Email 7/01/13

Dear Family,

Yay for Bishop Smith! I knew it was only a matter of time. That man is truly amazing! He is been such a great example not only in my life but I know in the lives of so many youth in the church in Eagar AZ. I am so excited for him and I know he'll do great! He has great counselors as well. 

This week has been full of emotion and excitement. I was really struggling at the beginning of the week because I loved my last companion so much. She really was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. I love and miss her but I have an excellent new companion who works really hard and loves missionary work. She is a Business Major from BYU and only has 3 semesters left when she gets back home. She is super organized and loves to work hard. She is a great example to me of talking to people and just getting a positive face out there for the church. I am so blessed to be working with her. 

Our mission is changing as well as Elder Hamblin's... no we are not splitting but we are gaining zones, which means smaller working areas, which means more missionaries in less areas, which means people being baptized and there being REAL GROWTH in the wards and stakes here in the NY-NYCS mission! What a blessing it is to have such an inspired man as our president! I love him and he is doing great things for our mission. 

Things in New York get pretty crazy around the 4th of July. I haven't seen the day come yet but the stores are crazy today and the traffic is out of this world! I can't believe how many people flood to this area for this wonderful time of year! As you all know this is my favorite Holiday and I can't wait to see how it is celebrated New York style. There are flags everywhere and people are so excited for this day in which we celebrate our independence. I received some amazing emails from Bishop Eric and Bishop Merrill Hamblin. They both talked about the importance of the Constitution and how important that document is in our history. I can't wait to be able to study it more in depth when I get home. I just love this country and I am so grateful that we live here where Joseph Smith was able to freely ask the question about what church was right. What a blessing it is to know that we are still able to celebrate our religious freedom. I LOVE AMERICA!!

I also love this gospel. What a blessing it is for me to be able to go to my Father in Heaven and ask and thank Him for things that may seem small and insignificant to most people but for me it is sooo huge! I am so grateful that he understands my needs and that he knows that what I am going through is important and a big deal to me. I love Him so much! Now I only pray that I can love and understand His children as he does. I am so blessed to be here. Thank you all so much for you letters and prayers.

Love,

Sister Hamblin :)

You know that I am going to need pictures from the 4th right?... Yes?... Good, glad we are on the same page :) Thank you!

Oh p.s.

The first picture is taken in our apartmen yes it really is only that big... I am at the front door and that is the only room down stais... 

The second picture is of Sister McKee  (right) and Sister Kapisi (left). Aren't they beautiful! They are amazing sisters!

Ha ha sorry, I also forgot to tell you that I wont be sending any more picture cards home... I hear that people steal them from the letters. If you could please let me know if you got my last one