January 29, 2013

So, before I start, thank you for the package and for setting up that blog.

So, weather. Elder Dolbin said that his mom wrote him and said that there has been 128 car accidents in SLC. On that day when it was super slippery, there were three broken arms in the MTC because of the Ice. Almost everybody fell down. Haha, luckily Dolbin Choro and I didn't. We walked outside and watched people falling over everywhere. Haha, he looked and me and started laughing. We basically crawled to class. It rained the night before and the it froze. It was scary. I didn't get hurt though. Don't worry.

The language is a freaking BEAST. It's so so hard. Every day I feel like I'm learning so much and that I'll be speaking in no time....and then a couple hours pass and I feel like an idiot that can't speak. I am very grateful for my background. Elder Dolbin and I are doing really well with the language. He took 6 years of Japanese before he came here and we're speaking and SYL'ing all the time. It's great. I'm so happy that my companion is here to serve and knows what he's doing.

I got a dear elder from Jon....but it all came as 19873 99018273989 127273782 912983 912793871........And I can't read it at all. Hahaha, so i'm sorry that I can't reply. Also, everyone in Wirthlin choro's district came to me saying they met him. I was super jealous. Haha, that's so cool that he was there though. When my companion and I did TRC, we taught two natives and they were so so cool. They were both from Tokyo and had served in Sapporo. It was so fun. We just had a conversation in Japanese and talked about how things were going. I love this language. Even though It's brutal. It's so fun.

Now, Sam!
Happy birthday. I'm so excited that you are becoming a teacher. You get to go to church early and set up the sacrament. I really would love to hear from you. I don't know if Dad told you....but saying goodbye to you was the hardest thing I did all day. It was hard. I hope you have an awesome birthday.

Jacob,
I'm sorry I didn't send a card or something. I hope you had a great birthday as well. Are you dating someone? I'd love to hear about her. If either of you (Jon or you) get married while i'm gone, I'd at least like to know what she's like. Keep me updated and I hope your birthday was awesome. Tell Brad and Nat and Zack that I love them and miss them. Also, tell the ward that I send my love.

Our District lost Brother Brinley. He started teaching in a new District which makes me really sad. He really was the best teacher. The new district to get him is really really lucky. I' m so jealous of them. The most spiritual moments of my mission have all come because of him. And that includes Elder Holland coming.

He had us read Moses 7 when God is with Enoch talking about the Earth and how they do not love their god. He told us to let that scripture drive us. Do everything for God. And if that isn't enough drive, do it for Brother Brinley. It was awesome. I got way pumped and wanted to leave the MTC and start teaching.

I got headbutted in foursquare yesterday. My jaw keeps cracking. My head aches. I took a pill and hopefully it's ok.

I'm running out of time. I wish I could tell you more. Just know that I'm loving it out here. I miss everyone and I wish I was with you....but this is too much fun. It's so so exciting. I hope you got my letter to the priests. I hope they are preparing to serve. It's a great time to be a missionary.

I love you all.

Love,
Elder Randy Kazuhiro Low

Pictures from Elder Low

Elder Wirthlin and Elder Tano

 

Elder Mikkola is from Finland. He speaks five languages.

Davis High Missionaries

My District

Letter from Elder Low - January 22, 2013

Shoot dad. I have so much to tell you.

FIRST!
My first mtc devotional was last p day and the speaker was Elder Holland. It was the most amazing spirit. I loved it. He said a couple things like, "There may have been or might be a more exciting time to serve a mission...but I do not know when that was or when it will be" and "You ALL BETTER HAVE AT LEAST ONE CONVERT AND IT HAD BETTER BE YOU!!!" He's awesome.

The new missionaries from Japan came yesterday. We got to talk to them for a little bit. guess what. one of them is from Machida and knows Jon and grandma and grandpa. Haha, unfortunately I did not get her name. My teacher is pretty much the coolest guy ever. I love learning the language and I love the spirit he brings. There has been so many moments that I just think to myself, "this is why i'm out here" and it is so rewarding. Like Nephi says at the beginning of the Book of Mormon, I have been highly favored of the Lord.

When you said this language was the hardest language in the world, you weren't kidding. I thought I knew so much.....I found out I don't know anything. Like, anything at all. It's so so hard. I'm shocked at how much I learn and then I'm even more surprised that it isn't that much. It's crazy. I feel very confident about my progress so far though. I'm really working on verbs right now. Hopefully I continue to grow. Tell Jon I'm sorry that I didn't practice Japanese even when he wrote home and told me too...cuz it sucks now. Haha, but the language is cool and beautiful and I'm learning a lot.

The food......is.........good? Haha, I always eat a lot and then sit and look at my tray thinking, "Did I just eat a hot pocket?" It's filling....but sorta gross. sometimes, it's really good and sometimes i hate it. It all just depends. Haha, don't scare any of the priests. Actually, I bet all of them would love it. It's all you can eat. When it comes to food, I realize that I was spoiled with awesome food.

The bedrooms have only two bunks. I was told that the shimai have three though. In their residence halls, they don't have desks. They have mini desks inside their closets....Yeah, I'm really lucky. And get this, I know you won't believe me and I am being dead serious here. I can't stress how serious I am when I say this. I know sometimes I told you that I was clean and I wasn't super clean, but I am way way WAY more clean than my roommates.  We had a room check.....and we didn't do super well.

So, how's Sam and Clint? I miss them so much. I saw the pictures of Sam skiing and I'm so jealous. I bet he's the coolest person at school. Now that he has a phone, I bet all the girls text him. ;) Let me know.

I'm really excited about Elders Hancock. It will be great.

Thank you for all the support. I hope all is well. I'm really excited to get in the field.

Love,
Elder Randy Kazuhiro Low

2012

Once again I have taken forever to blog. I'm really sorry. However, this blog will have most of my missionary stuff on it when I'm gone so don't give up on me yet. ;)

Sunday was my farewell. It felt very very good and it was so nice to have all my friends and family there. I love the Church and I can't wait to serve The Lord. However, it is really hard. I'm surprised at how difficult it had been but I know that it's what i'm supposed to do next in my life.

At the end of the day.....I had a Court of Honor scheduled for me. It really bugged me because I got my eagle...a year ago and had scheduled three different days that I could have a Court of Honor. I don't know. Better late than never, right?

SOooooo, Yesterday was New Year's Eve. Honestly....I was scared out of my mind. 2012 was possibly the best of my life so far. From Beginning to end it was one of the happiest of my life and I didn't want to let that go. However, it is time and there are about to be some huge changes in my life. 

Yesterday, I watched some of my favorite British Sitcom  with Maddy at her house. Then we drove off to my neighbors house. The Hill's had invited Maddy and I over to have some treats. We knew we weren't going to stay long, but we went over anyway. Haha, it was just Maddy, me, Brother Hill, and Sister Hill. It was actually really really fun. Just the four of us. Soon more people came, but I enjoyed it.

We the started our way to a party.  When we arrived at the house, we thought we were a little early so we kept driving. :) We found a spot up by the shooting range that had a great view of Kaysville and some fireworks. We sat and laughed and talked. After a little bit, we thought that maybe we should go to the party.  Unfortunately....my car was stuck in the parking lot. There was too much snow in the parking lot for my car to handle. Maddy got in the front seat and tried to drive out of the parking lot while I tried to push my car out. We were so close, but very unsuccessful. Soon, I called my friends and they came in a truck to pull us out. It was about 11 when we finally got out of the snow. 

So, most of last night was spent pushing around my car in the snow....but it was still a great night. One of my favorites. Why is that? Because I spent it the same way I spent the last year of my life. With Maddy. Having her around has been the greatest blessing. Her support has helped me through so many things and I am so grateful for her. I know while I am gone that she will do amazing things. Hopefully, she is still around when I get back, but what I do know is I will forever remember 2012 as the year I spent with her. I will never regret the time I spent with her.

Cancer

In a way, I feel like a man with terminal cancer. I only have three weeks until I leave on my mission. When I come back, it's very possible that most of you won't really remember be. It's very possible that most of you will be married or gone. It's kinda crazy. However, I'm super excited. I hope with all my heart that most of you will still be around when i get back. Maybe these two years will go by fast. 

One of the hardest things for me is that I met a bunch of new people just barely....and now I'm leaving them. So, if I met you in the last six months, this blogpost is about you. I'm so so grateful for all the people in my life. I'm amazed at how quickly I made new friends at college. My roommates were all awesome. My ward was super welcoming and I met a bunch of people that I feel like I have known for years. I'm really going to miss everyone but I hope when I come back, you will all be as welcoming as you were when I was a stranger....but i'm sure you all will be. And that is why I love all my friends.

Testimony at 18

Well, the call came. On Wednesday, I sat in my living room.....watching the mailbox. waiting for the mail truck to show up. It felt like I sat there for days. finally it came. I ran out to the mailbox, opened it up, and then laughed with excitement. At 7, I opened up my mission call with some of my best friends. I am called to the Japan, Fukuoka mission. I'm leaving on January 9th......Haha, really soon.

Sooooo, I've decided to make a post of my testimony before my mission. So here we go....

I chose to be a missionary. My parents didn't push me to turn in my papers. My friends didn't make me. My leaders didn't tell me to. I made the choice. My friends, family, and leaders definitely helped me make the choice and supported me, but this is something I wanted to do. 

Why is that? Two years is a very long time. I have to leave the people I love the most. Going is not easy. I'm not going to pretend like going on a mission was something that I decided to do over night, and it is certainly not something that I could do if I didn't know the things i know. I could not leave my family, my friends, my school, my guitar, and my home if I didn't not know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was The Church of God. There a so many things about this Church that I don't understand. There are so many things I am still learning. However, there is a few things that I do know.......

1. I know that the Book of Mormon is Scripture. I know that it is the word of god and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that by saying my prayers and reading my scriptures I have been kept safe from bad thoughts and actions

2. I love the Temple and feel peace and the spirit when I go there. I know that it is sacred and the house of the lord.

3. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer. 

4. I know that the Priesthood is real. 

And above all else...

5. I know that this church makes me happy. I know that right now, I am happy. This church makes me want to do things for others. This Church brings joy.

I know this church is true. I would not leave my education to serve a mission if it was not true. I would not leave my family and live on my own for two years if it wasn't true. I wouldn't leave my best friend, Maddy, if it wasn't true. I wouldn't leave all my amazing friends if it was not true. 

I'm so excited to serve my mission. 

Anyway, my life is going really well right now. I'm having a blast. 

This won't be my last post before my mission.  Don't worry.

Been a while

Sorry. So here is what's been going on....

For a while, my computer was having a problem. I haven't been able to use it for quite some time. That's why my blogging has slowed down so much. I didn't die. I've also been super busy with school and work.

Tomorrow, i'm supposed to get my mission call. I'm super excited. I can't wait to find out where i'm going to be serving the lord for the next two years of my life. It's something i've been waiting for my entire life. I'm a little nervous, but wherever I go, it'll be an amazing experience.

Yesterday, I had my four wisdom teeth pulled. It has been a weird experience. I don't remember anything. it's kinda scary. You sit down for the surgery, they put an IV in your arm and then the next thing you know, you wake up in a new room and in a different chair. Your mouth is completely numb and you feel like you're falling. Apparently I said a lot of things that I don't remember but i'd rather not mention those things.

Anyway, things have been going great. My mission is coming up so so fast. It's a little bit scary. However, i'm sure it will be over just as fast and I need to live out every moment I have serving the lord wherever he sends me.