the Lord has given us.

Well now that you know that I am still a terrible driver I think that I will tell you about the rest of my week. Despite how tired I am things are going great! The Bishop got up in Sacrament meeting yesterday and challenged the whole ward to step up in their personal ministry efforts and then had everyone in the congregation sustain his motions! I really have a good feeling about the missionary work here in Portland because there are so many people here that need it. We run into people everyday who just need a smile or a brief conversation to lighten their load. Many of the people here are accepting to the message, but right now they have a hard time of following through. It is sad to see, but I love to work with them. They give me hope that everyone truly is a child of our Heavenly Father and I get to take the pride in helping them become. What they become ultimately is up to them, but I am grateful to be in the process!

Sorry I can't send pictures right now, because I can't take any. I can't take any because my camera is still in Longview...I think. Hopefully I can get it back to soon and send you some pictures. Or maybe not...;) I love you all and hope that you ahve a wonderful week!

Elder Hamblin

Another surprise

Dear Sister Hamblin:

We have had the distinct pleasure of having your son serve in our ward (Longview 3rd) for the past few months. As he is being transferred tomorrow, he stopped by my office to bid farewell.

One of the pictures needs some explanation. My office (I serve as a Superior Court Judge) is very close to where the jail officers are often positioned. We were speaking to one of the jailers when he pulled out what is called a spit hood, which is frequently used in correctional facilities. Once it was out, we might as well put it on and take a picture. :)

As the ward mission leader, I want you to know that I have observed your son to be a dedicated, loving, and kind young man and missionary. Each and every time he has been in our home or when I have observed him interacting with others, he has always been courteous, respectful, polite, and generous toward others.  He is a strong leader in whom I have seen significant growth toward his substantial leadership potential.

He performed a great work here in Longview. As a ward and as a community we have been lifted and enriched by his righteous influence.  Thank you for teaching and instilling within him a strong faith and a deep love of God and his fellowman.  We are grateful you shared him with us.

Michael Evans

Email 10/07/13

Well Hello there!

As I told you all last week, I was transferred to Portland. All I can say is that it is the biggest place that I have yet served, but I have seen some interesting things! At first I was a little overwhelmed, but being with a missionary that I know well and also with another missionary that I trained (he is in my zone), PLUS conference this past weekend made the transitions easier. We are all still trying to learn our areas though.... I think that the biggest thing in Longview was the love that I need to look at strangers and see them as "fellow-citizens with the saints, of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19). I know that if I had not gone to Longview first, this transfer would have been much harder! As we drive the streets of the Alameda ward, I can feel the love that God has for each and every person that I see. Some are in different positions than others, but all have the right to accept eternal exaltation!

We had a training from Pres. Taylor on this subject this last week. I can tell you that I have received a testimony that God does not do random. Pres. Taylor has devoted almost his entire life to knowing the Pre-Excistence. This testimony that he bears now helps all of us to really know who we are and why we are here. I think with that preparation conference took on a whole new meaning. Not only was I able to really hearken unto the words of the prophets as a mortal here on this Earth, but as a child of God, candidate for the Celestial Kingdom! How great were the insights I was able to receive!

Well, I think that is it for know. My brain is not fully functioning... if you know what I mean! Love you all!

Love,

Letter 9/30/13

Dear Family,
Sorry my last few letters have not quite been up to par, but we have been pretty busy.  I wrote Grandpa Bill a few weeks ago, and so that letter was very short because I wrote him a fairly long letter.  I am very slow at writing, so I am sorry that I have not been writing long letters.  I just can never think of anything new to write, so that may seem like the same letters.  Hey, All I can say is that President Hunt just said one hand-written letter a week.  He never said how long it needs to be! But, alas, I will admit that I have not been as diligent as I should have been in writing to you, so I end where I begin, I am sorry.

Now that the important stuff is taken care of, I will proceed to...well...something else :).  As I have written before, our Zone has made the goal to find 160 new investigators.  We have been praying and searching diligently for these elect (John 10:14-16).  This last week we had the end in mind as the transfer came to a close.  WE only had 35 people left to find, but we knew we could achieve our goal.  We (Elder Ewell and myself) looked everywhere to find them who would receive us.  We did our best and found three people who accepted what we said, and asked that we come back.  WE as a Zone found 25 people!  This was 10 short of our goal, but we still found 150 people in 6 weeks!  In the previous transfer we only found 90, so we are very excited to see the improvement and the hastening!

Well, I have been here in Longview for 3 short months, and I must bid it farewell.  I have come to love this complex city, but I must move on to bigger places, downtown Portland!  I have always wondered what that side of the river is like.  And in a few short days I will found out.  I think it might be something like Sodom and Gamorah, but hey, everyone changes.  I have only heard GREAT things about the ward I am now called to labor in.  Not only that, but I have the opportunity to serve with Elder Olsen again!  I am very excited because he is one of my very best friends!

This past week I had the opportunity to study the 3-5 minute lesson plans in "Preach My Gospel".  How simple is it to share the Gospel.  It is literally part of our everyday life.  If we have the spiritual calisthenics to recognize the opportunities to spread the Gospel.  I know just learning short statements of truth will resonate with those who are all around us!

I love you all and hope this will suffice!
Love,
Elder Hamblin

A little surprise

Brother Swink from the Vancouver area posted this today on the mission Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Washington.Vancouver.Mission/permalink/667130293311936/

Just makes a mom kind of happy!

Letter 9/23/13

Dear FAmily,
My, oh my! How the week flies by!  I can't believe it has already been another week since I found myself writing another letter in this same spot, in this Longview Stake Center.  In my life, not much has changed, but in my world everything has been flipped around.  I don't think that this week has been very long, after all, I don't think another week has been shorter.  I don't know what I am going to write in this letter, right now I am just rambling.  We have seen many miracles, and most of them have come from prayer.

At the beginning of this transfer, we as a zone set a goal to find 160 new investigators.  This is equivelant to about 27/week.  As the transfer was underway, we didn't have too much success.  After week 3, we found 29 new investigators!  That was our zone record!  Then again in week 4, we found 29 again.  We have been doing all we can in order to help those seeking to Come to Christ.

To help us achieve our goal, we also decided we need to be more unified.  As Elder Ewell and I searched the scriptures, we found the key to unifying and success...prayer.  Alma and his bretheren found success and unification in their teaching as they prayed unto the Lord.  (Alma 31).  Christ leaves a charge with the Nephites to "Pray in their families" as a tool to come closer together. (3 Ne. 18: 20-21).  We decided that prayer is what would unify us the most.

Every night at 10:01, no matter what we are doing, we add another prayer to the day.  Specifically we pray for:  Our investigators, those progressing in the Zone, and our goal of 160 new investigators.  The knowledge that we are all praying together for each other edifies us in our efforts to preach the Gospel.  We are bound in the Spirit as we desire to serve the people and each other.

This past week, we found 31 new investigators!  Now we just need 35 new investigators to reach our goal, and we are praying and searching harder than ever before we are continuing to pray every night and we continue to reach our goals! 

I love you all and pray for you always!

Love,
Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 9/30/13

Well, where has the week gone? This is crazy and life just needs to slow down, but I do enjoy all that is going on in the world. Well, at least the world of Longview, WA. People are just people and as hilarious and funny as ever. Did I ever tell you that Longview is the meth capitol of the US? It has a major port and so many of the oversea drugs come through here and almost everyone thinks that they are a scientist and can make their own "stuff." I mean this in the nicest way possible, but we were talking to a member of the ward and they describe it something like this: "I am pretty sure that Longview and Kelso put the tooth fairy out of business, nobody has any teeth!" which, for the most part, is true. I know that it sounds a bit "sketchy, but it is great. We are able to find some people who are sincere about changing their lives and want better for themselves. Everyone wants to change so much but they feel like they are content where they are at. If they only knew! I just wish I could take away their agency just enough for the to accept the gospel, but then I guess I would be just like Satan. I often feel like Alma right before he goes to the apostate Zoramites. He not only loves and prays for those he is going to labor with, but also those he is going to labor for. I think Alma's supplication in Alma 31 is a perfect example of how I feel about the people here. I know that they know better.

"Preach My Gospel" tells us that every single, solitary person we meet at the door or talk with on the street know some gospel principle. How could they not? They have already learned the plan and chose to come here. Our job as missionaries and as members is to find what they KNOW and then teach them the rest. I find this to be an exciting challenge that requires the Spirit to be closely associated with our inner feelings. We must act on what we feel and see what God has in store.

Well, enough of my rambling. I am leaving the wonderful Longview 3rd ward. I always tell myself that I could never love a ward or an area as much as my last, but I have proven myself wrong again. I love this ward, the people of Longview, and my companion Elder Ewell. We have had way too much fun together, but we have also set forth to have spiritual experiences everyday. I think that this has brought us closer than ever before. But, I do find solace in my next area. I will be serving in the Alameda Ward in Portland. That, I guess, might not be too exciting, but the next part is. I am going to kill my dad! I know this sounds weird, but do you remember my trainer, Elder Olsen? Well, he is serving down in Portland right now and I get to be with him for his last transfer. I am very excited. I love that man!

Well, I love you all!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Email 9/23/13

Well hello there you all! This week has been full of miracles and (my personal favorite) RAIN! Yes the rain has returned to the good ole Northwest, and I love every drop. I think the people here are not too excited, but now they are looking for something warm and fuzzy to keep them sane in the long, dark dreariness of winter. And it is only fall! People here are just ready to hear the gospel.

This last Sunday was Invitation Sunday for the Longview III Ward, and as we went through the week, we invited every single one of our investigators to church and every person who would give us 30 seconds. As Sunday came around all of the people we had invited and all of our investigators told us that they wouldn't be able to make it. This was an activity that the ward was planning for many months, and we as the missionaries wanted to contribute any way that we could. Our P.E.C. meeting was finished early, so we decided to walk around the block and invite every single person that we saw. As soon as we stepped outside the rain began to drizzle. Undaunted, Elder Ewell said to put the rain coats on and continue. We did so and didn't get 100 ft. from the building before a downpour was unleashed from the sky. I don't know whether it was God testing us or Satan tempting us, but turning back seemed like a good idea before we got to the street corner. We pressed on and made the first corner and the first contact. We were greeted with a, "No, thank you." We continued on. Then down the road we saw a small family unloading a car, and we were again greeted with the same reply. We tried knocking on a few doors, with no avail. Finally on our way back to the church we saw a homeless guy and invited him. He told us he might come for the heat, but church was not his thing. Rejected once again. In just a walk around the block the rain had penetrated our coats and our hearts, but we were still happy to know that we did all that we could. No non-members showed up to church, but we were satisfied anyway. Later on last night we were walking in the ghetto of Longview and found a new investigator, something that I think I will include in my letter home. Needless to say the Lord really does work miracles if we show our faith through the rain and snow.

I love you all and wish you all the best!

Love, 

Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 9/09/13

Santa Rosa, California. That sounds like it could be a good place. Not quite like the Pacific Northwest, though. Sorry, Kale, that you missed out on that on, but I think that you will love it anyway. If you would have come to the Washington Vancouver Mission, then you would have really loved it, because it is the best/ most beautiful/ funnest/ coolest/ humbling/ exhausting/ satisfying/ interesting/ loving/ heart warming/ all-around-greatest place in the entire world (well maybe a close second to Eagar, AZ....but we are not counting that right now). Sorry to put the truth into everyone's heart that will read this, but just as Nephi, Lehi, and Jacob have all stated, the truth can sometimes be hard to swallow. I know how much you wanted to come to the Northwest, but looks like you will have to wait just a little longer!

Just as I mentioned, the Northwest is the BEST! Elder Ewell and I have been having a blast teaching people and walking in the "Vancouver Mist," as many missionaries call it. It is too light to be a rain, but too heavy to be a fog, so it is just a slight hanging by the water droplets in the thick air. It is perfect! You never get too hot walking around, and you never seem to get too wet either, it is the best!

Now that the talk about the weather is over, we had a very neat experience. With the church growing so much and the general authorities not being able to travel everywhere at once, they have been broadcasting much more. Yesterday we had stake conference for Longview and we had a broadcast with Elder Hales, Elder Perry, Elder Nash (of the 70), and Sis. McConkie (YW)! They were speaking to the entire state of Washington and Alaska, but it was an amazing experience nonetheless. The messages they shared were very specific about covenant, ordinances, FHE, and family prayers. We really tried to get some of our investigators there, because every word that proceeded out of their mouths was inspired by the Spirit tailored to what they needed to hear. We have been teaching a young single mother of 4 who has been wondering why life is so hard and where she can turn for peace, and everything we told her seems to have no avail. But with the promises from prophets' lips, I personally don't think that there would have been a doubt left in her mind of what she needed to do to find strength in the Lord Jesus Christ. I just pray that now I will be able to convey the same message to her that was so easily preached in my ears.

We have also been teaching a young couple whom the woman really wants to be baptized but won't keep any of the commitments; the man doesn't want anything to do with the church, yet he is trying to keep all the commitments that we give him. We have been really trying to help them and even took a whole evening to help them clean their yard. We have been at a loss of what to teach them, so we have just kept inviting them to do all they can to know that this is true. It really hurts to see them because of how much the gospel can help them, how close they really are to god, yet they have no idea, none, zero, nada, of HOW MUCH THEY ARE MISSING OUT ON!!!!! They know they want something better, and we keep offering it to them, but they won't take it. I guess it is like a kid eating vegetables--you know how good it will be for them, but they will eat everything else on the plate that you will give to them. But, eventually they will really figure out that they love to eat asparagus (because I do!).

Love you all and hope that the week goes well!!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letter 8/29/13

Dear Family,
I am truly sorry that these letters are coming later and later, but time seems to be shorter and shorter; but true to my promise to President Hunt, here I present my YEAR mark letter!  Can you all believe that?!  I, Elder Rex Hamblin, entered the Missionary Training Center one year ago today, it being the 29th Day of August.  I still have not hit my half way point, which will be the 31st of August (I return home on the 2nd of September).  I can honestly be true and faithful in saying that I have written you all every week for an entire year!  Some have been shorter than others, but it has been weekly.

With every week that passes, I have been attempting to look past the monotonous and into some highlights which differ from week to week.  As more experience is put under my belt, more knowledge I obtain, and the more the Lord has opened my eyes.  He has blessed me with a broad gamut of vision and I am doing all I can to help it increase, and when I find myself employed in the Lord's work, I receive the Lord's pay.

One such payment was the opportunity to listen to the testimony of an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Holland.  I have already written of the immense testimony builder this was for me, but I would simply like to reiterate this foundation as experience this was.  I can with many questions, and received more answers than what I came with.  God truly does work through "His servants, the prophets" (Amos 3:7).

How great this opportunity was and how sweet the words from his mouth, but yet there is one experience from last week to top it, at least in my mind.

We have been doing much street contacting over the past few days yielding quite a bit of success.  We passed a man and began to talk with him about His religious life;  we were pressed for time so we wrote down his address and gave our word to stop back by.  As Sunday evening rolled around Elder Ewell and I  decided to stop by this gentleman's home and continue our discussion and hopefully teach him of the restored gospel of Christ.

When we knocked, he flew open the door and readily bade us to come in.  On one of his walls was a painting done by some Christian artist of a pathway resembling the story found in 1 Nephi 8 and 11.  We could see this man was very religious and had a firm faith in Christ.  As we started asking questions, he began to open up to us, telling us of his past life.  This gentleman, about 50 years old, has had some very interesting experiences that have brought him closer to God, and his family was a  major factor in his life.

We had been talking for about 10 minutes when the door opened and his parents stepped in.  They just returned home and were shocked to find two young men in their home, discussing religion.  They sat down and began to listen to what the Spirit was saying.  The questioning was soon passed from our mantle as they wanted to know more about the Church that Christ built.  As we passed through each point of the restoration, the Spirit flooded the room as their questions/concerns increased.  Thoroughly we covered the Apostasy (wherein most of their questions lay).

Elder Ewell and I used scriptures which we both had neglected for many months and were telling them of these precious truths straight from our hearts.  The need for the Restoration was made manifest right before their Spiritual eyes.  There was at one point when the lady looked at me and said "You guys are pretty big on this priesthood thing, Huh?'  "OF COURSE WE ARE!" I wanted to yell at her, not in anger but in pure joy and love.

As we began to tell them of the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Spirit pressed strongly upon my heart as I testified of this great man.  How sweet the peace that was felt!  They could not deny the feelings they had, no matter what they had been told.  The man kept trying to come up with a rebuttal, but the Spirit relieved his heart.

We told them of the Book of Mormon and the truth therein.  Now here, I make my juncture,, never before had I received a more powerful, a more overwhelming sense of peace and joy than in this family's home.  Pure charity was distilled upon the points of my testimony, and was manifest through the Spirit with which we bore.

Satan works quickly upon the children of men.  As soon as I had finished testifying of my love for the Book of Mormon, this gentleman looked me straight in the eye and told me everything I had just said was false!  A lie!  Untrue!  I wished sincerely to change his thoughts, because I had been changed forever.  I know it and I know that he knew it, but that was a test for me to go through (1 Nephi 20:8-11). 

I love you all and pray for you always!  And Kale is going to the WVM! (Or India)

Love,
Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 9/02/13

I don't have a lot to say this week, but a picture says a thousand words. Here are some brief expainations:

0396 is a picture of Elder Ewell myself and some Elders that we just went on an exchange with

0391 is a door of a less active family that we have been teaching. We are just used to seeing the opposite.

0387 this is Elder Ewell and me at the beach in Seaside. We had to use our tags to balance out the pictures.

0383 this is the Elders in our District. The one in the coat is our amazing DL.

0375 this is Elder Ewell with the prize for our zone's "Walkie & Talkie" competition.

I love you all and hope that you have a good week!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letter 8/19/13

Dear Family,
This week has been a fantastic week.  If I make 1/2 page of this I will be happy!

In D&C 61:3, the Lord reveals to the prophet a commandment for His elders to slow down and serve those "perishing in unbelief".  AS I stated in my email, we, as a zone, exceeded grossly over our mile limitations.  A plan was needed to find people to teach, talk to everyone and stay as low as possible on our miles.  Once night as Elder Ewell and I were discussing the needs of this matter, humour was needed to induce revelation.  A Brian Regan joke was tossed between us as we discussed the topic at hand; and thus the idea of "Walkie & Talkie" was born.

As we laughed and joked we realized that this simple answer was the solution to the call to "need not move swiftly".  Elder Ewell and I decided to wash the car of the companionship who had gone the lowest % of miles by a certain date and give them a trophy of a "Walkie-Talkie'.  The success was incredible to see as we saw the numbers for every key indicator sky-rocket while the miles stayed low!

I know this isn't too interesting, but I thought it was intriguing to note that revelation often needs humour!

Love you all!
Love, Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 8/26/13

Happy Anniversary! Would you be mad at me if I told you that I completely forgot? If you will be mad, then I remembered, and if you won't then it never crossed my mind. Sorry! I hope that you had fun! It is also good to hear that the Elks did good, they are still my favorite team, and probably will be forever. And if Rat is running like me, he will have to work on his running style, because mine was terrible! I am sure that he did very well and that he hit people and sent them home crying...now that is NOT like me! I can hear the sounds of football start to fire up and I wish that I could go out there and be with them, but I am content on where I am at right now.

There were many highlights of this past week, but I think that the Elder Holland conference that we had topped them all. It was amazing, but I think that they will have to replace the pulpit! We had the opportunity to shake hands with him before that missionary conference started, and you could feel him look right into your soul. Then as he spake, he told us that the 12 used to interview every missionary personally, but with 75,000 missionaries that is nearly impossible. He then proceeded to tell us that the hand-shake and the look in the eyes was a quick 3 second interview and that he literally was looking directly into your very life! I have always joked about things like that, but he confirmed and said that it was true! It was a very comforting experience to have two hours with an Apostle and have him almost personally answer every question that you have. It was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget.

Elder Holland was there for the Rainier Stake Conference, however they were using the Longview Stake Center because the Rainier Stake does not have the facilities to hold such a conference. It just so happens to be that the Stake Center is in our area, and has the only baptismal font in the stake, and the Longview 1st ward Elders had a baptism the same day that Elder Holland was here. That too was nearly impossible to coordinate, but it was quite the experience. Unfortunately Elder Holland couldn't make the baptism, but we could still hear him giving the leadership conference. He was...energetic. It was a fun day.

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Rex Hamblin

Email 8/19/13

Well this week was a doosy, and I am sure that I didn't spell that nearly close to what it should be. We went up to Mt. St. Helen's last P-day, and being true to form, I completely forgot my camera! I really don't mean to not take pictures....I just never seem to have my camera on me when a good pictorial opportunity comes. Sorry about that, but Mt. St. Helen's was pretty cool...

My companion, Elder Ewell was sick on Wednesday last week, the day we were to go to Astoria (a small coastal town which major attraction is the Gooney house) which is a good hour and a half drive from Longview. He had a bad case of the flu and looked worse than...well he just looked terrible! I felt as if I should have done more, but there was nothing that I could do. Elder Ewell is a champion trooper, though. We missed the District Meeting in Long Beach, but we still went on splits with the Astoria Elders. He barely made the car ride down before his stomach decided to get some fresh air on the outside of his feeble body. He stayed with one of the Elders while I took the other one out, and then half way through the day we swapped. We headed back down that night and Elder Ewell felt a little better. I know that this wasn't the greatest story that you wanted to hear, but I just wanted everyone to know that I have probably the great companion right now. He is a champ.

The other night Elder Ewell and I were out walking around when we saw a lady in her yard tending to her five dogs. I almost passed her by, but Elder Ewell made sure that we went and talked with her. She was in her mid-60's and was delighted that someone had come to talk to her about religion. She is a very stout Messianic Jew with a R-LDS backround. She knew much about the Book of Mormon and the message that the "other Mormons" share. She was simply interested in talking about god, family, and her dogs. As the conversation moved on, Elder Ewell and I realized that we must get on our way and asked if we could return. She declined, and continued the conversation. I realized that I had not bore my testimony to her. Elder Ewell and I went on to bare our testimony to her "line by line." She still did not accept an immediate return appointment, but her heart did soften. It was amazing to see what a simple testimony can do.

Anyway, my next story deserves a little back round. Our zone is probably the biggest in the mission and all the areas are gargantuan and need many miles. The missionaries have taken some liberty to using many miles and often forget the limit to their miles. This overflows the zones allotted miles, and we take the brute force for it. Elder Ewell and I were trying to think of a way to help the missionaries stay low on miles while they continue to find, teach, and baptize. This will probably be the topic of my letter so I think that you will all have to wait. Sorry about that, but if I didn't, I wouldn't know what to write about! I am not that good at reviewing the week, but I know that I have learned much. I love you all and hope that the week continues to be great!

Love,

Elder Hamblin

Letters 8/05/13 and 8/12/13

Dear Family, Well, being true to my character, I once again promise a short letter chalk full of nonsensical whims of my imagination. Just to let you know, I did start this letter Monday, but have been super busy and now it is our lunch hour on Thursday. I still haven't forgotten all of you, even though it may seem like it; Life is too often in the way of the important "things" This past week has been full of everything, moving, meetings, and mini-missionaries. We moved living quarters, which took a day longer than we anticipated. We expected to be all done on our P-Day (Monday of last week), but we didn't finish until Wednesday morning @ 1:30 AM. We had to finish early because we had a mini-missionary coming to our apartment at 8:00 AM, and we had NOTHING organized. Our missionary was amazing. He is a local priest from elsewhere in the stake who came out proslyting with us for 2 days. We were able to introduce him to the world of walking and talking to everyone. At first he was shy, but we witnessed a miracle in the watching of his confidence grow. We were sad to part ways. But Friday did come. On Friday we had the WVM 1st Mission Leader Council (MLC). For the first time I was able to see the other, more "realistic" side of President Taylor, and it was amazing. That sounded bad...let me put it this way. I think I realized for the first time how powerful of a leader President Taylor is. As he fills his role as a Mission President, it reminded me of the type of leader Christ was and is. Strong, confident and loving. Well, love you all! Lunch is over. Love, Elder Hamblin 8/12/13 Dear Family, I apologize now for the bad handwriting, we are currently driving up to Mt. St. Helens...yes it is in our Zone. We haven't been able to coordinate rides previously, and today only 4 of us are headed to this magnificent site. No one else wanted to head up with us, so we alone sit in a member's van. I have seen many magnificent places, but this one is looking to be one of the better ones. This experience has been here the whole summer, but we have never been here to experience it. It is a little bit like life. Anyway, Elder Ewell and I have been working hard to build up the area and help the members open up and share the gospel. We are seeing some of the fruits of our efforts, but for the most part we are seeing the seeds planted by some other disciple's labors. When we contact people, the first reaction comes from past experiences with members or missionaries, whether good or bad, we take what they already know to be true and try to add to it. Often times they try to reject what we say, but we can see the truth settle deep within them. One such experience pops into my mind from the week gone. When I was in Woodland we received a call from a member referring us to member in the Longview 3rd Ward (my current ward). we sent the referral off and went about our work. When I came to this area, the lady who was referred by the Woodland member was one of the few investigators we had; we have been meeting with her since. Little progress has been shown since we began meeting with her, which was a worry to both Elder Ewell and myself. as we sat pondering what to do, we scanned over her teaching record in our weekly planning session. A teaching record simply shows what we taught, how it was received and the commitments we have extended, plus the ones that they have kept. We have taught many of the principles and all of it was accepted very well, but the commitments were not being kept. As we poured over the record, nothing in particular stood out. Over and over again we questioned what we need to do to help her progress in the Gospel. We looked at the commitments, we have extended (a practice I personally need to improve on). A particular commitment rested firmly in our minds; "Introduce family and friends to the missionaries". We had talked with this lady about her husband, and she said that he was an Atheist. We decided to at least ask her if she thought it would be a good idea to introduce him to us. the next time we met with her after we decided to ask her, she came to us and told us that she wanted her husband to meet with us! What an answer to our prayers! When we met with him he said it was about time to meet with us and come to know God in his life. He had secretly began believing in God and wanted to know who he is. Never have we seen his wife so excited about the Gospel, it is a miracle to see what the Gospel does in our lives when we involve our families. The process is still slow, but they are both progressing very well. Love you all! Love, Elder Rex Hamblin