Week 67 - November 11th, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Elder Elayao and I at the Carbonel house

My dear friends and family, I'm so happy and filled with joy to be able to write to you all about this week of miracles! I'm happy to report that I will be staying another cycle here in Santa Teresita with Elder Morley, this will go up until my 6-month mark here. We are so excited for this next cycle, there are so many people that are just progressing and making miracles in their following of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been privileged to witness and be part of this work of our Heavenly Father, our God, and can testify with every fiber of my being that this is His work! There is no other way, no other lifestyle or philosophy or belief that can bring the pure joy and hope and promise of eternal life at the right hand of God.

Two of the incredible people who were baptized
this last week- Sisters Josephine and
 Ellaiza Carbonel from Barangay Mission.

The other two amazing sisters who were
baptized- Sisters April Joy and Jenny-Fe Morla.

We had a very busy week here teaching all the people we had at church this last Sunday and also preparing four of those wonderful souls for the sacred ordinance and covenant of baptism, which was the miracle of them all- they were all baptized this last Sunday after church and made covenants with God to take upon them the name of Christ and keep His commandments, that at the last day they could stand with confidence in His presence and be welcomed into the fold of God, being called by the name of Christ. Sisters Josephine and Ellaiza Carbonel, as well as sisters Jenny-Fe and April Joy Morla, all entered into this gate and we eagerly anticipate next Sunday where they will be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Hearing them bear their testimonies after the service, especially those two that we had only met about a month ago, who testified of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored to His Church in this our day, was the truest witness to me that this is all true. Who would have thought that the greatest joy is to see a person change? To become a new person in Christ, draw closer to His light and truth and escape the confusion of the world- this is the work and glory of God. We were so blessed as well in that we had many others we are teaching that are on their way to the covenant path come to church and witness this sacred day of baptism that changes lives. 

I've really come to realize this week one essential thing about finding the things that are going to make us happy- it's found in really searching for what God's will for us is, not our own. This is the whole Gospel of Christ- repenting and covenanting with God to do His will, keep His commandments- because it's this trust that He knows what is best that brings miracles, this obedience and sacrifice that Christ Himself exemplified above all others. This is what Joseph Smith did when He asked God what church he should join- he stopped saying "whatever one I want" and gave all the decision-making to the One whose Church was established through this humble boy turned prophet. We all need to decide for ourselves that if we lack knowledge, we must ask God- and with real intent, with every intention of acting on the answers that we receive. If we let Him, God will turn us into instruments in His own Hands to bringing about the salvation of both ourselves and others, and I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity I have to be that. I hope you all have an incredible week, I will see you all soon!

Love,

Elder Griffitts

Moving day on our neighbor's kuliglig:

Week 66 - November 4th, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Had lunch with some of the
awesome people we are teaching

It has been quite the week of miracles here in the Philippines Laoag Mission, and I am so excited and glad to be able to write to you all this wonderful day. I'm so happy to tell you all about the incredible work that we have been blessed to witness here in Santa Teresita, the Lord is truly pouring out His Spirit on this part of the world, and preparing so many people for this message of peace.

Here's a pic of my study desk

With my Comp - Elder Morley

We started out the week great, had a busy Monday moving and then Tuesday we're back into it all, had an awesome full day of work teaching some of the people who came to church last week as well as lots of new people. On Wednesday I had the opportunity to travel out to Baua and go on exchanges with Elder Rasmussen, a newer missionary who just hit his first month in the Philippines, and that was a blast. We really worked on talking to lots of people and finding those who were really seeking to find ways to draw closer to their Savior, On Thursday, we had zone conference up in Aparri and that was just so revelatory- the Assistants gave a training about really focusing on helping people see that the invitations we give to them are all for them, centered on helping them help themselves to come closer to our God who loves us and wants our happiness, and then not being afraid to extend those invitations and discern if they are truly seeking something different, some way to change. It really reminds me as well to always be seeking some way for myself to change, as that is why we are here and anyone who is not perfect (AKA everyone) should always be seeking for that invitation of Christ Himself in Matthew 5:48. Anyway, so here is where the miracles come in- we really strove to change our own work and apply their counsel to invite people to come to church for the first time and every time afterward, to help them see that it is for them. So we implemented this last Friday and Saturday, and in the mercy of God and His willingness to touch these people's hearts with the Spirit as we invited them, we were blessed to see 11 people that we have been teaching come to church yesterday, which is from about 0-3 as an average for almost a year now, and I am still in awe of the power of God to do His will in His timing. We are also looking forward to next Sunday when we have the baptisms of 4 of those wonderful souls, very excited to write about that next week. Elder Morley and I have been having a great time and some fun stuff happening all along with this, really enjoying these people and eating some good food- I know that this is the Lord's work and He is at the helm. I'm so grateful to be a part of it and see it move forward in this way. I hope you all see the miracles that come to your lives this week, especially as we seek to align our will with God's and change those things that draw us away from Him to things that bring us closer. I love you all and will see you real soon!

Package buddies

Love,
Elder Griffitts

Made Filipino taco salad the other night

Exchanges in Baua with Elder Rasmussen