Reaching Your Full Potential

Dear President Schmutz,

I have really been humbled in this past two transfers to be assigned with such an amazing companion.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sister Acain has been prepared by the Lord to be a trainer.  She is a born leader and example to all that will have the opportunity to come to work with her.  She has been a motivation to me to conquer all trials that satan has put in my path also has many times made me realize I still have many weaknesses.  

I have realized that I still need to go through a refiners fire.  I dont know how many times I have evaluated myself and then re-evaluated myself, and I am yet to feel close to reaching my potential.  Its still a long process, and I am grateful for the chance to extend for just a few short weeks.  I know it took a lot of work to get my transfer approved, and President I just want to say thank you so much for the effort you have shown.  Thank you for the concern and love I will not be trunky don't worry I cherish the mission too much to waste a moment.  

Brother Ong is growing in his testimony, but he will still need time.  We sadly got dropped through text by Brother John Clare Ayuda.  he will be moving back to Mindanao and doesn't want to listen anymore... I am sad that I will not be able to attend Sister Lea's baptism this Saturday, but I am grateful for the chance to see how the Lord prepares His children.  I have no fears about Sister Lea retaining she is such a strong willed person I see her as a future leader.      

I am 100% this is the right move for Sister Acain and that this transfer call was more about her growth then my own.  She may lack confidence in her ability to train but I have no doubt in her.  The Lord once again has called me to open an area...I just hope the area book has been updated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am ready for the new adventure I think I follow in my fathers footsteps of loving the excitement of the unknown of being able to transfer to a new area.  My sisters find this as a way of me running away, but I see it more of a chance to meet more people expand my circle of friends.  A chance to grow from others experiences.   

Thank You President for the opportunity to attend the devotional tonight.  I am so proud of these missionaries going home they have really served the Lord well.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

With all my love,

Sister Bruno 

Opening A New Area

I am transferring again and my trainee Sister Acain is training after just 12 weeks.  I know she will be able to do miracles in the area she is so great.

I will miss my companion but I know its time for her to fly.  I am opening an area.... AGAIN.  Its always a challenge,  but I just hope the area book is updated.  I heard the ward is good so I wont have any problems they say...  Ill let you know if that's true.

I get to attend the closing devotional for the missionaries going home since I won't have one of my own with everyone.  

I love the mission.

Sister Bruno 

Work in Lapulapu

Dear President Schmutz,

We are excited for the baptism of Sister Lea Palaganas.  She is excited to be baptised and she really has been prepared.  Her husband is a good example to her.  He follows the teachings of the gospel and he has prepared her to accept all of the commandmants and commitments we have made.  She attends church with her family every week and has been to temple tour.  Her baptism will be 28 April 2012.  

We are not sure about brother Jeffery Ong but we will continue to work with him until he is ready.  

Brother John Clare Ayuda is slowly learning the gospel.  He is progressing slowly.

We are working with many less active families, and they have started to become strong in the gospel.  We are going to start to look at focusing on other less active families soon since the ones we have been focusing on have become active.  We plan to give the ward more responsibility in retaining them also so that when we transfer they wont fall away again.  

Sister Acain like I said is so prepared to train she knows the doctrine, and studies everyday how to apply in the lessons.  She is a great teacher and would really like to see her train next transfer.  She is a great example and would be a great trainer.  She might think she needs more time, but I know since she has been working with the missionaries since she was 14 years old she has been prepared by the Lord for great things.  

Thank You President I will stay in contact throughout the years.  Thank you for your kindness.

Sister Bruno

Follow Jesus Christ Change Your Life

Dear Family,

Our area is finally starting to progress.  We are seeing our investigators really start to want to start to follow Jesus Christ and change their life.  

We really enjoyed General Conference.

Sister Acain is becoming a really go friend of mine as time goes on.  i really enjoy our companionship.  

Yesterday we set an appointment with a less active member who just moved here from Iligan Sister Acain's Stake so it was a little awkward for Sister Acain since she has background with him, but we want to help him to come back.  

We have a baptismal date for Sister Lea this 28 April and we think she will really be ready.

Loving the work.

Sister Bruno 

Trials of Investigators

Dear President Schmutz,

Sister Lea I know will be baptized this 28 April.  She is really excited to listen to the lessons, and also she always has assignments for us.  She asks so many questions and are open to accept the answer through prayer and studying.  She has a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  We will continue to prepare her for baptism.  

Brother John Clare Ayuda is having many trials, but we have seen his desires grow.  We taught him the word of wisdom the first lesson and he is willing to slowly give up his vices.  It was the first time I taught an investigator word of wisdom the first lesson, but he joined in the lesson for some recent converts, and he seems to accept it is what God wants.  He has little religious background so we are taking it slowly with him, and we plan and hope he will be prepared for baptism this coming May.

Brother jeffrey Ong is becoming less interested in baptism.  He is struggling with accepting the word of wisdom.  We need to go back to restoration, and build his faith.  We moved his baptism for the first week in May.

Sister Acain is a shining light in the darkness.  She is such an awesome friend I love her...  She is continuing to study the gospel to improve her knowledge of the gospel.  She is a special special person, and I am glad for the opportunity to be her companion.  

I love you President Schmutz give my love to Sister Schmutz,

Sister Bruno

Moving Apartments

Dear Family,

This week we have been focusing on improving our patience, and we really have been being tried.  We just find it kind of funny all the things that happen.  For example Sister Acain left her scripture case at an investigators house, and it had the cellphone in it.  It would have been okay except it was Sunday and we needed to send Stats to the Elder Harris our district leader and we didn't have his number any where else besides the cellphone.  So we left the house at 10PM to go back to the house of Sister Lea and get the cellphone so we could send the stats.  When we looked at the cellphone there was already 2 missed calls and a text from Elder Harris asking for our stats.  haha whops...  We also got punted a lot this week but we will continue the work of the Lord.

We had a zone CSP (community service project) on Monday where we cut back weeds.  We were so sore the next day.  We are going back to Manduae Monday to continue.  Its a huge piece of land. 

We have newly called couple ward missionaries, and when they came with us to work the lesson was so much more successful because they related with our investigators.  Most of our investigators are married with children so its not easy for us to relate to them, but the couple missionaries could teach more effectively about being married and such.    

We went with sister Sheila Ong to the dentist to get her tooth pulled.  She really has been in pain and she was scared to go alone.  It only took 10 minutes.  One minute you have a tooth the next its gone.  But its better than the pain she was in. 

We are moving apartments because we are living in sin city.  They just bought chickens to cock fight which is illegal, and so much more.  We rather not be associated...  We move May 1st yey!    Speaking of May its soon mothers day and I will be calling.  I will only have two weeks left when I call weird!  My batch goes home in three weeks.  The mission is too fast!

I love you all,

Sister Bruno

Teaching Gospel Principles

Dear President Schmutz,

We have been having progress with our investigators this week.  We are excited for the temple tour we have a jeepney and are expecting many people to attend including all of our investigators.  

Sister Lea is progressing quickly, and she has a testimony of Joseph Smith.  We have taught Law of Chastity and plan to teach Word of Wisdom next lesson.  I can really see her willingness to learn.  We really want our investigators to be strong before their baptisms so that they dont fall away straight after their baptisms.  We will teach the lessons clear and simple and bodly so that they understand the covenant they are making.  

We actually taught brother Ong yesterday about keeping the sabbath day holy.  We were lead by the spirit, and we taught that he needed to take a step of faith into the darkness so he could receive blessings.  We promised that he would be able to support his family and he would have an increase in salary if he would follow the commandments of God.  We didn't back down, and I think he felt what we said was true.  He commited to come to General Conference this Sunday.  

We went to teach brother Jonclar but he asked to reschedule we will go back again tonight to teach him.  He seems to be taking things slowly, but he is willing to still listen so we will continue with hope for him.  He has many things that he would have to change, but he opened up that he is willing to change, and he is willing to give up his vices.  

Sister Acain is really growing in her understandings of the doctrines.  She is a born leader.  She has no home sickness or any doubts that our area will progress.  She is constantly a good example.  We work together, and listen to the others suggestions.  I find that we have been growing in our Christ like attributes this past transfer.  We have been focusing on Patience this week, and we have really been tested to see if we seriously want to progress in our patience this week.

Its all about the state of mind.  A postive mind can change the world.  

Thank You President Schmutz,

Sister Bruno

Do I Have Enough Faith?

Date: March 28, 2012
Area: Lapulapu 1st Ward
Companion: Sister Acain

Dear President Schmutz,

We are emailing you before we figure out this school stuff. It's interesting to have to shift my mind into what is going on after the mission. We are doing okay in the work its been interesting opening an area
again. It's always a challenge, but we are applying our faith in the area, and we are hoping for 3 baptisms this April.

Sister Lea is married to a member, and she is interested in finding out about the church. She opened up that she wants her kids to have one religion in the family, and is willing to find out for herself if it is true.
She has a testimony of Joseph Smith, and we are taking the approach of answering her questions with assignments and that is our next lesson.

We have taught the restoration, and answered some of her questions about sacrament and such. She just had a question about Law of Chastity which we gave as an assignment, and we will go back to the plan of
salvation next lesson. Sister Lea is tagalog speaking, and it has been a challenge to try to learn a new language, but I find it to be a help to keep me on my toes on the mission.

Brother Jeffrey Ong is also married to a member, and has taken the discussions on and off before. He is willing to listen, and has a testimony of Joseph Smith, but he has a problem with going to church because of his work schedule.

Brother Jonclar Ayuda is also an investigator who lives with his member sister at the time, and works with one of our recent converts. He at first was hesitant to listen, but his desire really has grown to listen and understand the gospel. He even attended church with us last Sunday.

Time is short on the mission and there is no time for regrets. Sister Acain is a strong example to me, and I will never forget her and her friendship. I really love her spirit of hard work. I have stepped down
so that she can step up. I have found that is what it is to be a trainer. I really want her to progress quickly to not hold her back, because she knows what she wants, and she is lead by the spirit.

She is one of those people that really is in tune with the spirit, and has given her will to the Father. I think that she will baptize the whole Philippines. She is in the high excellence current and I dont see her
falling into the pwede na current.

I have been studying faith, and I am glad for your workshop at the sisters training because I have found that I was lacking faith. I have always had the question do I have enough faith to be healed mentally physically spiritually. I have felt my work grow as I have been studying faith, and trying to apply what I have learned in the work.

I love you President Schmutz thank you for everything you do and say and especially for your example.

Sister Bruno

Challenging Area

Dear Family,

The work is going here in Lapu-Lapu 1st.  We have yet to seen a baptism this transfer, but I think we might see three this April.  This area has really been a challenge.  This is what we think.  If you don't have baptisms, you are reactivating, if you are not reactivating you are helping the recent converts be strengthened, if you are not strengthening the recent converts you are helping the members.  We are kind of just doing it all here.  There are so many people in all different classes that its not a concentrated effort in any particular part of the work.  We can't do it all alone!  That's why we have the Savior walking beside us.  

Sister Acain is still awesome and I love her.  No transfer.  My release date is 21 May.  

Our zone activity to the Olongo Island was really fun.  It was a big adventure.  We explored and found a free place to sit on the beach, because if we sat in the resort there is an entrance fee and a fee for the cottage.  We found a house that the man let us use his cottage, and the man even said we could ride around in his paddle boats, but we couldn't because its BAWAL (not allowed) on the mission, but that's okay because we had a blast just playing games.

I love you all,

Sister Bruno

Daughter of Royal Blood

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Cebu Mission Office <cebumissionoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: Week
To: Annika Bruno <annika.bruno@myldsmail.net>

Dear Sister Bruno,

 

You are an amazing young woman and missionary.  I love the spirit of determination that you show, and your enthusiasm to do your duty in the face of any challenge.  And I confirm that you are a a daughter of royal blood, and you have been ordained to be called up and crowned in the next life.  Live worthy of that great reward and it surely will be yours. 

 

How are you doing with Sister Acain?  Tell me about the work.  But do me a favor and write to me in imos.  It is so much easier to keep track of who has written and then reply.  I have confirmed that your date of release has now been moved to May 21, 2012.  Please confirm that with your parents, and I will inform your stake president of the change.  Do you know if your stake president is the same one who is listed on your application?  As the time draws near, we will need to make arrangements for either a stake or district missionary to work with your companion, or make a temporary assignment with a three some.

 

Sister Bruno, I am so glad you and we came together in this mission.  I hope always to be in touch with you in years to come.  Have a great week and I am looking forward to seeing you at the Sister's Specialized Training meeting on Thursday.

 

All my love,

 

President Schmutz

On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 9:15 PM, Annika Bruno <annika.bruno@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Dear President Schmutz,

I have found the mission to be not only the best 18 years for my life but the best 18 month of my life.  Some people say that the mission is to tiring, but i find it a wake up call.  I am sad that some people go away from their mission thinking of all the negatives, and not seeing how amazing everyday here on the mission is.  I have decided to find out the good everyday instead of looking at the bad.  There has been many things that have happened in the last couple of months that could discourage any normal person, but I am here to say I am no normal person I am of royal blood.  No earthly thing will or can or should bring us to despair.  We are given the chance to be happy why should we give that away. 

President Schmutz I am happy.  I hope that my companion is happy too.  I really do love my companion and that she gives her all on the mission.  She is an asset here on the mission.  Sister Acain I can tell is growing in knowledge and faith.  She has a great love for our investigators, and i know that she is going to bring many souls unto Christ. 

Thank You President Schmutz for all that you do and the example you show.  Give my love to Sister Schmutz.

Love
Sister Bruno 

Finding Faith

Dear President Schmutz,

Sister Acain really makes me feel I was not even close to being prepared when I came to the field.  As I watch all of the new missionaries coming in and being trained I see how much greater prepared Sister Acain is then all of us starting out.  I have really seen her progression also with teaching.  Elder Eubanks just came into the district and I can tell he is really struggling with confidence.  I know the mission really will shape him into a new person.  I am excited to see the change in him as he progresses on the mission.  Sister Acain never had any confidence problems.  Maybe its different because we were learning a language, but she really knows her doctrine.  She hasn't shown a weakness yet.  She is willing and ready to take on any challenge.  I think maybe I am the one that needs the training.  It has been hard to keep up with the study program, but we are working our hardest to be obedient about studying.  I know lately I haven't been as strict about the program in the past since sometimes I put our priority with teaching appointments.  We are just struggling to meet with all of our investigators, inactive members, and recent converts, and then to follow up with all of them.  There are just so many people to keep up with we really have our work cut out for us.  I can tell that Sister Acain is a little disappointed that we haven't had any baptisms, but we are praying that we will have three this April.  The area has been struggling, and the ward is not fellow shipping like we need them to be.  I have even given a talk, or more like a training on how to fellowship.  But I have not seen any change on that point.  Its been a fight.  I am really happy to be companions with Sister Acain she is my best friend.  She is such a great example to me of strong will to continue to work hard, and to be obedient.  She has a strong will power, and will not let anything tear her down.  She is diligent, patient, and a very smart.  I can't wait to see what miracles she brings with her next companions.  I am confident she is ready to train when I am transferred to Negros next transfer.    

We have eight investigators with a baptismal date hopefully all will be ready, but at this point only three have been coming to church.  We will do our very best to get our investigators to church this week.  We follow-up every week by text or even going with our investigators to church to make sure we are doing everything to help them understand how important going to church every week is.  I think that is the problem with many members in our ward they don't understand about the importance of attending church.  When it rains half of our ward doesn't show up its sad to see the wavering faith.  

I am far from perfect President I thought I would reach a higher level by this point, but I find my self falling short.  But I think that's good that I see what I need to work on.  They say that when you think you are perfect then that is when you are the most prideful.  I am grateful for you email this week about faith I think that maybe that is where I am lacking.  I think maybe the area would be much better if we could just gain more faith for our area.  I have run out of ideas for how to help our area, and this is maybe my answer.  I will study faith this week and hopefully that will help build it up to make miracles happen.  

I know there can be miracles when we believe.  I know problems are only problems when we let them be.  

I love you President Schmutz you really have been called of God to lead us.  I am grateful for your quiet dignity.

Love 

Sister Bruno

Finding Good

Dear President Schmutz,

I have found the mission to be not only the best 18 years for my life but the best 18 month of my life.  Some people say that the mission is to tiring, but I find it a wake up call.  I am sad that some people go away from their mission thinking of all the negatives, and not seeing how amazing every day here on the mission is.  I have decided to find out the good everyday instead of looking at the bad.  There has been many things that have happened in the last couple of months that could discourage any normal person, but I am here to say I am no normal person I am of royal blood.  No earthly thing will or can or should bring us to despair.  We are given the chance to be happy why should we give that away. 

President Schmutz I am happy.  I hope that my companion is happy too.  I really do love my companion and that she gives her all on the mission.  She is an asset here on the mission.  Sister Acain I can tell is growing in knowledge and faith.  She has a great love for our investigators, and i know that she is going to bring many souls unto Christ. 

Thank You President Schmutz for all that you do and the example you show.  Give my love to Sister Schmutz.

Love
Sister Bruno 

Mission Extension

Dear Family,

I got my extension approved.  It took two months, and I am not going home with a batch, but I think this is what is needed in my life right now.  I love the mission, and my companion.  I would hope that I marry someone like my companion now.  She is really amazing.  We always have fun even if trials happen we just seem to laugh off the bad.  That's the best medicine in life.  We don't have any clear baptisms yet but i know that miracles can happen with faith!

We have a zone activity right now so I have to go but I love you Stay 100 percent strong in the gospel and problems will go away.

I love you all

Love Sister Bruno

Loves Companion

Family, We plan on moving because our neighbors are weird. They have a little casino they have a little bar and they have a little park out whenever we come home. We decided that it would be best not to be in such an atmosphere. We are looking for a place to stay because actually the apartment is okay its the neighbors that are the problem. They are all relatives we are the outcasts. Transfers again this coming next week we will find out next p-day if we will transfer but I plan on being here at least another transfer. If my extension is not approved this will be my last transfer! I think though that it will be approved. I'm still waiting for the official word, but last zone conference I didn't give my testimony with my batch because President said I might as well wait... I think that means I will extend!! I don't know yet though!! I hope though that I can extend. My batch going home is sad because I wont be going home with them anymore but it will be worth it to extend. If I do extend I will be coming home the first week in June! if not the last week in April. I really love my companion. She really is my bestie!! She makes the mission fun. She has a super outgoing personality and she will tell you what she thinks. She is Spunky they say! I love you all see you soon Love Sister Bruno

Planning on A Mission

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Annika Bruno Date: Wed, Mar 7, 2012 at 11:03 AM Subject: President... To: cebumissionoffice@gmail.com Dear President Schmutz, This week has been successful. We are starting to see the progression of some investigators, but they haven't been to church yet. Their progression has been slow for some reason, and its hard to get a set schedule with most of our investigators and inactive members. Its starting to be a game of catching them when they are home. We have been doing much better with being more effective for nightly planning, but it seems so difficult to plan since most of the people have only night schedules so we can't visit everyone in one week. We seem to have so many people that we just can't met with them all. We are trying our best though. Sister Acain is very go get the job done kind of person. She has already taken the initiative to start nightly planning, and I am happy to let her try to lead the area. We are working together to get the ward involved. Things we request are done, but it just takes time with them. Sister Acain has already been on splits three times in just her 5 weeks here on the mission. I know it is helping her progress more quickly. We need to split because there are so many people we couldn't teach them all if we do not split. Sister Acain is very bright and I am glad for her ideas for the area. I am not worried about her leading the area or even training soon. She was prepared when she came on her mission. Much more prepared than I was. We plan on teaching Brother Dave this Saturday at 630PM. Are you still planning on attending President? We will teach about the book of Mormon. Another member also agreed to come with us to our lesson this Saturday. The only thing is that Bishop Caesar wants him to attend his ward so there will be no need to transition, and so we will need to work closely with the Lapulapu 2nd sisters so that when he comes to church he will go straight to their ward. There has been some success but also slow progression. This actually has been my slowest progressing area. We are working our hardest, and I have faith that if we continue to be obedient that we will start to see the change in the area. President also just following up about my extension is there any word about it being official. Thank you President. Sister Bruno

Overcoming Adversity

Dear Family, I am doing great here on the mission. I am waiting for the 100 percent of extending, but the area presidency and president schmutz have already approved my extending. All I am waiting for is the approval of the stake president I pray that he will let me extend. if I extend I will be coming home around June 7. If not I will be coming home April 26. Its not fun not knowing yet if I will extend or not, but it should be finalized or denied in the next week or so!! My companion Sister Acain and I seem always to be laughing at the things that come on the mission. I really do love her and we get along so well. Our investigators are all not so clear, but we are still working out the open area issue. Tonight I get to go back to my second area to my recent converts for a family home evening. They are all kind of inactive. We have a district FHE later and we will see what happens I hope I can encourage them to come back to church. its not easy to be a recent convert in the church especially when their are no fellowshippers. I am so grateful for my mission and the techniques I have learned to overcome adversity. I recently read in the true to the faith about adversity you all should read it I think it would help. I love the stories in the book of Mormon that have helped me in times of hardship or pain. I am still happy no matter what happens in life. Its about the state of mind not the state of being. Continue to study the scriptures and pray to our heavenly Father for his help with keeping our covenants. I love you all and pray that you to can feel only happiness in life through the trials. Love you with all my heart, Sister Bruno

Extension on Mission

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

Working Hard til the End

Dear family, I love my companion Sister Acain we get along so well. I love the mission so much and will be sad to see it end. I am not ready to come home! We have been having an adventure because its always many trials for the new missionaries first transfer. I know from experience, and I am confident that Sister Acain will get through anything that is thrown in her way. We always come home so tired but seem to just laugh at all the things that happen in the day. We had to visit Cebu today so I don't have much time to email its almost time to get back to work and we aren't back in our area yet so I have to make this short and sweet. I love you all. Sister Bruno

Refined in Furnace of Affliction

From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org> Date: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 4:28 AM Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 1 Feb 2012 To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net Dear Sister Bruno, How are you today? Are you enjoying your first week with Sister Acain? I hope she is coping with some of her medical / dental problems and she will be okay. That first week can be a little bit of an adjustment as you know, so love her and support her, and show her the way. I liked your reference to 1 Nephi 19 and 20. The fact that you were moved by the idea that the Lord chooses us and refines us "in the furnace of affliction" to do his work lets me know a lot about your spiritual progress and your willingness to see that these missionary experiences are very much designed for our own growth and development. As you look back on your mission, I'm sure that you can easily see how you have been refined, shaped and fashioned by the Lord in his furnace to do his will -- not just in this mission, but in the life you will lead in the years to come. It is so interesting, Sister Bruno, that we are all very different from one another. The Lord knows this. He designed and created us, after all. He takes all these wonderful differences, and if we allow him, he molds us and continues to "create us" into the creatures he desires us to be. You have your share of differences :). I think that is why I love you so much, and I'm sure it is part of the Lord's great love for you. I was inspired by your ability to see how important is the stark difference that will mark the lives of those who hearken and obey ("peace as a river, and righteousness as the waves of the sea") and those who reject the Lord and his commandments (no peace to the wicked). Why is it that so many many people never can put that clear warning into practice in their lives? Thanks for your statement of commitment and conviction. I believe this is a day of choosing. And I hereby acknowledge that you have chosen to side with God, to stand by me and all others who are willing to lay aside their weapons of rebellion. I am gratified that it is many who will stand together with us. There is no force that can oppose us because we will stand with our Master in this great cause. I'll love you forever, Sister Bruno. Keep up the good work. Show Sister Acain through love and example what it is all about. President Schmutz Your understanding of the gift of commandments and the blessings of obedience gives you such an advantage in this life. It has made you into a great missionary, capable of doing so many things.

Third Anak Child

Dear family, I am in my third open area. I am also training my third 'Anak' child on the mission. We are having fun in our new area, and finding many people ready to hear the gospel. My companion and I have the same birthday 24 Aug 1989! we think its funny because our personalities match so well. I really do love her lots. We are in an open area so the schedule is kind of hard to figure out still. We are still getting to know the area and the members, but Sister Pangue my first anak on the mission is in my ward lapu-lapu 1st and comes with us to teach almost everyday. She has extended going on her mission until march since she is still waiting for her visa, but i am glad she is still here to help us with the area. We have really good leaders that help us a lot. People have even made dinner appointments with us. Earlier we played basketball with the elders. They didn't guard us but it was still fun. Me and sister Acain guarded each other I really hope that you all are doing okay. I love you Sister Bruno