Christmas 2013

December 25, 2013 about 1:10 MST Elder Poulsen got to Skype home! 

It was so fun to "see" him and talk with him.  What a happy, fun missionary he is. He told us what he's been up to, what he has eaten (gaining 25 pounds), and he got in a little trouble with Grandma Olsen.  You see, grandma sent Christmas gifts early wanting to make sure they weren't lost in the mail and he didn't get them in time.  Well, Elder Poulsen and his companion were invited to the Wade families' home and Sister Wade took some pictures that apparently she "promised" she wouldn't send home until after Christmas.... We got the pictures and Elder Poulsen is wearing this awesome hoodie (very handsome) and after closer inspection.... yep, you guessed it... it is the awesome hoodie that grandma and grandpa Olsen sent to him for CHRISTMAS!!! Much to grandma's dismay.  As you can imagine grandma had a little something to say to the missionary who "promised" not to open his gifts early.  I guess we will see next year when he gets his gifts.  It might be January or February. ~snicker~

All cousins gathered round and had a chance to talk with Elder Poulsen.  They asked lots of questions and we all had a great time chatting with him. 

He spoke to us in Russian and Samoan.  Languages that he is learning on his split days with the district leaders.  He honestly sounded like he had spoke both languages for a while.  He is excited to learn and is hoping to be transferred sometime to an area where he can use what he's learn and learn even more. 

Elder Poulsen is working hard and looking for opportunities to serve every day. They are visiting many, many less active families and trying to bring the joy of the season and especially the gospel back into the lives of those families. He and his companion are not giving up.  Everyday they work a little harder and looking a little more for people who are ready to hear the gospel. 

Transfers are coming soon, we'll have to wait and see what lies ahead for Elder Poulsen. 

Thanks for all the love, prayers, letters, packages for him.  He appreciates everyone. 

Priesthood Blessings

       Elder Poulsen has been in Fairbanks 1st ward for a little over a week now.  He is already having great experiences and meeting some new people to teach. 

     One experience has been very powerful for him this week and I'd like to share it.  This is from his email home on October 21, 2013. 

"A member was killed in a plane crash the first day I moved to this ward and they called us and asked if we could give a blessing to his wife and his son. His son was in the plane and broke both ankles and ruptured his spleen and liver. We gave them both blessings. He was in the room with us when we blessed his wife. It was really hard because I met him my first exchange on my mission. They gave us dinner. Wonderful family. But that moment I felt like the room get really small and someone was with us when we gave her that blessing. biggest spiritual moment of my life. I was hurting giving that blessing, I don't really know why."

     We are so blessed to have Elder Poulsen serving and be worthy to offer this sweet lady and her son comfort and healing through the priesthood. He has been blessed everyday by the Spirit to testify and bring light to those who are looking.  



     

Made it to Alaska

Elder Poulsen made it to Alaska on the 22nd of July.  Here is a picture of him just as he arrived at the airport. He wrote a quick one line email that said he made it and he loves President Beesley and his wife. 

After spending the night at the mission home and a day of training in Anchorage, Elder Poulsen headed out to Fairbanks with Elder Gullerud as his companion.  They are in a new area and neither of them know the area well. They are working hard to find investigators and get the area started.  They attended the Fairbanks 2nd Ward on Sunday.  Elder Poulsen was impressed with a talk on humility during that meeting.  

He says he will be sending photos and some voice recordings home soon. 

If you'd like to drop him a line you can send a letter to:


3250 Strawberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99502

He would love to get letters from everyone!

MTC Adventures

    Elder Poulsen has been in the MTC now for 8 days.  He wrote that at first he wasn't sure he had a reason to be there, but the MTC President called him in and called him to be a zone leader. The President told him that "an apostle had called him and told him that the new called leaders were special.  They made a promise in heaven to come to the MTC right then and be leaders for the eternities." Obviously, Elder Poulsen has already had some powerful experiences and no doubt there will be many more over the net 2 years. 

    Elder Poulsen will fly out on July 22nd.  If you would like to drop him a line before he leaves you can go to dearelder.com and write him a letter.  They will deliver it to the MTC or the address is:
                              
                                Elder Chandler Poulsen
                                JUL22    AK-ANC
                                2011 N. 900 E.  Unit 268
                                Provo, UT   84602

    After the 22nd you can drop him a line at:

                                 Elder Chandler Poulsen
                                 3250 Strawberry Road
                                 Anchorage, AK  99502

    We are waiting for pictures (I'm sure there will be many) and I will post as soon as possible. 

    Our family would like to thank everyone who supports Elder Poulsen.  Prayers are heard and felt.  Thank you so much!