Week 26: Gatorball

Hey everyone! Hopefully this week was good.  I'm also hoping that I have stuff to talk about because it really blurred together. 

Today was an interesting day.  Because it's the last P-Day, we are allowed to go to the beach in the morning.  We went to Satellite Beach as a District and watched the sunrise.  We asked a man to take our picture.  After he took the pictures, he told us that he was evangelist and that he was a missionary too.  He warned us that Jesus is the Christ and that He is the only way to Salvation.  We agreed with him, but he seemed unconvinced that we are Christians.  He continued to attack our beliefs.  It was difficult to talk to him considering that there were eight missionaries there.  It was hard to find common ground and he was not looking for a civilized conversation.  While he was talking, a dolphin jumped up in the background, and that made that bad experience better.  So yeah, that was our experience at the beach.

Last P-Day, we were playing gatorball in the gym at the chapel.  Gatorball is a sport that's played throughout the mission and was named after the alligator.(P.S. Saw a wild gator the other day.)  It's a combination of soccer and football.  It's kind of hard to explain but there is both kicking and carrying the ball.  While we were playing, one of the Zone Leaders, Elder Thomas, lined up to kick the soccer ball into the net and hit Sister Schwendinger straight in the face.  It knocked her on her back and left the impression of her glasses.  Long story short, she has a concussion and wasn't able to do much work this week, but man, she got destroyed.  President has come very close to banning gatorball.  It's seen countless injuries from the AP's all the way down to the newest missionary, but gatorball lives on!

There is a couple in our complex named Steve and Lynlee.  They are pretty young.  They are in charge of planning little events and things for the complex.  Thursday they planned a bowling party and invited us.  We've talked to them a few times before and we wanted to get on a gospel discussion level.  They invited us to dinner before and so we ate wings with them and Lynlee's parents.  They are all Christian and very involved with their church.  They are really awesome.  Service oriented and very friendly.  Elder Pottle and I feel like we really strengthened the friendship we have with them.  We talked about Christ and how much He has done for us.  It was a really good experience.  We also have a member family that lives in our complex who knows them.  We've talked about setting up a Family Home Evening and invited Steve and Lynlee.  Hopefully we can continue with them and eventually teach them.  We have seen an increase of desire in the members.  They really want to help us and have offered their homes to us.

We went to the temple on Saturday with Ann who was baptized a couple months ago.  It was easily the longest drive I've ever taken to get to a temple.  The Spirit was strong and it was a really cool experience to see someone go to the temple for the first time.  It was also the first time that I've performed ordinances in the temple so that was really cool.  Ann left before we finished confirmations with another group, so we didn't get a picture, but she really enjoyed it and was looking forward to going through the rest of the temple.

Other than that, it's been a really normal week.  Transfers are tomorrow.  Elder Pottle and I are both staying in Viera 1.  Most of the Zone is staying the same except we are adding three more bodies.  There are now gonna be three trios.  Elder DeVroom and Elder Correia go home on Wednesday.  My first companions to go home.  It's crazy that it has been six months.  It has gone by so fast.

Anyway, have a great week and don't forget to pray.

2 Nephi 28:30 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

Elder Poulsen

Cocoa Zone at the Stake President's house.  

We got custom shirts too.

At the beach. 

Week 26: Moroni 7:44-47

Something I have been studying this week is service.  I've noticed more joy in my day when I forget myself in the work.  I've been really focusing on trying to forget myself, whether that be how I'm feeling, if I want to go back to the apartment, if I'm hungry, whatever it is.  If I forget my own problems and focus on how other people are doing, I am so much happier.  It sounds weird because it should be the other way around, however, God blesses us for serving Him and His children.  That's another testament to me that God lives and we are not just organized matter floating in a vacuum.  We have souls, God is aware of us, and blesses us more than we could ever comprehend.

Matthew 25:34-40 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Elder Poulsen

Week 25: The Book of Mormon Belt

Hello everyone!  This week was so long.  I don't think I've been as exhausted as I was this week.

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday.  We were blessed to have Elder Costa and Elder Carpenter of the Seventy come and do a mission tour.  They spoke to us about a lot of things, mostly pertaining to working with the members.  Elder Costa is an Area Authority over the North America Southeast Area.  One thing he did say in his heavy Brazilian accent was, "I'm tired of people telling me that my area is the Bible Belt.  I want it to be the Book of Mormon Belt."  Florida isn't as much in the Bible Belt as Georgia or Texas, but there are plenty of people we run into everyday that know the Bible very well.  I'd say that 90% of the people we talk to believe in God.  That's way more than the average of America.  It's just helping them understand the Book of Mormon that will help them progress.  The Elders talked a lot about flooding our respective areas with the Book of Mormon.  There is great power in reading and understanding it.

On Friday, the mission had MLC (Mission Leadership Council).  Elder Pottle is the District Leader so he went up to Orlando with the Zone Leaders.  It was about six in the morning when the Zone Leaders showed up.  They had another set of Elders that were with them.  We had to fit six guys plus a bike, into a five seat car with one seat down.  I sat on Elder Thomas for 45 minutes on our way up to Merritt Island.  The plan was for me to spend the day with Elder Wallis and Elder Blomstedt in Merritt Island, for most of the day while our companions were at MLC.  It was a really good time and it was nice to get into another area.  We had to bike all around the island because we didn't have a car.  We wanted to make it up to Port Canaveral, but we didn't have a lot of time.  That day was probably the highlight of my week.

On Saturday, we taught a guy named Herb.  He's been meeting with the missionaries for a long time, but just hasn't quite found his click.  The frustrating thing for all of us is that he knows that the commitments we leave him will help him progress, he just hasn't done them as often as we'd like.  He wants to start praying more and make that a part of his daily routine.  He said, "It's like what I tell myself about working out.  You can't just wish to be skinny, you have to put forth the effort."  He understands what he needs to do, we just need to help him fully keep his commitments and he will progress more than he ever has.

Other than that, it was just a long week of going hard in the paint and being completely exhausted 24/7.  The members continue to be awesome and supportive.  I would go insane if we didn't have awesome members.  Today we went to the Brevard Zoo with the Zone Leaders, Satellite Beach Sisters and Viera 2 Sisters.  It was a really good time.  It was one of the best P-days I've had.  I'm really grateful for how tight our District is.  Everyone is comfortable enough to joke around with each other, but we are also all very focused on the task at hand.  We help each other through hard times and give advice daily.  It's definitely so,etching that has helped this transfer go by more smoothly, considering how difficult of a time Elder Pottle and I have.

Mosiah 4:15-16 "But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.  And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish."

I hope y'all had a good week.  I hit six months tomorrow.  It feels like six years and six days at the same time.  It has been a very difficult but rewarding experience.  Even though life sucks like 75% of the time, if we focus on the blessings we have, the Plan of Salvation, and the love God has for us, we can be happy each and every day.  Have a great week.  In the words of Darlene from Apopka: "Love y'all, bye."

Elder Poulson?

 I don't really know what to say about this.

The lil' bird freaked me out. 
(Peep my name tag, it's spelled wrong.)

Zone Conference with the southern half of the mission.

Week 25: Mosiah 3:17

On Sunday, we had a member of the Stake High Council speak I'm Sacrament meeting.  His talk was about patience and the importance thereof.  He talked about the story of Alice in Wonderland.  I'm going to paraphrase, but he talked about when Alice asked the Cheshire Cat which way she should go.  He asked her which way she wanted to go and her reply was that she didn't care where she went.  The cat them told her that it didn't matter which path she took if she didn't know where she wanted to go.  It's a fairytale story, but the lesson is salient.

If we don't know where we are going, it doesn't matter what path we take.  I've taken it upon myself to focus my mind on that principle.  I want everything I do to reflect where I want to go and what I want to be in life.  It's something that is so simple and is a no-brainer, but often overlooked.  I invite y'all to do that same thing.

Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Elder Poulsen

Week 24: 97°F, feels like 110°F

Another week done, another week closer to Winter.

It was a good week.  We were able to go out with our Bishop on Tuesday. We visited a lot of members who don't come to church as often. It was a really good time to hang out with him, he's a good guy.  He doesn't pretend to be someone that he's not and you can really tell that he cares about the members of the ward. However, that doesn't prevent him from making things fun.  I have been very blessed to have good Bishops in my Wards.  We also went out with a few of the Priests.  It was a good time and hopefully we have them a feel for what missionary work is.

It is extremely hot and humid, and I will continue to complain about it because I was not made to be in this kind of weather.  We look for every opportunity to be inside, whether that be mooching off rides from the youth, or going to the store to get a drink.  I think the worst part for me is not being dry.  You are wet from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep.  It's a good time though.

One thing that is difficult is knowing when to politely cut someone off in a conversation.  If given the chance, Floridians will talk forever.  People are nice though.  They usually see our faces dripping with sweat and offer us water.  We run into many people who say, "I've already found Jesus.  You're doing a great job."  It's sad cause we want to talk to them but their support is helpful.

On Friday night, we biked to a member's house to give them a bag back that they gave us.  We knocked on the door and they immediately invited us in.  Before we knew it, we were having dinner with them and went on a walk with the family.  While we were out, I saw someone playing street hockey in their driveway.  I went over and asked him a few questions.  He knew a lot about hockey and we had that instant connection.  While we were talking, his mom came out and said they were going on a run so we couldn't keep talking, but we told him we'd stop by another night.

Early Sunday morning, at 3:31, we woke up and went outside to see a rocket launch.  It was pretty cool because of how long it took the sound to get to where we were.  It was really cool to us because of how tired we were but it was pretty underwhelming.

We have been working hard with the members and we are seeing more and more, the interest they have in missionary work.  They have talked to us a lot about how they can help.  We haven't received any referalls but we have faith that things are going to get rolling.

Hopefully this wasn't a boring email.  I sadly dont have any pictures, but I love y'all and want you to know that God lives.  Have a great week!

Elder Poulsen

Week 24: Psalm 40:1-3

This week I have been trying to focus more on my prayers.  I wanted to make my communication with God a more sacred and meaningful occasion.  I have noticed an increase in joy and peace.  I know that the more we talk to our Heavenly Father, the closer we will feel to Him.  It's a very simple act, but it goes very far.  I invite y'all to pray.  It helps a lot and will bring you more peace in your life.

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."

Elder Poulsen

Week 23: You have to grab life by the neck and strangle it to death.

It feels like this week was the most boring week of my mission.  We have continual struggles to find people.  What our mission has done recently and specifically the Cocoa Zone is try to focus our attention on working with the members.  The members are our most valuable asset in finding people to teach because they already have a relationship with those people.  We've also been focusing a lot on using the Book of Mormon with our teaching.  The great thing about the Book of Mormon is if you have a testimony of it, everything else follows.

2 Nephi 25:23 "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."

One cool thing is the recent convert in our ward is getting really into family history.  She has a lot of names that she wants to take to the temple and because Elder Pottle was here when she was baptized, we get to go with her!  It will be an awesome experience.

As for stories that are crazy, or anything out of the ordinary, I lack a good quality.  Elder Pottle's year mark was last Tuesday and he burned a shirt which was pretty fun.  The fire grew faster than expected and almost caught up to his hand, so he dropped the shirt.  Hence the mid-air shirt picture.

One day we went to see a member.  Her husband, John, was outside and told us she was on a conference call.  He talked to us for a while about certain trips he has been on.  He's been everywhere from the North Pole to Sudan.  He's an older guy from Britain and has a thick accent.  He gave us lots of advice, but one thing he said that stuck with us was when he said "You have to grab life by the neck and strangle it to death."  It was straight out of a movie with his thick British accent and buttoned down shirt. 

There was one night we were in our apartment getting ready for bed.  I was on the couch and Elder Pottle needed to go to the car to grab something.  I followed him out and stood by the door continuing to play the uke.  A guy on the sidewalk that I didn't see at first, came up to me and said, "Let me show you what you do with that thing."  I nervously handed him the uke and he proceeded to shred on it.  Finger plucking and everything.  It was beautiful and I was surprised he could get that much sound out of a uke.  It felt like my jaw was on the floor.  He handed it back, said "That was  and told me to have a good night and he walked away.  It all happened so fast that I really didn't know what to say. 

As for anything else, the week was pretty mediocre.  It's still hot and humid.  I haven't seen the coast yet or felt the ocean breeze. (There's no such thing)  Enjoy life as it comes.  I've been trying hard to focus on things that only I can control.  When I dwell on things that are out of my control, I'm not as happy as I should be.

Even though times are rough and we go through things that are unfair, God still loves us and is aware of our lives.  We are blessed far more than we realize.  Have a great week! 

Elder Poulsen

I have no words

Floating shirt

Week 23: 2 Nephi 1:15

Elder Pottle and I were feeling really discouraged and bummed out on Saturday.  We've been reporting 0's in every category this transfer and it starts to wear on you.  Numbers don't mean anything and they aren't our focus, but they do help you realize the good you are doing and it's a good morale boost to reach your goals.  It feels good to know you've done something.

We had dinner with the Reagan family on Saturday night and they asked us how our week had been.  I felt like we said it was good and we're positive.  They somehow saw our frustrations on our sleeves and knew we were having a hard time.  Sister Reagan pulled out the Bible and read us a scripture.

"Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." - Jeremiah 16:16

I won't be able to recount the beauty of her discourse.  She told us that back in the day, there was little preparation to fishing.  Fishers threw over their nets and waited.  The Apostles had caught so many fish that they couldn't pull up the net.  She asked us "How much preparation goes into hunting?".  We named off all of the things you need to do before going on a big hunt.  Even after all of the months of preparation and hours of hunting, you can still come back empty handed.

She related us to hunters, looking in every mountain, every hill, and every hole in every rock.  We may find no one.  We may baptize 0 people this transfer, but if we can pray to God in good conscious, telling Him we tried our absolute best, and had a willing heart, we will be successful.

The Lord requires a willing heart.

Elder Poulsen

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