C'kemi (hi)

Hi Everyone!

This week flew by, I can’t believe that I have already been here for four weeks. Each week goes faster, it’s crazy how it starts to speed up. Taught a lot of lessons this week, it helps to practice, but it’s hard because there’s so much I want to say and I don’t know how to say it yet. So, I have to work with the words I know, which is not a lot, but it really helps to practice.

Our friends going to Cambodia left this week, so sad because they were the best. Going to miss them, but they are going to do so good! Volleyball won’t be the same without them. I went to the temple this morning and as I was leaving I saw my favorite sister-in-law, Kate, working there!! Aw seriously a miracle! Made my whole day to see her! Still smiling thinking about it!

The devotional yesterday was really good, Sister Aburto the second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency came and spoke to us. Something she said that I loved was, “don’t be too serious, have fun,” I think this applies to both a mission and life. Have fun and enjoy the moment you are in! Make the most of it and remember to laugh through the hard stuff and with the not so fun stuff, find ways to make it fun!

Love all of you so much! I hope your week was as amazing as each of you!

Love, sister butters

One of Madi's girls in her district's mom sent them facial masks to do together.

Madi's cousin Kelsey leaves this week for Atlanta. Madi will really miss seeing her around the MTC.

Another Week or Another Month?

Hi everyone!
Holy cow it feels like I have been here a few months, not in a bad way, but wow crazy it has only been three weeks. We had our first TRC on Friday, which is a lesson that you teach members in Albanian. When we were getting to know them, instead of saying I had seven(shtat) people in my family I said I had the country(shtet) in my family. Guess one way to learn is by making mistakes. The rest of the lesson went really good though!

So funny story in our district we have a sister who is from England she is so sweet, in class one day we were talking and she swore, in England it’s not a swear word so, we were all just laughing so hard. Our teacher was so concerned, it was really funny. Poor girl she didn’t know it was a swear word here.

On Saturday we played volleyball, which is way fun, there’s a sand volleyball court which is way more fun then being inside. It’s a very nice break from the Mtc. A lot of our friends that we have made here leave this coming week so that is so sad, cause they are awesome. We got a lot of weeks left though, so we have lots of time to make more friends.

If you have time go and read 2 Nephi 28:32, it’s sooo good! It’s about how the Lords hand is always stretched out for you, no matter what! We just have to turn to him! Love you all so very much grateful for each one of you! Hope your day is great! Love ya!

Love, sister butters


Sis Kartrunen is Madi's' companion from Sweden

Here's where she will be serving for the next 18 months!

MTC Life

Happy mother’s day a few days ago, to all the amazing moms! Shout out to mine love her so much, I got blessed with the best and got to FaceTime her on Sunday so that was a lot of fun! She is the sweetest and funniest person.

Okay, either the food is getting a little better or I am getting more used to gross food. Either way it’s a positive thing, so that’s all that matters. Mtc food is different because you can’t really choose, the two options are just given to you and you just gotta be grateful for what they are serving. Cereal is always an option though and I love cereal, so that’s good!

This week was pretty good, days are very similar with classes and a lot of time for Book of Mormon study and language study. This week we got a lot of new people in our branch they are all so cute, it will be fun to get to know them even more. Today, my cousin Kelsey got here! So I got to see her, aw so glad we can be in the Mtc together! Yesterday Neil L. Anderson came and spoke at the devotional! It was really good! He is so direct and bold and it shows how clear the gospel is. He talked about repenting daily, it is something I can improve upon. Also he mentioned how repentance is a good thing, Christ is waiting with open arms to receive you. Aw loved that! So grateful for each and everyone of you! You are all amazing, love you!

Love, sister butters

Mother's Day Call - THE BEST!

We love seeing and talking with our cute Sis Missionary!

 Derek was speaking in the YSA Ward for Mother's Day and so we went over to his church while we were talking to Madi so when he was finished, he could come out and say hi. Sara and I had a great time visiting with her in the car while we waited.

Really, this should be a Mother's Day and a Father's Day call because we will be at Lake Powell next month and won't have cell coverage to talk. Thanks Madi! Your bright smile made our day!!

First Week!

Hi Everyone!

Crazy I have been in the Mtc one whole week Life here is for sure an adjustment. The day is packed full of classes and studying. It makes it so you learn sooo much each day. I am so grateful for that though, cause the language is hard and I only have nine weeks here before I have to be speaking it. It is so fun though, to be learning Albanian, it is a cool language! In our district we have an Elder who is from Albania so we practice the language with him and ask him questions, it really helps. We taught our first lesson in Albanian the third day, it was short and honestly it went better than I thought it would, for only being in the Mtc 3 days, but there is definitely room to improve. The classes are fun and there are so many people here who are so friendly and nice! It’s such a positive environment, love it!

My companion is awesome, she is from Sweden and is so sweet. She brought us Sweden chocolate so another reason she’s the best. Everyone here is so friendly and so nice, it’s fun to meet so many people from so many different places around the world. That’s one thing I didn’t fully realize until I was here, that the gospel is everywhere. People are coming from all over the world to be missionaries and to continue to spread the gospel. It’s so amazing to see that no matter where we are from we have the gospel in common and we can all connect with that. We don’t even have to speak the same language we all can understand how the spirit speaks to us. I love it here, it’s way fun, it’s going to be a long, busy, nine weeks, but I am so excited to learn more. Remember to enjoy the stage of life you are in and make the most of every single day, you never get that day again!! The Mtc is so fun, I love all of you so grateful for each and everyone of you, hope your week is amazing!

Love, sister Butters

First package from Home!! Yay!

Not a picture of where they are going, but where they all come from! Colorado, Utah, England and Sweden.

Madi's Companion, Sis Kartrunen, is from Sweden.

Shae Modersitzki saw Madi while she was teaching at the MTC and sent me this picture. It totally made my day!

We loved talking to her on facetime today! It's so great to see her smiling face!

Quick 1st Message from Madi

Hey guys!!

I made it to the Mtc!! I met my companion, she is from Sweden. We already started learning some of the language. It is going to be way fun and hard. I can't believe I am actually here. Love you guys! my P-day is on Wednesday. love you

Getting Ready and Leaving for the MTC

The checklist was complete and everything was packed up and almost ready to go.

Her cute friends came by to say their last goodbyes and visit together.

 These girls have been her roommates at BYU and her best friends from high school.

Madi got set apart as an official missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Ron Beck set her apart on Tuesday evening.

 Both sets of Grandparents were there to give advice and support.

 We have the best grandparents around. Both of our parents are so loving and supportive.

Cute Sisters!

 May 1st was a cold morning in Provo. We walked up by the temple to take pictures.

 Big brother hugs to last for the next 18 months.

 We are all so excited, nervous, happy and teary for our Madi to leave us. 

 She is the BEST!! 

This dad could not love his girls more!

Giant Group HUG! 

Saying goodbye is always harder than I think it will be. My heart feels like it's going to burst! I will miss this bubbly girl walking into our house telling us all of her stories about her day!

 She's ready to change the world!

 

She made it inside the MTC - Alli's friend sent us this picture just minutes after she left us. We know she is in really good hands!