Week 30: Happy Fall Y'all

What a quick week.

We had interviews with President Clark on Tuesday.  Every time I meet with him it gets less and less awkward.   My first interview with him in the middle of my first transfer was about five minutes.  It consisted of him asking how I was and then him telling me the area was probably going to be shutdown.  In this most recent interview, he cracked up laughing and gave me lots of great advice.  He said something so profound that hit me hard.  He said "It doesn't matter how many trees you chop down, if you don't chop them down looking at what they can become, they become worthless."  He said this regarding the way we look at investigators, members, or missionaries.  I've gained more of a relationship with President Clark and have learned so much from him.

After interviews, we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders.  I went to the Melbourne area with Elder Thomas.  We were able to go onto the Deseret Ranch which is owned by the church.  There are miles and miles of land that is used for cattle ranching.  There are members and non-members who live there so we taught a lesson and went to dinner.  It was really cool because they are all very southern and have thick southern accents.  I felt the Spirit the entire time I was with Elder Thomas.  This was one of the best exchanges I've been on.  Elder Thomas is so loving and spiritual.  I was able to realize things that I need to improve on and ways I can become a better missionary.

Funny side story: one morning, Elder Pottle wanted to eat a protein bar, when he opened the cupboard, I heard a soft scream.  Not a blood curdling scream, rather a surprised scream.  I instantly knew that it was a "I saw a cockroach and now I don't know where it is" scream.  I laughed as I watched Elder Pottle search through every item and cardboard box in the cupboard.  We finally found it and got rid of it, but this occurs way too often for it to be abnormal.

Sunday, we had atleast ten non-members at Sacrament meeting because of the primary program.  Our ward seriously has the cutest primary kids.  The Spirit was so strong in the meeting.  Even though most of the non-members that came aren't interested in the gospel, we hope that the program planted a seed for their future.

After church, we met with David and taught him the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is so prepared to hear the gospel right now.  He told us that he read Alma 36, highlighted verses, and memorized verse 30.  He said that he went through his own apostasy.  He is ready to hear God's voice and progress in the gospel.  It amazes me how the Spirit teaches people and how little missionaries actually do.  I feel like I'm just a witness to a marvelous change.

Mosiah 4:10 "And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them." 

I can't believe we are starting week five of the transfer.  I've gotten to the point where I've forgotten things about the world.  I can't remember names of popular songs or movies.  It's hard to remember trips I've taken and things I did before my mission.  At this point, I only really know how to be a missionary.  It has been very rewarding to forget myself and allow the love of Christ to flow through me.

Have a great week!

Elder Poulsen

It still feels like the middle of summer to me

Roach huntin'

People here honestly have the hardest time spelling/pronouncing my name

Week 30: 2 Nephi 32:4

Lately I've been reading the new Saints Volume the Church released.  It is filled with chronological stories about the early stages of the truth.  Reading that through and reading the scriptures, continuing in prayer has increased my testimony of the Restoration.  All the little things help grow testimony.  My testimony has been strengthened in a short amount of time because I allow the faith to grow and I trust in the Lord.  I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and saw God The Father and Jesus Christ.  Because of this testimony, everything else figures its self out, and I am able to trust fully in the Lord.  I know that it is the small and simple things that strengthen us. 

Alma 32:28 "Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me."

Elder Poulsen