Trying to recollect the week, I can think of four major events.
First, we did quite a bit of service. Outside of our normal service at the Rockledge Sharing Center, we did yard work for a woman named Caryn. She lives across the street from our Relief Society President. She spends the winters in Florida and arrived a few weeks ago. She suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, so working in her yard would he extremely difficult. We were able to change her pool filter, removed weeds, and moved a grill to the back. We also trimmed palm trees which was really cool. I've never done that before, and I finally feel like a real Florida native now that I've checked that off my list. It felt really nice to be able to help her and give some of our time to her and the Lord.
Second, we went over to Shishi's house. She's been investigating the church for a long time. She's originally from China but moved over here with her daughter. For the two transfers that Elder Pottle (I miss that man) and I were here, we struggled to meet with Shishi. She would cancel last minute or always have a busy schedule, so it was a huge breakthrough when we were able to have lunch with her. We read the Book of Mormon with her and gave her a blessing. It was a huge leap in her progression. We are meeting with her again this week.
Third, we went to an event at the Brevard County Zoo. Many different companies and organizations had tables to hand out to the kids walking around. They would also give cards and whatever materials they had to promote their business or organization. The Viera Wards had a table, so we went over for a few hours on Friday and Saturday night to pass out "Just Serve" and "Family Search" pamphlets. It was a lot of fun to meet people in a non-threatening way. There was even a mom that wanted her kid to be in a picture with us. It was nice to be able to be in public in a unique way.
Fourth, we taught Daniela twice this week. Wednesday we were able to teach her the Plan of Salvation. She really enjoyed that because her grandmother just recently passed away. They were very close and she felt empty when she lost her. She was comforted in the knowledge that she would see her grandmother again and could be with her for eternity. On Sunday, we decided to use the second hour of church to teach her a lesson. During weekly planning, we had decided to teach her about scripture study, prayer, and keeping the Sabbath day holy. When we got into the lesson, Elder Changchum started to teach the Word of Wisdom. I was confused, but went with it. The lesson went really well. She responded well to commitments and said she would keep the Word of Wisdom. After the lesson, I talked to my companions and made the joke that Elder Changchum called a "spiritual audible". He was confused, and after I explained, he told us that the Word of Wisdom was in the lesson plan in our area book. I checked it and he wqs right! I was so confused because I know for a fact that I filled out the lesson plan and I wrote the other three things. I realized that Daniela needed to hear the Word of Wisdom. I know God had a part in the change. I can't explain it, but I recognize that His hand was in our lesson. It was a wonderful tender mercy that blessed both us and Daniela.
It reminded me of something Ronald A. Rasband said in General Conference: "Through the experience of my own life’s journey, I know that the Lord will move us on that seeming chessboard to do His work. What may appear to be a random chance is, in fact, overseen by a loving Father in Heaven, who can number the hairs of every head. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s notice. The Lord is in the small details of our lives, and those incidents and opportunities are to prepare us to lift our families and others as we build the kingdom of God on earth."
I know that God is in the small details of our lives. I have noticed many tender mercies in my days as a missionary. I am forever grateful for them.
Enjoy your week!
Elder Poulsen
Elder Hekking and Elder Changchum
