January 9, 2017 - Week 15!

This week has been great as always! Not too much happened, but I've felt the spirit every day, and I just love it!

Last p-day after emailing, we had a miracle for lunch. We went to Papa John's for pizza, and normally, one large pizza with some drinks and other things included is 40 soles. Well, we got there, and a member was working. Returned missionary too. He had only been back for about a year. We asked about the deal that we had seen, and he made us a special missionary offer. We got 4 pizzas (any pizza, specialty or not, didn't matter) for a total of 54 SOLES, which is like $15! Crazy good deal. We each got a pizza to ourselves (8 slices). We were lead by the spirit to go there for lunch... haha. Idk if that was the spirit or just luck that time. Either way, awesome! --- We also disinfected our bathroom last p-day, because it was starting to get dirty again. Clorox on the floor and shower and everywhere, and just mopped everything. We don't have a mop, so we just got a broom wet and used that. It worked! Now it's much more clean.

- Not too fun this week was the fact that I got a bloody nose twice. Randomly just happened. Probably because I took medicine to clear congestion, but drying my sinuses maybe caused my nose to be more dry and prone to dry skin. Oh well, It's better now! It was jsut a bit awkward when we contacted and I had a tissue in my nose.

We had a great lesson this week with an investigator named Eugenia. We've been teaching hee lots, and this time was special, because at first, she was pretty sad. I guess someone else had done something that made her upset, but after we taught her, she was smiling and laughing, and she told us in a message later that we had made her feel better. She loves being taught by the missionaries, and if all goes right, we'll be baptizing her this saturday! Can't wait for that!

We also got one of our investigators named Patricia to open up to us a bit more. She's a bit timid, but now she's asking more questions and not having fear or shyness during lessons! She doesn't want to get baptized right now, but I know the spirit can put that desire in her heart when the time's right!

Funny story -- During lunch, we were talking about words that mean different things in other countries, (we were in the house of a member), and the daughter of the member, who is only about 5 years old was repeating the words. One time, she accidentally repeated wrong and said a pretty bad word in English. Elder Golder and I laughed when it happened, but noone else noticed.

The weather is so hot right now. I got sunburned this past week a bit on my arms. I'm also starting to get a tan around my watch. It's also interesting some mornings, because the clouds are low, or just because we are close to the ocean there's a lot of fog. It makes mornings really humid near the ocean.

I love the fact that I can run in the mornings for gym. It's easier here because we run before breakfast, and we're closer to sea level than in utah, so the air is easier to breathe. Also keeping the word of wisdom helps. We have strength in our bones and we can run and not be weary!

Fast sunday was better than the first. Much easier now that I'm used to the schedule. Fasting always helps with receptiveness to the spirit. It's great. Always fast with a purpose. You will see the blessings that come when you do!

There was a change in our ward bishopric this week. New bishop and new counselors. The previous bishop had only been bishop for 3 years, so it was a bit early!

FOR DAD - you never know, you could be released early. but in that case it'd probably be to change your calling to a stake one. haha

I continue to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost every day, and I just love being able to study the scriptures daily and feel a feeling of joy in my heart. I invite all of you to do all you can to become closer to God, and you will see the difference it can make!

Hope everyone is doing awesome!

-Elder Bruner