Hey Fam and Friends

 Well, this week was just crazy and great and all the above! It was a scorcher here in Gdansk.  Sticky, sweaty, exhausting week, but so good!  So one really neat miracle this week was when we called this man that we had met weeks ago while tracting. He wasn't interested at all when we met him.  But when we called him, he was really excited and invited us to this big camp fire party they were having.  He said, they're all catholic, but they'd love to meet two girls who are from america simply here to serve.  It was a really neat experience.  We met a bunch of people and his whole family. We know that a lot of good will come from this, and it was a really great opportunity.  

    So one of our investigators is really improving.  It's so neat to see her coming out of her shell.  When I first met her, she didn't want to do anything- read or pray or go to church.  Slowly she's started coming to church, she reads, and prayer... well, soon! But it was so neat the other day.  We were on our way to her house and our bus broke down.  We called her and told her and she said, "Oh, I'll just meet you on my bike!" It was miles and miles away, and she met us in the heat.  We were thinking, oh darn, she's not going to have her scriptures or ensign,  but she did! We had a great lesson on a park bench and it was wonderful.  She is inviting some people to come to events like FHE and our grill that we had.  It's great to see her grow.

  

     So I feel like my whole life has prepared me for this.  From physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.  It's cool to see how certain past experiences have taught us specific lessons that we can call upon and use in our daily lives, and for me personally, things that I can use while on my mission.  It has taught me to not allow anything happen in life without learning SOMETHING from it.  So that is my challenge for you.  Whether everything in life is going great right now, or you can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel, learn something from it, and ask yourself, "what is the Lord trying to teach me"?  I promise, you'll see the miracles and the mysterious ways that the Lord answers our prayers. who knows, maybe you even asked for something and the Lord is simply answering.  :) 

      So on a random note, I had the biggest hamburger of my life the other day!! It was SO HUGE!!!!! Dad, Zach, Chase, Jon, y'all would've loved it! :) You'll try one one day :) Kebabs are also the best thing ever, Mmmmm! So back to the important stuff- we started this really great book of mormon reading class.  We started with 4 free classes of english exclusively for the workers at a library.  Then we got to the end and wrote them all letters inside of the books of mormon in english and gave them the offer to have this reading class together.  We did on friday and it was soooooo cool! The Book of Mormon is the best book! I mean, for real.  If it didn't have life-chaning lessons and ways to come closer to Christ and better your life, it at least has life-like experiences and wars and battles and such! (I only say that because one of our students/new investigators is so excited about the wars hehehe she's awesome).  So yeah, just keep on reading it, it's so good.  :) :) :) 

    Well, I don't have a lot of time.  I'm sorry this is a weird situation here in warsaw.  We won't get back to Gdansk til way late tonight.  We'll have to shop later.  I love you all.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is so beautiful.  Thank you all for your support and love.  For your examples and your friendship.  Come what may and love it! :) Love you!

Love, Sister Ostler

For Ashlee: Thank you sooooooo much for you package.  I loved it so much. I'm writing you a letter, just just hang in there.  Thank you for everything. I loved your letter.  I loved the kids' letters too! Thanks for the fun stuff on the memory stick, I can't wait to see if it works! I loved the hershey's bar! Good luck with everything! Look up some polish recipes, they are sooooo good! :) :) :) Send my love to the kids! :) 

For Kelsee:  How's the family? How's the kids? Send them my love! How's the new website? I Hope all is going well.  I love you!!!!

For Chase: How's your new relationship?? I want to know! Write me!!! Please :) Love you :) Proud of you :) 

For Mom and Dad: Sorry I haven't read your letters yet.  I will on the train, can't wait!!!! literally! I love you so much!!! oh mom, can you send me some eye alergy medicine??? I have serious alergies :( oh well :) I love you!!!! Have a GREAT week okay?  Muah!!!

Miracles in the extra miles......

Hi Family and Friends
Shelby has a different address where she can get packages and mail within about 5-7 days..
She would love to hear from you.  She loves snail mail.....


Sister Shelby Ostler
Brzozowa 9c/1
Gdansk  80243
Poland

Finding time to cook.  Always a must for Shelby

Hey Friends and Family! 

     How are you all? I hope life is great over there in America.  One thing I am SOOOOOOOOOOO grateful for this week is that the gospel is the same everywhere you go.  I mean it.  What a blessing!!! Prayer is so handy.  You don't have to pay for long distance calls, or worry about getting good service.  It just works every where you go! :) This past week was truly one of miracles every day, around every corner, and in every extra mile we went.  Lesson #1 (and my challenge for all of you) = There are always miracles found in the extra mile.  Whatever it is you are doing in your life, find something and go a little further, push yourself a little harder, stand a little taller, and I promise you will find miracles in that extra mile.  I am trying to apply this every day. Some days are easier than others, some days are just plain TOUGH to give any more.  But it's worth it.  :) Let me know how it goes :) My mom has my address ;) ;) 

        So, one of the miracles I want to talk about was from one of our investigators, Agnieszka.  So on Monday, we met we her after FHE at the church.  We had been praying that she would feel the desire to be baptized because we knew that she knew this church is true.  So we had a great meeting, and we talked about all of the fruits of repentance, which then leads to baptism.  The spirit was so strong, she closed her book of mormon, looked up at us and paused for a second before saying, "September 22nd.  I want to be baptized."  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! It was so great.  I got teary-eyed I was so excited and happy for her.  She got teary eyed and said she knows it's all true.  It was the most powerful meeting and experience I've had here.  But that's not all.  The miracle comes after the trial of your faith, right? So the next day, Agnieszka was at the store to buy their food for the rest of the week (tuesday to sunday!) with 13 zlots... about 4 dollars or so.  She didn't know how she was going to get by, but then all of a sudden, this man she kind of knows came up to her and said, "do you believe in God?" and she said, "Of course!" and he gave her a bunch of food and groceries that could last her about a month! Then she went and gave half of it to her friend in need.  She called us to tell us about that awesome miracle and she knew it was a blessing from the Lord.  Watching this investigator grow has been one of the most testimony-strengthening experiences for me.  She has so much faith.  From day 1, she knelt with us and experimented a new kind of prayer for her.  She asked sincerely to know if this message is true, and she felt goosebumps when she was finished.  She signed up to clean the chapel, she is making the dinner for our FHE tonight at the chapel.  She is already such an example to so many! So yeah, what more can I say? She's teaching us so much.  And people say missionaries do the teaching.  The spirit is so amazing.  

       So I have been so blessed with a wonderful companion.  She wants to work hard, be obedient 100%, and she just gets things done.  I have learned SOOO much from her.  I really feel blessed, and I feel like the Lord knows us all so well.  How does He get it so perfect every time? No matter what it is, it seems to be just what I need. So yeah, Sister Bezdjian is fantastic, and I hope we get to work together for a while longer.

Shelby and her awesome Trainer Sister Bez

Are these guys on a mission?!!!!
Looks like a pretty fancy place

  

      A mission is really an amazing thing.  I've heard this said many times, but now I really believe it: A mission is like a mini life packed into 18 months or 2 years.  I feel like that, except I feel like sometimes it's all packed into one week or even one day! We had the most crazy day on friday.  We met with an inactive member who told us she doesn't believe in God any more.  We cried with her.  My heart was broken. She was sooooo strong. She brought her friend to baptism, and was so set.  We left just distraught.  Then a few hours later, we had an amazing lesson with Agnieszka and her 3 kids came in, and we all talked together, and we all prayed together at the end.  It was the most opposite of feelings I have ever experienced! We left her house asking ourselves, "What greater joy could there be"?  The gospel has everything GOOD to offer.  We just have to trust, and try.  The next day we ran from one appointment to the next in the pouring rain.  We laughed and sang because we just loved that moment.  It was so ... surreal! I love the mission. 

    I'm sorry I don't have a lot of time to write much more.  One more random thing.  Don't forget to live in the precious present moment.  My insititute teacher taught me that, Brother Rau.  I am loving that principle every day.  Sometimes it's hard.  Sometimes you can't wait for the next thing- what ever it may be.  But how precious is each and every moment.  Especially as members with the knowledge that we have- this life is so short.  Okay, well I gotta go! I love you all.  I hope you're all doing great.  You are amazing.  Keep spreading the good news :) Love you :)

Love, Sister Ostler

Beautiful Poland

A lesson on the beach....such a cute family

A Gdansk Baptism



Matching shirts....



Hey all of my friends and family!!!

     Wow, this has been a wonderful week! It sure flew by too.  Thanks for your awesome email Momma :) I loved it.  And you too Ash, and Dad, and Makell! You're the best :) 

     Okay, there's so much I want to say! First I'll start with the greatest thing ever! Saturday we had a wonderful baptism.  Basia Kupieraczyk.  She's 64, and she was so ready to be baptized.  She is an amazing example to me.  Her best friend, who introduced her to the missionaries 2 months ago, turned on her, and told her she shouldn't get baptized and a bunch of other stuff, 4 days before the baptism! Basia was so strong though and knew she wanted to get baptized.  She said she couldn't wait to have the Holy Ghost with her all of the time.  So we had a pool in the basement of our chapel and it was so neat.  After she was baptized, I said, "you look beautiful" and she said, "Thank you, that's because I'm without sin now."  She was just gleaming! Truly, she is so sweet and so .... inspiring.  Sunday was amazing too.  When she was confirmed, the spirit just filled that room and it was a very special experience.  One of our fantastic investigators was there too and I looked over and she was crying and she said to me, "That was wonderful".  She wants to be baptized.  What an amazing experience.  If that was all that happened my whole mission, it would be worth it.  I am learning how truly valuable one soul is in the sight of God.  I love this work! :) 

     So that was great.  This week was great, but it was also challenging because of all of the lessons that fell through or some of the people that didn't meet us. :( It is really heart breaking.  But it is sure great to see some of our progressing investigators.  This week Sister Bezdjian and I focused on Charity and Christ-like love.  It was really great.  We also focused on being very specific in our prayers.  We pray for a certain time of the day (tracting or contacting) and pray for someone specific to come into our path, or a family, or an unplanned service opportunity. It went really great, and we're excited to continue to do this.  I personally have learned a lot of lessons about Charity and the root of Christ's love for us.  It is so deep and so powerful, and we only experience a small part of it in our lives, when, if we were obedient and faithful all of the time, we could experience more and more of it in our lives.  I am hungry for that love, and I want so badly for people here in Poland to feel that love and hope as well.  They need it! Well, life here in Gdansk is great.  One great lesson I learned I call "Just Do It."  We were about 30 steps out the door and I thought, "maybe we should grab the umbrella" then sister Bezdjian said "Hmm, maybe I should grab a jacket".  We both decided against it because we didn't want to go back and get it, and it would be inconvenient to carry, right? So then, a few hours later, the storm settled in and we were soaked from head to toe, freezing and looking rather..... sheepish :-/ We learned a pretty awesome lesson.  Just Do It!!!! I don't know how many times in my life there has been a rule that I don't understand or it may not seem THAT important, so I go on and avoid it, perhaps it is "inconvenient" or a "hassle", and then, later, of course, I regret it greatly.  So that is my lesson.  We may not understand the why, and perhaps it may be a hassle for a little bit, but you will be so grateful and you will be blessed!!! (and dry, and warm and happy!) :) 

       So yesterday in church they asked me to translate.  I was pretty hesistant, but said I'll do my best.  But then luckily I was saved!!! this great member from warsaw was here with her dad.  She translated.  I am not quite to that point yet, so I was glad.  But happy they asked me... I guess ;) So like I said earlier about Charity, I had a really monumental moment for me a few days ago.  I was just being... selfish.  I was frustrated with myself and I really just wanted to overcome the natural man (woman) in me and become a missionary!! It was a mental challenge for me.  So I put my personal study towards learning about charity and Christ-like love.  Wowie it was sure a powerful hour for me.  I read in True to the faith about charity and one part says, "He will strengthen you in your efforts to live this gospel." Then it says to strive to love as Christ loves, with unfailing compassion, patience, and mercy. Powerful words huh? I thought about that for a long time.  Compassion.  How can I have more compassion? As human beings, how can we have more compassion? Read Moroni 7, it's great when you have a specific question you need answered.  So anyway, that was a powerful experience for me.  My heart has been filled over and over :) 

      So one thing we are learning to do to get into the hearts of the people here in Poland is to serve them first.  You can't just walk up to people and start talking, or else they think you're a sales persona and they just seem afraid of you.  They really do.  It's tough.  So we are trying so hard to be creative.  We are learning that we MUST serve them first.  Once they know we care and love them, then they may open up and listen.  Then they will also come to know that Christ loves them.  I thought about that, and it sure relates to everyone around us, does it not? Who do you know that you would like to be closer to? I'll tell you how- Serve them, love them, care for their general welfare, and be their friend.  Then teach as Christ would teach.  We're still trying to figure this out with complete strangers.  But we learn something new everyday! :) 



Look how beautiful this new investigator is





An everyday event...being caught in the rain



Shelby's first written letter to Poland.  She wants mail......

     Okay, so some random stuff for you.  First of all, after tracting for a few hours yesterday, we got home for dinner and I came to the conclusion, "Chocolate never Faileth!" :) Mom, that awesome truffle you sent me in the MTC says that on the package and we sure needed that! It saved us haha :) Also, the best juice in the world- Kaktus Sok! (Cactus Juice) :) So good! Oh, and another conclusion: The only reason missionaries bring jeans on their mission is to measure how much weight they gain! :) We never wear them, just try them on the see how we're doing hahaha :)

     Okay, well, I better go.  But know that I love you all so much.  You mean the world to me. I appreciate all of your prayers.  You amaze me.  :) Keep living the gospel, you'll never go wrong.  Go to the temple as often as you can.  I sure miss it.  What a blessing it is to have members and temples, and churches and every resource you could imagine in Utah.  Take advantage of it all :) Okay, gotta go! Love you!!!

  Love, Sister Shelby Ostler

A baptism in Gdansk! Saturday, July 14, 2012

Saturday, July 14, 2012

A baptism in Gdansk! Saturday, July 14, 2012

Saturday was a special day for the Branch in Gdansk. Barbara was baptized by Patryk and is now the newest member of that Branch. Sisters Ostler and Bezdjian taught this great sister the gospel, while the Branch did what they do best...fellowship. Welcome, Barbara, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. More baptisms are coming soon in other parts of Poland. That's why we are here....to bring those who are searching for the gospel....and they are listening!

So Blessed

Sister Bezdjian and Sister Ostler! What a beautiful companionship! Go to it girls!!!


Hey Fam:)


 Wow, this week sure did fly by! It's been hot and humid and jungly around here! How is it at home? I miss the dry air! :) You're right though mom, it totally feels like I was just writing home! 
   So to answer your questions real quick, 1) Her name is Sister Harker and she is a member here from Hawaii/Cali/Provo! She's awesome! Accept her!!! :) 2) You can send packages to this address and please tell Ashlee she can send stuff here, not to the mission home.  I'm so glad you go my letter so fast! Awesome :) :) :) 3) my shoes rock! I'm sooooooooo glad we bought them, I have a funny tan line from the strap ones haha :) 4) the weather is actually SUPER HOT! It feels like 90's most days.  It's a scorcher! 5) P-days..... Hmmm. I don't really like them actually.  I'd rather just shop, rest a little and stuff.  But we rush around all day trying to do fun stuff, and buy stuff we need and get our food and do our laundry and email and then fit in lunch and dinner before we go teach at 6.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE emailing you and reading them :) but the rest of the day just isn't my favorite.  We might go to the Zoo, that'll be fun :)
so yeah, there you go. :)

Okay, so this week has been soooooo great! We were so busy, we really didn't know what to do with ourselves.  We had about 17 lessons last week, and they challenged us to have at least 2 more than last week this week, and we got 22, so that was great! We just running all over the place, trying to catch this tram or that bus and trying to be on time.  Everyone we meet with is so great.  They have the smallest little living arrangements I've ever seen! We're just so blessed and spoiled in America.  Everyone gives us gifts and loves to feed us, and sometimes is hard because we just don't have time to spend at everyone's houses that long- too many meetings.  It's so great though! :) We love it.

So I'll copy and paste part of what I wrote to President Neilson:
One story I wanted
to share is about service.  We had a meeting at the chapel and the
person we met with had a dog follow her all the way from her house ( a
long way away). So we looked at the dog tags and found the number and
called the lady who the dog belonged to.  We traveled by a couple
different trams to get there and we started talking to a lady while we
were on our way.  She helped us find the house.  Well, long story
short, we have 2 new investigators from doing that.  One referred us
to her son and his girlfriend, and the other is the lady who the dog
belonged to, she has 4 sons under 10.  We learned a lot about the
power of service.  A little thing can go a long way, and what better
way to teach about Christ's example?  Actions definitely speak louder
than words.

 So there you go :) It was a great experience.  So I didn't plan very well what to say in this email, but I just can't testify enough of this gospel.  Every day we meet and talk to people who spill their challenging life stories and their hardships and all sorts of things, and we try to help them come unto Christ by teaching them about His Atonement and the power it has to change lives.  It is probably the saddest and hardest thing about missions when people don't accept it or they won't listen.  How do you explain to a person that what you're trying to give them and teach them about really is life-saving and meaningful?? Please, find everyone you can.  Teach them about this gospel.  Love them, serve them, be like Christ.  That's the only way to bring them to this knowledge.

      Well, one other story, more of a light-hearted story.  We were at YSA with a whopping 4 people! Wahoo :) and played ping pong after our lesson and stuff.  Then we needed to make a bunch of calls, so we walked to the park right by our chapel and all of a sudden it started to down pour!!! Like, really! It was so loud with thunder and lightening, we could hardly make phone calls.  So we laughed and had a jolly ol time walking back to the chapel :) Then we went to a meeting, and we taught her, soaking wet. :) It was awesome.  Then she told us she makes arrows (and we could tell because she had hundreds all over the place along with bows and arrows) and she gave us each one! Hence the cool picture hehe :) She's awesome.

     Well, I'm sure there's more I could share, but I have no time, and this computer was a little frustrating, but oh well! :) I love you all so much.  Don't take the little things for granted like I did for so long.  Make every moment count.  :) Kocham was!!! :)

Love, Sister Ostler

Eatng Gelato after the polish opera

Polish food YUM!

YSA Activity

Homemade arrows (Gotta love the homemade pull-up bar above their heads!! Go Shelby)



At Jadwiga's



The Tramwaj!!!! (like trax, we spend way to much time on this)

Shopping and getting soaken wet.  The rain surprises us all the time.
But we LOVE it :)

The Centrum



The Elders



President and Sister Nielson

A few pics of Poland!

 Shelby made cookies for some members!

This work will go forth......

July 2 2012
Hey Family :) :) :)
    Thank you for your emails Mom and Kelsee, I loved them.  Sorry Mom, I didn't get your pics, but that's okay.  I got your pics Kels, thanks, they're darling! :) I love those darn kids! Kamryn is so big! How is she? Well, I loved your email Mom.  I am sorry things have been so tough.  I wonder if last week you and I were both struggling at the same time?? :) Maybe we were like, on the same wave length or something.  I had a couple really tough moments last week, kind of like what you said, on the verge of tears missing you all.  But it's like you said, this is the right thing, but sometimes, knowing that doesn't make it easy.  But it's gotten better and easier and I am loving it..

Okay, to answer your questions: :) I like our apartment a lot.  It is totally, ummmm interesting...., I'll be honest :-D but that's okay, because seriously, it is nicer than most everyone's here in Poland! It's crazy.  Our shower is a little scary..... as in, when you turn on the heat, this big fire starts up in this box thing hahaha it's kind of crazy! But I think it's an adventure :) I made cookies the other day, so there's your picture.  We took them to our English students :) They loved them!

 So my companion is really awesome. Seriously.  I ask her at least 50-60 questions a day and she is so patient with me.  We have A LOT in common.  She played soccer and loves it.  We love like all the same foods- which is pretty much everything.  We go running almost every morning and it is so pretty!!! The streets here are what I imagine many streets to be like in Italy.  It's great.. It's super humid, but sea level, so I can breath great! Even though I'm not in good shape.  When it's rainy and cold in the mornings and we don't want to go running, I do push-ups and some things on that work out paper you gave me, oh and pull-ups! I can finally do some pull-ups. i found a door way.... :) I'm getting in shape again haha :)

 So my sinus infection got better after about 3 or 4 days.  I feel great now.  Still super tired in the days, but I'm just not used to the early sun yet and I have crazy dreams. Usually about everybody at home speaking some crazy Polish and random other stuff, so it's pretty funny :) The Lord has sure blessed me with energy and strength to get through and enjoy each day.  So my favorite food??? Hmmmm, I've had a lot.  I love the fresh fruit here! So cheap and so delicious! Fresh raspberries and cherries and oranges and apples :) Mmmmm! I love pierogis they're like ling lings but with a bunch of random things in them.  Like meat or mushrooms, or potatoes and cream cheese.  Mmmm :)

  So there's not mountains here, they're down south, but it's a lot like San Diego weather and stuff.  There's random trees and hills and it's so humid and green! I love it.  I love tracting and contacting because then we're not stuck on a stuffy tram waj trying to start a conversation about the gospel haha, outside is much nicer :)
      Well Momma, I'm sure hope you're doing great.  I think about you all so often, especially when I testify to people of the Plan of Salvation.  can't seem to hold back the tears.  That's so fun about the puppies, I bet they're just adorable! I'm glad you all got to have a great time with Jon and Ashlee before they left.  That must have been tough though.  That's great you can skype though! I'm so proud of you! :) Way to go!

This is for kelsee: Hey kels, I love you so much! Thank you for the pictures and the LITTLE NOTE ;) (you can write more if you want) Camping at the spruces, sounds like a blast! We're having a little 4th of July thing too, with a bunch of members and investigators- fun stuff.  Well, tell the kids I love and miss them so much.
 
This is for Ashlee: Hey Ash, I'm sorry I didn't have much time last week to respond to your email.  Thank you so much. I can't imagine how tough things might be right now and for a while.  I want you to know that you're in my prayers and I promise that everything will get better and you'll get comfortable.  Sometimes I have to remind myself when I pray to pray and ask the Lord to help you to see the miracles and the tender mercies. That has sure helped me since I've been on a mission.  Keep hanging in there.  You're amazing. 
Well this is for you mom and dad and everyone, you can share everything I write, I don't mind.  But I just want you to know that I love you.  I see the people here in Poland and they just... they just need something. They need the light. They need hope.  They need Christ.  My challenge for you and for everyone is to find Him in your life.  Don't forget what a blessing it is to have this knowledge.  I know, knowing these things doesn't always make it easier, but I promise, It sure makes it worth it.

       A few random things I wanted to share.  We witnessed miracles this week! We had 7 investigators in church! More investigators than members!!! So neat! We have an investigator who is a single mother of 3 beautiful children and she already knows the church is true after 2 visits! She is wonderful! We love her and are so excited for her!

 So on thursday we had culture night, we get that once a transfer. and we went and saw this Russian/Polish opera thing- hilarious, I must say! This Russian man sang this Polish song in the heaviest Russian accent ever and he was wearing a white curly wig.  Pretty epic.  Then we had some gelato, and walked along the river (sea) side for a while.  It was a beautiful night, such a blessing.

  So something I've learned that I must share.  Faith and patience are inseperably connected.  If I am not patient with myself learning Polish, I am not exercising faith.  They just can't go one without the other.  Also, everything I have learned in my life is now being put to the test.  Literally.  It's amazing.  I can see every area that needs strengthening and I can see the blessings of past trials in my life.  They have sure prepared me and strengthened me for this.  I know that our trials are a blessing.  It is sure hard to say that in the moment, but I know that we truly can draw closer to Christ as we seek comfort and help, and through Him, we will receive it.  These patterns of learning are a huge part of this plan.  I know it's true.
 
      Well, I have so much I want to say.  I don't have time.  I hope you like the pictures.  Remember to be happy NOW.  Sometimes I say, " oh I can't wait until I can speak better polish or understand everything or this or that" but I am starting to just enjoy it all now :) I won't ever have this time back.  I love you mom and dad and family.  Send my love.  You're amazing! Keep up the faith!
     Love, Sister Shelby Ostler