Elder Welch AKA The Wedding Planner

Alright, so, first of all. I've got some news. I didn't even mention changes this change which are coming up this Wednesday, like the day after tomorrow, because I was like 99% sure that I was NOT going to have a change. We thought for sure that my companion was going to get a change and go train somewhere or something because he already has six months in this area and he only has two changes left and the training program is for two changes. But that is most definitely NOT how things turned out. They just told us last night that my companion is staying and I HAVE A CHANGE!!!! I am freakin out! Ha ha! I definitely did not see that one coming and I was definitely not prepared for it. I really love this area and our investigators and we were seeing so many incredible blessings! But apparently the Lord needs me somewhere else... Ha ha!. I have no idea what the heck is gonna happen!

But anyway, other than that, I am not gonna lie, this has been one of if not the hardest weeks of my mission! Not exactly bad. But hard. So for this past Friday we had planned M. and D's wedding and we had everything ready and then on like Monday we call the lawyer that was going to marry them to make sure that everything was going to be OK, (after we had made sure like two or three times within the past three weeks) and she says "what? Friday?!?! No. I can't do it Friday!" So, we had to go and tell them that we had to change all the plans and everything from Friday to Saturday and we went to the person's house that was making the invitations and luckily they weren't printed yet so we were able to save that. We changed them and printed them off. And then we only had the help of just a few members to set up for the wedding. So we helped them decorate the church and make all the center pieces and everything and we basically had to organize it all. But that is just the beginning of it. So, Tuesday morning I was on divisions with another elder from the zone and we stopped by to visit them but they were super busy with a bunch of stuff so they asked us if we could help real fast so we did. We helped them out a ton and it went really well and they were super happy. If M stays faithful, he is going to be an incredible leader in the church. He amazes me. And we just found out the other day that he is my age!!! Not even! He is younger than me by like two months or so! But anyway, the wedding was amazing! I have pictures but they are on Elder V's memory card. They are obviously doing so much better and they were SO happy! It was so amazing to see. And the baptism is now scheduled for the 11th of August. And this Saturday, J. and T. are getting married and J. is getting baptized and after that we have another baptism scheduled! It has been so amazing! And yesterday we went to visit H. and A. and our bishop and the ex-bishop of the ward came with us and that lesson was super incredible! It was exactly what they both needed. So let's hope that here soon she is going to have her baptism scheduled too! I am super sad to leave this area. Besides Dolores, this has been my favorite. I truly love this place. But I guess I'll just see what else He has waiting for me.

Sorry for such a long email! Ha ha ha ha! but I had to share that story. I had to tell somebody about it! But anyway, Yesterday we ate lunch at A's house and she says to tell everyone in the family hi! She made us some homemade icecream but it wasn't like the kind that we make. It was SUPER good though! Also I forgot to tell you last week that I got two cards from you Mom. Thank you so much. They made my day. OK, but I better get going. I still have to write President and see if I still have time to write E. real fast to tell him I'm leaving. But I love you all SOOOOO much! You have no idea! I will talk to you next week and let you know where in the world is Carmen Sandiego. OH! I mean Elder Welch.

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Oh yeah, ill try and send the pictures of the wedding and I got a new memory card today so I can start taking pictures again! I will take them of all of the people I say bye to and show you who they are!

Elder Welch and Elder V.

On the bus with Elder V.

Elder V. making the cake for the wedding .....with a little extra help!

Cake making 101

Decorating the gym for the wedding.

This ladder seams a bit "sketchy" ...as Hayden would say.

Hayden knew better than to send a photo to his mom of him on the top of the  "Oh-so sturdy" ladder.
So this is one of Elder V.

All ready for the wedding. 

Hayden....one of the witnesses.