O what? I didn't tell you?

If you had one of the huge water tanks that they have on every housetop here, I don’t think you’d have enough room to catch all the love gushing out of this missionary to his family right now.  I am so happy for you.  I am so proud of each and every one of you.  And I especially feel love for you little Wilson.  So sad.  Argentina has made it hard for me to like dogs anymore, but I know you love that dog.  Is it not cool that in the creation God created everything spiritually before he created it physically?  Focus on the word everything.  The trees, the dirt.  The dogs.  I studied in the PGP and learned some super cool things with respect to that.  Wilson, Buddy was created spiritually thousands upon thousands of years ago.  He was an intelligence too. And God plans on saving him.  He is a creation of God.  So cheer up old buddy!  I love you Wilson.

And Saydi sent me a pedaso of her semana.  Sounds Great little lady!

And I think I finally tasted what Amanda eats everyday.  I received my first english rechazo.

Sometimes we have the chance to preach the Gospel in English for various reasons.  In the airport last week I saw 2 old fart greengos, so I put to talk with them.  They were here seeing the bodegas.  2 nice enough men, from Texas.  Then I shared the message, and invited them to listen the next time the missionaries knocked their door.  The first man accepted kindly, but after the 2nd man asked me a question, I knew he wanted to fight.  I was astonished.  Being rejected, and I mean rejected (which is different from just being waved off, is SO different in your own language.)  I did the best I could.  Testified.  But the man was so mean to me.  So I finally got a taste, Amanda.  A small lick if you will.  

Before I get to the miracles, a couple more comments.

Mandy is engaged!!!! dang dang dang.  I can believe it, and can’t all at the same time.  That’s called keeping the commandments.  Send her saludos.

Did you see that last picture?  Elder Falcon, the new pensionista, hit a year this week.  And we celebrated with meat.  And it was SSSSSSOOOOOOOOO GGGGGOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD.

That is Elder Lounsberry, Falcon, Boisados, and Me.

What’s Forte?  Some Harrison thing.  In the Hospital, I always did love the ER.  I always stayed longer than just the 4 hours.  One time I was there till like midnight.  The best time to do that shift is the weekends.

3 miracles.  

            Carmen.  She is a woman that God has been preparing.  Her story is great.  The bottom line is that a friend,  I’ll say that again, a friend shared the Gospel with her and she loves it.  She needs it.  

She came to the Packers activity and then came to church.  After church Elder Boisados went over and taught her in the members home Hermana Vera (both are like 40-50).  Thanks before contact with the church, and missionaries she knows it’s true.  When I put the fecha with her in that lesson, it was super spiritual, and both Carmen and Hermana Vera started crying.  When Carmen said yes, Hermana Vera jumped up and ran over to her and gave here a huge hug.  So amazing.  Such a miracle.  Because we, Elder Boisados and I didn’t really do anything.  It is such a blessing and I know it comes from God.

Carmen is being baptized this Saturday the 15th at 17 hrs.  Can you believe it?  A baptism!! Finally!!

          Maria Eugenia.  I met her last week at GC (little did we know it but looking back we had 4 people or investigators come to GC. The only one I was aware of was Maria Eugenia). So a member from Estanzuela introduces me to her.  I think, dang, lucky Estanzuela elders, and I just left!  But Natalia suddenly tells me, no, she belongs to this barrio GC centro!  My heart did a back flip!!! Sweet!

She came to church with the friend, may I repeat that, with the friend!  And LOVED IT!  After the 3 meetings I talked with Maria Eugenia and she said 3 weeks ago I would have never even imagined being here. But when I come, or read the book, I feel so happy.  WOW!  Hearing that makes me want to fly!  So we have a cita with her and the Natalia Wednesday, if you want to come.

It is such a miracle.  And again, we Elder Boisados and I really didn’t do anything.  However, I know my prays have an effect on the people. I have never prayed harder for the repentance of a people.  I know The Lord has answered all my pleas.  Because we have souls repenting, and making the First Covenant.

  

         Maria.  After an amazing church session yesterday, where all 4 of us Elders bore testimonies and I blessed the water, and sat in the pew behind the Packers (because they are in our ward!) and translated for them.  They loved it.  Usually they just sit through 3 hours of church and haven’t a clue.  Well after church we were directed to call a family to see if they could spur of the moment feed us.  They sayd yes.  So off we go, all 4, and I am as happy as can be.  We get there to Family Mendoza, they are actually Peruanos, and ate the best peruvian food!  So sano, not a drop of oil.  Which was a huge change! Then as I relate to them about an activity Elder Boisados and I are doing with the Ward, animating them, encouraging them, and pleading with them to share the Gospel with their friends and people at work and their neighbors Elder Burr pipes in.  And in one sentence teaches them the Doctrine of Christ.  The 1ra enfoque.  Baptism is essential. And it was only after that moment when the dad them commented to us,  ‘You see Elders my mother there (sitting silently on the end of the table, la abuelita) isn’t a member, and in 15 days, I want to baptize her.  And I know she’ll accept.’  WHAT!!!!  WOW!

Elder Larkin, I want you to study that part in in PMG on page 161 and help my mother share the Gospel with others and her friend. I love the line that says strengthening their understand of the doctrine of Christ will do more . . . and I have now a living testimony of that.  Because if Elder Burr hadn’t taught this family the doctrine of Christ, they never even would have mentioned about the grandma.  But when the dad heard that, and understood it, he desired to give of his family the fruit of the Gospel and Eternal Life, just like Lehi.

Please teach that to my dear mother.  Congratulate her on teaching the gospel to her children.  We do have a wonderful family.  Now, help her share it with her friends, and just anyone she sees.  We must not have fear. We cannot have fear.

I always hear about you Elder Larkin.  My family loves you.  Keep your heard up, and may we all stay focused.  

O wait, Mom? Are you reading this still.  Dang it!

So After Hermano Mendoza said that, we are all stunned.  Just shocked.  It was a true miracle.  Elder Menocal proceeded to put the fecha with la abuelita Maria (at first she point blank said no, but that was because she didn’t understand, it was so Funny!!  At the time, we didn’t know what to do! But looking back it was great.  She accepted the fecha.  And in 20 minutes we are going over to their house, with a 2 fold purpose, eat lots of food, and teach the mom.  That’s what the dad wants us to do.  

Baptism.  So many miracles.  The Lord sees us working good. Working hard.  Wanting, and desiring, and he opened the heavens this week.  Miracles.  They happen.

An activity that took place this week that has been planned and organized for many hours for a long time.  It was a  presentation intended for the less active families, given by the Packers on safety and first aid.  It was so cool!! It was uneasying when it started because only 1 investigator was there and 1 inactive.  When the bishop has been working countless hours to visit so many families and give them the invites and talk with them.  And only 1 showed.  This lady too is named Maria and also came to church Sunday.  She is a nurse and loved Hermana Packer.  We double teamed with the bishop in visiting three families and Maria was actually one of the person we visited.  We brought our him books and sang with her and daughter and husband and it was cool.  They kind of told us that the daughter, she was a model, Gabriela, 20 years old, but she told us that she knows the church is true.  And she said that she’d be there Sunday.

Well, after the second hour before they left, a member signed for 2 elders, so Elder Menocasl and I went over, and ended up administering to these 2 sisters.  I anointed for Maria and actually gave the blessing of healing for Gabriela.  Usually don´t get to nervous, but i don’t know, maybe the fact that she was a model and my age . . or the fact that the Profet has giving me a commandment to not even flirt with girls!  But during the blessing I focused on what the Spirit told me.  At one point there was a lot of silence.  But in the end it was really cool.  I said some things that I thought were pretty weird at the time, but after finishing, the mother looked at me and said wow. What words you spoke!  That was just what she needed!  So both were inactive,  but they have come back.

I hope most of that made sense.

I love the Packers though.  They are amazing.

This week was consejo de los lideres.  A reunion held at the first of ever month for the ZLs.  And seeing as I am a new zone leader . . o what, I didn’t tell you?  Yes, Elder Boisados and I are the office Zone Leaders.  We are zone leaders over the assistants!  And have 7 companionships in total.  Cool.


Consejo was all day Tuesday, ending with dinner at Presidentes house.  There were only 3 new zls this transfer, which is low.  But it was so fun, so cool, So MUCH learning and being fed spiritually from Presidente Avila.  It was nice to see that from him again. Because talking about scheduling and visas with him doesn’t leave a whole ton of room for the things of spiritual nature.  But it was amazing.

Then that night I stressed myself out so much.  So many problems. Trying to get ready for my first run solo at doing documents with the elders.  With 5 elders we did police records and change or address.  In the end, it went Wonderful, it really did.  But that night doing the last minute preparations  (and it’s a ton of preparations!) and finding out the car didn’t have gas, then the assistants went for 30 minutes around Mendoza at 10:30 pm looking for gas, but the amazing economy and planning left every single gas station empty . . .  lots of problems, but there’s always solutions and things went wonderful.

So Elder Allen and Huntington and I and are now ZL.  That’s fun.

A general conference follow up.  I loved it so much.  I can’t tell you how in love I am with General Conference.  Sister Dalton’s talk was fantastic.  Just makes you want to get married.  Holland brought out his cane in priesthood.  Loved it!!!!  Loved the  ‘hey ole’ people, GO ON MISSIONS part!’  So the young boys don’t have to be secretaries! But then I loved when Elder Cook in the titanic story, mentioned the mission secretary.  That made me feel all warm inside, and know that that was for me.  The Lord inspired him to include that detail, so small. But in my position, I am learning so much.

Personal Study has gotten a lot better.  Dad, I already made that list. And this week, there were a lot more minutes of P study.  And I also have ramped up my language study too. I accept for my first 3 transfers, I don’t think I have ever prayed so hard and intensely for the Gift of Tongues than when I have been with Elder Boisados.   Ask and work and ye shall receive.  I certainly have.  Sometimes the words to just play with unroll off my tongue and it is an amazing feeling.  I love improving my mendocino accento.  And learning new words.  Always learning new words.

I thought huge themes in conference were it’s never too late to come back; repentance, so much repentance; world vs Church; and trials and tribulations.  Such good conference.

Well I would love to keep typin, but we must go.  Miracles await us. The Lord sees us thrust in our sickle in the offices, and then blesses us in the field.

So off we go.  That picture is in Presidente’s house.  And the asado barley.  And on Presidente balcony. Had the most amazing talk there with an Elder Jacobs.  He opened my mind.  

listo.

I love you all.

Elder Ostler  

That is about the most apostasy I've ever heard of.

So here we go again.  One more week ending.  One more starting.

Fine mom, I’ll answer your questions.  No, Fernando didn't really remember me.  Only 20 showed up because, things are never set until they happen.  Mostly just because people don't get visas.  And I guess Salt Lake and Mexico City wait until the last minute and then tell us.

I was a Junior, I think.  ONLY BOY! I was the only dude intern.  I consider that as a plus.  What an experience you have Harrison.  The only thing I did wrong as an Intern, (or at least the only thing that matters, looking back on it) is that I didn't write it in my journal.  I had So Many cool experiences.  But they weren't written down, and thus forgotten.  So I plead with you.  After every session.  Write it in your journal.  Will you do that?  Just 3 sentences works.  But you got a leave a record.  You just gotta.  What if Nephi hadn't left a record.  Get it?  What if John never wrote anything down.

This is the first english keyboard I’ve typed on since the MTC.  (I’m at a different computer) and I’m so confused right now!  Everythings not where it should be.

So sweet.  Love it Harry Boy.  I hope you’re preparing for our wrestling match when I grace the Tri Cities.  I weigh 169 with proselyting clothes on.  So BRING IT.  I ran 2 miles this morning.  You’re great Harrison.  Wishing you were here.

Mom I don't know what to answer when you say . . want anything.   Need anything?  Because the truth is nope.  I’m well well cared for. Always bring my smile.  Well fed.  Have clothes.  Have people in Argentina that love me.  Have good companions and pench mates.

The Harveys just walked in.  Hermana  Zepedas still here.  My comp helped me give her a blessing yesterday.  After conference.  I have been giving a lot of blessings lately.  Love it.  I don't become so scared anymore.  Dad remember that first time at BYU that I gave a blessing to a girl I was home teaching?  I remember calling you, twice I think, and I was just terrified!  I was shaking!  You gave me the best counsel ever.  I remembering writing it down and pegaring it to my wall.  I read it over and over.  And prayed for help.  Giving that blessing was such a cool experience.  And now I’m doing it no problem in a different language!  Crazy progress.

Did I answer all the questions mother??  Are we all satisfied.

Ok, well it was General Conference, So here’s my General Conference email.

I went into conference hungry.  The gas tank was literally on empty.  I prayed and prepared myself.  And the Lord blessed me.  I received a lot more than just 25 cents found on the side of the road.  The first talk was mine. I know God had Me in mind as He inspired Elder Scott to pen those words.  It was a talk about the Scriptures.  Memorizing scriptures.  To calm an agitated soul, to refresh.  Which is just what I need.

In the oficina, study is a little harder.  It is not the set 8-10, 2 hour study block that other missionaries get.  Quite the contrary.  And especially transfers week.  I’m doing a goals sheet and among many other things, specifically keeping track of my Personal Study minutes. And last week there were 4 days I didn't have my personal study! That is about the most apostasy I’ve ever heard of!  A Missionary not personal studying!  While I should study every day from 8 to 10, sometimes there are other things to be attended to, and study gets pushed aside.  Then it is up to me to pull away from secretary and personal study during the day.  Ok way too much on that.  But I need to work on that!  And maybe I won’t be so empty next time!  So that talk was for me.  Loved it!

I loved the talk about how the church will fill the earth by Elder Clayton.  And he specifically mentioned Argentina several times.  So cool!  Represent.

And a Second temple in Provo!!!  Are you kidding me!!  I fell off my chair.  I can't believe it!  Now I’ll have 2 favorite date spots at the Y. Hahah just kidding.

I want to go the temple so bad.  The desire intensifies.  As President Monson announced all those new temples . . . O I just want to go.

I loved the old crows talk, Elder Packer.  Fabulous.  Lucifer will lose.  It is so nice to hear and believe that.  Because with my mortal eyes here in Mendoza, it certainly looks like he’s winning!

And yes Mom, what about that Uchtdorf talk.  An open your mind talk. I loved this line . .  he did not let their disrespect to anger him. . . that was also for me.  Because I get ancy these days when people are so blatant to reject us.  To not even shake my hand.  It angers me.  I am learning that isn't the way to go.  Be more kind, more loving.  Not yell at people in english after they pass us without even looking at us.  Ok I’ve only done that a couple times.

I love Elder Christofferson’s line.  When Profets call repentance, it throws cold water on the party.

Yes, Dad I did love and cherish Elder Waddells talk.  The Lord knows exactly where each missionary needs to serve.  That statement of truth really impacted me.

Ok I must tell you one thing so funny.  Elder Lounsberry and I have become good friends.  Really good friends.  He was at BYU with me. No Mom, I never met him.  So during Elder Anderson’s talk he looks at me with the most frustrated smile and says this.  Last conference they told us to get married.  And now they’re telling us to have kids!!! We are still laughing about that.  

Back to my home computer, got kicked off the other.  So yes, it was SO FUNNY!   Elder Lounsberry is such a capo.. and I love him.  I think we will be comps soon.

de verdad.  I was hardly with my real comp Elder Boisados this week. Transfer week is like that.  I was comps with everyone from some newbies that came to Presidente Avila.  We were comps for a few hours as we went to airport.  Then we drove home 20 minutes solos. Pretty cool.

I worked so hard last week.  Just in charge of so many organizational things.  Getting 18 people and all their bags to the terminal.  And then coming back and taking all the rest, the ones who live here in Greater Mendoza.  . .  just to mention one thing.

I don’t think I’ll even try to describe transfer week.  Just insane.  Long hours.  Not much preaching.  But when we went out, I love it.  Even though I was sick.  We had the coolest miracle.

The morning started out obviously with a shower, but at 7:45 we left with Elder Kammerman and got lost on our way to immigrations.  Mendoza city planners probably had a good laugh.  There are 2 streets Balcarce about 5 blocks away from each other.  So that was an adventure.  Then my friends at Migraciones gave me a hard time as I presented 7 visas to be renewed.  That’s always fun.  But they did it.

Then we went to pick up some other important documents from RENAR.  Then Elder Christenson and I, the new financeiaro, went to the bank and hooked ourselves up with 7 mil pesos.  Nice.

The day continued to go.  I ate fiambre for lunch, and learned about programming from Elder Lounsberry.  At 3 we had a staff meeting with President etc.  Then we tired to leave at 4, but it was impossible.  The meeting went late, and then at 4:30, Elders called with a pench break in report.  My comps in charge of that . . . you get the point.  Finally we left the offices and went to the pench to plan a bit.  Elder Lounsberry and Falcon were there planning too.  We were all SO TIRED.  I was absolutely beat.  If I hadn’t been wearing the plac, I so would have been in bed.  But that’s where Men are made, in moments like those.  And I realized that, and animated everyone to get out in the campo blanco and thrust in our sickle.  On top of being incredibly tired and Wasted, especially and mostly because it was transfers week . . newbies .  . . oldies.  Getting to bed late, waking up early . . . I was also feeling sick.  Sick to my stomach.  Achy body.  It was so hard to leave, but we did.  It was a wonderful experience.  I had chosen an area to go to , remember it was our 2nd day working in the area. So we went.  With good intentions in my heart, I tried to saludar so many gente.  I invited so many people to participate in Eternal Life, living with God forever.  But hardly a soul stopped and talked to us.  I tried to smile.

It was a very hard 3 hours.  But there were some good parts.  It was all good, really good for me, but I mean there were some rays of sunlight.  We weren’t knocking too many doors, but when my comp mentioned a stature of Jesus and el sagrado Corazon, I had to knock it.  An older lady opened up.  I pulled a hymn book out of each back pocket and told him to look for Mas Cerca Dios de Ti.  And we sang it to here.  She loved it.

About 4 houses later, I glimpse a lady closing here window from the inside.  2 seconds later we would have missed her.  I told her Hola!  She was so close to not listening to us, but she did.  I did what I leaned in my Personal Study and bore my testimony about the Libro de Mormon.  It was incredible. She opened the front door and came out!  She accepted the book, and showed real interest.  I was so excited.  My comp taught here a little, we wrote down her number and all her datos.  Her name is Beky Quiroga.  It was truly a miracle in my eyes.  And such a blessing.

The rest of the night continued on.  I felt sicker and sicker.  We walked a lot.  And for the general, people were not listing.  So Disrespectful.  They don’t understand anything.  Sometimes I would start talking in English, after getting rejected, or just brushed off.  That was fun.  Some of those people will really burn in hell.  And for me, hell is the Terrestrial kingdom, because you won’t be living with your Father.  They don’t understand.  Satan has them fooled so good.  They reject me, they reject Christ.  O it makes me sick.

But I am thankful for the opportunity to share the gospel.  I love being a missionary.  And am glad I left the pench yesterday.  Choices like that make me stronger.  They are wonderful moments, and priceless memories to look back on.

Upon returning to the pench, I showered and put myself in bed early.  And didn’t wake up till 10!  I feel slightly better now.  Sleeping really helped.  I noticed my fever break at about 1 or 2 am.  The key indicator was that I was covered in sweat.  Drenched.  I didn´t have the best night’s sleep, but from about 7-10 slept just great!

My job is to Declare Repentance.

And now its conference.  I have never been more excited to learn from conference.  In many ways I feel as if my tank is on EMPTY.  Like I got nothing left.  I pray that I will be filled.  That I will be made whole.  I am prepared for a Spiritual Feast.  Looking back on Yesterday I know that the Lord blessed me with the Gift of Tongues.  I want so badly to speak better.  I have really been praying for the Gift of Tongues.  Sometimes the words and conjugations just flow.  Yesterday evening was one of those times. 

So yes we are in a different area and barrio.  Alright Elder Lounsberry tells me We Got to Get Outta HERE.

So chau.  I guess we’re going to some Israelite restaurant.  I’ll think of Ahmed.  Go Egypt!

Also before I go, I do not recommend living out of your suitcases.  It plain out stinks!!!

But the pench got cleaned out so good by us today.  You don’t even want to know the kind of things we found.  But finally we’ve invited the spirit back in.  And also, I’m moving into a different bedroom and a different shelf space.  That’s life.  We got to go get some Israelite food!

Love, Elder Ostler

I recognized it as a house I once knocked.

Family.  I formally start my loving email to all of YOU.  The Fam.  la verdad.  I loved so much the triple team lawn mowers picture.  It was inspiring.  Also I just can’t get over that 3rd picture.  

That's my life.

Lets start about the work.  Preaching the Gospel en Estanzuela.  We found some really good people.  One woman is so prepared, her name is Isla.  She that very day had been praying and asking God to show her la senda.  To show her the path she needs to follow.  During the lesson I was on a little stool thing and was kinda enjoying teaching and was leaning back a little.  I wasn’t obeying the 4 on the floor rule. When all of a sudden, I was on the ground!  I snapped that stool right in half!  It was a good laugh for all.

Pedro, a recent convert, just a capo, has a daughter who is so receptive.  Marcela.  We went to their house and taught them, and it was wonderful.  We watched como haller fe en cristo.  I cannot get over the fact that Jesus Christ walked on water.  He Walked On Water.  And He is our God.  Our Savior.  And we owe him everything. por lo menos, we can at least keep His Commandments.  And we can Earnestly pray for a Change of Heart.

Even as a Missionary I have to do that.

Isn’t it just great being alive?  Breathing air, running, jumping, seeing, doing, overcoming, being?  And it’s a beautiful day.

It really is. Everyday for the past while has been marvelous.  And today we did our last Run as an office crew.  We went father than 5K and I ran with Elder Ivie.  It was a wonderful way to begin the day.

This week we attended 2 servicios bautismales.  The first one was for 2 little 8 year old princess that were baptized.  There were a ton of people there!  More than were at church the next day.  And it was a great missionary opportunity.  I was able to sit before the service with some nonmembers and teach them.  Teach them how to receive Revelation from God.  Because I realized this week that that is what I really do.

The Second service was a Miracle.  You see the story starts way back.  Back when I was in Sarmiento.  I remember knocking doors one day in Huarpus.  A joven, almost Asian looking opened up.  As I started to share my message he cut me off and said.  No thanks........

O wow.  I thought. I was at a loss for words. So about 3 weeks ago Elder Ivie and Elder Hoggard start to tell all of us about this Miracle. How this man named Fernando found them, and how they started teaching him.  How he fulfilled Every commitment they gave him. They would tell us about how this man had true ganas to repent and be baptized, how he was giving up his sins.  The struggles, the miracles, the blessings.  It was all really cool to hear about.

He was golden and had a date for this week, the 24.  Elder Hoggard and Ivie went out of town to do divisións in Malargue and sent us to Fernando’s house to strengthen him, because he was having the biggest struggle against the cigarette.  As we approached his house I recognized it as a house I once knocked, and also a house that rejected me.  It was amazing to enter this house, meet and teach Fernando.  And after that lesson, he didn’t smoke, and hasn’t smoked another cigarette.  It was nothing I did. It was just a true miracle.  We attended his servicio bautismal this Saturday, and it was so special. Me and Fernando are way good friends.  

In fact, here's a picture of him.

Above, I forgot to mention that in the baptism of the 2, 8 year olders, we sang.  Better said, 3 misioneras and Elder Boisados and I sang Cuando yo me bautice.  It was good, off pitch alot, but one of the hermanas and I carried us through.  Really special moment.

But you want to know what the specialist moment of my week was?

It was reading DyC122 with Hermana Zepeda.  So here’s a just add water version.

She has gone through A LOT in the mission.  From Honduras, and only miembro en la familia.  She’s had some ankle problems and has been with us here in the offices.  You know she’s the one I rolled home on the swirly chair?  This week I got wind that she might have to go home.  O I was so sad for her.  Then on Friday she came into the offices and she told me.  Hey, I might be going home.  I just want to die.  That was the gist of the conversation.  I finished lunch and acted.

She was sitting in with Hermana Packer, I brought in 2 triples and told her to look for DyC 122.  And I told here, Hey Hermana Zepeda, we got to read this right now!

The next 15 minutes were so special.  We started with vs 1, reading uno cada uno.  And it was just perfect.  It was exactly what she needed, I know.  When she hit the middle of vs 6 she started to cry. But vs 7 is my favorite.  She cried and cried and let it all out.

Hermana Packer didn’t understand everything, but was probably wondering what in the world I was doing.  We talked about Humility and someterse a la voluntad del Padre.  We talked about being strong and being happy, and how God really and truly knows her circumstance and feelings, but that He will test her and put her through trials but not so she can suffer, rather, que todas estas cosas te serviran de experiencia, y seran para tu bien.  The spirt was so strong.

It was probably the best lesson I taught all week!  haha there I included a foto.  That’s when she made us some lunch hace dos semanas atras.  

So now for transfers.  It’s been quite the week of preparation, and getting greengas legal to leave this grand pais.  We had to do some extra tramites for them.  And now my only worry is the chilenos leaving.  Just making sure they have the right documents, and everythings updated and paid.  But just in case, I had a sobre with mil pesos to take to the airport, por las dudas.

But this morning was stressful for me.  All the oldies came in.  And also I have to be in charge of  receiving all the news.  21 of them!  For example, how are we getting the luggage from the airport, how are we getting them form the airport to President’s house.  And then the really big question was where are they sleeping the fist night!!!??  Just basically a ton of things to think of and do.

Administrative work.  Fun fun fun!

I absolutely loved the letters that Sister Harvey brought me!  And 32 gigs of memory!!  Dang.  You’re nuts mom.  Don’t you dare send me one more gig of empty memory to fill.  But don’t worry, I love taking pictures.  I went on a rampage this week.  Dad your letter was wonderful.  And mother, your testimony part I loved.

And always I love reading about Ahmed.  I’d love a picture.  And remember Ahmed.  Walk like an Egyptian.

I am such a comedian, I just know.  Meeting the Harveys was good. They brought REECES!!!

Harrison, I love that you are having such an amazing time.  Date date! Keep it up.  Don’t worry about using some of my ideas, I can speak for Casey and say that we are honored.  Most of those ideas came out of RHS portable, 6th hour calculus class with Mr. Smith.  So keep it up Harrison, you’re just a great kid.  But please don’t throw the piano out the window.

Yesterday we ate lunch (ASADO!) with a family so fun.  It was one of the few few houses that I have seen a piano in.  And the 22 year old just ripped it up!  He’s kinda alejared from the iglesia a bit, but he created a masterpiece with his hands.  He plays blues. He plays even better than dad.  O my gosh, it was so inspiring.  I want to be a bluesist!  So keep practicing, because he told me to play, and I was so sad that I couldn’t sit down and throw down something great.  So PRACTICE!  Remember,  Discipline weighs ounces, Regret weighs tons.  

O so did I mention that I’m getting Transferred?  Crazy huh.  Ok ok I’m still the lone secretary. But I’m talking areas.  I’m no longer in Estanzuela.

Juntos with Elder Boisados, we are washing yet another area! sincerar is a better word.  President wants us to work mas cerca to the offices. So we are washing Godoy Cruz Centro.  I wake up every morning and am in my area.  Thats nice!  The last 2 missionaries in GC Centro were hermanas.  A pair of dying hermanas.  I take both of them to the airport tomorrow.  And we are not the only 2 elders in this area.  We are washing it with even more power, because the 2 assistants are doing it with us.  Elder Burr and . . .  just guess who the new assistant is.  Elder Menocal!  Remember him?  The one I did divisións in Chimbas and just loved it!!?  Put on the party hats because it’s going to be a party.  

despedimos el barrio estanzula ayer.  fue bueno.  nos quierian mucho. Our ward mission leader Jobino is Such a Stud. I want to be just like him.  Lito. lito.

I love the talk by Elder Eyring, O Ye that Embark.  I feel that happening in my mission.  I am being required to do more things, and to be better, but I am not left alone.  The Lord blesses me more and more and more.  Sometimes I get down, but I always must lift myself back up.

I am going to explode this transfer.  I am going to put so many goals, and just be the best I can be.  I’m going to fly.

I know the Church is True.  And I Love Amanda.  I know that the Book of Mormon is True.  I know  I know and I know that Joseph Smith was a profeta de Dios.  I know that any person on earth can ask God and be answered.  God is the Giver.  God will answer.  You just got to follow the steps!  And it is so important to have un deseo verdadero.

Life is good.  I want you to know that I love being here in Mendoza.  It teaches me so much.  I love driving the streets of Mendoza.  I love taking with the people of Mendoza. I love being a missionary.  And I’m breathing it in, because my time is o so short.  I am enjoying every minute.  Even the bad days are good.

When I entered the offices, someone pushed Fast Forward.

I’m still looking for the Rewind button.  But its just gotta be there!

Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

You better believe it.

Love Elder Ostler

I might be able to send a little bit more later today.  

But just know that President changed our P day.  For us crew in the offices, we will take p day el dia sabado.

So send me something by Saturday, because I’ll be a responding.  It’s supposed to be like that.  I’ll be a responding.  

haha

And imagine. . . I go home at 9:30pm. The real jokers and sinners are just waking up then!

Part 2

To answer your question, it’s not the church’s call.  A year ago Argentina switched up some laws and stopped issuing 2 year visas.  a fin de que they could make more money!  Because with a 2 year visa you only pay once.  But now we have to pay twice.  Believe me, if we could do a 2 year visa we would.  But Argentina doesn’t know how to work their finances, . . .  la la la - you get it.  

It used to be that I lived for Pday,

but now I live for Preaching.

It is interesting to note the stark difference and contrast in culture that Amanda and I are faced with.  I have a letter here with me from weeks ago that she wrote home, and when I read it, O, I just loved loved it. Let me quote her.  “O the world is so sad.  I honestly can't stand it anymore.  I just can't . . . wickedness wickedness wickedness.  I can’t stand it anymore.”

You know here in Estanzueal I have felt the same way.  Instead of bashing us or putting anti stuff in our hands, many people here couldn’t care less.  I try to saludar everyone I walk past, and many times everyday people don’t even respond.  They treat us as if we don’t exist.  We knock their door, open their window to look out and then give us the waggin’ finger.  So many people with no social skills, no manners.  They just don’t understand.

Most people love to look for deals or sales or ofertas, lower prices and all that jazz.  And here we are, Elder Boisados and I, Amanda and Sister Wallace, offering something FREE.  It costs absolutely nothing! It is Eternal Life.  And people reject it.  They don’t want it.  They won’t even listen, won’t even look at us.  Elder Boisados and I have talked alot about this, how screwed up the world is.  How sinful it is, and it all starts with individuals.  With little wrong decisions that lead to big personal apostasies.  I loved when Amanda talked about how so many of Gods children won’t even listen to their Father.

The Family is So Important.  It is where we learn manners and respect.  Something that is so faulting in Argentina.

So yeah, I’m with Amanda on that one.  Being in the streets all the days allows you to see how the world really is.  Not just cooped up in the Tricities.  Or living in BYU.  And imagine . . I go home at 9:30PM. The real jokers and sinners are just waking up then!!!  I had quite the experience the other week teaching such a wicked man. It opened my eyes so wide as to how awful sin is, and how much power and minions the devil has.

But we are stronger.  We are better.  We have the Priesthood.  And we will win.  Wickedness never was happiness.

Happiness is only found in accepting and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Really living it.  Making it a part of you.  Actually remembering the Savior Jesus Christ durante la semana.  Actually trying every day to follow Him.  Become more like Him.

That is happiness.  It’s not cosmetic happiness either, it’s real happiness. 

Out of the hundreds of people we have talked with in Estanzuela, only 2 have truly accepted our message.  And they are Teresa and Fernando.  We have visited them many times and shared many important truths with them.  Teresa is amazing, and has showed both us and the Lord fruits of Repentance.  Like I said, one week without smoking.  And this is a woman who has smoked 30 years.  It is amazing to see a soul coming to Christ and actually repenting.  I dream of moments like these.

We taught her in depth the Restoration this week and she doubted. We had her pray every night about the Book of Mormon, seeing as that is the only way anyone will ever get an answer, an answer that only comes por el poder del Espiritu Santo.  God is the Giver and has been giving her the answer.  The thing is that she has not been recognizing it. We asked her how she felt when she prayed.  She said she felt very much at peace.  And she felt like all her problems went away and felt tranquila.  We showed her that that is her answer.  And I think she is recognizing it.   She also loves the hymns.  We sing in every lesson, and in a lesson we had with the members, a sister le regaló un himnario.  It was wonderful.

Fernando is struggling, and we are doing all we can to help him.  The pull of sin and of Satan is strong, but I know he can overcome. Repentance is always possible.  It is really the only way. I like when Amanda said, I need to repent . . but thats a good thing!!  That’s how I put my will in line with Gods!

O isn’t Amanda just great.  Through her simple letters, she teaches me so much.  I actually apply what I learn from her letters when teaching.  l think about what she says, and what she is learning.  Like loving inactives back. That was cool.  We did that 2 this week.  Had lessons with inactives and instead of calling them to repentance with the scriptures and la la la, we just loved them, like Amanda taught me. And talked with them.

And one experience it was so cool, because after passing many open doors Sunday evening, it was killing me, so I went up and sang, not really sang, just hollered in a house, and the lady let us in.  The Lord sent us to that house and this inactive member really needed us.  We gave her and her brother (who actually is visiting Argentina from Australia) blessings.  I gave the brother a blessing, and he was bald. That was new.  Just strait up giving a blessing to a bald guy.  He had the craziest Australian English accent.  

A miracle happened Sunday.  We had a visiting area 70.  Elder Resek. I know God sent him to our little barrio to help us out.  He wasn’t scheduled to speak, but after the final speaker sat down he stood up. And with so much love called our ward to action.  To repentance. And EVERYONE felt it.  This was what he said.

Members, what the missionaries did at the beginning of the reunino, announcing and organizing an activity, is not their job.  That’s your job. They are like humidity, they just kind of get into everything, and do everything.  Soon they’ll be helping your kids out with their math homework!  But that’s not their job.  That’s your job.  He called to members to action, but with so much love it was incredible.  I can’t do it justice.  Just a huge man, who with so much leadership quality invited our ward to do their visitas.  To be home teachers and visiting teachers.  O Hallelujah.  It is what I have been praying for.  Something to happen, anything so the ward does something.  The church in Mendoza is asleep.  And I’m trying to wake them up!  But an area 70 does it so much better!!  So much power and authority.

Then in the pench on Sunday I just went off.  And offered my strong opinion on the church in Argentina.  It was a great discussion.  I know the obra misional would really get moving if the members would just wake up.

Here’s some great pictures to enjoy.  The first is me with a maple de huevos I bought last week.  And this morning I make the best omelet, and I put katup on everything.  Bytheway that’s the street I live on. The house is like 150 meters behind me.

There was a stake service project this week, and it was so fun!  I’ve always wanted a helping hands thing, and finally got one.  We sanded, painted and I chopped down a tree.  I probably put more paint on my pants than I did on the wall.  It was a GC stake activity and out of 8 wards, we only had 120 people .  Real sad.  But I had a blast.  In the green is Elder Boisados and in the white is Elder Lounsberry.  The flaco is Elder Kammerman.

The last picture I took this morning from right outside my pench. Sunrise.

Well it’s been nice.

Learn something in school.

Love, 

Elder Ostler