Well my son has lost a month so it seems....but so have I. Time really flys when you are having fun apparently. I'm glad to see that he is keeping busy enough to not think about time.
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, Friends, and everyone else.
Well. Tomorrow is Febuary. Which makes me wonder where January went. If that makes sense to anyone. It Doesn`t really make sense to me.
This week has been a pretty good week. Nothing special happened at all really. Just the regular out and Dendoing. Tuesday through Sunday. Walking around out in the cold, searching for people to teach, visiting less active members and riding our bikes up and down the streets. Most of my greatest experiences though this week have been in the apartment, studying the scriptures and refocusing on building my faith and strengthing myself.
Let`s see.... Tuesday we had Eikaiwa, which went splendidly. Had a new girl show up, speaks pretty good english and we had lots of fun. I gave a Good News message at the end of Eikaiwa(English Class) like usual. It ended up being about how faith gives us hope for a better world (Ether 12:4) and used the old saying "Look for the silver lining." It was an amazing Good news according to everyone else. The funny part was, that the new girl felt the spirit as I spoke, but did not understand what I was saying because I had slipped into English. After class she came up to me and was trying to find out what I had said, but by that time I had forgotton the exact words, or what specifically she wanted me to repeat. She was explaining herself and said that she was really impressed, and felt that what I had been saying was really good. But of course I hit myself on the forehead and was like "DOH! Shouldn`t have spoken in English or so fast."
Other than that, on Sunday we spent almost the whole day at church. Taught a 75 year old lady and all that. Was actually loads of fun, even if she did talk a lot. I got a letter from Nakanishi, he`s the same old same old, nothing much has changed at all. Still love him to death.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the week!
"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom..." (2 Nephi 28:30)
Our father in heaven has sent us to this earth to learn, to grow and gain expierence. For those Parents out there I give unto you a Parable, you might call it, an example.
Everyone fears the "terrible twos." The time when Toddlers begin to try to be independant. When they are stubborn and want to do things all on their own, they get upset and frustrated when they can`t do it, but they get even madder when you step in and try to help them. Let me also pull out what I call the "terrible teens" when we, yes I am included, are grown up and decide not to listen to our parents for various reasons. Sometimes we just think that our parents are being restrictive, or that we just plain think that we know better because our Parents our ancient and outdated from the time of the dinosaurs (No offense meant to those of older generations, Love you all!).
Well, if all goes well, usually that "know it all" Teenager ends up realizing how much of an idiot he really is and starts listening to his parents, who have experienced a lot more things than we ever have and know a lot more than we know. So where am I going with this. GOD IS THE SAME WAY!! I would have to say that each of us has a little bit of that rebellious teenager in them. Sometimes we do it unconsciously, sometimes consciously, but we always do ignore a little bit of what our Father in Heaven has told us. You see, our Father in Heaven has experienced exactly what we have experienced. He knows what`s good, what`s right, and what will keep us from falling into too many ditches.
All of us are as little children, as teenagers, we do not know exactly where we need to go, and we are far from perfect, many times we just want to go our own way, go solo you might say. But if we do we`ll just keep falling into more and more ditches. But as we listen to our Father in Heaven, he will guide, step by step, and he will teach us line upon line, here a little and there a little. If we are receptive, he`ll teach us more, if we aren`t he`ll let us go, because he knows that we have our agency to choose. He`s not going to stop us from making the wrong choices, but he does warn us of the consequences and gives us stern lectures when we do the wrong things.
So, first I say to you teenagers and young`ns, Me included. Listen to your parents, your leaders, your elders. They are probably a lot smarter and wiser than you! Second, to everyone, including you parents and grandparents, listen to YOUR Father, your God, He is infinitely smarter and wiser than you and knows exactly what`s right for you.
I love you all, and I say unto all of you that God loves you more than I do. I echo the words of God: "Look unto me in every thought, Doubt not, Fear not!" He is my anchor and my guide. I`ll be honest and tell you I am far from the most perfect person on this planet, but I`m taking it step by step up the stairway to heaven. Believe these things, and know that I know these things. In Christ`s name. Amen.
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Joy, Joy....and more Joy
I am so happy and so is Randy....he is really feeling the joy of being a Missionary and I am feeling the joy of being a mother. Life is so good and I feel so blessed with family and friends. What a great feeling it is to know that God loves you (and me)and God wants us to be happy so.....I am!
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
I don`t know why, but right now I`m just so happy. Nothing really special has happened this week but I`m just happy. I`m happy I am where I am, I`m happy I`m a missionary, I`m happy because of my Family, I`m happy because of my Companion, I`m happy because one of my previous investigators in Sennan (Sora) was baptized last week, I`m happy because I KNOW the Lord loves me. "But by the grace of God, I am what I am!"
Tuesday we got Transfer calls. Elder Hale transfered to Miki, and my new companion is Elder Uehara, the oldest missionary I`ve ever had, he`s on his second to last transfer. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent getting things packed and ready for Elder Hale to Transfer. Thursday me and Elder Uehara came back to the Apartment and cleaned up a little bit, got his stuff unpacked and all ready and then planned for the week and the transfer. Friday and Saturday we went out and Dendoed around by the Eki. I`m learning a lot from Elder Uehara, especially about how to be more bold in talking to people.
Sunday we had Ward Conference. The stake president came and a lot of other people as well. It was almost the exact same, except the Bishop told everyone the Ward goals for the year. Including 8 baptisms by the end of the year. Although the ward mission leader is a little bit more bold and wants 1 baptism every month. Looks like I`m going to have to step it up a bit and getting things rolling. After church we wandered around half of our are trying to find new areas to Dendo, but we had no luck with that.
We also got news recently that Elder Cook of the Twelve will be coming at the beginning of next month and we`ll be having a mission wide conference. I`m excited for that one.
So my new companion. Elder Uehara, he is from Hokkaido, the southern part of the big island of Northern Japan. He`s 26 years old and will be 27 soon after he gets off his mission. He is a convert, baptized when he was 22 and a Graduate from College, oddly enough his major is Computer Science, although he hates programming. He`s fun and I love working with him, he`s an excellent worker and basically just amazing. We get along just fine.
Elder Tateishi`s Message of the Week
I remember towards the beginning of my mission I sent an email to someone about miracles. About what the greatest miracle is. I hold to that same idea today. That the greatest miracle is: "Life."
As I said at the beginning I`m happy right now. I`m happy because of my Life. Of the experiences I`ve had, of what I`ve learned of where I am. What a miracle my life has been, from the very outset to now. To have been born to two loving parent`s who raised me in the Gospel, to have been able to overcome difficulties and challenges throughout my life. What a miracle it is that I am what I am today. I repeat again, "By the Grace of God, I am what I am!"
I am a human being, filled with weaknesses. I am frail, a lump of coal. I want to call to mind a famous short video clip within the Church, "Jonny Lingo." Simply the story takes place in Hawaii, were a very ugly girl named Mohana lives. She can`t get married, because no one wants her, and as the weddings went in that time she could have been bought for 1 very sick cow. But along came a rich man, Jonny Lingo, a merchant, who loved Mohana very much, so he bought her for 10 cows, an outragoues price, for most wives were bought only for 4 or 5 at most. Yet he bought her for 10 cows! And when he did, over time she became even more beautiful than anyone thought possible, her father was even angry at Jonny Lingo, saying she was worth at least 12 cows!
Now where am I going with this? It`s a funny movie for any who have seen it, but I`m going to compare it to the Grace of God. Each and everyone of us is a Mohana. In comparison to the glory of God we are just downright ugly. We have no worth, we are filthy. We are weak, we are human. God is like Jonny Lingo, and he sees each and everyone of us, he loves each of us despite our weaknesses, our frailities, our imperfections. So he bought us, and the price he paid was his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Our freedom has been bought, and through that price we too can obtain beauty and worth, obtain perfection.
I repeat again, "By the Grace of God, I am what I am!" I repeat again, "I knoweth that God Loveth his Children, Nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things." This is the greatest miracle, Life, Eternal Life. A gift given unto us by God, or father in heaven who loves us so dearly that he was willing to pay the greatest sacrifce.
I love you all, and I pray for you all. Take care, and remember, remember the Love of God. Wherever, whenever, whoever. God Loves you. Of this I bear witness in the name of Christ, Amen.
Your Son, Brother, Friend
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
I don`t know why, but right now I`m just so happy. Nothing really special has happened this week but I`m just happy. I`m happy I am where I am, I`m happy I`m a missionary, I`m happy because of my Family, I`m happy because of my Companion, I`m happy because one of my previous investigators in Sennan (Sora) was baptized last week, I`m happy because I KNOW the Lord loves me. "But by the grace of God, I am what I am!"
Tuesday we got Transfer calls. Elder Hale transfered to Miki, and my new companion is Elder Uehara, the oldest missionary I`ve ever had, he`s on his second to last transfer. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent getting things packed and ready for Elder Hale to Transfer. Thursday me and Elder Uehara came back to the Apartment and cleaned up a little bit, got his stuff unpacked and all ready and then planned for the week and the transfer. Friday and Saturday we went out and Dendoed around by the Eki. I`m learning a lot from Elder Uehara, especially about how to be more bold in talking to people.
Sunday we had Ward Conference. The stake president came and a lot of other people as well. It was almost the exact same, except the Bishop told everyone the Ward goals for the year. Including 8 baptisms by the end of the year. Although the ward mission leader is a little bit more bold and wants 1 baptism every month. Looks like I`m going to have to step it up a bit and getting things rolling. After church we wandered around half of our are trying to find new areas to Dendo, but we had no luck with that.
We also got news recently that Elder Cook of the Twelve will be coming at the beginning of next month and we`ll be having a mission wide conference. I`m excited for that one.
So my new companion. Elder Uehara, he is from Hokkaido, the southern part of the big island of Northern Japan. He`s 26 years old and will be 27 soon after he gets off his mission. He is a convert, baptized when he was 22 and a Graduate from College, oddly enough his major is Computer Science, although he hates programming. He`s fun and I love working with him, he`s an excellent worker and basically just amazing. We get along just fine.
Elder Tateishi`s Message of the Week
I remember towards the beginning of my mission I sent an email to someone about miracles. About what the greatest miracle is. I hold to that same idea today. That the greatest miracle is: "Life."
As I said at the beginning I`m happy right now. I`m happy because of my Life. Of the experiences I`ve had, of what I`ve learned of where I am. What a miracle my life has been, from the very outset to now. To have been born to two loving parent`s who raised me in the Gospel, to have been able to overcome difficulties and challenges throughout my life. What a miracle it is that I am what I am today. I repeat again, "By the Grace of God, I am what I am!"
I am a human being, filled with weaknesses. I am frail, a lump of coal. I want to call to mind a famous short video clip within the Church, "Jonny Lingo." Simply the story takes place in Hawaii, were a very ugly girl named Mohana lives. She can`t get married, because no one wants her, and as the weddings went in that time she could have been bought for 1 very sick cow. But along came a rich man, Jonny Lingo, a merchant, who loved Mohana very much, so he bought her for 10 cows, an outragoues price, for most wives were bought only for 4 or 5 at most. Yet he bought her for 10 cows! And when he did, over time she became even more beautiful than anyone thought possible, her father was even angry at Jonny Lingo, saying she was worth at least 12 cows!
Now where am I going with this? It`s a funny movie for any who have seen it, but I`m going to compare it to the Grace of God. Each and everyone of us is a Mohana. In comparison to the glory of God we are just downright ugly. We have no worth, we are filthy. We are weak, we are human. God is like Jonny Lingo, and he sees each and everyone of us, he loves each of us despite our weaknesses, our frailities, our imperfections. So he bought us, and the price he paid was his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Our freedom has been bought, and through that price we too can obtain beauty and worth, obtain perfection.
I repeat again, "By the Grace of God, I am what I am!" I repeat again, "I knoweth that God Loveth his Children, Nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things." This is the greatest miracle, Life, Eternal Life. A gift given unto us by God, or father in heaven who loves us so dearly that he was willing to pay the greatest sacrifce.
I love you all, and I pray for you all. Take care, and remember, remember the Love of God. Wherever, whenever, whoever. God Loves you. Of this I bear witness in the name of Christ, Amen.
Your Son, Brother, Friend
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bloody Nose and all.....
Oh Randy, you crack me up. You are my sunshine and I love it! We are now officially on the downhill portion of the mission. Less than 1 year and he will be home getting ready to start his new life as a return missionary (hopefully at BYU). I so enjoy his letters and all the experiences he has had. It has made him truly a better person.
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, and Family
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!
We had a Baptism this week! Osawa, Junji, was Baptized on January 12, 2011, and confirmed on January 16, 2011. I was so excited to see that man baptized and confirmed. He is a wonderful man, with a beautiful spirit. Although I didn`t do much of the teaching or finding with him I was happy to participate in his Baptism. He truly was ready to be baptized, and the ward welcomed him with open hearts and open arms. You see, he quit his job to take care of his dying mother, and spends most of his days by her side taking care of her and helping her. He has one of the biggest hearts I know, always wanting to make sure that we are ok and loves to talk with the Missionaries.
That was basically my week. Tuesday we just did some regular Dendo, Wednesday we had the baptism. Thursday I went over to Himeji with Elder Burhoe for a companionship exchange. I actually ended up breaking Elder Akina`s bike. His chain guide was bent badly and when I down shifted because we were going up a hill the whole chain guide hit the spokes and snapped off. It was an hour and a half walk back to the apartment, and that ended the night. X.x. Luckily Elder Akina is going into his last transfer, so he`s just borrowing a bike from the Honbu for the next month and a half and so he wasn`t mad at me.
Friday we had district meeting in Kakogawa, got together and had a great time. Went to an Curry restuarant with endless `Nan` which is this nice soft bread that you eat with your Curry. It was delicious and I ate a LOT. Saturday me and Elder Hale went to Akashi for a YSA activity, ended up playing Monopoly and then went and played Basketball. Yes, I played basketball and I had fun doing it to. Reason number A) People weren`t all that competitive, B) I didn`t completely suck, and C) The reason WHY I didn`t suck was because everyone was the same height, if not smaller than me. xD.
Sunday we had the confirmation of Osawa, which went well. He was so excited and was telling us after church that he could really feel the Spirit. We also taught a lesson to a Less-active and her non-member daughter, an Italian woman named Rosario. She mainly speaks Spainish. Yea, very strange story. But as I was saying the closing prayer I got a bloody nose, pretty bad, and I ran into the Men`s bathroom to get some paper towels and stuff. The next thing I know, Rosario is right there behind me, yanking my head back and telling me to do all these different things. Than she starts massaging the back of my head. The whole time my companion is laughing his head off. Luckily, it was over quickly and I didn`t get blood on my clothes, just my nametag. Somehow it missed the suit and just got the nametag.
So that was my week. Another exciting week, filled with adventure, this week will be just as adventuresome. Since we have transfer calls tomorrow and then transfers are on thursday. So I might be in a new area before next week, and I`m pretty sure I`ll at least have a new companion next week to.
Elder Tateishi`s Message of the Week
So This message will be a quick one this week. Nothing special at all, or big at all. I will simply quote 1 Cor. 15:8-11
"And last of all he[Christ] was seen of me[Paul] also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed."
We can all obtain a witness of Christ, even though we did not see his ministry or ressurrection with our own eyes. Many of us are the least of all people, weak and imperfect. We have all sinned against God, have made mistakes in our imperfect state. But for those of us who seek forgiveness, it is by the grace of God that we are who we are today. It is up to us to make sure that it was given in vain or useless, and so we labor, more dilligently, understanding that through the Grace of God that we have obtained our forgiveness. So we preach, and we teach, and it matters not in the end who is the one that actually gathers the most, it is all simply how hard we worked to do it.
I am indeed the least of Missionaries, far from perfect, not having been the best person before I left. But I work hard now to do my best, I strive to preach, I strive to teach, and in the end it doesn`t matter wether I am the one that baptizes or sees success, so long as success comes from my efforts, so long as I push the work even just a little bit further.
Take care one and all. Live well, and do your best. That is all anyone can ever ask for.
Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A day in the life of a Missionary.....
So, I won't comment too much this week. I was away in Seattle when Randy emailed and he got some great news from his older brother Bobby and his wife Amy...they are expecting their first child and Randy is very excited and so is the rest of the family. We are reaching, or have reached the half way mark of Randy's mission. He reported to the MTC on January 13, 2010 and today is January 12, 2010....Wow does time fly....before we know it he will be home and ready to start his college life possibly at BYU....
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Family
O How beautiful is the World! How Wonderful is my God! How great are the blessings that I have recieved! What rapture fills my heart, what Joy encompasses my soul!
My week has been fantastic, despite the fact that nothing really interesting happened to me. What really has me jumping for joy are all the emails I recieved today from home. Lol, It raises my spirits so much to see my family blessed at home, and my dearest friends. Cheryl, if you read this, I love you!
This week, wasn`t anything all that special actually, Tuesday was filled with knocking on doors with little results, Wednesday we went to Kobe and had interviews with the Mission President. That was very nice, and I felt so great after interviews and District Meeting. We then ate at a Buffet, called "The World Buffet" which had pizza, pasta, and then just a lot of Chinese and Japanese Foods. Not quite a "World" Buffet, but it was delicious. Japanese Pizza`s are wierd, they put corn and mayonaise and other random toppings on them.
Thursday was Thursday. Friday we tried goign to a different place to Dendo, and had a little bit of fun out there. Saturday we had quite a few lessons, met with some less actives and taught our good friend Bruce(Aoki). And we also went to the beach to check out and see if anyone was there. No one was, but it was a beautiful Sunset. By the way, I LOVE the new camera, takes awesome pictures. I forgot to bring my SD cardreader today, but I`ll send pictures next week.
Thanks Mom for the Wallet and the tie, Love it!
Sunday we had church, which was pretty good. I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting. By the way, if you think it`s scary giving a talk in English, try doing it in Japanese! Trying to find the right words and all that, and trying to read the scriptures while on the stand. If there is one thing I`ve learned on my mission, one of the major ones is what it`s like to be illiterate and stumble over words while reading. Man it`s hard.
This morning we did some deep cleaning in the apartment, man this place is dirty X.x. I cleaned out the closet and threw away a whole bunch of junk that other missionaries had left behind. Cleaned all the grime off the stove and cleaned the Kitchen sink again. I haven`t started getting to work on the bathroom and shower stuff yet. That`ll probably be next week.
So next week the 20th is Transfer day already, and today is my 1 year mark as a Missionary.... O.O, wow, that was fast.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
Well, as I just said, I`m a year old missionary. Or at least, a year ago was the day that I got set apart as a Missionary, 3 more days and it`ll be my year mark from when I reported to the MTC. From here on out, it`s all down hill. The days will count down and not up. It is indeed a bitter sweet time. Many times I think of what I`ll do when I get home, where life is going to take me, Where I`ll go and what I`ll do. It`ll be strange going home, going back to the regular world, leaving a life and a world that I have come to love. Leaving behind people that I have loved, that I have taught, that I have helped. That will be a sad day.
What I wish to talk about today, is what I`m doing here. Many of you, those members that read this, probably already know, but there are some that read this that do not know, or only have a vague idea of what it`s like.
I`m a missionary. My day consists of waking at 6:30 am, preparing, studying, and then leaving my apartment by 10:30. From there I spend my day wandering streets, teaching lessons, Talking with people, knocking on doors, and serving those around me. By 9:00 PM I`m back in the apartment, planning and preparing for the next day. By 10:30 I`m in bed, saying my nightly prayers and saying good night to my companion.
Everyday, when I leave the Apartment have a goal set, a simple goal. That goal is to spread the Gospel to as many people as will hear me. And I really want to focus on that one word: "Gospel." In Japanese it is Fukuin, 福音, or "The Blessed Sound." Or as many may know the meaning of Gospel, "The Good News." As a Missionary I have been called to "Raise a voice of good tidings and Great Joy." My duty is to share my heart, to give freely to those who will accept, something that has brought true joy and happiness into my life. To teach of Christ, my savior and my Redeemer, the one who knows me and guides, who is the very reason for all I am.
Simply the Gospel is this: Believe in Christ and Follow him. Christ, as our Saviour, is the one being that has the power to cleanse us from sin, to purify us and make us worthy to return to our Father in Heaven, and live in Never-Ending Happiness. He has provided the way, by which our families can become eternal, where the ones we love in this life will continue with us into the next. He has been given power over death, by which all men may be resurrected unto perfection, by which all men might obtain a perfect body, free from pain and free from suffering and handicap.
These things, the ordinances and authority by which we can obtain these things, eternal families and eternal life, and the truths of the gospel, God`s great plan of Salvation and other truths were once lost. But I go forth and boldy proclaim that they are here again in this Church. That a young boy named Joseph Smith saw God the Father, and Jesus Christ, was commissioned by them to restore the True Church of God, and to bring back the Priesthood. That this day, and this time we have a living prophet, who is called of God to guide this Church.
I teach people how to know for themselves the truthfullness of what I teach. I show them the way to the Living Waters, to the gates of Eternal Life. I teach people who have never prayed in their life how to commune with God, I tell them to ask for themselves whether I speak the truth or not. I give them the Book of Mormon, a book containing many of the truths of God, a book through which we can learn of our Father in Heaven and be able to feel his love. I take them to church, to see one of the most simplest ordinances performed in the church, the Sacrament, I tell them of Baptism, the way by which they can recieve a remission of their sins. I tell them the commandments of God and show them how they can be cleansed from sin and obtain true happiness in this life, and a pure hope of eternal life in the next.
That is what I do as a missionary. I talk to people and tell them the truths that I hold. I share with them the love that I have felt from God and desire for them to have that same peace and happiness. I love my duty, my responsibility. I do wish I were better at it. I wish more people would open their hearts to what I have to say, would listen to the words of God. But I am simply a messenger, trying to tell all the way to God. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can`t make him drink.
With all my heart I invite everyone to try this. Dip your ladle into the Living Waters, and take a sip. Say a prayer to God, and ask him yourselves, open the book of Mormon and read a page, Go to Church and see us worship our God in Heaven. I know it`s true, and I can promise you that if you try these things, and truly seek to know for yourselves, you can.
I love you all, and I wish only for the best for all people. I bear testimony, that this work is true, that This is truly God`s Church. I know that Joseph Smith restored this Church, that Thomas S. Monson is the current Prophet of God. I know Christ is my savior, my redeemer and that he loves me and each and everyone of you. I write these things, in his Name, Jesus Christ. Amen
WIth much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Friends and Family
O How beautiful is the World! How Wonderful is my God! How great are the blessings that I have recieved! What rapture fills my heart, what Joy encompasses my soul!
My week has been fantastic, despite the fact that nothing really interesting happened to me. What really has me jumping for joy are all the emails I recieved today from home. Lol, It raises my spirits so much to see my family blessed at home, and my dearest friends. Cheryl, if you read this, I love you!
This week, wasn`t anything all that special actually, Tuesday was filled with knocking on doors with little results, Wednesday we went to Kobe and had interviews with the Mission President. That was very nice, and I felt so great after interviews and District Meeting. We then ate at a Buffet, called "The World Buffet" which had pizza, pasta, and then just a lot of Chinese and Japanese Foods. Not quite a "World" Buffet, but it was delicious. Japanese Pizza`s are wierd, they put corn and mayonaise and other random toppings on them.
Thursday was Thursday. Friday we tried goign to a different place to Dendo, and had a little bit of fun out there. Saturday we had quite a few lessons, met with some less actives and taught our good friend Bruce(Aoki). And we also went to the beach to check out and see if anyone was there. No one was, but it was a beautiful Sunset. By the way, I LOVE the new camera, takes awesome pictures. I forgot to bring my SD cardreader today, but I`ll send pictures next week.
Thanks Mom for the Wallet and the tie, Love it!
Sunday we had church, which was pretty good. I had to give a talk in Sacrament meeting. By the way, if you think it`s scary giving a talk in English, try doing it in Japanese! Trying to find the right words and all that, and trying to read the scriptures while on the stand. If there is one thing I`ve learned on my mission, one of the major ones is what it`s like to be illiterate and stumble over words while reading. Man it`s hard.
This morning we did some deep cleaning in the apartment, man this place is dirty X.x. I cleaned out the closet and threw away a whole bunch of junk that other missionaries had left behind. Cleaned all the grime off the stove and cleaned the Kitchen sink again. I haven`t started getting to work on the bathroom and shower stuff yet. That`ll probably be next week.
So next week the 20th is Transfer day already, and today is my 1 year mark as a Missionary.... O.O, wow, that was fast.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
Well, as I just said, I`m a year old missionary. Or at least, a year ago was the day that I got set apart as a Missionary, 3 more days and it`ll be my year mark from when I reported to the MTC. From here on out, it`s all down hill. The days will count down and not up. It is indeed a bitter sweet time. Many times I think of what I`ll do when I get home, where life is going to take me, Where I`ll go and what I`ll do. It`ll be strange going home, going back to the regular world, leaving a life and a world that I have come to love. Leaving behind people that I have loved, that I have taught, that I have helped. That will be a sad day.
What I wish to talk about today, is what I`m doing here. Many of you, those members that read this, probably already know, but there are some that read this that do not know, or only have a vague idea of what it`s like.
I`m a missionary. My day consists of waking at 6:30 am, preparing, studying, and then leaving my apartment by 10:30. From there I spend my day wandering streets, teaching lessons, Talking with people, knocking on doors, and serving those around me. By 9:00 PM I`m back in the apartment, planning and preparing for the next day. By 10:30 I`m in bed, saying my nightly prayers and saying good night to my companion.
Everyday, when I leave the Apartment have a goal set, a simple goal. That goal is to spread the Gospel to as many people as will hear me. And I really want to focus on that one word: "Gospel." In Japanese it is Fukuin, 福音, or "The Blessed Sound." Or as many may know the meaning of Gospel, "The Good News." As a Missionary I have been called to "Raise a voice of good tidings and Great Joy." My duty is to share my heart, to give freely to those who will accept, something that has brought true joy and happiness into my life. To teach of Christ, my savior and my Redeemer, the one who knows me and guides, who is the very reason for all I am.
Simply the Gospel is this: Believe in Christ and Follow him. Christ, as our Saviour, is the one being that has the power to cleanse us from sin, to purify us and make us worthy to return to our Father in Heaven, and live in Never-Ending Happiness. He has provided the way, by which our families can become eternal, where the ones we love in this life will continue with us into the next. He has been given power over death, by which all men may be resurrected unto perfection, by which all men might obtain a perfect body, free from pain and free from suffering and handicap.
These things, the ordinances and authority by which we can obtain these things, eternal families and eternal life, and the truths of the gospel, God`s great plan of Salvation and other truths were once lost. But I go forth and boldy proclaim that they are here again in this Church. That a young boy named Joseph Smith saw God the Father, and Jesus Christ, was commissioned by them to restore the True Church of God, and to bring back the Priesthood. That this day, and this time we have a living prophet, who is called of God to guide this Church.
I teach people how to know for themselves the truthfullness of what I teach. I show them the way to the Living Waters, to the gates of Eternal Life. I teach people who have never prayed in their life how to commune with God, I tell them to ask for themselves whether I speak the truth or not. I give them the Book of Mormon, a book containing many of the truths of God, a book through which we can learn of our Father in Heaven and be able to feel his love. I take them to church, to see one of the most simplest ordinances performed in the church, the Sacrament, I tell them of Baptism, the way by which they can recieve a remission of their sins. I tell them the commandments of God and show them how they can be cleansed from sin and obtain true happiness in this life, and a pure hope of eternal life in the next.
That is what I do as a missionary. I talk to people and tell them the truths that I hold. I share with them the love that I have felt from God and desire for them to have that same peace and happiness. I love my duty, my responsibility. I do wish I were better at it. I wish more people would open their hearts to what I have to say, would listen to the words of God. But I am simply a messenger, trying to tell all the way to God. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can`t make him drink.
With all my heart I invite everyone to try this. Dip your ladle into the Living Waters, and take a sip. Say a prayer to God, and ask him yourselves, open the book of Mormon and read a page, Go to Church and see us worship our God in Heaven. I know it`s true, and I can promise you that if you try these things, and truly seek to know for yourselves, you can.
I love you all, and I wish only for the best for all people. I bear testimony, that this work is true, that This is truly God`s Church. I know that Joseph Smith restored this Church, that Thomas S. Monson is the current Prophet of God. I know Christ is my savior, my redeemer and that he loves me and each and everyone of you. I write these things, in his Name, Jesus Christ. Amen
WIth much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, January 3, 2011
Growth...
It is hard to comprehend the amount of growth that Randy has had during his first year of his mission. He really has grown up to be a fine man. (wow, kind of scary calling him a man)....he is and always be my baby....He has agonized and wondered and tried to change and make himself a better person and needless to say it has worked. When he sets his mind on doing something he completes it. Now this is not to say he doesn't have to work on himself anymore, it just means he has the confidence to accept change and to work on things to make a better life for himself. I am so proud of my young son. I'm proud of his growth. I'm proud to be his mother....but most of all I'm proud that he has made decisions that have led him to be the greatest person that he could be.....
Re: Happy New Year!
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! (And happy Birthday Dad!)
The irony of it all. Mum sent me a package almost 3 WEEKS ago and I still haven`t gotten it. Yes it`s ironic because at the Christmas Conference for the mission they had me read a story about a missionary in Austrualia who didn`t get his package from his family for Christmas. Guess since it was getting shipped over Christmas it just got delayed.
Anyway, it`s been 2 weeks since I`ve written an email and this is the first email of the year!!! Exciting isn`t it.
Let`s see what happened in the past few weeks. We`ve been knocking on a lot of doors, all around the place, having fun talking with plenty of different people. I can`t remember much before Christmas though X.x.
Christmas eve rolled around and we all went to Himeji and had a little party there and went carolling. Hung out with my district, opened presents and just had fun in general. Than came back and wrote some letters, which I fail at writing. Got Gypsy`s letter sent off, wrote Whitney, and now on my list is George, Ian, Grandma Sadie and Whitney again. I think I`m forgetting people though.
Then the Sunday after Christmas we had a random investigator show up at church. That was awesome. We had actually planned to meet him after church, but he ended up coming halfway through sacrament meeting to tell us he couldn`t make the appointment. So I just invited him in and he came. It was awesome.
Monday rolled around again, and it was very strange because it wasn`t a P-day. I can`t even remember what we did that day, knocked on many doors. Tuesday was much of the same, and wednesday we visited the Bishop`s house and ate dinner with him. Thursday we met with a guy named Bruce, well his real name is Aoki, but he picked up the name Bruce when he went to Austraulia for a while from his friends. Showed him the Restoration video and asked him if anyone else might be interested in listening to our message. He then referred his wife, which we were planning to ask about specifically afterwards.
Friday we met with a Less active and taught him the plan of Salvation again, that was lots of fun. Then we just planned for the next week for the rest of the day, then at night we wandered around by the Train Station(eki) it was literally like a Ghost Town. There was no one in sight. But that`s Japanese New Year`s, everyone at home partying.
Saturday we had a big Missionary Sports Taikai(can`t think of the english word) I played some volleyball, got smashed in the face by a spike and knocked over (It`s always my face). Then watched the first movie I`ve seen for almost a year, Kung Fu Panda, in Japanese, with English subtitles. Was hilarious. Then played Dodgeball and just generally had fun hanging out with everyone. ALL of my old companions were there, Mclaws, Escalante, Mizuguchi, Shinozaki, Camacho, and Cannon. It was actually pretty good seeing all of them again.
Sunday was fast sunday, we planned for the baptism we`re going to have next week. I recieved an assignment to give a talk next week Sunday on Following the Lord. That`ll probably be next weeks message. You know me, procrastinating and all, probably won`t write it till Sunday morning. xD. JK. Sunday day we did some more housing, not all that bad, didn`t get yelled at at least. Everyone was just busy and had guests over because of the New years. Then at night we visited a members house and had fun with them.
Then this morning we got up at 5 AM, and went with all the youth and some of the other members to go on the yearly hike up a nearby Mountain. I don`t know the name of it. We started the hike at about 6:30, and we were at the top by just after 7. We took the fast route with most of the youth, it was very steep and rocky. But we made it to the top in time to see the sun rise. It was a beautiful sight, looking out over Kakogawa. I could see to Akashi bridge and even beyond that to Sennan. Which was slightly funny because I remember looking out from the porch in our Apartment in Sennan and seeing that Mountain, Never thought I`d actually climb it.
Then we came back and ate breakfast with the Youth before we came home and cleaned the apartment, and now I`m here. writing emails. Surprisingly, I only have 1 email I have to write this week. O well.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week! 2011, Issue #1
One week from now and I will have been a missionary for an entire year. 10 days from now and It`ll have been 1 year since I last saw Mom and Dad when they kicked me out of the car in front of the MTC almost 4 hours early and ran off to go help Mike and Jessica move into their house in California. Too think, that at this time an entire year ago, I was sitting at home, in St. George, like a sack of potatoes, probably unshaven and unkempt. You`re stereotypical jobless man living in his Parent`s Basement. Lol, funny image.
Now I`m over 5000 miles away from home, in a cold apartment, speaking an entirely different language, reading characters that are so foreign that I can`t use the term "It`s as hard as reading Japanese" anymore. I`m out and about all day everyday, riding bikes, wandering streets, trying not to overstuff myself at members houses, and listening to old men talk in a language that is supposed to be the one that I`m speaking but sounds more like Chinese too me. I`m fit, I can cook, I can speak Japanese, I can preach the gospel, and I can testify of it`s truthfullness. In 1 Year I`ve changed a lot.
This last year has been a growing year for me. One year ago I had one single goal. It was probably the simplest goal I`ve ever made. "Change." I entered into the MTC with a single thought, a single purpose and I believe I overdid it a little bit, But that purpose was to lose myself. To get rid of the old me. I would probably have never admitted it before but I didn`t like who I was before. There were many parts that I saw in myself that just horrified me. So I went to throw it ALL out. Now that wasn`t a perfect goal, because it did end up bringing a load of trouble down the road. I`ve come to decide that the main reason why I had such a horrible time my 3rd and 4th transfer was because I wasn`t being MYSELF.
Most of you will probably remember that. Lol, I certainly do. Those were the hardest times of my mission, when I always felt that I was being abandoned, as if God was just knocking me down everytime I tried to get back up. Of course that wasn`t true at all. It was me that was kicking myself down all the time. I was always thinking that everything I did was wrong, My companions were always right, and then when I felt angry, mad, or annoyed, I just beat myself up even more saying, "I shouldn`t feel this way at all!" I would say I lost myself a bit too much over those two transfers.
Then I got put with Elder Camacho, and he taught me to just be myself again. Something I should have remembered from Elder Escalante. I found out that just as important as serving the Lord, is being YOU while you do it. Each of us, was born a child of God, given attributes, talents and abilities. He`s asked us to use them, to use them for righteousness and bring about good in this world. To some is given the ability to Sing, to play an instrument, to create masterful pieces of Art, to others is given Athletics or Smarts, to some is given a gentle smile, a warm welcome, or just a friendly attitude. Whatever it is, we all have our talents and abilities.
In the New Testament, Christ gives us the parable of the Pounds. Where a Lord gave unto one servant 10 ounds, another 5, and another 1. The Lord then left into a far land and when he returned he asked what his servants had done with their Pounds. Two of them had doubled what they were given, but the third, the servant with only 1 pound had made nothing, had hid it in the ground fearing that he would lose it. When the Lord heard this he took away that single pound and gave it to the one that had 10 pounds saying "That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." I would add also to that quote, "That unto every one which hath AND USETH shall be given: and from him that hath not AND DOETH NOT, even that he hath shall be taken away from him."
When we seek to hide what he have, whether it is because we are embarassed, or afraid, we will use it. It`s simple, when you don`t practice playing the piano, you`ll forget it, when you don`t practice throwing a football, you`ll lose it, when you don`t continue to study Math, You`ll forget it. But when you use it, when you strive to improve yourself you`ll grow, you`ll get better, and you`ll get stronger. As we grow and as we strive to improve, if we try to use our talents to serve the Lord he will amplifiy and edify our talents and abilities. I have a talent of learning, God has amplified that talent with me learning Japanese, he has added onto the things that I have strived to gain, he has helped me to learn one of the most difficult languages in the world. I could not have done it without his help. When I really started to grow with my Japanese was when I had to use it, when I tried to take those steps forward despite my fear of messing up.
I have another talent, a gift given from God, the ability to teach the Gospel. One that admitedly I`ve been slacking on. I was always afraid, that I`d mess up, always afraid I`d say the wrong thing, but as I`ve stepped up, taken the lead as a Senior Companion and have been teaching the Gospel to these people I`ve noticed that I CAN do it. I stepped past my fears of making mistakes and found that I`m a lot better than I thought I was.
So what do I say, DON`T BE AFRAID!! Be yourself, and give that self to the Lord. He will take what you give him and mold into something that you could never become on your own. The master artist, the master sculptor will take you and correct the flaws within you. He will guide you to improve your talents, to grow and become stronger. His loving hands will mold you into perfection while still allowing you to be you. Do not be afraid that coming unto him will make you someone you don`t want to be, he will never do that. We are the wood and he is the master carpenter, following the grains of the wood to make a wonderful piece of art. We are the stone and he is the sculptor, we already have shape and he simply brings out what he knows we can become.
I Know that I am who I am today because of God. Because he has guided me to where I am today. He has lovingly and carefully worked me into what he knows I can become, and he still is. I`m stubborn, I know that, which is probably why it`s going to be a very long process. But he is carefully working me into what I need to be. I try to follow him, to do what he asks, to use what he has given me, and step by step I grow and I improve. This year, I have gained confidence, in myself, in the Spirit, in God. My faith has grown, and with it my Testimony. My heart has opened and I have recieved. In giving myself I have only recieved.
I know God lives and guides me. As this new year has just begun I have recommited myself to serving him, I will do even better this year than last year. I love you all, and I do miss all of you. But even though you are all 5000 miles away, I still keep you close in my prayers. I share this message, in the spirit of Love, and in the name of Christ, Amen.
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Re: Happy New Year!
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! (And happy Birthday Dad!)
The irony of it all. Mum sent me a package almost 3 WEEKS ago and I still haven`t gotten it. Yes it`s ironic because at the Christmas Conference for the mission they had me read a story about a missionary in Austrualia who didn`t get his package from his family for Christmas. Guess since it was getting shipped over Christmas it just got delayed.
Anyway, it`s been 2 weeks since I`ve written an email and this is the first email of the year!!! Exciting isn`t it.
Let`s see what happened in the past few weeks. We`ve been knocking on a lot of doors, all around the place, having fun talking with plenty of different people. I can`t remember much before Christmas though X.x.
Christmas eve rolled around and we all went to Himeji and had a little party there and went carolling. Hung out with my district, opened presents and just had fun in general. Than came back and wrote some letters, which I fail at writing. Got Gypsy`s letter sent off, wrote Whitney, and now on my list is George, Ian, Grandma Sadie and Whitney again. I think I`m forgetting people though.
Then the Sunday after Christmas we had a random investigator show up at church. That was awesome. We had actually planned to meet him after church, but he ended up coming halfway through sacrament meeting to tell us he couldn`t make the appointment. So I just invited him in and he came. It was awesome.
Monday rolled around again, and it was very strange because it wasn`t a P-day. I can`t even remember what we did that day, knocked on many doors. Tuesday was much of the same, and wednesday we visited the Bishop`s house and ate dinner with him. Thursday we met with a guy named Bruce, well his real name is Aoki, but he picked up the name Bruce when he went to Austraulia for a while from his friends. Showed him the Restoration video and asked him if anyone else might be interested in listening to our message. He then referred his wife, which we were planning to ask about specifically afterwards.
Friday we met with a Less active and taught him the plan of Salvation again, that was lots of fun. Then we just planned for the next week for the rest of the day, then at night we wandered around by the Train Station(eki) it was literally like a Ghost Town. There was no one in sight. But that`s Japanese New Year`s, everyone at home partying.
Saturday we had a big Missionary Sports Taikai(can`t think of the english word) I played some volleyball, got smashed in the face by a spike and knocked over (It`s always my face). Then watched the first movie I`ve seen for almost a year, Kung Fu Panda, in Japanese, with English subtitles. Was hilarious. Then played Dodgeball and just generally had fun hanging out with everyone. ALL of my old companions were there, Mclaws, Escalante, Mizuguchi, Shinozaki, Camacho, and Cannon. It was actually pretty good seeing all of them again.
Sunday was fast sunday, we planned for the baptism we`re going to have next week. I recieved an assignment to give a talk next week Sunday on Following the Lord. That`ll probably be next weeks message. You know me, procrastinating and all, probably won`t write it till Sunday morning. xD. JK. Sunday day we did some more housing, not all that bad, didn`t get yelled at at least. Everyone was just busy and had guests over because of the New years. Then at night we visited a members house and had fun with them.
Then this morning we got up at 5 AM, and went with all the youth and some of the other members to go on the yearly hike up a nearby Mountain. I don`t know the name of it. We started the hike at about 6:30, and we were at the top by just after 7. We took the fast route with most of the youth, it was very steep and rocky. But we made it to the top in time to see the sun rise. It was a beautiful sight, looking out over Kakogawa. I could see to Akashi bridge and even beyond that to Sennan. Which was slightly funny because I remember looking out from the porch in our Apartment in Sennan and seeing that Mountain, Never thought I`d actually climb it.
Then we came back and ate breakfast with the Youth before we came home and cleaned the apartment, and now I`m here. writing emails. Surprisingly, I only have 1 email I have to write this week. O well.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week! 2011, Issue #1
One week from now and I will have been a missionary for an entire year. 10 days from now and It`ll have been 1 year since I last saw Mom and Dad when they kicked me out of the car in front of the MTC almost 4 hours early and ran off to go help Mike and Jessica move into their house in California. Too think, that at this time an entire year ago, I was sitting at home, in St. George, like a sack of potatoes, probably unshaven and unkempt. You`re stereotypical jobless man living in his Parent`s Basement. Lol, funny image.
Now I`m over 5000 miles away from home, in a cold apartment, speaking an entirely different language, reading characters that are so foreign that I can`t use the term "It`s as hard as reading Japanese" anymore. I`m out and about all day everyday, riding bikes, wandering streets, trying not to overstuff myself at members houses, and listening to old men talk in a language that is supposed to be the one that I`m speaking but sounds more like Chinese too me. I`m fit, I can cook, I can speak Japanese, I can preach the gospel, and I can testify of it`s truthfullness. In 1 Year I`ve changed a lot.
This last year has been a growing year for me. One year ago I had one single goal. It was probably the simplest goal I`ve ever made. "Change." I entered into the MTC with a single thought, a single purpose and I believe I overdid it a little bit, But that purpose was to lose myself. To get rid of the old me. I would probably have never admitted it before but I didn`t like who I was before. There were many parts that I saw in myself that just horrified me. So I went to throw it ALL out. Now that wasn`t a perfect goal, because it did end up bringing a load of trouble down the road. I`ve come to decide that the main reason why I had such a horrible time my 3rd and 4th transfer was because I wasn`t being MYSELF.
Most of you will probably remember that. Lol, I certainly do. Those were the hardest times of my mission, when I always felt that I was being abandoned, as if God was just knocking me down everytime I tried to get back up. Of course that wasn`t true at all. It was me that was kicking myself down all the time. I was always thinking that everything I did was wrong, My companions were always right, and then when I felt angry, mad, or annoyed, I just beat myself up even more saying, "I shouldn`t feel this way at all!" I would say I lost myself a bit too much over those two transfers.
Then I got put with Elder Camacho, and he taught me to just be myself again. Something I should have remembered from Elder Escalante. I found out that just as important as serving the Lord, is being YOU while you do it. Each of us, was born a child of God, given attributes, talents and abilities. He`s asked us to use them, to use them for righteousness and bring about good in this world. To some is given the ability to Sing, to play an instrument, to create masterful pieces of Art, to others is given Athletics or Smarts, to some is given a gentle smile, a warm welcome, or just a friendly attitude. Whatever it is, we all have our talents and abilities.
In the New Testament, Christ gives us the parable of the Pounds. Where a Lord gave unto one servant 10 ounds, another 5, and another 1. The Lord then left into a far land and when he returned he asked what his servants had done with their Pounds. Two of them had doubled what they were given, but the third, the servant with only 1 pound had made nothing, had hid it in the ground fearing that he would lose it. When the Lord heard this he took away that single pound and gave it to the one that had 10 pounds saying "That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." I would add also to that quote, "That unto every one which hath AND USETH shall be given: and from him that hath not AND DOETH NOT, even that he hath shall be taken away from him."
When we seek to hide what he have, whether it is because we are embarassed, or afraid, we will use it. It`s simple, when you don`t practice playing the piano, you`ll forget it, when you don`t practice throwing a football, you`ll lose it, when you don`t continue to study Math, You`ll forget it. But when you use it, when you strive to improve yourself you`ll grow, you`ll get better, and you`ll get stronger. As we grow and as we strive to improve, if we try to use our talents to serve the Lord he will amplifiy and edify our talents and abilities. I have a talent of learning, God has amplified that talent with me learning Japanese, he has added onto the things that I have strived to gain, he has helped me to learn one of the most difficult languages in the world. I could not have done it without his help. When I really started to grow with my Japanese was when I had to use it, when I tried to take those steps forward despite my fear of messing up.
I have another talent, a gift given from God, the ability to teach the Gospel. One that admitedly I`ve been slacking on. I was always afraid, that I`d mess up, always afraid I`d say the wrong thing, but as I`ve stepped up, taken the lead as a Senior Companion and have been teaching the Gospel to these people I`ve noticed that I CAN do it. I stepped past my fears of making mistakes and found that I`m a lot better than I thought I was.
So what do I say, DON`T BE AFRAID!! Be yourself, and give that self to the Lord. He will take what you give him and mold into something that you could never become on your own. The master artist, the master sculptor will take you and correct the flaws within you. He will guide you to improve your talents, to grow and become stronger. His loving hands will mold you into perfection while still allowing you to be you. Do not be afraid that coming unto him will make you someone you don`t want to be, he will never do that. We are the wood and he is the master carpenter, following the grains of the wood to make a wonderful piece of art. We are the stone and he is the sculptor, we already have shape and he simply brings out what he knows we can become.
I Know that I am who I am today because of God. Because he has guided me to where I am today. He has lovingly and carefully worked me into what he knows I can become, and he still is. I`m stubborn, I know that, which is probably why it`s going to be a very long process. But he is carefully working me into what I need to be. I try to follow him, to do what he asks, to use what he has given me, and step by step I grow and I improve. This year, I have gained confidence, in myself, in the Spirit, in God. My faith has grown, and with it my Testimony. My heart has opened and I have recieved. In giving myself I have only recieved.
I know God lives and guides me. As this new year has just begun I have recommited myself to serving him, I will do even better this year than last year. I love you all, and I do miss all of you. But even though you are all 5000 miles away, I still keep you close in my prayers. I share this message, in the spirit of Love, and in the name of Christ, Amen.
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, December 20, 2010
Harry Potter look alike? Are you kidding me?
hahahaha...Can't stop laughing that people think he looks like Harry Potter...He's half Japanese so how does that work? Anyways, enjoy his letter and I'm wishing all a Very Merry Christmas and I hope the spirit of Christmas shines upon everyone:
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll............................ It`s Christmas WEEK!!!!!!! My favorite time of the year. With joy and happiness to spread abroad and happy times to spend with your family! Well this`ll actually be my first Christmas away from Home..... But I am undaunted and not really all that concerned. I am 5000 miles away from home, upon a small island but I remember what is written in the Scriptures, that God remembers all his people, even those lost on the Isles of the Sea. What better way to spend Christmas than giving?
So this week has been another interesting week. Tuesday we went off to Akou, a Samurai town for a huge Matsuri(Festival) that they were having. It was loads of fun, I saw a lot of people dressed up like Samurai, and a lot of just wickedly awesome things. Including a huge statue of some Greek God made out of Salt. Lots of cool statues and learned some interesting things about Japanese History.
Wednesday we had a hastily compilied special training with President McIntyre in Himeji, which we ran over to as quickly as possible and were almost late because we had had appointments. We rode through the Himeji Castle grounds, and although they are remodeling Himeji Castle, and it`s covered in an exoskeleton of cloth and steel scafolding, it was very beautiful. Himeji Castle is absolutely Huge.
Thursday we just dendoed around and had fun talking with some people.
Friday we had a Companionship Exchange and I went to Himeji again, wandered around there and had some fun with Elder Akina, from Honolulu Hawaii. Got to know each other pretty well and just messed around, while still following rules.
Saturday came back and prepared for the ward Christmas party, which was utterly amazing. Me and Elder Hale had to perform a skit, which was hilarious, because we can`t speak Japanese at all. I just kind of goofed off during the skit trying to make people laugh despite our butchered Japanese. Then I got to dress up as Santa Claus and hand out treats to everyone, that was loads of fun.
Sunday was church, which was fun as usual, and after church we dendoed around the nearby eki and talked with a few people. Quite hilarious, because High school kids like trying to speak english to us Foreigners. And a few of you might actually catch this one, but Even the Japanese say I look like Harry Potter. I was walking down the street and a group of punk High School kids rode past and one of them was like "Hey! He looks like Harry Potter!" I tried talking to them but they didn`t stop. Talked to one cool guy named "Bruce" about Eternal marriage and set up an appointment with him. So it was all cool. I basically just have fun with people when I`m out on the street, such as when punk High School kids, I catch their names and tell them the Kanji for it, or give them random English sayings that they have no idea what they mean.
So that was my week, lots of fun, joking around, playing games, talking with people and just generally kicking back and having fun while I work. I find it works very well, just so long as you don`t let it go too far.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
So it`s Christmas time, and I`ve been thinking a little bit about what my Christmas Message should be. But that`s the easy part, I`ll just talk about Presents!
Everyone knows that part about Christmas, we give presents to others, we do nice things for others, we smile and we do our best to make some elses day brighter. We eat turkey or Chicken or Ham, have delicious meals, (Or if you`re Japanese you buy a Christmas cake and get KFC for dinner), and stay with the family.
Most people have their favorite Christmas, when they recieved an awesome present, or had a great experience with their family. Most people have their favorite gift that they`ve ever recieved. I think mine was Halo from my brother Bobby, or the Paintball gun I got one year. I hardly remember all the presents.
Those people that are more spiritually inclined will relate the stories of when they gave to others, or served others. For me that time was two years ago, when I went up to Salt Lake City with my high school choir and we sang carols at a Hospital. I remember clearly still the small, fragile boy sitting in a wheel chair, connected to an IV and wheeled into the lobby by his parents. He had been going through extensive Kemotherapy and was still weak. He requested us to sing a specific song... I think it was Joy to the World, but I hardly remember the singing so much as I remember his face. The bright smile and bright eyes. It should have been hard to sing with tears in my eyes, but I remember the words and notes flowing freely just for him.
But what is the true meaning of Christmas? Why do we go and give gifts to those around us? What is the reason?
Think about this. What was the greatest gift ever given?
Nearly 2011 years ago, in a quiet manger in Bethelehem, the greatest gift ever was given to ManKind. We all know the story of the Nativity, the Virgin Mary and her Husband Joseph, placed in a humble shack, when Jesus Christ was born, the savior of all man kind. I wonder on occassion, as the song goes, "Mary did you know, that your baby born, would one day rule the nations?" Did you know that your newborn child was going to perform the greatest miracles ever seen, and proceed to die selflessly for all mankind?
That was the greatest gift ever given. By a loving heavenly father. As it is written: "Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (3 Nephi 14/Matthew [Sermon on the Mount])
God gave us the greatest gift that could ever be given. He gave us a light that can not be hidden, he gave us a shining example of what our lives should and can become. He showed us perfection, and lit the pathway before our feet. But not only did he do that, he provided the way by which we might obtain that. Through Christ all sins can become cleansed, we can be healed, we can become pure. Through Christ and his Atonement we may stand once more with God in bodies of flesh and bone. Because of Christ we can have Eternal Salvation and Exaltation. Because of Christ we can live with our familes forever, unparted by death, undamged by sin, untouched by sickness and sorrow.
Christ showed us true Love, he gave us the truest and purest of all gifts. He offers it freely to all with the simple, meek words of love. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Just remember what God gave to you that quiet night two thousand years ago in a quiet manger in a small town. Then think of how you could ever hope to repay him, what small thing you cand do to make someone elses burden just that much lighter. Each of us has a gift that we can give, each of us has someway that we can help someone else. Let us lift each other up, and together walk towards Christ. I say these things, in his Holy Name. Amen.
In the Spirit of Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends
Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll............................ It`s Christmas WEEK!!!!!!! My favorite time of the year. With joy and happiness to spread abroad and happy times to spend with your family! Well this`ll actually be my first Christmas away from Home..... But I am undaunted and not really all that concerned. I am 5000 miles away from home, upon a small island but I remember what is written in the Scriptures, that God remembers all his people, even those lost on the Isles of the Sea. What better way to spend Christmas than giving?
So this week has been another interesting week. Tuesday we went off to Akou, a Samurai town for a huge Matsuri(Festival) that they were having. It was loads of fun, I saw a lot of people dressed up like Samurai, and a lot of just wickedly awesome things. Including a huge statue of some Greek God made out of Salt. Lots of cool statues and learned some interesting things about Japanese History.
Wednesday we had a hastily compilied special training with President McIntyre in Himeji, which we ran over to as quickly as possible and were almost late because we had had appointments. We rode through the Himeji Castle grounds, and although they are remodeling Himeji Castle, and it`s covered in an exoskeleton of cloth and steel scafolding, it was very beautiful. Himeji Castle is absolutely Huge.
Thursday we just dendoed around and had fun talking with some people.
Friday we had a Companionship Exchange and I went to Himeji again, wandered around there and had some fun with Elder Akina, from Honolulu Hawaii. Got to know each other pretty well and just messed around, while still following rules.
Saturday came back and prepared for the ward Christmas party, which was utterly amazing. Me and Elder Hale had to perform a skit, which was hilarious, because we can`t speak Japanese at all. I just kind of goofed off during the skit trying to make people laugh despite our butchered Japanese. Then I got to dress up as Santa Claus and hand out treats to everyone, that was loads of fun.
Sunday was church, which was fun as usual, and after church we dendoed around the nearby eki and talked with a few people. Quite hilarious, because High school kids like trying to speak english to us Foreigners. And a few of you might actually catch this one, but Even the Japanese say I look like Harry Potter. I was walking down the street and a group of punk High School kids rode past and one of them was like "Hey! He looks like Harry Potter!" I tried talking to them but they didn`t stop. Talked to one cool guy named "Bruce" about Eternal marriage and set up an appointment with him. So it was all cool. I basically just have fun with people when I`m out on the street, such as when punk High School kids, I catch their names and tell them the Kanji for it, or give them random English sayings that they have no idea what they mean.
So that was my week, lots of fun, joking around, playing games, talking with people and just generally kicking back and having fun while I work. I find it works very well, just so long as you don`t let it go too far.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
So it`s Christmas time, and I`ve been thinking a little bit about what my Christmas Message should be. But that`s the easy part, I`ll just talk about Presents!
Everyone knows that part about Christmas, we give presents to others, we do nice things for others, we smile and we do our best to make some elses day brighter. We eat turkey or Chicken or Ham, have delicious meals, (Or if you`re Japanese you buy a Christmas cake and get KFC for dinner), and stay with the family.
Most people have their favorite Christmas, when they recieved an awesome present, or had a great experience with their family. Most people have their favorite gift that they`ve ever recieved. I think mine was Halo from my brother Bobby, or the Paintball gun I got one year. I hardly remember all the presents.
Those people that are more spiritually inclined will relate the stories of when they gave to others, or served others. For me that time was two years ago, when I went up to Salt Lake City with my high school choir and we sang carols at a Hospital. I remember clearly still the small, fragile boy sitting in a wheel chair, connected to an IV and wheeled into the lobby by his parents. He had been going through extensive Kemotherapy and was still weak. He requested us to sing a specific song... I think it was Joy to the World, but I hardly remember the singing so much as I remember his face. The bright smile and bright eyes. It should have been hard to sing with tears in my eyes, but I remember the words and notes flowing freely just for him.
But what is the true meaning of Christmas? Why do we go and give gifts to those around us? What is the reason?
Think about this. What was the greatest gift ever given?
Nearly 2011 years ago, in a quiet manger in Bethelehem, the greatest gift ever was given to ManKind. We all know the story of the Nativity, the Virgin Mary and her Husband Joseph, placed in a humble shack, when Jesus Christ was born, the savior of all man kind. I wonder on occassion, as the song goes, "Mary did you know, that your baby born, would one day rule the nations?" Did you know that your newborn child was going to perform the greatest miracles ever seen, and proceed to die selflessly for all mankind?
That was the greatest gift ever given. By a loving heavenly father. As it is written: "Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (3 Nephi 14/Matthew [Sermon on the Mount])
God gave us the greatest gift that could ever be given. He gave us a light that can not be hidden, he gave us a shining example of what our lives should and can become. He showed us perfection, and lit the pathway before our feet. But not only did he do that, he provided the way by which we might obtain that. Through Christ all sins can become cleansed, we can be healed, we can become pure. Through Christ and his Atonement we may stand once more with God in bodies of flesh and bone. Because of Christ we can have Eternal Salvation and Exaltation. Because of Christ we can live with our familes forever, unparted by death, undamged by sin, untouched by sickness and sorrow.
Christ showed us true Love, he gave us the truest and purest of all gifts. He offers it freely to all with the simple, meek words of love. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I shall give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Just remember what God gave to you that quiet night two thousand years ago in a quiet manger in a small town. Then think of how you could ever hope to repay him, what small thing you cand do to make someone elses burden just that much lighter. Each of us has a gift that we can give, each of us has someway that we can help someone else. Let us lift each other up, and together walk towards Christ. I say these things, in his Holy Name. Amen.
In the Spirit of Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Monday, December 13, 2010
Randy's a Punk?
Wow...transfers happened this week and he is now a "Senior" companion, which basically just means he is in charge. He is happy and content and still loving life. Read his letter. I love that soon I get to call him on his Christmas day and get to hear his voice again. Just that thought keeps me smiling:
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
I wish ye well from the far east! Well... Techinically I`m further west than I was last week, also further North too. Mom, you were pretty close with your guess, I`m actually realllllllly close to Kobe. In the same Province Actually. I`m in Kakogawa City! East of Himeji, West of Akashi. Beautiful place, and I`m back in the city. I got the beach still (not that it matters because it`s soooo flippin cold out here), I got a wonderful train station with lots of people, I sparkling shiny new companion, and a City filled with new Adventure. I have finally achieved the long dreaded position of Senior Companion, yes I`ve dreaded this. I don`t like being a leader, but o well. My new Companion is lovely Elder Hale, hailing from Boise Idaho, a near genius in mathematics, science, and english, although lacking a little on the Japanese side, but he`s only a transfer 4 missionary. He still has the fresh out of the MTC Luster, which is fine by me, gets me pushing a little harder to have him see some more success here. We get along splendidly, have loads of fun and are generally alike in tastes, although I do find myself outclassed in smarts. Then again, I never really was all that smart, just good at faking it xD.
So this past week has been bitter sweet, filled with entertainment, and fond farewells. Newfound Determination, and shrugging off of old ways. Every Transfer, every area, every new companion brings new adventures, new progression, and generally just new things.
I started out the week with a wonderful little escapade to Misaki Koen at the very most southern point of Sennan. I watched Monkeys throw poo, American Racoons, Endagered Japanese Cranes, Pink Flamingos, Kangaroos, Giraffe, Lions, Tigers, Red Pandas, Japanese Deer, Beavers, Small Japanese Bears, Penguins, and Dolphins dressed up like Santa Clause (yes I really did). It was aweeesssssssssooooooooomeeeeeeeee. We got to watch a Dolphin show, in which they did awesome flips, awesome tricks, and was just utterly amazing, I didn`t get wet though, which was a good thing.
Tuesday I found out I was going to Kakogawa, so I said farewell to my beloved investigator, Nakanishi, I also said goodbye to Sora, who took us out for dinner that night. I then packed on Wednesday, taught English for the last time in Sennan and said goodbye to everyone. It was slightly a depressing day. Although as I walked out of the church after Eikaiwa and was just about to lock the door one of the Ward Members Drove up and ran up to me and threw a Bokuto (Wooden Katana) in my hand and said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Good Luck in Kakogawa!" and ran off. I looked at it for a moment and thought: "O thanks.... but how am I goign to get it to Kakogawa since I just sent off all my luggage already."
Thursday I began my adventurous trip to Kakogawa early in the Morning. Had my backpack on and my bokuto sticking out of my small carryon bag that I have acquired (cheaply), crammed into a stereotypical Japanese train. Fitting maybe 50 more than the suggested max into each car. I literally felt like a sardine in a can, trying not to stab people with the wooden sword. Made it to Tennoji in Osaka without any horribel incidents and met up with a large group of missionaries. Said hello to my beloved MTC companion elder Cannon, who was actually about to meet up with my other beloved companion Elder Escalante. I then headed off to Sannomiya, in Kobe, and met up with my new companion Elder Hale, found out that he and Elder Escalante had just been working together in Kakogawa, and so I said hello to Elder Escalante and then goodbye as I headed to my new home. Came back, The doorbell rang a grand total of 9 times in about 4 hours time period, 3 from Fukuyama about bikes, 2 from the mail, 1 from a random newspaper salesman, and 1 from Sagawa about luggage, and 2 from me being a punk. I also got called a whole bunch from mentally handicapped person who I had no Idea was mentally disabled. Yea she was calling and wanted us to go over immediately and save her from something. I then called a ward member who actually ended up being her Home Teacher and told me that she was kind of insane. Got a cold but still dendoed.
Friday we dendoed more, I still had a little bit of a cold, found a young mother while housing, met a totally awesome guy named "The Caves" or at least that`s his music name, singing in front of the Train Station. Also used the fact that it was extremely cold outside to talk to people, which was probably the greatest form of Dendo I`ve ever done. I confused a whole bunch of Teenagers, and young adults by simply saying my name. Every always questions me as to whether I`m Japanese or American after I say my name. "My name is Tateishi." and the reply is usually "JAPANESE? Really?" Then I have to explain everything, it`s really good for catching people`s attentions and making friends. But really annoying when they think you really are Japanese and think that you can understand everything they say. Still Sick
Saturday we had a mini Christmas party at which I met possibly the oldest member in Japan. She`s 91 years old and was baptized when she was 30, also did a lot of the work for translating hymns from English to Japanese. That was an interesting conversation... because she doesn`t remember anything more than 5 seconds ago. Asking me the same question at least 5 times. I then met with the bishop and talked with him a little. Then we dendoed some more and I got to testify to a bunch of punk teenagers that were nothing more than troublemakers. That was fun, told them the meaning of Christmas and silenced all mocking words with a strong and firm testimony about Jesus Christ. Still Sick
Sunday was wonderful, we had an awesome day at church, met with one of our Baptismal Candidates.Taught her a little lesson. I also met a lot of the ward members, who were confused as to whether I was Japanese or American. Had to give a talk at a Missionary Fireside after church, and generally just had fun talking with everyone. Came back, ate lunch, did some housing and streeting, ran into a Less active named Matt, an American from Utah. He was a cool guy, talked a lot about football and other random tings and shared a scripture. Still Sick.
Which brings me to today. Still Sick.
The apartment is an utter mess, which I need to give Elder Escalante a firm beating for when I meet him again. Managed to clean the kitchen a little bit today, and a the mess I made from unpacking. I still need to finish cleaning the kitchen, the closets, the bathroom, the Shower, and the Kitchen. It`s quite disgusting actually. But just one step at a time. And yes I`m still sick, stuffy nose, no fever, and my voice doesn`t work very much so singing is full of squeaks and cracks.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the Week
Like always I`m not all that sure what I want to talk about this week. Actually, I`ll just bring it back to Obedience.
This week I have been nearly Perfectly Obedient to all the missionary rules here in the Kobe Mission. I can`t say Perfectly, because I`m not perfect. But I have been very obedient in keeping the rules. Despite being a little sick, I still get up on time and excercise and study fully like I`m supposed to, I leave the apartment on time, I take 1 hour lunch breaks and no longer, I talk to as many people as will stop and talk to me and generally keep all the rules.
Why do I share this? Because I want to tell you that with being obedient comes a confidence that I have never had on my own. Most people that know me, know I`m not all that confident of a person, Especially when it comes to people work. Book work I know my stuff, or at least have confidence, but when it comes to People I`m an epic failure. I always hated giving talks in Sacrament and to be honest I did my best to weasel out of them. Now to compound that, I don`t speak Japanese fluently, so it just takes another blow to my self-confidence. But here, this week, when I`ve had a junior companion who`s Japanese is at best below par, I`ve had a confidence in myself to step up to the plate and talk to people. I Haven`t been afraid to open my mouth and just talk to people, or stop people. With that confidence came even more blessings, because as I opened my mouth to speak it made me more obedient, for God commanded me to open my mouth and speak to people. With following that I have seen scriptures fulfilled: "Open your mouth, and it shall be filled, and you will be able to confound the wise."
I was able this week to fulfull my responsibilities, to speak to many different people, to testify of the Divinity of Christ and his wonderful work. I was able to stand as a witness and proclaim loudly "The news of glad tidings and great joy." And I felt that I was successful. I felt the Spirit of God Working through me and I knew I was doing the right thing.
I refer you again to one of my favorite messages that I gave around 4th of July. WIth Obedience to the principles of the Gospel we will be blessed. True happiness comes by living true lives and living true principles. Christ taught those principles, the Prophets reiterate them and expound them for us today. As we follow them, the living Prophets, Christ, and God, we will find blessings in our lives. We find ourselves more in Harmony to God, and as in many languages we say "Closer" to God. So it is. We draw closer to him and are closer to the pure source of light and energy. Just as we move closer the fire in the damp cold night, we find it`s warmth seep deeper inside of us, so it is as we move closer to God.
As a Missionary my duty is what many people think it is, I spend all my days crying to the world "REPENT REPENT!! Prepare ye the way of the Lord!" or in other words "Come, follow him who will take away all your burdens and all your cares, follow him the good shepard who will guide us to green pastures." I say unto these people as Alma did of old "Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism." (Alma 7:9,15)
Fear not to Follow him. Lay aside your doubts, your fears and follow him. Be obedient to the principles of the Gospel and I can promise that you will be blessed, you will be happy. Sin is pain and Sorrow, Obedience is Peace and Happiness, I know both, I`ve felt them both. As we follow the commandments we are blessed, of Course we do not escape all pain and all suffering, that is life, everyone is to be tested and tried, everyone is to suffer temptations and difficulties, but how much easier it is to pass through every fire, every trial, every pain when you have the confidence that God is on your side. When you know the scriptures that say: "For I will go Before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
Finally I requote King Benjamin: "And Moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are recieved into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happinss. O remember, remember that these things are thre; for the LORD GOD hat spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)
I testify to you that this is the truth, that it lies here in plainness for all to see. "Repent ye, Repent ye, and prepare ye the way of the Lord." I quote Alma again: "Behold, he (The Lord God) sendeth an invitation to ALL men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he sait: Repent, and I will recieve you. Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life: yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and waters of life freely." God awaits us all with open arms, awaits us to take those steps towards him. He loves every one of his children, every human being that has ever, is, and will ever live upon this earth. WE are all his children and all he asks is for us to come home, to return to him. Repent! Let go of sin and enter into the loving arms of God.
I love you all, and I testify that this is the truth, this is God`s work. That he Lives and watches over us all, he loves each and everyone of us all more than we could ever hope to know. I know Christ lives, I know the sacrifice that he has made for me, I know he stands beside God, our Older Brother, shining the light on the pathway to God, taking us by the hand and showing us the way home. I bear witness of this, in his sacred name. Amen.
WIth much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
Dear Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Family, and Friends
I wish ye well from the far east! Well... Techinically I`m further west than I was last week, also further North too. Mom, you were pretty close with your guess, I`m actually realllllllly close to Kobe. In the same Province Actually. I`m in Kakogawa City! East of Himeji, West of Akashi. Beautiful place, and I`m back in the city. I got the beach still (not that it matters because it`s soooo flippin cold out here), I got a wonderful train station with lots of people, I sparkling shiny new companion, and a City filled with new Adventure. I have finally achieved the long dreaded position of Senior Companion, yes I`ve dreaded this. I don`t like being a leader, but o well. My new Companion is lovely Elder Hale, hailing from Boise Idaho, a near genius in mathematics, science, and english, although lacking a little on the Japanese side, but he`s only a transfer 4 missionary. He still has the fresh out of the MTC Luster, which is fine by me, gets me pushing a little harder to have him see some more success here. We get along splendidly, have loads of fun and are generally alike in tastes, although I do find myself outclassed in smarts. Then again, I never really was all that smart, just good at faking it xD.
So this past week has been bitter sweet, filled with entertainment, and fond farewells. Newfound Determination, and shrugging off of old ways. Every Transfer, every area, every new companion brings new adventures, new progression, and generally just new things.
I started out the week with a wonderful little escapade to Misaki Koen at the very most southern point of Sennan. I watched Monkeys throw poo, American Racoons, Endagered Japanese Cranes, Pink Flamingos, Kangaroos, Giraffe, Lions, Tigers, Red Pandas, Japanese Deer, Beavers, Small Japanese Bears, Penguins, and Dolphins dressed up like Santa Clause (yes I really did). It was aweeesssssssssooooooooomeeeeeeeee. We got to watch a Dolphin show, in which they did awesome flips, awesome tricks, and was just utterly amazing, I didn`t get wet though, which was a good thing.
Tuesday I found out I was going to Kakogawa, so I said farewell to my beloved investigator, Nakanishi, I also said goodbye to Sora, who took us out for dinner that night. I then packed on Wednesday, taught English for the last time in Sennan and said goodbye to everyone. It was slightly a depressing day. Although as I walked out of the church after Eikaiwa and was just about to lock the door one of the Ward Members Drove up and ran up to me and threw a Bokuto (Wooden Katana) in my hand and said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Good Luck in Kakogawa!" and ran off. I looked at it for a moment and thought: "O thanks.... but how am I goign to get it to Kakogawa since I just sent off all my luggage already."
Thursday I began my adventurous trip to Kakogawa early in the Morning. Had my backpack on and my bokuto sticking out of my small carryon bag that I have acquired (cheaply), crammed into a stereotypical Japanese train. Fitting maybe 50 more than the suggested max into each car. I literally felt like a sardine in a can, trying not to stab people with the wooden sword. Made it to Tennoji in Osaka without any horribel incidents and met up with a large group of missionaries. Said hello to my beloved MTC companion elder Cannon, who was actually about to meet up with my other beloved companion Elder Escalante. I then headed off to Sannomiya, in Kobe, and met up with my new companion Elder Hale, found out that he and Elder Escalante had just been working together in Kakogawa, and so I said hello to Elder Escalante and then goodbye as I headed to my new home. Came back, The doorbell rang a grand total of 9 times in about 4 hours time period, 3 from Fukuyama about bikes, 2 from the mail, 1 from a random newspaper salesman, and 1 from Sagawa about luggage, and 2 from me being a punk. I also got called a whole bunch from mentally handicapped person who I had no Idea was mentally disabled. Yea she was calling and wanted us to go over immediately and save her from something. I then called a ward member who actually ended up being her Home Teacher and told me that she was kind of insane. Got a cold but still dendoed.
Friday we dendoed more, I still had a little bit of a cold, found a young mother while housing, met a totally awesome guy named "The Caves" or at least that`s his music name, singing in front of the Train Station. Also used the fact that it was extremely cold outside to talk to people, which was probably the greatest form of Dendo I`ve ever done. I confused a whole bunch of Teenagers, and young adults by simply saying my name. Every always questions me as to whether I`m Japanese or American after I say my name. "My name is Tateishi." and the reply is usually "JAPANESE? Really?" Then I have to explain everything, it`s really good for catching people`s attentions and making friends. But really annoying when they think you really are Japanese and think that you can understand everything they say. Still Sick
Saturday we had a mini Christmas party at which I met possibly the oldest member in Japan. She`s 91 years old and was baptized when she was 30, also did a lot of the work for translating hymns from English to Japanese. That was an interesting conversation... because she doesn`t remember anything more than 5 seconds ago. Asking me the same question at least 5 times. I then met with the bishop and talked with him a little. Then we dendoed some more and I got to testify to a bunch of punk teenagers that were nothing more than troublemakers. That was fun, told them the meaning of Christmas and silenced all mocking words with a strong and firm testimony about Jesus Christ. Still Sick
Sunday was wonderful, we had an awesome day at church, met with one of our Baptismal Candidates.Taught her a little lesson. I also met a lot of the ward members, who were confused as to whether I was Japanese or American. Had to give a talk at a Missionary Fireside after church, and generally just had fun talking with everyone. Came back, ate lunch, did some housing and streeting, ran into a Less active named Matt, an American from Utah. He was a cool guy, talked a lot about football and other random tings and shared a scripture. Still Sick.
Which brings me to today. Still Sick.
The apartment is an utter mess, which I need to give Elder Escalante a firm beating for when I meet him again. Managed to clean the kitchen a little bit today, and a the mess I made from unpacking. I still need to finish cleaning the kitchen, the closets, the bathroom, the Shower, and the Kitchen. It`s quite disgusting actually. But just one step at a time. And yes I`m still sick, stuffy nose, no fever, and my voice doesn`t work very much so singing is full of squeaks and cracks.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Moment of the Week
Like always I`m not all that sure what I want to talk about this week. Actually, I`ll just bring it back to Obedience.
This week I have been nearly Perfectly Obedient to all the missionary rules here in the Kobe Mission. I can`t say Perfectly, because I`m not perfect. But I have been very obedient in keeping the rules. Despite being a little sick, I still get up on time and excercise and study fully like I`m supposed to, I leave the apartment on time, I take 1 hour lunch breaks and no longer, I talk to as many people as will stop and talk to me and generally keep all the rules.
Why do I share this? Because I want to tell you that with being obedient comes a confidence that I have never had on my own. Most people that know me, know I`m not all that confident of a person, Especially when it comes to people work. Book work I know my stuff, or at least have confidence, but when it comes to People I`m an epic failure. I always hated giving talks in Sacrament and to be honest I did my best to weasel out of them. Now to compound that, I don`t speak Japanese fluently, so it just takes another blow to my self-confidence. But here, this week, when I`ve had a junior companion who`s Japanese is at best below par, I`ve had a confidence in myself to step up to the plate and talk to people. I Haven`t been afraid to open my mouth and just talk to people, or stop people. With that confidence came even more blessings, because as I opened my mouth to speak it made me more obedient, for God commanded me to open my mouth and speak to people. With following that I have seen scriptures fulfilled: "Open your mouth, and it shall be filled, and you will be able to confound the wise."
I was able this week to fulfull my responsibilities, to speak to many different people, to testify of the Divinity of Christ and his wonderful work. I was able to stand as a witness and proclaim loudly "The news of glad tidings and great joy." And I felt that I was successful. I felt the Spirit of God Working through me and I knew I was doing the right thing.
I refer you again to one of my favorite messages that I gave around 4th of July. WIth Obedience to the principles of the Gospel we will be blessed. True happiness comes by living true lives and living true principles. Christ taught those principles, the Prophets reiterate them and expound them for us today. As we follow them, the living Prophets, Christ, and God, we will find blessings in our lives. We find ourselves more in Harmony to God, and as in many languages we say "Closer" to God. So it is. We draw closer to him and are closer to the pure source of light and energy. Just as we move closer the fire in the damp cold night, we find it`s warmth seep deeper inside of us, so it is as we move closer to God.
As a Missionary my duty is what many people think it is, I spend all my days crying to the world "REPENT REPENT!! Prepare ye the way of the Lord!" or in other words "Come, follow him who will take away all your burdens and all your cares, follow him the good shepard who will guide us to green pastures." I say unto these people as Alma did of old "Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism." (Alma 7:9,15)
Fear not to Follow him. Lay aside your doubts, your fears and follow him. Be obedient to the principles of the Gospel and I can promise that you will be blessed, you will be happy. Sin is pain and Sorrow, Obedience is Peace and Happiness, I know both, I`ve felt them both. As we follow the commandments we are blessed, of Course we do not escape all pain and all suffering, that is life, everyone is to be tested and tried, everyone is to suffer temptations and difficulties, but how much easier it is to pass through every fire, every trial, every pain when you have the confidence that God is on your side. When you know the scriptures that say: "For I will go Before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
Finally I requote King Benjamin: "And Moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are recieved into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happinss. O remember, remember that these things are thre; for the LORD GOD hat spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)
I testify to you that this is the truth, that it lies here in plainness for all to see. "Repent ye, Repent ye, and prepare ye the way of the Lord." I quote Alma again: "Behold, he (The Lord God) sendeth an invitation to ALL men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he sait: Repent, and I will recieve you. Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life: yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and waters of life freely." God awaits us all with open arms, awaits us to take those steps towards him. He loves every one of his children, every human being that has ever, is, and will ever live upon this earth. WE are all his children and all he asks is for us to come home, to return to him. Repent! Let go of sin and enter into the loving arms of God.
I love you all, and I testify that this is the truth, this is God`s work. That he Lives and watches over us all, he loves each and everyone of us all more than we could ever hope to know. I know Christ lives, I know the sacrifice that he has made for me, I know he stands beside God, our Older Brother, shining the light on the pathway to God, taking us by the hand and showing us the way home. I bear witness of this, in his sacred name. Amen.
WIth much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
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