Week 35: Alma 44:4

While reading the Book of Mormon Institute Manual, I read Mosiah 13:28 that says:

"And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses."

Then there was a quote tied to this scripture:

“Men and women unquestionably have impressive powers and can bring to pass great things.  But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from death or the effects of our individual sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ.  The Book of Mormon makes this clear.  It teaches that ‘salvation doth not come by the law alone'.  In other words, salvation does not come simply by keeping the commandments.  ‘By the law no flesh is justified’.  Even those who try to obey and serve God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength are ‘unprofitable servants’.  Man cannot earn his own salvation.” - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

I love this idea of complete reliance on the Lord.  I know that no matter what I do, I cannot be the missionary I want to be, the man I want to be, without constant help and guidance from God.  I know that to be true.

Elder Poulsen

Week 34: Daniela

This week was pretty interesting.

Last week, we got a referral from Brother Rojas who is our ward mission leader.  It kind of gets confusing, but his sister is also in our ward, and his daughter is in the Viera 2nd ward.  That being said, there is a lot of Columbian family around the area for the referral.  Her name is Daniela and she is super awesome.  She is living here for a few months with the Florenz' (Brother Rojas' sister).  She understands English but isn't confident enough to speak it much.  We taught her the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Monday night.  It went really well as Brother and Sister Florenz were there along with brother Rojas. During the lesson, we read from the restoration pamphlet and read Scriptures.  We could tell instantly that she was prepared and willing to change.  We had Elder Hekking invite her to be baptized on November 9th and she said yes!  It was such a relief.  After months of grinding in this area, we finally got a golden member referral.  We haven't done anything except show up the house and present the doctrine.  She is so ready.  We asked her to read 3 Nephi 11 before our next visit. 

We taught Daniela the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Wednesday night.  When we asked her how her study and prayer went from the last visit, she opened up el Libro de Mormón and there were markings and writings.  Our jaws hit the floor as we saw what she had studied and the questions she had.  It was awesome.  As we taught the lesson, we read 3 Nephi 27 and explained the five steps of the gospel.  She understood it and committed to come to church.  She also really loves the idea of repentance.  She wants to change and become a better person.  That got us so hyped.  She's ready and we are just witnessing it.  In the matter of a week, we received a referral, taught two lessons, and set a date for baptism.  It is crazy how the Lord works.

On Saturday, we went to Sister Guillaume's house for lunch.  She made us Haitian food that was unbelievably good.  Her husband Lucien was there.  He and Elder Hekking talked in French for 20 minutes.  I was totally lost but it was so cool.  It was like I was in Haiti without actually being there.

Other than that, it was a week full of finding, planning, and studying.  Elder Hekking received his visa so he will be leaving on November 19th.  Until then, we will continue to work and help him adjust to missionary life.  The members are so awesome.  They love us and support us.  They are willing to have us in their homes and treat us like family.  We are just focusing on helping them share the gospel.

"And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did come down into the land of Zarahemla, and did declare unto the people of the Nephites the manner of their conversion, and did exhort them to faith and repentance.  Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb."  (Helaman 6:4-5)

Have a fantastic week!

Elder Poulsen

 Elder Thomas and I

We don't use handlebars

At the Reese's home

Happy Fall Y'all

A burned, boarded up house

Week 34: 3 Nephi 18:19-21

Something I've been thinking of and trying to do these last couple weeks is to be more bold in my testimony.  Bold in my teaching.  Bold in everything.

In the first part of my mission, I was nervous to teach and share testimony, but I've tried to pray for courage and follow the counsel of Alma when he said:

"And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.  Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."  (Alma 38:9,12)

As I've tried to apply this knowledge I've been able to see the power that comes from bearing testimony with boldness.  I know that as we are bold with love, we can enjoy the blessings of being proud of what we know.  

Elder Poulsen

Week 33: Trio Training Transfer

What a week it was.  It was long and stressful, but it was good.

Tuesday we drove up to Orlando to meet our new companions.  Elder Changchum and I are trio training a visa waiter named Elder Hekking.  He was originally called to the Madagascar Antananarivo Mission but because of visa complications, he is temporally assigned here for at least a transfer.

A little bit about my companions:

Elder Changchum is from Bangkok, Thailand and lived in Utah for 5 years before coming on his mission.  He's been out since June 2017 so he's the most experienced of the three of us.  He has a thick Thai accent and is super funny.  It's fun to listen to him talk because it's simple English and sometimes I can't understand what he said.  He also knows a bit of Mandarin which is cool.

Elder Hekking is from Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is fresh out of the MTC and spent six weeks there learning Malagasy, the native language of Madagascar.  He was born in New York, then lived in France until he was nine years old.  He is fluent in French but doesn't have an accent which is super cool.  It's safe to say that I am the most boring person in my companionship.

This week, I've heard Thai, French, Mandarin Chinese, Malagasy, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.  It's awesome because even though I'm in Florida, I see and experience a lot of different cultures.  It's almost like being out of the country, in the country.

As for the week, it was a lot of finding and stopping by either potentials or former investigators.  I am now the one who knows the most about the area so it's been a little stressful, and getting new companions is always a bit of a learning curve, even if you like them.  I introduced my companions to a lot of the members and showed them around.  We also have extra study time for Elder Hekking's language study and the first 12 weeks study.  The extra study time is both edifying and exhausting.

Elder Hekking is hitting a brick wall.  I see it and it reminds me of when I first came in the mission.  I don't feel like I had as rough of a time, but it's possible that I did.  Elder Changchum and I have had to talk to him about our experiences and calm him down.

I really hope and pray that this transfer is a successful one.  I know I am where I am and with who I am with for a reason.  I love my mission.  I love my companions.  I love the members and people we teach.  I still have hard days and I'm stressed a lot, but I have joy in the work.  I love every minute of it.

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." (Mosiah 2:41)

I love this scripture.  Even though we all go through trials, when we keep the commandments, we can find joy in hardship.  I know that to be true.

Something else I've also been thinking about is how divine the things we go through are.  I know that everything is part of God's plan. 

“None of us ever fully utilizes the people-opportunities allocated to us within our circles of friendship. You and I may call these intersecting ‘coincidence.’ This word is understandable for mortals to use, but coincidence is not an appropriate word to describe the workings of an omniscient God. He does not do things by ‘coincidence’ but … by ‘divine design.’” - Neal A. Maxwell

Have a great week!

Elder Poulsen

Last time seeing Elder Pottle for a time.

A little frog on a member's porch.

 Out proselyting in the Florida heat.

The updated Cocoa Zone

Brother Castro, one of my favorite member families.

The Trio

Week 33: John 7:37-38

I've been studying "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" these past few days.  I read and pondered the "Endure to the End" section.  While studying, I came up with this definition of enduring to the end from parts of the section:

Enduring to the end is a lifelong commitment to do good works, serve others, and follow the Savior's example.

When we do this, we draw closer to God, conquer temptation and sin, and enjoy the Spirit more.  This is a pattern of living that brings peace and joy.  When we press forward and endure to the end, having faith in Christ, we will receive eternal life.

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."  (2 Nephi 31:20)

Elder Poulsen

Week 32: Orevwa Elder Pottle

It was an interesting week.  It's going to be a bit shorter of an email but hopefully it's still worthwhile.

One thing we were able to do this week was stop by Frank.  He's not a member and suffers from Alzheimer's.  I've talked about him before, but his wife loves going to the temple.  Frank doesn't like being alone or away from his wife, so we promised we'd come by and stay with him for a little bit while she was up in Orlando.  I always love talking to him and spending time with him.  He has a big heart, and even though he has a hard time remembering things, he loves talking about his childhood.

We have two potential investigators.  They are both member referrals from Sister Guillaume.  She's a single woman from Haiti is so awesome.  She is not afraid to share the gospel or tell people that they should be better.  I love it!  She always makes us Haitian food and talks to us about her life.  She's taught a little Creole to us which is fun.  I love being in a home and hearing Haitian Creole or Portuguese.  The melting pot of backgrounds is my favorite part of Florida.

We got a call on Friday night from President Clark.  He told us that Elder Pottle is going to the Orlando Zone and I'm going to get two missionaries.  It wasn't what I was hoping for, but it'll be a good experience.  Our apartment is also pretty small so it'll be an interesting time.  I've really enjoyed being with Elder Pottle.  We are very similar and work well together.  He's also been really good about helping me get used to the area.  I'm going to miss him a lot.  He's been a great friend and I love him a lot.  We've had a lot of good times, laughs, and countless meals at Gators Dockside (a chain restaurant in Florida).  We've done a lot of good here and I'm excited to continue working in the Viera 1st ward.

The week was pretty slow as for finding.  We invited a lot of people to watch General Conference with us.  Our President wants us to watch it at the chapel and have investigators come.  Sadly no one we are teaching were able to come, but there were plenty of members and it was a good time.

I loved General Conference.  It's never a disappointment to hear from the General Authorities of the Church.  They really do have revelation for us and I know they commune with God.  One thing out of the many things I loved, was Elder M. Joseph Brough's talk.  During his talk he referenced Alma 8:15 "Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God..."  He then said, "We can always rejoice when we keep the commandments... We can and should find joy when we face hard things."  This is a universal truth.  Life can be hard sometimes but we can always find joy if we press on and keep the commandments of God.  I love you all and hope everything is good.  Have a great week! 

Elder Poulsen

I can't believe it's been 3 months with this jawn.

The Sisters were kind enough to let me 

use their blanket during Conference.

Week 32: 2 Nephi 26:12-13

I have been studying 1 Nephi these past few days and using the Institute Student Manual as a guide.  It has been really rewarding and I thought I'd share some scriptures and quotes.  

1 Nephi 20:10 "For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." 

In the Institute Manual, it had this quote in relation to the scripture.  "Intense heat refines metal and removes impurities.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles observed that affliction can likewise refine and purify each of us: "Most of us experience some measure of what the scriptures call ‘the furnace of affliction’. Some are submerged in service to a disadvantaged family member. Others suffer the death of a loved one or the loss or postponement of a righteous goal like marriage or childbearing. Still others struggle with personal impairments or with feelings of rejection, inadequacy, or depression. Through the justice and mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, the refinement and sanctification possible through such experiences can help us achieve what God desires us to become."

Elder Poulsen