"What do I need to do to be baptized?"

What a miraculous week!!

Sister Makowa and I have been enduring the heat and have been tracting up a storm! It is all paying off...

First of all, I'm not going to lie and say I had a ton of energy and zeal throughout this week. It felt like I was counting down the hours of each day before it was time to go home for the night. On Tuesday and Wednesday things were pretty slow. I realized that I needed to change my way of thinking...

For the rest of the week I decided that I was not going to focus on the time, but focus on the goals I've set! As we went out I thought about how I only have ___ amount of time to find a new investigator! My whole world was changed! I had so much more enthusiasm while meeting people and I had a lot more fun. Time went by much quicker!

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to repent everyday. I knew that I had slipped into the wrong way of thinking and I knew that God would help me change! I know that the Atonement is real and that we can repent (change) every single day!

The BIG miracle happened on Thursday night. Sister Makowa and I went tracting out on the edge of our ward boundaries in the richer area. The first door we knocked was a woman named Ireldy and she let us right in!! We found out that she was baptized when she was 10 years old with her older sister but stopped going to church when she was a teenager. She is married to a Muslim guy and that is what kept her from coming back. Before we could talk more, she went to go make us some blueberry herbal tea and brought her 17 year old daughter Arianna out to chat with us. Irledy's niece (Beatriz) is an ACTIVE member who has been staying with them for the summer! She is about my age. How cool is that!? ...To make a long story short.. Arianna asked some great questions and we taught her the Restoration! She even asked, "So what do I need to do to be baptized?"  She is so prepared! She has grown up with more of a Muslim background, but is very open to learn about the gospel. We are meeting with them again this week! :)

The coolest part of it is that Beatriz told us (when it was just her in the room) that Ireldy was telling her a few days ago that she wished missionaries would come by to talk to Arianna!!! They have lived there for 10 years and none have come by!

Talk about witnessing the hand of God! I know that there are no coincidences when it comes to this great work. Heavenly Father knows us perfectly!!

Yesterday, Sister Makowa, the Elders and I had a fun time helping out in Primary! We got to dress up and pretend like we witnessed the Risen Christ. :) It's always fun to help out in Primary! The kids also get super excited to see all of us missionaries! It's fun to have little ones come up and compliment you on your performance. ♥

Last night we had another neat experience while out knocking doors. One woman answered and told us she has spent her whole life telling people not to join the Mormons because they don't believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Once we explained what we know and believe, she let us in! We had a nice talk with her and she asked to say a prayer with us at the end. It was amazing to see her eyes open to the truth! She also accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon! Her husband is a major Lutheran Bishop..so she's not super interested in changing..but the Spirit can work with her now!

Miracles galore this week! :) I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be serving and sharing the restored gospel! True happiness right there.

Love you all!! I wish you the best this week! I can't believe school is starting!!

Love,

Sister Winterton

♥♥♥

Picture: Us standing in awe after meeting Arianna! :)