Connecting Everything to the Gospel

May 2025

Rinka Izumdia grew up in Northern Japan. While she was in middle school, her family became less active in the Church, but Izumida con¬tinued going to meetings by herself every Sunday. This was very difficult, especially at such an impres¬sionable age. But her strength and resilience taught her the importance of focusing her life on Christ.

After serving a mission in Canada, Izumida decided she wanted to go to school in the United States to keep up the English she had learned on her mission. While figuring out which college to attend, Izumida decided that she “wanted to study at one of the Church schools because I love the gospel and I love to connect everything to the gospel.” This even-tually led her to Ensign College to study social media and digital marketing.

Izumida loves what she is learning. Not only is she receiving a quality education, but she is also learning with a gospel focus—the whole reason she wanted to come to Ensign. From her first time on campus, she knew she was in the right place. She says, “I feel the Spirit every single day when I pray before I study. I really enjoy learning with the Spirit.” She loves attending devotionals on Tuesdays, study¬ing scriptures and general conference talks and then discussing them in her classes, and being sur¬rounded by people who share her beliefs.

Studying at Ensign College has strengthened her life, but the only way her education is possible is through the scholarships she receives. Izumida is a newlywed, and it is difficult for her and her husband to afford schooling. Having a scholarship has allowed her to “continue to study without worrying about paying tuition. I can just focus on what I’m doing at Ensign College,” she says. “When I received my scholarship, I cried because of what it meant to me.”

Thank you for donating to Ensign College and for helping students like Izumida.