"Refreshed"

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this past week. Guys, life rocks!

This last week we got to go to DC, teach John almost every day, go on exchanges with some Sisters, go to our usual two District Meetings, have meals with SO many wonderful people and fill the baptismal font!!

Teaching John has been one of the most amazing experiences of my entire mission. I know that any missionary could have taught him and he still would have been baptized, but I also know that the Lord blessed my companions and I with the opportunity to witness the miracle that he is.

John is having the time of his life and is so excited to continue on this path. The first thing he said after he was baptized was, "I feel refreshed. I feel overwhelmed with joy!" What an incredible experience. Six of John's nonmember friends came and got to be a part of that great day! It was wonderful to see so many people come and support him. We also got to go out to eat with all of them afterwards. So much fun! John literally jumped up and down and shouted because he was so happy! :)

Through this whole experience we have truly been guided in knowing how to help John feel fellowshipped into the ward. Before we had even met John, my companions and I had felt strongly that we were to work with a member named Coleman. After much prayer we knew that he would be a great friend for John.

Flash forward to Saturday, Coleman was the one who performed John's baptism. Yesterday he told us about how a few weeks ago he had been praying to know how he could be more integrated into the ward. Within the next couple of days we texted him and asked him to meet our new investigator at church! He may never know, but John was an answer to so many prayers. The two of them will have a major effect on the ward! Talk about a hastening of the work!

Yesterday we got to go to the New and Returning Member Fireside where converts all over the mission go to bear their testimonies. Peter (our recent convert from the Leesburg ward) spoke! He is hilarious! We also got to hear from Sister Kennedy as she is leaving this week. Talk about so many tears on their way!

Sister Archibald, Sister Kennedy and I were all meant to be here at this time. I'm so incredibly blessed to have been able to serve with these two. We sure have had a BLAST and have seen so many MIRACLES these past few weeks. I'm going to miss this trio a ton.

With transfers this week, anything can happen! I hope I get to stay with Sister Archibald. All I know is that I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me next!

I know that the Lord is there for us in all things. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to see His gospel change so many lives around me. Life sure is good!

Love,
Sister Winterton













Later that Day....Zone Activity!!

Seeing the Fruits

Today we got to go to DC for preparation day! Lincoln sure is bigger
than he looks. It was a blast! We don't have much time to write so
sorry for the shorter email.

This last week was phenomenal. It started out with a
no-driving-snow-day and ended with a light-jacket-weekend. :)

Serving in two wards has its battles... Too many people want to feed
us. It's quite hilarious. We're starting to have a lunch calendar! We
also have double booked nights which gives us the opportunity to go on
splits with members! Teaching with a member has been a lot of fun.

Our investigator John is for sure getting baptized this Saturday. We
are so excited for him! He has such a firm belief in the gospel. We
got to go to the Temple Visitors Center with him and a few members
last night to listen to a fireside. It was so fun! It's the coolest
thing to see members engaged in the work. John also got to meet Elder
Perkins of the Seventy at our stake conference this past weekend! He
is having some amazing experiences. My testimony is strengthened every
time we meet with him.  I know that God is answering his prayers
because he is truly living the gospel and opening his heart to the
Lord.

I'm SO grateful for the opportunity I get to serve with two amazing
friends in the Leesburg and Shenandoah wards. Being a missionary is
the best! I feel like I've turned a page in my mission. The Lord is
allowing me to see the fruits of my labors and it sure feels
wonderful. An investigator I found and taught in my last area (Rolling
Valley) is on date to get baptized in March! It is so exciting!

Wish you all the best,
Sister Winterton

Pictures:
1. All of us at the Visitors Center! They have a cute photo-booth for
kids.. We are still kids right? John is on the far right in the
striped tie. The others are members. :)
2-4: DC trip! :)













Here are some more pics....so fun!

Lead by the Hand

This past week was one of the busiest of my entire mission. Covering
two areas isn't an easy task, but with two cuties as companions and
the Lord on our side - all things are possible!

God is truly leading us by the hand. I have gained a strong testimony
that every hard moment is compensated with 10 good ones. I feel
incredibly blessed to be serving with two amazing Sisters and to be
seeing so many miracles.

We had a powerful lesson with our new investigator named John on
Saturday. He is rapidly progressing! (He is the one with the favorite
Apostle) When we invited him to be baptized he didn't hesitate when he
said yes. When we invited him to be baptized on the 27th of February
his eyes got really big. He said, "woah guys, how did you know?!" He
got a few tears in his eyes and looked really stunned. Apparently 27
is his favorite number.. It was his football number! He said that he
had been seeing that number all week too. Wow! He is now preparing for
that date! God is so good. Nothing short of a miracle.

We had another cool experience on Friday. As we were driving to the
Bishop's house for dinner we realized we would be 20 minutes early. We
decided to use that time to do some extra planning. However, before we
got there we were stopped by a little white dog! He was running around
in the middle of the busy-ish neighborhood street. We stopped and
tried to catch him (along with a lot of other people in the stopped
traffic). He slipped away into the woods and we said a prayer to find
him. After running around we got in the car and drove. Sister
Archibald said "look where the Spirit tells you!" A split second later
I saw him in an open garage!! We were able to brings in back to the
searching owner. What a cool thing. :) Those people will hopefully
remember the girls in skirts who rescued their dog.

I'm so grateful for the many good times of a mission.

Much love,
Sister Winterton


Picture:
1. Sisters activity... Volleyball and games :)
2. My angels.
3. Happy Valentines Day!

Plot Twist

There are no words to describe this week. Literally. Okay, there are...but way too many!!

CRAZY, FUN, REVELATORY, AMAZING, MIRACULOUS, HOPEFUL, and so much more.

Sorry that this is a longer letter, but it's worth reading I promise.

Let's just say our week started out with taking an Elder to the Doctor to get his broken ankle helped. We spent an entire day figuring stuff out with them. He is sure lucky to have us living in the same complex. ;) Poor Elders who don't own cars.

Another plot twist this week was Sister Makowa went home to Africa on Friday. It has been quite the emotional roller coaster, but I know with all of my heart that that is where she is needed to be. I got to be her companion when she came into the mission and for her last few days in the field. I got to take her to the airport and everything. She is an amazing missionary and is going to be greatly missed. She is going to thrive back home! I can't wait to see how things go. Maybe she will get to serve in Zimbabwe! I love her and am so grateful I got to be her companion. I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to feel so much of God's love through it all. I know He is watching out for us and has a specific plan that is perfect.

Sister Makowa's companion (Sister Kennedy) is now with us in a trio! It is an absolute BLAST. We are covering our YSA ward and the Leesburg ward. With all the craziness happening throughout the last few days, God has been blessing us SO much. The members from both of our wards have been reaching out like crazy and so many referrals have come our way!

On Saturday Leesburg had a baptism!! Yes... We pulled off a baptism for a man we've never met! His name is Peter. He is the sweetest man and has the strongest testimony. I'm so grateful I got to be a part of his special day.

Yesterday was FULL of miracles. Peter got confirmed in the Leesburg ward, and in our ward.... Theo (our eternal investigator) bore his testimony!! Of the Book of Mormon and the Savior! He has truly had a change of heart. We are excited to meet with him this week to follow up. Also, we had a member from a ward in DC bring their nonmember friend John to our ward! He is AMAZING. He has been coming to church for a few weeks now and reads Conference talks and the Book of Mormon almost everyday. He lives in our area, so we are going to start teaching him this week. He told us that his favorite speaker is Elder Bednar and Elder Uchtdorf.... Yep. He has favorites. :)

David Dabb (a recently returned member) brought his nonmember girlfriend to church and she's willing to meet with us too! Miracles all around.

I know that God consecrates our efforts and will bless us as we follow His plan. This week was pretty crazy, but as we worked diligently in faith the Lord took care of the rest. I'm so excited to see the coming miracles and am SO grateful to have witnessed so many already. Today I was reading in 1 Nephi 7 today and came upon this gem: "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him." (verse 12)

God is at the head! I am overwhelmed with peace as I look back at all the tender mercies the Lord has provided. He is so good!

Love you all so much.

-Sister Winterton

Pictures..

1. At the Doctor's with the Elders

2. Sister Makowa and I at the airport

3. Peter's Baptism

4. Our new companionship! What cuties. Yes, we were all wearing navy with dots. Accident! Comp unity to the max!

More Pics!

1. Sister Otteman's future mother-in-law sent me a pillow in the mail! My neck has been sore from the other one for some reason. So sis. O asked if she'd send me one. Yep! SOOO so nice!! It is a huge miracle! My neck feels so much better!

it's one of those nice ones from the chiropractor.

2. We are having a SUPER fun time together!!!!! :)

3. Us with Hector!! He's the best ever. (recent convert)

4. Us at lunch with a member after Peter's baptism!

More More Pics!

1. Pretty much missionary apartments are the best. We still have things from Halloween and Christmas!! (don't worry, we went and chucked them after the pic) ;) HA

P.s. Our "comp name" is "Ken-Wint-Bald" HAHAHAHA!!! Hilarious right?!

2. I was companions with an ELDER for a few minutes!! While we waited for Sis. K and Sis. A to pick me up at the airport. Hahaha! Moment I'll never forget. ;)

Easily Guided

Let's just say this week has felt like a transfer in itself! So many tender mercies and so many experiences. I am continually learning and growing every day. God is so good!!!

Being a Sister Training Leader requires a lot of time and effort, but I have felt so much guidance and purpose in this calling. I have had some incredible experiences with prayer this week.

On top of being busy with many many different things, we got to present at Zone Conference this past week! We prayed earnestly that we would be prepared and ready. After days of pondering throughout our craziness, we were able to write out and create a great outline. It seems like a small thing, but having that figured out was a huge blessing. We were completely engrossed in things that required attention and yet we were still able to feel calm and confident in our presentation. I know that God will help us in all of our righteous desires.

Throughout our busy week Sister Archibald and I have met some pretty cool people! Yesterday we only had one hour left in the night and knew we could find a new investigator. We felt prompted to try and contact a specific referral we had received. They didn't answer the door, but we both felt strongly that we needed to stay. After knocking two doors, we ran into the Leesburg Sisters! That was a miracle in itself, but once we got in the car, we saw a boy running up to a door to drop something off. Before you know it, Sister Archibald is outside of the car introducing herself. Long story short(er) we have a lesson set up for next week!

Man, I'm so grateful to be a missionary! His grace is real.

Love you all,
Sister Winterton



Pictures.... I hope you like selfies! ;)
1- Zone Conference - Sis. Makowa and I
2- Look at how much snow is piled up on the curbs!
3- With Jake! He's super cool. Convert of a couple years now.
4- With Emmanuel (another awesome member)