10-16-25 Homecoming!

8-31-25 TAY

Huuuiii magandang araw sa inyong lahat!! Another great week as a missionary. Ive learned so much, and am grateful to the Lord for it all. This past week especially was pretty cool, with hand of the Lord moments as we just kept being missionaries. One of the experiences, comes one that I want to share, which will let me brag about my two companions! The first, let me brag about my companion. Elder Stud Dwiggins. Studs his middle name. One morning, while working in a community called FE Marcus, we visited a part member family, not on our plan, but because we, like every missionary, every day, got punted! While talking to them by the road, an old man strolled by on his bike, smiling at us. Elder Dwiggins didn't take a moment to wait and talked to him, while I finished the conversation with the member. Joining in the conversation, we met tatay Mario Bravo. We invited him to Church, but got the response that everyone gives, he was busy later but hell try. We promised blessings and continued on our way, not thinking much. Our Church service started and right before the sacrament, tatay Mario walked in and stayed for second hour. The next days that passed, lets me brag about our second companion. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost, Holy is his middle name, but he is a G. While planning our Saturday, we had a two main issues. Time, and location. We had a baptism that afternoon, and we wouldnt have enough time to get to who we needed to, and we had the impression that we needed to get to tatay Mario, but had no idea where his home was. We put him in the schedule, knowing its what the Lord wanted us to do, and prayed over our plan. We went through our day, and the time came to find tatay Mario. Knowing we needed to find him, we began walking, prayers in mind to help us find him. While walking we ran into Patriarch Magpale, who when asking where we were going, told him who we were looking for. He turned his bike around, saying I know where he lives! Ill take you there! We walked alongside his bike, as he led us to Tatay Mario. He was home, and we were able to listen to how amazing of a life he's had, full of struggle, pain, and faith. His humble home, had bibles, and Christian books, with a sweet spirit. My two companions, worked so well at this time, Elder Stud Dwiggins shared a story from the bible of Jesus Christ himself, and the Holy Ghost carried it unto his heart like Gods promise to us. We invited again, to come to Church, as he gave his promise, being there at Church again, yesterdays Church Service. I love being a missionary. I have been reminded of my inadequecy and have grown my dependence on the spirit every day since Ive landed here in the Philippines. When I have failed, it was because I failed to listen to the spirit. When I felt discouraged, I have found assurance and confidence knowing that I have done my best to keep the spirit with me, so what happened, was the best that I could have done. I have learned that without the spirit, we work towards goals that lead to superficial or short termed happiness & success. Yet it is through the spirit, that we are led to that which is true, and full. Trust it, be confident in it, be still in it. Jahs trahs🤙 ELDER ISHIBASHI

8-24-2025 JESUS CHRIST’S INVITATION

Huuuiii aloha mai nō! Another awesome week as a missionary. I am so grateful to be a missionary. To be a part in such a beautiful work. I am eternally grateful for the people I continue to meet, and for the guidance of the spirit. I am thankful especially for my Savior Jesus Christ, and his life. I am thankful for his gospel, and the happiness that pours into people's lives as they choose to accept it. This past week I pondered a commandment of the Savior, in his renoun sermon on the mount. Following sharing about the blessings that comes to those who accept his gospel, he gave a commandment. With thousands of people in his vicinity, a commandment in Matthew 5:48. 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Such a commandment is crazy to think of, and almost impossible to imagine. Being perfect. Being whole. It seems a commandment that is impossible to accept, but as we think of our Father in Heaven, and Jesus Christ, and begin to understand how much they love us, we can begin to understand the basis of such a commandment. My opinion on the biggest difference between our religion and others, is our understanding of God's character and eternal love. Commandments are ways that God gives us, to recieve blessings. We constantly are overwhelmed with questions like can we really do this? Can we really hold on with so much pulling me away? Can I really overcome this addiction, situation, or problem? Can I, being so far, truly have the chance to be perfect? Its difficult! And yet I imagine God's confidence in the commandments he gives. They are bold invitations. Confidence comes from our conviction. When we have those questions, we must change them. Better question, do you think a perfect person is happy? Is Jesus Christ happy? Answer that for yourself. Of course! So he desires for us to feel the same! He died for such confidence. He's so confident that its possible, that he told over 5000 people, and it was written for the world to read until today. Jesus Christ did not simply command us to be perfect, but he is giving his invitation to us through bold commandment, to be happy. For those who've experienced trial, and feel inadequate, we can change our questions, to adjust our focus, empowering ourselves from within. Does God really believe I can do this? What is God trying to teach me with this? If I overcome this, who's life would I be able to influence and heal? Be perfected in him, and become happy through him. This past week on exchanges with Elder Cox, we taught an old couple, inactive members who were found again by a miracle, going through many hardships in their life. We shared from the scriptures promising blessings and answers, as they commit to follow the written teachings. They explained their recent prayers to God, to help them to know what to do, in which we could testify, that the reason we were there, is because of that specific prayer. We were there, because she prayed. Commitments were accepted as they felt our love for them, and as we testified of Gods love for them. In tears, tatay and nanay accepted the invitations, as we closed our message with a song. Power is manifest in ones boldness, infused withand overflow of love. The spirit testifies, and pierces hearts, as we invite it, in which I am grateful to simply be a part of such experiences. I love being a missionary. Jahs trahs ELDER ISHIBASHI

8-18-25 MILAGRO SA MGA YAONG NAKAPAGSIMBA

Aloha mai nō iā kākou pākahi āpau! https://photos.app.goo.gl/vV5H2ga7QtRdt7ig6 Another great week as a missionary! The Lord has blessed us so much this past week, and those weve been praying for. From entering into this area, pur change focused to families! We set goals and plans, saying specific prayers, asking for those on the other side, who have recieved the gospel, to help us in finding their posterity. Now let me share the miracle. Elder Dwiggins and I set a few high goals, this past weekly planning, with a pretty strict schedule! We prayerfully discussed those we were teaching and how we could help them come closer to Christ. We had Exchanges, Zone Conference, and a lot to do this past week. We had fasting and prayers answered as we were blessed to have 27 of our friends come to Church this past Sunday. We had a few, meeting each other for the first time in Church, drawing connections of how they are first cousins! As they discussed their family connections, it was then that God reminded us, of those we have asked to help us, find and help their posterity. It became a clear picture, to which families ancestors have already accepted the gospel, yet simply await the ability to accept it. I imagine their urgency, and desire to help, but we must first ask. Talking with my dad earlier today, I always love hearing family stories, and gospel connections, especially from him. He is the best. As we discussed stories, it boiled down to the importance especially of remembrance. Remembrance is the main theme of the Book of Mormon. "O remember, remember that these things are true" "Have ye forgotten?" "That I may remember my covenants" "Ye shall remember your children" "Then I do remember what the Lord has done for me" There are countless examples of remembrance being the main theme of the Book of Mormon. What is the Lord trying to teach us? In hard times, it becomes easy to forget, become critical and doubtful, but it is in these times where the Lord councils us to remember. Look at our blessings, the experiences of our fathers, and you tell me that it's not true. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, to remind me of the importance and empowerment of remembrance. Covenants manifest Godliness in our lives, when we remember them, miracles happen. I am grateful for my father in heaven, for the experiences given to me and my father's, experiences for generations to remember. I will remember. God lives, I know it. My family has seen and experienced such blessings, in which I am forever indebted. If you're struggling, know that God is real, accept the fact, know he's your father in heaven, and loves you. Remember what he has done so far, and jahs trahs, that bradda man goin guide you. Aloha nō🤟 ELDER ISHIBASHI

8-10-25 The Little We Know

Huuii aloha mai nō, https://photos.app.goo.gl/vV5H2ga7QtRdt7ig6 Another blessed week as a missionary! The Lord was very much present in our work this past week. I have seen and realized again the importance of praying specifically, and praying with faith. The spirit that guided our work allowed a lot of our friends to come to Church this past week, and miracles in finding. So many special experiences this past week, but the one I feel like I should share happened with a special person who came to Church this Sunday. Her name is nanay Gloria Torres. This special nanay was one I met, when I was pretty new to the area, but what she shared to me that first day, made my purpose there, crystal clear. The first day meeting nanay Gloria, introducing myself to her, and where Im from, happily answered back that the missionary who baptized her, so many years ago, was from Hawaii! She went on to explain for a while, the love that her and her husband had for him at that time. The joy they felt, and their commitment to be baptized because of this missionary and what he helped them understand. She explained how awesome he was at Tagalog, and even remembered the lessons he would teach! Her love for this missionary was obvious, but life became a challenge. Her husband passed away, and at this point, had both of her legs amputed, and hasnt had the opportunity for a while to attend Church. When asking this nanay for this Hawaiian missionaries name, she smiled with her answer, Elder Moeai! Our next visit, she showed us pictures of my stud of an unko Elder Moeai, years ago when he served as a missionary in this ward in San Jose. Our visits consisted of her reminiscing on her Church Attendance before, temple visits, and Book of Mormon stories that means so much to her. Weve been visiting nanay often, and in tears, she will share her testimony of the blessings she has recieved from this gospel. Now this past Sunday was special, as we watched two young men push a wheelchair into the Church parkinglot, with nanay Gloria smiling as she entered into the Lords Church. Thank you unko, for being an awesome missionary, we're now teaching her extended family living around her. Ill put a picture of her at the end. I love being a missionary. It has brought me so much peace and love, and these hand of the Lord moments, opens up our vision to the Lord's perspective on the things we do. Sometimes we find ourself (myself) so critical on the little things happening or not, but the Lords plan is so much wider than we can comprehend. D&C 6:36-37 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. 37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. What we must do is simple, endure. Hold strong to our faith, doubting nothing, only believing. Jesus Christ did so much for us. His plan will work, I'm sure of it, and so so grateful for it. Jahs trahs errybodeh. Aaaloha🤟 ELDER ISHIBASHI

8-4- An Answer to Prayers

Aloha mai nō iā 'oukou pākahi āpau! Another great week as a missionary! Alot happened! Lost my awesome companion Elder Palamos to the office, miss you my friend! God took you away too fast, ganun pala ang buhay. But also got a stud of a new companion, Elder Dwiggins! Elder Dwiggins is a stud, works hard and loves it! So stoked to work with him this cycle. I haven't been able to write these past few weeks, been slammed with things especially on PDay, but I got some time to write today. The experience I want to share happened working with Elder Dwiggins yesterday. We ministered in the morning, and were blessed to have a lot of our friends come to Church. One family in particular, the Molina family! They are awesome, but after a few happenings, we weren't able to teach them for the past month or so. Elder Palamos and I prayed, and even fasted for the opportunity again to teach this family. Following Church, we got to talk to the mother, as she explained that she is leaving again to Dagupan tomorrow, in the afternoon, when her kids come home from school, and be back on Saturday. Asking if we could go by in the morning, she agreed and said that she'll keep her kids home from school, to listen to the message. Answer to prayers! Until I realized my issue. Having to tell my companion, that we had to work on Pday, as the only way to teach this family. They lived far, it would take a little time to travel, teach to cover a lot of lessons, then a previously scheduled family home evening at night. For missionaries, PDay means alot, and I would have understood if my companion would feel frustrated and not want to go. Letting my companion know, Elder Dwiggins without a second thought smiled, and agreed to the plan. I am so thankful to the Lord for such a willing and hard working companion. We went this morning to teach the Molina family, Leya (the mother), came out smiling, sat us down in her bahay kubo, and started going house to house, inviting friends and family to join our lesson. It was a beautiful experience, teaching individuals of all ages, of their divine potential in God's great plan of happiness. As a missionary it truly is a different and unique experience, to see the looks on people's faces, when we have the opportunity to let them know, who they really are. It's edifying, and empowering, when the spirit (Romans 8:16) truly does testify to God's children, who they are. Jahs trahs! I love being a missionary. ELDER ISHIBASHI

7-6-25 Lost Tatay

Huuiii aloha nō kākou! Magandang araw sa inyong lahat! Fo da fam: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vV5H2ga7QtRdt7ig6 Another awesome week as a missionary, in which the Lord continues to remind me how little time I have left, and pushing effort and urgency, further than ever before. These past weeks have been filled with the hardest points and the best points of my mission, in which my journal is filled with testimony builders, that I am grateful for to the Lord. The experience that I want to share this past week, happened as Elder Palamos & I did a clean on our teaching pool. Returning to the resources, we counseled on what we'd do strengthen such. Praying in behalf of our goals and plans, we set out to teach a family weve been teaching. As we arrived, she asked us to wait, as she walked down the street to ask her uncle to join the lesson. This man walked in with his cane, and crutch, and took a seat. He explained his story, that hes been bed ridden for almost a year, but only recently began gaining strength to walk. He explained a dream he had, of being lost. While asking people in the dream where he was, they would answer the place he was from, but never recognized any of it. The conversation got back into Church, as he asked what were we as members of the Church, guided not to eat or drink? We asked if we could open with a prayer, and invited the spirit. The lessons started as we explained that if there's one thing first, that we need to agree on before we understand each other, is that God is our loving heavenly father, and because he loves us, he gives us ways to recieve blessings, called commandments. We asked about how God gives his children commandments, as we began to talk about prophets. Tatay's dream fit in perfectly as the spirit guided us to connect this lost feeling, to a life without a prophet. We living in the same world, but finding truth is unrecognizeable. We continued to share our belief of Gods unchanging nature, and his love that gives us living prophets today. We told tatay the 5 things that prophets have guided us to refrain from. For the non-members (Cigarettes, Alcohol, Coffee, Tobacco or drugs, (Green or Black) Tea) but focused on the blessings the Lord gives us according to our faith to this commandment. These are the blessings.. 18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; 19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; 20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. 21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen. We asked tatay, if he felt, that these blessings would help him in this situation, and before he could respond, his niece, the person we were going to teach originially jumped in and the best way I can think of saying what she said in English is, "Let me be the one to tell you that what they say is true" and went on to share her testimony. Tatay committed himself to following the Word of Wisdom, then began sharing with us, about his nephews and nieces, cousins and siblings, who needed to hear that message. Following that lesson, we were taken by them to their neighbors and introduced to them. They were so happy, to wake up their friends, hair auu hamma jang, bebes wit hanabada, ladies feeding their babies but their house being made a highway, by their cousins (the mother and tatay) as it was pretty late, to introduce them all to us, as we set return dates for those extended families. I know these things I have the opportunity to share are true. Not because I have studied these lessons for the past almost two years, but because Ive seen the tested results of its applications. Ive seen lives change as they choose Jesus Christ, in their lives. Ive seen disasters turn into happiness, as people recognize and understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The urgency we need to share about this, comes with our own experimenting upon the Words of Christ. Let us not focus on what's not allowed, but on the eternal blessings that we can experience, by following the example and accepting the teachings of Jesus Christ, no sked um, jahs trahs🤟 ELDER ISHIBASHI

6-29-25 LIGHT HEARTEDNESS

Por da pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vV5H2ga7QtRdt7ig6 Aloha mai kākou! 🎶 it's a beautipul day in da Pilipeenz, a beautipul day por da Pilipino 🎶 I wasn't blessed to have the blood of these hilarious and amazing people, pero ang Pinoy na Puso ay meron ako. This past week, was another great week! The Lord has taught me so much, this past week in particular, in which I am grateful. Let me tell you what I was blessed with, a beautiful area, an awesome ward, and another stud of a companion. I truly have been blessed by my Father in Heaven with so much. I have a family at home who loves me, in which at home I never had to worry about being hungry. I was blessed with a strong body and a mind that can somewhat function! Blessed! I was blessed with the opportunity to serve a mission, to find and teach people about my friend, Jesus Christ. I have come to realize the importance of recognizing the blessings. It becomes so easy sometimes to think of the things that we lack, of where we struggle, or focus on our current "hassles" rather than taking a step back and seeing what we are working towards. This past week comes an experience that I want to share. It was an absolute failure on my part, but where I learned a lesson worth a fortune. We headed up to a further area, and began teaching one of our friends for her first lesson, as she asked a beautiful question; "Do I need Church for God to forgive me of my sins?" I was prepared! I study everyday, I read the Book of Mormon daily, I prayed in the beginning to feel the Spirit and to have Him guide me. I did the right thing. Now this is what happened. I began to share, and my mind went blank. I couldn't put out a clear sentence, and I took the question way off topic. I felt frustrated with myself, in every way. My companion saved the day by sharing a beautiful scripture in Helaman 14:13, 13 And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits. We are forgiven as we believe. And if we truly do believe in Him, we will believe in His teachings. If we truly believe in Him, we will act on His words, and through His merits, we can find complete forgiveness. The question is not, are we saved by the Church, the question is, what does Jesus Christ say about His Church. Following the lesson, we left, and my companion went on again laughing and making jokes not once referring to the lesson that I obviously blew. He has a skill to be happy, in the most stressful times, in which my family would call being "classy". I learned of the ultimate antidote to conflicts and stress, a laugh. A merry heart. The scriptures talk about the danger of being light-mindedness, but we must choose to be light-hearted. Elder Gong said, "Be lighthearted, not light-minded. Lighthearted means wholesome, good humor—lots of it. In contrast, light-minded can include making fun of sacred things, using bad language, or doing edgy things that appeal to the world. As Doctrine and Covenants 88:40 teaches, like things attract each other. Be the friend you want others to be to you. Look for friends who help you become what you truly want to be." I bit the bullet this past week. My whole mission, I have laughed naman and had a great time, but have always been very serious about this work. Ive been stressed and shaped in so many sometimes painful ways. My lesson of a fortune this past week? Pray for a "merry heart", and the infinately giving skill it is to be light hearted, it is the antidote to stress. See the blessings and the positives, before we notice the negatives and the things not going our way. The seriousness and urgency for the work never leaves, but we become the message of joy that we share daily. Jahs laugh cuzzn, no worreh, jahs trahs! Aaaloha, ELDER ISHIBASHI

6/22/25 ANG PAGLALAKBAY NG PANANAMPALATAYA

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat! Another great week in Philippines, with so much that happened. Said goodbye to Aduas, Cabanatuan, and my stud of a companion & friend Elder Johnson, and arrived here in San Jose this past Thursday. This place is beautiful, and so is the work! The Lord continues to bless me so much with experiences that allow me the most space to grow! My companion is Elder Palamos from Mindinao, and he's also a stud of an Elder. The experience I want to to share happened this past week as I attended my first Sunday here in San Jose 1st ward. A family weʻre teaching, walked through the door and sat down. We talked to them really quickly, as the mother invited us over for dinner that night. Finishing our day, we began the journey to this familyʻs home. This being my first time, was expecting the trip to be short. Such turned into an about 30-40 minute tryke ride, through rocky trails and through the mountains. Pouring rain made the road slippery and flooded. Arriving at the house, there the family was waiting, welcomed us in with smiles, and after we shared, they fed us an amazing meal. I sat amazed as I realized this familyʻs sacrifice to attend Church the past few Sundays. When asking the why, and the how she met missionaries, she simply explained that a friend she met in another part of the Philippines, simply invited her to try it. She moved here, and came the first Sunday, being consistent ever since. This sister shared the different feeling that she has while in this church, and knows that she needs to be baptized into it with her children. She continued to lead us out, but insisting first that we meet her neighbors and family members living close to her, as we set appointments for them this coming Thursday. Everything about the situation, testifies of a loving heavenly father, who has specific plans for all of his children. The member who decided to invite, possibly an awkward, or nervous situation but followed the spirit and invited anyway. Sister's desire to try, and her faith to travel such a distance for her seeking for truth & happiness. Sister's willingness and excitement to share what she has learnt and felt with her neighbors and friends. This is what the gospel is all about. We learn that sacrifice, truly brings blessings, and the blessings are priceless. None of it being possible without the Atonement of Jesus Christ. A water that if drank, one will never thirst, even a living water. Those who hunger for truth and light, can only find so in Jesus Christ. He is the only way, if you no kno? Kno! If you kno? Share! Yan lang pow🤙 Jahs trahs, ELDER ISHIBASHI

6-15-25 Hauʻoli lā Makuakāne

Because its fathers day back home I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about my dad. As I thought back to all the unforgettable memories, I realized how blessed I was, with the smartest, most loving, funniest, and most humble father in the world, and anyone who's met him will agree. Thank you dad! I remember a time in middle school, where I got to get out of school for a day. Dad took me to the beach, to teach me how to throw net! We made our way to the coast and began looking at the different spots, to see where the fish were. Dad taught me the importance of "KILOHANA", or observing first, the current, the waves, and looking for little tails sticking out of the water on the shallow reefs, to make sure that I threw in the right place. Dad taught me everything, from being a master fisherman, and the best father. In the way he carried himself, I feel one of the biggest reasons why I got into fishing, is because of how big of an example he was for me, and how proud I knew he'd be of me, if I began to do it. He would tell me the fishing stories of his parents, uncles, and aunties, which would inspire me to keep fishing, looking intently at the waves. I couldnt get it. I couldn't see the fish tails, I couldn't see what my dad pointed at, all I thought was wherever I threw, the net was big enough, that I knew I had to catch something! Dad continued to be encouraging, and loving. Impatiently, I went to the tidepool, in which we noticed a small kūpipi, doing circles around a shallow rock, so excited, I set up, and threw the net! Jumped in the water, picking up the net, realized it was stuck under the rock, and reached under to untangle it. Pain shot through my hand, as I pulled my hand out to see blood running down my arm, from the morey eel that bit my hand. Long story short, my shredded finger got me to the hospital, and got me 9 stitches, which came out to an almost 1000 dollar hospital bill 😇 sorry dad. Sorry mom. For a month I couldn't touch the water, which was torture for me, but I used that time to figure out what I'd do better next time. Dad stayed, telling me stories, and making fishing a lifetime practice for me. My dad is the best, and he can beat up yo fadda. His kindess, thoughtfulness, genuiness, and class, makes it so easy for us siblings to love him, and do our best to emulate him. I was blessed to have an example, of a father, that emulated our father in Heaven. HIS kindess, love, and example, became easy for me to understand, and do my best to emulate, because of my father here on earth. Our father in heaven shares stories of ancestors, through books like The Book of Mormon and the Bible. We gain a stronger relationship with him through reading and studying their words, which keeps us striving, intently looking at the coming waves. Sometimes we don't get it, sometimes we get bit, by sin, doubt, or life circumstances that we cannot control. Sometimes consequences can be very expensive (sorry dad again), but our Father in Heaven never gives up on us. Continues to inspire us, through living prophets and apostles, and the sacrament. He is the master fisherman. Elder Strong visited our mission this past week and told us that "the BEST form of worship is EMULATION". I am thankful for my dad, for teaching me this principle in a way that made sense to me. Both he, and my Father in Heaven taught me to JAHS TRAHS. In a way that I could never forget. Love you dad choken, no be stressin out and goin hospital no more, as nuff aureddeh dat. Aloha aku nō, ELDER ISHIBASHI

6-9-25 NASA GITNA KA NG KANYANG PLANO!

Huuuii aloha mai me ke aloha! https://photos.app.goo.gl/eHDB8BrMq5Bve6rVA Another awesome week in the Philippines! This week was sofer stretching, but in so many ways miracle filled. I am thankful for the experiences, that over the time Ive been blessed to have here has built my testimony, and I am continually grateful to the Lord for the blessings I've recieved in my own inadequacies. Out of the experiences this past week, I thought of one that I wanted to share! For the past few weeks, we've been teaching nanay Aida Evangelista! We found her walking away from her home, and after introducing ourselves and talking with her, inviting us into her home. Nanay Aida's experiences are some of the hardest that I've heard, since being on my mission. Stories of blood, and tears, trailed through her pain filled life. We sit, listen, and are able to give her commitments, that opens to her access to Gods blessings in her life. The past few weeks have been awesome, as we began to see changes, and see her happy. She's been coming to church, and loving it, having dreams of the messages we share. However the story, comes with one of our recent lessons with her. There was her son in-law. A younger man, at about 25 years old. We talked with him, and asked him where he was from, in which he mentioned LiCab. Which is part of my last area, Quezon, Nueva Ecija. It was a far area, but we went there consistantly to teach two families. One found home to home, the other found Preajeepin! Or what Elder Bohman and I called teaching on the jeepneys when no one could leave:) The nanay we met there, allowed us to find her house, and she loved the messages we shared, especially the Plan of Salvation as her husband passed a few years ago. There came a time, in November where a storm flooded LiCab, and we were never able to get back, until I was transferred here. Back to the story, as missionaries, making connections is absolutely critical, especially on first meetings! Only knowing two families in LiCab, asked Reniel, if he knew a nanay Evelyn from LiCab, and said her last name. His eyes lit up, asked how I knew her, and said that was his dad's sister! Elder Johnson and I were able to make this connection, and talked to him about the messages that brought his family members peace, and was given the opportunity to share the same with him. It was crazy to me, the odds (divine plan) of meeting this young man. The things that had to have happened. Elder Bohman and I opening our mouths in a jeepney months before, finding this home, and teaching this nanays family consistently. Moving to Aduas, and going to a street in the middle of no where, following a prompting to go to an uninterested friend, and stopping nanay as she was leaving. Ultimately, meeting Reniel after a few teachings. I know the Lord truly has plans. For each and everyone of his children, the questions comes from our readiness to follow through and do our part. I am grateful for the Lord, using an individual as imperfect as I, do be a part in his perfect work. Jahs trahs, youre right where he needs you to be. ELDER ISHIBASHI

5-25-25 The Infinate Atonement

Huuuiii aloha mai kākou! https://photos.app.goo.gl/eHDB8BrMq5Bve6rVA Another great week as a missionary! Learnt so much, and continue to with this beautiful mission privilege. One of my favorite new habits, I treasure that I developed on the mission is the interest and love to read! Its been something Ive never had the desire to do my whole life, but always wished I had it. Such changed on my mission, and ive grown to love reading. The most recent book that Ive been reading is called the Infinate Atonement, which dives into the depth of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and why it is so called infinate. One of our experiences this past week, helped me to understand the thoughts I've read even more personally. This past week, Elder Johnson and I set some goals! Some between our companionship, some personal, and some for the area. I love finding, it's one of my favorite parts of being a missionary. Seeing people at where they are, and imagining what the Lord sees they can be. The fun part comes, when you stay in an area, that is really small, for four cycles! Or about 6 months! And can probably count the amount of small inlet roads I haven't been on, on my hands. But it does push, to find differently, especially in a place, where people are used to missionaries! So it's a challenge I continue to accept and love it. Elder Johnson & I prayed on Sunday, to know where to find. We had about 30 minutes, and we wanted to make it worth it. Following the prompting of the Spirit, we came across a road, full of people! Before walking in, said another prayer, and continued down, within 20 steps, my pogi companion was surrounded by kids, as he began to get to know and share to them! I was left on the outskirts getting to all their parents, introducing ourselves, and setting return appointments for them and their families. We left, on time, with almost 20 finds. I am grateful to the Lord, for answering our prayers, and for trusting us with the prompting. Now to His Atonement. The book overviewed a portion of what the Savior must have felt, to watch sunrises, midnight skies, and realize that he's the one who created it. How he must've felt, to know that those he talked to, had the same potential, but had no idea. I imagine his sincerity, in the garden of Gethsemane, when he choicefully suffered for you and I, especially because of his eternal perspective towards us. I especially imagine, his joy, when we help people to understand, what they truly can become. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinate, it's for you and I, and for EVERYONE we see. There will ALWAYS be someone prepared, the question will be if WE are prepared to share. Let's see people as they can become, not as they are, and that includes ourselves. It reaches all, it heals all, it conquers all! Make the goal to see that for yourself, and ask who the Lord is preparing for you, and be PREPARED to share! JAHS TRAHS! Aloha nō, ELDER ISHIBASHI

5-12-2025 CONVICTION

Huuuiii welina mai me ke aloha!! Another great week as a missionary! The Lord taught me a lot this past week, in which I am so grateful. It's also mother's day, in which I am eternally grateful for the BEST mother in the world. Always has been, always will be. I could share for hours, the stories with my mom, what I learned from her example, and what it has done to inspire me, but I hope you know mom, that I love you so much. You truly are the best! Another great week a missionary! Successes happened as Elder Johnson and I, tried making a new focus, of working in a way that the Lord could trust his children with us. Focusing on listening carefully and following promptings, and we were able to see miracles! One of our new members, baptized last month, is a little rough still around the edges, swears every lesson, gave a testimony at her baptism of how she was a strong member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church, and didn't care what people thought of her, and simply, just new. BUT, no one, can find and invite better than her. Running into her on the road, while buying buko juice, she asked where we came from, then turned immediately to the old man pushing his cart selling his Buko Juice. I've talked to him before, but the normal excuse of busy made our last interaction short a few months ago. Sister Evangeline, turned to him, introducing us to him and asking when we could visit. He ducked his eyes under his hat and said he's busy. She asked what his free time is... he said he doesn't have any... she asked if he goes home to sleep or just walks all night long, and he answered of course he goes home to sleep... she asked what time... he said hes busy, and tried to close his cooler to move on. She took the cover away saying she wouldn't give it back, until he said what time hed get home. He ducked his eyes again.. she picked his chin and told him to tell her. Were gonna be quick! What time!? She exclaimed, 7 he answered.. but ducked his head again with it only getting picked again, TIGNAN MO AKO (Look at me) she said... and asked where he lived. She said we're going to go, he pointed and explained where and she told him wed be there at 7. That night, she met us there at 7, and realized that tay wasn't as much not interested in us, but felt that we wouldnt fit in his very small house. She said were here for you, not your home, and we were able to share. She picked him up and walked him to Church on Sunday, and tatay Cirilo sat with a smile in his first Sacrament meeting. The key word behind this story is conviction. Evangeline is convicted, that what she now knows will help tay. We found out he's alone, from Mindinao, and has no family! While teaching his aura changes, he smiled, even though Evangeline was climbing walls during the lesson, because of her conviction, we were able to be there. Tay was able to come to church. Tay experienced miracles. I love this work, I feel my own conviction doubled with this experience, asking the Lord what I can do more, to continue growing my conviction in this beautiful work. Jahs trahs, dis is true, I've seen it, and nothing can take that from me. Leave that testimony, and my conviction in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. ELDER ISHIBASHI