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