Oh dear Family,
I can't believe it's over! We had our last shows last night and it feels totally normal. It really hasn't hit me yet. At least not mentally or emotionally. It has hit me physically, though. As soon as the shows were over yesterday, we all were surprised by how much our bodies suddenly hurt. It was like Heavenly Father protected us from the pain our bodies were experiencing until He got all He needed out of us. Now we have what's left. I'm pretty sick, but it's ok because I don't need to perform any more! My spirits are high! I feel my Savior's love and I am surrounded by wonderful people.
Sister Ludwig encouraged us to all memorize Mosiah 5:15. I have grown to love this verse. It says, "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works; that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that ye may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of Him who created all things in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen." I love that.
I don't really know what else to say! Just know that I love you. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of my soul. I know that Thomas S Monson is a living prophet of God. I know that the greatest joy in life comes through obedience to God's commandments and service. I have faith in His plan. See you all soon!
All my love,
Sister Chambers
Sunday, August 15
Monday, August 9
P.S. Just as soon as I pushed "send" I remembered an important message I wanted to send all of you. This week we had a Zone Conference with the Ludwigs and Sister Ludwig gave a fabulous talk on Christ-like love. Love is like Oreo's. That's right. Oreo's. You are all on a special assignment from Sister Ludwig to go and eat some Oreos and think about this message. Love is like the white, glue-like substance that holds the Oreo together. The recipe for the white stuff (or love) is this:
Only Builds
Really Listens
Envies not
Opens hear to all
Seeks to be like Christ
Love Only Builds. Think positive things about others, only say positive things. Avoid criticism, even in humor. Gossip is a nasty habit, avoid it.
Love Really Listens. Don't prepare your thoughts while someone else is speaking. Listen to their thoughts. Don't be more concerned with your phone, book, or own thoughts that you can't give a little time to someone at your side. Pay attention to real-life drama.
Love Envies Nobody. Pride comes when you are comparing yourself to others. Be truly happy for the success of others. Think of Hyrum's humility and lack of envy for Joseph's position.
Love Opens your Heart To All. Charity is difficult to describe, but is easy to identify in others.
Love Seeks to Be Like Christ. What you think of Christ will change your actions. If you think like Him, you will begin to act like Him. Eventually, you will become like Him.
The Oreo metaphor has been on my mind so much this week. It is surprising how applicable each of these attributes are. If you will think of love in terms of Oreos, you will find yourself showing more love! Try it out! Eat an Oreo!
Love you!
Sister Chambers
Only Builds
Really Listens
Envies not
Opens hear to all
Seeks to be like Christ
Love Only Builds. Think positive things about others, only say positive things. Avoid criticism, even in humor. Gossip is a nasty habit, avoid it.
Love Really Listens. Don't prepare your thoughts while someone else is speaking. Listen to their thoughts. Don't be more concerned with your phone, book, or own thoughts that you can't give a little time to someone at your side. Pay attention to real-life drama.
Love Envies Nobody. Pride comes when you are comparing yourself to others. Be truly happy for the success of others. Think of Hyrum's humility and lack of envy for Joseph's position.
Love Opens your Heart To All. Charity is difficult to describe, but is easy to identify in others.
Love Seeks to Be Like Christ. What you think of Christ will change your actions. If you think like Him, you will begin to act like Him. Eventually, you will become like Him.
The Oreo metaphor has been on my mind so much this week. It is surprising how applicable each of these attributes are. If you will think of love in terms of Oreos, you will find yourself showing more love! Try it out! Eat an Oreo!
Love you!
Sister Chambers
#13
Dear Family,
Thank you for the emails. It is so good to hear from you. Thanks Aunt Karen for the sweet note and the pictures! Can't wait to catch up with all of you!
Well, things are winding down here in Nauvoo. It's very strange. We expected empty audiences this week, since Pagent is gone, but we have had couple of shows sell out and very full shows. It's nice! Next week will be even smaller, I'm sure. We are still managing to stay very busy, finding extra performances to give, etc.
We just sang in Sacrament meeting today. The words to the song really touched my heart. I know you will like them:
For a little while, have I forsaken thee;
But with great mercies will I gather thee.
In a little wrath, I hid my face from thee
For a moment.
But with everlasting kindness will I gather thee,
And with mercy will I take thee neath my wings,
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills shall be removed
And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea,
But Know, my child,
My Kindness shall not depart from thee!
Though thine afflictions seem
At times too great to bear,
I know thy every thought and every care.
And though the very jaws
Of hell gape after thee
I am with thee.
And with everlasting mercy will I succor thee,
And with healing will I take thee 'neath my wings.
Though the mountains shall depart
And the hills shall be removed
And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea,
Know, my child,
My kindness shall not depart from thee!
How long can rolling waters remain impure?
What pow'r shall stay the hand of God?
The Son of Man hath descended below all things.
Art thou greater than He?
So hold on thy way,
For I shall be with thee.
And mine angels shall encircle thee.
Doubt not what thou knowest,
Fear not man, for he
Cannot hurt thee.
And with everlasting kindness will I succor thee,
And with mercy will I take thee 'neath my wings.
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills shall be removed
And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea,
But, know, my child,
My kindness shall not depart from thee!
My kindness shall not depart from thee!
This is a very comforting song. I love it. I feel my Savior's love. If you ever doubt that the Savior loves you, pray to Him and then serve His children. Getting to work is a great cure for a hurting heart.
Mom, thanks for letting me know about the Park Place contract. I don't think I will sell it. I don't think I want to be out there as early as the 25th... maybe the 26th? I don't really know. What do you think? Wow. The idea of being in Provo for two or three days without anything scheduled sort of scares me. What am I going to do with my time? I have an hourly schedule out here. I am constantly in motion and constantly thinking of how to serve the Lord. Will I be doing worth-while things if I'm not on a mission? Ah! Weird. What will I do for three days? Unpacking can take a few hours, but then what? I would love to have you come with me. Can we talk about it when I get home? I'm not sure what to think about school just yet. I would love to go with Amanda and Aunt Michele, but I don't think I will. I just don't know...
I'm glad you are getting back into the swing of things at RVMS. What a great place. I hope you are feeling the excitement of the new year.
Dad, thank you for setting up the release with President Walker. And I will start preparing my thoughts for sacrament meeting on the 22nd. So, I have the release on the 17th, the talk on the 22nd, and the High Council report. Is that all? When do I do the report? Thank you for the thoughts on preparing to come home. I'm surprised at how worried I am. I didn't realize how little I think about home. I'm a little freaked out by the thought of planning my own day. What do people do all day? How do you find enough productive things to do to fill an entire day? Can I come to work with you? I'll worry about all of this later. Only a few more days out here. I'm going to finish strong! We have shows to do and people to speak with!
I love you all. Thank you for your support and love.
All my love
Sister Chambers
This was a wonderful week. I love these people.
Thank you for the emails. It is so good to hear from you. Thanks Aunt Karen for the sweet note and the pictures! Can't wait to catch up with all of you!
Well, things are winding down here in Nauvoo. It's very strange. We expected empty audiences this week, since Pagent is gone, but we have had couple of shows sell out and very full shows. It's nice! Next week will be even smaller, I'm sure. We are still managing to stay very busy, finding extra performances to give, etc.
We just sang in Sacrament meeting today. The words to the song really touched my heart. I know you will like them:
For a little while, have I forsaken thee;
But with great mercies will I gather thee.
In a little wrath, I hid my face from thee
For a moment.
But with everlasting kindness will I gather thee,
And with mercy will I take thee neath my wings,
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills shall be removed
And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea,
But Know, my child,
My Kindness shall not depart from thee!
Though thine afflictions seem
At times too great to bear,
I know thy every thought and every care.
And though the very jaws
Of hell gape after thee
I am with thee.
And with everlasting mercy will I succor thee,
And with healing will I take thee 'neath my wings.
Though the mountains shall depart
And the hills shall be removed
And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea,
Know, my child,
My kindness shall not depart from thee!
How long can rolling waters remain impure?
What pow'r shall stay the hand of God?
The Son of Man hath descended below all things.
Art thou greater than He?
So hold on thy way,
For I shall be with thee.
And mine angels shall encircle thee.
Doubt not what thou knowest,
Fear not man, for he
Cannot hurt thee.
And with everlasting kindness will I succor thee,
And with mercy will I take thee 'neath my wings.
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills shall be removed
And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea,
But, know, my child,
My kindness shall not depart from thee!
My kindness shall not depart from thee!
This is a very comforting song. I love it. I feel my Savior's love. If you ever doubt that the Savior loves you, pray to Him and then serve His children. Getting to work is a great cure for a hurting heart.
Mom, thanks for letting me know about the Park Place contract. I don't think I will sell it. I don't think I want to be out there as early as the 25th... maybe the 26th? I don't really know. What do you think? Wow. The idea of being in Provo for two or three days without anything scheduled sort of scares me. What am I going to do with my time? I have an hourly schedule out here. I am constantly in motion and constantly thinking of how to serve the Lord. Will I be doing worth-while things if I'm not on a mission? Ah! Weird. What will I do for three days? Unpacking can take a few hours, but then what? I would love to have you come with me. Can we talk about it when I get home? I'm not sure what to think about school just yet. I would love to go with Amanda and Aunt Michele, but I don't think I will. I just don't know...
I'm glad you are getting back into the swing of things at RVMS. What a great place. I hope you are feeling the excitement of the new year.
Dad, thank you for setting up the release with President Walker. And I will start preparing my thoughts for sacrament meeting on the 22nd. So, I have the release on the 17th, the talk on the 22nd, and the High Council report. Is that all? When do I do the report? Thank you for the thoughts on preparing to come home. I'm surprised at how worried I am. I didn't realize how little I think about home. I'm a little freaked out by the thought of planning my own day. What do people do all day? How do you find enough productive things to do to fill an entire day? Can I come to work with you? I'll worry about all of this later. Only a few more days out here. I'm going to finish strong! We have shows to do and people to speak with!
I love you all. Thank you for your support and love.
All my love
Sister Chambers
This was a wonderful week. I love these people.
Tuesday, August 3
#12
My Dear Family,
I am so glad you could all come and visit. It made the Nauvoo experience complete. We have all expressed our love for Nauvoo and how we all think this place is perfect, except that our families aren't here with us. Thank you for bringing your great spirit, example, and testimony with you. I love our family (all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, and McKells!) Thank you, everyone, for making the huge effort to come to Nauvoo. It truly enhanced my experience here this summer.
This week has been most overwhelming. Where do I start? I think I already told you about Elder Andersen being here. It was incredible. He is a man of God. We had the opportunity to meet with him in an informal setting before he left. All of the YPM's and YSM (Sister Missionaries) gathered in the Ludwig's home and Elder Andersen spoke to us and allowed us to ask questions for an hour. I was asked to give the opening prayer and I got to sit on the front row couch, just a few feet away from him. It was so cool. The Spirit was so strong and I received another whitness that Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that He came to earth, and that they love us.
I have my final interview with President Ludwig in a couple of hours and I was trying to anticipate some of the questions he will ask me. I think he will want to talk about what I have learned here in Nauvoo or what my worries are about returning home to life before the mission. As I was thinking about how I would answer him, I felt like I should share it with you! I have gained an increased understanding of the great importance of the small and simple things. There is nothing more important that dilligent, meaningful scripture study and prayer. People lose the light of Christ when they don't keep up with daily communication with the Lord. I know Annie just got back from EFY a little while ago and is trying to keep the "spirit of EFY" with her. The good news is that you can! You can keep that light and glow with you. I have a testimony of daily study and prayer.
Also, attend church meetings and give service. I know that in the tough times out here, the only way to be happy is to get outside of yourself. I have felt the temptations of the devil to think sad thoughts, to have self-doubt, to have inward gloom. These are tactics of the devil. He will try to make us think that we are less than we are. This gets us thinking only about ourselves. The only way to fight these temptations is to make a bold statement in your mind or outloud that these thoughts are wrong and then get up and do something. Usually I have these self-focused thoughts when there is someone near by that needs my help. Seek for someone to help. Give service. Do a good deed. It can even be as simple as asking someone next to you how their day is going. Be interested in someone else, listen and love your neighbor. I am the most happy when I am concerned with the needs of someone else. My problems melt away and Heavenly Father sends inspiration specific to the individual I am trying to help.
Dad, thank you for your testimony in you email. Yes, it is strange doing shows over and over again. We can sense a difference in each audience. We like to share with eachother before going on stage who is in the audience that we might know, our leaders like to inform us of who is in the audience. Some audiences are particularly quiet, some are particularly energetic. We get a lot of our energy from the audience. We pray for the audience frequently. I know that before I go on stage almost every time, I say a silent prayer that my testimony will be apparent and that I will be able to touch someone. We try to keep back stage quiet so we can read scriptures, confrence talks, or pray during the show. Of course, sometimes we get a little chatty... But, we try to keep the Spirit near by.
As soon as you all left, everyone got sick. It's been quite a week. I'm feeling a lot better today. It's a good thing we know these shows so well, I just pray sometimes that my feet will go to the next step. I'm glad it's Sunday. It's our only day of rest. I already feel stronger and ready for the next few weeks.
Off to more meetings! Keep up the good work at home! I love you!
All my love
Sister Chambers
I am so glad you could all come and visit. It made the Nauvoo experience complete. We have all expressed our love for Nauvoo and how we all think this place is perfect, except that our families aren't here with us. Thank you for bringing your great spirit, example, and testimony with you. I love our family (all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, and McKells!) Thank you, everyone, for making the huge effort to come to Nauvoo. It truly enhanced my experience here this summer.
This week has been most overwhelming. Where do I start? I think I already told you about Elder Andersen being here. It was incredible. He is a man of God. We had the opportunity to meet with him in an informal setting before he left. All of the YPM's and YSM (Sister Missionaries) gathered in the Ludwig's home and Elder Andersen spoke to us and allowed us to ask questions for an hour. I was asked to give the opening prayer and I got to sit on the front row couch, just a few feet away from him. It was so cool. The Spirit was so strong and I received another whitness that Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that He came to earth, and that they love us.
I have my final interview with President Ludwig in a couple of hours and I was trying to anticipate some of the questions he will ask me. I think he will want to talk about what I have learned here in Nauvoo or what my worries are about returning home to life before the mission. As I was thinking about how I would answer him, I felt like I should share it with you! I have gained an increased understanding of the great importance of the small and simple things. There is nothing more important that dilligent, meaningful scripture study and prayer. People lose the light of Christ when they don't keep up with daily communication with the Lord. I know Annie just got back from EFY a little while ago and is trying to keep the "spirit of EFY" with her. The good news is that you can! You can keep that light and glow with you. I have a testimony of daily study and prayer.
Also, attend church meetings and give service. I know that in the tough times out here, the only way to be happy is to get outside of yourself. I have felt the temptations of the devil to think sad thoughts, to have self-doubt, to have inward gloom. These are tactics of the devil. He will try to make us think that we are less than we are. This gets us thinking only about ourselves. The only way to fight these temptations is to make a bold statement in your mind or outloud that these thoughts are wrong and then get up and do something. Usually I have these self-focused thoughts when there is someone near by that needs my help. Seek for someone to help. Give service. Do a good deed. It can even be as simple as asking someone next to you how their day is going. Be interested in someone else, listen and love your neighbor. I am the most happy when I am concerned with the needs of someone else. My problems melt away and Heavenly Father sends inspiration specific to the individual I am trying to help.
Dad, thank you for your testimony in you email. Yes, it is strange doing shows over and over again. We can sense a difference in each audience. We like to share with eachother before going on stage who is in the audience that we might know, our leaders like to inform us of who is in the audience. Some audiences are particularly quiet, some are particularly energetic. We get a lot of our energy from the audience. We pray for the audience frequently. I know that before I go on stage almost every time, I say a silent prayer that my testimony will be apparent and that I will be able to touch someone. We try to keep back stage quiet so we can read scriptures, confrence talks, or pray during the show. Of course, sometimes we get a little chatty... But, we try to keep the Spirit near by.
As soon as you all left, everyone got sick. It's been quite a week. I'm feeling a lot better today. It's a good thing we know these shows so well, I just pray sometimes that my feet will go to the next step. I'm glad it's Sunday. It's our only day of rest. I already feel stronger and ready for the next few weeks.
Off to more meetings! Keep up the good work at home! I love you!
All my love
Sister Chambers
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