Week 44: #RIPElderAdair

We finished off Elder Adair's last week as a missionary.  It was atypical but that's only fitting for a missionary seeing as that's how every week is.

We started the week off by calling our families on Christmas.  It was a stress reliever that we both needed.  It was great to talk to them and open presents together.  It's good to have a little "normal" time.  Our President was nice enough to not give us a time limit on calls, so I got to spend most of the day with my family.  I can't believe that I've already called home twice.  Time flies.

On Wednesday, I was getting dressed while Elder Adair was just getting out of the shower, and our power went completely out.  We were super confused as to what happened and after some investigation, we realized that the rest of the surrounding area had power so it was just our house.  We went about our day and made some phone calls to get it fixed.  We went over to Larry and Fran's house, the sister of the Mission President in the Washington D.C. South Mission.  We shared a Christmas video with them and talked a little bit about our church.  They didn't seem extremely interested but they were very nice.  We are going to stay in touch with President Caplin and keep Larry and Fran on our radar.  The power was still out at this point, and because all of our appliances are electrical, we had no way to eat, so we treated ourselves at the "Fenney Grill".  We had no power for the rest of the night, we might as well have been camping.  We made the most of it though.

The next morning at about 7, we got a call from an electrician who said he would be there at 8.  We did our normal morning routine and got calls for the next 4 hours saying he was "on his way".  We couldn't leave our house because he said he was close, but showed up at 12:30.  He walked in, worked his Orlando Magic, and the power was back on.  He said he'd been doing electrical work for 25 years but had never seen a breaker quite like ours.  That's the latest episode in the saga of "The Sumterville Bungalow".

Friday was Elder Adair's departing temple trip.  We drove down to Orlando in the morning and saw the beautiful white building in the morning sky.  All the missionaries going home this week went through a session with President and Sister Clark... and the Assistants.  I'm not really sure why they were there, they literally had no purpose, but I guess that's just a perk of being in the high chair.

Saturday, we had a really cool lesson with a woman we've been teaching named Donna.  She's always a great listener and loves reading the Book of Mormon.  She has struggles committing to one church, so its hard seeing her getting baptized, but she sure does love the Savior.  We went over and she seemed to be having a harder time than usual.  She was tearing up talking about a lot of the struggles she's been going through recently.  There's a particular picture of Christ from the Church's Bible videos that she loves.  We've always wanted to get her a copy.  I have an awesome friend back home who made a crafty little thing with that picture on it.  She told me that I should give it to someone because "giving is always better than receiving".  It couldn't have been any more divine.  Donna loved it and burst into tears.  It was exactly what she needed.  I've never seen anyone so grateful for something so small.  She thanked us and thanked my friend.  Even though my friend is in Utah and doesn't know Donna, she made her day, and impacted her immeasurably.  

“You never know. You never know whether you do any good. You never know how much good you do.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley

Elder Adair is pretty much packed up.  He's ready to fly home and continue on with his life.  I'll miss him a lot.  He's been a great companion and a great friend.  However, as for me and the Sumterville area, the work moves on.  I'll be getting Elder Taylor.  He's been out for about a year and a half.  He was actually trained in Viera 1 so that will be something to talk about.  I've met him a few times and like what I've seen.  I'm super excited for this next chapter of my mission.

My heart is full of love and gratitude because of the mercy God has for me.  I know that without Jesus Christ, I would be nothing.  I owe every breath that I breath to Him.  Growing closer to Him these past few months have been the most rewarding thing of my life, and I'm excited to continue on this path.

Have a great week.  Love y'all!

Elder Poulsen

Last District Pic

Treat Yo' Self

"Campfire Song Song"

Orlando Florida Temple

Donna & Elder Adair

Jar Jar Binks

Week 44: 2 Nephi 2:8

Something that I've been pondering a lot and had a great conversation with another missionary about is tribulations and the blessings that come from them.  We often times think about the negative effects that come from trials and how if we can just get over the hump, we'll be good.  Sometimes we need to look at the positives of trials.  Easier said than done, but when we recognize the purpose of our hardships and see them as opportunities to grow closer to Jesus Christ, we will be happier.  We come out stronger and with a better vision of life.

Paul said "And [the Lord] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

My hope is that we can all look at how our trials have blessed us.  I hope to get to the point where I can always be grateful for my trials just as Paul was.  They truly offer contrast in our life and help us appreciate the Savior and His Atonement.

Elder Poulsen