What an interesting week it's been. Not super memorable but it was still a good time. We didn't have a lot of time to find this week. We stopped by a few members and shared a Christmas message. We are really trying to encourage the ward to share the gospel, but they tend to shy away because they've grown older and are tired. We'll get there though.
We had our exchange with the District Leader this week. I went up to Belleview to be with Elder Blomstedt and Elder Moore. The first night, we were stopping by a few dots in our area book. It was getting dark about the time we were heading into the more country part of this area. There was a dirt road and at the end of it was a house. Someone that had contact with missionaries before lived there. We were driving on fairly hard dirt and all of the sudden, we hit a patch of sugar sand and our car was stuck. We tried to get it out but it was in vain. We called President Clark and told him. We could hear Sister Clark laughing in the background. It was funny but we were sort of stressed. We had the Elders in the other side of Belleview come pick us up and take us home. We left a note on the car saying we'd come back in the morning. We finally got our car back after a long process. There's really no point of me telling this story but it makes life interesting.
We had our Christmas Devotional this week. It was really great. We had half the mission like we always do for Zone Conference but we heard uplifting talks from President and Sister Clark, heard musical numbers, and sang Christmas hymns. It was super spiritual. My favorite mission meeting we've ever had. President Clark quoted something super profound. I can't remember what it was from, but it says, "Despite external circumstances, Christmas, like the kingdom of God, is within you." I loved this a lot. It goes along with Luke 17:20-21, "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
We were blessed with 3 referrals this week. One of them was from the Mission President in the Washington D.C. South Mission. We called President Caplin and his wife. They were super loving and wanted us to go see his Sister in The Villages. She said she'd love to have a Christmas message shared with her. We are going over on Thursday.
"And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal." (Helaman 8:15)
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:10-14)
That's about it for this week folks. I love you all and want you to know that your Savior loves you. Have a great week and Merry Christmas!!
Elder Poulsen
Elder Blomstedt and Elder Moore
Car got $tuck
Getting the car fixed
Ma Boi Elder Pottle
Pic from last week
