Hello Family!
Well, this has certainly been a week of surprises! This last friday I was transferred to the city on the Azov Sea called Mariupol. I have also been called to be senior companion over an elder a transfer younger than i am named Elder Smith from Houston, Texas. We are about 20 min from the beach here and it was pretty amazing to look out across the waves after church this last sunday. For some reason they didn't try to watch any of conference live here is this branch even though they just had all of the satellite stuff set up on our building not to long ago. I think we should have the opportunity to watch it soon this next Sunday which will be great. Im really excited and i sounds like it will be really great. Since i've gotten here, we have had a couple lessons with investigators and its amazing to see the gift of tongues come so steadily and suddenly. I dont think i've talked that much before in my life since, as you all know, im not the most talkative person.:) The russian just seemed to flow and make sense, even with my limited vocabulary. I could see that the people we taught understood. It was so encouraging to see this small success and know it would have been impossible without the Lord's help. It feels sooo good to finally be getting a grip on this language! It was so interesting to me when i heard of RM's who would say that it took 6 months for them to start speaking and about 2 weeks ago i was feeling like it would be impossible to be effective with me as senior companion. It all came so suddenly and it seems like Heavenly Father just loosed something in my mouth that enables it to speak. I can now testify that the gift of tongues is real! I know that the Lord fulfills his promises to us and that when we feel like our weakness hold us down, through our trials he lifts us up. My theme thus far on my mission has been the scripture Ether 12:27, how God gives us trials in order to grow out of and strengthen those places that were one weak. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be out here on a mission. You are right Mom, this is the most trying time of my life and is a test of all that i have every second of every day. Thanks for all your support and love! I hope all is going well and that your surgery went well Mom. I love you all and i cant wait to hear from you soon.
Love,
Elder Ostler
