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.
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