Kala'i, are you kiddING ME??? HOLY SMOKES, I'm actually pretty cut that I've only been sent two videos of you singing over the last two years, and both have absolutely blown me away. It's actually insane how much your voice and vibrato has matured, it is BEAUTIFUL. I also really like how yours and Kate's voices blend together, she has an incredible voice as well. By the way, how are those followers going? I don't know if you've remembered, but I will owe you $100 for every 1000 followers you get on a singing account. I'm home in nearly two months, and I think she could help you out with that if you're not too busy and still down for the challenge.
Your voice is actually stupid good, like I'm dead serious in saying that you could make money off those pipes. I'm excited to come home and sing songs with you again, but scared at the same time because I don't wanna taint a song you're singing. Keep that up, man! Love you!
Lehia, thats' the one. Keep your head up, never let defeat get you down. I've shared it before, but defeat is never an indication that you are not fit for that particular activity. It's simply an indication that effort and improvement are required. Whether you leave track to hit the mat full-time (I'd hope your opponents are hitting the mat, rather) or build off of the success you're seeing in pole-vaulting, do what you love more. Do what makes you happy and allows you to grow. Keep growing, love you!
If there's one thing I wish I would have done growing up, it would be putting more time into learning to read piano sheet music. Nina, I'm so envious of you! I'm way happy you're getting a young start at playing the piano properly. Literally none of us except for mom knows how to read sheet music. That will be a huge blessing to you in the future, if you remain consistent. The same with hula dancing. I love you Nina, continue to be a blessing and example to those around you!
Dad, it's actually way sick that you get paid to travel! I never knew that, but how awesome would it have been to know how many years ago, haha. It was really cool to see you in front of all those Historical American landmarks, but it looked deadly cold. So glad you traveled there and safely back, what a cool experience that must have been! Here in this mission, that motto continues to stand. "Work hard, play hard", and my district doesn't let up when it comes to a good rugby game in the rain, which I'm grateful for. I'm even more grateful, however, that they're definitely willing to work harder than they play.
Things are looking really good for the district right now. I'm so excited and blessed, but I'll talk about that soon. Keep strong in your calling and safe in your travels, love you dad!
Mom, I just had a quick question. Elder Tavake's mom's maiden name is Maile Mataele. She was born and raised around Waikiki and was baptized when she was 12. We were just curious if you knew her, just because you're from the same island and are the same age. She went to Kaiser, however, and moved to California when she was like 18. I was just wondering, I love you mom!
Yesterday in district meeting, I gave an training on obedience. Something I noticed is that every single member of my district has had a history of disobedience at some point in their missions, including myself. In my training I shared, and I share with you guys now, that getting up at 6:30am every morning to do the same thing every day is often difficult. I've been struggling with getting out of bed on time, using finding time effectively, letting the spirit guide the work. I've had periods in my mission where I struggled with much worse things. People may look down on me and wonder why I would even share that unimportant information with anyone, but I need people to know that even as I'm not perfect, I'm definitely trying. I've had transfers of disobedience and I've had transfers of exact obedience, and I honestly feel blessed to have experienced both spectrums of the work because I can testify with undeniable certainty that obedience brings blessings and exact obedience does in fact bring miracles. I testified to my district and I testify now that though disobedience may be fun in the moment, it is only fun for that precise moment. The guilt will come and shroud your judgement, and your transgressions will increase. Disobedience is never, ever worth it. The joy I experienced being disobedient lead to great temporal and physical consequences, whereas the joy I experienced when I could say in confidence to myself and to the Lord that I was doing the Lord's work fully was pure long lasting. I cannot and will not preach exact obedience when I'm not practicing it myself, so I'm making a great effort now to follow the mission rules precisely, and I see a new drive in my district members to do the same. They all seemed to really appreciate the training, and I'm beyond excited to see the miracles that spawn from our newfound unity and motivation to be exactly obedient.
I love this gospel with all my heart, and I love this work. I'm nearing two months before I see you all again, and I'm determined to come home with a changed heart and knowing that I genuinely exercised my faith in repentance, that I might not have any regrets and that the Lord might accept and consecrate my last two years of effort. I love you all so much, I'm so happy that everyone is doing well.
Ham iis susmachaar baut pyaar kare, iis kam baut pyaar kare bhi, aur khoi dauts nahin hei iis Pita Parmeshwar ke kam hei. Ham koshiis karta hei, utaam nahin rega, lekin ham khali koshiis kare sake. Firse, ham aaplogke baut pyaar karta!
Khyaal rakna,
Elder Ishibashi
Mom, I just had a quick question. Elder Tavake's mom's maiden name is Maile Mataele. She was born and raised around Waikiki and was baptized when she was 12. We were just curious if you knew her, just because you're from the same island and are the same age. She went to Kaiser, however, and moved to California when she was like 18. I was just wondering, I love you mom!
Anyways, kaise hei!
This last week was great! Not super eventful on our part, but again, things are looking great in the areas around us.
This last week was great! Not super eventful on our part, but again, things are looking great in the areas around us.
Given that Naduna is about 30 minutes out of Labasa by bus and about 20 by taxi, we (us and the sisters) take two days out of the week to visit our investigators there. We meet at the bus stand, bus up vata, split up and visit our families/find more, then meet up somewhere and share the taxi fare back home. We go on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We were on exchanges with the Nakawakawa Elders on Tuesday, and I was fortunate to take Elder Scofield and the truck into Naduna so we wouldn't have to pay for travel. We found no success, but found a new area we look forward to visiting again. George wasn't free, so we set an appointment for Saturday. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, were pretty average days consisting primarily of finding and visiting member families for the purpose of strengthening them and receiving referrals. Our Saturday ended up mostly being taken up by members in need, so we weren't able to reach Naduna until later, when our lesson with George was planned. Lately, Elder Tavake and I have made it a goal to pray before and after every lesson. We approached his home prepared to teach lesson 1 (The Restoration of the gospel), but we didn't have a Book of Mormon to extend to him along with the lesson, and we both felt that he needed something else. On that trail leading to his humble little home on a hill, surrounded by sugar cane, we offered a prayer that we might be able to discern his needs and teach accordingly. Afterward, we both were surely prompted that he needed to be taught lesson 3 (The Gospel of Jesus Christ). As we went about the lesson, he seemed to become more and more engaged. He answered all the questions we extended to him beautifully, and he ultimately accepted the invitation to be baptized if he came to know our message is true. When we asked at the end of the lesson if he had any questions, he posed one. It was a question I've gotten my entire mission, but he asked it a little differently than I've received it in the past. He was born into an Anglican home, and was baptized as an infant. Most people ask why they need to be baptized again and if their first one was meaningless. Instead, George simply asked if it were "possible" for him to baptize again. We said yes, and explained why it was essential. He accepted the answer, and when we visit with him tomorrow evening, we'll be extending a baptismal date to him for March 25, 2018. We see great potential in him, and he and Mili (his wife) seem very grateful for our efforts in teaching him. I'm looking forward to progressing with George and helping him towards receiving his answer. We met him in church yesterday, which was huge! I'm so excited for the upcoming weeks.
Yesterday in district meeting, I gave an training on obedience. Something I noticed is that every single member of my district has had a history of disobedience at some point in their missions, including myself. In my training I shared, and I share with you guys now, that getting up at 6:30am every morning to do the same thing every day is often difficult. I've been struggling with getting out of bed on time, using finding time effectively, letting the spirit guide the work. I've had periods in my mission where I struggled with much worse things. People may look down on me and wonder why I would even share that unimportant information with anyone, but I need people to know that even as I'm not perfect, I'm definitely trying. I've had transfers of disobedience and I've had transfers of exact obedience, and I honestly feel blessed to have experienced both spectrums of the work because I can testify with undeniable certainty that obedience brings blessings and exact obedience does in fact bring miracles. I testified to my district and I testify now that though disobedience may be fun in the moment, it is only fun for that precise moment. The guilt will come and shroud your judgement, and your transgressions will increase. Disobedience is never, ever worth it. The joy I experienced being disobedient lead to great temporal and physical consequences, whereas the joy I experienced when I could say in confidence to myself and to the Lord that I was doing the Lord's work fully was pure long lasting. I cannot and will not preach exact obedience when I'm not practicing it myself, so I'm making a great effort now to follow the mission rules precisely, and I see a new drive in my district members to do the same. They all seemed to really appreciate the training, and I'm beyond excited to see the miracles that spawn from our newfound unity and motivation to be exactly obedient.
I love this gospel with all my heart, and I love this work. I'm nearing two months before I see you all again, and I'm determined to come home with a changed heart and knowing that I genuinely exercised my faith in repentance, that I might not have any regrets and that the Lord might accept and consecrate my last two years of effort. I love you all so much, I'm so happy that everyone is doing well.
Ham iis susmachaar baut pyaar kare, iis kam baut pyaar kare bhi, aur khoi dauts nahin hei iis Pita Parmeshwar ke kam hei. Ham koshiis karta hei, utaam nahin rega, lekin ham khali koshiis kare sake. Firse, ham aaplogke baut pyaar karta!
Khyaal rakna,
Elder Ishibashi
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