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