Shay's Birthday 2011

***
It looks like there are no places to live among these Rice fields.



A different point of view.



The size of a snail. I wonder if they eat those in the Philippines.

Elder Hamblin is winning some a ping pong competition there as you can see on the blackboard.
He told us that later he did not win.

Noble with some local boys. This is their school uniform of white shirts and they just got out of school. They all want to put their thumbs up.

Now this picture is the "Dragon Ball Z" stance. Elder Hamblin said it is very popular still. His companion Elder Maxfield said he was more of a "Pokeman" fan himself when he was younger. Anime is very popular. When Noble was young I made him a Halloween costume like one of the Dragon Ball Z characters.

This just looks like some really scary construction? I don't think I would test the house on the cliff to stand if I went in. "The wise man built his house upon the rock."

This is Noble's district P-day excursion to the terraced rice fields. The local villagers maintain these steep fields.



This is the bridge they got dropped off at by riding on top of the Jeepneys. Noble said it was much cooler at the higher elevation of the terraced rice fields.

There really are mountains in the Philippines and here is a picture looking down at the terraced
rice fields.

Noble's dirty foot from wearing flip flops in the mud.

Noble looks happy and well and his Mom is very happy about that. Elder Hamblin's letters exude that he is enjoying the work, people and culture very much.

Elder Hamblin said they paid 10 pesos each for this picture and the guy was acting out as a head hunter in the days of cannibalism. Noble said this is not the traditional Fillipino dress. It looks like there is something funny going on.

Local dress with some local feathers in the hair for Elder Hamblin. Noble is about 5'9" and he towers over most of the locals. Could this be Elder Maxfield with Elder Hamblin?

More green lush rice fields.

The Elders on the top of the Jeepney I think.

Oh and one more story! When I was eating corn on the cob the other day, I was trying to put salt on it but unlike you fancy Americans we Philippinos don't have salt shakers. I attempted to pour it right out of the bag on to my corn thus getting way to much salt. ALTHOUGH Shay still has out done me again and got the salt into his eye while i just sulked about my oh so salty corn on the cob! I thought you all might like to know that! Oh and on a not so yummy note we were sad to witness the death of an oh so beloved dog whom I call Frank. He was run over right in front of Pres. House as we were waiting for them to cook us a yummy lunch. Frank was just sitting out in the road catching some rays and the car backed up right over him. The poor thing had no chance! So sad! Well time to go!


On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 8:43 PM, Noble Hamblin wrote:

Dear Mom,
Wow your little boys are growing up! Shay just turned 14, Dane won the watermelon eating contest and your oldest just hiked up a very slippery wet mouintain that had rice growing on it! Yes I finally got to go to Banaui and it was a blast! We got rides in Jeepneys all the way up there and they made us ride on the top! Then when we got there we went down a long path and that led us to a bridge. We crossed it and there they were, The Rice Terraces! You got to know that these terraces are extremley old and maticulously taken care off by the surrounding villagers. It was really cool and I took alot of pictures so hopefully I can email them to you soon. I had a great time and got a little sunburned so tommorow is going to be kinda miserable. Sore and tired I must keep moving and keep working but it was worth it all!
Don't worry Mom you don't make me too homesick with your emails. Skyla Locey Meagan Spencer Teara Uncle Ky your awesome for writing last Sunday. Kolten writes me letters and I write back! It's good to know you care about me also! Thanks for the kind thoughts. Love Ya, Elder Hamblin
Dear Devree,
Thanks for the thought! I think it will help me get through the rough times! Thanks for everything you have written me here on the mission. Even though we are on opposite sides of the globe I can still feel your love though the emails. Thank you for everything! I know your movie! It was Tangled. Here's mine, "Ring my door bell, No my doorbell! No mine! Come on! It's shiny yes! Yes! Yes oh yes! Thats 12 to 8 thats not fair!" "Who stole the time machine? The guy in the bowler hat!" Try that one on for size! Well remember what I was saying about the CDs next email I will give you the details on which ones I want. ALL I have right now are Christmas songs and it is driving my companion and me insane! So next Email Heads up I've got a favor to ask you!
Oh and by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY From the Fuuuuture! I got you a souvinere today so I guess that counts as a present! Anyways I LOOOOOOOOOVE you! Stay strong and break your old records every day and week!
Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Dad,
You have been one busy Tatay! "My eyes are dim I cannot see I haven't brought my specks with me!" You had to deal with all those boys and they are all still alive and healthy! You can sleep well knowing you have done a job well done and you are going to be blessed for it and so will the ones you serve and the ones who see you serve. Never underestimate the amount of impact you have on the world. It's bigger than you think!
Just last week me and Elder Maxfield were walking through our little town of Villaverde and a couple said "Hi" to us. I thought they were nice people until I realized that I knew that couple. Me and Elder Bates had taught them Weeks ago and then they fell off the map and we couldn't find them. Immedietly the name popped into my head as if someone else had wrote the name on a chalkboard. Jerry and Jemma I called out to them and they said Ano? I said "Pwede po kami magbahagi ang mensae tunkol kay Jesucristo sa inyo?" They accepted the invitation and they said they will pray about Joseph Smith to see if he truly was a true prophet! Things are going great and I think they will truly go far in this gospel because God gave me and them a 2nd chance. If I hadn't been there they would have just passed on by and not even talked to Elder Maxfield because they didn't know him! I know I am here for a reason and that I have a lot to do here! I know that God has a plan for me and he knows my name and cares for me personally. I know he loves me and every time I tract in the rain, or mess up my Tagalog, or wake up feeling like someone beat me with a baseball bat, that it's all for my good and it makes me stronger and more reselient to other trials that are soon to come that without the proper training I would have failed at miserably! I have seen proof of this time and time again! SO thanks for the spiritual thoughts and Love in every email!
Mahal Kita Tatay ko! You are the best and continue to break your old records every day. Keep the good work with your kids. I hear Shay is turning out to be quite the young man!
Love ya
Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
Happy Birthday! from the future. Yep I am almost a whole day ahead of you and in the future right now because we are across the world from each other. So happy birthday I hope you had oodles of fun! Well I hope you keep up the good work. Sorry you didn't win the election but it's good you had a good attitude about it! I wish I could have been there for your birthday and seen the look on your face as you opened up your present. I got you a kickin souvinere and your gonna love it! Enjoy all the pictures I'm sending! Stay cool and in school!
Love,
Elder Hamblin

Father's Day 2011

Hey Um Dad I'm Sorry I didn't talk about you on the most important day of your life, the day that makes all the turmoil and strife worth it. The day where all the money and time spent making your kids the biggest, brightest and fastest of the world becomes a little more worthwhile.... FATHERS DAY! Dad I can't say how much I miss you. I appericiate you and your talks more than you know. If I could, I would have flown back for Fathers Day just for you! Thank you for everything Dad. You have made me who I am today and you have to know all Iwant to do is make you proud. No matter where I am I want you to be proud of me and what I do. I try and bear up my family name everyday in my thoughts and actions. You didn't make it easy for me to live up to my name. Being Noble every single day is kinda hard but you know it gets easier with time. Just Kidding! Thank you for helping me see the big picture to look to the future and see past the end of my nose. To be able to know when to be funny and when to be serious. To Laugh when I must Laugh and Cry with those who are Crying and to help lift them up. You have to be higher than those that you are lifting up! Thank you Thank you THANK YOU! Oh and I got your Dear Elder on the 14th I think so you know. Happy Fathers Day! love from your 1st born in the wilderness!

Dear Mom, Please for heavens sake don't talk about HOMEMADE PEACH ICE CREAM! I get trunky easy enough. Now all I want is to be on a couch with you all eating that peach ice cream! Alas I've got an important work to do so that will just have to wait. But you bet your biscuits we will be making some homemade ice cream when they finnaly kick me out and I come home! Wow each week is jammed packed with all of the fun things you are all up to! Well give every one my best! I have a new companion now! His name is Elder Maxfield and he is a load of fun! He has the most interesting since of humor and can find the good in some situtations where all I can see is bad! Elder Bates got transffered to the hottest part of the mission. Tiggigaraw for his last cycle and he wasn't too happy about that but oh well. Now me And Elder Maxfield will baptize all of Villaverde and turn it into a stake! Well the investigator pool has kind of hit an all time low though. All we have progressing is Tatay Leonardo but he has a baptismal date now! I made him a big red poster of things he should remember and he says he looks at it! When we came over and I saw him reading it I almost cried! He will be baptized July 9th! The language is coming! I understand more and Ican respond to the basic questions. If I focused really hard I can understand almost everything in the lesson and can help my companion when he looks to me for the next part of the lesson! Mahirap ang buhay ko! Dahil Maraming mga salita Hindi ko alam pa! Perro Maligaya ako ka si kasama ng Diyos at si Jesucristo Pwede ko gagawin lahat bagay! Mas mabait mga tao sa Philippines! Maraming meriendas mula sa mga members at investigators! Mahal Kita Nanay! (have Dad translate that for you.) Love you tons!

Dear Devree,
Your quote is from the Infamous Shrek and Elder Bates quoted it before he got transffered to the inferno Tiggigarow! My quote was from Sahara! I can't believe you didn't get that one! Well here's my next one! "Roy, THE INVINCIBLE!" same movie "You said wet shirt don't break not pee pee shirt bend bar!" You had a busy week filled with lots of fun and cute guys. You life is pretty great right now! Mine on the other hand is better! Not to one up you or anything but I get to help find souls to bring unto Christ today! And that's not even the best part! I get to do it in the rain! Do you know how hot my wife is getting right now! She must be smoking because of how hard I've been working! Anyways I'm thinking you just might be married by the time I get back with all those young men fighting over you. Joklan (Joke) I do think that you have most of them in the palm of your hand though! FROG!!!!!!! Love Elder.... well you know! P.S. I have a favor to ask you! Next email be ready! It's kinda a big deal! Hint: Get all the Disney music and the Veggie-Rock you can find! Love you!

Dear Dad,
Thank you for writing to me about Little Red. I like to hear the progress and it makes me think of all the good conversations you and me had in and around and about that car! I am Absolutely Ecstatic that you got her to run again! I'm sorry that you were lonely because everyone went to California for the EFY, even with low rider for company. (don't worry I won't let it go to my head!) You love that dog so much. If it weren't for you, Low Rider would die of a broken heart. Drive and Hike sounded amazing. I wish I could have come soooo bad and i really miss my tatay and talking to him! Me and My new companion E. Maxfield are thinking about climbing one of the surrounding mouintains in Villaverde for one of our P-Day activities. It sounds like fun and I will take pictures. Sorry there are still no pictures in this Email. I can't seem to get a computer that will read the camera like before so I will try another one. You know how Mom was talking about the prophetic statements the Dad would make? Congratulations. That was your 1st one. You said to have the Pure love of Christ or Charity with me. This week I chose Charity as my Christ like Attribute of the week. Turns out it came in handy when Pres. Miranda started telling one of our investigators about when Elijah visited Joseph Smith! BAKIT! "WHY!" I wanted to chew our branch president's head off because now our investigator is gonna be really confused and not know what to pray about tonight and I just was infuriated. But in the back of my head I remembered that I was working on loving EVERYONE in the Philippines even our Pres. who can't keep his trap shut. So I took some deep breaths and in that instant I forgave pres for what he did and tried to finish the lesson strong. We have a return appointment and I think that was contributed to the fact that I didn't put pres in a head lock! Things are still moving with that family and I think it will turn out alright! It's hard being the missionary who has to show the companion where everything is but I think I'm doing a good job. I am starting to talk to people and give out pamplets all by myself now! I am finally seeing progress in hearing and speaking this language. I'm not gonna stop. I will keep learning Tagalog my whole mission and hopefully continue or retain my knowledge after the mission. THE LORD ANSWERS PRAYERS! I know he does. I can't say that the time I have spent here so far has been a waste. Every day counts and every minute I become closer to our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. I could not have gotten as far as I have without his help. THE LORD ANSWERS PRAYERS! Something I also learned from my new companion: If you think this area is going to kick your butt, it will. Don't eat that if you do you will be having irregular bowl movements for the rest of your mission! Last but not least is, " If i were you I would wash that rice before you cook it!" We got a bag of this Ironically named , "Healthy Rice" which was not healthy at all! E. Maxfield almost chipped his tooth on a rock we found in it! It was the size of an eraser! Needless to say we don't by that rice anymore! Thank you all for the kind thoughts and inspiration to carry on in this challenging but absolutley important work! Your emails are more precious than gold to me and I treasure each one! Thank you for all the love! I miss you all "mula sa aking puso" Love Elder Hamblin

June 12, 2011

Well as usual the house is bustling with activity. Alot has happened here but 1st I will try to answer all your questions!

Dear Dane,
Sounds like fun! I hope you still want to play Wii with your old brother when he gets home! The public speaking will get easier with time and practice. Stay cute!
Dear Mom,
With your kids going to EFY visisting family and one of them eating Ararawan in the Phillipines you must be pretty stressed. Not to mention the Drunk neighboor who hates that you don't take care of your dog! Well keep up with the patience and you are definitely right. Michelle needs the gospel more desperatley then a Catholic priest right now! Stick with it. Keep the smile in your heart and stay positive. Even if you don't see improvement right away she will notice the way you live your life and might come back with some questions! Bret sounds like he's changed alot since I last saw him and that he's grown alot. Sorry no pictures this time the cafe computer wouldn't accept my camera so I can't send pictures. Next time I will for sure!
Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay
When I get back your going down in Guitar Hero! "schools out for summer!" Man I miss you and Dad and the whole bunch. Guess what I went bowling here in the Philippines and it was a ton of fun! We used a really small ball about the size of my fist and we threw it down the lane 3 times instead of two. AND when we knock down the pins theres a guy in the back that sets them back up again! It was really cool. I'll send lots of pictures! Well Stay cool and good luck fixing little red! I hope all goes well!
Love Your big Bro
Dear Dad
Well I'm Glad to hear little red is fixable and I hope all goes as planned! Wow big wind storms and finnaly warm weather. I would give anything for cold right about now but its okay! We've go the fans! Man Alot has happened! Well I hope you get the details all figured out on the super activity. Here's the answers to those questions of yours!
Well I didn't get the letter yet. You have to be patient. Things like dear Elder.com can take awhile to get here and sometimes up to two weeks. But it should be here soon! It costs 40 pesos or a little less than a dollar to send a letter home from the big town (Solano) next to our little town (Villaverede) So thats how mail goes here!
Ive got the pictures you want it's just hard for me to send them but remind me next email and I will try again if I get a non crappy computer that recognizes my camera!
The PC Elder Bates was using was at an Internet shop in Solano. It crashed and the owner couldn't do a quick fix so we went to another Internet shop to finish emailing and then went bowling! (Why would he have a laptop? You silly billy goat!)
Tatay Leonardo is doing great! He's still learning slowly and we are going to make him a poster board so he can hang it up and look at it every day! Maybe that will help him learn faster!
Haven't been able to talk with the Dakanays yet. I think they are trying to hide from us so we will try another day at another time to catch them off guard and see whats up!
No good conversations with Arnold and Richard yet but they are doing better with the Alcohol. Last time they were cooking for a friend so we didn't want to interupt but Arnold did take my blood pressure and I was A okay!
Haven't talked to Rochelle in awhile. She's just dropped off the map!
Orbans are doing good we read the Book of Mormon with them and they read the pamphlets. We haven't got too many lessons with the Mom but the Dad is always there and sometimes we get all the boys! They always give us a Merienda or snack before we leave which is nice because its a really long walk out there!
For the most part you are correct on your maps and I am both surprised and honored that you go into so much detail as to where I am serving in this little corner of the Lord's vineyard. You really show how much you care when you make the second blog for me! THANKS a ton!
Well your translation is pretty close to how it works here! But the signing at the bottom should be "Mahal Kita Anak KONG Lalaki" That is "Love you my son" But I've been told they don't ussualy say that because its long! Thanks for the love
Mahal Kita Tatay
Elder Hamblin
Dear Devree,

Wow schools out and the guys want you bad! What to do now! I miss you! Oh your movie was Finding Nemo. Heres Mine, "Okay Rudy you ever been thru survival training? No! Well consider this your 1st class. It's pass or fail. I always found that easier." Guess that one! Well you are busy with all thats going on and you have EFY to write about in your journal. I am keeping a very good journal. My companion makes fun of me with the amount of time I spend writting in my journal. He says that it will be on the reading list like The Diary of Anne Frank when I get old and die! Well Love you! Talk to you next time!
Love
Elder Hamblin
Well I have eaten weird bugs with pinchers and drank delicious Tang. I have bowled Philipino style and have gotten my 1st Philippino hair cut! I have watched a 76 year old grandma climb out of a tree on a rickety old ladder after picking fruit for us and I've seen an old man bang 2 chickens together for no reason at all! I've seen alot here in the Philippines! Today we are going to go play ping pong with the other Elders. It should be tons of fun. Well till next time!

First letter of June 2011 -1st Area on Map

The red dot above the 'g' in Baguio is Villaverde. Noble's new home for right now. However, one day we will entice him back with a washer, dryer, & air conditioning.

***

This is a map of the streets for Villaverde.


***

This is a picture of Noble's 1st area, Villaverde. It is on the Island called Luzon, in the Nueva Viscaya province. Villaverde is 138 miles North of Manila.



Dear Mom,
Well the stroke victim, (Tatay Leonardo) is doing great although he did have to go to the hospital because of high blood. (High cholesterol) He remembers more each day and prays to know if Joseph Smith is a true prophet. We asked him if he belived the Book of Mormon was a true book and he said yes. Then Elder Bates explained that if the book was true then Joseph Smith really was a prophet. He doesn't understand but he is making progress.
We haven't really been able to talk to the Dakanays yet. They have been busy working in the bukid. (field) So I hope they are doing well.
Arnold and Richard, the last time we saw them was during Arnolds birthday and he was drinking with his friends. Dang! We decided to come back at another time. The last family is the Orbons and they are doing great. But we found out they were both (the mom and dad) major leaders of their previous church so that's kinda rough. Yea the language is coming day by day. Dad, I will write a sentence in Tagalog and you translate it for me okay? I will do it in your part of the letter. Anyway yea I've eaten some pretty weird stuff already. Dane sounds like he's been a hoot. Wow he's just as good at describing people as I am! Dad still can't hit those sweet high notes but it's okay he's getting to be an old man and every now and then someone needs to remind him he isn't a teenager so he doesn't hurt himself! Mom, I hope Shay and Dane are being good little boys for you and you aren't pulling your hair out. I'm sorry I can't send pictures today. E. Bates computer crashed and so we had to switch Internet shops and they don't have virus protectors and so I can't upload my pictures. Also I don't like it as much because there are more people and those people are playing games that I wish I could play but can't because I'm a missionary so it's hard. Anyway sorry about the no pictures but that's how it is this week. I guess I will try to email more next P-Day.
Dear Devree,
You sly dog you! It was the Lip song by Larry the Cucumber but you only quoted the last of the song! I can't remember which Veggie Tales it is but it is Veggie Tales! Here's my quote: "Alright Be prepared.... for what? For the Death of the king! Why is he sick? No fool were gonna kill him. That's great no king no king la la la la la la. Idiots there will be a king! Wait but you said..." Try that one on for size!
Well you sure have been busy with all the parties and studies and facial surgeries and all you are going thorough. Ironically Today I'm going bowling and maybe I will beat your score! 116 Ha I'm not that good! Well I hope all the finals go well. Just remember to ask your Heavenly Father for help and he will help if you have the faith. I love you and please don't do too much to make you drown in stress! Take a break. Go smell the roses or something! Play with your brothers or take a break and relax and then go back to studying! Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
I could care less about the truck. That's history! How are you? And was the joke about Arnold Swarznagger? I hope they tell you soon that you won. I bet you are on pins and needles! The mission work is going well. We are still trying to get people from the branch to come teach with us for our lessons and it's kinda hard. Well I hope you are having fun working hard and playing harder. You already sound like you've grown alot since I've left I can't wait to see how big you get! Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Dane,
You should be nice to your older brother and send me some lemon squares! Just kidding. Stay cute. Your big bro Elder Hamblin.
Dear Dad,
I live in Villaverede. It is a town in the Nueva Viscaya province. It is usually called the bukid (fields) because there are fields of rice everywhere! When E. Bates and I go out to the one family out in the Mountains that's more of a jungle area. The trees are thicker and it has more little villages scattered throughout the roads. I do hope to try Balut soon and I hope that it isn't too old! I'm kinda afraid to drink the juices but I will do it for the experience. Who knows I just might love it! I don't think I can recieve mail out here but you can mail it to the Mission Home in Cauayan and they will get the mail to me! They are more reliable than the mail service out to us! Oh how I wish it was cold here! We have the fans going as soon as we are in the house. The mornings aren't as bad as the afternoons heat wise.
I hope they have fun at EFY. I think it will be even more fun with them staying with the cousins at night and partying it up. Allthough the dorms was part of the experience. I loved EFY and I know they will love it too! I miss the swamp cooler. Sometimes before I fall asleep at night I think of the sound of the washer and dryer quietly working in the back ground and realize how I didn't fully appreciate them before. "Sniff"
Well I am pleased to hear that my apprentice is moving through the ranks just as any natural leader should. I have taught him well and one day he too will take his spot in the hall of fame as a full time missionary for the church! He is a good apprentice and I shall always be proud of him. He is my grand opus my final overture my piece de resistaunce, my pride and joy! JK He is a great example to his peers and the youth of the church.
Yes if you would send the spiritual thoughts through pouch mail or Dear Elder that would be absoulutely fine with me! It cuts down on the email time that I use and I use alot! E. Bates and I had a disscussion about internet usuage and how I need to keep the time down to an hour/ hour and a half tops! So that would help greatly!
Here's some Tagalog for you: Pwede po ninyo malaman kung totoo ang Aklat ni Mormon sa pamamagitan ng panalangin. Try to translate that one. Mahal Kita! Elder Hamblin
Well everyone I hope I have answered your questions! This is the highlight of the week! I taught someone how to pray and they understood me! E. Bates didn't have to repeat what I tried to say for once!
My dear Companion taught me some Ilokano the other day and had me try it out on Old Nanay Magpali. It was Naimas Ti Balasang Yo. So I repeated that to her thinking it is good afternoon in Ilakano and it turned out to be I think your oldest single daughter is delicious. Ya he got a kick out of that one!
We went to a funeral and my companion practically conducted it. I said the opening prayer and led the music and he gave a talk about some lady who he doesn't even know! Then the next morning he got to dedicate her burial site! Pretty cool huh?
I also learned more about the devine companionship and how it it important for us to testify of Christ and God and the Holy Ghost so they can testify of each other!
Anyway thanks for the emails and I love you all. Till next Time.
Elder Hamblin

Memorial Day 2011

Beautiful River in Noble's First Area.

***

We might describe this animal as a water buffalo. In the Philippines it is called a carabao (pronounced kah-rah-bow. The bow is like bowing at a performance.)

***

The kids of Noble's investigator. Shana and I believe they are Rochelle Sagid's boys.

***

It appears that this is some unusual farming equipment. I'm guessing that by the pile of harvested hay in the background.

***

Meat Market in the Philippines.

***

Noble looking like one of the locals with a yellow bandana.

***

Noble standing in front of a banana plant. However, the bananas have all been harvested. There is a purple triangle shaped bud at the end of a bunch of bananas (We don't see that here).

***

Noble in front of the rice paddies. It sure is green and beautiful there.

***

This is an unusual bridge. You can tell that Noble is out in the jungle and people do what they can to make things work.


Wow! 1st of all I would like to apologize to Shay. You did your best to stop little red and I hope that your lip and air bag burns turn out okay. You've got a knarly story to tell your friends and you now can say you have been hit with an air bag.
Mom I am sorry I didn't tell you about our investigators. I was just too worried about that silly old truck. Anyways 1st we have Tatay Leonardo Almasan. He is the old man who had a stroke and needed our help to review and review the lessons so he'll remember them. Then the Dakanay's they are a family with one daughter and they are the ones who want to be baptized but are having pressure from their friends and need help from the members. Arnold and Richard are two great guys who we gave a Book of Mormon but they have a hard time with praying and this new family the Orbans with the 3 sons the youngest's middle name is rich man. We've only taught them once but they seem pretty interested. Rochelle Sagid has 2 kids and an alcoholic husband that uses the money she earns working abroad to buy more alcohol. She lives a hard life but we're giving her exactly what she needs. The gospel of Jesus Christ. We have others but we only see them every now and then and I don't remember all their names.
I didn't play piano in Sacrament meeting but I did in zone meeting! I could only do one hand and sometimes 2 but it didn't sound great. I had no time to practice. My companion heard they needed a piano player and volunteered me! We taught a whopping 14 lessons this week and 7 were with members present! We are getting the members to help us out on Sundays. It's hard with the branch Pres. in Manilla except for weekends and hardly any male members to work with and the ones we could work with are working their tails off during the day for their families. I love the people here they are so nice and hospitable. I want to bring some of their good characteristics back to the states. They always seem to have snacks to give us and if they don't they send someone out to get some for us! (see picture of pepsi and Hansle, soberong masharap) I'm getting used to the rice and things. So thats whats up there!
Dane keep memorizing Veggie Tales! They are funny and you'll love them! Love your big bro Elder Hamblin!
Devree, Thanks for writing! JK I love you tons! Wow you've got a lot going on in your life! A lot of friends coming over and a lot of things going on. I see that you are having problems with feeling the spirit. The things that usually help me is to go out and get to work. For you that could be service in any way shape or form to your fellow classmates or just people in the neighborhood. It's just a great way to lose yourself and help others. That usually helps me with listening to the spirit along with scripture study and meaningful prayer. Try that and tell me how you're doing. The movie quote you gave me was not enough! I don't know what it is! I'm gonna guess Alice in Wonderland but that might be wrong if it is, give me another line from that movie and I will try again! Thanks for being an awesome example to me and your little brothers!
Love your older bro, Elder Hamblin
Shay let me know when you get the election information. I hope you win the election and that you rule with kindness and patience just like Nephi did! Read the beginning of 2nd Nephi where it talks about how much the people loved him! You should lead just like him! Loved the joke! Stay in school and stay cool.
Well here's some things that have happened in my week. L.A. sent me a letter and the district leader yelled to all the other missionaries, "Hey Elder Hamblin, your girl friend sent you a letter!" I thought, "No I don't have a girl friend. I broke up with my girl friend for this specific reason to not have a gf on the mission!" But when I saw it was from L.A. I laughed my head off! I said "You were close. I have dated her but she is not my gf!" We were teaching a little girl and her mom and her dad. They are the couple who owns the RM bakery that you saw in the picture! The little girl had a friend and of course they were speaking in Tagalog and little did I know that her friend said to her to come out and ride her bike. She replied "Can't you see that we have a guest and we can't get the bike out!" I was in the way so she politely asked me to get out of the way and so I did and she was on her way. That was pretty funny the way she said it! For dinner I had Fish balls. (Not Fish Testicles) Fish don't have those! Anyway they are balls of fish that you can fry up in the Wok and they taste good but they are not very good for you with all the oil and stuff. Some other interesting things I've eaten. Dad I ate Dinuguan which is basically whatever animal you want, take its intestines and fry them in the blood of that same animal. The Cow intestines are really chewy but the dog ones are really bitter. I like the cow intestines more than the dog. But my companion disagrees with me. Haven't had balut yet but its definitely on my list of things to try! Yum Yum! Their spaghetti here is not like spaghetti in the U.S. It's really sweet and they put chunks of hot dog in it! Yummy! They eat it for birthdays and New Years because they believe in the long noodles giving them long life! I think we should start that tradition also! I like spaghetti. I've have had more Pepsi here than I've had my whole life! I sent you a picture of it! Enjoy!
Dear Dad,
Thank you Dad for telling me the whole story of what happened. Your words were beautiful explaining how "little red roared into action." Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement! I really needed it this week. We were in a lesson with Rochelle Sagid and I was really tired and wasn't listening very carefully. When Elder Bates turned to me to say my part I told her in Tagalog that the Book of Mormon was true and it was important to the plan of God. Little did I know that she had just told us that she was having problems with her husband beating her when he is drunk and she was having a hard time. I don't know what I could have said to help comfort her but I felt horrible about it. It ate me up inside knowing that if I would have paid more attention maybe I could have said something that helped and didn't sound completely heartless! I got back to the house and felt lower than dirt. I felt useless and like a complete failure. I felt like I had made 0 progress in Tagalog and I was just really getting down on myself. Then E. Bates told me to stop thinking about it and learn from it. Today I'm doing a lot better and I am realizing that serving a mission isn't all peaches and cream it's hard work and I won't just wake up one day and know Tagalog. It's gonna take some hard work. My cross to carry may look big now but at least my foot isn't fractured!
I'm sorry to hear about Beth and I hope her foot heals well. I hope she knows she's loved and has a loving 2nd family that care about her also. Give her my best wishes!
I also enjoyed hearing about Low Rider and how he's learning to roll over! He's sometimes a really dumb dog but he does surprise us every now and then!
I really was feeling down on myself but now I have a new faith in the work and I will try harder to stay focused and stay apart of each lesson and contribute with what little Tagalog that I know. Each day I learn more Tagalog and I try to use it with my companion and members and with other missionaries.
I enjoy all your emails! I love you all and I hope you all stay safe and Healthy!
Love, Your 1st born in the wilderness and serving a mission in the wilderness,
Elder Hamblin

Little Red is Dead!

This is a shot of Noble's trainer (Elder Bates) walking up a board. Look at all the jungle!!! Noble is really on an adventure that he will remember for the rest of his life.

***

Elder Hamblin gets to do his laundry by hand.

***

So what do you think about washing your laundry by hand Elder Hamblin? You probably won't miss that when you get back to the USA.

***

Noble's beautifully hand cleaned laundry. Good job Elder Hamblin!!!

***

The back of Noble's apartment.

***

Noble's favorite drink in his 1st area.

***

Noble riding a tricycle with his trainer. This tricycle is a motorcycle with a sidecar. Noble likes riding on top where the breeze gives him some relief from the humid weather.

***

Elders that flew to the Philippines with Noble. The Elder in the middle is the picture that was sent to us with a form letter that said our Elder made it to the Philippines safely.

***

Noble flew to the Philippines with these missionaries. They all got to see each other again when they went to Cauayan for new missionary orientation. Noble said they learned how to change the water purifier filter for the kitchen sink, and other things that the new missionaries need to know.

***

Noble told us on our Mother's Day phone call that the trees are what he likes best so far.

***

Another shot of the trees around Noble's apartment (that he mentioned so fondly). We also need to see a picture of the infamous rooster that would not be quiet during our phone call. Noble said there was a rooster on the left of his apartment and to the right. These roosters don't just crow in the morning. They are happy enough to crow all the time.




WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED!!!! I don't know who did it but I just might strangle them with my ugliest tie! Goodness Gracious my Little Red is gone! Ripped away in one email just gone! I have alot of strong emotions tied with that truck. I used it for everything! I ate in it, I slept in it, heck I even learned how to make out in it and now its GONE! Please tell me what happened next email.
ANYWAYS sorry about that I just love my truck. So I liked your Quote Mom with Elder Hugh B. Brown and believe me I need my Heavenly Father every hour! I pray alot as a missionary. I pray for guidance and safety. I pray for my companion to put up with me. I pray to understand and learn to speak this language and to have patience in the process. I pray to find the people that the Lord has prepared and put in my path that I will know what to say to them! I pray for alot of things and I try to start and end every prayer in Tagalog and use as much as I can in each prayer. I learned alot of new things from my companion about how to speak Tagalog properly and how they speak it here. Alot of Tagalish (Tagalog and English) is spoken here. So they understand me if I break into English sometimes. If they don't my companion can translate for me.
Well Dad I'm really jealous! I would like some Christmas in May! So a brand new Laptop with the 3.0 USB and a 32 GB memory stick. You lucky Dog you! Hey by the way, can I have your old laptop when I get back? You know for school and things! You're the best Dad! JK Oh I have some songs you need to look up! One is from Brad Paisley that my companion had on a burnt CD its called "The Completely, Non-offensive, politicaly correct Holiday". Its on his Christmas CD so check that song out. It is hilarious! Also some songs in Tagalog for you to check out are "Maging Sino Ka Man" and "Ngiti" They are pretty good and everyone plays them around here! So go have fun with that!
Thank you for your last letter and the inspirational qoutes from this letter! They really help me stay motivated and learning this language even when I don't feel like it or I feel like I never will learn the language. It helps me have patience with myself and how I don't learn things as fast as others do. I will strive to learn all things with the help of the Spirit.
Things are going great! The pres. of our branch forgot that he wanted me to play piano for sacrament meeting (which is great because I had no time to practice!) So just in case for next week I will practice some hymns after zone meeting so that I can play something! Mom, Dad if you do send a package, send me some zip lock bags please! That would be helpful with all the humidity and mold! I went down 2 belt sizes so far and I think its because I'm losing weight like crazy! I am working out each morning and Dane, dont you worry, I will have a six pack in no time! I went back to Cauayan for the trainers/trainees meeting and I got to see my batch (the missionaries that I came in with!) They are all alive and well! Sister Pulu has a Philipino companion so she's picking up the language super fast! Elder Huffstutler has a Branch Pres. who thinks he knows everything about Americans and the US. And ELder Oliver ( The Tall red head you got a picture of) Is in the hottest part of the mission, Tagigaraw so he is trying to eat a ton so he doesn't shrivel up and blow away in the wind! In the meeting, Elder Oliver leaned over to me and said, "Hey ELder, do you remember when we ate Tongan food? I said "ya". He said "It seems like its been forever since then!" I said "It sure has!" He was talking about the plane ride from Salt Lake City to LA and how Sister Pulus parents fed us Tongan food! During the meeting they talked to us about all the saftey procedures and how to change the fillters on the sink and other important things! On the Way to Solano for P-Day we rode in a Trike and on the inside there was a sticker that said, The end of the world was on May 21st. Now as you can see we've made it past May 21st now and every thing is fine here! How are things back home? Has the world ended there? I'm just curious!
My companion pulled a dirty trick on me! He said that if you hold a 1000 peso bill up in a mirror you can see a monkey holding a 1000 peso bill. So being the dumb newbie that I am I went to the mirror and looked and looked until I realized that I WAS THE MONKEY HOLDING THE 1000 PESO BILL! That jerk! No really he's pretty nice most of the time! He helped translate some of the funny sayings of Bob Ong and he's a famous writter here in the Philippines. One of the quotes was, "When you say that your heart beats for someone or your heart longs for them in all actuality its not your hearts fault. All it does is pump blood for your body. So you might blame your brain instead for thinking about them all the time, but its not your brains fault either. It only does what you tell it to. So don't blame your Heart, your lungs, your kidneys, or intestines for your romantic problems. When it comes down to it it's all your fault!" Ya he's a pretty funny writer! I like his stuff! I just might buy a copy of one of his books and send it home for when I get back!
Well I hope every one is doing okay. I don't know why my fellow siblings have abandonded me in my time of need and didn't send me a message. JK I love you all soooooo much and i wish and pray for your success every night! I hope you can get the garage door fixed for free! I can't hope for too much more for little red. (tear falls dramatically to the ground)
I love you all and I pray for you all. I feel your prayers for me on the tough days. I love you alllllll sooooo much!!!!! Be safe and enjoy your new toys! (Dad)
And Shay look up Michal V and the Bubble Gang on Youtube and tell me what you find. I've heard he's like the weird Al of the Philippines! So go enjoy that.
Oh Devree I think your last quote was The Sword In The Stone so here's my quote: "I've a girl back home who's unlike any other. Ya the only girl who loves him is his mother." Try to guess that one if I haven't accidentally given you 2! Love YA

Elder Hamblin
Oh here are some pictures of me doing my laundry and the palm trees by our house and me ridding on top of the Trike! That was fun, The cup is a Zagu drink that is absolutely delicious and they have alot of flavors. This one is Strawberry! YUM YUM! Ya in the picture of my batch the one on the left tall and red hair if thats the one you saw in the photo thats Elder Oliver and he's the best! I hope we get to be companions for awhile mabe just one cycle that would be great! Love ya

On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 11:01 PM, Hamblin Family wrote:

First Letter from the Philippines

Missionaries at Festival

***

Members at Festival

***

Festival

***

"Love You" shirt

***

Noble Loves His Family

***

R.M. (Returned Missionary) BAKERY???

Wow alot has happened in the little time between when we last emailed and now. You have all written alot and have probably done even more! Your lives are exciting and fun and full of things to do. Between Shay running for class president, Devree getting into NHS and Dane playing baseball and piano. You all are busy. Mom had that tough night to deal with and Dads probably working his tail off for everyone. You all have a pretty exciting life right now, but I've got you beat!
Here's whats going on in the Philippines
Me and my companion wake up at 6:30 and get ready for the day. Somedays we have to do our laundry by hand before we take a shower with the bucket which is not that bad. Then we head out to work in the sun. It's hot but every now and then there's a cool breeze that helps out with the gallons of sweat. We went to teach one lady who just started breast feeding half way through the lesson! She just whips her stuff out and starts feeding and I am shocked but Elder Bates is used to it by now. Then it starts to rain. The rain here is not like pitifull Nevada rain this is manly rain! It pours down on you so hard it's hard to hold your umbrella some times! We go out and find people and teach in it. Some times the wife is home but the husband is a trike driver so he gets home late. We had to teach a family in a grass hut by candle light one time and it was hard to read the notes I took to teach them. Some days are Pakiau Sundays and Pakiau is a boxer. He is like a Philippino hero and he usually fights on Sundays so when we are trying to find people to share our message with they are inside watching him fight so its hard those days. You know how we didn't drink Pepsi well now I do because some of these people are saving up to buy me this Pepsi and I can't turn it down because I don't want to offend them. They have this thing called Spanish Bread here that is delicious. I miss bread with meals. They eat it here for snacks. I want a PB and J sooooo bad!
Also I love slaying cockaroaches. They are fun to kill with a flip flop or a binder. Usually we have them under control but sometimes there are alot of them hiding somewhere. We use the permetheran spray for them in the hive. The geckos are everywhere also but we like them because they eat our bugs for us. They will chase the bugs around and catch them every now and then. They usually chill on the wall and look cool. The dogs here are annoying and they sometimes have fleas. They bark at us and we usually hit them with rocks or sometimes even umbrellas.
For one of the District meetings they had an object lesson and I was the volunteer. They had a bucket of water and it was filled with dirt and rocks and leaves and other things and my goal was to find the treasure inside the bucket. I searched and searched and eventually found a 5 peso coin in the muck. My hand was really dirty. Elder Miller our Zone Leader likend this to how our investigators are trying to find the treasures in life but they sin along the way and can get really dirty. Then he pulled out a bar of soap with repentance written on the side. I went and washed up and he said that was the gift we must give them, the gift of repentance, to clean up their lives and bring them more treasures.
My companion also sharred some good wisdom with me from a talk. It said the 3 secrets to having a successful life are 1st God 2nd Hard work and 3rd Education because without those three things it is hard to be successful.
I tried Halo Halo the other day and it was pretty tasty! It is shaved ice in a cup with other various fruits and sugar, Halo means to mix up so Halo Halo is really Mixed up!
They are crazy about Avirl Lavigne and the Backstreet boys and the Beatles here. Sometimes you can hear it comming from houses and things.
When I was hanging up my clothes to dry the clothes line broke and they got all dirty again.
I accidentally crushed a cat because my back pack was hanging on the back of my chair and when I stood up the chair fell back and the cat was smushed. I said sorry and I think they forgave me! They love texting here it is the # 1 country for texting The jubilee was amazing and I loved every second of it! They did alot of cultural dances and some good hymns and it was overall pretty darn cool. My ride back was nice hanging on to the back of a Jeepney and going through some tight corners. Kinda scary but the wind was in my hair and I was enjoying myself!
When we went to church President Carlos asked me if I had any talents and so I told him I play the trombone and a little piano and he told me that I was going to play piano from now on during sacrament meeting! Shows me to open my big mouth!
Anyways I love you all and I look at the blog every p-day to stay up to date on what's going on in your lives and I love you and Stay in school. JK
Love,
Elder Hamblin
P.S. Heres some more pictures love ya!