L Palacios got baptized yesterday! L Palacios is the mother of the Familia Palacios that we were teaching over in Azusa. That was a wonderful Baptismal service. I love the Familia Palacios with all my heart. They are just the most wonderful family that a missionary could ever have the opportunity to teach on his mission. They are truly converted to the Lord. The examples that they have set for me as they have come unto Christ full-time is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
So you know how in D and C 121 It talks about how as we endure through our trials that the Lord will turn our afflictions into our strengths? Well, I can testify that this is a truth directly from Heaven. WE HAD SO MANY AWESOME BUS CONTACTS LAST WEEK. I know it's because of how well we endured our first week of Bus contacts in our new area....or at least that is the application I would like to make.
Here is the best and most coolest experience of all of them. We got on a pretty packed bus and Elder Ingram and I split up a little bit in an effort to make more contacts (he was closer to the back of the bus). I was trying to keep my balance as I awkwardly tried to talk to this less than nice black lady who was doing her best to tell me (without telling me directly) that she doesn't need us because she is a Pentecostal and probably knows her bible better than me anyways. Of recent I have decided that I like sincerely complimenting people when they are being less than nice. So without thinking I opened my mouth and said, "That's great! I love visiting with people like you! I love it when I get to learn something new from the people that I visit with! And you know what? My favorite family I have ever had the opportunity to visit with on my mission was a Pentecostal family! I always learned amazing things from them (that family would be La familia Palacios)! I have to say, I am truly impressed by the members of your faith!" And with that having been said, I simply smiled at her as I waited to hear her response.
Before she could reply, somebody behind me said, "That's exactly what I love about you Mormon missionaries! You are just the nicest people in the World! So humble even though you probably know more than all of us on this bus anyways."
As I turned around to talk with this obviously much more prepared woman, the seat next to her opened up (I'm pretty sure the dude sitting next to her just didn't want to become involved in the conversation so he got up and moved away to go stand further down the isle). Not phased at all by the man's actions, the woman invited me to sit down next to her. She began to tell me all about how us missionaries showing up on the bus had been an answer to her prayers. She was passing through a rough moment, said one of her catholic recited prayers and then after she didn't receive any help, finally remembered that her missionaries who were visiting had invited her to pray differently (personally rather than recited). She called it a Mormon prayer. She said, I just barely said my Mormon prayer right before I got on this Bus. And then she started crying. Tearfully she then explained, "God really listens to Mormon prayers because look who showed up! He sent his people to help me!"
It was an amazing experience talking with her. I found out that her missionaries are actually the English Sisters here in Azusa! And I know them very well. This woman led it into a discussion on Baptism and how the last time she saw her missionaries they had tried really hard to invite her to get baptized. She shared with me her concerns. And we began one of the most spiritual conversations on Baptism and how it relates to God's plan for us on this earth that I have ever had on my mission. I couldn't help but think that Elder Page was probably very aware of this conversation and maybe even proud enough to say, "Hey look! That's my trainer!" It was a spirit led conversation. It was such an interesting and engaging conversation that everyone surrounding us began to eavesdrop without shame. And I loved that. I knew that my main purpose was to help this woman receive the guidance that she was seeking, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "Alrighty Elder Ostler, you have at least 5 people here who are absolutely captivated by this conversation. You have to find a way to get them engaged as well." As this thought crossed through my mind, the black lady who was previously uninterested leaned over and asked a question. My thoughts were, "BINGO!" But then, before I even had the chance to answer, the woman with whom I was speaking answered the question for me! It was like having a member present! She then began to testify to this person that when she lets the missionaries come over to her house, that it will be the best decision she has ever made in her life. That woman, the investigator of the English sisters in Azusa, then proceeded to lead the most effective contact I have ever been a part of on my mission. Because of her help, I picked up 3 new names, addresses and numbers for 3 very interested persons. It was amazing.
The next day I received a text from the English sisters telling me that their Investigator had called them the night before. They thanked me for being an answer to her prayers. It had been a pivotal moment for this woman. I was overjoyed to hear that she had indeed called her missionaries as she had committed to do on the bus.
Well,
That's all I got time for.
Love Ya!
Elder Ostler
