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.   

More Missionaries--J through Z

There are several of our very wonderful missionaries who were here in the mission when we arrived, but who for one reason or another, didn't get their photos into our blog before they left.  We want everyone to know a little about each one of these great missionaries.  So, alphabetically, here they are, J through Z:

Elder Seiya  Katanuma Elder Katanuma with President and Sister Traveller Elder Seiya Katanuma is from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.  His faithful grandparents are serving at the same time as he is, but in the Hiroshima mission.  He loves classical music, singing, playing, and listening, and he plays trumpet and viola.  He has served as a ward music conductor and ward missionary.  He has a strong testimony of the Atonement and the Gospel. Elder Clay Marsh Elder Heaton on left, and Elder Marsh  Hailing from Salt lake City, Utah, Elder Clay Marsh is the middle brother of five boys.   He swam and was on the Lacrosse team in high school and loves college football and pro hockey.  He also loves to paint and draw and listen to classical music, especially Mozart.  He is a history buff and learned a lot about Japanese history long before his call.   He plans to attend a good law school and become a criminal defense attorney.  He says he is loveable, makes people laugh, and has a willingness to be obedient and loyal.  Elder Michael McClain Elder McClain, with Elder Eyring in background From Payson, Utah, Elder Michael McClain has an older brother and a younger sister and brother.  He wants to study secondary education and become a high school teacher.  He enjoys drawing, mountain biking and tennis.  He has a great sense of humor and constantly looks for the good in situations.  He made the decision to serve a mission the day he finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time.  It answered so many questions and brought him peace and happiness, so he wanted to share it. Elder Stephen Mulder From Woodland Hills, Utah, Elder Stephen Mulder is the oldest of six children.  His family has lived in Japan for seven months.  He went to Japanese public school during that time.  Elder Mulder enjoys basketball, piano, singing, acting and reading.  He has played the parts of both Joseph Smith and Nephi.  He would like to work for the Church as a career, maybe as a seminary teacher or for LDS Motion Picture Studios.  He can get along with pretty much anyone and loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sister Miyabi Nakatsuka President and Sister Traveller, Sister Nakatsuka and Sister Ige on right The way Sister Miyabi Nakatsuka, from Yonago, Tottori, Japan, writes about her family, they sound like the best family in the world.  Sister Nakatsuka loves to cook, bake treats, surprise people and make them laugh.  She also loves singing and being around children.  She loves to meet new people because they are so interesting to know and it expands her views. She is kind, sensitive and optimistic.  Her goal is to be with her eternal family, having a home of her own like her parents' home. Sister Konami Numata From left:  Sister Traveller, Sister Kitayama, Sister Rice, Sister Kobashi, Sister Numata, and Sister Ige Sister Konami Numata is from Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.  She has one sister and great parents.  She loves to play violin, piano, and sing.  She enjoys jogging and drawing illustrations, and loves to do it for others to help them or the church.  Her goals are to be a great missionary and have an eternal marriage.  She is very optimistic.  She has had many responsibilities, and feels her personality and God's help have helped her.  Her testimony of the Gospel is burning in her heart. Elder Takuya Ogasawara Elder Takuya Ogasawara is from Katou, Hokkaido, Japan.  He was actually called to Brazil, so he was in the Nagoya Mission just until he was able to get his visa.  We were sad to see him go because he was a great missionary. Elder Kai Onda Elder Kai Onda comes from a family of six and lives in Ohtaku, Tokyo, Japan.   Both of his parents were missionaries in Hokkaido and his father has been a mission president.  He loves basketball and was captain of the team during university.  He also enjoys snowboarding and card magic.  He is a good leader and knows  happiness comes through living the Gospel. Elder Daniel Orme Elder Orme is on left, with Elder Eyring and Elder Anderson Coming to us from Draper, Utah, Elder Daniel Orme is the first missionary to serve from his family.  He has two older sisters and one younger sister.  He is very excited to serve.  His family loves activites like boating, hiking, snowboarding and camping.  Elder Orme has traveled to several foreign countries, but not Japan.  He loves music, and plays piano, guitar and even writes music.  Before his mission, he studied economics and European studies at University of Utah and loves learning.  Sister Erin Rice Sister Erin Rice is from Morrison, Colorado and is the youngest of four children in her family.  She loves watching and playing soccer, hiking, reading, writing and singing.  She really enjoys learning.  She attended BYU-I before her mission and is majoring in English.  She is thinking about getting a PhD after her mission.  She would like to become an editor or publisher.  She has lots of energy, is light-hearted and loves to laugh, but she also knows how to be serious.  She is also greatly self-motivated.  She is serving a mission because she loves the Lord.   Sister Yuchika Sakuma Sister Yuchika Sakuma, from Uji, Kyoto, Japan, has a family of seven.  She is a twin and her sister is also preparing for a mission.  Sister Sakuma enjoys listening to music, watching movies, reading and carpentry.  She attended technical college after junior high school.  She is good with her hands, and loves making things from wood.  She is cheerful and kind and treasures her family.  She enjoys working and is happy even when she has to work late.  The stories of a returned missionary friend inspired her to serve a mission. Sister Chalet Severson Seated from left:  Sister Severson, Sister Nakatsuka, Sister Kumagai, Sister and President Traveller Behind:  Elder Wynn, Elder Eckman, Elder Tsutamori, Elder Nelson Sister Chalet Severson, from Vernal, Utah says she has a truly amazing family.  She has many wonderful things to say about them, in addition to another very special person who she calls her older sister because she is so close to her.  After fulfilling an honorable mission, Sister Severson's desire is to further her career in medicine.  She has been a veterinary technician and would love to become either a veterinarian or a doctor.  She likes to skateboard, play guitar and mandolin, and hang out with loved ones.  She is a good listener, quick to laugh, empathetic of others, loyal, and helpful.  She has a strong testimony. Elder Kelson Shepherd Elder Kelson Shepherd is from Alpine, Utah. Elder Garrett Stevens West Valley City, Utah is home to Elder Garrett Stevens.  He is the oldest of three children in his family.  He loves music and has been in several bands and choirs.  He plays clarinet and saxophone and sings tenor.  He enjoys boating, hiking and learning.  He has always been serious about school and studies a lot.  But he also loves to have fun with people.  He is a physics major, and may go to medical school.  He loves the Gospel and what it can do for people and has wanted to serve a mission all of his life. Elder Kyler Tolman Coming to the mission from American Fork, Utah is Elder Kyler Tolman.  He comes from a large family:  11 children.  He has five brothers and five sisters and he is number 10.  Many of his siblings have served missions.  Elder Tolman enjoys most sports, including football, basketball, mountain biking, snowboarding and camping.  He plans to get a degree in mechanical engineering.  He likes to work hard and finish his day knowing he accomplished a lot. Elder PaePae Tuipala Elder Tuipala with President and Sister Baird Elder PaePae Tuipala is from Auckland, New Zealand, and is the only person who has   served in our mission from New Zealand in at least two years.  He is from Auckland. He enjoys playing rugby and he also loves computers.  He says he mingles well with others and is humble and good at following directions.  He has already studied Japanese for six years in school and has a strong testimony of the Gospel. Elder Clayton Witt Minneapolis, Minnesota is home to Elder Clayton Witt.  His parents joined the church as adults, so he is excited to be the first person to serve a mission from his family.  He has two younger sisters.  Elder Witt loves to draw, read books, and he has a special love for dogs.  He also loves to make people laugh, and he uses it to make friends and keep everything upbeat.  He hopes to get a degree in animation at BYU, but he has also thought about being an FBI agent or an English teacher.  He hates to be late, and he won't give up.  When the going gets tough, he always tries to brighten the situation.  He likes to set goals and accomplish them. Elder Nathan Wood Elder Freeman, and Elder Wood on right. Elder Nathan Wood is from way down upon the Suwanee, Georgia River, and he has probably heard that phrase too many times.  His mother is from Australia, and Elder Wood was born there.  Since he was 8, he has lived in New York, Georgia and Utah.  He is the oldest of five children.  Elder Wood has been majoring in English with plans to become a writer, and he enjoys singing and reading. He enjoys figuring out answers to difficult problems and is fascinated by people.  And he loves the Gospel and the scriptures. Elder William Wright Elder Alkonas and Elder Wright, on right, of course. Payson, Utah is home to Elder William Wright.  There are nine children in his family and he is number five.  He calls his parents heroes.  Elder Wright has his black belt in Martial Arts, is an artist, and likes to do paintballing.  His goal is to publish a book that he is writing.  He doesn't give up easily on things he needs to do.  He loves the Lord deeply and wants to serve well.