January 2012 Finishers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sister Clark and Sister Baird at the mission home

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

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

Walking into Chubu Airport

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

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

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

March 2011 New Missionaries

This week, we went to the airport and welcomed 3 new missionaries into our mission. Elder Berrett, Elder Amussen, and Sister Goodale. It was so fun to see them! We know they will be great missionaries for our Heavenly Father!

Elder Amussen (right) and Elder Da Silva- Komatsu

From Salem, Utah, Elder Cameron Amussen is the baby of the family and has lots of nieces and nephews.  His dream, after he serves his mission, is to become a pharmacist.  Serving in Japan was a dream come true for him, since the Japanese language is his favorite language to study. One elder who knows Elder DaSilva said of him, "He is a very happy, warm-hearted elder who can have good relations with just about anyone!"

Elder Berrett (left) and Elder Transtrum - Takayama

Elder Shane Berrett is from Concord, California and comes from a family of 9.  Elder Berrett plans to be a chiropractor after his mission. He loves to play baseball and several other sports and is very competitive.  He is a good story teller and has great organizational skills.  He is good at understanding the hearts of others and does well with goals.

Elder Michael Transtrum lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking and working out, and he wrestled in high school.  He sees being a doctor in his future.  He is a hard worker and a perfectionist, and has a sense of humor.  He wants to share the truth, happiness and peace that he has found in the Gospel with others.

Sister Goodale (right) and Sister Griffin- Takabata

Sister Amanda Goodale hales from Cordova, Tennessee, but you can tell from her middle name that she has some Hawaiin connections.  It is Kaualulehuaopanaewa.  Beautiful!  Sister Goodale's interests are mainly art and music.  She loves anything from pottery to sewing to painting.  She hopes to have a studio and sell her art.  She is spontaneous and outgoing and doesn't mind stepping outside the box.  She believes that nothing is impossible with the help of the Lord.

Sister Sunny Griffin is from sunny Mission Viejo, California and her smile matches her name.  She loves to sing, has played the flute, and enjoys cooking and sewing.  She hopes to study psychology, but mostly she wants to be married in the temple and be a mom.  She is a good listener and finds joy in other people's happiness.  She looks forward to sharing her strong testimony with others.