Halo anda semua! (Week 4)

This week has been great! I am finally getting the hang of things here. On Sunday my companion and I were called as the new zone leaders! The new intake of missionaries came in on Wednesday. Our zone got 27 new elders and 8 new sisters.  It was awesome getting to know the new elders and sisters. There are 65 missionaries in our zone! 51 elders and 14 sisters. I love our zone. Everyone is so positive and loving towards each other.

The devotionals this week were amazing. We got to hear from Elder Bednar on Tuesday night! He shared two stories in his own life where the influence of the Holy Ghost was evident. He talked about the importance of being a good person and pressing forward. He also shared the story of Nephi retrieving the plates from Laban. Nephi went forth not knowing everything beforehand.

1 Nephi 4: 6 - 7

6 And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.
7 Nevertheless, I went forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine. 

He emphasized the importance of just going as missionaries and how this is His work. I know that He will lead us and direct us as we keep pressing forward.

1 Nephi 3: 6

6 Therefore go, my son and thou shalt be favored of the Lord because thou hast not murmured.

 

As missionaries, if we are doing our best and are striving to be the best we can be that's enough. We don't have to be perfect. We just need to keep striving to make good choices. He will bless us for our desire to follow him.

D & C 80: 1 - 3

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Stephen Burnett: Go ye, go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every creature that cometh under the sound of your voice.

2 And inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant Eden Smith.

3 Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss

He said that we need to stop worrying and put more trust in The Lord. If the impression inviteth us to do good, just go! 

I love all of you and hope everything is going well.

Kasih, 

Elder Osthed

Week 3

Halo anda semua!

I will be leaving the MTC on September 9! It's crazy to think that we only have 3 more weeks left at the MTC. This week has gone by really fast! I ran into Elder Nelson and Elder Lewis! It was awesome seeing them again. The language is coming along well. We have been teaching several lessons in 100 % Bahasa Indonesia and we are teaching 2 more lessons today! I know that without the Lord's help we wouldn't be able to do it. 

With all the things that have happened this week, I have learned that I need to rely on the Lord always. I have been sick this week and have had a lot of ups and downs.  I know that he knows how we are all feeling and knows each and every one of us personally. I love all of you and hope everything is going well!

Kasih,

Elder Osthed

Week 2

Halo anda semua!

My time at the MTC has been awesome so far! I have learned a lot about the language and how I can be a better missionary. I have learned the importance of exact obedience and the blessings that come from it. I have realized that as missionaries it is important for us to be obedient and do what Heavenly Father wants us to do.

When I first got here, I was hardly getting any sleep. It was hard for me to stay focused because I was so tired. Sometimes I was discouraged because I felt like I couldn't retain the things that I was learning. I felt like I wasn't improving as much as I wanted too. 

Focusing on our purpose as missionaries have given me a lot of motivation throughout the day.  Inviting others to come unto Christ and helping them receive the blessings that can come from this gospel will not only bring the people that we come in contact with joy but us joy as well. I learned that it is important to teach according to the needs of the people and to teach by the Spirit. In one of the workshops yesterday, I learned that "Finding by the spirit is as important as teaching by the spirit."  I pray that I will be able to find those that The Lord has prepared to receive the gospel. I can't wait to get there!

I have tried to look outward more rather than inward. This has made my experience at the MTC a lot better. When we do our best to follow Christ's example we will have great joy in our lives. 

Kasih, 

Elder Osthed

Week 1

Halo Everyone!

I can't believe I am finally in the mtc! Getting here on Wednesday was exciting but also overwhelming. We went to a lot of devotionals and workshops. We also received about 8 pounds of language material haha! Following the schedule these last 2 days has made time fly. 

Yesterday, We met with our branch president and learned about the attributes of Christ. We learned that we should always strive to be exactly obedient so that we will be able to teach by the Holy Spirit and be the best missionary that we can possibly be. After the meeting with our branch president he assigned my companion, Elder Ritchie, as the district leader. My companion is from Heber, Utah and he seems to be loving his time here. He is a great example of how we should act as a representative of Christ.  It will be an amazing opportunity for him to serve and love the people in our district. Our district consists of 4 elders and 4 sisters. They are all awesome! 

I know that as we are obedient and do our best Heavenly Father will help us. Praying for continuous help as helped me a lot. I can't wait to learn more about the gospel and the Indonesian language. Thank you for all your support.

I love you all!

Elder Osthed