1-23-11

Hey Mom (and Dad),
Yeah, I'm so lucky I get to stay again. Right now it's kinda slow, because our main progressing investigator is Vedrene, who is leaving this week. But it's really awesome because a lot of people are starting to hand out their Book of Mormon's, starting with the little kids. Like Jaden Taylor (7 yrs old) gave a Book of Mormon with her testimony to her old school aid the day after she got the Book of Mormon. I like that quote Dad said. That's why member missionaries works so well, because they already have that relationship built. Elder Williams and I were just talking about how the last couple Sunday's have been the most spiritual and the most we've ever paid attention, and part of it is because we know and care about the people speaking, and understand their intent and where they're coming from. Also, I'm sure that a lot of the people who reject us, especially tracting, comes from not knowing who we really are. In fact, the Edler's quorum lesson yesterday was Elder Uchtdorf's talk of Things that Matter Most. And it's our relationship with God, our family, our fellow men, and ourselves that matter most in this life. I've been thinking lately especially about my relationship with Heavenly Father. My thoughts were I know that He loves me. I just need to make sure that He knows that I love Him. And I can do that by the choices that I make and what I do with my time. That also includes if I act on the impressions that He gives me through the Holy Ghost. So, I'm going to try to listen more carefully for things I feel directed to do, and then be willing to do it.
That's what I learned this week. I've been feeling crummy with a cold or something all week, and it just humbled me a little bit and got me thinking. I finally asked for a blessing yesterday so I'm starting to feel better. I actually gotta go soon. There's a lady that needs some help. I love you Mom and Dad, have a great week.
Elder Bryce Wainwright

PS- "Stay safe and be smart" isn't what I was thinking when you said we're covered again with Dad's insurance ;)

1-18-11

Hey,
Sounds like a fun weekend for you and the kids. That's awesome Mark gave Gary his old Xbox and I'm glad you gave him our game. That's cool Grandma, Janet, and Grandma and Grandpa got to come too. It was nice to get their email too.
So, I get to stay here another transfer! I'm staying with Elder Williams too. In fact, all of SouthEast Alaska stayed the same. I've been senior companion with Elder Williams. We were going to teach Vedrene today, but she's sick so she said tomorrow. I'll try and get her address. We just have her cell phone.
Today we tested our luck at catching a halibut from shore, but it is pretty slim luck. I don't think there's much of anything in the water except little herring and starfish. It keeps raining and snowing back and forth.
Sorry I don't have much to say. I'm way glad to be staying in Ketchikan and wasn't even worried about transfer calls, it'll be 7 1/2 months after this transfer. The work slowed down a little because Susan got baptized and a few appointments fell through, but it should only pick up even more.
Love you Mom,
Elder Bryce Wainwright

1-10-11

Hey Mom,
Susan's baptism went so well, thanks. This whole week was great. Elder Williams and I have already seen some effects of this fast in our work and in our members' efforts. We had a cool tracting experience where this black lady from North Carolina, Vedrene, who came up for 3 months to work at the hospital, invited us right in and wanted to hear our message. She'd never talked to Mormon missionaries before and liked everything we talked about. She said she felt like Joseph Smith and hasn't found a church that she can totally agree with and believe in. We're teaching her again tomorrow. She's so accepting of everything we feel like she'd likely accept an invitation to be baptized. The only problem is she's going back to North Carolina at the end of the month(Is Cody in North Carolina?). A few of the ward members have told us they've already handed out their Book of Mormons and most said it was easier than they thought. It's a pretty amazing thing that's going on. Mom, I can mail you one of the 100,100,100 programs and then you can show that to Sister Hintze. Having Susan's baptism right at the beginning of the fast and having President and Sister Dance there and speaking at Sacrament helped so much at getting this program started.
At Susan's baptism, her boss gave a talk on baptism, then Elder Williams baptized her, and President Dance bore his testimony while they were changing. Then Susan's friend Wendy DeGraffenried gave a great talk and told about Susan's conversion and then her own. She was how Susan was introduced to the church at nursing school in Anchorage and she flew down from Wasilla to be here for the baptism. It was cool too, because I found out that Wendy's kids were in my ward in Wasilla.
On Sunday I got to confirm Susan and then President and Sister Dance both spoke on member missionary work. During the whole
block I could feel the Spirit so strong.
I have never spent so much time with President and Sister Dance my whole mission. It was way cool. They flew in Saturday at 1pm and met us at their hotel and fed us at the restaurant there. Then we went to the church and they met Helen West and another recent convert family while we set up for the baptism. The bishop and his family fed us in the sunday school room after the baptism so President could talk with the bishop. They followed us around Sunday too, and we had long 45 minute interviews with President Dance. It was cool to get to know them better. Yes, it was a little stressful taking them around the whole time:) But really they are the most loving, caring people and it was cool to see how they interact with people.
Well, I can see that my letter is getting WAY to long, so I better quit writing fast.
I can get you Sister Taylor's email. Her son, Travis, just quit basketball because the coach was tearing him down. And on Saturday he flew down to St. George to live with his aunt so he can play for Pine View. Not only that his aunt is the one who lives in Brandon's neighborhood and ward. Crazy, huh? Watch out for him, I gave him a painting I just did to give to Brandon. I haven't decided if I want to keep it or give it to you and Dad. Here's a picture of the Taylors and Travis is the one on the right. You can't miss him. He's 6'4" and knows it. I'll tell Brandon to keep an eye on him too.
Love you,
Elder Bryce Wainwright

1-2-11

They really made a Wipe Out game? That's awesome, but still wouldn't be the same as going there. I'm glad everyone liked their gifts. I figured I should get some kind of Alaska souvenirs while I was here. It was fun finding them. I actually started a while ago. Could you let Grandma Snow know I got a big memory card with her money she gave me? I'm glad you had a couple good days at the beach. We're all the Wainwright's there? Sounds like you had a crazy week. Especially on the way back from the beach. You probably have deeper snow in St. George than I have had here. It's raining again today so our snow is gone again. I had a great New Years! The Taylor's got a ping pong table for Christmas so we had a ping pong tournament and played Farkle, a dice game that's way fun. Earlier we helped out at the Pioneer Home New Year's party and we toasted and sang Auld Lang Syne. Something else cool is we taught our investigator Kim and she finally prayed with us. I think it was her first time ever praying out loud. She might have just done it because we've asked her to so much, but it was a good prayer and she seemed happier after.
This fast Sunday was great. I can't remember if I've talked about it before, but our ward is starting a fast for missionary work where different families will trade off fasting for 100 days. It started yesterday and we had a great fireside last night to start it off. A couple that was baptized a few years ago gave their conversion stories. Then Susan Nolte shared her testimony. She was nervous, but did so great and it was so cool to have her speak when she's so new and excited and hasn't even been baptized yet. Then our ward mission leader's wife gave her conversion story. After that, our Relief Society President, who got this whole thing going, talked about having courage to share our testimonies. Then we went in the gym and had 100 Book of Mormon's for the ward to write their testimonies in the cover and give out during the fast. We gave out about 80, which was more than I expected with how many people were there. Hopefully we can give out the other 20 next Sunday when President Dance and Sister Dance are coming down to talk in church about missionary work. They'll also be here on Saturday for Susan's baptism as well. I'm way excited for this next year. I wish I could stay here longer to see how this fast helps out. It would be nice to at least have another baptism set up before I leave. Even if not, I've been so blessed with the success I've had already.
Cool quote mom. Are you excited to be teaching the New Testament now?
I love you all. Have a great week.
Elder Bryce Wainwright