Family and Friends!!! This was such a wonderful week! I am feeling so much better and it's wonderful to be able to get out and work again! I love the work! This week we had some fun!
Highlights of the week... This week we found some amazing investigators. We have been teaching Danielle Manns and we had to finish teaching her the lessons for baptism. Well, we went up to Kenton to teach her and her neighbors wanted to learn because they have been sharing things about the gospel with them and how it has changed their lives! We ended up teaching their neighbors Tasha and Tony and they both felt the spirit so strong in the first lesson! It was awesome because we were asking them what they thought about everything and how they felt and Tasha was just like "How can it not be true!" Sister Loosli and I just were like it is! It was great! They are wanting to get baptized but have a lot of things to overcome. Smoking, Chastity, etc! But they are on the right path at least. Now we just have to teach them about all of the commandments!
It was great to because their woman Pasture come to their house during the lesson and she has also been talking to the Manns because they live right next to the church and she is interested in learning more about the Book of Mormon and the Mormons! We will just have to go and teach her and convert their entire church!! AMAZING! Heavenly Father is blessing Sister Loosli and I so much!
This week we were also able to go to a Sister Conference! It was so much fun! All the Sister's in the mission got together at the Mission Presidents House! There were 23 Sister Missionaries there! We went down on Friday about 2 p.m. and then left Saturday about 1 p.m.! It was so wonderful! The 11 companionship's each prepared a 25-30 min presentation on something in Preach My Gospel! It was like 6 hours of training! Plus we were able to hear from President and Sister Jenson! I love when they instruct us! I learn so much! I love all the Sister's in our mission! It was the best thing ever to be with all of them this weekend! It's sad because 6 of them go home on December 9th :( and we only get 1 Sister coming out! That means 3 Sister areas will be closed!
This weekend we also had Stake Conference and it was so wonderful! I learned so much! The things you learn on a mission are incredible! I know I will be a much better wife, mother, and child when I get home! I have set up habits that will stay with me for the rest of my life! It's just such a blessing to me! Heavenly Father is so smart! He loves me so much and knows exactly what I need!
This week I also gave up popping my Knuckles! SO HARD! But we were teaching Terra's (a recent convert) husband, Robert. He has a desire to learn but doesn't want to give up old habits. We talked to him and tried to see his desire level. We made a deal that he would live the Word of Wisdom if I would stop popping my knuckles with him! We have both been doing a great job. We both slip up but they are both hard habits to break! But it's amazing that I am able to help him get through this and hopefully soon they will be able to be sealed in they temple together! It's amazing how much Heavenly Father is helping me with my knuckles! It has been hard but I am doing it!
Abby is doing great! She hasn't smoked for 2 1/2 days now! YEAH! Her and her 2 girls are planning on getting baptized this weekend! Danielle will also be getting baptized with them! It's so exciting! She is doing it! People like her doctor can even see a change in her and they are asking questions! It's amazing! I love the gospel! The church is true!
It really has just been such an amazing week! I can't even explain the joy I receive from being a missionary! It's the best feeling ever! I love sharing the gospel with everyone! I just wish more people would listen! It breaks my heart when they don't! But even being a tool to a few people's lives and helping them is so worth it!
My apartment is pretty warm. We can't keep it up to high because of the costs. The electric blanket isn't even essential. It would probably be easier for me to buy one anyways instead of sending it. But a twin is what I sleep on but I would also like it for when I get home so I don't know.
Anyways! I love you so much and I hope that you are having a wonderful week! I love you Dad, Mom, Zack, Brigham, and Caleb! Be good and read your scriptures everyday! I heard this amazing thing this weekend! I was told that if I prayed and read my scripture everyday for 30 min I would make it to the celestial kingdom! Because if you are doing those things you are not going to do anything bad and you will only want to do better!
I love you! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
Monday, November 15, 2010
November 8, 2010
Hey There! This week has been a very boring one! Ugh... I was sick for most of it! Monday was P-day and I felt fine but then I woke up Tuesday morning and was not doing so hot! Well, actually I was very hot! Haha... I had the fever! I had it for about 2 days and then it got better but I still felt all clammy and achy! So we didn't do very much this week. But by Friday I was pretty much better but I still have a head cold thing going on. So many people have been sick here because of the weather change! It has been so cold! But last p-day I bought some good leggings that are really helping so I should be good on winter clothes now! It was just the cold wind up my skirt that was not fun! We are still working with Abby, Zoey, and Chloe on their baptismal date! It's set for Nov 20th! She is so close to quit smoking! She is down to one a day! She can do it, it's just difficult for her because her kids aren't very obedient and they stress her out from their fighting and that makes her want a cigarette! But they are close and we are actually teaching her new husband John the lessons and he is planning on being baptized "one day" hopefully sooner than later! We are also working with Danielle Manns, Keith's daughter! Keith was baptized Oct. 1, 2010 and so it's great! He is getting the Aaronic priesthood so he can baptize his daughter, and will be going to do baptisms for the dead soon, and he was called to teach the sunbeams in primary! It's so amazing! He has just blossomed and he is so happy for his daughter! Danielle should also be getting baptized on Nov. 20th! Mom, I got the package this week with the apples and pomegranates! Thank you so much! I was actually craving them and was going to buy them in the store last week but decided against it! It was great to get them! I should actually be sending another S.D. card home soonish! I have been taking pictures like crazy and Abby wants a c.d. with the pictures from her wedding. So if you could make one for her and send it back that would be wonderful! I love you! Possibly if you could get a couple copies of the soft back triples of the Book of Mormon, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price that would be great! I don't know how much they are though. So if they are not pricey I would love to give it as a gift to Danielle and Abby. Hmmmm... I don't think very much else has happened. Just been sick and teaching some. I have been thinking about Christmas and I don't want a lot. Ideas: Toner, Face Wash, Mascara, Heater blanket, speakers (mine broke), maybe some new c.d.'s with like Hillary Weeks, Mindy Glendell, Josh Grobin or artists like that, no more mo-tab, mostly I want money to save for when I get home so I can go shopping and buy new clothes! I will not be bringing home many from my mission. They are starting to look a little warn and I don't want to know what they will look like by the end! Haha... But I would love to buy new clothes when I get home!
I love you all though! I hope your having a great week!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
I love you all though! I hope your having a great week!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
November 1, 2010
Hey! It's your favorite Sister Missionary! Hehe... I am doing pretty good! We had another crazy week! I don't understand how much crazy things can happen in a week. Monday we carved pumpkins with the Clearfork Sisters! That was fun! I love them! I also learned how to knit! Tuesday we had a bunch of tornado warnings! We were inside 1/2 the day because the sirens were going off. Nothing bad happened here though. It was just raining really hard and super windy!
Tuesday this crazy lady also called us and said she was going to file harassment charges on us if we didn't leave her younger friends alone that we had been teaching. She told us that they don't want to be Mormon and she knows this because she is their "Mentor." It was ridiculous! She was yelling at me over the phone and then she called the Branch President. He ended up calling the church legal department and told him we could continue teaching them unless they told us not to come over. It all way dumb, because the girls we were teaching were all over the age of 25 and they were so excited to learn. But this Wendy person who called totally anti-ed them and they ended up calling the church and telling them they didn't want to learn. It was ridiculous! But whatever... Hopefully they will find it later in life when this Wendy person isn't in their lives anymore!
Wednesday we had somewhat of a normal day. We had district meeting and went to lunch with our district. Then we taught some lessons and found a couple new investigators from member referrals! Member referrals are the best! They definitely have a higher success rate of baptism than anything else!
Thursday I got my blood drawn for my thyroid. Speaking of which I did call the number you gave me and they said they would send a bill and on the back there is something that says you should apply for. I am not sure... But I can call my doctors office and give them permission for you to go over the bills. I am pretty sure I sent in a paper that gave you access to all that already. I don't know... It's just so confusing sometimes. Because there are so many bills from different places. Didn't they write them off?
Anyways... we also went up to Kenton on Thursday and we taught Keith Manns' daughter Danielle who has seen the gospel make a change in his life and so she was interested in learning. Well we taught her about the Restoration and she thinks it makes perfect sense. I also was telling her about Joseph Smith's First Vision and she said she got goose bumps and she knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet! It was a wonderful lesson! We committed her for baptism on Nov 20th! Friday... we had weekly planning and then taught some lessons.
We also had a branch Halloween social! It was fun! We had a potluck dinner and then the primary age kids and the Missionaries got to go trunk or treating! It was awesome! I love being a missionary! It's awesome! We have so much candy though! I don't know what to do with it all. I was thinking about using it during lessons! Ha-ha... I don't want to eat it all.
Saturday we did a crazy service project! We Killed Chickens! I took lots and lots of pictures! It was so gross but I am glad we did it for the experience! They even sent us home with one of the chickens we killed. It's in our freezer... I am not sure I want to eat it! Hmmm... It was very interesting. First we chopped their heads off with an axe then we dipped them in boiling water and plucked off their feathers and then we had to skin them! YUCK! Then we cut up their rib cage and got all the organs and stuff out. I held a chickens heart! Can you even imagine me doing this... Weird!
Then Sunday we were supposed to have a baptism of Zoey and Chloe but then we decided it would be better for them to wait for their mom! Abby their mom is so close! She was smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day but she is down to 1-2! We are hoping to baptize her and her kids Saturday of this week or next! Keep her in your prayers please! But that was my crazy week! Lots of fun experiences! Ha-ha! But I am doing good!
It sounds like things at home are good! The entire house is going to look different by the time I get home! That's weird! I can't believe how much things can change in a year! It's just strange to think that life is going on back home without me! It's definitely weird to see pictures of lance at home hanging out with friends!
I love you all so much! Thanks for all the prayers and support! You are amazing! I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Love, Sister Whitney
p.s. Sorry I am taking so long to write letters back to anyone who wrote me. My hand has been hurting for some reason lately and it's hard to write for to long! But I still love you!
Mom, You need to update my blog! Haha... I have been out over 9 months now! I love you and I hope that you are having a great day! Thanks for everything that you do for me! You are the best! Love, Madie
Tuesday this crazy lady also called us and said she was going to file harassment charges on us if we didn't leave her younger friends alone that we had been teaching. She told us that they don't want to be Mormon and she knows this because she is their "Mentor." It was ridiculous! She was yelling at me over the phone and then she called the Branch President. He ended up calling the church legal department and told him we could continue teaching them unless they told us not to come over. It all way dumb, because the girls we were teaching were all over the age of 25 and they were so excited to learn. But this Wendy person who called totally anti-ed them and they ended up calling the church and telling them they didn't want to learn. It was ridiculous! But whatever... Hopefully they will find it later in life when this Wendy person isn't in their lives anymore!
Wednesday we had somewhat of a normal day. We had district meeting and went to lunch with our district. Then we taught some lessons and found a couple new investigators from member referrals! Member referrals are the best! They definitely have a higher success rate of baptism than anything else!
Thursday I got my blood drawn for my thyroid. Speaking of which I did call the number you gave me and they said they would send a bill and on the back there is something that says you should apply for. I am not sure... But I can call my doctors office and give them permission for you to go over the bills. I am pretty sure I sent in a paper that gave you access to all that already. I don't know... It's just so confusing sometimes. Because there are so many bills from different places. Didn't they write them off?
Anyways... we also went up to Kenton on Thursday and we taught Keith Manns' daughter Danielle who has seen the gospel make a change in his life and so she was interested in learning. Well we taught her about the Restoration and she thinks it makes perfect sense. I also was telling her about Joseph Smith's First Vision and she said she got goose bumps and she knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet! It was a wonderful lesson! We committed her for baptism on Nov 20th! Friday... we had weekly planning and then taught some lessons.
We also had a branch Halloween social! It was fun! We had a potluck dinner and then the primary age kids and the Missionaries got to go trunk or treating! It was awesome! I love being a missionary! It's awesome! We have so much candy though! I don't know what to do with it all. I was thinking about using it during lessons! Ha-ha... I don't want to eat it all.
Saturday we did a crazy service project! We Killed Chickens! I took lots and lots of pictures! It was so gross but I am glad we did it for the experience! They even sent us home with one of the chickens we killed. It's in our freezer... I am not sure I want to eat it! Hmmm... It was very interesting. First we chopped their heads off with an axe then we dipped them in boiling water and plucked off their feathers and then we had to skin them! YUCK! Then we cut up their rib cage and got all the organs and stuff out. I held a chickens heart! Can you even imagine me doing this... Weird!
Then Sunday we were supposed to have a baptism of Zoey and Chloe but then we decided it would be better for them to wait for their mom! Abby their mom is so close! She was smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day but she is down to 1-2! We are hoping to baptize her and her kids Saturday of this week or next! Keep her in your prayers please! But that was my crazy week! Lots of fun experiences! Ha-ha! But I am doing good!
It sounds like things at home are good! The entire house is going to look different by the time I get home! That's weird! I can't believe how much things can change in a year! It's just strange to think that life is going on back home without me! It's definitely weird to see pictures of lance at home hanging out with friends!
I love you all so much! Thanks for all the prayers and support! You are amazing! I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Love, Sister Whitney
p.s. Sorry I am taking so long to write letters back to anyone who wrote me. My hand has been hurting for some reason lately and it's hard to write for to long! But I still love you!
Mom, You need to update my blog! Haha... I have been out over 9 months now! I love you and I hope that you are having a great day! Thanks for everything that you do for me! You are the best! Love, Madie
October 25, 2010
Hey Family!I can't even begin to tell you how amazing my week has been! O mygoodness! I won't be able to explain it all in the next 10-15 min!
I am doing amazing! I have a great companion and we have had somuch success this week. People keep asking us our secret and we have noidea! Heavenly Father is just really blessing us and this area! We reachedthe standard of excellence this week. That is the mission presidents goalfor our area's each week. It's 20 lessons taught, 5 member present lessons,and 3 new investigators. It's been so much fun.
We went to the Zoo Monday and had a blast! They are already putting up Christmas lights! Tuesday we got transfer calls and I was so excited to hear I am staying in Marion and with Sister Loosli! And an area in our district got doubled out and SisterMissionaries got doubled in! Not to mention that it was Sister LeSueur myMTC companion! We will get to see each other all the time now! It's soexciting!
Probably the craziest thing that happened this week was that weplanned and had a wedding within 36 hours! We taught Abby the law ofchastity and told her that her boyfriend couldn't live there and so she saidwe will get married tomorrow. Well we told her how about the day after! Wecalled the branch president and set it up! Sister Loosli and I baked awedding cake! It was so intense! But everything went really well! I tooklike a billion pictures and so that was crazy! It was just an insane week!The work is just wonderful! I love it!
Sorry it's kind of short! I have to go! But I love you and I appreciate allof the letters and mail!
Kimber and Shanan thank you for the HalloweenPackage! You are the BEST! I love you guys! Kimber CONGRATULATIONS on thecall to the Buena's Aires Argentina West mission! That's amazing! You willlove it! I can't believe you don't leave till Feb! I will miss you so muchwhen I get home but you will love serving and you will never regret it!
I love you!Love Sister Madison Whitney
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
I am doing amazing! I have a great companion and we have had somuch success this week. People keep asking us our secret and we have noidea! Heavenly Father is just really blessing us and this area! We reachedthe standard of excellence this week. That is the mission presidents goalfor our area's each week. It's 20 lessons taught, 5 member present lessons,and 3 new investigators. It's been so much fun.
We went to the Zoo Monday and had a blast! They are already putting up Christmas lights! Tuesday we got transfer calls and I was so excited to hear I am staying in Marion and with Sister Loosli! And an area in our district got doubled out and SisterMissionaries got doubled in! Not to mention that it was Sister LeSueur myMTC companion! We will get to see each other all the time now! It's soexciting!
Probably the craziest thing that happened this week was that weplanned and had a wedding within 36 hours! We taught Abby the law ofchastity and told her that her boyfriend couldn't live there and so she saidwe will get married tomorrow. Well we told her how about the day after! Wecalled the branch president and set it up! Sister Loosli and I baked awedding cake! It was so intense! But everything went really well! I tooklike a billion pictures and so that was crazy! It was just an insane week!The work is just wonderful! I love it!
Sorry it's kind of short! I have to go! But I love you and I appreciate allof the letters and mail!
Kimber and Shanan thank you for the HalloweenPackage! You are the BEST! I love you guys! Kimber CONGRATULATIONS on thecall to the Buena's Aires Argentina West mission! That's amazing! You willlove it! I can't believe you don't leave till Feb! I will miss you so muchwhen I get home but you will love serving and you will never regret it!
I love you!Love Sister Madison Whitney
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October 18, 2010
Hey family! Happy Birthday Brigham and Dad! I love you both so much! I hope that you both have wonderful birthdays! Another crazy week! It has been really good because we have been super busy and it has kept my mind busy! Heavenly Father knew I needed to be busy so I could stay focused with lance going home. It has been a little difficult knowing he is home now with everyone and I am here. But I defiantly know this is where I am supposed to be! I have been able to be a huge part of changing peoples lives in this area and every time I see them it reconfirms to me that I am here for a reason! Mother, Sister Parry is my favorite companion! I love her and she went home last transfer. I served with her in Greenfield! She is skinny and has curly blondish hair. That's sad to here about Brigham’s leg. That's crazy that he couldn't even walk. I hope he is feeling better! I still can't believe he is 16! That's ridiculous! Tell him he can't grow up anymore! I did get the package you mailed. It's a little early but thank you very much! I loved it! I am pretty excited for Halloween! We get to go to a trunk or treat with the Branch and should be having a baptism on Halloween! It's pretty cool! That's wonderful to hear about the medical! Heavenly Father is definitely blessing us! I have been feeling pretty great for the most part! I am very tired sometimes but I just think that's a mix of being a missionary and everything! I usually just take naps during lunch. I should be going to get my blood drawn in the next week and then I have to go back to OSU to see the doctor on Nov. 30! I am doing good at taking the pills everyday. I put them right by my bed! Transfers are this week and I really don't want to leave this area. But we will see! I am loving Sister Loosli! We get along great and we have a lot of fun together! This was a short transfer... only 5 weeks and the next 2 will be 7 weeks. It's weird but we just listen. We are going to the Zoo today! I am excited! I love the ZOO! We are going with some Elders from our Zone that are way fun to hang out with! Hopefully it won't rain on us! But if it does o well! HAHA... But I have to get going. Sorry the email isn't to detailed about my week. We have just been teaching and working hard! Preparing people for baptism! I love it! Thank you for all that you do for me! I love you so much! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
October 12, 2010
Hey Family! Things are going great here in Marion still! We had another baptism this week for Terra Ferriman and she is absolutely awesome! The people here are just so prepared to here the gospel it's amazing! I love it! Keith Manns is still doing great! He got up on Sunday and bore his testimony and thanked us for helping him change his life and Terra did the same! It's so great being able to help them! Today we had specialized training with the Mission President and he told us that we were angels and the people that we helped find the gospel would always remember us in their hearts and we would be their angels! It was so awesome! The weather in Ohio is beautiful and I love the fall colors! I have taken a few pictures but a lot of the times when I see them we are driving and so it's hard to take pictures. But I love the colors! We collect leaves and put them in our copies of the Book of Mormon we carry around. We are really busy and I love it! It seem like we never have enough time to do what we need to do! It's good though! I do love Marion but I still definitely miss Greenfield. I think Greenfield will always be my favorite! It just has a special place in my heart because that's where I started!
That's cool that you are trying to learn Spanish. We actually just found 2 new investigators that speak Spanish and very little English. It's difficult to teach them and I wish Zack could just come up and be my companion for a bit to help me teach them. But we are doing pretty good with them. Their names are Felipe and Gabino. I did take Spanish in high school but I don't remember very much of it. Just a few words here and there. I will probably be sending home a package soon. I need to send a few things home. Including my S.D. card with all my pictures from the baptisms I have had on it. Hopefully this next week I will be sending that home. I will probably just end up buying myself some warmer clothes. It's mostly just for my legs in the winter! I want leggings and knee high socks. Thanks for the little extra money.
I still can't believe Lance will be home Friday that is unreal! That's cool that you will be going to the airport to welcome him home! I wish I could be there but I know I need to be here it will just be a little difficult knowing that he is home! Ugh.. Maybe you could bring a large picture of me so I can be there. Ha-ha... I don't know.
I got a letter from Sister Parry today and she has only been home for 4 weeks! She is engaged already! It's crazy! I can't believe it but I am way excited for her! She will be getting married on Jan 28th in the Bountiful temple. I also wish I could be there! But time is up... I need to go but I love you so much and I hope you have a great week! Tell Lance I love him and wish him luck with everything! I love you! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Could you get me 2-3 copies of the General Conference Ensign when it comes out. And also if you could look up The Mantle- 14 fundamentals in following the prophet by President Benson and email that to me that would be great! Thanks!
That's cool that you are trying to learn Spanish. We actually just found 2 new investigators that speak Spanish and very little English. It's difficult to teach them and I wish Zack could just come up and be my companion for a bit to help me teach them. But we are doing pretty good with them. Their names are Felipe and Gabino. I did take Spanish in high school but I don't remember very much of it. Just a few words here and there. I will probably be sending home a package soon. I need to send a few things home. Including my S.D. card with all my pictures from the baptisms I have had on it. Hopefully this next week I will be sending that home. I will probably just end up buying myself some warmer clothes. It's mostly just for my legs in the winter! I want leggings and knee high socks. Thanks for the little extra money.
I still can't believe Lance will be home Friday that is unreal! That's cool that you will be going to the airport to welcome him home! I wish I could be there but I know I need to be here it will just be a little difficult knowing that he is home! Ugh.. Maybe you could bring a large picture of me so I can be there. Ha-ha... I don't know.
I got a letter from Sister Parry today and she has only been home for 4 weeks! She is engaged already! It's crazy! I can't believe it but I am way excited for her! She will be getting married on Jan 28th in the Bountiful temple. I also wish I could be there! But time is up... I need to go but I love you so much and I hope you have a great week! Tell Lance I love him and wish him luck with everything! I love you! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Could you get me 2-3 copies of the General Conference Ensign when it comes out. And also if you could look up The Mantle- 14 fundamentals in following the prophet by President Benson and email that to me that would be great! Thanks!
October 4, 2010
Hey family, It has been a pretty great week! We have been busy as usual finding new people to teach, teaching our investigators, and baptizing Keith Manns! Keith's baptism was so amazing! The spirit was so strong! I love seeing the happiness that the gospel brings into people's lives! It's just amazing! Keith was able to be baptized by his brother Kevin and to see them hug after he came up out of the water and to see the smile's on there faces was just incredible! Not to mention after the baptism we went to Red Lobster to celebrate. The members that took us ordered Calamari for an appetizer. They made me try it! Yuck... chewy squid for an appetizer. But I did it and I also ended up trying lobster, crab, and shrimp. I can say I do not like seafood! It's just gross! I had a chicken ceaser salad for my dinner and of course those yummy cheesy biscuits! Yum!
Terra is still getting baptized on the Saturday! I am so excited for her! Abby and her children are going to be pushed back to later in the month. Abby is still smoking and so she can't get baptized yet. But she is getting closer. She was smoking about 40 a day, 2 packs. But now she is down to about 10! So she has cut a lot off but she is still working on those last few. She is determined to do it though!
Conference was great! I loved it so much! It's amazing how much you can get from listening to the prophets and apostles! I loved Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk and also President Thomas S. Monson's about gratitude! It was great! Speaking of gratitude! I am so thankful for you Dad and Mom for all that you do for me! I am thankful for the great sacrifice you go through to raise us kids and then to support both Zack and I on our missions! It means so much to me to know that I have your support and love! We watched conference at the church for the first 3 sessions and then went to the Titensors, the branch president's family, for dinner and the last session. We only had a few investigators show up sadly. It is so hard to get the investigators to church! It's frustrating sometimes that they have their agency. But... we just keep working with them on it. Thanks for looking at skirts for me but I don't know if I will really need any. One new colorful one may be nice but with it getting in to winter I just need clothes to bundle up in! I think I wear a 12 but I am not sure. I pretty much am the same size I was. I still haven't worn that white skirt you sent me. I was trying to lose weight so I could wear it but I am just staying the same. It's just to hard on the mission. But did it fit you. Did you want it back to wear? Anyways... It has been so cold I am scared for the colder months. I don't know if you would want to buy my some warm knee socks... maybe like micro fiber and also some leggings or something or if you can just put some money on my card so I can buy them at Wal-Mart so you don't have to send a box. I just have a feeling It's going to be a cold winter! Ugh... Christmas is still far away. Ha-ha... I want a GPS so I don't get lost anymore! I hate reading maps. But I will keep it in the back of my mind. Sister Loosli and I are doing fabulous! I love her! She is really cool and we get along great!
I can't remember if I told you but she came out 3 weeks earlier than me cuz she was in the Cincinnati mission and so we are way close to each other in mission age. We will actually be going home together and so that will be cool! I did hear about the tornados and it was crazy apparently. Our branch mission leader drove through it from work to get home. But that's all I know from it. It has been raining here alot but all is good. I have plenty of boots. I have even inherited a pair. I have way to much stuff because when other missionaries go home they just leave everything with you.
A recipe for Kennedy. Did I give you the Buckeye candy recipe! You should give it to her if I did because it's especially a recipe from Ohio! And it's amazing! If I didn't give it to you just look it up on the internet. It's a chocolate peanut butter candy! SO YUMMY! I think the cd disc you made was when I was with Sister Parry and she is home now! But she got copies from Wal-Mart. Thanks though. Maybe I will send my other one home soon. I haven't been taking as many pictures though.
Can you believe Lance comes home on the 15th of this month! I can't even believe it! CRAZY! I hit my 1/2 way mark way soon to! Time just fly’s by! But I got to get going! I love you all so so much! I hope you have a wonderful week! I love you! Remember Missionaries Love getting mail! I would love to get letters from some of you that don't write me very often if ever!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Dad a member in my branch said your face book picture looks like Brett Farve or something like that. I guess he is a NFL football player. HA! I love you!
Terra is still getting baptized on the Saturday! I am so excited for her! Abby and her children are going to be pushed back to later in the month. Abby is still smoking and so she can't get baptized yet. But she is getting closer. She was smoking about 40 a day, 2 packs. But now she is down to about 10! So she has cut a lot off but she is still working on those last few. She is determined to do it though!
Conference was great! I loved it so much! It's amazing how much you can get from listening to the prophets and apostles! I loved Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk and also President Thomas S. Monson's about gratitude! It was great! Speaking of gratitude! I am so thankful for you Dad and Mom for all that you do for me! I am thankful for the great sacrifice you go through to raise us kids and then to support both Zack and I on our missions! It means so much to me to know that I have your support and love! We watched conference at the church for the first 3 sessions and then went to the Titensors, the branch president's family, for dinner and the last session. We only had a few investigators show up sadly. It is so hard to get the investigators to church! It's frustrating sometimes that they have their agency. But... we just keep working with them on it. Thanks for looking at skirts for me but I don't know if I will really need any. One new colorful one may be nice but with it getting in to winter I just need clothes to bundle up in! I think I wear a 12 but I am not sure. I pretty much am the same size I was. I still haven't worn that white skirt you sent me. I was trying to lose weight so I could wear it but I am just staying the same. It's just to hard on the mission. But did it fit you. Did you want it back to wear? Anyways... It has been so cold I am scared for the colder months. I don't know if you would want to buy my some warm knee socks... maybe like micro fiber and also some leggings or something or if you can just put some money on my card so I can buy them at Wal-Mart so you don't have to send a box. I just have a feeling It's going to be a cold winter! Ugh... Christmas is still far away. Ha-ha... I want a GPS so I don't get lost anymore! I hate reading maps. But I will keep it in the back of my mind. Sister Loosli and I are doing fabulous! I love her! She is really cool and we get along great!
I can't remember if I told you but she came out 3 weeks earlier than me cuz she was in the Cincinnati mission and so we are way close to each other in mission age. We will actually be going home together and so that will be cool! I did hear about the tornados and it was crazy apparently. Our branch mission leader drove through it from work to get home. But that's all I know from it. It has been raining here alot but all is good. I have plenty of boots. I have even inherited a pair. I have way to much stuff because when other missionaries go home they just leave everything with you.
A recipe for Kennedy. Did I give you the Buckeye candy recipe! You should give it to her if I did because it's especially a recipe from Ohio! And it's amazing! If I didn't give it to you just look it up on the internet. It's a chocolate peanut butter candy! SO YUMMY! I think the cd disc you made was when I was with Sister Parry and she is home now! But she got copies from Wal-Mart. Thanks though. Maybe I will send my other one home soon. I haven't been taking as many pictures though.
Can you believe Lance comes home on the 15th of this month! I can't even believe it! CRAZY! I hit my 1/2 way mark way soon to! Time just fly’s by! But I got to get going! I love you all so so much! I hope you have a wonderful week! I love you! Remember Missionaries Love getting mail! I would love to get letters from some of you that don't write me very often if ever!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Dad a member in my branch said your face book picture looks like Brett Farve or something like that. I guess he is a NFL football player. HA! I love you!
September 27, 2010
Hello Crazy Family, I still can't believe you had a family reunion without me and zack! It sounds like you had a lot of fun! This has been a crazy crazy week! We have been so busy I am stressing out about teaching everyone we need to and contacting people that have signed up from the popcorn festival! It's crazy! This next week we are already booked up besides on Saturday! It's so weird having to schedule appointments a week out. It's good though! Keith is getting baptized on Friday Oct. 1st! He had his baptismal interview and we were able to teach him everything he needed to know. He is so amazing! It's so cool because you can really see a difference in his countenance! Abby, Zoey, Chloe, and Terra are all still on for October 9th. They are doing really good! They came to the Relief Society general broadcast and they loved it! It was really good! We have also been able to find some great new investigators! It's just so exciting!
On other news... we caught 12 spiders in our home in the last few nights! I have been so scared and not sleeping very well. It all started out with wanting to air out our apartment. We went and lifted up the blinds and there was a HUGE spider web! It was like one of the ones you would put up for Halloween except real and there were real spiders in it! Luckily my amazing companion Sister Loosli is not scared of spiders like I am. After she cleaned that spider web up I started checking all of the corners and stuff. I found one in almost every corner of our apartment! It was not cool! We were cleaning up spider webs for about 2 hours that night! Not to mention I found a huge centipede in the apartment! It was like 2-3 inches long! I ended up calling our branch mission leader and he went and bought us some spider killer spray you spray around the corners and walls. It was disgusting! I am so glad I am not serving a mission out of the country in some foreign land! GROSS... then today we were deep cleaning and we found spider egg sacks! AHHHH! I will tell you that our apartment is probably the cleanest it has ever been we spent hours and hours cleaning over the last few days and mostly today! Hopefully I will be able to sleep better now. I hate spiders and bugs!
Anyways... it was a pretty crazy, exciting week! We are keeping busy though! I do love it! We even were able to go to Zone Conference and learn about the new 8 things. Well part of them or something. I guess my mission president didn't tell us what we were learning he is just teaching us it. It was really good though! I always love Zone Conference! It's amazing I learn so much and the spirit is so strong! I also got to see Misty Posey and some people from Greenfield! It was so cool! They were going to the temple and I was leaving to go back to Marion from Zone Conference! It was so great seeing them! I loved it! Well... I need to get going but I love you so much! I hope all is going well! I love you! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
On other news... we caught 12 spiders in our home in the last few nights! I have been so scared and not sleeping very well. It all started out with wanting to air out our apartment. We went and lifted up the blinds and there was a HUGE spider web! It was like one of the ones you would put up for Halloween except real and there were real spiders in it! Luckily my amazing companion Sister Loosli is not scared of spiders like I am. After she cleaned that spider web up I started checking all of the corners and stuff. I found one in almost every corner of our apartment! It was not cool! We were cleaning up spider webs for about 2 hours that night! Not to mention I found a huge centipede in the apartment! It was like 2-3 inches long! I ended up calling our branch mission leader and he went and bought us some spider killer spray you spray around the corners and walls. It was disgusting! I am so glad I am not serving a mission out of the country in some foreign land! GROSS... then today we were deep cleaning and we found spider egg sacks! AHHHH! I will tell you that our apartment is probably the cleanest it has ever been we spent hours and hours cleaning over the last few days and mostly today! Hopefully I will be able to sleep better now. I hate spiders and bugs!
Anyways... it was a pretty crazy, exciting week! We are keeping busy though! I do love it! We even were able to go to Zone Conference and learn about the new 8 things. Well part of them or something. I guess my mission president didn't tell us what we were learning he is just teaching us it. It was really good though! I always love Zone Conference! It's amazing I learn so much and the spirit is so strong! I also got to see Misty Posey and some people from Greenfield! It was so cool! They were going to the temple and I was leaving to go back to Marion from Zone Conference! It was so great seeing them! I loved it! Well... I need to get going but I love you so much! I hope all is going well! I love you! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
September 20. 2010
Hello Family and Friends! I can't even tell you how busy we have been over the last week and how busy we are going to continue to be! It's crazy! The work in Marion is moving forward! Our investigators are doing amazing! Keith Manns is working on getting baptized this Saturday the 25th of September! We just have to finish teaching him the lessons and get him interviewed by the district leader! He has been living the Word of Wisdom for 2 weeks now. Well mostly, he has had one slip up on Friday but if he stays clean and will live it from now on he will be able to be baptized on Saturday! It's so exciting seeing these people's lives changed! Abby is doing good. She is having a little more difficult time living the word of wisdom but is trying and has cut back on smoking. Her boyfriend moved out the other night after we taught her the Law of Chastity! Pretty exciting! We are also teaching her 2 little girls Zoey and Chloe who are 10 and 8! They will be getting baptized on October 9th if she can quit smoking! Tara is also amazing! She has been living the Word of Wisdom and has only slipped up once in the last week! All of these investigators have been coming to church and loving it! It's just fabulous! We have a few other investigators we are just continuing to work with! We also have 50 people that we have to contact in the next few weeks. We had a booth in the popcorn festival and that is how many people we got to sign up and so hopefully some good investigators will come off of the list! It's just great!
Transfers were this week and as you can tell I am still in Marion. I did get a new companion though. Her name is Sister Loosli. Pronounced Loose-ly, like tightly and loosley! She is really awesome! I have come to love her already! I know we are going to do some great work this transfer. She is from Southern California from a city called Irvin. She has been on her mission only 3 weeks longer than me. It was cool because she actually is from the Cincinnati Mission. She went into the MTC 3 weeks earlier than me. I stayed in her room and we had the same teachers in the MTC. It was cool and so we learned a lot of the same things from our MTC teachers and we are going to be celebrating our 1/2 way marks together! I love her though!
I got the medical letter. Thank you. They are drawing my blood in 6 weeks and I think they are doing 3 tests on it. And then I will go to doctor Kwaja on Nov 30. Thank you for sending me pictures of Rhondee's wedding! She is so beautiful! I love her and hope she is happy! I did hear that Kennedy is engaged! That's so cool! I am excited for her! I still can't believe how many people have gotten married since I left! I am going to come home and be the only single person left! Crazy! Hopefully I won't stay single for to long though.
But time is up! I love you all so much! Thanks again for all the love and support that you give me! I love getting letters and packages from most of you! It's so exciting to get mail! I hope you have a great week!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney Read the Book of Mormon! It's amazing! I have grown so much from reading it daily! I know it's Another Testament of Christ and it truly will bring us closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father!
Transfers were this week and as you can tell I am still in Marion. I did get a new companion though. Her name is Sister Loosli. Pronounced Loose-ly, like tightly and loosley! She is really awesome! I have come to love her already! I know we are going to do some great work this transfer. She is from Southern California from a city called Irvin. She has been on her mission only 3 weeks longer than me. It was cool because she actually is from the Cincinnati Mission. She went into the MTC 3 weeks earlier than me. I stayed in her room and we had the same teachers in the MTC. It was cool and so we learned a lot of the same things from our MTC teachers and we are going to be celebrating our 1/2 way marks together! I love her though!
I got the medical letter. Thank you. They are drawing my blood in 6 weeks and I think they are doing 3 tests on it. And then I will go to doctor Kwaja on Nov 30. Thank you for sending me pictures of Rhondee's wedding! She is so beautiful! I love her and hope she is happy! I did hear that Kennedy is engaged! That's so cool! I am excited for her! I still can't believe how many people have gotten married since I left! I am going to come home and be the only single person left! Crazy! Hopefully I won't stay single for to long though.
But time is up! I love you all so much! Thanks again for all the love and support that you give me! I love getting letters and packages from most of you! It's so exciting to get mail! I hope you have a great week!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney Read the Book of Mormon! It's amazing! I have grown so much from reading it daily! I know it's Another Testament of Christ and it truly will bring us closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father!
September 13, 2010
Hey family! Things are still going really great here in Marion! Its crazy how fast time is going by! I can't believe it! Abby, Tara, and Keith are still all on for baptism! Keith hasn't had a cigarette since Tuesday last week. Tara and Abby both quit yesterday! It's really excited! They are all doing amazing! It's cool because Abby's kids Zoey and Chloe are wanting to get baptized on October 9th with their mom! So we should be having 5 baptisms with in the next few weeks! I love seeing the change this gospel brings into peoples lives! The popcorn festival was really fun! It was draining though! Being there from 11-9 everyday for three days gets tiring! We seemed to have a lot of success from it! We ended up having 218 contacts, which means we taught them a principle of the gospel and committed them to do something. We had 53 people sign up for either copies of the Book of Mormon, Bibles, or DVD's. It was pretty cool. We had the other missionaries come out and help us which was cool because it's always great to see other missionaries! It was really cool! I bought this awesome shirt from the festival that says Peace, Love, and Popcorn! Ha-ha... That was the theme! And they have a popcorn festival because they do have a popcorn factory out here. They even have a popcorn museum! Pretty sweet! I ate so much popcorn this last week though! It was good! I got Rondee's wedding invitation this week! She is so beautiful! I am sad I am not there for the wedding! I wish I could be there! I miss her! Tell her I love her and wish I could be there! I hope you have fun at that! I heard that Cheryl, Christi, and Cheri are all coming down! That should be fun! I wish I could also be there to see them. Gosh... I am missing all kinds of things! But I know that I need to be out here doing the work I am doing. It's just sad to miss so much sometimes! I could kind of read the letter from the doctor. I have the others and so I will compare my levels over the last few times. I do not need any more pills! I have a ton! We bought like 500 before I left! 15 mg a day is only a pill and a half. So that’s not horrible. I do have to go back in 6 weeks to get my blood drawn and go back to the doctor in 3 months. I think Nov. 30 was the date. Ugh... did you get anything back from the financial aid place. I mailed the thing in. Transfers are this week and so I will let you know what happens. Most likely I will be staying in Marion but we will see! I love you all so much! Thanks for all the support you give me! I love you! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
September 7, 2010
Hello Family!!
I have the best news ever!!! SISTER MISSIONARIES DON"T HAVE TO WEAR NYLONS ANYMORE!!! It's amazing! We got a letter in the mail today and they totally updated the Sister Missionary wear. Remember all the really ugly outfits in my call letter. Well, now they are cute and updated! It was a great letter. We no longer have to wear nylons and our skirts only have to cover the knee now! It's great! So no more buying knee highs! Super excited I hate those things! But anyways... besides that excellent news this has been an amazing week!
The lord is really blessing this area! We have 3 investigators with a baptismal date! The first one is Abby. She is probably in her 30's. Abby has 3 kids: Zoey-10, Chloe-8, and Ian-5! She came to church for the 2nd week in a row. We watched the Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration DVD with her and then committed her to baptism on October 9th. She has a lot to overcome before then like smoking, coffee, and boyfriend. But she knows it's true and she wants to go forward! It's a little difficult for her because her family is anything but supportive! Her grandpa is a minister in another church and is really coming down on her but she just keeps telling him sorry and she knows this is what is right for her! She is amazing! Hopefully her and her 2 kids will all be getting baptized on Oct. 9th but it may take longer depending on the boyfriend thing... We will see.
We are also teaching Keith. Keith lives with his member brother Kevin and his wife Carla. They are an amazing family. We have been teaching him and we also watched the Joseph Smith DVD with him and when it was over he looked at us and said "I found my home!" It was so powerful! The spirit was so strong and he knew that this is what he needs to do. He has come to church twice and has a baptismal date for September 25! He also has to quit smoking! But they are willing and the Lord will help them!
We have also been teaching Tara! She lives with a less active, Barb Rickerd! She is actually the one who texted you to get the brownie recipe! But we have been teaching her daughter and she loves it! She has read the entire first book of Nephi in 2 weeks! She hasn't been able to come to church because she works, but she has next Sunday off and will be asking for all her Sundays off or at least a later shift so she can come to church! She also has a baptismal date for October 9th! It's amazing! I love seeing the gospel change peoples lives! I love serving a mission!
But that is pretty much how the work is going here in Marion! We are also working at a booth at the popcorn festival on thurs, Friday, and sat. this week! Its pretty exciting!
The weather is pretty hot still. It's really annoying because the weather changes so fast here. It could be cold one day and hot the next! ugh...
We do have a Wal-Mart in Marion! It's way nice. We can go every week now. It's just when I was in Greenfield we didn't have one and so we had to go into another area. My hair is doing fine I think. I should probably color it again soon but I still have color so I am doing fine. I do like my companion Sister Hulbert. She is really nice. We have different personalities and likes and dislikes and so sometimes that makes it difficult but she is nice.
I hope all is well with everything at home! I love you all so much! I miss you! But time is flying by! I can't believe I have been out 71/2 months! Crazy! I love you and keep you all in my prayers!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Write me letters!
I have the best news ever!!! SISTER MISSIONARIES DON"T HAVE TO WEAR NYLONS ANYMORE!!! It's amazing! We got a letter in the mail today and they totally updated the Sister Missionary wear. Remember all the really ugly outfits in my call letter. Well, now they are cute and updated! It was a great letter. We no longer have to wear nylons and our skirts only have to cover the knee now! It's great! So no more buying knee highs! Super excited I hate those things! But anyways... besides that excellent news this has been an amazing week!
The lord is really blessing this area! We have 3 investigators with a baptismal date! The first one is Abby. She is probably in her 30's. Abby has 3 kids: Zoey-10, Chloe-8, and Ian-5! She came to church for the 2nd week in a row. We watched the Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration DVD with her and then committed her to baptism on October 9th. She has a lot to overcome before then like smoking, coffee, and boyfriend. But she knows it's true and she wants to go forward! It's a little difficult for her because her family is anything but supportive! Her grandpa is a minister in another church and is really coming down on her but she just keeps telling him sorry and she knows this is what is right for her! She is amazing! Hopefully her and her 2 kids will all be getting baptized on Oct. 9th but it may take longer depending on the boyfriend thing... We will see.
We are also teaching Keith. Keith lives with his member brother Kevin and his wife Carla. They are an amazing family. We have been teaching him and we also watched the Joseph Smith DVD with him and when it was over he looked at us and said "I found my home!" It was so powerful! The spirit was so strong and he knew that this is what he needs to do. He has come to church twice and has a baptismal date for September 25! He also has to quit smoking! But they are willing and the Lord will help them!
We have also been teaching Tara! She lives with a less active, Barb Rickerd! She is actually the one who texted you to get the brownie recipe! But we have been teaching her daughter and she loves it! She has read the entire first book of Nephi in 2 weeks! She hasn't been able to come to church because she works, but she has next Sunday off and will be asking for all her Sundays off or at least a later shift so she can come to church! She also has a baptismal date for October 9th! It's amazing! I love seeing the gospel change peoples lives! I love serving a mission!
But that is pretty much how the work is going here in Marion! We are also working at a booth at the popcorn festival on thurs, Friday, and sat. this week! Its pretty exciting!
The weather is pretty hot still. It's really annoying because the weather changes so fast here. It could be cold one day and hot the next! ugh...
We do have a Wal-Mart in Marion! It's way nice. We can go every week now. It's just when I was in Greenfield we didn't have one and so we had to go into another area. My hair is doing fine I think. I should probably color it again soon but I still have color so I am doing fine. I do like my companion Sister Hulbert. She is really nice. We have different personalities and likes and dislikes and so sometimes that makes it difficult but she is nice.
I hope all is well with everything at home! I love you all so much! I miss you! But time is flying by! I can't believe I have been out 71/2 months! Crazy! I love you and keep you all in my prayers!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Write me letters!
September 2, 2010
September 2, 2010
Hello Family, How are things going in good ole St. George? I am doing pretty good here in Marion. The week has been pretty good. We were able to go to the Mission Home Fireside on Sunday and we brought 5 investigators. That is were we get to go down to Powell and get to here President and Sister Jensen speak and then have brownies and ice cream. The spirit is so strong there and it's a great environment for our investigators! Monday for p-day we were able to go down to OCU Medical Center and I saw the doctor and got my blood drawn. It went pretty well... I guess. The results should be coming in about 2 weeks. I just had them send everything to your house because that way bills and everything gets sent to you. So let me know what it says on there. We also got to go to the Zoo on Monday and so that was fun! It's supposedly the best Zoo in America! It is pretty big and it was a lot of walking! I was tired when we got home but it was fun! I will hopefully be sending a few pictures out! It sounds like you had a lot of fun on your cruise! I am jealous! But I am glad that you were able to go and do that! The scuba dives sounded great! I would love to get certified in that one day with my husband and go with you and dad! I think that would be so much fun! I still remember the time in Hawaii. I remember when I panicked and almost swam to the top. Ha-ha... And thanks for the pictures! You look really good and I like your shorter hair! The work here is going really great! Heavenly Father is defiantly blessing this area! I love it! We have so many great investigators! We found this girl Abby and she is doing amazing! She is reading the gospel principles book and the book of Mormon. She has come to church and the mission home fireside! She really notices a huge difference when she reads and prays! It's great because she really recognizes the spirit! We just need to teach her the Word of Wisdom and The Law of Chastity! It seems like everyone in Ohio smokes! YUCK! I really hope I don't get lung cancer from second hand smoke! Joke.. But it is going pretty well. The members are amazing! They will do anything for us! I love them! The members is defiantly what makes the work move forward! I love them! But my times up! I hope everything is going good back home! I love you all! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Thanks for the letters for those of you who write me! Mail for missionaries is like gold! We love it! Thanks!
Hello Family, How are things going in good ole St. George? I am doing pretty good here in Marion. The week has been pretty good. We were able to go to the Mission Home Fireside on Sunday and we brought 5 investigators. That is were we get to go down to Powell and get to here President and Sister Jensen speak and then have brownies and ice cream. The spirit is so strong there and it's a great environment for our investigators! Monday for p-day we were able to go down to OCU Medical Center and I saw the doctor and got my blood drawn. It went pretty well... I guess. The results should be coming in about 2 weeks. I just had them send everything to your house because that way bills and everything gets sent to you. So let me know what it says on there. We also got to go to the Zoo on Monday and so that was fun! It's supposedly the best Zoo in America! It is pretty big and it was a lot of walking! I was tired when we got home but it was fun! I will hopefully be sending a few pictures out! It sounds like you had a lot of fun on your cruise! I am jealous! But I am glad that you were able to go and do that! The scuba dives sounded great! I would love to get certified in that one day with my husband and go with you and dad! I think that would be so much fun! I still remember the time in Hawaii. I remember when I panicked and almost swam to the top. Ha-ha... And thanks for the pictures! You look really good and I like your shorter hair! The work here is going really great! Heavenly Father is defiantly blessing this area! I love it! We have so many great investigators! We found this girl Abby and she is doing amazing! She is reading the gospel principles book and the book of Mormon. She has come to church and the mission home fireside! She really notices a huge difference when she reads and prays! It's great because she really recognizes the spirit! We just need to teach her the Word of Wisdom and The Law of Chastity! It seems like everyone in Ohio smokes! YUCK! I really hope I don't get lung cancer from second hand smoke! Joke.. But it is going pretty well. The members are amazing! They will do anything for us! I love them! The members is defiantly what makes the work move forward! I love them! But my times up! I hope everything is going good back home! I love you all! Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Thanks for the letters for those of you who write me! Mail for missionaries is like gold! We love it! Thanks!
August 23, 2010
Hello Family! It is so good to hear from you! I cant even believe how old Brigham looks. It's crazy... he is getting tall! I hope that the cruise is fun! That's insane how much fruit you have! I would love that! Fruit just seems to be so expensive and so we don't buy to much. We have been getting a ton of fresh garden veggies! Yesterday we had dinner with the Sutter family! They have a way intense story they told us. If you wanted to you could read about it on savedbyagun.com but it was really a testimony builder to me on how the lord really protects his people. But they have a huge garden! 3/4 of an acre and they gave us beets, broccoli, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, and a few others. We are going to be eating pretty healthy this week. ha-ha... I love garden fresh veggies! They are so good especially those tomatoes:) But the members are so great to us here! We were given a loaf of banana and zucchini bread last week! So good! It's amazing how much they do for us! I love them! The branch mission leader even bought me a pillow because the one I was using well, I wouldn't even call it a pillow. It was the thinnest thing I have ever seen! They really do so much! We even have been able to get more members out with us to lessons! It's great when the members help do missionary work because that is when the work really starts moving along!
Speaking of the work moving along... LEONARD was BAPTIZED and CONFIRMED this weekend! It is so exciting! He is so amazing and truly has a testimony that this is Christ restored church! I love being able to take part in people lives and help them come unto Christ! The baptism went amazing! The spirit was so strong and Leonard was so happy. It's just so exciting! The work is moving along here quite well in Marion! We have been finding and teaching a ton of people! We have 20 investigators right now! It is crazy! We just need to get them to keep commitments! I wish they would just come to church! They would progress so much faster if they would take that step. But we are working with them on it!
I am just doing really amazing! I love serving! Teaching the gospel brings so much joy into my life! I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to share it with people! I want everyone to feel that happiness that can come from this gospel! I know that this is Christ's church! I know that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith! I know that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ! If we read it we will feel the Holy Ghost bear record to us that it is true! We need to read our scriptures daily, we need to pray all the time and we need to go to church! Heavenly Father loves and knows each of us individually and he wants us to talk to him. He wants to be able to comfort us but we must turn to him! I am so thankful to share this message with the people here in Ohio! I know I was sent here for a reason! I am where I need to be and I am grateful for Heavenly Father for allowing me to be here!
I love you all so much! I appreciate the support I get from you as I am on my mission! I am thankful for the many prayers offered up in my behalf! I love you! I hope that you have a great week! Love, Sister Madison Whitney Thanks for the Zucchini Brownies recipe! We made them last night! They are so good!)
Speaking of the work moving along... LEONARD was BAPTIZED and CONFIRMED this weekend! It is so exciting! He is so amazing and truly has a testimony that this is Christ restored church! I love being able to take part in people lives and help them come unto Christ! The baptism went amazing! The spirit was so strong and Leonard was so happy. It's just so exciting! The work is moving along here quite well in Marion! We have been finding and teaching a ton of people! We have 20 investigators right now! It is crazy! We just need to get them to keep commitments! I wish they would just come to church! They would progress so much faster if they would take that step. But we are working with them on it!
I am just doing really amazing! I love serving! Teaching the gospel brings so much joy into my life! I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to share it with people! I want everyone to feel that happiness that can come from this gospel! I know that this is Christ's church! I know that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith! I know that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ! If we read it we will feel the Holy Ghost bear record to us that it is true! We need to read our scriptures daily, we need to pray all the time and we need to go to church! Heavenly Father loves and knows each of us individually and he wants us to talk to him. He wants to be able to comfort us but we must turn to him! I am so thankful to share this message with the people here in Ohio! I know I was sent here for a reason! I am where I need to be and I am grateful for Heavenly Father for allowing me to be here!
I love you all so much! I appreciate the support I get from you as I am on my mission! I am thankful for the many prayers offered up in my behalf! I love you! I hope that you have a great week! Love, Sister Madison Whitney Thanks for the Zucchini Brownies recipe! We made them last night! They are so good!)
August 16, 2010
Hello Family, Sounds like things are going really well at home! I am glad to hear that! Marion is on the other side of Columbus. I went from the South of my mission to the North. It's pretty great up here. I am getting used to driving again. It was a little weird at first. It's difficult here because there are a lot of one way streets! Ugh... I do not like that. But it's alright. I am getting used to it and getting around town a little better. I will soon be going to Columbus for my doctors appointment. I go on the 30th. Sister Hulbert and I are doing good. She is really sweet! I think that we will have a really good transfer!
Cici's is great! I love getting free food! It's great! This area is really great! I love the people! The members are amazing! We just need to get them excited about doing member missionary work. I don't think the members realize how much we need them! It really helps when they get involved. I am really excited to work with them though! I think that we are going to find a lot of success in this area! Speaking of success Leonard is getting baptized this Saturday! He was having a little bit of a problem accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet but we watched the talk Safety for my soul with him from Oct general conference and the spirit was really strong. He then decided that Joseph smith was a prophet! Amazing! It was really awesome! The branch is really close to becoming a ward. They need 100 people for 3 months and they have been in the high 80's and low 90's and so they are getting close! There are a ton of less active members here and so hopefully we will be able to reactivate some!
That's really cool about Brigham and Caleb running cross country! That's insane! I don't think I could ever run that much! YUCK! Is Brigham going to run in the marathon in October? How are they liking school? I can't believe how old they are getting! It's crazy! Thanks for supporting Lance! You're awesome parents! And of course I still write him every week. Well almost, some weeks I am way busy! But we are pretty good at writing! Thanks for all that you do! You are amazing! I hope that you have a fun cruise! I love you! Have a good week!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Thanks for the package Cheryl! You're amazing!
Cici's is great! I love getting free food! It's great! This area is really great! I love the people! The members are amazing! We just need to get them excited about doing member missionary work. I don't think the members realize how much we need them! It really helps when they get involved. I am really excited to work with them though! I think that we are going to find a lot of success in this area! Speaking of success Leonard is getting baptized this Saturday! He was having a little bit of a problem accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet but we watched the talk Safety for my soul with him from Oct general conference and the spirit was really strong. He then decided that Joseph smith was a prophet! Amazing! It was really awesome! The branch is really close to becoming a ward. They need 100 people for 3 months and they have been in the high 80's and low 90's and so they are getting close! There are a ton of less active members here and so hopefully we will be able to reactivate some!
That's really cool about Brigham and Caleb running cross country! That's insane! I don't think I could ever run that much! YUCK! Is Brigham going to run in the marathon in October? How are they liking school? I can't believe how old they are getting! It's crazy! Thanks for supporting Lance! You're awesome parents! And of course I still write him every week. Well almost, some weeks I am way busy! But we are pretty good at writing! Thanks for all that you do! You are amazing! I hope that you have a fun cruise! I love you! Have a good week!
Love, Sister Madison Whitney
p.s. Thanks for the package Cheryl! You're amazing!
August 9, 2010
Hello Family, Crazy week! Tuesday night was transfer calls and I got the call that I needed to start packing. Wednesday I packed and said my goodbyes to Greenfield! It was really tough saying goodbye! I love the people so much and they are like my family now. I started crying a few times saying goodbye. But I know that Heavenly Father has sent me where I needed to go. Thursday morning we stuffed all of my stuff into the back of the car and headed to Columbus. We got there and transfers started. I got paired up with Sister Hulbert in the Marion area! Sister Hulbert is from Seattle, Washington. She has been serving for 3 months now. She is a really cute girl! It was crazy coming into Marion because it is my second area. I am now the Senior Companion and the driver all in a new area! It was kind of stressful because Sister Hulbert didn't know her way around Marion and so we have been using a lot of maps. Marion is also full of one way streets and so that is difficult to get used to. I didn't really want to drive either. I would rather sit in the passenger seat and relax but it's ok. I drive a 2008 Chevy Malibu. It's a pretty nice car. Marion is a branch. It has about 80-90 active members. They are trying really hard to become a ward. Something cool about Marion is that it is the oldest branch in the church right now. It was also started by Elder L. Tom Perry when he was serving a mission. He said that when they become a ward he will come back. It would be really cool if it would become a ward when I was here! I would love to see Elder Perry! It's pretty great being in this new area! The branch members seem really sweet and have a desire to work hard. We also get free pizza from Cici's Pizza whenever we want! I love it! Hmmm... I think that is about all I know about Marion.
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