Sounds like a GREAT holiday back at home!! From catching gigantic fish to a wonderful BAPTISM, talk about a roller coaster of emotions!!:) I still cant get over the fact that we had 2 convert baptisms in the Northridge Ward! I dont think I can remember the last one we had there in our neighborhood. Thats as many as I've seen here my whole mission! You all looked so great in white and kandi, stan and luis and have never looked so happy! not to mention how happy benjamin and and john looked too!:) That sounds like such a great experience. I couldnt help but feel the spirit as you shared that experiece. Its times when you hear such stories that your heart just yearns for the people here to accept our message. I dont know what its like after the mission but here expecially, in the field, i guess i've felt something a little like what some of the missionaries and prophets from the Book of Mormon described, that longing for everyone to except the message and find that happiness that we have. I've learned that there is also a whole other aspect to turning that longing into action. It is not an easy thing, when you feel such feelings of love for the people to have it be disregarded or even yelled at. Again and again it has been kind of like be pushed down to the grown, going down again and again. I've learned that it takes a real christlike love to endure such blows. It is something i continue to work at but i have noticed such a difference when im just loving the people because i know i should, and when i love them because i know that they are my spirit brothers and sister, sons and daughters of God. Im so grateful for the example our Savior gave to each of us, that even when the majority of the people did not believe him and were hostile towards him, spitting on him and beating him, He didnt even flinch. His love was perfect. He didnt think one bad thought, not one mean word. He was perfect. I still stand all amazed at the Saviors example. It makes me wonder sometimes why it is so hard for me to love when i am tried. I find myself so far from the mark sometimes that it is hard not to let Satan step in and discourage me. But i know that our purpose here on earth is really in the end, to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves, and that God would not give such commandment unless they were actually achievable. We met some guys on the train coming back from Lugansk who were really friendly, funny people. It was just a funny reminder of the good people that are out there that just need to be found. I'll include a few pictures of that memorable train ride. :) please excuse the picture of the shirtless man. I forget if thats appropriate or not, its just somthing that every man here does when on trains or in hot places. Dont worry though, we didnt join them.:) Also included is a picture of Zone Leaders Council, and a teaching practice during a district meeting we had, and watching general conference a week later as a district at the church building. Well, thats it for this week! I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead of you!
With Love,
Elder Ostler
