You Can Call Me, "Ask Amy"

Hermana Ostler’s Update – November 18, 2014

We went to Quillabamba this week. I worked with two brand new sisters and let me tell you, they were not expecting a work visit like this one. Me fighting with a pit bull with my water bottle, running for my life screaming, losing my name tag and walking around with Hermana Frame’s name tag for a week, and a drunk man trying to steal my water bottle... But we had so much fun and I learned so much from them. I love being with new missionaries because they are so wise and full of energy and teach me so much. Some of the advice I gave, just call me Amy now and get me a newspaper column. But really, all of it are things that are helping me to become the best missionary I can be, because we ALWAYS have time. 

• Pick your battles verrrryyyy wisely. If you can live with an annoying habit, do it. It is so not worth it to nitpick. 
• Decide that every companion will be your best friend. No exceptions. They are all lovable.
• Do not go a single day or moment without doing something that makes you laugh and is just a tad bit mischievous. 
• Take all your love for your mom, your moto, your boyfriend, your dog, and give it to the people. All those things will be waiting for you. LOVE THE PEOPLE. They should be your very air, the reason you live. 
• Give God everything. Do not hold back anything. Love Him and talk with Him always. My favorite part of the day is when I can communicate all that I feel. He is there. He exists. And we can feel His love. 
• EXERCISE every morning. Just do it. There is no need to roll off the plane like greased up popcorn chicken. 
• Every so called “bump in the road” can be transformed into a super rad jump that you can fly off and enjoy. Perspective and attitude is everything. 
• Read The Book of Mormon in your mission language every day. Read that book. Love it. Help others to love it. 
• Decide to love the food, the people, the culture, the area, the language.
• The way to get over your fear to share the gospel or contact...is to do it. Do it and you will see miracles. We are God’s messengers. If we do not share what we know, no one will ever find the truth. 
• Lose your weaknesses but don’t lose your personality. 
• Obedience brings happiness. Don’t try to find out for yourself by being DISobedient. Just stick with the rules. 
• Be your own convert every day. 
• Don’t forget to pray. 
• Learn how to fast BEFORE the mission. Fasting is hard, but it brings strength. And my typical 8 hour fast I did before does NOT count. Its 24 hours, people. If Christ could do it for 40 days, we can do it for one. 
• Never wait for a reason to love people. If you wait, you will lose precious time with that amazing child of God. If people don’t like them, make sure that YOU do. If they are different, accept them and learn. Do not wait to love. The opportunity will never come if we stall. 

I also woke up this week with a hickey on my lip. FROM A SPIDER: Bad news bears. But I did get to look like a very ugly version of Angelina Jolie that day, so hey, it’s all good. 

Yesterday we spent all day contacting. It happens sometimes. But I loved it. I get so much joy to talk to people about why I am here, why I want to share this message with them. It’s even fun when we get rejected. I always tell my companion that it’s my preparation for post-mission dating life. The best part of it all was that we were able to meet Herbert. We were waiting outside a house, but our appointment wasn’t there. Herbert walked past and it looked like he wanted to talk to us so we said hello.....and I have no time but I will finish the story next week! 

I love you all!

Hermana ALEX

Baby Miracles in Quillabamba

Hermana Ostler’s Update – October 20, 2014

This week we were in Quillabamba the entire week. I have come to the conclusion that I WILL have my own house there. A jungle paradise with swimming pools on every corner and exotic flowers and parks and fruit markets and chakras full of fresh mango, pineapple, and cocoa. I need to go there to live one day. 

This week I worked with Hermana Tamariz, Hermana Irvine, and Hermana Routson. They ALL happen to be going home tomorrow. What a weird experience to be with people who are ending the mission experience so soon. But it really was an amazing week because I could see the diligence of these wonderful sisters to work until the very end. God blessed us will miracles, as a little thank you to these dedicated servants of the Lord. 

As we were walking through one of the exotic parks we saw a couple sitting down on a bench, enjoying the shade. I remembered the invitation from President Harbertson to talk to every family we see in the street. We went up and began to speak to them and the father told us that he was an inactive member who got baptized in Lima. We told him that we had received a prompting to come and speak to them and that was maybe a sign from God that he wanted him to return to him. He told us that he felt God was telling him something. How easy it would have been to pass that couple, look the other way, pretend that we had not seen them... how easy it would be! But luckily we had been obedient before, and all the rejection in the world did not deter us from at least trying. 

We also had a lesson with a less active man Isidrio. He used to be branch president but now is living with someone and has left his wife. I of course do not know the man. But when we arrived at his house we began teaching of the Atonement and repentance. As I finished speaking he told me that he had had a dream about me the night before, where I came and told him the same exact things. He even told me, “your little pony tail was the same too!” He told us that he takes it as a sign that he needs to change his life. God is just so aware of his children. We forget it so often. 

I do not have a change. Last transfer in Cusco. 

Hermana Alex