Just Keep Swimming

Que Tal? El mision es super chivo y estoy aprendiendo bastante aqui en el salvador con mi comapnero y con todos los experiencias que yo he tenido. Realmente estoy agradecido pro mi companero elder P. What is up?? I won’t give a translation. Typing in Spanish is bien duro. It is hard. jajaj. So That is soooooo wicked chivo that the baby was born! Joseph Malcolm is an awesome name. I love it. He looks like he is going to be the president one day, maybe not of the united states but of some organization somewhere! jaja.

Me with some sweet mechetes. Everyone has mechettes. It is cool.

Soooooo my comp hasn't changed at all really. He is the exact same as day number one buuuttttttt I have changed. This week was a ton better because I have been able to be patient and humble. I have felt the pure love of Christ for him. I am doing it!!!! He still walks 20 yards ahead of me, doesn't let me talk and never takes my advice or help but sometimes he does. He is a good guy really. He asks questions to the people we teach to make sure they understand, he works really hard and wants to dedicate all of himself to his service, he is great.

I told the president what you said mom about how if he was with a real greenie that they would be drowning but I am just keeping on swimming! At first when I got here I was swimming like marlin, nemos dad in the movie, idk if that is his name, but now I am swimming like dorie. What is the difference you ask? Attitude and ability to see the good. At first I was struggling and trying to see my way and be able to understand why and how and what but I was not able. Now I have been able to surpass my weakness through the miraculous atonement of Jesus Christ and be able to rely on Him and His power to be able to overcome my weakness. My comp is still the same but I have changed. It is still bien duro at many times because I don’t teach in lessons and I don’t get a lot of support from him if any but I am able now. Patience is real family. Patience is real.

Sooo on Monday it was hard that afternoon with my comp. I was still swimming like nemos dad and trying so hard to enjoy it, and we left our house that night and we were walking on the street and my comp was literally at one point 30 yards ahead of me on the street and I couldn't see him for 10 seconds as he rounded a corner. I was walking all alone. I felt alone and weighed down. It was tough for reals. I am sending this now. The power has been going on and off.

So yeah it has been tough still, but on Thursday I did interchanges with Elder Andrade (awn draw day). He is awesome. Super chivo man. He taught me so many things. New words and new things and it was great. I took charge in our lessons because we stayed in my area so that was tough. Three weeks out and you are in charge of an area. I was nervous but it turned out to be one of my favorite days here in the mission. We took a 20 minute break for pupusas!!!! That was for dinner and got chocobananas!! Legitness. I actually taught the lesson and followed the spirit and it was soooo fun! I got a glimpse of what it should be like in the mission. Teaching and loving and inviting and having a blast. Enjoying! Right now I am enduring and trying to enjoy.

Elder Hallman thinks I will get transferred but I don’t. I am not wishing this transfer away but trying to learn and fulfill my purpose here and now. One day I will want to be back here in castano uno. This ward here is awesome. All of the members are strong and love the work. . . . . . . .  that is why I don’t eat dinner and that is why we never get referrals. The members are sooooooooooooooo sick here. The youth and everyone. I wish we could be good with the members, they like me and everything but . . . . .

On Sundays we teach English hymns to the ward members that want to come at 5pm. It is so fun. I play the piano and it is really sweet. This week was good. I am seeing the fruits of my efforts in my desire to now want to go and work and want to bring souls unto Christ. I can feel it. I just am trapped and am doing the best I can in my situation. I cannot change my situation, but I can adapt and pray and overcome. It is still bein duro, but I am working and learning to love it. The scriptures are awesome tool.

So I have only done language study two times. My comp doesn't believe in it. We do the first 12 weeks in comp study so we leave our house at 10 every morning. It is hard. My language abilities are not increasing as fast as I would like but they are getting better.

I love you guys so much. Wilson and Benson. You guys are sick and learn to love every moment. Life is only for once time. I love the babys name and have been praying everything went well and what a blessing it did. Lilly is huge. I love you guys so much. I can’t believe it has already been about a month I have been in the field! Christmas will be here in a flash!! My birthday is sooo soon! I will be nineteen! What? And since when do I know Spanish? hahahaha.

I haven't been able to send the letters yet so hopefully I can do it today. I got your letters on Wednesday! The one with the avengers thing in it! I Loved the picture Wilson. Keep getting good grades boys. It matters and teaches you a lot. Marching band sounds sick. I have the coolest little brothers ever. You guys rock. And my older siblings are pretty chivo too. The word chivo means cool. Central America can be crazy! I am safe though. No worries. I only eat chicken and rice. I am sick of it already that is because my comp goes to the same place everyday. hahah So yeah it is great! Love you all, and I’ll talk to you next week!!

Love, Elder Ostler