10/11/16

This week was spectacular! Elder B and I had exchanges from Monday
to Tuesday with the Phoenix Zone Leaders and the Paradise Valley Zone
Leaders. I went to Phoenix and the Zone Leaders there are both in my
old area. They didn't have much to do on Tuesday, so I told them at I
would take care of from Noon to five. After straightening some things
out down there and then some good studies we headed out! We met with
so many of the people I had found and taught and it was amazing to see
the change in their lives... for better or for worse... some of those
we went by were a wreck. They looked bad, they had gotten into drugs
and were not mentally there. It was so sad, but a few of them had been
humbled and prepared by the Lord. There was one sister that was really
interested in the gospel when I was teaching her, but she was soooooo
busy. She was a single mother living in the ghetto of Phoenix, going
to school full time, and working a couple of jobs to provide. But when
we went by God had deeply humbled her and
prepared her. She had to quit her job and school because she had
surgery... she had nothing to do, and was feeling really down and like
a terrible mother. She had been praying for help and relief, and we
showed up. I reminded her of how she felt when we taught her the first
time and then taught her about the restoration of the priesthood
power. We boldly testified that it was the Lord's power that he used
to heal the sick and afflicted. We explained that the same power had
been restored and entrusted to us as Priesthood holders. Then she just
spilled her life and started crying and expressing how alone she felt.
Then, we asked her if she would like o e of those blessings we told
her about and she said yes. AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. It was straight from
the heavens. It touched us all and deeply moved our hearts with awe!
And the best part, was that when we first arrived there there was
about 15 people in that tiny little apartment, but as we the lesson
progressed people started slipping away one by one and it kept getting
quieter and quieter up until the blessing. And at that point, she and
her adorable 4 year old son was there. We gave the blessing and there
was tremendous peace and quiet, her son didn't say a word, and at the
very end of the blessing he ran up and gave his mom the biggest
unexpected hug while she was still sitting in the chair. We all shed a
few tears that day. It was just a special experience, and a profound
reminder that the Lord is exactly aware of our needs no matter where
or who we are, and that in The Gospel of Jesus Christ it is ALL ABOUT
THE INDIVIDUALS. It is all about the one. That is who we are sent to
find and take care of. There are 5 million people in the area, but our
Heavenly Father sent us to one woman, because His love and care and
affection is on an individual level. I know that is true. I see it
daily and I feel it myself.

Elder Zeballos of the Seventy spent these past several days with us.
He is such a good man! He is from Chile and he is the General
Authority that first spoke in Spanish at General Conference. He is an
excellent leader. He is so kind, and good. I got to spend some one on
one time with him. It was an absolute privilege. He did Three meetings
while he was here. One for the mountain zones. One for the Valley
Zones. And then a Mission Leadership Council. Great guy. Very
inspired. Elder Band I attended and conducted all of those
meetings.

After the Thursday meeting up on the mountains. We headed to Eagar...
my first area! Earlier that week, one of the investigators I taught
there over a year ago was told by the missionaries there that I was
going to be in Show Low, so she was going to drive to Show Low so that
I could teach her. But we went to Eagar instead. It was so good to be
back in that beautiful and peaceful little town. We taught the lesson
and it was powerful. She is getting baptized! And she is so excited.
It was a special experience, because she said how much the Lord
through me touched her life and changed her forever. She knows that
the church is true and is determined to join it. Awesome experience.

So many things happen! Sorry, I didn't email yesterday! We were doing
some transfer planning with the president. Life is up and down my
friends. But that's what makes it FUN! Imagine how boring it would be
if it was always just a constant up!?! The down times make the up
times feel so much more enjoyable. I love you! See you soon.

Elder Flake