Week 22: Lack Of Hand

Another week gone.  Trying to recollect the week, I fail to find anything extremely entertaining or life changing.

Here is my new address if any of you feel so inclined to send me a letter or a Rolex:

3161 Conservation Place Apt# 102 

Melbourne, FL

32934

A little about our Zone.  I'm in the Cocoa Zone which is just the Cocoa Stake in Florida.  I was talking to Elder Thomas who is one of the Zone Leaders and he said that our Zone has a hard time finding more than any other zone in the mission.  For some reason the area we are at has a low finding number every week.  I'm not sure if it's the people that are here or the what, but it has been very difficult to find people to teach here.  Elder Pottle and I have been going hard in the paint and nothing seems to come to fruition.

I'll tell a few funny stories.  We went over to a families house for dinner one night.  It was a rough day and nothing was going our way.  It was one of those days that you feel like you can't do anything right.  The kids in the house were shooting nerf guns and playing around.  When we walked in the door, I saw a single bullet come from around the corner.  I then proceeded to ask, "Who's shurtin' those nuff guns?"  Elder Pottle made fun of me and it really did explain most of that day.

We went to visit the Castro's, a member family in our ward who are super awesome.  Brother Castro usually gives us mangoes from the tree in his backyard so we stop by a couple times a week.  He recently hurt his hand and had surgery.  It's been really painful for him so we stopped by to give him a blessing.  His son recently received the Melchizedek Priesthood, so he joined in on the blessing.  Elder Pottle gave the blessing.  It was very spiritual, however their dog was jumping around making a lot of noise and it was hard to concentrate.  During the blessing, Elder Pottle blessed Brother Castro to recover from his "lack of hand".  It through me off and I could hear Brother Castro snicker a bit.  It was a great blessing and I don't mean to make fun of it, it was just a funny little thing that happened.  I brought it up to Elder Pottle later and he blamed it on the dog.

I had an exchange with Elder Thomas and he taught me a lot.  We had a lot of good conversations about how to be happy, how to be motivated, and how to not feel upset when things don't go your way.  He helped me a lot and showed me a lot about what a leader should be.

I have been praying hard this week for opportunities to find people.  I know that no effort is wasted in this work.  We have done a lot of ministering to members and I've gotten to know a lot of them.

John 7:37-38 "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." 

This scripture has given me a lot of hope and strength through hard times.  Have a great week y'all.

Elder Poulsen

Apopka Boiz

Elder Pottle

Week 22: Joshua 24:15

I've been reading "Jesus The Christ" recently.  It is such a deep and enriching book.  While reading this week, I read an amazing few paragraphs that spoke to me.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” With these words Jesus prefaced one of His most impressive discourses...

...As the Teacher showed, a shepherd has free access to the sheep. When they are folded within the enclosure of safety, he enters at the gate; he neither climbs over nor creeps in. He, the owner of the sheep loves them; they know his voice and follow him as he leads from fold to pasture, for he goes before the flock; while the stranger, though he be the herder, they know not; he must needs drive, for he cannot lead. Continuing the allegory, which the recorder speaks of as a parable, Jesus designated Himself as the door to the sheepfold, and made plain that only through Him could the undershepherds rightly enter. True, there were some who sought by avoiding the portal and climbing over the fence to reach the folded flock; but these were robbers, trying to get at the sheep as prey; their selfish and malignant purpose was to kill and carry off.  Changing the figure, Christ proclaimed: “I am the good shepherd.” He then further showed, and with eloquent exactness, the difference between a shepherd and a hireling herder. The one has personal interest in and love for his flock, and knows each sheep by name, the other knows them only as a flock, the value of which is gauged by number; to the hireling they are only as so many or so much. While the shepherd is ready to fight in defense of his own, and if necessary even imperil his life for his sheep, the hireling flees when the wolf approaches, leaving the way open for the ravening beast to scatter, rend, and kill."

I've tried to pray for the charity that Christ had for His sheep.  Elder Pottle and I have been focusing on trying to care for the individual.  To not look at the numbers but look at the soul.  We have been so much happier when doing this and it applies to every form of life.  Looking at people individually and loving them individually.

Elder Poulsen

Week 21: I Ripped My Pants

Well, I'm on the coast!

On Tuesday, we went down to a chapel in Orlando to exchange.  I was able to see a few people that I haven't seen in a while and I also saw Elder Gallup which was nice.  I met Elder Pottle, got my stuff into the car, and we were off to Viera.

This week has been an adjusting period.  Back in Apopka, Darlene would call us 50 times a day, Gospel Principles was the most interesting part of our week, and we never knew who we were going to run into in South Apopka.  I was not happy whatsoever when I got the call that I was leaving.  I loved that ward so much and was just getting into the groove of things.  Now I'm in the Cocoa Zone with Elder Pottle, Elder DeVroom, Elder De Priest, and Elder Wallis who have all served in Apopka at one point.  We all reminisce about how amazing it is there.

Sadly, this area is not a full-car, only car share.  We walked a lot and I got blisters on my feet.  I've used more mole skin this week than I ever have in my life.  The thing about the coast is it rains a lot more than inland, which is a ton.  Last night we were riding back home and it started to rain hard.  We started to book it back and then the chain on my bike slipped off.  I had to walk home in pouring rain and it was pretty humiliating to walk in front of all these cars.

Something pretty funny was before church, we were practicing for the choir performance.  I dropped my tablet underneath the bench and heard a pop.  It took me a second to realize what just went down, I had a thousand-yard stare.  I then looked over at Elder Pottle and said "We need to go."  I jad ripped the seam in my pants and crab walked out of the chapel so no one would see.  We went home, I changed, and we were back before sacrament started.  Elder Pottle could not stop laughing.

This update is pretty boring and to be honest, the week was really boring, but I'm really excited for what this transfer will bring and I'm excited to be in a new area.  Hopefully I have a lot to report on next week.

2 Nephi 33:6 "I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell."

Hope y'all have a great week.  It's really hot and humid here so enjoy the dry heat.  Y'all are very blessed.

Elder Poulsen

We superglued dumbbells together.

The Viera District and Zone Leaders

The Pickard's.  One of my favorite families.  

Elder Correia is also really bad at taking pictures.

Week 21: John 15:10-11

I hit 5 months on Saturday and it has absolutely flown by.  I still feel like I've been out for a week.  There have been many times where I have thought about going home.  I've thought about throwing in the towel and calling it quits.  The only reason I am still out here is because there are constant tender mercies that revamp my motivation.  There are times where I feel I've been pushed to the limit and Christ swoops in and lifts me up.  I know that we all have times in our lives when we feel like we can't go on, but if we let Christ help us, give Him our burdens, and let the power of the atonement work, we will find ourselves having enough strength to keep going.

Alma 7:11-13 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.  Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

Elder Poulsen

Week 20: Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite

It was definitely an interesting week.  It started off with Elder Correia and me being dead sick.  It then lead to us finding out we had bed bugs.  Then, finished with the call that I am going to be transferred out of Apopka.

While we were sick, nothing really happened.  We did do things but I was so out of it that I can hardly remember.  The heat and humidity made it way worse and it was hard to care about what was going on.  I just wanted to lay down in a freezer.  After handfuls of Tylenol®️ and what seemed like gallons of NyQuil®️, I was finally feeling better.

We knocked a lot of doors this week.  I hated it when I first started, but I've gotten used to it.  We had a lot of appointments fall through but we were able to find a few potential investigators throughout the week so it wasn't horrible.

On Thursday, I woke up with tons of bites all over my neck and arms.  At first I thought they were mosquito bites, but they seemed a bit different.  I flipped over the mattress and found a bunch of bed bugs inside the fibers and box spring.  It was a shocking find.  I've never really seen bed bugs or had an experience with them, so it was new to me.  We called the mission office and our apartment complex and see something up for a guy to come spray.  We got rid of the mattresses and couches.  We then washed and dried every linen we had in the apartment.  It was a huge pain in the neck for something as minuscule as bed bugs.  This does however solve a problem.  I've been thinking for the longest time that I've been getting bitten by mosquitoes.  It seemed like no matter what I did, they still but me.  It turns out that a lot of my bites were bed bugs.  The guy that was spraying said they feed for 5 or so minutes.  That was not comforting.  I've been getting eaten alive for a while now.  It is now over and we are rid of bed bugs.

One interesting story before I go on about transfers.  On Thursday, we knocked on a door and a woman answered.  She said that she was a Jehovah's Witness and that they were currently having a Bible study in their house.  They invited us right in and we had a very rushed study and I really couldn't feel the Spirit.  I just wanted to learn from them and maybe bring some things that would apply to what they were talking about, but they just wanted to bash and talk about how we are wrong.  They denounced the Book of Mormon, which is ok, but the fact that they wouldn't even learn about it before coming up with their conclusion really bugged me.

We had interviews with President on Wednesday and I didn't really get a certain vibe from the interaction.  I assumed that I was going to stay for another transfer.  On Saturday while we were getting our apartment figured out, we got a call from the Zone Leaders telling us that I will be transferred to the Viera 1st Ward in Viera, FL.  It came as a shock.  I thought I would at least stay for one more transfer.  My new companion will be Elder Pottle and my new Zone Leader will be Elder DeVroom which is pretty funny.  The area is on the coast which will be cool.  There are pros to me leaving, but I am going to miss this ward and the people we are teaching.

Yesterday I said goodbye to a lot of awesome people.  It was really hard but I am excited to go down to experience a new area.  I wasn't feeling so sure about it during sacrament meeting, but we sang a closing hymn that spoke to me and gave me chills down my back.

Hymn 266 - The Time Is Far Spent

"The time is far spent; there is little remaining, To publish glad tidings by sea and by land.  Then hasten, he heralds; go forward proclaiming: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand.  Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant, But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.  Our little afflictions, tho painful at present, Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end, Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.  Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.  Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you; His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.  His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose."

I'm excited for what this new transfer will bring.  My time in Apopka is far spent, there is little remaining.  Time and time again, I feel inadequate and notice my short comings, but I know God is merciful and will help me through it.  I love y'all.  Try your best, pray, and everything will be ok.

Elder Poulsen

The Trent's.  An awesome family in my ward.

 Elder McKee and Sister Naylor are dying.

Leesburg District

I'm going to the Viera 1st ward!  

My new companions name is Elder Pottle.  

Viera is south of where the Disney cruise ports.

Week 20: 3 Nephi 9:14-15

I just want to bear my testimony of our Savior.  He is at the head of this Church.  He understands us and He loves us.  I know that He is the Son of God and that He died for our sins and afflictions.  Believe in Him.  I share the same thoughts as Nephi when he says in 2 Nephi 33:10-11 "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness."

Elder Poulsen

Week 19: Consider It A Bass Caught!

I finally caught a fish again!  The demons have been exorcised.  I took a page out of Elder Pili's book and yelled "Consider it a bass caught!"  It worked cause I caught a lil' boi.  As for the rest of the week, it was relatively boring.  Theres a bug going around the Leesburg Zone.  Both Elder Correia and I were sick the last half of the week.

On Monday, I went on an exchange with Elder Bosworth, who is Elder Pili's companion.  We went around all day, throwing line, but had nothing come to fruition.  We did have a lesson with one of Sorrento's investigators who actually got baptized on Friday.  His name is Angel and he's super awesome.  He hadn't even been baptized at the time and said he wanted to share the happiness he feels.  He's already looking forward to going on a mission and has no desire to follow the world.  We also had Brother Teets there who is a member in the Sorrento Ward.  He's a beast.  He's about 65 and has more style than me.  He also has a really cool wedding ring that I want to cop.

The 4th of July was really fun.  We went over to the Staley's house (a member family in our ward) who had a bunch of other member's over.  It was a big party and they did a lot of different activities.  The people we talk to everyday are interesting.  They aren't trusting and friendly right off the bat, but the members here are incredible.  We had a good time and went out to street contact.  We ran into these people out in there driveway.  We said hi and asked them if they had a faith.  It turned out that 3 out of the 8 people were 7th Day Adventist pastors.  Yay.  We talked about God and how he helps us in our life, but as soon as I brought up the Book of Mormon, the whole conversation switched.  There was no Spirit.  I dominated the conversation and didn't let Elder Correia speak.  I was trying so hard to get them to understand one simple and very important fact: If the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and everything it encompasses is true.  If the Book of Mormon is false, our church and everything it stands for, is a complete fraud.  I had this righteous desire of wanting them to understand it, but I went about it all wrong.  I tried too hard and didn't follow the Spirit.  Finally, I felt the need to stop, testify, and say goodnight.  It was the only way.  It was a very humbling experience and I have made a conscious effort to follow the Spirit more.

2 Nephi 32:5 "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."

The rest of the week in Apopka was pretty quiet.  We didn't pick up any new investigators, but we did talk to a few ladies over text that we met last week.  Both of them seem promising.  They want to have more direction and happiness in their life.  It's amazing feeling to have what they are looking for, so I'm really looking forward to next week.

Elder Gallup is back!  It was so weird to see him and say hi to him.  I remember the day when he left and that felt like yesterday.  It was really nice to see him again though.  He's doing good, he just has to adjust all over again.  Today, all the missionaries in the Leesburg Zone went to Leesburg.  Theres a member here with a nice lake and ping pong table, the works.  We are all hanging out having a great time.  Florida isn't too bad.

Pray.  It's easy and it helps.  You'll never experience the blessings of prayer unless you try.  God loves you and wants to hear from you.  God wants to answer your questions and help with your problems.  All you have to do is ask.

Alma 37:37 "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

I hope you all have a great week.

Elder Poulsen

 Leesburg District ft. ZL's and AP's

 

He's not even big.  I'm just happy I finally 

caught something in that dumb lake.

Swinging with my man Gideon.

Week 19: 3 Nephi 27:13-14

Hello everyone, something I have been thinking about is how much of a blessing the scriptures are.  There's a reason why we stress so much that we need to read the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  It's because there is true power in reading the scriptures and abiding by their precepts.

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 18: Francisco's Flan

Hey y'all.  Happy 4th!  I'm blessed to be serving in the best country in the world!

This week went by pretty darn fast.  It's hard for me to recall a lot of what went on because the days are starting to blend together.  The weather is getting hotter, its getting more humid, and the lightning has been pretty awesome.

We had a few things happen this week worth mentioning.  We've been working with the members a lot this week.  Doing service for them, asking for referrals, eating dinner.  Apopka has a pretty stubborn non-member population but the members are so awesome!  Every day we get closer and closer with them.  It's a blessing to be in this ward.

The sad part about the work is that, the white people are mean and don't want to talk to us, the black people are all heavy Baptists, and we don't speak Spanish to accommodate the large Hispanic population.  It's moving forward slowly.

Thursday night, we met with Francisco and he gave us this flan that he made.  It was the best flan I've ever had.  Not even kidding it was so good.  Elder Correia and I talked about it for like an hour.

We met with Bill again on Sunday.  He's fixing to get out of his halfway house in the next week or two, so we probably won't be able to keep meeting with him for much longer, but he's been reading the Book of Mormon with us and wants to meet missionaries where he lives.  He's been one of my favorite investigators.  He's so attentive and kind.  I wish I could just hangout with him.  He loves to fish and I want to fish with him and listen to all his stories.

Today we went fishing at sister Zych's house.  I didn't catch anything, but we met her son Steve.  He's so awesome.  Talked a lot about the lake and the sweet spots.  He hooked us up with some live action frogs and it was really fun.  I have a good feeling about next week.  They are an awesome family.  Steve's daughter isn't baptized and he wants her to listen to the discussions.  We picked up a new gator on a P-Day.  Pretty cool.

Anyway, sorry it's not a fantastically interesting email.  I find myself waiting for those moments that are either life changing or really cool to share, but I've realized that it's all about the small and simple things.  That's what it's been like so far.

Love y'all,

Elder Poulsen

Eli just chillin

View from our apartment

A sister missionary in my district took this.

I mod podged a picture of our 

President on a popsocket.

Week 18: 1 Nephi 13:17-20

Seeing as Wednesday is the 4th of July, here's a few scriptures that talk about the Revolutionary War.  We are so blessed to live in this great country and have the freedom to worship how we please.  We are blessed to have the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  They are the word of God and have been brought to pass for our joy.  I love y'all.  Stay sweet.

Elder Poulsen