December 8, 2014

It is insane that I have already been in the MTC for almost an entire month. I don't know where the time goes. I am still really ready to get out of here in exactly one week! I leave the 16th at like 3:30 in the morning!! I am not looking forward to getting up that early but at least my flight is only like 5 hours, some of the elders in my district are going to Singapore and their flight is like 25 hours haha.... ridiculous!

quick recap since I have been so bad about emailing;

 

Thanksgiving was sweet! Elder Bednar came and gave us some amazing advice about preparing and answered a bunch of missionaries questions.

 

I seriously have a tender mercy every week now if not everyday that testifies to me that I am supposed to be here in the MTC right now and in Canada very soon. I know that the Lord has prepared me to be ready for my district in the MTC and helping them as well as preparing my friends and Investigators! It is so surreal every time something happens but I just try to let it strengthen me!

 

Vocal point came to one of our sunday night devotionals. If you didn't know who they were like me, they are an acapella group from BYU and they were amazing! look up some of their videos if you have the chance!

 

I got called as the new district leader last week and I am really working on being a good leader for my district and trying to help them out. We had a sweet lesson from one of our teachers that talked all about overcoming our personal weaknesses and it applied to some of the problems that we were having as a district. It all led back to the talked titled "Lord, is it I?" its doctrine is so true and I love the story. Instead of us working on trying to change others to become better we need to see what we can do better and we can all be edified! read it for yourself if you can.

 

Also watch the "Gift" video on LDS.org. its amazing. Christ is the gift and we call all discover the gift, embrace the gift, share the gift. CHRIST IS THE GIFT! One thing I love about being on a mission during Christmas time especially in the MTC is the fact that Christmas is soooo much more centered around Christ and his many gifts to us. what can we give to him this Christmas?

 

One of our teachers just got home from her mission in Taiwan about 3 months ago and has been having a lot of hard decisions come up lately and we did a sweet activity where we prayed and tried to receive revelation for her just like we would an investigator. I kind of just sat back and then like a half hour into it I felt prompted to ask her how long she thought she needed to prepare in order to be ready to make a decision for her several problems. She was kind of confused so I said it again and she wasn't getting it so I read one of my favorite scriptures Matt 16:25. I Felt the spirit sooo strong and just told her that I know that she doesn't need any time to prepare. She is ready right now. She had spent the last 1.5 years serving others and losing herself in the work and through losing herself God helped her truly find herself. He had been shaping her and preparing her for over a year. She felt the spirit super strong and so did I. We both couldn't help but getting emotional. I am so glad that I can truly help people. Even if that person is just my Chinese  teacher :)

 

Not much else going on here just trying to work really hard so that i can kind of understand people when I get to Canada. 

I wish everyone a great Christmas Season :). Remember the real reason why we have it and spread some love whenever you can!

Love you everyone!! 

-Elder Ostler