I had an unforgettable experience at church yesterday. It was pretty amazing. Elder Tashiro (Area Authority) came to our sacrament meeting. It was completely unexpected. The ward put his name as the only name on the program and everyone in the ward was very shocked and excited. He walked into the chapel and saw that his name was the only name on the program and thought that was inappropriate. So, he asked for the Bishop and two missionaries to bear testimony. He asked one of the sisters and my companion Elder Gordon. They didn't really have anytime to prepare, but they all gave great talks.

Then he spoke about Baptism. It was kinda interesting. Most of the congregation had already been baptized. Not that it's a bad topic, but I was a little surprised that he choose that. Anyway, it was a very, very powerful talk. Elder Tashiro is a very genki guy. He's pretty bouncy when he talks and has a lot of enthusiasm. He's really easy to listen to.

Anyway, in the middle of his talk, he started talking about our responsibility to share our baptismal experiences with our friends and people who don't know about baptism. Then he jumped into talking about this "friend" of his that sees lots of success in missionary work from testifying about baptism. He said that you could see the change that baptism had made on this friend. Then he said that the friend was going to come and speak for all of us. Then he looked right at me.

"Elder Low, will you come up here and share your Baptismal experience?"

I was pretty freaked out. He spent all this time talking about this "Amazing" friend and I was getting really excited to hear from this guy. I didn't realize that he was talking about me. I didn't even think he knew my name. Then, out of nowhere, he asked me to bear my testimony about Baptism. I made the long walk up to the stand. I had no idea what I was going to talk about so I just shared my Baptismal experience and my testimony. I'd never really felt so much about my Baptismal Experience. I was 8 just like almost everyone else I know, but for some reason, I started crying at the stand over this experience I was sharing.

Afterwards, Elder Tashrio jumped up and said, "Thank you my friend! I love you!" and then he hugged me. Haha, he's a great guy.

So, I threw that experience in the journal and smiled all day.

Also this week we went up to Fukuoka for our presentation on how we were going to help our zone.  It was kinda a weird meeting. He asked all the zone leaders to pull together a special presentation to show how their zones are doing. It would usually take a lot of time because there are 10 zones in our mission. We went first, and after our presentation, Kaicho (President) talked to all the zone leaders about what we were going to do and then everyone else only had about 5 minutes to present what they were doing. I felt pretty bad. The only thing we really talked about was the language of the mission. Most of the missionaries in the mission can't speak Japanese. ....Like, at all. We have missionaries that have been out for more than a year that still can't communicate with anyone. That was the main focus of most of the meeting.

Also, this week, Elder Gordon and I are going to be doing nothing but training missionaries. We have our ZTM on Tuesday, and then Kaicho is sending us down to Miyako for the rest of the week so that we can train the missionaries down there. So, we are going to be really busy.

Last thing, Y-san is done with all of her Cancer treatments! She's getting much better! I'm so excited for her. I've been praying for her since the beginning of my mission. It looks like the sisters can probably start teaching her this next week or so.

Things are looking good and I'm loving the work.

Anyway, I gotta go. I love you all.

Elder Low

So, it happened. We finally baptized K san. It was absolutely amazing. I have never seen him smile so much in my life. He was laughing like crazy. The ward members welcomed him so quickly.

An Easter Celebration

There was only one problem.....there wasn't enough water in the font. HaHa, I literally had water up to just below the knee. We were very lucky that his whole body fit in the water. I basically laid him on the bottom of the font. All the missionaries in my zone say, "When Low baptizes....he gets LOW".....It was kinda funny......but also really close to being a problem. I'm just happy that he's part of the ward now. We lost him during church yesterday. He was having too much fun with the members. It was fantastic.

Also, Yesterday, I was assigned EVERYTHING. Right before Sacrament, they asked me to play piano for Sacrament meeting. That was fun. Luckily the songs were not too difficult. Then, the sister missionaries forgot that they had the lesson in Gospel Principles and made other plans...so I got to teach Gospel Principles....AND THEN the entire Elders Quorum presidency didn't show up....so I taught Elders Quorum as well. Haha, it was good Japanese practice though.

One more awesome miracle. Elder Wells and I were weekly planning and we realized that we don't really have many strong investigators. So, we went into the area book to look for some previous investigators that might be strong. There was nothing. Nobody that we could visit that sounded good. Then a thought came to my mind. Do you all remember Y san in Nago? She was the investigator that had cancer.....well, I thought I'd ask the Ginowan zone how she was doing. They said she was dropped because she could never meet......but they said that maybe I should give her a call. I was the last person to teach her. So I did. She answered and started crying. She was so excited to talk to me. I asked her how she was doing and she said she's been in the hospital since I left, but that everything was going to be done this next month.

She's almost completely done with Cancer.....and then get this. She said, "So, you haven't really sent me something to read since you left Nago".......I was a little surprised. Then she said, "My Book of Mormon is still sitting in my bag everyday....I've been reading lots....I have lots to tell you about." So, guess who we'll be teaching again!! I'm pretty excited for her. She's so prepared!

As far as dendo goes, we are having lots of fun. Rainy season is coming up here pretty soon.....so I'm a little nervous. But it will all be good. Also, I met a trans-sexual Satan worshiping woman with facial hair. She was American and read my name tag. Then she started yelling at me and at the end of her rant, she said "Hail Satan!" and stormed off......So that was really weird. I meet lots of weird peeps! Also, I saw the flower helmet guy again! He waved at said good luck! I was happy.

Other than that, I'm just having a lot of fun out here. I know that God is proud of his missionaries and I feel his love every day. This is the best job ever......and Fukuoka mission is the best ;)

Mom, I hope you get to see this on Tuesday.

I love you all and I can't wait to report the miracles that will come in the following week!

Elder Low

At the branch Christmas Party

(Click on any photo to enlarge.)

 

Gift Exchange at District Meeting

 

So, I'm glad to hear you all had a wonderful Christmas. The highlight of my week was Saturday. We had a service project at an orphanage.

We had a big discussion with the branch and President Gustafsen about this service Project. As you know, you are not supposed to do service in places like day cares or schools......so the Orphanage was .....sketchy. Long story short, President allowed us to go and it was the best experience ever.

Before we even got to the front desk, all the children came out and grabbed us and pulled us over to the mochi bowls and handed us hammers. They all were so excited. I had a blast.

 

 

In this video I sent of the game I was playing with the little girl.....

Yeah, after her, I ended up playing with all the little kids. They all wanted to play against me. I'm so glad I learned that game. I learned it with  the Ka family in Nago. It was so cute. Then we played Soccer with all the children.....and they were SOOO good. Elder Coelho from Brazil was so shocked at their talent.

 

 

 

 

After that, we went to Sushi

Sushi comes via conveyor. You pay by the plate.

And then had the baptism. It was a nightmare. We had to fill up that whole font with buckets and empty it with buckets.

 

 

 

The font is also really shallow so when I baptized K, I had to push him down quite a bit because he didn't fit. HAha, it was nuts. He's really happy though.

Also, Elder Chantry and I have  been working to get the Branch back into missionary work and they love us. Which scares me because this week is transfer calls and I just love this area and this district so much., I don't want to go somewhere else. Maybe that's a sign that it's time for me to leave, but......I don't know.  I feel really worn out from this last transfer because I worked my butt off, and now I might have to leave. It's all a mystery now. We'll see what happens.

I'll let you know how the transfers go. I'm super pumped. I loved the photos and videos from Christmas. (Sam is wearing my sweater ;)) I'll keep working hard and I'll talk to you all next week.

Love,
Elder Low

Click any photo to enlarge.

 

 

I had the craziest week. It was super busy and I feel tired. But that's good right?

Before I forget....I just want to say that I saw one of the most formally dressed men Out here in Japan.....and he was in the middle of a field sweeping the road. Out in the middle of nowhere.......He was wearing ....like...a three piece suit. Hahaha, only Japan. I wish I had a photo. It was great. I shook his hand and told him I thought he was sweet....He told me he didn't want to talk about Religion. Hahaha, so yeah.

Kids in our branch who live next door

"How are you?"

"Don't know.."

"Why do you always say that?"

"I think my head's on a little crooked."

"Do you want to ring the doorbell?"

"OK. Be right back."

So, I had to go to Nagasaki to give 2 Baptismal interviews. It was actually a really special Baptism. I got to be there, but had to run right afterwards to get home on time. It was a good one though.

We have a new Chinese investigator. He has lots of interest. He was telling us that right now in his life......There isn't a lot of things he likes. He just works and goes to school and he says he doesn't have a lot of purpose.......SO WE ARE PUMPED TO TEACH HIM! He's super cool. He has an accent that is a little hard to understand, but it's good.

Looks like you are all having too much fun! I hope Jon has a super happy birthday tomorrow.....I guess in two days for all of you.

Elder Tagawa's cooking experiment

Man, I don't really know what else to say about this week. I feel like I just worked my butt off....and now I'm super tired. However, today is district pday and we are going to Nagasaki. I'm glad I can just relax today. I'll send some photos. Keep sending them out for me!

I Love you all,
Elder Low

August 5, 2013

M-san was Baptized and it was amazing. I'm so happy for him. I'm just happy that he made it. He's so happy. He keeps calling us and telling us thank you. He's such a funny guy.

Click any photo to enlarge.

 

 

After the actual Ordinance, M-san started crying and bowing and thanking me. I was so happy. I'd never seen him cry before. It was so powerful.

Our president asked all the missionaries to take a break on Thursday because we made a goal for every companionship to have a baptism in July. On August first, we all took a break. It was really nice. My District went to the Aquarium.

 

 

 

 

This week was crazy. We were very lucky to have a break on Thursday. President is so awesome. Everyone in the mission had a nice break and then we worked hard again on Friday.

This week before the baptism was pretty intense. We have a couple new investigators and they are looking pretty good.

 

So, I got the package with the Pants. Thank you. They are super helpful. I still have to do laundry every three days but I am glad I don't always have to wear suit pants.

 

Other than that, Elder Alger and I are having a blast out here. He's really easy to get along with.

 

 

 

Also, I get to go to Naha this weekend for a surprise zone conference. So I get to see President again. I'm really pumped.

I'm going to keep trying to survive the heat. I have to drink so much water and I shower everytime I enter the Apartment. We are always sweating.

We'll keep pushing forward

Love,

Elder Low

First Baptism

Hello Low Family, 

I just thought you would like to see what your son looks like heading to his first baptism....

Here's the newest member on the island and the 2 Elders from Isikawa and the 2 Elders from Nago and Elder Williams.  (Click on any photo to enlarge.)

It is such a pleasure to serve with your son, we just LOVE him.. He is such a great missionary....
Elder and Sister Williams

July 22, 2013 - Training a bean . . . it's crazy

The Night before transfers. Last night with ALL the Okinawa Elders. It was so much fun. :)

 

 

Some ice cream and hot fudge we had that night. :)

 

The reason I'm making that face with Elder Sugimoto is Elder Hammond was behind me trying to make me laugh.....It kinda looks like I'm angry though

With Elder Zimmerman

Me and My Zone Leader Elder Yamanashi

 

 

 

I would go buy pants today but I have to go to Okinawa to buy my bean's bike...so let me tell you about him.

 

His name is Elder Alger. He's from Eugene, Oregon and he's a pretty great guy. He's still getting used to the fact that he's in Japan. He's kinda quiet, but I'm trying my best to make sure he's smiling lots. I remember my first week was rough. I think he's doing good though. As far as his Japanese .......it..... needs help. It actually wears me out because I have to do most of the talking. It's a little diffficult but it's helping my language tons.

 

Elder Alger and I both had talks yesterday. The subject was Kami no Yogensha (prophets). It was really difficult for me. It was even worse for Elder Alger. I felt they both went pretty well though. Elder Alger gave a brief testimony and I talked about the prophets words in the last year about missionary work and member work (because our members don't help us a lot). It went well. After the talk, a couple members set up some dinner appointments. :)

 

M-san has a baptimal interview with the Mission president on Thursday. I called the Bishop and told him that we wanted to be prepared for the baptism on the following Sunday.

 

P-san is gone. We can't get a hold of him at all. We can't go to his house because it's on the college campus and we can't go. He won't answer his phone. It's heartbreaking. I feel like we should have been more bold but at the same time I feel like we did everything we could. He just....stopped.

 

Y-san had a great-ish lesson this week. The lesson was on Obedience. We started talking about it and she brought up the word of wisdom. Then our Joint-members started talking out about it.  At that point, I realized that she doesn't have a strong enough relationship with her Savior to do that yet and that maybe we should have talked more about Jesus Christ. We committed her to continue reading and praying and she's excited to do so.  BUT Y-san also said she wants to be baptized but that she's just not ready to commit.....so that's good. :)

 

Other than that, our other investigators are struggling to keep commitments and to meet. It's a little rough, but we're having fun in Nago......It's hot but fun. Elder Alger was pretty surprised by the heat.....and the language. He's a great elder though and I'm excited to train him.

 

The language is still difficult. I feel like only crazy people speak Okinawan Hogan though. Basically, we'll contact them and then they get really mad.......AND I don't have a clue what they are saying. Then Elder Alger asks why they are mad and all I can do is say "Hogan". We don't hear Hogan a lot though.

 

That's all I have for this week though. I would love to see pics of Clint.

 

I'll keep working hard.

Love you all,

Elder Randy Kazuhiro Low