Missionary Letter: MTC Hard

 14 October 2010

Sister Annika Bruno
MTC Mailbox #169
Phi-CEB 1209
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Mom!

Thanks for the money not exactly sure how much I spent.  I have to total the receipts but I got a lot of things I needed.  I had a lot more to get than I had thought!

The MTC is hard at times but being solo is hard.  Not having a set person its hard to plan your days.  I am basically companions with 3 people, 2 elders in the district and my "companion" Sister Brinton until she leaves in 2 weeks!  The MTC doesn't really have rules for us solo sisters.  We kind of make our own based on the guidelines but at least I'm never alone even if I feel like I'm tagging along.

Reasons for Serving A Mission: Letter to Mission President

6 October 2010

Annika K. Bruno

2042 Thornhill Dr.

Summerville, SC 29485

Dear President Hansen,

I am happy to have received your letter, and am very excited to have the opportunity to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission.

The gospel to me is who I am.  It defines my thoughts and actions.  Without the gospel I would be lost and would not know who I am or who I am to become.  With the gospel there is no guessing I know my purpose in this life is to live in such a way to bring people unto Christ.  By pondering and studying the Gospel it brings happiness to my life.  I have grown up in the gospel but I have had a personal conversion, and cannot doubt that this Church is the only Church that is true.

When reading that I was to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission I was very shocked, but also very excited. The Lord knows me well and I believe that  it was divine guidance being sent to such a place as the Philippines.  Moving many times in my life I have discovered that I am much happier in warmer climates and I believe it is a perfect fit for me.  I believe serving in the Philippines will allow me to be blessed by the people I meet, and to shape me into a better me.  I am ready and willing to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission.

I know that the Church is true.  I am ready to let go of myself to serve the Lord.  I know my purpose is to bring others unto Christ and I am prepared to do so throughout my life and my mission.  My father has taught me since I was a child that I should go on my mission and as I have gotten older I truly believe I need to serve my God in His purpose.  God has blessed my life and giving up 18 months of my life does not even begin to repay the debt.  I know that Jesus is my Savior.  I love Him with all my heart.  I believe that we have a living prophet on this earth Thomas S. Monson.  I am thankful that the Lord has called me to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission and I won't let him down by forgetting Him and becoming wrapped up in myself on my mission.  I am fully giving my will over to the Lord to become an instrument in His hands.

Hope to see you soon. 

Sincerely,

Annika Bruno

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! 

Second Parent Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Annika Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: October 11


Hi Annika!

So how do you like the MTC so far? Dad says today is your p-day and you get to write emails so I hope I will hear from you. I'll write you by email as soon as I get your email address. Mine is clbruno@hotmail.com just in case you don't have it.

I always wonder what my girls' experiences in the MTC will be like. It seems like most missionaries either love it a lot or hate it. I really LOVED the MTC. I don't know why. It was just fun being around so many people who were committed to the gospel all day every day. And I liked meeting all the new people and learning French. How is the language going? Can you pray in Cebuano yet? Are they teaching you any Tagalog?

I'm sure you will tell us about your companion, where she is from and what she is like. I hope you are having fun with her. Did you get your scriptures, and all the books you need? Is it cold there?

So around here, let's see, nothing much is happening with me, as usual. This is why I have a hard time writing, because nothing new ever happens in my life. Dad and I went out to Cracker Barrel for dinner because he had free coupons. Also, I started running again, and I did 1 and a half miles, then walked another mile. That is all I did this week, boring, huh?

Well, have a great day, we are looking forward to hearing from you, send pics if you can.

Love you!

Mom

First Parent Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Annika Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: October 5


Hi Annika,

I put that money in your account, so you can get your scriptures, journal, and any books you need. Let me know next week how much you spend and if it was enough. How do you like the MTC?

So I hope you had a fun time with Sister Crain and with Gigi, and that you got to the MTC ok and you are enjoying it. I am looking forward to hearing from you and learning about your new companion and how you like it.

Love you and miss you.

Mom

Reflections on Being Called to Serve Before My Mission

I was set apart on October 3, 2010 at 6:00pm and up until that point it had not really hit me how close my mission really was.  I enter the MTC on October 6, 2010 at Noon.  I have one day to finish preparing to enter the MTC since I leave tomorrow the 5th of October at 8am.  I am excited to go to the MTC and meet everyone there and gain life long friends.  Right now its just a waiting game all I want to do is just be there and start learning what I need to learn for when I go to the Philippines!  I am excited for my dad to keep this blog and keep everyone updated on my adventure of being a missionary.  I know it is the only thing I want to be doing in my life at this time and it will shape me into the person I need to be.  These memories are forever and I will most likely reflect on these times even when I am elderly I believe I will state "ON MY MISSION..." and everyone will be like man you are so old they don't do that any more haha!!  Its time to give my self to the Lord see you in 18 months!!

Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno
Monday, 4 October 2010

Reporting to the MTC

From: Missionary Training Center <mtcInfoDesk@mtc.byu.edu>
Date: Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Subject: Letter from Provo MTC Presidency
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net


Dear Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno ,

Congratulations on your call to serve!  We are excited about your arrival at the Provo Missionary Training Center next week and are grateful for your decision to serve the Lord.  We would like to share some important information about your stay at the MTC.

This will be your MTC mailing address:

Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno
MTC Mailbox # 169
PHI-CEB 1209
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Please share this address with those who may want to write or send packages to you while you are in the MTC.  Please pay particular attention to the following items:

1. Your service begins the day you check into the MTC.  Remind your family that complete separation from loved ones is part of the sacrifice that families and missionaries contribute to the work.  For this reason, you should ask your family and friends not to attempt to see or visit with you while you are at the MTC, not even during your temple walks or at other places near the MTC.
2. All missionary mail must come through the US Mail or commercial delivery services.  These services should not be used to send pizzas, fast foods, ice-cream, or any items that will spoil if they are not refrigerated within 24 hours.  Missionaries are not called out of class to receive packages, nor do they have access to a refrigerator.  For security reasons, we cannot accept any items delivered by hand.
3. Communication with family can be done through your missionary email account on your weekly Preparation Day.  Communication to you from friends should be through letters mailed to the above address.  We cannot accept telephone calls for missionaries.
4. Families and friends should not visit missionaries as they depart to their field of labor, whether at the MTC or at the airport.

Please do not reply to this email.  If you need to communicate with the MTC, please call 801-422-2602.

Sincerely,

Provo MTC Presidency