Hello Family!
This week has been an absolutely wonderful week. I
spoke a little of the changes that are to come in our mission leadership but i
also wanted to let you know about a few other changes. One of the biggest ones
affecting us immediately will be that the assistants now will spend
their transfer (6 weeks) going on a "mission tour", meaning that we
will go on exchanges with every companionship within each transfer. In doing
this we hope to help all of our missionaries be inspired and unified in our
push as a mission to reach 300 baptisms. We are going to pick up some sleeping
bags and air mattresses with president today to be prepared as we
move from apartment to apartment. I truly feel it will bless the lives of the
missionaries and greatly influence the spirituality of the assistants. There
will be great teaching an learning opportunities for all involved. Two
transfers ago i began praying and fasting for more direction as to how to
most effectively work with what responsibility i have been given.
This was an answer to my prayers. We had the opportunity to travel to
Kharkov and also hold a zone conference with President Lawrence where he and
his wife taught great truths with gave much more identity to our missionaries.
The spoke of the Tribes of Israel and just how important our calling is as the
gather's of Israel. We also learned that we had
great responsibility in that we were descendants and parts of these
tribes and that special promises had been made to each individual, according to
his or her tribe. I also learned that in our mission, we have many from
different tribes. My companion is from the tribe of Benjamin and we also had
other sisters and elders from the tribes of Levi, Simeon, Dan. It was really
amazing to come to a realization of the literal gathering of Israel. It is
certainly a blessing to be among these scattered tribes looking for those who
is ready to return home. I feel the mission is greatly benefiting from these
conferences, focusing on our identity and coming to realize who we really our,
sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us. It is amazing how much
desire, unity, and love increases when we constantly remind ourselves of who we
are. Thank you for sending those pictures! Benjamin could pull off being a
chimney sweep any day if he wanted to. He looked exactly like the ones from the
movie! I hope you all have a wonderful week and i look forward to hearing from
you.
With Love,
Elder Ostler
