Hello Family!


Sounds like all is going well! I'd love to see some pictures of what's going on in all of your lives! I am so glad to hear Frankie is getting baptized! He always seemed like such a stud to me, with a really firm belief in the gospel of Christ and a sincere heart. It is also good to hear that the Tolmans had such a good experience in Samoa!! It seems like it was yesterday when they took all of the the guys our age at BYU who were in his priest quorum to Pei Wei's right before they left the MTC. That was alot of fun! It is so good to hear about all of these great experiences of times that tried people's faith and in return, they reaped the blessings.

Two weeks ago the president of our branch and and i went on splits to another member of the branch presidency to share a message. We prepared especially for the daughter that would be there that was struggling. When we arrived, we found the parents pretty distraught and worried because the daughter had left the home, leaving a note that she needed to sort some things out with a boy she was dating and that she would be gone all night. She was only 16 and they were very worried. President counseled them as best he could as i sat and listened. Suddenly he turned to me and asked what i had to say. It scared me to death. I suddenly realized that i would probably be put in situations like this later in married life but i really hadn't been so close to this reality. With my broken Russian, all i could tell them was to handle this situation with there daughter with love and patience, just as Alma did for his son Alma the younger, praying and weeping many nights on her behalf and that the Lord would bless them for their faith. At this point i thought about just how good of parents you are and the wonderful examples you have been to me. I always wanted to please you in all that i did. Thank you for what you have taught me, all throughout my life. I am so grateful for that and as you can see, your examples and faithfulness are touching the lives of the people in Ukraine too. I love you Mom and Dad and I hope all goes well in stake conference this next week. I will be praying for you both.



Ah! the timer on my computer says im almost out of time!  This week we had interviews with president which was really great. He gave us lots of good advice and i feel confident in what he told us. We also had the chance to do service this week which was alot of fun! We went to a city that directly translates to the "cold hole" and it definitely live up to its title :) We shoveled coal for an about two hours for a grandma that couldn't do it herself. We had the four elder's in our district and our branch president and his 10 yr old son with us. We had a pretty great snowball fight as a break when we were halfway through the pile of coal which was alot of fun. Alright, my times up! i'll right more next week i promise! I love you all and i hope you have and wonderful week!!

Love,

Elder Ostler