The other day sister haws and I found ourselves with an extra hour before our next commitment. we had no one else to visit so I said we should tract, aka knocking on doors like the typical missionaries. sister haws really doesn't like doing this, but I knew we needed to. she asked "ok well where should we go?" I had no clue. I haphazardly told her turn left, then we saw a street we had never been on so again I said "turn left!". we drove down this long street until we hit the end of the coldesak. we parked the car, said a prayer, and started on our way. i was praying so hard. I wanted to be positive and excited about it without sister haws wanting to kill me. she told me she had no testimony of knocking on doors-aka she didn't believe in it. in my head I said that needs to change. so I started to pray for her. I prayed that she would be motivated and that I would know how to best respond to the situation at hand.
I had a thought to commit to knocking on every door with a car parked in the driveway, for the street was long and our time was limited. I knew something amazing would happen if we stuck to our commitment. We learn in the scriptures that heavenly father has to fulfill his promises if we do what is right. "For I the lord am bound when ye do what I say" (D&C 82:10). I knew we could see a miracle. so we started knocking on the doors. When we were walking in the bitter southern humidity that bites you to the bone, I was trying to laugh and have a good time. I was walking quickly so we could knock all the doors, but my companion was trailing behind. when it was time to go we had gotten 2 peoples contact info to come back, which was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. There were still a few doors with cars that we hadn't knocked, and I knew I was not fulfilling my end of the deal! I had made a commitment with heavenly father, so we would have to come back.
a few days later we again found ourselves with a few extra minutes. I wanted to spend them the best way possible. we were already at the apartment eating lunch, so I knew if I didn't come up with an idea we would end up wasting that precious time. so I got down on my knees and I prayed. I prayed to know how we could best use our time and how I could lovingly motivate sister haws to get out and do something productive. shortly after a thought came into my mind that we never finished tracting that street! I was nervous to bring it up, but I knew I needed to. in a gentle manner I asked if sister haws wanted to go finish knocking those doors. I knew she didn't want to, but eventually I was able to motivate her in a calm way. when we got back to the street we started knocking. sure enough, the 2nd door we knocked on a 75 year old lady opened. I introduced us as the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I usually keep rambling on but I felt impressed to pause. She responded by saying, "They have girls now?" Not the typical thing we hear! normally it is "hi. im a southern Baptist and I am not going to change." or "I already go to church, but thank you". We soon learned this sweet lady, Edda Sullivan, had moved to Alabama at 19 to live with a host family who happened to be Mormon. she ended up joining the church, but hadn't been back since her 20s. she said she had been thinking about us and how she wanted to come back!!!!!!!! her husband, 2 kids, and 1 of her 2 grandkids have passed away. she is remarried but still lonely. we told her we knew her family would see each other again. tears filled this precious ladies eyes. she said she wanted to come to church and would love for us to come back. it was a miracle.
This one experience taught me more than I thought possible. I learned that tenacity, determination, and hard work make all the difference. I learned that our attitudes really do determine our altitude, for my positivity and optimism and craziness brought a smile to sister haws face. maybe she was thinking I was crazy, but the mood was surely lightened. but most importantly, I learned that I must do all I can do. I must seek heavens help in knowing how to interact with those around me. heavenly father saw my faith and desire to work hard. as soon as I started praying for sister haws to feel the same way I did, things worked out. it was so incredible.
I love my heavenly father and I know this gospel is real. I knew a miracle would happen, so I am honestly not that surprised that it did. I am grateful for my testimony and the experiences I am having out here. I know they are for my gain. I know I need to be here. I am thankful to change and learn and grow each and everyday, all made possible because of the Atonement. I love my savior. I feel his love. he is proud of me. he is laboring beside me. I am indeed grateful and humbled by this work, and I love it with every fiber of my being! Have a great week yall, and don't forget to smile!!!!!!
with all my love,
sister ella rae madsen
happy new years yall!!
our new years eve, I even went to bed at 10:30pm! lol. but we had to buy eggos so I could have our tradition of eating breakfast at midnight!!!!! (aka missionary version)
Glenda on her 58th birthday!
adventuring far away on the county roads to find the lost sheep! this is our precious missionary car that is SO out of place. while adventuring, we found an entire Mexican family who became alabam-ized bc the wife married a white man. 2 of the family members are members (that is how we found them), but are less active. they invited us in and all we heard was Spanish as they played bingo! but then I looked outside and saw tons of trucks and land and then heard tons of gunshots....totally normal. it was a VERY bizarre combination- traditional mexico and Alabama hick in one. so funny! hahhaha
deavon-investigators daughter!!!
sister woomer :) going to miss her as my stl!
sister bush- we are both being transferred! :(
sister barzcak - keychain lady
last sunday in the perfect Prattville ward :( sister haws is staying and is obviously happy to see me leave! hahha jk. we will surely MISS each other!
packing all my stuff aint easy.......
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