All scripture is given by inspiration of God

Dear family,

Well i guess i spoke to quick the last time i told about the weather, the last while has been really cold! I'm glad you guys were able to use the card for heather's birthday, i hope you enjoyed it too.

The presentation you talked about sounds very interesting, i would definitely like to talk about that when i return. One time my teacher at the mtc talked with us a little bit about some places he visited in that region and some other places in Central America that are connected with events in the book of mormon, all of it really fascinates me, maybe we can go on a trip and visit all of those places when i get home. So i have been reading parts of D&C and i really enjoy them, i feel like this is my first time reading D&C even though I've read it before. I really wish i had your commentary with me so that i could look at some passages and compare them with my thoughts.

So the language is coming along, each day i am able to speak and understand a little bit more, however, i am learning a lot about patience with a language.

Things here are going good, we didn't quite have the turnout we expected for english registration, however quite a few people came, a lot more than normal and maybe even some that are searching for the gospel. We will see how many more come tomorrow for the last day of registration before we begin our classes again.

The other day we met with Eefan again and we talked with him more about God and the restoration. We even watched the restoration clip in Chinese. Who would have thought that i would ever watch the restoration film in Chinese in Ukraine?

Everything is going well here, continue to to read the scriptures daily and do the small and simple things.

Oh i forgot to tell you...
Your story about you teaching Sunday school to the two young ladies from Guatemala. The other day we met a guy from Peru and we were able to teach him the first lesson and he took it all in with welcome hands, we were scheduled to meet with him again but it never worked out and now he has already returned to America where he is currently living. But It was incredible to teach him, i was able to teach in English since he didn't know Russian obviously, and he full accepted our message.

The next time we called him on the phone he said that he has been reading the Book of Mormon and that he really likes it. Who knows, maybe we helped him out just enough so that when he returns he can find the missionaries with the number we gave him and join the church.


Love Elder Ostler


"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

New English Class

Last weeks letter 2-16-09    
No, we're not allowed to talk about politics with people, but I learn little bits here and there from people. It's really interesting how people view Ukraine and Russia. Some want to be part of Russia, others don't care.  

This last week we had zone conference, zone conference was wonderful! So we are starting up a new program in Nikolaev, and I think we're kind of the pilot district for the new Program for missionary work here. I'm not completely sure how it is all going to work out but I will attempt to explain it. 

This Tuesday we are having a big kick off party at the branch instead of teaching English and we are going out into Nikolaev and handing out invitations to everybody we possibly can, except for we are having old English students do this, along with members of the church. And then on Friday and another day we are going to register everybody (this we haven't done) by doing this we have all of their information and then we meet with them in their house and tell them what we are going to be doing with English and then we're able to also explain why we are here as missionaries and then bring them to a family home evening each Monday with the senior Couple. We have been having a family night on Wednesdays for the past couple of weeks and we don't have a senior couple yet, but I guess they will be coming in a few weeks which will be nice. Also, we will be able to bring members to the family night, this way the investigators become better connected with the members and when the missionaries leave they still have friends in the church and are able to remain active. Sorry I know this is kind of hard to understand, I'm just typing my thoughts since I have to go in a second. But I guess they did something similar to this in Moldova and they had 1800 people show up the next day and missionary work really kicked off.  

Oh, Valentines was actually a lot of fun! In the evening the branch had a valentine’s play about Cinderella and the book of Mormon that the youth put on and a little party. The play/party was a lot of fun. We had a lot of people from English show up and I felt like we were able to get to know the members of the branch quite a bit better.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
The language isn't easy but last week I felt some stuff really click with the language and I can understand a lot more despite the accent I’m slowly getting used to. I feel very blessed with the language, I know that the Lord is blessing me very much and that he blesses me little bits at a time after I struggle and strive to learn the language.     
Love Elder Ostler

"Being blessed with hope, let us, as disciples, reach out to all who, for whatever reason, have 'moved away from the hope of the gospel' (col 1:23). Let us reach to lift hands which hang hopelessly down."     Elder Neal A. Maxwell
 

Braking and Entering

Things are going great, we had an incredible night the other day. So we decided to find two inactive member apartments, we went to the first one and only the daughter was there and she wouldn't open the door and said to come back later. Along our way we ran into a guy that said, "hey aren't you supposed to give me that book you promised?" I guess he talked with the missionaries once, and then we ran into another individual who asked for the book of mormon and wants to meet with us.

Following this we decided to visit the other member's apartment. After a while of searching we arrived at the right building and tried to get in, however the padez was locked and we couldn't get in. We waited for a little and then this babooshka came, we said hi, and then she shut the door on us! luckily I saw one of the numbers of the code and so we felt the buttons to see which buttons had been pushed the most. We pushed three buttons in and a miracle happened! the door opened. At this point we were ecstatic and went to the apartment number. We knocked on the door and we asked for the member, however nobody by that name lived there. WE talked with the guy who opened the door and talked with him about the gospel, we gave him the the church magazine, the Liahona, and we talked with him for a bit. He said that he has been researching religions and what not, we talked some more and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and bore our testimonies about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

Just when we thought our night couldn't get any better, we're walking home and we continued to simple say hi to people and this couple began talking with us and said that some sisters already gave them some stuff. (he was actually talking about the Jehovah's witnesses) and so we talked with them and they asked if they could read the Book of Mormon.

Our night was incredible and quite different than what we thought it would be, however, I believe that because we were doing what we were supposed to the Lord blessed us in a different way than we expected.

Oh so this week we have a companionship of three. The other elder's companion is gone to Bulgaria for a week to renew his Visa, so for the meantime he is in our companionship.

Love elder Ostler

"Personal, sincere involvement in the scriptures produces faith, hope, and solutions to our daily challenges. Frequently reading, pondering, and applying the lessons of the scriptures, combined with prayer, become an irreplaceable part of gaining and sustaing a strong, vibrant testimony." -Elder Donal L. Staheli

First Week in Ukraine

The language is pretty crazy, but it's slowly coming, I'm just relying on the Lord and eventually it will come. So we have an investigator, his name is Dzhonah. he is from Georgia, we have only taught him the first lesson, which was my first and only lesson so far. He is a really happy and friendly guy, he's twenty years old, and he is a lot of fun to talk to.

So my first few days here were pretty hectic, we arrived in Ukraine and we received a warm greeting from the President, his wife, and a bunch of other people. Then we started contacting and talking to people in Dnepropetrovsk. It was a lot of fun, half the time I didn't understand what the people were saying, so I just smiled back and they laughed.

After we contacted for a while we took care of all of our luggage and then went to the president's house for a few minutes and then we were off again to one of the branches. The branch gave us a warm greeting and we had some bread with salt, it's a Ukrainian tradition, and then we told about ourselves and bore our testimonies.

The members cooked an incredible meal for us, we had Borsh, this is a famous soup in Ukraine, and we had some potatoes and chicken, or at least I think it was chicken, and some other little desserts. The members are incredible here!

The next day we met our trainers and went around the city for a little, we took care of our baggage, and then we found out that our bus ride wasn't until 11:00 pm! haha, yeah the bus ride was a lot of fun. We finally arrived in Nikolaev around 5 or so in the morning. The bus ride was quite entertaining, that's all I’m going to say, it was nothing like the greyhound bus Derek and I took from Oregon to Utah when our car broke down.

As you can tell, the first few days were a little hectic! yesterday was Sunday and I had my first sacrament meeting with the branch in Nikolaev. We were able to talk with some babooshkie. Sorry my mind is playing tricks with me, it's so weird to write Russian words in English. But we were able to talk with three grandmas and they were so much fun to talk to! I was able to tell them about the book of Mormon and Joseph smith and why we're here. We were really blessed to run into these grandmas. I gave away my first book of Mormon and we are going to go back and talk with them tomorrow.

I am amazed by how much the Lord blesses us each day, I feel like every single day that I have been in Ukraine has been incredible so far and I have had an opportunity of some sort to bless somebody's life and in return they have more than blessed my life. I have a great companion, his name is Elder Richardson, I am excited to work with him and get to know him better. Well, everything is great here in Ukraine, remember to smile and say hi to everyone, you never know if you will make somebody's day better.

Love, Elder Ostler

Last Week at the MTC for Elder Ostler

Well time has definitely flown by quickly here at the MTC. I was never sure when or if the first few days were going to end. Ever since the third day time has gone so quickly and left me spinning in a circle. I’ve learned and grown so much in just a short time here at the MTC. The spirit is incredible here, and it really is like a “mini-Zion” right in Provo. The Russian language is coming along, it isn’t an easy language and when I hear the natives speak I wonder if they really even know Russian, because the Russian I’m taught in the classroom is completely different, just kidding. The language is slowly coming, I am able to explain and express myself better and better each day. I have loved have a native Russian District in our Zone. I talk with them on a daily basis and they teach my new phrases in Russian and correct pronunciation.

I’m excited to arrive in Ukraine and begin sharing the message of the restoration and the plain and simple truths that we take for granted. Because I have grown up in the Church, ever since I was really young I thought everybody in the world knew about the Gospel and was a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. I remember the first time I learned that only a few people were members of the Church, and how shocked I was! Now I finally have a chance to share the message of the “Book of Mormon,” the restoration, Christ’s atonement, and how through Christ we really can live with our families forever, through blessings of the Temple.
Probably one of the most important lessons I have learned so far at the MTC is to just listen. Listen to my companion, and to ALWAYS listen to the spirit. Whenever I teach, if I have a successful lesson, it isn’t because of me, but it is because the spirit was the teacher and I was used as a mouthpiece.

Another lesson I have learned is to just keep the gospel simple and stick to the basics. Oh and always smile. A smile is contagious and the gospel is happy, so why don’t’ we show it.

Oh and mom and dad, I just want you both to know how much I love you and I appreciate all that you have done for me. I look forward to talking to you next week

Love, Elder Ostler

Moroni 7:33- “And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.”

Grandma Webb is always talking about looking for the little mini miracles in our day, so here are two.

Oh, I almost forgot. So I had two mini miracles today. First I lost my temple recommend, so this morning I was frantically looking for it because we were supposed to go to the temple. Well we said a prayer and I prayed that if we didn't find it that all would still work out. Well everything worked out just fine at the temple. Yes I had to wait a little bit to get it, but I was still able to make it into a session and still do sealings with the native Russian speakers.
Second mini miracle, so I know how dumb this will sound, but I guess I forgot to take a pen out of one of my WHITE shirt pockets because it was clipped to it, and so as I did laundry I found my pen. YEAH lucky me it didn't leak everywhere, that would have been quite disheartening to my soul! Well I just thought I should share that with ya. Love , Elder Ostler

Chrisrmas from the MTC

So everything is going great here at the MTC. Christmas was incredible! Christmas Eve Elder Bednar spoke to the missionaries and after he let all the missionaries shake his hand. He gave an incredible talk about trees, lights, and shepherds.
      Christmas morning started off great, I opened my presents from my wonderful family (thanks for the packages and letters by the way, I really enjoyed reading them) and then we sang as a zone. We received a very nice present from the MTC, well all the means to purchase the gifts were donated by members of the church. We received a handmade tie, a scripture marking pen and a CD along with a few treats.
   Following, we went to a devotional and lo and behold, Elder Holland spoke to us, AGAIN! He also gave a wonderful talk in relation to Christmas and the Savior. He gave, or committed all of the missionaries to study the names of Christ in the scriptures and how to apply this in our lives. I would also like to extend this invitation out to anybody that would like to study about the “Names of Christ” as well.
    Elder Holland told us to do “12 Names of Christ” for the “12 Days of Christmas” that follow Christmas Day.
The 12 Days are as follows, 1) The Great Stone of Israel 2) Messenger of the Covenant 3) Christ is an advocate 4)Christ is a mediator 5)Christ is an intercessory 6) Christ is a light 7) Be a faithful witness 8) Strength and a refuge for all people 9) be a true vine 10) remember the lamb 11) Christ is the Morningstar 12) Christ is the High Priest of good things to come.
 In a couple days we begin 100% speak your language and we can only speak in Russian between tomorrow until we leave (the 20th of January). I’m excited, I know this will significantly improve and help out with the language. Well I hope all is well!

Love, Elder Ostler


S.O.T.W. –“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproach, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
---2 Corinthians 12:10

No phone call :(

So just a quick update. Some people have been asking but we didn't get a phone call today. Daniel is still in the MTC which means that there are like a bazillion other missionaries so they say No phone calls for anybody! Kinda a bummer but we did send him a package and a little tree a few weeks ago.

We think that everybody should donate prepaid cell phones for use on Christmas but until that happens we will support the decision of no phone calls.

Keep the letters and packages coming! Daniel is loving everything that he has been getting. Thanks everybody! Merry Christmas

All Is Well In Zion

So things are still going great here at the MTC. All is well in Zion. Haha that part is for Amber. We watched legacy a couple Sundays ago after our Sunday fireside and I laughed when they said that line. But everything is truly going quite swell. I"m not going the lie, the language is not easy, but it is coming. Tomorrow we teach our first lesson in 100% Russian!

Oh so all of the older missionaries in our branch, along with the native Russian speakers, have left or will be leaving with in a day or two to parts of Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic. Yes, now we are the older missionaries! although, now i am coming to realize that my first day here i thought the older missionaries knew so much Russian, however, now i can see that they really didn't!

I am trying to think of something that has happened out of the ordinary besides---Breakfast-Gym-class-lunch-class-dinner-and class again.

I am really excited to teach the first lesson in Russian tomorrow so I will let everybody know how it went next week.

Love elder ostler

Choose the Truth

Hey Family,
Thanks for the e-mail mom. So I don't' know how long this is going to be, I only have a few minutes. I wish I could write allot more, but I really don't have much time. But I got the package, thanks for it and the bag, the jelly belly stuff from Milwaukee and the scripture marking pen and everything.

The scripture memorization is coming along quite well, it's starting to get hectic though with it, I have like over 30 memorized and by the time I leave I'll have like almost 90! which I'm excited about.

I"m glad to hear that everything is going well for ya. So dad is exercising too? that's good. and i will ask heather about her date. maybe something will come from it.

Oh and I'm glad she has more space in my old room now. and i really really liked the jelly belly gummies. the bat gummies were the best. Thanks for the package, and did Kristin really make the fudge???

So today we went to the temple and because this is the last week the native Russian speakers are here we were able to do sealings. I love going to the temple and i wish i could spend more time there, especially in the celestial room but we have a lot to do on Preparation Day. So thanksgiving was great, we heard from Elder Neuenschwander, i think he might have been Cory's Mission President, but I'm not sure. He talked with us and it was really fascinating to hear him talk about Eastern Europe and all the work that is moving along over there.

Then later we had a thanksgiving meal but it wasn't anything like what Mom and the family prepare for Thanksgiving. Following the meal we had a service meeting and then we put together 10,000 kits for Haiti and another country that just had a disaster. So how is grandma Webb doing? I hope she's doing well, and what about the Weisses? have they been able to sell their house? Well I've gotta go but I'll try and write a letter if I have time.

Oh and thanks for the ring, I got it, and it fits just fine. (Daniel was given a ring and lost it before he left in the couch) And I even learned what it says. It says Vee-bare-aye Ees-tee-new. It is spelled completely different in Russian, but I don't' have Russian characters on here. But it means choose truth. Because I guess the phrase choose the right was coined by the communist regime in Russia and as a result the church doesn't want to be associated with that. Little story for the Day, Attach that and give to mom and whoever if they were wondering how to say choose the truth in Russian!


Love Elder Ostler

Pictures

Hey Family-

WOW! Ethan is going to preschool! How does he like it?

So I apologize, I started writing the letter last week and I never finished it as you can tell But thanks for the letters. I'm sorry to hear about everything that is going on with proposition8.

When Elder Holland came last Tuesday, he mentioned, or apologized that he was so tired and told us that a lot has been going on at church headquarter in Salt Lake. Nonetheless, Elder Holland still gave an exceptional talk.

Well here are some pictures...

Hope all is going well

Love,
CTAPEUWNHA Ostler
(stay-ray-sheh-nuh)

Our first Sunday we went to the temple and it was swarming like bees with Elders.
(L-R) Elder Harten, Daniel, Elder Hofmeister, Elder Stachitus


Elder Stachitus, ElderHofmeister, Daniel, Elder Harten

Elder Hofmeister receiver PIE from his mom. Here we are eating the pie.
Elder Harten, Daniel, Elder Tomerlin, Elder Stachitus, Elder Hofmeister, and Elder Murray