4-23-17 Come at me, bus...

Namaste!

Man, what a week it's been! 

A tough week, honestly.

We went and saw a good number of people, found some new people to teach that we look forward to following-up on this week. Nothing significant, except a significantly difficult visit with Shryna. 

We had a good lesson with her about the ten commandments, and she soaked everything up like a sponge. Lately, she's been asking us to cancel her baptism because her 7th Day pastor keeps putting things in her head that God doesn't want her to be baptized LDS. At the closing at our lesson, she demanded that we cancel her baptism. In fact (and it was pretty funny), she wrote me a note on the spot and handed it to me with a bold request "Read it, and understand it!" 

I took the note and unfolded it to read its contents. It read: Cancel my baptism, I don't want to do it!

I just took my pen, wrote a little response on the bottom corner, and handed it back with a managed smile. This was my written response: No :)

She just threw her head back, dropped her shoulders, and groaned in frustration. We told her that we would continue to visit for the next few weeks, and COME May 13th, if she is still feels that she personally is not ready to be baptized, THEN we'll cancel (postpone?) her baptism. She shook my hand in a deal. Unfortunately, we may need to speak with the talatala ourselves, which is always uncomfortable but sometimes essential. Elder Mokie is a good example of being bold with love, he's always so patient with Shryna but never takes her sass or irreverence. I'm still learning, haha.

I read 'Io's letter from two weeks ago and just about died laughing when I saw that he was gonna be doing exactly what he didn't want to for the exact space of time that he didn't want to do it. What followed what he said though really inspired and hit me. The mission is tough, some days are full of disappointment and others of grief and disdain. That's something I'm certain all missions have in common, and I think it's just awesome that despite this, 'Io prays for difficulties. As fond as I've grown of humbling experiences, as I've experienced them, I've decided to just let them come as the Lord sees fit that I should endure them. To pray for them seems difficult for me in all honesty, but I have such a strong feeling that that's exactly what I need to do. I will do that over the next week. I expect there to be no exceptions for me, that I get a bus as well, but if I need a bus, I'll gladly take it. I also have such a strong feeling that this is precisely what 'Io needs to finish his mission off with the BANG he wanted, and what a glorious bang it'll be as he sets that example of a great missionary to his greenie and opens a vineyard for the Lord's work to take place!

I got heaps of pleasant surprise letters from people today, thank you all so much!

I had NO clue River was married!! He wrote me and shared with me some great insights on Elder Bednar's talk from conference that I highlighted last week. I really appreciated his wisdom.

I also got several beautiful letters from several beautiful little spirits (including my most BEAUTIFUL little sister) in the stake! Please give my thanks and aloha to Sister Naungayan for sending them out! I apparently was smiling noticeably wide as I read Nina's letter, because the missionary next to me looked at me and asked "Did you get into BYU??"

What an awesome article about Herb and Jaz! New York though? How long did Jaz live in New York? (Jaz lived in New York??) Welp, I guess the time will come where I'll get to spend time with my new siblings and niblings. Speaking of which, how are the buns in the ovens?? Do yous know Herb&Jaz's baby's gender yet, or are they waiting?? 

Kala'i, that's the one. Most important thing is to have fun, and every tried opportunity is an opportunity to try again. Keep up the good, hard work! 

WOOO those are some monsters, Lehia!! That's bigger than the mahimahi 'Io and I ('Io) caught when we went out on Brother Prudholm's boat! We never even got close to catching an ahi! Man that's a mean looking aku too, TOO good you! 

Please send a picture of Nina's new hair cut!

Mom, thank you so much for your fulfilling letter. I had other things written in mine before I read yours that I decided were selfish thoughts and meaningless troubles. I am working extra hard on being extra dependent on the Lord and accepting his will in all things. 

Dad, glad you're keeping busy haha. SO good to know what a service you're being to the family and the church in every way that you can administer it.

OH on a side note. So I checked on my blog, did I really get my call on April 12th? I thought this whole time that I got it on the 23rd, I've been telling people that it's my mission call anniversary. Whoops. 

I can hardly believe that it's already been a year since I got my mission call, seems like just 11 months ago! Jk but yeah, time really does fly. 

Welp, I'll be heading out now, probably get a haircut. Know you're all in my daily/nightly prayers. Not a day goes by that I don't thank heavenly father for the blessings I get from your prayers and diligence. I love you all so much, thank you for your letters and your love. Have a blessed week!!

Mahalo nui loa, vinaka sara vakalevu, fa'afetai tele lava, malo 'aupito, whakawhetai koe nui atu, domo arigatogozaimashita, bahut dhanyavaad, and thank you SO much for everything! 

Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta hai hamaar bahut julum pariwaar!!

Khyaal rakna!

Pyaar ke saat,

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

Fun fact: Did you know the wh in Maori is pronounced as f?? (so it's pronounced fakafetai) Had no idea, you learn a lot about the isles in the isles

 

-Sister Kumar (Joe's mom) takes excellent care of the missionaries. Tuesday nights are good/happy nights (her food is phenomenal but she's why I got fat again)

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-Adrien says hello 

 

-TRY THESE. I thought a potato was a weird thing to put in donuts too but trust me, they're incredible. The ingredients may react differently in Hawaii so my bad if it turns out weird. If they do, I trust that mom would know exactly what needs to be done to perfect this recipe.

 

-We made a batch this morning and brought some for the district 

 

-Now