Abbey in the Philippines: Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Forty-Eight // "There are 2 types of people in the world"

...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