Earthquake...

There is nothing more that I can add to Randy's world. I will just say that I am so appreciative of his special spirit and his willingness to serve the Lord. He was so very touched by the love and concern that he learned of from the wonderful ward that we live in....


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

The news is, I am fine. I didn`t feel anything at all down here in Kawachinagano. And it has taken me most of the weekend to gather enough information to piece together everything that has happened up in Sendai. It`s hard, since we don`t get all that much news over here. But as I have said, I am safe, with no injuries or worries at all. I have recieved no news from the Mission Home on any new actions or any precations that we need to take here. But my heart does go out to those in Sendai.

There isn`t much to report about most of my week, I went to Senboku on wednesday but that was about it, other than what happened from Friday on.

Friday me and Elder Meyer, were going around tracting all over the place. We didn`t even feel anything at all and had no clue what had happened. Our first clue was when we stopped somebody while riding down the escalator. He was looking intently at his Iphone, and we asked him what he was doing. We didn`t quite understand all that he was saying, other than that he was looking up the epicenter of some earthquake. It didn`t click that there was an actual earthquake until that night when our district leader called us and told us that he had seen the news and there had been a huge earthquake in Sendai. The next morning the Zone leaders called us and warned us to stay away from bodies of water in case of tsunamis and to be on alert for earthquakes, by this time we still weren`t sure what was going on. They then asked me if I had any family in the Sendai area, but I don`t, that I know of at least. Throughout Saturday and Sunday more information came in, and the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place. While tracting houses that morning we saw a newspaper with a picture of Sendai on it, flames raging and the city nearly leveled. Then when we talked to a family at a cafe they handed us a newspaper and started explaining what was going on. Gasoline tanks had exploded, nuclear power plants were on meltdown and cities were entirely leveled. The Death count was high and we started worrying about the missionaries and people living there, including some missionaries from this ward serving in Sendai. Sunday rolled around, and they announced in Sacrament meeting that all missionaries were safe, and accounted for. Which was a huge relief. What really touched me, was that they immediately were asking the members to bring any extra food, tissues, or things that could be used to help those in Sendai that very day.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

In all Honesty I do not know what I need to write. This disaster has left me speechless.

My heart goes out to all of those in Sendai, to those who have lost their homes, their familes. To those all across Japan who now mourn the devestation that has been dealt to the Sendai area. May God be with them to comfort them, to help them rebuild those shattered lives. I guess I will simply reply to what my mother sent me, as part of my Gospel Message.

This is what my Mother wrote me:

"My Friday started out as follows: 6:00am - Bishop Hansen calls me and asks me to take a "deep breath"...and then tell me there has been a massive earthquake in Japan. The stake President "sends his prayers and concerns to you and Randy"....they also asked me to just remain calm (like that could happen) and have faith and no that the church/ward and stake are working hard on locating all missionaries. What a jolt to wake up to.....(no pun intended). Then I got a call from my visiting teaching within 5 minutes of hanging up. Throughout the day so many ward members contacted me with their concern and love expressed in your behalf. They truly do love you! As the Young Men's President said "we take care of our own"....It warms my heart to know that we are a family in this ward. I cannot express enough gratitude to them for the outpouring of love they have shown this last day to your dad and I and mostly to you!

So...I just ran to Lins for a sale and ran into Sister Gough and here is how it went....tears...tears...tears...hugs...hugs....hugs....tears...tears....tears....again you get the picture. She was so concerned for your safety and just so thrilled when I told her you were fine. What an emotional roller coaster kind of day yesterday and today has been. I'm still getting calls from ward members seeing if I'm ok and you are ok. What a testimony builder this is for me. That there is a loving God who cares for each of us individually and knows who we are and what we need. I am almost speechless (not that it could really happen to me).

Last night Sister Jentsczch showed up about 9:30pm with a bottle of coke for me and Adam. They sat and talked for quite a while, cried, laughed and cried some more. It was very sweet of them to come over and visit and share their concerns as well.

Time: Sunday morning at 9:01am 12:01am Monday for you....I'm not sure what you have heard or know about the earthquake. it was a 8.9 earthquake with some major, major, major damage done to the Sendai region, Tokyo and other places. A 30' Tsunami swept ashore and took out towns, airports and now there is MAJOR concerns about the nuclear plants. Apparently they are on Red alert because one or more of them are in Meltdown. I'm am so scared for the people of Japan and you, of course. I'm praying so hard for your safety and Bobby even offered to go get you and bring you home at his expense. LOL Karma wants you to come home too as well as Grandma. It is hard to explain to them that knowing you. You would not be any other place than where you are right now. Helping the people of Japan. I pray that the radiation does not carry as far as where you are, but I do have concerns (just because I'm a mom). Just now another reactor is starting the meltdown process. So...so...scary for the people of Japan. There was also a Tsunami that hit the Hawaii coast and did some damage on Kona and the shores of Waikiki were hit with water going up to the hotels but not into them. Also, in California some major damage was done at some places where it hit in the northern part of the state. It took only 10 hours from the time of the earthquake till the Tsunami hit California....traveling at over 500mph....can you believe that. There are still warnings and major after shocks happening (which I'm sure you are probably feeling some). There have been hundreds of aftershocks at 5+ or more and they are still happening.

Dad says it's possible that some missionaries will be heading north to help with relief efforts. In a way I'm hoping you get sent so you can help out. Bobby wants to take a week and fly over to help with clean up. He is so funny. He text me last night that he has money to fly you home and will buy the plane ticket now...LOL

I am so anxious to read your letter tonight and hear your reports. Many people are waiting for me to post to your blog. I have to teach today in Relief Society today on Service. What a subject for today to speak on. I hope I can due it justice. I will write some more to you after Church....I LOVE YOU!!!!

Sunday afternoon 2:25pm....ok Church is over and my lesson went well. There was not a dry eye in the house, so to speak. I am so grateful for your willingness to serve the Lord. More than you even know. I really don't have much more to say other than the Bishop stood up in Church after the missionaries spoke and was in tears saying "I don't even know Randy, but I feel his spirit every Sunday here with us and I enjoy his letters that he sends" and then he proceeded to quote something your wrote about the Joy of serving. He was and is really touched by your letters and told the congregation what a wonderful person you are. What a wonderful man he is.

I anxiously await your letter and account of what you have been told and what has been happening during this past week."

This has been a very touching letter for me. To see how many prayers were sent out on my behalf, but more so, to see how quickly and lovingly hands went out to comfort my family, my mother especially. To know that no matter what happens to me, whether serious injury or death itself my family will be well taken care of. That to me, matters far more than anything else. I know that God is watching over me and my family, but not just me and the ones I love, but those that are in Sendai, those missionaries that have dedicated their lives to him, and their families, but not just them, but all who suffer throughout Japan, and the World

Well did the Prophet Nephi Write: "Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth"

God does not forget us, no matter where we are or who we are. God, is the God of us all, he watches over all the nations of the earth, he rules in the heavens above and in the earth beneath, nothing strays from his eyes.

"For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me"

God will not forget us, no matter who we are. He loves each and everyone of us. He is no respecter of Persons, he doesn`t care where we live, what race we are, how rich, or how poor we are. He simply knows that each one of us is his precious child, and he begs us to go forth and help his children. He wants us to serve each other, to lift up the hands that hang down, to comfort those that need to be comforted, to love those that are not loved. He sends his missionaries forth to proclaim his Gospel, "the good news" with sounds of rejoicing with love and care. He seeks all to come unto him.

I am honored to be a servant of God. To stand as a missionary, no matter how imperfect I am. I truly can say that I wouldn`t want to be anywhere else at this moment than where I am now. To know that God lives, that he loves, that he cries, that he feels for everyone of his children. I wish I could express that same love, that same emotion. But I am only human, and words cannot truly describe that pure love of God.

I don`t have much else to say, other than thank you for all your prayers, for your loving hearts. For being the Hands of the Lord as you reached out to my family. It truly has touched my heart very deeply, and it is yet another Testimony of the Love of God.

I know that God Lives, that he loves, and I testify of his existence, and of his power. All things are in his hands, as am I and all those that serve him. But let us be his Hands, let us go and do what we can to serve those that stand in need. Comfort those that need comfort, and pray for those that we personally cannot help.

I love you all, and again I say thank you.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi





Dear Mother,

Don`t worry about me Mother. "Stand still, and know that I am God. Doubt not, Fear not." I truly am in the Lord`s hands, and whatever happens to me, it is for his purpose. Keep praying for those in Sendai, express your love to all those around you, and I want you to stay safe. I love you Mom soo much, as well as all the family. It means far more than I could ever express to hear that you and Dad are well taken care of. Simply let them all know, that nothing will pull me back from serving the Lord, not yet. I still have a year left, and until that`s over, I`m not coming home.

I love you Mom, Take care of the family.

Love,

Your Son,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi