Happy Halloween

The VC's closed.  And now I appreciate it a whole lot more.  Full-time proselyting is not an easy life, but it's helping me to appreciate the VC and the sisters, and even the area more than I did.  It's been closed since Monday and hopefully it will be open on Friday, but I guess we'll see.  When it does open we'll have new kiosks and almost a completely new visitor's center.  I am so excited to see these new resources! We've had to be so creative with the way that we teach people, and now with the new updated exhibits, teaching investigators will be so much more engaging and involved.  I wish I could tell you what we're going to have, but I'm supposed to wait until it actually gets here, so I'll wait.  But it will be great!

Hmm.  I'm trying to remember what happened in the past week.  Primary Program.  So cute.  We have a new Asian investigator who is hilarious.  He's from Taiwan, but wants to be taught in English, and was so concerned for our safety during the storm.  And the storm.  It was supposed to be a full-blown hurricane and they even made it illegal to drive in Baltimore, but up where we were, it just rained.  Nothing big.  The storm in June was a lot crazier than this, and I slept through that one.  (I slept through this one too...I was just expecting it to be a lot bigger.)  

Exciting moments: We watched "A Book of Mormon Story" Mormon Message with Annsley and her caretaker Brittany (our new investigator) and Brittany was glued to the screen.  After it was over she said, " I need to read this book."  Perfect!  Of course we had one ready for her and she was so excited to have her own free copy.  Also exciting, Claudia, an eternigator (eternal investigator) is ready to get baptized.  We still haven't been able to see her yet, but the elders so kindly went by last night and called to tell us she's ready.  Yep.  We need to get over there.  That's probably the 5th person who's told us.  It's funny though, that every time we go by she's not home, or every time we call she doesn't answer.  I don't quite understand why yet, but it will all work out.  By next week she'll have a date.  Also, exciting: Tevin came to church again and is reading! (Church and reading the scriptures are huge milestones for an investigator, especially a 16 year old) and Tamarye gave it away.  We were teaching Tamarye and actually I think we asked him if Tevin had been reading.  He said, "Yeah, this morning he had his headphones in and was reading like this," as he made an angry/confused face.  I laughed.  Of course Tevin is going to look angry/confused if he's trying to read the scriptures while listening to the music he listens to.  But he's reading.  It's baby steps with him, but he'll make it.

I think it's crazy that so much happens in a week, and then I get here and I can't remember any of it.  This morning we had our Zone Activity where we carved pumpkins, ate some food, and played card games.  Yesterday we saw 4 less actives and a few investigators.  One was 7th Day Adventist and told us that she's only nice because she wants to convert us.  Last night we saw a man who is quite the philosopher and asked us questions like, "How can people believe different things and still have a good life?" "How do you account for people who have a following but don't teach truth?" "How do you KNOW what's true?" and all sorts of things like that.  He never invited us in, but we stood on his doorstep for half an hour listening to him and talking.  They were some interesting questions I spent some time studying them this morning.  Hopefully he takes us seriously, knowing that we took him seriously.  It will be fun to see where this goes because I feel that he's sincere, and even asked us the question Joseph Smith was asking before the first vision.  Curtis is his name.  I'll keep you posted.  (If I remember.)

Well, this week was pretty similar to last.  The work is still great, and hard, and fulfilling, and fun, and exhausting, and enlightening, and good in every way.

I love you all.  Stay true to what's eternal.

-Sister Welch

Good Luck

There is one thing I know for certain this week, and it's that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor.  This transfer has brought about a lot of good, but crazy changes, including extra responsibility at the Visitors' Center, a new area, a new companion, a new ward, Elder Bednar's coming, the Night of Music and Inspiration that I've been planning happens on Tuesday, and our apartment hasn't decided to turn on the AC yet.  What an adventure! And the way I know Heavenly Father has a sense of humor is that he sent me to an apartment complex on "Good Luck Rd."  Too funny!  Every time we pull in for the night I just have to laugh. 

This past week has been crazy.  We are running into the strangest people! One man recognized us as we were going to talk to his neighbor, and decided it was time to give us a sermon on masonry and Joseph Smith.  A man last night told us that he was Christian, and a minister, and that he had no time to meet with us or read the Book of Mormon, but he'd just finished reading this 800 page book on atheism that we should read sometime.  Weird.  And another man got all riled up and told us that we are going to "this place down south" if we keep believing the Book of Mormon is true.  Then the funny part was that we saw him at the Amish Market today with his wife.  He wasn't too happy to see us, and ran away pretty quickly.  His poor wife looked a little confused when she turned around and he wasn't there.  Oh, and we also met another man who believes the world should be run by women, and was happy to see us doing what the Elders usually do.  Sadly, he doesn't live in our area.  But I'm sure the Elders will enjoy his views on the world.

At the Visitors' Center this past week, we've been seeing so many miracles.  It seems like as election time comes closer, there are more and more people who come in and say, "I'm going to vote for Mitt Romney.  What can you tell me about his church?"  And the sisters are incredible with their responses.  Sometimes it's hard to not feel intimidated when there are so many wonderful people I serve with!  But we lift each other and the work moves forward.  This really is a remarkable place to serve.  It's truly a gateway to the world. 

And again my testimony of prayer has been strengthened.  The adage, "Keep calm and carry on," has proved to be a big help this past week. With all of the changes, I was feeling a little overwhelmed, and scattered, but as I read one of the talks Elder Bednar asked us to study (Ask in Faith) I realized that patient persistence in prayer is Christ-like.  So, I patiently persisted, and a few days ago, I finally had the peace I was searching for, and things began to fall into place.  I know had divine help in accomplishing my to-do list of about 100 items, and everything just worked out.  That's what I love about the gospel: it's simple.  And it's a good thing too, because my weak and simple brain would not be able to handle much else.  But prayer works, and so does patience.  And so does the gospel.

So, stay true to those things that are eternal.  That's where the peace comes from.

I love you all!

-Sister Welch

All right, all right.

I'll send you a real email.  I know that past couple have been quick, but time is such an issue (as well as my scattered missionary brain) so I spent a little time this morning collecting my thoughts, and I brought my journal (which consists of a post-it note on each page reminding my what to write when I have time to catch up) so.........here it goes.

Two weeks ago we saw a miracle with Susan.  I hope she realizes one day how truly blessed she is.  She's great at recognizing it now, but oh my.  What a charmed life.  So, the story goes that when we were teaching her, her only concern was tithing.  She wanted to pay it, but felt that she just wouldn't have the funds.  She calculated all of her spending, and savings, and income, and to her, it just wasn't going to work.  Of course we talked about the blessings, and that we need to take out tithing before any of our other spending, but it was still an issue.  Well, the first or second week after she was baptized, I noticed her paying her tithing. I didn't say anything, but was hopeful that it was a full tithe.  Then two weeks ago, we went over to see her, and before we could teach anything or even ask her how she was doing she said, "You have to look at what I just got in the mail today!"  It was a notice from Pepco, her insurance company, telling her that instead of paying $136.00 every month, she only had to pay $5.00 for the next couple of months.  Amazing.  Heavenly Father knew that she needed that blessing, and now she KNOWS that tithing is a true principle and commandment. 

Gilberto was another miracle.  Remember how I said last week that we thought he disappeared? Well, we were so excited to have him back, that he went to the  VC (visitors center) Saturday night for a concert, church on Sunday morning, and we went over to his house Sunday afternoon for a lesson.  Poor guy.  Maybe we were a little too excited.  But we needed to see him and figure out where he was at.  Church was a little overwhelming too, so we needed to clear up those concerns, and it worked out.  He went to the VC with the Dougalls for a piano concert (Fan-Ya Lin from Weber State) and that really wasn't his type of music, but it's okay.  He's patient.  The Dougalls told us afterward that he'd told them that this gospel is what he'd been looking for for all of his life.  Yes!  And then when we saw him on Sunday, he'd told us that he'd gone to Virginia a week earlier because his cousin was in a car accident.  He said that when he got there, he asked God to make sure his cousin would be all right, and his prayer was answered.  To him, that's the first time he'd really seen a clear answer to his prayer.  He's also been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about that as well.  He likes to open it randomly, and pick a scripture to read, but then comes to us confused, which makes me laugh.  But more importantly, he said that it doesn't matter what he reads, even if he doesn't understand he feels better afterwards.  And it's so true.  I love it when investigators describe the Book of Mormon that way.  It doesn't matter what you read, because it's all true, and the truth will set you free.

In my studies this morning I was reading in Moroni 7.  I don't remember the exact verse, but it says something along the lines of "charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."  I realized that although many people would say a lie is the opposite of truth, iniquity is really the opposite of truth. God is truth, and when we sin, we are removing ourselves from him.  We "oppose" him in a way, because we are not being who we truly are, who he created us to be, but we are becoming the opposite of truth.  It was a good realization for me, and it explains why investigators feel better when they read the Book of Mormon.  They are coming closer to the truth, and to who they really are.

As for this week, there have been A LOT of changes.  Number 1: I was transferred yesterday.  Now I'm in New Carrollton (in Prince George's County.  Probably not a good idea to look up their crime rates...) and I'm with Sister Holt.  I don't know what I did to deserve this, but when she came out in November, we were instant friends.  She's one of those people that I'll probably live with when we go back to school.  This transfer is going to be so much fun.  Number 2: My schedule at the VC changed.  Now, instead of being there 3 time a week, I'll be there 5 or 6.  Number 3: President Matsumori asked me to play the piano for a tri-mission conference.  Baltimore, DC-South, and our mission are all meeting at the Visitors' Center to be taught and trained during a three-hour meeting.  Now, normally I wouldn't be nervous to play for such an event, but there just so happens to be a guest speaker named Elder David Bednar who is coming.  Yep.  I'm nervous.  Number 4: Night of Music and Inspiration is two weeks away!  Yikes! I'm behind.  These next couple of weeks are going to be an adventure.

Another miracle I just remembered.  Sister Gros and I were checking on formers (people that had investigated previously) that lived in a little townhouse subdivision.  We had about 5 people to check on, and there was a group of guys hanging out by their car in the middle of this circle of townhouses.  We noticed them, and they started honking the horn to try and get our attention, but we ignored them for a minute to finish checking on these people.  Before we left, however, we decided to talk to them.  When they saw us walking over there, they got quiet, and looked like they were a little scared (because two white girls in skirts can be very intimidating, I know). One of them, even "walked" away, but there were two that stayed, and one that was brave enough to really talk to us.  He was probably 17 or 18, maybe 19, and when we told him who we were, he started getting really defensive. I don't know what's so scary about missionaries, but we started to explain more, and that we were paying our own way, and we were just doing this to give people second chances, and bring them closer to Christ.  Then he just blurted out that, "This is so weird!" And we asked, "What's weird?" He said, "I just threw away my wicken books yesterday because I realized they weren't getting me anywhere.  Then I prayed to God to put me on the right path, then you show up.  This is so weird!" I think I was smiling pretty big (I couldn't help it) and we asked him what he's looking for out of life.  He wanted peace, and power to do what he wants with his life.  We talked a little about the Book of Mormon how it shows us where to find true peace and power, and gave him one, and he took it very carefully.  His friend finally decided to talk, but it was just to ask him, "Are you really freaked out?" and he said, "Yeah! This is seriously freaking me out!  This is weird."  So, we bore out testimonies, and decided to leave. We didn't want to scare him anymore, but he is going to be golden.  Hopefully I'll still get the updates from Sister Gros and be able to tell you about him.

That's all I have time for.  Stay true to what's eternal.

Love, Sister Welch

Rundown on Prophets

This week has been another roller-coaster.  Sister Withers and I have been praying harder and fasting more often (not too often, don't worry Mom) to find people ready for us to teach.  And it's worked.  I have such a stronger testimony of fasting and prayer now.  It's amazing to see how quickly these blessings flow in.  We had 7 appointments set up for this week (starting on Sunday), and we're getting more every day.  Miracles, miracles.  One day when I'm home, I'll tell you all of them, because there just isn't enough time here!  But the two highlights:

On Thursday last week, a couple came into the Visitors' Center while it was very slow.  I played the Christus narration for them, and as I came up to talk to them afterwords, there were tears streaming down the woman's face.  Usually people are more subdued, or peaceful after listening, but rarely is anyone brought to tears.  I needed to see that and have that reminder.  It IS powerful to sit at the feet of the Christus, while hearing a voice speak the words that He spoke.  He is real! I feel it and know it the longer that I'm here.  It's such an indescribable blessing to see His hand in the life of so many of His children, really, in all our lives! I can't even put this conviction into words, other than to say it simply that He is real and that He KNOWS us and loves us.

The other experience I wanted to share happened yesterday.  Another slow day at the VC, but there were some Elders coming in with their investigator and they wanted the "rundown on prophets" before they watched the Joseph Smith movie.  They said it was going to be casual, and to not worry about planning some elaborate tour, so I took a minute to think about what I would do/say, and then went off to do something else until they got to the VC.  I was not expecting what happened.  I took everyone (elders, investigator, senior couple that came with them) to the back of the VC where the Prophet's Kiosk is.  We talked about what a prophet is and what he does and why we need one so badly today.  Then I asked one of the elders to bear his testimony of President Monson.  He took a minute to think, then bore such a powerful, heartfelt witness that he KNEW President Monson was a prophet.  The Senior couple had even been able to shake his hand and bore their own witness.  The Spirit that entered this "casual, run-down on prophets" tour was amazing.  The President Monson kiosk was close, so we watched his testimony of the Savior, which is always moving and undeniable, and then I felt to have the other Elder bear his testimony of Joseph Smith.  Before he even started speaking, he was emotional.  The feeling of peace, and of love, and of truth that surrounded us in that little room was tangible.  As he bore his testimony of the prophet Joseph, all of us had tears in our eyes.  There was that confirmation to my heart again, that Joseph Smith is truly a prophet.  It was such a sacred experience for me to be a part of that lesson where the Holy Ghost was the teacher.  What a special gift it was.

I pray that all of you will have your testimonies strengthened of our Savior and of the prophet Joseph Smith.  You'll be happier the stronger your testimony is.  I love you all!!!

-Sister Welch

An accent?

In the past two weeks, I've had three people tell me that I have an accent.  Hmmm.  And they always looked super confused when I tell them I'm from Vegas.  It makes me laugh every time.  Apparently I sound like I'm from the midwest, but I think it's just the Utah accent.  It's in my blood.  (Someone did tell me that I sound Swedish though, because I don't say Ya  (as in yak), but I say Yah (as in yah man.)  I don't know what to think...)

Anyway, we've spent a lot of time at the VC this past week, which I love.  There isn't anything I don't love about a mission, but I LOVE the Visitors' Center.  Yesterday we had a couple busses full of college students from Southern Virginia University.  They came to do baptisms and service, and a lot of them spent time in the Visitors' Center.  They were so willing to learn and to write messages to their friends so that we could call them!  I was so impressed with their enthusiasm and it made me happy to see how much they love the gospel.

We also went to a concert on Sunday night with two amazing violinists.  Such a tender mercy for me to be a part of the music.

And last night was the first night Sister Withers and I taught Audrey together.  She had signed up on our meal calendar in Relief Society, so we went over for dinner, then taught her a lesson.  John was there for the dinner, and we actually discussed religion or missionary life the whole time, so that was really exciting for me to see that interest from him.  And better yet, he told me that he's searching! ...just doing it in his own way; he likes it second-hand from Audrey better.  But that was huge for him to even tell me that.  And he has his own Book of Mormon, which I wasn't aware of.  We taught Audrey the third lesson, and at the end, we promised her again, that when she commits to live the Word of Wisdom, she'll get the answer she needs.  That's really all she needs to do.  She watched all 4 sessions of Conference on her little laptop while she was on vacation, for heaven's sake!  She's so close.  Oh! And this was huge too.  She asked what the process would be IF she said she was ready to be baptized now.  I think my eyes got really big because she laughed at me and said, "Don't get to excited, I'm just wondering."  But I am excited.  She's incredible.

A couple questions before I go...are we related to Mary E. Welch, born in August of 1889 in Maryland? And is there a new BYU President? I heard them release President Samuelson from the 70 and so I was just wondering. 

Love you all!

-Sister Welch

I'm Here!

I made it!  Safe and sound and so excited.  President and Sister Matsumori and the 3 AP's picked us up and drove us to the temple.  Then President Matsumori gave us some time by ourselves to find a spot on the temple grounds and commit the next 18 months to the Lord.  Such a neat and personal experience.  The temple is BEAUTIFUL.  It really took my breath away when I saw it for the first time.  It's huge! first of all, and I found out it's the tallest in the world, and third largest square footage wise.  It's already one of my favorites.  All of the pictures I've seen of it really don't do it justice.  And inside is just as beautiful and inspiring.  I love it.

I was in President Matsumori's car for some of the driving from the airport to the temple, and so of course he was telling us about the mission, and how it's the best in the world.  :]  He said that for those of us who wanted to serve a foreign mission, we'll get to.  There are so many people from so many places around the world that come to DC. And there have been times when other countries have been blessed with the gospel because ambassadors from those countries came to DC and met the missionaries here, then went back to their country with an open heart.  Our mission has 5 languages: English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and ASL.  And I learned that I have more proselyting than Visitors' Center time, which I'm excited for.  I'm actually so excited that I get to do both.   

So, after we had that time by ourselves (the last 30 minutes I'll spend by myself for a long time) we came back together as a group and went to I-hop for breakfast/lunch.  Usually I don't like breakfast food, but this time it was delicious.  After that we went to the mission home and they let us sleep for a couple hours.  That was also wonderful, but the best was yet to come.  When we woke up we had a couple hours of training.  We went over car safety and health and some other logistical things, then did some role play.  I didn't realize that role playing was something I was going to be doing throughout my mission, so I'm learning to embrace it and love it.  Maybe when I see how beneficial it is I'll be able to love it more.  During all of this training time President Matsumori was interviewing, and one of the first things he said to me when I went in for my interview made me laugh.  He said that he called you (Mom) and that you told him to give me a challenging assignment.  I really did laugh when I heard that and thought, "Yep, that sounds like Mom."  So I'll have to let you know how challenging this assignment really is.  

Later that night we had a testimony meeting.  To hear the testimonies of all of the new missionaries was such a powerful experience.  I was so touched and it was such a great way to start off the mission.  During the whole day the Matsumories were very kind to us and let us adjust for a bit before starting in strong today.  

This morning I met my trainer: Sister Hazen.  She's from Layton and such a fun, outgoing girl! We're assigned to an area called Olney and we have only one ward.  I actually met some people from the ward at the temple this morning after we got out from a session, so it will be good to see some familiar faces when I go to church.  Actually, I had a little tender mercy this morning.  Right as we came out of the doors of the temple, we ran into a Sister Croft and her husband who work at the temple.  When she saw my name tag she said, "I'm a Welch!" and we talked until we discovered that she and Grandpa are cousins! Her Dad was Golden.  (I think.  I'm pretty sure that's what she said.)  I just have to smile whenever I see Heavenly Father's hand in my life like that.

I got your package.  Thank you so much! I just laughed when I opened it, read the poem, and saw all of the green goodies.  It's funny here, though.  They don't call us greenies, they call us babies, and my trainer is my "Mom", or "Dad" (for the elders.)  I'm not sure if I like baby or greenie better.  Hmmm.

Well, I guess that's about it.  Oh, my address throughout my mission will be the 11700 Falls Rd address that you have.  It's the mission office and our mission is small enough that they just have a senior couple in charge of the mail.  And my preparation day will usually be on Wednesdays, except when I'm scheduled for a VC shift that day. Then it will be on Thursdays.  Tell Ariel congrats for me! She will be great in Japan! 

I love you all,

Sister Katherine Welch