3.28.15 - Camaragibe, Brazil

So I would like to say that this week has been one that was extremely eventful. To sum things up...my mission was changed for the better this week. 

I would like to talk a tad about a challenge that I did. I read the Book of Mormon cover to cover for the second time on the mission and let me tell you how that went....

1 My testimony of the Restored Gospel grew. I know that we have a living prophet today. Thomas S. Monson

2 I received many many insights that I wrote in my study journal. 

3 In the last chapter of the book, there is a verse that invites us to pray to know if it is true. Why? Well in Matthew 7, in the Bible, we learn that a good tree give forth good fruit. And a bad tree?? Bad fruit!! With this, we learn how to discern whether or not a person claiming to be a prophet is in actuality a prophet of God. So Joseph Smith, a prophet? Well I read the fruit....the book...that he translated. I prayed to know if it was true. I know that this fruit....The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is True. I know Joseph Smith, through the power of God, established the original church of Jesus Christ newly upon the earth.The world needs this book because everyone needs this church. For this I have been blessed the way I have been throughout my life.

SO can I please make a challenge to those at home that I love and care about that aren't members of this church!?!

Please read the book. Even if it is just one chapter. Moroni 10, the last chapter...

and then say a prayer about it!

Find out for yourself your potential and how you really play a part in the Eternal Plan of God. 

I wanna hear back from yall that accept the challenge.

Elder Flake

3.7.16 - Camaragibe, Brazil

This week has for sure been a blur. I got transferred to a new area here in Camaragibe. It is farther outside of the cities but has wayyyy more ground to cover. We get extra money to take buses to the appointments we set. I am super excited! At the same time....I miss my other area. I learned portuguese there yes...but at the same time....the people that I met were amazing. I love love love them and will for sure want to return there when my mission has ended. 

My new companion looks like Jack Grayson. Somebody please tell him. James....I am calling you out my friend. 

I woke up at 4 this morning to get here. Can't describe all the emotions of getting here because I am like drained in every way possible. I also have to go see some doctors this week for an infection in the finger but all is well. My main focus right now is learning this new area and getting to know everything about the members of the church so I can, with my companion, bring them to the happiness that we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ!!!!

2.1.16 - Jardim Atlantico, Brazil

Aloha familia and my friends. It is Elder Flake. This has been a really great week and yes...I am terrible at sending this big email. Actually I apologize that I wont respond to your individual emails until later in the day. We have some things to take care of (specifically sightseeing in Olinda)

But this week has been hectic. We had to close and leave our assigned area for a day because of carnaval....a holiday that lasts a week and is insane. Carnaval is basically a week before easter to commit all the sin possible until easter. So yeah...it is pretty insane! Much sin and iniquities.

But I whipped up a quick voice recording. Did not have a lot of time to do much but yes.

Being on a mission is the greatest thing I have ever done. I have never been so happy. I am so excited for these people that I have been blessed to teach! My conviction has grown so much as well. YES I study a lot....it kind of is a commandment of God to study the word....but whilst all the word is in my head....I cannot share it effectively without the holy spirit. Its enough to teach the people about the Word but how great it is to be able to tell these people that the Word is true! And that they....each and everyone in the world....has the ability to first study a little and then pray and ponder on the words of Christ.

The greatest feeling has to be when I look in the face of an investigator and tell them that Christ died for them and we can know about this sacrifice through the words of prophets of old...but also of a living prophet today Thomas S. Monson. It is neat to see the changes that are wrought by this gospel as they truly apply this sacrifice of Christ in their lives.

So yes..I did not give much of an update on my well being and other things not relating to the Gospel but just know that I am healthy...the ankle is improving...and also life is just fantastic. I talk more about these kinds of things in my recording but yes...tchau tchau família! Até logo!

Elder Flake 

12.28.15 - Jardim Atlantico, Brazil

Yes Natal was fantastic. Grateful to talk to the fam and eat some good food....but most importantly feel close to our savior of course! Even being incredibly far from home...in complete different culture with a completeley different way of celebrating...I felt so close to the things that really matter!

I also saw an enormous frog....Like it could have eaten me...

ANYWAYS This week was great! A little slow because of the lack of finding people to teach....but great....AND WARM hahaha. I am used to the heat now. Honestly it feels to me as if it is 70 degrees all the time. We were sitting in the Bishops office and he had on his air conditioning and I thought I was going to die. I hadn't felt air conditioning in a very long long time hahahaha!

We had a Mission Conferance for Christmas and I prayed beforehand that I would understand the devotionals and speakers....and I UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING. It was a tender mercy and yeah, my portuguese is terrible sometimes....but with God's power....I am being blessed. 

We taught a lesson to Roberto....a recent convert....and I invited him to prepare to serve a mission! He was so excited and the spirit was so strong. And my portuguese wasn't a barrier at all. 

As far as other things go...we got christmas packages from family, the members here, and also from other places in the world...so that was neat. We have so much food in our apartment...it could feed an army

AND IT IS. THE LORDS ARMY MY FRIENDS. 

Anyways, I hope that yall have happy holidays! I can feel the prayers sent my direction! 

Love Elder Flake

12.21.15 - Jardim Atlantico, Brazil

What did you drink when you were born? The subject of my email today. Something my companion mentioned to me today because of my insanity. Yes I haven't lost that I promise. 

Anyways, Elder Chelemberg was sick with Zica which is a sickness of the mosquito. I had the same thing the other week and it is pretty nasty and unpleasant. So I cleaned the apartment and also studied for two days straight. I really got some good insights and revelations if you would like to call it that. 

But I went on a split with Elder Villamar...the District leader....and we ran a couple kilometers home in the pouring rain...That was crazy! It was raining so hard! We also have so many ants in our apartment...but we got a bug zapper from a member and so I feel like christmas came a couple days early. The battery doesn't last but 1 minute after a 4 hour charge....but I sure enjoy myself in that one minute.....It literally makes all the bugs I touch explode....quite interesting to say the least. 

Also....Christmas is amazing! I have gotten into the Christmas spirit as I have been studying about our savior this month. Remarkable what he did. This is a very hard challenge that I have taken upon myself...being on a mission is not easy...But I know that through the power of the Savior, these challenges we face are toppled and we come out stronger. As heart breaking as it is when someone denies your message...the comfort and joy when someone is baptized rids all the feelings of sadness from the choices of others.

Merry Christmas folks. Feliz Natal. Look forward to talking with the family on Christmas day for a few minutes! 

Elder Flake

12.14.15 - Jardim Atlantico, Brazil

SO it was transfer week and luckily I will be staying right here in Jardim Atlantico! I have an immense love for this place I will not lie. And I finally can talk to people without getting flustered. I remember my first week I couldn't even tell who was members of the church and who was people learning about it.....pretty sad. But now, I am being so blessed to be able to communicate effectively!

As far as Natal goes (Christmas) There is not a whole lot of Christmas sprit! This place is filled with happiness, but it isn't like America by any stretch! Where is Santa! Who killed Santa! The members are great though. They have spirit. During a ward Christmas party, one of the members came in with blue silk pajamas and a blue sleeping hat (as close to santa as he could get) and yelled HO HO HO! And the children went nuts.

...and I was right along there with them...it was almost as if I was buddy the elf and I heard that santa was coming to the mall! I freaked out just a little bit and forgot to speak portuguese for a little bit. Got a few funny looks from the people. 

Anyways, we are sure walking a lot. I calculated the other day...we walked over 15 miles. It was insane. We get days like that, especially when people cancel on us. But, on the brightside, these days always turn out to be learning experiences. It is like the young man in Matthew that basically said, I am keeping the commandments, I am walking in thy (Jesus's) ways.....but what lack I yet?? 

 I am learning quite a bit as I do this work. I am learning the scriptures. I am gathering the children of Isreal and preparing them to meet Heavenly Father. I am learning how to commuicate to the hearts of men....and Portugues......

In truth, I am learning so many things that I couldn't include in here.

Anyways! This time of year is wonderful! Stay warm people of America! Don't get a cold. Down here if you get a cold, the people think that you cant drink cold water. Pretty hilarious. 

Feliz Natal

Elder Flake

12.7.15 - Jardim Atlantico, Brazil

So yeah I don't have a lot of time left to write but I wanna mention a couple of things here for yall!

First thing. I got to baptize Roberto...an 18 year old boy who is fantastic! It is so amazing to see the changes that people make to prepare themselves and follow Christ. He came to church this Sunday with a white shirt which is great. He is showing his respect for the sacred things we do like the Sacramant. And we never asked him to wear his Sunday best which is amazing!!

It is pretty hot here. The most wintery moment I had here was the other day when I chucked a huge chunk of ice that was stuck in our freezer out the window. (pretty cool to see the explosion!!)

Anyways, as far as the work goes. We are in the streets talking to people a lot, but mostly inside of peoples homes teaching. We spent some time talking about Christmas with these people and it is pretty sad that they don't understand the meaning of Christmas. A good portion don't even recognize it except to drink lots of alcohol. 

My area is great. We have more people that want to be baptized and as far as my portguese goes....quite a bit better hahaha. It is really hard at times, but I shared my testimony in church and also shared a lesson during a family activity with lots of people. Everyone keeps saying that I surprise them with how fast I am learning (I myself am surprised) BUT I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT ME ALONE. Heavenly Father is blessing me so much. I can feel his power as I study and learn. He is powerful, not me. 

Anyways this is myweek in a nutshell. I got attacked my a pigeon in my sleep which was terrible. It flew into our tiny room and Elder Chelemberg and I woke up screaming like tiny girls

Love yall

Elder Flake