Looking forward to another baptism‏

Oh Familio,

The picture is our new car:) Well, This week was pretty good. I'm begining to learn the area a lot better and meeting all our investigators. There are still a few I haven't met yet. Anywho, root to boot. Yup, some interesting people here in Oklahoma, with some interesting sayings. So, Max De Silva is 19 and committed to be baptized next month. I'm going to miss Jim's baptism in Guthrie, but we have a few others here that, I hope, I can help along the way. So far its just Max and he has really bad anxieties about large groups of people, so we gave him tour of the church last week and its great because the temple is right behind the church, so we walked around the temple as well. He seems pretty excited about becoming a member and is going forward with faith that he won't have too bad of anxieties when he comes to church.There is also another part-member family we've been teaching and he really wants to be baptized too, but he's on probation, so we have to get permission first. Its hard to help him understand why we go through these steps, but he's taking what we give him and walking into it with his head up. He kind of feels like we are trying to find ways he can't become a member...far from right, but we're working through it.The weather here makes people really funny. They either have no concern at all for the weather or they get scared and nervous over the weather man. On Sunday we were eating at a member's home and they turned on the weather because a storm was coming in and the quote of the day is..."This is nothing, but serious, people." I felt like singing "its the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine." We got some rain...kind of like St. George gets rain...yup that's nothing, but serious, people." Anywho, root to boot. Got to love Oklahoma!Love ya! -Elder Osness

soon to be calm waters‏

Dear Family, Sorry Mom, I didn't write a letter last week, but you'll understand I haven't had a p-day really in the past two weeks, but things are coming back to normal, so I'll be back on my regular schedule. Things aren't quite calm in the missionary world yet, but its getting there. I'm now in my new area, Oklahoma City 1st Ward. Its a really good area. I'll miss Guthrie and the Stillwater Zone, but its time to do some good somewhere else. I'm with Elder McKinzie and he's awesome! He's been out six weeks, but works like he's been out plenty of time. His trainer is now the Assistant, so he was trained very well and its been a very good week. I met my district on Wednesday and they are all pretty great. I'm really excited for my new call as a District Leader for this district. I'm really close to my trainee as well. He's the District Leader in the next District over, so I see him and his trainee every Sunday and P-Day. Its a very nice stress relief after all the stuff from the past two weeks of sick and emergency exchanging.I OKC 1st we have another awesome Bishop and Ward Mission Leader and from my understanding the ward is just coming around to really assist us, the missionaries, in the work. President Gee is giving me another blessing area it seems like. I've been really lucky my whole mission, to have good companions, and good areas. We have a few people we are working with and hoping to set baptism dates with and there are a lot of part-member families in this ward...and about 2/3 of the ward is less-active, so I'm going to take Roger's advise and get to know everyone of the ward roster. Its working well so far. My companion and I still don't know the area real well, so we haven't gotten too far down the list, but its moving along.I probably need to get headed. Today we don't have too much time because we spent most of the day cleaning the apartment and we have a few appointments in the evening, so I've still got a lot to finish before our p-day ends. Love Ya! -Elder Osness

ET=Emergency Transfer‏

Dear Family, The pictures are: one at the masonic temple. We went there again (we were there when I got the call you'll read about). Elder Torres, Elder Poh, me, Elder Medinathe other is at a Zone Leader's Council. Elder Torres, me, Elder Poh, and others in the background. Well, Last week I just started to feel better as I wrote in my e-mail...and a few hours later I got a call from President Gee and he asked how I was feeling, so I told him I was feeling a lot better than before and he said "good, I need you to pack a suitcase and switch companions for a few days." There was an issue and the elder needed to be ETed.That few days turned into the rest of the week, so it could line up with transfers and because of that I haven't gotten to do much work in my area...for two weeks now and...I won't be working in it anymore because I'm getting transfered as well. President Gee is dropping a few zone leaders and making them district leaders, so he can get some more missionaries training to be leaders. We've hit a wave of unprepared leaders, so President is on a fix job right now. I've spent some good time with a missionary who is four months old in the mission, Elder Evans, and it was a very good week long exchange.I'm going to Oklahoma City 1st ward to be a district leader again and hopefully I can do my job there and help them prepare for leadership.Its been a stressful week, but I've been learning a lot and I've gotten a chance to be a little more of direct influence.

Love ya! -Elder Osness

recovery and conference‏

Dear Family,

This past week was pretty unsatisfying. I was sick the entire week and because of that, we only did a limitted amount of work, but yesterday I began to feel more of my regular self and today I feel pretty good, so I think I'm back to hard working status. Well, I've got to give a shout out to the Gublers because they all wrote me...and as a missionary...made my day! Thanks Nancy, Randy, Marley, Ingrid, Ian, and Lizzie.Confrence was great! I really got a lot out of it. I really liked President Uchtdorf's talk and comparison to the little light that caused a major destraction and a severe downfall. Don't loose sight of the important things when little things bump your path. I also really like President Eyrings talk on leave no one behind. Do what it takes to lift those that are loosing. Go after the lost sheep. Those were my favorite. I always get excited to hear them speak. President Monson is a real and true prophet and his words were a testimony to me the whole time. The biggest thing I love about conference is the connection I feel with the new testiment epistles and the guidance we receive from our modern Apostles. The words are exactly the same. Testimonies of God and Jesus with council and guidance from their earthly mouthpiece. If people could have open hearts and understanding of the scriptures, they would know instantly of the truth we share.Its great to know we don't have to worry about all the little worries of the world with the truth and knowledge we have. Its a real blessing to be apart of this family and to live this truth God has given us. I love you!

-Elder Osness

sickness‏

Hi family,

This will be short, sorry. Since Saturday, I've been pretty under the weather. The doctor said it was a combination of allergies and a virus. Luckily, not strep or anything real sever, but enough to drain me and make me look pretty scary. My eyes and my throat are the worst. But the week was pretty good. Jim is still struggling to quit smoking, but comes to church regularly and is committed to his choice to be obedient. On the other hand of obedience there is some sad news.The mission had some unpleasing news about a few elders from my mtc district. They went home for obedience issues. One got drug down because of his companion and will be coming back to Oklahoma in six months. Its really disturbing, the way some missionaries act. The choices we make affect others and its sad to hear about them going home.Anyway, I'm just letting you in on a brief update. Sorry its not lengthy or exciting.

Love ya!-Elder Osness