8-22-16 Moce Colorado!!!

Bula na noqu matavuvale wananavu valevu!!

Yeap, this is it!! I meet with Elder Hunkin and President Mendenhall in about four hours, then head to Fiji! It is so bittersweet. I've come to love this area so much, and everyone in it. Something awesome that actually happened this past week! Elder Sinden received permission from the bishop to steal the youth talk (from a very grateful young man) and addressed the congregation one last time before he left! He used this opportunity and invited almost our entire teaching pool to attend sacrament to hear this "sermon". Most of them attended, and those who didn't had prior obligations but wanted to. Still, it was awesome! SO nice to see a bunch of the people we teach regularly in our chapel. Elder Sinden gave a wonderful talk about heeding to and recognizing spiritual promptings. Immediately afterwards, bishop Warnick asked ME to go up and address the congregation with a quick testimony. I can honestly say that that was the most nerve-wrecking testimony I have ever shared, but I'm glad I had the opportunity. My voice and hands were shaky and my legs felt like they were about to give out, but the words of my heart poured out as steadily as I could. I thanked the ward for the awesome warmth and kindness that they've shown me in the short time that I was there, and expressed my appreciation for the willingness of the members to help us missionaries. I can quite honestly say that we could not have done the work that we did without the support of the members. The members of the Tallyn's Reach ward are absolutely incredible and I will love them forever. I'm serious, I might name my child Tallyn. It's a cool name and it holds such great meaning to me. We'll see. Anyways, I got to share a quick and simple testimony in Fijian. I feel great about this area and the work that I've done. I feel great because I did the best that I could do, and I honestly feel that I've helped these people come closer to our Lord and savior. Sure, it wasn't to baptism, but our primary purpose as missionaries is to help others to come unto Christ. Mom, like you said, everyone has their time. Their time may be next transfer, their time may be in ten years, their time may be tomorrow. Their time may not be in this life, but I am confident in my efforts to help the people that I did. However, like I said, our successes have relied greatly on the support of the members. I was blessed to have served here, there's no doubt about it. I also could never express my gratitude enough for the immense blessings the Lord is bestowing upon you folks in my time away. I'm overjoyed reading your letters every week! If these blessings are the partial result of having a child on a mission, I could stay out here forever! I love reading about mom and dad's jobs and the kids pursuing their passions and increasing their talents. Mom, thank you for always being that example of strength and undying love to me. Be that example for your co-workers, be that example of Christ-like love and charity, and the missionary opportunities will come. Also, pray for them. That tends to help a lot too haha. 

To cap off this week, mostly spent just saying goodbye to people and getting their contact information so Elder Sinden can keep up with them from Spokane. We did teach some awesome lessons, and yeah, invited people to hear Elder Sinden speak on Sunday. OH! The temple! On Monday, I was able to attend a special early viewing of the Fort Collins temple with Elder Sinden, LeRoy, and Brother Knight (He should have sent you a picture of us there. If he didn't, he will). It is beautiful, and I'll attach photos. Being in there with LeRoy and several other small groups of investigators was wonderful. The Spirit, even without it having been dedicated yet, was way strong, and LeRoy felt it. Afterwards, we asked LeRoy if he was any closer to his decision to be baptized. He said Definitely. Another funny thing, before we went in, one of the lady ushers asked "Are you a member?", to which he replied (again) "Well, not yet!" Elder Sinden and I looked at each other in a silent little "yeee." Anyways, ONE WAY COOL THING about this temple. We were in the instruction room, which walls were painted beautifully with a big blue sky over lush green hills and trees with deer and elk grazing all about it. The head usher told the small tour group that the walls were painted by Keith Bond, a Colorado native who lives in Hawaii now. I thought that was so cool! And Brother Bond is super good, like those walls are super impressive. Tell him I said good job. I also thought that that was such a little and almost unnecessary detail for the tour, but I was like WOAH. I KNOW THAT GUY, WHAT ARE THE ODDS? In my head of course. But yeah, how cool is that!

Another big part of the week was packing. I'm completely packed now, and I got everything packed that I'm sending home. This leads me to GOOD news and BAD news!

GOOD NEWS: I got the things shipped off this morning! Includes all but one pair of pants, my suit coat, glasses case, some CO mission books I won't need and personal items I want to remember the area. Also included is a pinecone, some rocks, a baby and weirdly-shaped acorn (the top popped off, you'll know what I mean) and Herbert's PMG! Sorry I took it, didn't think I'd need my own but I bought one. There's also Elder Morgan's PMG, just didn't wanna carry it around. Small little portion of the bad news I'll sneak in here, I forgot to load the prairie dog head before I sealed the package! Dang it! I'll send it some other time.

BAD NEWS: IF the package you sent comes in today (I called the mission office and it has not arrived), it will come at 1, and I MAY have to send it again directly to the Fiji mission office myself because my bags are most likely near 50 lbs and I don't wanna chance packing it and adding more weight. Anyways, whatever happens, eh it'll work out, but thank you! 

Anyways I should head out now, we have shopping to do before we meet with President, but I will try and call you folks tonight! Expect it at about 5! I love you guys so much, keep doing what you're doing! The Lord is blessing you folks for your service and righteous efforts. I'm overjoyed that you're all doing great, and know that i'm doing great too! Again, I love you guys so so SO much, you guys are constantly in my prayers. Au lomani kemudou valevu sara dina. Take care, tukuna vei kemudou vamaliwa! Moce!

Na tuakaqu/luvequ/ganequ lomani,

Elder Ishibashi

 P.S. Give grandma tons and hugs and kisses for me! I thought about her a lot this week, I love you so much Grandma! 
Also go pet and kiss Lily for me.

GIVE MY ALOHA TO: (few people I thought about)
The Alexanders
The Bonds

The Anius

The Akanas

The Stephens

The Haveas

The Quihanos

The Fuchigamis 

The Castillos
Heck just tell the whole ward I love them. 

-Fort Collins temple!

-Way home

-Got SUPER cold Friday night (lower 50s) and everybody laughed at me. It's shaky because I was shivering. All I had was my suit coat (lost the big coat at a member's home) and Elder Sinden let me borrow his gloves and beanie. Members thought it was hilarious as they walked around in their shorts and T-shirts. Apparently snow is due in a week or so, so kind of sad but at the same time I would die in the snow here so I'm glad. 

-This morning's breakfast! So good!

-Moce Colorado!!