Week 49: Romans 1:16-17

A particular missionary once told me that I should only study Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon. Those are both great, but doing so would rob me of the wonderful resources that are available. I took this into my heart and decided to study some of the Old Testament. I read the book of Daniel because I absolutely love his story. In the first few chapters, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are all taken to Babylon. They refuse to follow the traditions of Babylon and stick to what they know is true. In turn, they are blessed with increased knowledge.

"As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams ... And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." (Daniel 1:17, 20)

"Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter." (Daniel 2:20-23)

They were wiser than all of the well learned men of Babylon. Relating it to myself, I know that even though I don't know everything, I know enough. When I stay faithful, God will consecrate my efforts and will increase my knowledge. I know that to be true for all of us.

Elder Poulsen

Week 48: 寶长老 (Bǎo Zhǎnglǎo)

It was a pretty basic week.  I have a few things to talk about.

First, we went down to Orlando on Saturday for a baptism.  It was someone who Elder Taylor taught in his last area.  It's actually a Chinese Branch which is super cool.  The lady's name is Ming and she is adorable.  Cute little old Asian lady.  Her smile was super contagious.  It was a really great service.  The branch president and his wife are both from America, are fluent in Chinese, and adopted two girls from China.  I talked to the branch president's wife and daughters who were super nice.  They give every missionary they "like" a Chinese missionary name.  So I am now "Bǎo Zhǎnglǎo" which basically sounds like, in a rough way, "Po Chong-Lao".  It was pretty funny.  After the baptism, our member ride had to stop at Costco to get his hearing aids fixed.  Id say about 80% of our ward wears a hearing aid.  Anyway, while Elder Taylor and I were waiting, we walked around and tried all the free samples, and I kid you not, we ran into 3 separate member families.  We'd just hear, "Hey, Elders!".  Elder Taylor and I were just laughing about it because, A, anytime you're in a store or restaurant on a day that's not Monday, you always see members.  I guess it's just God's way of keeping us on track.  B, they all probably thought we were just chillin' at Costco on a Saturday afternoon.  Dang, these Orlando missionaries are scrubs.

We had one really cool finding experience this week.  Two Sundays ago, we stopped by one last person for the night. We went looking for a woman.  We knocked on the door and a guy came to the window and said "We're good." and walked away. We left the house and drove down a few houses, and pulled over to report it.  I opened the area book on my tablet and was about to stop teaching this woman, but my tablet wouldn't work.  We waited and waited for it to work, and then a car pulled up to us.  I don't know how, but he knew it was us. It was the same guy who said they were good.  He told us to come back during the day and that he'd be open to talking to us.  It was a miracle.  We went back this week and had a lesson with him.  His name is Jeff.  He was extremely receptive.  Probably the most receptive person I've met on my mission.  He asked so many key questions like "why are there so many translations of the Bible?" and "why don't church's do missionary work?". Elder Taylor and I feel like the lesson went very well.  It flowed and the Spirit was present.  Not once did Jeff have a problem with what we said.  He was so agreeable and receptive.  It was too good to be true.  Elder Taylor and I were hyped for the rest of the day.  It was complete divine intervention.

That's all I have, hope you have a great week!

Elder Poulsen

Week 48: Helaman 5:6-9

In Elders quorum, we talked about Elder Holland's talk on reconciliation.  It was beautiful and simple.  I love the idea of forgiving people and moving on.  It only hurts us when we hold grudges.  We should always forgive to benefit them and ourselves.

"Somehow forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes miracles that can happen in no other way." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

Elder Poulsen

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

 ️

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

Week 46: I Shall Not Want

We had one cool miracle happen last night.  We were about to go home for the night and we thought about stopping by one more person.  We went to a lady who we met earlier in the week and said she didn't mind us coming back.  We knocked on the door and she told us to come in.  We ended up teaching the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited them to read the Book of Mormon.  We were able to teach 3 people and there are other people that live there too.  We don't often find families here, so it was a huge tender mercy when they let us in and listened to us.This week was really hard.  I've learned that sometimes we will do nothing wrong and still get harmed because of the agency of others .  I've been struggling with this idea for a few days.  Obviously the natural man wants to get mad and fight back.  I was reading in Alma 60 when Moroni wrote a letter and accused Pahoran of neglecting the army.  After receiving the letter, Pahoran reacted perfectly.  He didn't fight back or try to prove his innocence, rather he praised Moroni for his passion and love for God.  I've been trying to think more like Pahoran and allow others to accuse and treat me poorly.  It's easier said than done, but if we pray for charity, God will help us obtain it.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalm 23)

These scriptures really helped me this week.  Relying fully upon Jesus Christ.  I know that when I allow Him to help me, when I rely on Him to ease my burdens, I shall not want.

Elder Poulsen

Week 46: John 6:66-69

I wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon:  "And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." (Mosiah 24:13-14)

I know that the Lord truly does visit us in our afflictions.  I have seen it in so many people, both family, friends, and strangers.  I've seen it in my own life.  God is completely aware of us and will help us through the hard times.

Elder Poulsen