February 11th 2013

We got a whole bunch of pictures this week...

The iron decided to heat up to about 10,000 degrees and it went straight through everything. ;)



Practicing for upcoming college basketball tryouts!!!

A couple of girls in the branch.

Just strikin' a pose for the camera. ;)

Last week's baptism.  (Part member family, getting them all in the watter!!!)

TRACTING!!!  This is life in Uganda.

Stacking bricks for service.  They make them out of mud, then build them into a kiln shape and fire them.

Standing in front of the Bardege Chapel (Last day in Gulu)

Hanging out with all the kids, they love white people!!! haha

Exhausted after a long day, not the sweat dripping at 9:30pm... haha

Missionary from Durbain, South Africa

9:23pm and still 87 degrees Farenheit.  WELCOME TO LIRA!!!

February 4th 2013

Hey guys!!! Another week down (and I actually wrote again!!! I'm ON A ROLL!!!)

My companion and I had a great week and we've worked hard, so hard in fact that we both fell into bed last night EXHAUSTED!!! It's a great feeling let me tell you!!! :P We had a baptism this week, but I can't send a photo, sorry...darn computers.haha Yesterday marked the end of a weird 3 week transfer, and today is the start of a new one, with our new companions and areas scheduled to be revealed on Wednesday. I'll be sure to let you know if we will be together another transfer or if we will be splitting.

Just a short spiritual thought for you this week, I know that I went a little overboard the past few weeks so I thought I'd give you a break...haha

The book of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon describes the Savior's visit to the Americas following his resurrection. During one of his discourses to the people he said: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed." (3 Nephi 18:20-21)

I want to encourage everyone to make it a common practice in the home to pray together as a family. I know that strength will come as a result and only good will be brought out in all the family members.

All my love to you this week!!!

-Elder Winters

January 28th 2013

Hey everybody!!! Greetings from Gulu (GOO-LOO in case any of you were wondering...haha)

This week has been great!!! Last Sunday I traveled to Kampala for a meeting with our mission president and didn't get back until Wednesday which really pushed us to work hard the duration of the week. The highlight of our week was finding an awesome family!!! We contacted a 20 year old guy during our day and set an appointment to come back and meet him and the family later that evening. We taught them all the Doctrine of Christ and set baptism dates with 7 of the family members. My companion is STOKED about these guys as am I and we have great hopes for them. In fact, the hopes and faith and prayers have paid off, all of the children ranging in ages from 10-22 (6 of them) came to church and enjoyed their time. I love teaching people who are potential missionaries. The fact is, that as we are pioneering things in Uganda here, the best way to do it is to find and teach those who will go on mission, learn and grow there, then come back and strengthen the church in their respective branches. I have loved helping young men (and a few young women) prepare to serve full time missions and I know that the good they will do the rest of their lives will be incredible!!!

Okay, spiritual thought for the week, I hope everyone was able to finish reading last weeks, I realize that I can sometimes be a little long winded and I'm sorry...haha

In the book of Genesis in the Old Testament we read the story of Jacob and Esau. This story takes a very short 6 verses, but there are many valuable lessons to be learned. In this narrative, Esau comes home after a long day's work to find Jacob his brother cooking a "mess of pottage" (or porridge). Esau is exhausted after his busy day and begs some of the pottage from Jacob. Jacob offers to sell the bowl of pottage for Esau's birthright which Esau readily accepts saying: "Behold, I am at the point of death; and what shall this birthright profit me?" Thus, Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.

The two things I would like to talk about from this story apply to our own lives very well. First!!! I want all of you to know that we each have that "mess of pottage" in our lives. There are "...sins which so easily beset [us]." (2 Nephi 4:18) These sins cause us to forfeit our birthright, or in other words, give away the great reward which is promised us. As we are on this mortal journey, we may "think" that we are "at the point of death" as Esau thought. How many times have we heard the young teenage girls complain that if they are not allowed to attend the Senior Prom at age 15 they will "DIE!!!" About a million times...and of course the cemeteries all over the U.S. and other countries are filled with graves of those unfortunate souls whose parents loved them enough to say "NO!!!!!" :D My testimony is that there is NOTHING more important than the spiritual salvation of each every one of us. No amount of money, or pleasure, or fame can make up for a lost soul. Jesus Christ put it well: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26) I personally wouldn't give ANYTHING in exchange for my soul, what about you???

There is one thing which if Esau had understood, would have changed his whole life and probably much of the Bible. That is understanding what your birthright really is. For us, we are literal sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father who wants the best for us. He has provided a plan which we must follow to be worthy to live with him again someday. If we follow this plan and hold tight to our birthrights, we are promised eternal life, which is to live with God, and become like him someday. YOU ARE A SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD, ACT LIKE IT!!!

Please take a moment to examine your life and ask yourself. "Is there a bowl of pottage which has become more important to me than my eternal salvation???" If so, please do all you can to repent and remove it from your life. Speak to your parents, bishop or close friends and ask for their support, that's what they are there for!!!

For some of you who know me you know what a great poet I am...hmmm haha there is not one word of truth in that entire sentence...haha Anyways, I tried to provide a few of the common "bowls of pottage" which affect us, maybe yours is there, maybe not. Either way, we need to remove anything which distracts us from God's great plan for us.

Power

Obscenities (haha, had to force that one a little...)

Traditions

Technology

Addictions

Gold (or money or anything else of cash value)

Enmity

Let's act like who we really are, rid our lives of distractions and enjoy the blessings of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you want to learn more about how to do this: "Ask the Missionaries" (or parents, or church leaders...haha)

Love you guys!!!! Have a great week. I promise I will!!!!

-Elder Winters

P.S. Congrats to all the mission calls, engagements, weddings, and anything else of interest which has happened over the past week. Keep the news coming, I LOVE IT!!

 

Zone leader counsel with President

See if you recognize any of these people

Me and my brother training two other brothers

A bag of Utah air I got in a Christmas package.  Yep, I breathed it all in to get a little Utah in me ;)

Nile river in Northern Uganda

 

Jan 21th 2013

Hey everyone!!! I must say this is a record for me this year. I don't think I have written twice in two weeks in a VERY LONG TIME!!! I might give you every excuse in the world, but nothing will work, so I won't even try. Let's just say that I got a little chastening from Jesus Christ as I was reading the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Verse 14 He says: "Let your light so shine before men that they may glorify your father who is in heaven." I thought back on some of the past emails I sent earlier in my mission and remembered how spiritually uplifting they were. I'm sorry that I got too "busy" to let my light shine, but I promise that every week for the next 14 weeks I will write something good to put up on the blog and go out to friends and family. :P

First things first about how my life is going, then something to share with you...We are now in a new transfer and I have been assigned a new missionary to train during his first transfer in the mission field. As I hope you can see by the picture he is TALL!!! I have not doctored that picture in any way. He measures in at 6' 6'' and compared to my puny 5' 7 1/2'' we make quite a pair. Haha ;P He is awesome though and I wouldn't trade him for the world. We've had a great time talking about home, and also how to adapt to the rigor of mission life!!! We had an incredible Sunday yesterday with 15 investigators at church, now to just help them KEEP COMING so that they can prepare themselves for baptism!!!!

Okay...on to the spiritual moment of the week. 1 of 14 to come...;D

I've been reading in the book of Alma and came to a really inspirational story of an incredible man. Chapter 48 speaks of a man named Moroni and says this:

"If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men" (vs. 17)

The first thing that popped into my mind when I read that verse was "What makes Moroni such a great guy?" I decided to read all the verses that spoke of Moroni and find the different qualities he had which made him so highly spoken of. The following verses will be taken from Alma chapter 48.

1. He was Strong and Mighty (vs. 11):

Moroni was physically and emotionally healthy and powerful. If we want to have more power over ourselves and Satan, we must also become stronger physically and emotionally. To help us achieve this, our Heavenly Father has given us commandments. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have a health code called the Word of Wisdom. It counsels us to abstain from taking: Alcohol, Tobacco, Coffee, Tea, and other harmful or addictive substances. (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89) We are promised by God that if we follow this counsel we will have "Health in our navel, and marrow in our bones" We are also promised the ability to "Run and not be weary, walk and not faint." As we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ and even human beings all around the world follow and obey these words, we will be able to become as Moroni was, Strong and Mighty!!!

2. He was a man of Perfect Understanding (vs. 11)

I imagine that Moroni was a man who had a love to learn. In today's society we see that a majority of young people feel like school is a task to be "finished" someday. If we want to increase in our understanding of all things, we must develop in ourselves a "LOVE TO LEARN!!!" This will create in us a desire to continue to learn throughout our lives even after the days of formal education have closed. Spiritual learning is just as important as temporal education. For those who have it available, we should attend the church's Seminary and Institute programs, as we do that we prepare ourselves for mission and life. If we do these things, we will develop as Moroni did, a perfect understanding of the purpose of life and what we can do to make our lives a success.

3. He did not delight in bloodshed (vs. 11)

We live in a world where wars and rumors of war abound every way we look. The violence of words and action are reported in the news and we even get updates on our nearest mobile device. Moroni, though a hardened general for his nation's military DID NOT delight in bloodshed. He looked upon the responsibility to fight and protect not as entertainment but something which unfortunately needed to be done. In the world today however, we have glamorized war and violence to the point that even children of age 10 and younger feel nothing to see human beings fighting and killing each other. We have contributed to this by the movies and video games we have created. In a handbook of standards given to the youth we read: "Satan uses media to deceive you by making what is wrong and evil look normal, humorous, or exciting. He tries to mislead you into thinking that breaking God's commandments is acceptable and has no negative consequences for you or others. Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable." (Strength of Youth, 11 [2011]) If we want to become more like Moroni and have more power against the temptations of Satan, we would do well to remove the overly violent media whether movies, books or video games, from our homes. There is no reason to bring violence into the home, inviting ourselves and our children to partake in such spiritually destructive material. As we remove these negative influences from our lives, we will have a greater capacity to recognize the Spirit and we will have a greater love for our families, friends and neighbors.

4. He did Joy in Liberty and Freedom (vs. 11)

Each of us is born with certain unalienable (God-Given) rights. Such rights as cited in the Untied States Declaration of Independence are, but not limited to: "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Moroni was dedicated to maintaining these freedoms and liberties for his people. As we become more devoted to our civic duties and take the time to research the various candidates and issues voted upon each elections we will be better able to preserve the freedoms which by right should be ours. One way we limit our freedom is by supporting ideas, groups and leaders who desire to remove these rights from our lives. We can't do this, when we do we will lose everything we know is good. Another way we can promote freedom and liberty is by sustaining the law and obeying it. Laws as small as a highway speed limits are important. Let us obey the law, sustain our leaders and promote freedom more in our lives!!!

I think that will have to be all for now, I wasn't planning on writing a novel, maybe we'll have to make a part two to come out next week with the last 3 items...haha I just want you to know that the scriptures are full of powerful role models for us to FOLLOW!!! As we do, our lives will be improved and we will be blessed.

Love you guys ALL OF YOU!!!! Have a great week!!!!

-Elder Winters

 

Crushing G-Nuts to make Peanut Butter

Me and my new Comp

Roast pork, and fried casava

Service Project- Harvesting Casava:  See it on the end.

Signata Water Pumping

January 7th 2012

 

Hey everyone...I guess it's been a while since I've emailed or had anything put up on the blog. Well...I'm still alive so nothing to worry about there.

Recent news in the Uganda Kampala Mission. I have been transferred to the Gulu zone in Northern Uganda where I've been serving for the past 4 or so weeks. It is SOOOO HOT HERE!!!! I don't think it gets above 85-90 degrees, but when you're talking about the humidity as well, well...It's hot, let's just leave it at that...haha

Things are going well and I'm learning new things every day. I find that I learn something from each companion and each area no matter whether the influence is good or bad. Recently we have had a zone resolution to "Look for the good in every person" and it has really changed my outlook on companions, investigators and all other people I'm around. As I have tried to be more understanding, patient and humble my life has been blessed so much. I want to encourage each of you to do the same things in your own lives. I promise you that as you do, you will feel the charity begin to swell within you and you won't have so much stress!!!

Anyways...all my love from here in Uganda!!!

-Elder Winters

December 24 2012

We got a bunch of pictures from Brandon over the holidays...

Pretty sweet, I don't know when this date will come around again...

Gotta have a replacement for Dad's cinnamon rolls...haha no way that's going to happen, but this is the second best...

Baptisms LAST week

My pregnant "mom" friend in Gulu (Branch President's wife)

Our apartment (4-man) The next two apartments are also for missionaries



Setting up the church for our branch Christmas party

Yah...that second sole is finished...one more to hopefully finish out the mission!!!

hmmm...maybe I put a little too much soap in that washing machine...haha

With a member's child. Enjoying that soda. HMMM!!!

This week's baptism

Havin' fun at the Branch Christmas party with some of the other elders ;P

Nov 26th 2012

Hey there Friends and Family!!! It has been quite a week for us here in Mbale, Uganda!!! Before I speak of myself though, I must give a HUGE shout out to my brother Kyle who will be soon ELDER WINTERS!!!! He has officially been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to labor in the Birmingham England Mission!!!! The only person happier than me right now is Kyle Winters himself!!! You have no idea what excitement has gone through the mission field as the announcement to lower the age of missionary service to 18 for young men and 19 for young women!!! We are STOKED!!!! We can't wait for the floods to start, especially here in the UKM where we have been experiencing a slight de-population problem...haha If you are a young man or young woman and currently are able to serve a mission, DO IT!!! One thing we will see is stronger families and stronger wards and branches because of the increased number of return missionary Sisters, and also the younger age and greater maturity of Elders. This is what God needs right now, strong leaders and parents to strengthen the rising generation!!!!

This week's highlight must definitely be the open house of our new building in Mbale!!! For the longest time the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been meeting in a rented building outfitted to be a girls hostel. Now however, we are in our new building which is owned outright by the church and is outfitted for our personal needs!!! The open house, which we have been planning for the last 4 weeks or so was an outstanding success!!! The senior couple here spearheaded things which we were very grateful for, we couldn't have done it without them. We were so excited to see 180 people show up for Sacrament Meeting which is a new record for the Mbale Branch!!!

So with all the open house preparation we have not been able to do much in the way of actual proselyting this week, it was a little slow, but has really helped to stoke the fire to finish the transfer on a strong note this week!!!

All my love from across the miles!!!

-Elder Winters

P.S. Read Alma 22:15 in the Book of Mormon. Hear what a Lamanite investigator has to say once he has heard the truth. Ask yourselves, "What am I willing to give up to know God?"

October 23rd 2012

Hey there everyone!!!! It's ME!!! haha

So another transfer has come and gone. This weekend through today

(Tuesday) we are dealing with the transfers of missionaries all around

the mission. Right now I am in Kampala doing some stuff at the mission

office and I was able to find a few minutes to email my favorite

friends and family. ;D

Not much with regard to transfer news, I'm going to be staying in

Mbale another transfer and bringing another companion in. I have not

had much luck at keeping companions, they seem to stick 6 weeks then

bounce...oh well. haha My new companion is called Elder Ngqoyiya, try

and pronounce that one first off...haha It is obviously a South

African name with the fun tongue click at the beginning.

(clickNOY-EE-UH) the click is on the "N" consonant. It is fun to

finally have someone with a really interesting African name!!!! haha

He is awesome and I was actually in the Busia district with him from

October to December of last year, so it has been a good reunion. We

are really looking forward to helping out Busia reach their highest

potential. Elder Stewart (another former companion) is the District

Leader there and I'm really looking forward to having him there to

keep things moving.

As far as the missionary work is concerned, we are working with a

really great family which Elder Barton (senior couple) found for us.

They are really great and we are hoping that they will progress in the

very near future to baptism and experience the blessings which come

from membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!!

I have such a strong testimony of this gospel. Jesus Christ the Son of

God DID come to the earth, He DID call 12 Apostles and He DID organize

His church. His church HAS been restored to the earth and is here as

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For those who don't

know this truth for themselves YET please take the time to check out

www.mormon.org or www.lds.org you will find many things which are of

eternal importance to you there. I know why I am out here in Uganda.

It is not easy, but it is worth it!!! Yesterday we sent home quite a

few missionaries (honorably of course...haha) and they all wished that

they could stay longer. Missionary work brings such great blessings to

the lives of Elders, Sisters and their families. I am so happy to hear

about the recent influx of missionary applications. KEEP THEM

COMING!!!!!

Love you guys, have a safe week and I'll talk to you next Monday!!!!

-Elder Winters

October 8th 2012

Hey there Family and Friends!!!! Another week has gone by, and another week has begun!!!

I just wanted to say hi from here in Mbale and share a few thoughts with you today...

Obviously, the first thing on everyone's mind right now is the General Conference which has just finished this past weekend.
I'm still blown away by the new revelation received by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve concerning missionary work. I just wanted to say something about that...when a new "church policy" comes out…. I have come to realize and have a testimony that God truly does "...reveal [everything] unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) This new policy regarding the age of missionary service is a REVELATION FROM GOD!!! I testify to you that it is, and every other announcement made over the pulpit (as well as the words spoken in the many talks) ARE for a fact directly from God!!! President Thomas S. Monson is God's called and ordained prophet on the earth. We have 12 LIVING Apostles who act as special witnesses of Christ. God lives and loves each and every one of us, that is why He has restored his church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the earth. "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." All of us must understand the importance of the Gospel and the Church in our lives. My District Leader mentioned this in one of the past District Development Meetings.

The Gospel is: The principles which we must follow and ordinances to obtain in order to receive eternal life.
The Church is: The vehicle which God uses to help us learn and obtain the ordinances of the Gospel.

I testify that God's priesthood, His power and authority is on the earth. It is used only for the betterment of man and the moving forward of God's work. We must seek to gain a testimony of this fact, for that is why we are here, to prepare to meet God.

I love you guys, and miss you bunches!!!!

-Elder Winters



The Garden of Eden, aka, Sipi Falls!



September 17th 2012

HEY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!! I wasn't able to say anything about the 9/11 anniversary, but all of us American missionaries were thinking about it. When something such as 9/11 happens to a country people remember it the rest of their lives. Just as people still remember Pearl Harbor so many decades after, 9/11 will remain in the hearts of people for the rest of time. It got me to thinking about some of the prophesies of the second coming speaking about wars and rumors of wars. The Second Coming of our Savior is approaching. I don't know how far. We need to follow the admonition of Amulek in Alma 34:32 "This is the time to prepare to meet God, this is the time to perform our labors." You may ask, what exactly are the labors which we need to perform? Well let me tell you...For us to be prepared to meet God, we must follow the Gospel which Jesus Christ taught and established: Develop Faith in Jesus Christ, Repent of our sins, Be baptized by immersion by someone who holds the priesthood authority of God, Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost from someone who holds the aforementioned Priesthood, and Endure to the end of our lives keeping the commandments of God. If we do these things, then we will be prepared whether Christ comes tomorrow, or in 20 years. This is the time, let's use it wisely.

This Saturday, my new companion from Zimbabwe and I had a baptism of a wonderful girl. She was referred to us by several members and she came to church for many weeks straight. We were able to participate in her baptism and confirmation this weekend and my joy is full. I am continuing to work hard and as the final 8 months of my mission tick by, I am going to put more and more effort into finding those souls who are prepared to receive the ordinances of the Gospel. For any who are reading this post not having partaken of the fullness of the Gospel, here is my invitation today. Please reach out for the hand which is stretched out, waiting, pleading for you to come. This is the only way and there is no other way under heaven by which man may receive a remission of his sins.

I love you all!!! Thanks for being such great friends and family.

-Elder Winters



This Week's Baptism




Me and my new Companion from Zimbabwe



September 3rd 2012



burger was 20,000 shillings, but worth it!!!




Dinner with a RC family




Yes...we do wash our truck...but it gets a little dirty after road trips ;D)






Sipi Falls- Zone Activity



August 27th 2012

Just a couple of pictures this week...

August 13th 2012

Good to be back in contact with you after a week of hard work and stress!!!! It really is a relief to sit down to the computer and read about what is going on at home. First things first I guess...CONGRATULATIONS TO THE U.S.A. OLYMPIC TEAM!!! It has been fun watching things (as much as I can "legally" as a missionary of course...haha) The newspapers here always have something on the Olympics so I have been able to keep pretty up to date. The athletes were incredible this year. I'm so proud to be an American!!!

But, enough of the worldly world...haha. Mbale has treated me great this first full week here. We are really working hard with the members to become more involved with missionary work. Since Mbale is still a relatively new branch we are still getting the different church programs implemented so that the church can function smoothly. Right now I am working with the Young Men's organization getting the teaching schedule set up and also working on getting people excited for a mutual night each week. If things move smoothly with the young men, we will work to get the young women involved as well. A focus we have here is to prepare young men to serve missions. We have several really great young men and if pushed they will make it!!! The first ever missionary will be leaving Mbale in 3-4 weeks. The Elders here have done a great job at preparing him and we look forward to carrying on the legacy!!!

This week we had the opportunity to travel to Busia (one of my previous areas) for a Zone Development Meeting. It was fun to be back in an old area and see a few of the people I love and care for. This coming Friday we will be having a combined Zone Conference with the Mbale and Iganga zones, we will be traveling to Bugembe (another of my previous areas) for that meeting. It is weird that I'm getting to go to all my old areas this transfer. Hopefully things will work out in the future so that I will be able to see Kajjansi and Ntinda again. We'll see. As a mission progresses, things just work out to be able to see recent converts, members and old areas. I LOVE IT!!!

MISSION IS INCREDIBLE!!! If you are of mission age (whether male or female) please make the decision now to GO!!!

I'll do my best to keep you up to date with things here, it is very difficult though to say the things you want to hear. If you really want to know something, please let my parents or one of my siblings know. Another great way to communicate with me is through www.DearElder.com it is free, easy and really makes an Elder's day!!!!

You guys are the best!!! Have a great last week of Summer then get to work with school and all that stuff!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

New Missionary house: almost finished.



Me and my Comp



Aug 6th 2012

Hey guys!!! It feels like at least 2 weeks since I last emailed even though it really has only been a shorter time cuz I was able to email on Tuesday last week....:P\

Just some quick updates on things here in my new area of Mbale, with my new companion from Kenya. We really had to work hard this week because we didn't get back to Mbale till Wednesday night late so we only worked Thursday-Sunday. We were able to pack in some great work though and found many people to prepare for baptism. All in all, we are hoping for a great transfer!!!

So my new area actually has a truck which we are able to use sometimes, this is a great blessing but also a fun opportunity to have. In Uganda they drive like the UK, on the left side of the road, from the right seat of the car. It has been a pretty interesting becoming accustomed to this new setup, but I've adapted pretty well and it feels very natural now. :)

Mbale is a great area and I think I'm really going to enjoy myself here. I have met most of the members now and am praying that I will remember all their names. :) We had 131 at church yesterday and our goal is to have 200 by the time we end the transfer. We are moving to a new building sometime near the end of the month

Kind of a shorter email today, I'm getting used to the new internet cafe and stuff. They have a big screen tv with the Summer Olympics playing!!! Right now, the rowing is on, and I just watched a Canadian take the 1000M kyack race by a great distance!!! I've still got my maternal Canadian blood in me!!! :P

Today I just wanted to share something spiritual with you, cuz I am a missionary and that is what I do...haha

I have been looking at several of the "tender mercies" which our Heavenly Father has shown to his children, the examples in the Book of Mormon are especially telling. Mosiah 27:16 "...remember the captivity of they fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and rembember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage and he has delivered them." Alma 9:22 "Yea and after having been delivered of God out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now." Mosiah 25:10 "...when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage they did raise their voices and give thanks to God." Alma 5:6 "...have you sufficiently retained in remembrance [God's] mercy and longsuffering towards [His people] and moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?"

These are just a few of the examples of God's mercy and love towards his children, and give us an assurance that he will continue to love and bless US today. Our Heavenly Father has always been fully committed to helping his children both temporally and spiritually. A scripture in 2 Nephi 4:26-28 is excellent in helping us to see the importance of understanding and remembering this in our own lives.

"O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorry, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy. Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."

This is a great truth that is so vital to understand. True, we experience quite a bit of difficulty throughout our lives, but we must think about how much God HAS blessed us. During my mission I have experienced quite a few trials whether that is areas, companions, or investigator problems, I have seen the mercy of God through all those trials. Just yesterday a man that I was working with very hard back in Kajjansi was baptized. That gave me so much hope, especially since I also received news that another family I was working with have received permission to be baptized (previously they were having marriage problems...). Life is very good and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father as an Elder in his church.

I want you all to know how much I love and care about you!!! Congratulations to all the people who have recently returned home from their missions and found eternal companions. Thanks for all the wonderful letters keeping me up to date on those important matters...;P

Have a great week and enjoy the Olympics!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

July 31th 2012

  

Hello Everyone!!!

Sorry for the "scare" I put into everyone emailing a WHOLE day late!!!! haha ;P As many of you may know, we are going through our transfer time so I was unable to write. My time in Kajjansi has come to an end.  I guess you are all wondering where in the great country of Uganda Elder Winters is going... I have been sent back to the Eastern parts of Uganda and will be serving in Mbale (EMM-BALL-AY). I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to work harder and serve more people. Every transfer, every area, every companion brings new learning experiences and this transfer is no different. My new companion was actually my second Zone Leader on mission. It his his last transfer so in missionary lingo I'm "Killing" him!!!!  I want him to remember our transfer together and be grateful for working hard to the end. He is from Kenya, Nairobi.

I want to share my testimony with you of something today. I haven't done that very recently and I apologize...;P As I have been reading the Book of Mormon and studying with other missionaries we have found a scripture which contains some great truth. As Jesus Christ was teaching his disciples among the Nephites He taught them His gospel. Prior to his leaving, he called and ordained men to go forth and preach the gospel. In 3 Nephi 28:23 we read of the results of their efforts. "And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephi, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ, and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus." The important thing I want us to pick from this verse is the fact that the people were converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people around the world think that simply joining a church that teaches from the Bible or worships God or whatever is good enough...but we learn here that that is not true. We must be converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Faith and Repentance can come on their own in our individual lives, but Baptism and Receiving the Holy Ghost MUST be done by someone holding the authority of God and that is where the Church of Jesus Christ comes in. God has given his power and his authority to one church, his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If we want to truly and fully follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we too, like the disciples of old MUST unite ourselves with the Church of Christ. I testify to you that there is no other way that we can be saved in the kingdom of heaven. Straight forward truth!!!!

I love you guys!!! Continue to enjoy the Summer as I know you are!!!

Love,
Elder Winters

July 23rd 2012

Several pictures this week...



"We go, we go!!! Uganda Cranes we Go!!!" (Cranes Football fans, ready for a game!!!!) jk




YEP!!! We've got a Wal-Mart in Uganda!!! haha




"I think she's interested...Let's set an appointment!!!"




Quick stop for dinner. That is a literal pile of banana peels on the newspaper. LOVE EM'!!!!!




We caught this HUGE BUG in our apartment. Of course, Elder Winters the Crocodile Hunter had to let it walk up his arm!!! :P




Kajjansi Chapel in the upstairs loft of our building