Hey y'all, this will probably be a shorter email than normal.
This week has gotten really hot. The heat isn't too bad because we are in and out of air conditioning, but the bugs are coming out more and more. I probably have 4 new bug bites a day and I even put bug spray on. It's like they're immune or something.
We had interviews with our President on Teusday. I told him about a possible bone marrow donation that could happen in the next 2 to 5 months. I am a possible match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant and it would be while I'm on my mission. He told me that it's a very high possibility that I'll be cleared to do it. That is really exciting news! Because transfers are tomorrow, he hinted the idea that Elder DeVroom and I would stay in Apopka until Elder DeVroom went home in August, so that is what we expected to happen.
We were able to meet with a couple new people this week that were new. Austin and Karma are 10 and 8. Their mom is less-active but wants them to be baptized. They are really sweet kids with Haitian heritage. We are teaching people with so many different cultural backgrounds. We only have one white person in our teaching pool. The diversity is pretty awesome and makes it more interesting. Orlando is the definition of a melting pot.
On Thursday, we felt like we needed to go see Teresa. We knocked on the door and she answered it in tears. She had been going through a rough time and really needed us. We read D&C 121 and 122 with her. We talked about trials and the reason we had them. We gave her a blessing, and immediately her changed. We love her a lot.
Friday, we got in touch with Marysel and her kids. We invited them to church and had a member call to tell them how excited they were to meet them. She said that she was positive that she would come. Sadly, she wasn't able to make it, but we have high hopes for next week.
Saturday, we received a call from President that we didn't expect. Elder DeVroom would be moving to Melbourne in the Cocoa Zone as a Zone Leader and I will be staying in Apopka. I was happy to hear that i was staying. I love Apopka and i don't feel that my work here is finished.
Francisco recieved the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday. I was able to be a part of his ordination circle too. It has been humbling and an honor to be with him and talk about the gospel with him. He is the most receptive person I have taught, and honestly we aren't even teaching him. We just discuss the topics and he talks about how much the church has blessed his life.
We had Elder DeVroom say goodbye to a few of the ward members that we got close with. He will be missed and I know he'll do great things in Melbourne. I get my new companion tomorrow, Elder Correia. I won't be in training anymore and I will be leading out. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I have been trying to take one day at a time and it seems to be working. I don't think too far into the future and I try to worry about only the things I can control.
All in all, it was a good week. The work continues to move forward. Thanks y'all for bearing with me. God lives. He loves us and wants the absolute best for us. Sometimes we have to be molded and moved into shape to the person He wants us to become. "...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." He didn't say "some of these things", He said "all these things".
Have a fantastic week.
Elder Poulsen
Francisco. He's a quiet man, and doesn't smile much,
but he is a happy guy :)
The Pickard's. Our ward mission leader.
