The end, and the begining 🇵🇪

 My heart is so full. I don't know quite what to say... but here are some thoughts. 

I remember the day I got to Perú standing on the roof alone and looking out at what at that time seemed like another world. I wanted to get on the plane and go right back to my comfortable world. I was so incredibly nervous, scared and uncomfortable. I wish I could go back, put my arm around myself and tell myself the love that I would have for this place, these precious people, and for the restored gospel that I would share for two years. 

Motupe, Jaén, Chiclayo (Imperio and José Olaya), Pomalca, Chachapoyas, and Ferreñafe will always have sacred places in my heart. It was there that I learned and grew and came to understand invaluable truths about myself, about God, and about others 

I can't properly put into words my love for Chiclayo. I think the most precious things in life are the things we have to learn to love. I have always loved it here, but being honest it took me a good while to learn to love certain aspects , but now those things are just beautiful parts of what makes this place my favorite place on earth. Siempre me creeré chiclayanito. Más peruano que la (y el) papa. 

They really were the best two years. The most valuable. The hardest. The happiest. The saddest. The most stretching. The most fun. The most spiritual. The most crazy. The simplest, yet most complex. The funniest. And they were worth every single second. But I have made the promise to myself that although these two years will always have a special part of my heart, I will not be the best version of myself yet. I have not peaked. I still have a lot to learn, to do, to acomplish. Up until now they have the best years of my life but I vow that it will not be the ending point. Everything I have learned I will apply to continue growing and changing. My disciplship is not ending, it is starting, and I vow to continue throughout the rest of my life refining that discipleship and trying to be more like my savior. 

My time as a missionary means everything to me. I am excited to always look back at these two years with a thankful heart for this time, these people, and this land. I will leave a piece of my heart here and take a piece of Chiclayo in my heart. 

I have met so many incredible people over the last 2 years. Every single one of which made up a beautiful piece of the puzzle of my mission. I am thankful for the members of every ward and branch that I served in, my pensionistas, every single one my companions, the people that we taught and baptized, the people that we taught and didn't baptize, the people that invited us into their houses, and the people that slammed their doors in our faces, Presidente and Hermana Guiria, two of the greatest individuals I have ever met, the people that sold fruit to me, the mototaxi/combi drivers, the drunk guys that yelled "ELDERES" and then thanked us for our service, etc. But the person that I have met on a more deeper and personal level is my savior. He was there reaching out to lift me out when I felt like I was burried in a 50 foot pit, and to humble me when I felt like I was on the top of the world. My relationship with him has strengthened and my understanding of his sacrifice has deepened. I know that he shed drops of blood for me, and these 2 years are a pitifully small gift that I have given him back to thank him for what he did for me. 

I bare my testimony of a an all powerful God. And of his perfect son. What Christ did in the garden of Gethsemane, on the cross at Calvary, and after tree days leaving the tomb have the power to change our lives and our very identity. In 1820 a boy Joseph Smith humbly prayed. As an answer to this prayer God the Father and his Son appeared to him and talked with him. I testify of the divinity of the prophetic call of the prophet Joseph. The Book of Mormon was brought to light to bring us additional knowledge and understanding of our savior. It is a true. President Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God. God's voice on earth. Preisthood keys have been restored to bring us power and light, and to seal families together forever. The temple is the house of the Lord, and what we do there is just as important to us now as it will be into the eternities. The Lord will come again in glory. I look forward to the day when I can kneel down before him and praise his holy name. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christs restored church. This is the greatest work. I love my savior and testify of his love, mercy, justice, and perfection, in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, amen. 

It seems fitting to end with my mission scriptures. These scriptures have always been special to me, but now they seem to be just a little more sweet. 

Alma 36

24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors; 

26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God. 

27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me. 

28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever

I will see you all on thursday. I get home around noon and would love to see everyone in the airport. Shoot my mom a text for details. I will also be speaking with my brother Max in sacrament meeting this Sunday. 

One last time, 

Élder Pohlman 🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪

Misión Perú Chiclayo

July 2023-July 2025

The end, and the begining