Thats a wrap. My mission is coming to an end and this Thursday I will be back in Utah. I could not be more sad! Leaving the mission is heartbreaking, but I'm so grateful for this year and a half that the Lord has given me!
This week was good!
Highlights (except most of them were goodbyes ðŸ˜)
-We had breakfast with Brother Hinis for the last time! I love that man!
- Gail from Arlington came to take us to lunch! She gave me a cross she brought back from Israel along with a cute cross ring. I was able to give her a Book of Mormon! It was actually a miracle. I've known Gail for a long time and I've wanted to give her a Book of Mormon, but it's just never felt right! Well, it did this time and she was so happy I gave it to her . She told me she knew it was important to me and she would cherish it forever! I'm hoping she reads it!
- We went to Valerie's house and were able to do a bible study! As she prayed at the end she asked Heavenly Father to bless me in my journey and told Him she was grateful we were friends through Christ and she started to cry! Those are the moments that break my heart. We were able to do a bible study with her and her grandkids! That's what this work is all about. Val isn't ready to accept the fully restored Gospel yet, but she's on her journey!
- Romina and Suliasi came to take me out to dinner. They called Presdient Chapman and got permission to take me and multiple other missionaries out to dinner from other zones ahah love them! They took me to PF Changs and treated me like a princess. At the end they both got up and bore their testimony and the spirit filled me with the greatest feeling of love and peace. There were a lot of tears and they told me that they truly consider me one of their daughters! I'm so grateful to have my second set of parents here in Texas! Love them and what this gospel has done for them and their family!
- We got lots of new jewelry this week. Sister Brunken and Sister Casteleiro had us go through their jewelry with them and it was so much fun! Best service ever! Going over to Sister Brunken’s for the last time was bittersweet! I sure love her and her mom Joan!
- We had dinner with Sister Stanley and Casteleiro at the Cheescake Factory and boy was it yummy!
Spiritual thought: As my full time mission comes to a close, I can't help but think how grateful I am for what I've learned out here. I've learned so much about God's love and Christs Atonement. There are specific verses from the Book of Mormon that have really helped me throughout my whole mission.
3 Nephi 17:5-7
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
JESUS WILL HEAL EVERY ONE OF YOU! HE IS HERE FOR EACH OF US INDIVIDUALLY!
I plead with y’all! Follow Him! You won't regret it!
I love you all so much! I can’t express my gratitude for these last 18 months!
Forward Texas Fort Worth!
Love Y'all
Signing off - Sister Poulson
Joan
Wendy the Western wild woman and Penny the prickly pirate
The elders made a cake and brought it to district council for my funeral
(they call it "dying" when you go home)
