9-29-24 DOESNT STOP THE RAIN, HE LIGHTS THE FIRE

Magandang araw senyong lahat! Another great week as a missionary, stoked to see the Lords hand very much present, in his work daily. We were blessed to see a few of our friends come to Church, and a few of our friends getting baptized this past Saturday. I do love this work, and out of all the experiences this past week, I'll share one! The experience I want to share happened this past week as we went searching for a house in a further area known as Quezon, with two of our members. Looking for a place, for hopefully future missionaries to open the area, we were stopped under a roof, as it pounded rain. In this situation, just as missionaries, there is no problem, but because members were present, we needed to be accomadable hehe. As we stayed, knowing we had limited time to find an apartment, we gathered and said a prayer. Asking for the Lord to stop the pouring rain, and then expressing our willingness to press forward, even if it doesnt. Immediately after the prayer, it was our member, who looked up and took the first step into the rain, as we followed. The Lord worked in a marvelous way in this experience. I know, he heard our prayer, yet he did not choose to stop the rain, but to build the fire within this member, and us, to continue through the pouring rain and adversities, taking the first step. I imagine, how much more often the Lord does these. Although, very often do the large miracles occur, the Lord gives us the grace to endure, rather than stopping the storms in our lives. As we ask, he gives us the courage to take the first step. I am grateful, and will be eternally, for the opportunities to learn grow and love, that I gain while on my mission, and will continue to endure, smiling while doing it. James 5:11 “Behold, we count them happy which endure” I am a proud missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we jahs gotta trahs! ELDER ISHIBASHI

9-22-2024 ʻOHANA MEANS FAMILY

Aloha mai me ke aloha! Foyoss: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week in the Philippines, filled with times that the Lord continued to cover my inadequacies, fix a broken schedule, answered prayers, and helped us find those, that he has been preparing. The experience I want to share, happened a few days ago this past week. As we had our exchanges with the Zone Leaders, Elder Cox and Elder Lagang. With Elder Cox, stud of an elder from Texas, comes the experience I want to share was with an 18 year old friend of theirs, who was pretty new, in taking the discussions. A very smart studying student, with great English and a great knowledge about the bible and other religions! However, with one struggle, a broken family. I have come to understand and realize the importance of a family, its key purpose in Gods plan, and the drastic effect it has on those who suffer from a broken family. I can only imagine, our father in Heavens sorrow, as he sees his children suffer, from a broken family. As we taught this friend, he opened up about his family situation, as we asked, if one day he wanted his own. Quickly replying no, moved on to all of his reasons, why he would never have his own family. World population, the amount of broken families he knows, returning back to his own personal experience. His testimony. We testified of another father, who is a perfect father, who loves each and every one of us so much. He knows our struggles, and is constantly reaching out to help us. Then asking him, for example, if he was a father one day in the future, what kind of father, would he be? He began to explain beautiful attributes, of the father that he would become. Learning from his own, he would become a better father. Yet, his main point, was to make sure that his children felt loved. We testified of the spirit, and it's ability to help us feel the love of this perfect father all the time, then testifying of a way, to feel this love, anytime we need it. We then asked, how much would it be worth, to feel this love, sense of peace and comfort, at the very moment we need it? Even all the time? Extending a Baptismal challenge to him and his mother. I was grateful for this opportunity to testify what I have witnessed is true. That we do have a father in heaven who loves us so much. Who because he loves us, gave us our families. Who because he loves me, allows me to be here, to struggle, to smile, to grow. And yet, for those who suffer from broken families, is consistently reaching out, to help all of his children. I know, that that is the most important truth for each and every person on the earth to know, that we have a loving heavenly father, who is God, who loves each and everyone of us, so much. "Be Still and Know that I Am God" - Elder Bednar The mission is unreal, absolutely love it. JAHS TRAHSS!! ELDER ISHIBASHI

9/15/2024 TESTIMONY

Foyos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week as a missionary, compiled with Zone Conference, broken phones, and doors closing, allowing others to open. This area is a huge area, which means there's so much to do, but I am grateful, for the consistent guidance of the Spirit, helping us find and be where the Lord needs us to be. The experience I want to share happened yesterday, as it was our lovely Sabbath day. We were way blessed to see 11 of our friends come to Church yesterday, and them feeling the Spirit. Following church, comes the experiences that I want to share, which came with, working with members. A new member, found by missionaries a few months ago, one of my MTC companions Elder Johnson, and Elder Woolsey. Before, addicted to almost every type of addiction, breaking his family, quit, through this beautiful gospel. Having the opportunity to fellowship with him yesterday, his bare testimony, brought the spirit so strongly into each of our interested friends visits. The change that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ, the lasting happiness and enabling power that comes from the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the personal conversion that takes place because of it. As we can confidently say, that "We know these things are true, because we tried it, and it works, and we know, that it will work for you", the Spirit will testify. What is a testimony? John 3:33 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. God is true, and real, and he loves each and everyone of us so much. If someone you loved, asked you a question, would you answer? I know, our father in heaven, who truly loves us so much, will answer our questions. So pray and ASK! And of cahs, JAHS TRAHS! I love you all choken, sorry very short, but blame my parents. Joke mom and dad, love you, please answer my call. Love you all choken, ingat po kayo. ELDER ISHIBASHI

9-8-24 WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO KNOW

Aloha mai kākou! Another awesome week as a missionary! Filled with huge learning experiences, as well as hand of the Lord moments, in which the Lord, was able to show me again, that this is his Great Work. Whether it be miracles in the lives of those we taught, nine of our friends coming to church, or even the gift of tongues, I am daily thankful to the Lord, for covering my own inadequecies. Elder Aballe, my companion, is an awesome Elder, always willing to work, and continue to learn. We also have a great ward, which the members are absolute studs of fellowshippers, and making missionaries feel loved. The experience I want to share happened this past week, as it stormed here in Talavera. The rain got really heavy at times, and those in the lower parts began to flood. Full rice fields laid flat, due to the heavy rains, leaving it almost worthless, if the rain continued for the next few days. In this time, I recieved a text from one of our friends, saying that her families house is flooded and was simply asking for help to clean. Reading it as I woke up, I began to try calling her, in which there was no answer. I began to have the thoughts, "well of course she wont answer, shes busy throwing buckets of water out of her house!" I got to my district and explained that we needed to go, however, saying a prayer, I recieved an answer completely against my expectation. Saying, "shes fine, its okay, dont go". I tried calling again, unsure which insights to follow. My own common sense, or the odd answer I recieved following my prayer. Which, would you follow? In these desperate situations, what would you do? We headed out into the furthest area, called Casulukan, in where this sisters family lived. Finally reaching, we found her, smiling sweeping her porch, saying in Tagalog, "Hi Elders! I didn't think you'd actually come!" It flooded but her house is high enough in which the water could not enter. Our service project of supposedly throwing flood water out of a home, turned into sweeping and cleaning ducks for their dinner. Although this experience was far from useless, I learned a very important lesson. The Lord knows more than me, and the whole purpose for the spirit, is to give us the assurance, of things that are impossible for us to know by ourselves. Moroni 10:5, states it beautifully, 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. God knows, God sees, so JAHS TRAHS!! I find myself consistently asking for forgiveness, for trusting in my own instincts rather than the guidance and divine help from our Father in Heaven. But I will improve, always thankful for the opportunity to learn. No sked um, go gettum, jahs trahs! ELDER ISHIBASHI

9-1-24 A Stony Heart

Welina mai me ke aloha! Pa'iki'i: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpYFYxAmWpQrUerm6 Another great week as a missionary, with questions answered by the Lord, and experiences that again continue to prove how much he truly loves his children, and answers every. silent. prayer. In which I am continually grateful to be able to witness such. This past week was transfer announcements, in which I got a new companion, Elder Aballe! Another awesome Elder, and it's his first area. The experience I want to share happened as we made our way out on our first day, to some of our first appointments. As we walked in to our first interested friend, Sister Mylene, there she was, sitting next to an older brother. The moment walking in, brother made sure, to let us know, that he simply did not want us there. Politely asking his name, he replied "bakit" or "why". Another miracle. The Lord, Iʻve noticed, in some unexplainable way, does two things in these kinds of situations while on my mission. One, allows me to keep smiling, and two, gives me an increase of love for the individual. We continued. Asking questions, with continual blunt responses, as we continued to smile, made sister feel bad and allowed us to sit down. At this point, this brother wouldn't even look at us, and said he would "leave in a bit, he's just waiting for someone." Now comes the second miracle, the plan, we had originally to teach sister, did not feel right, and we changed our plans. We began to teach and testify, of a Father, who loves his children so much. Asking sister, what she would do for her children. Then moving the question over to brother. We testified of how much our heavenly father loves us, and because he loves us, he sent his son Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for us, for the purpose of in the times we suffer, he will be the way to heal. We testified that as brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ teaches us to love each other, just as they are loving their children. We personally testified of the Book of Mormon, as a testament of Jesus Christ, and its divine ability to help our families, in his way. Long story short, this short 10 minute message we were able to share, ended with brother Vincent accepting the Book of Mormon, and saying that he would read it everyday. I know, I was not the one, teaching that lesson. However , I am especially thankful to the Lord, for allowing me to be an instrument in his work. I testify that the power of the spirit, can turn a heart of stone, into one of acceptance and peace, only through, testifying of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know this is true, because I have witnessed it. Like CS Lewis stated, Jesus Christ is like the sun, although we can't really look at it, through him, we can see everything. D&C 6:32 32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you. The Lord was there, as he promised he'd be, and touched, the heart of our brother. In which, we are grateful. I love this work so much, and continue to grow, every. Single. Day. We jahs gotta trahss! Aloha nui au iā 'oukou! ELDER ISHIBASHI