Ichi En

Small and little things have what brought me fully to the gospel. It has made me who I am, listening quietly to my heart and soul. Listening for that still small voice that may give me answers to the smallest piece of a puzzle I may be trying to find and having monumental results. I'm so grateful for the small things in life and in the gospel that keep me going..

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

Another Transfer period is gone and it puts me on number 14 out of
16. Time flies faster than I can count and it leaves me on my 6th
transfer in Kawachingano. That means If I leave here next transfer I
will be here for a total of 8 months. But that`s fine by me.

So, this week has been a blast. It started out pretty good too. I
went to the Sakai area and there had lunch with the Yukimoto Family.
It was a delicious dinner, but even greater than that, Sister Yukimoto
actually knew who my Grandma and Grandpa were. She had served in the
temple a lot at the same time as Grandma and Grandpa and so she knew
both of them. It surprised me because I haven`t met anyone yet that
had anymore than a very remote idea of who they were. But she told me
about how stalwart and kind and humble Grandpa and Grandma were. It
was really cool.

Then that same day I conducted my first interview for a Baptismal
Candidate(Who was baptized on Sunday)

Wednesday was a Typhoon so we had to cancel Eikaiwa, but that was
just fine. We just ended up talking with the Ward Mission Leader
instead. Thursday we planned and then went on a long bike ride
exploring some more of the area. Friday we had District Meeting and
that was way fun with everyone.

Saturday was a way cool day as we did some mountain climbing. We went
to an area WAY out in the middle of nowhere. We had seen that there
was a small neighborhood over there so we decided to go check it out.
It was all up hill getting there and the whole way was just like those
pictures. Lots and lots of trees surrounding the narrow winding road.
It was way beautiful and really great to go up there and get some
fresh air. We got swarmed by lots of little elementary kids because we
were probably the first Americans they had ever seen. Everyone was
pretty friendly up there and it felt more like home than the crowded
streets in town.

Sunday was awesome as well, we went down to the Hashimoto Branch,
just south of our area, for church. The Branch hadn`t had missionaries
for a long time, at least for a year and they were all way excited
that we were visiting them. We also taught an investigator that they
had found down there, Morita, and that was a great lesson. We`ll be
going down there more to teach him and work with him. I`m excited
about that.

This week was way cool and I`m way excited for this week as well.
It`s going to be a busy week and this upcoming transfer is going to be
super busy all the time.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.

"Ichi En"

One morning this week as I was doing my personal study I found an
"Ichi En" (a Japanese Penny). From the moment I picked it up till the
end of my study I couldn`t really focus on my scriptures or the
writings of the Prophets. Instead I was stuck looking at this little
"Ichi En" and flipping it around in my hand. I thought to myself that
there had to be some sort of meaning to this little coin. I thought
about how much it was worth and it wasn`t very much at all. You can`t
buy anything with an "Ichi En" just the same as you can`t really buy
anything with a penny. Finally as my study drew to an end I stuffed it
in my pocket figuring that I`ll solve the problem later.

That day we went about as usual, biking around, talking with people,
knocking on doors, and riding up lots of hills. Understandably I got
thirsty and a bit hungry so we stopped at a small convient store to
get a little bite to eat. As they charged me for my corn dog and
sports drink I opened my wallet to find out I was an "Ichi En" short
of being right on. At first I was annoyed because that would mean I`d
have to use a bigger bill and fill up my wallet with a whole bunch
more coins, but then I remembered that I had the "Ichi En" in my
pocket. I smiled pulled it out and bought my stuff without a problem.
At first I took no notice of the small exchange.

Later as I thought about that experience and what had happened I
started to make some connections between it and the way that God works
amongst his Children. That by very, very small and seemingly worthless
things God makes great things come about.

That "Ichi En" is that one last coin that makes you capable of buying
what you want. God acts the same way a lot of times. We get so close
and we work so hard, yet we have that one last tiny piece that would
make what we have perfect, then God steps in gives us that little
piece and it all works out just fine. Many might call it
"coin"cidence, but I really am starting to understand that it is not.

As we sometimes look for God to provide huge, overwhelming and
powerful answers to our prayers or our problems we at times miss those
little "Ichi En" pieces that fall into our hands. To us they seem
worthless, pointless and hardly worth our time. But as we gather them
together, and collect them one by one they will add up. They will
become 100 or even more, for as it is written in the scriptures "To
him that recieveth will I give." As we continue to accept even those
smallest gifts from God, as we acknowledge them and offer thanks and
praise for them we will find that we are rich with them. We will also
continue to recieve more and more and when those times of necissity
come we may recieve bigger portions, but it is always according to our
needs at the given time.

Since that first "Ichi En" Day I`ve had plenty of others. It`s helped
me to become a little bit more happy and helped me to learn just a
little bit more about God. This road that I walk is one step at a
time. These stairs that I climb are one step at a time. Sometimes it`s
steep, sometimes it`s tiring, and sometimes it seems like I don`t go
anywhere. But as I stay on that path, and take it just one small step
at a time I always find myself coming closer to a Loving Father in
Heaven.

I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

With Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

In the beginning....

In the beginning...there was a boy of 19 years of age who left for Kobe Japan on his mission wondering, "what have I got myself into"....In the middle there was a blooming young man in search of himself and in search of ways to please his Heavenly Father....In the end...there stands a Man....grown strong in the Gospel...Strong in his convictions...Strong in his Faith....Strong in his love for God and his family....




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

Phew! Life is precious life is great. There is simply beauty all around. Summer is now drawing to a close and autumn is coming. The weather is cooling and I am growing.

I`ve had a great week this week. Monday night we had a companion exchange with the Senboku missionaries. I was with Elder Bailey and the two new missionaries where together over in Senboku. Me Elder Bailey had a great time together, teaching a few good lessons and feeling the spirit as we had many good conversations about faith and about President Zinke`s vision. It was a great day and we had lots of fun together.

Wednesday we had basically no time to do anything, we taught a lesson to a less-active and then had Eikaiwa which went just fine. Thursday we were out with a member all day and then we taught Eikaiwa again up at Mikunigaoka`s area, so nothing really happened then. it wasn`t very exciting at all.

Friday was a great day. We had District Meeting and I had no idea what I was going to teach the District. I had spent the whole week studying for it but nothing was really coming to my mind and jumping out to me as to what I should teach, so I was unsure and finally just decided to teach from my personal study about faith. It was a great experience as I felt the Spirit guide me as to what to say and what to do, helping me to teach the District to grow and become better missionaries.

Saturday was basically just planning and then we visited Nishiguchi Kyodai, who is doing awesome and really working hard at rebuilding his faith. Sunday was beautiful as always. We had 4 less-actives to church and 1 investigator so it was really cool. We had an awesome lunch party after church with lots of delicious foods. Then we hopped into Ward Council to try to work with the ward more. That was really good. We also got a call from the Ward Mission Leader in Hashimoto branch, the Branch just south of us that doesn`t have any missionaries there at the moment. He had apparently found a new investigator that wants to hear the message and so we are going down there for church next Sunday. It sounds like it will be loads of fun.

I`m sorry if my emails are short and uninteresting. It just seems that everything blurs together a lot. I am so busy as I work with calling the District and working with members as well as seeking to find new investigators. It`ll be even more busy if this investigator in Hashimoto works out. But I like it this way. I`m happy when I am busy, moving along and doing the Lord`s work. There is nothing I`d rather be doing now than this.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.

I wish to take time this week and talk about Faith. We members of the church have long known that "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." That is the simplest and best way to explain what faith is. We don`t need to know perfectly about something in order to have faith, we simply need to hope for those things which are true and follow and act upon them.

It has often been said that Faith is an action word. It is not simply an attitude or a belief but it is an ACTIVE belief that drives us to do something based upon those beliefs. We may believe that if we go to work we will get paid, but that belief is useless unless we act upon it and actually do it. When that belief turns into action it is Faith.

Now for the key part. TRUE Faith, is faith in God and in his son Jesus Christ. True Faith is trusting that God`s ways are better than our`s, trusting that God knows more than we do and that he desires the best for us. This TRUE faith comes when we gain a correct knowledge of the attributes of God and gain a personal testimony and witness that it is true. Once we obtain that witness, that knowledge, everything else just comes down to Faith, whether or not God`s ways are better than ours. If we remember that God is God and Man is Man this should be a lot simpler. We can also remain humble and act as God desires us to act, for he knows what`s best for each and every one of us personally. Not collectively, for he doesn`t desire a bunch of clones that are all the exact same, but individually. He knows what each and everyone one of us needs right now in order to become the best person that we can be. IF we have Faith and trust in him, then we can become that person. IF we trust that God`s happiness is greater and better than any happiness that we could ever make on our own, than we can have it. The only thing that stands in our way is ourselves.

With Faith comes power. If we have Faith we will be able to do all things, because we will be doing what God would want us to do, and nothing can stop God. With Faith we can move mountains, split oceans, and cause rain to stop falling. But more useful and more important than that, we can move the sometimes mountainous tasks that lie before us, we can overcome the challenges and difficulties that face our lives. We can know which path to walk and we can know how to help our families. With Faith we can pray unto God for help and recieve it. With Faith our families can become Eternal.

I know that this wonderful Church is God`s Church. I know that he Lives that he watches over me. I know that he loves me, that he is pleased with what I am doing. I can taste the fruits of Faith daily as I go about doing his work. I may not know what lies ahead for me in the next few months or years, but I know that if I continue to follow God all will be will. It is written "For we know that all things will be for the good of those that Love God." (Romans 2:28) I trust in God. I may not be perfect, I may not have a perfect trust but I know that I am trying that I keep moving forward everyday trying to do just a little better. I bear testimony of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Imagine this...

I kind of had to laugh a little hard about this letter. Imagine an Elder riding a bike with no pedal and his foot taped to the place where the pedal is supposed to be. HAHAHAHA! Imagine 2 Elders laughing so hard. Imagine 2 Elders loving the work that they do....Imagine that soon 4 1/2 months Elder Tateishi will be coming home....Imagine, the Lord's love in your life...
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends

Well, well, well. It`s been a fun and a busy week. Last Monday we had
a Zone activity and I made pizza for everyone. All the Americans were
rejoicing at the fact that they could eat American Pizza, then we
played a whole bunch of games and it was way fun.

Tuesday I was not even in my own area I was off with the Zone Leaders
on a companion Exchange, having an exciting bicycle experience in
which Elder Burhoe broke the pedal off of his bike and we had to ride
a good 30 min.(on an unbroken bike) to a bike shop with only one
pedal. Ended up strapping his foot to the one pedal and trying to ride
back. Loads of fun and absolutely hilarious.

Wednesday we had District Meeting and then we tried to have English
class but no one showed up. Thursday we went to Kobe all day and had
"Father & Sons" or in other words Trainer and Trainee training. Didn`t
get back until late and had to spend that little bit studying. WEEE!!
Loads of fun.

Friday, and Saturday were just regular Dendo days. Went out and about
and had plenty of fun riding all over town. Sunday was another good
day at church and then this morning I got my haircut which is awesome
because now it`s not so hot for my head anymore.

That`s basically all that`s gone on for me. I did find out though
that the Typhoon was actually really bad for those in Shinguu. My
second area. Apparently the Elders in Shinguu are trapped there
because the roads are wiped out and so are the trains. They are just
fine with food and water, although they have to boil their water.
Sounds like they`ll be pulled out as soon as the roads open up, and it
also soudns like they are just having fun with the whole situation.
Don`t worry about them, they`ll be fine.

I did realize that today, well yesterday for me, was 9/11, mainly
thanks to my companion. In all honestly it would have probably slipped
my mind, simply because I don`t really think about what the Date it
is, I only think about what day of the week it is. As I think about it
though, that it`s been 10 years since that horrible attack occurred I
am simply reminded about how many things have happened since that day
when I was sitting in my living room watching TV as a Jet airliner
crashed into the second of the twin towers. So long ago, yet still so
clear.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week

I`ll leave with a short Testimony for I can`t think of a message.

I know that this is the Lord`s work, as I feel the Lord guiding me in
every step. I know that he lives that he loves that he blesses those
that follow him. I have seen his hand in this work and with his help I
have done things that I could have never done on my own. I know that
through the Atonement of Christ all might be cleansed of sin and be
brought into the presence of God at the last day. I know that through
his Gospel our families can become Eternal. I love this work and I
bear testimony of it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Lost at Sea....

Dear Mother,

I apologize to say that I have been carried away by heavy Typhoon winds and am now currently lost at sea somewhere between China and Japan. I think tomorrow I might make land somewhere nearby Okinawa. Sorry, would have emailed sooner, but I had to wait until P-day to go to the internet place and email. Still have to follow the rules you know.

Mother, we didn`t have a Typhoon at all. The worst that happened to me was I got rained on while riding my bike. Which by the way, is nothing new for me at all. I`m used to being soaking wet and other than being a little annoying it`s not bad at all. There was no wind at all and the rain was just off and on. I`ve actually been through worse than what hit us this week. I think you`re just a worry wart! Remember that I`m on my MISSION, and that I am in the service of GOD. Folax mother.

Lol, I love you mom, you just worry too much. Take care.

Love,

Your son

Elder Tateishi









Dear Mother Father Brothers Sisters Family and Friends

Well I`m still alive if any of you were worried about that. The Typhoon that supposedly hit us wasn`t more than a little bit of a rain shower for a couple days and did little more than be annoying for us as we went out to try and do some Dendo. It`s all bark and no Bite. Although the worst of it did hit the southern costal parts of our mission from what I heard. Shikoku, the big island, and Shinguu and Tanabe at the southern peninsula of the Mission. But they are all ok as far as I know, nothing too bad, just lots of rain and wind and they just stayed inside.

Well. Another week rolls by far too fast for me. As mother just had to go and mention to me once again I have only 5 months left before I go home. That is not far away at all and time seems to be picking up. I hope though that I will stay here in Kawachinagano until then. Mainly because it will be just like leaving home to go home. I love this ward and I don`t want to leave.

As for what I did this week, well I was just way busy. Tuesday Elder Rice came over here for a companion exchange and then Wednesday we didn`t have all that much time out of our apartment mainly because we had to go to Eikaiwa and had a Member visit as well. Thursday we were not even in our area the whole day. We went to Wakayama and I had a District Leader council then we went to Mikunigaoka and taught Eikaiwa there before we came home for bed. Friday we had District Meeting and then only had a little bit of time out to go and Dendo, then Saturday we did our weekly planning which again left us with only a little bit of Dendo time. Sunday was church and again only a limited amount of Dendo time. I feel like a busy bee right now and am currently trying to reassess myself as to whether I am working effectively or not. O the joys of Missionary work, always reevaluating yourself and trying to see what you can improve on or what you need to stop doing or what you need to change. It`s a bit stressful but a good process to learn.

Yea. So I don`t have too much to talk about this week. I`ve just been getting more and more boring lately I think. Although I am having Loads of fun out here I`m just not sure what I should share with everyone. Life is just life, it rolls on and I simply have to smile as I keep on walking. I enjoy the moments that I have, I laugh with the people I`m with and try to make their day and as they smile I smile more. My joy is their Joy.


Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week.

"An instrument in the hands of God."

I often say to people that as a missionary I do nothing. I do not convert people, I do not find people, I do not strengthen people`s faith, I do not teach people the Gospel. I am simply an instrument in the hands of God, or at least I try my best to be. Whenever I testify, or speak powerfully to change the hearts of the people around me it is not me that does so it is the Spirit of God. It is not I that touches their heart but it is the Spirit that confirms the truth of those things that I testify about. It is the Spirit that places me in the right spot at the right time to talk to the right person. It is the Spirit that puts the words that I need to speak into my mouth.

This week, one of the Sister missionaries in my district requested a blessing. She was feeling as if her prayers were not being answered, as if she were trying so hard and nothing was working. She felt tired, worn out and exhausted. When I gave her the blessing I felt the Spirit helping me along, forming the difficult Japanese sentences in a way that would bless her and help her. That night when I talked to her during my nightly calls she told me that the words of the blessing that I gave her were an answer to her prayers. I simply replied "Nani mo shite nai." or "I didn`t do anything." Which is the truth, I simply spoke the words of the Spirit.

In the greatest lessons that I have ever had, they have all been directed by the Spirit. Where I seek to ask a certain question, or to simply close the books, or materials that I am using and testify to the person I am speaking to. Those times, when I am simply an instrument in the hands of God, are the times when true miracles happen.

I Testify that this is God`s work, that he is the one that does it. I testify that when we become instruments in the Hands of God we will be able to do far greater good than we could ever do on our own. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi