I had this craving for ice-cream

Dear Family,

Thanks for your support.  I actually did get your letter Mom, and skimmed through it before I got here.  I'm so sad to hear about Rosie.  Yeah she was a great dog.  How are the other two handling it?  And that's good that Brother King sent you those pictures.  I gave him your address.  He is probably the best mission leader on the planet.  He'll do anything that will make our job easier.  He's all business sometimes, and it's awesome.  He's a cool guy.

Kelsey will only contact us when she wants to meet with us.  Otherwise it's impossible to get ahold of her.  And Lulu?  Our appointments keep falling through.  But she loves to pray, and she enjoys reading the Book of Mormon.  She's just really busy.  But I have so much hope for her.  Oh and one of our investigators, Jill, oh my gosh.  I felt like hitting my head against a wall when we were teaching her.  We taught L1 briefly, then watched the Restoration Video the church made about 5 yrs ago.  It's so good, and so powerful.  We invited her to ponder what she saw and heard and listen to her feelings.  During the movie I felt the spirit so strongly, and I thought she did too.  I thought it would be the time when she finally said, "I felt something."  But the first question out of her mouth was, "Is there significance to all the blond hair, blue eyed people in the movie?  Is that some sort of Mormon thing?"  Yes, actually we hate all people who don't have blond hair and blue eyes.  No!!!  I was a little frustrated.  But she wants to know if there is truth out there.  I think she's a little skeptical of the Mormon church because of false things she's read.  You know, this world puts out so much crap about us, and people actually believe it!  Like one time we had a guy tell us we were dangerous.  Yeah, sometimes I am dangerous.   But only if your name is Jackson, Harrison, Jefferson, Benson, or Wilson should you fear. ;)

But I got Jackson's e-mail, and he said that he is frustrated too.  They are breaking the first commandment of God, and they teach people whacked out things.  The people are wonderful.  Kelsey is a Catholic, and Debra, one of our investigators, was raised one.  There are many good Catholics, but the church. . . . ahhhh frustrating!  I meet so many people who think that they have found God and are "saved."  In fact one baptist said all we have to do is have Faith in Christ, and believe He can save us, then we're saved.  I say unto you wrongo schmongo dude!  What about baptism?  What about covenants?  So many people these days say "I'm a Christian, I follow Christ."  But really they don't.

Nephi, and other Book of Mormon prophets say that they morn because of the unbelief of their brethren.  And let me tell you, tracting is hard because people reject the truth.  They aren't interested in Eternal Life and Exaltation.  "It's not for me,"  they say.  It's so hard to see people turn their back on Christ, and think that they are already good with Him, and they know Him.  And I know that I have a long way to go, but it's hard to see people reject Him so quickly.

So transfers are today.  If we were to get transferred we would have gotten a call yesterday morning.  And we didn't.  So we have until the 23rd (?) of December left.  Hopefully we'll get a baptism! 

And that’s really interesting, that story that the single adult told.  Because actually this past week has been hard.  I don't know if it's because I've been so emotional or what.  But I can't really describe how I've been feeling, inadequate?  But I felt that Sister Chen was looking down on me, and that I wasn't doing things the right way, and that I was holding us back.  So Monday night I kinda brought this up, and we had a long talk and realized that our main problem was communication.  We aren't really communicating with each other, and she said she was so sorry if she hurt me in any way, and I did the same.  I found out that she was feeling some pressure from me in making decisions quickly.  So we got things figured out, and these past couple days have been a lot better, even though we tracted and had little success. 

Oh, and about the e-mails.  I only have ½  hr to type to you today, because my letter to President Doll was kinda long.  So if you'd rather me read your e-mails or you read my e-mails, doesn't matter.  But if your e-mails are longer, that means mine will be shorter. 

So right now we're "teaching" a muslim.  Pres. Doll came to our last appointment with him, and Pres. Doll basically told us that Safak (our investigator) wasn't really interested in changing, just interested in what we believe.  Plus he's leaving to go back to Turkey at the end of the month. 

Oh, before I forget, some things I would like. 

I really want Hollands talk called "Safety for the Sole" he gave a few years ago on the Book of Mormon.

And also the Psych address from BYUI, as well as the dance classes address.  Also Mr. Deatherages address--even if it's just the one at the school.  And Grammie and Grandpas.  I wrote them a letter last week then realized I had no idea where to send it.  I only know they live on walker rd in Hermiston. 

I'm sending a package home today.  It has my high heels (cuz I don't wear them.  Tracting would kill me in the them) and the skirt you sent me in the MTC.  I don't need three black skirts.  Maybe Saydi will like it, or you.  Along with something else you might like ;)

And I'd love pics of you guys and what you're doing.  Like not just printed on a page, but an actual picture so I can put it in my album or hang it up.  And no, I don't print off the e-mails...takes too long.  That's why I like letters.  I wait for the next morning to read them.  I read them while eating breakfast.  Night time I'm always doing something to prepare for the next day. 

So cool story. 

Yesterday was soooooo hard!  Appointments feel through, didn't get to see any of our PIs, none were home, or just didn't open the door.  Frustrating!  So we were tracting, and hit a Muslim neighborhood.  No good.  But we kept trying.  Sister Chen got really thirsty, and she hadn't brought her water that day.  So we decided to find a gas station and get some water.  Rewind.

Earlier that day we had a lunch appt with Sister Mendez, an LA, and she gave us directions to her daughters place, another LA.  All she wrote down was the building name, the street and her name.  I didn't even have the complete address, and I didn't know where the street was.  She lived in apartments , BIG apartments.  Her daughter in law told us to take the left hand elevators, go the 19th floor, turn left, last door on the right.  She TOLD us that.  And you know that I don't do well with people telling me things.  They have to be written.  Plus I didn't even know where the street was.  I figured we'd set aside some time another day to try and find it.

So as we were looking for a gas station, we passed a place where I had thought I'd seen a DQ awhile ago, but really wasn't there.  I had this craving for ice-cream, since yesterday was really warm.  (I was wearing short sleeves).  Sister Chen loved the idea.  So we typed in DQ to the GPS, and the nearest one was on Liberty St.  That was the street that Jackie (the lady we were wanting to find) lived on.  So we thought, okay, we follow the GPS, and find her apartment, after we get ice-cream.  On the way we passed a Wendy's, and we had previously been talking about their frosties and how good they were, so we stopped there instead.  I was planning on eating on the way, but Sister Chen wanted to take a break.  So we stayed inside to eat.  Oh it was worth it!  So good, and much needed!

So then we were on our way again!  We found DQ, and also the big buildings that Jackie lived in.  We parked a couple blocks away so we could contact on the way.  To get into the building you had to have a certain key. But it just so happened that as we approached them, so did two other people, so we slipped in right behind them w/out causing any suspicion.  And you know what?  I remembered everything Sis. Mendez's daughter in law told me of how to get to her apartment.  I normally would have forgotten, but this time I remembered!  So we knocked on the door, no answer.  Then Sister Chen called Jackie.  And she was just getting off the elevator!  We got to talk to her, and helped her realize the importance of coming to church.

Imagine what would happen if we had gone to DQ?  It wasn't a sitdown restaurant, just a drive through.  Or if we hadn't sat down in Wendy's?  Or parked 2 blocks away?  We would have missed her?  Or if I hadn't been craving ice cream?  Yeah, it would have taken us longer to find her.  It was a miracle!  God works in mysterious ways, even giving me the craving for ice-cream, which I hadn't had since I left the MTC. 

Okay, well times up.  And I'm tired.  I don't think I've been so consistently tired in my life!  But I just keep working!  Okay, love you all, and thanks for everything!

Love Sister Ostler