Merry Christmas!

Christmas:

     On Christmas Eve we had lots of fun caroling at the Hospital! President Cottle encouraged us all to go as districts caroling, rather than knocking doors. A suggestion that Sister Ramdsen and I loved! We started at the hospital, just visiting a member of the stake, and then we decided to just stay there all night. We worked with a very helpful nurse who gave us lots of patients to sing to. (Sometimes it was because she knew they loved music, and sometimes it was because she thought they needed some Jesus) Only in Georgia. Sister Ramsden and I are the only sisters in our district so we pretty much carried all the elders while we sang. It was very fun!

     We also went to go visit Miss Ana and her son Edrick Bisher. We took them Sparkling grape juice and played games with them. We read the christmas story from Luke 2 and dressed up like the Nativity (pictures to come!). It was such a sweet way to end the night.

      Christmas day I got to skype mi familia. I love them :) We also visited some members and Less-active members. Helped them remember the Jesus-part of Christmas.

Thanks for all the cards and Christmas wishes! 

Warner Robins

I've been here almost 6 weeks already, but the area is fabulous. We are in a city, much like St George with how many stores there are. Nothing like tiny Thomson GA at all! We are also right next to a Military base, so there is a lot more diversity with all the people! Lots of asians, white folk, one or two hispanic here and there. There is also more diversity with religious beliefs. There still tons of baptists, but there are more people here who are not christian at all. And the housing is nicer. The people are richer (because they're in the military). Which is both a positive and a negative. It is not as easy to find people humble enough to teach.

I am the assigned driver, I like driving. Sister Ramsden doesn't like my driving, but that's okay. I drive like my dad.

We were blessed to have two baptisms on Saturday! (Dec 28th) Michelle Henson, and Ana Bisher. Its been a long journey for both of these ladies! We are so excited and happy for them :)

My favorite Mormon Message video! Origin.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos?v=2505987918001

Change is in the Air

This is Kemyiah. She is 8. She will be getting baptized on November 9th! We are so excited for her :)

Here is a pic of us two with our Missionary name tags! She got hers from Primary :)

The leaves are changing colors! It is so pretty down here. It is also getting a lot colder. But no snow for us yet!

  I listened to Elder Nelson's talk this morning and I really liked it. Y'all should read it or re-read it!

Love Y'all!

All things point to Him

"...And all things denote there is a God..." :) Alma 30:44

 

     I really loved that verse as I was reading my Book of Mormon this morning. I thought about how yesterday I saw a beautiful pink flower and an amazing sunset. All things, especially beautiful things, denote there is a God. And He loves us so very much! I know that He loves me individually and has created things to add light and happiness to our lives. Such as that simple, single, pink flower that I saw as I was tracting. I don't know why, but it really did bring me joy.

 

Another verse from Chapter 30 also stuck out to me as I was reading today.

"And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only." (v40)

 

    We have so much more evidence that there is a God than not. Einstein himself said "Perfect Science proves there is God". Many can try and try to prove otherwise, but have you noticed, how unhappy they make themselves?

    I know with my whole heart that God exists, and He has a Son, Jesus the Christ, who came to earth and suffered for our sins; that we may have peace, that we may be happy, than man might be and have joy!

I've never been happier in all my life :)

 

Love yall!

Sister Madsen

Conference Weekend! :D

I loved conference this weekend!

While many of the speakers said things that touched me; the talks by

Sister Bonnie L Oscarson and Richard J Maynes addressed and confirmed many of the thoughts I have had since before my mission. I wish to share these thoughts with you all this morning :)

Sister Bonnie Oscarson began her talk with the statement: "If you do not have a testimony of the church, now is the time to do what it takes to find that testimony!"

A couple thoughts crossed my mind when I heard that statement. First, she is right. NOW is the time for us todevelop our testimonies, because, as Elder Ochoa expressed, "The perilous times are now upon us!" At a younger age, children need to find their faith because of how crazy the world is becoming! 

My next thought was a question: How do we find our testimony? I then thought about the word 'find'. It is a doing word. To develop faith we must act. I believe the word "faith" to be an action word, a verb. If we wish to have a stronger testimony then we must exercise faith to obtain it. 

"Dedication"

"Perseverance"

 and "Self-discipline"

are verbs that Richard J. Maynes says will help us find and strengthen our testimonies. The best way to gain a testimony of somebody is to LIVE it, according to Sister Oscarson. What better way to gain a testominy of Christ and His gospel than to live it? 

Sister Oscarson challenged us to choose a principle of the gospel and apply it more fully to our lives. If our desire is to know/become like Christ, then we must emulate the characteristics that He has.

Hope

Charity

Love

Virtue

Patience

Diligence

Obedience

All of these attributes of Christ are action words!

As Elder Maynes discussed how we can keep our testimonies in shape, I was reminded of the famous Nike catch-phrase "Just Do it". This gospel is a doing-thing! I will be working harder to live the things taught in church so that I can have a stronger testimony of it. I invite all to join me :) We are promised that as we strive to "Develop spiritual stamina," then we will find peace and strength to endure any trial given to us, which is something that we all need to face these perilous times that are upon us!

I know that is true. I love you all! Have a fabulous week!

-Sister Madsen

Met the Mission Pres. on J-Day :D

This week has been pretty eventful. We got to see our dear President and Siste Cottle :) We love seeing them because they're like our parents away from home. They love us like we're their own children and we love them back :)

We also had companion exchanges this week. That's where we trade companions with another set of sisters for 24 hours. I always learn a lot about how to be a better missionary/teacher on exchanges. I went to work in their other area and we saw lots of little miracles. I always love my assigned companion even more after exchanges too :)

We are so fortunate in this area, because we have a member who likes to come out with us as much as he can. He is going to the mission field soon and he wants to do as much missionary work as he can before he gets there! Its so wonderful because he knows everyone in the area, so the people are more receptive to us. His testimony is a great addition to our lessons as well. I know that we have seen God's work unfold here at a faster pace because of his help!

The three of us like to wear our glasses to work because it makes us look smarter, haha. We call ourselves the "Four-eyed Three Amigos".

Hope you all are doing well this week! If you didn't get to watch the Relief Society Broadcast, I highly recommend it. Even if you're not a part of the Relief Society :)

Here's a link:

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/general-relief-society-meeting/2013/09?cid=HPTH091213087&lang=eng

Scripture of the week: D&C 88:115

This week has been exciting, yet uneventful. We did lots of work trying to find more people to teach. I know that God is really in this work, because everything that happens is all because of Him! We found much success this week, I am so excited!

Scripture of the week : Ether 12:6

We recieve a witness only after the trial of our faith. We must first have faith, and then we will see miracles!

Example: The apostles first had to believe that Christ was really risen from the dead before He appeared to them.

Song of the week: "Let it Begin" from the 20-something EFY soundtrack. Yall can youtube it or something :)

Love yall!

Go Break a Bow

This week Sister Turner and I have been focusing on finding more people to teach. We are working with some really really sweet people, we love them! So we hope to find more just like them.

I will send yall some pictures of the scenery over here. It is so pretty! There are so many green trees it blows my mind! ...And sometimes I feel a little claustrophobic because I can't see past all the trees... but then I get over it.

Haha, this week I also read about how When Nephi and his family were in the wilderness they started to experience some hardships. And then Nephi broke his bow; "..which was made of fine steel" he points out, Haha. And Nephi was the only one who wasn't complaining about the conditions. So we have this running joke about how that must have been therapeutic for him.

"Oh, go break a steel bow and get over it."

Anyways... Fall is coming! So all the tall trees will be changing colors! I can't wait to see how everything looks. We are in the country in this area, so when we drive anywhere it is always quite nice. Very scenic ;)

Thank you for all your constant letters - I love you!

God Bless ;)