I LOVE THE MTC!!!

Family and Friends!!!

I don't have much time.... But I hope I can express to you all the love and joy I feel here at the MTC!  It is already the best experience I've ever had.  (And everyone is right! It is so cool to be on the other side of the fence!)  

My companion's name is Sister Malufau from Oahu, Hawaii!!!!! Right when I saw her name on my paper (before I met her) I knew she was sent here for me.  The second I saw her I felt so much comfort and peace! We really do love each other so so much. (We think we are the best... ha!) She is hilarious and we have a ton of fun! We also enjoy reading the scriptures and studying together.  We have felt the love of the Savior and Heavenly Father so many times! Yesterday we began to teach an investigator... Pretty nerve-racking for the both of us, but it went very well!  After teaching him we had this overwhelming feeling of joy! We couldn't help but cry.  We are so similar :)  Being a missionary is the best thing I could ever do!! That experience really opened my eyes and helped me know that there is nothing greater for me to do right now.  

The teachers here are wonderful! They give the best lessons and teach with the Spirit so powerfully.  I am so grateful for their examples! I'm trying my best to be confident and participate in every class! I'm getting better by the hour! I cannot believe how much I have grown within the last 2.5 days! It feels like it's been a week....! 

My district includes me and Sister Malufau, Sister Davis and Sister Moore (our roommates!), And four elders that are headed to Canada on their missions! They are fun, and it's been very cool to get to know them slowly each day.  We all have grown so much as a district! My calling in our Branch is the Online Coordinator! It is great so far! 

Well I would like to share with you an experience Sister Malufau and I had this morning.  We both were preparing to teach our investigator again, and had a hard time finding what he needed to hear. We found out that he was not going to show up today, so that was somewhat of a relief, but we knew that we needed to figure out how we can better prepare for next time.  While studying the topic "Teaching People, Not Lessons" we found our answer! The perfect answer from Heavenly Father! We read 3 Nephi 17 1-9 together and truly felt the Lord telling us individually that we cannot possibly understand all of the words that He is giving us at this time.  This is an overwhelming experience, but I have never felt so much direction and comfort in my life.  Ever since that experience, Sister M and I have been stronger than ever! 

Last night we met our Branch President. He told us something that I will never forget.  It went something like this: "Some missionaries have a hard time with inviting the Spirit in.  Some may not try, but others try too hard.  When this happens, the missionary is pushing that door so hard, and the Spirit is trying to push the door from the other side. There is no way for the Spirit to come in unless you step aside and let Him come when He is ready."  (Sorry if that doesn't quite make sense...) That statement was exactly what I needed! I know that I was trying to BRING the Spirit in, but I did not take a step back and LET Him in.  I would invite you all to reflect on your relationship with the Holy Ghost and try to make adjustments to LET Him in.  I know that He is there for each of you at all times!  I am SO grateful for His influence.  Without Him there would be no way to communicate with our Father --which would make it impossible for me to know how to help bring His children back home.  The Spirit has blessed me here at the MTC so much!

My eyes are tired, my legs are sore, but my heart is FULL. I wish I could go on and on and tell you all things I have learned (because there is a LOT more I could share!!!!) but my time has now come to an end. 

I love you all so very much and feel your support! 

From the words of a great teacher, "Come unto Him & be TRANSFORMED". I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us individually and can speak to us! If we come unto Christ we can be transformed into who He wants us to be --and who we're destined to become! 

♥Sister Winterton

P.S. I have seen about TWENTY missionaries here from Timpview! Woo! So much fun! Also... I don't think I can upload pictures on this computer.. so hopefully I can figure it out for next week!!