"Busy, busy, busy" Aug 28, 2013

Dear Family

  Wow this first part of the week has been very busy.  Sorry that I wasn't able to email everyone on Monday.  There was quite the line at Presidents for the Ipad ha.  Well summer is gone here in Tyumen we think.  It feels very fallie outside.  The weather changed super fast.  Now people have already got there winter coats out...

  So on Sunday I had the opportunity to conduct church again.  It is the second time in row.  Our branch Presidency has been gone and the branch President wanted me to conduct.  So I have been in charge ha...I am suprised that things haven't gone too crazy around here yet ha.  Hopefully this week someone from the presidency will be here so we can do some financial work on MLS.  My companion got called to be the branch secretary a couple of weeks ago.  So we stay after with the branch president to do financial stuff.  But since he has been gone we haven't been able to do it sooo we really need him to come on Sunday.

  This week we had MLC and Zone Conf.  We had a member of the area presidency come.  It was really an awesome opportunity to be apart of it and learn from him.  His name is Per G. Malm.  He is the second councilor of the Area Presidency.  He came to council on Monday and talked to the leadership of the mission and counseled with us.  There is a reason why he is a general authority, the things he said were so powerful and when he taught he taught with power.  He really did help the leadership of this mission understand there true potential as leaders.  We have a lot of young leaders so it was really good for them.  It was also really needed for me as well.  I got to interview with President Malm on Monday.  It was a really good interview.  He knew that I was going home soon so he talked to me about a lot of stuff after the mission.  He gave me a lot of great advice and council.

  On Tuesday so yesterday we had Zone Conference.  This was my last conference on the mission.  It was so good to see old companions and friends.  That is what I love most about the mission conferences is seeing everyone.  I am so thankful for all of the friendships that I have made here.  Conference was good.  We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how we can use it in our missionary work.  That is Presidents focus right now is using the Book of Mormon in every missionary situation.  After the Zone Conference it was really hard to say good byes to some of the people there.  This mission truly has made such a difference in my life.

  I have been so blessed to be able to preach the gospel to the world, especially here in Russia.  Something that I learned the other day is that this mission was never meant to be a sacrifice.  It has been a privilege.  God has chosen me and put me through "His University".  He has told me "Look, you don't have to worry about work, school, paying bills, getting a car, and the social life.  I am going to teach you what is important that will bless you the rest of your life and all that I ask you is that you serve me with all of you heart, might, mind and strength.  I will give you a full ride scholarship into my university that will give you the best education every possible.  Are you ready?"  My mission never was a sacrifice for me.  It has been a privilege that I will always be thankful for.  The great thing is that God invites everyone to come to "His University".  So for those thinking of serving a mission please consider the following.  I promise you that you will never regret the decision to serve.

  Family I love you and I am so thankful that you send your love to me so much.  Thank you to the Primary class in the Millcreek 8th ward age group 4-7 for sending me your letters.  It meant so much to me.  Thank you to everyone that has ever taken the time to send me something whether it has been an email, letter, package, a prayer or even a thought.  Thank you so much.  I love you all and can't wait to see you in less than three weeks.  Until then be safe and remember that I pray for all of you constantly.  

With Love,

Elder Flitton