3-10-18 I walked into a gold mine

Welp. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, aye? I suppose that is indeed when the Lord decides to throw his whackest curve balls.

Let me just recap the week simply and briefly, because I don't have all that much time again. 
The beginning of the week started out pretty normally, the Labasa sisters are doing way-too-good work and I had to interview like four people between Tuesday and Thursday for their baptisms on Saturday. We visited heaps of people and found a good handful of people as well. We had planned to go to Naduna on Thursday nightto set a baptismal date for George. Thursday morning, we went to a member family's house for service. As Elder Tavake painted and laughed and talked to each other, we received a phone call from President Higgins. 

Curious, I answered the phone. He immediately started asking me questions about the new area that had opened up, and how the work was going there. I got really excited sharing how the unit was quickly evolving into a branch, how well ours and the sisters' investigators were progressing, and how excited I was to see the progress of the unit in the near future. He seemed overjoyed at the news, and thanked me for the great work we were putting into the area. He shared with me how appreciative he and the branch members are of our diligent efforts. And thus, he built me up before he tore me down. Here I am, ecsthatic with the success we're seeing in Labasa, when President suddenly says in a much more grave tone "Well, Elder Ishibashi, I'm sorry to say that that is not the reason I called you this morning..."

... U'oh...

"I'm calling to let you know that an emergency transfer involving in the Hindi program is in the process, and you are involved. Elder Ishibashi, I need you to come down to Nausori to be the zone leader of the Nausori zone."

Being a district leader overwhelmed me. There were days I felt the responsibility was much too heavy for me to bear. Being in charge of nine other missionaries mortified me, as I'm sure I shared before. It came at such a shock that I have no idea what President said to me after that, except that he had prayed long and hard about the decision to have me placed in that position, and that Elder Hess would be my new companion. When he asked to speak to Elder Tavake to tell him who he'd be receiving, I definitely handed the phone over crying haha. I felt the heaviness of the responsibilities of a zone leader hit me like a wall all at once. Elder Tavake helped significantly, which I'm SO grateful for. He helped me to realize what a great growing opportunity this would be for me, and that I'd be ending where I started my mission! What a huge blessing that has been already, but I'll talk more about that later. I received a call from my mate, AP Green, several hours later and he told me that I was expected to fly out the next morning at 11am. I had one afternoon to go and vakamoce all the families I'd grown closest to in my brief time there, wash and pack all my clothes and study materials, and I was on a plane back down to Vitilevu the next morning. There to greet me at the Nausori airport was Elder Morgan, who I was replacing in Nausori. It was a really tender reunion, given it had been well over a year and a half since we were together in the MTC, and I was the last from the intake he hadn't yet seen. It was awesome to see him and to meet Elder Hess. 

Elder Hess is from Utah, my first Haole companion since Elder Sinden in Colorado! Elder Hess is awesome, way easy to get along with, super down to earth, and just overall a really pleasant guy to be around. Two things, however, stick out to me most. 

First of all, he's a work horse. He does not like to waste time whatsoever, every single minute of the last four days have been work or sleep. He's so driven, and LOVE it. I'm so happy be have my head buried so deep in the work that I don't have to worry about all the other things. We've been doing really well at getting the things that need to get done done and managing our time wisely so that the entire plan we set for the day is executed expertly. The second thing is that Elder Hess's Hindi is impeccable. He's only been out for just over a year, and he has significantly better Hindi than myself and all the other non-native Hindi elders who've been out longer than him. It comes out beautifully and fluidly, he seldom ever has to think before it comes out of his mouth. His structure and conjugations (the hardest things to get down) are near perfect, and he has a very impressive vocab. He's already taught me so much, and as honestly embarrassing as it is that my Hindi seems primary compared to his, I'm taking this as a great learning opportunity. He's always so patient and willing to help, too. 

OH, I don't think I shared this when it happened. I actually have not been removed from the Hindi program, because when transfers happened two weeks ago, the mission announced that Nausori Hindi would be the very first Hindi Zone Leader area established. And so, I feel so blessed to be a part of this groundbreaking happening. My Hindi will continue to progress, and I have no doubts whatsoever that my Hindi will be SO much better coming home than it would have been had I died in Labasa. Anyways, again, the last few days have been very hectic but awesome. I'm back in my very first area and in my very first flat. It was so cool seeing so many familiar faces in church yesterday. Funny enough, when Elder Morgan told people I'd be coming, most of them said the same thing. "Oh, Elder Ishibashi... hm, is that the short one? Fat? Shy?" Just a reminder, in Fiji, it is never intentionally rude to call people fat. Fat is literally just an adjective and if you're fat, you're fat and you know it. If you don't know it, you're about to. I love that, the short thing is different but I overlook that (get the pun? Haha I want to grow... but I'm almost 21... so I'm done... ugh). Well, I'm back, and guess what? Now I'm just short. 

When I started here, we covered the Waila and Nausori wards. We've also tucked the Naulu ward under our wings, as we get a lot of work done there as well. Herbert, Sister Ramen sends her love. I only met her briefly, but she's awesome.

Yesterday was great and so busy. The missionaries here have been KILLING it. I walked into a gold mine. We have three baptisms on Saturday, two next week, and four two weeks after that. Our district is annihilating the work in their areas. 

It occurred to me how much of a baby I was to think so lowly of this calling. I've been praying in thanks more than for assistance for the immense blessings I've received over the last few days. As hard as it will continue to be, I'm SO excited and blessed to work in such a degree, and be with Elder Hess, to be back in Waila, and to be working with such awesome people. 

I got sent HEAPS of emails (mostly pictures from U'i, thank you sis!), so I'll go check those out and we'll be heading out soon. 

Know I'm in great health and spirits, I'm SO, SO happy right now. I hope you're all doing great, awesome to know about Lehia's victories in Judo! Lehia, I'll let you know, I never won by ippon, only ever by pin. The fact that you won by 2 ippons is SICK, keep it up! Also, I couldn't see the video because this computer won't let me, but I'll see it eventually. I love you guys so much, have a, incredible and blessed week! 

Khyaal rakna! 

Elder Ishibashi 

3/3/18 I love this gospel with all my heart

Let me respond to the email first. 

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!

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. 

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 

2-25-18 It was such a peaceful and beautiful hour

Kaise hei, parivaar! 

This last week was awesome.

After our P-day in Savusavu, which was SO much fun, the district split off into different areas and companionships that would work out better for travel during transfers. We had our zone leader, Elder Tamasese, with us all week. 

Elder Tamasese is an exemplary man to me because of his work ethic, his drive, his powerful testimony, and most significant to me, the love with which he goes about his responsibility. He is the only zone leader I've ever had who shows his unyielding dedication to the work and to the Lord, and numbers are not his primary focus. He's the first zone leader that hasn't chastised me for not reaching my companionship goal for investigators found in one week or saints brought to the fold over the transfer. No matter the numbers I report, all he needs to know is if we felt we put in our all, did what we needed to do to help those people realize the significance of the baptismal ordinance, and assisted them in taking part in it. I've been called to preach the gospel and invite others to come unto Christ. If I've brought the message to them and they've rejected it, I can rest peacefully knowing that their agency to choose whether or not to accept the gospel is out of my hands, and I've done my part. It certainly is a sad thing when they reject the gospel, knowing the blessings they'll be missing out on, but when there's nothing more that we can do, because of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, they will be given another chance to receive and accept the message. 

Having Elder Tamasese with us all week was such a blessing. I'm still not great at knocking on doors whatsoever, so he showed us several other modes of finding people to teach, by which we were able to receive a lot of names and find a lot of people. Elder Tavake and I received some good, constructive, and very useful criticism that we'll be incorporating into our work in Labasa. 

The district received their transfer calls on Wednesday, for a change. Sadly, we lost some critical members of the district, but it happens. Sister Kalamafoni (Tongan from Oregon) was replaced by Sister Naivanawalu (from Lami, Fiji. First Fijian sister I've ever served alongside and she's way cool) in the Labasa Sisters' area. Elder Olsen (Utah) was replaced by Elder Guymon (Arizona) in Seaqaqa. Elder Felt (Utah) was replaced by Elder Kalio (Pohnpei, Micronesia). Elder Tavake and I stayed together. I'm looking at a really good transfer, SO many awesome things are happening in our area right now. Remember when I talked about the Naduna unit we went to a few weeks back? Apparently, since that day, the priesthood holders of the unit have been returning and administering the sacrament. As a result, significantly more people have been returning to church and bringing non-member family and friends. On Sunday, the sisters received a call from the unit presidency saying that a man has been coming to church for several years, but they just discovered that he hadn't been baptized. Given that he only spoke Fijian, and Sister Kalamafoni is the only non-native missionary fluent in Fijian, they took the reigns. All they had to do was simply reiterate to him everything he already knew from attending church over the last three years, I had Elder Tamasese interview him, and he was baptized on Saturday. Also baptized was a woman the sisters had begun teaching just last Saturday. The first Sunday we attended the unit, the Vosa family brought with them a cousin and her young family. We didn't know she wasn't a member, until we found out last week that while we attended the Labasa Branch on Sundays, she continued to go to Naduna. After two weeks, the Vosas called and confirmed that Iva had been to church three times and could be baptized. What a pleasant surprise that was for them, haha. Anyways, a counselor in the presidency was overjoyed when he found out that we speak Hindi, and referred us to several less-active and non-member Indian families in the area. We'll be making our way back over to that area to follow-up on some current investigators and find those referrals tomorrow. Our current most promising investigator is George. We find George because Bola (the man that was baptized on Saturday) is Goerge's wife's uncle, and he lives with them. When we went to review the lessons, she asked us to start teaching her husband. George is from the Solomon Islands and has been living in Fiji for about six years. He's a more quiet, reserved man, but his faith in Jesus Christ is unreal. He seemed to like and accept the principle of eternal families, and we'll be visiting him tomorrow evening to teach about how the power of God, by which the sealing of families is possible, has been brought back to the Earth after having been lost following the death of the savior. 

Anyways, yesterday we were asked to return to the Naduna unit to assist in the confirmations of the new members. A carrier picked us and a bunch of other members up and took us up into Naduna. It was SO COOL to see that little wooden platform completely full of people with chairs pouring out the back and sides of the chapel. After sacrament meeting, we all sat and ate and talked together waiting for the carrier to return and take us back into Labasa. We started to see really thick, grey clouds roll over the mountains coming in our direction and the winds started picking up, so we started singing Fijian hymns to lighten the mood. As the clouds rolled closer and the rain began to pound, we unrolled the tarps around the sides of the chapel that acted as walls to keep the rain out. The roar of the heavy rain outside banging on the tin roof and the tarp walls filled the air. Still, we sang powerfully. The louder the bang of the thunder, the louder our voices grew. It was a really solemn moment for me, sitting in that humble little wooden chapel looking out over saints singing their hearts (and lungs) out under the faint, blue tinted light of the tarps surrounding them. Nothing compares to the spirit and energy you feel when Fijians gather in song and praise to the name of the savior, Jesus Christ. It was such a peaceful and beautiful hour, and one that I feel I'll cherish for a very long time. 

I'm excited to see what work will get done this transfer by the new district, Elder Tavake and I are looking at a very busy transfer (stoked)! 

We're off now, thank you so much for the pictures, dad and U'i! I can't wait to smush Talia's fat asian face in my hands goodness gracious. Also, I'm seriously considering joining a dojo when I get home to advance in judo. So excited for Lehia, judo is SOOO much fun. Just a tip: judo is a Japanese sport, play it respectfully. Respect your body, never intentionally put it in harm's way, put respect your opponent's body as well. Never aim at an obviously weak or injured joint for the sake of winning a match. People will say that's a part of the game, but that's poor sportsmanship and lack of respect. Play and win by skill and power, not by cheap shots. I've faced judokas that knew about my weak elbow and twisted it uncomfortably, and I've watched opposing judokas stomp or kick out my teammates' braced ankles and knees. That is technically legal, as well, and one will not be penalized for committing such acts, but be a man on the mat and play fair. True success and victory comes from genuine skill and hard work. That's something really special that my sensei taught me. You're gonna kill it, I don't think I'll be home in time to see any matches, so send me videos!

I'm glad all is well back home, glad you're safe, dad! 

I love you guys so much, have a great and blessed week! 

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi 

2-18-2018 I love you all heaps

Kaise hei parivaar!

Not a lot of time today, we're in Savusavu right now for a combined-district P-day! 

The Labasa and Tukavesi districts are here and we're gonna qito at a nearby beach before we head back to the area in a few hours.

Sidenote: Savusavu is one of the more beautiful places I've seen on my mission. It's all lush, green valleys, mountains, and crystal blue waters on white sand. I'll try to catch some pictures for next week!

This last week was a bit of a slower one, nothing significant to report. 

In fact, the last week was pretty particular to sour (growing) experiences. An unusually heavy amount of people chastised us for taking the message of Jesus Christ to people of Hindu and Muslim backgrounds and "forcing" their families to change their beliefs. I've been presented with many opportunities to share our true purpose with people, and though none were interested, I was at least able to reiterate to myself my purpose of being a missionary and the important work I have the opportunity to carry out.

It's the last week of the transfer. Nothing really worked out for the district companionships in their areas concerning the transfer goal. One companionship's baptismal candidate broke into the flat and stole all their money the week I was supposed to interview him, another's investigators have stopped showing interest completely and has been "busy" for the last four weeks, and the others' moved to a different area. 

For us, Eta's court case has been moved and Shayal's residence has been moved. Shayal and her husband moved to a different area due to complications with the neighbors. They're still in our area boundaries, but given that a) she's pregnant, b) her husband isn't super supportive of her coming to church, and c) their financial situation is a bit sticky, their chances of coming to church have dropped considerably. However, we're working with them closely still and searching for more potentials for next transfer.

Despite nothing really working out as anticipated, however, Elder Tavake and I are still in high spirits and look forward to another transfer of success and growth.

That'll be all for this week, this coming week is gonna be a really interesting one!
I love you all heaps, safe travels dad! Have a great and blessed week, baut pyaar!

Khyaal rakna, 
Elder Ishibashi

2-11-18 Take advantage of the Book of Mormon

Kaise hei parivaar!

It's been a blessed week! 

Zone Conference was amazing, a great reiteration of the importance of focusing on the Book of Mormon when teaching and helping our investigators along their path of conversion. I've always had a bad habit of kinda dodging the Book of Mormon and not putting all that much focus on it (because it takes a while to even begin teaching the restored gospel to people who don't even know who Jesus is), but I was reminded of what 'Io taught me while on his mission: If you can gain a sure testimony of the Book of Mormon, then everything else falls into place. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith was a true prophet who did restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in this last dispensation the world will ever see, and all revelation received by him and every prophet to have followed was given of God our heavenly father. The Book of Mormon is becoming a huge focus to me now. I've been able to gain a greater testimony that you learn something new every time you read through the Book of Mormon, or a scripture you've read before will have a new significance the next time around. This mission-wide Book of Mormon read has been a great blessing to me, and I can see how it's influencing the members of my district. Take advantage of the Book of Mormon. Read it, ponder it, learn from it, and live its teachings. 

The rest of the week was kind of shot, we're seeing the effects of Gita coming in, but for now it's nothing more than a bunch of rain and subtle thunder storms. The more productive part of this rainy, rainy week was visiting our investigators. 

Our most progressing investigator, Shayal, is the cousin of a member family and has been taking the lessons. Shayal was brought up Hindu, married a muslim man, but has recently discovered and found interest in Christianity. Over this last week, Shayal closed our lesson in a prayer for the first time (BEAUTIFUL prayer, and so unusually specific and genuine for someone doing it for the first time out loud) and came to church for the first time yesterday! WAY happy for her and excited to continue the lessons with her. Sister Higgins said something I really like during one of the workshops at conference, "It's not about the baptisms, it's about conversion." I'm a big believer in not pushing anything or baptizing anyone before they're ready for the sake of reaching a transfer goal, so though we'll definitely try to get her baptized in this transfer period (because it is nicccce to reach the transfer goal), we'll follow the spirit as to when we should set the date for her baptism. 

Another investigator, Eta, had her divorce court case on Thursday and we were asked to attend in support. She and her kids are living with her boyfriend, so she can't be baptized until either they get married or she moves out, but the missionaries before me baptized her kids. Her plan was to finalize her divorce with her husband, immediately marry her boyfriend, and immediately thereafter be baptized. However (welcome to Fiji), the judge didn't show up to work, so the court case was moved to March 29th. This put a bit of a damper on the work for us, but it's okay because we do have work beyond that. We do have a lot of people we still need to go see, so that'll happen this coming week. 

Work is going well, and Elder Tavake and I are in great health and spirits. 

Glad to know everything is going well back home! U'i, thank you SO much for the pictures! Cannot WAIT to actually see and hold your fat little girl and play with your kids again. I feel like it hasn't been very long, but at the same time I feel like I've been gone forever because SO much has happened since I've been away. I'm so excited to see and meet everyone for myself. 

Funny, I had Elder Hunkin and Elder Green over this week for zone conference. The morning of zone conference, I was laying down studying when Elder Green jumped on me and said I JUST GOT THE CALL! About five minutes later, the mission office called and one of the office workers asked where my final destination would be. Ten minutes later, I got a call from Elder Hunkin (who'd gone out for breakfast) saying he got the call. When we met up at the chapel, Elder Green excitedly exclaimed "We only have two transfers left!"

Elder Hunkin: "Umm, we technically still have three."

Elder Green: "No, this transfer's done." 

*the AP from the intake is the most trunky*

Anyways, ALMOST HOME but who's keeping track, right?

Honestly just trying to finish strong, and Elder Tavake is doing an excellent job at assuring that I do.

Dad, I'm sure you're fulfilling your calling as a scoutmaster beautifully. If you can't tell, I honestly thought scouting was a huge waste of time as well and really only attended because of the company and camping trips, but I did learn a lot of really great things in scouts. Scouting, while there definitely may be more effective ways to strengthen our relationship with God, is an excellent program that has helped me exponentially throughout my life.

Give my love to grandma and the rest of the family!

MOM I'll send you the answers to the essay questions I have so far and I'll try to come by throughout the week to work on the others.

I'll be heading out soon, but everyone have an incredible and blessed week! I love you all heaps!

Baut pyaar aaplogke!

Khyaal rakna, 

Elder Ishibashi 

2-3-2018 This last week was an awesome week,

This last week was an awesome week,

A few great experiences I won't soon forget! 

We had exchanges with the Nakawakawa elders on Tuesday, but much like Sigatoka in the Nadi district, the area is (way) to far away to split the companionship, travel out, then have to travel all the way back in to switch back, then back out. So, the Nakawakawa elders took us into their area first thing Tuesday morning. I was really excited because Nakawakawa is notoriously the most bush area in the entire mission (beside Nasivikoso). After a BEAUtiful three hour drive over mountains, through valleys, across rivers, and through forests, we found the Nakawakawa koro. Nice, humble little village located at the opposite end of Vanualevu. Work in that area is a bit rough because proselyting in many of the neighboring koros is tabu (forbidden), so most of their work comes from service and referrals. Much like Nasivikoso, rarely anybody spoke English, but fortunately almost everybody spoke Bau. In fact, a lot of the Fijians spoke Hindi as well! Sick thing about Labasa: Almost everybody in Labasa speaks English, Fijian, AND Hindi, no matter what they are. Anyways, I was able to practice my Bau as well as speak Hindi on those exchanges. I feel way blessed to have been able to serve as a district leader in the two districts with the two most bush areas in the mission. Before my mission, I wanted a bush mission. I wanted for every meal to be soaked in coconut milk and to have to collect my drinking water from the river and have to boil the germs out and sleep in a tree and all that. Seeing the struggle of the elders living in such conditions, and seeing their trucker mindsets just going along with it happily, I've gained SO much respect for those missionaries (but I'm happy to be a pampered, well-sheltered Hindi elder haha). It was a really productive, fun, and successful exchange. It just kind of blew that it had to end at four in the morning when the elders dropped us off at the village bus stand (a log on the side of the road) to wait for the 4:15am 7 hour long bus ride back to Labasa. Worst bus ride I've been on, easily, but again, beautiful view. 

We got back at around 11am, had our studies, and visited a few families. Walking to our last appointment, Elder Tavake and I had a talk. We both realized that we're HORRIBLE at finding and have a very, very weak drive to do so. We both know how important it is and that it's our calling to knock on doors and extend the gospel, but we both didn't quite know how to amp ourselves up for it. We tried to come up with ways to make finding fun. Elder Tavake came up with the idea that we challenge the sisters to a finding game. Between 1pm and 6pm the next day, for whichever companionship OYM'd and got into more houses, the other would shout soft serves. We extended the invitation to them, and they accepted. 

The next day, I actually went harder at finding than I have in a long time, but after the first few houses, I'd forgotten about the game. Truly, the first house is ALWAYS the hardest. It honestly does become so much easier after that, and it did, and honestly did just become a matter of trying to share with as many people as we could before the sun went down. We ended up winning, getting ice cream, and going home. When I went to bed that night and my legs were sore and my shoulders were weak from carrying my bag full of teaching materials all day, I felt really good. In was one of those days where I just felt really successful. We talked to and found a lot of new people that day, and I was happy. In addition to my sore legs and weak shoulders, however, my head hurt way bad and my stomach was killing me so I koncked out at 9. 

When I woke up Friday morning, I felt like an 80 year old man. I was so weak and my joints hurt so bad that I literally could not muster the strength to get out of bed. My mouth felt like it was full of cotton, my head felt like it was full of lead, and my stomach felt like it was full of cement. As I was able to eventually get up and get moving, because we had important appointments scheduled, I started feeling a little better. We were only able to visit two people before I had to go back home to rest for the remainder of the day. 

NOW, I feel a lot better and I'm up and about. 

Yesterday was awesome, we were asked on Saturday by a member of our ward to attend an outlying unit in our area rather than the Labasa branch on Sunday. The unit suffers from a significant lack of priesthood holders, so much so that the unit hasn't taken the sacrament in over three months (and that's IF more than three people come). He asked us to help him in administering the sacrament to the Naduna unit. It was about a ten minute drive outside of Labasa down, into the forest and up a hill. The taxi dropped us at the trail head that lead up to the chapel, a humble little open wood shack sitting on top of a hill. The one man sitting there was so grateful for our being there, and was even more grateful seeing how many more people came that day knowing the sacrament would be administered. As I sat there on the top of that hill, just at the edge of the wooden platform that was the floor of the chapel, sweating and getting bitten my mosquitoes, I felt the spirit so strongly. I'm quite accustomed to AC chapels with nice pews and carpeted floors and a microphone on the podium, but this was such a simple place for testimonies to be born on the first of the month, and there was such a sense of love in the air. It reminded me of the scripture in which Christ says that wherever two or more should come together in His name, there should He be also. It doesn't matter where we meet, we're meeting in the name of Christ, and He was most definitely there. 

It's been a great and humbling week, and we're looking at another awesome and really busy week with zone conference tomorrow! I'm so excited, I'll be SURE to bring my notes next week! 

OH, the fact that yous are reading the Book of Mormon regularly again is great! Just Saturday, we started a Mission-wide Book of Mormon read that'll go from February 3 to April 8. President Higgins has invited us all to prayerfully read the Book of Mormon and mark down every reference to Jesus Christ, as well as every time THUS SAITH THE LORD is read. At the end of the challenge, during the week of April 8, every elder and sister will pray and ask Heavenly Father for confirmation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. This challenge was extended that everyone might gain a greater testimony of its origin, contents, and truthfulness. I'm really excited to go about this read, and I've honestly already learned so much from what little I've read. Little things will stick out to you and have a different significance to you every time, and I love that about the Book of Mormon. 

I'll try downloading and printing out that essay now, but I love you and and hope you have a great and blessed week! 

Baut pyaar aaplogke!

Khyaal rakna,

Elder Ishibashi 

1-28-18 This last week was a very interesting one!

Kaise hei!

Maika'i no au, mahalo nui! 

This last week was a very interesting one! 

We had our normal visits with our normal investigators and members, all good. 

Our flat has been horrific because of all the missionaries that stayed over the last few weeks and the landlord has been getting on our case daily, so we dedicated a full day to cleaning the flat from top to bottom. Thursday, we stayed home all day and cleaned. We cleaned from 10am to 7:30pm straight, and it's SO clean and organized now. SUCH an improvement. It was so pleasing to walk around the clean house without feeling rice under my feet in the kitchen or slime in the shower. The zone leaders came over the next morning and are determined to help us keep it clean when we have 22 elders over next week haha. 

We went on exchanges with the zone leaders on Friday, Elder Tavake gave me some addresses to people we haven't been able to meet yet, so I took Elder Worden to those people. Met a lot of awesome, new people! I met Urmila two weeks ago, but she was too busy at the time to sit down with us, so we scheduled a return appointment. She was free when Elder Worden and I stopped by, so we had a nice lesson with her. She had already taken all the lessons, been to church the required amount of times, reads the Book of Mormon, and has been extended multiple baptismal dates. Her most recent was extended in early January. She is a recent widow, and given that that was the first holiday season she spent without her husband, she kind of broke away for a bit and shut down, but she seems fine now. We shared the message of family sealings,  and she seemed to appreciate it. We also gave her Mosiah 2 as a reading assignment, which explains how she can find joy and happiness in her life at this critical time. Afterwards, we met with several other investigators and less-active members who referred us to their non-member families. We're looking at a great next few weeks of following up with those people! 

We switched back Saturday morning and Elder Tavake had a full day of finding. We had no success, nobody really wanted to hear what we had to see, but it's okay. There are other ponds that need fishing from. 

Yesterday was great, despite none of our investigators showing up to church. Elder Tavake and I were asked to teach Sunday school, but nobody knew what the lesson was so we decided to teach something that even I didn't know enough about: the Millenium. We went through the plan of salvation and focused particularly on the time between our ressurection and final judgement. It reminded me of the fact that Satan is working extra hard now to take as many people down with him as possible before he's bound for a thousand years. I also learned that the Millenium will be the final opportunity for missionary work to take place, and that by the end of those thousand years/ by the time we reach our final judgement, there will not be a soul in existance that will be able to say they never had the opportunity to accept the gospel because it will have been extended to everyone. I can't wait for that time of peace, joy, and work with my family and those I love.

 We had a great district meeting afterwards. A guy from Rabi came to our branch yesterday and recognized my name (of course). However, Brother Teke shared with me how he served around Herbert here in the mission. Herb, Brother Tekenimatang sends his loloma.

Elder Tavake is excellent, he's doing a great job at keeping me in check by making sure I write in my journal regularly and get out of bed as soon as I roll back over after my morning prayer. He's a great companion and missionary, I feel blessed to have him.

Anyways, honestly not much an an eventful week but a great one! We're looking at heaps of good work over the next coming weeks. I'm SO grateful for the coutnless blessings I'm seeing right now as I race for the finish line. 

I'm glad everyone is doing really well, glad to see Lehia's putting in work in the water haha.

I couldn't help but crack up at your story about Brother Matthews, but that's so cool that you got to meet someone from (a family from) your mission! 

Alright I have a few letters I have to respond to, so I'll be off. 
I love you guys so much, have an incredible week! 

Khyaal rakna, 
Elder Ishibashi 

-Big hill of the (hot, hot, hot) day

-Unfortunately: It's hard to stay awake during the 20 minute Fijian talks because I don't understand 99% of what's going on.
Forunately: I have a pillow built into my neck 
("six months to sexy" is out the window. At this point it's more like "four months to fine")

-Elder Tavake got a "district package" a few days ago

12/31/2017 Kaise hei, aur HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Kaise hei, aur HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (I beat you all to 2018)

Man, I COME HOME THIS YEAR! But who's keeping track?
Not a lot of time today, we're in Lautoka this morning because everything in Nadi was closed due to the holiday. I was only able to pay for one hour so I'll try to squeeze in as much as I can.

Yous have no idea how refreshing it was to see everyone's faces. It was soooo nice to see and hear from everyone, especially those I haven't seen since I've been out. Talking to you guys really put into perspective how soon I'll see you all, and it got me really excited. I'm also excited to start applying the new years resolution Elder Tui'one and I set as a companionship: to be exactly obedient in the time we have left together as well as with all of our future companions. I'm determined to finish with a bang.

The last week was good, a LOT of people missing from home due to the holidays but we did manage to find some good people. Halamehi, our baptismal candidate, will be interviewed tomorrow for her baptism next week Tuesday. She's SO ready, and I'm SO excited to see her make that covenant. 

This next week looks awesome, I'll be going on exchanges with the zone leaders tomorrow so that they can conduct the baptismal interview and check out how we're doing in our work here in Nadi.

Kind of like back home, nothing significant to report from the last week haha.

I've been thinking a lot about my calling as a district leader, and it's hard. Sometimes the responsibility overwhelms me and I doubt my ability to fulfill this leadership role. I want to ask President to allow me to just be a normal missionary, as I've learned that I'm much more effective a follower than I am a leader, but I've also learned something for myself that I've been hearing my entire mission: When He calls, he qualifies. When President received revelation to call me to lead the Nadi district, he qualified me for the work. I may not feel capable or confident in my ability, but I can be sure that the ability is in me to do exactly as President has asked.

Elder Tui'one shared something in district meeting last week that I liked, that goes along with Proverbs 3:5-6. "This is God's work, let God work."
It's a reminder to me to humble myself and to allow God to do his part instead of trying to carry the work out on my own. That's a big contribution to my stress as a district leader, but I know God has my back when things look bleak and he'll carry me through as I put in the effort.

My time's up, glad all is well back home! Have a blessed sabbath, an awesome week, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Aaplogke baut pyaar kare, khyaal rakna!
Elder Ishibashi 

1-21-2018

Kaise hei parivaar!

First off, HAU'OLI LA HANAU E KUʻU KAIKAINA A ME KUʻU MAKUAKANE MAIKA'I LOA!!! Maika'i no au i keia la, mahalo e papa! 

Appropriately, the men of the house. 

Thank you, dad, for the incredible example of hard work, perseverance, and brimming love for everyone around you that you've been to me and my siblings over all these years. In addition to my experience mom shared with you upon your release as bishop, there countless other things you've done for me and taught me as a father and as a bishop that you'll never know, because of how deep and sacred they are to me. As I went about my journey to becoming worthy to serve a mission, I felt awkward that the process had to be directed by my bishop-dad. I've thanked Heavenly Father countless times since for the blessing of having been able to apply what I learned on that mountain that day in real life, and I was thus able to witness and gain a testimony of the raw, incredible healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love you so much dad, and I appreciate the excellent example of a father and a husband that you are to us.

Best of luck on that new calling, and I hope you had an incredible birthday!!

Kala'i, I remember the last request I whispered into you ear before I got on the plane. "Take care of them." I remember very vividly the new sense of responsibility I felt as I watched 'Io get on that plane. It was suddenly my turn to be the great example to you guys; to be the priesthood holder of the home when dad was away at work or fulfilling his bishopric duties. I feel so blessed to know that the family is doing really well and even growing physically, mentally, and spiritually. I'm so blessed to know what a great example Lehia, Nina, and all your friends have at home. I'm so glad you've already made the decision to serve a mission, and right after you graduate! As I go about my mission, I become more and more certain that the experiences I've had will bless me and those I work around for the rest of my life and theirs. Just a reminder: Just because you're big, doesn't mean you automatically know how to fight. Just because your biceps are as big as my head doesn't mean you can knock me out, there's just a significantly higher chance of that happening when you actually hit me. I don't know if you're still tryna be able to beat me up when I get home, but remember that. Also remember that if you HAVE been boxing, I haven't boxed in a long time and you're a foot taller than me now so take it easy. I love you so much man, have a great birthday!!

Not a lot of time today, but that's okay because I don't have ALL that much to report. Man, the people here are SO nice, no wonder they call it the Friendly North. 

I'm loving Labasa, I've only ever met really great people so far. Our investigators and members are so pleasant to be around and make the work so much nicer. 

Yesterday we had our Labasa district conference, which was awesome. I couldn't understand most of it, given that most of the addresses were delivered in Fijian, but I understood and loved the talks given by President and Sister Higgins and the senior couple, the Czieps. 

Sister Cziep's talk spoke to me particularly, she likened the story of the tortoise and the hare. We are often like the hare, thinking that everything is all good and we can chill and drink and be merry for tomorrow we die and not have to worry about the race because we can repent later. However, we know how the story goes. The hare gets a (literal) wake-up call when he awakes and realizes that because of his carelessness and arrogance, the tortoise beat him to the finish line. We need to be humble and prepared for the end, especially since we don't know when it'll come. "Now is the time for men to perform their labors."-?

The rest of the conference was awesome. Because of the conference, for which almost all the missionaries in the zone came down, we've been housing 16 missionaries over the last three days. Luckily, we have a really big flat. Unluckily, the house looks like Winston came back for round two, so we're setting a day aside this week to clean and beautify the flat before the landlord returns from vacation and inspects it.

Speaking of the nice people here, we had a dinner appointment on Thursday night with a less active family in an area called Saiberia. We got to the area a little early, so we decided to go for a walk down the road and have a language study before dinner. As we walked, we heard this lady saying "Eldas! Ao (come)! Ao!" from her humble little home on the side of the road. Elder Tavake looked more closely at her and noticed that she works at a breakfast spot they hit up all the time. We walked over and she invited us to sit with her on this big wooden platform thing built around a tree in her front yard. Elder Tavake took the lead and sat on one side of her, and she patted the spot on the other side for me to sit. I didn't want to make it awkward, sandwiching her between us, so I kindly just moved around them to sit next to Elder Tavake on the other side. What I didn't realize: That platform was obviously pretty old, and Elder Tavake and I are two pretty hefty guys. As soon as my butt began applying pressure to the platform, I kind of just felt the thing melt underneath me. And then the rest of it followed. In about three seconds the three of us were sitting in a pile of rotted wooden planks. Not one of my prouder moments on the mission, but she just laughed it off and invited us in the house. We're still waiting/hoping for her call for us to come back and build her a new platform. I felt wayyy bad but the family was so nice and pleasant to sit and have a laugh and lesson with. We'll be returning sometime this coming week. We also met with heaps of other people Elder Tavake and Elder Morgan met with before I came. Oh I don't know if I told yous, I replaced Elder Morgan here in this area, which sucks because it is the second time I missed him by just a few hours. I've already met countless people that loved him like their own son or brother, so I'm happy to be able to see his legacy here. Anyways, he did heaps of good work here and we're looking at a really good transfer! 

We'll be heading out soon, but know that I'm happy and healthy! I love this work and this district so much, SUCH a helpful, humble, observant, and hardworking district. I feel honored to be able to lead such a great group of elders and sisters. 

Please also give my love again to the Stephens family.

Thank yous so much for the pictures, so happy to know all is well back home! I love you all so much, have a great and blessed week! 

Ham aaplogke baut pyaar karta hei, khyaal rakna!

Elder Ishibashi 

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1-14-2018 Kaise hei hamaar pyaari parivaar!

Kaise hei hamaar pyaari parivaar!

First things first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

I love you soooo much and I'm SO glad you're safe and in good health right now.
You really are the greatest mom anybody could ever ask for, and I know you doubt that sometimes. Nobody's perfect, we definitely could've been better kids growing up haha, but nothing can rid me of my knowledge that you are exactly the woman that was predetermined in the preexistence to mother this family. Our family has unshaken faith in this true, restored gospel. You have two returned missionaries (one on the way [soon]), two married in the temple and sealed to their families for eternity, and a total of seven kids who know the love of a Heavenly Father. You've been my caretaker, my shoulder, my support, and my example for almost 21 years. This family wouldn't be what it is and I wouldn't be what I am if it weren't for the incredible, faithful woman that you are. I love you so much mom, I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

This has been a very interesting last week/ few days.

We got calls on Tuesday. Now at this point, I thought one of two things were going to happen.
(1) I'd be called back to Nasinu to whitewash train a new missionary in the Hindi Branch that was just organized, or (2) I'd be staying in Nadi and following someone up. I really wanted to stay because we've really been receiving a lot of referrals and seeing a lot of success that I looked forward to carrying on with. I just didn't want to go to Labasa, because it's so isolated from other missionaries and not a lot of English is spoken there. 

When the call from President came, the first thing he said was "Well, I'm sorry to inform you that we'll be taking you out of the beautiful Nadi Hindi area." (Well, shoot) "Now Elder Ishibashi, we need you to pack your bags, because we're gonna be sending you aaaaall the way-" (...no...) "-to Labasa!"
SO, I immediately began the always-sad vakamoce process. I loved the Nadi ward and Elder Tui'one, but my place is being taken by Elder Lee Chip Sao, who I hear is a great missionary, so I trust that Nadi and Elder Tui'one are in good hands. 

I flew out Friday morning and landed on Vanualevu 45 minutes later. Being here, I'm really excited because I'm certain I'm gonna come off with wayy better Hindi and the people here are wayy nice. I also thought nobody here would know who Herbert is, given he's never set foot in the North, so this would be my first area he's never really served around. HOWEVER, Herbert apparently cast his legacy TOO FAR I was wrong. My companion told me that when he told one of the members that I was coming, she said "... to be with you?" Yeah! "... but he speaks Fijian." Nope, he speaks Hindi, and he's coming up tomorrow to be my companion. "No, he went home a long time ago" I served around Elder Tavake in Nadi, so he knows about Herb, so he corrected the woman and she understood. Given that she was brought up in Labasa, hooOOW does she know Herbert?? Herbert planted way too many seeds out here, I'm telling you. 

Anyways, I love Elder Tavake. He's from Draper, Utah, and is my fourth Tongan companion in a row. My Tongan is better than my Samoan at this point. He's wayy crack up and is super dedicated to the work. I'm really excited to work with him here for the next transfer or two. His mom was brought up in Waikiki, I don't know if you know any Mataeles from that area but I reckon it's worth a shot asking if yous might know her haha.

The last few days have been consistent of visiting members and investigators, all of which are awesome and I love them. I'm here leading the Labasa district, which consists of four areas: Nakawakawa, Seaqaqa, Labasa Sisters, and Labasa Hindi. I still haven't met with the Nakawakawa or Seaqaqa Elders yet because they weren't able to come down for district meeting yesterday (yes, district meeting is on Sunday here due to travel complications), but everyone will be coming down this weekend for district conference on Sunday. 

I'm serving in my first branch, and the Labasa branch is great. The members are all really sweet and were so warm and welcoming yesterday. SO stoked to be here and work here for the next four months before I finish. I reckon this is my last area. 

Nothing else to report really, this has already bit a long report haha so I'll start responding to other emails. I love you guys, SO HAPPY you guys are safe! And SO HAPPY for RACHEL! How lucky is that?? I know she's just up in the clouds right now, but why is everybody leaving RIGHT before I get home? They're leaving when they're supposed to, I guess. Give her my love! 

Know I'm happy and healthy here in Labasa! I love you guys so much, have a great and blessed week! 
Khyaal rakna,

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I wrote this first but I didn't want my letter to start on a bad note haha.

I got the biggest scare of my entire life. 
I got three emails notifying me right off the bat that Hawaii had received a missile warning. 
I am aware of the nuclear threats that have been made recently between the American and Korean leaders, and I have low key been fearing active execution.

I was praying before I even opened the emails, but all confirmed that the warning was a false alarm. 
I can't imagine the hysteria and the fear stricken into everybody's hearts in that moment of panic. I also can't help but be a little upset at the carelessness of the Civil Defense for allowing something like this to happen, but it must have been a blessing in disguise. Proper preparation is SO important. This is something beyond a hurricane or a tsunami. Please be prepared. I love you guys so much.

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1-7-18 Always follow God

Kaise hei, hamaar baut julum parivaar?


To be honest, this has been a hard week. A lot happened that got me down in the dumps, but I have an unbreakable testimony of Ether 12:27. What I found a little funny, referring to that particular scripture, is that I went to the Lord in prayer more than I have in a long time over the last week, and that happened to be precisely when the Lord began to hit me where it hurt. I again relate the analogy of calluses. Learning to play the guitar, you'll get blisters and sores on your fingertips. Playing will hurt, but as you persevere and play through the pain, those blisters will toughen into calluses. I lost several people I care deeply about in more ways than one. 

Recap of the week:
I went on exchanges with the zone leaders on Tuesday so that Elder Eberspacher could conduct Halamehi's baptismal interview that night. Before the interview, we met with several part-member families and discussed our teaching their non-lds family members. Sister Pillai, one of the longtime members of the Nadi ward (she's 82) has been asking us to teach and baptize her granddaughter Abigail for the while. Abigail is 11, and there's just one problem. Missionaries have been trying to baptize Abigail ever since she turned 9, but her mother (a less-active member) for some reason is adamantly against Abigail being baptized. We've been trying to meet with her for months but she's never available. We talked to Sister Pillai on Tuesday about Abigail's legal guardianship. Seeing that she's staying with her grandmother, if Sister Pillai was her legal guardian and financial support, it would be her decision whether or not Abigail is allowed to be baptized. However, we learned that Abigail is still legally under her mother, and Sister Pillai's financial support is coming from her daughters. We're trying again to meet with Abigails mother on Wednesday, so hopefully we can let her understand how important it is that Abigail is baptized as soon as possible. We also met with Nasau, who asked us to start teaching her husband. He's always been way supportive of their conversion to the restored gospel, but is just way shy to meet with us. Apparently he isn't that involved in his Hindu religion at all either, so I'm excited to start teaching him. Halamehi breezed through her interview, she's so ready and I'm so excited! 

We switched back on Wednesday and had a pretty normal day of finding and visits.
I received a call from the zone leaders first thing Thursday morningthat our dear prophet, Thomas S. Monson, had passed away Wednesday night. Studies over the last few days have been about the late prophet and the incredible legacy he left behind. I learned a LOT of remarkable things about President Monson that I never knew before. If you haven't already seen Remembering a Prophet of The Lord: President Thomas S. Monson on lds.org, watch it now. It's a wonderful tribute to him. 

It's been a great opportunity to strengthen the ward and reiterate the significance of a living prophet on the Earth today. 

When we visited Halamehi on Friday, she shared how her family couldn't figure out why she was so heartbroken over the passing of someone she didn't even know. She shared with them that she knew who president Monson was and what he did, and that the world just lost a very influential man. It was another great opportunity to teach Halamehi how the church works and how the new prophet is called to lead it. She has a great testimony of the restored gospel and modern-day revelation. 

The plan for Halamehi's baptism was as such: She'll be moving back to Nausori on Friday, but she really wanted to be baptized around people she knew and was comfortable with, so we set it up for her to be baptized here in Nadi then confirmed in Naulu ward in Nausori. However, I received another call from the zone leaders on Friday that baptismal candidates need to be baptized and confirmed in the same ward (which makes sense, I just hoped they'd let it slide for the sake of being able to witness her baptism). After talking it over, she decided to be baptized in Nausori on Saturday and sealed the next day. Though I would have loved to see her get baptized, and maybe even help her into the water myself, to know that she'll be baptized brings me comfort in itself. 

Elder Tui'one's bible character of the week is: Job. He has an unbreakable testimony of the gospel, has very real intent, and is completely covered in boils. His boils got so bad that on Saturday, we were recommended by the mission nurse to go to the medical center in our area. They patched him up, prescribed all the medication he'd need and we were out. He's on the meds now, and all the boils are already looking significantly better.

Yesterday was a great first sabbath of the year, OI LEI HAPPY NEW YEAR! Many great blessings to come your way in the coming year (including me, yeet). Anyways, Sunday was a good and busy day. It was supposed to be busy, anyway. A few of our new investigators came to church and told us to come by after church. After our appointment with Nasau's husband fell through, as well as several others, we asked if we could visit them earlier. They said they'd be busy the whole day, and since it had just started pouring ridiculously hard, we decided to have a study/planning sabbath instead. This coming week is transfer week, so we find out tomorrow what happens to the Nadi district next transfer (who I'm training).

The news I received this morning, however, hurt the most. I still don't really know how to react, it's just kind of hard to believe he's left. Please give all my aloha to the Stephens family, I can't begin to imagine what they're going through. It brings me a lot of comfort to know that the kids are strong at this time, comes to show what a great testimony they have of the plan of salvation and the restored gospel. Memories of our camp trips and his awesome Sunday school lessons flood my heart. I personally am gonna miss him heaps, and though it's sad that I won't be able to see him at my homecoming, I'm glad to know I'll be able to see him at my heavenly homecoming.

It's also a bit sad hearing about the return missionary’s pride in being disobedient in the mission. Kala'i, please lovingly let the other youth know that that is not a good example to follow. No matter where you serve or the culture of that particular mission, be obedient. Always follow God and not man, for blessings come not from man but God alone. 

This coming week is gonna be a very interesting one, I could stay here in Nadi and I could go. At this point, the odds are equal. 

Thanks for the letters, I'm glad to know all is well at home. We're off to give a blessing soon, but you all have a blessed and incredible week! I love you guys! 

Ham aaplogke baut pyaar karta hei. Hamaar ban kare se pahile, ham khali mangta raha apaan gawahii share kare hamlogke zindagi ke bara me. Ham janta hei ki mar apaan zindagi ki aunt nahin hei, khali apaan agle zindagi ke suru hei. Ham janta apaan purha dil se ki ham apaan pariwaar fir milega iis zindagi ke baad. Ham janta hei ki khali Ishi Masih aur apaan balidaan ke dwara iis saab chiij hoi sake. Uu aur apaan pita, hamlogke Pita Parmeshwaar, hamlogke baut pyaar kare. Ham iis susumachaar baut pyaar kare, himaat karo.

Khyaal rakna hamaar julum pariwaar, baut pyaar! 

Elder Ishibashi 

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