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

My Old Peruvian Man

Hermana Ostler’s Update – August 5, 2013

The title seems a tad bit promiscuous, aye? Nah...

But there is a man in our branch who seems to have a little crush on me. He is probably a million and a quarter years old and loves to have these long, lingering handshakes with me. He says a lot of things in Spanish about buying chocolate for me and such, so I just act like I don’t understand and run away to the safety of my Mamacita, Hermana Masquez.

Anyways, the other day we ran into him in The Calle and he literally went in for the kiss. HE TRIED TO KISS ME ON THE LIPS! I didn’t know whether to be extremely freaked out or whether to laugh uncontrollably -- so I did a bit of both. Hahaha, poor old man was rejected. 

This of course happened 10 minutes after Hermana Masquez was proposed to by another man (also old as dirt). He even promised he would switch religions. So... super popular with the viejitos, I guess. There is hope for our future. 

The work here is coming right along. There is a spirit of urgency; people need the gospel and they need it now. That is just the truth of the matter. I have had the amazing opportunity to be the quiet one for the first time since my shy phase in middle school. But I have been speaking about half of the lessons and let me tell you, the love I feel for these people is overpowering. I sometimes can’t even form words because the love of our Heavenly Father for each of his children is overwhelming.

HE LOVES YOU. He knows when your heart is pained, when you feel alone, and he also knows when you feel overflowing joy. That love is something that should motivate all of us to be better. To not settle for mediocrity. To rise up to our titles as CHILDREN OF GOD. 

I continue to be in a constant cycle of being sick/recuperation. This last bout was due to the fact that we cleaned the most foul store in the entire world for service. RATS. I am telling you, there were baby rats. Hahaha. But the thing that pushed my stomach to the edge was the old peach juice and crackers we ate afterwards…Nasty! But hey, I have lost about 8 pounds and look great. And I have never gotten too sick for candy, so you have to know that all is well. 

Speaking of which, I AM CRAVING A McCHICKEN FROM McDONALDS LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE. And maybe some ketchup that doesn’t taste like liquefied baby spiders? Yep, it’s a real flavor, my friends. 

But have I mentioned that I love Peru???? It is the best place in the entire world. My favorite people in the world are the children at La Verge, an orphanage in Huayabamba, where almost all the children are members of the Church. There is no better path for success, in my opinion, than being a diligent follower of Christ. So what joy fills my heart when I see that these children are on their way out of pain and misery! The light of Christ in them is contagious. 

NOTE: I am tall here. No joke. I am taller than men and it feels so good! Also, everyone calls me the Gringita Loca...I wonder why???

SEND ME LETTERS AND I WILL DO THE SAME. 

HERMANA OSTLER

Av La Cultura 2417

Frente a la Urb Santa Ursula

Capilla Mormona

Cusco, Peru

Hermana Ostler holding a cuy.

                                                                                               

Eating A Slice Of Pizza In One Bite In Peru Equals Liquid Poop

Hermana Ostler’s Update – July 29, 2013

Sorry about the title. It’s a little graphic huh?

But yes, I dared Elder Rosado (a missionary from Ecuador who loves dirt bikes and dares. We have become best friends, obviously) to eat a slice of pizza in one bite. This was our second dinner of the night (fattttttttiinesss) and so I was amped. Did it, no problem. Next day, all is well. Exhibited my awesome dance moves, taught lessons, appetite uncontrollable, as always. 

BUT THE NEXT DAY I PROBABLY POOPED 6784574875 times. TMI? Yes. But I was oh, so sick. My goodness -- apparently being in a different country changes things? We couldn’t work for the longest time. My companion was livid with me. And I was still pooping! Sometimes I would just stare into the mirror and mutter, “What is wrong with you? Why can’t you flippin’ control your bowels, woman???” So yeah, I also couldn’t eat anything for about 10 meals. BUT BEFORE YOU WORRY, (I lost some weight and now look fantastic), I am on some medicine. I have no idea what it is, and my polar bear appetite is back in force. The medicine makes my mouth taste like a cuy (guinea pig) up and died on my tongue. BUT I’M GOOD SO DON’T WORRY.

I love Peru with all my heart! The dirty children, the crazy motos everywhere, my Peruvian companion (her name is MILAGROS. Which means MIRACLES. Good sign).

I live in a little one-room apartment right next to “Discoteca Manhatten”. The patrons of the said establishment keep it very classy by waking me up every hour of the night with drunken yells and Adele remixes. 

There are no stop signs in Peru. We walk in the middle of the streets and when we hear a moto we jump onto a tiny one-foot wide sidewalk, if there is one. Accommodating the fatties, you see.

The people here are so amazing! They are always so well put together but they live in these crumbling shacks. Everyone is always so happy, and they think it is hilarious when I accidentally start speaking in English. They are fascinated with my “rizos de oro” or golden curls, and the fact that I speak Spanish like a four year old. But I have made friends! Frrriieeendss! Don’t know how, but I have. Language barriers, my butt!

I also sang about 5 solos last week for members. For some reason they thought I sang so horribly because of nerves. It’s because I can’t read music. So my dream of becoming Britney Spears?... Still lives on. 

We had our first baptism this week. His name is Michael and he loves playing soccer with us missionaries. What joy filled my heart when I saw his smiling face as he came out of the water! He is a chosen Son of God.

Each of us are so important to Him. We each have a divine nature; a spiritual hunger inside us all, which will never be appeased unless we search for the truth. Search no longer, my friends. The truth is here. I can promise you that much. It is here and it will make your life so much more full, with so much more joy, and so much more peace in times of loneliness and hardship. It is here. 

I love you all. I love Peru. I love the people. And again, I love you all!

Love, Hermana Alex

"the medicine makes my mouth taste like a cuy up and died on my tongue"
(Picture of Alex before the mish on a duck sculpture at BYU campus.)

Urubamba

Hermana Ostler's Update from July 22nd, 2013


Hermana Ostler didn't have time to write a letter for her blog.

But she wanted me to let you know that she is serving in Urubamba, Peru.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Urubambatown.jpg

From her email to me: "I am in Urubamba Peru and it is a dream. I love it with all my heart. Everything is so dirty and the buildings are literally crumbling to the ground and it is just the absolute best. And there are no stop signs! ... God is watching over us. I can't really understand anything in Spanish right now, but I can still make friends. God is merciful."

Alex has an incredible attitude and such a loving, welcoming spirit. I love her with all my heart and feel blessed to have her as one of my beautiful sisters. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks, Jessica

http://templo.tawa.free.fr/urubamba/mp3/urubamba1.jpg