After a Little Blog Stalking.....Elder Kolby Madsen

...this is what Elder Madsen's companion wrote about Kolby in his first letter home:

Written by Elder Wawro, Elder Madsen's MTC companion

"Luckily, when I got there I found out my companion was none other than Elder Kolby Madsen! Elder Madsen was the one who tore his ACL in February and had surgery on it only about a month ago. We went to the Danish consulate together and he was the one I hung out with the most while there. It has been such a blessing to have him as my companion, and even though we have our differences in interests and opinions we work very well together.

A little bit about my district...I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. We are so vastly different in so many ways but we have so much fun together. I'll talk a little bit about each of them:

Elder Madsen: My companion is very athletic and can pretty much out lift anyone at the gym. We help each other stay on task, but we mess around with each other at appropriate moments as well. We kind of make fun of each other because of his fanatics about sports and mine about music. We have pretty contrasting interests, but I think that's one reason we get along so well."

Yes, that's the Kolby we all know and love! <3

Second Letter from the MTC  (April 26, 2013)

Hamburgers and Double Fries...Anytime! (May 5, 2013)

Inside the MTC with Elder Madsen  (May 5, 2013)

A Letter from Elder Madsen

April 26, 2013

Hey Family,

Well, after the second week of being here in the MTC, everything is going great. We found out that our investigator was an employee of the MTC and is actually teaching the other Danish district in our zone.

Everything is great. I am so grateful to be here. I can't really imagine how things would have been if I would have had to wait. I just found out that if I would have had to wait, I would not have been able to come until July. By then I probably would have hurt myself again.

We have two investigators we practice with. One is Makkel and the other is Søren. Makkel is our current teacher portraying an investigator he had. He had to teach because he has a ton of questions that I just don't know how to answer in Danish. I could do it in English, but not Danish. My companion and I get along great. I am grateful for his love and patience with me.

We just got done washing our white shirts and we noticed white fluff on all of our shirts. Ældste Wawro forgot to check his pockets. His rule book ("white Bible") was in his pocket. LOL! That's why I love him. Never a dull moment.

Well, the lessons are going great. We just have to do our best and listen to the Spirit. My knee is doing great. Gym time is really hard because when I play things I can't run or jump, so I have resorted to all time setter for volleyball, and for kickball, all time pitcher. I take it easy.

I see how the Lord has affected me in many ways, starting with the chance to be here and learn with a great group of future Danes. I have the opportunity to serve my district by being the District Leader. All of these things that have happened before, and while I have been here, just testify to me of the truth...that I am supposed to serve in Denmark. I don't know why, but I know it's where I am supposed to be.

The Lord has a great amount of love for all of us, and I see it every day with the tender mercies. I know that this Gospel is true and that everything in the world is possible through our Lord and Savior. I know that everything happens for a reason and that things may not be happening the way you want them to, but the Lord knows best. I know that through faith all things can and will be made known...not on our time frame, but according to the Lord's will. I love your support and love.

Kærlighed,

 Ældste Madsen

Hamburgers and Double Fries....Anytime! (May 5, 2013)

Inside the MTC with Elder Madsen (May 5, 2013)

After a Little Blog Stalking...(April 30, 2013)

Elders Wawro and Madsen

Elder Madsen's MTC District at the Provo Utah Temple

More missionaries from Elder Madsen's MTC District

Sister Jeppson's First Letter Home

Saturday, April 20, 2013

HOLA!!!!

mmmm... I have no idea where to begin. Elder Madsen hit it spot on when he said the MTC was like catching 50 kids at the bottom of the slide. BAH SOOO overwhelming, but honestly each day it gets better and better. I love it here!! (except at 9 pm when we're still studying!) The spirit is so incredible. I definitely feel the Lord's help. The only time I felt home sick was the first day. The Lord has helped me so so so much. I feel like this is where I am suppose to be. I do get overwhelmed at times, but I just take it one day at a time, and that helps.

The first day was a blur, my host brought me to the main office where I got my tag, schedule, and study materials. I then went to my apartment, dropped off my suitcase, and then went straight to class. That's where I met mi companero, Hermana Uele. She is from Tonga and Spanish will be her third language. She is going to LA California. There are eight missionaries in my district and most of them are going to DC South. I have not met anyone that is going to Arizona... yet...

Our teacher's name is Hermano Stevenson, and guess where he served... MESA ARIZONA!! He is super animated, and such a geek, but we love him anyway. You can tell he has a sincere desire to help us out.

I have seen soo many missionaries that I know! Like Elder Nestman, Elder Smith, Hermana (Brooke) Bateson (best friend from middle school).... and finally,, I SAW ELDER MADSEN!! It was on my second day and I just about cried. I was just about to hug him, but then I realized that probably wouldn't be the best because the rules are so strict about touching the Elders.. so he gave me a nice firm, 3 second handshake.

We met our Branch president. El nombre es Presidente Tyler. I love him!! He is so great. When he first talked to us he just gave us a motivational message and I just about cried. He always has a story to tell. He takes about 10 minutes to get a point across, but I enjoy it. We all had the chance to tell a little about ourselves then share a brief testimony. Afterwards President Tyler took us out individually and interviewed us. He told me, "Sister Jeppson, you are going to be a great missionary. I could feel it in my bones when you were baring your testimony." Tears?? of course there were!!

Espanol es muy dificil!! We taught our first lesson yesterday to our investigator Claudio.... ya it was..ummm...well not great. I could understand what he was saying for the most part, but I could not reply at all. And my companion was just lost. It got to the point where he pulled out his iPad and used Google translate. WE get to teach him again tonight.

I know why I got called to a Spanish speaking mission... because I get so caught up in teaching the doctrine correctly, I neglect the importance of the Spirit. Learning another language forces you to take a step back and teach like a child would teach...very basic and with the Spirit.

Quote of the week from President Tyler, "Obedience brings blessing, but exact obedience brings miracles."

I love reading your letters!! And I will do my best to respond to all of them. But when missionaries say they don't have a lot of time, boy are they right!! I have like no time, but I look forward to mail time!! Oh, and by the way, my P day will be on Fridays from now on. Oh and another thing, my whole district leaves in 6 weeks, but I'll be here until about June 4, because of Visitor Center Training. I get to train in Temple Square... don't even think about coming up ;)

I LOVE YOU ALL!!! The Church is true. Next letter I'll bare my testimony en espanol!!!

Love,

Hermana Jeppson

PS: Tell Hannah congrats!!!!!! That's so so so so cool!!!!

Sister Jeppson Reports to the Provo MTC  (April 17, 2013)

What That First Letter Means to a Mom (April 24, 2013)

Sister Jeppson's Second Week at the Provo MTC (April 26, 2013)

A Sighting!

The news is that Elder Madsen saw Sister Jeppson at the Missionary Training Center (MTC), but she didn't see him! Today is Elder Madsen's preparation day (P-day), so he was able to shoot out a couple of emails. This is the one I received:

April 18, 2013

Thanks for the email. It means a ton. Well, yeah, it's crazy here. Two days in and we have our first discussion in Danish. Crazy town! But we did well and he is "coming to church with us", and we invited him to be baptized. We will see how it goes.

I was asked to be the District Leader, so I have these extra meetings and stuff, but it's great! PLEASE HAVE YOUR BOYS WRITE ME! I want to talk to them.

Jeg Elske Dig,

Elder Madsen

Meet Sister Hannah Avery

Hannah Avery is the daughter of Doug and Shannon Avery, and the sister of Elder Jacob Avery who was recently called to serve as a missionary in the Peru Lima West Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hannah and Jacob have three other brothers, Joshua, Jared, and Jonathan (deceased), and two younger sisters, Rebekah and Abigail.

Hermana Hannah Shay Avery

The Avery Family
Jacob, Rebekah, Jared, Joshua, Hannah, Shannon, Doug and Abigail

Hannah spent most of her life in Maryland before moving to Utah as a freshman in high school. She was in the first graduating class at Herriman High School, attended Salt Lake Community College and Utah State University, and is an avid lacrosse player. Something she doesn't like to share with people is that she also plays piano and sings like an angel (in her mom's humble opinion). Right now she works at 1-800-Contacts as a live chat agent.

Just after her 20th birthday, and right around the time her brother submitted his application for missionary service, Hannah made the decision to serve a mission. Being a missionary has never been something Hannah planned to do. As a matter of fact, she would get downright hostile if the topic was discussed (I can say that because I'm her mom haha!). She explains now that the idea of a mission could not settle in her mind until she recognized her fears of inadequacy and anxiety about approaching strangers with the message of the Gospel were the only things that were keeping her from serving. She says that she came to understand that the Savior's atonement is not only for our sins, but also overcomes our fears and weakness. She realized that she can do all things through Him, and that is what gave her the courage, and ultimately the desire, to serve.

Since making the decision to serve a mission, Hannah has been overwhelmed with support from family and friends. Even her leadership team at work has been very encouraging and supportive. Because Hannah doesn't want to leave for her mission until August, she waited until April 2nd (120 days before her availability date) to submit her application to Church Headquarters.

Hannah's mission assignment arrived as expected, on April 17, 2013. She had many friends and family present when she opened her letter, including her parents, all her brothers and sisters, and her grandmother, Linda Mullins. By cell phone we also had Grandma and Grandpa Avery in Texas, and Aunt Naomi in Virginia. And via Facetime on the iPhone and iPad were Aunt Dawn in Texas, and Aunt Shay and Uncle Eric in Kentucky.

Sister Hannah Avery anxiously waits to open her letter with family and friends

Her letter was sent from the office of the First Presidency, dated April 16, 2013.

"Dear Sister Avery,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission. It is anticipated you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, August 14, 2013. You will prepare to preach the Gospel in the Spanish language...."

To say we are THRILLED to have this experience a second time within two months is a true understatement! We are so happy for Hannah. Her excitement for her mission and her enthusiasm for the work is contagious. There is no doubt, she will do great things in Chile!

Hannah and Me (her mom)! So excited!!

AND her Daddy! We had to take turns holding the camera :)

AND her grandma, Linda Mullins...

AND last, but certainly not least, her brother, the soon to be Elder Jacob Avery.

 Sister Avery Says Goodbye for 18 Months (August 13, 2013)

Welcome Home, Hermana Avery!  (February 10, 2015)

Learn more about what Mormons believe

Learn more about why Mormons serve missions

Receive a free copy of The Book of Mormon

Elder Madsen's Miracle

Written by Soren Madsen, Kolby's dad

On February 19th Kolby tore his ACL, two tears in his meniscus, and a fracture on knee of his left leg. He found out he would need surgery to repair it. He was originally told that he would need to do physical therapy and wouldn't be completely healed for 6 to 9 months. He was upset and received a priesthood blessing and the family and friends held a special fast for him on March 3rd 2013, that he would heal quickly. He talked with his father about why he was having to wait so long to serve his mission when he first got his mission call. He was told to remember the tender mercies of The Lord, and that it was all for his good. When he tore his knee, he talked with his father again about waiting. He again was reminded of the tender mercies of The Lord. They discussed that maybe this is why The Lord had him wait in the first place. The Lord knew that he would tear his knee up. He needed him to be 100% and that would not be possible if he would have left even one month earlier. He would have to probably come home for treatment and possibly get sent to another mission. Kolby said maybe he needed to learn patience. He listened to several conference talks for strength and understanding. He went to Idaho to visit his father on April 5-7. He was waiting to hear when he would enter the MTC and if he still would be going to Denmark. On Sunday he found out that he would meet with the Bishop on Monday April 8th. They would go for a bike ride and a walk, and the Bishop would determine if he should enter the MTC on April 10th. Kolby had the surgery performed only one month earlier (March 7th 2013). He had been blessed in his priesthood blessing that he would heal quickly. On April 9th 2013 around 11:00 AM, he discovered he would be entering the MTC the next day at noon. He is now in the MTC, where he is teaching and learning in the Danish language. His Branch President is the father of his father's friend and next door neighbor.

Elder Madsen's First Letter Home

(I'm inserting my own comments and his mom's comments italicized in parenthesis.)

April 11, 2013

10:00 p.m.

Well, the first couple of days, I'm not going to lie, I feel like I am trying to save fifty kids at the bottom of the slide at the same time. It's a ton to take in. (Remember, Kolby is a lifeguard.)

I feel really blessed though. My companion is none other than Elder Wawro, the funny kid from New York! (Kolby and six other missionaries flew to new York in Januray to meet with the Danish consulate, so he met Elder Wawro then.)

We got to meet with the Branch President tonight and I was called to be the District Leader over the Danish District F. All it means is more meetings and I "get" (have) to get everyone's mail.

By the way, my P-day is Thursday.

Hej, Hej, (good bye)

Love you,

Elder Madsen

Elder Madsen Reports to the Provo MTC (April 10, 2013)

Second Letter from Elder Madsen in the Provo MTC (April 26, 2013)