Como está la familia?
Well mom, you were definitely right. I was transferred. I was very very surprised when I got the transfer call. I was expecting that Elder A. and I were going to be together for another transfer before leaving Boyle Heights.
My transfer call came in late Friday night. I have been moved back to the other side of the mission. My new ward is the Claremont 1st Ward. It's an English ward. It seems I get to try my hand at the English side of missionary work. My companion's name is Elder G. He is a super cool guy. When I met him, my first thought was, "Sweet! I am going to be able to keep up my Spanish with this guy!" But then he explained to me he doesn't speak Spanish...bummer. But hey, I really can't complain. After all, I am in English work ;). I'm going to have to find out if I am still allowed to study the language or not as an English missionary. In some ways I feel like my world has been turned upside down. But then I remind myself that I'm still a missionary...just in a different language than I'm familiar with when it comes to being a missionary. I have already met a few members in the ward and the word Hermano almost slipped out of my mouth instead of Brother (I'm sure I will have tons of experiences like this as I go through this transition to English work)
This transfer, while an obvious, complete and total blind side surprise to me sheds some further light upon my ever deepening knowledge that The Lord is a master planner. He is always preparing me to fulfill His purposes. The last few days have allowed for some reflection on some experiences I have had of recent.
About two weeks ago I was sitting in stake conference listening to the stake president give a very inspiring message on hastening the work of salvation in our stake. Sitting around me were some recent converts and a couple investigators. I felt so happy. They felt so happy. They were nodding their heads excitedly as they listened to the message. I couldn't have been more happy in that moment. And then, I was caught away for a few moments in a very out of the blue, way out in left field thought. The words came to mind very clearly, "you are going to miss this." It pierced me to the very core of my heart. For an instant I imagined what it might feel like to not be a missionary anymore. I think for a second I got a glimpse of what it feels like to be released as a missionary. I don't know how to describe it other than a longing in my heart to go back to the MTC and start all over again. But then I snapped out of it. I said to myself, "Wait a second! You still have forever to go! That is WAY down the road from now." And then, the random voice from way out in left field returned... But this time it returned with a correction and a question, "Nope...what would you do if you were sent to English work?"
This thought took me back to the beginning of my mission. I am ashamed to admit it, but for a while (a long while in the beginning of my mission), I actually used to think that if I could only serve in English that everything would be better. Back then, I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that The Lord would help me fulfill his purposes as I was (an imperfect Spanish speaker struggling and tripping his way through every contact, lesson, phone call, and all communications imaginable). I used to think I would never be a successful missionary until I could communicate without any difficulties. As I was reminded of these struggles of the past, I was almost moved to tears. I was so grateful I had overcome those struggles of the past in order to understand the true joy and happiness of being a missionary that comes from both aiding and being aided by The Lord in fulfilling His purposes. Obviously, I communicated better and more fluently than I thought I did, but there are still errors and gaps in my language abilities. I was so grateful that The Lord had led me to obtain a confidence in Him sufficient enough to have faith in my ability to serve him successfully even in my imperfections. I knew that if I hadn't been able go obtain this knowledge and trust that I wouldn't have been as happy as I was in that moment sitting amongst the people I had grown to love.
It was then that I thought, "Well, I would definitely miss this. I would miss this even more than I ever imagined possible. But I would do it if that is what The Lord wants me to do."
Looking back, I guess that was the right answer because it was then and only then that I was able to tune back into my environment and was filled with that same happiness I had been enjoying only moments before (I say moments...but I really don't know how much time elapsed throughout that experience.)
I now know that this was an extremely tender mercy The Lord sent my way so that I would know with assurance that this new adventure I find myself in is indeed part of His plan for me.
Due to the fact I only have a couple hours here so far, I don't really have much to report on in my new area other than the fact that I feel super weird and out of place. But I will figure it out soon. Or at least I will figure it out soon enough to do whatever it is that The Lord wants me to do here. Of that I am sure.
I am sure I will miss everything about Boyle Heights, but above all I will miss the people Elder A. and I were working and visiting with. Assuming everything goes well (and I fully believe it will) I should be going back for a couple baptisms in a few weeks from now. Woot woot! One of those upcoming baptisms is for my tocayo Benjamín. That guy is an absolute stud. In church yesterday he inspired EVERYONE both members and non members with his superb comments/stories that went along perfectly with the lesson. It was so so fun to watch him just absolutely shine in front of everyone present. ¡Todos quedaron asombrados! I was surely the least surprised and impressed out of everyone due to the fact that I have had the opportunity to feel of his greatness ever since the first day I met him. We were strolling by on the street under his 2nd story apartment where he was sitting out on his porch when I started a conversation with him and asked him to drop us a drink of water. Ever since that day it has just been an absolute party with my tocayo. I'm super excited I'm able to go back for his baptism.
Well, I have refrained from playing basketball for too long now. I see a bunch of super good basketball being played right now (it seems that the basketball is better in the English zones than in the Spanish ones). So it's time to go enjoy!
Love you all!
Elder Ostler
