Get to know a wardie...

Our ward is having a weekly get to know you email sent out.  We were featured this week.  We contributed this information about us along with our full family picture taken at Laila's wedding.

___________________GET TO KNOW A WARD MEMBER________

Tell about  your family or household.  Wayne and Melinda Welch are high school sweethearts, and have been married for 41 years.  Melinda lived in Bountiful her whole life and Wayne was born in North Logan, and then moved to Bountiful.  Wayne served a mission to Cordoba, Argentina.     We raised our family in Bountiful.    We have 5 children and 8 grand children.  Moving to Layton gets us closer to 6 of these grandkids.  We have LGBTQ kids and proudly fly a rainbow flag.

Work? Wayne owns his own business called Bountiful Industries, which imports restaurant supply and medical devices. Melinda is an online school teacher and a life coach. 

Hobbies?  Wayne loves to ride his street bike, make sour dough bread and play the guitar.  Melinda also bikes and loves all of the “granny hobbies”- knitting, crocheting, journaling, scrapbooking, cooking, reading, puzzles, card games,  and walking.  Melinda also loves to perform in shows. Melinda and Wayne are in a band that plays weekly for Assisted living type care centers.  Melinda is the lead vocalist and Wayne is the sound guy and plays the bass guitar. 

How long in this ward or member of the church?   Wayne and Melinda Welch moved into the ward August of 2023.  We have been members our whole lives.  We come from pioneers.

Current calling?  Melinda is currently the Primary President and Wayne is a Priest quorum advisor.

Favorite calling? Wayne’s favorite calling was a YSA bishop.  He loves this age group and served with some amazing people.  Melinda’s favorite calling is Relief Society teacher.  

What’s good in your life? What’s hard?  

We love being empty nesters, traveling and moving into a brand new home.  BUT…we are in the process of finishing the basement and putting a yard in and that’s HARD.    

What does it mean to be ALL IN the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Wayne:  It means fully participating in the ward and sustaining the local leaders and doing my best to treat others the way the Savior would treat them, and to see them the way He would see them and love them the way HE would. 

“Why I Believe.” Or….. “Why I stay?”   

Melinda:  I love this gospel.  I love being in a ward and  I believe that’s where we get to practice being Christ like.  We are worshipping and serving  with people who may not be like us, and I believe that’s the point.  I have questioned in the past whether to step away, and I have decided staying is better for me and what I want my day to day life to look like. I like being a believer….I like who I am as a disciple of Jesus Christ….I’m more optimistic and happier. I'm grateful to be here.