Oct 25, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

Hey, this week has been a lot better. It’s still really hard, but it’s slowly getting easier, which I’m glad for. The only thing that’s bad, is that I still don’t really really really like it yet. Or at all haha. I dunno what to say. It’s cool seeing the effect in these people’s lives, but I hate going into the lessons, because I never know what I’m going to say, or how the people are going to respond. I don’t know really what to say. This week has gone by fast, and slow at the same time. I keep thinking about home, and my mind wanders a lot. So many thoughts. It’s crazy the way my head is working here. Oh well. Ill get through. So, I left my folder in the house, so I don’ t remember exactly what I wanted to say. First off, this week has been really cool. Some really neat experiences. I don’t really have any way cool stories, but just some stuff that’s happened. We have one guy, named Hector, and on divisions on Tuesday, my comp and the zone leader asked him to give up coffee. We visited him on like Friday, and he was just way into not doing it, and hadn’t, and I was just so excited for him. I couldn’t stop smiling. It was so cool. And we´ve givin some blessings this week, or at least my comp has. That’s cool. Yesterday, one of the golden families told us a story. Sometimes, the kid will just be playing on the floor, and the mom will ask "Who are you playing with?" and the kid will say "The demons." And after school, some days he wouldn’t come in because he sees something dark. Crazy, huh? PS, don’t show this to Whitney or Hunter, cuz they´ll flip. But yeah, so we gave the kid a blessing, and we wouldn’t to bless the house, but had to have the husband there. Cool stuff. My comp said that tons of people here always have dreams of stuff, and they’re about like angels or one was about the Book of Mormon. That’s just so cool to me.

The families here are so cool. We have one lady, Hermana Nori, this black lady with three kids, and they are just awesome. I really wish I could understand what she was saying though. That would make it a lot cooler. We have a lot of families, and I think I’m gonna buy a book today for my mish, and everyone can write in it and leave a picture. That would be really fun after. If not, I’ll just make sure to grab a picture of them on my camera. And even maybe someday, I could come back and visit some of them. Now THAT would be way fun. If they liked

me. Which they would. Why not?

So, yeah, that’s about it. Nothing hilarious or crazy. Lots of bug bites now. Lots and lots and lots. I know. It sucks. They all itch. And I haven’t been wearing any bug spray. I asked my comp, and he said this is one of the worst areas for bugs, so I might start wearing it a lot more. We´ll see. Its not too bad yet.

Oh, another thing. Ow. My feet. It’s not like in the arches, it’s just on the skin. I have gotten really rough, raw skin. The last couple a days, I had a huge one under my middle toe on my right feet. Last night, I took my sock off, and there was a tiny bit of puss in it, so I just took the needle from my kit and popped it. It feels a ton better today. I just didn’t wanna scar. But even if there is, it’s only on the

bottom of my foot anyway, so it really doesn’t matter.

Ummm, what else. I don’t have any clean pants because of the laundromat, there’s this dog, Clifford, that our vecina, or neighbor, owns, and it REALLY makes me miss Bandit a ton. How is he, by the way? Um, the buses here are fun, not as crazy as Peru, though. I have walked a ton, and I think I have already lost some weight. I haven’t progressed in Spanish, and I’m super angry at it. Stupid Spanish. I’m trying to learn the lessons better, but I dunno. It’s just hard. It’s all really hard right now. And everything else sucks too. Trying to remember stuff I gotta buy for the week is the hardest. Cuz we only get one shot at it. And trying to memorize the area. Also very hard. Haha, its hard! Keep praying. Before you know it, I’ll be on my way home, and I’ll have to start life, for real. That´ll just be awful. I hope to have some really cool stories here. We´ll have to see. I have been sleeping good. I don’t have a people, haha, but I have been sleeping on my shirts. I think that I’ll be getting one later this week, so I’m excited for that. But yeah, it only takes about 30 minutes now. It’s really strange. I like it. But I’m still always way tired. That’s the life of a missionary!

Yeah, that’s about it. Thanks for keeping me updated with things. I hope Madison checked those things. I’ll ask her in her email in just a second.

I know the church is true. In just the 12 days that I’ve been here, I have seen peoples lives flip flop, and they have purpose. I am glad I decided to do this, and I know it´ll help me throughout my life. I know God is up there, and he loves me, and Jesus died for me, and that we can be forgiven. I dunno. There’s a lot in my heart, and it’s all good stuff. Well, I love you all and miss you all, and hope you have a good week. Wish me luck, and keep me in your prayers. I never have time to write any letters, but I’m gonna tell my comp next week we gotta have a little bit of time back at home to do that. I’m not entirely sure how it works yet, but we´ll see. Anyways, I love you!

Love, Your son,
Jace
Elder Reber

PS I don’t need any of that stuff. I basically don’t need anything. Just to be alive. Oh, by the way, I hope you got the thing about my packages. It can be 8 pounds, not 4, ONLY 8, cannot exceed, and must have the green sticker. Again, any questions, ask Parker.

Oct 25, 2010

Dear Hunter,

That’s really cool, buddy. I hope you have a lot of fun stuff this week! And I know you like basketball, so junior jazz will be really fun. I’m glad for you. Well, I don’t have a lot of time, sorry, so this will be short, but next time, I’ll try to have more time, yeah? I love you and hope you have a good week!

Love, Your Brother,
Jace

Dear Brooklyn,

Hey, 40 bucks! That’s a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. I wish I could just have 40 bucks right now. That would be super fun. You should save it though, for something really cool! Or just to have it saved up and in your account. Well, my letter’s not that long either, but I’ll try next time. Anyway, I miss you, and bye.

Love, Your Brother,
Jace

Dear Whitney,

That’s cool you’re talking about Ecuador. Yeah, it´s really fun here. Maybe someday, we can all come down as a family, and maybe visit some cool places! That would be super fun, I know. Well , sorry I can’t write much, but I don’t have any time, and I’m really tired, too. I’ll try to put pictures on next time. Anyway, I love you!

Love, Your Brother,
Jace

Oct 25, 2010

Madison,

Don’t call me Jacee. That’s something that Kendra would write. But that’s all good news. Keep it up with school. That’s good to hear. If you continue to get good grades, you can get a scholarship. Just do it, yeah? Oh, and I have fifteen this time, so that’s cool. That’s crazy that all these juniors, well, juniors to me, are leaving! They really aren’t that much younger than me, I guess. Its just weird to think about. What’s more weird is that James and Gentry have been out for 14 months already. Wow.

Hey, by the way, do you ever go in to Fresh Market? Tell those morons Kayle and Nick to email me. Its really not that hard. Yeah. If you see them, tell them. If not, oh well, no prob.

Yeah, that’s about it. Keep going to Seminary! You don’t even know. I would go back and go every day, and even memorize the scriptures. If you honestly do wanna go on a mission someday, go. And memorize the references, at the very least. It´ll help you so much. Wow, you’re a junior, right? Is Brooklyn in high school next year? No way. I don’t believe it. That’s so weird to think about. Ugh, I don’t like it.

Yeah, well, that’s about it. Oh, and with Parker, he said my accent will be way good, but for him, yeah. Lots of missionaries here said that he is one of the few gringos, or Americans, that have a perfect accent. Like, perfect perfect. Everyone else just sounds like a foreigner forever. I dunno. Haha, we´ll see.

Well, I love you, and keep up the good work. Give Bandit a huge hug for me. I miss that dog so much, you don’t even know. ..........And you too, by the way, not only him. So don’t be like that.

Love,
Jace
Elder Reber

Oct 18, 2010

Dear Family,

Hello! I am in Ecuador as we speak! Crazy, I know. This week has been so crazy, and possibly one of the hardest of my whole entire life. Ah, where to begin?

Well, the CCM situation wasn’t a big deal at all. Like, for a minute, I thought I wasn’t gonna be able to bring my backpack, but it was all ok. The airport was fine, but I got checked again, because that little manicure kit thingy was in it. Man, am I stupid. I got off, and was actually just super excited. Well, at first. I got there, and we went to this big hill, where President Kimball dedicated Ecuador, like, 35 years ago. It was a really awesome view of the whole city. It’s really beautiful. It’s situated in the mountains nicely, everything is just really nice. Hopefully, I can send one or two, but I’ll have to see how things go. Anyway, we went to President Sloans, and I started just feeling like crap. WAY super nervous. About everything. So that night was not fun in the least. Plus, after, we went to a big apartment with the other missionaries, and they had like 15 layed out, and there were 29 missionaries. So we had to share. To make things worse, one of the latinos snored louder than a shotgun going off, so I slept somewhere between 1 and 3 hours. The next morning was basically awful. We went to a stake center, and got our new comps. Mines name is Elder Evenson, from Draper. My first impression: Didn’t have one. He seemed just regular. The place where I was sent is Santa Domingo. Oh, and for the letters. One of the elders says just send it to the mission home address always. They’ll ship it out to me every time. So you don’t have to worry about it changing. Oh another thing quick, tell Madison to put it under facebook. Tell her to

periodically just log on and then log right back off, not to check the messages or anything. Just log on, and instantly log off. Just to keep it active, and so it doesn’t delete. Same with my email.
Yeah, so there’s that. You can look up Santo Domingo if you want. It’s a cool little place, like three hours off the coast. It’s not too hot, but I sweat like a pig after walking. But I expected that. And it’s gross sleeping at night, but I’m over it. It rained only one time last night, and only for like five minutes. I wish it would more. But the people are really nice. So guess what? Two baptisms already. I
shouldn’t really take credit, because I can’t talk to the people, since my spanish is awful and I can’t understand them. Also because I never talk during the lessons. Like, never. I should be, but I never know what to say, or how to say it, or anything. It’s so hard. I actually, honestly, so far, do not like it that much. Is that bad to say? I’m doing something so cool, but I don’t like it. I just feel super overwhelmed all the time. I hope it starts to come. Everyone says it does, but I’m not seeing or really feeling it yet. Keep praying for me, por favor.

Yeah, but the baptisms, they were really cool. Elder Evenson says it does count, just because I was there. There’s two more this week, and two the next, and maybe even two after that too. Good start. Hopefully they’re not the only eight in the whole mission. With my teaching skills, or lack thereof, and no Spanish, its very possible. I’m super excited for when it does come, though, and I can communicate like I want to. Oh man, that´ll just be so fun, and teaching probably will be too. Who knows?

But yeah, that’s my first week here. First couple a days, super overwhelmed, almost cryed a couple times, not gonna lie. It feels like it’s been a month already, just because the days are so long, and I dread going to teach people. Scheduling is hard, don’t know who to go to when, all of it. Will I learn all of that? Tell Parker (Tripp) that I told President Sloan. He said he was a good missionary. Also tell him that I was talking to an Elder Pareira yesterday, our zone leaders, and his name came up. Elder Pareira said he was one of the few North Americans, EVER, that had a perfect latino accent. So tell him that.

Well, I’m almost out of time, and I kinda wanna get some pictures on. I’m not sure how I’m gonna send stuff home. OH, before I forget. Dad said you had a package. Ok, here’s some stuff.

1. It CAN’T be over 4 pounds. It´ll be stuck in a thing called mail jail, and I would have to pay like a hundred bucks to get it out.

2. It has to have a green customs sticker on it, ALWAYS. Always, always, always. Just talk to Parker about it more. I have no idea how all this stuff works. Maybe I never will. We´ll see.

Haha, sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to get some stuff out. No matter what happens, this mission has already changed my life. I feel like I actually have a chance now. A chance to go back and be in the Celestial Kingdom. It is so incredible. No matter if my Spanish never improves, if I never learn the cities, how to plan, how to contact, how to make appointments, how the mission works, ANYTHING, it doesn’t matter, because I am good now. I know that everything will work out. I have been working. Elder Evenson is a really good worker. We are always doing something. I may not say much, but just that I’m there, I think, is good enough. Obedience is key. I’m so glad I came. I feel Gods love so much for me now. I know for a complete fact that he is up there, and that he loves me. I’m one of his kids. Just as you guys love me, and I love you, it’s the same. I dunno, it’s just so incredible. I’m so grateful for the Atonement, and that my brother, Jesus, died for me, so I could repent and return to live with him and Heavenly Father again. The Book of Mormon is so good. There’s so much good stuff in there. I started it over again, and was reading in 1 Nephi, chapters 11 to 13. It’s so cool. God basically told Nephi about everything that would happen. Like, all of it. Read it. We are the Gentiles, and the Jews are the people from the Bible. Well, I gotta go. I love all of you so much. I can feel all of your prayers, and I’m glad that I’m in your thoughts. I have doubts, but once I overcome them, I know I’ll be super strengthened because of it. I love and miss everyone, and hope this week goes well.

Love,
Jace

Oct 18, 2010

Dear Whitney,

Thank you for your letter. I’m glad to hear from you. And I’m in Ecuador right now!! It’s really different from home, but I still like it a little bit. Spanish is super hard, but that’s ok, yeah? I hope you use the Maggie Moo´s good! Remember me! Thank you for your prayers; they help a lot. I love you!

Dear Brooklyn,

That’s really cool that you got to see her again. I bet it was really fun to go after it has been such a long time. And its ok that it isn’t very long. I don’t have a lot of time, anyway. But yeah, I actually gotta go, but Ecuador is really different! Maybe someday all of us can go down and see everyone. That would be way fun. Well, miss you!

Dear Hunter,

I’m glad you won a lot of games! I hope you like basketball, too. You will, cuz its really fun. You hit your head again? You need to watch it! If someone is going to hit their head, it should be Madison. Tell her that. Well, I gotta go, buddy, but I love you and miss you!

Love to all of you,
Jace
Elder Reber

Oct 18, 2010

Dear Madison,

I have roughly only six minutes left on this. Thanks for keeping my updated on everything. I left a lot of stuff in the note to mom and dad, so you can read that if you would like. Well, Spanish is insane, and so hard. I hope I pick it up. Next time

you see Trevor, ask him how long it took him to get fully into it, and learn all the planning skills and everything, and the layout of the cities, and teaching and just everything. I’m really nervous for that. Like, super super super super SUPER nervous. Please. Well, I love you and gotta go. Keep the good news coming.
Love,
Jace

Oct 12, 2010

Mom and Dad,

Hey, I made it to Ecuador ok. I’m in President Sloan's house right now. They told me I could leave a little note to say I made it. He's really nice, and his wife is too. Anyway, I dont have p-day till next Monday, but I’m so scared. I was really excited earlier, but not so much anymore. Just keep me in your prayers. I sure as heck know that I will be praying a lot. I love all of you, and I know that it's all just in my head. I’ll be just fine; I know it. Wish me luck!

Love,
Jace

Oct 6, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

Only one week left to go. Actually, more like 6 days, because we leave early Tuesday morning, at like 6:30, so that’s good. I’m feeling good. About the converter, I think I’m just gonna go for one of the settings, and hopefully it doesn’t fry my thing. It shouldn’t, I wouldn’t think, and if it does, then that will just really suck, and Ill have to try to find one in Ecuador. Nothin else I can do, yeah?

Yeah, with the luggage, it has 55 pounds for each one, and only 17 for the carry on. The backpack would could as the carry on, so I’m gonna have to put it in the little suitcase. I can maybe just leave a whole bunch of books and stuff, and if super necessary, some toiletry items, like toothpaste or shaving cream, and any other small stuff. But I think I can do it. Not a big deal. We cant go over the weight limit,
because I think the plane we are taking is relatively small, so it´ll crash if anyone goes over. Which would be a cool story, except for the part where I would die.

The food is the same as always. I actually for like 5 days straight was having diarreah, but I talked to Hermana Whetten, the Mission Presidents wife, and she gave me some stuff. Shes super nice, and always tells us we need to have fun and do things to not make us crazy, like order a pizza to the grocery store we go to after the temple. I really like it here, a lot more than I did in Provo, honestly. And the time goes by way faster here. Its crazy. It felt like just yesterday was conference. I kinda like that, though. My feet are ok, mostly. I have one spot on my left foot that I think will blister a lot. Its where it was hurting so bad in Vegas. I can

maybe just wear more socks, and I think that will help take care of
it. If not, I can just tough it out, not a big deal.

Sorry, I don’t know the address where I will be staying. I had it on the paper, but I lost it. I’m sorry. Ill send an email when I find out where I am staying. Oh, and I have no idea when that is. Not next week, probably, cuz I don’t know when pday is yet or anything, and we don’t have any time here before we go to do it. I would guess that the first pday in the field I can go to a library or something and do it.

Oct 6, 2010

Whoops, sorry, didn’t mean to send that yet, but its ok. Yeah, so
nothing new has really happened. Some stupid drama here, with rules,
and the teachers thinking we’re all just bad. I wrote about it in my
journal, and it would take way too long to try to explain it, but it’s
just dumb. Other than that, nada. Oh, conference was good. We were the
only place in all of Peru that got to do a live feed, because it was
election day for everyone else, and it’s against the law to watch tv on
it. So that was cool. And it was in English too, which helped. I like
President Eyring´s talk on trusting in God. President Monson seemed
really different these times; almost sarcastic, even. I don’t know why,
but it kinda bothered me. I still liked it though. First time in my
whole life I have watched all 5 sessions. Whoo! That’s right.
My stupid wheel on my suitcase is already broken. So dumb. I don’t even
know how it happened, but its ok. I don’t use them much anyway.
Well, I’m super scared. I don’t feel at all like I’m ready, honestly. But
I know that with the Lords help, I can do anything. I hope I didn’t
leave anything out to any of your letters, but if I did, I’ll look
through them and try to answer them better. Thanks for all the prayers
and the love. I know these next couple a weeks will be pretty intense,
but I think that they will be really good, too. Also, I might try to
get some pictures out today. Later, that is. I dunno. That´ll be good,
yeah? I love everyone, and sorry that the letters aren’t full of
stories or anything. When I actually write letters and stuff, then Ill
be able to write more stuff, and maybe put some stories in. Anyway,
love all of you, miss you, give Bandit a big hug for me, and about the
blog thing, you can just put whatever. I’m not sure if I’ll even have
time to write anything. I’m sorry. I can surely try.
Love,
Elder Reber

Oct 6, 2010

Dear Mom and Dad,

The converter is in watts. It’s either from 0 to 50, or from 50 to 1650. I think I’m just gonna go from 0 to 50, and just see how that goes. I dunno. It would just take a long time to send a new charger here, and it might get stolen, or something else. All that good stuff. Anyway. I’m gonna try it. Tonight.

Yeah, I’m not too worried. I’ll just pack what I can, and it´ll be fine. About the moleskin, I won’t need it until I walk around a lot more, and hopefully not at all. I still haven’t touched about half of the stuff in the suitcase anyway, but that´ll change out there. I’m really not stressing it.

So, despite what I had thought before, I think I’ve gained weight! I don’t even understand how. I’m super excited to get out in the field with walking, sweating, and not much eating. I work out like 4 days a week, but it’s just hard, cuz running hurts my back and pushups just suck. I wanna find some dumbbells or something to work with, but I dunno. We´ll see when we get there.

Oh, just thought, you should let me know when people get married. I was just thinking about that the other day, and it is really just funny to me.

I have been sleeping better here than in Provo, but still not the best. I probably fall asleep at 11:30 or 12. 6 and a half hours isn’t awful. I also am gonna have to start shaving every day, cuz my facial hair is just growing way faster now. I don’t like it, and I might have to buy some disposable razors, too.

Well, thanks. I kinda am not supposed to get on twice or three times a day, but oh well. This is the last time I’ll get to, and then it´ll be hard to send any at all. Well, maybe not. I don’t know how it works in small towns, but it does, I guess.

I love all of you. Thanks for the support. Next time I talk to you, unless its tonight, I’ll be in Ecuador!

Love,
Elder Reber

Oct 6, 2010

Brooklyn,
I get to leave for Ecuador on Tuesday of this week. Crazy, huh? I’m really excited, and I think that Ill have a lot of fun. I’m glad you finally found a book to read. I never did read a lot, but I wish I would have, cuz its really good for you. It´ll help you in school and stuff, and you´ll be able to do a lot better in all of your subjects.
So you still like art? That’s cool. You should keep practicing. That would be a fun thing to do. I do miss bandit a whole lot. When you say my name, does he ever look? I hope so. Well, gotta go. I love you.
Love,
Jace

Hunter,
The churros with caramel are super good! You would like them. They are different than the ones at Costco, but I still like them. Also, in Peru, you can buy them in the street for 35 cents! Super good idea! And I’m ready to go, but scared too.
You have scored 14 goals? Are you the best on your whole team? That’s good that you like it. keep doing good in school, too. I know that you will do really good with it if you keep trying your best and doing your homework. Well, its almost time for dinner, but I miss you and love you!
Love,
Jace

Whitney,
Its ok that the letter was short. Its just good that you did it! I’m glad you are liking school and like some of your teachers. Keep trying really hard every day, and you will do really good. I miss you and love. Oh, and its ok if you ask how Peru is. It doesn’t bother me. Peru is super fun, but I’m excited for Ecuador on Tuesday!
Love,
Jace

Oct 6, 2010

I know this is like the third email today, but I lost track of time, and almost forgot, but happy birthday to you two days ago, Mom, and happy birthday to you in 3 days, Dad.
Love,
Jace

Oct 6, 2010

Dear Aunt Dana,

Thanks for the stories. It’s good to hear what’s going on with everyone. I like that story that the other missionary told, and I think I’ve heard it before. I now know why it’s bad to say it to other people, as well, so that’s something to add to my list of words not to say.

Lots of big stuff goin on! I hope everyone pulls through everything ok. I was going to write you a letter in Provo after I got your letters and stories and stuff, thanks, by the way, but I never got the chance. So much to do in the life of a missionary. I like it a lot here. My time in Peru has been so much faster than when I was in Provo. I’m still really nervous for when I gotta go out. Español is not easy. I do not really like it yet, I’m not gonna lie.

Well, I don’t have much time left, but I’m glad to hear from you. Tell everyone I miss them an hope that they are doing good. I love all of you!

Jace