Kumusta kayo!
Aloha nō e ku'u 'ohana a mau hoa!
This past week was a very busy week, sobrang (super) hard but manageable with the strength and guidance of the Lord. As it was the end of my first cycle, one of our kabahays or housemates, Elder Libron got transferred and we got a new Zone Leader, Elder Sandarin! Absolute stud of a missionary, this is his last cycle till he goes home. Crazy to see the amount of spiritual mana or power that this Elder has, that I am so motivated to have as I continue to serve.
As always, everyday is completely packed with miracles. One quick one regarding the time I wake up. I've come to realize that I know the gospel well, and can connect it to my life, but teaching simply is way hard, especially in another language. Ive never prayed harder, and fasted more than I have this week. Ive been waking up earlier to get in some extra studies, as I pray to the Lord to help and guide me. I will be a better missionary, and person, everyday.
The experience I want to share will be talking about my stud of a companion Elder Smith. As we headed to an appointment, we met two siblings, and were able to share a message with them. In lessons, I am able to understand everything that is going on, and can piece together things to say, but it is still very choppy. Whats even worse, is because I force myself to try and speak Tagalog, at all times, because the Lord works through effort on our part, I find myself slowly forgetting English grammar! So here I am, no can speak Tagalog very well, and no can speak English apparently either! Anyway, in this lesson, Elder Smith looked at me and told me to lead, I tried, said a few sentences and completely blanked, looking at him cluelessly, in which he responded "Can do in English and I can help translate," and yep of course completely blank as these two new investigators, looked at this missionary (me), who they think (everyone thinks), is just another Filipino who just doesnt know how to communicate. Elder Smith smiled and began to teach, and in that lesson, and the following lessons that day, I sat and watched Elder Smith, as he taught. So clearly, so simply, and so sincerely.
2 Nephi 31:3
3 For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding
I knew work had to be done, which is why the next day, I decided to wake up earlier and study harder. I didnt want to wake everyone else up in the house at that time, so prayed to the Lord to wake me up, and I have consistently been getting up early, without an alarm. To know it well enough to teach simply, to know it well enough in the language, that they will understand. I am thankful for my companion.
I find myself repenting for my pride, everyday, in every way. I know and testify that the Lord knows us by name, and thus knows us personally, how we understand and comprehend things, and knows our struggles. Jesus Christ does not just know our struggles and shortcomings, but experienced them, and seeks only to help us overcome them! But siyempre (of course), we have to choose to succeed and overcome them first. There is no distance where the Lords hand can't reach, for those of you who do or know someone who thinks this way, I invite you to go on gospel library and search, my favorite line in the scriptures, especially Book of Mormon, "his hands are stretched out still", in any circumstance, in ANY scenario, the Lords hand is stretched out still. Do that as a study.
Alam ko po na ang mga bagay na ito ay totoo at nagpapatotoo po ako na kung susubukan natin ang mga katotohanan na ito, malalaman natin, para po sa ating sarili, na ito ay ang talagang katotohanan.
( I know that this things are true, and I testify that if we experiment or try these truths, we will know for ourselves that it is true, and the real truth?
Sa Pangalan po ni JesuCristo, Amen
ELDER ISHIBASHI
Kids fight spider on sticks here, pretty nahts
No comments:
Post a Comment