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.

Transfer Time Yet Again, April 2012

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

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

Elder Anderson

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

Elder Wilson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We fed them the world's best lasagna.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Farnsworth loves being with family, camping, hiking, 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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