Taking On Another Challenge

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <2012162-PRS@ldschurch.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Subject: Re: Weekly Report Sent on 1 Nov 2011
To: annika.bruno@myldsmail.net

Dear Sister Bruno,

Thanks once again for a wonderful report on your progressing investigators. You reminded me of how important it is to keep track of our investigators and recent converts -- "and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer" (Moroni 6:4) and especially to prepared against trials and tribulations that might keep them from accepting baptism.

You have been blessed to have Sister Canoneo as a companion. She is a wonderful sister, and I know that she feels blessed because of your companionship with her. Now it is time to move to another assignment. We are asking you to take on quite a challenge, but we know that you are up to it, and by relying on the strong arm of the Lord, you will be equal to the task. I hope you feel you have been blessed by your time in Baclayon. I know you have blessed the members there.

Stay strong, and seek to purify your heart for the work. (D&C 112:28). I am very proud of you.

Love,
President Schmutz

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Admonishes Missionaries This Is Deadly Serious Business

Dear Family, The chismis or gossip here on the mission is that I will be opening another area and training the transfer call hasn't come in but President says that my next area is going to be challenging which means I am going to be 100% stressed out... I heard I am going back to the city but I have prepared my self for the worst hehe.. At least if I train this transfer I will have one more area! If I go back to the city hopefully that means my last area will be Bais or I will return to Bohol! President told me to stay strong in his last email that means that this next assignment is going to be extremely hard arg... Okay I am willing and ready for anything BRING IT ON!!

Hehe well this week we have been mostly looking for dentist for Sister Canoneo because her wisdom tooth came in and she was in real pain. Thursday we looked for a dentist then by Saturday we found one that was a reasonable price, and we got an X-ray then Monday they took out the tooth. I watched them but I couldnt really see anything because I didnt stand right over them when they took it out but I did see the blood and tooth pieces being sucked up the tube. I convinced her to take the tooth home as a mission memory hehe. She didnt want to at first but gave in at the end. It was not long but rather fat... YUCKS JUD...ANYWAYS We were in the house all day on Monday and Tuesday after. I know that she is in serious pain we don't know what the next two days will be like, but Friday we will be going to Cebu most likely I will be transfered and she will take trainers' training..

So dad wanted me to send him the 20 October 2011 notes from the Elder Holland talk well here goes:

The first presidency and apostles have high expectations for the missionaries. There is no compromise--what is expected is to be happy and successful-- almost seems unfair but accepted call to serve the Lord. Don't take for granted that you are serving. We don't do icons people want to convey what church is... what is symbol of the church? Salt lake temple? What is more known is two latter-day missionaries--symbol of who we are. Ultimate image Savior but missionaries are those the people know. Bear responsibility of adoration and trust.People feel that you are perfect--You have no right to compromise that image... In this dispensation you missionaries stand next to Samuel Smith- 23 march 1830 book of mormon published 3 days before organization of the church and Samuel already was taking the Book of Mormon to the world... You have 200 years standing beside you.

Don't be anything less that you can be. We stand by our colors be part of that devotion. This is DEADLY SERIOUS BUSINESS. We do everything we can to change you over night. We are opening the entire kingdom for you missionaries we give that to you at 19 or 21. ;Accept it with generosity. Make sure you are hearing this! We know we expect a lot from you and we do not apologize;for age expectation or the pressure we put you under. Be kind of missionary your family thinks you are.

Preach my Gospel- background... It was a bold and daring move it requires a finer missionary. You now need to go to their level and not try to make them come up to your level. It can't be your way its about their way. ;John teaches Nicodemus and he doesn'tunderstand... Why? Literalism- if you say birth you mean birth. Women at well doesn't understand either because takes it literally. Don't expect them to be at your level. Find out who they are. He is going to teach everyone. Why cant I? You talk to everyone because that's what He did. Be persistent- Wallace Torranto story... You have to know the gospel. Basic scripture etc.

Be believing and obedient to have to spirit of the Lord in your life. White Hand Book--We signed on to do it His way. Don't whine about the rules or break them. This is the BIG time so square and stiffen your back and Be obedient. Obedience= Devotion Don't let people off the hook for not keeping commitments. ;We can not make any commitment slide because one day they are going to make temple commitments and they really can't slide on those. Teach with Power and Authority. They need to know that you know even if they don't know. Sizzle them right down to their Adidas melt their flip flops.

The power of conviction! Power of the still small voice will melt them. Spirituality not theatrics. -prayer - Scripture -Longing - know to be better missionary than Elder Holland Be better prepared and knowledgeable. If you are struggling with your testimony you hang on to mine!! This is the truth. Not a fable. That is the truth and I wouldn't tell you a lie.

Awesome talk!!

Nahigugma ko kaninyo!!

PADAYON LANG

Sister Bruno

Rejecting the Book of Mormon: Missionary Sadness

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

Purifying Our Hearts

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

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

Planting Seeds on a Mission

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