Week 32: Orevwa Elder Pottle

It was an interesting week.  It's going to be a bit shorter of an email but hopefully it's still worthwhile.

One thing we were able to do this week was stop by Frank.  He's not a member and suffers from Alzheimer's.  I've talked about him before, but his wife loves going to the temple.  Frank doesn't like being alone or away from his wife, so we promised we'd come by and stay with him for a little bit while she was up in Orlando.  I always love talking to him and spending time with him.  He has a big heart, and even though he has a hard time remembering things, he loves talking about his childhood.

We have two potential investigators.  They are both member referrals from Sister Guillaume.  She's a single woman from Haiti is so awesome.  She is not afraid to share the gospel or tell people that they should be better.  I love it!  She always makes us Haitian food and talks to us about her life.  She's taught a little Creole to us which is fun.  I love being in a home and hearing Haitian Creole or Portuguese.  The melting pot of backgrounds is my favorite part of Florida.

We got a call on Friday night from President Clark.  He told us that Elder Pottle is going to the Orlando Zone and I'm going to get two missionaries.  It wasn't what I was hoping for, but it'll be a good experience.  Our apartment is also pretty small so it'll be an interesting time.  I've really enjoyed being with Elder Pottle.  We are very similar and work well together.  He's also been really good about helping me get used to the area.  I'm going to miss him a lot.  He's been a great friend and I love him a lot.  We've had a lot of good times, laughs, and countless meals at Gators Dockside (a chain restaurant in Florida).  We've done a lot of good here and I'm excited to continue working in the Viera 1st ward.

The week was pretty slow as for finding.  We invited a lot of people to watch General Conference with us.  Our President wants us to watch it at the chapel and have investigators come.  Sadly no one we are teaching were able to come, but there were plenty of members and it was a good time.

I loved General Conference.  It's never a disappointment to hear from the General Authorities of the Church.  They really do have revelation for us and I know they commune with God.  One thing out of the many things I loved, was Elder M. Joseph Brough's talk.  During his talk he referenced Alma 8:15 "Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God..."  He then said, "We can always rejoice when we keep the commandments... We can and should find joy when we face hard things."  This is a universal truth.  Life can be hard sometimes but we can always find joy if we press on and keep the commandments of God.  I love you all and hope everything is good.  Have a great week! 

Elder Poulsen

I can't believe it's been 3 months with this jawn.

The Sisters were kind enough to let me 

use their blanket during Conference.

Week 32: 2 Nephi 26:12-13

I have been studying 1 Nephi these past few days and using the Institute Student Manual as a guide.  It has been really rewarding and I thought I'd share some scriptures and quotes.  

1 Nephi 20:10 "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." 

In the Institute Manual, it had this quote in relation to the scripture.  "Intense heat refines metal and removes impurities.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed that affliction can likewise refine and purify each of us: "Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call ‘the furnace of affliction’. Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become."

Elder Poulsen