Friend Letter: Seize the Day

1/31/09

Sister Bruno-

Ni hao

Well, helloooo my friend! How are you! It sounds like you are doing well from your last letter. I hope you got that address. I sent it through dearelder.com Let me know if you didn't get it and I can resend it. By the way, I hope you won't be mad at me but I umm...well remember when I told you to delete all of our chats and that I would resend them to you when you got back?..well umm...do you remember how I'm always like 'seize the day' 'carpe diem'...well um..hah.promise not to be mad? Haha jk. However, you should always 'seize the day' on your mission. Whenever you are afraid of doing something and you will be (not that it is bad--I was too at first, as well as every other missionary I knew) just remember to seize the day. Remember that the answer will always be 'no' unless you ask!

How is the language going? I bet you are learning lots and helping others. Remember don't let it go to your head! I have two exams coming up this week. (Accounting 210 and Church History 1805-1844) I did a lot of homework yesterday and today (Saturday) as well as studying so hopefully this week will not be too bad. I'm actually kind of excited to see if I'm doing as well as I thought. So every other Thursdays I have been going to the temple. It's kind of like my Temple Thursday thing to help boost my spirituality. I realized I haven't been going as often as I should be so I am repenting. Remember, repent often.

My ward clerk calling has been going well. We have a audit coming up next month. I pretty much have everything in order. I'm excited to that and get it over with! He he. Now that tithing settlement is over, once I complete the audit I'll have basic things to do the rest of the semester.

So you probably have already heard about Felicia and I but just so you can't say that I didn't tell you, Felicia and I are officially going out now. It's been such a relief to finally have all of that sorted out. It was really consuming being in the limbo stage with her. Te he he

I finally decided that this summer I'm going to be a conference assistant in the dorms and take a class each semester. They only let the CAs take 4 credits and the classes have to be between 1pm-4pm. I also put my resident assistant application in for the next year. It should be exciting to see how all that turns out. When I finally decided with these plans I felt a great amount of peace...which I hadn't felt in a while since I've been worrying about all of these things. I think it was peace from response to prayer.

Well, I hope you enjoy this package. I miss you lots! Keep working hard. I am sure you are familiar with a lot of the MTC resources now. My favorite things were service and teaching appointments. Although, during one teaching appointment I remember getting really frustrated and sad so I ended up crying like hardcore. I felt so stupid. I had to let my companion teach the ENTIRE lesson. Haha! Spanish just wasn't coming for me at the time. It was a very humbling experience but the Lord can do mighty miracles when we are humble. You must be brought down before everything! I look forward to hearing from you.

Later gator,

Matt

Missionary Friend Letter: Missionary Drama

Jan. 30,2009

Dear Dududu-Dora,

Hey sorry it's taken me so long to get you a letter. I hate rummaging around for old letters trying to find addresses.

Sounds like your truly having the MTC experience. Drama is amplified 100x while your on your mission. Instead of dealing with just your own you get your investigators, wards, and fellow missionary/mission drama. I'm so sick of dealing with problems I could spit. Not to get you discouraged or anything. Missions are great, they are just taxing.

I was transferred to Kennewick. I don't know if I like it here or not. It's a ritzier part of town where people are stuck in their ways, but I don't care, I'm trunky!

I learned a hard lesson yesterday. I was in the wrong, but still the fact of the matter is you can still respect a person wishes even if you were wrong. All I wanted to do yesterday was go home. But still I go on.

Anyway. Enjoy the MTC. Eat lots of French Toast Sticks. Pray and listen.

Don't worry. I always said the MTC is temporary, it doesn't last forever. Now I say a mission is not forever. To be honest I crave to be home. I need a release. As time seems to slow my last 4 weeks I beg and plead to make it.

I probably need to spend more time on my knees. Hold me accountable and follow up on me.

I wish you well.

Elder S.

Parent Letter: Help Other Missionaries with Language

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 30


Fu jiemei:

Greetings from your father. I will try to get your mother to send your contacts, dress, and grammar book.

I am sorry about the strictness of your teacher and feel he should have not shamed you in front of your colleagues. He apparently needs a lesson in Chinese and Asian culture. Since most of your dresses down below your knees I don't see what the big deal is.

They should stress that all dresses should be ankle length if that is their standard. I don't see how you can ride a bike with such a dress on even if it has slits. Unfortunately except for a couple of stores in Orem like missionary emporium etc. there aren't many places outside of Utah to get clothes. I will have to work on your mother to make you a few jumpers or skirts that are a bit longer. It might take a few weeks. She is slow at mailing stuff you know. When we lived in Saudi Arabia she never sent any packages because she was too lazy to walk in the heat to the post office. I was even lazier since I never liked walking anywhere. So Gen and Gianina didn't even get Christmas packages from us. If you can send something through Dear Elder etc. then it is a different story. Right now I am totally broke after spending $2000 for the stuff you even have. I can barely cover the house payment. You should have been better informed and he should have talked to you in private. You will just have to make due for now with what you have.

As to relearning it never hurts to have review or repetition. I think it is good you are helping your companion and others to learn the language. I know you are anxious to teach but as the time progresses you will be challenged particularly learning verbs. For now you should try to help the other elders and sisters.

You should try to take pictures of all of these people you encounter so you will remember them when you are older. Also keep the letters and email coming as they are a record for you later. I found my mission stuff in my parents' dresser when they died. It is all I have left other than my memories which are dimming with age. I set you up with a Dear Elder site and a MissionSite.Net account. I have been updating your Blogspot blog. I suggest you get some of your companions to do the same. Have their parents set up a Blogspot blog. A group of sister who recently went to the Italy Rome Mission did that and they share a few pictures and give different perspectives of the same experience.

I could use a few more pictures so see if you can upload one or two every time you email. There is no restriction on that as most elders and sisters send home pictures in their emails.

I also need your favorite scripture for the Dear Elder site. I listed your most missed food as flaming hot Cheetos. Make sure to tell things you want to remember and to give your impressions of talks and things you learn. Your first two letters were really insightful about SYL etc.

I had a fun time in Denmark and Sweden. Malmo was a very picturesque place to visit. Most Swedes speak English so I got along fairly easily. I don't think I will get the job but I had a good time for four days visiting Scandinavia. Everyone walks or rides bikes. The bikes weren't ten speeds but single speed bikes.

Take Care.

Your Father, Dr. B.

Parent Letter: Mission Dress Code

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 26


Hello Flora, I am so sorry, I didn't see either of your emails until just now (12:38 am, EARLY Tuesday morning!) so none of us got to email you. We will try to do better next Monday. Also we got your first letter in the mail today. You are awesome. I will get your skirt and dress out tomorrow. If I can find the dress. And if I can finish the skirt, lol. I am sorry annoying Mormons are so OCD on dress codes. What a bummer. Don't let them bother you too much. It sounds like you are having a great time. Feel the spirit and enjoy your time there.

Another day of rain in South Carolina.

This morning Dad left for one of his interview trips--to Denmark and Sweden. I am really bummed I didn't get to go along. He is all excited, as usual, and trying to get people all worried about leaving. We shall see if this one pans out. Half of them never do.

Love,

Mom

Parent Letter: Example of the Believers

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 26


Hey Flora!

It is really good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear that you like your companions and teacher. It's such a small world that one of the sisters knew Annika and Gen. I hope that you are having fun in the MTC. Church has been fun lately. We have been focusing on being examples of the believers. That is the mutual theme this year. I think it is 1 Timothy 4:12. I really like it because it is a really good message, and it is something that I can definitely work on. I am also working on getting my young women hood recognition. If you have any recommendations please make sure to tell me, but make sure you stay focused and work on learning all that Chinese! I can't wait until you are actually in Taiwan and get to teach everyone. I'm so excited for you. I LOVE YOU! Have the best time and make sure to keep us all updated on what's going on!

Sibling Letter to Missionary

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 24


Hey Flora!!!

I hope your having tons of fun in the MTC. I miss waking you up when i get home from school haha. Hows learning the language? I'm sure your doing great. SC is boring as usual. nothings rlly happening. Thanks for setting a good example. I love you and miss you.

XOXO

Desi

Parent Letter to Missionary

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 21


Dear Flora,

I hope you are doing well and your first day in the MTC was fabulous. Did you get there on time? Did Annika cry when you left her? Hehe.

Well right now I am on facebook and I saw that Matthew Moses was on, so I messaged him and said, "do you miss Flora?" and he said, "I am on Dear Elder.com right now writing to her!" So I thought I would do the same. I'm sure you will get lots of letters, cuz he will probably write you every day. Hope you can keep your mind on the work! j/k.

Let's see, the news from me: I spent the whole day online as usual, picked Desi up at 12 (and was a little late, she yelled at me) and we went running at the Y. Came home, got online, picked up Michael at 4 (was a little late, he yelled at me) and took him to track. The kids went to Mutual this evening. We even fed them all dinner before they left. They are just getting home now. So that was my exciting day!!

Tomorrow my plans are to finish your skirt and jumper and send them. If not tomorrow, then definitely by the weekend. Because Saturday I plan to really clean the house now that you are gone. I will stow all your things away and put the junk in the garage places. Should be interesting. Dad just found out you got new scriptures. He is downstairs yelling. lol.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama yesterday. That was very inspiring. You didn't watch it, did you? I loved the music, the poetry reading, the singing, and especially his speech. An historic moment.

So that is all that is happening here. I will write you again later and tell you all the scintillating news from the Bruno household.

Love,
Mom

Parent Letter: Greetings from Sweden

Greetings from Sweden:

I hope you are working hard at the MTC.

Your father,

Frank Bruno

Repetition, Repetition (First Email MTC)

So, we get 30 minutes on the computer today, which is my preparation-day. I wish I had gotten on the computer first because I just spent the last hour writing you guys a letter that I plan on sending because I spent an hour on it!! But Sister Ackerson and I decided we are just going to use half of our time on the computer now and check our email again later to see if you guys wrote back or whatever. She's really anxious to hear from her family.

So, since I'm going to get back on later and read if you wrote me anything this will be short. And business first. Mom my teacher said most of my skirts are too short, the day he told me that I was wearing the one you made, so according to him even your dress was too short. So could you make sure to make that black skirt REALLY long, like ankle length and if you have time make a brown/creme/or white one. And I'll just wear one of those two skirts every day under my other ones. Also, I don't have that brown dress that was really long that I wore on Sunday, it must still be at home, so if you can send that as quick as possible, I'll stop getting in trouble for my skirt lenghts. It has to be "mid calf" so I only have 2 that work at all for his standards, and one is dry clean only. My companion and I both think my skirts are fine, because they are modest and cover my knee completely, but I need to learn chinese, so I need to go to class..so I need to have skirts that meet the STRICT requirements of my teacher brother Hutchings.

I like my other teacher Song Laoshi, or brother Sampson a lot. He is really matter of fact and he is really plain about things. I like that a lot. Brother Hutchings is more of a circling things kind of guy, but he's nice overall, he just doesn't deal with situation well.

I love my companion. She's the best. There is a solo sister here that is in the older district that is our dorm mate, her name is Sister Tedjumulia. She was in Gen and Annika's ward so she knew them. I guess she has a sister who is older who looks like her? I knew i recognized her from somewhere.

So far I haven't really learned much Chinese. But I think I'll start actually learning more next week.

They have asked us already to SYL, so I try to sit next to the Elders that have been here for 7 weeks. Particularly Sun Zhanglao. He's always willing to talk with me in Chinese and teach me new words and phrases. Its suprising because most of the older district hate to SYL during meals because they just feel like they need a break from Chinese I guess. But it's sad for me because they are the ones I need to be speaking with, my everyday Chinese vocabulary is pretty much almost to the same level as theirs. I just have a long way to go on the gospel vocabularly. But so far I've had plenty of meals that I've practiced speaking to many of the older elders and i was able to improve little by little.

The first couple days went by SOOOO slow,but sunday picked up and today is Preparation day, so it should fly by...i'm hoping the days dont start to slow down again, because BOY the last few went by slow.

Yesterday Sister Dibb, President Monson's daughter taught Relief Society. Well, spoke at. She talked about how she read an obituary and had an impression to go to the viewing because the description of the 14 year old girl was so wonderful...it talked about how she loved the gospel and stuff. Then that night she had dinner with her father and told him about it, and her father had an impression to go to the funeral and he was able to testify that that little 14 year old girl was in Heavenly Fathers arms. How awesome is that? The prophet was able to comfort her parents and say she was well taken care of.

Well I'll only have 11 minutes later to recheck this so I'll go now! Later...oh and I don't know if I'll have time to get on every p-day so the dear elder letters are good too. I get those the same day you send them. haha.

Okay, bye.

Second Letter from MTC: Using Correct Language

1-26-09

And welcome to preparation day! Yes, preparation day, not p-day. Our zone is kind of strict about the most random words. Like guys . ..the sisters really get on me about that one. Personally though, I don't care too much because I am not learning the slang in Chinese, so if I say "Hey guys lets go do this" instead of "Hey Elders" I'm not going to cry about it. But if I remember and I go ahead and use the "Elders and Sisters" term.

My companion like I said before is Sister Ackerson, but I call her Sun jiemei. The U in Chinese is pronounced a little like a w. sunjiemei is pretty much the most awesome person in my zone. So how lucky that I'm her companion huh? Remember the girl who contacted me before the mission? Sister MacIsaac? Well since all the Chinese sisters room with me, she and I have met. She is a nice girl with a sweet testimony. Her blood family disowned her for joining the church 3 years ago. However, she is less peppy than she seemed. Personally, I think she is struggling with something, but I can't really blame her, I have a struggle mom won't love as well.

I have this teacher Brother Hutchings or Han laoshi. He addressed me about my wardrobe yesterday. The White Handbook says skirts need to be mid calf. I guess all mine are upper calf. Even mom's dress is too short according to his standards. So I only have 9 things ... and one is pushing it acceptable for class. That long brown dress would have worked but it wasn't in my luggage. So mom make that black skirt super long. I'll wear it under everything. And if you can make a brown or white one to wear that's plain, I'll wear a skirt under my skirts. Oh, and send me my brown dress!

Han laoshi is a nice guy but me and my companion agree when he offers criticism he has a bad teaching habit of blowing things out of proportion. He makes us feel way bad about something that could have been solved in a nicer way. With the skirts thing, he had the whole district stand up and said he saw something wrong with "all of us' so instead of saying what was wrong he made us all read the dress standards. After refusing to tell us in "the circle." After we read he rolled his chair up to sun jienei and I asked if we found anything wrong. We said no. I was wearing mom's dress that day. I was wearing an undershirt to cover my cleavage. . . But he said it was upper calf and I need skirts like sun jiemie's. Hers go to the ankles. He said I'd have to go through whatever means necessary to get longer skirts because mine don't cut it. So yeah he singled me out after pretending it was a class/district issue. It definitely escaladed the situation. I'm pretty sure I teared up and couldn't stand to be in the same room as him and his way of "handling" things, so yeah, I just dealt with it I guess. I feel awful though. I don't want to break the rules. But something Sun jiemi and I said that he was wrong in . . . he was like "Yeah the skirt you are wearing now is fine when you are sitting...but not standing!" In my experience they seem longer. But I can see it is my upper calf. I just didn't know its a big deal even though they don't show my knee.

But whatever about that . . . a weird thing with clothes. My pantyhose haven't run yet but I have gotten awful knee highs. They run every time I wear a pair. They sell those here at the bookstore though so I'm not worried about that. I just hate hose! Haha.

On a thing more fun to talk about note, My companion and I have been having fun. I sit next to the 7-week Chinese Elders at meals and talk to them if they are SYLing (Speak Your Language). But actually most of them are bad at it. They just prefer to speak English at mealtime because they do Chinese all day every day and mealtime they take a break from class...which means most of them take a break from speaking Chinese too. Too bad.

So far, I haven't learned much language wise. It's hard to because the teachers teach things I already know and during MDLS (missionary directive language study) the Elders (Zhanglao) in my district are loud and always asking me questions since the teachers aren't there. Well, plus it's hard to focus when everyone is talking around you. I have a study plan for this next week though, so I think I'll get a lot more done. Song laoshi, my other teacher, told me Saturday that from now on if we learn something I know, while he is teaching I can focus on something else. So I'm grateful for that.

Also, there is one Elder, Elder Rowley (li zhanglao) that lived in Taiwan for 3 years in my district. He just doesn't know gospel words. Plus, he doesn't know pinyin, the American way to learn Chinese. He knows characters, I'm impressed by his knowledge. Yesterday was my first opportunity to talk to him and we SYLed together. It was way helpful for both of us, for now since neither of our companions have more than a 30 word vocabulary if that. And no grammar structure at all yet. All our classes essentially have been English. We've only learned to pray and testify about a select few things at all. I'll be excited for more language focus. They are focusing in teaching us the lessons in English for now. They say though that in 2 weeks the class will be at Li Zhanglao level. So I hope that's true so I can SYL more like our teacher asked us to.

Sun jiemei is smart though! She just graduated from BYU in Middle Eastern studies, so she is well versed in Arabic. She's picking up Chinese fast. Sometimes if she only hears something once she will know it. On other sister is graduated as well with Philosophy. So half of the Chinese speaking sister are graduated.

The solo sister Tai jiemie is Sister Tedjumuli a (sp?) and she was in Gen & Annika's ward at BYU So she was excited to hear Gen and Stuart got married. She said Annika was very funny and quite the character. Haha.

Yesterday we had a talk about only being 2 good reasons to go home and Brother Allen said that it's good to want to go home, it means home was a good place, but to stop thinking about yourself. He said he didn't plan on sharing all that but then felt inspired to, so that was interesting. Well, I'll try to set up email today. You get 30 minutes...But we'll see. Thanks mom for the letter! I got it on day 2 printed out on Dear Elder on the same paper as Matt's haha. You talked about each other. It's nice to get letters cuz some weeks you don't have time. Well that's all I have to say for now.

Bye!

Fu Jiemei

Friend Letter: How's Your Companion

Flora!

Sorry, it has taken me a little to get this letter off to you. School has been like an avalanche. I have a quiz and two tests this week, a test next week, and a test the week after that. But so much has happened that I have to tell you! I took your advice, and Friday I told Matty that I was ready. So things are going along quite well for us so far I think! So there, I kept you informed! haha

Anywhoo...How's the MTC? I'm sorry that I couldn't get there to see you go in, even though I guess it would have technically been breaking the rules. Do you like the classes that you're taking and stuff like that? How's your companion situation? Is she someone that you can at least tolerate? Seriously you have to tell me all about it! I miss you, and hope that you are enjoying it. I know it's probably difficult but I'm sure things will get easier and at least you know that you have the Lord with you and that you are about his business. That has to be a great thing to know 100% that you are where the Lord wants you to be and that you're doing the things that he wants you to do! Well dear, I suppose I should get going but know that I miss you and pray for you.

Felicia

Parent Letter: Dress Code

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 26


Hello Flora, I am so sorry, I didn't see either of your emails until just now (12:38 am, EARLY Tuesday morning!) so none of us got to email you. We will try to do better next Monday. Also we got your first letter in the mail today. You are awesome. I will get your skirt and dress out tomorrow. If I can find the dress. And if I can finish the skirt, lol. I am sorry annoying Mormons are so OCD on dress codes. What a bummer. Don't let them bother you too much. It sounds like you are having a great time. Feel the spirit and enjoy your time there.

Another day of rain in South Carolina.

This morning Dad left for one of his interview trips--to Denmark and Sweden. I am really bummed I didn't get to go along. He is all excited, as usual, and trying to get people all worried about leaving. We shall see if this one pans out. Half of them never do.

Love,

Mom

Sibling Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: January 26


Hey Flora!

It is really good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear that you like your companions and teacher. It's such a small world that one of the sisters knew Annika and Gen. I hope that you are having fun in the MTC. Church has been fun lately. We have been focusing on being examples of the believers. That is the mutual theme this year. I think it is 1 Timothy 4:12. I really like it because it is a really good message, and it is something that I can definitely work on. I am also working on getting my young women hood recognition. If you have any recommendations please make sure to tell me, but make sure you stay focused and work on learning all that Chinese! I can't wait until you are actually in Taiwan and get to teach everyone. I'm so excited for you. I LOVE YOU! Have the best time and make sure to keep us all updated on what's going on!


Franny