Muy buenas tardes! [a very good afternoon]

Esta semana fue bien rápido por las conferencias. [This week has gone very fast because of the conference.] We had another baptism of a teenager who still has some challenges, however he is improving and we will still be working with him a lot. General conference was great, I got to watch the most part and in English. I liked much of what was said especial Elder Uchtdorf in the introduction of the last session, the guy from Portugal on decisions and the Holy Ghost, and Elder Eyring in the priesthood session. And of course what was said about members finding and missionaries teaching. You should all accept the challenge to find or invite 3 people you know or meet to take the missionary discussions and accept this invitation. This really means you will probably have to invite many to have three that accept this invitation. You will be very blessed if you do this! … and so will they!

I can’t remember of anything crazy of funny that happened this week although I am sure it happened. We started a 90 day program to read the Book of Mormon and mark specific things; it has been really neat. We are going to give a talk about it on Thursday… my companion in English

I love you all and am praying that you all receive the best.

Bryce

P.S. I was telling some missionaries the other day that when the Angel Moroni came to the three witnesses he also came with various things not just the plates… this included a table! None of them believe me, oh well not that important… however I would appreciate  it if one of you (Kerry or Dad?) could look up where it says it in Church History or some where…there is also a drawing and if you could send me the drawing, the account and where you found the info. It will make things fun for me! Thanks

[A fast note]

Bueno tuvimos otro bautismo esta semana y tenemos dos por la siguiente!!! El bautismos era una muchacha se llama Laura que estaba viviendo con un miembro. :/ Entonces tuve mi primer matrimonio en la misión. Y como testigo ellos ponen un nombre falso por mi porque soy gringo entonces yo firme Gerardo Lopez Salazar como 6 veces! Bienvenidos a Mexico!

Mil disculpes no tengo mas tiempo. Todavía estamos en proceso de cambiar la casa, etc.

Les amo tanto!
Bryce

Well, we had another baptisms this week and have two more for next week!!! One of the baptisms was a girl named Laura who was living with a member. :/ And I had my first marriage on my mission. [Some couples just live together in common law marriages but they must be legally married before baptism, so the missionaries usually help with this process.] I was one of the witnesses but I had to put a false name because I am a gringo, so I signed my name as Gerardo Lopez Salazar like six times. Welcome to Mexico!

A thousand apologies but I am out of time. We are still process of changing houses, etc.

Love you lots.
Bryce

[Tacos al pastor yummm. You want to learn Spanish? I hope so!]

¡Hola mi bonita familia!

Todo esta muy bien aquí. yo y mi compañero están trabajando duro y tuvimos nuestra primer bautismo ayer. voy escribir todo de esta carta en español para ser chistoso y ayudarles aprender y sentir mas como siento diario. suave ¿si?

Bueno hoy cambiamos nuestra apartamento porque el apartamento interior era bien chafa (¡este es Mexicano) si la luz esta pirateado con una cable y era muy baja… pero el nuevo es chidicimo!!! (mas Mexicano) entonces por el momento estamos muy contentos. Este semana tuvimos nuestra conferencia de zona y entrevistas con el Presidente, que siempre me gusta. Después la conferencia compramos (la zona) 15 kilos de tacos al pastor. estaba llenísimo!

Algo raro que paso aquí es el templo (capilla) de Los Testigos de Jehová es en el mismo calle de nosotros, son copiones. y mucho de gente aquí nos confunden con ellos.

Tuvimos discursos en la semana pasada y en este semana voy a empezar a dar clases de Ingles en la capilla en los miércoles en las 7 pm. ojalá todo va a ser bien porque nuca di clases antes, sin embargo estoy animado!!!

Bueno ya es tiempo! Ojalá ustedes disfruten este carta y no están confundidos o enojados …muchas gracias por sus cartas! ¡Les amo muchísimo!

con amor
-Elder Packer

…Oh, también recibo su paquete de mi cumpleaños (en 26 papa, pero no tu carta) muchísimos gracias por todo!! encanta todo! espero que voy a recibir el paquete de Kristi de navidad pero no creo. también recibí una carta de navidad de la Familia Smith y El Obispo Arnold. Gracias eran muy bonitas.

[The following was translated by Kerry in its entirety, except for a couple of slang words, which Cecilia figured out.]

Hello my beautiful family!

Everything is very good here. Me and my companion are working hard and we had our first baptism yesterday. I am going to write all of this letter in Spanish to be funny and to help you all to learn and feel more of how I feel every day. Cool huh?

Well, today we changed our apartment because the inside of our other apartment was ghetto, yeah, the light was pirated from another apartment with a cable and was hanging really low… But our new apartment is sweet!!! So, for now we are very content. This week we had our zone conference and our interviews with the President, which is always a pleasure. After the conference the whole zone bought 15 kilos of Tacos al pastor. I was super full!

Something strange here is that the chapel of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is on the same street as our chapel, they are copycats. And many people confuse us with them.

We had some discussions last week and this week I am going to begin to give classes for English as a second language at the church on Wednesdays at 7 pm. I hope that everything will be okay because I have never given English classes before, although I am excited!!!

Well, that’s time! I hope that you all enjoyed the letter and that you are not confused or upset. Thank you very much for your letters. I love them very much!

With love,
Elder Packer

…Oh, also I received your birthday package (on the 26th, but not your card, dad). Thank you very much for everything. I loved everything! I hope that I receive Kristi’s Christmas package, but I don’t think so. Also, I received a Christmas card from the Smith family and Bishop Arnold. Thanks, they were very beautiful.