A Mission—Trying and Terrific

The following is a portion of a letter Taylor sent to Sydney today. 

She sent it to me to put on the blog.

"The best things definitely outweigh the bad things. It has strengthened my testimony in ways that I could not have even imagined…Like seriously Sydney, I am closer to our Savior than I have ever been in my entire life. A mission truly changes you. It changes you for only good. It prepares you for your future life and future family. A mission gives you life skills you can get nowhere else. You get so many friends and you witness miracles. I can say that because the gift of tongues is seriously a miracle. A mission humbles you. Learning the language REALLY humbles you! Ha ha! I get so frustrated and Syd…I'm only in the third week. This in an amazing thing. However, it is THE hardest thing. It stretches everyone who walks in the doors of the MTC and I can promise it will be the case in the mission field even more so. But, you cannot grow without being stretched. This is a "Growing Zone, not a Comfort Zone" It IS Hard. You literally sacrifice everything you have and give all your time, love and efforts to the Lord. But I can testify Sydney, IT IS WORTH IT. I KNOW this is what I am to do. And yes, I know I've said that so any times but it is true. I love it and I cannot wait until you experience it."

Time is unreal here in the MTC

 Okay, 

This week has gone by SOOOO exremely fast. I swear time is unreal here in the MTC. Truly, it's like Dejavu sitting here writing everyone. I guess that's what happens when your having FUN;) Ha ha!  jk It's because I'm workin' my tail off and all the days just feel like one huge day. It's crazy. Holy cow! It's been a crazy fast week! Like it's insane!! 

Anyway, Dad, I really enjoyed your letter that came with my suit and thank you so much for itz!!! I think there might be one little sticky thing in the suit but I've only felt it once so don't stress about it...yet;) I'll let you know if it gets worse but I only felt it once so I think it will be okay. I haven't felt it since! 

 I am Sooo good!!! the tempple this morning was amazing and the morning has been great!!

No, District and Zone leaders do not have a set time that they serve, they pray and receive and answer and then they change them. I think they will pick another one this week.  Yeah, I'm getting along great with the Elders!! Everyday we all seem to be getting a stronger relationship with each other so that's great! We all leave around the same time. Elder Smith and Elder Sisson are going to Bia blanca Argentina so we'll be on the same flight! :) and two of the Sisters as well. One Bia Blanca and one Cordoba. Every missionary in our zone is super cool! I love them! It is going to be a sad day when I have to say goodbye to them in three weeks! Oh well, time to make some new friends!

The best part of my week?......…hmmmmm…. My teacher Hermana Toleafoa totally smuggled  in some Taco Bell for all of us last night! Ha ha! That was totally the best part!! Also, We had four lessons in Spanish yesterday and my 'tongue was loosed' you might say, ha ha,  it was great it was another experience where I just opened my mouth and I started to say things that I didn't even know I could!!! It was amazing. Today we have another devotional with a General Authority so that's pretty exciting! I really hope it's with one of the Twelve!

Like I said before, I don't expect to get blessings for doing this but it seriously suprises me how loving Heavenly Father really is. It's like everything I've specifically prayed for I get an email the next day telling me about it and I just see how my prayers are answered and I know that God is there watching over us. 

I know I heard that Alexa went to the temple and that her farewell is coming up in April! It's crazy! Time has seriously flown by!  

Yeah. the food here is pretty nast, but hey, it's food!! Ha ha!  and it issss.....fattening but, I'm running a mile everyday so I'm staying at 160 lbs.

No I have not heard anything about my Visa. We actually went to the travel office and asked them about it. They said we won't know anything until like ten days in advance. But, I don't think anything is wrong with it because a Hermana in my district got something in the mail telling her to talk to the travel office people so I think Im okay because I haven't gotten anything like that yet...I hope.

Oh my goodness thank you so much mom like seriously! You have know Idea how grateful I am for everything you do. Mom, you have no idea how great that made me feel. I love you so so much.

Oh! and Mom I forgot to say sorry that you were feeling sick! :/ Im sorry! :( But im glad you are feeling much better it sounds like! When you made that comment about you and socks hacking up and walking around the house I seriously laughed so hard!! haha:) 

Ummmm.... I do want to ask you a favor. I have been slacking at emailing Ben and Trev. Can you maybe forward some things that you think they'll like? Maybe some of my letters and  some photos. 

But, anyway. So there have been a lot of great things this week but it's mainly just the usual. I'm progressing in the language and I can definitely feel the Spirit pushing me through this. I know that the Savior is with me throughout this journey and I am so blessed to have a testimony of that. One experience yesterday actually. Me and Elder Bunnell had to teach member lessons in Spanish. I love doing that because we all get to share each of our testimonies with each other and the Spirit is always so strong. Anyway, at the end of the lesson I just had a feeling to Invite the members to share that Testimony with at least one non member this week. I have no idea why I did that but I know it was the Spirit speaking through me. It wasn't even a part of the lesson but I know when I said It it was the right thing to say. Anyway, I'm loving it here in the MTC. I do sometimes get homesick but I always have Heavenly Father to talk to. He has blessed me with such great and loving friends in the MTC and I know they are here to help me through this:) I love all of you guys and miss you more than anything! Thank you for your support and love. At this moment I feel impressed to extend that invitation I made with those members to all of you. Share your testimony to someone not of our faith or, anyone you feel is in need. I know you can change lives. Your testimony is a great tool and should be used throughout your life. As you share your testimony, it grows. I can testify of that. I have to go now but I will be reading your letters and I will write you next week and maybe some more hand written ones :) tell Dad I'm so sorry that I didn't reply to his e mail. I will write him a hand written one this week.  Tell him I love him so much! I ove you guys! Have fun this weekend!!! Have questions in mind during general conference and you WILL  get an answer! 

Thank you all for being so great to me! I love all of your letters and goodies;) I love you all! I'll talk to you next week!

Love Elder (Jugo) Welch CYA!:) 

P.S. 

Send some pictures and keep the letters coming. It fuels me to keep going. So the opposite of making me homesick:) Ha ha! As a matter of fact you should all just send me a Dear Elder letter today haha:) so I can read more :) All I have left to do is the devotional and study and gym. We already did laundry and stuff. So I would love some letters!  And I sent a few photos for you. 

The Elder sitting by me is  Elder Rojas. He's in my zone. He's from California and plays basketball. I just played with him yesterday actually. He is a super great missionary too! 

Thank you so much for the goodies mom:) haha!!! Now we have a drawer chuck full of amazing green food:) We love it! 

The background story on this one is that one of the Elders was having a pretty rough day, so we all just did that and acted goofy and It cheered him up right quick! 

And we also had A Taco Bell night…that helped us all out :)

Mom, This flower is huge. They are all over a tree here and I love it!
Thought you would too! 

Also, just another Temple walk with good ol Elder Bunnell!
And yes, I did see Amanda Sprunt!
I loved it! It didn't feel real ha ha! 

  

This is where I just was.
We had a little picnic with our district and a couple of Hermanas from our zone. 

It was a wonderful day outside today. 

Temple Treks

One of Taylor's friends sent this to me yesterday. She ran into him at the temple. 

"Didn't think I was going to be seeing this kid for another two years! It's amazing who you can run into at the temple! He told me to tell everyone hi! One of the first things he said to me was, "Gotta shake the hand instead of hug!" He seemed super happy and doing awesome!"—Amanda Sprunt

The days are long but the weeks are short….

Cordoba Argentina…..I can't wait to meet ya!

Companions

It is spring at the MTC 

A Sunday visit with Elder Jugo…..

Hey mom!!! And everyone else!! 

Wow, where to begin! This week has seriously gone by sooo so fast. I never understood the phrase, "The days are long but the weeks are short." Well, I can testify that that is true. 

I have had so many great experiences this week!Two days ago Elder Bunnell and I taught three people in Spanish. The first lesson didn't really go too well for me because Elder Bunnell did most of the talking however, Hermano Humbert (my teacher) evaluated us on a camera and told me after what I needed to improve on which was obviously talking more. He said, "Elder Welch, you know more than you think you do." That really made me think. So, I prayed before the other two for confidence in myself and speaking the language. So, we went in and it was like I spoke it fluently. I know that the spirit was working through me and with me. It truly was a miracle and I truly can feel each one of your prayers. Thank you all so so much for all that you so for me. I couldn't do this without you. In one our devotionals Elder Clarke of the Seventy told us how as missionaries we must involve our families and friends in our mission. That is a huge part of them receiving the blessings. I know that this is true. I only have a short amount of time when talking to you all but I hope and try to involve all of you. We are all in this together and I love you all for doing your part.

Another thing is that we had an investigator which was our first person we taught in Spanish like the third day we were here. Her name was Elizabeth.  Elder Bunnell and I taught her about four times. The lessons were full of the Spirit and it helped us a ton, however, one day she didn't show up. She finally showed up like ten minutes later only she wasn't Elizabeth, she was Hermana Toleafoa!!! She proceeded to tell us how she was going to be our teacher for the rest of the time we're in the MTC. It seriously blew all of our minds!!! Ha ha! It's amazing! She is the best teacher ever! I love the way they do things at the MTC:)

 Everyday I am here my testimony of this gospel strengthens. Especially in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I love that, (if we are obedient in all of Gods Commandments) miracles can happen. God IS a loving Heavenly Father and He loves you. There is no doubt in my mind that this is true. I am so grateful that I was raised in this church. I want to commit you all to never take what we have for granted. The atonement of Jesus Christ is Real. Jesus Christ is not waiting at the finish line for you. He is running the race WITH you. I can feel Him in my life everyday. I know that if you look for Him and reach for Him, He will be there. I love you all! And I am doing so so great!  And I'm not just saying that mom:) I am doing SoOOOO good. I do get a little homesick sometimes like you said but It really isn't bad. I love it here truly! It gets better every single day and the language is coming along great:)  

Yeah, Bobby Monson came and sat and talked to our zone for about an hour telling stories about him and Bob Bills. Ha ha! That man is an amazing man! He has a powerful spirit about him. Anyway, yeah! He totally was wearing skinny jeans and a bow tie with that suit jacket in! Ha ha! How funny is that?? OHH! and another funny story! About an hour ago I totally ran into Grandma And Grandpa Murdock at the temple!!! Ha ha ha! It was the best thing ever!! I just ran into them coming out of the temple, shook Grandpa's hand and introduced him to my companion! It was crazy! It was waaay good!

Oh my gosh! My Saint Patrick's Day box made my week!! It was amazing! I was NOT expecting that! It's all in a drawer now and it's amazing!  Thank you so so much! Oh and Happy St. Paddys Day to you too.  

And ushering was alright I guess, I missed choir for it though, so that kinda sucked. But tonight I'll be singing in the choir and every Tuesday night till I'm out so that's awesome!

And yes I found my flip flops!!! Ha ha:) what would I ever do without you?;)

So this cool thing just happened this kid from Cordoba came up and bore his testimony in English to us! it was amazing and powerful! His English was amazing too!I Cannot wait until I'm out in the field Mom you have no idea. 

I just want to say a couple more things. First, I want every single one of you two watch "His Grace Is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. It's on BYU speeches and it is amazing. Here is a link to the Brad Wilcox talk that Taylor asked us all to listen to.Second, for some reason I have felt compelled to tell you to make sure our 72 hour kits are prepared and ready to go. Like I said, I have no real reason on why I say that, it has just been on my mind.

A little more about my week. My favorite part of my week has definitely been watching myself improve in the language through the help of the Spirit. That lesson I told you about that I was speaking very well in? Well, the evaluation was amazing from Hermana Toleafoa. She was seriously super happy to see how far me and Elder Bunnell have come. So that lesson was supposed to be just us teaching a member out in the field. So, she was a member who gave feedback on how we did. She told Hermana Toleafoa that she was so impressed at how well me and Elder Bunnell could understand what she was saying and how well we could understand what we were saying to each other. But seriously though, I can feel your prayers, they are not going unnoticed. In that lesson I could feel the spirit so strongly. There is nothing more amazing than teaching the Gospel to others. We taught about the importance of families in that lesson. We talked about how Satan is focused on destroying the family and the only way to be saved from that is to love each other, pray together, go to church, read the Scriptures, and teach your family constantly what the Lord would have you teach. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing family. I am so lucky to be with each of you for forever and all eternity. How sweet it sounds to be able to say those words. I love this you guys. I love this gospel. I pray for each one of you every night. I pray that each of your testimonies will grow everyday. I encourage you to never forget who you are and how your Heavenly Father sees you. He loves you. He loves you more than you can even imagine and like I said in my farewell talk. You are never alone. I love being on this mission and I love the MTC.  I have made a lot of good friends and I don't want to see the day when we have to part at the airport. But, I know that we will meet at Jesus' feet again someday. Every time a missionary leaves our zone we sing that song. "Until we meet again." o "Para siempre Dios Usted Con Vos.". I know this is true. I will see each of these people again. I love you all and I know you'll have a great week. :) I will be working my tail off as usual but, I will always be having fun:) so don't worry about me, I am in the best hands you could possibly want. I am safe and I can't wait until I'm out in the field!  I'll talk to you all next week! 

I have to go now mom, I'm sorry I don't write that much, Its seriously impossible I love you and I'll keep writing your letters! 

I love you all!

Con Amor, Elder Welch (Jugo)

P.S.  I love you so much and thank you for the St. Paddy's Surprise! 

Oh, and could you maybe send a few more hangers and a two suit coat hangers?  thanks!! I love you so so much! :)

Dad, 

Oh man the good ole' exploder, ha ha! I just want you to know that every time I get one of your emails I get strengthened like no other. I love your letters so much! That is great to hear about the kitchen and the clock! Ha ha! That clock hasn't worked since we bought it. But anyway, I only have like a minute so I'll just say that I think that is a fantastic idea to Skype on mothers day and practice Abby's next lines for her play, to do the Juice and Anna thing again. ja ja. Yeah, mom told me that story. I want you to know that I prayed specifically for you financially and the very next day mom told me about the payments. I almost cried. It was just more proof that this is what I'm supposed to be doing and that God does love us and He does bless us. I love you so much Dad! Anyway, the language is coming great and I can feel your prayers and support. You are seriously the best dad in the entire heavens and I could not have asked for better. I am proud to call you my dad and be your son. You are the greatest example to me and I love you so much for everything you have done for me. I will write you next week! I love you so much! Tell Abby to write me!!!! Have a great week and have fun at work! Ha ha! :) Goodbye dad. 

Love your son, Elder Welch

Letters in the Mailbox!

These are some handwritten letters that we recieved yesterday from Taylor. They were written on March 17th…Do you think he is a bit homesick? He has a lot of faith, keep him in your prayers!—CA
Mom,

This is definitely a hard thing but I am doing it and I am loving it. Thank you for sending me Dear Elders, keep sending them and tell everyone else to send them too!!! I love it so much! Ha ha! I also really hope that I am being a good influence on others, it would make me the happiest kid ever. Also, more about my companions. Elder Bunnell, I've already talked to you about him  he is great, but, there is Elder Smith and Elder Sisson. Elder Smith is seriously the funniest kind ever! Everything he says is way funny. We also have great Hermanas in our district and great Zone Leaders! Anyway, sorry my handwriting is so terrible, I am just writing like super fast. :) So I am in the MTC choir and it is so amazing and fun!

I know that you and Abby are going to have a lot of fun. I did when I went. Take a lot of pictures for me and there are reasons why everything happens.  Take my advice "turn out instead of in even in the worst situations" Just as Christ does.

Oh! and today I am going to usher at the devotional which means I get to meet the General Authority that speaks. :) I am so dang excited! :) I am having fun here and the spirit here (most of the time) is like none other. I love it when I feel the spirit so strongly. Anyway I am doing well with the fact that I left Syd. We still email and stuff so it is great! :) I am not letting it distract me. That is another one of those times when I just have to drop to my knees and pray for comfort and realize that everything will work out in the way it is supposed to.

So when we went to the temple this morning I saw someone from our ward building there. He actually helped me out because I was having some trouble during the session, ha ha. But, he reminded me of home and it was super weird.  Anyway it was amazing to go to the temple. It also brought back a lot of memories of Hayden and Sydney because me and Syd did baptisms just before we left and Hade and  I did a session. But, in the end it just made me even more happy because what better place to remember them?

Anyway, I can't wait for this next two years I am so excited to be doing this and I know it is what I am supposed to be doing. I love you so, so much Mom and you are such an amazing women. Thank you for being such an amazing influence in my life. I look at other kids in the world and just feel sorry because they do not have as good of a relationship with their parents as me, Bryan, Hayden and Abby have with ours.  I know for a fact that I couldn't have been here without your great example in my life. I love you so much mom and I will write you in a week.

Love, Elder Welch

Dad,

I heard you were going to be alone when Abby and Mom leave and all I have to say is Party Hardy! Just relax and do WHATEVER :) Ha ha! I can honestly say that I could be there with you and do something but, it's Okay I'll be doing great things too!! And holy crap! I want to see that movie so bad! It looked so good! I will definitely add it to the list ;) I can not believe he went all the way up there and no pass. That makes me feel so bad!! Ha ha!

Anyway, thank you for giving me that advice in your letter dad, it really helped me out when I read that. I love you so very much, and I will talk to you in a week. I love you!

Love,

Elder Jugo

Hayden,

Dude, Holy Cow! I am having such an amazing time here at the MTC! It is obviously a lot different than normal life. But, I am adjusting pretty well I think.  It is definitely a hard change but I know I can do it and I know I will be blessed for doing it.  However that is not my goal to bless myself. My goal is to teach people just like you and me, the sons and daughters of Heavenly Father so that one day they can live with us and Him again.

Spanish is coming along slowly but I know a whole lot more than I did when I got here! Ha ha! P-day is daanggg great! It just nice to finally rest a little bit. But anyway, thanks for being such an awesome brother and supporting me on my mish! Make sure nothing changes TOO much while I am gone ;) I miss you all and I will be writing again soon.

Oh! And YES, I have joined the MTC choir!! Brother Eggett is seriously one of the coolest guys in the world! He reminds me of Will Farrell and Andy Bernard! Ha ha! Will Bernard!!! Anyway just wanted to tell you that.

Love Elder Welch (Jugo) :)


Dear Abby,

I have not heard from you yet! You are the only one ;) I hope school is going great and I hope that you and mom have a fantastic time on your drama thing. I love you so so much and I miss you! Write me Okay? You are the the best sister a brother could ask for!

Elder Welch (Jugo) :)

P.S.
Write some more songs!

Remember that you can write Elder Jugo by clicking the dearElder link on the side bar. It is quick easy and free. If you write before noon it is delivered the same day. If not then it is delivered the next day. He said that he gets mail at lunch and dinner time. He would love to hear from you, even if it is just a few lines. Thanks—CA

My Life is GOOD!

Hey everyone!!

I'm absolutely LOVING it here at the MTC! Mom, you were right as usual ;) I do love it here. I  have my rough spots here and there, occasionally some hard spots of the day but, that is completely normal for every missionary. I say a prayer and I always feel so much better :) The first night night was a little weird but it's actually feeling like home which is also weird ha ha but I love it!  ….I do miss you guys like a lot though... but I pray for strength every time and I forget myself and go to work!:) 

There have been so many things that have happened that I don't even know where to begin!!! ha ha pero, I can tell you all that this IS INDEED where I am supposed to be! To everyone who has sent me a dear elder yes, I have been getting them(Syd;) ) I look forward to every lunch and dinner when I get delivered my mail. Thank you guys for all of the support and love. I want to ask you guys a favor to pray for me, my companion and my district for the gift of tongues. I know it is a very simple and obvious thing but, there is power in numbers:) 

Anyway, My companions name is Elder Bunnel. He is from Seattle Washington and he is amazing. I think he is like 20. He's going to Australia Spanish Speaking! Ha ha! I know right??? Crazy! No, not all of the Elders and Hermanas in my group are going to Cordoba. Two of the Elders in our district are going to Bia Blanca along with one of the Hermanas and two of the Hermanas are going to Cordoba! One of them will be my medical missionary Hermana out in the field which is pretty cool! Overall, our district is very close. We all love each other and it's only the sixth day!! It's going to be hard to say goodbye to all of them!

I wish I had more time to tell you all of the experiences I've had... but it's okay that  I'm not saying much, I'm going to send you hand written letters for more of the details. 

We went to the temple this morning and it was amazing! But, I didn't see Grandma and Grandpa Murdock. Mom,  my favorite part of this week was probably the temple walk on Sunday where we all just walk to the temple and around it for about an hour as a zone...and going in the temple this morning. I just love getting out of the MTC because sometimes it feels like a prison. My teacher told a joke. What is the difference between a prison and the MTC? .....In prison you get visitors. Ha ha ha!  We all laughed super hard. But, the MTC is FAR from a prison and I love it. The (other) best thing of the week was probably Sunday when we took the sacrament and then we watched the "Character of Christ" video from Elder Bednar! It was AMAZING. It was the best talk I have ever heard. It was about how we need to turn Outward like Christ in every situation even the worst of situations. Instead of inward and I quote, "don't be like the Cookie Monster" ha ha haI! It was amazing! I think you can only watch it in the MTC but It was seriously amazing!

To answer every one's question we get to have gym everyday but Sunday and Tuesday. Pero, the field is closed until next month ha ha. So for now we have the gym and the track. The food is....fattening but good so I'm trying to run it off every day and eat as healthy as I can. 

So, this week we've been teaching this girl named Elizabeth in completely Spanish! It is crazy how we seriously just get thrown straight into the deep end the first day you get here. Anyway, Elizabeth (I think) is a member because the MTC asks for volunteers for the missionaries to practice teaching. But, we need to treat them like they are real investigators. Let me tell you it is most definitely a humbling thing when you know exactly what you want to say but you can't say it because…. well....I'm still learning the language;) But, yesterday me and Elder Bunnell asked Elizebeth to pray at the end of the lesson and it was one of the most spiritual moments ever!! Anyway, there are so many great experiences and I seriously can't wait to actually be doing this for real. I love this gospel and I love my Savior. I know that what I'm doing is what I'm supposed to be doing. I Was thinking the other day that when somebody goes on a mission there is nothing that could happen but great things. If you go on a mission nothing else matters because you are in the Lords hands and He WILL take care of you no matter what happens in the end, if you do what is right and you are faithful and you work your hardest, everything will work out in the way God wants it to work out. 

I love you all so so much and thank you for everything you do for me. I am doing great here and you don't have to worry about me. I am on The Lords side, I am enlisted in His army and I AM safe.  I am doing great! I love it and my life is pretty good!

Mom, I need my suit coat hanger and my oil thing. I also need like slippers (they would be great!) and flip flops because I don't think they got packed!! I should probably go, I love all of you so much and I'll talk to you in a week! Thank you for everything!! I hope I didn't forget anything that I need. OHz! maybe some tide pods? Thank you so much:) cya!!:)

Con Amor

Elder (Jugo) Welch :)

1st Letter from the MTC / I am safe!

Hey guys,

 I don't have much time but, I just want to say how amazing it is here. I have only been here for half of a day and I've already had so many amazing experiences. I love you guys so much!!! My P-day is Tuesday so, that is when I''ll be able to write!! The MTC is amazing and I can definitely feel the spirit here. My companion is awesome and so are the Elders I am rooming with. My companions name is Elder Bunnell and I can tell he will be a great missionary! I miss you all so much but I KNOW this is what I am supposed to be doing! My Spanish is going to take a lot of work but, I know I can do it especially with the help and companionship of the Spirit. I love you all and I am having a great time! I'm super tired but it is definitely worth it! However, don't worry about me;) I am having a blast and I love you all! You are all amazing and thank you for your help to get me here. 

With lots of love,

Elder (Jugo) Welch

Goodbyes/MTC

Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Murdock

The final packing

It is nice to have big brothers to show you the ropes!

Saying goodbye to home for 2 years

Saying goodbye to Grandma Ginger

No caption needed…..

That moment when you realize that you forgot to set your new watch ahead an hour.

That moment when you realize that because you did not set your  new watch ahead an hour you have one hour less with your family than you thought. 

Thank you to the Aunties for helping Taylor get ready to go. They are always willing to give and help.

I wonder if she knows that true superheroes don't wear capes but wear suits and tags that say "Elder"

Aunt Lori about took out the curb and three cars in her hurry to say goodbye to  Tay. He was so happy that she made it. It made his day. We have such good Aunties. 

SUPERHEROES

Hugs to last 2 years. 

How lucky Taylor is to have two brothers that have paved the way for him.  Even in his final hug goodbye Bryan is whispering advice in his ear. 

Is is hard parting ways for best buddies. 

The MTC

More last words of advice.

Goodbyes….well……they really stink!

Last Game of Pool and Ping Pong