Missionary Report 26 July 2011

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27 July 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:09 PM

From:

"Annika Bruno"

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To:

tenbrunos@yahoo.com

Dear President Schmutz,

Brother Archie and Annie Bernaldo has really been prepared.  Their baptismal date is 6 August 2011, and they have a great excitment for their baptism.  I am grateful to be able to bring a family to the gospel.  I know if they continue to do the simple things pray, read, and go to church their family will be blessed.

Brother Noel Puria's baptismal date was moved to 30 August he is just not ready to be baptized.  He is struggling with Word of Wisdom problems, and we feel like he is attaching himself to us.  We are keeping as much distance as possible, and we have talked to him many times that texting us excessively is not okay.  We are trying to find fellowshippers so that when he is ready for baptism he will be able to continue because he has friends at church.

We are continuing to encourage Sister Margie Casquejo to be married.  She and Brother Gleserio have been trying to get married, but it is difficult for them because of the money.  They have been planning and talking to people and making the effort to be married, so i know that God will prepare a way for them. 

Sister Melita Pacot still is against going to church before she learns more, but I see her testimony growing and its only a matter of time before she makes the decision to come to church.

We have been working with Sister Shine Tinonga who is a recent convert to continue to go to church despite challenges.  She came to church this last week, and she is talking about going on a mission.  I know she is a sweet spirit that would make an awesome missionary.

Brother John 'Nanan' Spencer Ugboc has been inactive in the church for a long time, but i know that he wants to come back he just didn't know how.  He came to church this last Sunday after a long time.  God has been preparing him for something great.  His father has been encouraging him to go on a mission.  I feel like if we can help him do that he can bring so many souls to the gospel.  He has had so many experiences that would help convert the hearts of the hopeless.        

I have been encouraging Sister Akiatan to teach in the lessons.  She will respond with "Ikaw lang" or in other words you just teach, but after some prompting she will teach in the end.  She is a very good teacher, and I have been putting more trust in her to teach.  Our companionship unity in lessons is improving, and I see the blessings from having unity in our lessons.  I think that Sister Akiatan is still trying to find herself, and to figure out how to reach her potential.  She has not learned how to shrug off the bad moments and enjoy the good, but she is learning.  I have been trying to stay positive, and I think its catching on.  I am grateful for the learning experience of our companionship.   

I have great hopes for our area.  Its slow going right now, but I have faith that God will send us those who are ready. God is preparing our area, and I know that all we need to do is follow the spirit.

Thank You President for your service.  Thank you for your example, and thank you for the advise. 

Sister Bruno

Mission President Advice on Training New Sister

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 6:12 AM
Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 19 Jul 2011
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net

Dear Sister Bruno,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with you investigators. I am so impressed by your love and care for those that you are teaching. I'm sure the Lord will help you as you and your companion prayerfully consider what can be done to follow up and teach each of them. You are so dedicated to your work, it warms me heart.

I have been concerned the last few days about your companion. I have been given the feeling that she is not as happy as she can become. And in my prayers I have been impressed to ask for your concern and assistance. I think Sister Akiaton needs to feel that she is more fully a part of the teaching. Please be attentive to her needs and try to make sure that she is taking a full share of praying, teaching and testifying in your meetings with investigators. She may not feel that she is ready to take on a share of the load, but I know that she is and you can help her develop as a missionary by shifting some of the responsibility and opportunity to her. I believe you will see her flower as you do this.

You are such a good example. You are the follow up trainer for Sister Akiaton. By the time this companionship has been completed, I want to see her prepared for more responsibility. She can only do that by having the responsibility and opportunity to expand her teaching ability through participation. I would be happy if you would pay attention to how she is doing and report her progress in your next couple of letters.

Thank you so much for your commitment and your work. It is a pleasure to have you in our mission, for which we are very grateful.

All my love,

President Schmutz

 

 

Life is Short: Missionary Email

Dear family,

On Monday morning i was in the CR doing my Laba or hand washing my laundry.  All of a sudden I hear a car screech to a halt and hit something.  Then we hear a woman scream.  We walk outside.  The view was not clear because of a car parked in front of the house, but we just see a little girl around 8 year old being carried unconscious into a car and drive away to the hospital.  It definitely shook us up.  We said a prayer together for the young child, and I had a moment of reflection.  LIFE IS SHORT.  Where do I stand with God?  And I asked myself all of the questions of the soul.

Moving on to a more positive note we have a baptism 6 August 2011.  I am super excited for Brother Archie and Annie Bernaldo.  They are husband and wife and have a 2 year old son.  They are so prepared, and i cant wait for their baptism.  I only hope they can jump, and leap over the hurdles that Satan has in store for them.

Here in our area at night their is not public transportation, and our area is huge so we can't really walk.  We waited for about 45 minutes for a ride home, but their was none to be seen.  We had two kuyogs Sister Annie Ugboc and Sister Shine Tinonga we were across the street from a police station so sister Annie said we should just get a ride home from the public service officers...  They made me ask since I was American and could speak Bisayan and they would more likely do it if I asked.  We asked and they ended up taking us home in the cruiser.  Adventure for sure.

My companion Sister Akiatan is struggling since she is new, but she is learning and our friendship is growing.  I am starting to get the hang of things here I expect I will start to not want to leave in the next couple of weeks once I have a basic knowledge of the area and meet all the members.

I love all of you and resist the temptations from Satan.  Develope charity for one another.  Our neighbors were arguing all night last night with each other.  It was the siblings and the mom.  We just sung hymns super loud to try to make them stop but they only go louder.  It was really depressing, and saddening.  Cant we all just get along lol...   Charity is the answer to all of life's problems.  Study Charity in the scriptures and develop it.

Still working on the language...

Still working on weaknesses...

Still working...

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Letter to Mission President 20 July 2011

Letter to president July 20
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 11:04 PM
From:"Annika Bruno"
To:tenbrunos@yahoo.com

Dear President Schmutz,

This week has been an adjustment, but we are working hard to make the transition smooth.

Sister Margie Casquejo is still working on getting her marriage papers so that she can be baptized.

Brother Archie Bernaldo is hard to teach because we don't get to see him that often because he lives so far away, but we are trying to find ways to visit with him.  His wife Annie always is gone so that makes it more difficult to visit.

Brother Greg Bacarisa's health has not been good, but he has a great desire to be baptized.  He has not been able to go to church yet because of his health.  We are praying for him to get better so that he can go to church.

Sister Melita Pacot has had many missionaries visit her, but she is still on the line about the church.  We have committed her for baptism, and she didn't oppose so at least that's a positive.

Sister Mel is willing to go to church this next week.

We are teaching the Rabe family Johnson Mark, Charleen, Hazel, and their father Francis.  They are laying low since we committed them to go to church.  So we don't know what to think.  We will follow-up on them in a couple of days.  The last two times we went to visit they have said they were busy, so we will just have faith that the Lord is preparing them.  Then we will follow-up this Saturday.  If they are not ready then at least we planted the seed.

We are trying to get the members involved, and have been helping a member prepare for his mission.  Brother Russell Minoza has a desire to go on his mission, but his parents doubt he can go because he has only finished 5th grade.  We have taught that if he has a desire to go we will prepare him, and that he does not need a perfect knowledge.  The lord chooses who he chooses dependent on the desires of the heart.

We have many finding activities planned for this next week.  Our investigators all are laying low lately.

Brother Noel is supposed to get baptized 30 July 2011, but we are not sure if he will decide to push his baptismal date back again or be baptized.  We have faith he will receive his answer, and we will do everything we can to prepare him.

The work is continuing in Baclayan, and Sister Akiatan is starting to open up.  I have been told you cant change people but you can change yourself.  I have decided to make this companionship successful I need to see what I can change and not how I can change her...

Thank You President,

Sister Bruno

Area Attack

Dear Family!

This week we have been running on the pier at the beach almost every morning it doesn't get old. The pier  is only a block away so its not hard to go running every morning. I  forgot my camera so I can't upload pictures but next week I will show  you pictures of how awesome it is.

Our area Baclayan is definitely a hiking area. We  have a main highway then we hike for a couple of miles to our investigators houses. It's amazing.

This past Monday we did an area attack where all the missionaries in our district  focus on one area. This week we did the elders in Cortez. We taught two lessons but they don't count as our stats but the stats count for  the elders which is going to kill our week, but at least we helped the work there in Cortez. We also had zone interviews that morning for the  first time with President Schmutz. All of the missionaries love President Schmutz already, because he is so kind. He is different than President Hansen but I love them both differently.

We then a district CSP in our area. We pulled up  weeds for one of our recent converts mom. We told Elder George to eat a  grasshopper, but he just put the leg in his mouth. At the CSP we  talked about how things that were gross to us at home really isn't that gross here in the Philippines. Sometimes you just adjust.

I was just thinking of how close my birthday was and  I just thought time is going by so quickly. Also I thought on August  24th I will now officially be 22 years old weird! Also that after this  area I will probably only have one more area. Then I will be home. I  am definitely not ready for that day to come. I am having too much fun  here in the Philippines.

I hope everyone is well and active....

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Advice to New Senior Companion: Mission President Letter 14 July 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 12 Jul 2011
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net


Dear Sister Bruno,

I am so impressed by your knowledge of your new area, and so quickly obtained! You are there for reasons that will soon unfold. This is the Lord's mission and he is in charge. I think you and Sister Akiatan are going to make for a terrific companionship. You will see that she will be able to learn much from you, and you can learn much from her.

Do not worry about whether you are ready to train. The Lord qualfies whom he calls. You have been called to be a senior companion and follow-up trainer for a great young missionary. My advice: follow the handbook, follow PMG, keep your morning schedule to the tee, wear your knees out, and then lose yourself in the work. I will promise you with a knowledge based on many experiences that each time you feel you don't know what to do, the Lord will gently and many times silently lead you in the right direction, place thoughts in your mind, or give you more direct inspiration that will cause your heart to burn. But, as you have learned, he requires the heart and a willing mind. And he requires you to take action.

I'm excited to watch you develop and gain new skills, insights and experience. Thanks for your diligence and faith. Sister Schmutz and I are really looking forward to meeting with you next week, and I am looking forward to our interview.

All my love,

President Schmutz

Becoming A Senior Companion in the Philippines

Dear Fams!

Turns out that I transferred to BOHOL!! Baclayan  Area. We are only a branch here in Baclayan. I am now a follow-up trainer!! My companion is Sister Akiatan. I was so shocked when I  found out so was Sister Falculan. We told our investigators that she would be leaving, but turns out it was I who was transferring...

It is so different being a senior companion. It's not easy, but it  gives me more freedom. Which I don't know if I like that or not.

For a CSP this past Monday we tore down a house and re-built it. It was awesome.

We live right across the street from the beach. We go running every morning on the pier. Its amazing!! I love the view.

We have been visiting investigators and Brother Archie Bernaldo lives in  the jungle we had to hike one hour to get to him. It was worth it for the view. The trail hugs the edge of this river. Kids were rope swinging, and he lives at this resort house so you can image how pretty it is.

Our branch seems not that active in the work, but I set a meeting with President and with the ward mission leader. I hope that my first impression is not correct.

We have a baptism set for this next Saturday 23 July 2011. We will do everything we can to make it a success.

I am so tired after work, because all of the places we go its like a hike.Its called Baclayan which translates to walking for a good  reason, because we do a lot of walking.

They say Bohol is a hard place for missionary work, but I have faith that if we work hard it won't be.

OFF ISLAND!!

Loving it!

Sister Bruno

Missionary Weekly Letters - Annika K. Bruno - 27 Jun 2011 - 3 Jul 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Evan Antone Schmutz eschmutz@ldschurch.org
Date: Wed, Jul 13, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Subject: RE: Missionary Weekly Letters - Annika K. Bruno - 27 Jun 2011 - 3 Jul 2011
To: "annika.bruno@myldsmail.net" annika.bruno@myldsmail.net

Dear Sister Bruno,

We are really looking forward to seeing you soon in Baclayon.  I am so convinced that you are right for that area and for Sister Akiaton.  I can't wait to see what wonderful activity comes out of your service there.  You have had great experience in your mission and can provide a wonderful impact on your companion.  Please love her and support her.  Show that obedience and diligence is the only way to serve a mission.  Siseter Akiaton will show you the same qualities right back.  See you soon.

All my love,

president Schmutz

---

From: 2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org [2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 10:43 PM
To: Philippines Cebu Mission President
Subject: Missionary Weekly Letters - Annika K. Bruno - 27 Jun 2011 - 3 Jul 2011

Annika K. Bruno

Phone: 09399369921
Area: Marigondon
Companion(s): Kathleen Y. Falculan

Report period: 27 Jun 2011 - 3 Jul 2011
Area: Marigondon
Companion(s): Kathleen Y. Falculan

Dear President,

This week we have been so blessed its amazing how many blessings we have recieved that we dont deserve. Randy, a recent convert, actually has re-surfaced from laying low, and is now going strong talking about going on a mission again! Louie decided to quit smoking and has gained a strong will to do so. We have high hopes for him. There is a huge group of family and friends we teach each night that are all potential priesthood holders. They have started to refer their friends and the group keeps growing.

Sister Amy is now 75% sure she wants to get baptized which is a huge jump from when she said she was 50% sure. She really has a great desire to learn for herself it is true, and as long as she keeps reading the book of mormon and going to church I will continue to do everything I can to help her reach 100%

Almost all of our recent converts have come back to church which took a lot of work, but through prayers and fasting on our part they have become stronger in their testimonies.

I am grateful for the time with Sister Falculan she has taught me so much, and I wish that our companionship could last my whole mission. She atlast goes home in September, and I fear that she will probably be transfered (we find out a little later today). I have faith though whatever transfers bring that its for the best.

Thank you for your letter last week it helped a lot.

Sister Bruno

Marigondon

Weekly Report July 12, 2011

Dear President Schmutz,

I was shocked when it wasn't Sister Falculan transferring, but in fact in was me who transferred.  I think we were both shocked that I was transferring to Bohol as a follow-up trainer!

When I went to transfer meeting I was feeling many different emotions.  Sad because I had to leave my investigators and recent converts, doubting that I was going to be a follow-up trainer, and excited to have to opportunity to go to Bohol.

During the transfer meeting I was comforted by your words where you said that we need to lift where we stand, to be on a higher level of thinking, and trust the Lord has assigned us where we are for a reason.

I am doing my best to be a follow-up trainer, but I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.  I have only been a junior my whole mission.  Any words of advice President?!?

We have a baptism this next Saturday 23 July 2011 Brother Noel Puria.  He is a 27 year old.  He has stopped work because of a bad experience he had, which in turn allowed the missionaries to find him.  We are working hard to make his baptism a success.

Brother Archie Bernaldo lives in the middle of the jungle.  It takes us 1 hour just to travel or in other words hike to teach him, and then one hour back to civilization, but he is worth the time.  They say he is a golden investigator.

Brother Greg is having health problems which prevents him from coming to church or from listening when we visit.  We are praying that his health improves so that he can be baptized.  He was blessed by the Elders this past Sunday, and we can only wait to see what happens.

Sister Melita and Sister Mel are slowly progressing.  We will do everything we can to get them to church this Sunday.

Sister Akiatan is adjusting to having a new companion, and she is a great missionary.  We have been practice teaching every morning for companion study, and it is not only helping her but it as well is helping me progress in the language.

At times I am frustrated with the language, because here in Bohol I can no longer rely on my English when I don't know a word like in Cebu City.  Which I have found as a way to make my language progress, and I know I have learned very quickly because of the Lord.  I just need to set higher goals to become better and to rely more in my Heavenly Father.

Thanks President Schmutz for your encouraging words last email.

Sister Bruno

New Mission President's Love for Missionaries

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Philippines Cebu Mission <2012162@ldschurch.org>
Date: Tue, Jul 5, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Subject: RE: Missionary Weekly Letters - Annika K. Bruno - 20 Jun 2011 - 26 Jun 2011
To: "annika.bruno@myldsmail.net" <annika.bruno@myldsmail.net>


Dear Sister Bruno,

Thank you for your letter.  I am so thrilled and grateful that you are having great success.  I will be praying for your recent converts and for your investigators along with you.  The spreading of the gospel is so amazing.  I am saddened to hear of the difficulty of retaining converts.  Unfortunately, it is difficult around the world.  There is great truth and prophetic insight in the parable of the soils.  Read Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23.  We have a divine duty to give every new member a friend, a calling and nurturing or teaching in the good word of God - continued gospel instruction.  The most effective way to keep these new members from falling into inactivity is by providing a strong friend, who can succor the weak, lift the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees".  (DC 81:5).  But it will always be true that the seed falls into the soil of the heart and there are different types of hearts and different types of soils.  The great thing is that the convert has felt the spirit and accepted the invitation to enter in at the straight gate through baptism.  So don't be discouraged. We just need to get better at changing soils and hearts to renew testimony, avoid drifting away, and getting the seed deeply rooted.

I love you Sister Bruno.  My dear wife and I have had the most wonderful experience of receiving all your pictures before we came and receiving the gift of the pure love of Christ for each of you.  As I have read each of your letters to the president upon receipt of your call, and have received and read your letters, that love has increased and is now overflowing.  Thank you for your service and for your testimony.  You are a chosen daughter of God, called to mininster for his son in declaring the gospel and teaching the doctrine of Christ.  Please continue in faith to be obedient and diligent.  This mission needs you!

We are excited to meet you and your companion as we visit the Mandaue zone.

All my love,

President Schmutz
________________________________________
From: 2012162@LDSChurch.org [2012162@LDSChurch.org]
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 4:38 PM
To: Philippines Cebu Mission
Subject: Missionary Weekly Letters - Annika K. Bruno - 20 Jun 2011 - 26 Jun 2011

Annika K. Bruno
Phone: 09399369921
Area: Marigondon
Companion(s): Kathleen Y. Falculan

Report period: 20 Jun 2011 - 26 Jun 2011
Area: Marigondon
Companion(s): Kathleen Y. Falculan

[cid:missPhoto.jpg] Dear President Schmutz,

President I just want to say hello and welcome. I am excited to have the opportunity to get to know you throughout the rest of my mission, and hope that you will love Cebu as much as I have come to love it. The people are very kind and they are humble enough to accept the gospel readily.

This week have been a mix of emotions. We have been struggling to keep out recent converts active, and to help them realize the importance of enduring to the end by continuing to go to church, and for them to be active in the church.

We have four planned baptisms this coming Friday 1 July 2011. We are not for sure about the baptism of Sister Amy because she has not said yes or definite no about her baptism, but I pray everyday she will make the decision to be baptized and open the gate.

Bryl Minoza 17 years old is a great example to me. We taught him about fasting this past Monday and on Tuesday he fasted. He has the desire to know the truth. He is going to be baptized this Friday.

Leo Minoza 17 years old his mom said he could be baptized yesterday. She finally gave her permission after not wanting him to be baptized. It gave us the opportunity to start to teach his mother about the gospel so she would let her son be baptized. She actually is slowly listening to the gospel.

Louis Minoza 18 years old stopped smoking. He is so excited about getting baptized he only regrets he could stop smoking earlier.

Sister Anastasia is listening to the gospel she is the Lola of Bryl.

From our recent convert Randy Minoza we have started to teach at least 7 people. He is a strong person. I only hope he can continue to live the gospel and not fall away. He is the example for them since he was the first to be baptized, and to introduce us to them. He is struggling at times but through the members he is becoming stronger.

I see Satan working on these boys especially since they talk about going on their missions. I am worried about their retention, but I have faith God will help them when they need it. I only worry because I meet so many people on the streets while I2Ling that are inactive now. Also some of my recent converts have already fallen away.

I know that this work has been progressing quickly. I am grateful I am a part of it.

Sister Bruno

Marigondon

Leading an Area

HEY!

So almost for sure that Sister Falculan is transferring which for me is bad news for her she is excited.  This area is super expensive and she actually is tired of asking her family for personal money.  But we have been blessed for spending all of our might, mind, strength, and personal money in this area :)

I am finally starting to get this bisayan thing but sometimes I still miss an important word and my translation for the conversation may not be correct.  Its funny most of the time.  I have become super close with everyone here in Marigondon, and am grateful to be the one staying.  If Sister Falculan leaves I will be leading the area.  Which is sooo stressful especially since our area hasn't split yet so we have two wards we  have investigators attend but actually we are part of three wards!!  Talk about a huge responsibility!  Talk about oh so many many pimples :(  

We are going to the aquarium today for district activity I am sooo excited dont worry I will send pictures, but we have to go because we are already late!!

Love you all

Sister Bruno