Here's a miracle story for all of you!
We were going through some old areabook records and decided
to visit a man named Inami San. We trekked up a huge mountain on our bikes and
when we arrived at his house, he was surprised to see us. Apparently he met
with the missionares about 30 years ago. He quickly ran back inside and came
back out with an old copy of the "Morumon Kei" (old version of the
Japanese Book of Mormon).
He opened up the back cover and taped inside was a photo of
a young family along with their testimony. After closer inspection, I realized
I knew this family! It was the Inomata's, a close family friends of ours.
Brother Inomata was my father's trainer/missionary companion in the Sapporo
mission. When my mother first joined the church, the Inomata Family helped
fellowship her as a new member. They later introduced my parents to each other
and well, the rest is history!
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| The Inomata Family photo and testimony taped inside a 30-year-old Morumon Kei. |
When I told all this to Inami San he seemed surprised by my
over-excitement. He offered to give me his Morumon Kei, but we thought it was
best to do an exchange instead. He traded in the old, dusty Morumon Kei for a
brand new, sleek, Book of Mormon! He liked his new Book of Mormon so much that
he invited us to come back for another visit.
Best exchange ever.
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| My father (left) and Elder Inomata serving as missionary companions in the Sapporo Japan Mission. |
It was also an answer to our prayer to find another prepared
person this week. This experience reminded me of something that I've studied
periodically over the past several months is the concept of faith. The Ensign
recently released an article entitled "Developing the Faith to Reap"
by Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy. This article introduces two distinct
levels of faith - the faith to try and the faith to REAP.
In short, the faith to reap is faith in God`s power and His
ability to fulfill all things "pertaining unto things of
righteousness" (D&C 11:14). A power that is prerequisite upon aligning
our will with God`s, obedience and hard work. It's faith in a power beyond our
own.
I've tested out this concept a number of times as a
missionary and I`m a witness of His power. I've seen Him change hearts, answer
prayers and place prepared people in our paths through a variety of mysterious
ways. God wants to fulfill all our righteous desires. All we need to do is
exercise faith in His power!
So much love for you all.
Church is true!
Matsuura Shimai
