My Spring Break...... A little different than yours :)

Alright, so these are some pics from last p-day. We went to IHOP for breakfast and I ordered the strawberry-banana french toast and it was SOOOOOOOOOO good. I thought I had died and gone straight to spirit paradise! (apostate?....nah, I dont think so) Ha ha! But pretty much everyone else got that too. 

And then we went bowling 

Elder T. kicked all our butts though. He`s good!

I had to learn how to bowl a new way cuz I was curving it without a curve ball! Ha ha!. It was tough. 

Alright, so I really don't have too much to tell this week. We have been able to find some new investigators and we now have two people with baptismal dates. J.— his wife is a member and we are hopefully going to marry them and then he is going to get baptized, and the other one is with a lady named M. I really hope her date doesn't fall, but it's kind of looking that way. She really wants to get baptized and she is doing really well. She can't read, so that's a little tough but the only thing that is keeping her back is her husband. He doesn't want to get married. But I think we are going to be able to get through to him. She thought that we weren't even going to be able to get him to talk to us but we did. We taught them both together, and even though he didn't want to, he really liked it— I could tell. He`s just one of those guys that has never been religious and has a hard time admitting that that he likes it. Idk...he`s kind of a funny guy. And he has a real drinking and smoking problem. 

But other good news! This week they are going to call E. for his job interview so if it all works out we might be able to put a date with him this week and I might be able to see him get baptized before I leave!!!!!! (if of course I'm even leaving this change, but I'm pretty sure I am) But I would be SOOOOOOO happy if that happened. I LOVE that family so much and I have really been able to watch that man gain a testimony by making sacrifices. It has been so amazing to watch. But it might end up just like Dolores and he will end up getting baptized a week or two after I leave. Ha ha. But that's OK. The thing is that he has a testimony and he gets baptized.

 

So, there are a couple things that I wrote down so I wouldn't forget to tell you, kinda dumb, but that's OK. 

So, first of all, I have forgotten to tell you about this every week since I came to the office, partly because I wanted to get a picture to send to you of it first, but......drum roll........THE GUATEMALA CITY HOLE IS IN MY AREA!!!!!!!! Ha ha ha! It is so crazy! It is awesome! It is seriously like around the corner and two blocks down from the chapel! When I first walked through there, Elder C. didn't tell me anything and I was just like walking and looking around and I just like stopped and was like, I know this place. This looks familiar. Just by like the buildings around and then I looked at the corner of the intersection and I saw that there was an entire house missing and I was like, "HOLY CRAP! Is this the hole?!" and he was like, "Oh yeah...I forgot to tell you." Ha ha! But it is so cool! 

Other thing, just kinda funny, so we we're driving down the street on our way to the office and I saw this huge sign of "Boss", supposedly a new show on TNT. and I said hmmm...that sure does look like a show my family might get obsessed with. ha ha So my question is, are you? ha ha Well I guess maybe you don't know yet cuz I saw it came out like two or three days ago, but still.... 

And No— we are not obsessed with it —at least not yet! :) We have not even heard of it...funny how he knows what is on TV and we do not. Must be missing a little TV watching and hoping we will watch it for him and tell him if it is any good. 

And the last thing, I have a research project for dad! Ha ha! I know, I'm sure that's all you want to hear. But here`s the deal. So in the office we have a TON of good music that I want to put on my iPod before I leave the office but all of the computers are windows. So, I was wandering if you could research a little on how I could get that off and put it onto my iPod without having to reformat it and losing all of my music and pictures that are on there cuz I want all of that. Especially the Christmas music!!! and there is no Macintosh around, as far as I know.....so that would be awesome if you could figure that out! 

Oh and I did buy myself something for Easter Mom!  I actually had ordered them before you told me that though...oops, but I ordered some SICK leather scripture covers for my Spanish scriptures! They are SO tight! I will have to send you a picture next week. Alright, well I best be off. My time is up. 

I hope you guys are relaxing it up up there in Spokane (or however you spell it! ha ha) I miss you guys a ton! You are all the best and I love you so much! Well, we`ll talk to ya next week.

 

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Hey eddy body!

First of all thanks everybody for the letters! You are the best. But second, I don't have a lot of time cuz our time got cut short today and I wanted to read all of your letters. So I will use the time I have to answer your questions and then I will tell you about today's SICK!!!! P-day next week. 


So, First answer: 
(Hayden tells me all about where he lives and where the office is. I am not going to put it on the blog. I would rather be safe than sorry. If you would like to look it up on Google Earth —email me and I will give you the information.)


We live in a gated colony that is SUPER nice called ----. It is in Zone ---- of Guatemala city and all of zone ---is our area. But where we live is so secluded that we have to take a taxi to and from the area. the office is in zone --- in the ------. building. you can look it up on google earth. ---------. It is super big and it takes like forty five minutes to get there from the house. 


Answer 2:
No.  I haven't gotten to drive yet. I haven't had to.  But, I think this Monday I might because I have to take my comp to the dentist. 


Answer 3:
E. is doing AWESOME!!! He went to conference and loved it and said that it cleard up all the doubts he had. So now the only thing holding him back is his job.  We are fasting with them— on his orders— so that it will work out! Ha ha ha! He is awesome!!! He has already put in his papers and everything. 


My comp is still my comp, but I think I'm getting better with him. I learned to juggle the other day. Today I went to eat at Ihop and we went bowling!


 Alright my time is about to run out!!! Love you so much and I'll send pictures next week!!! You are the best!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk to ya next week!

Con amor,
Elder Welch

ps. Tell Michelle and Phillip hi and that I love them a ton!!!

The office is definitely what I needed at this time in my mission.

Hi,

I am great. Was that not a sick session of conference?! Ha ha! How are you all doing? Yeah, those two were incredible talks! So what's up with the fam? How's everything going? How's the conference ....conference..... par-tay?

I got like four pictures and I got the video message but it doesn't come through. The computer doesn't read the file for some reason.  So I didn't see the video. That little girl is the cutest stinkin thing I have seen in my entire life! I miss her SOOOO much!!!! And Ha ha! Oh boy! If she doesn't like strangers...she is going to hate me then when she finally meets me. Ha ha! I cannot wait to see her again!

But anyway, sounds like my week has not been near as eventful as yours. Ha ha ha ha! 

So it's good here in the office. It was kinda weird at first, but now it's normal And I am learning a ton about everything! It is really good. I need to send you a copy of the book cover I made for the mission and all this stuff. It is pretty sweet!  The office is definitely what I needed at this time in my mission. 

There´s really not a ton to tell about my week it has been just a bunch of really early mornings having to wake Elders up and coordinate all their travel and everything. We had another group that had to come to the capital to work out their residency this week so I let my companion try to organize it so he could learn. It got done......barely.Ha ha! It was kinda a disaster. We had people everywhere. I ended up having to take over for the return travels cuz Elder T. told me I had to. Ha ha ha ha! But...idk...he´s still learning. Guess I just need to teach better! It was change week so that was a little different, but it was not near as crazy as it has been. Definitely got it down by now. Ha ha! And now that I have learned so much in the office I can focus on making things better and it is really nice. But my job is not done! I still need to teach my companion a lot though. 

I know how things are and what people are saying but I think I might be outta here after this change! It's pretty crazy! I sure don't think I'm coming back here by the end—thanks for the confidence though Mom. Ha ha ha ha! But...... who knows what is going to happen to me next change!!! I sure hope I'll be ready for whatever it is. Idk...I'm not really feelin too ready for much lately. I still have SO much to learn— it is ridiculous. I still feel like I barely entered the mission. I think Elder B, Elder T, and I are outta here next change! That is half the office! It will be so crazy!!! Oh— and You have to go to T´s Welcome home!!!! I'm not sure when it's going to be. Like within five weeks. But I will let you know when it gets closer. 

And as for sister Watts, she is the BEST! Idk about her loving me that much, but I sure do love her! I am going to miss her a ton!!! And president Watts! 

Oh yeah!!! E. is getting offered another job!!! we showed up at his house and the first thing I did was ask him if he had any questions or anything he wanted to tell us and he said, "Yes, I want to do another fast." I asked him why... and he told us that tomorrow and next Sunday he has vacation from school so he can come to church. He also added that  he is also getting offered a new job. If he gets the new job he can have Saturdays off work to be able to study on Saturdays and have Sundays off to go to church and he was super excited!!! I am so happy for that! I love them so much!!!! I sure hope everything works out alright!

Oh yeah!!!!! Big news!!! I totally forgot and it was the biggest thing that has happened all week! Well, so you know how the Hilux got stolen right? So....we got a new truck!!!! It is sweet! I haven't driven it yet. But I am going to! And I am super nervous! It is a manual! And its a smaller truck, but it's a diesel engine. I am SUPER excited to try it out! 

OK, I will definitely mail you the package I have. I have to get going though, 

And mom...I know you were praying for me during those missionary talks this morning, and I'm pretty darn sure you were crying too! Ha ha ha ha! . I love you so much! You are the best! You are always there for me no matter what— I KNOW it! I have definitely felt your prayers lately. Love you so much! Alright —Talk to you next week!!!!!!!!!!!!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

My new "Guat" suite.....

Hi Guys,

I am definitely feeling better. I am back to normal. Today was our breakfast with President and Sister Watts!!!!!!!!!! It was the best! But I forgot to charge my camera and it was dead so I didn't get any pictures! I was so mad! But it's OK. Maybe I can borrow Elder N`s camera real quick to send you some or something. They were the best! But, Yeah! I got the pictures Dad sent! I LOVED them! And the letter was just fine, don't worry.

But no, I'm not so sick of the office. It's not bad and I think I'm alright at it. So my comp is going to be the first one that I have had for more than one change! And Elder T said that I am going to be with him for ¨at least¨ one more change.  As far as the work, we are starting to do a lot better. It was a rough start at the beginning of the change with the planning and teaching together, but we are getting better. I`m learning a lot. and we have found a lot of new investigators to teach who are definitely prepared. We hope to baptize soon!

Wow that's crazy. When did you see that? and I never really knew all about that. I thought first of all that it was between Bryan and me and I also thought that it was supposedly a girl. Wow, I've sure been out of the loop.Just so you know, I am crying like a baby too....and in the middle of the mall!!!!! Geez, thanks a lot mom! Ha ha! Just kidding. That is amazing. I had no idea about that. Thank you. So much. 

But tell Avery that I say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! and I have a birthday present for her in the package that I have to send to you guys. But who knows how much it's going to cost! Probably like 400 quets!!! Ha ha! But it's OK. I'll try and get it sent soon. It will definitely not be a birthday present for her anymore though...but that's OK. I am SUPER excited for her to get it!!!!!

Don't worry about the package getting here late! It is totally fine. I still have the last two! Ha ha! But if you haven't sent it yet, idk if there is still room, but if so, I'm startin to run low on peanut butter! and who knows where I am going to end up after the office! But if there is not room, it is totally fine. this one will still last me for a while and I'm sure I can find it around here somewhere! And I decided today that I need to start writing more letters!  Cuz I realized if I don't write, I won't get written. Hahahahaha I feel like such a bum. The only person I ever write is you mom. But you are the most important though anyway —right?? 

Alright, so here`s the suit! They definitely aren`t the best pictures of it, or me — but they are the only ones that I have taken so far. These were taken last sunday after sacrament meeting so I was still feelin pretty sick. But we all spoke in sacrament meeting except the assistants and then we all went and took pictures outside before the classes started. It was pretty fun! 

The Office Elders—

The tall one is the AP. I look so short in that picture huh?! It is because he is enormous!!!! and Elder B. is standing on like this big cement block thing! Ha ha! My comp is the one by me. To my left, your right I think.The suit in these pictures kinda looked a little tannish, I think for the sun or something. 

But I better get going. I love you all so much and it has been awesome getting to talk to you again! Can't wait till next week. And mom, that vacation sounds like its gonna be a doosey!!! Alright love ya!!!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

Feeling Sick...."But don't worry Mom"

Right...Like that is going to happen! :) CA

Hey mom!

 

So, not too eventful of a week. We had our interviews with President and Sister Watts on Wednesday. That was awesome. They are so amazing. As for the sick Elder, he is doing great. He is up and all better now. The doctor says that he still can't go work in the area though, but he is doing just fine. He should be back to normal within a few more days. As for me though...holy cow do I feel like poop today! It started to hit me yesterday at the office and then on the taxi ride to the area I could just feel it getting worse and worse every second. Last night when we got home after working, there was not a single part on my body that didn't hurt like crazy! I think it was just a cold, but it was the craziest cold I have ever had. I got home and went right to bed without even planning and I woke up and I still felt like crap! I didn't get out of bed till like a quarter to eleven and our taxi was going to be there at 11 to bring us here! So I woke up and took some medicine that Elder T. gave me.— It is this medicine that Sister Watts prescribed him when he got a pretty bad cold too...I'm not sure what it is....some Guat. medicine—and had to haul it. With the medicine I am feeling quite a bit better though —but I still hurt like crazy! Last night I felt like someone was ringing my stomach out like a wash rag! It was crazy! But...Ha ha Mom...I am fine! Don't you worry your little heart about me. I know that you are going to tell me to rest..... I will be able to rest in ten months. So don`t you worry! Ha ha! And I took today to rest —really! I am super glad that it happened on a p-day though! I am yet to miss a day of work for being sick! Woo Hoo!!! Ha ha! But I'm doing better. I don't really know what it was. It's like a cold, but like my entire body hurts. Including my stomach. Like it was killing me so bad last night! I could barely even walk! I do not know if I am running a fever....I did not take my  temperature.

Oh yeah, so as for the package, before I forget, I don't really know. Those pictures that you sent me in the Valentines box were THE BEST!!!! That was my favorite thing ever! Thank you so much. I think I forgot to tell you how perfect that was! I can't believe you are already sending me another Easter package! I still have those parachute bunnies from the last one and that sick light up frog that is my favorite! That seems like just not too long ago that I got that in the mail from you! That is so crazy! So what to send....Those Harvey bars are super good. I still have quite a bit of jerky left so I think I'll be good on that still. Little snacks are pretty sweet to have in the office though, like nuts or trail mix or something. That would be nice. Oh and I don't know if it is possible to send this, but one thing that does not exist here that I have been craving lately is apple sauce! I have been thinking about that the past few days. Also, idk if you could maybe grab some money out of my account and buy me some white strips or something and send them, cuz I know they are pretty pricey...but if they`re pretty expensive it's totally not worth it. I'll just get some when I get home. Could you send me maybe a couple of the ties that I left at home cuz I thought I couldn't`t bring so many? Cuz there are some good ones there and I'm kinda gettin' sick of the same old ones all the time! Just any of those ties you will know the good ones. I am just getting bored! Ha ha! .....and idk what else. If you have some extra room just surprise me. You know what I like Mom. Your the best! Oh —and LETTERS!!! Letters are always the best!!!!! 

So what`s new with the fam? anything? OH yeah!!! Elder Sorensen wrote me today!!!!! He sent me a picture of him at Brighton snowboarding! The bum!!! Ha ha! That was SUPER cool!

Hey I have to get going though. I love you so much! But you know that whatever you send me will be perfect Mom. You are the best! Have an awesome week! Tell everyone I love them and that I miss them and that I say hi!

Yeah, and I am pretty sure I will be here in the office one more change....we have still got a lot to learn. and T. goes home next change so that will be a bummer. I gotta go! love you!!!

Elder Welch

It never ceases to AMAZE me how the Spirit helps us recall things when we need them.....

Hey edybody!!! 

So let's start with some pictures.....

Alright, the first one is a picture of Elder B., Elder N. and me in the back of the taxi on our way from the office to our area. I have no idea what Elder N, was doing! Ha ha ha! 

OK, so these are the pictures from this month´s concilio. 

Yeah...Sister Watts made Cafe Rio and it was incredible!!!! 

And yes, that is key lime cheesecake!!!! Holy cow that was amazing!!!  

There is a picture of us at our table. Me, Elder N., Elder T. and Sister Watts. It was a super good day!

And then there are some pictures from this place that we went to on our pouch run. That is when we take all of the materials and pouch all around the capital. 

The guy with Elder U. and I is E. 

The view from up there is awesome! It is right across the road from the house of the Elders that are in an area called Limón. 

Elder Davis was there for a while. This is basically the view from the front door of the Elder's house! It's pretty cool!

So, I don't really have a ton to write about today. There has actually been a ton that has happened in this past week but I can't really write too much about it. Just a few problems that we had to work out with some missionaries and stuff but it turned out to be a super busy and stressful week. For the Assistants more than anything, but for us too. And then, to just put the cherry on top, right after we got everything to the point that we didn't have to worry about anything anymore, we all get home on Thursday night and and one of the Elders started complaining about a pain in his stomach. He thought it was a stomach ache earlier that afternoon so we gave him a blessing but that night I had him explain to me what it was like. And, remembering that one time I thought for sure I had appendicitis so I looked up all the symptoms —ha ha, I told him it was definitely appendicitis. They weren't going to call the doctor until the next morning because it was already like 10.15 but I was like I don't think that is the best idea. I am almost a hundred percent sure that's an appendicitis. So they called Sister Watts and the nurses, and they called the mission doctor—and in the end they ended up going to the hospital that night. They took his appendix out and told him that when he got there it was on the verge of rupturing. So it's a pretty darn good thing they went! But he is doing just fine! He left the hospital this morning and is here in the mall with us right now. So he's doing really well.

 

As for my day, I have been on divisions with Elder N. the Assistant while my companion has been with the sick Elder. 

Elder N. told me last night that they wanted me to go stay the night with them but they called to ask President what he thought and he said that he would rather have me do divisions and work in the area with Elder N. and stay in the house too. I was kinda lookin forward to chillin with Elder ——— all day, but me and Elder N. did some good work in the area last night. We had a lesson with E. and M. and it went really well. He still hasn't made a decision because supposedly he signed a contract with his school for the whole year. But we taught him about fasting and we are going to fast with the family so that they he can find the way God has prepared for him to work it out. When we explained it they were really excited to do it so we are even going to go over and start the fast with them and everything and then go over and end it with them too. I'm not supposed to really tell you about fasts like that—so— I won't tell you when or anything so you don't do it with us— so don't worry. Ha ha ha ha! 

So anyway, this morning, we woke up and just hung out for a while and lifted weights and did some exercise and then we went and played soccer with some kids from the ward and some investigator kids. It was way fun. And I was super excited! Cuz I got to break in my new soccer shoes that I got last week! Ha ha, oops, I forgot to tell you about that! Oh yeah, cuz it was after I talked to you that I bought them. Anyway, Elder B. and I found this two for one deal on soccer shoes and we got them! It was super awesome! After soccer we then just went home and got ready, oh yeah before soccer we played UNO and Phase ten in the house. After soccer we then came here to the mall and ate. I had Subway with my beloved cheddar Sun Chips! Ha ha! And then we went and bought our food and now we are using Internet. After we are done I need to get my haircut, then we are going home and then to the area.

Alright, well that is pretty much my report for the week. I better get going. I love you all so much! And I hope that everything is going alright. Tell Taylor he´s a punk and I will write him soon and to tell everyone at Papas "Hi" for me. Tell Abby that she is crazy and I will also write her soon. And tell Avery that I love her SOOOOOOOOO much!!!!!!! and Grant of course too! Ha ha! And when you guys see Michelle and Phillip tell them hello and that I love them a ton!!! I love you guys!!!

Mom, I love you so much!!!

Con Amor,

Elder Welch

That is what I love about being in the office!!!

Hi Mom,

Ha ha! Well done, well done. No, I am good. How are you doing? I mean despite the fact that you just got sprayed in the face with paint! Ha ha!

I am doing super awesome! Today has been a really good day. We got up and me and Elder N who is pretty much my best friend in the office, maybe even the mission, got up and lifted and did exercises.  Then we both cleaned the entire house. Then me Elder N. and Elder B. went and played basketball— they are awesome. My comp went with the assistants to the suit tailor place so it was just us three. Then we went and picked my comp up and printed pictures. I printed a lot more of the fam that you have sent me and then we came here to the mall and ate. I had Subway and then we found this Gellato place so me and Elder N. got gellato and it was super good! Oh yeah, and Mom just in case you want to know that is Elder N. the finance elder.  The pretty new elder. Not the Assistant Elder N. He is from Kaysville. I have no idea who his mom is though. He doesn't have very much time. This is only his third change. Yeah and I'm still super good friends with T. I learn so much from him! He is awesome! 

Oh yeah and I did get both of the packages!!!!! I got them on Tuesday when we went to the post office. They were the best!!!!!!!!!!! My favorite part by far was the photo album!!! It was perfect! And I am sharing all that candy with everyone in the office! Ha ha! Cuz if I don't, I am going to freaking be rolling out of the office! Ha ha ha! The chocolates were not melted. A little shaken up but not melted. And I've only eaten a couple but they were super good! 

About the news, it was a little hard, but I am alright. I was over at President and Sister Watts` house helping them and they just had me come into President's office with them and they told me. But they are so amazing! I was a little scared though, because at first they just said your grandpa. If it would have been Grandpa Murdock, that would have been totally unexpected! I at least had an idea that Grandpa Cleve was getting to that point. But then Sister Watts jumped in and was like now this is your grandpa that has been sick!  And she like grabbed my hand and stuff. She is the best! I love them so much! That is what I love about being in the office!!!!!!

Oh and about our investigators, we are kinda having a tough time. We have a ton of families that we are teaching, but they all have like big things that are keeping them from progressing. Like my favorite family that we are teaching, E, M and their awesome little son C. who is like a year and eight months old, M. is a member but E. isn't. He really loves everything that we teach and share and everything and he really wants to get baptized and do everything. But he studies on Sundays from seven to two in the afternoon and works from Monday to Saturday. A good job is super hard to come by like the one he has to provide for his family and to be able to study is even more important and harder to do! So it is so hard to try and get him to leave those things to go to church. But the last lesson we had with him I just straight up told him. It hurts me to tell you this, but you have to choose. Your wife wants you to be with her at church and I know you want to be there too. But you have to give something up. But I know that if you do, God has something even better for you prepared. You just have to do your part. So that night he said that he had even been thinking about quitting his job to find a new one so he can be able to change his study schedule! It is so hard but I know that if he does it and shows his faith, he will be SOOOO blessed for it! But we`ll see how things work out. And there are things like that with like every single one that we have! It is pretty hard. 

Well I have to go. My time is up. I love you so much and I'll talk to you next week!!!

Con amor,

Elder Welch

This is an email to his sister Abby.

You bum!!! Yeah I love that song! We'll have to play the piano when I get home Abs! I love it! Send me that song!!! Ha ha ha ha! Just kidding. I miss my music SOOOOOOOO much though! We are going to have to have a sick music-listening-to-fest when I get home! Deal? ha ha! I love you too Abby! A ton! Oh yeah, and I thought you might like to know, I can now play 'Faithfully' by Journey on the piano! Ha ha! Elder Nelson thought me! Ha ha! But how are you Abs?

Ha ha! And I thought the same thing! I thought for sure I would die without music too! But, even though it is super tough—it is definitely worth it!  I will have plenty of time to listen to music in not too long! 


Well I have to get going!

Con amor,

Elder Welch