Time Goes By.

 Here are some pictures 

from this past month...

the Elders let us borrow their bikes to ride the W&OD

Sister Mitchell taught me bike etiquette...didn't know it was "a thing" :)

Look MOM, NO Hands!

Virginia is BEAUTIFUL

Ya...So I was itchy for a week after holding this thing

Check out my "farmer tan" after the bike ride

This place is so Green

Sister Selfie

Isn't she so adorable?

Great Day - the cutest couple EVER.

Tracting in the "Niagara Falls" type rainstorms = SOAKING WET :)
(Splits w/ Sister Hansen)

Dear Family,

I let my companion dye my hair this week.
Actually I forced her to.
Now it's yellow.
I struggle.

If Aunt Megan wanted to send me some Paul Mitchell Purple shampoo to help blonde's... I would love her. I think I'm going to bleach the roots and go platinum to numb down the yellowness?? It's kinda brassy. I fail. It's fine.

I have a picture of everybody in their DC shirts except Ty! So he is the only sibling not up on my wall. I would love it if you could send me a picture of him.

Guess what? THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS. I will never see another June 30th in Virginia as a missionary. Crazy Stuff. One year left to go. FUN FACT: My Mission President goes home the same transfer I do. To Arizona. So we'll probs be on the same plane. Interesting eh?

Last week we taught Family Home Evening.  We had tons of people there so we taught about families.  It was a fun time.

A. brought her brother D. which was awesome. He is a nice guy.  He had tons of fun and wants to come again. So that's cool! We played volleyball for FHE.
It is really difficult in a skirt.
Let's be honest.
I mean I could totes get my game on if we were in a Sand Volleyball court,.. and I was wearing my lucky FASHION IS OUT muscle shirt.
buuuuuuuttttt.
I'm a Sister.

the struggle is real.

O.  texted us and said that he prayed and feels like he should move his baptism date to 7/12. Have I already told you that story?
It was pretty sweet.
So his date is officially the 12th now!
Super Cool Guy.

Just FULL of the Spirit.

We also had interviews with President this week.
HE IS GREAT!  It was a great interview and all... but then he was asking about my lil' trainee Sister Rossi.  I was just going on about how great she is and I said we have SO much in common...

and he was like, "like what?"

and I was like,  "well... this is weird..."

  

and he was like,  "okay lets hear it..."

and I was like,  "well..."

and he was like,  "YOU HAVE TO TELL ME NOW"

so... I was a little hesitant.  but I told him. that our boyfriends both kissed this same girl. (XXX) back in Utah.  and it's super awk 

and he just started LAUGHING. 

so hard. 

I was like,  "uhh... this is a SORE subject Prez."

.....anyway she went in for her interview and when she came out he said,

"you gotta tell Sister Stucki.' 

and left.

SO apppearrrenttlyyy 

when she was in there getting her interview He asked where she was from 

and she said South Salt Lake. 

and he said,  "ohhh I have a sister that lives there. 

my son lived with them for a while. he dated a girl that lived out there. and you know what? 

I think they even SMOOCHED  a little bit."

So Sister Rossi was all excited and was like oh, oh who is it??

and he was like,  "ohh I think her name was...(ya...same girl as above)"

and she died!  she was like WHAAAAATTT??????

and he just LAUGHED.

suchhhh a great human.

anyway probably shouldn't put her name anywhere in this blog post
but the story line is funny.
He is great.

This week O's mom made us:

fried yuka

papusas

chocolate chip cookies

and Guatemala cake.

shes great. really fattening us up.

Also our lessons with M. this week were legit and he brought us doughnuts.
I think it's safe to say we have the sickest investigators EVER.
Plus at the end of his lesson he said he's getting "evermore closer to baptism."  
How great is he?  J
ust gotta love them.

O.  wrote us a poem
and we are trying to get him to read it at his baptism. 

Wanna hear it?
soooo grand.
okay. here it is..

Our Light Within..

we all have a light within us

all we have to do is trust

don't let our soul be filled with darkness

let us embrace out happiness

this light brings us closer together

make us live in heaven forever

let us have faith in ourselves and in god

let him smite away the darkness with a lightning rod

let it parish from our soul

let us have that heart of gold

(:

There is a recent convert named F. in our area and she made us the cutest little picture frames with scriptures in them.  She is adorable. The people here are just awesome.  I love serving in a YSA Ward! It is so much fun. They said it's hard not to think of us as their friend. They always do fun little hikes and stuff that we can't exactly go on buuut it's nice to have the invite. I guess. ha ha. They are fun. and so awesome with fellowshipping the people we bring!

This week we also saw a turtle get mutilated by a car which was totally disgusting.
Turtles are everywhere.  It's sad.

We had Stake Conference and President and Sister Riggs spoke at it. So that was fun.

  

A.  came to church this week and she looked like she really enjoyed it.

We also went and correlated with the Bishop which was much needed. Got lots done. He was really happy about it because he sent us this big email about how "our excitement for the work is contagious" and on and on and he said he is going to ask President Riggs if we can stay here forever.

So that is a good sign considering!

I know it will help a lot with the work having the Bishop more involved and helping us! Super stoked! So much is going on and there are great things in store for Shenandoah.  I feel so blessed to get to be a part of it.  In helping Hasten the Work of Salvation!

I got a super cute package this week from Momma Wogksch and Madi!
They are adorable. Except I'm kind of confused,  because they sent this 'wall flower' plug in.  that's supposed to make your house smell all pretty and its a flower so I assumed it would smell like lotion, but when we got home for the day our whole house smelt like cologne....

starting to think it's some sick joke Madi is playing on me considering I can't date...

but needless to say... it's still plugged in. ;)

  

so great.

  

Anyway I hope all is well back at home. Please continue to be a missionary back at home and share the Gospel with everyone you meet. The Lord doesn't only need missionaries but he needs members who are True Disciples of Jesus Christ and who are willing to share the Gospel with others and fellowship them!

You guys are awesome.  I love and miss you so much!  Thanks for the letters this week.  I really appreciated them.  I'm excited to hear from you all again! I'm in the process of writing you all back. 

Missions go by so fast. 

I only have one year left! 

Seven months seems like 7 days. 

I'm excited for all the friends and family I have that are going to be serving soon.

I'm excited for all the new things they will learn. 

Serving a Mission is great, 

BUT going out and giving it YOUR ALL and becoming a Disciple of the Lord 

is the best decision you could ever make. 

Not only does it BLESS YOU for those 18 months - 2 years 

but it will Bless YOU and YOUR Posterity 

for a LIFETIME to come.

START Preparing NOW
Becoming the BEST person you can be.

love you all! 

talk to you next week! (:

sister stucki

(via email June 30, 2014) 

it's that day again...

"Rosstucki" celebrity name. get like us?

 

Shh!  Don't tell...

The MEGA BED

Our Apartment

Our Desks

In Honor of World Cup

Fireflies do exist

No. We are not going to a Funeral.

The Forest. #ticks

Hey. Funny Story. Our investigator O. is hilarious. So he is Hispanic. He was telling us that in high school they made him keep taking these ESL (English Second Language) classes just because he was Hispanic. Even though he speaks perfectly fine English. He was telling us about these tests and how ridiculous they were.

One day he had enough. They were asking him all these questions, and he was like dude, 

"I speak English." And they were like, "Well we're going to take the test to make sure!" 

And they held up these flash cards And pointed and said "What is this?" and he just yelled at them

IT'S A DUCK?!?

haha.
ha.
ha.

I guess it's a had to be there moment. Sister Rossi, Our ward mission leader, and I were crying for like half an hour. He is the best human alive. So funny. He also has this massive Rottweiler that literally weighs as much as Sister Rossi and I put together. It is... playful. Anyway, we love teaching him and we are super excited for him to get baptized.

We had an awesome lesson with him last week and talked about moving his baptism date up. He decided to move it to July 19th so...

MOMMA SEND ME A GOOD LOOKIN' TIE PLZ

It's coming up quick. He is great. We are really excited for him. He has been coming to church and all the activities and he just fits right in and has made lots of friends in the ward.

Speaking of the Ward. The Ward is insane. It is definitely summer time here in Shenandoah because there are so many people. The first week I got here there was about thirty people in attendance in sacrament meeting. Our Gospel Principles class had like six people there. Two missionaries, the Ward Mission Leader, the Assistant, an Investigator and a Less Active.

 This week in Gospel Principles we had THIRTY PEOPLE IN THE CLASS. There was Two missionaries, Four WARD MISSIONARIES, Three Investigators, One Potential Investigator, Three Less Active Members and 15+ Fellowshippers. It was a Grand time. Super awesome. Summer is going to bring on some great things here I'm excited!

Our Mission President has strongly emphasized having lessons in members homes. These we refer to as "Ideal Lessons." They are lots of fun. When this idea first started being presented we didn't think it would work too well. BUT we have had five "Ideal Lessons" this week and they were all fantastic so we are feeling Super Blessed.

Sister Rossi had her first District Meeting. Our District has two trainees in it. Elder Adair is training Elder Page!

We also drove out to Presidents house for Expectations Meeting this week which was fun. I haven't been there since I got out into the mission field! We learned lots of great things to implement into our teaching and it was fun seeing all the Trainers and Trainees again.

We rearranged our whole apartment this week because we have apartment inspections coming up. Done by Elder and Sister Budd. Our apartment is really cute now and it seriously is so much more comfortable.

WE MADE A MEGA BED.
and it's so sick.
pictures to come.
fun to jump on.
don't tell anybody I said that.

Friday I got a letter from Spencer (may I add, FINALLY??)

He seems to be doing fantastic. However, he is getting transferred this week! So I'll have to give you his new address. He said you guys never wrote him anything so hopefully it doesn't go to his old address? And you guys should write him at his new one (: he would definitely appreciate it! We love letters!!!

Spence has almost been out a year, which is a crazy thought. I'm super excited for him. August will be his year mark! Time sure flies. I'm really excited for him.

When we had our lesson with M. he brought an iPad. It was funny because at church he came walking in with his Book of Mormon in hand all prepared and when he saw everybody had iPads he was like, "WHAAATTTTTTT??"

Then at the next lesson he had Gospel Principles all downloaded and everything?! Such an over achiever.:) He is Great! We talked about the Saviors Atonement on Sunday in Gospel Principles. He said it was a really moving experience for him.

We visited A. who is the cutest thing on this planet. We are helping her get ready to go to the temple, and do baptisms. She is really into Family History work. We are exited for her. She has been a convert for a couple years and she has such a strong testimony. She used to be really into partying and drinking but she has told us some really cool experiences she has had that have opened her eyes and made her realize how useless all of it is.

She said if anybody thinks drinking is great, or is struggling with drinking or ANYTHING to talk to her. Because she can vouch first hand it's not all it's talked about. She's cute. We love her so much.

In Sunday School every one of our investigators and less actives we have been working with participated and I was so proud! It means a lot when they participate in the lesson and put in their input. It is really cool to see. We always begin Sunday School with going around the room and introducing ourselves and how long we have been in contact with the Church. It is cool to hear each person's story.

It makes me realize that we really have such an impact on people. Whether it be for GOOD or for BAD. We don't know each persons story. It is so important to be kind and reach out to people. Because so many times I'm amazed at the amount of people in the class that are so new to the church and need that helping hand and influence in their lives.

As members of the church we have such a huge obligation that so many of us overlook. How often do we go to church and sit next to the person sitting alone? or go introduce ourselves to new members? or ask people how their doing? and follow up? and be their friend?

There is seriously nothing worse that going to church (especially in a singles ward) and sitting all by yourself and feeling alone.

LIKE WHAT??

Church is supposed to be the opposite!

Don't be the person that goes to church to get together with your little 'clique' and gossip and dress to impress and be a dunderhead.

I just said dunderhead.

What have I turned into?

But seriously. People need each and every one of us. So be the person that God can rely on to help His Sons and Daughters. All of them too. It makes a difference.

We met with G. again. He is pretty sweet.
HE DRIVES A MAZDA MX-3 7 GEAR.
Needless to say I'm a bit jell (jealous) bro.
Honestly though.
It is kinda funny that 9/10 of the people we work with are guys. But then again it makes sense. Like God Prepared ME.

I grew up with 4 brothers.
I do dumb things.
I like fast cars.
I can skate and skim.
I know how to throw a punch (I think)
I mean let's be honest....

No but seriously. I can't tell you how many guys I've met that drive Mazda's
and skim board
and longboard
and surf
and like soccer
and play guitar
and enjoy rock music
and mac miller
...
It gets me into houses. k?
Ya do what you gotta do.

But no. This guy we met last night is so sick. His name is M. and he is a Fire Fighter. He does all those things above ^ so we were instant Homies. He was impressed to hear that I have a scar down my side from longboarding / bailing out of a rhino..

and he was in the marines.

When he was there he had some friends that taught him about Jesus Christ. He ended up reading the whole Bible. All the way through. It helped him through everything he had to go through while he was there. Since then he hasn't really picked a specific faith to belong to. He lives with some roommates who are big into skimming down at VA beach. So that was sweet. And he invited us back over this week.
Super cool story.

God prepares people in the weirdest of ways.

Gotta love it.

Sister Rossi is doing awesome out here. She is such a sweet missionary. Like sick sweet. We get along way too well. She is cute. I feel bad for her that she has to deal with me but it is whatever. Her Dad emailed her and gave us a celebrity couple name.

"Rosstucki"

It's fine.
He also said its cruel and unusual punishment for the men in our ward.
Too kind. What a great fella. Her family sounds great. I like them already.
Anyway, we also found out she goes home from her mission on December fourth (which is when I came out) sweet eh? So like if she's gonna make it to my wedding were gonna have to pull some strings ;)
kidding.
but not?

Also guess what?????
FIREFLIES EXIST!
We caught some in a jar. and they are in our room. shh.
no pets of any kind
white handbook page 44
or something.
but yeah.
they are fun.

This week somebody slammed their door on us and said they only talk to Catholics. Sad life.

I'M ALMOST AT MY SEVEN MONTH-O-VERSARY.

J. called us and wants to 'have a discussion'
yeah.
some fun facts for you.

But hey! My companion and I were talking. about this blog thing. and we came up with some great advice for Future Sisters. it's called:

HOW TO ROCK UR COMPANIONS WORLD 2.0
(....actually I just came up with that)
BUT
HERE IS HOW YOU AND YOUR COMPANION BECOME HOMIES.


1. Rearrange the apt and make it cooler than the ppl who left it made it
2. Use your Pinterest ideas that you looked up before your mission because we all know you did it.
3. Title your address in your GPS 'Sister __ & ___'s Crib' and turn the volume on every time you pull in. 

It's the best thing ever.
4. Make your companion milkshakes (Oreo)
5. Compliment them 5X a day (-Pres. Riggs)
6. CREATE THE MEGA BED
7. Let them shower first.
8. Practice teach on your balcony to the world.
9. Sing them the "Sunshine Song" ;) (in honor of Sista Mitchell)
10. STAND ON CHAIRS WHEN YOU SING.
11. Do the dishes.
12. Take out the trash.
13. Create inside jokes.
14. Force them to workout. (thanks)
15. LAUGH A LOT.
16. Tell them when your on your period. So they know when shark week is.
17. Don't get grumpy.
18. Take lots of pictures!
19. Always talk about things! Don't be THE Companion that has to
ALWAYS BE RIGHT.
and you are set.
anyway.
we thought those were great ideas.
take 'em as they are friends (:
Companions ARE a Wonderful thing!
And its been a wonderful week.
(:

Hope you all are doing great back at home! Email me and write me. I love hearing from you all! I pray for you everyday! Make good choices, Feed the missionaries things other than LASAGNA and love everyone! Be a missionary and teach people about the Gospel, it's important and everybody needs it.

Doctrine & Covenants 18
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
17 Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK LOVE YOU GUYS

love sister Madison stucki 
(Via email June 23, 2014)

Friendinos

I just want to say 

I have some pretty sweet friends.

 

 

They are kind of...

all over the world right now...

Sharing the Gospel.

and makin' miracles.

 

 

I love hearing from them, 

it makes my day knowing they are 

out doing good things.  

We have this group email..

AND I LOVE IT

hearing their highlights of their missions. so much great news all over the world.

and great selfies.;)

 

So I want to brag about them..

hopefully you enjoy it as much as I enjoy them:

Elder Brock Johnson

Serving in Sweden Stockholm Mission

 - his 1st baptism.

Elder Justin Brinkerhoff

Serving in Central America or something...

(Mision El Salvador San Salvador East)

showers with a bucket of water and explores the jungles.

Elder Jacob Morley

Serving in Santa Rosa, California

with 1 Billion other missionaries workin' HARD!

Sister Kailee Gooch 

My favorite Asian

Serving in Korea Seoul South Mission

She is Great!

Elder Jake Jepsen 

serving in New York Utica Mission

Elder Parkxfelt (aka Parker Feltner)

serving in Fresno, California

 and of course my favorite...

Elder Spencer Rhoton

serving in Indiana Indianapolis Mission

friends are important.

im quite blessed.

Attitude Determines Everything!

GUESS WHAT?

I held a chinchilla this week. Didn't really know they existed. It was from Chile. It was so soft and it shed all over my clothes. It gave me allergies for like a week and a half. Scary lil' thang.

Also you are never going to believe this. I WENT BIKING DOWN THE W&OD. YEAH. I talked myself into getting on a bike after Dylan, Ethan and Ty tortured me into riding a bike with a flat tire with them for five hours. 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. I forgot how to ride a bike for a sec but... I figured it out. No worries. Pictures to come. They are great. It's a cute lil' trail. Sister Mitchell taught me bike etiquette and everything. I didn't know there was such a thing. I am a Pro now.  So don't even worry about it.

I got a really nice letter from Bishop Janzen about my talk in church.  He really liked it and said he is glad I am in the ward! It was kind of him. We also got a new ward mission leader this week named Dan I'm pretty sure he is from Utah.  He is just here for the summer so we are excited about that.

This week is transfers but don't worry about me moving.  I am 99.9% sure I'm staying here.  President pretty much told us Sister Mitchell is outta here. So no worries. It is sad to see her go.  She has been here forever and knows all the ins and outs of Shenandoah. I still feel like a newbie but hopefully things go well and pick up while I am here!

President Riggs popped in our District meeting on Tuesday and sat in the back. Our District lacked at finding new investigators this week.  So we set a goal of finding fourteen new investigators as a District. President said if we achieved our goal he would take us all to Chic-fil-a and buy us milkshakes. So this was a BIG deal. Sister Mitchell and I found FOUR new investigators!

The first one, was a crazy story. I met a guy at the MTC and he emailed me the other day about a friend to contact.  We went to go checkup on his friend and met his friends sister.  She is so awesome. She came to Institute and went to a concert with some YSA's. We are teaching her tonight before Family Home Evening as well.

The second one was S. It was super awesome because we decided to have a "Walk about Wednesday" and not drive the car. We THOUGHT it was a great idea. YEAH. I about died. I have a gnarly farmers tan now. Even a tan line where my necklace was, and my face is peeling. BUT on our way home we ran into S. walking. He had his headphones in. We just waved and said hi and he stopped and was like, 
"DID YOU ASK WHO I WAS?"

Sister Mitchel looked at me and we were like, "uhh yeah... of course.."

and he was like, "I'M S. are you missionaries?  I've been curious about you guys."  He went on to ask for one of our "Mormon Bibles" which we gladly gave to him to keep. He is a saint. He knows a lot of people that are on missions in our area.  

The next person we met was M. HOLY COW!  He is awesome. He was actually referred to us by other missionaries so we went over and taught him and talked a lot about the Book of Mormon. He was so nice. Super smart. He is getting his PhD and he is a composer. He said he had a billion questions for us. He has already read 12 chapters in the Book of Mormon.  Then he explained in depth Lehi's vision. Such an awesome guy. So Prepared. He said he is really jealous of our faith and hopes he can obtain it one day. 
Such a cool guy. He is gonna go far.

The last investigator we met this week was O.  His mom is a member. We stopped by their house and were helping him find a desire to attend church. He is funny. He also has a Massive dog. We are going to teach him again next week.

So all in all our District ended up Finding 18 NEW investigators which is totally crazy! President asked the District Leader if his money was safe.  But...it's not! haha. Also he informed us we will be going to another Nationals (?) game this year before September! woo. super stoked for that.

Also get this:

IT WAS MY SIX MONTH-O-VERSARY THIS WEEK

HOLLLLAAA AT YO GIRL OUT HERE.

1/3 of the way done.  I still feel like I just got here. Weird stuff.

Missions go by FAST.

It has been raining a lot lately. HUGE thunderstorm last night. Which led to massive ultimate crazy humidity today. FUN stuff. Sweatin' up a storm over here. :/

I got a letter from Ethan this week! Dude he is loaded what is life? How do you land jobs like that? I'm a little bit jealous. Save it all up so you can buy your fiancee a sweet car when you get back from your mission ;) kidding. but seriously. 

Why is everyone growing up? Ethan looks like a total stud. Keep writing me letters. I haven't heard from Dylan in a while! What is this? What is he up to now days? Makenna looks like she is older than me. and Eli... hahahahahaha. that kid. makes me laugh. Ty. still the same. I haven't heard from Dad in a while either ehhh emmm..

Well guys in honor of transfer number four coming to an end... here is the list of things I have learned these past six weeks...

TIME MANAGEMENT

to express your Gratefulness to others

building others up, Don't make them feel dumb

I have learned to speak my mind

step up and Be a Leader

TO BE MYSELF!! Let your personality show, Use your talents.

I have learned how to drive in VA :l

which is very unpleasant and makes no logical sense (FYI.)

How to Set goals, and Achieve them

How to street contact

working with less actives is CRUCIAL and Important

I learned to NOT get offended, there is NO point.

to Not hold grudges

to OWN your area and OWN your LIFE

I learned how Ridiculous high school is

and Dating

(and I'm super glad I have a boyfriend.......hhaha)

I've learned Why its important to RESPECT others

Especially Priesthood Authority

or Authority in general

or just Anyone

and MOST OF ALL

TO BE OPTIMISTIC

Attitude Determines Everything 
and if I could give one piece of advice to anybody 
Especially future missionaries:
It would be to have a GOOD Attitude. 
Attitude DETERMINES Everything. 
You can have a totally awesome experience or an awful experience 
All depending on how you look at it and that is something 
that has really been impressed on my mind this transfer 
as I've watched how things have played out. 
So WHY NOT CHOOSE to BE HAPPY? 
Choose to be an Optimist.  Make the MOST out of EVERY situation you are in.

Just...

Embrace it?

Why not right.

Who wants to be sad all the time anyway?

or negative?

or whatever?

its lame!

Also I have a request.

It is a Facebook plee.

If you read my blog add me on Facebook (: 

That way you can follow along with my posts about missionary work,
and help be a missionary as well. 
There is a Facebook group called 'Called To Share' get on it. 
And help spread the word about the Gospel.

If you are not a member of the church, or have questions, add me on Facebook and we can chat about it.  Get involved. No matter who you are. Learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it can bless your life, and your families life as well.

I love talking to people about the gospel!

So HMU (help me out)

My email is Madison.stucki@myldsmail.net

Facebook is Sister-Madison Stucki

Make your Facebook and social networking more effective by teaching and sharing what YOU know online.

I love you all and I'm grateful for the love and support I have from all my friends and family.  You are awesome and I love hearing from you too. 

My inbox was relatively empty this week so start sending me letters via email or the old fashioned way. I love you guys and love hearing from you. 

Have a fantastic week and make good choices (: 
pictures to come....

loveee sister Madison stucki
(via email June 9, 2014)