weekly update!

Hello from Russia

Well this last week was kind of a rough one. All of our meetings with our investigators fell through. We were only able to have one meeting with one of our investigators. Yesterday were met with Egor and he has been progressing. It was the first time that he has attended church. I was so happy to see him there. He even stayed all three hours. We set his baptism date for the 18th of February. Elder Hronek and I are thrilled about him and all of the progress that he is making.
We did a lot of door knocking this week. We talked to a lot of people and we also had a lot of doors shut in our face. I knocked this one guys door and told him that we were representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that we had a message about Jesus Christ. He started to yell at me and then slammed his door. The good thing about being a missionary and learning a new language, when people yell at you and talk really fast you have no idea what they are saying. When people slam there doors it doesnt get me down, but I just feel bad for those people. If only they knew why we were really there and how great the message we have to share with them is. It can be discouraging sometimes but Elder Hronek and I find away to keep positive. Elder Hronek and I know how to make each other laugh so that is nice.
Funny story of the week. We had a follow up lesson with Evan and one of the members house. There was a random man there that was scary. When I think of a Russian I think of a giant, with a bad eye and a very deep voice. Well this man was exactly that. To add to it he was drunk. He was a very different person. He had faught in the war and was very grumpy. I was scared and I got to sit next to him. All I did was just smile and that cheered him right up. He would get this huge smile on his face and would cheer up every time that i smiled. So grandma thanks for always telling me to smile. It worked this time and I became this mans best friend.
Thank you everyone for your emails. I will try to write you. Sorry if I dont anwser back to your emails, give me some time and I promis that I will. Thank you for all of the support back home.
Love
Elder Flitton


An email to Jeff:

We really didn't have much success last week, all of our investigators figged on their meetings that we had set up. We only had one meeting with egor and it was yesterday. We have the 18th for his baptism. He is awesome. So last week we just did a lot of contacting. We knocked a lot of doors and were able to talk to people. WE only got one return appointment and that is today so hopefully that turns out good. It is really hard to work with the members here. Russians are a very pecuiliar people. We try our best to get the members involved. It is hard becuase we only have one person that has the melchizadek priesthood that comes to meetings and he is our branch president. So pretty much the missionaires run the show. We try our best with the members.
This last week was probably the coldest week so far. It got to -30c this week. I have to double my clothing and wear my scarf on my face, I look like a terrorist sometimes. You got to do what you got to do to stay warm.
I love my companion, we get along great. We havent had any disputiations or fights so that is good. He is a great elder and I learn a ton from him.
The language is definately a struggle. This week has been really difficult for some reason. I have gotten down on myself sometimes but I just think to my self that it will only take time and faith. So i just show my faith and do my best.
People love to talk to us because we are American. That is how i usually start my conversations with people.
I have settled into kurgan. I love this city. It is a very poor city but the people here are great and I love them. Could you send me your recipe for hootnane panckakes? I want to make them really bad.

Sounds like our Elder is hanging in there! Hopefully, Egor's baptism yesterday went smoothly and was full of excitement, happiness, and the Spirit! I will make sure to post tomorrow's email faster than these last two!

I love you all and am grateful for your love in return. This experience is so special for not only Elder Flitton, but for each one of us to be able to learn more of and grow closer to our Savior. Keep the faith.

"If you have determined to live righteously, don't become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize."
    -Elder Richard G. Scott 

First Baptism!

I don't think there was a full big family email this particular week, only personal emails to a few family members.
I don't want to copy each email in its entirety, so here are just a few snippets from each:

Elder Flitton, Evan, and Elder Hronek at Evan's baptism!!

         "I was able to baptize someone last week. I have never felt so much joy before in my life. As I baptized him I realized that through baptism we can make it back to our Heavenly Father if we are faithful. That is now possible for Evan. THe joy I cant describe in words.
I was studying chapter 8 in pmg and it made me realize how important goals are. Thank you for that last email. I was reading this morning in pmg about hope. If we have hope and do good works all will come out good in the end. That is an awesome promise from our Heavenly Father."

"I cant believe that it has already been 4 months, it is so crazy to think. The time is definately going fast. Everything went great at the baptism. Our branch president didn't come so that was really the only thing that didn't go according to plan. But we were prepared and the service went great. "

"I read in PMG this morning about Hope. I learned that if you hope for good things and you do good works everything will turn out for the best. I have been reading in the scriptures about Moroni. I love how he goes to each Nephite city and strengthens it. I think that is what we have to do with ourselves. If we strenghten ourselves we can hold off the Lamanites(temptation) and come out victorious. I love reading the scriptures. I learn something new from them every day. "


"I was thinking today when I get back from the mission we are going to hangout like the whole week. Yes I am a mommas boy. I hope all is well at home with Katie and Anna. I cant believe that Katie is going to be a senior next year and Anna will be in high school. Guess what? You are getting old but your looks dont show it. Every time i show pictures to people they always ask me who is this lady, I tell them that that is my mom and they say "WOW she sure is beautiful" I say yah I know. I love you mom."
    (I HAD to add this because it is the sweetest thing I have ever read. Christy, you are a lucky woman to have such an incredible and loving son!!)


"There has been something on my mind that I want to talk to you about. I have been thinking about my mission and the kind of missionary I want to be at the end of my mission. I read a scripture in 2Timothy the other day. It is the one that says I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith. That has been on my mind a lot. I think the way I work on my mission will decide how Heavenly Father will recieve me. He will have open arms and a smile on his faith and he will say "my faithful servant, you have kept the faith. There is a place prepared for you in my kingdom." That is how I picture it. I don't know why that has been on my mind so much, but it just makes me work harder and harder. I want to be the best missionary possible."

Wow. It has been almost 5 months. This boy is a man now. I can't get over the wisdom and faith that he is showing and sharing. I think it is safe to say that we are all feeling the blessings at home from Keaton's efforts all the way in Russia. 

"Brethren, our religion is a joyful one! We are most blessed to bear the priesthood of God! In the book of Psalms we read, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, int he light of thy countenance." We can experience this greater joy if we but look for it."

    -Dieter F Uchtdorf

Elder Keaton "Pasha" Flitton's weekly update.

       Well it has been a very eventful week. We have had a lot of success this week and have had some down times this week. The good news is that we have a baptism this week for Evan and he chose me to baptize him. I was so honored when he asked me to do it. Evan is a very humble person. He is very poor and he lives of the government because he has a bum leg. He loves to read and I have given him a lot of books to read from our library. Elder Hronek and I gave him a white shirt and two ties. He wore them to church yesterday and he looked like a stud. He is an awesome person and has a very strong spirit. 

        I have gotten some emails saying that you want to hear about the grandma that we saved from the ice. I thought I included that story but I would be happy to tell it again because it makes me happy.
We had a lesson with one of our members and we took a taxi to their house. When we got out of the taxi we started walking to the house. I heard this grandma yelling and I told Elder Hronek that we should probably go see if she needs help. We ran over to her and helped her our of the freezing water and she looked into my eyes directly and said, "you English boy" i said "yes" she started crying because she was so happy. She said that we were her angels and gave us Russian names. She still calls us by those names today. My name is Pasha haha. She gave us a gift and pulled out two sea shells that she had gotten from the Black Sea. It was so funny because she just kept randomly crying and thanking us. We now have a new investigator and she wants to be baptized. We just need to teach her and give her some commitments and see if she follows them. The acts of service can go so far.

        I have a funny Russian story that I would like to tell you about. As Elder Hronek and I were on the bus, I saw a man stumble onto the bus. I could smell the vodka on him from the other end of the bus. He was wasted. As the bus drove on this liquid started running down his pants. It was a very constant flow. Everyone around him started freaking out and people were moving trying to get out of the way. He wasn't phased, he just stood there. I saw a grown man pee his pants on the bus that day. It was definitely one of the weirdest experiences in my life. It is sad to see how addiction can ruin someones life. Vodka is a huge deal here and it is sad to see.

        Well on the other hand everything is going great here in Kurgan. The work is starting to explode and it is awesome to see. We have a baptism this saturday for Evan and I'm pumped. Heavenly Father has his eye sight focused on Russia. I feel once Kurgan explodes the rest of Russia will explode and we will get a temple here. The people here in Russia need a temple. I cant wait for that day. I miss all of you back home and just want to tell you that the work that Im doing, the message that I share with people is true. With every cell in my body, I know that this gospel is true and I know that Jesus Christ is the head of all. If we simply have faith and ask he will give. I know that to be true and I promise you that you can go to your Heavenly Father at any time and he will comfort you. Thank you for all the support back home. Love you all.

 - Elder Flitton

I don't know about you, but when I was reading this in class, I couldn't contain my laughter. It isn't everyday that you see the things he sees... I will now and probably forever call Keaton by his russian name. Pasha. Has a nice ring to it. That lady seems so incredibly sweet, doesn't she? 

It really is so exciting that Keat gets to perform Evan's baptism!! I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate his 4 month mark! He is already changing so many people's lives because of this gospel. 

In and email to his grandpa, Mike:

The other day we did some service for one of the branch members. She needed us to help her neighbor. We had to transport a dead body to be buried. The caskets here are so cheap, they are way thin wood and are decorated with crosses on them for the church. Luckily we just had to move the casket out of the building and onto the bus. Me and my companion thought we were going to have to dedicate the grave or something. We were really nervous but we just had to put the casket on the bus. Whoo! ha 

um...hello! I was getting a bit nervous as I was reading this little section...I could not even imagine! What a great missionary :)

and to your delight, we received pictures!! 

This is the lady that they helped in the ice and who calls him Pasha.

That is Evan, the one being baptized this weekend, next to Keaton

Russia. Looks SO cold.

Cool ice sculptures! Look at that warm Eskimo coat!

Who knows what he is doing...but that sculpture is way cool!

I say this over and over again, but I just can't help but be so proud of what Keat is doing. He is working so hard and changing lives. I am so grateful to say that my very best friend is a missionary!! He is such an example to all of us!

Have a great week, everyone!

"Attitude is everything. If you have a bad attitude you wont be successful. I try every morning to just enjoy my opportunity and always work my hardest. I have seen by doing that, that Heavenly Father blesses you abundantly."

- Elder Keaton Jeffrey Flitton

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.