Spokane, Washington here I come!

Spokane, Washington, that's close to Angola, right?


Fletcher.madsen@missionary.org
https://fletchermadsen.blogspot.com/

This week has been really amazing, but a little bit sad. Many Elders and Sisters in our zone, including all the other Elders besides Elder Gordon and me in our district left this morning. We decided to meet one last time on Sunday night as a district and talk about how amazing our time has been here at the MTC, especially with each other. After we shared stories, words of encouragement, and some spiritual thoughts, we sang hymns #249 and #152 together, "Called to Serve" and "God be with you till we meet again". It was a little sad, but strengthening as well. Our district has been such a good example to me of righteous missionaries, doing the Lord's work and thinking of others before themselves. 




After the Elders in our district said goodbye to our Sisters, we went back to pack. But we decided before we needed to go to bed for the night that as a zone us Elders would sing hymn #319, "Ye Elders of Israel" together in the hallway. Singing that hymn together was such a powerful experience, it’s hard to describe in words. We all had a giant group hug afterward, if only I had a picture of that, it's definitely in the files of my brain. I really love all the Elders in our zone, it has been such an honor for Elder Gordon and I to be their zone leaders and to serve them, to see them progress, to hear their testimonies, and to see them continuing to love and uplift one another every day. I'll miss our volleyball games and joking around together, but I know that they will all do great things in their missions. 

Saying goodbye to Irma Goncalves (muito triste)
It still doesn't seem real that I'm going out to the field this week. Time surely does fly. I haven't heard too many missionaries talk about their MTC experience when they get back, but I know I will always remember this. I have been so spiritually uplifted by teachers, leaders, and Elders and Sisters in my zone and district while I have been here. It's kind of weird that I won't be speaking Portuguese nearly as much starting Wednesday, but I know the Lord needs me in Spokane. 

Back when the Provo temple was open our first week here.
Alma chapter 17 has continued to stick out to me as I read of the wonderful examples of missionaries that the sons of Mosiah were. Alma 17:11 is one of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon, and is the verse I chose as my missionary plaque. It's about time for me to head out myself, I can't wait to go forth to stand as a representative and example of Christ. 

T'chau!

11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be apatient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good bexamples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls








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