John and I just returned from our 3 week trip to the States. It feels good to be back “home” and back with Luke. Our time in the States was fun but really busy. Here’s our time in a nutshell….thanks for praying!!
TWO DAYS in Brisbane, Australia – just John and I together; eating out, walking, watching movies
a tad bit of excitement for Gelato!
FOUR DAYS in California – with the Peters side of the family; eating at the famous Pantry, birthday party for several of us, jet lag, I share in our home church’s SS class after John leaves for meetings
the morning we arrive – at The Pantry with my parents
enjoying time with my step-brother and family
coffee and conversation with my wonderful Daddy
FOUR DAYS in Arlington, TX – John in Seed Co. meetings and me with my sister and family; shopping, shopping, shopping for things we need and can’t get here, playing with my little grandnephew, seeing Joey and Amaechi, celebrating John and little Patrick’s birthday (they fall on the same day), shopping for Joey
Joey and Amaechi!
Shopping is only fun with those I’m with…my sister, niece, and grand nephew!
on Nov. 6 Patrick and John were born (Patrick didn’t want to do the hat-thing) :)
my dear sister (an expert in sewing) helping me cut out curtain fabric
FOUR DAYS with Joey and Grant – driving up to their schools, touring their campuses and meeting their friends – including Grant’s lovely new girlfriend
Joey in front of his East Texas Baptist Univ. Soccer Team locker
Got a great tour of Grant’s Engineering building and classrooms at John Brown University in Arkansas
Catching up and eating out – :)
FOUR DAYS in Florida – with the Bruner side of the family; celebrating my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday with about a 1/3 of the family, eating, playing golf, talking, laughing
John with his brothers and parents
the Bruners that were able to celebrate the lovely Dorothy Bruner
TWO DAYS traveling – from the east coast to the west coast and then to Australia and finally to PNG – all in one fell swoop!
Great fun to see our good friends, the Burtons, at LAX during our 3 hour layover!
Well, hope I won’t be traveling again any time soon. It was a blessing to go, but so good to be back. Luke had a good but very busy time while we were gone. He also survived an accident on a 3-wheel cart (with no brakes). He had some stitches and abrasions, but thankfully nothing worse than that!!!
PLEASE PRAY:
- That this sore throat I’ve had for 2 weeks will go away soon
- For John as he starts work with a Papua New Guinean translation team on Monday
TO BE IN TOUCH:
PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org
Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu
Joey Bruner, ETBU Box 6-331, One Marshall Drive, Marshall, TX 75670 – joseph_bruner@etbu.edu
TO GIVE ONLINE:
https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners
TO GIVE BY MAIL:
send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862
(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)
johnandbrena 
We enjoyed the photos so much! Thanks for sharing those. We, too, love the Pantry! I haven’t been there in many years. Bud was there with all the guys in the family about 7 years ago. I see you like Starbucks…or was that your daddy’s? Praying for you.
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Brena,
Always glad to see your pictures. You and John look happy! Always good to spend time with family. Happy that you were able to come with John. And had safe travels.
No place like home…..
God’s grace, mercy and peace to your whole family! And His blessings upon you as you continue to serve Him.
Carolyn
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P. S. Received the lovely calendar yesterday.
Thank You!!
And got to see the US Capital Christmas Tree on it’s way to the Capital.
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John and Brena,
What a fantastic whirlwind tour! Sounds like a lot of fun, a lot of work and a lot of travel! We trust that you and John are settling back in and “catching your breath.”
Praying for renewed health for you, Brena … for Luke’s healing too … and for John’s translation work.
Wishing you the best,
Doug H
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Thanks, Brena for your wonderful, newsy letter. Loved all the pictures. So glad you and John were able to help Dorothy celebrate her big birthday! Blessings.
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It was soooo nice seeing you two! What a joy! Ya’ll look great!
Reading this made me tired! Whew! I didn’t realize how much you both packed into those three weeks! ☺ I am glad you got to see your two boys! That filing cabinet that Grant is standing next to in his engineering classroom…well I have the exact same on in my office. They have been around forever. We call them R2D2’s. I don’t know why, but when I started here in ’92, that is what they were already called. ☺
You will have to send a picture of your newly made curtains hung up!
Much love,
Glenys
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We have new email addresses. In the future please use Sonja_Gross@wycliffe.org Paul_Gross@wycliffe.org
Thank you!
Sent from my iPhone
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John and Brena,
Your whirlwind blog was terrific. We were glad that we could be part of that whirlwind. Those few short days were special. We need more of them. Bless you as you come out of that wind of excitement and back to the grind on life. But hopefully life is not a grind but an enjoyment of living for the Lord and doing his service.
Miss you, Daddy > >
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Just getting caught up on personal emails. Thank you for the lovely update. The pictures are great, especially since I know so many of your family. Everyone looks great. Dorothy does not look 80. :) I hope by now your sore throat is healed, as are Luke’s injuries and the three of you are enjoying life together back in PNG.
Blessings,
Sheryl
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Hi Brena,
How are you this holiday season? I was thinking about you and wondering how you have adapted family traditions for island living? We don’t have too many traditions as we never know when we will get the kids.
We went to Phoenix 2 weeks ago to celebrate with Taylor and his new wife for Thanksgiving. Then we had my mom and brother for Thursday meal. We aren’t sure what we are doing for Christmas. We go to Portland the 1st week of January because the flights were cheaper.
We are changing our e-mail to gvanderson6075@gmail.com . Can you please update all your records so we can keep getting your updates?
Love ya,
Vickie
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