So Faith...what is it? How do we have faith? I personally know that I have faith...I love that fact...That I know without a doubt that the Lord has Randy's best interest at heart...That the Lord loves Randy and will take care of him. I have faith that the Lord has a plan for Randy and that his mission here on earth is still needed and that there is a great work for him to do. I know and have faith that Randy is protected and has comforting arms around him and I have faith that my Father in Heaven will guide, lead and protect not only Randy, but all missionaries that are going about his work. I am so grateful for my son and the spirit he brings to my life and to the life of others.
I HAVE FAITH!!!
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
Well, It`s another week in Japan, but it`s been fairly hectic lately. Monday through wednesday were just about normal. Except while I was on my Companionship exchange with Senboku we got a call telling us that we would be recieving Transfer calls the next day. That`s when everything went haywire. 42 missionaries from the Tokyo mission have been shipped down here and are now scattered throughout the mission, and on Thursday morning I got the call that my companion, Elder Meyer, would be transfering out and I`d be recieving a Tokyo Missionary as my new companion. Everything was messed up, Elder Meyer had less than 24 hours to get everything packed up and sent off to his new area, and by Friday afternoon I had my new companion and was saying goodbye to someone who will be a friend forever. We were only together for 2 weeks, but I found that it was possibly the best two weeks of my mission. He is definately one of my companions who I will hook up with after the Mission.
Friday night I came home with my new companion, Elder Young, from Orem Utah, and it was then that the realization of the sudden transfer settled in. I was without my favorite companion, in an area that I barely even know, with people I don`t even know, and I felt alone for a little bit. But that was only a passing moment, as on Saturday we met with the bishop here, who was quick to help us get everything ready, he told us more about the ward, and the goals of the ward, he helped my Elder Young get settled in and took us out to lunch as well as played Taxi driver for us because my Companion didn`t have a Bike. Then Sunday came as well and the Ward welcomed us with open arms and open hearts, I truly felt like just a member of the ward.
So let me talk a little bit about my new companion, and a brief overview of his story and experience in Tokyo. Elder Young is 20 years old. He`s from Orem Utah and an awesome missionary, we look alike (I`d show a picture but I forgot my SD Card reader again) and he`s really cool. He felt the Earthquake in Tokyo, and when that all happened he was told to stay in his apartment. Then on Wednesday he was told to pack everything as quickly as possible and get to the Mission home, and from there on Thursday he was shipped off here to Kobe. They stayed the night at the Church in Kobe and then I picked him up Friday afternoon. Apparently he had barely slept in the past few days because of all the rushing around and excitement. But He`s ok now and doing great. I`m glad I have him as my companion and I`m looking forward to this Transfer.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week
Again, I wish to extend my feelings of Gratitude to those that have reached out to comfort my family. It warms and touches my heart to see how many people there are that reach out everyday to those in need, to see how many people there are that care.
Now, this week, I`m going to talk about why am here, and why I WILL NOT LEAVE until all my 2 years are done.
Over 1 year ago, on a quiet night, I was alone in my room, as always, sitting on my laptop getting ready for bed. Many thoughts crossed my mind, as at that time I was only a few weeks away from leaving for my mission to Japan. At that time I did not know what would lie in store for me, the hardships, the trials, the Joy, the Growth, the Experience. I asked myself on that quiet night, "Why am I going? Do I really need to go? Do I really WANT to go?" Those types of questions drifted through my mind as I sat alone in the dark. As it grew later and later into the night it was finally time for me to go to bed, and so I turned off my computer and laid down to bed as always, but still my mind was troubled. I remembered then one of the most simple things: Prayer. I knelt down before my God and offered up a prayer, a personal, hearfelt prayer that I had never before given in my life. I asked God if it were right for me to go to Japan, if it were right for me to take two years to serve him in an entirely new world. I prayed and I begged him for forgiveness from my sins, from my follies and my stupidity. It was then, on that quiet night that I learned that God loves me. For not a moment passed after I offered that prayer that my heart was filled with joy. With great overwhelming Joy. I KNEW, I knew without a doubt in my mind that I was needed in Japan, that the Lord needed ME to go forth and preach his Gospel. I was filled with such overwhelming Joy that I could not even sleep despite the exhaustion that had previously filled me.
If I were to say simply why I am here, I would say: "Because God asked me too." Although that is a good enough reason in and of itself, it is not all of the reasons why I am STILL here. In this past year, I have tasted more of God`s love than I ever have before. I have drank the bitter cup of repentance and felt the overwhelming Joy of Forgiveness, I have felt the hand of God touch my heart as he lefted me up from the depths of despair, I have felt his power flow through me as I have testified of him and his Church. I have watched as the lives of people have been changed to overwhelming happiness as they have accepted this Gospel. I have learned for myself how true this work is, and because of that I will not, I CANNOT come home until I have served all 2 years. To do so would be like turning my back to the truth, would be as it were, denying that the sun had ever shone.
For those that worry about my health and safety here, I pray that you are comforted. For those that desire my quick return I simply and gently say, I will not go home. The Lord has called me here, he has a work for me to do, that I alone can do. I do not know who it is he wants me to teach, what hearts he wants me to touch, but I know that they are here. I know that God has not forgotten any of his children, that all are beneath his gaze. I also know that the Lord God will watch over me, will protect me so long as I have a work to do. He will not let me fall into harm unless my work is complete or unless I forsake him. His hand is over his work, his eye watches over all his people.
I love the Lord my God, and I strive to serve him with all my heart and all my strength. I know that I am weak, that I am imperfect, I know that I am far from the best missionary to have ever served him. But I know that he still needs me. That he still has something for me to do. So I continue, pushing everyday to be just one tiny bit better than the day before, trying everyday to take just one babystep forward as I call upon the Lord night and day to help me do his will.
I repeat again, I know that God lives, and that he loves me. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Redeemer and my Anchor. I know that I am where I have been called to be, that were I stand right now is the best place for me to be. I know that this church is the true church of God, that it is guided by a true prophet and by true leaders who hold the priesthood of God. I know that this work, this missionary work, is the work of God. I bear testimony, time and time again that Christ lives, that he is ever my stay. I rely upon him in all things, and follow him the best way I know how. I truly Love you all, and desire that all of you may be comforted concerning me. Know that I am in the Lord`s hands, and let his will be done, never mine. I bear my Testimony, in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
WIth Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
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