2-6-11

Hey Mom,
Thanks for Gary and Sara's letters. Let them know I miss them too and I'll be home as soon as I can to play with them. I know what Gary feels like. I'm better now. I took zinc pills the whole time and I think that helped it not be so bad. That's crazy Mark's family is still sick. Glad to hear that Dad is enjoying work and has some. When does Bruce come home? July?
We got to butcher some old chickens and keep the meat. They said it's tuff but good in soups. We tried fishing this morning at low tied. No luck. We heard there's winter King's in. I'm not so sure though. We had kind of a slow week. But it was still good. It's helped me to focus on listening for and acting on the Holy Ghost. We were excited about the First Presidency message. We're trying to implement it and rally or encourage the ward to do missionary work and help us find. The ward here is already so missionary minded, with a little motivation it could explode. Then it'd be like we have a whole army of missionaries here instead of just us. That also means we'll have to be on top of our game, and really be there for the ward and have their trust. We want to get an email going giving ideas, quotes, successes, and encouragement to go and invite. Really that's how missionary work works best.
Anyway, we're going to Juneau again for zone conference on Wednesday night and the Metlakatla Elders are coming over here until then, so I'll have to go soon to get ready. Thanks for the camelpack and stuff :) Bro. Taylor gave it to me. Was it dad's camelpack? The bladder is new. I use it every day for my backpack because it's small. Thanks for Steve Wainwright's address too.
Love you. Have fun with the kids.
Elder Bryce Wainwright

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