Letter 1/21/13

Dear family,
Another week gone by in the life of a missionary. Many events have transpired over the past week and I am trying to catch up with everything that has happened. We have planned a baptism (without the help of the ward mission lead...he is sick), went on exchanges with the zone leaders and prepared for Elder Bergen's flight home. I just cannot believe that everything is flying by so quickly. It feels like I just got to the field yesterday.

As I have mentioned, our first priority was the baptism. I think I have told you just about everything there is to know about the woman we baptized. Her main concern, as it should be, was whether of not this was something that God wanted her to do. As I have studied, fasted and prayed for her to receive her answer I have learned much for myself. I think that we do many things in our life, good and bad, out of devotion to others. We justify all that we do by saying it is coming closer to God, but our desires show us otherwise. She did not want to do anything without professing to herself that this is what God would like her to do.

Once she knew where her true devotion lie, she put herself on date. All she needed was the convincing of herself. Her baptism was well attended by the members of the ward, but not by the people we would have liked to see there. Everything was wonderful. All else throughout the week was slow of missionary work but quick to pass.

I knew with Elder Bergen going home I would be receiving a new companion. I never thought that I too was going to be taken from this wonderful area of Milton-Freewater. I hope I have been able to leave it better than I found it because it has left me better that it found me. I have learned from the main experiences that I have been through here, whether they be good or bad. I have learned from the various types of people found here. I love them all!

As I may have mentioned previously, our mission is expected to increase from 190 missionaries to approximately 250. With the age change many of the will be much younger, thereby more "green" than they ever have. In anticipation for all the new missionaries, the MTC has lowered the time for all missionaries. Because they will not be as prepared in the lessons as they previously have been, we, as a mission have mastered the 42 basic principles found in Preach My Gospel.

President Greer has asked that we outline our studies and "unpack" the principles for the people we have been teaching. We find the main points, look for scriptures to back them up, and think of inspired questions to ask. Will we teach every point or use every scripture? No, but we will be much more prepared, for we will "treasure up the words of life".

I love you all!
Elder Rex Hamblin