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

12-20-10

Hey Mom,
It's weird Christmas is in 5 days already. I'm most likely going to call you from one of the Taylor's cell phones. They all have Verizon. If that doesn't work I'll just give you a call and you can call me back. I think I mixed up the time change. If I call at 10 my time, it will be 12 your time. So I'll call around 10. I hope that works. Don't let Brandon sleep in. I could send you a bottle of water if you need ;)
Thank you so much for the Christmas package! You guys are so awesome. I especially love the dried mango and berries and I've been wanting almonds. The little tree was awesome too. I thought you were talking about the one I set up last year. You can never have too much Christmas decorations. I put it in the back room where I keep my stuff. I still have the 2 gifts and Elder Williams mom sent me a stocking. That CD of Brandon and Valorie is way awesome too. I'll have to listen to that on Christmas Eve, because they'll probably be singing to you guys then.
Hope those cards get sent out alright too.
Well, we have a lot of good stuff going on right now, but I think I'll just talk to you about it all on Saturday. One sad thing is the Ebry's, who we've been teaching lately to help Sister Ebry, are struggling pretty bad right now. Brother Ebry has been trying so hard to have a righteous household, but Sister Ebry doesn't have that same desire. The sad thing is that she knows she's not happy and she knows what she needs to do, but doesn't have the faith to do it. Anyway, that's just on my mind. I'll try and have some good stories to tell you guys and hope to hear EVERYTHING about how you are doing. I love you.
Elder Bryce Wainwright

PS- Pictures: My little Christmas tree, and Harley from the Pioneer Home (he's one of my favorites) we've been helping them a lot.

12-12-10

Hey Mom,
That's cool that lady came to the Christmas party. It's funny how sometimes all it takes for people to do something or change is to be invited by someone who they know cares about them. And it helps so much when they see that the whole ward cares about them. We just had a Christmas party too. It was fun and we had a pretty good showing too. Did you guys do the Night in Bethlehem again? That's always cool. Tonight were going to start the 12 days of Christmas for the Ebry's. The Taylor's have never done it before so we're having the kids do it with us. They are pretty excited.
I'm so glad Valerie and Seth are doing so well. Tell Brandon thanks for the pictures and for writing. I can tell Joshua loves him. It looked kinda scary with all those tubes hooked up to him.
Wow. I will be calling you in less than 2 weeks. So, last time Bruce wanted to somehow talk to me as well. I still don't really see how that could work. If you know when Bruce is calling then I can call on Christmas eve or whenever that would be for me. Or else I'll call Christmas morning around 9 or 10 probably which would be 11 or 12 for you. Oh, and who's all going to be there? You need to convince Mark and Emily to come down so they can talk to Bruce and me too.
Are Grandma and Grandpa going to the beach this year? Or you guys?
I'll be praying for Sheila and Lisa to heal well.
Love,
Elder Bryce Wainwright