Hello family!!
It has been an absolutely awesome, exausting experience thus far here in Ukraine. About 90 percent of the time i have no idea what is going on and its even crazier to try and talk back in my limited knowlege in this Russian language. I absolutly love it here though! The people are amazing here and mostly pretty kind to us. My trainer Elder Kofoed is a great guy and is really good at connecting with the people here. I think we will get along pretty well since both of us have a strong desire to follow the rules so we can have the spirit with us 24/7. So, my first transfer i am going to be serving here in суми(soomy), a smaller city in the mission that took about 9 hours by bus and train to reach coming from the mission office in donetsk. It is the most northern city in the mission and has more ukrainian speakers in it than any in the mission which is still a very small percentage. We have a branch of about 20 members here with 4 missionaries with a senior couple on their way here. I guess the branch here is struggling so the senior couple was coming up to add to its strength and give it some more priesthood authourity since there is literally none in the branch besides the missionaries. THey had me lead the music, pass the sacrament, and bear my testimony all in that first meeting there. It is amazing to see how much work needs to be done here and it is exciting that i get to be part of it in its youngest stages. I hope that i can work hard enough and really be a tool in the Lords hands here in this beautiful land and help bring this beautiful people to a knowlege of truth and be able to feel God's love. We already had a miracle last night while contacting on the street. One investigator Elder Kofoed had taught at least once before found us while we were walking down the street which was so strange since we hadnt planned on seeing him any time soon. We took him to the church building where Elder Kofoed taught him the plan of salvation while i testified. The man has such a strong desire to know the truth and has a very good heart. He said what he saw in us was what he wanted and that he knew that we had good hearts and that is what made him want to continue to meet with us. He promised to pray about everything we had taught him and i know he will receive an answer. He is having some struggles in his life right now with family so prayers on his behalf would be greatly appreciated. Anyways, things are going great, our apartment is pretty big so i'll have to show some you all some pictures once i get a chance to take some. The Mission president, his wife, and the APs met us at the airport to help us with our luggage. They took us all to the office. We were able to hand out some fliers here and there as we went from place to place and then to where we stayed the night. We did this each day until we had our transfer meeting and were shipped off to our fields of service were i am now. I am so glad to be here in Ukraine! the Lord blesses us so much when we try to do things his way which is always the best way. I love this gospel and I know that it is true. It becomes clearer and clearer each day and i am so gratefull to have a knowledge of it. I love you all and would love to hear from you when you have a chance!
Monday is now our preparation day just so you know since it used to be tuesday.
~Elder Ostler
