10/5/2015

Life............ IS GREAT!!!

Logan Flake

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5:39 PM

To: L and M Flake

Hello Dear Family,

Oh what a WONDERFUL few days. I hope all is well in EACH and EVERY ONE of your lives. I pray for you, and pray is real thing it actually works, and so I have full faith and confidence that all is well, or that soon all will be well. I love you all! You are probably sick of that word love because it has become such a part of my vocabulary since I left, but I really do. I do not dwell in my regrets, but I wish I would have cut out all those nights and time with friends and just devoted myself to hanging out with all of you, my family. You older ones, remember that there really is no happier place nor more important and beautiful place within the home were the gospel is taught and practiced. It might sound lame or boring and may not be the thing that you expected all true meaning and happiness in life to come down to, BUT IT IS TRUE. The family is everything. 

We got to go to big lake today. We caught some crawdads, but no fish. Life is good. 

Man, this week has been pretty eye opening. We had exchanges last week, so I got to go work in the middle of a pile of dirt, commonly known as St. Johns. It is quite brutal out there. When Brigham Young first sent settlers out to St. Johns there arose a lot of problems between the already present Catholics and the Mormons. Lots of Shooting and Killing each other, and a lot of those problems still remain today. I got to spend some time with the most broken people that I have seen in my life. Meth abusers that are so sad and so lonely and desperate that they cry just to have someone to talk to! And young people that have no homes, because all their families have been murdered or disappeared. St. Johns is a sad place. Most of these people were born into situations like that, they didn't choose it. They didn't want to do drugs or be lonely or have no family, but they BORN into it. And now, they have lost their bodies and minds to it. How am I so lucky? Why are WE so lucky? We could have so easily been born into these situations, but we were not. We were blessed. And because we are blessed, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE. We are responsible to reach out and help all others who were born into more dire and less favorable circumstances than ourselves. Imagine those of our brothers and sisters who got assigned this lot in Heaven. We were there and we promised we would get to them, and look out for them. We can't brake our promises. Ever. 

You are all AWESOME. Do you think each of you could send me your favorite quote from general conference? Mom, I hope you look at Elder Hollands again. That was beautiful, and know that I feel the same way, and cried over that talk. I LOVE CONFERENCE!

Love Elder Flake

missionary swimming

9/30/15

YOU KILLED MY DOG? I'm just kidding, it is alright, it probably alleviates some stress! Well, we'll see you in a couple of years skittles! Just know that it really doesn't bother me too much, I just feel really bad for the kiddos! Especially, because they saw it all happen and everything. Just let them know that they really will see that little doggie in heaven, if they want to. 

I AM DOING AMAZING! Life is so wonderful that I can hardly bare it. I do not know why He is so good to me. This week was actually the best week I have had on the mission. It was the most stressful, and exhausting, and everything else, but it had the most fruits tied with it. So, Transfers were this week, that is why I am writing today, and not Monday. Every six weeks, our Preparation Day switches from Monday to Wednesday, just so you know. So, last Tuesday, Elder Strike was picked up because he is going to be an assistant to the president. Which, is kind of awesome. However, he was picked up a week early so that he could go down to the valley and train on how to be an assistant to the president, which meant that I was alone for a week. I was supposed to just hang out with the other elders in there area all week, but I DEFINITELY was not up for that. There is so much work to be done!!! Who has time to throw a week away, by just tagging along with some other missionaries! No way. So for the entire week, I called and called people, and made it so that I had members for every hour of the day and each day of the week to go with me. IT WAS AWESOME! I had more lessons than we've ever had in a week, and, also, the most people agree to be baptized than ever before. The lessons were all powerful, because God made them that way. It was exhausting though, because I had to ensure that I was never alone and that the transitions went smoothly, combined with teaching mostly all of the material in all the lessons. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT! 

I do miss Elder Strike though. You can probably tell from the fact that he is an Assistant to the President of what caliber of missionary he is. We got along so well. I have definitely made a friend for life. The new companion is an elder from Orem, Utah, He is AWESOME. His Spanish is basically flawless to my unpracticed ears, and I am looking forward to speaking much more Spanish. I will tell you more about him next week, but I am pretty excited to work with him. 

When I first got to Eagar I met this non-member young man who is a big guy. He's like that star football player and everything. I had never seen this guy before we knocked on his door. We talked to him a little bit, and eventually found out that he sings. So for some reason, I just asked him to sing in church with us... AND HE SAID YES. So last week an investigator sang with us in church. In front of everybody! It was funny because he showed up in shorts and his football T-Shirt. But he still sang, and he wants to come back and do it again. So that is pretty weird and awesome. I didn't even know this guys name and he asked if he'd sing with us. 

Also, this past week I had the opportunity to drive with some investigators to Snow Flake and back. They said that they needed some help so we found a member, and I drove to Snow Flake with them. It was sweet. On the way there, I taught the restoration along with some other stuff, and then on the way back, I taught the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then invited them to be baptized and THEY SAID YES! So that was a fun five-hour trip. 

There was, also, a cool spiritual experience that I had as I was going to appointments with the old stake president. He speaks Spanish, so we were trying to only do Spanish visits, but something told me to turn around and go to this very large and quite intimidating  Ex-communicated member with his  Wife's home. President  knew him as well... and you could tell he was a little timid as well, BUT WE DID IT. We went, God is in control not us. We talked for a little bit, and then I just had these questions come to my mind, and I just started asking away. And these were BOLD questions, that were Specific and Personal. I thought President  was going to have a heart-attack that he was so scared, but eventually... He and his wife started to cry. He opened up, and bore such a powerful testimony that I was tearing up as well. It was powerful. God woke him up that night, and I believe that he will start working towards the necessary changes that he knows he knows he must make in life. God answers prayers. I know He does. He answered mine with this couple. I have been really struggling to know if I am Doing, Going, and Saying what and where God wants. I didn't know what I could possible do, but God heard me, He always does. Through all the storms, and changes, and trials, and transfers in life. He is the one constant. If you have Him with you, you need nothing! Please Family, use Him, and build a relationship with Him now that when hard things come, you know He's there. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! WITH ALL MY SOUL! Let me know how you all are.

Love YOUR ELDER FLAKE!

9/21/15

Oh mom! My heart is full. I am so overwhelmed by the goodness and mercy and greatness of Christ the Lord that I don't even know what to say. Mom, I love Him. He has given everything to me. My very life. And he has given me such a wonderful family to be a part of, especially you. The mission is a brutal place, a refiners fire for sure. Out here, children of God are forged and sculpted and most importantly Cut Down, so that we can be what God intended us to be. Oh, mom, it's hard. But I know it is supposed to be. I have been cut down. Over and over and over again. It hurts. There is so much to learn. So much to do. And most importantly, so much to be. Mom, I am trying, but the progress is slow. With the help of our Lord Jesus Christ we will ALL get there. But being forged and sculpted and cut down is quite a painful process. One I am thankful nevertheless. Just know: I will never quit. Ever. There is not a chance of me giving up the fight, and letting down the Lord our God as well as all of our brothers and sisters that have the potential to be happy, and just need a little help. Mark my words: I WILL NOT FALTER. I WILL FINISH. I promise.

So Elder Strike is leaving tomorrow. Which is sad. He is going down to the valley to be an assistant to the president. So he's pretty cool. I am getting a new companion, but I will be alone for almost a week because Elder Strike is going down a week early to learn how to do assistant stuff. You all are definitely going to need to meet Elder Strike sometime. He is pretty cool. Instead of dinner one day, we both made oil vials out of king's wood with an awesome guy named Jim-bob. I am really going to miss Elder Strike, but SO BE IT! He says that this is the first time that he has actually been sad for transfers, so I must have done something right! I am more than excited for the challenges that lie ahead!

Now for some miracles this week: the first was the temple. It was strange to go to Snowflake and drive past and SEE grandma and grandpa's house on the way to the temple! It was just ridiculous! We even almost stopped there for lunch. But the temple was quite the experience, it was wonderful, and it was cool to be in a temple that was built because probably due to the faithfulness of our ancestors. Grandma and Grandpa are famous among the missionaries. They really do put in good effort in attempt to move the work forward. I have learned to love them, even though I have not seen them yet. Our investigators are wonderful! There was a cool experience with a sister that just got baptized. She was older, and really REALLY enjoyed her wine. She liked the church and everything, but I don't think she thought it was even possible to give it up. So one day, she was praying, and the next day she got up and her husband offereher some Wine and she just didn't feel like she wanted it. He offered coffee, and she didn't feel like having that either. Maybe tomorrow she thought, but on the next day she didn't want ANY OF IT! And the next day was the same. She was baptized soon after. And still has no real desire for her drinks. AMAZING! GOD LIVES! And He answers prayers. If we have a true and sincere desire to do that which is right, HE WILL PROVIDE A WAY. Just like with this fine sister. Another miracle took place at a Baby's blessing this past week. We arranged for a two year old to receive a baby blessing in a less active family. They have not been to church and years, and the parents of the daughter live with the daughters Grandma and are not married. In fact, the father is not a member at all. He has tattoos all over is body, and has been drinking every time we come over.....but he's awesome. After the baby blessing, brother Truley (the presiding bishopric member) pulled the dad aside and said that this ordinance had been done by the power of the priesthood and that he expected him to receive the priesthood to bless his family. He asked if we could come back tomorrow and teach him. AND TEACH HIM WE DID! We taught about the priesthood, and his only question was: "when can I get it." He is so sincere and earnest. He is one prepared by God. 

There are so many other miracles that happen almost daily, but I am running out of time. I am sorry, I love you all. I know I say that a lot, but I didn't really understand or realize how much I treasured you until you were taken out of my life. I miss you, and pray for all of you, all the time. You guys are my heroes, and each of you are way to valuable and precious to not feel loved. You are loved. Know that you are! DEAL WITH IT! BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE... EVER. I may be a few miles away, but I am here for all of you: . I love you it is true. Be kind my friends. See you soon.

Love Elder Flake

9/14/15

Hello Ma',

Alright, so the guy who just joined the church is named Juan, and He is Wonderful! We started playing soccer with him at the beginning of August, and he was baptized by the end of August. He is the sweetest guy. He was talking about how he was going to get baptized to one of his friends at work, and his friend was like: "Don't you think you are getting baptized a little to soon and a little to fast?" and he was like: "No WAY! I have been waiting for this forever!"  

Some of the others we have been working with include this sister named Kristi. She is wonderful! She really sincerely wants to be baptized, but she is pregnant and does not want to get baptized until after she has the baby.

We are working with two people that used to be in the military. One was a Navy Seal who has been shot... a lot. And the other is someone that struggles to stop smoking. With the latter, I had the opportunity to teach her and commit her to be baptized while we were on splits. It was the coolest lesson. We all were pretty emotional. It is amazing how instinctual and recognizable the gospel is to people. It is in there core, BECAUSE THEY WERE THERE! And when we bring it up, there eyes sparkle, and they utter the most beautiful words that I have ever heard: I believe. 

Up in the mountains one of the biggest problems is the Word of Wisdom. We have helped a man get to the point to quit Alcohol AND NOW HE CAN BE BAPTIZED! We have helped a few others quit tobacco, and it is SO rewarding! But even with these things, Elder Strike and I were talking about how we feel like we cannot take credit for ANYTHING, because it really is all God. Sometimes we even feel like we are useless, because He is the one that really does all the important stuff. He is the one that works the magic!

We are teaching this one Spanish family that is AMAZING! They are wonderful, and I really hope to see the family baptized and sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. The son, who is like my age, is the all-star of the Round Valley Football team. He and his sister are so Sincere in there quest to find spiritual knowledge. IT IS BEAUTIFUL! We teach lessons, and at the end we ask him what he thinks, and he basically says that he has to ask God! then we come back when they have prayed about it... AND THEY LOVE IT! 

Elder Strike had been pretty sick lately. so he asked for a blessing. I know I have not given very many blessings so far, but this was a pretty strange little blessing. When I tried to open my mouth to speak all I could say and all I could think of was to command him to be healed. I tried so hard to think of somethings else to say, but that was all I had... so that is all that was said. Honestly, after the blessing I was kind of embarrassed. I shouldn't have been, but I was. Later that day, I learned that Elder Strike felt better. It was a miracle. We must never doubt the Lord nor His spirit no matter how strange or out-of-place it might seem. 

We also had another baptism in Second Ward this past weekend of this older sister. She is powerful. The way she was introduced to the church was through a member who simply invited her to General Conference. It works. when we fear not, the Lord will use us. Because when He commands, we respond regardless of the task and how afraid we might be. Remember what He has said! "FEAR NOT, I AM WITH THEE, OH BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM THY GOD AND WILL STILL GIVE THE AID. I'LL STRENGTHEN THEE, HELP THEE, AND CAUSE THEE TO STAND!" Be fearless my friends.

Love Elder Flake

9/7/15

How are you doing? I am doing well. Life is good. I am learning so much, but I still want to progress faster! But I sin in my wish, I know that Our Father in Heaven will take care of me and guide my where I need to go.

So this week was great!  Oh, and almost everyone in this town know Lathan Flake and Grandma and Grandpa. A few Sundays ago, this older sister called me over in church... I thought she was going to give us a referral or something, but when I walked up to her... She gave me the BIGGEST bear hug that I have ever had in my life!!! And she said it was from Grandma and Grandpa! That is ILLEGAL! I am not suppose to hug (or be hugged by) girls on this Mission... I'm surprised she didn't kiss me too! I was pretty shocked, but it was fun. It is still raining like crazy here, but I kind of enjoy being drenched! It is the closest to swimming I can get! We have been teaching A LOT like always. Yesterday we taught Relief Society, and Sang for them, It was pretty powerful! THE MISSION IS SO FUN! AND SO HARD! AND SO EXHAUSTING! AND SO HEART BREAKING! I LOVE IT. 

Do you all know what else I love? You. Yep. I, also, have come to love and really appreciate the priesthood. God is so good in permitting us to receive His holy priesthood! It is AWESOME. Just the other day I was called on to exercise this power, and OH THE JOY I felt when I was Able to Feel because my Heavenly Father Honored and Authorized my Priesthood!!! The mission, so far, can be summed up in three words: I. AM. A. TOOL. THAT IS IT! That has been my entire experience! AND WHAT A JOY AND A SACRED HONOR IT IS TO BE AN INSTRUMENT IN THE HANDS OF THE MASTER! As missionaries, we do nothing of ourselves. HE works through us, if we let him. And when we and when YOU submit yourself to Our Heavenly Fathers Control HE WORKS MIRACLES! I always knew miracles were possible, but I never actually believed that I would see ONE!.... IN REAL LIFE! My testimony has grown because I feel and I recognize a power that is not my own work through me and in me. God is REAL! OH, HE EXISTS! And He LOVES us to INFINITY and BEYOND! Some may believe that submitting to God's Will, by keeping ALL His commandments is WEAK or ENSLAVING. IT IS NOT!!! It Is Completely Liberating and a sign of absolute strength!!! It all comes down to our agency to chose. LET HIM GUILD YOUR LIFE! He is willing to do it, all that is required is obedience. President Packer informed us that Sacrificing our agency, through obedience to the commandments, is the ONLY thing that we can truly give to God. Everything else is already His, and is taken and given at his discretion. And when you are OBEDIENT, you must BE OBEDIENT because you WANT to be OBEDIENT, due to your TRUE and SINCERE LOVE for God. NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON. And to all who say that they don't want to be controlled or that want to be so-called FREE to do whatever they want... I am sincerely sorry for them. What an awful way to live and what AWESOME blessings they are missing out on. It is AMAZING to be used in the hands of our Father in Heaven. What a joy. What an honor. 

 YO OS AMO CON TODO MI CORAZON!

Elder Flake

 

8/31/15

Well, I hope you all are taking my advice to heart! So this week has been quite AMAZING... As usual. We enjoyed a baptism on Saturday of a Spanish Man! YES! The Spanish work is going to start rolling people! We also had a zone conference and it was AMAZING! It is weird how excited I get about things that would have bore me to death before my mission. But it really was quite amazing... President Sweeney is an AMAZING man. I love him, but I am pretty sure that mission presidents do not get called by themselves, when the quorum of the Twelve Apostles decide to call a mission President I am pretty sure that that half of it is due to how amazing their wife is. I have a testimony that sister Sweeney was called of God, just as President Sweeney was! Women are powerful tools in God's hands as well. Sister Sweeney is an amazingly powerful and bold speaker as well! Zone conference was in Eager this time around and so The night before Zone Conference there were about 17 elders in our cute little cottage hime for four. It was a party. It was so crazy even the assistants to president were at our house. This week has been wonderful, the Spanish work is really picking up, but is sometimes difficult without transportation, but most of the time we can get rides. It is just that our Spanish speaking members are limited as well. But the Lord has provided, and we have been having a lot of success with the Spanish of the area. We are planning on getting most of our progressing investigators on date very soon! I gave a talk in Spanish, and have been singing a tun, and have been riding a bike a ton (during flash floods), and have been crying a ton just because I love God.

I have been thinking a lot this week about Jesus Christ, and what we really have to do to follow him and what it actually means to follow him. And I found out that it is all about OBEDIENCE. The other day me and Elder Strike ended up reading the entire Gospel of John, and in it we found that the entire purpose of Jesus Christ and the most prevalent doctrine that He taught was to do the will of the Father! And if Everyone in this world strives, as they claim to, to be like Jesus Christ... Then they must submit to the will of the Father... JUST LIKE JESUS THE CHRIST DID. But submitting entirely to Gods will is SO HARD, and he tests us to prove our obedience!... Think of Nephi having to kill Laban! Nephi didn't want to kill anybody! He was such a good boy, and he had never killed anyone before, so why did God tell him to kill Laban? Surely He could have killed Laban Himself and Surely He could have made some other way for Nephi to accomplish his purposes, but He asked Nephi to kill Laban. I believe that that was the hardest thing that the Lord could have asked of Nephi. For Nephi, I do not believe there could HAVE POSSIBLE been a greater test of faith and OBEDIENCE. But Nephi did it, he PROVED himself, and he saw God and became a POWERFUL prophet because of it. We all are going to have times to prove ourselves! God said that that is the purpose of life! "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;" THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE! To subject ourselves to God. And if we do that we will be powerful. We will be able to do miracles. We can work miracles as long as they according to the will of God. So the more that we will line up our will with the will of God, the more miracles we will be permitted to perform. That is the reason why Jesus Christ was able to perform so many mighty miracles! Because His will was PERFECTLY in line with the will of the Father. He was able to raise from the dead, and perform miracle after miracle, BECAUSE day after day He did the Fathers will. As missionaries and Priesthood holders we hold the same power that was in Jesus Christ. MIRACLES ARE POSSIBLE. I HAVE ALREADY SEEN MANY! If we can just show unto God that He can trust us, by being EXACTLY OBEDIENT to the commandments He has already given AND EXACTLY OBEDIENT TO THE SPIRIT, Then He will work miracles through you for the benefit of OTHERS. So I decided that most of the time I am basically Deaf to the spirit, but more so I am just Blind to RECOGNIZING when that soft-spoken-member of the Godhead is talking to me. SO I HAVE DECIDED THAT EVERYTHING THAT I THINK COULD EVEN POSSIBLE BE THE SPIRIT I WILL FOLLOW. That way I don't risk ever doing or ever not doing something that God would have me do. Try it! It is awesome! Miracles will come your way, and you will learn how much your Heavenly Father loves you more than ever before! 

I love you! And this mission thingy is going by WAY TO FAST!

Love, Elder Flake

8/24/15

HELLO FAMILY!!!

I love you. Yep, it's true. I really do. So now that that is
established. What can I do for you? What do you really need right now?
I can't do much, but I know someone who can! This life is gorgeous,
and WONDERFUL! However, most of the big things that we experience in
life are not what life is all about! THANK GOODNESS! God says he works
by the little things to make Great and Marvelous things come to pass!
So in order to really be happy and to find joy in this life IS TO SEE
THE LITTLE THINGS that happen every single day! And not only see the
WONDERFUL little things that happen every day, but to remember them
and thank our Father for them! Oh, he is wonderful and is constantly
giving us little things to enjoy. To smile at. To laugh at (our
Heavenly Father does have a sense of perfect humor... Trust me... He's
funny!). Just today, I was thinking about how wonderful it is just to
exist and have a body! Or when we get to ride through the Ferocious
storms that go by, and the delightful opportunity to just ride your
bike in the rain and lightening! It is wonderful to just be. It truly
is a BEAUTIFUL world and every moment is precious. But the thing that
makes it all so wonderful and the thing that makes all the HARD things
EASY or maybe just BEARABLE is that we have a loving Heavenly Father
that is ALWAYS Watching over us and who is ALWAYS aware of us. HE
KNOWS EVERYTHING WE DO. HE KNOWS EVERYWHERE WE GO. HE KNOWS EVERYTHING
WE SAY. He knows every cry for help that we utter. He is there. He is
ALWAYS there. I didn't truly understand this before, but now I know,
that he is with us, and when I speak his words it has a knew meaning.
He is right there. We are never alone. OH, HOW WONDERFUL HE IS! WE ARE
NEVER ALONE! Even if you feel alone: YOU ARE NOT! Just because you
cannot see him does not mean He is not there! He is! Talk to HIM! If
the person that you loved more than anyone in this entire world moved
away for several years, and you had NO WAY to get ahold of them, how
would you feel if they never called you, or never emailed you, or
never even wrote you letters? IT WOULD BE AWEFUL! If you guys didn't
talk to me even for a month I would be heart broken. Completely. How
do you think our Heavenly Father feels when we never even tried to get
on our knees and tell him what is happening in our life. He wants to
talk to you, and he wants to help you! He sees what you need! And
knows the perfect way to help you, but He cannot help unless you ask
him. He wants so badly to give you what up you need, and it hurts Him
to watch us go through so many difficult things. If you pray, you will
feel Him close by. I promise. .

Love, Mr. Elder Flake

8/19/2015

 could you do me a favor?
Will you please send me an update on all the not so good stuff
happening with the family? It worries me more when I don't know what
is going on. And everything cannot possible be PERFECT back home. So
please tell me all the problems and issues going on too! I promise it
will not distract me! You couldn't get me unfocused from this work if
you tried! . So please tell me what is going
on.

So my journal is mostly just thoughts about God, and His
investigators, so I do not know how useful it would be! So... You
might never believe it, but the work here is intense. We have so much
to do that me and my companion could honestly use like four other
missionaries in our area alone! It is unbelievable! Are days are
completely stuffed full of lessons. We have close to a dozen people
that we plan on baptizing by the end of September. And we would have
more, but there is a few that just WILL NOT give up there substance
addictions and one that is going to get baptized, but refuses to do so
until she has her baby that is due in a few months! OYE! Come on
people! Yeah, I guess I have been slacking on the stories. So the
Spanish Work is BOOMING! Like we can't possible get to all the people
that are ready to here the Gospel! Are schedules are so full that for
the past two days we have had to go on splits in order to cover all
the set lessons we have had. We have a goal to create a Spanish Branch
and I think we will be able to do it! The members are wonderful, and
treat us way better than we deserve. The spirit of missionary work is
truly alive in this town, people are accepting our challenges to go
out and find their lost friends and bring them to the fold of God! Oh
it is wonderful! How long over the two year mark will you let me stay
here mommy?

That is really kinda funny that Kennedy Haskell enjoyed her mission so
much... Because I AM TOO! I honestly never want to go anywhere
different, this mission is perfect. I get to learn a new language, but
I also get to really see and understand how the church really runs and
operates. I, also, get to really learn the Gospel. Here in the states
a lot of people are quite hardened, and have some really good
arguments against the church, and if you aren't deeply in tuned with
the spirit and really studding every day, you won't stand a chance out
here! It is also amazing to see such different aspects and opinions
and struggles and questions and cultures. I work with the the most
real Cowboys that you will ever see in your life one day, and the next
I will be talking to some Indians about their ancestors in the Book of
Mormon, then there are normal well educated individuals, and then the
next I will be eating chillies, that are so hot I literally sweat
until I am soaked, with a Spanish family that tells us how much they
believe the commandment not to worship idols and then prays to the
Virgin Maria every night! Every thing is so different! We have helped
a guy give up smoking and that was probably the most rewarding
experience yet.

We had a really neat experience with a new Spanish investigator
earlier this week. We stopped by and started just getting to know her,
and what she believed. And we found out that she doesn't really know
who God is or Jesus Christ or anything about any religion. We asked
her to pray and afterwards we asked her how she felt and she said: "I
feel just like lighter and I don't know just like something special."
She tried really hard, but she just couldn't explain it. This is
stunning to me, because the first time that I felt that actually
recognized the presence of the Holy Ghost working in my heart was
probably half way through my junior year inHigh School! And this was
someone who minutes before we knocked on her door didn't even know
there was a God that existed! We hadn't even told her about the Holy
Ghost or ANYTHING! SHE JUST KNEW. IT IS AMAZING! We have taught her
daily since then, and I am sure that she will come into the waters of
baptism very soon and finally be free from the guilt that living life
always inflicts!

Miracles really do happen. God is among us. He is concerned with the
details of our lives. I know He is there. And that if we pray the
right way with all the energy of our heart, than we will feel him
close to us daily. This world is Beautiful. You just sometimes have to
look up to see it. I love you all so much. Do not be afraid to share
the wonderful and exciting message of the Gospel. Our fellow brothers
and sisters NEED IT in there lives! If you really love your fellow
brothers and sisters you would share this Gospel of Jesus Christ that
we have been so Mercifully Born into!!! Open your mouth. And change
the lives of those who are around you! This is one of my biggest
regrets! I WISH WITH ALL MY HEART THAT I JUST SHARED WHAT I KNEW WITH
EVERYONE THAT I KNEW! People need that freedom from guilt. That guilt
is awful. It is unbearable, and it makes life depressing and
discouraging, even with those that don't even think they feel guilty
about anything that they have done! Just try it! I love you all and
will see you soon!

Love you!

Elder Flake

8/10/2015
 My Spanish is still coming along. I can understand everything, but my head hurts when Spanish lessons go longer than forty-five minutes. We meet with our zone and president monthly. We had a zone activity and I ended up giving a guy a concussion and amnesia really bad in a kick ball game... we ran into each other...and he went flying. He doesn't remember anything, so I guess he can't be mad at me! It is different when you are a Spanish missionary,  We are on bikes... and in the mountains, so our legs are ripped from going up and down so many hills. We have a Magnet ward that we have to translate for the Spanish people, but we are trying to start up a Spanish branch. AND ALL I EAT IS SPANISH FOOD! Even the white people... and I might kind of like it... but I am not admitting anything! My health has never been better... I actually have muscles now... because I have to work out every day. I think you would be surprised! 

This week was AWESOME! They are always awesome, but this week was a little tedious. We are imputing all the area book information into our Ipads and I am not going to lie... It has tested my patience! Which is really good, but I wanted to get out and to reap with all my might and to SAVE SOULS!!! But most of the days I was stuck looking at a little screen and typing words that were written five years ago. I am grateful to do it though, because it will make everything so much easier and accurate, when we get it all imputed. Technology truly is a miracle from God. 

I love the mission Family. It is the best experience of my life, I never EVER want to do anything different. What else matters besides reminding my fellow brothers and sisters (including my family) come unto Christ? I will stay as long as I can, and I promise you and I have promised God that I will give my whole soul, heart, might, mind, and strength to this work. Nothing will stop me, nor dishearten me. They can take my life, but Nobody can take away my faith.

You all might be thinking that I might burn out from all this, and honestly I thought I would to... but a miracle has happened. I promised the Lord I would do everything in my power to obey every single mission law with exactness, including to reap with all that I am... and He, in his incomprehensible mercy, has granted my energy and motivation and power. In fact, the harder I work the more energetic and relaxed and rested I feel. He blesses me with optimism and peace in the worst situations! Why is he so good to us? Why when we are trying to pay Him back does He dump more blessings upon us, just making us further indebted to his goodness? I can not comprehend it, and I learned that it takes a LOT of humility to accept that you will never be able to repay Him!

So I imagine things are going pretty rough there... Well... Congratulations! That means you are on the right path! It is true, as soon as you start walking towards God, the adversary will do everything within his power to stop you from walking forward. Sometimes he will put the craziest things in our path to try to stop us, but most of the time it is little things that he uses to constantly wear on us. He will give us grief, thoughts of hopelessness, doubts of our standing before God, He wants you to give up! HE IS DESPERATE TO HAVE YOU GIVE UP! Don't let HIM. DO NOT EVER GIVE UP. DO not ever stop walking towards God. IF YOU ARE PROGRESSING TOWARDS GOD than that is enough. Do not doubt, do not complain, and DO NOT GIVE UP. Oh, my family. I wish I could just hear your voices, and hung you all, and tell you all will be alright. My heart aches. I just want to help, but God has promised that HE will take care of you. And I trust God more than myself. I will not be home any time soon. I am doing a Great Work and I CANNOT or WILL NOT come down. I love you, and I know that you have it in you to conquer whatever trials you are facing. Trust yourself, and Trust God. You are wonderful, all of you. And I ask you, and beg you, and plead you to please...oh, please, just stay together, fill your hearts with Love towards each other. This world is dark and dangerous. Just stick together, and be happy. United we stand. Keep your chins up. Smile every day. Spend more time together. WE CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER. We CAN, but it requires effort on our part. I expect to be with every single one of you in the eternities. You must get up EVERY TIME you fall. And when someone in the Family falls and is struggling... the rest of us have an OBLIGATION to help them up and love them. We all are going to fall sometimes, I fall a lot, and many times the only reason I got up was because of the Beautiful Family that God mercifully allowed me to be a part of. You may think I am strong, but I am not. the only reason I made it through life this far is because of each and every one of you. I. Would. Not. Be. Here. Without every single on of you, and I would not have the strength to stay here without each of you. I pray for you daily. Each of you. Individually.

Now, forget yourselves and your own priorities and be a family. 

Love,
Elder Flake

Aug. 3, 2015

Hey! It rains like crazy here to!!! And the Thunder shakes the house! Floods happen here as well... Dad wasn't kidding. Yep, my companion speaks Spanish and we are over THREE STAKES and the entire Spanish work for the stake that covers basically all of New Mexico in our mission! The 24 of July we just taught lessons and brought people to know their savior a little better.... So you know it was pretty much the best Pioneer Day I've ever had!
HELLO FRIEND! So I have a few things to tell you dear mother. First of all, you really need to watch the Mormon Message: Wrong Roads. I have struggled a lot with following the spirit, and the perspective that Elder Holland gives in this video has helped me a ton! Sometimes God wants us to try the completely wrong thing in order to more confidently and COMMITTEDLY choose the other right thing! But the only way we can determine the incorrect path, that is not OBVIOUSLY wrong, is to try it! This is kind of my theory with college right now... University of Pennsylvania deferred me, and as of now I will be attending there! Exciting huh!?! You will have to come out with me for a little while! But I am more confident that going there is the right path, because it leaves the most doors open.

 Also, many times I have seen with many of our investigators that when people travel down the correct roads, that the Adversary completely attacks them on all sides. They are attacked in the most EXTREME ways, especially in the Beginning! This is because the Devil knows that if he can make the beginning of starting down a good path seem either bad and wrong OR too hard, then he can keep us from tasting the joy, and more importantly he can keep us from building righteous habits and keep us confused about messages from our Heavenly Father about the Holy Ghost.

Mom the mission is so incredible amazing!!! It is the best experience of my life... Like Jacob said... This mission will definitely be the best thing FOR my life, but also it will definitely be the best experience OF my life has well. It is not the fact that this mission is FOR my life that makes it wonderful, it is such a TRULY WONDERFUL thing because it is FOR the lives of others! That is why it is so sweet!!! GOD IS SO GOOD. I get to get up ALL DAY, EVERY DAY and bring people to something real that will TRANSFORM their life into something GLORIOUS and BEAUTIFUL! The true joy of missionary work is not in the slightest about baptism... It is an essential step, but it is not where they joy comes in missionary work. The Real Joy comes from watching people REPENT! OH IT IS WONDERFUL! WHO CARES ABOUT THE BAPTISMAL NUMBERS!... Well I shouldn't  Because it kinda is essential for SALVATION! So ya, it is kinda important... But that is not what I take JOY IN! I get to FOCUS 100% on OTHER PEOPLE it is the best thing OF my life! I practically DO NOT EXIST! AND I AM THE HAPPIEST THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE!!! IT IS SO STRANGE. Oh, but don't worry about me momma! I sent you and dad that letter like the first day in the mission... And I just wanted to GET OUT AND BRING SOULS TO MY SAVIOR....... And that was NOT what we did! BECAUSE I AM A KNEW MISSIONARY AND I HAD TO READ ALL THESE BOOKS AND STUFF!!! But in reality I am having the happiest time of my life! I am so optimistic and energetic that I sometimes drive fellow missionaries CRAZY! In fact, I apparently are supposed to internalize my energy and be more patient and "slow" with my companions so that I don't burn them out! BUT HOW COULD WE NOT BE OUT EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY BRINGING SOULS TO CHRIST! The time is short. And the time is precious. What I do today, could determine someone's future for the eternities. AND THAT IS THE SAME FOR ALL OF US! THIS GAME OF LIFE IS SO FRAGILE, SO INFLUENTIAL, SO IMPORTANT!!! THE ENTIRETY OF THE ETERNITIES ARE DEPENDENT AND DETERMINED BY THIS SHORT AND SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT LIFE. Every choice matters in this life! We just have to HOLD IT TOGETHER for a something like 90 YEARS UNTIL WE ARE SAFELY DEAD! Oh Mom! This time is so important! It is the most Important! But it is not just a time to work! Our Father intended it to be FULL OF JOY AND HAPPINESS AS WELL. So let's be HAPPY and let's be GOOD and RIGHTEOUS people. This is the only time we have, we have one chance at life, and one day it will be all over, and if we didn't use the Atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, it will be to late. I love you and ask you to NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Christ never gave up and we must not give up on Him. Get to know Him. He is a WONDERFUL FRIEND, and He will always be there for us. I know He lives. Every one of us will see Him. You will stand before His face. You will look Him in the eye. Are you Ready?