Wow this week has been crazy!!!! So many things have happened. So in my last day of Whittier on Monday we went over to the C______ (they are some really cool members) because it was Jorge C______’s birthday. So we made him a cake and when we went over there was a ton of people (like half the ward…) there. They had a ton of food and I got to say goodbye to a bunch of the members even though I just barely met them haha. They even invited some of our investigators who were there. It was cool. But yeah we ate, talked and played a sick game of UNO!

Then on Tuesday we had to wake up bright and early too take an elder to the airport who was going home. Then I had to come back and my ride showed up to take me to Cerritos. My new area is pretty small but it is cool. It is mostly in the city of Bellflower but I cover a bit of Lakewood (pure white people…) I got there and met with Elder Stephenson and we got to work. We are both new to the area so we had no idea who the members or investigators are that are here. The First day we went to see if we could find the investigators that the other elders left. But no body was home. We talked to a ton of people but found no success. We couldn’t even seem to find members home. We were working for a while and nothing… Then at like 8:30 we were knocking a door of an investigator and I said a silent prayer that we could find someone to teach. The investigator wasn’t home and so we turned and started walking to the car. Then I felt the impression to go knock his neighbor’s door but I shrugged it off, because it was cold and I was tired. But as we kept walking I got the same impression and I knew that I was supposed to knock on this door. So we turned around and went and did it. This young girl answered the door and we started talking to her and she turned and started talking to her mom in Spanish (yeah!!!!!!) so we asked if we could say a prayer with them and they let us in and we said a prayer with them and they really opened up and told us that they wanted us to come back. Her name was M______ and her daughter and son. It was really cool. They seem super open and super prepared. So keep them in your prayers because we are going to go back and try and teach them again.

Wednesday: We had a Mission Christmas conference with a couple other zones and it was really good. We watched the Christmas Devotional and played a couple games with our mission president it was really fun. We had a good time. We also did a White Elephant gift thing and I had this giant frozen salmon that I got a couple weeks ago from when we did service at that IFC place. It was 3 feet long, and I was taking it around with me until I could find someplace to cook it, but I just wrapped it up, and it was pretty funny because this one sister missionary from the Philippines got it and the look on her face was hilarious. haha

So we did a lot of knocking and talking with people this past week because we are kinda starting from scratch. So we didn’t have too much success. But it was pretty fun. I feel like my Spanish is really coming along. We are teaching this guy named G_________ who is married to a less active lady but he isn’t a member. He has been taught for years but in order for him to get baptized she needs to get divorced and then they can get married and then he can get baptized. So… That’s a weird situation. They are trying to work on it but yeah. I never thought I would have to work on divorce papers on my mission… haha He is super funny though its awesome.

On Friday the ward had its Christmas party and we had to sing a bunch of hymns as a group of missionaries. It was fun. We all got to help out with the primaries nativity program. It was cool.

The ward that I am in is pretty good and they just got a brand new ward mission leader who is pretty cool. He is a RM of 6 months and served in Santa Rosa CA. He is really cool and super willing to help out which is awesome!

My new companion is Elder Stephenson. He is from Delta Utah and reminds me a little bit of Dad but just a lot more awkward… haha. He loves puns and band/music. He is really green personality wise. haha about as green as they come. We are working really hard together which is good. Its good because we both want to be really obedient so we don’t have to worry about getting the other person to work.

Since we are both new in the area we still don’t know who we are going to Skype with so I can’t give a specific time but it will be anywhere from 11oclock to 4oclock. Sorry that I can’t tell you anytime sooner. and just in case, could you make me a Skype account that I could use if the member doesn’t have an account. 🙂 Sorry about the vagueness but if I find out anything I will see if I could let you know.

I love all of you and will see you on Friday

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

love Elder Bryce

p.s. What did the sheep say on Christmas? Fleece Navidad! (that’s for you dad!)