Week 3 August 29, 2016

Hello,

I might have had some hard feelings against having a bike mission but
I think I have come to love it.  I'm in a small area.  I can bike half
an hour and be out of my area.  I've been able too talk to some other
missionaries who have larger areas and they get a car.  I see how much better
it is to be on a bike.  I get to stop an talk to people and do street
contacts.  When your in a car you don't really get to do that.  Plus
everyone down here loves the missionaries most of the time.  A lot of
people have had lessons before and know we're good people so they
always yell GOD BLESS or STAY SAFE.  Sometimes it's
something negative but it's whatever.  Also everyone knows that
companions have to stay together because if one of us crosses
the street everyone will wait for you to cross to get with your
companion.

The members here in valley view ward are limited but they're really
good people.  I've been over at a members house almost ever day since
I've been here.  (So don't worry mom I get fed.) Every person is in
rotation for callings. Everyone remembers back when so and so was a
bishop or elders quorum president, and basically waiting until they
will be called to it again. The bishop right now is going on 7 years.
I think there is about 45-50 active members so my
companion knows when someone out of the ward shows up.

This week we set two baptismal dates that seem pretty positive because
they came out and said they want to get baptized and asked what color of
shoes they have to wear. They're names are Amilia and Debbie. They're
friends and are taking the lessons together.  Amilia has a sister who
is a recent convert and she is really excited for them to get baptized
too.

Also weird thing. Every kid in California looks like 5 years older than they
actually are and I don't get it. The 15 year old look 20 and everyone
comes up to me and asks "Are you sure your not 15" :).
I met a 13 year old the other day and I thought he was 20
because he looked like it and was huge. Sadly though he doesn't play
football.

Love Elder Madsen

Week 2 Aug 23, 2016

Who is this that goofy looking kid in a shirt and tie riding a bike in
LA traffic?  Is that a bike helmet and a messenger bag? Oh, that's
me..

Two days ago I had finished one month. 23 more to go.  Its only been a
month but it has gone by pretty quick. It feels like its only been a
week from when I left home not a month. Which is a good thing I think.
Hopefully it's like that the rest of my mission, but then again my
mission is awesome. I love it here. I am in El Monte where the
population is half Hispanic and half Asian with two white missionaries
thrown in there.    That's ok though
because we have Spanish and Chinese speaking missionaries too.  I
really love El Monte. I tell the members that too and they tell me I'm
crazy because there is a lot of bad stuff that goes on here and it's
the ghetto, but I really do. It's kinda like home but with a new
twist. It's a suburb area but all the houses look just a little bit
different. The trees and flowers look just a little bit different than
back home. There is always something new to see here.
The people here are awesome.  The work for missionaries is really
strong here. Just about everyone wants to hear the gospel and our
message.  I don't know what more to say than that.  I've been teaching
lessons everyday and meeting new people each day that are interested
in the church.  When I teach people that haven't heard the gospel
before its so cool to see the atmosphere in the room change and the
Holy Ghost take over and they can feel that. It's a cool
experience. I taught a lesson the first night I was here. I was pretty
scared but once I was in there and teaching I loved the feeling I got
from it.

This Saturday marked a full month out on the mission but it also
marked my first baptism and I was the one who got in the water and
baptized him. His name is Umberto Perez. He is 21 and has a wife who
is already a member along with four kids who are all boys. His oldest
is 7 and Umberto hopes to baptize him next year when he turns 8.

Week 1 Aug 16, 2016

HEY I'm using my companion's IPad since mine comes on Friday and
you're email is the only one I know by heart <3 can you send this our
to the family for me?  Next week I'll be able to send an email out to
everyone so don't worry.  I'm doing
ok my companion is from Tremonton his name is elder Phillips. He's a
good guy.  I'm living in a shack. Jk it's a shack stuck on top of
another shack. There is also shacks to the left and right of me.
They're called apartments, haha.  We have roaches but that's ok every place
has their own mascot or animal thingy.

This week I almost married a couple so that they could be baptized.  I
didn't know this but since I am a minister (Missionary) recognized by
the great state of California I hold the power to marry people.  It
was about to happen but then we got word that our that our mission
president likes to have the bishop perform the marriages... So we
missed out on that.  Oh also the bishop of the ward I'm in  kids
live in Lehi and thanksgiving point.

I'm serving in El Monte. I don't know what El Monte means but I absolutely love it here.
Honestly I do.
I can see why I've been called here.

I'll be able to write more next week when I get my IPad

Sincerely Elder Madsen

Hey guys! I made it to Arcadia! Aug 9, 2016

Dear Parents,

Today we had the privilege of welcoming your missionary to the California Arcadia Mission.
Thank you for all you have done to prepare him to serve as a worthy representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Attached is a photo taken as he arrived.  I am grateful for the opportunity we will have to serve together
here in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.  We will do all we can to support and to encourage him in this
challenging new calling as a full time missionary.

Your continued support through weekly letters or e-mail, is important for his success as a missionary.
Mail should be sent directly to the Arcadia Mission Office at 614 W Foothill Blvd, Arcadia, California 91006.

This is a great work and an exciting time to be serving mission in California.  The mix of cultures and
languages here is most unique, and we discover daily that special people have been led here to embrace
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know you and your family will be richly blessed for the service he renders
here and the sacrifice you are making to support and strengthen your missionary.

Sincerely,

President Moisés Villanueva

California Arcadia Mission

I'm doing good! August 2, 2016

I've been doing good I've even gained a pound since I've been here.  Anna has this countdown app and it says that I'm already 1% done with my mission.  So that means that if my weight gain pattern keeps up by the end I'll end up weighting 235 lbs haha....  The food here is really good but it's in smaller portions so I usually grab two plates... and I usually eat a few ice cream bars each meat too (Including breakfast).  I am really doing great. I get along with everyone and I'm making new friends everywhere. I had to say goodbye to a couple of friends who left yesterday to go to their missions.  Alot of lone peak kids came this week and it was really cool to see them. The day's are already going by really fast and they are starting to pick up.  I saw Austin and it was really nice to see him.  He's in my residency on the top floor and I'm on the bottom.  We got a couple pictures together and I'll send you some. 

And a picture with Elder Mickelson!

My branch is the best!