Email from Sister Amanda Welch, June 16, 2013

 DADDYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST DAD EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Father's day! I hope YOU'RE getting pampered like you deserve! Thanks for sacrificing your club night to go celebrate Mom's birthday. That's why you're the best :) Today being Father's Day and all, I was thinking about you--weird? Maybe...--and remembering all those nights we spent reading fairy tales and Harry Potter. It meant a lot to me. I love those stories, and I treasure them not only because they're wonderful stories, but because I shared them with you. So thanks for taking the time to be a great dad and show me that you love me :) You're the best!! Happy Father's day! Let me know how your armies are coming, and when Valhalla is. Oh! And I've got a letter for you, too! It'll be in the mail tomorrow! Love you!

 

 

 MOM!  YOU ARE THE BEST MOM EVERRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you are having a WONDERFUL birthday! I love you so much! I'm sorry the video made you cry... But I knew you would love it, and it's the only thing I could "give" you on your actual birthday, since I spaced and didn't get you a letter in the mail in time for you to get it for your birthday... But there will be one coming this week!! I laughed out loud when I read about how you all went go-carting for your birthday!!! Not something I would have thought typical of the Welch family... But I like it :) I hope Em and Dad pampered you like you deserve! 

 

 

 Emma Baby, I love you! So much! I hope you know that. Also know that I think of you often and pray for you always!!! Let me know how your summer is going!

 I got a letter from the Streeters this week! Or was it last week... did I already tell you that? I can't remember.  But the girls drew me a picture to go along with it. I loved it! And all those letters from the YW?! So perfect! I felt so loved pulling that giant stack of envelopes out of that package!!  If any of them (or their wonderful, beautiful, thoughtful leaders) read this, THANK YOU!!! I hope I'll have time this week to write them back... That's the goal! haha

Thank you for sending me that sheet music! I'm so excited to learn the whole thing!!! (note from Arlene - I emailed her the sheet music for My Party Dress as she requested).  It's so funny! And Sister Smith always laughs when I sing it for her. Well... I guess she IS my mandatory best friend here... But still!!! Haha! And all I do here is play little kids, so it's the perfect song for me!

 I just checked out my blog for the first time... Weird! Hmm... I don't know how often I'll be doing that! Also, Mom, if you'd like to add your feelings about my work on a blog post, feel free. I don't know why, but the thought came to me this morning to ask you to do that. So... yeah :) I'll read that post for sure! I was going to try to send you pictures from my camera today, but I forgot it at home... So next week maybe?
 

I got a letter from Rachel Ricks (YAY!!!) and she told me you went to Carlie's bridal shower! How fun! How was that? Also. Shelby's married now. AH!!!! Congratulations Shelby and Tyler!!!!! Make sure you give her an extra hug for me when you go to her reception on the... 21st? I think?

I know I say this all the time, but time is SO FUNNY HERE!! We have time to get the work done--that part is super expanded/extended--but everything else just seems to fly by... It's crazy.

 Speaking of crazy, we had an intense thunder storm last night! The rain was coming down so hard! The weather here is a huge testament to how important Trail of Hope is. On Wednesday, there was a huge storm headed our way... But then it just traveled north. I could see the clouds separate and go around Parley Street from my station on the trail. And then the lightning went crazy and made a beautiful spectacle right above the temple. It was a beautiful sight, the temple all lit up against the dark clouds, lightning dancing around it. So neat! a similar thing happened on Friday. There was a storm that went around us. Trail of Hope is important, it touches peoples' lives, and the Lord will make sure that it takes place. And I bore my testimony for the first time--well, for the first time as Sister Welch and not Margaret Gay Judd Clawson--that night. I expressed my gratitude for the sacrifice of those saints who went down Parley street and headed west, and told my group that I knew the gospel was true and that  the work that is done in the temple is true and right. and it is! The Spirit is so beautiful and peaceful in the temple! It's happy, too. This gospel is so happy. And so is the Book of Mormon. Sister Smith has emphasized recently that she has this desire to read it all the time. It's so true! when you read the Book of Mormon, you just want to read it all the time! It makes you happy. And as I said earlier this week, how can something that makes you so happy--not just happy, but brings you true JOY--not be true? Why would Joseph Smith sacrifice his life to save a book he made up? He wouldn't. The Book of Mormon is true, and I just love it!!

 I got to know Sister Clawson more this week through and article Sister Camp gave me. It had a lot of her writings in it. Let me tell ya, she's a funny woman! I'm so honored to be able to represent her. She recorded her stories not for her own benefit or glory, but to uplift others and bring them joy. To entertain and share the Light of Christ. I'm trying to follow her example in that way. Do we have any more info on our ancestors who were in Nauvoo? I'd love to learn more about them!... In all my spare time... Wah wah. Haha, I'm sorry I shouldn't complain. i LOVE how busy we are actually. We're doing lots of good here, even though it's a pretty unconventional mission.

 I want to share something i learned today in Sacrament meeting. We always say "I love you" but how do you really show that you love someone? You are obedient. You show your parents that you love them by obeying them. It's the same with our Heavenly Father. We obey His commandments to show Him we love Him. sorry I wasn't better at that when I was home... Let me know if you want to discuss it more, I took notes on it, but I'm a little bit rushed for time now haha!

Well, it's about that time... :( I love you all! Tell me what you think about the Joseph Smith movie! EMMA that includes you too please :) have an excellent week! I can't wait to hear all about it!

xoxo Sister Welch

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 30, 2013

(Excerpts from a letter to Arlene)

 Sorry my emails are so confusing.  I end up with only 15-ish minutes to write an email to you (after checking my email) and I’m so frazzled and tired I hardly remember what I wrote.  And there’s no time to check what I’ve included to make sure I put in everything I wanted into the email…sorry.  And for the Trail of Hope, I’m in cast 1.

 Welp.  Shows are going.  Everyone is sick.  Well, all the sisters are.  Some had strep.  Most have just bad colds.  Which one am I?  I’ll never tell! :)  Don’t worry, I’m healthy.

 

 

 

I love all the leaders here.   We are taken care of very well.  So much love from the Camps, the Wortleys, the Myers (the wonderful cooks that make sure there are popsicles and skittles for this peanut intolerant Sister), and the Mursets (the YPM seamstress and her husband, the best!  Our costumes are so beautiful!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Speaking of allergies… one of our Elders, Elder Partridge, had an amazing experience.  He is basically allergic to every fruit and vegetable ever.  And he’s hypoglycemic.  And asthmatic.  The other day, earlier this week, he had the impression to ask for a blessing that specifically asked to take away his asthma.  That’s crazy, right?  So he took a few days to ponder it and gain a bit more faith.  Which is crazy because he is the most faithful, spiritual person I’ve ever met.  But then, he asked another Elder to give him this specific blessing.  Elder Leavitt (giving the blessing) felt impressed to say that Elder Partridge would not be hindered by any previous medical conditions or problems he had before Nauvoo.  Weird, right?  What did that mean?  Well, at lunch the next day – which was composed primarily of fruits and vegetables – he thought “Try some”.  What?   I’m allergic.  “Try some”.  So he did.  He ate a strawberry.  Nothing happened.  So he ate another.  Nothing.  So he kept going.  Nothing!  And this is a guy that goes into anaphylactic shock.  Epipen and everything.  Nothing happened.  It is a true miracle!  It’s so fun to watch him rediscover fruits and vegetables.  He ate two huge plates of salad yesterday.  Best Nauvoo miracle!

 Everyone here is so great.  The Elders are so strong and the sisters are a great example.  I know we were all called of God to be here together this summer.  It becomes more apparent every day.  I LOVE all the YPM’s!

 

 

 

The band YPM sisters are so sweet!  They serve everyone.  All the time.  One sister, Sister Reid, just got her mission call to Argentina Neugin mission.  Three more are waiting for their calls.  So exciting!

 Tell Daddy I love him.  And sorry I haven’t personally replied to him.  It’s taken me three days to write this letter!  If he emails, I will reply to his email first on Sundays.  :)

 I love you so much!  Thank you for all your love and support!  The work is great here!  The temple is beautiful!  It’s humid, but I’m happy!  I can’t wait for you to come feel the Spirit and see our Trail of Hope.  It’s probably the best thing we do here.  I love you!

 

Love, Sister Welch

 p.s.  Emma got her permit!  Tell her to quit growing up!  And be careful!  And don’t go more than 5 miles over!  And that I love her.

 

 p.p.s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I don’t think I had enough of those, so… there ya go!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Email from Sister Amanda Welch 6/9/13

Mommy!!!!

Sister Smith and Sister Welch in costume

Fun story about moms... My companion's mom surprised her and flew out to Nauvoo for the weekend! How awesome is that! Sister Smith's parents initially told her that they couldn't come out due to finances and excluding family if just her parents came... But, miracles happen, and her mom and aunt were able to fly out! It was so sweet... She first came down Trail of Hope. We were doing cast 1, so Sister Smith's post and my post are next to each other.  At a moment when I was free, Sister Camp came up and told me, "Just a heads up, your companion's mom is in this next group. She flew out to surprise her!" It was so touching! I picked her out when she came to my station. It was very special, because my journey entry from Margaret Gay Judd Clawson talks about the faith of her mother during trying times.  As I spoke Sister Clawson's words, I realized, in a way, I was telling the story of Sister Smith's mom. She was so strong and supportive and had such faith when Sister Smith was undergoing her chemotherapy.  It was so special to get to share that with her. And then I watched as Sister Smith the younger saw Sister Smith the elder after performing the vignette for her group. It was so sweet. She just stared at her mom until her mom came to giver her a big hug. I could see their silhouettes in the tiki torch light. Such a sweet reunion. It made me even more excited to see you, and that you can see me be a missionary!!!

Sister Welch with her missionary companion, Sister Smith

 

Ok, onto your questions... Trail of hope... It depends on what night you come see the trail whether I will be in it or not. But I'd love for you to go even when I'm not in it. It's the most powerful thing we do. And maybe I'll get to be your company captain and lead you down the trail!!

It's getting more crowded here now that school's out, but I think you're safe. Pageant is when it gets CRAZY!!!

I love that you love sending me stuff, because I love getting stuff!!

I DO get ribbons, Sister Murset keeps talking to me about that. I think she's working on it. It is the plan for me to get bows for Just Plain Anna-Amanda.

FOLK DANCERS ARE HERE!!! I love seeing them, but it's so weird. Slightly takes me out of being a missionary because my real life and my Nauvoo life collide... But it's fun! We get to see their fireside tonight, and their show on Tuesday night. So excited!

Today we're going on a tour of the Community of Christ sites with their historian, Loch... Michai? I can't spell. But I'm excited. And we're having dinner with the Sister band YPMS! Good Sunday... But that means I have to go!! I love you!! We might get more time to email you tonight... But if not, I LOVE YOU!! And the gospel is true! Christ is our Savior and He loves us! I love sacred Nauvoo!!!!!

xoxo Sister Welch

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

 

 

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

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