Sunsets & Trees

                                             gabi-gabi here in vigan... sunsets are magical 

This week was rough: 

We didn't get to teach very many lessons, literally nobody was home or everyone turned us a way... oh well a mission is like a tree.

One of our investigators, Jovan, who is 11 and had been struggling to understand, we found out only speaks Ilocano. HE ONLY SPEAKS ILOCANO! why did nobody tell me this??... oh well a mission is like a tree.. we'll keep working

All of our investigators with baptismal dates in December missed church yesterday and since you have to go to church 4 times before getting baptized we have to push them to January... oh well a mission is like a tree.

Sometimes it's hard, especially being a new missionary, because I want to conquer the world and teach everyone. We've been working so hard, but sometime it doesn't show... Then I remember the parable of the Chinese Bamboo tree. It grows underground for 4 years, but nothing shows. Then on the fifth year it shoots in the air up to 15 ft. I feel like that's how it is here. You work so hard, but nothing shows until finally that miracle happens that makes it all worth it! Not a lot is showing right now.. but it will. 

I know Heavenly Father is aware of me. One night this week I came home feeling like a terrible missionary and I just fell to my knees asking Heavenly Father to forgive me of my short comings and I remember having a distinct feeling that I needed to read D&C I opened my scriptures and the first page it fell to had 10:4 highlighted. It read " do not run faster or labor more than you have strength or means... but be diligent unto the end." That is all he wants me to do is be diligent and keep working!

Miracle of the Week: One of our less actives, Emma, hasn't been to church in a year since she came to get the Holy Ghost. She really didn't understand the importance. Missionaries have been trying to get her back and we went to her house this week and taught her one of the most amazing lessons! The spirit was so strong and she started crying. She promised she would come to church and she did! All the members were so happy to see her! 

Funny Story of the Week:  Yesterday my companion and I went to visit Mercy, our investigator who we haven't been able to teach in awhile because she's always busy and really catholic. Not to mention her husband doesn't like that she's taking lessons from us. When we got there she said she was busy because she was trying to understand her sons math assignment so she could explain it to him. I immediately asked, do you want some help and surprisingly she said yes. I then proceded to teach her how to add complex fractions and her husband listened to. They then fed us and were so thankful. We asked if we could come back and teach them a lesson on Tuesday and BOTH of them agreed! Who would have thought that I'd get to use my math tutoring skills to bring people into the Gospel? Ah! So awesome... so sisters... take school seriously haha.

Family thank you so much for everything! I love you all! I love being a missionary! Have and amazing thanksgiving! And never forget to be grateful for the Savior and his infinite atonement! 

 

Mahal kita!

Magandang lingo!

Sister Abelhouzen

 

Being in the Philippines

Uhm what? Is this real life?

Alright let's start from the beginning of my Philippines adventures.

When I got into the airport in Manila I was hit with humidity and heat.

We then got to stay in this very nice hotel in Manila. Seriously I was like alriggghhtt, I can definitely do this haha oh little did I know... ha they fed us dinner and welp I just ate rice, not really used to the meat yet. Then I took the last hot shower I would take for 18 months and went to bed. Since we didn't get to bed till 2:00 am we got to sleep in which also was my last time for 18 months.. sad day. So we woke up and they brought us breakfast which was the same thing we had for dinner except with some eggs. yum. so I ate eggs and rice. haha We got dropped off at the Manila airport 4 hours early... so we did a lot of contacting. dang, Filipinos are a lot nicer than Americans haha I gave out so many cards and pamphlets. My favorite was a man named Dente... he's a gem and said he would add me on Facebook haha Is that allowed? hindi ko alam... oh well We finally met up with more Elders and Sisters from the Manila MTC and since our flight was delayed we got real acquainted. They're great mostly Filipino, have I mentioned I love Filipinos? Finally we got on our planes and it was one of those awesome planes that you enter from the ground, I felt like I was on a movie or like the Queen. NBD. We finally got to Laoag and some Elders and our mission President and his wife picked us up. AH I love my mission President! He's really funny and his wife is a sweet heart!

We got the mission home which is really nice and they fed us Pizza and McDonalds, uh alright I'll take it. We woke up the next morning and had orientation about money and food and the rules. Most of the rules are great, like there is a rule saying that we have to shower twice a day... uhm don't mind if I do. We got to meet all of the Trainers including Sister Brewer ( from home) and Elder Glover (Zac's roommate) ahh I was so happy!.

After placing we found out who our Trainers were and what area we had. I got Sister Bettilyon, she is sooo hilarious! seriously we're going to have fun. but the thing that scared me was that she's American and has only been out in the field for 3 months. Her Tagalog is pretty good, but she's not fluent, so I'm going to have to step it up. We've been doing pretty well in our lessons though! My area is Vigan and everyone is so jealous because supposedly its one of the most beautiful areas in my mission! Alright so we got to our area and did some proselyting... I'm pretty sure the language I learned in the MTC was not Tagalog because I have no Idea what these people are saying... It's so frustrating because I want to be able to teach them so much, but I can only say a few things. Everyone says I'm speaking well but I feel like I'm so behind. All the older sisters here are telling me that I knew more than they did, but I don't know it's just a humbling experience haha.We finally got back to our apartment, which is pretty nice considering we are in the Philippines, but I was EXHAUSTED. Literally I felt like I was going to collapse any second so after showering (we just installed a shower head so we don't have to bucket shower!) I passed out.

After the first day I was super overwhelmed, but I decided I would keep a positive attitude cause I knew it would get better! and it has! I still can't speak the language, but I pray at least 30 times a day so I'm sure that will come soon enough. After meeting our investigators it makes it all worth it. Seeing people's faith grow and watching them come closer to Christ brings so much joy!

When we were teaching one of our investigators, I saw a rat running across the wall. After I asked sister Bettilyon about it and she said it was a mouse... She said the rats are much bigger like the size of Chihuahuas... uh what? apparently everything is bigger in the Philippines except for the bananas and the people.

Sunday was our first time at church and we had FIVE of our investigators there which is awesome because it's really hard for people to come to church here because it's expensive and kind of far away. In relief society and sunday school I basically had no idea what was going on, but its okay I just kept smiling and nodding. In sacrament I had to bear my testimony.. people just kept smiling and you could just tell they were thinking oh how cute she's trying to speak Tagalog haha.... yeah. After church so many people came up to me... oh I just love them.

alrighhhttyyy so some things about the Philippines:

There are goats, chickens and dogs everywhere outside

There are ants and spiders everywhere inside

The people will just burp... all the time... its just normal... Ashton would like it here.

You call every women over 50 nanay and and every man over 50 tatay sorry mom and dad when I put that on your letter I thought that it meant mom and dad... nope just means your old and cute (:

They hook up little side cars to motorcycles and call it a transportation system.

It has a certain smell here... like curry mixed with smoke

They Love white people... seriously I will pull my hair in a bun, wear glasses, with no makeup, and every person is like ohhh so bran maganda.. uh what? ahaha plus most people will listen to us just because we're white.

It's weird how fast I've adjusted. I love it here.  I sometimes have to remind myself I'm in the Philippines and stuff happens. its whatever. I often find myself saying well that just happened. I just love it here!

This is hard a lot of the time, but the good out ways the bad! Heavenly Father is blessing me so much! I've never known more than now how much people need this gospel!

Love you all and miss you so much!

Sister Abelhouzen

P.S I'm happy to report I've only gotten three bug bites. I have been drenched with bug spray.

Safely Gathered in!

I made it to the Philippines! My mission president is letting us email real quick so that I can tell you that I arrived safely! It's amazing here. I absolutely love it. I got to meet all the trainers including my friends Sister Brewer and Elder Glover from college! I get to find out who my new companion and what area I'm serving in tonight. My mission president is so awesome! soo funny! and his wife is a nurse so they'll take good care of us!

 The air is wet. Rice is everywhere. the gospel is true!

 

 Love you all!

Sister Abelhouzen

                                                    ****UPDATE****

We would like to let you know that the typhoon Haiyan(locally known as Yolanda) did not majorly affect any of the areas in the Philippines Laoag Mission.

                  All the missionaries here are safe. Thank you for your love and support.

 

Ready to Fly out!

I'm finally finished at the MTC... it's a bittersweet moment!

I'm almost finished packing and ya'll should be proud because I fit everything into a big bag, that I'll check, a carry-on and a backpack! WORLD CLASS PACKER! I have a great time at the MTC and it's flown by! My time here has consisted of lots of studying, laughing, par core (joke), food, and amazing growing experiences! I can't believe the moment is here! I'm going to be a REAL missionary!

 

Flying out Monday morning 5:30am- Salt Lake to Seattle to Tokyo to Manilla to Laoag-whew!!

 

Things I'm going to miss about the MTC/ America

1) Mga kasama ko- My companions have been so awesome! It will be really hard to leave them! at least we'll be in the same mission! 

2) Hot showers- I have thoroughly enjoyed my showers in the MTC. sorry sisters... but I took about thirty minutes each time.

3) Mint brownies- I have developed a love here at the mtc... I'm crying.

4) ENGLISH- Kay don't get me wrong. Tagalog is awesome, but I know I have a long frustrating three months ahead of me. Good thing the Lord is on my side!

5) Dance Parties in the dorms- Halloween was epic.

okay, now what I'm stoked about!

1) BEACHES! -literally everywhere! I'm so excited

2) Messy hair day every day

3) No make up, no worries!

4) my new companion! I'm sure she's awesome! 

5) meeting the people known as the friendliest in the world!

and finally, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all those who don't have it!

It's times like this that I start doubting my self. I don't know the language, I'm not a scripture master, do I really have what it takes? but then I remember that I'm not alone! God is with me! I can do ANYTHING with him!

 

 Wow I'm so lucky to be a missionary! Heavenly Father has blessed me so much on my journey so far and I know I have so many amazing experiences ahead of me! Thanks for all your love and support! You're all amazing!

 

Mahal Kita,

Sister Abelhouzen

Time in the MTC almost over

Kamusta Everyone!

Oh wow this has been a crazy week, literally has gone by so fast. 

This week I have been focusing on becoming more Christ-like, It's been an amazing week!

Sunday Devotional was really awesome! (like always) but the most amazing thing about Sunday night was watching an old devotional by Elder Bednar called "Character of Christ" I was so so  inspired to be better. 

After devotional, the district older than us left. It was a bitter-sweet thing because they are some of the coolest people I've ever met. However, now we're the oldest district in the Zone! CRAZY!

Tuesday night I got to sing in the choir. We sang "Consider the Lilies" If you haven't heard that song, you should look it up because it's beautiful! The speaker for the devotional was Lynn G. Robbins of the 70 and his wife. They were awesome! They reminded me that I can't be afraid to open my mouth because we have a license to teach!

Wednesday I got to be a host for the new sister missionaries again. It brought back soo many memories. The day I got here was one of the craziest, most emotional, awesome days of my life. I feel like it wasn't that long ago, but now I've been here for over a month. To think how far I've come is insane... but I still have a long way to go!

Man I've had an awesome week! I loved the packages I got! Mom the Halloween package was so cute! My kasamas and I love the mustaches and the Homemade Carmel Corn is my favorite! I got some krispy kreme donuts that were gone in about 10 minutes from Michele. Grandma and Grandpa Bentley sent me a letter and a cute packet they're giving  to the new missionaries in their mission in Pennsylvania. Aw thank you all so so much I love you!

Okay but by far, the highlight of my week was yesterday when I got my travel plans! woot! I leave a week from Monday on Nov 4th!  Salt Lake to Seattle to Tokyo to Manilla to Laoag-

Awww guys I'm so excited! I'm going to be a real missionary!

 

Being a missionary is so awesome because you realize even more so  that there is no such thing as coincidence miracles happen all around us! I have become so lucky here at the MTC! My savior Jesus Christ is refining me and I'm becoming more and more like him everyday! 

This is the true church! I know it. I know that if anybody were to read and ponder the Book of Mormon and then ask God of it's truth then the spirit of the Lord would manifest it unto them! Ah man I love this gospel, It brings me so much joy! 

Thank you for all your love and support!

Mahal Kita 

Sister Abelhouzen

Enjoying the MTC

Pamilya Ko!

Can you believe it's my third week?! I leave to the Philippines three weeks from tomorrow!

So this week was amazing. It started off with an AMAZING General Conference! I hope you all got to see it, because it was really a great! Being able to watch it in a room with about 700 missionaries is powerful. The spirit is so strong and you just know that you're part of God's army! 

After General Conference, Vocal Point came to sing for us.... I WAS FREAKING OUT.They're amazing! They were all talking about their mission experiences and then sang for us... I love being a missionary (: 

I'm starting to get the language. On Friday, I went in to teach with no notes and it went so smooth! I could say everything I wanted! Plus I could actually understand what my investigator is saying... mostly (: haha

Today is going to be great! It's my first full P-day being here, because of General Conference last week, so I can actually go to the temple! I'm so excited!

Thank you all so much for your letters and packages! They make me so happy!

Before I came to the MTC, I thought I had a strong testimony. However it has been strengthened so much! This church is true! I find more and more evidence of that each day as I study. Not to mention, how strong God's spirit is ALL THE TIME. I am constantly seeing miracles and ways Heavenly Father has blessed me. I am so lucky to not only be a member of, but a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I get to tell people that not only does God love them, but he has a plan for them! He wants all of us to be happy, and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be! Our sins can be forgiven! We can find eternal happiness in this life! I am so blessed to know where I came from, why I'm here, and where I'm going! But, I am even more blessed to be able to share that with others!

Gumawa Tayo ng mga Himala ( We Make Miracles! )

I love you all, Thanks for your love and support!

Sister Abelhouzen

Life in the MTC

Pamilya ko! 

ahhh! I love you all so so much! 

So the MTC is crazy. it's so dang hard! my first day I walked into class and my teacher didn't speak english at all. I just smile and nod... hahah I already know how to pray and bare my testimony in Tagalog! Crazy huh! It's been three days! I just taught my first investigator yesterday, IN ALL TAGALOG. Let's just say it was rough haha. We had all these notes written out, but we decided to throw them all out before and go my memory and the spirit. We struggled with the Tagalog, but the spirit was there and we made it, we teach him again tonight! 

It is really hard, but I LOVE IT!

I love being a missionary! I'm so happy! The spirit is so strong here!

My Kasama is Sister Odom, she's from Arizona and she's awesome! We think a lot alike!

I'm on the new west campus! It's so nice and the food is soooooo good!  don't worry I'm trying to eat a salad at every meal so I don't get fat ha!.

My district is awesome! we have 4 elders and 4 sisters and they're all so fun! I honestly am always laughing! We're the only new district in our zone with Elders and Sisters so It's awesome!

Kay so it's FREEZING HERE! sorry but mommy... could you send me my SUU sweatshirt to work out in?  also another pair of sweatpants

Oh another thing I forgot to mention is there are 12 girls in my apartment. YES  TWELVE! and we have two bathrooms. If your bad at math lets just say the mornings are chaotic! I've been getting up earlier to get ready.

Kay so I love you all so much! thanks for your support!

Love always, Sister Abelhouzen

 

P.S. please pray for me and fast for me this weekend! Kaloob ng mga wika (the gift of tongues) is real and I need all the help I can get!