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Sister Stacie Lynn Chambers

50/829-832 Muang Thong Thani

Chaengwatana Road T. Ban Mai

A. Pakkret

Nonthaburi 11120




**Please send everything through the US Postal Services. Anything received by Sister Chambers not through the post office will require her to pay

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Called to Serve

Hello hello family and friends!!!!!!!

It has been thee most amazing week ever!!!! I feel like I have so much to tell you so I'll hurry so fast so I can get it all in!! Last Tuesday we had a devotional that talked about how we need to become disciples of Jesus Christ. We can't just act like we are, we have to become one. I got a letter from Lyndsie White, and she gave me so much great advice about how to not be stressed and just enjoy my time here at the MTC. Never again will I be surrounded by so many missionaries so I need to love every minute that I am here. Thanks Lyndsie!! Here is my new favorite quote:

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminece, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be first, right, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear. My foundation will be firm."

Isn't that amazing!! I try and read that every morning to remind me why I am here. Last Thursday my teacher, Brother Saakha took us on a walk outside. He told us not to talk, but just to think and let Christ talk to us. It had been snowing that morning, I wasn't too happy about it because the day before had been beautiful, but right when I walked outside I noticed that the sun was shining again. And I thought oh maybe it will be a beautiful day after all. Then I got thinking, well what makes it "a beautiful day" and I thought well the sun. The Son. He is what makes everyday beautiful. If He isn't in our lives, we will be filled with darkness, coldness, and fear. But with Him in our lives, we can have the light of the gospel, the warmth and happiness that that brings. And I am so excited that I get to go to my brothers and sisters in Thailand and share The Son with them to bring them eternal happiness!! Isn't it amazing??

Last Saturday at the TRC was kind of frustrating for me. I have so much passion about the gospel and want to share it with everyone, but I am just not good at expressing how I feel. But in one of the large group meetings we had yesterday, we talked about faith. And how we need to astonish people like in Helaman 5:19!! And so I have faith, that Heavenly Father will help. I just need to trust Him. Brother Thorpe, one of the teachers who taught the lesson yesterday is my favorite!! He is so funny and makes learning about the gospel so exciting! I wish I could record everything here and send it home so everyone can learn what I'm learning! Yesterday the phii-thai's left. It was sad saying goodbye to them. So right now it is just my district in my zone. Elder Furr, got made Zone Leader with his comp Elder Lesuer, and Elder McDonald got made our new district Leader. I was talking to my teacher, Brother Duval last night, and he told me that when President Calder asked him who he thought the new zone leader should be, he said "Besides Sister Chambers?" haha it made me laugh.

Well that is pretty much all for now! This week is crazy busy because this Saturday for the TRC we have to teach the Restoration lesson all in Thai!!! So sorry that I can't write more letters, but thank you so much for all your love and support!! You all so great!! I love being a missionary!! I'm so happy!! The Church is SO true!!! Love you all!!

Sister Chambers!!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

PICTURES!


On the way down to the MTC

Not quite sure what I'm getting myself into

Name tag

Sister Jensen, Sister Chambers and Sister Harris

Testimony in American-Thai. Next to come...writing in Script!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Spring!!

Dearest Friends and Family!!!!

It is Spring time at the MTC!!! I love all this sunshine!! It has been so beautiful with all the flowers and trees here! Last Tuesday we had the BEST devotional EVER!! Elder Glen L. Pace came and spoke about how we are all children of God. It was such a powerful talk. I have never felt the spirit so strong or for so long. It was amazing! I think that is one of my favorite parts of the MTC, is constantly having my testimony strengthened. He talked about how the Lord hasn't given us a "to-do list." He just said He has a mighty work for us to do and that our work here isn't finished. And that I don't ever want to slack off. On Wednesday we had our first gym day out on the field. It was such a beautiful day and so fun to finally get outside! I wasn't quite sure if I could run by myself, because my companions wanted to play sandvolleyball. But I found a new running buddy! Her name is Sister Lauren Hooker! She is from Logan, UT and is so cute! Definitely an angel that was sent into my life, and not just to be my running buddy. We run monday, wednesdays and fridays, about 3-3.5 miles. It's so fun! Then on thursdays and saturdays I play sand volleyball. It's so fun too! Me and my companions got all the elders hooked on playing it too so it's always fun! They give me a hard time about running and not playing with them, but it's fun. This is Saturday we taught at the TRC again. For our task we had to speak in Thai for about 15 minutes with our "investigator". We had to pretend to go pick him up from his house and see if he was ready to go to church, then walk to the bus, and ride the bus to church. It was so funny. It went pretty good...I just laughed most of the time. He would say something in Thai about 4 times, and then just laugh and say nevermind. Then we would try saying something to him in Thai and he would just give us a blank face and I would just laugh. But we are learning lots! We even sang from the script hymn book twice yesterday! It was interesting but fun! The language really is such a totally new experience. Everything in my life up until now I have tried learning all by myself. Whether it was in school, or learning the piano, or learning german, everything, I just have relied on my own knowledge and dedication to do it. But here, I can't do that. I can't rely on my own knowledge. I have to learn with my heart and the spirit has to teach me. It is a very humbling experience. And I love it! Sunday was so great! They are by far my favorite day! Not only because we get ice cream, but because I love Relief Society! The speaker was Sister Clayton, and she talked about 3 things that we can control to have the spirit with us.

1-Our thoughts and attitude. We have to look for the positive. Our missions will be hard. Things will go wrong. But I will make the best of every obsticle!

2-How we handle culture shock. She talked about how it's normal to be home wick and to miss things from our life at home. But she talked about how in 18 months it is going to be so hard to leave the people we are serving. So she advised us to just serve the people and love them and everything will be ok

3-How we work out the tensions between companions. I'm very grateful I have such great comps because seriously we haven't had any issues yet!

Then Sunday we had such a great fireside!! I forget his name...but it was so great!! Yesterday we had another great day and today, P-DAY!! It's so sad tho, because the Cambodian missionaries that we have gotten pretty tight with are leaving today. There is a solo sister and I'm gonna miss her! She is so cute! And all the elders are so cute and funny! It's funny because when I came to the MTC, I didn't think it would be hard to say goodbye. But it is really sad having to say goodbye to those missionaries! Plus that first group of English missionaries we got leave today too. I can't believe how fast 3 weeks went by! This morning I finally talked my companions into going to the early morning aerobic classes!! Today was yoga!! It was so much fun! I really feel like a million bucks! Well thank you so much for all your love and support! I wish I could write more, but just know that I LOVE being a missionary!! I'm so HAPPY!!!!! I love serving the Lord and growing closer to Him than I ever thought possible. The church is so true!!! Take care!! Loves!!!

Sidtee Cheebee!!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Good morning everyone!!!!

Thanks for that email mom!! What a lovely surprise! So my theme song of the week has been one from Jimmy Eat World,

"It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride, everything will be just fine, everything will be just fine."

That is totally how I feel! I know I talk about it with Dave and Summer, but my mission seriously has been the biggest, and THEE best roller coaster ride ever! This last week has been AMAZING!!! I get a little freaked out by the language every once in a while, but my companions and teachers help me so much. I seriously am blessed. I know that without the Lords help, there is NO WAY I would be able to learn Thai. It is a very humbling experience. Nothing too exciting happened last week, but Sunday was a great day. Me and my comps taught the elders for "sunday school" The lesson was on Jesus the Christ. It was way cool. On the white board we had written all of Christ's names and titles and in the middle in big writing I wrote, "His name is above all other names and is the only name under Heaven by which we can be saved." It was sweet. We had relief society for the first time! (the first sunday was fast sunday, then last sunday was conference) Sister Carol Evans from the relief socity general board spoke and it was thee best talk ever!! She gave us 4 great things on being a missionary.

1- Be focused on the Savior
*Matt 14: 25-31, that is like my new favorite story! As missionaries we can relate that to us, because Christ has called us to follow Him. But we MUST keep our eyes on Him and not lose our focus, or we will start to sink. But even when we do start to fall, Christ will IMMEDIATELY reach out to us. Love it!!! With the Savior all things are possible. We must do our part; get out of the ship and keep putting one foot in front of the other!

2- Be a seeker
*We must study the scriptures, fast, and ponder.
*Luke 10:40-42. I love this story too. Martha reminds me of mom. She is always serving others and worried about making sure everyone is ok. But sometimes it is ok to sit at the Lords feet and listen to Him so He can teach us. We all are busy and worried about something, but we need to take time to sit!

3- Be obedient
*Heavenly Father gave us commandments because He loves us. And only when we are obedient will He protect us and help and guide us. Big one for missionaries to follow!!

4- Be a disciple
*This was my favorite one that she talked about, because I'm constantly trying to be a disciple of Christ. We must follow Him. And when we do our best to follow in His footsteps, someday we will find ourselves at His feet in heaven!
*John 21:4-15, the Savior kept asking, I think it was Peter, I can't remember, but he kept asking him if he loved Him. And if he did, to feed His sheep. I WILL go and feed His sheep!! By serving others we serve Him.

It was such a neat meeting! I wish everyone could have been there. After dinner, me and my comps went to choir practice. It was so cool! We get to sing tonight! They are doing some remodeling on the gym tho, so they won't be having choir anymore til August. So Scott be sure and do it!! For devotional that night the BYU Mens Chorus came and sang to us. Dad you would have loved it! It was amazing! They did so good! Well today me and my companions are going to go do inititory around 3:30. It should be great! I love my companions! I love my mission!! I love my teachers and I love the elders in my district!! OH!!!! I saw Sister Larissa Fish this week!!! We sat together in our Health and Wellness class! I love seeing her here!! It is so fun!! Oh and last saturday we had our first "real" teaching experience. We go to the TRC (I'm not sure what that stands for) and we talked with a lady for about 10 minutes, in Thai, and then we taught her the Restoration lesson. It was a good learning experience. I definitely learned a lot. I never have been great with words and expressing how I feel. So it is great to have all this practice. Jade, the lady we talked to, is a RM from Thailand, so it was so fun to talk with her. Well the Church is so true!! I seriously love being here. I love becoming Sister Chambers!! I love being a missionary!! I'm so happy!!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Conference

Hey all!!!!!

Wasn't General Conference AMAZING!!!!! It was so cool being with all the missionaries! And for the first time ever I didn't fall asleep in any of the talks! It was nice to have a break from classes and such too. There were a couple different lessons that I learned from conference that I wanted to share. First, was the song "How firm a foundation." After singing it I started to think of Captain Moroni and how he went around fortifying all the weak cities so that when the Lamanites attacked, the cities would be strong. And I started to wonder how firm MY foundation was, or if I was a "weak city". So I have started to fortifying and strengthen my testimony and work harder on my weaknesses. Another thing I learned from that song was in the 3rd verse I believe, when it says "Fear not I am with thee, oh be not dismayed. For I am thy God and will still give thee aid." I can't rememeber the rest of the lyrics off the top of my head. But wow!! That is my new theme song!! I know that Heavenly Father and Christ are helping me. And I can't doubt or fear that I'm not going to learn the language or be a good missionary. They are with me!!! In the Young Women Broadcast, Pres. Uchtdorf talked about "happily ever afters" and I dare say that was my favorite talk! I loved when he talked about how we need Christs help. I know that I can't do this on my own. And I'm so grateful for all the love and support and prayers that I am getting from all of you. I have felt so much peace this last week. So much comfort. So thank you. Another song that I've been thinking about lately is the "Daughter Arise" from the Women at the Well soundtrack. Relating it to me, Christ needs me to Arise! And be a missionary! He has called me. And He is helping me.

Well the language is coming along great! My teachers really are SO amazing! My comps keep me working hard and the Elders keep me laughing. It is the perfect combination. I'm working hard and loving every minute of it. This week we are going to learn how to read and write in script. (the characters) It is going to be awesome! Last Wednesday we got a new english speaking district in our branch. Four elders and four sisters. Tomorrow we are getting another one too. I'm pretty sure Larissa comes in tomorrow too. And she is english speaking! So there is a chance she could be in my branch! How tight would that be!

The food is still great and gym has been lots of fun! I ran four miles the other day! Everything really is going so great. Thank you all so much for your letters. The elders always give me a hard time about how I get so much mail. Haha its funny. So thank you! It really does help so much! I think that is about all I have this week. I love being a missionary!! I am so happy!! The church is true!!! Love you!!!

Sidtee Cheembaa!!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

First Letter!

DEAREST FAMILY!!!!!!!

I am alive and well!! Things here are going great!! I love my district already. There are 10 elders and I have two companions. Sister Jensen is from Brigham City and Sister Harris is from Burley. Don't we have family there or something? Well not going to lie, this is SO much harder and so different than what I had expected. The language is...well its coming. My teachers are great!! Brother Saakha is from Thailand, he converted when he was 18. So its great to have his perspective on things. Brother Duval served his mission in Thailand. So its great to have his view on everything! He is very intense though and makes us work hard. We are already suppose to have our prayer and testimony learned. I've almost got it. I just feel like I don't have enough time to study. So I don't know how much time I'll have to write letters to everyone. I want to be studying every chance I get. Make sure and tell everyone to use "Dear Elder" It is great!! So just use that instead of emailing me. At least while I'm here in the MTC. I took a bunch of pictures that I wanted to email, but I guess I can't do that. So I'm going to have to get them developed first. My little apt is so cute! I have it all decorated already. It is just me and my two comps in our room. So we each get our own desk, closet, and bed. It rocks! And showering isn't so bad either. I haven't had to wait in lines or anything to shower yet so that's good. So today is my first P-day! Yay! I'm so excited to go to the temple! Sunday our zone went on a temple walk and that was a lot of fun. So lets see, Wednesday was great fun meeting everyone. Thursday we met our Branch presidency. I was made Coordinating Sister of our Zone. (There are three older sisters that were in our Zone, but they leave today, so me and my comps are the only sisters now. Well until tomorrow I guess cuz were getting three more English speaking sisters..anyways) So Coordinating Sister doesn't really do much. I just make sure all the sisters are happy. It'll be fun. Me and my comps are going to go make the new sisters beds and write them little notes and leave them candy. It'll be fun!!
I'm almost out of time. I only get 30 minutes on the computer. So I gotta go. But I love you all so so so much. And I miss you so much too!! It's hard. But I love being a missionary so much already and the best is yet to come!!! I'm so happy. Don't worry. The church is true!!!

Sister Chambers