"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)