Elder Winslett will be Flying home... Tomorrow!

That's right! He will be here tomorrow!

For those of you wanting to see him, we will be holding an Open House (unofficially) of sorts next weekend, 9/22, at the Alvin Church building. Please send a note if you would like the details! Cannot wait to see him!

 

Look what will be waiting for him off the plane:

 

Mom and Dad will be waving it. Made by Jeni. :D

9/9 - The Last Letter

I cant even believe it! 

I seriously cant. I dont even really know.

No manches guys....

Ok, I am done freaking out!

On to the letter. 

Well, I aint going to write much cuz we will talk real well in a few days!

OH MY GOSH!

Ok, seriously though.

I seriously dont know what to feel right now!

GAH!

Your going to be outside of security!!!! Holy Moley!!!!!! I cant believe the time has come! This is my last letter to you guys while I am on my mission! Holy Snapper Jacks! 

Again, with the freaking out!

Went to the temple on Friday... It was cool. President let us go as a gen! All that are going home went together! It was a cool experience! And I will tell you guys more on that in a bit.

Also had that baptism, Fernanda is her name. She is the last of a part member family that we have been trying to reactivate. Now we just got to get the dad to stop working on Sundays and we will be good! She is going to be confirmed next Sunday, my last day!

Ok, here is the order of the hugs when I get off the plane. Mom. You are first! Sorry guys, but gotta give Mom the first hug! Then Dad, then everyone else! Oh and I know its a rediculous request but can you guys bring cameras? I want to see how I am when I see you guys! Hahahah!

This week I have my final interview, Mexico Independence day celebration in the church, our "Last Supper" with President, and a confirmation! Anything else that happens I will tell you about on Monday!

Ok, so I decided this is something I wanted to do.I will give my last testiomony/reflections of the mission shpeel...

The mission has been something life changing. At the beggining you think it is never going to end, and the only thing you think about is going home in two years. But as the time goes on and you begin to dominate the language and teaching you begin to realize how wounderful this all is and how much the Lord really cares about each and every single one of us! Its something marvelous! And now that I am going home in a week, I just stand amazed at how fast the time has goine! How much I have grown, physically, emotionally and spiritually! Its something that has changed me entirelly as a person! As I enter into my last week I find my self having the desires to serve longer! To keep on going! To help more people! Its a mix of emotions that just leave ime in awe! I have had to say goodbye to so many people that I dont even think I will see again in this life. I look back at the lives I have changed, and the people I have helped! I look at them, and think all I was was an instrument in the Lords hand. I helped the Lord change those people! I cant even begin to describe the emotions I feel in these times! They are feelings I will never forget! The experiences that I have had the oppurtunity to go through -both good and bad- will forever change my life and the lives around me. I know that because I have done done this for the Lord, that he will bless me forever! When we went through the temple on Friday I went in with fasting and prayer in my heart. I asked the Lord if he was pleased with what I have done, and as an answer I felt the same burning in my chest and the same feeling of overwhelming peace and joy that I have come to know as the Holy Ghost. I know the Lord is pleased with what I have done! I cant describe how happy and amazing I felt as I recieved that answer on friday! Its a feeling I will never be able to forget! I want to continue serving! But I know it is time! The Lord needs me elsewhere! And I will be able to help many others come unto Christ through other means!

As we have been taught and as I have come to know through much study, prayer and fasting, I know that the Work of Salvation is of God. This is his work and I have been on his errand these last 24 months. I know without a shadow of a doubt and testify with all that is me, that this is the Lords church! God and Christ live! They love us! And want us to return home with Them. I know that this is the only church that will lead us there! I know that Joseph Smith saw them on that fateful day in teh Sacred Groove. I know the he was a prophet. I know that through the power of God, he was able to restore this church, the same church as Christs when he was on the earth, and translate the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and together along with the Bible, they have the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and that he too was called to lead us in these latter days. I am so thankful for this chance I have had to serve Him in these latter days, to build up His kingdom to prepare the way for Christs Second Coming. I know everything that I have taught the Mexican people these last 24 months is true. I testify of them and I do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I write all that and I still dont feel like I have expressed everything I want to... Is that just so odd how impossibly hard it is to express how you feel! Gah! It is so awesome!

I guess I can say more in a week! Hehehehehe. As you can tell, I am excited. But I am also sad. I am happy, but I am also nervous. I feel like I am in a bi-polar emotional rollercoaster right now. But its alright, cuz I know that the Lord is ready for me to come home. He has other plans now in store for me, and I cant wait to see what they are!

I love you guys! So much! Thanks so much for everything you have done for me in these 24 months! I know I can be a pester sometime, but you guys have put up with me for the last 21 years. Now its time for me to give something back! I hope I can serve you guys as well as I have served the Mexican people. I dont think there is enough I can do to ever repay what you guys have done for me! Thank you! Thank you so much! 

I cant wait to see you guys! But first, I have to finish strong! On to my last week!

Take care!

Hasta pronto!

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWWPRB Winslett -for the last time!-

 - "The Lord has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work. Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."´- Alma 26:15-16

9/2

Sup guys!

Glad that the open house thing still worked out! Its going to make seeing everyone alot easier and less time consuming! Thanks again for arranging that!!!

 

Yeah the majority of my converts have stayed active in the church. But you are right, they will be even more solid now that they go 5 times before getting baptised. Its just going to ake for a baptism-less end of my mission! Oh well, I will focus on the inactives now, and get my companion some possibles for him!

This week was pretty slow... The only interesting things where that we found some news that my comp will probably be baptising in the future, and then had no one come to church... Its been slow.

We moved into a new house, too. The old house we were in was not very safe and harldy ever had water. This new house is way cooler and awy nicer! I will send pictures next week, promse... My camera is full and I a currently unloading it as I type... So next week I will upload a bunch of fotos!

Also had a zone leader conference with President this week again, and got to eat Sister Halls cooking again. That was the last one I will attend while on the mission! It is pretty crazy to think that! Had an amazing breakfast agina!

So next week I dont think I wil write very much in my letter, just kindof last thoughts and impressions along with any big news that happens this week. Anything else I will just tell you when I get home in 2 weeks! That and next week could be crazy for things I am going to be doing! 

Ok, well I think that is it, I love you guys a ton and hope you have a great week. Until next week, and for the last time!

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett

8/27

Hijole!
 

Ok, so here we go. First things first, sorry this took so long to get out, yesterday I spent sometime with my converts down in an old area, and I could not get to a computer in time. Sorry! But I got permission to write you guys real quick! Just so you dont think Im dead! hahaha!

Ok, so this week was pretty hard to be honest. Let you guys know about that a bit later.I am down with anything you want to do! Just go ahead and make the plans! First day I am all yours... I just request Olive Garden is all! Hahaha!

Well, none of the baptisms got in the water this week. The little girl we were going to baptise was postponed until September 8th. Dads bday! Because the parents want to throw her a party, and the older lady we were going to baptise got sabotaged by her neighbors ho told her a bunch of lies... We are going to try and resque her sometime, but I dont know if she is salvagable. Guess we will see.

Its super wierd to think that there are missionaries over there too... I dont know why but it is super wierd to me... Thats cool though!

Well, I gave you the majority of the news this week already. Had a stake-wide baptismal service again. We did not baptised, but it was still cool. A byunch of missionaries and I suang the "Joseph Smiths First Prayer" in Spanish, but to the tune of "Come Thou Fount" - Come thou fount does not exist in Spanish... So we improvised... It worked really well, and I gotta say, music is a great way to get the Sprirt there! PResident was there and he was crying... Hehehehe!

 

 It was probably the Strongest I have felt the spirit in a bit of time...

New rule!!!! So from here on out instead of only having to take the investigators to church one time to church, we have to bring them 5 times before they can get baptised... Meaning conversion stories are going to be alot longer!!! I guess it is a good thing... But that means I rpobably wont be having very many other baptisms in my mission. Might have 1 or 2 this week, and maybe 1 more next week... Well, the one that is going to be on Dads bday! Its going to make for stronger, more solid converts, just a bbit longer on preparing them for that. Its all good though, it does not affect me to much!

Well, I gotta get going, dont have much time this week, but love you guys alot! And we will talk to you next week!

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett

8/19

Well! This week has been full of lots of miracles! So many that I dont have much time to write! So if this seems short. I am sorry! D:

 

Sounds like a plan mom, we will go to Cafe Adobe! hahaha. No thats fine, Olive Garden! I am just gonna eat sooooo much! They still have that never ending pasta bowl thing right? :D

No baptisms this week, but we have two lined up for next week! And a few possibles as well! It is going to be awesome! Cant wait!

My companion is from Spokane Washington. He is alright... not my best. but not my worst. We get along and everything, so I guess thats the only important thing right? Its all good though, no worries!

No actually the owners of the house were spilitting up. And the wife wanted to give the house a blessing to see if her nonmember husband would notice the difference. But to maybe help him out  and also to see if he would accept the gospel maybe one day! I dunno her motives where a little funky, but yeah you could really sense the difference after.

Yeah I heard about that letter. He sends one out every change. Its to inform you of my changes! I sure hope youll let me read it one day mom! I would be super jelly if you didnt! Haha!

Of course I will keep in touch with them, its just having to say goodbye and not knowing when and if you will see them again in the flesh. I guess only time will tell!

O.o! Dinner! Provecho!

On to news really quick!

So one of the old Elders that was here before us got into contact with us and he gave us a bunch of references this week and one of those references came to church, and is going to get baptised this week! Thats miracle number one! She almost did not come, but with a bit of persuasion, we got her to come! It was a cool experiecne and definantly a blessing from the Lord!

Also had a menos active family pop up and tell us that there doaughter wants to get baptised as well! Miracle number two! More blessings from the  Lord. She has gone to church and will also  be getting baptised this week!

Had a part member family come to church out of the blue this week too. The mom is not a member, and so we might be getting her as well this week, I guess we will see that as well! Miracle number three! Also from the Lord!

I guess the Lord is just giving us all this as a result of our hardwork the last few weeks! I am super excited to see how this all turns out! Of course I will let you guys know too! Next week though I should have a few more fotos sent your way!

We did some Service this week as well! Got to cut down some limbs from a palm tree that where dying... I never knew that thats how it worked... I guess you learn things every day! Even at the end of your mission! Hahaha.

Remember my convert, Christian? Who got baptised like 4 weeks ago? Well, he gave a talk in his ward (I went to his ward, just to hear him talk! His ward shares the building I am in!) Yup, it was cool! It was really good, and the best thing of it all is he asked tyo give the talk, no one assigned him. Super proud of him!

Ok, well I think that is it... This was super rushed, so I am sure there is alot of errors and what not. I uploaded a picture of me, Elder Millerberg and Elder Skousen. We are all in the same generation, meaning we go home together. Well, we went bowling last monday and took the picture... Yup! Its under the title "Generation Bowling"

Ok, well I cant think of anything else... If I do I will talk to you guys about it next week! Love you guys a ton and hope this week is awesome for you guys! Take care
Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett

8/12

Hehehe get it "The Jewel 1" "La Joya 1" means the "The Jewel 1" hahaha... Nevermind.

Hmmmm Ok Well, what a week guys! What a week! Super crazy too! I will tell you more after I get to your letter! Mom!

Of course mom, we will go to Casa Ole! I hate Olive Garden!  ITs not like I have been eating nothing but MExican food the last 2 years! We should totally go to Casa Ole. So excited!

Mom, nothing could destroy the smart aleck in me... Its impossible! No seriously it is impossible! Hahaha, but no worries though. Saying he is hispanic gets rid of about the 2% non hispanic population here... only 98% to go!

 

Ok, so this week has been quit fun! Basically all week, instead of teaching new investigators and helping them get closer to God, what we have been doing is working with inactives. That was not the plan, but all of our citas with investigators fell through and so we have been working with pure inactives this week. I think we brought 15 back to church with us. It was cool! So as I was saying before, I think maybe this is part of the reason we have been moved up here to The Jewel... Is to reactivate. And amidst all those reactivated, we brought one investigator to church. it was a bit crazy and unexpected, but yeah! So we have a possible for this next week!

I got to bless a house this week! Something I havent done in awhile. It was a cool experience, and as soon as we finished you could immediatly feel the difference in the house. 

In the Dropbox there is a picture named "Mai Pimp Face" Pretty self explanatory! hahaha

We had a mission meeting this week. It was the usual, but the sad thing is at the end of it I said goodbye to a lot of people that I probably will never see again in this life. Its a bit sad, and hard to believe...Its wierd. But time to move on.

Well, I think that is it... Sorry its kindof quick, but I did not have much happen this week. Next week I should have another baptism foto for you guys!

Love you more then words can describe! (CORNY!) Hahaha Take care and until next week

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett

8/5

Well, Familia Winslett... This has been a wild week. Les digo después, pero primero, a sus cartas!

Yup, Elder Ridd is at home right now, probably released and probably eating some yummy delicious sushi... Doesnt make me jealous at all! Hahahaha just kidding. Yup, I am officially the oldest missionary in the mission. No one is older then me. My generation and I are the oldest! So cool! So I will make you wait to tell you who my new companion is. Ok! Hehehehe

 

Well, mom you guys can go try out the new Olive Garden when I get home. The day of, if youd like. I was thinking lunch at Olive Garden! :D Wuddya thingk?

Yup, last week was alot of work.... And all our baptisms fell, mainly from interference from other people... Well, yeah. So this last week was super hard. The good thing though, is we pushed through, and Elder Ridd finished strong! I twas good!

Yes mom Saying he is Hispanic TOTALLY helps me out to figure out who he is, hahahahaha. Well, thats cool. Tell Elder Robinson I said bien hecho joven! Hahaha!

Yeah pork rinds and chicharron en salsa verde is way different. Chicharron is wet and squishy and gross.... I hate it. Pork rinds, si are good, but yeah.... Never ever ever want cow heart again! So nasty!!!!

Yus! American food! It was soooo good! Elder Cortes said he was feeling sick before we even ate, and I guess the food we ate just triggered it all... Much better now and with his new companion! 

Speaking of changes... I had one. For whatever reason, that I have yet to find out about, I got moved from my area Coacalco 1... Now I am in La Joya 1... I am still Zone Leader, and what not, just got moved over one area... I am with an Elder Ferris. He is from Spokane Washington, actually, and he has 13 months in the mission. He is originally from the west mission so he does things a little differently.... He is a pretty cool kid. I will send pictures next week of him, ok? The thing about this change that I am not really liking is that I just got to Coacalco 1, and I was just getting used to the area... PResident also told me a while back that I was going to finish up over there...Another thing is, is this area is super out in the middle of nowhere... We have to walk 30 minutes to get to the stake center, where the majority of our zone meetings take place, and so its a bit more inconvenient... We are going to talk with President a little later, to see what we can do. Its just that this change literally made no sense what so ever... Both Elder Ferris and I would agree that it would have been more convenient and easier if Elder Ferris had come down to me in Coacalco, instead of me to him... We will see what PResident says, and I will let you guys know, ok!

It really is wierd to be the oldest now, and to be in my last change... I have a funny idea to put on my agenda, so I will send a picture when I get it all made up and laminated, its pretty funny! I kindof dont even feel like I am going home soon. I feel like in six weeks I will just be changed again and have a new companion... I guess we will see how things play out!

So yeah.

Pictures, Just two this week https://www.dropbox.com/home/Fotos%20from%20Elder%20Winslett

"Zona Coacalco" Is the zone before ELder Ridds gen went home... Now it is alot different.

"Sayin Bye to E Ridd" Is right before I dropped him off at Presidents house.

I will let you know about our house and what not next week as well...

Well, I think that is it... I think there was something else I was going to send, but I cant remember... Once again I will probably remember later on...

Luv you guys alot! I cant wait to see you guys soon! Its CRAZY! :D

Lideer de Distrito Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett

7/29

Wassup guys!

We have had a fun week, if I could say that for myself! Lots of different happenings and what not. All in all just lots of fun! First though I will reply to what you guys wrote me!

Elder Ridd goes home this next week. Pretty crazy. He leaves on Monday, so one week from today! He lives in the Woodlands remember? Yup, he gets home at around 10 in the morning, so if you really wanted to, you could go visit him as he gets off the plane! Hahahaha. But yeah, I have one last transfer, and then I too will be on the plane home. I am a bit nervous as to who I will be with. I am pretty sure I am staying here, but it is just a matter of with whom... Guess we will find out on Sunday! Next time I write I will be with the missionary that will be "killing" me! Crazy thought, huh?

 

Yup! Havin lots o success! Had another baptism this week! Rosario! She has been quite a project for us for the last few months! And this last week she finally decided to get into the water. Her husband still has not decided, but I think here soon he should be getting into the water. Maybe even this week, we will see though. The foto is in dropbox under "Baptism - Rosario"

In that foto there is also a picture of Elder Cortes, the Elder that was with us this week. He is from California, but today he got put with someone else... So we are back down to just 2 missionaries this week.

 

So I officially have eaten something even grosser then the last thing. This last week, I got the privelage to eat Cow heart! Yup... It was alright, until they told me what it was, yeah... Lets just say I did not eat more after.... And I flet pretty queezy after... Well, another wierd food added to the list of wierd things I have eaten in the mission. Also had Pig Skin again this week... But that aint nothin new. Jajaja, just another day in Mexico...

We took a joven out in the ward to go do splits with us, and had a few cool experiences! One of those was we put a baptismal date with an elderly man that just lost his wife this last week. The spirit came so strong and he immediatly accepted the date! He should be getting in the water this week as one of Ridds last baptisms! The joven just loved the lesson and I think we helped him with his decision on wether or not to go on a mission! It was cool. We are hoping to take him out again one of these days to give him more. He has had quite a hard time with all of these decisions!

Got to eat with President and his Wife again this week! It was delicious! Waffles this time! And I mean legit American WAffles! It was good! And we got to talk more on what President wants us to do with the mission! Its pretty cool now!!

Elder Cortes got super sick this last week! We got to the food, we ate and as we where heading out the subdivison he jsut starts hacking it all up on the road! Everywhere! It was funny, and said at the same time! So, we ended up going back to the house that day, so he could rest. He ended up going to the bathroom pretty much like every hour! Couldnt stop!

Here is the link for the fotos again: https://www.dropbox.com/home/Fotos%20from%20Elder%20Winslett

 

WEll, I think that is it, gotta run, but love youys alot! Finna talk to you next week!

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett 

7/22

Fam!

Lots of news this week, lets hope I can get it all typed up before I run out of time. This week and next, my letters might be a bit short. The reasoning is cuz Elder Ridd is going home in two weeks, and so there is some last minute stuff he wants to do, thus eating up alot of time! Anywho, onwards!

 

We had 2 baptisms this week, Isaac and Christian. The fotos are in the dropbox under "Baptism - Christian" and "Baptism - Isaac" Both services where awesome! And they both are awesome. Christian got the priesthood on Sunday, and Isaac should get it next week! Its awesome to see them progress! Here is the link for the fotos!: https://www.dropbox.com/home/Fotos%20from%20Elder%20Winslett

I had Apple Juice, though Orange Juice is pretty common here too! No toast or sweet rolls though. Jejejeje. I get to have another breakfast like that this week too! We are having another junta with President this week! Its gonna be bomb! So exctied!

 

Elder Hall is from Idaho Falls! He is super cool, too! Yeah I really like how he has made it to where we basically run the mission, and we make the rules up. Of course that is within a certain limit and boundaries!

 

 

Dont even worry about me getting trunky mom! I just get a bit trunky when I write you guys, that is all! The rest of the time I am working like crazy! Dont worry! Thats one of the cool things about being a zone leader, you are so buys all the time, you dont really have time to get trunky! Hahahaha

 

On to things that happened this week!

 

Well, we had those two baptisms this week, that was for starters. Ummm but I guess the bigger part, is we got put in a trio again! One of the assistants is going down this week and will be coming to our zone. But we have been asked to take care of his comp, while the old assitant trains the new assistant. So we will be with Elder Cortes for a few days this week, not many though! Elder Cortes is from California, so yeah! Its gonna be fun. He only has like 3 months in the mission! 

 

We also have been helping alot out with less active members, and so we are having a bunch of citas with them. There are a few that are struggling with testimonies and what not, so we are helping them. There is one in specific that we are trying to get animated to go out on the mission! But along with some family troubles and being disanimated, he is having trouble deciding wether he wants to or not. where going to help him out alot this week, and probably take him put with us this week. We will see how that works though.

 

Well, I think that is it for right now, sorry this has kindof been short, but I dont have much time! Gotta run!

 

Love you guys alot and hope to hear from you next week! 

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett

7/15

Sup guys, again! Well, this week was full of more changes! I will get to those a little bit later.

 

Thanks for wanting to take me for as much time as possible! I would like to stay longer, but everything is pointing to me going up right away. I just dont want to get a job down in houston, work there, then have to quit two months later. And then find another one up in Utah. If it was not for that, I would say adelante, I will stay home until the end of december.... But I dont think I could. It seems more logical to go up right away. I will probably go do some small jobs to keep myself busy while I wait before going up. Maybe brother burkey would mind an extra hand? Stuff like that to make some money before going up!

 

Yeah, Dropbox seems a bit more easier! So I will do it that way the rest of my mission, ok?

SEriously though, the drainage here sucks! IT always floods! No worries, not to much!

Well, the Bautizona we did was alright! The zone baptised 3, and I did not get a picture, sorry. We were hoping for better, but yeah. Our baptisms fell, and we dont know why yet. She dissappeared the dya of and we could not get a hold of her!

Found a golden investigator this week. Isaac is his name! He has so many desires to change! So yeah. Second lesson we taught he put the date for himself. We did not even have to ask! How cool is that! Hahahaha! He came to church yesterday and is already for his baptism on friday! Super cool guys, and he has handlebar mustache! Its so cool! I want one just like it! I iwll show you what I mean when I get a picture of him this week for the baptism! Hahaha!

Also have another baptism planned for Saturday, Christian is his name. He is super cool too! His girlfriend gave us the reference and he is so prepared as well! He has just had a bit of a hard time recently with job interviews and what not! Its been crazy! But yeah, now we have a good date and time! All ready!

The little girl we were going to baptise should get baptised this week as well, but we are not sure! We will see though!

So on Friday all the zone leaders in the mission went and meet up with President! and his wife. We had a legit American Breakfast! IT was soooooo delicious! Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and some fruit, along with some apple juice! MAde for a delicious meal! After breakfast though we went and had a lnog chat with president about some more things he wants to change, and we gave our opinions and everything. They are more minor changes, but nothing to excessive. I let you know if anything significant changes!

So yeah it is set and stone that I am coming home in September 16. There was a bit of time this week where President was debating on wether or not to send us home early or late. But yeah, we got a letter today that said that our generation is going home on time, and all the gens after are getting sent home 2 weeks later! MEaning our changes cycle is going to change a bit! But yeah, it will all still be the same for you guys in september, no worries!

Also, what would be the best approach at getting me up to utah? Just by plane, or drive? What is yalls opinion!?

Well, I think that is it! This week has been a bit crazy, but thats what makes everything so fun! Hahahaha.

I know I am just making myself trunky now... But I only lack my MTC time before going home! Can you believe that! only 8 more letters from me guys! (Im excluding this letter!) Crazy thought huh!?

Ok, Im done being trunky! Onward!

Pictures! https://www.dropbox.com/home/Fotos%20from%20Elder%20Winslett

"Nicest Church Ive Been In" Is the stake center here, and it is super nice! This is the chapel!

"Sundown in MC" Is just a cool sunset with the cities lights on!

"The End of the Trio" Is the last picture us three took. Elder Bobadilla is going to Argentina later today, his Visa just got here! Now it will be just me and Ridd!

Yeah, I think thats it. Love you guys alot and hope your weeks are awesoem!!!!

Lider de la Zona Elder TSFWWWPRB Winslett