Mission pictures

This is the church meeting house in Korea where Skyler's ward met--it even has an elevator inside!

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Hey family,

I'm alright. First off I'll tell you some of the things I've done and answer some of your questions that I didn't last time. So Korea is awesome. Only problem is it is blazing hot and very humid. But other than that it is pretty good. I've had some pretty good food. Nothing too crazy. Something kinda risky that I tried were these weird looking things inside these oysters. They were actually pretty good. Anyways, you asked if the Koreans are really short. But they're actually not that short. Some are pretty short, but most are just like regular height. Ammon, you asked "are there a lot of attractive women?" I'll just put it this way: I'm probably gonna marry a Korean woman. That answer your question? Anyways, yeah Korea is pretty awesome. And apparently the Koreans really love me. I guess a lot of them think I'm really good looking. Also I've got things like I look like I'm from Lord of the Rings, I look like Joseph Smith, and I've got a really good feeling about me. I take those all as compliments. Anyways, yeah the Koreans love me. My companion asks me how I do it. I don't know. Yeah, and I love the Koreans too. Anyways, yeah we've taught some people from other countries, also. Yesterday, we actually taught some guys from Sri Lanka. They were really cool. Also we're teaching some Filipinos and a Chinese man. So yeah. Anyways, cool I got the Regent's scholarship. Sweet. Also, do you know what I got on my AP tests? Anyways, so my troubles: I'm doing a little better. Anyways, I love you. 

Also, some other things: We sleep on the ground. On these things called yos. Which are just soft mattress-type things. Yeah, we have a shower, so that's good. Don't have to go to the bath house. Also something cool that happened is this guy we met on a bus bought us like 60 something dollars of Baskin Robbins ice cream. It was pretty awesome. Anyways, gotta go. Have fun.


Love,
Elder Skyler Flint

Hey family,

Sounds like you're doing well. I'm alright. So I'll tell you about the past few days. The plane ride was really long. Funny story: I was sitting next to this Korean man on the plane and he got drunk and he was like doing weird things to me. He was like opening and closing his fists and saying "strong" and power." And also he was like rubbing the back of my neck and grabbing my head. It was so weird. He had ordered a beer on the plane, which I don't know why they give out beers on planes. It's just stupid. Anyways, later he asked for another beer and I was like "oh great." But luckily he didn't do any more weird things to me. Anyways, so yeah that's a funny story. Also on the plane they played Iron Man 3, 42, and The Croods and we couldn't watch them which was extremely painful. When we got to Korea we rode to Daejeon and stayed at the mission home. We went to a bath house a couple times which was one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done in my life. If you don't know what a bath house is, I would tell you to look it up but that probably wouldn't be a very good idea. Anyways, we stayed at the mission home for a couple days and then we were sent out to our areas. Mine is a place called Chamdan. My trainer is named Elder Driggs and he is from Colorado. When I first got there we had an appointment to go to. Anyways, I've had some pretty good food. I can't use chopsticks for the life of me, though. On Sunday, I had to give a short talk in sacrament meeting. In Korean. I just like introduced myself and bore my testimony. It went pretty well. Korea is awesome.
Love,
Elder Skyler Flint

Off to Korea!

Hey family,
Sounds like you guys had a really fun time at the Briggs' cabin. And a fun time on Pioneer Day. We didn't really do anything for Pioneer Day here. We had In-field Orientation yesterday. It lasted almost all day. It was so long. Anyways, I'm having a good time. I'm super excited. I leave on Monday! Holy crap, I'm going to Korea! Anyways, so yeah, I'll be able to call you guys at the airport. I don't know when exactly but it'll probably be during our layover in San Francisco which is from like 6:30 to 10:45. So, I'd say, expect it to be sometime during then. Anyways, love you guys. Doing great. Sugohaseyo.

Love,
Elder Skyler Flint

P.S: We got our new name tags on Monday. They're freakin' sweet. I tried sending you a picture of mine (along with some other pictures) but the camera is being a piece of garbage and I don't know how to send pictures with it.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention. You got the package? Good. It cost like a little over $6 to send but I didn't know how to do the free thing. I just asked the mail people if I could send stuff home. And they just did it this way and made me pay. Pabos. Just kidding. Anyways, I don't think I need to send anything else back, so yeah. Monday!!!

안녕하새요 가족

안녕하새요 가족,

I'm doing really well. Thanks for the package. The cookies were delicious. This morning I got my travel plans so I am super excited. I actually got two travel plans so it was kind of confusing. One of them said that I was the travel leader and that we were stopping in LA. A couple other people in my district got that one too plus another. So we went to the travel office and found out the right one which was the other one. So thankfully our district will be together, all of us on the same flight. And I won't be travel leader, so that's a relief. Anyways, in my travel plan, on July 29th, we fly from Salt Lake at 5:35 AM to San Francisco. Then we fly from San Francisco at 10:45 AM on July 29th to Seoul. And we get to Seoul at 2:40 PM on July 30th. 28 hour plane ride, no biggie. We'll probably pass through time zones and stuff though, so it won't be as long. Anyways, I'll have a little bit of time on the plane.

Sounds like you guys are having fun with the bunnies. Babbity Rabbitry, that's awesome. That's a funny story about the cake, Logan. I'm sure it was just delicious. Sounds like you're having a fun time with the play, Ammon. Not sure what you're trying to say Dad. Is this it: Char chaness sumnikka? Meaning: Are you well? and Chonun Matt eemnida. Meaning: I am Matt. I think that's what you're trying to say (using middle form, that is). Anyways, yeah I'm doing well. That's awesome that you guys are going to the Brigg's cabin. That'll be fun. Yeah, I still have the same companion. I haven't heard anything about my VISA but I don't think VISAs are really a problem for Korea. Yeah, I've had some good devotionals. And yeah, I'm getting way excited to go to Korea. Less than 2 weeks! Anyways, I'm having a good time. Love you all!

사랑합니다,
Flint 장로
 

Pictures!

Hello family,
Sounds like you guys had a pretty good week. Happy birthday, Dad! Hope you had a good birthday. Sounds like you guys are having fun with all the animals. That bunny looks awesome.  You guys might go to Texas for Christmas? That's pretty awesome. That's sad that Brother German died. I had no idea. Cool that Josh Warr got back and also that you got to go to Kai's baby blessing. I'm doing pretty well here. And yeah there are some things that I need to send back so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Anyways things are going well.
Love,
Elder Skyler Flint

Oh yeah and by the way I tried sending some pictures but I have no idea how.

4th of July

Anyonghaseyo family,
I had a pretty good week. Happy 4th of July yesterday! Sounds like you guys had a good time. We watched 17 Miracles and then went outside and watched the Stadium of Fire fireworks. So it was pretty fun. It'll be my last (holiday) 4th of July for a while. If I started shooting off fireworks and waving the American flag around in Korea on July 4th who knows what would happen. The North Koreans would probably open fire on me. Just kidding. Anyways that's cool that you had a basketball tournament Logan. The place you went to for it seems pretty cool. 25 courts in one building. Dang. I'm glad you had a good time at it. That's awesome that you got a ping pong table. I'm sure you're having fun with it. Where did you put it? Anyways, that's cool that you're having a good time in your class Mom. It seems like you're learning some good things. That's awesome that you got another part in the play Ammon. I hope it goes well and I hope you're having fun with the play. Anyways, yeah everyone in my district is going to Daejeon. And yeah, I saw Kody yesterday so that was pretty cool. Sounds like World War Z was pretty sweet. If it's like I Am Legend it must be awesome. Man of Steel is the story of Jesus? Cool. Hey, maybe they'll let us watch it here. Just kidding. Anyways, I'm having a good time. 4 more weeks and I'll be going to Korea. So excited!
Love,
Elder Skyler Flint

Anyonghaseyo family,
First off, thanks for the package. I think one of my suitcases is now gonna be 10 pounds heavier with all that deodorant. Dang that was a lot of deodorant. Anyhow, thanks for the cookies and my patriarchal blessing and whatnot. But yeah, I had a pretty good week. On Saturday I got to meet President Shin again so that was awesome. And he says hi to you, Mom and Dad. But yeah, that was pretty awesome. He's a great man and I'm excited for him to be my mission president. Sunday was a great day also. We had the big broadcast and yeah, I sang in the choir for it. It was pretty crazy. The broadcast was really good. Eleven of the twelve apostles were there (not Elder Packer). President Monson wasn't there, but before the broadcast we were in our classroom and outside our window we saw Elders Holland, Nelson, and Packer, and President Monson. Right outside our window! It was awesome. Anyways, so yeah Sunday was a good day.

That's too bad that Grandma's been sick in the hospital. I hope she gets better. That's cool that Logan's been practicing backflips and finally got it. For exercise one day I wanted to see if I could still do a backflip and I could. So I was doing backflips and my district was pretty impressed. Anyways, Yes! the Heat won the championship. Ray Allen hit a three pointer with 2 seconds left. That's my boy. Yes, that makes me happy. So that sounds pretty crazy with the radon levels and whatnot. And that's too bad that you missed Amaya's farewell. Yeah, Elder Colver (He was in plays with Charlie at Salem Hills) told me that Amaya is on the West Campus and that she tells me hi, but I probably won't see her. So that's too bad, but it's ok. Anyways, that's awesome that you saw the Croods and 42. They both look really good. And you finally saw Star Trek 2. Fantastic, huh? KHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I love that part). Anyways, you still haven't seen Man of Steel yet? Dang, well when you do tell me how it is. Anyways, it sounds like we both had awesome weeks. Hope you guys are doing well.

Love Ya,
Elder Skyler Flint

Annyonghaseyo family,
Sounds like things are going well at home. That's cool that you had a good time at your summer camp Logan. It sounded pretty sweet. And Josh Warr comes back in two weeks? That's cool. Sounds like you're doing pretty well, Ammon. Making a lot of 'dough' from what I hear. Sounds like you had a good week, Dad. With the reunion and the parties. But yeah, for exercise at gym time I usually play volleyball. Sometimes indoors and sometimes sand volleyball. It's way fun. So is it San Antonio vs. the Heat in the finals? And tell me who wins. Anyways my Korean class is three hours long and usually twice a day. That's cool that you guys watched the Marriott Center thing on tv. And this Sunday there's gonna be a big broadcast about missionary work and the new mission presidents and whatnot and my companion is doing the choir for it. And so am I. So yeah that's pretty crazy. Anyways, yeah in that package some tasty food would be sweet and also some sticks of deodorant (I'll probably need some more because apparently they don't have deodorant in Korea.) Anyways, things are going well here.

Love, Elder Skyler Flint

P.S: Seen any good movies lately?

Hey family,
I don't really have much to say. Things are still going well. For the Tuesday night devotional for the first time ever the whole MTC got to go to the Marriot Center and watch it, so it was pretty epic. And now the devotionals will be there every tuesday, so that's pretty sweet. Sorry dad, I'm not gonna give you my comps family's email or phone #. That's just weird. Anyways, yeah I get to go to the temple each week on P-day. Yep, I don't really have much to say. I hope that doesn't disappoint you or anything. Anyways, keep having fun.

Elder Skyler Flint

Hey everybody,
First off, thanks for the package. That's awesome! I've been doing well here. The first few days were kind of not so great and felt like they dragged on forever, but things are getting a lot better and it feels a lot quicker, so that's good. I'm kind of starting to pick up on the Korean. I can read it, but really slowly, and I can pray in Korean pretty well, and some other things. But I'll tell you one thing...It's freakin' hard! Anyways, Sophie got her ears pierced? That's cool. Yeah, my companion's pretty cool. Yeah, he's pretty big, he's from LA, and I don't think he knows any Hollywood stars. The food is pretty good here, not great but it's decent. Yeah we've had a couple spiritual speakers. One guy on Sunday came to speak to us. I don't know who he was, but whatever. And then on Tuesday Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy came and spoke to us. It was pretty cool. Yeah, all my district is going to Korea. And it's pretty cool, because I've met some other guys who are in my zone who are from places like England, and Australia, and New Zealand, and whatnot. So that's pretty sweet. Yeah, I have seen a lot of people I know here like Turner Barzee, Stephen Cowley, Brooke Billat, Ally Duffin, and one of the Trotters (or maybe both of them, I don't know). And yeah, I did see Rusty. I don't think he saw me though. I haven't talked to him yet, but yeah I've seen him though. Anyways, good job on the basketball Logan. Oh yeah, and do you know if I can like make my patriarchal blessing smaller? How do I do that? Oh and by the way I'll be here at the MTC for 9 weeks. Anyways, hope you all are having a good time!

Love, Elder Skyler Flint

Hi family, 

I'm doing pretty well. The MTC is alright. I've already started learning Korean. My teacher pretty much speaks all in Korean to us, so we don't really understand what he is saying. My companion is pretty cool. His name is Elder Lomiga and he's a Samoan dude from Los Angeles. There is also another guy in my district who is from Corvallis and I guess he kind of knows Sarah. So it's pretty cool. The food here is pretty good. My p-days are on Friday. And yeah, it's pretty cool. 

Love, Elder Flint.

Skyler Flint--Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints--Daejeon South Korea

Skyler leaves tomorrow for his mission.  He will enter the Provo MTC, and if all goes well with his visa, he will leave for Daejeon South Korea on July 30.

Skyler's Farewell Talk

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My talk today is on how to prepare and receive personal revelation. Revelation is communication from God to His children on the earth and one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith taught “The Holy Ghost is a revelator and no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations.” When the Lord reveals His will to the Church, He speaks through His prophet. Prophets are not the only people who can receive revelation, though. The spirit of revelation is available to every person who receives by proper priesthood authority the saving ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  According to your faithfulness, you can receive revelation to help you with your specific needs, responsibilities, and questions and to help you strengthen your testimony.  There are many ways to prepare to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost. Praying for guidance: Matthew 7:7-8 reads “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh recieveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” If you do not pray to your Heavenly Father for guidance, the door of revelation will not be opened to you. But if you do approach your Father in humble prayer, you can receive revelation. In D&C 42:61 it says: “If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things- that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” Another way to prepare to receive revelation is to be reverent and humble. When you are reverent and peaceful, you invite revelation. Even when everything around you is in chaos and commotion, you can have a reverent attitude and be prepared to receive guidance from the Lord. And when you are humble, you recognize your dependence on the Lord. You must keep the commandments in order to receive revelation. In D&C 63:23 the Lord promises “unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.” Another way to prepare is by studying the scriptures every day. As you read and study you can learn from the men and women who have been blessed as they have followed the Lord’s revealed will. You may also receive revelation about how a certain scripture passage applies to you or about anything else the Lord desires to communicate to you. And, of course, you must be worthy to receive revelation. As Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery translated the Book of Mormon they increasingly understood the spirit of revelation typically functions as thoughts and feelings that come into our minds and hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. In D&C 8:3-4 the Lord instructs “Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground. Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it.” Revelations are conveyed in a variety of ways, including dreams, visions, conversations with heavenly messengers, and inspiration. Some revelations are received immediately and intensely; some are recognized gradually and subtly. David A. Bednar compared these two patterns of revelation with experiences of light. He said: “The first experience occurs as we enter a dark room and turn on a light switch. In an instant a bright flood of illumination fills the room and causes the darkness to disappear. What previously had been unseen and uncertain became clear and recognizable. This experience was characterized by immediate and intense recognition of light. The second experience takes place as we watch night turn into morning. With the slow and almost imperceptible increase in light on the horizon. In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising sun does not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the intensity of the light increased, and the darkness of night was replaced by the radiance of morning. Eventually, the sun dawns over the skyline. This experience was characterized by subtle and gradual discernment of light.” From the first experience, a light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common. In the second experience, the gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept.” This pattern of revelation tends to be more common and it comes gradually over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. We as members of the Church tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic spiritual revelations so much that we may fail to appreciate and may even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes His work. We many times receive revelation without recognizing precisely how or when we are receiving revelation. Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually. But regardless of the pattern the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding , and direct you in your life. I’d like to end with something Samwise Gamgee once said. When his friend Frodo was having doubts and wanting to give up, Sam said: “ It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing. The shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it’ll shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding onto something. That there’s some good in this world and it’s worth fightin’ for.” I know this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Brother, and Friend. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that we have a living prophet today. I know that there’s good in this world and it’s worth fighting for, worth serving for. I know this gospel is true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.