Oh dear family!
I love you so much! How can I express the love in my heart? Thank you so much Neely's and Redfords for the email. I could just imagine being in the living room/kitchen with all of you. I can just imagine all of the food! Thank you for writing! It was so sweet to hear from all of you. Rachel, good luck in your interview (I will pray for you) and congrats on employee of the week! You are the Waterway employee of the world in my book. Love you. Aunt Brenda thank you for the thought on "carry on". I really needed that. Alyssa keep practicing that violin!!! Carolyn you are so great. Way to go on your committment to bare your testimony. I know mine is so strengthened whenever I bare it. I bet you are a great example to those around you. Chris I love ya. I'm so glad your blessing went well and I'm so proud of you for getting the Melchezedick Priesthood. Anita... love you.
Mom depending on what time you get into town I might be able to see you before Sunset. I will be at the Brigham Young home from 9-noon. I will be at the Visitor's Center at 2:00 and will start a show at 3:00. I will come out after that show to greet the audience and then we go back in for the next show at 5:00. I will keep my eyes out for you! I will be at Sunset early to help with the Children's Parade, so I will look for you before Sunset. I will be there at 6:30. We run straight from the end of Sunset to the Pagent, we need to run home and change costumes. But we have time before the start of Pagent to talk to the Pagent audience. If you can, try to sit on the right side of the audience (ask aunt Jill where she sat, it was perfect, I was able to come say Hi). I would love to do a Carthage trip with everyone on Wednesday! We are allowed to have one meal together (lasting one hour) AND one trip to Carthage (lasting two hours). So, we can have our one hour before Anna Amanda one day or we can eat lunch on wednesday. I need to be back by 1:30. We'll figure it out!
What a week. Bishop McMullin was here most of the week. What an experience. He is a very inspired man. He promised us special blessings when he spoke to us as Young Performing Missionaries. In one of our meetings one of the topics he addressed really resonated with me. He spoke on a quote from President McKay, "Once a missionary, always a missionary." I am excited to go home and impliment all of the changes I have made in my life and in my heart. I have a new burning desire to share the gospel with everyone around me. Dad, like you were saying in your email about conducting ourselves in a Chirst-like manner at all times, we need to conduct ourselves like missionaries at all times. I was just talking with my companion about the high standards we live by out here. I never want to lose it. We bare Christ's name. President Hinckley spoke on the reasons why we don't use the symbol of the cross in our church. When asked what symbol we do use to represent His sacrifice President Hinckley explained that the lives and actions of the members of this church are the symbol of Christ's sacrifice. In our very actions and deeds we represent Him. We honor (or should honor) Him. Are we living symbols of Christ? Do we represent Him at all times? In every place we go?
We cannot avoid the missionary call. He has been in the presiding bishopric for 16 years now and expressed his love for and closeness with President Monson. He shared with us how hears some of the same stories over and over again. As he was listening to a story yet again, he heard a voice ask "have I learned the lesson?" As we hear council over and over again, ask yourselves: have you learned the lesson that Heavenly Father is trying to get through to you?
He warned us of tough times a head. He expressed his love and the love of our Heavenly Father for each of us.
There are so many other things I want to share with you, but I need to go to a meeting with President and Sister Ludwig. I'm writing everything down. I'll share with you when I get home. I love you and am so happy you are coming. I know God lives. I know Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know the Book of Mormon testifies of Him. Oh! Speaking of which, a couple of the sisters and I gave a Book of Mormon to a nice Catholic Priest from Slovokia! That was a cool experience. I will tell you more later.
Stay true!
All my love
Sister Chambers
Sunday, July 25
Monday, July 19
#10
Dearest Family,
Oh my heart is so full! What a week! I feel like I have overcome mountains! Heavenly Father lives and cares for each of His children! I am in the place God wants me to be! I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.
I feel so uplifted from your email. Thank you! I am so happy that the company BBQ went well. It sounds so fun. I did get to see the Ray family and the Neely's. It was so great to see familiar faces. I was so uplifted just seeing them.
When things get too hot here in Nauvoo, they don't let the horses and oxen out for tours and wagon rides. They also bring in "Sunset By the Mississippi" to an indoor stage because of health risks. They don't want anyone fainting.
We just got out of a wonderful meeting with Bishop McMullin (counselor in the General Bishopric). It was most uplifting. He talked about our charge as missionaries and how unique our mission is here in Nauvoo. He recognized that it is difficult for us (and the proselyting sisters serving in the Visitor's Center) to measure our success in this mission. He reminded us that our call in this specific mission is to remind. Remember the days of old, remember the trials, challenges, and dealings of our ancestors with God. Unrighteousness comes from people who refuse to remember. Through out most of the meeting the fire alarm was ringing loudly. It was verified that we were safe to continue on with the meeting so we stayed. It was incredible how it took an immense amount of focus and determination to hear his words and to feel of the Spirit. This experience provided a great metaphor for life. We must have a sincere desire to hear truth, we must seek after it and listen carefully if we want the word of God. Sometimes He requires a lot of effort on our part to ensure that we truly want to hear His words.
In our last Zone Conference Sister Ludwig announced that we are down 31 grandchildren in the mission. There have been several releases lately. Up until this week we had been gaining more and more grandchildren because of all of the new senior missionaries coming in. We know we are on the downward spiral to the end of the summer when the grand baby count is down. Now there are only 2,311 grandchildren between all of the senior missionaries in the Nauvoo mission.
I had an incredible experience last Thursday. Sister Ludwig had found the time in her busy schedule to hold "Drive and Chat's" with each of the sisters individually. She cares for each of us so much. I finally got my turn on Thursday! We spent an hour talking about my life and my feelings and my growth. She loves me very much and I could feel of my Heavenly Father's love for me as well. I am learning on this mission so much about the power that Satan has. He is real and he is trying his very hardest to stop the work. One of the most important things that I am learning is that I am a valuable daughter of God who has power to love and uplift other people. We all have the power to bring happiness and joy to this earth. I need to put a stop to Satan's depressive thoughts and realize my value.
I had a truly incredible experience this past week in the Heber C. Kimball home. Sister Murdock and I had just arrived at the home. We didn't have time to complete the cleaning jobs outlined or finish reviewing the historic facts. We just finished praying together when Tim and Evette rang the bell and came in. I welcomed them to the home and asked if they had ever heard of Heber C. Kimball before and they hadn't. I asked if they had heard of Joseph Smith, and they had not. I then had the opportunity to tell them about the Restoration of the Gospel and its connection to ancient times. I taught them about Joseph Smith and told them about the First Vision. The spirit was so strong. I began to tear up and I could tell they were feeling the spirit. I then told them about the Book of Mormon and gave them a copy! They were so happy to receive it and seemed very excited to start reading it. I marked the part where they could read more about Joseph's account of the First vision. We then went along with the rest of the tour. At the end, they told us that they felt good. They felt something special here. They felt like it was a miracle that they were brought to this home. They told us that they were just on their way to New England from Texas and decided to stop by Nauvoo because they like going places off the beaten path.
They went to the Visitor's Center first and talked to a sister there and they said that she told them they needed to go to Heber C. Kimball's home and that there was a story there that they needed to hear. So, they came straight to us and then left Nauvoo and went on their way. Later, I was talking to one of the sisters in the Visitor's Center and asked her about the couple. She said that when she talked to them, she didn't even give them a comment card or talk to them about Nauvoo or the gospel. These sisters who are serving full time are incredible and have the Visitor's Center down to an art. I was surprised that she didn't spend time talking to them. She then told me that she had a distinct impression that the sister this couple needed to talk to was at the Heber C. Kimball home and that they needed to go. I am so thankful that she was sensitive to that prompting. I really needed this experience. I have been praying for this couple. I sure hope they find missionaries in Texas.
This experience is a little taste of some of the challenges the sisters face in the Nauvoo mission. We don't get to see the fruits of our labor like other missionaries do. We are here to remind people of the Spirit of God and hope that when they leave they don't forget. It is an incredible work to be a part of. I am so thankful to be here. I have felt my faith increase and my knowledge of my Savior and the atonement.
President and Sister Clark (from BYU-I) were here this week! They gave a great Prep Meeting to the mission on Wednesday. They spoke about teaching and spreading the gospel. He testified that the Savior is deep in the work and in our lives, so long as we seek Him. I know that is true.
I have had a couple of blessings this week. I am not worried about my health. Heavenly Father will strengthen me for His work. My voice is pretty much gone today. We think it's from the acid in my tummy. I have medicine though and all I need to do now is wait for my voice to come back. I'm not too worried. Yesterday my voice was gone and I prayed for strength. I could hardly talk, yet when I got on stage and had solos to sing, Heavenly Father sent me a voice. The directors could not tell that my voice was gone. The minute I stepped off stage, the voice left. I have been strengthened. My voice is not my own, but is a gift from God. He has a work to be performed.
I love Nauvoo. I love serving a mission. I love the challenges. I have never felt so many trials ever before, but I know it is for my own growth and good. I hope I can become what the Lord is trying to shape me into. I love you all! See you a week from tomorrow!
All my love
Sister Chambers
Oh my heart is so full! What a week! I feel like I have overcome mountains! Heavenly Father lives and cares for each of His children! I am in the place God wants me to be! I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.
I feel so uplifted from your email. Thank you! I am so happy that the company BBQ went well. It sounds so fun. I did get to see the Ray family and the Neely's. It was so great to see familiar faces. I was so uplifted just seeing them.
When things get too hot here in Nauvoo, they don't let the horses and oxen out for tours and wagon rides. They also bring in "Sunset By the Mississippi" to an indoor stage because of health risks. They don't want anyone fainting.
We just got out of a wonderful meeting with Bishop McMullin (counselor in the General Bishopric). It was most uplifting. He talked about our charge as missionaries and how unique our mission is here in Nauvoo. He recognized that it is difficult for us (and the proselyting sisters serving in the Visitor's Center) to measure our success in this mission. He reminded us that our call in this specific mission is to remind. Remember the days of old, remember the trials, challenges, and dealings of our ancestors with God. Unrighteousness comes from people who refuse to remember. Through out most of the meeting the fire alarm was ringing loudly. It was verified that we were safe to continue on with the meeting so we stayed. It was incredible how it took an immense amount of focus and determination to hear his words and to feel of the Spirit. This experience provided a great metaphor for life. We must have a sincere desire to hear truth, we must seek after it and listen carefully if we want the word of God. Sometimes He requires a lot of effort on our part to ensure that we truly want to hear His words.
In our last Zone Conference Sister Ludwig announced that we are down 31 grandchildren in the mission. There have been several releases lately. Up until this week we had been gaining more and more grandchildren because of all of the new senior missionaries coming in. We know we are on the downward spiral to the end of the summer when the grand baby count is down. Now there are only 2,311 grandchildren between all of the senior missionaries in the Nauvoo mission.
I had an incredible experience last Thursday. Sister Ludwig had found the time in her busy schedule to hold "Drive and Chat's" with each of the sisters individually. She cares for each of us so much. I finally got my turn on Thursday! We spent an hour talking about my life and my feelings and my growth. She loves me very much and I could feel of my Heavenly Father's love for me as well. I am learning on this mission so much about the power that Satan has. He is real and he is trying his very hardest to stop the work. One of the most important things that I am learning is that I am a valuable daughter of God who has power to love and uplift other people. We all have the power to bring happiness and joy to this earth. I need to put a stop to Satan's depressive thoughts and realize my value.
I had a truly incredible experience this past week in the Heber C. Kimball home. Sister Murdock and I had just arrived at the home. We didn't have time to complete the cleaning jobs outlined or finish reviewing the historic facts. We just finished praying together when Tim and Evette rang the bell and came in. I welcomed them to the home and asked if they had ever heard of Heber C. Kimball before and they hadn't. I asked if they had heard of Joseph Smith, and they had not. I then had the opportunity to tell them about the Restoration of the Gospel and its connection to ancient times. I taught them about Joseph Smith and told them about the First Vision. The spirit was so strong. I began to tear up and I could tell they were feeling the spirit. I then told them about the Book of Mormon and gave them a copy! They were so happy to receive it and seemed very excited to start reading it. I marked the part where they could read more about Joseph's account of the First vision. We then went along with the rest of the tour. At the end, they told us that they felt good. They felt something special here. They felt like it was a miracle that they were brought to this home. They told us that they were just on their way to New England from Texas and decided to stop by Nauvoo because they like going places off the beaten path.
They went to the Visitor's Center first and talked to a sister there and they said that she told them they needed to go to Heber C. Kimball's home and that there was a story there that they needed to hear. So, they came straight to us and then left Nauvoo and went on their way. Later, I was talking to one of the sisters in the Visitor's Center and asked her about the couple. She said that when she talked to them, she didn't even give them a comment card or talk to them about Nauvoo or the gospel. These sisters who are serving full time are incredible and have the Visitor's Center down to an art. I was surprised that she didn't spend time talking to them. She then told me that she had a distinct impression that the sister this couple needed to talk to was at the Heber C. Kimball home and that they needed to go. I am so thankful that she was sensitive to that prompting. I really needed this experience. I have been praying for this couple. I sure hope they find missionaries in Texas.
This experience is a little taste of some of the challenges the sisters face in the Nauvoo mission. We don't get to see the fruits of our labor like other missionaries do. We are here to remind people of the Spirit of God and hope that when they leave they don't forget. It is an incredible work to be a part of. I am so thankful to be here. I have felt my faith increase and my knowledge of my Savior and the atonement.
President and Sister Clark (from BYU-I) were here this week! They gave a great Prep Meeting to the mission on Wednesday. They spoke about teaching and spreading the gospel. He testified that the Savior is deep in the work and in our lives, so long as we seek Him. I know that is true.
I have had a couple of blessings this week. I am not worried about my health. Heavenly Father will strengthen me for His work. My voice is pretty much gone today. We think it's from the acid in my tummy. I have medicine though and all I need to do now is wait for my voice to come back. I'm not too worried. Yesterday my voice was gone and I prayed for strength. I could hardly talk, yet when I got on stage and had solos to sing, Heavenly Father sent me a voice. The directors could not tell that my voice was gone. The minute I stepped off stage, the voice left. I have been strengthened. My voice is not my own, but is a gift from God. He has a work to be performed.
I love Nauvoo. I love serving a mission. I love the challenges. I have never felt so many trials ever before, but I know it is for my own growth and good. I hope I can become what the Lord is trying to shape me into. I love you all! See you a week from tomorrow!
All my love
Sister Chambers
Thursday, July 15
#9
Dearest Family,
Oh my heart is full! What a week. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE BIRTHDAY PACKAGE. My sisters surprised me later on Sunday with a celebration. They got one of our directors to take me and my companion out of the house because she needed our help in "re-working" one of our songs. When we got back home, they had decorated the home and had grilled burgers and hot dogs. It was very sweet of them. I had a great birthday. All day everyone kept singing to me. It was mostly good because I got to give service on my birthday. I had some great tours and I felt the spirit. It was wonderful.
The pictures I sent you are pictures that I printed off of my camera. Walmart has an instant print place where I plug in my camera and select the pictures and print them right there. I can give you the digital copies when you get out here. The birthday cake you made looked so good! Can we make it again when I get back?
The check for $142 is for the meals they cook for us. We get both dinner and lunch this month because of the Pagent. I get the hot meal daily ($4/day) and they prepare a sack dinner for us for this month ($2.50/day). It is very helpful. We don't have much time to eat, but we get it in somehow. They are fabulous meals. I am always full and they are just delicious. Thank you for staying up on the cash flow!
That is absolutely hilarious that you made that weekly lay out! I made the exact same thing in my notebook this week and planned to send it to you! You plan looks great! I will be at the Visitor's Center on Monday doing the shows. If you come between the shows I might be able to see you. I think the best thing is for me to see you before Pagent on Monday. I will come find you in the audience before the show starts. There are lots of games and things to do, but I will be walking around the audience seats doing missionary work. Hope to see you there!
I will be able to tell you on Monday what sites you need to come to to see me that week. I will be working sites on monday morning and friday morning. When you come for Anna Amanda on thursday, come early. I am allowed to have a one hour meal with you while you are here. I was thinking that would be the best time. We could all eat breakfast picnic style on the benches just out side the Cultural Hall. Does that work for you? The other meal-time option would be to do lunch on Wednesday. Wednesday is my P-day. We just found out that we are allowed to take a trip to carthage with our family OR go to the temple with them. It can only be 2 hours total. The sisters and I usually go to the temple before it opens on Wednesday morning (at 7:20) and then we run to Keokuk for shopping. I was thinking of going to the temple with them and then letting them go shopping and I would go to Carthage and lunch with all of you. What do you think? I see that you are planning on going to the temple that morning as well. So maybe it won't work... I have a pretty locked schedule. I think the other missionaries families are doing the carthage trip on Sundays but since you won't be here on a sunday, our only option is my p-day. If it doesn't work out, it's fine. We will make it work.
Maybe you could just come to talk and do breakfast at 9:00am on both Tuesday and Thursday before my show at 10:30. I will ask if we do that instead of a carthage trip. I'm sure they would prefer that. I will let you know.
Mom that sounds like excellent advice you gave the women about being marketable. I look up to you so much. I am having so many thoughts about you since being out here. You are the best. Dad! I didn't you all knew Elder Condie. I haven't met him yet, but I will tell him who I am when I do! That's so cool!
I am so excited for you to come see Pagent. I am falling in love with it. I was not expecting to love Pagent this much. It is so fun and it really makes Nauvoo and the Pioneers come to life. I have some really funny stories to tell you when you get here! It's so great! You are going to love it. Be prepared to feel the Spirit testify to your heart.
I'm out of time! I wish I could write more about my experiences this week! Overall, I have been reminded that God lives. That families are forever. God loves us. Christ is a very real being. His love is eternal. I'm learning every minute about how to improve myself. I love this gospel. I love you.
Stay strong and true. You are the biggest strength to me, next to my Savior.
All my love
Sister Chambers
Wednesday, July 7
#8
Dear Family,
Happy 4th of July! This is my favorite holiday! I can just imagine all of the family things you are doing. Give my love to everyone.
Oh thank you so much for the package! It is just perfect! I was so happy to get it and it is absolutley perfect for a mission birthday. Thank you. I'm sure I will forget it's my birthday, we have so much work to do. (At least I hope I will forget. I'm beginning to panic about turning 20...) We will have our Nauvoo Pagent final dress rehearsal tomorrow. It will be very fun. I can't wait for you to see the Pagent (and all of our performances). We have some great dance numbers in Pagent.
Tell grandpa thank you so much for the sweet card! I will write him a letter, but please let him know how much I love him. I think about grandma a lot on the 4th of July. I have so many memories of 4th of July (and 5th of July) at their home. I am so thankful for a wonderful family. I love you all so much.
My heart is full. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. I know He lives and He loves us perfectly, eventhough we are not perfect. Obtaining Christ-like love has been on my mind for several weeks now. I want to be able to love more perfectly. I think that if we understand His love and can try to have that love in our hearts, our lives will be changed completely.
Mom, the devotional that the YPM's are giving is actually on July 18th. Bummer. You will miss it. You need to make sure that you come to a Rendesvouz performance on a Wednesday or Saturday at the 8:15 showing. Make sure that you also come to Sunset By the Mississippi on either a Wednesday or Saturday because I get a special part in one of the acts. I hope you come to more than one performance of Sunset though. It's different almost every night. I hope you can see Sunset on a Tuesday or Friday in addition to the Wednesday/Saturday. Does this all make sense? I hope so. What day of the week are you getting here? Do you know what time of day? When will I see you all?
Thank you for everything. I love you.
Sister Chambers
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