Week 52: Park

Sister Nelson and I were together in Leeds and wanted to do something fun! We tried to do chalk drawings at the park to teach about where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going, but no stores had chalk! So we started knocking doors! After a long time, we didn't have any success. We tried to stop by a few peoples home and no one was there. Alas we felt inspired to go to the park!

 

We pulled into a different entrance that we'd never been in, said a quick prayer, and got out of the car. We started talking to 2 sweet ladies next to us and explained how we help people find peace and purpose. As we reached out to shake Jennifers hand, tears started streaming down her cheeks. Her bright blue eyes and blonde hair shined in the sun as she explained how God sent us to her. She said, "I was praying on my way to the park and I need what y'all have. I just moved here because my husband is abusive and we are getting a divorce. I'm looking for a good church to raise my son in." 

 

We opened the Book of Mormon and helped her feel comfort. We read about good people (like Jennifer) who find themselves in a difficult place. In the story the wicked people don't allow the Godly people to worship. They give them laborous tasks and threaten death. The good people are so confused...they are doing what is right yet life is unfair and hard....so they start praying for relief. The Lord hears and answers their prayers, and their burdens are made light. We learn God "visits his people in their afflictions" (Mosiah 24:24). Jennifer, a good person, has been through some heavy things, causing her to be weighed down. In her moment of desperation, Jennifer prayed for help. Meanwhile, Sister Nelson and I were praying to find someone who needed us. God brought us together.

 

I know God is aware of us. He knows exactly what we think and how we feel. He loves us. He wants the best for us. We witnessed a miracle because of His goodness!!

 

I am loving Alabama more and more everyday. This is the land of dreams!!

Love,

Sister Madsen

we found this at the park! it is a "free library" so we put a Book of Mormon in it! So artsy and fun!

 

blue bell ice cream. 50 cent scoops. heaven on earth.

just some friends at Bible study!! hahah so fun!

 

homemade chicken wings with anastasia!! she is the coolest lady ever and just got baptized this weekend in talladega! 

the best district ever!!!! love em all!

 

biking over the gorgeous freeway with the beautiful sunset!! going to miss this girl and place!!

Bro. Jesse Macks daughter! Sweetest soul ever!!!

We met some hilarious and awesome college kids who go to Alabama! They were talking our ears off and it was the best! Love the southern friendliness!

Bro. Mack was baptized!!!!!!!

 

Everyone in attendance :)

He was soooooo happy! It's amazing to see his demeanor change! He said when we first started teaching him he was depressed, now he is full of peace! He has been searching for this peace for a long time! He was so grateful and full of joy after being baptized! He said he had never felt so good in his entire life!!

guess who I was for the ward fall festival?!?!?

dorothy and scarecrow!! we thought of this idea while setting up the festival...drove to the only thrift store in Leeds and they had these PERFECT things! we did a little chopping and prepping-fully ready to go in 20 minutes! so fun!!

trunk or treating with totos basket!!!!!! SUCH A PARTY! 

saying bye to everyone!! going to miss MerryAnn and Katie and Madeline!!

 

 

Brother Nicola :)

hahhaha oh Loretta. She was balling and I couldn't help but laugh! God is in control! I am at peace! I love her SO much!

sister black. i love her.

 

she started to tear up and it was the most precious moment of my life. 

Bro. Mann our ward mission leader laughing about how my handshakes always kill his hand! hahha classic!

our friend Mesha!! She is the cutest, kindest coolest girl ever! check out her rad hair! loving it!!!!

 

going to miss Brother Gause too!! so many great people here!!

the dream team.

WE LOVE EACH OTHER!!!!!!!!!!!! So sad to leave Sister Platt!! So many laughs. So many miracles.

bye bye friends!!! thanks for all the delicious southern meals!!!!!

Week 51: Something Different

Friday night we taught Bro. Jesse Mack, our 70 yo intellectual, curious, and fun black friend. There we sat in his humble home with an older couple-the Martins- from our church in Leeds. We taught about the temple. They totally clicked because the Martins have a son who passed away in his 30s in a car accident, Bro. Mack has a son who drowned in his 30s. Bro. Martin has a sister with special needs, Bro. Mack lives alone with his daughter who has special needs. The lesson was perfect for him because the temple is a place to feel the closeness of families and feel peace regarding those who have passed on.

 

The next day we stopped by Bro. Macks home to say hello and he wasn't there. A minute later he pulled in, got out of his car, and asked, "guess where I've been?" With the biggest smile I've seen this man make he exclaimed, "at the TEMPLE!!!"

 

We were so shocked. It hadn't even been 24 hours since we first taught him about the temple. He felt something good in the lesson that sparked his desire. Therfore, he woke up the very next day and drove himself to Birmingham. He walked around the grounds, took pictures, and talked to people in the waiting room. He tried to describe his experience and couldn't even put it into words.

 

He recounted, "the temple is a place of peace. that is a fact. I felt something different there that I've never experienced. It was like the world didn't even exist. My mind was clear and the haze was gone. I could actually think for once. Everyone needs to go there. I will definitely be going back."

 

Bro. Mack recognizes the peace and joy of God's goodness and is changing because of it. With a chuckle in his voice he said, "y'all are changing me, you don't even know!"

 

We are not changing him, God is! He is a happier than ever, and so are we!!!

 

Love y'all!

Sister Madsen

Week 50: Change Ain't Strange

In my day I've heard many people say, "you can't change. people are the way they are. there is nothing you can do about it." If there is anything I've learned on my mission, it's the falseness of those statements. I know for a fact that people CAN and DO change. This week I've seen many of those changes manifest in the people we are working with.

 

Nicole: went from a drug addiction to living the Mormon lifestyle. She has given up all her worldly ways for the gospel. At church someone asked her, "are you visiting?" and she replied, "no! I'm here to stay!" She expressed how she knows what she's been taught is true because of the way it makes her feel. She's never been happier.

 

Jesse Mack: He thanked us for our teaching because of the positive changes he has noticed in himself. He smiles more, is less defensive, and has more patience. He feels something different and loves it. 

 

Bro. Simmons: He hasn't been to church in years, and told us a month ago he wouldn't come until he 'found what he was looking for'. He realized he was looking beyond the mark, and remembered the joy he had years ago. On Sunday his ransmission went out, so he walked to church. It took an hour.

 

These changes are real and these changes are big. So what motivates someone to change?

 

The answer comes in Mosiah 5:2.

"We KNOW of their surety and TRUTH, because of the SPIRIT of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty CHANGE in us, or in our hearts."

 

The spirit is feelings of peace, joy and happiness that sink deep into our hearts. We feel it when we are doing good things-reading scriptures, going to church, praying, and serving others. It makes us happy, so we want to keep doing those things. As we do, our natures are changed. Change is the gospel I'm teaching.

 

And hey, change ain't strange! In fact, that's exactly why we are on earth! To learn, to grow, to develop. To stop making mistakes and to learn from the past. In essence, to become better each and everyday.

 

I know I've changed on my mission because I avoid speaking ill of others.I appreciate and embrace differences. I love a lot deeper and know everyone has a story to explain how they became the way they are. I want to serve others every chance I get. I think less about myself. I'm happier. I'm more confident. I'm feel more at peace. And that is why I loveeeeeeeee being out here!!!

 

Make it a great week and go improve!

Sister Madsen

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on exchanges with sister shattuck!

found this car seat on someones front porch! hahha how I love the south!

sweet Sister Jackson who drove us far away for our appointment!

the first stages of doing family history....

the end result of family history!!! hahah it really does bring happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

old man who stopped to help Sister Stiles with her stuck skirt....hahah! souther hospitality at its finest!

Walmart. Jesus. what more could you ask for? i love the southern lifestyle!!!

 

Nicole looking beautiful at church!!!!!!!

Love these girls!!

Brother Simmons! He WALKED to church. Now that is some dedication!!!

Sister Reeves!! She has been in the Leeds Ward for years...back when it only had a few members and was a tiny branch! bless her heart! She is Charles Barkleys aunt. nbd.

real home cooked southern bbq. we made our own sweet potato fries!!!! YUM!