Pennies & Little Things

I've been really busy with the little things, piecing life together a little bit at a time.

A couple cool things that are noteworthy:


1. I got my first official Visiting Teaching assignment, whooo! Visiting Teaching is something the church does where the women in the church will have companions and share spiritual messages with other sisters in their congregation to make sure everyone is doing well and its a great way to provide and accept service from one another.

My companion is an awesome girl who was just recently baptized into the church. I'm stoked to learn how to be 'visiting teachers' together with her, and hopefully keep up our misisonary skills considering we both just went through the PMG lessons a thousand times probably. Yay for missionary work in continuation!




2. I made some sweet lake video you can check out here at this link below:

https://vimeo.com/132116168

Of course my first day back we hit up the lake, dylan was kind enough to take us all out on his boat. Weve gone out a few times and spent a lot of time in the water and eating fattening food considering the recent fourth of july holiday. I also got my hair bleached back to platinum, what of it. And best news of all, i got a job offer immediately after my homecoming talk. *godlovesme* It was much needed and i'm excited to begin working and saving and preparing for ''the next stage of life''




3.I was driving around in my dads beautiful little Volkswagen jetta the other day, by myself, might i add (weird weird weird) and i was driving past the temple and saw this cute little family out there taking pictures and had this feeling to get out and offer to take the picture for them (what the?)

so i did. i hopped out and said hello as creepy as can be, all by myself, without a nametag, or a companion, and offered service to ya know..take a family picture...in front of the temple for them. they were super grateful and i took a bunch. I began talking to them and asked them where they were from. Turns out they were all from Argentina and were just visiting family and they werent members of the church. i explained i had just served as a missionary in Washington dc and directed them to the temple visitor center. and off they went! #goodvibes




4. i got a package in the mail full of letters and pennies. it was from elder rhoton. Two years ago he said that he would ALWAYS find pennies and other such change on the ground in the city. He started collecting all the change he found in a box and said by the time he got home he would have enough to take me on a real nice date. its been two years and i got a whole box of pennies, and quarters and dimes and nickels in the mail. and dang. that box was heavy. he sure remembered. for two years!

i cant wait to have my favorite boy back home!

37 days!!

Return With Honor!

10 Days!

Sister Madison Paige Stucki 

will be returning from her mission 

to Washington DC South Mission

and speaking June 28th at 11:00 am

Boulder Ridge Stake Center

1762 S. River Road

Are You True to What You Know?

Me and Grandma

Bookcase of Abe books

Splits

Twins

Baptisms with Barbara

Mom,

This week went like this:

Monday we went to DC and saw Fords Theater. Quick history lesson: Fords Theater is where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It was a cool theater I think my favorite parts were the chandeliers, the pillar made out of Abe books and the famous Abe quote that said

"Those without vices have few virtues."

What a guy. We also went to H&M on the main streets of DC which was cool. They had some rockin' sales so I bought some jewelry. P-day festivities *yay* we went on exchanges shortly after with the Franconia Sisters and THAT was my very, last, exchange folks. Holla balla. Say good by to Sister Training Lord Life 

Deuces.

We taught I. a couple times, that girl is stellar. We had a lesson on the word of wisdom and recorded her dumping out her iced tea :) We are really good friends. Obviously. She's straight on track to me baptized next weekend wahoo Iyanna! And she's already a missionary too. She knows a girl who is less active in the ward from school and is inviting her to church with her.

We had a lesson with Josh about the word of wisdom. He told us when he quit chewing tobacco his brother did too! How cool is that? He is a huge example to his family. I'm sure his brothers wife is appreciative ;) I thought that was awesome. Josh made us these little book marks with wild flowers on them *see attached photo* it was sweet of him. He's really trying to keep on keeping on. He's a funny guy. He gave a ride to an older lady in the ward, to church on Sunday. It was cute watching him walking at .0005 miles an hour holding her arm so she didn't tip over. Hahaha. LIFE THO.

I'm the worst at remembering what we even did during the week. We taught at zone portion about PMG and met a lot of new members in the ward and had a lot of uno wars and stuff just the usual basically. Everybody keeps asking me "how do you feel?" And it makes me uncomfortable because like guys I'm not sick chull. 

I guess it's like legendary when somebody goes home or something.  I don't like unneeded attention so I've been sticking close to the exits in case I have to bail. It makes me uncomfortable when people are like "r u excited" because  No matter what answer I give it's the wrong answer. So I just talk about the weather.

Oscar and David Reynolds from SHENANDOAH are coming to say bye this next week I'm stoked out of my mind. We have a lot of good stuff planned I think, a lot of people to go visit and what not. A lot of people to start saying bye to, too. It's weird. I can't believe I've been here since January. I've spent all of 2015 so far here. That's a long time. If flew by quick. I can't believe I'm leaving?

Church was wild. It was sweet though. A ton of people we've been visiting came to church, like recent converts or less active members. It was like a Christmas miracle!!! Because WHAAAT. it was sweet. We filled up several rows in the chapel. It was sweet. 

Over the weekend we did baptisms for the dead in the temple with BARBARA. I haven't done temple baptisms in forever, and never in the DC temple so it was really really neat. We played uno on the way up in the car and Stewart and I dominated. I love that game. 

I think when I get home we need to hop on the FHE bandwagon! Do you guys have legitimate family home evenings? We're gonna start. We should have preach my gospel lessons, I can keep practicing my skillzzz and we should play Uno,after. K? We can call it "Madis mission prep for Dylan, Ethan, Ty, Makenna and Eli" Lolol. I've got it all planned out. Y'all can make the refreshments.

I had departing interviews with President Riggs and they were awesome. Lots of good advice. Mostly we talked about marriage, school and work. I think I've got it all planned out and feel pretty good about what's going down. It was kinda funny though because President was like "how sure are you that you're going to marry this boy?" And I was like "sure" and he was like "there's an elder that would love to date you when you're home. I told him that you are pretty serious but he said that doesn't mean anything until there's a ring on her finger!" So that's cool. I was just like "good luck."

We also talked a lot about cool things that are a secret so I can't voice it to the blog sorry. And he gave me a sweet priesthood blessing, and a hug. The Riggs are cool people. Much respect.

Afterwards I got permission for us to drop by the lynch family in Burke and say bye. It was fun. Paul lynch. Is the man. He was the first person I met when I came into the mission field, at a members home in Manassas. So I had to go say bye. We're buddies. 

That's basically my week wrap up, I've got this week left as a full week.

Then next week.... I'm COMING HOME BBGS.

Dad sent me this quote in an email last week and I've thought about it a lot. He said..

"People have a testimony of what they have been taught, 

(meaning they believe to be true what they know), 

but have not or are not being converted to the Gospel..   

Elder Bednar has stated......

"a Testimony is Believing what you Know to be True......

but, Conversion is being True to what you Know."

That's really the next step in becoming a True Disciple of Jesus Christ. Becoming Converted or being TRUE to what we already know.   This is a continual process that never ends."

And That freaked me out.

BECAUSE

Holy. Cow. I feel like the last eighteen months I've been under a microscope. Think about it, I have a whole entire white handbook of extra rules and regulations to follow, I report back to like five different leaders every week, and I've had a 20 year old girl from Provo, Utah conjoined at my hip for the past EIGHTEEN MONTHS. 

So needless to say I've learned a lot, and built a lot of good habits and gained a testimony of many many gospel principles. But in, what, eleven days I have to put it all to the test? No more microscope, no more white hand book, no more 20 year old girl from happy valley conjoined at my hip (praise the lord for that one) and I think that's when the real test comes into play. I believe these things to be true, otherwise why would I be out here on a mission? The real test is will I stay true to what I know? And that's what happens after the mission. How will I apply what I've learned and believe?

When you're all alone and you feel like no one is watching what do you do?

Are you true to what you know?

That's what I keep thinking about. 

I think for the rest of my life I'll have Bednar's face 

flash in my brain asking that question

You have a testimony of what you know but

ARE YOU TRUE TO WHAT YOU KNOW???

I think for the rest of my life that will be my quest.

To never forget. 

Before my mission I remember thinking to myself

What's the big hype?

About this whole mission thing?

What's it all about?

How can moving away for eighteen months and doing a lot of

"Churchy stuff"

Change a person so drastically?

I wanna know for myself.

I think I figured it out.

But I think similar to Elder Bednar's quote, figuring it out isn't enough.

I get it 

I know

I have a testimony

Of this marvelous change

This marvelous wisdom, knowledge, faith and growth

But you can't just believe it to be true and forget about it

You have to be true to what you know,

You can't forget.

The other day in MLC somebody mentioned how sometimes we are

Big talkers, Little walkers

We talk the talk

We preach it

But are we doing it?

Are we acting on it?

Are we obedient?

Are we willing to sacrifice?

I understand now that life

Won't always be this way

But I can't forget.

Who knows what's coming up next. The next two years, five years, ten years. Thirty years. But We can be sure that the gospel won't change. And if we can hold onto the gospel and be true to it, then Gods promises are sure.

"... I would ask if all is done? Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by 

the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits 

of him who is mighty to save.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, 

having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. 

Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, 

and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: 

Ye shall have eternal life."

(2 Nephi 31)

We can't forget.

Can't forget.

Can't forget.

I keep telling myself that. All the time everywhere.

THIS IS ALMOST OVER

IT WON'T ALWAYS BE THIS WAY

SO I CANT FORGET

I probably won't be carrying around fifteen Book of Mormon copies everywhere I go

But I can't forget when I did 

I won't be seeing all these amazing recent converts once or twice a week

But I can't forget

I probably won't go knocking on doors proclaiming the gospel to my neighbors for the rest of my mortal existence

But I can't forget

I probably won't be invited to eight hour mission meetings anymore

But I can't forget

I won't be wearing a missionary name tag anymore

But I can't forget

And why? 
Because there's more to do. There's a new task ahead. There's application to all that I've learned, all that I've become. Note to future self: If I ever read through all my old blog posts again when I'm sixty and bored out of my mind and Virginia pops into my head and I begin reminiscing on these past eighteen months of my life.... this is 20 year old me telling myself

DON'T EVER FORGET!!!

I think even though I'm a trunky mess (if we are honest) I've had an incredible past eighteen months. And the definition of incredible to me is not butterflies and rainbows, it's not perfect serenity, or 24/hour happiness and smiles and pure joy....

But as is life. 

In fact the Webster's dictionary definition is..

Incredible: impossible to believe.

It's impossible to believe that so many trials and so called failures and drops and hard work and sweat and tears could bring such lasting joy and peace and miracles and relief and friendship and love. It's impossible to believe a wild 19 year old high school kid just spent a year and a half preaching the gospel of Christ in a skirt, practice teaching gospel principles to another woman everyday. 

It's impossible to believe that a fourteen year old boy saw God the Father and Jesus Christ after praying for divine help and guidance. It's impossible to believe that the son of God felt every pain hurt and sorrow we feel today and died for us. It's impossible to believe that, that same man rose again to redeem us from being forever cut off from the presence of our God. It's impossible to believe that these kinds of events could completely turn my life around and change me into a different being. 

It's impossible to believe it.

Which is why I say it's incredible.

Because it's real.

And I've seen it.

And I know it's true.

So here's to my new quest,

To remember.

To remember it's true.

And to be true to what I know.

To never forget.

You're invited to do something similar. 

See Ya all next weekend.

Loves. 

Sister Stucki 
June 15, 2015
(11 days)

Make Room

BBQ's

Church

Great Falls

Humidity Problems

Corn Hole

Creature

My new African dress from Grandma

I'm coming home

The "woah" list :)

We went to Springfield mall and I bought a cute new shirt for my homecoming so I don't come home in rags. My clothes are pretty worn out.  Obviously I know nothing about doing my own laundry... Or I've just worn the same thing way to often. Either way. The countdown is what.. Eighteen days? Yaaaaa. We had exchanges this week with the Mt. Vernon sisters. And we had mission leadership council as well.

When we taught Josh this week we helped him do Family History. We found his grandpa Carl, who he is named after, and as soon as we inserted him, his family history line went clear back to the 1500's. We found out somebody in his family has been doing tons and tons of family history. So he has a lot of temple work to do! We printed out names to do temple work for his family. We're going to go with him next weekend.  I haven't done baptisms forever so I'm super excited. And it will be cool doing them for his family names. 

We taught I. at a members home with BARBARA and another young women. They taught us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is what we taught last time and it was cool, and then we taught them the commandments.  I. is doing really good. Her baptism will be on June 20th. We are really excited for her. BARBARA is super excited too. Can you send something for her?

On Friday we had interviews with President Riggs. He told me that since he was interviewing me again next week for my departing interview he would just start the departing interview now and finish up next week. He was really nice and thanked me for my service, it was cool. He said he was grateful that I could be cute and cool and not have to make a point because most people that try to act cool do the opposite of what they're supposed to be doing to be different. He said the first day he met me and I got out into the field he thought "this will be interesting" because I was cute and thought I was cool. Lolz. He thanked me for being a good example and for the tremendous work I've put into my mission.

He also said that when he put Sister Eaton, Stewart and I together in a trio that the assistants laughed at him because the three of us are on every Elders "woah... there partner list." (Which is a top secret, confidential list President has on his iPad of Elders who have a thing for Sisters and are not allowed to serve near them.) He thought it was pretty funny. 

We talked a lot about marriage and family. And a little bit about schooling. He asked me a lot of questions....

He asked me about what I'm going into and if it allowed for me to have a family. He also gave lots of marriage advice. He said to make sure I wear my ring LOUDLY especially in the professional field. To remember that some guys aren't good guys. To make sure that I go on a date with my husband at least once a week. To make sure that nobody could ever replace him. Stuff like that. It was a stinkin' good interview. I'm excited for round two this next week. He said to come prepared with any questions I have. Most of my questions are about marriage. Hopefully that's cool. #trunkytrunkytrunky (it's OK tho cause he's probably TRUNKY too)

The countdown is so real right now.

Tell Dylan I seriously want to go boating like asap when I get home. I need to get my tan on. And I'm dying to get in the water. Take me take me take me! Also mom, can you set my phone up before I get home? That would be sweet. I keep having dreams about coming home from my mission. I'm pretty stoked. About it. I also want to buy a laptop soon after I get back so I can organize all my mission pictures and stuff. Can you look around for deals? Idk where the best but would be.  Keep an eye out.

Also I need need need a job. I really think I will die if I'm sitting around all day. After our vacation I want to start working and saving money so ask around for job opportunities as well please! I gotta jump on that asap. And then soon after that I should probably start looking for good deals on wedding "things." 


  ........................................


Also I'm sending home another package this week. It just has letters and notes in it but it's pack full so that should be there soon. And I sent off another memory card with pictures. I think I should be good to go as far as packing goes. I'm going to throw some stuff out or leave it here. As well as some of my shoes. They just have holes and are gross and I'll probably never wear them again. So hopefully my suitcases pack up lightly considering! I've dejunked a lot of stuff.

The only things I really have now is like my comforter blanket, some clothes, hair stuff, and a couple books/scriptures. So I think I should be set?

That was a tangent.

This weekend was the most dysfunctional weekend ever I swear. Everything fell through and the weirdest... Stuff happened. I got an African dress from Grandma as a departure gift. This guy we have been meeting with gave us perfume called "magic charm" WEIRD. (We're passing him to the Elders now don't worry) Sister Stewart's nose started bleeding in our brand new mini van on route one so she used a tampon to stop it Lolol just like the movies. We had another weekend Uno war for the championship and I got SO CLOSE TO TAKING THE TITLE, but Sister Eaton killed it, again. Even with me and Stewart teaming against her. Barf. We got food poisoning from Green Olive, a sketchy restaurant we went to with some members this week. And Sunday Grandma bore her testimony by singing a song and banging her cane against the podium. Does that cover our lives as of late?

I GOT MY SUPER TRUNKIES
Which consists of my flight itinerary and scheduling and packing information.
Wooooooo

Josh went to his neighbors church, because his neighbor has been begging him forever and a long time ago he promised he would go. And it was kinda funny because he texted us and told us his neighbor said "oh my God" while he was preaching, and not it good context! And that there was wine instead of water for communion and he swore he would never put alcohol into his body again intentionally so he had to throw it away after. Oh Josh. He's such a good guy. Haha.

This week I have my departing interview with President, We are going to the temple with BARBARA and then we are going to the temple with Josh. So that will keep things exciting and mix things up. Our ward had a baptism this past weekend, one more this weekend and then the next weekend there are five people on date to be baptized. The Fort is definitely rolling along. Summertime is prime time in BELVOIR. 

I'm glad I get to bounce during prime time ;)

The Rothermel's emailed me about house hunting, sounds like y'all are having fun with that. The Hales family in our ward should be visiting St George during July or August so we gotta keep an eye out for them. They're cool. There's lots of St George ties around here.


As we've been teaching different people I've noticed how evident it is when the spirit is and is not present. I've learned that everything we teach and really everything we do is based upon the spirit of the Lord and receiving our own personal revelation and witness. It's pretty difficult to explain this to people because it's not something you can simply explain, it's something that must be felt. And we need to feel and recognize it to grow.

In order to feel and recognize the spirit we have to make room for it in our lives. People constantly drown out opportunities for the spirit to testify to them by keeping themselves so preoccupied with other things, not making room for time to ponder, study the scriptures, pray or even think. In Helaman five it says:

"...they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, 

neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, 

it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, 

and it did pierce even to the very soul."

How often to we make room in our lives for a quite voice to testify to us and to teach us
To make room I feel we need to make literal and tangible room, like making time.
But also make room in our hearts. Whether that be through being humble, and full of gratitude or letting go of our will and trusting God, or developing our faith. We simply need to make room for enlightenment and understanding by the spirit.

This is where lives change.

Like I said previously It's pretty difficult to explain this to people because it's not something you can simply explain, it's something that must be felt. I want to invite you to prayerfully consider what you need to do in your lives to "make room" for the spirit to more abundantly guide your life and your mind. As you do this I know you'll feel the small promptings coming from God.

It won't be a tumultuous noise
It will be small
But it will be powerful.

I believe God speaks to each of us according to our own understanding
we just gotta make room for that understanding.
And as we do so great changes and blessings will be more evident in our lives.


I love you guys so stinkin' much! I'm so excited to come home and spend time with my family! I can't even tell you how stoked I am. I cannot even believe that it has been eighteen months. I can't believe how many amazing miracles I've witnessed, how many lessons I've learned and how incredible this missionary service has been.

I'm humbled and grateful for the course of life God has been preparing for me, really for the past twenty years. But especially these past couple years. It's really opened my eyes, and it's really changed my heart. I'm eternally grateful for the wonderful friends, experiences and blessings that have come into my life.

Life is really so good.

I love you guys!

Sister Stucki 
06-08-2015
Sent from my iPad