8-25-24 Unto What Were Ye Ordained?

Aloha mai kākou! Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 This was a another great week as a missionary, filled with experiences to grow and improve, and filled with hand of the Lord moments, one, in particular, in which I'd like to share. The experience I want to share, happened a few days ago, as we taught the Rodrigues family, in whom the mother is a member, yet the father, with a Word of Wisdom issue, and their children are not yet members. As we arrived, bringing along a few members, we began to teach about the plan of Salvation, focusing on temples, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we testified, the mother stopped us, explaining that within the past few days, had the urgent and sudden thought of what would happen, following this life? If she died now, where would she go? Shes been contemplating this idea for the past few days, in which the message we shared, answered her questions. The spirit testified the truth as we extended a Baptismal Challenge to her husband, and their child. However, after they accepted setting the date, following leaving, we realized we had no idea, if the child was 8 yet! As we texted and asked, she said he will turn 8, the first week of September, which will make this possible. I am thankful for the spirit and its power to testify, through my own weaknesses and inadequecies. I testify that the Lord does go before us, as we share his message of hope and clarity, and as we do so, he continues to nurture and nourish, as they make the decision to use their faith, and move closer to him. Faith is a principal of action, and the Lord amplifies our efforts. D&C 50 13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? 14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth. I was never meant to be the teacher, but the instrument, ordained to preach his gospel by the Spirit, inviting the spirit, to testify that these are eternal truths being revealed to them. I am grateful, and am excited for the blessings this family will recieve, through their progress towards attending the temple. I love this work. I stress myself out everyday its unreal, but I know its because of the love, given to me by my father in heaven, for these beautiful people. In which I will continue to serve, stress' out an all, and JAHS TRAHS, in the plan he has for me, and his children that Im able to share this beautiful gospel with. I know its true, because the Lord has manifested it to me through the fruits of this work. Love you all choken, ELDER ISHIBASHI

8-18-24 Theres One Who Understands

Aloha nui iā 'oukou pākahi āpau! Foyoss: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week as a missionary, completely drained! But a great week because of it. I truly do love being here, and the Lord continues to bless me with countless experiences, to show the people we're able to teach, as well as I, that he loves each of us so much. In which I am thankful, and will continue to serve. The experience that I want to share happened as we had exchanges this past week with the Talavera B Elders, my companion Elder Mercado was with Elder Awish, and I, with Elder Glory. It is Elder Glory's first area, and truly is a great missionary! We headed to our first area, and after a few teachings, came across a family! The two young children were previously taught by missionaries, but this was the first time, that the whole family was home! As we first got to know the family, the mother opened up about her son. Who, sitting in a quarter on the side, shattered his legs in an accident about 9 months ago. He is 23, was the breadwinner of the family, now told my medics that he'd never walk again, stopping his education and life ahead. Which brings his mother to tears daily. She explained, as any great mother would, the wish and constant prayer, of why. It didn't. Just happen to her. As missionaries of course we want to have an answer for everything. In this situation, scripture verses flew through my head, and while asking the Lord which is right to share, all fell short to simply sharing and testifying of one in particular. We explained that there was another, who like her, wished the same, to take away our pains and to experience it himself. It's the only message that can bring hope in a place, where there was none left. A message that can bring purpose and shows us a way, in a time where we feel we are alone. This other, is Jesus Christ, and his Atonement. This mother in tears, asked what she could do to use the Atonement, in which we introduced the Book of Mormon. Mosiah 14:5 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Mosiah 14 is a great chapter about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am thankful to the Lord, for his presence in that setting. In a worldly view, there is no hope, sayang buhay, a lost cause. But to the Lord, it's a state of humility, that allows Him to enter and heal, what do we need to do? JAHS TRAHS!! Love you guys choken! Mahal ko kayong lahat. ELDER ISHIBASHI

8-4-24 DO SOMETHING CRAZY

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat! https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Join da foyos:) Such a great week, especially because of how busy and difficult it was. We had Zone Conference and were able to feel the spirit so strongly, and gain confidence and urgency to continue this beautiful work. New ideas, new revelations and inspirations, created such a beautiful environment of spiritual growth as missionaries. I am so thankful for the Lord, each day, to be a witness of his hand, in his perfect work. The main thing, in which I pulled from this conference was President Eckel, our new mission President's definition of faith. Faith, is when the Lord presents an idea, that is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY! Like the scripture 3 Nephi 24:10, "Subukan mo ako!", "Prove me!" This, is when it takes our faith, to do whatever he asks, no matter how crazy or seemingly impossible it seems, and prove that God is true. (John 33:3) Such led to the experience I want to share, following our Zone Conference. We headed to one of our furthest areas, to teach two of our interested friends. Leaving with two more Baptismal dates! But the one I want to explain, happened in the second experience with Sister Angeline Javier. Around 30 years old, this was the second lesson we've had. She was previously taught by past missionaries in 2014, and had a Book of Mormon, but never continued with the teachings. This, being just the second lesson, we taught and testified of the Book of Mormon and asked questions of her thoughts. She shared her testimony of the Book of Mormon, as my companion and I testified and began to close. As we were closing, the spirit, of course, told us to do something crazy, and extend a Baptismal Date. We just met her, we had no idea yet of deeper concerns, talked nothing about baptism in the lesson, but became impressed to invite her to baptism. I'm continuing to learn, how to be unceasingly obedient to the voice of the spirit, and with such, chastising myself for doubting the spirit, began to kick my companion (with class) as he began the words, "in the name of Je..." and classingly asked if I had anything to add. In which the spirit guided me what to say, and how to say it, leaving that beautiful home almost in tears. The next day seeing this sister, in the furthest area we have, sitting smiling in church. Beautifullest smile I've ever seen haha. I love this work. I truly love being a missionary. I have never done anything more difficult than this, but Ive learned to rely on something, that I have never, listened to or even much believed before. Its true, and because it is true, I will share it. Alam ko po na sa pamamagitan ng mga katotohanang ito, mararamdaman natin isang kaligayahan at kapayapaan na hindi po nating kayang maisalarawan. Wala akong alinlangan sa banal na gawaing ito, dahil gumana po siya para sa akin. Binago po niya, ang buhay ko po sa dati, at binabaguhin po niya ang buhay ko ngayun, at magpakailanman, at sa gayun, nagpapasalamat ako sa aking Ama Sa Langit. I love you all so much, and pray for each of you daily, and am thankful for the prayers you have been saying for me, the Lord has doubtlessly been answering them. Salamat po. ELDER ISHIBASHI