Will you get baptized in 15 years?

Well first of all tranfers. I'm staying in Morioka with Burrows Shimai! This will be my third transfer in this beautiful place.

Burrows Shimai's depiction of us! She did this in 20 minutes. So talented!

WE MADE A BAPTISM DATE

Got to go on splits with my beloved Jacobson Shimai! We made a baptism date with one of our friends Ichikawa San! But here's the kicker, it's scheduled to take place on August 25, 2033 after she retires. I've got a feeling I won't be in Morioka during that time, but you can bet we will be following up with her!

Mount Iwate at sunset! Check out that gradient.

A NEW APPROACH

I hope this blows your mind as much as mine did when I first heard this. President Sekiguchi introduced a new approach in inviting people to be baptized. 

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true..."

If you take a closer look at Moroni 10:4, you might notice this scripture invites us to ask if these things are NOT true. 

At a recent zone conference we practiced the following approach when inviting people to be baptized. Usually missionaries invite people to pray about baptism followed by the promise that they will feel it is "right" whether it be through a spiritual manifestation or warm feeling. But more often than not, people may not be able to recognize that "warm feeling". Instead we are asking them to pray and if they DON'T receive a bad feeling, to please get baptized! 

Learning this approach has helped me better recognize the spirit and receive direction in my personal life. If the light isn't red or yellow than it's always green! God will never allow us to make a wrong decision without giving us a warning first. If we don`t receive a warning we can move forward with full confidence knowing the Lord supports our decisions!

WE MET THEM BY CHANCE

We were walking the steets of Morioka with our good friend Yukari San when we randomly ran into the Elders. After talking with them for a couple minutes we received the impression to introduce the Elders to Yukari's boyfriend who lived close by! We did so and he is now an investigator. Goes to show that God places us where we need to be at the right time! 

Met up with some old friends! The lady next to me is my mom's college friend Ito San! The other two are her daughter and son. It was great to catch up them!

My prayers are with you all! 

Church is true.

Love,

Matsuura Shimai 

Siesta!!!

Just when you thought our mission couldn't think of another crazy idea...



THE BEST IDEA YET

We received a new summer schedule. For the month of August we are to

 wake up at 5 AM every morning. We do all our studies by 10, go out and

proselyte for two and a half hours, come home eat lunch, and then SIESTA

 for an hour and a half! We are literally being commanded by our mission

 president to take an afternoon nap. I thought it was a joke at first, but let

 me tell you, it has been the most amazing thing of my life!  We get to relax

and rejuvenate ourselves before going out and proselyting hard from 2-9 PM.



NATURE BAPTISM

The Elders had a nature baptism for Shibata San last week! It was one of

the most peaceful baptismal services I've ever attended. The service took

 place in a river at 7:30 on a Sunday morning. Shibata San was so excited

that he arrived at the river bank at 6:30, eagerly waiting for his moment to

enter the waters of baptism. Shibata San has a solid testimony and we were

 so excited to welcome him into the Morioka Branch family!



SANSA ODORI

The Sansa Odori (a dance/drum festival) is the pride and joy of Morioka.

 People from all over the world come to view this 3-day event! Fun Fact:

The Sansa Odori holds a Guiness World Record for having the most

 drums played in unison. If you ever come to Japan please plan your

schedule around this festival because I promise it will be the greatest

thing you ever experience. Or you can just look it up on YouTube:)

You will get chills. Anyways, Burrows Shimai and I were invited by a

 friend to dance in the Sansa parade! It was a wholesome experience,

mainly because we were able to talk to alot of people about what we do

as missionaries! Also, Burrows Shimai made it one TV and exposed her

 missionary name badge to the world. Goes to show that there are many

 ways to share the gospel!

Until next time, have a wonderful week! Love you all so much!

Love,

Matsuura Shimai

2 Nephi 33:10

Photos: Me in my siesta gear, Sansa Odori pics, Shibata San's Baptism, MLC!

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