"we can't ever lose faith" (Hilary)

mustard seed ...

mustard tree!

Dear Mom, and Dad, and Mitch, and Jennica, and Sam, and Adam, (and of course Branson, Caden, and Sienna, who cannot read)

How are you all? I hope you are doing so well. I hope every day you are becoming better people and I hope that you all recognize how blessed we are. I hope you can always see and feel God's hand in your life. And I hope you never lose faith, because without faith we're nothing. We can't ever lose faith.

I am excited to write you. It is always the best part of my p-day for some reason. Today has been SO fun. This morning we played basketball and soccer with the other companionship of sister missionaries that are pretty close and with a few sisters from one of our wards. It was so so great. So much needed. We played for about two hours and I don't know if we got more exercise by playing or by laughing. Hermana Marca is super athletic. At first we were all laughing because the rest of us are so so. But by the end, I was stealing the ball from her. Haha it was really great, and I think the mission is super great for girls because it causes us to drop our barriers and just love and be friends with everyone (something that does not come naturally for girls). Anyway, before the mission (I can't believe I am using that phrase) I didn't ever have the desire to play sports. But since the Lima MTC I have really fallen in love with playing. When we get home I want to be able to play with Sam and Adam (and Mitch, when we are in the same lugar). I will start practicing more to prepare myself.

So speaking of getting sick, I too caught a bug this week. Actually, I think I ate something that my stomach didn't agree with. Tuesday I woke up super sick and spent the day throwing up, including on the bus. The bus worker was super upset. Ha. SORRY. Didn't want to do it. Anyway, we were traveling to Gualsaqui, where L lives, and I started throwing up so we got off the bus and this sweet little indigenous lady came running over to us talking in Kichwa. Hermana Marca understands a little Kichwa because it is a little similar to the native languages in Bolivia. Well, the little lady gave us some advice on what to do when you are pregnant and sick...  super hilarious. All of the community (sp?) knows though and they are all very concerned, so that was sweet. Ha. And speaking of health, the cures and solutions here are super hilarious. A few examples: whenever anyone has a cold, everyone says they need to wrap a scarf around their waist/lower back. Tuesday a few members gave me water with oregano and told me to bathe myself with cold water mixed with weeds... And Hermana Marca told me that I probably got sick because I slipped in mud Monday... Okay. Yesterday Hermana Marca told a member that jammed their finger playing basketball that they need to put some part of a cow testicle on it overnight. A recent convert, L, also has cancer. When it gets bad, they give her a vitamin mix to drink... An elder was telling me about an experience he had recently with a doctor... I just don't know how much I trust the medics down here! So.. in response to your comment on M.. we are praying it some mistake that they diagnosed her with breast cancer. 

So, yesterday was a really great Sunday. To be completely honest, Sundays are tough here in the mission. But yesterday was golden and an answer to a million prayers. God sends us trials to test our faith. We have been working really hard here in our sector and this past week a few things fell through and I was left sincerely pondering on what more I need to do to earn God's help. Saturday my hope was hanging on a string. But Sunday was exactly what I needed. Sometimes Sundays here are hard because 1. in our wards, I don't understand the meetings in Kichwa, and 2. attending church seems to be the hardest commitment for some investigators to follow through with. But yesterday was a really important Sunday for me because one of our bishops gave a talk that was exactly what I needed to hear. It was really amazing. One of those moments where you just want to say, "Thank you for following that prompting you received to talk on that, because it was the way God answered my prayer and addressed my need." Also, Saturday I had been wondering where all of the people Heavenly Father had prepared for us were. When we had that training meeting the other week, I found a lot of comfort in the message that there are certain people here that are prepared and they are who we are looking for. I was really praying to know why we weren't finding them. Sunday he sent two our way. I am constantly reminding myself to have more patience and confidence in God's timescale.

This morning I found a lot of comfort reading in Mosiah 4. I especially loved verses 9-12. My goal this week is to stand steadfast in my faith in Christ, no matter what happens.

Mom, I know you just sent me a whole bunch of packages, but I have been wanting to ask you for something more. I really would like two or three pair of skin colored, patterned tights. All the skin color tights here are 1. not my skin color and 2. plain. And, they just aren't cute. But I really need tights because my legs are covered in bug bites still. Anyway, I used to have some that were like fishnet, do you remember? Don't send fishnet, but like stripes or zig zags or some design like that. Thank you! I love you!

Adam, I love you. Don't worry that you can't write much. I hope you are enjoying all that you're reading.

I am so glad you all had such a great time in Cali for Thanksgiving! We didn't do anything here in the mission, (for Thanksgiving) but I did remind everyone we taught Thursday to be grateful. And Wednesday a few really nice people helped us out in little tiny ways and it made me think that perhaps that was my Thanksgiving gift. It was just what I needed.

Tell Stacie I say congrats. She is so great. She will be a really powerful missionary!

I love that you are playing Charlie Brown Christmas music on the piano Mom! I love that movie. And the Christmas music is my favorite. Christmas will be interesting here in the mission; it is a week after transfers. I hope it is great.

Dad, I love hearing about your BYU ward. And tell them all I say congratulations!

Oh, by the way, I sent some stuff your way! Please tell me when you get it! There is a package coming, but it is pretty light. The gifts are for Christmas. The letters for as soon as you get the package. 

ÑUKA KANKUNATA JUYANY
Hermana Norton

"anyone reading this preparing for a mission, 3 things ...." (Sam)

click the link below for reality TV ... missionary style

¡Hola! ¡Buenas Días!
   I hope everything is well back in the states. The mission is the best! Its crazy and I love it!

   Things in Málaga are great. Elder Lyman, my comp, and Elder Phillips, Elder Núñez´s comp, are both dying (going home) the 6th of December.. so things are getting pretty weird around here. They want to spend alllll of pday just buying presents and souvenirs (sp) and whatnot.. and back at piso they are completely torn between talking about investigators and talking about their families and friends. Don´t judge them, its harder than you´d think. 2 YEARS WITHOUT YOUR FAMILY... and now they are soo close they and taste it. Its super interesting and almost hard for Núñez and me cuz at points we honestly feel like we´re going home too.... Hah but things are great. We´ve been working hard when we can, even though we´ve been sick lately. Lyman was sick when he got here to Málaga, he got better, then a couple weeks ago he got sick, and then I got sick with something else, and then we both got better and then he got sick with what I was sick with...... :\ kinda chungo.. but we work when we can!

   The Hondurans are doing well, L works in the house of this old man all week and its all they way on the other side of the city. She has fridays off and so we planned to meet in the capilla this past friday.. so we were waiting and waiting.. and finally we called her and it turns out she had been waiting in the house of the man where she works........ so she appologized and felt really bad for not coming. She realized that we had agreed to meet at the chruch for the lesson and she felt really bad.. so anyways, we´re gonna meet with her this friday. Hopfully she comes to the church this time. :)
 The Spanish woman I, is doing soo great! We called her saturday, early in the afternoon to see if we could pass by and visit one more time before sunday and she answered in a kinda hurried/busy voice for like the first 10 seconds of the phone call... and I was like...... uhhhhh.. so.. you can come to church tomorrow or you can´t?.. and she was like, "no no thats what i´m explaining! I was going to have to work sunday morning but I changed it to tonight so that I could come!!"...... and I just about lost it. :) I was so excited! She had changed her schedule at work and was working the saturday night cleaning shift at her work so that she could come with us to church the next day! :) So anyways, she came with two of her daughters and they all loved it! The two girls, 13 and 9, immediately found some friends, I don´t know if they knew them from school or what.... but they loved their classes and everything.. and I, was super attentive in Sacrament and really fit into the relief society. :) WE´RE EXCITED! We´re gonna set some baptismal dates this week!

   The District is the best! AHH I love it! Anyone reading this that is preparing for a mission, THREE THINGS... Book of Mormon. Preach My Gospel. & The District videos. :)
  
   We don´t know yet.... but we think that when Lyman and Phillips go home, Núñez will be transfered and I´ll get a new comp here. WE DON´T KNOW.... We´ll hear this week though. Núñez has one transfer more than I do here in Málaga so I personally think he´ll be leaving the 6th of december... If you want to send him something, you can send it to the mission home and he will get it no matter where he is.
   Ave Jesus santos reín 2,3 D-E
   29640 Fuengirola (Málaga)
   ESPAÑA
   You can still send my mail and packages to my Málaga address. Its pretty sure that I´ll stay.
   I did get your turkey/nerf package!!! We LOVE IT! Best idea ever!! Hahah and we loved your spanish directions! It get here last monday, right after we did emails. I think a lot of mail and stuff gets places on mondays.. just weekend buildup I guess.. but I always tell you I haven´t gotten stuff and then I get it later that day. :) sorry and yes we got it. Its awesome.

   The sd card i´m using is almost full. I deleted a bunch of pictures which opened up some room but whenever you can get that other one back here, that would be great. Thanks! :)

   Thanks for Hil´s and Eric´s info! I can´t believe he´s going to stinking FIJI!! Hah how awesome! I´m totally gonna write him! What an adventure! One thing i´ve realized lately is how different every mission is! We teach the same stuff everywhere but it is soooo much different in each mission. For example, here in Spain, there are constantly, constantly people on the streets. Almost always, with exception of medio dia, between 2 and 5 when everyone goes and eats and naps.. but other than that, from early early to late late they are people, families, ancianos, kids, buses cars, music, fútbol... always. So a lot of what we do, is our street image and talking and finding on the streets and stuff. We are constantly stopping people and talking to them right in the streets. :) Where as in the states, missionaries could walk for hours and get passed by 1000 cars and 8 people... which makes the entire work change. Its just so interesting the experience we have on the mission and I know that each missionary is given and will experience what the Lord has prepared for them. Anyways, kind of interesting.. THE MISH IS THE BEST.

   I´ll think if I want anything for Ty and them to bring.. I can´t think of anything. Plus, I and I know you and they will understand, but if they come they would need to drop it off at the mission office... cuz we aren´t supposed to receive visits from family or friends. Tell them thank you so much!

   Quick question... Are the sacramento kings now the LA Kings?? I saw a jersey the other day............... just wondering!
   Also, this awesome Ecuadorian family came up to us one Sunday and asked if we could come do FHE every Monday.. cuz they needed ´´help´´. :) Awesome Ecuadorians. So we´ve been going over there for 3 or 4 weeks now and they´re doing so well. I finally figured out what Hilary´s area was called and she was like ´´I lived there!´´ So anyways, she told me to tell you and HERMANA NORTON that she lived in the Imbabura Estaca in the Quinchuqui rama of the Otavalo Barrio. Something like that. She said her mother or sister is named R. I don´t know if Hil´s by there but the lady here is named N and J is her husband.

   Anyways, I gotta go! I love you all. I hope your Thanksgiving was great and I hope you ate as much as I did! :) We had a big zone specialized trainging that day and we ATE GOOD! :)
-Elder Norton
click here to watch "The District"

"when I say "Thank you," there is much more to it than just those eight little letters." (Hilary)

Dear family,

I love you all so much and am so extremely thankful for you in my life. I love to give thanks, but sometimes I hesitate because I know I can't express what I want to. But (I received the November package, thanks Mom :)) feeling gratitude and not expressing thanks is like wrapping a present and not giving it. Every second of every day I feel grateful for my family and friends. Know that when I say "Thank you," there is much more to it than just those eight little letters. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Okay, we had an eventful week and I am so excited to be able to write you all and tell you about it.

So, to begin with, here is part of my letter to President.

We have spent a lot of time in this transfer, as well as the last, with an investigator, L, who has progressed so much. His life has changed so much and he is so much happier. His baptism was planned for Saturday, but Thursday he told us he wouldn't be baptized (This might have been one of the saddest moments of my mission. I cried in front of him, which I really didn't want to do, but couldn't help.). He said he enjoys reading the Book of Mormon and will keep attending church and he promises the change in habits will last, but he says it isn't yet time to be baptized. It is not something he has ever wanted to do. When he told us all this, we were heartbroken. It was a moment I took to really reflect on what I am doing here and the purpose of my mission. We did everything we could, and continue to help him, but we are now waiting on the Lord's timing and L's willingness to obey completely.

Once again, this week we found a few people who seemed to be amazing investigators. Only a little later did we realize that they are already members (who somehow hadn't remembered that they had been baptized into the church until a member reminded them). It is neat to be able to work with them though, and bring them back to the church. I have a firm testimony that we can achieve the greatest amount of happiness when we base our lives on the principles of the Gospel of our Savior.

F and L are two children of an older couple that we contacted. When we visited them, a family member of theirs reminded them that they (the parents) had already been baptized. They told us that Sunday that had to build a bathroom (They have been living without a bathroom for years after some natural disaster or something. [Sorry, still have a few small holes in my understanding with the language barrier]) and couldn't attend church, so Saturday we helped them with that so that they would have time to attend Sunday. The ward was extremely warm and receptive and F and L are really looking forward to being baptized.

Cool. Okay, so to respond to a few things, Dad, tell Michael Kimball I say hi! Of course I remember him. We were in Missionary Prep together. He is a good kid. Also, I am looking forward to reading your talks. But, did someone record it? Because, I want to hear it, too. I know I am asking a lot. And, Dad, know that your mansion in los cielos is getting better and better every day. I have always been really impressed by your humility and willingness to do all that is required of you. Thanks for your example.

Mom, don't worry. You are not sending too little, never worry about that. I love receiving packages and letters from home and Hermana Marca tells me that it helps me keep going, so much good comes from it.

Okay, how cool that The District is going to be a TV show. I can't wait to watch. Yes, missionary work is so incredibly hard. Outside of the mission it is not something you can comprehend. But. It's important. It's what God asks us to do.

So, the other day we knocked on M's door and she answered crying. She has been super sick lately and finally the doctors told her she has breast cancer. What I have learned I guess is I really am able to see how God blesses us with trials and challenges that really match our capacity to withstand. M is the strongest teenage girl I have ever met and she is sure that God will help her along the way. She has really had some amazing experiences. I admire her a lot.

So funny side story. There is an hermano here in one of our wards that is so great. He has a car and drives us around to a few of our appointments that are really far away where there are no buses. He always teases me about his brother who goes to BYU. Anyway, yesterday we were visiting his family because his dad is the bishop and we were having a little meeting with him to really figure out how we can work more effectively with the ward members. We are in their home talking with the bishop when we hear the Skype sounds going off on their computer (that they recently just got, along with internet access). For the first time since 2006 they were able to see and talk to their son. Anyway, he lives in King Henry and was talking a lot about Utah. It was a really weird moment for me. I got a little wierded out thinking about it/listening. But it was good, because I realized there is no part of me that wants to be anywhere but in the mission.

Okay, well time to go. But I am still waiting to see pictures of Caden's birthday party. I hope you all have a good time in California this week as a family. I love you all. Happy Thanksgiving! I will pray for your investigators, Sam. Please pray for mine!

ADAM I LOVE YOU.

H. Norton

"WOW. What a miracle filled week!" (Sam)

Hello family and friends!

   WOW. What a miracle filled week! 9 NEW INVESTIGATORS this week. Wowowow. The Lord and his mysterious ways! :) We have been working and really been trying to make new goals and continue moving forward and this week the Lord opened one of the windows of heaven above us. I testify of the Reality and God´s love and blessings in our lives. When we work hard and are obedient, blessings come. Sometimes not right away.. for example last transfer was pretty long and we felt that we had very little success and right at the start of this transfer, the Lord blessed us with a bunch of new investigators. DON´T DOUBT THE LORD´S TIMING. Everything he does is for our BENIFIT. Doubting the Lord´s judgement is a fire that can quickly grow out of our control. Trust his judgement and humbly obey.

   Sadly, the Nigerian family I talked about has more or less dropped us... :\ they are very busy and are never home...Its basically that they are not keeping the commitments. :\ So anyways, we´ve received several awesome references lately from some members that are trying really hard to involve their friends in the church. Some names are R and L, several honduran friends of a member named N. Also, L, a bolivian friend of N. We met this awesome spaniard single mother of 4 that is super creyente and is super excited to listen to us. Her name is I.  We have this other investigator named P that is soo smart.. and he over thinks stuff sometime.. so pray for him. Anyways, thats how things are going right now. Things are awesome! We´re just trying to find the right balance between finding a ton of people to always be teaching and focusing enough on each person so that they arrive at the waters of baptism... really tough balance.

   Sooooooo it rained A TON saturday and sunday. A bunch of streets got super super flooded. Like SUPER flooded. haha like 4 or 5 inches above the gutters, all the way across the streets...... if you can imagine what i´m saying. Anyways it was alright, Elder Lyman was super sick that day so we ended up in piso all day anyways. :) He chose a good day to be sick! Hah

   Saturday and sunday were stake conference and it was awesome! Sunday we all got a bus and went out to Granada.. like an 1 and a half drive. The presidency was reorganized and it was absolutely amazing! The new president is this guy from switzerland that has been living here with his family for a while now and he speaks like 5 languages absolutely perfectly. Its kind of rididulous. I have said it before but I will learn more languages when I get home. For some people, math or science or art or whatever just clicks in their head... for me, I have learned here that languages just click! I have been learning a little portuguese and some  kechua (the dialect spoken in ecuador and several other south american countries like bolivia.. yes n and l taught me :)) and although I have no time to apply what I hear and learn, I would love to come home and immediately start to learn another language. Anyways.. whatever the Lord has in store, but those would be my hopes! :)

   Ok, a couple things...

  Adam, you are a boss! I´m still thinking.......... puedes darme una pista?¿?¿?¿ :)

  I got the letter with the photos of you and me, mom. Thanks for sending those, they´re perfect! Also, I got the letters from sister wilson and sister robley! Ahh so awesome! Tell them thank you!

  Do you know anything about Eric Schofield?? I thought about him the other day and was wondering if you fill me in. :) and Kevin Fonseca?? MISSION CALL BABY.

  Can you get Clay's address for me? That would be awesome. Also, Hil´s mission home address?

  How many postcards can I send to Ellery? I´ve sent one but I´m willing to send more... :)

  Papá, do you still have those Málaga references? If not no worries, I just need to know.

   Mamamadre! I have a couple things that I would love for Christmas.  Ties are always awesome. :) I need a good grey and a good brown... I need some other p-day shirts.. thats something that I could buy here. Oh, also, I would love christmas candy. The usual that we have at christmas.. :) like the mint tootsie suckers... AHHHH. I need a sweater.. a dark long sleeve orrrr.. a sweatervest would be cool too. The ones I have that I just didn´t bring would work perfectly. Also, please send 2 of those ´´mirror cubes´´ the rubiks cubes that are all the some color but change size as you turn them.. I have several on my dresser down in my room. I would like to give one to núñez for Christmas and I want one as well. :D Last thing.. ´´Barron´s ´Spanish Vocabulary´ second edition´´ its smaller.. and yellow and red and white. I already have the verbs one but that one would be awesome too!

   Anyways.. sorry thats super scrambled mom... HONESTLY, you know how hard it is for me to make christmas and birthday lists.. I´m not one to expect a ton so don´t feel like you need to send me a botrillion things. :) I am happy as can be! Thank you for always making me so happy. You are the best mom I could ever dream of.

   DAD. HOLE IN ONE. AHHHHHH. And even more important, 10 stinking meetings in ONE DAY. You are my HERO. One day I will be able to compete with you! :D

   Hey one last thing.. Will you update me on Trevor and his girlfriend and also Tanner and his girlfriend...? :)

   Thanks for everything! I love you all! Make a journal. It´s more important than we think!

-Elder Samuel Parker Norton

ps. ¡la ´THeta´ aqui en eTHpaña eTH lo mejor! ¡Que no THe burlen de la THeta!! :)

which is worse, beetles or green beans? You be the judge ...

 Sam has eaten octopus and Hilary has eaten beetles. But that's nothing compared to this ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdFbTyAHYes

Happy Birthday to my sweet 4 year old grandson!

"we peeled off the wings and shell, fried them and ate them with salt." (Hilary)

Dear everyone,

Mom, I imagine you are in your piano lessons or in the temple by this point. Dad, probably working. Mitch, also working. Sam, probably in una cita. And Adam, probably studying or learning something new. Sorry I didn't write yesterday. I hope Monday went well for you all. I love you more than I can say.

Yesterday we had a training meeting that we weren't told about until Saturday, so sorry I couldn't give you all a heads up. It was with Elder Waddell, a seventy, who learned his Spanish in Spain serving his mission in Barcelona and then later returning to be a mission president. I got a glimpse of what Sam's accent will be like. He began by talking about the organithathion de la Iglesia and lo que tenemos que hather para mejorar and stuff like that. No, but really, it was super powerful and exactly what I needed. I am going to include some of what I learned...
Entonthes...

Our calling as missionaries is to recoger (D&C 29:7) those who are chosen, or, those who will listen to the voice of the Lord.

Exito en la mision es lograr su capacidad.

Saber + hacer = exalta. Saber + no hacer = condena

L has really had a huge change from the first day we met him, when he didn't believe in God. We taught him about tithing the other day and it was the first lesson that he didn't accept. But when we saw him Sunday, he said he had been thinking about it and would strive to pay his tithing. Previously (before we met him) he had problems with the Word of Wisdom and we have been contacting him daily to help him to keep from falling. He explained to us how Saturday and Sunday God helped to keep him from drinking. He had been doing his part, and when it got tough, Heavenly Father kept His end of the promise as well. We have another investigator that is searching for the truth like Joseph Smith. Her name is N. The other day she fasted. I have really learned a lot from how hard she is working to come to the truth and we are trying to do what we can to help her along the way. M is doing so well. Her baptism reactivated her husband's whole family. JM is doing okay. His daughter really wants to be baptized but isn't getting the support she needs.  We are working really hard with her.

Okay, as for this week on the food update,Tuesday we had Cathso (escarabajo [beatles]). Eeeaaaaaarly in the morning, the Otavaleños hike up to the mountains and gather the white beatles and then we peeled off the wings and the shell parts and fried them and ate them with salt. I have some videos I am going to see if I can send somehow. Exciting experience!

Okay, please let Caitlin know that I love her, got her email, and I am responding tonight. And that I miss her. And that she is one of my best friends ever. And that I say hi to CJ and thanks for taking good care of her. It was fun to hear from her. I love receiving email and letters because it is so much easier to see how great our lives are from the outside.

Mom, don't worry about the flash drives. It will work. And although the first time on the mission I heard Christmas, it did make me homesick, now I am singing Christmas hymns all the time. So don't worry. I love you, Mom and Dad.

My red shoes are 6.5 and they fit perfectly. I hope the new ones you bought are okay. And the make-up is the Bare Essentials powder.

Okay, tell Bryce and Mel that I say congratulations. Yesterday Hermana Ghent told me that I have a "missionary family." It is so true. I love that we are all on different ends of this work. And I love the quote that Brother Berry shared. It is so true.

Okay, wait, Trevor is engaged?¿ I need to conocerla! Where is she from? Please tell Trev to send me a letter and picture.
 Grathias.

Okay, Sam. I literally was laughing out loud when I read the first line of your letter. I tried to explain it to my companion, but realized it wasn't that funny. Just funny for me because I could see your face and hear your voice when I read it. I hope the work is going well for you. I love you and pray for you every day (and really you're getting double the blessings because you fall into two circles of the venn diagram ["Please bless my family.", "Please bless the missionaries serving at this time."]). I laughed when I read about the woman who was "active" in the wrong church. A while ago we contacted a woman and helped her and her sick daughter by explaining that she can receive a priesthood blessing. Now she is attending her old church, although she understands that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church that has the authority to offer this blessing. Somewhere there is a disconnect that I don't understand. Ha. Oh, and Kati's car was a PT Cruiser.

Yesterday, the closing song for the meeting was "La Luz de la Verdad." Yesterday's training meeting was with about half of the mission and I have never heard a group of people singing so loudly. It was so powerful.

Also, I saw Sam Harris yesterday!!!! She got to the mission like seven weeks ago and sent me a note and I wrote her back and a couple people have mentioned that she says hi, but it was so good to be able to see her! I love her and we feel like a little piece of home is here with us in Ecuador. I hope someday we can be companions.

Saturday was a baptism of some elders in our zone. We brought L and the elders knew he had been struggling with the idea of paying his tithing. They are so great. Our zone leader gave a talk and it was literally exactly what this investigator needed. These kids are great. I have a lot of respect for them.

Mom, please tell everyone that wrote me in October that I say thank you for the letters and advice. I don't have lots of time to respond, and I now have a list of 31 people to respond to. But let them know that I AM grateful.

Okay, I love you all. Live according to what you know. Live in harmony with your understanding, as PMG says. Be what God wants and needs you to be.

Hermana Norton

"I guess people don´t like to talk when the wind is blowing the rain sideways into their face... like whats up with that!?" (Sam)

Service is the action form of loving one another ... 

Go love someone

Good monday morning! Good morning monday! Monday, good morning! Morning.. good monday.. O.o

   Hello! All is well here in SPAIN. Its been super cold here lately, rain quite a bit, lots and lots of wind.. Its all good though, just a good chance to learn some weather vocabulary. :)

   The works been pretty rough lately.. turns out that people don´t like cold weather as much as we don´t. I guess people don´t like to talk when the wind is blowing the rain sideways into their face....... like whats up with that!?? :) So, we have been working more with the members lately, partially cuz they let us through their doors and give us hot chocolate, and more importantly, because often times they are the connections to new investigators. You can knock 100 doors and contact 100 people on the street, or you can work with members, recent converts, and current investigators, and find direct connections to people waiting for the Gospel. Not to mention that the members are usually more than willing to help teach and support their friends.

   The family that we´ve been teaching recently... N and H are very, very religious people. They both have firm Christian beliefs and desire to learn more knowledge of Christ. Their problem is that they feel they don't fit in because the are different ethnicity and H leads the songs and praises at their church. They are an awesome family but they just haven´t put 100 percent of their faith in the Lord to change their lives to what they know is true. Her ´´calling´´ is whats keeping them ´´active´´, the problem is they are ´´active´´ in the wrong chruch. :D

   I´m already runnin out of stinking TIME. Time time time. Such an important resource. USE IT WISELY.

   To answer a couple questions... I haven´t learned to make any recipes yet but I have tried a lot of things I really liked. I will start to collect recipes and learn how its done. I actually have not been eating a lot of fish. Núñez is alergic and all the members know so they basically don´t make food with fish, even if its for my companionship.. fine by me! :P Haha I did octopus one time.. but I think I already told you guys that.. that was in my first area.

   Lyman and I are doing well. We are getting into a better groove of working together well but the problem is that we haven´t been able to teach many lessons to investigators lately, like I said earlier, we´ve been working a lot with members, and those lessons are a lot more conversational.. But we´ve done some practice during comp study and its coming along.. . he goes home in three weeks, so i´m gonna be getting a new comp soon. :\  We´ll see what happens.

   MOM/Sharon, loved the Romney thought. Super cool. (Dad, loved the Obama thought....... :) hahah)

   Mamá, I took care of the box for Pepa. I got a phone call the other day from those elders and they were like.... uhhhh there's a package here for you..... we´ll send it over your way when we get a sec. So I was confused.. but when I read your email I called them and told them whats up and they said they´d give it to her. Next week I´ll send you her address. I don´t have it with me right now.

   Ahhh! Tell Bryce Congrats on his baptism!

   Loved the song lyrics mom. Thanks! Also, I'll take some SPAIN/MALAGA pictures this week and send them  to you. I already have some ideas...... :)

   I forgot my stinkin christmas list that I started to write down........ SRY. I´ll send it to you next week. Promise!

   Anyways, I gotta go! I love you all! Go help someone today. Help someone feel happier, more appreciated, or more accomplished.

-Elder Norton

P.S. Don't forget to read your Book of Mormon

Click here for great service ideas 

https://www.lds.org/youth/article/13-simple-service-suggestions?lang=eng

Indefatigable!

sing to the tune of "Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked"

Las misioneras sing as they walk and walk and walk and walk...

Las misioneras sing as they walk and walk and walk and walk...

They teach the Gospel, work and pray...

Sundays are just like every other day...

Week after week, they sing as they walk and walk and walk and walk ....

And walk

Thank you to every missionary tirelessly serving and spreading the Gospel! 

You make our world a better place!

joanna

"withstanding trials without getting bummed is like trying to swim without ever coming up for water!" (Hilary)

Okay, thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! I love you all and had a really great week!

So, I realized one of the great things about November (I had to search out pros to the fact that October had to end) is that soon we will get the Liahona with all the conference talks!! I am dying to receive it. There is so much more I am going to get out of these talks once I read them in English :) I loved all the photos of the pumpkins and costumes. I literally have the cutest niece and nephews. I miss them so much! But WOW, Friday was my six month mark! I only have a year left! WHAT? I know everyone says this, but I seriously still feel like I just got here. I keep thinking I am still a new little sister missionary. Which I am. But I need to remember that we are always in the middle (like Uchtdorf said in a Liahona hace unos meses).

So this week, for the holidays here in South America we make bread and "colada morada." I just sent a picture of Hermana Marca and me with our investigator L and a couple of bread dolls he made for us. So great. Okay, so Wednesday was super great. The letter (from Dad) was amazing and an investigator called me and wished me happy birthday and Hermana Marca gave me this cute pen she wrapped with floss and put my name on. Thursday we had our meeting and afterward, Elder LeBaron and his companion ran out and brought back a giant chocolate cake and a piñata! Okay, I attached pictures. They are so great! (Also I attached an old picture of me and Elder LeBaron and Elder Meriles at a service project)


Okay, here is what I wrote to President:

President Ghent,

Hope all is well. This last transfer seemed to fly by and yesterday Hermana Marca were both super happy to find out that we get more time in Imbabura. I have been feeling like there is a lot of work left for me to do here and I am working on a lot of new goals to be able to accomplish what Heavenly Father needs me to do here.

We have been working a lot with our investigator L (lots of lessons and days of reading the Book of Mormon and service projects)and we finally were able to put a baptismal date. Yesterday he attended all three hours of church. He told us that In Priesthood some of the jovens were listening to music with their headphones in and texting. That was a bummer to hear after we had been working so hard all week. Hermana Marca and I have been brainstorming on how we can help him to be able to keep attending church.

In one of the wards we cover (Cotama), there are about just as many inactives as there are actives. We spend a lot of time working with them. Although we haven't had as much success with investigators, I am able to feel good about what we have been able to accomplish with the inactives. We have really done a lot to search for each and every one of them and bring them members and remind them of the blessings they're missing out on. We have quite a few inactives that are being reactivated and working toward worthy goals like receiving the priesthood and going to the temple as a family.

One inactive we have been working with is named J M. He has lots of things he is working through.... (edited ) He doesn't understand Spanish very well so we have resorted a few times to acting things out to help him really understand what we teach. The other day we drew a line on the dirt floor of their home and Hermana Marca and I explained to him how when we make certain decisions, we are putting ourselves on the side of the enemy. It stuck and he hasn't drank in about five days. Thursday he aksed us to help him to fast this Saturday/Sunday. I really love being able to figure out the individual needs of each person and help them in a very personal way. It was neat to see that he really wants to be able to do what is right. All of these people have really good desires.

So, not one missionary in our zone had transfers! Which is super exciting! We are really having a lot more success than our zone has had previously, so we are really happy to be privileged with more time here. I just can't leave! I love it here!

Okay, so yesterday, like I mentioned to President, was a really really tough day. I felt like we had been fighting all week long to make things work for our investigators with baptismal dates. Of the four with baptismal dates, one was able to attend and didn't like it. I was trying to be tough like Sam when he mentioned in his email the other day about that family of his . But it just felt like a daggar(sp?) to the heart. I wanted to cry. But then I was trying to keep the faith and positivity. But then I felt like withstanding trials without getting bummed is like trying to swim without ever coming up for water! Wow, yesterday was tough. But it ended well when we found out we didn't have transfers. 

OKAY THANK YOU I LOVE YOU.

Are Matt and Emily okay? Did they have to evacuate? Where are they? What is their housing situation like now? Please update me about the presidential elections. I am so anxious. Elder LeBaron and Elder Maughan and I have been talking about it all day today.

OKAY I LOVE YOU BYE!

Hermana Norton

"When it comes to doctrine, I am learning principle by principle" (Sam)

Hello english speaking world!

   My english continually declines as I try to learn more spanish. And it doesn´t help that I´m living with english speakers and spanish speakers. Elder núñez basically doesn´t understand when we speak english cuz we talk so fast so we constantly changing between english and spanish. Haha its fun. I love the language though. I LOVE it. I will learn more languages when I get home.

  

 How are the states? We passed by this member's house about a week ago to pick up some food they made for us and they basically pulled is into their piso and sat us down on their couch and turn the news on...... we were like.. ´´Hermana, no podemos mira---......´´  basically all over the world, the USA news is as important as their own country´s. That´s one thing I was very very surprised about in the mission, is that what the USA does, effects EVERYONE. Everyone here in spain talks about obama and Romney and the elections and the wars we´re in and the hurricane that hit  Nueva York etc.... And I don´t even think its cuz we´re americans ... its just what the whole world talks about. The USA effects the entire world. So anyways, I would love an update on everything. We saw five minutes of spanish news (which was frankly hard to understand) and then we´ve heard 1000 stories being passed around about how many people died... and where.. and how etc. So I´d love a report.. Also, a report on what exactly happened in the middle east. We just keep hearing story after story and we don´t know whats true. ALSO... :) an update on the elections. One member told us like a week ago and Obama had already won....... and we were like.....uhhhhhmm, no. The elections don´t end till november..  its kinda funny. :)

   ANYWAYS... Things are great in Málaga! Lots of people. Lots of rain. Lots of wind. In fact, the weather took a huge turn recently. It was suuper hot in my last area but ever since I came here to Málaga the weather has cooled down to perfect temperatures for tracting and working. Recently, there as been a lot of rain and flooding though ( not in our piso... we live on the 13th floor so no worries :)). In other parts of Málaga and in cities nearby.. but yes mom, I have been using my coat quite a bit and its keepin me nice and cozy.

   Papá, to answer some of your questions... The mission is great. Really. Harder than I thought it would be. More rewarding than I thought it would be. And, I am learning more doctine, and overall church information than I ever thought I would. The language is fantastic. Just yesterday, my comp walked down the hall to use the restroom and I grabbed the cell phone to call a couple members... I finished up two or three phone calls, set down the phone, and then IT HIM ME. I looked back at the phone and basically yelped for joy. I had just finished three complete phone call conversations with people that don´t speak a lick of english... and I didn´t even have to think twice. :) Kinda fun moment. This transfer has been dedicated to vocabulary. I have lists on every single page of my agenda of words that I heard that day that I didn´t know. Every night after daily planning, I pull out my flash cards and I write the words I heard that day. You would be proud to see the words. :) Desamparar. Gusano. Lustrar. Colilla. Charco. Guiñar. And thats just the start! I love it! When it comes to doctrine, I am learning principle by principle, line upon line, precept upon precept. As I submit my will and my studies to the lord, he continually teaches me doctrine and gives me understanding. I know that if I keep looking and studying, the mysteries of the lord will be revealed to me. Thank you for your guidance and support. You always provide me with awesome nuggets of info. Here in the downtown city, yes, there is  poverty. Spain has a very high unemployment rate.  If you want to help, What I would prefer you did with the money  is give it as offerings to the church. There are many members, including some in Huércal-Overa, that are in dire need but don´t lose the sight of the importance of the gospel. Their priority was to be baptized. They never asked for any money from us despite the fact that they really needed it.. but now, as  members, they can receive help from the church through las ofrendas, the offerings we give. That´s where I would prefer the money went. :) THANK YOU TO ANYONE READING THIS!

   Okay, mamá... thank you so much for you words! I will continue writing even if the stuff might not be that important to others, just cuz I know its important to the fam. I feel like we are an extremely close family and even my dumb jokes and poor grammer can be enjoyed by you guys. and mom, I loved your little routine. Haha so great!

   I actually haven´t thought one second about Christmas stuff............ BUT I will start thinking. The packages you have sent all come quickly. I got the one with the piano music last monday after we got home from emailing. SO AWESOMMMME! Thank you! I´ll decide and let you know next week. Thanks.

  

   Anyways, YA ESTÁ. 2 quick favors....

1-Dad, remember the people you met when you came to...... Italy I think it was for asea... You said you met some people from Málaga... and you got their info. I heard it and thought.. well I probably won´t be in the Málaga area for a while so it can wait.... but then they transfered me here. haha so i´d love to go by their place and see them. A couple other possible baptisms because of ASEA. :) 

2-Elder Núñez wants to see the dollar coin, the 50c coin and a 2 dollar bill. I don´t know how hard they are to get but if you could get your hands on some you should send em out this way. He´d flip. He wants to move to the states after his mish and marry a blonde girl. :)

Welp, thats all folks. Till next time!

Love you!

-Elder Norton

Photos and such ....

My kids like to give me a hard time about using a magnifying glass. And I admit it looks a little "nineteenth century detective" but they are handy if you still have 20/20 vision, but are over 45. Some may say Sam is mocking me here .... I prefer to think of it as 
"imitation is the greatest form of flattery"  :)                joanna
                                     

 ... wonder what's inside?

 Ecuadorian mystery fruit?

hmmm ... caviar?

"Officer?..."

sightseeing in Quito on a prep day

Halloween 2012 Recap

Pirate Branson, Swat-Cop Caden, Minnie Mouse Sienna
and Hillbilly Mullet Mitch

My two adorable Rice girls, mom Jennica and baby Sienna!

And last, but not least ... socially challenged Nerd Adam

Hope you all had a safe and Happy Halloween!

joanna

Christ says, 'If you let me, I will make you perfect.... understand I am going to see this job through" (Hilary)

Hermana Marca, M, Hermana Norton

Okay, hi a todos. I hope you are doing so well! Please tell me how you are doing. I want to be aware of when I need to send extra prayers in the direction of one person or another. Thanks for all the emails! I love my family so much. I can say it a million times, but I don't think that statement will ever come out with the impact I would like it to. I can't explain how important you all are to me.

Adam. I love hearing from you. Lame that you can't play frisbee anymore, (because of the snow) but I love that you have a new hobbie. You're so cool Adam. Tell Brother Taim I say "hi and thanks". And I loved your letter I got in the package. I know I can just write on another piece of paper, but I like the idea of sending this one back. I already wrote my testimony on it (it was good that the square was small or else my testimony would have gone on and on and on) and I am working on drawing a picture of me. I am just taking my sweet time because it is going to be sent back to the master cartoonist and I want it to be perfect. I want to see some of the stuff you have done for your art class. Can you scan it and send it to me or something?

Mitch, thank you so much for your email. It felt like a real conversation. It was just the support I needed. Thanks for being in-tune and knowing how to help your younger sister. YOU are one of MY all time best friends and biggest heroes (aunque no me creas). I am so glad you are my brother. Seriously. I have learned so much from you and your friendship means a lot to me. I need some more pictures of your kids.

Okay, this week I have been keeping track of what I wanted to write so the email would be a little more interesting. Here come the transfers and zero percent of me wants to leave. We are working really hard with a few people that I want to be able to see baptized. Below in green is part of my letter  to Pres.

I have been working on strengthening my faith this week like we talked about in the interview Wednesday (Wednesday were the interviews with President and he asked me what I wanted to work on. I chose faith. I was explaining to him how tough it is to understand the balance between the faith and prayers of me, my companions, and all the thousands of members praying + God's will + the agency of these people. Does that make sense? Anyway, it is tripping me up sometimes because I wonder if even if I pray and pray and pray my heart out, they still have their agency and maybe it's not "their time".). Hermana Marca is super in-tune with the spirit and aware of people's needs; it is one thing I really admire about her. She does a great job of adapting teachings to the needs of the investigators and members, and keeping everyone in mind as she studies so she can find nuggets of information to share with them. The other day I found myself at a low point and she shared with me part of Ether 12. I then continued to study the chapter and found some verses that although I had already read many times, were an important reminder for me (verses 6, 14, 17, 29). This week I really worked on exercising more faith and Saturday we were blessed with many miracles that helped me recognize that God is always doing His part.

Saturday was the baptism of M. Like I said, there were so many amazing things that happened that day. The elders in our zone were of a huge help (I am very grateful for our district leader and zone leaders). The day was super hectic, but many prayers were answered and all turned out really well. Before her baptism, M was super discouraged and everything seemed to be a mess. But afterward she recognized that the discouragement was the enemy trying to keep her from moving forward. She felt much better and it was so refreshing to see her confirmed yesterday.

We are working with another investigator right now named L. He is trying really hard to 1. change, and 2. find his answer. He is a young adult that used to get caught up in a lot of things he knew he shouldn't take part in. Since Tuesday, when we taught him the Word of Wisdom, he has not drank (?) or smoked. Saturday was a wedding of a good friend, but he chose not to attend because he knew all his friends would be drinking. He instead stayed home and read three pages of the Book of Mormon and prayed. He is attending church and is really recognizing the importance of baptism.

Our investigator with a baptismal date is named F. She has attended church many times and really wants to do her part. The challenge is that she and her brother (who also accepted a baptismal date, but hasn't attended church) study Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 until 2. There are three reunions in our chapel and they can't attend one. Their high school does not offer classes later in the day, nor during the week. We are searching for a solution. Our zone leaders have a recent convert who was able to talk to her high school director about the importance of the Sabbath day observance and receive permission to attend church and miss classes Sundays. She is going to accompany us this week with an appointment with F and J to share her experience.

These people are super important to me and I want to be able to be here with them for their baptisms! I hope I don't get transferred. But we will see. God knows best.

A group of members from the stake went to the temple. The families we have been working with went to do baptisms. I haven't seen them yet since, but I hope it went well! I love them so much and love to see how much the gospel is helping them, giving them hope and so much more happiness as a family.

Does Adele have new music out? I think I keep hearing stuff of hers. Were you able to get the things to Caitlin? I miss her so much! and Abby and Veronica. I love those girls.

F gave a talk in church yesterday. It was so great. He is still learning the boundaries and the do's and dont's , (what is appropriate over the pulpit) Anyway. He is so great!

Okay, so signs that I am an awkward missionary: Yesterday we were watching the Joseph Smith movie (the long 62 minute one) with F and his family during lunch. 1. I had never realized how violent it is! 2. I got so uncomfortable watching Joseph and Emma begin courting (sp?).

Okay, what a mess! I am so sorry this email is so random! I love you all. I am going to include a quote that Jesslyn sent me and then finish up.

"'Make no mistake,' Christ says, 'If you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in my hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect - until My Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you... This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.'" 
C. S. Lewis.

BYE! H. Norton