October 14, 2013 Email

My Dearest Family,

I just want to start out by saying I'm so grateful and appreciative for your support and limitless confidence in me.  Honestly, I was scared to get on my email today for fear of finding tons of emails from my doubtlessly concerned and worried family...but most especially my mother.  I can't even begin to explain to you how relieved I was when I opened up my inbox and found only 3 new emails.  I thought, "Whew! It's not as bad as I thought....now to read these emails in order to gauge what type of email I'm going to have to write today in order to secure that they know I'm doing good and feeling strong."

But as I read your emails, I felt an overwhelming sense of assurance, peace and confidence that everything at home is ok.  A "special" (whatever I thought that would mean) email is not necessary.  That knowledge gives me great happiness.  Thank you for being the best Family a missionary could ever ask for.

Truly, I am filled with joy and gratitude.  Yes, there is obviously the sadness that comes from the separation of true friends, but I know that this separation is not final.  Furthermore, that separation is only a physical one.  Elder Page while no longer here in body, will be very close as I progress forward with my mission here on the earth.  And it is that knowledge, a knowledge that we have because of the Plan of Salvation in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, that gives me great confidence and joy as I look forward.

Speaking of Looking Forward, I am excited.  I know with even more assurety than ever before that the ministry to which I have been called is indeed the Ministry of Christ.  This is His Gospel.  I am His missionary.  And he has great things in store.  I'm still trying to find out exactly what those great things are.  But I have a pretty good idea.  I, am to proclaim the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, but more specifically, The Plan of Salvation.  And it will be better than ever before.

I had the opportunity to address the mission last night in a Memorial Service we held in Elder Page's honor.  My assignment was the Eulogy.  It was a different type of Eulogy.  But I know it was the Eulogy that needed to be given.  And it was most definitely the Eulogy that Elder Page would have wanted.  Just like the Elder Ostler you always knew, he got up to speak after having carefully prepared his notes.  But unlike the Elder Ostler you have always known, he put his carefully prepared notes aside, and strived to trust in the promised Holy Spirit who comes to those whom have carefully prepared themselves for it and opens their mouths with the words that will be sufficient unto every man.  That is still a very difficult thing for me to do (leave the plan and follow the spirit).  My plans help me feel safe.  They help me feel like I'm not going to mess up.  But although a difficult thing to do, it is something that I am learning.  And I love learning it.  I am seeking proficiency in the language of the Spirit.  And slowly, I am finding it.

I wish I could adequately describe and explain my process of thought in this moment, but honestly, I'm still trying to figure it out myself.  What I know is that the Lord has an great work in store for this mission and that I will play a key role in it.  I know and realize that there are many heads turned my way at this time.  And that is understandable.  There is a sense of pressure and great responsibility that comes with that realization.  But it is a pressure that I know the Lord has prepared me for.  He trusts me with the sacred responsibility of carrying on the Legacy of Elder Page.  And we, the Lord, my new companion and I will do it together.  And just in case that wasn't going to be enough, Elder Page will also be involved in this great work.  I know it. 

And as it seems you have already heard, the Lord is very good to me. Elder Ingram was moved from being Zone Leader on the other side of the mission to come be with me here in Azusa.  I love Elder Ingram.  We jumped right back into it.  It's almost like we were never apart.

I know this is the Lord's Gospel.  And I am so grateful to be one of his missionaries.

Much Love,

Your Son and Brother,

Elder Ostler