Transfer Week

June 17, 2014

Staying in Cardston

ZL with Elder Madsen

(Another zone just combined with their zone, but Elder Call and Elder Madsen are the only two ZL's over 22 missionaries. Busy guys!)

So its transfer week again. Crazy! Time has flown by this last six weeks. And I'll get at least another six weeks here with Elder Madsen, so that will be great!

So, we had some pretty great miracles this week! We stopped by Jonathan's house Sunday morning and invited him to come to church and he brought his family with him too! It was awesome! They all really enjoyed church. We planned to stop by them and teach them after church, but when we got there they had family over and were all cooking food and making a fire pit and stuff, so we asked if we could come back another time. But before we went we ended up talking with Jonathan's brother, and he ended up being interested so we got his number and we are planning on meeting with him this week! Score! It was so awesome! Its neat to see how the Lord works in mysterious ways. Even though our appointment with Jonathan and his family didn't work out we were still able to find someone who is interested in hearing more. It was great!

And guess what? It doesn't stop there! We stopped by Franky, one of the less actives we've been working with, and he had two ladies over at his house. He invited them to live in his basement because they had been abused and beaten. So we talked with them about Christ and how he can bring peace to our lives. We were also able to talk with them about the Priesthood, and give them both blessings. It was a really great experience. We planned to meet with them yesterday, but they weren't there. But again Heavenly Father provided us with another opportunity to teach someone. Franky had another friend there and we visited with him for a bit and he said that we could come back on Wednesday! That was really sweet! It was like dejavu!

We've had a hard time getting in contact with one of our investigators, Edwin. But on Sunday morning he had a heart attack and then he showed up to church! What?? It was crazy! But, anything to get someone back to church! Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways! Edwin also said that he had some questions for us so we are going to meet with him this week. Woo!

So, I don't know if I've even said this yet, but the last few weeks we've been taking the Saturday morning shift at the Cardston Temple Visitor's Center. Its been great! The other day we had two less-actives come in and visit with us. One really opened up to us and told us of the trials and challenges that he has been having. It was neat because I really didn't know how to answer him, but as we talked and as I listened Heavenly Father gave me the words to say to him. This week he showed up to church and has said that he wants to make the gospel more a part of his life again. That was so great to see!

Its great to be in a position to see so many great miracles. I know those miracles with come to anyone who lives the gospel and shares it. The gospel is true!

Love,

Elder Call

And a sweet letter from his companion, Elder Madsen:

Sister Call,

I'm sure you'll hear from Elder Call, but we're both staying. I'm super excited. I really am. I love serving with your son, and it's pretty special to hear he has such a high opinion of serving with me, though, he does mention that to me pretty often. I love serving with him though. He is definitely one of my favorite companions, and I really hope to stay in touch with him when we're all back home. 

I have been out for 21 months this last week. So my time is drawing short haha. It's very bittersweet, and it's going by way too quickly.  I'm going to miss this so much, but I'm excited at the same time to try out 'real life' again. I think I'm a little better prepared, so we'll see what happens. One thing I've really learned this transfer though, and Elder Call has helped so much with this, is the importance of who I surround myself with, and the type of friends I will need to have in my life. I'm so grateful to have had this chance to learn that, especially before I head home and strike out on my own.  He's really showed me that the friends I had back home, that I thought were good, really weren't the best influence on me. 

I'm sure that this next six weeks will be amazing though. I'm excited, I get six more weeks to convince Elder Call to let me write his sister (I'm throwing that in for his benefit, he's pretty fun to tease). Really though, I'm super excited. Miracles have been happening, and I know they'll keep happening.

Thanks so much for you prayers. That means a lot. Prayer is huge.

Elder Madsen