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