Can you say ONE OF THE BEST WEEKS EVER?!?!?!

So....Mom,

Jordan wrote me so I was reading his letter. He is such a stud! I love that kid! So what's up? and idk if he is working or not. He didn't say anything about that. I do know that here in a couple of weeks he is starting school up at the Wasatch Campus. As for school for me, Nah, I'll just look into all of that when I get home. I wanna make sure I know what I'm doing this time. I am sick of just doing what stupid councelors tell me to do without even knowing myself what I'm doing. I'm going to do it right this time. And I want to check my options before I decide. So we'll wait on all that.....the Spirit truly does enlighten the mind! Ha ha ha! Just kidding...that was mean...but if the shoe fits...Ha ha!

And I am doing great! But, as for the week...can you say ONE OF THE BEST WEEKS EVER?!?!?! ...It was SO sick!!!!! I'll just tell you real quick. So you know how I have told you that we are teaching a ton of people but the problem is that they just plainly do not have the money to go all the way into church...so we got a new ward mission leader and he is INCREDIBLE!!!! It is the greatest blessing we have seen in forever! It is honestly the answer to our prayers! His name is Hermano P. He is the secretary to Pres. Watts!!!!! Ha ha ha! It is so legit! And for his work, he drives like big tour busses around taking missionaries all around Guatemala. So, he is super excited about A. C.  and A. We told him about the situation and he said, "That should never be a challenge for someone not to go to church. Don't even worry about that." So, we worked it out with him and when it came time we were in a giant bus picking up all of our investigators at the entrance to A. C.! We filled the bus!!! and there were still some people that couldn't come this week that are for sure coming next week. Plus a bunch of news (new investigators) that we have found! Next week, Hno. P. is going to try and get a giant full sized bus so we can take EVERYBODY!!!! It was the best ever! And, yesterday in church, it was a missionary work based Sunday so I spoke in Sacrament Meeting with Hno. P. and it was SOOO good! This is totally going to change this ward around! This branch is going to go in so fast now!!! And also, this coming Saturday is the activity with the Stake Presidency in our area. The Stake Presidency is going to come to A. in the evening and do divisions with us to visit less active members for an hour and then at later in the evening we are going to have the meeting and the Stake Presidency is going to give the message and everything. And also the Stake President said he is going to bring the refreshment! And we were doing the counts of how many might come and we got up to 70 people!!! It is so awesome!!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah. And just so you know Mom, that wasn't Hna. P. that called you on your birthday! Ha Ha! That was A. L., D's wife. 

Out of the blue on my birthday I got a call from a women in Guatemala that spoke very little English. She was wishing me a happy birthday. I hurried and grabbed Bryan and he was able to visit with her for a while in Spanish. She told him how great Hayden is and what a wonderful person and missionary he is and thanked us for letting him serve. We did not speak for long but It was kind of cool. She then sent Hayden's best wishes for his Mommy's birthday! Best birthday present ever. I thought it was Sister P. it ended up to be one of Hayden's recent converts. It was awesome! 

But Hna P. told me to say HI to you. She would love to meet you too. And I am so happy because when I get home I can basically just call and talk to them whenever with that Magic Jack thing that the R. Family has. If you talk to A. (Elder S's mom) again tell her that I say hi and that I love her a ton! But alright. I best be going. I love you so much. Thank you for everything! 

Oh yeah, but what did you find out about my card? What ever happened with it?

Also I have a bunch of photos that I am going to send you. ....finally! Ha ha! I just decided to pray real hard and try my card reader one last time today and.....IT WORKED! So I'm going to send a few. 

Have a great week. Talk to you next week. I love you all. 

Elder Welch

Here is a picture of us with L. and F. and thier family. F. and V. are getting baptized here pretty soon!!! And I get to do it!!!! Ha ha ha! I love them so much! That has been by far the hardest thing about changing the areas. But it's OK. It is helping them grow a greater testimony. 

.....and then there is a picture also of our Christmas dinner thing that we had with all of the old "family night crew" it was fun.

 Here are some pictures of the service activity at the rest home 

That guy with me is the deaf-mute one that I told you about that was SO happy all the time! He was sweet!

  Here are a couple more from the rest home. 

Handing out treats......

Painting her finger nails and giving her one on one attention.....or one on three :) with  Sister W. and Elder M.

Probably the best Christmas Hayden will ever have.....one of the most memorable at least.

 The bags that the missionaries handed out were filled with the donations that many of you helped get to Guatemala. They contained razors, socks, mirrors, combs, personal items and Christmas treats.

Hey! Thank you to EVERYONE who helped out. 
Mom, Aunt Lani, Aunt Kristen and Grandma Murdock!!!!
You guys are the best!!!! EVER!!!!

Thanking us and saying goodbye....

 OK, so here are some pictures of mine and Elder C's little birthday party thing. 

The one in the yellow shirt is Hna. L. The guy in the gray shirt is D. 

So the one in the purple that is opening the bag of Rice Crispies is Hna. G..

...and then one of me making my rice crispy treats and teaching Hna. G. and Hna. L. how to make them....to bad they turned out so hard and crunchy! Ha ha!

The one in the blue shirt sitting on the couch is Hno. R.  (he was super tired. He just got back from a late day at work). And the ones on the couch with him are Hna. J. and her daughter M. J.. 

EXTENSION!!!

Family and Friends, 

For those of you who still do not know.....Hayden got the extension that he asked for!!!! He will be staying in Guatemala an extra thirty days. He will be arriving home between February 12th , at least we think! We will let you know for sure as we get his flight plans.

We do know the date he will be speaking in sacrament. It is February the 17th at 1:00 at our ward building. We welcome you all to attend with an early dinner after at our house. We will follow up with the details as it gets closer. Just wanted to give you all a heads up! 

Carol Anne

Christmas Phone Call

The Christmas phone call was wonderful! Hayden is happier than I have ever seen him in his life. The phone call had an entirely different feel to it this time. He was not nervous of the time running out or homesick because he was missing out on the family traditions. He was taking in every minute with each of us, enjoying our relationships and completely confident in who and where he was at the moment. He was at a members house with about twenty/twenty five people. They were having a big party and he was having a blast.

He mentioned to his dad that he was in a hammock and within arms length was a mango an avocado and an orange tree with fruit on them. How fun is that.

We could hear all of the fireworks in the background going off. At one point Taylor about had a heart attack when a huge firework went off and the phone went dead for a minute and he thought Hayden had been shot! Funny and so scary at the same time :) Taylor  talked music and bands, and Papa Murphy's, snow boarding and the big plans he has for he and his best buddy when he gets back.

Bryan loved using his Spanish as he visited and chatted up with his long lost friend. Bryan is the one having the hardest time with Hayden extending. He can not wait for him to come home. Bryan also got the chance to talk to one of Hayden's recent converts. He told Bryan what a wonderful missionary Hayden is. That was fun for all of us.

 Abby received much needed "boy" advice. Hayden has heard through the grapevine how beautiful she is getting and he is a little freaked out about it. :) She enjoyed talking a bit of Spanish with him. She loved the joking and the teasing and misses him terribly. He and always will take such good care of his only little "bagabsta". Abby could not get enough of it and she was the one that had a hard time giving up the phone to share. She would have liked to talk all night.

He shared with all of his love for the people of his new area. His appreciation for Elder M. and his happiness in serving at this time. He is SO grateful that he has this extra time that the extension has offered him. The work in the area is doing amazing. He feels excited everyday to be a missionary and have this time in this area. He is doing so WELL. What a blessing this mission has been in his life! It was a wonderful phone call. When it was time to get off there was nothing but joy and thankfulness in my heart. It was so amazing that when it was time to go Hayden was almost excited to get back with his new family and friends in Guatemala and celebrate the holidays. It took me back to that day almost 2 years ago when we dropped him off at the MTC and he was greeted by the other Elders who took his luggage and helped him in. I remember how he did not look back and how he had a skip in his step like he did when he was young and I would drop him off for a play-date with friends. I realized then as I do now that he is just fine.....it is me that worries and frets. I now know and have confidence that he is on the best "play-date" of his life, with some of the best friends he will ever have! How much a appreciate those wonderful people in Guatemala that treat my son as their own. I will forever be in their debt. Hayden held up the phone for me at one point and I was able to hear all 25 of his new friends wish me FELIZ NAVIDAD! It brought me to tears. How grateful I am for Elder M. for helping Hayden's last weeks in the mission field be the best he has had!  How grateful I am for President and Sister Watt's who take such wonderful care of all of the missionaries. How grateful I am for Heavenly Father for the care he gives each and everyone of us and last but not least how grateful I am that Hayden was able to extend this wonderful experience for thirty more days!

What a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Carol Anne

Christmas Eve

Santie Claus is a coming kiddies..........How are you all?

Ha ha! Oh man. Good old Christmas Nativity! I cannot wait to see that stinkin' cute little girl again! Ha ha ha ha! But yeah, about the phone call. So I was talking to Elder M. about what time and everything, and, Idk if it is possible for you guys but we were thinking about doing it in the evening. Like 6 pm here, 5 pm there for me. But idk...is that ok with you guys?  Idk however you guys wanna do it. Elder Mansfield just said that he wants to do it  like 7 so I just figured at 5 would be the best. The truth is im going to be seeing you in about a month and a half anyway...Ha ha ha ha ha!.... So however you wanna do it.

OH yeah! I forgot to tell you. So the family that we basically live with...they have two kids that live in the states and one of them sent them some thing called like MyJack or something that gives free unlimited calls to the states and they told us that we can use that. So what phone should I call? No, I don't think we are allowed to call and set up the call to make sure it is working....but if I don't call you by like six my number is------------. But It should work. They are always using it to talk to their son. We are going to go with the P. Family. They invited us over for tamales and Hna. G. makes the BEST tamales I have EVER had! She is amazing! And we are going to teach them about family history and then watch a church video with them. They are my favorites!

Oh yeah! The Christmas conference and the visit to the rest home was great! I really loved the activity! We went to a rest home in Palencia and it was super special! I was going to send you pictures today but I totally forgot! Sorry! But yeah it was super special! And then we went back to the chapel and we had lunch that was real good and then Hna. Watts' homemade cinnimon rolls, AMAZING" and then we watched Finding Nemo, super baggy.....and then we had the conference part that was super good. President Watt's is amazing! And then president asked me to bare my testimony and that suprized the crap out of me! But yeah, it was a good birthday. And then the next day we had a little get together with the Fam. R. and the Fam. P. for mine and E. C's birthdays and I made rice crispie treats for everybody but they came out pretty hard! Ha ha ha...... failure!!!! But it was OK...Oh yeah and Hna Watts gave me a birthday present but she made me hide it till I got home because she didn't get anybody else one and I got home and opened it and it was a jar of ....................Miracle Whip!!! Ha ha ha ha! She is the greatest!

(Hayden and Sister Watt's have had a long running joke about their shared love of Miracle Whip ever since he worked in the mission office.)

Hey. Don't worry about that. Everything is just fine. I will be just fine. But I will talk to you tomorrow!!! Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Welch

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