Another day in the life.....(as the MTC turns)

Oh man, what a funny time Randy has been having in the MTC. As you will note in the letter he sent this week, strange things have happened to him. Maybe Randy will one day be a Comedian because of all the strange and funny things that have happened to him and around him. He is still loving life in the MTC, but is seriously wondering if the MTC is truly a safe place to be.

Today, I had to rush and get another pair of glasses for him to send out. Luckily we had ordered a second pair but I kept forgetting to pick them up, I had to pick them up and mail them off today so they could get to him by tomorrow. He is always having difficulties with his glasses.

I'm sure you will all appreciate this letter and the silly stuff that has happened, but he does bear his wonderful testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. He has grown quite a bit while being there and I am anxious for his letters once he reaches Japan. Speaking of which, In his letter he says he only has one more week left, but he really meant to say he has one more month left in the MTC.


Dear Mother, Family, and Friends

Life at the MTC is.... well interesting to say the least. It goes by pretty quickly and I can't believe that I've already been gone for 6 weeks and that I only have 1 more week to go. Food is good and bad, you really just get tired of it quickly and I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to the Japanese food.

So, I do have a few comical scenarios that have happened this week. I'll start by saying the MTC doesn't like me. First I lose my luggage for the first day and had to run around looking for it, then I got depressed for a bit, then I sprained my ankle, then I caught bronchitis. This week I broke my watch (Apparently they didn't fix it all the way, I was lightly swinging my arm and my watch flew off, I'll send it back) then I almost got taken out by ceiling tile while playing volleyball. By the way that ceiling tile fell about 80 feet and crashed about 3 feet away from me, where I had been standing before I ran away. O by the way, I need my other pair of glasses, this pair is now broken, NOT MY FAULT! I went to close them for the night and one of the ear pieces on the frame just popped off, so now I have scotch tape glasses.

Anyway, it's quite funny when they tell me that serving a mission is the safest thing a person can do. Since I've been here I've sprained my ankle, almost gotten taken out by a ceiling tile, caught bronchitis, tripped countless times and seen at least 6 other people with sprained ankles, one of which sprained BOTH his ankles at the same time, how he managed that I have no idea, Someone broke their kneecap playing 4 square, which by the way is a very intense sport. Yep I'm totally safe here at the MTC(sarcasm). Things'll probably be safer out in the field, but for now I'm just going to blame the food.

So I got to teach the entire 1st lesson in Japanese, and yes -I- got to teach it. My companion choked and couldn't remember anything in Japanese, my poor doryo. So I taught the 1st lesson on my own in Japanese, it was quite fun but very scary. I'll probably make a video on my camera of my speaking Japanese. If you could I would like my other SD card back and then i can send this one in a few weeks.

O yea I saw Tia Johnson the other day. She was volunteering here at the MTC for some reason or another and is a friend of my Teacher. I have a picture of me and her. It was funny because I was talking to my teacher about the TRC(Teaching Resource Center where we practice the lessons) and he was like "You have a friend waiting for you." I was like "What? who?" and then I went and found that it was Tia who I hadn't seen since I was like 9. Anyway it was fun to see someone from the outside world.

Lol, so another funny story. We were practicing the 1st lesson during class and me and Elder Cannon were teaching the two sisters in our district Sister Blyle(Who is from Olympia, WA BTW) and sister Muir. Well I told Elder Cannon "Teach as much as you can and I'll do the rest." So he started teaching. About 10 min into the lesson I suddenly hear him say "Ebu to Adamu wa.." the teacher suddenly said "It's Eba" (Don't ask it's Japanese for Eve and Adam) I turned to my companion and asked him "Where are we?" He looked back at me and said "The fall of Adam and Eve?" I then asked "What lesson are you teaching?" he replied "Lesson 1.... wait.... oops..." The fall of adam and Eve is in Lesson 2 and so he was teaching all of lesson 1 and 2 on his own while I sat back and tried not to laugh. It was quite amazing to see him teach though, because I got to wa tch his confidence grow as he realized that he really did know what to say in Japanese.

Well I'm out of stories to tell and I only have 9 min. left to type so I'll just say a few more things before I send this.

I'd like to bear my testimony about this work. I've asked myself many times before and after I've come to the MTC: "Why? Why have I chosen to take away 2 years of my life when I could be going to school, getting a job, moving on with life? Why when by the time I am done serving my mission I'll have spent 10% of my current life teaching?" It's actually a very simple answer. I was called to this work, I was asked to serve the lord. Before I left I thought, "O this will help me grow and make me a better person." I was wrong. I'm not here for me, I'm not here to learn or grow, I'm here to teach. I'm here to spread the good news to the world. To tell them that God lives! That our savior Jesus Christ Lives! That this is the true church! That Thomas S. Monson is a living Prophet! That a 14 year old boy in the far off woods of New York in 1820 really did see God and Joseph Smith. It's true! If it wasn't true I wouldn't be here. If it wasn't true I wouldn't teach about it. But it is and I have felt that witness, that assurance that it is. I felt the power of God in my heart and I know that he loves me. I felt his love so deeply and there is nothing greater. Through God I know I can do all things. I know that this church is true and I no longer have any doubts about it. I wish I had more time to say more, but I'm out of time. I'd just like to end by saying: I know it, and I know that God loves me and every one of his children. I say these things in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

God bless all of you.


Your Son, Friend, and Brother
Elder Randall K.K. Tateishi

Life is Good....

Ok I have been trying to think of what to say this week. I was anxiously awaiting a report from Randy to see how he has fared this last week, needless to say I was worried about his illness and injury. Thankfully, things have gotten much better for him. His spirits are high and I think he has finally just "immersed" himself into being a Missionary.

I am sure that because of his illness and injury he had quite an adjustment of trying to not be homesick. I can't even imagine not having family around when you are sick or hurt. It just boggles my mind the resilience and stamina and courage he must have to overcome those hurdles.

His letter this week was upbeat and short. I see he is getting busy with learning and the language is starting to come more easily to him. He does note that the packages he has received have been plenty, but remember he will be in the MTC until March 29th or so. I'm sure he will run out of goodies by then. But, I'm also sure I will be sending more stuff, just because I can.

The picture of the week for Randy is one he sent titled "boredom". I'm thinking the likeness is almost perfect of Randy and his companion.

Life is good...things are happening for Randy and soon he will be on his way to Japan to teach. I'm hoping the experiences are good and that he comes away from this adventure with an even stronger testimony of Jesus Christ and the loving guidance that he offers to each of us....without further ado, here is his letter to everyone....


Dear Mother, and all else that read this letter

This weeks been a great week for me. My bronchitis is fading away and my ankle is starting to heal up nicely. I can walk easily although at times my ankle still hurts. I've been sleeping well and been having a lot of fun here. I don't really have much to say this week.

I'm confident now that I can give the first lesson in Japanese, and I can say far more than I thought I ever could. I've been very diligent in my studies and working hard to do my best. I recently started a study journal which will contain all of the things I've learned on my mission as well as the people I've met, taught, and baptized and areas that I have served in and people I've served with.

Also, Although I appreciate the care packages, I have FAR more food than I know what to do with. I swear that you are all just trying to get me fat. I actually have to workout during gym in order to keep up with all the food. xD. But thanks for all the love and support you all have for me. I love you all.

Your Dear Friend, Brother, and Son
Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Injury and Sickness all in one week....

Well, week 4 is done and over with...Thank heavens for it. Randy has had a rough last week due to an injury (which according to Misty is my fault) and then he is sick with Bronchitis. The best way to describe what happened is to just post his letter which I will as soon as I am done rambling away....

I will say though that Letters would be greatly appreciated by Randy and for those million or so readers of this blog (LOL) please send him one...the address to reach him is in an earlier blog which is easy enough to find.

Today another care package was put together for him of yummy (in my opinion yuck) food that he will enjoy such as dried squid, dried octopus, some seawead and some other Japanese candy. Jay went to Hawaii over the weekend for his father's birthday and brought back some goodies from Randy's grandma, he will love it I'm sure. I also included some cough drops, white socks and his fixed watch. He should get it tomorrow.

He did mention that today he sent back an SD card with pictures so soon I will be able to post those both on facebook and here on his blog.

Well, without further ado, here is his letter (be aware, it might make you cry) it certainly did me;

Dear Mother, Father, and everyone else

This week has been absolutely hectic. Currently I have a sprained ankle and Bronchitis. Yay!!! It's so fun being sick in the MTC, skipping extremely important classes and coughing up a lung all night long while not being to sleep. It's soooooooo much fun. Not really. I guess I'll just start from the beginning.

Tuesday night I didn't sleep at all, just couldn't get to sleep and laid in bed thinking all night long. Which is one thing a missionary should never do. Wednesday ended up being absolutely horrible. I was exhausted and feeling very down and depressed. Thursday rolled around and it wasn't much better until lunch time, when I recieved the Dear Elder you sent me. Which speaking of personal Revelation for Dad's Talk will be a very good experience. You and Dad hit it right on the nail with the letter you sent me. I quite literally burst into tears when I opened up the letter and read it, it touched me so much.

But that wasn't the end of my horrible week. Friday rolled around and I was feeling better, I got a note telling me I had the package you had sent waiting for me at the Post office. So I was hurrying down the stairs, taking them 2 steps at a time, excited to get my package. The end result was predictable. I missed a step and rolled my ankle. My companion had to help me to the health clinic where I almost passed out, my vision narrowed and I felt naseuas(SP?) and my hearing started to buzz and distort wierdly. Well they laid me down and I started to feel better, but since it was lunch time there were no docters on duty at the time. I waited -4- HOURS, riding a shuttle outside the MTC to get an xRay, and awaiting the docter to arrive for them to tell me I have a sprained ankle. So I hopped around on Crutches for a couple days and wear an ankle brace.

BUT WAIT!!! That's not all. Saturday rolls around and I start developing a cough, by sunday it's really bad and I didn't sleep sunday night because I was counghing so much. Monday Morning I go to class and my Teacher, Tsuchiya Sensei practically kicked me out of class because I was coughing up a lung. I went to the Docters and found out I have Bronchitis, woopdy doo!!! Spent all day Monday trying to keep my lung inside of me and not on my bed, and reading "Our Search for Happiness", which by the way is an excellent book. Sooooo what's the moral of the story. There isn't one, other than don't skip down the stairs, and be cheerful even in the worst of times.

I quote from Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "I've had worse!"

As for my Mission scripture. I'm sending a letter today along with my SD Card, It has The mission scripture I want but I'll tell it again here just for kicks.

"Forget yourself and Go to Work."
President Gordon B. Hinckley's Father

I hope The Bishop will let me use that one. If not I have a back up scripture in the letter I'm sending. I just can't recall the reference right now.

Anyway, Other than the few mishaps I've had and the minor problems that exist life is still good. I'm happy I'm here and even more excited that I'll be in Japan soon enough. Time is flying by in the MTC and I can't believe I've already been here for a month.

Please note: I WANT LETTERS! Since I have been here I've recieved a total of 3 letters and 2 Dear Elders. It's kinda annoying not hearing from other people. Use Dear Elder it'll get to me quickly and it's free, although it'll only work while I'm in the MTC. But tell me about yourself and don't just ask questions for me. Ahhh well, I'm not all that upset about not recieving letters, but if you send me a Dear Elder I'll mail you back, I can promise that one.

It appears I'm Rambling now so I'll with a Scripture, which you already know Mother and Father.

D&C 123:17 "Therefore dearly beloved brethern, let us cheerfully do all things that lie within our power, and then may we stand still with the utmost assurance to see the Salvation of God and for his arm to be revealed."

I probably butchered the scripture but that was just from memory. I don't have my scriptures on me. Just remember Work hard and love each other.

I love all of you, friends and Family, May God Bless you all and may his spirit be with you.



The Sickest Elder
Randall K.K. Tateishi Choro

Starvation reigns....

So, my son is starving (not really) but he does write in his 3rd letter that the food is not so bueno (good) and that "he's had better"...so does that possibly mean that he actually liked my cooking? It probably means more that he misses his dad's cooking...

He is still enjoying his time in the MTC, but I'm thinking a little bit of discouragement is setting in because he mentioned that it is frustrating trying to learn the language...I'm sure it is tough and I'm not sure I could do it...I have to give him big kudoo's for even trying...

For some reason Misty wanted him to take a "Matrix" picture. What that is, I have no idea, but Randy adamantly relplied "NO!"..although he does say he will send home his SD card within the next few days so we can finally post some pictures on his blog site.

He did say today that he should be leaving the MTC on March 29th to head to Japan. Finally, he so wants to go and teach to the people of Japan...When the date gets closer we will post how to mail him while he is in Japan...as of right now I have know idea on that.

He did include some words in Japanese and I will quote:

Watashi wa Kamisama ga shinjitsu de aru to shitte imasu. Iesu Kiristo ga ikite iru to shitte imasu. Iesu Kiristo ga aganainushi de aru to shitte imasu. Iesu Kiristo no mina ni yotte akashi shimasu. Amen.

If any of you million readers can translate that to me I would appreciate it...I really have know idea what he is saying other than "Amen"...I did catch that one.

Remember feel free to write him at dearelder.com or even feel free to send him some munchies..I'm sure he would appreciate it greatly.

Well, that's it for today..maybe something profound will come to me and I can really write some awesome stuff in behalf of Randy...I just want you all to know how proud we all are of Randy and his willingness to spend 2 years of his life teaching the people of Japan..We love him and miss him a great deal...