¡Hola mi querida familia! [Hello my dear family!]

It has been a nutty week. My new companion is Elder Miguel David Fernandez Perez, He’s from Chetumal, Quintana Roo. It’s super far from here! [in the Yucatán Peninsula] This week was a bit of a trial at first since my companion is a greeny, but he is really humble and not afraid of working + he has learned really fast. The Lord couldn’t have blessed me with a greater companion! Funny story: I talked him into waxing his unibrow today… tell you all about it later. Oh, yea another funny story last week with Elder Padget: we were sharing the [story of the] first vision, when all four of the legs of the chair our investigator was sitting on flew out from under her. It’s been said that all sorts of distractions will always come up in the first vision, but this was a funny first.

I was reviewing my notes on General Conference again and noticing how a big part of the theme was doing our duty to God.

This week we had a family of 9, 6 in baptismal age who were going to get baptized, however the father decided that he doesn’t want to get married so that was a hard blow! However we had an interesting fast and testimony meeting… because we share the ward with the assistants and it was General Conference last week we had 12 confirmations, then 2 baby blessings, one of which was the child of one of the families that was confirmed. So in the end there were only 4 or 5 very brief testimonies shared before the service ended. Plus there are a few other pending confirmations and if they would have come like planned, I’m sure that it would have only been a confirmations and baby blessings meeting. I hope our investigators who came for the first time don’t get weirded out by their first experience!

Well, I’ve got to run!

I love you all so much! Take care and make the best decisions this week!

-Elder Packer

P.S. ¡¡¡¡Attached is the new mission photo!!!!

¡¡¡Happy Birthday Heather!!!

I hope you are doing great!

…and to everyone, Happy Easter!

It is SO hot!!! I am sweating like a pig! And to think it’s only going to be getting hotter…

It’s been a strange and busy week. I have been serving with Elder Padget (a new American missionary in my district) since Thursday and it has been a pleasure, even though he can speak very little Spanish and can not pronounce the “R” to save his life, the people react in a special way to his warm spirit and positive attitude. I’ve learned a lot from him, and one of those many things is what pure motives really means.

So… I am going to get a greeny! Yep. I’m going to be training my last cycle! I’m excited, and nervous, because I know that means that I will be even busier and that means the time will be going by even faster. However I am grateful for this new opportunity to serve, teach and learn. As before, I am sure I will learn more than I teach. I often wonder why the Lord is so good to me and all of us.

General Conference was wonderful and I am grateful for the guidance I and others received. It is incredible how the Lord can answer my specific prayers and those of millions of other in the same moment. I love the Lord! I also found it incredible how all of the talks where so in line, even though there were no assigned themes. I felt that two of the strongest themes were prepare the children and protect the youth. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my notes with me right now to share all of my favorite thoughts, however I do remember a few.

Joy and happiness don’t come from circumstances, but faith in the Lord. That is a lesson that I am learning more and more, its not where we are, who we are with or the blessings or trials that we are going through that determine our state of happiness. We need to be creators of circumstances not creatures of our environments. As Elder Bednar clearly stated, we are to act not to be acted upon, and faith is not merely believing, but acting. It is our works, that are in accordance with the teachings of Christ that determine our state of happiness! I love the clear example stated that if we are struggling and turn instead and focus on the needs of another rather than our own needs, than we will quickly become happier and our burdens will become light. I know that  this is the truth and that we will be happy and at peace in any season in any place and with anyone as long as we follow the teaching of the Master!

I am grateful for the teachings and the works of Jesus! For his perfect example and mercy. May we all exert ourselves to be more like Him is my prayer and hope.

I love you, my family! I pray for you and desire your well being!

-Elder Bryce Packer

Hola Familia,

Things are going very well here. We have two baptisms for tomorrow (Serge Miguel, and José Carlos) and many for the week to come. Serge is 11 and Carlos is 21, they are both great! It’s amazing how we’ve seen so many miracles since I’ve been in the offices. As you know, we have less than half of the day in our area so it can be a challenge to find and teach people. However the Lord has blessed us to be able to find and receive the people that are truly ready to change their lives and make and keep covenants!

How about General Conference? A few of my favorites were: Dale G. Renlund, who talked about maintaining your healthy spiritually changed heart. Brent H. Nielson, and the story of his son on the mission. Jorge Zeballas, “God will not require more than we can do…neither can He accept less…” However I think of all the great things said, my two favorites were during the Priesthood session: Walter F. Gonzalez, The Book of Mormon was never intended to be a bestseller, but how we can turn The Book of Mormon into the best read, and the best applied book; and Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s two important principles that sustain us in adversity — 1. WORK. 2. EDUCATION. Truly everything said in the conference was amazing and we’ll have to go back and study it again and again!

I am grateful that we have living Prophets to lead us, to help us in the process of perfecting ourselves and to help us to always do the best we can. Most of all to witness of the truth of God and His Plan of Redemption through Jesus Christ!

I am happy with how the Lord has blessed our family and know He will continue to do so as long as we continue to make our best efforts and humbly put all of our trust in Him. I pray that you all continue to do so and that the Lord blesses and protects you! I love every one of you!

-Bryce

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.

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

Dad, Thanks for writing me every week, I really enjoy ready your letters. You are such a great dad and granddad, I admire you so much for your sacrifices for all of us. General Conference was great! …I have some exciting news, that I’ll tell you in the letter to everyone. Well I’ll right more in my letter to all. I love you very much Dad, and I’m grateful you are my father! Have a great week and… EXERCISE!

Love Elder Bryce

¡Hola mi familia maravillosa! [Hello my marvelous family]

¡Conferencia General fue increíble! ¿no? I wasn’t able to attend all of the sessions but I saw part of the first in Spanish and the last two in English I was able to understand more or less the message in Spanish but really enjoy hearing the voices of the leaders. The night before conference I was reading the discourses by Pres. Monson from April, titled “Treasures of Eternal Value”. I really liked two things he said —

“Success is the progressive realization of a WORTHY ideal” [Earl Nightingale]

“Preparation is hard work but absolutely necessary for our progress” and “This is the day of our opportunity…” [Thomas S. Monson]

I find it interesting and very important to note and ponder on the fact the he gave practically the same discourses twice in a row… maybe that means it’s important …and we didn’t get it the first time or are miss something. Both, I thought, were wonderful. He focused on GRATITUDE and the perception and use of time. I believe both to play a large role in our happiness and well-being. I also enjoyed and learned a lot from all of the other talks given, and unlike when a child, I listened intently!

Sooo… Tomorrow is transfers and my companion/trainer is being transferred and… I am going to be a trainer. It’s hard to believe I have less than 2 months in the field. I am every excited/nervous! Well, we have a lot to do.

I love you all so much and am grateful for your love and sacrifices for me and each other… we really are the best family.

Elder Packer

[Editorial note by Shayne: A trainer means training a new "greeny" missionary. Being assigned as a trainer after 2 months means Bryce must an amazing missionary; doing everything right. I've never heard of this so soon.]