Rally the Hosts of God

Good Morning all! This has been good week! And by a good week, I mean it was actually a pretty rough week. But I kind of but a good week by force of habit. Either way, let me tell ya about it ;) 

We stopped teaching quite a few people over these last few weeks. They simply weren't making changes or progressing in the Gospel, and many of them were hard to find. Those we do have to teach are doing pretty good. Hilda has been kind of hard to work with, we haven't been able to get her to church. But she has been reading! We were also able to have a lesson we're the Osorio mom opened up to us about what has been holding her back from coming to church. We sure hope she comes with her kids this next week as we help her with that barrier. 

Everyone here seems to love bounce houses... AKA "Kid Distractors". The lifestyle here is definitely one of work and play. It can be frustrating sometimes though. People throw out the funniest excuses sometimes. When they say their husband's sister's husband's father's roommate's parrot dies and they have to go to the funeral on Sunday morning, you begin to the think that they don't want to go to church ;) Don't make fake excuses. 

Have you ever heard the hymn "Behold! A Royal Army"? I have come to love that hymn over these last couple transfers. We tend to make quite a few comparisons between soldiers in an army and missionaries in God's Army. In that hymn, the soldiers essentially rally around there General, who is Christ, and remain faithful until their day of rest. I suppose the greatest trait a soldier can have in any hymn or scripture is a faith in God. War is far more terrible than most of us realize. The faith that, for instance, the striping warriors have in the face of terrible danger is remarkable and inspiring! Their faith leads them to obey with exactness their leaders commands. "They did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them." They are thus such a powerful force, they turn the whole Lamanite army around just to face them, and after finishing battle, not one of them is slain. 

One of my favorite phrases that our Mission President says: "We Are At War." We are all at war! At war with what? The darkness of this world. And we must be powerful, faithful soldiers of light in order to come off conquerers. We must obey our General, who is Christ, by obeying those captains under his charge, from Captain Moroni to Captain Nielson. Not just obey, but obey with exactness. Not just faith, but strong faith and firm minds. What kind of soldier will you be in the Lord's army? To you stand ready to observe and perform with exactness every command and direction that you receive this general conference weekend? Will you stand firm and undaunted despite the opposition? I ask myself these questions. I seek to be as the army of Helaman. 

Well. I am beyond excited for general conference! I can't wait to talk about next week. Until then, onward Christian soldiers! :) 

Elder Poulson

I begged Elder Bry to send me a photo (no matter what it was) 

and this is what I got.  :)