Missionary Friend Letter: End of Mission

March 14, 2009

Sister Bruno,

Hey, hadn't heard from you in a while. I thought I'd send you a poke. I hope things are going well. I wonder what your up to. You're probably studying your little brains out trying to learn Chinese. I wonder how that's going. Is it still difficult? (Dumb Q) Stick with it though. Nothing worth it was ever easy except for easy chease. Anyway Be strong and of good courage. (You can read that in Joshua 1) The Lord will not forsake you, fear not, neither be dismayed (Joshua is so cool!) Anyway, enough of MTC/mission drama or anxieties.

Nothing new has happened as I like. I had my last interview with Prez in the field, all I have left is the going home speech the night before I head home. I'm ready.

Today was Sunday. Church was soo long today. I was starving towards the end. Luckily we had 2 dinners tonight. Tonight is numbers night too. I hate Sundays because: 1) reports 2) meetings and 3) numbers. (You'll soon figure this out).

Anyway. I'm figuring everyone has decided to be taught by missionaries after I leave. I'm pretty upset, but oh well what do I care. I'm leaving in 24 days for home. A lot of good it'll do me to th ink of those kinds of things before I leave.

I've found what Gene Machelhue said about soldiers to be true about missionaries: "they don't die, they just fade away." I feel like I'm fading away. I'm sad my mission is ending.

But! I'm happy to begin true life (You've already heard this song and dance.) I won't go on with it. I'll simply tell you instead "Be good. Be safe." And Luke 17:32. Looking back was not the sine. Doubting what the Lord could give was. Wanting to go back is not the answer. Always remember D&C 78:17-18.

I hope this finds you well,

Elder S.

Parent Letter: RE: Goodbye Alice, In Wonderland‏

Mon 2/16/09 10:24 AM

Nihao, Fu jiemei,

I LOVE your emails!! I'm glad you got our box, and I'm glad you got some hot cheetos. That was the one thing I felt bad we couldn't find.

I am excited that you got to teach a real investigator. There is nothing like the spirit you feel when you can teach the gospel and when a sincere seeker of the truth feels the spirit. I think it is really valuable that they do that in the MTC now. Back when I was there they didn't have that program where you teach actual people. It was always just your teacher or people in your district.

Once again not much is new in our lives. The kids had off of school on Friday and again today for President's Day. If one more person tells me they are bored I will cut my head off!! Last night Nikki slept over at the Waters' and Kelsey slept over here, and Michael slept over at Travis'. The new family in the ward, (do you remember the Butlers? Holly is Franny's age) had a party last night and invited everyone except us. Desi and Franny found out when they were texting some of their friends, who were over there. Michael went, too, because he was already over at the Wright's. So Desi and Franny were crying and wailing and so sad that we were such losers we did not get invited. I felt bad for them. I even cared for about one second, and then I was like, oh well. Dad didn't care at all. lol.

I want to go back on my diet because I am gaining weight again.

It was warm and in the 70's for a few days last week, but now it is cold again. Desi and Franny want to go to the beach. Maybe it will be warm enough in a few weeks.
We all love you and are very proud of you
Love,
Mom

Missionary Friend Letter: Happenings from the Field

11 March 2009

Dear Sister Bruno,

If this catches you, it will be mere moments before you leave the MTC. Please excuse how long it took this letter to reach you. It was against the rules to write while within walking distance of you.

Hello from Modesto, California! This place is like a dry version of Spring, Texas. Seriously. It's spooky. Any day I'm half expecting to run into Elder Courtright's family.

Oh,oh! Do you remember when Elder Garn (of the 2nd Seventy) told a story about a Tongan Elder tracting into his sister in California? That Tongan Elder is my trainer! Wildness!

I've been thinking about you a lot. Everyone in California use the word "sick" to describe everything. So, two or three times a day, I'm reminded of you.

With that, I'll sign off. I'm working on a cardboard statue of myself, and it needs some attention.

Elder Christian Burstall

Missionary Friend Letter: Miracles in the Mission Field

11 March 2009

Hey everyone!

Here's the letter I owe you. My mission president only allows 30 minutes to email both him and family, so a letter it is.

First things first, how are all of you doing? Hopefully the language is coming along--you'll certainly need it. But anyway, on to the part you care about.

Right after we got picked up at the airport, they took us straight to the Bronx to street contact for 2 hours. Let me tell you, street contact role playing in the MTC is fake. It's hard. (Especially in Chinese, but more on that later.) Afterwards we went back to the mission home to enjoy the night.

The next day I met my trainer and get my area assignment: Manhattan Chinatown (Tang ren jie)--no surprise there. What was a surprise is the fact that my trainer has an English speaking calling, and no, he's not Chinese either. Turns out, a year ago, he served three move periods in Tangrenjie, but he's forgotten a bit. His Chinese is probably on par with mine or a little less. So much for your trainer bailing you out!!

Next, I find out we're whitewashing the area. This means your companionship is completely replacing the companionship in the area, so to figure out what's going on, you need to rely on the area book. Too bad they haven't updated it in two months. (Let this be a lesson--keep a good area book!)

But enough horror stories. On to the miracles! Miracle #1: Somehow we live on $20 a week without members ever feeding us. Talk about feeding the five thousand. Miracle #2: the Lord always provides a way for you to succeed, no matter what level you're at. We managed to get a pretty awesome baptismal commitment for the 22nd, who's already invited a friend to be baptized with her haha. Miracle #3: we have been able to teach despite a crippling inadequacy with the language. It's almost like God has already gven them what they need, because we sure didn't say it well. But yes, this is truly His work, and fun too (though Tiring)!

Just some quick advice to finish off. When street contacting, don't waste time introducing yourself as a missionary. Jump right in, ask them if you can ask a question, and then give them a question of the soul. Otherwise, you'll probably get a "Mei you kong" or "mei you shijian" or maybe a "wo xin Fo", actually you probably still will most of the time haha. Along the same vein, try to practice street contacting there @ the MTC because out here, you contact alone, no trainer to back you up.

Also, really work on specific commitments that target why. Your lesson should be focused on explaining that, and especially your promised blessings. Explain why they would want to follow God, how they can specifically apply it, and alleviate potential, often real, but unvoiced concerns. For example, if you want them to come to church, explain that church is really a big family, and we go there to strengthen each other and be strengthened. Tell them there's a place for everyone, children included. Show them around and explain things to them. Have them write down the commitment, so they remember and solidify it. If they're not keeping commitments, then you are not fulfilling your purpose (some cases really cannot be helped though).

In all things, remember that you are a representative of the Lord, and carry all the power, authority and responsibility that such a calling entails. Act and speak as if you were the Savior and the miracles will never cease.

Love ya all,

Elder Wu

P.S. I can say "guys" now! Envy me.

P.S.S. Taiwanese accent is awesome. Try dealing with like 10 different ones.

Sibling Letter: Interviews in the Church and On Missions

Dear Sister Bruno,

This week has been seriously ridiculous like no one's business. I have had a million things to do because we are right at the end of the second midterms the ones that come right before finals. It is strange that you can't start to really just get into a pattern and than boom things change that was how I always felt about my mission once you get into a comfort zone you leave the MTC or get transferred to a new area haha. So once again it is time to move and I think that I will live like a few blocks away from where I am living now so I will still be close to campus.

So in life, well Desi got a job which you probably know. Annika is still looking for one to go with her one hour of being a TA a week ha ha nothing new there. She is deciding where to nanny this summer, but wants to go o California so I hope she finds something. Genevieve and Stewart are pretty much the same really happy and honeymoonie (barf?) haha they are still trying to get pregnant but no luck so far ha ha. I am still boring and not dating anyone but working on it lol. I am starting to actually get serious about doing a study abroad my dream is to go to Jerusalem so I am starting to actually put in my applications and such so we will see.

I am studying the New Testament so that is always exciting and we have a test this week on Acts and Corinthians. I never realized how applicable they are to missionary work, but since Paul was a missionary who went to all of the Gentiles I guess that makes sense. I restarted the Book of Mormon also and I was reading Joseph Smith's account of when Moroni appeared to him. I liked how when he met each year before he got the plates with Moroni he called it an interview. In the church we have a lot of interviews and since the structure is divinely inspired I was wondering what it is about interviews that God thinks is so important. I was thinking about my mission, and how much I looked forward to our president's interviews because they gave us an opportunity to reevaluate where we were and to remind us of our role and to rededicate ourselves but also to get instruction from someone who really did have stewardship over us. I love that God gives us that opportunity. . . . and has since they very beginning since Joseph went to get the plates. Ne ways keep you eye single ha ha.

Ti Voglio Bene
=G=

MTC Scripture Study: Trials

3 April 2009

D&C 100:12 continue your journey and let your heart rejoice.

D&C 100:2 follow me and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you.

D&C 100:15 Let heart be comforted, all things work for your good.

Mark 5:36 Be not afraid.

Alma 36:3 trust in God supported in trials.

D&C 136:29,31 sorrowful call on Lord to be joyful, trials necessary to prepare for glory.

D&C 54:10 patient in tribulations, sought early find rest.

D&C 58:4 with tribulation comes blessings.

D&C 122 tribulations for experience and good. vs. 8 God descended low. Not what man can do.

MTC Devotional: Power of the Resurrection

Elder James J. Hamula and Joyce Hamula

MTC Provo

10 March 2009

Joyce Hamula

1 Nephi 3:7

Mission president is there for you.

You are called to teach wonderful people about Jesus.

Be best you can be.

The Lord will be with you every step.

James J. Hamula

Appreciate the fact that you have been set apart from the world.

Apostles were ultimately rejected. Restoration came through Joseph Smith. Once you understand why sent and what to accomplish you can go forth.

Once know doctrines you can teach.

1. Doctrine of Creation (Who God is and who we are)
2. Fall of Adam
3. Atonement

God is all powerful.

Jesus can improve man's view of God.

We are offspring of Almighty God.

Adam and Eve subjected us to death.

Death of body is separation of body from Spirit.

Jacob-if flesh rise no more, subject to Devil. We are separated from God. Lucifer is ever present. Man is lost and fallen.

Christ's resurrection loosened the band of death.

• Resurrection is free and unconditional to all.
• Can restore man to God.
• Will be privileged to stay with God.

Power of resurrection amazing, but not free.

Manifest repentance by baptism and gift of the Holy Ghost.

True salvation comes only through faith in Christ.

D&C 76:40

3 Nephi 27:19-21

Nobody can dwell with God without Jesus Christ.

D&C 33:7-10

Turn away from old life receive baptism.

Inspire faith and repentance. Motivate them to desire baptism and understand the Holy Ghost.

D&C 80 go into world...even Jesus Christ amen.

Your message is vitally important. Find every possible way to bring others to Christ.

D&C 101:3 expedient for salvation of souls speak thoughts I put in your hearts. In doing that conversion occurs.

John 7:17 If we interested in conversion, invite investigators to live

Numbers 11:4-6 May have manna so often we lose sight of significance and want to go home.

Numbers 11:24 gather, bring tabernacle. Gathered 70 men, prophesied testifying of Jesus.

Purpose of the 70 declare witness.

Declare your witness of Christ.

MTC Instruction: Baptizing and Confirming

MTC Provo

10 March 2009

PMG was created to baptize more people.

Missionary work to spread the gospel.

D&C 88:73

In last 10 years missionaries baptizing one-half as back then.

With concerted effort and sincere prayer we could double our numbers (wants 600,000 a year)

Ch. 1 PMG got the most attention of any other.

Missionaries lose sight of their purpose.

The purpose as missionary has changed from simple conversion (that's it) to service, retention, activation.

Missionaries got carried away with service and retention and started baptizing less.

Never meant to be more important than baptizing.

Wanted to make Ch. 1 more cheap.

Overcome fall through Atonement.

Purpose of missionary work is to baptize others.

Baptism is outward manifestation of conversion.

D&C 4:4 harvesting is baptizing

Matthew 28:19

Primary role is to baptize. Desire convert baptisms.

Our central commission (purpose) is to teach and baptize all nations. Must not dedicate strength and energy on other things no matter how worthy (service, less actives etc.) We do these things to teach.

Believe You Can Baptize

No mission is easy.

Baptizing should be your primary goal.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't baptize.

Alma 26:22

The capacity you have to baptize is directly proportionate to preparation, obedience, and capacity as a teacher.

Hear about great missionaries in past, but think of ourselves as average. Don't stop believing in spite of where you are going.

President Monson closed area not baptizing until all old missionaries were gone. Then told them how that area was new and Brigham Young had baptized 40 in one month, all of sudden everyone wanted to go to that area, it became highest baptizing area in mission.

If not sure you can baptize, we all can repent.

Small and simple means. Little things make big difference.

Alma 37:6-7

# new investigators, members present, # attend church, # with baptismal date

If you want to double baptisms have to double everything.

• Find more people.
• Get more to church.
• Invite people to be baptized from beginning.
• Focus on whom Lord prepares.
• Teach through Spirit.
• Help people progress.

D&C 123:12

D&C 6:3

Alma 37:17

D&C 82:10

D&C 1:38

Missionary Email: Difficulty in Language Learning

Monday, March 9, 2009 4:58 PM

Mom, subject is a recent scripture I read. To be honest, I spend so much time talking about the gospel and studying the gospel that on P-day I don't feel like writing about it most of the time. Maybe that's a lack I have, and maybe that will change in the field, as situations will be real life and actual, but for now, sorry, but I don't feel like spending my 30 minutes on my email talking about scripture study. Ask me in April. Not to mention I asked you people a geniune question and only Gen answered. Haha. So answer that and maybe then I'll talk about my scripture study. But it won't be that interesting. I'm reading Isaiah in the 2nd Nephi and I don't get it and I don't love Isaiah. Maybe one day, but I doubt I'll ever be like mom when it comes to Isaiah.

Dad, you shouldn't have read my letter to Desi. That was to her and you responded to it like it was addressed to you. If you don't want to tell me about Ugly Betty, I don't blame you for not. But you don't have to act like some TV show is going to be distracting for me. In fact, I'm so focused on some other stuff, I doubt besides when I was reading a letter that talked about it, that I would ever think about it. It personally wouldn't be distracting, maybe it would be for you. But yeah, whatever.

Thanks Gen for answering my question. I guess that makes sense, even though it wasn't what I was looking for. I was more looking for a way to explain what you said. I get that it's agency that makes people believe in god and that's a really important concept, I guess I'm just wondering how to explain it better in the scriptures. I haven't found a whole lot that talks about our relationship with God. But I don't have much time to study it since we are working on the plan of salvation right now. in like 2 weeks I can go back and study it more in depth because we'll go back to lesson one and god is our loving heavenly father and stuff.

In bad news, my glasses got broken last week. I know mom probably wants to kill me about this news, but I'm grateful for the contacts. Life happens and you can't really go back and change it. It was actually really annoying when they broke because they weren't even pressed that hard. The plastic is cheap. I don't know why they snapped so suddenly. I also don't know if you guys want me to look into changing them or just wait. You'll have to send me a Dear Elder today and tell me. My companion told me about zennioptical.com you might want to look into it. She bought her glasses for 8 dollars plus 5 dollars shipping and handling. She says they are the right prescription and everything. They come from Hong Kong and hers are really cute. I was thinking maybe you could get Michael a pair if they really are that cheap like she says. I was also thinking if she got them so cheap from Hong Kong, they can't be too expensive in Taiwan so maybe I should wait...but The lenses are fine in my glasses, so I wonder how easy they are to fix here...they got snapped on the nose piece in the middle...so is it like possible to sauter them back together or something for a decent price? What's the deal on that? I'm really sad about this situation and sorry, but like I said I'm not going to worry about it because I can't go back and change the situation.

I'm also starting to think what I want to do with all my stuff. There are some books I don't want to bring to Taiwan and I just want to get rid of some of my weight. Should I send it all to Gigi in 3 weeks or what? Also some unapproved clothes, since I wont be able to wear them. Also, can someone check online and see if they rent in Taiwan temple? If they do I think if you haven't bought Gigi temple clothes she can have mine. I never use them because they rent for free in Provo. Before I heard that Taipei doesn't rent clothes, but I heard here that Taipei does rents clothes for free to missionaries, in which case I've never worn my temple clothes and my dress is an extra small short (it looks like the ones in the temple, so if you don't want it gigi i understand that too, but the one like in the temple was the only one i even liked, and that way you could go more and not pay to go) and I'd rather give them to Gigi than carry the weight. So look into that and let me know on that too.

Um this week is mostly boring. I just studied all the time, which is why today I am almost anti talking about it too much because I studied to the point of brain exhaustion, i also lost an hour of sleep. I've learned I can memorize about 50 words in an hour and a half, which most people think in no small feat, but I hate doing it, because when I finish I want to shoot myself in the head from the stuff swimming around there.

I'm going to write my friend Michael about missionary life in the MTC because he asked, maybe I'll copy it and send it to dad so he can be happy and stop telling me to type about that. Haha.

Okay well, i only have 5 minutes left. Sorry I didn't have much to say this week, but I don't love the MTC and I'm just pretty much ready to get out of here. I leave 4 weeks from tomorrow. At least I'm getting used to it. They have good devotionals and I love Sundays because we get firesides and a movie. I also really like Song and Han laoshi, my teachers. They are pretty awesome guys. Funny guys. Song laoshi is so fidgety it's hilarious, he spins around on the door stop as he teaches. I think it's amusing. :)

Did you know that the humidity in the air here is 5-10 percent? Everyone feels and looks like lizards. I've had a couple health problems thanks to it, like nose bleeds. It's ridiculous. Taiwan will be a nice change for my skin and my throat and my nose. haha.

Missionary Email: Missionary Worthiness

Monday, March 9, 2009 9:05 AM

Just for your information I am district D, not district A. Um, lets see, this week has been pretty regular. Nothing out of the ordinary, a girl wanted to go home, but decided to stay, can't blame her because I was the same way. MTC life is pretty much a different environment than the rest of the mission. You aren't really doing mission work quite yet, it's demanding on your body in a whole different way because you are constantly in books, there is a lot of pressure about worthiness, so someone who is perfectly worthy may feel guilty about past sins, and those are just a couple things I've noticed other people say or things I think as well.

To be honest I need to be better about obedience. But I guess personality/lifestyle behaviors don't change overnight. I'll probably conform to mission life slowly over time.

MTC Instruction: Improving Our District

MTC Provo

9 March 2009

SYL language of faith

Young can help old.

Luke 4:18

Good personal study makes difference.

Less selfish, more humble, wish expected less, be grateful for everything.

"When it happens to me it happens to all."

D&C 123:17 change now

Gift of tongues

Love your companion, be humble.

Companion inspired of God, if the whole is against you, if you are unified can do anything.

Atonement. Places Christ suffered are what go through to salvation.

Alma 26:27

D&C 121

Accept feedback. SYL.

Always give credit to God for success.

Rely on Lord for everything.

D&C 35:13 can't do anything without Spirit.

Jeremiah 51:20

D&C 84:80

MTC Instruction: Role Plays

MTC Provo

9 March 2009

Some don't take seriously.

Volunteer at TA.

We don't take enough control as teachers.

Take person playing role for granted.

Go too deep into doctrine.

Doubt revelation.

Take control of situation and realize they need something.

Read Alma 5:49 once through before role plays.

Role plays although simple are profound.

Sibling Letter

Missionary Name: Sister Flora Bruno
Mission: Provo MTC
Date Submitted: March 9


Hey! Yeah dad read your letter to me before i read your letter to me so sorry.... I made you a card and sent you a letter in the real mail so expect that to be coming soon. Nothing really happening here. I made up my mind and im going to BYU-Hawaii! Well yeah i wrote about other stuff in my letter so Ill let you read that whenever you get it!
Love You
Desi

Sibling Letter: Enjoy the Cheesecake

Dear Sister Bruno,

By now you will probably think it is strange to have a first name. I know that actually you stopped wanting to tell people what my first name was because it just did not seem to be appropriate haha. So I do not think that you will get this before Monday but I thought that I would try because I know you cannot get mail on Sunday. . .

So I am teaching the Relief Society lesson tomorrow and it is about the field is white already to harvest so I am preparing a missionary lesson and really excited about it honest. I cannot write you about it yet because I have not finished preparing so I do not know exactly what it will say but I will write you an email on Monday about how it went, prolly during the Acccounting review which I will not be paying attention to...wohoo for laptops.

Um for now that is all, sorry that this letter is lame but it is a letter and that is better than I usually do. I love you, by now you are prolly sick of the food but eat a no bake cheesecake for me and enjoy it, because soon enough you will be back home eating off of Ramon because you are broke hahah. I love you..enjoy every second!

Ti Voglio Bene
=G=

Sibling Letter: Get Companions For A Reason

Dear Sister Bruno,

This week has been terrible. I have been sooo sick with the flu. Other than that I have been getting into midterms so that is always awful. I am glad that you are friends with your district. I seriously believe that you get your district and your MTC companions for a reason. I am sorry about the drama haha you can tell me if you want, but do not have to... I am sure that it will get better though because you are trying to be Christlike and that is enough.

This week I decided to graduate in December so that will make exactly 8 semesters of school and I will be done before I am 23 so that will be good. I am nervous because that means that I will be single still but perhaps God wants me to go somewhere else to find my EC. I know...yuck. So I have to take the LSAT and GMAT and apply to grad school. I will let you know where I get in. We will see.

This week in my New Testament class I found my new favorite story in the New Testament. You should look it up. I feel like I am like Rhoda. So in Acts 12 a grumpy angel frees Peter from prison, so Peter goes and knocks on the door of Mary's house, and Rhoda goes to the door and hears that it is Peter...so instead of opening the door she runs to tell everyone that Peter is at the door and leaves him standing there hahahaha I am not sure what spiritually uplifting message we learn from this but I loved it. I love that every time I read the scripture I pick up new things that didn't seem as funny the last time.

I love you. Keep on keeping on. You are amazing.

Ti Voglio Bene
=G=

MTC Sacrament Meeting: Angels

Richard I. Heaton

MTC Provo

Someone called missionaries angels.

D&C 42:6

2 Nephi 32:1-3

Angels speak by power of the Holy Ghost.

PMG Ch. 4 Salvation

PMG p. 96 Activity

Recognizing Promptings

Verse Summary Experience

D&C 6:23 Did I not speak peace? Work challenges

D&C 11:12-14 Enlighten our minds Improve teaching

D&C 8:23 Thought, mind, feeling to love Daughters can

MTC Fireside: Pride

President Liu

MTC Provo

8 March 2009

For crude times, where we are taught assertiveness, humble people overlooked but important in the world.

When try to be too humble overlook goodness in people.

D&C 4 requirements for missionaries

Matthew 18:1-4 become as little children

Mosiah 3:17 put off natural

Ether 12:23 come unto me

If you think you have humility. PMG p. 120

Pride is universal, the great vice usually results in anger and hatred.

MTC Sacrament Meeting: Being Virtuous

Elaine S. Dalton (Young Women's President)

MTC Provo

8 March 2009

This is the temple. MTC fells like the temple because of the Spirit.

Leave to God to order and provide.

May feel like we are on a hill. Hills test us, our strength, etc.

We see daughters of God, who stand as witnesses. Shine through the world.

Testimony will be your engine through your faith.

Lord added virtue to YW theme for our day.

Virtue is purity, chastity (core) comes from arete, moral purity. Very virtue of life will change the world.

We feel good about ourselves when we are doing what Heavenly Father asked us to do.

All the city did know Ruth is a virtuous woman.

People will know if you are virtuous. To be called virtuous is the supreme compliment.

Can one virtuous woman led by the Spirit change the world? Yes, she can and will.

Esther understood her identity and risked her power to save her people. She knew how to draw on heaven's power to get through trails.

Love the hills, they make you taller and the view is wonderful.

When fast and pray can pull on powers of heaven.

Purity gave her power.

When you go to King of Kings, he will accept you, hear and answer prayers.

She will pray for us missionaries every day.