The Mullang

Hermana Ostler’s Update – May 26, 2014

The Mullang. The mullet bangs. Or in other words, I got a haircut in Peru.

Why would I do that? WHY?!!?!?! Well. I did. I told the nice young lady to give me a little bit more form. A little less volume. AND, to not cut a ton. And now I have bangs and my hair in a mullet. This resulted in a full on panic attack (not being helped by the cab driver who confirmed that really, my hair looked really reeally bad.) About 10 minutes after the hair tragedy---we were called to the offices. THE OFFICES. Full of blood sucking Elders who laugh at other people’s pain and are bullies! I was being called to the flippin’ wolf den of the mission with an atrocious haircut! AHHHHH.

So. I naturally wrapped a scarf around my head and went. Naturally. Because looking like an Old Russian Lady does NOT call attention to a bad haircut. Of course, President Harbertson just happened to be in the offices as well and forced me to take off the scarf so he could see the bad hair. AND HE LAUGHED. LAUGHED!

I now look in the mirror sometimes and see that guy from Aerosmith with the big mouth looking back at me. I am officially scarred. 

But other than the HORRENDOUS haircut, this week was good. I got about a bajillion doors slammed in my face. No joke. We only taught about one lesson. EVERYBODY rejected us. I have come to know that some reject with love, and others... with a little less love. I am so grateful to have a companion because it makes doors in the faces, yelling, and insults a bearable experience. Without Hermana Tamariz... I would probably cry. 

I will only say one thing. PLEASE don’t slam doors in people’s faces. It is rude. I do not care if you don’t share my beliefs, but have the courtesy to listen to a message that is so important to me that I have left my DIRT BIKE and powder skis and schooling and cuddling with my mom to share it. Just give a couple minutes of your time to listen and I promise you that you will do so much good. When did sharing the same religion become the requisite for politeness and common love for all humans? Yeah. Enough of the rant.

HEY! I got rejected a ton this week, but I really did see a ton of miracles as well. We started to leave the door slammers to themselves and began to work with the members. INCREDIBLE. Also, President Harbertson talked to me this week about expectant faith. That so many times we have this wishful faith, “I hope we find someone to teach today. I hope it does not rain.” But we do not have the real firm faith in God, that he really fulfills what He says. He does not lie. If He promises you happiness and success, you will get it. If you feel that you should do something, we must do it because He ALWAYS follows through. I really felt this during the week. I don’t care if everyone says that I am wrong, I will find someone who is searching for something more in this life. 

And then we found Miguel. He is the son of Paulina (an absurdly adorable lady who is super fat and has no teeth). Miguel was baptized when he was a teenager but fell away. He started to find himself wrapped up in other things and he always wandered about for his work, without a purpose in his life. We found him one day and started teaching about the love of our Heavenly Father, and that He is always waiting for us. That there is always time to come back. I will never forget the look in his tear filled eyes as he explained to me the emptiness in his heart, the gripping sadness and bitterness inside of his soul. He then looked in my eyes and said, “I know where to find what I am missing. It is in the church.” He was in the Chapel this Sunday. In suit and tie with his little son. He has found those living waters that fill our souls with so much joy, if we but let it.

This morning we went up to the mountains of Cusco. I never wanted to leave. There is something about exploring that makes me feel like a little kid again, without worries and jumping and leaping and dancing and climbing things. I never wanted to come back to the city again.

Last of all. Hermana Harbertson told me something that will always be with me, especially in that moment when my life crashes headlong with tragedy. 

“He never makes mistakes.”

How grateful I am to be His daughter, doing His work in His time. I love you all. And I hope you will love me back after seeing this new haircut. 

Hermana Alex

Before the haircut

I love picarones.

I am offically a monster. And my companion as well. But me more so.

Peruvian Hairdresser. With her muse? Oh boy.

What did we do??

We became a lot happier when we found out how to hide the bangs. 

This is Gustavo. He told me that I was way beautiful, haircut and all. Thanks Gustavo. 

I am officially a tall person in Peru.