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

Hola! ¿como están todos? [Hello.  How are you all?]

Estaba reflexionado mucho este semana en las Palabras del Presidente Monson, y buscando gozo en el trayecto y como a veces tenemos el habito de pensar todo va a ser mejor y mas fácil en un tiempo futuro, y no vamos a tener problemas y desafíos como tenemos ahora. El nos dijo que, estas pensamientos son mintieras y este tiempo es una  ilusión nuca va a venir y debemos seguir adelante con dificultades, si no nuca vamos a ser felices. Estés es verdad y recuerdo pensando “todo va a ser bien cuando estoy en la misión” ja ja ja y ahora entiendo mejor que la vida y la misión nunca van a ser bien o fácil, y que necesito hacer lo que necesito hace ahora y disfrútalo porque así es la vida y así progresamos. Es difícil en verdad, pero es posible si confiamos en el Señor, El nunca dijo que “va a ser fácil” pero “va a ser posible” y va a ser para nuestro beneficio. Yo se que este es verdadero y en las palabras de un Apóstol “venga que lo venga, y disfrútelo”. [This week I have been thinking a lot about the words of President Monson, and finding joy in the journey, and sometimes we have the habit of thinking that everything will be better and easier at a future time and that we will not have problems and challenges like we do now. He told us that these thoughts are lies and that (this future imagined) time is an illusion and that it is never going to come, and we must move forward with difficulties. If not we will never be happy. This is true and I remember thinking, "everything will be fine when I am on the mission." ha ha ha And now I understand better that life and the mission will never be good or easy, and I need to do what I need to now and enjoy it, because thus is life and thus we progress. It is difficult and true, but it is possible if we trust in the Lord. He never said that "it would be easy" but rather, "it would be possible" and it will be for our benefit. I know that this is true, and in the words of an Apostle, "Come what may and love it."]

Adversity is always present in life and its always necessary. Two examples I’ve been reflecting on and trying to work out in my head the past few days are these… One is the kite. Wind is what causes the kite to have lift. The string, however is what keeps it down, with out the opposing force of the string the kite will fall (or can not fly in the first place). The same can be stated if there is not wind. The string can represent difficulties and adversities; the wind represents faith (including actions, hope, etc.) Our faith can never be put to the test, or will become dormant (cutting the string) without opposition. And if there is not wind (or faith) to give us lift, our trials will only bind us down. However, if we have faith sufficient, its lift will overcome the drag of our oppositions and we will rise (or progress). The more oppositions we have and are overcome by sufficient faith, the higher we fly (like letting out all the string in a strong wind).

I’m still working on it… and forgive me, Spencer, if I don’t use the most correct terms.

I don’t have time to get to the other, sorry… However, I hope that we can all remember that the difficult time will always come, but we must be determined to blow strong, and remember it is all for our benefit. Look for what there is to be gained from every experience, especially the hard ones! I love you all so much and this is my prayer for you!

-Bryce

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

Hello familia,

Things are going well here in Pachuca, It has gotten really cold in the mornings and nights here. Elder Nuñez and I are working hard and praying hard.

Right now our main investigators are a family, including the grandmother and her sisters family too; and two young men around 20 years old named Ramon and Cesar. We have a family home evening tonight with the family, and it’s in the house of some members who live on their block. I am really excited for it! 

Training is going well, I feel like I’m probably learning as much as I am teaching!!!

Oh I mailed 2 CDs of pictures today… it was only $7.75, I thought it would be more. they said normally it takes 15-20 days but could be 8 at best and 31 at worst.

I already know when I leave I am going to miss the people allot… and the food too. My favorite food here is called “tacos al pastor” or Shepherds tacos. mmmm ¡Muy rico! [very delicious]

Heather, that is awesome you are going to Tahiti, have an amazing time and say hi to Bob for me. 

The dedication of the Temple is on the 16th it is going to be amazing. The Prophet and Elder Eyring are going to be here. I get to help at the Temple 2 days of the open house and participate in a cultural presentation on Nov. 15th with more than 1000 other missionaries from 6 missions. I can’t think of what else to write… questions are good.

Love you all,
Elder Packer

[Related link: Mexico City Temple Opens Its Doors to the Public]

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.]

Hola me familia,

¿Como estais? Thank you all very much for you letters, they have been a big help! So the last week was crazy, with the Mission Pres. stuff going on. Last martes Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the 12 spoke and 4 other Apostles were on the stand as well as general authorities. when he spoke to us he gave us an Apostolic promise. My friend in my district Elder Solomon got to break the sacrament for the Prophet and 10 of the 12 last sunday. Pretty neat.

The spanish is coming quickly. I can’t believe if my visa comes in I’ll be in mexico in two weeks. I hope you are all working to learn spanish too.  Oh yea, so my teacher Hno. Sanchez served half of his mission in Long beach CA. Kerry do you know him? Also right now he lives in Salem, UT, a few blocks from our house, pretty crazy! yea he has a ¡NO Escarbes! shirt, too.  [¡NO Escarbes! means "Don't scratch in the dirt like a chicken"]

Life is busy, all else is well. I love being here and can feel the spirit soo much. tell everyone hello. I love you all much and pray for you often. I’m out of time I’ll try to write more in a letter.

Love,

Elder Packer