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.

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.