Week 37: Daniela Got Dunked

I wrote this email and it deleted itself so we'll try this again.  I got pretty frustrated that it deleted itself.  Sadly it's never the same when you write it the second time.  This week was one that I will remember forever.  I am absolutely exhausted, but it's the good kind of exhausted.  So much happened that I will probably forget to say a few things.  They won't be in chronological order.

We woke up a little early on Tuesday and went to our ward's Seminary class.  Brother Grover is a great Seminary teacher and invited us to come join.  They were reading Doctrine and Covenants 52.  One scripture that was read was verse 4.  "And inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do;"  I really like this scripture because as I've been out on my mission, I've tried to take it day by day.  I have noticed the blessings I receive of knowing what to do and where to go when I am faithful.

We had an experience while knocking. We knocked into a young woman name to Kara. We introduce the church to her pretty early on in the contact and she wasn't interested. She was apprehensive and about to shut the door when we decided to ask questions about her. She then brightened up and we talked for the next 10 minutes about her school, job, and family. We didn't teach her a lesson or get a return appointment but it really showed me the importance of getting to know those that we.  We have to genuinely care about people in order to know how we can help them.

We had our exchange with the Zone Leaders. Elder Hekking and I went down to Melbourne with Elder Allen. We had 4 teaching appointment set up and 3 of them fell through. We knocked a lot of doors without much success. It was one of those days that could get you unmotivated. However I saw the bright side of things. I saw it as a successful day because we did exactly what was asked of us and we included the Lord. At the end of the day, baptisms, lessons, and contacts don't matter in measuring success. The way we measure success is our desire and what we do with it. I'm not 100% there yet, but I want to do missionary work not because I'm scared of the consequences if I don't, not because I have to do it or should just do it. I want to do missionary work because I want to do it.  When we have that desire it will make us more happy. 

I got to see former Elder DeVroom on Sunday.  That was cool to see him and talk about old times.  It's weird to see him in his current stage.  I feel like I've been out for forever but 1 day at the same time.  I know I'll be home soon, so I want to make the most of every second and enjoy every aspect of this wonderful life.  I want to continue to improve myself.  I want to be more selfless, more humble, and more obedient.  I want to be the best man I can be for my future wife.  I want to be a better servant to the Lord.  I know there is no better place for me to learn those things than Melbourne, Florida.

Friday night was Daniela's baptism. It was full of the Spirit and was an amazing experience for her. She bore a simple and powerful testimony about her gratefulness to God for giving her the chance to join Jesus Christ's true church.  It was really cool because most of her family is of Columbian decent, so it was entirely in Spanish.  One of the family members translated into headsets so we could understand.  Sunday was her confirmation and it was equally spiritual.  Being a part of that circle while her uncle confirmed her a member of the Church was a great experience.  I didn't understand any of it, but the Spirit was strong and it testified to me the truthfulness of this work.

I apologize for the choppiness of this email.  I promise the previous one was better.  I love you all.  Have a great rest of your Veterans Day and a great week!

Elder Poulsen

Blake DeVroom

Daniela

Cleaning the font

Us with the Viera 2 sisters

Email to Mom:

I'm really glad sister Schaefer sent those pictures! It's funny that she took some during the baptism,

To answer your questions, there aren't any Spanish speaking missionaries in this Zone. The only one is Elder Thomas and he doesn't know a ton because he's served in English ward's his whole mission. Daniela understands English mostly but we had help from her family so it went well. 

We asked her aunt who Daniela wanted to perform the baptism. 20 minutes later we got a text "Is it OK if Elder Poulsen baptizes Daniela?" I told her that I would be honored and humbled to. I don't feel like I did much to deserve her asking me to do that. I feel really special and humbled. 

The Spirit was strong at the baptism. She was so happy to make this covenant.  She was crying when her aunts and cousins were speaking.  I haven't quite reached that point to be tearing up about the gospel but she was and it was awesome. 

Elder Poulsen

The blessing was at Sister Kmoch's house right before she left for the hospital. 

We asked her who should say the blessing and she asked me to give it.

 I really can't remember what was said but I know it was prompted by the spirit.  

It was really great with 5 priesthood holders.

Week 37: John 21:15-17

With the hurricanes in the panhandle, many members of our ward have gone up to help clean up.

A certain member that went up there came back and talked about all the damage.  He talked about the hundreds of pine trees that were absolutely obliterated.  Miles of forest were wiped out due to high speed winds.  He mentioned that you see all of these trees ripped out, however not a single one of them is a palm tree.  Palm trees are thick, stiff, and the roots are very strong.  Strong enough to withhold strong winds.  I thought about it, and related it to testimonies.

How strong are our testimonies?  We may think that we have tall, beautiful testimonies that flourish in the sunlight, but what happens when strong winds come?  What happens when things aren't going our way?  Do we have a strong enough testimony and strong enough faith to stay in the ground like a palm tree, or are we easily wiped out when the going gets tough?

I invite you to evaluate your testimony.  We should be striving to stay strong in good times and in bad times.

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)

Elder Poulsen