October 2012

October 1, 2012

Dear Family

  Thank you so much for all of the great emails this week.  I can't believe that you guys went and got Russian food.  I hope that the Pelmini was tasty and the Bleanie was good.  I got my companion to drink some Kvac.  He almost threw it up. I got it on camera so that will be a fun one to watch when I get home.  Also that is so crazy that Kace is going to have a baby this week.  GO KACE!!!  Also that General Conference is this week.  Unforunately we don't get it until a week after. I don't know if I can wait a week.  It is going to be tough.

  This last week was a great week.  Elder Riddle and I did alot of great work. We were able to find a new investigator, his name is Anatoli.  We got to know him and understood what he believes.  He said that he doesn't believe in God and that there is no way that God could communicate with us.  We talked to him about how he could know if God really is there.  He asked how and we told him that through prayer it is possible.  We asked him to give a kneeling prayer and he said he would give it a try.  That was probably one of the most spiritual prayer that I have ever heard. It was so great. His prayer was so simple but I could feel that our Heavenly Father was so happy to see him.  It was a great meeting.  We have a meeting set up with him this week so we will see if he did any of the commitments that we gave him.

  Natalia is doing great.  She went out of town though for a little bit.  Before she left we talked to her about the Plan of Salvation.  She was eating it all up.  It was so awesome.  I was able to go on splits with Assistants last week and Elder Christiansen came with me.  She was so happy that we talked about the plan of salvation.  Elder C and I had such a great meeting with her. I am so grateful for the chance to be able to teach Natalia.  She is so great.

  Lately I have been trying really hard to be able to have the Holy Ghost more with me.  I am so grateful for this gift that was given to me when I was baptized.  I am so thankful that it guides me and protects me from danger.  I know that if we are worthy and if we truly desire the companionship we will be able to enjoy it in our lifes more.  Missionary work cannot be done unless you have the Holy Ghost.  I desire it so much becuase then I know that this work will move on.  I am so grateful for being on a mission and having the oppurtunity to feel the Holy Ghost so much.

Alright so for my year mark celebration I went to McD's and got a Beef Ale Ruce.  It is the Russian hamburger here.  It is probably theee best burger in the world.  I am so sad that they don't have it back in the states...what I am going to do. BTW I am getting one later today yay!!!  No I didn't burn any shirts or pants. I don't have extra clothes to burn.

Weather- we haven't gotten any snow yet.  We just keep getting a lot of rain.  I am excited for the winter....

 For studies I really enjoy reading the Book of Mormon in Russian on Sundays.  I made a goal to start reading and studying in Russian at the New Year

 Perm is pretty big.  It is really spaced out. Yekaterinburg is a lot bigger than Perm I heard.  I'm not sure how it is compared to Salt Lake.

I enjoy traveling on trains because I get to sleep. ha

President and Sister Rust are doing great.  Unforunately I wont be able to have my whole mission with them. They go home in June I believe.

Want to throw a shout our to Chan.  Thank you so much for the Package.  I love the Starbursts and all the suckers.  Thank you for the 10000 word book.  I have already gotten to word 400. You are the greatest. Thanks.

Also Grandma Chris Happy Birthday!!! Love you.

Sorry I am kind of in a hurry today so all of the questions didnt get anwsered.  Love you all

Elder Flitton

October 8, 2012

Dear Family

  I love getting all the news about General Conference and a new baby.  I don't think I have ever gotten so much news before.  I feel like there is so much going on at home right now.  Kace and Jordan CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so in aww right now.  I remember when I was in the city of Kurgan and I got the email that you were going to have a baby and now she has already come. Hooooly cowwwww.  Kace is a Momma and Jordan is a Pappa and that's quite the toppa.  I'm not quite sure what that means,but I am just so happy for you Kace and Jordan.  Thanks for the pictures they are so great.  She is the cutest little baby I have ever seen and I haven't even seen here in person.  Gosh I'm excited.  So Kace......could I be her Russian Godfather? Pretty please.  Goodness gracious I am so happy for you guys.  Everybody here in Library knows that you two have a baby.  I thought I would tell the random Russian person next to me.  He says in Russian Congratulations ha.  I love you three :)

  Also can you believe the age now for missionaries.  That is so great.  When I heard I couldn't believe my ears.  I heard the news in Russian so at first I thought I didn't understand... nope I understood.  That is so awesome.  So many more missionaries, this is exactly what the world needs. I know that this decesion has come from the man upstairs, our Heavenly Father.  He knows perefectly what to do in the most perfect time.  I am so excited for this new change.  The first thing that I thought of was Cameron and Garett.  Holy cow you two are so close.  I hope that I will be able to see you guys by the time I get home.  I have a feeling that the Lord changed the age because He is in the need of you two.  I  am so excited for you two to prepare to serve a mission.  Be expecting some letters from me in the future. I love you guys.  Deep breaths Steph :)

  So we get to watch General Conference on Saturay and Sunday this week.  We are going to be having a baptism during one of the breaks.  We are way excited for this weekend.  I can't believe that this is my third GC on the mission.  I can't wait for it.  I feel like GC on the mission is like Christmas.  Right now I'm waiting for Mom and Dad to wake up so we can finally open gifts ha.  I don't think I can wait much longer.

  Well the work is moving right along here in Perm.  We are going to have a baptism for Natalia on the 20th.  We are way excited for her.  She came to church yesterday and loved it.  She has made so much progress.  I love missionary work so much.  So last week we had quite the miracle.  We were waiting at the church more a meeting but the person never showed up so we were about to head out but this random person came to the door and asked if we were having a activity.  we told him that we weren't but that we could do a free tour of the church if he wanted.  He said yes and we gave him a tour and then we asked him if we could meet with him and talk with him.  He was down so we taught him about the Restoration and had a very spriritual lesson with him.  It was so great.  I am so grateful that the Lord is always looking out for others.  He knows all of his Children by name and he new that this man needed to come to the church to have a free tour.  Little simple things like that are just so awesome to experience as a missionary.  I am so grateful that I can see miracles from my Father in Heaven.  I know that he is there and that he loves each and everyone of us.  I know that he listens to us and really does want us to communicate to him.  We just have to put our pride out of the way and humble ourselves a little.  Then we will hear his still small voice. This I promise.

  Thank you all for the emails. I love you so much.  Thanks for all of the support and love from back home.  I know that here in Russia is where the Lords focus is.  He needs more missionaries in his vineyard and that is why the age has changed.  I know that the Lord loves every child of his.  I am so thankful for the oppurtunity to be able to serve here in Russia.  I am so grateful to be a participater in the literal Gathering of Israel.  This is what the Lord wants and we will obey.  I  am so grateful for the oppurtunity to listen to the prophets voice in a couple of days.  I cherish his words because they are literally God's words.  He knows the will of God and he leads us perfectly.  President Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God, just like Moses was and Joseph Smith.  We are to follow the prophet so we don't go astray.  Let's heed the words of those who lead and love us especially our dear prophet, President Monson.  Once again thank you all for the love and support.

Elder Flitton

October 15, 2012

Dear Family,

  Sorry for the email that didn't make it home.  I feel bad because it was a great email.  Sorry that you had to wait for two weeks.  Just look at it this way, you can have two emails this week. Love you.

  Well this last week was a miracle week for Elder Riddle and I.  Our investigator Natalia is progressing so fast.  She is ready for baptism on Saturday.  She came to all of the sessions of General Conf and loved them.  We met with her almost everyday last week.  She has the strongest faith ever.  It is so awesome to see her progress.  This is probably one of the greatest things to experience as a missionary.  I know that the Lord is working very hard with Natalia right now. You ask why her?  Because she is showing forth that faith that Heveanly Father needs from a person to give them an anwser.  We had many great lessons with her last week and I would like to share two of them with you.  These are from my journal...

 1. Today we met with Natalia at the church.  We couldn't find a member on the lesson so we went in solo.  We decided to watch Finding Faith in Christ with her. (one of the greatest church movies ever produced) We wanted to focus on the example of Christ and how He fulfilled all rightousness.  After the movie there was such a special spirit in the room.  Elder Riddle and I decided to jump on it.  We talked about baptism and the baptism of Christ.  She voiced her concerns and told us that she was scared what her family would think.  I thought really hard on what I should say to her.  The prompting came to have her give a kneeling prayer.  So I followed the prompting and asked her if we could kneel and pray and ask Heveanly Father about this.  She said that is a great idea.  We knelt and sat for about five minutes. Complete silence.  Elder Riddle and I were praying silently that she would recieve an anwser.  After dead silence for awhile I asked her if she would pray and ask our Father in Heaven for help.  She then gave the most simple, precious prayer taht I have ever heard.  My heart was softened and the spirit was totally there.  After her prayer we still kneeled in silence.  After 3 of 5 min we stood and bore powerful testimony to her.  I then asked her if she had recieved an anwser.  She looked at me and said yes. Then she said,  "Elder Flitton maybe I could get baptized sooner".  I knew that was going to come out.  How could it not.  That room was like a steam room.  But instead of steam it was the Holy Ghost.  I love the power of prayer.  We really can receive anwsers to our prayers. Today was a day that the Lord worked with Natalia very strong.

2. Tonight we met with Natalia at her house with the Pococks.  We were going to talk about her baptism on Saturday.  We talked about how she could choose certain people to participate in her service and that we need to set up some more meetings before saturday.  We then just taught her about the advantages of being a  member of the church.  We told her that this week Satan is going to do everything in his power so that she doesn't enter the waters.  We told her that we would be there at every step and that she needs to read and pray every day.  She was so happy that we were preparing her baptism and that it is really going down.  The Pococks are so awesome.  They are the greatest senior couple in the world. I love them.  After the lesson we then felt prompted to offer her a blessing.  Eldre Riddle, Elder Pocock and I layed our hands on her head and gave her a blessing.  As I gave the blessing I felt the need to bless her family. I felt the need to say "Natalia as you become a member of this church your family will see your example. They will want to have what you have.  They might not see it now but in the future they will". Whenever I give a blessing in Russian it is so sacred to me.  I share this only becuase I feel like I should.  I know that all of us have loved ones that are very dear to us.  I know that as we are examples to them and love and serve them they will notice something special about us.  I know that we can influence people to do good.  I love the oppurtunity to be an example everyday here in Perm Russia.

  I wanted to share these experiences with you so that you know that the Lord is All-loving.  Those who come unto him really do recieve his glory.  I know that prayer actually works.  It isn't rocket science.  If we pray to our Father in the name of His son he will hear us.  He will anwser us if we will but just listen and act.  I know that this is true because I have seen with my own eyes.  I have seen it with Natalia, with Vera, with Ivan and Igor.  Prayer is for all of us so take the chance to make prayer a daily thing.  I promise that God will bless us if we do so.

  So I got to watch General Conference this weekend.  Oh my goodness it was the best.  It was so great to hear our leaders speak to us.  I love President Monson so much.  Aren't we so fortunate to have a man like him lead this church.  He really is called of God, how can you disagree with that.  Some of my favorite talks were President Monsons in Priesthood, President Eyering in Priesthood, Elder Nelsons... Just ask the missionaries, they can help you.  I loved Elder Hollands talk also.  I love watching GC on the mission.  It is such a booster.

 Well it is time for me to go.  I hope that this email makes it home.  THanks for your patience and love.  This week is going to be a great week.  Please pray for Natalia as she prepares for her baptism.  Thanks again for everything. love you 

Elder Flitton

October 22, 2012

Dear Family

  Well another week has come and gone.  This last week has flown by so fast.  I can't believe that this month is almost over.  Here in Perm we got our first storm of snow.  It didn't stick or anything but it was falling.  This week is supposed to be frosty so it is time to pull out the gloves and hat.  It is weird to see the weather change.  Thinking aobut summer is not possible.  I don't even remember summer ha.  Feels like I blinked and summer was over.  Winter is now here in Perm and is staying.  So enjoy that nice weather back home.  Grandpa enjoy the golf course while you can.

  We had a baptism here in Perm last week.  Actually we had two of them!!!  Our investigator Natalia was baptized!.  We had a great baptism service for her on Saturday.  She was really nervous to be baptized.  We had a good amount of people come to the service.  Elder Riddle baptized her.  I was so excited to see him experience that.  It was so great to see her smile after she came up out of the water.  After the service I asked her how she felt.  She said that she felt so clean and that the feeling inside of her was to hard to explain.  Elder Riddle and I are so happy for Natalia.  We are so blessed to be instruments in the Lord's hands.  On Sunday she was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It was a great day yesterday for her.  I have been so blessed to be able to work with Natalia and to build a friendship with her.  This decesion is going to change her life dramatically.  She has 5 kids and 4 of them live in her apartment with their families.  She is such an inspiriation to me.  I know that the Lord has been preparing her for quite a while.  

  Lately I have been thinking a lot about how the Lord works in his time and not in our time.  As a missionary this has been a hard concept to grasp.  As a missionary I tend to find myself wanting things how I want them done.  I find my self teaching people how I understand.  Sometimes I wonder "why cant this happen", or "why is that taking so long" and why does it sometimes feel like nothing goes your way.  For example when sometimes we are on the street at night when it is 0c and no one will give us the time or day.  Or with a investigator that wont do the things that you ask them to do.  Sometimes I look up at the sky and ask "why God".  Then is when I get the anwser that I need to remember whose time I'm on.  It isn't Keaton's time, it's the Lord's time.  At first it isn't easy to accept that but after time youi come to understand that there are more things in this world that are important and the Lord knows perfectly when and how they are going to work out.  I have prayed long and hard to be able to accept and to submit my will to the Lord's will.  I know that the Heavenly Father sees the whole grand scheme of things.  He knows perfectly.  Maybe we should just trust him and not worry about ourselves.  Put your life in the Lord's hands and see him mold it perfectly.  Let Him work miracles in our lives. I know He will.

  Also I just want to talk a little about obedience (grandma this is for you :))  As a missionary we are expected to live the higher law that Christ taught. We are expected to read the hand book everyday and to live by the guidelines.  But the handbook doesn't list everything we need to follow.  Therefore it creates gray spaces. We have the guidelines which give us black and white but it is when we make excuses that we create the gray.  I think obedience is when we don't make those gray spaces in our lives.  We remember the higher law that our Saviour taught.  It is when that phrase kicks in WHAT WOULD CHRIST DO?  It is when we are alone and have the opportunity to choose good or evil.  Obedience is when we try our best to follow Christ. The talk comes in mind by Elder Neil A. Anderson, "What thinks Christ of me".  No one is perfect but we can strive to be perfect like our Savior. That is obedience to me.  Obedience brings forth the blessings of Heaven!

  Thank you family for all of your emails. I love you so much. I hope that this week is great for you.  Know that I love you very much and that you are constanly in my prayers.  Your love and prayers are felt here in Perm Russia. I love you.

Elder Flitton

October 29, 2012

Dear Family,

  The start of a new week.  Last week was a very eventful week for Elder Riddle and I.  We have been working with an investigator of ours, his name is Calvin.  He is from Nigeria just like all of the other black people here in Perm.  Calvin is awesome!  We have been working really hard with him in understanding the Book of Mormon.  He really wants to understand why we have the book and why is it needed.  What better anwser for him then in the introduction of the Book of Mormon.  This morning I took a look at it again and thought to myself.   This introduction is perfect.  Everything that needs to be known is right there in the Introduction.  If someone wants to know what this book is just read the intro.  Who is Mormon... Read the introduction.  What I like about it is when you get done reading it, you want to so bad to start reading the Book of Mormon from front to cover.  Calvin is doing alright. He is just so hard to meet with.  We haven't been able to sit down with him because he is so busy all of the time.  We aren't giving up.

  Elder Riddle and I found a new investigator last week. Her name is Alla.  We met her at KFC and she speaks perfect English.  She is one of those people that is just always smiling.  Everytime we see her she has the biggest smile.  She is so funny.  She has a lot of different views on God and different things but as we have taught her she is slowy starting to understand.  We had a meeting with her on Friday at a restaurant.  We were going to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ but we had the impresion to teach the Plan of Salvation.  We told her abuot the creation and how God is our Heavenly Father and that we are all His children.  We talked about how in this life we have been given the gift of Agency.  She agreed with us and said that the freedom of choice is one of the greatest gifts.  We had an awesome lesson with her.  I can tell that the Lord has been preparing Alla for this.  She has so many ideas that are so in line with what we believe and teach.  I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost.  Without the Spirit we missionaries cant be successful.  If people don't feel the Spirit then conversion is a lot harder.  I am so thankful that I have been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. 

  Lately I have been reading in Jacob.  I just have happened to stumble upon Jacob 5.  Now when you look at Jacob and see that this chapter is about 75 verses usually you just skim through it. Atleast that is waht I do.  But this time I decided to do a full out study on it.  I am going to say that Jacob 5 is now one of my favorites.  I would encourage you all to read it and take the time to look up the footnotes and everything.  It is a treasure waiting to be found.  If you have already done it Congratulations!!  Also in my scripture study I have made the goal to read the whole bible by the end of my mission.  Right now I am in Joshua.  Can I just say that there are so many prescious truths in the Old Testament.  It is like reading a really good book, you can't put it down.  I have grown so much to love the Old Testament.  I love the scriptures so much.  It is so fun to picture yourself in the story. To apply the scriptures to your life.  It is awesome. I amso thankful for the Scriptures.

  This week Elder Riddle and I will be going to Yekaterinburg for training at Presidents.  We are way excited. We will be getting on a train tomorrow.  I always love going to Presidents house.  I also love having the chance to sleep on the train ha.  Sorry there isn't that much to write about this week.  Thank you all for all of your emails and letters.  I love them so much.  

PS Alright I have been thinking long and hard about this.  For Christmas packages would it be ok if you just put money in my account?  I feel that it would be a lot better becuse then you don't have to spend so much extra money on shipping.  And plus I can buy cool souvenirs to bring back home.  Tell me what you think.. this is for the whole family.

 Also I need some money in my account so I can buy some gloves.  For some reason I can't find my old ones. I think I left them in my old apartment.  So if I could get some mula in the account that would be fandiddlytastic! Love you.

September 2012 HALF WAY DONE!

September 3, 2012

Dear Family,

 

  How is everyone adjusting to school and other activities?  I always remember this time of the year. It was my favorite. Football was starting up and school was back in session.  I am going to be honest, I miss football with a passion.  Just this time of year, the tempature, the smell in the air, the leafs falling off the trees.  It is my favorite.  Well here in Russia it is the opposite.  It just goes cold really fast and it rains all the time.  Last week was the first week i got to pull out the coat.  It was really nice.  I can't believe that winter is around the corner.  1 more Russian winter that I have to survive ha.  

  Elder Riddle and I have been doing great.  He is starting to adjust  to missionary life inthe field.  He is such a great missionary already. He honestly inspires me to do better.  He is always willing to do anything and that makes it really easy for a trainer.  Funny story,we were on the street contacting and we stopped this man.  My companion asked him what religion he affiliates with and the man anwsered he was atheist.  Well my companion didn't really understand and he then asked him if he believes in God and how God has played a role in his life.  There was an awkward stare at us for a little bit. ha.  I love my companion, Elder Riddle. He is such a great kid and I am so thankful that I get to serve with him and to learn from him. I love the way you can learn so much from a companion.  It has only been about two weeks and I have learned so much from him. 

  Yesterday Alexandera came to church.  We usually set up a meeting with her after church but she is just so tired after church so we never have the chance to meet with her on Sundays.  So we met with her the third hour of church.  My companion got straight into the lesson and asked her is she was going to be baptized or what?  She didn't understand so I cleared it up and she thought about it for a little.  She then said that she isn't ready.  We told her that if we set a date with her for the 29th of September we will work with her and get her ready.  She agreed so we are going to have a baptism date on the 29th for Alexandera!!!!  My companion and I were so excited.  We had a great lesson with her and talked about faith and repentance.  I was so pumped that we got a date for her. I have been working with her since I got here to perm.  It has been a while but she has made so many steps and it is awesome to see.  Please keep her in your prayers as she prepares for hte 29th.

  Today we are getting on a train to Yekaterinburg for Zone Conf.  President Lawrence from area seventy will be there.  I am so excited to meet him.  I am also really excited to have my interview with President Rust. I love 1 on 1 time with President.  He is such a inspired man.  I am so thankful for him and that he helps me become a missionary that my Heavenly Father wants me to become. I love my mission President.

  Lately Elder Riddle and I have been out on the streets trying to find new people to teach.  It has been a really great experience. We have gotten a lot of numbers and we have met a lot of great people.  I have figured out that when you are having fun doing something it makes it so much better ha.  I wish I could have applied that with school, work.  When you make something fun, it makes it a whole lot easier to do it and to do it successful.  If you aren't having fun doing missionary work than you aren't doing something right.  I am having the greatest time of my life working my butt of everyday. I love it, I have developed a passion for it. I am so glad that I did that ealry in my mission.  I can't picture myself coming home. Just isn't possible.  This month is my half way mark.  I don't want to count time anymore. I want to take everyday as a miracle from my Heavenly Father, given to me to help someone come a little bit closer to Him.

  This last week has been a blessing for me. I feel that I have grown so close to my companion, different missionaries, and the ward members.  I love these people so much. They are like my family.  I am so grateful that the Lord sent me here to Perm, Yekaterinburg Russia mission. 

  I just want to let everyone know that I know that my Redeemer lives and that he is our Advocate with the Father.  If we seek Him, He will greet us with open arms.  If we truly want to know if He is there, all we have to do is ask.  He is our brother and He knows everything that we go through.  He has the perfect solution, He has the perfect play to win the game, He has the love to comfort us, and most important He knows the path that we must travel on to make it back to Him and the Father.  I testify that He knows each and everyone of us personally.  He is All-Powerful and All-Merciful.  Let us be believers and DOERS, and I know that we will come to know Him perfectly as he knows us perfectly. I testify that He lives and He awaits our return to Him.  DC 76:22-24.

 

Elder Flitton

September 10, 2012

Dear Family,

  Thanks for the info about what is going on.  That is too bad about the Utes.  They probably thought they could go up to Logan and come away with a win easily... Wake up call.  I got a text last night from Elder Pocock telling me that Utah lost.  Elder Pocock is a big BYU fan.  BYU fans...

  Well it is so crazy that the weather is changing so fast.  The trees are changing colors and it is so beautiful. I love this time of the year. The only problem fall here in Russia just means that it rains all the time and freezing wind.  Elder Riddle and I have been definately trying to keep warm and out of the rain.  That umbrella that I brought with me broke the second day I got it ha. So I had to go get a new one.  It was way cheap so we will have to see how long this one lasts.  

  Last week was Zone conf.  It was such a great experience.  I enjoyed every bit of it.  We were treated with President Lawrence adn his wife. Honestly I was more impressed with Sister Lawrences training than his.  She talked about the house of Israel and a bunch of deep doctrine.  I though I was pretty solid in the gospel but after her my mind was blown. It was so cool to see how many more new things you can learn about the Gospel.  She helped me recognize who I really am and why I am here on a mission.  At zone conf we talked a lot about our mission goal of 91 baptisms.  Elder Lawrence helped us understand that it is going to take unusual ways to reach this goal but it is possible to accomplish.  I thought it was so awesome to see our mission come together and stand and promise to do all that is physically and spiritually possible to accomplish this goal.  We have a new motto for our mission.  "Go bold and don't put limits on the Lord".  I love it and Elder Riddle and I are 100% commited to this goal.

  We have been working our butts of this last week to try and find new people to teach.  Sometimes it feels like nothing is happening and that no one is listening.  But it just makes us work that much harder.  We need new people to teach and we will find them through going Bold and not putting limits on the Lord.  News about Alexandera, she has been a little off and on lately.  She is scared to make the decision for baptism.  She has grown up in the Russian Orthodox church for all of her life. She just isn't ready to leave that church.  But she knows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the one and only true church on this earth.  We have a lot of work to do with her and we aren't giving up on her.  Everyone progresses at their own pace.  We just need to know what and how to teach her so that she can understand.

  Funny story we were on the street the other day ago and we were talking to this lady and all of a sudden I felt a arm on my shoulder. I turned around and it was a drunk dude with his drunk girl.  He started asking who we were and what we were doing here.  We gave him the spill and he said in broken Russian "Oh you are the American Mormons."  We told him that we were missionaries from the church and that we had a special lesson just for him.  He and his girl were so excited to hear it. We told them about the Book of Mormon and they asked if they could have one.  We agreed only on the terms if they would read it. He said ofcourse.  Then his wasted girl went up to my companion and planted a big kiss on his cheek.  My companion got his first REAL Russian Welcome.  It was so funny, he was so distraught that a drunk lady had just kissed him.  My companion is now officially a Russian missionary ha.

 Thank you all for the emails.  Thanks Chan for the package...I had to hide it so I wouldn't open it.  It was so close today to being open.  Also I got a email from Elder Bybee.  Can so start sending him my emails.  Tell him thanks for the email and that I will get a letter sent off to him soon.  Also Aunt Steph HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!  Hope that you have a great birthday and just think your next birthday I will probably be home to celebrate it with you ha.  Love you family and miss you. Have a great week.

Elder Flitton

QA time

Chan

Are you a frozen popcicle yet?  No not yet but I feel like soon I will be.

Dad

How is Elder Riddle? He is doing great.  He has such a great attitude about everything.

How many branches in Perm? There is only one.  Before I got here there used to be two. They made it into one so that they could be stronger in number.

Mom

How was your meeting with President? It was so great. I cherish every time I get to meet with him. I also got to be interviewed by President Lawrence :0

Package from Cindy? I haven't gotten it yet.

Aunt Jen

Did you sing at zone conf? Yes we sang. We sang child's prayer in Russian. It was great.

Baptism for the 29? From the looks of it right now probably not. It will be later though.

New talents developed from serving? I have developed many and I will share one with you.  Im quite the cook.

How is the mission goal? We are at about 52 baptisms.  We just had two in another city so we are getting there.

Picture requests? You should send some family pics so I can put them in my photo ablum that I show people. I am kind of bored showing the same pics ha.

Grandma

Church meetings?  They are all done in Russian. It is organized just like in the states.

English club? Yes we do english club every thursday. there are three goups and we teach the middle group.  We just teach random topics.

How do you like singing hymns in Russian?  I love it. We sing every morning to wake up. It is my favorite

Do you know the words Great and Awesome? Yes I do know those words and I will start using them now.

Grandpa

Do you need anything?  I might have to buy a hat for the winter.  But right now I am doing great, thanks for everything you do.

September 17, 2012

Dear Family,

 

  I am so glad to hear that the Utes beat, they who will not be named.  I found out yesterday at church.  Elder Pocock has an Iphone and he had the play by play going.  After ward council he came up to me and said that it wasn't a good ending.  He didn't take the loss to well.  Typical BYU fan, loves to talk but in the end the facts are stacked up against them, that's ok, we love them anyways.

  Well last week was a very eventful week.  We got on another train back to Yekaterinbur for training.  Elder Riddle and I will have two training sessions while we are together.  It was really good to be with President.  It is also really nice because Sister Rust always feeds us great food.  I love being at the mission home.

  We were gone a lot last week and when we got back we set up a meeting with Alexandera.  We went to pick her up so that we could take her with us tothe Pococks house.  When we got there she let us in and told us that she had to go to the dentist because all of her teeth have fallen out on the bottom (except for one).  She was in a lot of pain so we told her that we would call her in a couple of days.  We have a meeting with her tonight so we will see how things are going with her. 

  Elder Riddle and I were very blessed this week.  We found two new investigators.  The first one is Marina.  She is about 24 adn she is way nice.  We called her last week and she wanted to meet.  So we met her in the mall. I asked her if we could sit down and talk. She said yes and we followed her up the stairs into a sushi bar/night club.  Ha luckily it was during the day so we didn't run into any problems.  We talked for about an hour and she said that she wants to meet again so we are going to give her a call today.  The other new investigator is Alex.  He was a former investigator.  We met him at a restaurant and we talked to him about the Holy Ghost.  We asked him if he wanted to start meeting with us again to prepare for baptism. He said yes! We are way pumped.

  Lately I have been reding the book "Jesus the Christ"  I read it when I was in Kurgan and I have decided to read it again.  It is such a great book because it just gives so many facts that Jesus really is the Christ. I have learned so much about our Saviour and about His life.  I am so grateful that we have the New Testament.  That book is a treasure and we are blessed to have it.  I am so grateful for the concept of prayer.  I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have the oppurtunity to pray to my Father in Heaven.  It is so crazy to think that someone like Him who has created planets without ends, universes, and so many other things,knows all of us individually. He knows our names, he knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows our potential and who we can become.  All that he aks us to do is to talk with him.  Give it a try, just talk to him and tell him everything.  You will soon come to feel His love more and see His hand more in your life. I promise. 

  Thank you everyone for your emails.  I look forward every monday to see how everyone is doing.  I am so blessed to have a great support system back home.  Thank you everyone and I love you so much.

 

Hey mom I was wondering if I could get something warm to cover my head this winter.  I have been to the market and have looked around.  I think I have found the one I want.  It is about $30.  Would it be ok to get it? Also I am wanting to send a package home to you guys of random stuff I have collected.  That is also going to cost about $30.  Just let me know next email what you think. Love you.

 

Elder Flitton

September 24, 2012

Dear Family,

It is good to hear that everyone had a great week. Katie that is so cool that you were able to go to Home coming. You look so beautiful in your picture. Tell me more about your date. I would like to see a picture of him .

Beau thanks for the email. Sounds like life is going well and that it is keeping you busy. Tell the family that I say hello.

Hey Chan could you tell Kevin congratulations with his mission call. Ask him what mission in Ukraine. I had a feeling that he was going to be called Russian speaking. That is so great, made my day.

Well last week was a very eventful week. We went across the river to Zakamkc, a small little city that is in our area. We decided to go visit the members that are over there. Well all of them were less active. So we had a plan to meet with all of them and see how they are oding and then invite them to come back to church. Well as we knocked on the first door this lady opened it. She said “what do you want”. We told her that we were the missionaries and she said “so”. We then asked her how she was and she said “Great” and then slammed the door on us. It was really sad. I thought about putting my foot in the door so it wouldn’t shut but the doors here are really big and heavy. It was really sad to see what kind of shape people are in when they ignore the church and everything.

This last week Elder Riddle and I were able to find a new investigator. His name is Ferdinand and he is from some country that I have never heard of. He speaks English so that really helps for Elder Riddle. He is really excited about that. I remember my first English lesson, it didn’t happen until my third transfer. It was a great experience that I will never forget. This last week we went on splits with the zone leaders so I didn’t have the chance to meet with him. Tonight we are meeting with him and we are way excited.

So my miracle from last week was that I called a former investigator that I taught in June. Her name is Natalia. We stopped meeting with her because she moved to another city for the summer. So last week I gave her a call and she was so excited to hear from us. We had a meeting with her and we got a baptism date with her. It is for the 20^th of October. We were so happy for her. I pray that as we teach her that she will feel the Holy Ghost and that she will be ready for the 20^th.

As time flys by I find myself thinking a lot about the beginning of my mission. I think of how I felt when I entered the MTC. I remember so clearly when I had a 17 hour flight and the flight attendant that I gave a Book of Mormon to. I think about my first day in Kurgan and how cold it was. I think of Ivan and Vera that I baptized. It is just so bizarre that, that was 1 full year. It is really to weird to think that I only have 1 more of those left. It honestly scares me to think about the finish. I have set some goals that I want to accomplish in this final year of my mission. I know that they will definitely make me stretch but I know that the Lord is with me. He has been with me ever since. I know that as we set goals in our lives we become more organized and more successful. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to serve here in Yekaterinburg mission. I love it with all of my heart. I wouldn’t trade anything for it.

Thank you family for everything and thank you to everyone that has sent me mail/email. I love and need the support. I love you all.

Elder Flitton

August 2012

August 6, 2012

Dear Family,

 

  How is everyone doing?  The summer is winding down and it is back to school.  I can't believe that it is already August.  As I said before, Time sure does fly when you are having fun.  I just want to say this mission is so fun.  Yah I experience a lot of rejection and little success but I am in Russia.  I am living amongst a people who is so rich in culture.  I get to wake up everyday and just have to worry about missionary work, and that isn't even that bad.  Being here has been such great. I have made so many great experiences and have made so many great friends.  I love it here and to be honest I can't picture anymore going home.  This is my new home and I love it here. I can't believe that my companion is going home in two days.  Trying to think about me and being in that situation is just not possible.  I am so grateful to be able to have more time to serve.

  Well President Rust came to Perm this weekend.  He was there for Zone class on Saturday.  He talked to us about the goal we set as a mission for baptisms.  We are a little behind on our goal but he reassured us that it is possible to accomplish this goal.  After class my mind reflected a lot on the number of 91 (that is our goal for the mission).  It still weighs on my mind right now.  There is something special about that number to me.  It just isn't a normal goal that this mission set.  It is a sacred number for those of us in the mission.  Lately I have been trying to strengthen my faith. I came across a scripture in the Book of Mormon the other day ago, 1 Nephi 7:12. I love how it says that the Lord is able to do all things, only according to our faith is that power manifested though.  Let's be faithful to him so that we can see the Salvation of the Lord at work.  I know that as we set goals in life we must water them with faith as it says in Alma 32.  We must take our desires before God and plead to him for His divine help. The Lord is a merciful God. He love us and He will strengthen us.

  News on Alexandera. We haven't been able to get a hold of her.  We will try to meet with her this week and find out if she has the desire to be baptized and come into the fold of God.  We feel that she just isn't progressing and that we could use our time better and more effective.  This week we will know wether or not to continue to teach her or not.

  This week Elder Bybee boards a plane back to America.  Him and I are getting on a train tomorrow morning going to Yekaterinburg.  I will say goodbye to him and then I will pick up my short term missionary at the train station.  His name is Andrei and he lives in Yekaterinburg. I will only serve with him till the end of the transfer.  I am very excited to be able to work with a native.  I pray that this will be a good learning, and growing experience for me.

  Thank you for all of your emails.  I love you all so very much.  Jen here is a shout out to you..   HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!  sorry it is a couple of days late. Hope you had a great one.  Love you all

Elder Flitton

 

 QA time

 

Jen

Did you enjoy mill hollow?  I loved it.  Probably one of the only memories I have of sixth grade. Well not the only one. But I really enjoyed it.

How is the Russian singing? I love to sing in Russian.  I don't have the greatest voice but the words just get to me ha.

 

Grandpa

Do you work on both sides of the city? Yes our area covers the city across the river. We don't go over there very much. Maybe like 2 times a month.  Speaking of that I need to go over there soon.

 What is the weather like? This last week it has been perfect. Around the 80s

 Home teaching? Yes they try there best here.  It is still very small though.

 

Grandma Arlene

I got your package!!! Thank you so verymuch.  You guys are the greatest. One of the greatest packages I have gotten yet.  It meant so much to me.  I also was able to do the chicken dance.. It was great! I love you.

 

Grandma Crystal

Thank you so much for the birthday money.  I am so grateful for your kindness.  I love you and miss you so much. Thanks again grandma you are so awesome.

 

Mom

I got my coat.  Thank you so much for letting me get it.  It is very nice.

 

I am out of time on the computer so sorry I wasn't able to anwser all questions. I love you all

AUGUST 13, 2012

Dear Family,

  How is everyone doing?  Thank you for all of the great Birthday packages.  I opened them...ha I couldn't wait.  Thank you so much for all of the American candy.  My companion loves them.  He has fallen in love with the butter mints.  My companion is a small guy but my goal is to puff him up before he goes home.  So when I make dinner I make extra for him.  He loves it. I have made him Chicken burritos, American Pancackes, stir fry, BBQ chicken pizza and some other great food.  He has fallen in love with all of it.  Everyday I have him weigh himself. He as gained 1kg so far...haha.
  Well it was really tough to say good bye to Elder Bybee.  He was probably one of my most favorite companions.  The couple of days after were really hard to get used to.  It was really weird feeling to have him not here.  We got a long so great.  I miss him so much. But my new companion Elder Кирдяпкин he is so great.  I had a very long conversation with him on the train ride back to perm.  It is good that I am speaking 100% Russian all the time. I love it and look forward to it every day.  He is doing great btw. He loves to do missionary work.  He was a little apprehensive to contact people on the street but after the sixth or seventh rejection he was fine.  We have found a lot of success on the street lately.  We have found 2 new investigators, Maxim and Tatiana.  They are very nice people and they are very prepared for the gospel.  We had a meeting with them last Saturday adn they said they would read and pray.  I love missionary work.
  Last week was a very busy week for Elder Andrei and I.  It felt like we were always doing something and always in a hurry. You grow to love that as a missionary.  He was exhausted every night we came home, I love it.  Elder Andrei is learning really quick how to do missionary work and what the life of a missionary is really like.  It isn't easy and he has felt it.  I have tried my best to keep his spirits us when we aren't have that much success. He is trying his hardest and I love to see that.  He is such an inspiriation to me. I try to learn as much as I can from him everyday.  To be honest there isn't a language barrier between us.  Sometimes he uses some crazy words but that just helps me out. I have to ask him to sometimes use easier words but it helps me more when he talks normal.  I have asked him to be patient with me and he is 101% patient. I love him.
 Well this week I get to go on my visa trip. I leave on Friday to finland. I am so excited.  Mom and Dad could you put some money in my account so I can go to TGI Fridays for my birthday and indulge myself with a jack daniels hamburger and a strawberry shake haha. I love you.  I will be sure to take some pics of Finland.
 All is going well here.  I can't believe that I am going to be 20 on Friday.  Then next month I hit my year mark.  The time is going to fast for me. I am already half way done with my mission almost.  It scares me. I love this place to much to think about going home in the future. It gives me the chills.
 Thanks for all of your emails and thanks for the birthday stuff.  I needed them. I love you all so much. Thank you for all of the love and support.

QA
Grandma- No I haven't taught him the chicken dance yet.  Tonight though haha.
Yes we have gotten a hold of Alexandera and we are meeting with her on tuesday.
My companion doesn't speak a lick of english.
Russians are intrested if they get gold medals ha.  They only talk about the gold medal Russians ha.

Grandpa-
The street is called Bochaneenava

Karen, Steven
It sure is good to hear from you guys.  It sounds like you have had quite the summer.  I will get a letter off to you this next week about my experiences here in Russia.  Thanks for the Email, You guys are awesome, I love you.
Kace and Jordan
Thanks for the email.  Love the pictures.  You are going to be a mommy!!! I cant wait to get photos. I will wait patiently ha.  I love you guys and wish you luck with life. Love you.

Chan
I got your birthday package!! I haven't opened it yet because you said to wait.  It is sitting in the corner of the closet so I am not tempted to open it.  It has been really hard ha. Thanks for the package. I love you.

Mom
I got your packages. Thank you so much. Those white shirts were much needed, and the socks.  Btw thanks grandma and grandpa for the socks.  My old socks were kind of getting a little nasty.

Thanks again for all that you do for me.  I love you all.  On my birthday I will be sitting in TGI fridays enjoying a large strawberry shake and a Jack daniels hamburger. Nothing more I could ask for ha.

Elder Flitton

August 20, 2012

Dear Family,

 

  Well I just want to let you know that I had the best birthday that someone could possibly have in an airport!!!  I went to TGI Friday's twice ha.  Please someone go to TGI fridays and try one of there milkshakes. You will be amazed and your mind will be blown.  I had my mind blown 3 times... Yah that's right.  I had a great birthday in the Moscow airport.  I got to go to all of the perfume stores. I have found my new scent. It is a secret though. I unfortunately can only spray it when I'm in the airport ha.  Also I made friends with the waitress at TGI's.  I told her it was my birthday and she gave me a free small milk shake ha after my second one.  She is now a very dear friend to me haha.

  Well as usual the visa trip kills me.  After four 2 hour flights the last one is pretty rough on you.  But good news I was able to go to Finland and go to the temple there.  When we walked in one of the people at the front desk asked us why we looked so tired. He then said "have you guys been smoking some cheap stuff. They tend to do that in Russia".  It was probably one of the most funniest things that I have ever heard, especially coming from a 70 year old man. The temple was so beautiful and such a great exprience.  I wish I could go there more often. Missionaries that have a temple in there mission are so lucky.  The visa trip was also a great time to reconnect with my buds from the MTC.  Especially Elder King and Lattimer.  It is always good to see and talk with them. I love those guys.

  Oh yah I forgot to mention opening my big birthday package from Chan.  Elder Kerdyapkeen and I had a great time opening it.  We had so much fun with the party hat and the badge and the kazoos.  Thank you so much Chan, Steven, Karen.  Thank you so much for the Ties and the sweet watch. Steven you have great taste in watches.  You can't even guess how many compliments I have gotten. I even got a compliment from the security guy in the Finland airport.  It was so sweet. Thanks again for the great package it made my day. You guys are the greatest. Love you.

  After my visa trip we got transfer calls from President Rust.  My companion will be serving another 6 weeks in the city of Ufa. It was really great to see him pumped to serve in Ufa.  He is so excited.  President then told me what was happenin with me. He said that I will be staying in Perm and that I will be training a new Elder.  When he said that I was in shock. I can't believe that I am training.  I will be going to Yekaterinbur tomorrow with Elder Lattiemer (he is also training) and the next day we will be picking up our missionaries in the Airport. I am so excited.  Right now I still don't know how to feel.  I kind of feel inadequate to be training.  I hope that all will go well these next two transfers. Pleas pray for me ha.

I want to thank everyone that sent me something for my birthday. Thank you especially to Russ and Robin. You guys are so great. Also thank you Pat and Carl for the CD. I got it two days ago. I love it. I listen to it every day. You guys are too kind.  Thank you family for all of the packages and cards. Yah it was tough not being with loved ones on my birthday but I felt your love thousands of miles away. THank you again. 

 Elder Flitton

 

pics

1.My birthday celebration

2.Elder Kerdyapkeen and I

August 27, 2012

Dear Family,

 

  Well another week has come and gone.  I can't believe that next month I hit my year mark.  I am about half way done with my mission.  It is impossible for me to picture myself with only a small amount of time left.  If you can't get the jist, I feel as if I am getting a wake up call.  I still have so much to accomplish being here on a mission.  I have made a rededication of being a missionary and using my time wisely.  I am so thankful for the chapter in Preach my Gospel where it talks about using your time wisely.  I have never planned in my life like I do now.  I remember when they would give you planners in Jr. High. I turned them into paper for art...  I am so grateful that I can set goals and plan how to accomplish them.  As missionaries we set goals everyday. We plan everyday and I like it a lot.  Someone asked a very successful business man who was Mormon, Why are Mormons so successful at business.  He said that for two years you talk to people, you knock on doors and you do that every day.  Not only do you just do it, you plan how to do it.  When I heard that it made me laugh.  Because it is so dang true.

  So last week I had to say goodbye to Elder Kerdyapkeen. It was tough, I loved serving with that kid.  He taught me so much about just enjoying the time that is given to you.  He only had the oppurtunity to serve in Perm for 2 weeks. He wished so bad to stay. We made every second count as we were together.  He is now in Ufa.  I really miss him but I am so glad that he is serving again. He needs it. There is no better place for a young man to be then on a mission (19-26).  Also my English is very bad now.  When you speak Russian for 24 hours it kind of screws up your language.  All of the other missinaries just laugh at me when I try to speak.  Thats alright, I wouldn't mind loosing my English.

  I got on a train last Tuesday to Yekaterinburg and dropped off my companion and then was companions with Elder Lattimer for the day. It was a really fun day.  We walked around the city and got to know Yekat.  We went to the tallest building in Yekat. It was a really cool experience. Then we went to the Temple onthe Blood where the Russian Czar was killed.  There is so much history in that city.  We also got a free tour from this guy.  He wanted to show us around the city. It was awesome.  Later that night we stayed with the assistants and then the next day we went on splits with zone leaders in Yekat.  At about 8pm we went to Presidents and then went with him to the airport.  We waited for our companions to come out of the terminal. It was really exciting.  When I saw my companion I kind of freeked him out ha.  I ran up to him and gave him a huge hug.  He was really tired ha. So my companions name is Elder Riddle.  He is from West Jordan Utah.  He is really funny.  He has a really deep voice and is really goofy. I love him though.  He makes me laugh.  He is so excited to do missionary work.  He just wants to talk to everyone and I think that that is awesome. He really has inspired me.  He is a great companion. We are going to have a great 12 weeks together.

  So we got back to Perm Friday night after two days of training at Presidents.  My companion has really bad Jet lag. He is tired all the time ha.  He isnt letting that get to him though.  We have been trying to get a hold of our investigators.  We got Alexandera and our investigator Sergei to come to church yesterday.  We have a meeting with Alexandera tonight at the Pococks.  This will be my companions first lesson in the mission field.  We are way excited.  We are going to get a baptism date set with her tonigh.  We have a activity this week for our investigators here in Perm.  We are going to watch the movie The Testaments on Thursday. It should be really good. We have been inviting everyone and their dog to it. Hopefully we can get a good showing.

  Well just a little story that happened to us last week.  Well yesterday we decided that we would go out and talk to people until we had to go inside.  We started to talk but we got rejected by everyone.  Felt like everyone that we tryed to stop would just keep walking. We would get "im in a hurry", "not interested", "we are Russian Orthodox", "I already know about you guys", There are so many more. Honestly I was just getting frustrated and discouraged.  I really just wanted to give up and just call it a day but we decided to talk to one more person.  Well that one person was the person that Heaveanly Father wanted us to find.  His name is Maxim and we talked to him for about a half hour. We got his number and he told us to give him a call.  I learned something from that experience.  When the going gets tough you just have to try a little harder.  I know that Heavenly Father knew that I was getting down on myself.  I don't want to do that to myself anymore. I need to understand who I am and the potential that I have.  I think it goes for all of us, not just a missionary.  We need to realize our potential and understand who we really are.  I am a son of my Heavenly Father. I have been called of Him to serve here in Perm.  We all have different callings and we need to realize them.  I have definately been trying to work on that. I know that Heavenly Father blesses those who try their best.

  I just want to say thank you for all of the emails everyone. I love you so much.  I hope that everyone has a good week back at school and everything. Good luck! I love you.

Elder Flitton

July 2012

JULY 2, 2012

Dear Family

How is everyone doing? Love reading all of your emails. It sounds like summer is going great for everyone. It sounds like a hot summer as well. It is pretty hot here in Perm as well. Wearing white shirts and a tie everyday is a killer. I have a pretty bad missionary tan. The funny thing is, is that it gets worse and worse everyday. I can't believe that it is already July. Where did June go. This past month went by so fast. Time on a mission is so crazy. It feels like I have been doing missionary work for my whole life but these past 9 months have flown by so quick. Sorry that probably makes no sense. Time is just going really fast right now.
As you all know we have been living with the zone leaders this past week because the Sisters apartment is being remodeled. We are supposed to move back into our apartment by the 6th, but it is a Russian remodel so you never know when it is going to be done. Hopefully soon... I miss our apartment, it is so much nicer than the zone leaders.
            Wow this last week was a very busy week. Elder Oneill and I are exhausted every night when we come home. We have been working a lot lately with our investigator Alexandera. She is 84 and it is reallly hard to get her to come to church. That is the main thing that we are struggling with her. She is so great. She makes me laugh everytime I talk to her. Also our investigator Slava isn't doing that well. He isnt's progressing towards baptism. He is really hard to teach. He just has no respect for the missionaries and doesn't want to do anything that we ask him to do. But President wants us to keep working with him and try and see if we can get him ready for baptism. So we are trying our best with him.
           This last week was so great. We met a man on the street a couple of weeks ago named Ben. He called us on Saturday and wanted to come to church. Ben is Nigerian and is going to school right now here in Perm. We were so excited to get his call. We met him yesterday at the bus stop next to the church and took him to the services. He was so excited to be there. He speaks a little bit of Russian so the members were way excited about that. After church we met with him and another Nigerian named Michael who is a member. It was one of the most spiritual meetings that I have ever had. We gave him a English Book of Mormon and told him to read it. He was so pumped to start to read it. We shared a few scriptures with him from the Book of Mormon and he loved them. He said "I know that this book is a sign from God, telling me that I have found Jesus." I love black people. But it was so true what he said. People really can come to know Christ through the Book of Mormon. Ben said that when he reads it and meets with us a little bit more he wants to be baptized. When he said that Elder Oneill and I just looked at each other. We were so pumped. He was so ready to hear teh gospel. I know that Ben is a son of our Father in Heaven and that he is searching so hard for truth. I know that the message we have can fill a hole in someone that they knew was never there. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so true, and it is so beautiful. Those who search will find. If a son asks his Father for bread, will his Father give him a rock. Or if he asks for a fish will he give him a serpent. God will give His children anwsers if they desire and sincerely search for them. I am so grateful for Ben and I am so excited to start to teach him.
             So a little news about our investigator Clinton. We were able to have a lesson with him yesterday. He said on the phone that he doesn't think that the Book of Mormon is true and that the church isn't true. So Elder Oneill and I came up with great lesson for him about how the Bible prophecies about the Book of Mormon.                We went into the meeting with some great scriptures from the bible and some ideas on how we can teach Clinton so that he understands. We had a great lesson with Clinton. He said that he will pray about the things that we taught him and that he will give us a call soon. I know that Clinton knows that the church is true and that the Book of Mormon is true. The only problem is that he hears and sees stuff on the TV and the internet and stuff from friends. It really is sad that there is so much stuff out there that bags on the church. I feel that that is Satan working his hardest so that people wont join the church. If people would just not listen to others and try for themselves the promise in the Book of Mormon, I know that they would know for themselves that it was true and that the church is true. It is sad sometimes to see people who get to caught up on what others have to say about the church and the Book of Mormon.
         Well I just want to thank all of you for your emails. Want to thank you for your love and support. I am doing great here in Perm. I love this place. The people here are great. I love the Russian people. I hope that all of you have a great week and hope that the heat doesn'tget to you. And oh yah.... HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! enjoy those fireworks and hotdogs.

Q A time
Aunt Jen
1. How is being 100% obedient? It is hard but I know that it is the thing that i need to do. I know that the Lord will bless those that try there best.
2.Do you like getting photos? I love and need photos
Dad
1. Do they shoot off fireworks a lot? They love fireworks on New Years Eve.
2. Big celebrations? They love New Years, May 9th (day they won ww2)
3.Playing Bball? Not as much as I did in Kurgan. It is hard to find Bball courts here.
4.Staying in shape? Trying my hardest....
Mom
1. Recieve package? No not yet hopefully soon \though
2.HOw was the Baptism? It was so great. She was so happy to be baptized. It was so great to see.
3. Does Russia do anything on the 4th? No mom, the 4th is an American holiday.... I love you ha
Grandpa
I just want to say thank you so much for your emails. I really enjoyed those quotes that you put in. You are so great Grandpa. I can't wait to get back and go golfing with you. I miss spending time with you. Love you Gramps
Grandma
1. How hot does it get int he summer? Hot enough for people to take their clothes off.... and they do.
Chan
1. How do you feel about 9 months? It is so crazy that I am almost about to hit my half way mark. Time is flying
2.HOw is living witht the zone leaders? It is a hoot. I love them. Elder Hronek is my zone leader so it is nice to be with him again. we are having a party.
3.Anything about transfers? nothing
4.Can you believe that Steven is 50? Nope that is mind bottling... I miss your dad so freeking much. Tell him happy birthday for me and that I would love an email from him telling me sport stats and news ha. Also tell your mom that I say hello and that i miss her too



July 9, 2012

Dear Family,
         It sure was nice to read all of your emails. Sounds like everyone had a very enjoyable 4th of July. For the fourth of July Elder Smith and I opened his smoked Salmon that had been dry packaged from one of his packages that he got. It was sooo good. It was so nice to taste fish again. We also sang the Toby Keith song they always play at the fireworks. It was a great fourth of July for being in Russia.
           Well the new transfer starts this week. I will be getting a new companion once again... I will be with Elder Bybee. Elder Bybee goes home in four weeks so I have the chance to "kill him" (being with a companion for his last transfer). A transfer is 6 weeks so for the last two weeks I will be getting a Russian companion. I am so excited for this next transfer. I get to be with the oldest missionary in the mission and then I get a Russian. I am so excited. I am going to work so hard this next transfer and my Russian is going to sky rocket...Iam so pumped.
         It was a pleasure to serve with Elder Oneill. He is a great missionary. We saw so many miracles in our companionship. He taught me so much about missionary work. I love how you can learn so much from a companion. I will definately miss Elder Oneill. He will be serving in Ufa with my old companion from the MTC, Elder King.
          This last week has been quite the week. We had a ton of meetings with people. Our schedule was packed every day. I love it when you look at your planner and it shows that you have a full day. Elder Oneill and I got work done last week. We had so many meetings that we had to go on splits with the zone leaders sometimes so that we could make it to all of our meetings. It was great.
            So our investigators are doing great. We were able to meet with Ben twice this week. He is doing so great. He loves the Book of Mormon with all of his heart. He said that the Book of Mormon pretty much clarifies what is said in the Bible. The man spoke truth. My testimony has grown so much with jsut meeting with Ben. He is awesome and is on the right path. Our next investigator is Clinton. We haven't been able to get a hold of him lately but our last lesson with him was awesome and we are still hoping that he will pick up his phone and have time to meet with us. Our next investigator is Calvin. We met him last week and taught him 1 lesson. He wants us to read the Book of Mormon with him. So we planned every day that he has time we will come to him and read with him. WE are way excited about Calvin. And finally we have Nana... He is a former investigator and we met with him last night. HE is married and just wants good morals for his family. We told him there is no better help than the Book of Mormon. He agreed and we have decided that we will try to meet with him as much as possible. Well all of those investigators that I talked about are all from Nigeria! We have a huge apartment building in our area where all the foreigners live so that they can go to school here. I love Nigerians. They are so humble and there faith in Christ is incredible. THere lifes are so hard and it is so inspiring every time to meet with one of them. I love all of our Nigerian investigators and I want to help them come closer to there Father in Heaven. That antedote is the Book of Mormon. Please pray for these Nigerians.
         So as you can see we are quite busy here in Parkovy Perm. I am so grateful for this oppurtunity in my life right now to learn how to work hard every day. If you don't work hard on your mission, there is no way to enjoy your mission. I am so grateful for all of the life lessons that I am learning right now. They say that a mission is "The best two years of your life" but I feel that it is "The best two years FOR your life". I am so grateful for having the chance to serve a mission.
        I read a talk this morning during my studies that I really enjoyed. It is by Elder Holland. He said that downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment or a moment of recognition is not the way to live. Be kind and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live. I love that. Being jelaous is a worldwide feeling. I know that in my life I have felt it and it is the worse feeling. This is one of the things that I am working on righ now is to always be happy for others. This life isn't a race of who has the most money, or who drives the nicest car or who is more beautiful. This life is a race to make it back to our Father in Heaven. When we do what is right and when we are obedient the Lord blesses and we become victorious at the end of the race. The great thing about this race is that there is no First place or second place or even last place. All have the oppurtunity to take the Gold. Those who understand the Gospel are the ones who get the gold medal. That should be our race and our main focus. Elder Holland also said "The thing that God enjoys the most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and often feel they don't deserve it." We have a merciful Father in Heaven and he wants all of his children to finish the race and to recieve that Gold medal. It is not an easy race though, but it is possible to cross the finish line.
        Thank you again for all of your emails. I love you all. I want to say that the Lord is blessing each and every one of you. I can tell through your emails and letters. Once again Thank you.

Elder Flitton

July 16, 2012

Dear Family,

How is everyone doing? This past week sounds like everyone is staying quite busy. Grandma I hope that you are feeling better. Please be careful! Katie good luck with your wisdom teeth. I hope that Jessica can take care of you. Jess all the best to you :). Sorry I didn't anwser questions last time. Every week I am allowed to write a letter home and then to President Rust. My letter to President Rust was a little longer than I expected. I promise that I will anwser questions at the endof this email.
           Well Wednesday I got my new companion Elder Bybee. We also moved back into our apartment. HOOORAY!!! I was at the Zone leaders apartment for about two weeks. There apartment was very tiny so it was a good thing that we all like each other. Honestly it was kind of weird moving back. I miss the zone leaders ha. Elder Bybee are now back in our are and we are getting back to work. Elder Bybee actually started his mission in the area that we are in right now. So he now he gets to end his mission here. Way crazy. Elder Bybee is from California, somewhere in the north, I forget the name of it. He went to the U for 1 year and is planning to go back. It is nice to have a companion that is a Ute and not a cougar. Unfortunately Bybee isn't that into sports, but he will be after these four weeks. Elder Bybee and I clicked really fast. We are getting along great and we are really enjoying our time together. I am really excited to be able to work with him. I am going to try my hardest to learn as much from him as possible.
          Well we have a baptism date for the 4th of August for Ben! Ben is the greatest/easiest investigator that i have ever taugh on my mission so far. He is in love with the Book of Mormon and loves every meeting that we have. He loves it when we reference scirptures from the Bible and then refrence them from the Book of Mormon. He has such a strong faith. Last week he told us pretty much his life story. It was a really sad story. To hear all of the things that he has gone through and still be the person he is today is inspiring. He is a huge inspiration to me. We are so excited to teach him more about the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation. He falls in love with everything we teach him. Ben has been prepared by God to hear the Gospel at this point in his life. You can see it because he is in agreence with everything we teach him. It reminds me of the scripture, "the wicked take the truth to be hard". Ben is the total opposite of that. I love Ben and I am so glad that he has shown the faith to know wether what we are teaching him is true. Elder Bybee and I have a new saying whenever we don't know what to do. "What would Ben do" The man is a miracle.
          Thank you mom and dad for being great examples to me. Katie and Anna, please listen to Mom and Dad. How hard that can be sometimes it is so worth it. What they say to you will be the best advice that anyone could give you. We are so blessed to have mom and dad and we need to show them more love. Please do everything you can to show mom and dad that you really care and that you really love them. I could have done a better job at that when I was home. Don't make the same mistake. Listen to them, please.
          I want to thank Grandma and Grandpa for always being there for me. You guys are my heros and I love you so much. Jen keep doing what you are doing. Your testimony is so strong, thank you for that. Also to all of the cousins, I love you all and am so thankful for all of you. Thank you for all of the good times. I have so many great memories. Garett you are a stud. Thank you for your emails. I love you and can't wait to get home and spend time with you. You are going to be a great missionary. Keep being strong.
        Chan thank you for all of the emails and all of the letters that you have sent. You are such a great friend and I cherish our friendship. You are such a great example to me and I love you for that. Thanks for always being there for me. Tell your family that I say hello and that I miss them.
Well I thought I would just throw out some thanks. I love you allI amso grateful for being a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It truly is a honor. I love this Gospel and I love this work that I am doing.

PS Mom and Dad would it be ok if I bought a Russian coat for the fall. It is like the Calvin and Klein coat. The CK coat is broken, i have taken it to repair places but they say they cant fix the zipper on it. It would be great to get a new one. They arent that expensive as well. It would be awesome for me to get one. I just want to ask and get permission to.

QA time-
Grandpa-
Do you know Perm now? Yes I have gotten down the streets and all the buses.
What is Perm like? Perm is a really big city. One of the biggest rivers in Russia runs through it. They have a lot of city festival things. It is a very modern city. THey have a MCds and a KFC. They have a bunch of movie theaters. They have a ton of shopping here. They have a huge bus system here and also a trax system. We are on them everyday. It is very muggy in the summer. These last coulple of weeks have been really hot. 

Is perm a clean city? Yes it is a very clean city. They put a lot of focus on having clean streets.
Is perm Green? So green. It is so beautiful here. 

Trout fishing? I haven't seen any trout here. They catch some pretty word looking fish here.
Do theyhave a licsene to fish? Probably not
Mom-
Have you gotten any of our packages? Nope I havent gotten any yet. 

Dad-
How do you like Perm compared to Kuran? I miss kurgan a lot. But I love Perm, it is a huge city. I miss the small city of Kurgan. I would rather want to serve in a smaller city than in a big city. 

Have you gone to any sporting events? Nope
Chan 

HOw is Nana doing? We haven't been able to get a hold of him. But we are going to still keep trying. He is reallybusy, he is in school for medicine. We aren't giving up on him. Right now he only has a wife. No kids yet.

July 23, 2012

Dear Family,
          How is everyone doing? I sure did enjoy reading your emails this week. Katie I hope that you are feeling better and that mom is giving you Pain killers ha. I can't believe that the 24th is tomorrow. It feels like the 4th was just yesterday. Time on the missioin is so crazy. July is flying by so fast. There are so many things happening in my mission right now. I am just trying to take it step by step.
         Well Ben's baptism isn't going to happen. He told us last week after we set a baptism date with him that he is illegal here in Russia. He doesn't have a visa and he is just living here with some friends. So we called President Rust and asked him what to do? He said that Ben can't be baptized unless he has a visa here in Russia and is legal or he goes back to Nigeria. Elder Bybee and I prayed really hard that the next meeting that we were going to have with him, all would be ok. The meeting didn't go the way we were hoping for. He was so distraught that he couldn't be baptized because he wasn't legal. We tried our best to describe to him what he needs to do so that he can be baptized. I felt so unqualified because i'm only 19 and I'm giving advice to someone who is older than me. I am not going to lie, I was really nervous. During that meeting I felt the spirit come over me and I bore powerful testimony to him about the Gospel and how we have to do hard things in our life. I have never felt the spirit like that when I was testifying to him before in my life. He sat there in silence after I got done and told me that he is going to need some time to think about what he needs to do. I haven't heard back from Ben yet, but I know that the Lord is giving him the anwser that he needs to go back to Nigeria and make ammends with his parents. I don't care if I'm not able to baptize him. What I want for Ben is for him to do what he needs so that he can be baptized in the future. I know that the gospel and the lessons that we have taught him have had a powerful effect on him. Ben met us so that he could get his life straight with his family and then be baptized in to the only true church on this earth.
       There is a purpose for everyone here on this earth. When we introduce the gospel to our lives that purpose becomes more solid and more clear. That is our main focus on earth is to find that purpose of why we are here? And where are we going? The gospel of Jesus Christ that was restored through Joseph Smith anwsers all those questions. I love in PMG where it says that the Restoration appears as like a Diamond on Black velvet. The world right now is a dark place. People are becoming more wicked everyday but the diamond (the gospel) shines so bright against the world.

       I am so grateful for all of you and the love and support that you show me. I need it so much. Thank you for all that you do for me.
Elder Flitton

QA
How are the libraries in Perm?
-They are really nice. Not very many people go to them so it makes a great spot to do email. The librarians are mostly elderly people but they are really nice. I met a member whose wife works at a library herein Perm. I told him that I have a grandpa that works at a library back in the states. He thought that was so cool.
Mom\Dad
About the coat... I havent gone looking yet but is should only be about 3000 rubles which is about $100 but just in case could you put extra money in my account if it is more. I plan on going looking next week so I will let you know next email. You should just put the monye in the account because I might go soon.
How is companion?
We are doing great. I love elder Bybee. Me and him are like two pees in a pod. It is the greatest experience when you and your companion have a great relationship. I am so grateful to be with him right now.

July 30, 2012

Dear Family,
      It has been quite the week. We have had some ups and downs this week but it has been a great week. The weather has not been treating us to well. It rained about every day last week. Now it has stopped and it is very cold. We got lucky on monday and were able to go to the zoo for P-day. It was really fun. The hogle zoo is so much better but this zoo you can get so much closer to the animals. All there is between you and the Tiger is bars and then a chain link fence. I could even put my finger through it and touch it but I didn't so no worries. To my suprise they had a lot of great animals there. The only thing that I was a little upset about was that they didn't have a butterfly enclouser. But I lived and was able to go to the petting zoo where I got to touch a goat. I would prefer to be with butterflies though.
        This last week was the 24th and the church wants everyone around the world to celebrate it. So our branch had a little picnic up in the hills ha. It was really fun, the weather held up so that was a good thing. It was funny to see Russians celebrating Pioneer day. The senior couple taught them how to square dance...that was a hoot. We then had cornbread and beans ha. We then played the stick game that Joseph Smith was really good at. It was just a really good time. We were able to strengthen our relationship with the ward members and have fun. I really have grown to love the saints here in Russia. They are a very special people and I feel honored that i have the oppurtunity to be able to serve around them. I especially love the members here in Perm. They go through so much living here in Russia. They are so strong and have the strongest testimonies. My testimony has grown so much by being around them. I love them so much.
           So I got news that I will be getting a new companion in a week after Elder Bybee goes home. I will only have the oppurtunity to serve with him for only two weeks but that is ok. His name is Andrei and he lives right now in the city of Yekaterinburg. I am so pumped to have a native companion. I can't wait for him to get here so my Russian can get better ha. I am really sad to see Elder Bybee leaving. He is doing a really good job right now. He isn't letting the fact that this is his last week of being a missionary effect him. He has been focused and I am very thankful for that. We have been going around town lately and searching for souvenirs for him. It has been really hard not to buy some souvenirs ha. It is getting me excited for when the time comes that I get to buy souvenirs ha. But nonetheless we are having a great time together. We have been working our butts off to get as much meetings as possible. I am so grateful for Elder Bybee, he has taught me so much so far. He is a great missionary.
         So today for P-day we are going to the Planatarium here in Perm. We are way excited. After we have a lesson with our investigator Alexandera in the park. We gave her a baptism date for the 18 of August. She said that she wasn't sure so we told her to pray and think about it. We are very anxious for this meeting because we are going to set in stone the date for the 18 with her.
         Also another fun little thing Elder Bybee and I did last week was that we helped a ward member on his Dacha(a little cabin with a huge garden). Russians love to garden. They all have a little country house where they go to in the summer. It is probably on of the most popular thing to do here in the summer. It was a really fun experience and I was so amazed how beautiful it was. He had so many different kind of vegetables and fruits and all different kinds of flowers growing. It was so awesome. After we got done doing some service he treated us to his garden. We had a feast of vegetables. That was definately the most healthy lunch that I have ever had in my life. I ate a couple of cucumbers and some green peppers and some really big tomatos. It was just a great oppurtunity to help on the дача and do some service.

So lately I have been working on the Christlike attribute charity and love. I feel that when I have more love for people and my companion I better enjoy the work. When I love someone that doesn't show love to me, it is easier to keep my head up. To have love for everyone is very difficult. The Savior and our Father in Heaven knew that it would be hard for us to love perfectly but they also knew that when love is shown the spirit manifests itself more strongly. That is why God and Jesus Christ want us to love everyone. When we love everyone we have a better outlook on life. President Uchtdorf said it perfectly "When we truly understand what is means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align". I have a strong testimony that when we love others, our love for God increases. God doesn't need us to love him, but oh how we need to love him. I know that God loves all of us and when we show love to others, that love that God has for us increases. President Uchtdorf also said "For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are, and who we will become." Let's show a little more love to others. Let's always keep in mind that when we try our best and try to love perfectly we ourselves become stronger and become more like God. I know that some day it will be possible for all of us to become like God and have the joy and peace that he enjoys. There is nothing more that I look forward than to be able to live with my family, my future family and friends with our Heavenly Father and His Son. I love you all and I am so thankful for all that you do for me. Thank you for the support and for the love. It is felt thousands of miles away.
Elder Flitton

QA time
Aunt Jen
Do you still have a camera? Yes i do
New pictures? I will send some right now. I am sorry it is just very difficult to send pictures here on these computers here in the library.
Grandpa
How is the Weather in Perm? It was very cold and rainy this week. Now it is starting to get sunny and warm up a little. 

Is your apartment in downtown Perm? Yes it is on Pushkeena 109 (пушкина 109) next to the Рынок.
Are you close to the river? Yes, we are about a 15 minute walk from there.
Do you hear about Kurgan? NO not a lot, unfortunately. 

When do you go on your visa trip? About the 20th of August. Very soon, I am very excited. I hope your talk went well BTW.
Grandma
We are allowed to teach everyone. We just have to make sure they are legal here so that they can get baptized.
No most of them have visas here for school.
How do we find investigators? Talking to people on the street. Getting names from members.
Mom
How is ben doing? We had a meeting with him last week. He couldn't get over the fact that we couldn't baptize here in Russia because he is not legal. We told him that if he wanted to get baptized here he would have to get legal adn get a visa. Or he would have to go back to Nigeria and get baptized there. He said that he isn't going to go back to Nigeria. He shook our hands, gave us back his Book of Mormon and left.
I finally got your package. Thank you so much for everything inside of it. You are the best. And tell Pat and Carl that I got there package and that I love the book. They are so great people. Thank them for me and give them a hug and say that, that is from Elder Flitton.
Dad
Did you make some new contacts this week? Yes we called this guy named Sergei and he has been taught befor by missionaries but he is really excited to meet again. We asked him why he wasn't baptized. He said that being a member is a lot of responsibility. We asked him if he would prepare to be baptized and he said that he would give it a try. He is a very nice guy.
How is President Rust? He is doing great. Did you know that if you serve as a mission president here in Russia you only serve for a two years. There is to much work that you do so they limit it only to two years.
When is the next zone conf? It will be in October or the end of September.
How is the language? It is getting a lot better. It is really easy now to understand and talk. Now I just have to expand my vocabulary so it is not just the simple vocab. I want to exceed at this language and do something with it when I get home. I don't want just a missionary vocab, I want to learn this language.
Chan 

Are the Russians excited about the olympics? They arent that excited about the summer olympics ha. They just can't wait for the winter olympics in Sochi. I can't wait either ha. 

Thought I would end this email with a shout out to Grandpa
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope that you have a great birthday today. I love you thanks for being the greatest grandpa.