Transfers, February 12, 2013, Finishers

Wouldn't you know it. Time marched on and we had transfers again.  Our finishers have become a part of our heart.   As you anticipated the great joy of seeing your son or daughter walk off that plane, we were saying goodbye to the following amazing and wonderful missionaries, who we have grown to love with all our hearts. Is there some way we could just keep them, AND keep getting the new ones?  Oh, but I'm asking their parents that question.  I guess you want your wonderful, testimony filled, matured and inspired children back.  I guess we'll just have to keep having transfers.

We sadly said goodbye to:

 

Elder Broderick Danielson

From left, Elder Roney, ward member, Elder Danielson

Missionaries are Elder Larkin, and Elder Danielson on right. 

According to missionaries who know Elder Danielson, he 

is outgoing and gets along well with others. He is musically talented  

and people like to be with him.  He is very excited to teach 

what he has known to be true his entire life.

Elder Peter Farnsworth

This is one of my favorite pictures.  The essence of "missionary."
And the "SHINKO" in the background?  "FAITH"

Service and Smiles
Elder Burnett and Elder Farnsworth

Elder Farnsworth is a hard worker and according 

to other elders, he never complains.  He also loves 

to tell stories and is very good at it.

Elder Zachary Gish

Elder Gish (left) and Elder Hara with two darling
Matsumoto princesses.

Elder Gauthier and Elder Gish

Elder Gish loves to break dance, and even managed to get 

himself in a mission video doing a bit of it.  He loves his companions, 

and for that matter, he just seems to love everyone.

Elder Chad Hilyard

Just a little kick to the soccer ball.

From left:  Elder Farnsworth, Elder Ito, Elder Hilyard, and Elder Matson

Elder Hilyard said at the beginning of his mission that he was shy until he 

got to know people.  He must have overcome that on his mission, because 

other missionaries describe him as someone who loves talking to people and 

who is very good at it.  He is friendly and positive and funny.

Sister Mariah Hunt

Sister Saito, Sister Yamada, and Sister Hunt

Beautiful inside and out.  Sister Fujisawa, and Sister Hunt on right.

Sister Hunt is a good writer.  But what people love most about her is 

that she gets along well with everyone.  She is easy to talk to and warm-hearted.  

Elder Axel Kerksiek

Elder Adachi, and Elder Kerksiek on right.
Doing what missionaries do best.

Elder Wakamatsu and Elder Kerksiek on right, at Suwa Castle.

Elder Kerksiek is easy going with a good sense of humor.  

He can find humor in about anything, so he makes missionary 

work fun.  He is very easy to get along with.

Elder Joshua Matson

Elder Matson on left, with Elder Dunn and two genuine, bonafide Samurai Warriors.
Actually, it's the other way around.  Two genuine, bonafide missionaries.

Elder Ahuna and Elder Matson.  Don't you think
missionaries look more handsome
when they are serving?

Elder Matson gets kudos from other missionaries for being 

hard working and obedient.  He loves to learn and seems to want 

to know everything he can.  He is also very good at Japanese.  When he gets 
home, he will be working on dance and taekwando.

Sister Chalese West

Sister West on left, with Sister Adachi and Sister Hunt.

Darling workers.  From left, Sister West, Sister Masuda, Sister Adachi, Sister Nishimuro

Sister West stands out as being FAST.  She loves to run and 

can do it well.  But she also has great spiritual gifts--she is kind, 

patient, has good knowledge of the scriptures, and a sweet testimony of the Gospel.

and Sister Maori Takatsu

Sister Takatsu loves the Book of Mormon!

Sister Takatsu and Sister Stott

Sister Takatsu has a wonderful knowledge of the scriptures.  

You can tell that by just looking at her scriptures; they are well loved!  

She also has good English and loves to smile and laugh.

Transfer Time Yet Again, April 2012

Where did the time go?  Transfers are supposed to be every six weeks.  While our calendar says it's been that long, we have trouble believing it.  The last transfer was the day before yesterday!

This time, we only had to send home three elders.  But the mission won't be the same without:

Elder Anderson

Elder Erik Anderson loves playing guitar and cooking.  His is also interested in history and culture.  But mostly, he loves to serve people.  He calls West Haven, Utah home, and is excited to be able to converse with his mother's family (all in Japan) fluently.  He also hopes to take over his father's branch of the company, and the language will enable him to do that.

Elder Wilson

One of the missionaries who knows Elder Wilson said of him:
"He is an elder who is capable of showing a lot of love.  He is a very respectable person."

Elder Johnson (front and center)
Left to right: Elders Hollister, Kervinin, and Farnsworth.

Elder Nathan Johnson is very friendly and outgoing, saying hello to everyone he sees.  He is diligent and a hard worker, and stays optimistic.  He has an amazing testimony and is a very creative thinker.  His home is Orem, Utah.

Elder Nathan Johnson is very friendly and outgoing, saying hello to everyone he sees.  He is diligent and a hard worker, and stays optimistic.  He has an amazing testimony and is a very creative thinker.  His home is Orem, Utah.

And happily, we welcomed 13.  For us, it was a LUCKY number.

We got this great group picture.
Actually, it's Golden Week, a time to celebrate children and the year of the dragon.

We did the HOIZA shout!
Hope Of Israel, Zion's Army

We fed them the world's best lasagna.

And here is absolute proof that they arrived at the mission home.
Parent's, can you spot your son's/daughter's shoes?

Elder Ian Sanderson (left) with his first companion,
Elder Duarte.

Elder Ian Sanderson considers himself a social person and likes being placed in leadership positions.  He plans to learn Russian after his mission.  He is from American Fork, Utah and is excited to bring the Gospel to the Japanese people. One of our missionaries said of Elder Duarte:  "He is full of love.  He can get along with anyone.  And he is always genki!"

Elder Ian Sanderson considers himself a social person and likes being placed in leadership positions.  He plans to learn Russian after his mission.  He is from American Fork, Utah and is excited to bring the Gospel to the Japanese people.

One of our missionaries said of Elder Duarte:  "He is full of love.  He can get along with anyone.  And he is always genki!"

Elder Joshua Jones (left) with his first companion,
Elder Ikeda.

Elder Joshua Jones comes from a family of four.  He is also very close to his grandmother.  He enjoys learning languages, and wants to work in a business that requires travel to foreign countries.  He joined the Church three years before his mission and is from Logan, Utah. Before his mission, Elder Ikeda met a 15 year old boy through basketball.  When Elder Ikeda wouldn't play on Sunday, Hiro wanted to know why.  Elder Ikeda invited him to church.  Hiro loved it, listened to the lessons and was baptized.

Elder Joshua Jones comes from a family of four.  He is also very close to his grandmother.  He enjoys learning languages, and wants to work in a business that requires travel to foreign countries.  He joined the Church three years before his mission and is from Logan, Utah.

Before his mission, Elder Ikeda met a 15 year old boy through basketball.  When Elder Ikeda wouldn't play on Sunday, Hiro wanted to know why.  Elder Ikeda invited him to church.  Hiro loved it, listened to the lessons and was baptized.  

Elder Jack Koch (left) with his first companion,
Elder Heo.

Elder Jack Koch was born in Okinawa, and has also lived in Germany, Wyoming and Utah.  In his family the girls were born in Wyoming, the boys in Japan. When he gets home he will go back to BYU, find the most beautiful girl in the whole world and marry her. Then he plans to live happily ever after.  His goal is to do what the Lord sent him to Japan to do and to live up to his fullest potential. He says he is a little headstrong, but he is always there with a laugh or a shoulder to support someone. Elder Heo is good at focusing on one thing.  He loves to travel and receives knowlege and inspiration when he does, and always has a spiritual experience.  He also enjoys playing basketball.

Elder Jack Koch was born in Okinawa, and has also lived in Germany, Wyoming and Utah.  In his family the girls were born in Wyoming, the boys in Japan.
When he gets home he will go back to BYU, find the most beautiful girl in the whole world and marry her. Then he plans to live happily ever after.  His goal is to do what the Lord sent him to Japan to do and to live up to his fullest potential. He says he is a little headstrong, but he is always there with a laugh or a shoulder to support someone.

Elder Heo is good at focusing on one thing.  He loves to travel and receives knowlege and inspiration when he does, and always has a spiritual experience.  He also enjoys playing basketball.

Elder Benjamin Burnett (left) with his first companion,
Elder Farnsworth.

Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to Elder Benjamin Burnett.   His father is currently the bishop, his older brother is also on a mission, and he has three younger brothers.   He is good with computers and a quick learner, so that is why he wants a career in science or engineering and hopes to invent something.

Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to Elder Benjamin Burnett.   His father is currently the bishop, his older brother is also on a mission, and he has three younger brothers.   He is good with computers and a quick learner, so that is why he wants a career in science or engineering and hopes to invent something.

Elder Farnsworth loves being with family, camping, hiking, 

cooking, soccer, service, and many other things.  He describes 

himself as awesome, clever, dashingly good looking and HUMBLE.  

But his mom tells him he is intelligent, patient, hard working, 

creative, faithful, and has a good sense of humor.

Elder Tomonori Kanda (left) with his first companion,
Elder Hara.

Elder Tomonori Kanda is from Sugamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.  He has a dream to make a robot suit to help older people, and to walk around the world and eat foods from many different countries.  His hobbies are eating, karaoke, table tennis and swimming.  He says he is always calm and can make other people laugh  even when he's not trying.  His favorite food is katsudon. Elder Hara likes to go to hot springs a lot. But his dream is to open his own jewelry store.  He has studied gems and can recognize what kind of gem it is and its value.

Elder Tomonori Kanda is from Sugamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.  He has a dream to make a robot suit to help older people, and to walk around the world and eat foods from many different countries.  His hobbies are eating, karaoke, table tennis and swimming.  He says he is always calm and can make other people laugh  even when he's not trying.  His favorite food is katsudon. Elder Hara likes to go to hot springs a lot. But his dream is to open his own jewelry store.  He has studied gems and can recognize what kind of gem it is and its value.

Elder Tomonori Kanda is from Sugamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.  He has a dream to make a robot suit to help older people, and to walk around the world and eat foods from many different countries.  His hobbies are eating, karaoke, table tennis and swimming.  He says he is always calm and can make other people laugh  even when he's not trying.  His favorite food is katsudon.

Elder Hara likes to go to hot springs a lot. But his dream is to open his own jewelry store.  He has studied gems and can recognize what kind of gem it is and its value.

Elder Taro Shimizu (left) with his first companion,
Elder Tojo.

Elder Taro Shimizu is from Nada, Kobe and comes from a family of 4.  He likes playing the piano, painting, sports and cooking.  Accounting is his dream job.  He used to shy, but has overcome that characteristic. When Elder Tojo did homestay in the United States, he saw the big gap between rich and poor.  Now he wants to help anyone in need of anything.  After his mission, he plans on going to university.

Elder Taro Shimizu is from Nada, Kobe and comes from a family of 4.  He likes playing the piano, painting, sports and cooking.  Accounting is his dream job.  He used to shy, but has overcome that characteristic.

When Elder Tojo did homestay in the United States, he saw the big gap between rich and poor.  Now he wants to help anyone in need of anything.  After his mission, he plans on going to university.

Elder Aisaku Takabori (left) with his first companion,
Elder Rust.

Elder Aisaku Takabori is from Miyamae, Kanagawa, but he was born in New Jersey and lived there for 18 years. He has an older brother on a mission and a sister also preparing to serve.   Elder Ryan Rust is a very self-motivated person and is teachable.  He works very hard at what he is asked to do, and has finished three years of nutritional science at BYU.  He had the medical schools he most wanted to go to picked out before he left on his mission.  He will be a great doctor!

Elder Aisaku Takabori is from Miyamae, Kanagawa, but he was born in New Jersey and lived there for 18 years. He has an older brother on a mission and a sister also preparing to serve.  

Elder Ryan Rust is a very self-motivated person and is teachable.  He works very hard at what he is asked to do, and has finished three years of nutritional science at BYU.  He had the medical schools he most wanted to go to picked out before he left on his mission.  He will be a great doctor!

Sister Aoi Yamada (left) with her first companions,
Sister Saito and Sister Hunt.

Sister Aoi Yamada is from Hokkaido, Japan.  Her 3 siblings have all served missions, including a younger brother who is serving in Fukuoka at the same time as her.  She loves running and cross country skiing, and feels great when she is doing it.


Because Sister Saito is a nurse, she would like to use her talent.  She is good at working with people and is calm.  

Sister Hunt calls herself reserved, but she has many close friends and is motivated to do things well.  Prayer has always helped strengthen her testimony.

Elder Charles Baker (right) with his first companion,
Elder Ellsworth.

Elder Charles Baker's best friend is his father.  He is the youngest in his family of five and admits that he's spoiled.  He loves learning and plans to become a mechanical engineer.  Sandy, Utah is where Elder Baker calls home. Elder Ellsworth says his father is generous and puts the Lord first, and his mother is nearly perfect and his best friend.  He has a strong testimony that is very personal to him.  He felt the mission call changed his life, even before he entered the MTC.

Elder Charles Baker's best friend is his father.  He is the youngest in his family of five and admits that he's spoiled.  He loves learning and plans to become a mechanical engineer.  Sandy, Utah is where Elder Baker calls home.

Elder Ellsworth says his father is generous and puts the Lord first, and his mother is nearly perfect and his best friend.  He has a strong testimony that is very personal to him.  He felt the mission call changed his life, even before he entered the MTC. 

Elder Jared Wilcox (left) with his first companion,
Elder Koesashi.

Elder Jared Wilcox is from Westminster, California  and his father is half Japanese.  He plans to go to BYU Hawaii after his mission and study business marketing.  He hopes that will work well with the surfing industry.  He loves to surf, play drums, soccer, snowboard, skateboard and be involved with music.

Elder Koesashi is an optimistic and cheerful person.  At a young men’s camp, he saw a great example of a person younger than him.  He had a strong testimony of the gospel. This young man’s example and a talk by President Monson changed his attitude and strengthened his testimony.  

Elder Mark Gibb (left) with his first companion,
Elder Gottfredson.  (Is there something in his eye?)

Elder Landon Gibb has lived in five states, currently Arizona.  He enjoys repairing and working with computers, photography and art.  He loves Asian Culture and wants to learn Korean and Chinese languages as well.  He is a hard worker and sometimes a perfectionist. Elder Gottfredson loves to sing, and according to some of his companions, he just might sing too much.  He also enjoys country dancing.

Elder Landon Gibb has lived in five states, currently Arizona.  He enjoys repairing and working with computers, photography and art.  He loves Asian Culture and wants to learn Korean and Chinese languages as well.  He is a hard worker and sometimes a perfectionist.

Elder Gottfredson loves to sing, and according to some of his companions, he just might sing too much.  He also enjoys country dancing.  

Elder Jordan Olsen (left) with his first companion,
Elder Matson.

Elder Jordan Olsen, from Overland Park, Kansas, plays percussion instruments and loves music.  His father is a neonatologiest and met his mother on his mission to Denmark.  Elder Olsen's older sister will serve in Germany at the same time as he serves in Japan.  Elder Olsen loves to laugh and make others laugh, and he is thrilled to come back to Japan, where he has lived before.

Elder Jordan Olsen, from Overland Park, Kansas, plays percussion instruments and loves music.  His father is a neonatologiest and met his mother on his mission to Denmark.  Elder Olsen's older sister will serve in Germany at the same time as he serves in Japan.  Elder Olsen loves to laugh and make others laugh, and he is thrilled to come back to Japan, where he has lived before.

Elder Matson has a black belt in Tae Kwan do.  He knows Joseph Smith is a prophet "at his core," and it fills him with joy and adoration when he thinks of the Savior's infinite love.

Elder Thomas Petersen (left) with his first companion,
Elder Horne.

Beaver, Utah is home to Elder Thomas Petersen.  He was actually writing a novel before his mission.  He is interested in different cultures, and wants to become fluent in Japanese.  He enjoys singing and has been in honor choirs and musicals.  He also likes to try new foods. Elder Horne is very skillful in music.  He has also managed to learn excellent Portuguese while in Japan, in addition to his Japanese.

Beaver, Utah is home to Elder Thomas Petersen.  He was actually writing a novel before his mission.  He is interested in different cultures, and wants to become fluent in Japanese.  He enjoys singing and has been in honor choirs and musicals.  He also likes to try new foods.

Elder Horne is very skillful in music.  He has also managed to learn excellent Portuguese while in Japan, in addition to his Japanese.

April 2011 New Missionaries

This week, we welcomed an astounding amount of new missionaries into our mission! 22!!! It will be such a great blessing for this mission and the people in it. There were a lot of missionaries, but each one of their beautiful testimonies shine! We are so grateful to each of them for choosing to serve a mission. We feel blessed that it is the Japan Nagoya Mission that they were called to.

The next morning for the new missionary orientation, all of the new missionaries gathered at the Meito church. It was quite a scene to see all of the missionaries sitting shoulder to shoulder as an army for our Heavenly Father. Even their bags with their starting materials were lined up along the wall inside the office! What a scene!

All of the new missionaries and their trainers piled in for a group picture in front of the Meito church
before heading out to their first area!

Elder Cruz (left, trainer) and Elder Scaduto (Tokyo) - Takaoka

Elder Raffael Scaduto is very genki, happy, positive and delightful. He has
a great testimony and was truly obedient. A great missionary!

Elder Andre' Cruz is friendly and outgoing, and can be relaxed or strict when appropriate.  
He can be very strict with himself.  He lived for a while in Provo, Utah to study English.

Elder Rocha (left) and Elder Duarte (trainer) - Fujieda

Elder Frederico Rocha (pronounced  Hosha, for all you non-Brazilians) is from Sao Paulo.  Elder Rocha has been an exchange student in the US.  He loves to play soccer, travel and surf.  He is studying Business Administration and wants to be an executive. Elder Danilo Duarte enjoys soccer, playing piano, church dances, and hanging out and talking with friends.  He plans on college and, of course, marriage after his mission.

Elder Kinnison (Tokyo, on left) and Elder Gordon (Tokyo, trainer) - Kanazawa

 Elder Christopher Gordon, from Spring, Texas, knew that if he put his trust in the Lord,
things would work out.  He came to Nagoya from Tokyo full of faith
and ready to serve wherever he was called.  He went back to Tokyo with the same attitude.

Elder Marshall Kinnison was very excited to teach the Gospel and teach the
Japanese people.  He was a very obedient missionary.

Elder Hollister (trainer) with Elder Matson (right) - Kasugai

Boise, Idaho is home to Elder Joshua Matson.  He likes Tai Kwon Do, ballroom dancing and Brazilian Martial Arts.  Elder Matson has written a book that he plans to publish when he gets home.

Elder Taylor Hollister likes most sports, and wrestled at the
Air Force Academy before his mission. He is hard working,
competetive and likes cleanliness.  He planned to get lost in the work
on his mission, and has done a good job of that.

Elder Horne (trainer on left) and Elder Mechaileh (Tokyo) - Okazaki

 Elder Michel Mechaileh felt blessed to be in the mission, whether Tokyo or Nagoya.
He was so happy to be in Japan at all, after the tsunami.  He loved being in Nagoya.

 Elder Ryan Horne wants to raise a righteous family, and help others 
through the medical profession.  He loves to play piano 
and racquetball.  He tutored math, reading and piano before 
his mission.  Love constrains him to be a missionary.

Elder Jackson (trainer, left) and Elder Farnsworth - Nonami

Elder Peter Farnsworth comes from a family of 9 amazing people, and he is from Lindon, Utah.  It is common to have 25 people for Sunday dinner, all family. All of his brothers and his father have served missions. Elder Farnsworth is planning to get a master’s in Emergency Service and work as a firefighter, eventually becoming a Physician’s Assistant.  Elder Marcus Jackson wants to become a dentist.  He says he has a fun personality and hates to upset people.

Elder Jessop (trainer, left) and Elder Kerksiek - Hamamatsu

Herriman, Utah is home to Elder Axel Kerksiek.  He is the youngest of 9 children,  and has lived in seven countries for at least two years each.  He loves astronomy and astrophysics, is fascinated by machines, and plays the piano.  He loves to laugh and make others laugh, but he is also kind and understanding.   He puts others ahead of himself.

Elder Terry Jessop's favorite sport is tennis.  He also enjoys boating and piano.  He looks forward to having a large family and serving a mission with his wife. Someone who knows him says he is the kind of person who does whatever he is asked, and does it as soon as he can.  He is dependable, very service oriented and cheerful.

Elder Kekauoha (trainer, left) and Elder Danielson - Okazaki

Santa Monica, California is home to Elder Broderick Danielson.  Elder Danielson
plays the piano, and tenor and soprano saxaphones.  He was in marching band,
jazz band, pep band and wind ensemble.  He has been a good student with good
grades and he is a good communicator.

Elder George Kekauoha is from Hawaii, but has also lived in Maryland and Japan. He says his family is the greatest!  He enjoys gardening, yardwork (Wow!), building, playing piano, guitar and ukulele, and sports.  A few of his many goals are to have a farm, an eternal family, and time to serve others.  He enjoys talking to people, and knows he can do anything he puts his mind to.  He loves the feeling of having the  Holy Ghost with him.

Elder Kervinen (trainer, left) and Elder Gish - Ichinomiya

Elder Zachary Gish, from Highland, Utah, loves to snowboard.  He plays the guitar
and writes music and likes to learn random facts.  He is also interested in mythology.
He loves classic cars and wants to restore one someday.  His goal is to become a dentist.

Elder Niilo Kervinen is a social person and a team player, is positive and optimistic.  
He also knows that studying the scriptures is the most powerful tool to get 
to know God.  He is serving a mission to show gratitude to God for his blessings.

Elder Kutney (left) and Elder Roberts (Tokyo) - Seto

Elder Justin Roberts was mature and so focused on his mission.  He was completely happy
to be in Japan and part of the Lord's work.  He felt he was exactly where the Lord
wanted him to be and found great joy in the work.  He had great goals for his mission
and worked hard to make them happen.

Most of Elder Terrance Kutney's goals revolve around the Gospel.  He hopes that whatever job he has will actually help or improve people's lives.  He says he is level headed and gets along with most anyone.

Elder Madsen (Tokyo, left) and Elder Holden (Tokyo, trainer) - Ueda

Elder Jared Holden felt such great love for the people.  He was willing and ready to
go and work.  He savored everything he learned while he was in Nagoya and
developed a love for the Bairds and a greater love for the Gospel.
He said, "I'm on a mission, it is hard, and I love it."

Elder Nathan Madsen, from Boise, Idaho, came to us just before going home,
but worked for success.  He felt he learned a lot about missionary work and felt a lot of love.

Elder Miura (Tokyo, left) and Elder Ogaki (trainer) - Suwa

Elder Tsubasa Miura was very grateful to have served in the Nagoya Mission
and was sad to go.  He was willing to serve wherever he was and do his best.
He said that he experienced a lot of things that were meaningful.

Elder Shunya Ogaki will continue his studies in 
early childhood education after his mission.  After he retires, 
he wants to serve a mission with his wife.  He says he is usually quiet, 
but he is good at talking with people. 

Elder Otahara (trainer, left) and Elder Eguchi (Tokyo) - Ueda

Elder Junpei Eguchi was determined to serve and do his best.  He said
he wouldn't forget the Bairds and this mission, and his goal is to be like the Savior.

Elder Koudai Otahara is blessed to have 10 people in his very faithful family. He loves talking with people, especially foreigners using a different language. He also enjoys music and dancing. He is outgoing and happy.

Elder Chubak (trainer, left) and Elder Christensen (Tokyo) - Ogaki

Elder Russell Christensen was so excited to serve the Lord in Japan.  He came
with a love for the people.  He knew of Heavenly Father's love for us all
and was ready to work and share all he knew.

Elder Austin Chubak, from West Valley City, Utah, fit with the area and people here and
loved his time here.  He hoped to go home with the peace of mind that he did exactly
what Heavenly Father wanted him to do.  He felt he grew a lot while he was in Nagoya.
He was a great blessing to the people here.

Elder McGahan (Tokyo, left ) and Elder Pearson (trainer) - Fukuroi

Elder Trevor McGahan was very teachable.  He let everything that he learned in
Nagoya seep into him.  He was an excellent missionary and enjoyed the time here.

Lehi, Utah is home to Elder Michael Pearson and he is the sixth of seven children.  
Missionary work is big in his family.  His grandfather wrote the original discussions for the church.  
His parents run a website for missionary moms.  Everyone in his family plays a musical instrument.

Elder Reynolds (trainer, Tokyo) and Elder Shimamoto (Tokyo) - Kasagai

Elder Yuki Shimamoto was genki and very good as a missionary.
He was willing to work very hard.

Elder Michael Reynolds, from Elwood, Kansas, loves learning languages, music
and exercising.  He was ready to make a huge impact when he came to Nagoya.
By the time he left, he said he had seen many miracles and gotten to know
some of the best people he had ever known.

Elder Prince (Tokyo, left) and Elder Ring (trainer, Tokyo) - Takaoka

Elder Jordan Ring, from Saratoga Springs, Utah, loves art.  He loves to teach and
hoped with all his heart to share the Gospel of joy and salvation with many people.
He  really was genki and happy and felt like he learned how to put the missionary
principles into practical application.  He had the ability to learn from whoever was around him.

Elder Keven Prince felt the Lord strengthening him as a missionary.  He tried to follow exactly
what the Lord expected of him.  He was ready and obedient on his mission.

Elder Shimajiri (left) and Elder Ito - Inuyama

Elder Yoshiya Ito's home town is Hashimoto, Wakayama, Japan.

He has three older brothers.  Elder Ito majored in Spanish and culture,
and studied Spanish art history in Leon Spain as an exchange student.
He also loves to play basketball and soccer and is interested in sports management.

Elder Naohiro Shimijiri also comes from a wonderful family of 10.  He and two siblings are members of the church.  Elder Simijiri’s dreams are to share love and humility and be a good example.  He is good at focusing on one thing at a time and getting it done. Elder Correia, left, and his trainer, Elder Skankey Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil is home for Elder Nicolas Correia.  He loves to listen to music, read the newspaper, enjoy a bike ride or drive a car.  He is also interested in politics.  Elder Correia plans to study business administration.    Elder Bryce Skankey enjoys soccer, technical help with theatre, and looking through telescopes.  He is optimistic and proud to be a geek.

Sister Shaver (left) and her trainer, Sister Wilcox - Takayama

Sister Maricella Shaver comes to us from Orem, Utah.  She enjoys reading, writing and cooking.  She loves the ah-ha moment when she figures something out and is able to fully understand it.  She will decide what to focus on for college after her mission.  She says she is extremely shy, but gets along well with people and loves talking to them when she gets to know them.  She was blessed to be sealed in the temple with her family when she was eleven.

From Provo, Utah, Sister Marie Wilcox comes from an amazing family who love education and science.  She has already graduated with a degree in biochemistry and finds she loves organic chemistry.  She is a talented seamstress, plays piano, organ and trombone.  She picked up Japanese by watching Anime in Japanese while she was in bed for two years with an illness.  She is hard working and humble enough to ask for help when needed.  She learned from her illness to submit to Heavenly Father's will.

Elder Cragun (Tokyo, left) and Elder Wilden (trainer, Tokyo) - Fujieda

Elder Aaron Cragun came to us as a new missionary.  He was excited but nervous about the
language.  One of his goals was to leave areas better than he found them.
He learned much while he was in Nagoya and he worked hard.

Elder Alexander Willden, from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, likes guitar and song writing.
He was a little sad when he went back to Tokyo.  He loved being in Nagoya, but he
probably enjoyed Tokyo every bit as much.  He felt very blessed as a missionary and learned
a lot about himself and his Heavenly Father.  He knew he was meant to be in Nagoya.

Elder Wilson (left and trainer) with Elder Hilyard - Kanazawa

From Bountiful, Utah, Elder Chad Hilyard loves soccer and music.
He has played guitar and drums and sung with the concert choir.
He especially enjoys singing religious music.

One elder in the mission says Elder Samuel Wilson is easy to talk to, friendly,
and a solid kind of calm, keeping hope and faith even when things are bad.

He played football in high school and enjoys reading.