The Church is true people!

I have been on my mission for 11 months today.

Time has no mercy. Seriously.

"1. Fill your mind with truth

2. Fill your live with service

3. Fill your heart with love"

- President Thomas S Monson

 Christmas was really good this year. I have found new family here in Martha's Vineyard. The members are amazing, loving people. They are so selfless and giving!! 

I didn't get to skype my family, but I did get to talk to them! They are doing great. Ya know painting my room and boxing up all my junk... hahaha

Our mission goal to get one hundred recent converts in to the Temple this month with their own family names is going really, really well! We have had 96 people already go and about 20 more planned to go tomorrow! The Lord is really blessing us with miracles. 

Miracles are a real thing. They do happen and they happen everywhere. There is this talk called Free the Birdies by Lloyd Glenn and in the talk there is a little boy that teaches an amazing lesson. He is three years old and he says, "They can't see because they look with their eyes and they can't hear because they listen with their ears." I believe that if we can't see miracles happening it's because we are looking for them 'with our eyes'. Or we are looking for them in the wrong ways. 

The Church is true. And remember, truth is truth, no matter who you are. 

“Greatness is best measured by how well an individual responds to the happenings in life that appear totally unfair, unreasonable, and undeserved. Sometimes we are inclined to put up with a situation rather than endure. To endure is to bear up under, to stand firm against, to suffer without yielding, to continue to be, or to exhibit the state or power of lasting.” Elder Marvin J. Ashton

Looking back on 2014 I can see the 180 degree change that I have made. I have sacrificed most of the things that were holding back. Are there things still to sacrifice? OF COURSE. Am I willing to sacrifice those things? YES. 2014 was amazing and I know that 2015 will be better. Like Elder Holland said "70 will be the new minimum," therefore everything that has happened thus far is the minimum of what can happen if I give it more. I am giving up everything that makes me, ME, all for the Lord. He deserves more than what I have given. I love the Lord. He is my friend, my best friend. I am excited for 2015 and I welcome it with love, happiness, excitement, and every possible positive feeling I have.

“When I left on my mission, faith was just the first principle of the gospel. Now I need it more than air."

​

TALK TO YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!

Love always

Sister Flores

Home sweet home

Massachusetts Boston Temple

The temple has become my home.

My sanctuary.

The only place where I can communicate with my Heavenly Father.

Feliz Navidad!

"... They presented gold, frankincense and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give ourselves."
President Thomas S. Monson

03:32

347,573 Views

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ uploaded a new video.

"When we find him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures?" -Thomas S. Monson

http://bit.ly/Monson-SearchForJesus
See also http://bit.ly/1Nephi10-17

#heisthegift

EVERYONE should watch this video!

Christmas isn't about the gifts, parties, and any other worldly excitement. Christmas is about love, peace and hope. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a digital missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My companion just pointed out something that I really hadn't noticed. Now please do not judge me haha. The word Christ is in Christmas BUT in spanish "mas" means "more". I have always known that it was like this but it really didn't hit it till she pointed it out. May we all have more Christ centered lives this holiday season and try to share what we love most with all. (which is why I am sharing this with you!) Love you all!Please take a second to watch this video.

Pictures! December 2014

It is so wonderful to see how much she has grown!!

She titled this email "the cold and dark and deary world" Her most recent email!

​

My companion got online and her best friend passed away. He and his mom died in a tragic car accident.

I got online, my best since childhood was induced on the 17th. Her baby had no heartbeat. The umbilical cord was around her baby's neck and suffocated him. 

So it is a very sad day for the both of us. 

America

[ Vineyard Haven ]

My companion and I love to call Cape Cod and the rest of the States "America" because we live on an island. It is truly funny because we don't go off island very much. We go off island for about 3-4 times a month. 2 of those times is for District meeting, the other 2 is to go grocery shopping because it is expensive on Martha's Vineyard. So there's a nice picture from on of our trips. I love the Light houses here! I haven't been to them all but I love lighthouses!!!

Christmas Conference

[ Sister Carvalho, Sister Bower, me, Sister Bentley ] 

Of course we had our annual Christmas mission conference!! Oh man it was amazing! It was super cool! We started off the day at the temple. Man I don't think there is one time that I haven't fallen asleep in the temple! UGH and I try so hard every time! But it was a very special session. Our temple President, President Bowen, talked to us for about 20 minutes. His talk was all about the service we are doing for other people and how much God loves us through the covenants we make. He made a great emphasis on how Latter Day Saints truly consecrate everything we have to building up the kingdom of God. Then our mission president, President Packard, talked to us about something.... i don't remember. Wait I brought my journal.. He talked about love- the Tree of Life and how it is truly everywhere in the temple! How much does God loves us!! Man I love 1 Nephi 11. It's such a great chapter! We got out of the temple by 2:15 and we had a musical fireside at 3 at the nearby chapel. Boy oh boy! All I have to say is that the is truly a mission full of talented people!!!! Elder Orlov played to Organ for us, Sister Hyoung played the piano ( my companion describes this as her being possessed by Angels) THATS HOW BEAUTIFULLY SHE PLAYED! There was no dry eye in the room! After all that we went to the cultural hall for our skits and songs! Man Christmas on a mission is truly magical and so much significant.. I miss my family but I wouldn't go home if I had the opportunity to. After all our skits and songs we got gifts! Everyone's family sent  gift for their missionaries and it was so beautiful! I got a present with my name on it and I think it was from President and Sister Packard. I didn't get anything and I really don't care. Haha. But they bought my a beautiful scarf and a beanie and gloves! I love them so much!

Digital Mission Conference

"You are the only select missionaries in the entire church who are working past just Facebook. You are digital missionaries because the Lord trusts you above all other missionaries. You are faced everyday with the one thing the General Authorities strive their hardest to keep missionaries away from, the internet. You are the front line of war. You are key to church's progression in the Digital world."

- President Packard at the Digital missionary conference

 My companion, Sister Carvalho and I, are digital missionaries. We are not the usual "Facebook Missionaries" that the church has called missionaries to be. So we not only go on Facebook but we also talk to people in chat rooms and we teach lessons via skype to people all over the world. LITERALLY. I am just truly blessed to be a digital missionary. To be trust with the internet is a dangerous thing. But I have such a gran testimony of the work that the Massachusetts Boston Mission is doing! To be trusted to teach people from all around the WORLD!? We have investigators in Brazil & Europe. Man. We are a blessed mission.

Life

Sister Carvalho's favorite picture of me... hahaha.

I am doing great! My health is getting better! I am happy!! I am blessed! I am recognizing the tender mercies of the Lord in my life! I am bringing people unto Christ!!! I mean what more can I ask for?

I am SHARING what I love with all my brothers and sisters! And even though I am not with my own family I have come to make other families here. My family is okay. I know they are. And I may not hear from them every week or every month but I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. And for my willingness to do my Father's will, He WILL bless them. I know He will bless you all as well because I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

I could not be where I am if I did not have the support from you all!

HE is the gift!!!

I love you all!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

See ya'll in 6 months!

P.s.

My companion and I miss the bus here all the time. Biggest record in a day? 

5 missed buses.

A lot of walking!

Sister Flores

P.O. Box 4743

 Vineyard Haven, Ma, 02568

Sister Flores' email from two weeks ago on Monday

OH BOY.

What did I get myself into now?

I've never had a crazier week than this. 

Two weeks ago at interviews

me: "President am I getting transferred this transfer?"

President Packard: "No you are not. You will stay in New Haven probably one more."

me: "with Sister Rowley?"

President: "Yes!" 

the following week:

Sister Flores you are going to Martha's Vineyard! 

​

Transfer texts came in and I was going to Martha's Vineyard. English Speaking. I was pretty excited but really sad. I felt like I was being taken away from my culture. But I knew that there was a reason why and I was excited to be with Sister Carvalho. She's crazy. I'm crazy. We're great. Haha. Saying goodbye to people was so weird. The first time I was ever transferred was from Worcester to New Haven and I was emergency transferred so I didn't get the chance to ever say goodbye to people I served with till last week. And boy it was weird. I didn't like it at all. I never felt the way I did before. 

Transfer meeting.

Well it was transfer meeting. Sister Barney gave her farewell testimony and Marie and I were tearing up. I can't believe I won't be there when she gives birth to my squinkler. But I am super excited and happy for her. I know it wasn't the last time I was going to be with her! 

I did not want to say goodbye to Sister Barney. Saying goodbye to your best friend is really hard. But oh well such is life.

Sister Carvalho 

she is amazing! She is from Africa and she is 19. I am a dinosaur.... It is really sad. So she had those African braids in her hair.. Guess who has them now... ME. hahah!! She is the best. We have been having too much fun! We spend about 4+ hours on the computer everyday finding and teaching people online. Man I love this chick so much! She is a good egg. (If you understand that saying, I love you) 

Martha's Vineyard

I love it! I am now a digital missionary! We teach people online via skype. I had my first lesson with Johnny on Thursday. It was different but it was pretty interesting. He is from Brazil! :D So now I have to learn Portuguese! Yay..... not really hahaha! So I kinda know why I am on an island. You see I tend to be super close to my roommates than my own companion. It's not because I didn't like my companions ( cause I love them all) but my roommates are usually the crazy ones and you know, crazy attracts to crazy. So I truly believe the Lord wants me to completely 100% depend on my companion. And I am excited to learn that lesson because I love Sister Carvalho. I have been so blessed on my mission and I am sad to say that on the 29th I have 6 months left.... I don't want to go home. Welp no time to focus on that. I'll just keep enjoying it day to day. I can't believe Christmas is around the corner! Then New Years! Time has no mercy. Everything here in Martha's Vineyard is so expensive. Dang. Milk for $5 and bread for $4. Yogurt was $8. Yeah I will forsure now lose weight because I can't afford anything! haha! Thankfully I get 5 finger discounts. hahahaha. Just kidding! I am excited for this transfer and I am excited for the time I have left on my mission. 

When I got the news that I was leaving New Haven I was excited! But the moment I hit Martha's Vineyard I started to cry. I was so sad that I was not in the spanish program. I started to freak out. I took a shower and I was bawling in the shower. I missed my roommates and my family in New Haven. I didn't know I was going to make it. But then my mom called. And I told her what the heck is going on and that I was feeling depressed. I'll tell you all why I was feeling depressed. 

You see Sister Barney and I were glued together. We slept together, worked out together, we did everything together. We were both super open with each other. She was my confidant and I was hers. When she struggled with certain trials I was there to help her and to go through these trials with her. We were always both tempted to do things which we didn't want to do. But Satan knew how much we wanted to just have fun and be free. 

When I told my mom what was going on all she told me to do is pray and to sing. I wasn't praying as much as I used to. It was hard for me to get on my knees again but I knew that I had to get back to where I was. As I was crying I decided to sing. And I can tell you all how singing is truly a prayer to the Lord. I know He heard my voice and I am getting better. I have an amazing companion that listens to me blab on about the littlest things. I was happy to leave New Haven because I was truly stressed out there. I was going through a lot of personal issues. As I took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard I was relieved to start over. But our demons don't let us alone. 

So again my loved ones, I have a strong testimony of the Atonement. It isn't just for people that make mistake but it applies to us who want to be better. I am so much more happier now and I love myself. I am grateful for my trials because they are preparing me to be the daughter of God I am meant to be. 

I love you all.

I truly do pray for you.

I can't wait to see you.

I can't wait to share what I have learned.

Sending you lots of hugs and kisses!

"This is not what about you have done but what's been done for you. This is not where you have been but where your brokenness has brought you to. This is not about how you feel but what He felt to forgive you, and He felt to make you feel loved."

- Tenth Avenue North

Sister Flores

literally now it's sister instead of hermana :( hahaha

Miracles

So two Sundays ago I was given an envelope. I thought "great another lecture." I began reading it and it was about "Miracles." I thought hmm.. okay I can do this.
My president asked me to come into his office and he said "Vicky, I've called you in here to relieve you of your services as the first counselor of the Relief Society. I also wanted to thank you for everything you have done for the YSA (young single  adults) because without you we would be nothing. Through you love and commitment to bringing others unto Christ you have changed everyone's lives here. In addition to relieving you of your services this talk will also be your farewell to everyone since next week is stake conference. Therefore prepare yourself Vicky. Good luck."


okay so I wrote this on sunday 1/19/14 and while writing this my family just got into a huge fight. I had money saved up for my mission and I automatically assumed it was my brother because it wouldn't be the first time. Long story short my dad (his pride and ego took over) told him to leave the house because how could he take money from his own family. He is only 17. So he left. I cried and i went to go look for him right after he left. And I couldn't find him. I didn't get on my knees to pray (which I should've) but in my heart I prayed and prayed to God begging him to soften my family's heart and for my brother to come back.

Nothing.

It's 1:30 in the morning and my mom came in saying "go to bed I don't think he's coming home tonight get some sleep.." I don't know why but my holy spirit was telling me to not go to sleep. So I didn't and guess what? He called me to go pick him up. Right when everyone 'gave up' on him and decided to sleep I stayed up waiting for his call. My baby brother is home where he should be.

My brother. He is the reason why I am going on a mission. My testimony grows stronger every single day because of my brother. He is my rock. He is my foundation for the faith I have today. I don't know what I would do without him. He is the only person I have in this world to look out for me, I'd be lost without him.

Temple- January 10 2014

If you have never been to the temple

GO

It is so beautiful. It is so peaceful. It is amazing! I obviously can't tell you everything but if you are a member then you probably know what I felt. If you aren't a member then let me tell you this.. 

This is God's home. It is one of the many homes he has. I know he has been there because I felt his presence. I know this church is true and I know that the Book Of Mormon is true. I have faith that one day all His children will be back in his presence. I can't wait to show the people of Massachusetts the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't wait.

Livin' like Christ :)

Jesus Christ

Goals for 2014:

1. Try everyday to live like Christ

                     What exactly does that mean?

• Be Humble
• Be Compassionate
• Be Caring
• Be Loving
• Be Selfless
• Love everyone
• Don't judge because who am I to judge you?

      2. Be the best companion that I can be. 
     

wut

I am going to the temple tomorrow!!!!

I'm just freaking out... I know I shouldn't be but I can't help thinking of every bad thing I have done in my life.... I am entering God's house.. It's very overwhelming. I'm typing this and I want to cry and cancel the appointment.. But He has forgiven me, I just haven't forgave myself. Don't you ever feel that way? You ask for someone's forgiveness and they forgave you but you just can't help forgive yourself? It's a horrible feeling.

 

Where would you go if you can travel through time, knowing everything you know now?

 I would honestly go back to when I was 10, I was in 5th grade. I was in honor classes in elementary school. I went to a really good middle school and I was focused when I started but then I met the wrong friends. So I started doing things that weren't right. Things that I am ashamed to repeat. I may not know whoever is reading this but I messed up a lot. I made my mother cry and suffer. I made my Heavenly Father cry as well. I wasn't myself. But I can't go back in time. I can only move forward. And that's what I am going to do. I am going to try to live like Christ. 

Temple!

I received my temple recommendation about 3 weeks ago and today I thought: Why haven't I gone in? Like it's so beautiful and who wouldn't to go in ( if they could ).
I am so scared to enter the temple. Why?
1.  It's God's house. This is where he visits.
2. I have committed sins in my life that I am not proud of but I know that my heavenly father has forgave me.. I  haven't forgave myself.
3. It's HOLY. 83u598y3thejkfn - like that enough should cover everything...

So I called the temple today and I am going on this Friday!! After this Friday I will be completely different but the same.. if that makes any sense. I cannot believe that I am going in.. WHAT.

I just have so many emotions right now its crazy.. Goodnight beautiful world... Thank you God for the blessings I have received today. I know this gospel is true. If each and every one of you can take the time to read the Book of Mormon and ask Our Heavenly Father if it is true you shall receive an answer that will change your life. I can testify that miracles do happen as long as you have everlasting faith. <3