Hello again!

   I realize that my emails probably bore you to death with experience after experience.. ha ha and going on page after page.. ha ha so I am sorry. I know it is only going to get worse when I get to tell you them in person.. and then you will really get sick of it. But hey, we are trying to tell our investigator that experience is the way to know there is a God, experience is the way to build a testimony and it is also a way that we can share our testimony. So.. I will keep sharing :).

   I had an awesome experience the other day at the VC. A guy came in with his daughter and they walked right past me. It would have been easy to just let them browse on their own but I decided to go up and talk to them. I guess this where I learn to never ignore the promptings of the spirit, because then important moments could be gone forever. I love the spirit in the VC and so I started talking about how I knew they would feel the spirit as they went around the center. Immediately he filled up with tears and told me that he felt the spirit there. Through the whole narration he was in tears. (PS he was a big hancho man so whoever says that "tuff" guys don't cry just needs to go on a mission and watch the humbling power of the spirit) Of course I was terrified because I knew how much he was feeling the spirit and I did not want to stand in the way or mess anything up. Somehow I managed to get the courage and continue taking them around the center. I found out he was not a member and that his teenage daughter had just recently gotten baptized less than a year ago. It was amazing how the Spirit guided. Some random kid came up to one of the displays and played the testimony of Elder Uchdorf and then ran off... ha ha however, the whole time the guy was crying. After a long tour haha I knew I needed to ask him if he wanted to meet with missionaries and learn how to feel that spirit all the time. (I really should have just invited him to be baptized). He told me that missionaries were already coming over every Sat. since his daughter was baptized. Then he started sobbing.. I think it is so great when guys cry (not in a mean way of course), anyways, he chocked out "When I woke up this morning I had a very strong feeling that I needed to come to the Center today, and I know that I was supposed to be here." It was just so amazing to be a part of the Lords work. To watch him work miracles and just hope I don't get in the way. It was such a spiritual experience that even after he left the center I had to just sit down and ponder on how amazing God is, and how true the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is. If it weren't from God then the power of God couldn't work in all the ways I have seen it. 

   Also.. We got a refferal. PS I love those! So if you are not talking to the gospel with someone at least once a week, maybe reevaluate priorities ;). I was thinking about it, and when I was in my last area teaching Jane and Ludy (sorry I always forget their made up names) they only met with us because someone invited them to come to church and then later invited to them to meet with us a learn more. We asked them if they would have talked to us if we came knocking on their door, they were honest and said "no". Ludy is kinda prideful and if 2 strangers came to his door and said that they want to bring him closer to Christ and knew that what they had to share would change every aspect of their life for the better, he wouldn't believe them. Because after all, we didn't know him, but his friends did and they could really know that the gospel would bless his life. Long story short, share the gospel, otherwise the work doesn't progress! Also I have to thank you for your example to me mom and dad! :) Thanks for showing me how and why the gospel could bless me and loving me enough to make sure that I was a part of it.

I love you!

Sister Poulson 

 

Hello!

       Sometimes I wish members would hang out with us all day. One of the laurels from the ward spend half a day with us and it was so nice being able to have her testimony and her spirit with us. We went over to Normans with her and he was supposed to have read Alma 32, but again didn't have time. We both knew he needed the word of wisdom but we were so worried about his reaction. We read a few scriptures from Alma 32 and then we dove right in. It seemed a bit choppy at first but somehow the spoirit was there. His questions about it were sincere and honest. At first he wondered why God would put alcohol, tobacoo, tea and coffee on the earth if they were bad for us. We talked about opposition in all things and our purpose for being on the earth. I don't know how it works but God performs miracles right before our eyes. He agreed to live the word of wisdom! He was so sweet and he was even super eager to write down his goals on how he would keep it and then asked the sweetest question of all. He told us that he is really close with his family (they all kinda live in the same house) and that they all drink and do things against the word of wisdom. Then he thanked us so sincerely and said that this was the change he has been looking for and continued to tell us that he was going to share it with all of his family and help them to follow as well. People will ask me what my favorite part about being a missionary is and I have to say that it is watching people take steps that are so difficult for them, and then watching the miracles come into their lives. I love seeing them change for the better and just knowing that because they choose to make the right choice, it will bless them forever. (as long as they stick with it of course)

     So yesterday was funny. We were going to do some visits and there was this group of people sitting on the grass talking. Just so you all know.. talking to people my own age is for some reason the scariest thing in the world.. I much prefer 80 year olds. Anyways.. we talked to them and they invited us to sit down. This one boy Spencer was super anti.. he said something about Joseph Smith eating mushrooms and then finding plates, which if you ask me seems more bizarre than what actually happened. Anyways, it would have been so easy to have contention.. to just prove to him why he was wrong or to argue. However, I am so grateful for Sister Bothwell and for the spirit that was there. I find I have to tell myself a lot "I love them, I love them, I love them" and then.. I really do. I rememeber that some day I will be with them after this life and they will be my brothers and sister, and I would be so sad if I got to heaven and I saw how sad they were to have not known of the greatness of God and his gospel. By the end, he asked for a Book of Mormon and said he was excited to read it. I just love seeing how the spirit works. I know that if we would have argueed with him that we wouldn't have gotten anywhere. But because we truly cared for the welfare of their souls and happyness, the spirit touched them.

  I love being a missionary! It's hard but I know there is no growth in a comfort zone, and no comfort in a growth zone.

PS I love you all too :)!

Sister Poulson

 

Funny of the week: So.. we were in this appartment building that had a lot of stairs. As we were going down of course it is dark and of course there is a pot hole that my ankle happens to find. So I biffed it and now have this cute little swell the size of a golf ball attached to my ankle. It doesn't hurt.. it's just kinda hainess!

 

Well Hello again!

    Note to self: never make a whole cobbler and let it sit around the house for a week. You think out of all the things I learn on a mission self control would be one. However, I have to say that blackberries off the side of the road taste much better than any store bought berry I have had. Maybe it's the spiders that usually come along with them, or maybe it's the fact that they were free. Actually scratch both of those, they are just better! Picking them however is not as fun.. did you know they are weeds? Or should we say thorns haha. I'm sure It was a great show for those driving past to see 2 girls in skirts bending off the side of the road, trampling through thorns and trying not to fall into them. But we thought of a great analogy. So just hold on tight and brace yourselves. We have found that "every rose has it's thorn" (name the song), the thorns were painful and sometimes we thought not worth it, but after when we ate the berries we realized that regardless of the small battle scars it was worth going back and getting more. 

   This week started off a little thorny. We had 3 investigators in the beginning and by Fri. we had 1. It was a little discouraging thinking that we keep finding all these people but somehow they weren't ready for the gospel. It is hard not to blame ourselves and think about all the ways that we could have taught better or if we were the reason they didn't understand how true and important the gospel would be for them. However, as sad as it was to move on, I knew we needed to, and I couldn't let myself believe that any of that time with them was wasted. 

  It was hard to go back out and keep the faith that God would place someone who was prepared in our path. However, I knew that I could either be sad and stay that way, or I could keep going and make sure that something good did happen. (PS this is where is gets good.) So we went to dinner one night and the family was more than rambunctious... they were fighting and sorta didn't know when they had crossed a line. By the end the dad desperately asked when we could take one of the older daughters on splits with us. We told her we had a lesson that night and we would love if she would come. She really didn't want to, but grabbed a skirt and came along. She made sure we knew that she didn't want to say anything. We got to the lesson and it was maybe our 3rd lesson with him. We had invited him to read 3rd Nephi and he had said at the beginning that he didn't have the time to do that. So we decided that instead of teaching him how to multiply before adding we would read with him. We started reading and it talked about Jesus Christ teaching the people in America his gospel and how to be baptized. It started out slow due to his language barrier (oh ya, he speaks Chuukeese) and I was thinking about how bored Nancy (member) must have been. After a little while a man walked around the corner (ps we were outside on their smoke couches haha) and looked really though. He had tattoos all over, he was wearing a wife beater, and was coming to take a smoke break. However since we were there he asked if he could join. Of course we said yes! Sister Bothwell handed him a book of Mormon and he started reading along with us. After reading vrs. 29-31 about contention and how it was of the devil he started asking a lot of questions and getting really involved. He asked how he could avoid those angry feelings and he was really interested in what we were teaching. He somehow told us that he stopped going to church 4 years ago and stopped praying because his dad died. As we read on we asked how they felt and they both said they believed it was true. I couldn't believe what was happening! I don't know if I've ever been so excited nor happy. At the end of the lesson we had planned on asking Norman (not real name) if he would be baptized. I felt strongly to not just direct it at Norman but just ask. We invited them to be baptized Aug. 25th (because everyone knows the 25th is the best day of every month). It was quiet for a min. and then they both nodded their heads and said yes. John (not real name), who had joined us ten min. before asked us how he should prepare. We told him that he would need to meet with us a little more, because there was still things to learn and that he should come to church. We asked when we could come over next and he said "how about mon-fri, each day next week". I could not believe what was happening. We then told them that they needed to pray about it and make sure that this date was what God intended for them. We asked them to pray and they fought back in forth for a little bit over who would say it. Then I asked John since he hasn't prayed in 4 years if he would say it. He was reluctant but after I told him I would tell him what to say and he would just repeat he bowed his head. I started to pray and to our surprise, John and Norman both repeated. Nancy was in tears. The spirit was so strong. 

   I think it was one of the best experiences I have ever had on my mission. It was so worth it to go back out and to teach with my heart might mind and strength. 

   I love you! Thanks for all you have taught me

Sister Poulson 

"Don’t worry about how inexperienced you are or think you are, but think about what, with the Lord’s help, you can become."

Hello Hello!

   This week was the bomb! Started off with splits with two girls that just got back from their missions. Of course I went with the one that is majorly intimidating, but super awesome! She loves the work and it was so fun seeing how much she loved it. I learned to never leave an area without talking with someone. We hit up some formers with the luck of no one being home.. but then we reached the last person on the list. When we got to her house, it wasn't her. Luckily for missionaries it isn't awkward to knock on the wrong door because you just invite them to hear the message as well. Anyway, it is so great that we were sent to that door. The girl looked about our age and she was telling us about how she only goes to church on Easter on Christmas. As we continued talking, we found out that she goes to the Mormon church on those occasions and that her mother was raised Mormon. Long story short, we were meant to go to that door, and we will be meeting with the whole family sometime this upcoming week.

   Miracles really are wrought by faith.  Saturday we were starting "hour of power" with our district, where we go to a members and share a message on faith, pray with them and then go to their neighbors for the next hour having the faith to find someone that the Lord was preparing for us. I was terrified haha, we went to the members home and her boy was really sick. So... Miracle #1 we went to a members house just up the street and not only were they home but they were so willing to hop on board. We shared the scripture on how miracles come after the trial of our faith. Then we went out to try our faith in the neighborhood. We only made it next door.. A man answered the door who was not interested. However we asked if there was anything we could do for him. He is having a lot of back problems so the offer was a godsend for him. We helped him rake and get his yard in better order. By the end we started talking about why we were on missions, the Book of Mormon got brought up and we talked about how God loves everyone and even sent His gospel to the Americas. We also talked a lot about trials and God's hand in our lives, by the end he accepted a book of Mormon and we are going back to help some more! It is amazing what a little service can do!

    We are working with a few people and Roy is doing awesome! He came to church again! He just needs to pray. Sometimes I forget the importance of prayer. Well, I love you!

Love,

Sister Poulson

Funny of the week: We were picking raspberries outside when Sister Bothwell decided she was done, on the way inside she didn't realize that the screen was shut. Her face was priceless!

 Also.. A member was telling us about someone on their mission whose name was Pag-ee-ma, he asked how she got the name and she said it was the name of someone in a magazine... pajama.. lol!

This one is spell checked.. ha ha 07/16/12

Hello again!

    This was a good week! Slow on the lessons, but still a great week. We had zone conference and I love how God knows exactly what we need. This week I have prayed for a miracle, and yet again, God still listens to my prayers. We have been meeting with Roy for a while now and he has been very slowly progressing. For some reason it is near impossible to get people to read the Book of Mormon.. we live in a lazy society, that’s all! Anyway, we are finally moving along with him. On Saturday we called him and he started talking about how he needs to come to church and then the miracle happened. Normally it would be "I know I need to come" but then when he would come wouldn't exist in the conversation. Saturday, he said he would come! I know you are all thinking.. wow.. big deal.. but really! It is a huge deal! Why you might ask? Because he knows the importance of Church, before he just came, now he sees church as a step in changing his ways and aligning them with Gods. Why else? Because he knows that church is a place where he can go and feel of God’s love, before he wouldn't even pray because he was so fearful that he wasn't worthy, or that God had all this wrath waiting for him. What he is now starting to realize is that God may have wrath, but that’s only when we don't try.. when we continue in the opposing path and willfully rebel. When we try, we won't be perfect, but that wrath won’t be upon us. Anyway, he came to church!!!!!!!!! I don't think there can be enough explanation points for that! He showed up a few min. late and I don't think Sister Bothwell could have been more nervous. For some reason, I wasn't nervous, I knew he would be there, and sure enough he was. A member stood up in church and bore his testimony on the power of prayer and fasting. It was meant for Roy! He has had such a hard time praying, which for me isn't easy to understand because I have always done it, I just hope he knows that nothing bad can come from it. Heavenly Father wants to hear us! I mean if I stopped talking to you, would that make your wrath less towards me? (first of all I hope there isn't wrath) but I just think that because you love me, you want to hear from me, no matter how much I have screwed up.

   So mom, i was thinking about emotions and how "blessed" I am to receive your "tender heart". But I finally know why the spirit brings out my emotions, it is because God is love, and when I talk about God or those who love me, it is so attached to my heart that all I can do is cry.

  Another random tangent.. I find it interesting how I don't realize the importance of a situation/person/lesson until the situation arises. There is a quote in one of the mormon.org videos that says "once the time for decision has come, the time for preparation is over" and it is so true. It is then when I wish I was more prepared. I can only imagine what it will be like at the judgment seat.

   Well, there are more stories to tell, no time for them! I love you all so much!

Sister Poulson

Weekly funny: Yesterday Sister Bothwell was reckless driving and our cupcakes we had flew across the car and all got smashed except for one. So I took the one cupcake and I placed it on the middle arm rest. Sure enough, Sister Bothwells arm goes straight into it.. haha so when we were driving out of church realizing we didn't have a napkin we pulled over and asked a lady if she had a baby wipe.. Well.. she didn't. But she did have a diaper.. ha ha and insisted that we use that to wipe off her arm. First of all why does she have diapers and no wipes with only baby girls 2nd of all.. the other Sisters we share a car with loved seeing a "dirty" diaper laying on the car floor.

God bless America!

My oh so special most wonderful family!

  How art thou? This week was a good one for me, thank you for asking ;)! We got to stay out till 10:30 on the 4th watch a bunch of illegal fireworks, and eat way too much as usual. It was fun. I love celebrating freedom, and I love that God has given us freedom. Sometimes I wonder how bad it hurts God to see so many of his children abandon His commandments and watch them choose paths that lead them to get hurt. While it is sad to think about it, it really does show God's love, that he loves us enough to not stop all the bad from happening, but wants us to choose our own destiny in a way. Of course God could step in every time we have a skinned knee and save every bad thing from happening; but if we really think about it, it is in those hard times; those times where we are humbled where we really come to find God. It is in those times where we really need him, and we take the time to remember that we can't go through this life alone. And it is through those hard times where we can learn and grow the most. A lady came into the center who had just buried her dad. The situation is so sad, but as hard as it was it helped her become more grateful for the plan of salvation. For that great plan that God has made for us, that if we just choose to follow Him, which always leads to happiness, then we can have more blessings that are eternal and that bind those family units together. We don't really know how great that blessing is, until we have lost someone we love. I am grateful that I get to choose the wrong every once in a while, and that because of that I know how it feels to separate myself from God, so that I can be reminded of how great Christ's way really is and gain that testimony that it really is true. For everything that is good comes from God. 

    So we got to watch another Disney movie today!! Why you ask.. well because our zone excelled the most in baptisms this month. How many of those did I help with... none. And it is hard, it is hard to see so many people have so much success and feel like I work so hard but it just doesn't happen. But then I always am reminded that I am where the Lord needs me to be, and I am doing what I can, so there is definitely something that I am doing to help with Gods work. I was reminded about that when we were sitting in church yesterday and we were talking about missionary work. The whole lesson was on how we can help teach and bring people to the church and all of that great stuff. But one lady raised her hand and she said it is not that we are trying to get people to come into our church, it is really that we want to help these people. We love the gospel because it has helped us, we love it because it brings us more happiness and comfort than anything else could. We love it because it is our one stable rock we can build our foundation on. That is why it is important to share, not because we want people to get baptized (even though that is a great step) it is because we want people to know of the greatness of having God in their lives is. Because I love my friends and I love the gospel, that is why I want to share it! Oh.. but I also should just say that Jane and Lark (haha I totally forgot their "code" names.. but they are the older couple "my boyfriend" and his wife from my last area) are getting baptized!!! I was so excited I almost died! I never would have thought that they would be getting baptized, well I mean of course I did. I usually go into meeting with someone saying "so when they are baptized" but with them I really did wonder if would happen, and guess what, the Lord again works miracles and they are getting baptized on August 11th! Right before Willis's birthday so I guess that is how I will be celebrating :)!!!!!! YIPIIEE SKIPPY! Ha ha

  I have one cool story I want to tell you. So me and Sister Bothwell always get asked "so are the people usually nice to you" we always respond "yes they are. They are not always receptive but I think because we are girls we don't get doors slammed or people chasing us down and what not" anyways karma or something caught up to us because we were tracking and we get to a door and a guy answers who seemed nice. Anyways after explaining who we are he literally says "yes I know who you are and you are not welcome here" SLAM! Ouch.. but it wasn't as awful as I thought it would be, I thought I would feel offended and all but really I just felt sad, I was so sad that they were not able to hear the message and so sad because I knew the blessings they were missing out on. Anyways, instead of thinking "though crowd" we went on tracing and later came to a door and nice lady answered. She looked at us like she knew us and invited us in... turns out she just moved there and she said she is "sort of" a member. Of course we loved hearing that she needed some missionary help and made sure that we could come back and meet with her and her cute little family. I just love how the Lord directs His work. Because lets be honest.. I have no idea. Ha ha I see the wall in front of my face, and he sees the end from the beginning. Which I am so grateful for!

  Well.. we are still working with a lot of people and we are hoping some great things come from it. Work hard and keep moving forward! I love you,

Love,

Sister Poulson

Weekly funny: We were eating at a members who works with the Spanish Elders as well. Anyways one of the Elders is named Elder Broadhead and she was talking about them and somehow she said Elder Bighead and went on to talk about his companion Elder Whitehead.. (she was dead serious) His name wasn't even close to that.. haha it was kinda funny. What is even funnier is she went on to tell us that he looked like Mr.. Beans. She asked if I knew who Mr. Beans was and instead I respond "ya.. I have seen beans"

Love one another

HI!

   I decided that it is impossible to tell anyone about a mission. Just is.. everyone just has to go on one. Thats all.. have a great week! ;) haha JK! Well I have to say happy July! I love the 4th of July, why you might ask? Well.. I wish I could tell you that as well. We are going to have a little ward breakfast and then walk to the temple (of course we won't be doing that because we have to go go go and walking 5 miles cannot fit in the agenda), but it should be fun and I am excited to help out and be a part of the ward! Sundays are great aren't they? Yesterday was so productive.. I love that feeling. Usually in the mornings we have a harder time finding out the most productive thing to do. Yesterday, we visited referrals. We walked around the corner of one guys house and about died from a heart attack when the guy sneak attacked us while smoking on the porch. Anyways he was super sweet, and we testified all about the Book of Mormon. Thinking about it.. there is no word we can say or nothing we can do to help someone truly understand the importance of that book. And sometimes it is sad that it is underestimated, but truly, like it says in the introduction; it testifies and is a witness that Jesus is the Christ, we really do have a Savior who felt everything we ever felt, and understands us when no one else does, and most importantly loves us so much that no matter how many times we screw up, he doesn't get angry but only wants our eternal welfare. And of course, it gives us the guidelines for the happiest life, so we don't screw up as much lol. Sometimes I think I might be too bold, which seems crazy because before I left I felt I was the exact opposite. Where is the balance?! haha.. oh well.

   We have the greatest new investigator! I am not sure if I told you about her but by golly I love her! We met her tracting and it was one of those experiences where you know you were in the right place at the right time. Reminded me that it's ok if something doesn't go as planned, because there is another path that God has placed for us. We taught her the plan of Salvation and she felt the spirit so strong! I love knowing that no matter how wrong I might teach something, that the ultimate teacher will be the Spirit and that is what will truly change her heart.

    Another neat experience this week was at the Visitors Center. A lady came in with her friend who was not a member. I felt so much love for her, which is always a good sign, from the moment we started talking. She watched restoration and did the Christus but when we got to the Book of Mormon display she watched endure to the end. After talking about it she started crying and I knew there was something hard going on her life. Sometimes enduring is so hard.. I really just wanted to hug her! Turns out she lost her husband a year ago and the term "till death do you part" really bugged her. I found it so great that even though she didn't have the scriptures that confirmed that families are eternal, she had the hope that it was and deep down she believed she would see him again. It is such a witness to me that we really did know Gods plan before we came to this earth, every one of us. And we knew there would be pain and we knew there would be suffering, but we knew there would be joy and we knew that it was going to worth it. That it is! I feel blessed to know that it is worth it, that it is all for something greater, and that good things don't have to end! I love that we have the scriptures that confirm those hopes and life's unanswered question 

   Well.. I have lots more to tell you. But I have no time! I love you millions!

 

love,

Sister Poulson