August? July 31, 2013

Dear Family

 

  I can't believe that July has come and gone.  It felt like it was just yesterday when Elder Wimber and I were going to get BBQ for his birthday.  July has been a really great month.  It has been a really fun month as well.  I have really enjoyed my time here in Tyumen with Elder Wimber.  We have grown pretty close. 

  I was able to get an email from Cameron.  Sounds like he is doing great.  He shared an experience when he had to teach his investigator in spanish the first week.  That brought back some funny memories of me trying to say a couople of words in Russian to our investigaor my first week of the mtc.  Also is he in Provo or is he already in South America?  I don't remember.

  This week has already been a very busy week for Elder Wimber and I.  On Sunday we took a bus to Kurgan and then on monday morning I got on a train heading to Yekat.  I got back to Kurgan yesterday and then today got back to Tyumen on a bus.  I am exhausted right now from all of the traveling.  This is my Pday so after this I am going to take a little nap ha.

  Mission Leadership Council was really good.  President Christensen is a great leader.  We did a lot of practicing teaching and all that other fun stuff that missionaries do.  It was really good to see everyone.  A couple of my really close buds are headed home next week.  It was kind of sad to say goodbye to them.  It is really weird to say good bye to someone that you have grown so close to and especially if you served with them.  This mission is changing a ton.  I am kind of at an akward age on the mission.  My group is the next set of missionaries to go home.  This is my last transfer... Isn't that weird.  I kind of had a slap to the face by reality last night.

  Our investigators are doing great.  Serafima is doing well.  She is kind of difficult to work with sometimes because she just has so many different beliefs but we are being very patient with her and letting her accept it in her own time and the Lord's time.  Masha is doing really good.  Last week we talked to her abou the plan of Salvation.  She loved it.  Both of our investigators have been coming to church every week so things are just going great. Thanks for all of you prayers and faith.

  The other day I was reading a talk by President Uchtdorf.  It is my favorite and you all probably have read it but it is called Forget me not.  My favorite part of his talk is when he talks about the story of Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory.  This is one of my most favorite movies.  I love the story line and also the meaning of it.  Pres. Uchtdorf talks about the doctrine of gratitude and living your life to the fullest.  I remember reading this talk at the beginning of my mission and reading it now at the end of my mission I really have come to appreciate enjoying the small aspects of life.  We all know the story of charlie and how he loved so much the simple satisfaction of the taste of chocolate.  He cherished opening the wrapper and eating the chocolate.  When Wonka decided to have his competition we know that people ignored the simple satisfying taste and just wanted that golden ticket.  Now I know that everyone is guilty with this.  For example "I can't wait until I become a owner of a company, then I will be happy", or I can't wait until I graduate, then i will be free.  I have found myself thinking and saying this.  When I look back an can truly see the simple joys.  I wish that I could always take a situation and make the best of it.  The cool thing is, is that it is possible.  Enjoy the journey and enjoy the time.  I will never forget the rides to Cali and us children would always say, " are we there yet" ha.  The Lord has given us this life to enjoy it.  Take every minute of every hour of everyday and enjoy it.  Last of his remarks that I love is don't forget to be patient with yourself.  Don't be to hard on yourself.  We are all mortals and we make mistakes.  All we need to is just get back up from our falls and dust of our knees and keep walking forward.  God loves us and I know that with all of my heart.  He is patient with us so therefor we must be patient with ourselves.

  Family I love and miss you so much.  I hope that you all have a great week.  Remember that September 18th is going to come really fast...So enjoy the time that you have before I get home haha. I love you.

Elder Flitton

Summer days. July 22, 2013

Dear Family

  It has been a great week for Elder Wimber and I here in Tyumen.  The weather is nice.  Every day the sun shines and then in the evening a big thunderstorm rolls in.  Thunder storms are kind of scary here.  For some reason they are really loud.  Also there are great lightning storms as well.  But this last week we have been trying to stay out of the rain.  We make sure to bring our umbrellas with us every where we go.

  This weekend we had President and his wife here.  On Saturday we had Zone meeting.  It was kind of nerve racking because I am the one who plans it ha.  But it went really well.  We talked a lot about how we could help the branch here in Tyumen grow bigger.  President Christensen is a really smart guy.  He had a lot of really good insights and suggestions.  Also on Saturday night we had a little Fireside at the branch.  The Christensens wanted to get to know the members by showing pictures of their family and talking about them.  It was a really good turn out.  We pretty much had all of the active members come it was great.  President Christensen has a really nice house BTW ha.  He lives in bountiful and his back yard is an over look of the Bountiful Temple.  Everyone was super jelaous.

  Sunday was a very busy day.  I was translating for President all day with interviews and all that other stuff that Stake Presidents do.  I felt like during that time I was with him we were able to grow closer.  I love him so much.  He has such a loving heart.  He was the perfect guy to fill the seat.  I respect him so much.  I also got to have my interview with him.  This was my first one.  I really enjoyed it.  I am bummed that I don't get to serve with him longer.  This mission is definately heading in the right direction.

  I can't believe that July is wrapping up.  It kind of scares me how fast the time has gone during this month.  On Sunday Elder Wimber and I have to take a bus to Kurgan and then on Monday morning I am taking a train to Yekat for Mission leadership Council.  The time is going way to fast.  So I won't be emailing on monday.  I am too busy so i will probably be emailing on Wednesday or Thursday.

  Our investigators are doing alright.  Serafima isn't doing that well.  We are giving her a little break.  She needs to understand the reason why we are meeting with her.  Her situation is difficult and I don't feel like writing through a email.  Just pray for her.  Also our other investigator Masha is doing great.  She is from Kurgan but she is studying here.  She has so many questions wich is awesome.  She is so awesome.

  Well my time is up.  Thank you for your love and support.  I love you... Talk to yoiu next week.

Elder Flitton

Busy Week. July 15, 2013

Dear Family

  This last week has been a very busy week for Elder Wimber and I.  But it is so cool that everything went well with Cam and Garett's farewell.  Sounds like things got a little shaky but everything turned out.  I am glad to hear that.  Also I hear that the talks were really great.  That is so awesome that you two are already speaking with the spirit.  That is going to be the most important thing for you to do on your mission.  Good luck my brothers.

  So last week I finally got to meet my mission President.  He is so cool.  He is pretty important back in the state of Utah.  He told us so many storys from his life.  Oh ya he is best friends with Elder Bednar.  He is so cool that Elder Bednar calls him to go golfing....kayyyy.  Also he gets courtside seats to every jazz game.  So in my exit interview I am goiong to ask him for some tickets haha.

  But in all seriousness he is a very spiritual guy.  I am so impressed how ready he is to take this mission and lead it.  He has some great ideas for this mission.  He is a very good business man so he knows how to run things.  His wife is so sweet.  This mission is in very good hands.  Also he is trying really hard to learn Russian.  He is actually pretty good.  He will be going out on splits with missionaires and working more in the field.  We are actually going to be having him come down this week to Tyumen.  We are really excited.

  Also when we got back to Tyumen on Thursday we went out on Friday to meet with the member that lives in the village.  We took Sveta and her friend Evan from America.  It was about an 1 1/2 bus ride out there.  I died on the bus.  They don't have air conditioning on busses here so it was probably at least 105f on that dang bus.  I have never sweated so bad in my life.  When we got to the place we ahd to take a taxi out to the village.  So we found a taxi and he tryed to take us out to the viallage.  But he got us lost... Also it started to rain really really bad.  He decided to take a left turn on to some random road and it was a dirt road.  So we just slid and did a 180 in his car.  We were stuck in mud... So we tried to push it out but it wasn't moving.  So we had to flag some guy down.  He was driving his jeep and herding his cows haha.  Luckily he helped and pulled us out.  Unfortunately we werent able to visit our member.  But is was definately an adventure.  You will have to ask Sveta when she comes about all of our fun adventures ha.

  Ok a little about Sveta.  She speaks perfect English.  She served a mission in St. Petes a couple of years ago.  She is really good friends with the old senior couple the Schows.  Sveta has been to America before.  This time she is going to visit friends and travel a little.  She is awesome.  Tell her when you see her that she is the best member.  She really has helped us out so much.  She is awesome.  

  Some words about our investigators.  Serafima is doing great.  She told us that she loves to pray now. We have been sending her every day scriptures to read.  She is progressing very well. We are really excited for her.  I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to teach her.  I am so thankful that God has trusted me to be the missionary to guide her back to the fold.  I really do love her and want the best for her.  She has become a great friend.

  Things are going great for Elder Wimber and I.  We are having so much fun together.  We have become like brothers.  One of my most favorite things about the mission is the relationships that you have with companions and other missionaries and members.  I have some pretty great friends here and I am so thankful to God for that.  I love my mission so much.  I have learned so much and have changet a lot.  I thank you for your love and support.  Have a great week!
Elder Flitton

Miracle week. July 8, 2013

Dear Family

  I want to start off by saying that I am very jelaous that everyone had so much fun with the 4th of July celebrating.  Just to let you know Elder Wimber and I tryed to celebrate it.  It was my companions birthday on the 3rd so we went and got Shashlikey(shishkabobs) that was the closest thing to a BBQ.  We then later that night had a birthday party at a members house for my companion.  Also an American by the name of Shawn Hoops came.  Sounds like he emailed you.  He is a pretty cool guy.  He was in Mo-Tab for like 20 years.  He was cool.  But we tryed our hardest to make the 4th a good one.

   I think that is so cool that you all gathered at Grandpas Wendy's house.  I miss going over there and mowing his lawn.  Also sitting with him and watching football.  He always had the most funniest comments to say.  That house has so much great history.  That is so cool that whole family tryed to get to together and celebrate Americas holiday at his place.  Dad I tip my hat to you.  Way to put it on.  I didn't think you had it in you to plan party's.  Maybe you can take that up when you retire haha.

  So as you can see the topic of this email is "miracle week".  I can say that it indeed was a week full of blessings and miracles.  

1.  Our investigator Serafima prayed for us.  We have been working with her for the last three weeks and she always told us that she wouldn't do it.  But on our lesson she said out of no where " I am ready to pray!"  I was shocked and sat there with my jaw open.  I had no idea what to say ha.  We then, all five of us knelt and had a kneeling pryaer.  It was so spiritual.  After the prayer we sat there in silence and then we invited her to be baptized.  She didn't know what to say.  She then said that she wanted to think about it.  So know she is thinking about baptism on the 4th of August.  I am so thankful for all of your prayers that you have said for her.  I know without them she wouldn't have progressed and showed her faith.  Please continue to pray for her that she will recieve and answere to be baptized on the 4th of August.  Once again thankyou so much!

2.  Elder Wimber and I found 2 new investigators this week!!!  We are so excited for them.  Pavel and  also Masha.  Masha is actually dating a member that is from Kurgan but is now living here in Tyumen.  Yesterday we met with both of them and she told us that she wants to know more!  Also we met with Pavel two times last week and he told us that he wants to learn more.  He also prayed to know if this is true.  We are so excited for our two new investigators.

3. I don't know if I have talked about August.  He is a recent convert from the Ivory Coast(africa).  He got baptized in January.  He has been living in Russia for about 5 years now.  He has been going to school here.  Well this last week he finished all of his schooling.  He got a +5 which is like a A+.  Yesterday he bore a sincere testimony of the truethfulness of the church.  The church helped him pay the rest of his schooling off.  He has such strong faith and he is so converted to the gospel.  If all were like August this would be a better world ha.  

4. Yesterday we were able to meet with a girl who is a member but hasn't been to church for awhile.  It has been really hard to get a meeting set up with her but we were eventually able and yesterday we had a great lesson with her.  Sveta(girl coming to amercia to visit) helped us out on the lesson.  We had an awsome experience with her and she said that she will come to church.

  These are only a couple of miracles that have happened last week.  I know thanks to your prayers I am seeing a lot success.  I know that the Lord plays a big part in this work, for it is His work.  I am so thankful to be apart of it.  I know that mircales happen today.  Through faith miracles are wrought.  I know that the prayers of the faithful are heard by a loving Father.  God is mindful of each and everyone of His children.  I know that God lives because I know Him.  He manifests Himself only to those that call out to Him.  So give it a shot and call out to Him.  If you do so with faith and a humble heart I know that He will anwsere back.  This work that I am doing is the most important work that is going on, on the face of this planet.  The stone has been cut out of the mountain and it surely is rolling forth to every nation and every tongue.  The time when the Saints will return is soon approaching.

  Family I love you and hope that you have a great week.  I have mission leadership council this week so hopefully I will be able to get some mail.  Also it will be the first time I meet my mission President.  I am really excited.  I love you!

Elder Flitton

New Man in the chair. July 1, 2013

Dear Family

  Wow sounds like the weather back home has heated up a lot.  That is crazy that it has been 100.  I am sure that our front lawn is destroyed...ha.  Just have Anna go out and water it everyday.  It is not like she is doing anything.  Give her some jobs around the house.  It will help her :)

  I can't belive that the twins will be leaving in a couple of weeks.  That is crazy that they will be giving there farewell talks in  two weeks.  Did you guys get all of your neccessary shots.  Got to watch out for those zombie dogs that attack people.  Good thing that you guys played soccer so hopefully you can out run them.  If you want some practice just go down to my house and take your shoes off and shove your toes in Rosies mouth...I think then you will be more than ready haha.

  So last week President Rust hopped on a plane back to America.  I think they are really excited to go back to their own country.  They have been in Russia for like 14 years.  That is a really long time.  I think that Sister Rust was really ready to go home and see all of her grandkids.  They are two very special people.  I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to be able to serve with them.  

  The big news on the streets is that we have a new mission President.  I haven't met him yet unfortuntaetly.  I guess he invited all of the missionaries serving in Yekat over to the mission home.  I heard that he is pretty awesome.  I guess he has to be, being the former owner of Energy Solutions and part owner of Frankling Covey ha.  I am kind of nervous to meet him.  But in about a week I will have the opportunity to.

  This last Sunday we watched the broadcast of the church leadership training.  We had to watch it in Russian but it was awesome because I understood everything.  It was awesome just to hear the words in Russian and in the same time feel the spirit.  I honestly cryed when they showed those little movie segments.  Gave me a lot more motiviation as my mission winds down.  Also I don't think that our mission will enforce those new internet things yet.  We will be a little later.  But that was a pretty cool announcement.

  Last week Elder Wimber and I had the adventure of our lives.  We got a call about two weeks ago from a member in the city of Surgut.  They don't have a branch there because not enough people.  So all they have is a group.  But the leader of the group called us and said that there was a member that lives in the Tyumen county and was wondering if we could go visit her.  I told her yes and she gave me her address.  Well I got my map out and checked out where she lived.  She lives 2 hours out of the city of Tyumen in a village called Bobylova.  So this week Elder Wimber and I and the greatest member in Tyumen went out and visited her.  BTW the best member in Tyumen, her name is Sveta, she is awesome.  So we had to go to the the bus station to buy bus tickets.  We then hopped on a bus for about two hours.  We finally got off in a very small city in the middle of no where and then we had to take a taxi for about 30 minutes to the village.  It was so awesome.  We finally got to the village and had a meeting with this member.  She was so happy to see us.  She started to cry when we walked up to the door.  Our meeting was so spiritual and she invited her husband and her neighbor to hear us teach.  Let's just say that we are going back next week to teach them.  When we left she started to cry.  Gosh it was so awesome.  I will never forget that adventure.  

  From that experience I was able to strengthen my testimony.  I am so thankful that no matter where you are in the world, God the Father of our spirits is there to watch over you.  The spirit can be felt anywhere.  I am so thankful that I was able to help this member feel the sweet spirit again. I know with all of my heart that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world.  He is a God and He was the God of the Old Testament.  He created worlds and universes but He decided to come to this world and perform the most loving act ever thought of or ever imagined.  The Atonement is perfect and it happened.  I love my Saviour and my Redeemer for that single act of love.  

  Mom or Katie or Anna, whoever knows how to send pictures through email.  I have one favor to ask of you.  I noticed that I don't have a picture of our family standing by the temple.  Could you please send me a picture of us as a family standing by the temple.  I want to put it on my study desk.  It can be old or new I don't care just please send me one through email.  thanks

  I love you all and hope that you have a great week.  Steven Daniels HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! you sure are getting old.  Also everyone enjoy the 4th.  If you want you could barbeque me a hamburger and then just give it to maggy.  And then barbeque me a hot dog and then give that to Rosie.  Ha I am so jelaous I won't be home for the 4th.  Well enjoy it!  love you all.

Elder Flitton

Hello summer. June 24, 2013

Dear Family

  As you can tell by the title of this email, summer is here in Tyumen.  I think I have lost at least 5 pounds from sweating.  Wearing a white collar shirt with a tie and black slacks is the best way to loose weight if anyone is interested.  Just put on the missionary attire and walk around with a back pack full of books and you will definately loose weight.  Ha jk don't try it.  It isn't that pleasing.  But seriously I don't know how other missions do it where it is a constant blazing sun everyday.  Garett asked if I would choose a hot mission or a cold mission.  I am going to have to say a cold mission.  

  So last week was quite the eventful week.  Elder Wimber and I were able to meet with our investigator Serafima.  On tuesday after email we had a meeting with her.  We watched the Restoration film and then talked about prayer.  The spirit was super strong and so we invited her to give prayer a try.  But she told us that she wasn't ready.  I was kind of bummed because I had some high hopes going into that meeting.  But is just goes to show that we have a lot more work to do with her.  Today we are getting dinner with her and then we will talk about faith. Please pray for us.

  All of our investigators like Bulat and Vitalie kind of just fell off the map.  We think that Vitalie left to St. Petes early so he won't get back until like September.  Kind of a bummer but I will still probably be here by then so that is good.  We have a lot of potential investigators.  I am really excited about this one lady that I talked to on the street.  She actually invited us over to her house.  So probably tomorrow we are going to go over.  Things are going great here.

  Also last week was Zone Conference.  It was President Rusts last Zone Conference.  On Wednesday we took a train to Yeakt and then I had my last interview with him.  It was a really good interview for it being my last one.  I am so glad that I as able to serve with him.  He really has taught me so much.  I am so thankful for all of the lessons that I have learned from him.  I think that is awesome that you are going to go to his homecoming talk.  Mom give him a big hug for me.  I love his hugs.  Just think I just hugged him and now he is hugging you ha. So it is like a hug from me.  He is such a great guy.  I am going to miss him.  They leave the 29th and we will have a new man in the big chair by the end of the week.  

  The Zone Conference was all about faith.  President did some great teaching.  He talked about Light.  It was really interesting to learn about how faith is connected to light.  When we are obedient and we live according to the gospel we recieve more light.  We recieve more knowledge.  I am so thankful that God has given us the opportunity to recieve more knowledge.  It is so great that he wants us learn as much as we can.  I love light and knowledge.

  So this week is the start of a new transfer.  I only have 1 more after this one.  I am really enjoying my time here in Tyumen.  This city is great.  I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to serve in this city. I know that there are people out there waiting for me.

  I hope that everyone has a great week talk to you next week.

Elder Flitton

All is well. June 18,2013

Dear Family

 

  So sorry that I wasn't able to write yesterday.  We found out yesterday that our internet place got shut down.  So yesterday we wanted to check out if the library in center was opened.  For some odd reason it is closed on Monday so now we probably will be doing internet on Tuesday for now on.  The library is the nicest building that I have ever been in Russia.  I feel like I am at some kind of state capital house or something.  Today we got our cute little library cards with our picture on them and we are now sitting in a really nice room doing interent.  Lets just say that we scored big time here in Tyumen.

  Sounds like everyone had a very eventful week last week.  I am super jelaous about the Moon lake trip.  It looks so fun just to be out on the lake fishing.  I hope by the time I get home we can plan some kind of trip and go fishing out on the lake.  Also I can't believe that Anna got her licsense.  I congratulate you ha.

  So last week we found a new investigator.  Her name is Cerafima.  We met with her a lot last week.  We have become like best friends.  She is so funny.  We met her on a bus two weeks ago.  She actually came up to us and asked us why we were matching (white shirt, tie, slacks....we kind of stick out).  We then had a great conversation with her and now we are pretty good friends.  She is so great and I am so happy that I have the opportunity to be able to teach her.  After internet we have a meeting with her and we are going to ask her to be baptized.  Keep your fingers crossed:)

  This week we will be having Zone Conference in Yekaterinburg.  I am really excited for it.  This will be probably be my last one.  This is Presidents Rust last Zone Conf.  So this one is going to be really good.  It is so crazy that in two weeks I will have a new mission President.  I am kind of bummed that I won't have my exit interview with President Rust.  But I'm sure that President Christinsen will be great.  It is going to be a new change here in this mission.

  Our investigator Vitalie has gone MIA.  He told us last week that he was leaving for a couple of days.  Well it has been a week and we haven't heard anything from.  I am kind of worried for him and hope that all is ok with him.  He is probably just taking some extra time wherever he is.  Also our investigator Bulat has kind of taken a dive.  He hasn't been to church so we won't have a baptism service for him this saturday.  It is kind of a stink but every one has there freedom to choose.

  So I read the other day the talk by President Monson.  The talk that he gave during the Priesthood session.  I want to share with you a couple of things that I really enjoyed.  President Monson said "Young men, I hope you appreciate the sacrifices which your parents so willingly make in order for you to serve."  I just want to take the time and notice you, Mom and Dad.  I know that you have sacrificed so much for me.  You have put so much out on the table.  In which I will always be indebted to you for.  If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here.  I wouldn't have had the experiences that I have.  I wouldn't have found the people that I promised in the Pre mortal excistince that I would find.  Most of all I wouldn't have changed and become the Mel. Priesthood holder that I am today.  So thank you so much for this.  Also Grandma and Grandpa.  Thank you so much for your unending support and love.  Your prayers in my behalf are felt every day.  Every morning that I rise I feel a new refreshing and a drive to get work done.  Thank you so much.  Aunt Jen you are the greatest Aunt.  Your emails every week make me so happy.  Thank you so much for everything.  Once again you are helping me with something that I couldn't do by myself.  I love you.

Now the list of people could go on and on.  But I just wanted to make sure that those people knew the love and gratitude that I have for them.  thank you!

   President went on to say "Their labors will sustain you, their faith encourage you, their prayers uphold you.  A mission is a family affair.  Through the expanse of continents or oceans may separate, hearts are as one."  I am so thankful that eventhough oceans and lands divide us we are still united as one.  That is the only thing that I ask.  That as a family we remain unified.  NO matter how hard the storms hit, no matter how far away we are from each other, we will still remain unified in love.  The sealing that has been placed upon our family is real and it works.  ONLY if we are all unified as one with one specific goal, which is to live in the presence of God TOGETHER. 

  Family I love you so much.  thank you so much for everything that you do for me.  I miss you.  Please know that my prayers to you are constant and that your prayers for me are felt.  I need your support and faith especially right now as the end draws near.  Thank you.

Love

Elder Flitton

D+C 88:63 (from now on I am going to do a scripture of the week)

mom make sure that you email my emails to Matt's mom