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

Sister Missionary Elect Lady in Lord's Kingdom

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: 2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org Date: Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 4:43 PM Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 11 Oct 2011 To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net Sister Bruno, Time is flying by so fast. It seems like we waited forever preparing for Elder Holland's talk, and now it has come and gone. I hope you were prepared and that you felt inspiration and revelation from the Spirit during that meeting. It was such a beautiful blessing to sit and learn at the feet of an apostle and prophet of the Lord. As Elder Holland talked, I watched the faces of the missionaries and I felt that you were being taught from on high. All your faces were lifted to the pulpit and filled with light. What a marvelous experience. It's been a couple of weeks since your last letter so I am interested to know how your investigators are doing. You are having so many wonderful experiences as a missionary. These experiences are helping you to grow step by step in the way of the Lord. You may not realize this, but you are becoming an elect lady in the Lord's kingdom. You are preparing to be a wife, mother and angel of mercy to all who surround you. Keep striving to be a great missionary, and in the process you will become a great person. We love you and thank the Lord for your service here 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