I Love the Plan of Salvation

December 19, 2010~Merry Christmas! How are you guys doin? It sounds like everyone is holding up well and are taking Grandpa`s passing away pretty well. I really want to read grandpas journals when I get back. I feel like I didn`t know enough about him. But I loved him. This first two weeks in Kobe have been pretty wild for me. But before I forget my number is 81-80-2149-6214. You guys can go ahead and call me anytime from 9:30 AM to 2:30 Pm if that is better? The best time for me is right at 9:30 but if dad has work late I understand and go ahead and call anytime before 2:30. Whatever is best for you guys. My companion`s family is calling him at 8 AM. I thought it would be easier for you guys with dad`s work and stuff. I am excited to hear from you guys again. When I emailed you guys this week about grandpa I didn`t tell you about something that happened the day before. It has to do with the Plan of Salvation and Resurrection. I was at the Church waiting for an investigator for FHE. The investigator didn`t show up but there was a recent convert named Shota who was pretty sad. We went to a room together and he started crying, almost out of control, something was definitely wrong. We tried to calm him down and he finally asked us a question. "Do you believe Alma 40?" I said yes. After that he took us to his apartment. As you guys know Alma 40 is about after death so I was definitely expecting the worst. As we were exiting the church another member asked Shota what was wrong and he said, "Pi chan Died" in very hurried Japanese. That is when I kinda got a little scared. When we entered his apartment I was expecting the worst. Maybe Shota`s friend`s body or something was in the apartment. I quickly glanced around and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I was a little confused. I thought to myself, "Why had he brought us all the way over here?" And then I saw it. There was a dead yellow bird laying on some newspaper in the middle of the room. This was Pi chan. This recent convert has a heart of gold and he was crushed over the loss of his bird. It was a big relief actually when I saw Pi chan. It could have been a lot worse. We read Alma 40 together and Shota calmed down and it was a good learning experience for all. The next day I get the news that Grandpa had died and of course I was shocked at the timing of things but not necessarily about Grandpa's death. I knew that Grandpa had lived a good life on earth and he will be judged accordingly. The day grandpa died I also met about 5 people that had interest in the after life and I could look them in the eyes and say that they can live forever with their families. Things happen for a reason and I trust God like all of you. I heard also recently a story about a doctor in Kobe here. A member told me about it while I was in Yonago. At this hospital in Kobe the patients knew how much time they had to live. At the longest a couple of days in advance, and the shortest being a couple of hours. The patients would ask this doctor "where do I go after I die?" The doctor would always say, "I don`t know, no one knows." We know where we go after we die and this is special. I take this knowledge for granted. I love the Plan of Salvation. You guys are great and I love you. I know that we are an eternal family. Have a great week and I`ll talk to you soon!

Gus' Dad Passes Away

December 13, 2010 Hey everyone. I just talked to Pres. McIntyre and he told me the news. He let me send an email to you guys today, so here I am. I hope everyone is taking it all right. When I heard the news I wasn't surprised because of the condition he was in but I did think of some, "I wish I would've" sentences. I really loved grandpa and looked up to him. I probably didn't express this enough but life isn't perfect. Please tell grandma that I love her and that she is strong. The first thing that I thought about was how blessed grandpa was to know about the Plan of Salvation. We are very blessed and I really want to share this to people. This is definitely what grandpa would of wanted. I love you all and the Plan of Salvation is real.

Transfer to Kobe

Grady and Sister Shields in their BYU-I t-shirts!

December 12, 2010~Hey everyone! Sorry I am emailing so early but I transferred so it is at a different time. I transferred to Kobe and am living in the mission office apartment. Pres. McIyntre wants more missionaries in Kobe because the assistants and the office elders in Kobe are way busy and don't have much time to proselyte. I was really surprised to leave Yonago and it was sad but I am excited to be here in Kobe. My apartment has me and my companion and the assistants, and the office elders. I am training a new missionary and his name is Elder Low. He is half Japanese and is way cool. Today I really don't have much time sorry. There were no investigators when I came but the Lord blessed us and there is a Chinese man named O preparing for baptism.

I love you guys and I will probably be doing email around this time from now on. Jesus lives and he atoned for us.

Missionary Work is Awesome!

December 5, 2010~Hello everyone! Wow dad, I am glad that you are all right. That is pretty cool that you were a good sport about it. God really does look after us. I am gonna keep today pretty short today but this week was great. O and Kimura bought a suit and I did too. I didn`t notice how big mine were until I went to the store. I don`t wear my old suits anymore. They are huge and I will probably send them home. They are in good condition and were way expensive so I`m sure that someone will use them. My suit was $70! It was on sale from $500. Pretty good deal huh. I have really lost a lot of weight I guess. Well there is that. Yesterday was Ruka`s baptism. It was awesome and Kento her brother baptized her. She slipped and kinda fell into the water while she was getting baptized. We all had a laugh about it afterward. When she came out of the water she and Kento both laughed a little and it was a good moment. I know that families are important. The Arito family is doing great but transfers are this week and I don`t know what is gonna happen. One more story I have for you is about a family I am teaching right now. What I have to say about this family is pretty confidential and I can`t tell you their name. You`ll find out in a second. First off there is no dad like the Arito family. They are divorced. The ex husband was very abusive and they got divorced a while back. Ever since then they have been in hiding from him. He found them once and it wasn`t a good experience. There is the Mom, daughter, and son and the kids are really afraid of the dad. Because of this they can`t be around a lot of people in case someone knows them or the ex-husband. They have come to church before but there was someone that they knew and they decided that it is too dangerous to come to church because the ex~husband might find them. They still are taking the lessons but it is with a select few in the ward that know the situation. That was a long explanation but there you have it. I love this family so much and they are really prepared for the gospel. They are praying as a family everyday and are really progressing. I know that the Lord will help them receive baptism as soon as possible. Once again I love this family a lot and I really want to help them out. I love you all and the gospel is true. Missionary work is awesome and till next week!

November 28, 2010
Hey everyone! Thanks for the emails this week. It sounds pretty cold in Idaho right now. It still hasn`t snowed here yet. Japan is a little different in that January is usually the coldest month. Well this week was another good one. Lots of miracles happened and Sister Aritou`s 15 year old daughter Ruka is getting baptized this coming Sunday. I am way excited. Her brother Kento, who got baptized last week is performing the baptism. Pretty cool huh! Sister Aritou is way excited. It is way cool to see them progress in the gospel. The other night we had FHE with them and the 8 year old Iru prayed. She wrote down what she was going to say and practiced before hand! I know we aren't supposed to have recited prayers but she is an 8 year old convert. The spirit was so strong and she is really progressing in the gospel. Yesterday 3 investigators came to church. Ruka, Shingo, and Watanabe. Shingo and Watanabe work for the navy. They really enjoyed church and they are coming next week too. Are there ever investigators that come to our ward? I know I have talked about church members a lot lately but I think there is a reason for it. Lately I have been a little disappointed with some members and how they acted. The other day we were teaching a 9 and 11 year old brother and sister. There mom is divorced and cant meet or come to church because of work. The two kids love church and want to be baptized. We received the mom`s permission to teach and baptize them so everything is great. The other night we had a returned missionary couple sit is the lesson with us. Before the lesson they told us that we shouldn't teach them and that they were too young, and wild to be baptized. I am not trying to talk badly about these members because this happens a lot. We went ahead and taught the lesson and something amazing happened. It isn't a lie that these two kids are really wild and loud. They didn't have a dad to teach them a lot of things. When the lesson started the spirit wasn't there and I was thinking about doing it another day but I starting praying asking God to bless the kids that they would be quiet and listen and feel the spirit. When I started praying the two kids pulled out notebooks and started taking notes and asking really good questions. It was almost like they had prepared these questions on their own. While all this was happening the older couple`s hearts were changing. By the end of the lesson the members and missionaries were on the same page and all is well. O and these two little kids walk to church by themselves every week about 30 minutes. If this isn't faith I don't know what is. I know that God answers prayers and changes hearts through the spirit. I tell you this because I realized what members need to realized about missionary work. And what I need to teach members. I decided that everything I and any member needs to know is found in the Preach My Gospel, scriptures, and the prophets words. The two most important things for me as a missionary and you guys as a member to know is the purpose of missionary work and the requirements for baptism. I don't have much time today but if you get a chance check out chapter 12 in PMG. It has the requirements for baptism. This will help you with Marrissa. Good luck and I love you guys. The work is going forward and Jesus is the Christ. I love the members in Japan and what great saints they are. Till next week!

The Joy of Eternal Families

This is Sister Aritou's son, Kento and her daughter, Iru after their baptism! So wonderful to baptize a family!

November 21, 2010

Hello everyone!

Wow! That is a lot of snow in Twin Falls! It hasn`t snowed here yet. How is Bryse? Can he still talk fine? And does Randy have cancer? I thought I would ask you guys those questions first before I forgot. Dad, I liked your story about your mission. Japanese people really don`t hug. They are kinda awkward with stuff like that but that doesn`t stop me. I also like giving my brothers a little love. I need to do it more though. Thanks. I`ve also been thinking of blessings lately and we are really blessed. I never really got nervous when we didn`t have an income. Thinking back it would be natural to worry. I think one blessing that I have realized is being relieved without even knowing it. Being positive is a blessing I think. Olivia, thanks for the email. It is pretty special what you`re experiencing right now. I am proud of you for being a good example. I wrote her last week so it should get there pretty soon. Well guys, this week was pretty special. Yesterday was Sister Aritou`s son Kento and one of her daughters Iru`s baptism. I wish you guys could of seen Sister Aritou. She was so happy and of course her kids were too. I really can`t express the joy I am feeling right now. A family baptism and a single baptism are both way special but seeing a family get baptized is pretty cool. Sister Aritou`s 15 year old daughter, Ruka, is getting baptized on December 5! She didn`t have interest at first but when she heard her mom, brother, and sister talking about going to the temple together she felt something. She wants to go to the temple too so she is showing her faith by getting baptized. We are starting teaching her tonight. Yesterday my testimony of the priesthood was strengthened. When Kento received the Holy Ghost he was blessed to share the gospel as a missionary. I know that this was a true blessing and it will happen. Little Iru`s blessing was really special too. She was also blessed to go on a mission and then the priesthood holder giving the blessing blessed her to get married in the temple and have an eternal family. I know that this priesthood holder was worthy for the spirit and his words were Gods`. I am so thankful for the priesthood and how real it is. I wish I would have focused more when I was receiving a blessing. I am sorry I have written so much but I am really feeling the joy of the gospel. An eternal family is the only way to go and I know that getting married in the temple is important. These recent experiences on my mission have really strengthened my testimony of the Gospel, particularly families. I know that we are an eternal family. I also know that there are tons of families waiting to hear the gospel because about 2 months ago God used me, a young 20 year old boy, to share the gospel with some of his precious children, our brothers and sisters. The Gospel is true and I love you all. Have a great week and look out for our brothers and sisters ready to hear the gospel. I know they are there. God bless

Building Relationships Through the Spirit

November 14, 2010~~Hey everyone! Thanks again! Wow mom the packages were great! Thank you. The kids will love the candy. The shirts were way nice too. I liked the story about the twins. Maybe I'll share it with the members. I'll have to look up a lot of vocabulary though. Incubators etc, lol. Rudy and Dad, good job on the Subaru. Sounds pretty sweet. Olivia, it sounds like you have a good friend in Marrisa. I got your letter slash thing. It was pretty creative. Thankyou. Olivia if you really want to help Marrisa out you should look in Preach My Gospel in Chapter 12. It has the baptismal requirements. You could help her prepare which will strengthen your and Marrissa's`s testimony. If you have any questions shoot me an email. I would like to be apart of this too so I think I will write her a letter. Is that cool? Well anyway, I love you all and you all sound way happy. This week for me was sweet! I was in Okayama, about 3 hours away from Yonago for 3 days for training. It was amazing. Pres. McIntyre is an awesome Mission Pres. and I learned a lot. A cool thing happened last night that Ill tell really quick. Me and Kimura were really trying and praying to find the elect yesterday. A lot of great thing have been happening lately but there isn't a lot of investigators right now. We are trying to find a lot of new people. As we were going home last night across a busty street was a man walking. We quickly crossed the busy street, Maybe a little dangerous, and contacted him. He name was Watanabe and way cool. He is in the navy and is coming to church next week. Miracles happen everyday. This week is going to be really busy. 2 of Sister Arito`s kids are getting baptized! Kento who is 16 and Iru who is 8. I am way excited! O and another miracle happened this week. Do you guys remember the Ise family in Niihama. Well guess what? The dad Ryuji got baptized yesterday! I couldn't go to it but I called Elder Kudo this morning and he said is was awesome. When I got off the phone I felt so thankful for a loving Father in Heaven. All I could do is get on my knees and thank God for his love and for Jesus Christ and his Atonement. When people make covenants with God for the first time it is beautiful. When people are baptized they are not perfect. The other day Sister Arito came up to me and had some questions. She is having a little trouble adjusting to the teachings of the church. She still believes in reincarnation which is actually pretty similiar to our beliefs. When people are baptized there are requirements. These requirements are in the scriptures and in PMG. Me, as a missionary, should always strive to teach simply so everyone can understand, but things like this happen. This isn't a big problem or anything but it can turn into a problem when members get enduring to the end mixed up with baptismal requirements. New converts have a lot of adjustments that we have never experienced and I am thankful for Sister Arito who is open enough to ask questions. I told her that I was sorry and we are meeting again to review the Plan of Salvation. Converts are awesome and have strong testimonies but they need help doctrinally a lot of times. This is a quote in the PMG, "Correct doctrine understood changes attitudes." I cant wait to see all these new converts progress in the gospel and eventually make sacred covenants in the Temple. I love you guys and all that you do for me. My mission is way fulfilling and I don't want it to end. I love these people a lot. I really cant explain how but I think it is because I building relationships through the spirit. I love you all and until next time.