Week 61: Cute Boots to Christmas Dinner!

So it's been dumping rain here and poor Sister Crandall's feet have been sloshing in water in her old boots. On Christmas eve we were headed home from an exchange and saw a SuperTarget. We figured-perfect opportunity to find her some rainboots! As we were looking around we noticed a girl wearing cute boots, so we complimented them and asked where she got them. She ended up being the most kind, friendly, happiest girl ever!!! She is about to graduate from Auburn and is here for Christmas break. We explained how we aren't from here either, that we are missionaries who help people come closer to Christ. She was super fascinated by it all and told us her step sister is a mormon!! Megan (cute boots girl) grew up Catholic, but moved away from the traditions when she went to school. She tried out a few different churches-Methodist, Baptist-Presbyterian-trying to find one that was right. She ended up in a non denominational one. We explained how she was just like Joseph Smith-he too was searching for truth and church hopping. He was the means of restoring Christs gospel, which brought back lost truth and authority. She was super interested and agreed to meet up another time to discuss more.

 

A few hours later we were knocking doors, thinking about how we had no where to go on Christmas. We are in a big ward, so we were slightly confused why no one had signed up to feed us. hahah No later did we get a text, "Hey it's Megan! I just met y'all in Target and was wondering if you had somewhere to go for Christmas dinner?" WHAT!!!!!!!!!! Are you serious Heavenly Father?? Total miracle!!!!!!!! We told her no and she invited us over!!!

 

Despite the excitement we realized she lived in Madison, not Huntsville, so she would be outside our boundaries (which are super small-5 miles by 5 miles). Additionally, we our out of miles to drive on the car...so there was no way it would work. We asked for her address anyways and plugged it into the GPS. We looked down and realized it was exactly 1 mile from where we were standing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! awwww we were SO excited!!! That literally never happens!

 

So on Christmas we went to Megans home. We had the most memorable Christmas of my life-eating and visiting with her mom and their black neighbor who is a female pastor. We ate a delicious food and talked about the Lord for 3 hours. We shared experiences and testimonies and beliefs. We all sang Christmas songs as Tanishia, the black minister, led us in gospel singing.

 

It twas' a night I'll never forget. I learned God answers prayers, works in mysterious ways and watches out for His missionaries!! Miracles are real!!! I LOVE MY LIFE!

 

Enjoy your New Years Eve!

Love,

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

sister van dyke and i went biking....i said, "i hope it starts raining again!" and not even 10 seconds later it started to DOWN POUR!!! hahah we were soaked and had to go home to change! 

knocking away! we have such a blast together! i love siter crandall!!!

we had a lovely christmas eve with the larson family! look at these cute boys! 

this hat was too funny...i had to document the moment! it is badazzled "HOT"! hahhahah

I ATE CHITLINS! Aka pig intestines!!! When this preacher invited us in they were cookin them up....i asked if i came back in 3 hours if they would let me have some...they said yes! so i came back and ate them! 

we knocked on this preachers door on christmas eve! he wanted a picture. so precious.

 

our Christmas tree! we had a sleepover with some other sisters! yay! :)

side note-thanks to everyone who sent christmas cards! i love them!

 

thank you for the homemade scarf Sister Zitting! so cozy!

 

Sister Zitting's fancy tree! Literally the ornaments are bigger than my head! hahah love her! 

OUR PERFECT CHRISTMAS DINNER FAMILY. The pastor even gave me the scarf and bracelet I have on! So kind.

 

 

sister spencer and i met some girls while they were jumping their car-hahah so fun

Miss Jean, a big black lady, had us over for her "throwdown" meal! hahah This was only a tiy portion of the food she made!! She had 4 sweet potato pies, a huge peach cobbler, 4 cakes, cookies, chocolate...you name it! THE SOUTH IS SO GREAT!

Can you say leftovers??? 

Sister Crandall and I walking along highway 72 in the pitch black!!! hahah we had no other choice-her bike is at another missionaries apartment and we have no miles to drive! such a fun adventure!

Week 60: Disney is on Point

This week I had the opportunity to watch Frozen!!!! Now I understand why little girls used to call me Elsa, now they think I'm Anna! hahha love it! After watching that movie I realized the moral was profound-LOVE saves us. What a perfect time to think about love-for that is the spirit of Christmas! 

 

We know Christmas is about CHRIST...so what did He do? What did He teach us? Why does it matter?

 

1. Because "God so loved the world" (John 3:16), Jesus Christ came to earth to save us. He lived a perfect life, took on all our pains, died on the cross, and ultimately rose from the dead. Through this, we can all overcome our bad choices and return to His presence.

 

2. Christ taught us through His example and through His words. He was the most obedient, loving, hopeful, kind, thoughtful, patient, diligent, humble, knowledgable, and faithful being to walk the earth. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38) and helping others. We should do the same. The greatest commandments He gave are to love God and others. "His life was a legacy of love" (Thomas S. Monson, prophet, April 2014), and we should strive to follow it. 

 

3. This matters to me because I know why I'm here. I feel peace and happiness from doing what He asks. When I do good, I feel good! When I do bad, I feel bad. I know I can improve each day. I know I can be with my family forever. I can find answers to questions. I feel comfort when life gets tough. 

 

This Christmas season I am extremely grateful to be on a mission. This is the best gift I can give Jesus Christ and the best gift I've ever received! I LOVE IT! and all of you! 

 

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

mission christmas party!!! my ugly sweater had lights and sang! hahah so much fun! 

our zone leaders! whoo hooo!

look at this hat!!! just a random man we met outside while getting his mail! I love the south!!!

 exchanges!!! love these sisters!!!

my soul sister neufville. 

Merry Christmas Y'all!!!! Had this fun photobooth at our ward Christams party!! 

just your average day at walmart! i love making new friends! hahaha so fun! 

I found a California license plate with this sticker!!! a little taste of home! 

we love each other soooooooooooooo much!!! 

we bought each other $5 fleece cheetah leggings for christmas! hahhahahahha so comfy!

did you know enthusiasm directly translated from greek means "god in us"??? en=in. theos=god. So when we are happy we shine GODS LIGHT!

we had a super rad zone activity where we made smores and did some training on "keeping the fire burning!!!"

roasting mallows! glad the church didnt burn down! hahha 

  

so many lovely sisters in this mission!! 

ahhahahhaha biking in this weather is frightful! and so much fun! 

self timer is our favorite! 

Week 59: Jesus loves you and me, here's some coco, it's for FREE!

 Friday night Sister Crandall and I went to downtown Huntsville for a christmas tree lights festival!!! Being in a city finding parking was difficult, it made me feel like I was back in San Francisco. Eventually we found a spot and headed towards the lake and lights and people. We went through crowds until we found the Elders, who were giving out free hot chocolate! We were an hour late.....and the hot coco was almost gone. hahha

 

We met a lot of nice people, but no one who was interested in learning more. As we began to pack up we saw a cute girl heading our way, so naturally we talked to her. We explained how we help people build faith in Christ and find more purpose and happiness. She told us how her parents recently divorced and how she was a big partier....but came to a point in her life that she needed to decide if she was going to believe in God or not. She chose to follow God and turn her life around. She explained with the biggest smile how she felt free and happier and more peace than ever before. Before we left the car we felt prompted to bring a Book of Mormon, and when we were talking to her we knew why. We reached in our bag with our chilled hands and gave it to her. We explained how it's helped us feel closer to Jesus Christ, understand God's plan, and allowed us to feel comfort and joy. Tears streamed down her face as she held it in her hands.

 

She later texted us, "Hey it's Brittany, the girl from the park. Thank you so much for The Book of Mormon. You will never know how much it meant to me or how the both of you girls impacted my night. It truly was an amazing gift for this wonderful Christmas season!"

 

I know God placed her in our path in His perfect timing. Despite the fact we were an hour late, couldn't find parking, were struggling to stay warm, and ran out of hot coco......God gave us a miracle. Right after we thought we were done. I am so thankful for the gospel and the ability we have to learn and grow and change and inspire and be humble. I know that in my own strength I am nothing. I love my Savior and the strength we all have because of Him!

 

It's going to be a very merry christmas!

Love always,

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

 shopping with Sister Hardy!!! I felt like a real person again! hahha

sophia and her precious girls whom i love so much!!

 Sister Crandall!! my new companion from Washington whom I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is going to be a good time!

 

elders wright and smith being the centurion guards for the live nativity!! hahha love it! 

raking leaves with our new friend Kim for Chicago! Loving fall! now its winter!! hah

 

Brittany :) such a beautiful soul!!! 

 our free hot chocolate sign!! we both love art so it's a total party with us together!!

 

ust a funny natural shot of us. thank you elder toro! hahah

Week 58: Take a Breath and Count to 10!

 I can't believe another transfer is over!!!!!!!! Being put back with an old companion is unusual, so I was excited to find out what God needed me to learn. And I've finally figured it out!

The most valuable lesson I learned was to TAKE TIME! Sister Schwendiman and I did a personality test at the beginning of the transfer and realized we were complete opposites. She is organized, cautious, and an introvert. Her love language is quality time. This can be difficult for me to give because I am extremely driven and goal oriented, thus sitting to eat/talk/long meetings makes me feel like I'm wasting time. I get antsy when I'm not outside talking to people. She has taught me the importance of breathing, preparing, and planning. For this I am eternally grateful!!

For example, the other day we spent a few minutes familiarizing ourselves with the He Is The Gift initiative. Normally this use of time would bother me, but I decided to do it. We were able to discuss how to use it in our proselyting. Because of that preparation, when we went tracting (knocking on doors) that night we had huge success!! We got in almost every door/had a positive interaction with everyone!!! As I've put her needs above the work we've seen great success. I learned that I need to spend a few minutes talking to her before we go outside so she can gear up and get on the same page! The work can't move forward unless we are equally yoked. So I must cater to what my companion needs!!!!

Life is so beautiful! I love people!! We are all sooooo different! I'm learning to appreciate and embrace all personality types!! I love reflecting and seeing what God teaches me. His plan is perfect and I have absolute confidence in whatever happens next! I love you all! Thanks for your uniqueness and strengths and love!!

 

Love always,

Sister Ella Rae Madsen

the byrd springs sisters! lovely exchange!

 

we met this crazy old cat lady!! her entire house was covered with cats!!! shelfs on shelfs of cat figurines!!!! aka my worst nightmare! hhaha

the elders slaving over my bike! hahha also, this kid went to hs with ruby matesen! had to document the connection!

HUGE bike box! schwendi is heading home!!

 

miss my butterfield! 

reunited with my other soul sister neufville!!

she is serving in my first area! so fun!

elder toro!!!

 

schwendis little bun i did :)

all 10 sisters in our zone! huntsville north!!  with sister hanks and sister nolan!! so much love and unity here!!

 

my little anthro hobby lobby friend!! btw she works for nasa and was a science teacher and has done tons of astronaut stuff!!! so rad!

the district. good times.

 

trying to get artsy....not working. got to mix up the missionary life somehow! hahha