Christmas 2011

HAAAAAAA! I miss you all! I miss Christmas and I miss the traditions! I miss my family!!!!!!!! It sounds like you guys are just receiving all the blessings from all our hard work! I miss you all and I hope that you are all enjoying your wonderful presents! I actually am really surprised with the outpour of blessings everyone got! Dad must be working like crazy and with Moms "combat pay" with substituting I think that you guys had a wonderful Christmas. I had a great Christmas too. The ward fed us quite a bit and I got to open all those gifts in the 1st package that I hadn't opened yet! MAN I was excited for all the cool stuff! The new Journal looks amazing and the 1001 Philippino jokes was.....interesting! No I loved it Devree. The problem is that all the jokes in there are dirty! I have yet to find a clean joke so me and E. Oyardo will keep searching for the clean ones. Mabe we'll mark them all and I'll show it to you when I get home. I have still not opened the snow in the can and I hope to soon. WE just might be able to make a snowman IN THE PHILIPPINES! I hope you all. I am too spoiled this year and I hope that other package gets to me in one piece! Love ya! (We sent 2 packages to Noble on the same day. We sent one for Christmas and one for his birthday which is tomorrow. He did not receive his birthday package.)

Dear Mom,
SO you gave me a great description of all the fantastic gifts that you gave all the kids but I got to see some pictures. POST THEM ON THE BLOG when you get a chance and I will be there! YOu guys are soooooo darn spoiled. Please make sure Shay doesn't kill anyone with the Cross bow! SOO you wanted a paragraph or two to read to the ward right? We'll try this out and change the spelling if its wrong. okay here I go:

Dear Dayton Ward,
From what I have heard the Ward has changed quite alot since I've been there and so if you don't know me that's a crying shame. I'll just have to meet you when I get back to the states! For those of you that remember me, thanks and don't lose the faith! You are all doing wonderful things in Dayton, Nevada and I am proud of our strong ward!
To the missionaries: I hope you are taking good care of my area! I know there are fantastic people there that need to hear the gospel and you two are very lucky to be serving here. Remember that when the days are hot and you are getting doors slammed in your face and nothing seems to be going right, I am eating pig intestines and rice for at least two meals a day! Just kidding it's only 3 times a week. I love missionaries and I know your families are being blessed!
First of all I would like to say thank you to everyone for being the fantastic examples for me and for my family! Thank you for the love and support that you have given to us in our time of need and the friendships that we have made. Thank you for the letters of love and concern for me. Don't worry I'm doing fine and I am still doing the Lords work. The Baptisms are coming and I am seeing lives change! I am really blessed to be a part of this work and I love all of it!
I have been very busy here in the Philippines with not only baptisms but also with the Wards working closely with the Bishops and Ward Mission Leaders to get stuff done! One of the bigger things on our agenda is Less Actives! Getting them to come back to church is not easy but every time it's worth it. I would just like to say to the ward that if you know someone who for some reason has fell away and needs a friend DO NOT WAIT TILL NEXT SUNDAY! Be their friend and get them to the activities and back into church. We can't just forget about all these fantastic people that have some how gotten out of the habit of going to church. Help bring them back!
I love you all and I wish only the best for you! Take Care! Ingat!
Your favorite 3rd World MIssionary,
ELDER HAMBLIN PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION

Mom I miss you and I miss your cooking and I miss Christmas at my house! I really hope that the blessings keep coming for you all and I hope that all goes according to plan with the ward thing! I love you SOOOOO Much! Don't worry I gave E. Oyardo 1 pair of pants and an old shirt of mine and some socks for Christmas. He comes from a poor family and he only got a 5 peso coin for Christmas so I think he liked it! LOVE YAA! Elder Hamblin
Dear Devree,
SO your movie was ELF! We got to talk about that on the SKYPE and iIwas so glad to see you are all nice safe and sound! HERES MY MOVIE:
" And then suddenly a burst of uncontrolable rage burst out of me that I couldn't stop and I beat the crap out of him!"
"MERRY CHRISTMAS LITTLE BOY! What do you want for Christmas?"
"A BB GUN YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT!"
Guess that! YOU SPOILED LITTLE GIRL! You got a Laptop for Christmas?!!! You got to send me pictures I want to know all about it! And the other presents you got of course the purple you love and Dad made sure that the stove was up and running for you all so you wouldn't get cold! Im sure with the temp being down in the teens you must have been SUPER COLD! I hope you all get some snow soon! I love ya ELDER HAMBLIN
Dear Shay,
A cross bow huh? DON'T SHOOT DANE! or the dog or anything that moves for that matter! I want to see pictures with you holding it and shooting it so make sure they get posted on the blog! I love ya and I'm sure you had a wonderfull Christmas! Tell me more about the FORBBIDEN ISLAND game that you got! Also the SHerlock Holmes movie sounds awesome! "Should I list the reasons Alphabetically or chronologically?" Thats my favorite part! I LOVE YOU! ELDER HAMBLIN
Dear Dane,
SO you got a brand new bike eh?!!! I want to see those pictures of you standing next to it riding it, petting it, loving it, hugging it, kissing it! All of it! The nerf battle sounded awesome and I want to see pictures of the dual swords they sound pretty darn cool! I love ya Dane and O can't wait to nerf battle and Sword Battle and War Craft Battle and Peggle Battle and SUPER SMASH BROS Brawl battle when I get home! I love ya a TON! Elder Hamblin. P.S. Go memory foam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)
Dear Poppie,
I miss you and I love you and I WANT THAT PACKAGE! I have been praying that iIget it soon and that nothing is stolen but that may be too much to ask. I miss my Tatay. The Skyping went great and I loved it all and I want to do it again for Mothers Day. Because Elder Oyardos family doesn't know how to really use the computer other than Facebook. I don't think that he will get the same oppurtunity! BUT I am glad that he can at least email them thru Face book!
Lowrider really does love being warm doesn't he? That spoiled dog! Thanks for holding the fort down while I'm gone! I know that my sis won't be cold when her pop is around! I love that about you!
Sorry no pictures this time I don't want to chance it with all the viruses swimming around in this computer! I will try to send a video next time and I think you will all love it! It's from the little play we did with the costumes so you will love it! Christmas sounded like a success and I can see that my famliy is DEFINITELY receiving the blessing of me being on a mission. I love you all and all the wonderful things you are doing for our fellow members in the Ward! I love you and stay safe! LOVE ELDER HAMBLIN!

December 19th, 2011

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.)


Noble acting like he is going really fast.

Nice cow!

Elder Oyardo posing on top of the carabao and Elder Hamblin said "He's having a great time!"

Elder Hamblin posing with his new name tag but alas we cannot see his name tag well.

Sister Rae Marie Foster sent this Christmas tree to Elder Hamblin. He loves it!

Another mouse caught. This one makes number 3! Devree said it says in perfect English "Cat Master". But now I think it says in perfect English "Catch Master". Ewwwwww I hate mice and rats!

Haaaaaaaa! Hey yall! How are you guys doing! I was soooooo excited to read your letter! You are all sooooo great about emailing me! I’ve got some kicking pictures and stories to tell you guys but 1st I need to say one thing to a special lady in our ward:

SISTER FOSTER: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!!!!!! I set it up as soon as I got home and it looks lovely I sent a picture with it too! Thank you for ALL that you do for me and my family. You’re the best.

SISTER REMINGTON: THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEAR ELDER LETTER I LOVED IT! But I am pretty sure my letter to you won't get to the states until next year so wait patiently. Your letter is coming!

One of the things I got to do is a Cool story. I got to ride a Carabao the other day! It was loads of fun and I really loved it! You guys can see the pictures. Mom I would like you to notice I am SMILING in these pictures and I am having a wonderful time here! I miss you all and I just want you to know I miss you all and I wish you all the best! Now for your questions!

Dear Mom,
I miss you. I didn't get your package yet but that’s okay I can wait I just hope it doesn't get lost in the mail! I REALLY WANT THAT HOOPS AND YOYO CARD! As I have stated I did get the Christmas tree and it looks awesome! I did give Elder Cajumban the missionary book and I have wanted to use it ever since. So I am excited to get my own copy again! I will try to be a big boy when we Skype so that I don't cry either but I have a feeling we will cry anyway! I miss you guys sooooo much! I will be there at 9am on the 23rd to talk to you all! I can't wait to SKYPE! I think it will all work out just fine and I will love it, you will love it, we will have a great time!

The language is coming and my anak is actually from a part of the Philippines that speaks DEEP Tagalog so I am learning all sorts of new words from him just by him using them and me going, Huh?

I can't believe that Heather Capps got married! Time is moving soooooo fast I can't wait to get home and get back in to the groove of things again. My Companion is going to be reading over my shoulder for the rest of this letter and bugging me to leave the internet shop but I don't care I am going to email my family whether he wants it or not! I miss you all and I can't wait to SKYPE and I can't wait to be home for Christmas but not just in my dreams but in person! LOVE ELder HAmblin

Dear Shay,

I didn't get the other package yet but I got the Christmas tree and it looks great! I want you to know that I always pray for you guys but now I will pray extra hard for you and your finals. Just study hard and the Lord will help with the rest if its his will for you to pass! I love ya Shay and don't worry the SKYPE thing will be just fine we just got to work out some bugs but it will be fine! I love ya and have fun this Christmas don't stress out or anything! Love Elder Hamblin

Dear Devree,

Good luck on the finals and don't stress out so much! Just study hard then do your best and it will all work out just fine! The Choir concert sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait to hear all about it during the SKYPE! It should be loads of fun and we will be able to play our game live if it all works out!

So the Christmas Caroling sounded rigged when the one neighbor said, "There is too many of you for my yard. Go next door!" No one would say that to Christmas Carolers! That and members don't do that to other members! I'm glad they set it up. It was a great lesson for you all!

Your movie was "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" Party on dudes! *guitar riff* I love that movie. Okay here’s mine,:

"John Wayne that’s a terrible cowboy name!"

"I wanta be a cowboy baby!"

"NO that’s bad"

"ROY THE INVINSIBLE!!!!"

Try that on for size little sister! I love you SOOOOOOO much and can't wait to SKYPE! LOVE ELDER HAMBLIN

Dear Dane,

How’s Shay enjoying the "Princess and the Pea" Bed?!! How are you enjoying it? Its cool you are doing some family history! I didn't know we were related to so much royalty! I guess that’s where the natural born right to lead comes from in our family! I miss ya little bro! I miss all the games we played and make sure Dad doesn't waste away playing Plants VS Zombies okay? Love your big brother Elder Hamblin

Dear Dad,

I can't believe you’re addicted to it too! Plants VS Zombies has taken the Philippines over! I see kids playing it all over the place! I hope that you don't lose your mind like some of the kids here. They skip out of school and use their money at the computer shops and play that game all day long! I can't play it but for some reason when they do I don't feel the need to do it! It doesn't look that interesting I guess we will try it out when I get home!

I have kinda been feeling tired lately also! I think that its due to training but that’s normal! I really do love training and I am doing a great job. My Anak is doing fantastic and he looks like he’s becoming one of Cauayan’s Finest! I just need to make sure no other missionaries spoil him with bad examples! I also have tried my hardest to stay true to the white handbook and show him the correct path, what’s pwede (approved or good) & what’s not pwede and such! SO you guys are Ward Missionaries huh? Well if you can give some Referrals then the missionaries will love you! That and feeding them always does the trick with me! I think this will be great for you all and get you all focused on the purpose. TO INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST! Remember that the Preach My Gospel book is not just for missionaries but for ALL members of this church and in it you will find everything you need to be the best missionary you can be!

The bit about the Christmas tree you bought for that family really touched my heart! THAT is the true meaning of Christmas. It is about giving my friends... giving not receiving! I know that new family will never forget your kindness! WHY ARE YOU GUYS SO AWESOME ALL THE TIME! I don't know how to keep up with you all!

Oh we are teaching MORE families now. We have one family with a baptismal date next year! They look promising but the Tatay has a long way to go. He’s a drunk and he drinks all the time. BUT HE WANTS TO CHANGE! That is the important part and we are getting him on the right track again so that he will be able to be a Patriarch for his family! I know he can do it.

That spot of land where the Steamers Wieners was, is a cursed plot of land. I don't think anything can survive there, so good luck to the Sushi place! I don't like sushi anyway! Well Can't wait to Skype you all on the 23rd at 9am. I will be in Ilagan for the better computers so that will be great! I miss you all and I know we can do this.

The Skype problem should be an easy fix and we'll get it working just fine! I love ya Tatay! I love ya family! and I wish the best for you all!!! I'll talk to you all soon.
Love

ELDER HAMBLIN

PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION


***

Third World Solution for a 3rd World Problem

Double-Click to see the video"Third World Solution for a 3rd World Problem"

December 12th, 2011

Baptism of Joan and Elder Hamblin with his new "anak" trainee Elder Oyardo.

Mice and Rats in the garbage.

Monkey swinging on the porch.

Freshly killed chicken?

Kids acting silly. Noble in the background getting ready to eat Pig Intestines?

Noble helping to prepare some food.

Smiling about his new haircut. No little front part of the hair to stick up. It is too hot and wet to stick up hair there.




I cried a little when I read your letter! I loved it soooooo much that I'm printing it out and it’s going on the fridge! I will treasure your words in my heart. The reason why this letter has hit me so hard is because through trial and error I have learned and done EXACTLY what you have advised me to do. PLEASE DELETE THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH:
1st order of business I want you to DELETE THE LAST EMAIL I SENT YOU! ALL OF IT! DON'T POST IT ON THE BLOG I DON'T WANT THE WORLD TO LOSE FAITH IN ME! I DON"T WANT THE WARD MISSION LEADER TO SOMEHOW GET WORD OF IT I WANT IT GONE! That is the past and we are living in the present. (delete this paragraph also)
2nd I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH! Thanks again for this fantastic email. I really have felt your prayers being answered here in San Mariano. I have seen miracle after miracle unfold before my eyes and I don't have a stomach ulcer yet! :)
1st Christmas miracle:
I was able to get everything figured out with the BRCR's (baptism record, confirmation record?)that were turned in late. Our new members can go to the temple on the 14th now that me and a member figured out how the family history accounts are made and managed. The ignorance to technology here is amazing sometimes. I don't even think our Bishop can access the ward members names on his computer! But I figured out how to make Family History Accounts so that the members can do their temple work. So I fixed that miracle!
2nd Christmas Miracle:
JOAN the 21 year old who's parents didn't want her to be baptized. Ya she was baptized last week on Friday! We had some problems with the pump and the way they have the water pump system here is absolutely stupid. Thank goodness my District Leader Elder Schmidt has gone to college and is into pipes and how they work with his Civil Engineering studies under his belt. He checked out the bobo (stupid) design and showed me how it works. The water was a little bit green but the baptism went great even though I had to hunt down a key to the chapel 2 hours before the baptism started! She gave a beautiful testimony about waiting 1year for that moment to happen! She is another person prepared by the Lord! She needed the gospel and if it weren't for me and Elder Oyardo her baptism would have been halted even LONGER! I am thankful to be a part of this work. THE BLESSINGS FAR OUT WEIGH THE TRIALS! I know this is the work of God and he wants it to progress!
3rd Christmas Miracle:
Somehow through it all I have helped Elder Oyardo become used to the life of a missionary and he isn't home sick! He is a stud ASTIG SIYA! He is doing great and is having a wonderful mission so far.... well ..... despite pumping water and dealing with his Tatay (Father= Trainer= Noble)leaving the apartment without his name tag! (Good thing his Tatay had a back up name tag!)
Now for the real trick, Moving apartments! My next task ahead of me makes the others seem like childs play. I have to find a new apartment. The one we wanted to move into has people in it because despite my texts the owner ignored me and gave it to a family of 7. Turd. No courage no respect, just ignores me and gives the apartment away! Frustrating to say the least! But I am not a negative thinker I am a positive thinker. Here in the Cauayan mission we don't cause problems, we make answers. Failure is not an option. SO I talked with the ward I talked with our progressing investigators and we have located a new apartment it’s small but it has screens and running water and will be good for a quick fix but they will want us to move into a better one soon. I'm still trying to set things in motion to do it but that’s not a problem now! PRAY FOR US! I love all the prayers and I am feeling them everyday. I learn and grow and stretch and learn some more from these experiences. E. Shmidt says that if I worry to much I might give myself a stomach ulcer which isn't good! So I have done some deep breathing techniques and some relaxing things before going to bed which have helped. But the thing that helps the most is prayer.
My anak really is amazing. I know he’s reading over my shoulder right now because his family didn't give him an email but I just want you to know he’s amazing. He continually surprises me everyday and surprises our District Leader with his skills in teaching OYMing and just overall being a good missionary. He went on a split with an American Missionary that was only 1 cycle out and loved the experience. They got a ridiculous amount of OYMs and 3 lessons! He’s awesome. He is constantly saying "Your my Tatay show me how to do it!" or if he’s just Timid "Your my Tatay you do it!" I love him! He’s awesome. I hope that I am good friends with him as long as you have been good friends with your anak. (The sister his Mom trained when she was on her mission in Alabama.)
I prayed for peace in my heart to know that it’s all gonna be okay. I prayed to be able to focus on the work when I needed to. I prayed for guidance and for help in what to do about the unending problems and obstacles that enter my path and I prayed that our Dear Heavenly Father wouldn't get tired of my endless prayers of his needy servant. I prayed for Elder Oyardo. I prayed for his family and my family. I prayed that the work will move on. That I will have the language skills I need to do what I need to do here in San Mariano. I prayed a lot! And I have seen the miracles time and time again! THANK YOU FOR EVERY PRAYER! I really have truly felt them and know that I’m not alone and I can do this!
In short, things are okay now and I am not pulling out my hair so much anymore!
Also remember that I didn't send any pictures of my anak E. Oyardo yet so the people you said were E. Oyardo on the blog are still E. Cajumban that goes for the Jenga picture too! SO Elder Oyardo is the Philippino in the baptismal Pics that I am sending in this email. HE IS ON MY RIGHT! So don't forget it! JK
Dear Mom,
I SAW THE FAMILY PICS THEY LOOK SO AWESOME! You all look so different! Thanks for the prayers! I really can feel them and I feel you guys love! Don't worry about what I said last email. I am doing MUCH better this email and I just need to start being super friendly with the Ward here and earn their trust. I found that if I smile during church that the people tend to have a better feeling. I think I have a pretty big effect on the ward here. It seems a lot of eyes are on me all the time! I have to ALWAYS be a great missionary because if I am, the rumors about me will always be good ones! I loved Rodel’s Advice! Walking stick! I had to buy a new umbrella because the little one from the states finally died on me. It had a broken part of the metal frame that eventually made its way through the thin fabric and poked a hole in the top. I kept on using it till the hole got pretty big and water got in! My new umbrella is pretty kickin and I like it! It’s BIG and does the job. So our investigators are doing okay. We keep on teaching the same families and little kids and it looks like we've got some big concerns to resolve with some of our older investigators. (By old I mean they have been taught for cycles now! They are all under 18 years old!) The families are progressing slowly. The big problem is the drinking and the smoking. Those are the 2 most common problems it’s seems with the tatay here. We just need to get them on the road to recovery and they will be fine. One family, the Ruda family, is doing great they love listening to the lessons and the Tatay doesn't have any smoking or drinking problems so far as I have seen. We will try to get them all to church next Sunday!
Here’s a fun thought Read Luke 10:8 and think of me eating pig intestines. You might get a chuckle out on it!
Your right though Mom, my language/people skills have really grown since I became a Tatay and just like at home when you left to St. Jude’s I am "Growing Up Fast" whether I want to or not! I love you and I got a new haircut. Hope you like it! Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
So the deal with getting mature............ well it’s not really just a one day fix you know!? You got to work at it everyday. It’s an attitude of mind. Like Dad always says you got to do things when they need to get done even when you don't want to! That’s what it means to be a real man. it’s not the money, the cars, the women, the class, it’s all about getting stuff done when they should be done! I know it’s not a great answer but when you start fulfilling your duties you really start to mature from a kid to a young adult and from a young man into a man man! Dear old Preston needs friends and that’s exactly what you are to him a good friend that is gonna help him make changes in his life so that he can come to church and receive some serious blessings man! You are doing a great thing. As with all great good, noble, things you have to be patient. You may not see instant results with Preston, but you can and will always be there to lift him up and if necessary give him a swift kick in the rear to get him to church so he can fulfill his duties as a priesthood holder. I know you can do it and I know that the Lord wants it done and you are just the man to do it for Him. SO in closing I would like to say.....GET 'R DONE! Love Elder Hamblin

Dear Dane,
How you doing? I saw the family pictures you look sooo big! You and Shay are growing up soo darn fast! I love my nickname and it strangely reminds me of Star Wars! How are you doing? You sound busy! With school and Honor Points and Shepherd’s pie! (Oh, how I miss that dish!) I can't wait to come home and play with you guys and everything! It sounds awesome! I love ya and miss you and Sheperds pie!
Love ELder HAMBLIN

Dear Devree,
So how’s the face treating ya? You looked so darn beautiful in the picks on the blog! With your Red hair wig and everything! It really is amazing how beautful it is right by our house! I wish I could have been there with you guys! I miss ya all!
The sleep-over you went to sounded awesome but probably took forever! Also the story about the trees was REALLY cool! It made me think about how the Lord is using me in my service here. Here’s a story or spiritual thought for you!
As we go through this life of trial and tribulations and all the while God and His Son Jesus Christ are molding and shaping us into who we will become, it is kinda like a house. Sometimes when we see and hear what God is doing with us us we get a little scared because God is changing things that we need in our house but we have to trust him. 1st it’s a sink there and a wall there. Then he starts ripping off the roof and taking out our foundations. It’s then that we realize that he isn't making the little cottage we thought he was. He's making a palace! Think about this when the times get rough and you think you are losing who you are! God is in all that we do so don't be afraid! Okay your movie was It's A Wonderful Life" Whew that was hard! Here's my movie quote for you!

"What’s pizza?" "We got to plant Pizza Plants!"
or
"Error Error restricted zone"
or
"EVEAAAAA!"
Try that on for size!
I love ya little sis and you're growing up on me too fast! Stay just the way you are! LOVE, ELDER HAMBLIN

Dear Dad,
Also Dad about the Skyping thing. Maybe the 23rd will be a better day for us all to Skype. I've been looking at the Calender and that’s when it’s easiest for me! SO will plan for 8 or 9 AM here in the Philippines on that Day for us to Skype. Will Talk about it more next email.
Your spiritual thought really helped me this fantastic P-Day and I am really thankful that you are my Tatay right now and know me the way you do! "Don't worry about the end of the world today! It’s already tomorrow in Australia!" That was the best thing to give me a smile on my face! I loved that! People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care! I have found that true also! I love these people and I know I’m here for them! They need missionaries REALLY BAD and I am here to give them the gospel! What a great work. I have to admit multiple times I have thought "What if I asked to be transferred?" or "Does President Carlos know what he’s doing? Do I know what I'm doing?" "Why the heck am I here anyway?" But there always comes an answer right after the question. I am a missionary of the true church and these people need me whether they know it or not! I cannot afford to fail. Failure is not an option. Quitting is not an option and Giving up is not an option! I either grow or die there is no in between in this crazy world thatI choose to live in! I choose to be a servant of the Lord. I choose to live the gospel and I choose to help these people no matter what the trials no matter and no matter what gets thrown at me! I cannot give up now I've already come so far! I know that this church is true and that I am here for the right reasons and my work here is not a waste of time but it it’s helping me become the man I have to be for God. I know this church is true and nothing will change my mind about that! NOTHING!
Dad you have been there every step of the way through my life and I know through the emails and the prayers that I am not alone you are still there to help me and so is my beloved family and friends. I just am going through the refiners fire and it’s just making me into the beautiful silver God wants me to be! I understand more than I have ever before the principle of Faith and how you must show your Faith through works and trust in the Lord and THEN comes the blessings in an OUT POUR! This is how the Lord works for everyone for every need and I can now testify of it to our investigators more convincingly. One way the Lord is making me into a better missionary for his work! I love all that I have done here and continue to do here in the Lords Vineyard and I cannot stop until he says "The work is done" for my time. I will give it my all these next months but it’s not gonna be easy. I love you all and I will read this email over and over again in the upcoming weeks to get it to stick!

I love you all and your love and prayers are really heard in Heaven and I am a testament of that! I love you and please don't forget the missionaries in your prayers!
LOVE, ELDER HAMBLIN

PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION

December 5th, 2011 -Trainer of new Anak

Jurassic Worm


Elder Cajumban's Cooking


Elder Hamblin showing appreciation for Elder Cajumban's cooking.


Elder Hamblin playing Jenga with his district.

Guys I really needed your letter this P-Day! Elder Cajumban was Transferred and I got my brand new anak from the Manila MTC. Yes his name is Elder Oyardo and he is Philippino! He is a great missionary and we are already becoming great friends. He is really helping me out with being a trainer and he’s a great cook! I love him! But training isn't all peaches and cream. Our Ward Missionary Leader (an RM from Manila) sat us both down and told us what needs to happen. He doesn't want the work to suffer here, in fact he wants it to be 10 times better and there is a lot of stuff he ordered me to do. On top of all this I have a baptism coming up on the 9th and new members to prepare for the Temple Trip and the world seems to have crushed on top of me! I am suffocating under the weight. Yesterday we worked with The Ward Missionary Leader and it was raining. We had to go out to a New Member Mark John Waaaaayayayyaayaayyyyyy out in Matoya and it’s really muddy there. I fell down twice in the mud and I wanted to cry. I couldn't help but think poor pitiful me! I must be having the worst day ever in the history of worst days. I thought no one could ever have a worse day than this. Then I thought of 1 man who bled from every pore, a man who carried a wooden cross up a hill and was spat on and persecuted, who was betrayed by one of his closest friends. I thought of my Savior Jesus Christ and all he did for me and how he knew what I was going thru. I found the strength to get up both times and press on. I have wanted to cry for the last 2 days with all the pressures that have been put on me, but I know I can do it even if it seems impossible right now! I can do it with God’s help because he can do anything! Please don't stop praying for me. I need all the help I can get these next few weeks. I can feel your love and prayers everyday and I can't live without them. I guess what I'm trying to say is training isn't easy. I am being pushed to my limits on every level. Physically I am exhausted each night. Mentally I am about to lose it and my Tagalog is being pushed like I have never experienced before in my whole mission. My anak doesn't speak very good English and only understands limited English. I have never prayed like this before in my whole life!
Dear Mom,

Our Investigators are doing great. Joan is going to be baptized Dec. 9th and if I can get some BRCRs in we just might have some of our Investigators go do Baptisms for the Dead in the Manila Temple so please pray very hard for them that they can do that! We are currently teaching 3 families the Nasugatans the Fugabans and the Roxas. They are doing fine but they need to come to church! The members are fine but the Ward Mission Leader (Edwin Madrellyos) is kinda rude and prideful from his mission in Manila. He's too focused on the numbers in my opinion. He actually told me that he felt that I wasn't ready to train and wanted to ask Pres. Carlos for another missionary to come here and help me! Can you believe that? He's not on my top 10 list of nice people right now. I haven't been able to play the piano much yet. I need to focus on my anak right now not piano. SO Manny came over that's cool. What did he say? How’s School going?
Dear Mom,
I miss you Mom and I miss not having to wake up at 6:30 am everyday. I miss your cooking too! I miss my house. That day I slipped in the mud 2x I thought to myself, "what are you doing? What are you trying to prove? Why are you even here?" It didn't take long to answer I am here to preach the gospel no matter how hard it is no matter how bad people are to me I am here to save souls. These people need me! I just want you to know I miss my mommy and that I can't wait to see you guys for Christmas. I love ya.

Elder Hamblin

Dear Devree,
I would love to see a poem about me Devrs, If you could send one that would be great! So you got hit with a Chocolate Milk! Rough stuff! I would hate to be wet and sticky. HA! Your movie was Galaxy Quest here’s mine:
"Put that thing back where it came from or so help me!"
"In my professional opinion now is the time to PANIC!"
"O I'm the abominable snow man!"
"Do you hear that? It’s the wind of Change."

GUESS THAT!
I love you little Sis and I want you to know that you are very important to me and that I really can't wait to see you during Christmas. I love ya! Elder Hamblin
Dear Dane,
SO how are you doing little bro! I miss you! So how’s that math treating you at school? I hope school isn't being too rough on you! I miss you and I love you and I hope to hear more from you next week.

Love ya! Elder Hamblin


Dear Shay,
I love ya bro. I miss ya. I am glad you asked for help with Preston. So he’s not coming to church hmmmmmmmm. Well you could try and wake him up before church and show him how it’s done. Help him through the motions and get him ready to be at church on time! Then once you've done that a few times just call to make sure he’s up and getting ready for church on time and make sure the other boys don't say things to him like. Gee where have you been? or Look who’s back! ya know that would just discourage him coming to church! So just get him in the habit of things and he should be alright. Love Ya ELder Hamblin
Dear Dad,
I would like to say thanks for the story at the end I really needed to hear that! I also would like to say thanks for all the wisdom that you have given me. I have just been having a really rough week so sorry for the crappy email. I really do try my best to get a good meaningful letter out to you guys. But next email could you please send me an inspirational thought or some kind loving words from you I really need that right now. Please continue to pray for me, for us here in the Philippines Cauayan Mission and I will pray for you!
I haven't received any other packages other than the 1st one so far so maybe tomorrow I will get them! I can't wait! Should be exciting.
The Skype thing will probably happen in Ilagan because the internet here is kinda sketchy! Ya Christmas Day would be best but I'll let you know if anything changes. I love ya! ELder Hamblin

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Pictures enjoy!!! :)
The worm one has got to be one of our favorites!