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