More Great Finishers, August 2012

We know they have to leave, but that doesn't mean we have to like it.  Each time we have these missionaries, whom we have grown to love, leave us, it is a sad day.  But we know they can't stay forever.  After all, how else are they going to find a spouse?  So here are our warmest goodbyes to these great missionaries.

Seated from left:  Elder Ellsworth (AP), Elder Pedersen, Elder Flint, Elder Bardzinski

Elder Ito (AP), Elder Numakura, Elder Ikeda, President and Sister Baird

Can you see the high regard these two elders have for each other?
Elder Koesashi (left) says Elder Numakura is one of
his favorite missionaries.  He is "cool."  And
he is a great eating machine.  

I like this picture, taken at the same spot they first met their new trainers.  

How different do Elders Flint and Bardzinski look two years later?
See post for Oct. 2010.

Elder Bardzinski is bubbly and easy to get along with and has a sincere, strong testimony of the Gospel.
One of his former companions said he was diligent, very obedient, and managed to get him up in the morning to exercise, even thought this elder didn't like to exercise in the morning. Another missionary said he could have fun while working hard.

Elder Flint hopes to study civil engineering and become an architect.  He wants to use his degree to help out less priviliged countries and design his own home.  He is a quiet observer and has a strong testimony of prayer.  He is a very determined missionary; once he decides he will do something, he will do it.

One missionary said the following about Elder Pedersen:  "He is very thoughtful about other people.  He tries very hard to make everyone happy through the Gospel.  He is willing to sacrifice his time and his talents for people who need them.  He is always happy and positive."  Elder Pedersen 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 Ikeda loves basketball.  Anyone who knows him thinks basketball.  But a former companion
said that during his mission, he was the best example of how to be effective and open his mouth.
He worked very hard.  He also felt that a big part of his mission was to help less-active people,
and he had a big impact in that way.

You can take a missionary away from basketball,
but you can't take basketball out of a missionary.

Elder Numakura had a special talent for organizing paperwork.  He was a pro with the area book for the mission.  He also did a wonderful job of enduring to the end, meaning that he kept working hard right to the end of his mission, and got two new investigators in the last week.  He also worked very hard to learn English, which is exactly what Japanese missionaries are asked to do.

Final feast.  Last chance to enjoy Sister Baird's famous lasagna.

Sad and Happy at the Same Time is Possible, June 2012

Another transfer week has occurred.  We were so sad to see seven great missionaries bid us goodbye, but happy at the same time.  They were superb missionaries.  They will go forward in their lives in great ways.  We send them our love and confidence in their goodness.

Of course, we can't send them away empty.  They are smiling,
but they are thinking, "Wow!  I'm going to miss Sister Baird's
cooking."

Standing, L to R: Sister Goodale, Sister Inoue
Seated:  Elder Cruz, Elder Rust, Elder Brown, Elder Voss, and Elder Hollister

We love you all.  

Elder Michael Brown, says one of the other missionaries who worked with him, is a “way hard worker.”  He fills his schedule. Working hard, finding people, and teaching lessons make him happy.  He is very respectful to people.  One investigator said, “When I saw him, I thought that God can be seen in some people.”

Elder Voss has been called, "Tall, way tall!"  But this person also went on to say he is a very gentle person and a hard worker who helped make companions stronger and more reliable.  He is dependable.  And the best of all compliments:  "He was exactly obedient on his mission."

Elder Cruz was also exactly obedient!  He can work, work, work!  He is also talkative and he is a great Brazilian.  Another elder who knows him said he was determined, good at Japanese, and was a really great leader.  He is passionate about what he does.

Sister Goodale loves drawing, was a solo sister in the MTC, loves being outside and really loves talking.  She is also a great listener, always making any situation fun.

People who know Sister Inoue said she has very good English, she's crazy in a good way, and she is happy all the time.  She enjoys volleyball, cool guys (like the one who said these things about her!) and is very friendly to everyone.  She is always bright and smiling and loves children.

Elder Rust served as an AP.  He is always willing to help anyone at any time, and is always sensitive to other needs, especially those needing translation.  He  learned Japanese very well, in speaking, writing and reading, and is a very good translator.  He thinks before he reacts to situations and consistently leads by example.  He is well loved by everyone.

Elder Hollister served as an AP.  Having been trained for a year at the Air Force Academy, Elder Hollister has great exercise habits, is self-disciplined, exactly obedient, and a very hard worker.  He is always ready to help and serve in any way he can.  He is an excellent planner and lived and breathed missionary work.

Hard to Say Goodbye/March 2012 Finishers

How we love our missionaries!  How we hate to see them go.  But we know they have matured, in testimony and strength of character, in ability to study and serve.  We send them off with confidence in their ability to move forward and do great things. 

Seated left to right: Eckman, Ogaki, Otahara, Nelson, Shimajiri
Standing: Imaizumi, Wynn, Tsutamori, President and Sister Baird, Sis. Masuda, Takahashi, and Momose

Sister Iyo Masuda is from Hokkaido, Japan.  One elder said she has a great talent to help people become better.  Do sister missionaries get any more beautiful than this?

Sister Iyo Masuda. Yosh!

Elder Justin Eckman went home to St. Anthony, Idaho. Elder Eckman is very patriotic and loves his country.  He is funny, a great cook, (his cakes are in high demand) and when he is teaching, he makes things easy to understand.

Elder Eckman with Nagoya Castle in background.

Elder Nelson, left, with Elder Berrett
See Elder Nelson again below.  He's an angel.

Elder William Nelson loves many sports and playing the guitar. He has dreams to be an accountant and run his own business after his mission. One of his former companions siad that Elder Nelson has a dry sense of humor that makes everyone laugh hard.  And if there is a problem somewhere, he is the one you can trust to go fix it. He loves to serve others.  Another missionary said, "He is one of my favorite people ever."

Elder Masashi Imaizumi is from Chiba, Japan.  He can be quiet, but he is easy to get along with.  He is a good worker, and has a great sense of humor.  It's easy to make him laugh.  He thinks things through and can be an effective teacher.  He loved working with less active members.

Elder Momose also plays piano.

Elder Yasuaki Momose enjoys watching movies and painting pictures.  He wants to become an architect and design houses.  He was baptized just a year before his mission.  He is sincere and tender.  He is from Hokkaido, Japan.

Elder Shunya Ogaki is from Hyougo, Japan.  He enjoys doing puzzles and likes to do things to be healthy.  Even thought he may look slender, he is very strong, according to one of his missionary friends.

Elder Ogaki is quick to notice when he can serve.

One of Elder Otahara's former companion said that Elder Otahara is great with kids, and he enjoys riding his bike.  He teaches the Gospel simply, to the understanding of others.  He is also good with words.

Elder Otahara is the second angel from left.  He is with
Sister Masuda, Elder Nelson, and Elder Takahashi

Elder Shimijiri enjoys sports, especially basketball and track. He received a lesson about the church when he was 19, but later he received the lesson again and joined the Church at 23 years old.  He knows someone is waiting for this gospel and is anxious to share the it with others.

Elder Shimijiri (left) with Ken, Keiko, and Rua Edo, and Elder Kervinen

Elder Shimijiri

Is this Elder Takahishi's goal or accomplishment?

Elder Yusuke Takahashi comes from Saitama, Japan.  He hopes someday to work in an international setting.  Sports make him happy, and he likes to dance.  He is courageous and says rugby made his strong.  His bishop described him as humble and kind.

Elder Wynn

Elder Wynn is second from left.  Other missionaries from left:
Elder Curtis, Elder Flint, Sister Inoue, and Sister Kumagai.

Don't missionaries look great when they are serving!

Elder Mikel Wynn comes from Salem, Oregon, and his mother is from Japan.  He has the advantage of having lived in Japan as a young child, so he had a start on the language. He enjoys writing and music.  His whole family plays several instruments.  He is also interested in aviation and hopes to become a flight instructor.

Mutual Regard

Elder Shimon Tsutamori’s hero is his father.  He wants to be like him—a hard worker and always serving family and church.  He dreams of being able to help those in trouble.

Saying Goodbye, Feb. 2012

Saying goodbye is always difficult, but for those in the mission home, one of the hardest goodbyes is to a wonderful couple who have been part of our lives for a year and a half. Sister Virginia Oldroyd faithfully worked to keep the office going strong, and Elder Mark Oldroyd made miracles in the housing situation for the missionaries. And that's just the beginning. They helped in so many other ways and became a part of the lives of many Meito Ward members. They will surely be missed.

This is just one sample of the many people who came to express their love and tell them goodbye.







Then it's off to the airport, trying to keep a stiff upper lip.

Thumbs up for Elder Kishi.

Thank Heaven for missionaries who know the meaning of service and are always there to help.






The Oldroyds were in the mission for two years. Of course they needed to save some memories. Memories take up space in luggage.


Helping with luggage: Elders Hollister, Kishi and Rust.

And now it's time to really say goodbye. We will miss you, Elder and Sister Oldroyd. You are wonderful.

Sister Baird and Sister Oldroyd.





This says it all. Truly, we love you and all you have done to serve in the Japan Nagoya Mission.

Left to right below: Elder Rust and Kishi, Sister Barney, Sister Baird, Elder Jessop, President Baird, and Elder Hollister.

Only VIP's get 8 people (counting the photographer, Elder Barney) to see them off at the airport. God be with you till we meet again!

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.

December 2011 Finishers

Tonight, we said good-bye to six great missionaries. Sister Tsukino, Elder Kekauoha, Elder Sorensen, Elder Jackson, Elder Carr, and Elder Santin. We love them so very much and miss them a lot! They have been a great blessing to this mission!

Sister Nozomi Tsukino's mother is a convert to the Church and served a mission.  She is strong in her faith and a wonderful example.  She loves to sing and has performed at missionary firesides.  She also love to cook.  She would love to learn English, Korean and sign language better, and even learn more languages.  She is positive and optimistic.  Most of her baby blessing was about her serving a mission, and she has a strong testimony. Elder George Kekauoha had this said of him:  "He is a very relaxed Hawaian who knows when to work hard and when to have fun." Elder Luke Sorenson is from Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan, but he is also a US citizen.  He has a huge extended family cheering him on. He likes biology and learning other languages.  He likes to keep things clean and to cook.  Returned missionairies have inspired him to serve because they were polite, kindhearted, responsible and had direction in their lives.  Elder Marcus Jackson, says one missionary who served with him, is very funny, smart, and speaks English and Japanese fluently.  Before his mission, Elder Jackson loved to go to the temple. Elder Michael Carr is from Heber, Utah and he loves music and art.  He plays several instruments.  He also enjoys computers and new technology. He wants to learn as much as he can and then find a job that will help him continue to expand his knowledge.  He is a good listener, is obedient and respectful. Home for Elder Adriano Santin is Sao Paulo, Brazil.  His mother is from Japan. His talent is math and numbers, and he's very good at memorizing.  He enjoys reading, good movies, and spending time with his family.  He doesn't take things personally or get mad at people.

From left:  Sister Tsukino, Sister Baird, President Baird and in
front of him, Elder Kekauoha, then from back clockwise,
Elder Carr, Elder Santin, Elder Jackson, and Elder Sorenson.

One last picture before departure of the December Finishers!

Many members from Fukutoku Ward gathered together at the Komaki Airport to surprise Sister Tsukino and say good-bye one last time. It was very touching to see the support of these strong Japanese members!

The Elders wave good-bye as they go together to board the Shinkansen.