A 30 day extension....I am so excited!

Hi,

I am Super good! I was super worried that you would not be expecting me to be on at this time! I am glad that you had me covered. We are using internet so early because this morning there was a strike with all the buses that go from out of the Capitol and to the Capitol and all of those buses are what our entire zone uses for transport. The problems were all on the highway which is our only way to the Capitol so I guess everything was like all blocked off and it got kinda violent and stuff and windows of buses got busted out by people throwing rocks and stuff.  We had to track down all of our missionaries and make sure that they didn't leave their houses. So we thought that we weren't going to be able to go to town all day so instead we planned a little hike with the R. family to a river. Then everything cleared up so we are here and we have to by rice crispies and rootbeer at Walmart because on Thursday we are going to celebrate mine and our companions birthdays which are the 19th and the 20th. The 19th is the zone Christmas activity with Pres and Hna Watts and everybody and then the 20th we are going to have a little like family night birthday party with the R. Family and the P. Family and maybe some more investigators. So now we stopped by the internet place on our way to Walmart to be able to just go straight back to A. from here to be able to go to the river!!

So how are you all doing?

No, not having my card hasn't really caused too much trouble for me. I am just super worried for all the trouble I caused you! I knew using my card that time was going to cause trouble! I didn't even know why but I was like nervous to use it! But I went to take the money out of and ATM instead of just using it there but the ATM wasn't working so I just used it. I shoulda gone with my dang gut! I am so super sorry! I know that was a huge pain! You could have totally just left me without a card! Ha ha! It's not like I need much anyway! But thank you so much! I am super grateful for it. You truly are the best mom! And I am sure that I will see their son and daughter in law. I am the one that is super sorry for you for the card situation. That had to be such a headache! I am so sorry! But thank you so much for working everything out! 

Everything is going just fine with my companions. The work is going well.


And as for the extension..............................................................................................I think I'll keep you waiting.

I totally agree with you. That is exactly what we have been trying to do. But I'm pretty sure this fly is diabetic....I'm worried it's more a question of what he did than what he is doing that is affecting things. And there's not much we can do there. But we can do all we can.

.....And to tell you the truth mom, I am scared to tell you about the extension cuz I'm afraid all of a sudden your hand might fly through the screen and smack me! Ha ha! I got the extension. I am like 98% sure that the date that I will be coming home is the 11th of Feb. Because I can only have thirty days exactly from the date that i entered the MTC and I entered on January 11th.

Ha ha! But don't lie mom....I know that you were NOT praying so I could stay longer!!! Ha ha ha! Well, thank you for praying for me to know and for president to know. Just like you knew it.......I know it.....with out a doubt. President told me that also when I called him to talk to him. We talked on the phone for I think like ten minutes. He told me about how he extended and everything and some other stuff. We talked about the logistics and then he told me to think and pray about it over night and to call him in the morning and let him know for sure if I was going to do it. When I called him in the morning to let him know how I felt it sounded like he was so happy. He said, "I feel the same way. I know that it is what should happen." And he said, "I've been thinking about it, and we will find some great things for you to do. The Lord has things for you still to do."  I about cried! I am so excited!  Now I just have to make sure to do all the things that I'm supposed to. It kinda makes me nervous, I'm not gonna lie, but I am super excited.  I sure hope we can get everything done here!  Elder M. and I are both super stoked!

What?! The Hobbit came out?!?!?! I knew that supposedly they were going to come out with it somehow but I had no idea that it was already out!!!! What the heck! That has got to be good! Dad, we're gonna see it when I get back?  

I love you Mom.  Well, my time is about up. I better say goodbye. I love you so much Mom! You are the best! You are the best mom in the world! Sister M. said you are absolutely amazing and that she loves you so much! Ha ha! You truly are the best! I will talk to you next week. And tell anybody that is mad at me for extending that I am super sorry! Ha ha! But I'm sure everybody is relieved to not have to see my ugly face for another 30 days!

Tell everybody hi! Love you! bye!

Elder Welch

Email from December 14th—Santy Clause is a coming kiddies.......

Hey everybody,

So, this week was pretty nuts. We moved houses and everything and it kinda sucked! Ha ha! There was a family in the house that we were moving into but supposedly they were going to leave the house like a week before or something, but when we called on Tuesday to take the stuff over that day the family we are renting from was like well, they aren't going to be out until tomorrow.  And we had new Elders coming into our house the next morning. So we just asked if we could take some of the stuff there and she said yes.  We basically loaded up everything but our beds and took it over and just put it all in their garage until the other family was out. They didn't leave forever! We ended up staying the night with the other Elders back in the old house Wednesday night and we barely were able to get the beds in the house on Thursday night just to sleep there and then Friday we had to clean and paint the whole house and get some of the stuff in and we didn't end up getting everything ready until Saturday!!! It was crazy! But it is the best! We live next door to the R. Family and they are the absolute best! They take SUPER good care of us! They are seriously like our family now! There is Hermana L., Hermano R., and their son D. and his wife AL. and their baby daughter and then there is another little girl there that is the grand daughter of Hna L. and Hno R. But Hna L. is like our mom and D. is like our brother! Ha ha! He is such a stud! He helps us out a ton. Me and him did divisions last night and it was the best! His wife is the one that washes our clothes cuz they need the money. They are a young couple. D.  is like 24 or 25 and L.  has like 21 I think. But they are so awesome! All of them! And we live across the street from the P.  Family! And that is just like our family too! I cannot wait for you all to meet them! and oh yeah....you will!!! Ha ha ha ha! Mom, are you honestly thinking about coming back next December? Cuz you know me and Elder M. already are!!! We are, without fail, coming back for the P. Family's temple sealing!!! And we would totally have a place to stay here!

Alright, so now a little about the area. It has been a little rough this week honestly with the move and everything. We haven't really gotten into the swing of things again yet, but it's alright. We'll see how things go. But we still have so many people that are accepting and everything! They read and they love to learn and everything. The only thing is that they still have such a hard time getting to church! But this week I got the BEST NEWS EVER!!! I guess a member in our ward got a little missionary work fire lit under his butt and he really wants to help us with our investigators in A. C. so he said he wants to go out to visit every Sunday with us and he has a micro bus and he committed himself to going every Sunday and picking all of them up that he can and taking them to church without charging ANYTHING! When I heard that I honestly got choked up and almost started crying! You have no idea how happy that made me! We still need to organize everything for this week but I sure hope everything works out!!!!!!! I am SO excited!

 

As far as the extension goes, I don't know yet! President hasn't said anything! It kinda stinks, but what can ya do?

 

I know! I wrote E. two weeks ago and told him he's like my brother and he told me no, your not like my brother......you ARE my brother! I love that kid! 

Holy crap! Don't you even talk to me about any welcome home!!! Ha ha ha! That's not even funny!!! Oh man. That's what Jordan has told me. He said he had a super hard time coming home! And I'm not gonna lie, I think I might too. I love this....SO much! But don't worry .....I love you too Mom!!! And just so you know, it's not the getting home to me that's scary, it's the leaving Guatemala. Especially here. But it's OK. Just gotta do all I can. 

 

No mom. I don't have parasites. I am just actually working out and eating what I should!

 

OK sounds good! But that's a ton mom! Holy cow! I just wanted to know if there was a problem. That makes me feel a lot better that there isn't though! I was sweatin!

I cannot believe that Bryan is already coming home! That is nuts! Oh yeah! And today while I was waiting for your letter I looked on my LDS account and I found the online ward directory! That is nuts! I saw Bryan and Whitney's picture! It was awesome! That is so cool!

 

No, Mom don't worry about Christmas, for real! I will love going on the trip with you all when I get back more than anything! And I am going to have a SICK Christmas with everyone here! They are so awesome! It is probably going to be one of my favorite Christmases EVER!Alright, I've gotta get going within a few minutes. I love you so much. You are the best mom and dad —and everybody else too! Sorry if I don't write very much sometimes! Time is just kinda short! Ha ha alright, I'll do my best to find out if I am staying and we'll see what I have to say next week. Tell everybody that I say hi and that I love them so much! I miss you a ton. I don't want you to think that because I want to stay and because I love it here that I don't miss you. Cuz I do more than the world. That just goes to show you how amazing it is here!!!! I absolutely love it! Alright, I better get going. I love you all SOOOOO much! Until next week!!! and next week I think we will be working out the phone call!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!  WOOOHOOO!!!! SANTY CLAUS IS A COMIN' KIDDIES!!!!!!!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

 

These are some photos of Hayden's new house, courtesy of Elder M's mom. Thanks Leslie!

I am hoping this is not the kitchen........but I am thinking it might be!

Pay close attention to the high tech. shower. YIKES!!! However, I  am sure he has seen worse :) At least there is a shower and a flush toilet!

 

I am so happy —you have no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Dad,

Yeah, I got two files. One picture of you guys playing Monopoly, one of Marie's fajitas, one picture of Thanksgiving at Grandma Murdock's and one picture of Abby where she looks like she is like twenty years old! Ha ha ha! Thanks! I loved them! I haven't seen pictures forever! It is so crazy to see you guys again! 

Abby,
Wud up Bagabsta?!?!?!?!?! Well that's good. You know what little sis? I just saw a picture of you for the first time in a long time and I cannot believe how grown up you look!!! I don't think I am going to even recognize you when I get home! Like honestly..... are you seriously taller than me? Holy cow! That is so crazy! You little punk! I'm such a shrimp. I'm not supposed to be shorter than my little sister!!! And am I shorter than Taylor too? Are you taller than him? Ha ha! Oh man! I hope I still got you Gabs...unless you both are towering over me! Poop!!! I am done for! STOP GROWING!!! And yeah, that's true! Ha ha ha! I am REALLY tall in Guatemala! 

Taylor,

Ha ha!  You punk!!! You are leavin me in the dust with your music!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've gotta pick it up when I get home so I can catch back up with you! I picked up a guitar today for the first time in like fifteen months and I have forgotten EVERYTHING!!!! Ha ha ha ha! But don't worry. If everything works out, I've got some sick plans for when I get back...I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I might help you get famous! Ha ha ha ha! We'll see what happens! Ha ha ha ha ha! But seriously! Alright? I have plans! I'll tell you about it later! Ha ha ha! Gotta go! Love ya bye!

Bryan,

Well, good to hear from ya! How's DC bro? Ha ha! jamàs! I am super stoked! this is going to be like the best change ever! This place is changing bro like you have no idea! I love it here! I'm not sure yet on the extension. President is still "taking it up with the Lord" to see what should happen. He said he really would like me to stay, but we'll just have to see. I just feel we have some left over business to take care of here. We are doing some major stuff man! This is so sick! We might have a new branch before I leave! I surely hope! I've still got about ten. But no I don't think so....other than what the heck are we gonna do when I get home?!?! You best be thinkin about it....I guess that's true about the cruise...but we still have like two months before that...so get thinking.

Mom,

No, I'm not still there. I got to come back. Everythings all good there now so I got to come back. I missed my area SO much you have no idea! I love this place! I did talk to President about the extension but I don't know yet. I just told him that I had been thinking about it and praying to get an answer but that I hadn't got any other answer than to ask him what he thought and he said, "So what you want is to do what the Lord would have you do?" and I said, "Absolutely". And he said, "Well, we would be thrilled to keep you. I will take it up with the Lord." but he hasn't let me know anything yet so I still don't know...I love you mom! No requests for the box! Other than the shampoo and body wash I already told you about! So, about "home" aka, my area...wanna hear the big news?!?!?!?!    :)   Well...............we just got a call the other night from the Assistants telling us that they are going to open up another area here in the ward so there are going to be three areas again. So we needed to know what the boundries were going to be so that we could get everything set up and get a house bought and everything so they told us to give President a call. When we called him he said, "Well, I think that it would be a good idea for you to make the new boundries the boundries that there would be for the new branch when it goes in." Now that made us SUPER HAPPY! Then the other thing we had to know was whether we were going to go to the new area out there or if the new missionaries were so I just went ahead and asked him and his answer made me and Elder Mansfield about faint!!! He said "Well Elder Welch, I would like you two to think and pray about it and find out what the Lord wants and let me know when you do."  Holy cow! We were so nervous you have no idea!!!  Because it was SO hard to tell the difference between what we just wanted and thought and really what the answer was. So after an entire day of being worried out of our minds! We finally decided that it would really be best if the zone leaders were in the new area to help the new branch and get everything going in the way that we should. So, that night we called him back and we told him. We were SUPER nervous! But right after I said it he said "That is exactly what I felt. I know it will be the best in every aspect." So...............WE'RE MOVING TO A_______________!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and as of Wednesday our area is only going to be A______________ and A_____ C___________!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy you have no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And we are going to live right accross the street from the P Family that just got baptized and right next door to the R Family that gave them as a reference! It is going to be THE BEST!!!!! 

I know! It is starting to hit me that it is coming up super quick! It is so crazy! I am officially in my last change!!! Ha ha! Thanks!! Love you so much! I best be going! I hope you all have a great week too! My time is about up so I gotta get going! Tell everyone I say bye and that I love them more than the world! And I will see you all sooner than you even think— I think! Ha ha ha ha ha! And we will be talking on the phone even sooner! Ha ha ha! Love you all!!!!!!! Thanks for everything! I'll have to tell you about how big the zone is next week. There's not quite enough time. But this is pretty sick having everyone email me  I'm not gonna lie... Ha ha!

Con amor,
Elder Welch

I received a little change for a while!

This is a photo that I got Thanksgiving morning from Sister Watts. She and President Watts had been with Hayden and his zone all day the day before for district interviews. She snapped this photo of him then.

Hi Mom,

Yeah everything is going great! Elder M. is definitely feeling a lot better that's for sure. I do have some news though...Ha ha ha! I received a little change for a while!  I am now in an area called ––––––––––with two elders, Elder Y. from Maryland and Elder M. from Lima, Peru (from Jordan's mission). It is still in the zone and everything though, and I'm not sure how long I am going to be here with them. Yesterday was stake conference and it was incredible!!!! But right after the conference I just went home and got all my stuff ready and the taxi came to take me over there, so we'll see....but that's the update of this weekend. Ha ha!

Well, me and Elder M are technically still together. Like we are still the zone leaders together. It's just kinda had to turn into a long-distance relationship....in a non weird way......Ha ha ha! Just kidding, but yeah. Tomorrow is concilio so Elder M. (he is still there with Elder C) is going to pass by in the taxi in the morning so we can go. So I'm going to leave them for the day tomorrow and then me and President Watts are going to talk about how long I'm going to be there.

I don't get to work in my area at all while I am here. But it's OK . Elder M. is awesome! He's takin' good care of things over there. We have super good news about the area! There are so many people that have been super prepared to receive the Gospel it is ridiculous! We have truly seen miracles!

But hey, I have an honest question but I want you to be completely, completely honest with me. What do you think of me extending? BE HONEST! Well I have been praying a ton about it because I honestly don't know. I just feel like I have waited two years, what's another 30 days more, and this chance is once in a lifetime and I love it! But I got the answer that I need to just talk to President and see what he says about it before I make a decision and I have no idea what he is going to say so I just wanted to see what you had to say before I talk to him. I am going to be talking to him tomorrow— so honestly what do you say?

Alright, well I better be going. My timer's about up. sorry, I was going to send some pictures but these computers are super slow!!! So it will have to be next week. But I love you all A TON!!! I hope you all have a great week and I'll talk to you next week.

The Gospel is amazing. It is the answer to everything, every problem there could possibly be. And it's amazing to see the results of living it.

Con amor,

Elder Welch

PS. We forgot completely about Thanksgiving until at like 10:25 PM. I was like, "Hey! Elder M. Happy Thanksgiving man!!!! Ha ha ha! It was super funny!

But alright mom. Thanks a ton for everything! I love you so much! And I will let you know next week what the scuttle butt is!!! Ha ha ha! LOVE YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey dad! 

It's super good to hear from you! Sorry, I don't have a ton of time cuz I used quite a bit writing to President Watts. But anyway, sounds like you're just a straight up plumber now! Ha ha ha! Just as long as you don't have the low pants to go along with it that's awesome! Ha ha! Also  it sounds like Mom is turning into quite the seamstress. I am super stoked to see all the stuff she's making. But I don't even know if I am going to be able to see it all though because our service project isn't going to be in an orphanage this year. It's going to be an old-folks home! But that's alright. I love old people. Especially Guatemalan old people! Think of how funny they are when they speak English.....now think of them speaking Spanish! Ha ha ha! But yeah, we'll see how it goes. But Sister Watts is so appreciative of everything that you guys are doing. Truly! She tells me every time she sees me! And it was super funny this week Elder M. got a package from his mom and in it was a letter that was talking about all the stuff she was diong for the service project and stuff and she was like "the lady we are working with is named Carol Anne Welch. Do you know her son?" Ha ha! Little did she know we were going to be companions! Super funny!

But anyway, so Elder M hasn't been anywhere for the past two and a half days other than on the toilet or in his bed! He got hit bad with something! We think it was something we ate. But I just got like one round of diahrrea and a fever through in the night and I was good to go, but he got hit super hard! We've got him on SIPRO now and he's feeling better but he's been in a bad way. Well I gotta get going. I was planning on telling you more about the work and about the branch we're trying to get put in but my timer just came up and told me I'm almost outta time. I love you a ton dad. And don't worry. It's kinda unevitable thinking about how close that time is getting! Tomorrow I am going to have my last normal interview with president before my final interview! I cannot believe it! But, still workin hard! Don't you worry about that! Love you all! Have a great week! And I'll talk to ya next Monday! Happy Thanksgiving!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Letter to Mom—written Oct. 13,1012

Hey Mom,

So I've got a minute to write while Elder T. is typing up some stuff for his final interview. I'm really sorry I haven't ever written a ton throughout my mission, but you know that I love you right?

Well mom, I just wanted to write you and tell you once more how grateful I am for you and all that you have done for me. Now having met and known so many people and so many families it has just assured me that you are in fact, the perfect mom. I know I've said it so many times before, but I don't know where I would be if it weren't for you. You have taught me so much. There's not a day that goes by that I don't recognize something that you have taught me that has helped me throughout my life. Thank you Mom. I love you so much. In just three short months I'll be able to give you a big huge hug and tell you how thankful I am in person, and I promise I'll give you a big old foot rub too. Ha ha! But until then, I'm enjoying Guatemala! Sorry it's not too long of a letter but I've gotta get going. We've gotta go teach G. and her family!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Letter to Grandma and Grandpa Murdock—Written on 10/13/2012

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

First of all I am so sorry for not having written until now. I have wanted to for a long time, but I have been running so crazy that I truly haven't had time until right now that my companion has to write up his goals and spiritual experiences and stuff for his final interview with the mission president. We are just sitting here in an internet cafe about three blocks form out house. He's typing his things up and I have a little minute to write some letters. Thanks so much for always writing. Your letters really make my week. I love hearing about how things are doing back at your house and what's going on with the family. It is great. so I thought I'd just let you know a little about what's been going on with me here in Guatemala although I'm sure that you've already heard plenty from my mom and her blog thing she has been doing. I am in a ward that is called Llano Largo. It is really an interesting ward how they have the boundries set up and things. It is on the main highway form the capital to the northern parts of the county, The ward covers the whole highway form kilometer 10 to about the kilometer 30 (a litle farther) and all of the colonies, residential areas and basically anywhere anyone lives off the highway within that limit. When I first got here the ward was split up in three areas, us an two companionships of Sister missionaries, but not too long ago they took out one of the pairs of Sisters and re-did the areas. Now there are only two. The sisters have from Kilomenter 10 to Koilometer 13.5 and we have from Kilomenter 13.5 to past Kilomenter 30! our area is pretty enormous, but I love it! The ward is one of the most developed and best working wards I have been in. And we have so many members that love to help the missionaries and actually all of the leadership positions are filled. It is a really nice ward.

Lately we have been working in an area called A. It is at tlike kilometer twenty-something. We heard that there were a lot of members that live out there that have gone inactive so we decided to go check it out. There is only one family that is still active out there. The wife is the second Councilor in the Rielief Society and I guess one morning she started praying and asked that the missionaries would go out and visit them and help them and help all the members out there, and that was the day we decided to go out there! We showed up at her door and she was so happy. She showed us where all the members live and all of them were super happy too. They all said they had gone years without seeing Elders out there. The active sister, Sister R, also told as about a family that she had been preparing to receive the missionaries for years and told us that she was going to talk to them and set an appointment to visit them and they accepted, so we went and taught them and they loved it! We visited them twice and invited them to General Conference. They said they would be there, but we weren't to sure because the Stake Center is twice the distance form their house even than the Ward Chapel and the Chapel is super far. It's on KM> 12.5. But, sure enough, they showed up and they loved it! Also this week, without us even knowing about it, some sisters from the Relief Society went and visited the wife of the family, G and also Sister R. have organized a family night with them this Monday and everything. They basically seem like members already. Today G and Sister R are going to Relief Societ activity and then this afternoon we have an appointment with the whole family and we are going to try and set a date for them to be baptized. I sure hope it all works out!

But anyway, I really love that new area we found. It is like a little farm-town kind of and it reminds me of being in Peten, just not as hot. The other night we were walking to one of our lessons and we were just walking down the little dirt road under the moonlight and I looked up at the big grassy hill we were walking past and it was filled with fireflies! It was really neat. I hadn't seen that for almost a year now. I love it!

Well anyways, I'm sure I've probably bored you to death by now. Sorry, I know it wasn't the most interesting letter. But Guatemala is incredible it is so beautiful and the people are amazing. I would love to bring you all back someday so you could get to know it all and see all I've been able to see., I better get going though. I love you all so much. Thank you for everything. And in three short months I'll be seeing ya. Take care!

Love,

Elder Welch

THANKSGIVING DINNER FROM HERMANA WATTS BABY!!!!!!

Mom,

So......Ha ha ha!...... I am great! Sorry about yesterday! We did not write 'cuz we got to go to the temple this week and the temple is closed on Mondays so we had pday today. But, yea, I am doing super great! And I'm hoping that was an exaggeration about Taylor's room....Ha ha ha ha!

The temple was great! It was super special! We got there and we went through the session and everything and it was super good and then when we left, we had been doing a fast with L's husband because he set a date for his baptism and he needs to get Sundays off. He didn't think that they were going to give them to him, especially because he is new where he is working, so we taught him about the fast and he was super excited. It was perfect cuz we were going to the temple today! But anyway, so after the temple we were going to go to lunch as a zone so we had to end our fast. So I just went and asked the worker at the front desk and he said, "Oh, of course, come with me." And he just showed us to this door that led to a staircase and just said, "Go on up!" So we went up and it was like this meeting room way up in the temple! It was super cool! So the three of us got to kneel up there and end our fast! It was super cool!!! Then we went to the distribution center across the street and guess who was there!!! A!!! E's mom! she is the best!!! I love her so much! She said to say hi to you mom! She sure does love you! You will definitely have to meet her someday. And then we all went to Taco Bell for lunch and everybody loved that! That Taco Bell is so fancy! And... yes...I said "FANCY"! The soda fountain is a touch-screen!!! Like a straight up touch phone touch screen with a menu of what drink you want and stuff! It is so nuts! WHAT?!?!?! alright, well in my opinion mom, THAT is a sign of the times! hahahaha that is insane!

Oh yeah, so about Christmas. No, honestly. I am fine. Don't worry about sending me anything.You don't have to send a package or anything. Elder M, and I have been talking about how we are going to make Christmas here! Ha ha ha ha! So don't worry. You can save it for the kids Christmas. And for sure if you put some in my account I will have fun for Christmas bringing stuff home. Ha ha ha!

So anyway, about our new branch!!!! So this Sunday we had a meeting with the Bishop and we pitched our idea and we showed him the success we are having and he loved it! Also that night we had our stake correlation meeting with the Stake Presidency and we pitched it to them and they absolutely loved it! They are so excited! And it is going to work so well because the plan we have made we made with the growth in the future in mind instead of the plans they had before just to facilitate the current members and growth within the next six months. The way we have it planned out, it could easily become it's own ward really soon and easily it's own stake in the future also! It is so awesome! But so anyway, the Stake President has an interview with the Bishop this week and they are going to talk about it all and then in two weeks the Stake President has a meeting with the Area 70 and they are going to talk about it and everything. Then in three weeks we have a "noche de hermanamiento" it's like a huge family night thing with everybody in the area planned. It is where the whole Stake Presidency is going to come with us and visit less active members for an hour before and then they are going to give the message in the meeting. And..... we are going to have the meeting in the P. Family's house! The family we just baptized! I am SOOOOO excited  and SOOOO happy!!!! But yeah, I am kind of getting scared though that it is going to be like every other area and that it will all happen right after I leave. I have really been thinking about that lately. It really is kinda scaring me. 

As for Thanksgiving I am pretty sure that we are going to be MORE than set. We have concilio that week! Ha ha ha ha! THANKSGIVING DINNER FROM HERMANA WATTS BABY!!!!!! 

I love you mom! Thank you for everything! You are the best! Alright, well I best be off. I love you so much! Thank you for everything! I can't wait to hear from ya next week! I'll let ya know how everythings going next week here in the area and in the zone. I love you all so much! HAVE A GOOD WEEK!!!!

Con amor,
Elder Welch

My own NEW little DOLORES!

Hayden's letter is short today. He basically just answered a few questions. It is true that the longer missionaries are there the shorter the letters seem to be. However considering how long Hayden's letters were to begin with....we may be getting two words by January! :) I am happy to know he is doing so well and is busily engaged in the work! Only two months and nine days left! But who's counting? 

CA

Is the work in the little town going well? 

Yeah, the people are doing great! There was a stake bishops meeting this Sunday and bishop L was going to ask about the new branch and everything. We were there at the meeting because the stake president asked us to give a presentation on a new system about how to work together as missionaries and members, We didn't stay for the whole meeting though so we're not sure how that went! I really wanted to hear! But we'll find out!  I feel like I am back in Dolores, just not a stick shack village! Ha ha! But I love it so much! 

Have you heard anything about the presidential election over there?

Yeah, I heard today that Romney was losing this afternoon by a little. But if it is the will of the Lord that Romney is president, we know nothing can stop it. All we can do is pray.

Are you getting along with Elder M?

Yeah, he is a stud! Were getting along super well! That is so awesome that you are email friends with his mom! Ha ha ha! These are going to be two of my favorite changes! Not to mention that I am developing my own little new Dolores! 

OH .....and holy cow! that is so crazy about all of the damage from the storms! 

I sent you some pictures of the week.

Sorry, I gotta go though. Love you!  My times up! I love you so much! Bye!.

Elder Welch

Me and Elder M. my new zone leader companion

This is a pictures from concilio. Me, Elder M. and Hermana Watts and Hermana Watts' sister. She came to visit! She is just like Hermana Watts! This picture was taken during the lunch, it was SO good I just walked past Elder Proctor with a plate of seconds and I said, "Wow, she is an angel sent from Heavan" talking about Hermana Watts. He replied "Yeah I know! And now there are TWO of them!!!!!!" Ha ha ha!  It was so funny! But they just grabbed Elder M. and me while everyone was talking after the lunch and were like, "Oh we have to take a picture with you two!" Ha ha ha!  They are amazing! Oh, and mom Hermana Watts wrote me today and said that she can't wait to meet you and that you and I seem a lot alike!

I have no idea what Hayden is eating but judging by the crazy face it must be something gross! What a goof! 

Pictures from L.'s birthday party!!!!

A Wonderful Baptism

I got this photo from Hayden's new companion's mom. I was so excited that she sent it. It is of the baptism of the P family last Saturday. 

Hey Mom, 

Holy crud!!! that is so nuts about the hurrican!!!! Keep me updated! How do you know he's gonna be safe though, if he's right there? Holy cow!!! This is straight up "The Day After Tomorrow"!!!!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!  This is so nuts! So, any updates on the storm?

If we could come back to Guatemala that would be so fun! I am super excited about just the thought of it! I wanted to send you pictures of the baptism but they are on Elder M's camera and he is using it. Next week...

I know! that stinks! But hey so I was just talking to my new comp Elder M and he said his mom just sent a ton of packages for the service projects too. Are you working with his mom?!?! He is the new zone leader. I sent a picture of the two of us that we took last week without even knowing we were gonna be comps! He was one of our district leaders in the zone! Did you get that email at all that I wrote about him with the pictures? He says he wants to come back with us if we come next year!!!and he is definitely going to be my last companion.. We are already planning Christmas and everything! Ha ha ha! We are going to have a great time! and we are doing some great things here in the ward together. He is a stud!

Yeah, I dont have a USB adapter anymore so I have to connect my camera and a lot of the time it doesn't go through. I also sent you some pictures from conference and the 7 layer dip I made a while ago and idk if they ever went through.

Alright, because I have been so interested in the "Day After Tomorrow" story this is going to be a little short. I wanted to report a little on the week. So this was one of the best weeks ever! The P family got baptized yesterday!!!!!!! It was SOOO special! And I got to baptize all four of them! We really wanted the member that gave them as a reference to us to do it but I guess G prayed about it one night to see who she wanted to baptize her before we had even asked her about that and I guess she had a dream of me baptizing all four of them so they all four said they wanted me to do it. It was so neat! And when G came out of the water she just started crying and looked at me and said "I feel so good. Thank you so much." it was so amazing!!! and then that same day the bishopric confirmed them. It was so amazing! And also this week we got the most incredible news! We might be making a branch it Azacualpilla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That makes me SO happy! When we started going out there there was only one active family and now I might be able to see a branch there!!!! I love that area SO much! and we just keep finding person after person that has been so prepared it is crazy! 


Alright gotta go! Love ya!

Elder Welch

The following is what Hayden wrote about the photos he sent. The photos did not come through but I thought some of what he wrote was interesting even without photos. 

Here is a picture of me and Elder T on his last day and also Elder V and me. He went home with Elder T. And the last one is of me and my new companion. We took this picture last week at the central park not having any idea that we were going to be companions! Ha ha!  He was one of our district leaders here in the zone. His name is Elder M. He is a stud! He is from South Jordan. My last companion is a straight up gringo from Utah baby!!! Ha ha ha...... it is so funny! It is so weird! But we get along super well. He reminds me a ton of Joseph Wendell. He's a motocross racer and everything! Ha ha!  But I really like him. We are definitely going to have a great time! and our other companion is Elder C from Honduras. He is actually a really good guy too. He is a great teacher. He is a recent convert. he got baptized and left on the mission a year later. He is twenty six years old. But he's a really good guy. We are all getting along well.

Some more pictures of the central park. I got some of some cute little kids playing with the pigeons and a lady that walks around and sells stuff. I thought you would like that one. And don't tell Grandma Murdock but I got something for her from that lady. I thought she would love it and that she would love it even more when I showed her who I bought it from! So, Grandma Murdock....pretend you did not read that :)

Alright here are some pictures. The first two are of a giant grasshopper that flew in through our window one night when me and Elder T were planning! The others are of when we went to central market last Monday for our p-day. They are all of the central park.

Wish we could see them all don't you!!!

So this week was a super good one!

So— I posted the last two blogs out of order! This is actually last weeks email and the previous post is this weeks. Since I am new to this whole "blog" thing, I do not know how to edit it. Sorry!     CA

Hey!

So yeah, you are right mom. Elder L is gone. He just left right now. Hermano E the taxi driver came to pick him up and right after he left we came here. So now it is just Elder T and me here. It's going to be super weird! But it will be good. Elder T. is a good guy.

So this week was a super good one! Last week we received a reference from a member in that new area I told you we started working on. It is her friend that lives just across the street that she told us she has been preparing for years to receive the gospel. She has talked to her about it all the time and she has even taken her to Relief society activities and everything in the past. The sister's name is G. G's son was baptized when he was a teenager and always told her she should join the church and stuff but she never did. The missionaries before only taught him and never even talked to anyone else in the family. But her son died of a sickness at 29 and she was super sad about it and stuff and we have taught her about eternal families and she loves it! So we just found her last week. She lives with her husband, her daughter and her granddaughter. I still hadn't met the husband nor the daughter because the one time they were home we were on splits and Elder L went with N but that night they taught them about the conference and stuff and they invited them. they said they were super excited. But we weren't sure if they were going to go because of the distance but sure enough, yesterday morning a half and hour early they all four walk in with Hermana R and her family (the one that gave us the reference) but they didn't even come together. G and her family all came all on their own and were so excited! After the conference they told us that they LOVED it! And that they are going to be in church this next Sunday too. We have an appointment with them next Saturday because that is when R the husband is going to be there but G asked if we could also pass by during the week with the rest of the family so we are going to call her today and set that up and get N or someone else to go with us so we can teach them. But they are so pilas!!!!! They are such a special family!

Also, after conference we had planned to go with our elders quorum pres. Hermano J to contact one of his references that he gave us that he had contacted on the bus and had gone with his whole family to visit them a number of times and gave them all Books of Mormon and invited them to read it and everything. He is so amazing! So we called him and he told us he was already there visiting them so we went there and had a lesson with them. they were all already on 1 Nephi 19!!!! That is so nuts! So they are super amazing too! We have only visited them once though. We talked about baptism and invited them to baptism and they said that they would love too but they said they would have to have a little more time to think and pray about when and everything. So we are super excited about them. Alright, Gotta go! But i love you all SOOO much!!!!

Con amor,
Elder Welch

Well this was a pretty great week.

Hey guys,

Well sorry I am writing late and it might be short.......it's cuz Elder T. took a super long time in Mega Paca! Ha ha ha ha! We're not gonna have time to buy food or anything. But it's OK cuz writing you is more important! Ha ha ha!. So how's your trip? Was that one kinda spontaneous too? or had you planned it out?

Yes, it is going great with Elder T.  He's a good guy and I am basically training him as a zone leader for his last two weeks! Ha ha ha! It's pretty funny! But he is a stud. I can't believe he's leavin' me next week at the change! But yeah, when he leaves at the change they are just going to send me a new companion to train here in Atlantico before I go. I think anyway...Ha  ha ha! Who REALLY knows!

The work is amazing! I will write about that in a minute. As for the shoes, they are definitely getting missionified! Ha ha! That is part of the reason we went to mega paca to see if I could find a pair, but instead I just found a sick pair of jeans and a Burton hoodie! Awesome!  But my shoes are just fine. They will definitely last me till the end. They are tanks! Nobodies shoes have lasted as long as my black ones. One year of work shoes and two years of missionary shoes! No there's really no point in sending new shoes. I still have my boots and my brown shoes that are just fine too and I still like those shoes so it's OK. They actually still look real nice. So don't worry. Use the money for something else!

Also, choclate gets here OK but I really can't eat too much chocolate anymore! Ha ha ha! It doesn't do me too well.  i guess I'm just not used to it anymore, same with candy and soda pop. It's pretty crazy.

Well this was a pretty great week. So I'm pretty sure that I told you about G and her family from Azacualpilla last week. Well they are the P family and they are SO amazing! So last week they went to conference like i think i told you. And they couldn't have us over until the next Saturday. So we passed by on Saturday and we were going to teach them about the plan of salvation because of their son that died years ago that was a member but then at the beginning of the lesson i asked if they had any questions for us and the husband, R, pulled out the book of Mormon that Elder L had left with them the week before and he was like "Yeah actually, I have a few" he had read what Elder L had left him and read the introduction and his questions were about the last two paragraphs of the introduction about praying about it to know that it is true and stuff and then G started asking about it too. So we started to teach them about the book of Mormon and they loved it. We talked a little bit about that and then i remembered I had put the Restoration DVD in my backpack so we pulled it out and watched it with them and it was super amazing! they loved it! and then they all started asking about baptism and everything. It was incredible! I have never taught a family so pilas in my whole life! We set a baptismal date with them for the 28 of October and they are super excited! They are truly incredible!

Also this week we finally got to teach L's husband F!!! It was so good to finally teach him! I had only taught him once before and it was like my second week here. But we were trying to think of what we should teach him while we were planning and honestly we could not decide! so i decided to call L and ask her what we would like to talk to him about and she said eternal families. So we taught about that based on the plan of salvation and it went SUPER well. He is really excited to learn more and L is doing amazing! The only problem wi8th him is that he works a ton so it is hard to teach him and hard for him to come to church but L is helping him out a ton. she is super amazing too. Every Monday we have a big family night with a bunch of new converts and families from this one area and she is giving the message today! and when we passed by on Saturday she had it all ready! She had been preparing it all week! Ha ha ha! Alright, time was short this week —Sorry— I gotta get going to work! Love you all! Have a great week!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

This week was a LOT better!

Note from Carol Anne: One thing that I love, miss and respect about Hayden is his positive attitude. No matter how bad of a day he would have on any given day— after going to bed and waking up the next morning he would have the most positive happy attitude. Everyday was a bright new beginning! Life was good and things were always better! I admire this so much in him. You can see that he still has that amazing quality in his letter this week! It really inspires me to be a better person!

Hey!

Alright, so I don't have a ton of time this week, but I just wanted to let y'all know that this week was a lot better! We went to that new area that is far away. It's not really like a village like I made it sound last week I guess...it is just like a little town. But we have found so many member families there that used to be like the most active families in the ward and used to be super pilas but now they all have at least two years without going to church. Some even up to eight years! But they all have been so happy to see missionaries there finally! We were just walking down the road and we walked past this comedor and we just hear this voice yell "I have AGES without seeing elders around here!" Ha ha ha ha!  And it was this huge family that is like endowed and sealed in the temple and everything and just haven't been to chuch in two years! But they are excited to start getting back in the swing of things and they are going to help us out a ton! They are super nice! There are a ton of families like that there. We are going to start up like family nights and stuff with the whole area to get them all back up and running and I think it is going to like double the attendence in the ward. It is going to be super cool! And we have found a few of the kids of these families that have gotten married and their spouses aren't members but they all have wanted to get to know the church. It's super cool! We'll see how things go!.

Also I am sending some pictures of L.'s baptism. She is SO incredible! she is going to be such an amazing member. She truly has an amazing testimony of the restored gospel and knows why she got baptized. It went so well! Her husband came after all and he loved it and he is going to go with us to General Conference on Saturday and we are going to try and teach him in between sessions. V. their daughter decided to wait and support her dad with his baptism and everything and also L's mom has been talking about how she wants to get baptized too. She is already basically part of the Relief Society also though and she is going to like RS activities and everything. She just needs a little bit more preparation and her husband doesn't live here so she needs to talk to him and stuff too. But we'll see how that works out.

K— gotta go. Love you all!!! Have a good week. CONFERENCE...... CONFERENCE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Con amor,
Elder Welch

Hey Bryan,

I don't have a ton of time, but thank you so much. You are an awesome brother. I don't know what I would do without you. I promise you I will finish strong. Really strong. This is really the crucial time. Make it or break it. I love you a ton bro. We'll see ya in a few.

Con amor,

Elder Welch

A trying week—D-day of my mission!

Note from Carol Anne: There is some personal information in Hade's letter today about some of the investigators he is teaching. I do not feel that it is right to put it on the blog. If you are interested, email me and I will send you his complete letter. Hope all is well with everyone. We are down to the "one hand count down" as Abby says.  Only 4 months left! Whew! So long and so fast at the same time! He is scheduled to come home Jan. 17th!

Hey everybody,

 So I'm not going to lie. This week was a pretty rough one. I think that my companions and I have done more praying and worked harder than we have in all our missions and we have had nothing of success. In fact, I think that we lost a whole lot more than we gained this week. I officially named Thursday D-day of my mission! ............................... I really dont know what happened, but I sure hopè everything works out! and other than that, we have basically lost almost all of our investigators in this past week and it has been super hard. So we have been praying super hard to know where it is that we need to go because we have all had the feeling that we need to start working in another area. And justamente we had a ton of members in just these last three days start telling us about this area of our area that is like the farthest outskirts of our area but that they have had feelings lately that we need to go out there and start to work. When I first got here I heard about that area too and I felt like we should go out there but everyone said that it was too far away and that the people just don't come to church from that far away. But I figured, I've seen miracles come from Mopan 2, Agua Caliente wont be any different! Ha ha! We are sure that this is where we need to go and maybe that is why everything we have had here in the center has fallen to give us the time we need to get out there and work. I am super excited. We have some appointments set up with various members to take us out and show us the area. I can't wait to see what the Lord has prepared for us out there!

Ha ha ha ha! That's my brother!!! What a little stud! Ha ha! But, only one picture came through though were there supposed to be more? Oh wait, I'm getting them! Ha ha! What a punk! I think he rocks the hair better than I do the stink! So is that Tay's girlfriend or just the friend of Ben's girlfriend? and does Tay have his stinkin license yet or is he still being a slacker? Oh and I think he does look a bit like me actually. Not quite as good looking— but what can ya do? Ha ha! But that is so wierd to see people from home. you are all SOOO WHITE!!!! Ha ha ha!  What are you going to do when your son gets back in the middle of all you whities and he's all brown and tan?! Note from Carol Anne: I think he is a little off there....maybe he should try beat red!:) It's going to be pretty darn weird. But we've still got a while, so we don't have to worry about that yet.....I get to stay here enjoying working in Guatemala and you get to stay there enjoying the freezing cold! 

Taylor:

 I can't wait either bro! We are definitely gonna chill! Ha ha ha! Have fun at work and tell Darrin and Lynn and everyone else I say hi. We'll seeya in January broseph!!!

OK, gotta go, but I love you so very much! This is going to be an amazing week both for you guys and for us here. I truly can feel it. Thank you so much for all that you do and for supporting me in being here every step of the way. I truly am grateful to EVERY last one of you. Oh yeah! I got the letter from everyone! Thank you so much! it was the best!!!!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Time is getting shorter and shorter and Hayden is running faster and faster....

Hey everyone,

So I don't have a ton of time but I just wanted to write and tell you about some awesome stuff that happened this week. 

So first of all, I think I already told you about this but there is an investigator and her daughter that Elder L. has been teaching for quite a while that is going to be baptized this week! Woohoo! She is super awesome! And we are going to have another family night with her tonight. 

Also, this is a pretty cool story, the other day we were walking down the side of the highway. It was like 7 or 8 at night and this guy was coming on his bike from the other direction and stops and says "Elders, I'm going to contact you guys if that's OK" We were like what the heck? Ha ha! Then he begins to tell us like his whole life's story about how he went on a mission and everything but he got sent home for something stupid he did and all this crazy stuff! It was super sad and he like started almost crying and stuff. He has lived here for like a year but he hasn't been able to find the church.  He has wanted to return to the church for a while now but he just hasn't known how. Well— when he saw us— he got up the courage and talked to us. So after we talked there for quite a while on the side of the highway he said he would see us on Sunday. But we get that all the time. Not being negative, it's just true. So we didn't exactly 100% believe him. So, we got there on Sunday and I was there in the church and I feel this hand on my shoulder and I turn around and it's him! All bathed and clean shaven with his white shirt and tie and his scriptures and hymn book and everything! it was so awesome! So we set him up an interview with the Bishop right after sacrament meeting and he was in there for a super long time. It was really good! And then when he came out he made super good friends in priesthood and everything. He loved it. And then yesterday in ward council they talked about him and how they can all help him and everything and it was great! And on his way out he just looked at us with this huge smile and said "We'll see ya next Sunday!" It was awesome! I was going to tell you a couple more stories about investigators and inactive members going to church this week too that were super amazing! but I don't really have time. So I guess that will have to be it! Ha ha ha! SORRY! But I love you all SOOO much! Talk to ya next week!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Here are some photos though:

 

This one is of Elder G. the Elder that was with Elder L. and I in our first trio. 

OK—so the next three are of Elder H.....
(My comp in Dolores) 

 .....Elder P.  

....and Elder R. They are three of my good friends in the mission who just went home this past Wednesday.

And the last one is Elder L. and I with Elder T. our new companion. He finishes this change too. He was actually here in Llano Largo with Elder L. and Elder C. the change before I got here and they sent him back Ha ha! He's a good guy. He is my brother in the mission (his trainer was also Elder M.). He's a super good kid. I really like him. But— I am going to kill them both, Elder L.  goes home the 8th of October and then Elder T. at the end of October!