Week 20: Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite

It was definitely an interesting week.  It started off with Elder Correia and me being dead sick.  It then lead to us finding out we had bed bugs.  Then, finished with the call that I am going to be transferred out of Apopka.

While we were sick, nothing really happened.  We did do things but I was so out of it that I can hardly remember.  The heat and humidity made it way worse and it was hard to care about what was going on.  I just wanted to lay down in a freezer.  After handfuls of Tylenol®️ and what seemed like gallons of NyQuil®️, I was finally feeling better.

We knocked a lot of doors this week.  I hated it when I first started, but I've gotten used to it.  We had a lot of appointments fall through but we were able to find a few potential investigators throughout the week so it wasn't horrible.

On Thursday, I woke up with tons of bites all over my neck and arms.  At first I thought they were mosquito bites, but they seemed a bit different.  I flipped over the mattress and found a bunch of bed bugs inside the fibers and box spring.  It was a shocking find.  I've never really seen bed bugs or had an experience with them, so it was new to me.  We called the mission office and our apartment complex and see something up for a guy to come spray.  We got rid of the mattresses and couches.  We then washed and dried every linen we had in the apartment.  It was a huge pain in the neck for something as minuscule as bed bugs.  This does however solve a problem.  I've been thinking for the longest time that I've been getting bitten by mosquitoes.  It seemed like no matter what I did, they still but me.  It turns out that a lot of my bites were bed bugs.  The guy that was spraying said they feed for 5 or so minutes.  That was not comforting.  I've been getting eaten alive for a while now.  It is now over and we are rid of bed bugs.

One interesting story before I go on about transfers.  On Thursday, we knocked on a door and a woman answered.  She said that she was a Jehovah's Witness and that they were currently having a Bible study in their house.  They invited us right in and we had a very rushed study and I really couldn't feel the Spirit.  I just wanted to learn from them and maybe bring some things that would apply to what they were talking about, but they just wanted to bash and talk about how we are wrong.  They denounced the Book of Mormon, which is ok, but the fact that they wouldn't even learn about it before coming up with their conclusion really bugged me.

We had interviews with President on Wednesday and I didn't really get a certain vibe from the interaction.  I assumed that I was going to stay for another transfer.  On Saturday while we were getting our apartment figured out, we got a call from the Zone Leaders telling us that I will be transferred to the Viera 1st Ward in Viera, FL.  It came as a shock.  I thought I would at least stay for one more transfer.  My new companion will be Elder Pottle and my new Zone Leader will be Elder DeVroom which is pretty funny.  The area is on the coast which will be cool.  There are pros to me leaving, but I am going to miss this ward and the people we are teaching.

Yesterday I said goodbye to a lot of awesome people.  It was really hard but I am excited to go down to experience a new area.  I wasn't feeling so sure about it during sacrament meeting, but we sang a closing hymn that spoke to me and gave me chills down my back.

Hymn 266 - The Time Is Far Spent

"The time is far spent; there is little remaining, To publish glad tidings by sea and by land.  Then hasten, he heralds; go forward proclaiming: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven's at hand.  Shrink not from your duty, however unpleasant, But follow the Savior, your pattern and friend.  Our little afflictions, tho painful at present, Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end, Ere long, with the righteous, in glory will end.  Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you; The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.  Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you; His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.  His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose."

I'm excited for what this new transfer will bring.  My time in Apopka is far spent, there is little remaining.  Time and time again, I feel inadequate and notice my short comings, but I know God is merciful and will help me through it.  I love y'all.  Try your best, pray, and everything will be ok.

Elder Poulsen

The Trent's.  An awesome family in my ward.

 Elder McKee and Sister Naylor are dying.

Leesburg District

I'm going to the Viera 1st ward!  

My new companions name is Elder Pottle.  

Viera is south of where the Disney cruise ports.

Week 20: 3 Nephi 9:14-15

I just want to bear my testimony of our Savior.  He is at the head of this Church.  He understands us and He loves us.  I know that He is the Son of God and that He died for our sins and afflictions.  Believe in Him.  I share the same thoughts as Nephi when he says in 2 Nephi 33:10-11 "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness."

Elder Poulsen

Week 19: Consider It A Bass Caught!

I finally caught a fish again!  The demons have been exorcised.  I took a page out of Elder Pili's book and yelled "Consider it a bass caught!"  It worked cause I caught a lil' boi.  As for the rest of the week, it was relatively boring.  Theres a bug going around the Leesburg Zone.  Both Elder Correia and I were sick the last half of the week.

On Monday, I went on an exchange with Elder Bosworth, who is Elder Pili's companion.  We went around all day, throwing line, but had nothing come to fruition.  We did have a lesson with one of Sorrento's investigators who actually got baptized on Friday.  His name is Angel and he's super awesome.  He hadn't even been baptized at the time and said he wanted to share the happiness he feels.  He's already looking forward to going on a mission and has no desire to follow the world.  We also had Brother Teets there who is a member in the Sorrento Ward.  He's a beast.  He's about 65 and has more style than me.  He also has a really cool wedding ring that I want to cop.

The 4th of July was really fun.  We went over to the Staley's house (a member family in our ward) who had a bunch of other member's over.  It was a big party and they did a lot of different activities.  The people we talk to everyday are interesting.  They aren't trusting and friendly right off the bat, but the members here are incredible.  We had a good time and went out to street contact.  We ran into these people out in there driveway.  We said hi and asked them if they had a faith.  It turned out that 3 out of the 8 people were 7th Day Adventist pastors.  Yay.  We talked about God and how he helps us in our life, but as soon as I brought up the Book of Mormon, the whole conversation switched.  There was no Spirit.  I dominated the conversation and didn't let Elder Correia speak.  I was trying so hard to get them to understand one simple and very important fact: If the Book of Mormon is true, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and everything it encompasses is true.  If the Book of Mormon is false, our church and everything it stands for, is a complete fraud.  I had this righteous desire of wanting them to understand it, but I went about it all wrong.  I tried too hard and didn't follow the Spirit.  Finally, I felt the need to stop, testify, and say goodnight.  It was the only way.  It was a very humbling experience and I have made a conscious effort to follow the Spirit more.

2 Nephi 32:5 "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."

The rest of the week in Apopka was pretty quiet.  We didn't pick up any new investigators, but we did talk to a few ladies over text that we met last week.  Both of them seem promising.  They want to have more direction and happiness in their life.  It's amazing feeling to have what they are looking for, so I'm really looking forward to next week.

Elder Gallup is back!  It was so weird to see him and say hi to him.  I remember the day when he left and that felt like yesterday.  It was really nice to see him again though.  He's doing good, he just has to adjust all over again.  Today, all the missionaries in the Leesburg Zone went to Leesburg.  Theres a member here with a nice lake and ping pong table, the works.  We are all hanging out having a great time.  Florida isn't too bad.

Pray.  It's easy and it helps.  You'll never experience the blessings of prayer unless you try.  God loves you and wants to hear from you.  God wants to answer your questions and help with your problems.  All you have to do is ask.

Alma 37:37 "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

I hope you all have a great week.

Elder Poulsen

 Leesburg District ft. ZL's and AP's

 

He's not even big.  I'm just happy I finally 

caught something in that dumb lake.

Swinging with my man Gideon.

Week 19: 3 Nephi 27:13-14

Hello everyone, something I have been thinking about is how much of a blessing the scriptures are.  There's a reason why we stress so much that we need to read the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  It's because there is true power in reading the scriptures and abiding by their precepts.

1 Nephi 15:24 "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."

Elder Poulsen

Week 18: Francisco's Flan

Hey y'all.  Happy 4th!  I'm blessed to be serving in the best country in the world!

This week went by pretty darn fast.  It's hard for me to recall a lot of what went on because the days are starting to blend together.  The weather is getting hotter, its getting more humid, and the lightning has been pretty awesome.

We had a few things happen this week worth mentioning.  We've been working with the members a lot this week.  Doing service for them, asking for referrals, eating dinner.  Apopka has a pretty stubborn non-member population but the members are so awesome!  Every day we get closer and closer with them.  It's a blessing to be in this ward.

The sad part about the work is that, the white people are mean and don't want to talk to us, the black people are all heavy Baptists, and we don't speak Spanish to accommodate the large Hispanic population.  It's moving forward slowly.

Thursday night, we met with Francisco and he gave us this flan that he made.  It was the best flan I've ever had.  Not even kidding it was so good.  Elder Correia and I talked about it for like an hour.

We met with Bill again on Sunday.  He's fixing to get out of his halfway house in the next week or two, so we probably won't be able to keep meeting with him for much longer, but he's been reading the Book of Mormon with us and wants to meet missionaries where he lives.  He's been one of my favorite investigators.  He's so attentive and kind.  I wish I could just hangout with him.  He loves to fish and I want to fish with him and listen to all his stories.

Today we went fishing at sister Zych's house.  I didn't catch anything, but we met her son Steve.  He's so awesome.  Talked a lot about the lake and the sweet spots.  He hooked us up with some live action frogs and it was really fun.  I have a good feeling about next week.  They are an awesome family.  Steve's daughter isn't baptized and he wants her to listen to the discussions.  We picked up a new gator on a P-Day.  Pretty cool.

Anyway, sorry it's not a fantastically interesting email.  I find myself waiting for those moments that are either life changing or really cool to share, but I've realized that it's all about the small and simple things.  That's what it's been like so far.

Love y'all,

Elder Poulsen

Eli just chillin

View from our apartment

A sister missionary in my district took this.

I mod podged a picture of our 

President on a popsocket.

Week 18: 1 Nephi 13:17-20

Seeing as Wednesday is the 4th of July, here's a few scriptures that talk about the Revolutionary War.  We are so blessed to live in this great country and have the freedom to worship how we please.  We are blessed to have the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  They are the word of God and have been brought to pass for our joy.  I love y'all.  Stay sweet.

Elder Poulsen

Week 17: There's gold at the end of the trash tunnel.

Hey y'all, sorry it's been a bit of a different P-day.  We don't have as many miles this month so we didn't go up to the chapel in Eustis like we normally do.  We've been cleaning a lot of our apartment and attempted to fish, which i caught nothing.

This week wasn't that great, but I'm not as discouraged as I feel I should be.  Between Tuesday and Saturday, we had appointments fall through left and right, doors slammed in our faces, and members not answer texts or phone calls.  It honestly felt like no one wanted to see us.

However, there were a few tender mercies throughout the week.  We were getting new tires on our car, and we walked over to Long John Silver's to get some food.  There was a worker outside taking his break and said "Ah, salesmen."  We talked to him for a little bit.  He was confused because he didn't know Latter-day Saints and Mormons were the same thing.  He is religious and everything he was saying lined up perfectly with what we believe.  We gave him our number and told him to call us sometime.

Thursday was Zone Conference.  It was a good meeting and after it concluded, I talked with Elder Pili who I had gone on an exchange with last transfer.  While we were up there, we knocked on the door of a guy named Richard.  He was super cool and the contact went pretty normal (if they actually talk to us).  He said we could come by another time to teach him.  Well, I went back to Apopka, and it's been a while.  Elder Pili told me that Richard is on date for baptism.  I was overjoyed.  We probably laughed from joy for a straight 2 minutes.

Sunday, we scheduled to go see a referral we got from the Elders in Ocoee.  His name is Bill, and we found out he lives in a halfway house for former prisoners.  He told us he had done 20 years in the state prison and 5 years in the federal prison.  He talked a lot about stuff he had seen, and man it was pretty intense.  Bill is a really nice guy.  He has changed his life a lot and is getting back on track.  I could write all day about our interaction with him, man he's awesome, but it was refreshing to meet with someone who wanted to talk with us.  He has so much promise and I'm really excited to see him again.

It wasn't a fantastic week, but I didn't really let it get to me, but Saturday I was done.  I was sick of people not being reliable, not helping us, and not being respectful enough to just tell us they weren't interested.  Meeting Bill on Sunday helped a bit, but I was still frustrated.  We had accounting last night with our district leader.  For those that don't know what that is, your district leader calls every Sunday night to ask how your week went, how they can help, and what you want to accomplish this next week.  Elder Pennock is our district leader.  He's from San Diego, he's a convert to the church, and is one of the most consecrated missionaries I know.  We talked about our not so great week and he had some wise words for us that stuck with me.  He said "Missionary work is a lot like surfing.  You're out there in the water for a while, getting thrashed around, catching nothing.  But once you get past the garbage break, you get in that sweet spot, and then you get a perfect 5 second ride, and you feel like you're in heaven."  I tried my best to recount that, and given, I don't know anything about surfing, but I've gone enough to know what he's talking about.  He said that our endurance will bless us.  Then he said something to recap it "Elders, push through the basura, there's gold at the end of the trash tunnel."  I really needed to hear that.

3 Nephi 27:6 "And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day."

I hope y'all have a great week.

Elder Poulsen