Missionary Friend Letter: Mission Will Not Be Perfect

March 6, 2009

Sister Bruno,

I've gotten your letters and now I'm the bum for not writing back. Lately I haven't been inclined to write much, but I'll do my best. I can't wait to be able to communicate through means other than pen and paper.

Not a ton has changed since I last left you. My jaw is fine now; I had a minor infection that went away quickly after I found out the diagnosis. I almost broke my big toe on the 24 of February. A church divider came and bit it with my help. Needless to say it was all black. I went in for an x-ray and nothing was wrong. I hobbled all that week. I was sick too! I puked all day at a cool member's house. I've decided that the mission wants me to leave otherwise I could be more fatally dealt with. But, I'm happy.

I'm sorry to hear about our rough times in the MTC. All I can say is hold out till your in the field. I had a rough time in the MTC, but I knew it would be just a matter of time before I was out in the field. Things just get better as you near your 2 year mark (18 months for you). Remember that. And loosen up! Don't be so tight and demand perfection out of everything. Your mission will not be perfect. The more finite points of your mission is learning improvisation and just going with what comes our way. You cannot change your mission (its taken me 21 months to figure that out) you can only change you. The Lord doesn't send you out a perfect missionary to baptize thousands. He gives you what you need to change you (I swear He's that way). He breaks you down and builds you up. But enough about that. You'll see what I mean later on. Just keep going and have faith.

I gave my going away testimony at Zone Conference. It hit me that I was going home "fa realiz. It was hard. I didn't shed a tear, but my lip quivered the whole time. My mission has changed me. I'm ready to go home a new man.

Dusty and Giselle are talking again. I don't know if they were the entire time. She was IM'ing him (at or the other way around) last Friday. That probably sounds scandalous, but I don't care. I've talked Dusty up every time I see her. Dusty needs a girl like her to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Now my thoughts are more trunky. I'm enrolling in North Harris (Maybe Cy-Fair, probably that one). But, I have to take the THEA test first. EXCITING! The problem is I have no job, but I can't fix that problem out here.

I have to say I'm not too excited to go to the singles ward. It starts at 2:30! 2:30! Honestly! I'm probably going to go, but I'm just groaning about it. I've served a mission for 2 year; I can make it to the singles ward.

I am really trunky, but there's nothing I can do about it. I can't wait to see my family. School, work, and dating are all things I can't get out of my head. It'll be a hard 30 days, but I'll make it.

I hope you're well. Keep going. Pray. He listens. Write soon and send pictures. I'll see ou around!

S.

Missionary Email: Telling Someone Not of Our Faith about God

Monday, March 2, 2009 7:01 PM

I have 5 minutes left so I'm going to write a second email today since there was none really to read except gigi's. You guys can write me on dear elder if you want. I want Gen and stuart and mom and whoever can to write me what they would use to tell someone not of Christian faith about God, because that's our biggest hang ups in our TA appointments. The atonement and to believe in god for the Chinese people. I guess because that's what's going to be what I face. So i wanted to see different peoples approach on the matter. So send me those on dear elder so I can study them. I can only read emails for seconds but if you send a Dear Elder I have it in my hand.

I thought of a funny story. My teacher in a neat freak. He is 100 percent follow the rules. I had a hard time with him at first but now I love him to death. His name is brother H. You can bleep that out online. So anyways he thinks we need to shine our shoes every day...even the sisters. I've never done it before or sister Ackerson, so we asked if he'd show us, since he used one shined shoe and an unshined shoe for an example lesson. So anyways first he told us how he had this companion, who is also a teacher here and how he shined his shoes every day for him because he was having trouble loving him. And then he proceeded to shine sister ackerson and I's shoes for us. The next day we asked him if he shined our shoes because he was having trouble loving the jiemeimen (sisters). He said Keneng. Which means maybe or possibly. Haha.

Yeah and he must have trouble loving me because lately he's picked up calling me "LAMAN de meimei" which means laman's little sister. We have tight quarters in the class and an elder kept touching me. I was kind of whining about it so he yelled "LAMAN DE MEIMEI!!!" at me. And it was recieved well by me and the whole class, so he uses it all the time now..."LAMAN DE MEI MEI, you aren't speaking Chinese! or literally, bu keyi shuo yingwen. which means you can't speak english. So yeah. I've been called laman de meimei about a million times since. Especially by elder wu who leaves tomorrow. But i made a comic for our district and he gets the know-it-all elder title. Haha, I'll send you a copy.

Latah.

Parent Letter: Going to Temple

Mon 3/09/09 10:33 AM

Hi Flora!

Hope you are having a fun PDay and getting some rest and relaxation. Do you go to the temple on your PDay or is that on a different day? I really hope that you like the MTC. I know there are a lot of rules and schedules and everything, but if you don't stress too much about it, it is an awesome place to be. I have many fond memories of my time there, and I made lots of friends.

I am always surprised by how much the members of our ward ask about you. I didn't know they had gotten to know you so well when you were here, but so many of them ask about you by name, every week. (or maybe they are just looking at that plaque up on the wall by the Bishop's office? idk) I'm sure you know by now that Lindsey Shurtliff is going on a mission. As far as I know, she doesn't have her call yet, but I will let you know when she gets it.

There is a lot of drama going on in our ward, Kelsey is living at the Stubbs' house during the week, and basically at our house on the weekends. The bishop's son (the inactive one) got a HUGE tattoo of a Catholic cross on his back. And the mom is completely freaked out about it. And other dumb stuff like that, I can't remember it all. But Desi is always buzzing about what happened, every time she goes to an activity. This morning I substitute taught for Seminary. I enjoyed it. I miss not being the Seminary teacher. It was a lot of fun, and that class is awesome. Everyone can actually read the scriptures, which makes it very nice. And they are all pretty smart.

The weather is so beautiful here. It is really getting to be Spring. I need to get a garden started. And I REALLY need to work on my lawn. I hope it is getting nicer in Provo for you. It has been a long winter. Has your coat been keeping you warm?/

This coming weekend I am going to meet 3 of my Sunstone friends in Georgia and stay in a cabin. It should be a fun getaway for me. I am looking forward to it. At least it will get me away from the computer and into real life, right? Also, I went out to lunch with real people twice this last month. So you would be proud of me, I guess. So tell me what you have been studying in your scriptures.

Love you,
Mom

MTC Devotional: Becoming A Master Teacher

Elder Yoshihiko Kukuchi of the Seventy

Provo MTC

3 March 2009

We are temples of the Lord as missionaries. Body is temple of the spirit of God.

Garments must be purified before we serve.

• Come with contrite spirit and Lord forgets our sins.
• Can retain remission of our sins.
  

D&C 88:63. Only one way to become pure. Lord's promise: even if we tear off pieces, we can become whole again.

Discipline, master, train yourself

• wake up at 6:30 am to stay awake.
• get up on time or before
• Book of Mormon fulness of gospel, need to read daily.
• Read 30 minutes daily Book of Mormon

PMG doctrine to challenge to master 1st short lesson plan, then medium then long. 2 months.

• If you master power reaching is greater.

Find yourself. Contact many people. Learn to present Joseph Smith 1st Vision. Help investigators know it.

Slow down. You will have more investigators if you learn this. Never play like a drummer.

Young boy, sick, asked God to save him. Missionaries came 11 days later. Boy said, I hate Americans, they killed my dad. Missionary said had message of a young boy like him, listened, joined Church 54 years ago.

MTC LGM: The Restoration

Provo MTC

3 March 2009

Our church is the full keyboard. Others are just a few of the keys.

D&C 90:111; Acts 3.

There is no way to make atonement effective without Restoration. Without Restoration we have NOTHING to distinguish ourselves from other churches.

Never be ashamed to testify of the Restoration. Alma 38:12 Acts 4:13, 31-32.

Taiwan Taipei District 18D: Learning the Language MTC

Sister Flora B. Entering MTC

Missionary Email: Large Amount of Sister Missionaries Coming to MTC

Monday, March 2, 2009 9:32 AM

Okay, so I don't think I'll write a lot because I don't have a lot to say and I'll probably just send Desi her own letter...but in response to my parents letters...thanks for the account update mom. I think I need to withdraw 100 more dollars when I leave for emergency cash. But that's in like 4 more weeks so nothing should really happen on my bank account for awhile. I had already withdrawn enough for a bike but I didn't want to bounce so I didn't get the emergency cash yet. I bought my missionary bag last week. It's okay. I match with all the boys in the class. The girls all found cute other ones at other stores, but I'm fine matching with the boys. That way I can bring my whole life with me everywhere I go...like laundry.

Taught the first lesson in Chinese this week. It was okay. I ting bu dong'ed (heard but didn't understand) quite a few words. There is this man...Brother Kitchen. He was one of the first 4 missionaries in Taiwan. He comes to the TA every Saturday and he was one of the 3 people in the room. There were also two girls from Taiwan. Unfortunately, Taiwanese Mandarin sounds a lot different than what we learn here in the MTC. I realize that even if I learn a lot here, it will take quite some adjustment when we get to Taiwan to understand what people are saying because the Chinese sounds a lot different. They teach a very standard Chinese here. But the girls were really helpful and changed their accent a little so we could understand more. I had the hardest time understanding brother kitchen, but it was okay, he was like a "golden investigator" for us, so it wasn't too painful at all.

The real investigator we taught 2 weeks ago decided to get baptized sometime last week. That's pretty cool that so many of us missionaries at the MTC got to be involved in teaching her. I think that would be a tremendous spiritual experience to hear the gospel every week from learning missionaries. Her baptism date is the 28th of this month. I'm excited for her. She's pretty much the most comfortable i've been in a TA because she was helpful. She also lives with one of the TE teachers who happens to be powerful when she teaches, so I wasn't surprised when I heard she was getting baptised. She has amazing examples all around her.


Hmmm..My companion was called as the new coordinating sister as all the older transfer of missionaries are gone and the last one Elder Wu leaves tomorrow morning at 3am. He's been in our district this last week, it's been cramped, but he's been helpful to us with his language skills.

We are getting 10 new sisters on Wednesday. Not kidding. 10. That's amazing. The branch president didn't believe us when we told him. Qian laoshi, one of the teachers was the one that told us this news. I didn't believe it either until Han laoshi checked it himself and confirmed. But alas, it's true. We all were like...ahh poor coordinating sister with so many sisters to be in charge of...15 sisters in the mandarin zone here at the MTC is shocking. And quite a task if any of them don't feel like keeping the rules. But they will be great and my companion will probably be fine. haha. At least in my opinion. But it should be fun. We will also get 15 Elders. It's weird without the older transfer of missionaries here anymore. But at the same time, it's our turn to the be older ones. I'm glad for them to come. We need new people to talk to at meals.

I don't really feel like writing anymore. I have 12 minutes left. I'll check my email later today I guess. Bye.

MTC District 18D Slideshow: Going to the Temple

Missionary Letter: Drama in the MTC

Monday, 2 March 2009

Dear Desi,

That's really funny about your seminary teacher. Why did they release that really preppy one? Do you know? My companion said that most people just sit in seminary & believe anything the teacher says. She was like "I get the impression your family isn't like that." And true that is.

Um this week was kind of boring. All the older cool missionaries left I miss them. And the ones we liked (the one that were actually normal people) all went to Kaohshueng (however you spell that) sad times. But there's bound to be some cool people in Taipei.

So do you want to hear some drama? Well it's not that dramatic but there's this girl here and she has some issues! She knows she's lactose intolerant, & yet some drama went down wither her 2 other companions. She's a control freak.... She flipped out that they don't let her control her & she just went crazy. She drank ridiculous amounts of milk & ate 2 bowls of ice cream.... She had to go to the hospital. Then this other sister who is gone now & her swore at each other. It was a lot of drama. I just wanted to go home at the time because everyone was being rude to my companion & me. It was just stupid...but anyway I told the teacher about the swearing & the solo sister and the sister made up over night. It was creepy. Then they ganged up on my companion and me. Sister M. drugged herself with diary. Then she had to go to the hospital, so her companions had to lover her & stuff.

Then all, that gets over & one night she's like "I think I have cancer. My adopted mom is a nurse. I could have triggered cancer from my stress." So like, she told everyone she probably had cancer & wold stay up all night then say she was sick during the day. But she got tests last week & it said she was fine so her companions are like, duh, we knew she was fine. Haha. Yeah, she's insane. It's hard to even explain. Like before the solo sister left they made Sun Jiemei & I the enemy because we were the only 2 sisters that got along.

But, yeah, they were like "You guys are bad people because you sit next to the same elders every meal.... even though they did too. I hated it. But now the solo sister is gone & she has no ally in her gossip. And my comp is the new coordinating sister. So no drama for now...at least until the new 10 sisters get here! WOOOOO psyche. I don't care.

So what's going on w/ Kelsey? Write me about life of a teenage drama queen & gossip girls & ugly betty if you see it. I'm dying. I miss Chuck's face. You should send me a picture. I will include pictures, They are for everyone. Don't be selfish.

Love ya! Bye.

Sister Fu Jiemei

Missionary Letter: M. Russell Ballard Counsels Beware of Anybody Whose Says You Won't Baptize

I received the notes from my daughter who is attending the MTC of M. Russell Ballard's 17 February 2009 Missionary Devotional:

News papers ask "Why are you perceived as not being Christian?" Response: don't understand that Church is named afer Christ. Belief came from our disbelief in the Nicene Creed. We believe we are spirit children.

They don't believe we are Christian because:

Bear testimony that God and his Son appeared to Joseph Smith and they spoke to him.

People don't know who God is.

Reality is clear to our primary children. Sad world don't know who don't know Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Ghost.

53,000 men and women trying to teach gospel.

There are 129 temples.

World thinks we are secret closed society because temples closed.

Apostles inviting media to go through temple to show we aren't secret society.

People really are in spiritual darkness.

Become master Preach My Gospel Lesson 3 and you will be successful missionaries.

Maintain a positive attitude. Absolutely essential to success.

People's first impression will be of you of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Converting people is by what they feel not what they know.

This is His Church.

I Feel converts people.

You have to believe all of the time and trust in Jesus Christ.

Counsel: Beware of anybody who says: "You won't baptize a lot." Don't believe that if you allow yourself to believe that Satan gets you. You can find teach and baptize everywhere you are going.

Internalize message of restoration and everything people teach at the MTC and in Preach My Gospel. Treasure up and learn how to present gospel. Own It...so you know you can teach any principles at any time to any situation.

Be master teachers. So he could throw any one of us to Washington Post and let us answer.

There are people who will respond to our message. You will make a lot of friends. You will sow a lot of seeds, but don't let it get into your mind that you are here for any other reason than the work.

Believe and trust in the Lord.

Moroni: who so believe doubting nothing, granted.

Preach to every creature. Believe in Christ's name often! Despair and wonder not (Mormon 9)

Alma 29: Wants to be an angel. vs. 9 I know that which Lord command. Glory In? Lord commands. This is my joy glory in God.

We are in a hurry to find Father's children.

Thanks for willingness to accept calls. Thank parents, family.

The Twelve sends us forth as ambassadors...with testimony burning in our hearts. He'll be as close as we allow him.

Excited! Upbeat!

Mosiah 2, Enos 1: Pray about it. Why should I pray to air? How do I know some divine being he speaks or would answer? How would praying help strengthen my family? Why doesn't my first baptism matter? Why would God let this happen to me if he loved me? 2 Nephi 2, Alma 60:13.

May parents and siblings be blessed.

May heavens inspire, enlighten and bless.

Greatest opportunity of our life to be servant and declare his message. May fire of testimony burn in your bones.

MTC Sacrament: Spirit Can Overcome Language Problems

Sister Lora Lee Heaton and Gary Heaton

MTC Provo

1 March 2009

Sister Lora Lee Heaton: Repent of sins weekly. You will go forth and preach. Ether can't be restrained. Having Spirit makes difference. Spirit special blessing given to bless others. People can feel what you want to say even if you never master the language.

Gary Heaton: Quoted a bunch of scriptures:

• 1 Nephi 11:26;
  
• Moses 1:33;
  
• D&C 76:19-24;
  
• Moses 1:39,
  
• Colossians 1:13-17;
• John 1:1-4;

God is all powerful, all-knowing

• 3 Nephi 27:14;
• John 1:14:
• Luke 2:40;
• Luke 2:52;
• 1 Nephi 19:9;
• Isaiah 53:3-4;
• Alma 7:11-12;
• Mosiah 15:5;
  
• Mosiah 3:5-9;
• Matthew 26:38-37;
• D&C 19:16-19;
• Luke 22:44;
• John 8:7,11;
• Matthew 9:20-22.
  
  

MTC Mission Conference: Practical Suggestions

MTC Provo

1 March 2009

Sister Anderson: Live worthily to perceive Holy Ghost. One of the greatest things of missionary work to do is work.

Vaughn Anderson (MTC District President): Testimony is precious to the souls of men.
To strengthen testimony:

• desire
• study and learn
• practice principles you learn

You don't know everything but you know enough. You must have Spirit to bear powerful testimony based on the conviction of love.

Keep in mind:

• Personalize your testimony.
• Express gratitude; explain why life is richer because of gospel.
• Be specific as possible.
• Testify of the Savior.Bearing testimony of Savior will evoke all three members of the Godhead.
• In mouth of two or three witnesses. Want members to testify with you. Involve members.
• Be bold. i.e. Only one true church.
• Slow down. Whispher to their soul's gives Spirit time to touch their souls.

Susan Breinholt: May feel hurt by family discord. I guess that man must love you. I'd give anything for my dad to look at my mom that way.

In today's world, worldly things disrupt families. Commitments easily broken. Do all you can to love and forgive and express gratitude for family members. Marriage is family hope for eternal life. Temple covenants are necessary. D&C 132:19-20

People will be confused about false doctrines about familes.

Study and then teach Proclamation of the Family.

• bless those you teach and you as well.

Will you help the people you teach understand the power their family can gain from the gospel?

Mark F. Breinholt: "Oh My Soul Hungered." Don't realize we are being prompted unless we are listenting. PMG p. 121. If you think you have it, you don't. If you overthink you have it, you won't. Give Lord willingness to submit to His will. Mosiah 3:18-19. Watch and listen because you may need to know something you learn now in 20 years. 2 Kings 5. You can do hard things.

Elizabeth Smith: Language of heart is language you learn as you grow up. Speaking language name correct. Lose your native accent if possible. Study language your entire language. Learn English it is the language of the Restoration.

Don't be picky about food, could be all they have.

• people serving you love the Lord. It's their offering to Lord and you are Lord's servant.

Don't concern yourself in the politics of your or their culture.

Cultivate tolerance (Gordon B. Hinckley).

No holier than thou attitude (Gordon B. Hinckley).

The Spirit flees when insensitive to other children.

Avoid topics that drive away the Spirit.

If you appear to be "interesting" missionary, invite your companion into the conversation.

Don't allow petty things to impede the work. D&C 24:12; 68:6.

Be a good shepherd and bring the lambs safely home.

Ralph W. Smith (MTC President): Language we use don't use inappropriately.

• Foul language is a habit and difficult to break. Can be broken immediately with right attitude.

What we think is key to self-mastery Alma 38:12 Being in control of language brings happiness.

Men of intemperate minds cannot be free. What are the passions that rule you.

What do we think about ourselves.

What does it mean to be a representative of Jesus Christ?

Older wiser people may know things we do not.

Proper teaching establishes a sense of self.

Peaces comes from preaching certain level of spiritual maturity. Choices we make are born in thoughts. Our thoughts shape us. Not responsible for thoughts put in our head but responsible for how long they stay there.

Have you decided to follow the rules and happily comply even if the rules don't make sense to you.

If your thoughts right and worthy, will be apparent in your actions. PMG p. 52

Take control of thoughts. Never greater time than now to preach.

Friend Letter: BYU School Stuff

Sister Bruno!

Sorry I've been such a bum and not written in a while. Things have just been nuts around here! Last week I had three tests and the week before that my family was here. Something has been way funny with my grades lately, it seems like no matter what I do I get B's on all my tests and papers and things. I'm not such a fan, but I got an A on a BOM test I took last week and I'm hoping I did fairly well on a Latin test I took on Friday, so hopefully my long streak of B's is coming to a close. Keep your fingers crossed.

I'm glad that you got that package Matt and I sent you, I hope you enjoyed it. We both knew you were probably missing the Hot Cheetos. . . .

Sorry that was a really long rambling thing, and you probably don't want to be bothered with it because I know you're trying to focus on doing the Lord's work, but it seems easier to talk to you about it than anyone else because you know Matt and I both so well. So, how are things in the mission? Nena was over today and was telling me that she felt like a jerk because she hadn't realized you'd left already and she didn't get to say goodbye. Just so you know she really does care, and her heart's in the right place. Has all the drama in your district or zone settled down a bit? It seems like you get along alright with the Elders and stuff in your mission. Are you feeling more confident in speaking Chinese? Did you ever run into that kid who announced in my BOM class last semester that he was going to your mission and entering the same exact day? So do you know when your official departure date from the MTC is?

Well, I should probably scoot because I have school tomorrow, but that's all that's going on in these parts. I promised that I'll try and write you more okay? Good luck! I miss you!

Felicia

Friend Letter

22 February 2009

Dear Sister Bruno,

How is missionary life? I was excited to get your pictures and your drawing. I am glad you are learning lots. I bet you are being a wonderful example to your district. Good idea on making friends with other districts to keep that Elder in check. He needs to read "Lock Your Heart" by President Kimball. Would you like me to send that to you?

. . . School is going well. I am enjoying my classes. I'm staying super busy. I'm enjoying them for the most part.

I still haven't written Rachael back yet. I could just send her a copy of this letter but this one has been WAY too personalized to you. You should feel special. Although, I am typing this letter. YOU ARE the Only one that is going to receive it.

Anyway, I just took a picture of myself and it appears that I have been putting on some weight. What do you think?

Anywho...1Corinthians 2:11 is a great scripture to use with investigators. I have been studying the NIV version of the Bible which is supposed a better translation than the KJV excepting the JST of course. Let me quote the NIV version: . . .

3/1/09

So I did it again. I started a letter and then took like 2 weeks to finish it. At least, this one isn't like 5 sentences long.

Anyway . . .

School is going really well. I have decided to be an RA next semester, I'm still waiting to interview for a summer job as a Conference Assistant here. I'll either go home or stay here.

Anyway, I know you are doing awesome. Keep up the good work. Love your teachers. I just saw one of my MTC teachers the other day. It was amazing.

Take care!

Matthew Moses