Abbey in the Philippines: Sister Abbey Hafen // Week Sixty-Three // "A dang good week"

Hey fam fam,

Wow, this was one of the best weeks of my entire mission. It was so awesome. So hard and some really heart breaking things, but it was so awesome. I feel like I walked out of a movie starring Missionary Life at it’s Best. Our District Meeting was so inspired and we sat in a circle around a table, so it was more of a discussion rather than a lecture. The spirit was so strong as we discussed our purpose and what needs to be done in our Finding (finding new investigators). Elder Roy shared about how usually the one thing missing in Finding, is persistence. Persistence when you first meet them, persistence in getting contact information, persistence is setting a specific return appointment (day and time), persistence in ACTUALLY going to see them, persistence in all aspects.

That very Tuesday after our district meeting was over, we got on the jeep and as I sat down, I thought, okay. Am I going to apply what I just learned? Am I going to act on the revelation I just received and the ideas and promptings that came to me in the meeting? I battled for just a few moments and then told Satan to get lost haha. I started talking with the women sitting by me on the jeep. We got talking and then I dove into our message. As I talked, they all just listened. I shared with them truths that they for sure didn’t know. I bore testimony to them and shared with them why us missionaries do this. I’ve done that who knows how many times, but this day, I felt like a real servant of our Father in Heaven, sharing the gospel with everyone, not just for a KI, but because I saw them as my siblings and I saw them dressed in white, sitting next to me in the celestial kingdom. I wish I could explain it, but it was an invigorating feeling, letting the spirit of the Lord just testify as I testified of Him.

When we got home from District metting, we tracted. In the first street we went down, we got 3 return appointments in just 1 hour. It was incredible. We saw the Lord place people in our path and give us the courage to talk to them, and not only just talk, but to bear testimony to them right there, on the streets, of our unique message and promise them the blessings that they can receive from it. It was so powerful.

Then on Wednesday, I had splits with Sister Murdock. These 2 sisters are such a unique companionship, I have learned sooo much from them both from our exchanges over the past 3 transfers. All of Sister Murdock’s goals for the splits were with Finding- so we did a lot of… finding :) We got some really solid return appointments, and little did we know then, that they would all be receptive :) Sister Cabada and I contacted them Saturday, and got some solid new investigators. One of the families we found, their oldest son is a member, and married a return missionary! They are active members in the neighboring stake. They explained that every birthday or family get together at their sons house, the missionaries are there, etc. As we shared with this family, the mom just stopped us and said “I really am interested in this. I really am. I just see a lot of good from this, and I really am interested.” They already have several copies of the book of mormon, and are ready to start their journey again in the gospel. We are soo excited for this family, and are really praying for them.

Last night was really hard (okay it was dang hard, one of the hardest things ever haha) because our investigator and his active friend had drinken a little alchohol (drunk but not quite wasted) when sister cabada went to go see them, then on our way out the one of our Recent Converts (one year ago they were baptized) were out at the tindahan (the little street stores), and tatay (the dad) had drinken a little too I think, and was holding newly bought coffee. They are one of the familys preparing for the temple right now. I got in the trice to head home after shaking his hand and just couldn’t really get over it. When we got home I could not hold it in any longer-I just cried and cried to sister cabada. I really lost all hope in just those few moments- after, I saw how hypocritical my reaction was. What if every time that I didn’t fulfill the potential heavenly father saw in me, he cried, gave up, and just wanted to never see or offer help to me again? I’d be toast!!! I realized that is exactly how I reacted and how I 100 percent allowed the adversary pull me down and get me to believe him. I’m grateful for Sister Cabada and her love and help for me and this area, she is perfect. She’s the perfect companion for me, I really love her. J We prayed so hard for them last night and I have a prayer with me for all of them all day :)

^I am weirdly grateful for these kind of “take a step back” kind of experiences though, they help me see things in an eternal perspective and keep me grounded here in this work.

This week was just really cool. I am so happy and have never felt so right about anything in my whole life before. I am happy I am here, I am happy I know this gospel, and I’m happy the Lord has trust in me to be a full time servant for this time of my life.

A very grateful missionary,

Sister Hafen