4-18-10

Hey Mom,
Thanks so much for your letter. And the birthdays. I can't believe I couldn't remember yours and I always mix up Brandon's and Crystal's. That is great to hear that Emily is pregnant. I assumed she was from what you said.
It's amazing how the "primary answers" for the gospel are really the primary answers to most our needs. Like it's amazing Liam already knows that Jesus Christ was Resurrected.
I can totally see how you were describing Joshua. It's awesome he can entertain himself so well. He's so tuff too.
That was cool to hear how mission calls are made.
Man, I was hoping Matt would get to stay in Argentina, but I'm sure this trial will strengthen him like you were saying about Elder Scott. Let him know he's in my prayers too.
This week we've seen some progress with some people we tracted into. One guy knows some members, started to read the Book of Mormon, and was going to come to church, but didn't make it. Another lady we gave a Book of Mormon to also has a friend in the ward that we found out about. So that makes it nice to have members who have the trust of the people already. We found another guy who is a really tuff guy to teach. He used to be a preacher and now he doubts if God even exists. He thinks that man just make up God to have a reason to have their will done. He also knows there's many errors and contradictions in the Bible so he doesn't take any of it for truth, and he thinks the Book of Mormon is the same way. We got him to commit to read some of the Book of Mormon though. It's hard to help him recognize God's hand in his life when he questions everything. He says he wants to know if God really exists, but he's not willing to make that necessary step of faith before his witness will come. I'm sure he's had some witnesses and just hasn't recognized them. Anyway, we're trying to find anyone who might be ready for the gospel, but I can see how Satan makes people, and us, be busy just to be busy and miss out on important opportunities. I really hope I never miss one because I didn't listen to the Spirit.
I love you Mom. Thanks for thinking of me. I'm thinking of you too.
Love,
Bryce

PS Could you tell Ionut Happy Birthday and make sure he knows how grateful I am for him and how much I miss him. Thanks!

4-11-10

Hey Mom,
My bite is fine. I didn't get stitches or anything and I was taken care of. One lady in the ward stitched and patched my pants up and Sister Jones who does our laundry gave me some stuff to put on it.
We've been giving out a lot of Book of Mormons, but haven't been able to get any return appointments really. Except one lady has actually been reading the Book of Mormon so we'll definitely keep working with them. She works on Sundays though:(
A less active woman fell down her stairs in the middle of the night and died who us and our Ward Mission Leader and his wife have been getting to really know and make progress with. Her husband is really having a hard time and blaming himself because he always gets up to help her down stairs. I think that talk from Elder Scott about trusting in the Lord would help him. I hope this experience will allow him to come in closer to the church and not push him away. It will always be hard though.
It was Elder Simmons birthday on Emilies birthday so that was fun. We had a little party at our dinner appointment. I made him breakfast, but I felt kinda bad I didn't get him anything. (and we cooked up some red salmon for lunch)
I gave a five minute talk on Sunday. That was the least nervous I've ever been to give a talk, but only because I prayed and was talking about the Restoration.
Dang I feel bad I missed Grandma's birthday. I guess I missed Gary and Sara's too. I don't really know when everyone's is. This is bad, but Mom is yours on May 20th?
They days now are about normal summer days, but we gain like 5 min a day.
I was going to send you more pictures but I forgot my camera.
I'm glad Dad is busy and tell him I love him too! You should send some pictures of Grandma's place when it's done and stuff.
I love you so much and think about you both every day
Take care! and I will too.
Love, Bryce

Easter Sunday

Hey Mom and Dad,
Thanks so much for both your letters. I feel like I'm learning so much about you and your strong testimonies. It definitely gives me strength. Myldsmail wasn't working for a while and I don't have too much time so I'm afraid I'll have to be a little brief.(especially compared to Mom's letter)
Conference was amazing! Either it gets better each time or I listen better each time. I agree Mom that it seemed to go by fast and when President Monson spoke, I think at the end of Saturday afternoon,(actually it was Priesthood) I felt that Heavenly Father was speaking through him to me. Not even necessarily by what he was saying either. Elder Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood was my favorite or the one I needed most, and Elder Eyrings. I liked how he said "patience is actively working towards worthy goals, and not getting discouraged when you don't see results"(or something like that). Patience and diligence have a lot to do with each other I think. We still don't have any investigators so we're working on both of those things and also trying to stay light hearted and enthusiastic when we talk to people. Elder Simmons recorded conference on his audio recorder so we listened to Elder Uchtdorf's again.
I'm so glad everything seems to be going well with you. I just heard there's 11 inches of snow in St. George from a member's cousin. Is that possible? (no)
We went running this morning for about 2 miles. It was pretty warm, but it about killed me. We also hiked a little mountain last Monday. It's so great to excercise and not have to wear a coat.
I love you all,
Have a great rest of the week.
Bryce

PS
I got bit by a dog behind the knee right after conference. The first door we tracted a dog tried to bite Elder Simmons, then the very next door as we were walking away another dog nipped me and tore my pants on the seam. Only 3 teeth punctured skin. It's not anything like Bruce's dog bite.
I'm sending a couple pictures too. I only have one 4GB card, so I probably won't send it for a while.