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