---------- 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
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
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