Surprise Phone Call

I received a phone call today from a women who lives in Layton. She and her son went to Cordoba for the temple dedication. Her son served in Taylor's mission while the temple was being built but left before it was finished. He actually served in Taylor's area and lived in the exact same apartment. He stopped by to see it and they ran into Taylor and his companion. It actually turned out to be quite a blessing for both of them.  The Returned Missionary had worked with a women while he was there who was finally getting baptized that week. When she found out he was in town she wanted him to baptize her. He did not have any white pants, he and Taylor were about the same size so he borrowed his baptismal clothes. It was a blessing for Taylor because he was having a low week and the mother was able to give him a pep talk and explain that her son had a hard time with the language and that he did not pick it up until six to nine months into the mission. She then pointed out how fluent he is now and encouraged Taylor that it would all be OK and that he would get there. I am grateful for the photos that she sent me from their visit and the other photos are the outside of Taylor's apartment. It was a nice phone call. I appreciate the tender mercies that Heavenly Father never ceases to send us if we are looking. 

Baptism and The Day of Independence

Hey guys!!!! 

Ahhh!!! This week has been great!!!! We had intercambios and my companion was from Brazil. We worked together for two days and it was so so fun:) It was great!!! We also used bikes so my legs were super tired:) But, anyway, It was amazing and we are even better friends than before:) As far as me looking tired, I'm fine. I'm sleeping great and everything really. We work hard. Idk what it is. I think it's just the mission life…. haha.

Anyway, today is the Day of Independence here in Argentina!! It has been great! We had a big party as a ward at the church and ate locro. Its like a soup. And I'm pretty sure it had cow stomach in it....haha I'm not sure :) anyway. It seriously was amazing. We had a party with dancing and everything. :)

The baptism last night was muyyyyyy muy lindo. Freaking capo. It honestly was so great and I felt the spirit so strongly :) The best part was when I looked up at Belens brother who was watching her get baptized and right as she came out of the water he just had the biggest smile and almost started crying. He is twelve, He's super cool:) I stood in the circle with my Companion and the Bishop to give him the Priesthood about a month ago! And that was pretty cool too.

I just want to tell you all that I am safe and I am in good hands. I want to tell you and testify that Heavenly Father hears you when you cry out to Him. You may not feel like it sometimes. It might take a while. But, He knows all things. He knows you personally and He knows what you are concerned about. His Son Jesus Christ suffered for the things in your life that are dark. He is there with you. He knows you. It isn't something we all just say, he literally is there and He knows exactly what you are going through. He wants to help, and He WILL help. Do what is right and Have faith in Him always. Persevarar hasta el fin. Endure to the end. There are hard times in our lives but we will get through them with our families friends, the Holy Ghost, God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. I Love you all and I am always here for you. :) I am not dead to the world. I am quite the opposite, I am living with it.  I am always thinking of you and I hope you never forget me ;) Because I will forever be with you all :) I love you and thanks for all of your prayers.

Love Elder Welch :)

Helping to bring in the Locro for the Ward Independence Day Party

The Locro

Chocolate treats-part of the celebration

Yum!

Rita and President Alliaud Taylor's Mission President

Such a Special Experience

This week has been fast again...like always. My companion has been sick with the same crap that I had. So that sucks. However, it doesn't mean there hasn't been great things! :) Those investigators that I told you guys about last week that came with us to the Stake Conference are progressing pretty well. They are doing great! The only thing is that they are having trouble with changing from Catholic traditions. However, they know that what we are teaching is true. They´ve told us they know. They have been reading the Book of Mormon and the pamphlets we have been giving them. Both of them said that they had dreams about us and our religion and they said they are feeling things that they have never felt before in their lives. We explained to them that it is the Holy Ghost testifying that what we are teaching them is true. They are amazing people guys and I want nothing more than for them to except this gospel. So, please pray and fast for them to have a desire and be willing to do whatever it takes in order to gain a testimony in this gospel and ultimately get baptized. Oh!!! and their names are ________(twenty four single with an hijo) and ______ (the mother)  Also, please pray for me to progress in this language. I have seen a lot of progress in this last week and I thank you for your prayers and fasting. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and for the Gift of Tongues.

In other news..haha;) Elder Rivera and I have a stinking baptism on the twenty forth for a nine year old girl named Belen! We´ve been working with her since I've been here. All of her family are members (converts) and she was the only one not baptized that is of age. So, anyway. I have my first for sure baptism!! Wooohoo!

Yesterday was the temple dedication!...it was AMAZING. We watched it in our Stake Center. Elder D Todd Christopherson spoke in Spanish and it was such a special experience. (His Spanish is so good) Also, President Uchtdorf was there. He had an Argentine translate for him. It was amazing. We went to two sessions. The 9 o clock and the 3 o clock. One thing I want to share is this. President Uchtdorf talked about how we all must have our goals set on the temple. Our eyes need to be fixed on the temple always and we must always have a temple recommend. If we do this, if we have in our possession always a temple recommend and live worthily of it, we cannot falter. A temple recommend shows to our Lord and Savior that we are living our life how he would have us live it. It is proof that we are doing what is right. I loved his talk yesterday. It's that simple. If there are those who do not have a recommend. Make changes in your life to do so. Have a change of heart and ¨"Be born of God" Mosiah 27:25. We all need to be focused on the temple. I know that temples give us power on Earth that lessens that of the adversary. It gives us strength in our families and in our relationships. Please if you have one, go to the temple. Make it a goal in your life. You will be blessed and I can promise you that. I am so grateful to have temples on this Earth today. I love my Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. They are Real. They love us and they are always there for us no matter what we have done. I love you all and I hope everything is going well :) I will talk to you all next week!! love you!!

Love Elder Welch :)

All of the following photos were sent to me from a new convert in Taylor's area, she is a good friend to the missionaries there and takes care of Elder Welch.  

We had a big basketball game and ate pizza for P-day last week. 

A refreshing snack from Rita a new convert and friend to all of the missionaries here.

A snack from Rita

Elder Welch with his companion Elder Riveria from Peru

Skype was so AMAZING!

Hey everyone!!!! 

My week has been yet again, very long and fast at the same time.  As I sit here it feels like I was just writing yall :)  anyway, yesterday was so so great because I got to talk to some of you on Skype! It was so AMAZING! :) Also, I dont have much time to write this letter so I will make it short.

My companion and I found a family about two days ago and asked them to come to our stake conference that we had yesterday. Anyway, we were walking down the street two days ago and we were looking for a family to contact. We came to this house with a girl sitting on a chair on the porch and we started talking to her. Then, her mom came up...then her sister...then her sister's children (Like three of them ) and then her own child. Haha They were a little uneasy at first and didn't really want to hear what we were saying. "Somos Catolica hasta la muerte." Haha..that's basically what they were saying. Anyway, long story short is that we asked if they wanted to hear a five minute message and then we´ll be on our way. So, they let us in and we just started talking. Sooner than we knew it, we had been there for 45 minutes talking about the gospel, laughing, and extended the invitation to go to church with us the next day. So,Sunday rolled around and I really didnt think that they weere going to come but...like ten minutes after the meeting started we got a call and it was them!! They were out side of the capilla!! It was amazing. The meeting was so great for them. To our suprise Presidente Alliaud and his wife were there and they gave talks. Also, a member of the seventy was there as well. It was just an amazing meeting and it was perfect for them. Anyway, I hope to see them have the happiness in their lives and they can only get through the Gospel of Jesus Christ :)

Anyway, I love you all and I hope you all are great! I pray for you individualy each night and I love you and God loves you! You are all amazing! 

Love, Elder Welch

My new watch.

Choose The Right

Thanks Mom and Abby for my new Imagine Dragons shirt! I LOVE it!!!!

Mother's Day Skype

It was great to hear Taylor's voice. He has a lot of Faith! He is between English and Spanish and it is a little difficult for him right now. His companion speaks very little English. You can tell that they get along very well though in spite of the language barrier. The Church Members in Argentina are taking good care of him. He was sick when he called and the ladies of the house were giving him Mate ( a traditional hot herbal drink) and cough drops and ointments and herbs.  While he was talking to us they kept bringing him food and anything that they even thought that he might need. The photos are from a new convert that was at the house where he Skyped from. Since Sunday this sweet lady has sent me several photos and updates telling me not to worry and that he is feeling much better. I have fallen in love with the people of Argentina already, what a blessing it is know that he is in such good hands.

Getting ready for the call….

Taylor's companion talking with his family via Skype

Talking with Dad, Abby and Sydney in Heber City and Mom ( and the twins) in Washington State

Hello everyone, 

First I am going to start with a couple of photos.

Chillin' a little after a hard days work. 

This dog has the coolest eyes ever. He belongs to one of our investigators. 

This week has been great I Love these people so much. Also, please pray and fast for me to have the gift of tongues. It is really hard and really making me stressed. But, I am having a great time with my companion and I love him. Ha ha! He is super funny and we get along great. 

This experience is something that happened to me that is extremely special and sacred to me and my companion so I can't say much about it but I can tell you right now that there are angels in this world and the Holy Ghost IS real. I can also tell you that when you bare your testimony to somebody there is a power that is not of this world that can manifest to them that what you are saying is true. I also testify that the power of the Holy Priesthood is real. The power of God is on this earth, I promise if you are worthy, you have faith, and you exercise that faith that you can perform miracles. I also know that the healing `power of Jesus Christ is a gift that we should never take for granted. It can and will change you if you exercise your faith. To gain faith you must seek out want you want to know to be true. Through diligent study and prayer I promise that you will find the answers you are looking for. The scriptures are a blessing from God and they are true. One hundred percent true and they really do testify of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. The scriptures can council you personally and they will help you. However, you must have faith. Faith is essential. 

I love you all so so very much and I miss you. :D I am seriously having a great time here. I am extremely tired...like extremely. However, It is so worth it. Being here is preparing me in every way to be a father and husband My Heavenly Father wants me to be. Missions are hard everybody. They truly are. But it is amazing. There is nothing I´d rather be doing. Satan would like me to think otherwise but I do not let him. . We all have trials and afflictions but, ´´if we Endure them well, God will grant us on high.´´ 

You guys are my life and light in this world. I love every single one of you and I pray about you individually every time I can. You have blessed my life in ways I don't even deserve and I am so lucky to have all of you in my life. You are amazing and I will talk to you next week. 

Love Elder Welch