4-14-2024 How do I love the Lord?

Kumusta kayong lahat ! I feel like I was just here writing my last letter, the days go by so quickly. I couldve never imagined how spiritually packed a day could be, before my mission, and everyday, whether to my standards of successful or not, if I continue to give my all, it is enough for the Lord. Its not my work, but the Lords, and with such, not my will, but His will be done. This week I want to share a question that I pondered, and some of the ways that the Lord answered my prayers. My question was simple, how do we love the Lord? Its easy to say, we say it everyday in our prayers but do we mean it? I know most of you probably do, but I felt there was a disconnect. As I read the Book of Mormon, Alma, Amulek, Ammon, these amazing missionaries have one trait that makes them that way, they each, love the Lord. Their urgency to the work is built on this love, dedication, and consecration to His will. How can we truly love someone that we cant see? Alright and now for the answer Ive been given . The first experiences came from the Lord answering our prayers. As Elder Kapunan and I have been diligently praying to find those that the Lord has prepared, it seemed as if we were in the right places, at the right times, to simply meet new interested friends. Norma Padilla, a 19 year old student, who sat on the side of the road, expressing her desire to hear our message. Tatay Nelio Huertezuela, who as one of our investigators, had his sister and brother in law visiting when we showed up. Happily inviting us in, we shared the restoration and through the spirit, were able to answer any question they held. The next visit he explained their response, following our leaving... pagaalis... you make it make sense in English. He explained that because many of their questions were answered, and the spirit they felt, they will begin to invite the missionaries who pass by their house in the region in which they live. Fruits that I wont be able to taste, but hopefully a seed planted for another missionary. Experiences like these happen daily, sometimes its hard to recognize but they are there! Pray for them! The second part of the answer came from seeing the changes that people are willing to make in their life because of this gospel. Essentially because of Jesus Christ. The people here in the Philippines are very firm and open in their belief is Jesus Christ. For the most part our goal as missionaries, is recentering that focus, on Jesus Christ rather than their own church. Tatay Florencio willing to give up smoking, a lifelong addiction in which he is striving, yes striving President Burton, to overcome. The third part of the answer came from seeing the perfectness and absolute beauty of this gospel. This past week a few children, while playing, unexpectedly led to the drowning of a two year old child. This, let me say, was a hard day. Without sharing all the sacred moments of this day, the plan of Salvation, and the atonement of Jesus Christ removes the sting of death. Although our physical bodies continue to miss, the knowledge of this plan brings comfort. Confidence, sure comfort, sure conviction, doesnt come from simply believing, it comes from knowing. There is no doubt or fear in confidence. 2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. The last came from General Conference, in which we get to watch it the following week. So thanks all you lolos for spoiling it haha jokelang, but it was great. Elder Stevenson, gave a portion of his talk titled "Love the Lord". The answer, is to love others. When I am able to love others, truly love others, I am able to truly find my love for the Lord, increasing my urgency for the work, satisfaction for the work, and each quality I desire. The Lord reveals such to us multiple times throughout the scriptures, lose your life in me to find it, love the Lord with all we have, and love thy neighbor as thyself. By loving others, we will find our love for the Lord as well. I am thankful for the Lords hand, in my life as a missionary. I read and pondered Luke 7, more specifically verses 37-50. How can we serve, love, until tears? Whoever is not familiar, read and ponder this story in the life of Jesus Christ. I am thankful, and in so I will serve, in service will I love, and learn how to love the Lord. Striving to reach, not in my will, but His. Ang pagmahahal ng ating Ama sa Langit ay para sa lahat. May pagkakataon tayo para maramdaman siya at sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod ko sa kanya, kaya ko pong ipakita ang pag ibig ko sa kanya. JAHS TRAHS! ELDER ISHIBASHI