November 2012

November 5, 2012

Dear Family,

 

  Well how do I start this email off.  First off it is a blizzard today.  Today is the first day that I got to throw on the big puffy coat.  I love my fat, puffy coat.  This coat keeps me so warm.  I am going to be coming home in this coat haha.  So today is the first real snow storm.  It is still coming down pretty hard out there.  I love the snow her because that means I get to throw on the shoes and go sliding out side.  There are two kinds of Russian missionaries.  There is the one that wears his boots all the time and there is the other missionary that throws on his normal shoes and goes sliding outside in the winter.  I am a slider.  Today I got my first slide.  I am so happy.

  Okay for the out of the ordinary news.  About twenty minutes ago Elder Riddle and I walked into the library to do email.  As we sat down started email the lady across from us started to spaz out.  She then fell out of her chair and started to have a seizure.  We ran over  to her and my lifeguard instincts kicked in ha.  The funny thing is when I was a life guard nothing really happened.  But not being one something does happen.  I am thankful for the knowledge that I have so that I could help this lady.  For seizures there isn't really much you can do for the person. Really all you can do is just place there head on your lap and make sure they don't loose conscious.  As I sat on the ground with her head on my lap i felt helpless.  Then came the idea to say a little prayer.  As she was shaking I grabbed her hand and started to pray my heart out.  I asked Heavenly Father to help this lady.  I was really worried becuase I really didn't want to give cpr.  After a minute she started to calm down and started to breathe normal.  I am so thankful for the power of prayer.  I knew that my Heavenly Father heard my little/simple prayer.  I am so thankful that I could do some much needed service today.  Next time I would prefer like helping someone move or something.

  This last week was a big growing opportunity for Elder Riddle and I.  We went to training so we didn't have a lot of time in our area to work.  Last week it felt that all of our prime Investigators left.  Alla has gone on a business trip for a couple of days and Calvin isn't anwsering his phone.  I felt like everything fell through last week.  But that meant that Elder Riddle and I had the opportunity to go out and work harder to find.  Sometimes i really was in the dump but as I looked forward every day with faith my Father in Heaven blessed me.  I know that trials come from love.  Love from our Father in Heaven.  He wants us to grow and be stronger.  He knows that we can face these trials. If he didn't why would he give them to us?  Our Father in Heaven sometimes cuts us down, he does a little trimming to us, but that is becuase he wants us to grow back more beautiful and stronger.  I am so grateful that we get to face our trials with Faith.  We are able to face them with our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  He knows how we feel, he knows us perfectly.  He will help us as we conquer our Garden of Gethsemane. He has been there and he knows how to succor us. I am so grateful for the Atonement.

  Last week were able to meet with Natalia.  We went over to her apartmen and her son was there.  We invited her son to simply come and listen as we taught Natalia.  He agreed and came and sat down with us.  We talked about the Plan of Salvation and tryed to involve him.  He was way interested in what we were teaching.  It was so cool to be able to teach a member of Natalias family.  I know that in the future her family will listen to the message.  They will see her example and how happy she is.  They will want what she has.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to know Natalia.  I am so grateful for all of the friendships that I have been able to make while on my mission.

  So this is the last week of the transfer.  Elder Riddle and I have been together for almost 12 weeks.  I have been in the city of Perm for almost 6 months.  I was thinking about it today. I have seen every season here in perm. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. It is crazy.  I love this place with all of my heart.  Due to the fact that I love the people here.  The members are so great. I amso greatful that I have been able to serve here.

  Next week I get to go on my visa trip. I am way excited to go. I always love going to Finland. But most of all going to TJI Friday's!!!  Time for a Jack Daniels burgerrrrrrrrr!!! and a shake yayayayayaa.  I can taste it in my mouth as I write this right now.  I will make sure to take some photos.  I can't wait.

Thank you all for your emails. Please tell Melody thank you so much for the letter.  Tell her that I got it exactly on the day of Halloween.  Give her a big hug for me and tell her that she is awesome. 

Well I love you all.  This time next week I will have transfer news so be ready! Love you

Elder Flitton

November 12, 2012

Dear Family,

  Well this week is transfer week.  Last week we got transfer calls from President.  Elder Riddle will be staying in Perm and getting a new companion.  I will be leaving Perm and going to serve in the City of Ufa as a zone leader with Elder Oneill.  Yah when President called I asked him what he was thinking.  I can't believe that I am going to Ufa to serve with my old companion Elder Oneill.  I am way excited to go to another city and serve.  But the only thing is that with leaving,is that you have to say Good by.  I don't like doing that.  Yesterday was really hard to say goodbye to everyone.  I am pretty sure that some tears were shed.  It was really hard to say goodbye to members who you have grown so close with.  Especially those who live in you area.  It was really hard to say goodbye to Natalia.  Last night we met with her and I decided that reading from the scriptures and having a testimonyould be perfect.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve in Perm.  I love that city and will always remember all the friendships that I made there.  I spent almost a half year there and I grew a ton there.  I learned so much from all of the different companions that I served with and around. I love this mission so much and all of the great people that I am meeting.  

  This week is my Visa trip.  I am actually in the city of Yekaterinburg right now writing this email.  We got on a train with all of my luggage at 6:30am.  We got here at about noon.  We will be staying at the assistants house tonight and in the morning we will be flying to Moscow.  I am excited to see everyone in my group.  I love Visa trips but the only thing that is a stinker is that you are really tired after it is all done.  That is ok because I will fly back here and then get on a train for almost 18 hours. I can't wait!!

  These last couple of weeks have been really good for Elder Riddle and I.  We have really grown close together.  I am really sad that I have to leave him.  We have really done a lot of great work in the city of Perm.  I am really sad that I hvae to leave because there is so many great things going on right now.  For example Natalia's daughter Tanya has been meeting with us.  She has a baptism date for the 8th of December.  She came to church yesterday with her son.  It was so cool to see.  We are way excited for her and all of the progress that she is making.  Alexandra our grandmother has a baptism date for the 8th also.  She came to church yesterday and we were able to meet with her a couple of times last week.  She is probably one of the funniest Russians that I have ever met.  I am really sad that I have to leave.  I hope that all works out with her.  We have another investigator named Alla.  She went on a business trip last week but should be returning this week.  Ahh there is so much going on in Parkovy Perm.

  Last week we had a great lesson with a member named Igor.  Igor is trying to decide if he is going to serve a mission or continue to work.  He has been struggling to figure out which one he needs/wants to do. We read with him from a Liahona a couple of years ago.  It is a message by President Uchtdorf. It is called "I'm committed".  Probably one of the greatest articles that I have ever read.  President Uchtdorf talked about how we cant live our lives and be 50% committed to the Lord and then when He comes again say that we are 100% committed.  That made me think really hard.  Am I really 100% committed to the Lord and if I'm not how do I become?  I read a scripture the other day ago that said "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ".  I love that scripture, forgive me I forgot where it is.  But it so true, that day WILL come and how much better will it be when we can bow and confess with 100% confidence that Jesus is the Christ. As we talked with Igor we helped him realize the importance of choosing for yourself but letting the Lord help you in knowing what to choose.  Those who are committed to the Lord will be able to see clearly and recieve that help in which they stand in need of.  I love commitment and that is something that I am trying to accomplish here on my mission.  Being 100%committed to the work and goals and most important to the Lord.  I am so grateful for the power of commitment.

  Well next week I will be writing in the city of Ufa. I am very excited to get to work after the Visa trip.  Thanks all for the emails and support.  I am so grateful for all of you and please know that I love you so much.

Elder Flitton

November 19, 2012

Dear Family,

  Well it is just another day here in the Yekaterinburg Russia mission.  I am now here in Ufa and I love it.  My new area is a very classic looking Russia.  I love it here.  It is a winter wonderland here.  It snowed all week last week.  I got to pull out my big puffy snow coat and my really warm boots.  I am very warm so no need to worry.  I can't believe that this week is Thanksgiving.  We as a zone haven't really decided if we are going to do a dinner or something.  Most likely we will.  I wish I was in Perm because then I could just go to Sister Pocock's for Thanksgiving dinner.  But it is alright life will go on.
  So a little about last week:
1.  Visa trip-  I left monday morning at 6am to go to Yekaterinburg from Perm.  I had all my luggage so it was kind of a pain. It was really hard to leave Perm.  But Elder Riddle and I got to Yekaterinburg and had all day.  So we went to Burger King and then walked around the city.  It was really fun.  I got to spend some good time with him before we got seperated.  That night we stayed at the Assistants and the next morning we went to the airport.  President was at the airport because we had a senior couple going home and a sister going home.  So we were able to see him.  We actually flew with the senrior couple and Sister Denning to Moscow.  It is really weird to see missionaries going home.  Honestly I don't like it because it freaks me out.  We had about 4 hours in Moscow so we went to TJI.  It was awesome as usual. I love that place with all of my heart.  After we headed to Finland.  Finland is probably one of the most prettiest countrys in the world.  I love Finland.  We were able to go to the temple while we were there.  It is so beautiful.  After the temple we went back to the airport and flew back to Moscow.  We then waited in Moscow and flew back to Yekaterinburg.  We got home in the morning so we went and slept at the assistants for a couple of hours.  We then headed to the train station where we met up with everyone.  I then got to take a 18hour train ride to ufa.  That was all sleep time ha.

2.UFA-  Ufa really is a pretty city.  The church building is so nice.  It is almost like one back in the states.  I will take a picture of it and send it with my next email next week.  The members here are awesome.  Here in Russia they like to call people by threre first name so like Brother Keaton, and President said that we have to call them by there last name.  Don't even get me started on some of the names.  THere are some really difficult names here.  When I hear them I have to ask them to repeat it.  I have never been really good with names so it is going to take me awhile to memorize them.  But it will be done ha.
  I had my first Sunday yesterday.  The first sunday in a new area is always stressful.  But this one wasn't to bad.  I still feel like the akward companion because everyone just knows Elder Oneill so they go to him. But it is just going to take some time to gain the trust of the members.  I am way excited to be able to work with them.  The saints here are awesome.  They are so happy and they are willing to help with anything.  I am so happy to be here in Ufa.  It is still taking me some time to adjust to everything.  Especially being a zone leader.  I want to be a great zone leader.  I want things to be fun here in Ufa for the missionaries. I feel like things here have gotten a little boring.  But that is going to change.  i am so grateful that the Lord has trusted me to be here in Ufa.  I am starting very quick to fall in love with this place.

Funny story-
Last night we were on the street contacting and we saw a lady laying on the sidewalk.  We ran over to her to help her up.  She was very drunk.  We asked her where she lived and we walked her home.  And then this random dog came up to us and started to jump up on us.  We helped the lady and everything and then started to walk to our next appointment.  Well the dog decided to walk with us.  He followed us for the next 15 minutes.  When we got to the apartment of the members we went inside and shut the door behind us leaving the dog outside.  The dog started to whine and scratch at the door.  After the meeting with the member who lives on the top floor of the apartment building, we walked out of the apartment and there was the dog laying in the stair well waiting for us.  I couldn't believe it.  So we walked to the bus stop which was about 10 minutes away, he still followed us.  Getting on the bus was a little weird because he wanted to get on the bus with us.  I felt really bad because the doors shut on the bus and he wasn't able to get on.  Elder Oneill and I werent able to find anyone out on the street last night but we did find a follower.

  This last week has been quite the growing week for me.  I have gotten down on myself multiple times but I know that the Lord has given me these trials so that I could become stronger.  I am so grateful for the responsibility that I now have being a zone leader.  It has already been quite the experience.  Please pray for me.  I need your prayers.  I love you all so much.  Thank you for all of the love that I feel here in Russia.  I am so thankful for all of you.  Please know that I love you and that you are in my prayers.  Also have a great THANKSGIVING!!!. Just think next Thanksgiving I will be there...
Thank you Grandma Crystal for the Christmas gift.  I love you so much!
Also Uncle Sunny could you send my your adress. I have a email in my bag waiting to go in the mail.  I just need your address.

I love you all.

Elder Flitton

November 26, 2012

Dear Family,

  It is another Monday here in Ufa. I can't believe that I am already starting my third week here.  It feels like I have just arrived here.  Ufa is such a great place.  They have the best of the best here as members.  Elder O'Neill and I have been visiting a lot of members and it is so cool to see how strong of testimonies that they have.  For example there is a family called the Koolakovey.  We went over to their house on Monday for FHE.  We had a great time with them and we were able to feel the spirit with them.  It was the greatest to hear them bear their testimonies.  I love hearing the Russian saints bear their testimonies because they are some of the strongest ones that I have ever heard.  Ufa is just a great place and I am thankful that I am going to be here for Christmas.  The members make this place so much better.

  Ok so a little about Thanksgiving last week.  We didn't really have the classic Thanksgiving feast with Turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing.  We as a zone went to a restaurant and had a nice dinner there.  I kind of felt like the family off the Christmas Story when they go to that Chinese Restaurant and get the duck.  It was very different but it was a cool experience.  That was our Thanksgiving, we as missionaries don't really take time to celebrate holidays like we do back home.  It is all about doing the great work here.  I am very thankful that we were able to have a nice dinner here as a zone.  Holidays on your mission are very different.  But I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

  So a little about what is going on right now in Ufa.  Lately we have been searching for a new apartment.  The one that we are living in right now is the worst apartment in the mission.  So President wants us to get out of there and get a new apartment.  So last week we had some luck and we found one.  This one is so nice compared to the one that we have right now.  We will be moving into the new one this week hopefully.  Looks like I get to pack again.  I really enjoy to pack...  This new apartment should be really good because it is in a better part of our area and it is just a really nice apartment.  I am excited because I will be the first missionary to live in it.  Ha as a missionary you find the smallest things to be fun/cool.

  So this last week I have been working a lot on my Humility attribute.  I feel as a missionary that sometimes pride is a constant thing that I am fighting.  I hate pride with all of my heart.  The worst is when you feel like you are at the top and that you are more important than others. Or when you are having a hard time and it feels like the world sometimes is against and you just start to complain or you start to get in that pouting mood.  It is probably the worse.  I just doesn't effect you but it effects everyone around you.  I have been trying really hard lately to work on my attributes of Christ.  Especially the humility one.  I am so grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father, who is so willing to help us change and become like Him.  That is our main goal right now here on this earth.  To become like God.  Therefore we need to change.  I have a lot of changing to do.  Everyday I feel like it is a battle, I feel like Satan is always trying to get me to fall and even tries to make me feel like I am better than others.  I am so grateful for the Atonement and the ability to change.  If it wasn't for change, how could we become like God.  I like to think of Adam and Eve.  If they hadn't sinned they never would have changed.  Now I am not saying go and sin so that you can change but take a minute and think about how you can change something about you so that you are that much closer to becoming like our Father in Heaven.  As we know change isn't easy.  But we have someone there with us who knows exactly how we can change so that we can be happy.  It is our Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  He knows every pain, every sickness, every doubt, he knows how all of us feel.  He can be the one that will help us change as we put our Faith in Him.  I am so grateful for a merciful God.

  So I forgot in my email last week to include the people that we are teaching. So I need to do it this time.

1.Ena-  Ena is a older woman that lives with her mother.  Her mother is a member but now is confined to a wheel chair so they don't leave the house.  Ena has something wrong with her bones in her body so it is really hard for her to walk.  So we go to them and teach them.  She is a very nice lady and is so ready for baptism.  The only thing is that she doesn't want to go outside because she is afraid of the snow.  So we are going to be planning a baptism for the Spring time for her.  But she is great and we are way excited for her.

2.Nena- Nena is also a older woman.  Her daughter and her two kids live with her.  They are members.  We are struggling with her because we are having a hard time getting her to have the desire.  She asks a lot of great questions but she just isn't willing to do the committments that we give her.  She gets distracted a lot as well. So it is kind of hard to teach her.  But she is very sweet and we are doing our best to teach her.

3.Tanya- Tanya is a younger woman.  Her husband is a member but he is Less-active.  They have a daughter named Maya. They are a very young family.  She works a ton so it is hard to meet with her.  But she is progressing very slowly and her husband and daughter came to church yesterday wich was so great.

 

So those are the people that we are teaching right now here in Ufa.  Please pray for them!

  Thanks for the emails this week and all of the support.  I love all of you so much.  I am so excited to skype in a couple of weeks.  It will be here before you know it.  Now would be a great time to start thinking of questions that you want to ask.  I can't wait.  I love you.

Elder Flitton

October 2012

October 1, 2012

Dear Family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also Grandma Chris Happy Birthday!!! Love you.

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

Elder Flitton

October 8, 2012

Dear Family

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

October 15, 2012

Dear Family,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

October 22, 2012

Dear Family

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

October 29, 2012

Dear Family,

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 2012 HALF WAY DONE!

September 3, 2012

Dear Family,

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Elder Flitton

September 10, 2012

Dear Family,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

QA time

Chan

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

Dad

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

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

Mom

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

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

Aunt Jen

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

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

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

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

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

Grandma

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

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

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

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

Grandpa

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

September 17, 2012

Dear Family,

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

Elder Flitton

September 24, 2012

Dear Family,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

August 2012

August 6, 2012

Dear Family,

 

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

 

 QA time

 

Jen

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

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

 

Grandpa

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

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

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

 

Grandma Arlene

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

 

Grandma Crystal

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

 

Mom

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

 

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

AUGUST 13, 2012

Dear Family,

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

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

Grandpa-
The street is called Bochaneenava

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton

August 20, 2012

Dear Family,

 

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

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

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

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

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

 Elder Flitton

 

pics

1.My birthday celebration

2.Elder Kerdyapkeen and I

August 27, 2012

Dear Family,

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elder Flitton