10 Years Ago Today...

Today in Primary, I got to do sharing time which was all about missionary work.  I went downstairs in our basement and pulled out a bunch of souvinirs I brought home and displayed them for the kids.  I also realized that today was a special day. 

Ten years ago today, Sato Hisako was baptized in Toyonaka, Japan.  I love this woman with all of my heart.  I met her in early August of 2001 after I transferred to a new area and new part of our newly combined mission...Mino.  I was nervous to be going "senior" companion over my first Japanese companion and knowing absolutely nothing about the area. 

Takasaki Shimai (my companion) was a dream.  While she didn't speak, nor wanted to learn how to speak, a lick of English, we got along like bread and butter or sticky rice and chopsticks.  We didn't have any active investigators in our teaching pool, so we decided to go and knock on Mrs. Sato's door.  She had listened to one lesson from my previous companion, but then started dodging phone calls and saying she was too busy to meet again. 

When Mrs. Sato opened the door, I was greeted by a darling, super petite 75-year-old grandma with piercing eyes.  She was surprised to see me and even more surprised when I introduced myself and started speaking Japanese.  When I told her I was from Salt Lake City, Utah her eyes lit up and she told me that her late husband had done an internship for the Deseret News some 40 years prior.  Coincidence?  I think not.  She quickly invited us in.

Over the next few weeks, I had the absolute priviledge of teaching this kind, humble soul the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Most older Japanese folk are so stuck in their ways and in the traditions of Buddhism, it's almost impossible to crack them open.  Mrs. Sato had an open heart and an open mind and she accepted everything we taught.  We set her baptism date for September 4, 2001.  With her acceptance of the gospel came some sad news...her two grown and married sons decided to disown their 75 year old mother. 

The ward rallied around her and in a matter of two short weeks, she had more friends than she had ever had before in her life.  Her baptism was a beautiful day.  As with all baptisms, the Spirit was so strong.  Almost the entire ward came to see her baptized.  She sat inbetween my companion and I and tears streamed out of her eyes as we sang "The Spirit of God." 

I was blessed to stay in this same area for the rest of my mission.  Sister Sato became our little missionary buddy.  We would take her with us when we'd teach lessons to other women.  It was so fun to have her share her sweet experience and testimony with other investigators. 

I came home from my mission in January of 2002.  I got a phone call from Sister Sato on my birthday in July that same year.  She was calling to wish me a Happy Birthday, but also to let me know that she was going to go to the Tokyo Temple in October, just a little after a year from her baptism.  I wasn't going to miss it for the world.

I flew to Tokyo in October, met my companion Takasaki Shimai (who had since finished her mission too) at the airport.  We met up with Sister Sato and some other ward members the next day at the Tokyo Temple.  She took out her endowments and was also sealed to her late husband.  It was one of the best days of my life. 

Since 2002, Sister Sato continued to keep in touch with me.  She would call me on my birthday and email me via other ward members.  We exchanged Christmas cards and New Year's cards every year.  She even went on a tour of Nauvoo with some fellow Japanese ward members.  She was a solid member of the church.

Late last year I got an email from another ward member in Japan letting me know that Sister Sato had cancer and just a few short weeks later another email came through saying she had passed away.  I sat at my computer and tears streamed out of my eyes.  I was sad to think that I wouldn't get another card or another phone call from her again.  I was also happy as I imagined the reunion she had in heaven with her husband who had passed away so many years before her, now sealed for eternity.  I thought of the scripture in Doctrine & Convenants 18:10 that talks about the worth of souls is great in the sight of God and "how great shall be your joy" if you bring but one soul unto "me."  I felt that joy with Sister Sato and she truly touched my life. 

For Primary today, I pulled out the kimono she made for me.  That was her job, even at 75-years-old she hand-sewed kimonos for various people for various occasions.  I was the proud recipient of a gorgeous kimono custom-made just for me.  It brought tears to my eyes yet again as I remembered her and her legacy. 

I am reminded of the quote that says, "Some people come into your lives, leave footprints on your heart, and you are never the same."  Sato Shimai...thank you...i love you.

(Pictures coming...need the scanner to be fixed since my mission was during the time of actual film)