September 5, 2016

Hello everyone. Sorry it is kind of late but with it being my last day in the MTC we were given computer time from 8:30-9:30. Hopefully this doesn't bother anyone and everyone is doing well :)

To give you an update on me: as of Saturday night I weigh 190, I ate 6 chick fil a sandwiches tonight, and every day my testimony grows stronger. I have had some really cool experiences this week that I am excited to share with all of you.

I want to start by talking about tonight. Some might think to keep this as a personal experience and not share it with everyone, but that would be only thinking of myself and not sharing the blessings of the mission with others. Because we leave tomorrow we gave everyone blessings for comfort through their missions. I was able to bless Elder Beck, My companion Elder Edwards, and my good friend Elder Parkinson. Elder Parkinson blessed me as well, and through all of that I have never felt the spirit so strong. It was amazing to see how the blessings were not the words of the elders, but the words of our heavenly father. The resemblance Elder Parkinson’s blessing had to the blessings I have received in the past was incredible. I can't describe the feeling of knowing that that prayer was of God and was exactly what I needed to hear. 

It was hard to say bye to some of the elders that left last week, because in just two weeks we became incredibly close. One of them was Elder Christensen, but we called him cowboy. He was a redneck farm boy from Richmond, Utah and was a huge influence on me. He was so funny and crazy, he brought a lasso and he hog tied me in one of our dorms which was fun I guess haha. Aside from that he was like an adult watching over us, with a very strong testimony and love of the gospel and the people around him.

This week we got some competition for our hair cut business. A poly kid from Fiji came into our residence and was giving cuts in the bathroom. He barely spoke any English, and didn't know anyone, but he could give a dope fade! He took the blades out of a face razor and used them to free cut lines which was pretty cool. A lot of weird but interesting stuff happens in the residences at night. 

I was sad to find out that Elder Holland spoke at a devotional here the day before we reported, and tomorrow night Elder Oaks will be speaking :(   It’s ok though because last night we had an awesome devotional from a guy that some of you may know of, named Chad Lewis. For those of you who don't know who Chad Lewis is, he played football for BYU, Helped the Philadelphia Eagles make it to the super bowl, and played in the Pro Bowl. He talked to us about a lot of things, but the thing I got out of it the most was the way you act, think, and live, is the way you will react in moment of need. If you follow Galatians 5:25 and live in the spirit, you will walk in the spirit. It was awesome to hear of all of the people associated with pro sports, including the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers, being converted to the gospel, just from the example of him living and walking in the spirit. Always remember to keep the spirit with you at all times.

We had a TRC investigator this week named Arnold that taught me and my companion, more than we taught him. He thought in ways I had never even heard of. He told a LONG story about a farmer who lost a sheep, and after explaining a long journey, he told us that the first thing he did was fix the whole in the fence to make sure the rest of his sheep were safe, similar to how the savior began his ministry and the first thing he did was call the apostles to make sure man was safe, then he went on with his work. Always thinks like the farmer and Christ, and think of your loved ones before yourself. 

Lastly I met an elder this week named Elder Ugba. He is an African American/Poly kid from Missouri. We met in the bathroom, but standing at the urinals he told me that he hadn't even been a member of the church for a year yet, and he was already in the MTC!! That is incredible faith. To add onto the faith it takes to even serve that quickly, he is here for 9 weeks learning French, Tahitian, and the language of teaching the gospel. He is incredible and every time I see him now he amazes me. That is the faith that we all need. 

I love all of you and am so grateful for you guys. I have found first hand that the gospel and heavenly father can guide you through hard times. I would love to hear from all of you and how you guys are doing!!

Be a PRO :)

James 2:26

D&C 6:36

Alma 26:27

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Goodnight Everyone<3

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Elder Winn