Week 77 - January 20th, 2020 (Sinait, Philippines)

Made mashed potatoes and
fried chicken the other day

Exchanges with Elder Barcurnay
from Cabugao B

Hey everyone, happy MLK day! Yeah, surprisingly that's not celebrated here, but it's a great day anyways. So good to be able to write to you all, hope everything is going well over there. We have had a fantastic week here in Sinait, I am really learning a lot about talents and weaknesses and overall remaining humble through all that we go through, and it in and of itself has really been a humbling experience. We are really striving right now to balance a lot of things right now, between helping this branch become ready to become a ward, finding those who are elect and willing to receive the Gospel, and helping my companion and district in any way I can in example and deed.  I kind of hit a point in the week where I think that I realized that I've been trying to do too much on my own, and it has really helped me to see the importance of a confident humility in the will and timing of God.  We have really been spending all day every day out talking to people about their lives, which is wonderful and really educational for me, but not always seeing immediate success or results, and it really caused me to ponder upon the nature of trials and weaknesses, about how they are given to us to sometimes compel us to be humble and patient and above all trust in the Lord. That's a phrase repeated often throughout scripture and in church, but it really takes new meanings for me every week. It means a confidence in what you are doing, because you know you are striving to do His will. It means a constant need for change and repentance, because often we don't. But it really just gives hope and brings miracles, if it is done in faith. We are seeing all kinds of miracles here, especially in those moments where Elder Gajete and I just really try to find what we need to fix and do better and recognize our weaknesses that we find those people who are really themselves willing to change and find new ideas. We met this awesome older woman this week who has been really active in other churches throughout her life but at this point had a hard time with aging and was just so receptive and kind, and came to church on Sunday. That's just one instance, we are really searching for those who are ready and striving to ourselves be ready.

Met someone from Baguio the other day,
she had brought real strawberries- what a treat

Not that anyone's counting, but this week I hit my 1.5-year mark and the fourth lap begins- This time is going by so fast. Though I haven't forgotten my goal for these two years- treat it like a 1600 meter race (funny because I went on my first run in months earlier). That is, it's four laps, and that last lap is the one where, even though you're feeling it, you give it your all and I'm going to use these last months to give this mission all my heart, might, mind, and strength- I'm so grateful for the time I've been given and the time I have left. I love you all so much, and am so excited to give it my all here and see you all fairly soon, it's going to be such a great adventure and there is life in this wonderful service to come- all I know is that my life's mission is only just beginning, and I am going to give my all for all that I've been given here and for the rest of my life. I love you all, and can't wait for the future. See you all soon!

Love,
Elder Griffitts

We climbed up a mountain earlier,
 now I've climbed a mountain in every area