Semester One Class Breakdown

RLST 100 Introduction to the Study of Religion

Rubric Number - 70067

Textbooks: Roxanna ISBN 978-0-19-953674-0 and Aesop The complete fables ISBN 0-14-04-4649-4

Course Description and Overview - Welcome to RLST 100,an exploration of many different religions and religious movements from across the world. In addition to daily classroom discussions, students will express observations in writing and note-taking assignments, reviews of readings and films, and analysis of documents and imagery. In his landmark study, The Closing of the American Mind, Professor Allan Bloom noted, “Only Socrates knew, after a lifetime of unceasing labor, that he was ignorant. Now every high school student knows that. How did it become so easy?” While the postmodern world has provided new methods of evaluating the past, it has also created a climate in which truth and fixed meaning are often considered unattainable. The instructor’s job is to stimulate students to think about the course material in relation to their understanding of the world and challenge them to hold those notions alongside competing ideas. It is his hope that students develop and carry a driving curiosity about the world and their place in it through this course and throughout their lives. It is the perpetual quest for knowledge, not its ultimate attainment, which gives education its true meaning.

Student Learning Outcomes :

·        Identify and discuss a range of religious beliefs and practices worldwide.

·        Compare religious traditions with regard to aspects of myth, symbolism, values, and ethics.

·        Evaluate ways in which historical forces have informed social and political issues and conflicts within and between various religions

·        Address the social impact of development and change of religious cultures, both historically and in the contemporary era

·        Discuss secular, fundamental, and ecumenical movements of the modern and contemporary eras.

Credits – 3.0

American History 1

Rubric Number - 70065

Textbooks – Letter from an American farmer ISBN 978-0-19-955474-4

Course Description and Overview

Welcome to HSTA 101, an exploration of the economic, social, political, and diplomatic history of the United States from the period of European expansion through the Civil War. In addition to daily classroom discussions, students will express observations in writing and note-taking assignments, reviews of readings and films, and analysis of documents and imagery. In his landmark study, The Closing of the American Mind, Professor Allan Bloom noted, “Only Socrates knew, after a lifetime of unceasing labor, that he was ignorant. Now every high school student knows that. How did it become so easy?” While the postmodern world has provided new methods of evaluating the past, it has also created a climate in which truth and fixed meaning are often considered unattainable. The instructor’s job is to stimulate students to think about the course material in relation to thei runderstanding of the world and challenge them to hold those notions alongside competing ideas. It is his hope that students develop and carry a driving curiosity about the world and their place in it through this course and throughout their lives. It is the perpetual quest for knowledge, not its ultimate attainment, which gives education its true meaning.

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

·        Identify and analyze the pivotal cultural developments (economic, social, political, and diplomatic) in early American history from the Pre-Colonial era through the Civil War.

·        Articulate differing interpretations of key events in early American history)

·        Discuss ways in which a diverse range of individuals and groups effected social change in early American history.

·        Explain the most valuable lessons to be drawn from the study of early American history, including long-lasting trends and their possible impact on current and future developments

·        Address the impact of the development of early American culture upon other polities, within a global context.

Number of Credits – 3.0

Baseball Varsity 1

Rubric - 70029

Objective – Train on the baseball field as a team to become more successful.

Number of Credits – 1.0

Weights Training 1

Rubric – 70030

Objective – Train weights to become stronger and perform at a higher leve.

Number of Credits – 2.0

Introduction to Computer and Applications

Rubric - 70036

Textbooks - Microsoft Office 365 Office 2016  ISBN:  978-1-305-87602-6

Course description and Overview

This is an introductory college level course. It is a prerequisite for most other computer classes. This course emphasizes the practical aspects of today’s computing environment. Instruction includes the basic computer architecture and operation, hardware, operating systems, network communication, ethical issues associated with computers, and aspects of integrated software with an emphasis on business applications.

Student Learning Outcomes

·        Define the basis of technology literacy in conjunction with tangible and intangible computer aspects alongside the Internet/World Wide Web.

·        Provide students an all-inclusive, comprehensive analysis of the critical relationship between computers/technology and business and industry.

·        Encourage student’s computer curiosity and drive to learn by using technology to learn about technology.

·        Demonstrate techniques used to navigate through the Windows operating environment using icons, menus, applications, and files

·        Create, save, format, and print documents in Microsoft Office using the Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point applications

·        Combine Office applications to create an integrated document(s).

Number Of Credits – 3.0

Introduction to College Studies

Rubric  70144 and 70246

Textbooks – First in the Family ISBN 0-9762706-6-8

Course Description and Overview

Introduction to College Studies is designed to help incoming students maximize the first year by getting comfortable on campus, connecting with the college, strengthening study skills, exploring career and transfer options, and starting to think of Miles Community College as home. It is a collaboration of services, programs, and people dedicated to assisting new students at MCC become successful and well-oriented members of our campus community. COLS 101A and COLS 101B must be taken at the same time.

Student Learning Outcomes

●     Students will have a better understanding of personal development in regards to their transition to college, time/stress management, creating positive relationships with faculty/staff, taking responsibility for their own actions, planning for careers, etc.  

●     Students will have the ability to create academic success through advising processes, investigation of majors, developing educational goals, meeting graduation requirements, FERPA, etc.

●     Students will learn various college skills necessary to succeed such as computer literacy, Banner, Canvas, note taking strategies, study skills, test taking strategies, active learning strategies, etc.

●     Students will learn what services MCC has to offer them to succeed: student life, cafeteria, library, financial aid, clubs/groups/ organizations, Learning Center, Centra, athletics, etc.

Number of Credits – 2.0

Week 101 (April 22, 2018)

FINAL WEEK

This is Jayden's final week in the mission field, he returns home on Thursday April 26th in the evening.  

Dale pues entonces esta es mi ultima semana y voy a escribir en español. Nada mas el día de hoy yo quiero compartir mi testimonio de este dos años. Ha sido un placer de estar aquí y tener la oportunidad de conocer toda esta gente aquí en Panamá. He tenido la oportunidad de aprender muchas cosas acerca de mi mismo durante el tiempo y tenido la oportunidad de fortalecer mi testimonio. Yo les testifico que la iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los últimos días es la iglesia verdadera sobre la faz de la tierra. He visto que pocoton de milagros y he visto la mano del señor en esta obra. Yo estoy animado de regresar a casa aunque estoy nervioso y no se que voy a hacer. Yo se que el señor tiene mucho preparado para mi en gringolandia y que mi vida ha sido cambiado por mi servicio aquí. Yo testifico estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen. 

Nos vemos el Jueves!!!! 

Elder Hamblin  

Given then, this is my last week and I will write in Spanish. Nothing else today I want to share my testimony of this two years. It has been a pleasure to be here and have the opportunity to meet all these people here in Panama. I had the opportunity to learn many things about myself during the time and had the opportunity to strengthen my testimony. I testify to you that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the face of the earth. I have seen tons of miracles and I have seen the hand of the Lord in this work. I am encouraged to return home although I am nervous and I do not know what I am going to do. I know that the Lord has much prepared for me in gringolandia and that my life has been changed by my service here. I testify these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. See you on Thursday!!!! Elder Hamblin

Week 100 (April 16, 2018)

So this week we were planning a baptism for Saturday. Then last minute the family went to the grandmas house so we weren't able to baptize him. We re-scheduled for this Saturday. 

This week I also had my last interview with the Mission President. We talked about a lot of good stuff and he told me his life story. He played baseball for the Dodgers. It was a great interview. I really learned a lot about how to use everything that I've learned here in panama and how to relate and utilize it back home. 

The pictures attached are from a district meeting we had. The photos really show how we are as companionship's. Me and my comp are definitely the most not serious. 

This will be my last week here in my area, then next Monday I'm in a hotel until Thursday. Wednesday we get to go to the temple and have lunch with president. Should be a great last week! 

Anyway i hope all is good at home!! Love and miss you all!! Ill write another email next week!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 99 (April 09, 2018)

This week was interesting and frustrating. We did a lot of work, and we didn't see whole lot of results. 

We spent most of the week preparing people to come to church. On Saturday night we had 9 people who were fijo to come to church. We were sure of it. We had plans to pick them up and everything. Sunday came and only 2 ended up coming. One of these 2 will be baptized this week however so I guess it worked out. 

Also this week on Saturday night my comp and I were walking to dinner and we found a man on a bridge who said a lot of words that didn't make sense and then said "call 911, I  need an ambulance." So we called the ambulance and it came. The man was having trouble breathing and just struggling to stay alive. We waited for the ambulance some 30 minutes and he kept losing consciousness. And then the ambulance showed up and took care of him. We learned while talking to him that he is homeless and that he smokes crack all day. That's all he does. We were pretty disappointed when what we saw as what could have been a good teaching situation after the fact really wasn't. But we did some good that day and helped the man get his ambulance. 

Also the picture I attached was a sweet blister that I had. I think I popped it every day for a week. It just never went away. But its doing better now. 

Anyway hope all is well at home! Love and miss you all!!

Elder Hamblin 

Week 98 (April 02, 2018)

Wow. I testify that the Prophet President Russel M. Nelson is a  prophet of god. He has received a lot of revelation in the last 2 months and has told us how to be better members and how to strengthen and care one member for another. Watching conference really just showed me that God really is at the head of this church and he will guide and care for us and reveal his secrets through his servants, the prophets. The change being made to combine the High Priests and the Elders Quorum will have a huge impact on the church here in panama. We have seen that the candidates for callings always have come form the high priests and that the quorum of elders just doesn't seem to progress or gain experience and that almost all of the less actives are from the elders and not the high priests. It will be great to combine them and get all of the added experience. Just last Sunday the bishop asked my companion and I if we could show more support to the elders quorum and not the young men, because we have been attending the young men and it works out perfect now because everyone will be supporting the elders. 

Also the change to the Home teachers and Visiting teachers will change the way we work here in panama. Usually there are only a few visits being made and the members always complain about having to fill out the information about the visit. So now it will be so much easier to do the visits. Also including the young women will help to have more people who will do the visits. Everyone knows the women always do their visits and the men are the ones who are slackers. 

I just want to end with my testimony that the changes that the church has made really do come from God. That he directs his church. He calls people to guide and council but he is the head of the church. I hope everyone was able to watch conference and hear the words of god. 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 97 (March 26th, 2018)

So this week was a good week. Its been 2 weeks and my ankle still hurts, but I ice it twice a day and that seems to make it a little better. 

This week on Thursday we did an activity in the church with some recent converts and some investigators. We had a soccer game. We played 4 on 4 on a small court and just messed around a lot. we played for like 2 hours and for the rest of the week all of those who went were there kept talking about it and asking when we were going to play again. The best part was that on Sunday the people who went to play soccer showed up to church. It was a successful activity if you ask me! 

Also this coming week we are super excited for general conference. The investigators who go to general conference always get baptized so we are working hard to make sure we get a lot of people there so they can listen to a prophets voice. Should be a solid week and we should have some baptisms here in the next few weeks. We have lots of good investigators, we just need a little more progression from them so they can be baptized. Should be great. 

Also last night I got a call from the zone leaders and we talked about the zone and how we are struggling to get more baptisms right now. I promised them that we would have 13 more before I went home. So now my comp and I have to work to baptize 13 more people in one month. It will be a lot of work but we know we can do it. 

As for that I think that's it. Sorry to keep it super short again, its been really hard lately for me to think things in english. Should be interesting when I get home. Anyways love you all!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 96 (March 19th, 2018)

This week was a little more rough than last. My comp is great. We get along really well. The problem is the on Monday I sprained my ankle playing basketball and from there it has all just been down hill. I had to rest for like 2 days and that really put us back on finding new investigators and preparing those that we have to be baptized. 

This week in sacrament meeting we were hoping to have 13 people, but only 1 showed up. It was tough, and we will have to push back all of the baptisms for another week, but we should be able to recuperate and go at it. This week we should be right back to business with lots of new investigators as well as some baptismal dates. Should be fine!! 

Also the picture attached is of the people I have trained. Its missing two. One who went home and my current companion. I think it still counts as a family photo!! 

Sorry its short!! Next week will be better!!!!

Elder Hamblin 

Week 95 (March 12th, 2018)

This week was absolutely great. 

It started out great because last Monday my comp and I went and played basketball with a member and some guys that play every Monday. They actually play decent but its fun to mess around. My comp plays surprisingly well. 

On Friday we had a way awesome experience. We had a mission conference with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the quorum of the 12 apostles. The spirit was absolutely palpable. He spoke with such power and authority. I will never forget the words he said while bearing his testimony. He said that "he knows the voice of the lord, and knows his face as well." He also stated that he had many other spiritual experiences that were too sacred to share, but he told us that so I imagine he has had some pretty awesome stuff happen. 

Also this week we were teaching the lady who lives in the pink house. Her name is Itza. We taught her the restoration of the gospel and she cried the entire lesson. She told us that she was born and raised catholic but every time that we come over we make her have so many questions that she feels like young Joseph Smith. We told her that she needed to do the same thing that Joseph did and pray to know the truth. So so did and she said that she felt a lot better after praying, but that she didn't think it was a full answer. We told her to keep praying and that she would know. So she promised to keep praying. 

Also yesterday we had changes. My comp left this morning for David, its a zone 10 hours away from here. He was pretty sad to leave but he will enjoy his new area. I've been assigned to be with another new elder. Well he has 6 weeks but he is still being trained. His name is Elder Martinez from Honduras. He's 18. He likes soccer.  This is my last change, so i know that I'm going to die here in my favorite area. I was actually really afraid of being taken out of the area but its a relief to know that I get to stay and finish my time here. Should be an excellent final 6 weeks. We have a lot planned to finish strong. Baptize, Baptize, Baptize!!! 

Anyways that's it. I didn't take any pictures this week. Or when someone else took one with me in it  they haven't sent it to me yet. Maybe next week. Hope all is well!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 94 (March 05, 2018)

This week was another solid week. We started out pretty well finding some sweet new families to teach on Tuesday, but then they went on vacation so we couldn't teach them the rest of the week. But one of them was way awesome! We were walking around trying to find new people to teach and weren't finding anything. So we decided to say a prayer and ask for guidance. So we prayed and after the prayer we thought about what door to know on. My comp said something and I just looked at him and said, "we need to knock on this pink house in front of us." So we knocked and a lady came out and let us in and we blessed the family and the woman cried and the spirit was strong and we put return appointment. When we went back we talked for a minute and the lady mentioned to us that she talked to her son about the visit we had. (side note, her son is very catholic, they have an entire wall in their tiny house dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus AKA divino niño.) So the lady said that her son asked why she let us in. The lady said she is receptive to all religions even the Jehovah Witness, but every time someone comes in she talks to them outside on the street. Nobody ever gets let in the house. But she let us in. And then she felt the spirit and she knew that we weren't just any church, we were something special. She also accepted a baptismal date in the first lesson. But then they went out of town so we lost contact for the week. But they get home tomorrow so we will see. 

On Saturday we had a baptism. We finally baptized the head of the house of the kids. The grandpa got baptized!! It was crazy awesome! He has been reading his Book of Mormon and learning all about the plan of salvation, I think he has read the pamphlet like 7 times. So he was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. Now there are 9 in the family that are members and still a few to work with. This family is awesome!!!! Just this morning my comp and I woke up at 5 am to go help 2 of the youth in the family get to seminary. We showed up at 5:30 and they both were awake, showered, dressed, and ready to leave. They are way more dedicated than I ever was!!! Its been great to see them progress and learn an change. 

Also this week we had a zone conference. As a mission we have been baptizing a lot of people. Now the mission president says we need to slow down on the baptizing of people, and focus on the baptizing of complete families. So we have really put a focus on in the area of how we can find families that have non members, and how we can find, teach, and baptizing parents with their children. Its a drastic change but it needed to happen if we want to grow the church here in panama. 

Anyway I think that is it for the week. Hope all is well back home, its been cold here lately as well. And by cold its still hot I'm just accustomed to the heat. Love you all!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 93 (Feb. 27, 2018)

So this week was a solid week. We were able to focus on the same family that was baptized last week as we were preparing them to be confirmed on Sunday (yesterday). We talked about the holy ghost with them all week and they seemed to learn a lot. We are also currently working with the grandpa to take the step and be baptized. He is reading the book of Mormon a lot, but he has been baptized twice in other churches and we just cant get him to pray to receive an answer or to understand the restoration of the priesthood. But he does come to church and support all of his grand kids. 

Also this week we were able to baptize on of the sisters of the family on Saturday. She was going to be baptized last week but was sick so we waited a little longer. The whole family, all 8 of them were confirmed yesterday at church. It took up basically all of the time of the sacrament meeting. Which i felt bad because it was the homecoming of a return missionary, as well as they planned on having 2 other speakers. They all spoke like 3 minutes each. It was great though, the members got super excited and really want to work with the missionaries to keep the work progressing. Although they talk a lot more than they actually work. 

Also on Sunday we had another baptismal service. We were able to baptize the sister of a kid we baptized a few weeks ago. Her father is less active but is coming back around. One of the programs of the mission is baptize the children of less active members and reactivate the entire family. This is one of those. The family is now members, and active. Now we are just working on the mom, which is a little harder because they aren't married... 

I think that's it for the week. Just working and teaching. Not much more to say. Hope everyone is enjoying the cold. I enjoy the heat everyday! Love you all!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 92 (Feb. 19, 2018)

NOTE:  Jayden's travel plans to come home were received this week.  He will be returning April 26th at 7pm.

This week was solid. 

Carnival ended. we had some fun last Monday with that. We filled up a ton of water balloons and waged war with the neighbor kids and their parents for a couple of hours. We got pretty wet haha! 

On Tuesday we did a service project with the bishop. We dug a 6 foot deep hole for a septic tank. The scars are still there from the blisters, but it was a good time talking to the bishop and the ward members. They also gave us breakfast and lunch. 

On Friday we had divisions. I got to stay in my area and teach. We taught a few lessons but the day overall was pretty boring. We did get fed really well though. 2 investigators gave us food, as well as 2 members gave us food. We finished the day as full as possible. I think they are trying to get me fat here. 

On Sunday we had an area conference. I started the day off eating a solid breakfast. A huge bowl of cereal and milk. Just like last year. Then we went to the conference. It was every stake in central america watching a broadcast from Salt Lake. We heard from the area 70, Elder Craig Christensen of the presidency of the 70, as well as Elder Cook of the Quorum of the 12. Elder Christensen speaks incredibly well in Spanish, but Elder Cook had to use a translator. It was a solid conference. They all talked about how we could be better leaders in the church and how we need to fulfill our callings in the way that we have been asked to. Which is a huge problem here in panama. 

After the conference we had a baptismal service. We were able to baptize 7 people yesterday. It was great. We have been teaching this family for a month now and they were very prepared to be baptized. We are now hoping to continue talking to this family and have even more who live there be baptized. They are a great family! 

After the baptism we went to some recent converts who bought a cake for my birthday. This family is legit!! So we celebrated that and that was our day! 7 baptisms and a birthday! Couldn't have asked for anything better!!! 

Anyway that's it for the week!! Love and miss you all!! Thanks for the birthday wishes!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 91 (Feb. 12th 2018)

So this week Carnival started. It just a huge party in the entire country. Last year my area was in a more party oriented part and we had to stay inside the entire time. This year I'm closer to the city so they let us go out and work. And wow is it difficult. Nobody is home, or they are home and its just a party in their house. In the entire week we only found 14 new investigators. We put a goal of 60! So this week we are going to work extra hard to make up for it and find lots of positive people to teach. 

As for the investigators that we already had the majority of them just got put on hold because they all went traveling. We talked to the few less active members that we know and tried to get references from everyone. Didn't go to well but it was worth a shot. 

As for the week I think that's it. It was a really long and boring week just waiting for all of our investigators to come home. Also I didn't take any pictures. 

Hope all is well at home!! Happy Valentines Day!!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 90 (Feb. 06, 2018)

This week was a solid week. Full of learning and teaching and working hard. We were able to have a baptism on Friday of the boy who was going to get baptized last week but things came up and they couldn't get to the baptism. So my comp was able to baptize him. My comp got here on Tuesday and was able to have his first baptism just 4 days later. It was an awesome experience to have someone prepared to be baptized to help set a new missionary on track for a mission full of baptizing people. 

Also a little about my comp. His name is Elder G, he is from Bolivia, he's 18 years old and he likes to play basketball. 

This week we also had a miracle while out finding people. We had said a prayer asking for the spirit to guide us to a family who lived in a blue or yellow house and had 3 people who were home. But I remember after asking for that in the prayer that it didn't feel right. So we started walking and feeling and we tried a house and it didn't go so well. So we kept walking just kind of lost not really finding what we wanted and then I felt the spirit indicate a house to me that was not at all what we had asked for in the prayer. But being obedient to the spirit we went to the house and presented ourselves as representatives of Jesus Christ and asked if we could leave a blessing with the family. After the prayer the woman looked at us and asked how we knew that she had been praying to have messengers from God to come to her house, and that she had just finished praying for that 5 minutes earlier. We testified that we were guided to the house by the spirit and that we had a message to give to her family. They accepted and hopefully we can go back and teach them this week.  

Also this week we found a way awesome family of like 17 people. They live in 3 different houses all connected, We taught them twice this week and invited them to church. We then asked a member to help us go pick them up in his van. So on Sunday morning we pulled up to the house and there was the grandpa with his grand-kids all ready to attend church. 11 attended from the family and 7 are over the age of 8. Hopefully we can put a baptismal date with them this week and they can be baptized within the next 2 weeks. 

As for the week I think that is it. The coming week im sure will be even greater with more miracles, more finding, and hopefully a baptism. 

Anyways love you all!! 

Elder Hamblin

Week 89 (January 29, 2018)

So this week was a solid week. We really got out there and worked hard and saw a lot of miracles. While out finding people we were able to find people who have attended church before, or people who are receptive to our message of the restoration and are looking for the true church. 

This week my companion and I had to give talks in church. 15 minutes each. He talked about the need to open our mouths as members and talk about the church. He shared a story of how he found the church on his own after searching for a long time, but it turns out his best friend was a member his entire life and never said he attended a church. After he finished I talked about being friendly to the new members and the importance of members helping to retain converts. I planned on using a lot of notes and reading a lot of stories, but while I was talking I was directed to the scriptures and didn't end up reading anything that I had previously prepared. Both my companion and I ended up changing our talks at the last minute. It was good to know the spirit was there to help up. 

After church we had our baptismal service. 3 kids got baptized. The two sons of the bishop, who are 8 and don't count for the mission, as well as their cousin who we found a few weeks ago and have been working with. The bishop baptized the 3 and we confirmed them after the service. I directed the baptism, and let me just say it was the most support that we have had in a baptism ever! We had a lot of members there and the primary even sang a special musical number. It was great. 

Then last night we received word on our changes. Even though Elder Vasquez and I have only been together for one change we have changes. Elder Vasquez got changed to another area in the same zone, and I will be training again. Probably for the last time. I don't know if he is Gringo or Latino, I should find out tomorrow. This will be my 5th time training. I love training though so it works out. 

As for that I think that's it. We should have another baptism this week, and hopefully another one the week after. If everything works out perfect that is, I know the lord will help us. 

Pics: My comp and I, and the bishop

Week 88 (January 22, 2018)

This week we had to do a lot of follow up. We had planned to baptize 8 people for the 28th, and we knew who they were and we had dates put with all of them. None of them came to church this week though, which makes it very difficult to be baptized. We did however have 3 attend church who weren't part of that 8 so we will see what happens with them. Our zone leaders told us that we have to have a baptism this week. No questions asked. We should be able to figure it out if we are obedient with exactness and completely diligent. Also its the last week of the change so we need to have a baptism before we get split up as companions. 

This week we also went on divisions. I got put with the new guy in the district. He has 5 weeks in the mission and he is still pretty timid, even if hes a Latino. We talked a lot about how he could change and learn to talk and be courageous. I explained to him that before the mission i was too timid to ask for help at the grocery store, but now I can start a conversation about religion with anyone anywhere. It was strange to give advice on how to be more outgoing and not be shy or timid. I guess i really have put to use Ether 12:27"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.I give unto men weakness that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me. For if the humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them". 

Also for my picture this week we found a bat in the church. It couldn't fly and was just crawling around on the ground so we swept it out of the church with a broom and flung it into the air and it started flying and it lived. So that was pretty cool. 

And that's it for the week. Pretty lame, but next week will be a lot better!! 

Hope all is well!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 87 (January 15, 2018)

So this week was pretty solid. Last week after we finished writing we went to play soccer with some youth, but we got bored of playing with them so we went to another field that is run by the police station. They have a huge complex with like 4 soccer fields and a baseball field and its 100 percent turf. So we went and sat down to change our shoes and I notice that a few people and a coach were taking an infield on the baseball field so I yelled to the first baseman who had an extra glove if I could use it and play. So I started taking grounders at 3rd, then moved to 2nd. They didn't think that I could play until I started making backhanded plays and I even dove for a ball and made the ball. Probably the best P-day I have had in the mission! 

As for teaching we had a pretty tough week. We only found 15 new people but we are looking to have some 8 baptisms in 2 weeks from the people we are finding. Everything so far is looking up. We were able to go on visits with the ex bishop of the ward and he took us to a family of less actives who have like 6 people who still haven't been baptized. So as my comp and I always say "ellos se van al agua" 

I finally finished and updated my goals for my last 2 changes and was able to share them with the mission president during interviews with him this week. They are as follows:

 1. Fast every Sunday

2. Find 70 new people every week.

3. Have more that 18 baptisms.

4. Wake up every day at 6.

5. Leave the house at 9:30 a.m. 

6. Start and finish the Book of Mormon in Spanish. 

7. Write in my journal every day. 

8. Take every meal to go. 

9. Do 2 hours of "Cosechas" every day. 

10. Not drink any soda. Excluding Malta. 

The mission president seemed pretty happy with my goals and I know if I focus on them that I can accomplish everything that I've listed. 

As for the week I think that's about it. I hope everyone at home is doing good! Love and miss you all!!! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 86 (January 8th, 2018)

So this week was a bit more of a struggle. We found a lot of people last week, but we have dropped every single one because they don't want to commit to do anything. So we continue moving forward and finding new people to teach. 

As for my new years goals I am still revising them to be perfect, as well as many of them are personal goals so maybe I'll share a few next week. 

This week I had the opportunity to teach the Gospel Principles class at church. We only had 1 investigator there so we taught him, his girlfriend, and another member. I taught the class and used the normal manual. Week one, chapter one. Our loving Heavenly Father. I learned a lot from teaching the chapter. I probably learned more teaching the lesson than if I had been present for someone else to teach the lesson. One of the things that really stuck out to me was one: the commandment to love god with all of our heart. And the fact that we cant love someone that we don't know. So we must get to know god and who he is and what he expects of us. And if we love god we will keep his commandments. Knowing who god is will help us to become more like him. And that is the goal and purpose for us here. By connecting many scriptures, like "and this is life eternal, that they may know the the true and living God" And the words of Jesus when he says, " If he have seen me ye have seen the father." So what I learned in short is that as we study the life of Jesus Christ, and try to become more like him, we are also trying to become more like our Heavenly Father who is perfect. Now I know that it is hard to be perfect and only one person has ever done it, but as Elder Jefferey R. Holland says, We may become perfect... Eventually. Also while I was teaching the lesson the spirit taught me a powerful lesson. All it did was put a few words in my head and I have been trying to find out more about it. I found it and just want to share the words. 

"As man now is, God once was"
"As God now is, Man may become"

The words came to me in English while I was teaching and I didn't know where it was found. I asked my comp and the member and they had no idea. So just now I was able to search on lds.org and found that its from the teachings of Lorenzo Snow. A book that I have never read, but might have heard quoted maybe once or twice. But the scripture is true that the spirit can bring all things to remembrance.

I hope all of that made sense and that it didn't get lost in me trying to translate it in my head. That seems to happen a lot now. 

I hope all is well at home and all of you are enjoying the cold. Its hot here, rains occasionally. 

Love you all! 

Elder Hamblin 

Week 85 (January 1st, 2018)

So this week was pretty great. Besides the parties and all of the hype for new years, which to me is not that great anyway, we had 3 baptisms! It was really great to be able to watch this family change in such a short amount of time. From the day we first found them to the day they were baptized was just 8 short days. And they attended church twice in those 8 days. It worked out perfect. they were some doubts along the way especially when they said that it was too fast and they weren't prepared, but we challenged them to ask the lord if it was time to be baptized and they said their prayers, received their answer and were baptized. The lord answers prayers when we ask. 

Apart from the baptism we struggled a bit in the work. We only found 30 new people to teach and we had to drop a lot of our investigators. The goal this week is to get back out and find and teach so we can baptize more people. We are planning on having 2 more baptisms this week, and hopefully putting 10 more baptismal dates with new investigators during the week. Should be solid. 

This week I got pink eye. That was great. But with medicine it went away. And so far my companion hasn't got it from me. 

This week I´ve also been focusing a lot in what I want out of the mission in this new year. I only have 4 months left and I intend to put everything that I have learned up to this point to work. I haven't exactly finished my list but so far it is solid and I know I can keep and meet every goal I have made so far. 

I think that is it for the week. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a great new years!!

Elder Hamblin