Love Always, Sister Welling: Transferred to Hilton Head South Carolina

Sister Lunt..Jen's new companion from Texas...and the ward Mission leader

Caught in a rain storm...tornado watch

Well, I feel as if I have stepped into another world and I am serving a “third mission” I have been assigned in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It is beautiful here, we live on a golf course and when it is high tide the water comes right under our window. I spend all the day long trying to catch my breath because all of the trees.. and the green.. is so incredibly beautiful J Our Father in Heaven is the ultimate creator.. I get overwhelmed observing all of the blessings He has given us, for our happiness. There is so much beauty in everything—wow. Sister Lunt and I have seen a few foxes.. the tree frogs sing us to sleep every night.. we have been warned about the gators’ but we are still on the hunt to see one for ourselves. J

Speaking of Sister Lunt. I have the most incredible companion. Sister Lunt is from Houston Texas and is as good of a person as I have ever met. Her testimony and desire to share the gospel and serve others is so sincere—and her smile is contagious. She has made what should be a difficult time (learning and figuring out a new area) so much fun.

It was 10:00 the other night—we were both utterly exhausted and we were trying to plan for the next day- putting in past investigators.. thinking we were planning people who all lived close to one another, come to find out they were all super far apart. So… we just laughed. That’s a strength of ours J I’m so grateful we have been able to laugh instead of get stressed. Laughing has way better side effects.

This week has been a lot of—where do I turn?! Meeting individuals and trying to find those the Lord has prepared. We have already seen countless tender mercies and miracles.

We got invited to eat at the Marriott hotel one evening, some members visiting from Utah fed us—can you believe how sweet?!

I felt grandma Welling so close to me this week as I read Mormon 5:23 – I knew that this area, and this work was in the Lords hands. I always think of Grandma Welling’s faith and trust in Him when she shared that verse with us. How blessed are we to be in the Lords hands

We taught a recent convert named Henry this week—he is 85 years old. We taught about building our foundation on Christ and shared Helaman 5:12.. He brought up the parable of the wise and the foolish man. So we broke out our favorite primary song—actions and all the foolish man built his house upon the sand.. Henry LOVED it. His eyes lit up and he tried to sing right along with us. I love primary, and the simple- powerful truths taught there. And how the music can teach, and invite the spirit. It brought such a smile to my face

Our ward seems incredible, we are still trying to get to know everyone but we have been informed, especially over the summer about 70% of attendance is visitors. Wow.

We met the sweetest mother yesterday while knocking doors. She was overwhelmed, working two jobs. We talked to her on her doorstep and the sweetest peace came into our meeting. We talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it strengthens individuals and families. We asked if we could see her again and she listed off her busy schedule to us. We then taught a little more and promised if she would let us return we would not be coming to add to her stress but to take away from it, we would give her a message that would bring peace, comfort, strength, and direction. It was the neatest lesson and she said that she would like us to return. So we will be seeing Mariam next week.

We have seen a teenage girl twice this week and she exclaimed that she wanted to be a missionary too! She saw a man she knew walking down the street and ran and grabbed him so she could introduce him to us. She then started telling him about the Book of Mormon—(we had taught her about it only a few minutes prior) J I love how, no matter our age, we can feel the pure joy of the gospel and that joy results in a desire to share it.

Honestly we saw so many miracles this week. It is going to take time to get familiar with the area and the people in it. We will be doing a lot of finding and starting from scratch but I know that the Lord needs Sister Lunt and I here at this time.

My thought for the week comes from Elder Clayton’s talk from conference. These sentences filled me with so much hope and they are eternal truths I want those I teach to learn and know--

“Sometimes progress in spiritual things can seem slow or intermittent. Sometimes we may feel that we have lost ground, that we have made mistakes, or that our best efforts to find the Savior are not working. If you feel this way, please do not give up—ever. Go right on believing in Him and in His gospel and His Church. Align your actions with that belief. In those moments when the light of your faith has dimmed, let your hope for the Savior’s love and grace, found in His gospel and His Church, overcome your doubt. I promise that He stands ready to receive you. Over time you will come to see that you have made the best choice you could possibly have made. Your courageous decision to believe in Him will bless you immeasurably and forever”.

Keep on believing in Him yall. His path is one of light, hope, and peace. How blessed I am.. how blessed we are to know Him. I know that He lives and that He is the head of the church. I know that He never leaves us alone --- ever.

The gospel is true and I sure love you.

Ps. Shirley got baptized and we were able to talk right after! She said it was the perfect day and everything she could have ever hoped it to be. Wayne then got on the phone and said he will receive the aaronic priesthood on Sunday. I told Him that the Lord is going to need Him to help others and bless their lives and He said He is ready for Him to put him to work J

Love you all, always,

Sister Welling