I'm His Personal Representante!

6:40AM

Hey, hey, we’re going to centro right now, buy some things, print some pictures, eat some subway.  What a treat, and I’ll be back to type at 2ish.  Let’s chat a bit!!!

7:32AM

Absolutely!  Just let me know when you’re here.  Or you could just call!!!

Love you, Mom

10:28AM

Wazzup my friend?

Some pictures.  The first is of my father, Elder Cabranes.  That was his last day, and my first (in the offices).  You know that in the last month Liahona, he had a little piece of writing in it.  nunca antes, was the title.

The following fotos are of me and Elder Boisados playing truco.  When it’s the last hand and you know your going to win, that’s what you do, you post it on your forehead.

Subway was wonderful, I had the teriyaki chicken.  O boy.  And it was so good.  It just made me happy, and plus I got tomatoes on it.  And I LOVE tomatoes.  I have found enjoyment in watching my tastes change here.  The hermanas make this wicked tomato slash cebolla ensalada here and I love it.  Like LOVE.

And we also bought some ties.  And I tried to buy a jersey, but let’s just say it’s not a good idea to go shopping in the Argentina persa with a shirt and tie, with a placa, because the people just engañar!  They were trying to sell me stuff with the most inflated prices.  I said no way, and we walked out.

And now I’m here, and very happy.  I just got done translating for President and just barley got a call from the asistentes and we are playing ball in like an hour!  Like real ball!  It’s been well over 6 months since I’ve shot a basketball.  I’m psyched!

O, and I met our only Mexicano elder today.  It was so fun talking to him and with has accent.  I thought of Braden and Jase, and all my other boys out there.

Alright lets start . .  but first I see you, I have 1 new message in my in box.  hmmm

Mom:  I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast.  Had to get to the computer.  Typing on the phone is a pain.  What’s up with you?

Elder Ostler:  The only person the last Elders left us is Estefania.  And she is So Good!  We had the most amazing lesson with here this week.  y me causo risa porque yo le pregunte a ella si habia leido algo de lo que los otros elderes le dejaron.  my me respondio no.  But then she went on to tell us how she read the Restorarion folleto and the chapter they left her in the Book of Mormon!  And then she took us to a part in the back of the folleto, the study part that says what is a prophet?  O it was genius, a blessing straight from our Father in Heaven.  We taught her the whole first lesson just wonderful.  And she accepted everything.  She’s 17.  We went by Saturday nite, and she was set for church.  But Sunday morning rolled around and when we went by to pick her up, her mom couldn't pull here out of bed.  But we have a cita with her tonight, and we’re bringing a member.

The living situation has greatly improved.  I am all unpacked and cleaned out.  And life is rolling smooth.  Just preaching the Gospel. What more could you want!  And Saturday and Sunday we had all day to preach.  Saturday we didn’t even come back to the pench.

This morning I had the best personal study.  After reading Lucas 17:15 I thought this:  ‘If I’m going to represent the Savior, I will have to, at least in part, go through what he did.’  There is a big difference in hearing something, and actually learning it on your own.  Obviously this isn't a new thought, but this morning it really sunk in, and it was really cool.  The Savior led a life of service, and the scriptures describe him as a man of grief.  Sometimes in the mission, grief is unavoidable.  At least for me.  Sometimes it seems that everybody else is baptizing.  Know that I am not complaining.  For example, this week the misión had 103 investigators progressing.  That means people in the church with fecha.  That’s HUGE.  103.  But we didn’t have anybody.  Sometimes I feel sorrow for the people, those who I teach and find that don’t want to repent.  I think I am past the stage of feeling sorrow for myself.  It just hurts that the people I find don’t want to repent.  I can be sure that I stand good with the Lord as I do ALL I CAN.  And that’s what I am doing.  That is my focus.  Do absolutely everything I can to help people progress towards baptism and confirmation.  And then retain them.

I heard a cool thing as an elder went home 2 weeks ago.  After they left we talked about the difference between all of them who left.  We could tell the burniners, etc.  But there was one really special elder, Elder Eliason.  You could tell he left it all on the court.  He worked til his dying hour.  And then an elder that knew him said something that I still remember:  “he didn’t have very many baptisms in his misión, but the ones he had . . he worked hard for.”

As I read Luke 17: 12 - 19 I loved it.  I thought of how I can be a little more thankful, a little more remembering, a little more gracious, and a little more thoughtful of the Jesus Christ.

I’m here to talk, if you want to chat, ask away!  Love you Mom, is today the first day of school?

Mom:  It’s the first day of school for Jefferson.  I guess the freshmen have to learn how to go to school.  So is your comp an office elder too?

Elder Ostler:  He’s the pench boy.  What are you doing?  I loved the Ahmed story.  Sounds like he’s pretty set.  I like to do this with people like him.

Do you like cake!  

Yes

What kind, chocolate, dulce de leche?

Yes

Let’s pretend that I had a huge chocolate cake, with dulce de leche right here.  What would you have to do to see if it tastes good?

Probar, they always say.  I’d have to try it.

And Ahmend, that’s exactly what you have to do with this Restored Gospel in the which we believe otra vez God communicates with his children.  YOU HAVE TO TRY!!  Just a bite.  Just read a parecita del libro del mormon.  Just go to church.  And then pray.  And sincerely with real intencino ask God if it is true.  You have nothing to lose.  And everything to gain.  This is the most important path you will ever walk.

Mom:  He’s a great kid.  And when school starts tomorrow, he’ll be a different person.  He’s been fasting for 30 days (not eating when the sun is up) and so he’s exhausted during the day.  He’ll be done with ramadan tomorrow.  Hallelujah!  I wish I could be a missionary like you.  Just share the gospel so effortlessly.

Elder Ostler:  But it is effortless Mom.  And when I go home I don’t want a thing to change, I just want to share this with everyone.  When Lehi ate the fruit it wasn’t hard for him to share it.  It’s EASY, it tastes SO GOOD!  And to see a brother join the church is the greatest thing a person could ask for.  It’s better than the sugar covered nuts I bought off the street today!   The only effort is that first invite, or that first sentence that sometimes you have to force out.  Just do it!  Right Ben, just do it.  Nike.  Just do it.

Because my comp is the pensionista de la misión, a veces el se va y me quedo solo.  So this week I did divisions with the Elder Hoggard and Elder Ivie.  Just 2 Gods among men.  Their focus is Miracles. And we saw miracles!  It was the best nite ever.  I watched as Elder Hoggard practically walked in a house and the couple listened to him. The wife was eating out of his hand.  A wonderful lesson.  Then he asked for a reference, which led us to another amazing miracle.  We found the best guy ever.  One of those guys who just tells you everything, he told us of an época of his life, using no details, in the which he was very bad, and beat his wife and would traffic 100s of kilos of marijuana etc.  But we put a fecha with him, and he is already a very changed prepared man.

In my misión, I have found so many prepared people.  But in the end, it is up to them.  If I could find it, I wound quote a mansa cita from Predicar me Evangelio that says, every man is eventually backed up to the wall of faith and must choose.  President Lindahl says you can fly with the eagles, or roll in the mud with the pigs.  It’s your choice.

During that división, I opened the mouth with a woman who tried to shake me off.  If only she knew what I was offering her.  I caught her attention as I asked, si jesucristo estuviera caminando por esta vereda y le hablara, que haria usted.  And she responded.  pero no lo sos, or in other words, actually or in a different language, but your not Him.  O BABY!  I’m about as close as you ever gunna get!  I’m His Personal Representante!

Then we visited an amazing family they baptized (H and I) and sang for them.  It was wonderful.  So much amino.

Then to top off that división day, we had dinner with the Packers. They are the senior couple.  So wonderful.  And Elder Packer helps with penches and safety, and often he leaves with my companion and that is what they did, and when they got back, Elder Boisados, at Sister Packers request, taught here how to cook a certain fish.  And with Elder Hoggard and Ivie, we had the best cena ever!!  And after, Elder Hoggard shared the most amazing scripture in english.  A night never to forget.  Such a treat.  Such a blessing.  Loaves and fishes.

Here’s a picture of the 2.  Hoggard is the huge one.  We went running this morning and he fell and nastied up his knee!

And then of course that other one is of me and Elder Cajas just before he left.  I love him.

So it’s fun washing an area.  We have a plan with his barrio.  You see, the people are wonderful, just spiritually cold.  There isn’t much fe, and all the members tell us the same.  Nobody has ganas to work.  No one works.  So our goal is to inject some animo!  It’s just like drugs.  And once they get it, they won’t be able to stop.  We are visiting all the members and meeting them and then asking them how they see the barrio, and what we can to do help.  Then we tell them our metas and vision.  I always share Heleman 6:3, sometimes other verses too.  We have been received very good.  It is working.  We have had some marvelous lessons with the members.  Like really really good, and we could feel the results in the iglesia.  There was an increased portino of the spirit.  I think the piano helped a little.

That’s right folks, after a 6 week descanso, I’m back at it again.  I’m ward pianist!  And I love it.  I went in blind, not knowing the hymns, but was so blessed by I could play all of them.  And then they were hurrying on time, and the chorister was inspired to chose a hymn that I love and leaned in Justo.  Come Come Ye Saints.  Then multitude stood and sang and I slew it on the piano!  They actually sang that time, mostly they just mumble.  In Justo with 10 of us we were louder and prouder!  I wish members would sing more.  Glory to God!  Glory to God!  Glory to God in the Highest!  Let’s sing people!

And the miracle of the week was that during the Saturday lunch with la familya medico, the grandma was there, inactive.  We didn’t even address her inactiving at all.  Didn’t touch it.  Instead, we animated them to work, to cumplir with their responsabilidades como miembros. And she came on Sunday!  Wonderful.

Mom:  The pianist again.  Very nice - I love it.  And you are translating for President?  What an incredible thing.  That is something that not many people get to do.  So yeah, I rarely say this cause I don’t want to make you homesick, but I can’t help it today.  I miss you so much.  People who say that the two years goes by fast are delirious.  It’s not fast for the mom.

Saydi said to tell you she mowed lawns today and you didn’t.  And you’ll have to tell me when you’re through cause I could type all day!

Elder Ostler:  My Companino Elder Boisados, is wonderful.  He is so good and fun to serve with.  A very different approach than what I do. Much more suave and sweet, and light.  We really are doing great. He helps me alot too.  And he’s a jokester so its fun.  And he learned english on the mish.  We never really talk in english though.  Except in the pench, because we are 8 greengos and 2 latins.  But I like talking with him in spanish.  Very wiling to teach and help me.  That night we played truko I took pictures for you.

Mom:  I love that you took pictures for me.  Your dad is going to be so jealous that he missed this.  He has you on a pretty high pedestal too. We still haven't figured out what we did so right to deserve you as a son.

Oh, Rachael VanGorkum got married Thursday.  Wow - she's young. And Brennen is in the mission field.  Jackie is hovering around her computer today waiting for that first email from her missionary.

So what's up for the rest of your day?  I'm taking Ahmed to school to see Mr. Richardson to change his schedule.  Oh, that teacher you guys all love retired, Deathridge.  Then I'm taking Wilson to meet his 4th grade teacher.  Then THE MISSIONARIES ARE COMING FOR DINNER.  I love it when we get to have them.

Elder Ostler:  I can’t believe you have me on a pedestal.  So silly.  There are so many missionaries in this mission who are my caliber and better, and much better.

I’m dressing up to play basket ball right now, then we go preach and at 7 have a cita with Estefania and a member, Mariela.  She knows perfect english.  Does Ahmed know english good?

Mom:  Very good english.  And he has never been to America until now. When we drove home from getting his schedule changed @ the school, he was telling me about all of the miracles that happened for him to get here, "with the best family" as he puts it.

I can't believe you're still emailing (well I know you're playing bball right now.) This is an eday (that's what I call it - email day) from the celestial kingdom.

I love all of your encouragement on sharing the gospel. I need it cause I feel so inadequate.

Do you get to talk to President very often?  And do you get mail more often?  And are there still 10 elders in your pench?

Elder Ostler:  Yup, the pench there’s 10 of us.  What a difference, going from 5 months of living in a pench of 2, and now, chicken coop of 10!  It’s great thought, real enjoyable, lots of bodies.  And yes, unlike President Lindahl, President Avila is always in the offices.  I talk with him lots.  I just translated him for, or for him for 30 minutes. Sometimes I let him try to communicate in the little english he knows. It’s fun.

Yes, we get mail every week.  Every Tuesday is the mail run.  And last Tuesday my comp, he gets the mail, brought me back a package full of marshmallows!  Thanks.  That’s not just any thanks.  That’s a real thanks.  So yeah, mail every Tuesday.

Mom:  That is great.  I’m glad you got the marshmallows.  And wow - this is just so unreal.  Did you have fun at centro?  I wish you could hear Harrison singing right now.  It’s painful.

Elder Ostler:  What’s unreal?  We bought some ties.

Mom:  It’s unreal that I'm talking to you!  And what about Kraymer - pretty cool!!!  I love the pictures you sent.  I always remember Elder little boxes in my prayers.

Are you still loving being in the office?  Amanda's transfer day is Wednesday.  I'm thinking she'll be training again.  But we'll see.

Elder Ostler:  I’m here, ask, I got to go soon.

Mom:  Just read all the emails I already sent.  I asked what you thought about Kraymer?  Pretty cool eh.  And I told you how much I missed you.  And you go have yourself a fantastic rest of the day.  Your mom loves you.

Elder Ostler:  O yeah, I forgot about Kraymer!!!!

WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW

And O my gosh I am PSYCHED!!!!!  That is the greatest ever!!!!!   Go Kraymer!!!!!!  YOU GOT CALLED TO THE RIGHT COUNTRY!

It’s going to be the best.  Just the best.  Keep doing the small things. And if you’re going to play in a college bowl game, as tight end . . what is the best thing you can do to prepare?

Practice

Duh.

And that is the best thing any pre missionary can do.  Practice.  Share the Gospel  con quien sea.  Go on divisións with the Elders.  Or better yet, share the Gospel with your propio friends!

O it’s just the best.

The misión.  It has changed me.  The misión is a transformation, and so many cool experiences.  That’s what I love.  The experiences.

And Dad, I am praying to reach my full potential as a Melchizedek Priesthood holder.  Praying for experiences to use it.  Love you Dad.

Let’s just say my basketball skills are nowhere where they used to be.  Not like I was ever good.  But I just tried to play like Edvalson today.  It didn’t work.  Got schooled by a gringo and a chilean.

About the license, I don’t think you need to do anything.  We are taking care of it.  Um yeah, have a nice afternoon.  Know I’m doing good.  And yes, I like the offices.  It is something new and it will help me alot later in life.  It is definately a new challenge.  And I will really be tired when Elder Ivie leaves.

I’m all sweaty.

Love, Elder Ostler

ps:  are you practicing your piano.??¡¡

The Greatest Investment I Will Ever Make

Buen día familia, espero que todo se encuentre bien con ustedes.

Let’s start with some business.  The way I spell mission is wrong, I know.  It should be misión in castallano.  But I simply have a habit of typing it that wrong way.

Happy 19 Saydi.  That’s exciting yeah!!  I don’t know what it is like in the states, but here birthdays are huge.  Everyone celebrates them lots.

To tell you the truth family, not once did it cross my mind this week that it was your anniversary, Mom and Dad.  Not once did I think about Benson receiving the Priesthood of Aaron.  I didn’t even remember it is almost Saydi´s cumpleaños!

This week was a preview of what is to come!  We did just about everything.  We did it all, and I am tired!

Not ever before in my life have I slept so good as I did this week. Monday - Sunday night, I didn’t even wake up once!  Not once, ever.

But it has been good, and I am happy to be here.  The Lord is humbling me, like He always is trying to do, but today is like an extra dose.  Sometimes I give room on the stage of my mind for the Devil and his tauntings . . . O you’re the misión secretary.  That Blows! These are going to be the worst 4 transfers of your life!

But I know that I need to give no heed, and say ‘GET THEE HENCE SATAN!  YOU SUCM BALL!’

Really, I don’t even know what to say to you all right now.  Let’s start with that picture of my 3 priesthood holding brothers!!

That is so wonderful to look at!  Tres capos es lo que yo veo!  You are all wonderful young men, with SO MUCH POTENTIAL!  Please, Harrison, Jefferson, and Benson.

STAY CLEAN!

It is so important that you 3 keep holding firmly to the Iron Rod and give no heed to the Devil and his temptations and Sins.  Read in the Book of Mormon every day.  Don’t miss, just like you’d never miss eating dinner.  And make your prayers an open communication with God, each Morning and Nite.  So often, even as good members, we still go through the motions.  Also, Harrison, Benson, and Wilson, Tengan cuidado con los amigos.  Be careful of your freinds.  And always stand for the right.  The wrong is never ‘fun’ in the end.  It always leads to repentance, which hurts.

I really don’t want to preach to you.  But I guess that’s what I am, A Preacher.  Grandpa Skinny, I mean Skinner, always used to call me that before the misión, and I never liked it.  But now, I Love it.  I hope, Harrison, Jefferson, Benson, and you Wilson, did you hear that? And you Wilson, have developed the habit of practicing the piano each and every day.  You don’t understand right now, and you can’t really, but please o please, aprovechar.

And that’s my new position of being a new secretario, it’s been like 5 minutes since I typed that last sentence, because I had to transfer some fone calls for sick elders and doctors etc.

Yeahimprettymuchintheofficesrightnow.  At least I get to listen to Hillary Weeks instead of kumbia villera.

Yes, boys, take advantage of that Grand Piano.  Take advantage of the Time you have.  ¡Aprovechen tener un gran maestro en la casa también!  I wish I could take piano lessons right now.

Alright, let’s talk to the Birthday Girl.  I’m actually singing this.

Happy Birthday to YOU

Happy Birthday to YOU

Happy Birthday My Dear Say Di

Happy Birthday to YOU.  Sending all my love and Best Wishes from Argentina ****Elder**** Ostler ps, and hoping you get hitched jajaja

What would make me most happy is if you have a Sonrisa siempre, and if you can always remember Jesus Christ and your Baptismal Covenants.

And Mom and Dad, what a marriage feat!  That’s great.  I have seen so much divorce and separation down here hablando sobre el tema del matrimonio, and I am ever so thankful that you are making it happen. Marriage for 24 years is incredible.  I don’t think I even understand how thankful I am.  Like Nefi, I was raised so well, in such a good home, and with quite the family.  And like you Mom, I return the unseeable love that you cannot see through a pantalla.  Best wishes to you two.  Stay happy, live long, run hard.

I did go running this morning.

Well, I probably should empezar de decirles de la semana que tuve yo.

Kinda crazy.  Actually really crazy.  Did just about everything, from driving to walking around Mendoza with $4000 pesos in my pocket.

Doing the last preparations for and receiving the newbies was way fun.  I loved talking and meeting them.  I tried to have so much real animo.  Yo tampoco sé realmente que es lo que significa animo en inglés.  Yeah like animo, energy, happiness.  It is just one of those words that’s better in Spanish.  Animo.

So, Tuesday was wake up early, and go to the airport with the oldies to send them off.  Then we ran some errands, buying 20 kilos of bananas etc.  My positions is honestly a couple of really fijo things, and then just a bunch or random jobs.  We just cleanup everyones messes. Like this week when the sisters didn’t pay their bills, we had to spend 2 hours minutes driving around Mendoza (in the snow!!) doing that.  But this is a cool story, because after paying the bills, and they were expensive, c’mon, they’re hermanas, we went to the terminal and sent some filters to San Rafeal, another problem fixed because Elder Boisados forgot to bring them when he went to install them.

So then it was about 1:30 and both Elder Ivie and I were Hungry.  We were in president’s car when he called us to ask if we had eaten.  No we say, and then he tells us to just grab something to go.  Well just at that moment a celestial McDonalds appeared and we changed lanes and pulled in.  We joked, but it just might be true, that that MD didn’t really exist, because neither of us had ever seen it before.  Yup, I would go on, but something tells me this is just one of those things that’s only funny in the moment.  Just know it was Great, and that God was watching out for us.

Back to Tuesday yeah?  So Tuesday night after doing a bunch of things, we realized that our 3 chilenos coming in were only on 90 day tourist visas.  And we aprovechared because while they were going to be in Mendoza, we just might as well legalize them for the 2 years, or at least start the process, because it’s a big long mess.  So Tuesday night Elder Ivie turned on some sweet music and prepared.  I think I got in bed that night at 12:40!  And that’s really late for a missionary! It was a sweet memorable night.  It’s great learning all these crazy processes.

Another day we prepared to extend the one year visa for about 5 Missionaries, and then we went to the bank, pulled the 4000 pesos, and then went to the front of the line at Migraciónes and got some gringos legalized.

2 things were really hard for me this week.

One is that Elder Boisados is the Pench man for the missino, op there it is again, and generally in charge of materials for the misión.  So 3 days this week he went with Elder Packer, a senior missionary we have, and installed filters in the misión, which put me in a trio and unabled me to work in Estanzuela.  So I did a lot of divisions in Sarmiento this week.  And that was good because I went by Carmen, an amazing lady who received the Holy Ghost when I was there. She’s amazing.  Probably best lesson of the week.

Also, once with Elder Lounsberry, we found 8 news in about 3 hours. They were some great people, including Jonathon, a good 20 year old kid looking for something.  Then 8 news won us the comp against Ivie and Hoggard which meant that when we returned to the pench, they carried Elder Lounsberry and I up the stairs singing Elder Ostler is our King.  Elder Ostler is our King.  He is the Greatest of them all, Ostler is our King.

Finally, on Saturday night Boisados returned home and we started being companions.  I don’t actually have real permiso to drive yet, but when we went in the van to move Elder Boisados from his pench to our new office pench.  He was so tired and got in the drivers seat and put the keys in my hand.  It was already 10:30 at night, a late nite, as they all were, and the tired level of both of us was high.  So I fought him for about 3 seconds, then just got in the car and drove.  It was only about 20 cuadras back to the pench.  And it was sweet!  I forgot what that feels like, driving.

Then going to church on yesterday was an adventure.  We didn’t even know how to arrive.  It was good.  I saw a lot of good people.  What amazed me most was their eyes.  I realized that no matter where I go, there are amazing members of the church.  My plan with this barrio is obviously focus on Baptism, finding people and bringing them to Christ.  Además, I want to inspire these people to be home teachers. So so important.  The barrio needs help.  Sacrament attendance was maybe 60.

The mountains this week were remarkable!  Absolutely insane!  With the snow covering them. ¡¡ la belleza de ellas fue inexplicable!!

Sometimes I feel like I’m in a foreign land, and then I remember I Am.

The members received us well, we ate a great lunch there with them, and I think I have just about forgotten the best part . . . we had an investigator in church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This week I didn’t step into my area until Sunday, and didn’t invite ni un alma to go to church in Estanzuela, and some one came!!  She is Milix.  Maybe 35 years old and told me she really like it.  I only could talk to here for 2 minutes, because she left right away.  But I did learn that she has assisted 2-3 other Sundays, and that she has a lot of problems in the home.  I’m Psyched!

The focus in the offices is to leave at 4pm everyday and See Miracles.

Then other hard thing for me is that  I’m still not unpacked!!!  7 days living out of an unpacked suitcase isn’t fun.  The pench situation is in crisis.  There are 10 of us living in one pench.  It seems insane, but we know it will work if we can cooperate and work together.  It is 4 assistants, 4 original office elders, and Elder Lounsberry and I.  More details to come on that.

About Christian Funes.  He is a joven in Rivadavia who baptized 2 years ago.  Has 24 years and is so close to going on a misión.  He has had a crazy life and wants to follow El Señor.  Basically is in a super tight money situation, has had to quite some jobs because they weren’t the best environment.

Well I think it is just about time to go do some compras at the vea with elder Boisados and Hoggard and then eat some home cooked asado.

O,  how about one more thing.  After church we went to yet a different pench and buscard the carpeta de area and had a reunion with our super líder misional.  He’s 74, completely over the hill, but just awesome.

Then last night we had a surprise visit to the offices because we aren’t supposed to come in Sunday, and had to prepare the 4 elders we are sending home.  Luckly Elder Ivie and I were able to finish and go home by 10:10.  Elder Ivie is a wonderful Elder.  He is from LV and has 20 in the mission.  Months.

Elder Boisados is also wonderful and yes, is a breath of fresh air.  I love being with an Argentine.  He's a little older too, which helps me be a little more mature.  He also goes home in December, but we have ganas to work good in Estanzueal and not get robbed.

Well have fun with this email.

Elder Ostler 

And I was absolutely so happy to read that you placed your first BOM, Mom.  Like so happy.

Continue to share the Gospel with all.

Talk to everyone about the message of the Restoration.  Because the world needs to know that the Gospel was Restored!

Tell Ahmad to write me a letter and tell be about his religion, where he’s from, and all the fun stuff.

He seems great.  Make sure to tell him to get on the tramp and play ball with Jefferson and stuff him hard for me!!

pues, pasamos por las oficinas con mi compañero para buscar una funda, y yo tengo la oportunidad de escribirles algo pequeño.  ¡que bueno!

el asado que hicimos hoy fue espectacular.  pero tan rico que fue!!  y yo dormi la mejor siesta de mi vida!  una hora de puro poder.  aun no he disempacado mis cosas.  grrr.  pero espero que podamos arreglar el problema pronto.  

elder ivie y Harvey, assistente, fueron corriendo hoy y corrieron medio maratón!  trece milles!  insane.

ahora elder boisados y yo bamos a tomar micro a Estanzuela para buscar nuevos hasta las nueve.  

me encanta la definición de la palabra Milagros en la dictionario de la Bibla.  I wish I could quote it, but I don’t have my english.  Something like miracles exist wherever the Masters hand is present . .  it’s not like Miracles are a rare thing.  

esta noche yo boy a buscar milagros.  yo sé que el Señor nos bendecirá.  

les amo.

Madre, Padre, Amanda, Saydi, Harrison, jefferson, Benson, Wilson

con amor

Elder Ostler

The sun never sets on righteous missionaries testifying of the Savior. N.L. Anderson

What’s up family?}

Receiving this email a little late eh¡?

Well I have a lot to explain.  A lot of things are happening.  A lot of changes in my life.  The Lord, through President Avila, called ME, Elder Ostler, to be El Secretario de la Misión Argentina Mendoza!!

I’m the new mission secretary.

But how about we start from Monday . .  last Monday.  We finished an amazing p day, except for hardly conversing with my companion at all that day, and started preaching around 6:30, and it was amazing what happened.  We found an Amazing Amazing AMAZING Familia Maciel. Myseal.  I felt so inspired to sit this family down, the mother, Marcela, and 4 kids, Matias 15, Belen 13, Jesus 10, and the little guy and teach them about family prayer.  The mother cried.  It was so beautiful with this family as we taught them in their humble home.  Imagine the kitchen, living room, and bedroom, all being one room.  We taught them about how to pray and how to receive an answer.  Belen had some excellent questions.

In the follow up visits I individually asked each of the kids if they felt anything when they prayed and asked if these things were true. Belen, Matias, and Jesus all described to me the feeling and burning in the pecho they got!!  It was so beautiful.  Those are the moments most beautiful of the missino.

This week we had 4 people pray about the veracidad del mensaje and 3 receive answers, so amazing.

Well this amazing family, we were about to go buscar them domingo en la mañana, but they were visiting family.  But I have so much hope that those elders who wash Rivadavia, baptize them and bring them in to the True fold of God.

After finding the family Maciel, Elder Cajas and I attended a Católico church.  Notice I said attend.  Not assisted!  It was cool.  A lot smaller, but I really liked the preacher.  A good public speaker.  I Love seeing True Followers of Jesus Christ outside our church.

So on Tuesday, he called President Avila, and on Thursday we traveled to Mendoza.  Then on Saturday night, President calls me to the position of secretario.  That night we didn’t sleep to well.  We had one of the best talks of all time.  He cried.  Ok I really am not trying to have orgullo, but I had the Spirit with me and was inspired speaking to him.  Consoling him.  And counseling him too.  It was interesting.  And I know the Lord does things for a purpose, and I know he put me in that situation for a purpose.  He really opened up to me.  And we talked.

Among other things, we taught an evangelical preacher who is so close.  But he killed me when he was not interested in if Joseph Smith was a prophet.  In that lesson, I realized, or was reminded, that the spirit is So Important when we teach, and we must follow it.

And we realized that we have been working in a Red Zone, aka, don’t go in this area, ever.  Very dangerous.  But we went in that area.  Isn’t that comforting mother?  Good thing angels protect us.  And just have some fun, the gang that runs this villa is called los diablos, a bad group.  Everyone told us how dangerous they are.  Even the people who live there.  I had one experience on a Saturday afternoon where I saw a group of them about 3 blocks down.  And I had the distinct feeling that if I kept walking down that street, I would have gotten hosed.  Good thing i didn’t keep walking down that street.

Also working in the bebida we found Roldoflo, a great hombre.  So family oriented.  So ready for the Gospel.  He accepted everything. But when we went back the second time with a member, he didn’t cumplir con los conpromisos.  But strongly committed to church.  But on Sunday, he didn’t come.  I put him in the area book with stars next to his name, because I really believe that if the elders work with him, he could convert.

This week I really focused my teaching on 2 things.  One was receiving an answer por el poder del espiritu santo.  The other was the Book of Mormon.  O I love in Braden’s letters when he says thats 2 more converts for the Book of Mormon.  He’s such a capo.

And in open the mouths, or door approaches, I was showing the libro to everyone!  Testify.

Then 4th person that prayed about our message was Mariana, she was a reference from a member.  And a really really good one.  2 good lessons with her we had.

I know that the call to be secretary was inspired.  Before it came, I had had 3 real encounters with Presidente Avila.  The first was the first reunion we had with him in San Juan.  And we knelt and I gave the closing prayer.  He came up afterwards and thanked me and hugged me.  The second was the zone conference we had just weeks later, when I gave a talk on obedience.  And the third was just days ago when we came down to Mendoza.  And after Elder Cajas had a long interview with him, President sat me down and we talked.  It was wonderful.  He asked about my family, about me area, and all the problems happening therein.  It was a wonderful 10 minutes.

On Sunday after church we packed.  And cleaned up the pench, and got the area book ready for a wash.  And wrote the new elders notes and everything.  And also despediried the elders in the distrito and a few members.

Before I forget, 2 side notes.

1.  Ignacio Cortez, the 9 year old, is getting baptized this Saturday. And he chose me to baptize him.  Hmm, but I won’t be there.  que bendicion por los elders nuevos¡!

2.  The distrito de 3 compañerismos, or my district, had 10 people in church this week!!  With 5 progressing, o sea, 5 of them have a fecha bautismal!!  Wow, we had an amazing district meeting and we put a high goal.  And the other elders saw miracles this week.  It was such a huge improvement.  I was so happy!!

3.  Talking with some elders today, I found out that 1 of the daughters of Rosa Sosa, de Rivadavia San Martin, and a boy friend got baptized!!!!!!  Elder Arrua and I were the first elders to teach the boyfriend, Raul.  He’s 25.  And the daughter is Lucila, taught her many times.  So cool!!!

Ok, so last night we really didn't sleep to much either.  And we woke up bastante temprano to travel to Mendoza.  And I have traveled to and from Mendoza so much recently I’m broke!  And we’re only in the middle of the month.  Good thing I’m in the offices and can turn in some receipts quick!

As missino secretary, my jobs and duties are many.  My companion is Elder Boisados, a great LATIN from Buenos Aries.  My first Argentine!!!  He’s so fun.  I know him decently.  And we are washing an area.  Estansuela.  It will be wonderful.  I will explain things as they happen.  But as an office elder I will only miss 15 hours of proselyting a week, 3 hours in the morning 5 days a week.  Because Monday - Friday we leave the offices at 4pm to start preaching.  And Saturday and Sunday we get full days.

My job is very administrative.  And my secretary trainer is Elder Ivie. Just a CAPO.  He’s the current secretary.  And I got my first taste today, as we dropped elders at the airport, and had to pay 240 pesos for extra baggage.  Then we journeyed through Mendoza and bought 20 kilos of bananas.  Today, Elder Ivie had like 700 pesos on him in cash!!  For 6 weeks I will receive training, then I’m on my own.

I am actually very excited for this opportunity.  I know it is from the Lord and He has wonderful things to teach me here.  I am most excited to work side by side with Presidente Avila.  An x setenta.  He is a man of Love.  A Good Man.

A position in the offices is dreaded by many elders.  But man, the Lord has just given me excitement.  I’m PSYCHED!!

And I get to drive.  I get to drive Presidents car.  The Hilux.

Speaking of cars, Dad, I’ve fallen in love with muscle cars.  O yeah. The Ford Taunus.  Hatch back.  They are abundant here.

Today I spent with Elder Ivey and Hoggard.  They are amazing.  I forgot what it was like to have so much fun while being a missionary. We played rummy cube for p day.  But I’m telling you , it was just so much fun today.  Tomorrow is the Big day.

We send 15 missionaries home and receive 14.  Can you imagine the logistics of that?  And Elder Ivey is in charge of most of that.  We’re going to be at the airport for a long time tomorrow.

I’m ready to learn.  I’m ready to soar.  My goal is to be Efficient.  And I know I will just love and nail this position.

And I am also psyched for Elder Boisados and to wash an area!!!!

This week in Rivadavia, I ate the Liahona, conference addition.  It was amazing.  

Bednar.  Your missino will be a sacred opportunity to bring others to Christ and help prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior.

Ballard.  The future growth of the Church will not happen through just knocking on strangers doors.  It will happen when the MEMBERS, along with our missionaries, filled with the love of God and Christ discern the needs and respond to those needs in the spirit of charitable service.   . .  this cannot be accomplished by missionaries alone, but requires the interest and service of EVERY member.

Monson.  Stay completely away from pornography.  Do not allow yourself to view it, ever.

And More Than Conquerors Through Him That Loved Us, by Johnson. I loved this talk.  Our personal journey through life will provide just the right amount for our needs.  Many trials are just a natural part of our mortal existence, but they play such an important role in our progress.

And also Christoffersons talk about willing to accept and seek correction was wonderful.  The sentence that starts with ‘eventually’ almost at the end.  Yeah... amazing.  You can quote that part here. Eventually all the way to learned.

"Eventually, much of our chastening should come from within—we should become self-correcting. One of the ways that our late beloved colleague Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin became the pure and humble disciple that he was, was by analyzing his performance in every assignment and task. In his desire to please God, he resolved to determine what he could have done better, and then he diligently applied each lesson learned."  Fantastic!!  What genius men.  I love the Brethren.

And one of them has their office 3 inches form mine!!

The Desire talk, Followers of Christ, by González, all were wonderful.  “Through love the Savior was obedient to the will of the Father under any circumstance.  Our Savior was obedient even when it meant great physical and emotional pain, even when it meant . . . . .”  loved that part.  Or, “as Latter-day Saints, ours is the duty to invite millions . . .”

I could go on.  Wow, did you know that conference was so inspired??  Well it inspired me this week.

A pesar de no hablar mucho con mi companero until Saturday this week, I was filled with unusually animo and felicidad.  I spent the hours we weren’t teaching, singing and talking to myself in english to keep sane.  But a lot of singing in the streets.  And it was funny because when we said good bye to the panadería or breadshop lady Sunday, she gave us 6 free delicious facturas!!  That Friday, Saturday and Sunday and even today were just days of incredible mixed feelings.  Life just got turned upside down.  I’m excited!!!  But 6 weeks in Rivadavia was so short, but helped me so much.

O HEY.  Don't forget to remind me to tell you about Cristin Funes next week.  He needs your help!

We are actually in the offices right now emailing, and I’m not sure how long Elder Haggard and Ivie need.  So I’ll keep typing!!

I love you all so much.  I can’t tell you how excited I am.  I can’t tell you all how so special each one of you is to me.  You are my eternal family.

It's in my blood.  I forgot to say that.

You see, for arriba de 7 months, Elder Cabranes was secretario de la misino mendoza.  It’s in my blood.

It’s fun these days because I get to see all the oldies going home. Elder Cabranes, George, Crossa, Elder Quebeman, Martinez . . and just so many others.

My meta is to be Mr. Animo here.  Just always a smile.  Always a kind word.  Always working hard, and not ponching (or being lazy). Always leaving to work at 4pm.  And always focusing on the most important things.  Baptism.  I know I can baptize here in Estanzuela. And I am just so excited.  Pumped.

So Elder Nelson, asistente.

Elder Hare, zone leader.

And I’m the missino secretary.  Good times.

This week I thought about the Sun.  el Sol.  And thought about the wonderful words I am quoting all the time.  Mas brillante que el sol.  In the fist vision.  And I thought of the Glory and Power of God.  I pulled a Brian Regan, and tried to look at the sun.  The first glance I could tolerate it for about 1 second.  Then I went for the 5 seconds, and achieved.  But it was painful... and I thought what it will be like to be in their presence.  Am I ready.  I feel like I will melt like an infeliz.  I also want to purify myself.

I loved the every knee shall bow and tongue shall confess scriptures I studied this week.

Love Elder Ostler