12/8/24 PROPETA NG DIYOS

Magandang araw senyong lahat! Another difficult nevertheless, great week as a missionary! Still getting over dengue, the Lord provided countless lessons, and opportunities to grow. Opportunity to finish the New Testament, ponder gospel topics, teaching online, and even baptize a few of our friends! I am so thankful, for the Lords hand in this beautiful work! The experience I want to share, happened as we finally made it back to work in Quezon this past Saturday. We taught a young couple, who we've found a few weeks ago, and committed them to get Baptized and Married in a few weeks. This past Saturday, Elder Cox came down to work with me in Elder Bohman and I's area, as Elder Bohman continues to recover from Dengue. We began to teach, the Word of Wisdom to this couple. We taught about prophets, asking the importance of such, testifying of the value of such, and asking of which they were familiar with. We taught of Moses, and the miracles, this prophet of God was able to perform, focusing on specifically the miracle, occurring during the time of the fiery serpents. People began to die, and through the prophet of the Lord, was given a way, to be saved. Simply look, upon the brass serpent. Yet because of the easiness of the way, and their failure to understand why, and lack of faith, the people would not look, and died in disbelief. We connected such to the Word of Wisdom, and the prophet's brass serpent for us today. Sometimes we don't understand why, but it is our love for God, and faith in him and his representatives, that we choose to follow him and his commandments. With such, our Father in Heaven does not take our efforts for free, and pours out blessings upon us as we do so. I have come to appreciate the privilege it is, to have a living prophet today. It is the true difference, along with the priesthood that allows us to have a clear consciense, to the startling and last day kind of events happening today. There is no need to doubt, as long as we listen and ponder the words he says. I know that Russell M Nelson, is a prophet of our Father in Heaven, who gives us the counsel, to survive spiritually in these last days. I testify of the Word of Wisdom, and the power that comes from following such, and not following such. I know, its truthfulness and power for myself. Of which I am thankful, and of cahs, always jahs goin trahs!! Love you guys choken, tanks fo au da prayahs. De wen work for real. Till next time ELDER ISHIBASHI

12-1-24 Got Dengued

Aloha nui nō kākou! This past week, did not go as planned, but opened up my ability to be thankful this years Lā Ho'omaika'i, in which I will use this opportunity, to simply express my gratitude to those who I love. The first will be my companion, Elder Bohman. Catching Dengue this past week was a huge change in schedule, and a PAIN to say the least. My right hand man, stayed getting me water, cutting me fruits, and making sure everything was set. He chatted our friends, and set up virtual teaching appointments, keeping us in the game. He stood by my side the whole way, until he himself caught Dengue, and I hope to get to do the same for him this week, from all that hes done for me. I am thankful for Elder Bohman. The second will be my two Visaya compadres, Elder Glory, and Elder Abarrientos. Who having to move into their house for a bit, made the perfect environment, smiling and laughing the whole time. Constantly cleaning out the flooding kitchen, while cooking almost at all times, to make sure, us three sick friends, were fed and taken care of, all while heading in and out to work in all 3 areas! These Elders are studs, and I am so thankful for their love and care. The third will be to the members. I cant explain the love, support, and care, that came from the Quezon Group and the Talavera Ward. Our fridge began to overflow, because of their love, with vegetables, fruits, foods, and canned goods! The constant texts and calls, making sure were okay, at all times, and the visits, to ask if there were anything they could do to help! I will forever be grateful to these beautiful people, for their genuine care, and Christlike love, they have shown us as missionaries. Id also love to shoot a special thanks to two individuals. Brother Alex, and Sister Hershe. These two, there from the start, when we werent able to work in our area, took the opportunity to work themselves and introduce our compadres to our teaching pool! Because of such, 19 of our friends came to Church this past Sunday, in which Elder Bohman and I are so grateful. They have always been positive, and been there since group attendance started a little over 10, a few months ago, and are continuing to support as this Sunday Quezon hit 63. Sister Hershe, Brother Alex, I cant express my gratitude to you, and I know the Lord has a special heavenly gift, waiting for you on the other side. Nui nō ku'u mahalo no 'olua! Thank you to my family. For the constant prayers. For my friends, for the constant chats and texts. I am thankful. An most importantly, I am thankful to the Lord. For allowing me to live, and witness these blessings. For allowing me the breath to live another day, and serve another brother. I am thankful for it all. Jahs be tankful. As all. ELDER ISHIBASHI