Email message from Sister Amanda Welch Sunday, May 26, 2013

I got your letters, btw!! Loved em! Again, sorry I haven't had any time to reply...

My companion is Sister Smith. Oh how I love her!! Like I said, we aren't in the same casts. It's really taxing. I thought I'd be okay, but our first day apart was really hard for me.  I didn't feel like an outcast, but when we were reunited, I was just so much happier and complete! Our companionships are truly assigned by our Heavenly Father. 

 

Living situation. One house, twelve girls. Four sisters per room. One big room with it's own bathroom (my room!! My companion, Sis Smith talked with a sis last year and got the scoop, so we were ready to get the best room!).  Two rooms upstairs that share a bathroom. The Camps live in an apartment that is attached to our house. Fun fact, it used to be a nunnery.  Weird, right? Anyway...

I'm not in the senior show, "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo", but it's so great and they worked really hard on it, so you should go anyway! I'm Susanna in Cast A.  And Sister Smith is Ella Mary, the female in the love triangle, so you should come support her, too!  B cast is Tue Thurs Sat (Amanda’s  cast)

We're going to Carthage today. I can't wait!

We started shows this week. Yesterday was our official opening day. So much fun! It was raining, so for Anna-Amanda, the kids show, we couldn't go out and meet the kids... Which was sad... But fun still. It's a cute little show!

 

 

We had a neat experience on Wednesday (or Thurs, I can't remember...). Before we perform High Hopes in the visitor’s center, we go out on the balcony and sing "Beautiful Nauvoo" and "Invocation". That day, the Sanders family (a family from GILBERT!! - they were taking a church history trip for their daughter's 12th birthday.  So cute, they thought it would be a good trip to take as she entered the YW program. Neat family) was at the visitor’s center.  During "Invocation", Bro. Sanders was really hit by the Holy Ghost.

(Amanda is the 2nd from the right in the yellow and rust colored dress)

 

 

We invited them to High Hopes, Anna-Amanda, and the Trail of Hope.  They followed us around all day.  They came and saw my cast's Anna-Amanda and I got to know their kids a little better. That's when we found out more about their trip.  After Sunset by the Mississippi, it started to rain. We went down to the 70's hall and the Trail of Hope and waited in the car.  Elder Camp told us to go home and get some rest. The sisters drive a separate van, and we just sat in our van for a moment and were like, "what? No, that's not right, we need to pray and say goodnight to the Elders" (every night we sing and pray by the Christus in the visitors center). So, we got out of the van. The Elders wanted to sing Old Old Path instead, which is a beautiful song. As we prayed, the rain stopped, so Elder Camp said, "Ok, let's go do the Trail". Initially, it was just for the YPMs, but the Sanders family soon showed up. It was such a neat experience! At the end, they thanked us for being worthy to really channel the Spirit and cultivate the Spirit that's already here in Nauvoo. Sister Sanders thanked us for loving her kids enough to remember their names and get to know them better. She said that there is power in names, especially since Heavenly Father knows us each by name. After we took some pictures with them, we walked them back to their car. The Elders sang Old Old Path again, then we continued to sing as we walked back down Parley Street. We sang "Come Come ye Saints", which was so powerful on that sacred Trail of Hope.  As the Nauvoo temple, standing on the hill, all lit up, came into view, we sang “I Love to See the Temple” and “Families can Be Together Forever”.  By that point, we'd reached their car. One of the Elders began to sing "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." It was so touching and beautiful.

The Sanders family is destined for great things! It was so neat to spend the whole day with just them, to get to know them and share this experience with them. I know that all of the Sisters were impressed not to leave, and to get out of the car. It was no mistake! If we had left, just imagine what we all would have missed out on, both the YPMs and the Sanders family. 

Nauvoo is a special place. There is a Spirit here that is special, and beautiful. I can't wait for you to experience it when you come here! Please don't think of your trip to Nauvoo as a trip to see Sister Welch in all of her shows. The shows I'm in are just a conduit for the Spirit. We are just sewing seeds here. I hope that you will focus on the history and Spirit that are here in Nauvoo, and on the sacrifices that were made to protect the Saints and the Gospel that they held so dear. 

In Trail of Hope, I portray a woman named Margaret Gay Judd Clawson.  Her story is about her mother's faith before their journey and on the trail. She wrote, "Oh, how mother's countenance beamed with joy! What did she care for hardships, if she could only go with the Saints?" Nauvoo and the temple here were so precious to the Saints, but they were so willing to leave everything behind in order to find peace, to continue to live the Gospel, and to be obedient to the Lord's commandments. They were and are so strong, and I feel so honored to be able to portray them and teach others of their sacrifices.  I feel so inadequate, but I know that the Lord will help me if I do my part. I have a testimony, and I know that He called me here to do this work. He will not let me fail, the work is too important. 

I love Nauvoo! I love Christ, and I know He lives, that He died and suffered so that I can live again and be made clean if I repent. I know that is true for everyone, He suffered for all of our sins and heartaches.  I have faith that I can do great things if I always remember where my talents come from, and rely on Him. The Church is true!! I know this, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

xoxo Sister Welch 

 

 

Sunday, May 19, 2013 - Email from Sister Welch

Hello all!!

Thank you so much for your package! I loved it!!! The pictures especially! Can you send me more? Of our family and stuff?  I put them up right above my bed, I love it! EMMA!! Everyone says you look like me... That's news to us, huh? Pshh...

 

 

Oh, surprise!! Haha, we get to email you this week!

Also... I am very happy here!!! So I'm going to express it with lots of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay???!?!?!!!?!?!?!!! :)  (From Arlene - To understand this completely, read her first email from May 9th below which contains a ton of exclamation marks.  My brother teased her about it in an email, and this is her response to his teasing.)  :)

 

 

It's so great how all my HS buddies are going on missions! You'll have to let me know where Buh is going! So exciting!

I love this stuff so much! We had a guest speaker talk to us Friday night. Brother Mark Lusvardi. He is on the mission council for the church... I think. Helped write Preach My Gospel. He talked about having a unified cast. Asked us to pray for each other when we are on stage, specifically for those with peaking parts. As they speak... Cool huh? It's interesting because one of the things the Camps have focused on is trying to become a Zion community and really coming together in one heart and mind and purpose. It's very neat to ponder and pray for that added unity. We've seen it happen in our dancing. Praying makes a huge difference, too.

So, my companion is Sister Smith. She's the best!!! She was the one girl I didn't think about having as my companion. Like at all. But she's so great! We get along very well! It's sad though, because we're the only Sister companionship that's split up between casts.... Which is hard. I find it weird to be in my room all alone. To be anywhere without her really. Werid, huh? I guess it's a blessing. Companionships are meant to protect us, and also provide a second witness. But I love her, she's such an inspiration! I'll tell you more about her in a snail mail letter.

So... Our shows start next week... AHH!!!! But here's the thing... Ok, so we're behind, but we have seriously come SO FAR!! It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have the Lord on your side. We finished High Hopes and River Boats last week. And we're almost done with Sunset. And Anna-Amanda.

 

 

 

 

 

 Our costumes are almost done! They're so awesome!! I think I've got four costumes in all... two of which are brand new! The sewing room senior sisters are just great! They work so hard and are so sweet! And funny. They are a hoot! And Sister and Elder Murset, the YPM costumer couple are just the sweetest! So hard working! They're from AZ, too! Good people. 

 

 

 

 

The Spirit can be so strong here! Elder Camp has said that this group is especially powerful. They told us stories of what a hard time everyone had trying to get to Nauvoo. The devil is working hard on us. You know that, he worked VERY hard on me. But, as Elder Camp says all the time, he does NOT win here. He doesn't. Something good is coming... And I can't wait!!

Oh I love it here! It's been hard at times to keep the missionary mindset, though. Not because I'm a bad person, or not doing what I should, I promise I'm  a good person!!!! But I'm not a typical missionary, you know? We don't have a lot of interaction with people outside of our cast or the visitors center where we rehearse... I can't wait to start performing so we'll have the chance to visit with people and sow some seeds.

EMMY!!!! Just know I miss you soooooo much! When I look at my pictures I think, "Aw, my baby!!" I know you're not my baby... But you are!!! You're my baby seeester!!!! I hope you're having a fun end of the school year, and keeping up a good schedule! And having fun on dates! ;)

You can get SO MUCH DONE in one day, did you know that? I never want to wake up past 9 AM ever in my life ever again. We start our practices at 8 and don't stop until nine or ten. SO MUCH GETS DONE!!!! I love it!!

And.. I love you all!! Thank you for all of your love and support! I love getting letters and emails (HINT HINT), but I only get to check my email once a week (HINT HINT), and I only get half an hour to email (HINT HINT!) but I can receive letters all week (HINT HINT) at lunch (HINT HINT) with everyone else (HINT HINT!!!!). It's kind of like Hogwarts. Except, owls don't deliver it. Other missionaries do because they are so nice and service oriented.

I love you!!! Stay strong, go to the temple! Today we learned that going to the temple once a month is a nuisance, going once a week is exact obedience. I live right next door to the Nauvoo temple... It's so beautiful and I cannot wait to go do work there!!!!!

I love you! Thank you for all you do!

xoxo Sister Welch

 

Sunday, May 12, 2013 - email messsage from Amanda - (This was sent on Mother's Day, since they were not allowed to call.  That is why it is so focused on me.  :)  - Arlene)

 

 

MOMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Not super missionary-like, but hey, I miss you and it's Mother's Day! We watched a beautiful video produced by the church today in Sunday School. I can't remember the title, but it is on the LDS.org homepage. Go check it out, it made me tear up thinking of you! The first line was "Each time a daughter is born, so is a mother." Made me think of us :)

 Emma looks absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! Have her write/email me all about it! EMMA your dress is BEAUTIFUL!! I love all the sparkles :) Where did you find it? How long did it take? AAHHH!!!! Quit growing up!

 Thanks for the package!! I love hearing from you all! Sorry I haven't replied, I figured I'd just wait for this email to contact you... haha

 Thanks for that pic from Sis shaffer's mom! Cute! Aunt Marcia sent me a homemade card with that picture on it! And twenty dollars! Not necessary, but so nice! THANK YOU SWEET AUNTIE!

 

 

(heading down the wrong way - going through Priority Security! Oops!)

 

 

 

(Heading the correct way through security now with Sister Emily Shaffer!)

 

 

 

Please forgive any spelling/grammar stuff... I only have 10 more minutes...!!!!

 You should also come to an A cast showing of High Hopes and River Boats. I play a lesser character in that, and I love it! Still pretty funny.

 Mother I love you!!! Happy mothers day!! Again!!

 We're pretty busy here! Last Sunday, we only went to Sacrament meeting because we had so much to do! Our music director, Sis Willmore was only in town for three days, so we had to utilize every second with her!

 Speaking of seconds... Elder and Sister Wortley, the coordinators, gave us these awesome medallions! It's labelled with their motto is "every second counts!" We're only here three months, but we do so much that you can't waste even a second on negativity or doubt or worry or anything else but the work! 

 After Sis Willmore left, we started blocking. we've blocked almost all of Riverboats and all of Anna-Amanda. Two days ago, we started on choreography. We've got one more big number for riverboats, and a few more for the show we do with the seniors, Sunset by the Mississippi. I'm pretty tired, but having so much fun!

 I love all of the elders and sisters here! We get along so well. especially the sisters! I live with 11 others girls and love all of them! It's amazing how well our voices blend. It's truly a blessing. We all sound very much alike, the sisters. And we blend so well with the elders. Blending meaning no one voice or section of the choir stands out or overpowers the others. 

 I can't wait for you to come see all of our hard work! The Lord's hand is truly guiding us and giving us the strength we need!

 Funny story... Before Just Plain Anna-Amanda, the kids show, there's a puppet show to help the kids settle down. I get to be a puppet! Guess what my puppet's name is?... MANDY!!! Funny, right? I also play a Tattle-Tale Twin... I get to be a snotty little kid! So different from my real childhood, right? :) I'm actually the comical character in all of our stuff, I think... It's so much fun, I'm loving it! I'm also glad I took that acting class this past semester. It really opened me up to trying different things and just being myself on the stage. so fun!!

 It is just the most wonderful place, Nauvoo!! I LOVE IT! The Spirit is so very present here. I have felt the love of my Savior so strongly here. I can't wait for you to partake of the goodness that is here! Promise me that you'll do more than just come to my shows! The senior couple missionaries work the cites, and they are so sweet! You also MUST come see Trail of Hope. We haven't worked on it yet, but I know it's going to be powerful. Please family, do your best to be in tune with the Spirit so he can touch your while you're here in Nauvoo. As a missionary, I've been blessed with an added measure of the Spirit, but there is also an added measure of the Spirit here in Nauvoo! It's stolen a piece of my heart, I don't want to leave!!! Good thing I don't have to for another few months :)

 I sure do love you all! Thank you EVERYONE for your kind words of love and support! LOVE YOU!! And so does our Savior! I've felt that firsthand here. Oh, the work is good!!

 Love you Daddy! Hope all is well with work and such! Are you in... New Mexico was it? Are you there yet? Having fun? Tell me all about it!! Thank you for your priesthood and all the hard work you do to support our family! And for supporting me in all I do!! LOVE YOU!!

 Momma dear, I sure do love you! Your example and willingness to help me follow my dreams has really been what's lead me here. When I think about what my life might have been, I know that I wouldn't be here without your influence and guidance. hAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Love you to Kolob and back!! THANK YOU!!!

 

Well... time's up! ;( PLEASE SEND ME LETTERS!!! I only get to check email once a week, And I can't even do that until our shows open in about two weeks. I can get mail everyday at lunch, it truly brightens my day!! But no pressure or anything... :)

 Love you! The gospel is true!! Pray with sincerity and study your scriptures with real intent to find the answers to your questions everyday! It makes all the difference! I love Nauvoo and can't wait to see you all here, partaking of it's greatness!!! LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE YYYOOUUUUUUUU!!!!

 xoxo Sister Welch

 p.s. I LOVE saying that and wearing a tag with my name beside Christ's!

p.p.s. You can forward this to family and friends who would be interested Sweet Momma. LOVE YOU!!

p.p.p.s. Lots of love felt here in Nauvoo... Can you tell? LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

 p.p.p.p.s. SEND THIS TO DAD I DON'T HAVE HIS EMAIL SAVED!!! :(

 

 

I've Been Called...

To serve as a Young Performing Missionary (YPM) in Nauvoo, Illinois for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I leave this Friday, May 3rd, and return August 12th.  I will be set apart as a full-time missionary and representative of Christ. I even get to wear the name-tag!  As a YPM, I will serve and share the gospel through singing, dance, and theatre.  The YPMs dress in pioneer attire and perform plays set in Nauvoo that tell the stories of the LDS people who settled there.

How did I get this opportunity, you may ask? Well, I just sent in an audition tape. I sang two songs, performed a monologue, and did a little clogging dance. In January, I attended the callback, where we did more of the same!  The next day, January 6th, I received a call from the director, Elder Camp, who asked if I would serve as a 2013 Young Performing Missionary.

I've had several friends who have had the opportunity to serve in Nauvoo as YPMs.  Each has raved about the experience, saying it was one of the best and most spiritual things they'd ever done.  When I heard about the auditions in September of last year, I thought, "I can sing and dance. What better way to use the talents God has given me?" So I auditioned, and here I am now.

And here you are reading my blog! This blog will be used to update everyone who cares to know about how and what I am doing in Nauvoo.  My mom will post my weekly emails to my family here for all of you to enjoy! I will do my best to take lots of pictures, too :)

I don't quite have the words to describe how excited (and terrified) I am to have this opportunity! As I think about the time I will spend in Nauvoo, my heart is filled with joy!  The Holy Ghost is so present in Nauvoo that I feel its presence when I simply ponder the City Beautiful.  I am so blessed to be able to walk where the early Saints walked, where they sacrificed and lived the gospel to the fullest.  I am so grateful for the chance to tell their stories and grow close to them and the Lord as I serve. It's going to be hard, but I have faith that as I do the Lord's work, He will bless me with strength and the additional faith I need to carry out His will. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for His infinite Atonement. I know that through repentance, we can become clean again and return to Him. That's my goal, and I can't wait to share that with those who visit Nauvoo this summer.

Here we go! Wish me luck!

Love,
Sister Welch