It has been another very good and very busy week here in Daet as it feels like we have so much to do and so little time. What adds even more to the stress is that it seems like day after day we have added meetings and responsibilities which means we have to work even harder to fit everything into our schedule. But all is well, because despite all that, it was a great week.
For one, this week actually started in Naga! Last Monday we woke up early in order to go to Naga for our Missionary Leaders Coordination.
The bus ride was long and bumpy, but as usual, the view made up for it and in the end, MLC was actually pretty fun!
While we were in Naga, I even got to bake the cupcakes my mom sent, which were absolutely DELICIOUS!
(I had honestly forgotten what American cupcakes taste like!)
Sister Segovia and I got to say hi to all of our awesome recent converts in Naga (because Sister Segovia's first area was my second area).
In addition, getting to be a part of MLC was a GREAT experience!
It was such a great opportunity to receive extra training and ideas to help our area to progress and I learned just a little bit more of what I am supposed to do as an STL.
Finally, I even had the opportunity to talk to Sister Habla on the phone while we were in Naga and was so happy to hear that they seem to be doing awesome and having great success in Iriga. From what I heard, it sounds like Nanay Norma's (one of our investigators in Iriga) baptism was amazing and she even cried during her testimony. I am so happy for her and glad that I was blessed to be a part of her conversion story.
Anyways, upon getting home Tuesday night, I was so exhausted that I went straight to bed, so by the time I woke up Wednesday morning I was all energized and ready to get to work.
To be honest, I had really missed proselyting as it had already been two days since the last time we had actually taught.
So from Wednesday on, our week went pretty normally. We have been SUPER busy as we have so many amazing investigators to get to, but that's alright, we got this!
I remember one thing that stood out in particular was with the Oporto family the other night. This family is ABSOLUTELY amazing! And I have been surprised time and time again when after going over to visit them, they have always read and are so willing to keep commitments. In addition to them, I am also constantly amazed by Nanay Najera, as week after week she strives to bring all 5 of her small kids, plus 3-4 more of her nieces and nephews (about ages 4-15) to church all on her own each week.
She is such an amazing example to us of motherhood and we can see from all her efforts how hard she is trying to strengthen her family and help them have a better life.
I remember the first time we went our to visit Nanay Najera being surprised when we saw their home. For one, we had to trek through a slippery rice-field (I am always falling at that part) to get to their tiny home/shack. There are 7 of them living in that tiny home about half the size of my living room back home and their floor is nothing but dirt, which turns to mud whenever it rains. In addition, there are times that they really struggle just to put food on the table (...they don't actually have a table or chairs in their home) but despite all that, Nanay is always expressing how grateful she is for all the blessings Heavenly Father has given her to help her push through.
In addition, I have also been amazed by Tatay Sayno and his wife as week after week, he has been striving to live the Word of Wisdom and come to church so that he can reach his baptismal date on December 23.
Tatay Sayno and his wife are 60+ and their house sits at the bottom of a big slope. To get to it, you have to climb down this big makeshift wooden ladder (which I always almost fall off of each time we visit).
Because Tatay's wife had a heat-stroke a few years ago, the left side of her body doesn't function properly, so she has to use a wheelchair to get around. In addition, their home is pretty far from the highway, so it is hard to find a tricey to get anywhere.
All that being said, this couple has faithfully made it to church each week, never complaining about the challenges they have to face to get there each week. To make coming to church possible, Tatay will carry Nanay up their slope and push her wheelchair down the road until they can find a tricycle to take them to church (sometimes taking 30+ minutes).
In addition, to make reading the Book of Mormon possible, Tatay tied a wire and light socket over his chair and will borrow the neighbor's light-bulb whenever he wants to read (since he can't see the words unless the room is very bright and they only have 1 light bulb for the entire home).
All in all, seeing some of the sacrifices the people here make just to come to church and read the Book of Mormon makes me appreciate my life and all the blessings I grew up with so much more.
Last Saturday morning, I had a small opportunity to express my love for the people here by spending the morning pulling weeds at an investigator's house in the pouring rain.
Yes... it was cold, wet and muddy.
Yes... it was slippery and I almost fell countless times, but afterwards I felt so happy and blessed to have been able to give back just a little bit for a family who is giving so much!
Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve here, all the amazing people I have met and my awesome companion who is always pushing me to work harder and do more. I LOVE my mission and am so HAPPY to serve here! But more than anything, I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father and all He has done to answer our prayers and help us to reach our goals each week. This week, I am really going to strive to remember Him and do my best to give back a little part for all He has done for me.
Until next time! Have the greatest week ever!
Love,
Sister Matheny
Today, I am SOOOO happy that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Lord, Savior, and brother who loves us SOOO much, that He gave everything He had for us. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to Him, my Savior, and the sacrifices He made for each of us. 
I'm grateful for the times I've gotten to ride in a horse drawn cart this week going from appointment to appointment (because they have horse-drawn carts here in Daet).
That even when they have nothing, they are still willing to give.
