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
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