Anyways, Thanks so much for the package you sent me! We loved the food! My companion especially wants me to tell you thank you on his behalf. He loved it.
Hmmm How to describe the week.... It was a long one. But more so for my companion. Teaching wise, I am pretty sure that it was the toughest week I have had since coming out on the mission. Everything was just falling through. Even confirmed appointments fell through. It was quite ridiculous at times.
The interesting thing though is that even though it was a tough week from the teaching side of things, I'm really not discouraged. The only thing that makes me feel somewhat discouraged (or maybe a better word would be disappointed) would be the fact that I have a trainee in tow who wants nothing more than to teach. And I want him to have that opportunity. And we really didn't have much going for us this last week from the teaching side of things. So I definitely understand why my companion feels more than a little discouraged right now.
But, now I'm going to point out that I only said we didn't have much going from the "teaching side of things." We did a lot of great things this past week with all the extra time we gained from our cancelled appointments. We went by a ton of formers, many of which told us we could come back on another day (This really means that they weren't extremely interested in the moment. But in truth, I'm ok with that because I'm sure we will have the opportunity to help them realize for themselves why they should be interested once we get in) had some pretty decent street contacts, and even received several member referrals of which we will now be working closely with the members to make sure we capitalize on these opportunities. So things weren't really as bad as one might think they were (or as my companion thinks they were). But I'm going to need some help from on high to convince my companion as we go through this week that we really do have a lot of wonderful things going on for us.
I'm hoping and praying that we are able to capitalize on all the wonderful potential we built up for ourselves this past week as we go throughout this week. We have the plans and the appointments to have an amazing week. Now all we have to do is go out there are get it done with a lot of help from the Lord. It's his work... and since it's his work, I'm 100% confident he is going to help us get it done. The only thing I'm not 100 percent confident on is his time-table....But come to think of it, I'm not sure there is anyone on earth who knows the Lord's timetable. ;)
But remember the awesome amazing family I told you about last week? Their name is the Familia M/R. They are still wonderfully Awesome. Right now, in my companions point of view, they are the only testimony to success we have as missionaries. We only got through the first two bullet points of the Plan of Salvation with them on our second visit because they had actually done their reading assignment! And when I say they had done their reading assignment, I mean they had STUDIED 2 Nephi Chapter 2 very thoroughly (The homework we had assigned). And the things they didn't completely understand, they asked us about. But literally, they are teaching themselves. They just don't really realize it yet. They think that it is us being prepared and learned in the scriptures. But the reality is that they are teaching themselves. Why do I say that? They have an impressive ability to apply the scriptures and the little bits/ key phrases of the lesson we are able to squeeze in here and there to their own personal lives. It's amazing. They are the first family I have every met to just absolutely devour the gospel. They are a witness to a line I remember from some general conference talk I heard one time which had a line to the effect of, "They know its true. The only thing they don't know yet is that they know."
The only little hiccup I can possibly see in their progression in the gospel would be Futbol (soccer). They Live/LOVE it. We had a lesson with them last week that they cancelled because they wanted to finish watching a game. To me it was hilarious and a fun experience. But to my companion it was discouraging. Basically we went over for our appointment and the Soccer game was going. They told us excitedly about how crazy the game was and then invited us to watch with them. "Podemos aprender de ustedes despues. Pero ahora vamos a mirar el partido juntos." is what they told us to some extent (I can't remember exactly). We had to explain to them that we actually couldn't stick around to watch the game but would love to come back when the game was over if it was alright. So we returned at the appointed hour. But, the fun wasn't over yet. If I understood the fast Spanish correctly, in the last couple minutes of the game two goals had been scored, the score had been tied and now the game would be going to overtime! So they asked us to come back the next day in the morning at 9 o clock when there wouldn't be any soccer. It was great. Truly. I enjoyed that. Aside from just loving soccer, they are also pretty high end referees. They Ref the college and semi pro games all over California on the weekends. So Sundays are going to be difficult to get them to church. But the interesting thing is, the blessing/miracle (whatever you want to call it) is that they explained to us themselves (without us even introducing the topic) that they might have to "depart from their weekend commitments" as they come to know that what we are teaching them is true so they can attend church on Sundays."
Yea, like I said, they are amazing.
Well,
Love you my Family!
Elder Ostler
