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.

Elder Flitton goes to Perm.

"Travel Master"
June 4, 2012

Hello everyone!

     Well I am not writing to you in the city of Kurgan but now in the city of Perm. Wow this city is so much different that Kurgan. I am going to say it. I feel like I am back in the world ha. There are so many people here. There are so many American restaraunts here and everyone is driving a really expesnsive car. This is no Kurgan. I love it here though. This is a really big change for me. It will take me a little of getting used to being here in this huge city. I am so excited to be able to serve here.
     Well last week I sarted my travels on a bus to Tumen from Kurgan. I stayed the night at the zone leaders and then in the morning at 5 took a taxi to the airport. Elder Holbrook and I then flew to moscow where we met up with the other Elders. After we all met up we decided that we wanted to go to Red Square in Moscow. Probably one of the coolest experiences on my mission. I actually made it to Red Square. I was able to see the gigantic city of Moscow. Honestly with all of those people there I felt that I was in New York. We took the Subway and holy cow there were so many people. It was about a hour and a half from the Airport to Red Square. We were there for about an hour and then we had to go back so we wouldn't miss our flight. Red Square is so awesome. There is so much history there. You know in the movie Get Smart where Steve Carell is on the bridge... Well I was on that bridge. It was so awesome. I was also able to see the big memorial for Lennin and where his body rests. It was just a great experience. I took a lot of pictures but the only problem is right now is that I have no cord to put into the computer. So you are going to have to wait for next weeks email. Sorry.
     After Moscow we flew to Finland. Finland is probably the most beautiful country in the world. It is so green and everything there is just so fresh. It was so great to go in the spring/summer time. The temple grounds were so beautiful. Grandma you would have loved all of the beautiful flowers there. We really do live on a beautiful planet. I was able to do baptisms at the temple and it was very spiritual. I love the Finland temple. After the temple we got on a flight back to moscow and we ate at TJI Fridays. I have fallen in love with the strawberry milkshake. They are so good, I got two of them.... At about 1 am I got on my flight all alone to Perm. It was really weird traveling alone. After the trip I was so tired. Visa trips kill you. Once we got home I was out for a couple of hours.
     When I got to Perm I was able to meet my new companion Elder Oneill. It was really good to see him. He is a great Elder. He and I have a lot of great work to do here in Perm. We are way excited to be companions. He is from Pleasonton California and loves to play basketball so we have a lot in common. And there is a little basketball court next to our apartment. Booya.
     Yesterday I was able to meet the branch. There is about 100 people in the branch. My mind was blown when I saw all those people. The members here in Perm are great. I am so excited to work with them and get to know them. This next transfer is just going to be great. I cant wait.

Question time:
Grandpa. How is your apartment?
Oh my goodness where do I begin with my new apartment. Lets just say that I was in the worse apartment in the mission and now I am in the nicest apartment in the mission. It is so great.

Well thanks all for your emails. I love you all and just want to say thanks again for all that you do for me.
Elder Flitton 

"PERM"
June 11, 2012

Hello Everyone,

     How is everyone? Hope that summer is treating you well. Perm is great. It is definately summer here. The weather here has been so great. This last week Elder Oneill and I have been out on the streets a lot. I have quite the Missionary tan ha. This week is a huge festival in the city. It is called White Night. They have a huge fair kind of thing and it is a big thing. I guess on the 24th or something of June the sun doesn't go down. It stays light the whole entire day. Really interesting I know. I am excited to witness this.
     This last week we have been working really hard. We are so exhausted at nights when we come home. I have never loved my bed so much than I do now. Sleep is so great. We have about 4 investigators. The one closest to baptism, his name is Slava. He is about 24 and he is really funny. He has been taught for about a couple of months and his baptism is at the end of this month. We are way excited for him. Our next investigator, her name is Alexandera. She is 84 and she is the sweetest lady that I have ever met in Russia. She is so funny. We went over to her house with the Pocoks last night and had a little lesson with her. She loves the Pocoks. I love the Pocoks ha they are so great. We use them a lot and we live close to them. They are so awesome. I am so blessed to have a Senior couple in my area. They gave me a hair cut last week and it was so great. It was the first time in the field where someone else gave me a haircut and not myself. It looked a lot better than what I do ha. Well got on a tangent about senior couples sorry but back to investigators. Our other investigator, her name is Natalia. She is great. She left this week to visit her daughter though so we don't know when she is going to be back. We made sure that she took her Book Of Mormon. Our other investigator is a nigerean. His name is Clinton. We have only had one meeting with him. He is really hard to meet with becuase he is so busy. He is so great though. Please pray for Clinton everyone, he needs it right now.
     This last week was a very tiring week. On saturday we helped one of the members here do some service. We had to carry some huge cabinets/closets out of his apartment and load them on the truck. I was so tired ha. After we went to the Sport activity that the ward holds every Saturday. We played soccer and I about died. I am so terrible at soccer but whatever the members got a laugh from watching me play it.
     So lately I have been thinking a lot about the people that we are teaching,especially Clinton. He voiced the concern that he is tired of doing the religion thing. He feels that God doesn't anwser his prayers and that he is living in this world alone. He said he wants to give up the religion thing. When I heard that my heart was torn in half. I felt so bad for him. I wanted to do all that I could for him. The only thing that I can get someone to do is to read the Book of Mormon and have them pray for themselves and to ask God if the Book is true and that Joseph Smith did actually restore God's kingdom on earth. I can't force anyone to do anything. It takes them to show a little faith and do the things that we ask them to do. We are kind of like a guide for people. We can give them encouragement and help but we cant recieve there anwser for them. I can tell someone all day that the Book of Mormon is true but that is not going to do anything for them unless they pray and ask God if it is true. So when people don't do what we ask them to do it is really sad, it hurts. God loves all of us and he made the gosple simple for all of his children so that they could know of Him and return to Him. All that he asks us to do is to show some faith and ask Him wether or not the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith really did restore this church. Then he will give us an anwser. These anwsers come in so many different ways. I have recieved an anwser in a way that I wasn't expecting but I recieved an anwser. Clinton is a son of our Heavenly Father and he needs a lot of help. I have only met him once and he is so important to me. I want to see him recieve his anwser and I want to see him Baptized.
     Well I just want to say thanks for all of your emails. Dad happy fathers this week. You are my hero and I look up to you so much. Thank you for everything that you do for me. You have such a strong spirit and it helps my spirit. Thank you Dad. Hope that this Fathers Day is a great one for you. Also Katie happy birthday! Don' party too hard haha. I love you.


Question time:
Chan:
Have you gotten used to permyet? No but slowly I am.
Birthday Package? I would love the book "10000 most used Russian Words" and some pictures:)
P.S Tell your Mom and Dad that I say hello and that I miss them. Tell them not to have to much fun this summer without me. Thanks

Grandma:
When I went to the temple we were able to do baptisms. We do it in Russian
I did get your package last week. Thank you so much. I love starbursts. They are already gone. I always snack on them during studies ha. Thank you.

Grandpa
Any american rest. We are going to Mc Donalds right now ha I am way excited.
I am running out of time for email but just want to say thanks for everything.l I love you all. Oh mom Btw could you send my retainers:) haha I have been noticing my teeth are starting to move. So ASAP would be great. Love you mom.
Elder Flitton

"Week Three in Perm"
June 18, 2012

Hello Everyone,

     How is everyone? Sounds like in your emails like summer is treating you all well. That is so cool that Cam and Gar are on a soccer team together and Uncle dave is there coach. That sounds so fun. Also good job Mitch with soccer. That is always a good sign when the coach comes up and asks for your name. Keep up the good work. Also I love the picture of Coleman with the plate of goodies. Thats my boy haha. Katie happy 17 birthday!!! с днём рёждение Happy birthday. I cant believe that you are 17 and that you went on a date the other day ago. How did dad feel? ha. Also fam have fun at girls camp. Be safe and don't get involved with the bears ha. Did you know that the bear is the country animal. They love their bear's. Grandpa I am going to tell you the truth when we get home at night and we are done planning I grab the broom and practice my swing...so no need to worry. Jen sounds like quite the vacation. I am so jelaous of these little trips that you go on. Especially when you went to wrigley field. Oh that is my dream to go see a baseball game in Chicago. Also that is pretty funny about the missionaries in the airport. That will definately be a joyous day when I come down the escalator. Im expecting a big celebration at the airport haha. Sorry this is a big rambling paragraph but I just want to let you all know that I do get your emails and I love them. Grandma thanks for the quote. I loved it. That is exactly what i needed to hear. I do have a bottom retainer.. please find it but if you cant that is ok just send the top one. Love you. Chan I love the pictures. Your dad is so great I love the picture. Tell your parents that I say hello and also Kace and Jordan. I love the picture of the ultra sound. Kace is going to be a mommy!!! Love ya kace.
Cindy thanks for your last email. It means a lot to get one from you. Tell the family that I say hello and that I love them. Thanks Grandma cindy... :) Well I think that is everyone. I love you all.

     Well a little bit about my last week. We worked our stinkin butts off last week. We were outside all the time talking to people and sharing with them the good word. We met a lot of great people. Last night we met this nigerean named Benny. He said that meeting us was no accident. He was way excited to see us and he wants to meet with us. It was so awesome. I felt last night that Heavenly Father guided Elder Oneill and I to where we needed to go. We were able to give away a lot of Books of Mormon. Last night was a great night for Elder Oneill and I.
Investigators-
1. Slava- Has a baptism date for this saturday. Has a interview with zone leaders. We feel like he isn't ready and that he needs to be taught more so he can be prepared for Baptism.
2.Alexandera- We were over at her house and her daughter came by. Her daughter is a minister in the Russian Orthodox church. She wasn't happy to see us and she kicked us out of the house and threatend to call the police. None the less Alexandera is 84 and can make her own decisions and still wants to meet with us. We are very grateful for her and she has a baptism date for next month. She is a peach.
3.Clinton- We weren't able to meet with him last week but we were able to get a hold of him and he says that he wants to meet this week. We are way excited for that. Thank you everyone for your prayers and faith. It means a lot.
    Those are our main investigators. We met a lot of great people last week so we should be able to get some new people to begin teaching. All this hard work is starting to pay off. Like you said grandma only in the dictionary does success come before work. It is so true. Not just as a missionary but life in general.

     This last week I have been trying really hard to be able to build my testimony of the Savior. It says in PMG that when we have a strong testimony in the Savior and the Atonement we will have more desire to share the Gospel. It is so true. On Friday my companion was so sick so we stayed inside that day. While he was sleeping I watched the movie Finding Faith in Christ, in Russian. I felt the spirit so strong and I knew that my Savior really did die for me and everyone else. He experienced everything that we experience. Watching it in Russian and feeling the spirit so strong was exactly what I needed. I know that the Gift of Tongues really does exist. I have seen it in my mission and I know that it exists. Christ really is there for us. He love us and he wants to bless us so bad. We just have to show our faith to him. I love my Savior and I know that He lives.

Q and A
Grandpa- Gone to the River yet? Yes I have. It is huge!
Freeways in Perm? Nope... Traffic can get really bad sometimes.
Can a missionary drive in Russia? Nope to dangerous
How big is the apartment building? It is huge.. Luckily we live on the second floor. I will take a picture of it.
Brown water.. how often do you drink water? We have to drink a lot of water. We have a huge water filter.
Grandma Restrictions on food? Yes we arent allowed to eat berries or any fish from the river or lakes. They have to be from the ocean. And mushrooms are not allowed.
Is there something that you really want to have? I really would like the book from Deseret book or Segull book called "Drawing on the Powers of Heaven" By Grant Von Harrison. Thanks :)

Jen- Have you heard from Ivan? No i haven't but this week is zone conf in Yekaterinburg so I will be able to see the elders who serve in Kurgan right now so I will be able to ask them how he is doing. way excited.
The thing that I am most proud of so far on my mission? The way that I have grown to love this people, my companions and especially the Lord.

Mom- HOw is the apartment? It is the nicest apartment. I love it. My bed is really small but Im fine with it. ha
Dad- Do people dress up to go to McDonalds? Yes the dress up for everything. They love Mcdonalds. It is the place to hang out. It is like a 4* restaurant here. I love it.

Chan- How is the weather? It is great. It has been a little cloudy lately but I enjoy it. It sure does get hot sometimes. And a little about White Nights. They have this huge festival for the month of June on the main squre in the city. Our apartment is right next to it so it is quite loud sometimes ha. But they have a lot of fun little festival things. They have a sand castle competion thing. You should see some of them. they are so cool. I will take some pictures.

Well just want to tell you all that I love you and that I really enjoy your emails. Hope summer is great for you all. Talk to you next week.

Elder Flitton


"Week 4 in Perm"
June 25, 2012

Dear Family,

     How is everyone? By the sounds of it you are all having a great summer. Sounds like camp was a success and that all went well. Sounds like Yellowstone was a lot of fun also. I love the pictures thanks Chan. Callie way to go with soccer. Ms Allstar...

    Well last week flew by. We got on a train last Wednesday and went to Yekaterinburg for Zone Conf. It was really fun. I love zone conf and seeing all of the other missionaries. The train ride was great. Our train was like the Hogwarts train ha. When the lady came buy and asked if we wanted anything I said "We will buy the cart" She had no idea what I said... My interview with President Rust was the greatest. He is so great, he really is called of God to lead the Yekaterinburg mission. I am so grateful for my Mission President. The theme at zone conf was Obedience. It was exactly what Elder Oneill and I needed to hear. We are now going to be 100% obedient. In everything we do we will obey with exactness. We are really excited for this. We know that the lord will bless us so much and that our companionship will be the best. We know that it will be hard but we are willing and wanting to do it. Blessings only come from being obedient and I challenge all of you to be obedient so that the Lord can bless you.

     Well we got some news today that in the sisters apartment they will be doing some remodeling so the sisters will be kicked out of their apartment for ten days. So that means that they will be staying in our apartment and we will be kicked out of our apartment and will be staying with the zone leaders. So we are going to be moving this week, it should be quite the experience. Also this week we will be having a baptism. The other elders in Perm have a baptism on Saturday. We are really excited for this. Our investigators Alexandera and Slava still have a lot more work to do. But none the less we are still working really hard with them. We have a meeting tonight with Alexandera. We have a lot of hope that she will be baptized. She is a great lady.

     Well I cant believe that this transfer is almost over. I have learned so much these past four weeks. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and I know that He really is there. He is there for all of His children and He loves them so much. He cares so much for the ones that aren't in His fold yet. All we can do is have hope and faith and follow Christ with all of our hearts and the ones that we love will soon come around. I know this to be true, with every cell in my body I know it to be true. I am so grateful for my trials. The Lord gives us trials becuase He loves us. They are the only way that we can grow. God loves all of us and he knows us individually. I love this Gospel and I love my Family. Thank you for everything that you do for me.

Elder Flitton


Q/A

Grandpa- There are 10 missionaries in Perm. We are serving in the Parkovy area. It is in the middle of the city. We live on Pooshkina next to a animal store ha. Also we love to go to KFC. It is really better than in America. And yes I have gotten used to Perm. I can get around without a map.

MOM- Yes I need my retainer. And yes I need those black extra comfort nike socks. Make sure they are all black. I love you. I loved the pictures of the family. I am so jelaous that you went to the Roof.

Dad- There are about 50 missionaries. We are loosing a lot of them though. We are a very small mission. We never have dinner appointments. That is frowned upon here for missionaries because members just don't have the money and food to feed us. We are asked not to have dinner at members. Only if they are well off.

The River in Perm

Red Square

He is a big dreamer...

Red Square

Where Lenin is buried.

I don't know about you, but these photos are pretty impressive!! They are the places that come up on Google Images when you search "Russia". How lucky and blessed is he to be able to be surrounded by so many beautiful people and places.

I am grateful for this experience and for Elder Flitton's willingness to share his own with all of us.

"Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds."

     President Gordon B Hinckley