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!