City life

This week has been pretty good spiritually speaking...I'll explain more in the highlights. Just to say, my spiritual batteries have been pretty charged up this week! :) But first I'll answer some of your questions about my life here in the city...

Alright, to explain contacting...Walk up to the closest wall to you, now have a conversation and begin teaching about the restoration of the gospel of Christ...this is what we do every day. Most houses have an intercom type system by their front door. So you walk up, push the button, and when they answer, talk to the little white box. This box has a camera, so they can see you from the safety of their house, but all you get is a brick wall. So I know exactly what it feels like to be talking to a brick wall ;) Haha :) Then if they want to talk to you more they will come out and open their gate/door :)

Streets are cobblestone, but unlike my last area there are A LOT of cars. Most people have one or two along with tvs, smart phones, a lot of the same stuff from the states :)

One last fun story...so today me and my comp decided to stop at McDonalds (I know, the city life!! ;) haha. We don't do it often). Well, while we were there guess who walked in...PRESIDENTE SMITH and his WIFE. Yeah, that was a realization to make, that now that I'm in the city that can happen :) Haha :) But we talked a little bit, and then finished our meal and left...Haha :) He was bringing a companionship of sisters to open an area in our zone and was treating them to lunch :)

On to the highlights!

Highlights for week ending March 2, 2015:

Highlight #1: Food. Just to get it out of the way for the week, I chose to put my food highlight first ;) One of the sisters in the ward here found out I like to cook, so she invited us to come over and cook with her. Then she asked my companion what he has wanted to try in the mission that he hasn't had a chance to try yet. He replied Ceviche...So we made shrimp ceviche :) I included a couple pictures of what ceviche is...but basically it is a salsa (american type salsa, not guate salsa) made from tomatoes, cilantro (my favorite...), limón, shrimp, and cebolla. It was super good and I loved being able to cook something substantial again ;) :)

Ceviche!!! Yummm...

Highlight #2: Temple. We had the chance to go and attend a session at the temple this week. Wow, I did not realize how much I needed it until I got there! The temple is amazing, and I learn something new every time I go. If you haven't been in a while, please consider going again soon. It truly is the house of the Lord, He is there, and He wants us to be there with Him. It is the one and only place that one can truly forget about and leave the world complete behind. The temples of the Lord are literally pieces of heaven on earth. When you walk through the front doors (or any door) you step out of this world and into the eternities. I still can't get over how beautiful the Xela temple truly is, every detail has been thought out and meticulously crafted. It is up there on my list of most beautiful temples that I have been to!

I love this beautiful temple!

Highlight #3: Baptism. I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the baptismal service of one of my investigators. It was truly amazing! The Spirit was soo strong and I had one of those experiences I will always remember. Then after his baptism, during the closing song I looked at him and for an instant saw him with another white shirt and tie, but this time with a name tag, proclaiming the gospel. It was such an amazing and encouraging experience for me personally. The Lord truly helps us along, encourages, and blesses us through small and simple means.

Baptism of this cool kid!

It's been a pretty awesome week spiritually speaking. And I'm hoping that these experiences continue in the coming week(s), month(s), and year'n'half. I know that this is the work of the Lord. I come to a deeper and deeper understanding what this really means with each passing week. I realized this week that I have the easy part...all I have to do is open my mouth and He has promised to do the rest, along with giving me words to speak (so really He is doing it all...). This gospel is truly the restored, not reformed, gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and our older brother. I promise that if you will seek to know His will for your in whatever stage of life you may be in, He will answer. He may not show you the destination or light the entire path, but He will give you a stepping stone, then another and another, then one day you will look back and be amazed how far you have come with Christ. I know these things because they have happened to me. Keep up all the great work and remember to make some time to just have fun :)

Love your missionary, son, brother, and friend,
Elder Flake

Scripture of the Week: Matthew 15:11
Always remember that the tongue is but a small member (James 3:5) but that the words that come out of our mouth truly do define us. So, what message are we sending the world with our words (written or spoken)? Is it the message we want to be sending?

My new home...

Here's my new home!

¿Que Hondas Familia? ;)

Hey guys! Well, not much generally to say this week...so off to the highlights (the only things you guys read anyway ;)).

Highlights for 23/2/15:

Highlight #1: Changes. So this week, as I told you last week, I had changes....well, drum-roll please...I'm in the city now with an elder from Peru. YEP! The BIG city!!! It sure is different (and flatter) than my last area. But I've loved it so far :) We live in a third floor apartment with a patio (yeah, posh right?? haha). But the one thing that is lacking is an oven...so no more brownies (unless you guys know a way to cook brownies or cake or cookies in the microwave or on a mediocre stove top :)).

The area in land area is pretty small, but we had an attendance at church yesterday of almost 150 members (A LOT bigger than in my previous area). Due to this, it has been nice this week to be able to focus all efforts on the missionary work and not have to worry about all the other callings :) This is not to say that my last area was bad or that here is heaven, it is just to tell the differences. They both have their pros and they have their cons, because they are unique.

Highlight #2: Baptism. We have one, possibly 2 (if all goes well tonight) baptisms for this Sat. Please pray for their protection, guidance, and that they will feel the Lord's answers to their prayers. They are both children of reactivated members. They are super sweet and pilus and I'm excited for them to be members with their families.

Highlight #3: Food. Yeah, I know that I talk about food almost every week...sorry....but it's the stuff that keeps this work going, right? ;) Well, for the first time in my mission I tried Guatemalan yogurt and sherbet. They were both super good and enjoyable :) If you were wondering ;)

Highlight #4: My Comp. Just for your information: My comp is from Peru. He has 5 weeks till he goes home...so he's been a missionary for a long time and I'm hoping to (and sure I will) learn a lot from his experience. But this also presents the challenge of being an elder's comp his last change. But I'm up for the experience! :)

Highlight #5: Meals. Due to the large ward we are a part of, for the first time in my mission, I have a meal calendar...that was a fun experience the first day. Walk into the apartment and my comp first explained the meal calendar and who we would be eating with for lunch. Through me for a quick loop as I realized, I'M NOW IN THE CITY...So that's been fun, and good, because I've been able to meet a lot of the members as we are eating in their homes. The members here are SUPER awesome and I love them already (I hope they can say the same about me...).

I'm loving my new area and the opportunity I have of working with a latino companion. I am so grateful for this work and know that this is the work of our Savior. I know that He directs this work personally and is working right along side us. He know our difficulties and He enjoys our triumphs. There is so much that I have learned so far in the mission, and still much more for me to learn. But most, if not all, of the things I've learned I couldn't have learned any other way than by serving a mission. The Lord truly is hastening His work and He needs an increasing number of volunteers for the work. If you are considering, or have ever considered, serving a mission please give it a lot of thought. I can testify that if you serve you will have some of the sweetest and most rewarding experiences of your life. I know this from experience.

Love you guys lots! Please know that you all are AWESOME!! Keep up the habits we have formed as a family of scriptures study and prayer. The promises associated with these commandments are real, I've seen them in the lives of members here as well as my own life. Love ya lots!

From somewhere in the city,
Elder Flake

P.S. Also, just found out that we get to go to the temple tomorrow as a zone!! :) Woohoo!!! :)  It has been a while and I'm excited! :)

I CAN SEE THE TEMPLE FROM MY PATIO!!! (zoomed WAY in)

"You are never lost when you can see the temple"  --Gary E. Stevenson

I'm moving!

Well, another week come and gone....and some big changes and highlights this week! :) Entonces, to the highlights!!!

Highlights for 16/02/15:

Highlight #1: Sayin' goodbye to some awesome missionaries. They finished their missions this change and are heading home tomorrow...It's crazy!!! So, said some goodbyes this week, but they were more focused on being home....go figure ;)

District celebration! It was one Elder's birthday, a couple of Elders have finished their missions and are headed home, and some of us are reassigned to new areas.
My comp and I surprised the group with tres leches!

YUMMY!!!! (and no, we didn't make it, we bought it like this!!)

Love these guys!

Highlight #2: A bolo lost his folleto, but it led to a new investigator. A folleto is a pamphlet we carry about different gospel topics. So we were walking down the street this week and a bolo (like usual) stopped us and asked us for money (which we can't give them) but instead we offered him a folleto which he took. Later that day we were passing centro and saw a gentleman we had never talked to reading one of our folletos. So we went and talked to him. He said that a bolo had left it on the bench and he had started reading it. This led to about a 30 min lesson right there in centro about the Plan of Salvation because he had a lot of questions concerning the Plan of Salvation (i.e. where we are going when we die, does hell exist, etc). So a bolo led us, kind of, to a new investigator. Haha :)

Highlight #3: Spanish Language Test. So, I can't believe it, but it has been 3 months already since the last test meaning we had the opportunity to take it again! :) It went all right.  I realized that I definately have a lot still to learn, but that I have come a ways since the last test :) So progress :) :)

Highlight #4: I HAVE CHANGES!!!!!!! |Ya me voy manaña! After a wonderful (almost) 6 months in this area I received the call last night that it's time to pack my bags to go to a new assignment...Lots of mixed feelings about it, but I know that I am going to be exactly where I am supposed to be and where the Lord needs me! :) Sad to be leaving my guate family here, but looking forward to all the new people I'll get to meet :) I'll have to let you know next week where I'm at, but just know that 8:30 tomorrow morning I'll be on my way to my new area :) My current comp will stay here...

Well, that's enough excitement for one email. Don't you think? ;) I have so many emotions going through my head right now, but ultimately excited for what the Lord has in store for me :) (honestly a little nervous about my new comp--hoping he is awesome like all of my comps so far) Well, this truly is the work of the Lord and only He knows exactly where I need to be and who needs me there. Also, only He knows where I need to be to become the son of God God needs me to be. I love you all and hope you are all well!! :) I pray for you each every night and for you all to have much success in your lives! :) Until next week, from who (He) knows where ;)

With love and well wishes,
Elder Flake

Goodbye to my awesome friend...

...and awesome comp...

...and these awesome families!!!

God be with you till we meet again

All better!

YEAH...I'm feeling better!!! ...

Who is that crazy missionary?!?!

This week has been fantastic!! We were out every day and haven't had any more problems!! :) Yippee!! :) Well, a couple highlights of this week!! :)

Highlights for week of Feb 1-8:

Highlight #1: I was better!!! :) :) WOOHOOO!!! :)

Highlight #2: We had interviews with Presidente Smith this week! :) Fantastic! That man and servant of God is so in-tune with the Spirit! I learned so much and really got pumped to work harder! The mission is fantastic! :)

Highlight #3: Well, this week during lunch my comp was out kicking a ball against the wall in the church when he kicked just a little to hard...and his shoe went flying through the air and landed on the roof! Haha :) Well, he took about a half hour trying to get it down by throwing balls at it. But, one by one, the balls each bounced over the fence. That´s when I came out...well being the awesome comp that I am, I used a broom to reach up onto the roof and knock down his shoe...haha :) I thought it was pretty funny.  Sure was a highlight for my week, but I don't know what my comp thought ;)

Well guys, love you all a lot and hope all is well :) :) This work is truly the work of God, and we are His army! Keep up all the great work at home and keep looking for opportunities to share the gospel!! :) We finally got out this week and got contacting hard! We contacted about 200% better than we ever have!!! :) Woohoo!! :)

Well, love you all!! Talk to you in a week! :) :) I love being one of our Savior's servants serving our Father´s children here! :) We´ll also know next week if I have changes or not....I guess we´ll see :)

With love and prayers,
Elder Flake

The streets are lonely on a Sunday afternoon.

Typical Guatemalan pose :)  I mean :|

Thumbs up to this awesome family.

'Til next week!

I got what the mission had...

Well, this week was super mundain and a lot of the same. So really I´ve only got one long "Highlight" if you call it that...Thankfully it´s seems to be all good now :) :)

So....

Highlight (Not Really) #1: I Got What The Mission Has. This was what I was told when I called the nurses on Wed morning after a pitiful morning. So to explain, on Tue I had a little sore throat, didn't think much of it...until...I woke up Wed morning with a super sore throat and as the morning progressed the onset of a headache came as well as the loss of my voice. So we came back to the apartment and called the nurses to find out what to do. That is when I was told that I had what the mission has right now and that all I could do was rest, drink a lot of water, and call them again if it didn't get better. So off to bed I went...the next day when I woke up I felt about the same but my throat was swollen (externally) so we called the nurses and they set up a doctor's appointment for Fri and told me to continue resting (even if I wanted to I don't think I would have been much help because my voice was completely gone). Well, Fri we got up and were getting ready to head to the doctor (in Huehue) when we got a call from the Zone Leader telling us we couldn't travel because of demonstrations in Huehue...so we called the nurses and they cancelled the appointment and got me on some pills from a local pharmacy, and off to bed again :P So started taking the meds and then called them on Sat (as they had requested) and they intructed me to rest for the weekend and let them know today how I felt. So I continued to rest and take the pills...and it seems that it worked!! :) Didn't wake up this morning with pain :) And the swelling has stopped and gone down. So no worries, doing well now :) Just hoping I never have to have that again. Looking back I literally do think that I had EVERYTHING the mission has right now (sore throat, earache, intense headaches, body fatigue and chills) all at once. Hopefully this means that I now have antibodies for anything and everything I could possibly have to deal with for the next 18 months ;) :) But this experience caused us to have to spend days without leaving the house...I never want that to happen again!!

A couple side notes: at least one person in each companionship in the zone was sick this week...so we were all calling and checking up to see how everyone was doing. I was talking to Elder McVey and expaining how much I just wanted to get out and talk to SOMEBODY and I thought his response was funny, though accurate...he said "Elder Flake, you CAN NOT go out, rest!, if you go out you could kill somebody! You are a strong gringo who can take this, but those little chapins would probably die if they got what you have...¨ (not that the possibility of someone dying is funny, just the commentary) so I stayed in. Thankfully it seems everyone is on the uphill right now and doing a lot better :) :)

Sorry that I don´t have more highlights for you this week, but gotta tell it like it is ;) :) One blessing (if you call it that) of having to stay in was I got some really good study in. I was studying about gifts of the spirit, how you recognize them, how you can aquire more, etc. It´s pretty interesting,  I would suggest sometime each of you guys (if you want) look into it a little bit, because we all have our unique gifts :) On a funnier (yet serious) note, I found an interesting scripture in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 84, it says
"Whoso receiveth you receiveth me; and the same will feed you, and clothe you, and give you money.
And he who feeds you, or clothes you, or gives you money, shall in nowise lose his reward.
And he that doeth not these things is not my disciple; by this you may know my disciples."
Well, I guess that´s one way of putting it ;) Haha :) I just found it a little funny...but it´s true!

Well, hope you all are doing well and had and will have a great week!! :) I know that this is the work of God among His children. I know I say that every week, but each week I learn more and more how true that statement is, so I continue sharing it. I know that He does not send us anywhere or set us up to fail, it may not be easy, but where would be the fun without the effort. I love you all and am soo greatful for each of you and your unique talents. Develop them, use them, share them :)

Te Amo,
Elder Flake

Roasting marshmallows because
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy marshmallows, which are kinda the same thing"  haha

6 Month Mark

Love this family

This gringo is a bit taller than the locals...I feel like "Buddy the Elf" in the shower!!  Haha

Wow, another week come and gone here on the mission...crazy!

So to the Highlights:

Highlight #1: English Class. This week we began teaching English, which has been pretty fun!! :) Our branch president asked us, somewhat jokingly, if we would make time to come by and teach his kids English. So we accepted the service and are loving it! It has presented its own fun challenges, but we love working with them and being able to be in presidente´s home and feel the spirit there.

Highlight #2: I had a division this week with my District Leader in his area. So after district meeting we headed over there. Turns out to get to that area you have to get off the bus, then walk 30 min into the mountains. It was soo beautiful and fantastic (and honestly, a little refreshing to be in a new area). We worked super hard, founds some positive new investigators and potentials. And then as tradition dictates, we had a fantastic meal for dinner when we got back :) We had tacos, mashed potatoes, and brownies!! :)

Fixin's for fantastic District Meal together

(Comment from mom:  you know he's been away from home for a while when a
"fantastic meal" consists of tacos, mashed potatoes, and brownies!  I love it!!)

Highlight #3: 6 MONTHS!!! Ahhhhh!! A fourth of the way already gone!! I can't believe it! Wow, it has gone fast! Well, it was also a member friend's birthday, so my companion and I went and visited her to wish her a happy birthday. Turns out we were the only ones who remembered...But then we celebrated a little bit for my 6 month mark. I made hootnannies for lunch, which by the way were FANTASTIC!!! (It has been over 6 months since I've had me some hootnannies) Then we were invited to have dinner with the branch president and his wife and had these cheesy tortillas that his wife learned to make on her mission in El Salvador. They were fantasticly delicious!! Then highlight #4 happened. :) :)

Happy 6-month mark!  Celebrating with Hootnannies!

Can you see the "6" in syrup?  I know, cheesy, but it's a landmark!

Highlight #4: 6-Month Tradition. So as tradition dictates when you hit your 6 month mark you must burn a tie. So without further ado, I burned a tie! :) It was actually a lot of fun!! :) You can all now rest in peace knowing that 1) I am keeping missionary traditions alive and 2)I handle fire in my spare time ;) Haha :)

My "6 month tie"

Keeping missionary tradition...burning my 6 month tie!

The last embers of the tie

Well, that´s my week in review and only the highlights. Soooo much more happened! We have some new and very pilus investigators, started officially the new year of seminary, attended a training meeting for the wonderful seminary teachers, gave blessings, preached the gospel, and walked A LOT!!! But I'm not complaining, I know that this is the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He called me personally to serve Him and to serve here specifically. I know that only by and through Him may we all return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. I am soo greatful for the love, hope, and vision the Lord has given me and that I get to witness enter the lives of those I teach. If you are now pondering if or when you should serve a mission, turn to the Lord. He knows when, where, and who He needs. He will guide your life specifically, but first we must ask and be living in such a way to invite that guidance. I love you all and pray for you each individually every night. I pray you feel and see the Lord´s hand in your lives every day, feel His protection and guidance, and feel the peace and joy of being a member of this marvelous church at this time in the world´s history.

With Love and Well Wishes,
Your missionary, friend, and brother,
Elder Flake

My awesome companions at Christmas

The chickens for our Christmas tomales

Tomales are awesome!

Things I KNOW...

This week has been pretty good :) I've enjoyed it!! :)  Loving my comp!  So the highlights for this week (and that's just what they are, highlights of the best parts)....

Highlights for 1/19/15:

Highlight #1: There was a baptism this week!!!! :) :) :) Too bad it wasn't for my area...We were asked to be witnesses for this baptism because they didn't have enough priesthood holders. Also they were coming here to use the Banos here for the baptism because they wanted to be baptized in warm water :) So we got to be there :) So, I've now been to the Banos, and it was....interesting. To explain what they are I will describe them this way...they are the town baths. Think Roman Empire public baths...you get the picture. It was an...interesting....environment to have a baptism in, but it worked :) Also while there we talked to a teenage kid who asked us when he could be baptized and wants to know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So that was fun too :)

Highlight #2: Food. Yep, I do love my food :) Had a fun experience with it this week :) I remembered a conversation I had where someone mentioned that we had a metal plate for building fires. So my comp and I decided to try it out....by making s'mores!! :) Yep, we had s'mores this week!! They were delicious and brought a little bit of the good times from the states back for a little bit! :)

Highlight #3: Food, Again. Still loving my food!! :) So for p-day my comp and I decided to have some fun for lunch. We purchased (this was my first time ever in Guatemala) some ground beef and made some hamburger paddies that were pretty good (if I can say so myself). Then we fried them up and topped 'em with the works :) Enjoy the pictures :) Yep, that's a one of kind, third-pound, Guatemalan-style hamburger! We had to use normal white bread, like the chapins we are becoming, because we couldn't find any hamburger buns...but it worked :)

Sorry, no crazy dog stories or surprises...I guess I could talk about all the contacting and doorshutting in our face we had this week. Or maybe about the lesson I learned about what happens when boiling oil touches your skin. Or helping strengthen families here who are struggling with new stages of life (a dad who is overcoming an addiction, a mom expecting another child, a daughter moving out on her own, a son at a deciding point in his life, etc) :) But even with all these things, it keeps the work interesting and keeps you on your toes :) I have also learned a lot this week and grown a lot in my testimony of Christ. I KNOW that we knew Him personally before we came to earth. I KNOW that He came to earth to lead a life of example and ultimately suffer and die for each and every one of us. But, I KNOW that He has risen and that because of this we will all rise again some day. I KNOW that He is there for each of us individually, in our times of trial and struggle as well as in times of plenty and tranquility. I KNOW that only through Him we are able to repent, become better, and ultimately return to live with our Heavenly Father and families forever. I KNOW that this is the Lord's work and that He personally is directing and participating in it every day. I KNOW that there is power in prayer and fasting, personally and as families. There are few better ways to unite families than having family scripture study and family prayer every day (and Family Home Evening once a week). I promise that if we will each make the effort to study and pray individually and as families every day, we will see the windows of heaven open and bounteous blessings come into our lives and the lives of those we love. I love this work and the blessing of being a part of it at this time. I am soo grateful for all of you, your thoughts, prayers, letters, emails, and everything. Thank you. Keep up all the great work! Keep being the great examples of followers of Christ that I know (and you guys know) you are.

With Love,
Elder Flake

PS Guess what?!?! This Friday is my 6 month mark!!! AHHHHHH, this is going way to fast! Fourth done already?!?!

A Guatemalan girl who wanted a picture with the tall, white missionary!  haha