Andrew's Getting Married to Sara!

You read correctly, Andrew J Ostler is engaged to be married to Sara Lucinda Potter on February 8, 2008, in the Los Angeles Temple. Some of you have already met her at Ben's Farewell, but for the benefit of those who haven't, here's how we met. My Uncle Brian on my Dad's side introduced me to her almost two months ago, and we started e-mailing back and forth nearly every day. We found out that we had a lot in common and could relate with each other in so many ways. I went to California with Jake and Ben on a trip to visit some of my Aunts and Uncles on my Dad's side and the last few days of the trip were spent almost entirely with Sara and her family. We both love each other so much and are so happy and excited for our future life together. We will be having a ring ceremony in California after the sealing in the temple, as well as a reception in Utah, which is going to be on a date to be announced in the future, but it should be around the 19th of February. We'll be living in Utah after we get married, but we're not 100% sure as to exactly where, but we might live in Ephraim for the first couple years. There's a picture at the top of Sara and I when she came to visit for Ben's Farewell.

Love,

Andrew and Sara

A-L-E-X-I-S

PLANS FOR TODAY:

Wake up to a big steaming plate of your very favorite breakfast, lovingly prepared by your entire family (including Casper the Prince), served on a tray, in bed, with fresh flowers. 

Go to school only to realize that school is closed for the day to normal studies, and today in every class the only thing on the agenda is a PARTY for Lexi. Party during math. Party during english. Party during science. Party during recess. Party during art. Party. Party. Party.

Go directly from school to the McPherson spa where a manicure, pedicure, and facial await you. Relax. Enjoy. Get pampered.

Go home from the spa to find a pile of presents, balloons, a cake with candles, and the entire neighborhood singing Happy Birthday To You, all accompanied by Hannah Montana and her entire band.

Begin to blow out the candles when suddenly you feel a shaking sensation: "Lexi...wake up. Lexi. Today's your birthday and you don't want to be late for school," says your mom. Suddenly you realize it has all been a dream. But, you also realize that whatever happens today it will be a WONDERFUL day because it's your birthday and YOU ARE LOVED.

christmas cards

a little early you think? not if they're going to the phillippines. a good scouting friend of mine has a friend who is a mission president and she sent me the enclosed letter. I thought it might be a fun family project and thought I'd see if anyone else was interested in writting a couple dozen. j/k
e-mail me or post a comment if interested. if enough are interested, how about we have a Denny party at my home in October and write some cards to send over. read the letter below to get the full story.
Dave


Dear Friends and Family: I am not sure who is working now in Young Women or in Primary, but I could use a little help at Christmas time this year. Our goal is that every one of our 160 missionaries receives a Christmas Card or Letter during our Christmas Conferences. We now have over 75% of our missionaries who are Filipinos. Another 11 missionaries are from Tonga, Samoa and Figi.
Many of these missionaries never hear from their families the entire time they are serving. We have written letters to every missionary familyasking that they send a letter or Christmas Card from the parents, siblings, and even Ward/Branch leaders so that the missionariesmay each have something at our Christmas Conference.
Now - from past experience, we know that there will still be many that do not receive anything from home. So my purpose in writing is to ask if anyone has a mutual class, or has family members who would like to send a few Christmas cards or write a generic letter to a missionary and send it to our mission I would really appreciate it. (Please do not feel obligated)
Some mutual classes in the past have been willing to help us, and the missionaries have really appreciated it.
The cards should be addressed as follows:
If using pouch from the US:
'Missionary'% Sister Stringham
Philippines Angeles Mission
PO Box 30150
Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0150
In the lower left corner please write 'Christmas'
Letters and Cards may also be sent by regular mail to:
'Missionary'% Sister Stringham
Philippines Angeles Mission
1827 Gumain Street, Redwood Villas
Clarkfield, Pampanga 2009Philippines
Again in the lower left corner please write 'Christmas'
These Cards should be received by December 1, 2007, so that they can be distributed during the December Zone Conferences.
Thank you so much for any help you feel you can give.
Sister Lynda StringhamPhilippines Angeles Mission

brayden's letter

Hey how is everyone down there? I hope having a blast, it sounds like everything is doing great there. Well this last week was awesome we picked up two new investigators, and this week we picked up one so far. The work is really moving along. next week p-day is on tuesday because of zone conference, so everyone write me early. Dad, I was wondering all the missionaries have business cards with there info on it, I was wondering if you could get some for me. with the mission office address on it and also our home address and phone number, with the salt lake temple as the background. So elder Brimhall broke his watch yesterday and he has no, so I was wondering. There is a box of extra watches down in my stuff under the stairs. could you send one for him? but I think that they all need batteries, so you'll need to take care of that before sending one. We can listen to talks everyday, so if you could send up some john Bytheway that would be awesome. President told us that if you plan on sending up packages for Christmas to send them by November 30 so that we get them by Christmas. Thats about it right now. anyway, I love being out here teaching the gospel to everyone. Its a lot of fun. I got to go but I love you all thanks for the letters and the support. Elder Boo Denny

Happy Late Birthday, Vera

Hi there, you beautiful woman you!
Sorry, about this beeing a couple days old, but with all of our love and best wishes, we hope it was a great day. We are so blessed to have you in our family and are so touched by your beauty and grace. We all love you very much and wish many happy days ahead.

All of our love,
The 100+ Dennys

(I quit counting at 103!)

How to Get Encouragement from the Internet

Do you need a little motivation? Someone to give you a pat on the back for the amazing initiative you showed changing that diaper or going to work this morning? Here's a way to get the internet to cheer you on a bit:

Type yourname.youaremighty.com into your browser window and hit enter. Like so: Kalyn.youaremighty.com. It’s your own, personalized cheerleading section.

Bring it on, life. I am mighty.

P.S.
Don't even think about not doing this, you will LOVE it.

Elder Ben Ostler

Hello to all;

Just a note to let you know we got Ben off to the MTC. Thanks for all the love and support for Ben. He was overwhelmed on Sunday with all the support and humbled as well. He was excited to go and had plenty of tears at the MTC from first walking in the door. He really hugged us all tight and cried and then walked away looking straight ahead at the task at hand. His departure date is set for October 9th to head to St. Louis. Please keep him in your prayers. Here is his address for the next couple weeks. Thanks again.

Love, Jon and Val



ELDER BENJAMIN REED OSTLER

MTC Mailbox #205

MO-STL 1009

2005 N. 900 E.

McClelland update

Hey everybody...just thought we'd give a little update on our lives here in Ohio. We have had an awesome summer with tons of visitors from both sides of the family!

We just recently bought our first home. We are so excited about it! Our new address is: 340 Meadowside Ct., Gahanna, OH 43230.

Also, Thomas is doing really well. He is such a fun little guy! He loves to smile and laugh and he is turning out to be quite a good little napper (thankfully!).

Life is grand!

Jenn and Ben go Fishing!

I thought it would be fun to share some pics of Ben and I when we went fishing with some friends.... it ended up raining so we didn't even stay on the lake, but it was fun to have a fire and stuff!

It was really windy so the pics are bad, but I thought that was a nice one of Ben eating a hot dog! Haha....

Where were you...that september day?

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against the blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear of your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your Mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that Bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to Church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day.

(Written by Alan Jackson in the middle of the night after 9/11)

Someone that knows how can post some photos of 9/11 with this if they would like, thanks.

Love to all,

Mark

Any Moms out there want a home-based job?

Most of you know of my former advertising partner Kerry. She left the ad business when she had babies, but still wanted some income and stimulation. Her one requirement was that a job had to be something she could do in her own time, and not interfere with her other full time job as a Mother. She has found what for her is an incredible opportunity doing something she believes in strongly, and she LOVES it. It's a home-based business and last month she was #1 in the company. I told her I would mention it here to see if any of the young (or old) Moms in our family might be interested. The company is called Once Upon A Family (maybe some of you have heard of it) and it certainly seems like it's right up the alley of Mormon families. (She said that last month somebody in Utah was number two in the company.) Here's what it says on their website is the company's mission:

Our mission is to help families connect in loving, joyful, meaningful ways. We offer elegant keepsakes, unique gifts and inspirational tradition ideas to simplify and enrich your family life.

Our products are distributed through Independent Consultants who believe in the importance of family, who want to create a better family life for their loved ones and who are interested in sharing our vision with others while building a home-based business.

If any of you are interested I can happily get you in contact with Kerry. Just let me know. It's a pretty new company as well, so it's a good time to get in if any of you want. Thanks.
PS: it's not just a single position. Anybody can do it.

Bibler's Are Expecting (finally)

After being married for 6 years we decided to take the plunge and start a family. My due date is April 12th so I am 9 weeks and right in the middle of the morning sickness. I know I am not supposed to spread the word until 3 months but I figured the secret was getting out anyway! :) I tried to add a picture but my computer doesn't want to do anything I say today!! Hopefully I will get to see most of you around Christmas time. We love and miss everyone!

Torsell's

Elder Ben Ostler

Hello Everyone,

Ben's time at home is getting short as he will enter the MTC on September 19th.
So look out Missouri, ST. Louis Mission, Elder Ostler will soon be on his way! We are looking forward to going to the temple with him this week.

All are invited to come and visit with Ben before he goes. He will speak in Sacrament Meeting on September 16th at 11:00 am. It will be in our buildng across the street from our home. We will gather after Sacrament Meeting at our home for lunch. If you would like to bring something just make it a salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Thanks for the support and love you give our family.
Love, Jon and Val

Happy Birthday to Jennica

Today's the day we get to send lots of *Happy Birthday* wishes to Jennica, who's very happy they decided to declare a holiday in honor of her birthday! How convenient, and the holiday means Jen gets to take a couple of days off from the pressures of college and do a little birthday celebrating.

We hope you had lots of cake, good food, and fun family time for your birthday. Happy Birthday Jen. We love you lots.

In Memory of Mother: Creamed Zucchini

"Creamed" Zucchini from Mom
(Recipe originally from Jon Ostler's Mom)

8 cups fresh zucchini, diced in 2" pieces
(or use half zucchini and half yellow summer squash)
1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
(Coffee-Mate brand preferred)
1/4 stick butter (or less)
salt or Veg-sal to taste
fresh ground black pepper to taste

Put diced zucchini in large pan and cover with water. Cook at low boil until zucchini is very fork-tender, but not mushy, about 8-10 minutes. Drain zucchini in colander for 3-4 minutes, then put back in pan you cooked it in. Add butter, then mash zucchini a few times with a potato masher (just enough to release water and break it into chunks, but not enough to get a completely mashed consistency). Put in coffee creamer and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper, stir a few times, then turn heat back on and cook zucchini about 3 minutes more, until all coffee creamer is dissolved and dish is piping hot. Serve immediately.

Hope everyone has a lot of zucchini in their garden so they can make some!
Love,
Kalyn