Through the Trials Come Many Blessings

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
 

Philippines Cebu Mission President Farewell Letter

                                                    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. 

Mission Changes

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)!

Another Baptism in Marigondon

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.

Cebu Mission President Welcomes Sister Annika Kamaleilani Bruno

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Philippines Cebu Mission

P.O. Box 338 Cebu City 6000 Philippines

Tel. No. (6332) 230-1240 Res. Tel. No. (6332) 230-1231

December 16, 2010

Brother and Sister Frank Alan Bruno

2042 Thornhill Dr.

Summerville, SC 29485

United States

Dear Brother and Sister Bruno,

Your sister made it! She is here with us in the Philippines Cebu Mission. I am excited about having her in our mission.  She brought a great spirit, and I am looking forward to working with her.  Sister Bruno is presently serving in the City Zone, Talamban Area.  Enclosed is a welcome snapshot taken with Sister Hansen and me.

Our missionaries are encouraged to email family once a week on their preparation day.  Below are a few things you can do to keep your daughter happy and successful while on her mission:

Skype Christmas Calling Approved in Philippines Cebu Mission

I received this interesting email from my daughter last week.  In view of the fact that Skype dropped 10 million calls yesterday I wonder if it will be fixed by tomorrow when she calls. I wonder how many other missions were approved for Skype calls.

From: Barbara Hansen <bhh1776@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Subject: Merry Christmas Phone Calls and curfew
To:


Dear missionaries, 

As you know, Christmas is a special time of year.  We have the opportunity to call home to our families on Christmas! We have a special surprise--the missionary department has approved the use of SKYPE for missionaries to contact their families.  This is a free video conference tool that is on almost every computer at internet cafes.  Your parents would need to download skype for free (email them today and instruct them to go to www.skype.com and download skype--it is free.)  Then on Christmas, you would go to the internet cafe and get on skype.  You would enter your parents' email and they will be added to the skype list. Then click on their name and click on "video call".  Your parent's computer has to have a webcam and speakers for them to see and hear you and vice versa. 

If they do not have access to a computer, you may still call them.  I will send another attachment with the calling codes for all countries that we have missionaries from.  The best way to call is to buy a phone card and put enough "load" on it to call your family for "approximately" 40 minutes.  It is a good idea to email them today with instructions on how and when you plan to call or skype them. 

If the lines are busy, you can try again--just remember one call (or skype) of "approximately" 40 minutes. 

Remember, the Cebu Mission Curfew for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve is 6 pm. Please be in your apartment by six.  Please inform members and investigators ahead of time so they are not disappointed in their plans.

May you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  President ug ako nahigugma ka ninyo!

Love

President and Sister Hansen