December 27, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,
Yeah, it was really good. Now that it’s past, though, I got nothing that I can look forward to at the end of the month. So hopefully it still goes as fast. I’m sure it will. Yeah, it was really lucky that I got to talk for that long. Next time, I dunno. It just depends on the companion and all that. We´ll have to see. Next time, I will have been here for like 9 months. Wow, that´ll be kinda crazy. By then, I will be able to speak Spanish perfectly, and the time will be just crazy. Well, maybe not, but still. Yeah, but thanks for the chance to do so. It sounds to me, too, that everyone is doing really well. I’m glad for that.
With the changes, yeah, there’s not much I can do except do them. Even if I do horrible with them for the whole time, oh well, I’m doing them. I think that once it happens I won’t think about it that much. I mean, it always comes, and there usually isn’t anything to do. So yup, just waitin that one week to see what happens, and then it happens. Oh, by the way, in the future, if there are a couple of days where I can’t write, it might be because of that exact reason. That I got changed or something. Because when you get changed, you don’t have time sometimes to do the email and that kind of stuff. But that’s ok. Just to let you know.
I’m glad that Ryan is doing better. I know that he will make it out of all that alright. Just keep praying for him, and tell Britney to go to church and fast for him, and he´ll be good before she knows it. Seriously.
Well, yeah, I said basically all the stuff in the call, but I love you and miss you. Thanks for everything. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Mom. You taught us a lot and instilled (is that right?) in us lots of good qualities. I know where the me being hard on myself comes from. Just know that you helped us and we love you. Well, keep me in your prayers, and know that this next Monday will be a hard one, but I’ll make it through. So, until that comes, I love you and miss you.
Love,
Jace

I would like to have some pictures of back at home. Of anyone. You could just upload some every week, too, if its possible. Madison knows how to do it, I think.

December 27, 2010

Madison,
No worries. It was good to hear your voice, and I’m glad that you are doing well. And yes, everyone did talk about Ryan, but it was still ok and fun. I am really lucky that my companion is so cool, because other missionaries would just flip out or something, and that would be really dumb. But it was good. Yeah, the basketball thing sucks, but if you’re not playing and it’s miserable, don’t do it. You could use your time relaxing or working or doing something worthwhile. But yeah, thanks. For New Years, we will probably not do anything, and then I’ll be done. I’m positive that either I am going to a different area or my comp, and then I’ll really be tested. Oh well. That’s why I’m here, right? Well, I love you, and I hope that you are doing well and having fun with whatever you’re doing. I miss you and love you. Only 19 and a half months left! :P
Love,
Jace

December 27, 2010

Dear Hunter,
Wow, that’s a long time on the DSI, but it was ok because it was Christmas. Don’t play it too much, though. You still gotta play outside and play football and baseball and basketball and all of that good stuff, right? I’m excited to see the suit that you are going to wear, and I bet you do look a lot like me. That will be fun to see. You already lost your first tooth? That’s really cool. I was in 2nd grade, too, so that’s fun. Well, I love you and miss you, and hope you have a fun New Years!
Love,
Jace

Dear Whitney,
I’m glad I could talk to all of you guys too! And that’s good that you have been riding your scooter. I’m glad to hear that you are using the stuff that you got. Well, for my Christmas, it didn’t snow, but it rained a lot, a lot. And yes, the water game was very fun. Kinda dumb, but very fun. Anyways. I hope that you have a super fun New Years, and that you guys get to do something super, super fun. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Jace

Dear Brooklyn,
I’m glad you had a fun Christmas. Ours was fun too. I kinda wish that I was at home for it, but its ok. Only one more Christmas that I have to be here for! Well, yeah, this was a good day. All of the stories are true, about the bugs and everything. I don’t know how many bites I have in the mornings, but it isn’t a whole lot. Also its good that you like your presents too. Dont ever get bored of them, cuz that wouldnt be good. Obviously. Well, I hope that you guys have a really fun New Years, and I will try to do it, too. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Jace

December 20, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,
Merry Christmas until Saturday! I’m glad to hear again that everything at home is going really well. I’m doing better. I think it is a whole lot easier with just two. My confidence has got a lot better. Not perfect, heck no, but it is coming. I don’t know how long it will take before I can completely just talk to someone without fearing, but I can look back now and see the improvement, and its really cool to be able to do that. I mean, last year, thinking of going to a spanish speaking country and trying to communicate with an average Joe would´ve freaked me out, but now, yeah, its daily. Cool stuff. I only have 2 more weeks in this change, and then either I or my comp or gonna leave. I’m thinkin him. But its ok. I am learning a lot more now, and the teaching has been better too. All good. So thanks for everything. The prayers, the support, the everything. Really, muchisimo gracias.
Well, yeah, first off, I got a package from you guys! Thanks. It had the Starburst, Gobstoppers, and Kit Kats in them. Whoo, I was super excited to see that, really. Thanks for that, and I think that it will make this Christmas that much more fun. I’m really not too worried for it. It still, honestly, doesn’t even feel like Christmas. Nobody acknowledges it here. It’s like, we go to a lesson, and nobody questions what we´re gonna do or anything. So it’s almost like it’s not here. It is hard, but I know that we will be fine in our house. We have been going around every night, singing to people. The first night, we went to our sector. We visited Nori, the lady who is going to be baptized this week (ojalá)(that means hopefully.) She had the interview last night, and she has a lot of doubts. We have been praying, and are going to visit her Wednesday, to try to just throw down and help her. We are really excited, because on Christmas, we are having a Noche Blanca, or White Night. All the missionaries in the whole zone are bringing the investigators that they are going to baptize to the Stake Center, and we are all going to wear white. It’s going to be really cool. I’m super stoked. Her two kids are gonna do it, too, so that will be really fun. We have about 18 planned with everyone, and it will be super excellent. But anyway, we sang to her, and it was really cool. We took some candy and stuff too, and she was really just grateful. She is dirt poor, literally, and it was way fun
to do it. She is probably my favorite investigator that I have had so far here. The baptism is gonna be really spiritual and cool.
I don’t know what to get. We don’t really have time to look around much, or get some stuff, but if I see something that I think is really cool, I’ll pick it up. I have been looking for stuff to bring home, but it’s hard to decide what is just crap and what you guys will actually like. Also, like, what is unique to Ecuador. It’s still hard, because I’m not perfectly aquainted with everything yet, but all good. In time.
Wow, Fresh Market really closed down? Crap, that’s not good. I wonder what those people are gonna do. I dunno. They will all find something to do. It would just be really hard for the people that have worked there for so long, like 40 years or something.
With sleeping, everything is good. I have been falling asleep in like 15 minutes every night. It’s just hard, because 8 hours doesn’t feel like enough. We walk 15 miles everyday, more or less, and we teach all day, study for 2 and a half hours, and just work. I knew I would be tired. So it’s ok. Expected.
I’m glad that Hunter is like that. I surely wasn’t. I think if he is like that now, he will probably not have to do some of the dumb crap that I did. Hopefully no. And it’s good to be reading the scriptures. The simplified ones are good now, I think, for them to understand the basic stories, or at least try to. I would like to do something like that when I got back home.
Well, I spoke last week in church, about the reason for the season, and it was pretty good. Like I said, it doesn’t even really feel Christmas really. But I’m still really excited. We are going to go to Quito today, because we have a thing with President tomorrow, and are going to eat at his house and all this good stuff. I’m excited, and it should be fun, because there are two other zones coming, as well. So maybe I’ll see some of the gringos that came in my group with me. Super
cool. Well, yeah. So, important here:

The phone call has to be on Christmas, obviously. But I have to let you know the time to call from there, and the number to call. You guys call me, I don’t call you. I hope it’s not too ridiculously expensive. But yeah, the number to call is:

0059387031991

Yeah, but I am going to call from this number like Friday, just to tell you to call it. Then, if it works, you can call that number on Saturday. I’ll tell you the time to call when we talk for the tiny bit Friday. So yeah, that will be really good. I’m super excited to hear from all of you. The time is supposed to be only 40 minutes, so keep
that in mind, and I’ll try to also.
Well, I love all of you guys. Thanks for the support, and for everything that you have done for me. Continue to keep me in your thoughts and in your prayers. I need it. I know that this is the best thing I can be doing, and that I am helping tons of people. The time has been going fast, and I’m really excited for the day that I can talk regular to these people, and really just get to know them. Then I know the time will just disappear. Anyway, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
Love,
Jace

December 20, 2010

Dear Brooklyn, Whitney, and Hunter,
I am glad to hear about all of you! Thanks for the news about everything. I can’t believe its already Christmas! That’s a little weird, even for me! I have only been gone from home for about 4 months or so, but it feels like a lot longer! I hope that all of you have a really super fun Christmas, and I’m really excited to talk to all of you on Christmas. I know that it will be really fun. Well, I love all of you and miss all of you, and hope that this Christmas is the best ever!
Love,
Jace

December 13, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thanks for the news and the advice. Everything is still continuing on. Its been going fast and slow at the same time, but I know that this month will fly. I haven’t been to homesick. Well, I have a little, but not just from Christmas. I know that it will be really fun. Speaking of that, I have some more stuff later in my letter and some pictures that you will all like. But yeah, don’t worry too much on that. I’m a little homesick, but it’s also really just because I’m not super focused. I can’t be. I can’t communicate with these people completely, and that holds me back. But I knew it would. I am getting better all the time, so no worries! In, como, 2 months, I’ll be super ready and excited and just be able to lose myself, I think. But yeah, so it’s ok.
This week was hard. I have been left out more and more, but it’s ok. Well, kinda. See, I don’t know what to say. Really, I don’t. I can only talk for like 30 seconds, while they talk for 15 minutes. That’s hard. But it’s more just the fact that the investigators don’t know why I’m not talking. I can totally see it in their faces. Like, he doesn’t know what’s going on, or he’s just stupid. That is the only problem. But I made it just fine. Sad thing, Rivadeneira left today, so its just me and Evenson again, but I think that we will be able to do well. It´ll give me a little bit of time, too, to try to really open up and try to improve my teaching and everything. We´ll see.
Yeah, so, that was good. Some things for future packages, if you want to send any: Ties. I could really use some more ties. I only have the 8, and it gets really boring. Even if they are really ugly ties, that’s ok. Just for that. But it’s not a big deal.
So this week, there was a Christmas party for the stake, and guess who was Santa? Yeah. Me. I got all dressed up and threw out candy to the kids and everything. It was a really cool experience, and I am glad that I got to do it. Fun fun. I’ll send some pictures of that to all of you, and a couple more if I have any.
Wow, I’m tired. I think that the tiredness is just adding on every week. Really. More tired and more tired and more tired all the time. But I don’t know completely. I bet that it will all get better. If not, oh well! The hardest part is just getting out of bed. After that, it’s all relatively easy. It’s never that my body is really tired, just my
mind.
With the writing thing to my friends, its not bad. Everyone else here does it, really. And I always, always, ALWAYS make sure that I say every single thing that I want to the family. Really, I do. There is never a worry with that. To the extended family, sometimes, yes, but I always do them first. Its just that it takes me a minute to write this one, and then to the kids, and then to them. And I have to send a weekly
letter to President, too, so that takes up some time. But don’t worry. I always say everything to you guys. I don’t get distracted or anything at all during the week. Trust me. Just the things that I should be concerned about concern me; Spanish, and teaching effectively. Well, teaching at all. Ha,ha, I dunno.
Right now, as I write, it is 3:22. Why? The time here is different. I think I am 2 hours ahead then back home.
Wow, so, P-day nights have been crazy the last couple a weeks! In the night last week, we got a call from a member, the bishops son, to come to his house. He said that his niece came and stayed in his house, in an extra room that they had. She woke up, and saw a little girl in a red dress, looking through some clothes in her drawer. She couldn’t scream, or basically couldn’t do anything at all. She sat and watched for like 3 minutes, and when she finally managed to do it, the girl like shot up through the ceiling. And then the guy was hearing noises in his house and stuff. Wow, crazy cool! My first possessed house. The creepiest part was that the night before, we had all been talking about that kind of stuff. So cool, though. So Evenson gave a prayer, and I felt better. I don’t know if it was just nerves, or really something, but I didn’t feel too well in the house, honestly. After, Riva gave the wife a blessing, and the husband wanted one. I knew he was gonna pick me, cuz I hadn’t done anything yet. I actually gave him one, and I did it in English. It was amazing. One of the best feelings I’ve ever had. As I was doing it, I just felt weightless. Like, I could really feel the Priesthood. It was really super awesome, and it helped to strengthen my testimony of it, too. I felt more peaceful after, too. Cool experience.
Well, that was about it. I’m really trying. We watched “The Other Side of Heaven” just barely before coming here, and those movies always inspire me, but also make me wish that my mission was cooler, haha. It would be a lot harder but also a lot easier the way he did it. We´ll see. Anyway, I know that what I am doing is right. Ether 12:27: ‘God gives men weaknesses so that they will humble themselves before him. After, he will make the weak things become strong unto him.’ I know that he is doing that right now. Once these weaknesses are gone, boom! Elder Reber has arrived. I know that this church is true, and that this is where I am supposed to be. Joseph Smith saw God and Christ, and he restored this gospel, and is a prophet of God. The Priesthood is real, and without it, none of this would be possible. The Book of Mormon is incredible, and by reading it, you can receive so much revelation and help. Really, I feel so good during it. Thanks for all of your love and your prayers. I love all of you so much, and I’m excited for the day that I can come back, and pick things back up, but with me as the guy I am now. Because this guy is a whole lot different. Love you.
Love,
Jace
Elder Reber

Also, they gave us the sheet for how Christmas is gonna work, but I don’t have the paper. Its nothing complicated. I’ll send the number next week, and the time that you should call.

December 13, 2010

Madison,
I’m glad to hear that you are still doing well in everything, even if you spelled sick wrong. You should probably really look into those kind of things better.
Yeah, talking is gonna be really cool. Only twelve days! I can’t imagine what it’s like at home right now. Really cool to think about. I know that its gonna be fun when I am able to go back home and do all of that good stuff again.
That sucks about basketball. Just tell the coach everytime "¡Chupa!” (You suck). And it’s only for missionaries that understand, too, so you could say it in Mrs. Duncan’s class. Even though she probably would. It’s just not really a word, exactly. Ha,ha, well, bye. I’m gonna put some pictures on. Keep me updated with everyone, and the happenings of the world.

Love, Yo Owdo Bwuvo,
Jace
Elder Reber


Dear Brooklyn,
Do the work in school! It’s really, really important to do all of that stuff. Really. You shouldn’t be on Facebook, anyway! It’s so dumb. Read a book or something! I know. Read the Book of Mormon! It’s so cool, really, it is. I’m glad you have some time off of school and stuff. I wish I could have a little bit of time off! Ha,ha, not really, but everything is good here. I’ll write some cool stories in the letter to mom and dad. Anyway. I gotta go, but I love you and miss you!

Love,
Jace

December 6, 2010

Madison,
Thanks for writing. Thanks for all the news of everything. It sounds like stuff is still the exact same, which I miss. Especially right now. If I came home at this exact minute, we would be having a ton of fun right now outside in the snow, that’s for sure! I just don’t want that feeling to leave. I don’t think that it will, because this whole mish thing has really helped me to change a lot. For the better.
Well, good luck with everything. Most of the stuff is in Moms letter, so read that. I wanna right more, but I ain’t got a lot of time. Keep my car good! Don’t ruin it! Oh, and I need some shirts, so next package, send me just one. A good one. Not a band one, cuz I cant wear it, but something not gay that I can wear p-days. Yeah? Ok. Well, love you, and have fun this week.
Love,
Jace

Oh, by the way, did mom put a sticker of Jesus or the Virgin Mary on the package? I hope she didn’t forget, cuz that would be bad.

December 6, 2010

Dear Whitney,
Wow, that’s really scary! I’m kinda glad that I wasn’t there to have to try and do something! I hope that everything is alright with him. Thanks for fasting for me! I really think that it is going to help me out a lot. I miss you all tons and hope that you are having fun at home. Miss you!
Love,
Jace

Hunter,
Hey buddy! Yeah, I’m having lots of fun here! It’s so cool. Maybe someday you can come down here and visit it with me and all of the family. Good job in basketball. I know that you´ll do better than me. Siempre chupè en basket. Pero está bien, porque vas a hacer buenisimo! Ha,ha, did you like that spanish? It said : I always stunk at basketball. But it’s ok, because I know that you are going to do really good! Good luck singing, and I hope you get better. Love you!
Love,
Jace

Dear Brooklyn,
Thanks for fasting. The Ryan thing is really scary. I hope that he is all right. Good luck in your choir thing. I know that you´ll do good. I love you a lot and miss you too, and I know that everything will be good at home. Keep trying every day! Miss you!
Love,
Jace

November 29, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,
Thanks for all the support. I really can feel all of the prayers and everything that everyone is doing for me. Keep them coming. I really need all the help I can get. This week was a little tough. They have a phrase here, called "Being Trunky" which means a missionary is just missing his life at home and all that. And I am definitely trunky. I think about home all the time. It’s kinda hard, but I don’t think it´ll really stop until I can talk Spanish and communicate completely with these people. Once that comes, this mission thing will be so much easier. I just psyche myself out with things that I don’t need to worry about, like my comp leaving, me changing zones, having only a latino, or any other things that just go on. I dunno. I’m trying, though, and that’s what the Lord wants.
Yeah, so, it sounds like everything went good at home. I’m glad that Thanksgiving went well, and that everyone was really happy. Ha,ha, guess what I had? Yup, chicken and rice. But oh well. I bought some stuff in the tienda, or little store under our house, and we had a party. Ha,ha, and they have a dog, Clifford, that I am basically in love with. He is filling Bandit’s place temporarily. Thanks for all the
news about everyone. Its fine if Madison sleeps in there; just so long as she’s out when I get back. Ha,ha, nah, I dunno.
Yeah, so, my new comp is good. His name is Elder Rivadeneira. He’s from Guayaquil, and he’s really nice. Its’ still really hard to understand. I thought that I was doing a lot better, but now, it feels like its gone back down. But it really helps to have a Latino in your companionship, because it forces you to speak Spanish all the time. So that has helped. And they haven’t really left me out. It’s hard to understand him, cuz his accent is just crazy, but I’m trying. The only really hard
part is teaching. I still only just testify. In our last comp inventory, they both said "Don’t be afraid to progress the lesson." I just don’t know how to do it yet. I try to speak with the Spirit, but I think my fear overpowers it. I just need to do it. Pray for that, will ya? Once that comes, the days will just go and go and go and I won’t know where they went. That´ll be really cool.
Oh, and for Dad´s question, some guys are junior comp for like 14 months! Rivadeneira has been in the mission for around 11 months, and he’s been junior comp the whole time. I dunno. If I am, I’m fine with that. Not everyone is cut out to be a leader. I can roll with whatever. Less pressure too.
I miss the snow. It has only rained here 4 or 5 times. I haven’t even used the boots or the coat once. Some of the Elders say that boots aren’t allowed, but you can’t even tell when I’m wearing them. I might not; I dunno. But they’re one of the few items I’m for surely bringing home. They would be good for a lot back home. Those, my suit, a couple a shirts, a pair of pants, and a bunch of souvenirs. I really do wanna buy a guitar, but I don’t know how much it would be on the plane. If it’s that much, I won’t do it. Like, over 1000. That’s just pushing it to the limit.
Pink Floyd sucks.
It’s fine doing it back and forth. I just never have a set time when I can be on. So, if you happen to be on at one time, let me know. I’ll try to catch you before getting off.
There is a lot of stuff here. Nobody, nobody, NOBODY gets married. Uniòn Libre is what they call it here, or Free Union, where people will just live together for like 30 years, but will never get married. Its dumb. And it makes it easy for guys to just walk out on their families, but strangely, it doesn’t happen a lot.
I haven’t done my eyebrows even once. They honestly aren’t bad. You can’t even tell. I’m afraid to shave them, too, because then they´ll just grow super fast.
The contacts have been coming, thanks. I know that we are being blessed for our work, and I just hope it keeps coming. Thanks to everyone.
I think that I’ll be here in Santa Domingo for Christmas. There aren’t changes until the the 2nd of January, but apparently there are going to be a lot on the 12th of December. I think Elder Evenson will leave then, and it will just be me and Rivadeneira, and I’m really nervous for that. I don’t know if he can do it. We´ll see!
Thanks so much for the packages. That’s really cool. I’m super excited to open them and see everything that’s in them. Thanks.
Ummm, oh yeah, I’m gonna send some written letters home, but it costs two bucks a letter! I may only write some to just you guys, and then just have you send them out to other people. Just like, put one to Jessica Wilde in with one to you guys, and send them together, and then you can just give or send it to her house. I dunno.
Anyway, that’s that. This week will be a little hard, only because I just think about home so much. Pray for me. Fast. Do everything. I am really needing it. The next few weeks, heck, months are gonna really try me, but after, I know that Ill be a beast! I love everyone. Keep doing good. Read the Book of Mormon! I freakin love that back. It is so cool. Grasp onto every word. It’s so cool how every word is inspired. I truly believe that. Read it every day, and pray. The simple things are the most powerful. I know the church is true, and am so grateful that I made this choice to be out here. Thanks for the support, and I love and miss everyone!
Love,
Jace
P.S. You should tell me the new movies that come out. I’m kinda interested. I know Harry Potter is out, ¡chuzo!

Oh, haha, my shoes are starting to fall apart! Already! ¡Chupan estas zapatos! (These shoes suck!) Apparently, you can buy them for really cheap here, so I might look into it. We´ll see. Love you!
Jace

November 29, 2010

Dear Hunter,
Yeah, thats my companion! And now, I have two! Crazy, huh? One is still Elder Evenson, and the others name is Elder Rivadeneira. Hes a Latino, from here in Ecuador! We are all good friends now. Im glad you had a fun break from school. I wish I could have a break sometimes here, but oh well! For Thanksgiving, I had . . . . chicken. Just like every day! It wasnt very special, but oh well. I hope Dad lets you play Football. That would be way fun. Well, I love you!
Love,
Jace

Dear Whitney,
Its fun here in Ecuador. It sounds like you are really busy with the choir thing. I know that you will do a good job at if, if you keep working hard! For Thanksgiving, I had chicken and rice and thats all. Just like every other day of the whole week! Well, I hope that you have fun with the Netflix. It costs money, I think, so be sure to ask Mom. Well, love you!
Love,
Jace

Dear Brooklyn,
I miss the snow. It is never going to snow here. Its too hot. Maybe someday, but I dunno. That sounds too bad about Madison being sick. I hope she gets feeling better. Im glad that you had a good Thanksgiving break. I miss that a little bit, but in only two more, I´ll be there with you guys! Crazy, huh? Well, I gotta go, but I hope that you have a good week. Keep praying for me; I need it!
Love,
Jace

November 22, 2010

Hey Mom Dad,

Yeah, it was pretty cool. I am really glad I got to have the experience of doing it. He is a really cool guy, and I know that he will be happy. As for the ward thing, I think that it is a really good idea. The members in our ward really. . . well, they suck. They don’t do jack shiz. But its ok: We are working with them, or at least my comp is, and I just follow, haha. That’s usually how it seems to go here, but I’m ok with that. Once my Spanish just kicks in, I think that everything that I do will just be that much better. I don’t really know about the furniture anymore. He might’ve just forgotten. If so, oh well. It was still a way cool thing.

About the new comp, he isn’t here yet. We’re gonna go pick him up in like an hour or two. I dunno what to think. He’s a latino, so it’ll be really interesting trying to communicate. What I’m honestly afraid of is my comp and him kinda just talking, and I get left out. I’m kinda, sadly, ok with that, but at the same time, I won’t really learn anything if I never get to talk either. It’s a weird situation. I don’t

wanna be lazy, but that’s probably the best word for it. I dunno. It´ll all be ok, I think.

Haha, for Thanksgiving, I have no idea what we´ll be doing. I would be willing to bet that we don’t get anything. It’s possible, I guess, but probably not likely. Its kinda sad, too, because we´re running kinda low on investigators right now, and the ones we have are super broke and dirt poor. But its not really that much of a problem. I have basically forgotten that it is Thanksgiving this soon. Thursday, yeah? I dunno. Haha, but no worries. It´ll pass, just like the other days. I

have been thinking about home a lot though, especially recently. I dunno. Here in the mission, they use the term "trunky." It basically means that I think about home a lot. My comp says that I have been the worst one for it, cuz we always quote movies and stuff. Its fun, though. No more after today, cuz the new comp won’t be able to understand.

It sounds like everything back at home is still really good. I’m glad to hear that. The usual, yeah? Nice. Yeah, everything will probably be the same here for three weeks, and then Elder Evenson might leave. We´ll see. Then I’ll officially be a missionary. I’ve only been here six weeks, but it feels like forever! Haha, its weird. I dunno.

Sorry I don’t have too many stories. I can never really remember anything that happens. I have it pretty detailed in my journal, but its always just boring. Santa Domingo is more just of a quiet place, not much going on. I can’t even really remember any super cool lessons or anything. I need to start writing it all down. I’m gonna, I just decided.

Yeah, about the packages, I dunno. If Parker says its good, hopefully its good. They have a thing called "Mail Jail" here where it´ll go if its bad. Hopefully it doesn’t, cuz its like a hundred bucks to get it out. I dunno. Do what you think. Don’t forget the picture of the Virgin and Jesus and stuff!

Ummm, the blackberry thing would be really cool. I don’t think that it is bad, and if it is, I don’t know, so its ok. No worries. If you could do it, I would like it. But if not, its not like super super bad. Just whatever you can.

Haha, it sounds like everyone is really super pumped for Thanksgiving! I am glad to hear it. I hope that it is really fun for everyone. I think that it will be, honestly. Obviously.

One last thing, did you know you can dedicate houses? I read it in the back of our mission manuel. I had never heard of it. Was ours? If not, Dad should totally look into it. That would be really cool. The priesthood is just incredible. I’ve already given four blessings: Three anointings and one actual. I butchered the crap out of it, but it worked, I think.

Well, I’m gonna send some pics now, but thanks for everything. I can feel your prayers, and I think about you guys a lot. It may be bad to do it, but I dunno. Right now, I’m still in the "I´d be fine with leaving" stage. Give it a month or two, then I’ll be super listo to just stay. (Listo means ready.) I love all of you, and I know that this church is true. Super super true. I am so glad that I decided to come here, and now I really know that this is true happiness. Hahaha, honestly, I’ve been thinking about temple marriage sometimes! I dunno. not good. Gotta wait two years for that one. Although, there is this little 14 year old that was trying to flirt with me last night. . . . Who knows?

Love,
Jace

November 22, 2010

Dear Whitney,

Thanks for your letter! It sounds like you are going to have a really fun time with Thanksgiving! And I hope that you do really good with your Christmas program. I wish that I could be there to watch it, but I’m here, of course! I hope that you guys have a really fun Thanksgiving! Keep it up!

Love,
Jace

Dear Hunter,

Haha, Dad helped you with this letter, didn’t he? I would be willing to bet that yes, he did. But that’s cool. I’m glad you like watching the games and stuff. I miss watching the Jazz games. They were always really super fun to watch. Good luck with everything! And my companions name is Elder Evenson.

Love,
Jace

Dear Brooklyn,

It sounds like you are going to have a really full week, yeah? I hope that everything works out for the most fun week ever! Lucky for you, you even get to have turkey! I don’t think that down here we will get to have anything. Oh well. I even forget sometimes that it’s almost Thanksgiving anyway!

Love,
Jace

PS
I miss all of you!

November 15, 2010

Dear Reber Children,

Sorry I can’t write anything, but I don’t have any time. I’m really glad that you have all had such a really good week, and are super ready for Thanksgiving break. Your big brother never gets a break from the mission work, but it’s ok, cuz its really good! Well, I love all of you, and have fun! I’ll talk to you next week. Have fun with my pictures, and thanks for sending some of Bandit!

Love,
Jace


Madison,

It sounds like you have been having an excellent time there. I’m glad you made the team. Just keep working really hard, and you will be able to do everything you wanna all the time. Just so long as you work, for real. Yeah, I don’t have any leisure time either. It kinda sucks, but there is nothing I can do. I mean, I am a missionary, yeah? So we´ll just have to see how everything is going to turn out down here in the Ecuador. Today, I am going to send some pictures to you guys, so that will be fun, I think.

Well, I dunno. I haven’t had really anything super duper interesting happen this week, but hopefully there will be in the upcoming weeks, yeah? Just keep up the good work with everything, and I know that you will be able to do anything you set your mind to. Go to church, read the scriptures, and pray. All of them. Really. Life will be way easier. I never woulda thought it, but its true. So do it.

Love,
Jace

November 8, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thanks for all the support. It’s just not gettin too much easier. I think until I’m really forced to do something, its always gonna be a little hard. Oh well. I’ll pull through, just like I always do. But yeah, everything has been going well. About the pictures, I have really wanted to send some home, but I gotta get a card reader this week. I have had to spend a little personal money, cuz I’m almost out of mish money, but I always just refill it after, so it’s ok. But yeah, that’s why not yet. I haven’t got a whole ton yet, because its hard to take them in the street, and you’re not supposed to look like tourists, the mish manuel says. I have got a couple, though.

Yeah, I dunno. I think little by little it is coming. I may be a little behind, but as long as I progress every day, that’s all I really care about. I could be the worst in the world, which I’m not saying I am, (you should hear some of the stuff some old missionaries did here that got them sent home) but just so long as I’m moving forward and getting better all the time, that’ll be good stuff.

Thanks for the fasting and praying. I really think it will help. I did it too, so double the power. I dunno. I think that is one of my main problems when teaching. I try to listen to the spirit, but I never can, because I’m too nervous. I know that once I just relax and let the spirit guide things, I’ll just be unstoppable. Again, little by little. Ugh, one of the worst experiences of my life. On Saturday, we had a mini conference, where the district leaders and zone leader teach us stuff. And they always do practices. And I’m always terrified that they`ll pick me. And they did. We had to do it on being direct, and we started. My comp talked for like 3 minutes, then looked at me. I froze. Completely. I sat there and had no idea what to say. After like 15 seconds, the other zone leader said stop, and asked the others what

"we" could do better. They said some stupid crap, and then we resumed. I sat there again. Only this time, for like 2 minutes. In dead silence. Just sitting. I almost cried, honestly. It was awful. Finally, I just said "Entiende esto?" or Do you understand? Ooooh, I felt so bad. Just so stupid. I dunno. It just wasn’t a very good day at all. But it kinda got me motivated to do more.

That night, we went to an investigator that we were going to baptize that night, Hermana Fuenes. We asked if she was ready, and she said "I gotta talk to you." That’s not good. Ever. So we went in, and she started telling us. "In 1 Ne chapter 4, it talks about Nephi killing Laban. But its a commandment not to kill. I don't like that." We explained how tons of the prophets in the Bible killed people for the betterment of mankind. She still wouldn't. So her husband, who originally was really interested, comes out and just basically helps us out a ton. It was really cool, and she came and everything was good. A miracle, if I say so myself. One last thing that night, we went over to Hectors, and asked if he was gonna be at church on

Sunday, and he said no. "Why not?!" He still didn’t have money for shoes. So. . . We kinda broke the rules. We went to a store and bought him some. But it was so worth it on Sunday, and we`re baptizing him and his kid this Saturday. Super cool.

Haha, another good thing. Latinos cannot sing. We sing I Believe in Christ, and wow. They butchered it. I'm sorry to put that in here, but it was just so funny. Well, yeah, that was my week. Nothing super intense happened.

Today, I got to go to Quito, to fill out my Census. I had to go with a dumb Elder, who always tells me what I should be doing, but is such a hypocrite. I got there and it was really fun. I saw all of the buddies from the CCM, and we all caught up. My Spanish, sadly, has improved the least. They all say they can understand everything, and I can’t understand crap still. Whats up with that? I dunno. More time, I suppose. But yeah, it was good.

Ok. I have a question. They have this Chinese menthol crap that people use here, and I was just wondering, is it safe, cuz I kinda wanna get some. Alright. Oh, my converter already broke. What a piece of crap. I think I’m just gonna try plugging it in the wall, and see what happens. Hopefully nothing, but I dunno.

Another thing. I kinda wanna have a guitar made here. I don’t know how to get it home though without it being super expensive. I`d of course wait until the end of my mission, but just a fun thought, yeah? Oh, and do you still need something to do with my debit account or anything? I need you to put some more money on, or at least check it to make sure I have at minimum 100. Can you? Oh, and have Madison check my email often, just so it doesn’t delete itself.

Well, that’s it. I know the church is true. This week, I‘m really just gonna work on having more confidence, and opening my mouth more to teach. It could be some more hard experiences, but once they happen, I can get stronger. I know I can pull through. I realize the power of prayer. You can do and have some much if you really pray to God. Like, really really really pray. I have had some really strong experiences, and I know he loves me. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I never

would have thought that I would like reading it, but I do, a lot. It’s so cool to find a really just awesome scripture. Love it. Well, I love you and miss all of you. Keep me in your prayers. Almost one month done! Wow. Still 21. Ouch. Nah, its good.
Love,
Jace
Elder Reber


Hey,

Sorry, but I forgot to say some stuff. About the letters, if you wanna, you can. I really have almost 0 time to write any, I’m really sorry. Someone suggested you could just print off all of my emails, and remember them that way. And then when I get home, I can do the same thing. That would be cool. For a package, I dunno. They’re really expensive. Starbursts are delicious. Ooooh, and some everlasting gobstoppers. In the big yellow box. Oh yeah. Well, love you. Oh, and my shoes are fine. I was just saying it to say it. If they break, I’ll worry about it then.

Love,
Jace

November 8, 2010

Dear Brooklyn,

Yeah, I wish that we could have Thanksgiving here. I don’t think I will even get the chance to eat any turkey or any other of the delicious things like that. And good job on the 4.0! That’s really cool. Maybe someday you`ll be as smart as me. Maybe. And I miss doing baptisms for the dead sometimes. I always used to like doing it. Keep it up. I love you and miss you. Sorry this letter is short. I don’t have a lot of time, like always. I love you and miss you.

Love,
Jace

Dear Whitney,

You had a really good week. I’m sorry you were sick. That’s never fun. And way to go on the school, too! You all are just doing so good it sounds, yeah? And no, there weren’t any any ANY kids trick or treating on Halloween. I don’t think that the little kids here do it very much. That’s sad. I miss football! I wish that I could go to some of the games. Maybe when I get back. Thank you for being a good little sister. I love you and miss you.

Love,
Jace

Dear Hunter,

I’m writing on the computer. My companions name is Elder Evenson. He’s really nice. My bed is really super ,super comfortable. And I like Ecuador. But its kinda hard! Spanish is hard to do sometimes. I don’t know why. I am really glad that you are doing so good in school. I hope that you keep trying your very best and doing so good. I love you and miss you. Keep playing all the sports you like. And way cool you get to be an elf!

Love,
Jace

December 6, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

Wow, that’s crazy that Ryan fell off the roof, and it also really sucks. I’ll be sure to keep him in my prayers. And thanks for the prayers and also for the fast, I know that it really helped me this week. Whoo, some weird stuff happened this week, but I’ll get to that later. Yeah, it sounds like everything at home is going well. I’m glad to hear that. Sometimes, well, I always miss the cold, but its actually not too bad here, most of the time. It could be a lot worse, that’s for sure. I dunno. I think things have started to improve. Well, in some ways. I think I am getting a tiny tiny bit better at teaching and stuff. My Spanish still sucks, but I dunno. I’m not worried at all on the speaking. I just wanna be able to understand first, and then everything will be really good, I think. Until then, I’ll just keep keepin on.
Well, where to start. Right after last week, we got a call that we needed to go and talk to one of the sister missionaries, because my comp is district leader, and she’s in our district. Apparently, she was shaking and was having a huge panic attack. We went to her, and she was just shaking way bad. My comp tried to calm her down, and we gave her a blessing. After, my comp called the zone leaders, and I talked to her for like 15 minutes. It really, really helped me a lot. Like, it helped me more than her. I realize now that I am here for the right reasons, and that I believe why I’m here. I could really feel the spirit confirming the things that I was saying to her. It was really sweet. I know that I am doing what I’m supposed to, and helping these people out a lot, and giving them the greatest gift I ever could in the entire world. So that’s cool.
Second, whoo, the days are hard. I’ve been really mad at these two guys, cuz they kinda just do their own thing. I like that, honestly, because I get so nervous when I have to say something, but I don’t wanna be completely left out. Ha,ha, on Tuesday, I was so pissed, and then, I got bit by a dog. Yeah, literally. On my leg. It barely got me, but it still got me, nonetheless. I wasn’t too happy that day. But they have been getting better. The first half of the month flies by; the last half, though, does not. Like, its already almost the 10th. That’s crazy. But I haven’t even been here two months yet! What!? How not? It feels like two years already! Ha,ha, but I’m really just doing it. It’s hard not to think, but I’m trying.
The Christmas Devotional was really cool. We even got to watch it in English. I was really just hard hearted back at home. I really was actually excited to watch it. Yeah, I said excited. Who woulda thunk it? But I was, and it was awesome.
Ummm, I have some news. One pair of my shoes has ripped, ha,ha. I don’t know how, but it has. It is not to much of a problem yet, and they have some shoe fixers here. I just need some like glue for them to put on it, and they should last quite a while longer. I may just look into buying another pair, but I haven’t decided yet.
What else? Oh yeah, I have been playing the piano a lot here. Like, every chance I can. And I can actually play the hymns, kinda. That’s really cool. I think that I might start up again once I get home, if I can make myself do it. A favor: If there’s a way that you can send the piano music to "Come sail away" or "Faithfully" by Journey, that would be really cool, and I can just print it off here. Oh, ha,ha, and I also need you to email the lyrics of "Its tricky" from singstar. If you don’t know how, make Madison. But I just wanna know them to sing with Evenson.
We had a baptism this week, Gabriela. I’ll send a picture. She’s pretty cool. I’m just glad we still are having some, sometimes. I dunno. It’s more than some people have their entire mission! Crazy.
Well, that’s about it. Spanish is still really stupid, and I’m very, very tired of speaking it. I would just like to have a lesson or conversation with somebody in English. Not with someone I know, some random stranger. That would be so cool. Only 20 and some days left and I can! Well, keep me in your thoughts and all of your prayers, because I need it. I pray for everyone every night, and I hope you are receiving some blessings for my work, because we´re working, alright. I love all of you and miss you a lot.
Love,
Jace

Again, keep praying for me and everything. I am gonna be needin it. Love you.

With the music, just if you can figure out how to send the sheet music so I can print it off and play it. If not, its not too big of a deal. But whatever. I’m sorry, I´d talk more, but I only got like four minutes, and I still wanna send pics. Sorry. Love you.
Jace

November 1, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

Yeah, everything is going pretty good. I dunno how to explain it. Everyday is still really really hard. Teaching is ridiculous, cuz I never know what to say. Spanish doesn’t feel like its gotten any better. I don’t really know. Yesterday, we did splits, me with a latino. We went to our sector, or area, and I had to try to find all the people and set return appointments and everything. It was really hard, but I honestly think I can do it. Just a lot of practice. But that’s the funny part. Though everything is still hard, its already Monday. Pday. It feels like I’ve been on my mission for 3 months, not two and a half weeks. Its really weird. But good, mostly. I know once I can teach and stuff, its gonna just be insanely fast, and before you know it, I’ll be back. Stupid college, finding a full time job at night, studying, having to date, and hopefully still having time to hang out with you guys and my friends. Whew, life is rough. But yeah, this week was good. Lotsa lessons, lotsa stuff. We teach like, 6 a day, and we walk everywhere. Mostly. We take taxis every once in a while, and they’re only like a dollar. Its pretty cool. I dunno. I really just wanna be able to just throw down some good lessons all the time. We`ll see.

Yeah. One really cool experience.We are teaching this guy, Hector. I don’t remember if I’ve talked about him yet. He’s so cool. Golden investigator. He accepts everything, and is so excited to be baptized. Oh man, he’s so awesome. But we teach him in the house of his sister, who also wants to now! Heck yes. But there’s one other. Shes a Testigua, or Jehovahs Witness. She always comes and asks us stupid questions during the lessons, and my comp always slams her down, because I don’t understand completely yet. But on Monday, she came in, and he was like "You know what, I would like to bear my testimony on this, and how I know its true." Oh ho ho, it was so cool. Super strong spirit. And his sister shut right up. Excellent. So good.

About the dirty clothes. We usually call a place, and they come pick up all of our dirty crap, but the bike that the dude usually takes was broke, so we waited some days, then finally just took them to a different place. I wore the same pants for like 5 days. Oh man, did they stink. But its all good now.

Ummm, what else interesting. Oh, we have ran out of water twice this week, heh heh. But its gross water anyway. It just sucks to not be able to wash dishes or anything. Other than that, nah. The packages, nothing. I was just saying if you ever decide to send one, which you honestly never do, (they’re expensive, and I am perfectly fine without one) it HAS to be under 8 pounds. That’s all. Weigh it and make sure. And it has to have a green customs sticker. Again, if you have questions, ask Parker. He probably knows. The bugs are not that bad. I actually have only used the lotion twice. I need to more. Again, Evenson said here is one of the worst spots for them. But oh well. I itch a lot in the mornings, but other than that, I’m good.

We do get mamitas. Everyday, for lunch, we go to a members house and they cook some stuff for us. I haven’t had anything really weird yet. Just rice and fish or rice and chicken, and always soup. But its pretty good, so far. One thing: I like onions now. They put onions in everything, raw or cooked. Both are good. I dunno. I still wouldn’t willingly put them on something, but I can eat them just fine. But the mamita doesn’t clean, or do laundry. We clean. Well, kinda.

My feet are a lot better. They are still sore, but it has progressively gotten easier and easier, so I’m glad for that one problem though. Elder Evenson had these exact same shoes as me, and he said that his broke after like 5 months. So I really hope that doesn’t happen with me, or that would just really suck.

Lastly, Spanish is still hard. I think I am still just picking up a little bit more, day after day, but I can’t be positive. Its hard to sit in the lessons and just know what they’re saying, but when I gotta speak, anticipating that I won’t understand what they say. Or worse, speaking and having it sound like I’m an idiot. But yeah, just keep going, I suppose.

Well, thanks for all the news from home. Its good to hear. Doesn’t sound like something insanely intense has happened yet, but I like hearing about it all. And no, it’s not too many letters. I still have time to always email back.

Well, yeah. I know that the Church is true. Everyday, I see it more and more. People have had a lot more joy, and I can see that they have a purpose. This gospel blesses lives, and families. I hope you have got some blessings from me being here. I believe it. I’m really trying hard, so he’s happy. I have a lot stronger testimony now, and I hope that it continues to grow as I’m out here.

I love you and miss you, and keep me in your prayers! Its almost been a month! Not really, but almost! Love you!

Love,
Jace
Elder Reber