Merry Transfers and a Happy New Year, Jan.1, 2013

Wouldn't you know it!  Six weeks came and went again, and we had transfers.  Another great group, going and coming.  I'm sure glad we get new missionaries in, because otherwise transfers would just be too sad.  Just look at this group of returning missionaries!  Who would want to tell them goodbye?  It was hard.

Seated from left:  Elders Finlinson, Berrett, Gottfredson, Rocha, and Correia
Standing from left:  President and Sister Baird, Sisters Shimoji and Stott

Elder Shane Berrett

Can you tell Elder Berrett loves children?

Elder Berrett, left, and Elder Dinkel
(Working on solving the world's problems.)

One of Elder Berrett former companions said he is always upbeat and cheerful.  Even if he complains, he doesn't really mean it.  He is easy to be around.  Whatever ward or branch he served in, he gave special attention to the children and they always loved him a lot.  He knows how to make other people happy.  He also has a soft spot in his heart for dogs.

Elder Kevin Gottfredson

From left:  Elders Koesashi, Gibb, Gottfredson, and O'Hara

See the concern in Elder Gottfredson's eyes?  This place needs to go.

Elder Gottfredson is a very hard working missionary who has the ability to keep going, even when in pain.  He is good at math, and is also ambidextrous.  This exhibits itself when he goes wake boarding; he can do it regular or goofy.  But it also shows up when he shoots skeet.  He can hold the gun in either his right or left hand, and shoot well.  He has been know to shoot out the bulls eye of a target more than once.














Elder Nicholas Correia

Elder Correia is friendly, polite, hard working, and determined.  Elder Correia has already had the experience of teaching seminary.  He could do it really well now that's he's had missionary experience.  When he gets home, Elder Correia plans to study mechanical engineering and possibly teach English as a part time job.  

Elder Correia looks happy to give these two dogs a little love, and
they look like they are in heaven with him.
Elders Baker (right) and Finlinson in background.

Does Elder Correia look better in this, or a missionary suit?
I'd say the missionary suit "suits" him best.

Elder Frederico Rocha

Elder James and Elder Rocha (right)

Elder Rocha is peaceful and organized, very friendly, affectionate, and enjoys serving.  He doesn't like to sit still.  Since he was a child in Primary, he has looked forward to serving a mission. He is nice to everyone he meets.  He is very good at soccer and everyone thinks he has a beautiful accent.





















Sister Ziona Shimoj

In front from left: Sisters Shimoji, Eguchi, Yamada, and Takatsu
Behind:  Elders Koesashi, Ellsworth, Ito, and Clark

Sister Ishihara and Sister Shimoji (right)

Sister Shimoji is one of the most friendly people you will ever meet.  She is warm and happy, and has a gift for making friends.  Her eyes usually sparkle with joy.  She is also a talented teacher and finder, and has a special ability to love children.  Everywhere Sister Shimoji has been on the mission, she has left behind many new and dear friends.

Sister Stott in front, Sister Fujisawa behind,
and Meito Ward member Sister Yoneda standing.

Sister Lauren Stott

Sister Stott and Sister Thayne

Sister Stott has the distinction of being one of very few missionaries who got to open an area, and she opened two of them.  She is a hard worker and very organized.  She loves her companions with all her heart.  She is also very talented at fixing things, especially things that require a needle and thread, or some good food to make them feel better.

Elder Alex Finlinson

Just in case you wondered, Elder Finlinson is the one on the left.

Elder Finlinson on left, with Elders Heo, Macdonald, and Hilton. 

Elder Finlinson is a very quick learner.  One missionary called him a kanji master, because he knows so many kanji. His Japanese language was also very good.  One of his former companions said he was always obedient, that he always tried to follow the handbook exactly, and that he got up on time and studied hard.  He also learned to work through pain and keep going.











And on the happy end of things:

Here is our new commissarian, Elder Hara, waiting at the airport for our new arrivals.

And we got one more picture at the dragon.  We are waiting for a snake, but will we want to take a picture by him?  Stay tuned!  Meanwhile, what a great-looking group!

From left:  Elder Tsukamoto, Elder Wilson, Elder Ockerman, President and Sister Baird, and Sister Breck

This group did a fabulous job of dendoing on the train.  They handed out 5 copies of the Book of Mormon,
10 pamphlets, got contact information of one man who would like to know more, and one new person
will be coming to our English class!  From left are:  Elder Clark (recorder), Elder Hara,
Elders Schade and Ellsworth (APs), Elder Wilson, Elder Tsukamoto, Elder Ockerman, Sister Breck,
and Sister Whitney Baird, daughter of President and Sister Baird--here for the holidays
and thrilled to be again involved in missionary work.  She was recently released from the Kobe Mission. 

And here are our new missionaries, with their new companions:

Sister Tianna Rae Breck

Sister Breck on left with her new trainer, Sister Fujisawa.
They will be in Shizuoka.

And they will be a threesome, with Sister Hunt, right.

From Pleasant Grove, Utah, Sister Tianna Rae Breck is one of four children in her family.  Sister Breck would really like to work for the FBI as either a translator or accountant.  She likes to travel, and would especially like to work in Japan, England and Korea.  Speaking five languages is also a goal.  She is creative and loves to sew, and make gifts for others.  And reading is a passion for her.  She is also positive and optimistic, often seeing what happens in positive ways.

Sister Fujisawa dreams of becoming a teacher because a teacher made such a difference

in her life.  She has completed four years of college.  She looks forward to

sharing the Gospel with everyone she can.  She can feel God's spirit and wants

to share all she learns through the church.

Elder Trevor Ockerman

Headed to Fukui are Elder Ockerman, left, and Elder Baker

Meridian, Idaho is home to Trevor Shawn Ockerman.  He has three older siblings and a younger brother.  Elder Ockerman loves soccer and would like to be on BYU's soccer team and become a professional athlete.  He would like to be a role model to others.  Mechanical engineering is also in his future.  He loves all sports, and loves to learn new things and strive to be the best at what he does.  He is good at making friends of all ages.  He knows that the more righteously we live, the better our life will be, in every way. Elder Baker says he is outgoing, but can also be quiet at the right time.  He loves to learn and immerse himself in work, so he feels that will be a big help on his mission.  He has a strong testimony of the Gospel.

Elder Jacob Tsukamoto

Elder Tsukamoto, along with his trainer Elder Sanderson, will be working in Fuji.

Elder Jacob Tsukamoto was born in Hiroshima, Japan, but he grew up in Kaysville, Utah.  His father was born in Nevada, and his mother in Japan.  His two brothers both served missions in Japan as well.  Elder Tsukamoto is a rugby player at BYU where they won the National Championship.  He is studying exercise science, hoping to become and oncologist.  He has joined ROTC, hoping to get his medical training with the Army.  Music is a passion for Elder Tsukamoto.  He plays piano, trumpet, and guitar, and he loves to hike, backpack and camp in the mountains of Utah.  He is a good listener and likes to help others and set a high example.

Elder Sanderson said he is serving his mission because, "The prophet has asked every able young man to serve.  I am happy to serve the Lord and share the eternal insight I have with others.  I am looking forward to bringing the Gospel to the people of Japan."

Elder Andrew Wilson

Ueda is the destination of these two great missionaries,
Elder Wilson on the left, and Elder Shimohara

Elder Andrew Wilson calls Burke, Virginia home.  He has grown up in a military family, and his father is retired from the Air Force.  Elder Wilson has lived in 7 different states.  He has one older brother.  Elder Wilson's goal is to finish the computer engineering major he began at BYU.  He wants to work in augmented reality and, of course, start an eternal family.  Elder Wilson is a fast learner and a hard worker. He says he is a logical thinker and is very competitive.   Elder Wilson's parents joined the church when he was three.  He says the truthfulness of the Gospel has slowly distilled upon him and his testimony has steadily grown.

Elder Shimohara loves movies and TV.  He has some movies that he can quote.  He especially loves action, drama and mystery, in both books and movies. In college he was on the archery team, and in high school he was offensive tackle in football.  He says one of the best things about coming on a mission is really learning to connect and talk with other people.  He really enjoys doing that.

A Week in the Life of an Assistant to the President

A Week in the Life of an Assistant to the President, written by Elder Tanner Ellsworth

The following is a retelling of a week in my life as AP. I will admit that this was one of the busier weeks of my mission, but this pace is not unusual for the missionaries here in our mission. Hope you enjoy a week in the life of a missionary.

Monday

Left to right:  Elder Koesashi, Elder Kishi, Elder Berrett,
Elder Kervinen, and Elder Ellsworth

5:45- Wake up, quick run around the block, get ready for the day.

6:30- Start weekly reports with Zone Leaders, each Zone takes about half an hour. We discuss investigators committed to baptism and celebrations in finding and teaching from each zone.

8:00- Update/double check all the Key Indicator stats for the week on the computer. Start preparations for President’s report.

8:30- Meet Brother Hisaka at the church. Plan for our lesson with our investigator and drive to her apartment.

9:00-Lesson with an investigator. We talked about the importance of coming to church and invited her to come to church with Brother Hisaka. She really wants to come to church because she feels like it would help her feel closer to God and recharge for the week. Unfortunately, she teaches a yoga class every Sunday, but she committed to pray about asking her clients to switch their class time!

10:00- Return back to the honbu. Finish all preparations for Staff Meeting (President’s report, assignments, celebrations from the week).

11:00- Staff Meeting!! Elder Barney, Sister Barney, Elder Clark, Elder Koesashi, President. Delicious snacks from Sister Baird. Cinnamon rolls. We discuss many things like new email regulations for the missionaries, all missionaries making mormon.org profiles, revising the list of needed items for missionaries who are called to our mission, etc.

1:30- Staff Meeting ends. We slip out to go to the Ayuzawa family’s house. We planned to do a Family Home Evening with their friend and neighbor. We talk for a few minutes with the Ayuzawa’s about what kind of person she is and how we should present the gospel to her.

2:00- Family Home Evening with the Ayuzawa’s and their friend! She loves music and played the ocarina for us. We play a simple game and then discuss the love of God and how he loves each and every one of us. She cried and explained how she doesn’t know who our God is, but that her own personal God is a huge strength to her and has helped her a lot through her husband’s sickness. We sing “I am a Child of God” and make a return appointment for the next Saturday to meet and talk more about what our church really believes.

Top row:  Elder Ito, Elder Ellsworth, President and Sister Baird
Middle row: Elder Hara,  Elder Kobayashi, Elder Hiruta, Elder Kusume, Elder Tojo
Front Row:  Elder Parry, Elder Ashcroft, Elder Dinkle, Elder Clark, Elder Gottfredson

3:00- Back to the honbu. Meet with President Baird. Discuss the status and needs of all of the people committed to be baptized in our mission. Talk about the needs of our mission. Talk about the upcoming Zone Conference and what we will talk about and what he will talk about. Discuss the upcoming transfers. Who will be training, who will be leaders, etc.

5:00- Finish with President Baird. Gather up our bags and clothes and leave for a companion exchange in Gokiso (about 1 hour away).

6:00- Arrive in Gokiso. Off to an appointment! Meet with Brother Odani near the investigator’s house and go together to her house. We met her mom for the first time, so we helped her mom understand the church and its values, committed the investigator to be baptized, and discussed what steps needed to be taken for baptism. Helped the Mom understand baptism. We still have a little bit of time, so we go to this guy’s house who stopped answering his phone and coming to church. He wasn’t there, but we contacted his neighbors, trying to find those who were interested. Still haven’t eaten dinner, so on the way home, I grab some food from a convenience store.

9:00- Return home. Make plan for the next day. Do the routine Apartment and Area Book Check, change clothes, eat some more of their food, and crash.

Tuesday

6:30- Wake up. Exercise. Get ready. Eat breakfast.

8:00- Personal Study.

9:00- Combined companionship study where we give training and talk about the status of their Zone.

10:00- Visit a less-active member whose children are still not baptized. She was home, but she was busy, so we 10x-ed (contacted 10 people living around her) and moved on.

11:00- The investigator who we visited the night before (who wasn’t home) calls! Says thanks for the note and he will come to church this upcoming Sunday!

12:00-Lunch and Language Study then off on our bikes to weekly service activity!

2:00-We do various jobs and tasks with disabled people at the Himawari Center for Disabled Persons.

4:00-Head home, eat some dinner. Kokan (companionship exchange) review. And then back to Meito.

6:00- Prepare all the materials for the upcoming transfer (getting stuff ready for the new missionaries, planning the last day of missionary activity for the returning missionaries, preparing agendas for the meetings that we have during transfer week).

7:00 Meet ward missionaries Brother Hosoda and Sister Morita at the church and go to the Imoto family’s house to follow-up on the planning that we did a few weeks earlier. Go to the Imoto’s, plan to do a Family Home Evening with their cousin who just moved into town and to invite their two neighbors to the upcoming Halloween Party at the church. Brother Imoto is also going to invite a friend to church, so if his friend comes, he would like us to meet him.

8:30- We use the few minutes we have left to invite a few of our neighbors to the upcoming Halloween Party.

9:00- Come home. Plan for the next day!

9:30-Change clothes, get ready for bed, write in journal, etc.

10:00 Send out a HOIZA Daily Press! Announce all the new investigators who are committed to baptism in the last week and other celebrations from this past week.

10:30- Sleep!!

Elder Ellsworth, enjoying mist fans on a hot day.

Wednesday

6:30- Wake up and play soccer with our investigator, Koji Kyodai, who loves soccer!

7:15- Come home, get ready for the day.

8:00- Personal Study

9:00- Companion Study

9:45- Meet Brother Yamamoto at the church and go to our investigator’s lesson!

10:00- Lesson with our investigator! We were planning on inviting her to be baptized, but she informed us that her cancer has returned and she will be having surgery in a week. So we veered from the plan and shared scriptures in the Book of Mormon that had strengthened us and told her that she too could receive that same power and help from the Book of Mormon. We gave her a priesthood blessing, and in her closing prayer, she thanked God for strengthening her in her times of need. We told her we will call, text, and pray for her until the surgery is over!

11:00 Language Study

12:00 Lunch.

1:00 Sister Baird asked us to visit a certain less-active woman who she knew whose son was looking for a group of friends, so we go to visit her! She was really nice, but busy making lunch for her husband. She gave us ham and Japanese pears (nashi) and asked us to come back another day. We contacted her neighbors, trying to find those interested in the restored gospel. We met a Jehovah’s Witness who said that the Mormon missionaries usually don’t come to this neighborhood! We had a great talk with her and left her with a Lesson 1 pamphlet.

2:00 More transfer preparation!! During this time, we also planned for the upcoming Zone Conferences. Catch up on all the office work we missed on our exchanges.

5:00 Dinner

6:00 Head to the church to meet Brother Hosoda and plan for our lesson at 6:30

6:30 Meet with our investigator and talk about the Joseph Smith experience! She tells us about how that story sounds really familiar to her because, even though she hasn’t seen God or Jesus Christ, she feels like they sometimes guide her through her dreams and feelings. The Spirit was strong, so we invited her to be baptized, but she expressed concern about her family and the difficulty of her getting married if she joined the church. For now, she would like to just keep coming to church and English class.

7:30 From there we go to English class!

8:30 After English class, we talk to our member who brought her friend to English class. He is an interesting guy who loves playing the bass guitar and traveling. He was really easy to make friends with. So we talked to him for a while and set up an appointment to come to his house on Saturday with his member friend!

9:00 Return home. Prepare for bed.

10:00 Reporting with the Kanazawa Zone Leaders where we hear more about the status of those investigators committed to be baptized and how we can help them keep progressing!

10:30 Sleep!

Daisaku Yamaguchi, member from Ichinomiya, and Elder Ellsworth

Thursday

6:00 Wake up and get ready to go to Gokiso for the first of this round of Zone Conferences. Make sure we have all the materials (translation, taikai box-full of materials missionaries can buy, handouts for missionaries, etc.) Finalize our plans for training and head to Gokiso.

9:00 Help the Zone Leaders set up the church, set up translation, let everyone know about their assignments (opening prayer, accompanist, etc.) Make sure that everyone is quietly waiting for the Zone Conference to begin.

10:00 Zone Conference begins! We hear from President and Sister Baird. We present training, this time about Developing Faith to Find. We eat an amazing lunch prepared by the Relief Society (and then make sure they get paid). And then we hear from the Zone Leaders and have a short testimony meeting.

4:00 Zone Conference ends, and we make sure everyone starts heading home and the church gets cleaned up.

5:00 Come home and eat dinner.

6:00 Language Study

7:00 Lesson at church with an investigator and his member friend. He is trying to quit smoking, so we reviewed the Word of Wisdom, and he seems to have a strong desire to keep it. We made plans and goals, and asked him to read my favorite scripture, 2 Nephi 4, whenever he feels tempted.

8:00 Another lesson at the church with a different investigator and his member friend. He loves church and felt the Spirit very strong when he saw someone get baptized. He comes to church every week, reads the Book of Mormon, and prays multiple times a day. He is working towards a baptismal date, but still thinks he lacks faith. So tonight, we read Alma 32 with him.

9:00 Come home. Plan. Get ready for bed. Etc.

10:00 Reporting again! But this time with the Nagano Zone Leaders.

From left:  Elder Ellsworth (AP), Elder Ito (AP), and
Elder Koesashi (commissarian)
Must have been a stressful day!

Friday

6:00 Another companion exchange! Wake up early, get ready, and drive to Matsumoto (about 3 hours) to do another companion exchange.

9:00 Arrive in Matsumoto and do a combined companionship study, followed by a day of visiting investigators, working to find new investigators, and visiting members in Matsumoto.

9:00 Come home and get ready for bed.

10:30 Sleep.

Saturday

6:30 Wake up and drive home from Matsumoto. Today is p-day! With any time left, do some personal, companion, and language study.

10:00 P-day begins! During p-day, we email our family, go grocery shopping, write letters, and occasionally visit nearby places.

5:45 We get a call from Sister Yui Yoneda. She is at the church with her friend who she would like to introduce to us, so we head to the church and meet her 3 friends. We have a good conversation about the church and what we do. They want to come to church some Sunday.

6:15 Today is a Ward Activity! All the men in the ward rallied together to make dinner for the Sisters. We help serve their food and help with anything they need. A great ward activity! And two part member families came.

8:30 We got all the leftover food. The members are always too kind to us.

9:00 Typical evening schedule, including reporting with the Nagoya East Zone Leaders, and sleep.

Elder Ellsworth and Elder Ogaki
YOSH!!!

Sunday

6:30 Wake up. Breakfast. Get ready.

8:00 Personal Study.

9:00 Ward Mission Correlation Meeting with the Ward Missionaries and the Ward Mission Leader. We have this meeting every week to plan who will help with what lessons and discuss the progress of investigators and efforts being made with members and less-active members to find new investigators.

10:00 Church! Church is always an adventure trying to greet everyone and make sure investigators know where to go and have a friend to sit with. Today, three investigators came to church and seemed to have a great time.

1:00 Church ends. And now the work begins. Usually, we have between 5-10 members that we need to follow up with or make appointments with right after church. It’s a fun game trying to track down different members.

1:30 Come home and eat lunch.

2:30 Language Study.

3:30 District Meeting taught by Elder Koesashi. This transfer, we are studying Christlike attributes, and Elder Koesashi does a great job teaching Faith and Hope.

5:00 Shortened companionship study and quick dinner.

6:00 Head to Yokkaichi (about an hour away) to teach a family who only speaks Spanish. Because my companion, Elder Ito, speaks fluent Spanish, President Baird has asked us to teach this family.

7:00 Lesson with the Inoue family. Martin is excited to be baptized, but he has trouble coming to church on Sunday because of his job. So we talked about that and made plans for him to come to church and eventually go to the temple with his family. His kids are really excited because he said they can go to Disneyland in Tokyo on the way home.

8:00 Head home.

9:00 Plan for the next day.

9:30 All of the missionaries Key Indicator Statistics should be sent to the honbu email address by this time, so we take those and make the reports for President Baird that he needs the next morning.

10:00 Get ready for bed and asleep by 10:30.

Hooray! Four Great New Missionaries, June 2012

The only thing better than getting new missionaries is watching them baptize.  We got four wonderful new missionaries this time.  Please meet:

Elder Ludlow, Elder Romero, (President and Sister Baird),
Sister Rogers and Sister Ishihara

 In case you can't read kanji, the sign at the right says this group of missionaries are all fabulous.  (Just kidding--about the sign, not the missionaries.)

Do think there are any butterflies in stomachs right now?

How can two sister missionaries who have traveled all day
 look so beautiful?

Dinner for four tired missionaries and off to bed.
Elders Kervinen and Ellsworth, AP's on left.

Next morning, they are all rested and ready to start training, but not before we get to be treated to a violin/cello rendition of "If You Could Hie to Colob."   

It was truly subarashii.

Sister Rogers and Elder Ellsworth, one of our AP's.

Sister Ishihara, left, with her new trainer, Sister Shimoji.
Notice the tissue (and if you have good eyes, you'll see a few tears
in Sister Ishihara's eyes.)
First, the spirit told President Baird to make these two companions.
Second, these two told President Baird that they were good friends.

Sister Inori Ishihara's parents and oldest brother all served missions.   She is from Okinawa, Japan and plays the French horn and flute.   She likes touching people's hearts by being bright, friendly, and optimistic.   She has received many blessings from prayer.

Sister Shimoji is a very happy, cheerful person.  Sister Shimoji listened to 
General Conference and as they talked about serving a mission, 
she felt inspired to go.  Even though she got a good job, 
she quit it to serve a mission.

Sister Inori Ishihara's parents and oldest brother all served missions.  

She is from Okinawa, Japan and plays the French horn and flute.  

She likes touching people's hearts by being bright, friendly, and optimistic.  

She has received many blessings from prayer.

Sister Rogers, left, and Sister Hunt

Sister Rogers comes to us from Brisbane, Australia and has two sisters  and six brothers.  She loves musical instruments and plays piano, violin,  guitar and sax.  She also plays basketball, soccer, and has a black belt  in Taikwando.  She will audition at the Queensland Conservatorium of  Music after her mission.

Sister Hunt loves to work. She also finds that music energizes
 her mind and spirit. And she enjoys a sincere conversation.
 While she loves to read, she finds that reading the scriptures
consistently is simply a feeling that can't be replicated
 with other literature or philosophy.

Sister Rogers comes to us from Brisbane, Australia and has two sisters

 and six brothers.  She loves musical instruments and plays piano, violin, 

guitar and sax.  She also plays basketball, soccer, and has a black belt 

in Taikwando.  She will audition at the Queensland Conservatorium of 

Music after her mission.  

Elder Ludlow, left, with Elder Schade

Thousand Oaks, California is where Elder Matthew Ludlow  calls home.  He enjoys basketball and football and loves competition.  He hopes to eventually become a chiropractor.

Notice Elder Schade's huge smile.  It makes a lot of people happy.
He loves being out of doors and also plays the piano.
He knows from experience that prayer is a powerful tool.

Thousand Oaks, California is where Elder Matthew Ludlow 

calls home.  He enjoys basketball and football and loves competition. 

He hopes to eventually become a chiropractor.  

Elder Romero, center, with his trainer Elder Dinkel on left,
and Elder Gates on right (a threesome!)

From the great city of Provo, Utah, we get to have Elder Jose Romero.
  He is the youngest of 7 children and says his mother is an
incredible woman.  Elder Romero loves to rock climb, hike, bike,
 canoe and swim.  He loves a physical challenge, but he especially
 loves getting to know people better when he spends time with
 them outdoors.  He has had many wonderful spiritual experiences
 and is grateful for leaders who have taught him great things.

Elder Dinkel has a great smile that shows his enthusiasm for 
the work.   He knows lots of words and loves to use the big ones.  
Not everyone gets to train two people at once.

At the time of this blog post, Elder Gates has only been 
in the mission for  three months.  His trainer, Elder Dinkel 
says he's already very good with his kanji, takes part 
in lessons effectively, and is willing to share his great 
musical talent.  But the best thing is he is perfectly obedient. 

March 2012 New Missionaries

It is always a treat to get new missionaries in.  We first get their photos and learn a little about them.  We wait a few months while they are trained at the MTC.  Finally the day comes, and we wait excitedly at the airport for them to come through that door and finally be "ours."  We love it; we love them.  This month we expecially exciting because there were 8.  The more we get, the happier we are.

Here they all are at the airport, getting their first of many photos with President and Sister Baird.

Elder deOliveira first meeting Elder Augusto.

It is very exciting to meet your trainer for the first time.  It usually includes a big hug.







It's tradition to get your picture taken, showing the area you will be working in.  (All the new missionaries are on the left.)

Elder Gates will be privileged to serve with Elder Dinkel in Ina.

Bountiful, Utah is home to Elder Peter Gates.  He plans to major in Sound  Engineering.  He LOVES classical music, singing it, playing it, writing it. He says there's always room for improvement, but he is loving the journey! He wants to serve faithfully and give his all to whatever God wants him to do. He is calm and would rather listen than talk. Elder Dinkel is a driven person who wants to do his best.  He loves the Savior and has felt His love numerous times.  Elder Dinkel also loves to read and draw manga.

Bountiful, Utah is home to Elder Peter Gates.  He plans to major in Sound
 Engineering.  He LOVES classical music, singing it, playing it, writing it.
He says there's always room for improvement, but he is loving the journey!
He wants to serve faithfully and give his all to whatever God wants him to do.
He is calm and would rather listen than talk.

Elder Dinkel is a driven person who wants to do his best.  He loves the Savior and has felt His love numerous times.  Elder Dinkel also loves to read and draw manga.

Elder Benham gets to serve in Fukui with Elder Okajima.

Elder Joel Benham hales from Plummer, Idaho, but was born at Misawa AFB in Japan.  His family all loves to read books and to listen to music. He plans to work to earn money for college when he gets home. Elder Benham loves reading, drawing,  archery, roller blading, sword fighting with his brothers, laying on the roof and watching the clouds go by.  He says that he will write back to anyone who writes to him. Elder Okajima loves to sing.  He was in a choir in the YSA group in Tokyo and they made a CD.  He is very intelligent and catches on to things quickly.  One missionary who knows him says he is smart like a fox.  He is always smiling and always wants to do better.

Elder Joel Benham hales from Plummer, Idaho, but was born at Misawa AFB in Japan.  His family all loves to read books and to listen to music. He plans to work to earn money for college when he gets home. Elder Benham loves reading, drawing,  archery, roller blading, sword fighting with his brothers, laying on the roof and watching the clouds go by.  He says that he will write back to anyone who writes to him.

Elder Okajima loves to sing.  He was in a choir in the YSA group in Tokyo and they made a CD.  He is very intelligent and catches on to things quickly.  One missionary who knows him says he is smart like a fox.  He is always smiling and always wants to do better.

 Elder Sambongi will be serving with Elder Kuwahara in Ichinomiya. 

Elder Shun Sambongi is from Orem, Utah.  His parents were both born in Japan, joined the church and met at a church activity.  Elder Sambongi is the first in his family to serve a mission. Elder Kuwahara is a very kind person.  He feels God's love and knows that everyone is a child of God.  After his mission, he wants to find a job that makes people happy.

Elder Shun Sambongi is from Orem, Utah.  His parents were both born in Japan, joined the church and met at a church activity.  Elder Sambongi is the first in his family to serve a mission.

Elder Kuwahara is a very kind person.  He feels God's love and knows that everyone is a child of God.  After his mission, he wants to find a job that makes people happy.

Elder Wakamatsu will be in Suwa serving with Elder Kerksiek.

Elder Tyler Wakamatsu is from Lehi, Utah, and his family cares a lot about people.  He loves music, plays trumpet, and loves to be with family and friends.   He would like to get an education, travel the world to play music professionally, and get married. He describes himself as laid back, friendly, and energized. He wants to be known as someone who loves the Lord and keeps his commandments. Elder Kerksiek is one of those people who does not get angry easily.  He tries to be someone others want to be with.  Maybe he learned that from his family of 12.  He also finds the universe extremely complex and mysterious.

Elder Tyler Wakamatsu is from Lehi, Utah, and his family cares a lot about people.  He loves music, plays trumpet, and loves to be with family and friends.   He would like to get an education, travel the world to play music professionally, and get married. He describes himself as laid back, friendly, and energized. He wants to be known as someone who loves the Lord and keeps his commandments.

Elder Kerksiek is one of those people who does not get angry easily.  He tries to be someone others want to be with.  Maybe he learned that from his family of 12.  He also finds the universe extremely complex and mysterious.

This is Elder James with his trainer, Elder Clark.  They will be in Seto.

Idaho Falls, Idaho is happy to claim Elder Aaron James as theirs.  Elder James likes to brings things to life on paper with his drawing, and he loves Japanese culture. Elder James hopes to major in graphic arts.  He is kind to everyone and very patient. Elder Clark tries to be concerned, sincere,and thoughtful.  If he ever gets irritated, he doesn't let people know about it.  He took biology his first year of college, but he hasn't decided what he will major in when he gets home.  He knows his mission is not about him, but about what God can make of him.

Idaho Falls, Idaho is happy to claim Elder Aaron James as theirs.  Elder James likes to brings things to life on paper with his drawing, and he loves Japanese culture. Elder James hopes to major in graphic arts.  He is kind to everyone and very patient.

Elder Clark tries to be concerned, sincere,and thoughtful.  If he ever gets irritated, he doesn't let people know about it.  He took biology his first year of college, but he hasn't decided what he will major in when he gets home.  He knows his mission is not about him, but about what God can make of him.

Sister Eguchi (left) and Sister Inoue met seconds ago and are already best friends.
Sister Shizuka Eguchi is from Kai, Yamanishi, Japan.  She likes listening to classical music and going to concerts.  Doing good deeds secretly brings her much joy.  She once had a church leader touch her heart with some special advice, including reading the Book of Mormon.  She followed that advice and her life changed since that day.

Sister Inoue's goal is to go to university or specialized school, possibly in a foreign country.  Of course, a temple marriage and family are part of her plans, and even to become a couple missionary in the future.  She is cheerful and loves talking with friends. 

These beautiful sisters will be serving in Fukutoku.

Elder deOliveira will be serving with Elder Augusto in Takaoka.

Elder Dimas DeOliveira is from Paranagua, Brazil.  But he has lived and taught English in the United States.  He is a happy, enthusiastic person and loves to share the Gospel.  Elder deOliveira intends to study to get in a good university and work!  He loves to sing and watch good movies.  His goal after his misson is to become a diplomat and of course keep doing missionary work.  He says he is very rational, friendly and he loves to talk.

Elder Augusto is one of the funniest elders in the mission, according to another missionary who knows him well.  He has the ability to love anyone, and everyone loves him.  What a wonderful thing to have said about you!

And Elder Sarager gets to serve with Elder Ashcroft in Inuyama.

Home for Elder Spencer Sarager is Gilbert, Arizona.  He has three older brothers who have served missions.  He loves the outdoors and all sports.   Elder Ashcroft's mother was converted by his father, and was born in Nagoya.  How exciting for Elder Ashcroft to serve a mission in his mother’s hometown.

August 2011 New Missionaries

We had the opportunity to go and welcome 5 great elders into our
mission this week! Elder Ashcroft (Colorado), Elder Parry (Utah),
Elder Ellsworth (Arizona), Elder Parra-Mauck (Utah),
and Elder Dinkel (Nebraska). They were able to get an
earlier flight in, which gave them more time to go out on the streets
and in the trains to dendo! They all did great!
We are excited to see the fantastic missionaires we know
they will each become!

Outside of the mission home their first day in Japan!
Elder Ashcroft, Elder Parry, Elder Ellsworth, Elder Parra-Mauck,
President and Sister Baird, Elder Soliai (AP), 
Elder Transtrum (AP), and Elder Dinkel.

Left to right:  Elder Dinkel, Elder Ellsworth, Elder Parra-Mauck,
Elder Ashcroft, and Elder Parry

All the new missionaires and their trainers outside of the Meito church! 

Elder Parry (left) and Elder Hollister- Kasugai


Coming to us from Bountiful, Utah, Elder Douglas Parry loves
baseball, football, basketball, racquetball and rugby.  He also enjoys
running and being with friends and family.  He has attended BYU,
and hopes to go into business.  He says he makes friends easily and
is an extrovert.  He has a hard work ethic.  He has had several
 experiences with prayer and some priesthood blessings that
have strengthened his testimony.

Elder Hollister has a burning desire to serve and 
protect the United States.  He wants to be a modern day
Helaman.  He was a strictly obedient  missionary.

Elder Ellsworth (left) and Elder Ogaki- Ichinomiya

Elder Tanner Ellsworth, coming from Mesa, Arizona, has played
piano and cello for many years.  He was in BYU Symphony
 Orchestra and traveled to Austria with his high school orchestra.
He also sings and loves learning.

When Elder Ogaki was young, he got lost in the mountains.
He prayed and soon found his parents.  He has had
a strong testimony of prayer ever since.

Elder Dinkel (left) and Elder Nelson

Shelton, Nebraska is home to Elder John Dinkel.  He is the oldest of 9 children and he loves to draw.  He wants to become a statesman and a constitutional scholar.  He always wants to do his best and is good at asking for help, working hard, thinking things through and pushing through hard times.

Elder Nelson says he's a little shy, but once he gets to know people he
becomes really talkative.  He loves to learn, enjoys doing puzzles
that make him think and work for an answer, and he sees
business management in his future.

Elder Parra-Mauck (left) and Elder Pearson- Okazaki

Elder Bryant Parra-Mauck is from Layton, Utah.  He loves
expressing himself through dance, and has a black belt in Karate.  
He also enjoys basketball, soccer and yo-yo's.  Elder Parra is 
studying to become a family therapist.   

Elder Pearson loves wood working and he designs landscapes.  
He also enjoys several sports, especially mountain biking.  
He has a long list of possible majors.  He calls himself 
quiet and calm when others are not.  He is usually positive, 
adjusts well to change, and can endure a lot without having a bad attitude.  

Elder Ashcroft (left) and Elder Valentine- Gokiso

From Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Elder Ashcroft loves music 

and golf. He is also a pianist. After giving 100%

on his mission, he wants to become a mechanical engineer. 

Elder Valentine puts high value on family.  He says of his
own family, "We are a loud bunch, very physical,
but love abounds in our family.  He really looks forward
to teaching his own family to be a forever family.