Thank You All

Dear Friends and Family,

      My heart hurts quite a bit as I write this email to all of you.  A few days ago, after I talked to my mission president, I found out that I will be coming home from Poland on a medical release.  Once I found out, I had 2 hours to pack everything and be on a train to Warsaw.  I had a great evening with my mission president and his wife in their home, and the next morning I was on a plane to Salt Lake City.  I got in late Saturday evening, where my wonderful parents greeted me at the airport with balloons and tear-filled eyes.  I was sure excited to see them.  Then at my house, my sister, her family and my grandparents were there.  It was nice to see everyone and hug my little nieces and nephews, who I have missed SO much.  The next morning I was released by my stake president, who told me that the soonest I could return to the mission field would probably be 6 months due to the lack of medical care in Poland.  My heart dropped when I heard that and I immediately prayed hard for the comfort and faith that I need in order to face this obstacle.  I left his office with my parents feeling hopeful and ready to do what I need to do.  I attended church, saw more of my family members and spent time at home with those that I love. 

      Now I am on my computer, at home, in my room.  I woke up to a cushioned toilet seat, soft carpet beneath my feet, drinkable tap water, a clean hot shower, and two of my best friends in the world just down the hall from me (aka- my parents).  I feel so blessed, I don't really know what to say.  I am still kind of in shock and my heart hurts a little bit.  I keep thinking about our wonderful members and investigators in Gdansk and I worry about them.  I worry about my companion and about how well filled-in I left our area book.  Silly things.  Overall, when I think about it and when I kneel down to pray, I know that it will all work out.  For months I have been encouraging investigators to take that leap of faith and step into the unknown by putting all their trust in the Lord, now I guess it's my turn.

      I don't know what will happen and I guess that's just part of the test.  But for what I have been able to experience thus far, I am eternally grateful.  I am also grateful for all of the support and love that I have recieved and seen and felt for the past 7 months.  Thank you all for your prayers, for your letters, and for your love.  I know that the Lord knows us and our circumstances so well.  I know that He really does want us to experience joy and happiness.  I testify that the work of the Lord is the greatest work in the world and it is here for us everyday- as missionaries, as families, as members, as children of God- it's here for us to do and He'll provide a way for us to succeed.  I love the people of Poland, I love the Book of Mormon and I know it's true. I love our Prophet today and testify that He is the mouthpiece for the Lord.  I know that the greatest thing that sets us apart from the world is that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the power of God is on the earth today- blessing and changing lives every moment.  What a neat thing!! Above everything, I testify that Christ lives.  He lives and He loves us and He knows our potential and our ability to become like Him.  I testify that He will always support us and strengthen us up in order to face the trials of this life.  I testify that real joy is one of the greatest rewards and blessings of living the gospel.  I love you all very much.  I hope I will be writing you again in 6 months :) Trzymajcie sie i wszystkiego najlepszego! (Take care of yourselves and everything the best).  

With Love, Sister Shelby Ostler

Bring on November's cold!

Hey Friends and Family :) 

How are you all doing? I hope you are all doing great.  This week was a great week.  Many miracles and exciting events.  Couple random things first.  We met a lady from Norway who wanted to see old town, so we walked with her and talked for 20 minutes or so and she was really interested in the gospel.  We gave her some information and she left seeming really excited about it all.  Then right after that, we met another lady who was super interested and she asked where she could buy a book of mormon and of course we said we have one to give her.  We swapped numbers and set up to meet soon.  Two interested people back to back is pretty rare around here, so we felt so blessed and excited! 

      So in the middle of this week Sister Peterson and I both received a Priesthood blessing, one because we've been sick, and two because we both really needed it.  It was a neat experience for both of us and I personally felt a lot of comfort and hope after that.  The priesthood is amazing.  So then on November 1st, they have a holiday here called All Saints Day.  I sent some pics, so hopefully you can picture it a little bit.  But it is amazing.  Hundreds of thousands of candles to support and remember ancestors and loved ones.  We were there with members and investigators and it was a really spiritual experience.  I sat there on one of the benches in the cemetery and just thought about all of the people in my life who have impacted me in one way or another.  I feel really grateful for all of you. For all of the examples in my life, for all of the friendships, the memories, the experiences and the lessons I learned from all of you throughout my life.  The Polish people really have a lot of love and I am very blessed to be around them and witness their deep conviction for freedom and for life.  The gospel just adds such depth to our lives and it's amazing to see it change the lives of people all around me.  That was a wonderful night to witness. 

       Well, I am out of time :( But one last thing I want to share.  Earlier this week I had one of those Do or Die moments, ya know? The "To Be or not to be" moments.  You know what I mean, the mornings when you wake up, feel kind of sick, it's raining outside, you're cold, and you have a choice to go back to bed and give in, or to get up, get going and make a turn for the better.  Well, It was one of those mornings and it became a neat blessing to get up and decide to be happy and work hard.  The Lord knows how we feel and He knows our circumstances.  I testify that when we make the little decisions that determine even bigger consequences, the Lord strengthens us and blesses us more than we could imagine.  I love you all.  That's my challenge for you.  Make the little wise decisions that will affect the greater ones.  Take care, have a great week! :) Love you!!!

Love, Sister Ostler :)

Ola! One of her great friends from English class

 Shelby and Sister Peterson being crazy on the tram alone.  That's very unusual for Poland to have the trains be empty.

Day of the Dead!

Poland's version of Halloween.

It's actually a very spiritual time of year, and it means a lot to the residents of Poland.

Homemade Banana bread! YUM! She says it doesn't taste like Mom's but we're sure it's scrumptious!  She's a great cook!

Missionaries serving in Gdansk, Poland!

Shelby found the photo editing tools on her camera! They had a little extra time.