July 2, 2018 – Week 92!

Wow. I'm starting my last 12 weeks (now 11?) in the mission. HOW CRAZY! I still learn things every day, which is the most important.

This week was a bit difficult in our sector for lack of new investigators, but it still wasn't terrible! I can't say that a week ever passes in the mission without a couple spiritual experiences. We were able to get some suggestions from the zone leaders at the end of the week as well, and their suggestions helped us receive 3+ new investigators! It was sucha  great experience having divisions with them. They are such a great example for me! As a district leader, I'm learning so much from them on how to be a better leader myself! I also learned that after a lot of time in the mission, one still needs to try new things and always be creative! Slowing down at the end of the mission doesn't jsut mean thinking of home a lot, but it also means not trying new things always! That's why dilligence and faith and creativity are necessary to keep progressing in the mission! Now, if you don't feel like you're creative, I promise that you still can be! God allows us to have talents, and allows us to aquire talents in the misison to help us! I testify of that.

This week we also had a cool experience with the Book of Mormon! We knocked the door of a man who didn't believe much in God. He wanted to believe, but as he got older, he stopped believing. He didn't really like to read the Bible, but as we shared the Book of Mormon to answer some of his questions that he had in his mind, he ended up really liking the Book of Mormon! Maybe at first he didn't take it as scripture, or as a sacred book, but he felt that the Book of Mormon really had some powerful messages which can help us in our lives! I testify that even the people who don't like reading scriptures will like reading the Book of Mormon! God has revealed this book of scripture to us in these days becayse He knows us and what we need. He knows that it was a necessary part of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that teh Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know taht while reading it, we can gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior of the world. 

This week we also learned more about finding new investigators, and I've learned personally a lot about faith. I'd like to share a scripture that I read this week that shows relaly how powerful faith is. It is found in Hebrews 11.

"32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."

This scripture shows how many miracles can happen thanks to faith. the trial of our faith also helps us progress and become perfect, as it says in the 1st book of Peter (if I'm not mistaken)

I testify that faith in Jesus Christ is extremely important. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know that faith in him can help us throughout our lives!

I hope you all have a great week this week! We'll be getting to know our new mission president soon, so I'll let you know how he and his wife are next week!

Elder Bruner

making Chifles (platano chips!) 

transfers!

a bag that came for me. I think it was sent by Elder Rios's parents, but im not sure! It didnt come with a note or anything! Cool! I felt so happy getting it :)

with the Duarte family for lunch on Saturday.

with our pensionista and her family

with my new companion Elder Fuentes! He's from Bolivia. My 5th bolivian companion! He's from Cochabamba and has 12 weeks in the mission. He just finished his training. He's a great companion! New in the misison, but knows how to work well! He's turning 21 on the 4th of July! (He jokes that he's part american for that) :P