We finally received pictures of Daniel in the MTC. Here, he is pointing to Ukraine where he will be serving in 2 1/2 months.
This is a picture of Daniel and his missionary friends relaxing at the temple on a Sunday afternoon. From left to right: Elder Ostler, Elder Scovil, Elder Bounous, Elder Bybee, Elder Young and Elder Roberts.
Here's Daniel's letter from today. His Russian must be getting better because he's starting to forget English! :)
8-24-2010
Hey Family!
Sounds like everything is going well back at home! Thanks for sending me that news about the Ukraine, Kiev temple Mom. Everyone in my district thought it was really interesting. Also, thanks to everyone who have sent me care packages and goodies! It is soo nice to get those here after a long day of learning! So, this week has been really great! We've had so many great experiences. The temple dismorning was absolutely beautiful as usual! We just found out that we will be having our devotionals and firesides all together now since for the last few weeks, the missionaries have had to split up because of construction on some new bleachers. I think they finished today so im excited to be there tonight for our devotional. Yesterday we just found out that one of our original teachers we've had since the beginning is having to leave because of a difficult schedule this next semester. We are going to miss him and the spirit he brought to our class. He showed us a talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland and we watched it during our class time. It was an amazing talk he gave here at the MTC a while back. Im not sure what it was titled but he spent most of the time telling the missionaries to be men and women of God. He said that this time we spend here struggling to learn and grow is really nothing compared to what the Saviour has done for us and that what we go through here in our missions will ultimately bless us beyond measure. He kept saying over and over again,"My mission meant everything too me" with such passion that it was hard not to feel what he felt. Another statement that he made which i also thought was great was "Salvation is not cheap". We cant expect the path to eternal life and salvation to be easy and without struggle. The Lord will bless us as we strive to follow his commandments and steadily work towards that ultimate goal of living with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ again. I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have of this restored gospel and the reassurance and guidance God gives us through his prophets and apostles. Thanks Mom and Dad for being such righteous examples and for teaching us by the Spirit. That has made such a difference in my life. Well, i've got to go but i love you all and i hope you are all doing well! I'm going to go try to write all the rest of you back right now so dont worry:)
~Elder Ostler
Oh, and just to let you know, i got to see Lance here at the MTC a couple times and at the temple dismorning!! He looks like he's doing great and is anxious to get to Spain! He should be leaving soon.
