Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

Elders Can Be Pigs

2012-01-25T13:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Fams,

We get emergency Transferred to Lapulapu 1st. We are assigned in an elders area. Our area Cebu 5th that I reopend and then it got closed again after two transfers since some elders went home and they needed to close an area. We had trainers training and while eating pizza President asked to interview us before we left. He asked about support of the area, and our investigators. The next day the assistants to the president called us and told us we would be transferred to Lapulapu the next day Saturday. The transfer call was made. This is my third open area on the mission. It's super tiring since we have no clue about the area. At least the area is way cleaner. I can't see the ocean but at least there is a breeze!

To quote my letter to president...

PRESIDENT!! I think that Sister Schmutz needs to have a discussion with the elders about cleaning their apartments again. We came into the apartment shocked. Luckily we didnt have time to look around since we went straight to work with the zone leaders. We luckily went to the store before coming home to the apartment and bought cleaning supplies while we were there. It took me 6 hours to clean the bathroom. Can I just say its bad when you find a bottle of Domex and zonrox bleach full, unused with mold growing on the out side. We thought it was pretty ironic! Supposedly the best cleaning product in the world Dormex with mold growing on the outside! Thank you president for the humbling experience. We still estimate it will take about 3 weeks to clean the whole house its a work in progress, but at least we have a spotless bathroom!! Have I ever mentioned that I like a clean house almost to the point of OCD. I think I have discovered the reason the elders are getting sick so often. I think it has something to do with their mattresses. When I took the mattress cover off to be cleaned I discovered a black mattress pad underneath that smelled stale. I dont know how many elders have slept in that bed sick, and I am sure never washed the mattress cover after. When I washed the mattress cover the first two rinses the water was black. Then next rinse cycle the water was brown. Then the next two rinse cycles the water was yellow!! I let the cover soak for about one full day then washed the years of dirt off of the cover. I refuse to sleep on the mattress pad and have just been sleeping on the wood part of the bed. Its not very comfortable, but at least I wont get sick. Sister Taylor has braved it and just put her sheet on the bed she has yet to try to wash the cover she says if she doesn't look its like its clean, but she has gotten a small cough I told her its from sleeping on the mattress. We texted Elder Ernstrom about getting new mattresses and hopefully they come soon. President I won't even tell you about the rest of the house! At least one positive thing is that I have only seen one dead cockroach under the fridge in the last week we have lived in the house. Unlike the last house when we had to fortify the house against the big roaches getting into the house. Ahh the life of a missionary. Maybe that's why they don't require the sisters to go on a mission they are afraid we will be scared for life when we get emergency transfered into elders apartments. I hope that this will bring a smile to your face remembering the time when you were an elder in the mission feild president I would only hope that you weren't this bad about cleaning!! Also I would like you to know Elder Hardin mentioned how clean the apartment was when he gave us the key. Thats when you know your in for a big surprise!!

The apartment was way worse than the other apartment that we were in last transfer.... Elders!

I STILL NEED TO NEW ADDRESS OF YOUR HOUSE TO GIVE ON MY TRUNKY LETTER TO THE OFFICE!! Thanks.

Life of a missionary its full of surprises.

Love you

Sister Bruno

Hardness of Heart

2012-01-18T07:55:00.002-05:00

Dear Family,

I made history this week by being the first sister of my time going on sister companionship exchanges. It was a great experience. I really loved my time with Sister Camarillo. We laughed the whole time, and we had amazing spiritual lessons. I hope that since we were the guinea pigs that we can continue to do companion exchanges as sisters on the mission.

Today I just got my trunky letter!! A trunky letter is when they send you a paper asking about what airport you go home to and the correct information, and also it gives my date of release as 26 April 2012!! By the way I need the new address to give to the office for my travel and such. Its weird because I will be coming home soon. I am not sure if I am ready I was really hoping that I could extend, but I think that it will not be possible now.

Today I went with my district just to tour around. We didn't do much, but it was also fun. Making memories that's what the mission is about. I only have a short time to make the best of the mission. The time is far spent!

We had zone interview this week, and president call us all to repentance. I really agree with him though. He talked about one of the steps of repentance is restitution, and if we don't repent now it will be hard to make a restitution after the mission. He talked about not following the false doctrine of the mission. We all love President Schmutz so much. He is such a bright person. He is definitely called by God.

We had a hard lesson this week with an inactive member, and I ended up crying in the lesson, because I felt such sorrow for the hardness of his heart. I just testified, and then we left. He wouldn't even give a prayer at the end. He was Muslim once, and we believe that he is returning to those thoughts. My only regret is that he restricts his wife from attending church. Its sad to see someone who once was a faithful member of the church, and that went on a mission have to be victim to her choices. I hope that one day brother will change.

I love you all and if you want to write you better do it soon because I come home in APRIL!! Haha

Love you

Sister Bruno

Through the Trials Come Many Blessings

2012-01-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

From: Annika Bruno <annika.bruno@myldsmail.net>
Date: Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Subject: Week 2
To: cebumissionoffice@gmail.com

Dear President Schmutz,

This week has been interesting. We just went to the doctors this morning to run some tests that the doctor suggested for Sister Taylor. She has been getting swollen hands and feet. She has been getting many trials this week. I remember my first transfer on the mission I also had many trials and thoughts of going home, but I got through it and I know that she will get through it too. We are fighting a rough battle, but we will overcome president.

We had an opportunity on P-day to just sit in the temple waiting area for a few minutes before going back to work, and there Sister Taylor and I had the chance to talk about many things. I think that Sister Taylor is a little bit sad that she is missing so many things at home like her brother getting engaged, but she understands she is here for a reason, and I am not worried about her because those feelings are natural. She isn't extremely depressed or anything so I think she is just adjusting. I was happy to see earlier this morning when we rode the dyipney she I2Led the people sitting next to her, whereas, in the last few days she has been too shy to try. I can really see the progression of her language and knowledge. I really am glad that this new training program has come out, because I can see if you are diligent to the study program then the progression is substantially greater compared to when I was trained on the mission.

Sad to say though our work has been slowing down, because people were busy for the new year's holiday so we got punted a lot! I have been having problems making the stats, but we have been working hard going out everyday on time working until curfew so I have no guilt just concern for the area. We have been diligent about the studying and training plan which I find effects the amount of lessons we can get in one day. I have only made the stats one week the whole time I have been assigned in the city. I don't know if its because people are busy or if its the training program, and also most days we get punted so we only have one lesson for that day. It can be frustrating seeing the rest of the district making far above the stats.

President Hansen once said "through the trials comes many blessings", and I have to agree. We have found another less active family the Recla family that we have started teaching, and they agreed to come back to church this week. Also while I2Ling we found a man who said his wife is a member and previously his kids would attend church but they have stopped going. He wants us to come to his house and continue to teach his family. We also just received a referral from a member for a family of eight. They have listened to the missionaries before, and they have just moved into the area and they want to continue to listen to the discussions.

The Alpitche family has come back from vacation, and we are happy to say that brother is cutting down his smoking. We are helping him slowly go off of cigarettes. He has gone from 8 to 5 a day now. We will continue to help him until he can quit smoking. We have high hopes for their family getting sealed in the temple one day.

Jeff and Clay are still in the process of planning their wedding, and we found out that they are living in the same house now. We have encouraged them that if they don't live apart at least don't sleep in the same room. They have been having some problems with planning their marriage, because although they would like to get married and they have all the requirements the family of Jeff is opposing the marriage. They are disappointed because they wanted him to go out of the Philippines to work before he would get married. So they have been having problems getting his parents to sign the marriage papers since his is only 22 years old he needs parents consent. We will continue to pray for him that they can get married for the sake of the child, and the sake of their family. We will continue to keep you updated with their progress.

Sister Jandog is almost at her one year. She is preparing to enter into the temple. Bishop advised her to go through the temple preparation class before she is to go through the temple. It is a 6 weeks class and she is willing to do it in order to enter into the temple. She is a shy type of person that is faithful in coming to church every week, and I see her testimony growing every day.

We will continue to strive to do better everyday, and find those in need. I am also glad of the opportunity to have met your family they are all so kind. I enjoyed talking with them, and helping in what little ways I could for their stay in the Philippines.

Being a trainer allows me to reflect on the feelings I once had as a new missionary, and especially since one of my trainers Sister Williams was the MTC teacher of Sister Taylor. I never feel frustrated as a trainer. I just continue to have high expectations for Sister Taylor. I hope that she will feel that I am a good trainer, and not compare my weaknesses with others strengths in the future. I only hope I can remain in her memory as a friend.

Thanks President Schmutz until next week,

Sister Bruno

Overcoming Adversity

2012-01-04T08:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,

This week has been pretty rough because it was a holiday and no one was home. Either they were not home or they were busy with cooking for Christmas or New Years! We had many trials this week but that's what makes the best stories. So this is what happened my companions feet have been swollen since she got here and the other day her hands were huge and swollen she looked like the Michelin man! We are going to see the doctor today to see whats going on with her. I think it is probably an allergy. We think she might be allergic to the bug repellant which is ironic because its supposed to protect you from sickness not cause the sickness. Anyways we are going to the doctor today which is going to kill our P-day but what can you do sacrifices must be made.We bought new curtains for the apartment which should have been nice but we accidentally bought two different kinds for the living room so they don't exactly match perfectly, but they are okay. I finally bought a pillow after not sleeping with one for a month Ah the simple things in life!!

I FINALLY GOT MY PACKAGE. Thank you for the cookies. Well I bought butter which is pretty expensive here and we don't have an oven or a cookie roller, but I devised a plan to use the toaster oven!! Success! We made cookies last night which takes forever baking them in the toaster over because we can only cook two at a time, but I finally got them cooked. I will most likely frost them tonight. It was fun making them though that's for sure. It made for a good memory. How to make cookies on the mission step one. Use the pots used for boiling water because we don't have a big bowl. Step two make cookies. Step three roll the dough out by pounding it with your hand. Step three cook in the toaster over... Easy bake :) Good times.

We are digging a septic tank for our csp. It brings me back to the time when I would dig in the dirt as a child. We are digging a hole that's our purpose. We didn't get that far last week, but we are going back this week and we aren't sure how long it will take, but its fun.... For new years eve we ate at a members house. We went to bed at 10PM but woke up at 12 because of the fireworks going off outside of our window. It was like a war. The fire works went off until about 2AM. Here for Christmas and New Years they shoot off fireworks, and all of the little kids buy fireworks. You know the saying don't play with matches well I dont think they have ever heard of that saying here. there were 4 and 5 year olds just lighting fireworks and chucking them every way. You have to be on guard as to not get hit by one. Actually we were passing by and I go nailed in the foot with one. It was just a little fire cracker so it wasn't too bad. So we woke up to the boys yelling happy new years. We said happy new years and went back to bed!! Haha the life of a missionary.

We have been teaching Jeff and he and Clay should be married this Jan. His baptism will probably be in February but we aren't sure because he now works on Sundays. He is looking for another job so he can get off on Sundays, but he is pretty new at his job now. I hope he can find another job.Everyone was out of town this past week so we had hardly anyone at church this week.

Our stats crashed and burned, but at least we tried our hardest. I am pretty sure that its because its Sister Taylor's first week. I know the first transfer on the mission is the hardest. Satan really tries to make you quit. We made it through, and Sister Taylor is really trying in the language. I make her teach the first lesson whenever we teach the first lesson, because we have studies it and I have written sentences for her. So the expectation is high because she could train in 12 weeks. The new 12 week training program they want the greenies ready to train after 12 weeks. So I am trying to prepare her for that. Training isn't the easiest, but its a learning experience. I just hope I have one more area, because you how much I love the city! I love you all have an awesome week and if you ever want to write just you know do it before I come home!!

Sister Bruno

Praying for the Missionaries

2011-12-28T09:30:00.002-05:00

My dearest Elders and Sisters, As many of you know, Sister Schmutz and I have been blessed this Christmas season with a visit from our children. First our son, Ian, arrived from his mission in Brazil. I think most of you have met him at our conferences. It has been such a blessing to have him in our home for more than a month. Then about a week and a half ago, our three older sons arrived with their wives, Mason and Ashley, Colin and Marissa, and Cameron and Rachel. They brought our two little grandsons Bennett (Mason's boy) and Cooper (Colin's boy). Only our eldest daughter, Lindsey and her husband Jake and their four little apo are not with us. So we have been playing parents to our children and it has been a rich blessing and a joyous time for us. We have taken some time away from the Mission home and visited Bohol and some points in Cebu Island. Our children love the Cebu Mission. They will be here until Friday. I hope you will all understand that we will be your parents in the mission for 18 months or 24 months, and you are so very special to our hearts all our lives. We will also be parents to our children forever and for the short time they are here, we want to spend time with them. We returned to Cebu Tuesday afternoon. Because we have been away I have not had access to the internet and have not been able to write letters. So please forgive me that for the last two weeks you have not received any personal letters. I am trying to write back to a few of you that have had special questions or needs, but the rest of you are receiving only this letter. I hope you understand and know that I love you all. Next week, I will start back writing to all of you. Please write to me this week and let me know how you are doing and the experiences you are having this last week. I hope you are all working with your hearts and minds to bring to pass the work we have been given, to rescue the inactive members in our areas -- to find the lost sheep and bring them back to the fold. I have been thinking about the power of our testimonies. Strengthen your testimonies through study and the prayer of faith, and share your testimonies as often as you have the opportunity. The bearing of testimony by the servants of the Lord is a great blessing to those who share their testimonies "for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you." (D&C 62:3). It is also a great blessing to those who hear, especially the inactive members because sometimes there is "no way that [we] might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony". (Alma 4:19). I want each of you to know that I kneel down multiple times each day and thank the Lord that Sister Schmutz and I have been blessed to receive this call to preside over such wonderful young men and women. Truly we love you as our children. I see such goodness in you, such willingness to sacrifice, such desire to do the right thing for your God. We feel that we are blessed mightily of the Lord. We feel that of all Mission Presidents in the world, we have the richest blessings. And it is because of you. So, I want you to know that your President desires your happiness and joy, your safety from harm, and your protection against the Adversary. That is why I pray for you all the time and think about you in my daily thoughts continuously. Be good. All my love, President Schmutz

Overflowing Font

2011-12-28T07:40:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,This week as you all know was Christmas and I have yet to receive that package, but they go to the post office tomorrow so I am hoping to see it then. Its about the thought that counts Thank you all!! My area is Cebu 5th. The temple is my area, and we spend a minute or two in the mission office chatting with the missionaries if we happen to be at the complex. I am back to being informed about everything happening with the other missionaries. But you know me I would rather be in the middle of no where climbing a mountain than in the city.This week was an adjustment getting used to training an American! Sister Taylor! Sister Williams my "trainer" was American but she was Samoan, and this is the first time while I have been on the mission that two white American sisters are together. They say that its because I know the language well. I think it just happen to be destiny. :) Well I thought I would like it which I do, but its a major adjustment. I thought I was training last transfer, but this is really a challenge. I now have to speak English which I have decided I dont like to do now. It hurts my head. I have discovered though it is no longer about me progressing, but rather trying to make history with my greenie! It turns out though that Sister Williams is Sister Taylor's MTC teacher what a small world right! I guess I was mentioned in a couple of classes. One of the greenies that came into the batch with Sister Taylor said that she read my blog. Interesting. Maybe I should try to be more witty or something... well if I had time :) You know You Know never enough time....So at the baptism of Sister Salve Vismanos the ward mission leader wasn't paying attention to the font, and during the lesson of Sister Monarez the font over flowed! The water swept across the floor and Sister continued her talk. When she was finished Bishop Thelmo and Brother Dover mopped up the floor. After we had a successful baptism. When they said amen all Sister Salve had to do is bend her knees and she was under the water. They hardly needed to put her under the water was so high. For Christmas I got the news that Gen had a baby! Wow was I ever shocked. I guess when you are on the mission your family just kind of forgets about you and assume someone else told you the news!! Can you all send me pictures please! Yey its a boy!! I am so excited to see him when I come home, and Chiara got so big!! She talks now.I love you all,Sister Bruno

A Rat as Big as A Cat

2011-12-21T14:37:00.000-05:00

Dear Fams,How are you all?!? I am good still haven't gotten the package but I'm not worried. I'm expecting to get it probably in a month I will let you know. We have transfers again tomorrow and I will be training again. This time for real. I'm not sure who I will train but the odds are I will be training a American! We shall see! I'll let you know next week. This week has been rough in terms of our investigators. Our investigator who was supposed to get baptized this coming Saturday told us that his girlfriend is Prego!! But he is getting married in January so he will at least still be able to get baptized. Its just sad because his girlfriend is a member and they really wanted to get married in the temple. Now they will just have to work things out to be sealed in the temple. its just sad is all. At least we have hope for them since they are getting married and they want to stay close to the church. We shall see what happens.One of our inactive members opened up to us and told us that her step father is a peeping tom and that he threatens her life, but she wont open up to anyone else about it. they tried before to go to the barangay but nothing was done. I just suggested that she talk with bishop, but for now she wont even go to church. We will continue to help her resolve this. CAN YALL SEND ME SOME MUSIC LIKE LDS ROCK OR CHURCH MUSIC... you can probably just send it through an attachment in an email!! Thank you in advance.We have Sister Salve's baptism this Saturday at 10AM I am excited for her!I saw a rat yesterday as big as a cat it freaked me out!! YUCKS!Every companionship in my district will be training this transfer its kind of interesting! Im excited to see what will happen tomorrow!!I love you all See you on SKYPE!! I think maybe Monday morning we will skype but be on Sunday my time just in case either christmas eve or Christmas day DONT FORGET!!Love youSister Bruno

Mission President Instructions for Training Missionaries

2011-12-20T17:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Elders and Sisters, This is an unusual week. We are completing transfers two days early and changing the preparation day. The reason for these changes is that the Missionary Department of the Church moved dates in order that travel didn't conflict with Christmas. There are 16 new missionaries coming into the mission tomorrow. We are at the highest level of missionaries we have seen since I arrived on the mission. With this transfer we are reopening four new areas for missionaries. If we include the last three batches of missionaries, we have more than 45 new missionaries either being trained or who will complete their training tomorrow. That means about 75% of our missionaries are involved in training right now. I am told by the Area Presidency that we should expect further growth from new missionaries. This means that we NEED each one of you who is willing and desires to be prepared for training, prepared to raise a righteous generation of missionaries. I am grateful for your willingness to be diligent and set a good example for your companion and for the other missionaries in the mission. the only way we can accomplish the purposes the Lord has for this mission is for the entire force of missionaries in Cebu Mission, each one of you, to set a new standard of obedience and enthusiasm for the work. I sincerely hope you have made that decision and commitment in this work. I recently wrote a letter to one of our missionaries to explain my feelings about the importance of training a new missionary and the qualifications needed. I am pasting a portion of that letter here so you can see my feelings. Please ponder this as you perform your missionary labors. Thanks. Here it is: "I believe with all my heart that we have a sacred responsibility to train new missionaries in the Lord's way, so that they will have an example of faith, great diligence, strict obedience and love. Training a new missionary is the most important calling in the mission. The way a missionary is trained will have eternal consequences. In this mission, in the past, I think there has been a false attitude that a new missionary fresh from the great spirit of the MTC needs to learn that it is different in the field and we don't need to be strictly obedient to the white handbook rules or the morning schedule. Unfortunately, this attitude is a deception of the devil and it can destroy the spirit of a new missionary. The brethren have given us a 12 week training program to be used with all new missionaries. That program requires the trainer to be very diligent and hard working. He must carry out a two hour per day companionship study that thoroughly teaches the new missionary how to teach PMG by the Spirit. It is necessary that the program be faithfully followed. It is very hard work. A trainer cannot be trunky even in the least because it takes away the ability to train by example. I know that many missionaries have a great desire to train, so they can have an son in the mission. It is a way to leave a legacy in your son or daughter. But the opportunity to train is not for the benefit of the trainer. It is for the benefit of the new missionary. Too many times, we have had poor trainers leave a very bad legacy in their anak. When a new missionary is told that he or she doesn't really have to be obedient in everything and diligent and hard working every day, then the missionary becomes deceived, confused and often depressed. Too many times the new missionary, decides that the PNC (Pwede Na Current) is okay, and it can ruin his or her opportunity to become a missionary that truly pleases the Lord through faithful obedience all the days of his mission. The missionary that lives according to the higher law of strict obedience and standards of excellence, is happy and is led by the Spirit. Missionaries who are willing to set aside the personal desires and personal laziness, and who are willing to serve God with an eye single to his glory -- TRULY -- are missionaries that will do anything and everything He has asked them to do through his servants. These missionaries are the ones that are converted for life, permanently, these are the ones who receive and carry the Spirit with them at all times. Disobedience at any level, even in small things, deprives the missionary of the constant companionship of the Spirit. Training is a GREAT HONOR and privilege, but great honors and privilege go to those who are greatly faithful, greatly obedient and diligent and who are willing to sacrifice. So, if you really desire to TRAIN, and not just to have a son or daughter in the mission, you must prayerfully ponder upon the following questions: 1. Are you willing to obey EVERY RULE of the white hand book to the best of your ability?2. Are you willing to arise at 6 am EVERY morning with no exceptions?3. Are you willing to show by example that disobedience will not be tolerated?4. Are you willing to follow the study program, every day for the full time, without exception?5. Are you willing to live to the higher standards.?6 Are you willing to repent of any disobedience in the past? I hope you will also ponder these thoughts and feelings and use or incorporate any part of this into your missionary life. Thanks again for all you do. All my love, President Schmutz

Reactivating A Family

2011-12-15T15:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,It seems another transfer is past and gone. Transfer call comes again this coming Monday. Its clear that I will have a new companion, and most likely train again. Same area. I hope though that I have one last area before I come home. I still have 3 transfers after this December. Christmas is coming again and I plan to Skype on Sunday around 7-8AM my time or if not Monday 7-8AM my time. See you all on Skype then huh. So get on all of you and we will figure out everything!!My companion Sister Pangue is super cool. She is only with me for one transfer but she is hard working. She is still learning like any greenie. I wish I had the chance for a short term mission before the mission its an awesome opportunity. She is now prepared to train hehe. We finally got our rice cooker. I have been learning how to cook rice on the stove. Many new skills for when i come home... Except I will probably just use the rice cooker hehe you know American still. We had a zone activity today and we did a play/ dance act. It was fun we played a game you have to blow the flower out of the cup to get the Peso at the bottom... Pictures to come. Brother Alpitche came back to Church this past Sunday his whole family is active now!! All 8 of them its like we just had a new baptism a whole family, but its a better feeling to reactivate members, because I want them to get sealed in the temple!! We will work on it until I get transferred!This past Sunday I was asked last minute to give a talk about the blessings of tithing. I accepted the challenge and then gave a very clear talk. Guided by the spirit! We had many investigators attending church and its a hard topic especially when I know there are many people in the ward not paying their tithing. I am glad that the spirit guided me through the talk and hope that it inspired some to pay their tithing. Last Thursday Dec 8 we had a Christmas devotional. it was way cute. We had some people giving the narration of the Christmas story then we all sung Christmas songs. Our district gave a special musical number. I played the piano... Well I tried heheWe also had a CSP at the High School we taught about 25 students in one class then 25-30 students in another class. We taught about Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom. We commited them to follow the WOW and LOC. It was way fun. That's a recap of our week. Hope you are all doing good.Love Sister Bruno

Training A Short-Term Missionary

2011-12-14T08:29:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,It seems another transfer is past and gone. Transfer call comes again this coming Monday. Its clear that I will have a new companion, and most likely train again. Same area. I hope though that I have one last area before I come home. I still have 3 transfers after this December. Christmas is coming again and I plan to Skype on Sunday around 7-8AM my time or if not Monday 7-8AM my time. See you all on Skype then huh. So get on all of you and we will figure out everything!!My companion Sister Pangue is super cool. She is only with me for one transfer but she is hard working. She is still learning like any greenie. I wish I had the chance for a short term mission before the mission its an awesome opportunity. She is now prepared to train hehe. We finally got our rice cooker. I have been learning how to cook rice on the stove. Many new skills for when i come home... Except I will probably just use the rice cooker hehe you know American still. We had a zone activity today and we did a play/ dance act. It was fun we played a game you have to blow the flower out of the cup to get the Peso at the bottom... Pictures to come. Brother Alpitche came back to Church this past Sunday his whole family is active now!! All 8 of them its like we just had a new baptism a whole family, but its a better feeling to reactivate members, because I want them to get sealed in the temple!! We will work on it until I get transferred!This past Sunday I was asked last minute to give a talk about the blessings of tithing. I accepted the challenge and then gave a very clear talk. Guided by the spirit! We had many investigators attending church and its a hard topic especially when I know there are many people in the ward not paying their tithing. I am glad that the spirit guided me through the talk and hope that it inspired some to pay their tithing. Last Thursday Dec 8 we had a Christmas devotional. it was way cute. We had some people giving the narration of the Christmas story then we all sung Christmas songs. Our district gave a special musical number. I played the piano... Well I tried heheWe also had a CSP at the High School we taught about 25 students in one class then 25-30 students in another class. We taught about Law of Chastity and Word of Wisdom. We committed them to follow the WOW and LOC. It was way fun. That's a recap of our week. Hope you are all doing good.Love Sister Bruno

Philippines Cebu Mission Christmas Letter

2011-12-07T08:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Elders and Sisters, Sister Schmutz and I want to wish you all a merry merry Christmas. We hope and pray that you will feel the joy of Christmas in your hearts and feel the Savior's love for yourselves and for all the precious children of God that are here in our mission. We are so blessed to have revealed knowledge about our Savior and his atonement, the reason for his birth. Even though we are far away from the snow of Christmas that whitens the fields and rooftops of our home, we have received a marvelous blessing of joy to enjoy this first Christmas in the heat of Cebu. Even though we are far from our home and family, we feel as if we have our family all around with the many many sons and daughters that we have found in the mission. Thank you for your love to us, and your prayers in our behalf. We really feel it. Two Thousand Years ago, an angel announced to Mary that she would be blessed to be the mortal mother of God's own son. Her heart leapt with joy at that great news. When the time came that she was with holy child and knew that the Savior of the World was growing in her womb, she needed to share her joy with another person and so she traveled to share her joy with her cousin Elisabeth, who was also carrying a godly child, John the Baptist. When the two women greeted one another, and Mary saluted Elisabeth, the babe who was John "leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." Mary exclaimed, "MY soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-47) The two women rejoiced together at the wonderful experience they were sharing. I think in some ways it is the same today. When we greet others with the news of Jesus Christ, those who are prepared will be filled with the Holy Ghost and filled with joy as was Elisabeth. And we rejoice together in the news that the Lord has restored his church and brought revelation back to the earth. This is his gospel. We love sharing it. At this time of year, i want to express my great love for Jesus Christ, who so long ago came to earth as a holy infant in swaddling clothes. He brought joy and the hope and promise of resurrection and eternal life. How special it is to know that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that all who might believe in him and keep his commandments can have life enternal in his righteous kingdom. I feel that He is smiling down upon our mission now, a resurrected perfect God. He has accomplished his work, and his work continues to roll forth. This mission is a part of his vineyard. I feel blessed to declare his word and bring his love to those in need. All our love to each of you in this Christmas season. We are so excited to see you for the Christmas program. Until then, All our love, President and Sister Schmutz

Going Home Early From A Mission

2011-12-07T08:24:00.000-05:00

HAHAH Mom told me of the Christmas BOX!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH I LOVE YOU ALL. I will let you know if it comes in the next month hahah it always takes FOREVER!!! The mission is great. We just found out that one of the Elders in my batch going home will be going home soon because of a heart problem. I have been talking to my companions about what it would feel like to have to go home early. Most have said they would be okay with that hahah!! Well I definitely would not be okay with that. I would only hope that I serve the fullest here on the mission with no regrets and until the end. I would hate to miss the going away parties haha!!We had district activity today, and bought a cake for Sister Gumayao's birthday which ended up in a small cake fight. We are children I know but it wasn't out of control so I feel that it's okay :) Shhh dont tell President in case thats not okay.I have realized on the mission it's about personal worthiness. We have agency. If we used the agency wisely the mission is an amazing adventure. If we use our agency incorrectly the mission is full of guilt and regret. I am glad I am having a blast on the mission.I am starting to adjust to the city, but hope that i will have one last area before coming home. The time is far spent you KNOW!! The elders in my going home Batch are counting down the days and the time is soon approaching, but don't worry you still have some time to make some coming home posters and plan my PARTY...!! Speaking of party its soon CHRISTMAS!! THAT MEANS SKYPE!! I plan to skype on the 25 DEC but Im not exactly sure yet. But plan it to be 25 DEC. It might be 26 DEC whatever I will let you know next week probably. We have a baptism coming up soon. We postponed it for his family to attend. Brother Jeff is what I like to call a Golden Investigator. He has so many awesome questions is amazing how great his faith and testimony is. i feel that rather than us teaching him he is teaching us far more. I like to use his comments in lessons when I teach. He makes everything so clear.I am excited for the transfer. It will be on 21 DEC. It's early this month so it wont be so close to Christmas. I will be getting a full time companion, and will train for two transfers so I will most likely have one more area my last transfer!!I love you all for your sacrifice for me to be on the mission.Keep enduring and living your covenants.LoveSister BrunoPS PLEASE UPDATE ME WITH ALL OF YOUR LIVES!!

Interesting Questions from An Investigator

2011-12-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

Dear President Schmutz,I continue to have a positive experience with Sister Pangue. She is willing to work hard even though she is not a full time missionary with no training. I feel this has not only been productive for the mission, but it has also helped her to be ready for her mission. Brother Jeff has decided to move his baptismal date until the first couple weeks of January so that his parents can attend. I feel this is the best decision for him. I believe that he is ready to be baptized, but I am glad we have more time to prepare him for the covenant he is about to make. He has many great questions, and we are sometimes shocked at his knowledge of the gospel and his testimony.Sister Salve is starting to open up. She is not yet ready for her baptism so we will move the date back. At least we see her progression. Sister Neil Jean Alpitche has a great desire to be baptized. Her parents are inactive, but are slowly coming back to church. We feel that she should not be baptized until she has support from her parents. Although she is not a convert baptism she is still someone we have been focusing on. We are teaching her father on the weekends when he is home. They are excited for our family home evening this Saturday at 7PM. If you are available President and would like to attend just let us know. We are happy that Sister Alpitche came to church last sunday although brother did not come with her. She took the leap of faith, and brought her six children with her. She walked with six kids two of them being small children. I feel that brother is soon to follow to come back.We taught the Banono family. The father has been inactive for a long time. He has a problem with drinking and smoking, but we feel this will easily be given up once he once again gains a testimony. It will take time and effort, but we can't let his family try to go alone. I am grateful for the new program it has changed my outlook on the work. I can tell the increase of knowledge. I am grateful for the new questions and concerns of inactive members. I feel this will only strengthen me for when I go home not to become inactive!! I am excited for what next transfer will bring with the new companion. I have enjoyed the time with Sister Pangue training. I will continue to help the work progress here in the Cebu 5th area. Although we had very low stats president this week we really did try our hardest. It takes much more time trying to convince inactive members to let us teach them. I find sometimes we are only getting one or two lessons, because we don't feel it would be appropriate to teach. We have been trying to build trust of the inactive members to open their hearts. We though will not force them to listen to a message if the situation does not warrant. For example we visited the Banono house and brother was passed out drunk. We talked to sister, but we did not teach a lesson. Things like that where there will be no spirit. It also seems we get punted a lot more lately, but it does not frustrate us we just continue. Thank you President for your testimony of the Savior. I have a great hope for my future not only tomorrow or after the mission, but in the life to come all because I know that without a shadow of doubt that Christ lives. He is our advocate at the judgement. Sister Bruno

Cockroaches, Scotch Tape and Serving in A Temple Area

2011-11-16T07:39:00.001-05:00

Family,I am reassigned to the Cebu 5th ward. You know when it has a number after it then its a city mission jud! Our area is the temple! At least I still have a place to go every morning to go running. We are working here across from the temple. If we don't have many converts then I am definitely doing something wrong, because I am in the shadow of the temple. We are reopening an area! Did I mention I don't have a companion. Instead I am making history. At the transfer call I had no idea what was going on I was not very well informed. At the transfer meeting I found out that I will be training a district missionary. She has received her call for her mission, but has not been to the MTC yet. She can still talk to her family and such because she has not been set apart and she is still preparing to go on her mission, but I am basically training her. I am her MTC teacher. Her gospel doctrine teacher, and trainer!! We arrived at the apartment yesterday and the floor was covered with cockroaches! No one lived in it for a transfer (6weeks) and it was an elders apartment before so you can just imagine. Luckily earlier that day we all decided for district CSP they would help us move in and clean up the apartment. It was a wreck! It's okay because now its livable. We spent the last two days fortifying the house with scotch tape plastic bags and paper to cover holes where the cockroaches can get in. We are scared to wake up with a cockroach on our face! My companion woke up the first night because she had a nightmare there was one on her face and they were crawling up the walls!! I now sleep under the blanket wrapped like a pig in a blanket tight as can be so I don't wake up with one on my face. They still get in the house so we will still fortify it tonight! Pray for me that I don't wake up with on on my face!! Sister Robison already told me a story of that happening to her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our first day of real work was yesterday. We had people come with us from the ward to show us the area so we were lucky because the area book is no help! There is no maps or anything useful!!The elders fail! Its a challenge but I know it will just take getting used to! Loving the work... You knowWorking hard and hard working its super serious here in the city so you know... Nahigugma ko kaninjo!Sister BrunoPictures to come I forgot my card reader to send pictures sorry!!

S.M.I.L.E.: Run Run Run

2011-11-15T16:03:00.000-05:00

S.M.I.L.E.: Run Run Run: Once upon a time in High School I took a PE class. For the most part it wasn't too bad. We did fun things like badmitton, and volleyball, an...

Taking On Another Challenge

2011-11-09T08:52:00.003-05:00

---------- 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

2011-11-09T08:23:00.001-05:00

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= DevotionDon'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 HollandBe 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

Sister Missionary Elect Lady in Kingdom of God

2011-10-26T09:31:00.000-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: 2012162-PRS@ldschurch.orgDate: Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 4:43 PMSubject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 11 Oct 2011To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.netSister 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 herePresident Schmutz

Rejecting the Book of Mormon: Missionary Sadness

2011-10-11T07:39:00.000-04:00

President Schmutz,This week I reached my one year mark. It has been the 'best year for my life' for sure. I have learned how to overcome weakness. I have learned how to live with another person for 24 hours straight. I have come to appreciate every blessing from Heavenly father. I have grown to love the Filipino culture, people, and food. My taste, desires, and life has changed on the mission.We are excited for this month, it's going to be busy, but it will be very enjoyable. We just got done with general conference, and then this Saturday is zone interview, and then district conference, and then the 20th of October we will have the once in a life time chance to go to listen to Elder Holland. If you didn't know before Elder Holland is my favorite speaker. I prayed in the MTC that he would be a guest speaker, and he ended up coming twice to speak. This really is a blessing to be once again in his presence. He is an awesome motivational speaker. In the MTC he spoke about if we ever wanted to go home or be disobedient to remember that we are examples to the younger generation, and that his grandchildren look at the missionaries as examples and that if we ever got lazy remember his grandchildren and that not to disappoint them. I still remember his words after a year here in the field.Here on the mission everyday is like a new chapter in life. Anything could happen! The mission is an adventure we can not guess what will happen. For example we were really excited about visiting a new investigator Sister Panga yesterday. We visited her just before lunch. &Because of the storm that was going through Bohol it was rainy and overcast. We reached her house mud speckled our legs. Sister Panga came out of her house holding the Book of Mormon and the restoration pamphlet. She explained that she and her husband had been fighting and that she wanted to work it out with him. She explained that he did not approve of her listening anymore. Our hearts just dropped. Our last visit she had been asking questions and told us she had talked to her husband. He had met us on a pjeepney before and said it was okay for us to visit. I just thought what had changed in those few short days. She wanted to give back the Book of Mormon. We testified. No change she insisted that we take the book back, because her husband told her to. She was kind about it and asked us to respect her decision. Sister Canoneo told her she could hide the Book of Mormon. Sister Panga was afraid if she kept the book that her husband would find it and be angry. We testified that one day her husband's heart would change and if ever that happened not to be shy to give us a call. Sister Panga did this in a very dignified manner and we were not annoyed or mad that she gave us back the Book of Mormon, but rather saddened and our hearts hurt. Walking away we just sang at the same time "magpadayon ta!" (we will continue) and laughed. The storms of the mission can either get you down or lift you up. I'ts a choice and we decided to count our blessings rather look at the disappointments. ;We treated ourselves to Payag restaurant, and got back to work.It was raining all day yesterday, and by inspiration Elder Fisher our fearless district leader sent a text that morning and I quote "Hey team! padayon sa inyong pagkakugi, hinumdumi ng ur effectiveness as a missionary is based on ur effort to find, teach, and bap... so go find dem souls! 'love Elder Fisher & Elder Narvasa'. " (Hey Team! Continue your diligence and remember that your...) His text was inspired because of the rain we were punted all day, but we continued in faith. Thanks to the encouragement of Elder Fisher. Despite being punted we taught Sister Jessie yesterday morning, and she seems to be progressing. She asked when her baptism was. ;Before she said that she wasn't ready for baptism. We also ended the night by having and FHE with the Ugboc faily and Brother Nelson about the Book of Mormon. Our investigators are progressing. The marriage of Sister Margie Casquejo is upon us. We are not sure of the exact date, but we plan that it will be 22 Oct. We will continue to follow-up.Sister Charity Ondoy is very excited for her baptism the 22 Oct. We can see that she really does has a testimony.All of our other investigators seem to be on again off again, but we will use your advise and return to restoration Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. The work is progressing here in the Philippines and we are working hard to stay worthy to be blessed.Sister Canoneo has shown great leadership and has also been a great example. I am grateful for her up beat personality. For her words of encouragement, and for her small acts of kindness.I am enjoying the work.Sincerely,Sister Bruno

Florida Jacksonville Mission Solo Facebook Page: New Social Media Pilot Technique

2011-10-05T13:16:00.002-04:00

On Sunday 2 October I read an interesting entry on Sister Marilyn Barry's Facebook page:

Hello Family and Friends, Thank you all for the friend requests. I loved seeing faces of so many people that I love and miss. Our mission is doing a pilot program for the church to see how effective missionary work is on Facebook. We were asked to close out our personal facebook accounts and open a missionary facebook devoted exclusively to teaching the gospel to investigators, keeping contact with local members and keeping contact with our missionaries who have gone home. Though I can't accept your request to be 'friends' on facebook know that our friendship status is alive and thriving in my heart. I love you all and hope all is well in your life. Love Sister Marilyn Barry

I found this interesting and wondered just how they would implement it. I suspect they would create a Facebook group where they will allow current Facebook missionaries, investigators, and former missionaries to join. I noticed a new Facebook group for the mission and made the first request to join the group on Sunday. I clicked on like for Florida Jacksonville Mission page but so far I have had no response to joining the group.

Just for fun I am going to the invidual missionaries pages to see what they have to say about the change.

Elder Caleb Crites didn't mention it. Yesterday in his last FB message he wrote: "It just so happens that I can track the number of views on the blog I share. And the last post I wrote hasn't had any views! If there be any who wish to hear from me, they don't get any more untill they read what they've got!"

Elder Chad Craig, Elder Christian Bezzant, Elder Cody Jacobs, Elder Cody Maxfield, Elder Colton Wadsworth, Elder Dyerly, Elder Evan Robison, Elder Garrett Bushman, Elder James Graham, Elder Kenneth Hinton, Elder Matthias Neville, Elder Michael Johnson, Elder Nik Allred, Elder Parker Grant, Elder Riley Day, Elder Robert William Reid, Elder Sawyer Barnes, Elder Trevor Larsen, Sister Amy Surtees, Sister Chelesia Prettyman, Sister Joan Fitu, Sister Martha Liljenquist, Sister Stephanie La Jeunesse, doesn't say anything about the change on any of their Facebook pages or blogs. Several of the missionaries have posted on their individual Facebook pages this week so maybe they will close their accounts out next week.

This is the third mission to close out Facebook pages. The Michigan Lansing Mission did it in a limited way last year reducing their missionaries to only those on college campuses. The Baton Rouge Louisiana Mission dropped Facebook and blogging totally and only put up Mormon.Org profiles. I don't know if this affects blogs too for the Florida Jacksonville Mission. I wonder how they will be able to assess its effectiveness but it will be interesting to see. It will be sad to not see their individual comments but it might have better responses. I don't know how they will handle blogging but I like the way the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mission put up a solo blog for most of their missionaries Good Mormon America. The blog has become somewhat inactive the last month but it was a nice source for missionary input. I like the way Michael Hemingway and the missionary committee are trying different approaches and commend their efforts.

Purifying Our Hearts

2011-10-04T07:42:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-27T13:45:00.004-04:00

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

The Sting of the Scorpion

2011-09-22T14:40:00.001-04:00

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland to Visit Phillipines Cebu Mission

2011-09-22T10:45:00.000-04:00

Dear Elders and Sisters,

We have been traveling with leadership meetings and district conference all week, so I am not able to write each of you an individual letter. However, we have a very special event to discuss.

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, we will receive a visit with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of Seventy, and Elder Michael John U. Teh of the Seventy. Elder Holland wishes to meet with the Missionaries from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. All missionaries are invited from each island. We will be using our preparation day for this visit, so we will be working on Wednesday and taking Thursday as our preparation day. Those traveling from the off islands will need to preserve their travel money to make sure they can pay the cost of transportation to Cebu. The meeting will be held at the temple complex stake center.

Elder Holland has requested that all missionaries are seated in their seats by 3:00 p.m., one hour early. We should quietly be reading the scriptures and pondering on things of the spirit. Missionaries should sit with companions.

Sister Schmutz and I desire that all missionaries are spiritually prepared to receive all the Lord would have us receive from Elder Holland, Elder Callister and Elder Teh. Therefore, I wish you to begin preparing now to purify yourselves and prepare your hearts. Make a commitment to be obedient in all things starting now. Study the scriptures and be prayerful to receive the spirit at the time of this meeting. There may be an opportunity to ask questions, so please give prayerful thought to any questions you might wish to ask. The questions should be sincere and respectful. Please fast on the day of the meeting. Those who are traveling please try to arrange to do all travel on the Thursday, the day of the meeting, if possible. Please work with your zone leaders and the assistants to travel together as much as possible.

This is such a wonderful blessing and rare opportunity to sit at the feet of our prophets and apostles. We are very excited that we were permitted to invite all missionaries on all the islands, but it is important that you sacrifice your preparation day on Wednesday for this purpose.

We love you and wish you a wonderful week. We look forward to seeing you on the 20th!

President and Sister Schmutz

Planting Seeds on a Mission

2011-09-21T13:33:00.003-04:00

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 likes 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

Work in Bohol

2011-09-20T13:41:00.005-04:00

Dear Sister Bruno,

I always appreciate your enthusiasm for this wonderful work, Sister Bruno. I can see your heart is in it, and you serve because you understand and believe in your purpose as a missionary. Speaking of President Badana, I had a wonderful meeting with him two Sundays ago. I felt the Spirit working in him. I think he will be a great leader for that branch, and he loves missionary work.

I'm excited about Sister Margie's marriage and baptism. Hopefully, we will be able to attend. We loved the time we spent with you at the CSP. It was so fun to be able to talk about more personal and fun things. So thank you. We will all enjoy the memories of that occasion. We are very grateful for you, and we love and support you. Have a great week.

President Schmutz

Hello from Florida/Georgia!

2011-08-25T12:09:00.009-04:00

Hi! I am Sister Prettyman and I am from a small town in Utah. I am currently serving an 18 month mission for the Lord in the Florida Jacksonville mission and I LOVE IT! I was asked (quite a while ago) to write something pertaining to online missionary work and my purpose as an online missionary. I'm sorry it has taken me so long! :)

Here in the Florida Jacksonville Mission we quote a scripture and our 'vision' every single day. They define who we are, what our purpose is, and who we want to become.

It goes like this, "Behold, I [insert your name] am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been ^acalled of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life" (3 Nephi 5:13). "I am a diligent, obedient, worthy, powerful, and holy disciple of Jesus Christ now and forever" (FJM).

As a missionary online and in the 'real world' my purpose is the same,
to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end" (Preach My Gospel).

I absolutely LOVE being a missionary and one of my favorite things about sharing the gospel with my brothers and sisters is being able to witness the miraculous changes that take place in their lives as they accept our Savior and His atonement and do all they can to follow him no matter what their vice may have been. I LOVE it!!! There is nothing better!

My favorite quote from one of the Twelve Apostles is "My chief responsibility, my primary responsibility, and in a sense my total responsibility, is to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Jeffery R. Holland). It is SO true and this quote should define everyone's responsibility and duty. We have each been commanded by God to share the gospel with those around us and to help our brothers and sisters along the path that leads to Eternal Life.

I love this gospel and I do my very best each day to fulfill my responsibility as a missionary, as a disciple, and as a daughter of God. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven with all my heart. I love sharing the love that I receive from them with others. I am so grateful (words cannot describe) for this opportunity to give 18 months of my life to serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. It is so worth it.

I am grateful to have been called to the Florida Jacksonville mission and to labor with others who have been called to this great work as well. Thank you for this opportunity to share why I am here doing what I do and I pray that each of you has a wonderful day! And always remember, no matter who you are,GOD LOVES YOU and is aware of you no matter what situation you may be in. I say these things in the sacred name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

If you'd like to hear more from me please visit/follow my blogs http://missionarystudies.blogspot.com/
http://sisterprettyman.blogspot.com/
Thank you!

~Love Sister Prettyman~

Cultural Difference: Missionary Email

2011-08-03T09:12:00.001-04:00

FAMers!!

So this week has been a little stressful. I don't know if i am the leader type, but I am learning. My companion and I have some culture difference and language barrier at time. We are working out our differences. I love her guts but we just need to learn to work together.

We have a baptism this Saturday 6 August 2011. Pray that they will go through with their baptism. Brother Archie and Sister Annie are coming into the gospel together, and I am so excited for their family.

I have been super stressed out this last transfer and have lost weight. I see that as a positive of a negative :)

We are saving souls here in Bohol and enjoying every moment. STAY STRONG STAY ACTIVE KICK SATAN'S BUTT!!

Love

Sister Bruno

Learning Patience as a Senior Companion

2011-08-02T09:41:00.000-04:00

Dear President Schmutz,

This week has been a little stressful. It has been stressful because I am battling with my self. The mission is not hard if you know self control. Its hard to be off island away from Cebu at times, but its not Bohol its the missionary. I am doing everything I can to become better. I have never been a senior and its hard at times, I am still learning. I know though that the Lord will prepare a way if I just do what is right and am obedient. I need motivation, but as for right now I am forced to motivate myself and Sister Akiatan. Being new on the mission I know is not easy and I am trying to give her more responsibility, but she is hesitant to accept any responsibility right now. I for now have been teaching the majority of the lessons I encourage her to start the lessons, but she just says not me you just teach. The culture and language barrier at times has caused a ripple in the companionship, but I am controlling my pride and putting my trust in the Lord. I have learned patience and that I can not change her I can only change myself. For now I am battling with what to do and how to change and everything actually. This email sounds like I am whining, and I am maybe a little sorry about that. :) Working hard and hard working President don't worry I will only try harder everyday to become better and to be a better companion.

Our investigators are SLOWLY progressing. Actually Sister Melita almost committed to come to church, but then she second guessed and said hopefully she will go she will think about it. She is one of those investigators who takes forever to convert, but when she is converted she becomes one of the greatest missionaries bring many along with them.

Brother Noel is actually progressing toward his baptism. He is working hard to resist temptation to be baptized this August 20.

Brother Archie and Sister Annie are going to be baptized this Saturday. I am so excited for them since they are a family. I know if they raise their son in the gospel he will become a great missionary one day.

Trying my best not to have any regrets. Thanks President.

Sister Bruno

Life is Short: Missionary Email

2011-07-27T14:27:00.002-04:00

Dear family,

On Monday morning I was in the CR doing my Laba or hand washing my laundry. All of a sudden I hear a car screech to a halt and hit something. Then we hear a woman scream. We walk outside. The view was not clear because of a car parked in front of the house, but we just see a little girl around 8 year old being carried unconscious into a car and drive away to the hospital. It definitely shook us up. We said a prayer together for the young child, and I had a moment of reflection. LIFE IS SHORT. Where do I stand with God? And I asked myself all of the questions of the soul.

Moving on to a more positive note we have a baptism 6 August 2011. I am super excited for Brother Archie and Annie Bernaldo. They are husband and wife and have a 2 year old son. They are so prepared, and i cant wait for their baptism. I only hope they can jump, and leap over the hurdles that Satan has in store for them.

Here in our area at night their is not public transportation, and our area is huge so we can't really walk. We waited for about 45 minutes for a ride home, but their was none to be seen. We had two kuyogs Sister Annie Ugboc and Sister Shine Tinonga we were across the street from a police station so sister Annie said we should just get a ride home from the public service officers... They made me ask since I was American and could speak Bisayan and they would more likely do it if I asked. We asked and they ended up taking us home in the cruiser. Adventure for sure.

My companion Sister Akiatan is struggling since she is new, but she is learning and our friendship is growing. I am starting to get the hang of things here I expect I will start to not want to leave in the next couple of weeks once I have a basic knowledge of the area and meet all the members.

I love all of you and resist the temptations from Satan. Develope charity for one another. Our neighbors were arguing all night last night with each other. It was the siblings and the mom. We just sung hymns super loud to try to make them stop but they only go louder. It was really depressing, and saddening. Cant we all just get along lol... Charity is the answer to all of life's problems. Study Charity in the scriptures and develop it.

Still working on the language...

Still working on weaknesses...

Still working...

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Canada Vancouver Mission Joins Social Media Pilot

2011-07-25T12:26:00.000-04:00

Recently the Canada Vancouver Mission joined the LDS Social Media pilot in a limited way. Their new mission president Karl Tilleman jumped right in to his new calling by joining Facebook. The six missionary companionships who are using social media are: Abby LDS Missionaries, Burnaby Elders, Campbell River Missionaries, Chinese Elders, Elderes Van, Vancouver YSA Missionaries, and the Victoria YSA Missionaries. An interesting twist to this group of missionaries is that they work with Young Single Adult wards throughout the province of Vancouver which is somewhat similar to the Michigan Lansing Mission who work on the college campuses only. I haven't figured all their names yet but the ones I find I will put in. As far as I can tell a couple of companionships have been online since April. The other three joined in July as did the newly called mission president.

But here is a list of the mission personnel with Facebook and other social media tools:

President Karl Tilleman (Facebook)

Abbeyville LDS Missionaries (Elder Kung and Jensen, Facebook)

Burnaby Elder (Elders Clarke and Lahache, Facebook)

Burnaby Chinese Missionaries (Facebook)

Elderes Van (Facebook)

Campbell River Missionaries (Facebook)

crmissionaries@gmail.com

250.204.1933 Mobile

250.926.0480 Home

Vancouver YSA Elder (Facebook)

Victoria YSA Missionaries (Facebook)

Welcome aboard the LDS Social Media project.

Letter to Mission President 20 July 2011

2011-07-20T11:20:00.000-04:00

Letter to president July 20
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 11:04 PM
From:"Annika Bruno"
To:tenbrunos@yahoo.com

Dear President Schmutz,

This week has been an adjustment, but we are working hard to make the transition smooth.

Sister Margie Casquejo is still working on getting her marriage papers so that she can be baptized.

Brother Archie Bernaldo is hard to teach because we don't get to see him that often because he lives so far away, but we are trying to find ways to visit with him. His wife Annie always is gone so that makes it more difficult to visit.

Brother Greg Bacarisa's health has not been good, but he has a great desire to be baptized. He has not been able to go to church yet because of his health. We are praying for him to get better so that he can go to church.

Sister Melita Pacot has had many missionaries visit her, but she is still on the line about the church. We have committed her for baptism, and she didn't oppose so at least that's a positive.

Sister Mel is willing to go to church this next week.

We are teaching the Rabe family Johnson Mark, Charleen, Hazel, and their father Francis. They are laying low since we committed them to go to church. So we don't know what to think. We will follow-up on them in a couple of days. The last two times we went to visit they have said they were busy, so we will just have faith that the Lord is preparing them. Then we will follow-up this Saturday. If they are not ready then at least we planted the seed.

We are trying to get the members involved, and have been helping a member prepare for his mission. Brother Russell Minoza has a desire to go on his mission, but his parents doubt he can go because he has only finished 5th grade. We have taught that if he has a desire to go we will prepare him, and that he does not need a perfect knowledge. The lord chooses who he chooses dependent on the desires of the heart.

We have many finding activities planned for this next week. Our investigators all are laying low lately.

Brother Noel is supposed to get baptized 30 July 2011, but we are not sure if he will decide to push his baptismal date back again or be baptized. We have faith he will receive his answer, and we will do everything we can to prepare him.

The work is continuing in Baclayan, and Sister Akiatan is starting to open up. I have been told you cant change people but you can change yourself. I have decided to make this companionship successful I need to see what I can change and not how I can change her...

Thank You President,

Sister Bruno

Advice to New Senior Companion: Mission President Letter 14 July 2011

2011-07-20T10:43:00.000-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 12 Jul 2011
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net

Dear Sister Bruno,

I am so impressed by your knowledge of your new area, and so quickly obtained! You are there for reasons that will soon unfold. This is the Lord's mission and he is in charge. I think you and Sister Akiatan are going to make for a terrific companionship. You will see that she will be able to learn much from you, and you can learn much from her.

Do not worry about whether you are ready to train. The Lord qualfies whom he calls. You have been called to be a senior companion and follow-up trainer for a great young missionary. My advice: follow the handbook, follow PMG, keep your morning schedule to the tee, wear your knees out, and then lose yourself in the work. I will promise you with a knowledge based on many experiences that each time you feel you don't know what to do, the Lord will gently and many times silently lead you in the right direction, place thoughts in your mind, or give you more direct inspiration that will cause your heart to burn. But, as you have learned, he requires the heart and a willing mind. And he requires you to take action.

I'm excited to watch you develop and gain new skills, insights and experience. Thanks for your diligence and faith. Sister Schmutz and I are really looking forward to meeting with you next week, and I am looking forward to our interview.

All my love,

President Schmutz

Area Attack

2011-07-20T10:30:00.002-04:00

Dear Family!

This week we have been running on the pier at the beach almost every morning it doesn't get old. The pier is only a block away so its not hard to go running every morning. I forgot my camera so I can't upload pictures but next week I will show you pictures of how awesome it is.

Our area Baclayan is definitely a hiking area. We have a main highway then we hike for a couple of miles to our investigators houses. It's amazing.

This past Monday we did an area attack where all the missionaries in our district focus on one area. This week we did the elders in Cortez. We taught two lessons but they don't count as our stats but the stats count for the elders which is going to kill our week, but at least we helped the work there in Cortez. We also had zone interviews that morning for the first time with President Schmutz. All of the missionaries love President Schmutz already, because he is so kind. He is different than President Hansen but I love them both differently.

We then a district CSP in our area. We pulled up weeds for one of our recent converts mom. We told Elder George to eat a grasshopper, but he just put the leg in his mouth. At the CSP we talked about how things that were gross to us at home really isn't that gross here in the Philippines. Sometimes you just adjust.

I was just thinking of how close my birthday was and I just thought time is going by so quickly. Also I thought on August 24th I will now officially be 22 years old weird! Also that after this area I will probably only have one more area. Then I will be home. I am definitely not ready for that day to come. I am having too much fun here in the Philippines.

I hope everyone is well and active....

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Becoming A Senior Companion in the Philippines

2011-07-13T07:00:00.003-04:00

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

Weekly Report July 12, 2011

2011-07-10T10:35:00.001-04:00

Dear President Schmutz,

I was shocked when it wasn't Sister Falculan transferring, but in fact in was me who transferred. I think we were both shocked that I was transferring to Bohol as a follow-up trainer!

When I went to transfer meeting I was feeling many different emotions. Sad because I had to leave my investigators and recent converts, doubting that I was going to be a follow-up trainer, and excited to have to opportunity to go to Bohol.

During the transfer meeting I was comforted by your words where you said that we need to lift where we stand, to be on a higher level of thinking, and trust the Lord has assigned us where we are for a reason.

I am doing my best to be a follow-up trainer, but I feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I have only been a junior my whole mission. Any words of advice President?!?

We have a baptism this next Saturday 23 July 2011 Brother Noel Puria. He is a 27 year old. He has stopped work because of a bad experience he had, which in turn allowed the missionaries to find him. We are working hard to make his baptism a success.

Brother Archie Bernaldo lives in the middle of the jungle. It takes us 1 hour just to travel or in other words hike to teach him, and then one hour back to civilization, but he is worth the time. They say he is a golden investigator.

Brother Greg is having health problems which prevents him from coming to church or from listening when we visit. We are praying that his health improves so that he can be baptized. He was blessed by the Elders this past Sunday, and we can only wait to see what happens.

Sister Melita and Sister Mel are slowly progressing. We will do everything we can to get them to church this Sunday.

Sister Akiatan is adjusting to having a new companion, and she is a great missionary. We have been practice teaching every morning for companion study, and it is not only helping her but it as well is helping me progress in the language.

At times I am frustrated with the language, because here in Bohol I can no longer rely on my English when I don't know a word like in Cebu City. Which I have found as a way to make my language progress, and I know I have learned very quickly because of the Lord. I just need to set higher goals to become better and to rely more in my Heavenly Father.

Thanks President Schmutz for your encouraging words last email.

Sister Bruno

Canada Montreal Mission Joins LDS Social Media Pilot

2011-07-08T10:46:00.002-04:00

Elder Kevin Day

Elder Stephen Porter

The tenth mission has joined the LDS Social Media Pilot. About four months ago I noticed that two missionaries Elder Kevin Day and Elder Stephen Porter became friends with Michael Hemingway, director of the new LDS Social Media Pilot. I waited to post something because I thought eventually missionaries would join and there would be an influx of them. This did not prove to be the case because mission president Nelson Croxall Cannon is just getting a grasp of the potential of social media and is moving slowly. He doesn't have a blog nor does he Facebook yet.

Today I chatted with one of the missionaries under Elder Kevin Day's Facebook account and found out that four missionaries are sharing his account: Elder Kevin Day, Elder Spencer Erickson, Elder Wayd Odle and Elder David Mongillo. The last three missionaries have only come aboard recently. According to a missionary I spoke with Elders Day, Erickson, Odle and Mongillo use Facebook on a rotating basis with each one able to go online about an hour a day and rotating each day. They share gospel ideas with their investigators and use FB notes to answer concerns. They are exploring the idea of getting a blog but haven't decided yet whether to do individual ones, a group blog, or whether to join an existing one like Missionary Media.

So there are really five missionaries using two FB accounts. Eventually the ones sharing an account will be approved for individual ones as the mission president becomes a little more comfortable with social media. I saw the same thing in the Montana Billings Mission which actually exploded. I hope it doesn't follow the Michigan Lansing one or the Louisiana Baton Rouge experience which had very limited use or discontinued the pilot altogether.

The following missionaries have posted Facebook pages:

Elder Kevin Day (Facebook)

( Elder Spencer Erickson, Elder Wayd Odle and Elder David Mongillo share his account)

Elder Stephen Porter (Facebook)

We welcome aboard the new mission unit and hope they find the success that the other active groups have.

Leading an Area

2011-07-07T07:37:00.001-04:00

HEY!

So almost for sure that Sister Falculan is transferring which for me is bad news for her she is excited. This area is super expensive and she actually is tired of asking her family for personal money. But we have been blessed for spending all of our might, mind, strength, and personal money in this area :)

I am finally starting to get this bisayan thing but sometimes I still miss an important word and my translation for the conversation may not be correct. Its funny most of the time. I have become super close with everyone here in Marigondon, and am grateful to be the one staying. If Sister Falculan leaves I will be leading the area. Which is sooo stressful especially since our area hasn't split yet so we have two wards we have investigators attend but actually we are part of three wards!! Talk about a huge responsibility! Talk about oh so many many pimples :(

We are going to the aquarium today for district activity I am sooo excited don't worry I will send pictures, but we have to go because we are already late!!

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Philippines Cebu Mission President Farewell Letter

2011-06-29T08:25:00.003-04:00

ADIEU

Dear Elders and Sisters of the Philippines Cebu Mission,

I am breaking tradition by writing my final letter you as a group rather than responding individually to your emails from last week. I am profoundly grateful for each one of you and the dedicated efforts you have put forth in serving the Lord. This is His work, and each of you contributes to the success and progress of the entire mission. You will be blessed eternally for the sacrifices and selfless work you are devoting to the Master. Your lives have been interwoven with mine and will remain so after I am released. I depart with a glad heart and the assurance that your new mission president will bring a special spirit of love which will permeate throughout the mission and into your hearts. President and Sister Schmutz are called of God, and I have already felt their love for each of you. They have been praying for you for some time, and have already begun to know you through your pictures and countenances.

Each of you are unique, and I feel confident that President Schmutz will be able to see the worth of your souls. The success of any mission president is seen in the lives of the missionaries as the years unfold. Let the doctrines of the gospel fill you with the grand vision of your eternal potential. Face the future with faith in every footstep. Trust in God’s perfect mercy and love for you. Know that your life is essential to His ongoing mission to save and exalt His children. Just as you bring joy to your earthly parents by living a virtuous and upright life, so you bring that same happiness to your Heavenly Father, only it is coupled with His limitless capacity to bless and magnify us. I pray that you will continue to battle your own weaknesses and turn them into strengths through the Lord’s mighty power. I have great hopes for each of you, for you are all recipients of the everlasting covenant. You are destined to inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers far beyond your present understanding. Keep yourselves unspotted from the world by continuing to live according to your covenants. You will always be our sons and daughters, and we will continue to pray for your success.

I know that God lives and loves us, Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration, the Book of Mormon is true, and we have a living prophet today who receives current revelation. I know that the plan of happiness is the true course for all men and will lead to eternal felicity with our families. These truths are precious to me and provide a sure foundation and motivation to inherit all that the Father has. I close by conveying the same sentiments as the prophet Jacob who culminated his writings by simply saying ADIEU.

Please start today by writing to President Schmutz using the same IMOS website.

Thank You and God bless you.

Your Fellow Servant,

President D. Parke Hansen June 27, 2011

Progress of Work in Philippines Cebu Mission

2011-06-29T08:21:00.000-04:00

---------- 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

Baptisms in Marigondon

2011-06-29T08:12:00.002-04:00

Dear Fams...

So thanks for the updates its been awhile since hearing from you all. Its weird to think life goes on while I'm away, but s much has changed. I'm grateful though I have nothing to worry about except the worries of other people. Which actually is WAY more stressful than having to worry about my own life haha..

So from your letters you say I sound happy and its so true. I come home so tired every night and its awesome because we just have so many people to visit everyday. I have become close with my investigators and I don't want to see the transfer come, because it brings change. I could be transferring or Sister Falculan could be transferring we find out on Wednesday next week. Our investigators and recent converts don't want either of us to go, and if possible I hope we both stay one more transfer!

We have four baptisms planned for this Friday 1 July 2011 Bryl, Leo, Rose, and Amy. I am so excited for them.

Stay active in the church and always read the Book of Mormon. Don't ever fall away from the church! If you do I will come home from my mission and... Well just don't!

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Work in Marigondon Moving Slowly

2011-06-22T17:26:00.001-04:00

Fams!

Love all of y'all.

So I have really been worried this week for our recent converts and our investigators. They really are like family to me. They still have so many trials to go through. Louis and Louie though are giving up smoking. Although its not easy for them, especially since there is so many people that do not want them to succeed in this difficult task, they are making progress. We bought them candy so that they can substitute candy for smoking.

Leo's parents are not letting him get baptized. He really has a desire to be baptized, but they are not supporting his decision. They support his brothers decision because his brother was a little out of control before and now is straightening out. For Leo though he is a nice kid and they don't want him to get baptized. We are doing everything we can to convince them otherwise. He is 17 years old so he needs their permission.

Bryyel is still going strong he is missionary material!

Sister Amy is being interviewed this Saturday I hope she makes the right decision.

Sister Rose is being interviewed this Saturday too and I think that she is ready. This will be the best step for her to make for her family right now.

Brother Ronnel really surprised us with his testimony in the lesson the other day. He is really growing. I saw him walking down the street from behind when we were going to visit him the other day I recognized him and waved. He saw only my hand out of the tricycle and he took a tricycle to his house and met us there. Sister Falculan was laughing because I recognized him even from the back. I am very observant...

Growing Learning Living

Still here even though its been 8 months don't forget about me!!

Sister Bruno

Mission Changes

2011-06-16T12:59:00.002-04:00

Dear F-A-M-I-L-Y!

Are you still alive? Can someone write me and give me an update?!? I haven't hear from most of you for awhile so just curious how everyone is doing....

The mission is GREAT...

We just had brother Randy Minoza Ybanez this past Saturday 11 June 2011! Success! He is 21 years old and he wants to serve a mission. We are really excited for him and he seems to be doing great. We hope that he will continue to have to desire to serve a mission after a year. Next 11 June 2012 he will serve a mission UNTA (hopefully)!

We are teaching Leo Minoza and Louis Minoza and Bryyel Minoza (brother Randy's cousins). They have a baptismal date of 2 July. The only problems they seem to be having is that their parents are against their being baptized. We are building trust from their parents and hopefully they will be baptized on their baptismal date, because who knows what will happen at transfers.

We had our last zone conference with President and Sister Hansen. They leave 2 July 2011. Our new Mission president and his wife come on the 1 July 2011 and their last name is Smutz (?) I think thats the spelling...? It was really sad to say goodbye. We all did musical numbers because Sister Hansen requested it!

We have a special Temple session next week for all the sisters. Sister Hansen got it approved and it sounds like its going to be awesome.

One of our investigators Harold moved home. He is now in Mindinaw so we gave the Assistants to the President the referral. He is what I call a golden investigator. When he got to his house over there he texted us and told us that he stayed up reading the Book of Mormon until 3 in the morning. He also said that he was going to show the restoration dvd to his family. We texted him back and told him to make sure that he explained the background and testify. He is like a missionary there now. We are definitely going to follow up on making sure that the missionaries over there find him in Arora!

We are getting portable DVD players in August! The are a study resource. We can watch the Preach my Gospel DVD's and any of the distribution center DVD's! I am so excited.

Working hard so my husband will be cuter :) Just kidding...

Love you all

Sister Bruno

Another Baptism in Marigondon

2011-06-07T13:10:00.001-04:00

Dear Family!

So we had a family home evening at the Latoga families house because it was Joice's birthday yesterday and their mom Michelle's day off was Tuesday this week. It was really fun. Actually all the family home evenings we have here in the Philippines are a success because everyone really is willing to participate no matter the game! I am learning to be chill here on the mission. I have become shy of sorts I think I picked that up from the culture. All of our investigators are so shy at first!! I have come to like the personality so much its become me. BUT not so much shy because I'm a missionary and its dili pwede to be shy.

Brother Randy Minosa is getting baptized on Saturday!! I'm so excited he has been talking about going on a mission and that's AWESOME. He might be the one who actually endures to the end. Its been a struggle with the Latoga kids because they don't have a firm support system so we really are trying to work with their family to help them stay in the church.

Leo, Louie, and Brryel are prepared for the gospel and are so willing to get baptized but its all up to their parents permission. Their parents are Catholic JUD and so who knows we are BRTing like crazy and we will see what happens!

Brother Harold walked to church he didn't have money for plete and so he walked we talked about sacrifice and if he needed to to walk to church kind of joking but serious. He actually walked to church we were shocked and astonished but it just shows that God prepares His children for the gospel.

We have an investigator Sister Lovely Laybon whose live-in partner left her but he sounds like not a very nice person. He has 4 other women he has children with and he is married. I guess he was with sister lovely for 4 years. We are now teaching her and she is excited to go to church because her live in partner wouldn't let her go to church for all 4 years of their living together.

The days are passing by much quicker and I feel like I'm grasping at least part of the conversation. I'm no were close to understanding everything being said but the work will go on.

Nahigugma ko kaninyo Lagi ( I love yall seriously)

Sister Bruno

Two Brothers Apart

2011-06-03T14:00:00.001-04:00

Progress in Marigondon

2011-06-01T11:40:00.002-04:00

Dear Fams!

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo

Welp this week has been so fast. The time in Marigondon really has been fun. My trainer went home and my other 2 companions (Sister Williams and Sister Caluyo), President Hansen, and Sister Hansen go home in July this next transfer.

We have some great investigators who are really progressing. Looking back I see that the Lord really does prepare his children for the gospel.

Ronnel (23 yrs), Harold (27 yrs), and Rolland (30 yrs) came to church this last Sunday and we are bring them to temple tours this coming Thursday. We are teaching them Word of Wisdom tonight so we will see what happens this might be a make or break moment.

Brother Randy is going to be baptized on 11 June. We were going to have his baptism on 18 June but he is just really ready so we asked if we could change it because a member of the bishopric id going to get married 18 June and everyone will be at his wedding.

Brother Leo really wants to get baptized, but his father is against it and has not given permission yet, but he has not said no so there is still hope. Brother Leo is 17 yrs and he is so willing to be baptized he just needs permission from his father. We plan to teach his father this coming Sunday!

Sister Amy is still reluctant about getting baptized but she is going to church every Sunday and is reading the Book of Mormon despite her eye condition.

Sister Rose missed church this past week so we gave her another baptismal date! 28 June!

Learning everyday and loving everyday.

Love
Sister Bruno

Online Missionary Work

2011-05-27T12:40:00.003-04:00

(Note: The following post was written by Alexander Barton, a full-time missionary serving in the Tennessee Nashville Mission.)

I've been called to labor in the Tennessee Nashville Mission, but I'm touching the lives of people in faraway places like Australia, China, Germany, the Philippines, Russia and Spain.

How? Because I'm engaged in online missionary work as part of a pilot program introduced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I use tools like Facebook and Blogger to broadcast the joyful message of the restored gospel.

Though the online environment is different in many ways from standard missionary work, the doctrines we teach are still the same. We still want others to come unto Christ through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. But instead of teaching one person at a time, the Internet allows us to share our message with thousands of people around the world.

I view this as a fulfillment, at least in part, of Joseph Smith's prophetic statement—

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

Missionary work—God's work—will continue as long as there are people left who need to hear the gospel. Whether or not you are a full-time missionary, you can share our message with others. Check out my blog (and the blogs of other missionaries) for ideas. Refer your friends and families, especially nonmembers and less-active members, to our blogs. Something we say is bound to bless someone, otherwise we wouldn't be spending valuable time online.

May God bless you in your missionary efforts!

Sites to visit:

50 Year Jubilee in the Philippines

2011-05-25T14:30:00.005-04:00

Dear Family,

I love you all

Last Thursday our bishopric sprung for a ride to temple tours with our investigators. It turned out to be a moving type van with some plastic chairs in the back. When the driver hit the break hard we all slide around and the back was wide open we all laughed the whole way there.

Oh boy our investigators took some work to get them ready for their baptism this past Sunday. We were blessed though with 4 baptisms. Just opened the area and already 4 baptisms that really is a miracle. James Brian Vloso, Rochelle Latoga, Mirryl latoga, and Riza Latoga. Sister Rochelle, and Mirryl like to kuyog us to lessons and they are growing in their testimony.

We participated in the 50 year jubilee here in the Philippines it was pretty lagit. The youth and Single Adults worked so hard to prepare for the presentation. On 21 May 2011 we took part in the Jubilee presentation. We didn't do much just walked turned around and smile at the camera you should look and see if its on YouTube or something look for Manduae Jubilee or something haha. The elders though did a whole act like a death march thing where Elder Ashdown and two other elders got shot for drinking water because it wasnt allowed and Brother George so the guards were like Nazis and would shot you in you rested or drank water or fell down. Elder Fausterilla was hilarious I wish I could have gotten a movie of it. But they filmed the whole presentation so hopefully I can see it again someday.

We have one investigator who considered suicide to take her life and the life of her 5 children she just has no hope. We are going to continue to do everything we can for her, but its hard when you and you children are starving. She and her live-in partner fight all the time, and she is just being pounded by Satan!

Well its definitely an adventure here on the mission! There are ups and downs but I'm just still enduring to the end, and its crazy how time passes so quickly my trainer goes home tomorrow weird!

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo

Sister Bruno

Four Baptisms in Marigondon

2011-05-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

Dear Family!

Work here in Marigondon is an adventure. We went to the Manduae stake center at the request of the person in charge of jubilee. They want us now to participate in the program. We actually would just rather go to watch and take pictures, but its also cool that we have to chance to participate now.

We are not familiar with Mandaue so when we were going home we took the wrong Dyipney and had a mini adventure. The adventure was fun but it hurt the pocket book.

We have four baptisms this coming Sunday which is a miracle since we just opened the area, and for this I am grateful. Rochelle Latoga, Mirryl Latoga, Rizza Latoga, and James Brian Alphanta are getting baptized may 21, 2011. We are really excited.

We were going to play volleyball this morning, but it was sprinkling, and here in the Philippines if its raining you will get sick if you get your head wet for too long. So we just went home.

Transfers are coming in one week and Sister Falculan and I don't expect to be transfered.

Our investigator Randy came to church with his friend Leo we didn't expect them to come, but it was a welcomed surprise!

Working hard!

I forgot my camera cord this week so send pictures next week.

Love you all
Nahigugma ko kaninyo

Sister Bruno

Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno Philippines Cebu Mission Slideshow

2011-05-05T13:47:00.001-04:00

Why Mormons Build Temples

2011-05-02T12:33:00.001-04:00

The Civility Experiment

2011-05-02T12:32:00.001-04:00

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

2011-04-30T13:55:00.005-04:00

ANNOUNCEMENT: Introducing The Mormon Guard

2011-04-29T14:00:00.006-04:00

Hi, my name is Dan Deceuster and Frank has been kind enough to allow me the special opportunity of announcing an important new movement among Mormon bloggers- the Mormon Guard. You can see the official website at mormonguard.org.

The goal of Mormon Guard is to give Mormon bloggers across the globe all of the education, tools and resources they need to get their blogs showing up at the top of Google. And I'm not talking about the paid ads or anything, I mean having Google put your website as the #1 results if someone searches "what do mormons believe in" for example.

It's no secret that there are several anti's out there trying to spread incorrect or misleading information on the internet. They are succeeding in some instances. There are searches you can do in Google like "what do mormons believe on who jesus is" where the #3 result is allaboutcults.com. There are so many Mormon bloggers out there that we simply cannot allow this to happen.

We know of all the mormon blogs out there. We know where the good content is. The problem is Google doesn't know. Google and other search engines have a very specific method of indexing and ranking websites. By understanding it and catering to it, you can get good results in search engines.

MormonGuard.org is the place to find out how to do that. If we combine our efforts and build up our content in a search engine friendly way, we can dominate the search results and flood them with positive, correct information about the Church. I have a 12 page guide that can walk you through how this is done.

To get started, make sure you have a profile at mormon.org so I can confirm you are indeed a member of the church. Then in your mormon.org profile or your facebook profile, add Mormon Guard to your interests. This is so that I can verify you are indeed who you say you are. I don't want this guide to get into the wrong hands.

Once I can confirm this, go to mormonguard.org and register in the sidebar on the right. I'll add you to our list and email you the guide. Feel free to email back with any questions on how to do anything.

Thanks for your help and support in these efforts. I think defending the truth online is important, and the biggest battle ground is in the search engines. Join the Mormon Guard now so we can win the fight!

Thanks,
Dan Deceuster
mormonguard.org

Dreaming in the Language

2011-04-27T10:40:00.004-04:00

DEAR FAMILY

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo!

Karon semana Lisod Jud kaayo! Daghan ang among trabajo pero okay ra na! Padayon lang. At least ang akong linguahe palambo jud kaayo ug ang akong kauban si sister falculan nindot jud kaayo niya. Karon semana nay upat ka bago nga mga investigator ug nindot jud sila kay ug smart jud kaayo sila ug naghunahuna sila kabahin sa among mensahe. Dili nagistoria sila oo lang pero nay daghan mga pagutana para kanamo.

The area has been good we are working hard and we are doing our best to find families for our area. I had a dream in bisayan yesterday which I find to be a good sign because I think it must mean I can now understand the language. I can understand Jud pero when I speak its slang jud kaayo. We are so tired after work we go straight to bed. We were in bed asleep by 9:30 yesterday! As in knocked out jud. My companions say I talk in my sleep and I have even said Bisayan words haha!

Some of our new investigators we are going to play volleyball with next pday I am super excited but Sister Falculan is not excited kay she hates volleyball, but she said she will play for the sake of BRTing (building a relationship of trust).

We had a temple session today and we had to take a taxi. Our new area is soooo expensive because we are always taking tricycles to and from places. Its the only mode of transportation and our area is huge! I would just walk every where if i could but Sister Falculan likes to keep a strict schedule. She is awesome. She is so Kugihan its ridiculous. I love her for it! We are always laughing which is good because if we aren't laughing it wouldn't be as fun!

Welps we have an early appointment we have to make!

DONT FORGET IM GOING TO CALL FOR MOTHERS DAY! Im not sure what time yet or what day but I will email again next Wednesday tell me what day and time is probably best and we will work something out!!

LOVE YOU ALL AGAIN!

SISTER BRUNO

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration

2011-04-26T07:39:00.001-04:00

More Than I Asked For. Better Than I Expected

2011-04-22T18:12:00.008-04:00

When I signed up to come on a mission I did not know what to expect,I knew I would be knocking doors and having long days, but I did not realize how tired I would be all the time! I had expected to be studying but never did I realize the intensity that would prevail in those study sessions. Yes my mission was more than I asked for... but it has been much better than I expected! Yes I am tired most often, but I am happier at the end of every day then I have ever been. If there is anything to be tired of it is sharing the restored gospel. Yes we study a great deal, but now I know truly what i believe and my testimony of my Savior has grown and I know how to apply the gospel to all those wonderful people I meet. My mission was more than I asked for but it is much better than I expected. I am Sister Austin, and I am serving in the Tennessee Nashville Mission.

Now, in our mission we have the new pilot program for Internet missionary work! I never expected my mission to extend to facebook and blogspot... No not ever! It was very hard at first, but yes it is much better than I expected. With this new program we get to spend time every day on using these new wonderful tools to extend the message of the gospel to all parts of the world! With more and more people using the internet and facebook we are able to reach these people in their element.

We browse http://www.lds.org/ and http://www.mormon.org/ and other church websites to find articles videos and other media and talks and directly apply them to those we are sharing the gospel with. The Restored Gospel is in dire need to be shared with all, in all of the far reaches of the world and the Internet is a huge step in making that happen. I love being an Facebook and Blog spot missionary because This message is true and I want to share it in all ways available! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true and I am so thankful to be a missionary declaring the message of the Restored Church.

Sister Sara Austin, Tennessee Nashville Mission

Check out my blog: Here Is Wisdom

3C

2011-04-19T16:59:00.005-04:00

Mongolian CTR ring
Life doesn't always go the way we have planned it. Sometimes the Lord has another plan in store for us that we weren't expecting. Most of you probably don't know, but I was originally assigned to the Mongolian Ulaanbaatar mission. 3C stands for a number of things to me. First of all, it is the Mongolian version of 'CTR.' 3C actually stands for Зөв Сонголт which means 'choose the right'. Anyway, the other day I was looking at all of the missionaries' cars and noticed something cool. The number and letter for the cars originating from the county of Billings is 3C. Somehow there is yet another connection between Mongolia and Montana.

Montana Billings license plate

In one of our last zone conferences we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Allan Packer of the Seventy. Elder Packer talked a lot about how we were specifically assigned here to the Montana Billings Mission. I was on the stand playing the piano for the meeting so he had me stand and talked to me with his back facing the audience for a good three minutes about how even reassignments were inspired and that I was in the right place. It was very awesome and I am glad to say that Montana is the place that I am supposed to be. This reminded me of the 3rd verse of the song in the LDS Hymn book 'I'll go where you want me to go' which reads:

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth’s harvest fields so wide
Where I may labor through life’s short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
So trusting my all to thy tender care,
And knowing thou lovest me,
I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:
I’ll be what you want me to be.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,
Over mountain or plain or sea;
I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;
I’ll be what you want me to be.

The Lord always has a plan for us, we may not see the whole picture at once, but I know that he has the best in mind for us.Nothing happens by chance and everything happens for a reason. Let us do our best wherever we are 'called to serve.'

To check out more experiences that I have had on my mission go to my blog at:

justinweight.blogspot.com

LDS Online Missionaries: Florida Jacksonville Mission

2011-04-19T13:14:00.010-04:00

I noticed 21 November 2010 that President James Barry became friends with Michael Hemingway. I figured he was about to become active in the pilot program and sure enough he and Elder Justin Failner put up their Facebook pages. A few more missionaries joined shortly after. I am sure a several more might come on board.

President James Barry (Facebook)

Mormon.Org Profile

trytyingtwine@gmail.com

904.352.3240 (Mobile)

Elder Nik Allred (Facebook)

Mormon.Org Profile

Elder Justin Failner (Facebook)
Working for the Lord (Blogspot)

justin.failner@myldsmail.net

Sister Joan Fitu (Facebook)
joan.fitu@myldsmail.net

Elder James Graham (Facebook)
A Day in the Life of a Mormon (Blogspot)
james.graham@myldsmail.net

Elder Parker Grant (Facebook)

parker.grant@myldsmail.net

&Elder Kenneth Hinton (Facebook)
Gospel of Jesus Christ (Word Press)

Mormon.Org Profile

kenneth.hinton@myldsmail.net

Elder Michael Johnson (Facebook)
Called to Serve (Word Press)
mrjohnson@myldsmail.net

Sister Stephanie LaJeunesse (Facebook)
stephanie.la.jeunesse@myldsmail.net

Elder Matthias Neville (Facebook)
Elder Neville (WordPress)
Mormon.Org Profile
matthias.neville@myldsmail.net

Elder Robert William Reid (Facebook)
I Have Been Called
robertr@myldsmail.net
904.382.7710 Mobile

Sister Chelsea Prettyman (Facebook)
I Am A Mormon! (Blogspot)
Daily Thoughts of a Sister Missionary (Blogspot)

Mormon.Org Profile
352.340.7072 Mobile

Sister Amy Surtees (Facebook)
Mormon.Org Profile
amy.surtees@myldsmail.net

Earlier I wrote about the New York Rochester Mission being the first to pilot LDS missionaries blogging and Facebooking online. A second wave of missionaries from six other missions the California Santa Rosa Mission, Connecticut Hartford Mission, Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission, Michigan Lansing Mission, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission, and a special branch of the MTC the Referral Center Mission joined the network. In the third wave the Montana Billings Mission came on board. Now the Florida Jacksonville Mission has entered the pilot. Louisiana Baton Rouge dropped out and only does a Mormon.Org pilot. So the total is back to eight.

I really think the missionaries could use some friends to add on Facebook and to follow their blogs. They definitely need people to comment and get some discussions going. If you want to help in the official effort add them as your friends on both their blogs and Facebook pages. They should have hundreds of friends who comment on their blogs plus if your like me you have dozens of nonmember friends. If you want to help them make the new program successful please participate in their social media experiment then soon we might have thousands of missionaries using social media to convert thousands to Christ. I really think all missionaries and their mission presidents could use some friends right now so add them.

LDS Online Missionaries: Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission

2011-04-19T12:07:00.003-04:00

Since 12 September 2010 the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission have a few missionaries blogging on a group blog called GoodMormon America.Com. Elder Azero, Elder Griffiths and Elder Bluth have posted so far. Elder N. Thatcher has a solo blog In Other Words and so does Elder Steven Barnett and Elder Bergloff.The mission president has made an attempt at the blog Royal Coachman but has yet to post anything. I wonder if he is going to post to the group blog. It would be cool if he had a similarly designed blog as GoodMormon America.Com. All of the officially blogging missionaries and their president have a Facebook page as well:

President Bill Schaefermeyer (Facebook)

Royal Coachman (Blogspot)
bschaefermeyer@yahoo.com

Elder Tanner Anderson (Facebook)
A Man on A Mission (Blogspot)
and07081@byui.edu

Elder Azero (Facebook)
A Missionary's Journey (Blogspot)
Good Mormon America
ronald.azero@myldsmail.net

Elder Arnold (Facebook)
Good Mormon America

Elder Barnett (Facebook)
Called to Serve (Blogspot)
steven.barnett@myldsmail.net
856.831.6265 Mobile

Elder Jonathan Bateman (Facebook)
jonathan.bateman@myldsmail.net

Sister Jac Beckwith (Facebook)
Cheer Up Your Heart (Blogspot)
Mormon.Org Profile
jaclyn.beckwith@myldsmail.net

Elder Andrew Bergloff (Facebook)
Philadelphia First Ward Mission (Blogspot)
A More Excellent Way (Blogspot)
My Life in Philly (Blogspot)
Mormon.Org Profile
bergloff@gmail.com
484.995.3991Mobile
208.919.7411Mobile

Elder Michael Bertrand (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
michael.bertrand@myldsmail.net

Elder Matt Beesey (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
besseym@myldsmail.net

Elder Trent Bluth (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
Mormon.Org Profile
trent.bluth@myldsmail.net

Elder Steven Bunker (Facebook)
bunkstar@new.myldsmail.net

Elder William Busenbark (Facebook)
william.busenbark@myldsmail.net

Elder Devin Calaway (Facebook)
devin.calaway@myldsmail.net

Elder Thomas Call (Facebook)
thomasc@myldsmail.net

Elder Cardwell (Facebook)

Elder Kevin Carpenter (Facebook)
kac_013@hotmail.com

Elder Austin Clark (Facebook)
austin.clark@myldsmail.net

Elder John Darley (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
john.darley@myldsmail.net

Elder Logan Dopp (Facebook)
Welcome to Jersey (Blogspot)
Mormon.Org Profile
dopplogan@gmail.com
856.982.1451 Mobile

Elder Dynes (Facebook)

Elder Brendon Elwood (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
brendon.elwood@myldsmail.net

Elder Robert Frederickson (Facebook)
robert.fredrickson@myldsmail.net

Elder Aaron Griffiths (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
aaron.griffiths@myldsmail.net

Elder Mason Hansen (Facebook)
mason.hansen@myldsmail.net

Elder Corey Harris (Facebook)
corey.harris@myldsmail.net

Elder Tommy Hirschi (Facebook)
tommy.hirschi@myldsmail.net

Elder Dallin Hunt (Facebook)
dallin.hunt@myldsmail.net

Elder Jon Hunt (Facebook)
When Missions Meet (Blogspot)
jonathan.hunt@myldsmail.net

Elder Tyler R. Johnson (Facebook)

Elder Alexander Kay (Facebook)
The Wonderful World of Kay! (Blogspot)
alexander.kay@myldsmail.net (email)

Elder Luke Kerouac (Facebook)
luke.kerouac@myldsmail.net

Elder Justin Lake (Facebook)
Lo Que Bien Se Aprenda, No Se Olvida (Blogspot)
justin.lake@myldsmail.net

Becky Lloyd (Facebook)
Bliss Forever (Blogspot)
becky.lloyd@myldsmail.net

Elder Scott Mathie (Facebook)
Elder Scott Mathie (MissionSite.Net)
robert.mathie@myldsmail.net

Elder Cameron Milstead (Facebook)
Mormon.Org Profile
cameron.milstead@myldsmail.net

Elder Brent Morrison (Facebook)
brett.g.morrison.ppm@myldsmail.net
484.347.1929 Mobile

Elder Carlos Osorio (Facebook)
M ormon.Org Profile

Elder Kirk Perry (Facebook)
The Closing Prayer (Blogspot)
kirk.perry@myldsmail.net

Sister Genevieve Samia (Facebook)
Where Love Is (Blogspot)
Mormon.Org Profile
genevieve.samia@myldsmail.net

Elder Neil Santos (Facebook)
neilsantos@myldsmail.net

Elder Jordan Joseph Smith (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
jjsmith@myldsmail.net

Zach Steele (Facebook)
Good Mormon America
(returned home)

Elder Nathan Thatcher (Facebook)
In Other Words (Blogspot)
nathan.thatcher@myldsmail.net

Elder Dustin Thompson (Facebook)
Plates of Mormon (Blogspot)

Elder Eric Tyron (Facebook)
Enlisted to Bring the World His Truth (Blogspot)
eric.tryon@myldsmail.net

Elder Ben Winter (Facebook)
jeffrey.winter@new.myldsmail.net

Elder Brooks Woodbury (Facebook)

Earlier I wrote about the New York Rochester Mission being the first to pilot LDS missionaries officially blogging. A second wave of missionaries from six other missions the California Santa Rosa Mission, Connecticut Hartford Mission, Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission, Michigan Lansing Mission, Montana Billings Mission, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission, and a special branch of the MTC the Referral Center Mission have joined the network.

First Transfer

2011-04-12T14:21:00.000-04:00

Dear Family I love your faces!

I heard all the challenges it's crazy how hard Satan is working. Transfers tomorrow... drum roll please... I am transferring to Marigondon OPENING AN AREA! That hardly ever happens for the sisters here I heard, but I am excited to see what happens. I am glad that I am trusted with this by President Hansen and Heavenly Father. My new companion is Sister Falculan she is amazing. She was in my district these last 3 transfers and now we are companions starting tomorrow.

I am going to miss Talamban my first area (it will always be where my heart is), but I heard that Marigondon has beach area! I haven't seen the beach for 6 months! Whoa crazy I have been here for 6 months! I am definitely going to miss Sister and Elder Bailey right next door they have been a huge help these last three transfers always checking up on us. They really are so kind. The best office couple ever!!

My district was the bomb Elder Holley, and Elder Daffon KA-BATCH, and Sister Brand (THIRD COMPANION) Younger Batch, we had Elder Gassaway, Elder Tan, Elder Dela Cerna, Elder Abayani, Sister Williams, Sister Tumala, Sister Caluyo, and I... NINDOT KAAYO CITY DISTRICT!We also Had 3 District Leaders Elder Hiatt, Elder Unite, and Elder Dela Cerna also our Zone leaders Elder Tan, and (Before he Transfered Elder Gubb) Elder Gassaway. Wow its crazy that we all have been together for so long.

Talamban has been really fun and this week we actually had two new investigators that when we went back to teach them turned into 5 new investigators. They all seem they are prepared for the gospel. It's too early to tell but they could be people who are really strong in the church! I see their potential they could all be priesthood holders!

I am going to miss all of my Tintay children. Vivian, Mileen, Gen, Christine, Kristin, Michael, James Warren, and all the other ones... I really loved all the tintay people Brother Joeal, Sister Jenny, Sister Judith, Sister Jams, Brother Jazen, Brother Jomar, Sister Josephine, Brother and Brother Danilo. I am definitely going to miss all the Single Adults in the Talamban ward! They were a big help in the work. Sister Salta, and Sister Arinas, The Matthews family, Bishop Abanggan and his family, the Nacar family, the Natividad family, the Leona Family, Basically all the families in the talamban ward!

Many challenges many disappointments BUT the happiness far out weighed the bad. I only have hope that all the people I taught will continue to follow God and to accept His plan.

Sister Williams and Sister Caluyo and Sister Tumala have been BESTIES Sisters for ETERNITY... I can;t even imagine it just being two of us in the house its going to be quiet. On my mission I have had at least 2-3 other people in the house its going to be weird where its just 1 other person. I guess its "preparing" me for marriage! BAHAH

Conference was soooooooooooooooo amazing! I loved all the talks but I loved even more that they talked about the boys needing to shape up or move out LOL!! JK but no really all the SISTERS died laughing when they talked about it. SO TRUE MAO JUD!

ANYWAYS until next week this has been another exciting week on the mission in the Philippines... weather report it's getting hotter and I LOVE IT Politics report... I don't really know WORLD NEWS... Dont worry about it for now but prepared!

LOVE YOU

Sister Bruno

"Woman, why weepest thou?"

2011-04-08T15:11:00.001-04:00

Mary Magdalene wept as she saw that the tomb that once held in resting the body of the Son of God was empty. The body, she assumed, had been taken. Then a voice of a man spoke from behind her. "Woman, why weepest thou?" Supposing the man to be the gardener she replied, "Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." Oh what joy she must have felt! What hymns of thanksgiving and praise must have been sung in her heart! She heard her name escape the lips of the man behind her. It was a voice that she indeed did recognize. "Mary," said the Man. She then turned her head and with her heart swollen within her, the word "Rabboni" escaped her lips. "Master." She knew that all was not lost, but that all was about to be fulfilled.

We too will be filled with joy when Jesus Christ comes again. We will be shouting, "Hosanna! The Lord has come!" I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Missionaries all over the world, including myself, are proclaiming this truth to all people, kindred, and tongue! We are anxiously awaiting, and are constantly preparing for the Second Coming of the Master. It is then when we hope that when the Risen Lord calls us individually by name, that we too may recognize Him as Mary Magdalene did. That we too may be joyous for the day we have awaited for has come, and that we too may stand before Him and say,"Rabboni, which is to say Master." That He may reply, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." This is our greatest desire.

May we always remember the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. His triumph over death. He broke the bands of death so that we too may become resurrected beings. May we not weep this Easter season over the loss of loved ones, or suffer because of the separation caused by death. However, let us rejoice in the goodness of God and all exclaim "Hosanna! For the Lord has overcome death for us!" If you would like to learn more about this glorious event, or how you and your family could be together forever, PLEASE chat with any LDS online missionary, or visit mormon.org

Missionary Marriage Proposal

2011-04-06T08:24:00.001-04:00

KAMUSTA MAN MO!

Primero Nahigugma ko kaninyo. Hapit Na Mo-uli! JOKES LANG BITAW!

So this week has been really fun. Today we baked brownies and cake Sister Brand and Sister Falculan came over, so it was Sister Caluyo, Sister Williams, Sister Tumala, Sister Brand, Sister Falculan, and I. We ate pizza and baked P-day in the mission field good times! But it wasn't good for me because I made a pact with Sister Hansen our mission President's wife that we would lose 2 pounds a week, I'm just going to have to run super hard tomorrow morning. We have been running in the morning and we walked up the bukid all day yesterday I'm so sore its great. President Hansen challenged all of us to go APE in the morning (Arise, Pray, and Exercise).

HILARIOUS STORY!! My companion just got proposed to over email BAHAH she is going home in 3 months and the boy I guess has been making plans for their marriage without her knowing, and he wants to come pick her up and get a temple marriage. Sister Caluyo was like NO JUD!! hahahahhahahaha I'm dying this is the best story ever! LOL laughing in the Internet cafe I about peed my pants. She is like I want to PUNCH HIM way to bother me with this matter on my mission!! HALA HALA HALA. Some Peoples kids!

This week has been fun of fun times. We basically spent all day hiking through the Bukid visiting Recent converts that have been inactive. We visited a recent convert Brother Nelson he is so buotan but he hasn't been coming to church not cool, but I hope our lesson encouraged him to come to conference.

They announced this week at district meeting that P-day next week is on TUESDAY and transfers are 2 days early WEDNESDAY! We all freaked out hapit na! Hala I cant believe that transfers are so soon! Siguro my companion will transfer I hope they don't take her from me she is an amazing teacher I cant go on without her! Joke Lang but still really she cant go she is an awesome companion! I most like will stay one more transfer putting me at 6 months my first area! I will be happy staying or going I will go where the Lord wants me to go I'm just happy to be in the Philippines! So many blessings here on the mission my happiness is great. My disappointment I feel in investigators when they don't follow a commitment, and how I feel proud when they do. I feel Heavenly Father shaping me for after my mission. I love the mission and am grateful to Dad for encouraging me to come on my mission. I am so grateful for mom raising me in the church, and teaching me the right values. I am grateful for Gen, Gigi, and Flora's example thanks mga Ate (older sisters) for sticking it out. I am grateful for Desi, Franny, Michael, and Niki's disapproving looks if I stepped out of line thanks mga manhod (younger siblings)! Family really is being attacked everyday STAY STRONG RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO ARGUE!!

PS to everyone who is reading my blog if Dad posts this I am grateful for your friendship and you words of encouragement here on my mission. I know that God loves all his children. Resist temptation you have agency to choose. Choose the Right!!

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo

Sister Bruno

Teach Me How to Jimmer (THE ORIGINAL)

2011-03-31T07:58:00.003-04:00

There is a lot of hype about Jimmer! People who don't even play basketball are hearing all about this BYU player. I am a Mormon so I of course have heard about it and I would in fact like to be as good at basketball as him. I am a 5-8 missionary though. And I do not practice half as much as he does! Some people are trying to be like Jimmer. I am trying to be like Jesus. How many YouTube videos are about Jesus?
I want there to be a contest about who can make the most views YouTube on their video about the Savior. I mean a video about Jesus that makes Him look as good as this video makes Jimmer look! Who will share His talent and His skills?

I have a favorite song about following the example of Jesus:

1. I’m trying to be like Jesus,I’m following in His ways.I’m trying to love as He did,in all that I do and say. At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,but I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,(Chorus)2. I’m trying to love my neighbor,I’m learning to serve my friends.I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.I try to remember the lessons He taught,then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts,saying: (Chorus)“Love one another as Jesus loves you.Try to show kindness in all that you do.Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,for these are the things Jesus taught.” Copyright © 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. All rights reserved. Making copies of this music for use within the Church is permitted. This notice must be included on each copy made.

Separation Anxiety

2011-03-31T07:50:00.001-04:00

Kamusta Mo!

Primero Ako nahiguma kaninyo!

Karon Semana Nindot Jud! As In Nindot gahapon!

Some days I forget how to Talk in English. I can't really talk to the pulti's on the Dyipneys it hard to switch from Bisayan to English so I talk to the white people in broken English... On the dyipney the other day there were three white girls I told them bisayan then tried to translate to English "free the tour" I said talking about the temple tours we have every Thursday. We are basically visitor center missionaries too because we give tours of the temple and explain it and explain baptism and prophets and the church. Its fun but at the same time hard because none of us had training for it so we never know exactly what to say.

I almost lost my companion the other day. We were riding the dyipney and it stopped so I got off but it hadn't stopped all the way so my companion was still on the dyipney. Luckily it only went ten feet so I could still see and hear her! Haha but it was not a good feeling to almost loose a companion. We said if we ever get separated to meet at the house. Haha.

The weeks and time has gotten shorter and it will soon be next transfers. I am most likely staying for another transfer but I don't really know. I love it here though so I wouldn't mind staying this area is awesome. I really don't want to transfer to a city area that would not be as much fun, but I will go wherever revelation brings me. It's all in the plan so I'm not complaining. I have been blessed greatly on the mission.

I Love all of You

Sister Bruno

Church and Sports?: How I Use Sports to Discuss the Gospel as an Online Missionary

2011-03-28T07:37:00.000-04:00

I have been called to invite others to come unto Christ! What a wonderful calling in this world that so desperately needs the knowledge of a Savior. I have been assigned (in addition to normal missionary work) to use the internet to fulfill my purpose! Today technology is HUGE, so why not use that to our advantage as we seek to bless the lives of the people in the world?

Being an online missionary forces me to be creative. I have even recently joined the blogging world! I think it is fun coming up with ideas of things to write about; thinking how I can relate to others. I use sports as a comparison to gospel principles because I spent much of my growing years dedicated to athletics. I find it enjoyable to make connections between the two things that mean a great deal to me: sports and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Being an online missionary is something I never imagined I would be doing as a part of my missionary service. It is very neat to be able to be a part of the day that “the knowledge of a Savior [is being] spread throughout every nation, kindred tongue, and people.” (Mosiah 3:20)

Elder Daniel Taylor, Connecticut Hartford Mission
Check out my blog: Hi My Name is Elder Taylor

Called to Serve...in Cyberspace

2011-03-28T07:34:00.000-04:00

As a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I get to experience a little bit of everything. No two days are exactly the same. Although every day includes some listening and teaching, gospel study and discussion, the people and places are always changing. From washing dishes in a smokey trailers to sharing scriptures with strangers in public restrooms (yes I've done that) to watching people I love come to know our Savior and be baptized, each day seems to hold a new adventure. The most recent adventure in my missionary life, however, is internet proselyting.

When I first heard about this new program I was extremely hesitant. Facebook and Blogger being used as missionary tools? These have always been missionary no-no's. It felt so strange to get on Facebook for the first time when for 8 months it had been against the rules. I quickly realized that it was a much better idea to start a new Facebook account for life in Tennessee rather than use my pre-mission account because it felt like my worlds were colliding!

After a month or two of experimenting with this new method of missionary work, however, it is really starting to come together. People keep asking us, "What do missionaries do on Facebook and Blogger?" That is a good question, and the answer is exactly the same as our purpose outlined in Preach My Gospel; we "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." We are simply using a new conduit. Rather than going to strangers' houses and knocking on doors, we are publishing our thoughts and feelings about the gospel online and allowing others to come to us! So far, it has been proven to be quite effective.

As an online missionary, I am able to reach a broader spectrum of people, and can share my testimony with many people at one time. I love being able to post my thoughts and feelings and favorite scriptures online and read the responses I get. It has also helped me to continue sharing spiritual experiences with people from previous areas I've served in. Although online work is new and different and sometimes challenging, it is also very exciting. I love being a part of this adventure in progress.

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." -3 Nephi 5:13

Sister Elizabeth (Lizzy) Cosper, Tennessee Nashville Mission
Check out my blog: http://www.elizabethcosper.blogspot.com/

How Can I Know?

2011-03-24T07:58:00.002-04:00

I have found in my life a constant struggle to recognize God's influence. It is consistent with God's plan for it to be this way. This is because it is given to man to choose. "Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other" (2 Nephi 2:16). I think that I often lose sight of this. However I'm so grateful for it. God trusts me to make right choices. That's some serious responsibility right there. However, sometimes I don't have confidence in myself to make the right decisions. How can I know if I am making the right choice?

One way I can know that I am following God's will if I am keeping His commandments. When I sin the answer is pretty simple. The gospel is easy. We must have faith in Christ, repent, partake of the sacrament (or be baptized), and let the Holy Ghost sanctify me. In this way I can be forgiven and know that I am following God's will. Be careful however to over-complicate things. In the Book of Mormon we can see the effect of that through the story of Lehi and his family.

In this account Lehi was led through the wilderness over to the Americas by a golden compass called the Liahona. As long as they were righteous and kept the commandments the spindles on the compass pointed the course they should follow. Unfortunately however, "Because those miracles were worked by small means...They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey." (Alma 37:41) Since the way for them to be guided was so easy they began to be slothful and they halted their progression. We too should not slip because of the easiness of the way.

The way to judge is simple: if it is good and inviteth to follow Christ then it is from God, if it is bad and enticeth to do evil it is of the Devil. So how can I tell if I'm being guided? If I am moving closer to God. Mormon teaches us this principle. We read: "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." (Moroni 7:12-13) Simple enough?

I'm thankful for this counsel. Through it I can find hope as I strive to make correct decisions. Even though some decisions are hard, God will support us as we strive to find him in our lives. I know that when we follow God we become happier and we can see his influence in our lives. Through these results we can know that something is from God. As we live the gospel we see the progress of our journey. In order to know for yourself, you must do it.

I invite everyone to come unto Christ and find out for yourself that these things are true. Joseph Smith was a prophet. Jesus Christ lives today. He is our Savior and Redeemer. There is life after death. Only through the Gospel can we experience the fullest measure of joy in this life and eternal life in the next.

Mormon Messages: What Matters Most

2011-03-24T07:47:00.001-04:00

Helping Investigator Find Work

2011-03-23T13:08:00.000-04:00

Hello Family!

First of all I love you!

This week has been full of Drama. Lol not really but kind of. We teach about 9 kids in Tintay and when we went to teach them yesterday they all had a childrens' quarrel and two ended up crying. We taught them Satan is happy when we fight "Ayaw Away" (Don't Fight!) We patched things over and they all listened to the lesson.

We have had many people come into our life's I know that are their not by accident. I know that God has a plan for all of His children.

We visited Marilou an investigator that we have been teaching but not progressing so we hadn't been to her house in two weeks. We went to visit her and her live in partner left one day and hadn't been back for 2 weeks. they have four children and have been living together for 12 years. She is struggling because he was the one working and now she has no income and she has two young children that she needs to feed. We walked the neighborhood Villa Lyson trying to find her work but no luck. We are going to keep looking but we had her apply for a tindahana job we are trying out our Christ-like attribute hope right now.

I am now used to the mission and feel like it is my home now. I am still picking up new things in the language everyday but that is expected! I love it here and the time is passing too quickly I want it to slow down. I can't believe that it is already Wednesday again!

Nahigugma ko kanimo

Love

Sister Bruno

My Gospel of Joy

2011-03-16T15:16:00.009-04:00

Hey everyone! My name is Sister Meaders. I'm currently serving in the New York Rochester Mission, one of the pilot programs for online missionaries. In addition to our regular, face-to-face proselyting, we spend about 2 hours a week working on blogs and Facebook, sharing the gospel with whomever we can reach and in whatever medium we can.

It's so amazing to see the way that the Lord is fulfilling His promise that He will "bring forth [His] word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth" (2 Nephi 29: 7). We're told that the amazing leaps in technlology today are inspired of the Lord, and inventions like airplanes and the internet are to fulfill His purposes (Ensign, April 1988). I know that's true!

As an online missionary, I try to get on the internet twice a week for about an hour. I maintain a blog, all about my thoughts and ideas as a missionary, which you can get to by clicking right here. The title, "Gospel of Joy," is meant to convey that Mormons really are a joyful lot. Yes, we're weird by the world's standards, but we're happier than the average because we know who we are and we know God's plan for us. I also have a Facebook page and would be happy to have you as a friend. You can access it from my blog.

Basically, we just want to be able to reach more people. If you have friends who are curious, but afraid of actual, real-life missionaries (who wouldn't be, right?), you can send them to one of our blogs and they can read a little about our beliefs. My last couple of posts have been about doubt and fear, and how I overcome them through prayer and scripture study. I know that sharing testimony in any medium can help others come unto Christ, and I'm really grateful for the opportunity to add my voice and my testimony to the mix!

Sister Melanie Meaders, New York Rochester Mission

Blogging For The Lord Tips for Online Missionaries

2011-03-16T13:45:00.007-04:00

For all the missionaries that want to share their blogs. Here are a few tips:

We missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to share the restored gospel with everyone. We have a great opportunity to share it with many people on the World Wide Web. The Lord has allowed us to blog our hearts out and now is the chance! Share your testimony with investigators and members and strengthen the testimonies of others everywhere. You can blog all of those little thoughts that come to you when you are dreaming big and if you write it down when you think it is right put the scriptures in there with a link to mormon.org. You write something then highlight it then click the link botton and they have a link to whatever you link it to: online missionary chats, lds online missionary world, and even other online missionaries! Click any of the blue words on this blog to test it! Also if you have any more questions about blogging discuss it with your fellow missionaries and other members who blog. Let's get this thing started!

President and Sister Larry Gardiner

Prophecy about the Future of Missionary Work

In 1974, President Spencer W. Kimball issued an amazing prophecy about the technology driving the gospel message.

Technology will help spread the gospel. We need to enlarge our field of operation.… The Lord will lay in our hand inventions which we can scarcely conceive whereby we will be able to bring the gospel to the peoples of the world…. I have faith that the Lord will open doors when we have done everything in our power. I believe that the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse….We shall use the inventions the Lord has given us to awaken interest and acquaint people of the world with the truths, to ease their prejudices and give them a general knowledge. We shall need to answer specific questions, and perhaps that can be done by two-way radio and TV perfected to a point beyond our present imagination. It is conceivable that such a program greatly perfected could be multiplied ten thousand times in ten thousand tongues and dialects in ten thousand places far and near…. Tens of thousands of young missionaries endowed with the power from on high will follow up the proselyting."

It's amazing to me that I get to be a part of this Prophecy. I'm glad to be able to do it and Hope that we can get more members involved.

Elder Austin Roerdanz
Montana Billings Mission
Check out my Blog: What is Truth

Missionary Barbie

2011-03-16T13:12:00.000-04:00

HELLO FAMILY!

First of all I love you!

Secondly I love the kids in the Philippines. Yesterday one of them asked me "Ate Barbi mao?" or (Older Sister) Are you a real Barbi. Haha they are so precious. We teach a bunch of kids in Tintay and more and more join every time we visit Tintay. We have about 10 kids that sit in on the lessons.

Another lady this week told me that I looked like a doll. Being white in the Philippines there is no blending in. It's really good for talking about the gospel though because we are recognized as missionaries. We hear whispers as we pass by "Mormons!" The Filipino people love to practice their English on me and I love practicing my Bisayan on them. The only hard thing is my listening skills to the language isn't as good as it could be because they speak English back to me when I speak Bisayan. Most people learn English when they are kids in school so their English is amazing, but like I probably feel about speaking Bisayan they are shy about their language.

We went to the temple this morning its really awesome to be in the temple and when walking in the doors of the temple i can just feel all the stress or worries come right off my shoulders. I love the temple and have realized what an amazing gift it is.

I feel the time slipping by, and Sister Brand just reminded me that it's been 5 months already here on my mission, and I just can't believe it. Time really is a strange thing. I really don't want my mission to be over I have learned so much and still have way to much to learn in such a short amount of time.

I hope all of you are amazing.

Nahigugma ko kaninyo. Amping mo kanunay. Gwapo lagi mo. Istoria uban sa kaninyo sa sunod nga semana! Hungtud sunod nga panahon.

Until Next week this has been a weekly update brought to you by Sister Bruno in a small Lahug Internet Cafe.

Sister Bruno

Oh Say, What is Truth?

2011-03-11T12:50:00.002-05:00

Oh say, what is truth?

'Tis the fairest gem

That the riches of worlds can produce

and priceless the value of truth will be when

The proud monarch's costliest diadem

Is counted but dross and refuse.

We are all searching for truth. It is what we all aim for, it is what we want to obtain, and it is what we dream about. Truth, where can one find it? How can we obtain it? What are we willing to do to hold it in our hearts and never let go? Is there a sacrifice not great enough to obtain such a blessing?

Jesus Christ likened truth unto a mustard seed, "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and where unto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it." (Luke 13:18-19)

The mustard seed is a very small seed. However, when it grows it becomes a shrub that will cover any field that it is planted in. The birds that lodge into the shrubs, or bushes, do find food and shelter in their branches. It is the same with us. This small source of truth, the seed of truth, has become known around the world. Truth is found in many different sources, and it is being spread by many different methods. With 50,000 plus full time missionaries around the world using all sorts of media such as the Internet, via Facebook and blogs, standard paperback books, via pamphlets and copies of the Book of Mormon, and their own heart felt testimonies, they have been able to help spread the good word to all the world. They have the truth and they want to share it, and they promise that all those that will lodge onto the truth will also find the spiritual food and shelter they have been searching for.

Oh say what is truth? It is security, peace of mind, comfort in trying times, and the true direction that we should follow in this life. I bear you my testimony that the truth has been restored through a prophet that was called of God to do so. His name was Joseph Smith, Jr. He, by the power of God, translated the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, so that we may know to what source we can ultimately find truth. That ultimate source that the Book of Mormon points to is God the Eternal Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. For more info check out www.mormon.org.

Elder Matt Vroom
Montana Billings Mission
Check out my Blog: Serving the Lord

Making New Friends: 40 New Investigators in A Week

2011-03-09T08:17:00.001-05:00

Dearest Family!

This week has been awesome. We have been having an adventure and finding many new friends. Many people are prepared to hear the gospel and I love them all. We have been teaching many children lately and they are so precious. I can see why the children are favorites. We have been doing a lot of finding this transfer, because I only have one companion now Sister Caluyo and the area is split so there is four of us. Sister Williams and Sister Tumala. I love the Greeny she is so nice and is way fun. We all live together and it's definitely good memories!

Our area is split so we basically can go any where in the area we want. We didn't set specific boundaries for our companionships because we can discover new areas if there are no limits! We got to choose how the area was split. It seems like there are a million people we haven't met yet and we had 40 new investigators this week and invited 500+ people to learn! We are only increasing everyday.
Everyday on the mission is a good day. It seems like the happiest I have ever been is in the service of the Lord. Teaching about Jesus and His ministry only brings happiness to missionaries. I have always wondered why missionaries were so happy I know why now.

We got to help a lady cut apart sandal straps yesterday. I didn't even think that people actually hand made the straps of the sandals!

This really is the perfect place for me I don't miss the cold one minute! The weather has been really perfect my whole time in the Philippines. we get a little rain and then sun. Sun brings happiness in my opinion! That's probably why the people are so humble and happy here! All the people always say good morning and such or wave at you they are the most friendly people I have ever met. I feel like I am now Itom and not Puti (black and not white haha). The people either whisper puti or American then I shock them with speaking Bisayan to them and they are amazed! Too many tourist in the Philippines haha!

Well I love you all and you are in my prayers!

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo!

Sister Bruno

Sister Emmilie Buchanan: Online Proselyting in Montana

2011-03-04T12:58:00.005-05:00

“I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I have been called of him, to declare his word, among his people that they might have everlasting life.” I have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Montana Billings Mission. Little did I know that among the open fields, mountainous ranges, and big skies of Montana, my call would extend to the realm of facebook and blogspot. Indeed, I am an online missionary.

My name is Sister Emmilie Buchanan. About a month ago I began online proselyting. This includes spending an hour a day online, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the medium of social networks, and blogs. We live in an exciting time. Truly, the glorious gospel is sweeping the whole earth.

As a missionary, my purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping the receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Now, we get to extend that invitation to the whole world!

As an online missionary, I write blogs about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of the Atonement of Christ, and my testimony of the Restoration of His Gospel. Also, I communicate with God’s children via facebook and answer their questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as teach them of our basic beliefs. Indeed, the “truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, until it has swept every country, visited every climb and sounded in every ear…” The internet is helping this vision and dream to be accomplished.

I testify that this is the Lord’s work, and that his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and was restored to the earth by a modern prophet. How great is our joy!

Sister Emmilie Buchanan

Check out my blog: I Wonder When He Comes Again

Splitting the Area in Cebu City

2011-03-02T15:09:00.000-05:00

Nahigugma Ko kaninyo!

First of all I love you!!

This week is transfers week and the power of three is being seperated. Our area is being split in two and we will have four people in our apartment. Sister Williams is training for the first time, and me and Sister Caluyo are going to be companions. Our zone leader Elder Gubb is transferring and so is our Assistant to the President Elder Gatdula. Sister Bundac is going home this week and it makes me realize how fast the time has been going by. People I know are going home now!

We had a baptism this week Brother Nelson. He gave up smoking and drinking. He comes to church faithfully. He is a little bit slow on the processing, but he is a kind person. I know he will grow through the church. We cleaned out the Pit-os house this week and are settling into our new apartment in Apas. We need to find an apartment in our area, but haven't seen anything we like yet. We love the house we live in now with hot showers a washing and dryer and all the perks. It's funny what you miss while on the mission and see how many blessing we have.

This transfer I have been getting along with my companions really well. I love the adventures we have been having. They are tons of laughs. We laugh at least a million times a day either joking around or something one of us says. It's much better in life if we can just laugh at the trials we have!

Yesterday was an awesome day. Emerson Ugdiman said he wanted to be baptized, and we all thought he was going to be a lost cause, because he went on vacation and before vacation he was not progressing. When he returned though he not only looked older and was growing up, but the Lord has been preparing him to be baptized. When we asked him what his desire was for baptism he surprised all of us at his declaration of wanting to be baptized, but knows that he hasn't been going to church so he couldn't. We ensured him that he could go at his aunt's and the Elders over there could teach him. It's sad to give him up to the elders but if he gets baptized and grows in his testimony I will make the sacrifice and give him to the elders. We know that the elders will be better for him being a teenager and not having any brothers in the house it will help.

I miss you all

Love you

You all need to continue to keep you covenants. And don't forget you are special each one of you individually!

Sister Bruno

New Simplified Curriculum Based on Preaching by the Spirit

2011-02-25T08:14:00.001-05:00

I found an interesting letter to the family of Elder Taylor T. Gull that explains how the new simplified curriculum is being adopted in the San Bernadino Mission and about its future implementation:

We (President and I) have been involved in training the zone and district leaders in the new Simplified curriculum for the past few months. They, the zone leaders and district leaders will be involved in teaching the same program to all other missionaries in their areas. We, along with members of the mission presidency and other senior missionaries will be attending those various meetings for the next few months.

This program will be taught to all new missionaries when they report to the MTC beginning in May of this year. By that time, all of the missionaries here in the mission will know the program. Preach My Gospel is the text the missionaries will continue to use, but there is an additional approach that has been prayerfully directed by the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles. We were told in the MTC this past July in the Mission President's Seminar that they have spent many, many hours on bended knee and in the temple receiving inspiration on how to make it easier for the missionaries to teach and the investigators to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The use of additional principles contained within Preach My Gospel are being used to invite the Spirit in the initial interactions with a new investigator. This process allows ample opportunity for the missionaries to ask inspired questions and then address the needs of those they teach. The principle of the Doctrine of Christ is taught first where possible, but following the Spirit is still essential for the direction of the work. The knowledge of the material in Preach My Gospel is vital to teaching by the Spirit, but not in rote fashion.

We hope this information will be helpful to you. Some of it may may be retold to you by your missionary, but hopefully you have learned something you didn't know before.

I have always been a firm believer in the concept of preaching by the spirit. As a missionary I used a similar approach based on Elder Alvin R. Dyer's Challenge. This new method will be a powerful way to get missionaries to use the Spirit in teaching future investigators.

LDS Online Missionaries: Connecticut Hartford Mission

2011-02-23T15:33:00.004-05:00

The Connecticut Hartford Mission President and eight of his missionaries have come on board with Facebook pages. Elder Burbridge is the first missionary to add a solo blog The Gospel of Jesus Christ Online.

H. Gary Pehrson (Facebook)
hgpehrson@msn.com (email)

Elder David Burbridge (Facebook)
The Gospel of Jesus Christ Online (Blogpsot)
Questions of the Soul (Blogspot)
Mormon.Org Profile
david.burbidge@myldsmail.net (email)
860.874.2179 (Mobile)

Elder Darley (Facebook)

Elder Todd Furness (Facebook)
furness.todd6@gmail.com (email)

Elder David Kunz (Facebook)
The Name's Elder (Blogspot)
david.kunz@myldsmail.net (email)

Elder Guilherme Meira (Facebook)
Mormon.Org Profile

guilherme.meira@myldsmail.net (email)
401.269.8167 (Mobile)
(returned home)

Elder Jordon Miller (Facebook)
The View: A Mormon's Perspective (WordPress)
jordonm@myldsmail.net
203.751.5046 Mobile

Elder Cameron Milstead (Facebook)

Elder Cameron Reynolds

cameron.reynolds@myldsmail.net (email)

Elder Triston Rogers (Facebook)
Radical Rogers (Blogspot)
elderrogers1624@gmail.com
860.874.2179 Mobile

Elder Colton Salazar (Facebook)
colton.salazar@myldsmail.net
860.817.8401 Mobile

Elder Luke Shepherd (Facebook)
luke.shepherd@myldsmail.net
860.817.8401(Mobile)