This story was submitted by Joseph Wager

January 23, 2003

My Four-Hour Companion

Just after I humped I was serving in Nobeoka. My companion, Elder Wayne Schramm, was unexpectedly transferred to Okinawa and I found myself in a threesome with Elders Horiuchi and Hatch. The Z.L.'s in 
Ooita told us that my companion would be coming down a day or two later because he had to show the other missionaries where all of their investigators were. On the appointed day, we went to the Eki and met elder 
Kenny Gleed. We threw his bags in a taxi and were off to the house (yes, we lived in a house, six rooms, couches, and a BIG shower). The bags were stacked outside the genkan and we were getting ready to bring them in when the phone rang. Elder Horiuchi jumped that bags and snagged the phone. It was the Z.L.'s. The Honbu had just called them and Elder Gleed was supposed to go to Kumamoto instead. At that time, the train line didn't extent all the way across Kyushu, so we checked the bus schedules. There was one leaving in about 15 minutes and one leaving four hours later. We were too far out of town to get him on the early one, so we put him on the later one. Being the middle of the day, there was no one home in Kumamoto, so when we came home for dinner, we gave them a call and told them when and where to pick him up. They hadn't heard he was coming, and were very surprised. He made it O.K. though and they got everyone settled eventually. I'm pleased to say the Elder Gleed was a pleasure to be with and we never had a single disagreement.

Alma Keith Lawrence Choro

Elder A.Keith Lawrence was my second companion. I had spent my first month in Japan serving in the city of Kurume with Elder Campbell. After one month with Elder Campbell, he was transferred and Elder Lawrence came to Kurume after spending the last 6 months in the Honbu. (This was the famous Elder Lawrence who could fit his whole fist in his mouth) He was concerned about his lesson plan and being 'rusty'. He was still to be my senior, which I thought I understood. Since I knew where our investigators lived and the layout of the city I proceeded to lead Elder Lawrence around. On one occasion, on our way back to the branch to fulfill our assignment to fix lunch for the other four elders, I decided to stop for a quick crème pan. Having not asked, I was told by Elder Lawrence that we didn't have time to stop. We had to get lunch fixed, and prepare and go to a lesson. 'Oh, fetch!', I think, is what I said. I really had a hard time, from that point, following Elder Lawrence.!

 One evening as we kneeled for companion prayer. He said something that changed me for life. He said "You may not like what I do, but if you follow me you will be blessed.". It made me realize how I was suppose to be following my Savior, but didn't realize the same actions could drive me away from Him. From then on I had a different attitude. I believe I was blessed throughout my mission service  knowing Elder Lawrence was one of those blessings. After returning home we continued to stay in touch by exchanging Birthday cards for a number of years. He ended up in California, somewhere. It's been awhile since we've touched base. Hopefully he finds this web site and relives some of those great times.