I’ve been having a great week! And what made it even better is on Wednesday I got your package. It was great; by far my favorite thing was the audio recordings of everyone. I listened to it while doing some financial reports… then went back and listened to it again. I’m sure I will listen to several times more. It’s been really enjoyable to hear all of your voices and what you’ve all been up to. Thank you all and thank you, especially dad for putting it together!

So last week the new SUD (LDS) version of the Reyna Valera Bible in Spanish became available to purchase. Pretty exciting, so I bought mine. It has all the JSTs, footnotes and references to the other standard works of the Church, maps, etc. I think it will really contribute to the ability to feast on the word of God for Spanish speaking members. It is an exciting time to be in Mexico doing the Lord’s work!

Speaking of exciting times, tomorrow is GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! (that’s why I’m writing you all today). I am so so so excited for General Conference, to be able to receive the spiritual nourishment, strength, and guidance that I need to continue progressing personally… and to help others do the same.

So I have a new companion. Changes aren’t for another 2 weeks however, Elder Muñoz my companion is finishing his mission so he goes home on October 15, which means he needs to train his replacement as the Materials Secretary, before he leaves. His replacement is Elder Lauterio, who is also from Hermosillo, Sonora. He is a great missionary and really excited and enthusiastic, which is always a blessing in a companion.

Like always we’ve had a few adventures this week, the first happened when Elder Lauterio joined our companionship and Elder Livingston (one of the other Secretaries) went to his new area. Since it was his last opportunity to drive in the mission he drove to our mini changes meeting. When we got there everyone was excited to see who was coming into the offices and where Elder Livingston was going. We greeted everyone, made the changes and then said goodbye, and were off. Well, they were off… we were in our area so we started to get ready to go to work. Then I got thinking, “Who has the keys to the van?” … Yep, Elder Livingston was on his way to Ixtapaluca (its as far a way as it sounds) and the keys to the van with him… and without a cell phone. To make it short, it is amazing how through the church you can get a hold of just about anyone.

I’ve been having amazing personal studies, feasting on the Book of Mormon. This week I have been studying in Alma 17-27 and in Helaman 5. Two things that have contributed so much to my studies are these; first I’ve been recording in my study journal all the answers I find in each verse and the question beside the verse where the answer is found. Also I’ve been reading out loud, trying to focus on the punctuation. You won’t believe how this really helps to make the scriptures come alive and really feel the events recorded as if you were one of the people living them. You should all start keeping a study journal, if you don’t already have one. Looking for specific information while reading and read out loud, trying to really feel what you’re reading. I promise you will all have amazing experiences if you make the effort to feast on the words of the Book of Mormon everyday!

Dad, I’ve been thinking about what you’ve been studying in “Preach My Gospel” The self evaluation “Attribute Activity” is great [page 126], and something I’ve been doing that helps is highlighting any of the points that are a 3 or less. Then they become a daily vocal affirmation and a daily scripture study topic. Keep up with you studies in “Preach My Gospel” it was designed to help people progress and improve (and not just the investigators).

Have an amazing weekend and pay lost of attention in General Conference (take notes). I look forward to hearing all the great things you’re about to learn (we’re about to learn)! Remember that the Lord said, “Give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you… For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth.” D&C 21:4-5

I love you my family!
-Bryce

Oh, yeah … Congratulations Kristi and Bob! That awesome that I’ll be having a new nephew!!! …And that’s super funny what Isaac said.

This has been a kind of tough week, since we’ve been really sick, with the flu or some fever and cold combination. My companion and I spent a day and several half days in the house, and that can get ya down.

Over that past while I have learned the great importance of being diligent in what I do, that consistency is necessary to be happy and successful… maybe thats why the missionary schedule is so organized.  Wake up time, daily exercise, scripture study, service, bed time… And when we don’t feel well we tend to let our consistency slip, which makes us feel worse and makes it harder to get things in motion again. Diligence is so important in our personal progress! …especially when its most difficult.

One of my greatest personal studies I have had happened this week… When I was sick, I still got up on time and I sill studied in the Book of Mormon. The Lord blessed me for doing so! I have been studying and pondering much about the “mighty change” and know that change is a product of constant righteousness. One of my favorite scriptures that I found this week is Alma 19:33 “… and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing — that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.” I didn’t quite understand completely before that a mighty change doesn’t mean that you’re not tempted, but rather that you don’t give in to your temptations because the desire to sin is replaced with the desire to follow Christ. I understand that we need opposition, or in this case to be tried, and that even Christ was tempted, however He never gave in. I sincerely want this mighty change, or to not have the desire to sin. Although sometimes we feel along ways away, I know that the Lord will help us with this and that it will come over time as we put forth our greatest effort to be constantly righteous.

I love you all!

Have a diligent, productive week!

-Bryce

Hola querida familia! Hello dear family!

Wow it’s been a busy busy amazing week! We had our Zone leaders council meeting this week in the mission house; it was over the course of two days. One of the most spiritual and amazing things that happened during the council is we studied the Book of Mormon together with President Bulloch. He was one of the 7 head people in CES [Church Educational System] before he was called to be a Mission President, so to say the least he is a very spiritual man who really knows his scriptures, how to ring them dry and apply them to himself. Something I have been trying to work on.

I just bought the new Bible in Spanish, which is really exciting for the members here. Although I don’t know how much I’ll use it since we try to focus on the Book of Mormon with all of our investigators. Still it truly is an amazing time to be here in Mexico serving the Lord and building His kingdom! “Now is the time for Mexico” is what the brethren of the church have been saying.

I love you all so very much, I am so grateful that we have the Restored Gospel to guide our lives. I know that Christ lives, I have experienced His profound love in my life. He is the only way to true freedom and that is what everyone really wants and needs! Live a week that worth living. May God’s grace be upon every one of us!

-Bryce

So, everything went well as far as receiving and training the 16 new Elders and sisters that came into our mission this week and the transfers meeting (of which I was in charge of arranging the bus transportation for the whole mission). It has been a weeeeeeeeeeek! We haven’t had a lack of rain either! Actually, the highway and streets have flooded almost every day and has caused so much TRAFFIC!!!! The other day I was driving in traffic and we found out it was caused by protesters in the street (protesting for water). Pretty ironic since it was raining. So anyway, because of that we got home that night at 12:15 am. :/

Well, here is the email I sent to President Bulloch last week. I also wanted you to read it.

What a week! As you know we’ve been all over the mission: opening houses, arranging the buses, going to the airport… While driving, I had a whole lot of excess time to think and reflect. While doing so, I remembered earlier in my youth how I almost constantly felt lost spiritually and emotionally. I didn’t understand so many of the questions that many youth seem to have and remember feeling so much confusion and bitterness towards life. I also remember when the desire began to want to make a positive difference, but not knowing how, which in turn created feelings of helplessness and discouragement. None of those feelings exist anymore and I know when the turning point happened, a little before my 22 birthday when I started reading The Book of Mormon for the first time. I remember after reading for the first time a strong doubt, could this be true? Reading once lead me to read again, which lead me to pray (for the first time in my adolescent life). A little time after and I began attending church, every Sunday. I began attending institute, where we were studying The Book of Mormon. The more I studied that book the more I began to comprehend and consequently my life began to change and fall in harmony. I began to create a relationship With my Father in Heaven and Savior. All of those feelings and doubts began to fade from my life.

When my mother and brother asked me what made me come back to the church, I couldn’t explain, I just told them I knew it was right. Now I know it was a result of reading The Book of Mormon, feeling the spirit and the love of God contained within, finding the answers I longed for. That’s what made me come unto Christ; that’s what began and continues the change in my life. The fruit of the word of God. That book is a miracle and I have lived many miracles because of that book. It is because of The Book of Mormon that I know to what source I may look for a remission of my sins. And nothing brings greater peace and joy than that.

I love every one of you and all of you individually are in my prayers. I know that God also loves you and through the Book of Mormon he will bless each of your lives in profound ways. It was written for each one of us and our individual needs. STUDY it prayerfully every day!

Love -Elder Bryce S. Packer

Hola,

Well, another interesting week. Last Saturday we went to the National Anthropology Museum which was amazing! They have artifacts from all over Mexico and it was very intriguing to see just how diverse the Mexican culture is.

This week we were supposed to have our zone conference, however President Bulloch had a kidney stone, :/ so he was several days in the hospital and they eventually had to remove it surgically. Not very fun I imagine.Later he showed us the stone (he had it in a little plastic bag, it was funny shaped and quite large). The other thing that happened was that he couldn’t leave the hospital until the medical bill was paid, so we had to make a forum and bring it upstairs to the [Church's] General Financier for all of Mexico to sign it.

Our area is starting to improve drastically…I don’t know if I explained that when I came here the President changed our area so we started the cycle without investigators and we didn’t know anyone in the ward. So we created a member based mission plan for the area and it is going great; we have one family, a part member family, and a young adult who are all progressing, as well as various other. The young adult’s name is Vicky and is going to get baptized next week. She has had some form of abuse in her past and it has been amazing how quickly and thoroughly the Gospel of Jesus Christ heal people emotional and spiritually. I love being a missionary!

Have and amazing week! I love you!

-Elder Packer

First things first… ¡Feliz cumpleaños a Emily! [Happy birthday to Emily] I hope that it will be a great one! I know as an adult they’re not the same, but for me I enjoy reflecting on all the things that have past… and you have more of a past to reflect on than I do. he he he I love you, Emily.

This week has been well, I had a reunion on Thursday at the temple for mission leaders, which happens every 6 months. It was great. I went with Elder King and Elder Galiana and my companion worked with the missionaries in our district for the day. So there was only about 35 missionaries there and one of the area authorities came and spoke to us as well as the mission President, the director of the visitors center and the assistants to the Pres. I was also asked by the visitors center Director to share about the open house we held last month in our church and how we baptized one of the families that came and 2 other families came to church several times and went to the visitors center in the D.F. It is the only visitors center in Mexico and Latin America, so the area authorities are working to try and help us take advantage of this great missionary tool we have in our mission.

Elder Carbara, who spoke to us in this meeting gave a great example about repentance and how sometimes we grow accustomed to bad habits we need to change. Ex. Have you ever walked into a house where there was a little bit of gas leaking? You can notice the strong smell instantly, however if you stay in its presence your senses grow accustomed and you stop noticing the smell. When we allow ourselves to stop doing thing we should (like praying sincerely, taking the time to study the scriptures every day and enjoying it, going to church, etc.) we grow accustomed and stop recognizing that there is a problem. However, just because the gas is no longer smelt doesn’t mean that the hazard isn’t real, in fact with more time the gas collects more potent and is all the more dangerous. Is there anything that you can change in your life? Yes… of course there is! What are 5 of them? The first step to repentance (a sincere change) is to RECOGNIZE there is something wrong.

I pray that we can all better our lives by “awakening our senses” and looking for the things we need to change, and doing it. Repentance and change is one of the most spiritual experiences we can have. God is happy when we repent, we are happy when we repent, He will help us, the sacrifice of Jesus enables us to change. Without repentance we cannot accept nor apply His sacrifice in our lives. I know that repentance is necessary for our personal progress and is made possible through Jesus Christ!

I love you all so must and am truly grateful you are my family!

-Bryce