I Can Understand!

Kumusta! 

This week has just flown by and been full really great! Wow my area is really progressing and the feild is white and ready to harvest! Next transfer will be so great here! I really hope I stay! Transfers are next week so by Friday I will know if I'm staying or leaving.   

This week I've been really grateful for the support of my leaders! Sister Bettilyon and I had to make a very difficult decision this week and had to tell someone they couldn't be baptized. It was a very messy situation, but we got everything worked out. The best part was the support the branch and district president gave us. They told us they trust how we feel and instilled a lot of confidence in us. It made me realize the significance of my calling. I am a representative of Jesus Christ, I always have the spirit with me to guide me. How cool is that?

On saturday we had a baptism in our branch: His name is Bernard and he is such a gem. He was so ready to get baptized! Jojo and his wife Sonya actually came to the baptism but they came late and they said they loved the way they felt. Then that night we had an area broadcast and they stayed for that too! Which was actually incredible because it was mostly in english and they stayed for the whole thing. At the area broadcast I learned how fast the work is progressing in the Philippines and what has changed from last year! It went from 2,100 missionaries serving to 4,300 and from 15 missions to 21. There are so many great leaders coming from the Philippines! I just love this work! God's Kingdom on the earth is spreading everywhere. 

On Sunday we had 8 investigators at church again. we also extended a baptismal date to Sandrie Santiago, she is the wife of a recent convert and has already come to church three times she said she wants to prepare to be an eternal family! We are so excited for her! Her date is February 15. We now have 16 baptismal dates!!

Funny Story of the week: On Wednesday President Barrientos came to Vigan and we had a devotional with the man in charge of the health care of all the missionaries in the Philippines! he was really great and in the middle he made us get up and all sing WADDLIATTCHA mom do you remember that song? if you don't know it look it up.  Well everyone was trying to learn it with the hand movements, but I already did! I was so proud of myself. I was rocking WADDLIATTCHA like a boss. haha thanks Grandma Bentley! you made my week! 

Miracle of the week: This week I lead all the lessons and basically did most of the talking and you know what... I know tagalog. I'm not fluent yet, but I can understand! I CAN UNDERSTAND! I can actually talk to people and teach lessons... it's so great. The gift of tongues is real! 

I love this gospel. I learn more of it's truth every single day. If anyone reading this has their doubts about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. I promise you will receive clarification and know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kindgom on the earth. alam ko po na totoo and simbahan na ito. Ang Aklat ni Mormon ay salita ng Diyos. at sa pamamagitan ng ebanghelyo ni Jesu Cristo Maaari natin babalik sa ating ama at kay Jesu Crist Kasama and Pamilya natin para sa walang hanggang. Pototoo po ako Sa pangalan ni Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Wait you're white... and you have a referral??

Family, you will not guess what just happened, literally like an hour ago. So we left our house and we were going to a new internet place and then we had to turn around because Sister Bettilyon forgot something at home so when we finally got to the place it was not what we expected we decided to eat there and then go to the place we normally go to. While we were eating, we notice this giant white guy walk in obviously we're trying not to stare, but it was kind of hard. I wanted to walk up to him and say "I'm white, you're white wanna be friends or baptized?" but don't worry Dad I didn't. Half way through our meal this white guy walks up and says "hi sisters, I'm brother richard." UHM WHAT? we come to find out hes from Salt Lake, Mormon and in the Elders Quorum. as if that wasn't cool enough we ask him why he's here and he tells us he's visiting relatives and wants them to get baptized while he's here and they live in Santa Catalina (our area) ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? oh just wait yes his family has been taught for over a year ALL the lessons and had a baptismal date, but they have been so busy and we haven't been able to teach them in a long time. THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS ACCIDENTS. There was a reason we were late, there was a reason we didn't stay at the computer shop, and there was a reason I craved pizza (more than normal) It was so we could meet him. We will be stopping by his house tomorrow. I love the gospel.

alright haha so yeah that would be my miracle of the week. This week has been amazing! we taught 33 lessons and had 8 investigators at church! We have found some new investigators that are really progressing! There are some great things happening in the area! The Lord has really been blessing me! oh and Jojo real came to church. I REPEAT JOJO REAL CAME TO CHURCH. This is the investigator that is a born again that has been really hard to help him progress because he thinks he knows everything. but he came. "Miracles can happen once and a while, when you believe." 

I loveee this gospel! wow, It's just so true! The true Church of Jesus Christ has been restored!

Happy are we!

Give Me Mountains to Climb!

First off, we had 11 investigators at church yesterday. Yeah you know I'm rockin it here.

So this week was filled with dinner appointments. Literally we have so much food left over. I'm not mad at all. especially because It was the 5th week and most missionaries are scraping for food because we live off 8,100 pesos a month which is less than $200 for everything.

Our first a dinner appointment this week was at the Alconsels with all the missionaries. As we were walking there we saw this giant anchor in the ground just chillin.  it was pretty sweet.

Another dinner appointment I ate squid... not fried just straight up. there was this stuff in side and I asked what it was and they told me egg. I just looked at them and said why is it brown? "oh it's the squid's eggs." yummy.

Tuesday I had exchanges with Sister Rosell. I learned so much, she is a power house missionary. She's filipina and literally after that day we had 6 new baptismal dates... wow.

We taught a lot of great lessons this week. The best feeling is when you walk out of lesson feeling great, because you just know you're making a difference.

So yesterday was Fast Sunday and I was STARVING. like more than usual. haha so when we got home we ate the Chili you sent me mom and made some corn bread that came from America. SO GOOD. aw I love America.

Funny Story of the Week: We have really been struggling with members coming and working with us. They always bale and so we never have fellow shippers. One day we were going to pick up Rose a 19 year old in the ward that said she would work with us. when we got there her brother told us she was busy and had a project she was working on. So we started walking away when I stopped and said to Sister Bettilyon "no we need a fellow shipper, we going to buy her merienda (a snack) and suggest a study break" "so we're going to bribe her" "I didn't say that" So yes that's exactly what we did. We baught her a fudgee bar and she ended up working with us. chocolate always works.

Miracle of the Week: Jojo Real is a crazy born again that always invites us in his home, but never progresses and thinks he knows everything. On Tuesday for exchanges I find out that before Sister Rosell became a member she was training to be a born again pastor. uhm yes our next stop, Jojo Real. We we got there she shared her conversion story and the spirit was so strong. afterwards he just looks at us and says, "When can I be baptized?" We now have baptismal dates for his whole family and they're preparing. There are no such thing as accidents.

Family, I know this has been a really hard week with everything going on at home, but I know that God has a plan for all of us. There is a reason LDS people are considered to be so happy it's because we know where we came from, why we're here and where we're going. We know there is a reason for everything.

We know that "adversary and afflictions are but a small moment. And then if we endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high." D&C 121: 7-8

"Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9

I love you all so much. I am so grateful for this oppertunity to serve the people here. I know that God loves each an every one of us and will help us with whatever we need!

Mahal na Mahal Kita

Sister Abelhouzen