Congratulations Sister Erika McIntyre - Welcome Home!

Sister Erika McIntyre completed her mission in Sapporo, Japan today and arrived in Kobe this evening. Julie made the welcome sign for her and we all headed to the airport.

Ready and waiting for Erika with this cool sign.

When she didn't arrive we called and found out her flight was changed and she ultimately arrived at a different airport. After fighting traffic and feeling a little frustrated...

and still waiting...

We finally caught up with her at the Kobe airport. There she is waiting for us.Couldn't hold back the tears as we all greeted her.
She served a wonderful mission and we are very happy to have her back with us for the holidays. I had the privilege of conducting her release interview upon returning to the mission home. It was not easy for her to take of the name tag. She will be returning to BYU and seeing Julie off at the MTC after the first of the year. One and a half years goes by pretty fast. Our family has truly been blessed!

Erika's Weekly Letter

For those family and friends that do not get Erika's email forwarded to them, here is her letter from this past week. She is having a great mission Sapporo, Japan.

Alrighty dear family and friends,
I LOVE missionary work. Anyway last week our Key Indicators weren't all that great. We had quite a few lessons when we were teaching Mio and Ueda-san, but since they got baptized, our
'investigators to church' and 'lessons' went down. Well, of course it's common sense, but it was quite sad. We were eager to reach our goals, and find NEW people to teach. We had made a ton of appointments, but a lot of them fell through and got cancelled or were no shows, and I just started to feel so down. But, Monday and Tuesday of this week were great. Some of the appointments we had made last week came through this week and things have been wonderful. It's so great how the Lord ALWAYS provides. We got a new investigator on Monday. Her name is Tazuko. She has 2 children, one is 8 and one is 6 and they both attended the lesson. They come to Eikaiwa (English Conversation class) each week, and when the Elders did interviews, they set up the appointment for us. We taught her about the restoration, and she had many questions. She still hasn't accepted everything 100%, but we are hopeful of the future with her.
Tuesday we taught a girl, named Kotomi. She is 17 years old. She seemed pretty golden when we met her (coincidence, but we met her in the exact SAME place we met MIO). We made an appointment, and on Monday followed up to see if it was still on. She said yes, and we taught her lesson one yesterday. We had done our Baptism intro, and throughout the lesson, continually referred to baptism: when talking about Jesus Christ, or how and when the church was restored
the correct way, etc. Saito Shimai and I had decided on August 29 before leaving the apartment that morning as the day we wanted to challenge her for, but it was hard to bring it up naturally. As we were teaching, and almost finishing up, I felt that I needed to invite her to baptism, even if it seemed a little awkward timing. We asked her, "if you pray and this is true, will you follow Jesus Christ's example and be baptized?" She answered a simple, "yes." We then talked with her how we thought that as a goal August 29 would be good, and she agreed. She currently is attending a christian school, and wants to go to a christian college. Seriously just a wonderful girl.
Anyway, because she is a minor, we do need permission before teaching her again, we asked her if her parents would have a problem with it and it seems like they probably won't. We asked her to ask her parents and she said she would. Her mother apparently Loves Christianity, and lives in Nishi-ku (Kotoni area, where I was 2 transfers ago) and she lives here with her dad and Sister. Her sister is 21, and has a bible, because she went to the christian school too. Anyway it's just so great. We will get her whole family baptized! =) haha
Anyway We are looking forward to teaching these two new investigators, and finding more! The Lord is truly blessing us, and this blessed area, Asahikawa. I absolutely love it here. As for today, the Zone Leaders are gone at Zone Leader Council, so we decided to have a Girls' Pday. We are meeting Mio, and Kotomi, and going shopping, it should be a blast.
Thank you so much for all of your love and support. I love you all.

Sister Erika McIntyre

Sister McIntyre's Baptisms and Report from Asahikawa

If you recall Sister McIntyre found a young girl several weeks back and challenged her to be baptized even before they started teaching the lessons. She was able to see Mio baptized this week along with another wonderful sister. Here is her letter and pictures from the Sapporo Mission.

Hello everyone!! How are you? I am wonderful! We had two wonderful people baptized this past Saturday. This past week helping them prepare was such a joy and blessing. Ueda-san, age 68, was baptized July 11 at 2pm.

Her children live far away. Her mother and little brother passed away while she was young. Anyway, she is all alone. What got her most was the plan of salvation. Saito Shimai told her that through being baptized, she could meet with her family again. One week when she had come to church, the Relief Society lesson was on temples and temple work. There she learned that we could help others with their saving ordinances. There, Saito Shimai explained to her that after she is baptized, she can go to the temple and do those ordinances for her family, in which they will be able to meet again in the celestial kingdom. At that time, we didn't know how much she was actually listening, or understanding, but after her interview with the Zone Leaders, she told us that she is doing this for her Mother and Little Brother. What a joy it is that through this Gospel we can be with our families forever, that death is not the end. When we were deciding with her what the hymns for the baptismal service should be, she wanted "God be with you til we meet again." As we sang that song at her baptism, the spirit was so strong. She will be able to meet her mother and brother again. What a wonderful truth.

Mio was baptized July 11 at 11am. She is such a pure, sweet young girl. After she was baptized she expressed that she just felt so much lighter. She is so obedient and so happy. And I know that this gospel is just going to make her THAT Much happier. Eternally. President Daniels actually called the night before and asked if he could come, and so we had the privilege of having him at one of our baptisms. This gospel is so wonderful, and there are SO many people ready to hear it. OH! one more piece of good news. Nishimura Megumi is an old investigator. We had found her name from the Potential Investigator list and gave her a call a few times. Before I came Saito Shimai had made an appointment with her, but she cancelled last minute. I called her a few weeks after being here and she picked up and we got an appointment. She is out of our area, so we thought if she is interested, we'd pass her off to the Elders in that area. We met with her and taught her, and then met with her one more time and passed her over to the Elders. It's been about 3 weeks and the Elders finally were able to teach her again (she is really busy with work.. 22 years old-ish). Well, last night we get a call from those Elders and they said, "thank you for referring her. She is getting baptized!!" We were so happy for her and them. And we were so grateful to have the opportunity to play a small part in the process. We both felt that she was truly prepared. She seriously has met the missionaries like 5 or 6 times. This work is awesome! =) Anyway we are now out to find those who are prepared.

Oh, and my twin that I met on the street yesterday. She lives in Okayama. Same age as me, and she's seen the missionaries a lot in Okayama. Anyway we got her number, and I will try and pass her over to the missionaries there. Hope you have a great week. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister McIntyre

Miracles in Asahikawa - Sapporo

As we strive to become Preach My Gospel missionaries, we have really emphasized our purpose as missionaries (to find, teach, baptize, confirm and establish the church). On page 40 in PMG it states that we should not hesitate to challenge people to be baptized in the first or any other lesson we teach. Our Area Presidency has challenged us to also be bold in this effort. When the people we teach understand that we are simply helping them find out for themselves the gospel is true, and we are teaching them the process and how to do it, and that baptism is the way to repentance and the gate they must enter, it is easier to set up return appointments and get commitments from investigators. We have been focusing on this in Kobe for sometime now and the missionaries are starting to really get it. Currently we have an historic high number of people with baptismal dates in the mission. Certainly some of them will postpone and a few may drop off, but more people will come unto Christ and all of those we teach know clearly the purpose of our meeting them. The teaching process does not change. We do not baptize anyone until they are ready and meet the requirements. But the quality (in terms of interest in the message) of the people we teach increases greatly. We know that the other missions in Japan are doing the same. We were delighted to get the following email from Erika in Sapporo where she shares a wonderful example of the power of doing this and following the council of our leaders and PMG. See her story below!Sister Erika McIntyre with her new companion Sister Saito in Asahikawa, Sapporo Mission. Preparation day activity. And a zone photo below with President and Sister Daniels.

This may be short, because we are about to have a Zone BBQ!! BUT I have to tell you about Mio. We met her last week Tuesday, as I wrote last week.. and we made the appointment for Thursday. We recently were taught to state our purpose boldly and at the first of the lessons (to prepare those to receive the fullness of blessings through faith, repentance, BAPTISM, Holy Ghost and enduring to the end).
So of course following that, we planned our lesson for Mio. We also decided to set a baptismal date goal immediately after we pick someone up, so we as missionaries can plan according to some sort of goal. We decided she could be baptized July 11. So on Thursday, we met her, and began with a prayer. But before going into lesson one, we talked about missionaries and how we come here for a year and a half. And then stated, "through this Gospel we have received so many blessing as well as our families. We have felt God's love and guidance and want others to feel the same. We want all people to receive the blessings God has in store for them. In order receive them in a fullness, baptism is required. Through baptism, we and our families can receive all the blessings God has in store for us. Our purpose is to help those we meet prepare for Baptism."
Okay, so most Japanese people do not understand the word "baptism".. so this works very nicely. After we finished that, Mio asked, "so what is this.. baptism?"
Perfect.
So then we pulled out pictures of baptism. (Saito shimai has one from her own, and I have one of Chrispy with his investigator when he served in Samoa--thanks Chris!!) we showed her the pictures and told her that we too, received baptism 15 years ago. We testified of the blessings, then asked, Mio, would you like to receive baptism? She answered, "yes! I'd like to see what sort of blessings are in store!" We then told her, "we have a lot to teach you, but we think that you could be baptized 7/11. " And she agreed.
We then started teaching lesson 1. This is the first time ever I have set a baptismal date before even teaching any lessons. The Lord TRULY blessed us. Also, Mio, is absolutely amazing. She wanted to come to church, but only could come for the first hour (which was relief society), because she had work. We didn't know what to do, because we really wanted her to be able to attend sacrament meeting. When she called we expressed to her that all the classes are wonderful, but the most important is sacrament meeting, and if she could maybe go to work 2 hrs later. She answered, "well, that might be hard... hmm... " We kind of worried...
then she said, "I'll ask my boss!" Well turns out when we called her on Saturday, her boss said okay, and she was able to attend all 3 hours of church!
This week truly was a blessing, and I am so grateful for the Lord's help. When we do missionary work, we really are nothing, nothing but TOOLS in the Lord's hands. I know that none of it could be done on my own.. but with God nothing is impossible! =) I will keep you posted on her, and on our other investigators. as for now I better head out!
Love you all so much!
Sister Erika McIntyre

In a note I just got from President Daniels, he said Erika and Sister Saito just got another person with a baptismal date as well. The program works when it is followed!

Great Missionary Experience From Sister Erika McIntyre - Sapporo, Japan

This is from this weeks letter from Erika. A great example of what it is like preaching the gospel here in Japan and a memorable spiritual experience for her.Okay, I have a fun spiritual experience for all of you.. so if you don't mind, go get your scriptures. Before I begin I have one piece of AMAZING news. TSUTSUMI-san is GETTIN BAPTIZED!!! Yup, we committed her on Sunday. She will be getting baptized on Mothers Day, May 10... after which I get to talk with my wonderful family on the phone. Wow, that day will be a good one! =)

OKAY... story. So Tsuji shimai (my companion) and I were heading home on our bikes and had some time left, so we just decided if we had a feeling to go somewhere, or if some place looked good to house, we would just go with our gut. We were biking home and nothing really necessarily looked good and I didn't have a strong feeling, but for some reason we turned into a neighborhood and found some apartments and started there. There were 3 towers, A, B, and C, and we decided to start at A. We found a cute older lady, and made an appointment with her, we went to B, and found a 59 yr old man, and made an appointment with him too... we were going to go home after tower B, but we decided to head to tower C before going home. In tower C, we found another lady and got an appointment with her. I was seriously overwhelmed with gratitude for Heavenly Father's guidance. OK... but that's not the story... so here's the story, Tower B, the 59 year old man. We went to visit him again Monday. Our team up (member) couldn't come, and being a man, another woman is necessary, but being Monday night, most members have FHE and we couldn't find anyone. The man was telling me how beautiful he thought my eyes were and all that, so I was also a little hesitant and thought we would pass him off to the elders anyways.... SO we asked the elders to come. All 4 of us went to his (Saito is his name) apartment and this is what went down (quote my journal cuz its faster): "anyway we went in and well, he is very strong in what he believes. He says that he can learn from other people, and that he doesn't know everything, but when we try to tell him something he tried to contradict us... but it was an amazing experience and the spirit was there. As we asked about God, he said he can't see God with his own eyes, so he can't believe. We used many examples of not seeing, but believing, but he still said unless he can see Him he doesn't believe. He continued to say all these things that he believed and ended it by turning to me and saying, "see there is no God right?" I didn't really want to argue, but decided to testify... I began speaking, "No, I KNOW there is a God. I have my own personal experiences and witness that God is there. I've felt his love and know without a doubt that He is there. We each can have a personal relationship with Him and I've truly felt Him many times in my life, and have had experiences too personal to share through which I KNOW that He lives." Up until this point he would attack us mid-sentence, or as soon as we finished he would say something, but as soon as I finished talking, for once in the 40 minutes we had been there, he was DEAD SILENT. That's when I realized how powerful personal testimony is. No one can deny what another person knows or believes or experienced. You can't tell someone their testimony is wrong. He just sat there and stared at me, not sure what to say. Then Elder Jones came in and also began to testify, "I too know that God lives, we all have had similar experiences and that is why we are here (on our missions)." Then he asked Saito-san, "Haven't you at some point in your life felt God's love?" Now before, Saito-san was saying how God doesn't exist, but this is how he answered, "Well, yea, I MAY have felt His love...." then he said, "but whether it's God or Kami, or Hotokesama (Buddha), I don't know. But yea, I've felt that there may be some greater being..." When he said that, the story of Alma and Korihor came into my mind. And this morning during personal study I thought I would open up and compare the experiences. Alma 30:37- Alma asks, Believest thou that there is a God? :38 Korihor says, "Nay" :39 Alma: I say unto you I know that there is a God and also Christ shall come. :40 Alma asks, "what proof do you have that there isn't a God, besides only your word? :41 Alma: ...but I have all things as a TESTIMONY that these things are true. (testimony is greater proof than just words) :43 Korihor: Show me a sign :44 Alma: All things denote there's a God :48 Korihor changes from completely denying to.. well.. maybe... "I don't DENY the existence of A GOD, but I do not believe that there is a God." Saito-san to sokkuri to omotta (Just what Saito said!). Anyway, through this experience with Saito-san, I realized the importance of TESTIMONY. We can say, we believe, we feel, we think, but WE KNOW is the strongest witness you can give. And THAT is when the HOLY GHOST carries it UNTO the hearts of those we teach. Also, I realized how true the scriptures are and how they STILL APPLY for us today. Just as ELDER BALLARD's talk on those who have gone before, we can truly learn lessons from the missionaries in the Book of Mormon. Missionary work is still done the "Old fashioned way" (when it comes to testimony and conversion.)

After we talked with him some more, he said he had read the Bible before. So I offered him the Book of Mormon. He had heard of it, but had no idea what it was about. He read the introduction with us there, and seemed way into it. We pointed out Moroni 10:3-5 and marked it for him, then gave him a hand out entitled 20 questions that the Book of Mormon answers. He read those and said he had interest to learn more. The Elders took the next appointment and my companion closed with a prayer. He also knelt as we prayed, and as soon as words were spoken I felt a rush of the spirit. It was a great learning experience for me to feel the power of testimony and the Book of Mormon. It is SO IMPORTANT for us as missionaries (and as MEMBERS) to TESTIFY of the things we believe (know). The Holy Ghost will help us if we do, and will be with us to support what we say. WE don't JUST think, believe, or hope, but WE KNOW this church is true. We have received the confirmation, and we have the responsibility to spread the Word with all those we meet."

There are stories like this happening everyday in this country and the Kobe Mission. The work is moving forward. We are very proud of Erika, our sister missionary, and the work she is doing.

Erika's Birthday, Our Anniversary and Another Week Passes

President Daniels sent us some pictures of Sister McIntyre this past week. Her birthday was the 12th. She is wearing the blue sweater sitting next to Pres. Daniels. This must have been a recent zone conference. Below - Erika is sitting next to Sister Daniels during zone conference lunch. We sent her a care package for her birthday and of course correspond by email every week like all parents of missionaries do.

Looks like they had dessert or birthday cake for everyone! Erika is doing wonderful and enjoying her mission in Sapporo! She is glad it is finally warming up a little and the snow is melting!

This week we travelled to Iwade to do interviews in the Wakayama Sakai Zone and also Mikunigaoka for the Sakai Mikuni Zone interviews. Saturday I travelled to Kyoto and conducted training with all the bishops in the stake (at the request of the stake president) regarding the Preach My Gospel missionary program. Sister McIntyre travelled to Abeno in Osaka to attend the baptism of Sister Emi Miura.
Here is Sister Miura with several missionaries starting from the right - Elders Latimer, Maeno, Harris, Sisters Kogawa, Miura (in White) and Meyers and Elder Kanno.

Sunday the 19th was our 23rd wedding anniversary. We were invited to speak at the Ibaraki Ward Conference on the topic of (you guessed it) missionary work. Somehow word got out about it being our anniversary and the ward missionaries made gifts for us. Standing next to me is Brother Yoshino who was Sister McIntyre's institute teacher in Tokyo 27 years ago when she first joined the church. He also served as a mission president in Japan several years ago. The Iwaki Family also gave us some delicious chocolates. We were very touched by everyone's kindness and enjoyed the conference and visiting with the members there. Above we are pictured with Elders Capener and Castleton and the 4 ward missionaries.

It is official now. We have been married for more than half my life (and in a few months the same will be true for Rika). 23 of 46 years. I don't remember much about what it was like without Rika and I don't think I want to. I often think how amazing it is that we were born on opposite sides of the world into very different circumstances and cultures and yet have ended up together with a wonderful family united by our love of each other and the gospel. Sister McIntyre joined the church as a 17 year old young woman. Over the next several years our paths crossed many times. At times we were in the same place at the same time (on both sides of the globe) and did not even know each other. But somehow after my mission we ended up in the same ward at BYU, eventually began dating, and were married two years later. To be able to serve together here in Kobe is like a dream to us. We would have never imagined we would be asked to do this, but we are glad we were and can serve the Lord and Japanese people. It is miraculous to us to look back over our lives and see how the Lord has taught us and prepared us to do the things He wants us to do. That evening, the Kobe Elders and Sisters joined Ricky, James and us for cake (made by the members in Ibaraki). We will have two more anniversaries while we serve with our 25th just a few months before we complete our term of service.

Ricky and James both gave nice talks in Sacrament meeting today about the Aaronic Priesthood and the Duty to God Program. We left right after their talks and made our way to Ibaraki in time for the ward conference there. Next week we have more interviews and will be opening two new apartments. Also, next weekend Julie returns to Japan from BYU and will spend spring term with us. We are excited to see her. We are also starting to prepare for a big transfer. We have 9 new missionaries coming in the end of the month.

President's Birthday

It was president's birthday this month and Sister McIntyre made him a special cookie! He got many notes and cards and some other unique and memorable little gifts from the missionaries. We may share more on that in the next entry! We have some pretty creative missionaries... Not the best shot, but March was a busy month and I think I was little tired here. James made a great chocolate cake and tried to spell something out with peanut M&M's. It was delicious. The office staff (I should say Elder Fukui) made a strawberry whip cream cake (my favorite) and made a very creative poster (using the creative art talent of Elder Andrews) based on the circle of life (Lion King). Everyone in the mission home and office was represented and transformed into an animal character from the movie.

It was a busy day as we attended four baptisms that day starting in Amagasaki at 10 am. We arrive back home at around 9:30 pm after the last baptism in Sekime, Osaka.

Ashley Reese was baptized in Amagasaki ward. She is pictured with her family and Elders Christie and Shoaf who taught her. We will try and post more of our missionary and convert pictures from this month in the next post.

Sister Shimokawa and Brother Sugino were baptized in Sekime. They are planning to marry soon and she introduced him to the missionaries after she was found and started the lessons. They were taught by many missionaries over several months. Most have returned home. Elders Beecher and Stennett taught them this past few months and baptized them. They both shed tears as they shared their testimonies. It was a powerful and Spirit filled meeting. A few days before the baptism, she was thinking about changing her mind because she was nervous and a little scared by the commitment. As they knelt in prayer with the missionaries and the bishop (who attended the lesson!) to ask if they should go through with the baptism, she had a undeniable confirmation from the Spirit that she should be baptized. He also (Sugino) said he felt like his chest was on fire and he had never felt anything like it before. We have seen many great conversions in the mission so far this year and hope to see many more! All I can say is that people can and do change. And true conversion takes place through the power of the Spirit. It is real and there are people out there prepared to receive, and searching for, the truth and happiness the gospel of Jesus Christ provides. We know they are the elect because they hear the voice of the Lord and harden not their hearts. (D&C 29:7) And we have been called to gather the elect!

Sister Yamashita had a birthday this month as well. We thought her cookie and red cheeks were a good likeness.

Sister Erika McIntyre in Sapporo continues to have a great mission experience. Here she is above knocking on doors with her companion. She was made a new trainer this past transfer.

Weekly Update - March 15th

This Saturday we were able to visit the Akashi Church where we had two baptisms. First was Brother Masuda from the Miki Branch. He was taught and baptized by Elders Edfrennes and Campbell.Many of the Miki Branch members came to Akashi for the baptism. I was asked to share some thoughts and testimony in addition to the regular program. The missionaries also had an investigator there who is planning to be baptized soon.Later that same afternoon at the same church, the Akashi Ward had a baptismal service for Brother Inoue. He was found in another area by Elder Ito, who performed the baptism, but was referred to Akashi where he lives. Elders Steele, Remund and Andrews taught him in Akashi. Brother Inoue had a bad cold, but insisted on going through with the baptism that day.

Below is the Akashi Church building. It is a very nice 3 story church. The sun was behind the church so the picture is not the best. Well, actually all church steeples glow like this in Japan, especially when there are baptisms inside! This week we finished interviews for the transfer cycle by meeting the missionaries of the Sakai #2 zone in Mikunigaoka. The folders are from McDonalds. You get one free when you order a quarter pounder. I wonder where they ate recently? The folders have motivational phrases on them in Japanese. It is part of a pro baseball campaign.Some of the missionaries enjoyed sushi with Sister McIntyre. Yes, they ate all those plates of sushi. President McIntyre preferred a double quarter pounder.

Sister Erika McIntyre continues to have a great time in Sapporo. She is getting a little tired of the cold, but loves her mission and her companion, Sister Nishimuro.

Next week is transfer week. Time is flying. We will see 4 elders return home and 5 new ones come in. I have basically finished deciding transfers and will spend this weekend pondering and praying to make sure we got it right. Tuesday morning we will call them out. Next week will be a busy one, but transfers are always exciting.

Family Update: Sister Erika McIntyre in Sapporo and Ricky in China

Sister Erika McIntyre and her companion Sister Aloi serving in the Japan Sapporo Mission. Showing us what it is like to street contact in the snow! Sister McIntyre is on the left.We hope she doesn't catch cold! We are glad it is a little warmer here in Kobe. Sister McIntyre just transferred and is still in the Sapporo area (Kotoni) but now with her new companion, Sister Nishimuro.You got to love the missionaries who work in this kind of climate in the winter! Now we know why they call them the frozen chosen of Sapporo.

Elder Choi of the Area Presidency visited the Sapporo Mission. Sister McIntyre is right behind him in the second row. Elder Choi has the red necktie and is next to President Daniels on the front row.
Ricky spent the week in Guangzho China for his school APAC basketball tournament. They made it to the championship game but ended up in second place. Ricky made the tournament all star team. Above is his team. Rick is right in the middle.
Waiting at the free throw line. #15Awards ceremony after the tournament. Ricky is second from the right.

Sister Erika McIntyre MTC Photos

Erika sent us her camera chips with lots of photos. As you know she is now in Japan serving, but here are a few pictures from her MTC experience. The one below is her with her companions I believe. This is Sister Tong I believe. Nori Mason's mother!
Here she is with Elder Monson, who I believe will be arriving in our mission next month.
This next one looks like her MTC district before heading out to Japan.
This is nice shot her and Elder Henry Eyring. Henry was in our stake in Tokyo while his father served as Mission President there. We hoped Elder Eyring would come to Kobe but one of the other Japan missions got him!
It looks like she met up with Mika Sawada at the temple before departing.
Here she is with Sister Glenn who is one our newest missionaries to arrive.And last of all here she is with her little sister, Julie at the Provo Temple!

Erika is doing great, but we miss both of our girls!