Week 71 - December 9th, 2019 (Santa Teresita, Philippines)

Pizza at Juval's

Hello and Merry Christmas my dear friends and family, how goes it as the Christmas season truly gets underway? We have had a wonderful, wet December so far, lots of great experiences and people. We had an awesome Christmas Conference out here this past Thursday and Friday, we were out in Santa Ana during a very rainy and cloudy time, so those coming from afar did not get to see it in all of its beauty, but nonetheless, the company was wonderful and the food delicious. We had some really good training, activities, and games, and really enjoyed the company of our fellow missionaries over a couple days. Had a fun sand/mud football game out on the beach in the rain as well, so that was about the most American thing I've done since the 4th of July, haha. Here in Santa Te we are having a great time, this week we have really been meeting a lot of new people and looking for those who are part of scattered Israel. We had an awesome training about two of God's great promises to His children which have not yet been fully fulfilled- the first being to gather scattered Israel and the second is the coming of Jesus Christ to reign on Earth. Right now, The Church of Jesus Christ is working to bring this first promise to pass in preparation for Christ's coming, and that means searching every part of the world to find those who have been prepared by our Heavenly Father to be gathered and establish Zion. We are to gather those who are seeking to be gathered, so that they may also help in this work. I can testify to the truth of this literal gathering of Israel, and of the divine source from which this goal comes. 

Exchanges with Elder De Lara

Various Christmas Con pictures

In other thoughts, I had one really cool experience this week which deepened my testimony of the Holy Ghost. We had a recent convert that this last Sunday for the first time since she started coming to Church had scheduled to work after meetings were over, and in our next visit with her she asked us if the Gift of the Holy Ghost could leave, and told us about how she felt a presence leave her on the last Sunday as soon as she went into work. We explained and reminded her that she was not supposed to work on Sunday and that was the reason that the Spirit had left, but that as soon as she repented and sought it again the Spirit would immediately return. It was an awesome experience because she had actually kind of forgotten about this part of the Sabbath Day, and really testified to me that the Spirit is a real, perceptible, light influence that sometimes members have a hard time distinguishing until it is gone, but that it is not just a feeling or a self-fulfilling prophecy, but truly does guide and lift us according to our following of the commandments of God and gives direction and peace to our busy and otherwise troublesome lives- no matter what happens, I know that the Spirit is there for those who are seeking God's will and will witness of all truth, especially of the love of God for us and His desire for us to become like Him through Christ's restored Gospel. I love you all so much, will see you soon!

Love,
Elder Griffitts

The senior missionaries skit

Elder Egana

Reunion with Elder Tuyak