Motherrrr

Hermana Ostler’s Update – November 25, 2013

  

I am a mother of a big haired, loud, singing in every moment, Ecuatorina. I present to the world: Hermana Luque! She has the biggest heart and is so so so so so amazing. She cries every time she talks about her puppy. WE ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER. She told me that everyone always says she is so strange for always singing, talking in weird voices, and just being really crazy. WELL, Hermana Luque, you have met your match! It has been so much fun. She lived in Spain for 13 years and so she talks with a lisp. Sometimes I just stare at her like, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??? But I am getting used to it. She is also learning English from me and is always saying, “Thanks Heavenly Father for my puppy” in a very heavy Latin accent. It’s awesome.

I made a trip to the big city Cusco... and had a giant binge of English. There are so many gringo sisters there that I just love. We are going to be best friends when we get back. I love speaking in Spanish but there is something about talking in your own language. I left fat on english slang and a lot of worthless conversations about everything. I loved it.

Also. I still have my talent of having really precise memories about food. My sister Jessica emailed me to ask if I remembered what we ate after Dan’s dissertation. I was really, really worried and anxious because for a moment I COULD NOT REMEMBER! Yeah, but then after 5 seconds I could recall what I ate before, after, and during this event in time. Bring it! I challenge you to challenge me to remember what we ate after whatever moment we have had together. DO IT. Do it and be amazed.

And I realize that my English is awful. I will need to practice writing in English more.

Love you all!!

HERMANA ALEX

P.S. Still need to send those pictures......

And It's A Girl!

Hermana Ostler’s Update – November 18, 2013

  

Yes my friends. I am going to have my very own HIJA! I have been called to train after basically 6 weeks of experience. I would say that my Mission President is crazy, but knowing all about Priesthood authority and revelation...but still, a little crazy, no? Training is going to be a grand adventure. That poor missionary is coming into the mission with the craziest companion ever... But we are going to have a blast. Can anyone tell that I am nervous and have been frantically cleaning and planning on what to say and should I put a sign that says “Welcome to the World, Baby Girl” on the wall? ughhh. Butterflies.

Also, I had to say goodbye to my dear ginger-headed compy. How sad I was to see that crazy woman go! She is literally going to die back at her home in Alaska. The other day she went to Machu Picchu and when I went to pick her up at the bus station, I happened to see some giant stray dogs. The first thing she sees when she hops off the bus is her sweaty little companion, conversing with a pack of stray dogs in the middle of the bus station. “Typical Hermana Ostler.”

Are all my emails about stray dogs? Sorry about that. Someone was kind enough to remind me this week that I have been BITTEN by a dog here in Peru and maybe caution should be used occasionally? (Thanks Tammy!)

I am going to try to send pictures next week. But mercy please! I AM SO SHINY AND SWEATY IN EVERY PHOTO. It’s so unbelievably repulsive, but I will not apologize for the fact that my body is functioning in the manner prescribed by God. IT’S HOTS HERE, PLEASE DONT JUDGE ME.

Also....what else happened this week? Calling people to repentance. The Usual. But really, let’s all try and just be better? Let’s just realize that bad is bad and good is good and there is no grey area. This is coming from the girl who is notorious for blending the line. But that is not how it is. How lucky we are for commandments from God that help us be happy!

I am so grateful for all your love and support.

LOVE, HERMANA ALEX

Jesper Rae wondering just how sweaty her aunt Alex will look in her forthcoming pictures.

Typical Day at Church in Peru

Hermana Ostler’s Update – November 11, 2013

  

Yesterday was church. Which means something different every Sunday, because there are always new shenanigans every time. Yesterday we killed GIANT ANTS. There were hundreds inside and we spent a good 25 minutes murdering them. They bite and also make a giant squishing sound as they get smooshed. Heh heh heh.

Also, I found a stray puppy walking to church and of course, stopped to play with it. Then, as the opening prayer was being said, I SAW THE PUPPY IN THE CHAPEL! He had followed me. I had to carry him outside as everyone stared, but not with too much surprise. It’s normal???

AND I SAW A MONKEY! It was a big deal. We were both screaming. Me, out of delight. And him, I think out of fear.

Sometimes I just get really down seeing all of the highly dysfunctional families. Sometimes I think I literally just hate MEN. At least here. They can be so so so horrible. But last night I had the privilege of meeting with a family who were going to be sealed in the Temple. This means they will be together throughout eternity. Nothing, not even death, will separate them. The way that this man expressed love for his wife, it was so beautiful.

There is always hope for a change in this world. And I promise, it is through this gospel.

Take care and love you all!

Hermana Alex

Alex contemplating marriage (oh no!).

I Live With Ants, My Boyfriend Is A Fan, And I Am A Communist Spy

Hermana Ostler’s Update – November 4, 2013

  

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF BILLIONS OF TRILLIONS OF ANTS IN MY HOUSE. It’s the grossest. On my desk, in my bed, on the floor, in my clothes, in my scriptures, in my hair, e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. I take a shower and thousands of these horrible little creatures find their death in the drain. I open my Book of Mormon to preach the “good word” and to my shame, the ants escape to crawl all over everyone present. I think I probably eat them in my sleep too. It’s really unpleasant. The other day I found them in my beloved refrigerator. THAT’S IT!!! It’s now full out war -- I will have no mercy. I AM AN ANT KILLER.

My boyfriend is a fan. I am always kissing him and telling him how much I love him. My companion must think I am the weirdest human on this planet. But the refreshing air from that fan! Its love.

The other day an investigator told us that the people think we are “The eyes of the world.” They actually think that we just wander around all day with hidden cameras, filming their lives to show to the Russians… WHY WOULD ANYONE CARE THAT YOU SIT ON YOUR PORCH ALL DAY IN PUEBLO VIEJO? Anyways. That was really funny. But seriously Puerto, Watch yourselves, because I am not afraid to sell your information to those blasted Reds!

Also, the other day we were riding in a moto taxi when this GIANT black bug from the underworld flew onto the taxi driver. I began to hit his back with my water bottle screaming, “MATALO!” (KILL IT!) He was screaming and swerving about, but I finally murdered the creature. The poor guy thought he was getting attacked by a crazy gringa.

In Mosiah 18:8-9  It talks about comforting those that stand in need of comfort and mourning with those that mourn.

 “And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear ones another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort,  and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-“

This week we went to this member’s house after her husband had beaten her in a horrible manner. She couldn’t even eat because of the pain. How I cried with her. We must give our whole hearts to people and let them know that their pain is our pain. Feel for others. Don’t let your heart be hardened. I love you all.

Hermana Alex

Alex not touching the art at the Springville Art Museum

Men Men Men

Hermana Ostler’s Update – October 28, 2013

  

Let’s just say that the men here in Puerto are very... forward. And horrible! They love to yell really awful things that I can now understand. They also like to grab at my legs or try to KISS ME (or my companion) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. This past week I just seemed to have had enough. I regressed back into my angsty, I-Will-Be-Sassy-Always phase. Oh man. My compy just about died of laughter from my extremely weird responses. The most common sound I make can be likened to a sheep getting stabbed in the throat -- but in a more angsty and angry way. Also yelling “IDIOTA,” or sticking my tongue out. Obviously, I have matured.

But on a more serious note, I realized that I had let a little seed of hate get planted into my heart. And how on earth can I love when I have a heart full of hate? I can’t. I have thought a lot about Christ this week. How He suffered for our sins, had nails driven through His hands and feet, was mocked, and spit upon. He NEVER had hate in His heart. He asked God to, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” How humbled I have been! If He could love through all that, then I can love the people who are just too ignorant and do not know how to respect the daughters of God. (So I’ll just try and ignore their comments from now on.)

How thankful I am for the good men in my life! For my Father (how I love that man), my grandfather, my brother, my friends, the men who love and respect their wives and daughters here in Peru. I love them and I will never settle for less.

Also. Still no monkeys…

I love you all, and I promise my next email will be more FUNNY and less ANGSTY.

hahahaha

Hermana Alex

Alex and Dad

I Am a Tuckling

Hermana Ostler’s Update – October 21, 2013

Hello My Dearest Friendsies,

The rainy season has half way started in this strangely, strangely, painful hot locale. I thought Oregon knew how to dump water from the heavens in an extreme manner, but Puerto Maldonado takes the cake! When it rains, it RAINS! Like, rivers running through the streets and entire buildings being washed away and all. Well, the last part is a lie, but it does rain a ton.

WHICH MEANS WET WEATHER GEAR. My Mamacita, Hermana Masquez gave me her poncho and rain boots. Woohoo! Now as I walk the streets decked out in rubber, I feel like a “tuckling.” Or, a Turtle Duckling. It really is a very unique feeling --- I can’t quite describe it fully, but there it is. I am a Tuckling. It’s just that I feel so unbearably adorable in boots and a poncho, marching in my “I’m A Missionary” attitude. But all of this vanity is unfounded because whenever I glance at my reflection in a window, I don’t see a Tuckling. Rather, I see a hybrid offspring of a dementor-sith lord. But hey...in my heart I will always be a tuckling.

Also, a result of the wet weather... Running in the rain every day. One day we were running and I seemed to have forgotten that I live in Peru and that the streets contain an absurd amount of hazards. I was following Hermana Warner and she jumped over this beautifully giant puddle. And... if anyone knows me, they will know what I did next… I ran THROUGH the puddle. But it wasn’t a puddle. IT WAS A GAPING HOLE! The result was falling, blessing profusely, and maybe some profanities? Yeah, there were definitely some profanities. So now I have a giant scar and it will definitely be on my leg for years to come, so I will show you when I get back.

Enough of my silly shenanigans. I promise that I am a better person, curse words and all. I really am changing a ton. I feel an incredible interest in other people now, which is different for someone who is incredibly self-centered. Instead of daydreaming about myself, I find myself thinking about how to help other people, what I should say to alleviate their pains, and how much I just love my friends here. Sometimes I fall back on being selfish and think, “What is the point of all this? These people will never change. There is no point in spending all this time talking and helping and listening to these children, to these old people, to anyone.” How silly and asinine is this way of viewing the world!?! Whenever I get caught up in this negativity, one little phrase comes into my mind:

“Can there ever be too much kindness in the world?”

Can we ever listen enough?

Can we ever stop too much to play and listen to the concerns of little kids?

Can we ever hear too many life stories?

Can we ever feel the pains of others too much?

The answer is NO. There is always room for more kindness, for more good energy, for more real, unrelenting love for others. There is never too much.

I love you all. Keep doing all the wonderful things you are up to.

Love, Hermana Alex

Pre-Mission Alex (obviously)

My Worst Nightmare: Fasting In The Jungle

Hermana Ostler’s Update – October 14, 2013

  

If anyone knows me even a tiny bit, they will be aware of the fact that I love to eat. It’s this kind of passion that is extremely obsessive and I can be deadly to be around if I haven’t consumed some kind of something within 45 minutes after the first pangs of hunger. I call it “hangry,” and it is ugly.

So when we did a 24 hour fast without food or water this Sunday I was expecting it to be hard. But I wasn’t expecting to get to know the feeling, “Thireath.” Or Thirst Death! Ummmm… I guess it is hard to not drink water when it’s over 100 degrees outside and humid on top of that? What a new and grand discovery. AND EVERYONE OFFERED US SODA OR JUICE OR REALLY REALLY COLD WATER. In every house. I turned down FRUIT PUNCH!! The utter blasphemy of it all. I actually snuck water into the bathroom and drank an entire bottle in the shower so that my compy wouldn’t know. I STOOPED THAT LOW! But yeah. I survived... but my fast was horrible and I have yet to develop a strong testimony of this principle. Poco a Poco... as all our investigators say about quitting drinking or not sleeping around. Hahaha.

What else? Oh YEAH! I live in Puerto Maldonado and it is the bomb. It’s really hot. I mean... really hot. Mom and Dad, I may be using your credit card to buy shorter skirts because it’s just unbearable to even wear clothes - especially if these clothes are long black skirts. But I love it here! It is so cool - just like the Jungle Book. But I haven’t seen a monkey yet. I ask everyone I meet, “Where are the monkeys?” And they are like, why are you screaming in my face about monkeys? But I REALLY want to see one. With faith, perhaps---

Also... did I mention that I LOVE the people here? The moment I got here I just started making best friends with everyone. I mean, horrible men sometimes yell terrible things at me, but it’s just because they think my pasty white skin is super sexy. I mean, how on earth could you be attracted to a sweaty white girl who has liquid eyeliner melting all over her face? The mysteries of this life.

But yes, the people here are so amazing. I have so many best friends here. It is one of the most beautiful moments to meet someone and realize that we were friends before this life. When people used to talk about that I would always roll my eyes. Like, please- I do not believe that you were best friends with this random stranger from Walmart. BUT NO. IT’S SO TRUE! There are times when I meet someone and I automatically have this huge love for them. Their life is somehow extremely connected with mine. I can tell some people right away how much I love them and it’s not weird because they feel the same way. I am here for a reason. I am preaching the gospel to my friends. Its soooooooo cool.

The other day we were walking down this very muddy street when I saw a tiny little puppy. Naturally, I stopped to squeal uncontrollably and sit in the mud to play with this dirty animal. The owner walks out of her house, sees us, and runs over. HERMANAS! She was so, so, so excited to see us. We found out that she is a less active member who stopped going to church because her beloved son died earlier this year. We started talking to her and she told us that the night before she had a dream about the sister missionaries coming to see her. She woke up with peace in her heart for the first time since her son died. She then had been looking at pictures of her son and saw one of him with a gringa. As she was looking, she heard my squeals and came out and saw us. I saw that photo and it WAS ME! Not really, but this gringa was the spittin’ image of me. I don’t know, this just seemed to fill her with so much consolation.

I know that God lives. I know that He knows His children. He knows that they have heartbreaking lives and He is ready to offer them His love. I am His messenger, called to spread His plan of happiness. I know this with all my heart.

Love, THE SWEATY HERMANA ALEX

Pre-Mission Alex

I AM TO SEE THE WONDERFUL JUNGLE OF PUERTO

Hermana Ostler’s Update – October 7, 2013

  

Yes! Changes have come and I am headed to.... THE JUNGLE. Puerto Maldonado to be precise. I am terrified and so excited. They have monkeys and dengue fever and it’s really hot and I am just so stoked to experience something new. Its 12 hours by bus, so if you are wondering what I will be doing tomorrow it is looking at my photo album of my beloved Urubamba and reading the Old Testament. Yay!

This update is going to be short, but I just wanted to say that I love my mission. Sometimes I have felt like maybe I haven’t done any good, that maybe I haven’t touched anybody’s lives for the better. Sometimes I feel small and worthless. But today I had the horribly sad and beautiful experience of saying goodbye to the people I love that live here in Urubamba. 

http://www.lostworldadventures.com/map/images/map_peru.jpg

New Paragraph because this is important. I HAVE DONE GOOD THINGS HERE. I am not wasting my time. I have touched the lives of others because I gave my whole heart and soul to them. I wept with them in their tragedies, we laughed at the stupidly hilarious moments and most importantly, my soul spoke with the souls of others. I let them feel the love that their Heavenly Father has for them. I cried a lot today and others did too. We will miss each other and I know that there is a life after this one, that I was meant to meet these people, and that we will be together in the presence of God after we die. I know this with all my heart. 

Now I need to go buy bug spray. 

Love you all. 

Hermana Alex

Eating Cuy

Killing Elder Cava with some kind of harvesting tool

Cuy Intestines Look Like Noodles

Hermana Ostler’s Update – September 30, 2013

  

First, apologies to all the people who received some depressing emails last week. I am a missionary! I have no time to be gloomy! 

Companions are a hard thing at times. That is just the truth. My current companion is nearing the end of her mission and wants to go home. We have cultural differences and personality differences. It is an interesting dynamic. But let me tell you that I have an overwhelming love for her. She has a wounded soul. I have had the opportunity just to be there and listen in her dark moments, which makes it impossible for me to have any ill will towards her. That is such a gift to me -- to be able to love her with all that I have, holding nothing back. I am learning so much about the love of Christ for all people through this experience. 

I have been teaching Elder Cava how to read in English. The other day he read the word “calling”, stopped, looked at me, and then asked, “like the vampires?”

The Cullens. Hahhaha! I died. 

I ate cuy (guinea pig) intestines the other week. NO ONE TOLD ME UNTIL AFTER… 

All of our investigators dropped us this week. ALL OF THEM. It has been a little depressing. Ahhhh. But yes, no one wants to listen to us. People who had beautiful testimonies just started slamming doors in our faces, or pretending to be sick, or wanting to be baptized in the Catholic Church for the Padrinos (Godparents).

For all my friends and family who are not members of this church... When you see missionaries walking by, REMEMBER ME! Remember that these people have feelings, that all they want to do is share their beliefs to a kind face. Invite them to an ice cream, listen to them, and remember that we are all just little kids. Be nice to us, and remember me! 

I have held rabbits, baby sheep, and baby goats this week. THEY SMELL TERRIBLE! My compy has a strong gag reflex to smells and so it was hilarious to see her gagging all the way home because the acrid, old poop smell was covering our entire bodies. If anyone has seen me with baby animals they will know that I just CANNOT handle it. I just can’t. I squeal and giggle and make double chins all over the place. The photos are definitely model material. 

I love you all! Keep happy and know that I am always praying for you. 

From Peru in the Spring Time, 

Hermana Alex 

REMEMBER ME!

Things I Do When My Compy is Sick and Sleeping in Her Bed

Hermana Ostler’s Update – September 16, 2013

  

My companion is still sick. But getting better! One day I wrote down all the things I do when we can’t leave our room.

Praise my creativity please!

1. Write this list

2. Read BOM (Book of Mormon) in English

3. Then in Spanish 

4. Cut pictures out of magazines

5. Think about how I am going to use these pictures for people’s cuadernos de memoria 

6. Think about how I need to buy glue to paste the pics in people’s cuadernos 

7. Watch “Finding Faith in Jesus Christ” for the billionth time in Spanish 

8. Start watching “Finding Faith in Jesus Christ” in Chinese. Because, you know, there may be a Chinese family in Urubamba, Peru. Always prepared, you see 

9. Count all the chapters in the Old Testament 

10. There are 1,023 chapters in the Old Testament 

11. Added up how many days I have left in the mission… And then forgot it

12. Did the math on how many chapters of the OT (Old Testament) I need to read each day to finish during my mission: 3 chapters a day 

13. Thought about reading the 3 chapters for today... and then didn’t

14. Looked out my window wistfully and watched all the people and dogs walk by 

15. Why do all the dogs run down the streets with such purpose here? It’s like they have a special purpose in mind. It’s weird 

16. The answer to the above question: they smell lady dogs

17. Wrote in all the dates in my planner -- for 6 whole weeks

18. Folded my towels 

19. Read some Jesus the Christ. Something about “Shiloh” being a person or place...I don’t really know. I was definitely thinking about buying galletas at this moment in time 

20. Wrote my mom a VERY long letter. Like 8 pages. Tronky much? (Tronky is slang for missing home really badly here in the mission.)

21. Counted all the days my compy has been sick during my mission. It was ugly 

22. Sprayed windex everywhere because I like the smell of lemons

23. Put lotion on....again. You can never be too moisturized 

24. Zumba. This is my life. I seriously live for it. Liz Brady, if you are reading this, just know that I think about you every time I dance with Beto. Every time. Hope you are doing well! 

25. How-Long-Can-I-Hold-My-Breath-Experiments

If you fell asleep reading this post, just be grateful that you are reading about it and not living it. 

But no! I am so happy, I promise. Sometimes I get bored, but if you know me, that is just a challenge to have more fun. 

I love you all! 

hermana alex

Boriinnngggggg Uppdddaaatttteee

Hermana Ostler’s Update – September 9, 2013

  

1. The dog bite is healing. My heart will need more time.

2. We had a surprise baptism this week! Her name is Mabel and man, her story is inspiring. I will have to elaborate later when I don’t have less than ten minutes on the freaking internet!

3. But yes, the baptism... What a spirit that was felt there! My heart was filled with a joy that will NEVER die. Never ever ever. This woman and her family have found peace in the midst of heart wrenching tragedy. This is possible for all. 

4. The culture for what girls can do here is different. Kicking rocks, dancing in the streets, throwing things, not agreeing with everything that men say..... these are things that are not permitted (according to my companion). I just smile, and then maybe just throw a smaller rock or something. :)

Not much time. This week I spent a lot of time looking out my window and dancing to Zumba like a maniac because my compy was sick. I’m keeping the faith and smiling through it all. One step at a time to become more like Christ and just be happy, happy, happy. 

Love you all! 

Hermana Alex

Pictures to make you smile:

The Falling Out Of A Lifetime: My German Shepherd Boyfriend

Hermana Ostler’s Update – September 2, 2013

Yes my friends… I HAD a German Shepherd boyfriend. His name is Wishbone and my goodness, is he handsome! He is the guard dog at El Verge; the orphanage that we visit all the time. He is so friendly, always sitting on my lap, giving me kisses, kind of being the clingy, loving boyfriend I always wanted. Our mutual affection was something precious to me. And I thought he felt the same way... But there was a different future ahead of us than we both anticipated. 

Suspenseful, no? Let me just cut the flowery story short and get to the point… 

Freaking Wishbone BIT ME! Yep. I was bit by a German Shepherd. Hombres… (Men…) One moment they want to take you to the movies and wag their tail and what not, and then the next they don’t call, start dating someone else, or in my case: bite your arm. But before panic ensues, I do not have rabies. Just a couple scratches, and one giant bruise. We looked into it and all is well. Granted, my heart is shattered into a million pieces, but I am just looking forward with an eye of faith and hope. One day I will find the right dog for me. (R.I.P. Herc.)

This week I have just been counting my blessings. How blessed I am to live here! In Peru! With a companion that I seriously love with every fiber of my being! She is like my mother here. We go through a lot together, and are just here to lift one another up. Sometimes we are unable to work because of her poor health, but as a literal Representative of our Savior Jesus Christ, I know that I am doing good. I am bringing a little ray of sunshine into her moments of darkness and I do not doubt that God has a plan for me. That this is the situation He wants me to be in. 

Lately I have been noticing the obvious presence of people’s spirits. It’s amazing. Our spiritual makeup is something so very tangible -- all one has to do is look. Sometimes we see someone normal walking down the street, but their spirit will be repugnant and we will cross the street because they just don’t have our best interests in mind. Other times I meet people who have the most beautiful and shining spirits, who light up a room with their hope and with their smiles, even during their pain. 

Be happy. That is what I ask this day. Just make the decision to be happy, no matter what happens. Choose to laugh, to show affection to the people you love, to never be offended by what people say to you, to be willing to learn from others. Choose to have your whole being overflow with joy. 

Also, choose to send me some flippin’ Nutella or a letter or an email or a prayer!!! I love you all! 

Hermana Alex

This pooch is better than any German Shepherd named Wishbone!

Hercules: the dog Alex grew up with

Best Day of the Year: My Birthday

Hermana Ostler’s Update – August 19, 2013

  

Hey everyone!

This is going to be a short one. Just wanted to let everyone in list form, know how awesome August 19^th of 2013 is:

1. My birthday. 20 years babay! Totally balla status. 

2. Went to the big old city of Cusco today to hear an Apostle of God speak in person (Elder Quinton L. Cook). Remember Peter, James and John of Jesus’ time? We have men on the earth today who hold that same authority as they did thousands of years ago. It was way awesome and I am pretty sure my beautiful, red, shiny face will be on the cover of a church magazine because I WAS IN THE FRONT ROW!

3. Found out that I AM AN AUNT FOR THE FIRST TIME. I am so happy!!! Baby Jesper, my first niece. I love her so much, and I forgive my sister for not sending me a birthday email today... because let’s face it, I am definitely going to be overshadowed by this wonderful little baby. 

4. I found out that my pensionista (lady who cooks for us) thinks I eat like a pig because I mix the rice and sauce together. (??????) I don’t get it either. But the benefit of being a Gringa is that I can pretend like I don’t understand (even if I do)! 

5. THAT IS ALL. More stories, but I have no time and I am going to MACCHU PICHU tomorrow! Woooooohooooo! 

I love you all so much. Just know that I am happy and that most of that happiness is due to the fact that I know I am a daughter of God. That He has a plan for me, and that I always have a friend. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. 

Love, hermana alex

________________________________________________________________________

20 pictures to celebrate 20 years

Happy Birthday Alex!

Gorditas, Locas, Y Feas

Hermana Ostler’s Update – August 12, 2013

  

So I am still getting used to the directness of the Latino people. Calling someone fat or saying that their hair is ugly is completely normal. AND YES, Elder Rosado is always commenting on my crazy, curly hair. He thinks it is absolutely atrocious that it is so unruly. But hey, best friends forever??

The other day we were visiting El Verge (the orphanage), and they offered me a giant glass of what looked like the most amazing grape juice in the Universe. A dark purple hue, rich with volume, and straight to the very lip of the glass. I eagerly swallowed a river full…to be greeted by a VERY unfamiliar taste. Upon investigation, I found out it was juice from BLACK CORN. No sugar or flavor added. Just straight up black corn juice.

This last Saturday we had two baptisms! It was such a beautiful, beautiful moment in my life. Edith is a twenty year old and Juan is a nine year old who lives in El Verge. They came out of that water with the most amazing, angelic smiles. My heart was filled to the brim with love. They have started a new life, a new beginning -- a new start. It made me think what will it take for people to turn to their God, to have this kind of happiness?

For Edith, it took getting sick, losing her job, and not getting paid, to accept the comfort of Christ and His suffering for her. For little Juanito, it was the fact that he was beaten and abused, ran away, and living in an orphanage. He has the desires and faith of a child, and that is so perfectly sufficient to feel the love of God. For me, it took living in a personal spiritual darkness for a while before I truly turned my life to my Heavenly Father. What will it take for you to turn to that God who gives you life?

Food for thought. 

I love you all. I love Peru. I love these people so much that when they suffer, I weep. When they accept the Gospel in their lives, I am filled with a joy that is incomprehensible. 

Love, Hermana Alex

Bruce and Alex on their way to Church