Sister Sharp's Japan, Fukuoka Mission!: 2014-04-13

Konnichiwa!

Okay, CONFERENCE WAS SO GOOD! But something about this conference was different for me than any other conferences that I have experienced in the past. I usually have way crazy spiritual experiences, but with each talk I just felt a reassuring spirit testify quietly and softly "yep. This is all true. You already know this." Im super excited for when I can go back and study the words out of the liahona, but that was basically the feeling I had from session to session. No crazy new ideas came on how to become a better person and missionary…the simplicity of having faith in Jesus Christ and building our lives upon his ROCK was the reoccurring message. The gospel is so simple. I love how many times Helaman 5:12 was quoted. That just so happens to be the scripture Capener Shimai transfer. LOVE IT.

Our mission is focusing on the Atonement right now. Our mission president has asked us to spend 15 minutes a day in our personal study learning more about the Atonement. As I have been doing this my love for the Savior has greatly increased. My prayers have become even more meaningful and I am understanding my purpose better. I love the Atonement. Its real. I have been focusing my study out of the Book of Mormon and on EVERY SINGLE PAGE there is someone or something testifying of the Savior. Its been Amazing to read the Book of Mormon with eyes that are only searching for the Savior and his love. I am finding Him on every page and feeling His love in every verse. The Book of Mormon can change our lives when we read in Faith. I testify that that Book is literally the word of God.
'Hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye- for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness' 2Nephi 33:10-11

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON! READ IT!! YOMINASA (I just commanded you all to read it :) 'nasai' is not polite at all haha it is command form. So there ya go!

Alright, ready for some MIRACLESSSSS????!!! :)

1. Natsuki San
Capener Shimai and I literally talk to EVERY SINGLE person we see on the street. We stop everyone. Because we have been so dedicated in doing this we have been seeing a HUGE outpouring of prepared people just conveniently fall right into our path. Last week we were biking somewhere around 8pm and we saw a woman standing at a bus stop. Capener Shimai was in front of me so she stopped her and said "Konbanwa! Watshi wa Capuna Shimai desu!" (Goodevening my name is Capener Shimai!) I then introduced myself and before we could say anything else she says "Hello! My name is RISBY!" she started speaking in somewhat understandable English haha it was awesome. She told us that she was married to an American but that right now they were not living together they are having some problems. I felt the spirit prompt me to say "Oh really? Marriage is really hard isn't it." From that simple remark she started to nod her head and tears started streaming down her face. She said that she has made a lot of mistaken in her life. She believes in God and Jesus Christ and use to go to church but stopped going because there are too many churches, she doesn't really know what to do. She said that because of her mistakes God doesn't love her and that he is angry with her. Capener Shimai looked straight into her eyes and began to testify of the Love of God and that regardless of her mistakes he loves her so much! I handed her a picture of the restoration and we began telling her the story of Joseph Smith. This woman began crying even more. We stood there in awe as we watched the spirit overwhelm this sweet woman. We testified even more that this was not coincidence that God had led us to this bus stop tonight. She said "I know too." We got her information and set up an appointment for last Saturday. We called her and text her and got no reply until Saturday right before our appointment. She said that she wasn't going to be able to make it for our appointment but that she really wants to meet again. She wasn't sure of her schedule but she said that she would call us. Whether or not she calls us or we ever have a chance to meet again is up to her and the Lord, but I have never seen such a prepared woman on the street in probably my whole mission. We rode away from the bus stop and immediately offered a prayer of thanks to the Lord for guiding us to her. It was a wonderful experience that I won't forget. Pray that we can meet with her again!!

2. Every single day that Capener Shimai have gone out finding on the street people immediately stop and talk with us. In fact, we had 11 people freely hand over their phone numbers two weeks ago, and everyday this last week. Its been MIRACULOUS. Last night we were out and we met some really nice people, two women (one after the other) commented on how beautiful we were…we are getting told how beautiful we are at least 5 times a day or more. I turned to Capener Shimai last night and said "have you ever been told you are this beautiful in your whole life?!" She said "NO! NEVER! I said "ME EITHER?!" its been really amazing to see show receptive the people are here to the light of Christ, SO much that they are saying it over and over and over. We even had some young girls ask to take our pictures after we taught them on the street and gave them Book of Mormons. The light of Christ is a literal force, and it is in all of us. Especially those who are members of His church and keep his commandments. It is the way by which we can decipher good form evil, and these people are definitely seeing it in our faces. Its been a huge testimony builder for me!!

There are many more miracles I could write about but I am out of time. Please know how much I love each of you and pray for you daily. I am so blessed to be a member of this Church and a missionary!! I don't take it for granted, I know my time is short. I love you all. Stay strong and stand tall.
Love, Sharp Shimai

Seguchi san

Marina Chan

The cute little girls from Eikaiwa!!

The last picture is almost all the original people from my MTC district, we are all serving somewhere on the Island! :) Capener shimai is the last one on the right and Kwak is the beautiful asain next to me, Olsen is on the left of me and Zimmerman is on the end :)

I went to Okinawa last week to do a training in their zone with Capener on the atonement and it was AMAZING! The building that they meet in is BRAND NEW and its american because there is an american base across the street. I almost started crying when I saw how beautiful the building is there. We have no idea how blessed we are being members of the church in America! Count your blessings!