Hello family!
This week has been absolutely insane for us here in the office! Lots and lots of late hours and hard work. Just to let you all know, I should be in the office for another two transfers or so. 6-7 months is the norm. But time is flying past. The hermanas that I came in with on the plane left this week. WEIRD!!!!! But no biggie.
Sad to hear of the passing of Bro Johnson. Send my love to Mary. He really was a wonderful man and will be very missed. Congrats Ammon for your performance in Pride and Prejudice, sounds like a fun show. Did you get to dress up super fancy British like? Hopefully.
So not a lot to report about here in Spain. Things are going well and all is calm on the western front. For the moment that is. Soon we will have even more to do than we had before. Did find some really cool swords today on Pday. Really tempted to buy one. Probably will :) They were only like 30 euros, which is super cheap. And they´re from Toledo, where all the best steel in the world comes from.
So without much to report this week I´m want to share a spiritual thought. The Lord asked Peter three times, " Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" and every time Peter responded, "Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee." And the Lord responded, "Feed my sheep." The Lord desires that we keep his commandments, that is the way to show our love for him. But what are the two greatest commandments? Love the lord thy God with all thy heart, and love thy neighbor as thyself. If we do not love others, we are not obeying the commandments. In fact we are not obeying one of the greatest and most important commandments that the Lord has given us. I know it´s not always easy to love. But as we strive to do so, and to overcome our own pride, that is when the Lord gives us HIS love for that person, and we begin to see them with a new light. I challenge each of you to try that. We all have people in our lives that deserve more love. Love them more this week. And remember "They do not love who do not show their love" (William Shakespeare). So show the Lord your love by showing someone else your love! And speaking of love, I love all of you. I feel your prayers and want you to know that you are always in my heart. Keep on going! Keep moving forward! The Lord is by your side to support you when you stumble, just keep pressing forward!
Have a wonderful week!
Elder Charlie Flint
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Hello family, How goes it?
Hello family,
How goes it? Umm, so question, what was with all the half naked pictures you guys sent me. You know, this is a church run emailing program and I don´t know if they would approve of such inappropriate pictures being sent to a missionary :) But I must admit, Ammon, you can probably grow better sideburns than me. But I still have more facial hair overall and definitely have more chest hair :) And Savannah, YOU ARE ADORABLE! Honestly. So sounds like things are going semi decently. There are some hard hitting things, but you all keep pushing on. “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead...You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” Jeffery R Holland. Sounds like Next To Normal was awesome. Yeah I think I remember there being some language. Like some f words. But yeah, editing is always good. Hopefully they took out at least some. What is it about really?
So this week has been transfers. Meaning we were up until 2 last night and are still working. Therefore this email is short. Sorry about that. Mostly my thought for the week comes from that quote from Jeffery R Holland. There comes a time that all we can do is just move forward. I think of times when faced by crowds or groups yelling or mocking me, really that´s only happened here in the mission. But there are times when groups of teenage kids or even adults will just laugh and call out names and things and all you can do is just move forward. You don´t turn, you don´t yell back, you just move forward. Like a lamb to the slaughter he did not open his mouth, neither shall we. We just put our heads up and we walk forward. Christ did not speak or call out to those that spit upon and yelled at him, but he did not lower his head either. He knew his purpose and who he was, and although he was completely humble and meek, he would not lower his head and be defeated. And really he never was beaten, he GAVE his life. And so should we in a sense. We will not be beaten by the world, instead we will give our lives to him that is our strength and help. I made this little card for investigators and stuff from a picture of the savior from the Bible videos and one of my new favorite scriptures (when you are up until 2 in the morning and your comp is working on the transfer and you don´t have much to do, you get creative :) ) I´m attaching it to the email, hopefully it will work. But just know that I love you and am thinking about you and praying for you. Have a wonderful week and keep on keeping on!
Love,
Elder Flint
How goes it? Umm, so question, what was with all the half naked pictures you guys sent me. You know, this is a church run emailing program and I don´t know if they would approve of such inappropriate pictures being sent to a missionary :) But I must admit, Ammon, you can probably grow better sideburns than me. But I still have more facial hair overall and definitely have more chest hair :) And Savannah, YOU ARE ADORABLE! Honestly. So sounds like things are going semi decently. There are some hard hitting things, but you all keep pushing on. “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead...You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” Jeffery R Holland. Sounds like Next To Normal was awesome. Yeah I think I remember there being some language. Like some f words. But yeah, editing is always good. Hopefully they took out at least some. What is it about really?
So this week has been transfers. Meaning we were up until 2 last night and are still working. Therefore this email is short. Sorry about that. Mostly my thought for the week comes from that quote from Jeffery R Holland. There comes a time that all we can do is just move forward. I think of times when faced by crowds or groups yelling or mocking me, really that´s only happened here in the mission. But there are times when groups of teenage kids or even adults will just laugh and call out names and things and all you can do is just move forward. You don´t turn, you don´t yell back, you just move forward. Like a lamb to the slaughter he did not open his mouth, neither shall we. We just put our heads up and we walk forward. Christ did not speak or call out to those that spit upon and yelled at him, but he did not lower his head either. He knew his purpose and who he was, and although he was completely humble and meek, he would not lower his head and be defeated. And really he never was beaten, he GAVE his life. And so should we in a sense. We will not be beaten by the world, instead we will give our lives to him that is our strength and help. I made this little card for investigators and stuff from a picture of the savior from the Bible videos and one of my new favorite scriptures (when you are up until 2 in the morning and your comp is working on the transfer and you don´t have much to do, you get creative :) ) I´m attaching it to the email, hopefully it will work. But just know that I love you and am thinking about you and praying for you. Have a wonderful week and keep on keeping on!
Love,
Elder Flint
Hello familia!
Hello familia!
How´s it going? I´m doing pretty well. Kinda been a rainy week here, but it´s been good. Sounds like you are getting a lot of snow there. That´s awesome. I miss snow. You should send some down to me. So we have some famous people from our school now. Cool beans. Too bad I wasn´t there to try out, that would just fulfill all my wildest dreams :) Just kiddin, I don´t think I would like being on American Idol. Just kidding, of course I would, because I would be singing. But anyways, that´s cool. Sounds like the world is still revolving over there. Sports going on strong and school carrying right along. You´re going to see Next to Normal? Is that the musical about the really messed up family with depression and stuff? (I´m sure that made it sound super great :) ) You´ll have to let me know how it is. I really miss musicals. Mostly being in them. I´m going to tell Mrs Dunn to save me a spot in the fall musical for when I get back :)
This week has really just been normal. Same old, same old. Of course I´m not sure if you even know what I´m really doing right now. Basically my job here in the office is this. I take care of all the money, housing, and telephones. So when the owners of the apartments aren´t happy I deal with them. I also pay the bills of almost 100 different apartments and deal with the journaling (keeping track of the money spent) for the whole mission. It´s amazing to see how much importance the church puts into knowing where every cent is going. I suppose it´s because really it´s the Lords money. Pretty cool. It´s also interesting to see how little of a missionary´s expenses are paid by the 400 dollars a month. I mean that helps, but wow. There is a lot of help that goes to every missionary. But yep, that´s my job. So most of time I am dealing with payments, and complaints from people who´s bills get lost in the mail (or the missionary´s never give them to me :/ ) It´s a really good learning experience. And when I´m not doing that, I am doing normal missionary work.
So my thought of the week comes from a conversation I had with Elder Castillo. He was talking about some studying he was doing. He said he was reading one night and read about the final judgement. Basically it says what we have all heard a thousand times. We will be judged according to our thoughts, desires, and actions. And he said that normally when he hears that he thinks, as most of us do, eesh! My thoughts and desires and actions. I´ve got a few of those (or not so few) that I really don´t want anyone to know about and really don´t want to be judged for. But as he read again he realized that it really says the thoughts and desires of our hearts. Now on the surface that´s the same thing. But he thought, Well hey, really deep down I always really want to do what is right and help people. Really I would do anything in my power to help someone else. I don´t WANT to choose what is wrong, even though I do so often. Really the desires of my heart are righteous. And really I´m okay with being judged for that. I agree. I´ve done stupid things. (Really?!) I have had unclean and inappropriate thoughts (No way!) And at times, on the surface, my desires aren´t aligned with those of the Lord (wow.) But deep down, I always want to do the right thing and really I strive to. Brad Wilcox said something to the effect of this. I may not be walking on water yet, but at least I´m out of the boat. That´s how I feel. I may not have reached my full potential yet (I sure hope not, or this would be a kinda lame full potential :) ) but I am on my way there. And every day, I take a few steps closer. May we all focus on not what we are not, but what we can become. Maybe not in the full course of our lives or throughout all eternity, but just on what we can become tomorrow. Where we will be in a week. Have goals for the future, of course, but really worry about what you can do now to become better tomorrow. I love you all a bunch and hope you all have a wonderful week and are better people by the end of it.
Con amor,
Elder Charlie Flint
How´s it going? I´m doing pretty well. Kinda been a rainy week here, but it´s been good. Sounds like you are getting a lot of snow there. That´s awesome. I miss snow. You should send some down to me. So we have some famous people from our school now. Cool beans. Too bad I wasn´t there to try out, that would just fulfill all my wildest dreams :) Just kiddin, I don´t think I would like being on American Idol. Just kidding, of course I would, because I would be singing. But anyways, that´s cool. Sounds like the world is still revolving over there. Sports going on strong and school carrying right along. You´re going to see Next to Normal? Is that the musical about the really messed up family with depression and stuff? (I´m sure that made it sound super great :) ) You´ll have to let me know how it is. I really miss musicals. Mostly being in them. I´m going to tell Mrs Dunn to save me a spot in the fall musical for when I get back :)
This week has really just been normal. Same old, same old. Of course I´m not sure if you even know what I´m really doing right now. Basically my job here in the office is this. I take care of all the money, housing, and telephones. So when the owners of the apartments aren´t happy I deal with them. I also pay the bills of almost 100 different apartments and deal with the journaling (keeping track of the money spent) for the whole mission. It´s amazing to see how much importance the church puts into knowing where every cent is going. I suppose it´s because really it´s the Lords money. Pretty cool. It´s also interesting to see how little of a missionary´s expenses are paid by the 400 dollars a month. I mean that helps, but wow. There is a lot of help that goes to every missionary. But yep, that´s my job. So most of time I am dealing with payments, and complaints from people who´s bills get lost in the mail (or the missionary´s never give them to me :/ ) It´s a really good learning experience. And when I´m not doing that, I am doing normal missionary work.
So my thought of the week comes from a conversation I had with Elder Castillo. He was talking about some studying he was doing. He said he was reading one night and read about the final judgement. Basically it says what we have all heard a thousand times. We will be judged according to our thoughts, desires, and actions. And he said that normally when he hears that he thinks, as most of us do, eesh! My thoughts and desires and actions. I´ve got a few of those (or not so few) that I really don´t want anyone to know about and really don´t want to be judged for. But as he read again he realized that it really says the thoughts and desires of our hearts. Now on the surface that´s the same thing. But he thought, Well hey, really deep down I always really want to do what is right and help people. Really I would do anything in my power to help someone else. I don´t WANT to choose what is wrong, even though I do so often. Really the desires of my heart are righteous. And really I´m okay with being judged for that. I agree. I´ve done stupid things. (Really?!) I have had unclean and inappropriate thoughts (No way!) And at times, on the surface, my desires aren´t aligned with those of the Lord (wow.) But deep down, I always want to do the right thing and really I strive to. Brad Wilcox said something to the effect of this. I may not be walking on water yet, but at least I´m out of the boat. That´s how I feel. I may not have reached my full potential yet (I sure hope not, or this would be a kinda lame full potential :) ) but I am on my way there. And every day, I take a few steps closer. May we all focus on not what we are not, but what we can become. Maybe not in the full course of our lives or throughout all eternity, but just on what we can become tomorrow. Where we will be in a week. Have goals for the future, of course, but really worry about what you can do now to become better tomorrow. I love you all a bunch and hope you all have a wonderful week and are better people by the end of it.
Con amor,
Elder Charlie Flint
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Happy Birthday Skyler!
Hello Familia,
First off. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You´re 19! Super old! Ancient really! That´s awesome! I hope you have a great one and imagine that you have an awesome birthday present from me!
So it sounds like things are going well. Mom you´re rocking the school, which is awesome! And everyone else is being awesome. Hope Logan´s finger gets better soon! And good luck with the 15 credits Skyler, that´s a big load! But you´ll do awesome! So about BYU. Not too worried about it. I honestly have no idea what I need to do. But I´ll figure it out when the time comes. Elder Castillo who is in the office with me knows a lot about that kind of stuff and he´ll be able to give me the scoop.
So this week has been a good one. I bought a Spanish suit! Basically the only difference in European suits and American suits is that European suits are a little more fitted. Maybe that´s why Europeans are so much more fit that Americans, they have to fit in the clothes :) I will try to send you a picture. But speaking of pictures I have some sad news. I think my camera got stolen :( Either that or I lost it, but I must have lost it pretty good, because I´ve looked everywhere and it´s nowhere to be found. Another Elder gave me an extra camera he had, but it´s still kinda stinks that I lost like 1 year of my mission in pictures :( Eternal perspective, eternal perspective...But now that I have a new camera I will begin to send you pictures again.
So a thought this week. I´ve been thinking about true repentance this week. What does true repentance take? I love the definition in Preach My Gospel. It says something like this. Repentance is a change in our thoughts, desires, and behaviors. Thoughts: in our minds. Desires: in our hearts. And behaviors: or bodies. So it´s a change, literally of all of us. And as I´ve thought about it I have realized how connected all those parts of repentance are. You can change your behaviors, stop doing things that are bad, but if you are entertaining unclean or negative thoughts, you are not truly repenting. Usually we have a desire to do good (and if not that is the first thing to change) but changing what we think and what we do, that´s hard! It´s not easy! But it´s very possible. I´ve seen it in my own life. I´m not perfect. Even as a missionary bad, negative things come into my life. But as I have learnt and grown and understand how to repent and do it quickly. To change the course of the thought. To keep my actions in line with my sacred calling and my true potential. Repent often, and repent quickly. Or more understandable. Say sorry often, and change quickly. That´s how we lived in kindergarten isn´t it. We hurt somebody or said a bad word and we would say sorry quick and we would stop doing the bad things quickly also. Otherwise we would be put in time out :) So if you need to repent ("if" haha! Good one right?) then do it. Why wait? I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Charlie Flint
First off. HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHDDDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You´re 19! Super old! Ancient really! That´s awesome! I hope you have a great one and imagine that you have an awesome birthday present from me!
So it sounds like things are going well. Mom you´re rocking the school, which is awesome! And everyone else is being awesome. Hope Logan´s finger gets better soon! And good luck with the 15 credits Skyler, that´s a big load! But you´ll do awesome! So about BYU. Not too worried about it. I honestly have no idea what I need to do. But I´ll figure it out when the time comes. Elder Castillo who is in the office with me knows a lot about that kind of stuff and he´ll be able to give me the scoop.
So this week has been a good one. I bought a Spanish suit! Basically the only difference in European suits and American suits is that European suits are a little more fitted. Maybe that´s why Europeans are so much more fit that Americans, they have to fit in the clothes :) I will try to send you a picture. But speaking of pictures I have some sad news. I think my camera got stolen :( Either that or I lost it, but I must have lost it pretty good, because I´ve looked everywhere and it´s nowhere to be found. Another Elder gave me an extra camera he had, but it´s still kinda stinks that I lost like 1 year of my mission in pictures :( Eternal perspective, eternal perspective...But now that I have a new camera I will begin to send you pictures again.
So a thought this week. I´ve been thinking about true repentance this week. What does true repentance take? I love the definition in Preach My Gospel. It says something like this. Repentance is a change in our thoughts, desires, and behaviors. Thoughts: in our minds. Desires: in our hearts. And behaviors: or bodies. So it´s a change, literally of all of us. And as I´ve thought about it I have realized how connected all those parts of repentance are. You can change your behaviors, stop doing things that are bad, but if you are entertaining unclean or negative thoughts, you are not truly repenting. Usually we have a desire to do good (and if not that is the first thing to change) but changing what we think and what we do, that´s hard! It´s not easy! But it´s very possible. I´ve seen it in my own life. I´m not perfect. Even as a missionary bad, negative things come into my life. But as I have learnt and grown and understand how to repent and do it quickly. To change the course of the thought. To keep my actions in line with my sacred calling and my true potential. Repent often, and repent quickly. Or more understandable. Say sorry often, and change quickly. That´s how we lived in kindergarten isn´t it. We hurt somebody or said a bad word and we would say sorry quick and we would stop doing the bad things quickly also. Otherwise we would be put in time out :) So if you need to repent ("if" haha! Good one right?) then do it. Why wait? I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Charlie Flint
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