A dangerous man....

Well, sometimes the spirit leads you to interesting feelings. I'm so glad Randy followed and listened to the spirit although it may seem insignificant to everyone else, but listening and following the promptings may have saved him some trouble. I'm sure he was never really in any danger I do still think that maybe...just maybe...the Lord was telling him and his companion to just stay away and be extra careful. You will have to read on to see what I mean.

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

Forecast: Rainy, rainy, rainy, with sunshine in the soul.

It rained almost everyday this week. Monday, Tuesday, Friday,
Saturday, and even today. That forced me to buy a new Rain suit
because the one I had from last year didn`t work at all :( I got
entirely soaked. But despite the rain I`m happy enough!

Well, Last Monday we met with a less active member from a neighboring
branch that currently has no missionaries in it. This man was actually
fairly dangerous to be with. A) He was slightly crazy, B) He was once
a member of the Omu Shinri church that gassed the Tokyo Subway about
15 years ago. I wasn`t quite understanding what was going on with the
conversation but Elder Young was kind of nervous and freaked out
throughout the meeting. Then he told me after who the Omu Shinri
people were. Yea, the guy didn`t know how to use an indoor voice, and
we were in Walmart (yes Japan has walmart, it`s called Seiyu and
runned by a church member). Kind of awkward and not a good image for
missionaries when someone is saying that they were once a member of a
new outlawed religion that murdered a lot of people.

Sooo, included in that I had dream that night where I got kidnapped,
it was very vivid and woke me up at 1 AM. I couldn`t fall back asleep
and said a quick prayer, "If this is a warning let me know, if not
make this feeling go away." After a moment it didn`t so I got up and
made sure the door was locked and laid back down and said the same
prayer again, same thing, I got up but the extra latch on the door
laid down and said the same prayer again. This time my paranoia went
away instantly. So now I lock, and latch the door everynight. You can
call it Paranoia, but I call it extra safety percautions. (Note: The
police station is right in front of our apartment.)

Let`s see..... Tuesday we found a new investigator, Sugitani. The
neighbor of a member who we started meeting at Eikaiwa. We taught her
again on Thursday, her only problem is that she thinks too much
(hmmm.... Kind of like me) and has trouble accepting some the things
we teach. She also talks a lot, but she`s a very nice person and lots
of fun.

Wednesday I had loads of fun teaching Eikaiwa. Thursday we found
another investigator, another Eikaiwa student. Kobayashi, and she is a
pure golden investigator, I was thoroughly nervous throughout the
lesson and messed up horribly as I taught xD, but she was listening
the whole time and enjoyed it. Despite my major mistakes. She even
came to church on Sunday.

Friday.... ummm.... O yea, we road around with a member and visited a
whole bunch of Less-active members.

Saturday we were supposed to go hiking but because it rained it was
cancelled and instead we did a practice lesson with a member (Which
went pretty well) and then visited a Less-active that lived about a
half hour away. It was raining so hard that even though I had my Rain
jacket and hood on I still needed window wipers for my glasses to see.
Tacked on an extra 15 min. because of heavy rains and when the Less
active opened the door he just laughed at us as we asked if we could
have a towel, and take off our socks so we don`t get his house all
wet. Yea that was fun. Then after that we visited a members house,
again through the rain, and they had a Home Stay College student over
for the day from Korea. He`s studying Japanese in a nearby College and
stops at other houses every once in a while I think. I`m not sure how
it works exactly. But that was fun.

Sunday was great. Kobayashi came to church and all of the young
single adults were right there and quickly became her friend. After
church we attended ward council meeting which was basically a comical
party. People were telling jokes left and right as we planned and
conversed. After that had another lesson with a member than had dinner
at another members house before we ended the night.

This morning we got up at 5 AM and went to Seminary to help the
youth, a couple of which are less active but still go to seminary for
some reason or another. We taught the story of Joseph Smith and
testified and also heard a wonderful tesimony from the teacher and a
couple of the youth. Then we rode over here and it started raining,
which sucked because I Don`t have my rain suit. I hope it isn`t
raining anymore when I leave.



Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

Lately we have been teaching the first lesson quite a bit, whether
in actual lessons or simply practicing with members or like today,
simply testifying of the Restoration to help strengthen them. Today`s
message will be very simple and brief. Nothing more than a testimony
of the Restoration.

In 1820, a 14 year old boy entered into a grove of trees in Palmayra,
New York. He was seeking Truth. He was seeking to know God and to know
the will of God. That spring morning he knelt down in prayer and asked
to know the truth. As soon as he had prayed a pillar of light
descended and he saw two personages within. God the Eternal Father,
and the Savior Jesus Christ. From then on he was called as a prophet
to restore the true church of Christ. To bring back what had been lost
for more than 1500 years.

I know that Joseph Smith, that 14 year old boy truly saw God and
Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and
restored this church, the True Church of Christ. I know that Christ
lives, and is the very head of his church and guides it. He is my
Saviour, my Redeemer. In his holy name I bear witness. Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

What more can I give....

Sometimes we ponder to ourselves and think that "man, I give to my callings, I give to my church, I give to my work....I just keep giving" and wonder..."What more can I give?"....well to this I echo Randy's thoughts and understand that the Lord gave his life for us so that we may have a chance or better yet the possibility of an Eternal life full of happiness and joy. He was unselfish and yet we (mere mortals) are very selfish. I hope that someday I can stop being selfish and work hard on serving and caring about others. "lose myself in the Lord's work" as Randy would say, and quoting a the great Prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley. I am so happy that Randy is still learning and growing with each passing day. More and more blessings will come to him for being so diligent in his work. Thank you Elder Tateishi for being an AWESOME Missionary to the people of Japan.


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

Phew, that`s always long to write.

This week has been a little bit of an up and down week, and I don`t
really remember anything before Wednesday. Everything is kind of
blurred together because it`s been a bit stressful lately. Even had a
dream in which I was losing my hair. Lol.

Tuesday was District Meeting at a park and a picnic. Was probably
strange for all of those around us when a bunch of Americans started
singing hymns in Japanese and then Praying. After that we had
Interviews with President McIntyre. That went interesting, but well. I
was told many things that I needed to hear. Much encouragement from
President, and also another call to "Lose yourself in the work, and be
the best."

From that things started to go downhill a little bit as I started to
tear myself apart again before I realized how stupid I was. He didn`t
tell me to tear myself down, but to build myself up. I quickly stopped
before I could damage myself too much and started focusing on what I
CAN do to be the best I can be. Mostly this week has been filled with
fervent prayer and seeking for the Lord`s guidance as I strive to be
who he wants me to be.

Wednesday we had fun at Eikaiwa, and then thursday was just planning
and more Dendo, Friday was lots of Dendo, and Saturday we visited
Katayama Family, who live the top of a hill. Then we went with Brother
Katayama to visit a few other families by car before they cooked us
dinner and then we went home. Sunday was lots of fun, Talked with lots
of people, went on a bikeride with a Part-member family and stopped at
their small farm. Picked a cabbage and then used that for the dinner
party we had that night. After we came back from the farm we visted
another member and went with her and two of her daughters to visit a
couple of neighbors, where I got bit by a Dog again. Meh! Then last of
all we had a party with all the Young Single Adults and a few of our
Eikaiwa students. It was loads of fun and although the food was
scarce, it was very delicious. That has been my week.

Elder Tateishi`s gospel message of othe Week

Well, what Should I talk about this week.

As I said early I`ve been thinking deeply about my work here as a
missionary, as to who I am and who I can become. Ironically last week
I talked about Potential and that came in handy this week as well. But
what has been weighing most heavily on my mind is this phrase "Lose
yourself."

In the teachings of Christ it is written "He who layeth down his life
for me shall find it, but he that seeketh to save his life shall lose
it." And countless other times has Christ spoken on similar topics.

The question that has been really on my mind is this. "What more do I
have that I can give?" As I thought for a while about what I have
given, I stopped myself and said this. "Stop thinking about me." I`ve
realized how selfish I have been lately, because a lot of what I say
is "I", "Me", "Mine", or "I`m" and not about others. Strange right?
It`s normal to use those words a lot, but what started to click in my
mind was that when I talked with others I would try to bring the topic
around to something that -I- liked, or something that -I- knew. Such
as "O you like Science. I like Physics..... Etc. " I didn`t focus on
them. In my prayers I say "Please bless me with...." not "Please guide
me too..." or "Please bless them with..."

Hidden pride had slipped into my life. It`s still there! But I think
that the Lord has guided me to the solution. Simply to listen to
others, and try to get to know them, focus on others and keep focused
on them. Love the people around me, and care for who they are, show it
by trying to get to know them, show it by helping them. Get rid of
those words and start seeking to ask them questions to find out more
about them.

To find the perfect of example of someone who has done such, open the
scriptures. Look deep into them and find out who God works. All that
he commands us to do, that he asks us to do is not for him but for us.
He asks us to do things that will help us and those around us. He
focuses on each and everyone of us, which is why he asks us to pray to
him. So that he can hear our voices, so he can know us, but not only
that but so that we can know ourselves. He asks us to serve others, to
love others. To build each other.

So what will I do, Take up that motto that was laid down by a wise
prophet "Forget yourself. And go to work." Go to work and serve all
those around me, my companion, the members in this ward, the people of
Japan, everyone back home. I know that as I do so, the Lord will use
me to bless the lives of those around me. He will guide me as I seek
to serve others, he will poor out blessings upon those who need it
through me.

Lastly I testify again of God and Christ, that Theylives, They loves,
They cries. They look down upon us and seek for our betterment and our
growth. I know that they love each and everyone of us like no one else
can. They love you, and deeply care for you, no matter who you are or
where you are. Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

See...Do....Get

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

I`m not sure where I need to start off this week. It kind of flew
past really really fast. I had a Companion Exchange with the Senboku
Elders this week on tuesday and Wednesday. That went pretty well. I
had loads of fun talking with Elder Bailey from Las Vegas, plus had
fun trying to talk to people.

Wednesday went awesomely as we taught English and had quite a few
people show up. Thursday and Friday were regular days of Dendo, except
we did go to a Handbell concert. Yes Handbells. It was very beautiful
and productive, we contacted another investigator and a less active
member. We also met with a part member family and met their HUGE talk
that slobbered all over my suit..... yea the dog was almost as big as
I am.

Saturday and Sunday we were in Sakai for General Conference, and that
was just plain awesome, I loved the talks that were given, all of them
and it was just splendidly amazing. On Sunday we were given a ride
back to our apartment by a member and his family. I got to listen to
them talk in Kansai-ben the whole 40 min. ride back. Which you might
compare to a Southern accent of English, except.... it really doesn`t
sound like Japanese. If you learned basic japanese you would have no
idea what these people were talking about. But it was loads of fun for
me and I laughed the whole way back because it was just so hilarious
to hear the Ben. I love Kansai.

After that we had a lesson and then had a dinner party at some
Senboku member`s house, there were over 30 people squashed in a single
apartment, but that was fun.

I love my Mission!

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

This General Conference we had many amazing speakers stand up at the
podium and declare the word of God unto all nations, all kindreds, all
tongues, and all peoples. As Elder Holland said at the end of the
Conference any and all can learn something personal from the Talks
given over that podium. If only my writings could be the same.

I feel impressed to talk about Potential again. My least favorite
word, but now my favorite word.

In the priesthood session of Conference President Uchtdorf talked
about many priesthood holders living beneath their deserved level, not
obtaining to the level of power they are entitled to have as holders
of God`s Holy Priesthood. He used the analogy of a man who wanted to
take a cruise of the Mediteranean, who wanted to go see the famous
places of Italy and the Mediteranean. So this man, skrimped and saved
and bought a ticket. He also brought with him beans, and spam, and
little curmbs of food so that he would have something to eat
throughout the cruise. As the ship sailed he watched the others having
fun, and eating endless amounts of food and felt left out, as he sat
alone in his cabin living off of beans and spam. In the end he got to
see the wonderful places he wanted to see, but as the journey neared
its end a steward asked the man which of the farewell parties he would
be obtaining. At this point the man realized that all of those games,
the food was included in the price of his ticket, but it was too late
to enjoy it all, and he only got a taste of what he could have had the
whole time.

The moral of the story, many of us live far below our actual
potential. Many of us do not realize that we can obtain a far higher
level of Happiness, of Joy, of Power, of Success than we ever thought
of. Many of us live off of beans and spam(although I wouldn`t mind the
spam personally) when we are entitled to all we can eat buffets of the
most delicious food. Many of us hunker alone in our cabin when we are
entitled to feel the joy of friends around us of laughter and
happiness.

Potential. All of us have it. All of us are Children of God, are Sons
and Daughters of an all powerful, all knowing, deeply loving Father in
Heaven who is God. Just as the catipellar turns into the butterfly, so
are we entitled to transform into greatness and Godliness. We all have
that potential, and God, our Loving Father in Heaven knows we do and
seeks to help us obtain that potential.

In my last training meeting with President McIntyre he showed us
again the "See-do-Get" model. What we see, influences what we do, and
what we do influences what we get. So if you see a candybar, you eat
it, and what you get is a delicious snack! If what you see looks
incredibly disgusting than what you do is not eat, and what you get is
nothing. Get where I`m going yet?

I invite each of you to look at yourself. What do YOU see? Who are
you? Where are you? Then I invite you to look at yourself in the
future, who you want to be. Then ask yourself "What do I see? Where
can I go? Who can I become?" See yourself as that person! Don`t look
at just the here and now. Don`t simply say "Well.... I`m just me and
nothing can be done about it. I`m lazy, I`m boring, I`m stupid, I`m
ugly" Those are all just lies. What you see, in the end, is what you
get. Remember the saying "Monkey see, Monkey do!" Then choose to see
something better!! Than you`ll DO better.

Let me ask you this last question. What does God see in you? In me?
In those around us? Who does he see you as? Who does he see us as? If
you don`t know the answer to that question, imagine that you are a
father, or a mother, and you look at your children. Don`t you love
them? Can`t you see them as successful adults, raising their own
families? Well let me tell you this. God sees even more in them than
you do, and he see more in you than you could possibly imagine. So
what does he do? He loves you, he cares for you, and every single day,
every single night, every single moment he sees you and wants to help
you. He tries to show you how to get to where he knows you can go. He
loves you enough to place trials and challanges in your way so that
you can grow. He loves you enough that he was willing to send his only
begotten son to die for you! He loves you. He loves you individually,
he loves no person any more or any less than another. And his love is
far deeper than you could ever imagine.

So I say to you, Open your eyes and see! See your own potential, then
do, then get! Don`t be content with the fact that you`re on the cruise
boat, go out and enjoy it. Be postive in the face of adversity, smile
into the snarling teeth of trials. And Remember that God is by your
side, and he KNOWS that you can do it. He is the ultimate cheerleader,
the one that not only sits on the sidelines and roots you on but
stands beside you as you go. "As you draw near unto me, I draw near
unto thee. Seek me." Is what Christ has said. He is there with open
arms and as the quote that I have seen so many countless times this
transfer says: "I never said that it would be easy, I only said that
it would be worth it."

I Testify to you that it IS worth it. That it IS hard. That it`s so
hard every single day. To try to open my mouth and speak to people. To
try every single day to obtain that potential which I know lies before
me. It is hard as I slip, as I stumble, as I fall. It is hard as I cry
out in pain and sorrow as I push myself farther and farther than I
ever thought I could go before. BUT IT IS WORTH IT! What do I remember
more than those dark times? I remember those brilliant times! Those
great times, those lovely times. Pain is but a moment, lost upon the
wind, but when it passes, then, as winter turns to spring, the
blossoms come and beauty springs forth. All those answered prayers,
all those comforting thoughts, those comforting feelings that God has
give unto me. Those are what I remember. When he reached out with
loving hands, brushed the dirt from my knees, cleaned my scrapes and
my bruises and set me on my feet again. I look back now and see that I
stand high upon the mountainside, far higher than I had ever dreamed
before, far better than I ever thought I could become.

It IS worth it. I say again, I know that Christ lives, that he is
there, and I, as is humble servant, testify of his great and
everlasting sacrifice. In his Holy name. Amen.

With Much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

As the blossoms bloom...

Ok so 10 more months and Randy will be heading home...I don't have much to say (especially about the picture of Randy being a scarecrow) but I will say this....I LOVE MY SON!


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

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTT!!!!!!

Ok, just had to get that out. I`m just excited. I`m happy, like
usual, and just plain overjoyed. The Sakura are beginning to bloom and
spring is rolling in. The clouds are gone the skies are blue and
beauty is all around me. I love these moments, when one can gaze out
and with a smile proclaim "All is well, all is well."

This week has been an awesome week, and a great learning experience
for me. I went to Kobe on Monday night and was there until Thursday
night for Leadership Training. Not that I have any leadership position
at the moment. Nevertheless I am very grateful I was able to go. It
was amazing and I learned a lot. I learned how to be a better teacher
and a better missionary in general. It was just wonderful, three days
spent with President McIntyre and some of the best missionaries in the
mission, hearing amazing stories about miracles in the work and also
learning how to produce those miracles. For three days we would be
lectured, than we would practice, review, practice, lecture, practice,
review, practice, practice, practice. It was just awesome.

On Friday we met with Mami, our investigator and her boyfriend a
member and taught them the plan of Salvation. Once we were done we
went out and played soccer in the parking lot. That was tiring, but
lots of fun. I suck at soccer but I enjoy playing it.

Saturday we road all around to different places trying to find good
spots to find people. Talked with a drunk old man and that was about
it. Then we had fast Sunday, which was also awesome. I love fast
Sundays, they are so refreshing for me spiritually and help me to just
feel so much better. A members grandson came to church and also a
recently married less-active and his nonmember wife came to church. By
the way, they were married on April 1st. Same as Mum and Dad, by the
way Congrats Mom and Dad!

After Church we walked around a nearby park, it was great to see the
beautiful trees and scenery, and there were a lot of families out
together having picnics in the cool weather. We mainly stopped people
that had dogs, because that was the easiest, simply point and say
"OOHH That`s a cute dog! What kind of dog is it?" We had a few nice
conversations but that was about it.

Then Sunday Night we had a Dendo Shokujikai, as they called it....
ummmmm.... english...... Missionary Work Dinner/Fireside thingy......
Sometimes Japanese is just soooo much easier.... We watched a video
about missionary life and testified about missionary work, and then
ate dinner, which was delicious.

Hmmm... as for news. Transfers MIGHT be this week. It looks like they
are going to try to send some missionaries back to the safer areas
within the Tokyo Mission, and so they aren`t sure if Transfers will be
this week, or next week..... Things are just so hectic in missionary
life. But as we always sing "I`ll go where you want me to go dear
lord!"

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.

So...... 1 year ago was the first time I`ve stepped in Japan. 1 year
ago I looking on with a little puppy dog face at the beautiful
blossoms of Japan. I was wet behind the ears and following my trainer
around like a good little puppy dog just trying to make it around the
block without getting lost.

Now I am here, still in Japan, at the very prime time of my mission.
The flowers are blossoming again, the sun is shining bright and the
Lord`s smile is even brighter.

I was just flipping back to my first emails home from Japan. They
make me laugh inside. Seeing how young I was at the time. But now I
would like to reflect back on my first Gospel message when i came to
Japan.

"Have no Regrets"

I don`t know how many of you remember this, but I do. It`s my slogan,
one that I`ve tried to keep with me all the time, in the back of my
mind at the very least, and I`ve held to it for the most part. I have
no regrets. Despite many times that I have failed, that I have
stumbled and fallen, I have no regrets. Because I can say I learned
from those experiences, and those sins that I have committed I have
repented of.

Which is what I want to focus on this time around. Repentance. The
second principle in the gospel that has played a large role in me
having no regrets. Repentance, the almighty duck tape for our soul. It
heals our spiritual wounds and cleanses us from sins.

I remember many a time feeling guilt and pain from having sinned
against the Lord, from making mistakes over and over again. But then I
always remember the words of the blessing I recieved from President
Henderson when I was set apart over a year ago. "By your faith your
have been made clean." Time and time again I remember that as I kneel
down before my God and plead with him for forgiveness, and everytime I
sincerely do so, and with real intent seek the mercy of the Atonement
of Christ, I recieve it.

I know I am far from perfect, that everyday I make mistakes, I let my
anger slip every so often, I let bad thoughts slip into my mind. I let
fear take over me and miss a contact or don`t commit someone. But
everyday I try a little harder to be just a little better, everyday I
seek to be just one step closer to the Lord. I know that through the
Atonement of Christ we can be healed of our sins, we can become clean
and free of those feelings of pain and guilt.

Lastly I would like to use a quote, for those that which to judge how
well their life is going. "I would rather be one step out of Hell,
than a thousand miles away heading in." It does not matter where we
are, it only matters where we are going.

I love you all dearly, and I testify again of the atonement of
Christ. That through it and by it can we be cleansed, that we can
stand before God at the last day and be accepted into his presence.
For that I am grateful, for that I serve the Lord my God. In the name
of Jesus Christ, Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi