Follow Jesus Christ Change Life

Dear Family,

Our area is finally starting to progress.  We are seeing our investigators really start to want to start to follow Jesus Christ and change their life.  

We really enjoyed General Conference.

Sister Acain is becoming a really go friend of mine as time goes on.  I really enjoy our companionship.  

Yesterday we set an appointment with a less active member who just moved here from Iligan Sister Acain's Stake so it was a little awkward for Sister Acain since she has background with him, but we want to help him to come back.  

We have a baptismal date for Sister Lea this 28 April and we think she will really be ready.

Loving the work.

Sister Bruno 

Fellowshipping

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Annika Bruno Date: Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 3:51 PM Subject: Progress... To: cebumissionoffice@gmail.com Dear President Schmutz, This week has really been a humbling week. We have stayed close with the members especially those who like to feed us haha... but we used it as an opportunity to get them involved in fellow shipping. Talking with the members many concerns arise. Its sad to see so many people so unwilling to fellowship. We prayed about a fellow shipper for our inactive member with the LOC problem and when we received our answer we talked to that brother and he was unwilling to fellowship because of past things that had happened. We taught from the doctrine and covenants and the doctrine of Christ and his life, and he was still being difficult about it. His wife told him to stop being a drama queen and that he couldn't attend the next time the missionaries taught. She was teasing him, but in a way it was true it was hard to get him to be humble and forget the past and to act as Jesus would. We have realized that we are starting to be blessed in our area through our hard work. I wake up everyday so tired, but excited to start the day. We have many new investigators being prepared for baptism. I don't know how quickly they will progress, but we will be the most obedient we can and do everything in our power to help them understand the importance of baptism. Brother Dave and Sister Avegail are still willing to listen but their schedule is every other saturday. I am not sure why, but that is what brother Dave wants for now. We explained that it would be more beneficial if we were to meet at least once a week if not twice a week so he could understand the doctrine and not forget quickly, but he said he would rather it be every other Saturday. We have an appointment with him next Saturday if you would like to attend President. They said they they are married now. We have taught the restoration, and he said he has been taught the restoration many times. He seems to understand, but still has not received an answer to his prayer. We told him sometimes we receive an answer through our studying the book of Mormon, but he has cardaracs in his eyes so he cant see clearly. We suggested Sister Avegail read for him and we will also read with him the book of Mormon to help him gain a testimony. Brother Ong seems so prepared through listening to previous missionaries for baptism, but his work schedule is the problem he doesn't have a set work schedule so its hard to know when to catch him at home. He has not heard all of the lessons, but he said he believes that Joseph Smith is a prophet.l We will do everything we can to catch him at home, and continue to help his progression. We went to talk to brother Jonclar the other day. He was drunk at the time, but he opened up that he wants to continue to listen. he is growing in his desire to hear the gospel which is a huge improvement from when we first met him. He must have kept his commitment to pray about continuing to listen. We plan to go back on thursday. Word of wisdom will be a top priority to teach. Sister Acain is amazing. I feel she will be ready to train straight away after the training period. She really has a talent for teaching, and I can tell that she prepared before she came on her mission. Although she does not think she has much patience I have found she is a very humble and caring person. She has patience through any trial that has come her way. I have learns so much from her. I thought I was supposed to do the teaching, but I am grateful for the help. Elder Harris gave an amazing workshop for District meeting and it has helped me so much with getting rid of idol time on the mission. I have been growing so much on the mission, and can tell it has shaped me into the person that I want to be and that God wants me to be. My biggest fear is falling away from the church after the mission. I am glad I am being taught how to avoid becoming inactive by teaching the inactive people. Our area has been a challenge, but I have hope for the next couple of months that we will start seeing the fruits of our efforts. We turned over our investigator brother Robert to the Marigondon Elders, because he was not in our area and we had no support from the ward or bishopric since they said he is not in our area and long term he won't be our baptism. I think it was the right decision to start him in a ward that will support him and where he will continue his progression, and I can not wait to see the day that he will be baptized. its just sad that he had no support because he wasn't in our area. He is still a son of God and its the same work no matter where he lives. I am confident that Elder Harris and Elder Encarnacion will help him through his journey since they are such obedient elders. Our zone leaders are great too. I can really see the change in Elder Murillo and the desire to be obedient. Elder Cabrera is a good example for us all. I am excited to see what the next week will bring. Anything that might come I am ready to jump, leap, run, crawl, or any other action it takes to overcome the unseen obstacles that might occur. Like I said before BRING IT ON. Sister Bruno

Third Anak Child

Dear family, I am in my third open area. I am also training my third 'Anak' child on the mission. We are having fun in our new area, and finding many people ready to hear the gospel. My companion and I have the same birthday 24 Aug 1989! we think its funny because our personalities match so well. I really do love her lots. We are in an open area so the schedule is kind of hard to figure out still. We are still getting to know the area and the members, but Sister Pangue my first anak on the mission is in my ward lapu-lapu 1st and comes with us to teach almost everyday. She has extended going on her mission until march since she is still waiting for her visa, but i am glad she is still here to help us with the area. We have really good leaders that help us a lot. People have even made dinner appointments with us. Earlier we played basketball with the elders. They didn't guard us but it was still fun. Me and sister Acain guarded each other. I really hope that you all are doing okay. I love you 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

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

Making New Friends: 40 New Investigators in A Week

Dearest Family!

This week has been awesome. We have been having an adventure and finding many new friends. Many people are prepared to hear the gospel and I love them all. We have been teaching many children lately and they are so precious. I can see why the children are favorites. We have been doing a lot of finding this transfer, because I only have one companion now Sister Caluyo and the area is split so there is four of us. Sister Williams and Sister Tumala. I love the Greeny she is so nice and is way fun. We all live together and it's definitely good memories!

Our area is split so we basically can go any where in the area we want. We didn't set specific boundaries for our companionships because we can discover new areas if there are no limits! We got to choose how the area was split. It seems like there are a million people we haven't met yet and we had 40 new investigators this week and invited 500+ people to learn! We are only increasing everyday.

Everyday on the mission is a good day. It seems like the happiest I have ever been is in the service of the Lord. Teaching about Jesus and His ministry only brings happiness to missionaries. I have always wondered why missionaries were so happy I know why now.

We got to help a lady cut apart sandal straps yesterday. I didn't even think that people actually hand made the straps of the sandals!

This really is the perfect place for me I don't miss the cold one minute! The weather has been really perfect my whole time in the Philippines. we get a little rain and then sun. Sun brings happiness in my opinion! That's probably why the people are so humble and happy here! All the people always say good morning and such or wave at you they are the most friendly people I have ever met. I feel like I am now Itom and not Puti (black and not white haha). The people either whisper puti or American then I shock them with speaking Bisayan to them and they are amazed! Too many tourist in the Philippines haha!

Well I love you all and you are in my prayers!

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo!

Sister Bruno

Splitting the Area in Cebu City

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo!

First of all I love you!!

This  week is transfers week and the power of three is being seperated. Our area is being split in two and we will have four people in our apartment. Sister Williams is training for the first time, and me and Sister Caluyo are going to be companions. Our zone leader Elder Gubb is transferring and so is our Assistant to the President Elder Gatdula.  Sister Bundac is going home this week and it makes me realize how fast the time has been going by. People I know are going home now!

We had a baptism this week Brother Nelson. He gave  up smoking and drinking. He comes to church faithfully. He is a little bit slow on the processing, but he is a kind person. I know he will  grow through the church. We cleaned out the Pit-os house this week and  are settling into our new apartment in Apas. We need to find an apartment in our area, but haven't seen anything we like yet. We love the house we live in now with hot showers a washing and dryer and all the perks. It's funny what you miss while on the mission and see how many blessing we have.

This transfer I have been getting along with my  companions really well. I love the adventures we have been having.  They are tons of laughs. We laugh at least a million times a day  either joking around or something one of us says. It's much better in life if we can just laugh at the trials we have!

Yesterday was an awesome day. Emerson Ugdiman said he wanted to be baptized, and we all thought he was going to be a lost  cause, because he went on vacation and before vacation he was not  progressing. When he returned though he not only looked older and was  growing up, but the Lord has been preparing him to be baptized. When we asked him what his desire was for baptism he surprised all of us at his  declaration of wanting to be baptized, but knows that he hasn't been going to church so he couldn't. We ensured him that he could go at his aunt's and the Elders over there could teach him. It's sad to give him up  to the elders but if he gets baptized and grows in his testimony I will  make the sacrifice and give him to the elders. We know that the elders  will be better for him being a teenager and not having any brothers in the house it will help.

I miss you all

Love you

You all need to continue to keep you covenants. And don't forget you are special each one of you individually!

Sister Bruno

Sunny in Talamban

FAMILY I LOVE YOU!!

Today has been a good P-day the sun is shining and it's not toooo humid! This morning we were running late to  go to the temple so we wanted to take a taxi, but taxi's never come to our house so we took a dyipney to Talamban from where our house is in Pit-os. We were trying to wave down a taxi as we rode in the dyipney.  It was way funny! We then got off at Talamban and took a taxi, but when we were 20 minutes out there was a broken down taxi and our taxi driver stopped to help his friend. We wanted to help but the taxi driver knew we were in a hurry and insisted that we switch taxi's. So we took  another taxi and the first driver didn't make us pay. We then got a  cheap taxi ride and made it in plenty of time for our temple session.

This week we have been teaching a man named Leo who we found in  Talamban his street is literally right where the church is so he can walk. I placed a Book of Mormon with him. We also teach a little girl named Rosalyn since we can't teach Brother Leo without a girl kuyog. She is 11 years old but doesn't seem way into  our lessons, but I hope we can change that. It's hard to teach different kinds of people all at once, but in lessons there are tons of people who just join in to listen. We will be teaching a lesson or talking to someone on the street and people will just come and join in. In the Philippines it's interesting. We will go to homes and people will be there, but its not their home, and the owners won't be home. People always visit each other at their houses and hangout in waiting sheds or like bamboo huts outside. There are kids everywhere.

There is one kid that I love we don't teach him or his family we just met him on the street and he is like my best friend. Every time we  see him I'm always happy his name is P.G. He is super adorable! He  always talks to us when we walk by. The people are super friendly here,  But most kids make fun of my language it's irritating sometimes. Most people are just shocked I can speak Bisayan and stare with their mouths open, it's crazy, and funny at the same time.

I love you all and pray for you. Hope all is well!; Miss y'all

XOXO

Sister Bruno

Rain: Adventures on the Mountain

Family!!

First of all I love you and am thankful for your sacrifice to let me come on my mission.

It's been raining a lot lately because of El Ninyo it's supposed to rain a lot until March that's what one of the members said. I think it's rained everyday this week.

Yesterday was definitely an adventure it was awesome! We went to appointments in the bukid (mountain) yesterday morning, and when we left it was raining.  Sister Williams doesn't have a payon (umbrella) so she broke off a banana tree leaf with her teeth and used it as an umbrella. Here when it rains you really need to be careful of the jeepneys because one we walk everywhere and yesterday I got splashed by a jeepney it was not fun! Also there are not really driving laws here so they will run you over. Cars don't care about people walking. When we were walking up the bukid we got on a jeepney to ride the rest of the way because we were worried about time. The driver didn't let us pay because it was only a short time to Sister Emely Pardillos house and it was raining so he didn't let usbayad(pay). On the way back to theBalay(house) I bought an umbrella and the owner of the tindahan(store)helped me with my bisayan. When we went to the Balay to use the CR(comfort room) my companions fell asleep on the bed. It was way funny but I woke them up and we left. We ate at Julie's Bake Shop. They have these bake shops everywhere where you can buy bread all different kinds some with meat in them and also pastries and such. But anyways we ate at Julie's Bake Shop for Sister Williams birthday. Then after that we went to the Camangyan families' house to teach them and their house is down this Bukid part and we had to take our shoes off to get to their house because it was too muddy to try to get down to their house with shoes on. On the way home we had to change jeepneys because the one we were on broke down and we got our money back and sakay mi(we rode) the next jeepney that came by.

It was a fun day. My companions stayed up to paint their faces and I went to bed I have been trying to be obedient.

My trainer is being transferred to another area this Friday I'm super sad! We were all getting comfortable with each other as companions.

Times up we only get 30 minutes to email!

LOVE YOU ALL

Sister Bruno

Facing Opposition

HEY EVERYONE!!

SO DEAR ELDER IS ALIVE!! Hahah so I can get dear elder. I think it takes about two weeks to get but pretty sure that's faster than other mail I already got, two dear elders. So send them if that's all you can do.

The language is still hard I think its because I have three companions and I haven't been teaching a lot. But its okay, I actually just need to focus more... One day this language will come through work and dedication and lots of prayer. Yesterday morning we were running and I slid like 10 feet and hit the cement hard with my knee... I got cement burn bad! Then I got in a fight with the stairs. I got a few bruises but I think I won. :)

Then I got my companion's sickness yesterday and to end the day the members said my companions better sell me for a chicken at the market because I don't really understand the language! Satan is really working hard on me my first transfer but I know I'm on the winning side. I'm just sticking out the bad and offending Satan the best way I know how.

None of our investigators were at church this Sunday but its a new week and there is no holiday! We have a golden investigator Emerson Ugdiman. He is 16 and seems super ready to accept the gospel. He has a part member family I hope we can help him see what he is missing. He came to the temple open house last Thursday so he is taking steps in the right direction.

I miss everyone and hope the holiday was awesome Dear elder me if you have time!!

Nahigugma ko kaninyo

Sister Bruno

Fooling the MTC Mail Room

KAMUSTA KA!!

Hey everyone I am leaving the MTC in two weeks and will probably go silent except for email when I get there I am not sure yet what it is like so everyone should pass on the emails to everyone so that they don't think i am ignoring them!! I heard mail takes like a month to get to the US!! I heard that North Korea is fighting South Korea right now is this true that is crazy if so... I never get real news in the MTC so when we hear something its crazy!! Also it was supposed to snow yesterday so all the teachers were sent home and we didn't have a teacher for the rest of the day and also the bookstore closed which everyone was annoyed about, but today is P-day and tomorrow is Thanksgiving so we get two chillax days which is cool!!

So dad asked for a funny story so here it is I have a story book and this is one I thought was kind of funny! Elder George got a package and it came with an orange slip. Turns out his dad tried to send him a chocolate cream pie. Elder George was super mad about it. He made a list of MTC villains one was the mail room, then juggernot (the security guy for the devotionals), the Spanish district that stole our comfy chair, and the others (the English district). They devised a plan of ordering poop from an animal then put it in a box with packing peanuts, and sent it to the mail room. When Brother Atagi found out he devised a plan of putting ex-lax in a pie and sending it then wait and watch until someone runs out of the mail room. Elder English was like "YOU ATE MY PIE"

Elder George and Elder Holleys dads are always trying to smuggle them in food from take out places and their packing has become elaborate!! Like one of their dads packed the food in a crazy way so that the mail room couldn't smell the food! Basically hilarious but the elders get super excited when the food gets through its like Christmas to them! The elders always get a lot of packages Elder Holley gets a package every day from someone!! They don't open them until the dorms. They gather everyone's packages and open them like Christmas presents. Elders are so interesting!!

I am super excited for the twins and I loved KIKIs pictures soooooooo cute me and Sister Brand was like awwwwwww and everyone came and looked!

The new Cebubus are awesome we love them like our children or something. My new companion Sister Brand is awesome she is super fun. We all laugh in our room at night including Sister Walker, Sister Barney, Sister Nerdin and Sister Whipple. We all have a lot of fun. It's basically amazing love. I'm here but ready to leave in two weeks AHHHH!!


Nahigugma Ko kanimo!!


Sister Bruno

Missionary Excited to Leave MTC and Go to Philippines

Dad!

Yeah the light saber pictures I first took weren't very good. We were still experimenting and also the flash on my camera doesn't do very well. But we took a bunch more today and they came out really good. So hopefully you think these are better. We took the Matrix one today but in our P-day clothing. We are going to take one in our dresses another day.

I am way excited to be going to the field. We got our flight plans today. It was more exciting then getting my mission call! Haha. We have been super intense in Cebuano and I have learned a lot in the MTC. I am having a way good experience in the MTC and will be sad to leave but I am ready to get out of here!

I'm sorry if my emails have been lame but we don't get much time to write. So it's not too interesting. Just updates! This week were were talking about the war at the end of the world. My teacher asked what we though the war would be like. My elders replied with Narnia and Lord of the Ring types of things. Then my teacher was like yeah I always think of animals fighting and such. I would want a bear next to me and be like I hope you are afraid of that guy. Then he was talking about how he would rather ride a lion because a lion can take a tiger anytime because one of my Elders said he wanted to ride a tiger. Then my teacher said if a lion smacked a tiger it would be knocked out. Brother Atagi is funny. He is basically my elders' favorite teacher.


Nahigugma ko kanimo


Love, Annika


PS: They closed the mail room yesterday and bookstore until Saturday and everyone was annoyed. They said it was because of the storm but there was no storm.

Elder Ballard Advises MTC Missionaries to Smile

This week was pretty much the same. We study all day long and have class and eat and have class and eat and study and eat! I think I might puke we eat so much! But the MTC is still amazing I met some people this week from England and Italy and a couple of other places. I also met an elder going to Africa who speaks Portuguese, random I know right!

So this week we heard from Elder Ballard! This is the third week in a row that we have heard from an apostle, so basically that's the good thing about being in the MTC for so long. Elder Ballard talked about becoming a master communicator.He also said the most powerful thing we have is our smile. And that we need to have confidence in our message.

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!