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