7-25-15 Magandang umaga

Magandang umaga dad! (Good/beautiful morning)

Mabuti ako! Kumusta po kayo? Kumusta po ang pamiliya? This language is so fun! We're learning so much in such little time every day. I memorized "My Purpose" in Tagalog yesterday and it's so cool that I actually know what it means now! It goes like this:

ANG LAYUNIN KO 

Imbitahin ang iba na lumapit kay Cristo sa pagtulong sa kanila na matanggap ang ibinalik na ebanghelyo sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay Jesucristo at sa Kanyang Pagbabayad-sala, pagsisisi, binyag, pagtanggap ng kaloob na Espiritu Santo, at pagtitiis hanggang wakas. 

I'm so proud of the boys for doing doing all of that for grandma! And I'm so happy the party was a success. That's AMAZING that Kaimi saw his grandpa in the video! What a super super cool and spiritual experience it must've been. I can't wait to see pics and videos on everything. I got the pics you sent this time! Thank you so much, I love them! I miss everyone so much. 

Alright my kasama (companion) is pau with his emails so I have to go pretty soon. But I wanted to talk about two quick experiences that happened this week. First off, a sister in our District wanted a blessing and asked me if I would give it. I don't remember everything I said, but there was a beautiful, peaceful feeling for me as I gave it. I was so honored that she asked me and I hope she benefited from it. There have been so many confirmations lately that I'm here at the exact time I'm supposed to be here. The next thing happened afterwards when I got up to my room. I opened my closet and found three neckties in there with an anonymous note attached to it by a string. I wish I had the note with me to write exactly what it said, but it's in my journal so I'll show you guys later. Anyway it said basically said that they just wanted to do something nice for me and they're not looking for a thank you or anything. If I want to do something, just do something nice for someone else (pay it forward). I'm so grateful for my roommates and I love them. Okay I'm taking too long so I have to go. Love you guys! Thanks for the pictures!

Elder Ishibashi

Elder Lopez from Waipahu

Provo Temple

7-18-2015 Man I love it here!

Kumusta dad! 

How's everyone at home? Thank you for your email. My testimony has been strengthened so much since I've been here. I know that I'm here at the perfect time for me, and that Elder Bice and my district members are people that Heavenly Father wanted me to meet and learn from. 

I'm so grateful for my district and zone. We've gotten so close already. The classes and language are going well. I love that I have so much time to familiarize myself with the Book of Mormon, and I've been reading from the bible lately about the ministry of Christ. I know that my district leader was called of God. The spirit is so strong with him as well as the others in my district. 

Man I love it here! Let me know how everyone's doing at home please. How's the surfing/bodyboarding? What's ohu been up to? Is Herb ready to leave to BYUH? How's u'i guys? I miss them and seeing Jeremias and Fia so often. How's Hali'a? You and mom? I miss you guys. Ingat po! (take care)

Oh I almost forgot! Aitana Alapa is coming into our zone next week! I think that's the girl you told me about. We got 2 papers with pictures of the elders and sisters coming in next week, and I saw her on there. So exciting! I also met an elder in our residence building from La'ie. You know any Tofas? It was either that or Tafo. I'm seeing more and more polys here. Also, I have a "fun" fact for Kala'i guys. I learned that the eewoks on Star Wars speak Tagalog haha. A teacher told us when they see princess Leya or something they say "Maganda" which means beautiful in Tagalog. They say some other things but I forget what it was. But anyway that's all I think. Love you guys! Ingat po

7-11-2015 First Letter From the MTC!

Dad! Kumusta!

Man the MTC is so awesome! I'm loving it here! The spirit is so strong and I love being in an environment where everyone is on the same level and has the desire to serve the Lord on a full-time basis. The MTC is smaller and less packed than I was expecting, which is a good thing, haha. But man, everything is going great. I have an obsession with the language; it's difficult but so fun to learn. A boy who's learning Russian showed us a little of what he's learning, and it made me so grateful that I'm only learning Tagalog haha. Huge props to Russian-speaking elders. But anyway, we're learning how to pray and bear our testimonies in Tagalog already! We even had our first lesson in Tagalog! That was really hard because we could understand what Beth, the "investigator", was asking us, but our Tagalog isn't good enough to answer her yet. Luckily she's just acting as an investigator and she's super sweet so it wasn't too bad. 

I have the coolest district in the world. We have Sister Stromberg, Sister Burton, Elder Kloepfer (DL), Elder Jensen, Elder Warren, Elder Perkins, me, and guess who my companion is? Elder Bice! Everyone thinks it's so crazy when we tell them that we actually met in the Kona temple before entering the mission field. He's a great companion, hard worker, and is very persistent in remembering to pray whenever we need to. The other Elders and Sisters in our district are super cool too; it was so easy feeling at home with them. My teacher, Brother Glenn, is also great. He makes class fun and keeps the spirit at the same time. 

The first day was pretty hectic and everything was happening so fast, but it was pretty easy getting used to it. The elder who helped me when I first got dropped will be serving in Laie speaking Samoan! And I met a sister who has family from Laie, but I forget the last name (sorry). I also saw another girl that I met at the Holomua program at BYUH, but I haven't talked to her yet. I see a handful of polys here, none of them going to the Philippines though.

The food is 'oooono haha. The donuts here are way better than Safeway donuts. And what's good is the food is really filling so I don't eat too much. The Elders in my room/district also like to stay fit and healthy so we all do push ups in the room and pull ups right outside our door haha. It's aiyos(great)! Today is our first P day so we'll be going to play kickball with the zone pretty soon and hopefully go to the fitness center later on. Yesterday we had some gym time but instead watched Elder Boyd K. Packer's funeral service. It was a really good service and I liked the messages and analogies shared. 

Well Elder Bice is finished with his emailing so I'm going to reply to the other emails real quick and head out. But I love and miss you guys! 

Talk to you next week!

7-8-2015 Entering the MTC today!

Uncle Keenan and Aunty Jeannie Kanahele took such great care of Elder Ishibashi from picking him up at the AirPort and taking him to the MTC. He was spoiled and we are so grateful for their generosity in helping him with all the supplies that he still needed for his mission.  Mahalo nui loa!!! Kanahele Ohana!! We love you all.

We are so grateful for all our Ohana in Utah who showed their love and support for their cousin and. nephew, Elder Ishibashi.  Last picture with his Utah Ohana, minutes before entering the MTC.  Provo Temple in the background.

7-6-2015 Set apart and heading to Utah

Just set apart, Elder Ishibashi (3rd from left) with his siblings. On our way to the AirPort.

At the Hilo AirPort with family and friends. A hui hou Elder Ishibashi! We love you!!!