A better week....

Randy sounds much better this week. He seems to be learning how to cope a little better with the challenges that he is faced with. Transfers are this week so, we won't know where and if he will get transferred until next week. I am hopeful for him and I know that he will end up where ever the Lord needs him to do his work. Although, finding out he has been hit by a car is a little on the stressful side, at least he is ok and no major damage was done.

Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, Friends, and everyone else in the World.

I`ll first start out by posting my list of people I`m writing today and should have the letters sent out sometime this week.

The Reynolds Family,
Grandma Sadie,
Barnhardts,
Nikayla Hunter

Also on my list is Sister Webb.

Alright... well Guess what. IT`S TRANSFER WEEK!! We recieve transfer calls tomorrow morning. Where I`ll go nobody knows. I could land anywhere from Hiroshima to Omihachiman. We`ll find out tomorrow. But like usual, if I don`t email next week, it means I don`t have internet access and can`t recieve or send emails.

Transfer Review. Let`s see what my Transfer Highlights are. I managed to get hit by a car(only a bump, didn`t get hurt), Run into a wall on my Bicycle, Eat Eel, Eat Nato, Drive myself Mentally insane, Give an average of at least 1 talk during sacrament meeting every week, Proselyted on the beach, and watch a Japanese Fire Festival.

It`s been an exciting transfer, filled with it`s ups and downs (More downs than ups). I`ve learned a lot this transfer and I have said and still do say, "No matter what happens, next transfer will be better than this transfer."

Let`s see, what happened this week. Nothing much really, Tuesday we rode all the way to Katsuura, an hour long bike ride, talked with one person for about 3 hours and then rode back with a new appointment. Wednesday I taught a lesson in english and found out it`s just as hard to teach in English as it is in Japanese, especially when the person you are teaching doesn`t have very good English. Thursday we taught a 4 hour lesson, well... we didn`t really TEACH, the investigator talked to us about all his problems with Christianity and the Old Testament and New Testament. I didn`t understand anything that was going on. Friday I listened to an old lady talk to me for about 2 hours... didn`t understand a single word she said, except for Osaka College. Saturday I taught English class and lots of fun explaining how the American Measurement system is extremely strange and makes no sense to anyone... including Americans! (At least that`s my opinion.)

Sunday we had lots of fun, we had a yakuniku party, which is basically you throw a whole bunch of meat on a hot plate and just grab it when it`s ready. I spend all night keeping a hyperactive 12 year old kid entertained. He kept stealing my camera, watch, nametag, and tieclip. Tried to grab my wallet but I wouldn`t let him. So basically I played keep away with him. He had far too much energy for me though.

That was my week. It was much better than last week and I`m feeling much better lately, and everything is looking good for the future.

I am going to forgo the Gospel Moment this week, but instead I wish to give my thanks to everyone.

I would like to thank everyone who writes me. I love receiving Letters, and they brighten my day. Seeing those random letters, from some people I have never even met, or people that I never would have even thought would write me. It just makes me smile and feel that much more loved.

I`d like to thank my family, whom I love dearly, for all the support they`ve given me, both Financially, Spiritually, and Emotionally.

It`s not much, but you have my thanks everyone.

Lastly I`d like to just say that I`m so very grateful for the countless blessings that I have received while serving my mission so far. I look to the scriptures and see God`s promise being fulfilled right before my eyes. "And prove me, that I will not open the windows of heavens and pour blessings upon you that ye shall not have room enough to receive them." How true that is. I have seen many blessings to me personally, but I have seen even more blessings given to my friends and family back home. That alone makes this journey worth it.

Your Missionary

Elder Randall KK Tateishi