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

Machu Picchu (Mission Update)

Yesterday I did not have time to write because I went to Machu Picchu!

It's a long trip from Cusco to Machu Pichu. We left at 6:30 in the morning and got on a bus. It was a two hour bus ride to Ollantaytamba, where we got on a train for two hours to go to Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is a town right under Machu Picchu. From there we boarded yet another bus to head up the mountain to get to Machu Picchu. 

One Elder left his cardnet (ID basically that show we are from Peru or living here) on the bus and had to go chase it down. He barely made it in time to get on the train!

My two companions and I waiting for the train. 

An Elder took my camera and took a picture of the Elders. 

The town of Aguas Calientes. While in the town we passed by lots of restaurants and people will stand outside trying to get you inside to eat and buy food. One of them was really persistent as he told us that pretty girls ate free and won't we just come in? 

Our tour guide was named Elvis and he took us on a tour and explained the history a little bit. I highly recommend learning about this amazing place. When we went there, I felt the spirit really strongly; I think it's a special place. 

I found a dog in Machu Picchu! Sadly, I couldn't bring him home with me (my companions wouldn't let me).

Llamas are found all over Machu Picchu. 

Our name tags.

This is the Sacred Rock. You can't tell from the picture but it's called that because it is shaped like the mountain behind it.

My group, which means all those that came with me and were in the MTC with me. We are missing some but that's a lot right there!

And that was my trip to Machu Picchu! It was a crazy, filled with adventure, type of day! Love you all! 

Love, 

Hermana Madsen

Dear Reader,

Please take a moment today to write our sweet Marissa. She really needs to hear from friends and family, and just anyone. She needs to know someone is thinking of her and that she isn't forgotten. Mission life isn't easy and she has been struggling with her health and her spirits ever since arriving in Cusco. Please send her some of your love, encouragement, favorite scripture verses, or advice if you served a mission. You may email her at: marissa.madsen@myldsmail.net or she has had luck receiving cards in the mail (make sure you use correct postage) if you'd like to try that. Here is the mailing address (please address your letter/card exactly this way):

                                   Marissa Madsen

                                   Peru Cusco Mission

                                   Av. De la Cultura 2417

                                   Frente de Urb. Santa Ursula

                                   Capilla Mormona

                                   Cusco

                                   Peru

There is also a pouch address for letters. If you want to try sending her mail through the pouch, let me know and I'll give you that address. Thank you for caring!

August Recap

I am always happy to see September, but how quickly summer flew by this year! I am excited for cooler weather, changes of the leaves, boots, hoodies, hot cocoa and pumpkin pie. What's your favorite part of autumn?

As for August, here are the highlights-

David, Marcus and I spent some time at Tony Grove and Marcus and I walked the trail around the lake.

The SURF club had two final craft days where the girls made lollipops and memory books. Each girl's memory book had 4 photos from our summer crafting parties.

We also had a movie/pizza party as a last hoorah. The girls chose Disney's original Freaky Friday movie which none of them had seen. Our next craft party will be in October for Halloween.

Marcus and I have just begun his tenth grade year and we are both excited to continue our homeschooling journey together. High school is a time when many homeschooling parents put their kids in public school, but that will never be an option for Marcus because of my firm belief that teenagers need their parents more than ever and how can I be the kind of mom he needs if I send him away to strangers for the majority of each week day, only to get what is left over? That left over time would too often be rushed, filled with more school (homework), and competing time with other activities. Plus, the more I dive into the history behind compulsive schooling, and the more I learn about all that is terribly wrong with the public school system today, I can not in good conscience send my baby there knowing I will answer to my Heavenly Father for my parenting choices, especially after He led me to homeschooling and to Liahona Academy. 

Besides, this year is going to be amazing! We have an early church history unit study planned which will go along with his Doctrine & Covenants year of Seminary. And if you'd like to read a delightful essay Marcus wrote about "real school", check it out on Camie's Cozy Corner. Thanks for reading and please leave me a comment letting me know you were here. If you have a blog, leave your link so I can follow you. :)

Mission Update

This week has been so fun! On Saturday we had an activity. It was called Festival Gastronómico, which really was just a food festival. It was so much fun, and lots of people came! My companion, Hermana Williams did animal balloons for the kids and we made a photo booth type thing. Everyone participated, and lots of people brought food. It was so fun, and we had lots of food. I am sending you some pics and a video. 

On other news, we have been teaching and learning a lot together as a trio. Also, I will be going to Machu Picchu this cambia, in about two weeks, so lots of fun times to come!

Love, Hermana Madsen