MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!


Things are good here in Barrio 4! It's been a great Christmas.

Yesterday, for Christmas Eve, we spent the day with President and the missionaries in Madrid. It was really wonderful. We had a special devotional with Christmas music and the Christmas story from the Bible and Book of Mormon and quotes from prophets and apostles.

  


 Super great and then after, we had a gift exchange and then we sung on the steps of the temple. It was really great to be with everyone again even though I feel like I don't know anyone after being in the islands.

After, we went to K's for dinner. Her and Hermana Valverde made Peruvian and Ecuadorian food. Super yummy!

 Papa Noel came and brought their kids gifts and brought us new pajamas too haha.




After we shared a message. I started  thinking at the end of the message, how blessed I've been the last two 

Christmases. Last year, I spent Christmas Eve caroling with missionaries and giving out pass along cards in the center of Alcobendas. This year, I was with a wonderful family
teaching them about Christ. I love being a missionary during Christmas. I'm going to miss it so much, but have been so blessed to spend two Christmases forgetting about material things and thinking about Christ and the spiritual growth of others. What a blessing.
   We have a new investigator named D. He is from Liberia. He's a Jehovah's Witness that some hermanas in the islands had contacted and taught a bit. He is currently reading the Book of Mormon and loves it. He is finishing Jacob right now and is obsessed with the parable of the olive tree. Anyway, we were teaching a lesson and a man walked up and started talking badly about the Book of Mormon. D picked up his Book of Mormon and started testifying to this man that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. He was even quoting parts of it. Coolest thing ever. After, we went back over Moroni's promise and D said, "I know I can read and ask God if it's true and he'll answer. That's what Joseph Smith did, he asked with faith and God answered. I can do the same." So basically he's just really prepared.
  
CCM group 1 year later

Bueno, one quick thought someone shared with me this week that I thought I'd share with you. What if Jesus Christ lived where you live?
Would you be willing to invite Him to visit your home? I have no doubt that every single one of you would. There is a promise to missionaries in the scriptures that says, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." The Lord himself has said, those who receive his missionaries, he will be there also. So if you want to
invite Jesus Christ into your home, invite the missionaries. They are the representatives of our Savior Jesus Christ in your area. How cool, no? A lot of the time, we forget how important the missionaries are and the work they do. Invite your missionaries over!
    Anyway, this week has been good. I'm loving my area, working as hard as I can. I wish I could be with you for Christmas, but would not change what I am and what I'm doing for anything. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and are able to enjoy it with your family and friends and also remember the true purpose for celebrating.
Love,
Hermana Griffin

New area!

Hola from Barrio 4! 12/14/15

This week has seemed so long. Adjusting to a new area is hard! But kind of fun too. I love the people here so far. Haven't met a single person that I don't love.

So I got here at 7 pm on Monday last week, which means proselyting time had already started. So, we went as fast as we could to the piso to drop off my stuff and leave. Luckily, the airport is in our area. Anyway, so we left and went to go visit this menos activa that lives


just down the road from us named M. She is the best. I like to
think of her as my Dominican grandma  anyway, we passed by and she
freaked out when she found out she was the first person I knew in the
area, she gave me a huge, minute long hug and insisted on making me
lentils. She's funny and they were delicious, so obviously I was not
opposed, especially since I hadn't eaten since 8 that morning. Anyway,
M basically is our third companion because we bring her to all of our lessons. I just love her. She wants everyone to know about the gospel and be baptized. Her coming with us all the time is definitely strengthening her and her testimony, you can tell.

 Hermana Valverde is great. We've had some really awesome lessons together honestly. We seem to be really united when teaching, which is the best, and I'm sure that'll just improve with time. I am learning a lot. Mostly Spanish, but also how to make delicious Peruvian food. I'm pretty positive I'm going to gain tons of weight this transfer...

We have a really amazing investigator named B. She is Dominican and truly looking for the truth. We taught him her the restoration and she loved it. She said she was going to read the Book of Mormon and pray that night because she needs to know if it is true. She's amazing! She understood the apostasy really well too and said the restoration all just made sense to her. Can't wait to meet with her again soon!

There is also a menos activa named K. She is just the sweetest. She has three boys, 16, 10 and 2 months. She invited us for Christmas Eve, so we'll probably be there with her. She told me I remind her a ton of her little sister, which is funny because she reminds me a ton of Naomi. Anyway, she had a high risk pregnancy and now is having a hard time getting back in the routine of going to church. She has an amazing conversion story and we reminded of her of how she felt when
she joined the church and it seemed to relight that fire for her, but then, of course, her middle son had a fever and her husband was out of town, so she had to stay home with him. No worries, I know it's just a matter of time for her!

Funny story of the week, we were sitting in a lesson, talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ and all of a sudden, the doorbell rings. Someone else who lives in the piso answers the door and we think nothing of it, until someone knocks on the door and says, "um, it's for you." Our investigator says he's not expecting anyone, excuses himself, walks out and walks back in shortly after. It was the police. They were undercover and they were there to take him to the police station because of some accusations. So, our lesson obviously ended. We go to leave and M starts preaching to the undercover police officers which was basically the funniest thing ever. Long story short, the problem was all a lie and he was free to go the next morning after spending the night in the police station.

So the area of Barrio 4 is huge. I've heard from a few people that it is 1/4 of Madrid. However, the active members make up something more like a branch. I'd say we have 40-50 active people including the children which are about 2/3 of that... So I feel kind of like I'm back in Blue Water, with a huge area and not many people! But hey, the Lord needs me here.

My district is fun. It's the zone leaders, Elder Voss and Elder Priest (who was in my MTC district), the sister training leaders,


Hermana Staker and Hermana Ross (who both were in the MTC with me), me and my comp and the elders from B4, Elder Forsberg and Elder Yokum.
So district meeting is pretty interesting.

Well, that's about it for this week. I love you all! Can't wait to see your faces next week!

Hermana Griffin

Good news, transfers

Hola Familia!12/07/15

    Ok, good news. First of all, president asked if I could extend, then transfer dates got changed, then I followed up on it and he had to ask permission, but long story short... Permission granted, IM EXTENDING!
So Merry Christmas to me  

   Second, transfers are today and I'm leaving to Barrio 4 in Madrid. That's like the sad part actually because I'm leaving a huge piece of my heart here, but the bright side is, Hermana Ross is in my district and I think there is a chance we may end in the same district together which has been my dream since we were in training together in Alcobendas. Also, I get to go to the temple now! Woohoo!

So yeah, I leave this afternoon for B4 which is kind of freaking me out, but at the same time I'm really excited to be going back to Madrid. I will not be sister training leader anymore, which is a
little sad, mostly I'll miss concilio, but it's nice to take a break and be on the other side of it all. My new companion is Hermana Valverde. I know just about nothing about her except she is 30
something, from Peru and really hardworking. I'm ready to learn lots from her.

   Anyway, this concilio was amazing. I felt like I learned so much. We talked about the importance of leaders and also the attitudes we have in all aspects of the mission. It was great. I felt like it was a
great way to end my time as a sister training leader. I love the opportunity that I've had to be instructed by and participate in the leadership of the mission. Also, while in Alcobendas, after concilio, the ayudantes took us to get Burger King and then to the office. One year later, dream accomplished of seeing the office. Less exciting than I thought, but still awesome.
I mailed my Christmas package home, just so you know. Expect that soon. mom, you'll have to distribute that all somehow
B family  ferret
. 

    So, saying goodbye to the B was the hardest part for me. They honestly have become my family here. Every one of them was bawling as I said goodbye last night, me included. I just have to come back and see them, I love them so much. It was just a really strong spiritual moment and I loved being able to end with a kneeling family prayer. I could not have asked for a better way to end my time with them. I'm not worried about them, I know that V has a super strong testimony of this church and will be baptized soon enough.

M is ready for her baptism on the 19th and it makes me sad to not be here for it, but i know it'll go well. 


D was crying saying goodbye too! So sad to leave him, but he assured me that he'd be 

emailing me lots and updating me on lessons and such. He's still doing
great here and progressing super well, love that kid. 

    Ok, not much else. Just something I wanted to share from my studies.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these
shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

If we have sufficient faith in Christ, we can do great things, even
miracles, things like unto that which Christ has done and even
greater! How amazing is that? That just shows the importance of faith
in Christ. We can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us!
Not only faith is necessary to see miracles, but also sacrifice.
Sometimes I don't think we fully understand what sacrifice is,
sacrifice means something above and beyond the minimum. The Lord asks
us to obey what he commands. We know that blessings are based on
obedience to the laws upon which they are predicated, but as we
sacrifice and go that extra mile, go above and beyond, we are even
more blessed and that is truly when we see not only blessings, but
miracles!

I hope you all have the chance to see not only blessings but miracles
this week! I love you all! 

Have a great week!             Hermana Griffin

Grateful for everyone of you!

11/30/15 Hey beautiful people!

      This week has been good. Let's start with the two highlights of my week! First, S, my convert from Barrio 8, got married! I hope she doesn't mind, but I will be including a picture because I just
love these two so much! They are like family. Second of all, D got the priesthood! He was so happy, just grinning from ear to ear. It made my heart melt. I'm just so proud of that kid. Also, he taught the restoration like a champ and will be teaching the plan of salvation this week. They are also looking at potential callings for him and I know he'll be great just wherever he is!

 Bomb picture of district

Ok, so we went to the dunes Monday like you know... I still am rinsing out sand from my hair and ears... It's never going to go away. 

Anyway, We had a combined thanksgiving district meeting with the other district in our island too. We had our meeting and then celebrated. It was one of my favorite district meeting ever I think. We talked a lot about humility. Also, to finish, we had everyone go around a share their testimony and the spirit was so strong. It was beautiful to hear what everyone is grateful for. I hope you all know that I am so grateful for every one of you. Anyway, we all brought something for our lunch. We had chicken instead of turkey, stuffing, salad,mashed potatoes, rolls, triple chocolate cake, and fruit cobbler. Yum! Not traditional, but I for sure am not complaining. 

  I did intercambios with Hermana Grenfell in Vecindario too. That was a little weird because she is about to finish her mission and she was my sister training leader in my first area. She said she was glad we made it full circle though haha. Anyway, she is an amazing missionary. She reminds me a lot of my trainer. I really admire her and how hard of a worker she is. I can almost guarantee I learned more from her than her from me, but it was a good change nonetheless.
  J came to church! And stayed all three hours! She was even sick... But she said she didn't want to leave. The talks and lessons were incredible, honestly. The talks were about repentance and the
atonement, which I think is always the best. We had a combined third hour and talked about the Europe Area plan for the church and how to better do it as members. It was really fantastic. Our bishop talked about how we can better fulfill our roles as members of we do this plan. Really informative and really strong spirit. Loved it!
  Anyway, things are good here. This might be the end of the transfer, but maybe not... The church is changing the time in the mtc for natives, so that changes our transfer dates now, so this transfer date isn't super firm yet, and we'll also be finding out my new release date... Sounds like it might be sooner. We'll see.
  Things are good here. I've been extremely blessed to see so many miracles here. I was reading a talk this morning called "Live above the law to be free" and also, "That Ye May Have Roots and Branches". They were both a lot alike. They talk about obedience and the blessings we receive for being obedient and how our obedience shows our love for the Lord. Really, I can't explain it better than this general authority does, so go read them!
My traditional turkey!
I love you all tons and tons! Have a great week!
Hermana Griffin

Service and fun at the dunes!

Hola familia! 11/23/15

This week seemed kind of long, but not in a bad way. It seems like we were doing a lot. So here's what happened. 

servicecleaning windows

But first, Happy Birthday Yohann! I hope you had a great birthday! And Happy Thanksgiving
everyone! I'm super excited, we're having a combined district meeting this Thursday with the other district on our island and we're gonna all bring stuff for a thanksgiving lunch! Anyway.
   We did some emergency intercambios because some one of the companionships of hermanas texted us and said they wanted to go home. So we called them right that second and told them no and that was had to do intercambios, so we did the next day. I was with Hermana Grancagnolo from Italy. She is really great. Speaks English like a pro. It was really fun just being with her. She's a few months older than me, but only has 6 months in the mission. It was interesting being with her, we taught the restoration and she taught it in a way relating it all back to revelation. It was something so simple, but I don't know why I've never thought of it! We also did some service for
one of our part member families, G and C. It was great because no one ever lets us serve them, let alone asks for our help!    We cleaned windows. Ive never been very good at that to be honest...But it was fun! And after they fed us really yummy Paraguayan food.Anyway, we set a lot of goals and things with the hermanas. Of course after, when I was talking to my companion, the stories were completely different from the two sides. But hopefully we can keep working with them and they can both be a bit more patient with one another and things can turn around. We've even talked about doing another intercambio with them so that we can see if they've progressed. Pray for them lots!
  Then, we taught S her ex husband. It actually wet relatively well. Did it turn into anything, no, but do we at least have somewhat of a relationship now? Yes! Hopefully that'll open up some doors and help give the girls a chance to be baptized in the near future. 
  We taught D the restoration and are having him reteach them to us. He's trying to determine whether or not he should serve a mission, so we are hoping this will help him decide. If nothing else, it'll at least prepare him to share the gospel with his friends and family. 
    J, our menos activa, came to church again! This is such progress! She still only stayed for sacrament, but she said this next week, her goal is to stay for the two hours. She recognized the difference she felt this week too from attending church. So amazing to see that kind of change in people. I really love her, she is such a sweetheart and she has such great desires, she's just been kind of lost and confused lately, but luckily, she's finding her way back.
   V is smoking lots less and progressing tons! She has found a job, so that is less time for her to be free to smoke. This week she told us she was down to two a day! That's so great! I know her time
will be soon. I have such faith in her and she seems really determined. We gave her a plan to quit smoking and she said she'd give it a try. She can do it, I know she can. It was also C's 17th
birthday this week. We passed by and shared a message and had cake. It was fun. The B's are basically my other family here.
   Met with M for the first time in 2 weeks. Finally! She was in the hospital out of our area with the elderly person she cares for for a week and then she was sick after. But now everything is good.
Honestly, we have about one more lesson with her and then she is ready for her baptism. She's really integrated in the ward, which is the best feeling in the world.
   We visited M and L this week. M is the relief society president, so we talked to her about the women in the ward she is concerned about and how we can better help her with her calling. She
is wonderful. I've never seen anyone better magnify their calling than her. She loved hearing us ask about the sisters here and then put us to work! She's one of the best assets and friends we have here in the world and the truth is, I don't know what we'd do without her!
   So yesterday, everyone decided to bring friends and references to church... So it was a busy day for us. Kind of exciting honestly. We will see how it all turns out, but it's encouraging to know that they will have at least one friend here at church to motivate and help them. I feel kind of bad because all of the friends and references were girls, so the members gave them all to us and not the elders... They work just as hard, if not harder, but it doesn't seem like people trust in them as much. But they are good sports about it and are always encouraging us never talking badly about how no one ever helps them like they do us. They are an awesome example for me.
   Today, we went to the sand dunes on the south end of the island.

So much fun! But soooooo windy and so much sand. Sand everywhere. In my hair, my eyes, my shoes, my clothes. Yuck. But we went with all of the missionaries on our island so it was fun!
   Anyway, I hope you all have a great week! Next Monday, I will be in Madrid again for concilio. I'll write you from there. I love you all!

Hermana Griffin

selfies and baptism of D

Hey family! 11/16/15

Ok, good week.
First of all, we had intercambios with the Hermanas in Los Crisitanos. I was with Hermana Turina, she's fantastic. I just love that girl! She is so wonderful and she talks to everyone. There was a lot I needed to learn from her in that intercambio. Anyway, the next day, we had zone conference with President and Hermana Pack. So great! We talked a ton about the commandments and the importance of teaching them and teaching them with clarity. It's so true! Obedience to the
commandments really is what brings us happiness and blessings. Then, they talked about working with members. I got a lot of ideas of what we can try to get a bit more unity and help from the members. It's always so exciting after a zone conference. I just wanted to get out there and teach and put everything in practice! It was fantastic. We 

got some selfies with President and Hermana Pack... They're pretty great if I do say so myself. We just posed and called their names and those were the faces they made when they turned. They're great, I love them.Side note, at the zone conference, I got my 5 month email  so sad! My time is winding down and its freaking me out! I'm not ready to be almost done yet!

D got baptized! Woo! He brought his whole family too! And his best friend. He was so excited. Me and Hermana Braun sang "When I am Baptized" while the elders played it on ukulele and it was super cute, it made D cry a bit. Then, Elder Davis baptized D. It was so
sweet. When they got out and were going to change, Elder Davis said that D hugged him, and asked, "Elder, am I going to be this happy
from now on?" It was all just really sweet. And then yesterday, we had lessons on missionary work in priesthood and relief society and he
told the Elders he wants to serve a mission now. He is wonderful. He gets the gospel so much and is such a great example and he just makes
my heart melt because I'm so happy and content. Also, H came to the baptism! I just about cried seeing him there!
We got a really awesome reference from a member this week, for a deaf lady and her husband. They have been asking a member named L about the church and he gave them some Book of Mormons too and they have been asking about church now. So we are going tomorrow to teach
them, that'll be super hard but way fun! It'll be a great opportunity to see the spirit testify because communication will be hard. 
J, one of our menos activas, came to church yesterday too, finally! She loved it too! She said she felt great there. She didn't stay for it all, but some is better than nothing. Hopefully this will be the push she needs to continue attending. Hopefully she recognizes the difference that she felt there and will feel this week thanks to attending the church. 
Also, funny note. Y, one of the recent converts that we meet, she wanted to braid my hair, so I let her... Came out with cornrows....

That was the day of the baptism. She thought it looked fantastic. I had to break it to her nicely that it probably wasn't good for a baptism. She was sad, but now I can say that I've had cornrows. Sadly, I only have a picture of her doing it, but not the finished product. Bummer.

So yeah, things are good here. Hopefully things are good there with you all. I love you all! Thanks for your emails and updates. Have a great week!

Hermana Griffin

Christmas requests from Hermana Griffin!

Hey family! 11/09/15

First of all, I have broken my streak, and for the first time ever, I will be staying a third transfer in an area. This transfer is two weeks shorter though because of Christmas.

Por fin, I had interviews with President this week. Can I just to you how much I love that man? He is so inspired and you can really tell he loves every single one of his missionaries. Him and his family are such a huge blessing to me. It was fun to just sit and talk to him and get his input of the area and my companionship and the people we teach and the hermanas I'm serving with. He's just great.

We had concilio last week so Monday to Wednesday I was in Madrid. I got to go to a niche de hogar in Alcobendas and see a lot of members that I knew from my time there.

I also learned how to make El Salvadorian food and horchata. Yum! Also, I finally I saw pictures of my trainer and her boyfriend that someone there showed me. I realized I miss her lots. Then, Tuesday, we had concilio. We talked a ton about working with menos activos and how most of the work we should be doing is with them, to reactivate and also to find, because the menos activos have other menos activo or nonmember friends, so it's the best work we could be doing. While we were gone, we had consejo del barrio[ward counsil] and they told the elders that they are 7 active priesthood holders away from splitting the ward, so this all is really applicable to us. Also, there are 800 menos activos in our ward alone.... How ridiculous is that? So much work to do! Well, after concilio we had interviews with president and so naturally, while waiting for our companion, we played scrabble with C.

While I was playing and waiting for Hermana Braun, we got  a call from an antiguo investigator who had lost contact with the hermanas when he moved. Well good news, he's been taught everything, almost got baptized but then moved and now wants to meet again! I answered the phone and he asked in English if it was the Mormon missionaries and he said he is moving back and almost got baptized but then moved and now wants to meet again. So yeah! His name is K and he is Hungarian. I'll let you know what happens but just a little miracle there.

Capacitacion de Zona was fun. We went to Tenerife for it. Anyway. Capacitacion went really well... I thought. I love learning from the other missionaries. They always have such amazing insight! And, we'll have our zone conference this Friday and we'll get to hear from President and the ayudantes. Conferences as a normal person, not so great and usually kind of boring... As a missionary they are the bomb! I just have such ganas to go out and work after. I love them, they are so encouraging.

Anyway, D's baptism is for sure! This Saturday at 6 pm! I'm so excited. We met with him this week and he was asking about when he can get the priesthood and he's thinking about a mission. He's just so darn cute, I love him and his excitement for the gospel.

Unfortunately L has dropped off the face of the earth. She isn't answering her phone (which is not unusual for her) and she never is home at any time of the day it seems. But we're not giving up on her. She just might need some extra prayers.

S and the girls are great, like usual. She is excited for her new call in primary. We had a noche de hogar with them this week and talked about faith and testimony. The girls are going to ask their dad for themselves for the first time ever if hey can be baptized. They are nervous but we told them to share their testimonies and with lots of prayer, maybe his heart will be softened. We've been praying nonstop but I have a really good feeling about it for some reason. Maybe it is finally their time! I hope so. S asked me and Hermana Braun during the noche de hogar what if feels like to be Mormon. It just about broke my heart. That's the only thing she wants.

I'm studying about diligence right now in my personal studies and I'd love to hear your thoughts, insights, favorite scriptures, talks, etc that are related. Ive noticed that diligence is closely related to agency, so I'm also studying that. To be diligent requires a good use of our agency to choose that which is right. Anyway, send me your thoughts!

Also, for Christmas (mom tell the ward and everyone too), this is what I'd like you all to do (because it's not realistic to send presents to me), I would like all of you to pick your favorite talk and I would like you to print it, highlight the key parts or parts you like and write your commentary and at the end, write a note. And get them to my parents and they will send them all to me! I would love that more than anything, please!

Anyway, I love you all. I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Griffin

More tropical storms,One year mark

Hi family! 11/02/15

Also, we had a desire to redo our piso... I'll include the video. 
So, I hit a year this week... That was weird. Anyway.

concilio 

Notice how things start and how they end..
So Tuesday, we went to Tenerife to have interviews with President...And in the end, we didn't do them, because there wasn't enough time haha so we will do them tomorrow after Concilio. Which brings me to my next point, I'm in Madrid again. I know, I'm never even in my area. Anyway, yeah, it's freezing here and I can't say I'm really a fan.

We did intercambios in Vecindario this week. I was there with Hermana Schreiver. She is another new missionary from Idaho. She is a real sweetheart and her Spanish is incredible for only 5 weeks and not having studied before, seriously. She is not only in training, but  also opening an area, so that's super hard, but I'm so impressed with how well she is handling it and doing it.

D. has a date set for sure for the 14th of November. He's doing great as usual, we're just hammering out the details for his baptismal service. He's invited his parents, two sisters and best friend to his baptism! How awesome is that?

M. is fantastic as usual. She is always feeding us. She is super excited for her baptism. She is always having noche de hogars with the Brazilian members. She's doing great and fulfilling all of her commitments that we extend to her.

We had a long talk with H this week. We've built a lot of confidence with him and he's talking about us doing a pday activity with us. It'll be hard to arrange something for when the girls are out
of school, so we're thinking about maybe something with the two of them and then we can talk to them one on one and see if we can figure out why he's not involved. They're just the best. I love them soooo much!

More tropical storms this week, so lots more miserable cold rain. But this week they didn't cancel church, even though the rain was in fact worse this time... Anyway. We have transfers next week. The big question is if I will break my streak and stay more than two transfers in an area. We'll see!

That's basically it. We've found some new people who seem to have a lot of potential, but we are having problems with our phone currently, so that doesn't help us be in touch with anyone. But hopefully we'll get that figured out tomorrow.

We didn't have a ward activity for Halloween and everyone blamed the missionaries which was lame, so instead, we made cookies and brought them to people. Also, the elders scared us at a lunch appointment. Those bums.

I love you all. I'm glad things are good at home. I hope you have a great week!
Hermana Griffin