Week of Christmas in a New Area

We couldn't find Kohler in this picture but he said he was there and  told us about Elder Christofferson being there.  What a wonderful experience it was for all the missionaries.

FOTOS CON ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON, ELDER WALTER F. GONZALEZ
PRESIDENTE GOATES Y CADA RESPECTIVA ESPOSA Y POR SUPUESTO LOS MISIONEROS DE TODA LA MISION ARGENTINA MENDOZA!

LLEGADA DE PRESIDENTE GOATES Y LA HERMANA GOATES.

President Goates enjoying the music of his missionaries!!

¡¡¡¡LAS ENCHILADAS MAS MEXICANAS!!!! ANDELE PUESSS...! A COMER!!  HECHAS BY  ELDER GARCIA CON AYUDA DE ALGUNOS MISIONEROS.

(My letter to Kohler before Christmas)

My sweet amazing missionary son,

You probably didn't know this, but YOU gave me the greatest gift a parent could ever ask for last week.  You told me that you hadn't received and probably won't receive all the packages I have sent you in time for Christmas---not even the one I spent a lot of $ on to have it sent Fed Ex to make sure you got it.  It broke my heart when I read that because I wanted so badly for you to have gifts from us to open on Christmas Day.  But then you wrote, "Mom, it's ok.  It's just another sacrifice on the plate of being on a mission in a foreign country . . . para el senor (for the Lord)."

Kohler, when I read that, I just wept.  I have been thinking about that statement over and over again this week.  Just a few days ago, I listened to a song on your playlist, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" and the words of the third verse rang so true to my heart because I thought of you down in Argentina:

"There's surely somewhere a lowly place, in earth's harvest fields so wide

Where I may labor through life's short day, for Jesus the crucified.

But trusting my all to thy tender care, and knowing Thou lovest me.

I'll do thy will with a heart sincere, I'll be what you want me to be."

YOU ARE THAT SONG----You are doing every word of that song.  You are doing God's will with a sincere heart and you are becoming exactly what He wants you to be.  Kohler, by your faithful service to your Father in Heaven and your positive attitude when you found out you wouldn't have any gifts for Christmas---THAT in turn, became one of YOUR greatest gifts to me.  Does that make sense?  It's like it just came around full circle to me.  Maybe someday you will get those packages in the mail and until then, please know that we really tried and that we love you with all our heart!   But I can't even begin to thank you, Kohler, for your unwavering testimony and the strength you are to our family.  This truly is a Christmas gift I will remember forever.  

I can't wait to talk to you on Thursday!  Dad sent you the instructions for video chat.  I hope we can do this ok.  Hopefully you have been talking to other missionaries and have found out what works best, especially in the new area you are in.  I hope you will have an enjoyable week and feel lots of love from the members in that area.  I also hope you like your new companion.  

I love you so very much!!  Feliz Navidad Elder Chamberlain!  

Mamasita (btw, I love it when you say " love you tonz, sexy buns! "  ha ha You always make me laugh :)  

(LETTER FROM ELDER CHAMBERLAIN)

Hey sexy bunz haha;)

Mom I have sooo much to tell you when we talk this Christmas! I sent dad  a lot of stuff about the skype or oovoo that we'll do but it's gonna be hard... I have a gringo comp that's super cool but we don't know any of the members in this new area or if some of them have computers or what not and most of the cibers here don't have cameras or may not be open on christmas...

We'll be searching and I might come in tomorrow or Wednesday. Probs Wednesday cuz there's a little christmas party for all the missionaries but its split for half and half of the mission. 

Hey Mom thanks for saying that to me. It really does mean a lot. I didn't want to move before Christmas and I had a bad feeling. I guess I'll just tell you some of the things I have going on.

So our pench (apartment) it's just me and Elder Barton( from Kaysville Utah) who's super cool but our pench is pretty bad and I'm going to tell you about it later haha--

The good things are that the people here are super nice and receptive to us...the other elders here both left and had no investigators and nothing before us so we had to wash the area, but we found a grandma, mom and her son who has other children of baptizing age and they all came to church with us THE FIRST INVITATION!! Ma we are hoping to baptize a lot here! We have sooo many Abs which are abri la bocas and I forgot  how to say that in English....open the mouth/ contacting ok haha and a lot of people want us to come over...sooo I'm super excited for that. But hey I actually have to go now I'll talk to you later!! I'm doing super good here and I'M learning a lot ma!

Love you sooo much-- I'll talk to ya soon!!!

Elder Kohler Chamberlain:)

First Transfer Right Before Christmas

Hey Mom!

So Oriana's baptism didnt' go through because she needs 3 asistencias/ times going to church and the mom was mad because we have a super good relationship with her. But now I found out I'm leaving my area and going to San Juan which is extremely hot especially now that we're in the middle of summer...haha but ya now I can't go and baptize Oriana in the font and I have to tell her mom that today! So ya she's probs gonna have a tantrum that 2 new and random missionaries are going to baptize her daughter...if you see this please pray that she'll be calm. I've had to calm her down many times and when I do this either later today or tomorrow it will be hard for her cuz she's close with us.

So ya my new comp is Elder Barton. My first gringo!! I already know him cuz he works in the offices and we are going to have sooo much fun!! The only thing is I'm going to a new area so I won't know anybody there for Christmas. But I heard the 2 other things. They don't make a lot of food over there cuz it's pretty poor too but the people are super nice! I'm going to say goodbye to some members of my ward tomorrow. I leave for my new area with Elder Barton this Wednesday morning at like 11 or something from the offices.

So Elder O. is gone too.....MY Fave Christmas present!! Haha--- nahh I learned a  ton from him but it's better that we go our separate ways now. He'll be in his house by wednesday with about 20 or so other elders and sisters.

I'm sooo glad you liked the pictures!! I'm going to try and buy a cheap camera today so I can send more in the future!

I got The Romney's letter and Brother Mask's letter and I loved them both!! Tell the Romneys I wish Camry good luck and that I miss my trek ma( Sister Romney) haha! She's soo cool. If you see Bro. Mask, tell him that I'm for the Team River and he'll know what I'm talking about haha:) Its not a for sure thing but I'm thinking about doing it haha:) ( Futbol )

Hey ma so I got a letter from your package that you sent... It was a letter from Fed Ex saying its in Buenos Aires but they can't send it to me and we think it's an excuse soo they can steal whatever was in there....I'm soooo sad..... was there like sentimental stuff in there...?? plzz  tell me what was in there cuz actually I didn't know but President Goates said to not ask anybody to send packages cuz they won't get here... neither can I send them...Idk I guess that's just another sacrifice on the plate from being in a foreign country? It's whatevs... Para el senor:)

But ya I'll let you know how my new pension (apartment) is and how San Juan is! My apartment is actually pretty nice I heard so we'll see. Although I did hear that some of the areas are soo hot that they give you air conditioning!!!! Soooo that will be cool if I have AC!!

Hey I have to figure out the details again for skyping/calling etc.  Since I'm going to be in a new area for Christmas, maybe I'll be able to skype on Christmas Day now!

I love you sooooo much Ma. You're literally the best, most awesome woman I could have for a mom:)

Love, your son

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Early Christmas for Mom and Dad!

(After 3 months of NO pictures, it was like an early 

Christmas present to get 6 photos from Elder C. !!)

Dad, that is soo awesome what you and mom did at the Nativity Festival in Merced!! I'm soo proud of you guys!! And the fact that grandma and grandpa were in charge of the whole thing makes me even more proud!! I come from a VERY high class and awesome hardworking family!!

Oriana is the little girl on the left.  She is the one who will be baptized next week!

We had an awesome week dad! Lots of teaching and yesterday was the best! It was a struggle but it was soo awesome!! We're getting a little girl named Oriana ready to be baptized this next weekend and I'm probably gonna do it! This whole family is ready--- it's just the dad! I had a good serious talk with him just us with my comp listening in for a while and bore my testimony hardcore to him. He says he's tried to have a testimony before but didn't get one. I don't think he really tried. I told him that it can take a lifetime to gain a testimony of all the little small things in the Book of Mormon. Dad, this family is soo close to having the blessings of what we have! There's only children in the family and the parents so they can basically be sealed in the temple after they're baptized! (with one year membership too ya -but still it's close!)

Man there's way too many dogs here too. I was in a members house too this week and they have a german shepherd and it literally bit my hand. "Bit" doesn't sound bad but it hurt for sure haha. He was all barking and I don't know why but I thought I could get his trust.  So, I took a piece of bread from off the table and tried to give it to him, and then literally, he just bites my hand. He doesnt even go for the bread just bites my hand. Freakin dog I was about to hit that mug! LOL I'm obviously good but ya ... didn't like it. 

Dad, I'm in such good shape! Burpees and I've actually been using a pull up bar too! It's one of the ones where you twist into the wall but it can be scary cuz sometimes I've fallen so I've always got my feet pointed at the ground. I look weird when I do it but I'm not falling like that ever again haha.

Some members of our ward and some less-actives.

Some very humble members of our ward having an Asado!

ASADO!

Hey I'm going to use my comps camera and I'm in another area right now in a members house so it's a different computer! I don't have my camera but I have my comps so we're gonna see!!

Love you all and I'll tell you when I get the packages!! I got several letters from you guys! One with some awesome drawings!! Love you guys!!!

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Thanksgiving

Hey Mom-

Happy Thanksgiving!  That's soo cool about Maya saying that about me and Kelsey filming all of that! And the words from Uncle Scott-- that's sooo cool:) Hey so this week I'm going to find a place that has international phones and computers too to try out both. I won't be able to do it on Christmas because that is what I have been told but maybe if were stuck in a members house I could do it then I heard? Well see.  We just aren't supposed to be outside on Christmas--too dangerous.

Man for Thanksgiving I actually found 2 apple cider bottles! It was rough cuz it's all vino(wine) But ya I had that for thanksgiving...then the next day I had a lomo which is basically a giant steak, egg  pizza...its weird but is actually pretty good haha. Then  I had 2 huge asados later in the weekend sooo that was worth it haha! I missed you guys sooo much but I'm soo glad you guys are being blessed from it. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven and I'm all about that for sure!

So this week we've been teaching a lot and helped our Bishop build his house as usual for a service activity that we do a a lot. We're preparing Oriana Irusta to be baptized on the 13th of December so that will be cool! Her mom is an ex missionary too and is inactive so we're going to try to bring her back! Other than that just a lot of teaching and helping a poor old lady Elena,with her son. They have this super bad relationship because of money. The boy lent her 70,000 pesos(like 5-6 Gs in US$) and she can't pay him back and now her son is struggling and doesn't have a job. Elena is so sad but doesn't know what to do. I'm glad to know that when dealing with money issues like that you should never do it with family or close friends really because if something happened it could destroy the relationship. I'm really starting to learn that now.

Mom I'm eating a lot here but I'm working out a ton every day. I weigh about 160 but feel super good. My comp and I are getting along soooo well too!  The family's prayers are literally working and helping me a lot! Thank you sooo much!! President talked with my comp on the phone and the zone leaders met with all of us and talked with us. We're now doing random service opportunities for each other and were both feeling the spirit more stronger! Plus he's finally maturing in A LOT of the little things he would do. He's grown a lot ma so thxxxxx soooo much to you and everyone!:)

Hey mom and dad --- I love ya tonsss!!:) La futura es muy muy brillante y no necesitamos a preocupar sobre cualquiercosa!! Cuando tenemos el imagene in nuestros mentes vamos a attractar esa persona in nuestras vidas. Esa es fe! Ora para mas fe porque cuando tenemos mas fe tenemos mas consuejo!! FE=Accion! Fe sin obras es muerte tonce orar y servir in su llamamiento! YO oro para usted todo al tiempo ma! Eres la mejor!! Nuestra familia y yo podemos hacer esto!! Te Amo ma!!

Elder Kohler Chamberlain:)

PS: I hope you can translate that all correctly and if it's all correct too! haha!  love ya

Better late than never!

Dear Dad -

That's an awesome quote dad! Thanks for that!! If only people could understand that and remember that. Man I'm sorry but I can relate to that sooo much right now. I'm glad to say that I'm still grateful for everything I have. It's all still there obviously but man...that is sooo true. But it's all for my Lord and Savior and I won't abandon Him in this battle.

Hey sorry about yesterday and not writing! We were playing a lot of soccer with a bunch of kids at the church's soccer field! It was a lot of fun! At first I was a little upset cuz I wanted to write all of you guys rather than play soccer but I thought....I'm already here and I don't want to show these kids and couple members that I'm mad so I'll just make this super fun! I'm actually pretty good at soccer now-- I'll be confident and say it. But man dad... latinos are amazing! Cuz that's literally all they do (the kids) Play soccer:..They're sooo soooo good. Woowwww! Some not so much but ya there's a couple you kinda just sit there and watch and it's pretty cool haha.

Hey for the Christmas skype I've been waiting when I should tell you and please know that whenever I'm serious and talk about circumstances I don't over exaggerate.

We we'll be fine so you can tell mom and Kelsey and them but this Christmas is apparently different from other Christmases and I don't know why.

This Christmas the police will not be available to use basically cuz they will show up after about 45 mins to an hour and that's  if they even come. There will be a lot of people breaking into shops more or so and stealing so we have to stay inside. It's just one big party day where everybody is drinking and doing drugs and going to stores and stealing so its very overwhelming for the police force here to handle so they don't really even work.  So we have to stay inside for the entire day. Ya it will be boring but I'm going to make it fun! We're going to buy some nice food and listen to some nice music so it should be cool. We'll be able to skype....just not Christmas day..:/ I'm going to find out more details on this but we WILL skype. I'll make sure of it.  If I have to one day I'll use a long distance phone and give you quick details to talk with me:)

Something crazy that happened too was that someone was killed in the apartment very close to ours...there were a bunch of police taking pictures with gloves and masks on in their apartment and there were several people crying outside. We didn't know for sure but that's what it looked like and the my latin comps told me that they believed someone was killed. soo ya. Kinda sad.

We're teaching the Chavez fam (German the guy who kissed me on the cheek ha ha!) And they love to beat me at fifa on their ps2 haha. It's a lot of fun to be with them. Their kids also love to talk with us about the church but sometimes its hard to teach them cuz they have 10 kids and all they want to do is just play with us so we do that haha. They are very very poor so we just play with the couple toys they have all in the SAME room...Man They're such a humble family though and I love them tons.

My comp is getting better and the prez talked with him for a good 20 mins the other night on the phone. He's still pretty immature but he's getting better for now. Just 3 more weeks with him and then we are good!! That will also be my 4 transfer so I'll have 6 months in the mish haha so I'm gonna buy something good for me to celebrate.

I feel good and I'm still the same person I was when I left but I'm really maturing and learning a lot about the world. The world can really treat people bad but man when they choose to make the choices that they make ya it's gonna do just that. I'm sooo grateful you taught me now how to make life not necessarily easier, but better through the gospel dad. thanks:)

Anyway Love ya tons Dad( and mom if she reads parts from this too haha)

Love your son,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Um . . . Kisses for Elder Chamberlain?

Hey Everybody -

So this week was super good!! We taught a lot of people and we're preparing to baptize a 9 year old girl named Oriana! Her mom is an ex missionary that has fallen away from the church and she is coming back again cuz her daughter is super into the church. It's cool every time we come over to visit she's the one asking us if we want something to drink or some food or something. SHes such a sweet little girl haha! We're also teaching the Chavez family and tonight were going to have a family night with them so that should be cool! We're going to talk about charity and the pure love of Christ and the blessings from choosing the right and we have some fun games that were going to play after!

This week-- man, I had 2 guys give me besos(kisses)!!   Everybody in Argentina is suuuper lovey dovey--- I don't know...it's weird haha. I've only had one nice old lady give me one too. But this guy was literally like "kiss me on the cheek here. . . here!" Oh man I never felt so weird in my life! This guy was super dirty working on his car with black oil all over him and he had a TON of facial hair...ya that was something I won't forget ahaha....

Wow so yesterday after church my comp and I had a lunch appt with our Ward Mission Leader. We had pastel de papas which is basically shepherds pie and it's super good. Buutttt The other elders in our dorm were going to this huge fiesta with an asado an empinadas and A LOT of other food... I was soo mad but literally after our lunch they called us and said " hey the food still isn't done so you guys can come over! Oh man I was sooo excited! We went over there and there was a ton of people with all this meat in the backyard being smoked in this big brick oven pit. I was asked to say the prayer and everyone thought I did super good which made me feel good haha. We ate a bunch of food and then they had a cake for Orianas grandma! She's 80 and she's the nicest lady! She feeds us alot haha and literally loves us!  After everyone brought out the cerevezas/beer and we all played pool.(Obviously we didn't drink either) Ya they destroyed the missionaries haha but it was all good! I just felt bad that I lost to a bunch of drunk argentinians in pool. But it's whatevs.

I love the photos thxx!!  Sounds like you had a great week with Grandma and Grandpa!

So in church yesterday I got to play 6 songs from the childrens hymn book for the entire primary which was about 15 or less kids! It was sooo cool! We practiced during the week and we had a ton of fun!

I played these primary songs..I can't remember in English and I don't have time to translate it all haha:

el plan de dios puedo seguir

el bautismo

mando a su hijo

vivo en los cielo

el padre celestial me ama( That was my favvvv)

Las familias puedan ser eternas...that was super cool cuz then the whole congregation joined in on the second verse! The sprit was super strong!!

Anyway ya overall the week was super good and we're doing really good things--- I can't wait! Hope you guys are all doing good---- love you all!

Elder Chamberlain

Patience with a Comp and Spanish es muy bien!

(letter from last week that he forgot to hit "send")

Dad tell mom that she is amazing and that she should put that "Called To Serve" song on I- tunes or send it to the EFY program or something. Maybe she could make some money from it.  A ton of people listen and buy those LDS church arrangements as you already know.

Hey I don't have a whole lot of time so I'm going to write this for you and mom.

We've been teaching a lot of people and are seeming to make progress with several which is good. Raul came to church his second time but fell asleep in sacrament meeting. Were also going to help a less active girl who is a ex missionary and baptize her daughter who is 9 and REALLY wants to be baptized! It's really cool to see her literally beg us when she can! She's sooo excited but we still need to teach her a little bit. It's just the rules.

I forgot to send this letter last week dad haha. I'm doing better with my comp but prez wants me to try to stay with him cuz he says these are rare opportunities to grow when I have kids...except I won't love him the same as my kids and he's 22 years old...but prez literally told me you need to try as God would love him...And I actually felt a spiritual prompting tell me that I need to stay with him to help him. I don't know exactly yet how I can cuz he's super  unteachable but maybe somehow!

We had Elder D Todd Christofferson come and talk to the whole mission on Saturday morning at 9:30 and he talked to us for a while. He knows Spanish, Uruguian, Portugese and I think another fluently....he's a super smart guy and he shook every missionary's hand and asked them where they are from! He talked a lot about faith in missionary work and how in the next life there will be a VERY SMALL group of people that will receive the blessings that the Lord's missionaries here on the earth will receive. His wife was also there with him and she gave a super good talk in Spanish too!

Also we were teaching Dario and he was completely hammered in front of us and was begging for us to stay with him and not leave while he went to buy another beer. I said a prayer for him in English and that helped him alot but he still went to buy the beer after. We talked to him for a little bit and he wanted to come to our lunch appt but we told him no. Sorry I'm typing very fast and trying to hurry cuz of time like always.

Later that week we met with Dario again and he was crying cuz he says that he misses his babies. He has 2 little girls of 3 and 5 years old that don't live with him cuz of his drinking and smoking habits but live with their mom. We just talked with him for a while and about how through Christ's atonement that he can come and be healed from his addictions.

MY Spanish is also becoming super good too!! People are starting to compliment my Spanish a lot!!

Yesterday I talked a lot with this ex missionera about how she can put back what other people say about about her in the past. She doesn't come to church because people talk about her past sins and others and she doesn't like that at all.

I'm learning lots but sorry my comp literally walked out on me in the middle of writing Suzy so I had to follow him and end all of my writing. Things are going better but I know with the Lord that I can help him and that God wants me to help him somehow. I'll find out that reason soon I'm sure.

I love you and the fam soooo much and I'm sooo grateful things are going good!!

Love ya pops!!

Elder Kohler Chamberlain:)

PS: I bought a super old camera for 300 pesos last week and next week I'm going to try and upload photos! I'm also getting a haircut later today so hopefully they don't make it all like I'm a thug or what not haha!!

Love ya!!

(letter to Mom today)

MOM!!

Hey read some of the things in dads email cuz I had to finish writing people from last week!!

Mom we're teaching a lot and doing a lot of good things here!

We had D Todd come in and talk to the whole mission and a TON of members later in the day in the main stake center in Mendoza Centro.

It's super hard to find time to write letters or go to the offices even being 15 20 minutes away by walk. But I'll try. I'm hoping and its most likely that I'll stay the next transfer soo I don't have to leave right before Christmas and be in a different area for different people.

HEY I BOUGHT AN OLD CAMERA!!! I'm not exactly sure if I'll be able to upload photos yet cuz I obviously haven't tried but I will this next weekend and I'll try to put in a small email for the blog too!

I'm getting a haircut later today too and the last time I got a haircut she literally made me look like this thugged out guy.Not used to the back of my hair-- it was still good but man I was like ohhh nooooo not like that haha! So we'll see today and I'll send you guys photos next week!

I love you tons ma!!  That's soo cool that you've been on that diet and losing 3 pounds in one week is actually really good!! 12 pounds a month!! Just keep doing whatever you did!!

Well ma I miss and love ya tons hot buns haha:) You're the best!!

Love your elder,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain:)

Letters from Grandma M. and Kelsey

Letter to his Grandma Marshall

Grandma!! its sooo good to hear from you!! Ya the language is coming better but it  still needs some work but I don't care because I know it will come.

Yes I miss my family sooo much but I won't abandon my God and Jesus Christ in their time of need. Especially everything they've done for me. I've been going through some tough things here but it's all good. I know God will back me up cause he will never give me something that I cannot do. I know that's true and it's true for all of us.

Hey grandpa sent me a letter but it came in a photo? I don't know how that happened haha! I could read part of it but I think there was more? I don't know maybe not haha!

I love you all sooo much!! I will lead this family and all the little ones beneath me Grandma! I promise. You can count on me.

Con muchissimo amor para usted y Grandpa:)

Su bisnieto mayor,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Letter to Kelsey

Kelsey it sounds like you're having a lot of fun. Yes they have Halloween here but we had to go to the pench (apartment) early cuz  there's a lot of drinking and fights in the streets. More on the outside of the town but still we were told to do it:/

That's sooo cool that you and Suzy went to the temple together!! I miss cafe Rio sooooo much!! By the way the pictures were super huge again so I couldn't really see all of them but I saw one with you and suzy at the temple and in front of cafe rio. You guys look sooo pretty! 

So you guys went to this party together as 80's workout chics? plzzz send me a picture of that ahaha! That's sooo funny!! I think you sent me one of you but they're soo big I can't tell! Only 2 were small --idk why. 

           I'm not getting along with my companion very well---hopefully things will work out                  soon.  He is 22 and nobody in the apartment likes him very much.  I am talking to President about it today.  We're teaching a bunch of people and trying to push people that are struggling with addictions too! I'm teaching this guy named Dario in English cuz he used to live in new york but then came back cuz his mom almost died of cancer. He used to work in forever 21 in new york and now sells fruit on the streets so that's sad. He has a wife with 2 little girls but he lives alone in this small cement house because he drinks way to much, smokes, and fights people at bars and has gotten thrown in jail many times.  I don't know---were gonna work with him!!

Oh this weekend D Todd Christofferson is coming to speak to all the missionaries!! And I found out the church bought property in a super rich area for a temple!! I'm sooo excited cuz that will be coming in the near future!! I'm glad to have helped in this!!

Kelsey I love you soooo much. You da best!! Stayyy goood homie:) Love ya<3

         Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Teaching Us About Pride, Forgiveness, and Faith

Elder Chamberlain with his companion Elder Viloria who was trained in the Columbian military (whoa!)

First Zone Conference for Elder Chamberlain.  He is in the back row, 6th from the right.

Elder Bleak is on the right and his sister is serving a mission in our ward in  Gilbert, AZ.

Hey Mom -

Just to answer really quickly, I didn't get your package but I do get yours and dad's letters! President told me in an interview that I'll probably be in my same area till February or so. So that's another 2 transfers.

Mom, I am so sorry you have sisters/families struggling in the ward.  I wish I knew everything...Life would be soo much easier haha. But I know a couple of things that you and dad taught me and that I've learned in my time out here. Some of them are things you and I already know but sometimes we need to RE-remember them and say, oh ya God promised those that do this, this or that blessing (etc).

Something that I learned from a general authority Elder Vineas to Hermana Goates when I was in their house was that pride is one of the things that usually gets to us. When people have pride in their hearts they forget the atonement. When people have a much more clear understanding of the atonement and realize that God sent his absolutely perfect son with no sins to die for those that had many...and yet he forgave us. Or the fact that we should be sooo grateful and just forget about problems that can make us mad or prideful and just say, you know what it doesn't matter. When we learn how to forgive more easily we have more humility...and the pride meter goes down...

There was not ONE reason that God needed to forgive us. Try and see this in this perspective. He had NOTHING that made it easier for him to forgive us, but yet he still forgave us. If people can think more like that and just move on from the past and try better tomorrow, life will be better for EVERYONE! I can promise that mom. I know that's true.  I don't know for exact reasons why you're the RS President, only that you're amazing, beautiful, hardworking, kind, humble, basically perfect, but in all seriousness, I don't know why---But I know God knows. 

This is where you can grow the most mom. I read a scripture that really helped me but I am soo bad with references.  I'm going to explain it to you.

When we have faith that God will help us do whatever he commands, we will ALWAYS be able and have the strength and energy to do it. Physically and spiritually. I pray everyday for the physical/spiritual/emotional strength to walk basically all over and still workout in the mornings and nights and read and talk to people, sometimes the same people over and over and over about the same problems and watch them cry over and over and over, but I'll always be there for them like my Savior has for me. No matter how many times they mess up.

I want to invite you to specifically pray for guidance, as well as the strength, energy, and power physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I pray and HAVE FAITH( you do this plzz:) ) that I will receive these things if I do so through prayer.

Anyway Ma this is what I have to tell you.  I hope this helps.  I know God is near, and I know we have those that were before us....and after us helping us. I've felt that here in the mission on nights where I was soo emotionally exhausted with the fact of being here for 2 years and why I had to sacrifice such a really really nice life back in AZ. But that's because I love the Lord and know he'll bless me and those I love.

Love ya tons ma and THANKS for the pics as always!! I love the trees and the Phoenix temple looks soooo amazing!! The Argentina Cordoba temple should be done before the next conference I heard but am not sure! I love ya!

Your missionary son,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain:)

Dear Dad -

Ya dad  I didn't realize but none of the homes or churches have AC. I was always just like ok I guess this is normal here but I don't sleep in my sleeping bag anymore so it's just my sheets. I've tried doing the same thing with the freezer too! It's just really small and only for ice packs so I can't really stick my head in! haha  Oh gosh dad we had worms from rotten food in the bottom of the trash can...!!! My comps aren't the cleanest people and they just throw eggs, meat, food in general in the trash without a liner and let it overfill till literally food is falling on the ground...it was sooo disgusting!! Man Saturday sounded like a lot of fun!!

Hey by the way how much money s on that personal card I have? I ran out of money and have been using it for food this last week. I pay about 30-40 US dollars every week for food and sometimes soap and other things to clean my garments at home. The Argentine peso is roughly like 10 to 1 dollar. I'm not sure but you can keep a good check up on that.  I just really want to take Elder Ruiz out to dinner because he is having a hard time with his companion and he doesn't have a lot of money to do things like that.

Dad I'm working soo hard and ya in this heat too!! We come home and we're literally drenched and it's kinda humid here too. We have two fans for the four of us and that's it. But I've found ways to get around.  I'll be fine and I've been doing it:) Noooo worries. But ya I'm teaching this guy in English!  He actually speaks pretty good cuz he lived in New York for 8 years then came back cuz his mom almost died of cancer. His name is Dario and has a wife with 2 little girls but lives alone in a small cement house (All the houses here are made out of cement cuz it's pretty poor but I think that's pretty popular here in Argentina) cuz he drinks and smokes too much. He's gotten in a lot of bar fights and has gone to jail several times but he has a sincere desire to change so I'm going to bring him a Book of Mormon tomorrow hopefully if he's there. He works all days cuz hes trying to sell fruit on the streets...He can make it with God haha.

Anyway we have more people like Dario and a lot of good things are happening here as well as bad/non progressing but it's ok cuz I'm only trying and that's fine. I feel bad for them but I'm not going to die.

I'm glad YOU and the fam are doing good dad! Always have humility and patience! Continue to pray for that all the time! Remember the humble and slow tortoise that beat the fast and arrogant rabbit? Ya you're the tortoise and I'm the tortoise cuz we will ALWAYS win when we have HUMILITY!! You're freakin awesome dad and I love you soo much!! Keep being the awesome person you are!! I look up to you sooo much!!

Love your son,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Allergies and Kenny G

So this week was a good one! We got to teach A LOT of lessons but it's starting to get super hot here! One of the days the wind really picked up too so that was nice but then it was replaced with my super bad allergies.  I went to the farmacia and got some stuff that would help. Apparently the drugs this girl gave me were super strong tho cuz I took one right after and seriously was sooo tired. I was like "ah freak--- vamos!" I can do this. Why am I sooo tired in the middle of a lesson??  Then the family we were teaching asked me if I was super tired and  I told them that I took two of these pills I had bought.  They told me that I should only take those at night and that they are SUPER powerful! I don't know why they needed to be that strong but they just were? LOL  Sometimes I'm really confused with how things go here haha but it's whatever!

We sang to a couple families this week and that was fun! I got to sing a verse in english for families can be together forever and they really likied that haha. They think people that can speak english is the coolest thing ever.

When I speak a little bit to my comp in front of people on the bus everybody just stares at me. They have absolutely no idea what I'm saying. Maybe it's the same in Spanish haha. My spanish is coming along but ya it's another language so I know it's going to take more time.

We also taught German and his family about faith and more on prayer. After, they fed us facturas which are almost like danishes? And we listened to Eminem on their phones haha.  It was a lot of fun. They're progressing but I want to push it a little faster.

So the Leon family! They love music! Sister Leon loves Kenny G and played it while we had lunch with them! I felt like it was christmas and I was with dad while putting on some Kenny G haha. It was weird...The dad is literally one of those crazy guitarists that's basically professional and plays super fast! It's like the latino songs dad would play literally haha.

They're all super good at singing I found out cause after lunch they turned on a bunch of disney songs( in spanish obviously) and they started singing. Then they were telling me to come in so I did with my comp haha. It was actually a lot of fun! They had the lyrics up on their computer and everything!

Anyway I can't send pics on my camera because it's too new. Maybe sometime soon or I'll just buy another camera here.  I love you tons mom and I'm doing super well! That's sooo funny about Hailey with the song ahaha. I can totally imagine that. When does Jordan and Tristan leave on their missions??

I love you tons mom and dad!! Sorry if I don't always respond to everything-- my comp is being dumb and wants to go get food but I tell him family is un poco mas importante que comida chavon....whatever..

Love and miss you all! Hope everybody is doing good!

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Vandalism in the Church but Things Are Great

Hey Everyone -  I had another great week!

Dad how tall is Spencer??  Wow------Man it looks like you guys had a ton of fun in San Francisco!

Ya we've been teaching a lot. One story we had and sorry I don't have a lot of time cuz today is a holiday and they're gonna close this place in a little bit. We taught this family whose wife's husband had died just a year earlier. She had already known about the plan of salvation but she was soo happy that we were there. She has a severe problem with walking so she can't really go to church. I had to help her just to sit down! But we're thinking about possibly us or others taking the sacrament to her every Sunday.

Oh ya this last Sunday-- Dad our entire church and specifically the chapel were completely THRASHED!! The pulpit, benches cut up, sacrament table, doors, windows, primary classes and other pictures of Christ completely thrashed and spray painted...I didn't see it all cuz the police were getting finger prints and they'll find them soon which I'm a little scared if they do find them cuz I don't want some angry mobbers lookin for some nice missionaries ha ha!....but anyway we went to another chapel in Trapiche, Godoy Cruz which was about 6 miles away and ya we walked... We honestly walk soo much. But it's all good cuz I know it's helping me burn off the bad food we eat here ha ha!

Mom, how's your calling going?  I have specific things that I pray for consistently every night and one of those is that you'll have the spirit  to direct and lead the women of our ward. I hope that's happening haha.

YA Maybe I can watch Meet the Mormons if I find it! There's a ton of pirated movies being sold on the streets and a bunch are american movies! Maybe I might see it?

And mom don't feel bad cuz I actually have natural gas in my pench (apartment) again! Soo I've got hot showers!! It's was only for about 2 weeks or soo.

We're teaching a lot of people but sometimes I get mad cuz there are a ton....a TON of people that literally think they know just about everything and they're teaching us. I've actually found that I'm very patient and humble with others Mom and sooo that has been such a huge blessing in my life right now. 

Hey btw I'm in Estanzuela Godoy Cruz. Godoy cruz is the province in Mendoza and Estanzuela is just the area. It's very far west of centro Mendoza cuz I'm the city right by the Andes mountains. Barrio Estanzuela Godoy Cruz. Can you find out where I sleep too? If you do take snapshots on the computer and send them to me if you want:)

Everything is good Mom. I'm coming sooo close to God and literally feel his love for me. I know that whatever happens in my lfie he won't forsake me as his missionary and his child. He will help guide me and only that to have the best life I can have.

Suzy sent me this super cool package of letters like Kelsey did! By the way tell Kelsey I have opened up several of her letters and I read them over again when I need too. The worst for me is just that I really have nobody to speak English with. I live with latinos and am always with latinos. The only americans are the prez and his wife which I rarely see obviously, and other missionaries. Theres a couple of senior american missionaries that I saw at conference but that's it. I feel lonely sometimes but its all good cuz I just workout or read the scriptures. Plus Elder Tirado is cool and he makes this really fun for me with ihis music and all.

OH MY GOSH you have to look up this song.

The song is called   "Cuidado con la bomba" it literally means careful with the bomb.  It's so funny.  I don't know what chita means but I sing it with them sometimes ahaha -- Alex Boye, that black singer which all the latinos apparently really like a lot, is another one my comps like to listen to.

Anyway sooo I'm almost at 4 months which is kinda cool and crazy to think about haha! I promise you I don't think about the time a lot but it's just cool that its starting to pick up a lil' faster:)

Much love mama:)

Y por la manera, Estoy pensando sobre que yo debo dar a ustedes para navidad. No se todivia pero lo hare...yo espero...jaja

 (LETTERS FROM OCTOBER 6TH)

Dad I love the photos as always!! MOM LOOKS SOO GOOD TELL HER THAT!! 

I'm sooo sad to hear that about sister Lloyd! But to be honest I know she is in a better place right now and she's not suffering from all of those things she needs to just stay alive.

Soo conference was soooo cool!! They had the gringo room but I actually went to the offices with the AP's so there were only like 8 people with SETH SCOTT!!  So good to see him!  He's gained a lot of weight though and only been out like 8 months . . .

We watched Conference the same time but we started priesthood at 9 at night. We watched every session and they were all soo good! I love Elder Holland as always!! Such a direct and super smart guy. You can't help but feel like what he's saying is just right.  He speaks with a lot of confidence and power. There were a TON of people in the stake center!! Many members!! About 3-400 or soo!! I was really happy!! More soo for the Sunday sessions tho.

So we're still just doing a lot of teaching and a lot of appts. We're going to invite 4 people to be baptized this month. I feel it a lil pushy but My comp doesn't think so, so I'm going with him.

Oh my gosh that sounds fun being at grandmas house! Send me a bunch of photos when you guys are doing fun things that we'd always do!! 

Love you sooo much dad and I want you to know that I'm learning lots! God is protecting me and blessing me with the most AMAZING things in my life. 

Love ya tons Pops!

Mom!!! And Dad...!! haha I love you both sooo much!! Im sorry for the mix up I try to hurry and my comp is really dumb about the time because apparently he thinks playing soccer and eating is more important. Idk... but I honestly dont care about him. Hes super strict but loves to wokr hard which is cool. He jsut trys to be perfect and its pretty annoying but Ive worked with him a lot. He just kinda getsd offended cuz hes my "trainer" and Im helping him with humility and patience.

MOM you and Dad too look soooo good!! Are you guys working out or dieting/ etc. I don't wanna sound weird but you guys just look good lol. 

How's your calling going ma?? Conference was sooo awesome!! Ya Elder uchtdorf and holland are the best dad!

By the way dad I'm getting your letters but they're a little longer cuz I have to go to the office but I still get them cuz the office is only about 20 mins away from me. My comp likes to rather do work tho.He thinks its breaking the rules if we're not reading the scrips or working literally every second of the day and I laid down the line for him in a very mature appropriate way so it's allll goood:) 

Hows the biz going too dad? I pray all the time for that!

MOM how's school and the temple for you? Is Kelsey still going with Suzy or at least by herself? By the way Suzy was asking if you guys ever needed anything so if you do let her know. She could babysit or something idk if you guys wanted:) Thanks for staying in contact with her at least every now and then that super cool of you guys and I really appreciate it.

SO we had a lot of teaching appts this week and more to come. Carri and Carrina aren't coming to church and I even bought Carri a jacket to leave in the morning but she doesn't come still. Whatever. 

I love you guys soo much!! It's crazy I've almost been gone for 4 months now... 2 more and I'll be calling you guys!! I'm super stoked for that!! 

I love you tons MOM....and Dad!! I'll write a story next week and thank you sooo much for praying for me!! I literally have to force myself sometimes to not think of you guys a lot cuz its had but at the same time I love it and they're only sweet thoughts! I love you tons!!

Con amor, su hijo magnefico,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

Positive Spiritual Experiences

(letter to Everyone)

Soo this week was a super busy and spiritual week. I honestly thought I was working hard but now being with a past zone leader I know. I feel sooo good! I'm truly in the grind now. We're teaching sooo many people and the other day we had 16 cold contacts and taught 5 lessons! Carri and Carrina didn't come to church again which made me pretty sad but we're still going and teaching them.

We met a super nice family where there are 10 kids...hmmmm;) The wife is an inactive member and her husband is super humble and has been telling us that hes been looking for a religion and time and time again he thought he had found it and then felt as if he were let down somehow. We invited him and this girl Nancy to come that were teaching too. German( the guy with 10 kids) didn't answer the door and Nancy said that her son was sick and needed to take care of him. So we went to church by ourselves. 

German actually had a friend over too that was really interested. They both work on cars for a living and there shop is in there small back yard. He was telling us of how his mother had died and we were talking about the plan of salvation. His face literally lit up and you could see this hope in his eyes that he could see her again. We bore our testimonies and promised him that he would see his mom again and that if he lived the word of God he could live with here and Heavenly Father again.

I don't know why everything happens, especially why loved ones have to die. It's hard for me to write this even now cause I know what were supposed to believe but if someone died that I loved a lot my life would be pretty messy. We have many things that can help us with our sorrows-- Like the Atonement. But they are not to just take them away. They're to help, which means it will still be a great struggle we will have. But in the end I know that everything will be made right. I honestly have no clue how that's going to happen or how that could even happen, I just know that it will.

I hope you all are having a great week and are doing well. I miss you all sooo much and it's hard but I know that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven. Just as Joseph Smith said. Love you all!

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

(letter to Mom)

MOM....!! My gosh I miss you sooo much. This week was super busy but Kind of rough. I'm soo glad you're doing well in your calling!! YOU ARE SOO BUSY!!!! But that's my ma! You're a hard worker and God knows that too which is why YOU were called and not somebody else. I'm sure you're growing a lot but its hard. It's really hard for me. We've been working soo much but sometimes it's just hard to comprehend that I'll be gone for the time I've been called. I sometimes have fear for the future too but know that God will help me have more faith that everything will be alright. My favorite quote right now is that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. I truly believe in that and want to continue to believe in that. I'm seeing soo many blessings in different ways for me right now and for you guys but nothing like seriously grand I guess? I don't know. I'm guessing I'll see them when I come home from my mission.:) Being away from all of you guys has truly helped me realize how good life was for me. Happiness TRULY comes from family and I can only hope that one day I can have a beautiful wife and family too. 

We were teaching as I said in my main email( which sorry I didnt write one for the past 2 weeks I kinda forgot and was busy too but that's always)

Mom this guy German we're teaching is soo humble! We're going to teach him again on Tuesday! His friend( Who I forgot his name) literally had the biggest smile on his face when we told him that he'd see his mom again and that he can live with her and our heavenly father for eternity. I felt the spirit soo strong. I had a couple other similar experiences but this one was the best. I'm really happy doing this work but at the same time I'm not completely happy. I was super curious why until I heard Elder Olaya my comp say that we are suffering with joy. It made me think of the Savior actually. He suffered with joy. Don't think I'm comparing myself with him cuz I'm definitely not but its the same kind of relation. He suffered with joy. He didn't want to do what he had to do and even asked if he didn't have to! But he did it cuz he loved his Father and his family. Which is all of us. 

Mom I love this pics of Costa Rica!! I'm sure you guys learned a lot! Ya you guys not understanding Spanish was and still kinda is me. Everyday. But teaching and them looking at me weird ha... But it's whatever cuz I know the Lord know I'm trying and that's all he expects of me so I feel good about myself. My comp loves to work and we are doing soo much. We actually have 2 family nights were going to! Noches de hogares. In english it means nights of homes but family night is noche de hogar.   IDK  LOL ha ha!  I'm teaching one of them and it's about the atonement. My favs are the Atonement and about eternal families. Which all kinda have some relation with each  other. I'm super nervous but super pumped too. I hope if they don't understand me that they can at least feel the spirit.

I love you soooo much mom. I got some dear elders by the way and they made my week!!  Tell Spencer and Hailey that with you guys I pray for them by name all the time too.  Every night prayer.  (Mom,  my comp says longer prayers than me....it's kinda cool haha)

Love ya tons mom!!   I know I'll see ya soon<333

Love your son,

Elder Kohler Chamberlain

(parts of his letter to his Dad)

Dad---We had a SAFE and fun week! I miss my other comp Elder Viloria but he's having fun with his family and girlfriend right now and he deserves to be there. 

Oh and ya renting a house there with one of those on the beach of Costa Rica would be kinda awesome. OH MY GOSH. Those are some pretty houses. I'm really excited for the future.

Dad this week and the next I'm trying to learn more about the atonement. I'm trying to grow my love for the Savior so I can be better and be stronger. I really wish I was stronger cuz I miss you all sooo much. There's times where I really just wish I was with you guys but I know and truly believe that sacrifice will bring forth the blessings of heaven. I'm seeing them now but not in like... a grand or big way. Maybe there are blessings to come which I really believe that's the case.

I'm still working out but not running much. But if we walk about 5-6 miles a day that's good right? Anyway, I miss you all soo much. Being away from family and those I loved really has shown me How truly blessed I was. Sometimes I feel like it will be forever until I can have that back in my life again but I know I will have it again someday. I just need to be more positive.

 Love ya tons Dad. I'll see ya soon:)

Elder Kohler Chamberlain