Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now

Hello Everyone!

Warmth or safety. How about both? 

The temperatures are dropping and central heating isn't a thing in Japan, so all us missionaries are just bracing ourselves for the cold winter. Not going to lie, I'm kind of excited because I've never really experienced winters in Japan before! We'll see how I actually feel when it happens.

This past week, I've thought about all the people I've been able to meet so far on my mission. Everyone from my companion, other missionaries, the ward members, investigators, even the people we talk to who want nothing to do with us... I can honestly say that every single person I've met so far has influenced my life in one way or another.

Here are some from this week:

Sister Abe

Abe Shimai loves cats and is a huge Beatles fan. She's not a member of the church, but she loves being referred to as "sister". Despite having a learning disability, we have the wonderful opportunity of meeting with her every Thursday to teach her a lesson. She's attentive and asks the most interesting questions like, "Did the Nephites have pillows? How did they sleep without pillows?" or, "Did the Lamanites have air conditioning?" She also walks to church every single week and attends all three hours. If I could just have a portion of Abe Shimai's character I'm pretty sure I would be set for the Celestial Kingdom.

The most tenderest of angels - Abe Shimai    

Sister Jun

Sister Jun is a less active member who loves meeting with the missionaries. We always "totsuzen" her, meaning we show up unexpectedly. However, every time she seems to know when we're coming. When we visited her yesterday she told us, "I had a feeling all weekend that you would be coming today (Monday)." She was right! And she even had a meal prepared for us. She is a sweet individal and still has a strong testimony.

Sister Bean

My companion obviously.

When you and your companion are separated by a red light. #adversity    

Random person who told us to stop proselyting

We housed into a man who told us to stop doing what we're doing because the police will come after us. We told him we wouldn't stop because we were called as missionaries and were legally allowed to proselyte. He was not happy, but maybe he'll come around when the next set of missionaries knock on his door someday :)

Sister Karube

For the past month, Sister Bean has dealt with bug bites and a cold which resulted in many  sleepless nights for her. But despite being tired, she continued to work hard and we were still able to get out every single day. Sister Karube came to our rescue and brought us a smoke bomb to kill all the bugs in the apartment. It worked because we've hadn't had problems with bugs since then!

These are just a few of the many amazing people I've met so far. And to think I still have so many more to meet:)

If we think about it, every single person we cross paths with in our life is a miracle. The fact that we get to share a sliver of time with one person, out of the billions and billions of God's spirit children, is valuable opportunity.

Let's not take one another for granted. EVERY person you meet is someone you can teach or someone you can learn from.

Church is true.

Love,

Matsuura Shimai

D&C 90:24

Who did it best? 

Me and Sister Bean's impression of President Sekiguchi's Facebook Profile picture!