Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Ten // "Sister Heaven :)"

Another week another week! Holy blazes, I'm in the Philippines! Really though, I forget sometimes.

Monday we went to Santiago. Everyone was talking about it and how great it is, so we decided to go. I heard they had a "real" grocery store and a "real" pizza place. so of course I was like okay yeah sweet. So we get there and go to the pizza place and HOLLER it was good! Of course rice comes with every meal and I love it. It's so normal to me now. We went to SaveMore, and after being in there for an hour, when we walked out into the streets of downtown Alicia, I almost wet my pants. I legit forgot I was in the Philippines! The only downer to their SaveMore (which is like a nice grocery store) is 1. I have no idea where anything is. 2. I still don't understand pesos, so I can't really tell if something is expensive or not. and 3. They don't have half the stuff we use in America- tortillas, etc. Anyway, it was cool to go there! of course, us stupid americans spent like so much money because we don't understand pesos. But thats okay- I'm thrifty through out the week :) 

After, we went to a palanke (street market, bargaining, etc) and we looked at backpacks. They were cool, but I was like yeah whatevs. I don't need one. Sis Suay was looking at a sick jansport, waterproof, pink one. I asked if they had purple, and when she said yes, I knew i was toast! (ps we used that phrase "we're toast" and sister suaybagio and sister acoba were so confused. Try explaining why we say THAT one.) We bargained them down to 400, and I just really wanted to get it lower. I said 380 and she said 400 final. So I said "ahh, hindi pwuede" which is like "can't" and I walked out. 2 minutes later, she came out and said "380 mam" and had it bagged up for me. HOLLER. I was so proud of myself!

Tuesday was Dist. Meeting. We made no bake cookies for our district and of course everyone loved them. That night we taught Joem, our investigator who is getting baptized THIS SATURDAY, and it was a miracle; his dad, mom, AND sister were present for the lesson. This was the first time Sister Acoba and I had met his mom. How special. The lesson was awesome and it was so cool to meet the rest of his family. They are SO humble, and work so hard, both nanay at tatay (mom and dad). 

THEN, THE AWAITED DAY SINCE JULY 31ST... New Missionary Meeting at the mission home. Where we would see all of our batchmates (people who came from the MTC the same time as us). I get there and OMG, I knew I was excited, but until i saw my district... i didn't realize how excited I was. Reminicing and sharing experiences with my bff's was so good, but when Pres and Sis Rahlf spoke to us new missionaries, that really topped it off; they literally said EVERYTHING I needed to hear. Sister shared the story of the loaves and the fishes. She shared emails from missionaries in her family during their first few months on the mission. OMG. I am sitting there saying "this is me. this is me." over and over in my head. It was so good to hear all those things she shared. They talked about how we are their FIRST missionaries. We came here WITH them, basically. They have only been here 3 weeks longer than my batch of missionaries. They talked about how it is OUR group that will lift this mission. We talked about the hastening. It's crazy how many missionaries are here. And we are getting new ones every six weeks. like almost 30 every time. It's wild. Talking to my district friends, I was just reminded of how lucky I am to have Sister Acoba as my trainer. She is the best. I don't think anyone can understand how much I love her and how grateful I am for her. 

But lets be honest, the best part of seeing my batchmates was hearing from different people through out the day that I have lost weight. Thank you President Monson + Quorum for sending me here. :)

That night, we decided, hey, lets visit our Less Active, Raquel (the one I yelled out to). We get there and she is just so sick. Horrible fever and just crying. We give a short thought, and then get some priesthood holders over there to give her a blessing. She's so sweet, and I love her so much. We were so grateful we stopped by.

On Thursday the relief society presidency works with us. They always do one day a week- SO grateful. We visited some less active ladies, and boy, what a difference it makes to have them there. It's so fun, and ahh i just love the ladies in my ward! They love me and just die at the things I say. Hahaha, finally i am just myself out here. I was myself teaching Joem, and I just spoke in tagalog the things I wanted to. We taught 2 brand new investigators and I taught principles from the first lesson. I said things I wanted to. I prayed the entire lesson for the spirit and ah. It was just great. I was sooo grateful to my Heavenly Father for just making me feel OKAY. Last week our KI's (key indicators; the numbers/ categories we use to account for the week) were SO GOOD. So high. Our district leader was so impressed. And then this week was just lame. But this week will be better. 

Friday we prepared for our Member Missionary Fireside. Since we split the area, we just really wanted to get the work going. Sister Suay thought of this and so we ran with it. It is a way to get referrals. We prepared Friday and it happened yesterday. Oh my goodness. It was perfect.

-Opening Hymn/ prayer

-Sister Bates- intro. explained Our Purpose as missionaries. shared quotes about how so many people look upon missionary work as tracting. But there is a better way- through the members. We talked about the Work of Salvation broadcast and how important that was.

-Sister Acoba showed the mormon mesage "Because I have been given much" It's about how a girl shared to her friend about the church and invited her. her entire life changed.

-me- showed the mormon message "Mountains to Climb" and boy. everyone was crying. I bore testimony that in the video, every person had their own individual trials. They all were going through different things; but there was one thing in common. They all had the gospel to turn to. I told everyone to think about the times THEY'VE been able to rely on the gospel. Anyway, I won't share my whole testimony, but honestly, the spirit was so strong. I told them they could TRUST us with their loved ones, and we WANT to help them. After I spoke, 

Sister Suay- summarized and explained what we are doing as missionaries. And what their job is. After her, I played Jospeh Smith's First Prayer with my companion, Sister Acoba, accompanying me. the spirit was SO strong and it was incredible. We got so many referral cards filled out and we are meeting individually with each member who gave a referral. 

SUCCESS.

I feel like I really have made a connection with the ward and I hope I stay here in Alicia for a long while.I love love love the members here. It's so fun and ahh I don't even know what to say. Haha. I know my emails are a mess but i wish I could just call you all each week and catch up on life. 

Anyway. Some other "yay's" and "haha's" from the week..... 

- we taught a family who earlier this year was preparing for the temple, but is now less active. We shared about temples and they really opened up with what has been stopping them. They said they would start preparing again. Ah, I love when i can be myself to people, and I did in this lesson. When I FORGET about my SELF, the spirit is there. When I am worried about myself, it makes it very difficult.

-as we were preparing for the fireside, watching the mormon messages in the computer shop, there i was just bawling. hahahah.

-our foursome- me, acoba, bates, and suay- we rock. We have so much fun i love it. I will cry when any of us get transferred.

-my new phrase i write in my journal: YOGOAMO. You only go on a mission once. Well, until I go with my hubby, but I can't be thinking about that out here!

-we visited my fave guy, Herme, less active, and taught his son who isn't baptized. I brought up that his dad was a convert and AH I could just see the spark in his eyes again while he was thinking of his conversion story. 

-getting soooo happy when i follow completely in a conversation- i can't respond, but i know what everyone was just saying. SUCH A GREAT FEELING.

-The things people yell to me because i am american: hi you are beautiful, merry christmas, i miss you baby, americana, happy valentines day, etc. Haha.

-our visit with our investigator sherly. She is so cute. We are praying that her family becomes more supportive with her choice to be baptized. I seriosly lvoe her and she and her family call us "sis". "Hey sis, what day are you coming back" "Hey sis, I love you" its so cute.

-we get in this van, and everytime he signals, everything starts flashing; the time, the radio, speedometer, everything

-my skirt gets closed in the van all the time. haha. the men always feel so bad.

-i said to my companion "high five!" and she high fived me. then i said, "up high!" and she high fived me up high. Then i said "to the side" and she just moved her hand to the side. hahahaah. she didn't high five me. she didn't know thats like what we do in america. like, up high, to the side, down low, in space, in your face, ya know? I was DYING. It was sooo funny. HAHAH. Maybe it was one of those "had to be there moments."

-I SAW FIREFLIES. I legit didn't know those were real. i thought they were only in movies! haha.

-the little visperaz family, they have a million kids, sometimes can't say "hafen". so they just call me sister heaven. i about die every time.

- I fell asleep on the stand waiting to give my talk. whooops. 

- our filipino companions said they have to watch harry potter with subtitles because its so hard to understand their english. HAHA i wasdying.

This week had its ups and of course its downs. I have been studying really hard on why we need the Book of Mormon. I mean, i know its great and all but WHY is it so important?! I have received so many answers. I love the Book of Mormon and I love Jesus Christ. I know He is real and my testimony is growing every day. GAH. I just love this work and know that my time is running out. I know I haven't even put a dent in my mission, but with time literally going at the speed of light, I will be home tomorrow. 

sorry my emails are a hot mess, but yeah. I hope I said everything I needed to.

I love the philippines and love everything here. I am so serious. All i miss is endless supplies of rags and cleaning supplies from home, and more shoes.

love,

sister hafen

Cool backpack, yeah?

What I wish I could proselyte in every day. Yes i know my shirt is inside out.

Our "yay successful fireside" pic!

Hahah, I always use my hand like that. To explain things and they just die and think it's so funny. Now they all use it.

The awesome fellowshippers from the ward.

My food to-go in a sack!

Just in the tricee, #errday

Stinkin cute!

Love her!

K the happiest baby in all the land. She's so dang cute.

Ping pong with JackJack. Dang he was so good. It was a close game but i won 15-13.

REUNITING WITH SISTER MEINZER.

My entire district!! (Minus Sister Sirrine, she is in a difffernt mission. We missed her)

This lil babe is scared of Americans because she thinks they are mannequins.  But hey hey hey look at this pic! She wouldn't let go!

Errday. For reals. My hair is in a french braid EVERYDAY. I don't know what i'll do when I don't live with Sister Bates.

Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Nine // Today Marks Two Months!

So the storm passed last week and did not hit our area. Some other areas of the mission got hit but not too bad. The damage in other places was much worse and some people died. We were so blessed! We were on lock down which was boring but we got a lot done. Monday night, we went to a members home, the Caleja fam. They are rich here- they own an SUV and a truck. And have air conditioning and iPhones. It was Sister Jen's bday and hahaha oh my goodness, they had the funniest treats. A hot dog on a stick, with a marshmellow on top. I was dying. And everyone was dying at how funny I thought it was! They all teased me and so I promised that I would have those every year for my birthday. The sister missionaries in Jones, our STL's, they lost power and water so they came to Alicia to stay the night with the other set of sisters that live a few minutes away from us. They came to the bday party and it was a blast. 

I started the BOM again and it's been so fun. I'm embarrassed, but it feels as if it's this BRAND new book that I've never read. The story is soo good and I just am learning so much this time around. 

Tuesday was Zone Meeting, and us 4 Alicia Sisters sang Called to Serve. It was beautiful and the meeting went well. That night, we went to our investigator, Sherly's house. I extended the baptisimal invitation and she just went quiet. I thought, crap. But then tears filled her eyes, and she explained that it's so difficult because her grandma is not supportive of her getting baptized at ALL, and her and her parents live on their grandma's land. We comforted her, and then explained baptism more to her. She then asked, "is the church still open to me, even if I'm not baptized?" it was the cutest thing in the whole world. We told her OF COURSE!! She's so awesome. 17 years old and just eats up everything about the gospel. After we taught her, we got lost. Haha. #openareaprobs

Since we are opening this area, Sister Acoba said this is just what happens. It was so funny- we passed the same things over and over. We just had to laugh about it, and really, it was really funny. 

Wednesday I dozed off during Companionship Study (thanks dad), and then we got off for the day. We had many miracles this day, but I started to focus on myself and just lost focus. I'll start with the good things from this day. We were looking for Raquel, a Less Active, and as we were walking around, these 3 kids were talking and we heard them call Raquel. So, I thought- YOGOAMO. You Only Go On A Mission Once. So I yelled out, "raquel!" hahahah she turns around and I wave, and we go talk to her. She asks how I knew her and we just laughed about it. We visited her and dang she is so smart. She's super cute, 15, and just has it all goin' on. She is very intune with the gospel and she has just been inactive because her parents are. 

We went looking for the Esperanzate Fam. So let me explain, the Philippines is set up in Province's. So we live in Isabela Province. But inside that are cities. And then inside that are like, areas? And then inside that are the Baranguays. So we are assigned to like, maybe 6 baranguays? which are like big neighborhoods. Then inside those neighborhoods are Puroks. like mini neighborhoods. So when we look at the teaching records of LA's and previous investigators, all they say is the Baranguay name. So that's why we spend a lot of time looking, because no one here has addresses really. So we just ask people in the baranguay and then they say "gen-lang" and point. Which means "just there". Haha, its so confusing. I do not understand how filipinos seem to be soooo vague, and hardly say anything, use NO specifics, but yet, they ALL know what each other mean and are always on the same page. It amazes me. One day I will learn. Anyway. So we found this family, but Tatay wasn't home (the dad). We left, and then passed him on his bike. We talked to him and it was so good. The spirit was there and he just expressed his worries to us. He's an RM but totally inactive with his fam. It was amazing that we happened to run into him. 

We taught another LA fam, the Visperaz family. Their son Marieto is 13 and isnt baptized. We asked if we could teach him and he just agreed. He seemed SO uninterested, but we kept teaching the remainder of that lesson. By the end of it though, he was more interested. We later found out he is just kind of embarrassed because he isn't in school anymore and he isn't very good at reading. anyway, we finished and he agreed to let us come back. As we were leaving he was with his cousinEric and we talked to him. We asked if he would be interested in taking the lessons- he asked about the Plan of Salvation, because he had heard of that before. We told him a little about it and he asked if he would be able to see his dad again. His dad was murdered a year ago. He was so interested and agreed to be taught. We came back a few days later and man. It was so cool. These two boys, 11 and 13, were so interested. They asked questions, their eyes were GLUED to the pamphlets and pictures we had, and it was so awesome. Eric is SO excited for the plan of salvation lesson. We invited them to church, and they said they would come. To be continued..

Let's just say that the rest of Wednesday I was a loser. I let Satan in and just got so down on myself. All I want to say about this is that The Savior is REAL. And his Atonement can redeem us and help us in the very moment we need him. My new favorite hymn is Abide with Me Tis Eventide- The chorus is so beautiful and it saved me this night. "Oh Savior, stay this night with me." I seriously KNOW that the Savior lives and knows us all. Especially me. He is mindful of me- a little 19year old teenage girl, Abbey Hafen, here in the Philippines, trying my best trying to figure out what the heck is going on. He is mindful. He loves me and I have been so blessed, I can't even take it.

So Thursday I woke up and we did laundry. We have to do it twice a week. During laundry I literally thought i would do laundry until the day I die. Not even kidding. It took me 3 hours. I thought about how I really will probably be on this mission forever. FOREVER. The past few days were full of small tender mercies and miracles, but I was letting my selfish self take over and got so discouraged. As I sat there, scrubbing my garments in the tin basin, sitting on a bucket, sweat dripping down my face, Iremembered a talent that I have. I have this talent that, I can love where I am at. Even if I don't really love it, I have this talent that I CAN love it. And then after a while, I realize that I really do come to love it. I forgot that I had that talent! So right then, I decided that I would love laundry. i would love it so much. 

So then I loved it. 

I sat there and pondered about how much I love being a missionary. How much I love seeing other people happy. How much I love preparing for the lessons. How much I love when the little kids run up to me yelling "Sister Hapen!" How much I love my companion and my roommates. How much I love my Savior. How much I love being a missionary. And then.. I loved it. Things changed and I have been loving it ever since. Before, some days when I was soo tired, I would secretly hope we didn't have lessons- that the people just wouldn't be home. How messed up is that? After this laundry moment, and crying to my companion in Companionship Study, everything changed. I have a year and a half to be on this mission, and my whole life to think about it. I have 16 months left to do this work, and then I have to go back to reality. 

The rest of the week was beautiful. I am blessed. We met some wonderful less actives, Herme is my favorite. He was taught when he was 19 by Elder Andrew Fisher from Pleasant Grove Utah. He is now 40 or something- Mom, ask todd and jen if maybe possibly they know him. Anyway. Friday our mission president and AP's stopped by unexpectedly! Good thing my companion and i were doing our weekly planning like we are supposed to, and I cleaned up the apartment that morning! haha, it was so good to see him, and the ZL's stopped by with my violin that morning too. I played that night with my sisters and it was SO good to play violin again. We met with another LA family, and their son is named "Aces". I thought of Ace and told Aces that my nephews name is Ace :) 

So Saturday we had the usual dinner appt at the Abuan home- he is in the District Presidency. Best food ever. Estopado. Pork Sinigonn. and bananas in everything- they put it in their meat/ vegatable mixtures and last week, I was dying over how good it was. Now every week they have used bananas in everything when we come. I love it. SO DANG GOOD. And they love that I love their food. That night I found out we were speaking in church- yeah okay sweet. Haha. It went well, it was in english so yeah. Haha. Anyway- Sunday only 2 of our 5 investigators came to church. Marieto and Eric didn't come! We were soo surprised. We went to teach them, and they CAME, but 30 minutes early. They got too shy and nervous, and then went home. Their familes are soo poor so they got embarssed because of the shoes they were wearing. We assured them it was FINE and our lesson was beautiful. The spirit was there and they were SO excited. We gave them each BOM's and they can't wait until we come back. They ask if we can come back everyday- we explained that we can't but we will come 3 times a week. Haha. It's so cute. The spirit really is working in them. 

That night, I got out my violin at our apartment, on the front porch, and played for the fellowshippers in our ward. They are our good friends. As I played, kids and teenagers in the neighborhood stood outside our gate and listened. They would yell requests and I would figure it out. I played Just Give Me a Reason by P!nk and A Thousand Years by Cristina whatever her last name is. It was so fun and I am so glad I have my violin- it's so fun to play here and just ah. It's so  fun.

HA oh yeah. Saturday night we found these spiders that are the same size as my HAND just chillin' on the ceiling in the kitchen. I wanted to DIE. So I went to our bedroom door and closed it, so that they wouldn't come in ya know? Little did I know that the handle was locked and so when I shut it, we were locked out. AWESOME. It's like 10:05pmand we are locked out. We ran to the neighbors cause apparently they know what to do, but they were asleep. I said like 48 million prayers and then after scissors, an armrest, and other crap, we got the handle off. Haha. Then my companion, without saying anything, jammed paper and tape in the part of the door where the lock goes in. HAHAHA I was dying. That won't happen again :)

I love this work and I hope I can do all things I need to do while I am here. I love my companion so much. She thinks I am so funny and we just laugh and have a good time. I have been blessed with such good health, sis bates has been super sick this week but is doing well now. This week is going to be so great. I am slowing beginning to understand people so much better, and it helps that everyone just says I am good at tagalog. They just say that cause they love that I am trying to learn their language.

Over and out.

-Love,

Sister Abbey Hafen.

The note we left for Sister Sherly when she wasn't home. I was so proud I wrote it in Tagalog. She's so awesome.

Me in front of a jeepmey.

My fave pancakes at the carnival from the street vendors!

My fave house.

They eat avacados sweet here. Neverrr ever salty! Crazy huh? So good though. Condensed milk plus avacados.

Getting some chicken. 200 pesos yo!

Rice with everything. EVERYTHING.

Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Eight // "...and that's part of being humble."

First off, we got new roommates! Frog, lizard, mouse, cat, and IPIS (cockroach)! Barf. Haha, it's not that bad though, it's a good thing I can just laugh at all these creatures. Anyway. On to the week. Man this week was GREAT.

Monday: Monday night after proselyting, we made cinnamon french toast and no bake cookies. Our filipino comps were loving the no-bakes. It was so fun, we really bonded and had so much fun. I don't think anyone understands how much fun us 4 have. Our area is Alicia, and we are the Alicia 1B area. Alicia Sisters for LIFE. We are so close now and we literally just have a blast. 

Tuesday: District Meeting day. These days are always so fun- this weeks meeting was about having a "Divine Companionship". Of course, Sister Bates + Suaybaguio, and me and Sister Acoba were the top 2 companionships. We answered all the questions right about each other including "what did your companion order last week after the District Meeting?" Holler! After District Me, we had Companionship study- I love companionship study. It is always sooo good. Seriously, top notch. Mmm, and here comes the greatest story of the week. We go out to town to pick up a frame for our Recent Convert, Clyde, so we can put our picture with him in it and give it to him. We go into town, and we are waiting in the shop, and I have to go to the bathroom. I tell my companion and she's like, now? And I say, yeah. NOW. Literally, I was about to have an accident right there in my skirt, in the middle of this shop. There's not bathrooms in public places and so we went to this catholic church that had a bathroom outside. I run in, and to make a long story short, just imagine this: tiny room. of course no toilet paper (here in the philippines they don't use toilet paper), ants and cockroaches all over the soaking wet floor, and a single bucket and a faucet. Let's just say that 10 minutes later, all that was running through my mind was I HATE THE PHILIPPINES. Hahaha, but don't worry. I still love this place. 

The night ended fine, we taught a less active family, the Gumpal fam. I gave the spiritual thought/lesson in Joshua 1:9. Be strong and of a good courage. This family has had the hardest things happen. She has a really sensitive pregnancy and can't come to church and her brother needs a wheelchair because he is so sick and is constantly in and out of hospitals. The spirit was so strong and man, I just told her how much of an example she is to me and the night was so beautiful. Here we are, sitting cross legged on the cement floor of this lady's house, and they have absolutely nothing, but yet she is bearing testimony of what I said and what my companions said; we can be strong through God and His son. You want a couple words to describe the Philippines? HUMBLE and HAPPY.

But of course, your ups and downs are wild out here on the mission, and Wednesday we taught a lesson to another less active fam, the Jacob fam. Mid lesson, she is just crying, but of course I have no idea why because I can't understand what is going on. I literally felt soo dumb and felt so worthless. Then the lesson right after, this lady is having major marital problems and her husband has been gone for months. She just got baptized like 3 months ago and Satan is realllly working at her. <---Of course I didn't know this until after the lesson, so during the lesson, she's bawling and I have no idea why. I started to get down on myself again, and really  just question what the HECK I am doing in the Philippines. But without fail, the Lord gives us what we need; The next lesson was a less active fam, and right when I get there, the little girls are swarming me. They want to sit by me, hold my hand etc. I felt their love and began to feel much better. I began the lesson and shared a scripture about how God is mindful of all of us. No matter where we are. I expressed that no matter where we are in the world, he is mindful. Even of me, here in the Philippines, a little teenager who can't speak the language. Even me, he cares and is mindful of me. Man, the spirit was so strong this less active family shared experience and read scripture with us. My companions all shared things prompted by the spirit and the lesson really was just beautiful. I just thanked Heavenly Father over and over for the rest of the day for allowing the spirit to still be there even though I really do speak worse tagalog than the that family's 3 month old baby. 

Sister's Suay shared a story about one of her companions. She was american and was getting really frustrated with the language. She was talking to an Elder and just said "I feel so dumb. I just feel so stupid." and he turned to her and said, "that's part of being humble." Seriously, that is the truth. I have been humbled SO much. I thought I knew and understood what it meant when we say "The Lord will give you EVERY thing you need, he always provides, blah blah blah." But when I got here I felt like well HEY! If you called me to preach the language in the Philippines, I kind of need the... uh.. THE LANGUAGE maybe????? But as Sister Acoba and I talk about all the time, the only language we need to understand is the language of the spirit. and that is SO true. If I really needed to be fluent in the language right now, I would be. But apparently I don't need it yet, because I don't have it yet. 

After the lesson, we were walking home and crossing the bridge we usually do, and Sis Suay said "lets play a game. we will all spit over the bridge and whosever spit lands last has to do the dishes." so we spit and then we here a thud. Sister Suay's glasses fell off her head and landed like 5 feet down on this little ledge. BLAZE!! Haha, I could have EASILY climbed over, but i knew that i really shouldn't as a missionary. So we went to Nanai Mesa's and got some tools. finally, like 45 minutes later, we had a contraption that we used to pull up her glasses. It was sooo funny. Our dinner appointment canceled that night so we met up with the Alicia 3rd sisters Mamea and Maddock and ate dinner on the street. We got this rice soup and pork barbeque. SO GOOD. I'm not really sure how every meat I eat here is "pork" but yet tastes different every time. But. I don't ask questions, I just eat it and love it every time. 

Thursday was our first day alone. We split our Alicia 1 area and now have Alicia 1A & 1B. Bleh. We were double transferred here, so neither Sister Acoba or me know the area (well of course i didn't haha). Or first day was so good though- we street contacted so many people and have a lot of return appointments. We found less actives and taught 5 lessons in that first night. We were SO thankful for Heavenly Father's guidance and for Him preparing all these people for us. Seriously, what a good first day on our own. We were soooo so so so grateful. 

Friday we had a "one day mission" in Jones. Jones is a more dangerous area of our mission, and it just became a sisters area a few months ago. And they started having more success- hmm. Go sisters. Haha, just kidding. Anyway, so our entire zone headed to Jones for the day for the one day mission. Pretty much members go with missionaries and we split up to all the barangays (neighborhoods). To get there we squoze 15 missionaries in a 9 passenger van, had orientation, and headed out. We only taught 2 less active families, but the Jones sisters texted us yesterday and said the 1st family we taught CAME TO CHURCH. We were sooo grateful we were able to find them and teach them. Those two lessons we taught seriously were so spritual. In the 2nd one, I had no idea what this man was saying, but I was giving the lesson, so after the members and misionaries commented, I felt prompted to ask if he had any additional comments (that all came out in tagalog, and boy that was a suprise). He then began to cry and shared his worries and concerns. I had no idea what he was saying, but just felt the spirit so much. The daughter was crying, he was, and then I began to cry. I didn't know what he said and I was supposed to close the lesson. I just (somehow in tagalog) told him I was so grateful for his spirit and his example. I bore testimony and closed. We left and I gave the daughter a BOM and we left. (I found out later that his fam is catholic but he really wishes his wife and daughter would go with him to church.)

after that lesson, we had delicious rice patty dessert thingys, and kutsinte. this gelly thing that was delish. i love filipino food so much. We met, accounted our numbers, and left. We didn't have room in the van for the first part of the 45 min drive home, so two elders rode on top of the van. haha. It was only for like 10 minutes though. Jones was a success, and super fun! That night, we walked in our apartment, and it was pitch black, so i quietly followed sister suay as she walked to get the light. right as she reached for it, i scared the living crap out of her. She screamed and just droppped to the floor. Best moment ever. We then went and got dinner and shakes.  I love my sisters. 

Saturday we had weekly planning. Man. I hate but really actually love weekly planning. We got the area book under our belt (kind of not really) and began picking some names out. The philippines really is all about less actives. It's so crazy how many LA's we teach a week. We taught our 10 yr old inv. Joem and I taught some principles in the lesson! I really didn't use any english and it was awesome. My trainer was so proud of me and said "Wow, you used pure tagalog in that lesson, sister!" YES. I am improving. I will say, teaching children is so much better because I am way less nervous and I can teach much more simple. Saturday I finally got some bravery and just walked up to people on the street and started talking to them. We got a lot of street contacnts and I seriously recieved strength from above. All this bravery was so awesome. That night, we had dinner at a member of the district presidency's house. We go every saturday and danngggg. Its such good food. I finally was able to be myself and was telling stories and just made everyone laugh. It felt so good to be myself, and even if I wasn't speaking tagalog, they still understood. (and it helps that I have really great facial expressions haha). 

Sunday sunday sunday. We were waiting for our investigators and none of them came.And none of the less actives we taught. I was so so surprised since we taught all of them just a day or two before and bleh!!! I just knew they had to be coming. During the next meetings (sacram is last), I was just praying for them.  please please please come. Then boom. Visperaz family comes in. Boom. Tatay Apolonio comes in. Then sacrament starts.BOOM. There's Joem (investigator). and then we turn around, HEY SHERLY (other investigator), and then hello. 3rd investigator. Then sister policarpio (LA) walks in. CHECK. Everyone came. I WAS SO HAPPY! YAY. God is so mindful and really works in the hearts of people.

some funny things about the philippines that I must write about now, because everything is quickly becoming very normal to me. 

-women nurse wherever they want, without anything covering them. even mid sacrament, mid-pew, this lady kneels down and nurses.

-they sing the most random hymns. and they make up tunes and change the melody in the hymns. it's so funny. 

-an 11 yr plays the piano for the meeting and someties doesn't know how to count stuff and just does whatever he wants. ahah

-this little kid filmed me during sacrament meeting. haha. i was laughing so hard when i looked over the pew and he was watching it. it was me just sitting there, looking foward. HAHA. 

sunday night we headed to a bday celebration for brother eddisons mom. she is wheelchair bound, i'm not sure why, but he is like 17 and him and his dad and brother take care of her. MAD RESPECT for him. He's super cool and the celebration was sofun. THERE WAS CHOCOLATE CAKE. an answer to my prayers :) haha, no one has ovens here, so baked goods are rare! after the bday thing, we headed to what I thought was a dinner appt. (sometimes i really have no idea what is going on haha). but we get there and we are at a funeral. i will send a pic. it was crazy. just this litle room down these concrete stairs with a casket. us missionaries were like in charge of the program in this little room. Sis bates shared a beautiful thought, sis suay taught the plan of salvation, and i led us in some hymns. then us 4 sang some by ourselves and i harmonzied. it really sounded beautiful down in that little room, rain coming down outside, and everyone circled around. What a beautiful expericne that was.

So about the typhoon. I guess its like a signal 4 hitting right on my mission. like all the surrounding areas have evacuated or don't have electricty or water. we are prepared to evacuate and bought food for a week yesterday as instructed. We were released from our lockdown at 2 to leave the house (an hour ago). Our area should be safe but its just rained and blowed a TON. We get texts like every 30 min from presidents wife, DLs, ZL's, AP's, etc keeping us updated. We were lucky we were able to email, the normal email cafe was closed, but w found this one.

Thats all folks. I am so happy. i love this place. I still sometimes don't feel like i'm away from the USA. But I am. This church is so great. I seriously don't think anyone understands how happy I am. This work is so great and even though some days, mid lesson, I literally am about to burst into tears because I feel so worthless, I love this place. Heavenly Father is so aware and really does give us the things we need. Sometimes, the things we think we need, are what we are waiting for. But if we don't have it, we don't need it yet. I really thought I needed to be fluent in the language, but I don't. When i need that, I'll have it.

I love love love love love you guys and pray for everyone back home each night. 

love sis haf.

The location of the funeral. I hope this picture explains the location good enough. 

Brother Eddisons moms birthday! He is in the ward and is AWESOME. P.S. note the lakers shirt haha. 

Me and Sister Suaybaguio.

We are so cute! Such a fun day. Us four are best friends. Sister Acoba, Sister Suaybaguio, and Sister Bates.

Pouring rain, buying groceries in preparaton for the typhoon.

Called to serve.... the street we live on.

These little girls that LOVED me on the streets. They yelled "Americana"from afar so I went up to them and they were obsessed. So cute.

Right after I scared Sister Suay haha.

Beautiful.

Sister Mamea, Sister Acoba, Sister Tulikhihifo (the best sister training leader in the universe), Sister Maddock, Sister Gardoce (the other wonderful STL), me, Elder Gevarra (elder tribes comp).

On top of the van...

Us with our Jones members helping us.

In Jones, after I played basketball. haha its so funny, they think im so good for a girl, just sinkin' threes all up in this place.

Beautiful!

Our members that were missionaries with us in Jones. That ice candy i'm eating is heaven.

From inside the tricee in Jones.

HAHA at the Jones one day mission, his outfit was killing me. I loved it.

By Sister Policarpois house. So pretty.

Dinner on the street! Yum!

HAHA nice glasses Sister Suay.

On the bridge.

The sisters!! Sister Bates, Sister Acoba, me, Sister T, Sister Gardoce, Sister Suay, Sister Mamea, Sister Maddock.

Hi frog. (Sister Bates)

Sister Suay and Sister Acoba. They made the french toast!

The church (again, waiting for a meeting to start)

Our house!

That is a tricee, we take them everywhere. This place is beautiful by the way.