Cooper Winegar: September 2023

Brothers and sisters, friends and family, gentile and jew. Thanks for stopping by to read my last email on the mission:)

This last week was crazy. It was not how I imagined I was going to end the mission at all. I went on a week long exchange with Elder Wilson and, at the end of everything, they sent his companion home on Friday. Since then we have been in a trio with Elder Lira.

Even though the crazy week didn't leave us with much time for normal missionary work, we still got to see lots of miracles. Working in the area we found lots of new people, visited people that are already in teaching, and got to put some more people on baptism date that will be getting baptized this Sunday, October 1. It has been incredible being able to see the great faith that so many people show.

I also had the opportunity to give many blessings to many houses, people, and missionaries. I testify of the power of the priesthood. There is a distinct, beautiful feeling the moment one gives or receives a blessing. I invite you all to ask for a blessing from a loved one, even if you don't have great life problems. We don't have to wait for life to be bad to call upon the divine help of the Lord.

I testify that the church is true. I can't express it nor write it down in words to accurately show the love and testimony that I have for it and for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know he lives.

I testify that faith and repentance, remembering always our baptism Covenants and striving to keep the commandments is what lets us feel the Joy that comes uniquely through Christ. I love repentance and I rejoice in it's healing and liberating powers.

I testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that he restored all of the Truths of the primitive Church of Christ. Today we have incredible leaders that direct it through the same priesthood that Jesus and his Apostles have. They are here to help and strengthen us if we only humble ourselves.

I love you all so much and am so excited to see each and every one of you. I testify of all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

2 Nefi 4:32-35 (Read it to read the end of my testimony :))

Elder Winegar

(P.S. last week Elder Wilson and I cleaned up a dead cat from the roof lol. Super awesome.)

~Fin~

Monday, September 25, 2023

also if you're on this email list it's cause you've changed my life one way or another and I love all of you. I'd love to see all of you in my homecoming, here's the details in this picture!

Homecoming announcement

hey what's up guys!! countdowns getting a little crazy, see you all in 10 days, I promise I'm not counting down but it's just crazy crazy, I love the mission so much and I'm doing everything I can to make it count these last couple days!

this week was rad.

-exchanges with assistants (Elder rodriguez)

-two days of a mission tour with General authority 70 Elder Ochoa

-exchanges with ELDER WILSON since Saturday morning!! (long story)

The week was eaten up super quick by these experiences, but a cool tender mercy was yesterday night. I was completely planning on not going out to find people because we normally have lots of things to do Sunday night in the house, but out of the blue someone named Luis sent us a message asking if we could stop by to visit him. Hesitantly, we said of course and started the hour long walk to his house, knowing that we probably wouldnt be able to finish the things we wanted to do in the house. But when we got there, we realized just how badly he needed to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We learned that Luis loves his family but struggles a lot to support them. in his house he sells alcohol, smokes, and has recently developed a coke addiction, but not the ice cold coke that tastes so deliciously amazing en a glass bottle.

We helped him lots and felt so strongly of the spirit helping him learn about the gift of repentance and the strength that comes by faith.

Elder ochoa explained that we are here to offer the GIFT of repentance to everyone. Whether they want to accept it, their life will be changed. If we accept this gift that the Savior offers us, our own lives will be molded and changed how he wants it.

Please repent today and have faith that he can heal and shape you. Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-18 explain beautifully the invitation and fills my heart with hope and appreciation for our Savior. He loves us so much. Love you all too and see you guys all soon :)

-Elder Winegar

-other highlights were finding lots of new people and working hard with members

-mexico independence day!! we ate lots of Carne asada.

-An entire family came with us to church yesterday!! The 6 will be getting baptized soon. It's not my ward but I'm stoked for them.

What the Willie... ft. Elder Ochoa

Monday, September 18, 2023

hey guys what's up!! So sorry I haven't gotten an email out recently, last transfer has been very busy. Where to even start.

Through mission conferences, exchanges, a new companion and new area I've been able to see so much change and have been tried in new way that I didn't even think would be posible in my last transfer. Some awesome things we have implemented are

-blessing every house we enter and exercising the priesthood as much as we can.

-at the very least one lesson with member every day

-classes of come follow me and preach My Gospel every night with the district and zone

These have been a couple few small things that have been able to help us out so much. I have been able to feel the spirit on such a new level and it has been so incredible. Two people we are teaching rn that have changed me lots are called Gerardo (jerry) and Manuel.

both come from very different backgrounds, but with somewhat similar problems.

Jerry struggles with family problems and the death of his mother with no real religious foundation, while Manuel lost his job and is recovering from heavy alcohol and drug use. Jerry is a 25 year old young man while Manuel is an older, 55 year old man. Jerry is more studied and has a broader view of the world, while Manuel is the complete opposite.

They have very different needs and are very different persons. However, it has been absolutely incredible to see the healing power that lays in the savior Jesus Christ. The knowledge of a plan that saves each and every one of us with the hope of the very church of Christ existing here on earth has changed their lives in just a small amount of time.

Christ's Gospel heals all needs, doubts, and trials of every person, regardless of the situation.

I love you all so much. can't believe I'll be seeing you guys in such short time. For the mean time keep striving to serve and choosing to have faith and I testify that you will see miracles. peace out love you guys!

Other cool stuff have been

-being in a ward with 2 companionships

-Kevin the missionary Dog

-Shared my last testimony in zone conference

-Irma from my last área got baptized!

-played trivia Crack, the board game

-Went to a super fun noche mexicana