Week 29 - February 18th, 2019 (Dingras, Philippines)

Hello everyone, hope your weeks are going great! Quick blog this week, I'm running out of time, but I'm so happy to be able to talk to you all. It's been a great past week, we are finally seeing some real growth in our area, and we've had some awesome opportunites to find and teach some new families this week. We had one who was able to come to church this past week, all of them except the father, as he works in the farm all day, it's the busiest weeks of the year during the corn harvesting season. The Guira family- they are all so humble, willing to seek change in their lives. I'm hoping to see them all go through with this wonderful opportunity the Lord is giving to them and us. 

My home in Dingras

The other two pairs of Dingras Elders had some baptisms this past week, it is such a great experience to witness that- the Spirit is always there in those huge events in these people's lives, and we are so blessed to be a part of it for this short time. I'm coming to realize just how short this time really is, and how much I have a duty to commit all my time to this work, to these people- I need to come to love them more, to love the Gospel, to desire their salvation, to experience the change of heart spoken of by Alma and all those Book of Mormon prophets. This purpose is simple, and the results so wonderful. Missionary work is real! This is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is our Father's plan for our happiness! I love you all, keep seeking the light in all things, and have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Griffitts

Week 28 - February 11th, 2019 (Dingras, Philippines)

Hello everyone, I hope your week has been one of hope and happiness and goodness. I'd really like to just talk to you all about something that has really been pressing on my mind this week, and that is the nature of love and goodness- that is, the nature of Jesus Christ. I think I need to understand just how powerful the attribute- characteristic- call it what you will, of charity- is. The scriptures describe it as the pure love of Christ. To me, it is the most powerful force in the entire span of the universe. Think about it- what good, truly good, deed has been done except out of love? The greatest deed of all, the Atonement of our Savior, was done purely out of love for His beloved yet weak and imperfect people. Will we ever be truly deserving of that love? I don't know how it is possible, but luckily He doesn't have it in His plan to choose those He loves, He plans with His Father to save every single one of us. So what is our job in all of it, I guess that has been on my mind quite extensively...

Well, I guess I think that we have the responsibility, once we know of this love, once we truly believe in it, to seek it for ourselves. Of course, faith plays a huge part in all of it, as well as does hope, but to me ultimately the outcome we seek is to do all we can for Him, or in other words, do all we do for the benefit of God's children (Mosiah 2:19). It's all so clear, and so simple, sometimes the hardest part is just doing it. That part of moving the thought from the mind into the heart, into our very natures. Well, luckily Christ helps with that part too- in fact, He's really the only way that that can truly be accomplished. That we can truly overcome the natural, selfish self and become reborn in His perfect, selfless image. That's what conversion is. It's a lifelong process, but it's one that can in all certainty be done. The process is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is the only true way to change a heart, to change one's very nature, to acquire for our own selves that power of love that I want so very bad. It is a process of challenge, of growth, of hope, and of joy. It is one full of promises and opportunities, but I guess most of all it's a path whose end is that of the highest joy that can be achieved as Spirit children of an all-powerful God. And we just need to keep trying- so just try. Try it all, find the seed of faith within you, and no matter where you are in life know that you have a Father who does in reality love you and is but waiting for our plea for His help to become that being that we are meant to become- one of pure happiness. I love you all so much, you are those who have taught me the nature of this love, and I hope the very best for you all this upcoming week, and in the months and years to follow. 

Love,

Elder Griffitts

Week 27 - February 4, 2019 (Dingras, Philippines)

A cool bridge in our area

Hello everyone, wrapping up another great week out here in Dingras, it's been a great one of getting really into the work and meeting all kinds of great people and learning about the different way of life here in Ilocos. We spent a lot of this week out in some of our far areas, exploring the barangays and looking for those who are looking for us. It's been a great experience. 

Mark and Jonah Galinzoga

I'm really appreciating the structure of our branch here, the only difficult part is with six missionaries in one branch it is hard to work with the members. But they are all so kind and it's great to get to know them. Anyways, I honestly don't have much to write on this week. We had a pretty busy day yesterday- we had a funeral that we went and spoke on after church and then in the evening one of our neighbors had a birthday and invited us so we went there and had a lot of spaghetti and real carrot cake! I had my first Ilocano empanada earlier this week, that was really good. 

One thing I've realized is how much this gospel is such a lifestyle of joy. Having the hope that comes from faith in our Savior and our families being together forever is something remarkable that nothing else I've seen can offer. There's nothing like the thought that we have a Father who is God and loves us more than anything else in the universe. The more I just consider the basic doctrines of the gospel, the more I realize just how simply it makes us into better and happier people. The Atonement of Christ is a true force that has the power to change the human soul, I know this for a fact. I'm so grateful to experience it every day, and even more so to see its influence in the lives of others. Have a great week, I love you all!

Our church

Love,

Elder Griffitts

A pet monkey??

P-day lunch at the Galinzogas