Challenging Area

Dear Family,

The work is going here in Lapu-Lapu 1st.  We have yet to seen a baptism this transfer, but I think we might see three this April.  This area has really been a challenge.  This is what we think.  If you don't have baptisms, you are reactivating, if you are not reactivating you are helping the recent converts be strengthened, if you are not strengthening the recent converts you are helping the members.  We are kind of just doing it all here.  There are so many people in all different classes that its not a concentrated effort in any particular part of the work.  We can't do it all alone!  Thats why we have the Savior walking beside us.  

Sister Acain is still awesome and I love her.  No transfer.  My release date is 21 May.  

Our zone activity to the Olongo Island was really fun.  It was a big adventure.  We explored and found a free place to sit on the beach, because if we sat in the resort there is an entrance fee and a fee for the cottage.  We found a house that the man let us use his cottage, and the man even said we could ride around in his paddle boats, but we couldn't because its BAWAL (not allowed) on the mission, but that's okay because we had a blast just playing games.

I love you all,

Sister Bruno

Hitchin' A Ride

Sister Canoneo accidentally hitched a ride from this guy yesterday. We were walking from Habitat to Santa Cruz with a member kuyog, and Sister Canoneo thought that the jeepney was a passenger jeepney, but it was just a personal van. Sister Canoneo was just like can we just ride to the bottom when she realized it wasn't really a jeepney. They guy just said it was okay, and we got a free ride haha. Last week was amazing, because we got to go to and listen to Elder Holland address us Missionaries personally. We all took a mission picture with Elder Holland!! We ended up having to spend the night though because there was no boat to take us back. We weren't expecting to stay and none of us had extra clothes, and so we all were gross the next day and we had to drive in the van together. It was definitely an experience... We are going to have an activity with a member today we are excited! Sorry short email again.... Love you Sister Bruno

Learning the Gospel by Teaching It

September 22, 2011 Michael! Musta ka? What is up? How's school. Aren't you a senior or still a junior. I can't remember I have been on a mission for a long time. How's church? Any cool firesides lately. I remember when we had firesides they were the best. Don't get me wrong some of them were way boring but usually they brought in their best speakers to tell cool stories. Have you heard any inspiring stories lately? How's the mission prep coming. You know it's never too early to start. If you have missionaries in your ward you should ask if you can go with them and work. I didn't know before my mission I could work with the missionaries but here on the mission we are always trying to find people to come with us to work to teach and especially preach the gospel. If you start now with preach my gospel you won't feel very dumb when you get on the mission like I did. I had no idea about the gospel until I had to teach it. Stay valiant and faithful. Don't do anything dumb that would prevent you from coming on your mission. It's the best experience of any one's life. I miss you and love you. Sister Bruno

Mission President Coordinates Baptisms

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org>
Date: Sun, Sep 4, 2011 at 7:40 PM
Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 30 Aug 2011
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net

Dear Sister,

Thanks for the great report. I love hearing you speak of your investigators, because it is so clear to me that you love them and you know they are individual children of Father in Heaven. You know your purpose! I am sure that you and Sister Canoneo will do wonders there. She is a gem and we love her too, just as we love you! Keep me posted on your baptisms. If I am every in Bohol and can coordinate a baptism with you, I will try very hard to do it. Keep up the good work. Keep smiling and staying positive. We're grateful for you.

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

Progress of Work in Philippines Cebu Mission

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Barbara Hansen <bhh1776@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Subject: Amazing!!!!
To:

Dear missionaries,  We just wanted to share the June statistics with you and celebrate our success together--100 baptisms!!!  Last week alone, 44 souls opened the doors to salvation.  Almost 10,000 people were invited to learn about the gospel.  President and I are so happy with your hard work and the love you have shown.  We see these statistics, not as a pinnacle or stopping place, but a starting place for President and Sister Schmutz to build on.  We know you can exceed the 1000 baptism mark by December, perhaps even 1100 in 2011!  As a mission, we currently have 531.  Congratulations and padayon palihog!  President ug ako nahigugma ka ninyo. 

Ayo Ayo

Sister Hansen