An impossibly fast week...

Dear Family,

This past week has been really quite hectic. But before we get into that... the Christmas call!

 

So this is the deal. Sadly (Dad) we aren't allowed to use Skype. Neither will we be sending a Christmas Eve 2 minute call either to set things up. The way this is going to work is that President Gelwix has asked that all of the families call us at our missionary cell phones. Our number is: (for obvious reasons, I'm cutting this out, sorry guys...or should I say girls? :) ehhh ok, weird...back to David)

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited. I'm preparing a few topics that will help me to make sure that we get everything covered.

 

So, this last week, we had a baptism planned. Her name is Griselda Cabrera. She was planned to be baptized yesterday but... well, the way she put it is... she was having some "girl problems". So know we are planning to baptize her this Thursday.

 

We have been having a lot of success lately during the Christmas season. We've also received a lot of spiritually reviving training. It has been  awesome.

 

So we just went to the home of the Torres family. Their son, Manuel Torres, just returned home from his mission. As we were talking, after I told him that I was from Florida, he asked if I knew an Elder Perez, who had served as one of the Assistants in his mission.

I thought for a moment, then asked, "Elder Will Perez?"

To which he replied, "Yeah, I think that's it."

Then he ran off and grabbed an album of mission pictures. Sure enough, there it was the same Elder Perez.

 

So that is pretty awesome. I was about to send off a picture of said picture... but this Family History computer does not allow me to send/upload pictures. I then thought... hmm, what if I could find a way around this? After 2 minutes, I realized that it was pointless... too much of a time suck.

 

Well, I'll talk to you this... Sunday.

 

Love you all!

Happy Christmas!

Elder Ostler

Missionary work=intense

Dear family!

Muy Buenos Dias! I am happy to write to you and tell you of the good things that are going on in this area. This last week (as in last Saturday and Sunday) we were able to see Brandon Obregon get baptized and confirmed. It was awesome.

It was actually rather tricky as his parents didn't know how everything would work out, but in the end, the Lord provided.

This last week as well, we had Zone Leader Council. It was awesome. The spirit there is just so strong. We discussed the things that we needed to do to improve the work... what would need to happen.

 

 

O gosh...

my time is up!@

I love you all!

The calm before the storm

Dear family,

This last week has been busy....one might say 'quite' busy. We've been running around trying to get everyone situated (-this last week was transfers). This next week's itinerary looks something like this:

Monday (as in today): Preparation Day

Tuesday: District Meeting/mini-Zone meeting (to welcome all of the new-comers and set goals)

Wednesday: Zone Leader Council/begin exchanges with District Leaders

Thursday: ..... I forgot - but we do have something important

Friday: Weekly planning/ apt. checks

Saturday: ..... I forgot again... but we have something important

Sunday: The craziest day of all

So then, the next week looks even crazier! Ahhh... well, we'll live.

So things that have been happening lately - I am the Branch pianist. I'm really not sure how I got the job... since I really didn't send in any application. I think it was just that there was indeed a great need. So now, they use me for everything... it is ridiculous. I'm the choir pianist as well. We're not the best (as in... we're struggling) but we have definitely gained a lot of branch support from it.

Other news... I need new pantalones.... I'm figuring that I might as well just buy them myself as there is a Wal-Mart like 5 minutes down the road ( that really kinda kills the whole spirit of Christmas thing, doesn't it? Buying things for yourself? )

Well, so we finally set a date with Brandon Obregon for this Sunday. T'will be awesome. Or else it is this saturday. I forgot. It is in my planner.

Hmmm... we WE'RE able to see the Christmas Devotional as a matter of fact, and I must say that they've done a fabulous job with those new videos!

Preguntas? Dudas? Chistes? No?

Pues, hasta la proxima semana.

Elder Ostler

A good week!

Dear Family,

I hope that you know that these letters do not even contain a hundredth part of the going-ons of the mission. I am just inept at writing them. I'm working on keeping a good journal, however that is an On again - Off again - back On again... process.

However, I am doing my best to get on it.

We have been having pretty good success here in Ceres. We were able to have a baptism last week in the Ceres English (from the english missionaries - Elder Hall & Elder Byington). As far as our own teaching pool, it has been slightly rocky for a few of our investigators due to the inherent problems which come from living here illegally. Now I hope that this isn't taken wrong in the slightest... I have nothing against these our beloved investigators. The problem is that they have a really difficult time getting married while trying to gain citizenship. If the DO get married, things get x100 more difficult (gaining citizenship-wise). We've definitely been learning a lot more about the laws of the land than I would have ever forecasted.

I have attached a picture of the history of our mission. I thought it was interesting to note. I have had such an amazing experience here.

We are excited for another baptism which will be taking place shortly. Yes... the last picture was of Christian Rojas. The upcoming picture will soon be of Brandon Obregon... followed shortly by Griselda Trevino(?)... that is the plan.

I'm super excited for what the future has to offer in December.

I love you all!!

Elder Ostler

PS~ I am attaching my letter to Pres. Gelwix, to you... I thought it would be appropriate. Love ya!

Letter to President

 President Gelwix,

Thank you for you letter of encouragement. We are writing you with many high hopes for this upcoming month. We have been working on becoming more organized (which in part, has to do with my ability to understand and stay on top of the Zone Leader responsibilities)... I have to admit... it has been slightly tricky... but there ARE going to be miracles here in Turlock - I can feel it.

Last week, we gave some training in a mini Zone Meeting on training which we received during Zone Leader Council from Sis. Liz Wiseman and Bro. Greg Pal... and then we had them read the story of "Coach Gelwix and the Team-Captains"... after which they were all rallied up.

We talked about the importance of Setting Goals for December and Following-up. The goals which they set in their personal areas of solid people to be baptized in the month of December... came to a total of 25 baptisms as for the Turlock zone. Nobody wanted to back down from it... but most importantly, that number didn't come from us - it was theirs.

So now our job become, following up on their efforts, counselling, encouraging, and training.

We know that the Lord is with us in this!

Love,

Elder Ostler

Where does the time go?

Dear Family,

Hijole! where does the time go every week?! You've probably figured this out by now... but every week seems SOO short.

Ayyy... pues, para comenzar, .... o! No se si alguien podia ir al sitio de web que les di el otro dia.

Ojala que si.

Esta semana... mmmm... pues esta transferencia ha pasado bien rapido, pero sin embargo, he aprendido mucho. Como debo vivir. He aprendido mucho de mi companero (algo nuevo? yo digo que no).

Este viernes pasado, podiamos ver a un bautismo.... de Christian-Alexander-Leon-Rojas. Aprendi como hacer un programa de bautismo con nada mas que el printer alli en la biblioteca y un typewriter (no estoy familiarizado con el nombre de esas machinas... disculpe!). O... y una de las tarjetas que damos.

 

 It has been so awesome to see how integrated our recent convert - Jesus Vasquez has become. He is part of the family now. He even said it, cuando le dije,"No pasamos tanto como antes." me dijo, "Si, pero soy integrado de la rama. No es necesario que me visiten tanto."

 

I was stunned by his remark, but indeed I find that his comment rings true in my ears. However, our job isn't checked "DONE" when they're baptized and confirmed. We also make a calendar of getting them to the temple, working along side with the Bishop/WML.

 

Personal Note:

I would say that I've learned quite a bity about myself in this short time that I've had out on the mission. It has been an interesting Self-study period. I would say, looking at my previous outlook on life, that I am learning the importance of immersion.

That's an interesting topic of study,  wouldn't you say?

When people are Baptized, they are "Immersed" under water. It is a change from the old. But it isn't a partial change. It is complete. Total. They are COMPLETELY immersed. Even their clothing is completely immersed (Suggesting to the mind "Modesty"). There is no middle ground.

The focus of my study has been mainly upon two points:

- Immersion in the work

- Immersion in Spanish

 

First off, when I have done my best to stay focused in the work, something miraculous happens - my own worries/burdens are lifted. I'm not laden down by the day-to-day struggles. My mind is more keen and clear - when there is a problem in the work, it is held in sharp focus and the "problem solving" part of my brain can appropriately attack the problem.

 

When I am immersed in the Work, the Spirit knows it and I am able to discern needs and teach appropriately. It is amazing how well the language accompanies the Spirit. It is literally night and day.

 

Well, that's all the time I have for writing. I hope that these thoughts have been making some sense. I'm so happy that you're there. It's this interesting feeling. Sometimes, I'll be there in a lesson and the most curious thought and feeling will occur. All of a sudden there is this "glowing" feeling, and then the thought comes, "It feels like someone is praying for me."

 

I can't really describe it.

 

But I thank you.

 

Much love,

 

Elder Ostler

A cool, COOL week

Dear family,

AGGGHHH, so many things to write about but not hardly enough time to write them.

 

This week:

 - Liz Wiseman & Greg Pal gave us instruction as Zone Leaders. (If those names don't ring any bells, Google them. Hint: the Wisman Group)

 

 - (Slightly less useful) I learned how to generate plasma in a microwave. Weird, eh? And yet very cool.

 

 

Whew... let me talk about that first one for a bit.

 

First of all, wow. I find it really awesome that Pres. Gelwix can, through some of his former contacts, call on people like them to give us instruction.

 

From the time we saw the promo, I was hooked. We were  all sitting there in council, and there she was addressing us as though we were executives in the corporate America. Their theme... actually, their study, is about leadership training.

(For more information on the topic, visit www.multipliersbook.com )

 

They're both members of the Church, and they put a really interesting spin on this book. I'm really intent upon reading it at some point in the future.

 

I wish I could describe some of what happened in that Zone Leader Council, but honestly, I think that going to that website (I'm not sure, I've never seen it), you'll get a better taste of what we saw/learned.

 

So our job now is... how do we become "Multipliers" as Zone Leaders?

 

 

I had this great opportunity to go out on exchanges with one of the Assistants to the President, this last week. Actually, it occurred right after Zone Leader Council on Wednesday.

 

So yeah, last week was intense. I've also had this interesting change-of-perspective because of the added responsibilities. It has helped me see how I can be a better missionary. It definitely opened up a whole new realm of improvement.

 

 

 

Well,

 

I gotta go family!

Los quiero!

Elder Ostler

Working....more

Dear Family,

this week has been great. Hard. Rough. It's tough to explain. I'm sure that I'm not doing it justice. Yesterday, we were on exchanges with one of our district leaders, Elder Julian and his companion Elder Elkington. I had the opportunity to stay in Ceres while Elder Elkinigton came in. It was awesome.

Just a little background on Elder Elkington: He is from New Zeland. He actually had the opportunity to be on Pres. Gelwix's rugby team last year. That was pretty cool. He was pretty excited to learn some spanish so I taught him a couple of things such as, "Esta bien", "Soy misionero de la iglesia..." y "Soy de Nueva Zelanda". Cosas asi.

 

T'was pretty great. It has been awesome to be here. I feel that I've grown somewhat in my ability to take responsibility.

 

For example, Sunday is usually crazy day for Elder Burnett and I. We Progress Records for our investigators, Recent Converts/Less-actives, and Focus 15.

 

Then, we run off to Branch Council or Priesthood Executive Meeting (PEC) and discuss the progression in the work. Then, we're released to call our investigators and recent converts and arrange rides for them.

 

Then, when that is completed, I get to run off and play prelude music and the following hymns for the sacrament meeting.

 

Just yesterday, I somehow got volunteered/begged to play the part for the upcoming Primary program.

Despite any fears that I retained concerning past efforts in trying to play the primary songs, these proved to be quite playable!

The Lord definitely has a way of working/stretching/enlarging us as we are pushed to our limits.

I think it is pretty awesome!

 

Mas que eso.... I have been pretty psyched to hear from some of you and I DO plan on writing some letters today.

 

I'm happy that you all are well... I heard that there was a storm down there recently (I don't know how recently...). I also somehow heard that this guy named "Steve Jobs" died.... whoever he is.

 

I'm really excited for the work. the constant improvement.

 

I hope that you all know that I love you.

 

I have pictures too. I cant send them though!

 

Elder Ostler

Working

Dear Family,

I have not written to you all (sufficiently) for the last...while. Well, these last two weeks have been really interesting. I've definitely learned a lot (I think that a large majority of the emails I've written to you all says that). My companion is a race horse. I'm not kidding. He's incredible.

I think that is what makes things so amazing. I feel pushed soooo much harder than I've been pushed. He doesn't say anything disparaging. He doesn't even think it (I know... I'm pretty good at sniffing that stuff out). No concerned looks. No "beat-around-bush" comments. None of it. He just is awesome.

and I love it. Everything is coming from within. You see, Elder Burnett is definitely my favorite companion. He shows me a brilliant example of what a missionary should be. How he should act.

 

And he does it all while remaining humble.

And it isn't this self-righteous "look at me I'm a martyr" mumbo-jumbo. He just works hard. While I'm driving, he'll be juggling a hundred different things that need to be done. Whew...

 

Well, Jesus Vasquez-Martinez (investigator) was baptized by Pres. Ambriz (presidente de la rama). It was amazing. As we had been teaching him, we had invited him (knowing that there he had a concern that he hadn't shared with us) to be baptized in a week and a half.

He then explained that he had an issue with (this will shock you) - public speaking. Well, once we calmed that fear, it was smooth sailing.... well actually,  then he said, "Pues yo quiero bautizarme manana!" - "Well then, I want to get baptized Tomorrow!"

 

So then we said... "Alright", and then began scrambling around telling everyone and getting everything ready. He had already attended church before (and loved it). I love that man. He is awesome. He has this amazingly humble spirit about him and is always seeking to be good.

 

Then, we set up for another baptism last weekend for the sister missionaries in Turlock 4/5 "Sister Hebdon & Sister Caramela". We gave the half-time show.

All in all, everything went great.

 

Then, I'm not sure if I told you but Elder Koelliker of the 70 came over to teach us. It was an amazing experience. He met with the zone leaders of the 4 nothern zones and Pres. Gelwix to make plans and talk about any inspiration that had come during Zone Conference. Honestly, it was an amazing and unusual experience. It was in that 2nd zone leader meeting that we had this awesome Q&A with him and president Gelwix.

 

Anyway, the work continues... I know, I cannot write even a hundredth part of all of the things that are happening. I'm even having a rough time putting it all in my journal!

 

Well,

I really do love all of you. I hope that you are doing well. I'm putting my nose to the grindstone.

 

Love you!

 

Elder Ostler

There and Back Again...

I thought the heading highly suitable considering the current situation.

Well, this last week has been CRAZY! Whew... I mean, I knew that the zone leaders were busy people, but I never knew that they were this busy. Sheesh!

You know how normally at night (10:30 pm --> ) one asks their companion a few questionspara que les conozca mejor ("so that they get to know them better")? Well, every night since the 1st day here, the moment my head has hit the pillow, I'm out. Beat. Hitting the sack. Counting sheep. etc...

 

 

AGHHH... I haven't any time to tell you.... I have to write president Gelwix!

 

Otherwise, I'm done for...

An unexpected call

Dear Family,
Well this week we went to Fresno so that my companion could take a driving test... he didn't have the cleanest driving record. However, we got that all cleared up. So anyways, this week, we got called from Presidente Gelwix. I didn't think I would this transfer so that (he'd said a couple things hinting about "future responsibilities").
Anyway, I'm going back to Ceres 3rd Branch... where I was TRAINED. I'm also going to be serving as a Zone Leader along side Elder Burnett. So things are going fine. I'm excited to go back to my first area. It will be weird... but it will be great at the same time.

I'm excited for my new responsibilities. A bit nervous. Actually, the nervous hasn't quite kicked in yet, but I'm sure things will go fine. I'm just going to put in my 100%.

Sorry that I haven't written too much. The problem might be found with a controlling companion... I'm not a big fan of the "Preparation Day Freak-out". I expect that things will be better in my new area. 

I love you all soo much..

I promise you all that I will write a lot better this upcoming week. Well, take care!

Love,
Elder Ostler