[Editorial by Shayne. We got to talk to Bryce for an hour today. I called the number Bryce had sent at the planned time, and I conferenced the call to my iPhone. Then I added each of the family using the iPhone's easy-to-use conference feature.

Here are some notes from the phone call.

Bryce and his companion baptized a couple more family members of Axel Martinez Sanchez's family. His father's baptism is scheduled for 11th of January.

They baptized a man from Lima, Peru on Dec 23rd.

On Dec. 17th, the missionaries went with the Mission President to the Mexico City Temple. They had steak dinner afterwards — although it was thin and overcooked — still, it was steak.

The weather is 85 degrees in the daytime, and a cold 25 night.

The Wal-Mart store is expensive and nice; not the cheapest place in town.

Bryce expects to be transfered on 30th.]

¡Feliz Navidad! Perdón porque no puedo escribir a todos individualmente, pero ¡Les amo individualmente! [Merry Christmas! Sorry I can't write to you all individually, but I love each of you!]

This year has been a long one, however gone by very quickly because there has been so much to do. Probably the busiest year of my life! México is great, I’ve been here for a little over four months now and I love the people the culture and most of the food :b   Most of all I love what I am doing. Being a missionary has been really hard, and very rewarding. Christmas is defiantly not the same here, however the spirit is the same “good tidings to all” gratitude, peace and love. This is the message of Christ and this is what I get to share everyday. Pretty sweet, I know.

I quickly just want to let everyone know, I am thinking about you and that I want the best for you. I know that’s what our Father in Heaven wants for us and that is what the Savior has to offer us. I pray we will all have gratitude for His sacrifice, follow his example and serve others and receive the peace He has prepared for us.

I love you all

Bryce

Hello Family

English really doesn’t make sense, however I like it anyway (except when it comes to spelling, by the way I am a great speller in spanish)! So I don’t know what is going on as far as calling you all. Another missionary said we can talk for an hour and that I will call you real quick with the phone number to call (probably of a member’s house) and then you will call that number back. And it might be cheaper too for you to use a calling card? We will find out everything on the 17th when we go to Mexico City.  We are going to have a reunion with the Mission President and go through a temple session (which I am really excited for). I am afraid however that I will fall a sleep because we have to wake up at 3 am to go to Mexico City :/ because of traffic. Then we are also going to eat fillet minion in the Temple for an early Christmas dinner mmmm… real steak! Our preparation day is changed to the 24th so I will give you all the details then… and that might be the day we call too?

All is well here, it was a little tough the last week because it was the celebration of the Virgin Guadeloupe, which is a really big deal. Every day large groups on bikes, walking and in cars, trucks, tractor trailers (with framed pictures and statues of the Virgin Mary strapped to the front and sides) have been on a pilgrimage to a specific church in Mexico City.  So it was a little crazy the last week and people haven’t been too receptive to us because of the other religious events going on. Good news, however an old investigator who disappeared several months ago has returned (we were sure they had changed houses). It turns out that they were in Mexico City with their family for a while (3 months?). All of our plans fell through last night and we had nothing. We were searching everywhere and were close to this house, I had the feeling to go by and there they were, just returning that night with their suitcases and all. They were happy to see us and we had a short lesson to end the day. Pretty neat.

Well we’ve got work to do. I love you all so much and I am extremely excited to be able to talk to you all.

Bryce

Hello family!

I have to admit I think a lot about you, however when I sit down to write, my mind goes blank. I don’t know if It has something to do with translating my week into English or that I am just exhausted All is well here, it been a little rough this week, however we confirmed Axel this week and I believe are progressing with his family. I am excited to talk with everyone at Christmas it is going by so fast! I don’t know when or where or how I will call you, however we have a meeting with the Mission President on the 17th in the Temple and I will ask then if I don’t find out before. Also, I’m not positive, however I believe we only get to use the phone for 40 mins. I will ask about that, too. On Christmas week our preparation day is being changed from the 22nd to the 24th to give you a heads up.

So I got to watch the last 20 min of the Christmas presentation last night. That was nice! It was funny when they posted the words [on the screen] for “Silent Night” for everyone to sing along some of the congregation (including my companion) tried to sing along too : ) [in English] hehehe

Well as always time is up, I love you’ ll so much and you are in my prayers.

Bryce

Hey Hey,

Things are going well here, I’m glad that a lot of you were together for Thanksgiving. Not a lot of time, so I’ll start with the questions.

…Thanks for the list it makes it easier…or possible!

[I had asked Bryce the following questions. - Tanda]

[How did your baptisms go?]
The baptism was great though it was only one of the five. his name is AXEL Martinez Sanchez. We are working with the other 6 in his family right now, they have a lot going but they said they want to have their baptisms in this month.

[When are transfers due?]
Right before Christmas, I’m pretty sure I’ll be transfered this time

[Are you still with the same companion and in the same area?]
Yes which is good because I like him and the area, however I want to get down into Mexico [City] too!

[Any new investigators?]
Yes, every week, unfortunately not all of them are very interested. One of our new Families is a mom Dulce (candy) and her two daughters Dulce Maria, and Ana Laura

[Have you gotten to go to the Mexico City Temple yet?]
No, however I really want to, I don’t think it is possible unless I am in an area much closer to the temple.

[It must be getting cold there, have you gotten yourself a coat or sweater yet?]
Cold in the mornings and nights, like frost on cars and the grass turns white you can see your breath and of course in the afternoon its 85 degrees and I get sunburnt got to love mexican mountain weather! Yes, I bought a coat I haven’t really needed to use much personal money.

[How is your money holding out?]
It’s fine. By the way about sending packages I talked to other Elders and they said unless it electronics or really valuable you can send it normal USPS and it about $30 for 6 lb. or so and it takes about a month in total. Mail it to the mission office and they have never missed a package. So I guess if you want to mail something that’s the way to go, but really I can buy almost anything I need/want here including peanut-butter however its $3.50 a little expensive

[Anything on your Christmas wish list?]
Not really. I have everything I need…maybe some souvenirs from Mexico?

[A spiritual thought or experience?]
Yes, I’ll get back to it next week

[It looks like from your pictures that you and one other elder are the only Americans in your district. Is that correct?]
Yes, but those pictures are old and right now the other Elder in my district is from Alberta, Canada.

[Describe how it is working with Mexican Elders.]
I love it! They have a little bit different way of doing things but its good to learn.

[I guess he was in such a hurry he didn't even sign it. But I guess that is it for this week.]

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Mama! [Happy Birthday Mama]

Perdón por la semana pasada, el Internet no servia… no tengo la culpa [Forgive me for last week there was no internet service....it is not my fault] ¡La casa abierta fue increíble y la programa cultural en El Estadio Azteca también! [The Temple open house, dedication was incredible so was the cultural event at the Aztec stadium] I’m sure thats enough Spanish, so we sang “Somos Hoy Llamados” (“Called To Serve” in Spanish) and part of “We Thank Thee Oh God For A Prophet”. We weren’t allowed to take pictures but that okay because we are going to receive a DVD of the program and I will mail home a copy.

Things are going well in our area and with my companion. We have a baptismal service next week for a family (well a mother and 4 of her children) Mireya Sanchez, Brenda, Axel and I don’t remember the name of the other two :/ WE had a Zone conference last week with Elder Grow (who is an area authority) and Pres. Bulloch. It was great and I learned a lot. So WE didn’t have transfers this cycle…which is good. Elder King, my roommate from the MTC, is my new zone leader. They don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and actually I forgot all about it, however I hope everyone has a great time! That’s great that so many of you will be together! I’m going to avoid thinking too much about that otherwise I’ll wish I was there too!

What are you doing for your birthday mom? Are you going to be in Heather’s? I hope it is great and not too hectic. Give every one hugs for me …and tell them all to give you spankings for me!!!

I love you so much, you are all in my thoughts and prayer, and I am so grateful for everything you are all doing for me and the Lord!

Love Bryce