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