Abbey in the Philippines: Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Forty-Five // "Sister Cherry:)"

HI.

Another week…another week.

This branch is so awesome, and we had enough sisters wanting to work, we had splits a few times this week. We actually got to see everyone we planned for, and more. Last night, Sister Suay and I were talking, that we just feel so fulfilled. Yes, we acknowledged the fact that we had a ton of lessons (the most either of us have ever had in our mission in one week) but it wasn’t even that that made it so happy- We feel like we saw everyone, and that because we had so many lessons and splits this week, that the whole town of Almaguer just feels “lifted”. It’s always a hard feeling when the end of the week comes and you didn’t get to see someone, or you only saw them one time, or the lesson wasn’t the greatest, etc. But this week, because of splits and smart working, we saw everyone. We prepared. And it was awesome. The feeling is so hard to explain but it is one that I have never really felt before.

One story:

We visited one of the less actives that our branch president’s wife suggested to us a while back (one that we have been visiting pretty regularly) yesterday. The Family of Sister E. We are also teaching her daughter who isn’t baptized, and trying to reactivate and complete their family. We were on splits, so we had a fellowshipper (RM) who said to me last week that she wanted to come visit this family with me, because Sister E is her friend from childhood. She came along, and holy cow. I told her of some of the things we have heard about Sister E and her background before we went to the lesson- sister E went abroad for a 2 year contract and then came home 4 months early (which is a big deal here). No one knows why, but I guess some “chismis” (gossip in English) started on Facebook and with her neighbors too. She hasn’t left the house since, and has developed some depression. It is soooo sad. And of course, as missionaries, we can’t pry in and give her advice or be her therapist, so it’s been so hard trying to help her. Anyway, so we went, me, Sister Mahy (preparing to leave on her mission), and Sister Cherry (the friend of Sister E). Sister Cherry was so bold and the spirit was thick. At one point, we were all crying, and sister Cherry looked right into Sister E’s eyes and said (in English) “I am here to save you, E. I am here to save you.” It was so powerful. She told her that she was her new visiting teacher, and they already have an appointment set.

After the lesson, I seriously just felt so much love for missionary work, and members’ involvement. I felt such a love for sister Cherry, for becoming the answer to this family. We have been praying so hard for Sister E and her family, and have been blank with ideas. And I know that Heavenly Father is using Sister Cherry to help Sister E. It is so powerful, and Heavenly Father is so smart. It has caused me to ask myself several times a day if I am letting Heavenly Father use ME as HIS instrument. We have a "Commission" for our mission and one part in it says,

"He is my Master and He has chosen me to represent Him- To stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; My words are HIS words; my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done; to say what He wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter-day work. " (Elder Bruce R. McConkie)

It's so powerful and when we recite it everyday I kind of feel the Saviors hands on my shoulders, as if he's standing behind me.

Overall, this week rocked. I explained last week about the desire I have been wanting to just fall in love with “the work”, and how awesome my companion is, and how she loves to work. Well, this week, we worked. And we worked. And we worked some more. And it was sooo fulfilling. I have learned so much about Sister Suaybaguio, and never want our companionship to end. I want to know everything about her and get to know her perfectly. I want to develop everything she has as a missionary because she has so much to offer me, I love her so much. We have had some intensely spiritual moments that I wish I could write all about, but I really can’t. I just know that every part of our lives has a purpose, Heavenly Father is NOT random.

I am realizing more and more I think the longer I am here, that it’s so hard to explain what I am feeling and what the weeks are like. And sometimes it’s hard to not speak tagalog to you in my email haha, but if there is anything I have to say, it’s this: this is the best thing to ever happen to me.

I love my life and love the calling I get to have as a missionary.

-abbey