Que lo que pasa pues...

This week has been cold. Very cold. I mean, COLD!

I came here thinking, "you know, I'm going to Texas. I'll be good." Oh, was I wrong. But enough on that. It's been refreshing! And I hear that it gets back up to the 90s by January! (What's up with the weather down here? January is WINTER!)

This week was really good! Went by super fast, and we didn't really teach a ton of people. Pretty sad. But it was still lots of fun!

The elders I live with:  Elder Felix, Elder Latu, and Elder Padron

Elder Latu and Elder Padron

Elder Latu was gone for most of the week. There was a training in McAllen for all the district and zone leaders, so he stayed with the district leader's companion for a while. The house was a lot quieter without him. But I learned a lot from Elder Felix! And tomorrow I'm going on an exchange with one of the Zone Leaders! Don't really know what's going to happen with that, but probably something awesome! I'll let you know next week.

Everything's moving so fast, so sorry if this email is a little scatter-brained. I can barely tell the difference between what happened yesterday and what happened the first week I was here! So starting today, when something cool happens I'll write it down in my planner so I don't forget to write about it.

Ok. Hopefully this part's a bit more interesting.

Yesterday we had a baptism! I mean, it wasn't really me and Elder Padron's investigator, but Elder Latu and Elder Felix's investigator was baptized yesterday! Her name's Ida, and it was pretty much a miracle it was able to happen. When she had her baptismal interview on Friday, the district leader found out that she was basically ready, but she didn't have a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet. Other than that she was ready, but that's a pretty big thing! So the other Elders had a lesson with her on Saturday, and taught her the Restoration again, this time making sure to focus on Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Priesthood. They had her pray and she realized that she knew it was true! She had another interview with the District Leader over the phone and was baptized! I guess everyone who'd taught her up to that point just took for granted that she believed the Restoration.

Cleaning the baptismal font

Ida's baptism day!

It's so strange how many things I take for granted as a missionary, like an investigator knowing what a blessing is. We talked to someone yesterday who had no idea the meaning of the word "Blessing." And let me tell you, it's pretty difficult to teach someone how the gospel can bless their lives if they don't even know what it means to bless! (Granted, he was 14, but still!) Never take for granted what we have. Family, friends, school, home, music, all that stuff. Don't take it for granted, ever, or you might lose it. It's sad to see people that that's happened to here.

But more good news! O Wednesday we're having something called "Mission Tour" which is where a General Authority comes and gives a training to all the missionaries! We don't know who it is yet, but that'll be another thing to report on next week!

You know, that's pretty much all I can think that might be interesting to you guys. We're probably going to have to drop about half of our investigators cause we can't get anyone to keep appointments. It's really sad. But be happy, everyone! Life is so much better when you actively choose to be happy. Make the choice.

I love you! Hope to hear from you!

-Elder Chamberlain

The Ultimate Knock… supposed to never fail.
They didn't open the door on this one.  Try, try again!