The Tender Mercies Of The Lord

Greetings from warm and sunny Missouri!  What a wonderful week is has been, full of miracles!

Week full of MIRACLES for both of us!!

Miracle #1 We had 6 investigators at church yesterday.  It was a mad house and I loved every second of it.

 

I want to start by saying our dear Father in Heaven hears and answers our prayers. This week we finally got to go to the temple, and while I was in the temple I was praying so fervently. I was pleading with my Father in Heaven to help us find those prepared souls to hear the gospel. That week we found a couple, Mariah and Brian, we taught the first lesson too and they accepted baptism and came to church yesterday and loved it. We found Kevin, a single guy who meets with us everyday at the park and loves the gospel. We found Cassandra who accepted baptism on the first lesson and is reading the book of Mormon. Last night we found another couple, Leanna and Noah, they have been to church before and loved it. We have another appointment with them this week. Not to mention Thomas, Larry, Nathan, Angela... The miracles are endless brothers and sisters. I love this work, I am so grateful it is God's work and not mine, I would mess it up too bad.

Yesterday in church I heard something so profound!  This women was talking about how the gospel works, she said, "We inhale faith in Jesus Christ, we exhale repentance." Think about that, we inhale, exhale, we breathe to survive. We breathe to keep our physical bodies alive. Well, it is the same with our spirits. We have to keep our spirits alive but the constant cycle of faith and repentance, so we may someday qualify to return to our heavenly home.

 

Heavenly Father loves us so much, his love is eternal. Talk to him, rely on him, he wants to hear our whole story, not just the right side, but the real side.

I testify of the truth and divinity of a Savior who saves, who sustains, and who strengthens. And a Father in Heaven who loves us enough to send him. I testify of the truthfulness of the restored gospel to the earth in is fullness, for truth is things as they really were, are, and are too come.

 

I love you all, and I hope you embrace the light of the gospel to enrich and change your lives and heart. That is what it has done for me.

 

Xoxo, Sister Flink

The RM Project Completed!  #thehomecoming

Busy as BEE'S!‏

I hit my ONE YEAR MARK, what is happening?

The work of the Lord is keeping us busy out here. I have a lot to say so I will just focus on the highlights of this week!

Saturday- Our movie night went awesome. We had a great turn out and a few non members. Thomas came and loved it. We had 3 different types of popcorn and hot chocolate! The members all said we should do it again. I was grateful for the Lord.  I know that he cares about the things we care about. I know he helps us when we work for what we want.

This is where the Albany Branch attends church now!

Albany's Future Missionary~  Sister Merseal!

Sunday- We went to Liberty Jail with Thomas and some other branch members to watch "Meet the Mormons" and tour the jail. It was amazing, as expected. Thomas expresses this to us about not deciding on a date for baptism yet, "I'm only going to do this once, so I'm going to do it right." So just prayers for him! Then we went down and stayed the night with other Sisters so we could make it to the conference the next morning.

Thomas and some other branch members to watch "Meet the Mormons" and tour the jail!

Elder Renlund, from the Quorum of the Seventy, came to our Zone Conference to speak. It was awesome. He said so many powerful and profound things that touched my heart, I know he was called of God and sent to us on behalf of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Zone Conferences are always a time of revelation and reflection, I am so grateful I have a Heavenly Father who teaches and instructs me on how to be better.

"This is where our kids were today. Anyone spot their missionary?" A sweet sister added this to Facebook for all the MIM Moms wondering why their missionaries didn't email on Monday!

Mom!  I am so glad you saw something on facebook yesterday, I figured you would be just wiggling around nervously probably predicting that I was hit by a flying mistle, or possibly taken captive by some crazy people, all the worst possible things. But I am safe and well, went to the temple this morning and just wrote you a letter!   First time for me in over 6 months.  I love the temple!

Kansas City Temple Day

Tomorrow we have interviews with President Vest, so lots of things to do.  I just love this work, I know it is his.  Elder Renlund said something that hit me so strong,

 

"Change what needs changing, and do it now."

Whether it is a change of desire, heart, thought, action, sin, behavior, whatever it may be, the Lord is always waiting with outstretched hands. And we don't know how much time we may for our mighty change of hearts to come. Christ said, "I must work the works of him that sent me WHILE it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work." I love him because I know he is full of second chances, and I know he lives. God doesn't care about past tense.

 May we all purify our lives and perfect our souls.  I love you!    Xoxo,  Sister Flink

 

The Work of the Lord!

Friends and Family whom I love ~ Greetings from cold Missouri.

This week has been a good one, we have stayed busy! Our teaching pool is growing after it took a hit there for a little while. The members are supporting us more and more.

Thomas is ready for baptism. We aren't sure what exactly is holding him back. He talks like a member, acts like a member, and the members all love him. So on Monday we recommitted him to pray about a baptism date that he will be comfortable with so we can work towards. We used the example of Peter walking on water towards Christ and when he took his eye off his goal he began to sink, as it is with all of us, is it a lack of faith or a excess of fear? We set two more people on Baptismal date this week, Hailey and her daughter. We are always blessed!

 

Our less active work is going great, we are having an activity this Saturday, praying for a good turn out for that one! Sister Lurten, a less active we've been working with came to church on Sunday. I love seeing people change, and I love this gospel so much. She came to church yesterday and bore her testimony and just cried and thanked us for all we have done, and how she wants to be better and do better for her and for her family. Shes working towards the temple as her goal and is reading and praying every single day. She leaned over in Relief society and said. "I love you Sister Flink. You've saved me so many times, I can't thank you enough. You sisters are my best friends." Then she started crying telling me I could never leave and how much she needed me. I reassured her over and over if she continued to do the things we've been telling her, all would be well. She really wants Keith, her husband, to get baptized before we leave, we are working on him.  I have seen the hope of the atonement and the gospel transform her. Its been awesome.

Member Missionary Movie Night is this coming Saturday, pray that people will come! Then on Sunday we are going down to Liberty Jail with Thomas to watch Meet the Mormons. We've found some new investigators this week and have appointments this Tuesday.

What good is missionary work without love?  I am grateful for all of you and I hope you have a wonderful week.

Xoxo Sister Flink 

Right Choices Increase Our Power To Make Right Choices

I am pretty sure it was just p-day and here I am again. Time needs to slow down.

Well, we have had a hectic week. I was down with a really nasty flu or food poisoning the beginning of the week and made it almost impossible to get out and work, no matter how bad I wanted too. I absolutely hated laying there knowing I was supposed to be out serving the Lord. But it passed and we were able to get going again.

I was like sooo tired, passed out on the floor!

Thomas didn't get baptized this last Saturday. We were praying and praying on what to do and when we went to the appointment I felt an overwhelming sense that all would be okay. After we prayed we didn't have to say anything before Thomas said, "Sisters, I'm not ready. Can we push it back?" With tears in his eyes he expressed how much we wants to get baptized but he's just not ready. We explained how we want to do what's best for him and we knew it was right as well. A future baptism date to come for Thomas!

We have had quite an experience with Kezia this week. She didn't come to church last Sunday and we were concerned and couldn't get a hold of her for a few days, we were worried she was ignoring us. Well, we finally got in with her and everything was fine she had just been busy. We went back the next day and taught her a lesson and committed her to live the Word of Wisdom. She accepted it easily and cried as she told us how much she loves the gospel already and can feel it blessing her life. She told us that she wants to be baptized as soon as she can quit smoking and she feels so much happier than she ever has. We left that lesson on missionary cloud 9. Well, about 3 hours later we came out of an appointment to a voicemail from Kezia that said, "Sisters, I love you. But I can't have you come over anymore. I am so tired of my family yelling in my face and telling me I am a fool and stupid. And how they will take my son from me because they WILL NOT tolerate a Mormon in their family. I love you and wish you the best." My heart about fell to the floor when I listened, the only thing that goes through your mind in that moment is "No.. No." Its so much more than someone leaving you a disappointing voicemail, its some one's salvation that is getting thrown away because of persecution. It broke my heart. We tried calling, no answer. We raced over to her house, no answer. We went home that night for dinner and I fell to my knees, I spent most of that dinner hour on my knees telling Heavenly Father everything and pleading for help. As I poured my heart out, I ended my prayer but my knees were glued to the floor. I felt as if I couldn't get up until something happened. I sat there, and I sat there for what felt like eternity, until I heard the phone ring. Sister Davis yelled, "Kezia is calling!" I shot up and ran to answer. It was a short conversation and we explained how the adversary works and how real he becomes when we are moving forward in righteousness. She said she needed to let things calm down and would call us this week. I know it wasn't much, but I knew Heavenly Father heard me and answered my prayer.  Please keep her in your prayers. Please pray for the hearts to be softened that need too, Salvation isn't easy because Salvation isn't a cheap experience. But Satan will never win!

Aren't these messages the best!  I love it!  Makes me feel like I am doing some good in Albany!

You learn a lot as a missionary, this week I learned the power of Satan in the hearts of men. I was reassured the truthfulness of the gospel because it will always be attacked, the truth will always be fought against, it will always be opposed, BUT the promises of the Lord are sure and we will overcome.

"Therefore endure hardness, as a good solider of Jesus Christ."

I love you all and  have a great week. Go share the good news of the gospel!  Let others see your light.

Here is what I found when I walked into the room last night, Sister Davis and the socks you sent me.

Oh one quick detail, we also had President and Sister Hepworth (in the mission presidency) come up to Albany on Friday and do companionship study and 12 week with us, they try to go around to the different companionships in the mission. It was really cool and they gave us a lot of feedback and helped us to be better. I always want to know what to do better!

Until next week,    Xoxo Sister Flink

Too Blessed To Be Stressed!

Well, bear with me through this email we have had a full and wonderful week!  First off, thank you to everyone for the Happy Birthdays and the sweet cards in the mail. I love all of you! I am so blessed and have felt so much love this week, especially from my Heavenly Father.

 

I had so many people take good care of me and make my birthday so special! My family sent me a package, Momma Steinle sent me a wonderful package, flowers were delivered from the Senior Sisters and Carolyn and Leon Messner, the Sperry family took me to lunch, I had dinner with the Jones family with cake and ice cream and our investigator, Larry, made me a cake and ice cream as well! 



A little beat up but my Mom's package made it!

Great Sabbath Day! 

FB Post from Sister Connie Hall~  "Sister Flink serving mission in Albany Missouri. She had birthday yesterday. We are taking good care of her - gave her roses and other gifts."

Back at home,even the Whisperwood Ward Relief Society wished me a Happy Birthday!

I got a Valentine/Birthday package from Elder Jardine!!  Love him!

We are all moved into our new GREAT apartment... it is probably the worst I have lived in, but the worst makes for the best memories right? We already have some good things. Blowing a fuze, gas leak, creepy stairways, its all good stuff! I sent my new address in the email last week.

Good-bye clean nice apartment!  Hello new adventure!

We went to the visitors center twice this week, which is rare up here because it is basically an all day thing and takes most of our proselyting time. It is a 2 hour drive there. On Friday we took the Lurten family, they are a part member family and struggling in many aspects of life. They absolutely loved it and the spirit touched their hearts so they can continue on the path of righteousness. They are a family I will be sure to come back and visit.

Sister Davis and I hitting the road to Independence VC!

Thomas is progressing so well. We took him to the visitors center last night. To explain where we are at with him would basically be that he has finished all the lessons, and his baptism date is this coming Saturday. But our hearts are trying to be sensitive to the spirit, Sister Davis and I have spent much time in prayer asking to know if he is truly ready to be baptized, and to be honest we still don't know. Yesterday we taught him tithing and fasting and he panicked a little bit about paying tithing. We have some concerns, yet to the standards, he is ready. We are going through the baptismal interview questions tonight and we will determine! So next week on email you will know for sure if Thomas got baptized on Saturday! Prayers would be greatly appreciated! He is an amazing guy.

 

Kezah and her son Elijah are on date to be baptized for March 7th, Kezah is receiving lots of opposition from her family about meeting with us. She said, "I know its right. And I love Jesus and want to do what it takes. I feel such a connection with you sisters." Hurrah for Israel! We are being so blessed.

I just finished a topic Book of Mormon on the Doctrine of Christ, and have now started topic #2, The Atonement. I broke it up into three parts, 1. The enabling, cleansing, redeeming, and strengthening power of the atonement, 2. Death on the cross and the garden of Gethsemane. 3. Immortality and Resurrection.

 

My favorite part so far is in 1 Nephi 7. When Nephi is being bound with cords from his brothers, it is so interesting how he recognizes the need for the atonement and acts accordingly. He says in verse 17,

 

"And it came to pass that I prayed unto the lord saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren, yea, even GIVE ME THE STRENGTH that I may burst the bands with which I am bound."

 

Here is what Elder Bednar says about it which is must better than what I could say, "It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. RATHER, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the atonement." 

 

I have had times on my mission, that I prayed to get out of a situation. A companion, an area.. whatever it may be. Well my prayers changed when I realized how powerful Nephi's example was. The atonement doesn't take it away, it gives us the strength and enables us to do it but do it better. How grateful I am for that. When I changed my mind, he changed my heart.

 

I love all of you, I hope you have a wonderful week.

 

XOXO, Sista Flink

 

PS:  Do you think I have too much jewelry? 

So Much Good!

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered, the point is to discover them."

 

Alright, first things first, COPY THIS LINK, AND GO WATCH THIS VIDEO.

 

http://www.byutv.org/watch/90be2679-e6eb-4039-afa1-fee5477b0c20/new-day-for-the-book-of-mormon-new-day-for-the-book-of-Mormon

 

Its awesome. Its a movie about the Book of Mormon from all peoples points of view. Religious professors and scholars, to Baptist ministers, and Catholic priests. Its so cool! Share it online and share it with your friends!

 

This week has been awesome. Main highlights, we had zone training and branch conference yesterday. Zone training helped me receive a lot of inspiration and revelation for the area, myself, and my companionship.

 

Thomas came to church again yesterday and loved it. All our stake leaders made the trek up here to come do branch conference and it was so motivating to see so many people at the branch. It brought a spirit that is hard to explain, I hope it helped the members feel excited about the work of the Lord and participating with us. It brought LIFE to the branch.

 

We have been finding people but not those who are really prepared and ready to make a commitment and find the truth. So that's who we are searching for right now, those that are truly prepared and ready to receive the gospel. No lukewarm's, we want hot!

 

Some thoughts this week:

I am reminded over and over of my weaknesses and I repent everyday to be better. I have realized so many prideful things about myself on the mission. I want to be more loving, more patient, more kind.

 

It is weird how when you get to 10+ months that you are SO used to mission life that you start wondering if your doing enough. I don't want to ever be comfortable with where I'm at.  I want to be better, do better, think better, desire more, work harder, testify bolder.. and not get complacent.

 

In Luke, is says,

"And Christ said unto him, NO man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

 

We all need to do some re-evaluating sometimes. We all need to repent, which simply means change. Its so easy to tell other people to do it, but do we do it?

 

I am grateful for a Savior who not only teaches me to be better but he helps me to be better. I love him with all my heart. I am grateful to serve him. I am grateful to be apart of his army in these latter days.

 

May we all participate and "Come Join the Ranks."  I testify that this is Gods work and his hand is in it. He will do it with or without us, but wouldn't you want to be apart of it?  Go share the gospel. Plain and simple.

 

I love you!  Happy Valentine's Day! 

It's MY BIRTHDAY, It's MY BIRTHDAY!  Happy 20th Birthday to ME!!

Xoxo Sister Flink

 

We are moving this Tuesday!  My new address is:

 

405 North Hundley Street

Apt E

Albany, MO  64402

If you want to be happy, find something else to sacrifice.‏

Hey Dear Ones!

 

Well, this week has been a good one. Its been a cold one! We received 6 inches of snow out here and the roads are extremely icy. On Saturday the cars got "grounded" and we couldn't go out until about 2:00. Then they cancelled church yesterday, the cars got grounded at 7:00 and we had to go home for the rest of the night. Its been a winter wonderland up here. Except I hate being "grounded" I thought that was something that my mom only did, and now I get grounded as a missionary too? Pssh. The weather should be easing up a little bit this week and we'll be rockin' and rollin' again.

 

We put Laura on date for baptism this week. for March 4th. We are excited about her and our teaching her a lesson 2 tonight. Thomas is doing well, he is struggling to feel like he is receiving answers to his prayers, but he is loving church and the gospel is enlightens his mind and life. Keep praying for him!

 

We are working really closely with the branch to share the gospel and be beacons of light to their friends. We are trying to get activities going and the work to pick up in this little town.

 

I was studying this week in 3 Nephi 11 in the book of Mormon when Christ comes to the America's and teaching the people his doctrine, or in other words, the doctrine of Christ. Something profound came to me as I read one of the FIRST things Christ says to these people, in moment on amazement and wonder of these people, when all eyes were on him, and they were solely and completely interested in what he had to say, he said this,

 

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

 11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning"

 

Do you see what he did there? The FIRST thing he wanted them to know about him was his obedience to his father. The FIRST principle he wanted to teach was that of giving his will to his Heavenly Father and doing a perfect job.  Now what does this mean to us? Think about it. Since this is the first thing he wants us to know about him, is our obedience the first thing he will want to know about us when we stand before him again? Did we obey, even when it was painful? Did we comply, even when the cup was bitter? Did we strive to align our will with his, even if we don't understand?

My lovely friends and family, this is an eternal and celestial principle. The first law of heaven is obedience. The first thing we see of our Savior is obedience. I know the cup is bitter sometimes, I know the path is long, I know sometimes we are required to take up our cross with him and suffer the will of the father in all things. True disciples and examples of Jesus Christ start to live a life that looks like his.

I love you all, this work is true. Have a great and marvelous week. 

Sister Flink

Also, We are going to be moving on the 10th of February to another apartment in Albany! So, write to the mission office address so I can make sure I get your letters!

 

Missouri Independence Mission

Sister Jacqueline Flink

517 W. Walnut St, Independence, MO 64050