Week 56: That Last Door

 

Monday night all of our appointments cancelled. It was 27 degrees outside. We didn't have anyone we felt like we should visit. Struggling to know what to do, we discussed as a companionship. Long story short, we decided to knock on some doors!!

 

We met a lot of uninterested people and got plenty of doors shut in our faces...yet we KNEW there would be one person to let us in. God works miracles in response to our faith and work-and we had both!! As we got to the end of the road a man named Andy answered. A goofy guy in his 30s wearing a graphic tee that he made (he's an artist). We explained who we were and what we were doing, but he just seemed confused. Despite his blank stares we boldly asked to come in and share a message. He agreed. We met his 10 year old son Cason who loves gaming and baseball. I don't know what changed but as soon as we got inside they were both super open to hearing what we had to say. We expressed our feelings of gratitude and love for the gospel.... the happiness and purpose and confidence it's given us. Andy wants to follow God and is willing to act on truth he finds. We told him it was no coincidence that we met him, because we have exactly what he needs! But of course, we are only here to invite. People must come to the knowledge for themselves through prayer and study.

 

Therefore, we invited Andy to ask God for himself. Despite the heaps of dog and cat hair on the carpet we kneeled to pray. Andy offered a beautiful prayer asking to know if what we taught was real and true. In that moment we all felt the love, peace and reality of God. Since then we've been able to teach Andy and Cason many great lessons. They came to church and Cason had friends from his school class there!!! They had a great time.

 

Moral of the story: Even when you are tired, not in the mood, freezing, or unmotivated.....work anyways. Believe the effort you are putting in now will benefit you in the long run. Remember, the rainbow comes after the rain. The championship win comes after hours of sweat and hard work. The miracles come after we step out on the water, trusting God will uphold us.

 

"Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6)

 

I know this to be true because I see it everyday. I absolutely LOVE my mission and wish everyone could experience the things I do! There is nothing that compares to the joy and happiness and excitement I feel!!!!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL!!! I am so grateful for everything in my life!!!!

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

love this girl so much!!!

 

making empanadas with our Venezuelan friend!!! my hair looks uber red here.....I promise it's not this bad in real life!! hahha

just strolling into our gated apartment complex that has a beautiful pond and willow trees!!! I LOVE it here so much!

collecting our mail and taking self timer pics! hahha

this man is a less active member of the church who we randomly met biking through a parking lot!!!! he bought us these hats to keep us warm!!!!!!!! ok for reals, this is the scariest picture of the hair. the flash was on....yikes!!!! but I couldn't resist sending this moment home!

bundling up for this biting weather!!!!!!! watch out Alabama!  

all the missionaries in our zone put this together-it has nice things written on it from everyone!! and they baked us muffins! whaaaat this is the best zone ive ever been in!!! so precious!!

just one of my favorite little girls I met this weekend!

and her precious ginger brother who now looks like my twin!!!!!!! hahhahahahha

super cute little things we made for all of our sisters! we wrote notes on the back and are baking them pumpkin chocolate chip muffins today!!! yaayy so fun!

if you have not noticed....I DYED MY HAIR!!!!!!

we helped out at this high school art fair show thing and our friend was also performing there! so fun!

oh yes....with my broken umbrella someone we know gave me

Week 55: Tender Mercies

"The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith." (Book of Mormon pg. 3) That is beautiful and so true!! This week has been full of them.

 

Tuesday: Biking down the highway we noticed 2 workers building a fence, so we veered off to talk to them. One was named Caleb, a 22 yo boy looking for truth. In a 3 year time span he went to 45 different churches, trying to find one that felt right! The other was Lupe, a Hispanic man who my companion was able to teach in Spanish!

 

Wednesday: We met a black lady in the sports store. The words "family history" came to mind so we asked, "we know this is random, but have you ever done your family history?"  she looked at us with a smile a said, "you know what. that is so funny you ask. I've been trying to find more information on my grandpa who served in WWII."

 

Wednesday Afternoon: we saw a beautiful older lady dressed in the classiest cutest outfit-she looked like my mom so we had to talk to her. She is a Mormon!!!!! She hasn't been to church in years but said she would love to have us over.

 

Sunday: we had an hour before our dinner and it was pitch black and pouring rain. we decided to get our game on and knock doors! the 2nd door was a cute black family that let us in. they asked great questions and we were able to leave the 19 yo son with a Book of Mormon.

 

This is really just the start to what every week is like!! Even if we don't experience HUGE miracles, everyday we see God's hand. His timing is perfect. His plan is perfect. His commandments are perfect. If we are willing to do the work, He will always provide a way!!

 

I continue to love every minute of my mission!!!!!! Hope all is well wherever y'all are!!!

 

Love,

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

yessssssssss just a new bff I met at Ross. She has a GOLD CROSS for a front tooth!!!!!!!! hahahhaha 

only in Alabama, I am in love!!!!

just taking pics in the shoe isle! hahhaha love it!

just trolling the town! ready for the rain!!!

we had to try it once...oreos and peanut butter! parent trap!!

self timer in the middle of the country. good times.

so many combs!!!!!

hair braiding with my favorite little family ever!!!!!!!!!!!!! so fun!!!!!

Week 54: On Top of A Mountain

This morning I was on top of a mountain. We hiked 45 minutes up a gorgeous trail with 20 other missionaries. The fall colors and crunchy leaves and good conversations made it a huge delight. At the top we all sat down and had a 20 minute power study. As I read the scriptures and gazed out over all of Huntsville, Alabama, I was taught about life. Often times we are so into our lives-the details, responsibilities, and worries, that we forget to look at the big picture. We forget to climb the mountain. Sadly we lose our breath at the stresses of daily life, instead of by the gorgeous horizons.

 

One horizon I learned about this week is people. As a missionary you are dealing with all sorts of people, 24 hours a day. I realized that people aren't difficult, they are just different!! We all have different talents, abilities, and tendencies. None of them are bad, if we look at it from an unbias perspective. Instead of thinking you're the best and everyone should be like you, take a step up and take a look at the view. View people as God does-with love and equality. As I see my companion and the people we interact with everyday from the top of the mountain, I am happier. I appreciate differences and can work with anyone. What a beautiful thing that is!

 

I love being genuine and learning about other people-hearing their stories and learning of their passions. Life is marvelous and rewarding if we just tap into people!!! That is one reason why I love my mission!!! So go talk to people, love them for who they are, and don't forget the big picture!

 

Love,

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

sister weekes and i found this sign outside of a southern church!!! so cool! got to love the bible belt!! 

it was pitch black and freezing outside and we were really far away from our appointment....so sister samuelson let us stuff our bikes in her rickety mom van!!! hahhaha bless her heart!

 

the sisters in our zone!!! such lovely people!!! huntsville is the best!

rad 500 poster elder jordan made!! its for a big goal we have!

most of the elders left by this point...hahha. but this is some of our zone!!!! LOVE THEM ALL!

Week 53: Truth Can't Lie

In my studies this morning I came across a scripture that grabbed my attention. "If we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare TRUTH, that we may have rejoicings in the JOY of our brethren?" (Alma 30:34, Book of Mormon pg. 283). 

I thought, you're right, isn't it funny that we as Mormons give up so much of our own lives to do things for the Lord? To serve full-time missions and hold responsibilities in our congregations is no easy task. It requires hours and hours of sacrifice and time. So, why in the world do we do it?!?

As I read on the answer was obvious. Because of truth. Ultimate and real truth that makes us HAPPY!!!!!! I want everyone to experience the same joy I feel!!

And like Peter testifies in the Bible, this isn't something random and fake. "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (2 Peter 1:16) 

I am an eyewitness to His reality and majesty. I've seen many mighty miracles on my mission. Things far too crazy to be mere coincidence. Even yesterday we knocked on a 17 yo girls door who told us she had just been talking about how she needed to get right with God. As we talked we all felt the love of God and reality of His presence. In amazement Ladaisia exclaimed, "I know God sent you here to me. I can literally feel God in the room. I am on a new level and am not looking back!" 

I know this work is real. I'm a missionary to teach the restored gospel, to help people find purpose, feel peace, understand God's plan, be with their families forever, and be happy. This is the same gospel Jesus Christ himself taught when He walked the earth. I know it's true because I've felt the spirit burn within me time and time again! And I love it so much!!!!!

With all my love and joy from Huntsville, Alabama!!!!

Sister Madsen 

Bro. Mack, my favorite old man on the planet. He has taught me so much about life and how to listen and learn and ponder and be wise and patient! I love this man!

going to miss these goobers! love them!  

a ton of my best friends from the mission went home this past week...their time of service was up! so sad!!!! 

Huntsville!!! This is the dream area!!!!!!! And I am BACK TOGETHER WITH SISTER SCHWENDIMAN!!!!!!!!!! We served together 10 months ago in Corinth, Mississippi! This never happens, soooo lucky us! We love each other! 

giving out candy by the bonfire!!! so freezing and fun!! The members here are incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pumpkins :)

Just your average day in Huntsville, AL. This place is SOOO fancy and nice, way different than any other area I've served in! 

Ladaisa and her 2 cute friends!! They were so funny and a total blast to talk to!!!! I've never met 17 yo girls quite as awesome!!! Loving the south!!!!!!!