Week 56 - August 26, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Hello everyone! So awesome to be able to write you all this week, we had some awesome experiences and Elder Estrella is so eager to get our full effort out- we are set on working miracles this cycle. We had some cool stuff happen this week- one day we were out at night, around 8:30, and looking for someone to go to but everyone was asleep and then my companion all of a sudden felt really hungry- like, just out of nowhere- so we went to this little roadside fast food place called Dimsum, and there met this awesome guy who worked across the street who wanted to learn about the Church and missionary work- it was an awesome little miracle. Kind of reminds me of that scene in "The Best Two Years"- where they go to the grocery store because one is hungry and then find someone that is super receptive there. It was cool. That's just one of the many miracles we've been blessed with this week.

One thing I read the other day that I really liked was Ether 12:28- I was studying how we can be pushed to do good continually- to overcome our selfish desires and give our all to a greater, holier cause. I like how it says in that scripture how faith, hope, and charity all bring us to Christ- or in other words, all goodness and righteousness. These are a few of the Savior's qualities that truly push us to greater heights in becoming consecrated servants of our God. I was also reading/singing silently the hymn "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" the other day in the hymnbook (p 29) and looking at the footnotes at the reference to Matthew 25:32-40 and I just really have come to love that song as an explanation as to how to truly inherit the Kingdom of Heaven- through pure, unfettered love for the children of God and a constant service in their behalf. Christ speaks of it as well in Matthew 25, one of the most amazing scriptures as to the source of true religion- "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." I know that as we seek out to do good, to love others, to serve and help them selflessly, then we do the same unto Him who gave us all things and all hope- so let us go out and love one another. I love you all, keep loving and serving in all that you do, and I will see you all real soon!

Love,
Elder Griffitts

Week 55 - August 19, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Walking with some kids
coming home from school

What a beautiful day it is here in Santa Teresita, everyone! I'm so glad to be able to write to you all today. I rejoice with you all in the truth and light of Christ's Gospel- how blessed are we all! We have had a great week here, finished up Elder Pacapac's mission strong, and now I'm waiting on my new companion who should be getting here this Tuesday. His name is Elder Estrella, he is coming from Laoag after just being released as assistant to the President. I've met him several times, very excited to be able to work with him. 

The District grad party

Last Zone Conference

Here in Santa Te we have spent an incredible week meeting new people and spreading some amazing news- the news that our families have the potential to continue eternally beyond the grave, and that we have the opportunity to inherit all the Father has through the Atonement and Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was thinking earlier as the Philippines enters typhoon season, how blessed we are for weather forecasts. Through modern technology, man can predict the meteorological future weeks in advance. It seems all of us want to know what is to come, so that we might prepare... For instance, if there is a storm approaching, we would prepare our homes for potential strong winds and floods so they will not be carried away. And so one thing that I find comfort in constantly is the knowledge that one day Christ will come again to this Earth- He said so to His Apostles. However, the wisest man cannot say when, no one knows but the Father. In other words, we need to be prepared constantly- but in contrast to preparation for a storm, this preparation cannot be done by ourselves- The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, but no unclean thing can enter- so how do we, as imperfect things, become clean? That's where our good news comes in- it's the Way, the Truth, the Light and Life of the world- Jesus Christ. He is the Perfect One who paid for an imperfect race, because only He could. I know that this is truth- it has superseded belief, because of the witnesses that I have received, that all of us can receive if we seek truth honestly and purely. Joseph Smith did it, and through him the Lord revealed this truth to the world, because He loves the world. Through prophets and revelation Christ established His Gospel, and through this medium He continues to reveal what is to come. It is the most incredible news ever, and we are infinitely blessed to be here in the Philippines to share it with each and every soul, child of God. I love this work, it goes too fast- I can't wait for this upcoming cycle, I love you all and have an incredible week my dear brothers and sisters :)

We own a barangay here, haha

Love,

Elder Griffitts

Sunset at the fields

With Elder Pacapac

Week 54 - August 12, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Out with my Comp - Elder Pacapac

Walked over this bridge!

Had an awesome week here, hope all of you can say the same! Trying to send some pics this week, but the internet is less than ideal so we'll see. We had a few exchanges with other companionship's this last week, as well as Zone Conference on Thursday, so it's been pretty busy. We've had some awesome experiences meeting amazing people with such an aspect for spiritual knowledge, and are excited for them all. I was reading a talk the other day from the 2019 Liahona magazine called "The Faith to Reap", and I just wanted to share with you that I know that faith is the power by which all miracles are wrought. The talk is about the difference between faith to sow and faith to reap- the faith to try something and the faith to bring it to pass, to do. I think of repeated times in history when someone did something that everyone else thought was impossible, but because they believed it was possible, they did. They believed it was right. Edison created the light bulb. The Wright brothers flew. When it's the will of the Lord, nothing can stop it from happening except perhaps our own unbelief, for He will not force us to believe. Joseph Smith, a farm boy with a 3rd grade education, started a church in 1830 which in less than 200 years has permeated every country on the planet- because it wasn't his will, but the will of God. If it be God's will that we be in these situations in our lives, if we seek to exercise faith in Christ and align our will with God's, and work for it, then nothing will be impossible- we will have the faith to do, to make miracles happen. I know all of us can develop this faith, if we will but center it on Him and seek good in all we do. I love you all, have an amazing week.

At Zone Conference with Elder Stoddard

Love,
Elder Griffitts

At the beach in beautiful Santa Ana!

The beach was really shallow
for a long ways out

Elder Stoddard holding star fish!

Week 53 - August 5, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Hello everyone, happy day in this beautiful time we have in our lives on Earth! So great to be able to write to you all a bit this week, hope all is going well. I am so grateful for all of you, and for the chance that I have to have met you and share lives with you all. This week has flown by- hit that elusive one year mark a few days ago, so that means it's time to work double time. Only one 800 meter left (that's a 1600 meter reference for all you runners out there). It's so fun going out every day and just meeting new people with the knowledge that we are trusted of Heavenly Father to tell His story, His Plan to His children. We have one family that we are teaching that we are excited for- they were very interested in the message of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon- I love the power of that book so much. There is no other collection of words with as much potential to change a life as those 500+ pages written by ancient American prophet-historians. And this week I was thinking a little about our dependency on Christ and His Gospel to become happy, to become who we are meant to be. I used to think it was a good thing to be completely independent, and in a sense it can be positive, but there will always, always remain a dependency on our Savior for His grace. May we always seek His help and do what He has advised us, that we may take hold of His Atonement and find the path to a happiness that never ends. I love you all, have an incredible week- every singe day, have hope for the next and keep moving forward.

Love,
Elder Griffitts