8-13-17 I feel so unbelievably blessed

Kaise hamaar julum parivaar~!!

For some reason they start qito early in this zone, and I need to look for a new bag in Lautoka town (my shoulder bag zipper broke and I reckon a backpack would be more convenient for travel anyway) so today and probably the next few emails will be a bit short. I wish I had more time because so much is happening! We're getting heaps of work done here and finding heaps of people every day! Lately we've been blessed to be lead to heaps of Christian Indian homes, which is way sick. Wayy stoked to progress with the people we've met! 

Pretty much our whole week was finding new people in this and that area. 

Afrosh and Shahana came to church for the first time yesterday! They seemed to really like it and are keen on coming next week. Yesterday morning was actually pretty tough because were expecting to have about eight investigators in church, but when we called each home, each had a reason not to come. Ragni's was that she was going to her own church instead, which is why we may actually drop her. Church is a HUGE part of conversion, and investigators attending church is a huge indication of their genuine interest in the gospel and dedication to their gaining a testimony. Afrosh said that Shahana was too sick and asked us to come over before church to give her a blessing. When we arrived, Shahana suggested that we take Afrosh and that she'd be fine at home. After a bit of talking between the two, they decided they were well enough to come. We didn't give a blessing, Shehana just got ready and we were all out the door in ten minutes. What a tender mercy that was, and I strongly feel that is was Shehana's faith and knowledge that she had to go to church that healed her so suddenly.

I think I'll use the rest of the time to respond to my siblings, but I'm so glad everything's going well back home! Lately I've been thinking a lot about how much everybody has already grown and accomplished since I've been out. I can't wait to come home and see it all for myself! This morning I woke up to the crushing realization that I really don't have much time left at all. We're nearing the end of the year, and once the end of the year comes, I'll only have five months left. Not that I'm counting. Anyways, in the meantime, I have other families here I need to help before I can see my own again. I've come to love so much the focus of the family in the gospel. Something I always like to share with people when we introduce the concept of eternal families is that death will always be a sad thing. When we lose a loved one, of course it's disheartening  because we can't hear their voice or feel their touch anymore. However, everyone will die one day, and what a blessing it is to know that once we've been sealed on earth and reunited in the kingdom of our father, we will never be separated again. No force can part our families after the point of physical death. On Tuesday we'll be asked to share in district meeting why our particular families are unique and what we love about them. I love that our family has such a distinct sense of humor and an appreciation for art in it's countless forms. Most of all, however, I love that our family is built on a foundation of Christ. I've seen how families fall apart when their foundation is weak, and it's especially sad because they blame the foundation they didn't strengthen when it caves in. I feel so unbelievably blessed to have a strong base in the gospel built by generations of faithful servants of our Father in Heaven. 

I love yous all so much, keep being that shining light in this ever-so darkening world; it needs yous. 

I love you all so much, have a blessed week! 

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi