Yukari Kamimura Foutz - Temple City Ward

Hi my name is Yukari Kamimura Foutz - I was born in Kagoshima Japan and came to the US when I was
one year old. My father heard that America was the land of prosperity and so we came. We were very poor at first but his hard work as a Japanese Landscaper gave him opportunities to own a small nursery in Rosemead and some properties. Temporal opportunities for my parents and for myself gave us an opportunity to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever since I was young I felt there was a God and I would attend Catholic Mass and other churches searching for the true church. I was 16 when the missionaries first taught me the gospel but when I asked my parents if I could join the church, their answer was no. I waited until I was 18 to ask my parents again. Although they didn't want me to join a Christian church, they knew they had no control over my decision. My testimony began to root when I prayed to know if I should get baptized and received a prompting that I should. My testimony continued to grow through my activity in the church, reading the scriptures, fulfilling my callings, and praying. I served a mission in Japan when I was 21 and the influence of the Holy Ghost was strong as I drew closer to Christ. I married Jeff Foutz in the temple.  We now attend the Temple City Ward and raised four children. We are blessed now to have 7 grandchildren, the 7^th is on her way to join us. As I now read my patriarchal blessing, I could see how it was prophetic of the blessings I would receive if I drew close to my Savior. It speaks of how I would teach the gospel to my family and race, it speaks of how I would marry in the temple, it speaks of children I would have and the many blessings I would receive, it speaks of how my testimony will grow and it has. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and the true church was restored through him and we have a prophet here on this earth now, President Russell M. Nelson. I'm grateful to know so many wonderful saints in this stake and the opportunities I've had to work with many of you. May God bless you.  Yukari Foutz - Temple City Ward