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

November 1, 2010

Dear Brooklyn, Whitney, and Hunter,

Sorry I have to write these together, but I don’t have very much time left. Thanks for all your stories! I’m glad to hear them. I don’t really have any cool stories yet, but I will later! I hope Halloween was super fun. I love all of you, and will talk to each of you next week, for sure. I just don’t have very much time here. Well, ok. Brooklyn, you’re welcome for the pumpkin. Hunter, good job on football, but I don’t know if Mom will let you play it. Whitney, I hope that you get feeling better.

Well, I miss all of you, and love you! Keep praying for me, and play with Bandit! He’s probably really sad without me there.

Love,
Jace


Madison,

You just need to suck it up with school. Do you think I ever complained? The answer is no. Ask Mrs. Duncan, or Hartley, or anyone. It’s the truth. I was a golden student. Everything sounds like it is going really good. I’m glad to hear that. Keep it up with work and with school and everything, and don’t psyche yourself out. It only gets harder in college. Except that you’ll probably want a social life or something. Who wants one of those? Not me, that’s for sure.

Yeah, Halloween was yesterday. I remembered, and forgot. I really didn’t miss it too much. Now, Christmas on the other hand. That will suck.

I miss Bandit. Someone needs to play with him! Come on! I don’t want him to be a butt when I get back home. I actually can’t even remember what he sounds like at all. Sad, huh? My dog, Bandit. But yeah, whatever. I miss stuff too. I’m still the same Jace I was when I left. Not exactly the same, but still the same in most ways, yeah?

Well, yeah. I miss you and love you, and hope you have fun. I can’t believe all of those other guys are all getting ready to leave already. Pretty crazy. Wow, I just thought of something. If anyone ever says, " So how long has Jace been out?" You can say "Almost three months!" Wow! That’s really cool. Really super cool. Soon four then five then six then 23 then home! We`ll see. Well, bye.

Love,
Jace
Elder Reber