Elder Poulsen in the Orlando Florida Mission : Week 52: We're Halfway There, Livin' On A Prayer

"Wild" is the only word I can think of to describe this week.

I hit my year mark on Thursday. It's crazy to think that I've been a missionary for a year. It feels like it's been 100 years, and 100 minutes at the same time. It's crazy how time works. I'm excited for the next year, but I'm also taking some caution as to how hard it's going to be. I've learned that caution does not equal fear.

This area has so much farm land. I've seen more cows in the last 3 months than I have in my entire life. I didn't realize how much of a city boy I am until I got here. I love meeting hicks and seeing cows and all, but I long to be in the deep heart of Chicago right about now.

We had our Zone Training Meeting this week and we were asked to give a training on personal revelation. It was divine because I'm trying to seek more revelation in my life. I feel like I've never really had it in my life, but after studying about it, I see that it's not always a pillar of light. For the actual training, we went way over our time. A zone leader kept giving us a look of disapproval for our overshot of time, but we didn't really care. They Spirit was strong and we had many engaging comments. We had a few missionaries come up to us and tell us that they needed to hear what we said. That was so fulfilling. One of the main things we talked about was how personal revelation is different for everyone. God works with us according to how we learn and what we know, so we should never feel bad if we don't get the same promptings in the same way as others.

“For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.” (2 Nephi 31:3)

We found 9 new people to teach. I don't say this to brag about numbers or to say that we did anything special, which we didn't. I do think it's pretty amazing how God worked with us this week. There were so many tender mercies that led us to finding these people. Never in this area and never on my mission have I found this much. It was a miracle. Every time we found a new person we knew it was divine.

On Sunday, we tried calling someone. When we asked for their name, they said that it wasn't that person. We told them that it was our mistake. Before we hung up, she asked us what our role was as missionaries. What the heck kind of question is that? No one has ever asked me that, and that's exactly what we try to help people understand. She said that she felt like it was a sign from God that she needed to change. It seemed a little fishy just because of how easy it was, but we are going to get in contact with her and see how we can help her.

For some reason, we've been finding and teaching a lot of black people. I love it. They're so humble and the love they have for God is incredible. Im not saying that I'm anywhere near being a homie with them, but I'm picking up some of their lingo. I've realized that they respond so much better when we contact them the way they talk with themselves. It's great. One of my things to say is "we finna help you get right with Jesus." Also, you should always show a peace sign so they know you're chill. I love these people.

Saturday night, we went to a gas station to get gas and a drink. We parked at the pump, started the gas, and walked inside. When we walked outside, and young guy stopped and asked us if the white car was ours. When we told him it was, he broke down into tears. He told he was so sorry and that he hit our car. We assured him that it was alright and we swapped information. We called our vehicle coordinator and had to call the police. Long story short, we talked to him. His named is Justin and he was driving a UHAUL truck for a friend of his. He told us about his life struggles and what he desired. We offered him some comforting words and gave him a Book of Mormon. He was so receptive to it. We testified to him that this situation was not a coincidence, but something from God. He believed it and said he wanted to come closer to God. He lives outside our mission, so we won't be able to teach him, but we are going to stay in contact.

Yesterday we walked into ward council and the newly called second counselor of the Stake Presidency, Bishop Boulter, was in there. He's the bishop of the Apopka Ward. He actually mentioned me during ward council which is pretty funny, I didn't think he'd even remember me. At the end of sacrament meeting, he got up and spoke for a few minutes. He said something that I'd like to share. He said, "Develop your relationship with Jesus Christ, it's the only way to true happiness. Everything else is artificial."

"Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ." (Moroni 7:19)

It was an incredible week filled with many blessings. I can only hope the same for each of you.

Elder Poulsen