Week 13: I am feeling this. Call it the Holy Spirit or the passion of the Christ, I am lovin’ these people!

Hey y'all, this week flew by fast.  

On Monday, I was able to go fishing with some Elders in a lake near a member's home.  It was fun to just relax with that.

Side note: my title is a quote from The Office, if you didn't already pick up on that.

On Tuesday, we met with Marc and talked about the Book of Mormon.  About halfway through, his friend Gregory walked in and started asking us questions.  He asked for a Book of Mormon before we could offer it to him.  Both Marc and Gregory are pastors of their respective churches.  They are both fairly receptive to the things we have to say, but both of them want to take their time to know for themselves that it is true, which was music to my ears.

We are having a hard time contacting Marysel.  She has a lot on her plate and I only wish we could help her out.  She hasn't been to church yet.  We just want her to feel the Spirit and meet ward members.  There is true power in congregating and being with a ward family.  Keep trying to be a beacon of light to everyone you meet.  Your testimony will grow and you will help a lot of people that you might not even realize you are helping.

On Thursday, we knocked on the door of a potential investigator who had met with Sister missionaries several months ago, but never had any more contacts.  His name is Basil and he's from Jamaica.  We asked him what his experience was the last time he spoke with missionaries.  He had a few words to say that weren't too nice.  He is a very devout Catholic and wasn't too fond of the Book of Mormon.  I tried to bear my testimony and then explain the genius of the Book of Mormon, that if it isn't true, our church is a complete fraud.  If it is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church again restored to the Earth.  It's either one or the other, no in between.  He wasn't having any of it.  Elder DeVroom started to get a little frustrated and argue just a tad.  I doused the fire real quickly by bearing my testimony and thanking him for his time.  I had this sincere love for a man I had met only 4 minutes prior.  It is amazing how much God blesses us with Christlike love.

I went on an exchange with Elder Fenn who is in Eustis, just up north.  It wasn't a very productive day if you're looking at numbers, but we found one man.  He made the whole day worth it.  We had just knocked on the door of a current investigator who wasn't home.  We saw a guy sitting on his porch across the street so we went and said hello.  I am usually a shy person with people I don't know.  I don't like talking to people if I don't have to, but I was extremely blessed in this instance.  The conversation went so smoothly.  I just went into it knowing that I was making a friend.  I had the gospel in the back of my mind but I really was focused on him.  His name is Tavaris.  We talked about his kid and his job.  The topic naturally went into religion and he talked about his frustration.  He said there are so many churches that teach pretty much the same thing.  Why do they all hate each other?  He didn't like the monopoly of certain sects and was searching for a church that he could worship the Lord and not have to worry about the "politics" of it all.  We answered a lot his questions and introduced him to the Book of Mormon.  He had never heard of it and took it with open arms.  The coolest part of the whole conversation was when he told us that he had goosebumps up his entire body.  It was about 85 degrees outside.

All in all, it was a good week that went by fast.  I don't have the entire repertoire of missionary work, but when I do my very best, God compensates me in the departments that I lack.  I am content with the work that I did and know that I was a disciple of Christ everywhere I went.

Do not hesitate to email me, even though I am horrible at responding (I apologize).  I'm also really bad at taking pictures.  I always say that I will and then it's Monday before I know it.

I hope y'all have an amazing week.

Elder Poulsen

Elder DeVroom, Elder McKee, and Elder Fenn

Cosmo and Wanda think they slick.

Here's a cliché missionary picture

Trite fish picture

A chip I pulled out of the bag that looked like Utah. 

I did NOT cut it or break it or anything.

Here is a funny video that Elder Lester sent me.

It is a video we watch for part of our training

but the way that it is recorded makes it out of context

and it is so funny! haha

Week 13: Ether 12:4,6

This week I started a new type of marking system on one of the cheap blue Book of Mormons.  I have topics like agency, faith, tithing, and everything in between.  The more that I've searched the scriptures and found ones that mean a lot to me, the more my testimony has strengthened.  I invite y'all to read, study, and ponder the scriptures.  There is absolute, true power that comes from doing that.  It weaves a tapestry of knowledge and peace that you won't find anywhere else in the world.

1 Nephi 15:24 "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to 

destruction."

2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do"

Elder Poulsen

Week 12: Basura and Rain

Hey y'all, this was quite the week.

Monday, I went on an exchange with Elder Pili.  He's one of the Zone Leaders and he's cool.  He plays for BYU's football team.  He's a jacked Tongan but he's humble and helped me out a lot.  Oh and by the way, he's the one who invented "jawn".  Finally met the creator.  He also started this thing where you say "basura" whenever applicable.  It means garbage in Spanish but it's not necessarily a bad thing.  

We met quite a few people while in Sorrento.  There's a member couple that is really chill.  Nana and GM.  When I first went in the house, Nana said she was going to cut my hair so they could mix it with the sisters hair and make babies.  Needless to say, I was really confused.  Turns out she was joking the whole time.  I could talk about them all day but ill jist say this ine thing.  Nana gives every missionary a nickname.  She called me "heartthrob" because I am "adorable" and my name is Pulse-n.  Kind of funny.  She also told me to marry someone that loves me when I'm poor, that's how I'll know it's real.

It also rained a tom this week.  Every time a storm comes in, parking lots flood and it's pretty cool to see.  I'll have to get a picture this week.  I was wet for about half the time.

The rest of the week went pretty well.  We met with a guy named Marc from Haiti.  He works part-time as an uber driver and met a member that he gave a ride to.  That member referred him to us.  He was really receptive to our message, but the funny thing is, I didn't even notice.  I had this huge desire to help him be happy.  We got into a groove where we were just teaching him things he needed to hear.  It was a great experience.

We finally got in touch with Marysel again.  She's been going through health problems but she is super solid.  She knows this is the right path for her.  We also gave her daughter Nevaeh an opportunity to be baptized on June 2nd and she accepted.  It's incredible to see the growth of this family over the past couple weeks.

I just want people to be happy.  I've had a hard time being happy lately and the only way I can combat that is by focusing on other's happiness.

Ether 12:34-36 "And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.  Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly.  And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity."

Elder Poulsen

Week 12: Philippians 4:13

I was reading in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley.

He said, "...I have never been greatly concerned over the number of baptisms that I had or that other missionaries had. My satisfaction has come from the assurance that I did what the Lord wanted me to do and that I was an instrument in His hands for the accomplishment of His purposes."

"I cannot promise you fun. I cannot promise you ease and comfort. I cannot promise you freedom from discouragement, from fear, from downright misery at times. But I can promise you that you will grow as you have never grown in a similar period during your entire lives."

Elder Poulsen

Week 11: This Is My Title

I don't have a ton to say this week.  It was a good week, however, not much happened out of the ordinary. 

We had our Zone Conference on Thursday.  It was nice to set a few hours aside and here some inspiring talks and training.

We had a lot of member dinners during the week. We have gotten to know the ward a little better.  I'm continually amazed at the testimonies of the recent converts.  The Spirit is real.  It's a palpable feeling when you enter a room and someone bears solemn testimony of their knowledge.  I encourage you all to bear testimony often.  You might be struggling in a certain part of the gospel, but bear testimony of what you do know, and what you believe.  

3 Nephi 18:24 "Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed."

I was able to talk to my family yesterday which was awesome.  It was something that I really needed and I'm looking forward to talking to them in December.

I'm sorry it's not a very exciting email, but I just want y'all to know that God lives.  He loves us.  Pray for anything and everything.  You don't have to be alone.  Let others help you and strengthen you.  We all struggle and there is nothing wrong with needing a little help.  There are people who love you and will help you if you left them.

Mosiah 4:27 "...it is not requisite that a man [or woman] should run faster than he [or she] has strength."

Try your best and things will work out.  God doesn't expect you to be perfect, he just expects effort.

Have a great week.

Elder Poulsen

Week 11: 3 Nephi 14:3-5

This week wasn't super successful if you just focus on numbers, but we were able to visit a few people and make their day a little bit better.  That's what makes this all worth it.  Never ignore a spiritual prompting to do something good.  I've heard a few stories in the past weeks where people have done small things because of a prompting.  Those really are from God.  Be the instrument in His hand and don't ignore the prompting to do the right thing.  Those small things are what make us great.  Alma 37:6 "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Elder Poulsen

Week 10: A Relatively Insipid Week

Hello all! 

First, I want to say thank you for all the birthday wishes, cards, and packages.  Thank you for the support in my struggles.  Thank you for the support in my triumphs.  I received and outpouring of love that I cannot repay.  I am so grateful for the influence y'all have in my life.  The reason I am where I am, doing what I'm doing, is because of everyone in my life.  My heart is full with gratitude.

The highlights of the week include the following.  Marysel accepted a baptismal date for June 2nd.  I was really able to spend time with her kids a who are so funny.  I attached some pictures below, sadly the only pictures of the week (sorry mom).  There was a Cinco De Mayo party at the Church.  There are a decent amount of Hispanics in the ward, either from Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Nicaragua to name a few.  It had really good food and music.  It really brought the ward together, and I have been impressed how tight everyone is.  

I implore you all to make better efforts to know your ward family, if not your neighbors.  We are all in this together.  (E.g. How in the world have I lived my whole life and never met my next door neighbor?)  Go out and meet someone new.  Everyone is going through something hard and needs a friend.  Also, don't just do it because I told you but do it because you want to.  People are so beautiful when you know who they are and where they come from.

Moroni 7:45-47 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

Without charity, you are nothing.  That is a powerful, true statement.  Forget yourself and love your neighbor.  Joy comes from serving others.  Misery comes from selfishness.

As far as the rest of the week goes, it wasn't extremely eventful.  Appointments fell through, people disappeared, and disappointment was felt.  However, it's a new week.  Just like with our personal spirituality, we will fall short, but we can use the atonement to restart.  Its a brand new day.  Never give up, keep going, and God will strengthen you.

I was reading in the Bible and came across this scripture: Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

I really could beat the dead horse on how we should persevere, but I think that scripture pretty much covers it.  God is with us constantly.  Never think that all is lost.  Life will get better.  Watch and pray always.

I love you all.

Elder Poulsen

Nevaeh (10) and Somiya (5).  

PS I don't look good in selfies.

A video they sent my mom. 

Week 10: 1 Corinthians 15:58

My large email was spiritually driven today, but I feel like I need to say a few more things.  I've said it before, but hope is so important.  Without hope, you will fall.  The times in my life where I have been the most miserable is when I had no hope.  Hope doesn't come automatically.  Pray for hope, work for hope.  Life will get better and you will be happy again.  There is a great video called "Bearing Our Burdens With Hope" and I recommend watching it. 

Ether 12:4 "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Elder Poulsen