12/8/24 PROPETA NG DIYOS

Magandang araw senyong lahat! Another difficult nevertheless, great week as a missionary! Still getting over dengue, the Lord provided countless lessons, and opportunities to grow. Opportunity to finish the New Testament, ponder gospel topics, teaching online, and even baptize a few of our friends! I am so thankful, for the Lords hand in this beautiful work! The experience I want to share, happened as we finally made it back to work in Quezon this past Saturday. We taught a young couple, who we've found a few weeks ago, and committed them to get Baptized and Married in a few weeks. This past Saturday, Elder Cox came down to work with me in Elder Bohman and I's area, as Elder Bohman continues to recover from Dengue. We began to teach, the Word of Wisdom to this couple. We taught about prophets, asking the importance of such, testifying of the value of such, and asking of which they were familiar with. We taught of Moses, and the miracles, this prophet of God was able to perform, focusing on specifically the miracle, occurring during the time of the fiery serpents. People began to die, and through the prophet of the Lord, was given a way, to be saved. Simply look, upon the brass serpent. Yet because of the easiness of the way, and their failure to understand why, and lack of faith, the people would not look, and died in disbelief. We connected such to the Word of Wisdom, and the prophet's brass serpent for us today. Sometimes we don't understand why, but it is our love for God, and faith in him and his representatives, that we choose to follow him and his commandments. With such, our Father in Heaven does not take our efforts for free, and pours out blessings upon us as we do so. I have come to appreciate the privilege it is, to have a living prophet today. It is the true difference, along with the priesthood that allows us to have a clear consciense, to the startling and last day kind of events happening today. There is no need to doubt, as long as we listen and ponder the words he says. I know that Russell M Nelson, is a prophet of our Father in Heaven, who gives us the counsel, to survive spiritually in these last days. I testify of the Word of Wisdom, and the power that comes from following such, and not following such. I know, its truthfulness and power for myself. Of which I am thankful, and of cahs, always jahs goin trahs!! Love you guys choken, tanks fo au da prayahs. De wen work for real. Till next time ELDER ISHIBASHI

12-1-24 Got Dengued

Aloha nui nō kākou! This past week, did not go as planned, but opened up my ability to be thankful this years Lā Ho'omaika'i, in which I will use this opportunity, to simply express my gratitude to those who I love. The first will be my companion, Elder Bohman. Catching Dengue this past week was a huge change in schedule, and a PAIN to say the least. My right hand man, stayed getting me water, cutting me fruits, and making sure everything was set. He chatted our friends, and set up virtual teaching appointments, keeping us in the game. He stood by my side the whole way, until he himself caught Dengue, and I hope to get to do the same for him this week, from all that hes done for me. I am thankful for Elder Bohman. The second will be my two Visaya compadres, Elder Glory, and Elder Abarrientos. Who having to move into their house for a bit, made the perfect environment, smiling and laughing the whole time. Constantly cleaning out the flooding kitchen, while cooking almost at all times, to make sure, us three sick friends, were fed and taken care of, all while heading in and out to work in all 3 areas! These Elders are studs, and I am so thankful for their love and care. The third will be to the members. I cant explain the love, support, and care, that came from the Quezon Group and the Talavera Ward. Our fridge began to overflow, because of their love, with vegetables, fruits, foods, and canned goods! The constant texts and calls, making sure were okay, at all times, and the visits, to ask if there were anything they could do to help! I will forever be grateful to these beautiful people, for their genuine care, and Christlike love, they have shown us as missionaries. Id also love to shoot a special thanks to two individuals. Brother Alex, and Sister Hershe. These two, there from the start, when we werent able to work in our area, took the opportunity to work themselves and introduce our compadres to our teaching pool! Because of such, 19 of our friends came to Church this past Sunday, in which Elder Bohman and I are so grateful. They have always been positive, and been there since group attendance started a little over 10, a few months ago, and are continuing to support as this Sunday Quezon hit 63. Sister Hershe, Brother Alex, I cant express my gratitude to you, and I know the Lord has a special heavenly gift, waiting for you on the other side. Nui nō ku'u mahalo no 'olua! Thank you to my family. For the constant prayers. For my friends, for the constant chats and texts. I am thankful. An most importantly, I am thankful to the Lord. For allowing me to live, and witness these blessings. For allowing me the breath to live another day, and serve another brother. I am thankful for it all. Jahs be tankful. As all. ELDER ISHIBASHI

11-17-24 Super Typhoons

Aloha mai kākou! Another beautiful week here in the Philippines, filled with level 5 super typhoons, and weddings and baptisms! We felt so blessed, and were able to be parts of experiences, that I will remember, for the rest of my life. However, like every week, Ill just share one. SUPER BUSY, so itll be shortt. The experience I want to share happened as Elder Bohman and I, headed out to our area and came across a younger man, around the same age as me. His siblings are members, he used to be taught, he and his girlfriend have a young baby, and we met him sitting on the side. Sitting with him, talking, explained his situation. I felt like I was simply back home, talking with my friends. I asked questions, had a few thoughts I wanted him to think about, and as Elder Bohman and I bore our testimony, we promised him, that the same happiness that he expressed he felt, can come back. Testifying again, set him on date for baptism. The Lord continues to answer prayers, to prepare hearts, and allow us to witness, his love that he has for each of his children. Of such I am thankful. The Lord loves, jahs trahs. The Lord tries us, just endure. ELDER ISHIBASHI

11-10-24 ANG KAPANGYARIHAN NG PANALANGIN

Aloha mai kākou! Another great week in the Philippines, with huge blessings from the Lord. The Lord answered our prayers, helped us as we worked, and put so many people in our path to help them come closer to Christ, blessed to have 17 of them come to Church. However the experience I want to share, happened as we taught one of our progressing friends. He being a missionary of his Church, for over 20 years, we were blessed over the last 2 weeks, to schedule him and his family for baptism, and help him continue growing his relationshio with Christ. Elder Bohman and I, leaving last night, asked what they needed help with. Admitting that they were really struggling financially, and needed a miracle. After teaching about prayer, scripture study, and temples, introduced to them the promise in 3 Nephi 13:31-33. Testifying of the power of prayer we included their concern in our closing prayer of our lesson, and set back out, on our way. A few days later, returning back, with smiles, inviting us back, sat us down as they thanked us. As we asked for what, they answered, the next day, after our prayer, they recieved a financial blessing, and recognized it, as an answer to our prayer the previous visit. I am thankful to the Lord, for hearing our prayers, and showing his hand, in this beautiful work. I feel so honored to simply be able to be a part of it. How many times do we recieve blessings, we've been praying for, and not recognize and realize the hand of the Lord? I know I am consistently guilty of this, with the hundreds of uncounted daily blessings. I know they are there, for each and everyone of us, it is simply the Lord reaching out, until we come to see and realize how to recognize, the love he has for us. Open ya makas aureddeh, jahs trahs! ELDER ISHIBASHI

11-3-24 QUEZON GROUP

Aloha nō kākou! Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dwWjyoL5fVt1fcWC9 Another great week as a missionary in Quezon! The Quezon group is awesome My companion and I, worked. And worked. With the help of the Lord, we were stoked to see 17 of our friends come to church, and extend a few of them Baptismal Dates. Inactive members showed up to sacrament, and we finally could split into 3 classes! The Lord has worked miracles, in which I am thankful. We ate Day Old Chick Balut, still sick, and so much more happened, but I will again, share one :) The experience I want to share happened as we began to teach a family from my last area, visiting family in my area now. This sister Angelyn is one I was able to find, teach, and set a baptismal date in my last area, helping them to prepare to get married. After killing a chicken, and making dinner, Elder Bohman and I, were able to share a message. We shared about families, and an eternal happiness. We shared about the feelings we feel while together as a family, and how long wed want to feel that. We shared of the possibility of feeling such, for an eternity, with the gospel of Jesus Christ as the way. I. Dont. Cry. But unexpectedly, during my testimony, began to tear, through a sudden feeling of love, that I have grown for this family. I feel that this was a moment given by the Lord, to show me how much he, truly loves them. We were happy to replan, for them to be married and baptized this November 16. I have come to realize how much our father in heaven truly loves us. How happy we can feel, for eternity, if we simply follow the plan and example, given to us by His Son. I am grateful for this opportunity as a missionary, to truly feel and know, the Saviors love for each and every one of his children here in Quezon, and the love that I undoubtedly feel that he has for me. 2 Nephi 26:24 He lahv you, jahs trahs! NUFF AUREDEH ELDER ISHIBASHI

10-28-2024 THE FILIPINO MAN

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat! Another beautiful week here in the Philippines as a missionary! We had storms, watched accidents, been sick the whole week, preajeepin, and met a lot of new people, always, seeing the Lord's love, he has for his children. I am daily grateful, for the Lords cover for my own inadequecies, and weaknesses. The experience I want to share happened this past week as we found a college student last week, setting our return appointment last Friday night. Getting to the house, with a huge smile, the sister came out, opening the gate, letting us in and while leading us to her house, ran ahead into the house. At the same moment, a big Filipino man, looked out the window, asking, what we wanted. Waiting a moment, for the girl to come back to introduce us, she somehow never came back out. The man, getting impatient, yelled again, asking what we wanted. Walking up to the window, we began to introduce ourselves, and again, half way through, cut us off again, asking what we wanted. We shared that we share messages about Jesus Christ, and asked for 5 minutes to share a message with him. Looking at us for a few seconds, invited us in, "Basta tungkol kay Kristo". "As long as its about Christ". We were able to enter, and share a message, about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the power it has, to make us happy and feel joy. The man, was thankful, and allowed us to set a return appointment. What I loved about this experience, was the change that can be made, with the mention of the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful, for the opportunity to share, about Jesus Christ. In the such, breaking barriers, bringing joy, happiness, and hope, through simple messages. Anger turns into humility, hate turns into love, and hopelessness turns to faith, as we simply remember that one name. My companions favorite scripture, 2 Nephi 22:2 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. Its uncomfortable, its hot, its stressful. But there is always hope, jahs trahs, and smile:) Love you all choke ELDER ISHIBASHI

10-20-24 HIS HANDS HURT TOO

Huuuii aloha nō kākou! Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dwWjyoL5fVt1fcWC9 Another great week in the Philippines, filled with spirit filled experience, and helping others feel our Fathers love for them, for at least a few minutes in their week, in which i am thankful to the Lord for allowing me to be a part, of such beautiful experiences. Not a lot of time, but I would like to share, one of those experiences. This experience happened as we taught the Santa Maria family this past week, with a few of our masipag na fellowshippers! My companion and I, with a few appointments falling through, talked with the members, to know where we should go. Sister Hershe, saying we should go to visit a YSA we found last week, we took that inspiration and continued. Teaching that lesson, we shared a story, in which my companion shared with me the previous day. Changing it a little to match the situation. We shared to this son and mother, about another mother, who struggled as she strived to raise this family by herself. Her hands hurt from working all day, and her feet hurt as she made her way to her bed that night, from everything, she continues to do daily. Laying in bed that night, she wondered why, she had to do these things alone as a single mother. She wondered, if she could do it, but knew that she loved her family so much, she simply needed to. That night this mother had a dream, in this dream, she stood face to face with our Savior, in which compassionately smiling, asked how she was doing. The mother explained that her hands hurt, from working all day, her feet hurt, daily as she made her way to her bed, but willing to keep going, because of her love for her kids. The savior, holding her hand, compassionately answered, I understand, my hands hurt when these holes in my hands were made, my feet hurt too, when they were nailed to the pedestal, and I too felt lonely, when I suffered the sins and sicknesses of the world, but I, like you, did such, because I love you. Will you let me heal you? (Jacob 2:8) I know, that our savior loves us so much. I know that he suffered, merely to be there and understand, when we feel lonely and suffer. We all must suffer a portion of that atonement, at some point in our lives, or there would be no point for it. Yet as the focus is always love, we will be given the strength to endure. I love being here, and loving the Philippines more everyday. Love the Lord, love the work, love my companion, love the people, love the place! And ate a snake. Aloha nō ELDER ISHIBASHI

10-14-24 Reach the Goal!

Aloha mai kakou! Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dwWjyoL5fVt1fcWC9 Another great week here in the Philippines! Meeting new people, witnessing the hand of the Lord, and saying bye to dear friends. I want to shoot a thank you to Elder Aballe, for his desire, and fighting spirit to continue serving the Lord. Love you Elder! This new transfer got me training again, and opening an area that hasnt been open in about 10 years! Such a beautiful opportunity and I am stoked to see the Lords plan, for this beautiful place. My companion is Elder Bohman from Bountiful, Utah! Stud of an elder, in which comes the experience I want to share from this past week. The experience came as we made our goals to find, in this new area. Working throughout the day, we were in the perfect place, for so many times! Helping a man who got into a bloody accident off the road, finding and meeting new people, and feeling the spirit in unexpected situations. As we set a goal, to find 20 people this day, my companion and I set out to talk to, and teach, everyone we found. Leading to the end of the day, with 18 finds, a sudden appointment came up in which wed have to leave our area in about 30 minutes. Praying for guidance, to reach our goal, a bunch of kids on the road, laughed at these two foreigners, walking in the street, beginning to smile and ask questions. The experience led to us answering, asking where their parents were, and being led to them to teach a lesson to them all! We taught about Jesus Christ, and with the parents and children together, left Quezon that day with 27 finds. The Lord knows our wants, desires, and goals and as we seek and strive to achieve them, he amplifies our efforts. With the things that initially seem impossible, continuing prayerfully, the Lord continues to show his love, and presence in each of our individual lives, proving that the impossible is possible, ONLY THROUGH HIM! JAHS TRAHS Sorreh, late, no moa time. Aloha aku nō iā 'oukou! Elder Ishibashi

10-6-24 Tahanan ng diyos

Huuuiii aloha nō kākou āpau! Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week as a missionary, continue to learn & grow each and every day in ways the Lord feels I need. In such I am grateful. This was the last full week of this transfer, so well find out what will happen with transfers this week. This week was also filled and packed with faith testing and building experiences, and opportunities to strengthen my character as an individual, and especially as a servant of the Lord. The experience I want to share happened as we were given a refferal from the temple president this passed week, which allowed us to find him and share a message. The temple president took him months ago to the temple open house in Urdaneta, and explained his desire for us to find him. As we finally found this tatay, asking him about his experience, he explained, translating to, "it wasnt because of the beauty of the temple itself, but the feeling, that God really was there." The divine truthfulness of this gospel, manifested to one, through the unexplainable feelings, inspirations, and divinty, in God's Holy House. We explained his feelings, sharing about the Holy Ghost, and its own divine role, to testify of the father, and the son, to those who are seeking to know. "The feeling", was the Holy Ghost, testifying that God, the one who created us all, creator of the stars, planets, and universe, truly was there, in his Holy Temple. Promising that for him to feel that again, theres things that we need to do to visit the temple, but it starts with reading the Book of Mormon, praying to know, and coming to Church. Yesterday, we were happy to welcome him and sit by him in Church. I constantly find myself yearning to go to the temple, for that simple "feeling", yet I am grateful, that even though as a missionary my options are limited, the Lord allows me opportunities to feel and see it's power, out in His work. The temple is the sign of an eternal family, a bridge between this world and the next, a place in which we can feel at least a glimpse of the joy and peace in the Celestial Kingdom, feeling the manifestation of the the power of Godliness. D&C 84:20 : 20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. The temple is a sign we can see, of God's eternal love for us. For that? I will do anything and everything to work, serve, and grow. To forget myself and serve, and continue to feel the unexplainable joy while doing it. No worreh, jahs trahs! As why we do it! ELDER ISHIBASHI

9-29-24 DOESNT STOP THE RAIN, HE LIGHTS THE FIRE

Magandang araw senyong lahat! Another great week as a missionary, stoked to see the Lords hand very much present, in his work daily. We were blessed to see a few of our friends come to Church, and a few of our friends getting baptized this past Saturday. I do love this work, and out of all the experiences this past week, I'll share one! The experience I want to share happened this past week as we went searching for a house in a further area known as Quezon, with two of our members. Looking for a place, for hopefully future missionaries to open the area, we were stopped under a roof, as it pounded rain. In this situation, just as missionaries, there is no problem, but because members were present, we needed to be accomadable hehe. As we stayed, knowing we had limited time to find an apartment, we gathered and said a prayer. Asking for the Lord to stop the pouring rain, and then expressing our willingness to press forward, even if it doesnt. Immediately after the prayer, it was our member, who looked up and took the first step into the rain, as we followed. The Lord worked in a marvelous way in this experience. I know, he heard our prayer, yet he did not choose to stop the rain, but to build the fire within this member, and us, to continue through the pouring rain and adversities, taking the first step. I imagine, how much more often the Lord does these. Although, very often do the large miracles occur, the Lord gives us the grace to endure, rather than stopping the storms in our lives. As we ask, he gives us the courage to take the first step. I am grateful, and will be eternally, for the opportunities to learn grow and love, that I gain while on my mission, and will continue to endure, smiling while doing it. James 5:11 “Behold, we count them happy which endure” I am a proud missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we jahs gotta trahs! ELDER ISHIBASHI

9-22-2024 ʻOHANA MEANS FAMILY

Aloha mai me ke aloha! Foyoss: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week in the Philippines, filled with times that the Lord continued to cover my inadequacies, fix a broken schedule, answered prayers, and helped us find those, that he has been preparing. The experience I want to share, happened a few days ago this past week. As we had our exchanges with the Zone Leaders, Elder Cox and Elder Lagang. With Elder Cox, stud of an elder from Texas, comes the experience I want to share was with an 18 year old friend of theirs, who was pretty new, in taking the discussions. A very smart studying student, with great English and a great knowledge about the bible and other religions! However, with one struggle, a broken family. I have come to understand and realize the importance of a family, its key purpose in Gods plan, and the drastic effect it has on those who suffer from a broken family. I can only imagine, our father in Heavens sorrow, as he sees his children suffer, from a broken family. As we taught this friend, he opened up about his family situation, as we asked, if one day he wanted his own. Quickly replying no, moved on to all of his reasons, why he would never have his own family. World population, the amount of broken families he knows, returning back to his own personal experience. His testimony. We testified of another father, who is a perfect father, who loves each and every one of us so much. He knows our struggles, and is constantly reaching out to help us. Then asking him, for example, if he was a father one day in the future, what kind of father, would he be? He began to explain beautiful attributes, of the father that he would become. Learning from his own, he would become a better father. Yet, his main point, was to make sure that his children felt loved. We testified of the spirit, and it's ability to help us feel the love of this perfect father all the time, then testifying of a way, to feel this love, anytime we need it. We then asked, how much would it be worth, to feel this love, sense of peace and comfort, at the very moment we need it? Even all the time? Extending a Baptismal challenge to him and his mother. I was grateful for this opportunity to testify what I have witnessed is true. That we do have a father in heaven who loves us so much. Who because he loves us, gave us our families. Who because he loves me, allows me to be here, to struggle, to smile, to grow. And yet, for those who suffer from broken families, is consistently reaching out, to help all of his children. I know, that that is the most important truth for each and every person on the earth to know, that we have a loving heavenly father, who is God, who loves each and everyone of us, so much. "Be Still and Know that I Am God" - Elder Bednar The mission is unreal, absolutely love it. JAHS TRAHSS!! ELDER ISHIBASHI

9/15/2024 TESTIMONY

Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week as a missionary, compiled with Zone Conference, broken phones, and doors closing, allowing others to open. This area is a huge area, which means there's so much to do, but I am grateful, for the consistent guidance of the Spirit, helping us find and be where the Lord needs us to be. The experience I want to share happened yesterday, as it was our lovely Sabbath day. We were way blessed to see 11 of our friends come to Church yesterday, and them feeling the Spirit. Following church, comes the experiences that I want to share, which came with, working with members. A new member, found by missionaries a few months ago, one of my MTC companions Elder Johnson, and Elder Woolsey. Before, addicted to almost every type of addiction, breaking his family, quit, through this beautiful gospel. Having the opportunity to fellowship with him yesterday, his bare testimony, brought the spirit so strongly into each of our interested friends visits. The change that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ, the lasting happiness and enabling power that comes from the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the personal conversion that takes place because of it. As we can confidently say, that "We know these things are true, because we tried it, and it works, and we know, that it will work for you", the Spirit will testify. What is a testimony? John 3:33 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. God is true, and real, and he loves each and everyone of us so much. If someone you loved, asked you a question, would you answer? I know, our father in heaven, who truly loves us so much, will answer our questions. So pray and ASK! And of cahs, JAHS TRAHS! I love you all choken, sorry very short, but blame my parents. Joke mom and dad, love you, please answer my call. Love you all choken, ingat po kayo. ELDER ISHIBASHI

9-8-24 WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO KNOW

Aloha mai kākou! Another awesome week as a missionary! Filled with huge learning experiences, as well as hand of the Lord moments, in which the Lord, was able to show me again, that this is his Great Work. Whether it be miracles in the lives of those we taught, nine of our friends coming to church, or even the gift of tongues, I am daily thankful to the Lord, for covering my own inadequecies. Elder Aballe, my companion, is an awesome Elder, always willing to work, and continue to learn. We also have a great ward, which the members are absolute studs of fellowshippers, and making missionaries feel loved. The experience I want to share happened this past week, as it stormed here in Talavera. The rain got really heavy at times, and those in the lower parts began to flood. Full rice fields laid flat, due to the heavy rains, leaving it almost worthless, if the rain continued for the next few days. In this time, I recieved a text from one of our friends, saying that her families house is flooded and was simply asking for help to clean. Reading it as I woke up, I began to try calling her, in which there was no answer. I began to have the thoughts, "well of course she wont answer, shes busy throwing buckets of water out of her house!" I got to my district and explained that we needed to go, however, saying a prayer, I recieved an answer completely against my expectation. Saying, "shes fine, its okay, dont go". I tried calling again, unsure which insights to follow. My own common sense, or the odd answer I recieved following my prayer. Which, would you follow? In these desperate situations, what would you do? We headed out into the furthest area, called Casulukan, in where this sisters family lived. Finally reaching, we found her, smiling sweeping her porch, saying in Tagalog, "Hi Elders! I didn't think you'd actually come!" It flooded but her house is high enough in which the water could not enter. Our service project of supposedly throwing flood water out of a home, turned into sweeping and cleaning ducks for their dinner. Although this experience was far from useless, I learned a very important lesson. The Lord knows more than me, and the whole purpose for the spirit, is to give us the assurance, of things that are impossible for us to know by ourselves. Moroni 10:5, states it beautifully, 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. God knows, God sees, so JAHS TRAHS!! I find myself consistently asking for forgiveness, for trusting in my own instincts rather than the guidance and divine help from our Father in Heaven. But I will improve, always thankful for the opportunity to learn. No sked um, go gettum, jahs trahs! ELDER ISHIBASHI