The Love of a Sister

Story by Elder Ryan Horne

It all started when we asked the bishop for names of less-active members he wanted us to visit.  He gave to us the name of Maria, a member from Peru with health problems, and we went to give her a visit.

Maria had come to church about once in the five months that I had been in the area (Yokkaichi).  We asked her what we could do to help her in her situation.  She said, “I want you to call my sister.”  Apparently her sister had gone less active in Japan right after her baptism, and may not have been confirmed a member. 

I was a little daunted by the idea of calling someone who only spoke Spanish, because I don’t know Spanish.  But I tried to call, and she was thrilled!  She invited us over to her house and her two children were delighted to see us.  This mom said her only desire was to see her family get baptized, by water and by fire.  Over the next few weeks her two children, Yumiko and Miguel, learned about the Restoration, the priesthood, baptism, and other important things.  They loved it. 

A couple of months later, after a flurry of Elva’s health problems, their father’s heart became soft.  We had some really powerful lessons.  They were able to enter the waters of baptism and fulfill their mother’s dream.

From left, Yumiko, Elder Horne, Elder Gathier, Miguel.
Elva, their mom, in front.

Hard to Say Goodbye/March 2012 Finishers

How we love our missionaries!  How we hate to see them go.  But we know they have matured, in testimony and strength of character, in ability to study and serve.  We send them off with confidence in their ability to move forward and do great things. 

Seated left to right: Eckman, Ogaki, Otahara, Nelson, Shimajiri
Standing: Imaizumi, Wynn, Tsutamori, President and Sister Baird, Sis. Masuda, Takahashi, and Momose

Sister Iyo Masuda is from Hokkaido, Japan.  One elder said she has a great talent to help people become better.  Do sister missionaries get any more beautiful than this?

Sister Iyo Masuda. Yosh!

Elder Justin Eckman went home to St. Anthony, Idaho. Elder Eckman is very patriotic and loves his country.  He is funny, a great cook, (his cakes are in high demand) and when he is teaching, he makes things easy to understand.

Elder Eckman with Nagoya Castle in background.

Elder Nelson, left, with Elder Berrett
See Elder Nelson again below.  He's an angel.

Elder William Nelson loves many sports and playing the guitar. He has dreams to be an accountant and run his own business after his mission. One of his former companions siad that Elder Nelson has a dry sense of humor that makes everyone laugh hard.  And if there is a problem somewhere, he is the one you can trust to go fix it. He loves to serve others.  Another missionary said, "He is one of my favorite people ever."

Elder Masashi Imaizumi is from Chiba, Japan.  He can be quiet, but he is easy to get along with.  He is a good worker, and has a great sense of humor.  It's easy to make him laugh.  He thinks things through and can be an effective teacher.  He loved working with less active members.

Elder Momose also plays piano.

Elder Yasuaki Momose enjoys watching movies and painting pictures.  He wants to become an architect and design houses.  He was baptized just a year before his mission.  He is sincere and tender.  He is from Hokkaido, Japan.

Elder Shunya Ogaki is from Hyougo, Japan.  He enjoys doing puzzles and likes to do things to be healthy.  Even thought he may look slender, he is very strong, according to one of his missionary friends.

Elder Ogaki is quick to notice when he can serve.

One of Elder Otahara's former companion said that Elder Otahara is great with kids, and he enjoys riding his bike.  He teaches the Gospel simply, to the understanding of others.  He is also good with words.

Elder Otahara is the second angel from left.  He is with
Sister Masuda, Elder Nelson, and Elder Takahashi

Elder Shimijiri enjoys sports, especially basketball and track. He received a lesson about the church when he was 19, but later he received the lesson again and joined the Church at 23 years old.  He knows someone is waiting for this gospel and is anxious to share the it with others.

Elder Shimijiri (left) with Ken, Keiko, and Rua Edo, and Elder Kervinen

Elder Shimijiri

Is this Elder Takahishi's goal or accomplishment?

Elder Yusuke Takahashi comes from Saitama, Japan.  He hopes someday to work in an international setting.  Sports make him happy, and he likes to dance.  He is courageous and says rugby made his strong.  His bishop described him as humble and kind.

Elder Wynn

Elder Wynn is second from left.  Other missionaries from left:
Elder Curtis, Elder Flint, Sister Inoue, and Sister Kumagai.

Don't missionaries look great when they are serving!

Elder Mikel Wynn comes from Salem, Oregon, and his mother is from Japan.  He has the advantage of having lived in Japan as a young child, so he had a start on the language. He enjoys writing and music.  His whole family plays several instruments.  He is also interested in aviation and hopes to become a flight instructor.

Mutual Regard

Elder Shimon Tsutamori’s hero is his father.  He wants to be like him—a hard worker and always serving family and church.  He dreams of being able to help those in trouble.

Saying Goodbye, Feb. 2012

Saying goodbye is always difficult, but for those in the mission home, one of the hardest goodbyes is to a wonderful couple who have been part of our lives for a year and a half. Sister Virginia Oldroyd faithfully worked to keep the office going strong, and Elder Mark Oldroyd made miracles in the housing situation for the missionaries. And that's just the beginning. They helped in so many other ways and became a part of the lives of many Meito Ward members. They will surely be missed.

This is just one sample of the many people who came to express their love and tell them goodbye.







Then it's off to the airport, trying to keep a stiff upper lip.

Thumbs up for Elder Kishi.

Thank Heaven for missionaries who know the meaning of service and are always there to help.






The Oldroyds were in the mission for two years. Of course they needed to save some memories. Memories take up space in luggage.


Helping with luggage: Elders Hollister, Kishi and Rust.

And now it's time to really say goodbye. We will miss you, Elder and Sister Oldroyd. You are wonderful.

Sister Baird and Sister Oldroyd.





This says it all. Truly, we love you and all you have done to serve in the Japan Nagoya Mission.

Left to right below: Elder Rust and Kishi, Sister Barney, Sister Baird, Elder Jessop, President Baird, and Elder Hollister.

Only VIP's get 8 people (counting the photographer, Elder Barney) to see them off at the airport. God be with you till we meet again!

January 2012 New Missionaries

Tonight, we welcomed in 6 new, wonderful missionaries. Elder Nakanishi (Fukuoka), Elder Davis (Utah), Elder Beyeler (Utah), Elder Arrington (California), Elder Gauthier (Illinois), and Elder Dunn (Illinois). They are all wonderful missionaries! We are so very excited to see them progress and continue to grow as they serve the Lord!

From right:  Elder Nakanishi, Elder Davis, Elder Beyeler, Elder Arrington
Elder Gauthier, Elder Dunn, and President and Sister Baird

Stopped for a quick picture in front of the Golden Clock in the Nagoya Station

     Elder Dunn (left) and Elder Matson- Ueda

Elder Ethan Dunn is blessed to live in Nauvoo, Illinois.  He loves to read and write fantasy.  He is a born storyteller.  He also draws comic figures.   Elder Matson wants to learn to play the piano.  He is outgoing, (He says he has absolutely no problem going up to people and starting a conversation.) and organized.

Elder Ethan Dunn is blessed to live in Nauvoo, Illinois.  He loves to read and write fantasy.  He is a born storyteller.  He also draws comic figures.  

Elder Matson wants to learn to play the piano.  He is outgoing, (He says he has absolutely no problem going up to people and starting a conversation.) and organized.  

Elder Davis (left) and Elder Kusume- Gokiso

Elder Adam Davis, from Salt Lake City, Utah is an only child.  He calls it quality over quantity.  He enjoys building, fixing computers, writing, learning about science, playing the guitar and being active.  He wants his career to be in the medical field. One of the elders who was in the MTC with Elder Kusume says of Elder Kusume, "He's the best!  He studied English a lot and is great a making friends.  He always seemed to love doing missionary work."

Elder Beyeler (left) and Elder Kobayashi- Tsu

Elder Evan Beyeler hales from West Valley City, Utah.  Elder Beyeler’s family jokes around with each other a lot.  After his mission, he is looking forward to going to school, getting a job, and dating, but don’t forget basketball and snowboarding.  He really loves snowboarding.  He wants to travel to Italy and go on a service tour to another country.  He describes himself as relaxed but passionate. Elder Kobayashi was blessed to find a great job that allowed him to earn money for his mission while still teaching seminary and working with the missionaries.  When Elder Kobayashi saw the difference between members of the church and people who don’t have the Gospel, he wanted to share the Gospel so their lives could be improved.

Elder Nakanishi (left) and Elder Perdersen- Toyota

Itoshima, Fukuoka is the city Elder Ryuga Nakanishi comes from.  He loves the ocean.  It makes him feel calm and good, and he loves to surf.   Elder Pederson wants an occupation in the field of science to help make the world and church better.  He is humble and easy going and likes to help others.  He has a resolute testimony and lots of faith.

Elder Gauthier (left) and Elder Horne- Yokkaichi

Elder Gauthier loves his family and says his sisters are geniuses.  He's not sure what he wants to study, but he's thinking about law.  He loves soccer, cycling, skiing and dating.  He wants to become the best man he can, and be a father like his father.  One elder who knows Elder Horne said he is a hard worker, is very obedient, is trusted and works smart.

Elder Arrington (right) and Elder Ellsworth- Yokkaichi 

Elder Dallas Arrington's family is made up of his father, mother, two brothers, two sisters, and then him. Both brothers went on missions, but neither to Japan, even  though his father went to Sendai. His brothers, therefore, like to joke that he's now officially the favorite son. When he gets back home, he plans on returning to  school. Before his mission, he loved computers, reading, and writing. While he's in  Japan, he wants to learn to communicate better, no matter what language  he's using: English, Japanese, or the Spirit. Elder Ellsworth values having a close friend  who he can confide in.  He is intellectual but tries not to flaunt it.   He was raised in a very courteous household.

It Just Looked Right

Written by Elder Erik Anderson

My miracle story is short and simple. In writing this, I want you to understand and know how I feel about the mission.  I love it!  Every day is a different miracle story, in my opinion.  Looking back, I see so many miraculous things that have had happen to me, and have changed my life completely.  I am forever grateful to God for providing me so many different opportunities to find, teach, and baptize, as well as change eternally for the better.

Here is one of my favorite stories.

Elder Orme was my trainer in my bean area, Takayama.  As you know, Elder Orme is a very diligent and hard working missionary, and a friend.  I remember sprinting just to keep up with him.  After morning study, we went to the front door to pray.  (We always did that before dendoing.) We particularly asked for guidance and to find a new investigator.  We opened the door…HEAT WAVE!!  It was only 10:00 in the morning!  And it proved to be one of the hottest days of my entire mission.  We biked in neighborhoods around the mountains for about two hours in the blaring, hot sun, looking intently and persistently for a new investigator.   NO one would even come to the door.  It was either too hot for them to even get up, or they weren’t home.  You can imagine how tired (and discouraged) I was getting.

Elder Orme and I decided that since absolutely no one was coming to the door, we wouldn’t let it discourage us, and we weren’t about to quit.  So we decided to do “Adventure dendo.”  My favorite form of dendo!  We found a good looking mountain and decided to “check it out.”  We hiked up with our bikes (because the route was too steep for our mountain bikes.) While hiking, I thought about and saw an image of a house on a corner that I wanted to dendo on the way down.  It just looked right.  Then reaching the top, sweat everywhere, we found a small park and shrine at the top of the small mountain, overlooking all of Takayama.  Maybe after about 10 minutes of taking pictures, marveling over Takayama, taking in the beauty and sharing how grateful we were for the area and for our missions, we decided to head back down the maintain a different route.  Going down this very steep, narrow, and winding road, trying my best to keep up with Orme’s apparent racing, and trying not to kill myself, I saw a house on a corner that I had seen before.  I whistled at Orme.

I did feel a little badly that I had stopped his spontaneous race and he had to hike back up to me for reasons unknown.  When he got up, I pointed, saying, “I want to dendo this one.”  He, of course, smiled and all he said was “Let’s go.”  I’ll never forget the faith, love, and trust that he had in me.  When we got there, a mother came to the door, and she was so surprised to see two sweaty gaijins all the way up a huge hill at her door.  She had many questions, like “What are you doing here?” and “Why is your Japanese so good?”  She was obviously talking to Orme…Ha Ha! 

The whole time I just stood there with a massive grin on my face, kind of like a hunting dog that just sniffed out and pinned a pheasant.  And I wasn’t catching any Japanese!  Hida-Takayama ben?  I did ask her though, in the best MTC language that I could piece together, if she had ever thought of the purpose of life.  She responded, “Yes.”  And “Actually, I tried praying to God a couple days ago because I don’t know what my purpose is.  And I wanted to know where I go when I die.  And I just don’t feel like the Buddist church is true.  Nobody knows why we have all these traditions.  And now, here are you guys!”  (We found a kin-jin!)  She intently listened to everything we had to say, despite how hot and muggy it was.  She asked almost too many questions.  So we set up a next appointment.

When we were leaving, we asked if we could say a prayer.  Because she thought the entrance and shoe area was disrespectful, she asked if we wanted to come in to a different room.  We declined.  So she yelled, “Wait!” and ran to the other room to turn off the TV.  Then she hurriedly came back to sit “seiza” on the ground for the prayer.  During the prayer, I remember thinking that what I was feeling was true joy.  When we were done we asked how she felt.  She said, “Good, peace, happy,” and that she liked the feeling.

Oshita Shimai was baptized shortly after.

Elder Orme (left), Sister Oshita, and Elder Anderson

Sister Baird, it is stories like these that have taught me so many valuable principles that I will continue throughout my life.  Principles like love.  She was my first investigator and I’ve learned to cherish patience, persistence, endurance, faith, prayer, trust, and how to give my all.  I love my mission!  It has proven to be the best two years.  Even more so, I love the people here and the opportunity I’ve had to be a servant of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and change their lives through this wonderful gospel and message.  You and President Baird will forever be a part of me in this unforgettable experience.   

January 2012 Finishers

This week, we said good-bye to a really great group of missionaries! It was a large, energetic group of 9 wonderful missionaries! Elder Boss, Elder Hooton, Elder Pearson, Elder Adachi, Elder Curtis, Elder Transtrum, Sister Clark, Elder Valentine, and Elder Stachowski. They are all great missionaries and we will miss them! We love them so much and are so grateful for their examples and their service.

Seated, left to right: Elder Transtrom, Sister Clark, Elder Valentine, Elder Stachowski
Standing: Elder Boss, Elder Hooton, Elder Pearson, Elder Adachi, Elder Curtis, and Sister and President Baird

Of Elder Stachowski, another elder said, "He is a very handy elder.  He can fix anything, any time, anywhere."

One of Elder Valentine's former companions said of him, "He has a very big heart...and an even bigger appetite."

Elder Hooton has a great sense of humor.  One missionary said he was one of the funniest people he has met.  Elder Hooton also enjoys fixing things, and has fixed everything from a dryer to a computer.

Sister Clark loves to teach and be involved with learning.  She may become a language teacher, likely teaching Japanese.  She likes most any activity where there is learning involved.

Sister Clark and Sister Baird at the mission home

Elder Pearson says he doesn't show much emotion, so people can't always tell how he is feeling about something.  But he is almost always positive and doesn't think he has any enemies.  He has finally fulfilled his life-long dream of serving a mission.

Elder Boss is hoping for a business/marketing degree and is interested in advertising. He is a good friend, organizer and has a good sense of humor.  He lived in Japan for 10 years, but attended an American school.

Walking into Chubu Airport

Elder Transtrum knew how to dendo, according to one of his former companions.  He knew how to work hard and, when the time was right, he knew how to have fun.  He also had very good Japanese.

Missionaries who knew Elder Adachi said he loves people and enjoys talking to them.  He always has a loving feel about him and is easy to love.  He had the privilege of serving in the mission at the same time as  his sister for a while.   

From West Valley City, Utah, Elder Derrick Curtis thinks soccer is the all time best sport in the world.  He also loves to read and plans to become an engineer or architect.  Elder Curtis likes to do what he is supposed do.

"What We Do Is True"

Experience shared by Elder Dustin Larsen

I remember coming in as a young missionary, ready to work and see tons of baptisms along the way.  As time went by, my work ethic continued to get stronger and more effective, but the baptisms never came.  It wasn’t until January 16, 2010, almost a year into my mission, when I saw my first baptism.  It was an older lady named Osada.  I refer to her as my “Japanese grandma”.  I love Osada san with all my heart and am so blessed to be a part of her conversion. 

I worked with her for six months and after all that needed to be done was finished, she was baptized.  I remember walking into the font with her, saying the prayer word for word, immersing her into the water and lifting her up. 

What happened after that though, is something I’ll never forget.  I escorted her out of the font and I remained there alone for about 30 seconds.  In those 30 seconds I looked up towards heaven and felt God’s love stronger than any other time in my life. I knew that God lives and what we do is true.  I will never forget that special witness after Osada san’s baptism.