Raising Cain with Shane: Happy Father's Day

Happy Memorial Day (a month later) and Happy Father's Day (right on time)! 

I had originally intended to write some pithy and heart-wrenching exposition on how I cry whenever I hear "America the Beautiful" and how patriotism never dies, but then poison ivy infested my body and I decided that maybe America wasn't that great after all.

And I'm not even going to say I'm joking.

But there ain't no poison ivy that's going to come in between me and my love for my Dad, besides the fact that he says that I fell off the Ugly Tree and hit every branch.

Shane is the most fun-loving, swine-obsessing, courageous-hearted man I know. He loves God, his family, his country, and making my life a veritable hell with all of his teasing (but don't worry, it's mutual). My Mom has banned our bantering from all family group chats and the dinner table, but that won't stop us from annoying everyone in our proximity with endless inside jokes. I laugh more with him than anybody else in the whole world and I miss him so much when we don't see each other frequently.

I made a decision early on in life to spend as much as time as possible with my parents and family, which is something that I have never regretted. Doing so has come so naturally, as my Dad has always put us first above everything. He is such an impassioned person, who seems to lap up all the juices that life has to offer and then sucks out the marrow too. He is always learning, always dreaming, and always coming up with clever quips that he directs at me when my mom is out of earshot.

Shane is my ultimate hero, there's just no other way to say it. He wrote me a handwritten letter every week of my mission and has skied so much at Snowbird with me that my Mom begged him to cut back so that I would meet a man (cue the eye rolls). He has the kindest and most generous heart, paired with a fierce love of that which is right.  I love my country, largely due to the fact that he has given so much to serve and protect it. When I look at the flag and witness the greatness of the United States of America, I think of him, for he seems to embody all that I love about it. I am grateful to him and all others who give so much to make this place a wonderful (albeit imperfect) place to live, noxious plants and all. My Dad has inspired all of us to live good lives and to enjoy and value the most important things above all else. Most of all, he loves my Mom more than air, which I think is the most beautiful gift a father could give to his children. I love him so much.

What a man.

HIS CRAZY EYES KILL ME IN THIS. Also, I am so grateful for all of the other men in my life, especially that boy to the left with the frozen smile. He is going to be the most incredible father someday to all of the future Ostler-Birrell squishes coming our way. (Not pregnant)

The best ski buddy around. Taught him everything I know.

Gringos

Hermana Ostler’s Update – March 24, 2014

  

This week I saw a family of Gringos from Seattle. They were members and were way stoked to see me?? I am not really sure, actually, because I have totally forgotten how to be a normal person from the States. I TRIED TO KISS THE LADY WHEN I SAW HER. She forced her hand out at me like, “get away from my face you weird sweaty lady!” But really, it was way awkward because I couldn’t speak in English very well and kept talking in Spanish even though she couldn’t understand me. I am going to have major problems dating when I get back... 

I always yell, “Look at those gringos!” when I see tourists. I am forgetting who I am! So when I start to be real Latina, (taking charlie’s angels pictures in public... what??), I start to sing America The Beautiful. It helps. 

I bought Old Spice. I still sweat like crazy but NOW I smell like a delicious man. So that’s news?? Hahaha. 

This week I have really seen how the Book of Mormon changes lives. We are working with a family menos activo and they are progressing real well. They are getting married this May. I am staying here in Puerto for a little bit longer and am way happy because I just never want to leave. That is actually a lie, but am way down to be here for a month and a half longer. I love you all!

Know that God loves you and that I am doing my best to be better. I hope I will be way cooler when I get back but I am pretty sure I am getting more loserish every moment. But loserish and happier!!

hermana alexxx

Baby chickens! GRINGOS as the babies here say. 

We taught the Primary this week.... Wow. I really had to use my creativity to keep the attention of these kids. I mean... I even sacrificed one of the kids to get their attention.. (I was teaching about Abraham and Isaac.) But it was way fun and now they want us to always teach them...

But this week there weren't any snacks for them in the Primary, so I gave each one of them a small bite of bread that I brought. I was so shocked to see their gratitude. They were so thankful for a little piece of old bread as their snack. A reminder of how much we have to be thankful for. 

This is a baby monkey that is biting my nose. I then went home and smothered my face in antibiotic ointment. But it was way cool! There were about 50 children watching me doing this because they just follow me around, knowing that I am about to do something crazy at any moment.

This is Isabel and she could rip my lips off if she wanted to. 

I forgot my water bottle in one of the houses and when I came back this little boy was waiting to give it to me with a zombie mask on. Then he gave me a zombie kiss and tried to suck my brain out and that is why I am so forgetful. 

Sometimes it doesn't rain for a long time, so I stop bringing my poncho and rain boots with me. And then it decides to downpour and so I walk around with a lended plastic bag on my head, soaked to the bones.

Hello! We are missionaries and are either always late or always waiting for people. Never do you see two parties on time for an appointment. These pictures... waiting. 

These pictures crack me up.
Above: The Kiss
Below: Wiping off the boogers and drool on my cheek.
Classic.

My companion writes.. "hermana sanchez- boca de angel" on all her things. ALL OF THEM. I have no idea why. Mouth of an angel?? what does that mean?? So I wrote this on the whiteboard after... she was so TICKED! hahaha. 

Where I work everyday.