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