Transfers, February 2013, New Missionaries

For anyone who is regularly at the international gate of the airport,
 here (above) is the sure sign that it's transfer day.  Eight carts,
awaiting luggage.  Won't it be fun in July, when we are expecting
at least 20 new missionaries!  President Baird gets so excited when these great new missionaries come walking through that gate:

Sister Leah Hodson, United States

Elder Samuel Richard, Australia

Elder Victor Lazaro, Brazil

Can't forget the group picture and the Hoiza Shout--YOSH!

From left:  Elder Milder, Elder Mikkola, Elder Lazaro, President and Sister Baird
Sister Hart, Sister Hodson, Elder Chiba, Elder Richard, and Elder Tano

Yosh!

Then they are off!  On to a train from the airport to the Nagoya Station, where they make a quick stop for photos at the Golden Clock, and then transfer to their final leg.  They will arrive at the Kamiyashiro Eki and be picked up to ride the last few blocks to the honbu.

From left:  Elder Clark, Recorder, Elder Hara, Commissarian, Elder Richard, Elder Chiba,
Elder Mikkola, Elder Milder, Elder Tano, Elder Lazaro,
Sister Hart, Sister Hodson, Elder Ellsworth and Elder Schade, AP's

At last, the next morning after some training, they get to meet their first companion and find out where they will be going.

Elder Yoshifumi Chiba

Elder Chiba, left, with Elder Harada are going to Nonami.

Elder Yoshifumi Chiba is from Sendai, Japan.  He was baptized first in the family, and his mother followed.  He has an older and a younger brother.  He wants to work hard on his mission so his family will receive blessings.  He enjoys volleyball.  He is a person who never gives up.  The experience he had when he prayed to know if the Church was true also caused him to want to serve a mission.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ has helped him forgive others and find great peace in his life.

Elder Harada really appreciates his knoweldge of the Gospel and finds resolution of 
problems through it. He feels peace and joy at church.  He feels confident that 
his mission will help him decide what to do for the rest of his life.

Sister Saya Hart

Off to Fukutoku are Sister Hart (left) and Sister Ishihara

From St. George, Utah, Sister Saya Hart comes from a family of five.  Her mother is from Shizuoka and she has a grandmother who lives there currently.  Sister Hart loves the fine arts and visual arts and plays violin and piano. She enjoys photography and would like to study that and film eventually. She is warm and friendly, kind and positive.  She has a great motto for her mission:  Loyalty to the Lord.

Sister Ishihara loves to listen to good music and she enjoys performing as well.  Music brings her joy, especially if she is the one bringing it to others.  She has received comfort, encouragement, courage and power from God through prayer.  She knows that He loves her.

Sister Leah Hodson

Sister Hodson, left, will join Sister Rogers in Yokkaichi.

From Indianapolis, Indiana, Sister Leah Hodson has two sisters, one of whom is her twin.  Sister Hodson was majoring in acting and linguistics before her mission.  She would love to visit every Disneyland in the world and win every cooking competition she enters.  She enjoys crafts, reading science fiction, and listening to classical music.  She is cheerful and humorous. Sister Rogers studied Japanese before her mission, so she entered the mission running. She is an excellent trainer and while this is the second person to be blessed by her training, there will be more.  She wants to give 18 great months of her life to her Heavenly Father because He has given her everything.

Elder Victor Lazaro

Elder Lazaro (left) and Elder Romero will be headed to Ina.

Elder Victor Lazaro hails from Curitiba, Brazil.  He is the youngest in his family, and his older sister and brother both have degrees.  After his mission, Elder Lazaro will go to BYU Provo and major in economics.  He loves math and engineering, too.  He likes talking to people, learning languages, and making people laugh.  Elder Lazaro also plays guitar, and likes movies and learning.

Elder Romero says he loves doing things.  He is a very hands-on person.  He has
had many wonderful spiritual experiences and has felt the Lord's hand guiding him.
His life hasn't always been easy, but he has come through smiling,
and he thanks family, friends and the Lord for help in doing that.

Elder Pontus Mikkola

Elder Wilcox will train Elder Mikkola (left) in Tsu.

Elder Pontus Mikkola is from Espoo, Finland.  He is the middle child, with a brother on either side. He loves art and chemistry and studied chemistry for a year before his mission.  He also has an interest in Japan and its culture, so was glad to get called to Japan.  Elder Milder likes Japanese Indie music and trying out new cooking recipes.  He says he is patient and warm-hearted, taking others into consideration in everything he does. Elder Wilcox loves and wants to travel.  He is outgoing and loves meeting new people and always seems to be happy.  He is excited to have kids and raise a family.  And he is best friends with his own siblings and loves his family "a ton!"  Elder Wilcox plays drums and has even played a show in Hollywood.

Elder Eduardo Milder

Fujieda will be home to Elder Milder (left) and Elder Matsunaga

From Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Elder Eduardo Milder has an older brother and sister, and a younger sister.  He lost his mother to cancer in 2010.  Elder Milder studied in psychology in college for one year before his mission and loves getting to know people.  He gets along well with everyone and is patient with himself and others.  He is always in a good mood. He was a professional soccer player for a while.  Elder Milder has had a special friend since he was 10 years old, and hopes to marry her when he gets home. Elder Matsunaga uses sign language and speaks English.  Some day, he would like to make a movie that changes peoples' minds about God.  He would also like to use movies to tell about our church's doctrine.  He enjoys talking with both children and adults.  He is loving and open to feeling the spirit.  He is a hard worker and kind, and doesn't like being in a bad atmosphere.

Elder Samuel Richard

Elder Richard (left) and Elder Ludlow will enjoy being in Okazaki.

Elder Samuel Richard is from Perth, Western Australia.  He is the oldest of 7 children and has four sisters.  His family is very close.  He is thinking about being a pilot, a teacher, a lawyer or an engineer after his mission.  Reading, swimming, strategy games and sports of all kinds are what he enjoys, and he also loves to meet new people.  He calls himself funny, outgoing, and focused and he works well under stress and perseveres through challenges.  He is also a good teacher.

Elder Ludlow is hard working, organized and determined.  His testimony is
another one of his strengths.  He is serving a mission because he knows
how happy the Gospel will make people, and he wants to set
a good example for his little brothers.

and Elder Jarem Tano

Kanazawa will be blessed to have Elder Tano (left) and Elder Kaneko.

From Pearl City, Hawaii, Elder Tano hopes to become an aeronautical engineer and work on planes in the Air Force.  His parents and a brother all served missions in Japan, and one of his three sisters served in Thailand.  Elder Tano gained his testimony through prayer, fasting, and scripture study over a period of time.  Part of that testimony is that he was called to be a missionary before he even came to earth.

Elder Kaneko uses sign language and speaks English.  Some day, he would like 

to make a movie that changes peoples' minds about God.  He would also 

like to use movies to tell about our church's doctrine.  He enjoys talking 

with both children and adults.  He is loving and open to feeling the spirit.  

He is a hard worker and kind, and doesn't like being in a bad atmosphere.  

11 New Missionaries, July 2012

Here they are!  Welcome, welcome to Elder Yoshizawa, Elder Kaminishi, Elder Matsunaga, Elder Roney,
Elder Honda, Sister Fujisawa, (Sister and President Baird), Elder Roney, Elder Matsatahti,
Elder K. Baker, Elder Harada, and Elder Kaneko.

Of course, there was the greeting.
Sister Fujisawa first.

Lots of smiles and happy hellos.
Elder Kaminishi with President Baird

There was a little bit of "getting to know you."
Elder Kaminishi, Elder Koesashi (commissarian), Elder Matsunaga,
and Elder Honda (facing right).

This is how the end of the Hoiza Shout looks.

And finally, dinner at home with 11 tired missionaries.
Elder Ellsworth, AP on left, Elder Barney and
Elder Koesashi (commissarian) on right.

The next day, we enjoyed the pleasure of a piano/cello rendition.
So much talent! (Elder Honda and Kaminishi)

Elder Matsunaga (left) with his trainer, Elder Nakanishi

Elder Subaru Matsunaga is from Tokyo, Japan.  He is very proud of his mother, 
who is deaf and uses sign language.  She is a wonderful woman.  
He likes to watch movies and make stories and videos.  He studied film making 
when he was in the US, and also studies editing and script writing.  It is both a hobby and a major.

Elder Nakanishi makes friends fast and is positive and friendly.  
He became converted to the Church when he traveled to Salt Lake City 
and attended General Conference.  

 Elder Kaminishi (left) with his trainer, Elder Sambongi

Elder Shimon Kaminishi has joined missionary lessons often, and has felt that 
missionary work is a gift from God.  He has recognized the strong 
testimony and great love and power of the spirit.  He knows missionary 
work is the work of God and that God will help us as we teach.  
Elder Kaminishi is from Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan  and has been 
preparing hard to go on a mission and go to college.

Elder Sambongi plans to be a dentist.  His greatest talent and hobby is music.  
He plays string bass and was a member of Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra 
and played with Utah Symphony where he toured in Italy.

Elder Honda (left) with his trainer, Elder Soliai

Elder Takumi Honda comes from a family of eight.  He will serve  his mission at the same time as his younger brother.  Elder Honda is from  Tokyo, Japan and he and his brother have been going to the temple every  week in preparation.  He has lots of hobbies, and especially mentions reading,  sports, driving cars, drawing, travel, and piano.  His is very optimistic and has a  strong testimony of the Gospel.  He knows the Gospel makes us better.

Elder Soliai hasn't planned his future occupation, but he knows he can 

be successful if he remains obedient to the commandments.  

He is accepting, humorous and adaptable. 

Elder Harada (left) with his trainer, Elder Kuwahara

Home to Elder Yoshiharu Harada is Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.  His family loves to go camping, and they do it often.  Elder Harada loves to watch sports and play baseball.  He also enjoys puzzles.  His goals include learning English (to help him have a world view) and having an eternal family.  His strengths are trying lots of things, being patient, and having unity.

Elder Kuwahara wants to master English and travel.  He enjoys 

making people smile and has many friends.  He is also 

obedient and a good listener.

Sister Fujisawa (left) with her trainer, Sister Stott

Coming to us from Tokyo, Japan, Sister Kaho Fujisawa has a brother also serving a mission.  She says her family loves to talk together, and they work hard.  She has learned a lot through sports and hopes to do sports for a long time.

Sister Stott plans to become and educator, focusing on elementary students, 

but she also likes graphic design.  And temple marriage and motherhood 

are also in her plans.  She is a caring, but also determined person.  

Sister Stott always wanted to serve a mission, and when she found out she 

had to wait until she was 21, she cried.

Elder Kaneko (left) with his trainer, Elder Kishi

Elder Norikazu Kaneko is from Nakano, Tokyo, Japan.  His father, brother and he converted to the Church 7 years before his mission.  His mother has always been a member and was the influence to their conversion.  Elder Kaneko loves to cook and plans to go to culinary college after his mission.  He also enjoys sports, music and movies.  He likes to pray and feels it is a great blessing to be able to talk with God.

Elder Kishi has a talent for singing, cutting paper into wonderful animals 

and shapes, juggling and card tricks.  He is cheerful and positive and 

makes friends with everyone.  Children especially love it when he is around.  

He is a hard worker and has a strong testimony.

Elder Seipel (left) with his trainer, Elder Hilyard

Orem, Utah is where Elder Mckay Seipel calls home.  He is the youngest in a family of five and both of his siblings have served missions.  Elder Seipel wants to become an electrical engineer, get married, be a lake artist and a photoshop  artist.

Elder Hilyard is a hard worker and loves

to read the scriptures.  He says he is shy until he gets to know people

and is good at empathy.  He wants to get a degree in science or business

and master in Japanese Language.  He was surprised, though,

to be called to Japan.  

Elder Roney (left) with his trainer, Elder Shimohara

Elder Jarom Roney, from Heber City, Utah, is the third of six children.  Both 
of his older siblings are serving missions at the same time as him.  Elder Roney 
loved growing up in a small town, and has enjoyed travel, sports, board 
and card games with his family, but he doesn't care for hiking, hunting and fishing.  
Tennis, basketball and badminton are his favorite sports, and he loves to read.

Before his mission, Elder Shimohara was really into computers. He likes building 

and taking things apart.  In college, he was part of a team that built a small 

unmanned submarine. He says he is kind of serious, but when he loosens up, 

he is just a normal goofy guy. 

Elder Metsatahti (left) with his trainer, Elder Gish 

Only the second missionary to serve in this mission from Finland, Elder Niklas Metsatahti is from Turku in Suomi.  He is the oldest of six children and loves to read comics and draw.  He also enjoys board games.  He says he is kind and can  adapt to situations well.  He doesn't like giving up, and is normally cheerful.   He knows the Book of Mormon and its teachings are true.  He has liked Japan  for a long time, so he is looking forward to serving here.

Elder Gish would like to become a good father like his own.  He would also enjoy

coaching high school baseball or lacrosse.  He is outgoing and never nervous.

 It is easy for him to meet new people and speak in any size crowd.  He is kind

and wants to make people happy. Ever since he was a little boy,

he has wanted to serve a mission.

Elder Baker (left) with his trainer, Elder Finlinson

From Salem, Oregon, Elder Kevin Baker is interested in history, politics and 
studying religion.  He says they all help to further understanding of why we are here 
and how it relates to us today.  His other hobbies are reading and playing paino. 
 Elder Baker plans to enlist in the US Army and attend BYU when he finishes 
his mission.  He wants to make a difference in the world.

Elder Finlinson says that he thinks he has a small presence despite being tall.  

And he doesn't like to talk about himself.  He is also a fast learner.

Elder Takumi Honda comes from a family of eight.  He will serve 

his mission at the same time as his younger brother.  Elder Honda is from 

Tokyo, Japan and he and his brother have been going to the temple every 

week in preparation.  He has lots of hobbies, and especially mentions reading, 

sports, driving cars, drawing, travel, and piano.  His is very optimistic and has a 

strong testimony of the Gospel.  He knows the Gospel makes us better.

Home to Elder Yoshiharu Harada is Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.  His family
loves to go camping, and they do it often.  Elder Harada loves to watch sports
and play baseball.  He also enjoys puzzles.  His goals include learning English
(to help him have a world view) and having an eternal family.  His strengths
are trying lots of things, being patient, and having unity.  

Coming to us from Tokyo, Japan, Sister Kaho Fujisawa has a brother also

serving a mission.  She says her family loves to talk together, and they work hard. 

She has learned a lot through sports and hopes to do sports for a long time. 

Elder Norikazu Kaneko is from Nakano, Tokyo, Japan.  His father, brother and he converted to the Church 7 years before his mission.  His mother has always been a member and was the influence to their conversion.  Elder Kaneko loves to cook and plans to go to culinary college after his mission.  He also enjoys sports, music and movies.  He likes to pray and feels it is a great blessing to be able to talk with God.  

Orem, Utah is where Elder Mckay Seipel calls home.  He is the youngest in a

family of five and both of his siblings have served missions.  Elder Seipel wants to become an electrical engineer, get married, be a lake artist and a photoshop

 artist.  

Only the second missionary to serve in this mission from Finland, Elder Niklas Metsatahti is from Turku in Suomi.  He is the oldest of six children and loves to read comics and draw.  He also enjoys board games.  He says he is kind and can 

adapt to situations well.  He doesn't like giving up, and is normally cheerful.  

He knows the Book of Mormon and its teachings are true.  He has liked Japan 

for a long time, so he is looking forward to serving here.

Elder Yoshizawa (left) with his trainer, Elder Tojo

Elder Touya Yoshizawa comes to us from Sagamihara, Kanagawa,  Japan.  He and his two brothers were involved in cubscouts and scouting when  they were young, and really enjoyed that.  He also enjoys many games and the computer.  He says he has a good memory and great dexterity.  He has a   testimony  of prayer and has been blessed to always find answers  when he needs them.

Elder Tojo's favorite scripture (D & C 25:12) is about singing hymns.  
Singing hymns gives him peace.  Elder Tojo has a great smile 
and is obedient.  He is good with his hands at making things,
 like assembling furniture.  He also plays guitar.  

Elder Touya Yoshizawa comes to us from Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 

Japan.  He and his two brothers were involved in cubscouts and scouting when 

they were young, and really enjoyed that.  He also enjoys many games and the computer.  He says he has a good memory and great dexterity.  He has a 

 testimony  of prayer and has been blessed to always find answers 

when he needs them.