Week 69: Pick up the Phone

Prayer. What an interesting concept-talking to a being who we can't see or hear. That could be very strange to someone whose never done it! We experienced this recently with our sweet friend Elizabeth (the Japanese anime girl). She is extremely smart and logical, and has been skeptical of religion her whole life. She never understood it or saw the purpose. In fact, it was always a burden for her to go to church.

When we first started teaching her she said she wouldn't pray because she is an adult, and needs to do things on her own. She shouldn't have to ask God for things. She needed to rely on herself and be independent. Though this idea makes some sense to me, we explained how God is our Father. Like my dad, He wants to help me, teach me, comfort me, and know how I am doing! Just like my dad would be sad if I never emailed him, so is our Heavenly Father when we forget to pray. 

So Elizabeth decided to pray for the first time. When she asked God if the Book of Mormon was true she felt "light and happy!!!" She shared her experience in sunday school and you could literally see her glowing!!! She is very reserved and quiet, but she was beaming with joy as she explained how she loves coming to this church! Even though it's 3x longer than others, she enjoys it! It has touched her heart deeply and she enjoys it!!!

YAYY!! I can't tell you how beautiful it is to see others discover the light and truth I've been talking about!!! Elizabeth now knows that God is real, He answers prayers, and the Book of Mormon is His word!!! So I invite everyone reading this to pick up the phone and talk to God. Ask Him a question. Tell Him what is on your mind. Thank Him. As you listen and wait for an answer, I promise you will FEEL His presence!!! 

I couldn't love my life more. It is simply the happiest time.

Sister Madsen

 just a few friends at FHE!!! stone in the front is someone we are teaching!!! whoo hoo!!

crazy kids photobombing us!! 

$5 Gyros with the Branch before institute!!! 2 of the people we are teaching came with us!!! so fun!!! and best falafel I've had in a longgggggg time! 

brent in the branch! we realized we have TONS of mutual friends from byu and it was so fun to bond over!!! shout out to ashylnn, afton, mikiyla, jr, bonnie, etc!!! 

Sister Warren!!! We love each other and share clothes everyday. It's the best. 

best comp ever!!!!!!!!!!!! 

all of our lovely sisters at zone conference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! soooo much fun!!! I love exchanges!!! 

 hahahah just taking selfies after planning. why not. my camera has been broken so finally i got a new one to use!!!!

we made a kazookie for some missionary friends. yum.

The Book of Mormon. The KEYSTONE of our religion!! hahah this is so cheesy and dumb...but we love finding treasures around campus! 

a casual day party on frat row. 

random room we found tracting in a fancy apartment complex! haha

teaching the plan of salvation at the mall saturday night!!! love me some t town!!

left to right: member. elizabeth who we are teaching!!! me. helmi from menlo park, also teaching her! sister warren.

church with maria!! she was baptized a year ago! love her!

Samoan FEAST with Jalaire and her mom!!!!!! Best meal ever!!! So full after that!!!!