HUGE Mission Update!

This is a huge update on the Sweetest Missionary Ever since it's been several weeks. Lots of pictures here so enjoy! This first set was taken at Sacsayhuaman, Cusco-

Aren't these the cutest sister missionaries?

This next set of photos were taken at a lake and a park with some special attractions-

Marissa sent this group email out on Monday:

Hello friends and family, 

I am so sorry for not sending out a group email sooner! 

I have a lot to tell you! It's been an amazing experience, although a really difficult one. I have such a love for the people here. 

We have three with a baptism date. One is the brother of a recent convert, he is ten. His name is Jorge. The other is the aunt and cousin. Elizabeth and Emerson. Emerson is 12 and excited for his baptism. It will be this next week on Saturday. It is going to be my first Noche de Blanco which is where all the missionaries investigator's get baptized. 

We have been teaching a lot of people, if you could please pray for Aide, Elunay, and the names above, as well as Celso and his daughter Jennifer. 

My companion and I have also been saving the dogs in the streets we come across, giving out food when possible. The other day we found this small black dog that was lost and obviously not from the streets and tried to find him a place to sleep, only she wondered off so now she's lost again. 

When you are learning a new language, you make lots of funny mistakes. I tried saying chao and bye at the same time and it ended up being more like "bow". 

But they end up being good memories. 

You grow really close to God and Jesus on your mission. There are many difficulties, but the good moments make up for the bad so many times. 

I want to thank you all for your support! It's been hard on me, but I love your emails, even though I may not have time to respond to them. I think of all of you often (when I'm not thinking of my investigators). 

I want you all to know that I love you all! 

The picture is me with Elunay, the cutest little girl. 

With all my love, 

Hermana Madsen

For those who have been praying for Marissa, thank you. I know our prayers are heard and answered. Marissa tells me she is feeling better. She has had a lot of health issues, but she has seen a doctor and is now trying some medications. Hopefully her health will improve. Please continue to reach out to Marissa through emails: marissa.madsen@myldsmail.net 

Thank you for your love and support. Our family appreciates it so much. We are so proud of Marissa for serving the Lord at this time, in this way. Missionaries sacrifice a lot to bring the light of Christ to others. This world needs more light! 

June Recap

June was a busy month at our house. I held mini craft days every Thursday. I hosted a two hour session in the morning and a two hour session in the afternoon to accommodate all the girls. Five girls joined my little girl crafting group this month making a grand total of 19 girls. We are thinking up an official name for our club.

Kindness rocks

Father's Day mini crates (for candy or keys or whatever!)

Father's Day sugar cookies (cowboy hat, boot, mustache, bow tie, formal tie)

Nature journals

Leis which were given to cancer patients and the elderly

We visited Summerfest, which is a favorite event in Logan every summer.

The only summer flower that grew in my yard was this beautiful Lilly. Someday I hope to have more flowers bloom in all seasons in my yard, but it's a process.

Not pictured- David started working in Montana; Marcus participated in High Adventure camp- rappelling and other fun activities in Moab; the kids and I attended a summer concert at Cherry Peak resort (Restless Heart); we found some opportunities to serve our neighbors.

Thanks for reading! I'll be posting another missionary update soon. 

Mission Update (First Baptism)

We had my first baptism. It was really nice, but a lot of work. One, we had to figure out the baptism font and how to fill it with hot water. The water came out green and lukewarm at best. We had a late lunch, found out no one bought cake or drinks so I bought them myself. Well, we asked Miguel, a member, to go buy them but I gave the money. That cost 50 soles for cake, soda, plates, cups and spoons. But it turned out really well, not a lot of people showed up though.

Marissa has a new camera after her first one was stolen. 😠

She also told Marcus that Dobby still follows her around (Dobby is a dog and he's featured in other mission update posts), accompanying her on buses or in taxis at times.

Best of all, she says she's feeling much better since taking the medications we sent her. 

Thank you again for your prayers on her behalf. We appreciate them more than you know.

You may write Marissa anytime at her email addy: marissa.madsen@myldsmail.net

Thank you for taking the time to visit this blog.

May Recap

Can you believe we're nearly halfway through the year? So far, our June is looking like this: David is now in Montana working a new job. I am holding mini craft parties for little neighbor girls every Thursday. Our activities will be painting kindness rocks, making a Father's Day craft, making a beach-themed craft, and nature journals. Marcus has a high adventure camp coming up. He will also be driving with a permit. And he will be working towards his Eagle. Darcie is taking an online math class and working part time at Kohl's. Marissa is on her mission in Cusco, Peru. And, Zach continues working at an ice cream factory and dealing with his MS, which is being a major pain in his behind lately. 😠

But we are here to remember the fun we had in May, so let's get to it!

Every May here in our hometown we celebrate "Black and White Days", so named for the Holstein cows. It's like a country fair. Events include a parade (that's our bishop driving his ARS vehicle) and horse pulls.

Also in May, David, Marcus and I saw a private screening of the movie, Solo: A Star Wars Story. We loved it! I don't get why it hasn't been more popular, but we thought it was Star Wars worthy.

I practiced taking flower photos with my macro lens.

We celebrated Memorial Day weekend at David's mom's where we visited two cemeteries to place flowers on family graves.

My favorite part of May was holding my Homeschool Meet 'n Greet. It was so much fun and you can read more about that on my other blog here.

Bonus points if you can name any of the flowers. Thanks for visiting this lonely blog! Bless you! Bless you! 

Mission Update

I want to thank everyone who has been fasting and praying for the Sweetest Missionary Ever. That means so much to us, and to Marissa especially. And if you've also emailed Marissa, thank you, thank you! That means a lot to her and makes her feel as if she hasn't been forgotten by family and friends. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring about my daughter.

 

When I "chatted" with her yesterday (Monday), over email, she told me that her stomach issues have lessened a bit. Let's hope whatever's been plaguing her ever since she arrived in Cusco is on its way out. I begged her to see a doctor again if it worsens or continues much longer. I keep wondering if she might have a parasite. My biggest concern is the amount of weight she's lost. 20 pounds seems like a lot to me as she is so petite and had already lost 10 pounds at college before she left on her mission.

She hasn't shared a lot about her mission itself with us these past two weeks. I think she's been overwhelmed by her poor health, but she did tell me that on their p-days (the day they are free to wear jeans and email home, etc.) a group of the missionaries have been touring parts of Cusco, going on hikes to waterfalls and that sort of thing. She was able to send me a few photos, despite her camera being stolen by professional thieves who targeted her, and not having the chance to buy a new one yet.

Also, two of "her investigators" are getting baptized. That is always great news.

Thanks for reading! Marissa's email is: marissa.madsen@myldsmail.net