Happyyy 2015!!!!!

Hey everyone!!

I cannot believe it is 2015 this week!!! Here goes the start of one full year in VA! It is weird to think that I know basically everything I will be doing each day of the year.. Pretty much it'll include saving lives!! :) Ha!

I hope everyone had a wonderful CHRISTmas!!

...If some of you are having trouble believing in Santa... please read Zechariah 1:8, 2:6. Enough said :)

I hope you were all able to focus on Christ and how much He has given us. Being on a mission and focusing my entire life on Him right now has helped me truly see how He is the gift of Christmas. Heavenly Father gave him to us! And Christ gave His life for us. We can give back!! If you haven't already, I would invite you ALL to think of something you could do this new year to give back!

I have been sooo lucky to be serving in the best wards for Christmas!!! As you can see in the picture, Sister Cordner and I have received a LOT from them. We feel so loved!! I'm so grateful for all the love and support we get daily!!

I'm so grateful for all of YOU back home and for helping me have the best day too :) You all amaze me!! And of course I had the best time skyping my family!!!!!!! Best. Day. Ever. :D

Yesterday I was sick and didn't make it to church. What a weird day! Heavenly Father truly knows how to force someone to slow down and rest... I needed it! It was wonderful :)

Don't forget that you are all sons and daughters of Heavenly Father. He knows and loves each and every one of you!! Also, don't forget to read the Book of Mormon! Read, read, read! It truly does bless my life, and I promise it will bless yours!! 1 Nephi 19:23-24. Liken all scripture unto you that it might be for your profit and learning. :) When I read the scriptures, every single time the Lord answers my questions and calms my concerns!! Without fail. The Spirit is amazing and is always trying to give you answers--all we need to do is search and ACT.

I love you all!!!!!

Happy New Year :)

♥♥Sister Winterton

P.S. Don't I have the cutest family?! Them and their cute Christmas morning faces :) 

♫I'll Be Home For Christmas♪.....oh wait.

​Merry Christmas Family and Friends!!!! :D

I cannot believe it is finally this week!! Even though I won't be home, I get to see my wonderful family!!! I'm so excited!!

 I'm not going to be able to write very much today, but I will try! I am trying to spend more time sending personal letters to family, etc.. So it's great! :)

Well, with this Christmas season it has been difficult to find time for investigators to meet with us, which is expected. We can't wait for January so we can get the show back on the road!

I am so grateful for all the amazing ward members out here. They are an inspiration! And so kind! Shout out to the Sivley family for taking Sister Cordner and I under their wing and giving us the best mission Christmas! We are so excited to be in their home that day. They are awesome!!

This past week we were able to visit the Washington DC Temple Visitors Center twice!!!! :) We brought investigators! That was such a great experience!! They all loved it! :D I love the temple!!! As soon as I saw it, and drove closer and closer to it, I could feel the comfort and love emanating from it so powerfully! Tears of joy :) My home away from home! Such a beautiful temple!!! I hope you all visit the temple as often as possible! Even to be on the grounds.

I wish you all the happiest and best Christmas!!! :) I'm thinking of you all!

I love you so much and appreciate all the love and support I get each day!! ♥♥

All my warmest wishes and love,

Sister Winterton ♥

Skype Baptism... :)

Hello everyone!!

Hope your week has been fun!! I'm so excited for my cousins! Congrats on getting your mission call Courtni!! And congrats to M&M getting married this week! :)

I seriously don't know where this last week has gone!! It's been pretty busy! So many fun Christmas parties in both wards, and with the mission! I had a blast with all the missionaries in the DC South mission! We had our Christmas conference on Friday! We had a fun talent show that consisted of bagpipes, piano, singing, and rapping! So much fun :) It was also wonderful to see my MTC roommates and friends! And guess what! There are SIX of us from Timpview here on this mission!! So cool! Anyway, it's been so fun to celebrate this season! I hope you are all enjoying it as well!

This past week I got to witness my first baptism while out here on the mission!! It was over Skype!!! How cool is that? Sister Cordner taught this man named Titus about a couple of months ago. He moved to Ohio just before he was going to get baptized. Our Bishop was able to contact the missionaries out there and set his baptism date up! It was so amazing to be able to feel like we were sitting in that room. The Spirit was felt so strongly through the screen! It was a very cool experience.

Well, as you know from my last email, I spoke in the Great Falls ward yesterday! It was great! What's funny is I was asked to speak in the McLean 2nd ward yesterday as well!!!! So I got to speak twice in one day! (That's what you get when you cover two wards!) The Bishop from McLean 2nd called me on Saturday morning and asked if I could speak on receiving revelation. I was excited to speak! But I had to write another talk... ha! It was a great experience. The Stake President was there for both meetings and told me, "What a privilege it is to hear from you twice in one day! And two different talks, too! You're ready to speak in General Conference!" Haha! Not quite :)

So I just want to share a scripture with you about receiving revelation (since I already shared in my last email about what I spoke on in the other ward). In D&C 8, we learn that the spirit of revelation is a gift from our Heavenly Father. Through the Holy Ghost, we can receive answers in our mind and in our heart from God. (verse 2) And in verse 9, we read "..whatsoever you shall ask me to tell you by that means, that will I grant unto you, and you shall have knowledge concerning it." I know that we are entitled to personal revelation! How awesome is it that we have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion?! He is absolutely amazing.

We haven't had much communication with Nevin and her husband this week, but we are hoping to this week!!

On Wednesday, Sister C and I got to do service in an Alternative House for troubled teens. Their basement flooded, so we mopped and swept. That was fun to do something different! The people say they are so amazed at how willing we are to serve and how we don't complain at all. They really do appreciate it. Service is great!! It makes you feel happy when you make others happy :)

I hope you are all having a fantastic holiday season!! TEN more days until Christmas!! :) I can't wait to talk to my family. I am missing you all more and more as the days go by!

Have a great week!!! (Last week of school for most of you ---so fun!!!)

I love you all so very much!!

♥♥Sister Winterton

P.S. I have been on my mission for ONE MONTH this week on the 19th!!! CRAYYZEE.

(For Sister missionaries, they don't count the MTC weeks as part of the 18 months)

Miracles GALORE!

Hello everyone!! I hope all is well over in Utah! :) I think I'm finally starting to miss it.. Hopefully I'll get used to all the different roads and scenery over here soon.

Well this week has been jam packed full of miracles!! I cannot believe how amazing things turn out when you really work hard. Heavenly Father is just too good! 

On Tuesday we dropped our car off to a body shop to get it repaired. We still don't have it back... It's been quite the challenge getting around by foot and by rides! But we have been able to see so many tender mercies from the Lord. The reason it is in the shop is because of a hit and run accident that happened prior to me coming. Sister Cordner has had to crawl through the passenger door since I've been here because the driver's door was jammed from the accident! Crazy. So that's been our challenge this week! No car. BUT, we have a new investigator that we met while walking!!!!! 

On Wednesday, we got dropped off in a neighborhood and were going to visit a member. She wasn't home, so we decided to go tracking. We met a lot of people! We were lucky that it wasn't raining like the previous day! I made the silly silly mistake by asking one lady, "Have you ever wondered if it's the true church?" After she told us which church she went to.... Ha. Ha. Never again :) But it turned out okay. I was just very embarrassed afterwards. But then!!! As we continued to walk down the road, we saw a cute older lady walking towards us while lifting weights. As we came a little closer, she crossed the street! So we crossed the street too of course. When we approached her, she was very happy to hear what we believe! She has heard about the church a little bit, and really likes the standards we have. We talked for about 20 minutes, answering her questions and inviting her to the ward Christmas party and church. She loved getting to know us and hearing why we are on missions, etc. She is from Egypt! By the end she agreed to come to church! So we exchanged contact information and continued down the road. Sister Cordner and I were SO excited!! (As you can imagine!) And after talking to others, we saw her again! This time we gave her a Book of Mormon! We forgot the first time, and Heavenly Father gave us another chance :) Anyway, she ended up calling us on Friday, telling us that her husband said it would be great to go to the party! 

So long story short...kinda... They came to the awesome Christmas party AND church!!! We haven't even taught them yet! Heavenly Father truly does put prepared people in our path! They both loved church and said it was an amazing experience! And they brought their son (he's in his 20's) to the party. I cannot wait to start teaching them. :) 

I feel so blessed and grateful to know that Heavenly Father trusts me with teaching His gospel. 

Being at church with investigators has been such an eye-opening experience! I tried to put myself in their shoes to see how I would feel if I were there for the first time. What a coolSunday! I invite each of you to try it. It made me feel so grateful for the knowledge we have here on Earth. Even though some things seem hard to understand, the gospel is full of plain and simple truth. Heavenly Father loves YOU! And He has a perfect plan for YOU. 

There have been many more miracles throughout the week, but there's too many to write in this time. :) It has been one magical week!! 

Just some random fun things about the past week....

On Monday, Sister Cordner and I got to go help Sister Conley (our basement neighbor) pick out her Christmas tree!! That was so much fun! Along with farm fresh apple cider and homemade soft ginger cookies... Those might be my new favorite cookies for now.. ;) On Friday we helped her decorate it. So much fun holiday spirit!

Living with Brother and Sister Davis is so fun!!!! It's like living with grandparents, like I've said before probably. :) They make us yummy breakfast every so often. Brother Davis is a baker! He made the best chocolate frosting for some cake, and gave us the leftovers to put on Ritz crackers.. TRY IT. It really is delicious! 

When it rains..... It RAINS! Sometimes it's like mist, but when it starts, it goes all day! And of course it's when we don't have a car... ;) But it's been fun!! 

On Friday, we had dinner at a nonmember's house! She has taken the discussions from missionaries a long time ago, but didn't get baptized because her husband didn't let her. She has a lot of member friends. She is from Kenya Africa!! After we ate, we asked her if she would be taught again, and she said yes!! Sister Parker (from the ward, and her long time friend) was shocked that she agreed! :) Sister Parker told us that Fidelis (the nonmember) thinks we are so bubbly and fun compared to other missionaries she has had for dinner. Woo! :) When I was sitting at the table, it was cool to think "I'm sitting at a table with women from Bolivia, Argentina, and Kenya!" (Sis Parker is from Argentina and Fidelis had another member friend over). My mission has people from everywhere!!! Pretty cool. :)

With Christmas coming up....

I hope you ALL know about the video He is the Gift! AND those pass-along cards in the Ensign! Yes, I know many people in Utah are members..but I challenge you all to give out at least one to someone you pass by in the store, or at school. As missionaries, we give out SO MANY! The video is absolutely amazing. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has given each of us His son. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and for the love and comfort I receive through his atoning sacrifice.

I am speaking in church this coming Sunday, and have been thinking about what to speak on. It is a mission farewell for a soon-to-be Elder in the ward, so definitely missionary-related -- which will be fantastic, since I'm such a pro now. :)  Anyway, I've been studying about LIGHT. Let me tell you, there are TONS of great scriptures about light. With Christmas on it's way, I related it to Christmas lights. WE can be Christmas LIGHTS to the world!!! How? By receiving light into our own lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mosiah 16:9 states "He is the LIGHT and the life of the world; yea, a LIGHT that is endless, that can never be darkened..." AMAZING, right? Through Christ, we can be guided and directed always. If we receive light, we will GLOW. You can "shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations" (D&C 115:5). Our wonderful prophet Thomas S. Monson said, "If you want to give light to others, you have to glow yourself." I would invite each of you to take a look at yourself. Do you see that light shining? I do! Continue to share your light through your great examples! You are all beautiful Christmas lights :)

I will now close by saying that you are all so amazing!! Thank you so much for your love and support!! I hope you are having a great (warm?) December so far! :)

I love you all so much.

Sister Winterton

Tis the Season!

Happy late Thanksgiving!!! And happy DECEMBER!!! :)

Wow, it seems like I was just at the computer writing to you all... this week has gone fast! Yet SO much has happened. Where to begin... I am SO thankful for all of you!! And I'm so grateful to be a missionary!

I guess I'll start by telling you how the rest of my P-day went last Monday! After emailing, laundry, and all that good stuff, Sister C and I went to the crazy huge mall out here to look around! It was really fun! I can't wait to go see the main sites out here throughout my future P-days! ;) Later that evening, we had dinner with a less-active family. We are teaching their 8 year old daughter all the discussions. Her parents want her to learn and know so she can decide if she wants to be baptized. I thought that was very cool! I could feel the Spirit so strong as we talked about the promises we make at baptism, and what Heavenly Father promises us in return. Her mom was totally teaching the lesson for us! What a great way to help remind her the blessings of the gospel as well! We ended up not teaching Elder Gerard from the Seventy that night..they had family come early for Thanksgiving! :)

On Tuesday we had Zone and District Meetings! That was great! Afterwards, we had lunch with an older man at the Virginian Restaurant (café). He was so sweet, and wants to feed us lunch as often as possible! He also said, "Well! I wasn't expecting two glamorous missionaries!!" Haha! He was fun to talk with. He also gave us some brain teaser puzzles. Out here we get treated like queens! I have only had to "make" dinner once out here in VA! And that was leftovers that we got from the night before. ;) The members are so sweet. They also take our coats and hang them up as we walk in. It makes me feel so good! They take great care of us. It also makes me so happy to hear "Thanks for making our day so much better!" after leaving their homes.

Wednesday morning I attended the New Missionary Meeting! It was SO good to see my MTC buddies!!!! Yes, I did cry when I saw Sister Malufau. I miss her! It's fun to see all of them! :) President Riggs is amazing! And very fun!

The night consisted of member lessons and visiting some investigators --the usual. :)

Thursday was Thanksgiving! Party! Before dinner, we went and visited the Great Falls Manor. (It is a member's home--mansion-- where they also house 3 older ladies in their basement. Yes, that sounded creepy, but it's like a cute rest home down there) :) That was cool! We read poems and talked to this cute lady. She didn't quite catch everything we said, but it was great!

For dinner, we went over to a member's house! They were so fun!!! I loved all the yummy food- especially the homemade ice-cream and pie! ;) Their kids were super fun too! Mom, I sure hope you got the picture their grandma sent via text that day!... That was so nice of her to think of that! She was hilarious :)

Fridays are pretty fun! They are our weekly planning days. So pretty much, we spend all morning and afternoon planning out what, who, and how we're going to teach for the next week! We also sneak in some nail-painting fun. :) I'm glad Sister C keeps it fun and creative! That night we had our first chance to cook dinner! We made it for Sister Conley, our downstairs neighbor, too! Yes, it did consist of some Thanksgiving leftovers, but it was fun to cook!

Yesterday was AWESOME! We met with some members in the morning. They are an older couple, who have a pug named Precious. (They worship her.. it's quite hilarious!) It is amazing to hear the conversion stories they share and to hear how the gospel has blessed them so much! I can tell that they are in a strong relationship together with God. True love right there! Later, we had dinner with Sister Conley! She is the best!! We just absolutely love her. ..her dog doesn't particularly love us, but it's fun :) She tells us how grateful she is to have us upstairs. She says she can feel the power that comes from our room! She is so uplifting and so goofy! Love it!! While she was telling us a story from her mission, and talking about how she wants to work on being more fearless, I had a very cool experience! This has never happened to me before. It was as if I was watching myself on a screen, knocking on doors. I imagined myself having no fear as I talked and greeted people. So many great things were happening! People were so excited to hear what I had to say! Right then I knew what I need to work on, and what Heavenly Father wants me to work on: being COURAGIOUS. 1 Nephi 4:31! "And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having received much STRENGTH of the Lord, therefore I DID..." I love how confident Nephi is in this scripture! He knows he's large in stature, and knows he receives it from the Lord. He is awesome! And he ACTS in the strength he receives. I am going to do my best and act on the strength I receive hourly from Heavenly Father!

~After dinner, we went to check on the family from Saudi Arabia!! When we first arrived, the 12 year old daughter opened the door and said hi. And luckily the dad pulled into the driveway just in time! He is so nice and loved to see us when we first met last week! He let us come inside their home!! We talked about what we do as missionaries, etc. And they talked a little bit about the Curran. The wife gave us some Arabic bread with cheese and honey stuff in it and some Mountain Dew :) That was good! She doesn't speak English, but she is very nice! The dad asked for the website for the church and for all the materials! We will be dropping some Arabic Book of Mormons (...Books of Mormon?...) off soon! :) He even said, "Oh we can just learn from the websites." But I didn't let him get away with that! I told him we'd love to talk about what he learns! I'm so excited to start teaching! They even let us pray with them! They told us about how they pray five times a day, and have movements, so they wanted to see how we prayed. I hope they felt something as we prayed! I just can't wait to continue meeting with them. It really makes me feel rushed when I think about when transfers are!! We really do have to work fast! Only 6 weeks in a transfer, which means 6 times in church, and in order for someone to get baptized, they have to go three times in a row! The work is moving quick! :)

Sunday is always busy busy! Double meetings (covering two wards) and lessons all day! Sister Cordner and I taught the Priests and Laurels in the Great Falls ward. ..We forgot until we arrived at church..but it all worked out! It's amazing how well the Spirit guides when you have faith! I have been working on that goal to be more fearless when I speak and teach. It is amazing! Heavenly Father truly does give us the words in the very moment that we need it (D&C 100:6-7). Later that evening we went to visit a less active woman in the hospital. She is doing better, and it was fun to cheer her up! It is amazing how she called us missionaries to visit her! And very nice of some members (older couple) to take us.  

Well, I wish I could tell you even more about everything, but there's no way to tell you about all the amazing experiences I have! I love you all so much!! I cannot believe Christmas is almost here!!! All the decorations are getting me excited!! Sister Cordner and I are just about to go help Sister Conley pick out and decorate her tree!! So fun!!! :) I'm so excited!!

Have a fantastic first week of December!♥

Love,

Sister Winterton

P.S. It has only snowed once so far!