The Philippines are calling and I must go... : Week 70 - December 2st, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

California burrito in the Philippines

Hello everyone, Merry Christmas for real now! This is gonna be quick, but we've had a really great week here in Sta Te- we started out going out to Laoag for the second time in two weeks, that is a fun bus ride but it was a great experience, we got to go on exchanges with the Assistants, where we learned so much about the nature of the work here and how to effectively find those who are searching for truth, and how we cannot convince people but must simply help and find those who are searching. It's kind of like a seed- a farmer knows that he must go out and plant a seed in order to ever have hopes of growing, and in order for it to grow, he must care for it. However, if that farmer goes out and plants a rock, no matter how much he takes care of it, he can't make that rock grow. In other words, in the work of the Lord, we don't really have the power to force things to happen. We can care for things, seek to have the Spirit always and do all we can, but ultimately it comes down to the power of the Sun and the willingness of the seed to bring forth fruit, and so we must be able to discern what seeds must be cared for, what can truly grow and bear fruit. This also really taught me that we ourselves must be good seeds, willing always to seek God and His will for us, and not close ourselves off to new knowledge. We have really been finding here in our area that all those who are seeking God will find Him through the Spirit, and those are they who are willing to follow the commandments and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, willing to conform and submit to the will of God and show it through covenants and baptism. This is why we are here, and obedience is really what will bring us more happiness than we can bring upon ourselves- He knows infinitely more than we. We had the baptisms of two awesome individuals this last Saturday and Sunday, sisters Nerissa and Jocelyn, that is always such a powerful experience.

Happy Franksgiving everyone!

Hope all of your Thanksgivings were wonderful, we celebrated ours with a traditional Franks n' Burgers dinner after work, lots of fun (Franks is the lifeblood of the Cagayan area). Also got to make some mashed potatoes a couple nights ago, those were good. I'm so grateful for my time here, it's such a wonderful, short period that is going so fast and is just so rewarding. I've never been so focused on one thing in my life, and I'm so happy that that thing is this work, the time to help others become converted to Christ and His Gospel and receive a lifetime of peace as well as eternal happiness to come. I love you all so much, and I hope that as we enter the Christmas season it brings reminders of the birth of the humblest and yet most important child the world has ever received and that we can always remember the sacrifice and success that was made by Christ over sin and death. I will see you all soon, take care this week.

Love,
Elder Griffitts