About 3 weeks ago, when our District had personal interviews with President, he asked me to look at dividing up the areas to get us working more efficiently due to the loss of the cars. Basically, the problem we had is that one companionship of elders covered half the ward, the other elders covered the other half of the ward, and the Hermanas shared the entire ward with us (this is called roaming). There was also this weird thing going on where we all shared the middle section of the ward. And incidentally, we all concentrated the majority of our efforts in that middle section and somewhat neglected the rest of our areas. So truthfully, outside of Azusa didn't get touched as much as it should have been. And this was another problem that needed to be fixed with the redrawing of area boundaries. Anyways, back to talking about roaming, having sister missionaries roaming the ward was a super effective and amazing blessing back when we had cars. The reason why is because they can get into lots of single women's houses that we simply can't enter as Elders without the help of a member. So it was really nice having the Hermanas roaming.
But the days of this luxury are over. Without cars, it is nearly impossible to cover the entire 5 city ward effectively. So redividing the areas became a necessity.
Elder Ingram and I received word a couple weeks ago that we would be getting an apartment on the west side of Azusa to start the new transfer (or I guess better said is we were told that whoever was still in the area would be getting a new apartment). The new apartment is so much more conveniently located to where we do the majority of our work than where we were living before. So that was a nice thought.
But regardless of where we used to do our work, we still had to find a way to divide up the areas in the best way possible. Currently, all three companionships covering the ward live in Azusa. Our apartment is the furthest west. So we, Elder Ingram and I, are now covering the furthest west area of the ward (I used to work in the Eastern half of the Ward). Our Area covers from the Western Edge of Arcadia to the Eastern edge of Duarte. The idea is that our new area will be divided in half within a transfer or two as we get enough work going on that side of the ward to receive another companionship of either sisters or elders here in Azusa. But to say all of this very briefly, I basically got transferred! And I'm super excited for this new adventure.
I continue to realize more and more each day the greatness of what my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. It is not just anyone that gets to experience what I have. And it is an experience that will shape and guide me throughout the entirety of my life. But even more than just being an experience for me, it is an experience that the Lord has blessed me with so that I can in turn better bless the lives of others as I share His plan with even more conviction and power than I have ever done before.
Obviously, I don't know with exactness how I am going to fulfill this sacred responsibility and privilege from the Lord. But I know that He does. He knows exactly what He has in store. And He will give me, through his Holy Spirit, the words to explain with clarity those pieces of my very personal and sacred experience which shall be necessary unto every man. I remember initially thinking that I would need to figure out one version (some sort of perfect version) of my experience that could be shared with anyone. You know, something that fits all needs and questions with one shot. But then, upon further contemplation, I have come to realize that this is most definitely not what I must do. He will indeed give me the portion that is necessary unto every man even in the moment that it is necessary. And that portion will be different each and every time. I have seen that this is true.
I think the most interesting or unique of all my experiences occurred when Elder Ingram and I went to the Police station to get my bike. (It obviously got left at the scene when I boarded the Ambulance which would take us to the Life Flight). Anyway, while at the Police station, I had to talk to the investigator dude assigned to the accident. He was also at the scene. But I didn't recognize anything about him other than his voice. I think that this was because of how focused I was on Elder Page and ensuring that I didn't leave his side. But to continue the story, he (the officer over the investigation) requested to speak with me in private. Elder Ingram and I had been informed before going to the Station that it would be very probable that they would want to speak with me alone but that we were to do all possible to stay together. It was quite fulfilling to see this Police officer trying to act all big and tough with us as he demanded to speak with me in private just melt and start back-pedaling furiously as we politely and yet at the same time boldly explained why that wouldn't be an option.
When we got into the room with him, it became really obvious that something just wasn't right. He could barely put his thoughts together and couldn't focus on anything. He was jittery, nervous, and really just shaken up. I know that something inside of him recognized us as servants of the Lord. Without invitation, he opened up to us and told quite the story. To put it in focus, he was very concerned why a God, if there is a God, would allow one of the people spreading his word to die. The poor man I'm sure was concerned that he really shouldn't be talking to us about things like this while on duty and so every so often he would try to squeeze in a question from the investigation in order to satisfy the work side of his conscience. But normally he would then rattle right on again without ever waiting for my answer. What was meant to be a 5 minute investigation turned into a 45 minute opportunity to listen to his concerns and testify of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation which does indeed give the answers and peace to his concerns.
Elder Ingram and I have been seeing a lot of success together. We have found many of the Lord's prepared families. Doors have been opening to us with more sincere interest attached. People want to know what God's Plan has in store for them. Some of course have heard about the young missionary who gave his life in the work of the Lord and as a result are more receptive to us than they otherwise would have been. But others, don't have a clue. However, regardless of if they know about what happened or not, we have been very blessed in our missionary efforts in the past weeks of our missionary labors. It amazes me.
I know we will see the same success as we take our labors to the other side of the ward. The Lord has been guiding us and will continue to do so. And that is exciting!
You Son and Brother,
Elder Ostler
