Heart Full of Thanks

I hope you all had a super duper amazing Thanksgiving! I'm so grateful for all of you. :) I had a blast!

Last Monday I had a pretty crazy preparation day. We did an exchange with Sisters so that others could go to the temple.. So I got to be with Sister Makowa again! The sort of sad thing for us was that we had to go take our car in for a safety inspection...which took ALL day.....literally. But we made the most of it. ;) She is so funny!

On Tuesday we did another exchange -- this time with the Cotoctin/Hamilton Sisters! Sister Willes spent the day with me here in Shenandoah. She was a blast! I feel like we are the same people. Our adventure consisted of... a super awkward and long "pass-off" lesson with some Elders, contacting people near NOVA campus, cancelled appointments, annnnd getting PULLED OVER by a cop!! Yep. My very first time! Silly me.... I got pulled over because I didn't move into the center lane when there was a cop with his lights flashing on the side of the road. Whoops. Pretty much my heart was racing! We explained that we were missionaries from UT. Luckily (after sweating in my seat for what seemed like forever) the cop came back and said, "Well, normally I don't let people off with things like this, but since you're doing God's work I'll let you off with a warning." Next thing you know, I'm handing him a pass-along card and inviting him to watch a video. :) Whew! What an experience! Sis. Willes and I had a good time!

It was such a tender mercy to know that we got our car inspected the day before..just in case something was out-of-date, etc. Blessings!

Our Thanksgiving was awesome! We had brunch with Hector (recent convert) at Bob Evans - where he works. Lucky that we could spend his break time with him! Working on a holiday like that must feel like a drag. He's so happy going though!

Later we went to have a feast with our Relief Society President Alison and her family! It was fun to see little kiddos again. :) David (another convert) came as well! Alison's deaf cousin was there so it was cool to see them signing! Everything worked out well! I got to do some cute little crafts with the kids and a girl from our ward named Brigi (she's from Hungary). So fun!

On Friday we went to eat Café Rio with some Sisters before we had a mission-wide (optional) choir practice!! We are preparing to sing at the DC Temple Visitors Center for Christmas Eve! We are practicing 7? different songs! It should be an amazing performance. We are so lucky to be a part of it! Also, I got to see some members from my first area when we were at Café Rio!! Tender mercy. Crazy to think I was with them a year ago! I also got to see Sister Hansen at the choir practice..love her!

For exercise on Saturday morning we ran outside and watched the sunrise!! It was absolutely beautiful. Wish I had a camera! ;) That day we had a lesson with Theo (our investigator). He has basically been taught every lesson..just won't commit to be baptized. The ward is doing a great job with him. He is awesome!

That night I had the most awkward moment.... Let's just say I'm getting used to YSA life... When street contacting a guy, he started out all normal and friendly and then asked if we could help him when he needed comfort. My naïve self said "Yes!!!" Wow.... hahahah so embarrassing. Sister O and I couldn't stop laughing afterwards!

Anyways.... are you guys excited for Christmas or what!? I'm super pumped!! Seriously the best time on a mission. The Spirit of Christmas is so real. I'm already starting to feel it! I'm so grateful for our Savior. I know that He was born for us! I would definitely recommend reading the December Ensign article "Be at Peace" by Elder Christofferson. I know that as we sit in stillness and ponder on Christ's birth we can feel peace.

Happy December this week!! The weather is finally starting to get colder over here..

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.

♥Much love,

Sister Winterton

Let the Holy Spirit Guide!

Seriously. The weeks keep getting faster. I was just barely sitting here! Haha, well there are plenty of cool things that happened this week.  

Last Monday for FHE we had the coolest activity!! We played live Hungry Hippos!! It was super fun!..and kinda dangerous in a way ;) We had 4 teams - each team in a corner of the gym. We had to get balloons from the center of the gym by sliding on skateboards on our stomachs! We had to grab the balloons with baskets. Our team would then pull us back with a rope that is hooked up to the board. So fun!! YSA life = awesome. :D

On Tuesday we had a lesson with David! He was baptized a year ago. I am working on learning ASL so that I can actually understand him and talk to him. I'm slowly starting to get the hang of it! It is a lot of fun! David is awesome!!

That night while out trying to find a less-active, we street contacted a guy and his daughter. Sister O loves to play the ukulele, so we sang for them! It was so sweet. :)

We had the opportunity to present at our Zone Training meeting. Not as much pressure as Zone Conference because it's only our zone there. It was really cool because Sister O and I really focused on following the Spirit as we taught and asked questions. The discussion was so great! The promise in Luke 12:12 is so true: "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." I know that we can do anything with the guidance of the Spirit!

After the training, we went on exchanges again! This time I went with Sister Manalang in the Goose Creek area. She is from the Philippines! She is an amazing artist and is hilarious. We had a great time! We saw some cool miracles that night as we talked to everyone we saw! We ended up finding a referral for the Spanish Elders!

Overall, this week has been AWESOME. Sister Otteman is in the process of figuring out college classes, etc (exciting!), we are teaching some cool Muslims.... One guy likes to ask a LOT of questions and wants logical answers. We hope that he will learn to have a soft and willing heart. It is the Spirit that will answer him in the end.

Our ward had a super awesome talent show on Friday night!! There were some amazing talents shared! :) Sis. O did an amazing job with her ukulele and singing voice! The YSA's here are just hilarious. We sure know how to have a good time! Our investigator Theo even played his electric guitar! It was awesome!

On Saturday night we had so many cool Spirit-led experiences! Too many to tell.... But one of them was talking to 4 fifteen year old boys (they reminded me of my bros!). We ended up showing them a video and the Spirit was so strong! They even participated in the conversation! We walked away feeling SO happy! Nothing beats feeling like you are fulfilling your purpose as a missionary.

Yesterday I had another really amazing experience in ward council! We walked in right before the opening prayer was said. Once we sat down and listened to the prayer, I had a strong and quick impression to prepare a spiritual thought of some sort that I might have to share that day. Annnnd right after the prayer ended, Bishop asked me to share my testimony! I was completely prepared for it! And it was amazing to see the Spirit use me to say what someone in that room needed to hear. Everything that came out of my mouth was not mine. I am SO grateful for the opportunity I have to be so close to the Holy Ghost.

Being a missionary pretty much is the best thing that ever happened to me!!

I can't believe that it's Thanksgiving this week! I'm so excited!! There are so many things to be grateful for. I know this may sound a little crazy, but I challenge you all to make a list of 100 things you're grateful for! You'll be surprised at how easy it will come. :)

I love you all and wish you a Happy Happy Thanksgiving! Eat lots!

♥Sister Kyra Winterton

Pictures

1-2: Exchange with Sis. Manlang!

3: Crazy boys at the talent show

4: Me on exchange right now with Sis. Makowa! (her comp is going to the temple)

"He showed not himself until after their faith"

This week was JAM-PACKED. It feels like it was a year long... Yet I still can't believe it is Monday already.

It has been pretty warm around here lately! I can't believe it has snowed in UT! We probably won't get to see snow until late January.

I feel that my faith has been strengthened greatly this past week!

Last Monday night was so much fun! For FHE we played dodge ball with all the YSA's! I love being with all of them -- it makes me feel like I'm truly one of them. :) Serving here is pretty much the best. I can't wait for the activity tonight! We also had a pretty cool miracle last Monday night as well. During the activity two teenagers (17 and 19 yrs) and a dad came into the church thinking it was a library. They ended up staying and playing with us! At the end the dad accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and is excited to attend church sometime. So cool!

On Tuesday Sis. O and I served in a thrift store called "Good Shepherd". All their money is donated! It was fun to help organize the clothing racks. We also got to share the gospel with people who came in!

That night we had a lesson with a former investigator named Jean Luc. He called US last week wanting to meet with missionaries again! Tender mercy. He is from Rwanda and has some great potential! We're excited to meet with him again. After his lesson, we met with Tom and talked about temples! The Spirit was so strong during that lesson. It was such a cool miracle to have met Tom outside the Family History Center last week.

After those lessons, we got to make a cute Christmas craft at the Relief Society activity. Fun! (I know, Christmas already?) ;)

I got to go on exchange with Sister Makowa on Wednesday! It was so cool to be serving with her again -- in a completely different area! We had a great time! Sister Makowa is hilarious. We got to teach her 17 year old investigator who is getting baptized at the end of this month! So exciting! He was a referral from a member in their ward.

On Thursday Sister Otteman and I got to go to the Chiropractor! He is a member in our stake. Our Relief Society Pres. works for him. It was SO nice to get adjusted! I feel like a new person! After our appointment, we went to Walgreen's to pick something up real quick. Our cashier told us Elders knocked on her door years ago but never came back! She wants them to come back so we got her number. So many miracles!

That night we had Institute. Brother Hall taught and was amazing!... It is amazing how much one person can know about the scriptures.. :)

On Friday we said goodbye to one of our potential investigators who is from Germany. She is the sweetest! Her name is Steffie. She came to church and activities. We will miss seeing her!

Saturday was the craziest day..... We had a super awesome Zone Finding Fest! After a pump-up meeting hosted by the ZL's (that included a hilarious home-made video) we split up into 2 groups. As a group, we went to different areas to tract and find people to teach for the missionaries who covered that certain area. - Hard to explain..sorry. ;) We would switch areas every hour. One area was particularly interesting. All 5 companionships of missionaries pull into this apartment complex to go finding. We switch companions to make things fun. Long story short(er)..... Two older men end up threatening Sis. Bennett and I to get in our car before they called the Sheriff! My response was giving them a pass-along card and telling them that God loved them and that's the message we shared. We ended up leaving, and that also caused a whole different story. But typing it up would just take way too long.. ;) Looking back I wish I would have told the guys "Go ahead! Call the Cops!" but that would've gotten us nowhere. I'm SO grateful for the guidance and peaceful assurance from the Spirit! Being a missionary rocks!

Yesterday we had an new investigator named Wahab come to church! He is from Afghanistan. He has so many questions. Hopefully the Spirit can help answer all of them. We continue to find amazing new people to teach!  

I am continuing to see the Lord's hand in my life out here in Ashburn. I know that He lives! Through faith we can see many miracles! (Ether 12:12)

Thank you all SO much for your love and support. You are all amazing!

Much love,

Sister Winterton

Pictures---

1. Goodbye Steffie!

2. Exchange with Sis. Makowa!

3. Sara and I. She is leaving for a mission to AZ this week! We look alike. ;)

4. Briggi (from Hungary), us and Hector (recent convert)

Now Let Us Rejoice!

Hello again!

Last Preparation Day (Thursday) was great! Sister Otteman went to the temple with another Sister in our area. I got to hang out with my old companion Sister Makowa! We had a fun time catching up. It's cool that I get to be her Sister Training Leader! That afternoon we had a zone activity where we played volleyball. Fun fun! I try not to scream when Elders spike the ball at me... ha!

That evening Sister O and I went to Chick-Fil-A to celebrate my one year mark!! My sweet family also sent me flowers. :) I can't believe it has been one year! Time just keeps flying. I never thought I'd get to this point and never thought I'd grow this much! I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father's guidance and strength throughout this year. "For with God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37)

On Friday we had Zone Conference! *Yes, this past week was FULL of meetings* It was wonderful! Sister Otteman and I got to present! We talked about the Spirit: pray for it, learn to recognize it, and rely on it!! Because this past week was so busy, we didn't have much time to prepare..and we didn't make it a big priority compared to other things (like finding less-actives). So the morning of the conference we were pretty stressed out. We learned our lesson... Never procrastinate. :) BUT, I do have to say it all turned out pretty well. I prayed earnestly for peace and with the words to say. God answers our prayers! I have never felt so comfortable and peaceful standing in front of the zone, and President and Sister Huntsman. It was amazing! The Holy Ghost truly is the Comforter. 

Oh and during lunch at the conference I got President Huntsman out during our game of Speed! We have a good time. :) It was his Birthday too!

Throughout the week we have been having a good time with all the YSA's. They're so nice and take us to dinner sometimes too. Yesterday, our investigator named Carter came to church! We're excited to follow up with her soon. After church we had a quick lesson with a recent convert named Hector. He's awesome! The Spirit was so strong there. I love how teaching YSA's feels like exchanging testimonies with close friends.

Fun fact.... I am in the same ward as one of my good friends from Middle School!!! Laura Williams! She walked into the chapel and I was in shock! I haven't seen her in years. It was so fun to get a hug and talk a little bit. She's so great! She moved out here right before High School. I'll admit, it was a little weird to see a face from home, but it was also very comforting! Tender mercy! What a small world. :)

Sister Otteman and I having a blast! We are seeing miracles daily.

I'm so grateful for the things I am learning out here in the Shenandoah ward. The Bishop and leaders here are amazing! I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to work with them and share my testimony with them. I know with all my heart that God knows each of us. He knows our desires and knows our weaknesses. As we humble ourselves and put our trust in Him, those weaknesses can become strengths through Christ's grace. His grace is sufficient!

I love you all!

Sister Winterton

WOW

Hello all!!

WOW. This past week and a half has been quite eventful. :) I got transferred to the Shenandoah YSA Ward with Sister Otteman!! ...YSA life has been pretty different! I have been humbled beyond compare. We are having so much fun though!

I have no idea where to even start... I already know there is no way that I will be able to tell you all the amazing, stressful, miraculous, life-changing things that happened. I will say that I have learned SO much about relying completely on the Spirit. Without Him I would have not been able to survive this past week.

Saying goodbyes to all the Rolling Valley people was weird. It was almost like leaving my ward back home! I have loved getting to know all those amazing people! They will always be remembered. It is crazy that I'm not there anymore!

Last Thursday we had transfer day. Sister Hansen was so sad to say goodbye. She is the sweetest!! I miss her so much. I know she is in good hands though! She is now companions with my MTC companion Sister Malufau!! Annnnd companions with another Sister! Rolling Valley has a trio now! That should be a ton of fun! I feel a lot better about leaving Sis. Hansen now that Sis. Malufau is with her! :) I love them both a bunch!!

My new companion is Sister Otteman! She is from Mesa, Arizona! She got baptized when she was 18 years old and then came out here pretty quick after that! She is amazinggg. I look up to her so much! She has a gift for recognizing promptings from the Spirit. She has helped me so much in this transition. She has one more transfer left after this one on her mission. I hope to become more like her!

With this new area I have been called to serve as a "Sister Training Leader". Sis. O and I go on exchanges with all the Sisters in our area and help support them in anyway they need. We also help train the Zone in Zone Conferences, etc. (We have one tomorrow and I'm kind of freaking out. Except not really because I know for a fact that the Spirit will help us!) So this is a LOT of change for me.. it is a lot to take on. I am learning so much!

Learning how to be social with YSA's was nothing that I really expected! I didn't realize how much of a change it would be. We really have to get down to their level.. if you know what I mean. We don't have to be all professional -- like expected in a family ward. Anyway, it's been a little hard, but I'm liking it more as the days go on! Also, being in a YSA ward, we get to have a "munch n mingle" activity after church every Sunday! This past Sunday the Bishopbric wives prepared pancakes, etc. Also we get to attend Institute on Thursday nights if there are less-actives or investigators there. So fun! On Mondays we have FHE! This past Monday we watched them do line-dancing. :)

This area is rockin compared to what I'm used to!! We are working with a ton of recent converts! They are amazing. One guy named Hector is 19 years old. He is so hilarious! We also have a recent convert named David who is completely deaf. Which means I have to learn sign language on top of everything else I have to do! It's pretty fun to talk with him! Super funny guy.

OH. On Halloween we got to watch the movie "Cokeville Miracle" with our Zone!!! It was amazing!! Highly recommend it. That was fun to get together with everyone! Sis. O and I put together quick little goodie bags for the Sisters. Everyone also brought a ton of treats! We also played games that night. Toilet paper mummies, basketball, and other random things. ...I love beating Elders in "Speed"... ;)

The reason why we switched preparation day was because we had Elder Anthony D. Perkins from the Seventy come to our mission this week!! We had a 1/2 Mission Conference with him on Monday. He is amazing! I love how he taught us to have a simple, powerful first lesson with everyone we teach. He also talked about how we can make every meeting a 'revelatory experience' if we come with a question. Let me tell you - it works! I invite each of you to try it this Sunday before going to Church. If you write down a question or two beforehand and go with real intent, you will receive an answer. I feel so blessed to have been able to meet and learn from Elder Perkins. Something cool-- Sister O and I were asked to practice teach (role-play) the first lesson in ten minutes in front of the entire audience! Pretty nerve-racking if ya ask me! We weren't perfect or anything, but the Spirit was there so that's all that matters!

Being a leader in the mission, we had another meeting with Elder Perkins on Wednesday as well! That was also really cool.

We have been talking to everyone we meet on the streets and have been seeing so many miracles! We are teaching a lot of lessons to less-actives and converts. We have one super solid investigator named Carter who is amazing! She is asking US what scriptures to read in preparation for the lessons before we can give them to her. She has such a strong desire to be happy and learn about the gospel.

One super cool miracle-- One night we had no idea where we needed to be. Unlike being in a family ward, we don't go tracting. We said a prayer and Sis. O asked if we needed to go to the church. I had the strongest feeling that we did. We drove there annnd there was one car in the parking lot! We went up to the car and introduced ourselves to a guy named Tom. He was waiting for the Family History Center to open. He ended up being a non-member who has been going for about 8 years!! Once it opened, we went in with him and talked to the women who serve there. They didn't even know he was not a member! We now have scheduled a time to go next week and teach him about temples. Pretty amazing!! ;)

Annnnnyway.... Sorry this is so long and so scattered! Too many amazing things happening lately! I love this work. I am so so grateful for the guidance of the Spirit. I'm so grateful for all of you! I wish you a happy week! 

Love,

Sister Winterton

Pictures--

*Eating at "Melt" with some members! HUGE burgers.

*YSA's on Halloween night

*New comp Sis. O :)

*Bye Sis. H ♥