Update!

Greetings from Russia
How is everyone doing? Hope all is going well back in Salt Lake. Things here in Kurgan are going great. Got some news from the Kurgan branch... We have a baptism date for our investigator Evan on the 28th and then we have a investigator that wants to be baptized in a couple of weeks, we just have to teach him some more. The work in Kurgan is starting to explode. Egor is the one that wants to be baptized. We are way pumped about our two investigators who want to be baptized. Our other two investigators Victor and Alicia we are still working witht them and doing our best to help them progress. Victor is doing a great job, it will just take more time than the others. Also do you remember that stroy about the grandma that we saved from the ice a couple of weeks ago. She wants to be baptized. So we need to contact her and start teaching her. Heavenly Father is definately working in Kurgan and I love it. Well that is about all the info for our investigators.
We had some funny incidents this last week. I got my first up close experience with a drunk man the other day ago. We were walking to one of our appointments and this guy was covering his friend who was peeing on the wall... there is Kurgan for you ha. But the man yelled "hey you americans" he ran over to us and started talking non sense to us. He started hugging me and telling me that he was an angel and a prophet. Strange I know but I just listened to him and went along with it. I played the drunk game with him where they look at you and you slowly start to lean and they follow you and they eventually fall over. I started to do it and he started to lean but then I thought to myself if he did fall he probably wouldn't be able to get back up haha, so I didn't. This guy was speaking non sense and he kept grabbing my coat and wanting me to follow him somewhere. I told him that I had a meeting but he didn't care ha so I eventually pushed him off of me and walked away, he started yelling at us but I had no idea what he was saying. It was definately an experience that I will never forget.
We had a potential investigator this last week who wanted to meet with us. He wanted everything that we taught him to be backed up by the new testament. We did that and we stumped him, he would ask the strangest questions that had no revelance to what we were talking about. We simply told him that in order to know if what we were saying was true he had to read the book of mormon and pray. He said that he wouldn't read it so we simple and very nicely told him that we couldn't meet anymore.
That is about all that went on last week, I was able to go to Yekaterinburg on tuesday and have training with my mission president. I love my miision presdient. He is awesome.
I am so thankful for this oppurtunity to serve a mission here in Russia. I love it and am so thankful for my Heavenly Father and all the guidance that I get from him every day. I know that this message we share with everyone is true. I know it with all of my heart. I love Russia and the people here they are great. Thank you for all the support that I get from back home.

From Russia With Love

Elder Flitton

In an email to Jeff:

"Yah im eating alright. Sometimes i am so hungry and there is no food in the fridge and i get so depressed. We go to the store like every day it feels like to buy food. What can i do, i love food. I love the Russian food. Blene is my favorite, it is Russian panckakes, it is the best. I love palminee also, that is what we had at perrys. It is good. I have had some meals at members, those have been very intresting, sometimes i have no idea what it is, i just swallow it. I haven't gotten sick so that is good. No you can't get a hamburger, it is a bummer.
I haven't heard from my neighbor since that incident so that is good." (The drunk one asking for vodka on New Years)

"The branch is great. I love the members, they are so strong and do all that they can. Life here in Russia tough for people, it is sad to see. We don't live next to our building, it is about a 45 min bus ride so we are kind of out in the bonnies. I enjoy teaching english class. It is funny to see people try and speak english."

Packages have been sent to Russia and letters have been sent to Salt Lake/Logan.

These emails are the best.

Noticing the change and growth in Keaton is the best part of this whole experience.

We are so blessed to have an incredible missionary like Keaton in our lives!

"This work of the lord is indeed great and marvelous, but it moves forward essentially unnoticed by many of mankind's political, cultural, and academic leaders. it progresses one heart and one family at a time, silently and unobtrusively, its sacred message blessing people everywhere."

      - L. Whitney Clayton. "The time shall come", Gen. Con. Oct 2011

update.

Hello Family and friends

Well I survived a Russian New Years. I didnt think that i was going to make it but we did. We had to be in at 4:00 pm on Saturday, we were able to watch it is a wonderful life, if you haven't seen it i would reccomend it ha. We went to bed at ten as usual and were woken up by fireworks. They love their fireworks here. They lit them off all night. And to add to it our neighbour knocked on our door at 2:00am wanting us to go by vodka with him. We didn't open the door and that made him mad so he started banging on our door and trying to get in. It was funny becuase he was so drunk. We told him to go home but that made him furious and he started to shake the door knob haha, then we told him that if he didnt stop we were going to call the police. His wife came out when she heard that and pulled him in their door. We lost about 4 hours of sleep beacuase he kept coming out and banging on our door. People here love their vodka and their New Years celebrating. It is sad to see what addiction can do to people. I feel remorse for these people and feel bad to see how Satan has such a hold on them. But yah that was New Years for me ha.

I have settled into my city. I really enjoy it here, except that it is freezing here. I love the people here, they are the nicest people and are so good to the missionaries. The members are great, we have personality in our branch. We have a member named uri who says he is a super spy and that he works for Obama. He is about 60. Love him. We had 30 people in sacrament meeting the other day. It was so great to see that many people. And two of our investigators came to the meeting. I was stoked. The work is coming along in Kurgan.

Missionary work is very difficult in Russia but it is very rewarding. The people here are very blind and they want truth but they just don't know where to find it. That puts a big responisibility on my shoulders by talking to everyone. That has been one of my goals is to talk to as much people as possible. It is very difficult because my language isnt that great. I can talk to someone and get my point accross but for most of the time i cant understand them when they talk back haha it is quite interesting sometimes. But I know that the Lord will bless me if I do my best.

We have four investigators there names are Victor, Egor, Evan, Alicia. They are great people and are very intrested in learning more. Evan is are closest prospect to being baptized. He is such a humble person and he wants so bad to be baptized. He doesnt have a white shirt or a tie but we are going to buy him a white shirt and then I am going to give him one of my ties. He is a great person and I know that Heavenly Father loves him very much. He loves to recite poetry and he loves to read the Book of Mormon. It is awesome.

Well I cant believe that I have already been in Russia for a month. It is crazy. The time is flying. I am so thankful to be here in Russia serving a mission. I want to thank everyone that has helped me out in one way or the other. Thank you. Well from Russia with love poka poka (bye bye)

Elder Flitton

love love love these emails more and more each week. 

A quick note about Jeff. He has been called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency! There isn't a better man for the job. Love you so much Jeff!!

I hope you all have a great week and are still enjoying the new year!

"The lessons we learn from patience will cultivate our character, lift our lives, and heighten our happiness."

       - Dieter F Uchtdorf  "Continue in Patience" April 2010 Gen. Conf.

             (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING THIS TALK!!!)

I cannot believe that next week will mark the end of Keaton's first month in Russia!! 

I am going to have to back track a bit on this post, I apologize. (And for the wordiness.) 

I guess the easiest way to do this will be to just go in chronological order of the last month. 

        - The phone call from the airport was more than I could have imagined. It was short and sweet, yet full of the Spirit and our Elder Flitton's love and desire to finally be in Russia. He told me about his last week in the MTC and how hectic it was. He was so nervous. Scared. But he was ready. 

        - They made it to the mission home and were beat. This email from President Rust was sent to all of the parents:

Parents,

            I wanted to let you know that each of your sons arrived in Yekaterinburg today and are doing well. We have had them in our home all day today letting them rest and teaching them a little. After dinner tonight most of them could hardly keep their eyes open. Jet lag was setting in really hard with most of them. They are all in bed now and getting their much needed sleep. I hope to send each of you a picture of group tomorrow as we were going to take a picture of them tonight but they were in pretty bad shape by the time we got around to doing it. We will take one in the morning when they are bright eyed and wide awake.

            I want to let you know how grateful we are to have each one of them in our mission. They are each great young men and Sister Rust and I will do everything that we can keep them way. We promise to watch over and protect them while they are away from you and to help them become great teachers and missionaries for the Savior.

Thank you for raising such valiant and worthy young men.

Love,

President Rust

What a sigh of relief that was. Knowing he made it there safe and sound and was getting all settled in. (And even a photo!!!)

The next week's email was just about him getting all settled in and experiencing the culture/language shock. He was holding up, though.

Then it was time for the Christmas phone call.

Craziness.

We knew he was going to call at 7:30 pm his time, which is 6:30 am our time. 

Great.

He is worth it though, right??

After a stressful evening of trying to get the webcam and skype to work on the Flitton's home computer, 6 am rolled around and the waiting game began. 6:30..then 7. We decided to start opening some presents and all of a sudden Christy's cell phone rang. Panic/Excitement set in. I could hear his voice as he was talking to Christy and it was the best feeling ever.

Christy got to talk to her boy and I don't think I have ever seen happier. 

Her first question was, "Are you healthy?" It was cute :)

After a good conversation, the phone was passed to Anna, Katie, and Jeff. 

Jeff and Keaton's relationship is so special. Keaton looks up to him so much and loves him SO much. 

Keaton was telling Jeff the story about his first time teaching a bus FULL of people as they were traveling to wherever they were headed. Keaton's companion, Elder Hronek, said that is usually takes the missionaries a while to be able to do that, but Keat was doing it his first week there. 

I think that surprised everyone the most.

He has gained so much confidence in himself already. Our sweet, shy Keaton is approaching strangers and having full on conversations. I am so proud!

After a few more stories about accidentally ordering liver at the restaurant, and getting kissed on the cheek by all of the babooshkas (grandma's), it was my turn to surprise him!

He didn't know I was there, so when his mom told him she had a surprise for him he replied with "You're pregnant?" haha. Still hasn't lost that funny bone.

It was like he hasn't even been gone. We laughed. I DIDN'T cry. He told me about where he is living and the crazy people he sees on the buses and streets every day. He met a girl on the bus that is studying to be a teacher :) sounded familiar.

It was just a great day. Filled with love and family...and reminiscing on our hour long phone call. I don't think we could have asked for a better Christmas present.

He didn't get to do much for the holiday. Major holidays get pretty out of control in Russia, so they advise the missionaries to stay in their apartments the whole day. He did get to celebrate with some of the branch members, though. And even finished the day with a nice feast...a frozen pizza. Poor boy. (At least it wasn't liver.)

Here is the email to his mom from the day after Christmas:

              It made my day when I was able to talk to you. Im bummed that we couldn't skype but oh well. Next time. I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone, it is crazy to think that I only have one more Christmas in Russia. I'm ok with that because people don't celebrate it here haha. But it was a good experience and a very humbling experience. I hope that Christmas yesterday was good. I miss the family so much. 

              For New Years we have to stay inside because it gets way crazy here. People have seven days after New Years to sober up and get ready to go back to work and everything. Ha it is so funny. We have talked to so many drunk people here. I feel bad sometimes becuase they look like they are going to pass out or something. 

             Haven't really had any promising investigators. Tonight we have a meeting with a guy named victor. We taught him the first lesson and tonight we are going to give him the baptismal commitment. I hope that the spirit will come to him and he will want to get baptized.

Walked around the city today to try and find a place to do email. Everyone does internet and it is so hard to find a place so I got my exercise in today ha. 

             It snowed last night. It is so pretty when it snows cuz it is just white and the dirty black snow gets covered ha but then it gets black the next day ha. Well this should be a good week, a week full of hard work so expect some new investigators in the email next week.

These are photos from his last week in the MTC and his holiday in Russia!!!

There are quite a few randoms in here, but they didn't come with any captions, so they are all up for your own interpretation! enjoy!

The next week, because of the new year, all of the places to go for the internet were shut down. So he only sent a short little note the night before he regularly emails:

            We have many prospects for baptisms. We have a guy whose name is victor and we gave him the first two lessons and he is keeping commitments we still just have to keep teaching him and he needs to receive an anwser for himself. We have a new investigator as of this week, his name is egor and I have a really good feeling about him. Our first lesson went way good with him and we got him to pray on his knees with us. It was awesome, that was the first time that he has ever prayed to his Heavenly Father. We have a meeting with him next week, so i am way pumped about that. We have a girl named alcya and she is not really progressing but we are helping her a lot. She is slowly making progress. We taught a less active family last night and there was a man who came and he isn't a member but he told us that he really wanted to be baptized so that he could live with God and receive eternal salvation so that was way cool to hear that, so we will see where that goes. Our last investigators name is pasha and he has been taught before by the missionaries. He doesn't progress so we just keep teaching him and helping him. 

I love the picture, im glad that my name can be continued and always be remembered by a camel haha.

All is going well here in freezing siberia! Today is new years eve the most celebrated holiday in Russia. It is like mardi gra x 10 ha. We aren't allowed to go outside for the next two days and we have to be in at 4 tonight. So that means I get to relax and make some New Years resolutions. 

Im doing great, I have settled in here in my new home and i love it. I love the people and I especially love the BaBOOSHKAS ha, I got kissed on the cheek yesterday by one haha. I have never felt so loved on my mission before haha.

I love the people here they are so great.

Sounds like he is doing pretty great, right?? 

He is turning into a "Fine, Young Man" (his own words!) haha.

Can't wait to get the family email in another 2 days! Sundays just got even better!

I have yet to receive any letters since he has been in Russia, though. That has definitely been a difficult adjustment to go from a weekly letter to a letter every other month. So at this point, I am very very grateful for technology. And for Christy and Jen who are kind enough to send me the family emails and any emails he sends home! (THANK YOU WONDERFUL WOMEN! :) )

So that is our Elder Flitton, for now. 

More updates and stories coming soon.

Thank you to everyone for all of your support and love!

We definitely know and love the greatest Elder around! :)

"Actions truly do speak louder than words. In fact, actions mean much more to the Lord than words. The Lord declared in the Doctrine and Covenants, "If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments' (D&C 42:29)

-Ensign, 2004

Church Growth in Russia.

Jennifer, Keaton's wonderful aunt, sent this to me and I absolutely love it!

How wonderful to know Keaton is a part of it.

from russia with love.

He made it perfectly clear that his next letter will be sent from Russia with love.

That's right. 

Our sweet Elder Flitton is making his way to RUSSIA tomorrow morning!!

He is undeniably excited and cannot wait to finally get into the field and teach some Russians!

He has had a fantastic last two weeks in the MTC.

He was released as Zone Leader, trained the new zone leader, and started packing all of his things and getting ready for the mother land.

His language, he says, is sufficient. He knows all of the lessons and could recite them in his sleep, but he is mostly nervous about the regular conversations. 

And that is where the Lord comes in. Keat has such undying faith. It is truly inspiring.

His letters have been so great, he has changed. He is definitely becoming a man, and I absolutely love it!

Of course he is the same old Keat we all love so much, and always will be. But if these last two months are any indication of the enormous growth that will take place in the next 22 months, we are all in for a treat!

Please keep Keat and the Elders in your prayers for their safe travels and arrival to Yekaterinburg!

I promise these updates will be more consistent. 

And there may or may not be a post about a certain phone call that happens in just a few short hours :)

"In quiet moments, when you think about it, you recognize what is critically important in life and what isn't. Be wise, and don't let good things crowd out those that are essential."

-Richard G. Scott

2 months has come and gone.

I haven't been doing a very good job at keeping this updated, have I?

It's ok, because the last two weeks were "letter-less" so I didn't have anything to blog about!

BUT, I did receive a surprise at my house last Saturday!

Voice recording, pictures AND a letter!

The voice recording was quite impressive. He spoke in russian the majority of the time. I was lost and had no idea what he was saying except when he would throw my name in there at random times. He has come such a long way with his language! It was incredible to listen to him. He sounds like a completely different person...in a good way, of course. 

I wish I knew what he was saying so I could share it with you guys, but I don't.

All I know is that when he was bearing his testimony, even though I had no clue what he was saying, I knew that he was speaking the truth. Keaton is such an inspiring person. His testimony is so solid and true. He is an outstanding missionary.

All of his roommates gave me a little shout-out.

They are all pretty hilarious guys. I am so happy and relieved that they all get along so well.

On Thanksgiving, they got to participate in a service project. They filled injury/first aide kits. Keaton and his companion were in charge of it for their district. He was excited to do it and knew it was going to be fun!

...no word on how their dinner was though. I will keep you posted.

"This is serious work."

"I have this memorized in Russian!"

"This is a real cute smile."

"He loves me."

They are such good friends

Elder Flitton, Elder Lambert, Elder Holmes, and Elder Zacherl

"I'm so organized."

all of the case endings to all of the russian words. yuck.

Halloween!! Elder Flitton is the Frankenstein

Look at that combover!! What a cutie.

So after my break, I returned to Logan and to my surprise, there was another letter waiting for me!!!

This one had another picture of his whole district, I will scan and share in the next post!

This letter just talked about his temple experiences and more personal experiences that he has had. 

He also talked about being a 4-square champion and how he considers himself one of the elite...oh gosh.

He is teaching for 40 minutes, completely in Russian! He is loving it and gaining more and more confidence!

Last week's devotional was one of the presidents of the Seventy. 

"He talked about the importance of the apostasy. It reaffirmed that this is the true church. God inspired the founding fathers with the constitution so that the church could be established. He inspired Christopher Columbus, Columbus even said that they Holy Ghost  told him to make a voyage to the other side of the world. Satan did all he could to stop the works."
He then tells me the story of Joseph Smith being shot at when he was 13 years old. The bullet barely missed him and shot a cow. No one knows who tried to kill Joseph, but it was definitely Satan.He knew that this would be the boy that would change everything. This church is true. 

 He then bore his testimony. Gets me every time. 

I am so grateful to have a best friend who is so diligent and willing to serve the Lord. 

What an amazing example Keaton is. 

Only two and a half more weeks until he is in RUSSIA!!!!

Ether 12:27

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Drawings.

Like I said, 

I have gotten some pretty entertaining drawings from our sweet missionary.

He definitely isn't picasso, but he tries.

They never fail to put a smile on my face.

Of course he asked about the world series.
I may have played a little joke and told him his Angels won...
He didn't believe me for one second.

Each letter we write, we do the ABC's of this experience,
and this week he must have run out of D words because these 3 were at the
bottom of his list.

yes, you are seeing this right.
that says "Dutchmen".
Where does he come up with these things??

I couldn't help but giggle when I saw this!!
At least he gave an explanation...

:)

His rendition of the Provo Temple.
Seems pretty accurate to me!

He was so sweet to send me a lucky penny.
He knew I had a very very busy week ahead of me, so he found this
lucky penny and sent some luck and well wishes my way :) 

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I do. These are only a few of the many pictures I get. If you write him, ask him for some drawings. I promise you will not be let down!!