Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Ok! Well, it`s another week. Ummmm.... Where do I start? Monday was hectic, ran around getting a new washer and were barely able to have it delivered in time before we had an appointment to go eat at an all you can eat pizza restuarant with a less active high school kid. So that was a little crazy. Tuesday we had all you can eat at a members house, and wednesday I skipped lunch because I was stuffed and decided that I didn`t need to eat for another month because I was over fed. Thursday me and Elder Perry from Joyo area worked together and lots of fun running around and visiting members. Friday me and Elder Toyosato spent the day planning and had only a little time for Dendo. Saturday I was absolutely destroyed in a game of Table Tennis by a 15 year old girl and then obliterated in a game of Shogi (Japanese chess) by a man in a wheel chair. Sunday I ran around like a chiken with its head cut off trying to work out lessons and Splits in order to teach two teenage girls and get one extremely shy investigator to the christmas devotional. So that was my week in a nut shell. Pretty hectic but really good.
To go into more detail about Sunday we had two of our investigators at church, both of them are teenage girls. One is the daughter of a less-active couple and the other is the girlfriend of one of the YSA that is preparing to leave on a mission next year. Both of them get along really well and act as if they have been members their whole lives and have instantly created great friendships within the ward. When we taught them after church we had to do splits and so I taught the member`s girlfriend which was way fun and way surprising. She told me flat out that as she hears the lessons she doesn`t want her boyfriend to be there. She also had the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Bible on her Iphone before she had ever come to church. I was sitting in utter amazement and my Member companion was just saying "Kids these days are so different." Then our extremely shy investigator came to the Christmas Devotional and actually talked with the members and was very open and had a good time. It was just a miraculous day yesterday and full of surprises.
Not sure what it is I need to write this week, other than everything is going to get even more hectic this week as my companion prepares to return home to Okinawa. We have to get all of his stuff packed up and sent off before Sunday and then Sunday night we have to head of to the Mission home in order to get him home by Sunday. Things just keep getting busier and busier, which just makes time move faster and faster.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
D&C 25:12 "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me."
Singing hymns or songs of praise is a wonderful way to invite the spirit. The Lord has caused that many hymns should be written and he himself enjoys those beautiful melodies and lyrics that are sung. Songs can bring comfort, peace, love, and Joy both to those that sing and those that hear.
A few years ago as I was travelling about with my High School Choir for Christmas we sung in a Hospital Lobby as worried parents, friends, spouses, children and patience scurried in and out. I always remember one little boy, who was rolled up in a wheel chair and hooked up to an IV bag, he was hairless and his skin was pale and his body frail. He asked us to sing one of his favorite christmas melodies. As we sang through that song again I remember seeing him smile and his parents, standing behind his wheel chair cry, moved with emotion. I felt the joy that comes from sharing the love of Christmas through singing as I saw his family obtain just a small little piece of joy on that day.
With much love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sometimes, the Lord knows exactly what you need....
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well, this week has been hectic and fun. Just everything not working out the way I thought it would, plus my birthday and a load of surprises along with that.
Monday, was just absolutely crazy. We went the department store to buy a new washing machine, found one and called the mission office to get the money put on our cards so that we could buy it. They said they`d get it to us ASAP, well a few hours later of waiting and calling them again, they told us it would be a couple days before they could get back to us. By that time our P-day was over and so we just had to go out and work without getting anything else done.
Everything was pretty normal up until thursday night when we went to a member`s house for dinner. He fed us to the point where we were about to explode, bought me a very expensive wallet for my birthday and then still had more food for us to eat, but we couldn`t fit anything else into our already overpacked stomachs. But time was up and we had to rush back to our apartment to make it on time for Curfew.
Friday was just another friday but saturday was when everything started to pick up.
Saturday was my birthday and so I`m now 21 years old, and despite all my attempts on Saturday to avoid the Happy Birthday Song and lots of attention being drawn to me, I was foiled time and time again. The biggest of which was a member lunch that we had been invited to. Brother Mercado, an immigrant from Peru made us lunch and it was way delicious. As we finished up lunch and he was putting away the dishes and talking to his little boy when I heard the words "Birthday Cake." Then out of the kitchen he came with a birthday cake and him and his family and my companion sang for me. The biggest surprise was that the way he had found out about my birthday was because Mom looked him up and added him on facebook, and then he looked at my profile and saw that it was my birthday, and thus prepared for me. It was a very wonderful surprise and very welcomed.
The next surprise came that night at the Christmas Music night that we had, well after at least. During the program I was the announcer so I made absolute sure that my Birthday was not announced at all, but afterwards as almost all of the members were sitting around talking and we were talking to a few less actives my companion gathered everyone and they sang happy birthday for me. It was the beautiful Happy Birthday song I have EVER heard, and I`m serious to, they were all in perfect tune. It was almost like listening to a choir. They also bought me pizza from pizza hut.
Those were my birthday surprises, and Sunday was wonderful as well, we had 3 investigators at church and had some awesome lessons. Everything seemed to just work out and we had a great time with the YSA and Youth at the ward Family Home Evening activity, where 2 of our investigators came.
All in all it was a great week with loads of fun.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
3 Nephi 13:30ish "For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."
This week has been a very wonderful, but quiet and simple week, as I was really able to feel the truthfullness of this scriptures. God as our loving Heavenly Father knows all the things that we need. He knows what will make us happy, what will comfort us and what will be best for us. I feel as if God celebrated my Birthday along with many other people, that he reached down from heaven as if to say that he knows who I am and to wish me a happy birthday.
I`m far away from home, many thousands of miles away and speaking a language that is compeletely foreign and strange. To be honest it does at time feel lonely and sad. Yet this far away from home I can still feel the radiant Love of God and his many blessings. It was a miracle that Brother Mercado knew about my birthday, as I do not know how my Mother would have known that he was in my ward at all. That small gift, that sweet and tender moment wwas very powerful for me.
Also, in this work as a missionary, times have been tough and when things seemed to not be going so well I came across this scripture. Almost immediately I felt that everything would be all right and everything would turn out good. Then on Sunday we had huge success with our investigators coming to church and we have been recieving many referrals of late. God knows what we need to do his work, he knows what we need to achieve what he wants us to do.
I testify that God loves each and every one of us. That he knows us by name and by face, by voice and by action. He knows what we need, he knows what will bring us the greatest joy and he strives to use all of his infinite power to bring to pass our Eternal Salvation and Happiness. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Well, this week has been hectic and fun. Just everything not working out the way I thought it would, plus my birthday and a load of surprises along with that.
Monday, was just absolutely crazy. We went the department store to buy a new washing machine, found one and called the mission office to get the money put on our cards so that we could buy it. They said they`d get it to us ASAP, well a few hours later of waiting and calling them again, they told us it would be a couple days before they could get back to us. By that time our P-day was over and so we just had to go out and work without getting anything else done.
Everything was pretty normal up until thursday night when we went to a member`s house for dinner. He fed us to the point where we were about to explode, bought me a very expensive wallet for my birthday and then still had more food for us to eat, but we couldn`t fit anything else into our already overpacked stomachs. But time was up and we had to rush back to our apartment to make it on time for Curfew.
Friday was just another friday but saturday was when everything started to pick up.
Saturday was my birthday and so I`m now 21 years old, and despite all my attempts on Saturday to avoid the Happy Birthday Song and lots of attention being drawn to me, I was foiled time and time again. The biggest of which was a member lunch that we had been invited to. Brother Mercado, an immigrant from Peru made us lunch and it was way delicious. As we finished up lunch and he was putting away the dishes and talking to his little boy when I heard the words "Birthday Cake." Then out of the kitchen he came with a birthday cake and him and his family and my companion sang for me. The biggest surprise was that the way he had found out about my birthday was because Mom looked him up and added him on facebook, and then he looked at my profile and saw that it was my birthday, and thus prepared for me. It was a very wonderful surprise and very welcomed.
The next surprise came that night at the Christmas Music night that we had, well after at least. During the program I was the announcer so I made absolute sure that my Birthday was not announced at all, but afterwards as almost all of the members were sitting around talking and we were talking to a few less actives my companion gathered everyone and they sang happy birthday for me. It was the beautiful Happy Birthday song I have EVER heard, and I`m serious to, they were all in perfect tune. It was almost like listening to a choir. They also bought me pizza from pizza hut.
Those were my birthday surprises, and Sunday was wonderful as well, we had 3 investigators at church and had some awesome lessons. Everything seemed to just work out and we had a great time with the YSA and Youth at the ward Family Home Evening activity, where 2 of our investigators came.
All in all it was a great week with loads of fun.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
3 Nephi 13:30ish "For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."
This week has been a very wonderful, but quiet and simple week, as I was really able to feel the truthfullness of this scriptures. God as our loving Heavenly Father knows all the things that we need. He knows what will make us happy, what will comfort us and what will be best for us. I feel as if God celebrated my Birthday along with many other people, that he reached down from heaven as if to say that he knows who I am and to wish me a happy birthday.
I`m far away from home, many thousands of miles away and speaking a language that is compeletely foreign and strange. To be honest it does at time feel lonely and sad. Yet this far away from home I can still feel the radiant Love of God and his many blessings. It was a miracle that Brother Mercado knew about my birthday, as I do not know how my Mother would have known that he was in my ward at all. That small gift, that sweet and tender moment wwas very powerful for me.
Also, in this work as a missionary, times have been tough and when things seemed to not be going so well I came across this scripture. Almost immediately I felt that everything would be all right and everything would turn out good. Then on Sunday we had huge success with our investigators coming to church and we have been recieving many referrals of late. God knows what we need to do his work, he knows what we need to achieve what he wants us to do.
I testify that God loves each and every one of us. That he knows us by name and by face, by voice and by action. He knows what we need, he knows what will bring us the greatest joy and he strives to use all of his infinite power to bring to pass our Eternal Salvation and Happiness. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, November 28, 2011
It's almost the end....but a future to look towards...
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Well, another crazy week flies by like lightning. Not sure what to write. Things just never work out as planned anymore. Makes planning seem almost pointless to me now since we never manage to get even half of the plan done ever. Quite entertaining but at the same time quite a nuisance.
Let`s see... What I remember the most from this week is being absolutely exhausted every single day. Not sure why but I`m constantly tired. We did have a few good lessons though. On Tuesday we met with Okuda Yuta, the investigator that I had found over a year and a half ago, and talked to him and asked him a lot of questions trying to find out what he`s thinking. It was way fun and way cool to get him to open up and tell us that why he didn`t want to get baptized was simply because he didn`t even believe in God yet, and he didn`t want to get baptized if he isn`t going to stay in the church or have a firm testimony. So now we know how to work with him.
Other than that we had a lesson with another investigator a few times that just liked to talk a lot. Kind of gets frustrating when people don`t focus or don`t let you continue on with what your trying to say. Guess it just means I`m supposed to learn a lot of patience.
We also had Zone Conference, which was way fun, got to see a few good friends and learn really cool things from President Zinke. Also was taught about how to stay healthy and told not to mentally criticize myself by the Asia North Area Missionary Health Advisor Missionaries peoples.
After that I beat my companion, Elder Toyosato in a game of Shogi (Japanese Chess) and his rear bike wheel is falling apart. He`s way funny and way chill about what`s going on, but we`re both wondering why that at the very end of his mission when he wants to work hard his bike breaks, his health gets worse, and other things just get in the way of him working. Poor guy, I love him to death, but long hours waiting in front of the bathroom also make me very tired.
Not sure what else to type. I want to go out site seeing but, between my companions broken bike, and our broken washing machine we don`t have all that much time. Hopefully next week we`ll be able to start seeing some cool stuff.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
As we visited a family last night I asked them a question "What has been the greatest blessing that hs come from knowing the Gospel?" As I thought about that question for myself, and how I would answer it myself I came up with a very simple answer: "My Future"
Being raised in the Gospel has always been a great blessing to me. The Gospel has always blessed my life and my family as I learned righteous morals and ideals. It has given me many strong and valiant friends and shown me many great examples of righteous people. The scriptures opened my mind to the truth, and the Holy Ghost has testified to me of it all. I have been comforted by the Comforter, I have been forgiven of my sins, and I have seen many miracles performed before me. Those blessings are all wonderful and amazing to me, but still not the greatest blessing to me.
My Future has been the greatest blessing to me. As I look back to where I was 2 years ago, before I truly knew the Gospel was true and before I truly learned to repent and rely upon God and upon my Savior, I can see exactly where my life would have led. I can see that I would have little hope for the future if any at all. I would have lived and then I would have died, with no success no true happiness, nor joy. Yet Now I can look forward and see what lies ahead. I can see that in my future there is of course trials and tribulations but far more than that there is Happiness and Joy indescribable. I can picture easily in my minds eye my future family filled with the joy of the gospel. I have that hope that I can live together forever with my family. I can look forward, past the here and now, past the current trial or the current tribulation and understand that the "Best is yet to Come" (Elder Holland).
"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Ether 12:4)
Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
With Much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Well, another crazy week flies by like lightning. Not sure what to write. Things just never work out as planned anymore. Makes planning seem almost pointless to me now since we never manage to get even half of the plan done ever. Quite entertaining but at the same time quite a nuisance.
Let`s see... What I remember the most from this week is being absolutely exhausted every single day. Not sure why but I`m constantly tired. We did have a few good lessons though. On Tuesday we met with Okuda Yuta, the investigator that I had found over a year and a half ago, and talked to him and asked him a lot of questions trying to find out what he`s thinking. It was way fun and way cool to get him to open up and tell us that why he didn`t want to get baptized was simply because he didn`t even believe in God yet, and he didn`t want to get baptized if he isn`t going to stay in the church or have a firm testimony. So now we know how to work with him.
Other than that we had a lesson with another investigator a few times that just liked to talk a lot. Kind of gets frustrating when people don`t focus or don`t let you continue on with what your trying to say. Guess it just means I`m supposed to learn a lot of patience.
We also had Zone Conference, which was way fun, got to see a few good friends and learn really cool things from President Zinke. Also was taught about how to stay healthy and told not to mentally criticize myself by the Asia North Area Missionary Health Advisor Missionaries peoples.
After that I beat my companion, Elder Toyosato in a game of Shogi (Japanese Chess) and his rear bike wheel is falling apart. He`s way funny and way chill about what`s going on, but we`re both wondering why that at the very end of his mission when he wants to work hard his bike breaks, his health gets worse, and other things just get in the way of him working. Poor guy, I love him to death, but long hours waiting in front of the bathroom also make me very tired.
Not sure what else to type. I want to go out site seeing but, between my companions broken bike, and our broken washing machine we don`t have all that much time. Hopefully next week we`ll be able to start seeing some cool stuff.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
As we visited a family last night I asked them a question "What has been the greatest blessing that hs come from knowing the Gospel?" As I thought about that question for myself, and how I would answer it myself I came up with a very simple answer: "My Future"
Being raised in the Gospel has always been a great blessing to me. The Gospel has always blessed my life and my family as I learned righteous morals and ideals. It has given me many strong and valiant friends and shown me many great examples of righteous people. The scriptures opened my mind to the truth, and the Holy Ghost has testified to me of it all. I have been comforted by the Comforter, I have been forgiven of my sins, and I have seen many miracles performed before me. Those blessings are all wonderful and amazing to me, but still not the greatest blessing to me.
My Future has been the greatest blessing to me. As I look back to where I was 2 years ago, before I truly knew the Gospel was true and before I truly learned to repent and rely upon God and upon my Savior, I can see exactly where my life would have led. I can see that I would have little hope for the future if any at all. I would have lived and then I would have died, with no success no true happiness, nor joy. Yet Now I can look forward and see what lies ahead. I can see that in my future there is of course trials and tribulations but far more than that there is Happiness and Joy indescribable. I can picture easily in my minds eye my future family filled with the joy of the gospel. I have that hope that I can live together forever with my family. I can look forward, past the here and now, past the current trial or the current tribulation and understand that the "Best is yet to Come" (Elder Holland).
"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Ether 12:4)
Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
With Much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Quick note....
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well, I`m back in my first area, Fushimi. Everything is also going haywire. Lol, I love my life, full of excitement and adventure.
Let`s just say that I love Fushimi, 2 of my old investigators that I had when I was here over a year and a half ago are still around. 1 has been going to church constantly since I left, even sang at the stake conference on Sunday with the YSA. Everyone seems pretty excited to see me back and way surprised that I can actually speak Japanese now. It`s been loads of fun seeing everyone again and I`m excited to be working here again.
My companion is currently sick and we have spent all of Preperation Day in the apartment. He looks like he`s about to die still, but we came out just to let everyone know that we are still alive. His name is Elder Toyosato from Okinawa. He`s on his last stretch as a missionary and goes home on the 18th of December. He`s sick, so I spent my whole day watching some church videos at the apartment. Including the Joseph Smith Movie. Yea, our washer is also broken so we haven`t been able to wash clothes. Life is fun, full of adventure!
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
D&C101:16 "Be still and know that I am God."
Being still? Yep.....
Know that God is? Yep!
"Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Thy Hope, thy Confidence, let nothing shake. All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still my soul, the winds and waves still know his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below." (Hymn 124; "Be still my Soul.")
Amen.
Well, I`m back in my first area, Fushimi. Everything is also going haywire. Lol, I love my life, full of excitement and adventure.
Let`s just say that I love Fushimi, 2 of my old investigators that I had when I was here over a year and a half ago are still around. 1 has been going to church constantly since I left, even sang at the stake conference on Sunday with the YSA. Everyone seems pretty excited to see me back and way surprised that I can actually speak Japanese now. It`s been loads of fun seeing everyone again and I`m excited to be working here again.
My companion is currently sick and we have spent all of Preperation Day in the apartment. He looks like he`s about to die still, but we came out just to let everyone know that we are still alive. His name is Elder Toyosato from Okinawa. He`s on his last stretch as a missionary and goes home on the 18th of December. He`s sick, so I spent my whole day watching some church videos at the apartment. Including the Joseph Smith Movie. Yea, our washer is also broken so we haven`t been able to wash clothes. Life is fun, full of adventure!
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
D&C101:16 "Be still and know that I am God."
Being still? Yep.....
Know that God is? Yep!
"Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Thy Hope, thy Confidence, let nothing shake. All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still my soul, the winds and waves still know his voice who ruled them while he dwelt below." (Hymn 124; "Be still my Soul.")
Amen.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sigh.....change....
I feel for Randy and his last change in his mission. I know in his heart he wanted to stay in the same ward he had been in for the past 8 months. Difficult as it may be for him to move on, at least he will be with old friends in his first area he served in Japan. We are now getting so much closer to Randy coming home and lots of feelings are happening in my heart. I'm so excited to be able to see and talk with him again, yet I know that the growth he has experienced has amazed myself and I'm sure himself. It is a hard thing, change...yes it is. But we all know that it is for our own good that things happen and the willingness he has to go where the Lord would have him go is a blessing...
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Well! I got transfer calls today, and to my surprise and great mix of sorrow and joy I am being transfered. I can say that this will be the hardest move I`ve ever made on my mission, but also the easiest. Yea I know I`m talking in paradoxes but the reason why is that I am leave an area that I have lived in for 8 months, that I Love with all my heart and I love the people. I don`t want to leave this all behind, and I don`t want to have to say goodbye. On the bright side, I am going back to my first area. Back to Fushimi, which is a place that I had wanted to return to for a long time and I`m excited to go see those people again, and actually be able to talk with them.
Ummmm..... Let`s seeeeee... I`ll just give you the one highlight from my extremely busy week and that highlight was Sunday.
One of our less actives had committed to come to church. So as sacrament meeting started I sat in the back waiting, praying, and hoping that she would come. But she didn`t, I was devestated and extremely disappointed. I was actually really sad. As I took the sacrament I was praying really hard. I was hoping that something would happen, and then to my surprise, an old man walked in that I recognized. Someone I had met 3 months ago at church. Sugita, a referal from a ward member, had decided to come to church completely unanounced. He didn`t even let the member know that he was coming. When I saw him I almost leaped for joy. I was so excited for him as he came and as we sat and talked. He had many questions and many thoughts. He was still looking for peace of mind and heart, and he even said that he was going to try and do his best to take work off on Sunday`s so that he can come to church. It was a miracle!
Yea, I know that this email is short. I love you all and all I want to say is that I Love the Lord! These 8 months that I have spent in Kawachinagano have been the most grueling, the most difficult, the most painful, the most sorrowful, the most joyful, the most exciting, the must fun, the rewarding, the most growth, and the best 8 months of my mission. I love this place, I love these people. There is no other place in the world that I would rather be right now than where I am right now. This is where the Lord has called me to be, this is where he`s asked me to go. As I have loved him, and trusted him he has taught me so much. He has given me more than I could ever even hope to repay. "The Lord is my Light! Than why should I fear?" The Lord is my all, he is my Saviour, he is my Redeemer, and my heart is drawn out to sing endless praises unto his name. Words cannot describe what it is that I feel inside. No melody can match the glorious tune of my heart. May the Spirit of God testify to your hearts even just a hundredth portion of what is is mine. I love you all and I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
With Much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Well! I got transfer calls today, and to my surprise and great mix of sorrow and joy I am being transfered. I can say that this will be the hardest move I`ve ever made on my mission, but also the easiest. Yea I know I`m talking in paradoxes but the reason why is that I am leave an area that I have lived in for 8 months, that I Love with all my heart and I love the people. I don`t want to leave this all behind, and I don`t want to have to say goodbye. On the bright side, I am going back to my first area. Back to Fushimi, which is a place that I had wanted to return to for a long time and I`m excited to go see those people again, and actually be able to talk with them.
Ummmm..... Let`s seeeeee... I`ll just give you the one highlight from my extremely busy week and that highlight was Sunday.
One of our less actives had committed to come to church. So as sacrament meeting started I sat in the back waiting, praying, and hoping that she would come. But she didn`t, I was devestated and extremely disappointed. I was actually really sad. As I took the sacrament I was praying really hard. I was hoping that something would happen, and then to my surprise, an old man walked in that I recognized. Someone I had met 3 months ago at church. Sugita, a referal from a ward member, had decided to come to church completely unanounced. He didn`t even let the member know that he was coming. When I saw him I almost leaped for joy. I was so excited for him as he came and as we sat and talked. He had many questions and many thoughts. He was still looking for peace of mind and heart, and he even said that he was going to try and do his best to take work off on Sunday`s so that he can come to church. It was a miracle!
Yea, I know that this email is short. I love you all and all I want to say is that I Love the Lord! These 8 months that I have spent in Kawachinagano have been the most grueling, the most difficult, the most painful, the most sorrowful, the most joyful, the most exciting, the must fun, the rewarding, the most growth, and the best 8 months of my mission. I love this place, I love these people. There is no other place in the world that I would rather be right now than where I am right now. This is where the Lord has called me to be, this is where he`s asked me to go. As I have loved him, and trusted him he has taught me so much. He has given me more than I could ever even hope to repay. "The Lord is my Light! Than why should I fear?" The Lord is my all, he is my Saviour, he is my Redeemer, and my heart is drawn out to sing endless praises unto his name. Words cannot describe what it is that I feel inside. No melody can match the glorious tune of my heart. May the Spirit of God testify to your hearts even just a hundredth portion of what is is mine. I love you all and I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
With Much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
12 weeks and a Halloween....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had an AWESOME week. And I`m way happy and as we say over here in Japan I`m Genki!
We had a way busy week running around from place to place, visiting members and less active members, finding people to teach and teaching. It`s been just way fun. Let me just give a few highlights of what we did this week.
So I`ll start with the fun things. We had Halloween on Saturday. There were hundreds of little kids running through the church, most dressed up like witches or pumpkins. There was a ninja and some Arabian, an Angel, and a Groom. But the Japanese people are not very creative when it comes to getting costumes for the kids. I personally dressed up like Harry Potter, because everyone always tells me I look like him. Elder Wilkes dressed up as a cook and we had a blast. Some of the YSA were dressed up as Jack Sparrow and Angelica from Pirates, there was a cat, a dog, and a Fox, as well as some Japanese Cartoon character that I can`t remember the name of. But needless to say Hideo Kyodai, a returned missionary who served in California, had too much fun talking in english and me casting spells on him. He even came up next to me and asked "So Harry, how did you survive the killing spell?" I turned and replied "WHOA! A Talking Dog!"
Thursday Night a young man walked into the church during institute in tears and was talking with the members about how he wanted to find peace and relief from the heavy burden that he felt. They gave him a Book of Mormon and tried to set up a meeting with the Missionaries. The following Saturday as we showed up an hour early for the Halloween party he was there again talking to the bishop and then we managed to get in and talk with him. His name is Fujishima, he`s 24 years old and he`s a very shy guy. We decided then to begin teaching him and as everyone was scrambling to get ready for the halloween party we found an empty room and sat down, his eyes looked up at a picture of Christ in Gethsemane with a look of curiousity in his eyes. Immediately I felt the Spirit fill the room and prompt me to talk about the picture and the atonement with him. As we talked together and explained the atonement he found peace and felt much better, he opened up to us and told us his dilemna. We showed him that there is a way to remove the burdens that were upon his shoulders and now he is reading the Book of Mormon. We did nothing, the Spirit of God did Everything.
Thursday Night me and Elder Wilkes ran out of people to try to visit, we didn`t really know where to go and so we said a Prayer. Elder Wilkes felt as if we should go further North, into a part of our area that we don`t go very often because it`s so far away and not very many people are out there. So we went to go try and visit a Less active family and on the way I saw a cyclist on pull of to the side of the rode and start checking out his bike. I stopped and pulled out my handy dandy flashlight to investigate his bike and help try to find out what the source of a strange noise was. To my surprise it was simply a small plastic sticker that had gotten stuck perfectly on his chain guide and was simply hitting the chain. We talked with Morisaki for a while and he wanted to learn more about what we have to teach, and about God. So we`ll meet again and teach him more what we have to offer. We did nothing, God did Everything.
Anyway, those are the highlights from my week. I love Life, I love the Lord, and I love this work.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
Paul once exclaimed "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)
I wish to write about the Deat and the resurrection quickly, a topic that I don`t necessarily talk too much about. I`m still young and so it is something that I don`t think too much about either, but it is something that is inevitable, something that will come whoever we are. Whether we are great and exalted among men, or whether we are poor and lowly. No man can escape, no man can avoid it. But peace be unto you all for Death is no enemy.
We all look at the life of Christ and many of us think of the Cross, of the death of Christ and his suffering for us in the garden Gethsemane. We think of how Christ Atoned for our sins and has set us free from those awful chains of hell that bind us down unto destruction. But just as great and just as beautiful as the Docrtine of the Atonement is the Docrine of the Resurrection. Three days after Christ was slain upon the Cross for the Sins of the world he rose again! The grave was opened and he lived again! He Still lives, he still holds a body of flesh and bone and in that very hour that he arose again he loosed the bands of Death and set free all those that lay asleep within the graves. Because of his resurrection he has made it possible for all mankind to rise again and obtain a greater glory than what we have here on this earth.
"Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets. The asoul shall be brestored to the cbody, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a dhair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and eperfect frame." (Alma 40:22-23) We have been promised a perfect body, one that will no longer be subject to the elements, nor will it be subject to pain nor death nor sickness nor disease. Those that have lost limbs shall have them again, those that never had a fully functioning body shall gain one. This Resurrection shall pass upon us all, the wicked as well as the righteous and it is a free gift unto all mankind. But if we live righteously, if we have chosen to follow the Lord our God than we will be raised to even greater glory and be able to live again with those that we love, we will be sealed together with them for all eternity and lifted up at the last days to dwell in eternal glory and happiness with those that we love. O what great joy we should feel! O how great is the hope that we hold!
I exclaim as Paul "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?.... Death is Swallowed up in Victory!.... But thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" Fear comes because of doubt, but if we shall not doubt that fear shall have no place within our hearts. The Faithful may face death without fear, for they can see the Hope that lies beyond! Trust in the Lord God and know that all is well, for in days to come shall we be reunited with those whom we have lost and once again will we be able to take up our bodies in glory and live again. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, October 24, 2011
Sometimes things just happen....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
You know, I`m starting to wonder if I should really bother emailing so much anymore. It`s not all that long before I go home and I`m just running out of things to write. It might just be "Old Missionary" Syndrum, and just focusing on working or just everything feels the same. Not sure, because I do know that everything does seem to blur together a lot.
This week was pretty good though, although it was filled with quite a bit of frustration. With not being able to find people to teach for the past couple weeks it`s been very frustrating on me and on Elder Wilkes, who is still new and wants to see many big miracles. Patience has been a key role in all of this, and it was running very thin through a lot of the week. But we`ve gotten over that and with a new investigator found a lot of that pent up frustration has been relieved along with a great laugh.
We also had two companion exchanges this week. I got to work with Elder Dantas, a Brazalian missionary and that was pretty fun. He can really talk my ear off though. Then I worked with Elder Bailey again, and he`s been in the area right next door to mine for just as long as I`ve been here. So it was good to get together and almost like old friends. We had a good time and talked a lot of people and just generally had fun.
Now for the experience of the week:
"Shinpo Kyodai"
So, we have this 80 year old man in our ward that just recently got out of the hospital. His back had given out because he`s old and so now he`s confined to his apartment and has to use a wheel chair to get around, which is horrible for Japanese people because their apartments are so small and there is absolutely no room to manuever in there. We decided to visit him to cheer him up and share a quick message, but instead it turned into one of my most hilarious experiences in my mission. Let us just say that we sat down together on the floor like must Japanese people do and I asked him how he was doing. That was my first mistake, because I spent the next 45 min. trying to say something to let him know that we needed to go. He talked at full speed and I swear he didn`t take a single breath at all as he spoke. I could understand quite a bit of what he was saying but there was no time for me to jump in and reply or say anything. He just spent 45 min. complaining about his life. With only a few intervals that made this experience all the more hilarious.
After a few minutes he asked me to grab something, and I didn`t understand the word for what he wanted me to grab. (I don`t even know what to call it in english) I got up and started looking for this mystery object as he described to me what it was and where it was. "It`s that plastic container thingy under the chair!" He was very urgent and so I reached under the chair and lo and behold to my surprise it was a "pee bottle!" I quickly handed it to him and he started unsipping his pants and turning away from us, so me and my companion stood up and left the room for a moment to let him have some privacy, before he called us back in. The rest of the time we were just trying to get out of the there to no success.
But it gets even better. As we finally manage to let him know we need to leave Elder Wilkes asked if we could say a prayer and Shinpo Kyodai said it was just fine. Well, Elder Wilkes start saying the prayer and I start hearing Shinpo Kyodai shuffling around. I open my eyes and Lo and Behold! I see him unsipping his pants and turning around again to go pee. The rest of the prayer me and my companion were trying are very hardest not to laugh as Elder Wilkes was praying and I was literally biting my lips trying to stiffle my laughter. As we ended the prayer and apologized to him for interrupting he thanked us for the visit and we left the apartment. As soon as we were out the door and in the elevator we were laughing so hard.
We felt so bad afterwards for laughing, but we just couldn`t help it.
That was the highlight of my week. and other than that we had an awesome time going about teaching people and also finding people to teach.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
"Be still and know that I am God!" (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16)
When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt they were chased by pharoh and his chariots. When the Israelites saw the Egyptians they cried out in fear and desperation to Moses "Because there were not enough graves in Egypt, didst thou bring us out here to perish in the Wilderness!?" They were afraid that the Egyptians would come and slay them and many of them were angry for what Moses had done for they said it would have been better for them to be slaves in Egypt than to perish. But Moses Boldly turned to the Israelites and said "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13-14) With that God commanded Moses to split the Red Sea and we all know the story from there. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on try land and performed one of the most famous miracles in Biblical History.
The simple key was Faith! Moses trusted in the Lord that all thing swould be will. He stood still, calm despite the pressures around him and he rose his staff and caused the Red Sea to split hither and thither. When our lives are hectic, when we are seemingly overwhelmed with a list of things that just have to be done, do we remember the Lord our God? Will we pause and remember the words of the Lord "Be still and know that I am God?" Those are powerful words to me. Even moreso with the way Moses phrased them; "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Or in other words "I`m God, I`ll do it, you be quiet and watch."
So let us not be like the Israelites who quickly forgot about the plagues that God placed upon the Egyptians, or like Laman and Lemuel who quickly forgot that they had seen angels and heard the voice of the Lord. Let us be like unto Moses who stood fearlessly before the waters of the Red Sea, or as Nephi who stood to go and get the plates and against Laban; "For [God] is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?"
God Lives! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
You know, I`m starting to wonder if I should really bother emailing so much anymore. It`s not all that long before I go home and I`m just running out of things to write. It might just be "Old Missionary" Syndrum, and just focusing on working or just everything feels the same. Not sure, because I do know that everything does seem to blur together a lot.
This week was pretty good though, although it was filled with quite a bit of frustration. With not being able to find people to teach for the past couple weeks it`s been very frustrating on me and on Elder Wilkes, who is still new and wants to see many big miracles. Patience has been a key role in all of this, and it was running very thin through a lot of the week. But we`ve gotten over that and with a new investigator found a lot of that pent up frustration has been relieved along with a great laugh.
We also had two companion exchanges this week. I got to work with Elder Dantas, a Brazalian missionary and that was pretty fun. He can really talk my ear off though. Then I worked with Elder Bailey again, and he`s been in the area right next door to mine for just as long as I`ve been here. So it was good to get together and almost like old friends. We had a good time and talked a lot of people and just generally had fun.
Now for the experience of the week:
"Shinpo Kyodai"
So, we have this 80 year old man in our ward that just recently got out of the hospital. His back had given out because he`s old and so now he`s confined to his apartment and has to use a wheel chair to get around, which is horrible for Japanese people because their apartments are so small and there is absolutely no room to manuever in there. We decided to visit him to cheer him up and share a quick message, but instead it turned into one of my most hilarious experiences in my mission. Let us just say that we sat down together on the floor like must Japanese people do and I asked him how he was doing. That was my first mistake, because I spent the next 45 min. trying to say something to let him know that we needed to go. He talked at full speed and I swear he didn`t take a single breath at all as he spoke. I could understand quite a bit of what he was saying but there was no time for me to jump in and reply or say anything. He just spent 45 min. complaining about his life. With only a few intervals that made this experience all the more hilarious.
After a few minutes he asked me to grab something, and I didn`t understand the word for what he wanted me to grab. (I don`t even know what to call it in english) I got up and started looking for this mystery object as he described to me what it was and where it was. "It`s that plastic container thingy under the chair!" He was very urgent and so I reached under the chair and lo and behold to my surprise it was a "pee bottle!" I quickly handed it to him and he started unsipping his pants and turning away from us, so me and my companion stood up and left the room for a moment to let him have some privacy, before he called us back in. The rest of the time we were just trying to get out of the there to no success.
But it gets even better. As we finally manage to let him know we need to leave Elder Wilkes asked if we could say a prayer and Shinpo Kyodai said it was just fine. Well, Elder Wilkes start saying the prayer and I start hearing Shinpo Kyodai shuffling around. I open my eyes and Lo and Behold! I see him unsipping his pants and turning around again to go pee. The rest of the prayer me and my companion were trying are very hardest not to laugh as Elder Wilkes was praying and I was literally biting my lips trying to stiffle my laughter. As we ended the prayer and apologized to him for interrupting he thanked us for the visit and we left the apartment. As soon as we were out the door and in the elevator we were laughing so hard.
We felt so bad afterwards for laughing, but we just couldn`t help it.
That was the highlight of my week. and other than that we had an awesome time going about teaching people and also finding people to teach.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
"Be still and know that I am God!" (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16)
When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt they were chased by pharoh and his chariots. When the Israelites saw the Egyptians they cried out in fear and desperation to Moses "Because there were not enough graves in Egypt, didst thou bring us out here to perish in the Wilderness!?" They were afraid that the Egyptians would come and slay them and many of them were angry for what Moses had done for they said it would have been better for them to be slaves in Egypt than to perish. But Moses Boldly turned to the Israelites and said "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13-14) With that God commanded Moses to split the Red Sea and we all know the story from there. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on try land and performed one of the most famous miracles in Biblical History.
The simple key was Faith! Moses trusted in the Lord that all thing swould be will. He stood still, calm despite the pressures around him and he rose his staff and caused the Red Sea to split hither and thither. When our lives are hectic, when we are seemingly overwhelmed with a list of things that just have to be done, do we remember the Lord our God? Will we pause and remember the words of the Lord "Be still and know that I am God?" Those are powerful words to me. Even moreso with the way Moses phrased them; "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Or in other words "I`m God, I`ll do it, you be quiet and watch."
So let us not be like the Israelites who quickly forgot about the plagues that God placed upon the Egyptians, or like Laman and Lemuel who quickly forgot that they had seen angels and heard the voice of the Lord. Let us be like unto Moses who stood fearlessly before the waters of the Red Sea, or as Nephi who stood to go and get the plates and against Laban; "For [God] is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?"
God Lives! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
And the winning day of return is.....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, It`s been an awesome, adventure filled week. I`ll start with Monday, about an hour or so after I emailed everyone.
So we were about 30 seconds away from our apartment when I saw a member of the ward and waved and said "Hi!" While pulling to a stop to go talk to him. Well, Elder Wilkes wasn`t paying attention to me stopping and ran into me. I didn`t think much of it, because It`s happened much before, but when I checked my bike, the back wheel was all warped and unusuable. xD So that started my adventure for the next couple days.
That night we had to walk around the whole time as I didn`t have a bike, and needless to say it was very uneventful. Then Tuesday morning we started a Companion exchange and had to spend the whole day walking around. Needless to say, every appointment that we had fell through, so almost all of our walking was pointless and unneccesary. So I ended that day exhausted, and really tired with little to show for it.
Wednesday I got the dreaded phone call from the Mission Office about making flight plans to go home.... =( Which just makes me feel that much older. Then we had Interviews with the Mission President which were fun like usually. After that we just went home, studied and then taught Eikaiwa.
Thursday we did a lot of running around making visits and trying to get some sort of lessons in. It was lots of fun as I was borrowing a members bike, which was about 5 sizes to small for me, and the seat wouldn`t stay up at the right height so I kept sliding down and then having to stop and readjust it. Lots of fun! Then we went up to Mikunigaoaka and taught Eikaiwa up there as well. We even played "How`s your Neighbor" which was loads of fun.
Friday we did our weekly planning and did even more running around trying to get more lessons in and had a lot of fun. Saturday was the same.
Sunday, was a good day, we had 4 less active members come to church, well techincally 3 since we now consider Nishiguchi Kyoudai as an active member. He`s SO aweomse!! I was so happy because he got a calling on Sunday as the new Elder`s Quorum Presdiency`s first counsellor. He is also going to be attending our weekly Ward Missionary Coordination meeting from now on and helping us with that, so we get to work with him a lot more. It`s so awesome to see how much he`s changed been blessed as he`s strived harder now to live the Gospel. He`s found a job and just looks and feels so much happier.
That was basically my week. I also recieved a letter telling me that my return date is now confirmed as Febuary 3rd 2012. Time is moving far too quickly for me.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
I`m running out of things to share! As I keep thinking about a message every week all I can think of is "I`ve already shared that one."
Well I guess I`ll revert back to one that I have shared much this week and worked on a lot this week.
God. Who is he? What is he like? What does he do? Why does he exist? What is his relationship with me?
God is that great and eternal being that lives in heaven.
God "knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it." (2 Nephi 9:20) He is all powerful, all mighty, he is perfect, and has perfect body of flesh and bones.
God looks down upon all people and watches over them. He blesses those that keep his commandments and "[His] work and his glory is to bring to pass the immortality and Eternal Life of Man." (Moses 1:39)
God is our Father, we are his children. As God, he knows all things, he can do all things, but we - me and you - are the focus of all his attention and all of his power. He desires our eternal well-being and works with all his might to do so. He loves each and everyone of us and cares for us. We can communicate with him through prayer. He is willing to answer our prayers and listens to every single one of them.
This is who God is. This is who your Heavenly Father is. He is always there, never changing, never forsaking any. The creator of the universe centers all of his power on you.
I know this. I know he`s there. I know he`s here. I know that he is my Father, and that he hears my prayers. I talk with him every night, every morning, every day. I am filled with "the love of God... [which] is the most desirable above all things. Yea, and the most joyous to the soul." (1 Nephi 11:22-23). All can partake, "all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden." (2 Nephi 26:28) God is only ever a prayer away. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, It`s been an awesome, adventure filled week. I`ll start with Monday, about an hour or so after I emailed everyone.
So we were about 30 seconds away from our apartment when I saw a member of the ward and waved and said "Hi!" While pulling to a stop to go talk to him. Well, Elder Wilkes wasn`t paying attention to me stopping and ran into me. I didn`t think much of it, because It`s happened much before, but when I checked my bike, the back wheel was all warped and unusuable. xD So that started my adventure for the next couple days.
That night we had to walk around the whole time as I didn`t have a bike, and needless to say it was very uneventful. Then Tuesday morning we started a Companion exchange and had to spend the whole day walking around. Needless to say, every appointment that we had fell through, so almost all of our walking was pointless and unneccesary. So I ended that day exhausted, and really tired with little to show for it.
Wednesday I got the dreaded phone call from the Mission Office about making flight plans to go home.... =( Which just makes me feel that much older. Then we had Interviews with the Mission President which were fun like usually. After that we just went home, studied and then taught Eikaiwa.
Thursday we did a lot of running around making visits and trying to get some sort of lessons in. It was lots of fun as I was borrowing a members bike, which was about 5 sizes to small for me, and the seat wouldn`t stay up at the right height so I kept sliding down and then having to stop and readjust it. Lots of fun! Then we went up to Mikunigaoaka and taught Eikaiwa up there as well. We even played "How`s your Neighbor" which was loads of fun.
Friday we did our weekly planning and did even more running around trying to get more lessons in and had a lot of fun. Saturday was the same.
Sunday, was a good day, we had 4 less active members come to church, well techincally 3 since we now consider Nishiguchi Kyoudai as an active member. He`s SO aweomse!! I was so happy because he got a calling on Sunday as the new Elder`s Quorum Presdiency`s first counsellor. He is also going to be attending our weekly Ward Missionary Coordination meeting from now on and helping us with that, so we get to work with him a lot more. It`s so awesome to see how much he`s changed been blessed as he`s strived harder now to live the Gospel. He`s found a job and just looks and feels so much happier.
That was basically my week. I also recieved a letter telling me that my return date is now confirmed as Febuary 3rd 2012. Time is moving far too quickly for me.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
I`m running out of things to share! As I keep thinking about a message every week all I can think of is "I`ve already shared that one."
Well I guess I`ll revert back to one that I have shared much this week and worked on a lot this week.
God. Who is he? What is he like? What does he do? Why does he exist? What is his relationship with me?
God is that great and eternal being that lives in heaven.
God "knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it." (2 Nephi 9:20) He is all powerful, all mighty, he is perfect, and has perfect body of flesh and bones.
God looks down upon all people and watches over them. He blesses those that keep his commandments and "[His] work and his glory is to bring to pass the immortality and Eternal Life of Man." (Moses 1:39)
God is our Father, we are his children. As God, he knows all things, he can do all things, but we - me and you - are the focus of all his attention and all of his power. He desires our eternal well-being and works with all his might to do so. He loves each and everyone of us and cares for us. We can communicate with him through prayer. He is willing to answer our prayers and listens to every single one of them.
This is who God is. This is who your Heavenly Father is. He is always there, never changing, never forsaking any. The creator of the universe centers all of his power on you.
I know this. I know he`s there. I know he`s here. I know that he is my Father, and that he hears my prayers. I talk with him every night, every morning, every day. I am filled with "the love of God... [which] is the most desirable above all things. Yea, and the most joyous to the soul." (1 Nephi 11:22-23). All can partake, "all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden." (2 Nephi 26:28) God is only ever a prayer away. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Less than 100 days.....
I've come to the realization that Randy has less than 100 days left on his mission. 2 more transfers and he will be heading home. Wow! I never thought 2 years could go by so quickly. He will come home a changed person. One who is so much more ready to start living a life with the Gospel a priority. I'm glad that 19 year old young men are sent out on Missions. I think that living life as a missionary is going to the best preparation anyone could ever have for becoming a Father, Husband, Church leader and a good productive citizen. Thank you goes to Randy for doing exactly what his Heavenly Father wants him to do....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Welllllllllllllllll....... It`s Monday, after General Conference for me. It`s been a fantastic week, but a long week.
Tuesday was just a LOT of Biking all over the place and going far far away into neverland. Riding uphill for at least 20 min straight. Something that I do not ever want to repeat anytime in my life.
Wednesday I got sick! For the first time in almost a year. It sucked and I ended up still planning out for next week, sleeping for 2 hours and then going and teaching English Class.
Thursday was even better, still sick I had to go all the way down to Wakayama, which was over an hour and a half train ride, (plus I didn`t sleep very much) and sit through a 2 hour meeting with the Zone Leaders. Ate dinner then turned around and came back. I wanted to pass out on the train but instead followed the spirit that told me to talk to the guy that was sitting in front of us, ended up teaching him an entire lesson about the atonement and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he wanted to hear more, got his phone number and even comitted him to be baptized. Said he would once he knew it was true and said he`d meet with us as soon as he could. He`s really busy reorganizing his life nad trying to find a new job and such. He`s called us quite a few times since then letting us know that he still wants to meet and trying to find time to meet.
Friday was District meeting, which went way fun but still tiring. Ate lunch together and then we came back to our area and taught a few lessons to members.
Saturday morning we went to Sakai for General Conference which was WAY awesome. I love General Conference, and I had a lot of fun talking with all the members. Sunday was the same, and afterwards we ate dinner with the YSA in our ward and had a fun time there as well.
You know, I`m never sure what I need to write here. My weeks just blur together way too much and I`m like usual just my boring self.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
What a blessing it is to have Prophets and Apostles to guide us in these Modern Times. I loved General Conference and I felt the Spirit speaking powerfully to me as each of the speakers stood up and presented a message to me. I found for myself many answers to personal prayers and problems that I have been facing of late. Ideas to help me to move forward and to become an even better human being and missionary. I still have pages and pages of notes to review, to ponder and to use to help myself apply all that I learned.
I would like to simply testify that I know that each of those men and Women that spoke during General Conference spoke the Words of God. They are his called servants and have been chosen to lead and to guide us in these Latter Days. As we listen to their words and accept them in our Hearts we will be blessed and will find shelter in these troubled waters. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet of God and that God does speak through him. I testify that the priesthood is truly the power of God and that it is here upon this earth today within this church. I bear witness that this is God`s true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Welllllllllllllllll....... It`s Monday, after General Conference for me. It`s been a fantastic week, but a long week.
Tuesday was just a LOT of Biking all over the place and going far far away into neverland. Riding uphill for at least 20 min straight. Something that I do not ever want to repeat anytime in my life.
Wednesday I got sick! For the first time in almost a year. It sucked and I ended up still planning out for next week, sleeping for 2 hours and then going and teaching English Class.
Thursday was even better, still sick I had to go all the way down to Wakayama, which was over an hour and a half train ride, (plus I didn`t sleep very much) and sit through a 2 hour meeting with the Zone Leaders. Ate dinner then turned around and came back. I wanted to pass out on the train but instead followed the spirit that told me to talk to the guy that was sitting in front of us, ended up teaching him an entire lesson about the atonement and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he wanted to hear more, got his phone number and even comitted him to be baptized. Said he would once he knew it was true and said he`d meet with us as soon as he could. He`s really busy reorganizing his life nad trying to find a new job and such. He`s called us quite a few times since then letting us know that he still wants to meet and trying to find time to meet.
Friday was District meeting, which went way fun but still tiring. Ate lunch together and then we came back to our area and taught a few lessons to members.
Saturday morning we went to Sakai for General Conference which was WAY awesome. I love General Conference, and I had a lot of fun talking with all the members. Sunday was the same, and afterwards we ate dinner with the YSA in our ward and had a fun time there as well.
You know, I`m never sure what I need to write here. My weeks just blur together way too much and I`m like usual just my boring self.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
What a blessing it is to have Prophets and Apostles to guide us in these Modern Times. I loved General Conference and I felt the Spirit speaking powerfully to me as each of the speakers stood up and presented a message to me. I found for myself many answers to personal prayers and problems that I have been facing of late. Ideas to help me to move forward and to become an even better human being and missionary. I still have pages and pages of notes to review, to ponder and to use to help myself apply all that I learned.
I would like to simply testify that I know that each of those men and Women that spoke during General Conference spoke the Words of God. They are his called servants and have been chosen to lead and to guide us in these Latter Days. As we listen to their words and accept them in our Hearts we will be blessed and will find shelter in these troubled waters. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet of God and that God does speak through him. I testify that the priesthood is truly the power of God and that it is here upon this earth today within this church. I bear witness that this is God`s true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
An exhausting week.....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
This week has been a very exhausting week for me. I Haven`t been
sleeping well the past few nights, and so I was wiped all this
weekend.
Well, I`m not sure exactly what to explain for what happened this
week. Tuesday we taught a homeless man, who then disappeared before we
could start trying to find a way to help him out in his situation.
Wednesday was regular English Class night so nothing really exciting
happened there. Thursday we had District Meeting, and Friday we taught
a Chinese man who mistook the appointment and came 4 hours early to
the appointment. Luckily a member was there and called us to let us
know he was there. We also went down to Hashimoto again to teach our
investigator down there. That Lesson went pretty good.
Saturday was a day of dendo, we ate lunch at a Less-actives house and
then just went all over the place, visiting another member and then
another Less-active, Nishiguchi Kyoudai. He`s doing really good
actually, he came to church again and he even bore his testimony
during fast and testimony meeting.
Sunday was awesome. Even though I was utterly wasted and exhausted it
was a spiritually full day. It was fast Sunday and I had a good fast,
and also heard many and was able to bear a good testimony during Fast
and Testimony meeting. I was also able to get out of teaching Gospel
Principles class because no one showed up.
After church we had our usual study time, but it was interupted by
the local "Danjiri" which is basically this elaborately made wagon
that has drums on it and everyone pulls it around town making lots of
noise. I`ll include some pictures and you`ll understand what I mean. I
took a video as well. You might remember it from last year, but to say
the least it past right in front of our apartment twice and stopped
our study. For a moment. We then made Hamburgers for Dinner, which was
delicious.
After that we went back to the church for a Mission Fireside, in
which the ward mission leader had everyone think about what it would
be like if the missionaries were taken out of Kawachinagano for a
little bit. It was really cool to listen to them talk and discuss what
they could do to overcome that difficulty and then hear the Ward
mission Leader Testify about how they can act right now and can do all
of that stuff right now. I felt the Spirit so strongly at that point
that I just stood up in front of everyone and bore sincere Testimony
to them all about how they can do missionary work and should be doing
missionary work. I couldn`t stop myself to be honest.
All in all, the week ended really good. I`m excited about this
upcoming week and this month. It`ll be, way fun. I get an interview
with President Zinke, get to meet with a general authority and have
lots of exchanges, lots of meetings, General Conference and lots of
fun. Even have a Halloween party that I need to figure out what I`ll
be.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
I`d like to testify about the Gift of Tongues this week. As lately I
have been really feeling that power. My current companion, Elder
Wilkes, has only been out in Japan for about 2 months, and on his
mission for maybe a total of 4 and a half months. Yet his Japanese is
amazing and it is growing day by day. He can get along in basic
conversations he can testify he can talk and he can understand. It
never ceases to amaze me to see the extremely fast pace at which he is
learning Japanese.
As for me personally, I have found lately that I can testify and
express myself better in Japanese than in English sometimes. Last
night when I stood up in front of the ward, and at many District
Meetings as I`ve stood and testified to everyone I have spoken in very
powerful ways that I do not really even know how to express in
English. I have found my ability to express my emotions, my feelings,
in English has actually gotten worse! I bet my spelling is horrible
to!
I know that all of this does not come from me. That it is a gift from
God. It was only that simple commitment I made at the very beginning
of my mission. "God, I`ll learn the Gospel, you just give me Japanse."
I never really focused on learning Japanese that much. I just KNEW
that it would come. I KNEW that God would give me that gift. I am
grateful for that, and I can testify that the Gift of Tongues is a
true and living Gift. That God will grant it unto those who need it
and those who seek after it. He will give it to us according our
faith, and our circumstances. I testify of this in the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
With Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
This week has been a very exhausting week for me. I Haven`t been
sleeping well the past few nights, and so I was wiped all this
weekend.
Well, I`m not sure exactly what to explain for what happened this
week. Tuesday we taught a homeless man, who then disappeared before we
could start trying to find a way to help him out in his situation.
Wednesday was regular English Class night so nothing really exciting
happened there. Thursday we had District Meeting, and Friday we taught
a Chinese man who mistook the appointment and came 4 hours early to
the appointment. Luckily a member was there and called us to let us
know he was there. We also went down to Hashimoto again to teach our
investigator down there. That Lesson went pretty good.
Saturday was a day of dendo, we ate lunch at a Less-actives house and
then just went all over the place, visiting another member and then
another Less-active, Nishiguchi Kyoudai. He`s doing really good
actually, he came to church again and he even bore his testimony
during fast and testimony meeting.
Sunday was awesome. Even though I was utterly wasted and exhausted it
was a spiritually full day. It was fast Sunday and I had a good fast,
and also heard many and was able to bear a good testimony during Fast
and Testimony meeting. I was also able to get out of teaching Gospel
Principles class because no one showed up.
After church we had our usual study time, but it was interupted by
the local "Danjiri" which is basically this elaborately made wagon
that has drums on it and everyone pulls it around town making lots of
noise. I`ll include some pictures and you`ll understand what I mean. I
took a video as well. You might remember it from last year, but to say
the least it past right in front of our apartment twice and stopped
our study. For a moment. We then made Hamburgers for Dinner, which was
delicious.
After that we went back to the church for a Mission Fireside, in
which the ward mission leader had everyone think about what it would
be like if the missionaries were taken out of Kawachinagano for a
little bit. It was really cool to listen to them talk and discuss what
they could do to overcome that difficulty and then hear the Ward
mission Leader Testify about how they can act right now and can do all
of that stuff right now. I felt the Spirit so strongly at that point
that I just stood up in front of everyone and bore sincere Testimony
to them all about how they can do missionary work and should be doing
missionary work. I couldn`t stop myself to be honest.
All in all, the week ended really good. I`m excited about this
upcoming week and this month. It`ll be, way fun. I get an interview
with President Zinke, get to meet with a general authority and have
lots of exchanges, lots of meetings, General Conference and lots of
fun. Even have a Halloween party that I need to figure out what I`ll
be.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
I`d like to testify about the Gift of Tongues this week. As lately I
have been really feeling that power. My current companion, Elder
Wilkes, has only been out in Japan for about 2 months, and on his
mission for maybe a total of 4 and a half months. Yet his Japanese is
amazing and it is growing day by day. He can get along in basic
conversations he can testify he can talk and he can understand. It
never ceases to amaze me to see the extremely fast pace at which he is
learning Japanese.
As for me personally, I have found lately that I can testify and
express myself better in Japanese than in English sometimes. Last
night when I stood up in front of the ward, and at many District
Meetings as I`ve stood and testified to everyone I have spoken in very
powerful ways that I do not really even know how to express in
English. I have found my ability to express my emotions, my feelings,
in English has actually gotten worse! I bet my spelling is horrible
to!
I know that all of this does not come from me. That it is a gift from
God. It was only that simple commitment I made at the very beginning
of my mission. "God, I`ll learn the Gospel, you just give me Japanse."
I never really focused on learning Japanese that much. I just KNEW
that it would come. I KNEW that God would give me that gift. I am
grateful for that, and I can testify that the Gift of Tongues is a
true and living Gift. That God will grant it unto those who need it
and those who seek after it. He will give it to us according our
faith, and our circumstances. I testify of this in the name of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
With Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, September 26, 2011
Ichi En
Small and little things have what brought me fully to the gospel. It has made me who I am, listening quietly to my heart and soul. Listening for that still small voice that may give me answers to the smallest piece of a puzzle I may be trying to find and having monumental results. I'm so grateful for the small things in life and in the gospel that keep me going..
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Another Transfer period is gone and it puts me on number 14 out of
16. Time flies faster than I can count and it leaves me on my 6th
transfer in Kawachingano. That means If I leave here next transfer I
will be here for a total of 8 months. But that`s fine by me.
So, this week has been a blast. It started out pretty good too. I
went to the Sakai area and there had lunch with the Yukimoto Family.
It was a delicious dinner, but even greater than that, Sister Yukimoto
actually knew who my Grandma and Grandpa were. She had served in the
temple a lot at the same time as Grandma and Grandpa and so she knew
both of them. It surprised me because I haven`t met anyone yet that
had anymore than a very remote idea of who they were. But she told me
about how stalwart and kind and humble Grandpa and Grandma were. It
was really cool.
Then that same day I conducted my first interview for a Baptismal
Candidate(Who was baptized on Sunday)
Wednesday was a Typhoon so we had to cancel Eikaiwa, but that was
just fine. We just ended up talking with the Ward Mission Leader
instead. Thursday we planned and then went on a long bike ride
exploring some more of the area. Friday we had District Meeting and
that was way fun with everyone.
Saturday was a way cool day as we did some mountain climbing. We went
to an area WAY out in the middle of nowhere. We had seen that there
was a small neighborhood over there so we decided to go check it out.
It was all up hill getting there and the whole way was just like those
pictures. Lots and lots of trees surrounding the narrow winding road.
It was way beautiful and really great to go up there and get some
fresh air. We got swarmed by lots of little elementary kids because we
were probably the first Americans they had ever seen. Everyone was
pretty friendly up there and it felt more like home than the crowded
streets in town.
Sunday was awesome as well, we went down to the Hashimoto Branch,
just south of our area, for church. The Branch hadn`t had missionaries
for a long time, at least for a year and they were all way excited
that we were visiting them. We also taught an investigator that they
had found down there, Morita, and that was a great lesson. We`ll be
going down there more to teach him and work with him. I`m excited
about that.
This week was way cool and I`m way excited for this week as well.
It`s going to be a busy week and this upcoming transfer is going to be
super busy all the time.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.
"Ichi En"
One morning this week as I was doing my personal study I found an
"Ichi En" (a Japanese Penny). From the moment I picked it up till the
end of my study I couldn`t really focus on my scriptures or the
writings of the Prophets. Instead I was stuck looking at this little
"Ichi En" and flipping it around in my hand. I thought to myself that
there had to be some sort of meaning to this little coin. I thought
about how much it was worth and it wasn`t very much at all. You can`t
buy anything with an "Ichi En" just the same as you can`t really buy
anything with a penny. Finally as my study drew to an end I stuffed it
in my pocket figuring that I`ll solve the problem later.
That day we went about as usual, biking around, talking with people,
knocking on doors, and riding up lots of hills. Understandably I got
thirsty and a bit hungry so we stopped at a small convient store to
get a little bite to eat. As they charged me for my corn dog and
sports drink I opened my wallet to find out I was an "Ichi En" short
of being right on. At first I was annoyed because that would mean I`d
have to use a bigger bill and fill up my wallet with a whole bunch
more coins, but then I remembered that I had the "Ichi En" in my
pocket. I smiled pulled it out and bought my stuff without a problem.
At first I took no notice of the small exchange.
Later as I thought about that experience and what had happened I
started to make some connections between it and the way that God works
amongst his Children. That by very, very small and seemingly worthless
things God makes great things come about.
That "Ichi En" is that one last coin that makes you capable of buying
what you want. God acts the same way a lot of times. We get so close
and we work so hard, yet we have that one last tiny piece that would
make what we have perfect, then God steps in gives us that little
piece and it all works out just fine. Many might call it
"coin"cidence, but I really am starting to understand that it is not.
As we sometimes look for God to provide huge, overwhelming and
powerful answers to our prayers or our problems we at times miss those
little "Ichi En" pieces that fall into our hands. To us they seem
worthless, pointless and hardly worth our time. But as we gather them
together, and collect them one by one they will add up. They will
become 100 or even more, for as it is written in the scriptures "To
him that recieveth will I give." As we continue to accept even those
smallest gifts from God, as we acknowledge them and offer thanks and
praise for them we will find that we are rich with them. We will also
continue to recieve more and more and when those times of necissity
come we may recieve bigger portions, but it is always according to our
needs at the given time.
Since that first "Ichi En" Day I`ve had plenty of others. It`s helped
me to become a little bit more happy and helped me to learn just a
little bit more about God. This road that I walk is one step at a
time. These stairs that I climb are one step at a time. Sometimes it`s
steep, sometimes it`s tiring, and sometimes it seems like I don`t go
anywhere. But as I stay on that path, and take it just one small step
at a time I always find myself coming closer to a Loving Father in
Heaven.
I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
With Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, September 19, 2011
In the beginning....
In the beginning...there was a boy of 19 years of age who left for Kobe Japan on his mission wondering, "what have I got myself into"....In the middle there was a blooming young man in search of himself and in search of ways to please his Heavenly Father....In the end...there stands a Man....grown strong in the Gospel...Strong in his convictions...Strong in his Faith....Strong in his love for God and his family....
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Phew! Life is precious life is great. There is simply beauty all around. Summer is now drawing to a close and autumn is coming. The weather is cooling and I am growing.
I`ve had a great week this week. Monday night we had a companion exchange with the Senboku missionaries. I was with Elder Bailey and the two new missionaries where together over in Senboku. Me Elder Bailey had a great time together, teaching a few good lessons and feeling the spirit as we had many good conversations about faith and about President Zinke`s vision. It was a great day and we had lots of fun together.
Wednesday we had basically no time to do anything, we taught a lesson to a less-active and then had Eikaiwa which went just fine. Thursday we were out with a member all day and then we taught Eikaiwa again up at Mikunigaoka`s area, so nothing really happened then. it wasn`t very exciting at all.
Friday was a great day. We had District Meeting and I had no idea what I was going to teach the District. I had spent the whole week studying for it but nothing was really coming to my mind and jumping out to me as to what I should teach, so I was unsure and finally just decided to teach from my personal study about faith. It was a great experience as I felt the Spirit guide me as to what to say and what to do, helping me to teach the District to grow and become better missionaries.
Saturday was basically just planning and then we visited Nishiguchi Kyodai, who is doing awesome and really working hard at rebuilding his faith. Sunday was beautiful as always. We had 4 less-actives to church and 1 investigator so it was really cool. We had an awesome lunch party after church with lots of delicious foods. Then we hopped into Ward Council to try to work with the ward more. That was really good. We also got a call from the Ward Mission Leader in Hashimoto branch, the Branch just south of us that doesn`t have any missionaries there at the moment. He had apparently found a new investigator that wants to hear the message and so we are going down there for church next Sunday. It sounds like it will be loads of fun.
I`m sorry if my emails are short and uninteresting. It just seems that everything blurs together a lot. I am so busy as I work with calling the District and working with members as well as seeking to find new investigators. It`ll be even more busy if this investigator in Hashimoto works out. But I like it this way. I`m happy when I am busy, moving along and doing the Lord`s work. There is nothing I`d rather be doing now than this.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.
I wish to take time this week and talk about Faith. We members of the church have long known that "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." That is the simplest and best way to explain what faith is. We don`t need to know perfectly about something in order to have faith, we simply need to hope for those things which are true and follow and act upon them.
It has often been said that Faith is an action word. It is not simply an attitude or a belief but it is an ACTIVE belief that drives us to do something based upon those beliefs. We may believe that if we go to work we will get paid, but that belief is useless unless we act upon it and actually do it. When that belief turns into action it is Faith.
Now for the key part. TRUE Faith, is faith in God and in his son Jesus Christ. True Faith is trusting that God`s ways are better than our`s, trusting that God knows more than we do and that he desires the best for us. This TRUE faith comes when we gain a correct knowledge of the attributes of God and gain a personal testimony and witness that it is true. Once we obtain that witness, that knowledge, everything else just comes down to Faith, whether or not God`s ways are better than ours. If we remember that God is God and Man is Man this should be a lot simpler. We can also remain humble and act as God desires us to act, for he knows what`s best for each and every one of us personally. Not collectively, for he doesn`t desire a bunch of clones that are all the exact same, but individually. He knows what each and everyone one of us needs right now in order to become the best person that we can be. IF we have Faith and trust in him, then we can become that person. IF we trust that God`s happiness is greater and better than any happiness that we could ever make on our own, than we can have it. The only thing that stands in our way is ourselves.
With Faith comes power. If we have Faith we will be able to do all things, because we will be doing what God would want us to do, and nothing can stop God. With Faith we can move mountains, split oceans, and cause rain to stop falling. But more useful and more important than that, we can move the sometimes mountainous tasks that lie before us, we can overcome the challenges and difficulties that face our lives. We can know which path to walk and we can know how to help our families. With Faith we can pray unto God for help and recieve it. With Faith our families can become Eternal.
I know that this wonderful Church is God`s Church. I know that he Lives that he watches over me. I know that he loves me, that he is pleased with what I am doing. I can taste the fruits of Faith daily as I go about doing his work. I may not know what lies ahead for me in the next few months or years, but I know that if I continue to follow God all will be will. It is written "For we know that all things will be for the good of those that Love God." (Romans 2:28) I trust in God. I may not be perfect, I may not have a perfect trust but I know that I am trying that I keep moving forward everyday trying to do just a little better. I bear testimony of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With Much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Phew! Life is precious life is great. There is simply beauty all around. Summer is now drawing to a close and autumn is coming. The weather is cooling and I am growing.
I`ve had a great week this week. Monday night we had a companion exchange with the Senboku missionaries. I was with Elder Bailey and the two new missionaries where together over in Senboku. Me Elder Bailey had a great time together, teaching a few good lessons and feeling the spirit as we had many good conversations about faith and about President Zinke`s vision. It was a great day and we had lots of fun together.
Wednesday we had basically no time to do anything, we taught a lesson to a less-active and then had Eikaiwa which went just fine. Thursday we were out with a member all day and then we taught Eikaiwa again up at Mikunigaoka`s area, so nothing really happened then. it wasn`t very exciting at all.
Friday was a great day. We had District Meeting and I had no idea what I was going to teach the District. I had spent the whole week studying for it but nothing was really coming to my mind and jumping out to me as to what I should teach, so I was unsure and finally just decided to teach from my personal study about faith. It was a great experience as I felt the Spirit guide me as to what to say and what to do, helping me to teach the District to grow and become better missionaries.
Saturday was basically just planning and then we visited Nishiguchi Kyodai, who is doing awesome and really working hard at rebuilding his faith. Sunday was beautiful as always. We had 4 less-actives to church and 1 investigator so it was really cool. We had an awesome lunch party after church with lots of delicious foods. Then we hopped into Ward Council to try to work with the ward more. That was really good. We also got a call from the Ward Mission Leader in Hashimoto branch, the Branch just south of us that doesn`t have any missionaries there at the moment. He had apparently found a new investigator that wants to hear the message and so we are going down there for church next Sunday. It sounds like it will be loads of fun.
I`m sorry if my emails are short and uninteresting. It just seems that everything blurs together a lot. I am so busy as I work with calling the District and working with members as well as seeking to find new investigators. It`ll be even more busy if this investigator in Hashimoto works out. But I like it this way. I`m happy when I am busy, moving along and doing the Lord`s work. There is nothing I`d rather be doing now than this.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.
I wish to take time this week and talk about Faith. We members of the church have long known that "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." That is the simplest and best way to explain what faith is. We don`t need to know perfectly about something in order to have faith, we simply need to hope for those things which are true and follow and act upon them.
It has often been said that Faith is an action word. It is not simply an attitude or a belief but it is an ACTIVE belief that drives us to do something based upon those beliefs. We may believe that if we go to work we will get paid, but that belief is useless unless we act upon it and actually do it. When that belief turns into action it is Faith.
Now for the key part. TRUE Faith, is faith in God and in his son Jesus Christ. True Faith is trusting that God`s ways are better than our`s, trusting that God knows more than we do and that he desires the best for us. This TRUE faith comes when we gain a correct knowledge of the attributes of God and gain a personal testimony and witness that it is true. Once we obtain that witness, that knowledge, everything else just comes down to Faith, whether or not God`s ways are better than ours. If we remember that God is God and Man is Man this should be a lot simpler. We can also remain humble and act as God desires us to act, for he knows what`s best for each and every one of us personally. Not collectively, for he doesn`t desire a bunch of clones that are all the exact same, but individually. He knows what each and everyone one of us needs right now in order to become the best person that we can be. IF we have Faith and trust in him, then we can become that person. IF we trust that God`s happiness is greater and better than any happiness that we could ever make on our own, than we can have it. The only thing that stands in our way is ourselves.
With Faith comes power. If we have Faith we will be able to do all things, because we will be doing what God would want us to do, and nothing can stop God. With Faith we can move mountains, split oceans, and cause rain to stop falling. But more useful and more important than that, we can move the sometimes mountainous tasks that lie before us, we can overcome the challenges and difficulties that face our lives. We can know which path to walk and we can know how to help our families. With Faith we can pray unto God for help and recieve it. With Faith our families can become Eternal.
I know that this wonderful Church is God`s Church. I know that he Lives that he watches over me. I know that he loves me, that he is pleased with what I am doing. I can taste the fruits of Faith daily as I go about doing his work. I may not know what lies ahead for me in the next few months or years, but I know that if I continue to follow God all will be will. It is written "For we know that all things will be for the good of those that Love God." (Romans 2:28) I trust in God. I may not be perfect, I may not have a perfect trust but I know that I am trying that I keep moving forward everyday trying to do just a little better. I bear testimony of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With Much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Imagine this...
I kind of had to laugh a little hard about this letter. Imagine an Elder riding a bike with no pedal and his foot taped to the place where the pedal is supposed to be. HAHAHAHA! Imagine 2 Elders laughing so hard. Imagine 2 Elders loving the work that they do....Imagine that soon 4 1/2 months Elder Tateishi will be coming home....Imagine, the Lord's love in your life...
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well, well, well. It`s been a fun and a busy week. Last Monday we had
a Zone activity and I made pizza for everyone. All the Americans were
rejoicing at the fact that they could eat American Pizza, then we
played a whole bunch of games and it was way fun.
Tuesday I was not even in my own area I was off with the Zone Leaders
on a companion Exchange, having an exciting bicycle experience in
which Elder Burhoe broke the pedal off of his bike and we had to ride
a good 30 min.(on an unbroken bike) to a bike shop with only one
pedal. Ended up strapping his foot to the one pedal and trying to ride
back. Loads of fun and absolutely hilarious.
Wednesday we had District Meeting and then we tried to have English
class but no one showed up. Thursday we went to Kobe all day and had
"Father & Sons" or in other words Trainer and Trainee training. Didn`t
get back until late and had to spend that little bit studying. WEEE!!
Loads of fun.
Friday, and Saturday were just regular Dendo days. Went out and about
and had plenty of fun riding all over town. Sunday was another good
day at church and then this morning I got my haircut which is awesome
because now it`s not so hot for my head anymore.
That`s basically all that`s gone on for me. I did find out though
that the Typhoon was actually really bad for those in Shinguu. My
second area. Apparently the Elders in Shinguu are trapped there
because the roads are wiped out and so are the trains. They are just
fine with food and water, although they have to boil their water.
Sounds like they`ll be pulled out as soon as the roads open up, and it
also soudns like they are just having fun with the whole situation.
Don`t worry about them, they`ll be fine.
I did realize that today, well yesterday for me, was 9/11, mainly
thanks to my companion. In all honestly it would have probably slipped
my mind, simply because I don`t really think about what the Date it
is, I only think about what day of the week it is. As I think about it
though, that it`s been 10 years since that horrible attack occurred I
am simply reminded about how many things have happened since that day
when I was sitting in my living room watching TV as a Jet airliner
crashed into the second of the twin towers. So long ago, yet still so
clear.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
I`ll leave with a short Testimony for I can`t think of a message.
I know that this is the Lord`s work, as I feel the Lord guiding me in
every step. I know that he lives that he loves that he blesses those
that follow him. I have seen his hand in this work and with his help I
have done things that I could have never done on my own. I know that
through the Atonement of Christ all might be cleansed of sin and be
brought into the presence of God at the last day. I know that through
his Gospel our families can become Eternal. I love this work and I
bear testimony of it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well, well, well. It`s been a fun and a busy week. Last Monday we had
a Zone activity and I made pizza for everyone. All the Americans were
rejoicing at the fact that they could eat American Pizza, then we
played a whole bunch of games and it was way fun.
Tuesday I was not even in my own area I was off with the Zone Leaders
on a companion Exchange, having an exciting bicycle experience in
which Elder Burhoe broke the pedal off of his bike and we had to ride
a good 30 min.(on an unbroken bike) to a bike shop with only one
pedal. Ended up strapping his foot to the one pedal and trying to ride
back. Loads of fun and absolutely hilarious.
Wednesday we had District Meeting and then we tried to have English
class but no one showed up. Thursday we went to Kobe all day and had
"Father & Sons" or in other words Trainer and Trainee training. Didn`t
get back until late and had to spend that little bit studying. WEEE!!
Loads of fun.
Friday, and Saturday were just regular Dendo days. Went out and about
and had plenty of fun riding all over town. Sunday was another good
day at church and then this morning I got my haircut which is awesome
because now it`s not so hot for my head anymore.
That`s basically all that`s gone on for me. I did find out though
that the Typhoon was actually really bad for those in Shinguu. My
second area. Apparently the Elders in Shinguu are trapped there
because the roads are wiped out and so are the trains. They are just
fine with food and water, although they have to boil their water.
Sounds like they`ll be pulled out as soon as the roads open up, and it
also soudns like they are just having fun with the whole situation.
Don`t worry about them, they`ll be fine.
I did realize that today, well yesterday for me, was 9/11, mainly
thanks to my companion. In all honestly it would have probably slipped
my mind, simply because I don`t really think about what the Date it
is, I only think about what day of the week it is. As I think about it
though, that it`s been 10 years since that horrible attack occurred I
am simply reminded about how many things have happened since that day
when I was sitting in my living room watching TV as a Jet airliner
crashed into the second of the twin towers. So long ago, yet still so
clear.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
I`ll leave with a short Testimony for I can`t think of a message.
I know that this is the Lord`s work, as I feel the Lord guiding me in
every step. I know that he lives that he loves that he blesses those
that follow him. I have seen his hand in this work and with his help I
have done things that I could have never done on my own. I know that
through the Atonement of Christ all might be cleansed of sin and be
brought into the presence of God at the last day. I know that through
his Gospel our families can become Eternal. I love this work and I
bear testimony of it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Lost at Sea....
Dear Mother,
I apologize to say that I have been carried away by heavy Typhoon winds and am now currently lost at sea somewhere between China and Japan. I think tomorrow I might make land somewhere nearby Okinawa. Sorry, would have emailed sooner, but I had to wait until P-day to go to the internet place and email. Still have to follow the rules you know.
Mother, we didn`t have a Typhoon at all. The worst that happened to me was I got rained on while riding my bike. Which by the way, is nothing new for me at all. I`m used to being soaking wet and other than being a little annoying it`s not bad at all. There was no wind at all and the rain was just off and on. I`ve actually been through worse than what hit us this week. I think you`re just a worry wart! Remember that I`m on my MISSION, and that I am in the service of GOD. Folax mother.
Lol, I love you mom, you just worry too much. Take care.
Love,
Your son
Elder Tateishi
Dear Mother Father Brothers Sisters Family and Friends
Well I`m still alive if any of you were worried about that. The Typhoon that supposedly hit us wasn`t more than a little bit of a rain shower for a couple days and did little more than be annoying for us as we went out to try and do some Dendo. It`s all bark and no Bite. Although the worst of it did hit the southern costal parts of our mission from what I heard. Shikoku, the big island, and Shinguu and Tanabe at the southern peninsula of the Mission. But they are all ok as far as I know, nothing too bad, just lots of rain and wind and they just stayed inside.
Well. Another week rolls by far too fast for me. As mother just had to go and mention to me once again I have only 5 months left before I go home. That is not far away at all and time seems to be picking up. I hope though that I will stay here in Kawachinagano until then. Mainly because it will be just like leaving home to go home. I love this ward and I don`t want to leave.
As for what I did this week, well I was just way busy. Tuesday Elder Rice came over here for a companion exchange and then Wednesday we didn`t have all that much time out of our apartment mainly because we had to go to Eikaiwa and had a Member visit as well. Thursday we were not even in our area the whole day. We went to Wakayama and I had a District Leader council then we went to Mikunigaoka and taught Eikaiwa there before we came home for bed. Friday we had District Meeting and then only had a little bit of time out to go and Dendo, then Saturday we did our weekly planning which again left us with only a little bit of Dendo time. Sunday was church and again only a limited amount of Dendo time. I feel like a busy bee right now and am currently trying to reassess myself as to whether I am working effectively or not. O the joys of Missionary work, always reevaluating yourself and trying to see what you can improve on or what you need to stop doing or what you need to change. It`s a bit stressful but a good process to learn.
Yea. So I don`t have too much to talk about this week. I`ve just been getting more and more boring lately I think. Although I am having Loads of fun out here I`m just not sure what I should share with everyone. Life is just life, it rolls on and I simply have to smile as I keep on walking. I enjoy the moments that I have, I laugh with the people I`m with and try to make their day and as they smile I smile more. My joy is their Joy.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.
"An instrument in the hands of God."
I often say to people that as a missionary I do nothing. I do not convert people, I do not find people, I do not strengthen people`s faith, I do not teach people the Gospel. I am simply an instrument in the hands of God, or at least I try my best to be. Whenever I testify, or speak powerfully to change the hearts of the people around me it is not me that does so it is the Spirit of God. It is not I that touches their heart but it is the Spirit that confirms the truth of those things that I testify about. It is the Spirit that places me in the right spot at the right time to talk to the right person. It is the Spirit that puts the words that I need to speak into my mouth.
This week, one of the Sister missionaries in my district requested a blessing. She was feeling as if her prayers were not being answered, as if she were trying so hard and nothing was working. She felt tired, worn out and exhausted. When I gave her the blessing I felt the Spirit helping me along, forming the difficult Japanese sentences in a way that would bless her and help her. That night when I talked to her during my nightly calls she told me that the words of the blessing that I gave her were an answer to her prayers. I simply replied "Nani mo shite nai." or "I didn`t do anything." Which is the truth, I simply spoke the words of the Spirit.
In the greatest lessons that I have ever had, they have all been directed by the Spirit. Where I seek to ask a certain question, or to simply close the books, or materials that I am using and testify to the person I am speaking to. Those times, when I am simply an instrument in the hands of God, are the times when true miracles happen.
I Testify that this is God`s work, that he is the one that does it. I testify that when we become instruments in the Hands of God we will be able to do far greater good than we could ever do on our own. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
I apologize to say that I have been carried away by heavy Typhoon winds and am now currently lost at sea somewhere between China and Japan. I think tomorrow I might make land somewhere nearby Okinawa. Sorry, would have emailed sooner, but I had to wait until P-day to go to the internet place and email. Still have to follow the rules you know.
Mother, we didn`t have a Typhoon at all. The worst that happened to me was I got rained on while riding my bike. Which by the way, is nothing new for me at all. I`m used to being soaking wet and other than being a little annoying it`s not bad at all. There was no wind at all and the rain was just off and on. I`ve actually been through worse than what hit us this week. I think you`re just a worry wart! Remember that I`m on my MISSION, and that I am in the service of GOD. Folax mother.
Lol, I love you mom, you just worry too much. Take care.
Love,
Your son
Elder Tateishi
Dear Mother Father Brothers Sisters Family and Friends
Well I`m still alive if any of you were worried about that. The Typhoon that supposedly hit us wasn`t more than a little bit of a rain shower for a couple days and did little more than be annoying for us as we went out to try and do some Dendo. It`s all bark and no Bite. Although the worst of it did hit the southern costal parts of our mission from what I heard. Shikoku, the big island, and Shinguu and Tanabe at the southern peninsula of the Mission. But they are all ok as far as I know, nothing too bad, just lots of rain and wind and they just stayed inside.
Well. Another week rolls by far too fast for me. As mother just had to go and mention to me once again I have only 5 months left before I go home. That is not far away at all and time seems to be picking up. I hope though that I will stay here in Kawachinagano until then. Mainly because it will be just like leaving home to go home. I love this ward and I don`t want to leave.
As for what I did this week, well I was just way busy. Tuesday Elder Rice came over here for a companion exchange and then Wednesday we didn`t have all that much time out of our apartment mainly because we had to go to Eikaiwa and had a Member visit as well. Thursday we were not even in our area the whole day. We went to Wakayama and I had a District Leader council then we went to Mikunigaoka and taught Eikaiwa there before we came home for bed. Friday we had District Meeting and then only had a little bit of time out to go and Dendo, then Saturday we did our weekly planning which again left us with only a little bit of Dendo time. Sunday was church and again only a limited amount of Dendo time. I feel like a busy bee right now and am currently trying to reassess myself as to whether I am working effectively or not. O the joys of Missionary work, always reevaluating yourself and trying to see what you can improve on or what you need to stop doing or what you need to change. It`s a bit stressful but a good process to learn.
Yea. So I don`t have too much to talk about this week. I`ve just been getting more and more boring lately I think. Although I am having Loads of fun out here I`m just not sure what I should share with everyone. Life is just life, it rolls on and I simply have to smile as I keep on walking. I enjoy the moments that I have, I laugh with the people I`m with and try to make their day and as they smile I smile more. My joy is their Joy.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.
"An instrument in the hands of God."
I often say to people that as a missionary I do nothing. I do not convert people, I do not find people, I do not strengthen people`s faith, I do not teach people the Gospel. I am simply an instrument in the hands of God, or at least I try my best to be. Whenever I testify, or speak powerfully to change the hearts of the people around me it is not me that does so it is the Spirit of God. It is not I that touches their heart but it is the Spirit that confirms the truth of those things that I testify about. It is the Spirit that places me in the right spot at the right time to talk to the right person. It is the Spirit that puts the words that I need to speak into my mouth.
This week, one of the Sister missionaries in my district requested a blessing. She was feeling as if her prayers were not being answered, as if she were trying so hard and nothing was working. She felt tired, worn out and exhausted. When I gave her the blessing I felt the Spirit helping me along, forming the difficult Japanese sentences in a way that would bless her and help her. That night when I talked to her during my nightly calls she told me that the words of the blessing that I gave her were an answer to her prayers. I simply replied "Nani mo shite nai." or "I didn`t do anything." Which is the truth, I simply spoke the words of the Spirit.
In the greatest lessons that I have ever had, they have all been directed by the Spirit. Where I seek to ask a certain question, or to simply close the books, or materials that I am using and testify to the person I am speaking to. Those times, when I am simply an instrument in the hands of God, are the times when true miracles happen.
I Testify that this is God`s work, that he is the one that does it. I testify that when we become instruments in the Hands of God we will be able to do far greater good than we could ever do on our own. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, August 29, 2011
I'm the 4th.....
So as Randy is getting closer to home, I thought that maybe he would start thinking about the things he misses....Well, I was wrong. Although he does miss just 3 things...His 2 nieces and 1 nephew...me? I'm 4th on the list...I just don't rate as high anymore. Funny how people think that kids are cuter than adults. I guess I will have to give in to it and agree that his nieces and nephew (my grandchildren) are about the cutest things ever. I will take 4th and know that I hold a special spot in his heart. I will always be Mum....
Dear Mother,
I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH!!!
I just had to say that for no particular reason.
I also LOVE Hannah and Tavie and Brady, and as I always say those are
the only 3 people I really miss out of everyone back home. Sorry Mum,
but you have to slide in at 4th place, because the little ones are
just far far cuter.
Thanks for the package. It may be small but it was nice to get
something. I know it`s WAY expensive to get things over here, the
exchange rate is horrible it`s 76yen to $1, or you could translate
that $0.76 to $1. The Japanese yen being stronger. Plus everything in
Japan is already more expensive than in America. It kind of hurts
actually.
As for my return date I still haven`t gotten a call yet and it is
still up for grabs as whether or not to leave before christmas or in
February. Apparently most missions in Japan only go 15 transfers, and
that it was only President McIntyre that really had missionaries stay
for 16. I am still leaning towards the beginning of February, but I
plan on doing some fasting and praying here pretty soon to find out
what the Lord wants me to do.
Wow, I didn`t realize how much Talon was paying attention to me. Not
sure what I did at all, or what I do. He was always fun to hang out
with and stuff though.
Love you Mom, Take care of everyone and stay safe. Make sure everyone
knows that I love them dearly and that I`ll be home before they know
it.
Your Son,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Phew! Time flies when you`re having fun. When you`re focused so much
on your work. I don`t really know if there are any single highlights
from my week that I could point out and talk about. It was simply a
powerful week of learning, growing and experiencing.
Monday we had a Zone activity and we all gathered together and had
fun playing sports and "Wink Killer" with everyone. It was way
awesome, but way exhausting. My legs were killing me for the next 3
days.
The rest of the week was mainly just Dendo time where we just went
out and talked to as many people as we could. I really feel like I`m
improving there as I really seek to be guided by the Spirit and teach
simply and clearly. Not sure how to explain everything but simply this
past week has been just a LOT of learning as I try to adjust to my new
position as District Leader and Trainer. But as hard as it is and as
busy as I am, I`ve never had it easier on my mission. I feel more and
more as if the Lord is bearing me up and helping me to fulfill my
responsibilities. I simply do what I feel is right and work hard to
follow the Spirit, and everything else just seems to fall into place.
Yesterday was a beautiful day at church. We listened to many people
testify today and while they were testifying I was flipping through my
scriptures a lot looking up references and scriptures that came to my
mind very suddenly and very quickly. It ended up being an amazing
scripture study about the Love of God as I realize more and more now
how much he Loves me and supports me in all trials. Another piece of
the puzzle settling into place.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week
There are countless things I have learned throughout this week. So
many that I`m not quite sure what to talk about, but it all comes back
to the study I had at church the other day and the companionship study
I had with Elder Wilkes that same day. The Love of God.
Many of you know my favorite Scripture: "I know that God loveth his
Children; Nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things."(1
Nephi 11:17)
There are 3 parts to this scripture that I have settled on.
A) We are Children of God
B) God Loveth his Children
C) It is not neccessary to understand all things
A) We are Children of God. No one is worthless. The poorest of the
poor, the dirtiest of the dirtiest, the worst of the worst. No one is
worthless. We all have the same potential and we all kind find a
purpose.
B) God Loveth his Children. As a Child of God we are loved by our
father who watches over us and is willing to extend his hand out to
assist us. He sent his only begotten son to die for us and has poured
out upon us many wonderful blessings.
C) It is not neccessary to understand all things. If we understand
only these two principles and know that God is our Father, that he
loves us, than we will trust him in all that he does. Wether we
understand the principle of gravity or not it still works. Wether we
understand the why of prayer or not, so long as we do it we still
obtain the blessings.
I can testify with all my heart that this is true. I sometimes have
far too many scriptures run through my head, far too many doctrines or
ideas come to mind as I seek to teach and help people to understand
the Gospel. But when I slow down, when I focus on those 3 basic things
that is when everything really changes. That is when they can feel in
their hearts the Holy Ghost, that is when I can feel the Spirit more
strongly than ever. I still do not understand all things. I still have
much to learn. But as I focus on the basics I am filled with the
"Peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding"(Phillipians 4:7)
which is "most joyous to the soul."(1 Nephi 11)
To me the greatest sign of God`s love are the blessings that he has
poured out upon my family. Nothing means more to me than them. No
blessing upon my head could mean more to me than the blessings that
they recieve. Everything I have personally earned as a missionary is
but a small bonus ontop of what has been earned for my family. So I
will boast in my God! The greatest of all! Who hath power over all
things and causeth my soul to be filled with joy! All glory to him,
for I am but a servant in his service, I do nothing, he does all.
I testify of this pure love of God. This love which is the greatest
of all, and I do so in the name of my Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus
Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother,
I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH!!!
I just had to say that for no particular reason.
I also LOVE Hannah and Tavie and Brady, and as I always say those are
the only 3 people I really miss out of everyone back home. Sorry Mum,
but you have to slide in at 4th place, because the little ones are
just far far cuter.
Thanks for the package. It may be small but it was nice to get
something. I know it`s WAY expensive to get things over here, the
exchange rate is horrible it`s 76yen to $1, or you could translate
that $0.76 to $1. The Japanese yen being stronger. Plus everything in
Japan is already more expensive than in America. It kind of hurts
actually.
As for my return date I still haven`t gotten a call yet and it is
still up for grabs as whether or not to leave before christmas or in
February. Apparently most missions in Japan only go 15 transfers, and
that it was only President McIntyre that really had missionaries stay
for 16. I am still leaning towards the beginning of February, but I
plan on doing some fasting and praying here pretty soon to find out
what the Lord wants me to do.
Wow, I didn`t realize how much Talon was paying attention to me. Not
sure what I did at all, or what I do. He was always fun to hang out
with and stuff though.
Love you Mom, Take care of everyone and stay safe. Make sure everyone
knows that I love them dearly and that I`ll be home before they know
it.
Your Son,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Phew! Time flies when you`re having fun. When you`re focused so much
on your work. I don`t really know if there are any single highlights
from my week that I could point out and talk about. It was simply a
powerful week of learning, growing and experiencing.
Monday we had a Zone activity and we all gathered together and had
fun playing sports and "Wink Killer" with everyone. It was way
awesome, but way exhausting. My legs were killing me for the next 3
days.
The rest of the week was mainly just Dendo time where we just went
out and talked to as many people as we could. I really feel like I`m
improving there as I really seek to be guided by the Spirit and teach
simply and clearly. Not sure how to explain everything but simply this
past week has been just a LOT of learning as I try to adjust to my new
position as District Leader and Trainer. But as hard as it is and as
busy as I am, I`ve never had it easier on my mission. I feel more and
more as if the Lord is bearing me up and helping me to fulfill my
responsibilities. I simply do what I feel is right and work hard to
follow the Spirit, and everything else just seems to fall into place.
Yesterday was a beautiful day at church. We listened to many people
testify today and while they were testifying I was flipping through my
scriptures a lot looking up references and scriptures that came to my
mind very suddenly and very quickly. It ended up being an amazing
scripture study about the Love of God as I realize more and more now
how much he Loves me and supports me in all trials. Another piece of
the puzzle settling into place.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week
There are countless things I have learned throughout this week. So
many that I`m not quite sure what to talk about, but it all comes back
to the study I had at church the other day and the companionship study
I had with Elder Wilkes that same day. The Love of God.
Many of you know my favorite Scripture: "I know that God loveth his
Children; Nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things."(1
Nephi 11:17)
There are 3 parts to this scripture that I have settled on.
A) We are Children of God
B) God Loveth his Children
C) It is not neccessary to understand all things
A) We are Children of God. No one is worthless. The poorest of the
poor, the dirtiest of the dirtiest, the worst of the worst. No one is
worthless. We all have the same potential and we all kind find a
purpose.
B) God Loveth his Children. As a Child of God we are loved by our
father who watches over us and is willing to extend his hand out to
assist us. He sent his only begotten son to die for us and has poured
out upon us many wonderful blessings.
C) It is not neccessary to understand all things. If we understand
only these two principles and know that God is our Father, that he
loves us, than we will trust him in all that he does. Wether we
understand the principle of gravity or not it still works. Wether we
understand the why of prayer or not, so long as we do it we still
obtain the blessings.
I can testify with all my heart that this is true. I sometimes have
far too many scriptures run through my head, far too many doctrines or
ideas come to mind as I seek to teach and help people to understand
the Gospel. But when I slow down, when I focus on those 3 basic things
that is when everything really changes. That is when they can feel in
their hearts the Holy Ghost, that is when I can feel the Spirit more
strongly than ever. I still do not understand all things. I still have
much to learn. But as I focus on the basics I am filled with the
"Peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding"(Phillipians 4:7)
which is "most joyous to the soul."(1 Nephi 11)
To me the greatest sign of God`s love are the blessings that he has
poured out upon my family. Nothing means more to me than them. No
blessing upon my head could mean more to me than the blessings that
they recieve. Everything I have personally earned as a missionary is
but a small bonus ontop of what has been earned for my family. So I
will boast in my God! The greatest of all! Who hath power over all
things and causeth my soul to be filled with joy! All glory to him,
for I am but a servant in his service, I do nothing, he does all.
I testify of this pure love of God. This love which is the greatest
of all, and I do so in the name of my Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus
Christ. Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sleeping without even knowing it.....
I'm not sure what to say other than I love my missionary!!!
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Yo! Yo! Yo! This is me from the east side of the world! How`s everyone doing!?
I`m going completely insane. My work load over here has gone up about 100 times. I never realized how busy being a district leader is or how difficult it is to train a new missionary. I`m just all over the place as I`m trying to settle into my new positions. On the bright side I have never slept better on my mission. I go to bed and I just pass out completely and don`t wake up till the next morning and barely realize that I had been sleeping. Scary thing is, I`m actually having dreams, which I never usually do. But it`s all fun.
Ummmm.... Let`s see I`ll just drop off a quick email because we gotta head out as soon as possible to hit up the Zone activity. so I apologize for the short letter. Basically, my new companion is Elder Wilkes from Cedar Hills Utah. He comes from a family of 13 kids and he is number 9. He`s a way cool kid and really working hard. His japanese is about 10 times better than mine was when I came into the field and he is trying to jump in at every opprotunity. I love him and we`re going to see miracles this transfer.
Other than that I`ll just say that I`m busy, running left and right trying to make sure everything gets done. Taking care of Elder Wilkes and also my whole district of 4 other elders and 2 sisters, my investigators, my members, and trying to find new investigators. Let`s just say that because of all this I spend a lot longer on my knees at night before I go to bed. I just know that the Lord gives me a couple more ounces of strength to make it through one more day. Especially since I failed last week and didn`t buy enough food to last us the week and we have been scrimping and scrounging for the past couple days.
Highlights: Stake Conference
We had stake conference and just had lots of fun there with the mission president and our investigators and everything. Was way spiritual and I felt the Spirit very strongly as I listened to some of the youth testify and also President Zinke speak.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
Short and sweet and to the point:
"Jesus wept."
Why did Jesus weep? Because he loved the people he was working with, and in the case of the Nephites he wept because of the joy that filled his heart, he saw the people following him and saw that they were filled with joy and that they were a great and righteous people.
Elder Tateishi Wept
Because as he sat in Stake Conference and looked around him at the hundreds of faithful members and saw the light in their eyes he was filled with joy. As I saw in particular a family sitting together, parents holding children and taking care of them showing love to them and testifying to them I realized how beautiful the gospel is. My joy was full as I saw many faithful people in a country that I have come to love.
We hold something precious, we hold someting dear. What we have is far more precious than silver or gold. Joy without end, love everlasting.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
With Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, August 15, 2011
Trainer/District Leader...and a lost and found hat!
Wow, what a lot of awesome responsibility Randy will have these next few months. How cool is that! I'm not quite sure the responsibilities of a District Leader, but I'm sure Randy will excel at it. Live is going good for the Tateishi Family. A new addition (Brady Edward Tateishi born 8/6/11 to Bobby and Amy Tateishi), a son still serving in Japan, a son serving his country in Iraq (we miss him greatly), 2 awefully cute granddaughters who make me smile all the time, a new job for Misty and school starting for Doug, and a son who turned 30! Blessings come in mysterious ways but I am forever grateful for those that come my way! I love life!
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well.......... I`m now preparing myself for an adventure, because Transfer calls just came in. Elder Cloward is transfering out and I`m still staying here in Kawachinagano (probably will be here for the rest of my mission). In all honesty I don`t know who my next companion is. But that`s because he isn`t in Japan yet. Won`t be until Tuesday or Wednesday. Yes, I`m training a new missionary (Which I also dreamt about doing recently). I`m also the new District Leader here. So everything is going to be very exciting this upcoming transfer, as big changes are here and I can feel even bigger events rolling into Japan.
So as for my report this week. Last week Monday we climbed a mountain. It took us 2 hours by train to get there and we only had about 2 hours to explore while we were there. We saw tens of thousands of gravestones, strange insects, Bhuddists temples, picked up rocks that symbolize sin, enjoyed the cool of a shady forest, and were eaten alive by musquitos. It was a great experience and I loved it. It never ceases to amaze me when I look at the majesty of God`s creations.
Tuesday through Saturday were practically the same old same old. Lots of bike riding in the heat trying to find people to teach. Luckily I only have to put up with the heat for another month or so before it starts to cool down again.
Wednesday we had a fun english class and played some ping pong. We got destroyed by a 75 year old man, many times..... They are just way too good. We also taught Oyama, our investigator.
Thursday we had District Meeting and then we had splits and I went to Sakai, then friday we came back and met Oyama again because he thought he forgot his hat at the church. It ended up becoming a very good lesson and we helped him with a couple of his concerns. Then when we ended and he started riding his bike down the street I turned and looked at Elder Cloward and made a very profound statement. "He`s going to find his hat when he goes home." Which he did.
Saturday we went to Nishiguchi Kyodai`s house for his birthday, we made Yakisoba and baked a cake for him. It was way fun and he was really happy. Another active member came with us and really helped him out. It was great to see that we had helped him and that he is a lot happier than when we first met him. He was even calling me mother while I was busy cooking in the kitchen and everyone was eating. It was so hot in there, I was having sweat drip off my nose. (not into the food)
Sunday was another spiritually powerful day. The Youth came back from EFY in Kyoto and gave some very powerful testimonies and sang a beautiful song. I felt the spirit strongly and almost all of the youth were in tears. We also had a new investigator come to church as well as Oyama. Sugita is a very old man who has lived a difficult life, I can kind of tell because he`s missing quite a bit of his fingers. But he is very honest and straightforward and he wants to find peace of heart and mind. He was invited to church by one of the members and it was great that he came. After church we taught Oyama and set up a date for him to be baptized, the 28th of Augest. We also had him come to dinner with us again at another members house. The ward is doing an excellent job at fellowshipping him.
Now I`m still here, in Kawachinagano, not really wanting to leave and excited for a new challange and a new transfer. Time is moving too fast! Time is running out.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
There is Faith in every Footstep. For some reason that just pops into my mind and stands out. But that statement is so true, yet so simple. There is Faith in Every Footstep that we take, in every action that we make. In the days of the pioneers they showed their Faith with every agonizying step they took towards the Salt Lake Valley, treading on land that no man had ever gone before. They were going to a place that no one new, where they believed that they could make a peaceful living, far away from persecution and free to live their religion and worship their God. It was this hope, this Faith that kept them going despite the harsh conditions and the hundreds that died along the trails. We all know the heartbreaking stories of men and women who buried children, mothers and fathers along the way. Yet because of their great Faith, and their unity they made it across the plains and survived in the harsh conditions of the Salt Lake Valley and other barren areas.
To me there is no greater story than the three boys who went to assist the handcart companies as they reached an icey river. The saints fell to their knees as they saw the ice choked river, already tired and exhausted, and wept in despair. Yet came three young men, and carried the others across the freezing river. Bearing women and children, pulling carts until everyone was safely across. Later in their lives all three of them died because of problems related to that great heroic effort. Every time I ponder this story it brings tears to my eyes, for it is one of the greatest stories of Love, Sacrifice, Courage, and Faith. "No man hath greater love than this, than he that layeth down his life for his friends."
But even today those stories do not end. There is still Faith in every Footstep, for everyday there is a new challange, every day there is a new problem to solve. Many times we look forward in despair not sure how we are going to cross that icey river that stands in our path, as we are already so exhausted, so tired, and ready to just give up. We wonder when will God wrenching our hearts, when he will finally give us rest, and then more challanges, more obstacles come and we cry out in despair "Why!?" Yet in those very moments, when we put aside those questions and take just one more step, and just put one foot in front of the other, than comes someone or something that carries us across that icey river.
When we hold the Gospel of Christ there is no such thing as despair. For the Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of Hope! We have faith and hope that all things will be made fair, that there is someone beside us at all times and in all places that is willing to carry us across those places that we thought we could never go. We have hope that we will conquer death, we have faith that we will overcome the taint of sin. We have the greatest hope of all to know that our familes can be sealed for all eternity. What room do we have to despair? Why should we ever lose hope?
As Paul once said "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I say that as we step forward with Faith in Every Footstep God will be our stay, he will be our guide and our constant companion. There is nothing that should be feared but sin itself. "For God so loved the world that he gave is only begotten son" that through him all might have eternal life and be raised again from the grave to live in eternal glory and never-ending happiness. I will move forward with faith, I will do my best to set aside fear, doubt, and despair and the Lord fill me with Love, Hope and Faith. And then may I "know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Of this I testify in the name of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.
With Much love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Busy, Busy, week....
Sorry for the lateness of this entry, but I'm been busy playing Grandma to a brand spanking new little boy "Brady Edward Tateishi". Randy is so excited to be an Uncle and he can't wait to come home to play with him. That is probably the only thing he might be anxious about doing. Other than that, he is loving Japan. 6 months and he will be home ready to live the rest of his life, but what life lessons he has learned.
Dear Mother,
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I`M AN UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE`S SO CUTE!!!! GAH!!!!!!!
Ok..... got that out of me now. Yea, don`t worry about the whole not emailing me last week. I`ll live. But this email is going to be pretty short. We gotta run off here and climb a mountain. We`re going to the nearby Koya mountain and seeing what`s over there. I`m excited to go.
Anyway, Thanks mom for the messages about Brady and Hannah. I love the stories of Hannah and Tavie. Take care mum!
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well......... Let`s see, this week is awesome. Just awesome because it`s always awesome. Although it`s way to hot and I am anxiously awaiting winter.
Monday night we say fireworks. One of the largest firework shows in Japan. It was pretty cool. They had huge fireworks shooting off and the night sky literally turned to day. They shot off a whole lot of fireworks and I had a lot of fun watching it. We had to leave early though to get home in time, but when we were almost home we saw the finale because the whole sky turned red suddenly. WIsh I could have seen the actual fireworks though, I`m sure it would have been amazing.
The rest of the week went just normal as usual, running all over the place sweating our eyeballs out as we try to meet with people or find people to teach. Wednesday we taught English, Thursday I had a beautiful experience teaching Nishiguchi Kyodai again. It was a very wonderful experience as I closed the scriptures and put aside everything we had planned to teach in order to just talk with him and testify to his needs. It was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever given and I could feel the spirit so strongly. After that lesson we had to race home, and made the usual 40 min. bikeride home in about 25 min.
Friday we had Zone Conference with President Zinke, and that was really amazing. I`m still studying all the notes that I took and I probably will be for a while. It was a lot of material and an amazing experience.
Saturday we rode far away again but nothing too much happened, other than spending a good half hour being yelled at by a drunken man about how I`m too young to be a missionary and all that jazz. Then Sunday rolled around like usual and we had fun at church like always. I got to bear my testimony which I always love to do and we had our investigator, Oyama come to church for the 3rd time in a row. He loves church and one of the greatest fellowshippers we have for him is a little 7 year girl named Taka-chan, who he played with for over an hour last week. We then had dinner with a member and him and Nishiguchi Kyodai both came and we had a great time. I just love fast sundays, a great time to feel the spirit in its fullest and to recharge after a long month. There is nothing better, except maybe the temple.
Sorry that this is short, but we`re heading off to go visit a nearby Bhuddist Mountain. Sounds like it`ll be interesting and very pretty from what I have heard.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week.
Today I would like to talk briefly upon the Atonement again. The greatest of all miracles the the Lord Jesus Christ ever performed. The miracle that brought salvation unto all mankind and gave us the power to again rise from the grave with perfect bodies and stand before our God in judgement. It is the miracle that makes it possible for all of us to be forgiven of our sins and to remove that awful burden from our shoulders. But specifically I wish to talk about how it can heal all wounds.
The miracle of the atonement is that it can heal all our wounds. It can heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon us by cruel verbal abuse of those around us or can heal the even crueler self-inflicted wounds that we all suffer when we sin and forsake the Lord our God. It can go in and cure those wounds that seem so impossible to remove, so impossible to forget. It can purify our souls so that we can stand as a new being, pure and spotless before the world and before God. To me this is the greatest of all gifts.
So long as we throw our burdens upon Christ our lord we ca be freed from the shackles of sin and the be liberated unto righteousness. We can shake off the chains of Hell and put on the robe of purity, we can stand tall, no longer marred by the sins of the past, and as Isaiah said: "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Of this I testify, that all can be made whole in Christ. For many times he personally said unto those he healed "Thy faith hath made thee whole!" My faith has made me whole, and I have had it confirmed to me many times. In my blessing to be set apart as a missionary and even as I have prayed for forgiveness so many countless times. I know that this is true, and I testify of this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother,
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I`M AN UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE`S SO CUTE!!!! GAH!!!!!!!
Ok..... got that out of me now. Yea, don`t worry about the whole not emailing me last week. I`ll live. But this email is going to be pretty short. We gotta run off here and climb a mountain. We`re going to the nearby Koya mountain and seeing what`s over there. I`m excited to go.
Anyway, Thanks mom for the messages about Brady and Hannah. I love the stories of Hannah and Tavie. Take care mum!
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Well......... Let`s see, this week is awesome. Just awesome because it`s always awesome. Although it`s way to hot and I am anxiously awaiting winter.
Monday night we say fireworks. One of the largest firework shows in Japan. It was pretty cool. They had huge fireworks shooting off and the night sky literally turned to day. They shot off a whole lot of fireworks and I had a lot of fun watching it. We had to leave early though to get home in time, but when we were almost home we saw the finale because the whole sky turned red suddenly. WIsh I could have seen the actual fireworks though, I`m sure it would have been amazing.
The rest of the week went just normal as usual, running all over the place sweating our eyeballs out as we try to meet with people or find people to teach. Wednesday we taught English, Thursday I had a beautiful experience teaching Nishiguchi Kyodai again. It was a very wonderful experience as I closed the scriptures and put aside everything we had planned to teach in order to just talk with him and testify to his needs. It was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever given and I could feel the spirit so strongly. After that lesson we had to race home, and made the usual 40 min. bikeride home in about 25 min.
Friday we had Zone Conference with President Zinke, and that was really amazing. I`m still studying all the notes that I took and I probably will be for a while. It was a lot of material and an amazing experience.
Saturday we rode far away again but nothing too much happened, other than spending a good half hour being yelled at by a drunken man about how I`m too young to be a missionary and all that jazz. Then Sunday rolled around like usual and we had fun at church like always. I got to bear my testimony which I always love to do and we had our investigator, Oyama come to church for the 3rd time in a row. He loves church and one of the greatest fellowshippers we have for him is a little 7 year girl named Taka-chan, who he played with for over an hour last week. We then had dinner with a member and him and Nishiguchi Kyodai both came and we had a great time. I just love fast sundays, a great time to feel the spirit in its fullest and to recharge after a long month. There is nothing better, except maybe the temple.
Sorry that this is short, but we`re heading off to go visit a nearby Bhuddist Mountain. Sounds like it`ll be interesting and very pretty from what I have heard.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week.
Today I would like to talk briefly upon the Atonement again. The greatest of all miracles the the Lord Jesus Christ ever performed. The miracle that brought salvation unto all mankind and gave us the power to again rise from the grave with perfect bodies and stand before our God in judgement. It is the miracle that makes it possible for all of us to be forgiven of our sins and to remove that awful burden from our shoulders. But specifically I wish to talk about how it can heal all wounds.
The miracle of the atonement is that it can heal all our wounds. It can heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon us by cruel verbal abuse of those around us or can heal the even crueler self-inflicted wounds that we all suffer when we sin and forsake the Lord our God. It can go in and cure those wounds that seem so impossible to remove, so impossible to forget. It can purify our souls so that we can stand as a new being, pure and spotless before the world and before God. To me this is the greatest of all gifts.
So long as we throw our burdens upon Christ our lord we ca be freed from the shackles of sin and the be liberated unto righteousness. We can shake off the chains of Hell and put on the robe of purity, we can stand tall, no longer marred by the sins of the past, and as Isaiah said: "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Of this I testify, that all can be made whole in Christ. For many times he personally said unto those he healed "Thy faith hath made thee whole!" My faith has made me whole, and I have had it confirmed to me many times. In my blessing to be set apart as a missionary and even as I have prayed for forgiveness so many countless times. I know that this is true, and I testify of this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Waiting on the bridge....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family and Friends
Well, Not too much to write this week either. Tuesday we ran around with a member, Kubota Kyodai for over 6 hours visiting less actives and active members. It went well, but riding in a car all day really wipes me out. We ended up visiting two women who really needed our help when we showed up. Gave one of them a blessing and the other one we invited to retake the missionary lessons to help deepen her understanding of the basic principles of the Gospel and to help her rebuilt her faith. She has a Learning Disability so we`ll need to take things slow with her.
Wednesday we just dendoed around and then played some ping pong with the members before we started Eikaiwa. Finally had 2 new students show up to Eikaiwa and we had loads of fun there. Thursday we had splits and I went to Sakai with Elder Wright and we had lots of fun talking to many random people. Friday we had District Meeting which was also fun and then me and Elder Cloward headed back to go and try to find Investigators in our own area.
Friday was the highlight of my week. We had a great miracle that shows that God has a sense of humor and loves us. So we went down to one of the train stations in our area and walked around for about 40 min. trying to talk to a variety of people, got a couple good contacts in but we weren`t having all that much success, then we both decided it was time to head off to new fishing grounds. We didn`t ride very far when I felt that we needed to turn back. So we stopped, prayed, and both felt that we still needed to be back at the train station, so we headed back. We did a loop, talked to one guy for a little bit and then Elder Cloward turned to me and said "I feel we need to wait on the bridge." So we did just that. We went on the bridge and waited, trying to talk to people as they walked by, but no one was stopping. We both looked out and watched as the sun was starting to set and the cars going by. We kept looking at each other and asking "What are we waiting for?" Well, we were deep in thought, and pondering the mysteries of the Kingdom of God when suddenly an old man walked up to us, handed us a traditional Japanese treat and said "Here`s for working hard" and then he walked off. Me and Elder Cloward looked at each other in utter amazement and laughed our heads off. We ate the treats and felt that we still needed to wait 5 minutes so we did. After those 5 minutes we happened to talk to a high school kid that was fairly interested but didn`t really have the time to meet with us again. We then knew we`d done what we had needed to do and head off. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Saturday and Sunday went just fine, we had Oyama come to church again this week, he was running around after church playing with some of the kids. It made me laugh because he was acting just like a regular member and was treated like one to. Now we just need to set up a time to teach him the lessons. After church on Sunday we rode far out to visit a member than visited a less active that we were finally able to meet. Usually the wife just refuses us and doesn`t let us talk to her at all. But this time the Husband was there and we were able to talk to him for a little while and get to know him. It was great.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
So Tomorrow marks a special day. It means that I have 6 months before I go home. It means it will be time for me to leave a land that I love, and a people that I love, and simply I wish to testify of that today.
In this year and a half I have labored in many different areas with many different people seeking to do the Lord`s work. I have shed sweat, blood, and tears as I have sought to bring people unto Christ. Sometimes it has felt like all I do is futile and useless, but most of the time I feel the love of God in my heart as I testify to these people of God and Christ. It has been an honor to serve my God for this time and I would trade it for nothing else in the world. In this time I have grown from a boy into a man, I have learned how to work, how to sweat, how to love, and how to be who God wants me to be. I have learned that God loves me for who I am and that he loves each and everyone of his children. I have learned the price that must be paid for repentance and I have learned the joy of the presence of God. That and countless other things have I learned on my mission. Have no regrets! From every experience there is a lesson to be learned, even when we fail, when we fall and stumble, as we pick ourselves back up we can learn what not to do.
Yesterday as we visited Maekawa Kyodai, a member of the bishopric, I remember feeling such a great love for this ward, for the members. I felt in my heart a desire to have a temple here for them, so that they may enjoy the great blessings more readily. I testified that a temple was close, that it was coming and I thought about how that moment would go when the temple is announced. What joy filled my heart, and how strongly I felt the spirit. When that moment comes I will leap with joy and sing praises unto the Lord. I would love to be here in Japan when that temple is built, I would love to enter inside its sacred walls and join with the people that I love in worshipping our God there.
I`m not sure if I can properly express the love I hold for these people, especially the members here. The joy that they hold in their eyes, the light that they have. The smiles on their faces and the glow about them. These members stand out in contrast to those around them. They are a light that shines in the darkness. They know the truth and are faithful to it forever more. They love the Gospel and they do anything for the Lord. They are some of the greatest examples of Faith, Hope, Charity and Love that I have ever seen. Often times it is said that when missionaries visit members they help to strengthen the members faith, but on countless occassions I have found the opposite to be true. My faith is strengthened as I visit with them, converse with them and learn from them. There is no place I would rather be than here.
When the day comes for me to board the plane home to America I know I will shed tears. I will be leaving behind a part of me here. I will leave a piece of my heart here. I dread that day just as much as I know I will rejoice to meet my family again. This will be something that I can never forget. Here is my home, just as much as America.
I know that this is the work of God, I know that he loveth his children. I know that this church is true and I cannot deny it. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Well, Not too much to write this week either. Tuesday we ran around with a member, Kubota Kyodai for over 6 hours visiting less actives and active members. It went well, but riding in a car all day really wipes me out. We ended up visiting two women who really needed our help when we showed up. Gave one of them a blessing and the other one we invited to retake the missionary lessons to help deepen her understanding of the basic principles of the Gospel and to help her rebuilt her faith. She has a Learning Disability so we`ll need to take things slow with her.
Wednesday we just dendoed around and then played some ping pong with the members before we started Eikaiwa. Finally had 2 new students show up to Eikaiwa and we had loads of fun there. Thursday we had splits and I went to Sakai with Elder Wright and we had lots of fun talking to many random people. Friday we had District Meeting which was also fun and then me and Elder Cloward headed back to go and try to find Investigators in our own area.
Friday was the highlight of my week. We had a great miracle that shows that God has a sense of humor and loves us. So we went down to one of the train stations in our area and walked around for about 40 min. trying to talk to a variety of people, got a couple good contacts in but we weren`t having all that much success, then we both decided it was time to head off to new fishing grounds. We didn`t ride very far when I felt that we needed to turn back. So we stopped, prayed, and both felt that we still needed to be back at the train station, so we headed back. We did a loop, talked to one guy for a little bit and then Elder Cloward turned to me and said "I feel we need to wait on the bridge." So we did just that. We went on the bridge and waited, trying to talk to people as they walked by, but no one was stopping. We both looked out and watched as the sun was starting to set and the cars going by. We kept looking at each other and asking "What are we waiting for?" Well, we were deep in thought, and pondering the mysteries of the Kingdom of God when suddenly an old man walked up to us, handed us a traditional Japanese treat and said "Here`s for working hard" and then he walked off. Me and Elder Cloward looked at each other in utter amazement and laughed our heads off. We ate the treats and felt that we still needed to wait 5 minutes so we did. After those 5 minutes we happened to talk to a high school kid that was fairly interested but didn`t really have the time to meet with us again. We then knew we`d done what we had needed to do and head off. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Saturday and Sunday went just fine, we had Oyama come to church again this week, he was running around after church playing with some of the kids. It made me laugh because he was acting just like a regular member and was treated like one to. Now we just need to set up a time to teach him the lessons. After church on Sunday we rode far out to visit a member than visited a less active that we were finally able to meet. Usually the wife just refuses us and doesn`t let us talk to her at all. But this time the Husband was there and we were able to talk to him for a little while and get to know him. It was great.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
So Tomorrow marks a special day. It means that I have 6 months before I go home. It means it will be time for me to leave a land that I love, and a people that I love, and simply I wish to testify of that today.
In this year and a half I have labored in many different areas with many different people seeking to do the Lord`s work. I have shed sweat, blood, and tears as I have sought to bring people unto Christ. Sometimes it has felt like all I do is futile and useless, but most of the time I feel the love of God in my heart as I testify to these people of God and Christ. It has been an honor to serve my God for this time and I would trade it for nothing else in the world. In this time I have grown from a boy into a man, I have learned how to work, how to sweat, how to love, and how to be who God wants me to be. I have learned that God loves me for who I am and that he loves each and everyone of his children. I have learned the price that must be paid for repentance and I have learned the joy of the presence of God. That and countless other things have I learned on my mission. Have no regrets! From every experience there is a lesson to be learned, even when we fail, when we fall and stumble, as we pick ourselves back up we can learn what not to do.
Yesterday as we visited Maekawa Kyodai, a member of the bishopric, I remember feeling such a great love for this ward, for the members. I felt in my heart a desire to have a temple here for them, so that they may enjoy the great blessings more readily. I testified that a temple was close, that it was coming and I thought about how that moment would go when the temple is announced. What joy filled my heart, and how strongly I felt the spirit. When that moment comes I will leap with joy and sing praises unto the Lord. I would love to be here in Japan when that temple is built, I would love to enter inside its sacred walls and join with the people that I love in worshipping our God there.
I`m not sure if I can properly express the love I hold for these people, especially the members here. The joy that they hold in their eyes, the light that they have. The smiles on their faces and the glow about them. These members stand out in contrast to those around them. They are a light that shines in the darkness. They know the truth and are faithful to it forever more. They love the Gospel and they do anything for the Lord. They are some of the greatest examples of Faith, Hope, Charity and Love that I have ever seen. Often times it is said that when missionaries visit members they help to strengthen the members faith, but on countless occassions I have found the opposite to be true. My faith is strengthened as I visit with them, converse with them and learn from them. There is no place I would rather be than here.
When the day comes for me to board the plane home to America I know I will shed tears. I will be leaving behind a part of me here. I will leave a piece of my heart here. I dread that day just as much as I know I will rejoice to meet my family again. This will be something that I can never forget. Here is my home, just as much as America.
I know that this is the work of God, I know that he loveth his children. I know that this church is true and I cannot deny it. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)