A Very Tough Week and Timely Visit from Elder Waddell

Saturday 

September 7, 2013

Sister Prince shared this with us, very comforting. In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read:

 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Elder Welling, Office Crew, Pres. and Hermana Prince, Elder Waddell

Hey Family and Friends,

I am sooo Tired. First off all, a lot of you are asking how I am and stuff. And tired is the word. With everything that happened last week. I am doing OK with what happened, because when Elder Waddell came he and President Prince talked a lot about our Elder Encarnacion who died last Saturday by a bullet. They said that they have faith he is doing well in Heaven now. It is hard and sad, but I am glad Elder Waddell has been here, and grateful he and President Prince talked to us altogether. Glad we could have almost our whole mission here. So I am doing better. Really, I am, because I have faith. Love you all. 

Lunchtime with Elder Waddell

I didn't know Elder Encarnacion really well, but I did talk to him a couple of times. He arrived here on his mission when I was in Buenaventura a year ago last August, and is from Dominican Republic. He was a great missionary and a great person! The only difference now is that he is resting, and preaching the gospel in Heaven. I have faith that he is. I Know he is. I Love that we know the plan of salvation and what will happen after this life. He just has a different companion now, a different new area. I am praying for his family, because I know they are missing him very much. 

Elder Welling posing for photo op during lunch with Elder Waddell

As for all the elders and sister missionaries here-almost 200, they are pretty shocked about what happened. One elder is living with us right now, and would rather not go back to the area where the incident occurred with Elder Encarnacion. He was with him. I hope I can help this missionary so he can heal. But as for the area where they were... missionaries are staying there. Its one of the best areas. Nothing can stop the work! That I know to be true!. 

Elder Welling loves American food, too:)

Lately I have been trying to figure out exactly why I have been sent to this mission and at this exact time. During the conference of Elder Waddell I figured that out. I really think I was specifically sent to be with Pres Prince and Hermana Prince, and all of the other elders here to help me be better as a person and progress in my life and to be a good example and good leader to be able to help all our missionaries here. I love my mission so much! It is the best two years of my entire life!  

Elder Waddell

The conference with Elder Waddell was awesome. Built my testimonio and helped me to want to do a lot better. I want to know Christ more and be like Him. 3 Nephi 27:27, que clase de hombres debeis de ser? os digo aun como yo soy. Crist siempre nos llama a ser perfecto. Voy a esforzarme mas en estos ultimos meses de mi mision a conocer cristo mas y ser mas como el. Cuando actuamos como cristo y obramos como cristo, conoceremos como el es y obtendremos un amor por los demas y no volveremos a hacer lo malo, no tendremos una tentacion. Los amo mucho y sé que esta es la iglesia verdadera! 

--
Elder Welling

Mission Cali Colombia