Feliz Navidad!

Oh boy, where do I start!?

We taught Miguel for the FIRST TIME! He is ready for baptism but is having trouble with his family but he loves the Book of Mormon. Oh did I mention HE IS 16 YEARS OLD?! Yeah. Crazy. Oh and after our lesson, we went to contact some menos activos and Miguel came with us and showed us around Fresnillo. He is an INCREDIBLY kind young man. Pray for him and his family. We also taught Teofilo, menos activo, tiene 70 years old y he can't hear SQUAT. Which is hilarious for me because of my broken Spanish:

Me:      "¿Teofilo, que significa Dios en su vida?"

Teofilo: "¿Que?"

Me:      "¿TEOFILO, QUE SIGNIFICA DIOS EN SU VIDA?"

But the cool thing is that his wife, who isn't a member, was there and she felt the Spirit. It was truly amazing.

We have no idea what happened to Giselle. (He-sell) We taught her once, it went great and we even set up a new appointment, but she wasn't there and she hasn't been at her house ever since. I think she is on vacation con her familia... at least that is what I hope. 

Mission Christmas activity in Zacatecas. I am the only "gringa" missionary.

I love my zone!!!! My district is hilarious. Elder Moncur, Elder Vercruz, Elder Ortiz, Elder Ibañez y nosotros. Elder Ortiz y Elder Ibañez are SO funny and incredibly helpful with my Spanish... but they did give me a regalo ... it was one of those "toy" tattoos that you make with water yada yada yada. Well, the tattoo is "Wera"... which means "white girl" in Español. Bahahahaha! It was hilarious. 

My new companion Hma. Moreno, from Sonora, Mexico.

Navidad en Mexico is AMAZING!!!!!! Comida Comida Y MAS COMIDA! Our ward had an activity with SONGS, like, thousands of Christmas songs, and comida, and dances. I love Christmas here! Also, the Relief Society bought us blankets because they knew we were freezing in the night! GAH. Miracle!!!!! I am officially warm every night. And they gave us bags and BAGS of dulces. Y Miguel AND Teofilo were there!!! I am loving Mexico.

 

I found Hma. Calderon, my first companion at the MTC.

The Relief Society heard we were cold at night, and gave us blankets for Christmas.

We also had an actividad en Zacatecas with 2 zones and the mission president. And guess who was there! HMA CALDERON!!! I was going to cry I was SO happy to see her!!!!! All of us gave gifts to each other and of course, we ate MORE FOOD. Tamales y salsa SUPER picante. 

 

Comida, comida y MAS comida!

Christmas with my mission president and his wife, Pres. and Hma. Villarreal.

We also taught Soledad, investigadore. Wow. Teaching her about the Atonement and having her WHOLE family there in a teeny tiny living room.... I cannot explain how MUCH the spirit was there. For 4 years her husband sexually abused her and yet, she still loves God. We sang, "I Stand All Amazed" at the beginning and SHE said the opening prayer. HER testimony strengthened mine. Only through our Savior Jesus Christ can we do it ALL.

Oh and whoever is called to Mexico on their mission, you will be HUMBLED pretty dang quick. I have eaten at homes where they pull out there FINEST silverware and cook their finest food for you, and they won’t even START eating until you have food in front of you. I am humbled and blessed to be here. I love each and every family here. I am BLESSED.

I can NOT wait to talk to you [on Christmas]!!!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!

-Hermana Winsor

FINAL MENTE

Wow, I am actually in Mexico....kind of a nightmare. But I am HERE! And the keyboards are super hard to type on, jaja!

Well, was supposed to leave on Monday but because of bad weather in Dallas.The flight was cancelled the night before but we didn't find that out until we were at the check-in line 2:30 in the morning. So I spent 2 more nights at the MTC and let’s just say, I was not feeling very Christ-like.

We get our flight plans for WEDNESDAY (which was a miracle) and I counted down every second for that moment. Wednesday comes along, we take a train to SLC airport and get on a plane to LAX. I was so happy NOT to see the snow; after tearing my shoulder, snow and I are NOT friends.

Anywho, we get to LAX with little time to run across to a completely other terminal - through customs - through lines. I really wanted to call home but had NO time. So we get on our 5½ hora flight to La Ciudad de Mexico. Elder Wilson and I were flight buddies and we sat next to un hombre se llama Enrique. El es de Argentina! He is a man who loves God and is super catholic. But he loved talking to us and it was very helpful to practice my Spanish before actually being in Mexico.

We landed in la aeropuerto en la Ciudad de Mexico and this is where everything goes DOWN. We have to scan our Visas, find nuestras moletas (baggage), go through immigration, go put our bags on our plane and go through security. Well, three people in our group didn´t get their tickets to Ciudad to Aguascalientes before they went through security. So 4 of us went through security just fine and 3 American sisters were sent to "check-in.” Well, let´s just say we all missed our flight and by this time it is 11:00pm and I am EXHAUSTED. Oh and bytheway, everyone around us does NOT speak English. Duh.

So we go past security to go find the other sisters and call the MTC Travel Office. We definitely got chastised because apparently we were supposed to get on our flight no matter what. Um, yeah... the 4 of us weren´t going to leave 3 American sisters (one of them being my companion at al CCM) en un aeropuerto en Mexico by themselves.

The travel office told us they sent a bus driver to take us to the dormotorios by the temple en Ciudad de Mexico. Well, after an hour of searching we find the sisters who were sent left, right, up, down...not being able to understand anything... and we were all frazzled. I was just happy to be all together again. That´s when I bought a phone card and called mis padres. THAT was muy muy MUY dificil. That was the only moment where I asked myself "What the FREAK did I sign up for?!" Sorry mom and dad, but I sobbed like a small child after the phone cut us off. But hey, I only embarrassed myself a little. :)

Well, we were taken to the dormotorios, but that day was El Dia de Guadalupe. AY. Muchas MUCHISIMAS personas in the street along with a crapload of cars. Oh and bytheway, everyone here drives CRAZY. Nothing stops them. NADA. We almost hit carro policia and even our driver honked at him but we didn´t get in trouble. Bienvenido a Mexico, no? So, at this point, NONE of us have our luggage and we hadn´t eaten ANYTHING so we are all delusional, hungry, frazzled, tired....everything. We get to the dormotorios in one piece and we´re given dulces (candy), jugo (juice) and a lot of sweet (literally, sugar everywhere) food. We sleep in our dresses and suits and I don´t have my toothbrush or deodorant, and apparently in Mexico...heaters do not exist because I was FREEZING.

We wake up the next morning at 6:30am and eat breakfast and meet by the temple at 8am for another bus to take us to the airport to make our 1:00pm flight. Well, my teacher told us that people in Mexico are late to EVERYTHING and it´s true... we were picked up at 9:15am...pues, at least we were FINALLY going to the airport. Hmo. Serrano from the CCM (MTC) in Mexico City picked us up and he was with us EVERY step of the way in the airport. Getting tickets, translating, baggage (oh wait, we didn´t have any...HAH. chiste. (joke)) But I was VERY grateful for him and his willingness to stick with us gringos.

Our flight to Aguascalientes was 45 minutes long. And let me tell you, Aguascalientes is BEAUTIFUL. It is farmland with pockets of cities. And the weather here is like California´s pero MUCHO MEJOR. We got our luggage in the teeny tiny airport and there was Presidente Villarreal y su eposa Hma. Villarreal and two Elders! I love the President and his wife SO much. They speak very little English but they are VERY loving and patient. And the mission home is BEAUTIFUL. We had an amazing dinner and let´s just say... I was hit in the face by the Mexican culture in the FACE. They just keep giving you food and you have to keep eating it. No matter what happens...explosion, diahhrea or vomit. Nothing can stop you!

We emailed home, had an interview/blessing with the President (in complete Spanish!) and had a devotional and I played the piano!! And apparently only 3 people in the mission play the piano, perfecto!! We are then taken to a home with otras hermanas (natives) and holy cow, no entiendo NADA. Everyone speaks freakishly fast but I have been complimented multiple times "For a gringa you speak Spanish REALLY well!" Pues, gracias. They were all loving and helpful... and absolutely hilarious. They were really surprised that I knew frases como "Orale, Hijole...".

The next day we had a meeting 8am to 3pm in the capilla (the chapel) where we were taught about the food, adjusting, and our companions! My new companion is HERMANA MORENO! And our area is Fresnillo :) I played the piano again for the meetings. We took a bus for 3 hours and we arrived in Fresnillo at11:45pm, I was EXHAUSTED. The zone leaders Elder Lambert y Elder Hermansen were waiting for us. They told us we have two investigators ready for baptism! WHAT?!?!?! Giselle y Miguel!!! I am SO excited!

We were then taken to our casita (teeny tiny house) and let’s just say I am humbled. I have NO room to complain - absolutely none. We have to wash our clothes manually, our house has NO heater so it´s freezing in the morning and night and we have to manually make hot water to bathe ourselves.... it is so hard, but I am humbled EVERYDAY. 

We have had two meals with families is the ward and let me tell you I almost explode every time but good thing the food is SO DANG GOOD. I love the food....Mexican food is SO great. Very, VERY spicy, but super delicioso. Our ward, Barrio Alto, is SUPER pequeño. There was about 14 people in Sacrament and 17 by the end of sacrament, there was about 10 people in Principios del Evangelio y about 8 hermanas en la Sociedad de Socorro. Es porque ESTAMOS AQUÍ! The ward has A LOT of menos activos... but we are here! By the way, everyone speaks incredibly fast....no entiendo nada. Pero, Presidente promised in 3 months I will be fluent by the end of this transfer!

Oh by the way, we found on the wall of our house la boca de un SHARK. No se porque....porque no? haha. Yesterday we taught Giselle and it went great! El don del lenguas es verdadera!!! Oh and we also had a meeting at the stake center which was supposed to start at 5pm... but, the only people that showed up were the missionaries in Fresnillo…at 6pm, the stake president, the bishops in the stake showed up and there was about 30 people in the meeting...hahaha! The Mexican culture is hilarious.

Also, yes, Mexicans shove as many people possible into a car. Trust me, I have been in plenty cars now with more people than there are seats. I love it.

Okay, I literally have NO time...we made a contact today in una tienda named Elsa and she came up to us asking if we could teach her and her family! MIRACLE! I was in shock afterwards. We are going to try to find her house and teach. I am SO nervous but extremely excited!!! 

I know this Gospel is TRUE! Me amo mi Salvador. Yo se que necesitamos El Libro de Mormon para que podamos volver a Dio y tener felicitad. Me amo Español y todos los personas en Aguascalientes. Yo se que vive mi Señor!

I love you Mom and Dad!!! And mom, I don´t know the address to my casa but the package will be at the mission home, keep praying!!!! :) I will receive it I promise. There is a way! I love you all!!!!!

-Hermana Winsor

Final shots from the MTC in Provo:

Exuberant missionaries looking forward to their uneventful flight to Mexico.

With MTC instructor Hermano Porter (far right).

We have no idea about the excitement of the next 72 hours!

 

Missionary swag ... LONG before their Mexican flight.

Oh, how I just want to go to Mexico now!

This week was just trial after trial, AFTER TRIAL.

So Tuesday morning, we wake up early to go to our service project and we wake up to SNOW!!!!! I was SOOOO excited! And on our way, Hma Calderon & I start throwing snowballs at each other and I definitely slip and land on my shoulder. It hurt like HECK but I got over it. 

Well, fast forward to when we were walking to volleyball, we go into the gym with our wet shoes and while playing volleyball Hma. Calderon slips and catches herself weird on her elbow. Well, at lunch we both go to Main Campus Medical Clinic because we are in excruciating pain. I can't move my arm very much and Hma. Calderon can't bend her elbow. I find out I tore a small part of my shoulder muscle but I'm told I'm able to take it off in 3-4 days and Hma. Calderon is told she MIGHT have a hairline fracture in her elbow and has to get an xray. 

So we're both in slings and in pain, and now we're going to the BYU Student Health Center Urgent Care to get an xray. We get the xray (we're told to go to the Campus Clinic or a Sports Medicine Doctor the next day to find the results) and go back to the Main Campus to make it in time for the Devotional. Well, Hma. Calderon was given "pain meds" and she had a TERRIBLE reaction...she barely remembers anything from the devotional. We found out later that the medicine is equivalent to a horse tranquilizer... HER DOCTOR gave her that.... oh the struggle is SO real.  

So we go to bed at 8pm that night and I prayed SO much that night. I mean, we leave Monday - I could care less about my shoulder and I want my companion to leave Monday with me. I didn't sleep AT ALL that night... I literally slept for maybe 3 hours. 

The next day, we go to the clinic to have the results read....but the doctor is 1 hour late and comes in telling us he hadn't talked to the radiologist yet. WHAT?! Ohhhh paattiiieennnccee. 

So the secretary takes Hma. Calderon's insurance, etc. and sends us off to the Sports Medicine doctor. Oh and bytheway, Hma. Calderon and I are famous. A companionship in slings? Both slipped the same day? Both hurt the right arm? Yeah... it was a hilarious sight. We go to the Sports Medicine doctor and he checks her elbow and gives her different, non-tranquilizing pain medicine. 

Anywho, I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES because Hma. Calderon does NOT have a fractured elbow but only a bruise on her bone. She leaves Monday with me!! I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!!! So she was given a sleeve to wear on her elbow to protect from bumping and hurting her (even though it apparently hurts all the time). I'm off my sling, the shoulder is stiff but I'm grateful we're all okay! So we spent +10 hours in doctors office.... I was GRATEFUL to be done with that. 

Well, so I thought - the next day (the day of In-Field Orientation) I woke up at 5am feeling like I was going to throw up... luckily I didn't, but the problem was... the room was spinning and I was getting waves of pain & nausea. I could not move, it was kind of ridiculously scary. 

We went to the medical clinic EARLY in the morning and the same doctor who diagnosed my shoulder, diagnosed this: I apparently have an viral ear infection, which is causing me to have Vertigo and ... I have the flu. How hilarious is this Plan of Salvation?? Of course this would happen 4 days before I leave for Mexico. BUT I'm grateful for my trials... I have been positive and I have witnessed the blessings/miracles.

I am grateful for the mountains I get to climb each day... I know my Savior went through A LOT more than I ever will go through.  I'm grateful to be a missionary! This week has been rough and it has truly tested my patience/positivity... but I feel proud of what I was able to accomplish.

After my scare on Thursday, we went to In-Field Orientation at Main Campus (where all the missionaries about to leave go and learn MORE) and I am SUPER pumped for Monday. I can't wait to experience NEW things every single day and be able to struggle and grow. The orientation was a 8am-6pm ordeal and my body was FEELIN' it. The doctor gave me medicine to lower the dizziness but the problem is, it makes me SUPER tired. But it gets the job DONE! I can't WAIT for Mexico... I love the MTC but BOY am I DONE. 

We had a cool experience while at Main Campus going back and forth from doctor's offices. We were at lunch and this lady asks if she can sit next to us. I say "Of course!" and we all get talking. Apparently her friend (who is a member) told her about the MTC and how she can help the missionaries practice. The woman's name was Sarah and she had NO idea who we were. Well, to make things short... WE TAUGHT HER THE FIRST LESSON IN ENGLISH. Yes, we were in slings and in pain but we taught a REAL investigator... it was AMAZING! She asked REALLY hard questions too and we were able to pause, think and rely on the Spirit! After we left, Hma. Calderon and I just looked at each other like "What in the world just happened?!" I think that was Heavenly Father's reminder of "Hey, remember why you're here?? Yeah. This isn't about YOU - stop whining!!!" It was a GREAT reminder!

Okay HERE IS THE OFFICIAL ITINERARY: Monday, December 9

Depart: Salt Lake City 6:15am

Arrive: Dallas 10:05am (2 HOUR LAYOVER)

Depart: Dallas 12:20pm

Arrive: Aguascalientes 2:45pm

I will call (mom) in the 2 hour layover! BE CLOSE TO YOUR PHONE!!!!

I can't wait for Mexico and I love my trials which are preparing me to be a better missionary. I am STOKED to meet the ward, my mission president and my companion. Don't get me wrong, I am flippin' nervous! I am SO blessed to go to Aguascalientes and to love the people more than I already do! I've been packing/cleaning like crazy... Mom, you'd be proud! :) Please pray that I'll be able to focus and not feel sick while traveling. Pray that my ears will be HEALED! :) I'm grateful for this hilarious Plan and what else Heavenly Father has planned for me. 

I love you all! I hope you are safe and STAYING safe! I can't wait to hear all about Christmas! LE AMO LE AMO LE AMO LE AMO LE AMO!!!!!! :)

-Hermana Winsor

PS I HAVE 3 DAYS LEFT!

Can you believe?

Can you believe that I have 10 more days left in the MTC?! Where has the time gone?! :)

This past week has been full of ups and downs - pero eso es la vida de un misioneria! We said goodbye to 2 districts on Sunday before they left for the field the next morning - THAT was muy dificil! Pero, it also made me even MORE excited to go. I canNOT wait to get to Aguascalientes!

Oh and um, pues, I am officially the Sister ZONE Training Leader. Whaaaat?! Yeah, and we only have 6 hermanas in our whole zone and I only have 10 days left. Well, better work hard these next 10 days, no?

So Carlos has been going to Church and preparing for baptism REALLY well!!! He is also praying with his wife Maria and even Maria went to church with him!!! ORALE!!!! And our previous lesson with Merido actually went really well THANK GOODNESS GOSH DANG IT! I was getting so frustrated - but I literally wrote his questions on a piece of paper and studied the HECK out of them. And then when his lesson came, I was able to confidently answer them. And as we taught him, I felt as if we were tearing the wall down between us. It's an amazing feeling:)

One of the scriptures we shared was Abraham 3:24-25 and we taught that we are here to PROVE ourselves. Heavenly Father lets a little suffering to happen so we can learn to TURN to him! It was awesome!

Here's a volibol update: getting better, we received 2 new elders who are taller than 6'5" and they both are AMAZING at volleyball. But they get me super pumped because all they do is palm the ball/spike the ball. My goal is to block a spike one day! :) Bruises still cover my knees and I'm sore all the time - but it's good, right?

I HAVE MY FLIGHT PLANS FOR DECEMBER 9th!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!!! I have to be at the travel office at 2:30am .... good thing El Evangelio es VERDADERO! :) But here is the plan, THIS NEXT P DAY, I will tell you when I will call. I can call at the airport either in SLC or Dallas Airport. But December 9th, be prepared for a phone call!!! :) :) Yep, you heard me RIGHT! PHONE CALL! (I almost forgot what a phone was.)

We have had some awesome devotionals...

1. Michael John Teh: We sang "Jesus Once of Humble Birth" in the choir. Elder Teh talked about Hastening the Work of Salvation and how we should be like Ammon and Alma the Younger.

"Gone are the days where they say 'There they go!' and here are the days where they say 'HERE THEY COME!!'" -Holland

How will my mission end? Like Ammon's and Alma's?

How do I want my "story" to end for my mission?

2. El Dia de Accion de Gracias: ELDER RUSSELL M NELSON came and spoke!!! :) :) I was in the SAME room as another apostole de Dios! His wife spoke about 1 Cor. 13:11 My mission is to grow me from being a child to un mujer. "Let your mission change you!" I love that. LET it change me... LET the Atonement work. Also, Elder Nelson asked the missionaries some questions:

"What are you grateful for?" (I'm grateful for the mountains I get to climb!)

"What do I want to gain from my mission?" (I want to gain Charity and Love. I want to constantly see others as children of God, no matter what!!!!)

He also talked about our converts and our choice to serve a mission. "You will be called 'blessed' by those who you bring happiness to - YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED, so never forget your converts." Also, I cannot be a distraction to my companion(s) and investigators. I am a representative of Jesus Christ, I can NEVER forget that. 

"Having character is much better than being one."-Nelson

It was also awesome how he told us, we are entitled to inspiration - all I have to do is look into the eyes of my investigators. Their eyes open up to their soul. I am not called to teach lessons and recite passages, I am called to serve and teach people! He also advised us to, "Be alert! Listen carefully!"

Also, here is a challenge for all of ya'll - read in the Topical Guide pg.240 "Jesus Christ" and make that your core curriculum! And keep your spiritual batteries charged by working in ACTION, SEEKING OUT and SERVING. Then to ALWAYS be armored in righteousness. We sang in el coro tambien, "Hope of Israel". 

Also, we were at the Main Campus for all of el dia de gracias and we had thanksgiving lunch .... HEAVEN FOOD. But, Mama, you still make THE best stuffing...and pumpkin pie and definitely the BEST turkey. After, Elder Donovan y Wilson and Hma. Caldeon y yo walked to the Provo Temple and took pictures but my shoes rubbed my heels raw and they were bleeding pretty bad. I begged if we could go back and get some bandaids. Funny thing is, we watched Ephraim's Rescue (similar to 17 Miracles .... super sad) and I was humbled pretty quickly. I have NO room to complain -Hijole, I have moleskin!

Also, a week before El Dia De Accion De Gracias I wrote everyone in my district a "thank you" letter. I am SO grateful for EVERYONE in my district - I literally have gained 4 brothers and 1 sister. I love them all so much.

We also had a service project where we filled/made 350,000 (literally) cajas con lentil soup bags for hungry children in Utah. Lo fue MUY divertido!!!

Come fue su Dia de Accion de Gracias??

Les extrano MUCHISIMO! Estoy muy feliz en el CCM y estoy agradecida por la oportunidad de servir en Aguascalientes. Estoy agradecida por mis padres, me encanto mi Mama y mi Papa MUCHO! Sin mis padres, no se a donde estaria. Estoy agradecida por Caleb, Kim, linda Alexandra, Poopy pants ... I mean Danny, Melanie y Brittany! Me encanto mis hermanos, y les extrano mucho! Espero que estan bien y les amo! Estoy agradecida por la obra misional y las montanas puedo montar. Yo se que El Evangelio de Jesucristo es en la tierra HOY. Yo se que Presidente Thomas S. Monson es un profeta de Dios. Dios envio Su hijo para que podriamos tener felicidad y misericoridoso. Estoy agradecida por mi Salvador, Jesucristo. Me amo mi Redentor y Hermano. Siento La Expiacion de Jesucristo todos las dias! Por favor, leeran El Libro de Mormon y oraran? El Libro de Mormon es un instruccion libro por felicidad y gozo y paz! 

Soy un Mormon.

Lo se.

Lo vivo.

Lo encanto.

I love this work and I am SO happy! It's hard being here, but it is SO worth it. Thank you to ALL who support me, I am SO blessed. I feel your prayers everyday I am here. Remember, COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT! :) :)

Dios sera con usted,

Hermana Winsor

Gym time - TIEMPO FOR VOLIBOL!!!

Half our district at the huge map at the Main Campus.

Yes, I sleep con mi Santa Vaca (Holy Cow). Thanks Grandma!

What missionaries do between classes.

Look who I found!   Ashley Carroll, and...

...and Natalie Stewart!

Hermanas Winsor, Sutton, Calderon y Geddes; Elders Wilson, Donovan y Woodfield.
(Oh, and Elder McDowell is the creeper in the back.)

CanNOT wait to meet my Mission President and his wife - una mas semana!