THE GRAND FINALE - I'm coming home for reals!

Hello Family and Friends! 

Here we are, my final email as a full-time missionary. Thank you for letting me share my mission with you! It's been a memorable 20 months:).

My trainer Bean Shimai told me the last couple weeks of the mission are the most memorable. She was right (as always)! That being said, here's an update on what we've been doing in my final weeks of missionary service.

ASUKA CHAN

We've been teaching a young woman named Asuka Chan! She first met with the missionaries three years ago, but lost steady contact with them after she started her waitressing job at a sushi restaurant. We were able to get in touch with her after a miracle splits!

We invited Asuka chan to be baptized about two weeks ago. She said she wants to become clean and start a new life, so she accepted! We are currently planning a baptism service for her and she will be baptized on Thursday, the day before I fly home to Idaho!

SEEKING OUT GOD
During one of our lessons with my grandparents, I shared with them a letter that my mother wrote to one of my friends in Morioka. In this letter my mother talks about her conversion story and why she was baptized. She also goes in depth with some difficult challenges she's faced and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has helped her overcome them.

My mother never talked about religion with her parents before, so this is a side of her that they have never seen. The letter prompted them to think more seriously about God.

Later that evening, my grandpa sent me an email. He shared with me how for 86 years, he's lived without believing in a God. He's never even thought about the possibility of God existing. The only thing he believed in was himself... and he was completely content with that.

But for the first time in his life, he admitted the need to seriously start thinking about God and seeking out "light". He also acknowledged that my mother was indeed, saved by divine intervention.

To see this miracle take place right before I go home has been a testament to me that God will never give up on His children. It's taken my grandfather 86 years to finally acknowedge his Father in Heaven and develop the desire to seek out "truth" and "light". To share this gospel with him and so many others has been the most fulfilling experience ever.

MY TESTIMONY

I don't know how worlds without number are created, but I know a loving Heavenly Father created this beautiful world, and every living inhabitatant upon the face of it.

I don't know the laws of eternity, but I know the Savior willingly atoned for our sins and satisified the demands of justice.

I don't know how to read and translate ancient writings, but I know Joseph Smith is a prophet and translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God.

I don't know how to see into the future, but I know that President Russell M. Nelson is called by God to guide and direct us in these last days.

There are many things I don't know. But what I do know, I know to be true!

I wish you all the very best. See you soon!

LET'S GO SEE MIRACLES!!
Love,
Sister Matsuura

Have you seen any miracles recently?

Hello Everyone!

This week we started asking almost everyone we meet if they've seen any miracles recently. The results have been... Miraculous! It's amazing being able to create opportunities for people to recognize when divine intervention has played a direct role in their lives.

When we asked this question to one of our friends, it was the first time she really opened up to us. She talked about how her husband, who recently passed away, was her greatest miracle! We cried together and talked about God's eternal love. It was one of the most powerful lessons on my mission.

We are so blessed to be at the mercy of a 'God of Miracles' who is waiting to bless us at every opportunity. I testify that He loves us all!

Sorry this is another short one. We're moving to a new apartment in two days, so we've been busy cleaning and packing!

In the meantime, please enjoy these photos of my mama as a baby. Special thanks to my Grandpa for capturing these precious moments!

Love you all!

Matsuura Shimai

     

My Grandparents Came to Church!

from left to right) Sister Kumagai, Sister Young, Grandpa, Sister Matsuura, Grandma, Elder Norrbom, Elder Nishida

2/26

We`ve been meeting with and teaching my grandparents every week for the past couple months now. This past Sunday, they came to church for the first time!

They showed up an hour early from the time expected, dressed in their Sunday best! My grandparents are adorable! I will attach pics in the email so you can see for yourself:)

We were able to do a joint lesson with Sister Kumagai, an old family friend of my grandpa. Both their families lived in Manchuria (a region in northeastern China) for a time after WWII. They took turns sharing stories about their families, which eventually led to a discussion on family history and temples!

My grandma, a lover of art, walked around the church building admiring all the paintings of Christ. She stopped in front of the painting of Jesus Christ visiting the Americas and pointed at his hands and feet. My companion explained to her about how Christ died and suffered on the cross for us. My grandma responded, "Wow. Jesus is amazing."

Jesus really is amazing! I think my grandparents are starting to realize the same thing as well.

Thank you for your prayers!

LET'S GO SEE MIRACLES!

Love,

Sister Matsuura

The Life of a Japan Sendai Missionary

2/21/2019

We organized an FHE activity for the entire mission. Since our goal as a mission is to one day see a temple built in Sendai, we decided to do a "temple of miracles"!

Dear Family and Friends,

P-day was moved to later this week because we had another mission conference from Monday to Wednesday!

BANDAI ROUND II

The entire mission achieved the standard a couple weeks ago, so our reward was a trip to a small resort called "Bandai" in a town called Aizuwakumatsu. In between our missionary trainings, we had a massive snowball fight, Sendai Mission Olympic Games, sports time and a wholesome temple building activity. Not only did we become more unified as a mission, but we are now rejuvenated and ready to take on the demands of missionary work again!

MIYA SAN

We've been focusing alot of our finding and teaching efforts on college students recently. One of our friends, Miya San, came to church with us on Sunday! She admitted feeling nervous at first, but once she walked into the church and was greeted by all the wonderful members, she was at peace! She's moving back to her hometown next week, but she said she would like to continue learning some more!

A TENDER STORY

I heard this from my companion yesterday. It's a story about President Sekiguchi that's definitely worth repeating.

Back when Elder Sekiguchi was a missionary in the Japan Nagoya mission, he had a companion who carried around an old, worn-out backpack. One evening right before transfers, Elder Sekiguchi asked him,

"Before you go, can I have your backpack?"

A bit surprised, his companion answered, "No. This is all I have. Plus it's old and you wouldn't want it anyways."

Then Elder Sekiguchi pulled out a brand new backpack from behind him and said, "But I got you this!"

His companion was at loss for words and cried.

A simple story really, but it captures the Christlike love that we should all strive to obtain. As we go about doing good and lifting eachothers' burdens the Lord will bless us with greater peace and happiness!

Love you all!

Let's go see miracles~!

Matsuura Shimai

Mosiah 4:21

Committed to the work

2/11/2019

The ONLY funny photo you will ever see of my grandparents!

Hello Everyone!

We had interviews with President Sekiguchi yesterday. Besides putting in a request for electric bikes (Izumi is famous for it's killer hills), the things discussed were:

- Matsuura Shimai needs to get a haircut

- Matsuura Shimai needs to go to an onsen (public bath)

- Within these final two months, Matsuura Shimai needs to commit herself and work harder than ever before.

I truly believe in the importance of being obedient to your mission president! Although yes, a haircut is important as well as onsens, the point I want to focus on is commitment.

As missionaries, I'd say one of our special skills is extending commitments. We also have a strong testimony of the blessings from keeping commitments, mainly because we too have to make promises with the Lord every day.

This week we made a commitment as an entire mission for each companionship to achieve the standard (Find three new people to teach, teach 15 lessons, extend a baptism date, etc.). Our joined efforts have led to some amazing miracles, including 5 baptisms!

When we align our will with God's, pray for the righteous desire of our hearts, and commit to do our part -- He will ALWAYS FULFILL HIS PROMISES.

That I have a sure testimony of.

Mika Shimai (girl in the middle holding all the gifts) is reporting to the MTC today! She`s going to serve in Hawaii at the temple visitor's center!

It's surreal knowing that my time as a full-time missionary is nearing its end, but I promise to give my all with the remaining time I have!

Thank you for your support and prayers.

LET`S GO SEE MIRACLES!

Love,

Matsuura Shimai

P.S. If you can slip in a couple of these names when you're saying your prayers, that would be much appreciated. Sakurai San - The wife of a recent convert who we plan on extending a baptism date to this week. Hiromi and Yoshie Sato - my dear grandparents:)

Flashback photo of my mom (girl with the bangs) in her early school days!

Meet my new companion: Sister Young

Not too much time this week. We`re going to the aquarium for district p-day and I'm so excited because.. DOLPHINS!!

I need to introduce my new companion! (Sorry this is a little late). Sister Young is from a small coal mining in Tennessee. She is a fire missionary with so much passion for missionary work. Here's a little bit more about her!

Transfer: 5th

Hobbies: Clarinet, doing hair, listening to music, having one-person dance parties and running.

Favorite Japanese phrase: びっくりした! (bikkuri sita) - I was surprised!

Life dream: Play Angelica Schuyler (Hamilton) on Broadway!

Fun Fact: Brigham Young is her fifth cousin three times removed.

Favorite Scripture: Alma 32:21

She's awesome and has been teaching me so much about missionary work:) I've seriously been blessed with the best companions throughout my mission!

My love and prayers for you all! I'm looking forward to seeing many of you next month. Until then, enjoy these pictures from the aquarium!

Love,

Sister Matsuura