Can You Look At The Andes And Deny There Is A God?

What’s up!

Hey all, I’m doing so good.  This probably be a choppy email too, in between the haircut Sister Packer, the mission nurse, will be giving me and also because at 3 some Elders named Hyer and Esplin are coming to play futbol!!

Right now I am on such a runners high! This morning I did about 3.5K. Then the p day didn’t go as planned, and I found myself in a pench with Elder Boisados, and 4 assistants all of whom. . . 

(5 minutes later.  President walked in and we had to make some arrangements.  And I told him about Elder Cisneros!  He liked that) (op just came in again)

were jazzed to do a 5K.  Hmm something tells me that you can’t just stay in the pench solo...  so off we went.  I ran a lot to day, and I feel really good.  My 5K time was 23:32.  It was absolutely gorgeous, this one point I got the sweetest view of the Andes, and then just trying to be seen was a snow capped peak just behind.  Add that to the grass and tree feeled view, and it was wonderful.  And futbol is about to go down, with the best ballers in the mission.  I’m not included in that.

So wow, Elders in the home.  I’m really excited for you.  Don´t spoil them too much, make them work.  And hold them to high standards. Mostly I speak of cleanliness.  Send the love from Argentina.  Tell them to baptize!

If only it were that easy.

So about Elder Cisneros, I almost told you last week about him, but it slipped my mind.  His name is actually written on the white board in front of me.  2 weeks ago I received a change of assignment email for him and others.  I looked and saw he was going to misión Mexico este.  And I jumped.  I immediately thought of my boy Braden and knew, that as an AP, he would be receiving him.  But how about that. They were together for awhile!  I’m going to ask him all about that crazy Mexican Elder Nelson when he gets here.  Actually that’s one of the things President just asked me.  I need to call a Rep in Buenos Aries, because they are not responding to my email about the 2 Mexicanos we are receiving tomorrow.  Elder Cisneros being one of them.  But we kinda need to know when to pick them up!

This week was a great week.  Let’s get some ALB stories.  I hope all these letters don’t bore you.

Grandpa ALB.  Last Sunday I was in a bus, and now all the time I talk with people on the bus and etc.  So I sit down to this lady on the bus. And she tells me that she used to be a member.  When people tell you that, that just means, yeah I got baptized, but now I don’t want anything to do with the Church.  Well it turned into a nice conversation.

She actually doesn’t believe in God.  She told me that when I have 50 years, I also won’t believe in God.  I pulled out my funda of fotos and showed her the one of me and Grandpa Skinner.  I told her about him. A farmer.  And a solid Grandpa. It was a perfect example, because this woman was a little older, and well, Grandpa is a littler older. Maybe even a little older than 50.  I told her that there are not many men with tanto fe en Dios.  I tried to teach her about using our trials and learning from them, rather than having them drive us away from Dios.  It was great to use Grandpa as an example.

99 años.  Yesterday, coming home form church, I stood up and started up a conversation with an older man.  On the misiòn one meets many a crazy people, and this guy was one of them.  He told me that he was 99!  And that he was born in 1937.  Not really sure how that works.  I had some fun and told him that couldn’t be true.  So he settled on being 94.  I didn´t have a calculator at the time, but I’m pretty sure he’s not 94 either.

Idolatry.  Yesterday, waiting for the bus I approached a woman and talked with her.  As I introduced myself as a missionary of Jesucristo, she said AMEN, automatically telling me she’s evangelical.  There are many of them.  After a minute I pulled out a card with a picture of Jesus and the ninos, and the articulos de fe on the back.  And she was appalled, calling me an idolater for having an image of Jesus. uhhhhhh

2 pesos ALB.  This one made me remember Elder Wetzel.  In Estanzuela we were waiting a bus solo. Then this man walks across the street and starts waiting for the bus with us.  In the 10 steps it took me to get to him, I looked down and saw an old worn out 2 peso bill on the ground!  The guy didn´t want to know anything, but it was a sweet ALB.

Alright those were fun.  Elder Ivie came in, and we had a good laugh about Elder Cisneros.

So my last week in Rivadavia, we had a really cool experience.  My comp wanted to stay in the pench.  But we went out, and found the father of Sister Avila!!! It was the most legit thing ever.  You can imagine that this man has already been very involved in the church. Your daughter marries a sesenta.  Your grandson is on a misión.  But he never baptized.  It was legit.  I left him with a furete compromiso, then I got transferred.

I have a fun relationship with Sister Avila.  One of my first days here we were doing some tramites with Elder Ivie, and needed some Argentine testigos.  So we asked her.  She was hesitant, but she handed over her DNI, of all of her documents, as we stayed up till midnight readying everything.  The next day when I see her, I decided to get a laugh.  So I tell her, you know what, Hermana Avila, someone broke in the offices last night and stole your DNI.  And she believed me!  OHH when she found out I was kidding, she about had my head.

So now we have a very fun and joke filled relationship.  But I have gained her trust too.  For example, when a hermana sister missionary called her the other day with some health problems, a latina, Hermana Avila sent me in with the nurse and this latina to translate.  It is really cool being with the Avilas.  Great people.  This Latina is named Hermana Zepeda.  A Honduran.  She did reposo here in the offices a couple days because of an injury, and stayed with Hermana Packer. And I tell you this because when it was time to leave the offices and move camp to Sister Packers house (100 meters down the street) I had the bright idea to put Hermana Zepeda in an office chair and wheel her home, because her ankle was killing her.  And she got an xray.  I don’t know if that really makes sense, but I did it twice and it was really fun.  I make race car sounds as we went.

This week was consejo for all the leaders and trainers, so there were just a ton of Elders here this week.  I got free lunch twice.  And once was pastel de papa con canela y azucar!  So good.  And it was a treat eating lunch yet again sitting next to Elder Allen and Huntington.  Such great fellows.

I wondered during that lunch, looking off into the 70 plus missionaries, why me?  Why out of all of theses missionaries, God chose me?  What are the chances?  But I am grateful for my position in the misión and the work I do, learning a lot of cool things.  And DRIVING!

I drove to the farmacy and other places with President in the passenger seat.  And 3 missionaries in the back.  I was nervous!  But I passed, and now I’m an addition to the team of illegal drivers this misión has, until we can get our licenses.  I think they are in the processing stage right now.

This one time, when I was taking some other knee hurting elders to the doctor, a roundabout and 2 different streets all fed into one street. And it was in downtown Mendoza.  I don’t know how I survived. There are no laws here.

And Argentines can’t drive.   

I cleaned the iron this week.

So Estefania came to church!  It was a miracle.  She only stayed for an hour, and set next to a YM.  I made her an Alma 36 homework sheet.  I hope she is doing it!  Then after we got Estefania to church, we went on another adventure and I pushed Rosa in a wheelchair to church.  It was sweet!  She’s inactive, and obviously has many health problems.  As we were leaving, none of her family, all inactives, were accepting our invites to come to church, until at last we broke the 20 year old, and he came!  France.  I sat with my arm around him during the sacrament meeting.

And we wheeled just in the nick of time for me to, in stride, walk up to the piano and miraculously play the sacrament hymn.  I could hear the heavens singing during the sacrament portion of our meeting.  

The barrio is definitely feeling the animo.  A member asked us to participate with them in a noche de hogar they are planning with a RC.  Sweet!  And the priesthood lesson was just exactly what Elder Boisados and I have been preaching to the members.  Do your visits. Love you brother!

Dad, I had a really wonderful opportunity this week to use my priesthood.  We were walking out of a house of a less active, when she called us back and asked for a blessing.  I was not in the best mood, and knew this would be the perfect opportunity to change it.  As my compo annointed, I pleaded for the inspiration necessary and the Spirit.  And it was a Wonderful blessing.  I thought about you Dad.

I loved reading Casey’s and Braden’s emails.  They are wonderful, and inspire me.  What gems of friends I have.  And what a family I have. You are all wonderful.  Thank you for always being there for me.  For your love.  And letters.  And marshmallows.

I got to call some Elders parents this week in the states.  That was fun.

Well, I’m not sure if I’ll get to continue later.  But I love you all.

Go Butler.  Yeah, I edited that letter and sent it to you.  Fun yeah.

The perks.

Elder Ostler

Go Amanda, you train em!

1:13PM:  Just had a great partido...  the Elder Hyer, Elder Esplin combo killed us.  But Elder Lounsberry, the new Historiador, is AMAZING.  Easily the best ever.

So ya there??

Mom:  Yes we are.  Dad is too.

Elder Ostler:  Well let’s do this.  Don’t know how long I’ll have.  What do you want to know?  I want to know how Saydi is.  I’m pretty tired.  Had a pretty action filled day.

Mom:  Dad is sitting here saying, ummmmm.  Saydi is leaving on Friday, she says she is super excited.

You talked about a DNI, you took it from Sister Avila.  What the heck is a DNI?

Elder Ostler:  It’s like a little book that serves as a license.  It’s green.  And super important.  It’s got everything in it.  It’s like taking your license, and a little more.

Hey Elder Olbaldia from PANAMA says saludo.  And every time I see him I always go into the Van Halen chorus

PANAMA

Mom & Dad:  Elder Lounsberry sounds like a great guy.  And what about your actual companion.  Do you guys get along great?  Are you together during the day in the office or just in the evening for tracting?

Elder Ostler:  We see each other often.  His office is a hop and a skip away from mine.  But some times we don’t see each other much in the morning.  But we start the day off running and studying together, and we work in the tarde.  Elder Boisados is great.  He’s a convert, at 22 years old.  His dad’s not a member.  But he’s got a good style.  And I love the maturity he brings to the lessons.  We get along wonderfully. It’s great to have a comp who helps me out.  Even sometimes when I don’t really want it!!  ha.

I really love reading Casey’s and Braden’s letters.  They are wonderful.

Mom & Dad:  So who is going to get the elder from Braden’s mission?  Does President decide that or the AP’s?

Elder Ostler:  President decides.  And it’s perfect because tomorrow we have an elder going home.  And then there is another in a trio.  So these 2 will even us out.

Is everybody doing good back in school.  And honestly, tell me.  Are they practicing piano?

Mom & Dad:  Not practicing as much as they should.  Now that school has started it will be better.  Dad is practicing with Wilson.  I'll lay down the law!!!  They'll be shakin' in their shoes.  And I'm super happy that you're playing in your ward.

Your letters never bore us.  I could read your emails all day long. What is on your schedule for the rest of the day?  The missionaries here just dropped off a bunch of stuff. They're moving in tonight and are soooo excited.  Elder Larkin gets a greenie on Wednesday.  We're trying to think of something to do to him.

Elder Ostler:  We just got word that our 2 Mexicanos are coming Tuesday.

Mom & Dad:  That would be Braden’s comp.  That is going to be so cool.  Make sure you get a picture of you and him together.  What do you want to know?  Anything?

Elder Ostler:  We leave to start working.  And right now I’m here in the office with Elder Ivie, and we are cleaning it!!!  So just shoot questions as you want.  I’m here.

Mom & Dad:  Dad wants to know how many office elders there are and if you have a typical daily routine or is it totally different every day?

Elder Ostler:  Ummm there is NOTHING set in the offices.  Different stuff every day.

I couldn’t even give it a job description.

And there is a pensionista, Boisados

Secretary, me

Finance guy, Kammerman

And historidor, who does stuff for the conferences and a lot with bap registries.  And his gunna be busy because this month we have a goal of 125 baptism.  Yesterday the mission had 195 in church and 95 of them with a fecha.  

And then Elder Ivie and Elder Hoggard are training Me and Elder Lounsberry.  Then at transfer they leave.  And president brings 2 new elders for Elder Kammerman and Elder Boisados to train.  And then on top of us there are 4 Assistants.  

Mom & Dad:  So I take it that it's legal for you to 'chat' with us like this.  Do the other office elders chat with their families too?

Elder Ostler:  I don’t know if they do.  And it’s totally fine.  I just gotta go soon so we can go work!!    Ooo I’m so tired right now and my throat is all throaty.  I played so hard.  I am so dirty right now.  Just gross.  But it feels good.  Dad does your rib hurt?  When are you buying tickets to come here!!!!??¡???¡!

Mom & Dad:  Dad says his rib is getting better.  It hurts when he lifts stuff and does strenuous stuff.  I was thinking about the tickets to come to Argentina but didn't want to mention it to you so I'm glad you did.  How do we plan that out?  And don't feel like you have to hang around for us, leave when you need to. Just tell us you're leaving!

And are you sure you're okay with us coming in June?

Elder Ostler:  O por favor.  Come.  It’s going to be wonderful.  You have to come.  How else are you going to see Justo.  We just talk about it.  I get released supposedly on the 5th of June.  That is going to be that Tuesday morning that I would fly out of Mendoza for Buenos Aries.  I don’t know, I guess we just talk about it.  

Good about the rib.  That’s so crazy how big our house is.  Yesterday Elder Boisados and I taught a lesson sitting on a bed.  This family is really poor, and it was the coolest thing because right as we were there, the bishop came by and dropped off sacks and sacks of food.  So sweet!  And then it broke my heart because they shared it with us!!!  Wow an amazing man.  Hermano Leon.  He came to church and we had a Book of Mormon lesson with the wife.  She’s inactive.  Everything is in one room.  Beds, kitchen and everything they own.

Mom & Dad:  WOW -  very cool story.  And you're not going to get much cleaning done with us asking you questions.  Do you ever hear how Rita and Jorge are doing?

Elder Ostler:  Well I’m ready to go and Elder Boisados is getting ready, so I’m guessing we are leaving soon.  I hope we are leaving soon!  Sometimes it’s hard to leave the offices, because it’s easier to stay here, but it’s so worth it to get out.  The other day some people told us to go help this man.  And I put my arm around his shoulders and we walked him a couple blocks to his dad’s house.  He was blind. And drunk.  And broke.  I tried to teach him.  Jorge and Rita are there. Doing almost.  They are not lost.  But not strong yet either.  I keep writing them.  And the elder in the area, Elder Allred is a Stud.  Just a great elder who is cuidaring them.  Taking care of them.  He gives me updates.  2 weeks ago they passed by and Jorge committed to coming, but didn’t show.  

Mom & Dad:  They'll be back, they know it's true.  They just need a friend and some responsibility.  They need Bishop Robertson!  I keep jumping back and forth between computes here.  I'm helping Jefferson type his homework and I'm 'talking' to you.  They boys are getting ready to head to the rope swing in Benton City.

Oh, I get to talk in sacrament in 2 weeks on prophets.  Any advice?

Did you miss my last question?  I want to know how I go about planning our trip to Argentina?  Do you get your flight from the mission and then we get the same flight, or can we just get your flight?  How long do you want us there?  We're hoping for at least a couple days to tour around your mission, dad said he wants a whole week!  It's pretty much whatever you want.  It's your mission and we don't want to detract from it.  So however you want to end it works for us.  I mostly just need to know how to get the same flight as you.

We'll probably come a week before we see you so we can go do fun, non missionary stuff without you!!!!  Like go to the Andes, all the touristy places!

When they have the consejo for the trainers and leaders do you get to sit in and listen to that?

Elder Ostler:  Here’s what I’m thinking.  I’m not leaving a day early.  So when Elder Allen and Elder Huntington fly home Tuesday morning, that’s when the fun starts.  I will be in my area till Sunday.  Then Monday is interviews, and the final dinner.  Then Tuesday is wake up and see you!!!  I would think it’s best to see you on Tuesday morning. Then we take a week sure that’s great or whatever.  And hey!  I want to go to the Andes too and machu picchu.  I remember you said that before the mission too.  I’m down for whatever.  But I don’t want to see you before June 5.  And I’ll probably have to buy my own ticket home.  I don’t know if the church will do it later, like if we leave the country June 12 instead of 5.  I don´t know.  But I should, because I’m the travel agent of the missino!!! misión.  Sorry.  Gosh.

Mom & Dad:  So June 5 is your release date?  We didn't know and I didn't want to count that out on a calendar because I keep my brain away from such thoughts!!  That sounds great.  We could do whatever you want, but you're still going to be a missionary!!  And I'll ask one more time. Are you sure you're okay with us coming, cause Amanda doesn't want us to and we're okay with that.  It's your mission.  If you want to fly home with Huntington and Allen, just tell us.

Elder Ostler:  I want to fly home with 2 people named Scott and Delene.  I think I’ll still be a missionary and my dream will come true.  That I will finally be full time comps with my dad.  I’ll show you how to open the mouth.

Mom & Dad:  They didn't teach that in Japan.  So let me know when you know, how I make these arrangements.  Cause I can just book your flight with ours, unless they have to do it.  We would totally buy your ticket home.  That's not a problem.  We should do it anyway, that way they can spend that money on someone elses mission.

Elder Ostler:  This is absolutely amazing talking to you.  Wow. Thanks for being the best missionary parents ever.

I’m receiving a lot of mail de Grammie and Grandpa.  They sound GREAT.  How is Grandmi?  She LOVED the date you took her on mom.  And Amy just sings praises to you.  She loves you to.  

Mom & Dad:  We went to Grammie's this week and made salsa and she and Saydi made cinnamon rolls.  It was a great day.  So today is September 5.  Exactly 9 months.  But don't even think about it.  I don't - it makes me crazy.  It doesn't make your dad crazy though.

Elder Ostler:  It doesn’t make me crazy at all.  But wow.   In some ways that is just SO CLOSE:  I CAN’T EVEN Believe it.  Wow.

Dang.  Stop.  Dang.  Dang.  O my gosh.  I’ve got so much left in me. I always try to preform my best, so I can look back and be proud.

And I think all this non baptizing stuff has helped me feel some of the grief that the Savior did.  I poured out my soul to God.  And I know my relationship is strengthened with Him.  I love Him.  He is my God. And he Knows me.  That’s an even crazier thought than the one before. There is a God.  In the Grandpa ALB it was perfect because the Andes came into view and I pointed to them and said,  “Look.  Can you look at the Andes and deny there is a God.”

I can’t believe this will all end some day.

About that last thought.  There is something that I always think about that Amanda said.  How in the mission sometimes the only person we have to talk to is Him.  There is no mom.  No dad.  No best friend.  No fone call.  No facebook.  No outlet if you will.  But you can get on your knees.  And that is what missionaries are forced to do.  Sometimes I am forced to my knees.  Like I don’t want to pray, but I am forced to my knees, because I know that if I don’t, all Hell will break lose.   I absolutely love that about what Amanda said.

Ok I’m going to check on Boisados.

Mom & Dad:  Mom read that last one and looked at me and said, 'wow, what a kid, you type back to that one.’  So we are so proud of you and can't believe you are actually our boy.  Those are very deep thoughts and commitments you have toward God.  Ammon, Alma like. We feel bad you are bummed out about the slow baptism rate.  But as I always say it’s not about the numbers but about the effort and faith. God will take care of the numbers.  You just have to plant the seed.

Elder Ostler:  I am finally realizing that it doesn’t matter what other missionaries think about me.  If I’m the most capo, best spanish, next ap, if I teach good, if I can get a good alb going, it doesn’t matter what they think of me.  Nor the members.  My numbers don’t matter.  What is really important is the relationship I have with my Father in Heaven. It really only matters what He thinks of me.  And I Love Him.  And am here in Mendoza to SERVE HIM.

Ya, yesterday I just saw the hand of God in church.  Everything was so perfect.  Just how everything worked out.  When we rolled Rosa in, I went up to a member and had her come sit by her.  They are neighbors and it worked good.

With the hims, I just kinda go in blind, and have done well.  Alright, I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve got pretty lucky with the ward choosing hims I know.  I try to get them to give me a heads up, but well, we’re in Argentina.  Things don’t always work like that.

Mom & Dad:  Loved the testimony.  Do you ever remember me saying that to you kids?  It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you. It only matters what Heavenly Father thinks.

Elder Ostler:  We have celestial cereal.  It is a big bag of grains and raisins and just so much good healthy grains that we eat for breakfast. A big bag is really expensive.  30 pesos.  And Sister Packer buys it from a costco type store and then we all buy it from her.  It’s so good.  But I’ve really been into fruit smoothies lately, seeing as we have a blender.

Mom & Dad:  Is it possible for you to upload photos to the costco or snapfish website?  And why did you have to call parents in the states?

Elder Ostler:  Ahh office clean.

Lots of love, Elder Ostler

We are leaving.

I love you°!!  Send it to the boys too.

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