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| Elder Stoddard (from my MTC district) and I at General Conference |
First off, happy late birthday to my prodigy of a brother, Tommy. The big 17, now it's that awkward 2 months where we are kinda sorta one year apart rather than two. It's been a pretty good and humbling week. General Conference was of course amazing, I absolutely love the focus the Church is putting on families now, because of course mine is the best one around. I've been thinking a lot this week about how grateful I am for them, and how much the Gospel has the potential to bless the families here, so many of which are broken and hurt and in need of Christ's light. I just appreciate so much how incredible my family has been in my life, my wonderful mother, father, and siblings as well as grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. I especially loved on this topic Steven R. Bangerter's talk in the Saturday morning session about raising an eternal family in a Gospel-centered home. It's been a great week of reminiscing on mine.
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| Some pictures from home - love them! |
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| Sitting at my desk |
In other news, may kuryente na! (We have power), that was a fun first month. It's been a great week of work, we are really striving to find families and get as many people to church as possible, which was a bit hard with General Conference in Aparri this weekend, but nonetheless the work is always good. We had exchanges one day with the Zone Leaders, where I was in charge of our area- that was a humbling experience, haha. Really teaches me just how dependent I am on my trainer, the Spirit, and ultimately my Savior. Without Elder Larona, I couldn't communicate. Without the Spirit, I can't learn or teach. And without our Savior, well, we really can't do anything. His Atonement, both the saving and enabling power, is absolutely essential to our fulfilling our purpose in this life. That was another theme I loved about conference. We all face trials in this life, and fears, and discouragement, no matter how well we are living- because it's a part of life, a part of mortality. But because of the Savior, they will not last forever, and the sun will always rise again. I love Elder Gong's comparison of facing trials as a "campfire of faith" in the dark night, as we must wait for the sun to rise- but it always will. And we can even find joy in our trials through Christ as well, knowing that He knows us and our pains perfectly. Elder Anderson taught this principle very well as well. And then, the announcement of a new temple in Yuba City is super exciting too, as were all the new revelations received from our dear prophet. It was so good to hear from him, and find new guidance in this world of strife. Take upon yourselves the name of Christ! He will make so much of us when we do, I love that I get to wear His name on my chest every day. I love you all, have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Griffitts
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| A good P-Day! |
