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