Letter to Parent: Teach with the Spirit

October 29, 2010

Dad!

So I have my camera and have been taking tons of pictures.  Turns out you can't take pictures in the gym or cafeteria but I took some for you anyways.  I have them on my memory card but on the computers they don't have a place to plug in your memory card so I can't send them in emails.  I'm going to try and develop a few or see if they can put them on a CD and send them home for you maybe tomorrow.

Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke at the devotional this week.  His message was that short powerful messages with the Spirit bring people unto the gospel as long drawn out messages.  I think the reason that we can't take pictures in the gym is because they have the devotionals in there so that's most likely why but anyways hope all is well at home.

My district is pretty good.  There are 6 elders in my district:  Elder English, Elder George, Elder Azerus, Elder Holley, Elder Andrus,  and Elder Ausban.  My teachers are still great.  I really like them a lot.  I love the messages you learn every day at the MTC and how easy it is to teach with the Spirit.

My Elders tear up but their eyes get red.  I am amazed that anyone falls away from the Church after being at the MTC.  There is no way you can deny the Holy Ghost or God or anything about the gospel after being at the MTC.

Love you and glad you taught me to go on a mission.  Its amazing and I love it.  Hope I can rely on God and have faith in learning the language.

Nhigugma ko kanimo.

Love Annika

Elder Scott Invokes Apostolic Blessing on MTC Sisters and Sisters Who Go Home to Marry Given Honorable Releases

This week has been really crazy. The other Cebuano district left yesterday and its been really quiet without them. They were all amazing people. Basically everyone loved them! So in crazy news in the MTC Sister Russell left the other day the same day as Sister Brinton. Sister Brinton went to the field while Sister Russell went home to get married! She has a date set for December 6th. You forget there is a real world outside of the MTC sometimes and that people leave their missions.

I guess though that when girls leaves their missions they are considered as having served honorably. Their records say they served a full time mission even if she was only out for 2 weeks. It is weird how that happens.  I was sad because think of all those people that she would have met.  But I think she is happy about her decision about her going on a mission and. I think it was the best thing for her, because she is now getting married.

I am blessed though because Sister Chang is now my companion. God answered my prayers because I didn't want to be left without a sister and only elders. I might have gone crazy. Boys are hard to understand at least I don't get them, especially not 19 year old boys. Arg!! Anyways I love my district actually, so its not too bad. Their humor is just super random.

I got new companions this week Elder Holley and Elder Azerus. We have taught together once and we are still figuring it out. But we will get it right when its time to change companions again.

So the coolest news ever Elder Richard G. Scott came and spoke this week. That is 2 weeks in a row to hear an apostle speak which is so amazing. Elder Scott spoke about praying for guidance and how God will answer you in time. You just need to be patient. He invoked a protective shield on the sisters. He invoked the gift of tongues, and he invoked confidence all through the authority he has as an apostle of Jesus Christ! I love hearing from the apostles so cool!

So i probably sound ridiculus but im racing against the time clock here and its crazy so basically cant write too much so anyways the new sisters and elders are about to leave it seems like they just got here and they are about to leavee im pretty sure we have seen so many people come and go already and we still have 6 more weeks basically weird!!  Time here is so weird and it seems as if i have been here years!  But loving it still!

Nahigugma Ko Kanimo!

Sister Annika Bruno

Notes Elder Richard G. Scott MTC Devotional

Elder Richard G. Scott Devotional

(Quorum of the 12)

October 26, 2010 7:00pm

Write down impressions.

Even if all is taken off this earth nothing will make me go against this gospel.

Pray for guidance.

Exercise faith, think, struggle, act. Answers come through process.

Walking home or something Holy Ghost gives prompting take a different route. Change it immediately.

Follow quiet promptings.

Protective Shield as obedient and be protected by the Lord.

Express gratitude for Help.

Lord always hears prayers.

Lord always answers while quiet and will be most powerfully touched.

Find time to ponder.

Just think and respond to guidance given by the Lord.

Pondering is not a waste of time.

Sisters here we love you. He knows you are here with no requirement.

Watch your health.

Take care of yourself don't need to put in as many hours as elders.

Don't worry about who has the prompting but follow it.

A proud person will never be guided by the Spirit.

Humility not weakness ability to be prompted by the Lord.

Evoke the gift of tongues.

From authority as long as you have faith.

Evoke confidence with guidance of the Spirit.

Lessons retained throughout life and use them.

Understanding of truths of the restored gospel.

Letter to Sibling: Random Talks at Sacrament in the MTC

October 22, 2010

Gen!

Of course I will send Kiki a pony all the way from the Philippines if I ever get there!  The MTC time is so weirdI feel like I have been here for months.  I forgot you were a solo sister!  It's hard at times.

My sister companion is going to another mission Tacloban (sp?)  But in the Philippines too.  She is learning Cebuano also so we can keep in touch.  She leaves Monday.  I'm so sad.  Elder Andrus and Elder Ausban are going to Tacloban too like Sister Brinton.  Then the 4 other Elders are going to Cebu like me.  In my MTC ward we have an English district and our other Cebuano district and I think that's all.

Shock was on Sunday when I found out we need to write talks every week and they call people at random.  I haven't gotten called yet but I am nervous to get called.  My talks I have written have been amazing though!

Next time you write Dear Elder it then I can read it sooner!  And I want those talks!

I heard about your marathon from Gigi.  That's going to be awesome.  Wish I could do it.  We hardly get gym here at the MTC!  But I love GYM!

Well got to go to bed.  I'm bad at this rule arg!  Miss you and love you.  Write next week. Kiss Kiki (Bubbles) for me!

Nhigugma ko kanimo

Love Annika

MTC Experience: Loving Missionaries Differences

Kamusta Everyone and Hello Again!

This message comes to you from the world called the MTC. It feels like its own world we are here forever I am ready to leave and go out and speak Cebuano even though I don't know as much as I should. I love the MTC though it is an awesome experience! This week actually last night we had a devotional and guess who came! Elder Nelson so Cool. That's right one of the 12 apostles came and spoke to us pretty cool! I wish we could have been able to shake his hand, but I know that its because the flu buggy is going around in the MTC and as I sat in the devotional I just heard all sorts of coughs and nose blowing all over the place, but still I wish he would have shook our hands! This week has gone by so fast I have no idea what happened to it! Insane. Sister Brinton is leaving for the Philippines on Monday and its going to be a sad day I'm going to be lost without her, but I know its going to be awesome with a new "companion" when she leaves I will have to go to the office and get a new assigned sister... weird right most sisters get a companion the whole time they are here but it's okay I think its way better this way you get to change it up a lot and it's new every week!

Notes on Elder Russell M. Nelson MTC Devotional

October 19, 2010

Sister Wendy Nelson

14 million LDS pray for you morning, noon, and night. I'm going to battle for the Lord.

Russell M. Nelson

You are safer on a mission than those at home who have not been called. We are here to help establish the Lord's work or purpose.

2 Nephi 31:13--Take on the name of Christ.

Never talk about baptism negatively.

The pattern to follow in Moroni 6:4--Remember converts they're your children in the church. Keep connected with them. Be interested in investigator's children and grandchildren.

Only one chance to make a good first impression. When you meet people for the first time meet them with a smile. Don't get in the way. Don't be a distraction. He must increase but I must decrease.

Make eye contact. Look for ways to connect. Shake hands firmly.

Ask investigator what is your greatest concern. How can I be of help to you? You are sent forth to teach people. You have been sent by the Lord. Ask them to please listen to our message.

Be alert.  Listen attentively. Say I didn't hear your name how do you spell it. Ask where it comes from. Genealogy is popular today.

Always tell people who you are and where you are from.

Sharing a brief belief is a good place to start.

Tell them why you are here. We follow Jesus Christ.

Your purpose is to teach doctrine of Jesus Christ.

Study from the topical guide.

Let scriptures become core curriculum.

D&C 136:32--Humble self call unto God see & hear.

Spiritual batteries fully charged when leave MTC

• Keep batteries charged
• Run along road to keep batteries charged

D&C 76:5--armed with righteousness

Third Parent Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Annika Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: October 17


Dear Annika,

Hi, hope you had a great weekend. I remember weekends in the MTC were great. Guess what I did this weekend? I finished your dress and I am sending it to you tomorrow. Also some footies and flip flops. So I hope you got all the books and things you need. I assume you got some journals, too. It looks like you have some money left in your account, so you can get a camera when you get over there to the Philippines. You should have someone in your district let you download a few pictures from their cameras and send them home on your Pday. It would be nice to have some pics of your district.

Missionary Letter: MTC Hard

 14 October 2010

Sister Annika Bruno
MTC Mailbox #169
Phi-CEB 1209
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Mom!

Thanks for the money not exactly sure how much I spent.  I have to total the receipts but I got a lot of things I needed.  I had a lot more to get than I had thought!

The MTC is hard at times but being solo is hard.  Not having a set person its hard to plan your days.  I am basically companions with 3 people, 2 elders in the district and my "companion" Sister Brinton until she leaves in 2 weeks!  The MTC doesn't really have rules for us solo sisters.  We kind of make our own based on the guidelines but at least I'm never alone even if I feel like I'm tagging along.

Reasons for Serving A Mission: Letter to Mission President

6 October 2010

Annika K. Bruno

2042 Thornhill Dr.

Summerville, SC 29485

Dear President Hansen,

I am happy to have received your letter, and am very excited to have the opportunity to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission.

The gospel to me is who I am.  It defines my thoughts and actions.  Without the gospel I would be lost and would not know who I am or who I am to become.  With the gospel there is no guessing I know my purpose in this life is to live in such a way to bring people unto Christ.  By pondering and studying the Gospel it brings happiness to my life.  I have grown up in the gospel but I have had a personal conversion, and cannot doubt that this Church is the only Church that is true.

When reading that I was to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission I was very shocked, but also very excited. The Lord knows me well and I believe that  it was divine guidance being sent to such a place as the Philippines.  Moving many times in my life I have discovered that I am much happier in warmer climates and I believe it is a perfect fit for me.  I believe serving in the Philippines will allow me to be blessed by the people I meet, and to shape me into a better me.  I am ready and willing to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission.

I know that the Church is true.  I am ready to let go of myself to serve the Lord.  I know my purpose is to bring others unto Christ and I am prepared to do so throughout my life and my mission.  My father has taught me since I was a child that I should go on my mission and as I have gotten older I truly believe I need to serve my God in His purpose.  God has blessed my life and giving up 18 months of my life does not even begin to repay the debt.  I know that Jesus is my Savior.  I love Him with all my heart.  I believe that we have a living prophet on this earth Thomas S. Monson.  I am thankful that the Lord has called me to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission and I won't let him down by forgetting Him and becoming wrapped up in myself on my mission.  I am fully giving my will over to the Lord to become an instrument in His hands.

Hope to see you soon. 

Sincerely,

Annika Bruno

Solo Sister: First Week at MTC

13 October 2010

Kamusta! (Hello) Everyone!!

So today Wednesday is my P-Day so expect an email from me on Wednesdays for now.  I found out my leave date right now is December 7, 2010.  My first week in the MTC has been all sorts of interesting!  I got to the MTC around 12:45pm and I was greeted by Host elders and they took my luggage and took me to stand by this other sister.  A bunch of new comers stood by me and I was taken by a host sister to my room to put my luggage away in my room. I found out I had 3 other sisters in my room. I was excited to meet my companion. Then we were taken to a big room and they had 5 lines. One to take a picture then to make sure information was right and to give the paper. Then we got an envelope with things we needed they gave us a name badge and I was told to go talk to another sister because a sticky note was on my envelope.  I felt like Iwas being sent to the principle's office.  I went over and the sister explained to me that I was going to be the only sister in my class so I was going to be a solo sister.  As a solo sister my situation is unique.  As a solo sister I will have a sister companion with whom I share a living quarters but I am not in the same class.  Our schedules are the same for meals, laundry, temple, and gym.  On my name tag we have a white sticker in the right hand corner of my badge.  When I am in class or studying having MDT missionary directed time I have to be with a pair of elders in my district!  I have to be with someone but I have more freedom with who I can be with. I can be with my sister companion or my elders at times.  I have a lot more freedom than other missionaries I have noticed! 

Second Parent Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Annika Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: October 11


Hi Annika!

So how do you like the MTC so far? Dad says today is your p-day and you get to write emails so I hope I will hear from you. I'll write you by email as soon as I get your email address. Mine is clbruno@hotmail.com just in case you don't have it.

I always wonder what my girls' experiences in the MTC will be like. It seems like most missionaries either love it a lot or hate it. I really LOVED the MTC. I don't know why. It was just fun being around so many people who were committed to the gospel all day every day. And I liked meeting all the new people and learning French. How is the language going? Can you pray in Cebuano yet? Are they teaching you any Tagalog?

I'm sure you will tell us about your companion, where she is from and what she is like. I hope you are having fun with her. Did you get your scriptures, and all the books you need? Is it cold there?

So around here, let's see, nothing much is happening with me, as usual. This is why I have a hard time writing, because nothing new ever happens in my life. Dad and I went out to Cracker Barrel for dinner because he had free coupons. Also, I started running again, and I did 1 and a half miles, then walked another mile. That is all I did this week, boring, huh?

Well, have a great day, we are looking forward to hearing from you, send pics if you can.

Love you!

Mom

First Parent Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Annika Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: October 5


Hi Annika,

I put that money in your account, so you can get your scriptures, journal, and any books you need. Let me know next week how much you spend and if it was enough. How do you like the MTC?

So I hope you had a fun time with Sister Crain and with Gigi, and that you got to the MTC ok and you are enjoying it. I am looking forward to hearing from you and learning about your new companion and how you like it.

Love you and miss you.

Mom

Reflections on Being Called to Serve Before My Mission

I was set apart on October 3, 2010 at 6:00pm and up until that point it had not really hit me how close my mission really was.  I enter the MTC on October 6, 2010 at Noon.  I have one day to finish preparing to enter the MTC since I leave tomorrow the 5th of October at 8am.  I am excited to go to the MTC and meet everyone there and gain life long friends.  Right now its just a waiting game all I want to do is just be there and start learning what I need to learn for when I go to the Philippines!  I am excited for my dad to keep this blog and keep everyone updated on my adventure of being a missionary.  I know it is the only thing I want to be doing in my life at this time and it will shape me into the person I need to be.  These memories are forever and I will most likely reflect on these times even when I am elderly I believe I will state "ON MY MISSION..." and everyone will be like man you are so old they don't do that any more haha!!  Its time to give my self to the Lord see you in 18 months!!

Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno
Monday, 4 October 2010

Reporting to the MTC

From: Missionary Training Center <mtcInfoDesk@mtc.byu.edu>
Date: Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Subject: Letter from Provo MTC Presidency
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net


Dear Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno ,

Congratulations on your call to serve!  We are excited about your arrival at the Provo Missionary Training Center next week and are grateful for your decision to serve the Lord.  We would like to share some important information about your stay at the MTC.

This will be your MTC mailing address:

Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno
MTC Mailbox # 169
PHI-CEB 1209
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Please share this address with those who may want to write or send packages to you while you are in the MTC.  Please pay particular attention to the following items:

1. Your service begins the day you check into the MTC.  Remind your family that complete separation from loved ones is part of the sacrifice that families and missionaries contribute to the work.  For this reason, you should ask your family and friends not to attempt to see or visit with you while you are at the MTC, not even during your temple walks or at other places near the MTC.
2. All missionary mail must come through the US Mail or commercial delivery services.  These services should not be used to send pizzas, fast foods, ice-cream, or any items that will spoil if they are not refrigerated within 24 hours.  Missionaries are not called out of class to receive packages, nor do they have access to a refrigerator.  For security reasons, we cannot accept any items delivered by hand.
3. Communication with family can be done through your missionary email account on your weekly Preparation Day.  Communication to you from friends should be through letters mailed to the above address.  We cannot accept telephone calls for missionaries.
4. Families and friends should not visit missionaries as they depart to their field of labor, whether at the MTC or at the airport.

Please do not reply to this email.  If you need to communicate with the MTC, please call 801-422-2602.

Sincerely,

Provo MTC Presidency