Monday, December 17, 2012

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Strengthening Testimony ~ A New Member

I love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings that come with it.  As an entrepreneur I have the joy and privilege of meeting new people all the time, many of whom inspire me to become a better person.  I want to share an experience I recently had as I met one such sister who is a new friend, business colleague, and most importantly convert in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!

Each day I leave my home with a prayer in my heart to be led by the Holy Ghost and to strive to serve others around me.  I am a strong believer in the following scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a aseason, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... which leads to why I believe that we cross paths, connect and meet others for a reason.  It's not just happen stance.  Our lives are weaved and intertwined for a reason...God knows what each of us need all the time and therefore blesses us and answers our prayers.





DAY 1: On Wednesday afternoon I stopped at a popular restaurant that I frequent often to meet with prospective business clients and partners.  I noticed a vehicle with a business logo that I was somewhat familiar with on the back and a Texas license plate which piqued my curiosity.  I went inside and made some phone calls and then left to attend other meetings.  On my way home for the evening I passed by the restaurant noticing the same vehicle there and I had a feeling to turn around and return there.  As I pulled up a man and lady walked out the front door and proceeded to talk outside of the vehicle I had seen with the business logo.  I had seen them inside earlier and decided to get out, walk over, introduce myself and ask them for a business card.
Jill, the owner of the car, was slightly stunned but graciously gave me a card and product sample.  She and I exchanged business cards and agreed to connect soon to learn more about each other's businesses and to network.  The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!

DAY 2: The next day, Thursday afternoon, I phoned Jill and to my surprise she answered saying, "Christopher, I was just dialing your number, crazy!" I asked her if she was available to meet that afternoon and learn more about my business...she said, SURE, I can meet you in an hour back at the restaurant.
We met and she told me she had just moved to SLC from Houston two or three weeks ago after going through a divorce.  She then gave me a brief summary refresher about her business that she was involved in and then I proceeded to tell her about mine.  As we were talking she said, "I notice you're wearing a CTR (Choose the Right) ring; I actually just joined the church and got baptized a few months ago."  I was now anxious and excited to hear more about her conversion story to the gospel and listened intently as she told me how it came to be.

She explained how a girlfriend had been asking her to come to church in Houston for several years and how the missionaries stopped by asking if they could mow the lawn or serve her family in various ways. Through these series of events being exposed to members she also met a skydive instructor from Utah who gave her a copy of The Book of Mormon and also invited her to church.  She told me she loves The Book of Mormon and cannot go to sleep at night without reading from it.  (I agree with her...it is my favorite book to read from as well and brings much peace, hope, and understanding.)  She also showed me pics of her baptism on her phone and said how happy it made she and her children going to church together.

I was ecstatic as I listened to her story and so I shared with her how I had the feeling to turn around the night before and to meet her.  We were both joyed to know Heavenly Father had brought us together in that moment to share testimony of prayer, gratitude, and opportunity.  
I finished telling her about my company and she was impressed with her new found knowledge and made the decision to partner with my company and I that afternoon.  She explained how all these blessings keep coming to her and she knows she is suppose to be in Utah at this time.  She fasted and prayed to move here and opportunities and blessings have been poured out the past 2-3 weeks for her.

I am very happy today as I type this knowing that Heavenly Father does lead and guide us if we ask Him to.  My testimony of prayers being answered has been strengthened immensely through this experience I've had.  I am joyful looking ahead as I have gained a new friend, business colleague, and most importantly for the strengthening of my faith and testimony knowing another sister's conversion story to the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me Jill and may our Heavenly Father continue to lead, guide, and bless you daily...

Here are a few of my favorite verses from: The Book of Mormon - GET a FREE COPY!

2 NEPHI 32: 8-9 PRAY ALWAYS

 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the aSpirit which teacheth a man to bpray, ye would know that ye must cpray; for the devil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.
 But behold, I say unto you that ye must apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall bpray unto the Father in the cname of Christ, that he will dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the ewelfare of thy soul.
Mosiah 3:19 BECOME A SAINT
19 For the anatural bman is an cenemy to God, and has been from the dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he eyieldsto the enticings of the Holy fSpirit, and gputteth off the hnaturalman and becometh a isaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a jchildksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Alma 34:32-34 PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE
 32 For behold, this alife is the time for men to bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of cthis life is the day for men to perform their dlabors.
 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so manyawitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do notbprocrastinate the day of your crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh thednight of edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful acrisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth bpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
Helaman 5:12  BUILD LIFE UPON FOUNDATION OF CHRIST
 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon thearock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your bfoundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty cstorm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
Moroni 10: 3-5   COME TO KNOW TRUTH OF BOOK OF MORMON
Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in yourchearts.
 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest thegtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.
~ C.J. Poulsen
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Thursday, December 6, 2012

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Tis the Season of Christmas



A couple of my favorite musicians invite the spirit of the season as we each reflect the TRUE meaning of Christmas and all that our Savior, Jesus Christ has done for us... This inspiring rendition is a valuable piece to share with loved ones...Take a break and invest five minutes to reflect...  May you all have a GREAT week in your many endeavors!
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Sunday, December 2, 2012

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Dare to Stand Alone

Sunday is my favorite day of the week for many reasons.  First of all, I love going to church with my family and seeing my two year old light up when he asks, "Do we get to go to church today, Daddy?"  His face beams with joy and excitement when I tell him yes!  He loves to go and see friends in nursery and learn about Jesus, the temple, and the Holy Ghost.  It brings joy and happiness to me as well when I pick him up from his nursery after our classes are over and he proceeds to tell me what he colored, drew, or made that day.  Today he made a little book about Jesus and the creation and he was super excited to show it to me and his mommy and sister when we got home...For me, church brings a lot of strength and peace to my heart.



I love partaking of the sacrament (bread and water) in remembrance of Jesus Christ and renewing the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father at baptism and in the temple.  This brings great peace and reflection, allows for personal pondering and self evaluation.  Course corrections are brought to light and a new determination is planted to do a little 'better' this week than last.

I love having a day of rest and hanging out with my family in pj's; not worrying about emails or work-related stuff for a full day.  We love to watch church films as a family, read from the scriptures, and play games.  Today we got to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and hear the prophet, Thomas S. Monson speak and testify of Jesus Christ and His birth.  His two counselors spoke as well and wonderful messages were given regarding our Savior, Jesus Christ.  This time of year is a time to count all of our many blessings.

I love learning about and sharing the gospel.  The good news (gospel) brings a lot of hope and builds my faith as I learn about Christ and His Restored gospel and church for three hours at church meetings.  Once I get home, I try to carry that same spirit and to share my testimony and gospel principles I've learned here on my blog for others to discover and read.  I hope you've enjoyed today's post!

IN a darkening world, it can be tough to stand tall for what we believe in...Where are your roots planted?  What foundation have you built to withstand the storms of adversity?

The inspirational clip above teaches how important it is to stand firm in our faith, even if it means standing alone.  Watch our modern day prophet as a young man in Navy boot camp "stand alone" and learn a great lesson...Whatever your faith is, Dare to Stand Alone ~

~ C.J. Poulsen 
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