Transfers and Two Weeks of Updates

Monday, April 17, 2017

Monday, April 24, 2017 

FAM BAM, 

Transfers have yet again provided change that I was not expecting. It seems that as soon as I have become even the slightest bit comfortable with my companions, in the MTC or in the field, my companion(s) or I get shipped off to the next place. With this coming transfer, I am sad to be leaving my friend Elder Quiring and my first area of Smith Springs but I am happy to be presented with an opportunity to grow and learn in a new area and companionship. I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty nervous. It's almost like leaving the MTC again. However, I feel that I know better now how to appropriately use that nervous energy. I am excited to start off on a fresh foot with the members and people of Tullahoma and be able to refine my image as a representative of Christ. I am going to miss have the additional training provided by your Assistants, but I know I will be in good hands of two experienced missionaries.

Anyway, the work here in Smith Springs this last week was slow and it definitely appears that way on our numbers. I don't think the numbers entirely represent our efforts, as we have been cycling through new investigators so quickly that the numbers often don't include certain new investigators because we have already deleted them before the number recording. I'm not sure if this style of work leads to the most success by not wasting time on the repentant or if it wastes time because we don't get a full look into whether they are repentant or not. Either way, we have been working hard and have high hopes that Roxanne keeps her baptismal date for the 20th. After showing Elder Costa's talk from last General Conference she has been taking her commitments and lessons much more serious. 

The companionship between Elder Quiring and myself has proved to be a frustrating one at the start. I was stubborn. He was stubborn. That dang pride gets you every time. What proved to be successful in helping us grow in love and unity was the wise counsel of President Hinckley's father to forget ourselves and "get to work." Elder Quiring and I are now good friends and I look forward to maintaining a friendship with him.

That's this week's report. 

Tally-ho!

Elder Hamblin

Video Update and Famous Ancestors

To Dad 

Hey Fajo, 

Loved seeing the pictures from Mexico. Looked like fun. Sometimes we get into tracting areas where it feels like Mexico. My Spanish is getting a lot better, and many Elders are impressed when we run into only Spanish speaking people.

President Monson is looking a lot better than has for awhile. He is old and a lot comes with that. But go him for standing and giving 2 talks. I've started watching every single one of his talks since April 1961. He is a great speaker and his styled has changed over time.

Just Serve is one the few apps we are allowed. Surprisingly not a whole ton of stuff in our area, but I've been trying to convince my companion that we should go wash homeless peoples feet. He is against it, but I think it would be a humbling experience for both parties involved.

One of the biggest changes in myself I've seen is my ability to be honest with others and myself. I don't need to lie to myself about how I'm feeling and I can be my real self with others. They deserve that and so do I.

Sure do love ya, 

Elder Hamblin