August 28, 2011 (Devree's Fundraiser)

Elder Anzal, Tatay Leonardo and Elder Hamblin.

Where's Waldo of Elder Hamblin on a bridge.

Elder Hamblin's shoes next to little Elder Anzal's shoes. Noble's companion right now is a kind little Filippino Elder.

Well everything is just fine. Good I was hoping that moms head is still firmly attached on her shoulders after that HUGE PROJECT OF AWESOME MAGNITUDE AND MAJESTY! WAY TO GO MOM!!! WHOOOOOOO! WAY TO GO FAMILY! WAY TO GO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY! WAY TO GO WORLD! I love ya all! Way to go guys! I'm proud of you all! Keep Kickin Kwan! (people use kwan for stuff or thing or when they don't know what the next word is so you can all use that in your Tagalog slang now!)
Dear Mom,
Why are you awesome? You have really impressed me. I can't believe you did that all without your big helper! ME! JK You guys are awesome. Mom keep doing awesome. SO my investigators right now are kinda slim but I will give you the scoop on them all. Jerry and Jemma Pascual are the couple that I recognized on the street. They aren’t doing so good. We haven't been able to teach them for a while because of Jerry working the night shift for his guard job and they haven’t been going to church. If we could just get them to go to church than they would be styling but they haven’t come yet even though we try to remind them each week if we see them on the street or at all! Billy was baptized but we still watch over his progress in the gospel like we used to and he is doing fine and his neighbor Clarissa Kakay is doing good. She has a baptismal Date now and we pray for her to be ready by then. She is a single mother with one little boy and she works hard. She is an inspiration and she’s gonna be baptized I can feel it. With Billy every step of the way and her coming to church, things are going good. Our last and youngest investigator is a sweet little girl, Krizel Hulian and we have to teach her with her Dad who is a REALLY bad alchoholic because she isn't 18 she’s just 10years old. But she listens and is doing great she has a baptismal date too! Please pray for them. It’s not as easy to be a member here in the Philippines as it is back home so please pray for them. I love ya. ELder HAmblin
Dear Dane,
Don't worry there’s no "slipping out of the hands" going on here! I want to play with you all when I get home soooooo bad. You are going to have to show me all the cool stuff you play with when I get home! I'm so proud of you being a big helper and helping with the fundraiser and trying to teach your "Video Game Challenged" Father how to play that very complicated game! YOu stay cool! Love ya. Elder Hamblin
Dear Devree,
Your movie was The Grinch Who Stole Christmas the Jim Carrie version and when i read your line i could practically hear his voice saying it and i got a HUGE grin on my face. "YOU reject your OWN nose.. Ohhhh thats just fantastic!" THanks I needed that. The last couple of days have been pretty busy for you haven’t they! YOu are a very important girl to this community and they all love you as you can probably tell by now. The response from the community was absolutely heart warming and you should feel VERY special. When you get your smile back (in full force) I want you to smile at the world until they smile back at you. I think you help give other people a hope that not everyone in this world is bad. There’s good things going on and the world is not going down the toilet like everyone else says it is. You give us hope Devree. You give me hope that when I come home to a poverty striken mess with unemployed people everywhere and the law being broken everywhere, I look to my family and my community that are not going to jump of the cliff with everyone else! THank you Thank you Thank you!
Okay my movie is here we goooo. Guess this one! "Unclog a furball from a shower drain to that gay refrain of a happy working song OOOOOO a happy working sooooong!"
Love ya little sis. ELder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
Wow your response was a little short this week Shay are you okay? YOur probably tired from the soccer and band and fundraisers and all the beautiful women clawing at the door to get a piece of you, you sexy beast you! JK I hope you aren’t letting any girls "accidentally kiss you" JK You are a great guy Shay and like I said before, you are the next generation. You are supposed to be bigger, stronger, faster, smarter and wiser than my generation so it’s okay if you are tired from evolving so much! LOve ya
ELder Hamblin
Dear Poppie,
So you’re calling the dog your grandpa now! I think he’s losing it guys! JK You are an awesome Tatay you know that? I know that Mom didn't do the fundraiser all on her own and that you must have been her right hand man in creating this huge project so I'd like to thank you to for your service to the Help Devree smile fundraiser. Just make sure Mom doesn’t go crazy or anything okay? Here’s a quote for you that seems appropriate for this email. "Dad, She's invading my BASE!" I love hearing about you guys are using what I write in the emails for everyday slang it’s awesome. LOve you all
Elder Hamblin

P.S. Here are some pictures of an eight legged goat, my favorite breakfast MILO and some other stuff including a monkey, a Where’s Waldo picture of me on a bridge and my companion the little Elder Anzal with a big heart. Enjoy! Hoo and some Koligligs and jeepneys too I think.

The 8 legged goat. Elder Hamblin's face looks like "This is just WEIRD!"

Monkey up a tree.


"Everybody has a water buffalo. Yours is fast and mine is slow" (quote from a veggie tale song that Noble loved growing up)


This water buffalo is really slow. He must be very tired.


One of the highly unsusual vehicles for us possibly a kookiglig? It is very common in the Philippines.



On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 7:18 AM, Hamblin Family wrote:

Dear Elder Hamblin,

I would like to hear an update on all of your investigators. For example Jemma and Jerry and all of those that you teach. We heard in General Conference that we need to be praying for your investigators by name so they will progress and get baptized. I hope that you are not getting discouraged. How long does your mission usually leave you in one place before you get transferred? You have been in Villaverde for four months and does that mean you will get transferred soon? We have had a great Stake Conference today. Bishop Heusser spoke and you know how good of a speaker he is. He told us about 2 of his favorite things to do is go mountain biking and go snowshoeing and then he talked about "Paths" and gave us the scripture in John 14:3,4 about Chist is the way or path. He atlked about how for girls camp this year they had a hike for 13 miles to the Reno Temple. Paula went to Reno 5 times to find the right, safest, potty break, lunch break way to go. So he talked about preparation and then he quoted a new member that said "When I go to the temple, I feel light and happy and we are God's kids and he wants us in his house." I felt bad that we didn't get to go to the evening session of stake conference but that was the only date that we could get at the park for Devree's fundraiser.

The fundraiser was a success but I can tell you that I am so happy it is over. It was a ton of work and I can tell you I spent about 8-10 hours a day getting ready for it for about a month. There were so many kind people that donated stuff but then Dad and I had to pick up from peoples houses in the truck and it spilled out of our 2 car garage and people dropped off a ton of stuff at the park to sell. We were able to get about $2,000 from the rummage sale and the kids carnival. The other $1,000 came from people just writing checks to us. In fact you wouldn't believe the $ that people gave. Remember the lady that does the snowboarding? You know the small lady with short black hair and does all of the 4-h stuff? She wrote a check for $500! If we could find 62 more people like her we would have enough of the $31,000 that we need for Devree's 2 operations. But people have been so generous and kind. Tony Coltrin had his little trailer set up to sell hot dogs and he and Michelle were there all day and paid for the cost of the food and gave us the rest. They also had a tip jar to donate to Devree and people filled that up too. People are inately good if you give them a chance. So many awesome people. I still need to apply for that philanthropy group to give us money too. I hope that I get to substitute a lot to help with expenses too, like Danes crooked teeth.

We had fun with Aunt Paula, Teara, Locey and Skyla when they came up to help with the fundraiser. We were talking about Kolten getting home on January 24th and the big party we want to plan. Teara was saying how we miss Kolten and Noble. Devree said we didn't miss Kaylun as much because he was always texting his girl friend. Kolten never had a girl friend and you only had one at the very last. We were laughing about Locey singing when he was little. "Deep in my heart" and then we were laughing at Shay's alarm clock blaring at 4 am waking Dad and I with a start and Shay sleeping through it all. Well tomorrow is the first day of school and seminary and seminary starts at 6:20 AM so Shay is going to be one tired cookie. He is not liking soccer too much but he is LOVING Band. Aunt Paula came to our house for a little nap yesterday because she drove at 3am to get here and she said 3 girls came to the door to see if Shay was home! The fun is beginning. Anyway I can't tell you how HAPPY I am to have the fundraiser over. We are going to wait to do the golf tournament next summer I think.
LOve YOU BUNCHES and BUNCHES! Mom

Dear Noble,
Yesterday I was sweating but I went in the bounce house and went to the Fish Pond and got lots of toys and laid on the mattress in the fish pond and worked in the fish pond and worked at the bean bag toss and ate cup cakes from the cake walk and ate hot dogs and got lots and lots of water. Beeeee GOOOOOOOD! I got my face painted with 2 patches on the eye with a bandana painted on my forehead and a goatee. I beat the Vampire Night game all by myself. I was telling Dad to not shoot the critters with the growths on them but Dad thought I was telling him not play the game and he threw a fit! We laugh about it now.
LOVE YOU and I hope you come sometime, just sometime. And you are not slipping out of my hands you are going to PLAY PLAY PLAY with me.
Love, Dane.

Dear Elder Hamblin,
Phwew! I'm glad the fundraiser is over now! It was really productive and everything but I hate how much went into it. I know mom will go "PAH! You didn't do much little girl!" you have to say "little girl" like Josh Peck from Drake and Josh. GASP! School starts tomorrow! Now I have to worry about that! Where was my vacation?!? Well I'm not in drama this year and that depresses me. I mean I finally got it OKed to do the knight's Tale monologue and I'm NOT in Drama >=( I'm in Psychology this year so I'll tell you if it's worth going into. Teara, Locey, Skyla, and Paula came to help with the fundraiser and we just said goodbye to them. Mom was looking at the calendar and we're gonna be at St. Jude's when Kolten comes home! We'll work something out. No fair! I wanted to use lines from Back to the Future! I'll just use them later in our game. Are you ready?; "BRILLIANT! You reject your own nose because it represents the glitter of commercialism! WHY didn't I think of that?! Cut, print, moving on." You better guess this! It was your favorite line from the movie. OH! We never told you about the slang flash cards. Reese and Katherine Butikofer gott hese slang flash cards from one of their sons and they are as funny as all get out! There's one where the parents are admiring their new baby girl and the husband says "She has my eyes and your badonkadonk!" There's another one that has two old ladies who are shopping and one says "Hey, let's jack some extra virgin olive oil and shake this joint!" Another had a picture of people making a business deal and the guy said "Merger? I'm down!" One had a picture of a woman typing and a guy is looking on and said "You type hecka fast!" and they're two business professionals. It's just funny what pictures they put with the sentences and the kinds of things they say using these gangsta words! Well, I hope you got a few laughs. I love and wish the best for you! FROG
Love your favoritest sister,
Devree
OH! PS We were talking about heath classes today at dinner and I'm reading Vladimir Tod and his health teacher stutters when he says gonads so he's all "g-g-g-g-gonads." Tee hee. Something funny.



Dear,Noble

I had fun this week and i hope you did too I did my field show on monday and the trumpets sucked at one part. But it was still fun. any was devree's thing went well.So keep do your missionary stuff were all so proud.have a good week Love, Shay
***

Dear Elder Hamblin,

Mom did a great job with the fundraiser yesterday (Saturday 8/27/2011). I know that doesn’t surprise you. Our Mom is such an awesome woman. She came up with the plan, and we all helped her to make it happen. All of our church friends made cupcakes, and they helped us to run all of the Kid Carnival booths. The face painting was just precious. So much talent, and they were fast. We had a guy deliver an industrial bounce house. The kids loved it!!! People on the highway would see the bounce house and stop by to participate.

A group of the band kids showed up with Josh Boga, and they stayed and helped all day. The older Primary kids like Megan Clark, Jacob Stewart, Aaron Galloway, and Andrew Matthews pretty much ran the Kid Carnival games. The adults ran the bounce house and the Rummage Sale. Tony & Michelle Coltrin sold concessions all day in their Weinner Schnitzel – Mobile, and Brian Matthews sold popcorn from his little machine.

In the evening at 4:30PM George Fish from my work at the DMV came and played acoustical guitar. Then at 6:00PM Ethan Galloway’s band and their lead singer Jamie Gould. Then after Ethan’s band we got to hear the Fraser’s band “Sibling Rivalry”. They were a lot of fun to listen to. Tommy did a few plugs for Devree’s fundraiser. One of them was really creative. He said, “Those of you that can give a lot. Please give a lot. Those of you that cannot, just give a little bit.” Then they went into the song.
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my love to you
There's so much that we need to share
So send a smile and show you care
One lady responded with a $500 dollar check. The rest of the people were generous with the donation jar at the Weinner Schnitzel – Mobile. Altogether we made $3,500 towards the “Help Devree Smile” operation.
At the end of the day we were exhausted, but felt really good about what we were able to accomplish.

Mahal kita Elder Hamblin!!!
Dad

P.S. I have been exposed to the word “naka” already. I believe the words were nakatayo and nakaupo. Now Devree’s favorite thing to say is “naka wala” when Shay or Dane walk out in their underwear. You know how I call Low Rider Lo-Lo? So when I say “lolo ko” for my Low Rider, I’m really saying “my grandpa”, right? You may not want to share that with anyone.

August 21, 2011

Dear Family!!!!!
Whoo weee you are all so busy doing good things. I always can feel the love in all your emails! Thanks for the love.
Dear Mom,
I can't believe Dane's 10 now! Your little boys are growing up. 1 on a mission 1 asking girls to dance. 1 turning 10 and partying with his friends. All your kids are in the double digits now. Do you feel old? Just kidding sorry that was kinda Bastos (rude). So Manny's got a roomate now. I hope he is a good guy cause I'll probably end up rooming with him later! I think he's a good guy though he is now apart of helping Devree get her smile back! I miss all of you and I constantly think about Manny! PLEASE if you can get me his new address!!!!! When you told me about the Munch and Music I was really impressed with Star and all she does. I thought about how she asked if it was okay if they name their next son after me. I was really touched and I'll never forget her for that. Then I read who the lead singer is for Ethans Band. BAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! I made everyone in the computer shop look at me and my companion because I was laughing sooooo hard! I'm glad Ethan finaly made his band and I hope he goes far! Even if his lead singer is the (Mom deleted this part). I am also glad for Jake and his contract. Way to go! Also the Frasier boys will always be a big hit in the ward. Well Thanks for the update and sorry if your reading this at Midnight! Love ya Elder Hambin
Dear Dane,
Wow you big 10 year old you! I hope your birthday was tons of fun thanks to your VERY creative mother. (that was for you mom!) The Bey Blades sound SWEET you'll have to show me how they work when I get home! You know the kids here in the Philippines are CRAZY about Bey Blades and they watch the TV show and everything! Posters and little tops are everywhere! Well don't worry I'll let you count my 6 pack when I get home even though you won't need to because there's only 6 thus the name 6 pack! Well Love ya
Elder HAmblin
Dear Shay,
Wow way to go bro! You were the big man and got wimpy Preston to ask the girls to dance. You made a big difference in his life you know. I wish I could have done that with Louis more. You are living my dreams and exceding all that I have acomplished in my High school years and I am proud of you. Truly you are a hope for this rising generation. You will be faster, stronger and smarter than my generation will ever be and be the true leaders of this world so keep on being awwesome just like you are! You better bet that every day I wake up I do sit ups for my six pack! So be afraid be very afraid. Don't read Judges 4:21 read Proverbs 3:5-6 Love ELder Hamblin
Dear Devree,
Wow you are an inspiration to the other girls your age. You show them that you can be proactive at the dance. Way to go sis! Keep being the shinning example that you are. Your movie was The Mummy and o how I miss it so. It gets harder and harder for me to come up with lines that are challenging for you because I am kinda cut off from movies. So I'm thinking I'm thinking. Got it! "Calvin Calvin I half to tell you something! Whats wrong George? Darth Vader came to me last night and told me if I don't ask Mary Ann to the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance that he'd melt my brain!" Or if thats too hard "Whoa thats Heavy!" or if tha'ts still to hard "1.21 Jigawatts" Try that on for size!
My companions full name is Elder Anzal I thought I wrote that in the last email! Hey don't let any guys give you crap. Go and ask them to dance that will show them that you mean business! Love Ya Tons! ELder Hamblin
Dear Dad,
Wow thanks for the SD card reader but the package hasn't come yet! It will come in handy here. The 1 guy that is good at getting my pictures on the computer is saying that I have alot of viruses on my sd card but I don't belive him because the people at the photo printing station get in and out of my card easy but its just him who has a hard time! I really really wish I had a laptop to just email you all from because that would make things so much easier but thats not pwede! Wow you are one busy Tatay taking youth to really long dances and just being Dad! You've got a really important job you know! Raising all your rambunctious boys and your very special daughter. You really have alot on your plate but that being said its Tagalog Time!
So the word I want to teach you about today is Naka. Naka means to be in the state of. If I say Naka pula ako it means I am in the state of being red or I have a red shirt on! If you ask a girl what are you wearing and she says Naka wala that means she is in the state of nothing or shes naked! SO run! JK You can also use it for other things like naka tulog siya or he's sleeping! So have fun with that!
It's been an adventure here. Just last night I had to conduct the funeral service of a 19 year old boy who had committed suicide and the family was a part member family so I had to conduct all of it for them in Tagalog! It was hard but I did it. At least Elder Anzal did the talk about the Plan of Salvation so I didn't have to do that also! The funeral got me thinking about Grandpa Hamblin's funeral. When I held his hand as he was laying in the coffin it didn;t feel like grandpa. I miss him as I'm sure you do also. I think he knows I'm on a mission and he's proud of me! I think he can give me strength when I am weak and he watches over all the missionaries that are a part of his family D&C 88:85. I'm not sure that's the right one but it's the scripture about how the angels are there to bear you up in your times of need! I just thought you would appericiate that thought.
Having a Filippino companion is challenging especialy when he won't slow down his Tagalog for you! but i have learned to adjust to him and we are getting along smoothly. I think that my tagalog comes even faster now. I am constantly using it with him and members and I can order any food I want completly in Tagalog now. I communicate with people more easily now and I can tell stories now and people understand me! I love this language and I don't want to ever lose it when I go home.
Keep to the faith for it is the hope we need to get through the rough times. Every NOBLE work is at 1st considered impossible. I have done some things here that other people have considered to be impossible. I got the 1st baptism in Villaverde after so many cycles of nothing. I have showed love and patience to companions that other missionaries have told me are impossible to work with. I've stopped a smoker from smoking and a coffee drinker from drinking. I have learned a language that I didn't even know existed before my mission and I use it to teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have done some crazy things and I still have alot more to do! The list of tasks in front of me seems absolutly impossible to accomplish but some how I do it and in the muggy heat of the Philippines the Lord truly gives me strength every day. I pay 500 pesos every time I withdraw money for emergency situations like my companion using up his support money or my light bulb dies or silly things like that and it truly has come in handy! Mabe someday I will save some money up for the masarap fund to by some Reeses Peanut Butter Ice Cream! YUMMMMMM!
Well I've written enough! My companion is almost done with his online "Stuff" he has to do so I should sign off! Love you all soooooo much!
THe one the only ELLLLLLLDER HAMBLIN!!!!!!!!!

August 14, 2011 (Uncle Breck's birthday)

Whoooooowweeeeeee! I am always surprized to hear what my family is up to. You all seem pretty busy!
Dear Mom,
Sounds like camping was tons of fun and the borrowed quads were put to good use! For Billys Baptism we had to call Pres. Carlos for permission to precede with the pres. in Solanos permission. Me and Elder Anzal have been getting along just nicley except for the occasional weird thing he does. Like one day I look up from reading in the Ensign and Elder Anzal is moving my desk across the room and sweeping and throwing stuff on the ground like its garbage. Turns out he didn't like how the desks were arranged and he was moving them without consulting me. If I was a blind person I would be dead by now from all the stuff he moves so it will look better! But thats a little trial to get over. He is really a cool person and mabe I will get to send you a picture of him soon! He is just funny! He loves to sing and tell me how silly I am! HE'S always the center of attention at zone meetings and service projects! Last Saturday we were digging a burn hole for a member and I was manning the wheel barrel that looked like it was about to break! He Loved clapping for me everytime I dumped the dirt out in the pile and soon everyone would clap for me!
Work in Villaverde has gotten slow! None of our investigators seem to be sticking really! I am having problems understanding all that is going on because Elder Anzal talks SOOOOO FAST! But it's just better practice for me to learn this confusing and yet simple language. I feel the prayers but don't stop now. I will need them now more than ever.
I've really Been diving into Jesus the Christ by who Elder Talmage! He sometimes makes my brain hurt! I am getting a better appreciation for the Savior and all he did for us! He dedicated his whole life to the gospel and Elder Talmage does a great job of describing in detail what he went through!
Story Time!!!!! I almost DIED! when we were waiting for a ride to Solano for District meeting. I saw a big dump truck driving down the road towards me and my companion which was nothing out of the ordinary. BUT when I stepped off the road to let the truck pass apparently it ran over a rock about the size of my fist and sent it flying towards us! I didn't have any time to react, I just watched the stone fly right towards me pass me and E. Anzal and slam into a parked car waiting to turn! It left a huge dent in the car which the driver was not very happy about at all! But just think if I had stepped one more foot forward I could have a broken rib! I could have been in some serious hurt! It was a close call but I remembered to pray for protection this morning so I thanked the Lord for perserving our lives and answering my prayer and the prayers of my family! Dane I really do try to be safe on my mission! Anyway it was a close call that I am glad to tell the story about!
Lastly MOM, Mannys new address I still need it and I sent a letter back to him at the old address so hopefully they forward it to him! If you could find out his new address that would be great! Thanks Love ELder Hamblin
Dear Devree,
I hope you get used to the new hearing aid and everything works out fine! I'm glad Jason is home and next Sunday give him my best! I really do love that guy! Anyways I hope Louis isn't putting the moves on you during class or anything! JK Don't worry I got 2 mosquito bites to match yours on my foot! I am very familiar with those anoying little bumps! I really want to see Cars 2 it sounds awesome! Well your movie was White Chicks. Heres mine, "Grandpa is this a kissing book?" or "Inconcievable!" Guess that! Love ya tons!!!! ELder Hsmblin
Dear Dane,
I would use as many bananas as you can fit in the blender because I just GO BANANAS FOR BANANAS! JOKELANG! SO for the real recipe for a time machine. It turns out that the government blocks out any top secret research about time travel! They won't let me send the recipe to you so you'll just have to wait till I come home and then we can build it together! Okay? Don't brake the borrowed quad and I have no six pack yet but I am losing weight! Love Ya Elder HAmblin
Dear Shay,
So the race to the six pack begins ay? I would like to tell you that when I left on my mission I was 220lbs. As of last transfer meeting I now weigh in at a frightening 190lbs now! Thats 30lbs of weight loss in 3 months and counting! So be afraid be VERY afraid! I'm glad to hear that Harry is your section leader. He will take good care of you because you are a Hamblin! Don't let any girls kiss you. They are just trouble! You don't need that kinda stress with Band and Soccer and don't worry if they are gonna kiss you they let you know before they go in for the kill. Just stay on your toes and remember "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" (That was for you Devree!) Well I'm sure you're gonna Kill It in highschool just have fun with it okay? Love ELder HAmblin
Dear Dad,
Work sounds hectic as usual and you sound like you're still hard at work! Wow you are moving up! Just look at it as an opportunity to stretch and grow your skills whether in computers or in just cooperating with people! I am sure this is just another blessing in disguise for you and the whole family! I loved the story about the King and the ending was kinda corny I'm not gonna lie. But it shows the importance of seeing the silver Lining in all things and looking for the flowers and not the rocks on the path of life! Thanks Dad you really help cheer up my week. All of the email do! Thanks for all of it!
Tatay Leonardo is doing fine. He's back and kicking, but you can tell it takes its toll on the mind. He is more "spacey" than before and we had him sit in a lesson with us and he just stared off into space the whole lesson so we didn't ask him to add anything. He is still up and about but I don't know how much more his frail body can take!
Tatay Billy is doing great he has work again in Solano as a carpenter and life is good. He still stays clean of the ciggaretes and he is just doing great! He is always willing to help out in a lesson and he got us a new investigator. Guess who it is? HIS NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOOR! And she's doing great! She is a single mother with two kids and reads everything we give her just like Billy! She's great!
Well thanks everyone for all the love in your emails and stuff! I will keep on keeping on so you all better too! LOVE YOU ALL!
ELDER HAMBLIN



On Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 7:50 AM, Hamblin Family wrote:

Dear Elder Hamblin,
We had an awesome time this weekend by camping with the Olsons and the Neumeister's. Boy did we go on the quads. Shay went and went. Devree and I did go to Scott's lake on the quad. It was about 2 miles. You remember Hope Valley and the lake where you saved Ethan Galloway? It was a whole lot of fun. We came home last night to be ready for Sunday today.
I am so happy about your baptisms! I want you to tell us about how you challenged them to be baptized and what exactly did you do at your baptism without the branch president. Do you and your companion get along? Sometimes different cultures are hard to get along with because we are raised so differently. We laughed alot about the "Sex Bees". I also loved how you told Dane about how to make a time machine but really it was a smoothy.
I finally reserved a place for the Rice Reunion next summer. It is more south than Ensign Ranch because it got too full. It is right by Mount Ranier. Everyone is getting really excited about it and Koe sent her money already.
So I have a great story for your mission. Elder Talmage, who wrote Jesus the Christ, said when he was in college he met a Lamp salesman. He already had a lamp but he invited him to his room. The salesman asked Elder Talmage to show his lamp. So Elder Talmage lit his lamp and the saleman complimented him on how easy it was to light and trim it and how it did shine but then the salesman asked if he could show him the new lamp, Elder Talmage saw how his lamp was brighter and shows up even the darkest corners. So Elder Talmage said that is how we need to share the gospel. Not by saying how bad their religion is but by showing them how much better our religion is. So is that what you have been doing? I think you really do have a love for the Filippino people. That is why you are able to find those souls.
Sure Luv ya! Love Mom

Dear Elder Hamblin,
Jason Wheeler came home today! And his brother with the Asian wife and all their little girls live in our ward now. They have a new baby girl that they blessed today! Jason got to help with that. He also spoke and it was a great talk about how your garments can protect you. He also told a story about a guy that was hooked on drugs and they were teaching him but he couldn't let go of the drugs so they stopped teaching him. It turns out he listened to General conference and he heard that when you're having trouble, read the Book of Mormon so he did and he stopped the drugs and cleaned up and later he went on splits with that companion and they saw how much that man had turned his life around and changed. It was a good story. Well, since I'm the only "stalwart" kid my age it was just me and Bro. Breithaupt in class because Sis. Shannon is going to be gone all month. It's kind of cool to really think about things on a higher level because it's just the two of us. Sis. Atkins brought cupcakes to our class and they had Cars 2 rings on them and I got Mater and it was cool! I was looking at my hands today and I'm going from left to right; burn, scratch, mosquito bite x2 on the left, then it's basically good til the mosquito bite on the right. I have my new hearing aids now and everything is so LOUD and my voice echos slightly so I sound like a ghostie o.O It's weird. Your line was from Freaky Friday. Here's mine(it's a dialogue);
"Omigosh Britney I can't believe you said that!"
"You were thinking it!"
"Yeah but you said it!"
Guess that! Well I miss you and love you!
Love, you bestest sister,
Devree <3

Dear Elder Hamblin,
Do you have a six pack yet? About the quads. Dad was very proud of me when I drove. I liked the recipe for the smoothy but I haven't tried it yet. How many bananas? I need to know so I don't go bananas. Jokla. You can't have strawberries without bananas. You have to say that with an English accent.
Love, Dane
Dear Noble,
I went to lunch with the Hanses' during band camp. Hillary has already graduated but she was visiting that day. We went to Sierra Joe's and Harry and Hillary said you were amazing! They thought you were funny and it was so cool that you could do the flips at lunch time and in your Spanish class with your funny accent saying "kissass" which means maybe and also "pissina" which means pool because of your silly accent. They said a lot of cool stuff about you. Harry is my section leader. He is a senior like Devree. I'm amazing at soccer and I may get a six pack before you. So the race is on.
We went camping with the Olsons and we did ALOT of quading and I got more experience. It was sooooooooo FUN! (now this is Mom talking) Also Neumeister's granddaughter Becca was there and she has a HUGE crush on Shay. She sat on his lap with the jacket over their heads till Dad told Shay to come to bed. Shay said it was cold is why they put the jacket over their heads. Shay also said "What if a girl 'ACCIDENTALLY' kisses me!" But Shay said he accidentally didn't get kissed this time.
This is Shay again. Well I LOOOOOOOOOVE YOOOOOU! Bye Noble, Love Shay P.S. Next time send a better recipe for a time machine okay?


***

Dear Elder Hamblin,

Things have kind of changed at work. I didn’t really want to be the Network Supervisor, but they had me do it anyway. As it turns out, I have actually enjoyed holding that position and I have learned a lot. My boss has talked about me being the Network Manager and replacing him when he retires. I have seen all of the problems he solves, so I have been pretty out spoken about not wanting his job. Well, they just transferred my boss to another position. I am now the acting Network Manager. If they can get funding, they will rehire the position in 2 years.

So I am advancing in my career and learning new things. I have actually been able to do a lot of difficult things already. It is possible that in 2 years I might want to apply for the position. Then I would start getting paid for doing all of the extra duties. Perhaps the Lord is trying to bless me whether I want it or not. LOL
***
ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD...
The story is told of a king who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. In preparing one of the guns, the friend had apparently done something wrong, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in a dangerous area. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they approached to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So after untying the king, they sent him on his way. As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this." "No," his friend replied, "this is good!" "What do you mean, 'This is good?' How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?" "If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of Heavenly Father is clear. If we love him and live our lives according to his precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by Him for His glory and our benefit. Hold on...And Know That God is!
***
Please forgive me for taking up precious time with a story. I thought it might be of some encouragement as you sacrifice to get along with Elder Anzal. You already have the right attitude. I just wanted to send something that said, “Hang in there Elder Hamblin!!!” Keep trusting in the Lord. I bear my testimony to you that he will not let you down. Read Mosiah 24:13-16 when you get home. Sometimes this is how the Lord works.

You make me proud Noble. You are serving your mission with wisdom beyond your years. I love you my anak, maybe more than you know. I loved your last letter. Your words warmed my heart and made me feel grateful for the son you are. We have a father & son bond that neither of us will ever forget.

Mahal kita,
Your Tatay


P.S. How is Tatay Leonardo after his stroke? My Grandpa Hamblin was told that if he ate a whole grain cereal (oatmeal or cracked wheat) and a fruit everyday he would not have another stroke. I guess it depends on what causes the strokes.

P.P.S. Billy Bongalon sounds like an awesome person. I am glad that you were able to find him.

August 14,

August 8, 2011

AAAAAA Thanks Mom! you’re the best. (He is getting a package soon.)
WOW yes we did have a baptism his name is Billy Bongalon and he really truly is one of the Lords prepared for the mission! I love him so much! It only took me one try and he was baptized. But it's true what they say you know! Satan tries his hardest when people are close to baptism! I can't even count the troubles we faced that day! But we made it through even though our Pres of the branch didn't show up to preside and Billy wasn't ready when we came to pick him up! WE DID IT and he thanked me a ton! I gave him a big wet hug after the baptism and everything seemed right in the world. This is why I'm here and nothing like spiders in my baptismal pants or lame presidents of the branch can stop me from doing the Lords Work!
WOW there are alot of movies I get to watch when I get home TOO! SO much to do! And soooooo far away. My 1st and 2nd companions just recently went home and Elder Bates accidentally sent me a really trunky letter about him being home so I sent him an email saying what a jerk he was and then told him how much I appreciated his love and work with me in Villaverde! Anyway thanks for the Email you can read more about stuff going on here in the other one thanks!
Elder Hamblin

***
(Devree's quote was from a funny thing Shay said at dinner. Shay was telling us when he goes to Band Camp this week that the Band teacher will be like the SORTING HAT in Harry Potter. In Shay's best British accent he said "Another Hamblin. I know just what to do with you.") HARRY POTTER WHOOOOOOO HOOOOO! I miss those good movies! O I’m sure MRS Bum will say that to my little punk of a brother! Alright here’s my quote "OOOOO I LOOK LIKE THE CRYPT KEEPER!" I hear your fundraiser is getting started and of course you are the celebrity as always and you will be in the newspaper isn't that neat! Well, Thanks for the update Love Your bother Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
You're still on my fridge bro! I thought of you when I reached for the milk to go with my cereal this morning! I miss you wanting to watch Mulan in the car and all the funny stuff you would do! WOW Cars 2 I have to see that when I get home for sure! I always knew in the back of my mind that they would make a 2nd one but I didn't know when! Well you sure sound busy with soccer and all the stuff you are up to. Don't worry I am super popular at the High school and so is Devree so just say you’re a Hamblin, keep your nose clean, and people will flock to you like you’re the most popular kid in school! Look for missionary opportunities with your friends and always look for opportunities to share the gospel! Love ya bro. Elder Hamblin
Dear Dane,
You're just CRAZY you know that! Don't you worry I will show Zander who’s boss and you know which character I will use! IKE! Yep that’s right because Ike rocks! HEy make sure the trampoline works for when I get home okay? (Dane asked Noble to make a time machine so he could get home faster)So here’s the steps to making a time machine:
Step 1: Get a blender and some adult supervision.
Step 2: Get some Strawberries and Bananas and Some milk and ice.
Step 3: Put all the ingredients in the blender.
Step 4: Blend till it is well mixed.
Step 5: Pour into a cup, drink and enjoy!
OOPS! I'm sorry Dane I accidentally gave you instructions for a smoothy not a time machine! Sorry! Well next time I will get it right don't worry! LOVe your big brother ELder Hamblin
Dear Dad,
ASTIG! You help out everyone sooo much. You are the Dad everyone in the New Era and Friend magazines talk about! Why are you so cool? You and Shay getting all greasy and working on cars/giving service will be memories that Shay will have forever. You don't know how much it means to the son when you work with him. I remember countless nights where I was holding a flashlight or shoveling a drive way or sitting in a lesson with you! Everything you do is worth it Dad and don't forget it! You might say your week was boring but to me its familiar and something I wish I could experience right about now! Our family is so blessed and we don't even know it!
Well let me tell you Tatay having my 1st Philippino companion has been a doozy! When I go to turn on the stove I can't because he turned off the gas! Every P-Day he does something different to the house by moving stuff around and cleaning! If I was a blind man I would be running into things like crazy! He is absolutely addicted to Texting other missionaries and he said the funniest thing last night! HE was reading in the friend about Hinckley’s Bs. Well instead of saying the Six B's he mispronounced the Six and accidentally said the SEX B's! I laughed my head off and then corrected him and he called me bobo ka or "stupid you" in Tagalog! HE SPEAKS TAGALOG ALL THE TIME! Which is really good for me! I understand all of it it’s just hard to respond some time and he talks so fast! Mabilis "fast" I'm sorry I can't send pictures again the guy who helps me with getting the computer to read the SD card isn't here today so I'll have to try again next week!
I haven't been able to pick and eat any fruit yet mostly because people don't grow it outside for that very reason! But maybe at a members house I could! Who knows I'll let you know when I’ve done it! When I think of Villaverde I think of the Beautiful mountains practically in our back yard! And all the rice fields and how green everything is! As my companion pointed out even the water is green. HE was pointing to an irrigation ditch!
Dad I would like to say sorry for making fun of you for putting all 2 bottles of Anti-Diarrhea pills in my suit case. In order to shorten this email and shield you from the horrible graphic images of my journal entries from the past week I would just like to say thank you for those pills. It was truly an inspired decision. YOU ROCK DAD!
I think I kinda have been losing it for the past week. I drew a picture of Abraham Lincoln in my daily planner for P-Day and with Elder Anzal singing Little Mermaid and Hercules songs I have been kinda....frazzled? Thanks again for all that you have sent to me! You’re the best Tatay that any missionary could hope for! LOVE,
ELder HAmblin

August 1, 2011

Wow my family's always on the road! I want have a home when i go home. I will just have to travel with you all! JK I am so excited to hear all the good news with Devrees face! I think she will look like a super model when she’s done! I am glad the doctor is all business! Thanks for all the updates and the descriptions It sounds like a ton of fun! You won't believe Who my new companion is! He is a native Philippino and his name is Elder Anzal. I will show you a picture of him next time i don't have enough time this time to send pictures! sorry the jeepney will have to wait!
Dear Mom,
We have found some new people who look very promising and really close to the church! Tatal Leonardo had another stroke and hes in the hospital we haven’t seen him for a week! I hope he is doing fine and we will pray for him. Tatay Billy is still doing awesome and is obviously one of the Lords prepared! He will be baptized this Sat! Things are just going great! I Am Learning even faster with a Philippino companion who speaks Tagalog to me 24/7 and hardly ever speaks English and the crazy thing is i understand him! If i can respond in Tagalog i do and he understands English very well. I can tell him stories in English and he understands but he will comment in Tagalog every time so Language study just went through the roof! I participate in the lesson more than i ever have before and i understand the member’s advice to me! I can say pretty much all i want to say now but the grammar is still ugly! I am just loving it here. When you smile at people they don't stare at you but they smile back! Its fantastic. I think the people in Vila Verde are starting to get used to a white kid walking around there neighborhood! I give little kids high fives and say ASTIG alot! Its just been a blast. We reorganized the house and bedroom so that’s new. We are going to a museum today which should be oodles of fun. I have some bad new also. My companion Elder Fonua has apparently gone home already. He made it to the Philippines but he quote "Annihilated his Achilles tendon while playin Basketball" He is home in Utah now and if all goes well he will be back by Christmas! I don't know if he will make the choice to finish the mission or just stay home! Sad sad sad! But I must have faith that he will make the right choice!
Oh and i did receive Manny’s letters and they were hilarious and heart warming and i already sent a letter back! With love also! I pray for him and his family every day! i pray for you all too! Love you!
Dear Devrs,
Wow you are getting the new smile and face apparently that you always wanted! Its gonna look great i can tell already! Wow you must be old getting botox already! jk If your movie was The Producers than alright if not well i tried! Sorry the last email was kinda rushed i had to work quick because Elder Maxfield just had a trunky email and it was very small since he was going home 3 days after it! We also had to get back to the area! Any ways here’s my movie, "Ouuuut there with all the millers and the weavers and their wives through the hills and gables i can see them. Every day they shout and scold and go about their lives heedless of the gift it is to be them........IF I WAS IN THEIR SKIN I'D TREASURE EVERY INSTENCE OUT THERE!" Guess that hint "I was him for Halloween and you were his cruch!" Speaking of which i have some music i want to add to your list:
Hercules
Lion King
Hunchback of Notre Dam
Mulan
Sons of Provo
Trans Siberian Orchestra
Singles Ward
and ask Dad about the Tiawana Brass CD he had with Love potion # 9 on it it was the one with all the brass instrument and it had no lyricks so i say its okay! THanks a ton!
Love Elderaaaa Hamblin
Dear Shay,
Thanks for writing it means alot! Sounds like my High school experience it will be fun! But don't make the same mistakes i made some of which include:
Sniffing pop rocks/pixie sticks
Telling a girl that she’s your divine goddess
flirting with girls in general
trying to learn how to do a front flip on school grounds
Teasing the principle that there is marijuana in you hacky sack
Basically follow President Hinckley’s advice and DON'T BE STUPID!

Thanks for the love
Elder Hamblin

Dear Dad,

Thanks for bringing the food of the Philippines to my family. They have weird sweet spaghetti sauce here that substitutes for the banana ketchup that you used. I was surprised you found the ingredients congratulations you deserve some kudos for that one pops. Thanks for making me trunky too!! You all sound like you are having a great time even though you are missing the man who can start a party. I've decided 1st order of business when i get home is that we put the song "Shake your Bon Bon by Ricky Martin on as loud as you want and then shake our bon bons! I really just want to get my boogie down with my family when i get home! You are all awesome and I can really feel the love in every one of your emails! Thanks for everything Pictures next time hopefully i can get a good one of a jeepney! Thanks again love you all tons!
Elder Hamblin
P.S. I found A and W Rootbeer here the other day and it was soooooo delicious. Its the little things in life that give you the most pleasure. Well you know besides family and stuff! I await the promised letter from the Family Reunion still! Thanks again!

***
Note: We added Noble's pictures to entries July 11, 17, 25, and 31.