Hello Family!
It was sad to leave Azusa because Elder I. and I were doing so so well in the new area that we had opened up. But I am beginning to understand part of why the Lord needs me here in this area at this time. The area we have is AMAZING! Absolutely PACKED with Latinos. But we in this district haven't been fully taking advantage of all our amazing opportunities to find the Lords prepared and help them begin to live the Lord's Gospel. As I examined the District's key indicator numbers early last week on Monday night and Tuesday morning I remember thinking, "WOW! Is this for real?!? Either we were doing AMAZING work in Azusa, or this area isn't measuring up to its Potential!"
As I started studying the numbers and pondering over what needs to be done, I came to the realization that it wasn't one or the other at all. It was both. We were doing Awesome work back in the Azusa District and the area to which I am currently assigned is falling very very short of its potential. So I began to reflect and ponder all the things we did in Azusa to get Azusa to where it currently is. As I did this, I began to gain a direction as to what we should do here in Boyle Heights to get us closer to our potential as a district. It has been awesome to start putting these plans into action and seeing immediate results. Things are going great! And I am so excited to be a part of the hastening work here in Boyle Heights. I pray to the Lord that myself and Elder N will be able to be an inspiring example of how we can hasten the work here in our area. And the Lord is answering that prayer.
I really like working with Elder N. He is great. I am very impressed by him. He is doing way better taking over an area for the first time than I did right after Elder I. left me back in Arroyo. Truly, the missionaries that come out fresh out of High School are very prepared for the task. It is amazing to me!
A super cool experience we had this week was in finding one of the Lord's VERY prepared. It was a heaven sent blessing. A week ago on Sunday a man showed up to a church meeting house here in the area after having used the "find a meeting house" locator tool on lds.org. He met the missionaries of that ward and explained to them that it was his first Sunday and that he wanted to get to know what we teach because he is trying to get closer to God again at this time in his life. Monday night, after the Elders of that Ward had learned that he didn't live in their area, we received a text from them explaining to us where he lived and who he was. We called him and set up an appointment for the following night. He is amazing! Probably the coolest investigator I have ever had. He wants to learn the word of God better so he can fulfill with what he feels to be his responsibility from the Lord to share the gospel with his friends and family. He made the realization that he isn't prepared to share the gospel with his friends though and it is for this reason that he is seeking a church which will help him learn the word of God so he can then help his friends and family. He is currently reading the Book of Mormon and considering being baptized on the 29th of this month. We have a visit with him tonight in which we will find out how he is feeling about his baptismal date..... oops. spoke too soon. He just called me to tell me that he has to work overtime tonight. So we will be meeting tomorrow instead. But anyways, this guy is awesome.
Hmmmm what else can I squeeze in here before I have to run.... (we had a bunch of stuff we had to do today and a couple things which came up that killed a ton of writing time)
We have been having a ton of success this week. Wish I had time to write about all of it. But here is an interesting thought….
Our couple that was planning on getting married and baptized this month has been ignoring us. I know that is a huge stress on Elder N. I'm sure he somewhat feels like he is failing. But he isn't. They are simply exercising their agency. Interestingly enough, I'm not extremely surprised about this situation. Now before you begin to think that I have no faith, allow me to explain. I remember the night before coming here to the area after having talked with Elder N on the phone and him telling me excitedly about this couple preparing for marriage and baptism, I had a very hard time falling asleep. My thoughts were actually very focused on this couple I would be teaching. The impression came to my mind that this couple would face a trial of their faith in the next few weeks. I didn't know what it was (I still don't know what it is) but I knew that something would happen that would cause them to believe for a few moments that the task of getting married in such a short space of time was impossible. And this trial, whatever it would be, would cause them to begin to doubt if they can really live up to the Lord's expectations of them to live the law of chastity by getting married. As I pondered this, the thought came to mind, "Yep, its gonna be hard, but you and Elder N can help them. After all Elder Ostler, you of all people know that when the Lord gives us a commandment, He always helps us complete it no--matter how impossible it may appear by worldly standards." I can't wait until I get the chance to meet them.
Well,
Love you All!
Elder Ostler
