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.