6-18-17 If you're not stepping up towards the Lord, you're stepping down

Kaise hamaar julum parivaar!!

Iis hapta BAHUT julum raha! Haamlog bahut achaa kam kara aur dher jan mila. Lekin saabse zaruri chiij hai, haamlogke paas 14 anveshaklog baptismal dates ke sange! Haam bahut kushi rahe apaan kam ke bara me iis pichle hapta me, aur haam dher aur kam karega iis agle hapta me! Jon kam wahaapar bahut achaa hai abhi, aur haamlog iis jaga aur julum banaega. Bahut dhanyavaad applogke dher pratna ke liye, haam sakta jon ashivaad dekhe uus pratnase hamaar mission me. Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta, dhanyavaad saabchiij ke liye! 

MAN what a week it's been! 

This last week was transfer week, which doesn't really apply to me because I've stayed here with Elder Mo'unga. We're actually the only companionship in the entire zone to have not changed, which will be interesting as we see the new zone at qito today. Anyways, transfer weeks are always a bit slower because the leadership missionaries are busy making sure the transferring missionaries are in the right place at the right time, going to the right place and getting there at the right time, etc.

We came up a bit shorter on the finding-spectrum of the work last week, however, we were still able to get some awesome work done. 

Danya and Jayden are progressing really well, but for some reason they didn't come to church yesterday. We're seeing them tomorrow to check up on why. 

We're also working closely with an old couple. Kumarii comes to church every Sunday and is strong in his faith, we've set him up to be baptized on the 22nd of July. His wife, Kala, is also very strong in her faith and desires to be baptized, but she can't walk properly without assistance. Her only issue is getting to church because of her handicap. We've been trying for weeks to get her a wheelchair from church services so she can come to church, but we were just informed yesterday that the user must have absolutely no ability to walk in order to receive a one. She slowly scoots around the house by using a chair as a walker, but I don't know that she has the physical capability to leave the house, leave the koro (village), walk out to the main road, taxi (if she can afford it) to the chapel, then have to scoot around the chapel with the constant assistance of an able-bodied member. Kumarii will not be baptized without Kala, so we're putting a lot of prayer and fasting into those two right now.

Though the week was awesome, yesterday (Sunday) was especially interesting. Upon entering the chapel, I saw two new palagis I'd never seen before. It's not uncommon to see palagis in the chapel as there's always a senior couple or two, but these were two older men. I saw that one was bald and wore glasses, and looking at him from the back, I thought for a split second: Holy smokes, if that's President Eyring... 

I walked around the back of the chapel shaking hands with the few people there, when I saw one of the senior couples walk in and approach the palagis. I saw Elder Miller shake hands with the one with the glasses, who I heard introduce himself as John Shute.

I looked at him directly and studied him with my terrible eyes from afar for a good minute. My mind was able to piece what I heard and what I saw together: Yeap. That's Brother Shute. I could see his mind doing the same thing as I approached him and shook his hand. It was SOOO weird but nice to stand there with Brother Shute in a chapel in Fiji. We got to talking, we were able to take some pictures, and he shared with me and the other missionaries present the story of how the Suva 1st Ward chapel came to be. I'll share that story later on because we're kind of short on time. Anyways it was SO great seeing Brother Shute again, give their family my aloha kerekere!

Another awesome thing happened yesterday, but it starts from two weeks ago. I talked a bit about Bennet a bit in my last letter (the man who moved from Vanuatu). We had set an appointment with him for Saturday last week. When we arrived at his home we met his wife, Fifin, who'd always been at school when we visited. Bennet wasn't home, but we asked if we could share a message with her and her family. After an awesome lesson, she also accepted to be baptized if she came to know that she could truly be sealed to her family forever. I felt prompted to invite her to church the next day, and she agreed to come if she found the time. As I've shared before, getting people to church is the most head-ache thing. It's a struggle to find people who are committed enough to actually come to church, so you could imagine my unparalleled joy when Fifin and two of her kids walked into sacrament meeting yesterday (even if it was during the closing hymn)! Having someone come to church THE DAY after meeting them as been unseen in my experience, making this even more incredible. During the lesson on Saturday, she asked if it were mandatory to stay the entire three hours. We said it wasn't,  and that the sacrament was the most important part of the service, but we strongly suggested that she do stay. When we got to talking to her after sacrament, she said she would stay for the remaining two hour blocks. She was immediately introduced to two returned-missionaries from the Vanuatu, Port Vila mission who spoke Bislama as well. We didn't even have to introduce one of them (a relief-society presidency member), she saw that Fifin was holding a Vanuatuan bag and knew immediately that she's the investigator we spoke of during ward counsel. She just walked up, grabbed Fifin's kid, kissed Fifin and introduced herself in Bislama. She took over our investigator and escorted Fifin and her kids to their respective classes. WHAT A BLESSING it is to have such loving members who are ready and willing to reach out to every new face they see. We meet with her again, and hopefully her entire family, tomorrow evening. 

We currently have 14 investigators with a date to be baptized over the next six weeks, which is easily the most I've ever had in my mission. Elder Mo'unga and I are finding a lot of people, and we look forward to visiting with them every week. 

Dad, thank you so much for your letter! It reminds me of the lesson we had in Sunday school yesterday. Our group was assigned to talk about the Millennium and what would happen therein. We read in the Doctrine & Covenants that there would be absolutely no contention or worry or pain amongst the people because Satan would be bound. Satan will have no power whatsoever over the people of God in those times. One sister proposed an interesting question: Does Satan know that? Does Satan know that he can't/won't win, and that there will be a time where he will be absolutely powerless? We decided as a group: Yes. The world we know and live in is getting increasingly darker by the day, BECAUSE Satan knows that his time is running out. Our purpose as missionaries is to shepherd as many people as possible back into the Lord's flock before the coming of His great and dreadful day. The Lord has been fortifying his forces and hastening his work in these latter days. Satan KNOWS this, so he is doing the same. He's working harder than ever to bring as many people as possible down with him before the coming of the Lord. This idea gives me a much greater sense of urgency for the work. Truly there is no standing on the fence. If you're not stepping up towards the Lord, you're stepping down. Now is the time to be that motivation and that helping hand for those our brothers and sisters who are in the process of stepping down. 

I'm so happy to be a part of this great work. Thank you so much for your prayers, know that yous are constantly in mine as well. 

I'm glad everything is going well back home, and that Kala'i has decided to jump on the band wagon (fishing boat?) with Lehia. I have no clue how the economy is doing right now or what Trump is up to, but be ready to provide dinner for the family when store foods are unavailable or too expensive. I don't know how politics work at all but be ready for that day anyway. 

I LOVE YOU ALL. DAD, HAU'OLI LA NO MAKUAKANE (that works, right?), ALOHA NO WAU IA 'OE!

Firse bahut bahut dhanyavaad saabchiij ke liye! Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta, Julum rako!

Khyaal rakna!

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

 

SO HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY HAIR (you can see that it's noticeably shorter on the side in the third picture) we got hair cuts on Saturday. The barber I got was doing my fade, he got to the line and asked "Same pattern?" Pattern? So I'm thinking, same line? Yes, I want the line in the same place. That's where my hair naturally parts, why would you even move the line? So I said "Yeah", and then I learned to ASK THE BARBER WHAT THEY MEAN if they say something you don't understand. When I said yes, he went along the line with a 1 blade. I was mortified, 1. because that cut would not be missionary appropriate (hard parts), and 2. because I was to give a talk in sacrament the next day. Nobody said anything about my hair except Sister Pea, who's more like the Mama Bea of the missionaries. My hair looks fine now, but if you ever go to a barber, MAKE SURE they know what you want and they know what they're doing. 

 

Last week's qito (Elder Mokie and elder Whitworth's dying qito)

 

District! (We have a new one now, I'll send pics next week)

6-11-17 All we need to do is walk, and as long as we're on the Lord's path

Kaise parivaar julum hamaar??

Nice fact about Fiji-Hindi: There is no set structure, I don't think there's a wrong way to say any particular thing. We will go to the store, for example.
Haamlog jaega dukan ke

We will-go store to

Haamlog dukan ke jaega

We store to will-go

Dukan ke jaega haamlog

Store to will-go us (my preferred structure)

Jaega haamlog dukan ke

Will-go us store to

Jaega dukan ke haamlog

Will-go store to us

All these are grammatically correct, the structure goes according to personal preference. This is actually the hardest thing about the language. I can communicate what I want to people preeetty freely, but it's difficult for me to understand people because everybody structures their sentences different ways. It usually takes me a moment to register what they've just said, take the individual parts of their sentence, and piece it together in a way I can understand it. It's alright though, the language IS progressing well and I learn new grammar rules/vocabulary every day.

Fiji-Hindi is also a phonemic language, meaning that there's no set spelling for any word. You literally just spell it how it sounds to you, which is why you'll find a lot of Fiji-Hindi-speaking people or RMs who'll spell words differently than myself. If English were a phonemic language, ai kud spel mai werdz laik this end it wud be perfikly fain.

Anyways, the last week was good! We went on two exchanges, during both of which I stayed in my area. The first was with Elder Albert from Suva 1st. We pretty much did finding all day because every single one of our set appointments fell through. At one point, we sat down on someone's driveway with a bag of chips and drinks for a small lunch break. As we sat and talked, a man walked by and kerekere'd some food. We gave him the chips and drinks and got to talking to him. He's been living at a bus stand for about a year now and hasn't been able to find work. He told us he gets harassed by young men every night who take every coin he was able to scavenge throughout the day. One thing he said that hit me particularly hard is that nobody knows his daily struggle until he tells them. People see a man walking on the street, but not the way he lives his life. He expressed his gratitude to us for having shared our food with him as soon as he asked. 

It reminded me of prayer, and how the Lord is always there to assist and guide us. However, there are blessings that we will never receive if we don't open our mouths and directly ask our father in heaven for them. I shared this with him, and he agreed. 

He was muslim, so we couldn't really get a return appointment with him or anything, but he was a good man and it was nice to have spoken to him. It was also pretty sad when he asked us for two dollars as we got up to leave, but we had to bese (reject). 

That was a good day with a nice reminder from a humble man. The next day, we were on exchanges with the zone leaders. Elder Miller and I approached the front house of a property with two homes, and asked the resident if the second house was Indian. The man (obviously Fijian) called the old Indian lady out of her home and she invited us in. We had a good sit-down with her and got a return appointment for tomorrow. 

When we left her house, Elder Miller suggested we go and teach the family in the front house. We Hindi elders aren't allowed to teach Fijians, but since we cover the same area I just reckon Elder Miller wants to find for their own companionship (which I"m fine with). As we approach the door for the second time, Elder Miller said he heard someone speaking Hindi inside. I listened, and that was NOT Hindi, nor was it Fijian (which explains why the guy looked confused when Elder Miller spoke Fijian to him). The man came out again and warmly invited us into his home. The first thing that caught my eye was a big Vanuatuan flag hanging from the wall.  We learned that they'd moved from Vanuatu to Fiji a year ago because his wife is schooling in Suva, and that they speak Bislama. We had a great lesson with them and got a return appointment for tomorrow, right after the Indian woman. 
After them, we went and saw Danya and Jayden (who came to church again yesterday! Honestly, getting people to church is the hardest thing, so seeing investigators in church is like gold). Awesome visit, committed them to pray about the word of wisdom and the law of tithing. Those kids were a golden find, they already talk about one day becoming Sister and Elder Prasad! 

The rest of the week was good, Elder Mo'unga and I pretty much just did finding and visiting the people with baptismal dates. It's transfer week, which I guess marks the middle of 'Io's last three weeks! Hoooly smokes, that's crazy. Can't wait for those pictures! Also, since it's transfer P-day and the zone leaders put us in charge of a transfer-finale-game, we need to head out and buy some stuff then be at the chapel early to set up our relay. 

In closing, I read 'Io's (awesome) letter from last week so I think I'll bite off him and share one of my favorite spiritual thoughts to share out of the scriptures at meetings or dinner appointments. 

Matthew 4:18-20. In verse 18, Jesus Christ is walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where he finds Peter and Andrew casting their nets into the water. This is at the start of Christs's ministry. 

In verse 19, he tells Peter and Andrew: Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

In verse 20, they "straightway" left their nets and followed the savior. In those times, you didn't leave your family profession. If your father was a brass worker, you're gonna be a brass worker, and your children's children will probably be brass worker. You make pots because your grandfather made pots, just like his grandfather. Because of this, we can pretty safely assume that fishing was in the blood of Peter and Andrew. They were brought up fishing, just like their father. Fishing is probably all they knew. Here comes the savior to these fishermen, saying "Follow me". They immediately left their nets and followed. They dropped their professions, everything they knew, and followed Him. They didn't know exactly where they were going or what they were going to do, they just followed in faith.

How blessed we are as we forget everything we think we know or need and follow the savior. As we exercise our faith by putting our lives into the hand of the Father, he will carry us through the worldly wars of our lives and lift us through the depths of our miseries. All we need to do is walk, and as long as we're on the Lord's path, it will lead us back Home. 

Mom, thank you SO MUCH for your letter! I gained a testimony of what Bro. Watson shared about before I came out. I remember being overwhelmed with this and that and not having time (or the motivation) to work on my Sunday school lessons. I'd go to my class on Sunday, teach the youth, and leave drained and disappointed because I felt that my lesson was poorly prepared. I remember YOU telling me that if I put in a even a little bit of time to study the scriptures prayerfully, that more time would open up for me to prepare my lessons and the motivation would come. As I applied that, I saw the blessings pour in. I felt more comfortable/confident in my teaching, and I felt like my lessons were more fulfilling. I also had more time/motivation to be more productive. I gained a testimony that if we do everything we're supposed to be doing to grow spiritually and closer to heavenly father, He will bless/enhance us in every other aspect of our lives. Yes, it does require our efforts as well to be successful and have happiness, but I know that TRUE success and TRUE happiness comes by no means other than obedience to the Lord and His commandments.

We're heading out now, glad everything is going well back home! Keep up those consistent FHE's and family scripture studies! I look forward to those!

I actually gave a talk in Suva 3rd yesterday about the importance of scripture study as individuals and in families. I know I didn't really pay attention to the scriptures when I was 11 and had to wake up at 5am to read difficult words, but I'm SO glad that mom and dad set that awesome example for us. Though I didn't pay much attention, those mornings brought us closer together as a family. The scriptures are such a blessing, don't take them for granted.

Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta, bahut dhanyavaad saabchiij ke liye hamaar mahan parivaar! Have a blessed week!

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIA and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! MALAMA PONO!

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

6-4-17 I expected the answer to our challenge to be no

 ♪ ♫Gooood morning, good mooorning! ♪ ♫

Aaplog kaise hai, hamaar julum parivaar??

This last week was a really good, interesting, and humbling one! 

On Wednesday, I was on exchanges with Elder Aisa in our area. The first humbling experience happened at our first lesson after lunch. It was intended to be a drop lesson, in which we basically leave them a pamphlet and our number and tell them that if they ever have any questions, they can call us. We'd been teaching Dipti and Choti, two mothers of large families, for a while and they seldom kept commitments. Prayer the way we pray is still a bit foreign to them, and thus difficult to adjust, so they were slow to pray. I realized that we'd never invited them to be baptized (it's very uncommon for us to extend the baptismal invitations early on in the lessons, as most Hindus don't know who Jesus Christ is/ have a very limited knowledge of Him and His gospel), so I decided to give it a try. 

Given their apparent lack of interest in our message, I expected the answer to our challenge to be no. We based our lesson on baptism, and taught using the Gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet. In fact, I was so ready for a no, that I kept the pamphlet on my lap with the pen ready to write our names and number as I extended the invitation. Choti silently put her head down in response. Dipti said yes. 

The answer surprised me, and I set a return appointment. 

When we left, I felt horrible. My faith was low and lacked hope for a yes, and I'm humbled that a yes to the baptismal invitation struck me by surprise. I'm working on going about my work more confidently in myself AND in the people I serve. 

The second great and humbling experience happened just several hours later. We were to go and check up on a referral given to us by a missionary who'd previously served in the area, but a record was never made for this particular person. We went up the steps, knocked on the door several times, and received no answer. Elder Aisa noticed a young man sticking his head out the door of the ground-floor apartment and suggested we talk to him. We introduced ourselves, and this young Indian man seemed thrilled out of his mind that I (a Samoan with a Japanese name from Hawaii in Fiji) spoke Hindi! It occurred to me while talking to him how odd it really is. I, a Samoan with a Japanese name from Hawaii, learned Hindi from a Tahitian with a Chinese name whose first language is French, in Fiji. 

ANYWAYS, Matthew warmly invited us into his house. Matthew is 18 years old and lives with his mom and 16 year old sister, Vashni. We sat down with Matthew and Vashni and talked about our purpose as missionaries. They seemed interested in everything we had to say. They both are strong Christians, but belong to no particular denomination. We found them in a time of thirst and longing. They're earnestly searching for the truth, and I honestly see having found these two to be a miracle. We spirit was present and very strong as we shared out of Ephesians about the foundation of the true church needing to be built on prophets and apostles. It was almost overwhelming as I testified that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a foundation of prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers; Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone. We invited them to be baptized when they receive a witness that the things are shared are true, and they said yes.  About halfway through the lesson, their mother came home, sat down, and listened. After the invitation was extended, she spoke to us and started asking several questions about our doctrine. She brought up several points about the church that doesn't make sense to her or that she doesn't agree with. 

I'm pretty often received by people who try to find contradictions between our faiths bible verses, and instances like that usually throw me off and I can't feel the spirit. This time it was different, I felt confident knowing that the answer to/ evidence of every point she was bringing up was in the bible sitting on their nightstand. Though we didn't have time to answer her questions, we were able to set a return appointment with her children. We'll be seeing them tomorrow.

 I'm sure it was the spirit that softened her heart, and prompted her to leave it completely up to her children whether or not we're welcome into the home again. They agreed to have us back. I feel so blessed that the spirit lead us to these two young people in such dire hunger for the message of the restored gospel. 

Elder Mo'unga and I were blessed to see two of our little investigators in church yesterday! Elder Mo'unga and Elder Aisa found Jayden(9) and Danya(11) on exchanges a few weeks ago. They attend LDS primary school but have never received the lessons. They're always so excited when we come to teach and so observant when we do. We've set them on date for July 2nd, and I'm hoping I'm still in the area when that day comes! They seemed a bit lost in church yesterday, but they seemed to be welcomed warmly by our primary. Looking forward to seeing them again on Wednesday!

This week we were able to get a lot of good work done in the area, and we're excited to see what we can do over the next week! 

I've definitely witnessed the importance of having strong faith and letting the spirit guide in times of need. Dad, I'll definitely try that instead haha. If I don't HAVE to have trials in order to learn humility, I'd rather have that, I'm just also willing to take whatever the Lord sees that I need to be humbled.

That hike looks MEAN! Why didn't we do stuff like that while I was in youth?? 

You boys look gooood in your overalls and cowboy hats! And that looks like a solid youth program, SO glad our youth is growing in unity and individually. 

Lehia, you lolo head. That's actually suuuper funny to me because I see 'Io or myself doing the exact same thing if Kaulike told us that. Hearing Kala'i's story, I'm sure Grandpa was with you guys on that hike, and I bet he LOOOVED it. I can see Grandpa sitting on the wagon as the boys are talking about the bull, him chuckling and saying "Bumbai you boys learn" as he gets off the wagon to stop the animal before it even starts charging. Not only Grandpa though, I know the spirit of the early pioneers were with yous as well. Isa dad, I see the beard is coming back haha! 

I'm so happy that everyone is doing well back home, and I feel SO blessed to know that everyone is happy and healthy and that U'i's babies are still fat, kolohe, and growing!

Thank you so much for talking to Sister Dalton for me, I would LOVE to teach her family or even have missionaries in that area teach them! I'm more than willing to help in any way, and you don't know how excited I am to be able to speak Hindi with her!

I'll be heading out now, just know that I'm doing awesome and loving the work! OH, YEAH man It's hard to believe that I've been away for a year. They don't kid when they say it flies, it's a bit scary thinking that I'm running out of time haha. 

I love you guys SOOO much, you're always in my prayers! Please give my aloha to the Hilo Ishibashis, the Laie Ishibashis, the Watsons, and the ward! 

Mahan rako, julum chiiij karo iis agle hapta me! Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta hai!!

Khyaal rakna!

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

5-28-17 This last week was pretty awesome.

Kaise hamaar bahut julum parivaar!

This last week was pretty awesome. 

On Tuesday, we had a way nice and fulfilling zone conference. It was extra special because it was President and Sister Laytons' last zone conference before they're replaced by President and Sister Higgins. I'm way stoked to meet the Higginses (I looked up the grammatically correct way to put that but it still sounds and looks so wrong), but I'm gonna miss President and Sister Layton heaps. President Layton has taught me sooo much, and I'm really excited to see what I can learn from President Higgins!  

One training from zone conference that I especially liked was given by the AP's. It was about how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, the keystone of an arch being the only thing holding it up. The voussoirs (segments of the arch's sides) were likened to gospel principles like repentance, tithing, priesthood, etc. The keystone supports the voussoirs; keeps them strong and in place. The Book of Mormon supports the importance of all of these things in the true church of Jesus Christ. Not only that, however, it testifies of the importance of all these things in our lives. The Book of Mormon solidifies any doubts or confusions that may come about from the scriptures. A testimony supported by the Book of Mormon is a PA'A one.

We were able to (quite miraculously) find heaps of new and very interested people to teach! Over the last week, we extended several baptismal invitations and set more baptismal dates!  SUPER excited to work and progress with these people!

I'm overjoyed to hear about the nine new converts to the gospel! I've been so greatly blessed to be able to see my converts receive temple recommends, and though I was never able to assist them in the temple myself, it brings my heart so much joy to know that they're worthily and regularly participating in the saving ordinances of the temple. I would give anything to be able to come back and witness the sealing of their families, and I have utmost faith that it will happen with time, patience, and faith.  I'm so proud of my ward back home for the awesome work they and all of you are doing. 

The power in the last shop went down so we had to relocate, which took an hour, so we have to head out soon. SUPER glad to hear that everyone is doing great, especially grandma! Also, I'm really touched that Kailani finally has a grave stone. When possible, please take a picture of it and send it to me. I'd love to see it. Please also give my thanks to Anjo for his great service to my and so many others' families who've passed on. 

CONGRATULATIONS HERB AND JAZ! What an amazing thing it'll be to see this little Herb and the little U'i growing up so close in age! 

In closing, the main message of the last zone conference was that ATTITUDE is the key to SUCCESS, and I have a testimony that it truly is. If we choose to see everything as a blessing, whether one we appreciate immediately or one it may take some time to appreciate, we will live our lives fully and joyfully. Know that I'm REALLY trying to apply this to my own life haha. In conference, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts about Nephi. The thing about Nephi that inspires me so much is that he is put through SO much, yet he remains %100 faithful. The Lord asks some pretty intense stuff of Nephi, but he does those things without hestitation BECAUSE of his faith. He knew, and set the example for me that I might know, that if we rely entirely on the Lord and let him direct us, that we will see blessings and a closeness to our father in heaven that we could never achieve on our own. How sick is it that you're named after this valiant disciple of Jesus Christ, Lehia?

Know I'm in great health and great spirits and that Elder Mo'unga are working hard! I love you all so much, SO glad everyone is doing well!
Haam aapologke bahut pyaar karta!

Khyaal rakna!

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

I'm figuring out the camera situation. I've figured out how I can take heaps of pictures on my camera's clipboard memory alone, but they're lower quality. It's also difficult for computers to connect to my camera and upload pictures from it, but I'm sure I'll crack it soon. 

 

From zone conference (I MADE IT TO THE FRONT THIS TIME)

5-21-17 I only have a year left

Kaise hamaar julum parivaar!!

First off, holy smokes, I have to address that video of Kala'i. 

It blows my mind how perfect Kala'i's pitch is even under the pressure of the crowd's eyes, and his vibrato is impeccable. Sooo smooth and mild, I straight up wanted to cry watching him. I'm suuuper impressed with Kala'i's coolness in his performance, it feels like last year I was watching you perform in a school play and you couldn't recite your lines without nervously rocking yourself on your toes. Kala'i, you are way talented. If you were nervous, you hid it nicely, and that is something I sooo wish I developed before I came out (I still get ridiculously nervous in front of a pair of new investigators, forget about a whole crowd). I've come to discover that being confident in your talents is a talent in itself, and I love the fact that you're sharing your talents by spreading good vibes and representing your cultural background. Having been away from my family and my cultural, I've come to so deeply appreciate my Hawaiian heritage. Our bloodline is a beautiful and a blessed bloodline. Hearing you sing that song just melted my heart and made me appreciate our language so much more. I have absolutely no doubt that your talents are being so notably improved because of your diligence in carrying out the Lord's work and living in accordance to His standards. I have a strong testimony that as we live in accordance to the teachings of the everlasting gospel, our talents with improve quickly and immensely. I learned that as we leave our comfort zone in order to bring joy to those around us, the Lord will bless us by seizing our fears that we might be able to continue to carry out that spirit of  joy and happiness. 

Kala'i, I have only one concern. All those young women in the background, if they weren't already, are pursuing you. Now you're skuxx, nice, and you can sing. Be careful, be strong, be humble, and always remember to keep your eye single to the glory of God. 

Anyways, it was sooo nice to see you all on Sunday! Everyone looks healthy, seems like everything is well with everyone. Thank you so much for connecting me with Herb! I loved being able to converse with him a bit in his mission language (and my very limited ability). So good to see him and Jaz, it was tender for me to see them all over each other and so in love. To think that there will be a little Filipino Ishibashi running (crawling?) around when I get home is crazy but I can't wait. 

So yeah, I told yous this but I'm not sure that it got across because of the audio difficulties (sorry about that again, won't happen in December), but as of last week, I have a year left on my mission. I feel like it's a pretty small thing, but it comes with some pretty low-key major feelings. It's crazy to think that what I just did, I only have to do it one more time. Elder Amai's teachings have suddenly become a reality. A lot of people think of their last year in the service as the peak of a mountain: it's all downhill from there. "I only have a year left" has two completely different meanings now.

I only have a YEAR left! In just one year, I can see and be with my family and friends again. I can play with my nieces and nephews and play music with my siblings. I can go to the beach and the movies, I can go to school and start dating.

I ONLY have a year left... I only have a year left to wear my badge. I only have a year left to bring back into the fold of the Lord as many lost sheep as I can. A year is a long time, but the world grows increasingly darker with every passing day. As the evils of the earth amplify, so much the work of the Lord. I can't waste a second of the time I have left here, for every second is a precious one and one I dedicated to this service when I submitted my papers. You can rest assured that I, for the next 12 months, will be working my hardest and praying earnestly for the Lord to humble me and afflict me as he sees fit. The mission is hard, it was always hard, it will become increasingly and mercilessly harder, but the heights will always far outweigh the lows of my service. 

Dad, thank you so much for your letter. It still blows my mind a bit that there are nearly 80,000 missionaries placed all around the world right now, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of people of polar-opposite backgrounds and circumstances. What's more incredible, however, is that all 80,000 missionaries are teaching the exact same thing, and all the millions of people worldwide are receiving the exact same message. This message is truly meant for the world, not specific to any particular culture or dispensation in any way. Something we make sure to testify to people as soon as we enter their homes is that the message we have to share with them will bless their lives. Every missionary on earth is making that same promise, and it is a true promise. 

The world will continue to change as we near the end of this blessed and FINAL dispensation. The gospel itself will never change, it will only continue to change lives. No matter where or how that life happens to be lived, the gospel will save it.

The last week was okay, Elder Mo'unga and I were sick for a few days so we weren't able to get heaps of work done. We're healthy now, so this week should be really productive. Know we are both in great health and spirits! I'm loving the work, the area, my wards are awesome and supportive and I see some great potential in the people we teach. We're meeting as a zone for combine-zone qito today, so I have to go. Sorry about the lack of pictures, I may just have to buy a new camera. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Kala'i, Lehia, and Penina, keep being a good example to everyone around you and a help to mom and dad. 

Aloha no au ia 'oukou(?), e malama pono!

Ham aaplogke bahut pyaar karta, aur haam yiis saab Ishu Masih ke naam se hissa karta hai, amen. Khyaal rakna hamaar bahut julum parivaar!

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

5-7-17 Heʻs still strong

Naaamaste hamaar bahuuuuut julum parivaar haiiiii!

Aaplogke kaise hai? Kam kaise? Pare achaa chale? Aaplog finbhi achaa rahe? Haam bahut kushii hai kyunki haam sakta dekhe ki aaplogke bahut achaa chale, aur aaplog saab julum kam kare khoi jaga aaplog rahe me. 

This last week has been a reallyyyy interesting one. The beginning was pretty average, had a way nice and fulfilling district meeting. The week was pretty much mostly vakamoce'ing new families and adjusting to my NEW AREA! I'll get into that a little later, just had some nice little experiences that occurred over the weekend I wanna share. So as you've all apparently heard, my brother Elder Koyamaibole has been called to the Philippines, Cauayan Mission! WAY excited for him! Raymond has come out with us a few times and we'd have FHE with his family every Monday evening, and I've no doubt in my mind that he's ready as he'll ever be to serve the people in the Philippines with all his heart, might, mind, and strength. He's such a bright young man and I see a big future for him. I love that family so much, Sister Koyamaibole is like a mum away from home for me, and her children are as easy to play around with and love as my own siblings.

Please keep the Koyamaibole family in your prayers.

On Sunday, we found out that the day after the letter opening, Sister Koyamaibole suffered a stroke. She was rushed to the hospital on Friday evening. Fane stuck her head out the window and waved enthusiastically as she passed by us on the road in a taxi. We had no clue where they were going, or that Sister Koyamaibole was unconscious in the back seat. Raymond is doing incredibly well, he has such a strong spirit. We were invited to the hospital after church to give Sister Koyamaible a blessing. It was really, really hard to see my Nasinu mum in the state she was in. The left side of her body is paralyzed. She cannot open her eyes or speak. She can hear and communicate with hand squeezes and subtle nods. The doctors say she will never be the same. I think about the way Raymond was in church that day before we even saw Sister Koyamaibole. He was all smiles, all laughs, the same enthusiastic man he always is. Fane smiled and waved and called out to the missionaries on her way to the hospital. I have so much respect for them and the faith that they have. If I were in the same situation, I would be destroyed. They love their mum more than anything, yet they remain strong and positive. Raymond shared with me during sacrament meeting "Maybe this is why it took a while for me to go out, aye?" Raymond ran into hurdle after hurdle in preparing for his mission. Had everything gone smoothly, he would have been out long ago. He seems to have gained a greater testimony of the Lord chucking us where we need to be at the time we need to be there. 

After the blessing was given, we went to the other side of the hospital to the children's ward where an investigator family was waiting for the missionaries to bless their daughter. It's a bit awkward that everyone here is so religious one way or another, because after that blessing was given, several other families asked for us to bless their sick children. I'm not certain, but I don't think it's allowed for missionaries to throw priesthood blessings around like that to random people, BUT I also don't know how to bese(reject) someone's asking to bless their disabled child. We blessed probably a good 6 kids that day, and I felt okay about it. Maybe we planted some seeds there.

Going back to Thursday after the call letter opening, I went about Nasinu to vakamoce some of my recent-converts and beloved member families. I had planned to visit three houses belonging to youth I had grown close to (including Tabokai, whom I baptized a couple months ago). Fortunately, all the youth happened to be grouped at the chapel for a sports night. All the youth I planned to see were there! I talked to them a bit, took pictures, said goodbye, and just watched them play for a while before leaving to our dinner appointment. As I sat there and watched Tabokai play with the youth like they were his own family, I felt accomplished. What a huge blessing it was to me, and what a feeling of peace it brought me to see Tabokai's relationship with the youth. I'm sooo appreciative to the Nasinu 2nd ward youth for being so warm and welcoming to our new investigator. I can see that Tabokai, through the gospel, has formed bonds that will bless him in his life. The church truly is the flock of our Savior, and I can't stress enough the importance of warmly inviting our lost sheep back into the fold. Though sheep ourselves, by the voice and influence of the shepherd, we will be able to bring our strayed brothers and sisters back to the fold. Please continue to be loving to EVERY new face that enters the doors of that chapel every Sunday, no matter the lowliness of its expression or the tattoo that covers half of it. Everyone is a sheep, just like us; one in need of our love as well as the love of the Savior.

On a side note, I read a poem that I looove from an ensign.

'Twas battered and scarred,

And the auctioneer thought it

hardly worth his while

To waste his time on the old violin,

but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,

"Who starts the bidding for me?"

"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"

"Two dollars, who makes it three?"

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,

From the room far back a gray bearded man

Came forward and picked up the bow,

Then wiping the dust from the old violin

And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet

As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"

As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"

"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"

"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,

Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,

But some of them cried,

"We just don't understand."

"What changed its' worth?"

Swift came the reply.

"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

"And many a man with life out of tune

All battered and bruised with hardship

Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd

Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,

A game and he travels on.

He is going once, he is going twice,

He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,

And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought

By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

So beautiful.

Anyways, then came Friday. Back on Tuesday, we received our transfer assignments calls. Elder Hariprasad has replaced me in Nasinu, and on Friday, I transferred right over to the other side of town, in Suva! Now the last few days have been pretty familiar and odd at the same time. Familiar because I'm still in the city, and odd because I am very familiar with my current companion. I'm been placed BACK with Elder Mo'unga (the Hindi program is really weird)! Suva seems like a really nice place, both the wards we cover (Suva 1st and Suva 3rd) seem to have a SOLID member family and youth program. I'm wayyy excited to work with these people with Elder Mo'unga, super happy to be here. Herbert has apparently seen a video of me participating in a combine-ward FHE game from Friday night, SO much fun haha. Speaking of Herb, HERB, we've been invited to Brother Soko's house for dinner next week Wednesday. He told me to give you his loloma and thanks. Herbert baptized Brother Soko three years ago. He's still strong, very active, and seems very faithful. It makes me super happy to see the great results of Herbert's labor here five-three years later. 

We'll be heading out soon, but I'm way glad everything seems to be doing well back home! I hope everyone is in good health, thanks U'i SO MUCH for the pictures! Fia was way madua (shy) our last skype session, so I really won't believe she's so talkative until I see it because I can't imagine it. The babies are looking big and strong and still ridiculously cute. I'm sooo sorry but I need a reminder as to when my nephew's birthday, I'm sorry if I missed wishing him a happy birthday, and if I did HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMIASSSSSSSSS!!!! 

I'm also gonna need a reminder as to when my siblings' birthdays are, I'm honestly forgetting so much about home life it's scary.

AS FOR MOTHER'S DAY, I talked to Elder Mo'unga a bit and we should be good to Skype at 12pm Fiji time or later. IF 'Io wants to coordinate something, I could probably just plan to Skype around his time. Elder Mo'unga has no problem with coming back to the internet cafe for him or me to Skype, so he's okay with anything. We may need to plan around him, however, because his situation is a bit tougher. Utah is 18 hours behind Fiji, so 12pm Fiji would be 6pm Utah. He said they wouldn't mind Skyping at night, but if there's a time convenient for both of us to Skype our families comfortably, we'll find it. I'll get back to yous before Monday to finalize details, but for now, I plan to call home at 1pm Monday, Fiji time (3pm, Sunday, Hawaii time). Gotta head out, please give my aloha and congratulations to the 2017 seminary graduating class! I love you all, glad you're doing well, know I'm happy and healthy (fat) and safe! 

Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta hai hamaar julum parivaar! 

Khyaal rakna,

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji,Suva

5-3-17 A letter from Bro. Irava

Bula vinaka  Sister Ishibashi, 

I am Brother Willie Irava, ward clerk of the Nasinu 2nd ward where your son is currently serving in. I just wanted to let you know that he is getting transferred to the Suva 1st ward and his companion will be Elder Mounga, who served with him at the beginning of Elder Ishibashi's mission in the Waila ward. He will get transferred this Friday but the good news is we will still be in the same stake. It was an honor working with your son and to see him grow since he came to our ward. I just love this kid of yours whom I have learnt some lessons from and I wish him well for the remainder of his mission. Thank you for supporting him in his service and he has indeed done a tremendous job. I have given him my email address and told him to to message me in case he needs anything. I am more than willing to help in any way I can. Thank you once again and may the Lord bless your family and this faithful brother of mine.

Regards,
Brother Irava

 

4-30-17 Be wise, yet harmless

Kaise hamaar pariwaar??

Haam julum hai, iis pich le hapta bahut achaa raha! Haam Elder Datoon ke sange raha Sukh aur Sanichaar pe exchanges ke liye, toh haamlog duno bahut achaa kam kara jab haamlog saat raha. Haamlog saht nawa anveshak logan khoja, aur Sanichaar ke sabere me, Elder Mokie aur haam tin aur anveshak logan khoja. Iis pich le hapta haamlog tin nawa anveshak logan kocha, ek julum aur utpaadak hapta raha. Haam bahut din baad nahin iiske rakam achaa kam kara, toh ham bahut kushi rahe abii!

MAN it's been a great week! Beginning was pretty average, had a fun and uplifting district meeting. One part I liked particularly came from a training from Elder Larsen, who talked about being "wise, yet harmless."

He related the story of Ammon as he, after having chopped up all those Lamanites who scattered the king's flocks, was summoned before the king. The king is absolutely blown away to the point of speechless at Ammon's works and faithfulness. Ammon asks King Lamoni twice what his summon is about, to which no reply is made.

I've seen the importance of what Ammon does at this time in my mission, the example he sets here is key in missionary work. 

Alma 18:16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this that causeth thy marvelings?

Our investigators won't always tell us exactly what they need, and thus we won't always know exactly how to accomplish our purpose and help them in the most effective way. Ammon, being "stuck", listened to the spirit. By allowing the spirit to fill him and speak to him, he was able to know exactly the king's thoughts and desires. I've come to gain a strong testimony that the spirit's promptings are never wrong, and that following each and every little prompting spawns blessings. I can't count the times I've gone into a home with a set lesson in mind, but after talking to them for a bit or after the opening prayer, I feel prompted to change the lesson. Every time, without fail, that lesson reaches something within them that wouldn't have been touched had a different lesson been taught. Counsel: LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT.

Going on, King Lamoni asks Ammon by what divine power he's able to accomplish such remarkable tasks. He tells Ammon that he would protect him with everything he has and grant him anything he asks. 

22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee. 

King Lamoni agrees to listen and believe. Ammon basically has the king of this city wrapped around his finger at this point. He could ask for literally anything and would be granted that thing at the snap of the king's fingers. What Ammon asks is for the king to listen and believe in the power of our heavenly father.

Matt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

We missionaries are sent out in the midst of nonbelievers in Christ's divinity, foreigners to Christianity or even religion. We're delivered into the hands of clueless and often hateful people. No matter the circumstance, we're directed to be wise; to exercise and testify of the power of God boldly. We're also directed to be harmless; to go about our testifying and bold teachings with love and consideration. The way I see it, we're directed to be humble and submissive to the Lord. In Elder Larsen's words: Be smart, exercise power and authority, but never in the wrong way or for the wrong reasons.

Yesterday in church, we talked a little about humility as well. Taken from my notes:

I think a big part of humility is acknowledging the gifts and talents you've been blessed with, and acknowledging that there's always more room to improve. Being humble isn't being down on ourselves, it's the willingness/desire to grow by the example of others.

I also love Matt10:16 because it goes on to basically say that the Lord will tame any wolves as we stay faithful to him and teach with His spirit.

On Wednesday, I was on exchanges with Elder Larsen we got some good work done in my area. Elder Datoon and I were on exchanges from Friday to Saturday. It was way sick going around the area with Elder Datoon for old times sake, and we found sooo many new people to teach! This week is transfer week, and I was informed by President Layton last week that a change would be made in our companionship next transfer. Given all the new people/potential we found over the last few days, I want to stay and work and progress with them. However, I'm down for any curve balls or buses that the Lord has to lovingly chuck my way. We find out tomorrow where Elder Mokie or I go. We also had an excellent lesson with a sweet and humble family on Saturday morning, and I really look forward to teaching them and helping them to gain their own testimony. 

Friday night, my Nasinu family (the Koyamaiboles) invited Elder Datoon and I over for dinner. I was surprised by Joji Fong, who'd brought the packages!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE! I'll talk a little more about those later, but please thank the Koyamaiboles again for their love and care for the missionaries. We had a really nice evening, I noticed talking to Chochi that I've replaced a lot of my pidgin vocabulary with Australian slang, it'll be interesting come home with that I reckon haha. 

Anyways, it's been an awesome week. I'll let yous know if any of the people we found progress.

As for the package, Joji bought Elder Datoon and I each a box of Mauna Loa chocolates and a t-shirt, so I was extra pleased upon finding those other two boxes. I gave two to Elder Datoon and his companion as well as Elder Datoon's long awaited bag of one ton chips. He expresses his great gratitude, you should have seen his face. Elder Mokie and I have slowly been killing ourselves with chocolate-coconut sweets and beef-jerkey, and we're loving it. Don't worry at all about the other things, I still have a good number of hangers that will last me a good long while (there are always left-over hangers in flats anyway) and the other things aren't important haha. THANK YOU so much for the shirts, I'll preserve them until my current shirts are unwearable, but for now I can afford to keep them crisp for a while. ALSO thank you for the athletic shirt and shorts! I was honestly in need of more like basketball shorts but no more! I'll be wearing them today at qito. Speaking of the hug, Elder Datoon was fine with it, but Fane (Sister Koyamaibole's daughter, recent RM) scolded her haha. "Sobo mom, tabu!" (Woah hey, not allowed!) But I really appreciated that too, thank you! 

I'm so glad you all seem to be doing great and keeping yourselves busy (hopefully not too busy)!

Sorry about the lack of pictures today, this computer won't take my USB chord. Know Elder Mokie and I are in great health (for now) and GREAT spirits, and we're working hard before the transfer ends. We'll be heading out now, but know I love you all so much. Thank you for your love and blessings! Haam janta hai ki  bhagvaan haaame saab iis ashirvaad de hai kyunki aaplogke pratna aur vishwaas. Haam aaplogke bahut pyaar karta hai hamaar julum pariwaar, ek julum hapta rakho aur busy raho!

Khyaal rakna,

Elder Ishibashi-Fiji

Just read 'Io's letter, his letters are always SO fulfilling! Something President Layton has taught us is to be very simple and bold. I remember loving Herbert's letters because they were always way elaborate and descriptive, but 'Io's letters are so simple and straight and powerful, and I've gained such a huge appreciation for that. 

 

  

Upon receiving them

 

-Exchanges with Datoon! (promise I'm cutting my hair today)

 

-My district leader is trunky

 

-Now

 

When dad says "We go!" and we're all waiting in the car but dad is still talking to uncle