December 30, 2013

Landen wasn't the only one that had to give a talk. All the missionaries (Elder Brown, Sister Fielding, Sister Long and I) in our ward had to talk and it was about Christ's life and I was assigned his birth and the importance of it. And then our Gospel principles class Elder Brown and I had to teach. We taught on service. Sunday was a pretty busy day for us. Our ward is changing times too next week but we are going to have sacrament last so its going to be just like home. I'm pretty excited for this new change but not excited for Church to start at 1:50. But the time change will help us out because a lot of our investigators have work on Sunday mornings. 

We also had interviews with President Ames this past week. That was really good talking to him and getting some direction and guidance. I have finally opened up to him. I talked to him for 30 minutes and I camd back and everyone said you were in there forever! I took the longest out of my district.

I'm not sure what is going to happens on new years yet. then tend to tell us thing last minutes so we have learned to be very flexible. 

Hope Christmas was good and I enjoyed talking to the family! 

Love,

   Elder Winterbottom

 

 No, Josh doesn't need glasses. He just thought he looked good in them!

December 23, 2013

Key Indicators 

This week went really well!! This was the first time I had ever reached the goals that we have set. We had a goal to teach 16 lessons and find 2 new investigators. And at the end of the week we taught 17 lessons and found 9 new investigators and we found all of them tracting on Saturday. I love Elder Brown!! He loves to go tracting and so do I so Its great. He still has his greene fire and I'm starting to gain mine back because of him! We make it a game of how many people we can talk to! I love it!! I have a great feeling that this companionship!!! I Expect a lot of good thing to come. 

Merry Christmas!!! And remember the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas isn't just a season but it should state of mind! Think of how you spend it and who you spend it with. the first gift of Christmas was Christ John 3:16. Christ gave his life fro you. What can you give Christ this season? 

Love Elder Winterbottom

 Flooding outside my apartment

Almost to my knees

flooding in Lampasas

December 16, 2013

First week of training

Wow, can I just say that Wednesday morning I was so nerves for my new companion and the night before I picked him up I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was how can I help the new missionary be the best that he can be! What am I suppose to do has a trainer and am I really ready for this calling? All those questions crossed my mind has I was trying to sleep and going to pick him up. We left Lampasas at 4 in the morning to get to Hurst and pick him up. The ride I've ever been on because of the excitement and nerves. When i got to Hurst there was a little meeting for the new missionaries and then one for the trainers. then another one where we got to meet our new missionary. Elder Winterbottom.... You will be training..... Elder Brown. We both walked forward and gave each other a hug and then took a picture of where we will be serving. After that all the butterflies went away and i felt peace. Then the thought came into my head. If God has brought me to it god will get me through it. If God has given President Ames revaluation that I need to do this calling then I can do it. Philippians 4:13 I and do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. When we got back to Lampasas the frist thing we did was tract to get his nerves out and start talking to random people. It was good and he defiantly has greenie fire. and I love it because hes not afraid to talk to anyone and I'm the same way. This week was good and I see good thing in store for this companionship. 

Elder Winterbottom

December 9, 2013

Its Transfer week.

Normally you don't get a call until Monday morning telling you where you are going and who your new companion is. But Elder Toolson and I got a phone call from President Ames last Tuesday and he told us that we both need to go to a special training. That special training is for new missionary trainers and new district leaders. So if you can't tell already Elder Toolson is going to be a District leader in the Fort Worth 6th Ward and I will be training a new missionary in Lampasas. From the training we went to I learned that my new calling is to set a foundation for this new missionary and to set a foundation for the future of this mission. That's crazy to think that. The best way I can do that is to be the best example I can be. I must be a shepherd not a sheepherder. I must lead by example cause that is what he will learn from the most. So the past week I have been so nervous and trying to do everything I can to prepare myself for this new calling of mine. I don't know who my companion is until we meet each other for the first time when I go to pick him up. So that was the big new for this week.

The ice storms are different form the ones in Utah. When the temperature drops below 32 degrees the humidity freezes to everything and that's why we have ice storms. There was one day that we had to walk because President Ames called and said that no one can use the cars. That day the highest it got was 24. and the humidity suck when its could cause you can feel it freezing to your clothes. I'm doing good. I don't need anything. Thanks for the Christmas tree and yes we put the strain of lights on it haha Yes, I finally got your Ensign and I love it. I'm reading it for my person study and I'm high lighting a ton of it. 

Hope Everything is good back home!! Love you guys and miss you!

Love Elder Winterbottom

 This was the day right before it got into the 20's and 30's degrees. Bipolar temperature in Texas :(

December 2, 2013

Cristy's Baptism.... It didn't happen because we had to get her husbands consent and her husband thinks that we are a cult and doesn't like the LDS religion... so it didn't happen. He said the only way she can be baptized is if he sees it and he is stationed in Hawaii :( Cristy was so sad and super depressed but then we went and talked to her and showed her that God has a plan for everything. And maybe that plan is for her to go there in two months be baptized and have her husband have a change of heart. I was sad that it didn't happen but I know she will be baptized! she got up in testimony meeting yesterday and bore her testimony that God has a plan for everyone and that she knows He loves her. She is amazing and is an example to me!! She so ready!! She has already told us that she will be going through the temple in Hawaii after a year of her baptism. Its so great because you can see that she has truly been converted.

Thanksgiving, well just say the holidays suck for many reasons. It sucks cause you miss your family and friends you get to be with on holidays. And then it sucks for mission work because no one wants to see you because they have family over. I don't blame them because I wouldn't want to talk to random people in white shirts and ties on a holiday. So all we did on thanksgiving was street contact. We walked all around Lampasas until we had dinner with a member family (Juan and Kelly) They made the best Turkey I have ever had!! the turkey was covered in bacon and was so juicy!! They also were watching football so we got to watch too haha then we played soccer with there eight year old boy who just got baptized. That's what happened on my Thanksgiving. 

Ya, I heard from Weston!! It was great talking to him. That sucks for him cause he was in a trio and those are weird. One missionary always gets left out.. My transfers are next week so I'll be telling you where Elder Toolson and i could be going or even staying. I hope i stay. I love this Lampasas!! The only thing i can think of right now is ties for Christmas. That's like the only thing i can change everyday haha.  What does the family want? Elder Toolson and I have a Christmas tree.  But its not a normal tree, its a strain of 20 lights haha Hope everything is good back home!! Miss y'all!!! that was the Texas accent in me :)

Love, 

    Elder Winterbottom

 My Thanksgiving fun.

 Decided to only flash lights one night.

 BACON COVERED TURKEY!!

November 25, 2013

Using the atonement!

This week we worked with the atonement and what it means for investigators. We read Alma 7:11-16 with a lot of them this week. 11-13 talks about Christ taking our sins and knowing how we feel because he took our sins and because of that he can help us and for give us. 14-16 talks about repenting and when we repent sins are forgiven and  we will receive happiness and eternal life. All of our investigators we shared that with in the week really understood it and said that they will use the atonement in their life's and then when we went back they all said that lesson has helped them make better decisions. Great!!! They understand what it means for them!! Hopefully they will continue to remember it.

Really Lampasas has been colder the Ogden??? I didn't think Texas could get this cold and stay cold. It hasn't gone above 30's this whole week. It has only rained but we could see snow in the nights. What, snow in Texas? I'm use the sweatshirts and gloves everyday! They are so nice and they are a life saver too!  There has been some freeze warnings too. i thought i got away from the cold weather by coming to Texas...

Cristy is still set for this Saturday and she is so excited and so are we!!! She is such an example to me because every commitment we give her she takes it in and does it. We asked he to keep the Sabbath day holy and she told her boss she wont work on Sundays. She is doing great.

Jessica and Ashton we finally got a hold off but they are going out of town for Thanksgiving.  

For Thanksgiving we are eating at a members house. Yes i got Heather's cookies a long time ago. They were really good and for the most part in-tacked.  Its kind of hard telling you about my life cause its the same everyday. It doesn't change much. Everything is good and I love it!! 

Elder Winterbottom

November 18, 2013

This weeks big news was Zone Conference. The Killeen (zone I'm in) and Waco zones had an all day meet in with President Ames and the APs. They focused on the mission culture which is: consecrated missionaries and obeying with exactness. Its pretty self explanatory but by following we will be blessed greatly! We also talked about CPR leads to RPC which means Church Prayer Read leads to Real Personal Conversion. By doing those three things the investigator will progress. And by doing CPR they want us to explain that the investigator are repenting and receiving blessings. Most people don't realize that they are repenting by doing those three things. But that's easier said then done. They also talked about the mission mantra which is Find! Teach! Baptize! and Retain! This Conference was a good wake up call and to recommitting myself. I see why they have this meetings so that missionaries get back on track and refocus on the work. It defiantly worked for me!! 

 I am called of God. My authority is above that of kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my master and He has chosen me to represent Him--to stand in His place, to say and do what He Himself would say and do if He personally were ministering to the very people to whom He has sent me. My voice is His voice, and my acts are His acts; my doctrine is His doctrine. My Commission is to do what He wants done; To say what He wants said; to be a living modern witness in word and in deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous Latter-day work. 

                                                                                    How great is my calling!

My Missionary Commission by Elder Bruce R. McConkie

November 12, 2013

Work in Lampasas is moving forward!!

The big news of last week was Cristy has decided to be baptized on the 30th of November!! We had a lesson and then talked about her keeping all the commitment we have given her. How she is doing things in the ward (singing in a Christmas program) and all the things she does to help out. Then she talked about how she felt it was right and then she said she wanted to be baptized!! We are also talking to a daughter (Paris) and mom (Natasha). At first they would listen but all the things we asked them to do they wouldn't. But something happened in the past week and all of a sudden they are reading, praying as a family, and asking a lot of questions. The Lord works in many ways. We are trying to get them to come to church but she works every other weekend. So hopefully in the near future. Jessica and Ashton.... We could not get a hold of them for the past week... The date will probably moved back but still hoping it will work. Having great faith. We are trying to focus on finding new investigators this week. We only have like 4 solid investigators and others are hit and miss so we are working on getting more. 

Thanks for the sweatshirts!! I have put them to good use. It is so cold here and a cold front just moved in today. Probably not Utah cold but defiantly for Texas. We have pulled out the Christmas music the past week too. Time moves to fast here so we didn't want to miss the Christmas spirit. Plus right now will probably be the closest it gets to Christmas weather here.

Sorry about the foot!! that sucks! but it could be worse. stay positive always and keep a smile on. Things will get better! In church yesterday they talked about being grateful through adversity. This is just testing your faith. Keep me updated on the Jazz and Real. 

Love 

Elder Winterbottom

November 4, 2013

My hair was just taking way to long to due in the mornings (even though I looked good) so I told Toolson he could cut it! I like it and it only take like a minute to do. New and improved Elder Winterbottom. Austin got hit hard with rain?? We get a couple of rain storms but nothing real big. Its crazy here when it storms cause you can see the lighting and it travels for miles because there is no mountains to block anything. I love watching them. You shouldn't worry about me cause I'm in the lord hands and he will protect his missionaries if they are doing what they are suppose to be doing. Thanks for the gloves I use them at night time and they work great! I haven't been able to use the sweater yet because you and your companion have to be wearing the same thing. But I'm excited to wear them!!! I'm going to write a letter home so sorry this e-mail is short.

Update on investigators:

Jessica and Ashton were move back ti the 16 cause we havent taught them all the lessons and they don't know if they are completely ready.

Cristy. she is doing great!!! The biggest thing for her was word of wisdom. She had a problem smoking and drinking tea (everyone here smokes, drinks tea and coffee) but she hasn't done any of those since we taught he them!!! She is coming to church and she cried in fast an testimony meeting yesterday!! 

Elder Winterbottom

 Before...and.....

 After!

 Elder Toolson & Elder Winterbottom

Elder Winterbottom's District

October 27, 2013

The past week, last Monday night I gave into the mission and Toolson cut my hair.... He was so happy when he did that!! Its so short and I don't have to do anything with it anymore. The mission has changed me. This month we are focusing on trying to get members involve on what we do as missionaries so Elder Toolson and I made a goal to have at least 60% of out lessons with a members present. We had our last district meeting before transfers.. It's sad cause I really like my district and I don't want them to leave. We to a picture with everyone and today we have a transfer party with the whole zone. We also got a call today telling if we were going to be transferred and where we are going. and i'm..... drum role..... staying in Lampasas and so is Elder Toolson. so i have at least another month in a half here. That's ok cause i really love it here.

 This week I learned the importance of planning the day. One day we forgot to plan and it was miserable. We rode our bikes everywhere and didn't meet a signal person... My legs were sore and tired and i think we went 30-40 miles. We went all over the town more then twice just trying to find someone to talk to. It was a bad day and very long! So its important to plan to know what to do, who to talk to, and being lead by the spirit when planning. 

How's the family? Whats school like for Landen and Parker? Has it snowed yet? what are they going to be for Halloween. Have a Happy Halloween!!!!

 "Elder" Winterbottom and "Elder" Leatherow with the Full Time Missionaries at the ward Halloween Party.

October 21, 2013

We E-mail at the public library and we were the only missionaries that E-mailed home last week. Elder Toolson and I didn't even know it was a holiday until we meet with the other missionaries and they said they didn't get to e-mail home. So we were the lucky ones!! Elder Vincent is up by Colleyville so I don't see him until transfers. My first transfer is next week but we will probably stay in Lampasas cause Toolson is training me.

 

So my week last week, went on exchange with Cloward and we actually went to Copperas Cove so he was the senior companion and that was really good but lost of walking around. Copperas  Cove is a biking area and Clowards bike was broken so we walked everywhere. He is so funny!! He makes connects with people so easily.  We had Elder Pino from the Quorum of the Seventy some and talk to the missionaries in fort Worth. That was way cool! He is still learning English so he had a translator and that was cool to hear two things. He walk for two hours and he talked on our purpose as missionaries and then our call that we got and how it is person letter from the Prophet, and how we are held to higher standards. Then he said one thing that stood out to me a lot and that was:

 

"you will know how well you did on your mission by what you do after. Will you pray in the morning and nights, will you study everyday, will you go to church every week and wear a white shirt, and will you continue to share the gospel?" that is how you will know how you served your mission.

 

 Great talk and I took three pages of notes. I got to talk to him for a little bit too. He couldn't ever say my name right. We did some service this week too. We did service for 3 hours and we had to mow this lady's lawn and the grass was up to my knees!! and we only finished the front yard and it took as 3 hours. it was quite the project. We also had a training on family history work and how we can get people interested in the church from using that. its really cool and I looked on mine and mine is pretty much finished.

 

I'm use to Texas weather cause its cold now!! It's gets down to the 40's and I think that's freezing!! But it goes from being 70' and 80's and the 40's the next day!!  So from that will you send me some sweaters now? if you can try and get it like my gray one in the closet but if you can try and get a brown black and gray one, please. If not that's ok. Oh and my preach my Gospel book broke and you get me another one preferably a small one so I can carry it with me. Thanks!!

 

Update on investigators:

Jessica and Ashton, they are a mother and daughter and they have a date set for the 2nd of November.

Christy, she just got married and we went to support her on Saturday. She is reading and praying and is doing good with word of wisdom. (everyone smokes in here and I mean everyone) 

Josh, loves us coming over and only want the best for is family. He has had a bad experience with prayer but is willing to pray and he is reading.

Pat and Rick, we try to go over for Pat but she is never home so we teach Rick instead. he loves the book of Mormon  and does a lot of history research with it and he says it all makes since so hopefully he will try and gain a testimony now.

Martinez family, they are converts like 2 years ago and they are working towards the temple sealing. Really nice family.

that's my update on investigators

 

Scripture of the week: alma 37: 6-7. small and simple things like prayer, reading, smiling, sharing testimony, and singing hymns have a huge effect on the way you think and act.

October 14, 2013

This week I did an exchange with the missionaries in Copperas Cove. I went to Copperas Cove with Elder Yorgason (district leader) and Toolson had Cloward (in my district in the MTC) in Lampasas. Its a neat experience because you get to see other areas and see how other Elders teach. Its kind of like a sleep over with a friend. I stayed the night and the went out and did mission work the next day and then exchange back to old companions the next night. Yorgason is really good at teaching, tracting, and is supper cool! He only has 3 more months left. We are going to be doing another one this week where I'm with Cloward and I'll be the senior companion. 2 greenies together so we'll see how that goes.

Christy still doesn't have a baptism date but she is getting close. She is getting married next week so that complicates thing but she still meets with a lot. I think that the only thing holding her back is that she wants to read all of the book of Mormon first before she gets baptized to know that it is true. but good news is that she is almost done with it. she stated to read it a month in a half ago and she is in 3rd Nephi. She is further then me.  

We picked up a new investigator and his name is Josh. When we first meet him we were on our way to an appointment and he was outside drinking and smoking weed. I thought to myself this is going to be hard and i don't know how he is going to change. But in the last week we have meet with him 3 times and he love us coming over.  he tells us all the time he cuts down on smoking and drinking everyday. He last time we meet with him we didn't even teach a lesson we just answered his questions and it took two hours just doing that. He has had a hard time in life and i mean hard. he pretty much told us his whole life and I cant think of anyone worse off then he as been. He tells us that we are one of his closest friends. He has said that he would come to church next week. Great guy and is changing is life dramatically!!

The weather here is like 70's and sometimes low 60's and that's cold for me. I couldn't take it back home! I would be wearing 2 coats if i were there. It has rained a lot here in the past week and I love it cause its warm rain.  The ice cream is so good. There are so many different flavors and i don't have a favorite yet cause there is so many. I don't know how to send some home with out it getting everywhere. The tops of the containers aren't every sturdy.

 Blue Tie Day with District

MTC Zone party at my dorm

 MTC Zone at the Temple

 MTC Companion

 District with Bro. Corbett

 Bro. Miller

 Bro Corbett Boss. He kissed my forehead. I love that guy.

 Blue Bell Ice Cream

 Soon to be fat from ice cream

Toolson and I

October 7, 2013

Gosh that weekend was so good!!! I took a total of 13 pages of notes! The last session was my favorite and I'm going to have to keep going back and reading them. The first day we watched it at the ward I go to and then Sunday i went to Killeen at the stake center to watch it. I was so excited for that weekend to come! I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for the next one in 6 months.

 

I'm eating normal food still. Nothing weird yet but I'm okay with that. Ribs and stakes are the things I'm eating. I'm going to come back so fat! The ice cream down here is good too! It's called Blue Bell and I eat a gallon every week.... Thanks for the package and the letters! I will be sending letters home to the family this week. It made me smile and it was right in time for conference too! How long did it take you to get all that stuff?

 

 It's a good thing we play a lot of sports to work off my fat. We Play sports all the time to find investigators. Last week we played Basketball with one of our investigators, Billy, and his friends and we got two numbers and two dates to visit them. We use our sporting ability to use.

Christy is good! she loved conference and thought it was really inspiring! So hopefully that is a step to getting her closer to the church. No i haven't Emailed Weston yet... I ran out of time last week.

 

Thanks for the love and support!! Hope you have a good week and remember the words of the Prophet! It was a great conference and I know that what they were talking about was meant of all of us! Tell the ward I miss them and love them all!

 

Love, Elder Winterbottom

 

Hi Parker

 

I'm doing good! Lampasas is great and it's really cool. The weather is starting to change. we have gone from low 90's to low 70's high 60's in a week!!! its cold. How cold is it there? What are you going to be for Halloween? And what are you doing for that day? send me pictures. thanks for the box. yes I've played Toolson and he is good!! he kills me a lot of the time but the closest I got to winning is 2 points.. maybe I'll beat him someday. He played soccer until his 9th grade year. He is really good at juggling the ball. I'm teaching Christy, Billy and Salina, and the Worsham Family.  Nope no baptisms yet but I've been to one.

Love you P. Be good!

 

Love, Elder Winterbottom

 

Septmber 30, 2013

Hey mom and family!

 

      Sorry if my letters are short. It's crazy how fast P-days go by! I have so much to do in so little time! Last week P -day was my most stressful day.. No joke. You would think its a relax day but it hard cause you have to do so much that day.

 

      Every week is differnet because some days what you have planned don't go as planned (most of the time) and then some days your appointments actully happen. This week we focused on less active members. I meet this family called the Shore family. Sam the farther is in his 70s and so is his wife. But i learned that he loves everyone!! He told us his life story about him and his wife. They use to be temple workers and then moved away to where there was no church. So they ended up falling away. Then they moved to Lampasas and his wife then had a stroke. now she doesnt speak very well and doesnt feel comferble going to the church because her speach problem and they are so much oleder then everyone else. so now they go to a Baptist church. But before we left he bore his testimoney to us and told use that we are making the best descion for our lifes. He told us that his heart still belongs to the church and knows its true. Then he asked if he would pay with us, so he said the prayer and then as we were leaving he gave us ice cream and gave us 25 dollars each. and said if we need anything that he will be there for us. This guy loves everyone!! he loves and cares for his wife so much that he would give up his salvation just for he to feel comfterble. He loves us and would go out of his way just to help us. When we left his house I started to cry and changed my out look on how to show love to everyone. When i get older I want to be like him. I describe how much love he has!!!

 

     We have been meeting with this girl named Christy and she went to the women's confernce saturday and she loved it! I love going to this girl because she is so ready and really pays attion to us. She is still learning and doesn't to make the baptism step yet but she is so close! i just love going to her house.

 

     I'm not starving its just im eating the same food over and over and its getting old. We normaly dont ride our bikes but we do when we go tracting. the area is so big that we are allowed 1,400 miles per month. Its just starting to cool down and right now its get to like the low 90s and the humidity isn't bad until it rains and when it rains it down pours! The storms here are so cool to watch! The lighting just lights up the skys. I only got to meet with my mission President the first day but that was good. I really dont know how they are since it was only one day. Tell Landen that i didnt get it.... I'm in a specific ward Coppers cove 2nd ward and i have to drive 30 minutes to get there. Everyone there is in the army. A lot of people in or by fort hood. Down in lampasas we are still tracting a lot but starting to get member support from coppers cove.

 

     I love it here!! the work is hard but its suppose to be hard! I know im suppose to be here and I just love Everyone i talk to! I am constantly smileing and I come home with my Face hurting sometimes. This is the happest I've been in a long time!! I'm so glad i made this descion to serve! My love for this gosple grows everyday and my scriptures are becoming very colorful because I am learning something new everyday! I can't tell you enough how great the people here are!!!

 

    What did you learn going to confernce? I so excited about confernce!! Elder Toolson and I just wish it was here already! Tell landen to take notes cause its so important!!

 

   Love,

       Elder Winterbottom

September 23, 2013

Excerpts from Elder Winterbottom's letter to his family...

Dear Family,

I'm in a little town but huge area called Lampasas. It has lots of little towns and to get to all of them take like an hour drive.  From the mission home it takes three hours to get to Lampasas.  It's the farthest south you can go in the mission.  The area just opened up and there are only three members in the whole city of Lampasas. So member support is bad but it just means there are lots of people to teach.  It's kind of like down town Ogden but with more trees and it even has deer of the out sides.  It's a pretty cool place.

My companion's name is Elder Toolson.  He was a starter (for Lone Peak HS) that won the National Championship! Crazy right?  I really like him!  We are a lot a like.  He has only been out for  three months longer than I have and now he is a trainer.  I'm trying to learn as much as I can from him.

Since my area just opened up 3 months ago and we really don't have any solid investigators we do a lot of tracting.  But the investigators we do have I love them to death!  I just love talking to them and seeing their growth already.

There was one day here that it rained all night and into the day.  Didn't stop at all and I thought that the pool outside our apartment was going to over flow!  That's the most rain I've ever seen at once.  There were puddles in the streets, and Toolson would run through them with the car.

I love y'all.  (That was me being a cowboy.)

Love,
Elder Winterbottom

September 23,

Josh talking about the day he left the MTC...

I went to bed at 11:30 and I had to get up at 12:30 that day to make sure everything was packed and all read. so I didn't get much sleep that day! i was looking for Dan and I couldn't find him. and I didn't get a prepaid card cause I was going to use Dan's phone. and the ones there are expensive for minutes. I didn't spend any money at the MTC or for airport baggage. Our bags were free because they had to ship them by fed ex cause the plan was too small. we got to the airport at 4 in the morning and that was the most dead I've ever seen and airport. Yes, I'm taking pictures but I need this other cord to upload them. So i have to email dad so i can get that.  Your going to hate this but I just sent a written letter to you that answers question 5 and I sent a letter to Landen and P with it too. I'll just say my companion's name is Elder Toolson. Look up his name and then Lone Peak and you'll see him!

September 19, 2013

Dear Family,

Sister Ames and I want you to know that your missionary has arrived safely in Texas. Although we have them only temporarily, we want you to know we look forward to serving together in accomplishing the Lord’s work.  We hope you enjoy the attached picture of your missionary as well as knowing that the missionaries are in good hands here as they are in the Lord’s service.  They arrived on Tuesday and we took them to the Mission Home where we had a good Texas Barbeque meal and then a testimony meeting.  We went to a local Ward Building for some training and a personal interview with President Ames.

The Elders spent the night at the Assistant to the President apartment and the Sisters stayed at member’s homes.

Wednesday morning we had more training followed by a meeting with their first Mission Field companion.  That afternoon your missionary began working in the field and he looks great.

Your missionary will email on Monday which is their preparation day.  They are

always glad to hear from you. 

Thank you for your support.

President and Sister Ames

Oh Boys

MTC Drop off!

Provo Temple, about ready to go!

Landon, P-Man & Josh! Ready to roll!

Logan Temple

Logan Temple- August 17, 2013

Josh and the Mom!

Getting Ready!

Not quite ready to let go.

 Packing-Packing-Packing!!

September 12, 2013

The MTC is amazing! The first day was so good and its crazy to think about this environment. Its pretty much like school here but with in steed of learn education wise I'm learning spiritually. We have a set scheduled and our day is pretty much planned out for us. It's crazy to think that I've only been here a week and I'm going to be gone from this place in 4 days!! I have learned so much here and my thinking of teaching the gospel is completely new! The spirit is so strong everywhere I go.

My companions name is Elder J. When I first meet him I thought he was going to kill me. He looks like a creeper and walks like Ms. Flamm. He is very shy and doesn't talk much but when he does it seems like hes going to cry... We started off rough because we had nothing in common and I mean NOTHING!! But as the days go by he is starting to talk more and he is actually very smart in the gospel. When we teach investigators I swear he knows where every scripture is! When we teach his weak point is talking and that's where I'm strong at but where I'm weak like the scriptures he is strong! We are a great match teaching wise.

My district is great and that who I share a dorm with. There is 2 other companionship in our dorm and they are fantastic! We are particularly family now. One companionship is going to Arizona and the other is coming down to Fort Worth Texas. I have grown so close to these guys! I love everyone of them. And then my Zone. I can't say enough about them! We are by far the closest Zone at the MTC. My Zone contains 2 other districts and each district has 4 companionship. We know every ones names in our Zone. we even have little parties right before we go to bed and usually its at my dorm! We even pray together at lunch and right before we go to bed as a Zone! We also had some new elders come yesterday and we kind of threw a welcoming party for them. This is by far the closest Zone here.

My teachers are FANTASTIC!! They have tough me so much and they have got and a personal level with all of us. Their names are Brother Miller and Brother Corbett. They have changed my out look all everything! They make us think deeper and help us understand the needs of the people we are teaching. Brother Corbett has change the way I look at church attendance. Please don't ever take that for granted. What he did was take us on like a church tour as if we were giving one to an investigator and the experience I had with that was great!! I think I have felt the spirit the most in the church then I have my whole time being here. that's how amazing it was and the way he showed us. I will always go to church because he has made me realize how important is was!!

The first day was so amazing cause as soon as I stepped onto the campus I could defiantly feel the spirit and it was such an amazing feeling and as I go through the rest of the days it continues to get stronger. I'm not even at the main campus. I'm at Wyview which is the west campus and its close to the BYU football field. on Saturday I could here the game going one. The first week of nights were so hard. I couldn't fall asleep cause all I could think about was back home. I cried so much those nights. But then the day time would come around and I realized how great it was and I didn't want to leave. I have learned so much and I am growing everyday. I'm just ready to get out into the mission field all ready.

Love, Elder Winterbottom