I Stand All Amazed

Hey Y'all!

"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died."

It's been a little while since a medical update. All is well, though. :) I had my sinus surgery and it has so far been a great success! Besides a stuffy nose that will last a few weeks, everything is clearing up. The doctor promises no more problems for a long time. :) As for my jaw: I will be seeing an infectious disease doctor today for his input and to develop a plan of action for my treatment. It's amazing to me how medical science has advanced so far as to help someone like me be cured in such a short amount of time!

These past couple weeks have been a little crazy. :) On top of my sinus surgery I was also asked to speak again in another ward and invited some youth practice missionaries over for dinner and a beautiful lesson. 

"I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That he should extend his great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify."

On Monday, I got to help out with my mom for the festival of trees. She was part of a committee that made treats for the event to sell for Primary Children's fundraiser. We made a bunch of short bread triangles and chocolate dipped spoons. The whole day was filled with baking, dipping, and wrapping. A week from tomorrow we will be heading out to help set up stands for the various trees that will be auctioned off for the hospital. I'm excited to do this and will tell y'all all about it next week. :)

"I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet."

To top off the week, I was asked to bake cookies and help prepare a lunch for the missionaries in the zone that covers my stake. It was a wonderful opportunity that I wouldn't trade for the world. It was great to see full-time missionaries filled with the spirit and ready to go out and preach the gospel. While there, my mom and I met the mission president and a senior missionary couple who both happened to be related to us, which was way crazy! :D The Lord really puts many miracles into our paths. After the conference, I was asked to make more cookies for the next conference in salt lake city. It was so much fun! I'm excited to do it again!

"Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!"

These past couple of weeks have been amazing and encouraging. :) As Thanksgiving draws closer, it really draws into perspective all that we have to be thankful for. I chose this song as my theme because we have so much to be amazed about. All the tender mercies and all the gifts our heavenly Father gave each and every one of us is truly wonderful. He cares for us so much, that to top it all off, he sent His Son. Jesus Christ loves us so much to suffer and die for us. That is the greatest gift that I can be thankful for. All though I am not in the most ideal circumstances, and sometimes it's easy for me to think about how awful it is to have had to go home early for a short time. But it's easier for us to look at the negative and not remember the gifts. I am grateful for my Lord. I am grateful for His gospel. And I am grateful for all that he has done for me in my life. I challenge y'all to think of what amazing gifts of God you are grateful for this week. :)

Y'all's Southern Bell,

Sister Rebecca Welch

Some more baking fun for the festival of trees!

The missionaries sang "Called to Serve" to thank us! :D

Let Us All Press On

Hey Y'all!

If we do what's right we have no need to fear,

For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;

So sorry for not emailing last week, there wasn't much to talk about. :P However, this past week has been pretty crazy! First off, I'll give y'all a quick medical update. I did have my oral surgery as planned, it went very well and they sent a bone biopsy off to be tested for infection. It came back last week as positive. But fear not! My oral surgeon is sending me to go see an infectious disease specialist who will put me on a course of hard core antibiotics. You know, the kind that work out in the gym every day and are all buff. ;D Hahaha! Hopefully after the antibiotic corse, the infection will be gone and I will have no other surgeries. 

This week I will be having a sinus surgery. My doctor will be straightening my deviated septum and opening up my sinuses so that I will have a lower chance of sinus infections. It's gonna be pretty awesome to finally breath again! I went in last week for my first CT scan too before the surgery, which was WEIRD. O.o 

In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,

And prosper the cause of truth.

In other news, We had a pretty interesting past couple of weeks, but most of the stuff happened last week. We celebrated Halloween in the ward a couple days before the holiday. I decided to be fun and help out at the trunk or treat by decorating my trunk with spooky ghosts, lights and spider webs. It was a lot of fun! Even though my cheek looked like a chipmunk because of my surgery. :P 

Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

On Wednesday I had the great opportunity to be a missionary again with my best friend sister Palmer who has also returned early for medical reasons. My ward mission leader asked me to help with this youth missionary program that will teach the youth what it's like to be missionaries. Last week we even had a little MTC training where Sister Palmer and I taught the youth how to teach in unity then demonstrated teaching the restoration. It was lots of fun and so amazing to be able to teach that wonderful lesson again. I loved it. :) And it was even better that I got to do it with my best friend. The experience didn't end there, however, this week the youth get to put this plan into action at members homes who will host them. My mom and I signed up to be one of those families so I'll tell all y'all about it next week. :D

The rest of the weekend was more uneventful. I was able to see one of my best friends for the first time in 9 months, as well as my third oldest brother who I also haven't seen in 9 months. It was great to have this opportunity to see them and spend some time with them while I heal. :) 

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey.

As I prepared to teach the youth how to be a missionary last week, lots of thoughts popped into my head. First off, I was excited about being able to teach again. I was also sad because I won't be a full-time missionary again for a while. But I was also in awe at how wonderful it was that we have missionaries. Our Lord sends them out, 2 by 2 to testify and proclaim that the way back to Him is once again on the Earth. That's a powerful message, one that any good missionary knows. It's so powerful in fact, that it encourages us to go out and devote 18 months to 2 years of our lives to tell people about it. Being home, it's been hard to not go out all day every day and do that. The song I picked for this email I think fits perfectly with missionary work and with regular saints. Let us all press on! Do the work of the Lord, because one day we will find that one person who is ready to be baptized. Don't fear what lies ahead. Take courage for the Lord is on our side. Heed not the wicked, for satan's only goal is to lead you away from the truth and nothing more. obey the Lord and trust in Him and He will never lead you astray. I love that message, because sometimes it's hard. It's hard to take a leap of faith in any circumstance we may be in. Whether that's being a missionary, or a regular saint. 

During my time at home, I've had to rely on and trust in the Lord in different ways than ever on my mission. I don't know what will happen next, and being a person who likes to know what's next, that's really scary. However, I know the Lord will lead me to where I need to be and what I need to be doing. I know that He cares for each and every one of us that much. He will lead and guide you. He has promised that. And He has promised all the faithful eternal life when we trust in Him. So don't stop believing. Don't stop praying. Don't stop trusting, even when you feel like He isn't listening, He is. I know that is true. So don't give up. :)

Y'all's Southern Bell,

Sister Welch

More of the youth missionaries pointing out their areas.

 Pepper got a new bed! And a new outfit! ;D

Trunk or Treat excitement!