SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

April 13, 2015

Arkansas might be the most beautiful state in the union. Before I came here my companions who had served in Arkansas always talked about how beautiful it was and I always thought "I don't know, Missouri is super beautiful." And, Missouri is super beautiful, so is Oklahoma, but wow, Arkansas... all those trees and hills. Wow.
This week we've just been sharing Because He Lives like mad! We're trying to share it with all the less-actives and do lots of tracting to share it. We've been having a lot of fun though!
Lundy's baptism is coming up! It's this Saturday, I'm so excited! Teaching him has just been so cool, he doesn't let anything slow him down! He recognizes that this is truth, and he wants the truth in his life. It's awesome! He had his interview on Friday, it went SUPER well! He is just prepared! :D
Look at this cool scripture I found in Alma 17
"22 And [President Shumway] inquired of [Sister Fleck] if it were [her] desire to dwell in the land [of Ash Flat], or among [other] people.
23 And [Sister Fleck] said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die."
It sure is easy to liken the scriptures to yourself when they just straight up say your name like that ;)

Man, is this true or what? I have learned so much about the gospel on my mission, and one of the things I've learned, is how much I have left to learn! I'll be learning for all eternity. Isn't that great! I know there is a lot to learn in this gospel, and I know it's the most important knowledge we can have! Don't give up on learning, there's still soo much to learn!
I love ya'll! You're the best! Have a splendiforous week!
Love,
Sister Fleck
1-3 Beautiful, beautiful Arkansas.

Happy Conference Weekend!!!

April 6, 2015

Hello Ya'll!
How was your week? Mine was great!
On Monday we had dinner with this sweet less-active member, she's totally ready to come back! It's great! We shared Because He Lives with her, she loved it! She even showed it to her neighbor! Wahoo!
On Thursday we had Zone Training in West Plains, it was SUPER good, as always! I learned a lot!
Saturday and Sunday were conference! Yahoo! It was so good! I learned so much! I think my favorite talks were Elder Claytons (Saturday Morning) and Elder Pearsons (Sunday Afternoon). What about ya'll?

How great was Elder Holland's talk though! Don't think I forgot about him! I am so grateful for my Savior! I love this ^ quote! #BecauseHeLives When we fall, we don't have to stay down! We don't have to feel alone in our trials!
Love,
Sister Fleck

#Because He Lives

March 30, 2015

Happy Easter Everyone,

Well, unfortunately I forgot my planner this week... so I'll be trying to tell you everything about this week my memory... 

On Monday I ate squirrel! And a deer that the Sister who made the food for us hit with her car, so it was road kill deer! Wahoo Arkansas! It was all pretty good!

On Wednesday the Sister who we ate road-kill-deer and squirrel with took us to do her visiting teaching with her! That was a lot of fun! We met a couple of people, and it was such a tender mercy because we wouldn't have been able to find either of them without her!

On Saturday was the Women's Broadcast, that was AWESOME! The spirit was so strong and I learned a lot! Wahoo!!

Well, that's about all I can remember for this week... sorry ):

Whose seen Because He Lives? Hopefully all of you have! Isn't it great! I love it! I would like to invite you all to share it on your Facebook, twitter, and whatever other social medias you have that are out there! If you've already done it GREAT! Share it again, but this time, post it and finish the sentence, "#BecauseHeLives..."

#BecauseHeLives I have good news to share. If our Savior didn't live, I would have no reason to be here. I wouldn't have anything to share. But, he does. He lives, He loves us. He will come back one day, soon! Share the love that you have for your Savior!

Also, whose seen these awesome markers? Aren't they kind of the coolest thing ever! 

Love,

Sister Fleck

1. #BecauseHeLives

Guess What I Get to Eat Squirrel for Dinner!

March 23, 2015
Hello!
So, when I got my mission call to the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission, lots of people told me, "Oklahoma huh? You're going to eat squirrel!" So, I've been bound and determined to eat squirrel while on my mission! I mentioned this to our Branch President here, and he joined my quest to eat squirrel. On Saturday night he texted us and said that he had two squirrels that wanted to have dinner with us! Haha! I know it's completely ridiculous, but I get to eat squirrel tonight! Some of you are probably cringing at the thought, but how funny is it, that, not only am I eating squirrel, but I'll be eating it in Arkansas!
This week was great!! On Monday we went to West Plains for a Zone Outing! We played all sorts of games!
On Wednesday we got two new investigators! The ---. They're this really sweet older couple. They're super prepared!
Speaking of super prepared...--- is doing great! He has a baptismal date! Yahoo!!!
On Friday we had dinner with this awesome member, Sister ---, she has a little farm, she's trying to get her garden all fenced in so her goats don't eat everything! (Fun fact: Did you know that goats pupils are all freaky and horizontal because they can see 340 degrees? Yep. Weird...) We helped her drive fence posts! Yeah! That was fun!
On Saturday there was this Amish breakfast in Salem, so we went to that. YUM! They know how to cook!
Also, Saturday held the results of transfer calls! Dun dun dun!!!! SISTER B--- AND I ARE BOTH STAYING IN ASH FLAT!!! :D :D :D *happy dance*

One of my favorite characters, Miss Anne Shirley, once said "Tomorrow is a new day, fresh with no mistakes in it."
This is possible because of the Savior. Each morning when you wake up, whether it be by alarm, your children, crying or laughing, or the sun through your windows, remember, that the Savior's Atonement has given you a new fresh day, "with no mistakes in it." You have a chance to make each new day better than the last one. How wonderful is that? The Savior loves us so much that he has given us a fresh chance each and every day. Cherish that.
I hope ya'll find a way to share the gospel with a friend this Easter (http://www.mormon.org/easter/teaser).
Love,
Sister Fleck
1. Watch out Ash Flat! Another transfer with these two Sisters! You're not
going to know WHAT hit ya!
2. Drove though Moko, a tiny, tiny town in our area, on the way back from West Plains on Monday!

There's always a creek

Mar 16, 2015

Fun thing about Arkansas, whenever we're driving in the boonies, we often end up having to drive through a small creek, (See the first picture) most of them are caused by the snow and rain we've had lately, it's kind of funny.

On Tuesday we went with some members to contact a referral. It's a good thing that the members came with us because we would have used a ton of miles, and might not have even found it! She had requested a bible, turns out, she is a member! Whoa! It was kind of crazy the way it all turned out. She's pretty cool, but she's moving to Batesville, AR here pretty soon, which is in the Little Rock Mission.

On Wednesday we went over to a members house, she's less-active, but mostly because she's older. We started typing her life story with her! She tells us stuff and we type it for her! It was pretty neat!

Friday was Zone Conference ^-^ The Castors drove us, and came to Zone Conference as well. Guess what, we live so far from anything, that we had to wake up at 3:30 to be out the door by 4:30 to be there by 8. Yeah, that was fun. Zone Conference really did rock though. I learned a lot and I had a lot of answers to the questions I came with! Sister Bastian and I were in a musical number with 2 Elders, we sang "O My Father" to the tune of "Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy" Acapella. Whoa. 

On Saturday we had a family history event at the church. Remember our investigator that biked to church, Lundy that I talked about last week? We set a date with him! Wahoo!

Well, that's about all for this week. Hope ya'll have a great week!

This week I've been thinking about service! I wrote a talk about service, although I didn't give it this week, I'm giving it next week apparently haha. All Christ's life was spent in service, there's another Primary song I'll quote "I'm trying to be like Jesus..." If we're striving to live

Love,

Sister Fleck

P.S. If any returned missionaries know of a way to email videos to family, or to get videos to them besides putting it on a thumb drive and sending it home, I'd love to know!

1. There's always a creek.

2.On Wednesday the weather was so lovely that we ate lunch by one of the lakes in Horseshoe Bend!

3. Pretty sunset

Sister Conference!!!

This week was great, although a little slow. I talked to y'all on Wednesday, so I don't need to update you on what happened before then I guess.
This week we've just been focusing on meeting as many people as we can. Unfortunately the weather has been a little cold and snowy, so it's made missionary work hard. A lot of people were canceling appointments so that we wouldn't have to drive out to where they are (a lot of people here live in the boondocks).
On Thursday night President Shumway called us about the Sisters Conference (oops, I mean Sister's Specialized Training) in Springfield the next day. Since it was supposed to be nasty weather, he asked us to drive to Mountain Grove that night, spend the night with the Sisters there and then drive to Springfield Friday morning, so that's what we did! It was kind of fun to have a sleep over! Even though we didn't get there until 10:30, so we just ended up getting ready for bed and going straight to sleep as soon as we got there, haha!
The Sister's conference was amazing! I learned a lot! Sister P and Sister P were both there, it was awesome to see them both! I love seeing previous companions!
We talked a lot about recognizing who we are as daughters of God, and faith and giving our hearts to the Lord.
I have learned how important it is to give your whole heart to the Lord. Everything we have, he has given us. We can't give Him anything that he doesn't already have... except for our hearts. That's all he asks for. I'm still learning about this, so I don't have too much insight to give you. I know that as you strive to give your heart to him that it won't be easy, but I do know that you'll be blessed. Find out what is holding you back from giving your whole heart to him.
Love,
Sister Fleck

Ash Flat!

Sorry this is so late! Monday was Presidents Day, and there was a snow storm, so the whole town basically closed down! We didn't drive at all on Monday! The town was still mostly closed down on Tuesday, so the library was closed.

Our last few days in Bartlesville were crazy. We were trying to say goodbye to everyone, pack, get the area ready for the Elders etc.

On Tuesday the Assistants called us and told us there had been a little bit of a mix up with transfers, I was still going to Ash Flat, Sister P was still going to Bolivar with Sister S, but my companion is Sister B, not Sister A! Oops!

On Thursday we got to transfer point super early! We rode to Mount Vernon, Sister P left, then I waited! Sister P was there, so that was a lot of fun!

When Sister B got there we waited a few more minutes, and then we got a ride to West Plains, where our truck was. The Elders spent a couple of days there, well, one of the Elders did, because his companion was waiting for a visa to go to Australia and he got it! So, our TRUCK was in West Plains, then from there we drove to Ash Flat.

We immediately met the Relief Society President, because she is our land lord and she was dropping some stuff off (a cute mirror, stuff like that). We also met a member family who called us earlier in the day and asked when we'd be in Ash Flat because they were excited to meet us.

On Friday we met our Branch Mission Leader and had dinner with some members at this mongolian buffet. It was AWESOME! Oh! One of the members of the branch lives with the Branch Mission Leader and Relief Society President (The ---). Her name is ----. She is 110 years old! She was baptized when she was 103 years old! She is the oldest convert of the church and possibly the oldest living member! WHAAT? Crazy sauce right? She's super sweet! There was a little documentary thing done on her that showed in between conference sessions. You should look it up!

On Saturday we just tried to meet people. We had a little bit of success. We also went to a valentines day activity that the branch had and met some more members and got to know them and hang out with them, which was AWESOME!

We've mostly spent our days trying to meet as many people as we can! After the snow on Monday it was kind of rough, but we're doing the best we can!

This week has been a little rough, but, I have felt so loved here. The branch is incredibly loving, and I feel a little spoiled to be part of the first companionship of sisters here. This week I've felt the love of my Heavenly Father immensely. I know that He loves each one of us. He knows us by name. He's calling to us! Answer His calls, go to Him!
Love,
Sister Fleck
-----------------
Video Lizzie mentioned

Article about when --- went to the temple for the first time :)

Crazy things happening in Barttlesville

Transfer call this week! But, as ya'll know! You must wait until the end of the email to find anything out!! MWAHAHAHA

Monday we didn't have a very long preparation day because we were going to have a Zone outing on Friday!

Tuesday, we went to Tuesday house, and I just realized that I haven't told ya'll anything about Tuesday house! It's the thrift store that all the missionaries in Bartlesville voulunteer out. It's actually called "Mutual Club and Tuesday House" the Mutual club is this thing run by one of the Methodist Churches here in Bartlesville, it's an after school club for younger teenage girls here in Bartlesville, the Tuesday House part is this big thrift store that gets tons of donations, and all of the proceeds go to the Tuesday House! It's a lot of fun!

On Wednesday we had an exchange, I stayed in Bartlesville 2nd with Sister W. She is an awesome missionary and we had a lot of fun together!

On Friday we went to Woolaroc! It's kind of like a tiny Yellowstone with a really cool museum! One of the guys from Tuesday House had a bunch of free passes, so he took the whole zone! It was a lot of fun. I'd include pictures, but I forgot my camera today  I'll send them next week!  ):D There was a lot of cool stuff to see and do, I got to pet a zebra!!! :D

On Saturday ---- had his baptismal interview! He's so great!!!
We also got transfer calls... DUN DUN DUN!!!

We're shot gunning out!!! AHHH The 1st ward Elders are coming to 2nd ward and the 3rd ward sisters are taking over 3rd ward and 1st ward! Sister P--- is going to Bolivar, Missouri with Sister Stolp and I am going to Ash Flat Arkansas with Sister A---! We are White Washing in and filling the spot of Elders! EEK!!! I am pretty excited though!

Isn't this a beautiful picture? I think so. With Valentines day coming up I hope you are all remembering how much your Savior and Father in Heaven love you. And President Monson is right (of course he is haha), Love is  the essence of the gospel! We are all striving to be like Jesus Christ! Find a way to show love to someone in a new way this week!
Love,
Sister Fleck

I should probably start writing in my journal again

Because I can't remember what happened this week! I just forget at night, I'm sleepy and thinking about sleep (:
On Thursday we had interviews with President Shumway, that was awesome, as usual. It was also my year mark! WHAAT? I told President Shumway this and he said that it's not possible because I've just been out 3 months (: I'm not going to lie. I miss ya'll... but I don't want to come home! This is the best thing I've ever done!!

I get to go around and help people! All day everyday! I get to bring the gospel into their lives and see it change their lives. I get to feel the love that my Savior has for both me, and those that I teach. I can't imagine a better way to spend a year and a half.
On Friday we had an awesome Zone Training. I learned a lot! (: We also had dinner with some potential investigators, --- and ----. It was a lot of fun! They're really cool!
On Sunday we made a cake and took it to one of the members here. She's been feeling a little lonely lately, so we went with some of the sisters in the ward and took her a cake! It was so much fun!
I can't think of much else to talk about!
Love ya'll!
Love,
Sister Fleck

Amazing things happen :)

This week rocked! Remember how I said we had a goal for 40 lessons? WE BEAT IT!!!
I went on splits for the first time ever (a split is when missionaries split up from their companion and go out with a member each and get twice as much work done)! I feel a little bit like all I know is splits ;) I've almost forgotten what it's like to be with Sister P! Haha! We had a lot of fun this week and the Lord helped us so much!
I can't really think of anything specifically amazing that happened... although... I just realized that I don't think that I've talked about ----...
--- is this really sweet investigator with a baptismal date of February 14th, Valentines Day, and... his anniversary. His wife, ----, is in a nursing home because she has fallen a few times. Although, she's supposed to be coming home soon. We started teaching her the lessons this week. They're so sweet!
This week I want to talk about Faith. I love this quote v by Elder Ballard

Faith and fear cannot dwell in the same heart because fear comes from lack of faith. When we have faith we trust God that all will work out exactly how it's supposed to. This week took faith. We had to trust that Heavenly Father would help us get 40 lessons and we had to push away the fear that Satan gave us! I know you can do it.
Ignore Satan. If I've learned anything about him on my mission it's that he's a bully, and my mom always told me to ignore the bullies.
I love you all so much and I hope you have a wonderful week.
Love,
Sister Fleck OXOX

Another week!

This week was great!
On Wednesday we had District Meeting, Sister Shumway came! Afterwards she went on an exchange with Sister P and I! That was pretty fun! We saw the ---'s. It went really well. Sister Shumway is actually a big part of the reason that Brother --- got baptized, so it was cool to have her come.
Sister Shumway extended us a little invitation... getting 40 lessons! Right now Sister P and I are kind of struggling to get 20 (the standard of excellence)... I think we're left in a bit of a slump from the Holidays, so 40 is a big goal, but we can totally do it. Besides, what better way to get out of a slump that to shoot way over where you are wanting to be?
On Friday we had a really good day. It was freakishly warm (60 degrees... what?) So we were able to walk since the Elders had the car this week.
On Saturday we had lunch with the ----'s, right after Brother --- got his Patriarchal Blessing! Their home is such a great environment for the spirit (:
Well, I think that's about it that happened this week...
What should I talk about this week?
Prayer and Heavenly Fathers love? Perfect!

I have gained such a testimony of prayer on my mission. I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers. Sister P and I taught the lesson this week in Relief Society, and it was on Prayer. In the lesson there was a poem that President Benson learned as a youth.

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His Word,
Which tells me prayer is always heard,
And will be answered, soon or late.
And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought;
But leave my prayers with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own,
Assured that He will grant my quest,
Or send some answer far more blest.

I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers your prayers, because he loves you. Prayer isn't like us leaving a voicemail for Heavenly Father, it is like a two way phone call. He hears us as we are speaking, and answers us, but only if we are listening!
I love you all, and I know that Heavenly Father loves you!
Love,
Sister Fleck ♥

I love B'Ville!!!!

How is everyone's week? Ours was pretty good!
Sister P--- and I get along really well. We get kind of silly together sometimes, but we're able to refocus and get back on track.
On Tuesday we went on an exchange with a sister in our ward who is a recently returned missionary. It was a lot of fun to go out with her because it was like being in a trio! We also had dinner with this family the ---. Brother --- is a recent convert. They are really cool people. I love them a lot. They own this little diner called "Mike and Connie's Burger Hop" How cute? We these two kids who are recent converts. They're 14 and pretty cool. They seem to be very mature for their age. We also saw this investigator, ---. He's older, and super sweet. He has a baptism date for February 14, his wedding anniversary! That's when HE wanted to be baptized. (:
On Thursday we had a super awesome Zone Training. President and Sister Shumway came and introduced some new info for us. We used to have these "5 Anchors", that were like basic rules for us, and he got rid of those and introduced some new things. We're "Special OPS" Missionaries now.
On Sunday I got to meet the ---. They're this super sweet older couple. He's a recent convert and she just finished chemo. They are so sweet. They said their home should be my home away from home, how sweet is that?
Anyway, I'm almost out of time. Hope you all have a splendiforus week!
Love,
Sister Fleck

Bartlesville!!!!!

This week was crazy! Transfer weeks always are!

Monday was my 11 month mark! AHHHHH No way! It's going by way too fast! We played games with a couple of the young women, it was a lot of fun. They are super cute girls!!

On Tuesday we went to Okmulgee, I said goodbye to the people there. That was really good to be able to see them. We did some service for ---, that was a lot of fun.

Thursday was transfer day. We had to wake up early and then we headed to Tulsa. I got to meet Sister P---! Yay! I am so excited for this transfer. Sister P--- is adorable, we have a lot in common and just get along super well. She is from Wyoming, her big brother got back from his mission 5 months before she came out. Guess where he served. THE OKLAHOMA TULSA MISSION! How crazy is that? He was even in my first zone! Sister P--- has been out for 4 1/2 months. She is a really great missionary!

Friday we had a couple of exchanges, of course, we kind of had to because it is FREEZING outside, and we have a car share with the Elders in the Bartlesville 1st ward. So, we have the car every other week and they have the car the weeks we don't. They had the car this week, which was actually probably a good thing because they shortened in, so they had some time to get to know the area a little bit with a car. We have some awesome members who love to come on exchanges with us, one of them is a girl who just submitted her mission papers! She actually lives in the Elders area, but comes out with us because, well, that's easier.

On Saturday we went out with this awesome member to dinner, she took us to get Sushi!! (:

On Sunday we went out with one of the Laurels in our ward. She is pretty awesome. We saw a few people and had a good day!

This year's youth theme is "O Ye that Embark" I love this! Obviously. Because it is about missionary work! I know that missionary work is the most important thing we can be doing. We are in the hastening! Here in the OTM our missionaries will be dropped from 240 to about 200 in March. Our mission president recently told us that this does not mean that the hastening is slowing down! We have been in the hastening for a while, and sometimes we forget, or we get used to being in the hastening, and get bored with it, so we slow down. Don't let this happen! Missionary work is so important. We can't slow down. We can't give up. The Lord really needs us to share the gospel. This is the last time that he will visit his vineyard. We need to help. D&C 4 has some great promises about missionary work! I love reading it! I hope y'all go take a look at it too!

Love,
Sister Fleck