Hola family!

I've now been in the MTC for 5 weeks...we're getting a little too well known here---I think it's time we leave...ha. One district that was in our zone left yesterday...they were here a week before we got here and showed us the ropes (kinda) and it was really sad to have them leave. It's hard because who knows if I'll see them again. At least we have each other's email addresses.

 Last time I wrote, I mentioned how we've had so many apostles come here---well, that night (last tues.) Elder L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us! We're basically having our own little General Conference spread out over 6 weeks...ha And a couple nights ago (Sunday night) we had our norml Sunday Night Devotional/Fireside. We didn't know who the speaker would be---and my head started pounding really bad. I'd had  headache for most of the day-- but it suddenly got really bad and painful---and I started to feel nauseous as well...all on the bus on the way to main MTC campus...so my companion and I went to the bathroom where I threw up. We then went to the front desk to explain and get tyenol for my TERRIBLE headache--as we called a doctor from the front desk, I got another wave of nausea and went to the bathroom to throw up my insides (like 5 times). Sorry for the gory details...Anyway, I still felt terrible, so a security guard drove me and my companion back to westside campus so I could rest at our apartment. I took a 45 minute hot bath because my head felt like it was going to explode. After that (around 8:30pm--we both just went to bed. When the other Hermanas came back at 10pm, they informed us that we had missed a Q& A session with Elder Bednar!!! I was devastated...and felt bad because my companion had to be with me as I went through this terrible ordeal. I was fine the next morning--so don't worrry :)

Did you get the email from my teacher that had me bear my testimony in espanol to y'all? I realized after it was too late that it looks like i'm reading from my notes---but I promise that was only open because I had looked over them to try and remember everything I've learned here in the MTC... I love y'all so much! Glad to hear about your new calling Mom! I think being Primary Song Director would be really hard for me because I CANNOT, I repeat, physically am unable to go above a high C (on pitch and warmed up) (whatever that is--my companion took 6 years of voice lessons--and she and I tested in on a piano...) And ALL the primary songs are so high pitched. But you CAN sing and you'll do awesome because of your patience and love for kiddos.

I want to hear more about Dad's back and his promotion at work--how is his job treating him lately? okay, TYLER.... DON'T GIVE UP PIANO! Trust me. if there is one thing I regret, it's not sticking it out...And it is so useful. Especially on a mission. We have one Elder here who is able to play some hymns and believe me, it makes people much more helpful, outgoing, and even attractive ( at least that's what i always hear girls say...) you will never regret continuing Piano. Hermana Weatherhead (she plays and teaches piano) told me to tell you that it is worth it! :) 

Tell DAD thank you SO much for the camera stuff! I can finally use my good camera :) with quality pictures, and not rely solely on my companions photos. :D Thank you thank you Gracias!

Thank you so much for what you did for Elder Grant! He's been rather down because he has difficultly focusing with ADD, but when he takes meds for it he is not the Elder Grant we know at all...I like him better when he's his normal self and not drugged up :) But his smile when he saw the package was precious. It made his day :) And he seems to be doing way better. THanks!

I pray every day (multiple times a day) for y'all! Keep reading your scriptures and praying everyday! Watch the Daily Bread videos (there are three short vids) on Lds.org....here is a link =>  https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-012-daily-bread-pattern?lang=eng

It is so important to continually be converting ourselves each and every day, spiritual nourishment just like we need physical nourishment every single day. 

Alrighty, so I got my travel plans! I will be at the Salt Lake City Airport a couple hours before my flight at 12:15pm, so I might try to call y'all then (and please tell me who I should call so that I don't waste my phone minutes card thing...) I also have an hour layover at the Dallas Texas airport, so I will try to call then for sure and that is from 4pm-5pm. After that I will be flying to Costa Rica and should be in the country's airport at 8:10 PM.... :D I'm so excited. I will take TONS of pictures. Keep sending me the occasional picture or two or three :) I love to hear about daily life in the Flake household. Also keep me updated on extended family. maybe a little bit of current events...haha :) I know nothing other than what comes onto the LDS website :)  Thanks!! \

Mucho Amor!!!

Hermana Sarah Flake

​This is a fraction of my zone in front of the temple when we went today.
 There are 18 elders right now and us 4 hermanas.

Here is a picture of the mama duck that had 12 ducklings ON MOTHERS DAY!!!
 haha, that was cool.

That bruise on Hermana Weatherhead's arm was my doing....in basketball.
 It was an accident!!! I promise!!!

A lot of pictures from the MTC!!

Hola mi familia amado!

I loved hearing all your beautiful voices on Mother's Day! 

      I was frustrated last week after a couple lessons with our 'investigators' (the ones that are our teachers) because my companion and I are trying hard to teach what the spirit wants us to, but we have a difficult time getting them to open up and talk to us. It's hard to know which questions to ask that will help them get going, and I don't think I would even know what to say in English, let alone Spanish. We have another investigator named Hely, who is our TRC investigator (dad might know what that is) which is an investigator that seems exactly like a non member. She is adorable and from Guatemala, but we're able to understand her spanish :) She is catholic and believes everything we've taught her so far, and we are able to feel the spirit so strongly when we teach her, but it's easier because she is very open with us....not so with our teacher investigators...but I'm learning that the reason it's hard is because we aren't truly loving them...we don't see them as real investigators (because they're are teachers), but I decided to pretend that they are real people in my lives ( i won't tell you who, since this might be posted onto facebook, haha), but I think that will help me to have a true desire to help them see that this is a true message and feel our love and their heavenly father's love for them. And then we will be able to teach after the manner of the spirit, and not just teach while having the spirit. there is a difference. When you teach after the manner of spirit, you teach in a more personal way, and line upon line...teaching people, not lessons. The holy ghost also teaches by inviting, prompting, and encouraging. So that means to provide opportunities for those we teach to use their agency and to help learners understand and LIVE the doctrines not just learn OF the doctrines of the gospel.  Anyway, that's my spiel for the day :D haha. Keep me posted on the goings on. It's sad to hear that the Justices are moving. They were awesome neighbors. 

​     My roommate likes to take a ton of pictures of me. Here is me trying to dodge, yet another one :) Haha

Mucho Amor,

Hermana Flake