Email 03/05/13

Dear Family,
Oh what great experiences I am having here in Bay Shore, New York! The people here are so wonderful and like I always say so are the members! We have been so blessed to be here! On Saturday we go to travel to the Rockaways to participate in a St. Patrick's Day parade. The town wanted to thank the missionaries and all those who helped in the clean up after the hurricane. It was soo cool! I felt a little guilty to be receiving so much thanks from these sweet people when I haven't done anything to help, but it was really neat to see so many people being so kind to the "Mormons." We would walk by and people would be crying and thanking us for all the hard work that the missionaries did while they were there. They were clapping and shouting "We love the Mormons!" It was weird for us to be thanked and told that we could come back to their homes anytime, cried over, and hugged because of who we are and who we represent. I think we are the only missionaries in the world who have been treated so kindly by so many people. We are truly blessed.
This experience made me think about our reception into heaven if our works are good, our thoughts clean, and our hearts pure. I imagine that there will be people there reacting the same way. Thanking us for being good examples, for helping them to overcome their hard times because of our willingness to "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" these people will truly be happy to see us there, being who we are and representing Christ. It is hard, hard to be so kind, so loving, so friendly when the world has so many things they want to throw our way to drag us down. Thank heaven we have the Atonement to help us overcome those challenges. Thank heavens we have someone who " is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:(Isiah 53:3)." He has felt that, suffered that, grieved that. He knows how it feels to be where we are and feel what we are feeling. "Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me" to be able to KNOW that and FEEL that so that I may help TEACH that to those who need that comfort and peace! I am so blessed!
Thank you all so much for your prayers, letters, and encouragement! I love you all!
Love,
Sister Hamblin :)
P.S.
Mom- Thank you for the face wash! I love it!
Riann- Why didn't you go to MORP? Will you get to go see Dixie before you go? When do you go? Is Kale going with you? DETAILS WOMAN!!!
Raddon- How was your Birthday? You didn't tell me...
Dad- Thank you for your insights!