Be careful what you pray for...

Hey there Family and Friends! 

       How is life? I hope everything is going good. Is it still summer over there? It's turning into fall here.  Starting to rain more and get chilly! :) I think it's kind of fun.  But not a lot of time to cuddle up to the fire place and drink hot chocolate ya know? This just isn't the time for that.  Makes me think that I sure took some things for granted before now, that is for sure.  So this week was good.  I have to start by saying- as soon as I gave that challenge last week in my letter, I was put to the test.  I don't know why, but I just had a tough, rough, struggle for a couple of days.  I was forced to apply my own challenge to just "Be happy".  It was hard, and I think I discovered that it is almost impossible to put things aside and just be happy without help from our Father in Heaven.  It's just too hard to try to do it by myself.  I needed some comfort and some ... perspective. And the only place I can get that from is prayer.  So, that is something that I learned this week and it's sure helping me now even.  :) 

      So, where to begin!? I have an example of prayer for ya! So... I'll admit, I eat a lot.  There I said it.  So at the end of the day, when we get home for dinner, I eat SOOOO much! I'm just starving! So I made it a goal to try to eat less, and of course, I prayed for help as I try to accomplish this goal.  So...... God, being the kind Father that he is, answered my prayers! We went to buy our food today and neither of us had any money on our cards! We had ZERO! So.... I used my own money, which made us really only buy the necessities right? Yeah, We realized later on that that was, in some round about way, an answer to prayer.  Hehe.  Sometimes I think He gets a laugh out of our prayers- maybe just mine- but really :-) So yeah,  that was a fun lesson learned.  Be careful what you pray for too! :) 

      Okay, so I LOVE the members and investigators that we have here in Gdansk.  They are amazing.  Agnieszka and her daughter, Kasia, gave a talk to us for our last lesson.  We asked them to both prepare one on Humility.  It was sooooo good! They both had their resources and their sweet testimonies of Humility.  It was really cool.  Then we went to Samjit's (the member from Thailand) and she had made us like 6 or 7 rolls of Sushi!!! She is so sweet! We sure love her.  Then in English/Book of Mormon reading class, Lukas drew the coolest drawing of Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life! So cool! He is awesome.  He had a really cool interpretation too.  I love our class :) Oh! and our member, josef and his wife who isn't a member, irena, is picking a baptismal date! We are so excited for them!!! Ahhhh! they want to go through the temple together.  It makes me so happy.  

      Well, My hands hurt from typing so fast.  I only have a few more minutes.  But I did something today in personal study, it was cool. I mapped out my conversion.  I made a time line of my life and I had the ups be the spiritual times and the downs be the... non spiritual times (or less-spiritual).  Then I looked for patterns and reasons why there was an up or a down in certain areas.  It was really neat.  I learned a lot.  So that is my challenge for all of you.  Take a few minutes and map out your life and ask yourself what things have happened or have you done that have brought the most happiness or the least happiness.  Then live according to which ones brought the most.  It's really cool. Let me know how it goes.  

Are they talking on the phone...or maybe the recorder.....

Yum Yum Sushi.  Shelby must be in heaven

Looks pretty healthy Shelbs....

      Okay, well, I better go.  I sure love this mission. Hands down it is the hardest thing I've ever done.  All day, every day.  But I look at the Prophet and all the apostles who have done this or are going to be doing this for the rest of their lives.  They amaze me.  This work is worth every drop of sweat and every mile walked (or ran).  It's just worth it.  I hope everyone gets the opportunity to serve.  As my great friend Danny told me, this is the only time you get to "Walk with the Father and live like the Son."  Have a great week! :) 

Love, Sister Shelby Ostler

Post from the Mission Blog

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

August 24, 1977 and August 24, 2012.

On the morning of Wednesday, August 24, 1977 a meeting was held at Ogrod Saski in downtown Warsaw. This was held for the dedication of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the nation of Poland. President Spencer W. Kimball with Sister Kimball along with Brother and Sister David M. Kennedy in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Saski Park square.Present were: President and Sister Spencer W. Kimball, Brother and Sister David M. Kennedy, D. Arthur Haycock, Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, Brother and Sister Matthew Ciembronowicz and their son, Adam, Brother and Sister Fryderyk Czerwinski, Brother and Sister Walter Krause, Sister Lona Czerwinska and daugther, Mona. All were standing on the north side of the fountain.We had just dropped off our missionaries at the airport. We drove straight to this wonderful and sacred spot in Warsaw. It was still early, peaceful and quiet. It was one of those very special days and occasions. From the dedicatory prayer: "We congregate before thee in this special park... and are grateful for this beautiful land with its thousands of lakes, its numerous rivers, its quiet forests, its fertile farm lands, and its rich natural resources".The park was empty, there were no sounds of the city. I don't know if we have had a more peaceful day in Warsaw or in Poland. "We are aware of the contributions made by Polish emigrants to other lands. We have been touched by the love shown by these emigrants for their relatives and friends in the Mother land. Our hearts are touched and we covenant with thee that we will use this place to encourage a love for thee and thy ways... our desire to be associated with this land is to create love for thee and to cause thy people of this nation to love their fathers and their leaders and love their land and to live honorable, righteous lives". (Dedicatory Prayer)We walked and looked at this beautiful park. We thought of the promises given to this great country and these marvelous people. "we ask thee...sanctify this land with great leadership and great opportunities for the people who have suffered so much. We are grateful to thee for these good people and their good leaders who granted to us the privilege of coming into their land with the high, elevating principles and doctrines which will make of their populace a strong, vital group of men, women, and children of courage and loyalty: men and women of great honor and integrity". (Dedicatory Prayer)The fountain where the group who had gathered that day some 35 years ago was powerful and yet calm. "bless these leaders with wisdom and judgement and faith and integrity, that they themselves may be happy in their lives, that they may also pass to the other millions of people those graces and programs which will make of this a strong nation and a wonderful people". (Dedicatory Prayer)The changing of the guards took place on the hour. Off to the right, with this building in the back ground, is where President Kimball, Sister Kimball and Brother and Sister Kennedy stood in the opening picture. "We recall the the contributons to science and the arts by so many from this great land. Names of great men and women come to mind such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Madame Curie, Chopin, Paderewski, and many others. Those of us who have come from America owe a great debt of gratitude to Kosciuszko and Pulaski who served with such bravery and distinction in the American Revolution". (Dedicatory Prayer)As we thought about what happened here on this spot 35 years ago today, this morning we are so grateful and thankful to be even a very small part of this great work. "Wilt thou bless these fathers and mothers in this nation, that they may bring up their children in righteousness, that they may train them aright and bless thy children that they may grow up to be honorable, peaceful, loving parents themselves, so that the generations may bring to thee, their Lord, great satisfaction in the development of the souls of men. Whatsoever city thy servants shall enter and the people of that city receive their testimony, let thy peace, thy salvation, be upon that city and upon thy people, that they may gather out of that city the righteous that they may come forth and desire the blessings of Zion". (Dedicatory Prayer)

We are so blessed to be in Poland. We love these people. This Church is true, and it is living. It is lead by a living prophet who is guided by a living and loving Lord. Because the Lord has His Church again upon the earth, each person can find the truth and the way that will bring happiness and joy. Not just in this life but for eternity.
Another wonderful and memorable day for us in Poland!

Great Week in Gdansk

Wowie, what another great week! :) 

Hey Friends and Fam! I am sure grateful to get to write you every week.  What a blessing! This morning we woke up and cleaned the apartment, and while we were listening to Mo tab, it finally got to the Christmas Mo tab! We loved singing along to "Walking in a winter wonderland" :) That was pretty fun! We cleaned real good cuz it's the start of a new transfer! Sister Bezdjian and I will be staying together here in Gdansk for another 2 months.  I can't wait! It's going to be awesome.  I learn something new from sister B every day.  There is so much work to do up here.  The days aren't long enough sometimes.  Crazy how that happens.  Time really flies on a mission.  

     So a few things about investigators and such.  We have a way cool guy to teach named Lukasz.  He is 22 and he is a sculptor.  He is very inteligent and he read up to 2 Nephi after our first visit! So cool.  He came to church on Sunday and He really liked it.  He prays at the end of our lessons and he is learning a lot.  It's so cool to see him learn.  So we have a member here named Josef and his wife isn't a member, so we meet with them once a week.  The other day they fed us dinner and he just shared all of his hopes and dreams with us and he said all he wants is the Kingdom of God.  He said he knows that is the greatest blessing or dream anyone could ever have.  They are wonderful.  We hope she will get baptized.  So there is also a member here that has been a member for about 20 years or so.  She is 85 and she has been through so much.  There have been a lot of members come and go and be strong and some that fall away.  She has been one of the most solid members here for years.  She is so sweet, we love her.  

      So this week I learned a lot about faith and miracles.  I have been reading in Alma and I love to read about Aaron and Ammon and all that they experienced and went through as missionaries.  They AMAZE me!!!! I read chapter 26 today and it was just so powerful to me.  Sometimes I feel like Ammon, when my heart is just so full of joy and love, I don't know what to do! It's amazing to think that they were so against the church and they were so far off, and after a serious of events, they became some of the most successful instruments in the hands of the Lord in bringing this gospel to people.  Thousands and thousands of people.  What if Alma and the Sons of Mosiah's families would've given up on them or if they would've turned back (ch.26) because they were depressed and had no success??? So crazy to think about that.  What a lesson it was to me.  We just have to endure through the tough times because we have no idea what the design of this plan really is.  There's so much to it that we don't see.  They were amazing missionaries, and still are I'm sure! :) 

     So my challenge for you this week is to be happy.  Just that.  Try your hardest to be happy no matter what.  Trying to do something, no matter what it is, is always a train reaction.  You try, the Lord blesses you, you receive blessings, you become more grateful, you show gratitude, you're humbled, you're then humble and receive more blessings for your humility, and then you're happy because of the blessings you have.  Effort goes a lot further than we know sometimes.  God knows when we're trying our hardest.  We have so much to be happy about :) Just knowing what we know is reason enough to be happy right? :) 

      Well, one of the funniest meetings I have ever been in was just the other day.  Awesome investigators, a lady Grazyna, her friend Maria and her husband mirek.  They fed us a little and then their big ol dog came in and tried to get our food.  I was having to refrain from laughing as I looked over and saw Sister Bezdjian trying to protect her food from the dog and he jumped up and almost got her in the face! Then he made his way over to me. It was hilarious! Then as Grazyna said the closing prayer, she was so sweet and remembered everything in her prayer.  I peeked up and she was just so animated and so grateful for everything in her prayer! She whispered to her friend, "Did I forget anything"?? I was so great! I love them and we sure have a lot of hope for them.  

     Well, time's  about up.  This gospel is the greatest source of joy, and I'm so grateful to be a part of this.  Thank you all soooooo much for your support.  I can't thank you enough for your prayers and friendship throughout my life.  The Lord sure knows our needs.  Well I hope you all have a great week! Be strong, and remember, Be happy! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) 

    Love, Sister Shelby Ostler (Or as the poles say "Oster". Supposedly it's a pretty flower or something) 

Yeah...... they are staying together for another transfer...9 more weeks together

I bet they  are standing on a chair.....haha

Work those Mussels Sister Ostler

They love the Hawkers....

Family News........

Shelby's sister Ashlee and her family were able
to go to the Sacred Grove in Palmyra NY
What a wonderful place. and the spirit was very strong there.

                                                             

Shelby's new niece Kamryn is getting so big

These 4 miss Aunt Shelby so much.....

Aunt Trisha, Mom, and Grandma and Grandpa a
day on the lake.  One of Shelby's most
favorite things to do.

Shelby's Sister Kelsee and her cute family.

A special Aunt and Uncle to Shelby.
Trisha and Troy Rindlisbacher

Shelby's dad, doing what he loves....water skiing....

Shelby's only brother, just moved to Portland Oregon

Sister Ostler is blonde again....she must have found a hair salon in Poland

Hey Friends and Fam

Gdansk Missionaries

Wowie, what a great week.  Where to begin where to begin? I don't know where the time goes, it just flies! This week was full of a lot of miracles.  First I want to talk about some of our investigators.  They are so cool! One is about 50.  She is trying so hard to learn English. She's intrigued by the pioneers and mapped out a bunch of stuff in the Book of Mormon. Pretty much, she wants to be baptized.  She just gets it, ya know? Her name is Janina and she is so cool!  Her husband is living in England for a while and we will teach him when he gets back.  We have so much hope for her! :) So another one is named Aleksandra.  She's just this spunky lady around 65.  We met with her for the second time on friday and she invited a friend to listen in.  We gave a lesson on the restoration and Aleksandra was just excited about it, she couldn't stop telling her friend more and more.  They love how we pray in our own words and how we can repent.  They are so fancy and elegant, they just make us smile.  Then her other friend comes over! We taught all 3 of them and are meeting with them again in a while because they wanted more time to read the Book of Mormon. Sooo cool! :) So yeah, we love them.  There's lots more, but that's all for now.

      So one really neat experience this week was in our previous english class which is now our book of Mormon reading class.  We had 4 people and a member in on the lesson.  We had them act-out chapter 4 of 1st Nephi and then we talked about it.  It was really interesting to see the different responses.  One of them (who has SSSSOOOOO much potential) had a really hard time with Nephi being commanded to kill Laban.  It can be a tough subject to talk about, but it really opened the door for her to start thinking more about it.  We talked about the nature of God, and how much He really loves us.  And then, one of the other girls, Mili, joined in and started talking about God in the Old Testament and it was so cool to see them help turn this story into real life.  The Book of Mormon is so great! She will come to know this truth and she will be so strong, you can just see it! :) I love it.  

      Okay, so pretty much, I love the first 4 or 5 hours of the day.  We go running, get ready, have personal study, have companionship study, and then 12-week program (Which is awesome).  Personal study is so great!!! For an hour we just get to read and study from the Book of Mormon, Preach my Gospel and church magazines.  It is so uplifting! Then we get to talk about it comp study.  This week I studied compassion a lot, and that was sure powerful to me.  Compassion sure goes a long way. It means so much to me when someone shows compassion or empathy, so I tried to study how we can implement more love and compassion everyday to those around us.  Christ is just the perfect example.  So I've noticed that when we sing in our lessons, the spirit is always stronger.  We've been doing that as much as possible.  It's really neat. 

     Okay, so a few things I've learned and my challenge for you.  First of all, I learned that if all else fails, and nothing else is working out in life, no matter what it may be- Hard work will bring you comfort and confidence.  That is something we can control.  Second-  By our willingness to be consistent, we are blessed consistently, and when we are not committed and are wavering, our lives too, will be unconsistent and will waver from time to time.  So, here's my challenge.  Pick one thing in your life and be consistent in it.  Maybe it will be praying mornings and nights, maybe it'll be reading 20 minutes a day, maybe it'll be changing every little complaint into something you're grateful for, and maybe it's just consistently trying to share your love for others around you.  I have chosen the complaining one.  I know it sure helps me to be consistently happy here on this mission.  I testify that being consistent in this gospel will bring blessings.  :) :) 

Haha. I knew it was just a matter of time until Shelby
found a hair salon.
Now I think they are teaching the hair dresser :)
Cute dress Shelby.....
and cute hair Sister Ostler and Sister Bez

Love It!!!!!!!

These great Sisters earned the Standard of Excellence.....
They love to talk to people.....and people love them

A lesson on the beach.....

Beautiful Poland

Baltic Sea in the baskground

      Okay, I am trying to think of what else to say.  My mind always goes blank under pressure! :) Well, I have a fantastic trainer. I really feel like I couldn't be more blessed.  She is so solid! Every day I learn something new from her, whether it's gospel related, teaching related or polish related.  I hope we get to serve together longer.  We've become great friends. :) So the other day we walked into this old house/apartment and it was pretty sketchy....... spider webs all over and then on the old stairs there was this huge cat with a tumor on it's face and it was breathing heavily and staring really creepily at us.  I had to laugh because it was like this old scene in a movie and were right in the middle of it.  So funny :) Well, life is great.  I love the mission.  It's hard work.  I'm pooped about 98% of the time, but it feels so good! How do you explain that??? I'm not sure, but it's a good feeling.  Life is great.  I hope you're all doing great at home.  Remember I love you all :) Enjoy the journey! :)

      Love, Sister Ostler

Investigators!!!

   Hey everyone! :):)

So this week was so great! Really, I don't know how to explain it.  I am just so thankful to be a part of this work.  I'll start with yesterday, since it's so fresh on my mind :) 

    So I have to tell you about our amazing Sakrament meeting.  Since we don't have a chapel at the moment, and we are in the process of looking for one, we weren't sure how many people were going to come to church.  We fasted together and invited everyone we could to come to church and meet in the library here in Centrum.  Well, on our way to church, we picked up a member, walked with her, then along came another humble sweet man who has come twice, then comes our recent convert right behind us.  We showed them up to the room, then sat in amazement as more and more people came in! We went outside in the park and waited for any more people who might not know where to go, and of course, more and more people came.  We had about 30 or more people in church! We had a very powerful experience as members and investigators alike bore testimony.  The cute little man who came just felt the spirit so strong he couldn't help but clap and say "bravo!" He's about 85 or so :) We got to share our testimonies and I personally felt so blessed to be in that room with everyone there.  What a tender mercy from the Lord and a true miracle. 

      So in personal study I've been reading about Alma and I just love him.  He is such a missionary! Alma 8:9-18.  He is so discouraged, then he's reassured from the Lord, blessed for his obedience and faithfulness, promised blessings, and then (here's the key) he SPEEDILY returns (verse18) to teach the people.  What's the significance?? He bounces back, has an eternal perspective, and he is willing to make the long, hot, tiring journey back because he knows the lord will provide a way. Soooooo cool! I just love him :) So there's that.  

       So a few quick random things that happened.  First of all, when we were teaching our Book of Mormon reading class, we were at the best part, literally a few verses before nephi cuts off laban's head, when the power goes out.  We were in complete darkness! The suspense was sweet.  Now they really want to keep reading later! So we went outside to see what happened and there was a FLOOD!!! It was soo cool! It was only like 3 feet deep, but it was fun to go wading through it talking to people about the church :) It went away quickly, but it was pretty fun :) So on August 1st all of Poland has 1 minute of silence, a lot like america, to remember the warsaw uprising.  It was a really neat moment because we were teaching english and all of the poles got to tell us about it.  I loved it.  Really cool.  So one day we were tracting and we were running out of ways to start the conversation, so we decided to start by singing...... hahaha.  Wowie, funniest experience of my life. I wish you all could have seen it.  We started singing where can I turn for peace (in polish of course) when the lady opened the door, the dog started barking like crazy, and the lady shouted "Nie! Idz tu! Idz tu!" Which means "no, leave, leave" as she summoned us with her hands and the dog chased us away.  Hahaha. We were just laughing so hard.  What else can ya do, right?? So funny :) The phrase, "When the Lord closes one day, he always opens another" has totally different meaning to me now :-D

      Okay, so the important stuff.  Guess what! Agnieszka's kids, Tomek and Kasia 8 and 11 are going to be baptized too!!! We were so excited!!! He is 8 years old and he read the whole kids Book of Mormon, and almost the whole kids D&C!!! We taught about fasting on friday and he said, "I think the most I can fast is 2 days, Mom." Hahaha, cute kid! He says the cutest prayers every! :) I am so excited for them.  They have sure changed a lot as a family since the gospel has become a part of their lives.  I love them.  

     So my companion has taught me so much.  Every day I watch her very closely (that may seem weird.....) but she's my trainer, and I still have soooooo much to learn.  She cares so much about our investigators and about every single person we meet.  She knows the Bible and the Book of Mormon so well.  She is always 100 percent obedient and she is a powerful teacher, always listening so close.  I have learned a lot from her and I know that we always have something more to learn from those around us.  :) :) :) 

     Well, I know there's more I want to say, I just can't think....... Hmmmmm, Gdansk is absolutely beautiful.  Always fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere.  I love it.  Well, I better go.  I love you all.  The gospel is true. I am so glad we get to be a part of this great work.  Every one of us get to be a part of it.  What a blessing! Take care and enjoy your loved ones in your life.  :) Love you!

Love, Sister Ostler 

A post from the mission blog.....

NIELSON POLAND WARSAW MISSION BLOG

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2012

A special trip to Gdansk.

WOW! We had to take a quick trip to Gdansk to solve some building issues. We arrived, made our way to the downtown area and had never seen the city busier! There were countless groups of tourists and school children wearing badges, tags, (and my personal favorite) hats to make sure they stayed with their group. What is going on???We have arrived in Gdansk at the beginning of the 23 day St. Dominic's Fair...one of the largest trade and cultural events in Poland. Every August over 1000 merchants, artists, artisans and collectors put up their stalls hoping to attract buyers. An average of 70,000 people visit this fair daily. This fair has been a tradition in Poland for over 700 years.Merchants with all kinds of food, clothes, jewely, trinkets were lining every street. Musicians could be heard everywhere. It was a busy, busy market place. And of course, I can't go to Gdansk without taking a picture of MY favorite landmark in this beautiful city...the Gdansk Crane!

But now to the business at hand...finding a chapel for the Gdansk Branch to meet in. We thought we had this all figured out and at the very last moment, the deal fell apart. We had done our part, Germany had done their part....obviously, the Lord had something else in mind. So, it was back to 'building shopping'!We went to countless sites. I will only show you the 'top 2'. First...this building located just off the Old Town. It used to be a bank building.It is on the ground floor and has much room for growth. Lots of good selling points.Second...this building is located near the Manhattan Mall. It has great public transportation access and is in a nice neighborhood. It is in the process of being cleaned up.Entering the building.....Inside-it has a nice feel to it and seems to be built very well. Both sites have great potential. We'll see.While in Gdansk, we were able to run into our great Sisters serving there....Sister Ostler and Sister Bezdjian who recently earned the 'Standard of Excellence' award in the mission. Their apartment is very close to the second site. These sisters are on fire....as you can tell by their planners!Saying 'good-bye' to Brother Lutter....who had made a special trip from Germany to speed up the process of finding a building. We appreciate all he does for Poland. Thank you!Later, we were able to meet up with President Kempa and his wife. President Kempa is the branch president in Gdansk and does so much to help the branch. He has worked hard helping to find sites for the new building. He has great ideas, and we appreciate his insight.After a very long day in Gdansk, the Lewis' drop us off at the airport to head home. We call the Lewis' our 'almost' Senior Missionary Couple in Gdansk. They do so much for the missionaries and the members. Even though they are not actually full-time missionaries, they act like it. Thank you for the great hospitality and ALL you do! Back to Warsaw...