Life.

Hello my lovely family,

I have a lot on my mind right now and do not know exactly what to say.

I am pretty speechless at the moment and have tears running down my

face. When I just read your emails, mom, Abby and dad... I was

completely taken off guard by the emotions I felt. This all regarding

the loss of Ann Ostler. I cannot really find the right words to

express how this news hit me... but my heart completely aches for the

Ostler family. I know I don't know everyone in the family very

personally but I do care about and love them very much. So it is hard

to hear the news. I know how special Ann was and is and how wonderful

this family is. The Ostler's truly are one incredible family and one I

admire very very much. I don't think there is one person who can say

anything negative about this family and who doesn't admire and respect

them. I know I admire them very much. From my personal perspective,

and I know many would agree.. The Ostler's are a very humble,

respected and faithful family who truly understand the true meaning of

this life. They seem to have such an eternal perspective in mind and

have such firm, unshakeable testimonies in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I imagine this is why they have been so strong and held such peace

throughout this journey of their dear mother and wife's sickness. Wow,

I could not be more impressed with them. 

Mom, dad, Abby and Ralph... 

I am soo so happy you all attended the funeral as well. That makes my

heart so happy and I am so glad you were able to show their family our

families love and support. I hope you were able to show them mine as

well. Thank you so much for telling me bits and pieces about the

funeral as well. It sounds like it was overall a very beautiful and

spiritual funeral. How incredible and special that is that every

member in the family spoke as well, including a letter being read that

was written by Elder Ostler, Christian. Ohh I can only imagine the

strong spirit that must have been present during that service and how

it must have touched everyone's hearts. I would have loved to hear

everyone's words and felt their faith, strength, love and testimonies.

I loved hearing about little things each family member said about

their dear mother as well. How precious is that. I only know Ann a

little bit from the time I have spent in their home but I have heard

many wonderful things from Oliver over the years and know how

beautiful of a person she was and is. I remember many things he would

say about her as well. 

He would always say how she was so Christ-like,

loving, thoughtful, giving, self-less, faithful, spiritual, kind and

many other things that are so admirable in the eyes of God. I know he

viewed her as an angel and that alone is so sweet to me. I also

remember him saying she truly never asked for anything or wanted

anything that wasn't of eternal worth and value. She never wanted

gifts or anything "worldly" but just loved being with her family and

doing things for others. 

I am not one bit surprised she never asked

during this experience, "Why me?" but instead said,

 "Why not me?" 

Wow.

What an impressive and inspirational woman. I admire that so much. I

feel very blessed that I was able to meet her and have her as an

example in my life. Although I may not have known her as well as

others, I still admire her and this family's overall example very

much. I hope you truly did give this family my love. It is very hard

to see someone leave this life. Especially because you know how hard

it is for those close to that person to have their presence gone...

But how lucky are we to have a clear knowledge of the gospel of Jesus

Christ? To know that we truly have a Heavenly Father who loves us

unconditionally and has a plan for each and everyone of us. We have a

purpose here on this earth and have an even greater one in the life

hereafter. I love having this great knowledge of God's plan for us,

all of His children and I absolutely love teaching it to people if not

every day, every week. There is a Plan for us. A Plan of Salvation. A

Plan of Happiness. And there is a way for us to follow this plan and

accomplish it. That being through, and only through our loving Savior,

Jesus Christ. With his help, guidance, love, comfort and mercy... We

can endure this life and receive an eternal one. In His and our Father

in Heaven's presence!! 

We can truly live with God again and be with

our families forever!!! 

We know that this life is only for a short

period of time and that we truly will be able to live with all those

we love, forever and in complete peace and happiness. If we remain

faithful servants of our Lord, Jesus Christ and serve Him till the

end. If we cling to Him, seek after Him, trust Him, depend on Him,

continually serve Him, follow Him, love Him and have continual faith

in Him.... He will reward us and we will receive great glory and

eternal life, eternal happiness. This needs to be our goal, what we

aim for and desire after. Ooh this reminds me of the scripture I read

this morning. Now I don't think reading this scripture was any

coincidence. I read this scripture and wrote about my thoughts on it

in my journal and this was before I found out about Ann however, I

feel it fits this topic. This is something I desire my Lord to say to

me when I finish my journey in this life.....

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful

over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou

into the joy of The Lord."     Matthew 25:21

I imagine this same thing is being said to dear Ann Ostler and I hope

it is something that will be said to each and every one of us. We have

knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and with that knowledge

we need to act! We all need to be considered as a "good and faithful

servant" in God's eyes and do all we can to enter into the joy of The

Lord. I know each and every day we must strive to be the best servants

of The Lord we can possibly be. I know I have mentioned this in an

email before but every morning my companion and I quote this

scripture...

"I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called

of Him, to declare His word, among His people, that they might have

everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:13

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are

all disciples of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I loved when, I believe the

Relief Society President, brought this up at the General Women's

Conference. She said how our true identities are being disciples of

the Son of God. 

How are we representing Jesus Christ as one of His

disciples? 

Are we representing him as we should? 

Are we loving one another? 

Obtaining Christ-like qualities and characteristics?? 

Are we rejoicing in the knowledge we have of our true and living God? 

Are we accessing His Atonement? 

Following His example? 

Rejoicing in the knowledge we have that we can live with our Father in Heaven again??

With all those we love sooo very much, again???

 What joy this brings to my heart. 

I really cannot explain how happy it makes me and how

much it comforts me. This gospel truly brings so much peace and joy

into my life and I cannot even imagine not having this great knowledge

in my life. And that is why I am a full-time missionary, preaching and

spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Teaching people all that we know

and are taught. Spreading the "good news" that the true church of

Jesus Christ has been restored through a latter-day prophet, Joseph

Smith and is back on the earth again. The same exact church Jesus

Christ established when he was on the earth with the same teachings,

gospel and authority. We have a living prophet on the earth today,

Thomas S. Monson and twelve Apostles!! Who lead and guide us today!!!

And are constantly helping us stay on the path that leads to eternal

life. Leads to us seeing all those we love again and giving us the

chance to live with them forever. I absolutely love being able to

share this knowledge with all those that I can and helping others

receive that greater amount of peace, love and happiness in there life

and helping see the light at the end of the tunnel. I absolutely love

it and thrive off of it every single day. I often wonder why I have

been so lucky as well. I have wondered multiple times why I was chosen

to be born into this church, into such a strong and faithful family

and be surrounded by such wonderful and powerful examples. Although I

do know know why... I know that it is a part of my purpose here on the

earth and I must share what I have been blessed with, with all those

around me. It reminds me of the hymn, "Because I have been given much,

I too must give." I know that I have been blessed with such great

knowledge not to keep it to myself but to share it with others!!!!! To

be a messenger and servant of The Lord and be a tool in His hands.

That is why I am here, for 18 months, serving a full-time mission. Ohh

it is so humbling and sweet to me.

But again, I am so thrilled to have such great knowledge and am so

happy the Ostler's, as well as all others who are facing the loss of

someone or difficult times, have the great knowledge as well. I know

this is how we can remain strong and again, endure through this

difficult world. It is a beautiful life but a hard and fragile one. We

must cherish every moment we have here and do all we can to be the

best we can be.

Well family, I love you all soo very much and I want you to know you

are all constantly in my thoughts and prayers. As well as many others.

Thanks for keeping me updated on everything at home as well and tell

everyone I know how much I love them!! I truly don't think there is a

single person I know that I don't love. I am so thankful for every

person in my life and all of the incredible influences I have around

me. I love you all so much. Never ever forget it.

Con amor,

Hermana Barth

Quick updates...

1. Elvira is still on date for April 6th but her husband is being a

pain and doesn't want her to be baptized. So I am not positive if it

is going to happen but we will try our best to soften his heart and

remember to keep her in your prayers!! She truly is so ready for the

gospel and has gone through a lot in her life, yet always remained

faithful, so she deserves to reap the rewards, benefits and blessings

that come from baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!!

2. Any and Maria are on date for April 13th!!! These two are truly the

most golden investigators you can find and it still amazes us how

perfectly golden Any, the mother, is. Every time we teach her she gets

teary eyed and expresses her love for us and for us teaching her of

the gospel. When we invited her to be baptized on this date as well,

she started crying and Maria sat beside her smiling huge, nodding

repeatedly and kept saying.. "yes yes yes" ... It was soo precious and

my heart was so full. They are such a treat to teach and our lessons

are always super power and spiritual. The spirit is always the most

present in the lessons with the humble, prepared and faithful people.

I love it so much!!!

3. Lorenza is still being stubborn on getting a baptismal date but she

has a testimony of everything!! She still loves Joseph Smith so much

and loves everything we teach. We just have to get her to take that

leap of faith and be baptized. With time I know it will happen. And no

matter when her baptism is, I will be there. Her and Antonio both came

to church yesterday too and it was so wonderful. I know they were

touched by the spirit and they are both going to watch General

Conference with us this weekend!! I cannot wait!! Also, Hermana

Richards and I listened to all of the General Women's Conference in

Spanish translation... I loved it! We watched it again with Yamara

last night at the Orme's in English... But I loved listening to it in

Spanish and actually understanding what was being said! Very cool.

4. I bought a new camera!!! I know, finally. I have taken pictures

like crazy this past week too and I have no time to send pictures

today but I will send them next week!!! I promise!! Ahhh I have so

many to send though that I do not know where to start. I'll send them

though. Don't you worry miss Abigail and Barb J. I am not completely

ignoring your requests for pictures.

5. Mom!! Hermana Richards and I got your package!! We absolutely loved

it and Hermana Richards has been wearing the earrings you send ever

since. She keeps talking about how nice and cute you are and she

appreciates it all soo much. As well as your daughter!! You truly are

the best and I am the luckiest! Also, I got Joelle's present!! She is

soo sweet to think of me. Seriously, it means so much to me!! I have

her gift sitting right where I can see it too. I love it!!! Scotty,

tell her thank you thank you!!! I feel so loved and blessed every

single day. I don't even feel like I deserve it. But thank you!!

Okay, well I have no more time but I'll update you more next week!!

Everything is still wonderful here in Gridley, our Orchard house is

still as lovely as ever, it has been raining every day so I am in

Heaven, I couldn't love Hermana Richards more... we really are the

happiest companions and the mission life is still the absolute best!!

I LOVE YOU ALL