I'm the 4th.....

So as Randy is getting closer to home, I thought that maybe he would start thinking about the things he misses....Well, I was wrong. Although he does miss just 3 things...His 2 nieces and 1 nephew...me? I'm 4th on the list...I just don't rate as high anymore. Funny how people think that kids are cuter than adults. I guess I will have to give in to it and agree that his nieces and nephew (my grandchildren) are about the cutest things ever. I will take 4th and know that I hold a special spot in his heart. I will always be Mum....


Dear Mother,

I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH!!!

I just had to say that for no particular reason.

I also LOVE Hannah and Tavie and Brady, and as I always say those are
the only 3 people I really miss out of everyone back home. Sorry Mum,
but you have to slide in at 4th place, because the little ones are
just far far cuter.

Thanks for the package. It may be small but it was nice to get
something. I know it`s WAY expensive to get things over here, the
exchange rate is horrible it`s 76yen to $1, or you could translate
that $0.76 to $1. The Japanese yen being stronger. Plus everything in
Japan is already more expensive than in America. It kind of hurts
actually.

As for my return date I still haven`t gotten a call yet and it is
still up for grabs as whether or not to leave before christmas or in
February. Apparently most missions in Japan only go 15 transfers, and
that it was only President McIntyre that really had missionaries stay
for 16. I am still leaning towards the beginning of February, but I
plan on doing some fasting and praying here pretty soon to find out
what the Lord wants me to do.

Wow, I didn`t realize how much Talon was paying attention to me. Not
sure what I did at all, or what I do. He was always fun to hang out
with and stuff though.

Love you Mom, Take care of everyone and stay safe. Make sure everyone
knows that I love them dearly and that I`ll be home before they know
it.

Your Son,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi






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

Phew! Time flies when you`re having fun. When you`re focused so much
on your work. I don`t really know if there are any single highlights
from my week that I could point out and talk about. It was simply a
powerful week of learning, growing and experiencing.

Monday we had a Zone activity and we all gathered together and had
fun playing sports and "Wink Killer" with everyone. It was way
awesome, but way exhausting. My legs were killing me for the next 3
days.

The rest of the week was mainly just Dendo time where we just went
out and talked to as many people as we could. I really feel like I`m
improving there as I really seek to be guided by the Spirit and teach
simply and clearly. Not sure how to explain everything but simply this
past week has been just a LOT of learning as I try to adjust to my new
position as District Leader and Trainer. But as hard as it is and as
busy as I am, I`ve never had it easier on my mission. I feel more and
more as if the Lord is bearing me up and helping me to fulfill my
responsibilities. I simply do what I feel is right and work hard to
follow the Spirit, and everything else just seems to fall into place.

Yesterday was a beautiful day at church. We listened to many people
testify today and while they were testifying I was flipping through my
scriptures a lot looking up references and scriptures that came to my
mind very suddenly and very quickly. It ended up being an amazing
scripture study about the Love of God as I realize more and more now
how much he Loves me and supports me in all trials. Another piece of
the puzzle settling into place.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week

There are countless things I have learned throughout this week. So
many that I`m not quite sure what to talk about, but it all comes back
to the study I had at church the other day and the companionship study
I had with Elder Wilkes that same day. The Love of God.

Many of you know my favorite Scripture: "I know that God loveth his
Children; Nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things."(1
Nephi 11:17)

There are 3 parts to this scripture that I have settled on.

A) We are Children of God
B) God Loveth his Children
C) It is not neccessary to understand all things

A) We are Children of God. No one is worthless. The poorest of the
poor, the dirtiest of the dirtiest, the worst of the worst. No one is
worthless. We all have the same potential and we all kind find a
purpose.

B) God Loveth his Children. As a Child of God we are loved by our
father who watches over us and is willing to extend his hand out to
assist us. He sent his only begotten son to die for us and has poured
out upon us many wonderful blessings.

C) It is not neccessary to understand all things. If we understand
only these two principles and know that God is our Father, that he
loves us, than we will trust him in all that he does. Wether we
understand the principle of gravity or not it still works. Wether we
understand the why of prayer or not, so long as we do it we still
obtain the blessings.

I can testify with all my heart that this is true. I sometimes have
far too many scriptures run through my head, far too many doctrines or
ideas come to mind as I seek to teach and help people to understand
the Gospel. But when I slow down, when I focus on those 3 basic things
that is when everything really changes. That is when they can feel in
their hearts the Holy Ghost, that is when I can feel the Spirit more
strongly than ever. I still do not understand all things. I still have
much to learn. But as I focus on the basics I am filled with the
"Peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding"(Phillipians 4:7)
which is "most joyous to the soul."(1 Nephi 11)

To me the greatest sign of God`s love are the blessings that he has
poured out upon my family. Nothing means more to me than them. No
blessing upon my head could mean more to me than the blessings that
they recieve. Everything I have personally earned as a missionary is
but a small bonus ontop of what has been earned for my family. So I
will boast in my God! The greatest of all! Who hath power over all
things and causeth my soul to be filled with joy! All glory to him,
for I am but a servant in his service, I do nothing, he does all.

I testify of this pure love of God. This love which is the greatest
of all, and I do so in the name of my Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus
Christ. Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Sleeping without even knowing it.....

I'm not sure what to say other than I love my missionary!!!

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

Yo! Yo! Yo! This is me from the east side of the world! How`s everyone doing!?

I`m going completely insane. My work load over here has gone up about 100 times. I never realized how busy being a district leader is or how difficult it is to train a new missionary. I`m just all over the place as I`m trying to settle into my new positions. On the bright side I have never slept better on my mission. I go to bed and I just pass out completely and don`t wake up till the next morning and barely realize that I had been sleeping. Scary thing is, I`m actually having dreams, which I never usually do. But it`s all fun.

Ummmm.... Let`s see I`ll just drop off a quick email because we gotta head out as soon as possible to hit up the Zone activity. so I apologize for the short letter. Basically, my new companion is Elder Wilkes from Cedar Hills Utah. He comes from a family of 13 kids and he is number 9. He`s a way cool kid and really working hard. His japanese is about 10 times better than mine was when I came into the field and he is trying to jump in at every opprotunity. I love him and we`re going to see miracles this transfer.

Other than that I`ll just say that I`m busy, running left and right trying to make sure everything gets done. Taking care of Elder Wilkes and also my whole district of 4 other elders and 2 sisters, my investigators, my members, and trying to find new investigators. Let`s just say that because of all this I spend a lot longer on my knees at night before I go to bed. I just know that the Lord gives me a couple more ounces of strength to make it through one more day. Especially since I failed last week and didn`t buy enough food to last us the week and we have been scrimping and scrounging for the past couple days.

Highlights: Stake Conference

We had stake conference and just had lots of fun there with the mission president and our investigators and everything. Was way spiritual and I felt the Spirit very strongly as I listened to some of the youth testify and also President Zinke speak.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week

Short and sweet and to the point:

"Jesus wept."

Why did Jesus weep? Because he loved the people he was working with, and in the case of the Nephites he wept because of the joy that filled his heart, he saw the people following him and saw that they were filled with joy and that they were a great and righteous people.

Elder Tateishi Wept

Because as he sat in Stake Conference and looked around him at the hundreds of faithful members and saw the light in their eyes he was filled with joy. As I saw in particular a family sitting together, parents holding children and taking care of them showing love to them and testifying to them I realized how beautiful the gospel is. My joy was full as I saw many faithful people in a country that I have come to love.

We hold something precious, we hold someting dear. What we have is far more precious than silver or gold. Joy without end, love everlasting.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen


With Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Trainer/District Leader...and a lost and found hat!

Wow, what a lot of awesome responsibility Randy will have these next few months. How cool is that! I'm not quite sure the responsibilities of a District Leader, but I'm sure Randy will excel at it. Live is going good for the Tateishi Family. A new addition (Brady Edward Tateishi born 8/6/11 to Bobby and Amy Tateishi), a son still serving in Japan, a son serving his country in Iraq (we miss him greatly), 2 awefully cute granddaughters who make me smile all the time, a new job for Misty and school starting for Doug, and a son who turned 30! Blessings come in mysterious ways but I am forever grateful for those that come my way! I love life!

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


Well.......... I`m now preparing myself for an adventure, because Transfer calls just came in. Elder Cloward is transfering out and I`m still staying here in Kawachinagano (probably will be here for the rest of my mission). In all honesty I don`t know who my next companion is. But that`s because he isn`t in Japan yet. Won`t be until Tuesday or Wednesday. Yes, I`m training a new missionary (Which I also dreamt about doing recently). I`m also the new District Leader here. So everything is going to be very exciting this upcoming transfer, as big changes are here and I can feel even bigger events rolling into Japan.

So as for my report this week. Last week Monday we climbed a mountain. It took us 2 hours by train to get there and we only had about 2 hours to explore while we were there. We saw tens of thousands of gravestones, strange insects, Bhuddists temples, picked up rocks that symbolize sin, enjoyed the cool of a shady forest, and were eaten alive by musquitos. It was a great experience and I loved it. It never ceases to amaze me when I look at the majesty of God`s creations.

Tuesday through Saturday were practically the same old same old. Lots of bike riding in the heat trying to find people to teach. Luckily I only have to put up with the heat for another month or so before it starts to cool down again.

Wednesday we had a fun english class and played some ping pong. We got destroyed by a 75 year old man, many times..... They are just way too good. We also taught Oyama, our investigator.

Thursday we had District Meeting and then we had splits and I went to Sakai, then friday we came back and met Oyama again because he thought he forgot his hat at the church. It ended up becoming a very good lesson and we helped him with a couple of his concerns. Then when we ended and he started riding his bike down the street I turned and looked at Elder Cloward and made a very profound statement. "He`s going to find his hat when he goes home." Which he did.

Saturday we went to Nishiguchi Kyodai`s house for his birthday, we made Yakisoba and baked a cake for him. It was way fun and he was really happy. Another active member came with us and really helped him out. It was great to see that we had helped him and that he is a lot happier than when we first met him. He was even calling me mother while I was busy cooking in the kitchen and everyone was eating. It was so hot in there, I was having sweat drip off my nose. (not into the food)

Sunday was another spiritually powerful day. The Youth came back from EFY in Kyoto and gave some very powerful testimonies and sang a beautiful song. I felt the spirit strongly and almost all of the youth were in tears. We also had a new investigator come to church as well as Oyama. Sugita is a very old man who has lived a difficult life, I can kind of tell because he`s missing quite a bit of his fingers. But he is very honest and straightforward and he wants to find peace of heart and mind. He was invited to church by one of the members and it was great that he came. After church we taught Oyama and set up a date for him to be baptized, the 28th of Augest. We also had him come to dinner with us again at another members house. The ward is doing an excellent job at fellowshipping him.

Now I`m still here, in Kawachinagano, not really wanting to leave and excited for a new challange and a new transfer. Time is moving too fast! Time is running out.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week

There is Faith in every Footstep. For some reason that just pops into my mind and stands out. But that statement is so true, yet so simple. There is Faith in Every Footstep that we take, in every action that we make. In the days of the pioneers they showed their Faith with every agonizying step they took towards the Salt Lake Valley, treading on land that no man had ever gone before. They were going to a place that no one new, where they believed that they could make a peaceful living, far away from persecution and free to live their religion and worship their God. It was this hope, this Faith that kept them going despite the harsh conditions and the hundreds that died along the trails. We all know the heartbreaking stories of men and women who buried children, mothers and fathers along the way. Yet because of their great Faith, and their unity they made it across the plains and survived in the harsh conditions of the Salt Lake Valley and other barren areas.

To me there is no greater story than the three boys who went to assist the handcart companies as they reached an icey river. The saints fell to their knees as they saw the ice choked river, already tired and exhausted, and wept in despair. Yet came three young men, and carried the others across the freezing river. Bearing women and children, pulling carts until everyone was safely across. Later in their lives all three of them died because of problems related to that great heroic effort. Every time I ponder this story it brings tears to my eyes, for it is one of the greatest stories of Love, Sacrifice, Courage, and Faith. "No man hath greater love than this, than he that layeth down his life for his friends."

But even today those stories do not end. There is still Faith in every Footstep, for everyday there is a new challange, every day there is a new problem to solve. Many times we look forward in despair not sure how we are going to cross that icey river that stands in our path, as we are already so exhausted, so tired, and ready to just give up. We wonder when will God wrenching our hearts, when he will finally give us rest, and then more challanges, more obstacles come and we cry out in despair "Why!?" Yet in those very moments, when we put aside those questions and take just one more step, and just put one foot in front of the other, than comes someone or something that carries us across that icey river.

When we hold the Gospel of Christ there is no such thing as despair. For the Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of Hope! We have faith and hope that all things will be made fair, that there is someone beside us at all times and in all places that is willing to carry us across those places that we thought we could never go. We have hope that we will conquer death, we have faith that we will overcome the taint of sin. We have the greatest hope of all to know that our familes can be sealed for all eternity. What room do we have to despair? Why should we ever lose hope?

As Paul once said "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I say that as we step forward with Faith in Every Footstep God will be our stay, he will be our guide and our constant companion. There is nothing that should be feared but sin itself. "For God so loved the world that he gave is only begotten son" that through him all might have eternal life and be raised again from the grave to live in eternal glory and never-ending happiness. I will move forward with faith, I will do my best to set aside fear, doubt, and despair and the Lord fill me with Love, Hope and Faith. And then may I "know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Of this I testify in the name of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Much love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Busy, Busy, week....

Sorry for the lateness of this entry, but I'm been busy playing Grandma to a brand spanking new little boy "Brady Edward Tateishi". Randy is so excited to be an Uncle and he can't wait to come home to play with him. That is probably the only thing he might be anxious about doing. Other than that, he is loving Japan. 6 months and he will be home ready to live the rest of his life, but what life lessons he has learned.

Dear Mother,

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I`M AN UNCLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE`S SO CUTE!!!! GAH!!!!!!!

Ok..... got that out of me now. Yea, don`t worry about the whole not emailing me last week. I`ll live. But this email is going to be pretty short. We gotta run off here and climb a mountain. We`re going to the nearby Koya mountain and seeing what`s over there. I`m excited to go.

Anyway, Thanks mom for the messages about Brady and Hannah. I love the stories of Hannah and Tavie. Take care mum!









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

Well......... Let`s see, this week is awesome. Just awesome because it`s always awesome. Although it`s way to hot and I am anxiously awaiting winter.

Monday night we say fireworks. One of the largest firework shows in Japan. It was pretty cool. They had huge fireworks shooting off and the night sky literally turned to day. They shot off a whole lot of fireworks and I had a lot of fun watching it. We had to leave early though to get home in time, but when we were almost home we saw the finale because the whole sky turned red suddenly. WIsh I could have seen the actual fireworks though, I`m sure it would have been amazing.

The rest of the week went just normal as usual, running all over the place sweating our eyeballs out as we try to meet with people or find people to teach. Wednesday we taught English, Thursday I had a beautiful experience teaching Nishiguchi Kyodai again. It was a very wonderful experience as I closed the scriptures and put aside everything we had planned to teach in order to just talk with him and testify to his needs. It was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever given and I could feel the spirit so strongly. After that lesson we had to race home, and made the usual 40 min. bikeride home in about 25 min.

Friday we had Zone Conference with President Zinke, and that was really amazing. I`m still studying all the notes that I took and I probably will be for a while. It was a lot of material and an amazing experience.

Saturday we rode far away again but nothing too much happened, other than spending a good half hour being yelled at by a drunken man about how I`m too young to be a missionary and all that jazz. Then Sunday rolled around like usual and we had fun at church like always. I got to bear my testimony which I always love to do and we had our investigator, Oyama come to church for the 3rd time in a row. He loves church and one of the greatest fellowshippers we have for him is a little 7 year girl named Taka-chan, who he played with for over an hour last week. We then had dinner with a member and him and Nishiguchi Kyodai both came and we had a great time. I just love fast sundays, a great time to feel the spirit in its fullest and to recharge after a long month. There is nothing better, except maybe the temple.

Sorry that this is short, but we`re heading off to go visit a nearby Bhuddist Mountain. Sounds like it`ll be interesting and very pretty from what I have heard.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week.

Today I would like to talk briefly upon the Atonement again. The greatest of all miracles the the Lord Jesus Christ ever performed. The miracle that brought salvation unto all mankind and gave us the power to again rise from the grave with perfect bodies and stand before our God in judgement. It is the miracle that makes it possible for all of us to be forgiven of our sins and to remove that awful burden from our shoulders. But specifically I wish to talk about how it can heal all wounds.

The miracle of the atonement is that it can heal all our wounds. It can heal the wounds that have been inflicted upon us by cruel verbal abuse of those around us or can heal the even crueler self-inflicted wounds that we all suffer when we sin and forsake the Lord our God. It can go in and cure those wounds that seem so impossible to remove, so impossible to forget. It can purify our souls so that we can stand as a new being, pure and spotless before the world and before God. To me this is the greatest of all gifts.

So long as we throw our burdens upon Christ our lord we ca be freed from the shackles of sin and the be liberated unto righteousness. We can shake off the chains of Hell and put on the robe of purity, we can stand tall, no longer marred by the sins of the past, and as Isaiah said: "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Of this I testify, that all can be made whole in Christ. For many times he personally said unto those he healed "Thy faith hath made thee whole!" My faith has made me whole, and I have had it confirmed to me many times. In my blessing to be set apart as a missionary and even as I have prayed for forgiveness so many countless times. I know that this is true, and I testify of this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen




Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Waiting on the bridge....

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

Well, Not too much to write this week either. Tuesday we ran around with a member, Kubota Kyodai for over 6 hours visiting less actives and active members. It went well, but riding in a car all day really wipes me out. We ended up visiting two women who really needed our help when we showed up. Gave one of them a blessing and the other one we invited to retake the missionary lessons to help deepen her understanding of the basic principles of the Gospel and to help her rebuilt her faith. She has a Learning Disability so we`ll need to take things slow with her.

Wednesday we just dendoed around and then played some ping pong with the members before we started Eikaiwa. Finally had 2 new students show up to Eikaiwa and we had loads of fun there. Thursday we had splits and I went to Sakai with Elder Wright and we had lots of fun talking to many random people. Friday we had District Meeting which was also fun and then me and Elder Cloward headed back to go and try to find Investigators in our own area.

Friday was the highlight of my week. We had a great miracle that shows that God has a sense of humor and loves us. So we went down to one of the train stations in our area and walked around for about 40 min. trying to talk to a variety of people, got a couple good contacts in but we weren`t having all that much success, then we both decided it was time to head off to new fishing grounds. We didn`t ride very far when I felt that we needed to turn back. So we stopped, prayed, and both felt that we still needed to be back at the train station, so we headed back. We did a loop, talked to one guy for a little bit and then Elder Cloward turned to me and said "I feel we need to wait on the bridge." So we did just that. We went on the bridge and waited, trying to talk to people as they walked by, but no one was stopping. We both looked out and watched as the sun was starting to set and the cars going by. We kept looking at each other and asking "What are we waiting for?" Well, we were deep in thought, and pondering the mysteries of the Kingdom of God when suddenly an old man walked up to us, handed us a traditional Japanese treat and said "Here`s for working hard" and then he walked off. Me and Elder Cloward looked at each other in utter amazement and laughed our heads off. We ate the treats and felt that we still needed to wait 5 minutes so we did. After those 5 minutes we happened to talk to a high school kid that was fairly interested but didn`t really have the time to meet with us again. We then knew we`d done what we had needed to do and head off. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Saturday and Sunday went just fine, we had Oyama come to church again this week, he was running around after church playing with some of the kids. It made me laugh because he was acting just like a regular member and was treated like one to. Now we just need to set up a time to teach him the lessons. After church on Sunday we rode far out to visit a member than visited a less active that we were finally able to meet. Usually the wife just refuses us and doesn`t let us talk to her at all. But this time the Husband was there and we were able to talk to him for a little while and get to know him. It was great.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

So Tomorrow marks a special day. It means that I have 6 months before I go home. It means it will be time for me to leave a land that I love, and a people that I love, and simply I wish to testify of that today.

In this year and a half I have labored in many different areas with many different people seeking to do the Lord`s work. I have shed sweat, blood, and tears as I have sought to bring people unto Christ. Sometimes it has felt like all I do is futile and useless, but most of the time I feel the love of God in my heart as I testify to these people of God and Christ. It has been an honor to serve my God for this time and I would trade it for nothing else in the world. In this time I have grown from a boy into a man, I have learned how to work, how to sweat, how to love, and how to be who God wants me to be. I have learned that God loves me for who I am and that he loves each and everyone of his children. I have learned the price that must be paid for repentance and I have learned the joy of the presence of God. That and countless other things have I learned on my mission. Have no regrets! From every experience there is a lesson to be learned, even when we fail, when we fall and stumble, as we pick ourselves back up we can learn what not to do.

Yesterday as we visited Maekawa Kyodai, a member of the bishopric, I remember feeling such a great love for this ward, for the members. I felt in my heart a desire to have a temple here for them, so that they may enjoy the great blessings more readily. I testified that a temple was close, that it was coming and I thought about how that moment would go when the temple is announced. What joy filled my heart, and how strongly I felt the spirit. When that moment comes I will leap with joy and sing praises unto the Lord. I would love to be here in Japan when that temple is built, I would love to enter inside its sacred walls and join with the people that I love in worshipping our God there.

I`m not sure if I can properly express the love I hold for these people, especially the members here. The joy that they hold in their eyes, the light that they have. The smiles on their faces and the glow about them. These members stand out in contrast to those around them. They are a light that shines in the darkness. They know the truth and are faithful to it forever more. They love the Gospel and they do anything for the Lord. They are some of the greatest examples of Faith, Hope, Charity and Love that I have ever seen. Often times it is said that when missionaries visit members they help to strengthen the members faith, but on countless occassions I have found the opposite to be true. My faith is strengthened as I visit with them, converse with them and learn from them. There is no place I would rather be than here.

When the day comes for me to board the plane home to America I know I will shed tears. I will be leaving behind a part of me here. I will leave a piece of my heart here. I dread that day just as much as I know I will rejoice to meet my family again. This will be something that I can never forget. Here is my home, just as much as America.

I know that this is the work of God, I know that he loveth his children. I know that this church is true and I cannot deny it. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi