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.

New Missionaries, August 2012

No matter how many times we get new missionaries, we are always amazed at the quality and goodness we see in each new group.  This group was not just "no exception;" this group seemed exceptional!  Here they come now:

President Baird with Elder Ellsworth, AP,
Elder Ito, AP, and Elder Koesashi, Commissarian
All waiting patiently.

Elder Berrett is
our Recorder and is usually very busy at the
airport as our videographer.

Our first great missionary, Elder Hilton

Tired and happy to be here.
Elders Hilton, Ahuna, Gillespie, Doll,
and Sister Thayne

That special moment--Elder Gillespie
meeting President Baird.

Elder Gish, getting his first of many hugs.

Elder Perkins, excited to get started.

The first "teaching."
Elder Gish, Hilton, Doll, Ahuna, and Sister Thayne

The famous picture at the Dragon.
From left, Elders Hilton, Doll, Gillespie,
Sisters Thayne and Baird, President Baird,
Elders Gish, Ahuna, Macdonald, and Perkins

We are hungry.  We are tired.  But we are smiling.

Of course, we ate.  This is Sister Baird's famous Lasagna.  See her recipe in this blog.

First train trip in Japan.

We proselyted.  We can do this!
Our three missionaries are Elders  Koesashi,
Macdonald, and Doll.

You never know--this guy may get baptized.

        And after a good night's sleep and several hours of training, we met our new companions:
(All new missionaries are on the left.)

Sister Thayne with Sister Yamada

Sister Anna Mari Thayne calls two places home:  Naha, Okinawa, Japan and St. George, Utah.  She has one brother who was also a missionary in Japan.  She got her associate degree from Dixie College just before coming on her mission.  She enjoys baking, hiking and running, among other things.  She is outgoing and friendly.  She has come to realize that no matter what she does in life, nothing can help people more than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is why she decided to serve a mission.

Sister Yamada's goal is to have a happy family. She enjoys talking with people
and is cheerful.  She works very hard and doesn’t give up until    

she finishes her task.  She also enjoys baking and is very active.  She 

has a strong testimony of prayer and loves the scriptures.

Elder Ahuna  with Elder Matson

Elder James Ahuna is the youngest of six children.  All of his siblings 

have served missions and been married in the temple.  His family has traveled 

and performed around the world, doing missionary work by sharing their talents in 

Hawaiian song and dance.  Elder Ahuna would like to get a degree in finance and 

become a financial planner in Hawaii, which is where he is from.  

He also wants to continue using his talents to share the gospel.  He plays piano 

and ukelele, does the Samoan fireknife dance and Navajo Indian 22-hoop dance, 

sings and plays drums.  He is friendly and outgoing and is good at saving money. 

One missionary who Elder Matson trained said that Elder Matson is the most obedient 

missionary that he knows.  He reviews the rules and focuses on being 

completely obedient.  He cares what he does, plans well,  is very dedicated, 

and prays like a champion.  This missionary said he really admires Elder Matson.

Elder Doll with Elder Sarager

Elder Brian Doll hails to us from McLean, Virginia.  He has one younger sister.  Elder Doll loves bowling and has bowled in a league since he was 11.  He also likes basketball, and loves to learn new things.  He is well-balanced and enjoys being a leader.  He was shocked when he got his call to serve in Japan because it had never crossed his mind, but he wants to share the joy he has received from the Gospel, and to be an example to his family.

Elder Sarager likes to plan and be prepared for things.  He doesn't like

 "winging it."  He is also a curious person and likes to know the "why" of things.

Elder Gish (left) with his trainer, Elder Gauthier

West Jordan, Utah is home to Elder Braydon Gish.  He is the middle child of five, 
and his sister is serving in Russia.  Elder Gish's biggest goal is to please his Savior 
and make it back to live with Him.  He wants not only to be a good missionary 
while on this mission, but for the rest of his life. He enjoys basketball, football and tennis, 
and just talking with friends and their families.  He appreciates the good friends 
he chose to have and has talked with them a lot about scriptures 
and understanding the Gospel.  


Elder Gauthier feels that if a missionary works hard and obeys with exactness, 
he can't fail in anything he does.  He is friendly and enthusiastic.

Elder Gillespie with Elder Sanderson

Elder Mark Gillespie calls Colorado Springs, Colorado home.  But his father is
a Colonel in the Air Force, so he has lived in other places.  Elder Gillespie wants
to help people as part of his career.  Since he enjoys science, he wants to become
a surgeon.  He also wants to become a better pianist, read all the great books,
and perhaps write music.  His first hobby, though, is reading.  He says he is a confident,
outgoing person and has known the Gospel is true for as long as he can remember. 

Elder Sanderson enjoys playing a military simulation sport called airsoft.  

He likes it because it involves many scenarios and requires cooperation with 

teammates.  In fact, he plans to own his own military simulation store and 

arena after he graduates from college.  

Elder Hilton with Elder Heo

Elder Charles Hilton is from Glenview, Illinois.  He has two older brothers
who are great examples to him.  He would love to get into BYU's
animation program after his mission and eventually work for Pixar.  He loves to draw.
He has done it all his life and it has become his greatest talent.  

Elder Heo wants to major in hotel management at BYU Hawaii 

and then become an executive for a cruise ship company.  He is looking forward 

to having his family join the church and hopes that will happen soon.

Elder Macdonald with Elder Takabori

Gilbert, Arizona is home for Elder Kyle Macdonald.  He comes from a close family who enjoys being together.  He is the middle of five chidlren.  His dad taught him to love all sports, including basketball, baseball, scuba diving, sailing, and snow skiing.  He also plays the piano.  Elder Macdonald is on a full ride scholarship at Arizona State University with plans to go to medical school.  He is fascinated with neurology.  He is ambitious and hard working, learns quickly and loves all types of foods.  He especially enjoys learning about the Savior.

Elder Takabori is competitive and likes a challenge.  His favorite game is chess.  

He wants to improve himself mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. 

Elder Perkins with Elder Ludlow

Elder Perkins is from Mesa, Arizona.  He has three sisters and one brother.
He enjoys writing short stories. He says that writing is fun for him because
it is pure creation.  He says his only weakness is to bullets.  And he has a strong
testimony of both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  Before he left on his mission,
 he shared the gospel with a close friend and she was baptized.

Elder Ludlow likes interacting with other people, taking charge of a situation,
and solving problems.  And when he is not busy doing those things, he can
also enjoy snowboarding, wakeboarding, packpacking, hiking, fishing, 

hunting and the beach.

Is there any better sight than a group of great missionaries?

And off they go to their first assignment!

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.

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.