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

Instruments in the Lord's Hands

Dear Elders and Sisters, It was so good to see you all at the various zone conferences earlier this week and last week. What a happy time for us to be with you, and feel of your Spirit. We visited Negros on Thursday, and Cebu North on Friday for zone conferences. We visited Cebu South on Monday and Bohol on Tuesday for zone conferences and got in late Tuesday evening. We also had the pleasure of visiting in Lamac for a baptismal service last Saturday and we stayed over for Sunday services. We were able to visit the Toledo 1 branch sunday afternoon. It was a busy week full of joy and memories. It was wonderful to be able to teach a workshop on something else instead of Obedience. In each zone, we felt such a strong spirit of happiness, excitement for the successes that are beginning to be seen, and unity in every zone. The last time we visited the zones was for Zone Interviews, about six weeks ago. I cannot tell you how much different the Spirit felt from that time to the zone conferences! It was an amazing transformation. As you know, we were the leader in all the Philippines missions in the number of visits we made to inactive members of the church, and we were second in the number of baptisms that we had as a direct result of visiting inactive and LA members. I feel so much happiness and joy in the work that we are doing together. Each of the last two weeks, I have felt a great surge in the spirit of the work, as if the Lord were beginning to open the windows of heaven to all of us. I feel that the Lord is well pleased with our mission at this time, and we are starting to truly magnify our calling as a mission, as we each individually and by companionship magnify our callings as missionaries. I hope and pray that you will all exercise your agency to become effective and sharpened instruments in the hands of God. I believe March will be a month that will mark the new course of the Mission and we will be able to look back on March to say that is where the blessings really started to appear. Be bold in making promises to your inactive members and investigators. Be filled with faith as you teach and encourage those you are working with to accept the commitments you invite them to make. We are laying a foundation here in Cebu Mission for true faith to take hold among the members, and for brethren to magnify their priesthood callings. The Lord has called each of you to be part of this great work. So stand and be counted! Let every missionary around you know that you have made the commitment, become converted, experienced the mighty change of heart! When everyone is setting an example of obedience, diligence, cheerfulness, and excitement about being a PMG missionary, all the missionaries will feel the same joy of belonging to such an elite group of missionaries. No one will choose to be disobedient. We will truly be like the 2060 stripling warriors, the sons and daughters of Helaman! Because of our schedule this last week, we have had very little time at home for using the computer. So only a few of you will receive personal letters this week. But we are at home most of the coming week, and all of you will receive personal letters for next week. I received word that imos will be down again today, for as much as six hours. You might be able to get on and send me a letter. You could reply to this letter if imos is not working. We love you! President Schmutz Sister Schmutz

Birthday Wishes

Dear Elders and Sisters, President and I returned home late last night after completing the final Zone Conference in Bohol. What a great week! We love being able to travel the mission and meet with all of you. Thank you for the spirit that you brought to each conference. We can't believe how lucky we are to be serving in this place, at this time, with you! Thank you also, for all of your birthday wishes and surprises this past week. You made my first birthday in the Philippines fabulous! One of the Sisters asked me what has been my favorite birthday of all time. Well, after last week I can easily say that 55 now moves to the top of my list. I can't believe how creative, talented, and imaginative you all are. Thank you. I hope you can feel my love for you. Now it is back to work! I think that we are all excited and energized by the good things happening in the mission. The Lord is keeping his promises to us here in the Cebu Mission. We are feeling and seeing the blessing that come when we are obedient and diligent. There is so much true joy and happiness in serving the Lord. So, Elders and Sisters, love the work, love your companion, love the people and most of all love the Lord! Have a great week. I love you. Warmly, Sister Schmutz

Overcoming Satan

Dear President Schmutz, No matter the things that satan has thrown in my path my goal is still the same. I would really like to extend. I talked to my father and mother before I asked to extend and they gave me permission. I am excited to see what God has in store for me when I extend, because the trials have been many. I am not sure who the trials are from, but I am strong in my faith that this work will go forth. I am proud to say that I am a part of Jesus Christ's true church that no matter what temptation comes I must and will conquer. I am saddened by some decisions of others but with faith all things are possible. God will prepare the way if we just keep our hope alive. I am glad that God gave me many trials as a child to be able to over come the trials on the mission. I know that whatever happens we have the right to choose for ourselves if we remain happy or we let satan rule. Some people act and some are acted upon. I choose to act to remain happy and to overcome anything that satan will bring. I say to satan now BRING IT ON. I am on the winning side I will not faulter or waver in what I know to be true. Someone said I will forgive you because you don't know the reality of life since you are on the mission. I just remember what you had said about the reality of the mission. Hello this is reality we choose there is no other world we live in at this time... We are seeing the blessings of the gospel in the life of Brother Robert who is deciding to go back to his wife, because he knows that what he is doing is wrong he decided to try to court his wife again. He has a great desire to be baptized but he still has many things to work out before he will be prepared to endure the covenants. I hope though because of his great desire it will be quick. We almost have the area working again. We plan to help it run smoother and be a blessing to the ward. We believe we will start seeing the blessings of our labors soon. We are praying for baptisms for our area. Elder Cabrera suggested a zone fast and I think it will be effective. Our zone leaders are great examples for this zone I really see the level of obedience rising. Sister Acain is great. She is so willing to be an obedient missionary. I know when she trains she will be a great leader. She already takes the initiative to lead when I don't understand all that is being said. its like elder Nielson said we need the Filipinos because we as Americans dont always understand the culture. Its a process on the mission with many trials but I know that Sister Acians dental will work out and that she will overcome all challenges. I am so grateful for you President Schmutz and the diligent example and leadership you show to us. Sister Bruno

Extension on Mission

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org> Date: Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 5:52 PM Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 15 Feb 2012 To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net Dear Sister Bruno, It was good to see you recently at the Mission Home. It's too bad that Sister Acain is having so much trouble with her teeth. We'll try to work it out with her. But I am so pleased with her missionary attitude. It doesn't seem like she is afraid to open her mouth. And I'm glad that you two seem to be doing so well together. So you really want to extend a transfer, right? Okay, I believe that is going to happen. I should be able to let you know by the time of zone conference. But before we can make it official, you need to get your parent's permission. they will be required to pay one more month of support, and they might want you to come home. So have you already discussed this with them in an email? Let me know. If all is in place on your end, I'll call and talk with your Stake President. You need to get all those people married. No more LOC violations! YOu are a great missionary. Did I ever tell you how grateful I am that you are a missionary in this mission? You have a wonderful sense of humor, you work hard, you are completely obedient, and you will do anything the Lord requires of you, make any sacrifice, and you won't stop till its done. That is my kinda girl! So we got your endorsement all done. Let me know if you get in, or if you need anything else done. Have a great week. All my love, President Schmutz P.S. Where did you come up with the password kisskiss28? do we need to have an interview?

Charge to Stay Strong

I changed the password so that president could send the endorsement. But it is kisskiss28 I am sorrowed to the soul to hear that mom would do such a thing. I know that satan is real that he knows our weaknesses, but work things out if you can. I really hope for all of our sakes she has not committed Law of Chastity. I know you have many trials in your life and we have not helped but just so you know I love you and are here for you. Don't let this tear you away from the church but bring you closer to God. If we continue to follow the commandments I know that no matter what happens we will be happy in the next life. You are strong stay faithful no matter what is going on at home. I know it's not easy but continue to pray for the help from God read your scriptures, and go to church. Don't let anything stop you from eternal life. I know this will be a trial for our family, but for now I am focused on the work of God! Dad I know its not the best time to ask, but I would hope to still extend. President Schmutz said its almost final that I can I just need to make sure its okay with you and the stake President financially! I know its hard times but please if there is anyway to extend please let this be my final request before I have to come home to what is happening. Sister Bruno

Dear family, I am writing this to tell you that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That anything that happens in life through obedience to our Heavenly Father we will be blessed. Satan is real his attack is on the family. We must over come all temptation to follow the cunning one. He is lower than us. We have God's power to over come anything that satan may tempt us with. Our family must continue to fight. Just do your best and rely on God to do the rest. Stay close to Him and He will bless you. Be faithful and believing. Don't do anything that will jeopardize your eternal happiness. I have seen that the law of Chastity is the biggest problem with our investigators right now. We are teaching them to once again come unto Christ. Anything that we have done we can be forgiven of, but we must forsake the sin and return to the right path. I don't know what all will happen in life but I know with faith anything is possible. I know that God has a plan for all of His children, and that we can overcome the sadness and feel comfort when we seek God. He is always listening He will always help you through anything. We must continually seek for His spirit. Do not do anything that will cause the spirit of God to withdraw itself. I am not perfect on the mission, but I wake up everyday trying to reach that perfection, and when I fall short I repent pick myself up again and continue to seek that high level of perfection. I wake up again everyday close to Heavenly Father. We know we are close to God when we feel His spirit. Continue, be faithful, and until we meet again. I am always your sister in the faith. Love you all until eternity, Sister Bruno