Grateful. ♥

This year I am especially grateful this Thanksgiving. It's been a rocky year but yet such a year to remember! (:

To start off this Thanksgiving my family continued our tradition of going with Salvation Army to deliver meals to people who don't have anyone else to share this holiday with. Their sweet spirits truly have brightened my life, and I am so thankful for this tradition. It's definitely my favorite one and I plan on never stopping.

I am grateful for so many people, experiences, and blessings that I've been given.

My family is first. Every single member of my family, immediate and extended plays such a strong role in my life and have shaped who I am today and who I want to be. My parents have bent over backwards to provide for me and I love them so much. My siblings are pains in the butt sometimes, yet some of my favorite friends. My grandparents are my greatest role models and people I aspire to be. My cousins are my entertainment and so much fun to see them grow up. Especially Kels, she's my BFF. My aunts and uncles are some of my best friends and I love and trust each of them so much. I could go on and on but what it comes down to is that people come and go, but my family never has and I'm confident they never will. I love you ALL so much.

Caden is next. Clearly, I love him a whole lot. But the greatest part is that what we have is something real. Something that has proven itself stronger than I could have ever wished for. He has been my back bone and the light at the end of the tunnel for me so many times and I really don't know where I'd be without him. He has made me realize my worth and I think that's the greatest blessing of all. I can only hope to show him half of the love he's shown me. I love you sweetheart! --also Caden's entire family has been such a blessing to me and I'm so grateful for their love and support. Love you all!

My girls. & Chris (; I've been so blessed to have a group of friends who have stood by my side. They know who they are and I can never repay them for the friendship they've shown me. We've been through a lot but somehow we've always finished at eachothers sides. Each of your four girls & my number one.five boy have a special place in my heart and I'm so grateful for you.

The gospel. Over the years I've watched my testimony unfold in front of my eyes, usually through times I never expected. Especially this year, I have grown so much and I have a true understanding and love for this church and my loving Savior. I know this church is the true church and without it I'd be lost, alone and unhappy. I'm eternally thankful for the atonement and the chance that I have to live because of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

My job. I've worked at Cafe Zupas going on four year now. It has been a place where I've seen myself transform. I truly have grown up there. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given with each promotion and even more grateful for every person who I've met/worked with there. They have seen me through some of my worst times and also my best. Somewhere in between I've made life-long friendships that I wouldn't trade for the world.

I could go on for years.

Overall, I'm thankful for my life & all the people in it. ♥♥

Caden {11.24.14}

We had an awesome week!!! I even made dinner for some people! Full on Wisconsin and pina salad! It was awesome! We made a lot of progress with Melissa and found out what was holding her back. We got two new gators and half way through the lesson he got very serious and said "I have a question... when is the soonest yall can come back?" dang we love to hear that! Happy B-Day to my mommy and Happy thanks giving to all of you!!!! It will be awesome! I love food. Christmas is coming so fast and I am so excited!!! Please Keep Trav and Gramps in prayers for their knee surgeries. (Recovering and preparation for) and for my sweet Girl McKayla as she is getting through her tonsillectomy! They need prayers always! LOVE YOU ALL! I am so grateful for all of you and all that each of you do to support me! Love Elder Madsen

Oh ya... my Papa Elder Cross is at home. Find him and love him! He only lives three minutes away from me. And if anyone is in contact with Chaz Nelson... tell him to email me stat!

Caden {11.17.14}

Well I am staying and keeping my comp. I went to the Dentist and got a free retainer cause mine was messed up! I had those 30 year old ladies loving me!;) Haha the Doc is a member and a really cool guy. Melissa is back on track working towards baptism and we had 3 investigators at church and I got my Christmas present early! Thanks for the camera Ma and Pa! It has been a good week and we got a few new investigators. We were driving around and these people were in a U-Haul so we offered to help and they were very excited. It is a long story but pretty much they are interested and we are going to be teaching them and we were an answer from God to them!! How neat is that?! And I cut my hand chopping wood! It was gross. But so cool! And sorry Trav but look at these geese!!! This is a special Happy Birthday Shout out to my sweet Holland, My big sissy! My buff guy Morgan and of course the one and only Mother Goose Dawn Meyerhoffer. I love you all and I hope you have the greatest BDAY EVER!!!!!!!!!!! I love you! Happy Day from us goofy guys to you!!!

Caden {11.10.14}

So to start off... last Monday we finish emailing and shopping and go into shoe carnival and out of no where I look at one of the employees and me thinks to myself... "that looks just like Natalie powell that I have known from 3rd grade..." then me realizes "HOLY HECK! That IS Natalie powell." so her and her mom moved here to Owasso three months ago so that was a crazy trip! that pretty much never happens. my other elders were like "why is Mad head talking to a girl and not about the gospel?" So ya that was crazy! got a nice update on everyone and then introduced her to the elders serving over her area cause she is less active! BOOO YAAAA! #nailedit so that is neat. then I went on exchanges with elder Reynolds and had a blast! I love that kid. well love youins so much! be safe. oh ya and we decorated Elder Porter's wall while on the exchange. and found two new investigators that are pretty prepared. man this week was just great!

{11 Months}

We're down to 395 days until he gets home which is so exciting! Once upon a time that number was 730, almost double what it is now, so I'll take it. (:

This months postcard takes place on my front porch. 

This was the place we froze our butts off most nights when we didn't want to say goodnight. Or where we sat when I was locked out in the middle of the night. Or where, unlike any other guy who I've dated, Caden actually came every single time he picked me up. 

Whether it was our first date or our last or any silly hang out in-between, he was the one who got out of his car --rain or shine-- and knocked when he picked me up. 

That was my initial impression of Caden--and my mom's actually. Haha

The very first time we went on a date (in 2012) I was shocked when he showed up at my door. We weren't even dating and yet there he was. No text or phone call. He was a gentleman from day one and I couldn't be more grateful. In the past with other guys, I trained myself to act like it was a silly thing to do and something I shouldn't expect. But he set the bar high, and I've never looked back.

Happy 11 months down darling. 

I am so proud of what you're doing. You are the hardest worker I've ever met and don't you dare think it goes without notice. You continue to impress me every single day. I love you so much! Keep it up. (: You've got 13 more months, so go baptize the heck out of those people.

**Side note- we unknowingly carved like the same pumpkin, so I mean we must be meant to be or something!**

Caden {11.3.14}

Well we are doing it! We have Melissa and her child committed to baptism and we are working with a girl named Kelly that is looking promising! We are crushing the standard and we just split into a new stake and life is good! We also had Allen F. Packer tour our mission and speak to us at Zone conf. and stake conf. so it has been super awesome! Halloween was really good too! Love you all!