Thoughts on Being a Missionary by Sister Chamberlain

Since we have been on our mission (almost 5 months) we have come to appreciate how senior

couples are desperately needed all over the world. There are so many wards and branches that long for experienced people in the gospel. We have come to appreciate that being called as Public Affairs missionaries does not mean that is what we do all the time or even most of our day. We serve here in the Asia Area Office, which means we really do wear a lot of hats. It makes for many experiences.

We serve as temple workers once a week. That is a highlight of our week. We get to serve in a temple that services 1/2 the world and 11 different languages on a regular basis. There are temple missionaries here but they still need more help, so we are privileged to do that. 

We serve in a branch with Filipina sisters, which means we wear many hats on Sundays. For instance I have played the organ in Sacrament meeting and last Sunday I had to last minute practice with the choir to perform a number in church that very day. I serve as a Self Reliance facilitator, which is a two hour lesson every Sunday for two hours before church. Chuck serves as a branch presidency 1st counselor, which means he may conduct Sacrament meeting and then go teach a Sunday school class. He also sings in the ward choir. Then of course there is the accounting that goes on after the meetings.

We also help out with other missionaries and their projects, which might include fixing food, doing dishes, or whatever grunt work is needed. 

This sounds like a lot of things and it looks tiring to even read this myself but I have learned that being a missionary means you have a mantle associated with that calling that is a feeling I have never experienced in my life. The Spirit carries you through the day and you have more energy than you should have. You work long hours and go to bed so tired you fall right to sleep. But somehow those 7-8 hours of sleep totally renew your body and spirit to start a new day.

 

I don't know how it works but I can see that serving a mission feels like you have a closer and more direct connection to the Lord. It seems that inspiration comes more readily and feeling the love of the Savior for others flows more easily than at home. It is a feeling and experience that I want to relish every minute I have it.

 

Serving a mission is the best Self Development course available. The Lord knows exactly how you can serve in your calling and assist those around you. He also knows the areas of your life that need a little help and we are given opportunities to grow and learn from others.

Aprons, Octopus's, and Amazing Friends

Elder Chamberlain did "bar tending" duties at the blender with Elder Powell and Sister Powell. This was at the Mission Presidents' training seminar for all Mission Presidents in Asia. There were six brand new Mission Presidents being trained for their three year stints. What was the drink? Watermelon with a splash of lime. 

Sister Chamberlain with Asia Area Seventies (Church leaders), and Elder Randy Funk of the Asia Area Presidency (on the right). She was the resident expert who helped these gentlemen create their portion of a meal to be eaten by all other general authorities in the room. They had a great time, and some of these guys can really cook!  

New Friend, Nicole, who is a cashier at the grocery store near our office in Wan Chai. She's a very sweet 18-year-old Catholic girl that we see every time we go to the store. She has noticed a lot of wrinkled old missionaries like us coming and going. After having lunch with her, we gave her a Book of Mormon and paused for this picture before she went back to work and we went back to our office down the street. 

Accompanied our dear friend, Diana, to this branch in Tung Chung for a missionary-going-away BBQ. As soon as Diana set foot in the chapel, she started "fellow-shipping" the members there--even though this was the first time she had ever been to a church gathering. She even sought out the most backward of the group and talked to them most of the night, helping them with their problems and making sure they felt accepted and loved. Future Relief Society president. 

BBQ included octopus, fish balls, chicken, pork, and even roasted honeydew melon with garlic. Unusual tastes 

Our little Diana at the BBQ with Elders Dale (from U.K.) and Elder Cerdon who was going home the next day.