Flying the Friendly Skies....

So, we got Randy's last letter from the MTC...He was so excited to be only days away from leaving and flying to Japan. His patience was at an end I'm guessing. We got a call from him on Monday morning while we were visiting Mike, Jessica, Hannah and Tavie in Portola, CA. Randy was at the Salt Lake City airport waiting to catch the first leg of his flight from SLC to San Francisco. He talked briefly because he was in a hurry and they were starting to load the plane. He did say that the mother of his companion showed up at the airport and took pictures. Why didn't I show up you may ask...well, we, as mothers, are told not to go because it makes it harder on the Missionaries. Randy said it was a little awkward but it was over quickly. Randy also said that he said goodbye to us once so why have to do it again...LOL

We asked Randy to call us when he got to San Francisco. He did, while we were in the middle of stinkin' nowhere land. Right in the middle of Nevada. We pulled over and talked again, but alas, he was in a hurry again to get on his next flight to Japan. (13 hours). He said from Tokoyo, he would be taking a flight to Osaka then the Mission President would be picking them up. He traveled with his companion, (the only other American in the group) an Australian and 6 native Japanese Missionaries all going to the Kobe Japan mission.

Report #1. "The MTC was alright"
Report #2. "The food sucked"
Report #3. "I think I will be able to understand the language ok"
Report #4. "I probably have to much money on me" (I on the other hand
felt he needed to be prepared for anything so I sent him plenty)

He wanted to know how the family and everyone was doing. He thinks he will be able to email everyone during his mission, but he will find out for sure this week I am sure.

For those of you who have a map on the wall and ready to post a pin to his current location (which by the way will be me and maybe his brother Bobby), as of right this second (4:30pm Tuesday March 30th Utah Time; 7:30am Wednesday March 31st, Japan time) he is in Kobe at the mission presidents home.

Here is his last state side letter:

Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, and Mentors

Well the time comes quickly that I will find myself in Japan. On Monday the 29th of March at 5:00 AM I will leave the MTC and head off to the SLC Airport. At 7:25 I'll board my first flight to San Francisco, and at 2:20 PM (Utah Time) I will board the plane for Tokyo. I will arrive in Tokyo at approximately 7:55 PM(Tokyo time) or 5:55 AM(Utah Time) on the 30th of March. I will spend over 25 hours traveling on Monday so it'll be a very fun day. I cannot wait I am so excited to fly there.

I'll probably call Mother and Father at the SLC Airport only, since you don't need to hear me talk so much. I won't have much to say since I never talked much anyway.

Well, life at the MTC is the same as usual. The excitement grows though as our departure date approaches. Only 6 days and I'll be out of here. It's so exciting to finally do something I have been waiting to do for the past 19 years of my life. The people of Japan await and I will go forth to teach them. I will "thrust in the sickle with all my heart, might, mind and strength." I have got an English BoM and a Japanese BoM that I'm prepared to hand out while I'm on the flight. I'm ready for this, even if I don't speak Japanese as well as I wish I could. The Lord is on my side, and so long as I strive to do my best and to follow the rules He will bless me in my efforts. This is his work, and I am his tool.

Last week Tuesday, after I wrote my email, we were spoken to by the Apostle Quentin L. Cook at the evening fireside. It was an amazing experience to listen to him talk and to feel the spirit as he spoke. I don't have my notes on me and my memory is horrible or else I'd tell you a little bit about what he spoke about. O yes, (after asking a few people to remind me) He talked about committing people and the Lord preparing people for us to teach. That's all I can remember other than the spirit.

O hey, look I got my pakage slip! Woot!!! Pakaji ga arimasu!!!

Anyway I'll pop in the scripture of the week now since I only have 7 min. left.

I have finished the BoM for the 2nd time in the MTC, and have decided to go on and read D&C(AKA Kyogi to Seiyaku). This weeks scripture is D&C 18: 14-16 if I remember correctly. I can't quote it directly but I'll do my best.

"You have been called to cry Repentance unto the Gentiles."

"Behold, if you labor all your days in crying repentance and bring save it be one soul unto repentance, how great will be your joy in the kindgom of Heaven."

"Now how much greater will be your joy if you bring many souls unto Repentance."

ok that's a reallllllllllllllly bad quote, but it's the gist of the scripture.

I look forward to teaching people in Japan. I look forward to baptizing people and seeing them change their lives. I want to see the joy and happiness that they will recieve from accepting the gospel. I want to share that same joy, that perfect happiness that I have had from living this gospel. I have recieved so many blessings in my life and I want others to have them as well.

Remember Remember, to pray in your hearts. I ask this coming Fast sunday that you fast for The missionaries, and as it says somewhere in the BoM. "Fast and pray for those that know not God."

Your Missionary
Elder Randall K.K. Tateishi


P.S. You all get to watch General Conference a week before me. cause it's broadcast the next week after in Japan. I love you all.

Wax on...wax off....

Well, this is it...we are 1 week and 5 days away until Randy leaves the MTC and heads to Kobe Japan...Whew! I'm amazed at all the hard work he has put into preparing to teach. He says his goal for the rest of this month it to be speaking only Japanese until he leaves to the airport. I can tell by his letter that the excitement and reality has set in.

Randy's older brother Bobby wrote him a letter entitled "wax on...wax off.." (from karate kid)....I had to laugh so hard when I saw that knowing what Randy's reaction would be. Bobby pictured him sitting at his computer and all of the sudden busting out laughing (really loudly because he has a loud laugh).

Here is his letter, enjoy:

Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, and Friends all around

First I'd like to say the enter button actually works finally. XD It makes me happy. Anyway, the final countdown is coming down. 1 week 6 days. I'll be able to call once I get to the airport, But it'll be at like 4 in the morning, so if I can get Dad's Cellphone number in the next email (Which will be my last time to check email here, unless you send mail) that would be nice. Anyway, I get travel plans this friday so I'll know the exact times and everything next week and I'll let everyone know the plans. I'll probably just call Mom and Dad though, as that's the rules anyway.

My Japanese is comingly along great, especially because I've had so much help from the lord. There is no way I could have learned this much this fast anywhere else. I've been talking with Elder Tsushima from Sapporo a lot and it's fun to try and understand and speak to the Japanese Natives. But apparently they say my Japanese is very good. My current goal is to speak entirely in Japanese for the remainder of my stay in the MTC. It's difficult to do, but it's so much fun. Please forgive me if a random Japanese word pops in, because I think I might start forgetting English when I get there. At least, that's my plan.

HAHA!! Alex, try again, cause we go at about 2 on tuesday and on sunday we go for our "Yard Walk" (temple walk) at around 4ish. BUT!!! It's not like much would happen, all I get to do is say: "Hey, It's good to see you." Shake your hand an leave. Rules are rules.

I meant to send you a letter Gypsy but I forgot to send it out, I will today I PROMISE!!!

Well, I'm not sure what to write, I mean, I'm so into this routine now that nothing is ever new. I can't really remember anything anyway everything is blurring together. I'm afraid that These next 2 years are going to fly by far to fast. I absolutely love it here, and it's by far the best thing I've ever done. I can't wait to get to Japan, to teach the people and to bring them Joy and Happiness.

3 Nephi 5:13 "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, The Son of God. And I have been called to bring unto all the people the Gospel that they might have Everlasting Life"

It's not exact but it's the closest thing I can do from memory. But that's my scripture for this week. It just reminds me of my duty and purpose here. If you want some good reading about missionary work read Alma 26.

There isn't anything else I need mother, just make sure to send me pictures with the next package. Since I don't have any except of Hannah and Tavie and Aunt Jean. I'll let you know everything else next week, but try to send most of it before next tuesday so that I can find out if there is anything else I need and mail you. The 29th, is the day I leave and I get a 13 hour flight to japan and then I'll be 16 hours ahead of Utah Time. There goes a day for a whole 2 years. xD It's so exicting. I've dreamed of this day for the past 19 years and it's finally here. It's time for me to go out and serve. Of course I'm nervous, I've never been a very good speaker, but I know that There are people waiting for me to teach them. That the Lord has prepared specific people for me to teach. I won't miss any opportunity to teach. I've recently thought back to your story of conversion mother and thought about how those two missionaries taught you. I'm so grateful for them, because if they hadn't taught you, hadn't brought you the Gospel, I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. I am also very grateful for you Mother, and Father, for the great example you have been to me. I love you both and want to remind you that you are the greatest parent's I could have ever asked for.

With Much Love
Randall K.K. Tateishi Choro

Confidence is waxing strong..

The picture is left to right; Elder Cannon (Randy's MTC Companion), Randy, Sister McIntyre (Randy's Mission Presidents Daughter who is serving a mission) and Elder Mckeller (an Elder from Australia going to the same mission as Randy)


Wow, another week has gone by since Randy left for the MTC to prepare for teaching the people of Japan. Today his letter sounds so confident. He is more and more assure of himself and his ability to teach. Excitement is evident in his letter. Basically he has approximately 3 weeks left until he travels the skies to Japan. He will be able to call home from the airport and check in with us, but once he lands in Japan we will not be able to talk with him again until Mother's Day. 2 months away, but still it will feel like forever. The only time Randy will be able to talk to us will be on Mother's Day and Christmas. This year we are all planning on going to Mike and Jessica's in Reno. Wouldn't that be a wonderful surprise for Randy to be able to talk to everyone then.

He wants pictures! He would love to have people send him pictures that he can take with him. Maybe it will keep his memory fresh on what we all look like....LOL...and stick figures don't count.

His Japanese is coming along great, in fact he will probably soon start to forget English a little since basically he will be speaking Japanese for the next 2 years. I wish he could record himself speaking Japanese for us, but I guess there is no videos. That's ok, I will survive.

Ok, here is his latest letter:

Dear Mother, Father, Friends and Family.... hmmmm apparently this new email thing doesn't support the return key. Very annoying for me, because I like my paragraphs. Anyway, life is good at the MTC, I can't say much is happening because not a lot is. The only recent change is that we are now a zone of 120+ Japanese speaking Missionaries, one of the largest zones ever. O and we can shake hands again, President Smith (The MTC Mission President) told us that last Sunday during Mission Conference. Anyway, the Japanese is coming smoothly and I'm able to teach the lessons fairly well. In fact I practically taught the second lesson (Sukui no Keikaku(plan of Salvation)) on my own. My companion kind of requires a set lesson plan to follow but the "investigator" wasn't cooperating with our plans so I had to jump around quite a bit in the lesson and our lesson plan went out the window. It was a great experience though and boosted my confidence a lot. Though next time I'm going to make my companion teach most of the lesson. I'll simply tell the "investigator" Watashi wa sukoshi nihongo o hanashimasu. (I speak a little Japanase). Anyway life is good here. I was actually writing micheal, but I forgot to send the letter off, I'll rewrite him today and get off to Portola before my Day ends. I promise. Also, Gypsy I sent you a letter but apparently you couldn't recieve it, I'll send it to Mother's tonight so that you'll get it during spring break. Tell Alex to mail me, or else! then again, that threat is void because A) I'll be half way across the world in a couple weeks and B) I'm a missionary so there isn't much I can do anyway. And I should recieve my travel plans sometime next week I believe. I'm REALLY extatic(SP?) to go to Japan. I can't wait to teach the Nihonjin. By the way Japanese words will slip in all the time while I'm writing, but that's because I'm slowly forgetting how to speak english. So keep a dictionary on hand. I don't need anything else at the moment, other than the cookbook, addresses and small things. Also it would be nice if I could get some family pictures, since you know, the only pictures I have are of Hannah and Tavie, and Jean, cause she sent me a wallet sized picture a while back. By the way, since I haven't updated in so long, I have looooong been over the bronchitis and my ankle is just about fully healed, just hurts now and again when I hit it wrong. hmmmmmm what else can I talk about.... We are loosing our teacher Tsuchiya Sensei this week because we have so many Nihonjin coming in and not enough Japanese Teachers. He has possibly been the greatest person I've ever come to known, He is Supa Genki all the time and I've never seen him get down even though he takes about 16 credit hours at BYU is president of the Japanese Club at BYU works 3 Jobs and is now engaged. I wonder how in the world he does it. Tell Bobby to Pop me a Dear Elder so that I can snag is address and then I'll write to him. I just don't have that many addresses. Anyway, I love all of you, friends, Brothers, Sister, Mother, Father and everyone else. You are always in my prayers and I miss all of you. Your Missionary Son, Brother, and Friend, Elder Randall K.K. Tateishi

Boring....

So yesterday Randy sent a new email and it was, well to say the least, boring....Sorry folks but life at the MTC does get a little monotonous. Only 4 more weeks and he will be leaving for Japan, at least that is exciting. When he gets to Japan, I'm sure letters will be slower to get here and not as regular. I don't know if he will have access to a computer to write his letters or if they will all have to be handwritten, which by the way we will need a special code to be able to read his handwriting, it is atrocious to say the least. I did get an SD card with some new pictures on it, which I posted on Facebook. He looks good, in fact I'd say he looks a little more grown-up...

Well, here is his letter:

Dear Mother, Brothers, Sister, Father, and Friends. For some reason the enter button isn't working on this stupid computer so this email is going to look very ridiculous and dumb, sorry bout that. Anyway I have now taught the first lesson twice in Japanese I'm amazed at how much I can teach and speak. There is still quite a bit that I don't know how to say but It's coming along and in hte next 4 weeks I'll hopefully be able to get around in Japan. Nothing much has happened this week Like usual I spend most of my days in class or studying hard the language and the lessons. It's a very difficult language but it's a lot of fun to learn and to speak it. I was actually going to send a video but the night I said I was I got reminded by the Mission president during a Devotional that we aren't allowed to take any videos. Too bad. We heard about the earthquake in Chile on sunday night actually. It's kind of strange because I know so little of what's going on outside of the MTC. Life is good in the MTC other than being extremely repititive and slightly boring. We recieved the new group of Japanese missionaries last week wednesday and next week we recieve another 41 japanese natives, including Tia. That'll bring the Japanese zone up to almost 120 Japanese Missionaries. Which is a ridiculous amount. It's already crowded with only 16 showers on our floor and close to 80 missionaries. It'll be interesting when we get the Nihonjin(japanese natives). Life is easy though and I love it here, but I just can't wait to get to Japan and talk to the people and teach the people. It'll be a very exciting experience. Well I don't have much else to say, I think I'm going to send back the jacket, it's not a suit jacket so it won't work but I just need a box to send it back in. Some more garments will be good, I don't know what happened but I only have 8 pairs of my 10, where the other 2 went I have no idea. ummmmmmm...... I don't need any other pairs of slacks, I don't want too much stuff when I head over. I only have 2 bags and only 50 lbs. each. ummmm... I have $40 left atm, yea I've had to buy quite a few things that I had forgotten. Yea cookbook will be nice and so will a list of addresses for everyone. Make sure you get Alex's so I can write him a letter and tell him he needs to right me. Other than that I don't have much to say. I'll end by saying simply God Bless all of you and pray often and read your scriptures. With Love, Randall K.K. Tateishi.