Three Feasts

The Elders as guests of honor at an event sponsored by the Activity Days girls.

Thanksgiving was amazing! We got to have three different dinners at three different member's houses. It was not quite the same as home, but it was nice that the member's shared that family time with us. 

At the first house we chased some chickens and I got to hold a baby bunny. It was white and so cute! I named it Snowball. 

Then at the next house we had dinner and played volleyball. It's certainly hard to play sports in church shoes, but we managed. 

At the third dinner we were almost too full to eat but we stuffed it down and played a game where you twist a lever and a hand comes up and smashes whipped cream into your face. It works kind of like Russian roulette. 

Overall it was a great holiday and I'm glad that I got to spend it with amazing people.

Happy Turkey Day

Elder Griffiths and Elder Jones with two other missionaries.

I'm grateful that I have a supportive family who has helped me throughout my life to learn the things that matter most. I'm glad I'm able to be out here to share those things with other people. Being on a mission makes me A LOT more grateful for family.

Weeks ago, Elder Jones and I met a woman in the park who was crying and wondering if God really cared. By the time we'd said a prayer with her and shared a gospel message, she was smiling and excited to keep moving forward. I'm grateful that God has trusted me to help people like her to come closer to Him.

As I've tried to be more grateful, I've noticed that I've been more motivated to serve. I think when we realize what we have, we want others to have just as much. It helps us to be selfless. 

Happy Turkey Day!!

Understanding Obedience

Elder Griffiths titled this photo "Laser Pointer."

Understanding the principle of obedience has changed my mission. Obedience is something I've really started to do out of love more than anything else. I see it as a way of ensuring that I will feel successful, and be successful on my mission. Success is a tricky word sometimes though. 

As I go through my days here I can get preoccupied with how many appointments fall through, or how many people reject us, but through obedience I have the assurance that my efforts are being consecrated by Heavenly Father. I've noticed I feel more successful as I'm obedient to the commandments and to mission rules. 

Recently, because of our obedience, my companion and I have met several great people who want to hear the gospel. I know it's because we understood the principle of obedience and applied it. Walking around gets tiring, but I know it's what God wants me to do, and that makes it worth it.

Mean What You Say

Aw! Elder Griffiths with a puppy.

It's very important to practice what you preach. If I tell a missionary that they need to be following a certain rule, and I am not doing it myself, my words are empty. If we want to invite someone who isn't a member to church because the gospel will bless their lives, we need to believe it will bless them, and we need to live what we believe. 

I know that it's crucial to make the small and simple steps of reading your scriptures, praying, and attending church, but it's even more important to do those things with sincerity and with a true desire to improve and to have the Spirit. I've noticed an increased closeness to Heavenly Father when I considered what I was reading, what I was praying about, or when I've prepared myself for church. As we do these things, we will be able to share the gospel with confidence and be able to mean it when we say, "These teachings have blessed my life and they will bless yours."

Show Love First

Elder Griffiths and a "bird thing" (his description).

I've been thinking a lot lately about leadership. Leadership is not one of my personal strengths, and yet it is something the Lord wants all of us to work on.

As a leader I've found that it is important to show love before you show anything else. Beating someone with a stick rarely solves a problem. In fact, it likely will cause more problems in the future. The same thing goes for leaders trying to help and uplift those that they are in charge of. I've noticed that people respond better when we do as the Savior commands and put ourselves last and think of ourselves less. Realizing this, and practicing it, has begun to change others and has begun to change me. Don't get me wrong, it's still a process and I'm FAR from perfect at it, but with the Lord's help I can be the best that I can be.