Week 21 - December 23, 2018 (Camalaniugan, Philippines)

The giant tree at the municipal center,
it is quite the spectacle

Merry Christmas Eve my dearest friends and family, I love you all so much! Hope everything is going well, and you are all spending wonderful time with family and all those whom you love! It is such a blessing to be able to celebrate every year the One who made it possible for us to feel this great joy- I know that it is my Savior who gave us and gives us daily the opportunity to find happiness no matter our situation, no matter where we may be. How grateful I am for that testimony, that He knows our lives perfectly, and He wants nothing more than for us to find joy in them. I hope you all find that joy that He offers.

Also, happy belated birthday to my dear father, way back when a couple weeks ago! I will refrain from guessing a number, as I have forgotten, but rest assured it is well within the "soccer professional" range. Anyway, It's been a good week here, we had a good branch Christmas party on Wednesday which was really fun, and have been hard at work for the most of the week. I've really been grateful for the diligence and drive of Elder Nielsen, we have found so many blessings from working as much as we can- it truly is the secret to get lost in the work. I think at this point the next step is making it efficient, or in other words becoming more receptacle to the Spirit and its guidance. This is truly a must- if we do not teach with the Spirit, there can be no conversion. This presence is something we all in out lives must be striving for constantly. 

We had quite the missionary quartet
at the Branch Christmas Party!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I know that it is truly a season of great joy, and hope, and love and peace. Because this is exactly what Christ offers. His Way is truly simple- become as He is, and love as He loves. This is how we find joy ultimately, and I have a firm belief that He is the one who makes it possible for us to become this way. He just asks us to seek Him sincerely, and then we will see the blessings. No matter where you all are this Christmas season, seek out the light of Christ- it reaches to every corner of the Earth, and every son and daughter of God- I love you all so much, have a wonderful Christmas!

Maligayang Pasko!
Love,
Elder Griffitts

Teaching Sisters Lilian, Anghelita, and Jocelyn-
they are wonderful, so happy all the time

Working with the youth and YSA on Sunday-
they are all wonderful