Bittersweet Goodbyes. Mission Accomplished.

Hey family,

I can't believe this day is here. I never imagined that this day would come. I can't even explain my emotions. I think the pictures below describe it pretty well. Bittersweet.

I wish I had a video of my mission. I have had the most amazing mission ever. The Philippines will always have a special place in my heart and I will always consider myself an American Filipina. This has been the absolute hardest and most rewarding experience of my life. I have never felt so physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. However I feel strong, and I know that strength comes from our Savior. He has been with me every step of the way. I can't count how many times I've said, "I can't do this anymore." Then I pray and as I pray I feel our Heavenly Father strengthening me. and then I feel as if I can conquer the world! and now, I don't want to leave.

I have eaten some of the weirdest things and had some of the craziest experiences, but I wouldn't take that back for anything. 

I have served with those known as the most humble on earth and I can testify how incredible they are as I see their sacrifices so that they may live their faith. They have some of the hardest lives, but are some of the happiest people. 

I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have had the privilege of witnessing miracles as people change their lives through the atonement of Jesus Christ. My heart is full of gratitude. It is so hard to leave, but I know that God has another work for me to do. 

I know this is the true church. My eyes have been opened and I am so grateful for what I know. We don't need to be confused we can ask God and He will answer us. I will never forget the times when I've heard those beautiful words, "I asked if what you taught was true, and I got an answer. I know this is true." 

Lives can change through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Families are FOREVER. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every family. Every family has it's trials, but if we stay faithful and trust in the Lord everything will work out in the end. Jesus Christ is our Savior. 

Alam ko na kilala tayo ng diyos at gusto nya na bawat isa sa atin ay makakabalik sa kanya. Alam ko na ang Simbahan ni Jesu Cristo ng mga banal sa mga banal sa mga huling araw ay totoo. 

Babaen ni Jesu Cristo makasubli tayo iti pagarian ti diyos. Adda Plano isuna para kanyatayo.  

Thank you so much for your support and help. I love you all so much! 

I guess I'll see you soon then. 

Love always for the last time,

Sister Abelhouzen

Busy Week: I partyed in Manila

ala pamilya mabilis ang araw. parang kailan lang..... 

This week was a good week, but it just went by soo fast. We had to go here and there for meetings and then there was manila. Yeah, we had to fly to manila Wednesday to get my fingerprinting done... up until this point in my mission I haven't really thought a ton about life after the mission. It just didn't feel real to me. Is this real? I can't believe that this part of my life is going to come to an end... 

While we were in Manila, I had a hot shower, but that wasn't even the best: we had the opportunity to go to the temple! I haven't been to the temple in 16 months and it was the most amazing experience. There is just something about the temple and spirit there. It truly is the House of Lord. I can't wait until I can go twice a week.

 When we got home from manila we had interviews with President. It focused on how 'God has a work for [us] to do'. In my interview president basically talked about what I'm going to do when I get home and how I just need to get married.... okay woah there partner I'm still a baby. haha I guess I'm slowly getting welcomed into reality. 

The rest of the week we've just been trying to teach as much as possible with the limited time we've had, but we definitely have some good things coming here in Pasuquin. 

Yesterday, we had MLC and received an awesome training from the AP's and President Barrientos. Which focused on the Restoration and who good it is to be here as missionaries. 

I absolutely love being a missionary. Everyday as a walk around the streets I just can't help smiling. Because even if it's Hot and people yell at you, man life is good and there are miracles all around us. 'It's good to be here!'

Have an amazing week and Happy Birthday to my cuties Ashton& Avery!

Love always,

Sister Abelhouzen

Amazing Week!

Hey family! 

Sorry this is a bit late, we've had meetings and a lot going in preparation for a general authority that will be coming to speak to our mission later today.... yeah we're stoked! That's like Santa Claus for us missionaries.

hmmm where to start.

I guess I can start with my exchanges in claveria. Yup I got to go back to paradise. It was amazing. I went and worked in the other sisters area so that my next transfer, I can go back to my area. It was so fun and I really loved it! I got to see the sasis family. This family is the rock in claveria and since I've been gone they've been sealed. Right when I pulled up in the tricey all of the little kids started yelling Sister Aby!!! including B-boy, who by the way could not talk last time I was there. We had a good visit and there house has all of the pictures of us on their wall! Ahh so fun! I was so lucky to go visit them.

We had some great lessons this week. We've been teaching a family, the father is actually a pastor in another church and they are very receptive. He even told us that he knows the church they are joined with is not true, but it's the closest they've found and are just looking for it. He has been really searching, but lately has been held up with how we use more that one cup in the sacrament because Jesus Christ only used one. We explained about how the church has expanded and we now have modern day revelation from a living prophet so we know exactly what to do. He couldn't let it go. I was trying to think about what scriptures I could share with him to prove it when a thought came to me... Sister Testify. at that moment I just bore my testimony about how I know this is true because I have asked God myself. I explained that I don't know everything, but I know that God does and He loves his children and will answer us if we ask Him. After he looked at me and said Sister I feel like what your saying is true, i'm just confused. I will ask. It was really cool and taught me that sometimes we don't need to say all the elaborate things or know all the verses in the bible. We just need to rely on the Holy Ghost and testify. 

Then after a sleep deprived week of hard work we had a baptism of Leonardo Gabuten. He has been an investigator for quite some time. His wife is a member and has been active for awhile just waiting on him.

A piece of advice for anyone that will be serving in the Philippines, Learn to Laugh. The church here is new and you will experience some crazy things... For example:

If when you arrive at the church and the gates are still locked.

Church starts 30 minutes late because nobody shows up on time.

the relief society president calls a return missionary to repentance because she hasn't married yet.. in the middle of class The gospel principles teachers asks everyone to give an example of a sin they have done.

the opening hymn in sacrament meeting sounds a little bit like a bunch of cats dying

everyone bares their testimony in sacrament meeting about all of their sicknesses they have and how strong they are if your baptism starts one hour late because they forgot to fill up the font.

These are just a few examples maybe i'll give more next week haha. Bottom line: I used to be so frustrated and stressed on Sundays, but I now I just smile and laugh and think, they're doing their best. 

For all of you Read this, It's amazing and changed my life:  http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1966&tid=7

I love you all have a great week, 

Sister Aby

Happy 2015!

Hey Family and friends,

First of all Happy 2015! 

This year for new years was.... well yeah this is what happened.

We had to be home new years at 5pm because everyone does fireworks and drinks... not the best combination. So yeah my plan was just to just sit home read scriptures, right in my journal, and eat cookies (thanks mom(: ) but my companion had a different plan. haha we did training.... not missionary training. thai kuan do training.... It was way legit, but I was dying and for the next five days following my body was in pain. haha I couldn't even walk, my companion was laughing at me. sorry man I haven't exercised any of those muscles for over 15 months. 

Our area is doing good. It's progressing, but of course there is room for improvement. We just need to do finding finding finding so we have more investigators! My area is beautiful and is right on the beach yaaa love it. I'll get ya some pictures next week. 

Lots of cool things are happening, but yeah can't really remember. Just know I'm happy and Miracles are real in the work of the Lord!

"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Matthew 19:29-30

Never forget what is most important in this life, our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. They know our sacrifices and our un-commended service. Everything will be made up in the end hundredfold. Never forget which way you face! 

I love you all! 

Give everything to the Lord this 2015! 

Sister Abelhouzen

Maligayang Pasko ang magandang pamilya ko!

This has been a great week! We started the week with having our annual Christmas Conference. Is it already time for that again? Crazy... The Devotional was first in the morning. It was amazing! I felt so motivated and excited to be better. A lot of great news came! First our mission had a goal for 2014 to have 1000 baptisms. We exceeded our goal! So for 2015 our Mission Standard has been raised and by raised I mean almost doubled when it comes to the amount of lessons in a week and quadrupled when it comes to the amount of baptisms.... yeah. at first I was like oh no... I'm going to die. haha I mean I'm already working hard right? Then I remembered a scripture, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" This is not my work, it's the Lord's and if President Barrientos has received this revelation, then let's do it. The Lord is hastening his work, just like he said he would in D&C 88:73. It's time. I'm so lucky to be apart of this work at this important time!

After our Devotional we had an amazing race. yes mom, I know you love that show. well that's what we did! We had to run all over Laoag and figure out clues and due certain tasks... did I mention I was wearing a skirt... yeah awesome. but It was really fun, I forgot how competitive I am.... I was sprinting everywhere. 

After Christmas conference we just worked really hard and taught way more lessons than we usually do. I didn't think we could work harder, but when you have a positive attitude and keep a prayer in your heart. Mircales happen! Get ready for a year full of miracles in the Philippines Laoag Mission! 

Love you! Have a great Christmas!

'Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God'

grabe pamilya ko. november na. ang bilis. wellllll this was the first week of the transfer and it was a good/ difficult one. 

My new companion is sister Morallos and she's from Tacloban, Philippines. She has been in the mission a little over 10 months now. She's awesome and was home when the huge typhoon hit one year ago... she's got crazy stories! 

This week was so fast... 

somethings that happened: 

-we walked for two hours because there was no transportation... we may or may not have gotten lost and my feet may or may not have been bleeding by the end. gotta love it. 

-lots of parades. haha oh man the parades here are so funny. people just get on their motors and drive in a line with lots of people walking and holding balloons. no floats. but literally everyone is involved. nobody could do anything because they were all walking in this parade. 

-we worked hard. We had a lot of awesome appointments we saw a lot of great changes in these people that we're teaching. 

- I was so stoked for sunday we had visited our investigators saturday night and we had expected a turn out of 15 investigators at church. turns out there were more parades and none of them showed up.

I was really disappointed and have been praying about what I need my investigators to understand. I got my answer. 

'Seek ye first the kingdom of God.' 3 nephi 13: 33 

I feel like sometimes we forget which things are most important and push spiritual things aside because 'they can wait'. the truth is, they can't wait. This is the most important thing. The awesome promise is if we seek first the things of God, he will give us EVERYTHING we need in return! 

Love you all!

Sister Abelhouzen

BBBBAAACCCARRRAAA is the BEST

Hello Family! 

Aw man we have had an AMAZING week! After weeks and weeks of struggling in this new area, we are starting to see some big things happen! This is one of the best parts of being a missionary finally seeing all of that hard work paying off! 

Let's start off with some of the cool things we got to do this week! 

We volunteered at the church where they were doing free screening for free surgeries for cleft pallets, clubbed feet, and cataracts. They had a doctor come up who lives in Manila. He's from Utah and is a retired surgeon. Many years ago he served as a mission president in manila and when he retired he decided to move to the Philippines and start a charity where they do free surgeries. It was amazing. Before we started volunteering he advised us that we should not share the gospel at all. He said, "We serve them and we don't expect anything in return. We serve them first, then when they see what the church is all about and they show interest, then we teach them." I thought that was really cool. When Christ came to America in 3 Nephi- He first healed all the people then he taught them the gospel. 

We had the opportunity to fellowship with a lot of the members this week! Yes you heard that right, THE MEMBERS OF BACARRA WARD ARE FELLOWSHIPPING. It's a miracle. We saw a lot of success and the members really enjoyed it. In fact most of them came up to us at church and thanked us and asked when they could work again. They've caught the vision and felt the sweetness of the work! 

Sister Lumanog and I gave a training at a Zone Training Meeting about what more we can do to be consecrated missionaries. It was really awesome and I think really motivated our Zone to be better! Big things are gonna happen in Laoag 2 zone. 

Alright here are some miracles that happened this week: 

We found a new family! Not just any family. This family is really prepared and are soo receptive. After the lesson we were really feeling the spirit and the mom told us to keep coming because her husband never listens when other missionaries come, but he sat right down and was really receptive! 

Our sacrament attendance in the last week increased from 95 to 140. do you think members make a difference?

We were just sitting in sacrament yesterday and I was just laughing and listening the the talks, when my companion leans over and says, "wait you understand this?" I realized they were speaking in ilocano... yeah I do... awesome. 

We have just been working so hard so get excited for all the big things coming up. I just want to leave a scripture that I read in my personal study today. " And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. 

And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation." 3 Nephi 26:9-10

 We have to trust in the faith that we already have in order receive more. It's sometimes scary and doubtful. But you just press forward until that faith grows into something that you truly know. Keep doing those things that help your faith grow. 

mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat. Ingat palagi! 

Sister Abelhouzen

Let's Feed the Dead People Day

minamahal kong pamilya at kaibigan, 

grabe, deba kahapon lang ang lunes? mabilis ang panahon.

This week has been so great! Great but difficult. We have worked soo hard. We just worked and worked even though it's so hot and everybody is punting us we just kept working. there would be some days where I'm like wow... that was hard. Even if the sun is beating, you're sweating, and you are just looking for people to except your message with no one listening, you just keep smiling and when you return home at night you feel complete peace and you know that the Lord is pleased.  That my friends is the joy of this great work. I love being a missionary. Even though it was rough we are still making progress. we managed to find two new families this week and heeps of new investigators and we hit our mission standard of excellence in lessons. 

I have to share some of the things I saw this week... crazy stuff. This was my first Halloween in the Philippines because last year, I was still in the MTC.

They actually call it All Saints day and it's on Nov 1 then Nov 2 is all Souls day. I don't really know the difference... maybe they celebrate the nice people or 'saints' that have died on the 1st then on the 2nd they just celebrate everyone that's dead?? haha di ko alam. 

So this is what happens everyone makes food, like a lot of food, and takes it to the cemetery and leaves it out for the dead... I don't think they can eat that. however some people just leave it out side their houses. so there is just ALL this delicious food sitting out side going to waste and did I mention it was fast sunday?... yeah rude!  after that... i'm actually not really sure what they do with the food, cause I know the dead people don't eat it... basta its gone now. That night,  they turn off all the lights and light candles and leave their doors open. I asked my companion about it and she said its so the 'spirits' are guided to the door?? but they don't leave their gates open... soo how's that gunna work? 

yeah so that's the philippines. It was really hard to teach those days because everyone was at the cemetery or had to entertain their dead guests with the lights off. but all is well we still taught even if a few lessons were with the lights off.

Man I just love this work! Yesterday we had a broadcast where a lot of the area presidency and Dallin H oaks spoke to the whole Philippines. It was awesome I got to see sister Lainhart and Sister Simangan. I wanted to talk about some of things they focused on. 

Family first- if we put our family and God first, we will always have enough and will be blessed

scripture study- if you want to stay spiritual strong read your scriptures EVERY DAY. "it's not about how many times we go through the Book of Mormon, but how much of what we read goes through us." Elder Ardern

Please if you aren't already, read your scriptures EVERYDAY. we need it to overcome temptation and the evil effects of the world. As we do we will, as Nephi promises "be made strong.. it persuadeth [us] to do good.. and  it speaketh of Jesus and persuadeth [us] to believe in Him and to endure to the end, which is life eternal." 2nephi33:4 Don't we just love the scriptures?? 

Love you all! Have a good week! The church is true! 

P.S. shout out to my momma who's birthday is this week!

Ingat Claveria

Hey fam,

So looks like this will be my last day in Claveria. That's right I'm heading off to my 4th area, Bacarra It's kinda by Laoag. I heard it's kind of a rough area, but hey magbabago ang bacarra. (: My companion is Sister Lumanog, she just finished training and I'm sure is super magaling!

Dang, I'm going to miss Claveria. This place literally changed my life. I have learned so much in the last few months! I'm going to miss grandma and grandpa (the Pettingils), they have helped me so much. I'm really sad to be leaving because I know a lot of big things are about to happen, but it's okay I left my area stronger than I found it. The Claveria Branch is now the strongest Branch in our mission with a sacrament attendance of 200+ I'm very pleased with the progress!

This week was so great. Me and Sister Simangan worked super hard! We taught 39 lessons and found a lot of really great people that have been prepared by the Lord. It's incredible how if you just work hard and be obedient, the Lord will lead you to those who he has prepared!

We made huge progress on the Dalo Family. We were actually planning their baptism for this last Saturday, but we received a text from nanay telling us that she had to go to an emergency training all week so they'll have to postpone their baptism. Sayang! I won't get to be there, but that's okay. The important thing is that they get baptized! I just love this work!

We visited the Benigno family, the less active family of about 30 people. They are also making a lot of progress, but they just can't seem to forget about the person that offended them 14 years ago. Every time we go they just always bring it out. Finally I just pulled out the secret weapon. Revelation 3:11 "Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." I told them that this is not about this person that offended them, but about Christ. We don't know when time will be too late, we must hold fast. We can't just give up our salvation for something as silly as offense. After tatay read the scripture he just looked up and said, "we will be at church next week, thank you for reminding us." So I'm excited to see what happens!

Thank you for all of your support and love! I know that this is Christ's church and it has been restored in these last days. this is a divine work and am so grateful to be apart of it. To all of you, Hold fast and 'let no man take thy crown'. Love you all!

Sister Abelhouzen

Sandcastles & Sugarcane!

Salvation is not Cheap

Hello My dearest family and friends! 

Well I left Claveria Tuesday. It was bittersweet. I love claveria and really love those people. Monday was FHE at the Curamengs. It was mahirap to say good bye. Members were crying... man I hate good byes. 

When I got to Bacarra... wow what a change, everyone is so rich and soo ilocano. I have never seen so many nice house my whole mission and I've had to step up my ilocano came since my companion is no longer an ilocana. It is crazy. The nice thing is that there are a lot of investigators here. So even though they're rich they're still willing to listen to the word of God. Now we just gotta getem' to church (: The Ward seems strong, a lot of good leaders and a lot of Return missionaries. That makes a big Difference.

My new companion is Sister Lumanog. She's awesome! She's pretty new in the mission, just finished her 12 week training. She's from Bacolod, Philippines and is a hard worker! It should be a good transfer! 

This week we've just been working hard and meeting all the people here. Once I get to know them better I'll tell you some awesome stories haha! 

This weekend we finally got to see conference! ah! It was amazing! I love how they are able to speak in their native tongue now. Maybe next year, Tagalog! 

I really loved the talks. This time I wrote a bunch of questions on things that I can do to become a better missionary. They were ALL answered better than I could have imagined! Our leaders are truly inspired and called of God! 

I've grown up always thinking that we live in a generally good world. You hear stories about bad things people do, but subconsciously I've always thought that that would never happen to me. or be done by anyone I know. I guess I was thinking I just lived in a protective bubble where nothing bad happens around me. I've always heard stores about persecution of the Church or Truth. They're everywhere, The bible, Book of Mormon, church history, even other missionaries in our day. I thought yeah people will reject our message I guess, but I didn't quite understand. It absolutely blew my mind and still does to this day that people don't want to listen and when they do listen that they aren't absolutely astonished. I mean this is the truth, Why aren't people flocking to the baptismal font? Let me put this in terms that we can understand, well at least us girls. For me, I felt like we are offering people a 100% off sale at H&M, or sportsman warehouse for you guys,  I mean right?? Wouldn't everyone be all over that?! The only thing is, it's way better than 'clothes' or 'things'. its the truth! The literal way to our salvation. YOUR SALVATION PEOPLE AH! 

Elder Uchdorfs and many others talks really put it into perspective for me! Something I remember Jeffrey R Holland Said to missionaries, "How could we ever expect it to be easy for us, when it was never ever easy for Him. Salvation is not cheap." What we're offering is not a 100% off sale at H&M, we're inviting others to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and to know how to return to our Father in Heaven. But it's not cheap and it most certainly is not free. We must give everything. The only people that will see that and understand are those that have truly been prepared by the Lord. To everyone else we're just another church or another place to go on Sunday. What they don't understand, this is everything, Everything we are and how we live. 

But we can't be discouraged because there are those out there that are searching, that truly want to know. We just have to find them. and through the miracles of God, we will! 

I love being a missionary! 

Sister Abelhouzen

Picture: a part of God's army Bangui Zone.

Baguio Season

sige po, wag po kayong magalala buhay pa ako. 

There was a big typhoon in the Philippines and it knocked out the power in our area and I'm not sure how long it will be out. but today we traveled to laoag for zone conference and got to email. also I had a cold glass of water, it was awesome. 

The  zone conference  was incredible and really motivated me to be better! We focused on a lot of things but these are some of the things that stood out to me: Leave behind all personal, this mission is not about us missionaries, forget it all. retain recent converts, the work is not done. asking inspired questions takes obedience and planning. fear is not real! I always seem to get exactly what I need to be a better missionary!

last monday was pretty awesome, we got to go to some more waterfalls. It was a pretty funny story though this cute little nanay in our ward said she knew where they were and we went, but we went to this random little swimming pool with a little spout. "nanay where is it??" "there! isn't it beautiful" gotta love filipinos they definitely find beauty in the little things! but don't worry we found it Tuesday we had the chance to Volunteer for a program that the church is sponsoring, it's called ligtas sa tigdas. Basically we just went around with the Health department and gave this children vaccinations for free for a disease that really harmful. for us in the U.S. we receive our MMR shots when we're babies, but most of these families can't afford it, so a lot of children get sick. It was really awesome to help out. My companion gave out vitamins and I gave the kids candy and comforted them after and before their shots. I loved it and the parents were really grateful we were there. It reminded me of volunteering in the E.R. 

When we got back from Zone Conference I was ready to work, Thursday we worked all day. It was so awesome! We saw so many miracles! I found my jam again... it's rough when there are storms and you're stuck inside.Well to my surprise Friday Morning we received a text from president telling us that we would not be able to work that day because another storm was coming...noooooo. ah I hate it. On the bright side we did get to stay with the petinggils again and ate delicious american food. but in the afternoon I felt like we needed to go visit one of our recent converts and so I text president and told him the storm wasn't too bad in Claveria so he approved, but told me to be careful and come home right after. So we did. Turned out being an awesome lesson. His son's whole family was in town and we taught about temple sealing, they seemed very interested so we told them we'd come back again. storms can't stop the work of God. Saturday we woke up to a sunny sky! "yes, this means work." I thought. After a few appointments, president texts again. "Nobody go out and work. don't be a hero. it's not safe." WHATTT? it's sunny! but don't worry, I did what I was told and went home. within a few hours the sky turned black and the storm was here. It really wasn't bad in Claveria, but in other areas it was. I heard in Vigan (my first area) their apartment was so flooded they were up to their chest in water... crazy.Sunday was good, but our attendance was really low because of the storms. Everyone just pray that there are no more! I wanna preach the Gospel! 

Love you all! have a great week! 

Sister Abelhouzen

The bitter makes the sweet that much sweeter and Uhh... Merry Christmas??

My dearest family and friends,

This week we had a lot of bitter and finally some sweet. However it's okay because you can't appreciate the sweet without the bitter!

The thing that has been the hardest this week has been the Dalo Family. I love this family so so much but they aren't sure if they want to get baptized anymore. Ah no! In fact they were supposed to baptized on August 23, they were interviewed, passed and everything, but then they told us that they weren't ready. They needed more time so we picked a date with them and they decided September 13. However now they are second guessing. I can feel that Satan is really working hard on them. Please pray for them so they can push through and be baptized!

As for some of the sweet:

-We taught one of our investigators (a chain smoker) about the word of wisdom. He has been texting us every day to tell us that he is quitting and will prevail. He really has a desire to be baptized!

-Got to witness a beautiful blessing. A father of one our recent converts asked for a blessing. The problem is that he has tuberculosis. for those of you that don't know, this is a extremely contagious disease and it's air borne. We asked Elder Pettingil if he'd be willing to give the blessing and he just smiled and said, "I've never heard of anyone getting sick from giving a blessing." He then, because the father couldn't move, had to stick his hands through this window to give the man a blessing. It was beautiful and afterwards the man was so grateful and so happy that we came. #PriesthoodPOWER

-one of our investigator families was really struggling with coming to church. We had a powerful lesson about the Plan of Salvation and they need to attend church to be baptized and return to our Father in Heaven. Then early Sunday Morning we pull up to see them waiting out side the church. That is one of the best sites ever!

-I have found my love for family history. We did Tatay Caalim's family history and since it's really hard for him to speak and nanay can't remember anything we were just planning on doing a little bit. But then we come to find out that tatay had done it years ago but hadn't yet sent it to the temple. We were able to find all these old records and miraculously tatay was able to help us put it all together. It was so fun! I can't wait to do my work when I get home.

As for things here in the Philippines.. It's still hot and always rains, don't worry the bathroom is still full of spiders and it's incredibly beautiful. Apparently it's Christmas season... Everyone is putting up lights and Christmas trees and lot's of Christmas music.

This week in the scriptures: I just finished Alma and I'm so inspired by the stripling warriors. Just when you think they will be defeated they prevail and this is why, "They did obey and observe to perform every command with exactness; yea and even according to their faith it was done unto them and I did remember the words which they said unto me, that their mothers had taught them." Alma 57:21

So a big shout out to my momma. She's incredible and I know the reason I'm here fighting this fight is because of what she has taught me. I hope when things get tough we can do as the stripling warriors and keep fighting for our faith in Christ and remember what we've been taught from our mothers!
Love you all! and I guess Merry Christmas!

CPR the small and simple!

Kumusta ang magandang pamilya at mga kaibigan ko.

This week was a little bit more difficult than I'm used to here in Claveria, but that's okay. Still a good week and lots of miracles! 

Last monday we went to Laoag to withdraw our money for the month. It was awesome we went down with the Petinggil couple in their car! We went to the filipino mall and ate pizza hut! then on the way back up we stopped at this really cool light house! the oldest in the Philippines!

The rest of the week we worked hard, and were actually pretty punted. I think Heavenly Father is just trying to keep me humble because these last couple weeks we've been having tons of success. Well it worked and I really had to pray and fast this week for help. One of the things I've really been struggling with is Ilocano. Now I'm pretty comfortable saying that I'm pretty fluent in tagalog, but we still have quite a few investigators that only speak Ilocano... I feel like I'm starting over, but I'm still working hard and not ready to give up this fight. by the time I leave this place I will be tri-lingual ( is that right?) haha.

but after a couple discouragements we started seeing the blessings.

One of the families we have been working with said they know the church is true. their baptismal interview will be this week, because they have been consistently attending church for weeks now. They have the coolest story, but I'll save that for when their baptized(:

We had an incredible lesson with the Vega family. This family is very influential in the community and would really help our little branch. they are truly investigating and want to know. As I taught them I really felt that they will be baptized!

Sunday was really great. So I spoke, you know us missionaries always prepared. Our recent convert Tatay Cresendo and his wife sang in church how great thou art. They sang acapela  and tatay harmonized. the whole audience was in tears. It was incredible. They were so nervous, but I'm so glad they shared their talent! They also mad history being the first musical number in sacrament meeting in Claveria.
I arrived to church to find out that one of the speakers didn't know he was giving a talk... well sister Abelhouzen to the rescue. As the leaders were stressing out I volunteered to speak. the relief on the faces were priceless haha.

My topic was centered in the scripture "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." Alma 37:6

Something I have really learned on my mission is how important the small and simple things are. They may be 'small' but they make a big difference.

For example: Every morning we must be out of the apartment at or before 8am. One morning in my first area, my companion and I were running late. Everyone was late to shower and nobody had eaten. Earlier that week my companion and I had set a goal to be out the door before 8am every morning. It was 7:55 and we hadn't eaten yet. Though hungry we decided to pray and leave so we could achieve our goal. Right after we left a man on a tricee passed and we flagged him down to take us to our first appointment. "perfect timing." we thought. we started talking to him and turns out he was pretty interested. we went back to visit him later that week. That man's name is Maurito Rigunay and in April he was baptized a and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Can you imagine if we would have decided to eat or if we were just one minute late?

I promise you that as we are exactly obedient to the commandments of the Lord, even the small and simple, the Lord will provide and we will see miracles.

This is true not only for us missionaries but for all of us in our lives.

We missionaries have a term we use a lot. CPR

C-attend church

P-pray daily

R-Read Daily

This three things are commandments of the Lord and are basically the commitments we leave to everyone. Though simple, it makes a big difference. I have seen that as people follow these small and simple commandments their spirituality becomes more sensitive, their desire to do good increases, and the distance between them and our savior is shortened.

I hope all of you will do the small and simple things in your lives!

The Church is true

The Book is blue

if you do these things, the Lord will bless you.

Yes cheesy... but true.

have a great week

palagi may pagmamahal ako para sa inyo!

Sister Abelhouzen

The Work is Hastening

Hello my dearest family! 

This has been a normal week full of hard work, brown outs, lots of rain, and miracles, always miracles.

A few experiences that we had:

1. my companion is fearless. She killed a rat by hitting it over and over with her shoe... while I was on top of my desk.

2. I ate chicken intestines... again. I've gotten pretty used to the food here; fish heads, chicken fat, balut, that's all fine, but I still can't get over the intestines... so weird.

3. yesterday at church we had a powerful Sunday school lesson. It was gospel principles and there were probably around 20 investigators in attendance. We were watching Finding Faith in Christ. It was amazing until, all of a sudden, a brown out. Everyone was sweating and the teacher was scrambling trying to find ways to fill the time. I was praying so hard that the power would come on and I didn't understand why it wasn't. Finally I just said, "Thy will be done." At that moment one lady stood up and bore a powerful testimony of Christ and how he has helped her in her life. The spirit was so strong and I realized that our investigators needed to hear that. 

4. Yesterday was also fast and Testimony meeting... the power was out so that means no power. which also means no microphone... nobody could hear anything President was saying as he started his opening announcements. Incredibly, just as they were about the bless a baby the power came back on. Coincidence? I think not (: Fast and Testimony meeting was incredible. Member after member stood and bore powerful testimony that Jesus is the Christ and this is his church. It was so incredible that it went over 30 minutes because they couldn't stop the heaps of people that wanted to share.

5. Have you ever tried sitting on the back of a tricycle in the pouring rain and then arriving to your meeting like you just stepped out of the shower? Welcome to the Philippines(: you just haven't experienced pouring rain until you've experienced a baguio in the Philippines. 

The area is doing pretty amazing here, everyone around can see how much it has started to progress and the incredible investigators that have been coming out of the wood works! Members have gotten really excited about the work and many people are preparing for baptism. There are a lot of factors that go into this: Hard work, obedience, quality teaching, but I do have to say that there is one thing I have noticed to be causing this work to hasten: Family History. I have been working very close to the senior couple, the Pettingills,  here on the mission. They're my secret weapon (; haha. Friends and Family across the world I would like to share a secret. If you want to see the work hasten and the baptisms increase, make family history a priority. People here in the Philippines didn't focus on their ancestors temple work, but once we started our work started to explode. The reason? These people in the spirit world have waited hundreds and hundreds of years and once they realize they have a chance, they will do everything to see that their name is found. These people started to see that the missionaries in Claveria are looking for their names, and just as Malachi prophesied, "The hearts of the children will turn to their fathers." Their hearts are definitely turning. People are stopping us on the street, begging us to teach them, Members are referring their friends, people are all of a sudden interested in what the "Mormons" have to say. When we ask why, they say "I don't know we just want to know more about your church." Or "we just felt we should." That feeling isn't just coming out of nowhere it is coming from those on the other side. When prophets and apostles have told us that we have help from the other side, they were not kidding. This work is real and the people that have passed need our help just as much as those that are sill on the earth. Please, if you haven't yet, do your family history work. And for my friends on missions, get your recent converts, members, and even investigators involved in family history. These people will bless your life in more ways than you can imagine. 

I am grateful everyday that I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I love this gospel and I know it is true! 

I hope you all have an amazing week! 

Sister Abelhouzen

Hello my darling' family!

 

So this week was fast... and not to much happened. I got stranded in Laoag waiting for my new companion. She was stuck in Manila, because of the typhoon. don't worry we didn't experience much here except a lot of rain... what's new?

One good thing is that I got to work in my old area and see my old people it was great! Loved it until president told me I couldn't work anymore, because apparently I had a disease and was going to kill people. okay Ma, before you start freaking out. I'm totally fine. I just woke up one day with a rash all over my body. I asked some of the members and they told me I was allergic to air... okay? yeah I'm just going to text Sister Barrientos. I text her and she told me to go to the hospital and get it checked out. turns out I had a viral infection... don't worry I'm not allergic to air. haha but I wasn't able to go out because if a pregnant lady gets what I had it could be harmful... so I just had to sit inside... sound fun? no, it wasn't. All I wanted to do was work! 

Finally on Friday I was all better and I picked up my new companion! Her name is Sister. Simangan she is from Isabella and speaks ilocano! Yay! She's awesome! I just feel bad because when we got to the area we did weekly planning. Then I was so excited to work that on Saturday she must have thought that I worked her to death. She'll get used to it(;

 

But on Sunday our work payed off we had investigators come to church that are preparing for baptism in August! I'm really excited for all that's coming up! 

Thank you all for all your love and support! Have a great week! 

P.S. A lot of you have been asking about foods... I guess it all just seems normal to me now... hahah still eating fish heads on a regular basis. 

Picture: Me and Sister Simangan... it's flooding here like always (: 

Magandang Umaga po sa inyong lahat.

Magandang Umaga po sa inyong lahat.

This week was a great week and the last of this transfer... My dearest Sister Buduan is getting transferred. and here is for the big shocker... I'm training haha kawawa ang trainee ko. diyok lang. pero yes I'm very excited. I love new missionaries, because they're just so excited to get out there and do the work of the Lord. It'll be an awesome experience!

I had exchanges this week with Sister Teely! It was awesome! I learned a lot! She's from Fiji and is a   boss! 

Remember that less active family of over 30 that I told you about? well yesterday, nanay came to church. It is a miracle. She told me when I first met her that she would never come back to church, pero sapagkat masdan yesterday morning there she was!!! I was so excited! I know this is just the beginning and many more are going to return!

We also had baptisms this week yay! Brothers Sherwin Tuberra and Cresendo Agcaoili are officially members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Sherwin Tuberra was met by the missionaries a week before I got here and was extremely prepared to hear this gospel. He was at a point in his life where he was on the search for happiness, but he didn't want any of that temporary stuff. He wanted long lasting. That's when he saw the missionaries laughing and walking down the street. "I want that." He said to himself. Then he stopped them and asked for a pamphlet. When we met him for the first time he sent us away because he was embarrassed he was drunk.  We came back and he informed us that he has spent his whole life drinking and obtaining temporary happiness, but he wants real happiness, he wanted to change. He has not had a drink since.  He saw something different in us. The first time he came to church, he felt at home and found what he has always been looking for. He was confirmed yesterday and has already been called as a ward missionary. People used to refer to him as the drunk on the block, he is now Sherwin yung mabait. or 'the kind one'

Tatay Agcaoilie has been an investigator forever. let me give you a little time span. Elder Asuncion was one of the missionaries to teach him, after his mission he moved back to claveria, got married, is now the district president, and has 4 kids the oldest being 14 years old. Long time... the reason being tatay is just a little stubborn he wants to know everything, which I absolutely love because now I know he will remain a faithful member of the church for a long time. He has changed his life as well and is a good example to everyone around him. Everyone loves tatay he's incredible and KNOWS this church is true.

This gospel changes people! I'm happy to report that both will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood next week and both cried during their testimonies! The church is true!

pictures: this morning we went hiking to the falls! and the baptism!

Hello family! 

So this is going to be short one because I didn't have time to think about what I wanted to write about... We woke up at 3am this morning to come to Laoag so we could withdraw our money. I was planning on thinking it about it on the bus, but those of you that know me know that I can sleep anywhere... so I was out haha.

This  past week was the fourth of July!!! how is it in the good ole US of A. don't worry I celebrated. I wore red and we sang the national anthem and america the beautiful for companionship study. My poor companion had no idea how to sing it. 

So on the mission I have this rep... I'm the fearless white girl. I have to confess that is so false. I have fears... I get nervous every time I go talk to someone, but the Nike phrase just goes through my head. JUST DO IT. so I do. I will just walk up to someone, help them wash their clothes, run up to catch someone on the street, crack jokes in the jeepney (usually not that funny, but they laugh because I'm trying to speak Ilacano), or help them gather their vegetables.Then, it usually turns out pretty awesome, we've found a lot of really great people. Don't get me wrong I have been horribly rejected as well, but you've just gotta shake it off and go to the next one. "I just think about Jesus Christ, He wouldn't even care, he would just do it; because he loves them." David Archuleta said that. Pretty cool, and soo true. 

Other than that we had an awesome Zone Training, some baptismal interviews, and I realized just how tall I am. 

We have two baptisms coming up this week so It should be great! 

Love you all so much! Stay strong and remember, they too are children of God, Love them! JUST DO IT! 

have a great week! 

Sister Abelhouzen

Pictures: 

The counters in our kitchen

One of the cutest ladies in our ward! 

Good is the Enemy of Excellence

Well family another week has come and gone... I feel as if each week goes by faster and faster.

This week we have done a lot of traveling. Not a fan, but it's alright you gotta do what you gotta do. We traveled to Laoag (4 hours) for zone conference and back the next day and then one day later to Pasuquin (3 hours) for district conference and came back the same day. Now don't get me wrong, I love road trips.But this is more like riding hours in a bus like the one in Harry Potter. They move so fast and turn so fast and slam on th ebreaks to stop. It's absolutely crazy. I steel feel a little sick. The hard thing is you don't really know how long it will take because you don't know how many times the bus will stop. There is no such thing as bus stops here. You just stand on the side of the road and flag one down then when you want to get off you just stand up. The picture is at the mission conference with the sisters in my apartment. My outfit is from ukay ukay and probably cost 4 dollars!

           So a couple more things about Claveria. I have fallen in love with Ukay Ukay... don't worry that's not a filipino haha its a store. It's actually the filipino version of the D.I. There are so many cute things for like 10 pesos (25 cents) yeah it's good. Also there are bugs everywhere. Yesterday we made spaghetti, but didn't realize the noodles had ants. when we poured it in the boiling water they all started popping up. The sad thing is, we were too tired to cook something else. So we just tried to get them all out but ended up eating it anyway... is that bad? I mean they were boiled... extra protein?

          This week we were finding all these little white balls and we didn't know what they were. Turns out they are lizard eggs. I thought it was awesome, but the other sisters thought it was gross. Maybe they'll eat some of the bugs?

          I have to tell you about Zone Conference because it was amazing. Elder Ardern from the 70 came to speak to us. I learned so much. His wisdom and his intelligence inspires me. He had no notes, but his thoughts were so organized and so profound. Something I really like that he talked about is that for missionary work to reach it's potential, there can't be a single missionary that settles for average or "good". He quoted someone when he said "Good or Average is the enemy of Excellence." We must not settle for average. We should always strive to become better. Even if we thing we are good enough, because "good enough" is never good enough. There will not be one should in the celestial kingdom that settled for good enough. WE must follow all of the commandments and put our focus on the weakest parts of ourselves to make it strong like Moroni did with his army. "The most important commandment is the one that gives you the most difficulty." President Lee. I hope none of us will settle for average & we will all strive to be better.

        Miracle moment: Yesterday while I was traveling back from pasuquin, I sat nest to a man. Then, like you're supposed to, I struck up a conversation with him. He then stopped me and said, "I appreciate what you do, but I'm Catholic." Politely, I responded with, "That's okay we both believe in Jesus Christ and that's most important." Then I proceeded to ask about his family and work. He eventually opened up and told me his whole life story. When I saw he trusted me I pulled out one of my pamphlets and said "I can see that family is very important to you, I'd like to give you something that I know will bless you and your family." He accepted and told me how he has a desire to move closer to our Savior. I took out my Book of Mormon and shared with him 2 Nephi 22:2, one of my favorite verses. "Behold God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he has also become my salvation." After he read he said "Thank you that was beautiful." I handed him my Book of Mormon and said "As you read this book, you will move close to our Savior Jesus Christ. These are His words." As he held the book he explained that he was feeling something and he feels that what I am saying is true. I just smiled and said "It is true." After a few moments he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "thank you so much, this is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me." When can you come visit me and my family?" Unfortunately he doesn't live in my area so I explained that I would give his name to the missionaries there. He was so excited.

Don't give up on people if at first they reject the gospel. They will come around.

The Church is True!

Sister Abelhouzen

Trust in the Lord with ALL Thy Heart

This week was amazing. My companion and I were so unified, we taught a lot great lessons and found a lot of great people I have come to love this area so much. we have really turned it around. Then, last night I received a call telling me I will be transferred to Claveria. It's bittersweet. I would have loved to stay one more transfer in Laoag, but I'm excited because claveria is beautiful and has a really great branch. you should google Claveria, Cagayan, Philippines. It's in the mountains, but also right by the beach. Rainy season is soon so I'll be getting lots of rain. Oh and I'm getting another filipina (: 

I'm excited, but it's hard to leave. That's the hardest part of a mission.. leaving. Time just moves so fast. Sometimes I just wish I could freeze time and take it in a little bit longer, but that's alright this is where the Lord wants me to be. Here's to new adventures with the mountain people. I'm sure I'll love it. 

As for this week. It was great we learned a lot and had a lot of experiences... good and bad. 

We slept outside again and I got sick... I know not my brightest idea. anyways I was sick, I had a fever and the power was out for 1 day. Yes it was awesome. It's hot here plus I had a fever.. I slept with frozen vegetables.. I got desperate. In the midst of all that, I still went out to work. I wasn't too bad, because every time we started to teach a lesson it was like I was barely sick. 

That's why president always says that work is the best medicine. The Lord will bless you. I testify. I got better quick and the rest of the week we were able to enjoy. 

One day we were walking to one of our appointments at night when an army of about 20 kids ran up and started chanting boom banes, boom boom banes banes over and over again. It's a chant that means Boom rotten... I don't really get it, but It's just a chant that all the kids do. It was awesome. Like an army of kids chanting as we walk. it was so fun! Man I love it here. 

This week I took part in one of the most humbling experiences of my life. we helped one of the sisters in our ward look for her 2 oldest children around the town. This woman has 6 children around the town. This woman has 6 children under the age of 14 and is pregnant. She has an abusive alcoholic husband. and is one of the strongest women I have ever met. we wnt with her at night and walked all the way around the town when finally we found them. There were selling necklaces they made from flowers just for food for the day. Sister told us that they usually don't come home and she has to go look for them every night, and sometimes she can't find them. the saddest part was there were with about 12 other kids. that don't want to go home because their parents are abusive or addicts. So they're left to provide for themselves. They told us they make anywhere from 50 to 100 pesos a day which is about $1-2.50 and that's what they live on. We knew we needed to do something so we bought them dinner. I can't even tell you the looks on their faces . It's like the first time they've had a good meal in a while. I can not believe people live like this and you know what, they're usually really happy. I hope everyone that reads this realizes how blessed they are.

With that said I know that sometimes in this life we have trials and we don't understand why. Something President Barrientos told me is, whom the Lord loves, he tries. because he knows that through trials we will become the person we are meant to be. Trust in the Lord and learn to be grateful for your trials, and through them the Lord will bless you. I love you all so much! 

Sister Abelhouzen

Lovin' life in the philippines

Hey guys, so the funniest thing just happened. 

I'm sitting in this computer shop when two young boys are behind me speaking in ilacano... and they're talking about me. haha but they don't think I can understand... I let them talk for a little and then I just turn around and say in ilacano, "yes I know my nose is big and i'm white." I wish you could have seen the look on their faces hahah then I just laughed and took it as a missionary opportunity. so they will be having some missionaries visit their home (: I love knowing other languages. 

I hope all you had a good week, mine was amazing. It started off with skyping my dearest family. You're amazing, I love you. After that I was so motivated to be the best missionary in the world. We went straight to work, me and sister Rodelas worked hard and it definitely payed off. We found two new amazing FAMILIES, had 5 investigators at church and 7 of the Less actives. yes I am in Laoag. 'the hardest part of the mission' and you know what... it's pretty awesome. 

Miracles are possible if you're exactly obedient and trust in the Lord. "Anything is possible if you just believe" cliche but it's true. 

Being on a mission has taught be so many things, but I think the most important is that I've realized how real the effects of the adversary are. I have been set apart from the world, so I see the adversary work and just how strong he is. He affects every single one of us and it is critical that we protect ourselves. We are fighting a war and we need the armor of God that is described in Ephesians 6. "We  have the  responsiblity to stand strong with a shield of faith against the fiery darts of the adversary. We are role models to the world, protecting God-given, inalienable rights and freedoms. We stand in defense of our homes and our families... How will you resist [Santan's] aggressive tactics? Put on the whole armor of God." Robert D. Hales 

Here is my  selfie with caribou!

 

Love you All!

 

Sister Abelhouzen