Becoming a Southern Bell: Easter Fun!

The picture wall over my desk. Thanks to my parents, I have lots of pictures of my ancestors and family.

Hey Y'all!

This past week has been full of Easter fun! I hope ya'lls Easter was fun and relaxing. We went to a members house and proceeded to over-stuff ourselves. They had so much good food, we couldn't just eat a little and call it good. It is funny, though, because the people here in the ward were so concerned about us going some where for Easter. I'm sure if we didn't already have a family to go to, we would have ended up going to like 5 different families for Easter.

The adorable table set for us by the family who had us over for Easter dinner.

Not only was this week physically filling, but it was also a spiritual well. We had an unbelievable about of members coming out with us to teach people. And in turn, we got some amazing member present lessons. One particularly special lesson was our amazing member Sister Atrice who came out with us to see a lesbian couple. We saw one of the adults with her daughter from another relationship. Now, a little information about the Atrice's before I continue. Their ENTIRE family is spiritually overwhelming. If we had a bad day, we go to the Atrices and hear a pep-talk from Brother Atrice about how we are the light and the we are to bring others to it who are in darkness. Sister Atrice then backs him up and it is just freaking amazing! Anyway, when we went to that lesson, the spirit was powerful. Sister Atrice was able to testify and share so much! We talked about Christ's resurrection, shared the new Easter Video, and ended with both mother and child crying. It was beautiful. We hope to see those investigators again with Sister Atrice.

We also saw S* this week with a member. It was great! We shared with him the Easter video and he is still committed to come to church next week, even though it is General Conference. We are now working on getting him to a members house that would really relate to him. He is a total MAN. Like his house is decorated where on one wall is a stack of bows and arrows, and the other is a light. :P yeah. We don't really relate to him, but are hoping to find someone who does.

Miss C* is doing okay as well. We are having a really hard time with her. She refuses to pray, and we are feeling that she doesn't have the real intent to find out if the church is true. If this were a normal situation, we would have dropped her for a while, to let her really think about everything we've taught and decide for her self if she wants to know, but this isn't a normal situation. Her son who she lives with is a recent convert, and is really pushing and wanting her to be baptized. They are also good friends with the ward mission leader who doesn't want to give up on her either. He thinks she is so close, and would be really upset if we dropped her. We are hoping and praying that Miss C* will come around eventually. Please keep her in ya'lls prayers as she goes through this. All she needs to do is pray. That's all! I can't believe it is so hard just to get an investigator to do that. But we will keep working with her.

We also had another lesson with J* that went a little awkwardly. The normally opinionated, question-asking, soul-searching, investigator was more closed off today. He had no opinion as we read with him 3 Nephi 15. At first, we were really confused with why he as so closed off. Then we connected the dots. His normally absent, very religious wife, who want's nothing to do with us was home that day. You could tell James was very different. You could see he was holding back questions and comments because he knew his wife would disapprove of him asking them. And he even declined the invitation to church that we believe he would have otherwise accepted. It was very disappointing. After, we talked with the member that we took with us to the lesson. She suggested something so perfectly obvious that I can't believe we didn't think of it. Take J* to a members house! That way he can open up and really ask us questions. Why didn't we think of that?! We have another appointment with him this week and hope to have a family lined up to have him over. Pray that all goes well!

General Women's Broadcast as absolutely amazing! I loved all the speakers and the themes that were spread across the whole meeting. Service and prayer really stuck out to me. Also, I loved something President Eyering said, that we are not alone in the work. and the quoted a scripture, a promise from the Lord that wherever we go in the service of HIim, that he will be on our right hand and our left, and His angels will be around us to lift us up. That is a beautiful thing to know, especially for me out here on the mission. I know I'm not alone, and I know that where ever any of our Heavenly Father's children go in His name, doing His will, that he WILL protect us. Not just missionaries, but all members. That is truly a great and wonderful comfort to have. As the world spins deeper and deeper into the pits of chaos. As more and more people are hurt or even killed by rebellious factions, we can be strong with the assurance of know that the Lord is there for us and will protect His children who go out and serve him. I will press forward with a knowledge and peace, knowing that my Heavenly Father is watching over me. :)

Y'alls Southern bell,

Sister Welch :D