Elder Bratwurst is in the Field

November 29, 2017 Update: 

Familia you Amigos,

Another week flies by here in Tullahoma! I was blessed to receive Elder Bratt (normally with two dots over the "a" to make a ahhh sound, so kinda like bratwurst but he's the bratt-best... Sorry for the bad joke haha). Elder Bratt is from the beautiful Utah, he slays on the guitar and is less than half my size hahaha. I'm super excited to be with such a humble and positive missionary! Our investigator, Natasha Lussier, came to church this last Sunday and brought her young boys (in picture 1). She also has scheduled her baptism on December 22nd. This is special not only because it's obviously my birthday, but her birthday as well! Double Birthday Baptism Special!!

Other than that, Elder Bratt and I have been a mess. We have been so sick and have tried to keep working but it's only gotten worse, so we are going to enjoy and nice calm p day and try to get feeling better. As I have spent so much time here in the Tullahoma Ward, I've been directed by some members to register for voting in the area, to invest in some real estate, and have been given all sorts of jokes about me being here for so long. I genuinely do love it here and am thankful for every minute I've been given. We also had 4 Thanksgiving meals. That was tough haha. 

Thanks y'all! Sure do love y'all,

Elder Hamblin

3rd Baptism and P Day Change

November 6, 2017 Update: 

Hello Familia!

Some sweet pics of our baptism on Saturday. I got to wear a funny baptismal jumpsuit that we found deep in the baptismal clothing closet. 

Hey mom!

I sure do love you and look forward to calling you on Christmas! :) I have had a lot of experiences dealing with some crazy children and some crazy young men and that has lead me to reflect on my childhood and how you handled some of my faults and craziness. You have been such an amazing mother and I appreciate all that you have done. Everything that I remember and I don't remember :) I sure do love you!

Elder Hamblin 

Ps: I'd still love to hear about your experience with the missionaries and the church! Maybe with dad's input. Thanks! 

November 20, 2017 Update: 

Familia y Amigos,

Another week in the wonderful and exotic Tullahoma, TN brings with it surprising news. 1) P-days will be changed from Monday's to Wednesday's. 2) Elder Isaak will be packing up and heading out on Thanksgiving for a new area and I will be receiving a new companion and staying here in Tullahoma at least until January (unless something crazy happens). Expect to hear more from me on Wednesday! Love y'all!

Elder Hamblin 

Hearses and Gay Activism

August 21, 2017 Update: 

Miscellaneous picture sent with no explanation. Happy Halloween?

To Bailey:

Hey B,

I talked a little bit about this in my video I'm uploading, but I'll give you a little more elaboration. We are currently teaching an investigator who is married to a member and is converted from another faith. His family is actively involved in their church and are firm believers of their faith. With their son/brother/grandson's decision to be baptized into the Church, they've decided to send a lot of anti Mormon literature at him, verbally put down the Church to his and his wife's face and practically disown him from the family because of his decision. This is not an uncommon occurrence in the South with converts of the LDS Church, with doctrinal and cultural reasons that aren't necessary to talk about now. Looking for information to send to them to follow their conscience and keep with their decision, I found the Church's information regarding religious freedom. Oh my goodness, what a slap to the face. The Church's stance presented in some videos and General Conference talks really reminded me of YOU! The balance between standing up for what you believe and respecting the right for others to believe differently shines forth in your continual example. Take our relationship for example, I'm a Mormon missionary, an official representative of an organization that believes marriage is ordained of God to be between a man and woman. You are a true gay right activist with a clear voice in the community and with actions to support your words. You of course don't, like the investigator's family, put me down for what I believe. You don't even just allow me to believe that way, putting me in a box and ignoring me. You are standing up for me to do what I believe. You are supporting my religious freedom by running a blog,  by talking about me with people at school, by still loving me and looking out for me even with beliefs that differ. I am so thankful not just to have a strong, educated, vocal sister with believes of her own right that she can support and backup. I have a sister is loving and caring and understanding to the needs of others, in particular those that differ. Thank you so much for all that you do in having your own beliefs and all you do to stand up for other's rights. I know it's taken a lot of work to educate Mason and me, but I'm so thankful you said something to correct me or to open my eyes to others. You really are amazing and I'm so glad I have been able to have you in my life. Keep doing all the amazing work you do for all those people around the world! You are a light and an example to many who need one, especially me.

Love you, B

Elder Hamblin 

Two Video Updates!

October 23, 2017: 

October 16, 2017:

First Baptism!

October 16, 2017: 

Dear Family,

No change in address! We had a baptism this last Saturday that I was blessed enough to perform. It was an amazing day! You could tell the people in attendance were touched by a young girl's commitment and decision. Elder Isaak and I are on a roll right now. We have 5 people who have accepted the invitation to be baptized. We are truly doing work here in Tullahoma. We are busy busy busy and love it. We had the Assistants to the President come to check on us for a couple days and they left saying they wished they had served in this area haha. I'm pretty dang happy right now!

With love,

Elder Hamblin 

Transfers in Tullahoma

October 9, 2017: 

Hello Family!

I have been blessed with a 5th transfer in Tullahoma and a 3rd transfer with Elder Isaak. The Lord has entrusted me with another 6 weeks in this incredible area and I am so excited. A couple weeks ago, a young girl who was preparing to be baptized and was days away from the event canceled. We got back in contact and she is looking good to be baptized this Saturday. We have been working very closely with her and her family for a long time and this is looking to be an incredibly spiritual event. That's it for this week! Love y'all

Elder Hamblin 

Saul to Paul Conversion

October 2, 2017: 

All is well here in Tullahoma! We currently have 7 people have accepted a specific date to be baptized that we are teaching. One is very special. He was opposed to the church but recently had a Saul to Paul type conversion. He had a dream of the temple and knew from then the church was true. He didn't go blind though haha.

We have transfers coming up so I might be gone in a week. Elder Isaak and I are unsure of what is going to happen. Whether he's leaving, I'm leaving, or we are staying. I'll keep you updated! Love y'all

Elder Hamblin

Tullahomies Update

September 4, 2017: 

Familia,

I have been blessed with a fourth transfer in Tullahoma and a second with Elder Isaak to finish his training. Big things are happening here in Tullahoma with two baptisms scheduled for this Saturday. The first is Chris Gann. Chris was the first door Elder Isaak and I knocked on together. We taught him all the lessons in about a week and he is so excited to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church. The second is Savannah Owens. She is a young woman whose grandmother recently was baptized. She has been very hesitant and standoffish but we set a hesitant/hard baptismal date. She didn't really take it seriously until we kept reminding her and started planning her baptism. That's when she actually prayed asking whether she should or not and her answer was butterflies in her stomach and excitement she hadn't had before. It's going to be a busy week for us.

Elder Isaak is a combination of Fajo and Mason. He is sarcastic and doesn't express emotion but is absolutely hilarious and can Jimmy Rig practically anything. He keeps things light and fun and surprises me often with his random bits of knowledge. Elder Isaak is just the companion I needed. He is a hard worker and very easy to get along with.

I'm blessed with every increasing gospel knowledge but I am nowhere near that of Joanies Choanies. I've been blessed as I've strived to live the Word of Wisdom with more energy and better functioning physical abilities. Still haven't learned how to talk about my feelings. All the progress Julie made with me has gone out the window haha. Went fishing this morning with no success. I've been working harder at fishing men than being a fisherman.

Sure do love y'all!

Elder Hamblin

One Legged Elder?

August 21, 2017 Update: 

I am alive! Still kooky as ever, but I am alive, well and still kicking. The incident last week with the spider bite and stuff was a little scary because I went to the doctors and they said okay no problem it's just surface level stuff and we won't need to scoop out any rotten parts. They threw some pills at me and went on to the next person. All is fine and dandy for a couple days until I wake up covered all sorts of fun and exotic rashes and reactions. At the peak it covered me from toes to my neck line. I decide it's probably best to go to the hospital again and this time they say "okay well I guess you were allergic to the last stuff. Let's get the quality antibiotics and meds. Oh and a steroid shot to your bum for kicks and giggles." So now I'm loaded with meds and have a ripped glute. Honestly I am good and healthy, still some rashes dying down but I've still been out working for the Lord.

Other than that, we have been working hard and loving life and the mission! Not too many stories to tell. The result and blessings of the mission so far have been more interpersonal with coming to know my true self and my real desires and knowing how to be the person I am capable of being and becoming.

Sure do love y'all! 

Elder Hamblin

August 14, 2017 Update: 

Bit by brown recluse. Should be fine and keep my legs. Didn't give me right meds. Let you know when I'm good. Love y'all 

Falcons, Funerals, and Eternal Siblings

July 17, 2017 Update:

The first picture is what we call a "funeral" pic. Those two elders are "dying" or leaving the mission and we are celebrating their passing. 

To Bailey 

B,

Thank you for your email and the obvious concern and love expressed in it. I am fortunate to have an older sister that cares about me so much and has had such a profound effect on my view of others. The blessing it has been to have you in my life cannot be understated. There have been times while I've taught or have just been talking with someone and I am blessed to see them as you or Mason or Peyton and I believe that is a blessing and a confirmation from the Spirit that they are my eternal siblings. I also believe those tender mercies are gifts to me to help me feel that you, Mason and Peyton are okay and that my work is a blessing for each of you even when it isn't directed towards you. 

The mission, when lived right, always keeps you on your toes with a constant effort from all aspects. It is not easy and I doubt it ever will be because my hope is to always grow and develop and cultivate my being. This gardening of my soul is pure work and effort and I will always be capable of becoming more. It's a wonder to me how continual focus on others and losing yourself in service and charity leads to a discovery of one's true self. 

A lot of people don't like Mormons and especially missionaries here and I have had many experiences where that distaste is not hidden. It is my blessing to be apart of those peoples loves that need the hope that they need help and I am able to show them love, listen to their story, and care for them and their interests. I also have seen a lot of people become uncomfortable which is funny because either they are really awkward and uncomfortable and they try to run or they try to argue and debate and trap us in our words. These people do not know us but they very sight of servant of the Lord puts them under self distress.

But I love it out here. I am learning and bettering. No amount of corn bread, green beans, and BBQ can slow me down now! 

Love, 

Elder Hamblin 

July 10, 2017 Update:

Hola Family! Not much time for emails and such! It's Elder Wadsworth last week in the mission and he is doing all he can. But I am safe and alive and somewhat sane. I love you! 

Elder Beau the Dog

Familia! 

Hello and welcome to another peek into the life of a stranger in a strange land. Let's start with something cool that happened this week. President Stone recently had the Young Men's General Presidency reach out to him asking if there were any missionaries that had unique stories of getting on a mission. President Stone thought of me and I now am in contact with said individuals. I don't know to what extent they will use my story. We will have to see! On a humorous note, I was on exchanges (usually a day where two companionship flip companions) with Elder Basham and we decided for lunch we would not eat fast food and instead get a rotisserie chicken, some macaroni salad, and potato chips. I'm not sure if that's healthier, but we sure as heck got more food! Anyway, we were nowhere near our apartment and had no place to eat or any utensils to eat with. So we plopped down at a park, laid our plastic bags down as plates, grubbed down into some chicken bare handed, and used the bones to scoop out our macaroni salad. We then washed down with a park hose. Later that day, we were knocking on some doors in the some of the more "stick" parts of our area and we came across a no trespassing, beware of dog sign covered property. With what we considered courage, which could honestly be argued as stupidity we go to the front door. No answer but a big ole hound dog comes from the back and starts sniffing us. I think it smelt the chicken because it started following us as we knocked on other doors on the street. At one house there were two smaller dogs that were having a bad day or something and wouldn't let us go to the door. But good ole Beau the hound dog fights the dogs off and clears the way to the door. He even went after the cat that was just chilling on the porch haha. That's pretty much my week. Nothing too crazy, but I enjoy it. 

Sure do love y'all. 

Love,

Elder Hamblin 

Job in Beijing

FAM BAM,

They said I would receive blessings from coming on a mission, but I never expected this one: I got a job in Beijing. Here's the story. My companion and I were walking the neighborhoods, as we normally do, when we spotted a man. Like the persistent and diligent missionaries we can be, we pounced. He turns to greet us and after a couple of seconds he invites us in from the rain. After some small talk where we learned that he recently moved in, even though it was somewhat apparent when all he had was a chair with a rice cooker on top of it. We ask some basic questions to get to know him and he recently moved here from Beijing to work at a nearby university to help research fuel cells or something. He starts asking us questions like who are you and why are you dressed funny. Unlike his neighbors with heavily influenced Baptist backgrounds, he has no idea who Mormons are and very little knowledge about Jesus Christ. This is completely new because the vast majority of people we teach are active in a church of their own. When we come back for our return appointment, he is baffled by our timing, not uncommon with missionaries. As we walk in, I see he has a small TV set up with a show he had paused. In the corner it says the name of the TV show in English with all other subtitles in simplified Chinese. I comment on the show asking if it was "White Deer" or the only English words I can see. He exclaims "You watch White Deer?! It is incredible!" He continues on for a bit leaving no room for me to explain I don't watch White Deer, and all I could do is politely nod to his obvious joy. I still haven't told him, but we will see. Anyway, he is very impressed by me and says I must know a lot about Chinese history, yet again leaving no time for me to deny. He remembers me saying I studied engineering before my mission and says I have to come work for him and his family in Beijing as an engineer when I graduate. So now I have a job and a new friend haha. 

In all seriousness, I am extremely happy serving here in Nashville TN. I have begun to forget that I am dressed funny and that what I do is not the most common thing and can make people fairly uncomfortable. I have been enveloped by this work and this cause and have seen so many blessings for not only me, but also for the people who need and accept it. Keeping praying for me, cause I need it! I love all of you so much! Go VOLS!

Love,

Elder Hamblin  

Mid-June Update

To Dad

Fajo,

So the assignment of district leader for the McMinnville district has allowed me to stay in the Tullahoma area. The district includes McMinnville, Manchester, Tullahoma, and Winchester and a few of the surrounding small cities. Like Lynchburg with the Jack Daniel's distillery which is ironically a dry county. So I'm still in Tullahoma and now it's just me and Elder Wadsworth. I'm really thankful he stayed. He is a good missionary that I trust and know I can rely on.

Life as a missionary has been a little bit tough the last two weeks. We had a baptism canceled which led me to be a little bit sad and unfocused. That has transitioned into more frustration and anger. And I think it has shown a little bit with how I've treated our investigators and random people on the street. The discussions have been more about showing them the logical fallacies with their faith as opposed to teaching with the Spirit and lifting them up higher than where they are. My companion and I had a good chat about it and I plan to refocus on loving those I teach and allowing space for the Spirit to teach and testify to them.

I am still with a full time car thank goodness! Tell her to drive safe and be wary of the random storms. We have random storms like that about every other week. Heat bakes the humidity. It evaporates rapidly which leads to rapid collection of the liquid which leads to rapid dispersion of said liquid. And then it starts again. 

I don't know if I've lost any weight recently, but I have been eating a lot healthier and have a ton more energy. People here don't all like people from California, they are still considered Yanks, so I have been telling people I'm from Oregon and they like me a lot more now haha.


Thanks for all the love and support and prayers. I need it.

Love 
Elder Hamblin

New Assignment as District Leader

Dear Elder Hamblin, 

Thank you for accepting the new assignment to serve as a district leader in the McMinnville district. Heavenly Father has great trust in you. As a leader in the mission, please continue to earn His trust each day. 

District leaders have a huge impact on the success of our mission. You will have more direct contact with the missionaries than any other leader in the mission, besides their trainers. You will train the missionaries in your district, through exchanges with the elders and through district meetings. As our district leaders go, so goes the mission. 

Remember that President Monson has taught “whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” He has also taught that “when you are on the Lord’s errand, you are entitled to the Lord’s help.” Seek the Lord’s guidance, as you serve the missionaries in your district. He knows the missionaries, and He will help you to know what to do.

Being a successful district leader is far more about what you do than about what you say. Please lead by example. Find constantly, teach repentance from the Book of Mormon, and baptize converts. Be a Preach My Gospel missionary and a Missionary Handbook missionary, by striving to be exactly obedient. If you do these things, and if you teach others how to do that, then you will be a successful district leader. Remember that you are a keeper of the TNM Christ-centered culture of high expectations and charity.

I love you. Lift, build and inspire the best efforts of the missionaries in your district. Missionary work can be challenging. Always seek to encourage missionaries in their faith and joy. Let charity be your guiding motivation in all that you do as a district leader. I believe in you, and I know that with the Lord’s help you will be successful. You will be in my prayers daily.

Love,

Jared W. Stone
President, Tennessee Nashville Mission

Tattoos and Misc. Pics

Amish Yo-Yos and Bug Catching

Familia! 

Elder Wadsworth keeps talking about requesting more missionaries for the Manchester area. I haven't been in enough areas to justify taking missionaries out of another area to put them here, but I do know that we are constantly working. The work is moving forward here and after this last ward conference with President Crawford speaking about missionary work, I think the members will be even more excited to share the gospel. I think having a trio here is really helpful. When we are so busy that we have to do splits, we only need one member to pick up one of us and the other two can go there way. We have only had to do that once or twice, but it helps a lot. Diana Shuster is currently on date for the June 10th and she has already expressed concerns for after baptism. She has solid fellowshippers that drive her 50 minutes to church every week. She has been keeping her commitments and loves the gospel principles teachers. We drive an hour out to see her twice a week and have had very spiritual lessons with her. She gave me an Amish yo-yo and some strawberry jam last visit. We recently tracted into a young man with a young son. He expressed his concerns for where his life was. He worked all the time, he never got to spend time with his son, he has a drinking problem and just overall wasn't happy. On our return visit with him, he decided to quit drinking and hasn't touched it since. We asked him what we could do to help and suggested we text a scripture verse a day. During the week we texted him every morning with a scripture verse, with no reply. Yesterday, he called us and politely said he was busy that afternoon and wouldn't be able to meet but he wants to meet again. Then, during the same phone call, started asking us about the priesthood authority and how it seemed like the priesthood made men more powerful when we were supposed to be equal. We told him that priesthood authority was for the sole purpose of serving those around you and that it made the priesthood holder more of a servant. He loved that. We have high hopes for him.

Elder Wadsworth, Elder Anders, and I have been doing really well. They are incredible at lifting me up by helping me with my goals, pushing me to try new ways to teach and find, and reinforcing the things I do right. They are great missionaries and are great examples. I am happy and well! I have my parents and friend back home working on getting my patriarchal blessing. That should be it for this report.

Much love,

Elder Hamblin

Update and First Skype Call

Familia,

This week has been filled with success and we are having blessings showered on us. I had the really cool experience this past week to fast for a quality member referral. I have received referrals before this point, but they had been thought up on the spot and hadn't led to much success. The very Sunday I fasted, two new members in the ward brought their neighbor to church. These new members and the investigator they brought live 50 minutes from the church. She has read up to Jacob and all of third Nephi in the Book of Mormon. We have high hopes for her. We also have two young adults with baptismal dates. One is part of a part member family and is fourteen. She has a huge desire to be baptized, but not to read the Book of Mormon or go to church. It is difficult for her to attend sacrament meeting because she lives about 45 minutes from and her siblings and dad are always working on Sunday. we recently discovered her aunt is an active member in the ward and we are in the works of getting her to pick up the young investigator. Our second individual with a baptismal date is a young man who was interested in the church when we were meeting with a less active member. The less active member had recently started selling his banana pudding recipe to grocery stores and we called 5 minutes after some big event in the selling process. He considered it a huge sign and was telling all his family and his family's family that they needed to go back to church and be baptized. The young man with a baptismal date is the nephew of the less active. Here in Tullahoma we are constantly busy and working hard. The area has been prepared before us and as we listen to the Spirit, we are led to those who are prepared. We have recently begun shortening our lessons because we see that is more spiritually enticing to have short lessons and because we have so many people to talk with, we have to shorten our meetings.

The companionship is incredible. Elder Wadsworth continues to be an incredible example of a missionary who is spiritually based and focused wholly on bringing people to Christ and listening to the Spirit as we teach. He does not clutter the minds of investigators with pointless info. He does everything he can to invite the Spirit to testify ad confirm the message. Elder Anders after Zone Conference has perked up and has taken huge initiatives to be leading conversations and be actively involved in lessons. He listens well and always brings the conversation back to focus on our unique message.

There is not much to say on my current well being. Spiritually, I am currently trying to build my testimony upon the Book of Mormon. I have taken to much pray, personal study, and pondering in my heart. Temporally, I am focused on scripture mastery, in particular verses from the Book of Mormon. I am blessed to see progress. One thing of note would be that I think Mothers Day has been the most difficult day in the mission so far. The beginning of the mission was difficult because I was learning how to work hard and building my foundation of missionary skills. After the Skype call, it kind of hit me that I was a missionary again. The yoke of the mission call was again rested upon my shoulders and I had to readjust to that again. Just a different mindset being a missionary and being with family and friends. But I am working back into the swing of things. Anywho, that's it! Sure do love y'all!!

Tally-Ho,

Elder Hamblin