Finding New Life

Wow, what a fantastic week!

Today we got to go visit DC and see all the beautiful cherry blossoms!
The weather was gorgeous and we got to see many memorials. We also got
to go to the National Archives! Seeing the Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution was amazing. The feelings in that room were very
close to the feelings of the Spirit. I'm so grateful to be in a land
that is free. God prepared this place so that His gospel could be
restored in its fullness on the earth. How amazing is it that we are
here in this time! I know that God is taking care of our country.

On Saturday I got to go back and be with my Shenandoah ward people! It
was John's first time doing baptisms in the temple. What a special
moment! I know that temples are a symbol of our belief in the
resurrection. It is such an amazing blessing to know that we can do
ordinances for those who didn't have the opportunity in this life!
John was able to be baptized on behalf of his grandpa and Sister
Archibald was able to for his grandma. Such a special day!

Easter was so great!! I had the opportunity to give a talk in our ward
about the hope of the resurrection. I'm so grateful for all that the
Savior did for us - and all that He continues to do for us. As I have
been sharing the new Easter video with everyone I have loved how all
the people testify that they have found new life through Jesus Christ.
It is so true! I'm so blessed to get to witness so many people find
themselves and their purpose as they learn of Him. As I've served as a
full-time missionary I have also found new life. I know that Jesus
Christ lives and that He's always by our side! No matter what we're
going through - happy or sad.

On Sunday evening we got to take Julius and Venencia (recent converts)
to the temple to try and see the production "The Savior of the World".
Since everyone and their dog showed up we weren't able to get tickets.
So sad. But! We watched The Testaments with them instead. They had a
great time. :) As I watched the many miracles the Savior performed I
realized they all happened because the people asked for them in faith.
I'm so excited for this upcoming week to see the miracles happen as I
get on my knees and ask.

Thank you for all of your prayers and love!
Love,
Sister Winterton

In Christ Shall ALL Be Made Alive

Can you believe Easter is this Sunday?? Time just keeps flying.

Last Wednesday we got to go to mutual with the youth in our ward. We played dodge-ball! It was a blast to be with all of them and to build more relationships with them. One girl even brought her friend from school! The youth in this ward are rockin it!

On St. Patrick's Day it was Sister Goodwin's 6 month mark! What a fun day. It seems like just yesterday that that was me. It's always fun to get packages from Mom with all the goodies and fun green things too!

We continue to work with the members and come to find how many people are actively inviting their friends to things. Super awesome! It has been a very cool experience to share the new #Hallelujah (Easter) video with them and talk about the resurrection. As I continue to watch it and study about it I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for our Savior and all that He did for us.

Last night we were out tracting and found a new investigator named Chase! He is a super friendly 16 year old. He told us that his brother had a copy of the Book of Mormon too! We're super excited to meet his family. The coolest part of meeting him was sharing the Easter video with him. He talked about how it made him feel peaceful. The resurrection is truly a message of hope and peace!

On Saturday our ward had an International activity! Everyone brought food from different countries and invited their friends and neighbors to come along too. It was awesome! It was pretty amazing to try food from Hungary, Norway, China, Korea, Cambodia, Germany, Turkey, Thailand, Spain, Brazil, Louisiana (ha), the British Isles, and America - of course. Some of my favorite desserts were the homemade Turkish Delight and Baklava. Yum! We got some nonmembers there so it was a success!

Being a missionary is pretty much the coolest thing I could ever do. Heavenly Father sure loves His children. Sharing His love brings SO much joy!

Have a wonderful Easter!

Love,
Sister Winterton

Pictures:
-Pretty much we are the same humans. Literally -- we have the same clothes! And the exact same blankets! Talk about comp unity...
-And, of course, both of us love Kit-Kats!

God is at the Head

This past week (and a half) has been so great! So much sunshine and so many awesome members!

Sister Goodwin and I have caught the vision of member missionary work. We have been working hard to meet with them. Leesburg rocks! So many members are already inviting their friends and neighbors to activities..especially the youth! For mutual we (and the Elders) taught the Priests and Laurels how to teach the Restoration simply in preparation for the Youth Stake Mission Conference! It was so powerful.

We have been working with some less active people as well. We had the most amazing experience one night when listening to a woman talk about the trials she is facing in her life. She went on and on talking about one hard thing after the next. She told us how hard it is to have faith that God is there to help. We prayed so hard to know what to share with her and to know how to help. It was an incredible experience to be so lead by the Spirit that night! I know that God gives us hard things so that we can become the person only He can see.

On Sunday we had an amazing night! We had a goal to find two new investigators by the end of the week..and we didn't have one yet. We only had 2 hours left in the week, so we prayed hard that the Lord would put those people in our path -- and He did!! So many miracles!

Today we got to go to the temple with Sister Archibald! What a remarkable experience. Since we only get to go every 6 months, I have come to truly appreciate the time I get to be there. When we come to the temple (or any church meeting for that matter) with questions in mind the Lord will answer us! It is often through others and the scriptures that we hear the voice of the Lord. The temple is the BEST!!

Another tender mercy of the day was I ran into a lot of people from my last area (Shenandoah) at the temple! Best thing ever!

I'm so grateful for my mission and for all the people I am meeting out here. Our Heavenly Father loves us all so so much. He created us so that we may have joy.

Love you all and wish you the best!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Love,
Sister Winterton

All the Tender Moments

This past tearful week is pretty much impossible to put into words, but I will do my best. ;)

On Tuesday we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple with Peter, Julius and Venencia from the Leesburg ward!! They all brought their family names and it was an incredible experience. Our Ward Mission Leader described it well in his testimony yesterday: "It's almost as if I could see the gates of Zimbabwe and Hungary open in the Spirit World." I know that family history work is so important. It truly is the way for all to receive the joy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. So many tears of joy that day!

Having our last "trio" lesson with John on Wednesday was amazing! In memory of all the good times, we all got matching Nike socks. :) Pretty much we're the coolest. I'm sure going to miss them!!

On Wednesday night we got the transfer calls! I'm now in the Leesburg ward! My new companion is Sister Goodwin. We have so many good things ahead! It has been amazing to see how ready the ward is to do missionary work. We have had some amazing moments where the ward leaders have felt exactly what we were proposing to do (which is to focus more on the youth). I'm thrilled to be in Leesburg and am so grateful that we get to start fresh together. I'm pumped for this transfer! :)

I'll sure miss the trio and the "Sheesburg" area.. But I know that I am here at this time for many reasons. There will always be big smiles when I look back on the month of February 2016.

Love you all!
♥Sister Winterton

My New Address:

775 Gateway Dr. SE #316

Leesburg, VA 20175

More pictures!!

1- Eating out after our temple trip!

2- No judgey... We ran to McDonald's for breakfast every Monday!

3- Last moments with Hector! Shenandoah WML. :)

4- The Grimmers! Shout out to the best WML and wife!