Regarding the work here in AZUSA, we are doing awesome. We have had a couple disappointments this week (I think watching people choose to use their agency in inappropriate ways is always a disappointment) but the triumphs and joys of the week far outweigh the struggles.
I'm sure you remember the amazing lady I told you about from last week. Well she is still amazing. I'm sure she always will be. We have been talking with her about her baptismal date in every visit with her but I think it never really hit her about how close it was until last week. We were having a lesson with her and her husband (a miracle because we haven't seen him in forever due to his work) and at one point in the lesson, the thought crossed my mind that "Hmmm with the history of this man's life, there is no way he is going to have work off in order to attend his wife's baptism in a week." So we had a bit of an inspired talk in which we committed him to attend the baptism. It was in this moment that she realized how close her baptismal date was. It was a nervous moment for me watching her take in that realization. I was worried for a second that she was going to try to shy away from it. But she made some little joke about how time had gotten away from her and then turned to her husband and invited him to get baptized with her! It was wonderful. He smiled, and then kinda chuckled and said, "I don't think that will be possible honey." They then turned to me for the answer and I then explained that the sad truth was that he was right, it wouldn't be possible due to the fact that he still hasn't even come to church with us yet. But I promised him that his day was soon. His wife totally backed me up. She bore testimony to her husband about how she knows it is important and how she prays that they will be able to be sealed in the temple as a family someday soon. This launched us into a Sabbath day observance lesson which was actually started by him! He committed to do all he can to prepare himself to keep the Sabbath day holy. We need a miracle. And a miracle is what we are going to get. It's in process. I just know it. To wrap up the visit, his wife gave an amazingly powerful prayer in which she asked Heavenly Father to help her Husband obtain a day of rest so that they can go to church as a couple and lead their family in righteousness. It was probably the most powerful prayers I have ever participated in on my mission. It was a beautiful example to me in how I must communicate myself with my Heavenly Father. I often feel like I am the one being taught when we are with this wonderful woman and her family.
The temple trip we did with the Ward was awesome. It was a wonderful experience. Everyone there loved it. M and her 6 yr old daughter E were the only ones able to make it out of the family. All the boys were working. But mom and daughter can't wait to take the rest of the family back again. They loved it.
Well,
Love you all!
Your Son/Bro,
Elder Ostler
