5/26/24 Pinakahalagang Perlas

Kumusta po ang lahat! Another great week in the Philippines, here in San Nicholas. A working week, filled with more miracles, and tender mercies of the Lord. I love this work, theres not a better way to explain it. The experience I want to share happened a few days ago, as we finally had the chance to get to an inactive family. This family was endowed and sealed in the temple, but went through a very hard time, resulting in the very tragic loss of a loved one. Ward members reached out, but have been rejected since they have left the church, and began attending the Catholic Church. As Elder Pampelon and I shared with our leadership our plan to reach out, we got the response of "Good luck Elders". Love that response, Grandpa always said, "the possible I do immediately, the impossible just takes a little longer". Sounds like this, just needed to take a little longer, in which we smiled and accepted the challenge. Having a member working with us, even they didnt want to come with us to the visit, and stayed on the outside of the street. Finally, having a way to get to the front door, of course with every feeling of unsurity and incapability slapping me in the face, we gave the door a knock. In which the daughter, of this family answered the door. Introducing ourselves as the new missionaries to the area(been here a month), and not too sure the people (practically knew them already from the amount of times we were told the story), we asked if we could share a 5 minute message. She nervously looked into the house, to talk to her mother sitting on the other side of the room, and looked back trying to close the door saying they had somewhere to go. Of course, as missionaries we must be curteous to those we teach, but the spirit gave me the okay, to be a little bold. Asking where they were going, there was no response, as we slowly pushed our way (nicely) through the door, and explained. Sister (****) we know that you and your family are busy, but would you allow us to share just a 5 minute message with you? As we began, the mother got up saying she had to get something, leaving her three children, sitting nicely in front of us. We shared a message about the Plan of Salvation, and the worth of it, of the promise of an eternal family. The message ended with bare testimony of how much my companion and I know this is true, and because of this simple way and promise, we are here to share it. The house was small enough where I knew the mother had to have heard it wherever she went, and we left the house, after a short 15 minute message. I have no idea what will come of such, or if anything will, but I know the Lord needed us there to simply, bare our testimony. He loves us all so much, and wants us all to come back to him, constantly willing to give us the chance to, but ultimately, it is up to us whether we want to or not. A thought I had as I gave the District Workshop this week was about fish. Far from Hawaii, but fish has still stuck as a very forefront thing in my mind. The thought was simple, a fish raised in a tank, has no idea what the ocean looks like. The adversary is skilled, seasoned, and persuasive, into putting people into a tank, saying wordly happiness is enough. Thats all there is! Its okay, just have fun! As members of this church, we are given a glimpse, of what the ocean or the kingdom of heaven looks like. We have a glimpse of the eternal grandness and glory of the ocean, and the Lord has entrusted to us, the responsibility to show others and share it. Matthew 13 45 ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. We know where the Lord wants us to be, we have been blessed to find this pearl. But now that we have it, we have to be willing to pay the price to obtain it. It is expensive, it requires giving up everything, selling everything, even down to our natural wants to obtain, but its true, and so worth it. JAHS TRAHS. This inactive family may be struggling, the adversary is trying so hard to keep them in the tank, but one day they will again find the pearl, and pay what is necessary. I know this is true. I cant doubt it, there are too many experiences daily that the Lord manifests its truth to me. I pray for each of you everyday, and know that the Lord answers my prayers. The promise of an eternal family is enough of a beautiful pearl, that will keep me selling. Alam ko na sa pamamagitan ng mga katotohanan na ito, makakakita po tayo ng kaharian ng Diyos nang malinaw upang ibahagi sa mga malabo, dahil sa maraming biyaya na ipinakaloob Niya sa akin, magpapatuloy ako nang masaya. Nagpapasalamat ako sa pagkakataon na ito bilang isang misyonero. ELDER ISHIBASHI