Monday, March 28, 2016

No Longer In a Trio, But Meet My New Companion!

Hello Everyone!

So, Sister Fairclough is amazing! At our transfer meeting, I was leading the music and was able to catch a quick glimpse at her name-tag and identify her as my companion before we were officially assigned. I was filled with love for her immediately. On top of her sweet and funny personality, we share many things in common....she likes to drink herbal tea, she likes yoga, she dresses cute....so it's been fun. :) I'm grateful to be her companion.  It was somewhat humorous to see the terrified look on her face as we went and contacted at Walmart for the first time. Walking up to COMPLETE STRANGERS, and TALKING to THEM?!!! AHH! She is still apprehensive about tracting and contacting, but with time her skills will improve and she'll get more comfortable. :) I was the same way when I came out. It's scary!

Sister Fairclough (pronounced like "Fair-cluff") is a convert of just over a year!!! She has been investigating the church for several years. She is the only member in her family. A true pioneer! She is from North Ogden, UT. I really look up to her courage and spiritual strength!

This past week has involved us getting back into the routine of things. It's been nice to be back full time in Russellville. We were super happy to have Lucille and a less active we've been working with come to the Women's Broadcast! Also.... JC SET A BAPTISM DATE FOR APRIL 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy!! At our lesson on Tuesday, we tried to discover "the iceberg"---the underlying, hidden problem of why he hadn't set a baptismal date yet. As we were talking, we learned that he was afraid that in order to join our church he'd have to throw out his past 68 years of Methodist upbringing and belief. We simply explained that he'd be building on that foundation and testimony he already has. More truth. A more excellent way. And that seemed to do it! For the first little while, he seemed apprehensive...but on Sunday he announced to everyone in Sunday school that he was going to get baptized, and apparently everyone in High Priest's (and then proceeded to invite all of them to come, haha!) too.  Super excited!

That's all for this week!  I hope everyone had a great Easter, we sure did!

Love,
Sister Griffith
 
 It was fun being in a trio while it lasted! 
Notice how we all wore stripes!  And we didn't even plan it!  :)

My cute, new companion and I figuring out transfer details at the Birmingham stake center!
Sister Fairclough and I!  (her name is said like fair-cluff)
Fond farewell to Sister Patten!

 The Florence sister's investigator, Charlotte, who got baptized two Saturday's ago. I was able to join in for the last few of her lessons. Super sweet, been thru A LOT!

I had the image in mind, Sis Merrill drew it, and Charlotte brought it all together and is going to stitch this on her bag. Fun representation of our eternal progression! (baptism is the gate, house is the church, temple, and beyond)


Alabama has water towers everywhere and they are proud of them!

Someone taking up their cross on Highway 43!

Quick snapshot on Easter next to a pretty pink bush!  :)

Happy Easter!

Out with Sister Stark, one of my favorite members here!




Monday, March 21, 2016

Happy Easter From Alabama!

Howdy,

Our little Florence-Russellville trio has been going well! The sisters' investigator, Charlotte, got baptized this past Saturday! She is a sweetheart. Everything went great. I missed her confirmation on Sunday, though, because Sister Stark picked me up to go to the Russellville ward. She always goes out with us every Sunday, but the past two Sundays she has been "my companion", spending all afternoon out and about. She is amazing and helps the work so much!! This past Sunday, we were in Hatton, AL, visiting some less actives and giving a Book of Mormon to a lady who requested one online. While out there, a random cow crossed the road and luckily Sister Stark was paying attention and slowed down. Thus is life in the country. We also crossed an old wooden bridge, of which I had never seen before in my life! Sister Stark has somewhat of a fear of driving on wooden bridges, but I was very proud that she didn't let out any sign of fear while going across! Haha

It was Friday when I was out with Sister Swack, and we were doing the same thing...out visiting people in the country. We came across this awesome look out point and had to snap a picture. The following day, as I was with the sisters, we came across this beautiful sunset. It almost looked like the trees were on fire! God has definitely blessed me with beautiful scenery this past week!

Easter is coming up and how amazing the knowledge we have that "He is not here: for He is risen" (Matt 28:6) May we thank God for the miraculous blessing of resurrection! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3) Check out this cool video on Easter about Christ's resurrection!

May we stay continually converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grow in grace!

Sister Griffith


Sister Griffith selfie!

Pretty view we came across while out finding less actives in Leighton, AL!

Hello from Alabama countryside!

The gorgeous sunset while out in Waterloo, AL!


Just a typical afternoon in the country.

The UNA campus in Florence, AL has lions!!
 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Lucille's Baptism and I'm In a Trio Companionship For Now!

Happy Spring, everyone!

I don't have a ton of time to write today, but I'll give you some updates...

1. Sister Pyrah had to be transferred to fill another sisters spot, so I'm now in a trio with the Florence sisters until the 23rd of this month.

2. Our investigator Lucille got baptized this past Saturday and everything went great! We love her so much and look forward to seeing the Gospel continue to bless her life.

3. We went to the temple this past Thursday to do a session, and of course that was wonderful. We had a fun time afterwards heading to downtown Birmingham for dinner at "Mellow Mushroom" before hitting the road for our 2 hour drive back home.

4. Today we had a zone activity and went hiking at a place called Cane Creek Canyon. It's a beautiful nature reserve! I love being able to get outside and breathe the fresh air. :)

Hoping that everyone is doing well and enjoying the blooming flowers. A lot of trees here in AL are blooming with beautiful white buds.

Steadfast in Christ! 1 Corinthians 16:23-24

Sister Griffith



Where is Sister Griffith?

Spending time with Jesus
President and Sister Hanks and I at the temple!

The Florence sisters and us!

My new companions for a couple weeks  

Got caught in the rain in downtown Birmingham getting back to our car...decided to walk barefoot to not ruin our shoes :)
Lucille's baptism!
I love sweet Lucille!

What a storm shelter looks like

Took a selfie inside a storm shelter

Sisters and waterfalls!

On a hike with the zone today!




Monday, March 7, 2016

Zone Training, Bad Weather, Lucille and Hairless Cats!

Hello!

Tuesday we drove to Birmingham for MLC. It was a super good! But on the way home, during rush hour traffic, we drove into some bad weather...super dark skies, and then an on slot of pounding rain. It finally cleared up but we looked to our left and saw a green sky...a bad sign of tornadoes. Apparently tornado sirens went off not long after we left the area! But we drove fine and arrived home safe.

We have been meeting with a lady named Lucille and she is so sweet! We love her. She loves this Gospel and loves learning what we have to teach. She is the most faithful person! We have loved teaching her in different member's home this past week.

Friday we had Zone Training and relayed everything we learned from MLC! Zone training was concise, which we were all happy about. We have a great zone! Immediately following that, we went on a blitz with the Florence sisters. It went really well and we stopped by the "FAME" recording studio right quick to take a picture, something Sister Patten has been wanting to do. :)

Today we had a fun brunch at a member's home! They are so sweet to us! After emailing we probably will go play some basketball! Hope everyone's day is going well!

Sending prayers from Alabama,
Sister Griffith


Got $3 glasses at Walmart :)

Super dark weather while passing through Birmingham

Sweet Lucille and us!

Fun role plays at zone training

More zone training fun!

Zone Training!

At the famous "FAME" recording studio in Muscle Shoals, AL

A HAIRLESS CAT WE MET LAST WEEK. STRANGEST THING OF MY LIFE (sorry I couldn't get a good picture, my camera was being weird and the cat didn't want to hold still obviously)