Week 76 - January 13th, 2020 (Sinait, Philippines)

Exchanges in Cabugao with E. Olsen-
he's a new trainee out from Canada

Hey everyone, how goes it across the pond? It's really going great here, the fun never ends in Sinait. We had some great experiences this last week, we are really learning more every day about loving people and finding those who are seeking to improve their lives. If there's one thing I've learned here, it's how happiness is all about what you make it- attitude, not situation. It's really interesting, here in Ilocos you see a huge percentage of the residents going abroad or with relatives that are abroad so that often results in some pretty huge class distinctions with seeing huge, expensive houses literally next to one made of bamboo and scrap iron, just due to inflation and the power of money from other countries. That being said, the people who are the happiest to see us and most eager to talk are typically those who live in the latter, those who really have let the world humble them and are seeking other ways than money to improve their situation and life. They really enjoy a simple happiness, and honestly, I love talking to those who because of poverty really look for what they can improve on. That being said, that attitude is not shared by all, and it is still our choice whether we will choose to humble ourselves, in whatever situation we find ourselves in. 

School's out!

Yesterday we went out to one of our more mountainous barangays and met some really nice people just out in these more isolated areas. Actually, there's a huge compound of members out in the area, and we are really working on helping the branch get more involved with missionary work here so we hope to be able to motivate them to help us find out there. Other than that, the other part of our area where we typically work in is right on the ocean, where there are tons of little homes all right next to each other, and all the tatays go out on these little canoes for kilometers into the ocean every day to get fish. There are tons of people there, and we really enjoy walking down the streets looking for people we haven't met yet. We also met this cool guy from Hawaii yesterday who just moved here to live-  he only speaks Ilocano and English and is interested to learn, so that means we are going to be teaching in English. That should be an interesting challenge, can't vouch too much for my English-speaking abilities anymore, haha. Anyway, yeah it's been awesome, we can't wait to meet more people this week and find out how the Gospel can bless their individual challenges and concerns- I know that this is for us all, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people- so let us cry out as with the sound of a trump, that there is a Plan and we have so much hope. I love you all so much, will see you all real soon. 

Love,
Elder Griffitts

Found this chicken guy who just stands
up straight- never know what you'll find
out in the boonies of Sinait

We totally watched the sunset here-
it was the clearest one I've ever seen

    Cool part of our area out in the foothills