Himeji Castle Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) 2009

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom and fortunate for us the Kobe Mission area has some of the best and most famous viewing spots in Japan. One great place is Himeji Castle. On preparation day we visited Himeji and met up with several missionaries. Some were viewing and others planned to do some sports activities at the castle park.

This is the inner most mote around the castle with cherry blossoms.

Elders Steele and Wintz.

Sisters Glenn, McIntyre and Yamashita with the bamboo. Not sure what they are doing?

Another castle shot. People love to picnic under the trees this time of year and there are lots of people around to talk to!

Here is a group of missionaries. Yamashita, Glenn, Sorensen, Throop, Mizuguchi, Wintz, Steele, Remund, Varjao, Rasmussen, Merrick and Payne.

This is a shot from the front of the castle. It is about 400 years old and one of the largest still existing in Japan. The grounds are very spacious and you can see the castle from miles away as it stands high in the center of the valley.

Outside the walls, vendors are selling traditional Japanese festival food. That what I call it anyway.

Candied fruit.

Tako Yaki - Octopus dumpling balls

Sweet bean cakes.

Okonomiyaki - Pancake style cabbage and meat cakes.

And of course your basic squid on a stick.

Another pancake type roll on a stick. Shrimp in the middle.

April 2009 Begins with Visit to Otsu, Shiga Prefecture

April 5th, Fast Sunday, we fasted as a mission to show our thanks for the wonderful converts we have seen so far this year and to help us find and ask the Lord to lead us to more people prepared to hear and accept His message. Missionaries also fasted personally to help further develop Christlike attributes. We invited the members to join in the fast as part of their normal fast day. In the afternoon, we travelled to Otsu in the Kyoto Zone to see the baptism of the Olivera family. Otsu is a wonderful city in Shiga prefecture along the shores of famous Lake Biwa. The Olivera's were baptized into the Omihachiman Ward, which does not have a font in their rented church building. The Otsu church is very nice and stands on a hill above the lake. You can see the lake a little below on the left in the picture above. Otsu is about 30 minutes by car from Omihachiman.

The family of three was baptized together. Brother and Sister Olivera are from Brazil, but have lived in Japan for nearly 15 years. She is Brazilian Japanese. Mayke, their son, is 15 years old and was born and raised here. They were first contacted about 9 years ago by the missionaries and have been studying the gospel ever since. Brother Olivera said he wanted to be sure before joining and now he is looking forward to their next goal of being sealed in the temple in one year. Elders Magidman and Thompson were the latest to teach them, but other elders still serving in the mission and pictured here also taught them the gospel including Elders Obata, Fukui and Monson. Elders Magidman and Obata are also from Brazil. The 5th was also Elder Wade's birthday. We had cakes made by the missionaries and cookies designed by Sister McIntyre.

Earlier in the week we had a chance to stop by the church in Miki and visit with the elders there. It is rented building and looks a little worn outside, but it is quite nice inside. The Miki branch is up the mountains just above Kobe in the Kobe stake.

March Wrap Up!

March 29th we had the pleasure of attending the baptism of Thompson Kojo right here in Kobe. He was found and taught by our Sr. Missionary couples here in the office, the Wades and Painters. Elders Wade and Painter met him at Costco and after being prompted by the Spirit and crossing paths with him in the store three times, they asked him about the gospel. His lovely wife and little baby attended the baptism. She is now being taught the lessons by the sisters in Japanese. He is a very spiritual man with a strong Christian background. He was moved when he heard that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored and began studying the Book of Mormon and received a firm testimony of that book and Joseph Smith after attending a fast and testimony meeting. We all hope he will have the chance to baptize his wife in the near future. Ricky went to Tokyo for a few days during spring break and attended youth conference in our old stake, Tokyo South. They had a clean up the beach service project one afternoon. Ricky is near the back on the right, just to the right of the young man standing in the back row. It is probably hard to pick him out!

Here are a few pictures from some of the other baptisms in the mission this month.

In Abeno, Sisters Meyers and Kogawa taught and baptized Sister Abe and her daughter, Nagisa. Elder Latimer and Kanno are also pictured and supported the sisters.Brother Kawasaki of Wakayama was taught by Elders Fishler and Hinton.And Sister Ishikawa was baptized in Okamachi. She was taught by many missionaries over a period of time. Elders West and Ito performed the baptism as she had to sit in a chair due to a bad back. She was taught by Sisters Sadler and Kurashita.Sister Mai Kuwamoto was taught and baptized in Tanabe by Elders Christiansen and Drake. There are more but these are the pictures I have now. The month of March was truly a wonderful month for the mission. Christ is the Reason and Joy is the Reward!

On the 30 and 31st, we held zone conferences and were visited by the Area Medical Advisers and their wives, Elder and Sister Brown and Elder and Sister Mead. Elder Brown is a medical doctor (orthopedic surgeon) and Elder Mead is a counseling psychologist. They taught the missionaries about physical and mental/emotional health during part of the conference. We enjoyed their training and wonderful testimonies.

The cherry blossoms are almost in full bloom and we are moving into our interview mode. April is here!

President's Birthday

It was president's birthday this month and Sister McIntyre made him a special cookie! He got many notes and cards and some other unique and memorable little gifts from the missionaries. We may share more on that in the next entry! We have some pretty creative missionaries... Not the best shot, but March was a busy month and I think I was little tired here. James made a great chocolate cake and tried to spell something out with peanut M&M's. It was delicious. The office staff (I should say Elder Fukui) made a strawberry whip cream cake (my favorite) and made a very creative poster (using the creative art talent of Elder Andrews) based on the circle of life (Lion King). Everyone in the mission home and office was represented and transformed into an animal character from the movie.

It was a busy day as we attended four baptisms that day starting in Amagasaki at 10 am. We arrive back home at around 9:30 pm after the last baptism in Sekime, Osaka.

Ashley Reese was baptized in Amagasaki ward. She is pictured with her family and Elders Christie and Shoaf who taught her. We will try and post more of our missionary and convert pictures from this month in the next post.

Sister Shimokawa and Brother Sugino were baptized in Sekime. They are planning to marry soon and she introduced him to the missionaries after she was found and started the lessons. They were taught by many missionaries over several months. Most have returned home. Elders Beecher and Stennett taught them this past few months and baptized them. They both shed tears as they shared their testimonies. It was a powerful and Spirit filled meeting. A few days before the baptism, she was thinking about changing her mind because she was nervous and a little scared by the commitment. As they knelt in prayer with the missionaries and the bishop (who attended the lesson!) to ask if they should go through with the baptism, she had a undeniable confirmation from the Spirit that she should be baptized. He also (Sugino) said he felt like his chest was on fire and he had never felt anything like it before. We have seen many great conversions in the mission so far this year and hope to see many more! All I can say is that people can and do change. And true conversion takes place through the power of the Spirit. It is real and there are people out there prepared to receive, and searching for, the truth and happiness the gospel of Jesus Christ provides. We know they are the elect because they hear the voice of the Lord and harden not their hearts. (D&C 29:7) And we have been called to gather the elect!

Sister Yamashita had a birthday this month as well. We thought her cookie and red cheeks were a good likeness.

Sister Erika McIntyre in Sapporo continues to have a great mission experience. Here she is above knocking on doors with her companion. She was made a new trainer this past transfer.

President's Message March 2009

Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary
Developing Christlike Attributes
In our last round of Zone Conferences we learned about the two dimensions of a Preach My Gospel missionary. The first dimension deals with our “Being.” Our being comes from our character, our inner-self. It is what we are becoming. Being a PMG Missionary means we strive to become like our example and Savior, Jesus Christ. We become like Christ by acquiring and developing the attributes of Christ. The second dimension deals with our “Doing.” To become a PMG Missionary, we need to do the things missionaries do. These two dimensions of Being and Doing are essential to becoming a successful missionary. To ensure we do the right things in the correct manner, we first must focus on our being. Just as faith precedes the miracle, our being precedes our doing. If we can nurture our being, our doing will not miss the mark.

The Lord has called you to His work, and He invites you to follow him. The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation to follow His example and become like Him. (PMG P.115)


Preach My Gospel introduces us to nine Christlike attributes. These are taught and found throughout the scriptures. In D&C 4 we have a wonderful list of eight of these attributes. In verse 5 we are taught that Faith, Hope and Charity qualify us for the work. These are the first three attributes of Christ. Further, in verse 6 we are told to remember Virtue, Knowledge, Patience, Humility and Diligence. These are the next 5 attributes of Christ as listed in PMG. Obedience, the first law of heaven and the price we pay for access to the Spirit, is the ninth attribute of Christ.
Christlike attributes can be developed if we desire them. They are gifts from God. To obtain these gifts, we must humble ourselves (which is an attribute of Christ) and pray for them. It is only through sincere desire and the help of the Lord that we can truly cultivate these attributes fully in our lives.
As you study and strive to develop these attributes, you will notice that you can develop them by doing them. For example, we learn charity by serving others. When we have charity, we desire to serve others and to be obedient to all God’s commandments. Exercising Faith gives us Hope to receive blessings. Humility prepares us to learn and gain knowledge. Knowledge through diligent study helps us understand God’s plan and our purpose here, which strengthens our faith. Working on one attribute can strengthen another. They are interconnected and complementary. I believe the Apostle Peter understood this when he referred to the sum of many of of these attributes as the Divine Nature.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:4-8)

As missionaries, we represent the Lord Jesus Christ and His church here on earth. We must work daily to develop these attributes of Christ so that we may not be barren nor unfruitful on our mission and throughout our lives.
We can develop these attributes by following the guidance in PMG. First, choose which attribute you would like to focus on. Write a definition for it. What does it mean to you? Support your thoughts with scripture. Get into the scriptures and learn more about the attribute. Make notes in your journal about what you learn. Then, set specific goals in your missionary planner of things you will do to help you develop this attribute. Share your goals as appropriate with me or your companion. This will help you be accountable to yourself and help you follow through on your plan. Pray for help to develop the attribute and to achieve your goals. Evaluate your progress and start again.
There is a wonderful success formula for becoming Preach My Gospel missionaries. It is very simple. “Be” a missionary and “Do” missionary things.
May we continually strive to be more like our Savior, He whom we represent, by developing these Christlike attributes. We love each of you and are so proud of who you are (your being) and all you do (your doing).

Love President and Sister McIntyre

Transfer Week - March 2009

Our 5 new Elders from left to right - Elders Mizuguchi, Magleby, Sheffield, Childs and Everts. Elder Sheffield tries Japanese Natto (fermented beans) at breakfast. A brave elder in my book! For their first lunch in Japan, they wanted to try sushi. So we took them to the 100 yen sushi shop and they enjoyed it.

Elders Andrews and Everts with us.

Above - Elders Fukui, Mizuguchi, Magleby and Bohman

Above - Elders Rasmussen, Childs, Throop and Sheffield.

A highlight of the orientation was the baptism of Brother Hamaguchi (below), a great young man of 22 who lives next to the mission home. I have never heard such a sincere and powerful testimony shared at a baptism by a new member as Brother Hamaguchi's. His conversion is a powerful story of the Spirit confirming to him the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The promise in Moroni works if people would only sincerely put it to the test.He was taught by Elders Rasmussen and Bohman. Here he is with the new missionaries, the office and Kobe Elders and us. Having a baptism in Kobe one of the nights the new missionaries are here for orientation is a wonderful blessing. It demonstrates to the new missionaries one of the reasons why we are here and gets them excited to get out in the field and find more people like these new converts! Literally a few minutes after we send the new missionaries out with their new companions, the returning missionaries arrive at the mission home and we prepare them to return home. After interviews and some final street contacting in Kobe, they joined us for a nice sukiyaki dinner. After dinner, final testimonies are shared and we drive up the mountain to take some night pictures of Kobe from the mountain top.We are returning 4 fine elders this transfer. Elders Goesch, Anderegg, Hara and Henderson. After breakfast, we take a final group picture and then take them to the bullet train headed for Tokyo. After dropping off the missionaries, we hurried back to prepare for lunch and Zone Leader Council in the afternoon. The weather was nice so we cooked hamburgers on the grill with all 20 or so mission leaders then we met together to plan zone conference and the direction of the mission for the next several weeks.
As transfer week winds down, so does my energy! Sister McIntyre caught me catching up on sleep and Sammy finding a comfortable spot with me on the couch. By Friday evening everything is about done. Too tired to make dinner, we usually try to go out and just relax or have a date night. We still have a busy weekend to look forward to!

All Mission Conference!

On March 11, 2009, we held an all mission conference in Ibaraki, Osaka for about three hours and welcomed Elder Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Evans of the Seventy with their wives to our mission. I did not have the picture when I made the last post so I waited until I could post it. So this shot is something special as we do not have all the missionaries together at once very often. This is the Japan Kobe Mission! It will be hard to see every one's faces, but all the missionaries are there. I think if you can count them there are 104 missionaries plus 2 stake presidents our visiting authorities and their wives and Sister McIntyre and me. Each missionary will get a nice print out of this picture when they return home.

Weekly Update - March 15th

This Saturday we were able to visit the Akashi Church where we had two baptisms. First was Brother Masuda from the Miki Branch. He was taught and baptized by Elders Edfrennes and Campbell.Many of the Miki Branch members came to Akashi for the baptism. I was asked to share some thoughts and testimony in addition to the regular program. The missionaries also had an investigator there who is planning to be baptized soon.Later that same afternoon at the same church, the Akashi Ward had a baptismal service for Brother Inoue. He was found in another area by Elder Ito, who performed the baptism, but was referred to Akashi where he lives. Elders Steele, Remund and Andrews taught him in Akashi. Brother Inoue had a bad cold, but insisted on going through with the baptism that day.

Below is the Akashi Church building. It is a very nice 3 story church. The sun was behind the church so the picture is not the best. Well, actually all church steeples glow like this in Japan, especially when there are baptisms inside! This week we finished interviews for the transfer cycle by meeting the missionaries of the Sakai #2 zone in Mikunigaoka. The folders are from McDonalds. You get one free when you order a quarter pounder. I wonder where they ate recently? The folders have motivational phrases on them in Japanese. It is part of a pro baseball campaign.Some of the missionaries enjoyed sushi with Sister McIntyre. Yes, they ate all those plates of sushi. President McIntyre preferred a double quarter pounder.

Sister Erika McIntyre continues to have a great time in Sapporo. She is getting a little tired of the cold, but loves her mission and her companion, Sister Nishimuro.

Next week is transfer week. Time is flying. We will see 4 elders return home and 5 new ones come in. I have basically finished deciding transfers and will spend this weekend pondering and praying to make sure we got it right. Tuesday morning we will call them out. Next week will be a busy one, but transfers are always exciting.

Week Ending March 8th 2009

March is turning out to be a great month for the work. We have many baptisms scheduled. Time will tell as to how many transpire, but we are off to a great start. We travelled to the Nishiwaki Church in the Fukuchiyama Member District for the baptism of Sister Shikata of the Fukuchiyama Branch. She was invited to a church activity by a member in late summer and later came to church and started the lessons in the fall. Sister McIntyre and I met her several times and attended Sunday School class with her at least twice. Many of the branch members traveled the 1.5 hour trip by car to the font at the church in Nishiwaki to attend her baptism. Sister McIntyre and I had a chance to share some remarks at the baptism. After the meeting everyone stayed around and ate sandwiches and snacks just like a big family.

She was baptized by Elder Oshiro. It took four tries, but she won't forget the experience. Elder Henderson returns home in a few weeks and this was a perfect way for him to finish off his last transfer and end a wonderful mission. They have another baptism schedule in the Fukuchiyama Branch the end of the month but it is after Elder Henderson returns home.

Early Sunday morning, I traveled to Himeji to attend sacrament meeting and the baptism of 9 year old Jessica Palmer in the Himeji Ward. Her father performed the baptism. He is from Nigeria and her mother, not a member yet, is from Japan. I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting and after listening to the primary kids sing at the baptism, I decided to speak about Christ visiting the Americas after his resurrection as recorded in 3 Nephi. I read the scripture where the Savior prays for the people and weeps and then he tells them to "behold your little ones..." This was a very special baptism for this ward. The ward has put their arms around this family and fellowshipped them wonderfully. Jessica was taught by Elders Sorenson and Matsuoka.

Here is a picture with the elders and some other primary kids. It did not turn out very clear though.

Saturday we travelled to the Senboku Branch again (we were there for a baptism last month as well) where Elders Howells and Ritchie baptized Brother Fukushima. These two elders taught him all the lessons over the last month or two, but Brother Fukushima actually first met the missionaries over 17 years ago. He has dropped into church off and on all these years. He has changed a lot over those years, with some big changes coming in his recent commitments to prepare for baptism. He bore a strong and humble testimony and expressed great gratitude for the gospel and for the chance to be baptized. It just shows that people can and will change and sometimes it takes time. It also takes missionaries not afraid to ask people to formally listen to the message and help people make and keep commitments.

Right after the baptism the Branch President, President Tonomura, had Brother Fukushima in his office interviewing him about receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. I was impressed as this is what needs to happen to truly "establish the church" and retain converts.

Right down the street from the Senboku Church is a plum tree park and the trees are in bloom. We stopped on our way out for a few pictures.

A wonderful weekend.