{23 Months}

Well guys, it's here.

In less than one month, my best friend will be back for good.

I've run out of words to describe just how excited I am! I truly can't believe it's this close.

Cya in 26 days Elder (:

Last Package

Today things got REAL real. 

No more stamps.

No more tracking numbers.

No more questions about if my package has anything that will blow up. 

No more decorating the flaps of boxes.

I'm sure I'll miss it, but as I struggled to cut paper to perfectly fit the sides of that box, I was sure I wouldn't miss it a bit. (;

Theme:

"Finish Strong"

Contents:

-pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe/kit

& a bunch of healthy/protein/"strong" treats!

Kept it real simple because...

He's coming home!

Caden {10.26.15}

Well today we are in Lebanon, MO. Yesterday we were in Springfield and the day before we were in Bentonville. Today we are going to St. Roberwood/Ft. Leonardwood. It is so fun to be on the road but the blow up mattress is less then ideal. Still way better than the floor!:)

Caden {10.18.15}

Well... my days as an office assistant are through..... after much prayer, discussion and council: President Loveland is going to put me in as Traveling Assistant. Unfortunately I don't have an address to give.... as we will be living out of a suit case in the trunk of our car and sleep in other missionaries apartments as we pass through. This gives us the chance to do more hands on training with the Zone Leaders and troubled areas. I am very excited and blessed to have this opportunity. There will still be Assistants in the office that cover 3 of the zones near by and we will be over the remaining 10 zones. Most of the zone leader areas are split so it will be pretty busy! About 60% of the missionaries in the mission have not yet hit there 7 month mark. Me and my companion (Elder Brown) are ready for the challenge! 

Here in Bentonville:

Doug McMillon (Walmart CEO) is a potential investigator that we can't get in touch with. Due to the major drop in stocks, which was planned, there were a few lay offs and his house is surround by police officers and undercover agents that we saw! They are not really trusting us. Especially cause a few of them are members of the church. They escorted him in after his recent trip to China;)

We had a very powerful lesson with Diann and committed her to baptism. The family from last week is going to be hard to say goodbye to! I love those kids! I TRULY hate to be leaving because of her and everyone in this area! I have loved a lot of areas pretty quickly, and there are still people in other wards I love more... but if I could I would get those people and bring them to this area! It is SOOOO amazing and supportive and the people LOVE being members and high activity rate and the gospel is so powerful here. We keep finding and having really good lessons. Not to mention that they all work for Walmart or own their own well know companies so that is just kinda fun! I love you all! I don't know how the next few weeks will be yet so just in case....

I love you tons!!! See ya in 6 weeks:)

Much Love,

Elder Madsen 

Caden {10.12.15}

Okay... well it has been a GOOOOOOD while since I emailed... so I never really updated y'all but on Saturday we had three baptisms! 3 little kids in a part member family and I just love the whole family! They have helped my testimony SO much lately. We had a lesson with them last night and Cami (the mom) invited her friend to join... her friend was VERY opposed to the thought of our church. She is a dovoted pentacostal and she didn't plan on that changing. The Book of Mormon changed that for her.. she said "if there is more truth out there.... I better humble myself and accept it! I NEED to be close to God". How neat is that!?! So we are going to teach her. It was just a really fun experience. The last few weeks were just crazy but so fun. I have gotten to see Morg a lot and I got to hang out with my man Elder Gordon "Uncle Gordon". It has been an awesome few weeks. This coming week we are getting ready for transfers! I have 51 or so days..... that is only 1 transfer and 9 days.... holy cow! I love you all so much! have a blessed week and Jesus loves you.

{22 Months}

22 Months!

"On top of the world" because that cute boy has been serving for a real long time!

Good thing too, because I am obviously running out of ideas for these pictures. Lol. 

No but I am overwhelmed with how soon this is happening.

Don't get me wrong, totally excited. 

But woo. 

Never thought I'd make it to this point alive.

We have very minimal communication recently with his new calling and my chaotic life, but we've made it work and things are so good. (:

Caden {9.13.15}

Well this week Morgan came into the mission and it was super awesome! I was SOOOO excited to see him. I missed him a ton! My new companion is SUPER cool. I met him at the start of his mission and it has been way fun to know him through out this time and now serve with him! Christy got baptized and I was able to get up there to perform it!:) Also some good fun with Elder McKenzie and Jones.