This post below is a letter written by Hermana Alexandra Ostler, owner of this blog, and current missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As her sister, I've been given the responsibility to keep everyone updated with some of her letters throughout the span of her 18 month mission. Thanks, and enjoy!
Jessica Ostler Robertson
June 13, 2013
Hey everyone! Serving a mission is awesome, I absolutely love it
with all my heart. I ended up going to the Provo MTC because my visa didn't
come through but I am so glad I did! I really needed to hear many of the things
we have been taught here. We wake up at 6:30 (or earlier
for service/exercise) and we study non-stop until 10:30 at night. It's exhausting but
invigorating at the same time. Kind of like eating a whole pan of brownies in 5
minutes.
But anyways, here are some highlights from my stay here at the
‘Empty Sea’.
~Being one of the top students in my Spanish class. Surprised?
Don't be. I basically just shout out random things like "Buenos
Nachos" and "Usted esta muy despacio!". But we have
taught four lessons in SPANISH to a lady named Maria. It has been a
miracle but we understand each other and the Spirit is teaching everyone
present.
~ Our classroom is up 10 flight of stairs so we run up in
Every. Single. Time. Balla.
~Gym time is the best time. My new dream in life
is to play FOUR SQUARE until the day I die. Is that so much
to ask??! I have made it to the King Square once, which is
pretty pathetic granted that I play it all the time. Yesterday I prepared for hours, stretching, getting
limber, testing out shoes in the bathroom. I just need to have faith and maybe
one day I will be able to be the King forever. All the people in the Gym will
have to bow down to me. Also, Hermanas’ Beckstead, Hansen, Coffey and I have a
running competition for cuatro cuadro. Whoever gets in the King Square the most
has the honorable honor of having a pinata head on their bed. It's a big
deal.
~ Our teacher Hermano Bartolomei (who is my absolute favorite)
taught us about how Christ descended below us all and felt every pain that has
ever been known to mankind and yet he still lived a life full of love and
happiness. We all have our own problems and it can feel sooooo hard sometimes
but we need to go through the "refining fire" in order to become like
Christ. If I have to be uncomfortable or sad sometimes in order to be like my
Savior, than that is totally worth it. This was exactly what I needed to hear
because there was this one day when I feeling so despondent. I was thinking, "Why
am I here?? My life was so easy and fun back home. I want to cuddle with my Mom
and Talk About with my Dad. I can't do this." My heart was softened. I am
trying my best to be like Christ. Read about him in the New Testament! He would
touch the lepers, the people who were cast out of cities because [everyone
thought] they were so contagious. He wasn't afraid to get near the things that
are sad in this life. He healed people physically and spiritually. I know that
I have been healed by the great Physician.
~ Saturdays in the MTC = every other day at the MTC
~ I absolutely LOVE my companion, Hermana Hansen. She is so
funny and she is totally trying to become a better person. We have a ton of fun
together. HERMANA COFFEY is in my district. It was such a tender mercy to find
out that my AWESOME POSSUM friend was going to be with me pretty much all the
time. Her companion, Hermana Beckstead is hilarious. She is always singing
Christmas songs whenever she sees cookies and she is the reigning Queen of
cuatro cuadro. She needs to work on her humility though because she brags all
the time about being the winner. Jokes! But I am super jealous of her skills.
~ I passed an Elder in the hallway and I thought he was a
statue. I screamed when I realized he was a human.
~ I miss my family but only in good ways! I love them with every
little fiber of my being. They are the best things in my life. I hope my
mission will bless their lives. I pray for you all....EVERY MOMENT. I love you.
~ Toe cramps. They plague me.
~Too much fried goodness. Need to eat more like a Stegosaurus.
~ Ran like a T-Rex up and down the hallways with Hermana Coffey.
We are a problem. I can't breathe around her because I laugh too hard.
Life is good! Read the scriptures! Pray to your Heavenly Father,
he wants to hear from you. Love your family. Pet a dog for me. And send me some
love in email/letter/package form.
Hermana Ostler
PER CUS Unit 254 JUL 16
2005 N 900 E
Provo UT 84604-1793
Love and no kisses,
Hermana Alex
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| If you know Alex, you know that this state of her bed is normal. |
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