10-10-10

Hey Mom
I'm glad you liked the pictures. I had fun taking them. I kinda wish I'd taken more. Mostly just of all the people I've met. It's actually quite amazing how many life stories you can hear in a day. I love hearing different peoples attitudes about life, and hopefully I've been able to improve a couple. Even if it's just by being there to let them think out loud.
In the video, Elder Offley was eating African Kayan Pepper which is like 10x hotter than normal kayan pepper. I'll have to eat it soon too. At a year most missionaries burn a shirt. I tried to burn a tie, but it didn't really burn. And I really have been trying to be safe. I haven't climbed up any buildings or poles or anything like that. And the flame thing was a trick photo shot. But I'll remember to be more careful.
Yesterday church was cancelled because there was another big storm and the whole town was out of power and a telephone line was blocking the church. North and South of town will be out of power for half the week.
We got 2 new investigators this week, which was a great blessing for us. And we would have had a third if we had church because Helen West was going to take her friend and she wants us to baptize her. Helen is already such a strong member and is working on her husband and kids too. It's sounds like you guys have had a busy and good week too. Tell Julia happy birthday for me if you're still there. I don't think I got anything for her, dang it.
So, I gotta go and I love you Mom,
Bryce

PS- I fixed the violin bow with a $3 piece so it's good

10-3-10

Hey,
That does sound like a fun conference weekend. The pictures are great too. The kids are really growing up. I miss them. Liam has a way funny character. I'll never forget the conference up on Gooseberry Mesa.
That reminds me. I really liked the talk about building character. Except I can't even remember who gave it now. Also, Jeffrey R. Holland's really stuck out to me. It was way different than all his previous talks and it was a good way to start out conference. You might not have heard it because it was one of the first. It made me feel content with where I'm at and that Heavenly Father is pleased. It was more just a good moment for me, than something he was specifically saying. I also liked Elder Uchtdorf's definition of humility as focusing less on yourself and more on others. Last night and the night before at dinner, we talked about our favorite talks so that kinda made up not getting to do it with you guys, but that's definitely my favorite part of conference.
Sorry, I gotta go. The computers are being used up here at the college. Hope I said everything.
Love you and always look up to you.
Bryce

Violin

Hey Mom!
Thanks so much for the violin and everything. It's so awesome. I liked the piano music just as much as the violin. I don't know the Alvey's very well so it's cool that they did that for me.
Anyway, I don't have a ton of time because we're going to Juneau again today for our Zone Conference. We have the Prince of Whales missionaries with us already. Elder Paul Piper of the 70 will be training us so I'm excited. It'll be my first gen. authority here.
I'm glad you talked to Tasia. She is very thoughtful.
I'm way happy to hear Dad will be working a little with Crystal.
So, I don't think I said I wouldn't want to live in St. George. What I meant is I don't think I could stand never coming back here.
Man, I still haven't told you about this "epic" week. Helen West got baptized Saturday and I confirmed her yesterday. She's so amazing. She's had a fever the past couple days, but she still got baptized. She said even if we had to carry her to the baptism, she wasn't going to let Satan keep her from getting baptized. Her husband wasn't there, which was sad, but she's already working on her kids.
Well, I'm doing great and am very happy! I hope you're doing the same!
Love,
Bryce

PS- This week I'll have been out for a year. That's crazy!

9-5-10

Hey Mom,
It sounds like it was a good trip up to Mark and Emily's. That is a funny guy that called. We met him at church and he said he needed 3 Book of Mormons to give out. He bore his testimony and said he wanted to serve a mission, but found out he had frontal lobe damage and couldn't. But he's been in 5 mission presidencies and is an awesome missionary. I was going to forewarn you about the call but it was too late.
We were able to teach Helen again and finally teach Natasha(another investigator). But, neither of them came to Church yesterday. Natasha was busy, but we don't even know why Helen didn't come. I'm not really worried about her not being at church, but she wouldn't answer her phone either. We have a really motivated new ward mission leader and Relief Society President so our less active work is improving a lot.
So, I think I'll just send in this deferment paper. Thanks though. I let you know if I need anything else.
Oh yeah. I've been meaning to ask you what you mean by "J". I think your saying just kidding, but usually people abbreviate it with "JK". But I like J, too. :)
I didn't comment last time about what you were saying about pornography. That is pretty crazy. I think I understand a little how destructive it is. Even if it wasn't so addictive and hard to remove, it just degrades and makes worthless the most sacred gift Heavenly Father has given us. A big reason I want to do animation is so I can help make good entertaining movies that kids can watch without having to worry about inappropriate or immoral content in it.
Well, I'm so grateful for everything you and Dad have taught me and how you raised me. Have a great day. I love you.
Bryce

PS- picture of me and Elder Offley above Ketchikan