An awesome week!!!

Hey There :) 

       What a great week.  Crazy, busy, cold, funny, random, weird, miraculous, and just all around Cool :) We met some really cool people.  One day we went to a house for our meeting and they weren't home.  Bummer cuz we waited about 2 months to meet with them.  But as we were walking away, we met a man named Zigmont.  He looked like he needed something.  We testified of the truthfulness of our message and that it can really bless his life.  He became very interested and talked about how he has been searching truth for a while.  We offered him a Book of Mormon and he got teary eyed and thank us very sincerely.  We set up to meet with him and his wife this week and he made sure we new where he lives and that we know his number.  That was neat.  Then on the tram, Sister Bezdjian was sitting holding a big box of apples that an investigator just picked for us, when all of a sudden this man says "Hey are you two on your missions?" In english! and I was like, woa, what? cool! His name is Doug and he is from California.  He and his wife are here for school.  We talked and exchanged numbers and we are hoping to meet with them soon.  So cool :) 

Advertising for Conference!!

      So this week one of the neatest miracles was one morning while we were waiting in the park for our investigator to show up for our meeting.  Suddenly she called and said she can't make it.  We were a little bummed and then all of a sudden, Ola, our great friend from our Book of Mormon reading class, comes walking down the pathway. I jumped up and gave her a big hug and said "It's sure great to see you!" She said the same thing as we talked for a minute and asked her about her day and everything.  She was just so happy.  At the end of a ten minute conversation or so, she said, "You know, I asked to meet someone today on my way to work. I was feeling a little down." We heard that and just smiled.  We know the spirit has been working in her and it is amazing to witness.  We really love her and want her to be happy.  So one more thing I learned this week.  Heleman 4:26 If transgression is what made them so weak, then obedience and righteousness must make us strong and give us power.  Simple, yet struck me differently this week.  I love the Book of Mormon. 

A cute YUMMY crepe shop they found!

       So one evening, we were in a car with an investigator whose boss was driving us to her house.  For just a minute there was a song that I knew before the mission, something from like Nickleback or someone and all of a sudden I was (in my head) back at home, in my car and driving around.  I started to think about the influence music has on us and the role it plays in our lives.  I felt ..... weird.  For just a second.  I came back to reality and made a little connection to what just happened.  As a missionary, I have experienced a lot of wonderful blessings of the spirit.  Things I had never before experienced.  I realized that while I've been here, I have been in tune with myself a lot more.  Not just with the spirit, but with myself.  Sometimes at home I'd go for a drive or I'd watch a movie and I'd tune, not only the spirit out, but myself out.  It's almost as if I avoided confrontation with myself.  Interesting, right? Because here, I can't hide from myself. That may sound kind of funny, but it's true. I see it all. The good, the bad, the real and the fake the strengths and the weaknesses of myself.  There's nothing to cloud the view. From that experience I learned that it's so good to let the spirit into our lives.  We need it and we can learn a lot about ourselves.  So, that is my challenge for anyone and everyone reading.  Let the spirit in, and find out what He is trying to teach you about yourself.  It's really neat.  

       Well, there are so many more things I want to share! Ahhhh, nie mam czasu! (I don't have time!) We are going to the Aquarium in Gdynia now, I'm so excited.  I hope you all have a great week.  One last thing I learned, can't remember who it's from I think President Hinckley: Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person the be loved.  There are always things to worry about, to get done and to take care of.  But in the long run, those things work each other out and the most remembered thing is the love that we show(ed) for those around us.  Still learning this, and hope I can become better.  I love you all.  I am so thankful for the influence you have all had on my life.  Have a great week :) Hope you loved conference! :) Can't wait to read it in a month. Take care!!! Dowidzenia!

 She made her own Jam!!! Using Cornstarch, water, sugar and Berries!  Genius!

Love, Sister Ostler

A post of the Poland Mission Blog

NIELSON POLAND WARSAW MISSION BLOG

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Spending Sunday with the Saints in Gdansk.

Sunday morning...early! Why are we meeting the Missionaries in front of the public library?  We are looking for a site for the Gdansk Branch.  The searching has been slow, but we know the Lord will lead us to the perfect spot to help this Branch grow and thrive in the gospel.  What are they carrying?  Everything needed for a wonderful Sacrament Meeting....hymn books, trays, etc.  "Sacrament meeting on wheels!"

Our great Elders serving in Gdansk:  Elder Harris and Elder Myler (District Leader).

Soon, the Sisters arrive...Sister Ostler and Sister Bezjian.  And now it's time to get everything ready for the meetings.

We start with the room.  This is what the 'conference room' looks like in the libray when we arrive.

After some 'remodeling'....

...it is turned into a very nice chapel.  Good work, Missionaries!  Yes, they do this every Sunday.

Some of the Sisters in the Gdansk Branch.  (LtoR): Anja, Lydia, Wioletta, Agnieszka, Halina, Sister Harker, Ilena and Jane...an investigator.

The Primary in Gdansk is growing, too!!!!!! Claudia (brown sweater) used to be the only member. Now she has plenty of friends!

Agnieszka, Kasia and Tomek were all confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Little sister, Anna, will be baptized in December when she turns 8...which is considered the age of accountability in our Church.

Irena was also confirmed a member of the Church today.  She and her husband, Josef, are very happy for this day.

What a great group of Missionaries we have serving in Gdansk.  They work diligently every day to find those who are looking for the purpose of this life and wanting to know what God's plan is for them.  (LtoR): Elders Harris and Myler.  Sisters Ostler and Bezdjian.

After church (and some visiting!),  the members help put the conference room back in order.

Two great members of the Gdansk Branch, Brother and Sister Harker.  Just to show you how small the world is (especially in the Church), Sister Harker grew up in Hawaii and served in Church Institute with a very good friend of ours...President Teshima, of the Las Vegas Lakes Stake.  The Harkers are residing in Gdansk on business.....but we use them as  full-time Senior Couple Missionaries.  We appreciate all they do for the Branch and all they did for us while we were in Gdansk.

Visiting the Ronald Reagan Park in Gdansk where this statue was unveiled last July.  Pope John Paul II and President Reagan.  These 2 men are credited in Poland for helping to topple Communism 23 years ago.  The statue was inspired by an AP photograph taken of them together in Miami, Florida in 1987 when Pope John Paul II was visiting the United States. 

We had a great time in Gdansk visiting with members and missionaries alike.  How do you end a wonderful visit like this?  How about having a delicious Sunday dinner with our dear Sister Missionaries.  Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy.....it was just like home.  Thank you, Sisters Bezdjian and Ostler for the most delicious meal .....and great company!  They invited US to come and have Sunday dinner with them.  How nice is that?   Gdansk is doing well.  Great Missionaries, Great Members...Great City!  We love Gdansk and the people who live there!

What a great week. Started in Hel and ended in Heaven

 Well Hey there Family and Friends!!!!

Agnieszka, Tomek, and Kasia and Irena What a special day.  With Brother Harker

 I don't know where to begin! Sorry about last week.  Hel was really fun! It's beautiful up there.  The ocean was really cool and the beach was so nice.  This week was amazing.  Started in Hel and ended in Heaven ;) ;) I'll start with Saturday.  There were 4 baptisms; Agnieszka, Tomek, Kasia, and Irena.  Wow, it was so powerful! Brother Harker baptized them and they were so happy.  I can't explain it.  When agnieszka got out, she threw her arms around her kids and said, I love you so much! I felt the love of the Lord there with us and with them.  What a neat experience.  Then on Sunday, they were all confirmed.  that too was a wonderful experience.  I wish there were words to describe it. I am just so filled with love for them and for the gospel.  Their lives have changed soooooo much.  You can literally just see the spirit working in their lives.  It's wonderful.  

     So yesterday after church, we had the wonderful opportunity of having our Mission president and his wife over for dinner.  They sat in our study couches and we ate our our study table hehe :) I made a roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy and carrots and jello and juice :) I was in heaven being able to cook and have them over and just talk and get to know them more.  What a great experience! Our mission president is so inspired and so humble.  They work so hard and always make sure everyone is taken care of.  It sure means a lot to us.

  

     So aside from those wonderful experiences, there were many throughout the week.  A bunch of little tender mercies.  One day we were sprinting so hard to catch the bus to be on time to our next lesson and I just wanted to stop and walk sooooo bad! But I knew we could still catch it.  So we kept running and running and finally, we made it right as it was pulling away and we got on and made our 30 minute trip.  So cool! :) Then one night we went on a wild referral chase :-) It was clear out in the hills and we took one tram, then another, then a bus, then walked, then another bus, which happened to be wrong, and then we walked forever.  Well, we were just going to call it a night when we got the building and realized we didn't have the apartment number.  BUT we tried the first 2 and ended up finding the person we were looking for!!!! Soooo coooooooool! That was awesome :) That night I celebrated by eating a couple Oreos in milk :) ( and I thought of you daddy!) :) 

      So we try to always invite our investigators (on the first visit) to be baptized when they know this message is true and the God answers their prayers.  Sometimes it's a little scary, cuz we don't know what they'll say. But yesterday this awesome girl named Agata, when we asked her, she said, "If I get to that point, for sure!" We were so excited.  It so good that they know why we're there.  She is cool! So there were so many stories throughout the week, I wish I could share them all.  I am learning so much.  I would also like to apologize to anyone and everyone reading for being selfish and over confident.  I am learning a lot about myself, and I know that I have a long way to go.  But I hope that you can forgive me for not always being the best listener or the best person to turn to.  I hope the Lord can make the turn in me throughout this short time in my life. 

     Well, I have to go.  I wish I could stay and write forever.  I love you all. Thank you all for taking care of my family.  I miss them and I miss all of you.  This gospel is worth it all.  Have a great week.  Till next week! :) Love, Sister Shelby Ostler

Wonderful Baptism

Irena with her husband who is already a member

At the beach in Hel

The sisters with sister Harker

With the elders at the beach

After the baptism with Agnieszka and Irena

     

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