2nd to last.....

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


Not even sure what to write this week. It`s been a pretty good week, but it`s filled with it`s ups and downs.

Last week Monday we went to Byodoin, one of the most famous places in Japan, and also on the Japanese 10 Yen coin. It was way fun and filled with a lot of interesting things. I really enjoyed the trip, even though it took us about an hour by bike to get there and then another hour to the Joyo (The other area in my district) Apartment. We had Companion Exchanges that same night.


Let`s see, I haven`t been sleeping too well at all lately, my back is killing me as I try to sleep, so I keep rolling around. I think mainly it`s just a lot of stress that`s built up lately.


Throughout the week we`ve been blessed with some really Spirit filled lessons, that have really been adjusted and worked towards the needs of those that we teach. I Don`t know why God has blessed us with such amazing investigators but it is a great honor to be teaching them. Doesn`t really matter to me if they get baptized while I`m here or not, just so long as they start walking the path that leads them to their happiness and joy. I know they`ll get baptized when the time is right, and I`m just glad that I have been able to apart of that process.


Yesterday we actually taught one of my Investigators that I had found my first time around in Fushimi. We were waiting to teach another lesson, but he was there and wanted to have a small lesson. We talked a lot and really listened to what he had to say, and sought to help him and teach him. I could really feel the Spirit during that lesson and I could see it working in him a little bit. He agreed to pray sincerely and actually seek after God, which has been his problem the entire time. It was really cool.


Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week


Tribulations bring us Pain. Pain is swallowed up in Joy. Joy comes from Love. Love brings us unto God.


As a missionary there have been many tribulations and trials for me. Time and time again I felt sorrow, grief and difficulty. I have been frustrated with myself and those around me, I have made countless mistakes that have caused me much worrying and anxiety. Yet always I have been able to turn to God and find Joy and Love as I work. I have been able to turn frustration into faith, Sorrow, into Joy, Grief into Happiness, and difficulty into hope. By the end of each trial, each tribulation I find myself closer to God. I find that I have changed a little bit of myself and taken another step towards God and learned another priceless lesson. I have learned to Love those around me, I have learned to listen to others, I have learned patience with myself and patience with others. I have learned to laugh, to sing, to cry, to smile.


As Job said "Even though he slay me, yet will I trust God!" The tribulations and trials we face everyday are placed before us for a reason. They are hurdles to leap, mountains to climb, and rivers to cross. All to help us learn how to run, how to climb, how to swim, or to win us the Gold medal, to See the grand scheme of things, or to find ourselves in greener pastures. God loves us, he knows what`s best for us. He knows all things, and so the only thing we must do is trust whether or not he has our Eternal Welfare in mind as he works is works.


I know God desires the best for me. I know he works to bring about my Eternal Life and my Eternal Salvation. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Love,


Elder Randall KK Tateishi