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

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Admonishes Missionaries This is Deadly Serious Business

Dear Family, The chismis or gossip here on the mission is that I will be opening another area and training the transfer call hasn't come in but President says that my next area is going to be challenging which means I am going to be 100% stressed out... I heard I am going back to the city but I have prepared my self for the worst hehe.. At least if I train this transfer I will have one more area! If I go back to the city hopefully that means my last area will be Bais or I will return to Bohol! President told me to stay strong in his last email that means that this next assignment is going to be extremely hard arg... Okay I am willing and ready for anything BRING IT ON!!

Hehe well this week we have been mostly looking for dentist for Sister Canoneo because her wisdom tooth came in and she was in real pain. Thursday we looked for a dentist then by Saturday we found one that was a reasonable price, and we got an X-ray then Monday they took out the tooth. I watched them but I couldnt really see anything because I didnt stand right over them when they took it out but I did see the blood and tooth pieces being sucked up the tube. I convinced her to take the tooth home as a mission memory hehe. She didnt want to at first but gave in at the end. It was not long but rather fat... YUCKS JUD...ANYWAYS We were in the house all day on Monday and Tuesday after. I know that she is in serious pain we don't know what the next two days will be like, but Friday we will be going to Cebu most likely I will be transfered and she will take trainers' training..

So dad wanted me to send him the 20 October 2011 notes from the Elder Holland talk well here goes:

The first presidency and apostles have high expectations for the missionaries. There is no compromise--what is expected is to be happy and successful-- almost seems unfair but accepted call to serve the Lord. Don't take for granted that you are serving. We don't do icons people want to convey what church is... what is symbol of the church? Salt lake temple? What is more known is two latter-day missionaries--symbol of who we are. Ultimate image Savior but missionaries are those the people know. Bear responsibility of adoration and trust.People feel that you are perfect--You have no right to compromise that image... In this dispensation you missionaries stand next to Samuel Smith- 23 march 1830 book of mormon published 3 days before organization of the church and Samuel already was taking the Book of Mormon to the world... You have 200 years standing beside you. Don't be anything less that you can be. We stand by our colors be part of that devotion. This is DEADLY SERIOUS BUSINESS. We do everything we can to change you over night. We are opening the entire kingdom for you missionaries we give that to you at 19 or 21. ;Accept it with generosity. Make sure you are hearing this! We know we expect a lot from you and we do not apologize;for age expectation or the pressure we put you under. Be kind of missionary your family thinks you are.

Preach my Gospel- background... It was a bold and daring move it requires a finer missionary. You now need to go to their level and not try to make them come up to your level. It can't be your way its about their way. ;John teaches Nicodemus and he doesn'tunderstand... Why? Literalism- if you say birth you mean birth. Women at well doesn't understand either because takes it literally. Don't expect them to be at your level. Find out who they are. He is going to teach everyone. Why cant I? You talk to everyone because that's what He did. Be persistent- Wallace Torranto story... You have to know the gospel. Basic scripture etc.

Be believing and obedient to have to spirit of the Lord in your life. White Hand Book--We signed on to do it His way. Don't whine about the rules or break them. This is the BIG time so square and stiffen your back and Be obedient. Obedience= Devotion Don't let people off the hook for not keeping commitments. ;We can not make any commitment slide because one day they are going to make temple commitments and they really can't slide on those. Teach with Power and Authority. They need to know that you know even if they don't know. Sizzle them right down to their Adidas melt their flip flops.

The power of conviction! Power of the still small voice will melt them. Spirituality not theatrics. -prayer - Scripture -Longing - know to be better missionary than Elder Holland. Be better prepared and knowledgeable. If you are struggling with your testimony you hang on to mine!! This is the truth. Not a fable. That is the truth and I wouldn't tell you a lie.

Awesome talk!!

Nahigugma ko kaninyo!!

PADAYON LANG

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

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

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

Purifying Our Hearts

Dear President Schmutz,

This week has been successful. We had fhe with an inactive member and half of the branch was in attendance including the branch presidency.

Brother Noel and brother Jeffrey decided to do Home Teaching every Sunday to all the inactive members in the branch which is a big help to the work.

Sister Margie's seminar is nearing.

Sister Charity is still excited about her baptism.

All of our other investigators though are not seeming to be able to keep their commitments. We are following up, and have been teaching that their are blessings when they read their assignment, or when they go to church.

Sister Canoneo is still amazing. She is so kind I fail in comparison to her. We are both excited about the Cebu trip this coming Oct 20th. Elder Fisher gave an inspiring workshop for district meeting about preparing ourselves for the conference. Sister Canoneo and I am working hard to encourage each other to purify our hearts for the coming of Elder Holland.

I see the work progressing here in Baclayon. Sister Canoneo and I always talk about how people say that Bohol is hard, but we know that is not true. Bohol is the same as any other area it has its challenges, but there are so many people that have been prepared for us.

Thank you President,

Sister Bruno

Building Houses

TRANSFER WEEK!!

We still havent heard yet about the transfer call, but its exciting. We have no sisters coming in so there will be an area closed and a threesome. We dont know what to expect because we figured out that almost all the sisters in the mission will be training this next few transfers November and December. We are not sure though who is all training but its going to be literally almost all of the seniors. Sometimes I hope that I dont train because its sooo stressful, but it would be a fun expierence. What ever happens I know that I will grow from it. All of my companions I have loved in different ways.

Speaking of companions I LOVE LOVE Sister Canoneo. We are Besties!! She is amazing. Seriously we have so much fun together. Teaching lessons, tracking, or P-day. We have an adventure on the mission. I hope that all the rest of my companions can be as cool as she is.

Last P-day we had zone activity. We played games it was fun to see all the zone. We had a fhe for the elders going home Elder Gubb and Elder Diguidoy. They are way good elders. We are going tomiss them here on the mission kay elder gubb was our zone leader and he was the bomb.com but it was a way good FHE it made me realize I am not ready for the mission to be over. We also played charades it was way fun too..

For district meeting this week we played categories. Our district this transfer is way fun and funny. We laugh all the time. For categories we were super loud but no one got mad or anything we just laughed because the elders in my district play off of eachother. Our district all have chill attitudes so we all get along.

We have a CSP every monday and we have built a whole house from the bottom up. We are almost done. We painted the roof this past monday.

We had a FHE with a new investigator brother John Rey he said its way more fun than bible study and he plans to do it with his family more often.

We have an investigator who lives with her relatives who are members. Charity is 13 years old and her parents said she could get baptized so her baptismal date is this October!! We are excited for her because she has support since she will be living with the Delfins for a couple of years.

The mission is fun. We work hard, and play hard. Its not only about being serious but its learning how to be happy in life. It doesnt always have to be serious. There is a time to be serious and a time to have fun.

I love you all and am glad we are going to be together forever!! Dont lie you are too :)

Nahigugma ko kaninyo

Sister Bruno

Planting Seeds on A Mission

Dear President Schmutz,

We have really seen the blessings in our work this past Sunday. We are working hard every day and come home so tired!! When we work our hardest that's when time really flys. We are enjoying our companionship, and we are enjoying our area.

President Badana is a great help in the work. He has many great ideas we are excited to implement into our work.

Brother Noel has really taken the time to refer all of his neighbors and friends and family members to us and he even like to kuyog us to lessons.

Sister Jessie is slowly progressing and she was at church this last week.We have had Sister Ugboc fellowship her and it really has helped her progression.

We have done a lot of planting this past transfer and soon will harvest.

Sister Margie is getting married this October 15th and then in the afternoon baptized. I'm sure it will be the best day of her life.

Enjoyed the time you and Sister Schmutz joined our CSP. Thanks for the memories.

Sister Bruno

Investigators Progressing in Baclayon

Dear President Schmutz,

The work is going good.  Our investigators though are pretty busy lately, and one of our hopeful baptismal candidates moved to Manila, but we are grateful that at least we could plant the seed.  

Brother Noel Poria our recent convert has a great desire to go on a mission.  He is 27 years old.  We told him that we would ask if it was possible for him to go on a mission since he is a recent convert.  He is amazing he is sharing the gospel with all of his family and friends.  He has no shyness.    

Sister Margie is still in the process of getting her marriage worked out, but she could be baptized at any time once they get married.  She is our only candidate for baptism this month.

Sister Ining Torraon has taken the discussions before and opened up that she wants to be baptized but her son doesn't want her to.  She said she will listen to our message at her other sons house who actually is our investigator Brother Denden Torraon who referred his mom to us.

I have two questions that no one seems to have a clear answer to.  One:  Who wrote the introduction to the Book of Mormon.  Two:  How many years after Christ are we??  2011 A.D.??  

Thank You President we would love to coordinate a baptism with you also we will let you know when we have a clear baptismal date set.

Thank You,

Sister Bruno

Happenings in Baclayon

Dear Family,

Nikita I just got the package thanks for the notes and the Swedish fish!!  Tell Samantha and your teacher thanks sooooo much!!

The work is progressing, and my companion Sister Canoneo is amazing I love her to death.

We have a district activity today at panglaw which is a huge tourist spot!  I am super excited they have white sands!!  I will send pictures.

We are pretty busy today and have to make this email short, but I love you all and promise to send pictures and a long email next week!!

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