AND SO IT BEGINS....

Might as well start at the very beginning of this adventure.

     Madison, Nick and I set out for Utah...a 11 hour drive. I need to mention that I personally really felt some divine help in little things on this day. Starting with me miraculously remembering my wallet. I had put it in my church bag on sunday and forgotten to take it out and put it back in my purse. We hadn't left the neighborhood when I suddenly thought of it and was able to go back for it. I was so grateful for that!

     Later that night outside of Wendover, UT Nick got pulled over by the highway patrol for speeding. Madison was the spokesperson and related details of her reason for traveling to UT and her mission. Nick didn't get a ticket. It poured down rain on us in several locations along the route and we hydroplaned at one point but didn't slide off the road. Evidence of the

Tender Mercies of the Lord. 

     We spent the next day saying goodbyes. My grandmother, Verna Jenkins, is almost 89 yrs old. She lives in Orem so Madison has become gotten to know her better since living in Provo briefly. 

Joey Sanchez, Hannah Bennion, and McKenzie Gummersal all came over to say goodbye and give words of wisdom to Madison. 
Weds. we went to Provo and said our goodbyes up at the temple. It was a gorgeous day in so many ways. I held in most of my tears... It was great to have Madison's grandmother, Susan Warner there too!

Nick and Madi

I sure am glad I took her to the MTC. We talked about her just leaving from CALI alone, but I like the way we did this important Goodbye!



"This is why I'm here, because this is what Christ did. He sacrificed, loved, lived and taught in order for us to have the truth and know the way. I'm trying to be like Jesus, and it's hard. But it's the best (bayst). " -Sister Warner

The last wave goodbye...

Madison and Grandma Warner

Sister Warner and Sister Call, first companions!

Two Peas in a Pod !

 

6 to a room...It is awesome to think there are THAT many missionaries!

Sister Warner at Provo Temple, April 2013

The first week was new and exciting and EXHAUSTING. Madison is learning what she is made of. It takes so much energy and will power to give your life over to the Lord for 18 months. 

She writes, "I just keep reminding myself that I love my Lord and that if i can do this, my future family and many family's futures (in Portugal) will be blessed. It's hard to know what to say with the first week. I guess i'm just struggling with the battle between Madi and Sister Warner (Seesters Warner) and all that. I knew I would be humbled, I just didn't realize how severely and intensely. It helps to know that I have so much support from all the family and friends back home. Pday has been good, but it's still hard because it makes me think of home EVEN more. "On Saturday I had a break down wondering if i should really be here... I wasn't gonna write that but I figure, why not share that this is hard? But I have
faith
that the Lord will confirm it for me if it's His will.
So with time, it will get more normal and easy."