The Spirit Guides us all....

Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, Friends and other
people I don`t know,

Well. It`s been an absolutely beautiful week. The son is shining, the
rain has stopped, summer is rolling around and I`m sweating like mad.
But on the bright side I`m getting tan again.

Monday night me and Elder Cloward just went out and dendoed around.
Had a great time, talking to large groups of high school kids and just
trying to talk to everyone.

Tuesday we left early and I headed off to Kobe for leadership
training because my new companion, Elder Cloward is only on his second
Transfer and I am basically his trainer now. That and they just came
out with a new in-field training schedule for 1st and 2nd transfer
missionaries. So I went and learned that, as well as other leadership
skills and attributes. It was loads of fun and a great experience. I
love President McIntyre.

Wednesday after we finished training me and the two other Elders that
came up with me went and ate dinner together. It was delicious,
because it was the first bit of Kobe Beef I`ve had on my mission. xD
Yes I can now say I have eaten Kobe Beef. It was utterly delicious. It
was a Kobe Beef burger that I ate, so it may not have been the best
quality but it was just amazing. Nice and juicy and amazing (Dad,
don`t get too jealous). It was also a lot cheaper than I thought it
would be, but it was so worth it.

Thursday was just another regular day of running around trying to
find. Friday was just the same, and then Saturday was a great day of
finding. We worked 110% trying to talk to as many people as we
possibly could, testifying constantly and just trying to find someone
who would hear our message. At the end of the night, we were both
exhausted but pleased with the day, and we slept like rocks.

Sunday was a special day for me. It was fast Sunday and another
amazing day. Filled with the Spirit as we went to Church, had fast and
testimony meeting and worked with the members. We ate Dinner at a
members house again and had a great time with them, we also had a
practice lesson with a recently returned missionary who is just
awesome.

All in all this week has been a very spiritual week, even this
morning was amazing as I studied the scriptures and prayed.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

As I said, Saturday and Sunday were amazingly spiritual days, and it
all accumulated and peaked this morning during my study as I realized
what I was being taught.

This morning as I began my study, reading in Ether 3 from the Book of
Mormon. I pondered the scriptures, mainly thinking about Faith and
being in the presence of God. My mind wandered much as I pondered the
idea and played with it in my mind, but then my mind drifted to the
past few days and the experiences that I have had.

On Saturday, I spent the day testifying to everyone that would hear
me. I felt the spirit as a constant companion as I bore sincere
testimony about God, about his love for his children, about this
church, and about how we can know that he Lives.

But Sunday was possibly the greatest experience. During fast and
testimony meeting I moved to the long line of people waiting to bear
their testimonies, and as one by one they bore great testimonies I
thought about what I should bear my testimony about. As the person
before me neared the end of their testimony I said a simple prayer,
still uncertain of what to say, asking the Lord to Guide me to say
what needed to be said.

When I stood up at the pulpit and looked out at the congregation I
still had no idea what to say, and I even told them all that I didn`t
know. But with confidence that the Lord would guide me I continued and
I quoted D&C 88:84 "I will go before thy face, I will be on thy left
hand and on thy right hand, and my angels shall be round about thee to
bear thee up." It was the first thing out of my mouth, and I testified
that God has and always is by my side, and that his angels are always
there to guide me. That those angels are often the people around me,
those great members who are at times, given small bits of inspiration
that bless me and help me to become a better and greater person. As I
poor sincere testimony I looked down at the front row and saw a Mother
in tears. I felt the spirit burning strongly as I continued to speak
and then I ended. After Sacrament meeting I saw her run out of the
room, holding her 4 year old daughter close as she was still crying. I
asked if she was ok but she just nodded and quickly ran away. Later
she came up to me and said "Thank you, I really needed to hear what
you said today. You were an answer to my prayers and you helped me." I
know now that when I bore testimony I was guided by the spirit. I was
told what this woman needed to hear.

Now, as I studied this morning I pondered these experiences and again
felt another prompting. This time to pray. I went and knelt down in
silent prayer, again uncertain of what I needed to pray for. As I
opened my prayer and called upon my God, I felt my heart filled with
words and joy. I then knew what I was being taught. I then understood
that God was answering my prayers. He was showing me how to follow the
Spirit. He was showing that he was with me, that he was guiding me and
would always be at my side so long as I remain worthy of his help. I
felt at that moment an overwhelming since of being close to my God,
and I knew that I was enjoying his presence.

I know that God lives. I know that he guides this work, that he is at
the head of this church. I am simply his servant, and of myself I am
weak. It is only by his grace, by his love and great patience that I
am who I am. Without him I am nothing, I have no worth, and my words
are empty and useless. I know that Christ lives, that he has atoned
for my sins. I have felt his cleansing power, and I know that all
mankind can be purified and cleansed through his great sacrifice. I
know that this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet
of God and restored the true church of God. I know that the work I am
doing is the true work of God. I bear humble witness of these truths,
in the name of my Saviour, my Redeemer, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Family Changes....

Well, this week has been a week of many changes in the family. Randy's older brother Mike left on Saturday to serve a tour of duty in Iraq. Although this is his second deployment, it doesn't get any easier. This time Mike leaves a wife and 2 very beautiful young daughters. We will miss him greatly and we love him so much! I know that Randy will be keeping Mike in his prayers as will we all. I hope and pray that this deployment will be a safe and efficient one and Mike comes home with all his fingers and toes that he was born with. (he wants a purple heart, but I vote no!) With Randy being on his mission it can only help keep blessings that will be greatly needed for the family. Thank you Mike for taking time away from your family to serve this great Nation!

Sweet and Simple

Amazing how testimony grows when you are on a mission. Such a sweet and simple lesson on the Book of Mormon. Again, he is such a loving young man and when he comes home he will make some girl very happy. At the very least he will keep her laughing with his mission stories.

Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.............
I`m still in Kawachinagano, for my third transfer............... and my fourth companion in the area. Yes, I have switched companions yet again. I am now with the amazing Elder Cloward from Kaysville Utah. He is the youngest companion I have ever had, only second transfer...well barely even second transfer. He`s only been in Japan for 5 weeks. His Japanese is pretty good for being only second transfer.... but then again I can`t remember how horrible or how good I was when I was second transfer. I just remember my companion doing everything becauseI never had any idea what was going on. In any case he is awesome, and we are going to have an awesome transfer here in Kawachinagano.

So as for my week. Tuesday we got transfer calls and Elder Hart jus tpacked up all day. We then ate dinner, all you can eat shabushabu (I`m not even sure how to explain this), with some members. It was delicious and I was absolutely stuffed. Wednesday was more packing and visiting a few people before we had Eikaiwa. Not very many people showed up this week though which was very sad. Then Thursday rolled around and me and Elder Hart parted ways, he headed off to Okayama West to be a zone leader and I waited for my new companion. While waiting for my new companion had a good long talk with a random person on the street, that didn`t really go over to well, but was good nonetheless. I then met my companion and we turned around and headed home. We got home, ate a quick lunch before we headed off to go visit a whole bunch of less active familes, ended upgetting invited to dinner for sunday night, and then just came home and did some planning.

Friday was another good day, we did more planning, a little bit of Dendo and then went with another member home teaching. Got some banan abread out of that one. It was way cool, the member was awesome and way nice. I learned a lot more about Japanese culture too.

Saturday we went to go stop by an investigator`s house, but she wasn`t home, so instead we said hi to a member that lived right next door, then we ended up going to the church with him and found out that they were having a primary activity. We then got invited to lunch by a family, which worked out perfectly because we really didn`t have anything to eat in the apartment other than rice. Had lots of fun with them, they gave us some food to make for dinner and everything. It`s kind of like what Christ told his disciples, "go out and don`t tak eany money or extra clothing or food with you, I`ll provide for you." We then tried to dendo in the rain, which didn`t work out to well, so we ended up visiting a less-active before we came home for dinner and the rest of the night.

Sunday was just plain awesome. We had a missionary from the Sendai mission return home and he bore his testimony and we all had a grea ttime at church with the members. After church we tried to dendo but the zone leaders called us and told us to go home and stay in the apartment because it was a typhoon. It wasn`t raining all that bad ,but we still went back to the apartment. I studied, and had an awesome study experience, full of the Spirit. Then we went to a members house for dinner, shared a quick message, and rushed home, 30 min. late. xDBut the Zone Leaders forgave us.

That was my week, it was awesome and I`m loving this transferalready. Everthing is going amazingly and we are going to see miracles this transfer! Although, tomorrow I`m going up to Kobe, for some special training on how to be a trainer. By the way, it`s now rain season, and it`s raining like crazy.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

This week I feel impressed to talk about the Book of Mormon. I think it might be because that was what my major spiritual experience was yesterday. Anyway, I`ll first start by explaining the Book of Mormon for those who do not know what it is. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and also the Holy Bible as far as it is translated correctly. We believe in the Holy Bible and all of the truths that are contained within. We believe in the great testimony that it gives of God the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ.

But we have been given another Testimony, another witness to go alongside the Bible, and that is the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a collection of writings of ancient prophets that lived from around the destruction of Jerusalem to about 400 years after Christ was born. But these prophets all lived upon the American Continents. They taught of Christ and his great mercy and his love. They testified of God and his great plan. From their teachings we can gain a full and clear explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of the Plan of Salvation, the Plan that God has laid out for us, and know all that is necessary for the salvation of our souls.

The purpose of the Book of Mormon is just that. It is there for us to gain a clear and unobstructed view of God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost. To teach us the truth about God and all that he has planned for us. It is there for us as a witness of Christ, that we might know that he lived, and still lives, as our Saviour, our Redeemer and the only begotten Son of God. That through him, and only him, we might obtain eternal life and eternal happiness.

It warns us of the consequences of sin and gives us hope for the life after as we strive to follow its teachings. The Prophet Joseph Smith said that "The Book of Mormon is the mos tcorrect of any book upon the earth, and that through it a man might draw closer to God."

I stand as a witness to that. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I felt its power as I have read from its pages. I have tasted of its goodness and have seen its fruits. When I read from it the other day, I felt within my heart that it was true. As I read it every day, and strive to learn from it, to follow its teachings I grow closer to God. It is the Keystone to our religion. It is what testifies that this church is true, it is what shows us the way to Eternal Life.

Great Joy comes as we read, and learn from Book of Mormon. I know that God lives, because of the Book of Mormon. I know that Christ is my saviour, because of the Book of Mormon. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, Because of the Book of Mormon. I bear witness of this, in the name of my Saviour, and my Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sincerely, Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Change.....

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

I actually debated whether or not to skip writing this week. But even if I had, I wouldn`t have been "raptured" as a few of you have predicted. Because it would have been equivilant to lying, and we allknow that liars don`t go to heaven.

On a Cheerful note: Life is going Great. Despite the fact that I`mgoing to have to suffer 5 months with the rest of you until the end ofthe world.

Let`s see, this week has had it`s ups and downs, it`s bumps andbruises. Tuesday was utterly amazing, we had Zone Conference, and I got to hear some amazing testimonies as well as recieve some amazing training from the mission president. It was so amazing that President McIntyre made the rain stop so we could get home without getting soaking wet. Over the pulpit he said "And the rain will stop so you can all get home safely." And shortly after he said that, the heavy rains stopped and we all went home all dry and warm.

Wednesday I went off to Senboku for a companion exchange. I cleaned up and fixed the Elder`s bike that I was using. It was horrible.....But I had fun hanging out in Senboku. Thursday we came back and then we had fun with a Potential Investigator, my companion was doing some skateboarding, as we fellowshipped him and invited him to Eikaiwa and Church.

Friday..... was Friday, I don`t remember too much, Saturday, we found a giant Bhudda, and taught a Less Active. Sunday was fun at church and during ward Council meeting. Then we spent Sunday night at a members house and ate dinner with them. It was awesome, I love the Yoshikawa Family. Little Chie-chan(4yrs.) was jumping up and down when we gotthere saying "The Missionaries are here! The Missionaries are here!"and "Missionaries are a pair!" She is so cute, reminds me a lot of Hannah. Last week during Eikaiwa she even invaded my Advanced class along with her older sister Taka-chan (8 yrs.) and they both kept trying to push me over and steal my flashlight. x.x Luckily theEikaiwa students just laughed. Ahhhh! I love missionary life!! It`s always so much fun.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

Change.

Everyone experiences change. Both good and bad. Everyone throughout their life has new things come their way, both the expected and the unexpected. It is a simple fact of life, the world changes, our lives change, people around us change, our situation changes, and countless things change. And with each change will come trials, both big and small, both significant and insignificant. But trials will come. Starting a new job, moving to a new house, haveing a child, losing a loved one, sickness, or disaster.

All are changes from the norm. But as each change comes, we have a choice, we have a decision. We can say, as sickness strikes that we will push forward and do our bes tto overcome it, when we lose a loved one we can hope that they are at rest with God, when disaster strikes we can choose to rebuild and move on instead of wallow in sorrow. Or when the new job comes we can choose to be overwhelmed and worry, or with the new house we can complain about how the neighborhood is or isn`t, or with the new child we can worry and panic about how we will raise it. The point is, we must be optimistic about change.

Open your scriptures. Look at many of the countless stories that are written within and think about how the people reacted to their own trials and changes within their lives. Adam, cast out from the Garden of Eden, yes he did sorrow, but he moved on and found joy with his Wife Eve as they raised Children. Or you have Job, who lost everything, his children, his wealth, his health, and yet he said tha the would trust God and that he would continue to praise the Lord, even when his friends betrayed him. Then you have people like David, when he fell. He saw Beth-sheba, he lusted and his heart failed him. When he found that she was pregnant, he feared again, and sought to cover his sin by killing her husband and then marrying her. Or there is Lamen and Lemuel who complained because of their journey in the wilderness and were chastized by the Lord.

The point is, when change comes we really have two options. Be Positive, or be Negative. As we strive to be Positive, we will be blessed, as we seek for the silver lining we will find it. In the darkest night, there is still some light that shines. When Elder Hart came, I chose to be positive about this new companionship. Despite the fact, that at times I find him annoying I still love him, and choose to laugh instead of complain, to smile instead of frown. In opposition to that, when ever I had those hard times it was mainly because I had a negative outlook on my companion or my area.

Our attitude makes all the difference. How many times is it written within the scriptures: "Be of good cheer!"? God has revealed to us that "Man is that they might have joy." So when trials come, we must stay positive, we must act instead of REact. There of course will still be times to mourn, when we lose our loved ones or when tragedy strikes, but we must not let it weigh us down. If we think about it too much, if we worry about it too much,the problem simply gets worse, not any better. Trust me I know! I`m a thinker, and I think way too much!

Lastly, just remember to rely upon the Lord. He is there for you, he knows your pains, he knows what you are suffering, and what you have suffered. He knows how to help you through, and he also knows that with each trial you overcome, the stronger you will become. He looks at us in the eternal perspective, he sees what these trials will forge us into. Trust in him, and believe in him, and your outlook on life will be all the better.

I love the Lord, and I know that he is there for me. I know that he loves me and that he will guide me through each of my trials and all my difficult times. I am simply his servant right now. I follow him the best I can, and seek to do his will. In his Holy Name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Much Love, Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Patience....

So this letter is for me...the mother....how does he know I lack in patience. One of my great weakness is patience. I wish I had more (although, I know we shouldn't ask for more as the Lord will certainly see fit to give me plenty of opportunity to learn it). I am so extremly proud and happy for my son. The young boy I sent away over a year ago is now becoming a man and it is awesome! Soon he will come home and start his life of schooling and work and then comes marriage and family. I'm so excited that I will be able to see him even blossom even more. Thank you to my son for the blessing he brings to us as a family. To his friends he is an example and to the rest of us....well, he is just plain Randy Panda Bear! I love him!!!!

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

Another week just flies by, faster than I can blink. On Monday and Tuesday, we went down to Wakayama and worked with the Zone Leaders in their area. I worked with Elder Lystrup, who`s from Las Vegas and was in the MTC with me. It was loads of fun and the two of us found 3 new investigators while Elder Hart and Elder Burhoefound 3 new Investigators as well. After that me and Elder Hart cameback to Kawachinagano and we found another investigator as well in the short time we had. It was awesome.

Wednesday we had District Meeting and then Eikaiwa, didn`t have time for much else. Thursday me and Elder Hart did lots of planning and then some Dendo. Friday we had another Companion Exchange, I was still in Kawachinagano though with Elder Bailey. We just had lots of fun,talking to people on the street, including one guy that wanted to start his own religion because everyone else was doing it. I think he was just mocking us. But I did get to throw him for a loop. We started in English, and he thought we couldn`t speak Japanese. After a good three or four minutes I switched to Japanese and he was way surprised. Gave me a good laugh.

Saturday, we ended the Exchange and then visited Brother Takenaka. Yea.... That was a very interesting meeting this time. Was hilarious,and I was laughing way too hard. He`s a tatoo artist, and he was telling us stories about tatooing. He`s a cool guy, really chill. Then we rushed to the Ping Pong tournament we had at the church. I was totally destroyed during it. I suck at Ping Pong Sunday was regular Church and lots of dendo. I was exhausted afterall that and came home and crashed. Then got up at 5:30 this morningto go to Seminary again. WOOT!! I`m still tired. I love life as aMissionary!

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week

Today, I`m going to talk about patience. Not being patient with others around you, but being patient with yourself.

I have had to learn this lesson many many times as a missionary. As I have many times pushed myself harder and harder trying to be better and better, yet to me it seems as if nothing is ever happening. Then I get discouraged and disappointed and I wonder what I did wrong, or what did I not do enough.

The solution is Patience. Is trusting in God, and having faith that oneday, someday, your efforts will bear fruit. It is Patience while dilligently pursuing to achieve your goals, despite what goes on around you, what happens or what doesn`t happen. That is a Godly Attribute.

I remember a parable told to me by President McIntyre. God commandeda man to push on a huge stone rock. So the man, obedient to God`s commandments did so. He pushed on the rock, and struggled to get it to move, and he kept on pushing, but he wasn`t able to move it at all. So he gave up, thinking to himself, it`s impossible. God returned and saw the man leaning against the rock, discouraged, and asked: "Why aren`t you pushing?" The man replied: "Because I can`t get it to move." In response God said: "I never told you to move the rock, I only told you to push. When the time comes "I`LL" move the rock."

I feel like that man a lot. As I push, and I push and I push with all my might and all that I know how to do and it seems that nothing ever happens. I ask myself every day what is it that I`m doing wrong, and sometimes I`m just so tired that I want to just give up. But then come those moments when the Lord reaches down and shows me, that although I didn`t move the rock even in the slightest, I have built some muscle!

The Lord will judge us according to our Desires as well as our works. We are all human, and all of us are imperfect, as it says in Psalms:"All have come short of the Glory of God." He knows that just as well as we do. Yet, he knows what we need, he knows how we can get there. As I think about it, I wonder in amazement at how patient God is with me. At how persistent he is at trying to mold me, and refine me into the man he wants me to become. Sometimes I feel like I`m a lump of steel in his hand, stubborn, and unshapeable. Yet still he works patiently and persistently with me.

I cannot comprehend how much God Loves me. I never will be able to in this life. But I do know that he loves me far more than anyone ever has or ever will love me. He is patient with me and he trusts me enough to call me as his servant. So I must proceed with faith and trust in God. Trust what God sees in me, trust his timing and his love. Alas, as he has said: "Be Still and know that I am God." "Look unto me in Every thought, Doubt not, Fear Not." Trust in the Lord thy God. He is the Light that shineth in Darkness. He is the one that has shown us the way. I Testify to you that God Lives, as well as his son Jesus Christ. That even now, they stand in heaven and watch over each and every one of us. They call unto us day after day, and work that we might have never-ending happiness and eternal Joy.

In the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With Much Love, Elder Randall KK Tateishi

Perhaps...One of the best

Mother's Day ever....I just love the calls that we, as mother's, get to make to our Missionaries. What a treat it is to speak to our sons or daughters about their missions, how they are doing, and just basically hearing their voice. I am down to 7 more months, or 7 more Fast Sundays, or one more call or...well sooner than later Randy will be home. How grateful I am for the little things he brings to my life, the joy, the laughter, the love....


Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sister"S", Family, and Friends

This Email will be very quick simply because, well I just talked to
everyone about an hour ago. XD.

HAPPY MOTHER`S DAY!!! Because It`s still Mother`s day in America.

Anyway, update for this week, my companion is awesome, loves to beat
box play skateboard and is just all around goofy. Makes me laugh all
the time. He`s like a typical Polynesian, laid back and always late. I
always have to start pushing him about 30 min. before so we can get
out the door no later than 10 min. late. x.x

Some of those pictures include, A delicious steak from Japan. It
wasn`t Kobe beef but it was possibly the most delicious steak I`ve
ever had. It practically melted in my mouth it was sooooo delicious.
The only problem was that it was also the fatiest and most greasey
steak I`ve ever eaten. Didn`t settle too well with my stomach after.
After that is a little Toy gun we saw in a dollar store. It`s for
Misty. And then there is Alma Motors, who is a member and his first
name is Alma.

No real highlights to tell this week. Elder Hart taught me how to do
an ollie on a skateboard. Took me about 30 min. to learn how. We
managed to talk to a few people while we were skateboarding. Lol. Yes
we are very strange missionaries.

I guess the greatest highlight was when we were out
dendoing(tracting) near a christian high school and stopped 4 high
school kids. It was really great. They go to a christian school but
they don`t neccessarily know very much about christianity. We taught
them about how Christ died for our sins and how his true church was
restored. It went on for about 30 min. and one of them even said "wow,
this feels good" and another was saying "There really is a religion
like that?" And all of them were listening intently as we taught and
testified, hopefully some of them will come to church next week
Sunday.

Life has been moving on very well of late. I`m still trying to work
harder. Working everyday to just be a little bit better. It really is
hard to be a missionary. I just keep thinking of a song that Elder
Hart has been playing lately, "It isn`t easy being a missionary."

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week

So, Mother has requested that I talk about service, about serving
others. Which in an instant brings to mind a thousand different
scriptures that I could share.

Service, brings joy and blessings into the lives of those who it
helps. It is very simple to understand that when one recieves a
helping hand or a comforting gesture that it blesses that person`s
life.

I remember when I was a young missionary I remember the simple
encouraging words of a recent Convert as I struggled to explain in a
language I hardly knew about a Gospel principle. I stumbled over and
over again before I just gave up. When I gave up he looked at me with
a caring look on his face and said "Just try." His english was
horrible, but he could say that much. That meant a lot to me in that
moment of weakness. Just try.

Service brings some of the greatest joys that we can find. Many tiems
we hear people say "The look in their eyes made it all worth it" or
"The smile on their face was worth the effort." Service in and of
itself is a reward. No matter how small it is, it is well worth the
effort.

Recently a Member`s mother passed away. We had actually scheduled to
meet with her but she had to cancel because her mother had entered
into the hospital and left town to go visit her. We didn`t know her
mother had passed away for a little while but as soon as we did, me
and Elder Young wrote a little card for her telling her that we love
her, and that we would pray for her and her mother. When we finally
did get a chance to eat lunch with her we prepared a simple message
for her and sang a hymn: "Nearer my God to Thee." It really touched
her and helped her. At fast and testimony this month she stood and
bore her testimony thanking us for being there and comforting her. As
she spook I felt joy in my heart knowing that I had helped this woman
in her difficult time.

There is a scripture in the New Testament, I can`t recall exactly
where it is, but it goes like this: "When I was an hungered, you fed
me, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, when I was naked you clothed
me, when I was in prison you visited me." These are the words Christ
spoke, to those who will truly be accepted into heaven. For he said
"For what you have done unto the least of these my brethren, even so
have you done unto me." When we help even the most pitiful of persons
we are extending a helping arm to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is written: "Every Soul is precious in the eyes of God." The poor
as well as the rich, the prideful as well as the humble, the wicked as
well as the righteous. And so first amongst all the commandments of
God is to "love thy neighbor as thyself." There are thousands of
examples of this that could be listed, many are from Christ as he
reached out to heal the sick, or comfort the afflicted. Many stories
are listed in the Old Testament, the New Testament, The Book of
Mormon, and even more are told by Modern day Apostles and Prophets.

Service is a main attribute of a true Saint. In the scriptures it is
written: "If you don`t have charity you are nothing!" True Saints
extend loving hands to all those around them, no matter who they are.
True Saints Love the Lord and Love their Neighbors.

There are many that ask and complain "Why is there so much violence
and bad things in the world?" My first answer to them, is "What are
you doing about it?" In the words of Micheal Jackson: "If you want to
make the world a better place, you better start with the man in the
mirrior." (Sorry, not sure of the exact quote.) As we all reach out to
touch the lives of those around us, we will inspire others to do the
same. As we love those around us we can dampen the affects of cruelty
and hatred within the world.

I testify to you all that as we strive to love those around us, as we
seek to do as the Saviour did, not only will we help to change the
hearts of those around us, but in the process our own hearts will
change. We will become better people, and we will be able to walk mor
uprightly and righteously before God. I love you all, and wish all of
you well. I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With much Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi

One week till Mother's Day and a phone call....

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

It`s a bright sunny day, and I feel the heat of summer coming on.
Along with itchy eyes, sneezing and sweat. I LOVE summer (not really).

Well biggest news here is that I have a new companion. Elder Young
returned to the Tokyo Mission, as did about half of all those that
came down here to Kobe. I feel bad for my new companion because he was
in his last area for about a week before we got transfer calls and he
had to pack everything back up again.

My new companion is Elder Hart, for Hamilton New Zealand. He`s an
awesome guy and loads of fun. I can tell that this is going to be an
awesome transfer. At least the 3 weeks that are left of it. x.x things
have been so hectic with transfers lately. But o Well, I`ll live.

Anyway, as for this week..... Ummmm.... Tuesday we had District
Meeting, and then we had a member feed us some delicious Udon.
Wednesday was Eikaiwa, thursday was some regular Dendo. Friday was
random transfer call, and packing and visiting some Less actives,
Saturday, was more packing a BBQ, and Ice Cream at Baskin Robbins.

O yea... I remember why I can`t remember Tuesday, Wednesday, or
Thursday very much. I was dead tired. We went to Seminary every
morning this week. Getting up at 5 and going to seminary at 6, and
still going to bed at 10:30. Even went this morning. But Wednesday was
the worst. I was feeling absolutely horrible, added onto mental and
emotional stress I was absolutely exhausted. I almost collapsed at one
point, before we came back for lunch. I had no energy to Dendo at all.
But then we came back for lunch and I wouldn`t let myself rest, I did
the dishes, finished up my laundry, and made lunch. After all that I
was still about ready to pass out when I knelt down and begged God to
give me strength to make it through just one more day. I got up, we
went back out and I was able to make it through, I talked to a few
people, was fine and genki. Eikaiwa was lots of fun with lots of
talking and random jokes. Finally came back to the apartment, I could
barely say my nightly prayer and then I passed out. Got up the next
day, went to Seminary and was pretty good from then on.

Moral of the Story: Keep on working.
Side effects may include exhaustion, stress, Satisfaction, good
sleep, interesting sentences, and increased yawning.

Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the week.

Well.... I guess since it`s Mother`s Day this next Sunday, and I
won`t be emailing next week because of phone calls, I`ll write a
little something about Mother`s Day.

One of the most famous scriptures in the Book of Mormon is when the
Stripling Warriors all said in unison: "We do not doubt our Mothers
knew it."

Well, I can say this "I do not douby My Mother knows it!"

For me the two people that have had the most influence upon me
throughout my life have been my Mother and My Father. I have always
known my Mother loved me and I`ve always known that she only wants the
best for me. The same with my Father. I love both of them dearly, and
my Father played a huge role to me as an example but it was Mother who
was always there to comfort me, to lecture me and assist me.

I remember the countless times when Mother would sit me down and give
me a lecture, I would sit quietly and nod my head in confirmation. Yes
Mother, those words went in one ear and out the other, but many of
them did stick, if not at that time then sometime after. And even more
than that as I now sit here o How I wish I would have actually
listened to Mother`s counsel!

I love my Mother! I was never afraid to say that. Lol, She`s the best
Mother I could have ever asked for, and yes I like to brag about her.

What I`m trying to say, is that you Mothers have a big influence on
your children, and when you love them we know it, and we feel it. I`m
pretty sure that there are many people who when grown old look back
and ask themselves "Why didn`t I listen to Mother more?"

For one example, I remember sitting in my basement, on my laptop like
usual when mother walked down the stairs and looked at me saying:

Mother:"What are you doing?"
Me:"Ummmm... I`m on my Laptop like always"
Mother:"No, What ARE you doing? You aren`t reading your scriptures,
you aren`t praying, What are you doing to prepare for your
mission?"(Mother`s know everything)
Me: "...."
Mother: "You always do this. You do nothing, you don`t prepare and
you procrastinate it. Then later you regret, you always do."
Me: "....."

She then walked up the stairs, probably annoyed at my silence and
thinking that I hadn`t even listened to her. But that was when I
thought, and agreed with her. I wasn`t doing anything. From that
moment on I started to change. I read my scriputres, which then lead
me to pray, which then lead me to leave on my mission. Which puts me
where I am at now, along with a hundred other bits of advise that she
has given me since then.

I love my Mother dearly, and wish her and all the other mother`s
Happy Mother`s Day. You are all beloved Mothers.

I share this simply, in Christ`s name. Amen.

Love,

Elder Randall KK Tateishi