Sunday, July 21st

Hello!

Those photos are so fun! I can't wait to get more in the mail!

It sounds like Emma is having fun at acting camp! I can't wait to hear more about it! Did she take a journal with her? I hope so. I've been thinking back.. but it's hard to do! I have never been great at keeping a journal, and now I'm scared I'll forget all about my high school and college experiences! I can't let that happen! I'm so grateful I have been better at keeping a journal here... That way, if I'm ever struggling, I can look back on this time here in Nauvoo and take some strength from my previous experiences. Anyway, that's why I hope she took a journal: so she will remember all the fun she had and all she learned. Have they been cast yet? What is her part? Also, my teacher from last semester was Ben Hopkins. I don't know if he's working at the camp this summer. I've never heard of anyone by the name of Reese. I'm glad she's having so much fun and that she's made some friends! Yay for friends with the same standards, who lift us up to be better!

 I would LOVE to take a church history trip! did I already tell you that? Probably, but I feel like I know how to go to these sites now that I've been a missionary at one of them... You go as a seeker of truth, trying to strengthen your testimony, rather than just take a vacation and be a tourist. These sites, especially Nauvoo, have so much to offer Spiritually.  One of our sisters, Sister Porter, has a great analogy for it. She's a runner, and she says that when you're running they have water stations set out every two miles for you to take a quick break and a drink. At the end of those two miles you are exhausted and you feel like you can't carry on... But then you get that water and you're rejuvenated and ready to keep going an extra two miles. In live, Nauvoo is one of those water stops for a lot of people. They feel down or they have doubts, but then they come here and are Spiritually renewed, both in faith and testimony. It's so great!

I'm so excited that the apartment situation worked out! You are seriously THE BEST! You and Mama Nelson both! Man, how crazy and stressful that must have been... But I'm so glad it worked out! Is there anything I need to sign or do?... Do you want to wait until I come home to work out the details and fill me in? It's only three weeks away... :( boohoo!!!!!

In closing, I want to share something I have written down in my journal. Sadly, I didn't think of it, and also, unfortunately I can't remember where I heard it or who said it.... But it goes like this:

"If it weren't for God, we wouldn't be here. If it weren't for Jesus Christ, it wouldn't matter. If it weren't for Joseph Smith, we wouldn't know."

Cool, right? And so true! With God, we have a purpose, to learn and become more like Him and to one day live with Him. Because Christ atoned for our sins, we can repent and continue to move towards that goal. Because of Joseph Smith, we have the restored gospel and all of the blessings that go with it, including the knowledge of the plan of salvation and that families can be together forever. What a glorious plan our Father has made for us! Thanks for raising me in the gospel so I could know it, live it, love it, and share it!

 DADDY!! I'm still waiting for that letter with your thoughts and impressions from your Nauvoo experience... And am anxious to receive it! I want to know what you learned and felt here! LOVE YOU!!!

I love you so much! Please keep me updated! Letters are better than food here, almost as good as sleep! :) Hurrah for Israel!

xoxo Sister Welch