The Blessings of Sacrifice

Greetings from Morioka!

PURIKURA with Cromar Shimai

Our church is located on the banks of a beautiful pond called 高松の池 (Takamatsu no Ike).

When the weather starts cooling down and the leaves change colors, the pond serves as resting place for hundreds of swans. These majestic birds fly thousands of miles from Siberia to Japan every year and usually stay until the spring. People from all over come to take pictures, feed them small pieces of bread, and simply delight in their beauty.

When the swans began making preparations to make the long journey back, they do a check to see which ones are healthy enough to travel the long distance. The swans who are injured or too weak to make the flight choose to remain behind. They offer themselves as a sacrifice so they don't slow down the other swans, ensuring the entire flock a safe and timely return to Siberia.

When I think of these injured swans, I think of all the examples of sacrifice I have seen throughout my life and on my mission. My parents who work endlessly to provide a good life for my brother, Josh. President and Sister Sekiguchi, who devote everything to this mission. The members of Morioka, who despite their busy lives find a way to come to church and fulfill their callings. The people we teach, and their willingness to keep commitments.

For one person we've been teaching, something that was hard for him to sacrifice was tobacco; however, he had a desire to humble himself and follow God`s commandment. But greater than the sacrifice of giving up tobacco, was his sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit. (3 Nephi 9:19-22). Seeing the power of the atonement change the lives of so many people has been the greatest blessing as a missionary. There is no greater joy than watching someone exercise so much faith that they`re willing to leave behind their old life and follow Jesus Christ!

Joseph Smith taught that, “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” The faith we exercise through sacrifice brings blessings far greater than whatever we were asked to offer. The Lord desires to bless those who are humble and faithful!

Let us always remember the greatest sacrifice of all, which is that of our beloved Savior Jesus Christ! (2 Nephi 2:6-7). Through His example, we can have the strength to overcome all things!

I love you all so much. Have a wonderful week!

Church is true!

Love,

Matsuura Shimai

I got a little too excited about the Shabu shabu

Splits with Hachinohe Shimai!

Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ - Story of Brother Nakata

The happiest man on earth!

The story of Brother Nakata is a miracle - from the moment we found him, to his recent baptism. We found Brother Nakata about two months ago after Sister Burrows received a strong prompting to house his apartment complex. During our second visit a week later, we showed him the video of Jesus Christ's baptism and were able to set a baptism date.

The next day, we did a joint lesson with Sister Sekiguchi. He greeted us in his usual friendly manner, but we could tell something was wrong. During the lesson, he pulled out a letter he received the previous day. It was from his daughter`s husband. Written inside was the news of his daughter`s recent passing from cancer.

Brother Nakata divorced from his wife 45 years ago when his daughter was still in elementary school. He never got to see his daughter since, but looked forward to the day when they would meet and catch up on all the lost years. However, after receiving the letter, he believed all hope was lost. We happened to have planned a lesson on the plan of salvation that day. As we taught him, we testified that he would see his daughter again. He believed us!

That following weekend he met up with his siblings to discuss the funeral arrangements for his daughter. During that time, his family found out he was taking lessons from us. They were upset and threatened to cut all ties with him if he were to join the Church. He called us the next day to tell us we could no longer meet.

We were heartbroken. I wrote my testimony down in a letter and we decided to stop by the next day to drop it off. When he answered the door, he greeted us warmly and let us inside. We were surprised! He apologized for what happened and shared his concerns with us. He knew what we taught was true and he couldn`t deny the power of the spirit; however, he feared being cut off from his siblings. But after talking through his concerns, he decided to exercise faith and come to church the following Sunday!

He loved church, especially the hymns. He became acquainted with the other missionaries and started developing a good relationship with the members. He committed to come back the following week. However, his siblings found out and became angry to the point where they started calling him every day to make sure he was not meeting with us.

The several weeks following became a rollercoaster. Brother Nakata dropped us again, but we felt prompted to keep going back. Every time we did, he expressed his desire to follow Jesus Christ. This pattern continued two more times before Brother Nakata told us he was done. He wanted nothing more to do with Jesus Christ or our message.

Following the big drop, President and Sister Sekiguchi came with me and my new companion, Sister Cromar, to see if we could all talk to him one last time. He was home, but refused to answer the door. When I called his home phone, he just yelled, "No no no!" before hanging up.

We were all devastated, but knew we had to respect Brother Nakata's agency at this point. There was nothing we could do unless he chose to accept the gospel. 

Then two days later, we received an unexpected phone call from Brother Nakata! We were  shocked. He apologized for what happened and said over the past couple days, he has done some deep pondering. He realized that it was through Jesus Christ that he has been able to find peace and comfort with his recent daughter`s death. It was something he could not deny. He expressed his desire to be a follower of Jesus Christ for the rest of his life and invited us to come back and teach him again!

We taught him the remainder of the commandments, all which he committed to keep. Brother Nakata passed his interview and was baptized on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. He looked so happy! He was nervous to give his testimony so he wrote it all down the previous night. When it was time, he walked to the podium, stood tall and bore one of the most boldest testimonies I've ever witnessed. He was excited to start his new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ!

The best district!

I know that God loves all His Children, even more than we do. Those who seek and accept Him in their life will enjoy in full, the enabling power of the atonement in their lives - the sacrifice of our beloved Savior which has the power to mend broken hearts, to speak peace to the troubled souls and to purify us from our sins.

I am at peace knowing Brother Nakata can now experience the power of Christ`s atonement in full! Brother Nakata is one of God`s special sons, and I have become a better person through the example of his faith and courage.

Let's continue seeing miracles!

愛しています！

Matsuura Shimai

Halloween party! We were the four seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter)