First Week of Performances!

First week of performances went well! Time is so funny here... I feel as if it's been forever since we did our shows on Monday... But also that we went to Carthage Jail just yesterday! Which was a whole week ago... Like we say here in Nauvoo, "the days are long, the weeks are short, and lunch never comes." Have I already told you that? Oh well, it's still funny!

 

(Amanda is the 8th from the left in the golden yellow dress)

Carthage jail was neat. Not exactly what I remember. Last time we went, I remember feeling hopeful, rather than sad. This time it was really solemn. Not in a bad way. I think the sacrifices of the Saints have been a focus for me, so I had a different outlook on the whole ordeal.  One thing that was mentioned was the mercy that was shown Joseph Smith in his last few days. There are a couple of cells in Carthage Jail that are awful and hot and small and dark.  The jailer, however, showed great kindness and moved Joseph and Hyrum and their party upstairs to his own bedroom to keep them safe.  Even in the struggle of being stuck in a jail, wrongly accused, knowing that he had completed the work the Lord had sent him to do and would soon be taken from this life, the Lord showed him kindness and mercy through the caring actions of the jailer.  

This mission is interesting.  It's so different from a regular proselyting mission because all we do all day is perform.  We don't have ample opportunities to sit and discuss the Gospel with our audience members, or invite them to Christ. Instead, we do that through our performances.  We plant seeds. I feel like I've been blessed with an added measure of EVERYTHING being set apart as a missionary. I get extra strength and energy when I need it. I feel like my talents have also been amplified so that I can truly share the light of Christ through my singing and dancing. It's a huge blessing and I'm so grateful!  There is no better way to use the talents I've been given than to testify of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of His restored gospel! My testimony of that has grown so much while I've been here. I see it working everyday, it's the best! I'm excited to study and discover what Spiritual gifts I've been given to help me in the work here.

 This week, when my cast was out doing Nauvoo Singers, we got to stop at the Red Brick Store. It's owned by the Community of Christ. do you remember when we went there? I think that's where we went... Actually, I'm almost positive. Because they sold the lemon drops--I specifically remember those--and those keys that Emma and I were fascinated by... and the cute little bonnets!  It was fun, taking a trip down memory lane. That happens when we stop at Pioneer Pastimes to sing, too. You know, the site where kids can dress up like pioneers and play with the same toys that pioneer children played with? So fun!

 PAC comes this week!! (BYU's Folkdance top touring team - Amanda was a member of the Folkdance backup touring team before going on her mission)  I cannot wait! I'm not allowed to really do anything but say hi, give a hug (or a handshake...) and watch their show. We're SO busy. Always. But I'm so glad I get to see their show! And they're giving a fireside next Sunday. I know this because it was one of the events given on the Sacrament Meeting program today. YAY!! I know that it's not my focus here as a missionary... But I hope they get to see my cast do some shows!! Haha

 I love the temple! It's so nice to get to live RIGHT NEXT DOOR and walk there every Thursday morning to do baptisms. There is such peace in the temple. It's the best! I can't wait for the Gilbert Temple to be completed! Will you give me an update on their progress? SO EXCITING!!!

 Two sisters get to open their mission calls in the Seventies Hall tonight! So excited for them! I'll let you know where they're going next week.

 Thanks for sending me Sister Lawrence's letter! I'll make sure I send it to be printed so I can read it. Oh, I'm just so proud of her! And love her!!!

 I got an announcement for Kiah's baptism yesterday! Made my whole day!!!! She's so cute! I'm so proud of her!!! I can't believe she's already 8... man I'm old!

 Well, the Elders need to use the computers... So I think I need to go... But know that I love you!! Can't wait to here back from you! I know that the Church is true, that Nauvoo is sacred, and that Christ atoned for our sins. He loves us all so much! I hope I'm doing Him justice. It's an honor to wear his name next to mine on my name tag.

 Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!

 xoxo Sister Welch

YPM Sister Amanda Welch
P.O. Box 215
Nauvoo, IL  62354