Pictures

Pictures

 

spiritual

Everyday Itry to recognize Gods hand in my life. Doing that has helped me see His love for me and others. Lately i have been struggling with alot of things. mostly emotionally and lack of sleep, and discourangement. BUT i know that God is blessing me and my family and is making up for it. ANYWAYS, as i have come to see Gods hand and all that He does for others i have been more happier. HAVE ABSOLUTE FAITH AND TRUST IN HIM

Satan is constantly trying to get us down. But, we have that agency, that choice if we let him in and effect us, or not. Satans voice is appealing and intriguing. Thats why alot of times we will listen to him.

 In the scriptures(Alma 1), Nehor freely used satans method of flattery. He used that with his teachings. There is alot of similarities of his teachings and ours. But the counterfeit, the thing that is false is that he teaches that "God will grant everyone eternal life." Salvation from physical dath is guaranteed to all, but salvation from spiritual death is conditional on our willing repentace. Repentance, is the greatest gift we are given. that ability to return back to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope that all made sense..  I love this gospel and the joy it brings me. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary, a representative of Jesus Christ.  to share the good news of the Atonement to the world!!

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

FIRST BAPTISM WEEK + 1 month mark in the field!

hello!!! this week was filled with its ups and downs! We had alot of exchanges thiss week. my companion is the STL and she had to exchange with every sister in the zone so which meant i did alot of moving around too!

​monday: we played volley Ball! and went to the mall and basically chilled. We had the first exchanges of the week. I went to the third ward and i just switched places with one of the sisters. we went and had dinner at a members!! It was such a hoot there!

Tuesday:​ we did nothing until lunch and drove to Carols. (shes a gator) and we watched the FULL restoration movie. I love that movie!!  we went and tried to find some people but we couldnt find anyone. We exchanged back:) and went and had dinner at a members, ON BASE!!! and went to another members after that and read the book You are Special. we had to run to the bishops right after that to have a meeting with them and the elders. 

Wednesday: We had the missionary training broadcast this morning and they changed the mission daily schedule so that we have more agency on what we should do and when. we dont have comp study anymore and we dont plan at night. a cool thing that i like is that instead of planning time they have journal time:) We then went to sister Clevelands house and talked with her! shes now moving. She seems more happy, i love her. We exchanged again but this time i took over my area and sister Ewing from 2nd ward came. we had a grand 'ol time. We went and saw an old friend from my familys back at home. they moved here. Mikayla Keitz! it was awsome!! We then drove to base to have dinner at the Merkleys and taught Ian(our Gator) in their home. We watched the 20min resto. video and talked about the book of mormon. Hes on date forFeb 11 but i dont think he will make it. but you never know. 

Thursday: we had apt. checks to day. the Crockets, the cutes senior missionary couple, came and gave us an A+!! ya thats right mom and dad we can be clean!!  we went and taught Camie! We found out shes not in our ward boundries so we introduced her to her bishop and the sisters in her ward. We had lunch with sister younce(a member) Shes a cute older lady!!  i love her!! exchanged back, and We weekly planned for a but and went to Jen Norks and Jamie Alfeterez. And omg her kids are insane!!!! they gave us makeovers and got my eye poked out with eyeliner...

Friday we had district meeting which is always fun! exchanged again. i took over the area!! we tracted alot! we went and had dinner with the Maples. they are members. It was yummy! After her we went and tracted some more and got three potentials!!:)

Saturday: CAMIES BAPTISM!!!! It was so awesome!  WE then had ward corrilation and we left early to meet sister Peretson and Ericsson at a resturant. they bought us dessert and drinks!! The Ericssons are Recent converts, che had so many questions for us and she told us that her husband watched some anti-mormon stuff and watched a video that some one took on and endowment session.. He is struggling because he doesnt want to join a cult and other things that are not true.. We are having the elders go and talk to them. we then drove to base and had dinner with the Mellors!! They are a cute young couple. we talked about the atonement and being disciples of Chirst. 

Sunday: Was Camies comfirmation! im just sooo happy for her!!  in church we taught 2nd and 2rd hour about our ward mission plan. we bore testimonies and talked alot. we then went to the petersons house(because all of our apts. cancelled..:() 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!:):)

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

I face planted the snow!

January 23, 2017

Something crazy happened i forgot to say. there was a shooting in my area not to far from my apartment this week. thankfully no one got hurt. it was in the trailer park.. sketchy place let m,e be honest.. 

​ theres an article in the June 2014 Ensign that is called 'The Prophet Answered my prayer"​ I suggest yall go and read it. i dont have much time to really say much now but, in it, it talks about how we must be Vigilant. 

​during this day and time we are subjected to horrible crimes, pains, temptations. we must stay "vigilant in the world which has moves so far from that which is spiritual."​

we need to make sure that with whatever happens we stay firm in our standards and not to be ashamed of them.  cause what we desire most in eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

I face planted the snow!

January 23, 2017

SO yes i did face plant the snow... it was funny. i caught it on my camera and everything. ill tell you about in soon.

Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. day so all the libraries were closed..:( so we had to wait til tuesday to email.. but we got a full Pday and that was fun. we went to Panera Bread and Target. then played badd(pod ball) all day at the church.

Tuesday: we emailed.. yay  then we had exchanges so i went with sister Gabler to 1st ward. we taught and investigator named Feyi, shes from Africa. it was so hard to understand her with her accent but it was so cool.we taught a less active fam about King Benjamins speech. invited their kids to be baptized as they arnt yet. the mom said maybe.. lol okayyyyy we had dinner at their bishops house. I love that family!! they are hoots! talked about burying our "wepons" it was fun! we then went tracting and got them a potential! siiiick

wednesday: we exchanged back yay! we then drove to Glenburn, North Dakota. OK so this is where i face planted. as were were driving. its like in the middle of know where so its like this big empty field of snow that goes on forever and ever. so, we pulled to the side of the road cause we wanted to take pictures out there. so we took one on the side of the road, and i gave my comp. my camera cause i wanted to go out like IN THE MIddle of the field. i started running to get out there and thinking that the snow/grass was level with the road, i was thinking it wasnt deep at all, i stepped down and sunck all the way to the bottom and it went all the way up to my thigh and, with all my force i was using to run flung me face first into the snow.. so that happened. my comp. took the pic right as i was falling. so ill send that. after that fiasco we taught with a less active and talked about trials. then had dinner with a member. they are sick!! the parents both served a mission somewhere in south america and know spanish fluently, so they talk to their kids in spanish.. so the kids now know spanish too. its insaNE! 

Thursday: was great!! we talked with cami, cried and loved her. shes still getting baptized this sat!! yay! shes doing a little better but still hurting. We then had exchanges again but i went with SISTER WILL. one of my MTC COMPs!!! it was so much fun!! shes like my BFF. We basically tracted the whole day besides one apt. but since her and her comp white washed the whole area it was crazy for them. for dinner hour we thought we would go back to the apartment and chill for and hour, but as we parked in the garage she left all of the keys except for the car keys in the car with the garage shut. we couldnt get back into the garage or our apt. until her comp. came and unlocked it.. which was like 3 hours later. we sat and tracted... i again biffed it on ice walking to a neighbor hood. but we had a good time.

friday: we exchanged back:( and had district meeting:) i gave the spiritual thought and read the story, 'the room'  look it up its good. Mallorie sent it to me!! i love it. later that day all of our lessons cancled, and our dinner plan did too. so we weekly planned and ate veggies for dinner. 

Sat: we had a lesson with Cami att Bishop Roses house. they have such a nice house. Mom you would have loved it! we taught her tithes and fast and W.O.W.. We went and say S. Greene and Less active. She wasnt feeling too good so we only stayed for a few minuets. we had lunch hour at the petersons and chatted with S. p. Love her!! We see her like 5 times a week. finished weekly planning, and taught another less active Jamie.. their kids were just........oh my... crazy... we went to the senior couples aprt. and talked with them. Elder Crockett Gave both my comp and i a blessing. we both are having a stressful week..

sun:met with cami again, i went into PEC/ward council. had church and taught primary again. i think its something in the water but the kids here are nuts!! they church had a pot luck so spent most of our day there. we hen had all our lessons cancel... agian..:/ had dinner at a members. their dinner didnt go well so they ordered Chinese food..  ha

I love you all and thank you for all the support!

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

sorry another email.. but heres a spiritual thought

January 17, 2017

So I forgot to tell yall , our investigator, Cami's dad passed away in a car accident this week. After visiting S. West we got a text from her telling us that. It got me thinking. I felt sad for her. i wanted to take this burden off her shoulders. we all have felt that way when a family member/friend goes through a hard trial or who is just struggling. we want to help a person struggling to move forward under a load of grief and difficulty. We promised that we would help the Lord make their burdens light and be comforted. We were given the power to help lighten those loads when we received the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

When He was about to be crucified the Savior described the way he lightens loads and gives strength to carry them. He gave all of His true disciples a promise:"and i will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever." He then promised: " But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you akl things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever i have said unto you. peace i leave with you, my peace i give unto you; not as the world giveth, give i unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

In just the past few weeks ive been here, i have seen that promise of sending the Hold Ghost fulfilled in my life and in the lives who were pleading and crying in prayer that their burdens be lightened.

The Lord said: "And i will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will i do that ye may stand as witnesses for me here after, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit people in their afflictions."

That is part of the great Plan of Happiness the Father fave us. He allowed His son to provide, by His atoning sacrifice, the hope that comforts us no matter how hard the way home may be.

HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS and we never will cease to feel in our hearts the urge to "mourn with those that mourn.. and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." nor will that peace He promises ever leave us as we serve others for Him.

I know that as we diligently serve and love others as He loves and serves us we will have the Holy Ghost to be with us forever. I am so grateful to be a member of this church and to have the gospel in my life.  I LOVE being a missionary!!!

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

​​

301/875 BOMS handed out

Im adding a pic of my and my comp in this too cause i love it!! and video of ZTL and sister Will and I

​So Monday after we emailed our diner canceled.. so we just went and hung out with our WML and his wife.. shes like my favorite person! we then had a FHE with a less active and mom. it was fun!

Tuesday we went on the MAFB and attended the institute. there was like 6 of us missionaries plus a senior companionship and 1 Recent convert. but i enjoyed it! we then went back home planned  and had lunch then went to sister Wests house. shes a Less-active. Love her and her family. They all attended church sunday!! we then met up with the elders(the ZLs) and planned for ZTM(Zone training meeting!) and then had dinner and went back to the petersons and talked with them. 

Wednesday was ZTM and the mission president and wife showed up! it was sooooo fun and sooo funny!! we went out trying to find people and planed for activity days and taught them. we had them do a role play and we were the investigators . it was soooo funny!!! 

Thursday we had exchanges so my comp went to another area and a sister from there came with me and i took over my area for the first time. it was crazy and fun!! we had alot of apts. and taught more people than ever in one day. We went over to sister clevelands and read the scriptures with her. Her daughter came and joined us for the first time AND her son!! whom ive never met! it was good. we challenged them to have a FHE and they want us to come so we will see how that turns out! We had  potential that we taught. Shes not interested at all. its sad but hopefully shell have a change of heart. we then went to MAFB and had dinner with the Merklys, and the elders. so it was a full house. We taught Harriet after and shes not keeping any commitments we give her so we had to drop her.:( how sad. i basically testified and left. 

Friday was good too. we got our original comps back . we went to a less-actives house. Sister Greene. I love that lady. she also has cute cats btw:)! we talked alot about how she relizes how she uses the atonement in her life and everything. the whole time we were there i had no idea what to say so i was listening, listening in love. then i just started talking. The spirit took over and from that point i really cant remember what i said but it helped her alot. It was a cool experience for me.  Liz Beth canceled on us again.. we then weekly planned for a while had a quick dinner and went to the Lints. Ok so the Lints are such a hoot of a family. B. Lint loves the missionaries(they are less active) and gives all of the missionaries he meets nick-names.. at first i was Belle and now im gullible.. i dont even know.. 

Saturday we had ward correlation. it was pretty good. Sister Peterson made us breakfast. SOO Yummy! we then went to the church to help with Cami's dads funeral(open house thing) so many people showed up and it was so good. More on that in a future email.. we then had lunch then weekly planned a bit more.. we then went trackting........ not very many poeple want to here about our gospel but we try and try. we put our best efforts in and thats all that matters. we then visited Jen Nork and taught her how to better scripture study. 

Sunday was fun we finally got into ward council. but they just want 1 missionary from each companionship to go in. its weird. but we met up with the elders to put together a progress record then had ward council. sis. Greene with in with E. Daley. so i was out side stuck with E. Dewitt/Fillmore. they are sweet!! they are so funny. love them. we helped during sharing time in primary. which is always good. we went and tried to hand out BOMS!! we only got 3 out. but thats okay. we then met up with Isreal.(Less active) we havent met him before but he is a great guy. hes from Nigeria and has a cool accent. hoepfully we can see him more. 

 

so we get initiatives every week and this past week was BOMS handed out. Heres a little excerpt from the AP's email this week.. "we as a mission placed 875 copies of the Book Of Mormon!! And shout out to Minot Zone for takin us back to WWII to see a rerun of the bombing of Hiroshima and dropping 301" so yea :)

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

My cute family

Jan 11 2016
(this was a letter we received in the mail.  She asked us to share with all of you)
Hey family,
How the heck are you?!  I miss ya'll so much!  Tell me everything! I better receive a letter or email from someone telling me about the new star wars!  I love you all!

Something crazy and sad happened here to one of our investigators.  Me and my companion just got done teaching a less active member when we received a text from her saying that her dad got into a car accident and passed away.....so that got me thinking.  I felt so bad and sad for her.  I wanted to take this burden/trial off of her.  In our own lives, we all felt that way, when a family member/friend/loved one goes through a trial.  We want to help a person struggling to move forward under a load of grief and difficulty.  We promised that we would help the Lord make their burdens light and be comforted.  We were given the power to help lighten those loads when we recieved the gift of the holy ghost.

When Christ was about to be crucified, He described the way He helps lighten loads and gives strength to carry them.  He gave all of His disciples a promise..."And I will pray the Father shall give you another comforter, that He may abide with you forever."  He then promised.."But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

In just the few weeks that I've been here, I have seen THAT promise of, sending the Holy Ghost, fulfilled in the lives of these whom were/are pleading in prayer.  That their burdens be lightened.  The Lord aslo said, "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage, and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me here after, and that ye may know of a surety that I the Lord God, do visit people in their afflictions". This is part of the Great Plan of Happiness the Father gave us! He allowed His beloved son to provide, by His atoning sacrifice, the hope that comforts us no matter how hard the way home may be.

His Love NEVER fails and we never will cease to feel in our hearts the urge to "mourn with those that stand in need of comfort".  Nor will that peace He promises ever leave us as we serve other for Him.

I love this Gospel with all my heart! And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I LOVE YOU!
Sister Florek

One more thing. Jan. 9, 2017

i read this everyday.

"I AM CALLED OF GOD.

My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation i have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. he is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him. To stand in His place, to say and do what He himself would say and do if her personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; My words are His words and my doctrine is His doctrine. My commission is to do what He wants done. To say what He wants said. to be a living modern witness in His word and deed of the divinity of His great and marvelous Latter-Day works. " -Elder Bruce R. McConkie

 I am a called of God. I testify of His works and dealings! i love this gospel with all my heart. He Lives. He blesses us, He loves us. He wants us to talk to him. Call upon God and Tell Him how you are feeling. I promise as you do he will answer you and bless you! 

Yall should read 3Nephi 27:13-17

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

Winter wonderland

Its such a winter wonderland here. Its so cold! but its fun! 

Tuesday: was super cold. -30 status! we went to this cute senior missionary couple, Sister and Elder Crockets homes and had a yummy soup for lunch and taught Cami. She gets baptized on the 28 and im so excited! We then drove to the Airforce base and taught Kelly and Ian! They are a part member family and Ian is not a member. its super hard to teach them cause all they do is talk, talk and talk. sometimes they start talking about inappropriate things and its just drives the spirit away. its sorta frustrating but yeah. I love going on base!! its like a dream come true! lol. jk. so you know i told you about Harriet? maybe i cant remember. but we finally got into her and we taught her the Plan of Salvation.. yay! But that sad thing is, is that shes not progressing and shes not really believing it. she keeps trying to teach us the Buddhist way but not really listening to us. its hard, but i love her, shes such a HOOT!

Wedneday: we basically did nothing this day. Sister Greene left to Bismark for a trainging meeting. shes a STL and im obvi not cause im a greenie , so i went with sister Ewing/Will. the cool thing about that was that s. Will was one of my comps in the MTC!! I love her so much!! it was so fun to be comps for 24hrs again. we then went to a Less active, Sister West, shes awesome! we taught her and invited her to come to church. she didnt end up coming cause of work but stuff happens and hopefully she can come again next week. After that Our other lesson canceled:( so we went trackting in the freazing cold and almost died... ok, i might of overreacted but it was stark cold!

Thursday: Since i was with the two other sisters, they started weekly planned to basically it was another chill day for me yay! lol jk. we went to mcdonalds(cause theres no food). we went trackting again. we then went to the church and Elder Dewitt gave me  blessing. im so greatful for the priesthood!  then i tried to play basket ball, then E. Dewitt came in and showed me up. he got 14 3pointers in a row. sooooo coool. s. Greene came back and we went home. Sister Cleveland called us. she was super sad and just worried about alot of things. i love her!!

Friday: we had district meeting! i love district meeting! Elder Crocket is a hoot. He reminds me of my dad with his jokes.. what a hoot! We weekly planned for a while. i started to not feel good so i took a nap. we then went on base again for dinner. then we had a lesson with a Less active. Shes having a really hard time with a divorce and raising 2 kids on her own. with one autistic. I feel so bad. Shes always in my prayers.

Saturday:Sat. was my 1 month mark. 17 more to go!! but whos counting... we went to a baptism for another companionship. For a 12 year old girl. She was so cute. after that our two lessons canceled.... sometimes its hard to get in with people. we finished weekly planned, then went to the church to that the Zls ad Sis Greene could plan our Zone Training meeting. we then drove to base to have dinner! we then had a lesson so we drove to her house, but when we were parked had just had a feeling that we souldnt get out of our car,  so we canceled. i dont know what couldve happened but you cant ignore a prompting. we then drove to s and b. petersons house(our ward mission leader) and hung out there. Were like bffs with s. peterson!! love that lady!

Sunday: since we have 1:00 church we went out tring to find investigators, we found 2 hopefuls. Isreal and Connie!! i hope everything goes well with them this week!  Church was good. it was Fast and testimony meeting! after church Liz( a less avtive) canceled again:( so we went to the petersons house for dinner. They had a non member friend there so after dinner we simply and quickly taught the restoration. We also read the book 'you are special'. Lucy was open to learning and we might meet with her again sometime. Lucy is from Zimbabwae (how ever you spell that) and super nice. we then had a broadcast from E. Nelson. It was really good.

as for today, were going to the post office, Panera Bread for lunch, Grocery shooping, and then Sheels. 

SO get this... A member from one of the wards here is like super rich and loves donating to the missionary fund each year. But he wants to make it more personal this time and is taking all of the missionaries in Minot to sheels and giving us each a Benjamin(100$) to spend there.. like how super nice of him!!!!!

I love this church and the blessing we receive from it! What i learned this week is that we have to fully have faith in Him and trust Him fully!! I dont have much time but I just love and miss you all. rely on the Lord. Council to Him. Cry to him "Lord save me!"  He will always be there! 

 

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission

"There is so much snow here! I love it!" Sis. Florek

Minot, Land of the Frozen Chosen
January 2, 2017

So on Christmas we got to call our families and it was awesome!! I love them! But on that day also Elder Oaks came and talked to us!!!!! he was amazing. he stayed for our Sacrament too. i was so worried they were gonna call my name to come up and give a talk. but the didn't so yay. one of the things that he said that i really likes was "We must always keep ourselves worth/sensitive to receive promptings of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost is our guid and help. We need the Holy Ghost constantly. 

OKAY so get this.... Someone else came that night and guess who it was!!!???

DAVID ARCHULETTA! like Freak YES!! I also got to shake his had and talk to him.. i right out fangirled.  a little. but who cares.  He sang a lot of songs. My favorite was O Holy Night. it was amazing. 

Tuesday was a sad day. Half of our district left to the field and it was sad but exciting. i will miss them forever but they are doing the Lords work and will touch so many peoples lives like they did mine.  I have grown so much in the MTC and I have them to thank as well, as my comps. 

That night Elder Arnold from the seventy came and he was awesome!

He gave us 5 steps to success on your mission.

1. Understand who you are and that each of you has been given special talents and gifts.

2.Understand the sacredness of your call and what you covented when you accepted your call

3.Understand and observe the Law of Obedience-the 1st law of the Gospel.

4. Understand your purpose.

5. come home with NO REGRETS!

 

i really loves those!! we also need to make sure we check in with the Lord regularly. He wants to hear from us.

So now I'm In North Decolda,, oh i mean Dakota!! its so cold and awesome here! I have never seen so much snow in my life!!! snow drifts are like twice my height,, no joke. i have a picture if i can get it off my camera.. lol. My companion/trainer is Sister Greene!! i love her!! she's a HOOT!!  

a less active(mainly the work out here is reactivating Less actives) member took us out to dinner to Olive Garden. Real food!! lol jk. for the past few days we have had cheese and quesadillas and nothing really special. we need to get to the store. lol. 

We have an investigator named Harriet. We have tried to get in but she keeps re-schedualing. but hopefully we get in tonight!!! We have an investigator names Cami she is on date to be baptized on the 28th!! I'm so excited. 

 

There is a less active named Sister Cleveland!! i love her to death. we taught her a few days ago and she's having a hard time in the appt. she's in. Is super dry, bugs everywhere(no meg and dad i didn't freak out when it was crawling on me..) But she came to church yesterday and thats good! i love her to death. she's adorable.

nothing much happened because our lessons end up getting canceled.. but its whatevs. not really i want to save them but they have their agency,

So Sister Will(one of my comps in the MTC) is in Minot with me. the neighboring ward. YAY!! its such a HOOT to have her around.. and sister Carlisle is in Bismarck!! I miss her, Oh Elder Hamblin is in nebraska.. Miss that Dude! lol ill live. my area has the Airforce base so when we are invited we get to go there. our ward is mainly airmen. its awesome. like a dream come true. 

i don't know what else to add besides the fact that THERE IS SO MUCH SNOW!!

I love and miss you all! i hope you had a good CHRISTMAS and new year!

-- 

Sister Florek

North Dakota Bismark Mission