2013

2013: what a year. Madrigals, state, solo and ensemble, dental assisting, prom and sweethearts, tour in cali --uhh graduating high school!!(:-- senior trip with my girls, found the love of my life, fell in love, so many concerts, job promotion, first semester of college, & sent my best friend off to serve The Lord. This year was full of laughs, tears, trials, goodbyes, firsts, and f u l l of memories I'll never forget with the people I love most. Best year of my life thus far, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store. ♥

P-Day! (:

So this is Caden's first p-day while in his actual mission. --last week he couldn't email due to library closure,  but it was okay cause he had someone call and tell me why and that he loved me so I wouldn't worry. It was adorable.-- Anyway, he's doing good! He is currently in Marshfield, MO. He talked about how grateful he was for all his cute packages from his family and I, and also about how great it was to Skype us. He seems to be doing good, just struggling with how racist the people are. He also sent some pictures, so I'll post those. He has told me to send him pictures every time I hear from him, and says it helps a ton. I believe it. Getting these pictures helped a ton and reminded me that in as much as he is still here with me, I am there with him as well. I sure love this guy. (:

Caden {12.30.13}

Well i missed my first p day email last week:/ that’s okay cause i got to talk to my family and best friend on Christmas!!! So just going to throw out some info about the place and sorry if i can’t email you directly!!:) I have a wheelchair in the apartment so I and elder Andrew cross ride around in it whenever we are home and i can do every trick in the book including doing a wheely backward! On Christmas Eve i got the chance to clean up a bloody crime scene. I'm not joking either! A man shot himself and being in this little town means the police didn't clean it up. They were a less active family so who better to call than the missionaries!!! Yay? people round here are hickish and pretty racist. Which REALLY bothers me! I got some awesome packages from my mommy and Travy and Chris and Heather, and Auntie Cresta and Uncle Dee. And Jamee and Mario and Gma and Gpa too. Aunt Stacey and Uncle Lonnie’s are in the mail! And......... Of course one from my best friend McKayla! I just love my family so much! The MTC was okay but i am happy to be in the field. That is for sure! My companion lives three minutes away from me back home. I know his twin brother. And he is friends with a ton of my friends! And our brothers new each other. Just a small world! He is such a cool guy! And i am not just saying that, he can’t even see my screen! We had a Baptist guy tell us that we were in a cult and headed to hell and that we needed the bible. So elder cross reminded him of a small commandment... LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THY SELF. After that we got a call from a guy named Rodney that wanted us to come see him, but when we stopped by his house a week earlier we were told to get off the property and never return. He now wants to come back to church and take reactivation lessons! JESUS LIVES THROUGH US! It was an amazing experience. I am putting my psychology stuff to work getting people to quit smoking... I am helping 7 people right now! And they are doing what i (the spirit) tells them to do!:) That’s all i can think of right now! I miss you all. Forward my email so i can talk to peeps! And someone get Jeremy Irish on this list! I love you all! Love elder big papa sexy Madsen;)

Skype. ♥

Christmas couldn't have come any slower!  I had waited for this day since the day Caden left. Christmas eve I spent with his family making gingerbread houses and gingermen and then spent the night just talking and catching up. It was such a good time spending with them. I look forward to doing that every year from now on. (: Also, they do this thing where they make goals and read them the next year. We read Caden's from last year, and it was to be on a mission! Good job babe. (; ANYWAY.

So Christmas morning was the usual opening presents and such, and then it was time. Caden was supposed to Skype at eleven,  so I headed to his grandparents house with his whole fambam to wait for the call. It wasn't until like noon an HOUR after he was supposed to that we got the call. That hour was the longest ever. His mom and I's eyes never left that computer screen. Haha. But once his face popped up on the screen, it was all worth it. I could not stop smiling. The first of the call he couldn't see me, and he asked his mom "is everyone there?" "yep everyone's here" "ohh okay..!" She then turned the screen so he could see everyone and kinda scanned the room. Once it got to me he was like "BABY!!" I died. It was the cutest thing ever. I felt like we had just met cause of how shy/smitten I was. I like didn't even know what to say. I just wanted to hear that voice and see his smile. We talked for a minute, and one thing he said was "Gosh I just want to cuddle you so bad! I miss that. I tried with my comp, but he isn't even down." Hahah.

He then told us stories, and talked with everyone else. He told us how he had to clean up a man's suicide the night before, so obviously that was scarring. I can't imagine. He loves his companion! They actually only live three minutes away from eachother back home, yet had never met. CRAZY. However,  they do have a bunch of mutual friends and their brothers actually know each other! Such a small world. He expressed that he knows he Is with this comp for a reason, and they're a great team. (: After a while his immediate family and I went in another room to talk more privately.

Lots of tears, laughs, and more tears happened here. His little brother Kennan and Caden are like sidekicks. They are so close. So It was so tough seeing their interaction. You can tell they love each other and miss one another like crazy. We all had our time to talk, and then before we knew it we were almost out of time. Saying goodbye sucked. To say the least. The last few minutes of the call it was focused on me, his little brother, and his mom. Caden turned to his companion and said "You see those three right there? Those are the ones I'm most worried about. Because I love them more than anything." ♥ We said our goodbyes, and far too soon he disappeared off the screen.

I love this boy more than anything. It was the best Christmas present I could have ever asked for. I'm so grateful his family invited me to come share this with them. I'm so proud of him, and now I just need to wait until Mother's day so I can see him again. (: I love you Elder Madsen. ♥

Christmas Package!

So this is technically my second package, but the first I sent was just a same day random stuff with some cookies, MTC package. So, this is my first full out package. Caden and I already exchanged presents before he left so there wasn't a whole lot. He gave me a promise ring-- which I absolutely love. I gave him some sweaters, a salt lake temple tie clip, a bowtie, a little necklace, and a CTR ring that I engraved with "my bestfriend & an infinity sign) he loved it! (: His christmas package was complete with some superhero finger battle things for when he's bored with his companion, random candy, a santa hat filled like a stocking, a journal with my testimony written in the back, and a binder customized with our pictures to hold our letters complete with pens, paper, envelopes and paper protectors. (: And also some kisses for new years ever (; I really hope it gets there safe and sound and that he likes it! (: OH. Did I mention I get to Skype my cute elder on Christmas?? (: To say I'm excited is a major understatement.

Provo MTC -----> Tulsa, OK

So I knew there was a possibility that Caden would be able to call from the airport today, but no promises. I thought his flight was at seven so I woke up at five and waited and waited until finally I just kinda knew he wouldn't be calling so I went back to bed. I woke back up for work at eight and a few minutes later, my phone rang! Here I am thinking, this is a sick joke. An unknown number calling. I answered, not thinking it would be him because I thought he had already left, and It was! I just sat there and didn't say anything for a minute. It was so surreal.  I had gone from hearing his voice all day every day to not at all these past two weeks! It was so exciting getting to talk to him. (: He told me I needed to stop crying cause he needed to hesr my voice more than anything! It was adorable. Turns out his flight is at nine, and some random lady let him use her cell to call! I got to talk to a few of the other missionaries too! They told me they loved the ring I got him, and that he never stops talking about me! That was great to hear!! haha (: We talked just like normal for about fifteen minutes! It was so good to hear from him! He Is doing great and is excited to get to Tulsa! I love him more than ever and I'm so proud of him!! (: He's going to do great! Watch out Tulsa, you have a fantastic man coming to ya today. (:

Listen to this. I love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvaIZ3voOdk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

P-Day!!

While Caden is in the MTC his p-days are Saturdays! Last Saturday, I wasn't expecting it at all so I slept through his email time! It was the worst. So this week, I set my alarm and he emailed me at eight o'clock! (: We got to chat back and fourth the entire hour and it was the best ever. He is doing so good and loving it! I am so incredibly proud of him! I know that he is going to do amazing out in Tulsa. His last day in the MTC is next Tuesday so that's exciting. That means no more dear elder, and longer shipping times but I'm so excited for him to get out there. I love this Elder to infinity and beyond. ♥

Caden {12.14.13}

So as i walk around this place you here three main things... bronco mendenhall, byu football players in the nfl, and ching pong tong Wang wing ping.... that’s Asian for "look at the white boy with the tiny companion." that’s me! Well this week was much better than last. Sorry if i can’t get to all emails it is hard with limited time. I am just waiting for my laundry to get done! I love seeing chase Langford and Sutton may walk around the REAL University of the lord! I am starting to love everyone here! I am pretty sick right now:/ but life happens, ya even on the lord’s time. KENNY FELT THE LOVE OF GOD AFTER HIS PRAYER. I am realizing that no matter how much i prepare the spirit with take my plan and shove it down my throat (making me have to poop) and starts saying its own thing. I realized that i can only teach them so much. The key is asking questions causing there answers to bare testimony to themselves! I am like a flipping magician up in here making people answer themselves! In all trueness. I really don’t know what i am saying half the time. I just open my mouth and the spirit fly’s out. I am so excited to get to OK on Tuesday morning! Remember guys it is hard to add people with little time left. So make sure if someone wants to be on the list they email me first! I love you all. God speed! Elder Madsen out:)

Our story.

Alright, first of all welcome to my blog! I hope you guys enjoy it. I will try and be good about keeping this up to date (:
 

SO. My name is McKayla, and his name is Caden. Our story is no fairytale, but I kinda sorta love it. So Caden and I met at work. We both started working at Cafe Zupas, on the same day, and started training at the same location back in July of 2011. We clicked immediately -as best friends- and became really close from the very beginning. However, we were n o t dating. I actually met another guy the same day I met Caden, and dated him until December of that year,  and my best friend Kaylee had called dibs on Caden anyway. Kaylee really like him, so the two of them and me and my boyfriend would hang out and even "doubled" once. Apparently,  Caden had feelings for me that whole time,  but I had no idea. We continued to be really close friends for about a year and helped eachother out with advice, relationships, family problems, etc. Then in August 2012, he finally told me that he liked me. Our cousins Kelsey and Wyatt were also really close friends and joked about setting us up. One day while I was at Kelsey's, and he was at Wyatt's which they happen to be neighbors, we hung out. Wyatt and Caden had joked about us kissing, but then when I was leaving and he walked me to my car, we did. We kissed. Barely. It was no mack session that's for sure, but it was definitely a kiss. After that I wasn't really sure yet. From then on we started dating -going on dates- and I started to like him more and more. This continued until about November, when he got into a relationship. I hated this girl. And he knew it. It put a huge crash on our friendship. In January he finally realized how horrible she was to him, and got out of that toxic relationship. HALLELUJAH. He admitted that I was right, and we continued being friends. And.. smooched a time or two or three. We got back to the best friendship that we had by like April (2013). This, is when things got good. By the end of May we were hanging out again and talking about how we still had feelings for each other. Things were still hard though because I was still in high school and he worked mornings, and I worked nights. (STILL at Zupas)
 

So, I graduated June 4th and that's when "we" began. He took me on a cute little date after graduation and that night I knew this time something was different. From day one he told me we couldn't be serious. Mainly because 1. his parents advised not to 2. he hadn't had a ton of dating experience,  so he wanted some before his mission so that once he's back he'd be ready to be serious 3. he wanted to leave on his mission asap and needed to focus on that . Obviously,  that plan didn't work out. Haha! So from June until like September we were not official. We, well mainly he, was still occasionally going on other dates. But basically,  we were together. He told me he loved me June 29th, 2013 and well.. I didn't say anything back.. I always sucked at that. But, I wanted to know for sure. A couple weeks later, I knew. Without a doubt. We enjoyed our summer together and grew closer than I thought was possible. We were always together, and I supported him going on other dates because I knew that it would either make him realize we weren't right,  and I could move on now rather than wait around for two years and then him realize. OR it would solidify the feelings and relationship that we have. Luckily, it was definitely the second one. He was so honest about everything -sometimes I knew more than I wanted at the time- but I am so grateful he was. At this point the only thing keeping us from being official was the mission.
 

Then one day, out of the blue, he told me he KNEW that I was the one. He knew that it was pointless for him to keep dating anyone else because he knew he would never find someone who was me. He told me he was in love with me and nothing would change that. I had supported him going on a mission since day one. And I knew that it would be hard getting myself into something serious right before he was planning to leave, but I loved him so much that there was no second guessing that it was what I wanted to do. I'm so glad this day happened. ♥
 

From then on, we got more and more serious. We were inseparable. And I wouldn't change that even a little bit. I grew to love his family, and he the same with mine. In October, he got his mission call to Tulsa, Oklahoma leaving just six weeks later. Knowing he was leaving so soon was the hardest thing ever. But I knew what he was doing was something he had worked so hard for and wanted more than anything and I was so proud of him and his decision.
 

Those six weeks were the best of my entire life. I fell more and more in love with him each and every day. I knew, he was worth this. We had talked about waiting, he had asked me to, but nothing was ever set promised. He told me to do whatever I needed to do to be happy, whether that meant dating when he was gone or not. However, he made it clear he'd rather me not. As time went on, I knew as he knew before, that in no way would I EVER find someone who I loved more, treated me better, or in any way better than Caden. We had already talked about our future and getting married for some time now, but now more than ever. That was all the two of us wanted. Why would I want to lose that.
 

So our story started a new chapter on December 4th 2013. This is the day he left. The third was the day I said goodbye,  and it was the hardest thing in the world. But, I wouldn't want him anywhere else. He makes me the happiest girl in the world and I love him so much. So, there is our story. In future posts I will keep you updated on this next chapter. (:

First Email As Elder Madsen (MTC)

Make sure all of you reply to me so i can get your email on the list! My companion elder burton is the coolest kid ever! I love the food here! It is kind of like a buffet but with home cooking. I love most of the elders and sisters around me! Last night one of my favorite elders felt not everything in life was taken care of at home so he left us this morning at 5:30 to get on a flight back to Colorado. But i was so proud of him! He was such an awesome elder and i know he will be back! Voice recordings are best to save till i am in the field so just a week and a half more... MTC is kind of different how everything works. It is amazing how much spirit we can pack in to the place though! For our training the take paid actors that are not always members that act as investigators that we prepare lessons for! Because the actors either are 1. Non-members or 2. Converts the situation is very real! We are teaching a 34 year man named Kenny! He lost his job and is a divorcee and has one kid named Kiren. His son is his whole world! But he only gets to see him Saturday and Sunday (which just so happens to be the day church is on hint hint). It makes it really easy to pull him in on the idea that he can spend eternity with Kiren and see him every day in heaven. It is going very well and we are really happy with the situation. Well i have to go get my laundry out but i love all of you so much! If someone would like to be on my email list please forward this to them and have them reply to it and i will get to it next Saturday around 8 in the morning! And yes i do despise waking up at 5:45! Well in the words of the great tiger tigger T.T.F.N. ta ta for now! With much love and prayers for all love Elder Caden Samuel Clyde Madsen! And write me on dear elder people that is the best way for me to get your address!:)<3