Change in Season!

The weather around here seems to be cooling down a bit!! Finally. We have been loving it!! Tracting hasn't felt this great in a while.. ;)

Last Monday tracting was great! Sister Hansen and I are enjoying all the toads and lizards that seem to be everywhere! We even got to see a stick bug! (Exactly like the one on Bugs Life!!) ..I thought that was pretty cool. Ha! One lady we met was also super sweet. She offered us umbrellas and it was barely sprinkling! [we were tracting in a super fancy neighborhood]. Gotta love Virginians!

We had District Meeting on Tuesday - like usual. ...But we have an entirely new District! Our District Leader is from China! He is so great and doing very well with his English. We also have a crazy Elder from Russia too. Let's just say he keeps things interesting... Another funny aspect of my District is that I am one of the "oldest" missionaries!! Only one Elder who has been out longer than me. Weird!

That day we met another nice lady tracting! Of course she brought up the Pope being in town. It is pretty cool to be in a place where a lot of action happens! She was pretty stoked about it. She also asked to give us hugs before we left! Tender mercies.

Later that night we took a plate of cookies to some families in the ward who have fed us dinner. They were thrilled! I challenge each of you to look for one way to serve someone this week! It will make your day!

On Wednesday we had a Sisters Meeting with our Sister Training Leaders and a few other Sisters in the area. It was a lot of fun! For the meeting I was asked to speak on Obedience. :) I love having the opportunity to share my thoughts with the Sisters here! I was so humbled. Obedience is such a wonderful Christ-like attribute! I know that as we give our will to Him, He will bless us immeasurably!

While we were out tracting that evening we decided to count the number of rejections we get - and try to get as many as possible! It made it so much more fun when someone rejected us. Haha! Getting 20 rejections never felt so good.. ;) We just laugh at every one! Our cheeks hurt by the end of the night!

We had interviews with President Huntsman on Thursday! He is so great. I feel so appreciated and loved whenever I speak with him and Sister Huntsman.

We went to the Relief Society President's house for dinner that day. Sister Jensen. She is SO sweet. She cries when she prays for us before we leave. She may or may not be getting too attached... I've been here so long! ;) I love it.

We have had more success with our Atheist investigator Matthew! He is reading the Book of Mormon and now asks the question, "why should I join the Mormon faith?" instead of "why should I believe in God?" It has been amazing to see the progress of him over the past few months. Miracles!

Friday was our usual weekly planning day. Sometimes it is hard to focus when you have so much fun chatting with your companion.. ;) What a great problem though! Don't worry though, we came up with some great ideas!

That night was our ward chili cook off!! So fun!!

The General Women's Session on Saturday night was amazing!! The Spirit truly does teach us exactly what we need to hear. I loved all the speakers! I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to listen to our General Authorities! General Conference is this week!! I am thrilled!! :D We get to listen to the Prophet speak! What an amazing blessing it is to have inspired leaders who lead and guide Christ's true church.  WE are a part of that! :)

I am so incredibly grateful to be serving on a mission. I have been able to witness so many miracles! Lately I have been feeling a little inadequate as I am staying in this area and training again, but I know that God is with me. I was reading in Alma 36 the other day and found a gem! In verse 27 Alma is telling his son Helaman about all the hard times he had in his youth and then states "and he will still deliver me". I have gone through some difficult times on my mission and God has delivered me! I know that He will STILL deliver me. I love this gospel! I love our Heavenly Father! I love the strength we receive daily from our Savior!

Love you all!! Have a fantastic General Conference weekend!!

Love,

Sister Winterton

Sister Meeting

Cookie baking!

We are pretty tired sometimes.

Getting ready to "heart attack"