Dear Family
Hello Family! Another week has come and gone. It is already Monday and the time is going by so fast. Oh ya btw HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLIE!!!!!! I looked at my calendar this morning and noticed that it was her birthday so if you could get this shout out to her it would be great. The big 13. My little cute cousin is growing up so fast. Well Steph now you have a teenage daughter....
Sounds like Summer is coming around the corner really quick. Grandpa must really enjoy the warm weather because it helps him play golf better. That was a great score Grandpa that you got the other day. I am scared to get back and go golfing again. I am going to be really rusty. We are going to have to go to the driving range first ha. Thanks for sharing the story with me about the big group of missionaries at the temple. I sure am excited to get back and start doing some work in the temple. I am going to have to find work when I get home but the first work that I will be doing is Temple work. I am so excited. Could you give a GOOD LUCK to uncle Greg. I am inspired by his motivitation to run these marathons and even Iron mans. You go uncle Greg, DO WORK! Jen enjoy your 6 weeks of school. Usually when things are difficult and time seems to move so slow is usually when we learn and grow the most. Just think how much you will learn from this...maybe patience ha. Good luck. Now for Cameron and Garett, I know exactly how you feel. I remember just laying in my bed at night and day dreaming all night what would my mission be like. I remember trying to imagine what it would be like to speak Russian. To endure weather that was below freezing. I also remember thinking about the people that I would meet and baptize. It is ok to think about the future but make sure that you are living the most in the present. Find time to be with your family, for they will support you the most. They will be the ones that are most on their knees praying for you. Make sure to especially show more love to your momma. :) It will do you some good. Mom and dad tell Melody that I hope she gets feeling better. What a scary incident. Now Chandler I am happy that you are enjoying your life and living it up. You are getting old...Senior in college haha. Thanks for the pictures, it looks like you are having a blast and that you are happy. Thanks again. Now Kaite and Anna where are your emails????? Jk but I just wanted to thank you all and wanted to write you a little something. HOpe you all have a great week.
So as you know last week I was able to go on my last visa trip. A couple of months ago the Area Presidency banned missionaries from leaving the airport so this visa trip we were stuck in the airport the whole time. I was able to go with ELder King(mtc companion)and another elder. It was really fun to just talk withthem and enjoy our time. We talked a lot about our missions and that we really are running out of time. Our MTC group is doing well and everyone is enjoying their missions. I am so thankful for this close group of friendship that we all have. We actually have planned a boat trip to Lake Powell after the mission. I am excited. But the visa trip was really fun. Unfortunately I got a cold when I get back so I have been sick for the last couple of days. But I am doing better.
This weekend President Rust came to Ufa. He was there for our zone meeting that we have every week. Honestly I was a little nervous because at zone meeting us zone leaders lead it. President was there so I felt a little inadequate. But we had a great zone meeting. We were able to set some really good goals for May. I really enjoy having President present. He was here yesterday for church as well. This man is inspired. I love him so much and I have learned so much from him. He is a man from God. I am sad that he leaves at the end of June. I have really cherished my time serving with him. He is so great.
This transfer is a 8 week transfer. A normal transfer is only 6. So this transfer only has two more weeks left. I feel like I am going to be transfered. This next city could be my last city. I have really enjoyed my time here in Ufa. Each city that I have served in has had its own taste. I feel like in Ufa I have really grown close to the members. I am truly grateful for the saints here in Ufa. They are strong and the church is growing here. They are young but they are strong. The Lord loves them so much and His hand is supporting them. I love the saints of Russia.
I am so grateful for the word love. On my mission the word love has really taken a new meaning. When I think of love I usually think of something romantic, roses, kisses, candle light dinner and a box of chocolates. But love has such a deeper meaning. I am so thankful that we have a loving Heveanly Father. God is our father and He truly loves us because we are His children. He even loves those who disgrace His name. He loves those that simply just don't love Him. God has such a perfect love for each and every one of us. Love is something we develop when we serve someone. Love is something we develop in our families. Love is when we put others before us. Love is charity, love is an attribute attained by Deity. I am so thankful for the love of the Saviour. Our Lord, Jesus Christ showed us how to love. Through his perfect sermon he gave us the Beatitudes. If we study this sermon we will understand the love that the Saviour has, and the love that he wants for us to have. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son". God loves us and so does His son. Love is lasting and doesn't have an end. That my friends is Eternal life. Life with God is love beyond mesaures. To be like God is a sign of perfect love. I am so thankful for a loving, merciful, understanding God. I know that He knows me personally and that He wants the best for me. I know that one day I will meet Him face to face and that He will with open arms say to me, "Well done my faithful servant". God is our Father and He invites all to come and know of Him.
Family I love you and thank you all for your support. I miss you dearly but in two weeks we will be able to talk... ha Until next monday. I love you
Elder Flitton
Btw Chandler I got your letter. Thanks for the stickers... now everyone in the office knows.
