Hello from Newport News!

Last pic with Franklin district

Hello from Newport News!

Lots of stuff happened this week, I'll start with me saying goodbye to Franklin... Sad day! But it's one of my favorite things to meet other latter-day saints here in VA so it's a bitter sweet thing :) The last thing we did there was help downtown to fill Easter eggs for the big hunt they are going to have, I totes forgot to get a pic of the HUGE mess we made but just picture candy eggs and wrappers everywhere... SO MANY EGGS. And so much candy... I'd be lying if I said I didn't eat any... :) The C family brought pie to bible study class to send Elder Gibbons and I off, it was sooo sweet! Pics to come!

New Apartment

Then I was off to Portsmouth to be with Sister Everett in Newport News!!! WOW this is probably my last area y'all by the way... crazy. We sure were busy! We had back to back appointments and didn't eat lunch till like 4 so... yeah that's our lives right now! But it's cool! We drove over a HUGE bridge [see more about the Bridges here]  to get there, it's such a cool city! There is a HUGE gorgeous university here to it's a busy college town, reminds me of Logan a bit... but lots more cars :) It's been pretty cool! I have not taken too many pics sorry but I will this week... well actually this week is also insane busy so I can't promise that... we have a lot of leadership stuff we gotta do. Meetings and such. But that's okay, I forgot how much I like being a leader and helping my fellow missionaries! It's reminding me of being drum major... good times!

My first night we totally set a baptismal date with someone though! The work here is totally cooking! Lots of people on date (one in 2 weeks) and they are solid! WE have lots of recent converts too, and both of them are the ones we have their friends and sister on baptismal date, wow working with members is totally the best!! Super good work here, lots of potential, it's pretty different from Franklin! But both areas were still amazing, just in their own ways :) Sister Everett is boss at teaching and talking to everyone too so that's really getting the missionary spirit pumped in me! She is stellar, we are gonna have a blast! Pics to come for sure :)

Sister P's new ward meetinghouse

I have been dropped right into chaos though... our ward boundaries are being changed right now. The whole stake is being switched up. So everyone has been released form their callings and we have been trying to figure out what parts we are in now... it's been crazy! There used to be 2 NN (Newport nNws) wards and 1 branch. But it has turned back into 1 ward, and half went to the Hampton Ward and half to Yorktown... it's been stressful trying to hand our investigators and such over to the elders but it has worked out! They lots a lot of people they were working with so it's sad for them :( But the missionaries will still be teaching them to that's good! So for the next few weeks while people are being re-called to the bishopric we are only having 2 hours of church. It's gonna be interesting, but kind of a fresh start too! New Beginnings!

The across the street neighbors

There was also (don't freak out mom) a tornado watch/warning in our area... the clouds got super green and the rain was heavy... but the tornado actually ended up touching down in Virginia beach, in Kempsville! So we were in the clear, and nothing was really damaged any way to all was well. IT was intense for a minute though and we had to go home and hunker down just in case. It was a blessing we were with a member that got the notification because I phone didn't get it. God is good :)

Wasn't General Conference SOOO good!?! I always say that but I was paying special attention because it's my last one on the mission! SO many of the talks totally hit home for me and answered my questions! I noticed they talked about the Living Christ a few times, I'm totally gonna study that!

[Here is the link to this beautifully written testimony:  The Living Christ]

 Also about it talked a lot about strengthening families for eternal life. SO good! Which goes perfectly into my thought for the week:
On this day, March 3, Elijah the prophet appeared to Joseph Smith in the temple and gave him the power to bind families together forever. He gave him probably the greatest gift God has ever given (besides the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ as our Mediator). I feel to blessed and humbled this day. Because of that, I KNOW without a doubt that I will be with my family together forever, that is my greatest joy in life. It is what keeps me going every day. Sorry fam, you're stuck with me! But let's all say a quick thank you prayer to our all loving Father in Heaven for this gift today, and always.

Phew this next week is going to be CRAZY I'm telling  ya! Deep clean our apartment tomorrow... a big 6 hour meeting for us leaders on Wednesday... weekly planning and preparing for zone conference (not excited to stand up and talk in front of people)... then Friday is zone conference and our investigator is getting his baptismal interview... WOW. But The Lord has been helping us find people to teach and it has been so wonderful. I love this area for that because it has been a while! He is so good and so mindful of us.

LOVE Y'ALL! Be blessed, and catch ya next week!
Sista Poulsen

p.s.  ALSO SAW SISTER SMITH AND SISTER MERRILL IN PORTSMOUTH!!!  She is training so its her baby, she's the mom and i'm the grandma... 3 generations baby! Now her greenie just needs to train in 2 transfers so I can have a great grandchild! HAHAH

Bonus from Question Email:

Q: Can you tell us a little about being a Sister Training Leader?
A: Sister Everette and I are over 3 sets of sisters, one being Spanish speaking. I love them already!! We are over 2 zones... We work in Newport News, but could travel up to Jamestown to be with the other zone. I will be in different areas at 3 times though to help with the other sisters in their training and work and stuff.

Q: Will you still be finding and teaching your own investigators?
A: We still will do TONS of finding! We are talking to, like, everyone we see on the street. We are busy with meetings and such so we try to cram as much proselyting in as possible. ITS CRAZY BUSY AHHH but it's cool :)

Q: so you finally went over the bridge that you were worried about - the one with the tunnel, right?.  How was it?
A: It did have a tunnel! 2nd underwater tunnel I've been through, super cool! It was kinda scary but I tried to occupy myself with the cool ship yards and huge boats :) It was chill.

Q: Will you be able to see some neat tourist-y spots on P-day?
A: We went to this cute christian store this morning, it was basically Deseret book it was awesome! WE are going to the beach too some time so that will be fun!

Running into Sister Smith and her greenie!