April 6, 2015

It was a hard week for me because I miss teaching. I feel like my time is taken over by meetings, meetings, and more meetings. I like them and all but I wish I really could go out and teach! That's where I find the most joy. This week we had meetings on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So the only days I really got to go out were Tuesday. Thursday is taken up by planning and Monday is preparation day. I

I was able to go on an exchange with the AP's this week and they are always busy with teaching, doing things to prepare for upcoming meeting, stuff around the mission office and small little arr ens they have to run. But the thing I learned from them is to think outside the box. We had an appointment drop because she couldn't get off work and her boss wouldn't let her go and she felt bad. well, I had this idea to go and see her at her work but I didn't think we was going to agree with me. And he did so we went to her her work and pretended to act like a customer and we got to see her and talk to her. She was happy and didn't see it coming! It was a good surprise for her. Little things like that is what people will remember for the rest of their life.

I'm super sorry that this week sucked but there really isn't much to say and talk about because of all the meetings.

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Mansaray

Serving in Arlington

The Lord's Vineyard

April 2, 2015

The reason I didn't email on Monday was because something with mine and Elder Mansaray's email was wrong and wouldn't let us log in. By the way. Mansaray and I are getting along great! We both work really well and are on the same page as we teach. Its great and I'm thankful that we are. I know I'm going to be with great missionaries as long as I'm in this position. He is from Virgina. he has been out a little over a year.

The past week I have had a lot of time to think about the Easter season. It has hit me pretty hard this past week of what the Savior has done for me. Just being able to read what he did leading up to His resurrection is amazing and I'm grateful for all that he has done for me! The last week of Jesus Christ’s life changed the world forever. The Easter week on lds.org is great and I encourage you to check it out and search the scriptures that happened during the Easter Week. Each day can help us better understand His miraculous mission. This week was for Me, you and all of us. #becausehelives 
This week I was able to be on an exchange with Elder Brinkerhoff. When we called a week in advance he said he wants to get better at his contacting and tracting and my goal was to see how far I could push invitations so I could find the balance of invitations. So with our goals we I had planned for us to visit a lot of potentials and knock on door around their area. At first things we super rough and nothing was going as planned. I was getting frustrated and it was hard not to show it. But Elder Brinkerhoff had a good attitude and showed me to have fun when facing opposition in all things. In the morning it was rough and things weren't working out but in the after noon things got better and blessing and miracles started to happen. While we were knocking on one street we placed three copies of the Book of Mormon, and one of those copies we placed we were able to teach a little bit of the restoration. The guys name was David and when he first answered the door he said that he didn't have any time because he was going to a doctors appointment. We asked if there would be a time that we would be able to come back and share with him the Book of Mormon and the blessing that come. When we motioned that he said he has had great examples in his life that Mormon. I then asked him how they effected his life and he went off about how they are great people and so forth. At that point he allowed us to share with him why we think we are good people and why we are happy and I shared with him Mosiah 2:41. Then he said I love Mormons and all that they do but I don't think its for me. Then said a prayer with him and he started to cry. I know he felt the spirit and it effected him! That was a miracle!
Throughout the day we taught a total of 3 lesson just by knocking on doors and placed five copies of the Book of Mormon passed out 17 because he lives cards and got 4 return dates.
The biggest Miracle of the exchange was when we knocked into this lady named Holly. When we first saw her she told us about her concerns in her life that she has. She doesn't feel like God truly cares for her and that she has made mistakes in the past and feels that she cant be forgiven. I talked about how Christ came to this Earth for us and that this Easter season is for us. Then talked about two stories where Christ forgives, the Women caught in adultery and the forgiving the sin and healing the man with palsy. we bore testimony and the spirit was strong. We then asked if we could say a prayer with her and after she was crying and asked if we could come back the next day. So we set up that time and then left.
I believe that we faced opposition in the morning so that we could experience and know how blessed we were thought the rest of the day! I know that this is God's work and I know that the spirit is with us and that people will see us has disciples of Jesus Christ!
Before the exchange I was praying that we would be able to see miracles on our exchange and we did! In total we counted 27 miracles and blessing that happened that day!

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Mansaray

Serving in Arlington

The Lord's Vineyard

March 23, 2015

This is my talk from last week. Sorry it took until this week to get it to you. I have only done bulletin points so you will have to go by the spirit to get the full thing ;) 

The first day I was in this area we had dinner with the Gonzales family and they were studying the topic of one and being unified and I was intrigued by it so I studied it a bit. now I have to give a talk about it. I guess this is was happens when you make that know to Heavenly Father. But I still think Brother Gonzales should be standing next to me give a talk as well.

The Godhead is the perfect example of being one and being unified.

-examples: the first article of faith, accounts from the apostles, the nephites, and Joseph Smith all state that they are separate being.

- each play a distinct role 

- purpose is to have eternal life

-making them one in doctrine and purpose  

- perfectly unified in our farther in heavens plan

Think about this:

If our Father in Heavens plan is for us to have eternal life (Moses 1:39) How do we become one with that purpose? 

- I feel like the answer is found in D&C 11:20 

    * our work or our purpose is to keep his commandments.

I would like to expound on that with a modern day parable by Elder Randall L. Ridd  called the parable of the oranges. Here is the Link for it.

https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2015/01/living-with-purpose-the-importance-of-real-intent?lang=eng

Now lets talk about the two? Both did what is boss had asked him to do. You could say that both keep his commandments. 

Its pretty obvious one went above and beyond. I would like to refer back to the scripture in D&C 11:20. It's not just keeping commandments, it's doing them with all your heart might mind and strength. this is how we become unified  and one with God. 

How can we be one with others around us?                                                                                        I like the scripture in Matthew 11:28-30                                                                                              - the yoke is a tool to help others become one and I feel that if we look for opportunities to serve others that is how we become one with others around us.                                                                 Be like Christ and lift others burdens around us

I feel like the yoke could be tied into husband and wife, mothers and fathers as well.                   Genesis 2:24                                                                                                                                      -Adam and Eve were one flesh because they were equally yoked. 

What does that yoke represent?                                                                                                        -I feel that the answer is found in this principle (D&C 25:13)                                                           - Covenants are key. How we honor them make keep them make us yoked.                                      

Bare testimony and end. 

The thing That I experienced this week was very cool and inspiring. I really never cared about until now is goal setting. I understood the importance of it but it really was never apart that I really worried about. Now with goals with the zone is very important because I truly feel accountable for them now. They are a huge motivation for me now. I know the goal we set as a zone can truly come true because we have names behind them. I now know how you feel with achieving 854 baptism this year and I feel like we can exceed that. We have talked a lot about what happens the first week of zone council and we see miracles happen because everyone is motivated, has the faith, and will go out and work for it. Then what... I don't know if we just stop seeing the vision or the diligence level falls but then the work slows up. Elder Mansaray and I were trying to figure out this week of how we can keep the motivation going even after zone conference so that we can exceed out April goal of 12. We have names and are going to hold people accountable. The goal will be remain always but our plan will change has the month moves on. 
I'm excited to be apart of this zone and to be apart of the 854 baptism. I am on board with it and I know we can do it if we have faith and hope that we can do it. It will also take effort in achieving it and seeing the vision and planting the flag and obtaining it.
Hurrah for Israel! 

Elder Winterbottom & Elder Mansaray                                                                                              Serving In Arlington     

Service on st. Patrick's day @ the Homeless shelter 

The Water Gardens. This Place is sweet it has different areas that you can go to. The quite pool, the mountain, active pool 

pics at the quite pool

Zone Picture

                                                                                                                     The Lord's Vineyard

March 16, 2015

 

 

This Week has been a week of lots a prayers and long nights just staying up and thinking about things. President called us at 10:30 last Monday night and told me that my time in Fort Worth is over and that the Lord needs me in Arlington. He told me that I need to ponder about the things that we had talked about and to pray and council with what the Lord would have me do. That night I stayed up until two just laying in bed thinking about what I was about to do and how I can best serve the Lord. The Lord has trusted me with lots of things but this is a big one. I am super bummed that I am leaving Fort Worth already!! I was only here for one Transfer. I feel like i just am starting to get the hang of this ward and now I'm off. It was a big surprise for both Elder McAninch and I. I love that kid and going to miss him. But what is funny is that Elder McAninch's last companion is now my companion. His name is Elder Mansuray. But I'll give you more information about him next week.

I am going to miss this area a ton and all the youth I am working with. We just set a baptism date with 9 of the boys and Gaspar and George just got the priesthood this Sunday. Their was also a boy who we had never seen who is 17 and said that he wants the missionaries to start teaching him. I have been bless to serve in this great area! It was so amazing to see Gaspar get the priesthood and be ordained to the office of priest and then was able to stand in for George's blessing. They are the sharpest boys I know! Cool thing about Jenevieve is that her daughter who lives up in Colorado has been meeting with the missionaries and has a baptism date for March 29th. Jenevieve has been a HUGE beacon for her family and there is wonderful thing happening with them. It is a huge testimony builder for me to see how strong and converted she is to the gospel even with a language barrier.She is one of the strongest converts I know. Every time we go over there to teach she has someone new from their family over and Jenevieve want them to hear the Gospel.
This ward is doing great in their missionary work. I will be keeping close tabs on this ward after I leave!

I know the Lord has a plan of all of us. And even though my time has been short here in Fort Worth, there have been so many people that have been a huge testimony builder for me and have really effected my life. I grateful for them time have have severed here in Fort Worth.

Elder Winterbottom & Elder McAninch

Serving in Fort Worth

The Lord's Vineyard

March 9, 2015

Weathering opposition.

Last week trying to make Gaspar and George's baptism happen was super stressful because of the snow and ice. Well this week we dealt with daylight savings time... We went over Saturday evening to go and talk to them about the feelings they had at their baptism and talk about the Gift that they will be receiving at church the next day. They were super excited and so was I.  And we reminded them that the clocks would be fast forward an hour. Well church came around and no Gaspar George and the Grandmother at church.... Then they called us and said that their ride never picked them up.... We totally spaced to check up on their ride to see if he remembered it was day light savings time.... He felt so bad but picked them up as fast has he could. half way through the first talk they walk in and they look sad knowing that they wouldn't receive the holy Ghost... After that talk was over the bishop stood up and said we are missing on of the most important events this sacrament meeting. Then said could Gaspar and George come up. The smiles on their faces were priceless! I was able to bless Gaspar and Elder McAninch blessed George. Satan was working really hard for these boys not to join so they must have a bright future ahead of them!

This week I had the best study and the most fun doing it in preparation for a lesson. Now this lesson isn't your typical lesson because it was for a church meeting. The young mens Presidency is all medical students and this week is spring break for Texas. So they asked me in advance to teach a lesson for them because they would be out of town. I agreed and it was a great decision! I had fun studying it, teaching it and seeing the boys reactions as I taught them about what it means to repent. Come follow me is a great course for the youth and is great tool to use even as missionaries. I love this area because I get to work with the youth a. Most of the people we teach are youth. I think this is why I have been called to this area!

I'm also preparing to give a talk next week with a stake high council men.. That should be fun! Its about being one. One with God, One in unity, One in faith, and one in purpose. So those talks I have prepared last week aren't going to do me any good. I have grown to love speaking at church and teaching lessons. So I am excited to talk but nerves to speak with a high Council men. Wish me luck!

Elder Winterbottom & Elder McAninch

Serving in Fort Worth

The Lord's Vineyard

March 2, 2015

Winters in Texas are crazy!!! Thanks to the wonderful weather that Texas has been having I was able to see 4 seasons in less then 24 hours! And when winter hits here no one knows how to do anything. The whole city of Fort Worth was shut down and we got a call from the zone leaders telling us to stay in our apartments until the roads and weather conditions clear up. We only went out and preached the gospel for 2 days this week!! I was bored out of my mind this week!! I was able to catch up on my Book of Mormon reading, I wrote 3 sacrament talks just in case, held a weekly planning for pretty much the whole month, watched the District videos, and the Bible videos..... I was so ready to get out of our apartment.

The weather was bad Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and cleared up Thursday and started to get bad on Friday, Saturday was bad and then kind of cleared up Sunday. Thanks to the weather, it made planning the baptism super stressful!!  In the end we had to cancelled it for Saturday because we weren't going to put people's safety at risk. So we had to call a lot of the members and tell them that we were going to do it Sunday instead. Then Saturday night we got a call from our bishop telling us that church was cancelled. But we had permission to take the sacrament within our home. That was a cool experience. So no church Sunday but the baptism was still on! When it was time for the baptism we had over 40 people come and support and the weather cleared up. That was a miracle in itself!! The family will be getting the Gift of the Holy Ghost next week at church. Kabange couldn't get off work so we are going to be talking to him this week and try and figure out when is the next time we can set a baptism day with him. At the baptism, the grandmother gave the closing pray in Swahili and you could just feel the spirit in how she prayed and the love that she has for her Grandsons.

When I was on an exchange with the 6th ward I was able to do my first interview with someone who is preparing for baptism.  The guy was super nervous at first but as we talked the spirit was there. We were able to share experiences on how the church has blessed us and miracles that we have seen. It is such a great experience and the feelings were indescribable. The love that people have to follow the Savior is amazing and the opportunity that I had to see, hear, and feel them express that love and their desire is incredible. 

Elder Winterbottom & Elder McAninch

Serving in Fort Worth

The Lord's Vineyard

Crazy snow storm!!

That's the 6th ward elders. We were exchanging back when this snow storm hit. The ride takes about 15 minutes to get there and since the snow hit it took over an hour. I saw so many car slide off the road!

Us at the Baptism!!!

Lady in the Blue is the Grandmother.

And the Picture with the youth are all non members! the One kneeling on the ground is their Grandpa and he is a member and is bring all of those kids to church. Those kids will be our next baptism!!! They are great

Guy in the Jacket is Brother Kelly, he is the young Mens leader.

Brother Smith is one of his assistants and he baptized Gaspar.

February 24, 2015

Week of trial an error but it was a good trial of error. So for trying to pass out copies Books of Mormon we got together with the YSA Elders and put together a walking Book Of Mormon. It took a while to make the box but it looked great after we were finished! Then we went to Down town Fort Worth and TCU campus and walked around trying to place copies Books Of Mormon. The hard thing about placing them is we cant make the initial contact but both those places are privet property. So they have to talk to us first and then we can talk to them about the church. But like I said it was a trial and error run because we were just seeing if it would work. Well.... It didn't. We didn't even place one. People took a lot of pictures of us and a lot of looks but we weren't able to pass any out. But it was fun and out side of the box (or inside for Elder Lee)

Interviews went great with President Ames and we really talked a lot about moving forward with this Mission, the Zone, and the District. He put the Mission goal into prospective and how realistic it is and how we we can achieve more then 854. And then we talked about planning and the importance planning plays in all our efforts! If we want to see the mission move forward, It all starts with planning. And I am so excited to plan because I have see the effects of planning. Then President came out with us to the investigators, who have the baptism dates. It was a great lesson because there was a boy there who is holding back on being baptized. there is 5 people in the house. The Grandmother who was just baptized, Gaspar the oldest boy who has a baptism date, George the youngest who has a baptism date, Kabange the uncle who has a baptism date and Silas the middle and he does not have a baptism date. We were talking to Silas and he said he isn't ready yet and then his brother asked what is holding you back from being baptized. By the way this is all in Swahili so the oldest boy is translating for us to the Family. So we can't understand whats happening. And then the whole family starts to talk back and forth between themselves. Then the Grandmother who just got Baptized start to teach the Great apostasy (in Swahili) to him. We just sat back and watched this great Learning situation happen between the family and it was amazing to feel the spirit! we couldn't understand but we could feel the peace that was there while they were teaching! Then Silas said the closing pray and said he felt the spirit but he needs to pray more about it.

Afterwards we talked about it to President and he said that was a perfect lesson! spirit directed and we didn't need to do anything. They are already and President is excited to see that family be baptized!

Yesterday was a rough day! We couldn't do anything because of the Ice and we had to stay inside all day long!! So for our Preparation day we planned, read the Book of Mormon, and cleaned the apartment. What was so bad we couldn't even go out and teach! It was along day!!

Elder Winterbottom & Elder McAninch

Serving In Fort Worth

The Lord's Vineyard