Oh the Places Randy's been. I can't wait to meet the Man he has become. What a treat to read his letters, what a treat to feel his love... One of my favorite lines in a Dr. Seuss book is
"Kid, you'll move mountains!
Today is your Day
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
That's how I feel about Randy. He is moving mountains every day. He is on his way!
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Phew! It`s HOT!! It`s really REALLY REALLY Hot! I am sweating bullets
and drinking gallons but it never seems to quench my thirst. I come
home at night disgusting, sweaty, smelly, and just plain gross. But at
the end of each night when I can say my prayer, although the only
thing that I want to do is roll over and go to bed, I just can`t stop
myself from praying just a little bit longer. Just being on my knees
brings me great comfort as I know that I did all that I could, and
that the Lord is pleased with me. I`ve never slept better in my life,
despite the excrutiating heat.
I don`t really remember it being this hot last year, but at least
this is my last summer in Japan. Only have to put up with it for about
3 months. O.o, 3 months and General Conference rolls around again. I
hate time.
Anyway, if you couldn`t tell, I`m still happy as yet another amazing
week rolls past. Sometimes I just feel like I could jump for joy.
So this week, for a quick review. I worked. Everyday, all day. Monday
through Monday, I was working, and am working. Tuesday the Travelling
assistants left, they got picked up by the Assistant Presidents, and
then we had a Companion Exchange that day with the Zone Leaders. That
went well too.
Wednesday, I can`t really remember, we were just working. Thursday we
had District Meeting and then the only thing I can really remember is
a 30 min. phone call with Sato, an investigator we have, in which she
just opened up and told me a lot of things, that helped me get to know
her soo much better and be able to help her a lot more. I`ll explain
more about her in a moment.
Friday, was another Exchange, this time with the District Leader,
except we just went out with a member to visit a whole bunch of
Less-actives. We were both extremely tired because of the heat, and
passed out in the car.
Saturday we ran around getting ready for the talent Show we had that
night. Then we had the talent show which was a blast. Me and my
companion, Elder Cloward, ran around the aduience with a microphone as
reporters and talked with random people, asking them how it was,
making jokes, and just having fun. Elder Cloward would ask in
something in English, and then I`d translate it. Although it surprised
us when we found someone that spoke English. We also scared a group of
High School Girls because we sat behind them just before we were to
start talking. They didn`t realize we were there until the announcer
asked where the missionaries were, and we said
"Konnnnnnnnnniiiiiiiiiichiwaaaaaaaaaa!!" They burst out laughing and
didn`t want to talk at first. Then my Elder Cloward had to ask "Why
does rice turn green when it grows?" Yea just fun stupid stuff like
that!
Then I got up and sang, messed up when I skipped a line in the song,
but I just sang the same line twice, and no one noticed, not even
Elder Cloward who was playing the piano. Then Elder Cloward played his
song, which was awesome! He`s an amazing pianist.
Ok then Sunday rolled around, and almost all the investigators that
said they were going to come to church didn`t come, even though I
contacted some of them.... That was dissappointing. But Saito did come
after half-way through church and we had an amazing lesson, and at the
end when she prayed she even said that she now felt like she wanted to
learn more and really feel the things that we have felt. She even
called me that night and we talked for about 45 min. about what she
needed to do next, what she wanted and how we could help her. That was
a great experience, because even though there were points that I had
no idea what she said. I knew what it was that I needed to say, and I
was able to teach to her needs and tell her what she needed to hear.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
"The Roads that we Walk"
Life is a blessing, Life is a Gift. Life is full of Adventure and
Joy. Everyday sunrise brings new experiences, every sunset closes but
a single page. The story of our life unfolds before our eyes, as each
new passing day shows us what else might lie in wait. All of us walk
the Road of Life, it`s twisting bends, it`s awesome scenery, it`s
treacherous obstacles and sudden changes. A thousand turn-offs at
every corner, and a million more after that. The friends that we meet,
the friends that we leave. The things that we see, the things that we
miss. Life is a road, unknown and unsure. With countless decisions and
things we may see, which turn do we take, which way should we go. Lost
in the maze of the Roadway of Life.
Each of us passes through life, walking the pathways and roads that
are countless and endless. Many of us wander, uncertain of where to go
or what to do, overwhelmed by all that is around us. Some of us choose
the easy and low lying roads, but soon find ourselves missing some of
the grandest things of life. Yet Others seek the thrilling roads, one
that seem the most exciting, but soon find themselves at a dead end,
with no where else to go, trapped and lost in the wilds of the world.
Then others seek a destination, looking forward to what is at the end.
These are they that climb the mountains and try to find out where they
are, and where it is that they need to go.
In the great words of Bilbo Baggins "It`s a dangerous road Frodo, If
you don`t keep you`re feet, their is no knowing where you`ll be swept
off to." We need to `keep our feet` as we wander the Roadways of Life.
We need to watch our step and see where it is that we are going. In
the end we need some sort of ultimate goal, some vision to reach for,
something to hope for. So it is that we must climb the mountain.
We must climb to the top of the mountain and look out and see what
lies ahead, what it is that we want. That mountain can take shape in
various forms, it could be within the Temple of God, within a grove of
trees, upon a lofty mountain, at the bedside, or simply within a car
alone. Often this trip to the mountain is upon one`s knees, but always
is it in humble prayer seeking that almighty God.
Each of us will have times when we wish to know where are life is
taking us. Each of us will wonder what else lies in store. These times
are especially for those who are young of years such as I, but those
of age may also climb the mountain. When we have those questions in
life, when we face a new turn, a new bend, or a new crossroad it is
then that we should remember the Lord our God and seek his guidance
and assistance in choosing the right path for us.
I did this, a year and a half ago. Mine was simple, mine was humble.
"Shall I go, or shall I stay?" My answer was clear: "Go!" I followed.
I did this again, but a month ago. Mine was simple, mine was humble.
"What more shall I do? What more can I do?" My answer was clear:
"Work!" I worked.
Each time after I climbed the mountain upon my knees, I recieved an
answer. I saw more clearly what it was that I needed to do, where it
is that I needed to go. Then I acted, I followed the path that was
layed before me. It`s been hard, it has been difficult. Everytime
there are obstacles in my path, things that I most overcome. Everytime
something appears to frighten me, to try and choose a different route,
something easier something more smiple, or even to just give up. But
no, I have a goal in mind, I have a place that I need to go. I must
endure to the end.
The Roads that we Walk are Endless. Some are short, some are long.
Some lead us astray, yet others lead us straight. A million turns, a
trillion steps, thousands of obstacles, and hundreds of stops. The
Roads that we Walk can take us home. The Roads that we Walk can make
us lost. Yet there at your side, a smiling face, a helping hand,
stands one that knows the way. He`s walked the same roads, he`s seen
the same paths. He knows what you can do, he knows where you can go.
He is Christ, our Saviour and our Redeemer. He knows your pain, he
knows your joy. He shares your sorrows, and shares your joys. Never
far is he from you. Never will he forsake you. His arms are open, his
smile wide. His way is worth it, no matter how hard. He knows the
trails, he knows the obstacles. He`s overcome the world, he`s been to
the end. He waits for you, he beckons you to come.
I can never cease to Testify of Christ. I can never cease to proclaim
him as my Saviour and Redeemer. He is the one that has lifted me up
from my many falls, he is the one that is my rock. I choose to build
upon him as my foundation. I choose to follow him. For I know that he
will never lead me astray, that he will forever guide me onward
towards eternal life. He will help me overcome all of my trails, he
will catch me when I fall. I know that this is true. That the Son of
God Lives! I know that this is his work, as I see new people start to
come unto Christ, as I see their desires and feel their joy as they
see at last before their eyes, the fountain of living waters that they
have so long sought for. I bear witness of this from the bottom of my
heart, in his holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
With Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
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