P-day Photos

Hola familia!

Another week flew by... It´s so true when they say that, in the mission, days are long and weeks are short. 

Thursday was a successful day--of course it wasn´t perfect and it wasn´t easy, but it was productive and I was dead tired at the end of the day. after the usual morning routine (exercize for 30 minutes, shower, breakfast, personal study, companionship study, planning, lunch) we did divisions/splits, with Hna. Morales with Stefanie (young member), Hna. Escobedo with Ma (our "mother" who cooks and does our laundry for us), and me with two young members (Goudy and Fabianna). For me, it was super hard because they don´t quite have the experience and confidence of a missionary, so I had to talk alot, which is so hard because my spanish is bad and I´m not always sure what people are saying--but it was good because I had to get over myself and talk.

Saturday was Costa Rica playing in the Copa Mundial, so people here treated it like the Super Bowl-everyone was watching the game. So our mission president changed our hours for that day, we proselyted from 9am-12pm, studied from 1-4pm, and then went out to proselyte again from 4-9pm (the game was at 1pm). COSTA RICA WON by the way...haha People went beserk and cars were honking at everyone :)

This sunday, we went on splits at 7:30 am, Hermana Morales went to the Ward Council Meeting while Hermana Escobedo and I went to try and bring our investigators with us to church. We tried a couple doors but no one was home, but then we went to the house of a family of brand new investigators (we haven´t even taught them a real lesson yet) and asked them if they would come with us for an hour or two of our church meetings. and they said yes! so we waited for them to all shower and get ready...which took a while...and unfortunately we were 40 minutes late. However, they caught the end of sacrament meeting and then stayed for the second hour of our meetings. They are adorable, and I look forward to teaching them the gospel and baptizing them. They are Catholic, and very good people. Juan Antonio (the dad) accepted a baptismal date the first time we met with him...so it´s looking up. I wish our ward would have greeted them a bit more..you know, to fellowship and make them feel really welcome, but with time and as we continue to work with the members to encourage them to also do missionary work, I know the ward will become better at that. I´m still trying to grasp the language...it´s mostly just hard to understand when people talk extremely fast, or when there are distractions, noises, etc (like rain pounding on the tin roof, or music in the background, or lots of people talking at once), that sort of thing. Well, I love my companions and the elders we work with in our area, and the ward members who often help us with splits and everything. I pray to see a miracle happen with this family, and to be obedient and worthy to witness such a miracle.

Love yáll! tell jessica to send me an email! I´d love to see pictures as well! until next week! 

Mucho amor, 

Hermana Sarah Flake

It was one of my companions´ birthday this past friday, so we had a cake and piñata (of course after proselyeting and working for the day) And she had her face smashed into the cake...nbd

Some of the sweet kids (and elder Tobar) that are relatives of the couple we live with, watching Tarzan (no, elder Tobar wasn´t watching, he just jumped in when I took the picture)

Today we got to hike a bit to a volcanoe (we couldn´t actually see it becase of the fog....) and a waterfall...super chiva

word.

It´s another glorious day in the mish. It didn´t rain today, so that´s good. Haha. I´m really grateful for the waterproof shoes that I brought: they´ve come in quite handy

We had a Mult-Zone Conference on Friday (they only happen every three months I hear), and it took up most of the day. We had to wake up even earlier than usual (5am for my comps, and 5:30am for me-benefits of short hair and no make-up,ha) to catch a bus and get to the chapel by the temple by 7am. We were spiritually fed and temporally fed (a huge lunch). They talked alot about knowing that we have authority from God to teach the gospel and the doctrine of repentance, being happy and positive because we´re serving the Lord, and to be exactly obedient to the mission rules, in order to have the spiritual power when we teach and to be worthy to witness miracles. 

I seriously wish that I had gone on splits with the missionaries when I was in high school. It would have been out of my comfort zone entirely, but it is so nice when we can cover more ground by splitting with members. We did that the other day, which was awesome. Troy, you should think about going on splits with the missionaries ;) it´s awesome and will help you so much for your mission. It´s awesome to hear that Tyler got his patriarchal blessing. Treasure it, Tyler. I often read mine and have studied the promised blessings and the things I need to do to achieve them. :) And seriously, read your scriptures every day, and pray morning, noon, and night. It´s spiritual nourishment for the soul and is something that must be done as often as you need to eat, drink, and sleep. 

I seriously need to be better about writing in my journal everyday, because that´s what I go off of to write these emails...so sorry, this week I skimped on the journal writing. 

I need to write my mission president now, because I´ve only got 10 minutes left....oops

Ciao!

Hermana Flake

My companions (and everyone that they showed this picture to, ha) think I am loco for catching the sapos (frogs) here. Tennessee girl coming through, ha :) I love the critters, such as geicos, frogs, salamanders, etc. (we even saw a few lightnin´bugs), but I have yet to see a snake...oh well. con tiempo, con tiempo ;)

My companions have gotten sick A LOT lately...which is weird because they told me that it´s usually the gringos who are sick weeks on end. Knock on wood ;)

not all these photos are from this week...just so ya know

the computers here are SUPER slow so these take forever to download...so sorry, but you won´t get as many as <I would like to send....

Our Home: Cute and small

Costa Rican temple!

The zone leaders (who live in the house across the street from us and are in our area...Ojo de Agua) and my companions. We took this yesterday at the member´s home where we ate lunch after church. 

Hola familia amado! (y otros)

Sería mejor si yo escribí en español porque los keypads son en español solamente, y es difícil a escribir cuando hay mucho lineas rojos debajo mis palabras...but I also want yáll to understand what I write, so I will type in ingles.  okay. so first of all, having a nametag in public...so different. As we walked through the airport a week ago, i see people´s eyes stare at me and my nametag. it´s so true that as missionaries, we represent the whole of our church--it´s just a little bit of pressure, haha nbd. Also, sidenote, as we waited in the airport my companion and I saw Russell M. Neilsen, no big deal. ;) We didn´t say anything to him though because we didn´t want to bug him. I want to write my first journal entry in COsta Rica: "Wow...I´m in Costa Rica... It´s amazing and crazy. They drive dangerously here and everything is different, bu I love it! After we got our luggage at the airport, we were picked up by the President of our mjission, his wife and kids, and some elders who´ve been here a while. I haven´t had the chance to really be with all the other Costa Rica bound sisters yet--and they´ve mostly all been together, so that´s kind of hard, but that will come with time. They took us to the temple and talked to us aboutwhat it´s like to be a missionary here in CR. And how we have the goal of talking to everyone--bautizar y retener. That´s our goal--open your mouth and ask for references from everyone. <well Ciao!"

Okay, so that´s cool...but my first day in costa rica, when i actually saw it in daylight was crazy. Traffic is loco! they drive insanely. Signs are mere suggestions and the only thing that really regulates speed here is speed bumps. I´m in a trio by the way (I have two latina trainers who don´t speak english). Hermana Escobedo and Hermana Morales are awesome. One is very tall, and the other is very short. I´m in the middle, ha. I love them.

Have I mentioned...PURA VIDA. haha I always think that whenever it´s raining here (like everyday, ha) because I can´t really think negatively when i remember that I´m in costa rica teaching people the gospel of Jesus Christ and his plan for happiness. The other day we went to an appointment in the rain, but the man wasn´t there, but his kids were (and dogs) so we talked with the kids and they though I was funny when I tried to talk to them in Spanish, and they also wanted me to speak English to them. The cute 5 year old told me his colors in english. We taught them about prayer and showed them how...they were Catholic (many of the people here are) so the prayers they know are all memorized. Later we went to another lesson where three were present: Elise, Steven, and their neighbor, Lady. we taught them the importance of keeping the sabbath day holy and about baptism and praying to know the truth through the Spririt. I felt so much love for them as we taught them. We even committed them to a baptismal date. Que Chiva!

Like I said, there are a lot of dogs here (pets and vagabonds), and I enjoy playing with them when we visit members´s houses.

Mission life is hard. <i´m not going to sugar coat it. we walk everywhere, usually in mud and rain, and get super tired (i feel like i get tired faster because my brain is in overdrive trying to translate everything), but I know that I´m already starting to get lost in the work. I love the ward here. it is amazing. They asked me to lead the music...and you know me and music...we´re not very compatible...haha. So I did my best. Good thing is, I´m not the only one here who cannot sing :) I was meant to serve here...jk..ha. So yeah. And it was fast sunday, so we had testimony meeting. I went up and bore my testimony about forever families and how this gospel is one of happiness so we need to share it with everyone :) Lots of people were surprised that I could speak any spanish...haha, but I still sound like a gringa :) Still trying to get used to the way we greet each other here (at least the women) with kisses on the cheek. ha. 

Remember to count your many blessings! No matter what our circumstances are, we can always find things to be grateful for. Attitude is everything. So keep on smiling. Always say hello with a smile to everyone yall meet, and think postively :) Please keep sending me emails. I love reading about your lives. But I definitely don´t focus as much on yall like i used to....haha, no offense...I miss yall, but I also want to bring yall blessings, which means, forgetting my old life and getting to work (a menos que pday...ha). I love yall bunches!

Con tanto amor,

Hermana Flake

p.s. i will try to send some more pictures next time....it takes so long to upload them on these computers....

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

Week 1 MTC

Hola familia!

It's great here at the MTC (west campus, which is Wyview and Raintree). It's strange because Jess and I lived here over the summer, and now I am living in the same apartments with Hermana Muse and the other two hermanas that make up my district. Since we were all plucked from our fellow mission groups to be in intermediate, none of us have the same mission. Hermana Muse, Akre, and Weatherhead are all going to different places in Mexico, and then there's me going to Costa Rica. I love my zone and district and branch presidency! This sunday we listened to an amazing talk by President Uchtdorf. He talked about fearing no man, and being bold but not overbearing. That's my goal. Our spanish is coming along well; we pray in spanish and give talks (2-3 minutes) in spanish. Sometimes when I'm writing in my journal i accidently start writing in spanish...haha. Anyway, I love you guys alot and miss y'all. Can y'all please email me and tell me about what is going on in your lives. Don't think that you'll distract me. Thanks mom for the shoes! They came in yesterday and I loved your letter. Has my driver's license come yet? Just wondering, I'm in no hurry. I hope y'all keep on reading from the Continuous Atonement. It's my mission challenge for y'all :) I love you all mucho!!! Adios!

-Hermana Flake

I'm off!

Tomorrow I enter the MTC, and from there I will go to Costa Rica!

See y'all in 18!