Week 17 - November 26, 2018 (Camalaniugan, Philippines)

Wow, it's been a wonderful week here! Also I just realized Thanksgiving was last week, so happy late Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful time of gratitude and love, I find so much joy in reminiscing in the times I've shared with you all. This week brings much to write, I hope I will be able to get it down. 

The highway and simbahan (church) I believe

Exchanges in Aparri, that was a cool bridge

I've been studying a lot in my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon, the first half of the Book of Alma, about the incredible missionary journeys of Alma, Amulek, Ammon, and the sons of Mosiah. Over the past few days I was reading about how absolutely indescribable their joy was in being servants and instruments in the Lord's hands. How wonderful and blessed an opportunity to be a witness to our Savior changing people's hearts as they embrace His gospel and find the joy therein. It is so true, that the greatest joy we can receive is seeing others come to a knowledge of the truth that we ourselves know. We have had the blessing of teaching several families this last week, and what an amazing opportunity that is. I am so hopeful in bringing a whole family to become strong in this gospel- I have a firm testimony of the potential of families to benefit the most from the eternal truths contained therein, as well as the potential for families to be together forever. I just hope that I will have the opportunity to help some come to this knowledge and joy and gratitude for themselves.

We had the opportunity to go on exchanges this week, and I went with another elder who is a transfer newer than me, that is, he's been out for three weeks. So in other words, it was up to me to do most of the communication- and let me tell you, the Gift of Tongues is so very real. The language flowed better than ever before, and I found myself comfortable in our lessons, and not to mention I learned a great deal about the importance of boldness from the determination and positivity of Elder Hancock. That was another great blessing of the week. 

Lastly, I'm very excited for Light the World this year, our branch is eager to participate. We are all going caroling this Saturday, for the Worldwide Day of Service December 1st. And we have some great branch activities planned the rest of the month. I hope I am given the ability to help strengthen this branch in my time here, they are all so wonderful and true followers of Jesus Christ. Just seeing the difference between them and those we teach, gives me so much hope and strengthens my testimony in the power of Christ to change people's hearts and bring them true joy, no matter the material circumstances. Anyways, I am so grateful for this church, and my Savior, in the spirit of the season, and hope we all can come closer to Christ as we enter into the Christmas season for reals. Mahal ko kayo lahat, hanggang darating na linggo!

Love,
Elder Griffitts