Week 24.

We showed up to an appointment that fell through, but we knew the Lord had something else for us to do. We started biking and talking to everyone we saw. All of a sudden we noticed a mom in the distance walking with 2 little boys all carrying big grocery bags. I exclaimed, "a family!" and we quickly flipped a U-ie. We asked them if we could carry their groceries in our baskets and we got to talking. The mom, Sharica, moved here 2 years ago from Memphis. She has been through it all, including being forced her into prostitution at age 12 in order to get money for food. While living the "bad girl life", she always knew she was a "different bad girl". She always feared God, not Satan/man. She eventually realized she needed to take a leap of faith and get away. She moved to Corinth knowing nothing. 

When we met her she said, "You don't know how much it means that I met y'all today. You are the friendliest people I've met in 2 years. I rarely leave the house because it is so dangerous but today something just told me I needed to." Needless to say, she came to church 2 days after we met! At church Markease, her 5 year old son, turned to her and said, "Mom. I knew we would find our family."

The moment her son said that Sharica knew it was true. She knew God had answered her prayers and led her to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. She has been fighting for 2 years to do what is right, with no family, friends, or money. She stays in the house all day because she lives in a bad part of town. I know God led us to Sharica and her 2 sons, CJ and Markease.

I don't know how to describe it, but I feel a different type of connection to Sharica than I have to anyone else. She is a very special strong spirit. I know we knew each other before coming to earth. It is really crazy and I've never felt this way before, but I know I was supposed to meet her. It was predestined. She said, "girl, you and I have some spiritual thing going on here. Whenever you talk I just cry."

I am deeply humbled and so grateful I was able to listen to the subtle prompting to notice them in the first place. If I hadn't promptly followed, Sharica would still be living in confinement with no help. She would not have found the truth. She would not have found her family. I love being a missionary more than words can describe. The work is real. The power is real. I know with perfect clarity that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth, and I am eternally thankful.

All my love and amazement at the goodness of God,

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

 Sister Bryant and I driving to Iuka, the dinkiest little town ever! had to stop and take a pic with the field!

 Sisters Restaurant! Had to document!

Ms. Sarah Spencer. My favorite little old lady who has blue eyes. Gorgeous. She is getting baptized Saturday!! (my first official baptism, well Gods, but first person I've taught!! yay!)

 Bonnie!! She made us chicken casserole and chocolate pie this week! Such a gem!

Sharica!!! She was SO EXCITED to get the Book of Mormon! She taught me how to throw up the "deuces" hahhahha

Week 23!

Yesterday I had one of the most powerful experiences of my mission. Two months ago Sister Schwendiman and I saw a lady smoking a cigarette sitting on a bench. We started talking and soon learned she was a Mormon, but hadn't been to church since 1982. Yesterday Bonnie came to church. I can't possibly explain the pure joy I felt. We have been visiting her since mid January, trying to help her rediscover the light she used to feel. She had made a new years resolution to go to church every Sunday, was attending a non denominational church with her daughter, but knew there had to "be something more". We helped her start reading the Book of Mormon again. She soon remembered the happiest period of her life was when she was active in the Mormon church. Yesterday at service Bonnie told me she was "home".

  

As I sat next to her in church I felt God's love SO strongly. I was overwhelmed with the spirit. My heart burned as with a glowing fire. My eyes were filled with tears of the purest, most real, lasting, peaceful joy I have ever felt. I learned for myself that these scriptures are true: "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10) and "if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15).

I learned Heavenly Father values each individual person more than we can even imagine. Amongst the billions of people living on earth, the simple fact that I had helped ONE person find the truth again meant the world to God. I felt like everything I'd done for the past 5 months as a missionary was worth it. All the effort, work, stress, diligence, exhaustion, obedience, struggles, doubts, confusions, etc. were ALL worth it. Bonnie learned God has a plan for her. Even though she has been gone for 30 years, it is never too late to turn your life around. God had miraculously led us to her on that bitter January day, and she remembered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is where she belongs.

Have a wonderful week my dear friends. The JOY IS REAL, and I have tasted it! I love being a missionary!

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

 Sister Bryant and I were accidently matching with our polka dots!!! So fun!

 ROB MORSE SENT ME HOMEMADE PESTO VIA MAIL. Absolute best moment of my life. Ate it with a spoon right then and there. Also, TRISH MORSE sent me a package this week with perfect organic delicious smelling high quality soap and chapstick, my favorite bars, and the kindest letter ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE! I love you Morse's and appreciate you more than you'll ever know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 random EMU we found on the side of the road! hahah it had red eyes, so cool!!

 stunning Mississippi sunset!

gorgeous sunset on the most beautiful day of sunshine and bike riding!!

Week 22.

Monday night we went to go visit our neighbors Danielle and Chris. We locked up our bikes and knocked on the broken screen door. Danielle answered with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. She said "we ain't doin' anything but y'all are welcome in". In we went. We all sat around the coffee table staring at the candle burning while Pandora was bumping through the tv and smoke was wafting through the air. Danielle is a cute 20 year old white girl who lives with her boyfriend Chris, a 30 year old black man with tattoos and freckles.  Danielle comes from a broken family and earlier that day her dad called and put his phone on speaker. He had all his old men friends over drinking and laughing as they yelled into the phone, "your daughter is a n****r lover. HA ha haha." Her father does not approve of her being with a black man.

As we listened to Danielle's depressing life we felt prompted to read from the Book of Mormon. I opened to one of my favorite scriptures in 2 Nephi 26:33, which reads, "the Lord inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." We testified that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He does not judge us based on our appearance. We helped her realize that Jesus Christ has already suffered the pain she feels, so she can turn to Him with her troubles. 

Just as peace started to fill the room we see a light beam through the window. Danielle quickly went outside because she realized it was her father. He had been calling her nonstop but we were studying the word so she didn't answer. As she stood on the porch confronting her dad my heart ached. She desperately exclaimed, "What are you doing here?...Why do I live here?! Because I love him! I can't help who I love! ... And I don't understand why momma still lives with a man who beats her. And you are a drunk-look at you right now! You are always intoxicated! Go! Just leave." As she fought back the tears I did too. It felt surreal.

I don't fully understand why some peoples lives are infinitely harder than mine. But as I talk to more and more people I realize we all have a cross to bear. Life is not easy, nor was it ever meant to be. We all face challenges in order to help us grow. When Danielle came back inside we listened to her troubled heart. We testified of the peace Christ offers. In the Bible Jesus said, "Peace I leave you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). No matter what we go through in life, if we cast our burdens at Christ's feet we will feel the reality of His love. His peace will fill our hearts and He will give us strength to move on.

I know Jesus Christ lives. I know He knows us individually and by name. He knows our hearts perfectly. Turn to Him. Trust Him. As you do so, comfort and peace will flood into your life. I love my Savior and am humbled to be His servant.

All my love and gratitude

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

 Michelle-my dear friend at church :)

 Michelle's hilarious husband Jeff! He thought my outfit was the ugliest thing ever...hahha!!!

 The Hermanas and Michelle and I. I love the Corinth Ward! So much color and uniqueness and love!!

  Exchanges with Sister Wilson!!! We had a blast. I love her. She is from Provo and knows all my friends. YAY.

Sister Bryant got her bicycle!! Whoo hoo!!