Bryce and his board

I finally found some footage of Bryce with his board. I threw a few of them together--I'll do more when I find more video.

Bryce's small plates

I’ve been typing up journals. Every so often I’ll email you and Dallin notes of Bryce’s that I find particularly insightful… Bryce was much more articulate in his writing than I remember him being. He must have taken journal writing more seriously than letter writing. Here’s one entry…
FAITH. Ether Chapter 12 is an awesome chapter on faith. It was talking about how after the brother of Jared saw the finger of God the veil could not be kept from him, it just occurred to me how awesome that is. We all have the light of Christ, and if we were to see something like that we would remember it from the pre-earth life… we would actually remember something from the pre-earth life! We then would not need faith, but we would still have to make those choices to do good & righteous things & it would still be hard… I stopped reading at verse 22 and the things I wrote down just now weren’t exactly how I wanted to explain what I learned. Then when I continued reading v. 23 the very next verse it talked about the weakness of our writing and in v. 25 “Thou hast made our words [or our thoughts] powerful and (p. 5) great, even that we can’t write them.” That’s exactly what I had just experiences. It’s awesome when I prayed this morning I prayed for hidden treasures of knowledge. I have never prayed for that before but it’s what I just received now. (April 6, 2007). It’s funny as I read (p. 6) this chapter in Ether, and it talks about “my grace is sufficient for the meek [humble] that they shall take no advantage of your weakness.” I now have a more full understanding of why we don’t go into the rich areas. Because they can only see our weakness and feel as if they are just fine because they have a nice house and car. God shows us our weaknesses to be humbled and gives us weaknesses when we are sufficiently humbled weak things become strong. Tyler ( Bryce's oldest brother in Indiana)

Tribute to Bryce Blog

My son Tyler has set up a site for his family and friends to post remembrances of Bryce. There is a sweet video that is so Bryce that his friend did for us. I have only watched it close to a million times. It brings me much comfort. It is at tributetobryce.blogspot.com

Bryce Kim Christensen August 26, 1987-Jan. 7, 2009

Bryce's phone was sitting in the kitchen and his alarm went off playing his favorite song: The World at Large. Bryce would put it up to my ear when his phone would play it and tell me to listen. Here are some words to it: Ice-age heat wave, can't complain. If the world's at large, why should I remain? Walked away to another plan. Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand. President Probst sent Bryce's final letter to him on his mission. Hope you like it as much as I do.
President Probst--Mission
What have I gained, learned and experienced in the South Africa Cape Town Mission that has blessed my life?--by Elder Bryce Kim Christensen

Well of course there are too many things that I gained, learned and experienced while serving a mission to even write down a fraction of those things so I will attempt to highlight some of the more important things, in no particular order:

• The First Presidency message on page 5 states "More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among it's children." I feel that my view of what happiness actually is has become much clearer, those things we do in our life that make a lasting impact and cause others and ourselves to change for the better, bringing peace into our lives and lasting satisfaction, a clear view of what is important. These things bring lasting happiness into our lives, and I know that it is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

• I have really come to love my family and have gained an understanding about why families are so important. My mom has a little wall section at home with pictures of the missionaries from our family, and above the pictures the scripture 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." As I have been able to see the effect of what the gospel and truth and light does for a family, some of my most favorite experiences have been able to communicate with my family each week and knowing that every single one of them walk in truth, with my little brother leaving for Japan to serve a mission just weeks after I get home, it just is a great feeling.

• I have learned how important it is to develop good habits as soon as possible.

• I have gained the ability to recognize quicker the temptations and traps that Satan leaves for us, and how to best avoid them. I also have come to see how Satan can destroy the greatest by small means.

• I have experienced the most difficult days and weeks of my life while serving a mission. I have also never felt the Spirit in more abundance, and have never been more aware of what Heavenly Father wants for me.

• I have learned the importance of a good first impression, and how important quiet dignity is, where ever we are whatever we are doing we are always being watched.

• I more fully came to know that God is there and he answers prayers and I have more fully come to the knowledge of how he does it.

• I have experienced the sorrow that comes from people I love choosing not to act upon that which they know is true. I have also experienced the joy that comes from seeing peoples lives change as they embrace the gospel.

• I have learned how to manage time and money and how to be self reliant.

• I have learned how to cook some crazy things.

• I have gained a love for many different cultures and a love for the country of South Africa and the saints in this great country.

• I have learned of the importance of teamwork and unity.

The list could go on and on, but I truly have gained so much from my experiences serving in the South Africa Cape Town Mission. I know that the true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored today by the prophet Joseph Smith, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that we are being led by a prophet of God today President Monson. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and sent his son Jesus Christ to pay the price for us to return to live with Him again, I know that the Savior lives, and suffered and bled and died for me that I might live again. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Words to Live By

My first room mate ever ( that would be Eva Garlick) posted on her blog Colin Powell's Rules to Live By and then she made a list of her own. I thought it was a great idea and decided to make a list of my own and call them Words to Live By. These are the things I came up with:
1. Be on time
2. Express gratitude for everything/ count your blessings!
3. Look for ways to compliment others
4. Learn something new every day
5. Record God's hand in your life
6. Don't give advice unless it is asked for
7. Get first things done first
8. Listen more, talk less
9. Forget about getting credit for things you do/ be anonymous
10.Don't be afraid of doing hard things
11.Eat less, exercise more and eat your veggies!
12.Be positive and have a good attitude
13.Tell your family you love them every chance you get
14.Do something nice for somebody else every day
This list is not reflective of things I have accomplished but are things that I would like to do better this year or begin to do this year.( called a disclaimer)
To see Colin Powell or Eva's list go to her blog: >http://garlickontoast.blogspot.com<

Happy 2009

This is a video of Kim skiing down the Nebo Loop in Payson Canyon. It was a cold and beautiful day to be out in new powder. After we finished skiing we went to Orem to celebrate Baby Ben's first birthday. It was great to see all of Kari-Lyn and Ben's families. The cultural hall walls were decorated with Hawaiian girls and boys and on the table were fresh cut pineapples and orchids. Ben had a lei made of seeds on and was so cute. Then we headed with McKay, Brooke and Whit to the BYU basketball game. The sportsmanship made it an uncomfortable evening and we were happy when we could go home! It was a great day start to 2009.

TyandNat December pictures

Here are some of our pictures from December.



You can also see them by going to our picasa site (click here). We had a good month and have enjoyed being able to spend a lot of time together as a family. Today I went and saw Bolt with Eli. It was the best movie I've seen since "Meet the Robinsons." Next week we're going to take a little trip to Cincy so we're looking forward to that. We have more news and videos up at our blog: www.tyandnat.com/blog. Happy New Years from the TyandNats.