June 16, 2014

Memorable week

On Monday went to Cavanders (boot store) to possibly get cowboy boots. I walked into the store with all the intention in the world to get on and as soon as I walked in I changed my mind. Who was I kidding... I'm not a cow boy and not even close haha maybe by the end I'll be a cow boy and want boots. We also went to the mall in my area and realized that I don't know how to shop anymore... We walked around in a couple of the stores and I had no idea what I was doing there. The mission has defiantly effected me spiritually, physically and worldly.
On Tuesday I went on an exchange with the River Trail Elders and got in a pretty good biking crash!  There was a cable that out of the middle of the side walk to a telephone pole and I had looked back at a car and when I turned around the cable was right at my handle bars. Next thing I know I was flying through the air and then penguin sliding on the side walk. From that little accident my slacks ripped, cut up my hand and messed my thumb up ( its good now) permanently stained my shirt, and scratched up my name tag. But from that experience I learned that God has a plan for everything cause If I didn't crash we would have missed the other Elders bring the area phone back to us cause we forgot to hand it off at the beginning of the exchange. Plus It makes a cool and stupid story for me.

Wednesday was Interview with president Ames and those are always great! Its like talking to a dad out here. Everyone looks forward to the time they get to spend with him. Its great having him answer our questions of doctrine and how to help build and strength the area that you severe in. Interviews are one of the best days on the mission. He also gave us a new way to plan to better move the work forward. Everything begins with planning.  Thursday was planning and to put the new planning into action. It took us 4 hours to do it but by for the best weekly planning session I've had. Then and Friday on another exchange with the Zone Leaders and that was sweet. I learned to contact people in Spanish and ask simple little question to try and help the Spanish Elders in our area with referrals. So in Spanish I can say my testimony and contacting. 

Saturday went to the temple for a recent convert. President Ames a couple of months ago said that we need to be focusing past baptism so he allows us to go to the temple if its a recent converts first time. Saturday was great cause we went to the temple with the zone leaders and one of the ward missionaries and went early and did a endowment session and that was great doing work for someone on the other side plus I was reminded of the convents I have made. I challenge everyone to got temple to remember what your convents. Then went and did baptisms for the dead with the convert. It was so cool cause Elder Argyle and i got be be the witness for her and her family and with one of the best ward missionaries!! Then after went and had in and out!! That was a great day.

Sunday is always great because I get to renew all of my convents. Sundays are always great!! When we called in numbers I thought it was going to be bad for this week because of all the things we had this week but surprisingly it was the best week this transfer. We have a total of 8 baptism date and we made two of those this week. I am so blessed to be serving in this area at this time. I love the Mission!!!!! I couldn't ask to be in a better place then right here and right now.

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Argyle

Serving in Hurst

The Lord's Vineyard

 

Bike Crash Photos

 At the Dallas Temple doing baptisms for the dead

The after temple party

Tan line

His bag has had it!

Elder Argyle and Elder Winterbottom

June 9, 2014

Its so bloody hot here!! The mornings when we first wake up feels like its 75 and this midday feels like 95. And people keep telling me that its only going to get hotter from here.  I have a sweet farmers tan too. My neck/face and arms are getting pretty dark and its just the beginning of summer.

Fear,

Two weeks ago in Presidents e-mail he talked about fear and that really struck me hard. D&C 3:7 For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. I myself still am very fearful as a missionary. In the past I had the mentally of when I saw people walking on the street I wouldnt want to be a burden to them and their day. Moroni 7:12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. I have been fearing man more then God and those feeling are not what my heavenly farther would want me to have/do. The best and most important thing they can have in this life is this Gospel. (D&C 67:3) Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive. I am keeping them from this wonderful message and the blessing that follow and that has really hit me hard this week. I wounder about all the people I could have shared the Gospel with and my fears got in the way.

Mark 10:27 With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Argyle Serving HurstThe Lord's Vineyard

June 2, 2014

Elder Argyle is my new companion and he is from Sacramento Californian. He has only been out three months and is a great missionary. He is very clam when he talks and has made connections with people I never thought were possible. He is also a visa waver, his actual call is to Kenya. I'm glad I got to sever with him. He is a great kid and I know this transfer will be great.

This week there have been lots of miracles that have happened. The first day with Elder Argyle we got a call from the Zone leaders and they gave us the privilege to give a blessing to a  member that was struggling. Before we gave him the blessing we talked about why we have challenges (D&C 29: 39), obedience brings blessing (D&C 130: 20-21), and we have to act on our faith before we see the blessings (Ether 12:6).  The cool thing was, is that's what I studied that morning and now I know why I was influenced to look at those topics. The spirit of revelation is great. Then after that we went to a guy that we had been trying to visit for a while and no answer. We had finally got a hold of him and before we left he said he wants to be baptized and that he knows that he needs to. He also said that when we were talking to him that it was the most clam he had ever felt and really likes talking to us. Elder Argyle and him are from the same place so they made a connection very fast. I know that where we are called to serve and who we serve with is from God. We also taught six lesson on Sunday and one of those lessons was on the phone. It was one of the coolest experiences that I have had on my mission. Sunday night we were in our apartment and waiting for the district leader to call for numbers and I had this feeling to call this number. I had never called it and had no idea who it was but i did it. This lady answered and we started to talk and she had been having a really hard time living in Huston and is going to move to new york for a new start . Then I asked her what she thought was the purpose in life was. She broke down and started to cry and said she had no idea and she really wants to know. So we talked a little bit more and then asked if  I could send missionaries to her when she moves to new york and she said yea and would love that. It was a great experience to have!! One little question can change peoples life.

This is going to be a great transfer. Obedience and faith brings blessing and miracles (Moroni 7:36-37) That is my testimony and I know with all my heart to be true. The principle I've learned the most about is obedience and I will show my love and faith in God by keeping and doing his will.

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Argyle

Serving in Hurst

The Lord's Vineyard

May 27, 2014

 

 

What a great transfer

#6 down

Transfer calls where this past week and bowman got a call last Tuesday for a leadership call. God wants him to serve more missionaries and has given him the opportunity to be a zone leader. It has been a great transfer with Elder Bowman. I really have learned so much from him and his great example. He has influenced me and played a huge role in my life. He has taught me being humble to the Lord and losing my pride and I know I struggle with that...  Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42) That is the attitude we should always strive to have. He is very knowledgeable in the scriptures and has taught me so much and taught me that I need to know the scriptures before I can teach. D&C 11:21 I cant tell you enough the influence Elder Bowman has played in my missionary progression! He has made me seek to be a better missionary and a better person. I thank him and pray for him with the new experiences he will have.

My transfer call is.... I'm staying in Hurst and my new companion will be Elder Arguile. The only thing I know about him is that he just got done being trained so I will be follow training. I will have more information about him next week. I am excited for this next transfer. I am so blessed to be in this area and to learn from another person.

Billy's baptism went really well!! I was able to baptize him and I was my privilege to do so. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of it because we were running really late on time at the baptism but I will make sure to get a picture of him before I leave this area. Elder Bowman gave him the holy Ghost on Sunday and he was so excited for that. I pray for him while he starts his journey on discipleship. It will be hard but that's the price we all have to walk if we want to follow Christ. 2 Nephi 31 comes to mind as we talk about the path of Christ. It is also his gospel and what a blessing to be able to see the example of faith, repentance, baptism and confirmation, and enduring to the end.

This is my pray, that we can all following Christ and doing what he has done. I pray that y'all will study, pond, and apply the gospel of Jesus Christ in our life. The talk "your four minutes" comes to mind and so does the scripture Alma 34:32. What are you doing to prepare to meet God? How are you preforming in this life?  The Gospel is the key! Christ is the way! Pray, study, and apply it and help others to do their best in following this. I thank y'all for keeping me in your prays and I pray for you.

Love,

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Bowman

Serving in Hurst

The Lord's Vineyard 

May 19, 2014

Challenge week

     This week Elder Bowman and I have been doing all kinds of challenges... We tried the sprite and banana challenge, coke and mentos, and we have eaten jalapenos and today we are going to eat habaneros.... The sprite and coke challenge sucked!!! I felt bloated for the whole day. Those two challenges are suppose to make you puke and then the jalapeno are just hot!! My mouth was on fire for like 30 minutes and then had a stomach ache the rest of the day.... Yes, I am week when it comes to hot stuff. Even as a missionary you do stupid thing during your lunch and dinner. Boys will always be boys.

     This week we are preparing for (bill) baptism. Its going to be on the 24th of May. He is so excited for it and so are we!!! He had is interview yesterday and past. He has a strong testimony on tithing and the sabbath day. He said, "every time I miss church I feel like my week doesn't go as smooth and the week goes by slow. Tithing I know is a huge blessing and even though I haven't payed yet I have seen the blessings that come from others paying tithing. (his girlfriend that moved out. She is a member) We are excited to see him take his first ordinance and to make this covenant with God!

     We also have 4 other dates and they are: (Jim) set for July 19th. (Sarah) and (Kay) are set for July 19th as well. And (Tina) is set for June 30th. I love this people and they are doing great! I'm glad I am apart of their progression in come closer to God. I am so thankful to serve in this area and to meet all these wonderful people. We also plan on setting tow more dates this week. Thank you for the prayers and the support.

Love,

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Bowman

Serving in Hurst

The Lord's Vineyard

May 12, 2014

May 5, 2014

Be Bold!!

This week I had the honor for being able to go a sit in on a DLC (District leader Council) meeting and listen to what it happening in the Mission and things that we can improve on. I have learned lots of thing that have hurt my soul and have caused me to mourn for our district and on a bigger scale, our mission. We as a mission are doing well but there is diffidently room for improvement!! This is the biggest eye opening I have had so far and I am grateful for it. I have diffidently felt the need to humble myself before the Lord and be a tool in his hands (Jeremiah 18:6). President Ames has just revised the standard of excellence this week. He expects us to be bold!! We are NOT missionaries but representatives of the Lord, Jesus Christ. What was Christ purpose? (Matthew 9:13) we represent the Lord and we are called to preach repentance. We are to be bold and find those who are truly seeking the Lord (Proverbs 28:1) i am still trying to concentrate myself and walk the path that Christ walked. It will be hard but it will defiantly be worth it.

This week was also Stake Conference and we had Elder Stoddard from the quorum of the seventy, President Ames and the temple President come and speak to us. It was an amazingly inspiring and he is pretty funny. He focused on the youth and had them share experiences on what they are doing to share the gospel. I didn't realized that the youth have lots of chances to share and bare their testimonies and their beliefs. I don't think the parents realized that their kids were having those opportunities either and hopefully it will inspire the parents to start doing the same. I pray that everyone looking for their own missionary opportunities. Even if its barring your testimony to others. Testimonies are written in haven't and is an act of repenting. I hope that, that will inspire you to go forth and share your testimonies.

Love

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Bowman

Serving In Hurst

The Lord's Vineyard