Family and friends, it’s not often that I sit and write a note for those outside of the Hamm family and it’s not because I don’t think about you or don’t intend on accomplish such an undertaking. But it seems time always draws short and I have directed my energies elsewhere. My apologies, this is long overdue.
It was a treat to see Aaron turn eight years old! Our youngest now able to be baptized, wow, they have all grown. But bringing Aaron into the waters of baptism and confirming him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ—as the last of our children to do this for—I was deeply touched. There was a great spirit in the room that evening, it will be a day Aaron will remember for the rest of his life I’m sure. In some respects it’s sad to see small ones become older and then leave home. But there are so many joys as they discover their world, exercise their agency righteously, and seek assistance from the Lord Jesus Christ. They are in good hands. They are always in our prayers. They are the valiant ones saved for these the latter-days. Now if we can just get these valiant ones to keep their rooms clean, they might get translated…some day.
Last weekend we were called upon once again to go to Louisiana to assist
with more hurricane recovery, this time Ike. We went back into the same areas we had been previously and then some. We found ourselves in the bayous of southern Louisiana…at the end of the world I joked with Kim. These are people who without exception have little; little possessions, little opportunities, and little prospects. But they had hope; I was humbled by their reliance on the compassion from fellow beings. As a work party, it was our practice that once completed with a specific work order, we would canvas the surrounding neighborhood to see if additional needs were yet unmet. In one particular case we found an elderly lady who needed assistance. After making quick work of the few branches that had fallen on her roof, she asked if we could do something about her daughter’s house just behind hers…there were a few large branches that had fallen in the storm but had rendered no damage to the house. Inside of 20 minutes our team of 18 priesthood brethren had both dispatched the branches and piled them along the street for removal. As the other brethren were taking care of this task I was putting away my saws when the elderly lady approached me…it was just her and I. It was then that she e
xplained how much this meant to her, her daughter, and her grandson. The grandmother related to me how her daughter was struggling and had no resources and this would be a load off of her mind—the daughter was not home, she was at the hospital. The daughter was a recent widow--within the past year. Her son, 17, has just been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I suddenly realized why this task meant so much to her. After an enduring hug, I thanked her for letting us do something for her and in returned she asked to give her thanks to all who came to serve and those they left to come to Louisiana. I have a new perspective on service…the bad case of poison ivy was worth it!
In my travel to LA, I had as companions in the truck two great men, one being our Elders Quorum President—a newly assigned doctor to the base hospital. He accompanied me on our first trip to LA and again on this one, we have become good friends. After arriving home and discovering the now very apparent and significant case of poison ivy I had, I spoke with him on Monday. After a verbal description of the mighty itch I had, I asked for advi
ce. He offered a couple practical courses of action, noting many at work gave several suggestions of how to cure poison ivy…some were scary. I’m off point, the good doc offered to write a prescription to help stop the reaction of the poisonous ivy oil. But thinking I could tough this out I held off…until Friday that is. By Thursday night I was in so much pain and scratching all limbs at a rhythm that would make a drum player proud, I called the doc early Friday—I stayed home it was so bad. Here’s my point, not only did he gladly make the prescription, he filled it, then he delivered it to the house knowing how uncomfortable I was. Serving others is a contagious expression of our love for the Lord Jesus Christ—the doc (and the miracle of medicine) was my angel, there are countless opportunities to serve others every day.
Yesterday we did some memory building with the kids. We got up early
and went to the unimproved wooded lot of an Air Force associated who said he had a very large pine tree that needed to be removed if I wanted to use the wood. I jumped at the offer, this was in July. Since the temps have finally dropped to a reasonable level (humidity too), we chose yesterday to go do the woodcutting. My decision may have been aided by the fact that I got another chain saw the preceding week and it still needed more use. We fell the tree where we aimed, though I confessed to the kids and Kim it landed about three feet to the left of where I wanted it to go, oh well. Kim and Alyssa learned how to use a chain saw (the smallest one). Andrew set about to play in the tree sap and was a great help loading the truck with wood. Audrey was the recorder, keeping a pictorial of our progress through the day—she got some great shots! Aaron, well, he explored…and when you’re eight, that’s just fine…though I did try to keep him focused on work. We came home covered in saw dust, pine pitch, and lots of new experiences and memories. And I have a 45 foot long tree trunk to cut some 8x8 lumber.
It has been another inspiring general conference. Many messages were spoken that I needed to hear. But I was thoroughly impressed with, what I think, were two common themes. The first, faithful preparation casts away fear and doubt. The second, makin
g a difference in the life of others just as the Savior himself did is vital on our course to exaltation. I took Andrew to priesthood session last night, though he’s not yet 12. But I wanted him to experience the edification, fellowship, and instruction that such a gathering of priesthood holders brings. He was pretty beat from the day’s work, but was glad he went. We took the missionaries home afterwards, but not before we stopped by the Waffle House for an evening breakfast. What great memories these are.
To Ashley, we miss you! As your father, I love you and want you to know that you are one of those valiant few who have been saved for these latter-days because you were given immense talents, capacity to love, and firmness in the light of truth. Search daily in the truth of the gospel message and you will be protected from every fiery dart thrown your way. Your mother and I love you dearly, and are please with your choices, continue in faith.
To Zach, soon you will be entering the missionary training center…what a marvelous place that is to learn. Go prepared and you will find new ways of drawing upon the powers of heaven to open doors and hearts. Keep in touch and share your testimony.
So what do the coming days have in store; scout overnight, a trip to Utah for the Air Force, wood projects, food storage, painting, walks in the morning with Kim, learning Chinese, camping with the family, preparing for Christmas, school events, Andrew birthday, and no more hurricanes for a year—I’m one very tired bishop! Just the usual.
With my fondest love to all, may our Heavenly Father bless and keep all that read this message.
Ken
After they're lit your family sings you "Happy Birthday" in horribly out of tune voices and then you quickly blow out the candles. It's a ritual performed yearly that only lasts a few minutes, but what would a birthday be without it? 
Alyssa manned the color table. As a medieval maiden she helped lots of fairies, bugs, princesses, spidermen, supermen, etc... color fun Halloween pictures.
Today Aaron turned "8" and had his baptism too. The whole family participated. Ashley wrote a sweet letter. Ken conducted and gave the Bishop's Welcome. Audrey said the opening prayer and Andrew said the closing. I(Kim), played the piano (poorly I might add...I get more scared playing the primary songs than I do the hymns which I play every Sunday.) I also gave a talk on Baptism. And Alyssa did all the music conducting. The talk on the Holy Ghost was given by Elder Hill, one of Aaron's favorite missionaries whose been in our ward for a few months. Best of all, Aaron's best friend, Cooper, was able to come--they've been in the same class since pre-school, so that's going on 4 years now! 
