Hello, my dear family and friends! It has been another fast paced week, very busy and full of events. We've had many opportunities to teach people, and be out working, for which I am very grateful. It's been difficult for me, however. I feel I may be neglecting my study of this language, after the diligence which I strove to give it in the MTC, and so I am striving to reignite that motivation over the course of this week. More than that, however, is the effect that this discouragement has been having on my ability to feel the Spirit. It becomes a vicious cycle when it becomes recognizable, thus causing further discouragement and fear. The only cure to this is faith, I am finding- and only faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement for all of us. Because that Atonement is truly the answer to all of our shortcomings and weaknesses, of which I have many. And I'm coming to learn slowly, that only if I trust in my Savior's ability to be close to me and help me, will I ever be effective by any means. So it is becoming a major focus for me that I develop a powerful testimony of this blessing.
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| We found a baby goat in Casili |
Of course, faith is a principle of action- so we are striving to be out working every day. And inviting people to this same action. We have many new interested people who have much potential, they have truly been prepared by the Lord. Our largest challenge this week has been getting them to come to church, and teaching our families together. Families are so very scattered here, and it seems no one ever knows where the others are. And everyone will let us teach them, but the test of their desire to really learn comes in their willingness to come to church- and that becomes quite the challenge. But we have been working on it with some success by trying to work with the members here more. I am getting to know them much better, and enjoy their company. Some I have even held a semi-real conversation with! The language is coming slowly- I feel I am hitting a wall. But I need to study harder. If there is anything I have learned this week, it's the reality of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ- the enabling and healing powers. Because that is the only way I'm going to ever become an effective missionary here, and I must work on obtaining its power every day. Alma 34, among my favorite chapters in the BOM, has been a huge help in this process. What a spectacular hope we can find in the sacrifice of our Savior! It is this hope that I am clinging to, even though I cannot see how I will succeed yet. And I hope that through this hope someday I will be able to find success in this work. I love you all, I'm so grateful for your thoughts and prayers, I'll see you soon!
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| A decent ish sunset- I always miss the best ones |
Love,
Elder Griffitts
Of course, faith is a principle of action- so we are striving to be out working every day. And inviting people to this same action. We have many new interested people who have much potential, they have truly been prepared by the Lord. Our largest challenge this week has been getting them to come to church, and teaching our families together. Families are so very scattered here, and it seems no one ever knows where the others are. And everyone will let us teach them, but the test of their desire to really learn comes in their willingness to come to church- and that becomes quite the challenge. But we have been working on it with some success by trying to work with the members here more. I am getting to know them much better, and enjoy their company. Some I have even held a semi-real conversation with! The language is coming slowly- I feel I am hitting a wall. But I need to study harder. If there is anything I have learned this week, it's the reality of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ- the enabling and healing powers. Because that is the only way I'm going to ever become an effective missionary here, and I must work on obtaining its power every day. Alma 34, among my favorite chapters in the BOM, has been a huge help in this process. What a spectacular hope we can find in the sacrifice of our Savior! It is this hope that I am clinging to, even though I cannot see how I will succeed yet. And I hope that through this hope someday I will be able to find success in this work. I love you all, I'm so grateful for your thoughts and prayers, I'll see you soon!
