Don't be alarmed. I still will have one more monday to email you all. So this isn't the last one. I will be leaving Tyumen next Tuesday on train to Yekat and then spend the day at Presidents, have a devotion and then my exit interview and then off to the airport the next morning.
It is so unreal that this is my last full week of missionary work. Unfortuntately Serafima isn't ready for baptism. It has been hard for Elder Wimber and I but we are getting through it. Our other investigator Masha was in Kurgan for a week. While she was there she went to the branch there for a baptism. She said that she cryed the whole time. Last night when we met her at the bus station she told us that she wants to be baptized and wants it soon. So we are really happy for her. She asked me to baptize her when she does get baptized. Too bad I am going home next week ha. She is so awesome. I sure am going to miss these wonderful people.
Last week was a tough week for my companion and I. We were really sad that Serafima wasn't ready for baptism. We did a lot of talking. But we both came to the conclusion that we need to accept the timing of the Lord. We don't want to drag her to baptism. We also don't want her to get baptized just for us. So we both feel that when it is the right time she will be ready. She is so awesome. She came to church yesterday and is still praying and reading. We love her and know that she has changed a lot. We also came to the realization that for someone to change their life is not easy and we must accept that.
Yesterday we got transfer calls early. President will be in Moscow this week so he did calls early. Unfortunately Elder Wimber will be leaving Tyumen and going back to the office for his last transfer. President is pretty desperate for help in the office ha. Wimber has been there before and President needs some experience back in there. It will be good for him to go back there becasue he is a really smart guy and is super good with that office stuff that they do in the office ha.
So this week we have a lot of things planned to do. On Wednesday we will be going on splits again with the other elders. We just change companions for a day. Also on Thursday I have to take a bus down to Kurgan to conduct a baptismal interview for someone. Saturday the youth are having a farewell party for me. I am super excited for it. I love the people here in Tyumen. They are so great. Mom you need to email Sveta and tell her that she is so awesome. She really has helped us out so much here in Tyumen. She has become our best friend.
My last three transfers here in Tyumen sure have gone really fast. It makes me sad that it has to end so soon. Don't get me wrong I am excited to come home but it is going to be really hard to say my goodbyes to people here. The last part of my mission I have really understood what the word Love means. When you constantly think about someones welfare and just always wanting the best for them you truly understand what love is. I am so thankful that I have gotten a little taste of what love really is. The kind of love that our father in Heaven has for each and everyone of us. I am so thankful that I have learned how to be someones friends. Someone that can be trusted. Someone that listens. I am so thankful for all my companions because they truly have changed me for the better. The mission has been a miracle for me.
Family I love you and can't wait to see you in a week. Good luck this week with shcool and work. Love you.
Elder Flitton
