Thursday, June 27, 2013

Elder Flake in the missionary broadcast..

One of Elder Flake's emails included this:
"Oh and I forgot to tell you! I'm on the front page of LDS.org and The Universe (BYU's newspaper....I think haha)! On the "Work of Salvation" Link or whatever it is called, the big picture at the top of that page! I am on the bottom right of the picture! Check it out. :)"
The picture are rotated around but this is the link with him on the front!
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-lmissionary-work-worldwide-broadcast


This link is the MTC choir singing and you can spot Elder Flake at 2:42 and 3:09 in the teal tie!
http://bcove.me/lose4zu5

Week 4

Hello all! Much love from here in good ole Provo UT!

So strange to write week 4 already! Days are long, but weeks are so short..
Anyway, I pray for you all every night!  I know how useful prayers can be--I can feel all of yours! So thank you! :) This week was rather bland. Except that I am no longer a young missionary at the MTC! We got missionaries in our zone (this might be old news... I can't remember. Oh well :) ) and they are so cool! We have so much fun here at the MTC. Our district is by far the loudest and most fun! Not always good, but definitely always enjoyable. :)
So the thing that had the biggest impact on me this week was the amount that my testimony has grown. I thought I had a testimony before coming to the MTC. But now, it's grown by at least 10 times! And how grateful I am that my Father in Heaven has the mercy to personally let me know He is there, and that He loves me, and what His will is for me. I am so excited to be able to preach the gospel! I feel like I'm a kid on the sidelines, waiting to play. Every day, I feel more and more like "Coach! Coach! Throw me in! I'm ready to play!" But the Coach keeps humbling me, and I'm so grateful for that. He lets me know every day that I'm almost there! I just need to learn patience. :)
So another thing that was super cool this week was talking about Hungary. It was the first day we talked about the country, and not just the language. We talked about teaching Hungarian people, not Hungarian lessons. It was sooooooo cool to see pictures of the most beautiful country in the world! ;) The teachers are all so great! I have been thinking a lot about going back to the MTC after my mission to teach.. :) I mean how cool would that be!!!??? Man, I can't wait to get there. :)
Well, that looks to be about time. Thankfully, time doesn't seem to exist here in the MTC.. It is a weird feeling.
So, now my testimony. My favorite part :) : Tudom, hogy Jézus Krisztus él. Ő a Megváltóm, és a Szabadítónk. Szeretem az evangéliumát. Tudom, hogy Isten szeret minket. Ő akarja adni nekünk válaszokat a minden imáinkra. Okay, that is enough Hungarian for one email. Man, is it amazing how great the Lord can work miracles. I love mz Savior. A lot. :)
 
Sok szeretettel,
Flake Elder
 Our classroom where 10 of us learn with an instructor
 My companion! Elder Blackman

My district and part of my zone.
 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Week Three!

Wow, so weird to write a 3 already! I coulda sworn I reported like yesterday.. haha. Well, this week was great! I have learned and learned and learned so much! I love being able to truly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, and what it means to be a disciple of Christ! I don't by any means know all about it. But I know enough that I can follow the example of our loving Redeemer Jesus Christ and become a perfectly tuned instrument in the Master's hands, to touch the lives of everyone I meet. And being so close to my Savior has shown me what it means to truly love someone. Trust me, it is absolutely possible for the leaders of this church to love each and every single one of us. I have felt of the amazing love that God has for all of His children!

Two really sweet things were said to me this week that I haven't been able to forget. The first is that: "Well, it's Flake Elder, he just loves everyone!" A little background: So there was a group of Hungarians that reported 6 weeks before I did. They are called my Ösik, literally "the Ancients". They had been at the MTC for 6 weeks when I reported, along with a group of Finnish missionaries and Albanians (who got here a week before the other two groups). Well, on last Monday, the Albanians, all the missionaries going to Albania and learning Albanian, left the MTC to go to the field! Super exciting, but also sad that we were losing the Albis! The reason I make mention of them is that they are in my zone: along with all Finnish-speaking and Estonian-speaking missionaries. So anyway, when the Albanians left, we all signed cards to them. Well, this last Monday, the Ösik and the Finns left the MTC! That meant that my group of Hungarians were the only district in the zone! Well, when those two groups left, we signed cards once again. It was bittersweet to see the Finns go. But it was only exciting to see the Hungarians go! I mean I am going to see them soon in Hungary! :D So when we signed cards (I'm a bad storyteller I know, all over the place!) I made sure to sign all of them, cause I really loved them all! But later, one of the sisters was getting after the younger Hungarians for not having everyone sign the cards. She said that the only person to sign them all was me, Flake Elder. She said that when she talked with the Ösik about it, they said "Well, it's Flake Elder, he just loves everyone!" It was so awesome to hear. :)

The next thing said to me was "Just look at this guy, this disciple of Christ!" I can honestly say I don't know why this elder said that to me. it was after a volleyball game, and gym time was over. I was walking by one of the members of the other team, and said something like "You know Elder Vail, you are awesome!" I was just being me, saying that he was a really cool, and funny guy. Then he goes and tells me that I am a great disciple of Christ--shoot, I almost lost it right then and there. It was so good to hear that I am following my Savior. I absolutely love this gospel, and am so grateful for the knowledge I have of it.

So anyway, the language is coming great! Tudom, hogy Isten a mi szerető Mennyei Atyánk. És az engesztelésen keresztül visszatérünk Istenhez. Isten szeret minket és akarja, hogy boldog legyunk.

( I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. And we return to God through the Atonement. God loves us and wants us to be happy.)

I love being around so many amazing elders and sisters. They are so fun to be around, and we always learn so much from each other!

Well, P-Days are short! Gotta go!

( the pictures: This is us doing TALL, Technology Assissted Language Learning. It helps, and you can hear how Hungarians pronounce Hungarian words. Super helpful to memorize phrases! The zone before most of them left. The Provo Temple)

Sok sok szeretettel,

Flake Elder


Thursday, June 13, 2013

P-Day (Thursday) means emails to share and this time with pictures!

Well, I made it to the third week here! It has been such an incredible experience. I say it every time, but I absolutely mean it! The MTC is such an amazing place. Magyar a legjobb. :)

I love learning Hungarian. It is so hard, but I love every second of it. So while I have been here, I have learned so much about the gospel. I have come to know my Savior, and feel of His love. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of the world. Meghalt a buneinkert, es szeret minket. Szeretem Jezus Krisztust.
...
Hopefully all is going well. I saw Ryan Anderson today at the Bookstore! He looks like he is doing well, got here yesterday.

And on P-Days, we can take a sack lunch back to the residence and have a FEAST! It's so much fun to hang out with my district. I love all of them and we have such a great time together.

I love it here. I will say it a thousand more times. :) I love it here!

Give everyone my love. I wish I were able to send more, but time flies when you are serving the Lord! :)

Szeretlek titeket. Tudom, hogy Isten el es Isten beszel ma. Isten szeret minket. And I love you. Things are great, so don't worry.

Much love,
Elder Flake
 
(The picture with both Elder Flake and his companion Elder Blackman show how their name tags are written backwards! In Hungary, they say the names backwards so it is Flake Elder).
 
The next picture is of Elder Ryan Anderson and Elder Flake at the BYU bookstore. He just got there on campus yesterday! They are longtime friends from school and he is serving in the Alpine German mission which is pretty close to where Elder Flake will be serving! The last two photos are of his district and they are all going to Hungary.
 
 




 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Letters!

This first one is from June 2, 2013

Drága család (Dear flakes),

This experience has been incredible. I could not ask for a better place to be right now. I feel the spirit so strong every day. My days are jam-packed! I mean, I've been here only a few days, and I already know lots of Magyar (Hungarian)! I learn more than I could ever learn in one day than in a year of secular study. This church is true, and led by divinely inspired men. I am so grateful for awesome Elders that have come before me and shown me boundless love. Every single Elder has been incredible at showing our Savior's love and being a great example of diligence.

I hope all is well at home. Life here is amazing. Szeretem titeket!

 Tudom, hogy Jézus Krisztus van lsten Fia. Isten szeretem titeket és én.
(Have no fear! Love and prayers are coming your way. Remember, the Lord will provide. Trust Him. )

Szeretlek,
Elder Jordan Flake

P.S. Use Dear Elder.com for emails. wflake@myldsmail.net
P.P.S. Use the return address I used to send mail.
P.P.P.S. Love you and miss you all lots and don't worry. It's hard because the Lord is preparing you for something-something AMAZING! Stay faithful.

MUCH LOVE
sok szeretet,
Jordan!


Letter #2
June 6, 2013

Drága család(ok) (he worte next to the ok "maybe, not sure") (Dear Family)
(Drah-gaw chaw-lah-doek)

Thank you for using Dear Elder.com! Loved getting that first email. Miss you guys tons! But, I absolutely love it here. Every single day is amazing. The Spirit is so strong, and I'm glad my time here has been amazing. We are (me& our district) are part of the first group of people (along with Aley Davis & her district & some others) to come straight here to the West campus! It's amazing, we are totally secluded from the main MTC! But it is so awesome-we have so much szabadság! (freedom)

The language is coming great, I feel like I'm really getting a grasp of it, even after just one week!! Can't wait for the packages!! Although by the time you get this, I'll probably already have it...so thanks!

Thursday-today-is my P-Day. My first one! Man, it has been so nice. So the guy I emailed you about (that feels weird to say cause I haven't emailed yet... hopefully I will! :p) says he remembers Paul and his kids, especially Kai (Sabrina's son). So awesome to someone from so close to home. EVERYONE here is from Utah. Except like 3 people. And it seems like everyone went to BYU! So funny. And GUESS WHAT! My companion Elder Blackman has the same birthday as me!! How cool is that! He's a great guy. Actually, he reminds me a lot of Michael...which is so weird. But I absolutely love him. He's so funny and we balance each other out great and he is really spiritual. Sometimes (actually a lot) he loses focus. But, we get along great. The other missionaries in my apartment, Elders Spedding and Raymond, are so cool! Because we live in BYU housing, we get a full apt. Like, kitchen, living room, MASSIVE bathroom, the works! So nice. Only a week here, and I already have had so much fun, and so many stories! Haha!

Well, I love you guys and don't worry. Wipe away those tears Mom, Emmalee, DAD! I know you guys are reading this out loud (yes, we were, lol) But really, don't worry. Two years will fly by. PROMISE. Ü

And tell anyone that asks that I'm doing GREAT! Ü Love it here, and I'm so beyond happy to be serving the Lord.

Remember, the Lord will provide. Trust Him.

Szeretlek titeket,

Elder W. Jordan Flake

On the sides of his letter he wrote (practicing Hungarian...;p) Tudom, hogy Isten szert titeket.
Isten a mi szeret= Mennyei Atyánk.




Updated MTC address!

On the side, the MTC address has been updated. To mail Elder Flake a letter in the MTC (he will be there til July 29) use this address:

Elder William Jordan Flake
JUL29 HUN-BUD
2023 N 900 E Unit 805
Provo UT 84604

Elder Flake also asked that if you want to write to him, the best way to get mail to him is to use dearelder.com It is a free service that will take your email that you type on their site and they will both email it to them and print and mail it to them. They get the mail delivered to the MTC on the same day you write. Elder Flake is at Provo MTC-West. I will add a link to dearelder.com on the sidebar of the blog too.

We finally received hand written letters from Elder Flake! In the next day or two they will be on the blog for all to enjoy.

Thanks to all of you for your continued love and support.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Elder Flake's first email home!

After about a week of waiting, Elder Flake was finally able to send home his first email!

His email:

"Wow, the MTC is amazing! I am loving every second of it. Time is short, so this email won´t be too long. But I just wanted to tell everyone Hi, and I love them! Hope all is well at home. My life here at the MTC is incredible...and incredibly hard! But it is so worth it. Learning Hungarian is super super hard. Lucky for me, though, I have the Lord in my side! I know I can do it! These last few days have flown by, and I am so excited to move forward. I am learning so so much in just a few days. I know how to actually teach someone now! I also have my first Hungarian lesson in like 5 days!! Holy cow, crazy! Well, my P-Days are Thursday for right now. I honestly don't even know what to say. The MTC is great. I have great friends, and have been taught so much inside and outside the classroom. Oh yeah and I sit at a desk for 3 hours at a time, usually twice a day. CRAZY I know! Well I love you all. Godspeed, and don't ever take things for granted.
 
I love you all so much. And even though I miss you all, I know I am doing the right thing. Love ya. (I will write more next time, promise!!)
 
Much love,
Elder Flake"

Monday, June 3, 2013

Elder Flake at the MTC..

Elder Flake is included in the first group of missionaries to ever report to the MTC West Campus at Wyview/RainTree!
 
He is on the second row with a brown suit on. :)