On Friday, while we were eating lunch, I felt impressed to send this into the District group chat on Facebook messenger: "Hey does anyone have any advice on how to explain eternal marriage and back it up with scripture, especially when they bring up Matthew 22:24-30?" There were a lot of good responses with scripture references and quotes from General Authorities. One missionary said, "When I explain eternal marriage to stubborn people who want to argue it, I say, 'doesn't it sound rad to live with a perfect version of your spouse forever?!'" I felt inspired to ask that question earlier as it was brought to my attention a few days prior. We met a guy named Twain about two hours later and the one question he asked was, "If a woman's husband dies, and she gets remarried, what happens in heaven? Does God just wipe the memory away? Is there even marriage in heaven?" Because those answers were fresh in my mind, we were able to talk about eternal families and the blessings of temple marriage. After hearing that, he told us that his daughter died four years ago and he would do whatever it takes to live with her again. God works in mysterious ways.
On Wednesday, we went to Publix to get some PubSubs. The lady making our sandwich was having a bad day but we asked her questions and she started to open up. We found out that she's actually a member of the church but hasn't been in years. We told her that she's always welcome and we left her with a smile on her face. Later in the day, we stopped by an apartment complex to see someone we are teaching. They weren't home, so we started to walk back to the car. We saw a guy outside his door reading a book. We stopped and talked to him. It turns out that his girlfriend is a member of the church. He opened the door and she came out. She is super knowledgeable about the gospel but felt unsupported by her family. We told her about the two hour block and the new Come, Follow Me program. She was super excited about that and showed interest in coming back. Those two experiences were not by chance. We were led to those places by the Spirit, and had those interactions because of the hand of God.
"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things ... " (D&C 59:21)
We got our transfer calls this week and it looks like Elder Taylor and I are staying in good ol' Sumterville for the next six weeks. When we told the ward council that they were stuck with us for another month and half, Bishop Snodgrass did a fist pump and said, "cha-ching" right in front of everyone haha. It was pretty surprising, I didn't know he liked us that much. It's good though, at least he doesn't think we're complete scrubs.
" ... But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Nephi 1:20)
"The Lord’s hand is guiding you. By 'divine design,' He is in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones." - Elder Ronald A. Rasband
I'm starting to realize more and more, why my mission has been the way it's been, why I've been in the areas I've been in, why I've met the people I've met, and why I'm on a mission in Orlando, Florida. God does not do things by coincidence, but by divine design. His hand is in all things and it's beyond any human comprehension. I know He has a plan for me and He continues to work miracles in my life. That is true for every child of God that has ever been or ever will be on this earth.
Elder Poulsen
Last District pic
Met some friends
