Email 02/09/15

Hello Family!

  Transfer week is always hectic! We switched out companions, came back to Willits and we started a new transfer! It is going to be a busy transfer! Our goal as a mission, "Mission Possible", is to talk to 20 people, teach 3 lessons and invite 1 person to be baptized every single day. We haven't missed a day yet! We are working hard and we come home exhausted (mornings come way to fast). Last Friday we had zone meeting and it was my first time teaching! It was fun! We played a game of hangman to start my section off and that seemed to get everyone to talk more. Our zone is quiet because we don't really know each other and we never see each other because we are so spread out!! I actually know most of them because of past areas which is good, but my new companion, Hermana Garnder is pretty new so she doesn't know anyone YET :)

  Last week was really exciting! We set a date with Kevin! He is getting baptized February 28 :) Yay! He is a dry mormon. Seriously. Amanda is planning on baptism but she isnt ready just yet like Kevin is and we are OK with that. She will get baptized though, I am for sure! They are just the cutest family! And the ward loves them! In this area when we bring investigators to church, our investigators don't even sit with us! They are right there with the ward members! Haha its great! We are busy working with the less actives and part member families right now. This ward would be huge if all of the members would just come to church! Its ridiculous. We are going to change that. We sang in ward conference a couple of Sundays ago and the Stake President asked us to sing in Stake Conference in two weeks. Let me tell you how thrilled I am about that. 

 This week is going to be a little hectic. We have zone conference, exchanges and the 20-3-1 to work for every day. I am tired just thinking about it all :) Anyways but everything is good. 

 I hope you all have a great week! Happy Valentines week!!   Love, Hermana Hamblin

Email

Hello Family!!

  Thanks for the pictures!! I am so glad you got to catch up with moms side of the family. They are so funny :) I am sad I missed out on that, but I am happy that everything went well and I hope that you all are doing a little bit better. I know that it is when everything is done and finished and you return back to reality is when it is hard, just know that there is a missionary in Willits California praying her little heart out for you mom. I love you so much!!

  We did get transfer doctrine! Sister Alba gave us a call Friday night as we were heading up to our lesson with Rob and she told us that Sister Carter is leaving Willits :/ and that I will be staying in Willits! However, they are bringing back an Hermana (yay!), so this area will be run as a Spanish/English area and we are in charge of it all! AND...she assigned me to be a sister training leader (STL)! I am so excited and ready for this call! I loved being STL in the CCM and so I am so excited to be one in the field! It is a lot of work though and we have to be "all in on the High Expectations". One thing that was talked a lot about when Elder Nielson was here, and is included in our "high expectations", was working with members. The Alba's reinforced that every day we have one lesson in a members home AND for every set lesson we are to have a member present. Well here in Willits 7:30 pm is super late for them :) (Mind you this is a ward of all old folks :) It is so great!) So yesterday during fast and testimony meeting I got up and told our wonderful ward about these two High Expectations, so hopefully we can work better with that and build up this ward!!

  Yesterday in Relief Society we watched a video from a "Women's Time Out" conference. They had Noelle P. (the Olympian skeleton runner). Oh my gosh! She is so great! She talked about how we will always go where we are looking at. For example, if we are too focused on where we dont want to go in life, or the person that we do not want to become, eventually that is who we will end up being or going. I love that because Satan is always working with us. he is ALWAYS telling us that we can't change and that we can't become athletes in our own way. If we choose to let Satan triumph our thoughts then we will never become. We would never want to progress because we wouldn't believe in ourselves. She said to look past him and look at the finish line, keep the finish line in view and as we do that we will be enduring to the end :)

 Last night we had dinner with Bishop and his family. Every time they have a missionary pass through Willits they show us this special video. Sister Carter hadn't seen it yet, so he made us watch it before she left. Oh my goodness. So this video starts out with this guy talking in a huge auditorium to an audience of empty chairs. This guy talks
​about how we are daughters of God and how we are precious and beautiful. It was sooooo good!! It was so sweet of Bishop to show us that. There is another one for guys and the same guy is telling them that they are better than the adversary and encourages them to be who they really are. In the one for girls he is soft and gentle and bold. In the one for guys he is all serious and he starts like yelling haha. Sis. McFadden pointed that out to us, just how he portrays it differently in the two videos. She asked Bishop if the way he was yelling and stuff made him feel better and he was like, "Heck ya! I get the chills everytime!" ...meanwhile the sisters are over here crying :) haha it was great! I just love their family!!!

 Anyways sorry about the pictures! I have taken a lot on my camera lately so it is harder to send those :) but thats not an excuse. I will work on getting you some! I love you all!! have a great week!!

    Love, Hermana Hamblin

  Ok..they are going to come in a lot of different emails! Sorry! This is the last time I will see Hermana Fernandez :( I just love her! She goes home tomorrow!!

I cant remember if I sent these ones from our Christmas party..but this is our old trio in Santa Rosa! And me and Hermana Fernandez again :) We look so sweaty and gross!! haha 

Ok so these are pictures of the baptism that happened the first Saturday I was here in Willits :) His name is David Wells. I love this kid! He is so great! He investigated the church all by himself and his family used to make fun of him for it, but their hearts are softening! His mom even came to the baptism :) The last one is me with one of the members..he boxes (just for good exercise now) But oh my goodness, I have a video of him boxing and it is so great! I will have to show you that later :) But we had to try it our too! :) 

Ok so the one with the cutest baby ever is one that is actually recent! Our investigators had a birthday party for little Marlowe at the church on Saturday night! It was really fun! This family is awesome! He is actually getting baptized in like two weeks!! We are so excited for them! The one picture with me and the older couple..this picture is for Riann! Riann! This is Charlene and Garland!! These two are my favorites!! Seriously. I LOVE teaching them! They are so funny!!!