December 24th, 2012

A picture of a mama pig in the mud. She is pregnant and ready to deliver in March I think so what a bummer I won’t be there for that! Oh well.

We went back to the pet shop and I got to hold some more creepy crawlies.

                     1st we started off with the Scorpion ranging at around 5 inches long.  The scorpion liked to crawl all over my arms and got dangerously close to my face. (NOTE: stinger still intact)

2nd we have the baby Tarantula.

(NOTE: When this guy grows up, his bite will paralyze his victims and could very well put me into a comma.)

Very colorful as a baby this guy was cute and quite fuzzy which is a very interesting feeling on your hand!

I like the first picture cause it’s got the spider and then my name tag in the background. Cool stuff.

Okay so here are some pictures of Machetes that you might like.  Just tell me what you think.

I love ALL these machetes.  -Signed Dad

***

Hey Everybody!!!!
     Wow what a quick week it has been. Here are some head lights for this last week:
  Christmas party at the mission home was great. We did a skit that involved me and my zone in Christmas colored shirts singing the song from Alvin and the Chipmunks :Please Christmas Don't Be Late. I liked it and it worked out alright. I have my good buddy Elder Fry take a video so we can watch that when I get home... don't worry. Anyways, that's life in the Philippines. We are celebrating Christmas Eve by eating at ChickBoys and having Rice and Chicken Breasts for lunch. YA! Hey it was better than Thanksgiving. I am sorry to admit but I do have a letter I want to send off to you all. Unfortunately every post office is closed and I should have planned ahead but hey you can all suck it up and get your letter a little late. Just know it is soon to be in the mail on its way to you so be happy and feel the love. Other than that, the work is going great. We have Sister Trinidad getting ready for Baptism in January along with two other investigators but to tell you the truth, one investigator we found drunk yesterday and the other didn't come to church sooooooo their dates will undoubtedly be pushed back a few weeks. Other than that, I can't stop looking at the package you guys sent me. "Killing me softly Killing me softly...." Can't wait till Christmas. Now for your email to me:
   
        Dear Dane,
   You are looking good dude! I bet the ladies are crawling all over you when you're holding that Baritone. (I know they were all over me and I was just playing an old Trombone!) JK I love ya Dane, I want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too and a HAPPY NEW YEAR cause ya know 2013 is just around the corner! I think you will like the letter I am going to send off to you all. There's some Noble Love in there for you! Sorry your Ice skating rink didn't turn out like you planned. Oh well there's always next year! Have a Merry Christmas Love Elder Hamblin
    
        Dear Shay,
   Dang you, You are getting skinny and lean. I wish that would've happened to me my freshman year. I blame video games and TV for a large part of my rapid weight gain especially before entering the MTC. But you will be surprised when I come back. Me and my comp like to work out in the mornings and I am up to 20 pushups now so WATCH OUT MISTER! Haha! :D We will definitely have some fun times working out and getting buff. I want to take a Picture of you me and Dane flexing and then post it on Face book as "100% HAMBLIN BEEF!" That sounds pretty funny to me! Well Skype ya soon!
    LOVE, well.....
             you know who!
     
      Dear Devree,
   Your Movie was Finding Nemo. Its a good one. I just think of Alice in Wonderland when I watch it and I never really enjoyed either. I don't know. Finding Nemo has funny jokes and Alice in Wonderland has the cat. Both are good. Here's my movie:
     "Your entrails will be come your ex trails! I will...PAIN! LOTS OF PAIN!!!"
     "A man can change his stars!"
     "The force of the last blow has bent the helmet to my head."
     "Green, a sort of tan green, with wooden toggles..."
It's one of my favorites. I hope you get it if not....."It's called a lance....HELLO!!!!!!!"
     I am excited to be back but what’s this buisness about going to St. Judes! Is that when I get back exactly? I don't know. As long as I get to see ya when I get home. That's what's most important. I miss my little sister. Don't want anything bad to happen to you. I know you’re safe. I miss you all the same though. I know you will all take good care of me when I get back! We are going to do EVERYTHING........TWICE!!!!!! Love ya. Elder Hambz

     Dear Mom,
         Thanks again for the quick chat. Sorry you really had to stay up for that one! I will try to be there and Skypeing by 8am so I don't keep you guys up. Man, it is going to be hard to adjust to that when I get home. ANYWAYS, I am very excited to Skype you all and talk about the mission and Christmas and stuff. There is so many stories and things to share! GOSH! I can't wait! Of course you all have to remind me along with my companion that I only have 1 month left. GOSH! Thanks a lot guys. The pressure is really on. I am trying to get everything ready to go so that I don't freak out like Elder Galang did his last week. Despite my preparation, I still feel there will be things I have to finish and I still will be stressed that last week like all missionaries are. I just don't want to let anybody down ya know? I like making people happy. I don't want to let you or Dad or my siblings down. I don't want to let my investigators down I don't want to let God down. I have to be Noble. I can't let myself down! A lot of hopes and dreams have been made real on the mission. I just hope I can get one more person into the waters of baptism before I get kicked out of the mission. I love being a missionary Mom. It's the best calling in the WORLD. It's a calling everyone has. I just won't be able to fulfill my calling as a missionary full time when I go home. I'll still be a member missionary though. Me and the missionaries will be good friends unlike how I was before I entered the MTC where they came they ate our food and shared a thought and then left. I want to help them out more. Anyways I can't wait to Skype! Love your son who can't wait to Skype!

      Dear Dad,
   I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO SKYPE YA ALL! The time is drawing near and I just want to make sure it all works out alright!
        Hey about the storm, Nothing really bad happened here. We were in the middle of a lesson when all of the sudden it started dumping rain on the tin roof of the house. The rain came down so hard it made such a racket on the tin roof that we couldn't even hear ourselves think so we just waited for a minute or two and sure enough, the rain passed on and we continued our lesson. This whole week we haven't really seen the sun. It comes out in patches and then just dark clouds all day. I have no problem with that cause that means that I don't have to walk in the heat. No problem with me!
     THE HOBBIT PART 1!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am excited. I was excited now I'm REALLY excited! No doubt some of the RM missionaries are going to be emailing me about that soon. Can't wait to go home and see that on our TV! Anyways, so ya the snow man looked AWESOME!! I liked it! They did great with the 1and1/2inches they had to work with. 
           I also have some bad news. I think my SD card has an auto run virus on it. SO That means I have to buy a DVD to back up my pictures videos again and maybe wipe her clean once again just to make sure it's gone. I hate having to do that. Well, I only have to endure a little longer and then I won't have to worry about pluging it into every nasty computer in the Philippines. The trials of a nerd in the Philippines. Love ya Dad, Love Elder Hamblin

***

                               
                   Like I have always said, when you come to the Philippines you must be prepared to throw safety out the Jeepney window. As long as you aren't bleeding yet it’s okay. Some people would say I'm crazy for holding such things in my hands. To tell you the truth I would agree with those people. But I do it because I can and I seize the opportunity when I see one. I am a different person for sure! I am not the chubby boy who hopped on the airplane two years ago. I'm different. Different but better. We'll talk more on Skype! Love ya enjoy the pics! Love Elder Hamblin!

December 17th, 2012 -Elder Ballentos

Noble gets to hold a spider. He doesn't look too thrilled!

Noble with Robin Caronan before his Baptism.

The family who probably owns the pet store.

The spider from the pet store.

Elder Ballentos is happy about holding the spider, unlike Elder Hamblin.

This tarantula that couldn't come out of his cage because he bites.

HEEEEEEEEEEY Sexy Lady! U U U U EH EH EH EH EH EH!......UPUGANDUM STYLE!
   I swear I am going to kill the man who wrote that song. At the same time, it grows on me day to day as I hear it EVERYWHERE!

           How you all DOING!? I am SOOOOO Sorry that my email was short last time but we had to go to a farewell party for Elder Galang which of course everyone was late to naturally. I am excited for my family. Christmas is close and we need to talk about skype-ing. So I was thinking Either Christmas Day here or the day after Christmas here. How does that sound. Maybe you should all just be on stand by have the computer ready for whenever I hop on line. Who's up right now? If anyone is up talk to me.

***

Kay so I'll explain those pictures in a bit.
        Skype if you've don't have any preferences I would like it Christmas day or the day after here in the Philippines. I will just hop online and you find my name. It's the same as last time. nobletheohamblin I think. SO just stick with what we did with last time. I will email you when I'm at a computer and ready to go. I love you all and I can't WAIT to skype you all to DEATH!
         My new companion is AMAZING! His name is Elder Ballentos and he is guapo just like Elder Galang. He is ALWAYS SMILING and that helps me smile too. He is determined to make my last cycle the best. I am going to miss him dearly. I hope that I can keep in contact with him through Facebook AFTER his mission. He's just awesome!
       Dear Mom,
           The Baptism went great! Robin Caronan was baptized. (He's the one on the right of me in that VERY bright picture! I hope to be able to keep in contact with him as well. He is an awesome guy. He is 15 years old already wants to serve a mission and he's preparing for it with a trikey job and selling corn and ice cream. He is a hard worker and already is excited to receive the priesthood and pass the sacrament with his awesome friends. I love this guy! He's my hero. He's now the only member of his family but he's got a lot of support. A lot of RM's in his area where he lives. He'll be just fine!
           SO WAIT! HOLD THE PHONE! Jason Wheeler is getting married to Riley Fraser on December 28th!?!?!?!? What a match! I'm bummed I'll miss that wedding. I would totally be someones best man!(Editors note:  They did not marry each other.)  Well if we did things like that in the church. Anyways, I am STOKED to know that I have 50 extra dollars to blow which technically means I AM LOADED! WHOOO! PLUS I checked my balance on my credit card the church gives us to budget our money. I have been withdrawing 100 pesos less than the actual amount that they put in each time. I haven't had too many problems but when I checked my balance, guess what? The collected amount of extra 100 pesos added up and now I have an extra 5,000 pesos in my account. Plus the 50 dollars which translates into 2,150 pesos. Ya the Package may happen. I am LOADED PALA! Now I've got how many day's Devree, to blow 7,150 pesos? Every P-Day is precious right now and there is NEVER enough time to do every thing but we are definitely putting my Personal Management Merit Badge skills to the test. Pray that I won't chop of my head please Mom!
       Mom, I am so sorry about what happened to that nice lady you were visiting teaching. I wasn't able to respond well last time but know that I feel for you. I have some stories to tell and some when I get home and not all are about spiritual experiences and funny things I've eaten. Some of my stories are about the heart ache I've seen here. Due to selfishness. A lot of people tend to suffer. Know that I am here for ya Mom. It sounds like you are recovering well so I don't mean to get your spirits down and make you sad but I know about the loss and I understand it better because of my mission. Know that I love you and miss you and pray for you all everyday. Love Elder Hamblin
        Dear Devree,
            I'm gonna be straight up with you your day sounded like it sucked but at least you'll be home for Christmas. You are getting more and more independent everyday and I know Mom and Dad love seeing that! I do too, but it kinda scares me as well. Don't grow up too fast now!!!! Your movie was MATILDA! That is our kinda movie. I miss it! You and me are definitely going to play this game when I get home! Here's my quote:
     "They can sing they can dance after all miss this is France and the dinner here is never second best!"
      "In a town where only she, is as beautiful as me."
      "You over sized pocket watch!" 
   I miss ya Devree and we are going to have some good times when I get back. You, me the kindle fire. HA! I miss ya little sis. I liked your narration of your horrible start to your wonderful Christmas. At least the car didn't break down! That would STINK!
 Love,
    Elder Hamblin
 Dear Shay,
        I think I should come home for Christmas don't you? Don't worry I will definitely make it for Valentines Day! So save a kiss for me will ya? MWAAAAAH! Love ya bro!
   P.S. I can't nap. It's not a part of my DNA bro! We are gonna have fun while all the old people nap hows that sound? Even if I have to eat a pound of sugar to stay awake from the Jet Lag I'll do it dude! You watch! You should be more careful with ornaments that have a lot of sentimental value. People will like you more! Hey Shay, hows your girlfriend in Seminary doing? You may wonder how I know so much that's a secret that you will figure out during our skype session! See ya (literally) then! Love Elder Hamblin
    Dear Dane,
        Sorry your Basketball team stinks. At least your name is alright ish! Whats with Old people napping? Dane I hope you have a very merry Christmas. You Deserve it! I hope you like the picture of the spider on my hand. It was pretty big. Elder Ballentos is the bomb and is way more manly than I am! He got that guy close to his face! I liked the spider even though I almost pooped my pants when the owner put it on my hand! He was hairy and large. But friendly and kinda just chilled on my hand there enjoying the view. The owner of the shop said he has a bigger one that is super nice as well. I'll send pictures of that next P-Day hopefully! Love ya Dane. Love Elder Hamblin
        Dear Dad,
               SO POPS ABOUT THE PICTURES! SO the animal ones are from Sunday night. We went to a pet store that is owned by a member and President Munoz said a prayer for their shop to be safe and successful. It was a great opportunity to have a party apparently. We ate well. I talked with the sister there and her husband was the one who helped me over come the fear and hold the whopping quarter sized spider. I am such a man! I almost pee'd my pants just having it sit on my hand. He had a tarantula there also but he bites so he stayed in the cage for his close up picture. I hope to send more cool pics to show my brothers how manly I was! I laugh at the crazy stuff I am down with now that I have self esteem and confidence. Missionaries are the coolest people on the earth cause we do awesome stuff everyday to help others come unto Christ. BEST JOB EVER!!! I am stressed like crazy and my back hurts. I am tired of going to bed at 11pm almost every night and I hate the heat in December but at the same time, I am enjoying every second of it. Every time I look at my watch now it ticks back at me telling me the bomb is about to blow I only got a little time left and it is definitely my time to shine pops! I'm loving it every second!
           You guys keep planning the most awesome week known to mankind so when I get home we can party hardy! I love you all and I have NEVER doubted that you don't all love me as well. I just let you know that I love you each letter so you know I haven't completely forgotten my family during my time here in the Philippines. Love ya Dad now and para sa walang hanggang! Mahal Kita Tatay. Ingat ka! Don't forget, Ang simbahan ni Jesucristo ay totoo at walang ibang simbahan dito sa mundo na meron ang mga apostle at mga propeta at ang paghahayag at ang Priesthood katulad ng simbahan ni Jesucristo ng Mga Banal Sa Huling Araw! Mahal Kita Tatay. Love
       Elder Hamblin
  Philippines Cauayan Mission

***

Pictures:
    Spider Pics done
     Robins Baptism done
     any questions.....? No? well then take care Elder Hamblin

 

Mission President Carlos' email

Dear Elder and Sister Hamblin,

 

I’ve been meaning to write to you for some time and express to you my love for your son. He has served faithfully for quite a few months as a zone leader. In this assignment he oversees the districts in his zone and is an important member of our mission’s zone leader council. This body of faithful missionaries sets the pace for the mission. They lead and guide the rest of our corps by their example and dedication to the work. 

 

The Zone Leaders in our mission is the Master Teachers and help the district leaders under them become awesome leaders. In addition, he helps teach and train the missionaries within his zone.

It has been a pleasure for me to work closely with your son in this assignment. His leadership skills have been stretched and he has developed many attributes that will stay with him throughout his life. I am very proud of him.

Thank you for preparing such a fine young man!

Sincerely,
President Rudy A. Carlos
Philippines Cauayan Mission

 

December 9, 2012

Thanks Shay for the extra stuff! I am so sorry but the stupid Branch is putting on an FHE for Elder Galang at 4pm. It's 4pm and they texted us at 3:45pm that we just HAVE to come. Which, in short means that I will not be able to send a large letter to you all today. BUT fear not! For I am going to type till they shut off my computer! I love you all and wish you all the best!
Dear Devree,
Bill and Ted
"he's still, JUICY!"
guess that! Love you 38 DAYS LESS! WHOOO!

Dear Shay,
MWHAAAAAAAAH! I love you and you are sexy without your shirt on. Don't let the girls get to you. Love your big bro. Elder Hamblin

Dear Dane,
Work out more. You can work out with me and Shay when I get home. I'll help you do Push ups army style and then, you will look like an Underwear model like Shay. Love ELder Hambz

Dear Mom,
Pray for Robin, He's going to be baptized next Saturday. Pray he's on time and doesn't get tempted too much. Pray that Tatay Torrez and Ranie Uy come to church Love Elder Hamblin.

Dear Dad,
Pray for me to finish strong. I have to admit I am A noble not a saint. I am trying to be good and to finish strong. Pray that I will not loose desire. I love you Elder Hambz

Sorry I can't write more right now. If we come back to the internet shop it will be a miracle. Love Elder Hamblin

P.S. Pictures next time!
P.S.S. MWHAAAAAAAAH! Love you!

December 6th Tremendous News!

Okay everyone listen up I got a text from President Carlos today. Due to the influx of new missionaries entering the field President has to do something about all the noobs coming in. So, He gave me and my batch a choice it was either to go home on March 27th or on January 23rd.Both Elder Oliver and Elder Huffstuttler asked their families both said it just makes more sense to go home early in January to earn money get ready for school. I still wanted to finish my two years like I planned. But once I started thinking about it and such I realized it just makes since to go home a bit early.
        By the time I started going to the January side I get a text from President that says that yes we are going home on January 23rd cause if my whole batch goes home on that day the set of new missionaries and the set of departing missionaries equals out exactly and therefore making Presidents job way easier. SO that's the news guys. I'm coming home on January 23rd whether I like it or not. (I choose to love it)

       

December 2, 2012

We got me and Elder Galang eating bananas. I got the twin banana again. They are the most delicious in my opinion.
We got the Frog butts and legs for lunch. That was delicious. Tastes like chicken.
And the Chicken feet and fried Chicken. I really don't understand why they like to eat the Chicken feet. It's all just skin to me. I ate it though and pretended to like it! Yummmmm!
We set a different kind of record the other day. We did not plan a single lunch or dinner appointment. Yet, we ended up with 4 lunches and 2 dinners by the end of the day! I was Stuffed! The members here just love to feed you till you want to barf! They are so nice!
Love ya!!!!

On Mon, Dec 3, 2012 at 4:23 PM, Noble Hamblin <noble.hamblin@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Dear Hamblin Family,
I GOT THE PACKAGE!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! BUT, (and there is always a big butt) everything in my package is WRAPPED! BAGH! With "don't open till Christmas" written all over the place! BAGHHGHGH! It's killing me softly, yet I am determined NOT to open the presents until Christmas. Hey, speaking of Christmas we should skype not before but AFTER Christmas. How does that sound? We'll see how things play out and what my choices are but I am thinking early in the morning. Maybe on my birthday I don't know. We'll see. I may have to go to Cauayan to Skype but the money to travel there is worth it!
But Elder Galang opened his stuff and he loves the tie and the little gun. He wants to give the Paddle ball to his siblings when He goes home! He is such a great person! We loved the gum and the pencils and such. I guess I'll let you know how much I love the other presents when we skype! (If you can't tell, I'm very interested and excited to skype my family. It will be the last time I get to skype ya all! (on the mission of course!)
Now for your questions:

Dear Mom,
I sent you all some pictures as well. I hope you like the Mele Kalikimaka and the other pictures of the SOCK! YA and my package! LOVE IT! I proudly hang the sock on some random hook in our house right now!
We had a great Christmas devotional yesterday. I was called to come sing for a different Zones Christmas Devotional and I guess I will sing again on the 16th at our devotional in ROXAS! YA! I sang the bass part of a quartet. Same people Sister and Elder Shaner and Sister Carlos. They are SOOOO musically talented! Sister Carlos and Sister Shaner play the piano and sing beautiful and Elder Shaner can blay the Violin! (He sings great Tenor too!) I was happy enough to be their bass for like 5 or so pieces of music. Jingle bells, Here we come a wassaling, some crazy song called wake, and different arrangement of "Angels we have heard on high". You would have loved it mom!
I look forward to reading the letter. I guess I don't cause President Carlos too many problems so he must like me! Haha! He's my best friend! The investigators are doing alright! I am busy trying to get Robin ready for Baptism. I hope to be able to have him ready to go by Dec. 15th for baptism. Pray that he reads his Book of Mormon more and that he follows through with the Word of Wisdom commitments and that he doesn't date too many Chicks! We are blessing so many members there cause everytime we teach him like 4 members randomly show up and sit in on the lesson. They know it's true and we're here to help them live it and show others they know it is true! The Tatay who was having problems really does know and understand Tagalog apparently. He's just shy. Pray that we won't be shy and that he will come to church and get A lot more friends at church. Same with Sister Trinidad. Pray she will keep coming to church and get LOTS of friends so she will keep coming to church.
Love ya MOM!

Dear Devree,
DON'T BE A BELLA! She is a druggy though right? Alice does make the show though! Whether I want to or not, Twilight will most definitely be a part of the movie marathon when I get home. No doubt about that!
I GOT THE LETTER! YOUR LETTER! And I hope that you are happy! GOSH made me so trunky! I tell you more about the circumstances I was under when I received your letter. I got a letter from you, a package a letter from Kolten and a letter from Aunt Dawnan all in one shot! It's like all of the sudden people remembered I was still alive when my going home date got closer! CRAZY!!!!!
You had a cool week! Daniel seems nice. The August Rush party sounded sweet! I wish I could have been there! Squished in the car with you! I hope all is well with you! All is relativly well with me. My comp got done super fast with his email which means I got to hurry or he'll get bored and read over my shoulder, which is weird!
Look for your return letter in the mail. I'm just sending it home so it will be there for you at Christmas!
Your movie was BUBBLE BOY! THAT is a very bastos movie now that I think about it!
Here's my movie:
"Tiffany wants an engagement ring and for her boyfriend to stop dragging his feet and commit already!"
"Where'd you get the tree? Buddy cut it down in the park!"
"Santa Claus is coming.....TO TOWN!!!"
"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"
"It tastes like a crappy cup of coffee". " It is a crappy cup of coffee." " No, its the worlds BEST coffee!!"
"SAY IT! JUST SAY!!! YOU'RE AN ELF!!!" guess that! Love ya Devs! Elder Hamblin

Dear Shay,
That sounds like some NEVADA WIND! I miss it sometimes. We get a little breeze and I always think, "MAN, I miss Nevada Wind. That is some strong stuff!" I'm glad you got the tree all set up! Along with the lights. The house must look great this time of year!
Don't worry Shay, I'll tell you all about the gift you sent me when I unwrap it on Christmas unless you want me to unwrap it before Christmas? Anyways, I miss you like crazy bro. You make sure Dane has a great Christmas for me will ya. I will try to make your Christmas special through the Skype and such. Love ya! Elder Hambz

Dear Dane,
Isn't that the pits when Mom, cuts your letter short! Love ya bro! I miss you too! I hope you watch, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" like at least 50 times this Christmas for me ok!? I miss you and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love ya!
Elder Hamblin

Dear Dad,
So ya, My pops is still a kid at heart. Thats good. I saw the craziest thing in the Liahona the other day! There is a picture of Bishop Huesser in the new Liahona! The one with a the Arizona Temple on the front I think! That was great to see that! I miss Bishop. It's the picture where they are all riding their bikes like they do! I miss you all and I miss riding bikes. I miss a lot of things. Like milk. and pizza. REAL pizza. Ya and of course you guys and Christmas and Christmas with you guys! That's always a bummer. BUt I promise this is the last time I will miss a Christmas with you all. Next one I should be there for SURE! I envy Devree a bit. She's away from home but can email and call you anytime! Lucky dog!
Dad, I am NOT looking forward to going back to the Singles branch. Can't I just fit in with like the Elders Quorum in Dayton or something? I'm dreading the whole process. Ugh, I know they need normal people there. The normal people help the other normal stay sane.
Dad, listen up! I didn't bring my Social Security Card with me to the Philippines but it is in the Drawer on the left of the main home computer. I need someone to email me the number on it so that I can start making an account. You see there is this thing called besmart.com and Elder Huffstuttler was showing me how it works the other day. You just sign up and it guides you through on how you apply for any church school. I want to apply to BYU Provo and BYUI and just see which one I can get into. If I get into Provo that's great but if I don't, I have no problem with BYU Idaho. I've got a lot of friends there. I just want to get things started and make an account so if you think its safe you can email me the social security number next time. The other thing is I don't know if I should just jump right in. If I get accepted and go in April then I just catch my breath and then keep going! I don't even know If I have enough money for tuition! SO, just bear with my here I am doing it one step at a time. I love you pops and I want to hear all about the epic battles when Christmas rolls around! Mom's gonna destroy you all if you get any bullets in her Lasagna!
Love, Elder Hambz

November 25, 2012 Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, Hamblin Famliy!!!!
  I hope you know I missed you all and your Thanksgiving FEAST! GOSH!  (they are playing the freakin sexy lady song right now as I sit in the computer shop. I'm gonna hurt someone.) This has been a fantastic week for me. We don't have any money to buy a turkey. I don't even know where I'd find one. I had a merienda on Thanksgiving. They had real peanut butter on bread! (no jelly but that's normal here.) We had a hamburger for Thanksgiving at a restaurant called Jolliebees that tasted interesting. I didn't have a great Thanksgiving. I have high hopes that our Christmas will be much better. Elder Galang will be home for Christmas. I on the other hand will not be. I sometimes wish I could trade spots with him. He wishes he could trade spots with me and stay in the mission for another couple of months.
       I am very, excited to see that Shay killed that Turkey in one chop. What a manly man! I'm proud of ya! I loved Danes picture of him holding up the turkey feet and saying I'm a T-Rex! I miss my family's sense of humor and AMERICA'S sense of humor. (We are WAY funnier than the Philippines in my opinion.) I will be honest with you all that I did know about Pitch Perfect and Hotel Transylvania before you wrote me about it! It's kind of a funny story. I'm in the palanky market buying what I got to buy to survive. Eggs. One tray. We buy a ridiculous amount of eggs and the lady like normal wraps it up in a news paper and ties it up for me to carry home. Just like normal...I get home unpack the stuff. As I unwrap the eggs I unfold a corner and I see a picture of a little vampire girl with a smile and naturally the animation looks normal like its from America. I begin to read that Hotel Transylvania had just come out and was a number one hit for families and I knew that Adam Sandlar played the voice of Dracula that's it. I also saw an ad for Pitch Perfect and I almost pee'd my pants laughing when I read, "Get ready to get Pitch Slapped!" HA! I am not trunky I just stumbled upon that piece of newspaper by accident. I miss movies. A lot. Members are all talking about Twilight part 2 and I knew Devree would be all, THIS IS THE BEST ONE YET! Cause she's in love with Jacob and Edward like Bella is. I keep my ear out for news and I catch a couple of things. You have no idea how hard it is for me not to hop on Youtube right now and see the trailer. It's like I'm getting clean from using drugs and I'm having youtube withdrawals right now. That and Mario. I just love Mario. I can hear the music in my head. AHHAHAHAHAHHAAHHH! I know you will all take care of me when I get home. I know you will feed me tons of food and love me and laugh and play cards with me cause you're my family and you love me. I miss you all. I wish I could be there for Christmas SOOOOO BAD! But I can't and I can't do anything about it so Shay you're gonna have to suck it up! Dane don't cry. I almost cried when I saw the Missionary bear sitting at the table ready to eat the turkey for me. I miss eating as a family. I guess I've always been a family man you know? I like being with my family and doing fun things with you all. You know I will be ready and willing to do just about whatever you all want to do when I get home! I miss you all and wish you a happy thanksgiving. Give my lovins to the Evans as well. Madsen is HUGE! I saw the pics on the blog! Well, that was a long introduction but now I guess I will answer your questions.
            
           Dear Dane,
         You are super cute with your T-Rex hands and you make me laugh with your different sense of humor. You are the light in the family. I always have to listen to what Dane has to say cause every now and then you say something that is SUPER funny and get everyone laughing and talking. No wonder the world loves you and your personality. I am thankful for Dane and for all that you do for me. Thanks for everything Dane, Love Elder Hamblin
  
        Dear Shay,
     No package yet. I didn't even know you guys had sent one yet! I am very excited for my gift this Christmas. I hope that all goes well with you and Dane earning money for the things you both want. You two are really lucky to have parents who love you and love what you do. Be grateful that Mom keeps you on task and Dad supports your righteous decisions. There are a lot of members here who are the only members of the church in their whole family and that is really hard. SO, be grateful for that. I'm grateful I was born in a country that other people wish to go to. That's a definite plus. Love you bro and have a very Merry Christmas! Love Elder Hamblin P.S. I can hear the Christmas music already and the town hall already has lights on it to make sure you get our house decorated and fast! love ya!
     
      Dear Devree,
    Your movie was Galaxy Quest I love that movie. I love the quote you chose as well. The super nerdy guy trying to explain to his parent about a spaceship falling into earth atmosphere at mach 15 which is indeed very unstable. Love that movie. I love you! I miss you as well. I am glad you and Laura got back to Dayton safe and sound and hopefully there will be no more car troubles on the way back to Idaho! I really wish I could be there to drive you both back. I don't know a ton about cars but I know a bit! I just wish I could help that's all.
   Your Thanksgiving sounded awesome. I wish I could have gone and seen Pitch Perfect with you. I miss going to movies with my family along with eating with you all. I know Dad and Mom are going to be ready to fatten me up when I get home! Don't laugh too hard at me if I can't eat it without rice. Or if I have to use a fork and a spoon. I'll try to be an American again. It's hard, okay!?
    Okay, my turn this is getting harder and harder just to let you know! Here we go:
  "Twins, in a bunk bed!"
  "I don't care if its been said I love scarin kids in bed!"
  "We scare because we care!"
  "Oh googely bear!"
  "You and me, me and you, both of us together!!!!" 
 Try that on for size! I can't wait to see these new movies just to let you know!
      Love,
    Elder Hamblin
P.S. Their is a Iron Man 3 out apparently. That definitely made me trunky.   :D   

         Dear Mom,
    I loved how you explained in full detail on the blog and in you letter exactly what you ate. I almost got full just reading it. NOT! I miss Mama's cookin. FOR SURE! I know you'll take good care of me when I get back though so that's no problem. You know I remember saying that those things can just wait. What If they can't!? President told us in the letter/email thing that there could be a possibility with the new missionaries coming in and all that I could be going home a week or 2 early so that would be weird. He'll let us know for sure if it's so but if not that's fine. Either way I hope to finish 2 years. I don't know.  We'll see. The time is far spent and there is little remaining. HA! Did you get a hold of my grades yet? She emailed me back and said all was good. Well I hope you were able to get the grades and all. I'm sorry Grandma is still losing it. I'll pray for her and Grandpa.
      Well, Manny has found the woman of his dreams. I have sent a ton of letters to him that he just hasn't got yet. He probably thinks I hate him and his package. I wish I could just talk to him face to face! But that will have to wait. Tell him I love him for me will ya? I want to meet his girlfriend too! She seems nice.
         I have to talk at a funeral later on at 5pm today. I don't even know who died really but they want me to talk, so I will talk. Being a missionary means the ward can volunteer you to do whatever they want you to do without your permission here, in the glorious Philippines. Sweet right? As you can tell I'm not excited for this but it gives me another opportunity to preach the gospel to a large mixed audience of members, family members and drunk/gambling people tonight. It should be fun. Well, have a great day Mom. Love, Elder Hamblin

         Dear Dad,
     The Turkey feet in the backyard tree sound great.  I praise you for presenting them proudly. (I would have hung them above the front door if I were you but the tree is good too!) I would have loved to have been there for the whole Thanksgiving Festivities. I think that Shay is super lucky to be the one to deliver the killing blow to your turkey. Lucky dog. I would of loved to be there to scare/chase Dane around the farm with a severed Turkey head! Ah, alas, I am here in the Philippines teaching people and helping them come unto Christ. I don't know. It's fun and all and when I am in the work I am really into the work and not thinking about home and stuff. I am really happy. But when I am washing clothes or trying to read the Book of Mormon in Tagalog and such I just think too much about you all. I miss a world that just makes sense you know?
     I can't wait to see all the movies you have written on the list. Whatever you do, don't send the list to me right now! I'm definitely excited for all the fun you have planned for me when I rejoin my family. When I'm back in the states. I should make a song:
        When I'm back in the states I won't wear holey socks
        I'll swim in Lake Tahoe and jump off the rocks
        I'll tell me sweet sister her smile looks grand
        And Tell me little brother that he needs a real tan
   Maybe it will be an old western or a country song. I'm still working on it. (I just made that up on the spot! :)
       I miss you all and wish you all the best.
   ENJOY the pictures of the Rats and the Eels one of our investigators found in his rice field! His dog brought the rats home and he caught the eels. They ate them for dinner that night. Nice. Maybe if I'm lucky they'll invite me over for dinner next time! Well I love you. Take care and remember to always be good examples to your friends!

              Love,
                                                 
              ELDER HAMBLIN

                                                         PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION

November 18th, 2012

These three are of Nanay Ulep in the back, Little Raymond, and my amazing comp Elder Galang on the path that leads to the Torres house in the bukid! Nice right!

Listen up breaking news: I FOUND BARKS ROOTBEER HERE! Of all places at a gas station they had it for sell! I enjoyed every drop. Elder Galang appericiated his as well.

A Carrabao up close and personal. He posed great for the picture! He could be a top model someday.

Elder Galang and this Carrabao just chillin on the side of the road.

Okay this is me being me at a very long lonely walk to our investigators in the bukid and Elder Galang in the back being Elder Galang. (note: He uses the Payong I left mine at home. Luckly it wasn't to hot!)

Okay, so we have the Tomatoes on my face. I really don't know why I wanted this one to be sent to you. I guess that my inspiration for this photo comes from a crazy lady in the palanky. She asked me if my face was itchy from all the pimples so i said sometimes when its hot. She asked me, "Do you want to know the secret to getting it the pimples to go away?" I'm like, "Lay it on me Lola!" She said I just need to get a ripe tomato and slice that baby up and lay the slices on my face. I would then be healed. So I'm thinking what the heck what to I have to loose? So I tried it out! 0 effects. But it makes for a great story.

I just like the wording the Mutant Coconut. Nice. didn't eat any of it!

Me and a monkey chained to a metal pole suspended between two trees. He was happy but at the same time liked to throw things at me. That's why I was a little nervous to get close or turn my back on him. "Baby monkey, Baby monkey, Riding on a pig baby monkey!"

There is a pig in that muddy picture. He's camouflaged in the mud. He's an undercover pig. Under mud that is.

And the last pic is just more pigs. These particular members have a ton of pigs in their yard. Like around fifteen in like one huge pin. Good stuff.

Wow, you all wrote a lot to me! I definitely feel the love! A lot has happened!
      Me and Elder Galang are still very hard at work trying to teach the gospel! I am just pooped every night! I try to get to bed at 10:30 so I don't feel like junk in the morning. I wrote in my journal, "Woke up today, surprise, but I feel like I was thrown in a sack and a used as a piñata for little Hispanic children." I try to do my work out in the morning but to tell you the truth, I can barely muster the strength to eat my toast and stare at the wall at 6:30 am! Blah, I'll be better. You don't need to hear my complaints. I leave that for another time.
     The work goes one. We had a wonderful District Conference for all the branches here in Roxas last Sunday. That was nice. Not too much to report on.
        We had a very frustrating lesson with a stubborn old man who told us that Joseph Smith could not see God or he would have died. (so says the Holy Bible) Despite the very clear accounts in the Bible like Acts 7:55-56 of people seeing God and Jesus Christ Tatay would not listen. That is one hard heart. Most missionaries would give up by now but not Elder Galang. He wants to help Tatay understand. -We will keep coming back till his heart softens and he starts to listen again and not just debate. GOSH! I was praying so hard during that lesson that I would yell or get angry or throw Tatay across his yard. I was blessed with an investigator like him so I could learn to rely on the Lord for PATIENCE and to rely on prayer and not just will power alone. I learn a lot while I teach others a lot!
      OK, who’s first on the list:
           
              Devree,
                  Gosh, nice blog. Nice countdown. HA! ;D I can't believe I'm rounding down to 100 days left to go! BAH! Scary stuff! Well my very trunky sister, I have something to tell you. You, attract, crazy, men. I had problems with Crazy women as well. Don't worry, just don't let them know your really personal info. They're crazy!
              Dear, Sister of mine, no letter yet. As you can obviously tell I am waiting ever so patiently. I'll let you know when I get it! I liked your pre-thanksgiving. Looked nice. You guys are gonna actually kill a turkey. Nice! I had to kill a chicken with Elder Oyardo in San Mariano. It’s a gruesome job, but someone has to do it! Turns out our brothers are still fraidy-cats when it comes to spiders!
            Your movie was AUGUST RUSH and it is one of my personal favorites! Can't get enough of good musical pie! SO, here's mine:
 "second star to the right and straight on till morning."
 "I had a pet hamster once. THAT’S NO MOTHER!!"
 ".....not to lay finger, or a hook on _______  ____!"   Guess that! Love, Elder Hamblin

        Dear Mom,
               Yes you are trunky. Yes I emailed Mrs. Sanborn and she emailed me back that it was fine now. She is happy to help. Can you believe that some kids these days don't want their parents involved with their college experience! I can! Kids these days!
               Sounds like Grandma and Grandpa are getting old like they should. I know I sound heartless right now but it’s a part of life Mom. Believe me, it’s gonna break my heart to see you two go at the right time but that’s the thing when is the right time? I don't know Mom, I would comfort you more but I think the Plan Of Salvation does a better job at comforting people than I do. God’s plan that he loves us and wants us to one day return to him is a wonderful plan. I don't know what I would do without it! It really is comforting that He is there and wants us to be happy in this life and to learn from our mistakes. Take comfort Mom, in the fact that your parents are sealed to you and have been faithful to their covenants all their lives. Grandma is a saint. Enough said. Don't stress yourself out over things we cannot control. That's a very important lesson I have a hard time grasping sometimes. Just love your parents that’s all they need Mom is the phone calls and the letters if they can read them. Love them Mom. Love them!
           As for Football and other manly things, you will be surprised to know that I am seeing the interesting things in football and have loved playing it on P-days with the elders. When it isn't serious and only two hand touch I love it! I am trying to relate with my fellow Elders so I won't be such a social outcast in college cause I like Adventure Time, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and reloading computers. I am going to attempt to keep my personality and fit in as best as I can. I make friends easily. So do my brothers despite their Lack of love for manly sports. Don't worry. You've taught us that it’s more important to smile and be a good friend than to fit in with the other dudes. I found people who like me for who I am so will they.
          Investigators are doing well. Nanay Uy is fine and her husband is getting over the skin disease on his face. Bro. Torres knows Tagalog apparently but was just shy to talk to me! GOSH TATAY! and The Mankokdoks are still not coming to church but they're mother a member faithfully comes each Sunday. Life goes on in the bukid. They plant and they harvest and they plant again. ALWAYS busy.
        I will send a 4th letter to Manny at the Address you gave me. I hope that it gets to him this time! Thanks for the address! Love ya,   Elder Hamblin
      
           Dear Shay,
                  Sorry, I'm gonna have to miss this Thanksgiving bro! I will be a little busy half way across the world. Ya know missionary stuff!
              You know Mom’s right, you aint fat. I saw the pictures. You are one lean mean lady killing machine my brother! I can see you right now singing at the top of your lungs, "I'm fat, I'm fat, you know it!" You can run with me in the mornings if you want. I don't want to be fat either!
               You are still a chicken when it comes to spiders I can smell your fear through the email! (Yea, I'm that good.) I haven't had the chance to kill any the size of my head lately but I'll definitely tell you when I do!
                Thanks for sending me a pretty big email. I feel the love. I can't wait to chill with you when I get home. You sound like you have grown like  a bunch like 1 year and 8 months worth since I've left. I bet you got a super deep voice now too! Gosh you stud!
              Did you know that I killed a chicken with my bare hands!? JK Elder Oyardo killed it with a dull kitchen knife. I just held its body as it squirmed and bled out onto the floor. Ya, I'm a cold blooded killer. Well kinda. I'm a cold blooded holder. yea. :D Tell me all about killing and plucking the feathers off the home grown turkey! I want all the details! I love you Shay. I won't see you for Thanksgiving but I will be there for you Virtually for Christmas through Skype! That's literally the best I can do for you bro. I love ya and miss you and I will do all that is in my power to never miss a Thanksgiving or a Christmas with you all again. (It's horrible) You better believe that I will be giving you an earful when you’re on your mission and are not coming home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I love you Shay, Stay in School, Don't do Drugs, Date at the right age, and Most important of all I want you to remember that YOU ARE NOT FAT! Love Elder Hamblin
    P.S. Yes I would believe Mom would post that on Facebook and if she knew how she would put the video on Facebook to. and maybe youtube. I know I would! te hee  :D
       
     Dear Dane,
          So you are doing better at the Math club class thing. That's great! You are such a little fraidy-cat! I bet that your BIG SPIDER was probably the size of an eraser on a pencil. I can now hold spiders in my hand without batting an eye lash bro. You better believe I am going to scare the bejibbes out of you! (note: I have no clue what a Bejibbes is but I'm gonna scare you, and they are gonna come out!)
          How's Madsen doing? You and him are going to faint probably when you see the Turkey guts spill on the floor! I laugh at how you get so squeamish sometimes. I remember when I was in my last area I was just about to sit down and do my job in the CR or Comfort Room which means bathroom here. Anyways, when I was just about to sit down I looked down  and see a centipede crawling in the toilet. YUCK! I lost all desire to use the bathroom until the end of the day. Scary stuff ya know!
          Well Dane, you take care and remember that I love you and I am praying for you and the whole family to be safe and sound and be good examples to all the members and your friends. Got to love praying every night. It's super important!
 Love ya Dane,
            Love,             Elder Hamblin
 
         Dear Dad,
     Life as a Stake Leader must be rough with all the traveling and such on Sundays. You probably come home beat and tired. I'm glad I have a Dad who is trusted with a calling like that. You are a great example of how to fulfill your calling. Don't stress yourself out to much with all the extra stuff you could be doing or stress that you are not fulfilling your calling completely. Once you start stressing that's when you become less effective and more irritable. It's like that for most of us. I've had to learn to let loose and let go of the fears and doubts and events that stress me out that I can't control right now. (Ex: Marriage, College, Career, Marriage.) Did I mention Marriage? JK
                   You are also a great example of how to do things right the first time! Most of the time! I miss sitting down and having talks with you Dad. You guys are so darn busy! I like that. It's way better than just sitting around waiting for things to happen. I know there are a lot of fun times to come and I look forward to that! I miss you all and I hope you enjoy all the pictures.
             These three are of Nanay Ulep in the back, Little Raymond, and my amazing comp Elder Galang on the path that leads to the Torres house in the bukid! Nice right!
          The 2nd picture I just like the wording the Mutant Coconut. Nice. didn't eat any of it!
    The 3rd picture is of me and a monkey chained to a metal pole suspended between two trees. He was happy but at the same time liked to throw things at me. That's why I was a little nervous to get close or turn my back on him. "Baby monkey, Baby monkey, Riding on a pig baby monkey!"
     There should be more so keep your eyes open. Love Elder Hamblin