Week 46: Where do you want to go?

Hey yáll!

"God is anxious to take us as far as we are willing to go"

This week we traveled the 3 hours to go to San Jose in a very winding trip (mom´s stomach would probably not handle this car trip, much less a bus trip), for a Multi zone conference with President Wilkinson. This man is called of God. Wow is all I can say. He taught about plans, God´s plan,   Satan´s plan, how to plan under inspiration, why we need to plan and have a broader perspective, and how we need to teach in such a way that people can know the doctrine, apply it to their lives, and feel that it is true. I loved a quote that he read, which right now I don´t remember who said it, nor the exact words, but here it is: Live in such a way that our mirror is clean enough to relect the light of Christ...or something like that. Especially as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ, a missionary must be living the commandments with pure motive, as well as obeying the mission rules, so that the Light of Christ may shine to those around us. Also, he mentioned that we have to be clean vessels so that the Spirit may work travel through us to the hearts of our investigators and the members. I know that that is true of all disciples of Christ.

Also, President Wilkinson helped us to see that God has an enormous perspective of who we can become and what we can do. We are the ones who limit ourselves. God is willing to take us as far as we are willing, but sometimes we lack the faith. When making plans, when fulfilling a calling, when raising children, when studying for a career, when sharing the gospel, etc. etc. we must pray that God may use us as instruments to fulfill the greater design that he has planned.  I know that, just as the brave men and women of the scriptures, we can do great things when we trust in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

President Wilkinson told us that when he first came to Costa Rica, missionaries jumped for joy when they taught 15 lessons in one week....that is purely unacceptable! Since I have been here, 30 lessons in a week is the minimum we should have! The missionaries at the time that Pres. Wilkinson was starting out, thought that Pres. Wilkinson was crazy. They didn´t have faith. They lacked trust that he was called of God. The minimum goals for our key indicators that we strive to reach each week are more than double what the missionaries had only 3 years ago. This is God´s work, not ours. He can do it without us, but he gives us the opportunity to do so, but he needs worthy workers, worthy disciples. Not ones that lack faith. When we read about the apostles with Jesus Christ, he was constantly admonishing them for their lack of faith. How much more need we faith. Ok. End of rant. haha.


I love being a missionary! The Church is true! Christ leads and guides it. It contains the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We are lead by inspired leaders who act under the holy Priesthood of God. Wow. We cannot sleep through the restoration. We are in such an amazing time. Let´s make the most of it.

This week was different from any other week I have ever had in the mission in an aspect that has always been my weakness. I have always found it hard to talk to strangers in the street, the bus, bread stores, etc. I did it, but mostly just to reach the goal of contacts we make....but this week I felt like a talking machine. I didn´t fear anyone. The only thing that matters is that Christ has commanded that we share the good news and the gospel of repentance with every man, woman, and child. So that is what we have got to do. And it is easy when we think about the eternal perspective.

Well, go get em everyone!
Love yall,

Hermana Flake

Week 45: We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet

Hey fam :) waz up?
This week we found a family that was a reference from a new convert. They accepted us, even fed us, in their house. A few days later they moved into a new house, and we, with the Elders in San Carlos, went over to help them move in and to do some yardwork. After a couple hours of cutting the weeds with a machete and moving trash, they killed a chicken (chopped its head off) and made soup with it for us. Everyone loves to feed the missionaries. Anyway, they are a promising family, even though they keep on telling us that they don´t believe in our doctrine, and they´d prefer to continue being good friends but they won´t come to our church. Just great. But that didn´t get us down too much (at least 3 in the house are interested in learning more, an aunt, one of the daughters and her boyfriend), because the following day we decided to knock on the doors of the new neighbors. They recieved us gladly into their home. We asked them if there was anyone that they knew that could benefit from our visit, and they told us to visit their neighbor, Rosa, who recently lost her 3 month old baby. We did so immediately, and found Rosa in the house, with her ex spouse and two of her children. She had watery eyes throughout the entire visit, where we shared a bit about who we are, our purpose, and the plan of salvation that our Heavenly Father has for us and our families. We invited them to come to conference the following day. Juan Carlos, the ex, came for the Sunday Afternoon session, and enjoyed it a lot. We introduced him to the Bishop and a few other members as well as gave him a tour. He said he will keep coming each Sunday to learn more.  Basically, from this experience, I learned that even when things might seem to be going downhill, such as when the family that we helped move their house, told us that they did not accept our doctrine (without really giving us a chance to share our doctrine...), we did what Preach my Gospel tells us to do, visit the neighbors. God brings us to those who are prepared. However, sometimes it isn´t the first ones who appear in our paths....sometimes its the reference from their neighbors.

It´s been a bit difficult to get to know San Carlos....it´s enormous. Literally enormous. But, I know that my goal is not to get to know all of San Carlos, or even to get to know where every single member lives (though that sure would be nice...), but my goal is to obtain the Spirit to be guided to those parts that we need to visit. I still remember that President Wilkinson told me in my last interview with him, that if we reactivate members that we would also baptize....we are still in the process of trying to figure out where the inactive and less active members live...but I know that it is true. We found one inactive member who has 3 or 4 children who are not baptized. We are still trying to help her to regain a testimony of the restored gospel, but I know that there are many more famillies like this one who we just need to find.

General Conference was amazing!!! I hope you all were able to listen to the talks, to write down some notes and impressions from the Spirit, and that from now on and onward we can all change something that we are doing or are neglecting to do, and put into practice the words of the Prophet, Apostles, and the other General Authorities. What blessing we have to know that we are guided by a living prophet who is a man called of God and who holds the keys and authority of the Priesthood to recieve revelation for the whole world. Wow. D&C 1:37-38. Remember that the words of the Prophets are God´s words and is God´s will for us, His children here on Earth.


Con mucho amor,

Hermana Flake

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Week 44: We Are Family

Things are good here. I cannot believe I already have 2 weeks in San Carlos....time is flying like a jet. Yesterday Elder Orellana and I gave talks in sacrament meeting (they told us the night before, but hey, we´re missionaries...haha). I wrote down some ideas and some scriptures and that´s about it....haha. but it went well. this public speaking thing is getting easier and easier each week. My topic was "the miracle of the Atonement". My mind was fresh from the General Women´s conference and lots of lectures lately that have been directed toward the theme of God´s family, and that we are all part of God´s eternal family and the role of the families here on earth and after this life.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ guarantees that each one of us will be resurrected and that we will live eternally; however, if we want to live eternally with our family in the presence of our Heavenly Parents, we had better do all that the Savior commands us, the which includes baptism, confirmation, and receiving the ordinances of the temple. We need to make the temple a priority. It is the focus of everything we do as members of the restored church of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday we decided to contact a family that was a reference from a recent convert (Yesinia), who she met about a month ago in the hospital the night she had her baby. both of them had their babies the same night and were in the same part of the hospital. Beverly, Yesinia´s mom, and Carlos, the husband of Luz (the other pregnant woman) became friends as they waited anxiously in the waiting room of the hospital. Anyway, long story short, we went to visit Carlos and Luz. They recieved us well. We started to talk to them about our purpose as missionaries, and that we were there to help them to understand God´s plan for them, for all of us as His children. They are very interested in learning more. They have two teenage daughters and a baby boy. They served us dinner (a special plate from Nicaragua, they are from Nicaragua), and want us to come back. When we were sharing with them, they told us of an experience that they had. the night before they had been talking about how they felt like they needed something more in their familiy, and in their life. He prayed to God asking Him to send his family someone that could help them come closer to God. Next day we are there in there house...God answers prayers. I will keep yáll updated on their progress. They are a very good family.

Well. time always passes by so quickly. I wanted to share more about the plan of happiness that God has for us that has been the focus of so many things lately, but I invite yall to study the theme for yourselves. We are one giant family, God´s family, and He wants us to return to our heavenly home, having learned here on earth.

I love you all so much!!!

Love,

Hermana Flake