Monday, February 22, 2021

I Saved the Pot

 Hey yall! This week has been CRAZY! But so so good! 


Monday: So as you know from my last email, a huge storm hit here! Well, at least a huge storm for Texas lol! Anyways and our power went out along with our water! Well our cabin isn't insulated at all and we were freezing, so our Ward Mission Leader’s wife Sister Ishihara came and picked us up! She told me to bring clothes for a couple of days, but I only brought one outfit because I thought that she was probably just being dramatic!


Side note: We ended up staying until Saturday! 


Tuesday: We were at the Ishihara’s all day! We did go back to the Cabin so I could grab more stuff, and no joke there was no difference in temperature from inside and outside. We were in there for like 5 mins and I was in pain because I was so cold! We also taught Tony about the Plan of Salvation that day! He told us that he really just wants friends and that he's lonely, so we invited him to go to the church by his house that Sunday. 


Wednesday: Sister Ishihara needed something from the store, and so we went with her! Oh my goodness, it was so fun to be with the Ishihara’s! It was kinda like I had a mom again lol! I ended up getting a new journal so that was exciting! 


Thursday: We had district council over Zoom. It was a good time and we talked about the importance of Family History. Something exciting that happened that night is that Sister Ishihara was boiling some water because they put out a boiling order. After she boiled it she put a lid on the pan and it got stuck! Well, it was Brother Ishihara’s grandmas pan so he didn't want to throw it away, but we could not get it off.  So, they ended up having me smash the lid off with a hammer! We were laughing so hard! That day our power turned back on, but Sister Ishihara refused to let us go home because it was still below freezing at night. I wasn't complaining! 


Friday: We talked to Tony again about the Book of Mormon. He was telling us about how much he appreciates us and it was so nice. We hope to meet with him again. That evening we knew it was our last night at the Ishihara’s, so we played a good game of Ticket to Ride. Something I found out through that is Sister Ishihara is super competitive and will yell at you if you mess her up! It was so funny! I think she is more competitive than my mom! I was only slightly scared! Oh. also something funny that happened that day was Sister Capener was in charge of the musical number for MLC and we mixed up the times so she sang accapella in the Chick fil A drive thru! 


Saturday: That morning as payback, we offered to help the Ishihara’s clean a wedding venue they clean as a side job. It was gorgeous, and actually a lot of fun to clean. They then took us home which was depressing, but thats okay. I loved spending time at their house. When we got home we had to throw away all the food in our fridge because it had been off for so long! 


Sunday: We had a ton of meetings! We had church and Sister Capener performed a musical number with a girl in our ward. Super pretty! Since the church flooded from the storm, everyone was watching it at home, so we were like the only ones in the Chappell! Whack! 



Spiritual Thought: I was listening to an audio thing called "Missionary Work and The Atonement" I've shared it on here before.  Anyways, one thing that Elder Holland says really hit me.  He said….


 "How could we possibly bear any lasting or moving testimony of the Atonement if we have never known or felt anything of such an experience."

 

I know that Jesus Christ knows EVERYTHING we are going through. He knows each of us individually. I've come to understand this a lot more on my mission! I don't think I always realized how individual the Atonement truly is! So if you are questioning if Jesus Christ really knows you, that's okay! We all have doubts but what you need to do is get on your knees and ask Heavenly Father! He will answer! 


I love you all so much.  Have the best week! 


Sister Poulson 


The Ishihara’s dog (and my new best friend) Sox


Our intense game of Ticket to Ride


The whole Ishihara Family!

Monday, February 15, 2021

My Good Friend Trav

Okay, before I write this email let me just tell you what happened today! It is extremely cold here (2°, but is -19 with the windchill) and our power went out at 2 am. It was FREEZING!!!!  I had 5 blankets on, a hoodie, a coat, 2 pairs of socks, gloves and I was still cold! There was even ice on the inside of our windows!! Texas is not prepared for snow guys! Then to top it all off, I thought this would be an exceptional time to burn a candle even though we aren't supposed to use them. I was like “It'll be fine…what can happen?”  Well, I burned a chunk of my hair off haha! Its not too bad though! I guess that’s why we aren't allowed to have them! Luckily at noon we finally called our Ward mission Leader and now we are staying at their house until the power comes back on! Over a million homes are out of power and we are so blessed that our mission leader’s family is one of the only ones with power. Crazy memorable day/night!!


This week was really good!!


Things we did!


Monday: After P-day we had FHE with the YSA ward and we made cite valentines and a member brought four kittens! They were so cute!


Tuesday: We went to Capernaum studios to volunteer! We were out in the cold for so long and it was freezing but it was still fun! After we went to Buffalo Wild Wings with the Elders! I don’t think I’ve ever been there, but it actually was good!


Wednesday: We went to Sister Pelfry’s to help her clean her kitchen!! She was super nice and her son Deacon was adorable! We had District Council that day and everyone was making me laugh so hard it was a good time! That night we went to the Connelly’s and we bonded over knowing some of the same people! Small world!


Thursday: We had Zone Conference!! It was so good and so encouraging! I realized I only get to do a mission once and that I'll never get this back so I need to make every minute count!! I also got to see some sisters (Valenzuela, Hollingsworth, and Balls) from my last zone and I love them so much!


Friday: I was really wanting to teach someone and we had a miracle! We called this guy named Tony and he was so interested! We are now good friends with him and he wants to learn more about why he is here on earth so I'm exciting to teach him about Heavenly Fathers amazing plan!!


Saturday: We had a pretty chill day but we did get Panera for dinner which was so so good! We also were told we might go into lockdown because of the winter storms coming so we went to the store for food lol!


Sunday: We were locked inside because of the snow put mission president didn’t want us on the roads! But it did snow!! In TEXAS! I guess Utah weather just decided to follow me!

Spiritual Thought: I’m still into the Hope Works videos! This week I watched one on Service and Love! Here is the link


Lessons in Love Holly Richardson

https://media2.ldscdn.org/assets/mormon-channel/hope-works-2018/2018-11-0060-lessons-in-love-holly-richardson-720p-eng.mp4


It's so so good watch it!


She talks of a quote by Martin Luther King he says "Everybody can be great because Everybody can serve”


This is so true! Anybody can serve! Whether that service is big or small it only matters if it comes out of love! As we serve we grow closer to Jesus Christ and as we grow closer to Jesus Christ we feel more light and more love! That's the best feeling ever! At the end she gives everyone a challenge! Im giving you all the same challenge! She says to Love deeply, love broadly, and love more. As you do that God will make up the difference!!


I hope you all know how much I love you!


I'm always here if any of you need someone to talk to!! Email me anytime!


ALSO SHOUT OUT TO MY BESTIE GIRL ELINA DAY SCHARMAN! ITS HER BIRTHDAY AND SHE IS JUST SO AMAZING! LOVE YA ELLIE!


Sister Poulson



Buffalo Wild Wings


Zone Conference with the BEST!


A Funny Wall we found

SNOW IN TEXAS!!!


My Friend Travis

Food with the District

Monday, February 8, 2021

A Trip to the Urgent Care

This week was so good and so sad!! It was transfer week and I was taken out of my first area! So that is so so sad! My companion’s name is Hermana Capener and she is awesome! We live in a little city named Hudson Oaks in a little cabin. Kinda crazy, but fun.

Things that happened this week: 


Monday: We went and got Chinese with everyone and it was a blast!


Tuesday: We got to go to the temple with a recent convert. It was amazing! I loved being back inside there and feeling that special feeling. That night I said bye to all the good missionaries and people I met in Arlington. It was so sad and so hard to say bye aggg!


Wednesday: We had transfers. I said bye to my cute comps, that was a hard one! Sister Brown and Sister Chomjak have become some of my very best friends, so leaving them was so sad. I did get to meet my new comp though. We drove to Hudson Oaks and I got moved into the cabin. Wahoo! That night we went to the cutest member’s named the Estes!  By the way, I was super late to transfers because I had to go to the Urgent Care.  I have no idea how, but I got an infection in my leg that had to be opened up and drained.  It was so deep that they had to pack it and I am going to the doctors every few days to have it re-packed.  It’s looking a little better and hopefully will be able to heal soon. 


Thursday: Thursday was kind of a crazy day! In the morning we went and volunteered at a place called Capernaum Studios where they actually filmed some of "The Chosen”. If you haven't seen it, you need to!  Anyways, that was a fun time, and then we had meetings all day and went to dinner with the Dansies! 


Friday: Okay, so funny story.  On Friday we accidentally locked ourselves out of our car and our house. We were laughing so hard, but also so stressed because we had places to be.  We ended up having a maintenance guy come pick our lock with a credit card, so that’s just a tad sketch!  Anyways, he was super nice and we were able to make it to the Vestel’s home.


Saturday: We volunteered at a fundraiser that was raising money to send kids with special needs to camp. We also took Sister Adkinson to her new area in Stephenville.  She came a few days late to transfers due to covid! 


Sunday: We had church with our family ward and the YSA branch. It was a party and a half.  All the members are so amazing! The Francoms fed us that night and they are just the most loving people. It was so amazing! 


Spiritual Thought: This week I watched another "hope works" video. Here is the link 


Losing My Sister to Suicide—Hope Works

https://media2.ldscdn.org/assets/mormon-channel/hope-works-2019/2019-11-1000-losing-my-sister-to-suicide-hope-works-720p-eng.mp4


In this video she talks about how our Joy depends on our focus. This is so true! Everyone is always struggling with something.  Some people may have huge trials and others may have what looks like small trials. However, as we focus on the good things of life, that’s when we find true joy.  As we focus on the light of Jesus Christ, that’s when we really can learn and we truly can grow.  I hope you all know how much you are loved by Jesus Christ and by Heavenly Father.  Those thoughts that you aren't good enough. Don’t listen! It’s not true! Each one of you has a purpose in this life and each one of you deserve to feel that love.


Well, I love you all and if you ever need anything I’m always here.


Also, for those of you who wanted my address here it is:  

143 Center Point Rd. Apt C 

Weatherford, TX 76087


I love Y'all! 


Sister Poulson 


The Temple!


The Cute Baker Family

The New Comp!

Taking Sister Adkinson to Stephenville

The Cabin

Monday, February 1, 2021

The Real Texas Experience

This week was good! 

So transfer news came! I am leaving Arlington :,(


I'm so sad to leave all the wonderful people here, but I’m excited for what the next transfer holds! I am being transferred to the Weatherford Zone which is in the boonies, so I guess I'm about to get the real Texas experience! I am going to be a Sister Training Leader (pray for me, Im so nervous!) and my companion will be Hermana Capener! She seems super cute and I'm excited to meet her! 


Things that happened 


- I went to Arlington Charities for that last time! 


- We went to Gail’s to help her with a project!  I had to say bye to her and we both teared up! It was so sad! 


- I hit 6 months of being a missionary!  So so crazy!! It feels like I've been here my whole life, but also like I just got here. Mission time is weird!


- We had our last District Council. That was sad but we had a fun time. 


- We had exchanges this week. Sister Brown and I were with Sister Renteria. It was a party and a half! 


- We also had lunch at Vickie’s which was shocking considering she dropped us! 


Spiritual thought: I was watching a Hope Works video on Gospel Media.  The one I was watching was called "The perfect Lie" by Tiffany Webster.  It talks about how Satan loves to put a lie into our head. He tells us that the perfect equation for life is "me + more= Christlike". When what God is trying to tell us is “me + Christ= More". Life is not about being more skinny, more smart, more this, more that. What it’s really about is making Jesus Christ the center of everything we do!  As we do this, that’s when we become closer to eternal life. That’s when we feel true joy! What I invite you all to do this week is try to make Christ the center of everything you do everyday! Pray to recognize and to feel him in your life and I can promise you God will answer! 


Love you all so much! 


Sister Poulson 



The Quint dressing up like Elders. Don't ask me why..


Last District Council 


Torchy’s on exchanges!


Braum’s for 6 Months 


Tie Burning ceremony for all the people who hit 6 months because there was

 a lot of us. The Elders brought me a tie to burn so that was kind! 


  Gail’s House 


Sister Ford and I when we found out transfer news :,(