October 9, 2017 – Week 54!

This week was pretty good!

To start out, we had a baptism on Saturday! Hna Esther was baptized, after having had visits from the missionaries for more than 4 years. Now was her time. God prepares people, and as missionaries we have to really listen to the guidance of the spirit to know what He would have us do. I know that to be true. A baptism is never easy, and many times trials will pass by. Whether it be trying to heat up water using a huge pot on a stove in the kitchen of the church, or accidentally locking the keys in the sacrament meeting room and having to use whatever long pole was available in the church to reach them through a barred window, things will work out as you rely on God and have faith! It was a joy in the ward to have this baptism though. Hermana Esther knows many members, so there was a lot of support from the ward during the baptism and after as well!

I was able to confirm Hna Esther on Sunday. From what I remember, I think it was my first confirmation, and it went well! Hermana Esther's mom was able to come to church as well for the 1st time, and as able to see how it was in a fast and testimony meeting! Leo also was able to attend, and he loved it! He is preparing to be baptized in just a couple weeks as well! He really is prepared, and has been able to recognize the answer God has given him very clearly. He's great, and even wants to come do visits with us in the future and serve as much as he can as a member! So cool! I may get transferred next week because I've been here so long, but even if I hear about the baptism of Leo it will be great!

We were able to find hno Miguel as well this week. He told us about the things he was able to sculpt. He has some lions sculpted on his house, and it really reminded me of the show Between the Lions. I'll send a picture so you all can see. He is the one who cleans the Moroni on the temple here and made some of the church plaques. He still is wanting to progress and leave his addiction, so I hope we can help!

This week, my companion had to go to Migrations to receive his ID card, so I was able to go with a group of elders and study for a bit in a park. The elders who studied with me were from my group, so it was good to get together and tell some stories of what had happened in the mission until now. So crazy how we all have such diverse and different stories, even though the mission is all so small! 

I know that as we continually think of how we can become better, we can all make changes in our lives that we want. It may be difficult, and we may not be able to make the changes as fast as we want, but we have to endure and do all that the Lord asks to be able to make the changes. Whether it be changes in how we study the scriptures, or changes to become better with obedience to the commandments, it all is possible as we receive guiance from God. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and I know that we can do hard things, even when we think they are impossible!

Wow, I'm just realizing that time passes way fast on the mission. It's crazy. There are some days in where I just don't want to leave ever because there is so much work to be done here and the mission is great! Serving the Lord is awesome!

I hope you all have a great week this week! Thanks for all the emails!

Elder Bruner

Family Home Evening. Noche de hogar.

with Elders from my group studying.

cool pic with a lighter

a new weird fruit. called berrengena del norte. like a tomato but a bit different.

hey dad its like what you did with me. i remember ;)

preparing for the baptism!

Baptism of Hna Esther!

Between the Lions house!

With the Barlange family

A ward baptism that we helped with by giving some talks yesterday.

A coin from Cusco and a beer bottle cap that I got as a little souvenier gift for the possible transfers that I'll have next week.

with another district for district P day. We played tennis! We only lost one of the tennis balls in the bushes :/ oh well, only s/1 to pay for it.