The one where I couldn't keep up

Monday: We had our last district activity as my first District in the mission field. We went over to the Baldwins and they made us biscuits and gravy. We then went and played sand volleyball and it was so fun! While we were there, Elder Parry literally chased down a lady to give her a book of Mormon. I told him if I was her and saw him charging at me I would've started running and/or crying ahaha. 

Tuesday: It was a busy day. Because it's the end of the transfer, Sister Nelson and I went to Walmart to print out all the pictures we had taken. It was so much fun! We also discovered that our water got shut off without us knowing and we didn't know when it would be turned back on. It was really inconvenient because we needed to finish laundry, do dishes, and shower. It was one of those things though that all we could do was laugh. We went to Fostoria to help the Clouse's finish up cleaning because their inspection was Wednesday. While we were there, they had me carry a lot of stuff up their servant quarters stairs which is terrifying alone but try doing it while you can't see anything. Also because I was focusing on not buffing it, I didn't realize how low the ceiling was and I hit my head on it really hard like 3 times. I literally thought I was concussed. I still might be. We left Fostoria and headed back to Tiffin because we had a lesson with Preston!! We talked about the restoration and it went so well! I'm excited for him! That night we got transfer news. We found out that Sister Nelson was getting transferred. We were both shocked because you're technically supposed to stay with your trainer for all of your training (2 transfers). We didn't find out who my new companion was going to be until Wednesday so the next 24 hours were kind of difficult. I don't like the unknown or change.

Wednesday: Our water still wasn't on and now that we knew Sister Nelson was leaving, we really needed to do laundry. We ended up taking it to a friend's house. We went to our last district council and before we got there, we really wanted to prank Elder Parry by jumping out of the closet where we get the tables to set up. As we were hiding, we heard the Elders come in and instead of Elder Parry, Elder Ashworth's voice was getting closer and closer. He opened the door and we got him soooo good. It was hilarious!! That night we spent packing. We also had a Relief Society taco night but Sister Nelson and I couldn't concentrate because we were waiting for transfer boards to find out where she was going and who I was getting. We finally got the message around 9:30. My new companion's name is Sister Hamblin and I was sooo excited because I've met her once but everyone loves her so I was relieved. Sister Nelson is being sent up to Southfield Michigan which is where the mission home/office is. 

Thursday: We got all of Sister Nelson's stuff in the car and I got to drive all the way up to Southfield/Detroit!! I hadn't driven in 2 months so I was soooo excited. The only downside is Michigan drivers are barely worse than Utah drivers. I didn't think it was possible. We got there safely though. We got to the mission office at 12:45 and we just talked to all the missionaries. I LOVE being around other missionaries. It's just so fun. I found Sister Hamblin and we got her loaded up into the car. I said goodbye to Sister Nelson and I wasn't expecting to get teary-eyed but I definitely did. I think that's when it hit me that this was really happening. We drove back to Tiffin and Sister Hamblin unpacked. 

Friday: This was the day everything got flipped upside down. It started out with us sleeping in by accident. I hadn't even done that yet! Anyway, it was pretty normal after that. We went to lunch at this Japanese place and it wasn't bad. We went to a library to do weekly planning and it was going soooo well. Up until Sister Hamblin got a call from her mom telling her that her grandpa passed away. That was crazy to both of us because my grandpa passed exactly a week before, so we know how each other feels. Literally, the night before this Sister Hamblin was telling me she doesn't know how I feel and she hasn't had to suffer a loss. We definitely don't think it's a coincidence that we were put together. We treated ourselves that night to a fancy dinner because we needed it emotionally ahaha. 

Saturday: We woke up and Sister Hamblin got hit in the middle of the night with a really bad cold. As a result of that, we couldn't leave the apartment. To keep me distracted I was able to call my family because my grandpa's funeral was Saturday. I luckily got to watch it over zoom and it was a beautiful service. I was really sad I couldn't be there in person but I am sooo grateful for technology and that we can now facetime our families. Without that, I don't know how I'd be. 

Sunday: Sister Hamblin still wasn't feeling well so we couldn't even go to church. I always look forward to church because it's like a reset for my brain. My mom ended up sending me my home ward zoom link because my branch doesn't zoom ours and I got to watch it!! It was so good and everything I needed to hear! Seriously. Elder and Sister Baldwin came to our apartment and gave us blessings, soup, hot chocolate, and watermelon. I just love them they're the best!! 

Something I learned this week is even though when we're going through something hard and you feel like God isn't there or paying attention, he really is. I still have to remind myself of that. This past weekend has been one of the hardest if not the hardest weekend in my mission so far. I just felt like one thing after the other just kept coming to push me down. Even though nothing has changed, I know that I am going through this to become stronger and gain experience. If we came to earth to only experience happiness and not sadness, we wouldn't appreciate the good as much. I'm grateful for the power of prayer and the comfort I get from that. I am soooo grateful for all of you and your love and support you show me!! I hope you have an amazing week and if not, just look for the good! Love ya! 

Trust in the Lord

Love,

Sister Welch

The praying mantis lives here

Lesson with Prestonnn

Last district picture (I look really tall but it's an illusion)

Last district selfie

The last supper

Last district activity:(

Last picture w sister Nelson

Selfie w elder parry

Video of us scaring elder Ashworth