Family History, Gender Identity, and more Roadkill!

To Bailey

Bailey, 

That's incredible! The importance of family history cannot be understated. In the religious community, the point of family history is not only to find people to baptize and do other saving ordinances for those who have past, but it is to trace our lineage back to Adam and ultimately to God. Doing family history with these things in mind takes it to a whole new level! You are doing such an important work, so thank you so much even if those aren't your drive for continuing. 

I've been thinking a lot about you too! There is a man here who is the missionaries best friend. When I came in here, he was the one who drove us all over the places and took us out to dinner all the time. He is such an incredible individual, so willing to pause at any time to help and so willing to impart of any substance to help us. So as I've gotten to know him and his life,  it turns out he struggles with same sex attraction and gender identification. Sorry if my use of the terms gender and sex are used improperly. He says that he only truly feels comfortable as a man when he is with the missionaries. He doesn't wear white shirts and ties to church because he doesn't feel completely comfortable wearing them. I believe that he identifies as a man currently, hence the "he". It has been so interesting getting to know him and his experiences outside and inside the church with his unique perspective and experiences. I know that having you as my sister has prepared me to meet him. So thank you for all the attempts to teach Mason and I about all this stuff, even when we mocked. Don't worry, I absorbed some. I never would have thought I'd use those lessons in the mission, but it has been probably the most prominent personal experience pool I pull from.

As for the family history, I can't do the work while I'm here on a mission, but when I get back I'll hit the ground running and start doing all that temple work. Everybody needs an opportunity to receive the gospel,  right? You know what you might find somewhat interesting? The fact I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time last week. Here's a twenty something youngin teaching people from a book that he just finished reading. Kind of a crazy situation. Something I've learned since being out, is that the people who read the Book of Mormon, both investigator and member, are the people who are humble, have faith, and desire to be closer to Christ. The people who read with an open heart and with intent to repent or change are the ones who receive that love and comfort. I see so many members who draw close to God with their lips, asking for this and that, without thinking what they can do for God. Or when they learn what they need to do, aka pray and read, they think they are too good or don't need it. There is real power in that book. I don't know how or why God provides power through  that book, but I know He does. That's my short little sentiment on the Book of Mormon. You know that I love you regardless of what you believe or read. But it would be on me if I didn't say that which I need to say.

Bailey, is there anything I can do for you? Any questions you have regarding the church or my testimony? Is there anything I can study for you? Is there anything I can do to set your mind at ease? There is a whole world on fire and it can be very easy to be engulfed. So please don't hesitate to ask me anything. I'd love to share my thoughts on things that worry you, sadden you or on a more positive note things that gladden you haha. I think that's the first time I've used the word gladden. I promise you,  that anything that you might only have the hint of concern about in your life,  I care about. I love you and only want to be here for you.

Sure do love ya B

Elder Hamblin

Side note since writing this email draft.

I've learned something mind blowing about genealogy and another reason to do that work. Jesus and John the Baptist and many other prophets, had to have and were prophesied to come from a certain family lineage. Prophets now have stated that our rights to the priesthood are associated with our lineage. I don't know exactly why, but I'll keep you updated. But this is just another reason why family history work is so important! Also, there was a man we taught and the next time we went to his house, his wife had looked us up on Google. She found your blog on me and read it! Pretty crazy. Anywho, keep up the good work, love ya!

To Mom 

Madre de Perla, 

I would be lying if I said I wasn't pleased with that subject line haha. That's all boys my age want to do, try strange meats. There is a restaurant near here called Roadkill. There "thing" is frying anything you bring in. I don't know if I'd be willing to go that far, but sure would be fun to check it out. Kangaroo tasted pretty bad and alpaca wasn't terrible. Nothing I would suggest to buy other than to brag about eating it. My mission only has some walking/biking areas. I'm fortunately in an area with a car and one very helpful member. We only had one day of walking (roughly 10 miles). I'll keep you updated on what I need. As of right now, it would be nice to have a keyboard but I know a missionary leaving in a week that will give me his. So I'll keep you updated with that. Other than that, I think I have all the necessities. But any random little things will always be appreciated! But of course all I really want is an email once a week telling me about your life! Maybe large plates and small plates. Large with what you did. And small with how you feel and spiritual stuff. Either way, I just want to hear from you! 

Sure do love ya

Elder Hamblin

Short Updates to Mom and Dad

To Mom 

I'm so jealous of your rain! We've only had rain once. Granted it was some big ole drops, but it didn't even last the whole day. Nature's a tease. Me and Elder Melville almost bonded right after I had sent that email home! We stayed up super late, don't tell my President,  and just talked. Ever since then, we have become better and better friends each day. After that night he told me that I was probably number one on his list of companions. He's from SLC. HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY! Know I love you and I pray for you every day. Also, thank you so much for the valentines gift! It is awesome, everyone in my zone is trying to get a taste of kangaroo and alpaca lol. 

Sure do love ya!

Elder Grandpa

To Dad 

FAJO! 

The preaching is great. Finding the balance between being bold but also recognizing when some people aren't going to receive the word. Real hard sometimes when our purpose is to teach repentance and baptize converts. Food is nothing crazy. I've been to a couple hot chicken places and they are wicked! Super good but I can only handle the medium. But I wanna try their hottest. Some invites to members houses, but I don't care about the dinners, I care about having members present during investigator lessons and getting referrals from members. And that is what I want to help the members with here. I didn't even get to spend valentines day with my companion! We had exchanges!

Is there anything I can do for you? Any info? Want me to look for real estate out here? Need the lowdown on South Nashville restaurants? Let me know! 

Sure do love ya! 

Elmer Hamblin

"Week Something" - Advice & Short Update

Just a short something I shared with Julie. She asked how to get yourself to do something that you don't want to do but is good.

You look at the first step. Like any car, it starts in a lower gear and builds to a higher gear, but it always starts with that sometimes awkward start from neutral to first. Going from nothing to even a little is so much more difficult than going from anything to something more. So take that first step and exercise that particle of faith and go even though it is hard or you think you aren't good enough. You will be blessed when you take that step. Also, remember you aren't taking it alone. You are taking it with Christ :) also, don't get discouraged. Don't let the times you don't take the first step, discourage you from taking first steps other times. You aren't perfect. Don't wallow in failures. Glorify the small and sometimes not very often successes. You got this :) Imagine how happy you will feel when your child takes his or hers first steps, that's how Heavenly Father feels when you take your first steps :)

Short whatever from my week. The other week we were visiting part member families and when we were driving home, I felt the need to go back. I disregarded it at first, but it kept pressing on my mind and heart until I finally asked for us to go back. We went back and the house I felt like we should go to didn't answer. Discouraged I headed back. But Elder Melville suggested we keep looking because promptings of the Spirit aren't always what we think. First house we knock on is this Ethiopian guy who welcomes us with open arms and tons of questions. I was so excited! I thought I found a prime investigator. Next time we go to teach, it appeared more obvious he wasn't interested. But! After our lesson we decide to go tracting. Down the street there was two rather large men washing their car outside. Although extremely intimidated, I approach and ask if they need help. They were as happy and as friendly as could be. They welcomed us in and fed us curry chicken and rice. Delicious. While we ate, they listened to us teach a lesson. They were so ready to hear our message. Moral of the story. You don't always understand how the Spirit works, but you can know that as you continue to do what your Heavenly Father wants you to do, the Spirit will ONLY help with the end goal of the gospel. Bringing to past the immortality and eternal life of man. Love you all, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to email everyone this week. I need to buy a keyboard to making typing faster. But I do love everyone! Happy Valentine's day!!!

First Week in Field: Roadkill Special

Dear Family,

I made it through the MTC and my first week in the mission field! I'm officially 3.8% done with my mission, but who's counting?

A brief summary of my stay at the MTC. I absolutely loved my companions. They were so focused on developing as missionaries that they lifted me up with their efforts to succeed. Elder Titus is currently in my district so I get to peek in on his progress. Although almost all the food was injected with fiber and it would come rushing down with the force of a mighty river, I really enjoyed it. The food wasn't terrible. Exercise time was interesting with all these testosterone filled teenagers trying to one up each other in four square, but I was fortunate to meet the service missionaries. Service missionaries are those who have mental or physical limitations that prevent the serving of a full mission, but they serve their way by working online. They answer questions and work on referrals, but mostly these valiant missionaries deal with all the crap and hatred that is flung at the church online. They are such inspirations. I would be blessed to have the patience and ability to bear afflictions as well as them. The worst part of the MTC was the fact that we spent hours on hours stuck in the same room. But all the spiritual experiences and tender mercies and personal miracles made the MTC such a great experience. But after 19 days I was ready for the field.

Summary of the first week. I have said this already in some of the personal emails, but I'll repeat. The mission has already taught me how to talk with random people, and talk with these people about Jesus. I had to learn real quick because that's a lot of what we do. I do it by talking briefly on something random that applies to the situation, like at the grocery store, I hang out by the noodles and ask what would be best for Mac n cheese. They reply kindly and then I whip out the big guns. Pamphlets and pictures of Jesus. They never see it coming haha. Anyway, I've had some interesting experiences. First day with my companion I give a blessing to a woman talking about crystals and dark spirits and voodoo and dead cats and all manner of things I had no knowledge about. Great blessing though. Thank you Holy Ghost. Next was a lady talking about multi spectrum spirits of varying colors and how she exchanged bodies and souls with them. But she believes that Joseph smith and the priesthood. But she also believes Bob Dylan was a prophet. But all crazy notions aside, she prophesied I would be president. So get ready.

It's so weird being here because like back home, I'm in Antioch and Brentwood. And Brentwood is a tad nicer and Antioch is a tad rough, and I'm blessed to be in Antioch. One thing I'm fortunate to experience as I walk the roads of Antioch is the roadkill. Saw a raccoon and 3 deers the other day. Actually that was the same day we walked ten miles to go knock on random doors and we met an incredible woman. My companion is Elder Melville from the great state of Utah. He is 20, an incredible soccer goalie, pretty decent at improv, and a great trainer. I'm so blessed to be with someone so humble and patient with me as I learn how to live the life of a full time missionary.

Well, it's getting to be that time. I love you and I'll my hardest to get hand written stuff to y'all soon. Keep being nice to people!

Love,

Elder Hamblin 

PS: please be nice to people, not just missionaries. You can make someone's day just by talking with them or smiling.

Homework: 1 Corinthians 10:13