"...plus, trying and failing is better than never daring to try." (Sam)

Hello there, and welcome to

THE OFFICE. :O

   Hey, I´m doing great! Today´s my third day here in the office and I´m really enjoying it. Its veery different.... pros and cons.. :) (really the only con is that we don´t get to do lots of missionary ´´street´´ work cuz we´re so busy here. The busy part is a pro. I like being busy. Anyways, yeah, the office is great. Elder Berrett is the old Financiero and he was ´´born´´ (his first area was...) in Aljarafe.. so its been fun to talk to him about people we both know and the area. When I got in the car with Elder Butler, the secretary, and Elder Barrett, we started driving away and Elder Barrett started counting down from 10.... 10, 9, 8, 7... and I was like... uhhhhhhhhh.... ¿qué estás haciendo?...... and when he got to zero he turned to me, handed me his cell phone and said, ´´You are now financiero. I am now the old financiero.´´ :) It was kind of a cool and scary feeling at the same time. hah he´s going to be with us for the last three weeks of this transfer to train me on how to do financiero stuff. Its gone really well thus far.

   I´m happy to hear about the temple work that you guys are doing. I went to the temple regularly but I want to make it a higher priority when I get home. Priorities priorities priorities! Keep them in line and in mind! Plus, you have nothing to lose with starting to learn family history! And don´t be scared that you won´t learn it! haha You will learn it. Plus trying and failing is better than never daring to try. YOU taught me that mom.

   Adam, work hard bud! And then be prudent with your money! I wish I would´ve saved more of what I earned when I was younger... just FYI. Obviously enjoy your hard earned cabbage but don´t go blow it all on POKEMON CARDS......... just kidding, I know you haven´t touch pokemon cards since you were 5 but you get what i´m sayin. :)

   I did not recieve the package.. :\ haha Its kind of a bummer how that keeps happening. I know you mom, you´re going to feel bad... DON´T FEEL BAD. haha there is no way you or anyone, including President Deere, could have foreseen the change. I´ll get it from the Elders there. They´ll be able to get it for me.

   I´m pretty sure you guys had already told me where Jake Robley had been called .. :) that's why when you mentioned it, Russia came to mind. Hah tell him congrats for me. Tell him ´´Book of Mormon AND Preach My Gospel´´ from sam.

   Thanks for the awesome thought mom. Really liked it. You always send little tips of advice. They´re great. Not to mention President Hollands talk. WOW. I saw it on the blog and watched it real quick. WOW. He is soo powerful. I love the way he teaches. I want to emulate my teaching to that of his.

Thank you! Love you all! Have a great week and don´t forget to drink your ovaltine.... :D

-Elder Norton

"Accomplishing things that are easy doesn't feel as great as accomplishing things that are difficult." (Hilary)

Amo lo que hago!

The lovely and wise Jane Austen

Dear Mom,

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I love you and miss you so much. I have a little time left but when I get back I won't go far. Then when we have rainy days we can watch a Jane Austen film together or sew something or go to Taco Amigo.

Things are going well down here in Ecuador! Yesterday was "cambios" (transfers) and there are no changes for us, which is a good thing. The day before transfers is always full of mixed feelings. I am so glad I get to spend more time here.We have a couple baptisms lined up that I really really want to be here for. Speaking of... M A is going to be baptized!! We have seen such an amazing process with him and I am just so happy for their sweet family. 

He accepted a baptismal date the other day and we left their house singing. I called the district leader that night and when I told him, he was like, "Yes!!" It was so great. It has been a really tough road with M , but I like it that way. Accomplishing things that are easy doesn't feel as great as accomplishing things that are difficult.

Y was baptized Saturday and confirmed Sunday. He is a rock. He bore his testimony about how he knows the church is true. It was a great baptism and we a had a good amount of members (and investigators) there supporting us. His mom went and she got all teary eyed. It was sweet.

J is really looking forward to Saturday. In our Principios del Evangelio class we all introduce ourselves and she stood up, introduced herself and said, "And you are all invited to my baptism this Saturday." It was neat. She has attended a lot of churches and really been searching for what's "right," she says.

Yesterday we were able to have a training meeting as a ward on missionary work. It went well. We were hoping that the ward missionaries would attend, but only a few came. But other faithful ward members were there and really have a desire to help this work move forward. There was an excitement we saw in them as they asked us for folletos  (literature, pamphlet) and they asked if they could practice what we were teaching. Overall it went really well.

Mom, first of all, I am sorry to hear that you didn't feel good about how the piano recital turned out. But just know that what you are doing is so respectable. Like Sam said, you are so humble and that is what makes you YOU! That's why Heavenly Father called you to do all that you do in your calling and as a mother. Because of your willingness and your humility. Mom, I respect you so much. I love you with all my heart. I hope that your birthday goes well. Be happy!

Well, I had written down everything I wanted to write about, but in my last agenda and today I started my new agenda. So. I am sorry I don't have more to say.

Mitch, thank you so much for writing. I love the pictures and the tidbits. Also, I laughed SO hard when I watched the video of your boys singing happy birthday to mom. They're so great and so grown up! They're going to be really different when I get back! How bizarre.

Dad, thanks for writing. Enjoy your "off" time because you do so much and deserve a break. Tell Madeline I say congrats!!!! She is adorable! I am really happy for her! I hope Adam gets better. I have been sick all week again. It is getting old. I have been drinking a lot of Asea. I have strep and I am feeling like I have parasites again. So many people have gone home sick. The idea literally haunts me. When I look at pictures I long to be with everyone I love so much, but I know I truly want to be here right now. Congrats on your golf game. I love hearing about your little adventures and what you're all up to.

Love you all!

Hermana Norton

"Hmmmm i´m gonna keep pondering it." (Sam)

Hello! 

Happy Birthday Mama!! I´m glad you got my letter! :) I figured that just having sent you a letter for mother´s day and having just talked on skype, that you´d have heard enough of my words. :P I´m glad you enjoyed the letter.

While its on my mind, can you send me Elder Holland's talk from conference on a cd? and his talk from grandpa's funeral. Keep me updated on the mission calls from the ward and stake!  Dad! Tu eres un máquina! teach adam well! we´ll go play that fathers and sons tournament! :)   

Oh yeah.......... forgot to tell you guys...... President called me on friday................ O.o....... YEAH.

   We are in the middle of the transfer right now and he called me and asked me if I would be the mission financial clerk.... I leave wednesday for Fuengirola and will be working the mission office in the mornings with the mission secretary as my companion and the two APs in my district.. :D :D:D I´m really excited but tired of "despedidas" (goodbyes)... oh well.. thats the mission right? Elder Larios and Elder Vergara have got this place memorized and under control. I feel very good leaving it in their hands.

   My new address is just the mission office address. 

   Paseo Jesús Santos Reín #2, 3ºD-E

      29640 Fuengirola (Málaga)

                ESPAÑA

   Quick update... Things are great! The ward had great attendance this week including 4 investigators. Really great feeling and spirit there in the church. Its amazing how much investigators can progress in 3 short hours in the church. When we, the members, have true, pure desires to teach the doctrine and help the people, the spirit is felt and the investigators learn and progress. I´m excited to see what happens in this area in the next transfer or two.

   I don´t know if there is some message I have to learn or if there is some purpose behind all of this but I feel like a plant A LOT in my areas... and then just cuz of circumstances in the mission, I have to leave before I can really harvest. The truth is that it doesn´t really matter WHO harvests.... but I do wonder sometimes the reasons why i´m sent to help people FIND the path but that i´m not allowed to be there when they reach baptism... Hmmmm i´m gonna keep pondering it.

   I Love my mission! I am learning so much! Our awesome zone leaders put together a great zone meeting last wednesday and taught us to pray always! Literally! They gave us little stickers to put on our watches so that every time we look at our watch, we see a little sticker that says ORAR.

-Let God guide you. Let God teach you. Speak with Him always. Ask Him for answers and help in situations that you have never asked Him before. You will be surprised at how much He helps and how much closer you feel to Him.

I love you all! Thank you all for you support! See you all soon!

-Elder Samuel THE LAMANITE Norton

To listen to or read Elder Holland's talk

 "Lord, I Believe"

CLICK HERE

"Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever 

fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."

Long distance Birthday wishes

Watch till the end ... it's worth the wait

Handmade by Elder Norton :)

and my sweet Hermana :)

Skype call and photos! (Hilary)

This beautiful girl radiates goodness!

Hi everyone! 

Thanks for the emails! I love you all! SO fun to talk yesterday! I love seeing you guys and I felt like I left more excited to keep working and more assured that you're all doing okay so far away. We (as a family) have seen many blessings and should feel very grateful and humbled.

The week went well. A. was baptized Saturday and confirmed yesterday. It went well! Her family has been reactivated and they are loving it. 

Y. will be baptized this Saturday. He's really looking forward to it. Saturday he and his mom attended A's baptism and the Mother's Day activity afterward. They left happy. He's really become involved in the church and continues to study.

J. accepted a baptismal date Saturday. Our first couple lessons with her she did not want to accept, but Saturday we got to their house and they were really excited. Her husband, a less active member who recently started attending church again, told us, "My wife has exciting news." She explained that during the week they had been studying and praying a lot and she realized that (how we had explained) baptism is the door to enter in. She explained the commitment she had made with the Lord and how she knew that although opposition would come, she would be able to be baptized and go forward. She's really prepared and so positive and excited. 

I feel so grateful to know that Heavenly Father is willing to trust us to help His children in this important process. 

It is such a blessing on our end to see how it all works. 

To see how much He really loves each and every one of us and how merciful He really is.

Hermana Rodriguez as Agent Perry the Platypus

Our Gospel Principles class has gone really well the last couple weeks and something that I have really loved is that the teacher has done a good job of focusing on the things that our investigators need to hear, such as baptism. Yesterday we studied about "La pueblo del convenio del Señor" and our investigators left with a stronger conviction of the need to be baptized.

Okay, that's all about the work. It is going well and we are working hard... 

 I love you all! I am sending pictures. Thanks for everything!

Hermana Norton

Mother's Day FaceTime (Sam)

I LOVE this boy!

Hello! It was great to talk yesterday!

 Mom, what day did you get that letter???? I sent that Monday and the guy told me it would take 7-14 days.......... and if you got it by Sunday that means it got there in less than 6. WOOHOO. God can even speed up the mail if he wants! :)

 Haha don't worry about what I said about "mimar"! :) it was a joke! haha we are blessed, not spoiled. The reason why is because we know and recognize the true source. I am proud of all of you for having the humility and the charity to always try to share what we know and what we have. Thanks for raising me how you have and for teaching me what you've taught me. I appreciate it.

-DEAL-

 Anyways, things are great here... as you saw and heard yesterday. :)

 I've been writing in my journal every day and I am happy for that habit. I INVITE YOU (ugh.. that’s the only thing that comes out of my mouth now..... Invitations...) TO WRITE EVERYDAY IN A JOURNAL. That is how you can measure personal progress and also the way you can watch the miracles of the Lord in your life. Even if you write 3 lines! Write something!

Its been a short message.... just one last thing... I need you to put something else in the package before you send it..... a short letter from each of you....... Por favor.... :)

 Love you guys! 

-Elder Norton

"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!" (Hilary)

 

"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!" 

 

  Happy Monday everyone! We have another week ahead of us. How cool. Time is flying by.

All is going well here in Calderon.  

I think I say this every week, but

 I love this sector and I love my companion and I love this work. 

I found a good quote 

the other day. 

 

"Success is not the key to happiness. 

 Happiness is the key to success. 

If you love what you're doing, you will be successful." 

I can't necessarily say that we are having a hundred baptisms every Saturday, but I can say that I have seen a difference in the results we have had lately and I am recognizing the causes... 

obedience, diligence, a personal conversion, 

and really loving what we're doing.

Okay the phone call. Is it okay if we call 3:30? There aren't any members that have offered to help, so I think we'll just end up calling from an Internet place nearby. It will be by Skype, because I have not seen an Apple in Ecuador. I'll call from the "Hermana Norton" account.

Thursday and Friday we had training and conference and interviews with President and the assistants. They're great. I really look forward to those times because I feel like they are a really great help, knowing the challenges of our mission and really what we need to know and do here at this time. Plus, Hermana Ghent always reviews the area books and she was so amazed at our book. Ha, she was pulling out all the progress reports and showing people and telling all the elders what they need to improve on and showing them ours as an example. It was cute. She is really sweet. Haha it made us feel good. She said the Lord would be pleased if he were looking at our area book. Hahaha. Anyway, since the trainings, Hermana Rodriguez and I have been teaching Lesson 1 a lot more often and finding a lot of success in that. It helps the people to recognize what are the differences in our church and others, and to understand our objective as missionaries. We have been teaching a few people recently who are really catching on. I hope to be able to see their future progress. Transfers are in two weeks and I really really hope that I get more time here!

Saturday/Sunday we had another really great fasting experience. We had a lot of investigators attend church Sunday and they all had positive experiences! This Saturday, A will be baptized and the following, Y. They're both doing really well.

Something I have seen a bit recently is the blessings of the guidance of the Spirit during the lessons. My companion and I have really tried to obtain his companionship, and during the lessons we are always able to see his guidance. He has helped us to know how to answer questions and what to teach in certain lessons. I am grateful and humbled. We have had a few lessons recently with Jehovah's Witnesses or Christians or Catholics that have really strong beliefs and we have been able to teach the doctrine and respond to their questions without things turning into a debate and without losing the Spirit of the lesson. I am really grateful, because I know there is no way we could do any of this without Heavenly Father's help.

A couple weeks ago I wrote about E. She won't read/listen to/look at the Book of Mormon and it is so painful. My poor companion wants to keep trying because apparently her ex-boyfriend had the same problem and she says to me, "I am going to write a chapter in a letter and give it to her." and things like that. As much as I want to keep trying, she won't accept it and she can't progress without it! It's tough.

Today we crossed paths with C (the woman we helped when her husband was beating her). She looked so different and happy. I don't know if I mentioned it, but when we arrived that day her head/face had a couple big goose eggs and was all blue and bruised. She was so excited to see us. It was cool. (for the backstory, see post "It felt like an 'Ammon moment" from April 16, 2013)
Okay, this is a really long email, I apologize! I love the photos you all send! Thanks for keeping me updated.

Tell the elders I say congrats on the baptisms!! How exciting! We also do what that Elder was saying. It's called the "Charla de Oposicion." It is the smartest way because then they know what to expect and they this is what happens when we are trying to do what is right.

Thanks for helping Hermana Masquez.

Tell Adam I love him!

Mitch, I love you!

Until Sunday!

Hermana Norton

"Don´t expect an answer from the Lord if you haven´t yet read what He has said to us...." (Sam)

Hello family and friends!

Great to hear from you. Thanks for your prayers and support. NOS HACE FALTA. :) haha we work in 30 pueblos and have an average sunday attendance of 45... that means we have an average of 1.5 people coming to church from each pueblo... Lemme tell you, there are more than 1.5 people in our pueblos. WE NEED TO FIND THE ELECT. Help us with your prayers and fasting!

   Sounds like you have all had a great, busy week. Thats how it should be... but don´t forget to dedicate at least 10 minutes to receiving revelation from the Lord. Live Revelation is what sets us apart from every other church on this earth. We have a Prophet chosen of God. He receives revelation and direction. Our stake and ward leaders have the right to receive direct revelation for their corresponding group. When they speak, the speak the words of Christ, 2 nephi 32:3. Listen to them AS IF IT WERE CHRIST. We too have and will always have the right to receive personal revelation. Pedid y recibiréis. Buscad y hallaréis. Llamad, y se os abrirá. Ask and then look for the answer. Don´t expect an answer from the Lord if you haven´t yet read what he has said to us.... Lesson that i had to learn recently. :)

   First things first!   Mother´s day skype time! They said we have an hour. We can use skype or facetime. We are going to do it from the house of members in our ward. They have a bunch of cool gadgits like iPads and whatnot. :) plus they have enough for the three of us and a good internet connection. We are going to go to their house around 6 pm HERE. That will be 10 am THERE IN PG. When does church start? If we need to call right when we get there or if we need to go earlier so we can finish before you have to go to church, let me know. This family said that facetime usually works better than skype... We´ll see.

   Thanks for getting a package ready for me! My alergies have been acting up lately.. :/ maybe some good alergy pills that you know work well for stuffy nose, itchy eyes, irritated throat. Or flonase.. That might help. Whatever you think. If that stuff can´t be sent through the mail I could prolly find something here. Let me know. Any candy would be nice. :) or fruit by the foot.. or.. mike n ikes. :) hahah you´re the best!

   Things are great! We´re looking hard, teaching well, finding people, communicating the spirit, supporting the ward, and missing our moms! Thanks for everything! See you sooooon!

-Elder Norton