This week was a pretty good one! On Monday we had our zone pday where we played sports and just hung out which was fun! 

On Wednesday we had interviews with our mission president and we found out that Sister Taylor is going to be training next transfer and in a trio so that's exciting. We've been moving furniture around preparing for that. 

Our friend Sean randomly texted us this week and said he got his answer about this church and he knows it's true and he wants to get baptized so we put him on date!!  That was super exciting! 

On Thursday I was able to give my departing testimony to my whole mission. Was I terrified? yes, but I got through it and it went well! 

On Friday we had dinner with these members who told us to give them a theme for dinner so we picked the princess and the frog. We got there and they made gumbo and beignets and it was delicious!!

On Sunday a bunch of our friends came to church! Our friend Chisomo came again and I love her!! She is the best and I can just see her getting baptized!!

We were told about this girl who really wants to get baptized but her parents absolutely HATE the church and I think that's an understatement. Like she told them she wanted to come to church yesterday and they locked her in her house and won't let her go anywhere. Her name is Avlin and she could use some big prayers!! 

With this being my last week as a missionary I have been reflecting on my time here in Michigan and Ohio. The common emotion I feel is so much gratitude. I am so beyond grateful that I made the decision to serve the Lord for these past 18 (almost 19) months. I've met the best people I've ever met, had the most fun ever, and I've been able to grow my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My stake president told me when I got set apart that if I came home from my mission not knowing who my Savior was, that was my fault. That's really stuck with me. But over this past year and a half, I have come to really know Him and what He has done for me. He is my best friend and loves me more than I know and I cherish that. He has helped and continues to help me through the hard times and I don't know what I would do without Him. 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for all of the love and support you've all given me! I hope you have the best week ever and I'll see some of you on Saturday!!

Love,

Sister Welch ♡

Picsss

zone activity

we got ear muffs

raising canes

jumping pictures

post departing fireside

Monday was chill and we really didn't do anything. Which honestly was so nice with it being so cold outside.

Wednesday we went to district council and the discussion was all about faith. Specifically, the faith to find people to teach. The invitation was to add 4 to our goal of finding people so our goal went from 8 to 12... we were scared but God is good and we found 14 so that was a slay! I feel like this whole week was focused on faith so that was good! 

After district council we switched for a little exchange so I spent the rest of the day in Toledo with Sister Baxter! It was pretty fun and we switched back that night because the next day was Sister Taylor's 20th birthday!! 

On Thursday we had a lesson with our friend Fidl who doesn't know English so we called the Spanish Elders in. We were holding the phone and had no clue what was being said but we knew it was a bash because even though we didn't understand a thing we felt so much contention and the Spirit was not there haha! We called the Elders after and they said he kept saying how Joseph Smith was Catholic and left the Catholic church so he could have more wives..... so that was interesting. That day we also met our friend Malcolm so that was fun! 

On Friday we were on campus and we met this guy who said he met missionaries in Germany and he wanted a Book of Mormon but never got one so now we are teaching him which is super cool! 

Yesterday one of our friends named Chisomo came to church! We found her on campus and she's from Malawi and the cutest! 

Like I said this week has been focused on faith and it's been good but I'm going to be honest it's a little scary! I've been focusing too much on the future with the events coming up but just remembering the Lord has my back is a good reminder as long as I turn to him! 

Anyway, I hope everyone has a good week! 

Trust in the Lord 

Love, 

Sister Welch ♡

Picssss

Im so cold

Sis Baxter

Sunsets

Anyway, this week was pretty ok. Monday we had a district activity so we went bowling and then ended it out with Mcdonalds.

Tuesday, we had to get our oil changed and then we went to campus. We found this girl named Kelci who was so happy we stopped her because she is just getting really into God stuff. She said she's taking running into us as a sign so that was dope!

You might as well call me Hermana Welch because this week we have started teaching like 3 Spanish speakers!! Very interesting considering I can barely even speak English. 

Friday, I went to my last zone conference!! It just does not feel like I'm in my last transfer at all! So crazy! Zone conference was good though. When we were leaving, a full-on blizzard started and we had to drive back to BG! On the way back we saw 3 cars in ditches and a 4-car pile-up. People don't know how to drive in the snow here lol! 

Saturday night we went knocking when it was like -17 degrees and everyone, we talked to told us they couldn't talk to us because it was too cold... they're telling me!! I'm the one outside!! Anyway, we decided to knock 2 more houses so we picked one and went up to knock it. I got scared because the front door was glass and all these college students were sitting right inside so they could see us. I knocked and 3 dudes opened the door and peaked their heads around it. They were all drinking beer and looked so confused. After like 10 seconds of them just staring at us, they asked, "are you here for the watch party for the Cleveland Browns?"  I should've just said yes but I said "no we're missionaries for our church" and right as I said that they all (very disappointed) said "oh" and walked away. We thought that was quite funny.

I was reading a talk from this past general conference and a quote stood out to me. It says 

"Trust in the Lord’s timing; the blessings always come."

This is way easier said than done but it's a good reminder. Anyway, I love you all sooo much!!

Trust in the Lord ;)

Love,

Sister Welch ♡

Picssss

Pre zone conference 

SNOW

warming up in the car

Baja blast girlies 

Freezing 

Guys, I have been a missionary for 18 months!! That is absolutely insane!! This week was a bit better than the last, after the rain, comes the rainbow. Can't believe it's 2024! 

Tuesday was a pretty average missionary day. We had lunch with a member and she pretty much made a 7-course meal. That was the highlight of the day. 

Wednesday we went to district council which is always fun. That night we had dinner with the Mullins, they are my favorite family here. They made homemade chicken noodle soup and homemade jam that was sooo good! Thursday we had a cool miracle. We had to get gas from Circle K and the gas pump wasn't working right so we went inside to tell the cashier. When we were walking out there was a girl walking by our car so we decided to talk to her. Her name is Saffarah and she is looking for a church and wants to learn more about the Book of Mormon!! God's timing is so real!

Friday is the day when the miracle of the transfer happened. For Christmas, I got some money from my parents so we decided to go out to dinner and we found this Hibachi restaurant and if you know me you know I LOVE Hibachi. Our dinner hour was from 8-9 so when we showed up no one was there it was basically vacant. The cook came out to cook our food but then the hostess came over and told the chef to not start yet because someone else wanted to come and eat. The chef went back to the kitchen and a guy walked in and sat at our table, his name is Malcolm. Me and Sister Taylor looked at each other and agreed this was a sign from God we had to teach this guy the gospel. While we were thinking of how to approach the subject he asked us if we go to BGSU. We told him we are missionaries for our church and are on campus a lot. We established that we are all besties now. He told us that he had just moved to BG two hours prior and we were the first people he met!! He had just transferred from playing football at Auburn to play at BGSU and hopes to play in the NFL. During our conversation with him, we found out he is Christian and we ended up inviting him to church. Sunday morning rolled around and it had snowed Saturday night. We texted him asking if he was still going to join us at church. He said, "No way that's still happening with the snow." We told him to drive slowly and safely and to say a prayer, lol. He said I am on my way. He pulled up to church and stayed for the whole 2 hours!! Afterward, he told us he was going to start reading the Book of Mormon and he wants to learn more, and that he will come to church next Sunday with us!! Another testament of God's timing!! Saturday we went over to a recent converts house and while we were sitting there Courtney asked her daughter Lily when she wanted to be baptized. So we put Lily on date without even planning to, lol. Sunday we had a munch and mingle (as they call them here aka a linger longer) and Sister Taylor made these really good turtle brownies and they were a huge hit in the YSA. 

If you read my email last week you know that I had a rough week but something I have learned on my mission is that there is always miracles after hard times, as long as we try to endure it well. There is a scripture in D&C 121:7-8

"7.My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8. And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

That is so true. I hope you all have a good week. I love you all so much. 

Trust in the Lord.

Love,

Sister Welch ♡

Picsss

Bevys

Ice cream sandwiches 

Mullins dinner

The sky finally came out

We love the Book of Mormon 

Now I know I have said this a lot but this week was for real an absolute roller coaster of events and emotions so let's get into it!! On Tuesday we had a cool little miracle. We were out knocking on doors and the way we chose the street was we would get to a stop sign and basically follow the spirit and then we would choose which way to turn. We ended up on this one street and the last door we knocked on before we had to leave this lady named Bri answered. We asked if we could share a scripture and she said yes! I was trying to find my go-to doorstep scripture but I swear it left my brain. I could not remember the reference for the life of me so I started to internally panic lol. I just started fanning through the book and my eye caught on to Ether 12:27 which talks about how if we are humble and turn to the Lord, He will strengthen us in our weaknesses. I read that and it was PERFECT!! She said that scripture was so fitting that it was creepy because that's what kept getting brought up in her life. We are now teaching her and she said she wants to come to church!! That night we went to FHE and decorated cookies so that was fun! 

Wednesday was another miracle moment. We had gone to district council over in Finlay Ohio and on our way back we had taken a wrong turn or exit somewhere along the way so it took us longer to get back to BG. When we got back, we had to run to the dollar tree to get something so as we were walking in a little old lady was walking about 25 feet in front of us. She went to step up on the curb and she tumbled and started going down. When she hit the floor, it did not look good. Me and Sister Taylor ran up to help her up off the concrete and when she went to grab our hands, I thought her whole thumb got cut off. There was SO MUCH blood. I went behind her and hoisted her up by her armpits and we brought her inside the dollar tree to get her some help. The workers took her into the manager's office and they asked us to stay and write a report of what we saw. They called 911 and she was off! Basically, if we had taken the right turn, we wouldn't have been there to help that old lady and it was just crazy to us because God works in mysterious ways even when we think we are making mistakes (because we do). 

Another miracle from that night was when we were just quickly trying to stop by this guy who was formerly taught before our dinner appointment. As we were walking to his house, Sister Taylor said let's knock on this house real fast. So, we did and this guy named Larry answered. I went to share the scripture and I felt like I should share Alma 40:11 which talks about what happens after we die. He had SO many questions!! He really wanted to read the Book of Mormon because he had never heard of it. Since then, he's been texting us and he's been reading it!! He really wants to meet up this week! Larry is going to get baptized. I just know it!!

Friday was our mission Christmas party and it was so fun!! It's always the best seeing all of your friends!! In the middle of it, I got a call from my parents telling me that my dad's mom passed away. While there were lots of tears shed, I know she's in a much better place. If any of you remember my first transfer on my mission (in Ohio) my dad's dad passed away. So I know they had the best reunion ever after a year of being apart. 

Christmas Eve, we went to church and so many of our friends came it was awesome!! The service was so good!! Obviously because of Christmas all of the talks were based on why we celebrate and it was a good reminder. 

I want you all to know that God is aware of you and every situation you are in. This week was a real testament of that to me. I was able to be the instrument in His hand to help those around me and that is just the best feeling!! Pray to be the person He uses to be an answer to someone else's prayer. I can promise it brings really cool experiences. And if you made it to the end of this you're a real one! 

Trust in the Lord

Love,

Sister Welch ♡

This week was insane with transfers and all. On Monday we had a zone activity where we played chair soccer and basketball and it was super fun!! This week was so long I honestly have no memory of what happened Tuesday... I'm sure it was good tho. Oh, I remember that we ate dinner with this cute old couple and they took us to see Christmas lights so that was amazing!! 

On Wednesday my mission president called me to tell me I was getting transferred to Bowling Green Ohio!! #banished.... I'm now with Sister Taylor and we are having a blast down here in Ohio!! People are a lot nicer here... so far... Anyway, we went to our last district council and it was so sad! My last district was literally the best! Miss them so much!! 

A lot of this week was full of packing and oh my goodness I have so much stuff!! I sent home a 31-pound box so rip to me lol... 

On Friday we had transfers and I always love going!! I saw all my friends and I just had the best time! Ever since then, I've been in good ole BG!! We have gotten fed every night since I got here and the members give us leftovers so that's the best! I already got asked to speak on New Year's Eve so wish me luck! Sorry if this letter is kind of boring, I literally just can't remember anything but I love you all so much!!! 

Trust in the Lord

Love, 

Sister Welch ♡ 

Picsss (some won't add and idk why)

WHITELAKE DISTRICT

Sis young

The Bonadios (my Italian grandparents)

The Rodriguezs (my other grandparents)

Sis Stratford

Transfers!!!

BG