Kumusta po, dear family and friends!
This week has been one of so much growth and miracles and hardships and gratitude! It has just rushed by, and every week seems to get faster, which just reminds me that I have to keep working as hard as I can and developing a love for this people and for my Savior more than anything else. Let me tell you all about everything. Sunday went very well, I enjoyed all the meetings and discussions and was able to be alert the whole day, because it wasn't fast Sunday haha. The highlight for that was probably choir practice, where we all sang "More Holiness Give Me", and it made me regret not doing choir in High School. The director is so good too, he made it almost a devotional and gave us all some very spectacular advice about being better missionaries. The Devotional was by President and Sister Watson of the MTC District Presidency, who spoke about the changes we need to go through to become better missionaries, and having faith, and becoming like the sons of Mosiah, who have been huge examples to me over the past week. Then on Tuesday, we had another choir practice which was just as wonderful, and we all got to sing in the Devotional, where Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy came and spoke to us, his talk was by far the highlight of the week. Actually, Sister Kearon's talk gave me a direction to go in, and that message was to work until I had no motivation to serve other than love for God, for my Savior, and for the people of the Philippines. So I have been striving with all my heart to develop that love, that charity, so that I can be the best servant of the Lord that I can be. Elder Kearon spoke about how to thrive on opposition, the importance of baptism through the proper authority and as a central purpose of missionaries, of the importance of being humble and joyful in all of our deeds, and in knowing that we are children of God and we all have so much potential. He covered many topics, but each was so so good and have all pushed me to becoming better while I am here.
I've really enjoyed the classes for the most part, except for a few around the middle of the week where the schedule was a mess because we are in between teachers. I feel the Gift of Tongues so powerfully in my life, as I know that I could never have gotten this far in the language in two weeks without the divine revelation that I have been given as long as I work diligently, remain humble, and remember why I am learning this language- that is, to invite the people of the Philippines to come unto Christ and find the most joy in this life and the life to come. I know that this gospel is true, and that Christ has restored His Church here in the Latter Days, and I am so grateful to be a part of the gathering of Israel as a servant of the Lord. One more thing I have been frequently impressed by and seen miracles from this week is the Book of Mormon. That book has brought me so much peace, so many answers, and such a strong Spirit of joy and hope throughout every challenge and victory I have had this roller coaster of a week. I love and look forward to reading from it every day, and I need to get more knowledgeable about it because it is written for our time and will be the means with which this gospel and truth will come to all the earth, I'm so excited to teach with it. The language is going great, I'm enjoying all the progress I have seen but also recognize the importance of being humble. One thing which has given me direction as well is the necessity of working constantly on those Christlike attributes which allow us to become more like Him.
Umm, I'm almost out of time, but overall I have seen a lot of great things this week, The temple today was a miracle, I felt the Spirit so strong. I am so grateful for temples, on Sunday we watched the movie "Mountain of the Lord" about the Salt Lake Temple, and that was really good, I highly recommend. I am so grateful for the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and what a blessing it has been to have that as a constant companion in my life over this past week as long as I remain worthy and strive to improve daily. I know this gospel is true, and it is the means with which all of God's children can return and live with Him, and it is all through Jesus Christ's Atonement. I am so grateful for the impact that has had and continues to have in my life. I love you all, I am praying for all of you back home and hope your next week is amazing! I'll see ya later!
Much Love,
Elder Griffitts |
| Can you see the "Y" |
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| My district - at the Provo Temple |
