Trunk Day

Dear Family,

I didn't think this day would come. This past week has been a somber one as we've taught investigators for the last time. For some time it has been quite a distressing thought. I didn't think the mission would end, regardless of the obvious reality that it would. This has been the hardest, best, most defining experience of my life - to date. It's sad to see it end.

 

And yet, my friends here on the mission have been a great influence on me. "Don't get sad - get glad!" is what they say. It has made me think of the Dr. Suess book, "Oh the Places You'll Go" - a personal favorite. One of the strongest engines of success is attitude.

 

I'm excited to see you all, to catch up on all of the news, and to fill you in on 2 years worth of experiences that the last 105 emails just doesn't cover....but first, I'm going to savor the last 3 hours of proselyting that I'll have - tonight.

 

The rest of the mission will then a whirl of activities.

 

Monday - Pack,  then 6:00pm to 9:00pm proselyte

 

Tuesday - 9:00am, be at the mission home, go to the temple, meet with a career specialist, parting words from President and Sister Gelwix.

 

Wednesday - 4:00am, airport - 10:10pm arrive in Miami International.

 

 

See you all soon.

 

Love,

 

Elder Ostler

Taking it week by week

Dear family,

So... Elder Smalley left. Off to Culiacan, Mexico.

Things are finally getting back to their normal pace. We still go into Fresno seemingly every other day which makes it a bit more difficult to baptize, nevertheless we are going to do it.

I was pleased to see Dad in his baptismal clothing. (My dad baptized someone.) Last week, we invited President Gelwix to come out with us to teach a lady by the name of Cynthia Moreno. She has been progressing incredibly rapidly during the last 3 weeks. It has been something wonderful to see. Actually, about 3 weeks ago, she was not anywhere near baptism. But then we had these incredible lessons. The Spirit bore powerful testimony to her. 

She will be baptized the 7th of April. More to come.

I hope that you all know that you are loved. I do think about you - but now, it isn't something distracting but rather encouraging.

Continue onward.

The California Fresno Mission motto:

Never Surrender!

Never Quit!

No Regrets!

Love ya,

Elder Ostler

An unexpected change

Dear family,

I have but little time to write. I'm being transferred to the Fresno West zone. I'm doing my best to be excited about this, because I really loved this area. However, just as I told Elder Burnett, "Even Christ was transferred." Am I right or am I right?

 

I also really enjoyed serving along side Elder Burnett. He is like a brother to me.

 

I am being transferred to Madera 3rd West ward to serve as a zone leader there in the Fresno West zone. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me.

 

I promise that I will get better at writing longer letters.

 

Love you family,

Elder Ostler

To those who so look forward to David's letters, sorry, he wrote me a longer letter than the rest of the family, and yes, it was quite personal, so bugger off.

A Wonderful week

Dear Family,

This week... ahh. I'm not sure exactly what is going on, but I - dear family, love my life. Honestly, I'm not really sure as to what's going on.

Wait - that isn't exactly true. I read a talk that was all in all incredible. Actually, it was exactlywhat I needed. It is called "the Fourth Missionary" - explaining the four different groups of missionaries: their choices, and the concequences which inevitably follow.

 

I am not sure if you have sensed it - if it is even possible to sense (via email) - fully how I have felt about the mission. This has been the most important part of my life thus far.

 

 Dear reader, I can't really explain the feelings that accompany this work - it is truly a roller-coaster. There is so much unseen opposition. So many invisible forces at play here.

 

On entering the mission field, my thoughts were completely self-centered:

"I am giving 2 years of my life to do church stuff. I like to do what I like to do, but I'll endure the 2 years that God requires and then I'll go back, and everything will be normal."

 

The prior mentioned talk explains a very interesting and highly important aspect - one very often overlooked.

The 1st Missionary: Doesn't obey mission rules - thinks of himself as a 'free-thinker'; either goes home or is sent home for misconduct;

     Consequence: lives contrary to the way of happiness - not changed (for the better) by his mission

 

The 2nd Missionary: Doesn't obey - stays all of his mission, but the good he could have done is left undone 

     Consequence: lives contrary to the way of happiness - not changed (for the better) by his mission

 

---------------------------- There is a line drawn here for emphasis

 

The 3rd Missionary: Conforms his will to all the rules - lives according to the way of happiness - feels the Spirit in large measure in his life; does much good but in conforming his will to God, he separates what the Lord wants to him to do from what he wants to do;

    Consequence: Is not changed by his mission.

 

 

If you would, I'd like you to read "the Fourth Missionary" - because I haven't the time to write out the talk - neither am I as eloquently straight forward as he (insert author's name that I cannot remember). But the important thing to realize is that - the Fourth missionary works through the pouring rain and the blistering sun. He feels the discouragement just as anyone else. He isn't a fanatic.

The difference is that he gives more than just his might and strength. He gives is heart. And in doing that, he decides to give render his will to God. He says, "Lord, I'll do whatever you tell me to do."

 

Dear family, I'm working on it.

 

I love you so much.

 

We're off right now to help Rafael Esparza Arreola to get his grades up so that he can get baptized.

 

Love,

Elder Ostler

 

What really happens is that--and here is where the message ends folks! I know! He just loves giving us cliff hangers!

Mighty Miracles

Dear Family,

wonderful news! Since before I arrived here in Ceres, we've been working with some people that live here in Keyes - a boy named Dwayn Gomez, 12 years old, (whose abuela es miembro), and Luz Maria's (miembro, menos activo) kids (Rafael - 13 years old, Vivian - 10 years old, Zulema - 9 years old) - who aren't members.

Dwayn was always a problematic - he didn't like us. He would hide and say bad things about us.... and his neighbors (Luz Maria's kids) would always do things to get around any commitments that we would extend. Now, under the given circumstances, you might ask... why are you extending baptismal invitations to 9 year olds? Well, we felt really strongly that it was necessary.

Anyway, something happened in January. To this day we are unsure as to how it happened. All we know is that the Lord changed the heart of Dwayn Chavez.... attached is a picture of Dwayn (center) - which took place last night! (5 Feb. 2012)

 

The baptism that followed was one of the best I've ever seen. There were well over 60 people there.

However, the hearts of Rafael, Vivian, and Zulema remained the same.... that is, until last night. After Dwayn's baptism, we had the post baptism celebration (with food, desserts, etc.).

As I sat down at the table next to them, on her own volition Vivian said, "that was the first baptism I've ever seen! Now that I've seen one, I want to be baptized!"

"Yeah, me too!" Zulema piped in.

I sat there, stunned - unnable to fully comprehend the change that just taken place. A few moments later, as I came to myself, I finally bursted out with "when?"

"Oh, next Sunday."

Later that evening, Rafael was asking Elder Burnett if you had to part your hair to go on a mission.

I just want you to know, Family, that the Lord is pouring out rich blessings upon our area. This last week, we had over 130 people at church - 13 of which were our investigators.

I love you family.

Elder Ostler

(nothing clever here folks! read on...)

Dear President Gelwix,
Whew! I have to say that that was a wonderful session of Stake Conference! The influence of the Spirit definitely was there in great abundance - it was powerful to me to feel the buzz that happened directly after the meeting... it was almost a game of "Where are Missionaries" - people that I'd never met before were coming up to us and asking us... almost begging us to come over and meet with them. People that weren't even in our area! Whew! It was a blast!

It definitely made me want to better the way I teach the ATM lesson, that's for sure. President, this last week for us was hard - both of our baptismal dates fell through!!! And they were SOLID! They didn't fall through and die... they just have had their dates pushed back a bit. Other than that, I can't even truly express what is going on with the work right now. People are LITERALLY coming out of the woodwork - it is all we can do to keep up with all of the investigators that we have, not to mention the recent converts. Honestly, if we wanted to, we could spend all day every day working with them, literally.

Elder Burnett and I have been discussing what we're going to have to do in order to make sure that we keep our focus on baptizing... not just being 'stewards' if you will. This upcoming month in February, President, we're going to be baptizing. What we're looking at right now is that if we can get 4, we can get 6. So my own personal goal is 6.

We're flat out sprinting, President. I'm so happy right now. It is hard - however, it is true: Enthusiasm is a great engine of success. If you want things to happen, you have to commit yourself all the way. I'm still learning so much about this area... Elder Burnett is so great a coordinating how we work it.

I love so much, President!

Love,
Elder Ostler

 

This is my President's letter.

 

I couldn't write more.

 

SOrry!!

An Incredibly Instructive Week

Dear Family,

This week was something crazy. Last Monday was a normal one - we did our chores, cleaned the apartment, washed the car, then at 5 we went off to have dinner with our Elders Quorum President - Hno. Ruiz... etc etc. Then Tuesday - we had District Meeting in Turlock, where I split with my companion, Elder Burnett, so that we could supervise both districts. Our District Leaders - I have to brag about them a bit. I love them a lot. The first one is Elder Roberts - a brilliant missionary; has been having a tiny bit of difficulty figuring out exactly what it means to have those added responsibilities, but I love him to death.

The next one is Elder Smith - yes, the very same Elder Smith that trained me. He is the older brother that I never had.

 

(Elder Black & Elder Ostler)

I went to Elder Smith's District Meeting - which was highly instructive. He is the brother I never had. In my book - he is truly a multiplier (for more information, visit:www.multiplierbook.com). Following the meeting, I went on exchange with him to his area (the Turlock 6th Branch). They're working hard... however the last missionaries (who were super-committed) just didn't leave them anything that was progressing.

 

Quick side note: It turns out that one of the people that they have been working with was somebody that we found whilst we were on exchanges last year. His name is Guillermo.

 

Anyway, Wednesday at around 3:30 pm, we piled back into the car and were off to our training in Fresno - with Liz Wiseman. Ahhh... it was so brilliant.

What's more, she asked - "is there an Elder....Elder Ostler in the room? Yes, did your grandpa go to BYU then go to Harvard Business?

To which I replied, "Why yes - yes indeed."

To which she said, "Yes, he sent me such a wonderful email about how I visited his grandson's mission, and it had a wonderful impact on him."

That - that, was super awesome! I could have leaped 5 feet into the air.

 

Anyway, moving on, we are working right now with Elsa Gonzalez, as well as getting Dwayn Chavez baptized - this month. Here in Ceres, we have some really great prospects as far as the work is concerned - we will baptize!

 

Well, I am attaching my letter to President, to you all.

 

Love you muchly,

Elder Ostler

 

 

My Letter to President Gelwix: 

Dear President Gelwix,

I can't even begin to describe how instructive this last week has been. I have been deeply impressed by the things that I have learned from Sister Wiseman at such a profound level.

To me, it was definitely a testimony strengthener, you might say. A secular proof, if you will, of a spiritual truth. Truly, it is difficult to explain the exhilaration I have felt- the Spirit testifying to me, saying, "Yes, yes! These true and eternal principles."

Something - or rather, some things that stuck out to me during the training were concerning achieving goals and failure.

It led me to think - Ultimately, we do not want to fail, however, in the present time as we push for our goals, is not failure our friend? Does it not act as a corrective teacher to point out the things that we are doing well, as well as things in which we can and should improve?

This kind of  thinking has begun to completely revolutionize my mission - the way in which I interact with the missionaries I serve, the way I speak Spanish - every facet of my life!

I am truly glad that I made the decision to spend a few bucks and buy a recording device.

Well, this week we have plans to do EVERYTHING to achieve our goal of having EVERY companionship baptize. Right now, there are a couple of areas that are temporarily struggling with getting their investigators to progress, but we are aware of what is going on in Turlock.

Lo quiero mucho, Presidente!

Que este bien y que Dios lo bendiga en todo lo que hace!

Elder Ostler