Week 11: This Is My Title

I don't have a ton to say this week.  It was a good week, however, not much happened out of the ordinary. 

We had our Zone Conference on Thursday.  It was nice to set a few hours aside and here some inspiring talks and training.

We had a lot of member dinners during the week. We have gotten to know the ward a little better.  I'm continually amazed at the testimonies of the recent converts.  The Spirit is real.  It's a palpable feeling when you enter a room and someone bears solemn testimony of their knowledge.  I encourage you all to bear testimony often.  You might be struggling in a certain part of the gospel, but bear testimony of what you do know, and what you believe.  

3 Nephi 18:24 "Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed."

I was able to talk to my family yesterday which was awesome.  It was something that I really needed and I'm looking forward to talking to them in December.

I'm sorry it's not a very exciting email, but I just want y'all to know that God lives.  He loves us.  Pray for anything and everything.  You don't have to be alone.  Let others help you and strengthen you.  We all struggle and there is nothing wrong with needing a little help.  There are people who love you and will help you if you left them.

Mosiah 4:27 "...it is not requisite that a man [or woman] should run faster than he [or she] has strength."

Try your best and things will work out.  God doesn't expect you to be perfect, he just expects effort.

Have a great week.

Elder Poulsen

Week 11: 3 Nephi 14:3-5

This week wasn't super successful if you just focus on numbers, but we were able to visit a few people and make their day a little bit better.  That's what makes this all worth it.  Never ignore a spiritual prompting to do something good.  I've heard a few stories in the past weeks where people have done small things because of a prompting.  Those really are from God.  Be the instrument in His hand and don't ignore the prompting to do the right thing.  Those small things are what make us great.  Alma 37:6 "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

Elder Poulsen

Week 10: A Relatively Insipid Week

Hello all! 

First, I want to say thank you for all the birthday wishes, cards, and packages.  Thank you for the support in my struggles.  Thank you for the support in my triumphs.  I received and outpouring of love that I cannot repay.  I am so grateful for the influence y'all have in my life.  The reason I am where I am, doing what I'm doing, is because of everyone in my life.  My heart is full with gratitude.

The highlights of the week include the following.  Marysel accepted a baptismal date for June 2nd.  I was really able to spend time with her kids a who are so funny.  I attached some pictures below, sadly the only pictures of the week (sorry mom).  There was a Cinco De Mayo party at the Church.  There are a decent amount of Hispanics in the ward, either from Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Nicaragua to name a few.  It had really good food and music.  It really brought the ward together, and I have been impressed how tight everyone is.  

I implore you all to make better efforts to know your ward family, if not your neighbors.  We are all in this together.  (E.g. How in the world have I lived my whole life and never met my next door neighbor?)  Go out and meet someone new.  Everyone is going through something hard and needs a friend.  Also, don't just do it because I told you but do it because you want to.  People are so beautiful when you know who they are and where they come from.

Moroni 7:45-47 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

Without charity, you are nothing.  That is a powerful, true statement.  Forget yourself and love your neighbor.  Joy comes from serving others.  Misery comes from selfishness.

As far as the rest of the week goes, it wasn't extremely eventful.  Appointments fell through, people disappeared, and disappointment was felt.  However, it's a new week.  Just like with our personal spirituality, we will fall short, but we can use the atonement to restart.  Its a brand new day.  Never give up, keep going, and God will strengthen you.

I was reading in the Bible and came across this scripture: Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

I really could beat the dead horse on how we should persevere, but I think that scripture pretty much covers it.  God is with us constantly.  Never think that all is lost.  Life will get better.  Watch and pray always.

I love you all.

Elder Poulsen

Nevaeh (10) and Somiya (5).  

PS I don't look good in selfies.

A video they sent my mom. 

Week 10: 1 Corinthians 15:58

My large email was spiritually driven today, but I feel like I need to say a few more things.  I've said it before, but hope is so important.  Without hope, you will fall.  The times in my life where I have been the most miserable is when I had no hope.  Hope doesn't come automatically.  Pray for hope, work for hope.  Life will get better and you will be happy again.  There is a great video called "Bearing Our Burdens With Hope" and I recommend watching it. 

Ether 12:4 "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Elder Poulsen

Week 9: We're not in Kansas anymore.

The first week in the new area went by surprisingly smooth.  The Elders who were in the area before us wrote down a lot of good information so we were able to plan a really good week.  The UPK Elders didn't do that for Elder Gallup and me.  We met some really good people.

First, I'd like to say that our apartment is really nice.  It's brand new and we are only the second set of Elders to live there.  It's a lot quieter than Orlando and it's very pretty.  Apopka actually has hills.  The country side is beautiful and so green.  It was a definite piece of eye candy throughout the week.1

We met a woman named Darlene who is a recent convert.  She lives at an assisted living home so we go over there regularly to visit.  She's super sweet and calls us 15 times a day.  We met another recent convert named Fransisco from Puerto Rico.  He has a really thick accent, but you can understand what he's trying to say.  Last year, his car broke down and he couldn't go to work, and that's when the missionaries came and helped him.  He said God broke his car so he could hear the message of the restoration.

We met another recent convert (there are a lot) named Teresa.  She lives in the thick of South Apopka, which I'll get to later, and has another incredible story.  One of the things she said was that when missionaries contacted her, she usually would yell at them to go away, but this one particular time when missionaries knocked on her door, her legs wouldn't move, she broke into tears, and invited them in.  Another recent convert we met was Rae.  She always believed in Christ but one day something clicked and she was able to come to the knowledge herself.  She knows a lot about the gospel, more than most recent converts, and more than some members I might add.  One thing she said was that she could never see herself leaving the church.  It has helped her too much and her co-workers say she has a "glow".  Even I could see her glow.  Time and time again, Elder DeVroom and I leave with a loss of words.  We are shocked at how solid these people are and how well they know Jesus Christ.

We found two new investigators.  A woman named Grace and her son Jacob.  We think that Grace is from Haiti, she didn't speak much English, but she wanted us to come to her house on Friday.  We were also able to teach a woman named Marysel who is very spiritual.  She moved here from New York and always makes time to listen to the missionaries.  We told her that we wanted her to have the Holy Ghost so she could have more constant peace in her home.  She has 3 young children and life is hectic, but we know that she can be comforted through Christ.

One thing about South Apopka is, it's super sketchy, but I love it.  Its nothing like East Orlando.  We are always safe, but it definitely is a different world.  I absolutely love walking through the ghetto.  It's super fun.  There was a member we had dinner with who said he used to hear gunshots all the time, but it's died down a lot.  I'm super pumped to serve here more.  Don't let that scare you though, I can handle myself.

We were extremely blessed this week.  We were constantly amazed at how willing people were to meet with us.  God really is hastening His work.  It is such an amazing blessing and privilege to be a part of it.  Im not going to go deep into detail, but as much as this week was good, it was also very hard.  However, Teresa said God gives you double for your trouble.  That was very evident.  I know that through Christ we can conquer our afflictions.  It doesn't necessarily make them go away, but our burdens can be lightened.  I know that this is true.

I hope you all have an amazing week.

Much love,

Elder Poulsen

Last day with Valencia Elders

Darlene

Week 9: Alma 38:5

I know I've said this before, but I have a rock solid testimony that Jesus Christ can heal us.  Whatever it is, whether it be transgression, weakness, affliction, trial, or hardship.  He heals us.  I put a scripture at the top of everyone of these emails, but I stress it's importance this week.  Please read the scripture because it teaches better than I teach.

Much love,

Elder Poulsen

Week 8: In West UPK, Born and Raised

Well, this week was a lot better than last week, that's for sure.  One thing I do want to say is that if you don't know me, you should know that I don't sugarcoat things.  I don't say things i don't mean and I don't palter.  If I had a good week, I'll tell you.  If I had a horrible week, I'll tell you.  I think often times we aren't real enough with our emotions.  The thing with me is, what you see is what you get.

On Wednesday, we were biking to an investigator.  Along the street, we had someone yell at us to believe in Jesus.  Check.  A shirtless guy in a truck honked and flipped us off.  Then, a guy on a parked motorcycle beckoned us over and said he was a member who had just moved here, and needed the address to the chapel.  At least one of those things were productive.  Our investigator, Midamyr is from Puerto Rico.  She's super sweet and soft spoken but prefers English.  It has been such a blessing to be able to know her.  When we got to our appointment with her, we talked about faith in Christ and how vital it is.  We talked about the trials we face and how faith helps us conquer our struggles.  We then asked her if she would be baptized when she knew these things were true, and she accepted.  We didn't go into the lesson thinking we would ask her that, but it felt right.

On Thursday, we went to UAP, which is usually uneventful, but there was a mouse inside one of the bins we use to transport goods.  None of us wanted to touch it, but one of the workers there named Jeremiah grabbed a sticky trap and courageously caught it.  He was so funny about it saying, "He's been got."  I attached a picture below.  We named him Lil' Jawn.  When we went home, Elder DeVroom and I were texting and calling our investigators.  We texted a guy named Cason who we have been having sporadic lessons with.  He texted back and told us to come over which was a first.  We went to his home and taught him about the Holy Ghost and how much of a blessing it is in our lives.  He really wanted that gift so we asked him if he would prepare to be baptized on June 2nd and he said yes.  That feeling we get when someone commits to changing,  whatever it is, is indescribable.

Nicolas was baptized on Friday night and confirmed on Sunday!  It was a long process that saw the date moved back a few times, but it all worked out.  I was able to be one of the witnesses which was a cool experience.  It's an amazing to see his growth through the past weeks.  His dad gave a great talk on baptism and it was full of the Spirit.  They are an awesome family and I will miss them.

These stories make it seem like baptism is what we are trying to accomplish here as a companionship but it's not.  We are trying to bring others closer to Christ.  Members or not, we just want people to be happy, and we have a testimony that receiving the Holy Ghost after baptism is one of the ways to come closer to Christ.

I talked about how I was going to miss Nicolas and his family.  I also emailed earlier that my address was changing.  Here's a little preface about our area because I can't remember if I've talked about it before.  We are in the University Park ward which is just East of Orlando and covers the campus of UCF.  We have two sets of Elders in the ward, an East and West, and we are the West Elders.  The East Elders are Elder McArthur and Elder Williams.  President Clark gave us a call on Saturday.  He told us that he would be shutting down UPK West and there would be one UPK area.  Elder McArthur will stay and train a new missionary, while Elder Williams, Elder DeVroom, and myself will be transferred.

Elder Williams is going down south, while both Elder DeVroom and I are whitewashing an area in Apopka, Florida.  I will let you know of my address tomorrow.  It came as a huge shock.  The one good thing about this transfer is that Elder DeVroom is staying with me.

It was really sad news however.  I've grown very close with the ward members.  There are so many families that I love and it was so hard to say goodbye.  I love the kids in the families.  They are so fun and so pure.  I could talk about the families in depth about how much they mean to me.  I've also grown really close with Elder Lester and Elder Cruz who are staying in the Valencia area.  On Saturday, we went to visit Roberta.  We've been visiting her every week and she loves having us come.  We brought her M&Ma's which are her favorite candy and told her that we were leaving.  She almost cried because she didn't want us to leave.  Walking out of the assisted living community, I started to tear up because of how much I'm going to miss all of the members.  They have a special place in my heart.

Moroni 8:17 "And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation."

Last night, we had dessert with the bishop and his family.  They are the epitome of the perfect family.  I love them so much, and the last hug I gave the bishop was emotional.  I'm going to miss them.

I know I didn't talk much about doctrine, but this whole email covered the most important thing: Love.  Love is so important.  I was here for six weeks and loved the people more than I thought I would.  It is such an amazing blessing to have people in your life that you can love.  

Just like the people here, I love you all.  Remember what I said about not saying things I don't mean?  Yep.  My emotions of love and joy are being broadcasted through this email, I hope you can feel it.  Have an amazing week.

2 Nephi 4:21 "He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."

Much love,

Elder Poulsen

The bishop and his family

Roberta. She said her hair looked bad but I said she looked great.

Nicolas after he was baptized.

Jeremiah being Jeremiah

 Biking in the 407