Shoveling for Days

Wow, what a week!! Let's just start off with the fact that most of
this week consisted of coughs, laughs, and cabin fever. 😅

The beginning of last week was great! On Sister Otteman's last night
working as a full time missionary, we saw an awesome miracle! We were
on the lookout for a less active guy and his roommate Terrence opened
the door. This roommate's name is Terrence and is now.... drumroll
please.. a new investigator!! We shared the Because He Lives video and
he told us that it stirred something inside of him that he couldn't
explain. I know that God is preparing people and that we can be lead
to them. I also know that that feeling he couldn't explain is from our
Heavenly Father. God knows us and He wants each of us to find peace in
this life through our Savior Jesus Christ. He will always provide a
way for us to find it.

Transfers were on Thursday. My new companion is Sister Archibald!
Pretty cool that we are both from Timpview and both came out on our
missions on the same day! We are having a blast!

As for the remainder of the week.. The miracle is that we're still
alive! Ha. With this huge in the way our teaching opportunities have
decreased for sure. We are living the life here in Ashburn!... In our
apartment. Having Bronchial spasms. Planning up a storm!..almost
literally. Annnnd cleaning and organizing our seemingly shrinking
apartment. Yes, there may be a bit of cabin fever in here but we're
fighting hard! So much good is happening. This transfer is going to be
through the roof!

My sickness is getting better! I went to the doctor this morning and I
got a blessing on Friday night. On Sunday, with church being
cancelled, we got permission to have Sacrament with members at their
house with the Elders who live in our apartment complex. That was such
an incredible experience! Later that evening we helped people shovel
around and clean off their cars. The snow plowers.. Aka tractors..
Didn't show up until Monday morning! Good times.

Well, I hope you all enjoy these pictures of Sis. A and I in the crazy
3.5 feet deep snow!
Have a fantastic week everyone. :)

Hugs,
Sister Winterton


Pictures--
1. Transfer day! Sis. A and I with our trainees. :)
2. I needed some help after making a snow angel!
3. Yes, we are two snow bunnies from Utah.
4. Digging out our car was quite the experience....

Referral Miracles

I cannot believe this week is transfers. Sister Otteman is going home
on Friday! I will miss that girl. We have learned so much together
these past few months! I'm so proud of all her hard work and
dedication to this great work. She is an amazing example to so many!

Last Monday was pretty crazy if you ask me... :) We were in Mt. Vernon
(Sister O's 1st area) for the day. It was fun to get to see a couple
of people she served around! We were pretty sad that a convert wasn't
home to see her though. Hopefully we can see her this week before Sis.
O leaves!

We had an awesome Zone Training this past week! Sis. Otteman and I
focused our section on what President Huntsman taught us at a
Leadership Meeting. I love how he talked about the importance of
trusting God in all things! It is okay to think about family, the
future, and personal needs, but TRUST that He will take care of it.
Heavenly Father takes care of us! As we trust in that promise we can
feel true peace.

On Wednesday I got to go to the quarterly "Endure to the End" meeting!
It is for all missionaries who go home in 3 or less transfers. It was
so powerful! I'm so thankful I am one who has 3 more transfers... ;)
I'm grateful for all the advice that was shared about how to finish
out the mission strong. My favorite line from President Huntsman: "I
want you to give me your very best!" For all those who agreed to do
just that got to sign the flag. (see picture below) I'm so excited to
see the miracles that will come these last few transfers. :)

I got to go on exchange with Sister Corey on Thursday! We had an
amazing lesson with a less-active family in their ward. The Spirit
works through us when we truly focus on the needs of others. It's
super awesome!

We got to see an ice-carving competition one evening during our dinner
hour. The Goose Creek Sisters live in this plaza. So cool! Fun to have
things like that every once in a while!

This past weekend was awesome! On Saturday we had a super duper
miraculous night. We went up to work in the Hamilton/Catoctin area
...which is pretty much the boonies. We had a couple of people to
check on, but not much success with those. However, almost every human
we saw in the town happened to be YSA age!! It was a miracle! Who knew
we'd find so many out in the middle of no where... But asking for
referrals really works. Everyone we talked to gave us another house
where 18-30 year olds lived. Awesome!

Yesterday we had a less active we're working with come to church! His
first time in years. Miracles all around.

I hope you all are staying warm wherever you may be. ..It's finally
starting to get cold around here! It snowed for the first time this
week. We'll see if it ever sticks. ;)

Love you all!!!
Sister Kyra Winterton

The Good Life

Hello everyone!!

This week was pretty jam packed... But in short, (kinda short) I'll tell you some of the good (okay, miraculous) details. ;)

On Monday we had a fun Sisters activity at a mini golf place! We had a ton of fun! 

We went on exchange with the Hamilton/Catoctic Sisters on Tuesday. I went with Sister Harris and we saw so many miracles! We met a former investigator who told us "Joseph Smith is my hero!!!" How much better can it get?! 

We had an awesome Mission Leadership Council on Thursday with the Huntsmans. They're amazing! They are so in tune with the Spirit and somehow know exactly what all the missionaries need.. ;) 

On Friday we got a sweet member referral from the Bishop's daughter. And he's so cool! 

We had a powerful lesson with David (a less-active we just met 1 week ago) on Saturday and he committed to receiving a church calling and wants to come back to church again!!!!! 

On a less-miraculous...YSA-probs note-- we had to eat a cup full of cereal at the church before our stake relief society meeting started for dinner on Saturday. We must be really busy or something crazy. :) (Don't worry... This hardly ever happens!) 

On Sunday we had a Spanish-speaking investigator come to our Ward! The Spanish Elders are teaching him, but he came to check it out. Turns out he told some Spanish-speaking members in our ward that he was baptized 2 years ago! ....So pretty much we are trying to sort that out. Ha!

As you can tell I live a pretty hilarious, AMAZING life. :) Being a Sister Training Leader is the best calling ever. I've been learning so so much. 

After all the craziness, I know that God takes care of the rest. Having patience really makes the difference. We can feel true hope when we just take that leap of faith to believe! 

Ether 12:31 - "For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power." 

Much love, 

Sister Winterton 

Pictures--- 

1. Hamilton/Catoctin exchange fun! 

2. Brother Hiatt (1st counselor in the Bishopric) is moving! 

3. Silly Sister O and I playing with the sticky toys My cool Mom sent!... We're having too much fun with those... :) 

2016!

Happy New Year!!! Can you believe it is 2016?! I'm so grateful for new
beginnings and new goals!

We had a cool experience with a member named Brenton. He just returned
home from his mission and invited his coworker to hear him speak in
church. She came! She even asked for a Priesthood blessing. So we got
to go! On Tuesday we met up with them and another member at the
church. She has some pretty great questions, and we later found out
that she was a former investigator. The coolest part of that visit was
seeing the power in member missionary work. We all have such a major
influence on those around us. I'm grateful for Brenton and his example
of sharing what he loves and knows to be true with those around him.

On Tuesday night we went to get frozen custard with David. That was so
much fun! I feel that my ASL is slowly starting to improve and I'm
able to understand things step by step. It's exciting! I'm grateful
for David's patience and for the opportunity I have to learn. God
gives us help when we ask.

I got to go on another exchange with Sister Makowa this week! Before
exchanging, we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. While waiting for my
food I got to meet a cool guy from California visiting for the
holidays. After talking with him and sharing my testimony it helped me
realize that I can do that even after my mission. Sharing the gospel
is so rewarding and brings so much happiness!
We got to serve at the thrift/donation store "Good Shepherd". It was a
blast! I love helping in the community and meeting other people who
volunteer there as well. I got to know a High School Senior boy who
was getting some service hours. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I
have to serve the Lord 24/7 and that I get to share His love with
everyone I meet.

For New Year's Eve we got to watch "The Best Two Years" and "Ephraim's
Rescue" with our zone. They were both so much fun to watch! I also
won't deny the tears that were shed during both.. ;) Good movies are
so great!

I'm so grateful for this time I get to be a missionary and I for the
opportunity I have to learn. Heavenly Father loves His children. I
have come to know that God's power truly is manifest through the
Comforter.

I hope you all have a great start to 2016! I love you all!

Love,
Sister Winterton



Pictures....

Our Zone Movie Night!