November 12, 2012 Blessings of Sharing the Gospel

Elder Bryce out his front door

Sunset

Hola Familia!

Well, how is it going?

Everything here is going just great. But I can't believe it is already P-Day! Man, the time just flies by. So, real quick the questions:

1. Do you need stamps?

I actually don't need any stamps. I have to use the stamps here. So, yeah, thanks anyways.
2. Do you have any Allegra or Zyrtec for allergies?

I can't remember if I have any other allergy medicine. So, you could send some just in case.
3. How far away are you from the Mission Home?

 I am about an hour to an hour and a half away from the mission home, by bus. It is pretty close.
4. When is Zone Conference?

We actually just had zone conference this last week.
5. How often do you get the mail?

Well, it depends. Sometimes we get it every week. It just depends on when the zone leaders give us the mail.
6. Do you get to play soccer?

I have the opportunity to play soccer, but I just haven't played yet. Maybe some time soon.

Well, that takes care of that! Yeah I heard about the election and I was really bummed. I can't believe that Obama won again. It is ridiculous. Oh well, the Lord knows what is going on. 

Well, everything here is just fantastic! We have 4 baptisms set for this month. One for this Friday, a 9 year old girl whose name is Olimpia. She is just amazing. She is really smart and is just absorbing the lessons. 

Then we have 2 on the 24 of November. Araceli and Bayron. Araceli has been an investigator for about 7 months and she finally accepted to be baptized. Bayron is a 14 year old boy and is just amazing. He would have been baptized earlier but his mom didn't want him to be baptized. However, this last week, we had an appointment (with Hermana Araceli) but she wasn't there. So we thought about going and visiting Bayron and talking with him and his mom to see if he could be baptized. Well, we did, and the visit was amazing. The Spirit was so strong and in the end, the mom gave permission for him to be baptized! We also think that the mom could become a potential investigator too! :) 

Yeah, we had a recent convert with us, Gerson Diaz, who is the cousin to Bayron. Gerson is just amazing. During one of our meetings before, we asked him how he felt about his baptism, and he said, "nunca podria sentir mas feliz". Or in English, "I could never feel more happy". He is just an amazing man. 

I also wanted to tell Pops something that happened this week. So, we were in the members house that gives us food, and we suddenly heard a loud pop. So, we went outside to see what happened, and someone's tire had popped! So we helped them get to a place that they could change the tire. But then, I put all the skills that pops had taught me to help them change their tire. So, just want to say, thanks for the teaching me all of these things pops! 

Ok, I am going to attach a picture of two ties that Elder Leonardo wants to trade for. However, you know me, I don't like to trade, and they are some of my favorite. So, I was wondering if you could find another one and send it to me in the Christmas package. If you can't find one, that is fine. But just so you know. 

Yeah, this week has just been amazing! It is amazing how fast the time goes by. Well, I love you guys a ton and hope that all is well. Thanks for everything. Oh yeah, last night I had my first Dr. Pepper and had some Funyons. It was amazing! 

Well, anyways, love ya and see you in a little less than 2!

Love,

Elder Bryce R. Hales

Letter to Matt:

What's up my brother!
Man, this has been a really great week. We have put (set) 4 baptismal dates! We have a baptism this Friday and it is for a girl of 9 years whose name is Olimpia. She is so smart. We were teaching the Restoration and she knew everything. We explained apostasy and then we asked her what an apostasy was in her own words, and she gave a great definition! Most of the time you have to explain it a couple of times for it to stick in their heads, but she got it right off the bat. It is really cool. 

Well, we had a really cool experience yesterday. So we were on divisions with the members here, me and Gerson (the member) and we went and contacted. We found a couple of people who said that we could come back and visit and teach something, then we also found a guy who just wouldn't close his mouth. He was just going on and on and on about something, so when there was a short pause, I told him thanks for your time, and have a great day. At this moment, I felt that we were close to someone who was ready to here the gospel, because I felt that Satan was trying to stall us. Well, we knocked the next house, and lo and behold, we found a family! The mom and the daughter are members of the church, but they are inactive, and the dad is not a member. I am certain that the Spirit guided us to those people. Even though I felt like I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. I am sure that this family has been prepared to come to the fold of Christ. It is just like a devotional given by Elder Bednar about how we recognize if something is a prompting of the Spirit or not. He said don't worry about it and just get to work. Just do what you instinctly feel to do, and the Lord will guide you. It was really cool. 

Well, I love you a ton bro and I hope that all is going well with work and school. I can't believe how fast the time goes by here. It is amazing. Well, once again, I love you and am grateful for you as a brother.

!Seamos fieles, pues!

Love,
Elder Bryce R. Hales

Letter to Tyler:

Yo Ty!

How's it going? Well, things down here in El Salvador are just fantastic. The food is great, the people are great, the weather isn't too bad. It is just great. 

Well, that is awesome about the cat house and stuff. Yeah, I can see Rex being a little skeptical about it.  

Well, I can see that your biology class is a tough one. I didn't here very many positive things about your teacher, but you can do it. Yeah, you should see if you can talk Ms. Keim into teaching for one more year (your senior year) Yeah, I want to be there when you have Ap Art History. It is a fun class! Yeah, you'll have to tell me about how it goes. 

That is awesome about Eric Jr.! (Brazil, Florianopolis) When does he leave? ( April ) He is going to have a great time. 

That is great that everything is well. I love you a ton and am grateful for you as a brother. May the spirit be with you... Always!

Love,

Elder Bryce R. Hales