Week 47: He Maketh Me to Golf in Green Pastures

I'm going to be pretty brief.  Not much happened but a few things happened that were worth mentioning.

Last transfer, President Clark came up to our ward for church.  He talked to me after and asked me how the area was.  I was pretty blunt with him, telling him that the ward is pretty unmotivated and the work is slow.  He told me a lot of things, but one thing he said was "I don't care if you're on the golf course".  I didn't really think about it at all last transfer but finally we took it to heart.

Our new ward mission leader has been really pushing hard for member work and has led by example.  He invited us to come golfing with him and his friend.  It worked perfect because President gave us permission!  Never would I have guessed that I would be playing golf as a missionary as a proselyting activity.  For someone who hasn't swung a golf club, Elder Taylor did pretty good, and I wasn't too shabby either for being rusty.  It was a good time.  We were able to talk about the gospel in a very natural way and we are planning on going golfing again with them this week.

"So many of us look upon missionary work as simply tracting. Everyone who is familiar with this work knows there is a better way. That way is through the members of the Church." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

We were walking around a neighborhood near our house one evening when a guy came out yelling at us.  He asked us in a very contentious way, what we were doing and why we were out at night.  We tried explaining to him that we were missionaries for Christ.  He told me that if I wanted to meet Christ any sooner, walk onto his property.  He threatened to shoot us if he ever saw us again.  Definitely not the best environment and afterwards, I said a few choice words in the car.  I realized that my charity is not where I wanted to be.  God has given me many experiences in the past few weeks to evaluate my charity and try harder to love those that persecute me.

The last thing of the week, Mark got baptized on Saturday!  He moved up to Jacksonville and was being taught.  We were able to FaceTime in and talk to him.  It is crazy to see the change he has gone through since the first time I met him.  The gospel has really blessed his life.  I am so grateful for being a witness to his miraculous change.

That's about it, I hope y'all have a great week and enjoy the snow.  I sure miss it.

Elder Poulsen

OG Mark

They call me Arnold

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Week 47: Alma 36:24

I have been thinking about hope a lot this week and I came across a talk by Elder Uchtdorf.  He talks a lot about hope and how it sustains us when life isn't going our way.

"I wish to speak today of the hope that transcends the trivial and centers on the Hope of Israel, the great hope of mankind, even our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.  In the language of the gospel, this hope is sure, unwavering, and active. The prophets of old speak of a “firm hope” and a “lively hope.” It is a hope glorifying God through good works. With hope comes joy and happiness. With hope, we can have patience, and bear our afflictions.” - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I know that hope will get us through hard times.  We need to have hope that God will fulfill His promises.  Praying for hope, faith, and charity are essential to this life.

Elder Poulsen