12/31/2023. 1st Assignment: San Luis, Aurora! Baler!

 Kumusta ang pamilya ko! 

I don't even know where to start. We left the MTC, left my amazing MTC district, headed to Cabanatuan city, which was about a 3 hour drive, and arrived at the Mission home meeting President and sister Burton. When I talk about being proud of home, President and Sister Burton made me feel so comfortable and welcomed. President Burton was one of the heads and captains in the Navy in Pearl harbor so they lived in Hawaii for a few years! He and his wife fell in love with the Hawaiian culture, and learned how to dance hula and became close with, and learned how to play ukulele from a man named Water Kawaiaia. At first I just wasn't sure how dat situation was gonna go haha until I heard him play. Cahzzin I trip. His strum was like how old Hawaiians would strum and pick at the same time, and played and sang Hawaii Aloha for me. I would just like to say a quick thanks to them, for their service to the Lord, and their dedication to each individual missionary. 

My new companion is Elder Smith, he is the best. Look at the picture and imagine how he is.. yup thats him. He is so so nice and his love for this gospel is inspiring. Hes very patient with me and my Tagalog and yet still pushes me. Im way thankful for the companion the Lord blessed me with.

We had to stay in Cab city that night, because we wouldn't make it to my new area, before curfew. We woke up and left at about 5 in the morning, and the drive to my new area took a little over 4 hours. This place is called San Luis, Aurora. A thought Id like to share came from that bus ride here. The place is beautiful, the trees and some plants are similar to Hawaii, yet some living situations and people in some of these provincial areas almost brought me to tears, with the question in my head, where is God here? And those kind of questions that followed. As we continued to pass through these areas, the Lord answered me. Look in their hearts. I would have to write a book to explain the things ive learned, seen, and felt just these past few days, but I can summarize it all with a few words, this plan of happiness, truly works and brings what it promises for ANYONE.

Through these past few days here, my heart becomes broken into pieces and then shredded again when I see these people smile. When I see the joy that believing in our Savior gives them. I see the kids and all I see is Pierce, Jeremias, Fia, Talia, Elena, and Veya and even though I cant understand much yet, I already feel like I love them so much. They have nothing, but in their hearts, theyre so full. 2 Nephi 4:21. 

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. 

The amount of times Ive felt blessed is unreal. The comfort that comes from asking for such from our Father in Heaven is real. The gift of Tongues is real and it comes with loving the people and fully depending on the Lord. I testify that blessings are PROMISED if we but follow the gospel law that predicates them. I miss you ALL so much, you have no idea, but through the Lord, am consistently, every minute of the day comforted and motivated to continue in his work. 

Alama ko po na ang Simbahan na ito ay totoo. Dahil ako ay nakakita at naramdaman ng espiritu dito sa San Luis, sa pamamagitan ng mga puso ng mga tao, nagpapatotoo po ako ang bagay na ito ay totoo. 

I love and miss you all so much, a hui hou aku nō,

ELDER ISHIBASHI

12-28-23 First Letter from Mission Leader of the Cabanatuan Mission

THE CHURCH OF

JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

PHILIPPINES CABANATUAN MISSION

554 Del Pilar Street

Cabanatuan City

3100 Nueva Ecija

Philippines

Dear Brother Ishibashi,

 

We are delighted with the arrival of your son here in the Philippines Cabanatuan Mission. Elder Ishibashi  and I had a wonderful first interview. He has been oriented, instructed, and is now serving in his first area with a specially selected training companion.  Enclosed is a photo taken with us when Elder Ishibashi arrived.

 

Your son  has been assigned to the BALER ZONE, which is shown on the enclosed map.

 

There are several things we request that you do which are very important for the well-being and success of your son:

 

• Send regular letters, hopefully, once a week.

• Make sure your letters are uplifting letters excluding unnecessary mention of family problems or other matters which may cause distraction from missionary work.

• Do not visit or telephone your missionary without obtaining specific approval. Instruct friends accordingly.  Missionaries are allowed to call family on preparation day (Mondays).

• Should you need to make urgent contact with your missionary, please contact me 2107430@churchofjesuschrist.org, or the following cell phone number: +63 999-228-6232.

 

Thank you for preparing and sending Elder Ishibashi to us!

 

Sincerely,

     

Gregory D. Burton                                      Caroline F Burton

 

12-26-2023 Week 6, last week in the Manila MTC (Christmas)

 Kumusta ang pamiliya ko! At Malagayang Pasko! 

As I've always enjoyed Christmas with family, I had no idea what to expect with it being with a bunch of people I've just barely met. I was over-impressed and so surprised with how much I enjoyed my Christmas this year. The spirit of Christmas truly felt as if the emphasis is where it should always be, on Christ. Again back to my district, being the absolute best, we really are. Elders Matsuoka, Elder Presher, and my companions, Elders Horlacher, and Elder Johnson, as well as the sisters, Sisters Fale, Sis. Lapale, Sis. Williams, Sis. Peters, and Sis. Halbrook are the best missionaries for sure here at the MTC. Whether it be the ties, candy, horses, candy, Book of Mormons, candy, and of course the coconut, given to the Hawaiian couldn't be forgotten. We made care packages for the women's prison here in the MTC and did a few other activities for the kids here in the Philippines. And just the spirit of each and every individual in my district is so strong, and each contributes so much to one another and has a huge impact on me. 

In the Christmas spirit, as our Savior Jesus Christ went about "doing good", it brought up the question, what can I contribute or do to show the Lord my appreciation for Him? To get something for someone, you have to know them. How could I better get to know my Savior, Jesus Christ? Mosiah 5:13...

13 For how knoweth a man the master, who he has not served? And who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intentions of his heart?

How do we better know our Savior? Serve and show him that you are WILLING. Be willing... I won't be too specific, because I think the specifics will depend on how each of you reading, decide to understand and apply it to your DAILY lives. As missionaries, we get the opportunity, as we were told, to have the Christmas spirit every day, which I know is true. My mentality of a mission being a responsibility and a duty, quickly switched to realizing that it's an infinite amount times more of a privilege, that I have, to serve these chosen people.

It's my last few days here at the MTC and then I head out to Cabanatuan this Friday! I can't even begin to explain the promptings I've received, the blessings I've been blessed with, and the miracles I've witnessed just in these short 6 weeks here at the MTC. I know that it is because of the many prayers from home, that our Father in Heaven answers our pleas. In our struggles, he IS there, in our cries, he gives us comfort, in the times where we feel unsure, he will give us the clarity we seek. Ether 12:6, I won't say it because I want you to search and read it. The blessings come AFTER the trial, so endure it well. I love each and every one of you so so much, I miss you each so so much but know and am comforted through the Lord to know, that he is constantly with and protecting those that I love. 

I was gonna end the letter but really quickly wanna share a last thought. That came from one of our leaders here Sister Williams, the medical advisor, who, she and her husband left their medical careers to serve a mission, and when asked why, responded "Because it's true". Cuz, what faith. Anyway, this sister Williams explained that she had a daughter, who after an injury would have to wear this full body brace, for a year of her life, as they were living in Arizona. Many times, as she explained a mother would cry wondering what she could do, to take the pain away from her daughter. Pleading and asking Heavenly Father, to make her suffer the pain instead. As I KNOW at some point my mom, my sister Kaui, and inlaws have pleaded before. Instead of comfort, she explained that the Lord answered her prayers saying "That is my daughter, don't interfere with the plan that I have for her, to make her the best version of herself she can be." I know it's hard to watch people struggle, especially those we love so much, but our Savior Jesus Christ is very much present in each and every one of our lives. Again, JAHSSS TRAHHSS

alam ko po na totoo ang Simabahan na ito, alam ko po na si JesuCristo ang tagapagligtas ko at pamamagitan ang kanyang pagbabayad sala, maaari tayong makahanap ng kaligayahan at kapayapaan ng mga mahirap oras

Aloha au iā ʻoukou pākahi,

ELDER ISHIBASHI

1. Area presidency Brother and Sister Bangeter of the 70

2. Christmas Dinner wit da coolest guys in the MTC letting the short guy take a pic with them

3. HAWAII HAMMAHS : OAHU - ELDER KAIO & ELDER NAEʻOLE

AND ELDER ANITEMA FROM MAUI

4. OUR BATCH 779

5. STILL GOTTA TRO DA ONE DOWN cuhzzz lechon is meannn!!

My district and teachers

12-19-2023 Week 5 in the Manila MTC “ PAGSUNOD (OBEDIENCE)”

Aloha mai nō e kuʻu mau poʻe punahele, kumusta po! Another super blessed week here at the MTC. The spirituality here is just on another level, and everyday my journal gets packed with new spiritual insights and miracles witnessed. This past week was filled with task practices and language study, which means we teach lessons to either each other, or teachers disguised as investigators, in Tagalog. It's still way hard, and I can physically feel the comforting power of the Holy Ghost every day, in every way. Since it was pretty much the same schedule everyday, I think in this letter my district deserves a little love haha. Nah but they are the best district for sure and everyone in the MTC notices it. I can't even say one is better than the other because of the spirituality and uniqueness of each of them individually. I was truly blessed with an amazing district of a bunch of Missionary and sister studs! And same goes for my companions, Elder Horlacher and Elder Johnson, who are some of the coolest and most spiritual guys I know. I was blessed with good companions for sure, and even if they weren't I wouldn't take it and they'd be great while they were with me:) A reason why my companions are so great, is because of their obedience. A few days ago, while in bed, had a thought and while in the dark, felt for a pen, and something to right on, scribbled the thought and fell asleep. "When obedience becomes a habit, then it becomes easy". Habits are made by consistency and determination. I think back a lot on my repentance process and the things I was blessed to go through to be the Missionary I am today, and it is everything but easy for each and everyone of us. There are a few missionaries who can't grasp this idea of obedience, and simply complain or don't follow the simple set guidelines. It's more sad then it is annoying. Where is your motive? Polynesia is huge on knowing and representing who you are and where you come from. Not only are we representing the name of our families on our chest, we have the privilege of wearing and representing the name of Jesus Christ. 2 Nephi 4:26-29 "26 O then, if I have seen so great things, ... and the Lord hast visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, ... and my strength slacken because of mine afflictions? 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh, yea why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one ... (may) afflict my soul? 28 Awake, my soul! Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies, do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Why even doubt? When we've felt the spirit so strongly before in our darkest times? Look unto him in EVERY thought, doubt not, fear not. When we make the habit, to turn to the Lord, and trust in His process, and are obedient, then it becomes easy and bearable. This is my last full week in the MTC, and I head out to Cabanatuan next Friday and couldn't be more excited to sweat and burn for the will of the Lord. I know this gospel is true, without a doubt. Naniniwala po ako, sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng panalangin, maaari tayong bumaling sa Panginoon ng ating mga mahirap oras, at gagabayan niya tayo. I miss you all so much. And think and pray about each and everyone of you daily. Its so nice having Elder Naeole and Elder Kaio here, to at least give this place a little sprinkle of kanak haha Aloha aku nō e kuʻu ʻohana ELDERRRR ISHIBASHI more pictures later On another thought about grandpa, watched the video again of him explaining the story of meeting Grandma. He said "I don't know depression, only happiness", grandpa was strong because of his struggles, but allow because of his mindset. Live and miss you my beautiful Grandma! 1. Don't know if I sent this but our Elder Ang companion left to serve his mission in France Paris 2. These fruits are called something like gweobano but taste like hichew theyre way good 3. Hehe don't put this on blog but these two Elders were having a very deep prayer to the Lord lasted about 2 hours of study time!! So spiritual

12-12-2023 Week 4 in the Manila MTC “Just be faithful, keep going”

Kumusta po pamilya ko! Thank you all for the emails throughout the week I really do read and appreciate them all so much! I feel like I repeat myself in every letter home with this, but this MTC truly is the Best MTC. Food is top shape, other than the other day when I was stuck in the bathroom all day as the palu Princess, the teachers are dynamic and truly care about the things they teach and day. They do this thing where they ask if were ready in our district rooms, and usually back home, if we say no it's "too bad, listen". It's an interesting view, to see, if someone says no, they won't teach! Until that person says he or she is ready! As a joke at first people would say no, and quickly ready themselves as they realised the teacher won't teach until they say they are. The spirit quickly starts with the spirit, when each individual is ready to learn. Since we started our language weeks, Tagalog has been a struggle, but it's crazy how prayers are answered. Before I get into that, I felt my biggest accomplishment this week came from finishing the Book of Mormon. The spiritual experience was so convincing and powerful, that when I get home haha I'd love to share that experience with you. For those who haven't finished it yet, strive to finish it, and for those who have, start again! It truly is the truest book on earth and testifies how much our Father in Heaven loves us. A tip that I give, is after each page, write on the page how something in that page connects to your life, in any way. In 1 Nephi 19:23-24 we are taught to liken all scriptures unto ourselves and I have found that, IF you do that you will realise how true of a book it truly is to each person individually. That same night, I was able to give some priesthood blessings and use my priesthood which I love. Alright back to prayer, yesterday I studied promised blessings and in a devotional from Elder Choi of the 70, his wife taught that God doesn't take things for free. These two years that we give, will be, like uncle Herbie said, a foundation in which we will continue to build upon for the rest of Eternity. We will be blessed for the rest of eternity for simple things we do, and for the hard decisions, and choices to choose to follow our savior Jesus Christ through faith. These short two years, will benefit any who chooses to serve it, for the rest of eternity. Even though we may feel at times we haven't received the promised blessings we were obedient to the law for, Elder Ballard explained that in the next life, rather than feel like we got what we deserved, our response will simply be something like, "is that all that was required?" To my family, we are so so blessed. And I know and testify that it is because of our choice to keep the Lord as a priority in our lives. Thank you to my family, for being proud members of the Church even through the struggles. I often think about my dad and my grandpa, and the kind of men they are, and attribute every aspect of class and manlihood to attributes explained in this gospel. Praying everyday to be like them, the Lord blesses me with the strength to continue each day with a desire and capacity to continue to learn the doctrine and language, for the purpose to spread his gospel to his children in which he loves so much. With about 2 1/2 weeks left of the MTC, I am no where near where I should be, but know and have faith, like mom told me before I left, the Lord doesn't call those who are qualified, he qualifies those who are called. The Lord doesn't require you to be perfect, but to be willing to make the necessary changes in your life to choose and follow him. In 1 Nephi, the story of the bow and the Liahona, the liahona didn't give Lehi's starving family food, but provided the means to find it, faith doesn't give you happiness but puts you in the direction to find it. Jahs trahsss that you will get there. Alam ko po na totoo ang simahan na ito. Alam ko po na sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng espiritu santo, malalaman natin ang katotohanan kung nahanapin natin ito. I miss you guys each so much, I pray each night and morning for the each of you and I know the Lord answers our prayers. One way is I was never able to memorise the first vision in English, but somehow, in a day, was able to memorise it in tagalog which, ask Io and Kaimi is much harder and longer haha. One of the many simple miracles just seen here at the MTC. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you Mai Philippines nei eia nō au ko ʻoukou mikioneli punahele, sa pangalan po ni JesuCristo Jahs trahsss, ELDER ISHIBASHI

12-5-2023 Week 3 in the Manila MTC

 Aloha mai nō kuʻu ʻohana, magandang umaga! 

This past week was filled with straight-up language training. Just learning the language structure for like two days, already getting into doctrine about the gospel in Tagalog. Cuz when I talk about a different kind of mental stretch, it's unreal. But no worreh, we still hando over here. Just as hard as the lessons are, the more present the spirit is to comfort and help me while I learn. When I say this place is unreal filled with the spirit, I mean it. My journal is packed with spiritual insights, favorite scriptures, and miracles that happen every day. 

One of my favorite quotes this week came from an Elder Wilcox, in a 2011 MTC conference, that was replayed this past Sunday for us. In his jam-packed spiritual talk (supah good talk, if you ever get time watchum) he talked about a kid whose parents wanted him to go to FSY, with Wilcox they found the money to send him, and a day later, the kid calls home, saying "Get me out of here". Wilcox explained God's grace, and how much it is misunderstood. When we get to that point, of meeting our savior, it won't be a matter of the Lord saying, "ah sorry badda, you just missed it by couple good tings" or "ah almost but not quite Hawaiian, better luck next eternity", which is what I and guarantee choken people thought! Rather, the Lord will look at and judge us through our deepest desires, begging us to stay with him. That is what the atonement of Christ is for. 

"Heaven isn't heaven, to those who haven't chosen to be heavenly"

- Brad Wilcox

We're not earning heaven, we're learning heaven. We are to live with an effort of aligning our goals, and desires, with that which the Lord has for us. For those repenting, keep it up. Use His atonement and focus on His plan. For those in a struggle, mentally, physically, and spiritually, use His atonement, he's the only one who truly understands the pain. Your effort will be enough, his "Grace is sufficient".

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

How beautiful is that? 

My companion is the man, we haven't left the MTC yet, can't wait for those experiences when we hit the field (rice field hehe). Food never disappoints here, and for the most part, the Elders and Sisters here each have personal conversions that blow me away each passing day. I thought my testimony was strong when I left, just in the MTC, people leave their needing families, the people they love, or even simply serving to set an example to a younger sibling. As a Missionary, like dad explained before, we learn to forget ourselves and serve. I can't wait to struggle and work in the mission field, not just cause I want to grow, but for the fact that I know that comfort and love that this gospel truly brings, and the value that it has to every living soul. Namimiss ko sa lahat na inyo pero, I know the Lord, and he take kea. I hope my family, and cousins and aunties and unkos is doing good, please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you. My beautiful Grandma, I love you so much, uncle Riley was the meanest fisherman and akamai Hawaiian, but eh what a blessing this so called plan of Salvation is ah? Mean.

Alam ko po na totoo na ito simbaban. Alam ko po na palaging nakikinig ang Diyos sa ating panalangin at nagpapatotoo po ako mahal na mahal tayo ng Diyos.

Aloha aku nō e ku'u 'ohana 

ELDER ISHIBASHI

1. Elder Matsuoka with his Judis 270s

2. Last week temple day with the district

3. Marking verses in Hawaiian Book of Mormon in studying

Far left is my companion Elder Horlach and next to him is Elder Paberan

Elder Inayan

My comp., Sister Manapori and Sister Maseesee

Cousin: Elder Pele Kaʻio from Laʻie Hawaii

Elder Kaʻio

New Zone Leader Elder Ishibashi