Press Forward, Saints!!‏

IT HAS BEEN THE BEST WEEK EVER!!! I JUST WANT TO WRITE IN ALL CAPS TODAY BECAUSE I'M SO FILLED WITH JOY :)

Well we started off last week by going to Khon Kaen, its about a two hour bus ride away from Udon. We met Sister Johnson and Sister Eyestone at the mall there and got some lunch. It was SO random, me and Sister Lish were riding one of the little song tows, the little taxi bus things I used to ride all the time in Bangkok, and at one of the stops, President Sua got on! (theBranch President in Nong Khai that took me and Sister Lish out to eat a couple of weeks ago) It was so funny! Such a small world! He was there for a meeting or something. It was funny. Well after lunch Sister Lish went to Roiet and Sister Eyestone came back to Udon with me! She served with Sister Webb in Srinakarin after I left, so we had SO much fun talking about that area and all the fun we had with Sister Webb. Its sad, I had forgotten about a lot of things already, but talking with her brought back all these fun memories! We went to Sister Nooy's house (the Relief Society Presidents in Branch #1) for FHE with our new investigator Phii May. She is actually living with Sister Nooy. We met her on new years eve. She recently left her husband and didn't have a job or a house, but she met Sister Nooy, who told Phii May she could just move in with her! The members here are so nice! How many of you would let some random stranger move into your house? Haha I hope none of you. At first she wasn't interested in learning about the gospel, just in learning english. But She came to church with Sister Nooy two weeks in a row. The she said we could teach her! So we met with her on the 23rd and then had FHE with her on the 24th. It was so much fun!

Tuesday was a blast! Sister Eyestone just has sooo much energy and so it was just go go go go the whole time! AND she LOVES to run too!! So we went running at the park!! Oh I was in heaven!! Anyways we went and visited Sister Bun. She is doing so good and just has changed so much since getting baptized! She just glows! She is so much more heathier too! The church is so true! English was so much fun too! I've started just making up these little work sheets and doing a spelling bee! Oh the kids love it! So much fun!

Wednesday we were out inviting most of the day. It was way funny we were kinda out in the country and talking to this man and his wife when this farmer guy come walking by with his water buffalo and the little baby buffalo. When the baby got like right next to me and Sister Eyestone it got scared and turned around and ran the other way! Poor little thing isn't used to big white people. :) haha. But then the farmer and the momma buffalo went back and got it and it was ok. We used it as an example with the guy we were talking to about how we are like the little baby and sometimes we get scared and run away. But Christ and Heavenly Father will always come after us and never leave us alone. It was cool. Then we went and visited this lady in the ward that sells bananas, we wanted to talk to her husband but he left when he found out we were coming ;( don't worry, we won't give up! We are going to try again tonight, and take treats :)

Thursday morning me and Sister Eyestone, and Elder Parkinson and Elder Black all headed to Roiet. It was about a 4 and a half hour bus ride. So fun! haha It was a beautiful morning! When we got to Roiet we met up with Sister Johnson and Sister Lish. Oh it was good to see Sister Lish! I had missed her! the four of us went out to lunch and then they took me to the church. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I was at the church for the "Special Leadership Training." It was for the Zone Leaders, District Leaders, and Trainers in the Udon and Ubon areas. So there were about ten elders and I was the only sister. Haha it was crazy. There were about two Elder there is on transfers 11, and I'm on transfers 6. The rest of them are all going home in June or sooner. I felt so young and inadequate! But it was such a great experience learning from them and from the Assistants to the President. President Smith was the speaker/teacher all three days. It was broken up into 8 lessons. I wish you could have been there! I learned so much! I'll write more about it next week cuz I'm out of time! I love being a missionary! I'm so happy! The church is true!! Loves!!

Sister Chambers

Do What Is Right!!‏

Dearest Friends and Family!!

It has been the most wonderful week! Before I forget though, I want to ask all you return missionaries, what do you think was the most important thing you learned on your mission? We talked about that this week at District Meeting and I'd like to get everyones opinion on it! :)

Well let me fill you in on the latest miracles happening here in Udon!! Ok so right now in Udon is like the mini Olympic games for all the high schools in Thailand. Its pretty cool! I wish I could go watch them play volleyball! But anyways one of the members that Sister L baptized in Srinakarin is here! She called to figure out how she could get to church on Sunday. It was kinda crazy because I wasn't sure where she was staying. She was so cute and was like, could you come pick me up? Haha I was like hmm I don't know how well that would work on my bike. But it all worked out ok! I called the Branch Presidents wife and she went and picked her up! It was SOOOO good to she her! I started crying and it was so fun to actually be able to talk to her now! (seeing as I was still a greenie the last time I saw her :) but it was so much fun! Everyone at church was so impressed that even though she was here playing she still made sure that she could come to church! Oh I just love her so much! Her name is Woon (remember me telling about her and her family?)

Well last Tuesday we got help from the Relief Society Pres. She drove us out to Sister Homes house and it was sooo much faster! It only took us like 30 minutes to get there! It was fun to ride in a car! Sister Home is so great and yesterday we set a date for her to get baptized on the 30th, so we will see!

Ok last Monday we wanted to have FHE with one of our investigators, Phii Nok and her son. So I called one of the sisters who has helped us before, Sister Jum, and when I started talking to her on the phone she was so confused and had NO idea what or who I was talking about. So then I called another lady and we got it all worked out. Anyways, so Saturday one of the members said that they wanted to take us to visit a less active lady and her family. And it was like Sister Jum that I had called on Monday!! Turns out there is two Sister Jums. :) But what are the chances huh! It was so funny. Don't worry though I got it all worked out which Sister Jum is which. :) But it was a neat experience talking to her and her daughter. She got baptized a year ago and has already stopped going to church. So sad! But we will keep working with her!

Last night you'll never guess what me and Sister Lish did. We had a FIESTA!! It was so much fun!! There isn't any Mexican food in Udon, so Saturday we went to Tops and got chips, salsa, beans, cheese and tortillas. It was seriously so much fun! I was such a fat dog!

Well we are going on Switch-offs this week! Sister Lish is going to Roeit til Saturday! Sister Eyestone is coming to Udon til Thursday. Then Thursday til Saturday I'm going to a training on how to be a good trainer!! :) I'm way excited but its going to be weird being away from Sister Lish for so long!

Well thank you so much for all your love and support! Seriously you all are the best! I love being a missionary! I'm so happy!! The church is so true!! Loves!!

Sister Chambers

This Little Gospel Light of Mine!!‏

Dearest Family and Friends!!

What a wonderfully amazing week it has been! Thank you so much for everyone's emails! Its so fun to hear from you all! Well last P-day me and Sister Lish went to the Udon City Museum and had a nice little picnic. It was so fun! After we went and got a tour of the Museum. It was way cool. I love learning about history! Also random side note before I forget. I saw this little Thai man at the park running with not just one, but TWO HUGE german-shephards. I was so impressed! Mom do you think you could handle two Lucy's?? :)

Well Tuesday it decided to be cold. Like really cold. Like I thought I was going to freeze to death! It was the coldest I've ever been here. It started to rain even. All of our appts had canceled on us and I didn't know what to do. So I did what any good trainer would do and took Sister Lish to get fish sticks and French fries! :) We even made fry sauce! It wasn't as good as yours Mike, but for being made in Thailand it did the trick! It was so fun! Then we went to one of the members house and she gave us jackets. I love the members here! They take such great care of us!

Wednesday it was still a little cold, but we were prepared this time. I had on two sweaters, nylons, and I wore my big brown skirt so that I could wear my sweat pants underneath :) haha it was so funny! We had a great District Meeting with the Zone Leaders. They always get me so pumped up to go out and be a better missionary. Well then we went way out in the boonies to teach that cute old grandma. When we were leaving Sister Lish couldn't find the keys to unlock our bikes, called the Branch Pres. and he found them at the church! Haha it was a good adventure! I'm just glad we found them! So we just got a tuk-tuk to take us back into the city and then back to our bikes!

Thursday we had an even longer adventure! The cute lady that came to church last Sunday, Mae Home, she said we could go out to her house. I asked how far it was and heard 5-6 kilos. I wasn't quite sure where it was tho so we called the tuk-tuk driver to take us. haha...well turns out she said 30 kilos, then turn right and go 5-6 more kilos. Oh boy. It took us about an hour and a half to get out to her house. The whole time I was like panicing. I felt so bad that we were "wasting" so much time and that we were going to get in trouble for going out of our area. But when we got there she was SO excited to see us! It was the sweetest lesson ever!! She is awesome and we are going to keep working hard so she can get baptized soon! On the way home the song "I'll go where you want me to go" came into my mind. I know that the Lord wanted us to go see her! I just need to be patient and trust in the Lord and go where ever He needs me! Well that night we ran into this man from Ugosavlia (?) he looked at us for a second and we smiled cuz we weren't sure if he spoke English. And then he said " Mormons. I didn't even have to see your nametag, your smile gave it away." how cool is that! I loved it! He said that he travels the world and no matter where he goes he always sees the Elders. He said he had never seen Sisters before. It was fun talking to him.

Saturday we taught this family that turned out to be a way cool experience. They had never seen missionaries and were fasinated in what we do and that we can speak and read Thai. It was so cool to be able to bear testimony that we get help from the Lord. I felt like Ammon! I do not boast in my own strenth, nor in my own wisdom. but I will boast of my God!! For in His strength I can do all things! Its so true!! I love being a missionary and seeing all these miracles and being able to bear testimony of Christ!

Sunday I had to speak in sacrament meeting. I told the story about Jonathan Hale and the four orphans. Then I told them able the temple and how special it is and how I want them to have a temple in Thailand so bad. Yes, I started to cry :) it was a neat experience! My favorite part of this whole week was Sunday night! We went back to this darling families house, except the mom was busy and couldn't meet with us. So the kids took us up into their tree house and asked if we would teach them about Jesus! OH family!!! It was the sweetest experience ever!! They are just so pure and sweet! They loved the plan of salvation and had a million questions for me! I tried my best, but they were too smart for me! Oh how I love being a missionary! I'm so happy! The church is so true!!! Thank you so much for all your prayers and support! I sure love all of you!!!

Sister Chambers

PS sorry no pictures ;( this computer is weird! Next week I'll have a bunch to send home!

Because I have been given much!!!!‏

Dearest Friends and Family!!

I love you all so much!! This week was so wonderful and I got two surprise packages from the Chambers side and from the Cottle side!! Thank you all SO much!! It was such a nice treat! Seriously I was just telling Sister Lish how I was craving my grandma Folks peanut brittle and then low and behold I get some!! Thank you to Meads for the Starbursts! Stoddards for the lotion and tights! Barkers for the yummy popcorn! Thank you Kelly and Mariam for the Chocolate orange! It made it all the way to Thailand! Thank you Randy and Karla for the darling card!! Thank you Aunt Nae for sending the Christmas play and the music! And thank you all for the cute notes and Christmas tree ornaments! I seriously have the BEST family in the WHOLE world!!

English last week was so much fun! I taught them how to pray in English! so fun!
Wednesday, we had three appts cancel on us :( but it was ok! We had Jade help us with the last lesson of the night and it was so much fun!!I love Jade and I feel so blessed to have her here to help us!

New Years Eve we went to the Relief Society Presidents house for the ward party. President Smith said we had to be home by 7:00 pm, so we could only stay for a little bit. But it was fun to go and talk with all the members! We went home and lit off the Thai lanterns with the Elders. It was so much fun!
New Years Day we went inviting all day. It was kinda hard to meet with anyone because most people were still drinking. But we went and had dinner with the Elders darling little family that got baptized a couple weeks ago. The dad is an amazing chef. It was so much fun! And they are so cute and gave me and sister Lish shirts! I got a way cute blue one and she got a pink one. We wore them to church the next day and they were so excited!

Great and Marvelous Works this last week:
Have I told you lately how much I love the Book of Mormon?? I LOVE the Book of Mormon! I love studying and reading from it daily! I feel like I'm learning so much and it just helps so much to get that spiritual guidance everyday! The reason I say this, is because I can't even count how many times I just be reading along and come across a scripture that is perfect for one of our investigators or perfect for one of the lessons we are getting ready to teach. I know that as we study daily Heavenly Father will help us to receive guidance and inspiration for us and for others! We have been working really hard this last week to get 20 lessons. And yesterday we just needed 4 more. I wasn't sure how it was going to happen. But I just prayed and prayed! In the second Ward we didn't have any investigators and the Elders told us we didn't have to stay. And to be honest I was like ok perfect we can go out and start finding people to teach! But I just had a feeling that we needed to stay to get referrals from the members. And what happened? We got referrals from the members! Oh it was one of those moments where I just wanted to praise the Lord all day! I KNOW that without a doubt this is the Lords work. And we must do it His way. When we try and do it ourselves, well, it just doesn't go so well. :) I'm so grateful for the members here! It seriously is so much fun working with them and they are so good to us! I feel like this last week we got so much free food! Its like that scripture that says |take no thought as to where you will eat" (or something like that) Its so true! The Lord just watches out for us!

Good Stories:
I feel like we are always following behind the members on their motorcycles. Haha so funny. But anyways we were following this one member and she was helping us find this less active lady. She sells fruit at one of the markets so we went to the market and started talking to her. Turns out...she isn't less active at all! She comes to church every week and she was sitting there reading her Book of Mormon! I'm not really sure why the Bishop asked us to go see her...but it turned out to be a good story anyways because there was this darling old grandma there with her and we taught her a lesson! Scott you would have died! It was hilarious! I patted her hand and she grabbed hold of my arm and started messaging my arm and then started trying to pop my fingers and oh it was just so funny! I love the little old Thai grandmas!

We made banana bread and went around delivering it to some of the members and some of our investigators all over Udon. It was quite the adventure but so much fun! I feel like that is one of my talents: making bread and sharing! :) We made some no bake cookies too and took them to our English class. They loved them! We went to this way cute little cafe this last week too. Its called "Relax Steak" haha. Oh man. They try so hard to be American. They were playing The Eagles and Bon Jovi in the background. I got the salad and fried chicken. It was so good! It was a fun little adventure!

Cute Questions:
One of the families that we took some bread to had their little neighbor kids come over. The little girl is 13 and her little brother is 8. They are just so darling! They loved asking us questions about America and about the holidays there. They asked about Halloween and why we dress up, if we believe in Ghosts, if I like Edward of Jacob from Twilight (yes, they have Twilight translated into Thai! All the Books and the movies too!!) My favorite question though, Is Santa real? I looked at Sister Lish, and we both just smiled and said yes. They got all excited and it was just so cute! When we told them that he comes to our house every year they got even more excited! I just love Thai kids and I wish more than anything that I could share all the fun childhood experiences I had with them.

I'm so glad that Scott made it safely to Germany and that he is loving it so much! I hope he knows what an amazing example he is to me and how much I love him! I love you all so much! I love being a missionary! I'm so happy! The church is so true!!

Sister Chambers

PICTURES!!!

I did some modeling this week :)

Praise to the Man!

Dearest Family and Friends!

Happy New Year!! Can you believe it is 2011?? I sure can't!! This last week has been awesome! Last P-day we went out to lunch at the fancy Vietnamese restaurant with the Branch President in Nong Khai, President Sxa and his wife, Sister Ann. They are so darling! I don't know if I've said much about them, but I just love them so much! He speaks perfect English is she is the cutest sister ever! It was so much fun! Well I got asked two interesting questions: How old is Christ and why is angel Moroni on top of the Temple and not Christ?
Well we worked really hard this week and had so much fun with all the members! They take such great care of us! I'll write more about it next week! I don't know where the time goes by! But it just seems to fly by!! I love being a missionary! I'm so happy! The church is so true!!

Loves

Sister Chambers