-Jessica Robertson, who I'll write about if I have time at the end, is getting baptized THIS weekend! Yeeeee! Man, I'm so happy for her. She was one of Elder Peery and my first investigators. She's got a rad story.
-The Johnsons, yep, all 6 of them, are getting baptized on November 30th! Man. The sisters in our ward also found an awesome couple who are going to get baptized and confirmed the same day... That's NINE of my brothers and sisters who are joining my eternal family in the next two weeks; eight in one weekend. Sacrament mtg is going to be taken up by confirmations here in the next couple of weeks... The ward seems pretty pumped right now. No need to prepare talks... It was pretty funny yesterday at church. Elder Evans and I were stopped by our Ward Mission Leader in the hallway at church and he said that he needs to sit down and get a list of all of the investigators at church. "There's too many to keep track of now." He said. Man, I know this is the Lord's work.
-This ain't no "reassignment" that I'm on in Georgia. I've had multiple experiences so far that have confirmed that The Lord needs me here. My joy is through the roof right now. I'm seriously on happy medicine all day. I'm talking about having to use chap stick because I'm smiling too much... I can't say it enough how great this work is. Granted, talking to a wall for an hour+ everyday in Portuguese is getting pretty old, but other than that, every day rocks. It's actually pretty funny because it's starting to get pretty cold here (not like Ohio but still pretty cold, especially at night) and I don't have any warm clothes. I have no sweatshirt, sweatpants, long sleeve vests, etc. I wake up cold because all I sleep with is a blanket that covers my chest down to my ankles. (I like it though. It's motivation to get out of bed and start working out quickly.) Oh and I really only have short sleeve shirts with one suit (which I have to wear everyday by the way. Don't worry though, it doesn't smell too bad... Haha someone in the ward just gave me another one though, so don't worry about it.) It's also extra motivation to always seek to have the Spirit with me. I'm never cold when I'm feeling the spirit. *MOM-please don't send me anything. I know you are probably worried but I'm really fine. It doesn't bother me. I don't want all of that winter stuff anyway because I won't need it for Brazzzzzzzzil.
So let me tell y'all about Mildred (she's on date now to get baptized on the seventh!)
Elder Evans and I went to go see Carol on Wednesday with a member. Turns out, she wasn't home. (She actually was home, we saw her through the peep hole... Haha) Anyway, we just decided to go to our back-up plan. The thought popped in my head, "As you walk by Mildred's door, just knock on it..." I didn't think anything of it but as we were on our way out of the apartment building, I knocked on her door. (Elder Peery and I met her way back in September but she left a note on the door saying she doesn't want to meet with us anymore.) Well... She opened it and.... let me back up a bit.
We taught her about The Book of Mormon and how it's evidence that Christ's church has been restored again back in September (late). She had no furniture in her apartment, (we taught her as we sat down in an empty family room floor), and her husband who had recently died left her a pretty nice chunk of change behind. Turns out, when he died, different complications happened, not allowing her to have all of that money, leaving her with nothing. All she pretty much had was an air mattress I think to sleep on... Anyway, the lesson wasn't going great and the Spirit prompted us to leave her a promise. "Mildred... I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ, that if you read this Book everyday, you will be blessed financially, more than you could ever imagine."
A couple months past (until Wednesday), where she opened the door with the biggest smile on her face. In we walked in to her apartment to see three tables, one with a lamp on it, a couch, a love seat for two, and a stand to put a tv... (my jaw dropped). "Oh... I'm going to court in the next two weeks to get all of my husband's money back..."
She smiled again, ear to ear. "You wouldn't BELIEVE what's been happening to me since I last met with you guys. Something even told me to stay home today from choir practice and here you came knocking on my door... I'm so glad you came 'Brother Welch.'"
I asked her if she had been reading the Book of Mormon.
"Everyday. Yes... Once a day."
I bowed my head and thanked Heavenly Father.
"Oh by the way," she said, "My old preacher is going to be out of town this weekend so the church won't be open... Can I come with you guys?"
I put my arm around Elder Evans and just said, "Is this really happening right now? Of course you can come Mildred!" We set up a ride to come get her later last week... She absolutely loved it and wants to get baptized now.
Why in the WORLD do I see so many miracles? Seriously. I ask this every night before going to bed.
The only answer I can give is that what Sister Nelson talked about so much in Seminary (man I can't thank her enough for her example and lessons) - Tender mercies... Heavenly Father seriously has been too good to me while on my mission. I don't deserve all of these blessings.
1 Nephi 1:20 - "...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen..."
Have I not been called of God to serve in Georgia? Man, I love Him.
Well family, I love you all. Instead of writing me a thank you letter this upcoming/next week, thank our Heavenly Father for Jesus Christ. Thank Him in your prayers for allowing us to have this restored Priesthood to bind us together as a family forever. "God be thanked for the matchless Gift of His Son."
I've decided on my missionary plaque scripture. John 8:29
My only desire now is to "please the Father." He Lives!
Elder Welch
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