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