And now for a SUPER, MARVELous Halloween recap....

Off to save the universe...

Batman and Wonder Woman

Caden as Spiderman

Branson as Clark Kent / Superman

Sienna as Captain America

And last but not least ...
Adam as a Harley biker, Yasuhiro as an Alien,
and Jacob in an 80's flashback getup

"The Lord is aware of all the details" (Hilary)

"Rescue of the Lost Lamb" by Minerva Teichert

Hi everyone! I love you all very much! I absolutely love hearing from you all every Monday. It is so exciting and it makes me so happy! Monday morning I sit on my bed (after having printed the emails) reading everyones emails smiling and laughing and my companion does the same.

Okay, I think a lot of my emails from last week arrived much later then I sent them. Like, I finished emailing Monday around 5:30 and they didn't show up for some people until like Tuesday... I don't know what that is all about, but just clearing things up so there aren't any questions about obedience. 

This week went really well. It was exciting and difficult starting over in a new sector. My companion was much less familiar with the area that we thought she was. But we have learned a lot about the sector geographically and are working hard to pick up the pace. A couple things we have been doing to work more effectively are 1. Planning Noches de Hogar (Family Home Evenings) with members and having them invite others, whether they are members, converts, less-actives, or investigators. It is helping us to get to know more people and helping them to build closer and stronger relationships here in the ward. It is a great tool. 2. We are also going through the carpeta and planning visits with all the recent converts. I have a strong testimony that when we feel the blessings of the Atonement and the Gospel in our lives, we want to share them with others. Converts are always a great source for references. This ward has been doing a great job of involving them, as well. The majority have callings and assignments, which is something I have always suggested in other wards. I remember studying a message by President Packer when he spoke about helping less-actives return to the church. We need to put more confidence in converts and less-actives than we do. There are a few families of less-actives we are also trying to help out. Thursday in the District Meeting we talked about how we have been called with the objective of "Invitar a las personas a venir a Cristo..." (invite people to come to Christ) and that does not exclude those who already are members.

The investigators are doing well. The Hermanas' investigators were slowly progressing so we are doing what we can to help them and find new people as well. D is a young girl whose mother and sisters are less-actives. The whole family attended church yesterday and really enjoyed it. Another investigator that attended church yesterday is a reference we received this week. His girlfriend is a member and they are planning to get married. She has been a good support and helped by bearing her testimony. We have talked about the temple and they have that as a future goal.

This week we did divisions with Sister Marca and Sister Galdame. It went well, although we weren't able to spend the whole day with them. We accomplished goals and helped to encourage them and today when we saw them in the offices they looked like they are doing great. I absolutely love that part of this assignment and I have really felt grateful for all I get to do here.

One thing I have loved to do as a missionary is help others recognize their divine potential.

I have really felt Heavenly Father's love for me 

and I think one of the primary ways I can fulfill my assignment and objective 

is start out by helping others understand their divine potential.

Okay, a couple little things.

I am feeling a little better. I have gotten to the point where I can work, it is just uncomfortably. So, I will just do all I can and keep praying. I thank you all for your help! I loved reading about cute Adam. He is incredible. I really miss him a lot.  Fun to hear about Amanda! I love her! Hope they are all doing well!

OK, there was something else, but I can't think of it. Love you all! Thanks for everything!

Hermana Norton

"...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

"I think it is important that they recognize that we are a happy people. We have the full truth; they should be able to tell." (Hilary)

Hi fam

Hope you are all doing so well! We have had an eventful week.

I am still pretty sick. Monday, the mission nurse told me I had parasites. She gave me a few medications but nothing helped. It was really debilitating our ability to get out and work. So Thursday I went to a doctor in Quito and he did a few tests. I have a stomach infection and ... anemia! They said the normal iron level is between 25 - 200 and mine is .7 ... So the nurses complimented me on my work performance while living almost completely without iron in my blood. (I told Hermana Ellis I don't really know what it even means to be low on iron anyway and she told me it means that if Ironman were to come to Ecuador he would have no power over me.) Haha. Anyway, iron pills are expensive here. Is there any way you could get some sent out here to me? That would be deeply appreciated.

So how is everyone? Did you enjoy Italy, Dad? Please keep me updated on how Adam's baseball tournament goes! I would like to hear from him... Looking good without the braces, big guy! Tell Trevor and Heather I say congrats! I wish I could have been there. I hope she is just as great as Trev.  Dad, were you able to play in that golf tournament in Italy? Where do you go next? Or do you have a little break?

Dad, thank you so much for the thoughtful email. I really appreciated all you said. It is so true and although I don't look back on it fondly, I know it was good for me to have that experience to learn from. I might not have been the most tolerant, patient daughter of God before my mission, and I am aware of that and I am trying to improve. It is true what you said about us being our own agents. Alma 41:7-8 I really like because they teach us that we are our own judges. It is all up to us. WE decide if we choose eternal life or eternal misery. It is simple. I hope I am living worthy of eternal life.

Mom, I love hearing about your Spanish. And don't worry, it will come, you will get a hang of it. And please tell Jake Lee (if you see him again) to write me. He is such a good kid.

I received an email from K today. A and C had both written me about how she got sick and came home :(

I hope she is doing okay. I just mailed her a letter. But I am going to include something really sweet that she wrote to me in her email.

"Hilary, Thank you for your confidence in the Lord. Thank you for showing me what it is like to have true faith in Him. I'm really having to learn where my faith stands, and as I look back, I could tell where you stood."

The sweetest comment ever. I know I made mistakes in my past and I wish I could erase them. As I read what she said, I felt grateful and unworthy all at once. "And remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved" (2 Nephi 10:24) We got the good end of the deal, didn't we?

 Well, I hope you are all doing well. Hermana Ellis and I are really enjoying the work right now. I love working with her. We are always laughing and having fun and I think it is important because people need to recognize that we are a happy people. We have the full truth; they should be able to tell.  Today we went to a really nice mall, and I found a million things I loved but I didn't buy one thing. I am looking forward to doing a little shopping when I get home instead of here. If any of you ever feels tempted to spend money on me right now, write me a thoughtful letter, put the money in a jar, and we will spend it together when I get home. Thank you :)

We have a few people who are progressing toward baptism. P, R and a few others. They are so great and working through some trials but doing what they should to come out on top. We are also teaching a lot of other people who are interested. We will see if they are willing to act. Our mission has set some goals and is making a few sacrifices and exercising much faith to be able to see miracles in this month. Our district leader and his companion are doing so so well. I am so happy for them. I pray for their investigators every night. They have about 12 at church yesterday (which just doesn't happen regularly in this mission).

General Conference is coming up! Who's pumped?!

Well, thanks for writing. I love you all. Keep me updated in your lives. 

Hermana Norton

CLICK HERE if you're curious about GENERAL CONFERENCE

"Read God's Word Daily! We'd be ungrateful not to" (Sam)

Happy New Year!

   It was great to talk on Christmas. I loved it! For some missionaries that messes with them and distracts them.. for me it just excites me and reminds me why I´m here... So that I can help others be in families too! Anyways, it was perfect!

   Christmas sounded like a blast there! New ping pong table huh¿? Thats pretty cool. Send me the old one in a package or something, we´ll set it up in our piso. :)................ ¡BROMA! Admo, keep playing sports and keep involving yourself in stuff. I know you feel really bogged down at times cuz I was in your exact shoes.. my only consejo is just keep playing.. it doesn´t have to be a ton.. just play and play with a smile. You´ll be glad you stayed involved. Oh, and DON´T SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT............................ ;P

   Wow! DJ´s already home and Berry´s heading out!! Tell DJ hi for me and give him a huuuge hug for me. Where's Jacob headed to again? Tell him from Norton... ´´good luck :) and be obedient´´ heheh

   Wow! Tyler Haws is wrecking! Keep me updated por favor. also, hows whats his name doing? the kid last year that was a freshman that everyone freaked cuz he was like a new little jimmer?? I can´t remember his name... but fill me in!

   The new area is amazing!! Elder P. says that he looks super gordo in that video.. haha but yeah, our area is amazing! And although this won´t make much sense to you guys, this area is outside of the region of Andalucía.. and its more up into like valencia and barcelona around there.. so everyone speaks pretty different. They have a lot of Spanish pride! Several members here have told us that they call the spanish that they speak "castellano".. even though its almost the exact same thing.. and then they speak this other language too thats call "catalán".. or valenciano... and its significantly different.. so Elder Pascua is teaching it to me. He´s been living here in spain for like 16 years now so he has heard it a lot.. anyways, its awesome! and tough.. haha!

   Mom, quick question.. did you sent Núñez a package? and if so did you send him one of those mirror rubik´s cubes? I just wanted to check cuz I want him to have one and if you haven´t sent him one I want to give him one of mine. :)

   President Deere did tell me about the dinner they all had together. He spoke very highly of Ty and Allie... Fam, you have to meet President Deere one day. He is an absolutely amazing man. Amazing! We´ve been in contact several times recently with Alcoy being opened and whatnot. We´re actually gonna be moving pisos soon I think. We´re moving into a new nicer one. They want us to be confortable so the only thing we have to think about is the work.

   Anyways, gotta go! Thanks for all writing! ADAM. Think up a new Avatar question. I´ll keep thinking too. :)

   I love you all! Read God´s words daily. We would be ungreatful not too. Set aside a time. Plan. It helps a lot. Maybe a phone reminder or something too. :) Lucky people.. you and your inteligent phones........ haha 

Anyways, bye!

-Elder Norton

In my email this week to Sam and Hilary I shared with them a new year's resolution of mine regarding my personal scripture study. Each of them, in their own way, addressed what I had said with simple but strong advice. 

I am so very grateful for my family ... my dear husband and each of my four children ... as well as the righteous family in which I was raised. I truly believe I was rescued in my pre-mortal life by this little band of valiant warriors. They may have seen me as a free spirit and known I would need extra help? or Maybe I was assigned to them from a higher power ... kind of like a service project? I don't know the details and it really doesn't matter. 

I am just so thankful to be surrounded by people that love me enough to push me to reach my potential. 

There is nothing in the universe I want more than to qualify to live with my family forever!
                            joanna

"he wanted to share his testimony ... but just stood up front smiling!" (Hilary)

Okay, first of all, thanks for writing! You all don't know how important it is for me! And Mom, thank you for sending the responses of those people. It is nice to be reminded of the support system I can't see. So, the other day we got all the rules for Christmas. I will explain more later, but what time is Sam going to be calling? I will be calling on Christmas day and I would like to do it by Skype (yes, it is allowed in our mission!!). I am going to set up a new account with my mission email address, but what is the information of your skype? And what time should I call? It will be before six I think. I will keep you updated. This Sunday are transfers, so we will see where I am and how it will all work out.

This Saturday we had a baptism, after what seems like a very long drought. It felt really well earned, but then again, when that thought comes to mind, I remember the story of the little child who wanted to buy a bike and worked and saved and did everything she could and ended up with like $0.40. I know even when I do (what feels like) everything I can, God is on the end doing a million times more. I have really seen miracles in the mission. And they're not like seeing an angel, or watching a blind person gain his sight, but they're exactly what these people need and they are what I need as well to remind me that God is literally doing so much here. He is so real and so aware and so involved.

 So, the baptism was of three people: S. (8 years old), F. (15), and L. (14). I have sent some photos. It has been a long road for them and I am so happy to be able to see them in the right path. L. is so cute. When she came to the baptism she was in a blue fachalina (the scarf/cape thing) and after the ordinance we changed her into a white one. F. is really timid and wanted to share his testimony afterward, but couldn't get up the courage to say anything so he just kind of stood at the front smiling. I love these little kids and I want the best for them! (We have been working with the whole family  of L. and F. The Hermano has a word of wisdom problem. He says it gives him energy to keep working. I have been bringing him Gatorade to take the place of addiction. It is pretty funny, but hey, whatever works, right?)

Saturday we also had a few service opportunities. I have really appreciated the opportunities to help the people here, and learned a lot about what a difference serving someone will make in if they accept the missionaries later on down the road. It is a really important tool to use to earn the trust of less-active members and investigators. I sent some photos of those too. I really love this part of the mission.

So I. is doing really well. If I get transfered, I won't be able to attend her baptism, which will be a big bummer, but to know she is moving forward will have to be enough! She has really accepted the gospel and she is learning so much. To begin with, she didn't know how to read. When we met her, she was explaining to us she doesn't know the alphabet (sp?). She didn't recognize the letter Q. I remember her explaining to us that she always got confused because she would think it was P but it was backwards ("p" "q"). Well, we have been teaching her to write and read before the lessons and now she is reading the pamphlets little by little. It is so cool. She gets the majority, very slowly, and only misses the big words like "mandamientos." The other day she told us about a dream she had with us and she was following us the whole time. We were in heaven and Hermana Marca and I were singing praises. Something along those lines. Anyway, she was following and trying and trying to catch us and finally she caught up to us and she just said she rested and was so releaved and felt at peace. It was really cool to hear. I mean, I don't know how to interpret dreams, but I like the idea of that one. I love this woman.

We can't work with L. anymore, which is super painful. I will explain more in a letter. I guess it just isn't his time. But I have a lot of hope for him.

Please tell Caitlin, Sarah Law, Abby, and Veronica that I love them and miss them! They are the greatest. I think about them often. I am working on writing many people! I hope everyone will understand that I am doing what I can to respond!

Adam, I love hearing about your life. I just can picture it. You are the happiest little kid. Thank you so much for your example in everything. Whenever people ask about my family I always end up explaining to them about how they need to remember my little brother's name because some day he will become prophet. Okay, I really haven't said that to anyone, but I do believe it and I want you to know how grateful I am for you!

Mom, I felt the same way about the chapel. I just felt like I wanted to cry but couldn't breathe. It was really interesting. Anyway, thanks to everyone for their support and concern. I will see what more we can do.

Mitch, I LOVE YOU.

Okay, time to go. Thanks for everything!

Hermana Norton

Parable of the bicycle

“Daddy, I need to talk to you,” the little girl said. Seeing her earnest expression, the father set his newspaper aside and looked into his daughter’s eyes.

“All my friends have bikes,” the little girl explained. “Can I get a bike? I could ride it to school and lock it with a lock. I could go to my friend’s house all by myself and you wouldn’t even have to drive me.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought.

“Well,” he said, “that is an interesting idea. But having a bike is a big responsibility, you know. And bikes cost quite a lot of money.”

The little girl smiled confidently. “I’m going to pay for it myself,” she declared. ”I’m going to save up all my money and not spend even one penny. If I save and save, don’t you think I’ll have enough for a bike someday.”

Her father sat for a few moments without answering. He knew that his little girl had no idea what a bicycle would really cost. There was no way her small allowance would be enough, even if she did extra jobs around the house to add to it.

But she was so excited, so earnest – so priceless – that his heart melted. He took her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “A goal is a good thing to have,” he said. “Why don’t you try it, and let’s see what happens.”

A few days went by, and the father found his little girl sweeping the porch. The following week he noticed her working alongside her mother in the garden, pulling weeds and planting flowers. And once or twice, as the little girl went into her bedroom, he heard the clink of coins being dropped into a glass jar.

After a while, the little girl came to her father and said, “Daddy, I’ve been working and saving up all my money for a long time. Can we get my bike now?” She shook the coins in the bottom of the jar.

The father looked at the little collection of coins, and then he looked into the pleading eyes of the little girl he loved so much. “Let’s go and see what we can find out,” he suggested.

The bicycle shop had a little bell that made a tinkling noise when they walked into the store. They hadn’t looked around very long when suddenly the little girl froze. There it was! The most beautiful bicycle she could ever have imagined! She ran to it, stroking its shiny chrome and running her fingers through the colorful streamers that flowed from its handle grips. Never could there be a more perfect bike than this one. She clapped her hands with the pure delight of it.

Then she reached for the price tag.

The next moment, the sunshine in the little girl’s eyes melted into tears. “Oh, Daddy,” she wept, “I’ll never have enough. Never.” She threw herself into his arms.

Her father cradled her head on his shoulder and gently stroked her hair, letting her cry.

When the little girl finally settled down, her father wiped her tears away and said, “How about this? How much money do you have?”

“Sixty-one cents,” she answered in a forlorn voice.

“Then I’ll tell you what,” he said. “Let’s try a different arrangement. You give me everything you’ve got – the whole sixty-one cents – and a hug and a kiss, and this bike is yours. I’ll make up the difference.”

Hope came back into the little girl’s eyes. “Really, Daddy?” she asked.

“Really, honey.”

“Oh, Daddy!” she said once again, but the words were happy ones now, and the little girl hurried to fill her part of the bargain with several hugs and kisses just to be sure.

The deal was completed, and the Most Perfect Bike Ever was purchased, and the father walked beside his little girl as she wheeled it proudly to the car. In his pockets jingled the sixty-one cents, and in his heart glowed his love for his daughter and the joy he felt in knowing how hard she had worked to reach her goal. When it came down to it, the sixty-one cents – and the hugs and kisses – were exactly enough.

But the story doesn’t end there. . . .

The truth is, there’s something we all want, and we want it more than any child ever wanted any bicycle. We want the kingdom of God. We want to go home to our Father in Heaven worthy and clean.

At some point in that spiritual voyage, we recognize the full price of admission into that kingdom, and we also realize we cannot pay it. We’ll never have enough - - never. The tremendous price of perfect performance is hopelessly beyond our means.

And so we despair.

Only then can we fully appreciate the One who comes to save. For Him, each soul is priceless. When we finally feel the pain of our own shortcomings, the Savior, Jesus Christ, steps in and lovingly says, “Let’s try a different arrangement. How much do you have? You give me exactly that much (the whole sixty-one cents) and do all you can do, and I will provide the rest for now. You give me all you’ve got, and a hug and a kiss (signifying the love that cements this covenant), and the kingdom is yours. Perfection will still be our ultimate goal, but until you can achieve it on your own, I’ll let you use mine. What do you say?”

To all who want to serve God and keep his commandments, who hunger and thirst after righteousness, we declare, this is the “good news” of the gospel. Christ is the answer. He is the bridge from here to there. He is our hope when we feel cut off and alone. He is our Savior”

 (Stephen E. Robinson, “You Are Priceless - The Parable of the Bicycle”, Shadow Mountain 2004). 

"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

"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

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