No fear, stand firm

Hello friends and family! Sorry if this letter is a little bit shorter than last week's, but I'm not exactly sure what to write. Not a lot has happened this week. Learned a lot in Spanish, and have been doing a lot of study, but nothing super monumental happened.

Don't send mail. I mean, send stuff through email and those websites and stuff, but regular mail takes FOREVER! Elder Searl (one of the new zone leaders) got a letter today that was sent ten days ago, and that's really short! The only reason he got it that fast is cause it had international postage on it. His companion got a letter on Monday that was sent on September 4th! So yeah. I really want to hear from everyone, so write! Just don't send through the regular means. Also, dearelder.com apparently takes 10-14 days to get here as well. So email is probably the best option.

One of the more happy things is that I've realized I'm not one of the greenies anymore! I mean, the first four days at the CCM everyone marks you as a new person cause you gotta wear your suit, but now, there are two more batches of young sprouts in! And I don't feel as awkward with Spanish, although I'm not yet sure if that's cause I've learned more, or just that I'm not the least learned one in the CCM anymore!

Also. Sorry, this kinda counts as monumental, but I didn't even think about it until just barely, but I was made the District Leader! I'm still not exactly sure what that means, and what else I'll have to do, but it happened. And there's a meeting tomorrow that I'll go to learn about that. This didn't happen until Sunday, cause our old DL (Elder Johnson) was made a zone leader when the past ones left on Monday morning. (It's so weird to think that I've seen two groups of Elders leave!)

Speaking a little about Sunday, Dad wanted me to tell him about it, so here it goes. Everyone writes a talk for Sacrament meeting, which is at 10:30, cause the Branch President just calls random people to come up. Normally everyone gets the chance to talk at sacrament meeting at least once at the CCM, but it might be a little different, cause this week is Fast Sunday, and next week is General Conference. Which, by the way, we will be watching. In Spanish. So I probably won't get anything out of it until the Liahona or Ensign gets here. But Sunday. After church the Branch Presidency has a time we can have interviews with them if we want, but so far my district has taken that as the opportunity to have a jam session. We all just go into one of the piano rooms and play whatever we know, sing along, and just talk. It's so much fun, and I really love these guys here! And then, at 8 or so, we watch a movie in the Gordon B. Hinkley building auditorium. So far we've watched The Testaments and How Rare A Possession. Then we have a District meeting, and that's it. Lots of study in the other times.

One of the major things, though, that I've learned this week is that the Lord is always looking out for us, and his tender mercies are everywhere, we just need to look for them. I found this out last Friday. It was kind of a hard day, not because it was really all that hard, just that I was feeling pretty homesick (They had peaches at lunch, and I made the mistake of eating one). But later that afternoon, I just kept finding scripture after scripture that comforted me, then there was an AMAZING sunset. I didn't get a picture unfortunately, but it was so cool, cause it was sprinkling at the time, the sun was a perfect golden glow on the horizon, and to top it off, there was a double rainbow just in front of our classroom window! Heavenly Father truly does answer our prayers, and loves each and every one of us.

I was really kinda dumb, and didn't bring my scriptures with me to the computers, but one of the best scriptures I found this week was in Exodus, I think it's chapter 14, verses 13-14, but it might be chapter 13. It's just as the Israelites are at the edge of the Red Sea, being pursued by the armies of the Pharaoh. I mean, that would be a pretty scary prospect, right? But when they start to fear and complain that they will surely die, Moses speaks those words to them. And that was under the prospect of possibly being slaughtered! In that light, we don't really have all that much to worry about, and the scripture brings so much comfort. But the coolest part only comes if you read it in Spanish. The first words Moses speaks to them is this: No temais; estad firmes. That quite literally translates to English as "No fear; stand firm." 

That's really all that we need to do to have happiness in our life. The opposite of fear is faith, so really the best advice I can give to anyone right now going through a change, or some scary part of their life is just that. Have faith, cause it'll all be fine in the end. And stand firm in the true gospel of Jesus Christ. If we do those two things, we will be delivered from our troubles by the Lord. I know that this is true, and I hope that all of you know that too.

I don't really have anything else to say. I hope you're all doing well, and that you can recognize the hand of the Lord in your life. I love you all! Mexico is still awesome, although the food does get kinda old fast. Beans and tortillas should only be served at a limited number of meals per day.

Adios till next time!

Thirst no more, Elder Powell!

Thinking ahead... or thinking on a head

Elder Powell and me

Guys--the bathrooms here are nuts!

Sorry, just had to think of a good subject to get you guys interested. But really, they are! You know how at restaurants and schools and places, the flusher on the toilet is just right up at the top? Well it's not like that here! They put it at the base of the toilet, so it's pretty much a foot pedal. It's so cool! I mean, why hasn't America picked up on that, it's so much more sanitary! We can put a man on the moon, but we can't even develop the best way to flush our toilets!

Mom, thanks so much for the cookies! I got them yesterday, not really sure when you put in the order, but they were AMAZING! Pretty much the first real American treat I've had the entire time. The food here's been good, but let me put a pretty big disclaimer in. There is some form of beans, rice, and tortillas available at any given meal of the day. I don't pick them very often, cause studies over the past week have shown that too much of that can give you indigestion.

On the first day, the people at the airport gave us this little business card for a website called missionarypackagemx.com that I guess is pretty much like dearelder.com, except they serve missionaries in the Mexico MTC. I checked right before I started writing this, but it costs $1 to send a letter that will be received the next day. I think you found another site kind of like that, mom. Again, thank you so much! (I don't really want you guys to blow a boatload of money sending me mail every day, it's just we don't have very long to check mail, so written letters are nice. And I´m pretty sure that's a good price, compared to postage, and how long it would take to get letters here)

We arrived in Mexico City around 5:00 p.m. on the first day, and customs was a little nerve racking because I realized that when I gave that Lady at the Salt Lake Airport my flight itinerary to get the ticket, she didn't give it back! It turned out I didn't need it, but it was pretty scary to think about what would happen if I didn't get my passport stamped.

Another scary thing that happened at the airport was that at the security check, I forgot to take the quarter dad gave me out of my pocket! They asked me if I had anything in my pocket, and I thought I didn't, but I checked. California quarter, in there for 10 minutes. But they still let me through.

After we arrived in Mexico, they loaded us on a bus with smaller seats than they have in airplanes, (I didn't know those existed!) then drove us to the CCM (or MTC in English). The driving here makes New York City look tame. And it was raining pretty hard. Apparently we're in the middle of the rainy season, so we got a ton of rain the first three days. But other than that, it's been sunny.

My companion's name is Elder Powell. He hails from the Pleasant Grove / Lone Peak High School zone of Utah. Such a cool guy! He ran track during high school, and raced BMX bikes. We've been getting along great, and have had an amazing time so far. And we're both going to McAllen! So is more than half our district, and a few in another zone. Our room mates are Elders Seegmiller and Thane, both of whom are going to Indianapolis. Elder Seegmiller is from Clearfield, and Elder Thane is from the Pleasant Grove area as well. Can't remember what city, but somewhere in that area. Such great guys! Our district is awesome as well. I don't think I can name everyone, but we've got three sisters and a total of 8 elders. The sisters and two other elders are coming to Texas with us. We will be here at the CCM until October 20th, at which point this thing becomes real!

Elder Seegmiller, Elder Thayne, Elder Powell and me!

We taught our first investigator on Friday. Two days after arriving. And the ENTIRE lesson was in SPANISH! I was so terrified! But it turned out ok. Elder Powell is a lot better at Spanish than I am, so he talked most of the time. We taught someone named Alexa, and we taught her four other times, after which we committed her to baptism! My Spanish has improved a ton over this week, mostly because of the lessons with her. I think she's really one of the teachers here, and she'll start teaching us in a few days. Ok, I know I just barely said my Spanish is better, but it probably isn't all that much better, it's just that I'm not as scared to try to talk to people anymore. I can't always understand what they say, but I can usually make myself understood, with a ton of help from an English Spanish Dictionary, of course.

On Monday was Mexican Independence Day! It was really cool, even though it was hard to sleep that night. There was a cultural dance type thing that was really cooI. But apparently Independence Day is the most violent day of the year, cause they all get so drunk they start shooting at each other. Loud night!

Mexican Independence Day celebration!

Our schedule is basically like this: We wake up at 6:30 or earlier, and are out of the house by 7 for personal study at the classroom. Breakfast follows at 8, with classes starting at 8:30. We have classes from then until around 11:30, when we have gym time. Elder Powell and I have used this time for lifting, but you can also play basketball, volleyball, or other sports. Lunch at 1, companionship study at 1:45, and Language study at 2:30. 3:30 starts the investigators, with more companionship study, then dinner at 6:30. District meetings and such after dinner.Lights out at 10:30. That's pretty much it. But it'll change next week, probably.

Sorry if I didn't email you personally, but I forgot to make a list. If you want me to send you a message, or want a personal message or something like that, just contact me through email, and I'll write back on p days (Thursday). Thanks!

I'm pretty much out of time, but I just want everyone to know that I love them. I miss you guys, but I know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I can't wait to get out in the field, but right now, the CCM is fine. I'll let you know how everything goes. Love you lots! Mexico is AWESOME! (not quite as awesome as Texas will be, but pretty close.)

Elder Chamberlain

I have arrived!

Well, I have arrived safely! My dictation may be a little off, just so you know, cause the keyboards here have a slightly different layout, and I have not yet found the apostrophe! But other than that, I am doing pretty dang fine! Dont have long to email, so this will be pretty short, but just wanted to say that I love you guys, that it is AWESOME here, and that it still hasnt sunk in that Ill be gone for a long time. Ill be sure to let you know when that happens. For now, things are great! Post this on the blog, or just mail it to everyone.

P day (preparation day) is on Thursday, but we dont have one this week, so itll be just a bit longer than a week before I can send to you again. Write lots, though, and dont forget to order a bike! Love you lots! Mexico is cool!

Elder Chamberlain

And… he's off!

(written by Mom)

Last night we dressed our younger children in their school clothes for today before we sent them to bed.  Joshua was up and ready before anyone else, and serenaded us with Clair de Lune on the piano as we finished tying shoes and combing hair.  Miraculously, we all got up and out of the door after one last family prayer at 5:30 a.m.  We laughed on the way to the airport, reciting our favorite lines from Studio C.  John, Sam, Elizabeth and Hannah all were quick volunteers to help Joshua with his luggage at the airport.  After several hugs, pictures, and some last "I love you's" and "See you later's", we parted ways as Joshua entered the airport security line.  He was upbeat, confident, and smiling the whole way.  We were smiling through our tears.  It is a great irony to be so happy and sad at the same time, but we truly feel it is a great privilege and blessing to be sending our son on a mission.  He is ready!  Or in his own words, "I was born ready!"

Thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this day!  We so appreciate your love and support!

Circle of Love

(written by Mom)
Tonight Joshua was set apart as a full-time missionary.  Our family dressed in our church clothes and went to our church building.  There we witnessed as all three members of our stake presidency, our bishop, and David gathered around Joshua, placed their hands on his head, and gave him a priesthood blessing, authorizing him to begin his service as a full-time missionary.  It was a beautiful experience.

After we got home, our family gathered in the living room.  Some of our cousins came over too, which was a nice surprise!  We started a new family tradition that we hope to continue on the eve of each of our children leaving the nest.  We're calling it "The Circle of Love", and is an idea we learned from some dear friends of ours (Kjars).  We had Joshua sit in the middle of the room, and each person had a chance to say three specific kinds of things to him:  ask him a question(s), share advice, and give a compliment or tell him what they loved or appreciated about him.  Here are some of the things that were shared:

Questions:

• Q:  (Joseph)  Are you excited? Worried?  A:  Yes and a little.  Mostly worried about the language and wondering if I'm smart enough to really learn how to speak in Spanish.  The "One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song" is about the best I can do right now!
• Q:  (Ruby) Do you know who your companion is?  A:  Not yet, but my mission president's name is President Maluenda, and my friend Mike Packer will be coming to my mission in a few weeks.
• Q:  (Nelson) Is it okay if I rearrange our bedroom?  A:  Sure, as long as your bed isn't right next to mine when I come home.  
• Q:  (Hannah) How long will you be in the Mexico MTC?  A:  6 weeks.
• Q:  (Davis) How early do you have to get up?  A: Tomorrow at 4:30 a.m.  On my mission, every day at 6:30 a.m.
• Q:  (John) How much do you weigh?  A:  About 220 pounds.
• Q:  (Sam) What is your favorite piano song?  A:  I have lots of favorites, but my current favorite is Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy.
• Q:  (Sam) What is your favorite color?  A:  Green.
• Q:  (Elizabeth)  What is your favorite book series?  A:  The Stormlight series by Brandon Sanderson.
• Q:  (Mom)  What are your favorite treats you'd like to find in a package sometime?  A:  Minty gum (especially Five Gum "Rain"), Starbursts, Twix, Kit Kat, Milky Way, homemade bread, homemade orange chocolate chip cookies.  
• Q:  (Logan) How much weight do you think you'll gain or lose on your mission?  A:  Hopefully I'll maintain where I'm at, but it wouldn't be too surprising if I went up or down 20 pounds.
• Q:  (Dad) What is one of your favorite memories?  A:  A Family Home Evening we had at Bountiful Park about the Tree of Life.
• Q:  (Annabelle)  How are your emailing rules different from Grandma and Grandpa's on their mission in the Congo?  A:  Grandma and Grandpa can get on their email or FaceTime whenever they want (as long as they have power), but they can't receive any snail mail at all.  I'll be able to email once a week, receive packages once I get to Texas, but will only be able to call or Skype on Mother's Day and Christmas.
• Q:  (Emily)  How long do you think it will take you to learn Spanish?  A:  Hopefully within 3 months after the MTC, I'll be able to carry on a conversation.
• Q:  (Scott)  How many hearts will you be breaking by leaving for two years?  A:  Good question!  Haha!

Advice:

• Wear deodorant.  (Annabelle)
• Be nice to your companion.  (John)
• Remember that it's okay to have hard times.  You will make it through.  Trust in the Lord.  (Dad)
• Respect the agency of others.  You can't force things with others, including investigators and fellow missionaries.  Just love them, teach them, and respect their agency.  (Dad)
• Hugs… not drugs.  (Logan)
• Don't gain too much weight.  (Nelson)
• Keep a good record of your experiences through your journal, pictures, and letters.  You will see many miracles during the next two years, and you'll want to remember.  (Mom)
• Be grateful and express it.  (Mom)
• The Spirit is what counts.  Always invite the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion.  That's how you'll best be able to do Heavenly Father's work.  (Scott)
• Use every day that you have.  Give what you have to give that day, so you'll have no regrets.  (Emily)
• Have fun!  You can be serious and still make it fun.  (Joseph)
• Don't get fat by eating unhealthy food.  (Davis)
• Don't miss me too much.  (Hannah)
• Don't come home early… unless it's something super serious.  (Hannah)
• Follow the rules.  (Hannah)
• Become friends with the members of the wards and stakes you'll be serving in.  (Hannah)
• Be friends with your companion on the very first day you meet them.  Really get to know them.  They might end up being your best friend ever.  (Elizabeth)
• Teach the Gospel.  (Sam)

Compliments, Praise, and why we think Joshua will be a good missionary: 

• You are always kind.  (Ruby)
• You have always been a peace builder.  You are easy to talk to.  You are a problem solver.  (Hannah)
• You are obedient, consistent, and perpetually optimistic.  You have a tender heart and love the Lord.  You are a teacher and leader.  (Mom)
• You are a passionate person.  You put your whole heart into life and give 100% in everything you do.  (Emily)
• You have always set a good example for me.  You have a good work ethic and are balanced in all areas of your life.  You put first things first.  Nobody is perfect, but you always give it your all.  (Nelson)
• You are amazing on the piano!  (Annabelle)
• You are good at math and are a good teacher.  You really care about people.  (Hannah)
• You are a hard worker and obedient.  (Dad)
• You are easy going and fun to talk with.  (Joseph)
• You are a peacemaker and a logical thinker.  (Davis)
• You make the best bread and cookies.  You are always nice and help us fix our bikes.  (John)
• You are nice.  I like it when you read to me and help me.  (Sam)
• You are dedicated, smart, reliable, confident, and humble.  (Scott)
• You are outgoing and not shy.  You are really nice.  Thanks for always letting me borrow your books.  (Elizabeth)
• You are responsible and have integrity.  (Logan)

After we finished sharing, we sang "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission", knelt in family prayer, and did our family cheer.  This event made us stay up a little later than usual, especially on the night before having to get up super early, but it was totally worth it.