Dearest Mother,
You are very hopeful in sending my christmas package here to Dominica. Maybe you know something that I don't. But, I thought they would most likey send me back to Puerto Rico to get my teeth fixed. I guess its possible that they just schedule the appointment during my off time right before I fly home. I'll most likely find out next week at zone conference.
Which reminds me, we will be flying to St. Kitts on Monday and we dont return till Wednesday. So you probably wont recieve an email from me until Thursday. Sorry for the wait. :(
Hopefully it gets snowing soon. It snowed so much last year and I was so jealous. But I blew it off hoping that it would do it two years in a row. Hey, maybe its just all stored up somewhere just waiting for febrero.
Oh, and if you dont mind, you can tell the bishopric they need not worry about scheduling a talk. Its alright. I'll return when I return. But, really they dont need to schedule a talk.
Well, the news here is that Birdy's auntie who's 101 years old passed away the other week. Birdy had been taking care of her for some time now. We will probably go to the funeral with her either tomorrow or Friday. We arent sure of the date yet. All our investigators have things they have to work out, so no baptismal dates as of now.
Blessings, (as they say here)
Elder Osterloh
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December 3, 2008
Well, transfers are going to be on the 22nd of December. So if you sent it right now it would take at least another three weeks. So not till after transfers. You could call the office and ask them if they can bring it. It usually depends if the Assistants to the President are coming. If they come, Most likely they can bring it, if not, it will be less likely. But it cost so much to send a package to Dominica that I fell bad when I recieve it.
Thanksgiving was nice. Just a simple dinner at a restaurant. No leftover turkey sandwhiches the day after, so it wasnt quite the same. But still, it was nice to get a little taste of it.
Thats way awesome. Ryan is the high point scoring machine. Tell him he still has a lot of practicing to do if he wants to reach MO status. I mean we were undefeated Jr. Jazz champions. Thats a big feat if you ask me. And I play almost every pday here against black people. He just can't get that kind of experience in Utah. Thats not racist its just a fact. Everyone here can dunk. Its not fair. I've been training though. The rim is getting closer and closer.
Well as expected nothing goes as planned in Dominica. Bensen ran away from us right before his baptism. He still came to church the next day. Thats something, but we still dont know why he chose not to go through with his baptism. It must not have been his time. Birdy is almost there. We had a great lesson on the evils of coffee. If you want to give up caffiene, just look up what it is on wikipedea and it will scare you out of ever wanting to drink it again. Its not good for you, at least in the amounts they put in soda and especially coffee. Steve is playing games. He always says that he will be in church but hasnt been in about 5 weeks. He came the first five, and then just all the sudden things changed. Its really sad.
Sometimes I kinda get sick of living here in Dominica. But truely I cant imagine anywhere else I would rather be. Its such a unique place. Honestly it is one of a kind. President Zayas, from the mission presidency, was here visiting last week and he told me a story. This is it. There was a man riding a horse late at night. And he was crossing over a river, and a voice came to him and said, "get off your horse and grab a stone." The man wasnt used to hearing voices though so he just kept on riding. And the voice came again. So he went back, and grabed a stone, and put it in his pocket. The voice came again and said, "In the morning you will have a feeling of extreme joy, and an opposite feeling at the same time." So the next day came and the man remember the stone in his pocket. He reached in and pulled it out. To his surprise it was pure gold. And he jumped up and down, because of the excitement. But then he stopped and kicked himself because he didnt grab more gold. President Zayas said that story is the same as a missionary when he goes home. Mixed feelings. We'll see.
Love
Elder Osterloh
Thanksgiving was nice. Just a simple dinner at a restaurant. No leftover turkey sandwhiches the day after, so it wasnt quite the same. But still, it was nice to get a little taste of it.
Thats way awesome. Ryan is the high point scoring machine. Tell him he still has a lot of practicing to do if he wants to reach MO status. I mean we were undefeated Jr. Jazz champions. Thats a big feat if you ask me. And I play almost every pday here against black people. He just can't get that kind of experience in Utah. Thats not racist its just a fact. Everyone here can dunk. Its not fair. I've been training though. The rim is getting closer and closer.
Well as expected nothing goes as planned in Dominica. Bensen ran away from us right before his baptism. He still came to church the next day. Thats something, but we still dont know why he chose not to go through with his baptism. It must not have been his time. Birdy is almost there. We had a great lesson on the evils of coffee. If you want to give up caffiene, just look up what it is on wikipedea and it will scare you out of ever wanting to drink it again. Its not good for you, at least in the amounts they put in soda and especially coffee. Steve is playing games. He always says that he will be in church but hasnt been in about 5 weeks. He came the first five, and then just all the sudden things changed. Its really sad.
Sometimes I kinda get sick of living here in Dominica. But truely I cant imagine anywhere else I would rather be. Its such a unique place. Honestly it is one of a kind. President Zayas, from the mission presidency, was here visiting last week and he told me a story. This is it. There was a man riding a horse late at night. And he was crossing over a river, and a voice came to him and said, "get off your horse and grab a stone." The man wasnt used to hearing voices though so he just kept on riding. And the voice came again. So he went back, and grabed a stone, and put it in his pocket. The voice came again and said, "In the morning you will have a feeling of extreme joy, and an opposite feeling at the same time." So the next day came and the man remember the stone in his pocket. He reached in and pulled it out. To his surprise it was pure gold. And he jumped up and down, because of the excitement. But then he stopped and kicked himself because he didnt grab more gold. President Zayas said that story is the same as a missionary when he goes home. Mixed feelings. We'll see.
Love
Elder Osterloh
Sunday, November 30, 2008
November 26, 2008
Hello Mom,
So the island life continues. Its actually really pleasant right now, It hasnt been rainy and there has been a really nice breeze, so its been very cool. Its nice.
Here they dont officially celebrate Thanksgiving, but their are so many students here from the states that a lot of restaurants are doing Thanksgiving dinners, so the Bruners invited to take us to one of them tomorrow. I think it will be really nice. Not quite like home, with family and all, but the food should be similar. Some of the grocery stores have some turkeys they are selling, but the price is rediculous, and I have no clue how to prepare it.
On the subject of the dentist, they should speak english, because she would speak to me in English. I believe her name was Figeroa, but thats a long time ago. I have the number written down in our apartment. Sis. Dewsnup called me and said that dad called her about it, but they didnt tell me what they are planning on doing about it. My guess is they will be in contact with her and set it up for me. They are always so secretive about transfers that they probably wont tell me anything for a long time, so as to eliminate the posibility that I figure something out. But I think that is stupid. They just want to trick us into working hard until the end of the transfer.
Dont worry about not sleeping to much, here in Dominica the people sleep less then I have ever seen. And they all seem to be happy all the time. Even I sleep less here. The matresses arent all that great. Its like foam, and there no box spring, just wood bars that run underneath. Needless to say, I roll around alot. (I told Mo I was sleep deprived so I guess he was trying to tell me to toughen up!!)
-Elder Osterloh
So the island life continues. Its actually really pleasant right now, It hasnt been rainy and there has been a really nice breeze, so its been very cool. Its nice.
Here they dont officially celebrate Thanksgiving, but their are so many students here from the states that a lot of restaurants are doing Thanksgiving dinners, so the Bruners invited to take us to one of them tomorrow. I think it will be really nice. Not quite like home, with family and all, but the food should be similar. Some of the grocery stores have some turkeys they are selling, but the price is rediculous, and I have no clue how to prepare it.
On the subject of the dentist, they should speak english, because she would speak to me in English. I believe her name was Figeroa, but thats a long time ago. I have the number written down in our apartment. Sis. Dewsnup called me and said that dad called her about it, but they didnt tell me what they are planning on doing about it. My guess is they will be in contact with her and set it up for me. They are always so secretive about transfers that they probably wont tell me anything for a long time, so as to eliminate the posibility that I figure something out. But I think that is stupid. They just want to trick us into working hard until the end of the transfer.
Dont worry about not sleeping to much, here in Dominica the people sleep less then I have ever seen. And they all seem to be happy all the time. Even I sleep less here. The matresses arent all that great. Its like foam, and there no box spring, just wood bars that run underneath. Needless to say, I roll around alot. (I told Mo I was sleep deprived so I guess he was trying to tell me to toughen up!!)
-Elder Osterloh
Saturday, November 15, 2008
November 19, 2008
Mom,
So about the crowns, did the dentist lady contact you? I havent heard anything about that. Honestly I was kinda hoping that the dentist lady would have forgotten about me and I would just get the crowns when I came back to SL. Whatever works though. That gives me a chance of going back to Puerto Rico for my last transfer, which I did not think would happen.
Oh and get this. Our next transfers are on Dec. 24!!! So just because I stay this transfer does not mean I will have Christmas here. Basically only time will tell.
Bensen should be baptized and confirmed long before I leave. He has a date set for November 29th. Its been pretty exciting here. We had 5 investigators in church on Sunday. Lots of things happening. So I'm really excited to talk to you guys for Christmas. I dont know that I will be able to say all that much or else you will all be bored of me when I get back.
I'm supposed to have my death papers (going home papers) by now but I think that the people in the office just forget about us Elders that arent on Puerto Rico. O well, They'll come when they come.
We've got zone conference in St Kitts on Dec. 16 so thats probably when they will get to me. And Yes I just got the package you sent me on Monday. It took exactly three weeks from the postmark date.
Talk to you soon.
-Elder Osterloh
So about the crowns, did the dentist lady contact you? I havent heard anything about that. Honestly I was kinda hoping that the dentist lady would have forgotten about me and I would just get the crowns when I came back to SL. Whatever works though. That gives me a chance of going back to Puerto Rico for my last transfer, which I did not think would happen.
Oh and get this. Our next transfers are on Dec. 24!!! So just because I stay this transfer does not mean I will have Christmas here. Basically only time will tell.
Bensen should be baptized and confirmed long before I leave. He has a date set for November 29th. Its been pretty exciting here. We had 5 investigators in church on Sunday. Lots of things happening. So I'm really excited to talk to you guys for Christmas. I dont know that I will be able to say all that much or else you will all be bored of me when I get back.
I'm supposed to have my death papers (going home papers) by now but I think that the people in the office just forget about us Elders that arent on Puerto Rico. O well, They'll come when they come.
We've got zone conference in St Kitts on Dec. 16 so thats probably when they will get to me. And Yes I just got the package you sent me on Monday. It took exactly three weeks from the postmark date.
Talk to you soon.
-Elder Osterloh
November 12, 2008
Hellooooo mom,
Well, Its been an interesting week. We've been recieving plenty of attention because Obama won the elections. Everybody in Dominica was routing for him because of race. Thats all it really came down to here.
Sad to report that neither Bensen nor Birdy have been baptized. Bensen has some doubts, and got stuck working in Roseau the day of his baptism. Whether on purpose or not, I'm not sure. But he is still excited to meet with us. Birdy is still overcoming Coffee. She just doesnt seem to believe that it is all that bad. When it comes down to it, she jsut is justifying herself.
Transfers are in. Another 6 weeks in Dominica, which most likely means the rest of my mission will be here. I hope I can keep myself motivated that long. There are still people that I havent ever seen or talked to though, so the work never ends.
Well, in the whole language circle I would say that I am losing my ability to speak any language. I to be started to speakin like de peoples here. Plus I've given up on French. I'll just stick to Spanish. I've decided to read the whole D & C in Spanish before I come home. Thats my goal. I believe that will help with the whole relearning Spanish.
-Elder Osterloh
Well, Its been an interesting week. We've been recieving plenty of attention because Obama won the elections. Everybody in Dominica was routing for him because of race. Thats all it really came down to here.
Sad to report that neither Bensen nor Birdy have been baptized. Bensen has some doubts, and got stuck working in Roseau the day of his baptism. Whether on purpose or not, I'm not sure. But he is still excited to meet with us. Birdy is still overcoming Coffee. She just doesnt seem to believe that it is all that bad. When it comes down to it, she jsut is justifying herself.
Transfers are in. Another 6 weeks in Dominica, which most likely means the rest of my mission will be here. I hope I can keep myself motivated that long. There are still people that I havent ever seen or talked to though, so the work never ends.
Well, in the whole language circle I would say that I am losing my ability to speak any language. I to be started to speakin like de peoples here. Plus I've given up on French. I'll just stick to Spanish. I've decided to read the whole D & C in Spanish before I come home. Thats my goal. I believe that will help with the whole relearning Spanish.
-Elder Osterloh
November 5, 2008
Hello Mom,
Well lets see...We didnt have any baptisms on Sunday, so that was kinda a bummer, but birdy will be baptized soon. Bensen is getting there though. He should be ready for his baptism this Saturday. So we are pretty stoked for that.
The birthday celebrations were pretty good. Nothing like home though. The Bruners took us out to dinner on Saturday, and on Sunday we ate with some of the members. The made cupcakes. Those were great!
Dominica has basically been dead the last week. They are celebrating their independence day of 30 years. Which is pretty impressive.
Transfers are next week. So we will see what happens. I only have two transfers left. So the way I see things, if I stay here this coming transfer, Then I will probably be here until I die. Which has its perks, but also Portsmouth is too small for me. I feel I know it like the back of my hand.
Hopefully I can get to the package you sent soon. Everything has been closed down for the past four days with all their celebrations.
Love
Elder Osterloh
Well lets see...We didnt have any baptisms on Sunday, so that was kinda a bummer, but birdy will be baptized soon. Bensen is getting there though. He should be ready for his baptism this Saturday. So we are pretty stoked for that.
The birthday celebrations were pretty good. Nothing like home though. The Bruners took us out to dinner on Saturday, and on Sunday we ate with some of the members. The made cupcakes. Those were great!
Dominica has basically been dead the last week. They are celebrating their independence day of 30 years. Which is pretty impressive.
Transfers are next week. So we will see what happens. I only have two transfers left. So the way I see things, if I stay here this coming transfer, Then I will probably be here until I die. Which has its perks, but also Portsmouth is too small for me. I feel I know it like the back of my hand.
Hopefully I can get to the package you sent soon. Everything has been closed down for the past four days with all their celebrations.
Love
Elder Osterloh
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
October 29, 2008
So I almost sent my letter to your email address at Delta. Luckily I caught myself.
Anyways, Things have been going really well. Birdy is working on dropping coffee. She just doesnt quite have it yet. So we arent sure whether she will make her date. Only time will tell. Its coming up really quickly though. We are also teaching a guy named Bensen. He's Haitian and he came to Dominica for work, but isnt really working right now. He is solid though and has a date for November 8th. Things are really starting to pick up.
Zone Conference went well. It feels like we are there the entire week. But only two days. and travel. It just feels like we are out of our area for way too long. President Dewsnup taught us a lot of good things. They want us to find more people, using different ideas and ways to find them. He says that you cant expect to find more people to teach if your stuck in the same routine. They are also pushing really hard that we should be working better with our members. There's always so much to remember its hard to keep it all organized. But we do our best.Anyways, thats about it.
Everybody tries to get me really trunky and say that I'll be home in no time, but to me it still seams off in the distance.
All the locals here keep asking us about the elections. Because we are Americans. and basically the only channels they have here is fox news and cnn. So thats all they watch. They all get angry or dissapointed when i tell them that I havent really been following it at all.
Love Elder Osterloh
Anyways, Things have been going really well. Birdy is working on dropping coffee. She just doesnt quite have it yet. So we arent sure whether she will make her date. Only time will tell. Its coming up really quickly though. We are also teaching a guy named Bensen. He's Haitian and he came to Dominica for work, but isnt really working right now. He is solid though and has a date for November 8th. Things are really starting to pick up.
Zone Conference went well. It feels like we are there the entire week. But only two days. and travel. It just feels like we are out of our area for way too long. President Dewsnup taught us a lot of good things. They want us to find more people, using different ideas and ways to find them. He says that you cant expect to find more people to teach if your stuck in the same routine. They are also pushing really hard that we should be working better with our members. There's always so much to remember its hard to keep it all organized. But we do our best.Anyways, thats about it.
Everybody tries to get me really trunky and say that I'll be home in no time, but to me it still seams off in the distance.
All the locals here keep asking us about the elections. Because we are Americans. and basically the only channels they have here is fox news and cnn. So thats all they watch. They all get angry or dissapointed when i tell them that I havent really been following it at all.
Love Elder Osterloh
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