Abbey in the Philippines: May 2014

Okay... transferred.

..... and LOVING it.

I love my new companion... she is the BEST. Sister Carbaquil. 23 years old. From Negros Occidental, philippines. She is honestly so sweet and we are loving being companions. 100%. As I get ready for the day in the morning, I am thinking about how excited I am to have companionship study with her at 9AM. haha.

This area is awesome. It is not as developed as my last... spiritually and temporarily. There aren't very many tricees, its super hot (like, so hot.), there isn't even a grocery store or a single fast food restaurant. The sacrament attendance is less than 100 people, and at 8:30 am I was asked to be the Relief Society teacher for the Relief Society class (that had 9 of us there) that was to start at... 8:30 :) Of course I smiled and grabbed a Liahona from the closet and taught. It actually ended up being a very sacred experience.

I know that I am an avoider of change... but i'm happy to say that part of me is fading out. :)

i've shared stories and examples before with leaving high school and not looking forward to college because "there was no way that college could be better than high school...no way." and then when the semester ended I realized how much better college was than high school, BUT, there was no way the new semester could be better than the last. And then it ended up being better. Then I got to the MTC, and when it was time to head out to the mission field, there was NO way it could be better than the MTC... and then it was (times one million). After so many times of this pattern, I still found myself in the same situation everytime; every single transfer day, everything; doubting, 100% doubting that what was to come could NOT be better than what I just left. But now it's funny how Heavenly Father is helping me seek change... and loving it. This transfer has been such a blessing and an answer to prayers I didn't know I had. I love how Heavenly Father knows us so well.

Our investigators here in Gamu are awesome. It's been so fun to get to know them and be able to jump right in on their conversion journey. I love that the longer I am here, the easier it is to adjust and love the people. One thing we have been focusing on as a companionship and learning to just love, is focusing on the spirit and seeking it in all things. In helping our investigators, in improving our teaching skills, in helping the sisters in our Zone, and most importantly, seeking the spirit in our personal conversion.

I have been seeing miracles and have been humbled by watching the hand of the Lord do miracles in all phases of the work; in finding new investigators and in opening hearts that have been shut for so long. I explained to Sister Carbaquil this morning in Comp Study that before my mission, I was so used to putting in all the work into one thing, and then when the success came, I was confident saying it was because of me and my work. In studying violin, in leadership positions, in getting grades in classes, etc. But now, it's been the best thing to happen to me to realize that here in the mission, you can't control all the success that will or will not come to you. The only thing you can do, is be worthy at all times. so when the miracle or blessing or trial comes, you are ready and worthy to help it along.

Transfers are always hard because you left your comfort zone, and you're walking into someone else's "realm"... but it's funny how in EVERY thing... the spirit is what guides us. In getting to know people, in finding people to teach, in assisting the leaders in the branch, in handling problems or misunderstandings, and in the small and simple things: it is the spirit that will help guide us, 100%. Something I learned from my last companion Sister Suay, and am learning to apply every single day.

I live with new missionaries.... something i also specifically prayed for :) Sister Hunsaker is just in her 3rd transfer, and Sister Villanieva is in her 4th I think. They are so sweet and I love the feel of "new missionary". I love them both and have already become close with them. They aren't kidding when they say you meet your best friends on your mission :)

Thats all for this week... i am so happy and am just learning so much every single day. I love my Savior and know He knows and loves us. The spirit is very real, and when we become worthy, we open the door for revelation, miracles, and blessings- that is a promise He's given us.

Love,

Sister Hafen

Some random things (that i know mom will want to know... cause thats how she is):

-i love the apartment here it is SO nice and beautiful! except that there was one bedroom in my last apartment that had air conditioning... so now not having any has been pretty sweet haha. we lose power maybe 2-3 times a week and that is just like the best day ever!

-also when the power goes out, there is also no water. yep, defintely didn't shower this morning. hahaha sick!!

-we are in Gamu, Isabela. and its super hot. like 40 degrees celcius and 100% humidity... and i think sometimes we are literally like 1km away from touching the sun itself. hahah. the news actually said that Isabela is now the hottest place in the philippines for the month of may and june. YEAH!

-my companion is so funny and our humor is top notch.

- i eat wheat bread with cheese (like a grilled cheese) for breakfast, with a cup of energy breakfast drink, and one apple every morning.

-i drink like 3 liters of water/gatorade every morning before 10 am.

-we got stuck out in this really far area from 8pm until 9:30 and had to call the Morgans to come pick us up in the pouring rain at 10pm.

-this is the first time any one in Gamu has seen or heard a violin in real life :)

-i haven't lived with an american in a while, and so i am learning how to speak english again :)

- I use shampoo that comes out of little plastic packages, not a bottle.

- i dream in tagalog a lot

- i still sleep talk, sleep laugh, and sleep walk almost every night

the craziest little rascal i have met. hahahha.

i love this baby!!

I love this family! Bergonia.

me and sister hunsaker :) me giving her a massage :)

jan jan, jarence lapitan, netnet, me. love them!!!!!

first district meeting in Burgos Zone!

...There are 2 types of people in the world.... those you love, and those you do not yet understand.

^^^Something our MTC teacher told us and has been testified to me over and over these past 11 months.

So I am being transferred. Yes. I am leaving this wonderful wonderful WONDERUFL Almaguer Area. Oh my GOSH. I was informed on Friday that I would be transferred, so I have had some time to prepare myself. Last night we had a member missionary fireside about missionary work, and it was super awesome. After, we had a merienda (snack) and hung out with the branch before our Family Home Evening. This branch is honestly so incredible. They are so high functioning and will probably become a ward soon- I honestly can’t believe their dedication to the church. I realize more and more every single DAY what kind of changes I will need to make after my mission. This branch has shown me one of the best examples of discipleship I have ever witnessed.

This week was just good. Just good. I really don’t have much to share, I feel like when I try to tell really awesome stories from the week it just ends up not making sense and sometimes I feel like this email is a lesson with an investigator- I am focusing on bringing the spirit but like I can’t because its an email. Hahah. But I wll do my best J

One awesome experience we had this week was getting a brand new family to teach. A referral from our awesome recent convert, Fa. Sister Suay met the referral on a day that we split with our branch missionaries, and told me how receptive they were. Then the next day we went back, and her husband and daughter joined. Holy cow. Talk about prepared. The spirit was so thick, and as they accepted invitations to pray as a family, and accepted to prepare for baptism, the spirit was thick. As we shared the plan of salvation to them and the plan heavenly father has for their family, they just smiled. They just thanked us mid message for finding them. They shared spiritual experiences. It was AWESOME. My companion and I were being guided by the spirit, and words just came to us as we shared. It was incredible. They accepted to prepare for baptism and will come to church next week.

Me and my companion seriously testify in the power of referrals and never getting tired of asking for referrals. Almost every baptism I have been a part of on the mission has been a referral. Everyone that is progressing right now… referral. Every investigator that comes to church regularly… referral. I literally have gained such a testimony of members involvement in this work.

It has reminded me of something the wife of Elder Neilson (the general authority that came to see us). She said that maybe the effect of this “hastening” won’t be fully seen until AFTER all of us missionaries go HOME- and WE become the heat and source of missionary work in our own wards and stakes. I really know that will happen. I am so grateful for this mission- there are no words to describe it.

I love my companion more than I ever thought possible, and this cycle has been one of the best. I love this work and am grateful I am here. This is the restored gospel and Jesus is the Christ, I have never been more sure in my entire life.

Love,

Sister Hafen