Abbey in the Philippines: Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Fifty-Two // "PAWIS ng PAWIS talaga....‏"

^ that means "just really sweating" or something like that, not sure of the translation to english.

..... that is all we do here. sweat. all day long.

but it's okay because we are so happy! :D

This week we had 2 splits. I split with Sister Hurst and Sister Hunsaker. It was awesome!! I learned so much from them. They are both so humble and splitting with them was awesome. It's so fun to hear their experiences and feel their sweet sweet spirits. Such a blessing.

This week was seriously so awesome. Our 2 investigators passed their baptismal interview and will be baptized this Saturday! Each of them have overcome cigarette problems and other vices, and have waited a long time for this covenant. They are both so excited and are ready to be 100% clean and follow Jesus Christ. The work is going so great, we have some AWESOME investigators who are really looking for the truth. We have found and met some new less actives this week who also are willing to come back and get active again.

I still am obsessed with the MLC (mission leadership council) we had a few weeks ago and me and my companion are doing our all to apply it to us. The theme was all about THE SPIRIT. We have been really trying to add and give them SPIRITUAL experiences, rather than filling them with knowledge. Yesterday, altough so so so tired... so so hot.... and so ready to just go to sleep that night, we gave it our all and really relied on the spirit. We met new less actives and also worked again with a struggling Recent Convert family- We found their needs and relied on the spirit to spark their testimonies again and give them spiritual experiences rather than just knowledge. It was a big spiritual day yesterday.

The filipino people are so patient and so willing to come unto Christ. I know for a fact that is one reason I was sent here- to realize what REAL happiness is- and that has nothing to do with WHAT we have or who WE are- it has everything to do with WHO we have and who we can BECOME. I love this country and the other day as we were working, Sister Carbaquil and I just talked about what the heck we are doing every day. We are just going around, looking for people we can help. Looking for people that we can inform.. that we have a Savior who is waiting to help us, waiting to bless us, and waiting for us to come to Him. We honestly just were in awe of the calling we have been given and both just said prayers of thanks in our hearts as we continued to work.

i am happy and this week was great. i read part of my blog from a few months ago and I sounded so much happier and my stories sounded great but don't worry! i am still just as happy, i think even more happy now, and the work is still just as beautiful.. maybe even more beautiful now :) maybe i am realizing that whatever kind of email i send home, there is no way to explain what is happening here. I am learning so much and am so grateful I am able to be a missionary. I can't believe it sometimes... I walk around and ask myself "is this real life?" ...

I love this work and can't believe that time is just flying by. It's been such a journey, one that I am not wanting to end. I am so grateful for the experiences I have been given and the ones that are still to come :)

With such a full heart,

Sister Hafen

oh ps we had a zone activity at Sta. Victoria- just this little zoo/hiking/resort/caves place. This picture is me and my companion this morning :)