Simplify and Act

Hello queridos amigos and familia! I'm sick of saying "how are you?" and pretending that you all are saying "good" back, so I'm just gonna spill the news.

So I was making a breakfast shake, like I do every morning, and the bottom of the blender thing came off... I felt like that had happened before, so I put it back on and decided to test it (mistake #1) But of course me being me, my mind got ahead of itself, and I tested it without putting the lid on (mistake #2). So I turn it on, realize as the shake starts splashing that the lid isn't on, and in my haste to turn off the machine, I hit the side of the blender pitcher (mistake #3). Three strikes your out, and I ended up with milk all over my jacket and shoes, a giant mess of ingredients on the counter, and my companion staring at me like I was crazy as I stood there repeatedly hitting my head on the wall. It was quite the adventure! So yeah, that is the news I had to spill. Cause it was a spill. Haha get it? Well I made myself laugh at least ;)

But I suddenly feel like a jerk for not asking, so HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING?!?! Hopefully you're doing great! If you're not, hopefully this email somehow makes you feel better! Or if nothing else, gives you a laugh or two ^-^

I have a WHOLE lot to write about this week, and not too much time to do it, so bear with me.

So Alfonso had quite the week. I can't give much details, but basically he was kicked out of his house. He has gotten help from the Bishop and will be living with a member, but it was a pretty rough experience for him, as one would expect. But I just can't even tell you how amazed I am by the faith he has shown through it all! He sent us twenty texts rapid-fire the night he got kicked out, and we told him to read the Book of Mormon (he was staying at and investigator's house for the night) and pray to know what to do. The next he told us that he had felt the Spirit answer him, and that he knew exactly what to do! He said he loved reading the Book of Mormon and really felt the Spirit while doing so.

Long story short, the Gift of the Holy Ghost is not only real, but can be extremely powerful and prevalent in our lives if we permit it to be. As far as I can tell, Alfonso has done what God has asked these past few months, and he is receiving the promised blessings of doing so. And all of us have the same blessings promised to us, if we are obedient to God's commands. So I would invite you all to continue to strive to do that.

The other amazing news this week is that Eduarda is no longer living with her boyfriend, which means she can get baptized! So that is very exciting! She is currently planning on being baptized at the end of this month, but it might happen sooner. Time will tell.

Jared is also doing great! He came to church despite throwing up that same morning... Which was both AWESOME and a bit concerning. He was determined though! Of course, he only stayed for the first hour, but I'm proud of him :)

A couple other fun things:

- We had a ward activity this week, and at the activity we played a game called Chubby Bunny... Basically, you go around in the circle and, without swallowing, put a marshmallow in your mouth. You then have to say "chubby bunny." And then you go around the circle and give everyone another marshmallow, and with each marshmallow you have to not swallow and still be able to say "chubby bunny". So I decided to do it along with a lot of other people... It was horrible. I'm never eating marshmallows again XD But if you so desire to see a video of me playing chubby bunny (chances are that will just be my mom), go to [https://www.facebook.com/groups/664840110294133/..or watch clip below]. I didn't win though :P

- We have been randomly playing soccer with kids in complexes as a way to get the comfortable enough to listen to us, and it has been working! We also found some kids digging holes for fun. They said they like to bury stuff and then dig it back up a couple years later... I was suddenly grateful that I had stuff to do as a kid. XD

As another missionary once phrased it, here is my spiritual nugget for the week. I really learned a lot this week, but this was my favorite part. The scriptures say "seek, and ye shall find." If you are like me, you have heard that a billion times and haven't thought much of it. But in a talk by President Uchtdorf in April 2016 connects that phrase to a quote by Abraham Lincoln: "People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." When I read that I had an epiphany: WE CONTROL OUR LIVES. Now I get that that is a generally accepted fact, but think about it a bit more if you will.

We are sent here, the scriptures say, to "act or be acted upon." The scriptures also say, in Helaman 14:30-31, that "ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves... ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you." Basically, as President Monson has told us, "decisions determine destiny." What we choose to do determines our own happiness and the end result of our lives. If we desire good, we will have it. If we give in to the world and desire evil, we will have it. The door which you knock on will be opened unto you.

So as Elder Ballard counseled us this last general conference, take a moment and have a little self-interview. Figure out if you are making the decisions that are going to take you where you want to go, and permit you to do the things that you truly want to do. Is your current path going to allow you to "return and receive" all that God has in store for you? If not, that is okay, because YOU CAN CHANGE THAT. You can act. So as Elder Yoon Whan Choi said in his general conference talk, "look up!" Defeat the fears that are holding you back by the power of your faith. Believe in God, believe he is, look to Him, and ACT. Make the changes in your life that will allow you to become everything you have ever dreamed of becoming. And plan to "Return and Receive."

Act. Don't just be acted upon.

And as the subject line says, simplify. The most important actions are those based on counsel from God, through family, the living prophets and apostles, the scriptures, your church leaders, and through personal revelation. Don't get caught up in the world.

Well I always have more, but that is all for this week. I love you all, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask them! Have a fantastic week!

Elder Poulson

Chubby Bunny Shorter Video

https://vimeo.com/216326620

Life is Good Until you get Stabbed

Goooood morning family and friends! How are ya'll doing? I'm doing great, thanks!

So this week was pretty exhausting, but it paid off! I did in fact get stabbed, but only by a needle so that they could take my blood... Which didn't help me to be less tired! But hey, it was fun!

The main event this week was that Alfonso got confirmed! Elder Harward came back to do it, so that was fun too. Alfonso felt SUPER good afterward, I loved it! I don't know if he has ever felt the Spirit so strongly. It was pretty amazing :)

Other than that, this week was strangely eventful. We went to the temple on Tuesday as you know, which was also our p-day. Elder Ramirez had to go to some papers stuff in another zone, so wen went there on Wednesday. Thursday I got stabbed by some Lady. Friday and Saturday were pretty much just spent trying to find people to teach, which was unusual for us. Usually we have someone to teach.

We actually made a game to try and get each other to talk to more people! You get points mainly for talking to people. The zone leaders ended up joining in and everything, it was great!

Umm... Yeah. Not too much more to report. Just moving along, doing the work!

I learned something really cool the other day! Someone was talking about how someone had asked them why our church doesn't used crosses. They responded that we don't just not use crosses, but any other symbols. That is because it is not necessary to use a symbol to show the rest of the world that we follow Christ. Our symbol is who we are and how we act. If we really are members of the true church of God on the Earth (and we are), it should show in everything we do and say and are. So yeah, I thought that was cool!

Well that is about it. Love ya'll! Keep up the faith!

Elder Poulson

Easter Package from Home

Habits, Happiness, and Habits OF Happiness!

Hey family and friends and everyone, how are you all doing!? I realize I ask that every week, but it is a good question! I hope ya'll are doing good: I think you all have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so you should be happy! More on that later :)

The highlight of this week was easily that ALFONSO GOT BAPTIZED!!! :D It was actually kind of a close call, he got worried right before, but he ended up doing it and felt so happy afterwards! So anyways, that was an awesome experience :) He got baptized on Sunday, so he will get the gift of the Holy Ghost next Sunday. He said he won't feel complete without it ^-^ 

As for other eventful events of eventfullness, I got to go to the Newport Beach temple this morning, which was beautiful!!! I felt so spiritually rejuvenated, it was amazing! Really, the Spirit is wonderful in the house of the Lord. Don't take for granted the blessing of a temple all of you Utah people: it is one of the greatest blessings we have.

I learned something wonderful from Alfonso's baptism this week. After seeing his countenance change, I realized that that has already happened to me: I have already received that happiness. And in reality, I can still have it. Think about it. For all of you that are baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, you literally have everything you need to be happy. Relying on the Savior, and having faith in him, will permit us to be happy all of the time. Honestly, we don't take advantage of this enough as latter day saints.

I also learned the power of habits. Habits allow us to move on and work on something else without worrying about the thing we just improved, knowing that by habit we will keep whatever redeeming quality we obtained. So if we can develop a HABIT of happiness, we won't have to worry about it all the time: we will just be happy! I think part of that would be obtaining an habit of optimism and work. Ask President Hinckley about that ;)

Well, that is about it. Bye love ya! Be happy for 30 days, and you'll build the habit! It is a choice.

Elder Poulson

Alfonzo's Baptism

Newport Beach Temple

It's All Fun and Games... All the Time!

Hey everyone, how are ya'll doin'!? I hope you're having fun, because I sure did this week! We destroyed stuff and played games all week! Haha before you all think I have just given up on being a missionary or something, let me explain.

So we had service on Tuesday at this nature place, and they gave us two options: trim the fence, or destroy a kiva. I had no idea what they meant by a kiva, but I volunteered to destroy stuff without hesitation! :D It ended up being an Indian-style shelter that had collapsed in a recent storm. So we just go to go to town on this thing, cutting ropes and smashing branches! It was great! :D I didn't have my camera on me, or else I would send pictures, but I'm sure what you're imagining is way cooler than it actually was. Side Note: destroying couches is also very fun!

Me and Elder Ramirez don't feel like we talk to near enough people here, so we decided to start a competition. We made a points system and everything, but basically, if you talk to someone you get a point. So that has been fun! I am currently behind by... A little bit... But I will catch up!!! :D Anyways, we have already found some new people to teach just from that motivation to talk to people, so that is great!

We talked to Alfonzo's dad at the beginning of this week, and he said that HE CAN GET BAPTIZED!!! WOOT! So we set a date for the 15th of April. He came to church this Sunday, and it is looking pretty set. So I am SUPER excited for that! If all goes well, I will even have the honor of baptizing him. When he told me that I could baptize him, Elder Ramirez said my face just lit up like the sun! XD So stoked!!!

Jared is also doing awesome. He didn't come to church this week, unfortunately, but we have been working hard to help him find joy in going to church, even though it might be boring, especially for a 10 year old. It's fun to teach him ^-^ We love him.

"Do you love me?" I have been thinking about that question a bit recently. Do we really love Christ? Do we really KNOW our Savior? There is a talk called the Mortal Christ that I was listening to last night. It basically said that when you truly know the Truth, or the Savior, that will set you free. HE will set you free. But to truly get to know him is not easy. It takes study, yes, but also action and prayer and pondering. But I strive to truly know him and to develop the true character of Christ in myself.

Another thing that talk made me think about: it said that Satan wants us to sin, yes, but that isn't really his main goal. Satan's main goal is to keep us from doing good. If he can stop us from doing good things, he has won. We can't be content with just NOT breaking commandments. We have to do good continually. And the more good we do, the more good we will see in ourselves, and the more joy we will have. I am no longer content with just not doing bad: I strive to become a warrior for the Light.

Well, that is it for this week! I love you all! Go destroy something or play some games or something. Life can be fun and fulfilling at the same time! Bye!

Elder Poulson

Sleep is for the Weak

Good morning family and friends and such! I'm checking in from a very uncharacteristically cloudy California, so that is fun!

This week was pretty good! Elder Ramirez is my new companion, and he is quite the character. He is from Argentina but grew up in Virginia. He is very observant and bold, which are two things I am definitely NOT, so I am hoping to learn those things from him. Within the first week, he has told me "I do what I want, when I want, how I want" at least twenty times, but he is totally full of it ;) He likes to mess with me, but most people do, so that is nothing new.

The first few days of this week were remarkably successful, but for some reason, my mind just decided to stop working on Friday. We made about 10 u-turns, I almost ran 2 red lights, and I couldn't really speak Spanish. By the time we got home for dinner, my companion just made me take a nap. After that I was better. But yeah, that was an adventure!!! :D

April fools day was fun! Well at least for my companion. He rigged the sink so that when I turned it on, the little sprayer thing shot right onto my pants... It was pretty funny ^-^ I tried to get revenge by putting ceran wrap on the door, but it was a pathetic attempt and he avoided it without trying :P I guess I'm just not set out to be a prankster for life. But I can live with that!

Let me tell ya, General Conference is just FANTASTIC! I went into it this time with a list of questions, things that I wanted to work on or that had I have been struggling with. I found answers to almost all of my questions! :D And I am sure I will find even more when I go back and watch the Sunday sessions in English. (Straight Spanish for 4 hours is terribly difficult to comprehend) But really, I was blown away with all of the inspiration that I received during conference. We really are blessed to have a prophet and apostles to guide us today, because I am more and more thoroughly convinced that I would be terribly lost without that guidance.

By my count, the common themes in this conference were the Plan of Salvation and building more faith in Jesus Christ. I always pay specific attention to common themes, because none of the speakers talk with each other and decide on a theme. They just prepare whatever the Spirit guides them to prepare, and when they show up, they find that they all have common themes. I believe that the scripture "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him might not perish, but have everlasting life" at least three times. I truly believe that if we consistently look up to Christ, and stretch out spiritually to Him, we will grow in capacity and joy in ways we could never imagine.

Yesterday, there were ten minutes left until 9, and we had yet to find any new investigators for the week. We were about to leave, but then decided to go back and try a couple more doors. We tried by a potential investigator we had recorded, and to our surprise, they let us in! My point in sharing this is that I truly believe that God always pushes us to our limits, or lets us get a little desperate, before he helps us. "...for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Meaning, don't expect God to bless you until you act despite a bit of uncertainty.

Well that's all that I have for this week. I love you all! Don't forget to apply something from General Conference. Let the Spirit guide. K bye!

Elder Poulson

Elder Poulson & his new companion Elder Ramirez

Grand Macs are Evil

Well... Hello! How are you all doing? I'm told that my last email hasn't been posted yet, so I guess you're getting to of these in a row ^-^

This week was a bit crazy. The highlight was the Javi and Charlie got baptized! :D So that was fun! I got to confirm Charlie, which was a really good experience for me. Their parents are strong in the church again, so their family will continue to grow in the Gospel I'm sure :)

There really isn't much else to report. We had a really bomb district meeting this Wednesday, in part because our Mission President showed up on short notice. So that was spiritually enlightening!

Oh right! So my companion is getting transferred to another area! My new companion is Elder Ramirez. I don't really know much about him, but I have heard good things, so we'll see. Changes are always nice on the mission ^-^ That will put me at at least 6 months in this area, which is kind of crazy.

So there is this elderly Hispanic lady that lives with her daughter, who is a member of our ward here. I had always thought that my grandma was persistent when offering me food, but let me tell ya, this lady was just dying to make me fatter! After a couple times of me graciously denying another helping of food, she cooked a tortilla, walked up to me, and said "Oh, look at this tortilla, it is so nice and flaky, why don't I put some beans on it for you?" Haha it was really funny! Hispanic Grandmas always have the best sense of humor ^-^

Well we found out early on that my companion was leaving, so naturally we had to eat food or something together, ya know, like a last supper or something. There are like twenty billion advertisements for "grand macs" here, which is just McDonalds sized-up big mac. I usually despise McDonalds, but I thought I would give it a try... I could just feel my body asking me why in the world I would put such poison in my body! Seriously, it just felt like a big piece of not-supposed-to-be-there chilling in my stomach! I even went and ate a piece of spinach, to see if a little bit of something real would help (and it kinda did!). But haha yeah, that was quite the experience!

I've really learned recently the importance of the basics in the Gospel. As missionaries, we go around telling everybody that they have to pray, read the scriptures, and go to church to get an answer that this church is the church of God on the Earth. But I think as missionaries and members, we sometimes forget the continual importance of those things. Prayer is how we talk to God. Scriptures and the words of living Prophets are how we hear from Him, as well as by The Spirit. The Sacrament allows us to renew our baptismal covenants and find strength in The Atonement to change and prepare for the week. Think about that! That is amazing! That is how we receive help when we desperately need it.

Well that is about it for this week. 'Til later!

Elder Poulson

Javi and Charlie's Baptism

District Adventure to the Beach

Just to the edge of the sand.....must be hard not to touch it 

The Necessity of Progression

Hola familias y amigos y todos! Como estan? Bien? Perfecto!

Well, this week was kinda the most enlightening week ever. I really learned some things that I needed to hear, and that I think everyone needs to hear. So naturally, I'ma share it. But first, some other stuff!

I just wanted to officially announce that my bishop told me I should not eat with utensils, but that I should eat with my hands. I'm not sure what my mom would think about that, but *shrug*. Bishop said! Haha actually, he said I eat like a Gringo (a white guy who speaks spanish) because I was using my tortillas wrong to eat. I guess I am supposed to tear them into 4 pieces and use them to pick up my food. It was fun! So if you happen to go on a mission, and you go to a Hispanic country, you are pretty much going to be forced to prove your mom wrong when she said "you'll need manners on your mission" ;)

We kind of had a crazy but awesome day on Tuesday! Mainly because we taught 7 lessons, as opposed to our average 3 or so. We just basically taught all day! It was wonderful! But the funniest part was that we went to remind Alfonzo about the youth activity that night, and he said that he had just put his wash in the dryer and had to take it out in 30 minutes. The activity started in 15 minutes, so we just told him to go and that we would take care of the laundry! So we had a jolly old time getting all of his and his ENTIRE FAMILY'S laundry from the laundry place to the apartment! XD Turns out the activity was only 15 minutes long, and he was fifteen minutes late, so he missed the whole thing. But whatevs, I had fun! ;) Unfortunately though, Alfonzo didn't go to church this week. Actually, when we went to wake him up, he was already awake and just said he didn't want to go... Very weird. Anyways, we'll work that out.

Javi and Charlie are set to get baptized on Saturday, which is awesome! It sounds like I'm gonna do one of the confirmations, so that is exciting ^-^ Their dad is going to baptize them, of course. It'll be great!

We are working with everybody else. Juan never answers his door, which is sad. But we had a bomb lesson with Viola and gave her mom a blessing, so that was really cool! We just need to meet her husband.

One cool experience we had this week was with and investigator named Eduarda. She has been an investigator for over a year. The only thing keeping her from getting baptized is that she isn't married, and her husband doesn't want to get married :P So after teaching her awhile, we finally just decided to be very bold and straightforward in telling her she needs to take action NOW. And it worked! She is working towards baptism on the 15th of April. So her and us are fasting together and praying that she can either get married, or decide to separate, so that she can get baptized. So that is good :)

Jared is doing well too! (Have I mentioned him yet?) He is the 10 year old brother of a member, Lesley. His family situation is insane, so that makes it hard, but we found out that he got an answer to his prayer! He is super shy, but he told us very confidently that he got an answer. So we are helping him progress to baptism. He loves drawing, and his artist skills are off the charts! I'll send a picture later of what he drew me. Anyways, he is awesome!

I honestly think that the entire course of my mission changed this week. Mainly, on Friday. I went on exchanges with a Zone Leader, because Elder Harward has to since he is a district leader. I didn't expect to learn all that much, but I was in for a surprise. Real quick, I'ma touch on the three main things I learned.

1. He asked me this question: "WHY do you focus?" Or rather, why do you want to focus? Now he asked me that because I have serious problems focusing on the mission, but his main point was that I needed to figure out the why. Once you figure out the why, the what, where, when, how clicks in to place. I have heard that put many different ways before, but it really clicked this time... Why? "When your why is bigger than your why not, you find success." 

2. Focus on Christ. He is the focus of your mission and your life. When you focus on Jesus Christ, and then everything else, your life falls into place. Elder Bednar said that everything in The Doctrine of Christ is peripheral to Christ himself, and I think that is the same for life in general. Put Christ in the center of your focus. Which means remember him constantly, and follow his commandments and teachings. Which leads in to the third thing I learned.

3. PROGRESSION. That is what this is all about. This plan, our life here, The Atonement of Jesus Christ: it is all so we can progress. So that we can change. And if you aren't progressing and changing, you are wasting what God has given you. "Heaven will not be heaven for those who have not become heavenly." "This life is a time for man to prepare to meet God; yea, this life is a time for men to perform their labors." Everything we do must be to progress and become more like God, bit by bit. And the ONLY way to do that is through our Savior Jesus Christ. The only way to change. That is why repentance is so important, and that is why baptism is so important. They are ways to change, by Christ. So my challenge to you: change every day. Become a bit better. Focus on Christ, and then focus on changing through that which He has given you. He loves you, and wants you to have all they joy he has, but you can't do that unless you change and improve. It is not impossible. In fact, it is so possible (and vital), that we agreed to come to this crazy world to do it. Believe in yourself, believe in Christ, and change. Bit by bit. "God cares very little of our velocity, but very much about our direction."

That's my 3 cents. It really impacted me! Well, as always, I'm running late (but I'm gonna change that!) So gotta go! Bye ya'll, love ya! Remember: PROGRESS!

Elder Poulson

Elder Bry trying to wear his moccasins out again...haha! 

 He keeps forgetting he has them on and leaves to go out to do missionary work.   :)

Humility Opens the Mind

So..... I'm just gonna start typing, it is taking me too long to figure out how to start this :P Hello Family and friends and pets and such (there we go!), how are ya'll doing today!? I hope it is as sunny wherever you are as it is here ^-^ I mean rain is better, but sun is good too!

This was a rough week, not gonna lie. I somehow pulled through with a pretty good attitude, but it was kinda... well, rough! The work, I mean. We didn't teach much or anything. I have some funny stories though! And I learned a lot.

So I was trying to help clean the apartment today, and I managed to both break a couple eggs (see picture) and a jar (see picture). It was probably because I was basically building the tower of babel out of clean dishes because I didn't want to dry them, but hey, it almost worked out well! (see picture) In case you can't tell, I took a lot of pictures this week XD But yeah, anyways, I'm a clutz. It is a good thing my companion is a cleaning natzi, we cleaned for two hours today :P But hey, it is way easier to study when the apartment is clean, so I'm good with it :)

We went to Grocery Outlet today to shop, which is where we usually go because the owner is Mormon, and they give us discounts and free (slightly damaged) stuff and such! Anyways, we got there later than the other missionaries and thought they had taken everything, but the guy in charge kinda just made eye contact with us and then said in an ominous voice, "Come with me if you want to get fed." Haha I thought it was hilarious! He gave some more meat, so barbecue round 3 is probably happening. (Woot!)

We actually had one really cool experience on Tuesday. We were teaching Maria Valdez, one of our investigators, and we remembered that we should ask her if she knows anyone we can teach! (We are horrible at remembering to do that) So we asked her, and she said her whole complex was Chino (Asian) except for on person. So we went by that one person, and were really dissappointed to find that she was white. Not because we're racist, but because white people rarely speak Spanish. But it turns out she is 1) a less-active member, 2) speaks spanish, 3) has a husband that only speaks Spanish, and 4) was looking for a church to go to in the area! SUPER cool! So we are going to go back like tomorrow and hopefully teach Viola and her family :)

We also had a cool experience with discernment. Juanito, one of our kind-of investigators, was talking to us on Friday (he is like 15). I felt like I should tell him that by reading the Book of Mormon, he could find answers to his problems. He suddenly started paying attention. He asked if we have confessionals, and we said no, but that by repentance, through Christ, we could be free of any guilt we have about any sin. So he asked us if he could pray tonight and all would be forgiven, to which of course we responded that is one purpose of baptism: a new start. He really seemed to like that, and said he would be baptized if he found out that what we were telling him is true!

Javi and Charlie are going to be baptized, pretty much for sure, on the 25th of March. We are very excited for that! Really, it isn't us as much as their parents that has prepared them, but I am grateful to be part of the process ^-^

You're probably wondering about the subject of this email. That is something I learned this week. As I have said before, if we just did everything our that God tells, through the scriptures, prophets, revelation, etc., we wouldn't have to learn from our mistakes that they are right. The best way to get to the point where you are doing everything "right", or following that counsel as much as possible, is by being humble. The only reason we don't follow the counsel of God is because we think we know better. We might be hesitant to admit to ourselves that that is the case, but it is. And the sooner and more fully we humble ourselves, the faster we will be able to hearken to the counsel of God, through his prophets.

I was watching the district this week, and one of the missionaries said something very inspiring. She said that "there comes a time in everyone's life when they turn to God, because there is nothing else." I sincerely believe that THAT is when people are prepared to hear the wonderful message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because they are SO humble, their minds are open to anything that will get them closer to God. And they find that they more they listen to the missionaries and read the book of Mormon and go to church, they closer they really do become to our Heavenly Father. Humility. There is no substitute. I learned that from Father in Heaven, and my father on Earth. (Read Ether 12:27)

Wow. In case you were wondering, sharing what you learn of the Gospel helps you learn more. I learn far more from sharing my testimony than I do from studying. God will teach you with your own words, if you will trust him enough to open your mouth. That is more so for missionaries, but we are all called to share this message while we are here. That is our job, our responsibility as members of the true church of Jesus Christ, who know the path to true joy and happiness. Share that with other people. You'll be surprised at how hungry they are for the truth.

Well this is about as long as the book of Alma (wow, that is a cheesy missionary joke, my bad), so I'ma go ahead and sign off. But I love you all! I hope you are doing well! Dare to stand for what you believe in, because you will never have to stand alone. God will always be by you. "They who are with us are greater than they who are with them." - The words of a prophet uttered to a boy, facing an army of soldiers, seemingly on their own. Have faith! You all are an inspiration to me! Love ya'll, bye! ^-^

Elder Poulson

The Beach....so close, yet so far away.  

Birthday celebrations....

I guess the mission home didn't get Bry's birthday package to him until the night of his birthday, so they used all the party stuff we sent for his companion's 

birthday the following week. 

Birthdays and Barbecues are Different on a Mission

Hello family and friends! I was just sitting here wondering how in the world I have so much extra time left this week, and then realized I forgot to send out a weekly! So hopefully this isn't too short.

We had a barbecue last Monday... In the pouring rain... Which would have been fine, except half of our district decided to dip and go get Popeyes instead! >:( We were pretty ticked! But hey, charcoal-black chicken is AMAZING once you get the outside bits off of it ^-^

Recently, we have been doing what we call "party exchanges", where we have two companionships working in the same area at the same time (before we would just swap companions). So that is kinda fun since we sleep in one apartment and everything, but it is also super difficult to find stuff to do during the day, which I am told is the point. So that is crazy! Anyways, I was on exchanges on my birthday, and we went to the only wealthy member's house in pretty much the whole ward. The elder I was with commented on a rug they had, saying he really liked that pattern, and they ended up giving him a blanket from Peru! I just thought it was funny that he got a present on my birthday XD Not mad at all though. Mostly. Haha no really though, it was funny :)

So some not so exciting news with Alfonzo. Turns out, his parents don't want him to get baptized. He told us they were fine with it, but I guess we was lying. They are super Catholic and want to keep the tradition, which is kind of upsetting since Alfonzo didn't even know he was Catholic until they told him two days ago! Anyways, it will probably be awhile until he gets baptized. We are praying that his parents will soften their hearts, but if not, he can get baptized when he graduates and moves out. Until then, we'll just keep strengthening his testimony :) I'm sure it'll happen sometime this year. Javi and Charlie are still doing great though! They will baptized either on the 18th or the 1st, depending on what they want.

We got Kevin to come out with us again! It was actually super funny, because he ended up herding in a group of like 12 kids to listen to us teach them. He doesn't really understand how to do missionary work, but that is okay. He also gave out a bunch of stickers for his company, so that was kinda weird to do. But anyways, we were leaving, and as we went to drop him off, I told him it is sometimes weird to teach kids, because I don't want the parents to think we are just going after their kids or something. And you shot back this response: "If the missionaries that had taught me had cared about what my mom thought, I wouldn't be baptized and I wouldn't be who I am today." I just kinda sat there in shock. He was right of course. The thing about Kevin, is he is just so unbelievably sincere. He herded in those kids because he saw himself in them, and knew that they need what we have. And then gave them stuff as an afterthought. I strive to find the same desire to share the Gospel that he haves, where I truly want to talk to everyone!

Another thing about Alfonzo. We asked him why he needs to read the Book of Mormon, and he told us that "it will help me to really figure out who I am and who I want to be." That is SO STORMING TRUE! The Book of Mormon helps us to figure out who we are and who we want to be. I have seen that so much in my mission. If you ever feel lost, go back and just read the Book of Mormon. You'll find the path you want to take.

Also, while I'm at it, never forget the importance of church attendance. Anyone who can't find peace in life will find it from going to church each week and remembering Christ, and renewing their covenants with Him through the sacrament. Nothing will bring you more peace. The Sacrament is almost literally a weekly baptism, as my mission president would say.

That is all I've got for this week! I'll leave you with this quote that our Bishop said this last Sunday: "When you decide to change, people don't want you to. When you are changing, people will get mad at you. When you have changed, people will want to be like you." Never forget the power of Jesus Christ, by His Atonement, to change anything and everything in your life and in your self. I love you all! Take care!

Elder Poulson

Birthday Spinner

Birthday Oragami

I Basically Know Shakira

Greetings family and friends! Alright, that just sounded weird... I just didn't want to say "Hello" again, like every other email I have ever sent ever ;) But I hope you are all doing fantastic! :D

In case you were wondering, if you ever live in an area with a lot of Hispanics, there is chile and/or limon (lime) in EVERYTHING! In chips, on fruit, on cakes, in pop tarts, everwhere! So that is pretty weird! All the members try to make me eat spicy stuff because they want to see my face turn red... But I ate something spicy yesterday, and they were all watching, and I didn't even flinch! So I am getting used to it! Ha!

Anyways, this week was really good! Something awesome is that we basically got handed two golden investigators to teach! Javier (13) and Charlie (11) are the kids of a less active family that just moved here from Colombia. They are currently living with some active members (the dad's sister), and as a result they have started coming to church again! So they asked us to teach their kids ^-^ So they will almost certainly get baptized, which is awesome! Also, the mom of the kids just so happens to know Shakira, because they are from the same city. So I know someone that knows Shakira! Pretty crazy I guess ;)

For the last 6 weeks, I have taken to just saying random inspiring quotes or stuff I made up out loud as I am walking around the apartment. My companion gets confused, which I think is hilarious! Anyways, some of the other missionaries were like, "Elder Poulson, where does all of this stuff come from!?" and I just kinda said "I'm not really sure..." I guess I just remember quotes really well. It definitely doesn't translate to memorizing spanish words, let me tell ya!

Alfonzo is still progressing really well! His friend wanted to sleepover with him and hangout on Sunday, but he told him no because he wanted to go to church! Anyways, it is still a bit of a struggle to get him to remember things, but he is working hard at it. He should get baptized on the 11th, which is SO cool!

So... I was supposed to sing on Sunday for ward conference. Bishop called and asked me to sing with his daughter, and it was kinda stressful but kinda fun too! And then he told us to go up to practice it right before sacrament meeting, and so we did it quietly by the piano. But it turns out he actually wanted us to do a prelude for the meeting, like at the pulpit, when we were just practicing! So I didn't end up singing... Esta bien though, it was fun :)

Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is how we can best learn. I realized that the key really is just to listen to your leaders. I mean, that seems like a no brainer, but think about it. We have things like the scriptures, and the words of the living prophet and apostles, and preach my gospel, and all of these helps written by leaders and great men and women of God, for what? So that we can take their word for it, instead of having to go out and make mistakes ourselves. There hasn't been one instance where I applied the teachings of my leaders and found them to be wrong. But there have been many times where I have failed to apply their teachings, just to find out very quickly that they were right. If we can learn to apply these things early on, we will be able to reach so much farther than we ever could by our own knowledge and experience.

The other thing that has really been spinning around in my head is the words of Jeffrey R. Holland in a talk called "Feed My Sheep" given in the MTC a while back. Apparently it was a precursor to a talk given in General Conference. Anyways, he says, in a nutshell, that the moment that Peter the fisherman became Peter the great and noble and powerful apostle was when the Savior asked him the same question three times: Do you love me? And on the third time, what is Christ's response? The FEED MY SHEEP. I would take that to mean, if you love me, love others. And the best way to do that is to give them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Inherent in this invitation is the implication that we need to give our will to God. It is God's will that we share the gospel, and serve those around us. And as another talk has taught me, the ultimate goal of a mission and, really, a life, is to learn to not only completely give your will to God, but to reach the point where you want to do what he asks. Not just do it by obligation or duty, but because you truly want to. It is a hefty task, but it is possible. It starts in the head, and ends in the heart.

So yeah, that is the crazy stuff I have been pondering. I hope it helps ya'll out in some way! :) Until next week, hasta luego! Also, I challenge you to high five someone right now! Do it! Haha k bye.

Elder Poulson

Bry admitted this weeks pics are kinda lame.  Promised better ones next week with him actually in them.  We are sending a new camera off today!!