Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Everything Magnified 10X on a Mission
AHOJ MOJE RODINA A KAMARADKY!
This has been
the hardest week thus far of my mission. Which seems silly because I'm
only in the MTC... but I have found out that everything is magnified by
10x on your mission. Your spiritual sensitivity, your emotions, even
your HUNGER!
I have been feeling really frustrated with myself
because I haven't been learning the language. Czech is hard. It's really
really hard. But not just that, I feel like sometimes my priorities are
out of wack! Which was hard because I don't want to waste a single
second wasting time on myself. I have realized this week that this time
in my life, my mission, is so great because my relationship with God has
been magnified by 10x. Every emotion that I am feeling I know has been
for my benefit. As hard as it has been, and as much as I have cried, I
have learned so much. And I am trying so hard to remember the motto Joy
in the Journey. In the temple today the lyric "I am weak but thou art
strong" kept going through my head. I can't even remember what hymn that
is from... I hope it's from a hymn... I think? But it reminded me of
the scripture Alma 26:16 "I will not boast of myself but I will boast of
my God" I don't have much to boast of. My Czech is spatny (bad), my
knowledge is incomplete, but I will boast of God because through him and
his love, I can became perfect. HE SENT CHRIST FOR US! AND JESUS WANTED
TO COME! Isn't that INCREDIBLE! Please don't ever forget that. I have
been trying so hard to remember that every second because I have found
that when I think about Jesus and all he has done, I think less about
myself, and that is a wonderful feeling!
I'm trying so hard to be like Jesus. On Sunday during
Relief Society we got to hear from Janice Kapp Perry (the one who wrote
that song, and As Sisters in Zion, and A Child's Prayer, etc) And guess
what??? She rewrote the lyrics to As Sisters in Zion and now it's called
the Sisters of Zion and it's about the mission age changing and about
sister missionaries. We were the first ever to sing it! It was
beautiful. It talked about how angels will be with us as we share the
message of the restored gospel.
On tuesday we got to hear from ANOTHER apostle. Elder
Russell M. Nelson. It WAS SO AWESOME! He said the same thing.How we can
ask people who have passed on to help guide us with the work. We can
pray for angels to help us. I know all of you can pray for angels too.
It's been a really hard week for you it sounds like and
I just want to let you know how much I appreciate all of you! I know if
you pray that angels will comfort you. You can feel comfort and
security in their arms. If you are feeling lonely or sad PLEASE PLEASE
pray. I am so silly. All this time I thought I had to do stuff alone,
but it's not true. Heavenly FAther will help you and Jesus Christ will
help you. In TRC we taugh a brother and he asked what if God doesn't
answer my prayers. I thought about it for like a whole minute and then I
said, Modlite se vic protoze Buh dava odpovidet a s jedna odpovidet, vy
nepamatuji nic. (Pray more becasue God gives answers and with one
answer you will forget everything else) That is how wonderful God is.
One answer to your prayers and you can forget your other troubles.
And if you really need a laugh just imagine me,
probably the goofy-est little girl on the whole planet trying to speak
Czech... It sure makes my teachers laugh. And you know what, it's great
to laugh! It feels really good. Men are that they might have radost
(joy)!
Here's my testimony in Czech. I want to share it with you because I love you. Hopefully you can learn something from it!
s laskou
Sestra Bruno
P.S. I got my travel plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SLC to Chicago
Chicago to London (Hethrow)
London to Praca!!!!!
CAN YOU BELIEVE I LEAVE THE MTC IN 10 DAYS?!?!?!?!?! UNREAL!!!! I miss you all. Can't wait to talk to you on MAY 27th!!!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Training New Missionaries at the MTC
AHOJ Rodina a Kamaradky!
I figured I would
just write to all of you about my week because I have been running out
of time lately. Hopefully I will be able to send some of you individual
e-mails too! Sorry if I don't!!! I'll try to do better next week.
This week in the MTC=SO GREAT!
We
had mission conference on sunday which was so awesome. Some of the
topics addressed were reverence and how to become a rescuer. Since being
in the MTC I don't think I really thought much about reverence. I
figured oh yeah we are in the MTC, it's reverent. But then I realized
that sometimes it's really hard because I still want to participate in
the things of the world (not singing is probably the hardest part) and
plus our district and zone are so close so sometimes we just get really
crazy and loud. Reverence is so important in feeling the spirit though. I
am definitely starting to tell the difference of when the spirit is
strong and when it is just present and reverence has a lot to do with
it!
Our MTC president talked about how we will have the opportunity to
become rescuers and how we should cherish that. I hope that sometime
this week all of you will take time to talk to someone that isn't a
member about the church. You all are probably better at it then me! We
challenged the person that we taught this week at TRC to do it, and I
want to challenge all of you to do it as well. Even if it is just
mentioning that you are a member, or telling them to visit lds.org or mormon.org
or you could just post a mormon message on facebook. The more people
that see it, the better. I can't wait to go out and share the TRUTH! And
the truth is that the church is true!
At this weeks devotional we got to hear from some
really cool people. One of them was a former NFL player, Chad Lewis.
Look up his mormon.org profile because he is so cool! We also got to be ushers. It was so awesome. I felt like a flight attendent.
We also got the chance to be the missionaries that help
teach the new missionaries that come in every week. I don't know if
they did this when you were missionaries but the first day when the new
missionaries come they go in a big room and they teach a member, almost
like TRC but with a big group. They start off with two missionaries
though and me and my companion were those missionaries! It was soooooo
awesome. One of the investigators was an amputee who had an amazing
experience with God where he talked to him and heard his voice. His
story was amazing. I was just glad to be in the room. I felt the spirit
soooooo strongly. I can't wait until I am in the field doing this and
expressing God's love for the people. They need to hear it because it's
so true!!!
Also this week we get to be host for all the newbies at
the MTC. I feel like a pro here. 9 weeks is a really long time I am
figuring out. The language has been the biggest struggle this week. I
feel like I don't know anything. still. Which has been hard because I
think I am working so hard, but I retain almost nothing. NOT FUN! Czech
is so crazy because there are these things called cases were every noun
in a different situation changes the ending and every pronoun does it
too. It's so hard, but so good. I am learning so much. and luckily I
have two more weeks to learn more!!!!
I miss you all. Tell me about your life. Tell meyour summers. JUST TELL ME EVERYTHING!!!!
Love you all
s lasku
Sestra Bruno
Friday, May 3, 2013
Prospective Arrival of Missionary to Czech/Slavak Mission
Brother and Sister Bruno:
Dear Parents of Missionaries coming in on May 28th,
We are looking forward to meeting our new missionaries at the end of next month. There will 16 of them – 8 Sisters and 8 Elders. We are delighted!
J
When they arrive I will email you (at least - as soon afterwards as I can) to ensure you of their
happy and safe arrival. This email may come later on the 28th or early on the 29th - depending on whether or not the flight is on time.
I will also email a photo of your missionary with President and Sister Irwin and another photo of them
with their companion.
May 28th is a Tuesday. They are expected to arrive at 2pm.
The usual procedure is for the new missionaries to stay in Prague
overnight. The next day they have an orientation with President and
Sister Irwin and then go
to their area with their companion – again this depends on if the
flight is on time or not.
Those serving outside of Prague have their P-Day on Mondays so you can expect an email from them then. Those serving
in Prague have their P-Day on Saturdays.
Attached is some information regarding sending letters and parcels. This is very important so please
print it out and keep a copy. Also – please share this with friends, family and ward members who will likely send mail to your missionary.
It is appropriate, if you wish, to send a letter and/or package to them
now so that there is mail waiting for them when they arrive.
J
As explained in the attachment your missionary’s special 4 number code is:
1281
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
With warm regards from …
Sestra Judy Munro
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Czech/Slovak Mission
Executive Secretary
Mail to the Czech/Slavak Mission
Mail to the Czech/Slavak Mission
|
Information for Missionaries,
Families, Relatives and Friends.
When you read this information you may
think it seems really extreme.
It’s so different from what you’re used
to. It’s just the way it is here. J
The
rules of the US Postal Service DO NOT APPLY to
the Czech Postal Service.
Below are some helpful
guidelines to use when sending letters and packages to the Czech/Slovak
Mission. If any of these guidelines are
not followed exactly, the package or letter may not arrive at the mission
office and may be lost in transit.
Please share this information with family, friends and Ward members who
may send letters and packages!
ALL
LETTERS:
Please list the name of the
missionary AFTER the name of the
church on Mail Letters ONLY.
If the missionary’s
name is placed first, the letter will not always arrive. Below is a correct example:
Církev Ježíše Krista
Elder/Sister (Surname)
Badeního 1
Prague 6 160 00
Czech Republic-Europe
Letters and packages are delivered at least once
a month to missionaries outside Prague when trips are made to their respective
city. When correctly addressed, packages
and letters normally arrive in a couple
of weeks. Please allow a month when sending something for a birthday. Christmas parcels should be sent by the end
of October.
DO NOT WRITE YOUR MISSIONARY’S NAME OR THE NAME OF THE CHURCH on PACKAGES!
ALL PACKAGES:
DO NOT WRITE YOUR MISSIONARY’S NAME OR THE NAME OF THE CHURCH on PACKAGES!
What do I write on the USPS shipping manifest?
o List the recipient as David R. Irwin.
o Write the address as per this box opposite.
Return Address
4 digit code
David R. Irwin
Badeního 1
Prague 6 160 00
Czech Republic-Europe
4 digit code
o The package must be listed as a gift.
o The total declared value must not exceed €40 Euros (roughly $49).o (If you need to send more than €40, separate into multiple packages.)
o Make sure you list the items in the package and give them a value.
o Do not list any items as having ‘no value’ or ‘$0’.
This will raise red flags at the Customs Police.
What items can I include in a package?
o You can send clothing, candy, pictures etc.
o Do not send - Medication, Beef Jerky, or Peanut Butter. They will be stopped at Customs.
How will the Mission know which Missionary the package is for?
o Each missionary is given their own 4 digit ‘packages code’. This will be sent to missionaries and their families the month before they arrive in the Mission.
o Please write this number clearly on the bottom right hand corner of the package as well as up by the return address - so if our postal service covers one number, as they often do, we can see the other number easily.
How long does it take for mail to arrive?
o When correctly addressed, packages and letters normally arrive in a couple of weeks. Please allow a month when sending something for a birthday. Christmas parcels should be sent by the end of October.
What do I write on the USPS shipping manifest?
o List the recipient as David R. Irwin.
o Write the address as per this box opposite.
o The package must be listed as a gift.
o The total declared value must not exceed €40 Euros (roughly $49).
o (If you need to send more than €40, separate into multiple packages.)
o Make sure you list the items in the package and give them a value.
o Do not list any items as having ‘no value’ or ‘$0’.
This will raise red flags at the Customs Police.
What items can I include in a package?
o You can send clothing, candy, pictures etc.
o Do not send - Medication, Beef Jerky, or Peanut Butter. They will be stopped at Customs.
How will the Mission know which Missionary the package is for?
o Each missionary is given their own 4 digit ‘packages code’. This will be sent to missionaries and their families the month before they arrive in the Mission.
o Please write this number clearly on the bottom right hand corner of the package as well as up by the return address - so if our postal service covers one number, as they often do, we can see the other number easily.
How long does it take for mail to arrive?
o When correctly addressed, packages and letters normally arrive in a couple of weeks. Please allow a month when sending something for a birthday. Christmas parcels should be sent by the end of October.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tearing People Down on a Mission
I'M HALFWAY DONEEEEEE, with the MTC. And man oh man, I couldn't be
more excited to get to the Czech Republic... and then I think, oh wait, I
don't know Czech so I guess I can wait another 4 weeks to go!
This week has been really hard for me.
Tuesday's
devotional they called us to repentence and I wasn't even really sure
what I needed to repent of but I just felt so horrible afterwords that I
went home and prayed forever. I am so guilty of comparing myself to
other missionaries because I guess I'm just used to being pretty good at
things and my how the tables have turned. I seriously needed to ask God
to forgive me for looking at the other missionaries and being jealous
of their wonderful talents. I just realized how terrible it is to break
people down just so that you can feel better. I feel so terrible for
ever having done that to anyone. It's just not worth it, because you
actually get strengthened by being able to experience everyone's talents
and you get to grow!
I just started teaching a new "investigator" because
we are at the part where we teach each other. And it wouldn't be so bad
except that all the Czech sisters got paired up to teach one of the
Slovak sisters so I am teaching a girl named Kathy... who is Catholic...
by myself... in Czech and she is speaking Slovak back and then she
teaches me in Slovak and I speak Czech and it is just a HOT MESS. (I
hope that made sense) Just to be clear Slovak and Czech are like 90% the
same, but still there are times where she might as well be speaking
Chinese beacuse I don't understand her at all... That might be because
she is just a way better speaker than I am... probably that is the
reason. Anyways I taught Kathy about the Restoration and she basically
told me that she didn't believe something like that could happen, so I
just didn't know what to say, so I just handed her the Restoration
pamplete, told her to read it and said that I would explain it better
the next time I came. Then later that day we had 2 board displays and I
just didn't understand anything that my teachers were teaching me and I
felt really stupid, which is kind of hard for me. (MAN! What a
smartaleck I must have been before coming here! Sorry about that!!! )
The MTC never ceases to humble me! I can't tell you how many times I
have realized what I have been doing is wrong! So after that horrible
horrible day, I just cried and cried and cried and had a minature panic
attack because I just didn't feel like a very good missionary! And I
felt like I didn't understand Czech, and that I was just a huge idiot
and I was confused why I was going to the Czech Republic and learning
this language, which my teachers tell me is one of the hardest languages
ON THE WHOLE PLANET TO LEARN(which is not comforting by the way, it
just makes it worse). I just felt like a giant, huge, fat failure. Then I
just prayed for what felt like 15 minutes. And then the next day
luckily was Sunday so we got to have Relief Society and a Devotional and
I was also praying for comfort. I can't tell you how many answers I
recieved yesterday. Elder Allen, a general authority who is the managing
director of the MTC told us that if we have felt inadequate, it doesn't
mean that we are horrible people, it just means that we are becoming
missionaries. Then he reassured me that I am here for a reason, and I'm
learning to speak Czech for a reason. It just made me feel soooooo much
better!!!!
Then my companion was really sick yesterday and I didn't know what
to do and we had to go back to our room early and missed the movie and I
was just so nervous for her, but she is doing a lot better now and
everything is good.
Anywhoooooo this week, not my best. But I learned a
lot. And I have grown and that's worth the hard times. Also sorry if
this e-mail sounds like I'm complaining because I promise that's not
what I am trying to do!!!!
TELL ME HOW EVERYONE IS DOING!!! I feel like I haven't
heard from any of you in a really long time. HOW IS THE SUMMER GOING?
Has Michael graduated yet? I want to see pictures!!!! I miss you
all!!!!!!!!
s lasku
Sestra Bruno
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