Two Weeks Worth (Mission Update)

What a week it has been!

This week the ward had an activity called a Pollada, where they gave out plates with chicken (or meat) with potatoes for ten soles. They were raising money for something. It was a good turnout, although there was lots of leftovers. On Friday, the day before the Pollada, my companion (and I)went to help buy potatoes and then (we) washed them all. Then in the afternoon, we went and helped prepare the chicken and the meat.  

We bought lots of potatoes and then washed them all, during which the bishop (did I tell you that we live with the bishop?) asked if we had potatoes in the States and if we imported them or produced them. 

The activity. Really not a lot of people came at first but lots showed there support. We were there since 9 in the morning to help set up but there wasn't anything really to do until almost 11 am.

While waiting, I made friends with a dog, that I named Buddy. He was shy at first and easily scared but so sweet. 

I played with the child of my pensionista, and her other boy took this photo when I asked him to hold my camera  for me. 

My companion and another Hermana. they had the job of cooking the meat. 

We also have exciting news! We have three baptisms for the month of October. And one of them is our pensionista! We are way excited for the coming weeks!

Till next week!!!

Love always, Hermana Madsen (October 1, 2018)

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I hope you all had a wonderful General Conference weekend. It was really good, wasn't it and full of inspiration and good advice. 

This week has been crazy, as we had divisions and went to Puna. That was fun, and then we got rained on our way home. We also got to watch General Conference although it was a little difficult yesterday because it was elections here in Peru. Anyways, I learned a lot, especially about forgiveness. 

We were playing with this dog and I just happened to capture this perfect photo. We always find the cutest dogs to play with.

This is Oso. He followed us around all day one day. And he was so thirsty I gave him a drink from my water bottle. Isn't he cute?

Also, a member had lots of motorcycles, so we got to ride with him on one. Here's a picture of the one we rode in.

Yesterday (Sunday), we taught two young people, a girl and a boy. The girl has a baptism date and yesterday after teaching the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we invited him (the boy) to be baptized too. He told us he was baptized in another church and we asked if he remembered the last lesson we taught where we explained about the Priesthood power. He told us yes and we asked if he thought the person that baptized him, when he was a kid, had this authority from God. Without pausing he immediately told us no and accepted to be baptized. Which just goes to show that some are ready right away. We will be working with him to get him prepared for this next passage. 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Sending Love and Hugs to all, Hermana Madsen (October 8, 2018)

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Dear Reader,

If you missed General Conference, it's never too late to listen to the beautiful messages spoken by our living prophets and apostles and other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know you'll be inspired and uplifted hearing the word of God and the testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ, through the Lord's witnesses and spokesmen here on earth. If you are a sister in Christ, the General Women's meeting will help you understand your purpose here on earth as daughters of God and mothers in Zion. You can find those talks under General Women's Session using the same link above. If I could choose one talk for you to listen to and ponder, it would be this one.

I have a testimony of this gospel and know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's true church upon the earth today. Living His gospel makes me so happy! I know we are here on earth to grow and become like our Heavenly Father and that we each have divine potential within us because we are truly His children.

~Camie

September Recap

September was a beautiful month for me.

When the month started, Marcus was in the middle of a driver's ed night course through the local high school. He was carpooling with three girls in our ward (church congregation) and one of them informed him that he does not go to "real school." This really struck Marcus and on his own he wrote an informal essay about "real school." I was so impressed that I immediately posted it to my personal blog where I have some homeschooling followers. I'm sure they've heard that line also. If you'd like to read his brilliant logic, just click on the link above.

One of the really nice things about homeschooling is the freedom to go on a hike in the middle of a school day, and that's exactly what Marcus and I did one Friday morning after Seminary. Fridays are often fun-days for us since Marcus does not have online courses that day. On this lovely Friday we hiked the Limber Pine Nature Trail up Logan Canyon. It was very peaceful and just what we both needed. If I sent Marcus to school, I'd miss precious time like this with him. Not only that, but I would not be his primary influence during the day and I'd miss out on opportunities to teach and nourish him as I've been admonished to by the Lord. I was called to homeschool my son and it hit me the other day that that I am a better mama as a homeschooling mom. So no matter how anyone judges us for homeschooling, I know I am doing what my Heavenly Father would have me do.

A big highlight of the month for me was my first Walk MS. It was an emotional experience for me to be there with Zachary. Darcie and Marcus joined in also. The only other support Zach received was from David's youngest brother, Bruce, and his wife, Pam, and their daughters, Lindsey and Bridgette (I'm sorry Lindsey, if I'm spelling your name wrong!). And one friend from our ward gave a donation. Next year I really hope to rally more support and get a good group of us on the walk together as an open show of our love for Zach. I know his MS isn't easy on him and I don't understand all he deals with, but I see him struggling now and then, and he's so brave! I admire his inner strength so much.

On my birthday weekend, the boys and I did a hike to Bloomington Lake in Idaho. It was so pretty!
I had a lovely birthday this year. My sweet husband gave me season tickets to the Eccles theatre; my mother and her husband, Dave, sent me flowers; my daughter, Darcie, gave me some cute Mickey sweats; my friend, Heather, and her daughter stopped by with gifts for my beach themed craft room; my friends, Steph and Natosha, gave me pampering gifts; my sister treated me to lunch and gave me autumn scented lotions. It wasn't the gifts that made my birthday lovely. It was to be thought of and remembered by family and friends. 💙 The Primary program was on my birthday this year and my little charge was so cute and funny at the microphone. We had practiced his line for months: "Jesus loves me." But when the time came he repeated a sound like "ah ah ah ah" until I cut him off, LOL. I love my calling and I think I learn more from this sweet little boy than he learns from me.

Marcus and I spent the last week of September, and first week of October, with David in Columbus, Montana. On the last weekend of September, the three of us drove to Billings and toured the Moss mansion. It was fascinating. Nearly all of the furnishings and décor are original to the mansion and the few that aren't are from the time period. If you're ever in Billings, we highly recommend this museum.

And that was our September in a nutshell! If you read this, thank you!

Transfer to Juliaca (Mission Update)

Well do I have news for you! 

I am in Juliaca. In the Wiracocha 1 sector. Don't worry if you can't pronounce that I can't either. 

I loved the time I had in Vista Alegre, in Cusco city itself, but I am so excited for this new opportunity. I can't believe I will be serving in Juliaca! 

My companion is Hermana Aquino. She will be dying (as in going home) at the end of this transfer. That's right, she is dying with me as her last companion. I am so excited to get to know and work with her. 

This week, our P-day is Wednesday because I spent all day today in a taxi from Cusco to Juliaca. So expect lots more stories to come, and pictures with my new companion!

Last week, for our final P-day as a trio, we went exploring Cusco.

We found this really cool place called Qorikancha. 

Hello Everyone!  

I have lots to tell you! 

Last week, P-day was on Wednesday since people were traveling to different places (on Monday). So Wednesday we played sports and had lunch with everyone in our zone. 

There is also a fair in town and we went to get candy apples to bribe some kids to listen to our lesson. Hey, whatever works. When teaching kids, you get creative to get them to listen. 

The candy apples are delicious. We have passed the fair just to buy candy apples. It's really exciting. I'll need to send you guys more pictures of the feria.

Today we went to Lampa. A city about 30 minutes away from here. We went into a catholic church and down into catacombs. And yes, I think those are real bones and dead people. Yuck. 

But it was so cool.

The Hermanas that we went with. 

 We also ate chicharrón de alpaca for lunch, which was good.

Serving a mission is hard, but it is so worth it. I have respect for everyone serving, especially those serving sick or hurting. They have real courage and I know that heaven is watching and cheering them on. I have such a testimony of missionary work. 

More adventures to come! 

Love,

Hermana Madsen (September 24, 2018)

I am a little behind posting Marissa's mission updates so please check back later this week. I have to share my laptop with Marcus while we are visiting David in Montana this week and he needs it for his online classes. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this blog and for your friendship and support. It means a lot to us. Please continue to write The Sweetest Missionary Ever at

marissa.madsen@myldsmail.net