I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!! (cue Aerosmith "Back in the Saddle Again)
Oh Ho Ho. It is SO GOOD to be back. Honestly. I LOVE the city!! And we're going to KILL IT this transfer.
I'm down Mom. I'll sing it when I come back. Only like a dozen people there will understand it, but heh, that's life. Sounds like life is just one big party over there. Yeah, here too. ;)
Woohoo!! Good work Sophie!!! That's SO COOL!! Why is the Flint family just unfairly talented. It makes everyone else look like a fool! I can't wait to see you ice skate when I get back Soph. Maybe we can do a partner ice skate. I'll use my strong muscles to lift you up and I'll skate around. Then you can lift me up. ;) No way?? I didn't even think Rhys had graduated from elementary school yet. Haha. That's SO cool though. I'm sure he'll have fun learning Japanese. Racist Mom. Not ALL Japanese people are small. Just 99% of them. :}
This week was off the charts. So I just won't write about it and tell you all when I get home. SIKE! Buckle up.
So last Monday (P-Day), we celebrated our last transfer as a District and had a District lunch at an All-You-Can-Eat Chinese Restaurant called the Mandarin. It was SWEET!! After we stuffed ourselves, I surprised one of the Sisters in the District, Sister Spencer, with a Surprise Birthday Chocolate Cheesecake (she had previously told me that was her favorite type of cake). It honestly was one of THE best cakes I've ever made. She was very appreciative. So we had a delicious time eating that cake, and then we went home and packed up our bags and cleaned up the apartment.
Tuesday (Transfer Day). After the zipper of my overfilled suitcase popped and I had to ingeniously put together a makeshift zipper to fix it. We met up with a bunch of other missionaries at Brampton, said goodbye to many (including the infamous Elder Kylan Erickson :), then we went to our new areas and got Right to work. My new companion, Elder Kyle Staheli is from Enterprise, Utah (yeah Utah, cream of the crop!!). Enterprise is down South by St. George, but close to the border with Nevada. He has twelve siblings I believe. He's a pretty quite guy, but we've already had a ton of fun and we get along great together. We met up with my favorite blind Mexican, Adalberto right after we lunched and then later that night, you guessed it, I taught MORE Portuguese people. It never ends for me. After English Classes, we gave a chapel tour to two new Brazilian students because the Portugues Elders (Zone Leaders) had to leave. I'm convinced that President Shields is going to put me in Portuguese work sooner or later. Revelation! Write it down.
The rest of the week consisted of me meeting the returning members we're working with and reuniting with other ward members I knew in the days. All we do now is work with inactive members. I just want to TEACH and BAPTIZE!!! It'll happen. Oh ho. It'll happen. We've been talking with a bunch of Spanish people and finding potential investigators that hopefully we'll start teaching soon. I contacted a Colombian family on the bus who said they weren't very religious (which is great because usually they're die hard Catholics). Hopefully we'll be able to teach them this week and baptize them the next one ;)
Yesterday, Sunday, was quite a day. After all the meetings and what not, we went over to a member family's house named the Lugos. He's the Ward Missionary Leader so he had all the Spanish/Portuguese missionaries over along with some RMs and a soon to leave missionary in the ward. It was a BLAST!! We had some delicious dinner and played lots of fun games, like Chubby Bunny (don't know what it is?? look it up ;) Kimbery Trujillo (a famous RM in Toronto), dared me to chug this sketchy bowl a Salad Dressing that was on the table in front of me. There really wasn't all that much so I asked her what she'd give me for it. She eventually promised to buy me a Soccer Jersey from Ecuador (which is where she's from), so I took the offer and chugged it. The dressing consisted of olive oil, salt, and an amount of vinegar that should never be consumed by the human body. I don't understand why my body didn't reject it and throw it up, but it didn't!! But the rest of that day my chest burned like crazy. Worth it?? Absolutely. And I'm excited to get my Ecuadorian Jersey very soon.
Oh, and another great thing that happened this week was we were able to see a Prophet!! M. Russell Ballard, the man, the legend. Also Randall K Bennet, of the 70 was there accompanying him. I was playing the Organ for the meeting and as I was finishing "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" (for Prelude music), everyone started standing up because he walked in the door RIGHT next to me. He looked at me and said "Hey Elder." I so ingeniously said "Hey." Then he said "That sounded good." I again with my witty replies said "Thank you." Then he sat down. Before the meeting he wanted to shake everyone's hand, so the missionaries went up by rows (depending on where they were sitting) and shook his hand. Me, being on the stand, wasn't really sure where to go. So I didn't go anywhere. And by the time I was like "Maybe I should go now," he was already sitting down, so I thought "Eh, too late. That's life kid." But don't you worry. I got my handshake. Halfway through the meeting we took a break, which President Shields asked me to play some intermediate organ for, and once again Elder Ballard came in and finally came over and shook my hand. Last but not least. Not at all. ;) Later that day he gave another meeting to Ward Councils and we were able to watch that Broadcasted to our chapel, along with his Broadcast he gave Sunday morning to all of Ontario.
One of the things I really liked that Elder M. Russell Ballard said is that "It is impossible for the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to lead this church astray." Impossible. He talked about how this world has many different ideas and views and that even in the church there are some weird ideas and false doctrine floating around. He said that we MUST look to the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They are our source of true doctrine and they will never lie to us. It was incredible to listen to the experiences he shared about his time with the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles. I've read their talks and I can testify that they are called of God. They are inspired and they are incredible, intelligent men that will never lead this church in the wrong direction. I invite you all to read or listen to their talks and follow their council. It's SO true. I love you all and hope you have a great week. Chao!!
Elder Staheli and I after we bought some Hispanic Caps. Viva Colombia!!
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Yeah!! Free stuff and small cabins!!
That sounds fun. Man! if it was like Nancy's bunkhouse than that thing was REALLY small. Not like the Briggs' Cabin. I'm glad the lake was fun and the hotel was also. Sweet stuff!! Ragtime at the Eccles Theater. Jealous!! Did you guys end up going to Tomato Street also?? So what's your new calling Mom?? Relief Society President!!! Yeah yeah!! Yeah school!! Not for me. BUT I also have a big change coming up in the mission. Because we got transfer calls last night. Ooooohhhh.
SO. I, Elder Ammon Flint, have been called to RETURN to Downtown Toronto!!! Woot woot!! I'm going back to the area I started in!! I'm SUPER PUMPED!!!!!! My new companion will be Elder Staheli. He came out a few months ago (like 6). He's from Utah (the cream of the crop). Elder Delap is also leaving Mississauga. He's going to a town called London (yes in Ontario). So we're "white-washing" out (or they're putting two new Elders into our area). It's gunna be intense!! And I'm SO excited to be going back home to the Christie Ward. I've missed those kids. I hope I stay downtown until after the holidays. It's three trasfers (4 1/2 months), so keep you fingers crossed!! BUT! We of course HAD to have a baptism before they kicked us out of Mississauga. So we did.
Jherouoi Fotine (we found out we've been spelling his name wrong this whole time) was baptized YESTERDAY!!!! It was SO good!! For the baptismal service, I played (the piano) and sang "Glorious" (made famous by David Archuleta) in Spanish. I looked up while I was performing to see Jherouoi crying in his seat. SUCCESS!!! After the baptism, we went to their house and had dinner and said goodbye to them all. I cried. Appropriately. Pictures will follow (not of me crying).
Other than that, this week has been a montage of saying goodbye to lots of people. Sad days. BUT, we ended up going to the Colombia Mia (my favorite Colombian Restaurant). And something really funny happened. So our waitress started speaking with us in Spanish and then she asked us where we were from and I said the United States, and she said yeah, you don't look like Hispanics (this is all in Spanish by the by). I asked her where she was from and she said Cuba. Hmmm...unique. I flashed back to this time I was sitting in the library, emailing my family, and I heard this young woman speaking on the phone in really fast Spanish. At first I wasn't sure if it was Spanish or not. So after I finished emailing, I asked her where she was from and she told me Cuba. Hmmm...unique. Flash forward to the restaurant, and I'm turning to Elder Delap saying "That's the girl that we met in the library a few weeks ago." When the waitress (her name is Lizi) returns I tell her that I met her in the library weeks back. At first she's confused (C'MON! missionaries stick out like sore thumbs, how did you forget??) but then she remembered. It was super fun. We talked with her a little bit more and invited her to the baptism of Jherouoi. She didn't come. BUT! The new Elders coming in will baptize her.
Last Saturday, Elder Delap and I decided to go to this All You Can Eat Korean BBQ Restaurant that we had been eyeing a few weeks back. It was SO GOOD!!! It brought me back to the days when we ate Korean BBQ. TRUNKY!!!! They literally brought out raw meat and we ate it!! AFTER we cooked it on a BBQ/Stove that was IN our table. Gotcha! It was SO cool!! This was all happening while Toronto was getting a HUGE Flash Flood and supposedly a Tornado touched down somewhere also. Crazy stuff. I LOVED the rain though.
This week was an absolutely incredible and I think one thing that has just made it a little better is I've been watching the Bible Videos the church came out with, of Christ. I invite you all to watch those, and watch them again if you already have. They are SO good. My testimony of Jesus Christ has grown immensely. I had the great opportunity to bear that testimony at the baptism yesterday and I would like to bear it to all of you. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He is the Son of God and he is my older brother. "He is the Jehovah of the Olde Testament and the Messiah of the New" (The Living Christ). He is the bread of life and the water of life. He atoned for our sins, pains, sufferings, and afflictions. Through him we can repent, be clean, and start a new life. He lived a perfect life and he loves us perfectly because he has a perfect body. He was the first to rise from the dead with a resurrected body. He established his church on the earth and that church has been restored through modern day prophets. I know this to be true. This is the true church, The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day States. I know it to be true. I love you all and hope that you all have a good week. Chao!!
That sounds fun. Man! if it was like Nancy's bunkhouse than that thing was REALLY small. Not like the Briggs' Cabin. I'm glad the lake was fun and the hotel was also. Sweet stuff!! Ragtime at the Eccles Theater. Jealous!! Did you guys end up going to Tomato Street also?? So what's your new calling Mom?? Relief Society President!!! Yeah yeah!! Yeah school!! Not for me. BUT I also have a big change coming up in the mission. Because we got transfer calls last night. Ooooohhhh.
SO. I, Elder Ammon Flint, have been called to RETURN to Downtown Toronto!!! Woot woot!! I'm going back to the area I started in!! I'm SUPER PUMPED!!!!!! My new companion will be Elder Staheli. He came out a few months ago (like 6). He's from Utah (the cream of the crop). Elder Delap is also leaving Mississauga. He's going to a town called London (yes in Ontario). So we're "white-washing" out (or they're putting two new Elders into our area). It's gunna be intense!! And I'm SO excited to be going back home to the Christie Ward. I've missed those kids. I hope I stay downtown until after the holidays. It's three trasfers (4 1/2 months), so keep you fingers crossed!! BUT! We of course HAD to have a baptism before they kicked us out of Mississauga. So we did.
Jherouoi Fotine (we found out we've been spelling his name wrong this whole time) was baptized YESTERDAY!!!! It was SO good!! For the baptismal service, I played (the piano) and sang "Glorious" (made famous by David Archuleta) in Spanish. I looked up while I was performing to see Jherouoi crying in his seat. SUCCESS!!! After the baptism, we went to their house and had dinner and said goodbye to them all. I cried. Appropriately. Pictures will follow (not of me crying).
Other than that, this week has been a montage of saying goodbye to lots of people. Sad days. BUT, we ended up going to the Colombia Mia (my favorite Colombian Restaurant). And something really funny happened. So our waitress started speaking with us in Spanish and then she asked us where we were from and I said the United States, and she said yeah, you don't look like Hispanics (this is all in Spanish by the by). I asked her where she was from and she said Cuba. Hmmm...unique. I flashed back to this time I was sitting in the library, emailing my family, and I heard this young woman speaking on the phone in really fast Spanish. At first I wasn't sure if it was Spanish or not. So after I finished emailing, I asked her where she was from and she told me Cuba. Hmmm...unique. Flash forward to the restaurant, and I'm turning to Elder Delap saying "That's the girl that we met in the library a few weeks ago." When the waitress (her name is Lizi) returns I tell her that I met her in the library weeks back. At first she's confused (C'MON! missionaries stick out like sore thumbs, how did you forget??) but then she remembered. It was super fun. We talked with her a little bit more and invited her to the baptism of Jherouoi. She didn't come. BUT! The new Elders coming in will baptize her.
Last Saturday, Elder Delap and I decided to go to this All You Can Eat Korean BBQ Restaurant that we had been eyeing a few weeks back. It was SO GOOD!!! It brought me back to the days when we ate Korean BBQ. TRUNKY!!!! They literally brought out raw meat and we ate it!! AFTER we cooked it on a BBQ/Stove that was IN our table. Gotcha! It was SO cool!! This was all happening while Toronto was getting a HUGE Flash Flood and supposedly a Tornado touched down somewhere also. Crazy stuff. I LOVED the rain though.
This week was an absolutely incredible and I think one thing that has just made it a little better is I've been watching the Bible Videos the church came out with, of Christ. I invite you all to watch those, and watch them again if you already have. They are SO good. My testimony of Jesus Christ has grown immensely. I had the great opportunity to bear that testimony at the baptism yesterday and I would like to bear it to all of you. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He is the Son of God and he is my older brother. "He is the Jehovah of the Olde Testament and the Messiah of the New" (The Living Christ). He is the bread of life and the water of life. He atoned for our sins, pains, sufferings, and afflictions. Through him we can repent, be clean, and start a new life. He lived a perfect life and he loves us perfectly because he has a perfect body. He was the first to rise from the dead with a resurrected body. He established his church on the earth and that church has been restored through modern day prophets. I know this to be true. This is the true church, The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day States. I know it to be true. I love you all and hope that you all have a good week. Chao!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
#missionislife
RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you're killin' me. What theater is that in?? I'm decently familiar with the ones in Logan. Well, jokes on you. Matilda the Musical is here in Toronto and I got President Shield's permission to go. Ha ha. Not really. I wonder if I could get that though. Hmmmm??? Ay!! And Tomato Street Garlic Bread too?? You WANT me to come home early. Jokes on you, I'm not falling for it. I honestly couldn't even fathom the idea of coming home early. It's unfathomable...or without fathom. It's so surreal to me. #missionislife
Yes, the camera cord works. But no, I don't think it will fix my camera. It's pretty out of whack. The pictures I sent were from Elder Delap's Camera. I'll keep working on mine though. And no, Russell M Ballard hasn't come yet. August 20th. I'll get that tie. ALSO, I was asked to play the piano/organ for that meeting, so I'll be right up there on the stage with him. Cool Beans!! Have fun at Couer d' Alene. That's French No?? Everything's French here in Canada. So annoying. HEY LOGAN!!! WHY DON'T YOU CRAM ONE MORE DATE INTO THIS SUMMER!!!! Or one date at all!! You've blatantly ignored me enough!!!! BUT! Since the school year is coming up, you will be forced to ask girls to dances. HAHA!! And if you don't, everyone (girls and boys alike) will hate you and bully you!! Including Me!! Just kidding (kind of). I love you bro. BUT! My rule for you is that you must go on AT LEAST one date in between dances. AT LEAST ONE!!! That is SO easy!! JUST DO IT!!
I apologize ahead of time for the long letter. This week was quite eventful.
So last Tuesday, we went over to the Black Creek Central Elders' house to sleep over before District Meeting the next day. It was pretty good. And then we had District Meeting. Which was more than pretty good. SO, this was our last District Meeting in Jolly July, so I had everyone bring all their Christmas decorations and apparel and we had a BLAST!! Other than singing Christmas songs and sharing Christmas stories, I planned an activity where we did "role plays" of contacting different Christmas Characters (Santa, Ebeneezer Scrooge, Rudolph, and of course, Buddy the Elf). It was so fun. And then we took some toffee I made and went to carol to the other District. What happened though, was the other District ended their District Meeting WAY early and some of them had already left. Losers. BUT we sang to a few championships in the hallway and afterwards, we took a Jolly July Christmas Picture. Hopefully later today, or next week. I'll have some Jolly July Christmas Cards for all of you!!!
Later that day I went on exchanges with Elder Anthony Martin Leyton Rivera, from Peru. One of my BEST Friends in the mission. We had a super fun day where we got fed a TON by the members. He's such a stellar missionary and I love going throughout the day only speaking Spanish.
Thursday was good. We found two new people to teach. Yay! Also, we made cookies and I wrote a letter of encouragement and we brought them over to Jeroe's house. We luckily caught him just leaving and gave him the cookies and the letter (which he both loved).
Friday, July 29th 2016, was a memorable day. I hit my mid-life crisis. And it was a wonderful one. SO. To start out. In the middle of our studies, we get a phone call from the vehicle coordinator of the mission, who tells us that he has a new shiny car waiting for us in Brampton. FOR REALS!! Our car had gone over 80,000 kilometers, which is when they switch it out and sell the old one. So we took it to Brampton and got ourselves a Rogue Nissan SUV!!!! Her name is Sylvia. I decided that it's my year mark, they want me to start training to be a father. So they gave me a SUV. :) Makes sense. Later that day, we celebrated at an Italian Restaurant we've been wanting to go to called Goodfellas. The food was quite delicious (and expensive). But it was such a classy place and it was cool being able to order in Italian (because it's VERY similar to Spanish), communicate in Italian with our waiter, AND communicate with another Waitress we had who spoke Portuguese (from Brazil). I LOVE CULTURE!!! It's so good here. The rest of the day was average. ;)
Last Saturday we went with a member to an Ice Cream/Waffle place...again. Which is super delicious. While we were there, there was a family sitting behind me speaking Spanish. Before we left I started talking to them and they told me they're from Bogota, Colombia!!! It was super cool. The mother told me I spoke Spanish very well. Oh yeah. We weren't able to get their information, but we gave them a card and they'll probably be baptized sometime soon. ;)
Sunday was of course wonderful. There's this homeless man named Dennis, from Trinidad and Tobago. That came to church for his second time. We started talking with him and he told us that he's never been baptized before, and he wants to be baptized in our church because he feels the Spirit here!!! So Sweet!!! He's a really great guy. We just need to get him off smoking and alcohol. Not a Problem!!
Yesterday, we celebrated Civic Day here in Canada. I have no idea what that is, but we celebrated it. :) We did a lot of service and work for some members, then we taught this Spanish/Colombian family that we've been trying to teach ever since I've been here. They're a Stellar family, the father just has read a lot of Anti stuff, and is really skeptical about people that have been raised their whole lives in the church. That's why we have members!!! Later that day, Jeroe's family (the Fotines) invited us over for a barbecue. It was super good and we had a really good conversation with Jeroe. His dad, who is a member, just blurted out at the dinner table. "Jeroe, when are you going to get baptized?? Stop waiting." It was SO good. It's funny too because he keeps saying, no one's pressuring you, but he totally is. We later talked about listening during your prayers for the Holy Ghost, which is going to help him out a lot, and we committed him to asking if he should be baptized a week from this Saturday. We'll follow up with that and I hope that everything goes well!!
One thing I've been working on lately, just like Jeroe, is listening for the Spirit after my prayers. A few weeks ago, a missionary came to our ward and he said something that I really liked. He said that after every personal prayer he has, he listens for a few minutes, just in case God has something to say to him. I've started doing that lately, and I've found that God has a lot to say to me. At least a lot more than I expected. Those few minutes after you end your prayers are very sacred and I can honestly testify that I know that the Holy Ghost really does testify to your heart and to your mind (D&C 8:2). I challenge you all to listen after you pray, because Heavenly Father has many things he wants to say to you. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week. Ciao!!
--
Elder Flint
Canada Toronto Mission
Sunday, July 31, 2016
pics
Happy Belated Pioneer Day!!!!
Happy Belated Pioneer Day!!!!
Although they don't celebrate it here, one lady in church brought it up and complained that we don't really celebrate it here. Yeah Mormons. For my Pioneer Day, I memorized all FOUR verses of the Star-Spangled Banner. Yep, I said Four. They took out the third verse in the new hymn books, but we have a super old one in our apartment that has it. It's a SUPER intense verse. I don't know why we took it out...well I have some ideas. But I commit you all to read it!! Will you read the mystery verse of the Star Spangled Banner?? YES!! Good.
Yeah, in my District, we've been celebrating Jolly July, to put us in the Christmas Spirit in this scorching weather. So every meeting we have, I make some Christmas Sweets that we'd always make back home. So last Wednesday (District Meeting), I made Oreo Bon-Bons. Good stuff. This Wednesday, I'm going to make Almond Roca and our District is going to take a Jolly July Christmas Picture and go caroling to the other District (that meets in the same building). I'm PUMPED!!!!
Man!! Nurses and women just always get the best seats. I'm not even kidding, when we're tired or have a bunch of people to call, us missionaries go into the Mother Lounges at church (when no on is there of course) and sit in those chairs. SO COMFY!!!!! Don't tell my mission president. WHAT?!?! I've been out for almost a year now?? I haven't been counting at all (oh, by the way, it's a year in four days ;) Yeah, it's gone by SUPER fast. I'm pumped for the next year though. The adventures that await me.
Fun stuff with the Hedgehogs. You know what you should do is sell all of them except a male baby and a female baby, and use those two to breed. Yeah, I know, incest is not legal in Utah or approved by the church, but Adam and Eves' kids did it!!
LOGAN!!! I've bought my ticket. I'm coming home early. And I'm going to smack so much sense in you that I'll never have to tell you to go on a date again. You know, you're Summers going to suck real bad if you don't take girls on dates or even make the effort. Fact. How was your talk by the by?? What was it on?? Did you expound any deep doctrine?? Like how Jesus had to have been married while on the Earth?? Good stuff.
Micah! You know I'm all about that Pokemon Go!! You hear about those two Canadians that got arrested for crossing onto US soil because they were playing Pokemon Go?? Yeah, that was me and my companion. ;) Good work on your tennis tournament. Keep killing it!!
My week has been pretty nutz-o. Last Monday, we went to the Downtown with another set of missionaries. We ended up going to Smoke's Burritorie, because one of the other Elders hadn't had smokes yet and I wanted to try a Smoke's Burrito. So when we got to the restaurant. I saw a glass case behind the counter with a small container full of a dark liquid and a sign saying "DEATH SAUCE CHALLENGE!!!" I accepted the challenge. The challenge was that, first, you had to sign a waiver saying you understood all the risks, health violations, that I'm not pregnant, blah blah blah; then, they put 3 DROPS of the sauce on my burrito (this sauce was made from Ghost Peppers); and if I finished it, I got my picture on Facebook and my name put in to win a gift card (pretty lame right??). So I upped the challenge and had the worker put two other hot sauces on it AND jalapeno peppers. Needless to say, I didn't finish it. BOO I know. I got about halfway through the burrito (and yes, it was HOT!!! but, not the hottest thing I've had). My true downfall was that I got the biggest type of burrito they had. If I had gotten a smaller one, I could have pounded it and finished it...maybe. What really hurt was my chest and I get enough heart burn as is!! After the Burritorie, we took the Greenies to the CN Tower (not up it) and then to the dock, where we all stood at the edge of the dock, looking into the water, daring each other to jump in. Then guess what happened. My Dear Beloved Peruvian Friend Elder Leyton PUSHED ME IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NUTZ-O RIGHT?!?!?! Do you know what would be even more nutz??
If it actually happened. Gothca!!! All you who fell for that, hang your head in shame. ;) I don't blame ya'. I mean look how many exclamation marks I put.
The rest of this week was less eventful. Taught some people. Went on exchanges with Elder Stephens, a newbie that just came in from Texas. He's a Stud!! His Spanish is already super good and he sang in the BYU Men's Chorus for a year before coming out. So we had some fun, and I cut his hair. I also was able to go on exchanges with Elder Flake, my old follow-up trainer. That was also a blast. He's a stellar guy, but sadly I probably won't serve with him again because he's going home in a few months.
Speaking of a few months (or weeks). We got news this last week that M. Russell Ballard is coming to the mission!! Sweet Stuff!!! I've been studying a lot of his talks lately. I've decided that my purpose in his visit is to swap ties with him. I mean, who doesn't want a tie from a Prophet?? Stupid people. I let you know how what goes. Hopefully better than the death sauce challenge. ;)
Speaking over M. Russell Ballard. I'm going to echo his talk that he gave last General Conference and commit you all to doing Family Councils. I remember a few back with my family, for special circumstances, but the most experience I've gotten from them is from doing Companionship Inventory on my mission. Every week, we talk about our plans and how we can get along better and make our companionship stronger. Then we compliment each other and give suggestions on how we can better ourselves. It really makes all the differences, especially if we speak openly and honestly. And just think about, if it makes so much a difference for two men that know they're not going to be together for very much longer, how much a difference would it make for a couple or family that know they'll be together for Eternity?? So...will you hold Family Councils?? YES!!!! Good. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Although they don't celebrate it here, one lady in church brought it up and complained that we don't really celebrate it here. Yeah Mormons. For my Pioneer Day, I memorized all FOUR verses of the Star-Spangled Banner. Yep, I said Four. They took out the third verse in the new hymn books, but we have a super old one in our apartment that has it. It's a SUPER intense verse. I don't know why we took it out...well I have some ideas. But I commit you all to read it!! Will you read the mystery verse of the Star Spangled Banner?? YES!! Good.
Yeah, in my District, we've been celebrating Jolly July, to put us in the Christmas Spirit in this scorching weather. So every meeting we have, I make some Christmas Sweets that we'd always make back home. So last Wednesday (District Meeting), I made Oreo Bon-Bons. Good stuff. This Wednesday, I'm going to make Almond Roca and our District is going to take a Jolly July Christmas Picture and go caroling to the other District (that meets in the same building). I'm PUMPED!!!!
Man!! Nurses and women just always get the best seats. I'm not even kidding, when we're tired or have a bunch of people to call, us missionaries go into the Mother Lounges at church (when no on is there of course) and sit in those chairs. SO COMFY!!!!! Don't tell my mission president. WHAT?!?! I've been out for almost a year now?? I haven't been counting at all (oh, by the way, it's a year in four days ;) Yeah, it's gone by SUPER fast. I'm pumped for the next year though. The adventures that await me.
Fun stuff with the Hedgehogs. You know what you should do is sell all of them except a male baby and a female baby, and use those two to breed. Yeah, I know, incest is not legal in Utah or approved by the church, but Adam and Eves' kids did it!!
LOGAN!!! I've bought my ticket. I'm coming home early. And I'm going to smack so much sense in you that I'll never have to tell you to go on a date again. You know, you're Summers going to suck real bad if you don't take girls on dates or even make the effort. Fact. How was your talk by the by?? What was it on?? Did you expound any deep doctrine?? Like how Jesus had to have been married while on the Earth?? Good stuff.
Micah! You know I'm all about that Pokemon Go!! You hear about those two Canadians that got arrested for crossing onto US soil because they were playing Pokemon Go?? Yeah, that was me and my companion. ;) Good work on your tennis tournament. Keep killing it!!
My week has been pretty nutz-o. Last Monday, we went to the Downtown with another set of missionaries. We ended up going to Smoke's Burritorie, because one of the other Elders hadn't had smokes yet and I wanted to try a Smoke's Burrito. So when we got to the restaurant. I saw a glass case behind the counter with a small container full of a dark liquid and a sign saying "DEATH SAUCE CHALLENGE!!!" I accepted the challenge. The challenge was that, first, you had to sign a waiver saying you understood all the risks, health violations, that I'm not pregnant, blah blah blah; then, they put 3 DROPS of the sauce on my burrito (this sauce was made from Ghost Peppers); and if I finished it, I got my picture on Facebook and my name put in to win a gift card (pretty lame right??). So I upped the challenge and had the worker put two other hot sauces on it AND jalapeno peppers. Needless to say, I didn't finish it. BOO I know. I got about halfway through the burrito (and yes, it was HOT!!! but, not the hottest thing I've had). My true downfall was that I got the biggest type of burrito they had. If I had gotten a smaller one, I could have pounded it and finished it...maybe. What really hurt was my chest and I get enough heart burn as is!! After the Burritorie, we took the Greenies to the CN Tower (not up it) and then to the dock, where we all stood at the edge of the dock, looking into the water, daring each other to jump in. Then guess what happened. My Dear Beloved Peruvian Friend Elder Leyton PUSHED ME IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NUTZ-O RIGHT?!?!?! Do you know what would be even more nutz??
If it actually happened. Gothca!!! All you who fell for that, hang your head in shame. ;) I don't blame ya'. I mean look how many exclamation marks I put.
The rest of this week was less eventful. Taught some people. Went on exchanges with Elder Stephens, a newbie that just came in from Texas. He's a Stud!! His Spanish is already super good and he sang in the BYU Men's Chorus for a year before coming out. So we had some fun, and I cut his hair. I also was able to go on exchanges with Elder Flake, my old follow-up trainer. That was also a blast. He's a stellar guy, but sadly I probably won't serve with him again because he's going home in a few months.
Speaking of a few months (or weeks). We got news this last week that M. Russell Ballard is coming to the mission!! Sweet Stuff!!! I've been studying a lot of his talks lately. I've decided that my purpose in his visit is to swap ties with him. I mean, who doesn't want a tie from a Prophet?? Stupid people. I let you know how what goes. Hopefully better than the death sauce challenge. ;)
Speaking over M. Russell Ballard. I'm going to echo his talk that he gave last General Conference and commit you all to doing Family Councils. I remember a few back with my family, for special circumstances, but the most experience I've gotten from them is from doing Companionship Inventory on my mission. Every week, we talk about our plans and how we can get along better and make our companionship stronger. Then we compliment each other and give suggestions on how we can better ourselves. It really makes all the differences, especially if we speak openly and honestly. And just think about, if it makes so much a difference for two men that know they're not going to be together for very much longer, how much a difference would it make for a couple or family that know they'll be together for Eternity?? So...will you hold Family Councils?? YES!!!! Good. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Dear Family,
Hey Hey!! I got the Package!!! SUPER SWEET!! I think everything got here (Camera Cord, Cufflinks, Guitar Picks, Chocolate). Hopefully the Camera Cord fixes the camera. I'll let you know soon. The Cufflinks are SO SWEET!!! I love them. And I kept telling everyone that my family sent me 10 guitar picks and they all said "You don't need that many. Why did they send so many??" And I said "Because they love me." :} The chocolate was super good too. I'm sorry to hear about the gecko. Bringing yet another strange animal into the family. Go figure. That's super fun, Mom, that you get to work with a lot of Spanish people. I hope you never have to sand anyone's feet and then they pee on the hospital floor. No one should have to go through that. You should learn Spanish though, Mom. Then all the boys in the family won't be able to speak secretly back your back (or right in front of you). It's not that hard, you could get it down.
Oh Boy!! Oh Boy!! Daddy's got a new Toy!! Put that Candy Crush away and pick up a different kind of electronic. That's fun. Are the new neighbors LDS?? If not, go do some work and get them baptized!! That's what it's all about. I'm glad Exodus was fun Logan. Super funny about the allusion to 3 Nephi 10 and Isaiah. I was reading Isaiah today and it said that those that have the Gift of Prophesy can understand his words very well. I don't have too much a problem understanding Isaiah. I guess that confirms that I have the gift of prophesy. Who asked you on a date?? How'd they do it?? Since you utterly rejected her you need to make it up and take HER on a date. ;) NOW!!!!!
I hope tennis has been fun Micah. Have fun at Lake Corda Lane. I don't know how to spell it either.
This week has been pretty Jolly. As in Jolly July!! One thing that we've started this month in our District is doing lots of Christmas things to celebrate Jolly July. It's been great. Last Tuesday we had "Skills and Interviews" which is when the whole Zone comes together to be instructed and have interviews with the mission president. I decided to make my District some Christmas Treats of Coconut Bon-bons (just like my momma made them). But then it ended up me making a ton for the whole Zone and the Leaders. Go figure. Everyone really liked them except for the people that previously didn't like Coconut. We've also made some secret Santa cookie drop-offs on missionaries cars and what not. I don't think they expected us because, c'mon, Secret Santa could be Anybody. ;) Interviews with President Shields was a lot of fun. He's a super fun guy and we talked about how he was in the same Ward as Richard Elliot, the organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and how he would listen to him play all the time. Incredible!!
Last Friday, my companion and I went down to Lakeshore (the area/street by the shore of the lake ;) and found like the ONLY gelato place in all of Missisauga. I Love Gelato!! I proudly have a sad confession to make. I've eaten Ice Cream and/or Gelato everyday this last week. I may not be proud of it, but I proudly own it. I decided I have 6 more months of eating whatever I want (because you don't need to look attractive in anyway as a missionary) then the next 6 months will be burnin' it all off. Da' Cleanse!!
Other than that, this week we have been working with lots of people. Finding new people to teach. We have SO many people ready to be baptized as soon as possible, they just need to understand that, or get over their little problems. AH!! As long as they get baptized and receive salvation in the long run, I'm happy.
This week I have been focusing a lot on having charity for others. Like everyone does, I find it very easy to have charity and love for lots of people, but there are always those few people that you Really struggle finding love for. I read a talk, given to me by a missionary, that talked about how when we start focusing on the negative things about people (which is very easy to do), we need to stop ourselves and list of the positive things that we see in these people. It's something surprisingly easy to do. It just takes the will to do it. Dale G. Renlund gave a great talk about seeing "Through God's Eyes." Once we start seeing people like God sees them, we will truly have love and charity for them. I love you all and have charity for you all. ;) I hope you have a wonderful week. Chao!!
Elder Flint
Canada Toronto Mission
Hey Hey!! I got the Package!!! SUPER SWEET!! I think everything got here (Camera Cord, Cufflinks, Guitar Picks, Chocolate). Hopefully the Camera Cord fixes the camera. I'll let you know soon. The Cufflinks are SO SWEET!!! I love them. And I kept telling everyone that my family sent me 10 guitar picks and they all said "You don't need that many. Why did they send so many??" And I said "Because they love me." :} The chocolate was super good too. I'm sorry to hear about the gecko. Bringing yet another strange animal into the family. Go figure. That's super fun, Mom, that you get to work with a lot of Spanish people. I hope you never have to sand anyone's feet and then they pee on the hospital floor. No one should have to go through that. You should learn Spanish though, Mom. Then all the boys in the family won't be able to speak secretly back your back (or right in front of you). It's not that hard, you could get it down.
Oh Boy!! Oh Boy!! Daddy's got a new Toy!! Put that Candy Crush away and pick up a different kind of electronic. That's fun. Are the new neighbors LDS?? If not, go do some work and get them baptized!! That's what it's all about. I'm glad Exodus was fun Logan. Super funny about the allusion to 3 Nephi 10 and Isaiah. I was reading Isaiah today and it said that those that have the Gift of Prophesy can understand his words very well. I don't have too much a problem understanding Isaiah. I guess that confirms that I have the gift of prophesy. Who asked you on a date?? How'd they do it?? Since you utterly rejected her you need to make it up and take HER on a date. ;) NOW!!!!!
I hope tennis has been fun Micah. Have fun at Lake Corda Lane. I don't know how to spell it either.
This week has been pretty Jolly. As in Jolly July!! One thing that we've started this month in our District is doing lots of Christmas things to celebrate Jolly July. It's been great. Last Tuesday we had "Skills and Interviews" which is when the whole Zone comes together to be instructed and have interviews with the mission president. I decided to make my District some Christmas Treats of Coconut Bon-bons (just like my momma made them). But then it ended up me making a ton for the whole Zone and the Leaders. Go figure. Everyone really liked them except for the people that previously didn't like Coconut. We've also made some secret Santa cookie drop-offs on missionaries cars and what not. I don't think they expected us because, c'mon, Secret Santa could be Anybody. ;) Interviews with President Shields was a lot of fun. He's a super fun guy and we talked about how he was in the same Ward as Richard Elliot, the organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and how he would listen to him play all the time. Incredible!!
Last Friday, my companion and I went down to Lakeshore (the area/street by the shore of the lake ;) and found like the ONLY gelato place in all of Missisauga. I Love Gelato!! I proudly have a sad confession to make. I've eaten Ice Cream and/or Gelato everyday this last week. I may not be proud of it, but I proudly own it. I decided I have 6 more months of eating whatever I want (because you don't need to look attractive in anyway as a missionary) then the next 6 months will be burnin' it all off. Da' Cleanse!!
Other than that, this week we have been working with lots of people. Finding new people to teach. We have SO many people ready to be baptized as soon as possible, they just need to understand that, or get over their little problems. AH!! As long as they get baptized and receive salvation in the long run, I'm happy.
This week I have been focusing a lot on having charity for others. Like everyone does, I find it very easy to have charity and love for lots of people, but there are always those few people that you Really struggle finding love for. I read a talk, given to me by a missionary, that talked about how when we start focusing on the negative things about people (which is very easy to do), we need to stop ourselves and list of the positive things that we see in these people. It's something surprisingly easy to do. It just takes the will to do it. Dale G. Renlund gave a great talk about seeing "Through God's Eyes." Once we start seeing people like God sees them, we will truly have love and charity for them. I love you all and have charity for you all. ;) I hope you have a wonderful week. Chao!!
Elder Flint
Canada Toronto Mission
Monday, July 11, 2016
I'm Woody. Howdy Howdy Howdy.
I'm Woody. Howdy Howdy Howdy.
Just kidding. I'm Elder Flint. Sorry to disappoint you all. ;)
I'm glad Oregon was a Blast. Woot woot!! New drone. Don't let Micah fly it in the snow. That would be a bad idea. Sounds like life's pickin' up and slowin' down back in Utah. I hope that tennis camp and ice skating a Trek are all fun. Hey Logan! You should take a date to Trek!!! Or go on a date!! Or like Girls!!! You're killin' me!!! Good luck with the 3 more day shifts Mom. Shoo are almost there!!
I hope I get the package too. I'll know by tomorrow. Yes, the Canadian Post is on strike all over Canada. So stupid. Also, in Mississauga, all the Librarians went on strike, which is obnoxious because we usually email in the library (right now I'm at a Family History Center). Canadians and their strikes. Thanks for inconveniencing the rest of us!!! Yes, it is still pretty hot here. We get a lot of rain though, which is nice. It's all very humid, which kind of stinks when you wake up sweating (and we live in the basement of a basement).
Other than the sweltering weather, this week was pretty good. Lots of Colombian stuff. The works.
Last Tuesday was transfers, so we had a sleepover at our place with another companionship, had a hair cutting party, then chauffeured them up to Brampton (where the temple is) the next morning. It was a lot of fun. I'm still District Leader, Trainer, and Building Manager (:P too much responsibility). I did get a lot of new faces in the District though. I'm super pumped because there's a lot of diversity in it and great missionaries.
Last Friday, we decided to go back to this great Colombian Restaurant (La Colombia Mia) because there's supposed to be dancing on Friday nights (not that we can dance). But we came and I talked to the owner and he told me that the dancing usually starts around 9:30-10:00 PM (our curfew :| . Darn Hispanics. Always starting the party super late. But, while there, we started talking to a Hispanic man who said he had met with missionaries in the past and they really helped him. We gave him a card and he told us that his family is coming from El Salvador (I think) and he's going to call us so we can meet with them. SUPER COOL!!!! Hopefully he actually calls, but nonetheless, I love going to Hispanic Restaurants to do Missionary Work. It's the Best. We've also met a lot of other people at that restaurant and have made friendships. Missionary Work is just so Fun!! It really is the best.
Other than that, none of our investigators came to church. Super bummer. But we'll keep workin' them towards baptism and gettin' them to repent. Hopefully we'll see some good this week.
But to end on a less sour note, we saw this HUGE miracle last Saturday. So we were at the church, getting ready for English Classes when these two really old people (and their Granddaughter) walk in. They're from Hungary and they didn't know a lick of English. So we sent them into the English Classes and then we decided to see if there was any Hungarian material in our church library (yeah right). Being an English Ward with lots of Mandarin and Spanish people, we didn't have much hope, BUT!! by the grace of heaven, I pulled out a thin book with a strange language on it, opened it up, and read "Selections from the Book of Mormon in HUNGARIAN!!!!" It Was NUTS!!!!! So we took them on a tour of the chapel, which they understood basically nothing (except what the Granddaughter translated) and then we whipped out the Book. Their faces LIT UP!!!! They were flipping through the book, speaking gibberish (I mean Hungarian) and smiling so widely. We committed them to read and pray about it, then they said they'd come to church that Sunday!!!! they didn't. BUT!! We will see them in the future and it was such a miracle. I have NO doubt in my mind that the Lord placed that book there. I mean, why else would it be there. We have no Hungarians in our ward or even in Mississauga (other than those two ;). The Lord prepares the way for his children to come unto the Gospel. Fact!! I love you all and hope you see the Lord's hand in your life this week. Chao!!!
Just kidding. I'm Elder Flint. Sorry to disappoint you all. ;)
I'm glad Oregon was a Blast. Woot woot!! New drone. Don't let Micah fly it in the snow. That would be a bad idea. Sounds like life's pickin' up and slowin' down back in Utah. I hope that tennis camp and ice skating a Trek are all fun. Hey Logan! You should take a date to Trek!!! Or go on a date!! Or like Girls!!! You're killin' me!!! Good luck with the 3 more day shifts Mom. Shoo are almost there!!
I hope I get the package too. I'll know by tomorrow. Yes, the Canadian Post is on strike all over Canada. So stupid. Also, in Mississauga, all the Librarians went on strike, which is obnoxious because we usually email in the library (right now I'm at a Family History Center). Canadians and their strikes. Thanks for inconveniencing the rest of us!!! Yes, it is still pretty hot here. We get a lot of rain though, which is nice. It's all very humid, which kind of stinks when you wake up sweating (and we live in the basement of a basement).
Other than the sweltering weather, this week was pretty good. Lots of Colombian stuff. The works.
Last Tuesday was transfers, so we had a sleepover at our place with another companionship, had a hair cutting party, then chauffeured them up to Brampton (where the temple is) the next morning. It was a lot of fun. I'm still District Leader, Trainer, and Building Manager (:P too much responsibility). I did get a lot of new faces in the District though. I'm super pumped because there's a lot of diversity in it and great missionaries.
Last Friday, we decided to go back to this great Colombian Restaurant (La Colombia Mia) because there's supposed to be dancing on Friday nights (not that we can dance). But we came and I talked to the owner and he told me that the dancing usually starts around 9:30-10:00 PM (our curfew :| . Darn Hispanics. Always starting the party super late. But, while there, we started talking to a Hispanic man who said he had met with missionaries in the past and they really helped him. We gave him a card and he told us that his family is coming from El Salvador (I think) and he's going to call us so we can meet with them. SUPER COOL!!!! Hopefully he actually calls, but nonetheless, I love going to Hispanic Restaurants to do Missionary Work. It's the Best. We've also met a lot of other people at that restaurant and have made friendships. Missionary Work is just so Fun!! It really is the best.
Other than that, none of our investigators came to church. Super bummer. But we'll keep workin' them towards baptism and gettin' them to repent. Hopefully we'll see some good this week.
But to end on a less sour note, we saw this HUGE miracle last Saturday. So we were at the church, getting ready for English Classes when these two really old people (and their Granddaughter) walk in. They're from Hungary and they didn't know a lick of English. So we sent them into the English Classes and then we decided to see if there was any Hungarian material in our church library (yeah right). Being an English Ward with lots of Mandarin and Spanish people, we didn't have much hope, BUT!! by the grace of heaven, I pulled out a thin book with a strange language on it, opened it up, and read "Selections from the Book of Mormon in HUNGARIAN!!!!" It Was NUTS!!!!! So we took them on a tour of the chapel, which they understood basically nothing (except what the Granddaughter translated) and then we whipped out the Book. Their faces LIT UP!!!! They were flipping through the book, speaking gibberish (I mean Hungarian) and smiling so widely. We committed them to read and pray about it, then they said they'd come to church that Sunday!!!! they didn't. BUT!! We will see them in the future and it was such a miracle. I have NO doubt in my mind that the Lord placed that book there. I mean, why else would it be there. We have no Hungarians in our ward or even in Mississauga (other than those two ;). The Lord prepares the way for his children to come unto the Gospel. Fact!! I love you all and hope you see the Lord's hand in your life this week. Chao!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)