December 29, 2014

So those Christmas gifts where perfect! I think my favorite one was the chap stick. You must have received revelation for me on that one cause I was going to go out and buy a stick this week haha But the ties were great! Good picks on them. the tie clip is so and now I can support my home town! the Thanks parker for the captain American hoodie. and the Gray sweater is thicker then my previous one and I'm glad cause its freezing here for Elder Winterbottom . And the CDs were great. I don't have any music so I have always been relying on all  my other companions for music.

This Sunday was crazy!! I have never experienced these events ever at church. There was the returned missionary speaking and the whole program was good but what was crazy was the things happening in the congregation. at first the was a mud dauber or a wasp that some how got into the building and was flying around and landing on people. But no one wanted to kill it because they didn't know of it was a mud dauber (mud daubers cant sting by the way) or a wasp and they didn't want it to go and a rampage and start stinging everyone. so everyone was ducking and weaving from this thing. Then with like 15 minutes left of sacrament meeting brother Law (second councilor of the bishopric) the stand because one of the members waved for him to come into the hallway. Well he came back in went to the stand, whispered something to bishop and then walked off again. Then few minutes later everyone in the back started to leave row by row until the overflow area were empty. Might I remind you the returned missionary is speaking at this time. then word got to me that there was a natural gas leak in the building and everyone needed to get out. I felt so bad because I didn't know if I should get up and walk out like everyone else or stay cause the RM was almost done speaking. Well bishop cut off the RM and told everyone left what was going on. Then he closed the meeting with a prayer. So church was only one hour and I guess the gas leak was pretty bad. And that was my Sunday and it was the most bazar one I've ever had haha

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Hassinger

Serving in Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard 

 

 Elder Winterbottom took these next pictures for his mom!

 

December 22, 2014

 

 

My new companion's name is Elder Hassinger and he is from Daytona Florida. He is a convert to the church of two years on the 23rd of this month. He has been out on the mission for four in a half months. He is a great kid and very obedient. We get along ok but I defiantly miss Elder Vaoga. 

So get this.This week I had a pair of sisters in my district get their car towed late Saturday night and they called me to find out what to do. Well I made phone calls and in the end the Zone leaders and I had to drive to the impound lot and get the car out. But the impound lot was in Dallas. Road Trip ;) haha I got to drive the car back to the sisters. That was the first time I have drove a car in over a year. It was so much fun and I miss it haha but by the time we dropped off the car to the sisters and got back to our apartment it was 12:30..... Then we had get up at 5 the next morning for a meeting at 6. It was a long day haha 

This week we went caroling in our area and it was so fun! But the moment of the night was when we went to one of our investigators. She loves the missionaries and has been meeting with them for a long time. One of the best moments she has with them was when the district came and painted her house. She said the feeling there was outstanding. Well as a district we went and sang Christmas carols to her and she started to cry! Then at church she Gave us a note saying thanks for all that we have done for her. She said that she hasn't felt the feeling that strong since the missionaries painted her house. and she said that it was perfect and she couldn't express how much joy we brought her. It was a great week for us!

I will be calling 3:30 our time so 2:30 Utah time. talk to you then :)

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Hassinger

Serving in Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard

December 15, 2014

Sorry this Email is going to short but I hope the pictures made up for them. since Elder Vaoga is going home he does have much to say so our time is short this week.

The baptism didn't happen which is a downer but we will baptize them after the holidays. We haven't been able to meet with them in over a week cause their schedule have been so busy. We still talk to the at least three times a week to see how they are doing.

We did a early Christmas with one of the Families in the ward since Elder Vaoga is leaving and that was so fun. Last preparation day we bought all kinds of stuff for them and we had no idea they were going to get us stuff. we then had a huge Christmas which was a lot of fun.

I am also staying in Flower Mound but I cant remember who I'm getting so I will let you know next week haha sorry about that one.

Elder Vaoga wants to leave so my time is done. Talk to you next week.

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Vaoga

Serving In Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard

 

Since Elder Vaoga is leaving before Christmas. One of our favorite families through a early Christmas with us. All of the things they gave us were hand made. these are some of the Gifts

 Gifts for them...

Josh's good friend Elder Weston Leatherow sent a package to Josh from his mission in El Salvador!

I was able to see Elder Brown this week! he is training! That means I have a Grandson

Family picture

 

December 8, 2014

    This week was really tough for me. We started off the week looking forward to the 13th and going to work really hard to get the investigators ready for their baptisms. We were going to use all our efforts to achieve this. We had scheduled exactly with them when we were going to meet with them and what lesson we were going to teach. But opposition kicked in and thought it needed to go another way. All the lessons we had planned had to be canceled due to them not being there, sickness and many other things and we weren't able to meet with any of them at all this week. So we had to cancel their interviews.... At one point during the week I broke down and felt like I couldn't down anything. These people were so close to changing their lives and I know how much following Christ can help them and bless. I truly wanted the best for them because I love each and everyone of them but I didn't know how to help them achieve their goal due to so many trials. The only person that is ready to be interviewed is Jess because she has already taken all the lessons with her daughter that was baptized. We have scheduled her interview today and that will be the deciding factor if she is baptized this Saturday. We will be resetting baptism dates this week. There are a lot other things that made this week tough for me but their is no need to share. But there was one thing that really helped me through my week and it came from my brother, my best friend, someone serving in El Salvador, Elder Leatherow. Elder Leatherow wont know how much good he has done for this week and the things he said really helped me keep pushing my way though this week. His letter was simple but it was exactly what I needed. He was an answer to my prayers and a cry for help. And I will always be grateful for him. The Mormon message "You never know" was Elder Leatherow for me this week. And I also know that the Refiners Fire is real. The greater our sorrow is the greater our capacity to feel joy.

    But on a positive note Jess could still be baptized this Saturday because she has already taken all the lessons with her daughter that was baptized. We have scheduled her interview today and that will be the deciding factor if she is baptized this Saturday. We will be resetting baptism dates this week. We also started to do caroling as a district this week and that was a lot of fun. being able to bring the Christmas spirit to people and see the joy it brings them is so great!

    I know that our Father in Heaven Loves each and everyone of us. He hears our prayers and will answer them when it will benefit you the most. Christ is always there for you and this week he was right beside me. I know Christ's atonement is really and everyone can accesses it at any time. It is there when you need comfort and joy. I know that this Gospel is true and that it is the key to happiness. I each and everyone of y'all and God does too. 

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Vaoga

Serving In Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard

December 1, 2014

 

Sorry not thanksgiving pictures but this is what we did this week. We could be gangsters ;)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

  Since this past week was thanksgiving I have had the opportunity to look back and ponder the things I am grateful for in my life and I wanted to start off this letter by giving thanks to everyone who has ever been in my life! I would not be the person I am today without all Y'all. I am every thankful for my family and the example they have set for me and also my ward family. I love y'all very much!! Thank you for everything you do for my family. I am also grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who provided a way to live with him again and that is through our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for Christ and the example he has set for me. I am also grateful for this Gospel and the knowledge and comfort give each one of us. I know this is where I'm suppose to be and I know this is the Lord's work. I know God loves us!!! Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

  This was the best Holiday I've been on my whole mission! This ward know how to keep the missionaries busy on holidays. The ward got together and made pies for us to take to our investigators and some of the members that we are working with. Most people push you away during Holidays but we were able to teach six lessons on thanksgiving day. We were busy for more then four hours that day. Then we did weekly planning and then had dinner with a member named Hardman.

  I have talked a lot about a German lady in my past Emails and we have great new, she now has a baptism date!! (Jess) is going to be baptized with her friend on December 13th!! When we went over to teach (Kristy) we talked about her baptism and then she said its not only my baptism. And that caught us off guide and said what do you mean and that's when Jess said we are going to get baptized together. We were shocked but Jess figured out her situation and now we are able to baptized her has well! We are so excited and the Lord has really been blessing us!!  We have a total of three baptism dates for the 13th now! It is going to be a challenge to get all of them ready for that day but it is possible.

  Thank you for all the prayers! God speed!

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Vaoga

Serving in Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard

November 25, 2014

I apologize for not emailing on Monday, but we had a pretty eventful day. So the past week Elder Vaoga got bit by a bug or spider on his knee. At first he said it just itched and then got bigger and bigger, was red and it hurt to walk and bend it. This was about two days after he first noticed it. So we started to ask some members at church on Sunday what it could be. We also called sister Ames who called the mission doctor. He gave Elder Vaoga some advice what to do and if it didn't get better to go and see the doctor. We it didn't get better and we went into a clinic to check it out. Turns out that it is a bit but its not a brown recluse bit. they gave him two antidote shots and gave him medicine. Turns out he is also allergic to his meds haha its been a hard week for him. So that is why we weren't able to email yesterday.

But on a good note the week was great for us. We set to baptism date!!!! We set them with (Kristy) and with the guy that the sisters referred us to. His name is (Danny). Both of them are set for the 13th of December. That is the last Saturday of the transfer and Elder Vaoga wants one more before he leaves. The lesson with Danny was really cool because we got to reteach the Restoration with the sisters. We did that because its a pass off and so we knew how much Danny remembers from when the sisters taught him. At the end of the lesson I felt the prompting to ask him to follow Christ and be baptized. When I got done asking that he said that, that was the most loving thing anyone has done for him. I was in aww because at first I looked as it as an invitation and fulfilling my purpose as a missionary but Danny realized it as a life changer and how much God loves him. With him he has the desire to be baptized but he has to over some the word of wisdom in less then three weeks. We are short on time but he can defiantly do it!!

We also set a day with Kristy. She was a little hesitant at first because she was already baptized but she finally said yes. We have the best relationship with her and she trust us. With her we just need to teach the lessons and make sure she understands. She doesn't have any big things to overcome that we know of. We are so excited for the upcoming month!!

Have a great thanksgiving and have the Best Week Ever!! Love you!!

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Vaoga

Serving in Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard 

 

Elder Vaoga's bite!

 

November 17, 2014

 

 

This week has been freezing!!! I have been wearing everything I can possible put on and it is still cold. We even got a little bit of snow and last night. Most of it is already gone but it was cool to see snow again.

This week we had the German lady find a new investigator for us and she is solid! Her name is (Kristy). We got a text from Jessica on Tuesday and she said to come to an apartment number that wasn't hers. we were so confused and lost when we got that text and then has soon as we got there so told us that her friend was interested in listening to our message. We taught (Kristy) the first discussion and invited her to come to church. that Sunday she came and liked it. so we are hoping to set a baptism date with her before the end of this transfer. We are going to be going over on Wednesday and set a baptism date with her for the 13th of December. Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for that great event!! Our best person in our ward for missionary work isn't even a member yet!! We also got a referral from church head quarters for a person named (Ramsey). Well we texted him and he said he wont be home until next week which is a bummer but the cool thing is he was in Utah and talked to some missionaries up there and he is excited to talk to us when he gets back. We also got a referral from one of the sisters in our district and they taught this guy for a couple of weeks and then he moved into our ward so they set up an appointment for us to meet with him. They said that he could be baptized within this transfer as well. We are so excited for the upcoming weeks!!

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Vaoga

Serving In Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard

November 10, 2014

The Lewisville Zone

 

Today we got a call for transfers and I get the opportunity to kill off (be his last companion before he goes home) Elder Vaoga. So I Have five more weeks with Elder Vaoga.  

 

This week we had answer two prayers that a member and one of our investigators said and it was a great experience to see the joy of the prayers be answered and be apart of it. The first one starts with an exchange I had with elder Gregory our Zone leader. We had about twenty minutes left of the night left before we need to go in for the night. On this exchange he  had been trying to work on trying to support members with their commitment we leave them. One of the ways he has been doing that was leaving notes with them. I thought this was a cool way to show how much we love the members and how much they help us out. Well I then took this into my area and used it with two of our members.  One Friday we had planned to do a finding activity but both Elder Vaoga and I had an impression that we needed to go and chalk the Spear family's sidewalk. So we followed the prompting and it was exactly what they needed. Sister Spear texted us about 2 hours after we finished and she said, "that morning she said a pray that she would be able to see the blessings and the love that our Father in Heaven has for her and she would be encouraged to keep pushing through what she is going through." When then meet with the family on Sunday, she started to cry because we were the answer to her prayer and that we are truly called of God. What an amazing blessing I have to be God's tool in this work!

The next experience was with (Marcie). When we were planning on teaching her we planned to talk about Alma 32:26-43. Well, when we got there (Jake) asked a question about the spirit world. So we over came that concern with scriptures in the Bible and The Book of Mormon. He still wasn't sure if that was what he believes but he were able to take that concern and tie it into what we had planned. We left with them the commitment to pray if that is true and how this would effect them if this was true. Skip to Sunday, (Marcie) came to church and told us that was exactly what they needed. They haven't prayed yet but she said she felt the spirit and love they preparation we put into lessons for them. I think they are afraid to find out if this is true because it would mean they would have to change and they are  comfortable where they are.

I love being able to see the effects of God working through us to do his work. The Mormon message, You Never Know, has really touched my heart this week because normally we don't see the good we do and sometimes we will never know what we do will effect others and President Gordon B. Hinckley puts it perfectly. I pray that I will continue to be the answer to prayers.

 

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Vaoga

Serving in Flower Mound

The Lord's Vineyard

 

P.S. forgive me because I have been out of school too long and I don't know how to spell "forget". The way I spelled it is the gangster in me ;)

 

November 3, 2014

As a missionary you are constantly praying and reading scriptures and its a great thing but your tend to get into habits and this start to become repetitious. This week I have fell into that and started to do things half heartedly but I didn't realize this unto Halloween night when I was able to reflect on the mission as a whole.  Elder Vaoga and I got into a deep talk that consisted of what we have learned so far, what is the hardest thing has been for us, and talked about how we are going to apply this so that we can become the best Joshua that I can be. Being an Elder is great but it will come to an end whether I like it or not. But being Joshua will be forever. And that made me realize that if I want to be the best Joshua that I need to be doing this with 100% of heart, whether it is spiritually or temporally. Throughout this wonderful experience that has made me realize the potential I have and what I can become, I have relied on the Lord always but sometimes it has been greater then others. And that reflection made me realize that I have been in a slump with being full purpose of heart. I have felt several time throughout this week the impression to pray randomly and I have shrugged them off because they were random and I had no Idea why I needed to. But I now know why those impressions came to mind. I was not in full purpose of heart  with my Father in Heaven and my Savior. These experiences have compelled me to be humble and our Elder corm lesson was on one of the scriptures that every missionary knows, Moroni 10:3-5,. He talked about the real intent part a lot and then the letter our mission president sent a letter to us that talked about that this week as well. I think I get the point that my Father in Heaven is trying to get me to realize. I have also come to realize the importance of goal setting and the goals I have set this week all revolves around full purpose of heart and real intent.

I love the many opportunities that you are able to see your Father in Heaven prompt you to do things and then if doesn't work He will put things in your way to make you learn. I know that Our farther in Heaven is the true Gardener and this is His work and purpose. I know that He loves us so very much and wants us to grow and become like him. And I know that Christ is our Savoir and Advocate. I know that the Spirit is a great gift for all of us and the blessing that come from having him with us incredible.

 

Elder Winterbottom and Elder Vaoga

Serving in Flower Mound 

The Lord's Vineyard

Hakka Practice!

I am showing my support of the San Fran winning the world series!! On Halloween we were able to leave our place after 6. So we didn't get to go outside the rest of the night so we did this instead and planned.