Thursday, November 12, 2015

Week 13: Broken Bike Baskets lead to Marvelous Miracles

November 9, 2015
Hello wonderful Children of God!!! :) I hope that you have all had the best week in all the lands! :) 

So, this week was pretty wonderful!! I don't remember if I wrote you about Don and Linda or not, but if not, here we go...

Don and Linda were potential investigators in our area book, and we met with them a couple of weeks ago for the first time in like 3 or so years.. maybe more, who knows? So anyway.. we met with them and Linda grew up in an LDS home, but was never baptized, and Don has a Brother who is a Bishop who referred them to the missionaries way back when. So, we're not exactly sure why they stopped meeting with missionaries, but we have since started meeting with them again, and they are amazing! Linda totally agrees with everything we teach them, but Don likes to play a game that I'm not really fond of called, "stump the missionaries." He asks us all sorts of strange questions which we write down, find answers to, and answer them the next time we meet with them, but his biggest question was if this is the true church, why isn't it stated plainly in the Bible - like some huge manifestation rather than a few things here and there.. anyways, what that comes down to is essentially having faith and receiving a witness from the Holy Ghost, but something that was awesome that some other missionaries told us about is a talk called "What is the Blueprint of Christ's Church?" By Tad R. Callister. It is seriously amazing.. I invite you all to read it (https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2014/01/what-is-the-blueprint-of-christs-church?lang=eng) . We gave him a copy of that to read, and it hopefully will answer a lot of his questions.. it was seriously life changing. 

In other news, I went on two exchanges this last week which was super fun - one of them I went to a different area and one of them I stayed here, which was super awesome!! So, the first one was with Sister Blauer who came out the same day as me, and she is amazing! Her area is a half bike, half car area and so they get the car for a few days a week, and lucky me, the day we had exchanges was not one of them. Let me just say, riding a bike in a skirt is pretty much the best experience I've had to date................. ANYWAY.. but, their area is pretty hilly, so my asthmatic lungs really appreciated that.. but, it was a miraculous day. At the beginning of the exchange, we were told to pray for the "faith to find" and the "faith to see miracles." So we did.. each and every prayer, and it really was a miraculous day! The best thing that happened, by far though, was when we were leaving in the morning and the basket on the bike I was riding kept falling off, so we had to stop and fix that, but it was for a purpose because right when we finally got going, the investigator we were leaving to see (who lived far away) walked right around the corner and we were able to teach her on a park bench. That was only the beginning though. It was a miracle for me because I definitely would have gotten an asthma attack if we would have had to bike all the way there. Her lesson was the best. Such an amazing blessing! :) 

Then, the next day proved to be funny as we were driving in THE FIRST SNOWFALL OF THE YEAR to deliver a Bible to a less active member, and we were on the freeway and we hear this loud bang like a plane legitimately had landed on our trunk or something... turns out our back tire popped.. So, knowing I should pull over because that's what you do, but seeing the freeway exit right in front of me, I decided to continue to the exit.. don't worry, it ended up being fine.. Neither Sister Finau or I knew anything about changing a tire (I felt like such a girl, haha), so we called up the Elders and they came and changed it for us so we could drive to the tire store and get it replaced.. so that put a dent in our plans for the day, but at least it made a fun memory! We still don't know what caused the tire to pop, but that's alright.. all is well. :) 

Then I went on another exchange on Saturday with Sister Worthen (she just came out this transfer and she is literally the BEST.. also, she knows sign language, so it was way fun to be able to sign to each other). We contacted a referral named Henry who became our new investigator and he is seriously so prepared! He already prays like a pro, he calls Heavenly Father's plan for us the Plan of Salvation (WHAT!?) and he is totally open and willing to read the Book of Mormon. So that was another amazing miracle that happened.. and he gave us 2 more referrals, so that was way cool! That day Sister Worthen and I in only like the 3 hours we were together while our companions went to the temple with their recent convert, we received 3 referrals, contacted 5, got one new investigator, and visited 2 less active people in our ward. It. Was. AMAZING! Anyway, so the whole challenge to pray for the faith to find and see miracles totally works! What an amazing miracle. :) 

Another miracle was that one of our 10 year old investigators, Isabelle, finally came to church yesterday for the first time in like forever.. 

Also, in other news, it's already the last week of my 2nd transfer as a missionary. So, by this time next week I'll know if I stay or if I go.. I'll keep you all updated!

Well, that's about all I have for you all this week. I am so blessed, truly, to be a missionary laboring in the Lord's vineyard at this time. It is such an incredible life, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I know that we are led and guided by a living Prophet and 12 apostles who truly do act in behalf of our Heavenly Father and Savior here on the earth.. I know that the first Prophet of this renewed dispensation and restored gospel was Joseph Smith and that he, as a humble and uneducated 14 year old boy, sought Heaven's direction about which church was true, and because of that, we are all able to enjoy the eternal blessings that come from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The Church Jesus Christ Himself set up on the earth, restored to our day). When times of difficulty or doubt come, remember, as President Uchtdorf said, "Doubt your doubts before your doubt your faith." Have a glorious week, darling people. 


-The Elders fixing our tire
-Sister Blauer and I with our bikes (can you tell winter is coming - my face is legitimately the color of my hair!)
-Dinner at Ron and Shannon's this last week (David, their roommate, who is one of our investigators, and his super size meal - he legit ate it all... haha)
-Sister Worthen and I at the Airway Heights sign - I've wanted to take this picture for months
-At Gideon's baptism (he's 8 and his parents wanted him to have the lessons before getting baptized because he didn't go to a lot of primary as a kid) - Isn't he precious?


-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Week 12: A Leaky Toilet in the Windy City with Pupcakes

November 2, 2015
So... I couldn't come up with a creative subject line this week, so I just added a bunch of stuff together because this week.. WAS AWESOME!!! :)

Anyway, so... Early into this week, I noticed that there was a huge puddle on the ground next to the toilet.. Confused, I did some investigative work, and found out that it was hardcore leaking... so that was awkward. We went and talked to the maintenance guy and he came and put a temporary fix on it until they can get a new one, so no worries.. all is well. In other news, we finally got good use out of our mop bucket. ;)

The funniest thing that happened this week was probably that I went to a Birthday Party.. for a dog. hahaha, it was probably one of the best experiences of my life. One of our members signed up to feed us and came up to us at church and was like.. "I signed up to feed ya'll this week and then I realized that day is also Bernard's birthday! So we're going to have a Birthday Party for him!!!" .. and we did. She made hot dogs (of course), salads, and the best part were pupcakes (cupcakes with dog treats on them for the dogs).. she also made normal ones too, but we decided we needed to take a picture as if we ate the dog ones, just because. We sang happy birthday to him, and even had a candle for him (the member blew it out). So that was definitely a new experience...

We didn't teach a lot of people this week, unfortunately. It seems like when the work starts to get so good, that's when the adversary is sending out more of his minions in mass numbers to stop all of the progress. That's okay.. that just means that this week we're going to work even harder! Challenge - accepted! 

On Friday, we had the Fall Festival.. Which was super fun! The costumes were by far the best part.. As missionaries, we're not allowed to dress up, so instead, Sister Finau and I switched nametags.. That fooled 'em, for sure. ;) Just kidding, no one noticed.. oh well! We thought it was funny. :) One of our investigators (Ron and Shannon's roommate) who never comes to anything, came to the Fall Festival and even brought some cornbread. It was so awesome that he came! Yay David! One of our other Investigators (Shannon's son's girlfriend - Nicole) came too and so Dustin (Shannon's son) also came.. Literally their entire house are now investigators since Ron got baptized.. it's awesome! It's super hard to find time to teach them all individually though.. we're working on it. So we sat with them and had a blast. Sorry if that whole family dynamic was super confusing.. We wonder about it sometimes ourselves. But I did something funny, and made the comment "they should pay me" and then Dustin and Nicole pulled out a penny and gave it to me.. It was prime. I love these people. :)

In other news, it has been super chilly all week (winter is upon us) and also SUPER WINDY! Like, unreal windy. It was the pits. Skirts in the wind is not fun. Needless to say, my winter scarves and headbands have been busted out, and I am not looking forward to the snow.. hopefully it won't come for a couple more weeks though. *Fingers crossed*

The best thing that happened this week, though, was that NICOLE GOT BAPTIZED!!! YAY! Her baptism was super spiritual, and her husband, Mike, (they got married last week), baptized her! It was super cute. Sister Finau and I sang "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" (we've sung at both baptisms so far.. got to get over that stage fright somehow, right?) and it was so amazing. Of course when I was bearing my testimony, I cried, but that's nothing new. I am so humbled and grateful that I get to take part in the Lord's work here in West Spokane. It is such a tender mercy and each day I am able to notice more and more how much this truly is the work of Heaven, and for that I am so grateful.

Halloween wasn't really eventful (no one was home.. :( ), but we did go to someone's house for dinner and this mom was awesome.. I kid you not.. she made jack-o-lantern stuffed orange bell peppers, mummy hot dogs, spider web 7-layer-dip, all the works. Super dedicated. It was delicious. :) Then we went to Ron and Shannon's for a lesson and I ended up crocheting Shannon a headband too, so that was neat. 

Anyway, that's really all I have for this week. Know that I am well, that I am happy, and that I am so blessed to be on this mission. We are seeing more and more everyday how the Spirit can't dwell in unholy places. If we go to knock on a door and we both don't feel the spirit, we go to the next place, because the Holy Ghost really can lead and guide us if we let Him. It can be difficult in life to try and figure out what the Lord wants us to do to fulfill all that we need to do in life, but I know that one of the best ways we can do that is to follow the promptings of the Spirit. If the thought or feeling is good, act on it. It is from God. When we follow those little promptings, Heavenly Father trusts us with more. But that works both ways. If we don't follow them, we're not given as many. Let our Father in Heaven know that you trust Him - follow those promptings - even if they don't make sense at all. 

This church is true. The Prophet Joseph Smith really did kneel in that grove of trees and saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Our Father in Heaven sent His son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to live and to die for us so that we can all get back to them someday. It is such a beautiful life indeed. Keep that eternal perspective. This life is but a moment, and if we endure, we will be blessed more than we can even comprehend. 

Love you all! Thanks for your love, support, and prayers. They are felt and appreciated. Have a beautiful week! 

-At Nicole's Baptism!
-The Halloween Feast!
-At Bernard's birthday party.. pupcakes. haha

-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith

Week 11: Tekila and the Kirby Vacuum Cleaner

October 28, 2015
So... don't be freaked out by the subject line.. there's a funny story behind it, I promise. :)

Also, sorry this message is coming on wednesday rather than on Monday as usual. Monday we proselyted because we went to the temple yesterday so it was our Preparation Day yesterday, and then yesterday we didn't get time to do our full emailing time, so we got permission from President Dymock to do it today! :) 

SO!! THIS WEEK... was actually somewhat discouraging, but that's okay.. there needs to be opposition in all things, right? We can't know the good until we know the bad, right? That's what I'm going with, anyway. :) 

Even though we had a lot of rejections, cancelled appointments, NOBODY HOME when we stopped by, and all of that fun jazz, it was a successful week in the fact that we were following the spirit, teaching by the spirit when we got the opportunity to teach, and never once did I feel discouraged in the emotional sense, because I know that there will be amazing things right around the corner!!... and plus, missionary work is way fun, so I'm not even mad. :)

So, we had Family Home Evening at Ron's this monday, and that was a ton of fun to be able to have a "model family home evening" with them so that they know how they can kind of work theirs further on and in the coming weeks rather than being super confused. We had fun, laughed, had a spiritual message and activity with it, and all of that fun stuff. :) So exciting! 

On Tuesday morning, I woke up feeling super nauseous and sick, so instead of exercising, Sister Finau told me to go back to bed. Reluctantly, I did. I don't know what was up, but I woke up at 9am and felt a little better, and then at 11:30am, woke up, got ready for the day, and then I felt a whole ton better. The mission nurse, Sister Wall (she's seriously the best!) said that I probably just had a little bug, but I think maybe it was an adverse reaction to the flu shot I got the day before.. who knows though, the important part is that I'm feeling much better now!

BUT... because I wasn't feeling well, Sister Finau looked through our area book (a book full of records of people who have been taught in our area (ward) all the way since it was opened a couple of years ago and wrote down names and addresses of people that we needed to go see who are Potential Investigators (people who have expressed interest in learning about the church but haven't met with missionaries yet) and Former Investigators (people who have met with missionaries and have quit meeting them for one reason or another) so that we can know who these people are and make sure that they're not lost. I think that's the reason I had to get sick, because that probably would have never happened (looking through the area book) if there wasn't anything else to do.. and because of that, we have already gotten 3 new investigators this week! How neat is that!? The Lord works in mysterious ways to bring about His purposes, for sure. 

That brings us to the subject line.. haha, one of the Potential Investigators on the list is named Tekila (like the liquor.. interesting, I know.. haha) and we went to contact her and there was this guy who is a Kirby Vacuum cleaner salesman and we knocked on her door and he was just like, "COME ON IN!" It was so funny and we totally started chuckling because it's not even his house and he just told us straight-up to come in. haha, so good. Anyway, so after listening to his whole spiel, we asked Tekila if she still wanted to learn about the church and she said yes! So that was way neat. We left with smiles on our faces.. I hope that people don't think that missionaries are like Vacuum Salesman. So funny. :)

Also, something really cool that happened last week in District Meeting was that we were talking about the Old Testament and New Testament and trying to figure out why the Old Testament is so intense and discouraging and one of the other missionaries brought up the fact that The Lord has two laws (one is justice and the other is mercy).. the Old Testament is all about justice and mercy is mentioned, and the New Testament is a lot about mercy and justice is mentioned... thus with the Old and New Testaments, we have the fullness of Christ's laws.. HOW COOL IS THAT!? I've never thought about it that way, and then The Book of Mormon testifies and brings both together.. SO COOL! So with all of these we have the fullness of the gospel, and without one, it is incomplete. Just thought that was cool! 

Anyway, some tender mercies this week were that we went over miles on our car (I'm pretty sure we live further away from everything since we moved) and normally when that happens we're not supposed to be able to drive the car anymore and we have to bike the rest of the month (ha!) and we called the Elder who is in charge of the cars, and he said not to worry about it this month and that he'll reevaluate our miles for next month.. SUCH A TENDER MERCY.. it would be CRAZY if we had to bike since our area is so huge... also, a sweet member knowing we hadn't received a lot of mail sent us a Halloween package in the mail which was super sweet of her and made our week!

We also had a wedding this week for one of our investigators, Nicole, who is getting baptised on Halloween! YAY! They got married and it was super cute! We helped put together decorations and stuff for the big day, so that was fun.

Anyway, so yeah.. not much time, but some other fun things were that we had Antelope burgers at a member's house (super yummy, not going to lie), having the opportunity of going to the temple yesterday, and cutting my own bangs (EEK!).. haha, it's okay.. I ended up being able to do it without looking like a 4 year old took some scissors and went crazy, so that's a blessing too! 

I know this church is the true church. A lot of people doubt and wonder, but all it comes down to is Faith. There's a reason why it's the first principle of the gospel and a reason why it is so essential to have when it comes to everything this life has to offer. We were talking about patience today in District Meeting, and I was thinking about how really, there would be no point to come to this earth if we just got to have everything right when we want it.. We have to have patience because that's how we're able to grow. Instant gratification has been the adversary's plan all along, but Heavenly Father's plan is a plan of growth and perfection which only comes through patient endurance. Just like a diamond is only formed after being under extreme pressure, we too can only become spiritual diamonds after we patiently endure. ANYWAY.. that's all I have for you for now. Have a happy week and know that you are loved! 

-Ron forgot his glasses when coming to do family history, so he decided to use a magnifying glass.. never a dull moment, haha.
-Sister Finau and I with Nicole at her wedding!
-Sister Finau and I at a member's home.. beautiful view! Spokane is seriously so majestic. :)
-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
         Sister Jennifer Griffith

Week 10: The Plan is about Progression

October 19, 2015
So, this week was just swell.. as always! I am constantly amazed by the amazing people that Heavenly Father places in my path each and every day. I am so blessed to be living this life. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. What a marvelous life it is indeed!

So this week we did some service for a member whose arms are killing her by taping and painting her front room while her husband was at work and out of town. It was quite weird to hold a paintbrush in my hand again after so long, even if it was to just paint a room in a house. Felt like old times. :) 

We had a super powerful District Meeting this week! (My District is 2 Elders and 4 sisters, so it always proves to be a blast.) It was so spiritual and I think all of us were in tears at some point during that hour and a half. The spirit was strong and it was such a blessing to be able to be in attendance. It's amazing how discouraged the adversary tries to get servants of the Lord to be... and everyone for that matter. All we have to do is move forward with faith though, and everything truly will be alright.. Of that I am certain. 

So remember when I said we were going to see all the Less-actives, or try to anyway, this transfer..? So we started doing that this week by coordinating them into different sub-areas so we don't backtrack a ton, and holy guacamole.. 160 different families is a lot.. So I was praying to know a way to make sure it all can happen, and then at missionary correlation this week I was talking to the Relief Society president about it all and she told me that the Senior missionaries in our ward who are getting ready to go home this week have done a lot of it!!! YESS!! ANSWER TO PRAYER? I THINK YES! So we went over there for lunch on Friday and they told us a bunch about a lot of people and who has moved and things, so we have a lot less to try and visit now. Such a blessing! There are still a ton though, but that's okay.."I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Eph. 4:13).. OH YEAH! :) 

So... something sad that happened this week was that we went over to Ron's house to start giving him the lessons again (this time as a new member) and him and his wife were just having it out for each other and fighting a ton and saying all sorts of crumby things.. So, S. Finau were just sitting there and trying to figure out what to say to help them, and I'm pretty sure my mouth was gaping open, I was in such shock.. but anyway.. the spirit wasn't there, and it was just the worst. So, I said a little prayer in my heart that Heavenly Father would put the words in my mouth and S. Finau's mouth that we needed to say to them, and we just started talking.. I can't tell you half of what I said, but I know that Heavenly Father answered my prayer.. At the end of our lesson, they were hugging each other and laughing. What a beautiful and large tender mercy. 

That was actually a common thing this week. When it seemed like all was falling apart and I didn't know what to say at all, my mind was filled in the very moment what I needed to say, and I am so grateful for that. 

Amidst inadequacy and difficulty, we may feel as though we need to give up and lose the faith. However, during these moments which we all have, that is the exact opposite of what we need to do. Satan works by discouragement because he wants so badly to take away our eternal life, but.. if we turn Heavenward and continue to, or start doing, those things we know we need to do, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will always provide a way for us to accomplish whatever lies ahead because of His infinite and atoning sacrifice. Don't worry if you're not perfect or if you think that you have too much you need to change in order to reach eternity. Start with one thing. Work on that, and once you have become proficient, work on something else. This way, one day you will be able to look back and know that you lived for eternity, not for the world. Then we may each be able to be in the presence of our Heavenly father, Savior, and other loved ones for eternity. The scriptures command us to "be ye therefore perfect," but nowhere do they say, "be ye therefore perfect NOW." The plan is about progression.

Well, I hope that you are all doing well. Have the best week and remember who you are.. A Child of God! :) Love you all! Keep on keepin' on and remember to smile!


-One of the Elders in our Zone showed me this super cool lightsaber trick with twistable colored pencils. OH YEAH! :) 
-Super pretty sunset this week! ahh, creation! :) 
-A member made us Halloween Spaghetti! So cool. :) hahaha, purple pasta, and some creepy green olive eyeballs. 

-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith

Week 9: 2 MONTHS!!! 'IKAI TEU LAVA

October 12, 2015
Hello friends and family!!! I don't have a lot of time to write, but this. week. was. PHENOMENAL! In other news, I've been out for 2 months! The thing that you probably can't read is in Tongan and it means "I can't even!" Meaning.. I can't believe I've already been out for 2 months.. Where has the time gone!?

Thanks everyone for your updates, love, and support. It means the world to me and I can feel the strength that comes from your prayers, so thanks so much!

So, this week was seriously amazing! Probably the biggest thing that happened was that we had a baptism!!!! Ron got baptised and literally half of the Relief Society room was filled with his family and friends (all of whom except his wife are non-members). It was so amazing to see him enter into that water, and come up completely clean and perfected. The spirit was so strong, and then Sister Finau and I were baring our testimonies while he was changing and we were both bawling our eyes out and testifying of baptism and the eternal change that can come from taking advantage of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. What a glorious day that was. It has been amazing to see how much he has grown throughout the last 7 weeks, and I am so humbled that I was here to be able to witness it. 

Something funny and super stressful that happened this week was that, on Thursday we were doing our Weekly Planning, and we get a phone call from 2 missionaries from the mission office saying that they're at our new house and they'll be there in 30 minutes to pick us up and all of our things to take us to our new apartment. Completely shocked because no one told us this was happening, we only knew it was going to happen sometime, we stopped planning and I kid you not, I threw everything into my suitcases so fast that I packed all of my things from the last 6 weeks in 10 minutes... It was awesome. Then they came, we got all of our stuff and our bikes into our car and a trailer from the mission office, and drove on over to our new apartment. It was such a stressful day, but our new apartment is so nice!!!.. so, it's all worth it. Plus we actually live in our area now, so that's a plus. 

My new address is:

2808 S Assembly Rd #82
Spokane, WA 99224

Anyway.. we taught Stephanie again this week and we were teaching her about the Restoration and we got to the part that talks about The Book of Mormon and she was like, "yeah.. that makes a lot of sense how The Book of Mormon came about. I've heard of The Book of Mormon before, but no one has ever explained it to me. I'm definitely willing to accept it." HOW AWESOME IS THAT!? We told her that she needed to pray about it to receive a confirmation but that it was great that she had that gift of faith to accept it right away. She is so great and we just have such powerful lessons every time we meet with her!

This work is seriously so amazing.  I just love this area, and am so humbled and grateful that my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ have trusted me, an imperfect person, to come here and try to help these precious children of God come closer to their Heavenly Father and Savior. We were looking through our ward list this week and have counted about 160 less active families in our ward.. At first I was overwhelmed and felt feelings of great inadequacy because Sister Finau and I are just 2 people and 160 is a really big number. But then, peace quickly came to my heart and I became happy that I get to be here in the Washington Spokane Mission at this time and help do all that I can in my Lord's vineyard at this time to gather his lost sheep. We have made it a goal to try and see all of them, or have at least one member of the Ward Council see all of them throughout this transfer. That's a big goal, but I know that we can do it with Heaven's help.  I am so excited to be here!

I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ came to this earth and atoned for us all one by one so that we never have to experience anything in this life. Missionary work is so powerful and brings me so much joy each and every day. I know that The Book of Mormon is truly Another Testament of Jesus Christ and that it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Regardless of if you've already read it, or have never seen a copy in your life, I invite you to read it. There is such power in the scriptures and specifically in this glorious book that can help you in every phase of your life if you will but open up and read. Love you all! Have a glorious week, you deserve it! 

Ofa atu! (I love you!)


-At Ron's Baptism!!! :) SO HAPPY! :D

-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith

Week 8: Will I Stay or Will I Go!? ... survey says...

October 5, 2015
I'M STAYING IN SUNSET WARD!!!!

So.. we had transfer calls last night... the most stressful thing of my life, let me tell you, and my District Leader was like, "Sister Griffith, you are... STAYING!" Then he proceeded to tell Sister Norcross that she was leaving to Coeur D' Alene and that my new companion is going to be Sister Finau (Fee-Now). She is Islander and shorter than Sister Norcross, so we're going to basically look like complete opposites, so that's funny... but, I'm excited to meet her! We talked on the phone this morning to coordinate her ride here to Cheney, and she was already laughing at my jokes, so I'm sure we'll get along just fine! 

I'm excited I'm staying though, because this transfer coming up we have 3 baptisms scheduled, a wedding so that one of our investigators can get baptised, and so many other swell things. :) YAY!

As for letters and things, we're actually moving apartments sometime this week so that we can actually live by ourselves and in our actual area, so I'm not sure what my new address will be, but I'll email you next week and let you know. During transfer times and whenever really, you can send letters to the mission home (address below) and they will forward them to wherever I may be. :)  So yeah. :) 

820 S Pines Rd., #101
Spokane Valley, WA  99206-5420

The rest of this week was pretty neat. We have been teaching Ron a lot in preparation for his baptism this Saturday (EEEK! Super excited!) and he is just the best. He has been going to ARP, and we went over to his house on Saturday Morning for the first session of General Conference. Wasn't it amazing!? If you missed all of it, or any of it, I know the sessions are on byutv (online and on like roku and stuff) and probably will be on lds.org sometime soon if they aren't already. Some of my favorite talks were Jeffrey R. Holland's on mothers ( so amazing!! He was talking about how being a mom is the most Christ-like calling one can have in this life.. so beautiful.. love you, mom!), President Russell M. Nelson's on women, and Larry R. Lawrence's about "What lack I yet?" I've actually started doing that since his talk, and the Spirit has told me something I can work on.. what a blessing and fulfillment of a promise from a servant of the Lord!  So yeah, basically all of it was wonderful and I had so many questions answered this week, and it was amazing! :)

So yeah, if you missed any of it, go and watch it now, it will change your life. :) 

The rest of this week was good! WE HAVE A NEW INVESTIGATOR! A couple of weeks ago, I felt prompted to talk to this lady walking with her friend, so we pulled over our car to where she was, rolled down our window and started talking with her. Her name was Stephanie and her friend wasn't interested, but we kind of just told her who we are, what we do, and asked her if she would like us to teach her more, and she said YES! So we finally got to stop by this week and teach her a lesson, and during the closing prayer (which we asked her to give and taught her how) she was like, "Dear Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for these two sisters who came to teach me and are helping me come closer to you and ask that you will help them keep coming so I can know you more" (AND I KID YOU NOT, SHE STARTS CRYING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS PRAYER) and then she was like, "I'm grateful for them coming to help me not be lost anymore and to find my way back to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.) It was so powerful and I can't wait to teach her more. What a beautiful tender mercy that was!

Anyway, I don't really have much else to say, but just know that I am well, that I am loving this work, and that I will have been out here for two whole months next week.. Isn't that crazy!? Oh how time flies. 

This work is so amazing. The Church that Jesus Christ himself set up on this earth when He was here is indeed Restored to the Earth today. Through the Restoration of His Church, we were given the Book of Mormon which testifies of Jesus Christ and of His Divinity and love for us all. His work is led by a Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and 12 Apostles who testify of the reality of this work and of our Savior Jesus Christ who makes it all possible. Heavenly Father loves you and will hear and answer your prayers if you will just kneel and ask him with a sincere heart and real intent (Moroni 10: 3-5).  This life isn't the end. Live now for eternity, and you'll be so glad you did.

Love you all. Have the best week, you deserve it.

-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith

-Part of my zone (6 of the Elders are missing and 6 of the Sisters are missing)
-S. Norcross and Me with one of the families that we love who just moved this past week. :(
-Pumpkins we carved at a member's home this last week. Mine is the one in the middle. It's Mickey Mouse trick-or-treating or something like that.. You can barely tell, but it yeah.. We brought them home and the chickens have since eaten them.. so funny!

Week 7: Was that all that was required?

September 28, 2015
Loving friends and family, 

This week was seriously wonderful. I know I say that about every week, but it truly is how I feel! :) 

This week I had exchanges with Sister Ballif ( a sister who has only been out 6 weeks longer than I have) and we had a serious blast together!! We got permission to go to an lds doctor in Spokane Valley so he could take a look at my arm (it still hurts from my biking accident), and so we did. He said there might have been something wrong with my rotater cuff, but then he took an x-ray and gave me a clean bill of health, so that's nice! Thanks for your prayers. :)

Then we went and visited this less active sister who I just love to pieces, and we taught her about prayer. Now, she NEVER, and I mean, NEVER, prays when we come. She always asks us to pray and won't pray when we ask her to. Anyhoo, we were teaching her and at the end of the lesson we asked if we could close with a prayer and she was like, "Yeah, and guess what? I'll even pray." AHHH!!!! IT. WAS. AMAZING! I just love how the spirit softens people's hearts and helps them to change! This is seriously the greatest work in the world. 

Anyway, then we went to another less active sister's house and she made this stuff called Musubi (not sure if I spelt that right, but it's all relative - Moo-soo-bee), and anyway.. basically I hate all forms of fish, seafood and sushi, and am not too fond of rice either, and this stuff was teriyaki spam in a rice ball wrapped with seaweed... so.... I ate it, and smiled, and it actually wasn't the worst thing I've ever eaten in the world, so... YAY! :) It was such a blessing. Baby steps, baby steps. :) 

We were also teaching Ron this week and I just had an overwhelming prompting from the Spirit to promise him that if he would pick up his Book of Mormon and start reading it whenever he feels the temptation to smoke that he won't have that desire anymore. I gave him that promise, not as Sister Griffith, but as a set apart servant of Jesus Christ, and guess what... Yesterday at church he said he had QUIT SMOKING!!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!? It seriously is just such a testimony to me that if we are teaching by the spirit and trying to relay to these beautiful people the things that Heavenly Father wants them to know, we can never go wrong. Anyway, miracle? I think yes. He started crying when the Spirit promised him that and said he just felt "tingly all over. Sometimes you guys are talking and I just feel something in my heart and it makes me cry, every time." We told him that that was the Holy Ghost, not us, and he was just so happy after that lesson. I love missionary work!

Anyway, this week was also Women's conference (where women of the church gather in the conference center in Utah, and the leaders of the church speak to us and give us council from God) and one quote that I really loved from Sister Linda S. Reeves was, talking about eternal perspectives and enduring through trials in this life, "The reward is so great and beyond our understanding that we will someday stand before God and ask, "Was that all that was required?""  That spoke such truth to my soul. The things we are going through right now may seem so significant, but one day after this life, we will look into the eyes of our Savior and Heavenly Father and will ask, "Was that all that was required of me, Father, in order to obtain all that you have?" Hold on to that, and know that you are so loved. 

Well, this coming week is General Conference!!! YAY!! For those who don't know what that is, this weekend we have an incredible opportunity that only happens twice a year. To hear messages from a Prophet of God, Apostles of Jesus Christ, and other people who are leaders in God's Kingdom. No matter who you are, what your current circumstances are, if you believe in this church or not, general conference is for you. You will find answers to your prayers and strength to continue on as you watch this conference.  You can find ways to watch it at https://www.lds.org/general-conference/viewing-times-and-options?lang=eng and just more about general conference from https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Anyway, time is running thin, but just know that I am well, that I know this church is true and that the Savior of the world stands at its head and directs this glorious work. Have the best week!

-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith
 -this week these cows got loose and were just chilling in our front yard. hilarious.
-Me at the Dr. I'm not in that much pain, don't worry.. just thought I needed to exaggerate this picture because it was talking about shoulders, haha. :)

Week 6: "I can't believe the Sister Missionaries gave you so much juice!"

September 22, 2015
So... this week was pretty swell!! I had a super great time and have been laughing a lot and finding joy in this whole missionary thing... but of course! When you're constantly preaching the gospel to random people on the street who really don't want to hear what you have to say... like, at all.. there's bound to be some laughs!

In other news, I had my first missionary dream this week, so that's pretty legit.. I had a dream that one of my roommates and I were companions and we were at this conference thing and this lady and her daughter were fighting, and so I decided to go over there in my super bold, subconscious missionary self (for sure what I aspire to be, not real life), and tell them about how families can be together forever and how Heavenly Father loves them. So I did, and even in my dreams I get turned away!! haha, the lady was like, "umm.. go away, we're not interested.." So I did, and then on my way out, I was walking by her and she was like, come here.. So I did and she was sorry about being rude and asked me if I would tell her more about the gospel, so that was legit! If only that would happen in real life now! :) Maybe someday... 

So, something really cool that happened this week was that I got to go to the Spokane temple for the first time!! IT. WAS. AMAZING! As missionaries, we only get to go every other transfer, so once every 12 weeks, and so I went today and won't get to go again for like 3 months, but that's okay! It was such a spiritual time in that beautiful, little temple, and I could feel my Heavenly Father's love so much throughout being there. It was so nice! It can be hard to keep that eternal perspective and happy disposition when we're constantly being turned away, but that's okay.. I know I am here for a reason. It's not by chance, but by an apostle of the Lord looking at my picture and knowing that I needed to come to Spokane. So when the going gets tough, I just try and remember that, and it makes all the difference. 

We took our car in this week to get fixed (last Wednesday) and they had it all the way up until today... so basically we've been riding our bikes a lot (ironic because of the bike accident last week and me thinking I wouldn't ever get to ride it) and getting rides from members.. lots and lots of members. They probably hate us by now, but our area is so spread out that it would take a good 1.5 hours to ride anywhere... BUT, all is well because we finally got our car back today!

Last night we went to this Family Home Evening on the Airforce Base and it was awesome! We were in charge of the ring toss (throwing ring glow sticks at barrels of juice and then the little kids could keep the juice and the glow sticks - hence the subject line.. true story.. also really funny.. and awkward). Haha, so yeah.. some parents weren't too keen with us, but that's alright.. at least the kids had fun! Next time, maybe bottles of water would be better. ;) Anyway...

The area is wonderful. Ron is progressing more towards his baptismal date, and we had an amazing lesson with him last night about the importance of accepting the atonement in our lives and relying on the Savior because He knows all that we experience because He went through it first. We showed him some videos on overcoming addiction, and we left the lesson so uplifted because the spirit was so strong.  It is amazing. No matter how much the adversary tries to work on these beautiful people who are trying to change their lives, if they turn to the Savior and Heavenly Father (through prayer and righteous living) He will always help them to overcome.  What a beautiful and glorious truth. It's hard to come to that realization, but once it happens, we no longer want to turn to evil, but desire, as the scriptures say, to do good continually.

Also, Ron's future daughter-in-law became our investigator this week and it was awesome because she asked me about why we have the Book of Mormon and I was able to answer her all by myself! It was such a blessing to me to see that I really am growing.. slowly, but nonetheless, growing! :) 

No matter what we have each done in the past. No matter how far off the path you feel you have strayed, there is hope ahead. Rely on the Savior and learn to take advantage of the Atonement. Pray for forgiveness and the desire to change and it will come. You may feel like you can't change, but. you. can. The adversary wants you to think that you can't only because he knows how wonderful of a potential for greatness you have, and wants so much for you not to reach that potential.

My thoughts are super jumbled and I can't really remember what all happened this week, but just know that I am doing well. That this work is incredible and I am so beyond blessed to be able to be wearing this missionary nametag with the Savior's name on it. As long as I am testifying of Him, and spreading His love to these people, that's all that matters.

One of the talks I reread this week that is such a life changer is "Lessons from Liberty Jail" by Jeffrey R Holland. It is seriously amazing, so if you have time, you should read it. I promise it's worth every minute. 

Have the best week. Love you all! :) 

-- 
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith

-at the temple! :)

Week 5: "Ere you left your house this morning, did you think to stay?"

September 14, 2015
So basically, HELLO EVERYONE!! It seriously gives me so much joy to write these letters and update you about my life here in Spokane.  Basically this week, as you can probably tell from the subject line, was full of knocking on doors with nobody home that we went to see... #awkward.... but it was good too, because we were able to meet some pretty swell people, so.. everything happens for a reason for sure! :)

So.. lots of super funny things happened this week, and I hope that you laugh lots when you read this email, because I found a lot of laughs coming from myself this week as well. :) 

Let's start out with a mini miracle, shall we? So, I have this thumbdrive that I keep my pictures on and things, and last week I left it plugged in on a computer at the library.. Then we left and I didn't realize I had even left it there until like 3 days later, so we went back to the library to look for it, and of course it was gone.  Just my luck.. So, I asked the lady at the front desk if anyone had turned it in, and she checked and said, "no." So of course I was low-key devastated, and so throughout last week I was praying a lot that if it were the Lord's will that the thief's heart would be softened and that they would return my thumbdrive to the library.  Then, on monday of last week after I was done emailing... I went to the front desk again and asked and guess what the lady brought out.. MY THUMBDRIVE! She said that someone had turned it in and basically my life was made!  The moral of this story is that Heavenly Father listens to our prayers and will bless us with what we need, and sometimes even what we want, just like my little, inexpensive thumbdrive.  It wasn't eternally significant that I get my thumbdrive back, but it was such a tender mercy for me to just have that reminder that Heavenly Father loves His children.  SUPER HAPPY! :) 

On Tuesday we had a multi-zone training with Elder Johnson (a member of the seventy) and another prayer was answered. In Preach My Gospel (basically like a manual that helps us be better missionaries) we are told to talk with everyone that we see.  I have struggled a lot with this the past few weeks because talking with everyone about the gospel is really difficult especially when they already know who you are and have a preconceived notion that they hate your guts and your message... So I have been praying for guidance, and Elder Johnson talked about exactly that! I think his message applies to everyone.  He said, "talk with everyone does not mean talk with everyone about the gospel. It does, however, mean talk with everyone- be friendly! Smile! I give you the promise that as you do that, the conversation will, in some way or another, always lead back to a truth that you can testify of." That is so profound.  We live busy lives, and it can be difficult as mortals to try and talk with everyone, but I know that being friendly not only brightens your day, but the day of everyone around.  Just a thought.

Another funny thing that happened this week (are you sensing a theme yet?) was that this guy came to our door and was trying to sell us some sort of super expensive $39 cleaner and was like "It won't take the cheese out the macaroni, will it? It won't take the paint off that car!" "I'm just trying to share this with you!" So then, after politely declining, Sister Norcross was like, "Well, thanks! We have a message we want to share with you too!" Then he was like, "OOOHHHHH! Don't think I didn't notice your nametags!! I've been to Idaho.. I've been to Utah.. I know all about your message!" Super funny! I love this work! :)

Another thing that happened this week, super funny now but at the moment made me want to clench my fists and ask "WHY!?" was that I fell off my bike.. like hardcore. Ironic though because I'm not even in a biking area! So.. basically I have this nice new bike that we had to get for my mission, and it has just been sitting in a shed this past month and so I really wanted to ride it one morning for exercise time because I was super excited about it. So, at 6:30am, I rolled out of bed and Sister Norcross and I went biking.  We were almost back to our house when there was this piece of tire in the road (super small) that I was trying to swerve to avoid running over, and I definitely avoided it, so that's good.... but I avoided it so much that my bike and me fell down a ditch... so that was a neat experience.  Don't worry, I'm fine and all, but the right side of my body probably hurts real bad (luckily I'm left handed, am I right?) and if it keeps hurting, I'll go into the doctor or something, but it hurts less each day so I'm pretty sure I'm fine. That's what the Mission nurse thinks too, so don't worry, I'm not being some stupid teenager! :) haha, but yeah.. fun stuff to celebrate being on my mission for exactly a month..! I'm going to attach a picture to this email of what the scenario was so that you can laugh at how little the thing in the road was that I was trying to avoid, and also because in the background you can totally see my bike tire marks and where I landed in the ditch.  Let's just say that my bike isn't so shiny anymore... some scratches have appeared and my glasses have a few scratches again but nothing too major. At least it will be a funny story to tell my kids someday! 

Some really spiritual experience that happened this week was that we went to see this family who is less active and we were teaching them about the temple.  They have 2 girls and we were testifying to them on the eternal blessings that come from the temple, and the mom just started crying and the dad said that there's a lot of things they have to work on, but that they know they need to go so that they can be sealed to their family and to each other.  It was such a spiritual experience.... and then yesterday.. THEY CAME TO CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME! I was smiling so wide when I saw them walk in! It literally made me the happiest person in all the land just then. :) So yeah... amazing! 

Also, it was like 8:30pm and we're not supposed to be home until 9, but there's not a lot you can do that late at night as far as visiting people, so sister Norcross felt like we should drive down this certain street and so we did and there were these two people there unpacking their moving truck and I felt like we should stop and see if we could help at all, so we did.. and right when we walked up to them, they recognized us immediately and told us that they were "ex mormons" and that they're not going to come to church (they told us that like 15 times) but that they'd love us to stop by and they'll feed us and stuff.  We talked with them until it was time to go home and it was just amazing! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!? Like, really though? It was so amazing that the spirit led us to this amazing family, and although they don't want anything to do with us, we know we were supposed to stop by for a reason and we love them anyway.  

Throughout this week, I have just been overwhelmed with gratitude for the spirit and the promptings that we are given to be led the way that our Heavenly Father needs us to go in this life.  No matter how many mistakes people make, or how difficult life gets, there is nothing too bad that the cleansing power of the Atonement cannot wash away. We may have tendency to believe that we are too far gone, or have done too many things to ever go back, or even we may just have feelings of inadequacy. but I know that if we just start with one thing and try to master that, and then another, and then another, we will look back one day and realize that our lives have changed and we have become those people that we so desperately yearn to be.  Heavenly Father is aware of you. He knows you by name and loves you more than you can ever physically fathom. "Trust in Him and believe in good things to come."
Well, my time is gone. I am sorry that this was so long... but I know that this is the work of Heaven.  Our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love us so much that they let simple people like me come out and try to spread God's love to all of His children and the amazing message of Christ's atonement.  I may not be perfect, but the message that I share is, and because of the perfect plan of Salvation and Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be blessed so much and be more than we could ever be if we didn't have this knowledge in our lives. 

I love you all and hope you have a blessed week! 
--
"God be with you 'till we meet again!"

Hurrah for Israel!

Much Love,
Sister Jennifer Griffith
 -Sister Norcross and I doing service at the ranch! :)
-All the biking fun... not.
-Beautiful Washington