To Dad

First on the list, Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!

Since I don`t think I have a ton of time and there is no way that I can get all that I want to get done on time I am just going to write this to Dad, and then say that everyone else can read it if it is ok with Dad.

First of all, thank you so much for you letters! I love your writing and you ideas... i even especially like the ones where you just write your thoughts down in a stream of conscious type thing, they`re hilarious and touching all in one. Thanks! 

Are you still only wearing white Tshirts?

I especially love to hear how all of my brothers and sisters are doing, that makes me so happy! Also, news on friends is always a pleasure. How is Suzy and everyone?

Before i forget. (maybe more for mom here, sorry) Did a Rachel Sanford used to play with me in the U student housing? when I was like four. I think that she might be in my mission. I saw her birthday come up in the mission news with a picture. 

News from the mission. We worked hard this week finding. We met with Akiyama San and he needs all the prayers that he can get. Please pray for him. Mt. Aso erupted this week and left ash all over everything. It is like an hour away and I don`t think anyone was hurt. On Saturday I got a call asking for me to come to trainer`s training. I went on Monday (yesterday). Today is transfer calls, so we will find out where we are going to be. If I am getting a new missionary (a Bean chan) I will find out who it is on Wednesday evening.

I am trying hard to do my best. Your (our) motto, "Work hard and keep the rules" is always running through my head. 

Also, because I have not been writing very good letters I have determined to try better. I am not sure how I will do it, but i will try. 

What did you do for your birthday?

I hope it was good.

I have been looking for your painting, and I think they have them, but I do not know where to look... I have found some really old stuff but not in good shape.. I`ll keep looking.

Also i will try and get our family rules all written out in 書道 (calligraphy).

Anyways I love you. I want to please you, because I know that you want what is right. I want to do what is right. I am going to work hard, I love working hard, and I love praying hard, and I love this work so much. I know that the book of Mormon is true by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I believe this is the Church of God because of the fruits of it.

Love you Dad.

Last district picture before the transfer.

Elder Bevan

To Dad

Thanks so much Dad for writing me every week! It means so much to me to hear from you and in your familiar way. I love you so much. Thank you far all you do, and for all that you have done for me. I hope that you enjoy my letters, and more than that, that you can be proud of me. The week before this last one we got to do a service project with a sister in the branch. She is funny, and one of those people that doesn't mind teasing others. Anyway, I got to use a shovel for the first time since the end of October, and I couldn't have been more happy. I worked hard, and made a new friend of that sister. She came up to me after we were finished, and quietly told me that I was the hardest working missionary that she had ever met. You can imagine how much that meant to me. I was deeply touched with gratitude for what she said, and for you have did for me when you taught me to work. I don't think that any of the other missionaries could have made a friend of her like I did just by working hard with her. My Japanese is horrible, really, but that didn't matter, and I am so blessed to have even had that opportunity. Thanks Dad.

I Love you. 

Your Son, 

Working hard and keeping the rules,

Elder Bevan