Happy Days are here again....

I don't know about you, but the tone of Randy's recent letters have really been uplifting. He sounds so "Happy". He is learning what Love means/is. He is loving the people he teaches and following the counsel of his Mission President. What a great example he is to me and I'm sure to others as well. We hit the 9 month mark and soon he will have been gone 1 whole year. It is hard to believe how fast it has gone by, but I kind of like it that way.

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

HOLY COW!!!

I Opened my email and looked at the pictures of Hannah and Tavie. Then I was like "Wait!? WHERE DID MY BABY NIECES GO!?" They have grown up soooo fast. They are going to be huge by the time I get back.

Anyway, On my list of Letters is:

Gypsy
The Reynolds
The Barnhardts

Hopefully I`ll get those letters out today, I actually should have gotten Gypsy`s letter sent off last week, but I just didn`t mail it.


Well, It`s been another fantastic week here in Japan. We`ve done a variety of things and talked to a variety of people. But it actually brings to a close my 5th transfer, and also my first 7 Months in Japan. Christmas and Thanksgiving are just around the corner followed closely by New Years, and I am feeling fantastic. Transfers are this week, so I`ll let you know if I get transfered or not... I probably will though :(

This week I have been working a lot with my favorite investigator Nakanishi. You might remember, that he is a 48 year old man, living alone and that when I first met him all he did was sit silently and smoke half a pack of cigarettes. Well, let me expound on what has happened this week with him. He came to church this week, which was amazing, he has also been reading and praying, he is even trying to quit smoking now. He`s accepted the challange to be baptized, and basically as soon as he quits smoking He will be baptized. He talks, he laughs, he jokes, and he smiles now. I have really learned to love this old man. I`ll tell you simply how we got him moving even faster. It was simply one word in Japanese "Ai Shite Iru yo!" (yes that is essentially 1 word in Japanese) or in English two words, "Love you!" I started saying that a couple weeks ago, and very quickly he started to change. When he knew that we loved him, and really did want to see him happy, his attitude began to change, he opened up more, he talked to us more. Now we call him every night, we talk to him and we laugh with him. (As I said, Love is one of the most important things you can have.)

Anyway, Other than that we have met with a variety of interesting people, have two people (Nakanishi, and Ito) Preparing to recieve Baptism next month, and I got to travel to Iwade and have fun talking to a variety of other people. Life is Wonderful, life is Beautiful and I Thank God everyday for what I have.

Mother has asked me to share a story about Baptism, so I will share the story of my first baptism here in Japan. Inokoishi Masaya.

Well basically Masaya was a "Kinjin" or a perfect investigator. He had been well prepared to recieve the Gospel and from the time they first found him he was baptized within a Month. I got to participate in the latter half of his lessons and his experience.

Throughout the entire process we only ever had one problem, He was underage, and not yet an adult so he needed to have permission from his parents to be baptized. But his Father and Mother were against it. They didn`t want him to be baptized and told him to wait until after he turned 20 (The age at which Japanese Citizens become Adults). So me and Elder McLaws fasted and prayed for Masaya, that he would be able to be baptized and enjoy the blessings of the Gospel. That night after our fast, we called Masaya to see how he was doing, and he told us that his Mother had changed her mind and said that she would talk to his Father about letting him get baptized. Within a week we had his parent`s permission and everything went smoothly.

I remember also his baptism, seeing him come out of the water, and I saw his bright smiling face. I remember hearing his testimony, which I only barely understood, and I remember standing in to confirm him and bestow upon him the gift of the Holy Ghost. Throughout all of that I remember feeling a sense of peace and joy for him, that now his feet were on the path of Righteousness.

Within a week he was working with us, sitting in on lessons, and testifying to other investigators, I saw in him a bright light and a determination to do what was right. I never fully understood everything that he said, or his testimony, because my Japanese was so weak at the time, but I could see and feel how strong it was.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the Week

I Don`t want to spend too much time writing this week so I want to quickly share a scripture.

D&C "There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. It is based upon Obedience to that law upon which blessings are received."

Now I probably ruined that scripture, but it went something along those lines.

Simply, when we obey a commandment, we are blessed, when we disobey a commandment we lose those blessings. I have found that this is especially true when it comes to missionary work. When a missionary begins to stray, even in the slightest blessings begin to fall away and we are left to our own power to try and do the work of God. As we step more and more in line with God and his will, and follow his rules and commandments more and more blessings come. I think of it as a quadradic formula almost. When we start obeying with exactness, with every small commandment that we follow the blessings begin to soar higher and higher, but when we take away even the smallest the blessings fall with the exact same speed.

As President McIntrye has told us "The difference between a Successful Missionary and an Unsuccessful Missionary is that the Successful missionary is willing to do what the UnSuccessful Missionary won`t." Just those small things really can make a difference. For example, A Monkey`s DNA is about 99% the same as Human DNA, But the difference between the two is startling. Just that 1% makes all the difference. So just be that much more obedient, just be that much more faithful, and you`ll find out that those little differences, add up very quickly.

With Much Love, and In the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.



Your Son, Brother, Friend

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Just plain nice.....

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

Another week rushes past in the blink of an eye. I woke up Sunday Morning and was like "Ahhh another Tuesday..... Wait a second.... It`s Sunday!?" Yea my days are starting to get mixed up here and there. We actually only have 1 more week before we get transfer calls. I have no idea if I`m going to stay or go, but I do have a feeling I might get transferred. We`ll see though, with President McIntyre anything goes.

This week.... Well We visited quite a few people this week, Had fun at Members Houses and had plenty of great experiences. My favorite investigator Nakanishi has been very Genki of late. Called me his favorite missionary and we`ve had many a good laugh together. It`s always wonderful to see someone you really care about become happier.

On Friday though we had a special Zone Conference. Elder Kikuchi Aoyagi, of the Asia North Area Presidency and Quorum of the Seventy came and toured our mission. We got to hear him talk to us and he gave some very wonderful training along with President McIntryre. I Loved hearing President McIntryre talk about "Zion`s Camp" and how everyone has their own personal "Zion`s Camp" Moments. The times where we are called to do something, and we do our best to do it but we see no results. When it seems that there is no success and then we are called to something else. Most of the time we`ll look back and see nothing come of what we have done and believe that we were called to the wrong position. Well maybe, just like Zion`s Camp we were called not to complete the job, but simply to see if we`d try and do it, to see if we would be Obedient, and maybe it was for us, for us to grow and to learn.

Other than that the only Highlight has been that of one of our Eikaiwa(English Class) Students. Last week he came up to me after class and asked me to pray for his Mother, who was deathly ill, and asked how too pray. So I taught him how to pray, and prayed for his mother. This week he came to class extremely excited, and thanked us because his Mother`s health was recovering and she was beginning to feel much better. She is about 80 years old and it was a miraculous recovery.

Well I don`t have too much to report this week. Just that and lots of mosquito bites on my ankles. Life is good, and everything is beautiful and fantastic.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the Week.

Well, another week, another Gospel Moment, another pause to find out what I should write.

Of late I`ve been reading from the Old Testament. As part of my goals I wish to read all the Standard Works(Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price) and the last one I have left is the Old Testament, which is a beast to tackle. I`ve just finished reading Joshua and am now just beginning to read into Judges. But now I`m kind of thinking back to the whole story of Israel going into Canaan and conquering the people.

The People of ancient Israel truly do amaze me. Throughout the Books of Moses and Joshua they continue to rebel and forget about God. They do it very quickly as well. When they escaped Egypt and worshiped the Golden Calf, when they complained to God about not having meat to eat, when they feared the people of Canaan more than they feared God. How quick they were to forget. No wonder they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years!

But why is that? How could anyone forget the great miracles that Moses wrought before their eyes? He split the red sea, and caused plagues to come down upon the Egyptians without harming the Israelite's, and yet how quick they were to forget that. They forgot how God rained Manna from heaven, how he had scattered other enemies before them. It is quite amazing when you read their stories.

But how can we learn from their mistakes? I don`t think any of us would quickly forget if we saw President Monson cause a Mountain to move, or a river to reverse it`s course or any huge miracle. I certainly wouldn`t. We can learn by applying the same principle to the smaller things. How quick are we to forget the words of our Prophet? How quick are we to forget the spiritual messages that we have received? It`s like the Pride Cycle, we are knocked down low, and humble ourselves and repent and then God Blesses us, than we forget what he did for us and boast of ourselves only to be knocked back down.

How can we avoid this cycle? By being grateful for what we have. If we can do as President Monson has taught us in this past General Conference, and nurture an attitude of gratitude than we can avoid the pride cycle for the most part. If we are always thankful for what the Lord has given us, and always remember the many blessings he has poured out upon us we will remain humble before the Lord and avoid Pride. We can avoid those same pits and falls that we had fallen into before. So just be grateful, and as the Hymn goes, "Count your many Blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, and see what God hath Done." Our Blessings are many. I know this, I can`t count all of mine, but just to list a few: My wonderful Family, My Friends, My Mentors, Those that Love me, To have this opportunity to Serve a Mission, for My Companion, and also for the wonderful time in which I live. I could continue to list more, but that would take too long.

Just Remember, I know that God Lives, I know that he loves me. I have seen his hand in my life and in the lives of others around me. When I open the eyes of my heart, and search to find God, I find that he is not far away at all. I am indeed grateful for his unsurpassed Love, and I am Grateful for his mercy and greatness. I know that Christ Lives also, that he loves also, that he has paid the price for us all, and for that I am eternally grateful, and at times I wish I could sing praises all the day long for what he has done for me. I bear testimony of Him, of The Father, and of The Son, in the Holy name of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen.

With Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

9 months down only 15 more to go....

Can you believe that Randy has been gone 9 months already. The growth, joy and love he has experienced is tell me "job well done, now keep going". He sounds twice as happy and just relaxing and enjoying. Again, as if you didn't know, he is totally AMAZING!!!!!

Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, Friends

Another week rolls on by, carefree and filled with Joy. I first like to express my gratitude to everyone this week. I LOVE all the letters and emails I`ve gotten and they always serve to brighten my day. I even had a streak of recieving letters for 3 days in a row this week. That made me very happy. Autumn is now here in full force and Christmas is coming barreling down the hill. Another blink or two and I`ll be back in summer!

So, I`ve been so busy this week I can`t even remember everything that`s happened. Tuesday we met with quite a few people and taught quite a few lessons, Wednesday was filled with more lessons. Thursday I got interviewed by President McIntrye, Friday I rode waaaaaaaayyyyyyy up north and had a lesson and then rode waaaaayyyy back to the apartment. We were riding our bikes for over an hour each way. Saturday was a day full of headaches and futile attempts at comprehending complex Japanese for 6 hours as I listened to General Conference. Yes I had to listen to all of the saturday sessions in Japanese. I Got as far as Elder Holland in the first session, before my brain fried. Note that Elder Holland was the second Speaker. Although I did manage during the 1 hour break we had to watch Monson, Holland, and Uchtdorf from the first session in English. After that entertaining experience we visited a family.

That was an interesting experience. This family has known the Missionaries for over 15 years, and always invites them over to dinner. It was quite funny because the Father ended up drinking a little too much beer and would start spouting off random stories of when missionaries came over. Even the son turned to his dad and said, "Dad, I think you`ve had a little too much to drink." We had a good time and shared a good message with them.

Sunday I showed up at church for the Sunday sessions of General Conference, fully expecting to have to listen to them in Japanese. But then UPS Pilot from Texas showed up and we were able to watch the Conference in English. That was a miracle. He had actually been scheduled to go to Singapore, but they changed his plans and he came into Osaka for 3 days, and Sennan just happens to be the closest Church building to the Airport. I was verrrrrrrry grateful for that Blessing. I Loved all the talks that I heard, especially Monson`s talk on Gratitude.

After Conference we rode around and found that they were having a huge festival here in town. A Danjiri, which is a harvest festival of some sort. They make these huge hand pulled Wagons with drums built in the back and pull them around town. Apparently in Hannan City (The southern city in our area) alone had 25 of these Danjiri`s. I`ll Upload pictures. But they run with these things and they even pull them up hills and one even goes into the ocean. It was quite fun to watch.

After that we visited our investigator Nakanishi. Which was a wonderful experience and I was able to testify to him, and feel the Spirit fill my heart. It was just another confirmation to me of the truthfullness of what I am doing.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the Week

I`m not even sure what I want to share this week. Lol. Most of the time I`ll have an idea or two before I come to email, but I seem to have forgotten all of them.

What more can I say than this, God is a God of Love, and when you feel his Love, and when you can share that love, there is nothing greater in the world.

Recently I recieved a letter from my good friend, in which he bore his testimony to me. Of all the things he wrote to me, that was the greatest, I felt like Alma when he met with the sons of Alma. "Yea I was filled with joy, that he was still my Brother in the Lord, and that he had waxed strong in the Knowledge of the Truth." I felt his strong spirit, and I was proud of him. I saw in what he wrote the fulfilling of part of his great potential that I had always known he`d had. I was happy because I knew that he had partaken of the same fruit, of the same joys that I have had. I saw that, and I nearly wept with Joy.

In a similar experience, if not very different, I met with Nakanishi yesterday. The poor, man who lives alone, he has no desires, no hope, no faith. I talked to him, I taught him, I read scriptures to him, I prayed for him, and I loved him, and I testified to him. I shared my joy with him, and told him that he could have the same joy and happiness that I had if only he wanted it, if only he strove for it. But he was unsure, he didn`t want to try. When I heard his reply I felt my heart sink, not in despair, but in sorrow for him. Because I love him, because I want to help him, but I can only do so much for him. I cannot make him belief, I cannot make him do anything, I can only invite, and I did. Don`t get me wrong, I`m not discouraged or burdened with these, but I am still sad for his sake and I still pray for him daily.

So this is my Joy. My Happiness, my peace, my everything, my all. Love. That simple word, so pure and perfect, Love. I can look into nearly anyone`s eyes now and say in all seriousness that I Love them. That I care for them, that I want to help them. That I am willing to sacrifice for them, and that brings me joy. To see their smile, to see their grateful eyes, to see them succeed, to see them grow, to see them happy. If there is anything that I wish to carry on with me after my mission it is this simple lesson of Love. That when you Love you will find happiness.

So Love people. First your God, than your family, than expand outwards to your friends and neighbors, then love the world around you. Make someone smile, make someone laugh, wipe away the tears of the sad, and comfort the grieving. Lend a hand to those in need and you will make the world just that much better, it is simply one step at a time.

That is my message today, which I know I have shared so many times before. But I say it again, and again, and I will NEVER get tired of saying it. No greater commandment Has God ever given than to Love one Another.

So I end, with Love unto all. I pray for all of you, that you may find happiness and peace, that you may find joy and love within your own lives. I love you all, and wish you will.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Saviour, and Redeemer, amen.


Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi,

and the son will be an "All-American Standing Stone"

Oh my heck...I laughed so hard with this letter. Randy is having way too much fun, but yet great success in his ability to communicate and understand the language. This letter you will need to remember that "Tateishi" means Standing Stone, then you will understand what Randy is really saying. As far as the picture...well, just read along and you will see.

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

Another busy week has flown by faster than I could blink. I swear it was yesterday that Kamacho Choro came to Sennan, now we`re already halfway through the transfer, President Interviews are coming up, General Conference is here, and I`m just plan lost as to where all my time went.

So I`ll start off with what I did this morning.

I Looked at my pedigree on Dad`s side of the family tree and saw the name "Zenbei." I looked to my companion and asked him. "What`s the Kanji for this name?" He shrugged, and after a moment said, "There are lots of Kanji for that name, but Here`s one."

He then gave me this Kanji: 全米

He told me the meaning of it, and I now wish to name my son Zenbei Tateishi. And this will be his conversation.

"So Zenbei, where does your name come from?"

"Japan."

"What does it mean?"

"All-American."

So my son will be an "All-American Standing Stone."

That was my adventure this morning, and me and my companion where laughing for too hard, and for far too long.

Tonikaku.

This week, we did a lot of biking, a lot teaching, and I did lots of baking.

Monday I started trying to make Molassas sugar cookies, they ended up getting burnt, until the very end of the batch when I realized that they are supposed to look doughy until they cool down. Then I made a second batch of them that actually worked. Tuesday we taught a few people, and rode around a lot, then the Assitant Presidents came down and did a companionship exchange with us until Wednesday night. I spent most of Wednesday listening to Elder Solomon quote movies, songs, and random comedies. It was highly entertaining. Wednesday night we had a party, loads of fun, You`ll just have to look at the pictures and try to find out what I was doing. (I`m not even sure what I was doing.) Thursday we went to Iwade for District Meeting and ate at a Buffet, and a buffet that dad would like. All you can eat meat, which you cook yourself to your own liking. YakiNiku as it`s called in Japan. It was very delicious.

Friday I cut grass with a kama all day. Saturday we rode about an hour and a half to the northern part of our area, only for our investigator to sleep in and not show up to the appointment. Then rode back. It was a total of about 35-40 Kilometers there and back. Sunday we spent most of the day at church talking with members and recieved the "Fruits basket" from the ward. We basically don`t need to do any shopping this week we recieved so much.

Today, we plan on going to the golf range with one of the members, Kamacho Choro has never been Golfing before and so we`re going to see how well he can hit a golf ball.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week!

So what should I talk about this week. It Gets hard coming up with new messages every week.

I`ll just share an experience from this past week in one of my lessons.

We were teaching Itami-san this week, the very stubborn old man who has read far too many religious books and now beliefs that everyone really just beliefs in the same thing. We first attempted to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, but he wouldn`t listen to us. So my companion tried harder to get into the actual lesson, but Itami-san bluntly told him he didn`t want to hear it right now and said, "I already know about this `plan` thing, what I want is just a regular conversation just to bounce off ideas." He then proceeded to talk about Reincarnation and how everyone lives multiple lives.

By this time, I had listened to him recite many different bhuddist beliefs and I had only been understanding maybe 70% of the conversation, and so I decided to actually start trying to say something useful and proceeded to explain why Reincarnation wouldn`t really work. As soon as I was done speaking he looked at me, silent for a moment, no reply, and then turned to my companion and said "See, like that! That`s the kind of conversation I want."

This happened about 2 or 3 times more during the visit, in which I started quoting from the New Testament, and Old Testament to support what I was saying. Which I have yet to read the Old Testament all the way through, and have only read the New Testament once.

Where am I going with this? Well the Lord really truly does guide his servants. When I stopped worrying about what was going on, and stopped thinking or fretting about wether it was the right thing to say or not, and when I started trusting in the spirit of the Lord, I was blessed. I was able to teach him, and I was able to remember scriptures from long ago. It was all through the Spirit.

I know that with the Spirit, all things are possible. That there is no need to worry. In all things the Holy Ghost will "lead you by the hand."

Your Son, Brother, Friend

Elder Randall KK Tateishi