March 15, 2013

Buenas Tardes Familia,

 

How has it been?  It's been well a good week, although my comp is sick. I feel bad for her.

 

So I have been working sometimes with her but sometimes not.  But I get a lot done even though she is sick. 

 

Well, I am enduring to the end.  My comp reminds me everyday that I have 4 months left.  And what am I suppose to do after that, a saber?  Well I will be writing you all to get some things organized for me.  I will be moving to Provo doing online school, and get a job probably doing hospice again or something with old people.  I have realized that if that is where I should have talent I should run with it.  There is a high demand as well so. 

 

We met a lady yesterday with her mentally handicap niece that was crying, I cried just to see the state of living that she was in, just in a shirt.  She was trying to comunicate to her aunt but her aunt did not understand.  I said, do you want a drink of water, and she shook her head yes yes thats it.  And then other stuff.  She wanted me to put her apron on and not her aunt.  We sang her I am a child of God, and then I told her we had a special song for her but she had to listen to in in english because I did not know it in spanish, we sang Pop corn poping and she would copy our actions, and she was so happy.  That was fun. 

 

I have really enjoyed having Hermana Ahrendsen as a comp.  She is possitive and funny.  And she says, if something doesn't work we got to change it fast.  I love that. She really understands the work.  I am really excited to learn from her.  Even though she has less time in the mission she has had more full time as a missionary and not sharing nurse and missionary. She said, teach me to be the mission nurse, and I said teach me to be a missionary.

 

I never like to get down, but I was expessing my feelings to Hermana Ahrendsen my super cool new companion. I told her, I do not feel like i am a good missionary. I can be a good nurse, but the conversations of the gospel I would like to have do not come easy to me. Well The other night we went to Jenny and Freddy´s house. Jenny´s parents were baptized when she was five and she used to go to church with them. But they fell away before she was baptized. She always liked the church and wanted to get baptized but now finds herself with a baby and a companion. Well just as we arrived they had fought over something and Jenny had left. Freddy acted like nothing was wrong (we did not see what went on), but the feeling in the room was that something was wrong. I asked, what happened. Nothing they answered jenny just left for a while sorry she is not here. Well she came back about 5 minutes later with tears in her eyes. I talked to her and she said she was going to move in with her mom. Now, the reason her mom left the church is because she left with another man, and since that time has had 7 men. I told her straightforward that to live with her mom would not fix anything that her mom was a bad influence. Jenny said, but I am tired. I asked her if she had a little bit of hope left, she said no. I taught her, Christ was really tired when he suffered your pain with the hope that you would not turn out like your mom (and some other conversation of Christ and what was going on). We had her neighbor with us, so I said we are all going to kneel down, Cristy your fiend is going to say a prayer and then after you are going to say one. So we did and after she said, I feel better, I have hope now, I will not leave to go to my moms. When we got home Hermana Ahrendsen said, what do you mean you do not feel like a missionary, how did you know to do that and say those things. You just turned that situation around. Well, All I got to say is, It’s not our work, Because if it was I would have failed. 

Sometimes I do not feel like I have changed.  I think what we talked about is that my release date is the week you are at the beach.  Sweet just release me there.  I haev no problem getting interviewed in the morning and buggy boarding the afternoon.  I do not know if I should feel sinful for feeling this way, but I know to look at all my brothers missiony work was always part of them.  They had it before and they kept it after.  I would rather be like them than to be super spiritual for 2 years and then when I get home be awkward and think that everyone is sinning and then turn out to never share the gospel again.  I will probably come home and think everyone is so righteous, because here there is lots of fornication, I will prbably see less of women on the beach than here, so I really do not think it will be a problem.  Now going back to singles wards, that will be challenge to talk to boys not about investigadors or their diarrhea.  Pues, we wil see how it goes.  I think the mission has really helped me realize what I want in a husband and more how I will raise my kids.  More than anything I want someone happy and happily obidient that just obeys because its part of him not to be like the jews but not like the lammanites.  He doesnt have to be perfect, just happy.  Why am I saying this?  And I do not want to be super strict  my kids, but I have learned from lots of latin elders how to know when they are lying. 

 

Well I am just babbering now.  Hey we found two YSA boys that are super cool.  They live with their 90 year old grandpa and their mom died a year ago.  They did not know that we lived with Heavenly Father before and that they could live with their mom.  We also found a family that the dad drinks a lot, he has never prayed even in his heart (remember I am central ameria everone believes in Christ), we got him to pray and he said he felt the chills.  Ahh if only these cool expereinces could result in baptisms and temple ordinances.  I gotta work even harder!

 

Well I should jet, we are going to get my hair cut today. 

 

Take care lots, kiss all my niences and nephews for me, give yourselfs hugs from me.  Prepare good references for husbands for me, look for jobs in Utah for me, and Give Gracie Levit a good grand hug for me.  

 

Hermana Bryce

Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving, WHAT, it can´t be thanksgiving!

We are all here writing our families and one elder my Zone Leader, Elder Hobbs goes home this next transfer to Idaho.  We and Hermana Condie got to talking aobut our mom´s cookies.  So I miss my favorite cookies that mom makes, pumpkin chocolate chip.  But we made a list, Gingerbreade, suger, no-bake, and I will have to say coconute oatmeal cookies from Kali´s grandma.  So we are not trunky at all, haha.  

So we had a multizone conference.  For lunch we ate sliced turkey (a crime because its better when it falls off the bone but we are in El Salvador), mashed potatoes, salad, doritos, and donuts.  We wrote our family a thank you letter, but I was too discracted to write a really good one.  So read the instructions of what you all need to do in my letter that I think the mission is sending.  

So it was a good conference.  The area of central america has a new 70 presidente, Elder Martino.  He wrote a letter to all the wards that we are to read all of the book of mormon by next general conference.  As a mission we are going to read special selected parts first and then start from the beginning in January and in two months read all of the book of mormon.  Thats one thing, but I read slower in spanish, but I like to read it in spanish.  The book of mormon is a lot easier to understand in spanish than the bible in spanish.  The area of central america also is starting that from this month on for every missionary that does not baptize for the month has to send a letter to the area presidente of why we did not baptize and what we are going to change.  Yikes.  I did not know what it meant to get chewed out till I got to the mission.  Sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed, like, I did not want to serve just following what the Spirit told me, all I want to do is help out I did not want to make a big deal about it all.  But in the end it is a big deal.  THe mission has been really low lately, and the area presidente asked all the mission presidents that since this announcement from the Profet the work is being increased and what are we going to change to increase our faith and work with the Lord.  So presidente changed some rules.  We wake up at 6am instead of 6:30.  I wake up at 4:30 already so that did not change.  Less activities as a zone on p-days, and pday ends an hour earlier, but our presidente already said that so that was not new either.  I am actually really glad for the change because Pday is so hectic as it is that to do an activity all the time just makes it worse.  

So this meeting was good to get me rialed up.  I think after this announcement from Pres Monson, satan started working harder too.  And I am in this new area of which is a toughy.  But, I am disregarding all of that and going to go forward.  We learned that we actually have more area than we thought, so I am really excited about that.  Its almost like opening an new area because our neighbors are office elders and so they do not have time to rob from our area (a lot of you probably have no idea what I am talking about), so this area has been untouched for quite sometime.  We found out in this area is a hor house, and lots of lots of cathlics.  But I will baptize families in this area.  Many of the missionaries including my comp said, how ugly is this area.  I got a bit ticked, pulled down our map and wrote, my area is beautiful.  Of which if it is not right now it will be.  

So I wanted to get Christmas presents to you, but who knows how that will go.  But I got my Christmas package from Jeff and Jenn.  YEAH BABY!  I knew that the big one was hair gel that I asked for so I opened it because I wanted my hair to be pretty before Christmas, sorry.  But the others are still wrapped although Hermana Condie wants me to open them, she opened hers because she is a bad girl haha.  I am working hard, but will now lie I am excited for our Christmas conference when we have a talent show, because Hermana Cordòn said I can clogg, and I am singing in the choir.  It makes it more complicated for my area because we are gone monday and tuesday in the office.  Usually I am only in the office Tuesday.  But if the office elders that are in the office from monday to thursday can baptize so can I.  

I hope you are doing well, each and every one.  Someone say hi to JOrdan boldinghouse for me.  I miss him.  Where did you all have thankgiving, and did you share announcements and clap?  And did you miss my cooking, I have forgotten how to cook.  I can make oatmeal.  I cannot believe how fast time flies.  AHHH demasiado!  
I am nearing 10 months in the mission, and still my spanish is bad.  I cry sometimes because I am frustrated.  Its not sticking sometimes.  Lets just be honest, I am super frustated sometimes.  But deep breath and hardwork, lots of prayer, study, laughter, and love.  I can do it! 

November 9, 2012

Annoucements

I am a pround aunt AGAIN!  Preston is here, I like to tell people here they are always like, WHAT you have a huge family.  And I think, you have no idea you do not know the Smith Family or Mullenauex.  So we have 16 nieces and nephews and 30 in all, Jeff would make it 30.  Yeah I am happy.

On the contrary, I cried when I heard Obama won.  I prayed that I would have strength to raise my kids in this world and cried, but then picked my head up and remmebered part of my blessing that talks about my kids and that if I go to the temple we will be strengthened.  So its going to be okay as long as we keep our convenants.  

I am sorry I did not tell you anything about my comp, its because she was living the house with me before so I already knew here so I fogot to tell you all about her.  She is from Guatemala is 22 years old and has 1 year in the mission.  She has a lot of love She is patient with the nursing stuff, is a big help. 

We are still working with Israel, he read 1 nefi 4, and is continuing to read. 

We did splits the other day and I found some catholic boys and taught them them about the book of mormon.  Adres read 3 nefi 11, and we have another apt with them monday, yeah!  I am hopeful, they are super fun to teach.  Andres likes it, the others are kind of just listening to learn about the religion.

Well I am out of time, I love you all. 

teamo,
Hermana Bryce

PICTURES

I'm sorry. I've been an awful blog administrator for Sister Bryce. Here are some pictures of my beautiful sister!

Week 8

Please include Mary Anne in your prayers this week as she continues to heal from an infection in her arm.

Well, pues si, the arm story saga what have you continues.  I was released form the hospital and my arm was smaller but then it had three abcesses, two round like the third just hard.  I called Hermana Cordon and the next day we went to see an Infectologist in San Salvador - out of our mission.  Well before that let me give you background.  Before I came in the mission the mission always used the hosital in San Salvador, but then we got a new AMA or area doctor that said the hospital in Santa Ana would be sufficient.  But we learned from my experience that it is not.  They said they swabbed my arm for a culture, but they didn´t.  They used antibiotics that were not affective and changed them offen.   LIke they used an antibiotic one time.  Anway we wish we could have changed that but we can not.  Anyway then we went to the infectologist.  He didnt want to cut it open and take a sample so he just tought oh because you are a nurse in the united states I think its MRSA.  MRSA is the big daddy of infections.  But I dont feel really sick, I have engergy just my arm is still swollen in three places.  So we started Zyboz (Linezolide) Intravenous.  They don't have IV machines here so its just drip.  I recieved the frist dose of 4 in the hospital and then I admistered the 3 remaining ones ever 12 hours in my house.  We have a nail in the wall that acted as my IV pole.  My arm did get better. We saw the infecologist again, and then after a surgeon who said he doesnt think it is MRSA that basically we are killing an ant with a cannon with the big gun antibiotics.  Anwy way I have to run the day has been crazy.  But I cant work and my arm has to be in a sling.  All is well dont worry about me my President is good at taking care of me.

Week 7

Dear Familia Bryce,

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I MISS YOU, my bday present is to work on my spanish so we can talk when I get back.

 

NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So...The whole story about my arm.  I got a misquito bite, thats not new.  It looked bad, I scrubbed it, put neosporin on it, and bandaged it and it was better.  But then we had service and I lifted a ton of bamboo, and probably a ton too.  I got dehydrated, what else is new.  Then on Sunday morning this bite started to get redness and swelling around it, thats a sign of infection.  But it was coming on really really fast.  I marked it with pen and within hours it grew inches and inches.  I showed a nurse in my ward at the beginning of the morning and we decided i needed antibiotics, but then I showed her after it had grown inches and inches and she said you need IV antibiotics I will take you to the hospital right now.  But I have to have permission to do that.  I called and told the nurse thats what the other nurse that and my arm was huge, but the doctor didnt say I could go so i stayed at home.  Iiced and heat packed it for two days and took atnibiotics by mouth.  I went to the office on Tuesday like normal and the nurse drained like a cup of pus from it.  At this point my arm was swollen from my wrist to my shoulder and had been like that for two days.  I was feeling like the doctor wasnt getting the points so I measured it again, I had been measuring it often, and sent him the measurements.  Then my comp and I had a meeting with all the zone leaders and district leaders.  I was in so much pain I was trying to hold back tears and breath slowly.  I would look at my district leader with big eyes and say, it hurts it hurts.  Then the Presidnts wife Hermana Cordon who said she wanted to take me to the hospital the next day saw me and said, lets go right now.  She gets things going I like her.  So we switched companions and I have ad the nurse as a companion for almost a week now.  I spent tuesday, wednesday, thursday, and friday morning in the hospital with IV antibiotics and pain meds.  The first night I had the chills but the other nights I got good sleep.  And they had good food.  Then we went back to the house of the nurse and the doctor said I have to rest for no less than one week.  He is loco because I am so bored!  I went crazy yesterday because I hadnt seen the outdoors for so long and I needed to see the sky.  Anyway for the nurses I had rofefine in the hospital, we switched that antibiotic, and we switched it again, so I am on my fourth or fifth antibiotic right now.  Good thing I have diflucan for those who understand what that is.

 

Anyway ths the story.  I was a big girl and only cried once when I couldnt see the sky in the nurses house and was going crazy and i thought about dads bday and I missed Celiese because there was a child acorss the street that sounded like her.  I got a blessing from president when I entered the hospital and asked him to call my parents just to let them know whats up.  So my arm still hurts, but I am feeling a lot better now that I can get out of the house.  Today I am working in the office as the nurse getting ready for the new missionaries.  But I get to return to my area tomorrow of which I am excited because we have a BAUPTISM!!!!  My Pablo is getting baptized.  His wife is the nurse and he is the one the Spirit told me was in the road to Damascus.  And we read the story in the bible and I told him that Christ wanted him to get to know him, and I wanted to know why.  I am excited.  I hope they go to the temple in a year.  He is really smart and I love their family.  I am excited to also teach a new investigator named Germes.  He was a reference that we contacted really quick on sunday morning before church to invite him to come out.  He said okay all i need to do is wash up and get dressed and I will come.  THAT never happens, and he actually came!!!!  I had to go to the hospital so I didnt get to teach him but my comp Hermana Duarte said that he told her that he had a dream, and they really believe in their dreams here, but he had a dream about my face (my face) and he wants to listen to what we have to teach because he dreamed about me.  Kind of creepy but kind of cool, so I am excited to get back and tell him I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I am good news for him. 

 

Anyway, I have been learning more about the nursing job and sometimes I am overwhelmed with what the future holds.  Also Hermana Allen spoke in english to me so my spanish is failling fast, so I am glad to get back to El Espino.  I miss my ward and people. 

 

But I gotta run.  Have a wonderful week everyone.  PS I am not sure, communication is iffy around here but apparently we can call home for mothers day anytime from now till sunday for 40 minutes, and no skypeing.  So i have to find a phone to do that.  I will call and set up a time.  Sorry thats vague.

Dear Family,

 

I think its week 6 I do not know.  This week has been really rollercoaster like.  I will explain.

 

We are excited because we asked Roberto to be baptized the 7th of Mayo his birthday and he has excepted.  At first we were not sure if his answer was firm, but on Sunday him and his wife were looking at the baptismal font and he said, I want to be baptized.  He is the brother that I felt was in the road to damascus.  So I am excited for that.

 

We also got to go to the temple in San Salvador this week!!!!  It is a beautiful temple, really nice of course.  I like a painting in the front of Christ with a nephite and lammanite girl one on each side. 

 

Then on Saturday we did service from 7 in the morning till 230 in the afternoon with the whole district for a family in one of our Elders area.  We chopped o macheted bamboo large and small and cleaned the branches off with machetes (dont know how to spell).  Then we bundled them and carried them about a mile or so to the hut of the family we were serving.  The logs are long and heavy.  Most the elders could only carry 5 in one bundle.  It takes two people to carry one bundle.  But me and an Elder from Mexico took 10, and then I returned and carried a large log with my comp, and then I returned again and carried another 10, and THEN I returned again and carried 15 with a Elder Taylor.  Elder Taylor said if you do this I will have so much respect for you, I said you dont already after 3 loads.  I went for the most trips and carried a lot each time.  The husband of the family and his friend were so amazed.  I didnt understand all that he said but he said something like I have never met any woman with as much physical or spiritual strength as you.  I think the friend asked me if I was married, but he was kind of drunk I think, the family didnt really want him around. And the wife gave me a really big hug for a long time.  The huband gave me a hug too, but I didnt hug him back because its a rule, so i just said de nada and hoped he would let go haha.  They are a really nice family.  So of course we are all sore from the service but its nothing compared to the next story.

 

So I have a misquito bit at the middle of my arm, my elbow pit.  Its exactly where my backback strap hits when I put on my backpack, so who knows how many germs it has seen.  It started getting infected and I scrubbed it and put neosporin on it and bandaged it.  Well it didnt hurt all of Saturday during service.  But that night it started to hurt so I thought tomorrow I will call the nurse.  Well it was about the same in the morning but during church which starts at 8 it started going crazy and its swollen, hot, and red.  I called the nurse because I needed something right away.  The doctor thought mabe I had an allergic reaction so he had me take antibiotics and benadryl.  The benadryl was awful I couldnt walk, think, just sleep.  Well it turns out with all the drama that the nurse had me take half as much antibiotic as I needed because she confused it with another antibiotic.  But I was so out of it I just couludnt think about it.  But when the doctor called me last night he was mad.  He asked me why I was taking half as much and I will no engergy could only say because thats what the nurse told me to take and he said you know better you are a nurse.  But I couldnt think I was so drugged up.  I would cry but I just dont have the engergy.  My arm is like an elephants.  It hurts so bad.  I got a blessing last night and after my fever broke.  But then the doctor called and was mad so I couldnt sleep well because I had sleeped all day and I was worried about him being mad at me.  I am not mad at the nurse though, I should of said something and she was in church at it was just loco. So yes my arm has a staph infection, welcome to Central America.  My blessing said that I will be able to rest to day and work on tuesday so I am having faith in that.

 

Anyway for this reason I dont realy feel like writing or doing anything.  Well I want to but I have no energy.  I really am having a good time.  My district leader asked me how many missions I had been on, and I laughed and said how old do you think I am (this is before he had seen or met me it was over the phone).  He said it was because I had adjusted so well to the mission that it was like I had been on one before.  Sometimes I am frustrated, but for the most part I am happy.  Its just this one incident with my arm that puts a damper in my week.  I thought about not tell you all about it, but I want prayers so I did. 

  

Anyway I dont feel much like sharing more details of my week, I am so tired.  I have to switch cold and hot packs on my arm and it hurts.  So I wont send pictures this week just sleep.

 

Love you all, I hope to recover quickly and get back out there.

 

Love,

 

Hermana Mary Anne Bryce