tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80401118603609078302024-03-14T03:23:52.140-07:00Called to ServeGeneva, Switzerland February 2008-2010mamastephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01081509828506672468noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-70945723163800637552010-03-02T14:44:00.001-08:002010-03-02T14:46:50.268-08:00What a Wonderful World!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr6vnO0to2dB37SkXsdna9FDyQT4_qXnGnJshT3jKEx0wyhwPkP4RFTVpXaExvAMDTAR6L0BDHYjWq-Usc9_TofzLkYqMmbO5dgSlE-0ikmMksDWL2A5oARzCuyRmD-ctPGjwvB8GpWRX/s1600-h/Untitled-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr6vnO0to2dB37SkXsdna9FDyQT4_qXnGnJshT3jKEx0wyhwPkP4RFTVpXaExvAMDTAR6L0BDHYjWq-Usc9_TofzLkYqMmbO5dgSlE-0ikmMksDWL2A5oARzCuyRmD-ctPGjwvB8GpWRX/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444171715424753346" /></a>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-53173809658721598882010-02-18T08:01:00.000-08:002010-02-18T08:02:46.619-08:00Two Brothers UNITE!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7grEk6La9csX5K04EZS-EZd96hFyqXtB5rSuD4rPkyokoYsaIKrtnTjr7bjW6oYspuInDz5UHDVs5LXJBiejMimMBQXrMArRjIA9pPHjn6_uVX6qULS_pjrU7maOfPjVvOldkN_NOUkE/s1600-h/tn.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7grEk6La9csX5K04EZS-EZd96hFyqXtB5rSuD4rPkyokoYsaIKrtnTjr7bjW6oYspuInDz5UHDVs5LXJBiejMimMBQXrMArRjIA9pPHjn6_uVX6qULS_pjrU7maOfPjVvOldkN_NOUkE/s400/tn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439614506887488898" /></a>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-21754962023047585892010-02-11T07:55:00.001-08:002010-02-11T08:01:20.635-08:00ELDER BUBBA COMES HOME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_supaNn_2aKalWjddANIiY8MD7-Ke5fBRgtWus3A45A9wSbFZ3VtiYa7ACqrVVm7vhHlGAkK2-q26zwGHTKJAnU-fv1E8l9o16cacBJr3riwO1mFTgBxfTtae4z8Z0-NA47EDOM7nVtO/s1600-h/Welcome-Home-Elder-Bubba.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_supaNn_2aKalWjddANIiY8MD7-Ke5fBRgtWus3A45A9wSbFZ3VtiYa7ACqrVVm7vhHlGAkK2-q26zwGHTKJAnU-fv1E8l9o16cacBJr3riwO1mFTgBxfTtae4z8Z0-NA47EDOM7nVtO/s320/Welcome-Home-Elder-Bubba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437016573577513858" /></a>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-38641918426491380862010-02-05T07:44:00.000-08:002010-02-05T07:53:25.580-08:00ONE WEEK!A week full of prison, the temple, Bern,<br />and great members has made this past <br />week was one of the best weeks of my <br />mission! Its crazy how just when you <br />think that the mission can't get any <br />better it does. <br />So as usual, we worked a lot with the <br />members this week. That has actually been <br />a big focus for us, because the ward has <br />actually been going through a difficult <br />time with the recent change in bishops.<br />I went to prison for the first time in <br />my life this week; as a visitor, not a <br />prisoner of course! We got a referral <br />from a member I know in Geneva of a friend <br />in the prison here who wanted to meet <br />with us. Long story short, we went <br />through about 5 security checks and I <br />felt like I was in the movies. It was a <br />way cool experience though and the guy <br />was actually way nice!<br />So, as I mentioned last week, I lost <br />my passport and I had to go to Bern to get <br />a new one. While waiting in line at the <br />embassy, I met a rad girl whose mom is <br />from Minnesota but she is half Swedish <br />and grew up there. Turns out she is a <br />snowboarding instructor here in <br />Switzerland and offered to take me <br />snowboarding <br />out here whenever I come back in winter; <br />that was rad. THEN, while we are <br />talking, the mission president's wife <br />calls me and says, "Elder Welch, since you <br />are already in Bern, the mission president <br />and I thought it would be nice if you <br />had the time to go to the temple." <br />I couldn't believe it! Another long story <br />short, one of the best moments of my mission. <br />I love the temple. Going through <br />a session in French was also one of the <br />greatest things ever and being able to <br />ask the lord to accept my mission and having <br />the feeling of the Holy Ghost telling me <br />it was, was something I will never forget. <br />I will be eternally <br />grateful for this experience.<br />Other than that, this week was full of <br />great missionary work.<br />This upcoming week, my last week in the <br />mission field, should be a great one. <br />We are going to Montreux today, <br />the most beautiful city in the world. <br />Tomorrow we have zone conference. <br />I will be going to Geneva this Tuesday <br />so I can go to the institute there so <br />I can so goodbye to people, I will <br />spend my last preparation day in Geneva <br />and be getting a kebab with the mission <br />president and his wife (Their first and <br />Last as they tell me)! I love the mission.<br /> Have a great week and I look forward <br />to seeing you next Thursday!<br />Love,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-60481390628483589962010-01-31T12:03:00.000-08:002010-01-31T16:20:10.910-08:00Less than 2 WEEKS!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistZjuJVjy5Ou3f3mA901GsmN4FSkUuplX7h2i8dHkMPsgEnZY0Pf39VbMWG_WUhhJILQW6YRMgm3BsmclT6oilVLjKCBBIdlQOF3abl95OzboB2nVY5emEBY-rwkviSplJhkCNol2xPV3/s1600-h/0003-0707-1008-3570.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistZjuJVjy5Ou3f3mA901GsmN4FSkUuplX7h2i8dHkMPsgEnZY0Pf39VbMWG_WUhhJILQW6YRMgm3BsmclT6oilVLjKCBBIdlQOF3abl95OzboB2nVY5emEBY-rwkviSplJhkCNol2xPV3/s320/0003-0707-1008-3570.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433063164603061906" /></a><br /><br /><br />So I haven't smelled the smell of cow poop <br />for a long time spending the last 8+ <br />months in Geneva, which is a smell I have <br />familiarized myself with throughout <br />the last week being here in Yverdon, <br />Switzerland, aka. the smallest city in the <br />mission, nestled in the Swiss alps and <br />beautiful countryside. Its actually <br />going very well though. The last week <br />was great and I have had a good time <br />getting to know the area and members, <br />despite the fact that I know I will <br />already leaving all of this again in 2 weeks.<br />We visited more members this past week <br />that I have in any other week throughout <br />my mission. I think we visited 12 f<br />amilies in the past week. I did eat <br />raclette twice as well which was a real <br />treat. Raclette is the greatest thing <br />in the world. Melted cheese on top of <br />potatoes. That is real Switzerland.<br />We didn't have to many lessons throughout <br />the week to amis, but this week should <br />be better. We do have an ami, J, who <br />is a sweet dude from the Dominican <br />Republic here with Corn Rows. He is <br />planning to be baptized the 6th, but that <br />will probably be pushed back a bit.<br />One way rad thing about Yverdon though <br />is that the Elders Quorum President has <br />a farm outside of Yverdon where <br />missionaries help him with service every <br />Saturday morning for 4 hours. <br />It is sweet. Milking cows in Switzerland, <br />moving hay, and chopping wood. We will <br />actually be doing in twice this week!<br />Other than that, we will just be working <br />hard on advancing the Lord's work here <br />in Yverdon, and I will be working on <br />finishing off strong!<br /><br />Have a great week <br /><br />Love Always,<br />Elder Clayton H. WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-4529257494480094342010-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:002010-01-22T10:43:15.072-08:003 WEEKS!I received my last transfer call this week!<br /> You are not going to believe it but <br />I am being transferred to Yverdon, <br />Switzerland for the last 3 weeks of my <br />mission and I will be serving with Elder B, <br />a great missionary who has been <br />out about 5 months now I think.<br />I really thought I was going to be <br />finishing here in Geneva, but there was a <br />problem with one of the apartments here <br />and it looks as though the Lord has <br />something else in mind for me. <br />I am very excited though to be able <br />to work in one more city before the <br />end of my mission.<br />Yverdon is a small Swiss city and is <br />very Swiss, but there are actually <br />quite a few members there and a <br />nice chapel. I think we have a car <br />and we have bikes too so maybe I will <br />get to ride bike a little bit after all.<br />This past week has been great, <br />though a little hard saying goodbye <br />to members and friends I have known over <br />the last 8 months here in Geneva. <br />I think that's why missionaries usually <br />move around often because its hard when <br />you get really close to people to say <br />goodbye.<br />The last week was really a standard <br />missionary week. We did a little finding <br />and we did quite a bit of teaching. <br />We have quite a few amis here whom I very <br />excited to see progress and to here from <br />in the future.<br />I really don't know what this next week <br />has in store. I will be going to <br />Yverdon tomorrow, church on Sunday, <br />and the rest is a mystery! I haven't not <br />known what I was going to do for a week <br />for a while so I am very excited to <br />finish this last part of my mission!<br />I am really just excited to see you <br />and everyone else!<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton H. WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-2286323583121922522010-01-14T14:32:00.000-08:002010-01-14T14:45:57.741-08:004 Weeks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Xnm_ZWMUDHlNUxdJxQeB5EzYYds-sdkdznciatSdRq6QHuq6rfe56w7-ipQXjQks0bP7r0LL60F_bGuHC5Mw_X4Wf9ggnuzep3dbwWWp29PaPaLX0sCONt_gwvnCjgKGoG_wTM-2qBLR/s1600-h/D+baptism.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Xnm_ZWMUDHlNUxdJxQeB5EzYYds-sdkdznciatSdRq6QHuq6rfe56w7-ipQXjQks0bP7r0LL60F_bGuHC5Mw_X4Wf9ggnuzep3dbwWWp29PaPaLX0sCONt_gwvnCjgKGoG_wTM-2qBLR/s320/D+baptism.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426729358783855234" /></a><br />baptism: an amazing new convert from England at her baptism on monday<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZW-Y7p2klK-gvetWHRR7GtkHjBxxl5M59Nn5obleD6MkUJr4xpoSt3TD7YQ0mhFUsm0XKFZTrug14xW2-6RFxYXGWXWCCPRlQlXCgiVRbP3P1tmRX0BcCrL6V7ck5g8tzWZgw4a_KOTS/s1600-h/Kebabs!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZW-Y7p2klK-gvetWHRR7GtkHjBxxl5M59Nn5obleD6MkUJr4xpoSt3TD7YQ0mhFUsm0XKFZTrug14xW2-6RFxYXGWXWCCPRlQlXCgiVRbP3P1tmRX0BcCrL6V7ck5g8tzWZgw4a_KOTS/s320/Kebabs!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426729351658372562" /></a><br />eating one of the greatest foods ever made: Kebabs<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr18buZ7HLrzSKihwQPsYBaepOO6C_RG54zdX6nVw9113Guk9Cvo_6LSsFmpXjqLfCFWX6IgFqkUlnt30q80bdVwNyLWWtoKlnxwrQC9gmqdhfYQA2z9Y07XzWJ_6d9ViZHtb3eBsoW_5/s1600-h/Snowbound+Office+Elders+with+some+help!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr18buZ7HLrzSKihwQPsYBaepOO6C_RG54zdX6nVw9113Guk9Cvo_6LSsFmpXjqLfCFWX6IgFqkUlnt30q80bdVwNyLWWtoKlnxwrQC9gmqdhfYQA2z9Y07XzWJ_6d9ViZHtb3eBsoW_5/s320/Snowbound+Office+Elders+with+some+help!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426729347293377314" /></a><br />snowycar: at church I blocked the office elders car with snow<br /><br /><br /><br />There is snow all over the place here; <br />its crazy! I love it. I am not going to <br />lie, snowboarding comes into my mind <br />every-time I look outside, but its alright, <br />the holes in each of my shoes causing <br />my feet to be soaked instantly gets rid <br />of that desire; ha ha. <br />But seriously though, everything is <br />going so well here in Geneva. <br />The good thing with all of this snow <br />is that it isn't too cold though.<br />This last week was great. <br />I had the chance to go on an exchange <br />with my old companion Elder B who <br />is one of my best friends here. <br />It went very well and it was great <br />to just talk with him again. <br />I had become pretty serious while an <br />assistant, so it was a nice chance to <br />make it up to him by being more myself.<br />I also had interviews this week with <br />the mission president. It was great to <br />talk with him and learn from him again. <br />He is a great man.<br />We had another great experience this <br />week with a member. Her name is A <br />and she is the oldest daughter of one <br />of my favorite families here. She is 31 <br />and is married to a non-member and has <br />4 kids. She has been kind of active over <br />the last years, but in the last 4 months <br />her testimony has just exploded. She <br />bore her testimony in church last week <br />for the first time in her life! Well, <br />when she came home from the church on <br />new years eve her neighbor who had been <br />drinking started asking her questions <br />about our church. She said that there <br />were missionaries to help explain these <br />questions. So, she invited us over and <br />we went and visited the family Friday <br />night. He didn't really remember much of <br />the conversation and was very skeptical <br />of us, but thanks to this member and her <br />sincere testimony, this husband and wife <br />opened up and became very interested. <br />I know that this family wouldn't have <br />listened to us if it wasn't for this <br />member and it is another proof for me <br />that as we talk to our friends about what <br />we know in this life, not only does our <br />testimony grow but we help so many <br />others in the process!<br />This week should be great. <br />It should be pretty traditional with a <br />lot of finding and teaching and hopefully <br />baptizing soon.<br />Actually, transfer calls are this next <br />Monday and believe it or not I could be <br />transferred for the last 3 weeks of my <br />mission. There are certain reasons why, <br />mainly with apartments, but I will let <br />you know next week where I will be <br />finishing my mission!<br />Thanks for all of your love and support. <br />I hope you have a great week.<br />Have a great week and I look forward to <br />seeing you soon!<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton H. WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-83796952054053791612010-01-07T10:57:00.000-08:002010-01-07T11:10:33.294-08:005 WEEKS from TODAY!<span style="font-weight:bold;">5 WEEKS UNTIL HE RETURNS!!!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br /><br />2010 is already off to a great start! <br />I am stoked to see what this year will <br />bring about. I am set on that fact <br />that it will be the best year yet.<br />We spent the week doing good ol' <br />missionary work here in Geneva and were <br />able to see quite a bit of success <br />throughout the week.<br />We have been really working with members <br />here and I am sure that that is the <br />best way to advance this work. The <br />members here in Geneva are also so <br />competent which makes it easy. <br />We found 5 new investigators last week, <br />3 of which came from members. Probably <br />the best members missionaries I have <br />see are the Mongolian members here (D, <br />the one is the recent convert of a month <br />and her sister Z). They brought a <br />different friend with them to every <br />activity, appointment, and even to church! <br />Those people are so great! I need to <br />go to Mongolia to visit, also because <br />I have always wanted to live in a yurt (a <br />Mongolian hut!).<br />New Years Eve was sweet! We had a great <br />rendezvous with the Mongolians and <br />then we went to the Family Ps, the sweetest <br />family ever, and then we were invited to <br />the mission home. We had a little movie <br />night with the assistants and the office <br />elders. We made pizza and watched <br />"Forever Strong," <br />WITH the authorization of the mission <br />president. It is about a high school <br />rugby team in Utah. It was way good. <br />It was way nice though to spend the <br />holiday with friends. Its crazy how <br />close you get to people as a missionary.<br />This week is pretty standard. We will <br />be doing missionary work and trying our <br />hardest to keep being instruments in <br />the Lord's hands. We have an exchange <br />planned for tomorrow with the zone <br />leaders here which should be fun, <br />I will be with one of my old companions <br />Elder B-rad-y.<br />Other than that the work is moving <br />forward in this part of the world! <br />I can't wait to see you soon!<br />Have a great week!<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton HendersonM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-84764117423538045652009-12-31T17:04:00.000-08:002009-12-31T17:14:12.518-08:00Happy New Year from Geneva!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT16upIEkd_f9tgYvhCInrLOkgqb9i2At0Hr_GIYAG_gObrgNKa4n0r10JpjCb3jdNNi_1YIBwdQ4FkZcRYKVg-_CgIJpvC0_ekD_ZLVCjT2b11tAvRQQhAOjblFsV5gNAjJzuSMUcHGIc/s1600-h/Christmas+dinner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT16upIEkd_f9tgYvhCInrLOkgqb9i2At0Hr_GIYAG_gObrgNKa4n0r10JpjCb3jdNNi_1YIBwdQ4FkZcRYKVg-_CgIJpvC0_ekD_ZLVCjT2b11tAvRQQhAOjblFsV5gNAjJzuSMUcHGIc/s320/Christmas+dinner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421572940479721906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_RWPy2QIYIsnT4GHSksHKpTibaR1DkDSwe1GMPLHYy3S068AbghDz0V-_oU6n6L1-hNEYPyOnaII1-Ez7amfBMkqAU2a2XG4xV-lVDxJ2LBlc3JJwzkFQ11nX97oMd29cVsTIAvHpXoF/s1600-h/Christmas+scarf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_RWPy2QIYIsnT4GHSksHKpTibaR1DkDSwe1GMPLHYy3S068AbghDz0V-_oU6n6L1-hNEYPyOnaII1-Ez7amfBMkqAU2a2XG4xV-lVDxJ2LBlc3JJwzkFQ11nX97oMd29cVsTIAvHpXoF/s320/Christmas+scarf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421572931636837778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8Kk0BwZzDhR3D122id-9G4gpAbZBp_QWcpGGgU2FkoStaJnSFoNLvzv99Mt4IltIOfCeJ6-gtdNQiFjrBUzOy4CxY2mMNdFvxrIeP_-7okygJHzxpGDQdhm_6Xl4L0_heBF5lsTHgfJ/s1600-h/2009+pj%27s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8Kk0BwZzDhR3D122id-9G4gpAbZBp_QWcpGGgU2FkoStaJnSFoNLvzv99Mt4IltIOfCeJ6-gtdNQiFjrBUzOy4CxY2mMNdFvxrIeP_-7okygJHzxpGDQdhm_6Xl4L0_heBF5lsTHgfJ/s320/2009+pj%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421572926283808994" /></a><br /><br />2009 was great! I am a little sad to<br />see it come to an end, but I am so <br />excited for 2010. It will be full of <br />so many great things. My mission, <br />coming home, school, work, and family. <br />Let the good times roll!<br /><br />This last week was also so wonderful. <br />I love Christmas. The joy that comes <br />from just the thought of the birth of <br />our Lord is already more than anyone can <br />ask for. Add on top of that presents <br />(both giving and getting), way good food, <br />caroling, and everything else, you just <br />can't go wrong.I spent Christmas eve with <br />the C family who are awesome. We had <br />some way good salmon and a lamb roast. <br />That family is way cool and we had a <br />blast hanging out together.<br /><br />Christmas day we came to the institute <br />where we hung out with the young adults <br />here who don't really have families <br />here and with a couple of missionaries. <br />There were about 30 of us and it was <br />a blast. That afternoon we spent at the <br />mission home where there was an open <br />house, and then that night we were at the <br />P's home, one of the raddest families <br />ever. We had fondue bourgeoisie, <br />where we dipped meats into oil and made <br />our own personalized mayonnaise sauces. <br />It was way good.<br /><br />The rest of the week was spent sharing <br />the Christmas spirit with others; <br />members, amis, and random people on <br />the street.<br />The work here is advancing and the members <br />are really starting to back us up. <br />We are finding a lot of people right now <br />through members and I am sure that all <br />of this will soon lead to baptisms!<br />This upcoming week should be pretty normal. <br />Finding, Teaching, and Baptizing, <br />though we don't have a baptism planned yet. <br />It will be a great week! I am <br />having fun working hard til the end.<br /><br />Have a great week and and happy new year!<br /> <br />Elder Clayton H. WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-50632952589883271162009-12-09T09:32:00.000-08:002009-12-09T09:40:46.647-08:00#1 New address First of three (these are newer to older email order)We received a really nice email from <br />the mission home today <br />with Elder Bubba's new address.<br /><br />We thought we'd better post it in <br />case anyone wanted to drop him a<br />Christmas card or note. <br />He will still get any mail sent <br />to the mission home as well. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Les Missionnaires--Elder Welch<br /> 5, rue Hugo Senger<br /> CH-1205 Geneva<br /> Switzerland</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Elder Welch is a marvelous missionary, <br />and we will miss him in the <br />mission home/office. We love him.<br /> Merry Christmas to you."</span>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-14771990432381357762009-12-09T09:22:00.000-08:002009-12-09T09:31:42.588-08:00#2 December 7,2009 Dreaming of a white christmas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-scr5tPPztgGRcSKbdnfdGcSBjyweZ3F3fY1PGHB10aYY0PUO3oEN9_Y0jzqJ323gIcErfxuVpW5PnSxUWToCCvJJqHbpKuaBvazY2Ah_-kopabzfxPP75SYRhAaK75xcAU4oylROko0p/s1600-h/Degi+and+her+sister+at+the+baptism.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-scr5tPPztgGRcSKbdnfdGcSBjyweZ3F3fY1PGHB10aYY0PUO3oEN9_Y0jzqJ323gIcErfxuVpW5PnSxUWToCCvJJqHbpKuaBvazY2Ah_-kopabzfxPP75SYRhAaK75xcAU4oylROko0p/s320/Degi+and+her+sister+at+the+baptism.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413289153357919090" /></a><br /><br />Last night I officially found out my last<br /> "assignment" as a missionary. I will <br />be finishing the next two months of my <br />mission here in Geneva, working in the <br />Salève and the Rive-Gauche Wards. Salève <br />is one of the two I am working in <br />right now, and is actually the ward where <br />we have had the two batpisms the last <br />two weeks, and Rive-Gauche is the Down-town <br />ward of Geneva which is primarily <br />Spanish speaking. Our focus is going to be <br />on the Institute, so we will be <br />working really hard on finding young adults <br />to teach. I will be training a <br />brand new french missionary named Elder G; <br />I am way excited! We will be <br />opening this companionship, so we have a <br />chance to start from nothing and <br />hopefully over the next two months, have <br />a lot of great things going on! I know <br />that this is perfect for me because it will <br />keep me working hard til the end of <br />my mission!<br /><br />(we asked)"any snow yet?" <br />Not even a snowflake. There is snow in the<br /> mountains though. <br />I will keep my fingers crossed.<br /><br />Time always flies by when we are working on <br />transfers though. That is one thing <br />I will miss. I love working with the mission <br />president, especially in seeing <br />the Lord's hand direct this mission. I also <br />love how much I learn from working <br />with these inspired men. We finished with <br />the transfers last Thursday, but <br />there were a couple of last minute changes <br />so I was never sure where I would be <br />serving. I am very excited for this new <br />assignment I have though. I love <br />Geneva! I would love to work here someday.<br />We also had Stake Conference this last <br />weekend here in Geneva. Elder Kopsischke <br />of the seventy, also president of the church <br />in Europe, came to speak. It was <br />great seeing him again after working with <br />him when he toured our mission about 3 <br />months ago. He gave a lot of great talks, <br />but the thing I think that touched me <br />the most is when he said that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Celestial <br />Glory and Happiness is not simply living <br />in the presence of God, because we already <br />did that in the pre-existance, but <br />Celestial Glory and Happiness comes from <br />living AS God lives.</span> <br />It was an incredible thought.<br />This upcoming week should be quite eventful, <br />but also a great experience. <br />Tomorrow we will pick up the new <br />missionaries from the airport and go <br />through the normal acitivities. Wednesday <br />I am officially out of the office and will be <br />going with Elder G to this new apartment. <br />I love it though, it is small, <br />but very very nice for a missionary apartment; <br />they just redid it. After that, <br />I will be working as hard as I can, trying <br />to explain and help Elder G as much as I can.<br />It should be a week very different from <br />the last 7 months I have had here at the <br />mission home, but I am very excited to see <br />the Lord direct in everything we do <br />in talking with people at all times!<br />Have a great week and remember that I love you!<br />Love,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-14090936729883248002009-12-09T08:59:00.000-08:002009-12-09T09:22:20.677-08:00#3 12-02-09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2EqlvjnqXLNDTTSQRWd7cbjiypE1ck2ov-udA1W6Oqy7mm3lgno3YIbSYhYdADk3bHuRAlX0OiMvVwbaVvTb1IRX_hLR5-8ql1rrW21tMQkUoBFQuneWhKhH0hTCft3zPfuhC7XD8ryb/s1600-h/misson+home+cake.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2EqlvjnqXLNDTTSQRWd7cbjiypE1ck2ov-udA1W6Oqy7mm3lgno3YIbSYhYdADk3bHuRAlX0OiMvVwbaVvTb1IRX_hLR5-8ql1rrW21tMQkUoBFQuneWhKhH0hTCft3zPfuhC7XD8ryb/s320/misson+home+cake.aspx" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413285674156025922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_5JcQNYEWk9PgT9SwfnYZGIY4JNqLO2o1FtRfFeNmEVHs0e9RrhOkvyGX5bw76FlOCLyHgtqVkJcLlUhxurEmw1UcWfzb6XrBfBl_krLSgFyTa65W9VQT7XjQYAXtvd0RH_8m_nKTGPH/s1600-h/US+soil!.jpg2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_5JcQNYEWk9PgT9SwfnYZGIY4JNqLO2o1FtRfFeNmEVHs0e9RrhOkvyGX5bw76FlOCLyHgtqVkJcLlUhxurEmw1UcWfzb6XrBfBl_krLSgFyTa65W9VQT7XjQYAXtvd0RH_8m_nKTGPH/s320/US+soil!.jpg2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413285664806764354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO4bww2mIFSj_WBAqTjwiTjkNvN0Jo8kh5DFn1DilQGc06RaRz6fjU4VM1tn3qlBxqzuHs7YUTC_Qxse44xNL7TNocbNDNMa-qiYSyLrJhzraKVKtMbGySazAjrPMMxUtpK6bnWr36Y9A/s1600-h/Happy+21st+bday+with+Degi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO4bww2mIFSj_WBAqTjwiTjkNvN0Jo8kh5DFn1DilQGc06RaRz6fjU4VM1tn3qlBxqzuHs7YUTC_Qxse44xNL7TNocbNDNMa-qiYSyLrJhzraKVKtMbGySazAjrPMMxUtpK6bnWr36Y9A/s320/Happy+21st+bday+with+Degi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413284405463685202" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DHG_V_hzpXl-v5-TXQ4cGeowtZiQKcJ0f9rsi8x8Lkutg59kh8qgMKoTO9DLQqKeNcNihc53bkV6U-Gp29VVeuuTZaT3TT476ZfAhz0ZKUXBmkLcdHdmae8lrGV-BCB96F4I6pIVgcDf/s1600-h/Ilana.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DHG_V_hzpXl-v5-TXQ4cGeowtZiQKcJ0f9rsi8x8Lkutg59kh8qgMKoTO9DLQqKeNcNihc53bkV6U-Gp29VVeuuTZaT3TT476ZfAhz0ZKUXBmkLcdHdmae8lrGV-BCB96F4I6pIVgcDf/s320/Ilana.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413283683540994354" /></a><br /><br />December 2, 2009<br />Thanksgiving and Birthday made this past<br />week quite eventful and very enjoyable. <br />It was a great opportunity to think of <br />all the many blessings I have in my life <br />and all of the great people in my life.<br />We had the chance to have an early <br />Thanksgiving dinner with a couple of <br />American Families here in Geneva last <br />weekend, though we didn't have any plans <br />for the actual day of Thanksgiving. <br />But, one of the blessings of being here at <br />the mission home is that the Mission <br />President and his wife are way too nice and <br />invited us over for a huge dinner with the <br />couple missionaries, the stake president and <br />his wife, and a couple of other people. <br />It was a great meal and it was great to be <br />able to celebrate Thanksgiving with those <br />who resemble family here in the mission.<br />The baptism of I, our ami, was incredible! <br />There were so many people who came. <br />Everyone was so happy and I was on top of <br />the world. She had tons of friends there <br />and everyone was so happy for her. I was <br />way scared of messing of the words with so <br />many people there, but it went perfectly. <br />She received the Holy Ghost on Sunday and <br />is doing so well.<br />D is also doing very well. She will still <br />be baptized this Sunday and is <br />looking stronger and stronger. She has <br />already read, and understands, the <br />entire gospel principles book, and this <br />last Saturday she decided to read the <br />whole Book of Mormon before her baptism, <br />which was in 8 days. After 2 days she <br />was already into Mosiah. She is incredible! <br />We have been so blessed here with <br />all of these choice children of God who <br />are finding and accepting the gospel.<br />My 21st birthday was wonderful! <br />I honestly don't feel any older than <br />I did when I was 18. I think that was the <br />last time I felt any difference in age, <br />but boy am I getting old! My companion <br />actually planned on making me breakfast <br />in bed because I had mentioned it was a <br />tradition in out family and so he tried doing <br />it. The only problem is is that he heard <br />a noise and thought it was his alarm <br />and got up and made it, only to realize it <br />was only midnight! haha, it was nice <br />of him to show how great of a companion <br />he is. He forgot to reset his alarm but <br />made me something anyway when he got up. <br />I have a great companion. D and <br />her sister Z, the Mongolians, had actually <br />fixed a rendez-vous with us. We <br />had a great teaching and the surprised me <br />with a way nice cake and a bunch of <br />little pizzas from a way nice place <br />for lunch! They then gave me a card with <br />100 francs in it! Of course I didn't take it, <br />but the shear fact that they have <br />so little but were willing to give me so much <br />really really touched me. I mean, <br />that's huge. Just being with them and the <br />two institute couples here in Geneva <br />was great for lunch. Then, I get home and <br />Betty, she is the "maid" at the <br />mission home, had made me lunch and a <br />birthday cake. Betty is the greatest <br />woman in the world. She is from the Philippines <br />and has been a member for the last 40 years, <br />she 60. She is the most lively woman I have <br />ever met. That night, I had fixed a rendez-vous <br />with us and surprised me with a bunch of <br />chocolate which was great! Myself, Elder S, <br />and the two office Elders (Elder B and Elder D) <br />went to chick-chicken for dinner (its kind <br />of like KFC). We got back to the mission home <br />and the mission president and his <br />wife had gone to the American store and bought <br />me a funfetti cake with frosting <br />and root beers for us all! I felt so loved. <br />The people here are so amazing and <br />I feel so lucky to have so many people here <br />and also back home who care about me <br />so much.<br />This week will be great! We have been <br />working on transfers and we will finish <br />that up this week. I am pretty positive <br />I now know where I am going, but I <br />don't think I am allowed to say. <br />But I am way excited! A little hint, <br />its not really a big change. By next <br />week I will be in my last area of my mission <br />with probably my last companion. <br />I am way excited!M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-79406069921691273112009-11-30T10:32:00.001-08:002009-11-30T10:35:09.257-08:00Happy 21st Birthday Elder Bubba!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd7wzEdzMNQ_MINUXSnfnpcvFOgYJiqSIRWxQGps27zsYa-g0v-UDxKJUSH7dW2DSzfzK_Ocnxbspa9UXWRuZ7tKf8UZV-jzI6VCPH4lH2vxx5s1e4f789zrvxgi5sFqnuFwrtkHXTRJC/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd7wzEdzMNQ_MINUXSnfnpcvFOgYJiqSIRWxQGps27zsYa-g0v-UDxKJUSH7dW2DSzfzK_Ocnxbspa9UXWRuZ7tKf8UZV-jzI6VCPH4lH2vxx5s1e4f789zrvxgi5sFqnuFwrtkHXTRJC/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409967026812720338" /></a>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-40400440669505499552009-11-22T15:16:00.000-08:002009-11-22T15:36:58.157-08:00Leaves and Scones<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR-Y8hcxQd560MaZLcWZ1PQqlVf7TQGECPPwV4e1Mo6cXYIUc8rDl2ZGIsn8og2zoHWbRZ3VFZQ8PK9pFgatS5s2dJ1yv8omnBQy3ZbLOl7qAtQg2Mjh2UFJeAI6Ne3s77Wxr0ZiwojKJ/s1600/Raking+leaves+at+mission+home+neighbors.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR-Y8hcxQd560MaZLcWZ1PQqlVf7TQGECPPwV4e1Mo6cXYIUc8rDl2ZGIsn8og2zoHWbRZ3VFZQ8PK9pFgatS5s2dJ1yv8omnBQy3ZbLOl7qAtQg2Mjh2UFJeAI6Ne3s77Wxr0ZiwojKJ/s320/Raking+leaves+at+mission+home+neighbors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074477418232066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE-j6WIeXZwjds1kc4mVAn2joERQ6_bN5sCOYS8e43xxSMeRP6aiVY00mf6OXc_C1_Nc5pYTzTvrtRGXS-yb5bXnVDHBwgg73PkFCeflXnHu-fJZ-C3pShRyUQU8wIf8w6KGbS6GGCSDg/s1600/scones+for+leaves.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE-j6WIeXZwjds1kc4mVAn2joERQ6_bN5sCOYS8e43xxSMeRP6aiVY00mf6OXc_C1_Nc5pYTzTvrtRGXS-yb5bXnVDHBwgg73PkFCeflXnHu-fJZ-C3pShRyUQU8wIf8w6KGbS6GGCSDg/s320/scones+for+leaves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074467878900050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hbuUm4x7Qafxso2xx10QSxFiragA0d0pn1igxYXplT87M1jjOyatH35a6NcHL11iUMdlUEgEYtJVG5bRlvV6rE5Uh4bd7ZPy1ZCJfr6n3gBYN9UdsbLQkDdhISJ6aenhUH7MLDhT6fL6/s1600/Lake+Geneva+nov+2009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hbuUm4x7Qafxso2xx10QSxFiragA0d0pn1igxYXplT87M1jjOyatH35a6NcHL11iUMdlUEgEYtJVG5bRlvV6rE5Uh4bd7ZPy1ZCJfr6n3gBYN9UdsbLQkDdhISJ6aenhUH7MLDhT6fL6/s320/Lake+Geneva+nov+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074458390180946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcDXWhwBXTjToDDzqclfr6fPzre4YA29r5Q1zNayf93xMBJxrQ1nfsjRJ_tw9Pir4PGyS_B3b2HZYITFOFJsumDozFB7LVUSEniwDFCThVv29iQEIOxz3m3asNqsYw9JuH7TIDvcipOSG/s1600/lake+geneva+2009.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcDXWhwBXTjToDDzqclfr6fPzre4YA29r5Q1zNayf93xMBJxrQ1nfsjRJ_tw9Pir4PGyS_B3b2HZYITFOFJsumDozFB7LVUSEniwDFCThVv29iQEIOxz3m3asNqsYw9JuH7TIDvcipOSG/s320/lake+geneva+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074449637589682" /></a><br /><br />This past week went very well. <br />We finished with Zone Conferences in <br />Lyon which ended up going very well. <br />I am excited to go to zone conferences <br />next transfer and be able to just <br />listen and participate!<br />We also had an exchange here in Geneva <br />which went very well. I got to work <br />with my old companion Elder N, and we <br />had a great day of talking to people by <br />the church.<br />There is an older couple that lives <br />right next to us, and the older woman <br />always goes out and rakes her leaves <br />all the time, but the leaves always <br />fall faster than she can get them. <br />So on Saturday, the mission president <br />asked us to go and rake her leaves and <br />his wife and himself made us scones! <br />They were way good and it was good to <br />get out and serve some of our neighbors.<br />On Sunday I went to 3 different Sacrament <br />meetings which was the most I have <br />ever been to in a day; 2 of them were <br />the primary programs though which were <br />soo good. I love learning from little <br />children.<br />Yesterday we got a new missionary from <br />Norway which went very well as well. I <br />love seeing the new missionaries come <br />in and seeing how much faith and desire <br />they have!<br />This upcoming week, we have an Exchange <br />here in Geneva, we will be going to <br />Chambery on Saturday for an exchange, <br />and we will be having an exchange on <br />Monday in Lausanne, so it will be a <br />great week of working with other <br />missionaries and talking to a lot of <br />people!<br /><br />Have a great week.M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-18647587284788412862009-11-13T13:04:00.000-08:002009-11-13T13:26:28.049-08:00Catching up with two weeks of emails:)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Nx1D6dFk2_DrX2GufnOhKyVKP5tCbZKAbO_dETnUlnFpMYlKUhlGPK6xl9wRl0YjDtT5sC2yfojbJ9VZjTrUk_SoHWJbJYHTHEtoP5pGBC99g51D-k6WXehJ_rx6qcn2gca4rPhPU7dJ/s1600-h/Elders.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Nx1D6dFk2_DrX2GufnOhKyVKP5tCbZKAbO_dETnUlnFpMYlKUhlGPK6xl9wRl0YjDtT5sC2yfojbJ9VZjTrUk_SoHWJbJYHTHEtoP5pGBC99g51D-k6WXehJ_rx6qcn2gca4rPhPU7dJ/s320/Elders.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403701830131131954" /></a><br />Elder Bubba and Elder H<br /><br />NOVEMBER 4, 2009<br />With the start of the transfer and<br />the preparation for the zone conferences, <br />and all the other things that will take <br />place throughout the transfer ready, this <br />week has been spent quite a bit here at <br />the mission home, meeting with the <br />president, but went well none the less.<br />The missionaries came in and it was great! <br />I love seeing the new missionaries! <br />They have such great faith and such a <br />great desire to preach the gospel.<br />Our Brazilian investigator is doing <br />very well! She is still looking very <br />strong for the 28th of November, and <br />she is on her way to reading the whole <br />Book of Mormon. She also asked me to <br />baptize her this week, so I am really <br />looking forward to that.<br />C is also doing very well and he will <br />tell us tomorrow if he will be <br />baptized the 28th of November as well!<br />We are having a great time here together, <br />Elder S and myself, and we are <br />looking forward to all of the great <br />things that will happen this transfer. <br />We are going to try really hard this <br />transfer to have a good time and really <br />have a blast doing this great work.<br />This upcoming week should also be exciting. <br />I think we might visit the reformers wall <br />today here in Geneva. Tomorrow, we <br />will be heading up to Metz, <br />for the Zone Conference on Friday. <br />We will go down to Nancy for an exchange <br />on Saturday and will come home that night. <br />Next Monday we will have a zone <br />conference in Yverdon, Switzerland, and <br />then a zone conference here in Geneva <br />on Tuesday. It should be great!<br /><br /><br />You would also be happy to know that I <br />am still eating healthy and I am doing <br />well physically.<br />I hope you have a great week. <br />Is there anything I can do for you? <br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson Welch<br /><br />NOVEMBER 11, 2009<br />Bonjour<br />It is a beautiful day here in Geneva.<br />The sun is shining, and it is beautiful <br />outside with orange leaves all over here <br />in Geneva; Finally a break to all of <br />the cold rain! The fact that it was <br />rainy this week actually wasn't too bad <br />though, seeing that we had 3 zone <br />conferences, and a full day of church <br />in there, keeping us out of the rain, <br />though, I do feel <br />bad I didn't get to be out there working <br />hard and earning myself some "wife <br />points."<br />The 3 zone conferences went great though! <br />We are talking about being more <br />effective missionaries, and have created <br />a study packet that we go through to <br />facilitate conversation on the topic with <br />all the missionaries. We are seeing <br />great results and I am excited to start <br />putting some of these things into <br />practice myself.<br />We were in Metz, Frace <br />(where I started my mission) on Friday, <br />and we had an exchange with the Zone <br />Leaders in Nancy that night and on <br />Saturday which went very well. <br />I was with Elder H and I had a great <br />time learning from him. <br />We tried so hard to do exactly what <br />we though the Lord wanted and we saw some <br />great results, most specifically the <br />feeling of doing what the Lord asks of us.<br />We also had a "Soirée des Talents" <br />(Talent Show) here in Geneva on Saturday <br />where we say a jazzed up version of <br />"Love At Home" as an Elders Quorum; good <br />times.<br />Sunday was a great night! <br />We are teaching a Mongolian who just <br />started coming back to church and her <br />non-member Sister D and we went over <br />and ate with them and another Mongolian <br />non-member. The food was so good and the <br />formerly less-active member said she <br />wants to be temple worthy within a year! <br />It was so great to hear that! <br />We had also just taught D about Alma 32, <br />how faith is like a seed the last <br />rendez-vous, and she explained to us <br />that the seed has been <br />planted and she feels it growing in her <br />heart and she said how great she felt! <br />It was so good!<br />This week should be great as well. <br />We will be going to visit the P<br />Family, one of my favorite families <br />here tonight, and tomorrow we are off to <br />Lyon for a Zone Conference there. <br />We then have an exchange here with the Lyon <br />zone leaders and another exchange next <br />Tuesday in Lausanne with the Zone Leaders <br />there. It should be a great week and I <br />can only hope that the weather continues <br />to get better!<br />Have a great week and please let me <br />know of anything I can do for you!<br />Love Always,<br />Elder Clayton Welch<br /><br /><br />We received Elder Bubba's travel<br />itinerary today (crazy huh?)<br />He gets back to the USA <br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">February 11, 2010!!</span>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-41855188785931954422009-10-28T21:28:00.000-07:002009-10-28T21:43:12.382-07:005th TransferI did go to the most <br />beautiful city in Switzerland this week, <br />Montruex, to help some woman with some <br />stuff for the mission president. It is <br />was actually home to people like F. <br />Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and many <br />others including Freddy Mercury of <br />Queene. Here is a picture of me right <br />next to a statue of Freddy Mercury, and <br />also of the Alps looking over Lake Geneva.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnfIgHTusI5zwspFF0Mw0z6bAqBRzM55PBExMLCe1sDSxeZNyT979cEosgg1_SVXq27ue73c6M-eMZjgOyb_xTCJY12LkR-1y0BvaPHUp1MtPtyrHQdY3Z4XDGRkYVUl7pdo38eUc3gaQ/s1600-h/Freddy+Mercury.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnfIgHTusI5zwspFF0Mw0z6bAqBRzM55PBExMLCe1sDSxeZNyT979cEosgg1_SVXq27ue73c6M-eMZjgOyb_xTCJY12LkR-1y0BvaPHUp1MtPtyrHQdY3Z4XDGRkYVUl7pdo38eUc3gaQ/s320/Freddy+Mercury.aspx" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397877411823601298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal34RdZiq0qqX6s8qUFatwoLT8wMTvZqXCKyrzLujvSQuq_fBxk3TjzGAjHKZJ03pPZfLe7Av9qT79Y3ZsvIDk-a9Z2r7rCru1V4izdAmfDKhlYIhHY6xUkeSR63J1rlx-hBfZQ9Objj5/s1600-h/Montreux.aspx"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhal34RdZiq0qqX6s8qUFatwoLT8wMTvZqXCKyrzLujvSQuq_fBxk3TjzGAjHKZJ03pPZfLe7Av9qT79Y3ZsvIDk-a9Z2r7rCru1V4izdAmfDKhlYIhHY6xUkeSR63J1rlx-hBfZQ9Objj5/s320/Montreux.aspx" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397877408197773298" /></a><br /><br /><br />As for your questions/comments this week:<br /><br />So how did your transfers planning go <br />this week? It went way well! It just <br />flys by, but it is very spiritually tiring. <br />I love seeing the Lord's hand <br />direct this work.<br /><br />Are you staying in Geneva for your <br />5th transfer? Yes, I will be here for one <br />more. 7 months in Geneva!<br /><br />Did you talk about your plans with your <br />mission president and have you decided <br />when you plan to come home? <br />February 11, 2010. <br /><br />Do they celebrate anything like Halloween <br />in Switzerland? Not really, though, <br />the English ward is having a party.<br /><br />So this week we decided to break some of <br />the "traditions of our fathers" and the <br />mission president decided to keep me here <br />for a 5th transfer. It hasn't <br />happened for a long time, so I hope I do <br />a good job. Apparently there is <br />something the Lord still wants me to learn <br />here that I haven't learned quick <br />enough. I am pretty sure this will be my <br />last transfer here though, and then I <br />will have a transfer and a half to end <br />my mission in the field.<br /><br />Working on transfer week was great. <br />It is always way tiring, but its just so <br />much fun. It is very spiritually <br />exhausting though. The week just flew by! <br />It is also fun meeting with the president <br />all day, and learning so much from all <br />that he knows. He is a great example. <br />I have been growing way close to him and <br />am grateful to be here at the mission home.<br />Other than that, we had some great <br />rendez-vous with our great investigators. <br />We are still teaching I, the Brazilian, <br />and she told as at church that she is <br />positive that she will be baptized the <br />28th of November! I am way excited for <br />her. She is seeing opposition, but her <br />desire and faith will keep her going. <br />C, the referral from our DMP <br />(ward mission leader) is also doing great. <br />He is quitting smoking this week and, <br />thanks to a quit smoking plan for <br />investigators, he is now at 5 days <br />no smoking! We also met with D, our <br />Mongolian ami, who is always way fun <br />to teach. She speaks Mongolian and Chinese <br />and a very little English, and her <br />member sister, speaks Mongolian and French, <br />so we teach and French and hope that <br />she is understanding. Its great to see how <br />the spirit teaches.<br />This upcoming week should also be great, <br />filled with picking up missionaries <br />from the airport, teaching the new <br />missionaries, and helping the missionaries <br />get around. I am excited to be here for <br />one more and look forward to learn as <br />much as I can from the mission president!<br /><br />Have a great week and keep on smiling!<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-27565239044879100882009-10-23T12:29:00.000-07:002009-10-23T12:40:49.295-07:00Caught up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wlVQort_qvY77dejzv0vDDthynyDFtoa2nw1cWOntH5xFDaXdTA9wuC2x9ybA6MXfUrMGNaGVIeK7mkO4_ty0-ZefkZODYJQ_FuIG5P36rvofRsCeHnYy3j8PzjMxG4LFE9pztilL8n7/s1600-h/get-attachment.aspx123.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wlVQort_qvY77dejzv0vDDthynyDFtoa2nw1cWOntH5xFDaXdTA9wuC2x9ybA6MXfUrMGNaGVIeK7mkO4_ty0-ZefkZODYJQ_FuIG5P36rvofRsCeHnYy3j8PzjMxG4LFE9pztilL8n7/s320/get-attachment.aspx123.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395882687333836146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj9OD9kd4HmawBFYF96D4V3shCLHoPK1uJ-5aKPkEeN1myuiom45ietX6sJv7QQiJRJnHkAvD9KyKDQLfMOtBQSmyk1kgM8DcmSKFDQo9M3pUOKAoQq-1HaxWGO_maduEU3YNrm581hNS/s1600-h/get-attachment.aspx23.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj9OD9kd4HmawBFYF96D4V3shCLHoPK1uJ-5aKPkEeN1myuiom45ietX6sJv7QQiJRJnHkAvD9KyKDQLfMOtBQSmyk1kgM8DcmSKFDQo9M3pUOKAoQq-1HaxWGO_maduEU3YNrm581hNS/s320/get-attachment.aspx23.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395882684228210322" /></a><br />Je t'aime! <br />I had a great week here in Geneva. <br />It was nice to be able to relax <br />a little. <br />Being in Geneva this week was great! <br />It was a great chance to work in our <br />own area, and to get caught up on <br />things here at the mission home. <br />As far as I know, we are all caught up, <br />something I haven't been able to do in <br />my 6 months here in Geneva.<br />This week I went on two exchanges, <br />both of them taking place here in Geneva. <br />They went very well, and I always like <br />being able to get a couple of hours to go <br />out and talk to people in the road. <br />Speaking of being outside, the weather has <br />become quite cold over the last week, <br />but I love it! I really like being able <br />to wear a coat and scarf. <br />I hope it snows here soon.<br />We had a baptism here on Saturday which <br />went very well! Her name is Kelly M and <br />she is 9 years old. She is from a <br />family that has been inactive over the <br />last 5+ years. We have been working <br />really hard with them and <br />they are doing so well! <br />They have been coming to church for <br />the last 4 months, and they haven't <br />missed a Sunday in 3! Another great <br />thing is that Kelly has two older brothers, <br />S who is 18, and E who is 17. S was <br />ordained a priest last Tuesday, <br />and E a Teacher, and S was able to <br />perform the baptism! It was great! <br />It was such a great opportunity seeing <br />the family united like that.<br />Another great thing that happened this <br />week is with the recently called Ward <br />Mission Leader in one of our wards. <br />He is a little timid about his <br />capabilities, but the thing he did <br />this week was something I have never <br />seen any member do on my whole mission. <br />He invited a friend of his to have a <br />family home evening 2 weeks ago, <br />where he came and they talked about families. <br />He then invited him to church where he, <br />came and was introduced to us. We <br />taught him twice this week, he came to <br />the baptism on Saturday, and again to <br />church yesterday. He told us that he <br />thinks he will be the next one baptized! <br />IT was a great testimony builder to me <br />that members truly can have the biggest <br />effort in this work!<br />This week will be primarily spent <br />working on the Transfer Board with the <br />mission president. I don't know what <br />will happen yet, but I think I might be <br />staying for a 5th transfer here. <br />The weeks working on the transfer board are <br />always the fastest so this week should fly!<br />Have a great week.<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-6384762840499033072009-10-16T13:36:00.000-07:002009-10-16T13:52:45.603-07:00Bonjour!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD4lIdAJBSAmNOVyYoxtE0THVuIw95KYSQJoelLtHaXmyjCcoTl2gNZdAfABXqBlOOFV4OCVJceJR3rwegBfn3ZpQp5KuPDIaS9c2hyphenhyphensBIoewaB3tOh_NT4jXLBAyV06gSr8jEFgW7ACK/s1600-h/Elder+Bubba+abd+Landry.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD4lIdAJBSAmNOVyYoxtE0THVuIw95KYSQJoelLtHaXmyjCcoTl2gNZdAfABXqBlOOFV4OCVJceJR3rwegBfn3ZpQp5KuPDIaS9c2hyphenhyphensBIoewaB3tOh_NT4jXLBAyV06gSr8jEFgW7ACK/s320/Elder+Bubba+abd+Landry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393303625519698946" /></a><br />Bonjour!<br /><br />After quite a few hectic weeks, <br />this past week was a great chance <br />to relax and get caught up on a <br />lot of things going on here.<br />It is a little chilly here in the <br />morning, but it is nothing strange <br />for a usual fall day. The leaves are <br />all changing colors though which is <br />great to see.<br /><br />As for the questions and comments:<br />"Did you park in a no parking zone or <br />why did your van get towed?" Apparently, <br />the parking lot had signs saying that <br />it was free parking until 5:30 am on <br />certain days of the week, but, even when <br />I went back to check, I didn't seem it! <br />All I saw was parking was payed parking <br />after 9 am. But, you can't really argue <br />with the French government.<br /><br />"Was [the week] a bit more restful for you?" <br />yes it was! It was great.<br /><br />"It is also apple season and have found <br />Honey Crisp and have been eating one of <br />those every day." <br />Thats way good that you are eating an apple <br />a day pops. I am too! They taste way good <br />though. I always eat pink ladys. Do they <br />have those there?<br /><br />This week was great, being the first week <br />in a while where I spent the majority <br />of it here in Geneva. We got a lot of <br />things done here though, which was great, <br />and it was great to get out and teach <br />those whom our Heavenly Father has <br />prepared.<br />On Thursday night, we did travel to Lyon <br />again for our exchange there we had <br />with the Zone Leaders; no, I did not get <br />towed this time. It was a great <br />exchange though!<br />Friday morning during our exchange, <br />the Zone Leader, Elder H, felt inspired <br />to change some of our schedule for the <br />day. It was raining very hard all <br />morning, and we had planned to pass <br />some investigators. We weren't really <br />talking to people on the road, because <br />of the rain, but as a man was approaching, <br />I felt like I needed to talk to him. <br />I contacted the man, and we had a great <br />contact. I asked if there was some time <br />that afternoon if we could pass by him. <br />He said that he was busy, and that he was <br />about to go to Paris for the next week. <br />I then asked if we could go to his home <br />right then and talk. He was like, "baa, ok." <br />So we went there and talked. Right away, <br />he said, "I need to tell you something. <br />This morning I prayed for the first time <br />in a while and I asked God to give me some <br />direction in this life. When you stopped <br />me, I honestly prejudged you, but as you <br />asked the second time if we could talk, I <br />realize that I had just rejected the <br />response God gave me, and that you are the <br />answer to my prayer." It was crazy! <br />We had a great rendez-vous and he said he <br />would like to be baptized. It was an <br />amazing testimony builder of how the Lord <br />truly has prepared people here to teach.<br />Other good news, our investigator, from Brazil, <br />who has been struggling with the idea of <br />baptism, came up to us at church yesterday <br />full of smiles. She said, I was walking <br />down the road on Friday, and I all of a <br />sudden received my response, I need to be <br />baptized November 28th! She said that <br />there was no doubt in her mind, and it <br />was as though someone was there telling <br />her she needed to do it!<br /><br />This week should be another great <br />low key week! We have a baptism this <br />Saturday with our investigator K M.<br />We also have 2 exchanges, that will <br />take place here in Geneva.<br /><br />Have a great week and remember that I love you!<br />Love,<br />Elder Clayton Welch<br /><br />ps. The picture is the man I taught who <br />was baptized in Lyon.) <br />He baptized someone on Saturday and <br />will be going on a mission in April!M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-80551718944553213672009-10-07T15:03:00.000-07:002009-10-07T15:20:51.339-07:00I Love General Conference!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfTVNuhofrB1EF3lCaa0P7VCuc7nHmtjzfsv_fcSynad6u56YPI0Ps3xQ9leZE-a1bnCB8pqCpWRtPllVTxpvpZ-p9fCPmP0V5FWPrkJXe3fFosjXPEkCCw7vKdfZli3lgCl7GhJzdlpK/s1600-h/midnight+GC.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfTVNuhofrB1EF3lCaa0P7VCuc7nHmtjzfsv_fcSynad6u56YPI0Ps3xQ9leZE-a1bnCB8pqCpWRtPllVTxpvpZ-p9fCPmP0V5FWPrkJXe3fFosjXPEkCCw7vKdfZli3lgCl7GhJzdlpK/s320/midnight+GC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389986566201395010" /></a><br /><br /><br />Every week I am trying to eat <br />healthier and healthier. I <br />haven't bought any carbonated <br />beverages for weeks now, and I <br />think I bought more vegetables <br />and fruits than ever this week. <br />Its great. I can definetely <br />feel the difference in my body <br />from trying to better respect it. <br />I have been doing a lot of <br />reflecting on Section 89 of Doctrine <br />and Covenants and I am grateful <br />that I am better living to that.<br /><br /> You both had mentioned, <br />"I think all of the sessions were <br />great and the theme was definitely <br />about love and trying to show that <br />to those we come in contact with <br />whether it is family, friends or <br />those we associate with." <br />I think you are exactly right. <br />I had those same feelings. <br />I had actually just been studying <br />in Romans 7 and 9 the day before, <br />and it confirmed to me how important <br />the love from God is in our <br />lives, and how much we need to <br />love others. Mom, you also <br />mention, Pres. Eyring's talk and <br />when he mentioned his grandmothers <br />saying..."Families are <br />Forever, Please No empty chairs ." <br />I really liked that too. <br />I thought of you when I heard that. <br /><br />As for your questions: <br />Do they drive really fast like<br />they do in other parts of Europe <br />like Germany? <br />in Switzerland nobody goes over the <br />speed limit, literally. There are <br />cameras everywhere, and people are <br />really good about respecting rules here. <br />Do you get exhausted? not to bad, <br />I have a great companion and we always <br />end up talking the whole time or <br />rock out to a hymn.<br />Do you get to text at all? <br />no, thank goodness. I hate phones. <br />We have 2, an international phone and <br />a Swiss phone, and I usually hold on <br />to the Swiss phone because I turn it <br />off when we are on France. I wish I <br />didn't have to have a phone when I <br />get back, but, we all do.<br />Are you speaking mostly French? yeah. <br />We teach only in french except for <br />that one investigator. That's because <br />there are English speaking missionaries <br />here in Geneva.<br />"Remember when you were young you <br />would tell me you would be willing <br />to be a missionary for 3 years if you <br />could do service and not knock on doors?" <br />Haha, yeah. Either way, being a <br />missionary is great!<br />General Conference was definetely the <br />highlight of my week! Watching it from <br />Saturday at 6, up until last night <br />at midnight, listening to the prophets' <br />words helped me with literally every <br />question I was having. I went into conference <br />with 2 major questions, both of which <br />were answered. Its amazing how that works.<br />Living here at the mission home we have a <br />few perks. We were able to watch the <br />Sunday afternoon session on the TV on <br />the mission president's side of the <br />mission home. It is always shown here <br />from 10 pm til midnight, and since the <br />mission president didn't want anyone <br />traveling after midnight, let us watch it <br />on the other side! It was great being <br />able to watch a session of conference in <br />PJs and with a bunch of treats, though, <br />honestly, nothing beats being at the <br />church and feeling the spirit. But <br />it was nice to relax for a second.<br />I loved the talk given by Jeffrey R. <br />Holland on the Book of Mormon, and Joseph <br />Smith as a prophet. I would encourage <br />everyone to read it after this Thursday <br />after its online. His testimony was <br />so genuine and so sincere, I couldn't help <br />but to have the desire to cry out to the w<br />orld my own testimony of this restored <br />gospel.<br />I also loved the talk by Elder Tad <br />Callister on the apostasy and the <br />restoration of the church. <br />It was definetely for missionaries.<br />This week, we also had the chance<br />to go to three zone conferences, <br />all over the mission. With that being<br />said, it was a very tiring week <br />spiritually, along <br />with a lot of driving.<br />Long story short, I parked the large <br />mission van (we were shuttling people <br />for zone conference because there <br />was a large subway/bus strike) in <br />Lyon on Monday night where we were <br />sleeping for the zone conference <br />the next day. When we went <br />out to get it it had to be towed. <br />We spent all morning getting it and walking <br />across the city jumping through hula hoops. <br />All I can say is that I am grateful <br />that I was able to sit through a <br />spiritual meeting after being so <br />flustered all morning!<br /><br />This week will be more low key. <br />We will be working a lot here in Geneva, <br />finally focusing on our investigators. <br />We will also be going to Lyon on Friday <br />for an exchange.<br />Thanks again <br />for all of your love and support! <br />I pray that you have a great week!<br /><br /><br />Love Always,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-84635470382787906712009-09-30T15:37:00.000-07:002009-09-30T15:55:09.317-07:00GANDHI AND ME<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC3hWWigRta7P3NtgcUyYHKrttqnQfEF0lvqTaZiAB3YCMNVpwhgB6ghJU7WfoV-hU6DiwKJQq42JKhpYtMffN_9nJ_cpgpMtU__EZiMs5VRNH80xOKxYgqbUT8JpB4e1TrCXRL_pjCTt/s1600-h/United+Nations-2009+Elder+Bubba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeC3hWWigRta7P3NtgcUyYHKrttqnQfEF0lvqTaZiAB3YCMNVpwhgB6ghJU7WfoV-hU6DiwKJQq42JKhpYtMffN_9nJ_cpgpMtU__EZiMs5VRNH80xOKxYgqbUT8JpB4e1TrCXRL_pjCTt/s320/United+Nations-2009+Elder+Bubba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387396850222367106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM5KE6uH5nJIr0ajOVumtrvRDeto4OSy3eBrDYwJo5wXKeR9gQl2OGJTPu5T2RBK650n02VqyuEBePTsodzaNRkjH7qwo-6az9idXYEEVvTt9aJ7VprVzr9BkxMw0TO9N0arnT-M4B1Xx/s1600-h/Elder+Bubba-United+Nations+sept2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinM5KE6uH5nJIr0ajOVumtrvRDeto4OSy3eBrDYwJo5wXKeR9gQl2OGJTPu5T2RBK650n02VqyuEBePTsodzaNRkjH7qwo-6az9idXYEEVvTt9aJ7VprVzr9BkxMw0TO9N0arnT-M4B1Xx/s320/Elder+Bubba-United+Nations+sept2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387396841303087842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHEmySMDOsDr0MGUhCrWBYxmc-zjL5mxztlBxLgDXXGgj5jMRrJ9DqtcwPV1LeIH9tTvGilrdo9larmUK7DFOSQSZVLfKfmYCeV_UOW2jTHiqbvdX9G18rkS6wIIWN8vmCOX921tRtGoc/s1600-h/Elder+Bubba+2009+United+Nations!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHEmySMDOsDr0MGUhCrWBYxmc-zjL5mxztlBxLgDXXGgj5jMRrJ9DqtcwPV1LeIH9tTvGilrdo9larmUK7DFOSQSZVLfKfmYCeV_UOW2jTHiqbvdX9G18rkS6wIIWN8vmCOX921tRtGoc/s320/Elder+Bubba+2009+United+Nations!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387396833633402898" /></a><br /><br /><br />This week was actually very low key,<br />where I spent the whole week here <br />in Geneva. Tuesday was getting a <br />lot of things done here at the <br />mission home. <br />Wednesday we had a Zone Leader <br />Council, which is still my <br />favorite meeting as a missionary. <br />I just love meeting as the "leaders" <br />in the mission, discussing the <br />needs of the mission. I feel that <br />that is the way we get the most <br />accomplished. <br />Thursday we got ready for the zone <br />conferences, where I made the mission <br />film and we got some other stuff done. <br />Friday we had our first Zone Conference <br />of the transfer which was here in <br />Geneva; the first Zone Conference is <br />always the hardest, but now we know the <br />changes we need to make. <br />And yesterday we spent the day working <br />as missionaries do. We had a great <br />lesson in the morning where <br />our 9 year old ami,who decided to <br />be baptized the 17th of October. <br />We have been working a lot with her <br />family, and her whole family, <br />except for the father, have been <br />coming to church every week for <br />2 months now! That night we <br />taught a Mongolian girl whose <br />sister is a member. She had <br />asked me if we could teach her <br />last week. The rendezvous went <br />very well, though it was a combination <br />of English, French, and Mongolian.<br />Saturday afternoon we were helping <br />a member move some stuff in his home. <br />We were using a pulley system to <br />lower tiling, wood, etc. from the <br />2nd story of this old french home. <br />It went very well, and while we <br />were doing it, one of the <br />neighbor girls told us that her <br />Mom needed help. We went over, and <br />this woman had a huge fridge, <br />about the size of the average American <br />fridge, and wanted to <br />if we could move it into her car. <br />I love french people. They had <br />lived 2 houses away for 4 years and <br />had never met. She invited us in <br />to have some freshly squeezed <br />grape juice. We then told her <br />how we were missionaries and she <br />invited us, and the member family <br />to come eat dinner with her and <br />her husband and their 5 kids! <br />Its crazy how service can really <br />soften someones heart. <br />Yesterday during fast and testimony <br />meeting, this brother, got up and <br />bore his testimony about how <br />the missionary spirit has changed <br />his family thanks to us coming over. <br />I couldn't believe how strong <br />the spirit was as I sat there and <br />listened to how the calling of a <br />missionary really does change lives. <br />The spirit was almost tangible. <br />I felt that I could reach out <br />and grab it. I think it was the <br />first time I have cried in a long <br />time. I love being a missionary!<br />This week will be crazy! <br />Tonight we are going to Lyon for <br />zone conference tomorrow. We <br />will then drive right afterward <br />to Metz, France for a zone conference <br />on Wednesday. We will then drive <br />directly to Nancy to have an <br />exchange with the zone leaders <br />Thursday, only to drive home to <br />sleep in my bed and drive to Yverdon, <br />Switzerland on Friday for Zone <br />Conference there. Then, we have <br />General Conference this <br />weekend! I LOVE General Conference. <br />Honestly, my favorite 2 weekends of <br />the year. Listen. Take Notes. <br />The prophets words truly changes lives. <br />This should be a great week!<br /><br />Love always,<br />Elder Bubba<br /><br />ps. Attached are photos from my visit <br />to the United Nations last week. I <br />especially like the one of me reading <br />the Book of Mormon with Gandhi.M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-68815064330327065182009-09-28T06:53:00.000-07:002009-09-28T07:01:43.794-07:00Fun Airport MeetingSo this week was pretty low key,<br /> but it was a great week. <br />No trips to Paris, but I actually <br />did have a really cool experience <br />(not really gospel related). <br />While taking a missionary who was <br />going home to the airport on <br />Thursday morning my companion and <br />I were standing and waiting for <br />the sister to finish getting <br />her bags checked. I noticed a <br />guy in the "Club Europe" line, <br />the line for way rich people at <br />the airport who fly all over, <br />who dressed a lot like I did before <br />the mission, especially the way he <br />was wearing his beany on the back <br />of his head. There were 3 other <br />guys about 25-30 years old with <br />him too with beards and "trendy" <br />jeans and t shirts. All of a <br />sudden, of them comes up to us and <br />is like, "hey guys, so are you <br />from Utah?" I was like, "Nope, <br />Minnesota. You?" He said he was <br />from Nebraska but his family lives <br />in Utah and that his Pops <br />actually teaches/taught at BYU. <br />He told us about how his dad and <br />bro served missions and his grandpa <br />was a mission president. We talked <br />a little bit more, <br />and then I asked him what he was <br />up to in Switzerland. He was like, <br />"Oh, I was here for 2 months with my <br />band (who is standing right next to us), <br />and we were working on a CD. <br />Our band is actually Marron 5, <br />I play lead guitar." I played <br />it off all cool and was like, "oh yeah, <br />that's cool. So how did you like <br />Switzerland?" But I really couldn't <br />believe I was chilling in the Geneva, <br />Switzerland airport with Maroon 5 at <br />six in the morning. It was pretty rad.<br />As for the week, we spent a good <br />portion of it greeting new missionaries <br />and getting the old missionaries back <br />home. We spent a lot of time with <br />the mission president getting everything <br />ready for the next transfer; Zone <br />Conferences, Zone Leader Council, etc. <br />It went well, but I honestly think <br />sitting in a room talking is way harder <br />and more exhausting then walking <br />around and talking to people. <br /> I don't really understand it.<br />This week we will finish up some <br />things around here. We have Zone Leader <br />Council on Wednesday, we will be on <br />an exchange in Lyon on Thursday <br />(my favorite city in the mission), <br />and we will be attending a zone <br />conference here in Geneva <br />on Friday. Other than that, we <br />will be working on finding some <br />time on finding those the Lord has <br />prepared here in Geneva!<br />have a great week!<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-54021366775841511802009-09-17T11:01:00.000-07:002009-09-17T11:57:17.732-07:003 Weeks from Gpa's passing until this weekThank you also for calling the <br />mission home to let me know <br />about Grandpa Henderson. It <br />made it a lot earlier. As the <br />mission president mentioned to <br />you, we had to go to Dijon at <br />the last minute for a baptismal <br />interview which went very well. <br />We got in late, around 10, and <br />right before I got inside he <br />called me into their side of the <br />home. His wife and himself sat <br />me down and told me, making it <br />a very respectful and done in <br />a loving way. Thanks for going <br />through the effort to letting <br />me know. Its weird; while sitting <br />in church yesterday morning, <br />I thought about Grandpa and Grandma <br />and felt like I really <br />needed to write them a letter.. <br />I probably still should. When <br />they told me I had a peaceful <br />feeling come over me. The <br />knowledge of the plan of <br />happiness is amazing. I know I <br />will see him again, and I know <br />he did that which was <br />necessary in this life. <br />That makes me happy!<br /><br />I think that I am in the car <br />over 20 hours a week... <br />Honestly, everything seems <br />to be going so fast, it doesn't <br />seem that long until I look <br />back at it.<br />You mentioned something about <br />you bought be for Christmas before <br />I left; the blue one. The <br />battery recharges. The problem <br />is is that I had it hooked up to <br />the computer to send pictures and <br />I forgot to detach it so it <br />drained the battery. Oh well. <br />I am recharging it right now. <br />every week I tell myself I need <br />to take more pictures.. <br />but I never do! haha<br />Being around a general authority <br />all week was a very humbling <br />experience. Elder Kopischke is <br />actually the regional president <br />of Europe for the church, meaning <br />he oversees everything that <br />happens here under the direction <br />of the first presidency and apostles. <br />He is German and is a great man! <br />On Tuesday, we finished up the <br />last minute preparations for his <br />arrival, and, upon his arrival, <br />proceeded the mission tour. <br />Tuesday night we had a meeting <br />with Elder Kopischke, The mission <br />president, myself and my companion, <br />and the Geneva Stake Presidency. <br />It was all an open forum setting, <br />as we discussed certain issues. <br />I actually was asked to speak<br /> first everytime! It was a great <br />chance to see the real needs of <br />the church here in the area, and <br />ways that we can better work <br />together.<br />On Wednesday, we had zone <br />conference in Yverdon, Switzerland <br />all day, where we went and got <br />some "Italian" pizzas. Mine <br />was covered in blue cheese, and, <br />although I do like stinky cheeses <br />now, I am not a huge fan of a <br />stinky cheese pizza; oh well. <br />Actually, I stopped and got gas <br />right afterward to get a drink <br />as well. I went in and paid for <br />the drinks, and saturated, we <br />got a letter saying that a couple <br />of young men stole gas with <br />a car having the license plate <br />numbers with this address. <br />Whoops! I forgot to pay for <br />the gas! haha, they were nice <br />about it and they said if we <br />were really trying to steal, we <br />wouldn't have gone <br />in and bought drinks! haha.<br />Thursday we had a zone <br />conference here in Geneva, <br />and we actually had a chance <br />to teach a couple of lessons <br />where we fixed a baptismal <br />date with a 9 year old <br />girl, whose family has been <br />recently reactivated.<br />After our lessons we had 15 <br />minutes before we had to go <br />to be home on time. <br />Seeing how we hadn't a chance <br />to talk to people all week, <br />we set out to find someone. <br />The only problem was is there <br />was NOONE in sight. We decided<br />to do EXTREME contacting. <br />A lady came flying by on a <br />bike and Elder S jumped <br />in her way and had her stop. <br />We taught her about the family <br />and although she was in a hurry, <br />said she may stop by the church <br />some day. The next people we <br />saw we on a balcony 3 stories up. <br />I started yelling at them how <br />important their <br />family was in the eyes of God! <br />The familly wasn't too receptive <br />as they started <br />yelling some not so nice stuff <br />at us, haha. But then, the <br />only other person we <br />could see was a man walking away <br />from us about 40 yards away. <br />I literally started running <br />after him, and, as the door to <br />his building was shutting, I <br />slipped in and said, "God is <br />your loving heavenly Father <br />and he loves you." We <br />fixed an appointment with him <br />and he said he would come to <br />church! haha, I love talking <br />to people about this <br />great message!<br />Friday, we went to Zone <br />Conference in Lyons, France, <br />where we ate at KFC, again, <br />for dinner! Its the ONLY <br />place in Europe where you can <br />get free refills. I love it.<br />Saturday, we had the mission <br />council here and then we had <br />to take care of some <br />administrative stuff. Sunday, <br />we found out we needed to go to <br />Dijon to perform <br />a baptismal interview. So, we <br />drove the 3 hours there and back <br />and had a great interview!<br />This week, will also include <br />quite a bit of travel, but a lot <br />more preaching the gospel! <br />We will head to Valence, France <br />tonight for an exchange tomorrow, <br />we will have an exchange in<br />Annency, France Wednesday, we <br />will be here on Thursday, <br />and then We will head up the <br />6 hours for an exchagne in Colmar, <br />France on Friday, and Mulhouse, <br />France on Saturday. <br />It should be a crazy yet great week! <br />I am excited!<br /><br /><br /><br />Monday Sept. 7, 2009<br />The funeral seemed nice. <br />I am so glad so many of you <br />were able to participate; <br />both of you giving prayers, and <br />Stephanie and Jacob playing musical <br />numbers. That's great. The <br />pictures looked so good. Thank you. <br />Regardless, I was definitely there <br />in spirit. I hope me not being <br />there didn't make a difference. <br />The mission president actually told <br />me I could call you both, but I <br />felt that that would have been <br />harder. I hope you understand. <br />It was easier for me to <br />just keep working hard, and <br />letting people how, as I know, <br />that our families can <br />and will be together through <br />the power of God restored to the <br />earth today.<br /> <br />Often times when there is something <br />difficult happening, I think it <br />really is God directing us, <br />protecting us, and sometimes <br />preparing us for certain things. <br />Its like the paroble by James E. <br />Talmage I shared with you before, <br />"the parable of the unwise bee," <br />though, it really is hard to <br />acknowledge this in these <br />difficult times.<br />My week was spent all over the <br />mission, going on exchanges from <br />the city the furthest south in our <br />mission, Valence, France, up to two <br />of the most north <br />cities, Colmar and Mulhouse, France. <br />We also had an exchange in Annency, <br />France, a beautiful city in the French <br />alps, relatively close to Geneva. <br />Other than that, I didn't have much <br />of a chance to be here in Geneva except <br />for Monday Afternoon, Thursday <br />Afternoon, and Sunday. This week we <br />will be here all week, <br />thank goodness! Sometimes its just <br />nice to be chez vous (at your place).<br />Usually, as assistants, we don't <br />get to spend much time working <br />with younger missionaries, but, <br />seeing as the mission president is <br />having us work with these <br />younger missionaries, we get too. <br />Its weird, I have spent the last <br />4 months working only with <br />missionaries that have been out <br />for over a year. This week I <br />served with Elder R, a great <br />missionary in Valence, Elder W in<br />Annency, Elder W in Mulhouse, and <br />Elder C in Colmar, all being <br />out on there missions for about <br />6 months. They are great missionaries. <br />It is so great to see missionaries <br />with this kind of desire!<br />The part of my week I would like <br />to share with you though is about <br />our ami one of my favorite people <br />I have met on my mission. She is <br />Brazilian and has been here for <br />about 4 years. We have been <br />teaching here since my first week <br />here. She has only missed 1 day <br />of church in over 4 months and <br />goes to everything! <br />Everyone loves her! People <br />literally walk up to her every <br />Sunday at church and ask her why <br />she hasn't been baptized yet. <br />I can honestly say we <br />have tried everything. We taught <br />her everything in Preach my Gospel, <br />and everything we thought possible. <br />We have fasted and prayed for her, <br />and although she searches every day <br />for her answer, she hasn't got it. <br />I have never seen someone want to <br />know so bad. As much as we would <br />like to continue to teach her, <br />we decided we did everything we could, <br />and it was all in her hands, and <br />we told her on Thursday that we were <br />going to stop teaching her for a while, <br />one of the hardest things I have <br />ever done. She said she thought <br />that was best and said <br />she was going to keep coming to <br />church and would keep searching.<br />Yesterday at church, I sat with her <br />during sacrament. I asked her to <br />write down a question on a paper <br />that she wanted to know, and <br />promised that she would find <br />her answer. During the fast and <br />testimony meeting there were many <br />testimonies I felt were directed <br />right at her. After sacrament, she <br />told me that she had felt <br />the spirit like she had never felt <br />before! She said that it was as <br />if she could see the answers herself. <br />As Elder S and I sat in the chapel <br />with her and explained the importance <br />of baptism and the promised blessings <br />that come with it, she decided she <br />wants to and will be baptized in 3 <br />weeks on September 26th! <br />It was so amazing to see the Lord <br />touch the heart of his daughter <br />who searched so diligently. <br />The Lord truly does answer prayers!<br />Right afterward we taught a 9 year <br />old girl, whose family has recently <br />been reactivated and she will be <br />baptized within the next month!<br />It was a great week.<br />This next week will be spent here <br />with the mission president as we <br />work on Transfers. I love seeing <br />the inspiration and revelation <br />through this process <br />and am grateful for the chance to <br />be a part of it. Other than that <br />we will be trying to work hard in <br />our area, finding more of those <br />choice children, our <br />Heavenly Father has prepared for us!<br /><br /><br /><br />Monday Sept. 14, 2009<br />This week was pretty calm for <br />the most part, except for the <br />middle of the week trip to Paris. <br />Other than that we spent most <br />of the time working on transfers <br />with President Murdock, and <br />getting everything ready for <br />this new change in the mission.<br />As aforementioned, Elder Sorensen <br />and I were asked by the mission <br />President to go to Paris <br />(which is not at all in our mission) <br />to escort two brand new <br />missionaries to the Swiss Embassy, <br />so that they would be able to <br />receive their later than expected <br />Swiss visas. It was quite the <br />surprise finding out that we <br />would be traveling with other <br />missionaries, but it was an <br />exciting feeling at the <br />same time.<br />The trip was complicated in <br />finding out that we could travel <br />that far in our car <br />from the area presidency, so, <br />we drove to Lyon, France, <br />Wednesday night, where <br />we met the two new missionaries, <br />for a 6am train to Paris the next <br />morning. Its interesting; even <br />though I knew I wasn't breaking <br />any rules by leaving the <br />mission, I still have the feeling <br />that I was doing something wrong. <br />I think I just worry to much.<br />So, upon arriving at the Swiss <br />embassy, we found out that it <br />would actually take a little more <br />than 2 hours to get everything <br />finished, so they asked us to <br />return around noon. So, we were <br />in Paris with a couple hours to <br />"wait" for these visas. I called <br />the mission President to ask what <br />he wanted us to do, and <br />he said, "take a walk. I heard <br />the Eiffel Tower isn't to far <br />from there." Off <br />to the Eiffel Tower we went.<br />On our way we kept talking about <br />how funny it would be if we ran <br />into some missionaries in the <br />Paris mission and all of a sudden <br />we hear, "Elders! Elders!" <br />As we look up we found two <br />missionaries hanging out their <br />apartment window. They were <br />actually the Chinese speaking <br />elders in Paris, so they don't <br />know too many of the missionaries, <br />so they asked who we were and <br />where we were from. Apparently <br />Elder Bednar was visiting the <br />mission that day and the whole <br />mission was getting together. <br />Their reaction was just priceless <br />as we told them we were from <br />Geneva. We then proceeded to <br />the Eiffel Tower where we ran <br />into 4 more missionaries! <br />2 of which I served with at the MTC! <br />It was crazy!<br />After that, myself and one of the <br />younger missionaries went to the <br />train station to change our tickets <br />while Elder S and the other <br />missionary went to pick <br />up the visas and Elder S cell <br />phone ran out of battery. <br />There we were, in Paris, with one <br />set of missionaries without a <br />cell phone. Bad news.<br />As the story goes from Elder S, <br />he says a silent prayer at the <br />embassy at 12:05 that the <br />missionary I was with might have <br />the idea to go to the embassy <br />and they would wait there. <br />(I don't know why he didn't <br />pray that I would, but he <br />told me this with out knowing <br />the other half of the story). <br />Well, while at the train station <br />at 12:05 and me stressing out <br />because we cant get a hold of them, <br />the new missionary says, I think <br />we should go back to the embassy <br />to find them. So we did. <br />There they were! A miracle. <br />Prayer truly does work.<br />After that, we returned home <br />without to many other problems. <br />It was great to be in Paris, but <br />not exactly the most relaxing <br />experience. The two things I <br />learned from this experience are <br />that whenever we are in trouble, <br />we can always pray for help, and <br />the second thing I learned is <br />that I want to live/study in <br />Paris! It is a beautiful city <br />with so much culture.<br />Apart from our little voyage, <br />I spent the week here working on <br />the transfer for missionaries. <br />I love being apart of seeing the <br />Lord work through us as we study <br />the needs of the mission, and as <br />we pray for help. There was one <br />little thing that was bothering us <br />when we had finished on Friday, <br />and the mission president <br />came down stairs last night at 1015, <br />right before bed and asked us to <br />come to his office where he showed <br />us a change he "felt inspired" to make. <br />I was filled with comfort and new <br />that the mission president truly does <br />receive revelation for each <br />of us.<br />This week will be filled with <br />picking up new missionaries, and <br />taking missionaries finishing <br />their missions to the airport. <br />It should be great!<br /><br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton H. Welch<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZebVAehBEIqMYzEBmwQQym191Dzp1_1Ji6-DgwT5Dd55TxuIfDWfn4BK-tGGj1JIpNGXtVehheX59QEVzXqG_AU5bmFm7d4bUpX_yToQZ8OmFAlGwk8s5JCjLxueHmXe4wkJo0xMG5C2/s1600-h/paris+sept.+09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZebVAehBEIqMYzEBmwQQym191Dzp1_1Ji6-DgwT5Dd55TxuIfDWfn4BK-tGGj1JIpNGXtVehheX59QEVzXqG_AU5bmFm7d4bUpX_yToQZ8OmFAlGwk8s5JCjLxueHmXe4wkJo0xMG5C2/s320/paris+sept.+09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382499797267507106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Je_SX2xe4oD23LS6nkbAmiOkStn11BEsye1drqy12lAQeEO7EDXlhqy8I2a43AfCKEZbM0clypm7RAmK8ABxaR9LX3n4WAx9ysLuk2lEEzgSvWEgSiGukAGYoOnGMAtJOYcfha5LcFiz/s1600-h/Paris+2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Je_SX2xe4oD23LS6nkbAmiOkStn11BEsye1drqy12lAQeEO7EDXlhqy8I2a43AfCKEZbM0clypm7RAmK8ABxaR9LX3n4WAx9ysLuk2lEEzgSvWEgSiGukAGYoOnGMAtJOYcfha5LcFiz/s320/Paris+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382499795855043618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5uWzzM_Dll-UdnFyq24umRW2Gel_nCNogPy7GDLtp5luNi4TwuqSPOv7R347bKU_VbMJrvPU_P-gSlTbEUfjvQEKr0qh7cGeVGJbhxRFpny8O9NNkFg5BkWAIcvZOzrV1qu1x3Ue01aa/s1600-h/pari+sept.+09+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5uWzzM_Dll-UdnFyq24umRW2Gel_nCNogPy7GDLtp5luNi4TwuqSPOv7R347bKU_VbMJrvPU_P-gSlTbEUfjvQEKr0qh7cGeVGJbhxRFpny8O9NNkFg5BkWAIcvZOzrV1qu1x3Ue01aa/s320/pari+sept.+09+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382499786742900386" /></a>M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-46099191671296177102009-08-25T13:21:00.000-07:002009-08-25T13:50:15.132-07:002 weeks.Feeling Better, and On the Run<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVuOQRNiuwF5hzf_FS4kf3RZhc5zshYR8Tvqk_F4KBDHwywpdc5uEt7Dxz4nwVpZU-K6oi-z9JIxIDnO5DukrjBRAdPSA4sGMgduJm9pB4Q-5C10VvTQZ8zrBuRtPIiPUTCssZWAtgQGl/s1600-h/Findeln+in+summer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVuOQRNiuwF5hzf_FS4kf3RZhc5zshYR8Tvqk_F4KBDHwywpdc5uEt7Dxz4nwVpZU-K6oi-z9JIxIDnO5DukrjBRAdPSA4sGMgduJm9pB4Q-5C10VvTQZ8zrBuRtPIiPUTCssZWAtgQGl/s320/Findeln+in+summer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374006440666591906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroK9w36xTB8ERouLQ_EKsC3aeCIKKimmbvr6WxtUh3lXULuA4_FPOKCZgOJ9ynSlDS95L3l5jhwM6cHGBGWijQoXjOP_Wf1-yHE-kPkEBFERqTjBMJTsF8X90VZtwwFl0dIb1phMRVm1z/s1600-h/P8220285.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroK9w36xTB8ERouLQ_EKsC3aeCIKKimmbvr6WxtUh3lXULuA4_FPOKCZgOJ9ynSlDS95L3l5jhwM6cHGBGWijQoXjOP_Wf1-yHE-kPkEBFERqTjBMJTsF8X90VZtwwFl0dIb1phMRVm1z/s400/P8220285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374004117705959394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPEbAGeY6BW9rEtL4B-b-vDYf8cfchFmuiiqeVk_lDXv8-KY6bSmID-xmr0l4nRCUOehg-KfaEcp6MciJ1PedDxoB23UxzXMnAJG135I4JtZyjXyNfbvT1fEEBNBQHAy1xvemiV2ZtW65/s1600-h/P8220288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPEbAGeY6BW9rEtL4B-b-vDYf8cfchFmuiiqeVk_lDXv8-KY6bSmID-xmr0l4nRCUOehg-KfaEcp6MciJ1PedDxoB23UxzXMnAJG135I4JtZyjXyNfbvT1fEEBNBQHAy1xvemiV2ZtW65/s400/P8220288.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374004102202210610" /></a><br />Well the penicillin, along with an <br />of other drugs, seem to be <br />working, and I am almost back to 100%! <br />Though the week was busy, the thought <br />that the Lord was watching after me, <br />as well as the mission President's wife <br />who made me go to the doctor, <br />made everything go smoothly!<br />This last Tuesday we had a zone leader <br />council, which is actually my favorite <br />meeting in the mission. We have <br />breakfast and lunch together, and than <br />its just the 8 zone leaders, the mission <br />president and his wife, and us <br />2 assistants, and we get to just talk <br />about the needs of the mission and have <br />a very intimate teaching. I love it. <br />We had three topics and just had a <br />round table discussion about the topics, <br />along with teachings and a slide show <br />we prepared. It went very very well!<br />Right after the zone leader council, <br />we took the 5 and a half hour road <br />trip up to Nancy, France (in the North <br />of France) for our exchange with the <br />zone leaders. <br />The exchange went very well and we <br />even had the chance to go to KFC. <br />Yes, the fried chicken place. <br />There are about 4 in the mission area! <br />Its great. Elder and I fixed the goal <br />to find a family to teach, and literally <br />the last door we knocked on that day, <br />we found a man, his wife, and their <br />three daughters who said they would <br />come to church. Talk about miracles!<br />On Thursday, we drove back, and then <br />finished up some administrative things <br />we needed to get done.<br />Friday, we had another exchange here <br />in Geneva. I was with Elder , a <br />great missionary from Paris. <br />We saw a lot of great people and <br />learned a lot from each other.<br />Saturday, Elder Sorensen and I got <br />to work in our own are for the first <br />time together in like 2 weeks. <br />We had lunch with our Brazilian <br />investigator Ilana, and her Brazilian <br />friends! It was amazing. Then we saw <br />a recent convert and <br />then he helped us teach. <br />We then saw a member family and <br />they actually ended <br />up giving us an hour long lecture <br />on how to eat well. I think we are <br />going to try to improve our eating <br />habits. No more buying coke, <br />unless on a road trip.<br />This week will be craziness. <br />We will be going on 5 exchanges. <br />Yup, 5. Tuesday in Fribourg <br />Switzerland, Wednesday here in <br />Geneva, Thursday in Sion Switzerland, <br />Friday in Lausanne Switzerland, <br />and then on Saturday we will be <br />taking 3 missionaries to the airport <br />where they will be headed back home. <br />Interesting thing is that the mission <br />president will be gone from Tuesday <br />to Sunday. So we will kind of be in <br />charge and taking this missionaries <br />to the airport by ourselves. <br />It should be an interesting experience!<br /><br />I hope you have a great week and keep <br />trying something new everyday. <br />I promise <br />I am doing well and my health is good.<br />Have a great week!<br />Love always, <br />Elder Bubba<br /><br />August 24, 2009<br />This week was quite the adventure; <br />5 exchanges. Although it was a <br />little difficult being all over the <br />place, it is a such a great chance <br />to see the Lord's hand work in so <br />many marvelous ways, not to mention <br />see the beautiful Swiss countryside.<br />This last Tuesday I spent the day in <br />Fribourg, Switzerland. It is a <br />beautiful city, with a lot of great <br />things to do. We taught a great <br />Portuguese family and it was a <br />great experience.<br />On Wednesday, I worked here on an <br />exchange with The zone leaders <br />from Lyon. It was a crazy day, <br />and we were all over the place. <br />We ended up going to Martigny, <br />Switzerland that same night. <br />Martigny is such a beautiful <br />place and is in the Alps.<br />The exchange went very well and I <br />think I talked to people for 6 <br />hours straight. It is one of the <br />only areas in Switzerland that is <br />primarily catholic (Everyone in <br />Switzerland is protestant).<br />Actually, on our way to our exchange <br />in Lausanne the next day, the mission <br />president let us go see the <br />Matterhorn, the mountain the <br />Disneyland ride is modeled after. It <br />was quite the adventure! Believe it <br />or not, my companion forgot his camera, <br />and mine was out of battery! But <br />I saw it and that's all that matters. <br />Check it out on Google <br />images if you want to see it!<br /><br /><br /><br />Quick miracle. <br />On my exchange in Lausanne, we were <br />waiting to meet up with a <br />recent convert on a bench and he <br />was running a little late. A man <br />comes and sits down and we start <br />talking with him. We fix a <br />rendezvous for that same <br />after and we went and taught him. <br />We fixed a followup lesson for the <br />next day and he fixed a baptismal <br />date and came to church and should <br />be baptized in about 3 weeks! <br />Its so amazing to see how quickly <br />the Spirit can touch people!<br />This week will be full of zone <br />conferences, a mission council, <br />and meeting with <br />the stake presidencies with the <br />mission president and Elder <br />Kopischke of the 70 <br />as he does a mission tour. <br />It should be a great week and <br />I again will be traveling all <br />over for it. I am way excited <br />and can't wait to hear the words <br />of this inspired man, and for <br />the chance to travel around with <br />him, eat with him, and just get <br />to know a servant of the Lord!<br />Thanks for all of your love and <br />support and for everything you do <br />for me. I pray that you have a <br />great week and that everything <br />keeps going well! Thank you!<br />Love,<br />Elder Clayton H. Welch<br /><br />ps. The pictures are of my visit <br />to the John Calvin museum. <br />John Calvin was one of the two <br />major reformers with Martin Luther <br />and he did everything from <br />here in Geneva. I saw the church <br />he preached in and everything! <br />This is me next to one of the <br />museum sign and the other is me <br />reading the 10 commandments <br />at the museum in french!M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-10437052040354346822009-08-15T16:52:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:09:34.811-07:00Busy Busy Sick but Still BusyYou both asked some questions, <br />so as usual, I will make my attempts<br />at answering them:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So how did all the transfer activity <br />go this past week? </span><br />Very Well <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">As smooth as you had hoped and planned? </span> <br />Yes, except for a little craziness with <br />trying to get the missionaries going <br />home to the temple ( I wasn't there, <br />just the mission president and his wife) <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">That must bring some reality to <br />you to see four former <br />companions returning home.<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> <br />It was pretty crazy, but a little <br />anti-climatic. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So what was the reason to go from <br />7 to 3 zones?</span> <br />We actually went to 4. I might <br />have mistyped that last week. <br />There are 3 major reasons: <br />There are 4 stakes in the mission <br />and we wanted one zone for each <br />stake, so we can work more closely <br />with the stake presidents. Also, <br />we have a lot of new missionaries <br />we needed those zone leaders in <br />senior companion positions. <br />Also, based on the leadership <br />in the mission, or current lack <br />thereof, we felt that by putting <br />the strongest leaders would better <br />stimulate the younger missionaries. <br />Will that make it easier to do zone <br />conferences and reduce some of the <br />administrative stuff or just not <br />enough leadership with the shrinking <br />number of missionaries. We will <br />actually probably travel just as <br />much, haha. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Based on what we’ve heard it <br />sounded like your mission was <br />having great success.<br />Why did the number of <br />missionaries go down. </span> <br />We are having a lot of success, <br />but they are reducing <br />missionaries in europe in general <br />by about 70%. For example, <br />in there Paris <br />mission there are 150 missionaries, <br />but by the end of the year, they <br />will be at 90; we will be at about 85. <br />Pops, I think you should turn in the <br />durango for that tax rebate, and get <br />a car that gets a lot better gas <br />mileage. Get a mini cooper or <br />something, haha. They are all <br />over here.<br /> <br />So I hope that responds to the <br />questions you have and lets you <br />know a little better what is <br />going on in my life.<br />With 16 missionaries going home <br />this week, 4 of which being my <br />former companions, receiving 8 <br />new missionaries in the mission, <br />and receiving a new companion, <br />making me the "senior" assistant <br />with a mission President who has <br />been here for a month, made this <br />week a little busy. Not to <br />mention having gotten strep (sp?). <br />Actually, I dont know if that is <br />what it is, but myself and <br />my companion have it and will be <br />going to the doctor; don't worry!<br /><br />As for my week, it was primarilly <br />occupied with the picking up the new <br />missionaries from the airport, <br />doing their legality, teaching them <br />about the mission, taking them <br />contacting, and eating with them. <br />The new missionaries are great! <br />I love seeing the great Elders <br />and Sisters the Lord has prepared <br />and sent to this mission.<br />Taking the returning missionaries <br />to the airport is always weird. <br />Everytime I feel like I am just <br />taking a trip. With as much <br />traveling we do here, it <br />wouldn't be that big of a change!<br />Other than that, we have been <br />primarily focused on getting <br />the mission ready <br />for the transfer.<br />This transfer will be crazy. <br />We will be having a mission tour <br />with Elder Kopischke of the 70 <br />for four days, and we will be <br />traveling with him, having 3 <br />zone conferences. We will also <br />be going on 11 exchanges this <br />transfer, trying to stimulate <br />some of the struggling areas <br />in the mission, which will be <br />very tiring.<br />As for this week, we have a zone <br />leader council tomorrow, then we <br />will be driving the 5 and a half <br />hours to Nancy for an exchange <br />with the zone leaders there on <br />Wednesday, then driving back<br />Thursday to have another exchange <br />on Friday. It should be a great <br />week though, and I am looking <br />forward to see the Lord pour out <br />blessings this week as I work <br />hard on trying to better serve the <br />Lord.<br /><br />I love the quote you shared mom:<br />“Sometimes God calms the storm…<br />sometimes he lets <br />the storms rage and calms the child.” <br />I personally need to better learn to <br />remember that.<br />Have a great week and always <br />remember you are loved!<br />Keep trying new things for me!<br />Love always,<br />Elder Clayton Henderson WelchM {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8040111860360907830.post-30246804526961913152009-08-05T22:30:00.000-07:002009-08-05T22:42:17.162-07:00Happy Fete de Geneve!My week was great, with a majority of<br /> the time spent working on this upcoming <br />transfer. To give you a better idea <br />of what this consists of, I will try <br />to go through the days.<br />On Tuesday we started on the general <br />ideas of what we wanted to do with the <br />mission, and tried started at the top, <br />and work down. We started by attempted <br />to identify my next companion, and then <br />zone leaders, then trainers, then <br />district leaders, then senior companions, <br />and then the rest. Though this system <br />seems simple, with all the factors that <br />go into it, it takes time.<br />We spent about 4 hours working on it on <br />Tuesday, 4 hours on Thursday, and a <br />couple of hours on Friday. Its <br />interesting, the hardest part of it all <br />was finding my new companion. <br />We actually went in with a missionary in <br />mind, and built the transfer around that, <br />but, to help reassure ourselves, we decide <br />to fast about it. It is amazing. <br />The night of our fast, right after my <br />personal prayer, I turned to my companion <br />and said, "I have an idea, but I'll tell you <br />tomorrow." First thing in the morning my <br />companion wakes up and said, "Elder, <br />j'ai une idéa, mais, je vais vous dire <br />pendent nos étude." (the exact same <br />thing in french) We actually took our <br />breakfast to go work on it, and as I told <br />him my "idea," he told me that his was <br />exactly the same; something we hadn't <br />even talked about! We went in, told the <br />mission president, and prayed about <br />what we had done. We received the <br />confirming witness that it all came <br />from God and that this is exactly what <br />needs to happen in the mission. <br />It was an amazing experience! <br />I am so glad to have been apart of it.<br />Some things that changed are that we <br />went from 7 zones to only 4 zones. We <br />actually closed three companionships. <br />We will be losing 14 missionaries this <br />transfer and only will receive 9.<br />With this new transfer, I have received <br />a new companion. His name is Elder <br />Sorensen. He is actually from North Ogden, <br />Utah and went to Weber High, the <br />same school I would have gone too! <br />We know tons of the same people; its crazy! <br />We will serve together actually until <br />December, unless something changes. I <br />will stay here as an assistant a little <br />longer than normal. I am very excited <br />for this chance I have to serve with Elder <br />Sorensen!<br />Other than the transfer, we had a big <br />BBQ here at the mission home to celebrate <br />the National Holiday of Switzerland/ <br />Le Fete de Geneve! We talked about the <br />history of Switzerland and had a lot of <br />good food together. The four wards from <br />Geneva came along with 12 investigators. <br />It was a great time!<br />This week will be spent with the change <br />of transfers. Tomorrow we will pick up <br />the new missionaries from the airport <br />and spend the whole day with them. <br />Wednesday we spend more time with them <br />and train the new missionaries as well as <br />the trainers and see them off. <br />Then Thursday we take the missionaries <br />ending to the airport where I will lose <br />4 former companions, including my current <br />companion, Elder Boisserie. I will then <br />be the senior assistant in the mission. <br />Thursday and Friday will be spent <br />getting everything ready for the transfer! <br /><br />That's funny that you mentioned passing <br />the sacrament because I actually passed <br />the sacrament for BOTH sacrament meetings <br />I attended! Its summer in Europe; <br />everyone is gone on vacation. <br />There aren't very many young active <br />members of the church here in <br />Europe unfortunately.<br /><br />It will be a busy week!M {3http://www.blogger.com/profile/03910598904847093809noreply@blogger.com1