"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19: November 2023

11/28/23

11-28-2023 Week 2 in the Manila MTC

Welina mai me ke aloha e kuʻu ʻohana, a magandang umaga !! Another awesome week at the MTC here in Philippines. Even though the days feel to go by quicker than the first week, they continue to just be loaded with spiritual experiences, and blessings. One of the biggest, being me being able to stay awake the whole time for class haha but so so many that are in my journal , that I want to be there to share them with you guys when I return home. As we start to deepen our understanding of doctrine and teaching in simple ways, I am so thankful for my experiences hunting or diving or surfing, even life experiences, that allows me to share my personal testimony of the principles that we study. I often think about my cousins, each and every one and how much I love and miss them and admire their strength. Along with my BYUH family that I am so thankful for each of their examples for me. Theyre a huge tool that I'll be able to use, that can encourage others to recognise how the Lord has blessed and guided our brothers and sisters here in the Philippines in their lives. One of my favorite lessons came from a Missionary Devotional that elder Rasband gave at the Provo MTC last week, and was broadcasted throughout our MTC as well. The devotional went on to explain the miracles that we witness and how we each individually react to them. Is our faith great enough to allow them to happen? And is it even greater to allow them not to happen? Giving blessings for the sick and afflicted, or problems we struggle with and plead for the Lord to remove them instantly, a loved one who passes away, if we ask for a miracle and it is not given how you expect or want, do we have the faith to know that God's plan is greater than ours? I loved the devotional. The MTC is filled with experiences, and lessons that continue to only strengthen my testimony of this gospel. One of which is my newfound love and excitement for reading the Book of Mormon. Close to finishing Alma, and with the goal to read through the whole book before leaving the MTC, I'll start my study with a prayer, think of a question that I'm unsure or want more insight about, and read my chapter with the intent of answering my question. Then reading through my Hawaiian version, to mark the verses and translate words from the English that I don't understand. I've never looked forward to hour or hour and a half personal studies more. The other day, the Elders in my district came over and we did a study together, coming up with a question, and reading through the 6 verse chapter, the idea came up to maybe just read another chapter to answer our question. I testify of the significance of each and every word in scripture. The thought of the effort it took to carve into brass, made me think, every word and thought would only be the most important to include. Encouraging the district that it could be done, through our discussion and understanding, we answered the question we asked. The food is still so so action, hearing the stories and experiences of other Elders serving here, is just a huge blessing to me, as I prepare to make my way into the field with a higher sight on my mission. I miss you each very much, but through the Lord, am comforted to know that each of you are blessed by a Father in heaven who knows your name, your wants and your needs, your deepest desires, and the things that will bring you the most happiness. Thank you for sending grandpa's poem to me, just that has brought me so much comfort and different perspective on our individual struggles and imperfections. For those of you who haven't read Charlie's Monument I'll put it at the end. I haven't started my mission yet, but I've learned to love this people, and the Filipinos who chose to serve with their countless worldly reasons of why they should have stayed home but decided to serve the Lord. I've never seen people with absolutely nothing, be so happy and thankful. And thus are the fruits of a loving Heavenly Father and knowing he loves us individually and fully. Mosiah 2:41 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. Why believe in this gospel? Because it brings happiness to our lives. Like it has comfort and peace, during my hardest times in my life, alam ko po na (I know) that in these times we can find comfort in coming to know Christ, and nagpapatotoo po ako ( I testify ), that to do so, we pray and read and study his gospel. I love and miss you all so much, jahs trahsss that the Lord knows what he's doing. JAHS TRUHSSS Mahal ko kayong lahat, eia nō au ko ʻoukou mikioneli punahele, ELDER ISHIBASHI grandpa's favorite poem Charlie’s Monument by Blaine M. Yorgason God, Before He sent his children to earth Gave each of them A very carefully selected package Of problems, These, He promised, smiling, Are yours alone, No one Else may have the blessings These problems will bring you. And only you Have the special talents and abilities That will be needed To make these problems Your servants. Now go down to your birth And to your forgetfulness, Know that I love you beyond measure. These problems that I give you Are a symbol of that love. These monuments you make of your life With the help of your problems Will be a symbol of your Love for me. Your Father. 1. My companion Elder Harlacher coolest dude ever 2. Dinner no forks jahs pound 3.Elder Lamborns Birthday, I did a fat simba of frosting across his forhead after we Sana 4. Elder matsuoka, Elder Lūki from Provo MTC, and his companion

11/21/23

11-21-2023 Week 1 in the Manila MTC (Missionary Training Center).

Kamusta po kayo pamilya ko!! Burahhh I feel like I've been here for a month by how many things I've seen, felt, and learned. I can confidently say that this MTC is a blessing, and a place that is founded and inspired by the Lord. This email has to be long, so I sorry, if you no like read um, get off my list, jokelang jokelang. But we'll start from getting to the Philippines on Tuesday, talk about a long flight brah. Like dad, leaving Oahu is when things started to hit and I said the longest prayer, pleading to my heavenly father for each and every family member and people that I love. 5 hours to San Fran meeting the others in my district and 15 hrs to the Philippines was crazy, flight food was so good, but felt like I finished leg day with how sore my butt was. We got to the hotel, and met with the Filipinos and Filipinas that would be heading to the MTC with us the next day. Quick story about that night, as we decided to gather that night in the lounging area of the hotel, I was little bit nīele in trying to listen to the Filipinos talk and see if there was even a word I could pick up. Not one. Anyway, the elder that was talking, for a little while switched to English and explained his story on turning in his papers. He explained that a few months ago he went to his stake president and explained to him that because he had no money, and no one to back him and his family while he served, he had to work instead and requested to withdraw his papers. Responding to this elder, the stake president told him that the Church and the Lord got you. Leaving his family, with nothing, he faithfully left to serve a mission for the Lord. I hate crying, but this made me pretty frickin close. I have no excuse to not be here. This is just one of the many inspiring stories I've heard, of the sacrifice that individuals made to serve the Lord. Dad and Io explained this mission isn't for me, but a time dedicated to the Lord, not in my timing, but his as it is his work. I truly believe and have quickly come to realise it. Coming to the MTC in the Philippines was radical. I have no idea how traffic even flows. Two lanes equals out to about 6 cars in between in dashboard to bumper traffic, with hundreds of motor bikes squeezed where they can and sometimes where they can't. Getting to the MTC, right next to the temple, it is completely gated. Even the temple has security guards and guard shacks haha. Love it. The first two weeks are focused on Preach my Gospel, and establishing doctrine and teaching habits. I truly can't explain how hard it is, to go from hunting and fishing and surfing everyday to sitting and learning all day, and making it through. I can truly testify of the power of asking the Lord for comfort and energy throughout a full day of sitting and learning. By myself, it is not possible. The amount of how much exercise, went from a physical point of view to spiritual and mental perspective has my brain growing and stretching in ways I'm not used to. Which I not sure if that's a good thing cause I already get a big head. But no worries u'i I not getting fat. Since I got here I've been doing 500 pushup a day, 250 once I get up and 250 before I head to bed. The days we get daily exercise time I get to do squats and pull ups. I got all my companions in my room to do push ups with me whether they like it or not :) I have a very good companion Elder Horlacher who reminds me so much of my podagee cousins in his work ethic, and hard headedness haha. Kaukahi I stay talking to you bah. This guy can work, is so thoughtful, and before his mission worked construction, which from how he presides himself, I can see he was very good at it and hardworking like Kaukahi. I gotta talk about da food. Its soooo 'ono I trip. If anything u'i in the Cafeteria is your hope for me to get fat. But no worries I leave in 5 weeks. Food varies between Filipino, Thai, and so many other Asian foods that, even if I'm still full from the meal before, I eat full plates again JUST cause can and its 'ono. One of the dinners was called Pad Thai ( someone will know what this is, and why it means so much to me ) but so so so `ono. For breakfast we had fried fish one day, and even though it was tilapia I ate like 3 just cause I miss my Koles haha. On Friday, I was so stoked to be told that we'd be going to the temple and doing a session every Friday while in the MTC. Don't see it as irreverent to say, maybe Io can explain, but the temple clothes in the Philippines are wayyy nice. Going through the temple I felt so strongly the spirit, especially my two grandpa's with me in the celestial room. I know that in temples, is where we can have the strongest feelings like these and testify to this through my experience there. There's so much I want to say about the little things, but I want to be there and explain these sacred events that happened, that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. And I haven't even gotten to the field yet! I know that exact obedience brings promised blessings. In Doctrine and Covenants 82:10... 10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise I can testify that you each are promised blessings, if you but will follow and abide by what our Heavenly Father guides us to do. If you've been slacking, get to it. Reestablish those covenants and promises to yourself, and align your path with the Lords. A general authority, Elder Choi i think, came last night and talked about obedience. "If you dont like it, LIKE IT," don't give yourself the choice to not like it and push forward. I am so so excited to serve the people of the Philippines, and push the work of the Lord in this field. I miss each and everyone of you so so much. Please know that the Lord loves his children, which is each and everyone of you. Allow him in. Mahal ko kayong lahat, ke Akua pū e ku'u 'ohana, Elder Ishibashi Brah Elder Nae'ole just walked in, made me the happiest Hawaiian in the Philippines haha