January 30, 2012

Some of the fields Elder Hamblin works in and talks to people and says he might even get to spread manure in.

The hose poked into the wall to "have running water" by the landlady.

This is the Filippino delicacy balut. The duck in the egg! EWWWWW!

Balut!


Noble is eating it!
This is the team builder exercise that says Elder Hamblin is the doctor.

Carrying the "injured Elder" up the stairs.

Grandma Rice sends everyone a balloon for their birthday and money. Noble is special because he gets more than the alotted $10 per grandkid. He is on a mission, that is why.

Elder Oyardo looks pretty silly but Elders have to do something to relieve the stress.


Wow I really Miss you guys!! I loved your letter! I've got some CRAZY stuff to tell you!!!!
SO #1 I GOT TO SAY THANK YOU TO: Chris, Cindy, and Tricia Brown and the Watts family and Sister Remington and Grandma and Grandpa Rice for all sending me mail! You guys really made my week! Thanks for everything!
#2 We had a miracle happen. Grandma and Grandpa sent me $20 in the mail...AND IT ACTUALLY GOT TO ME!!! This is a miracle to me and the Cauayan MIssion because the postal service is Notorious for stolen mail/money/whatever in the mail. I actually received a message from the postal service apoligizing for my mail being opened and such. I look in side with despair as I see the top half corner ripped open. I think to myself, "there goes the money that would've been in there." but to my surprize the $20 bill was still safely wrapped in the piece of paper in there! Now Grandma, I don't want you sending me anymore money through the mail I don't want your money stolen now! If she reads that great but anyone who reads this and knows my Grandma PLEASE remind her that this was a MIRACLE and don't let her send me anymore money! Now about the $20, should I use it to buy a new suitcase? I think I can get a pretty sweet suitcase for a good price here with that money. If you all have a better idea please tell me. That and I think I'll give my camera to Elder Oyardo when I leave...IF I leave San Mariano. Speaking of San Mariano. We talked with the CRAZY Land lady and got her to sign an agreement to use the bills we haven't been paying her to buy and install a new Water Pump at our house with a gadget that will shut it off if it is about to overheat. SOOOO I may see a weeks worth of running water the 7 months I think I've been here. I don't understand Philippino logic sometimes!
Anyway we also had a funny thing happen in the District. Elder Lundy (The big guy in the 1st picture I emailed. He's wearing an ambulance man hat on my right!) He got two packages from his family. 1 package had only one shoe in it! This puzzled us all except Elder Lundy. This was all a strategy of his Mother! She sent one shoe at a time so that no one would steal them! She’s one smart cookie! We all got a kick out of it! The 2nd pic is of the hose going through our wall and into the empty garbage can for our "Running Water"! You are gonna get some Balut pics and some pics of our beautiful area!
Okay so during our Zone Conference we had a learning activity where we worked as a team to rescue an injured person. He was down stairs and we had to hall them up the stairs as a team back to our room. I was a Doctor who went with the 2nd search party to find the body of the injured Elder and my medics helped me carry him back up the stairs. Cool game and taught us about team work!
I also had an epiphany. (Can't spell that word had to use spell check!) When a missioary goes on his mission there is sometimes the assumption that the mission is trying to take "the missionary out of the world" but what I have realized is that if served right what really happens in serving a mission, "takes the world out of the missionary." If you serve right and follow the rules the little things like playing loud Babylonian music or playing internet games. The temptations to do those things begin to melt away and your thoughts and desires become one with the Saviors and you can keep your mind in the mission more easily. Now that doesn't mean that I will hate video games when I get back. It just means I am learning to master myself more! Which is a pleasant discovery! I just wanted to share that with you guys.
Now for all of you and your special needs:
Dear Mother of mine who brought me into this world,
How are you!!!! Sometimes your letters are so unselfish I don't get to hear about my Nanay! Tell me about what you are up to! So here are some names you can pray for.
The Bernes Family needs help. Tatay has a drinking/smoking problem and hasn't come to church yet but his wife and son did. Even though they have been affiliated with another church here that hates our church! Pray that Tatay will get the Strength he needs to face the rough road to recovery.
Ramil Maramag needs your prayers also. He’s got a Baptismal Date for Feb 25 and needs a stronger testimony in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. He doesn't know much but he knows what we teach him is true and he's willing to do what he has to to get the same happiness the members have!
Pray for the Malvar family also. Nanay just came back to church for the 1st time in like 6 months! The members accepted her warmly and we are beginning to see the 1st fruits of our labors! She needs the strength to be an example to her family and to everyone in her neighborhood across the river. If she returns and becomes active again she will once again be a powerful ally and asset to the missionaries in San Mariano! Finally we are gaining some ground.
They printed out all the members’ names for us and there is an estimated 600 Less Active Members in my area. We have a stack of papers with all the names at our apartment and we take 5 names with us everytime we go out to work so we can contact these people! AHHHHHH! We will get them and hunt them down, 1....by.....1...... until the Lord comes and says "Well done my good and faithful servant.....Elder Hamblin!" Haha! :) So pray for them. Pray for us and pray that we can get water soon! WHOOOO! The plan is in motion and if all goes well I will get water in that apartment! YA! Things are looking good! Please tell Kolton he has to make me some Mexican food to make up for that picture he sent me! I love him and I love you Mom. Make sure Shay doesn't put a sock on Low Riders head! I love ya all! Elder Hamblin
Dear Devree,
Your movie was TARZAN! I miss that one. It’s a classic! Well here’s my movie line:
"OHhhhhh the bog of Eternal Stench!"
"Jump magic jump" note this actor is wearing WAY to small of pants!
Sorry that’s all I got I hope it’s enough! This is HARD! I'm gonna hit my year mark and run out of movies to quote!
Hey how’s the STAFF infection doing? I hope by the time you email me again its finally going away. I wish I had some real hardcore Antibiotic to kill this cough I've had! I am taking Amoxicilin right now to kill it! I hope it works! Anyways how is it going with school and all!? I will pray to help you guys decide what is the right course of action! I love you and I know that if we are faithful the Lord will give you an answer and a way to get what needs to be done DONE! I love you and I love all that you do as my most Favorites sister! Be good to the Brothers and DON"T DESTROY SHAY! He loves you. He just shows it in a different way! Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
I'm sending a letter to Steven Watts and in it .....................well...... you'll see! I love you bro and your right I would probably be trying to help you scare Dane if I was home! I like what you said about me being the "PEACE BEACON" I think of a big light like the one they use for the Bat Signal and whenever it shines, peace shines all over the place! Hey you should probably practice the trumpet if you want to get good at it! As a wise musician once told me, "respect the instrument and it will respect you!" Give your trumpet a little TLC (Tender Love and Care). Maybe giving it a proper bath would be a good idea! Then PRACTICE! Find out how to make practicing fun again! Get creative! I love you and I miss your sense of humor! Take care, LOVE YA, Elder Hamblin
Dear Dane,
SO, you smarty pants you! How did you get so good at math?!! You definitely didn't get it from me! Must of got it from Mom. I don't know! Anyway it is good to hear that you are doing great in school! Keep it up! Maybe you can help me with my Math when I go to College! HA! :) I love ya Dane stay safe, cool and in school! Love Big Bro, Elder Hamblin
Dear Dad,
Your translation was pretty good! The things like, Araw-araw which means Every Day would probably be best translated Twin Araw which is a more litteral translation but you get the idea! The Tinelas means flipflops or at least that’s how I seem to hear it be used. I think the direct translation is slipper. and Pasencha is kinda like "Patience with me!" they use it like sorry or my bad! But overall you are doing a great job Tatay. If I talk really slow and use English we might be able to talk in Tagalog when I get home!
Your magic box looks like the bomb! Can't wait to try it out! I really want to use that thing for the TV show marathons! I love seeing Hi tech stuff!
It’s good to hear that Preston is making some progress and that you too are seeing the fruits of your labors. Your prayers have been answered with the water problems! Hopefully the installation will begin next week. I am most likely going to be transferred though!
Right now I am "tipping the scales" when it comes to less actives. I want them to have every opportunity to get to know the members and to feel the Spirit and to come to church on Sunday Which may mean me and Elder Oyardo helping spread fertilizer in the near future! Anyways things should be good and things are good with me and Elder Oyardo. He is amazing at Table Tennis and I have learned a thing or two from him! He is going to make a fantastic missionary and he probably thinks I’m pasaway for spending way too much time at the computer shop emailing my family! Anyhoo I will talk to all ya all next Monday and I love and pray for you all to stay strong in the gospel and hold down the fort while I'm gone! Be good and show the world how it’s done! I love you and keep the Ward Strong. Ask for a less actives list if it’s alright and go visit a few in Dayton. I know that there is a joy beyond description when you see that less active family walk in through the door. I want you all to feel that same joy! Love ya Elder Hamblin

January 23, 2012 -Mug Root Beer

Beautiful view in San Mariano area.

A San Mariano corn field.

A muddy San Mariano corn field.

Beautiful San Mariano corn bukid. Bukid is the Tagalog word for field.


Elder Oyardo is pointing to the beautiful sunset.

Elder Hamblin is showing us a weird tree.

Now Elder Oyardo is showing us a beautiful San Mariano sunset.

Elder Hamblin has been missing his rootbeer. Elder Hamblin & Elder Oyardo went all the way to Ilagan to appease Noble's craving for root beer.


Wow!!!! The New myldsmail.net website is pretty snazzy and FAST! I hope all is well over in good old Dayton Nevada. Whenever the wind blows through town I think of home! You guys seem like you're busy as always and are out doing good stuff sharing the gospel and things! Things are going good here! We have had some nutty stories and experiences this past week so here’s a few:
So were out in the bukid (fields) and we find a little boy couldn't be older than Dane. He has a machete in one hand and a stalk of sugar cane in the other. He is using his machete to chop the sides of the sugar cane so that he can chew the soft white part in the center. We say hi ask what his name is where he’s from and what he’s doing! We said bye and didn't think anything of it. We visited a couple of less actives than came back. Now he was at his house with his little brother and his mom. We offered our message (OYM) his mom and gave her a pamphlet and the cute little brother, (4 or 5 years old) is holding two sticks of the sugar cane that his kuya must have chopped off for him. I say hi and he immediately hands me a stick of the sugar cane. I accept his unselfish offer and out of respect I take a nibble. The WHOLE THING is covered in sand... :) yummmmm! I tell him its soooo masharap and hand it back. Without skipping a beat he takes my stick and hands me the other half eaten stick in his hand! I said no thanks and he didn't seem to mind. He just started munching away on both of them! Philippinos are so unselfish. America could learn a thing or two from this little boy. If we just take and take and never give back where’s the love? We need to help each other out once and a while without thinking to ourselves, "Oh he’s just using me, or she just likes me because I give her food." We need to give unselfishly like that little boy. We all laughed our heads off when he handed over his other stick to me! That story is gonna stick with me for a long time... I love these people!!!
Tatay before I forget here’s some Tagalog songs I don't stop hearing over here!
"Maging Sino Ka Man"
"Pusong Bato"
"Ngiti"
Listen to the catch beat look up the lyrics and translate it! Study your Tagalog too mister! JK I also hear songs like "Teach me how to duggie" but I don't recommend that one! :)
Things are good. I find ways to stay happy even though the next few weeks are gonna either be super long or super short depending on my attitude. It’s almost definite that I will be transferred next Cycle in February so I got to give it my all. Elder Oyardo is a stud and teaches better than me! He will be a fine missionary and he has learned patience with me! He is gonna be a great missionary with a rock hard testimony. I love him. He’s a good Elder! I pray that I will learn and be a better Trainer for him every night along with praying for you all!
So now to answer some questions and respond!!!
Dear Devree,
Sorry your head is oozing stuff all the time. Keep washing it and doing what the Doctor wants you to do! Be a good Patient in St. Judes and bring me back a tie! JK I love you little sis! I forgot that you tend to blow away in the wind when you not anchored down to something. Helaman 5:12 should help! The foundation of Christ is the true and steady rock for everyone! Dear little sister your movie was Muppet Treasure Island! guys....DEAD TOMS DEAD!!!! I love that movie! Alright here’s mine: "If you don't know where you're going than it doesn't really matter which way you go!" or...."We're painting the roses red, 2x don't dare to stop or waste a drop so let the paint be spread! We’re painting the roses reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed, were painting the roses red"
Stay safe and healthy! Salamat sa lahat! Ingat kapitid! Kuya Elder Hamblin!
Dear Dane,
Sounds like the movie of the week was Muppet Treasure Island! I really do love that movie! "I look around here and I want to cry. (Me too) I feel like the world is passing me by."and I just can't help but wonder am I doomed to wash and dry and is it a curse I am to do it till I die! (Oh, I hope not)" The music really is what makes the Muppet movies! The B-Ball game sounded like fun. I'm not that good at B-Ball. But I like playing when people aren’t super serious! Don't you worry Dane I am well on the way to having a six pack. Every morning I pump my water and I do pushups! Someday I'll have that Six pack! Love ya Elder Hamblin
Dear Mom,
Okay so the pictures are fine Just Elder Oyardos holding two goats. That was when we were visiting a less active in Minanga. Everything else is pretty good!
No baptismal dates but were close o soo close. We were doing good with a couple of investigators. but no one came to church last Sunday! Gosh I feel like going to their houses ripping them out of bed and dragging them to church sometimes. It’s hard when you put your heart into the work and things don't work out like you planned. It’s hard for me to put my whole heart into any one thing. But we can't get Discouraged! That’s not a choice I can afford to make. The less active families are doing okay. We are trying to just focus on 15 families at 1st for this year. The ward is working with us which is a big help. Last Sunday we had 3 fellowshippers which was good. They were all over 50 years old I think which was good. The less actives we taught all were big Ilokano speakers and when people speak Ilokano I can't understand a thing! I am rendered useless....again....which is not a fun feeling. E. Oyardo can't speak it either but he understands where is connects in Tagalog which makes it easier for him to understand. I just feel completely helpless. :( It’s kinda been a rough week for the both of us. I have been getting frustrated and angry faster than before. I think that Satan is trying to work through what I once believed were my strengths and trying to make them my weaknesses. He’s doing everything he possibly can to slow down the work. But as long as were trying our hardest to bring souls unto Christ than that is enough in his eyes. It’s up to my investigators to accept the relentless invitations or throw them away. It’s just disappointing when I see them relapse into drinking alcohol or the countless Less Actives wallowing in the valley of Despair. This week has been a downer but that just means that next week will be all the more sweeter! I am glad you are still being a good missionary Mom. Sometimes I think to myself, "Wow Mom's doing a better job at home than I'm doing in the Field!" Which is a negative thought that I have to throw away. Not negative for you though. You’re doing great! Keep up the good work. I like hearing about your successes. Keep inviting that Less Active Sister to come to church and ask her to look for the blessings she will receive from going to church!
I love ya all and keep on keeping on! Love Elder Hamblin
Dear Shay,
You little turd you! Taping all the light switches. Not only are you a little Mastermind but you are driving the family insane while I’m gone. Nothing’s changed! :) Don't lose your wacky sense of humor. I'm afraid I'm losing mine! Philippino humor is very different than U.S.A. humor! I am learning a lot from my Philippino Companion. He is a good teacher on proper Philippino customs. I know all the superstitions now. For instance you are not allowed to drink things that are cold in the morning or it will mess with your Tiyan. (stomach) You can't shower before you eat or your stomach will hurt. I don't know why but thats the rule. AND if you go to bed with any part of your body wet you will wake up with Pneumonia. (which makes no since to me!) Anyways ya there are alot of super natural stuff here too. Like huge Ogers and little gnome men. Also a witch with a bat body that flies into your house at night and eats the embryo of a pregnant Mommy. Ya that ones my Favorite! There’s much much more but I’m running out of time so I'll tell you more next time! Love ya Kapatid, Kuya Elder Hambiln
Dear Tatay,
Kamusta po Tatay!? Kamusta an Trabajo mo? Kamusta ang Pamily mo? Anong pabritong ulam mo? Pasencha kung mali and grammar ko, pero alam ko paano magsulat sa Tagalog na Dahil maraming Texts sa akin araw araw galing sa mga members dito sa San Mariano at ang mga Elders sa Zone namin! Pasencha kung Tagalog overload ito para sa iyo! Ingat Tatay. Mahal Kita! Ang anak mo, Elder Hamblin
Ya have fun translating that mess! I kinda used English in there but all the words I used in English can be understood by most Philippinos. They understand English better than they give themselves credit for.
Dear Heavens Tatay I almost jumped out of my Chineles when I read about the 2TB External Hard Drive! How big is it? And the magic box that’s WAY better than what my idea was! I definitely want to play with that when I get home! Does it plug into the USB port on the External Hardrive? Sorry I'm just one nerdy mess! I long for things that are familiar as I’m sure everyone does and that is my passion. But I live in a very Low tech type of environment which sometimes is hard on me. I liked your "on a spiritual note..." and speaking of which I did have a good spiritual experience this week. I had to bear my Testimony to a strong going Catholic Tatay who said he would never change. He tore apart our Pamphlet and the Book of Mormon like trash. He tried to stay calm but his voice was loud and obnoxious and I was about to lose it. But then has I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith, the anger just melted away into love and strong conviction and when I was done I realized that he understood my testimony perfectly, no mistakes, and he returned with, oh well I’m Catholic and I was Catholic and I always will be Catholic...... But you could see that it did touch him. I don't want to say that all Catholic members are like this but I will say this that man felt the spirit confess to him that what I said must be true. I've never seen him again but he has a Restoration pamphlet, a Book of Mormon and my Testimony and that’s all he needs to find out if it’s true for himself. That’s my spiritual thought for the week.
I think that you might have misunderstood about the apartment situation. We are still pumping water in San Mariano. The couples missionaries didn't like the location of the new apartment and want to stay at the apartment we're at now. I am not upset with this. I like the apartment we are currently at IF we had water. Meanwhile they are not paying the rent until the owner makes up her mind on whether or not we're going to install a water pump. She is consistently checking up on me and Elder Oyardo making sure that we are asking the Mission President for rent even though we have been asking for running water for 5 months! Yes people this city boy's been pumping his water for a loooooong time and My body is getting bigger because of it. My arm muscles are more defined and my stomach is smaller. I try and do push ups also. Overall things are good. We are having a guy come in a check things out later today so that’s good. Hopefully I can see the construction of a water pump and a tank before I leave San Mariano.
Anyways thanks for everything and for the loooong email. You guys are great take care
your 3rd world Missionary..... ELDER HAMBLIN
PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION
***
O the one picture with the corn I took on the side of the hill. I found it fascinating that they plant it everywhere and that it was growing out of the side of the hill. AND I found MUG rootbeer in Ilagan the BIG town next to our town where we go for District meeting and stuff! Enjoy!!

January 15, 2012

Elder Hamblin looks pleased with the Skittles from his birthday care package.

Elder Hamblin holding a baby goat.

Elder Oyardo holding 2 baby goats.

A big San Mariano pig.

SO here I go again we had a brown out so I have to start all over again and Elder Oyardo is not happy about this. I think he wants to leave so I will go as fast as I can! Hey everyone I loved the Christmas Letters from the ward and the Hoops and Yoyo card from the last package. I loved it all! Oh I also got alot of Letters from Kolten and from all sorts of people! I hope Kolten makes it back okay and everything goes all right for him. Give him lots of hugs from me okay? What do you want me to do with the old camera? I could sell it, give it away to a member, keep it in my suitcase. Just tell me what you guys would like me to do and it shall be done!

Mom, take care with all those less actives. Love them and care for them! I will be working with less actives alot so I'll keep you updated on what we find is really effective! I love ya all!!!!

Devree, Please be positive about the STAFF infection and just keep on keeping on! You will get your lisence in no time! Keep it up. Keep practicing! Your movie was BATMAN! I love that movie. Okay heres my line for you! "Were like two trippen peas in a far out pod man!" That should be enough hints for the Great Devree! I love you!!! ELder Hamblin

Dear Shay, Sometime it does feel like no one cares about you or your needs huh? But when people use you, just think about where they would be if they didn't have you! You are the best at what you do so keep on doing it. When the end of the day finally comes just collapse into your bed knowing you served the world and feel the feeling of GOOD tired! Keep on going even when it hurts and you'll come back a little bit stronger everytime! I love ya!

Dane, I know our Poppy can be a little embarrising at times but just forgive him! I love you! Keep on being a cutie pie. Stop cheating on those video games you CHEATER! I love ya tons!
Big bro Elder Hamblin

Poppy, Stop embarrasing my little brother! JK Tell Devree good job from me. So she did amazing and she will get her lisence any day now! I changed the setting on my camera so things should be a little smaller but easier to load up! Thanks for the tip. Love ya!!! Elder Hamblin

January 8, 2012

View of San Mariano

San Mariano Boat Ride

Cute Baby Goats

WOW sorry every one I got to email Dad 1st! DAD, What are you doing you crazy old man? Passing Kidney stones while I'm gone on the mission! You’re too old for that stuff Dad! Gosh, I hope that Pain doesn't come back! Was there lots of Blood!? How do Kidney stones work and where is it now? Did you get it out? Did they let you keep it? I’m kinda confused so help me out here! Give me more facts! Did the pain go away and you’re done now or are there more stones to pass? I want to know how my Tatay is doing! I love ya Dad and please if you are still on shoot me a message. I love you and your trip sounded amazing.....well despite the kidney stone(s)? I love you and stay healthy for me!


Dear Mom!
You guys are always out and about doing good visiting families and doing everything! (even passing kidney stones!) Guess what I’m doing?......Yea same thing not too much different but I would like to say one thing:



THANK YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) : )

The Camera is AMAZING!!!!!! It is SOOOOO much better than the other one and it looks awesome! I already know all the features inside and out. Night time, day time, sunny, cloudy, underwater video! I should be able to send a video or two! You can hear the Audio with this one! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all of the love that just BURST-ED out of that package when I opened it! I love you all and I want you all to know that! The Marshmellow mateys are gone!!!!! I downed like half in one sitting which wasn't good for my body but it tasted SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD! :) The Candy was devoured by my comp and our the young man we are fellowshipping and you guys spent WAY too much on that package! Please don't blow all this money on my guys I know we’re rich now and all but you already do plenty enough for me! I can feel the love! I love you all and i will always love you even if Shay loves the X-Box 360 more that me! REMEMBER I love you alll soooooo very much and i don't want you to forget it! Mom here are some people you can pray for:
The Bisac family needs help with getting to church (well ALL Philippinos need help getting to church!) Brother Bisac is an Alcoholic and wants to change. Pray for him to have a mighty change of heart and for Sis Bisac to be more bold and get him sober instead of watching him destroy himself!
Joan Cuison, one of our newest baptized, she needs help in her new calling as Single Adult Representative and to keep reading her scriptures and stay strong in the faith.
J-Lord Mariano needs help with building his testimony and not being shy. He came to church once and had a great experience. Pray for him to have the courage to come back! I Love that boy and his whole family needs the gospel so pray for his parents hearts to be softened to our message so that they can ALL enjoy the blessings of Church Attendance!
I love Ramil M. too even if he’s a little Girly! Pray that he will continue to read and grow in his knowledge of the church and that he will come back next Sunday and keep on taking the lessons even if his friends may make fun of him for it!
Bless Sis. Che P. That she will find her Testimony and come back to Church and that she will repent of what she’s done and receive the blessings of Church attendance!
Bless the Anez family. Pray that they will be able to make it to church next Sunday!
I could go on for Days but those are a few people who REALLY need your help! WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY busy in San Mariano Santa Felomena Kataging and Minanga these past weeks tracking down less actives encouraging them and helping them. Teaching people and sharing our message like there’s no tomorrow! I am bushed every night and I want to cry when I think of those long days before leaving on a mission just sitting around the house all day. You never know how much you miss it till it’s gone!

The apartment mess is almost over! I got the key to the new elders apartment in Benito Sullivan but E. Russle wants me to make 2 duplicates of it in Ilagan so i am just SUPER busy! I can't wait till they get it over with and get the new Elders in so it won't be my problem anymore and I don’t have to worry about it anymore!
The Trip to Utah looked awesome! I saw the blog pictures and Elder Oyardo was shocked to see the pictures of the Salt Lake City Temple and my family right next to it! It’s nuts you know! E. Oyardo sees my pictures of the Snow covered mountains and says its like a video game! It’s very different there! It’s very different here in the Philippines. One of the parts of our HUGE area (Minanga) I hadn't even been there yet! The place is like the Tarzan jungle out there and I want to see it all! Anyway I hope I answered your questions! Shays right we do need an X-Box 360 in the house so you can get to work on that. JK :) Love ya!!!!! ELder Hamlbin

P.S. What’s Nathan Capps address? I want to send that goof ball a letter! Love ya all!



Dear Dane,
That game with the darts sounds HARD but fun! I think that you guys are having WAY too much fun without me! You have to promise me that we will have LOTS of fun when I get home! Promise? I love ya Dane! :) Don't forget to turn that frown upside down man!!!!!!!! I love ya tons YOUR BIG BRO, ELDER HAMBLIN

Dear Shay,
I need thee every hour!!! How ya doing!?!!?? I think we need an X-Box 360 too but you know Mom. I think if you sweet talk her she might give in to letting us have an X-Box 360 but you’re gonna have to save a TON of money in order to buy something like that! SO GET STARTED!!! HA! You know I think someday you might make a great Dad if you can learn how to settle down the kids! It is easy. You just make them sit still long enough and sing to them and that usually does the trick for me! They also like tape! Put a piece of tape on one of their hands and watch them go! It’s fun for awhile and keeps them entertained for awhile! I love ya little bro and I want the best for you be a good example to Dane for me and Hold the fort down while I’m gone! Make sure Dad doesn't go and blow his fingers off or do some teenagery thing while im gone! I love ya! Elder Hamblin

Dear Devree,
Your movie was A Shark's Tale or The Shark's Tale I can't remember exactly but anyway I like that movie, especially the Jelly Fish! They're my favorites! At the whale wash yaaaaa whoa ooo ooo o o ooo ooo at the whale wash ya! I like when they tag up the big whale with spray paint! Anyway here’s my quote:
"Hold your breath jump to the left and that’s the Peter I swear that’s the Peter that’s the Peter panda dance!"
"This was my favorite shirt!"
Try that out!
I love you Devree and I’m sorry I gave you the cough through Skype! I still got the bad Cough! I don't know what it is but I’m trying Robuttisun so that’s loosening up the mucus inside my chest! Yuck well I got to go I love you and I wish you the best! GET BETTER! That goes for all of you Tatay! I love ya! Take care! Love ELDER HAMBLIN!!!!!

San Mariano Bridge

Elder Hamblin enjoying Marshmellow Mateys.

Barley catching Elder Hamblin's look of delight.

Handcrafted Missionary Name Tag.

Close-up of Elder Hamblin's Handcrafted Name Tag.

Temple on the back of the Handcrafted Name Tag.

A San Mariano pig!

Elder Oyardo asleep with his ukulele.

On Sat, Jan 7, 2012 at 7:51 PM, Hamblin Family <hamblin_lds@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Noble,
We are sooooo glad you got your package. I have been praying that you would get it. I hope everything is okay and you still got what we sent you and it is not broken. We have been showing everyone all of your pictures on your blog so they could see you riding a water buffalo. So let me tell you all about what we fun we had. We came to Utah to go to the Quist open house. The Quist family is from Ohio and they are Dad’s cousin Jaimie and her husband Theron. We got to know them really well at the Mackley reunion this last summer in Idaho. Their oldest son Cameron got married and they have another son and their youngest is Michelle and she and Shay got really close and had lots of fun. But Michelle wasn’t able to come. We have been staying with Koe and Craig and of course Kylee and Zach. Zach is an easy going baby but Kylee makes up for 3 kids! We visited the church museum and it was really great to see the history of the early church. Now they have a new exhibit and it is like a children’s hands on exhibit with Nephi’s ship and fishing, then building Samuel Lamanite’s wall, feeding the missionaries, tossing tortillas and dancing with costumes. Kylee, Shay, Dane and Devree loved it! I loved it too. Then we ate at Lion House Pantry and had a private tour of the conference center. We saw the Christus and getting excited to try and get tickets to the April General Conference. I want Shay and Dane to gain a strong testimony of the gospel. We are doing well on our invitation to read the Book of Mormon before Easter. I also spent some time with my greenie companion. She said I was her favorite comp and she had a book with all of the pictures and I got to show Devs, Shay and Dane what my mission was like. I also had dinner with 4 of my friends when I went to the singles ward in American Fork when I lived with Aunt Kalene and Uncle Cody. We had dinner with just Koe, Craig, Kamon and Emily. That was a fun adult night out. Today we went and spent time with all of the Payson Browns and with the Hatch side. That was a fun brunch and game playing and visiting time.
We will be traveling home tomorrow so we are sending our letter today, on Saturday. We love you so much and I was impressed to hear about you translating for the Housing Elder. That sounded like a brain DRAIN! How are the rest of your investigators and reactivation people? Are there some names we can be praying for? Let us know. I LOOOOOOOOOVE you! Love, Mom

Dear Elder Hamblin,
This was an interesting week. We traveled FOREVER in the car on Wednesday. (Me no likey traveling in our little Camry) I have a yucky cough now. I think you got me sick through Skype J Well I don’t have a lot to report because Mom told you about our fun in Utah. I got to watch Bos and Vance, Kamon’s boys, and that was fun. We played and played and then I could tell Vance was getting tired so I held him in my arms while Bos and I was Timmy Time on Netflix 10 times (same episode). Timmy Time is Claymation like Wallace and Gromit but it’s like Shawn the Sheep’s kid. And they don’t talk…AT ALL. Well I’m glad you finally guessed my movie! Yours is Muppets from Space! I love that one. J Here’s mine:
“No Lola, I’m not a nobody! I’M A WEEEEINEEEEER!” or
“Where you get a whale of a wash and the price, oh my gosh”
“Hey Ernie you got it right!” or
“Sebaaastian the whale washing dolphin*squeak squeak squeak)”
Guess that! I love you brudda!
Love your most favoritest sister,
Devree
Dear Noble,
I have a sore throat and it is clogged with mucus. I am hurting right now. How are you doing? We’re playing darts at Kamon’s house right now. It’s my turn right now, so please hold. We are plyaing on the Kinect on their xbox 360. I was close to winning the last round and this time I am doing good. Dad won the last round. But this round I am getting my revenge. Bos says “If you chance to meet a frown…do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away.” We have been doing a lot of cool stuff on this vacation. I love you Big Bro. Can’t wait for your letter. Sincerely, Dane.
Dear Noble,
I’d like a ham sandwich and a burger and a large rootbeer and don’t forget the fries with it. Sorry I am just hungry. Right now I fighting off Captain Hook (Bos with a hanger shaped like a hook). I love you so much. I miss playing with you. I miss when you were Captain Hook. Sad face with tear. ;( I need to go right now. It is my turn to throw the dart. It is an xbox game. Me and you should get an xbox 360 when you get back. I’m having fun with Bos. I babysat Kylee and Zach and they would not go to sleep. It was Harrrrrrrrd! They would not settle down. It would’ve been better with you. I love you bro and your guidance. I really REALLY LOVE YOU, Love, Shay

Dear Elder Hamblin,

I was worried I wouldn’t get a chance to write this week. Everyone was using my laptop, but I was not getting my turn to write. We are at Kamon and Emily Walker’s house partying the XBOX 360. There is a new Kinnect interface that does not require you to have a controller. It was pretty fun to play. Everyone is trying to compete with the Wii.

Staying with Koe & Craig has been fun. Going to eat at the Lion House Pantry was fun. Playing games with the Aunt Mary & Uncle Earl Brown families was fun. Aunt Donna & Uncle Eldon came over with their crews and it was fun to talk with them. Kyler Gilstrap is a few months younger than you, and he is on his mission to Uganda.

We will have to go on a road trip together when you get back for your mission and Devree is on a break from college. Our family needs to do that one more time so that we can celebrate for old time’s sake. We have a lot of fun we go and do things together.

I had a little excitement during this trip because I had to go to the hospital. I was passing a kidney stone. I was driving along and felt like I had a terrible cramp in my lower right back. Then it move to my lower right stomach. Then it moved toward my groin. I couldn’t get comfortable and the pain kept getting worse. The GPS said we only had 30 minutes to go before arriving to Koe & Craig’s house. The pain was so bad I broke out into a cold sweat. I thought, “What in the world is wrong with me?” When I went to the hospital they told me that kidney stones were famous for making grown men cry. Women describe the kidney stones as being like having a baby.

At one point, Mom was trying to navigate the crazy roads to get me to the hospital. We could see the hospital but there were no openings to get to it. We drove across the front of it, then as we were passing the side of it with no way to get in my pain started to become intense. I said, “OH… Oh… OH!!!” In a ½half like kind of pseudo sob. Mom started crying for me. Then the pain just left and has not returned.

Well, I need to go. Love you lots Anak Ko!!!
Tatay Ka

Happy New Year 2012

AHHHHHHHHH! This week was busy! We visited like 40 less actives and tried to get them to come to church. We got one and he is on his way to being a full functioning teacher again! His name is Ian and his Dad works abroad in Canada so thats rough on them. Our investigators are doing good. They just need to keep thier commitments! How hard is it Bro. Ruda to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it's TRUE? Gosh I have found myself heart broken and upset with these less actives here. They change religions or just give up on the church or go back to being Catholic which is just a big mess. Our next goal this up coming year is THE RESCUE! We will hunt down and get these people back in church, one.... by.....one. It's not going to be easy but it will be worth it and the Philippines needs it...BAD! So my focus will be on Less Actives along with existing investigators! AHHHH all I need is to be called as District Leader and that would cook my goose! Needless to say I've been a bit stressed but things are good. I had to Translate for the Russel's when we were getting a new apartment for a new batch of Missionaries in Benito Sulliven. Benito used to have missionaries' then there was a pull out. I don't exactly know all the details. Any who I translated for the Russel's so the owner could get all the info and such! I would listen to the owners Tagalog then tell it to Elder Russel then I would listen to Elder Russel's complicated response and try and translate that into understandable Tagalog for the owner. By the end of this' my brain was leaking out of my nose but I did it! I really thought I was done for, there!
Okay mom now for your questions:

Dear Mom,
I love you and I miss you and I had a fine Birthday. The Ward Christmas Party landed on my Birthday so I was like the guest of honor. I judged dance groups and laughed and ate food and got a cool robot prize in the raffel that I ended up giving away to a family of small kids. No I didn't get your package yet. I got worse. I got a text from my District Leader Elder Schmidt which said that he has my package and quote "from what I can read on the customs note you got a pretty darn cool present in here!" SO I AM WAITING UNTIL TOMORROW TO RECEIVE MY BELOVED PACKAGE! But at least it's here. I can't wait to rip it open. I need a good moral boost. That cough I had got worse and now I'm coughing up green junk which isn't good. I think I will finally break down and buy medicine. Being 20 hasn't fully hit me yet. Two decades is just a weird thought. I've been on earth for a pretty long time now. I know that I haven't wasted those 20 years so at least thats a plus. The partys, the traveling, Dad getting sick. . .you guys never change!!!! I hope all goes well and that you all have a great time visiting family! I will tell you all about the Hoops and Yoyo card when I get it!
LOOOOOOOOVE YALLLLLL ELder Hamblin
P.S. Manny's girlfriend Faith looks HOT! JK just so you know the teen is still in me, Manny. I know you're reading this! I don't change. I upgrade buddy! INGAT!

Dear Devree,
You seem so busy and you look sooooo pleased with your BRAND SPANKIN NEW HD LAPTOP! Santa must know every thing you went through last year! Lucky turd! THERES A SHERLOCK HOLMES 2!!!!!!! I got to see that when I get home! Sounds like there is alot of movies to watch and alot of games for me to play when I get home! Especially on you super fast HD laptop! JK I love ya little sis! I'm sorry Devers I'm gonna have to cheat on this one! I Can't find the answer the internet is too slow! You got me sister! I want to say that penguin movie surfs up! But I really don't know. The quote sounds like chicken Joe but I'm not sure! It's Robots isn't it? I'm sorry its been a very long time since I have seen that movie! Al; right heres mine! "I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE!!!!" "Im a............whatever." "No eat this sandwich you'll need all the strength you can get!" "Shes a brick......HOUSE!" "IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!" X3 Guess that! I love ya sis! Don't grow up too fast and go to college and get married or any of that junk while I'm gone! I wish i had one here that would make things 2 times easier and harder. Temptation central! I love ya sis and enjoy the Laptop.
TAKE CARE LOVE YA! ELDER HAMBLIN

SHAY!!!!, How's the Preston situation coming along? I know you're tired but so am I and I'm not in school! My body aches in the morning as I do my push ups and jumping jacks as my six pack slowly forms on my stomach! JK I do have to work out in the morning though. Tell me more about this Cross Bow! The picture on the blog wasn't fantastic so I need some action shots ya know! You could name her the vampire expirer! That would get Devree all upset though! On second thought howa bout the destroyer! I love ya and I love all of you so don't kill anybody with the Cross bow now.
Love your older brother and good conscience ELDER HAMBLN

DANE!!!! The bike looks good. I bet she rides like a dream! Did you park it next to your bed Christmas Night!!!? I love ya Dane. STAY IN SCHOOL! The forbidden Island game sounds pretty cool and I can't wait to play it with you when I get home... right? I will be willing to play whatever you want when I get home. That goes for all of you. I'm yours for the 1st day I want to spend quality time with each and every one of you when I get back! I miss ya Dane love ya! ELDER HAMBLIN
DAD, You have been burning the candle at both ends again haven't you!? You know what happens when you hold a candle thats burning at both ends. Eventually you get burned! You can quote that in the talk if you want! I miss ya pops and I will pray that you get better. As a missionary I am being protected right now but I will need to buy medicine tomorrow or this cough is going to turn into Bronchitus! I love ya Dad but you got to take care of your self. Your not a teen anymore. You can't be sneeking out to all those late night parties anymore or doing back flips off the diving board or lighting fireworks on someone elses property! I love ya, old man! You teach all the other Dads how to have a good time! In high school everyone envied my parents because they were the coolest! The Donuts at 2am story (the time always changes!) never gets old! Yes some would say you were irresponsible but i would say you were fun and enthusiastic and great to work with! Thanks for you and Mom being the parents you needed to be for us kids. You're the best and I can never repay you for all you've done for me! Thanks for mentioning about the screen play writing. I think I may enjoy that as a profession but I really do need an editor for all my bad grammar and spelling mistakes! I think Devree would do a pretty good job at that! JK We have a new apartment here but we are working on fixing the water problem in our apartment. I got an apartment for Benito Sullivan so they can open up that area again so President Carlos should be happy with us for that! I think I'm making a differance but its a VERY SLOW PROCESS! But I must carry on with the work! I love ya all and I want the best for you. Continue to recieve those blessing and I will continue to try and look for mine! I think a great blessing would be for our investigators to come to church and read the scriptures and pray to know if this church is true! That would be a great gift for me! I love you all and I will tell you how much I love you again next email when I get that package! I love ya and I miss ya and I hope all goes well with the traveling so please keep up the good fantastic job you are doing with the blog guys! You are the best family a missionary could ask for!
LOVE YA ELDER HAMBLIN
PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION
P.S. Yes you are all spoiled rotten in the U.S.A. So count yourselves lucky that you aren't hanging up your hand washed clothes to dry this next week! Take care! Lve ya!!!!!!