Taking On Another Challenge

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 1 Nov 2011
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net

Dear Sister Bruno,

Thanks once again for a wonderful report on your progressing investigators. You reminded me of how important it is to keep track of our investigators and recent converts -- "and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer" (Moroni 6:4) and especially to prepared against trials and tribulations that might keep them from accepting baptism.

You have been blessed to have Sister Canoneo as a companion. She is a wonderful sister, and I know that she feels blessed because of your companionship with her. Now it is time to move to another assignment. We are asking you to take on quite a challenge, but we know that you are up to it, and by relying on the strong arm of the Lord, you will be equal to the task. I hope you feel you have been blessed by your time in Baclayon. I know you have blessed the members there.

Stay strong, and seek to purify your heart for the work. (D&C 112:28). I am very proud of you.

Love,
President Schmutz

Going on A Mission Best Decision in Life

22 September 2011

Desi,

How is everything? Have you figured life out? I still don't know what I want to do when I get back but I'm not going to worry about that right now. I still have a long time. I realized that when I get back we will have a summer then you will go on your mission. Yeah. It really is the best decision you will make in your life.

I know that you will love mission life.  It's not the easiest thing but it's not the hardest thing either.  I have learned so much about the gospel I didn't know before.  Don't worry I will be your trainer when I get back.  We can go with the missionaries! Have you ever went withe the missionaries to lessons before.  I never did before the mission but I definitely want to when I go back home.  It will help you prepare for your mission. You should try it.

How are things at home? Crazy still?  I don't have any idea what is up with everyone. I fail at writing. haha. Sorry... 

Hope you are having fun.  Don't stress the small things.

Love

Sister Bruno

The Eternal Family

22 September 2011

Dad!

This transfer I really haven't thought that much about home. I have been focused on the work. In the last couple of weeks we have been teaching a young newly married family.  The girl is 22 years old. It's made me ponder about family and how important the eternal family is.  Thanks for keeping active in the Church. 

I know that it is not easy especially as the dad of the family. I have seen so many families and the father is the head of the house. If you were fall away who knows what would have happened to our family, but because you stayed faithful despite all of our family problems. You went to church every week and made us go too.  I know that our family will be forever! I wasn't the greatest example growing up. But here on the mission and in the last couple of weeks I know there has been a great change. Through the gospel our hearts are changed.  We grownup. We better ourselves. We become perfected.  Thanks for being a good example.  Even as you get older stay faithful dad, endure to the end! 2 Nephi 31:19-21.

Sorry that I am not the best writer but I hope all is okay at home and that you are blessed with a long life.  I will continue to server here trying my best.

I love you dad.

Sister Bruno

Whistling at the Sister Missionaries

22 September 2011

Flora,

How is everything in Utah? Don't you just love it there? I know that you probably like it more than I did.

The mission is going good, but there are many boys that tell me how pretty I am and since it creeps me out.  I think it's because I am American. No matter where you are in the world the boys are always the same. Dumb!

Maybe you should come to the Philippines. Boys will whistle at you as you walk down the street. It's because there are few Americans in the Philippines. Actually I am starting to think the Americans are way pretty when before I would not have. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Speaking of boys, any change in the weather over there in Utah? I thought for sure you would be married by now since you are an RM or do the boys in America still not appreciate how beautiful you are?

You are a great example to me. First of all you finished college and a program in dental school all before the age of 23.  Also you served an honorable mission which I have to find out that is not easy! I love it though and never ever will take the mission for granted. Thanks for emails every week. Sorry I suck at writing. But I love you.

Sister Bruno

I Love the Mission Life

22 September 2011

Nikita!

I am doing awesome. I am here in Bohol. I love the mission life.  It's busy all the time but it's also fun.  We get to teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is a member here who is your same age.  Every time we talk I think of you.  How is everything? How is school?

Thank you so much for the package. It was awesome. I shared with all of the missionaries the Swedish Fish!

My favorite scripture or at least one of them is 2 Nephi 31:19-21.  It talks about enduring to the end!

Always read the scriptures, pray every day, and start preparing for your mission.  Now it's never too early to start.

Love

Sister Bruno

Fat Kid at Heart

September 22,2011

Franny,

Freshman again I can't believe that you are in college. Time goes by so fast! How is choosing a major going? It's not an easy thing to choose. It's actually super stressful, but I know whatever you choose that you will excel in it.  Let me know what you choose.

I bet that you love the college life.  Utah is pretty cool in the Fall but it's soon to be Christmas.  I hated the cold weather.  How are you liking Utah?

I love the Philippines. It's always hot. We walk everywhere and the people are way nice.  All the places are like being on vacation.  It's a dream mission.

It's about to be transfers but I hope that I don't transfer.  Yet my area here on Bohol Island is way awesome.  We run on the pier every morning.  Hopefully I will be skinny when I get home and not tambok (fat) chubby still.  I am a fat kid at heart but maybe I can overcome my weakness on the mission HaHa.

I love the Book of Mormon and the gospel.  I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stay active no matter what.

I love you.

Sister Bruno

Getting Tired on A Mission

September 22, 2011 Gen, How are you? Is your health doing okay? I saw a picture of Chiara the other day. She is getting so big! How is Stuart doing? Does he have a clear job now? How is your photography doing? I'm not really tired on the mission. The longer I am out it seems the more fun it becomes. Last transfer was hard because I was follow-up training and my companion was trunky and never wanted to work that hard. She never talked to me but this transfer I love my companion! Sister Canoneo and I laugh all the time. We never fight or disagree. We work well together. Probably because we have both been on the mission for a long time. I don't really want to train because it is way tiring carrying the lead teaching every lesson! But it is only inevitable because November and December we will get a lot of sisters. All the sisters will probably train this next two transfers. I am learning a Tagalog song called Nardito Ako by Jolina Magdangal. You should Youtube it. The meaning is cute. It's a love song. Don't forget to show Chiara pictures of me so she doesn't forget me by the time I come back! I miss you and hope your health is okay! And the baby send pictures when you can. Love Sister Bruno

Food Cravings

September 22, 2011 Gianina, How's work going? Any perspective investigators or referrals. Did you happen to read the September issue of the Liahona? My companion teased me because I read the whole thing in two days. It's all about eternal families. It's cute.It's almost my year mark and I feel like a new person. I have lost weight but I am still chubby. It's a curse. I guess it's a process. I am still working on it! Speaking of food I miss Mexican food or even just Taco Bell. haha No but the food here is really good. I don't know why I am talking about food in this letter but it's just directed so I will continue. Out of everything all the food the thing I crave the most is honey buns & the MTC food. haha

The work on (Bohol Island, it's called outer darkness) Bohol Island or Baclayon. Bohol where I am assigned is going okay. Our investigators are on and off. We have 5 islands in our mission: Bohol, Cebu, Lapulapu, Negros, and Camotes. I hope my next area is on Negros. So I will be to all the islands except Camotes because only elders are assigned there right now. I love my companion Sister Canoneo but we both have been on a mission a long time so we will probably be transferring this transfer because November & December transfers we will mostly likely train! Good times on the mission. I hope all is well. Until we meet again. Love, Sister Bruno

A Mission Teaches You To Grow Up

22 September 2011

Mom:

It seems like forever since I last wrote.  The mission life is awesome I love it.  My birthday was awesome.  Thanks for the honey you sent thanks again!! I am now 22 years old. One year older and wiser too.

The mission really teaches us to grow up! I can especially see the changes in my attitude and personality to become perfected through Christ.

On the mission I have realized that knowing the gospel and living the gospel are two different things.  There were times I lived the gospel and times I just knew the gospel.

Right now my area is Baclayon Bohol and I love it.  We live right across from the pier and I have been faithful about running almost every morning! I say almost every morning because some days I am just super tired.My companion Sister Canoneo is super supportive about my running. I think she is the first who actually will run with me some days. 

We get along really well but I can tell you that there are times we need space but that's normal being with someone for 24 hours a day.  We never fight or have disagreements.  I hope we stay together one more transfer but its unlikely because we have both been on the mission a long time.  We both will probably train in the next few transfers.  We don't have any sisters coming in this next transfer but the next transfer after we will get 10-12 new sisters.  So everyone that has been on the mission a while will probably train.

This October 20th Elder Holland will be visiting the Philippines.  All the missionaries no matter what island are invited.  I am on Bohol so it will cost 1000 pesos to travel.  If I am still on Bohol we have transfers this September 30th.  We will see what happens.  There are so many missionaries going home in the next transfer. 15 missionaries are going home!  We will get many missionaries the next few transfers.  We didn't have any baptisms this transfer just planting.  But we should have baptisms this next transfer if I am still here.

I miss the family lots. I hope everything is going good! Is Michael starting to date? How's Nikita?  How is Franny liking the college life.  How's Chiara and Gen and the baby.  I hope they are doing okay.  Don't forget to send pictures when the baby comes!

Loving life.

Sister Bruno

Work in Bohol

Dear Sister Bruno,

I always appreciate your enthusiasm for this wonderful work, Sister Bruno. I can see your heart is in it, and you serve because you understand and believe in your purpose as a missionary. Speaking of President Badana, I had a wonderful meeting with him two Sundays ago. I felt the Spirit working in him. I think he will be a great leader for that branch, and he loves missionary work.

I'm excited about Sister Margie's marriage and baptism. Hopefully, we will be able to attend. We loved the time we spent with you at the CSP. It was so fun to be able to talk about more personal and fun things. So thank you. We will all enjoy the memories of that occasion. We are very grateful for you, and we love and support you. Have a great week.

President Schmutz

Archie and Annie Bernaldo Join the Church

Dear President Schmutz,

This week we had a successful baptism of Brother Archie and Sister Annie Bernaldo. They gave their testimonies on Sunday the next day after their confirmation.It was a good feeling.

Brother Noel Puria also gave his testimony and expressed his desire to be baptized.

We had area attack on Monday and it was a successful time. We have many new investigators that we plan to visit this week.

We have really been blessed we re-activated Rusel and Rodello Minoza, Shine Tinonga, and John Spencer Ugboc. Brother John Spencer brought four of his friends to church on Sunday and we hope that they return this Sunday.

Sister Akiatan has really been growing in her teaching skills. She is discouraged sometimes, but we encourage each other to be positive. I have been working on communicating with her and our relationship is becoming better. I love her and only hope her success here on the mission.

I am so grateful for the blessings from Heavenly Father with the area, and have really seen the progress of the work here in Baclayan.

I am just changing my attitude, and looking at the bright side of things.

Thank You President,

Sister Bruno

Cultural Difference: Missionary Email

FAMers!!

So this week has been a little stressful. I  don't know if i am the leader type, but I am learning. My companion and I have some culture difference and language barrier at time. We are  working out our differences. I love her guts but we just need to learn to work together.

We have a baptism this Saturday 6 August 2011. Pray that they will go through with their baptism. Brother Archie and Sister Annie are coming into the gospel together, and I am so excited for their family.

I have been super stressed out this last transfer and have lost weight.  I see that as a positive of a negative :)

We are saving souls here in Bohol and enjoying every moment. STAY STRONG STAY ACTIVE KICK SATAN'S BUTT!!

Love

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

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