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.
