Letter 04/08/13

Dear Family,
This past week has been crazy! But it has been one full of miracles and blessings. We had exchanges, miracles, and a POUND of ice cream! Oh yeah, and GENERAL CONFERENCE! (Yeah, its kind of a big deal)!
I just hope you all enjoyed the best weekend of the year as much as I did. We had the chance to listen to a prophet of God, plus we found out that he is human, just like the rest of us. But, he has chosen to use his agency to follow more closely the Spirit, then I think, most of us do.

But, to start off, I will tell you of the Ice Cream. In Cascade Locks (a small town on the Oregon side of our area) there is a small hamburger joint called the "Eastwind", where the portions are MUCH more than the price. Apparently there is a tradition in this district that everyone HAS to have a large cone from afretomentioned joint. The cone is 1 lb. of ice cream. I don't really feel inclined to eat much ice cream for a couple of weeks...it was fun though. Elders Rothwell, Burk, and myself all did it. Elder Heldt has already achieved said feat, and was disinclined to do it again.

While we were eating our mountainous ice cream, we called one of our investigators, Shirley. We have been teaching her for awhile, and we both thought it necessary for an "intermission".

Rewind to Sunday. We, (Elder Rothwell and I) decided to have our fast be for her. We knew she needed all the help (both physically and spiritually) she could get. She has expressed her desires to be baptized, but said she DOES NOT want to quit coffee. We have prayed, and now fasted, for Shirley to have the desire to quit.

FASTING WORKS, PRAYER WORKS! not only did she say she had quit coffee, but she had read 10 chapters in the Book of Mormon. Miracles are evident everywhere.

Anyway, I am being split from Elder Rothwell. He has been a great companion. I am staying here in White Salmon and Stevenson until further notice. I LOVE IT HERE! :)

I love you all,
Love, Elder Rex Hamblin

P.S. Thank you for all the packages. They are very much appreciated and needed. They let me know how much you all care. Thank-you! But, if you send any more packages PLEASE no more candy. As much as I LOVE it, it is starting to really pile up and we are giving most of it away. I REALLY appreciate the love though. YOU ARE THE BEST!