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