Going back to Iquitos

Papa, Mama y todos los demas... Este Semana fue una semana maravillosa..yo tuve muchas experiencias espirituales...

This week was sooo amazing. Like I said we went to the temple and I was able to have a very good experience there. We had the farewell of about 10 missionaries. That also was really spiritual to hear their testimonies. Elder Rich, one of the AP’s was one that is leaving and left a wonderful testimony. Also, Elder Herdt is leaving but I don't know if you know him.

We had the conference with Elder D. Todd Christoferson. I was able to play the piano in the conference. It was really a cool opportunity. I was able to sit very close to all of the General Authorities, Elder Christoferson, Elder Edgley (of the General Bishopric), Elder Nash, Elder Clayton, Elder Gavarret, Elder Pino, the Four Mission Presidents of the missions in Lima, other 70`s etc. It was a very wonderful and spiritual experience.

I love this church. I love that I have the opportunity to serve the Lord for two years.

GUESS WHAT I AM GOING TO IQUITOS for the SECOND TIME. I AM SOOOOOOO HAPPY! I am going to be the district leader and am going to train. WOO HOO.

I did not get the chance to talk with any of the General Authorities except for with Elder Edgley because he had a conference in the stake and was staying longer.

I will be leaving Wednesday for Iquitos and I am excited to see the members and new converts that I was able to meet last time there. I love the jungle and I am thrilled that I get this opportunity again.

I love you...CHAU.
-Elder Griffin

Seeing a convert moving forward

Today is our P-Day. It was really cool we went to the temple for the first time in 10 months for me.

I felt very spiritually uplifted as I read my Patriarchal Blessing in the Temple. Then after I was physically feed at BURGER KING. It’s not that amazing but it’s a nice change from RICE AND CHICKEN.

I was lucky today I bought a big picture of the Christ Statue in SLC. I will see if I can get it framed for Artemeo for a wedding present. His wedding date is October 30. They will get married civilly the day before and then sealed in the temple on the 30th. It is marvelous to see how the gospel enriches lives!

We now have one baptismal date and I am very excited for that. Things are not really changing but I am trying my best to do everything I can to stay obedient and do more than my part of the work.
We are really working hard to gain the confidence of the members so that we can have success.

I am very excited for this Saturday with Elder Christofferson coming and for the conference. It is a great opportunity to be able to play for the apostles that will be there.

I will let you know how it goes and if it possible Record it.
MY health is great. Nothing hurts. Everything is fantastic!
I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH.
-Elder GRIFFIN

Playing the piano for an apostle

Mi querida y muy amada familia.
This week was an interesting week...

We had the interviews with President. Well to sum it all up we had a couple of changes in the district, to say the least. I am now directing the district from Antisuyo not Chinchaysuyo. The Elders that were there got changed. Elder Gonzalez and Elder Bravo, we will just say that I had a couple problems as there leader. They were doing dumb things and president took them out. I AM SO HAPPY NOW. We have 5 investigators that we are teaching that are 18 yrs and older.

I ALSO FOUND OUT that ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON is coming to PERU, LIMA again. This time do you know who is going to play the piano for the reunion? ELDER GRIFFIN!
I am very excited to play the piano in front of a general apostle.

Artemio Alfaro Dias will take out his endowments the 27, they will be married the 28 civilly and the 29 they are going through the temple, to be married for time and all eternity. I went to the other stake for part of conference to talk to him. I didn’t break any rules because it is part of the zone, but I was able to talk to him. I was excited to see him and talk to him.

We got to watch all the conference talks in SPANISH, all but the last talk of the prophet, because the cable was having problems.

I LOVE YOU and am grateful for your support and everything that you do.

Mom, it gets cold here but not cold enough to snow. We live up in the hills of Lima and yes it does get cold, but it’s all good.

I miss making salsa. Peru is known for there Aji or Peppers, they are hot but it’s NOT LIKE THE STATES.

I love you.
Mama...TODO ES POSIBLE con Dios.
CUIDATE...Y Saluda TODO la familia.

TE AMO con todo mi corazon, alma, mente...y etc.
CHAU.

~Elder Griffin~

A MISSION (The hardest but most rewarding experience)

Hey dad and Mom,
I have great news. MY first investigator, Artemio, I get to go through the temple with his wife and him this 29 of October, I am so excited. It is so awesome!

This week was a very interesting week. We aren’t really having a lot of success. I am trying to be the best missionary that I can, patient, loving, and I try to help him out. I just don’t know what I can do better to have a little bit of success. I feel like I am doing the major part of the work, the contacts, lessons and so forth, but we are practicing some things so that we can become better.
He is so un-animated.

I know that things will get better and I just need to put more of my faith in the Lord.

We are going to the center of Lima to see some things about the Inquisition.

I am so grateful for loving parents. I really don’t know where I would be with out you guys. You have shaped my life and helped me to grow into the person that I am today. I really had a hard week, when I was doing work visits, my companion only had 1 lesson in 2 days. That makes it hard to set an example to my district when we are not having success. The mission is the HARDEST thing that I have done in my life, but the most rewarding. I have had my handful of blessings and spiritual experiences.

Now thanks to you guys I have a lot more energy and ready for another week.

I Love you guys so much and hope the best this week. I will pray for all of you.

Thanks for your helping words.

I LOVE YOU AND HOPE THAT EVERYTHING IS GREAT..!!!
-Elder Griffin