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