"the fight with the shower" (Hilary)

La Lucha con la Ducha 

The week went really well for us here in Iñaquito. D was baptized Saturday and confirmed Sunday and we actually had some good support from the ward here. Her mom and sisters are coming back to church and they were really excited Saturday for the baptism.

We have found a few good investigators this week and a couple attended church Sunday. I know they will progress, but it might be slowly. C was introduced to the church in the United States but was sent home (to Ecuador) a few weeks ago and found us street contacting. He approached us and really has the desire to learn and come closer to Christ. J also attended church and really enjoyed it. He has attended a few different churches and was invited by a coworker (who lives in another stake) to attend this Sunday. He showed up by himself. When we taught Lesson 1 he was really interested in knowing if what we said was true and if the church has the authority. He offered the closing prayer and I felt a confirmartion as he asked if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the correct church and if Heavenly Father would help him to know if these things are true. Those moments are worth more than gold for me and I feel blessed knowing that Heavenly Father is willing to answer EVERY sincere prayer (1 Nephi 10:17-19)(I recently started the Book of Mormon over again and have been reminded of the truthfulness of this church and the doctrine contained in the Book of Mormon).

Wednesday we did divisiones with the Hermanas in El Eden (Hermana D and Hermana G). We were able to fulfill a few goals and help them get things going in their new sector. Also, I think it helped a lot for Hermana D after having a couple of difficult weeks.  Hermana D is very strong and has been so strong through the whole experience. It was neat because we were actually able to help a few people who were going through some difficult moments and Hermana D (without mentioning what had happened to her personally) was able to give counsel and comfort and share scriptures that helped for those members while they really came from her heart because of what she had experienced. I learned a lot from her that day and I feel blessed to be able to work with all these sisters. I have been praying a lot for her.

Our apartment is where all the sisters stay the night when they have a meeting or conference or they don't have their sector assigned yet or something. For example this week, all the new sister that arrived stayed two nights while they were receiving training. It is neat being in the "hotel;" I really enjoyed getting to know all the new sisters that arrived this past week and I could feel how excited they all are for the work. All our lives we have been waiting for this time, to be serving a full-time mission. Every day I am reminded of the importance of taking advantage of every moment and really working with all my energy (D&C 4).

 I love the thirteenth article of faith because it reminds us that we don't endure some things; we endure ALL things. Developing charity and patience means doing everything within our reach, exhausting ourselves in the Lord's work, and really losing ourselves in the service of others.

I have been feeling a lot better health-wise this week! It has been such a huge blessing!  Oh, and We don't have hot water (hence the title of this email). 

Yesterday at church right after sacrament meeting I fell and it was a terrible fall and everyone saw and it was so hilarious. Will I been awkward all my life? I used to pray that one day I would grow out of it... But here I am at 22 and I continue to be clumsy.

I bought a couple things today, mostly two pairs of shoes because mine are getting worn out and have holes. I will send pictures! They are cute. 

Okay, time to go. I love you all! Thanks for your support and prayers. Keep choosing the right! You are all examples for me!

Hermana Norton

Wondering about the Articles of Faith? Go HERE

"Choose to have a good week!" ( Hilary )

Beautiful Hermanas!

We didn't hear from Hilary this week but thanks to a couple of friends of hers I have these excerpts to share. 

The first is a little bit of an email from Sister Ghent, her mission president's wife:

Hello Sister Norton,

I just saw Hermana Norton this afternoon and she looked beautiful and is a mighty missionary.  President Ghent gave Hermana Norton the additional assignment of being a sister leader in the mission, so currently she is in a trio and being trained in that assignment.  Hermana Cantos, who is also wonderful, will be Hermana Norton´s companion when Hermana Cooper returns home this Tuesday.  As a sister leader Hermana Norton will attend the Mission Leadership Council meetings, travel and train the other hermanas in the mission.  This Saturday the mission will be divided, the Quito mission and the Quito North mission.  Hermana Norton will be in the Quito mission and President Richardson will be her new mission president.  We have great confidence in Hermana Norton.  She is so thoughtful too.  For Mothers Day she wrote me a beautiful note which meant a lot to me.  We will miss Hermana Norton, she is petite, yet she possess a mighty spirit which lights up a room.  She will continue to do great work for the Lord!

The second excerpt is what Hilary sent to a friend

My assignment consists of doing divisions with each companionship of sister missionaries to help them for a day and train them in what they might need. We help out with any problems and answers questions that the sisters have. It is a very broad assignment, me explico? Anyway, it's super cool and super fun and super exhausting and I love it.

Hermanas Harris and Norton

Ofelia Pusuqui is my new sector and my companion's names are Hermana Cooper (from Texas) and Hermana Cantos (from  Ecuador). They are so great! We are having so much fun. They are really sweet. This sector is literally the middle of the world. It is really hot in the day and really cold at night! Sam Harris started her mission here! Everyone talks about her, I love it! Hermana Harris had to go home sick a little while ago. I hope she is doing well. If you run into her tell her I love her!

Okay, we have an investigator who will be baptized soon who was living with the father of her daughter, but they aren't married. This is a huge problem everywhere.  Anyway, she wants to be baptized (he's already a member) so the other day we explained the law of chastity and the following day we visited them and he was living in a different house on that same property. They are great and both really want to keep the commandments. Saturday we were going to have a baptism, but it fell through. The font was full and everything. That is one of the most dreaded mission experiences and I thought I would make it through without that. R was going to be baptized but there was a whole bunch of opposition suddenly from her daughter and she called us saying she wouldn't be able to be baptized and that she was sick, etc... So sad! I hope we can help her out this week because she had already had her interviews with the district leader and with our mission president's counselor and everything and she was so sure! Pray for her! The good thing was that yesterday we did have a confirmation of a kid who got baptized with his mom and then hadn't ever gotten confirmed. It was like five weeks later, but hey! He had a huge change of heart and is really doing good now!

Be happy! Choose to have a good week!

Hermana Norton

"A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men." (Hilary)

The Candyman and philosopher Willie Wonka

Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing so well! I miss you all very much, but will be seeing you very soon, and don't want to miss a minute of what I am doing right now. Yesterday we went to Miguel and Evelyn's and her brother opened his mission call. He is going to IDAHO. Ha! How cool!!! Anyway, we did a little family home evening and it was so special and helped me to remember that what I am doing is so special and that I have to enjoy every second because it is what I have been waiting for all my life (and what I will reflect on in the future).

Okay, so the bad news is... I TOTALLY forgot about wishing Dad a happy father's day and Mitch a happy birthday (and McKenzie a happy birthday). I am the worst. I feel so awful and I owe you all apologies (sp?).

The good news is... yesterday were transfers and although I didn't want to leave Calderon because I love it so much and have had the most amazing time in this sector, I have a new calling! A few months ago President assigned a couple sisters to be "leader hermanas" here and one is going home in two weeks and I am taking her place! WHAT? I know, right? So I will be in a trio for the next couple weeks with Hermana Cooper and Hermana Cantos. I am still with Hermana Valera (and we just picked up her new companion, Hermana Quizhpe) right now but in like thirty minutes I will head to my new sector, o sea, Ofelia. It is actually really close, just one zone away. I am bummed to leave Calderon and nervous about my new assignment, but overall, super excited to have new responsibilities and super humbled to be trusted in this calling.

We have had a crazy week. Wednesday we had a conference and it went really well. It was cool and they asked us to participate a bit and I felt like it turned out okay and I really learned a lot. Thursday we had to be in the offices at 6 am to renew my visa. I was there with Hermana Giles and Elder Clinger though, which was way fun to catch up with those two! They're so great. It was a long day. Throughout the week my companion had been dealing with a stomach sickness (it happens to all of us here in Calderon and this is a nicer sector! I am not sure what the deal is.) and Saturday she just couldn't work at all. Luckily she is getting much better now. But the rest of the week was normal and great.
Found a couple new investigators and families and things are going okay in the obra.

Things were good with the Hermana Valera. We only had less than three weeks together, but it was fun. I think we both learned quite a bit and now President is trusting her to train! I hope things turn out for her. We spent a lot of time laughing together; I want to marry someone that likes to laugh. Sometimes when we're walking together we sing and rap. "A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men." (Name that movie.)

Okay, Dad, know that I love you with all my heart! I am sending letters soon, I hope! Thanks for everything!

Hermana Norton

There are some really great lines in the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl 

and naturally Hilary would remember one that is very thought provoking. 

I, on the other hand, can only recall the really weird lines ... for example:

Veruca Salt: 

Snozzberries? Who ever heard of a snozzberry?

Sam Beauregarde: 

I've got a blueberry for a daughter...