6-16-24 Tumawag, huwag Bumagsak

Another great week as a missionary, very busy, and even more blessed. The Lord continues to show us his hand in this work, and blesses me with skills that I know will bless me and my family for eternity. So much happened this week, but Ill stick to again, a single experience. This week a youth of our ward here in San Nicholas, got rushed to the hospital suddenly and was in a coma. He's 14, helped fellowship with us missionaries a few times, and pinakamabait siya talaga, the sweetest kid youd meet. His sister is currently serving in Dallas, Texas, as a missionary there. Our ward held a fast for him, and on one day, said a prayer together as a ward at the same time in his behalf; 30 minutes after the prayer, we recieved the news that he passed away. First. The faith of the Filipino people is unmatched. They immediately had an outpour of love for the family, through sharing of scriptures and testimonies. While my own very much critical thinking self, asked myself, self? Why even ask for things? Why not just give thanks? What is the worth of asking for things, if everything is simply Gods will? Should our prayers be simply thanking, and trusting, rather than asking and expecting? The Lord continues to be so patient with me, and within these past fews days, answered my question. First.. 2 Nephi 4:35 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. There is not much more phrases, according to Elder Holland, repeated more througout the scriptures than ask and you shall recieve. The Lord will answer our prayers. Second... James 5:16 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. The prayers of the righteous avail much. Again, the Lord hears and answers prayers, especially as we maintain righteous. And third... Mosiah 23:21-22 21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. 22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people. Like Sister Fale said in the MTC, we might have the faith, to allow miracles to happen, but do we have the faith that they wont happen in the way we expect? The Lord tries our faith. Its easy to pray and ask when we need something, but will we continue to call and pray, "asking amiss", when we are blessed and dont need? The Lord did answer the prayer, with the knowledge of an eternal family, and it is simply up to us, whether we will excersize the faith to obtain such a blessing. This brothers cousin shared a quote in sacrament meeting, "we can't change the wind, but we can adjust our sails", what no more 'ōlelo no'eau or someten yet ladat?? But so true. I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers, every prayer, vocal and internal. It is up to us, to JAHS TRAHS, and keep praying, and continue to pour our heart unto the Lord, when we dont understand everything, jahs trahs. He knows what hes doing, and his potential for us, is beyond our own comprehension. Palaging nakikinig ang Diyos sa mga panalangin po natin at sinasagot niya sila sa kanyang panahon, at kanyang pamaraan. Ang na sa atin ay yng pagtitiwala, kaya magtiwala na lang tayo! Darating yng mga biyaya, yng mga sagot, at kagayan ng sinabi ni Elder Godoy, tumawag, huwag bumagsak. Im so thankful for the Lord and his patience with me, to change, to test my faith, and grow my testimony, and as Fathers day I want to thank my dad, Sky Ishibashi, who is the reason and perfect example I had, to serve my own mission, and one day be the perfect father he was to me, to my own children. I know such came from his prayers, and his faith, to our Father in Heaven, and like he did and does, I will do. I love you all choke, aloha. ELDER ISHIBASHI