June 25, 2012 E-mail

Hello,

I'm doing good out here. I am staying in Crossville for another six weeks; I am still with the same companion.  We had a baptism this Saturday. It was really good, we went all out on it and it worked out. 

So a funny thing - I said the baptisimal prayer and baptized her. Afterwards I pulled the plug so the font could drain then got out and went to change. Just as I was tying my tie the 2nd counsler in the stake presidency came in and said that I did it wrong and had to re-do it. So I hurried and got back in to my wet clothes and went back out and the font is really low, just below my knees. Katlin is about 5'9" so not too short but anyways, somehow we got her all the way under the water and it was right the second time ;).   I had said having been commisond by Jesus Christ instead of having been commissoned of Jesus Christ. So it's important to say it right...  Then after that we moved a baby grand piano so it was a successful day.

So how is every one back home ? I am doing well. I am still getting attacked by bugs and have a lot of fun stories. Everyday is a grand adventure. Last week we went caving in sparta with a bunch of other elders and found out that it's always best to ask if someone is clostrophobic before you let them crawl down a tight tunnel..its always best. Anyway, that went a lot better then expected.

I came across this guy in the ward named James Kendrick. He's been a member for 5 years.  He is the funniest man alive. All we do is poke fun at each other.  He is also the assistant ward mission leader so we are around him a lot. lol. I still have not even been around our ward misson leader he is a less active guy, go figure right? They are starting to keep missionaries in areas for 6 to 9 months. That's a long time and Crossville has a lot of potential. This ward is fun, everyone loves us, I am out here to have a lot of fun and the members really like that.  We are still having ice cream partys. The worlds biggest tree house is here, that's cool.
Love,
Caleb

June 11, 2012‏ E-mail

Hello,

I got the two birthday packages. We made the cake and melted all the candles into the icing before I could blow them out. Thanks for the knife it's really cool but always falls out of my pockets. The first thing I did with the knife was rub it on my arm and guess what? I have a really big bald spot on my arm, found out you can shave with it. :) Thanks a bunch for the package.

So everything summed up: I am still in Crossville and everyone is still old here. We are working with Katlin for June 23. Everything is going smooth there.

This past week we were in McMinville most of the week. Lots of driving. My companion drives and has got the worst reaction time I have ever seen, so it's an act of faith just to ride with him... ;)

Marquee board of the week: "7 days without prayer makes one weak".

We have been seeing a lot of people and they are always saying come to our church, so last night we went to central baptist church. It was pretty cool. All they talked about there was donating money to the building fund, they wanted everyone to donate $1,500 to $6,500 a month - that is on top of their tithing of 10% - seems a little much considering they already have a building that's truly huge. It's like New York Yankees stadium big... they have already received $6,750,000.00 for their building so far this year. It's really big business out here, but they did have a good rock band.

Lots of love,
Elder Poulson

June 5, 2012‏ E-mail

I am doing really good. So since we first got here in Crossville I have talked with this guy at church and made good friends with him and his wife. So they have been having us over for dinner every other week with their family. But any ways they are all members except Katlin, his wifes daughter. She is 15... but any ways she has decided that she wants to be baptized (this happened friday) so we are now teaching her, she wants to be baptized on the 23 of June. Yesterday we hade zone play day in Mcminville (MaC-mun-vuLL) so thats why I'm emailing today. So Crossville - a little about it - it's famous for it's baptist churches and for being the most racist people in the United States. They had their last hanging of a black in the mid 1980's. They are all so proud of running all of the Jehovas wittnesses out of the county. It's an interesting place, I have really started to like it here though. Right now we are focused on the younger people of the area. All of the older generation is too set in their ways. Everything is moving along. Love, Caleb