Catching up on past emails and some exciting changes! plus photos!

Monday 12/24/12 (from Hilary)

Okay, I don't have much time left to write, I have been taking care of other things, and I am so sorry. But tomorrow we will talk for forty minutes. I love you all.

The incident was not with I. And she was baptized Saturday! Hooray! I am sad I couldn't be there, but so happy for her.
Thursday was our Christmas dinner with President. It was super fun to see all these people I love that are here in the mission. President and Sister Ghent really go above and beyond with everything. It was a really cool night.

Here is part of what I wrote to President...
We are working with a family of four from Colombia. The two children were already baptized and the parents want to be baptized but they have a long road ahead of them. F., el hermano, has to work out some things and then marry the hermana, B. We have found ourselves in a tough situation because F. has asked a member for help and the member is turning to us to make the decision regarding worthiness. As much as we feel like every person deserves the second (third, fourth, fifth) chance, we need to know his intentions are pure. We have really been turning to the Lord and our leaders for guidance on making this decision.

Saturday A. was baptized and yesterday she arrived late to Sacrament Meeting and our Branch President wouldn't allow her to be confirmed. There isn't very much support or help from the branch here, and the baptism was almost empty and started late. But, even though it didn't seem like it turned out the greatest, it was still a really special moment for A and her mom. She is the only member in her family and her mom felt the spirit very strongly during the service. She also brought an aunt, who previously was very against the idea of A joining the church. As we were putting things together, they watched the restoration video and the aunt was full of questions. She is very interested and we are going to continue working with her and the rest of the family.

Hermana Davila is great. She is willing to work and wants to be able to help the people in exactly what they need. I am learning from her and I am really grateful to be in this new area with new challenges ahead.

Hermana Davila is from Guatemala. She is 27 and she is super great. I guess she and her previous companion had some challenges , but all of the members have noted that we are getting along and she is a lot happier and they have also been able to tell that we are working so hard. So. That is cool to hear. I guess previously they felt like the missionaries didn't work very hard. We have been doing what we can to patch up the relationships here in our branch.

Merry Christmas to all!

PS. I love you V! I am waiting for your letter with information about you and your boyfriend!

-Hermana Norton

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Monday 12/24/12 (from Sam)

Hello to all and a very Merry Christmas!

    If you´re not part of my family I invite you to read the email but quit wasting time on the computer! Its Christmas time! Go help somebody or be with your family or something!

   Things are great here in Málaga. Elder Hafen is a ROCK. Last transfer was pretty tough cuz we had to split the area and it was just kinda rough but now the area has come back together cuz there´s only one companionship and the work is great again. I am learning soo so much with Elder Hafen. He teaches very directly and very simply. Its so much more powerful.. and clear. Our message is clear. Joseph Smith saw God and his son Jesus Christ. He restored Christ´s chruch. Because of the restoration we know that we can live with God again with our families. To do so, we must obey the commandments. The first commandment is baptism. BOOM ¡A LA PILA BAUTISMAL!

   

M. is great. HE BLESSED THE SACRAMENT THIS WEEK! :) His family is progressing so much! Their fechas are for this saturday! We feel confident that they will be baptised. They are scared but hopeful. We´ll pray and leave it up to the Lord´s will.

   Yes, I. is a Spaniard. They are doing great! 4 of the 5 in their family came to church. They loved it again! They have fechas for the 12th of ENERO. Sorry that spanish words come to my mind faster than english words.. but it will help you learn. :) Keep learning! We haven´t heard anything about the visas..... but we´re hopeful! The Lord would not have opened the doors to thousands or more missionaries without providing a way for them to get to their intended missions. ¡Tened fé!

   Elder Hafen´s package finally arived and he has a bunch of stuff too. :) don´t worry mama. Haha.. today we start his last transfer. OOooooo..... :) His parents are gonna come out and pick him up and tour spain for like a week or two in february. His last day is like the 3rd or 4th and he´s super sad. It doesn´t stop him from working, but he's sad/mad. He doesn´t want it to end. 

   Ok, to answer your Q´s....

1- We´ll be calling from the apartment of a senior couple that are serving here in Málaga. Elder and Hermana Spainhower. They have a computer with skype and a good internet connection.

2- PLAN DE RESPALDO-BACKUP PLAN- The Spainhowers say they have a normal phone line that someone could call from. If skype or whatever it is isn´t working, i´ll just call the home phone from their phone. If you have other questions or concerns, email me and I´ll check my email when we get to their place.

   Mom, loved the spiritual thought! It remindes me of when Christ calls to the fishmen that were to become his diciples and tells them to follow him and it says that they immediately dropped what they were doing and followed him. :) Are we true diciples of Chirst??

   Anyways, Gotta go! I love you all and I´ll see you soon!... plus i´ll talk to you tomorrow! :)

-Elder Norton

Alcoy - "the city of bridges"

Wednesday 12/26/12 (from Sam)

 President Deere called us this morning and told us that I´m being transfered!........ Wow! I guess that someone else had an emergency transfer so I´m going up to the area of Alcoy!! I will be with Elder Pascua, the elder that took Elder Jones´ place in Huércal-Overa. 

    Anyways, President said, "when can you be ready?" and I said. "Well today if you need me." And he said, "The APs are going to be driving up there tomorrow. I´ll give you a day to say goodbye to everyone there in Málaga and tomorrow morning you´ll be on your way to Alcoy!"

   Alcoy has been closed for a while so we are reopening it and I will be senior comp. Elder Pascua has like 6 months in the mish. :D I´m super pumped!

   Anyways.. thats just a quick update. 

    Love you all! Talking with you was fantastic! Send me the video of Hilary through an email if you can, if you can´t, no worries. I love you!

-Elder Norton

"I am grateful every day for the privilege it is to be here ..." (Hilary)

December 1993

Dear blog friends,

Hilary was transferred from the Imbabura area to another area this past week. The last few days there were very difficult. She was very invested in the welfare of those great people and I think a piece of her heart is still there.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Joanna

 Dear Fam,

I love you. KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS GOOD: I AM SAFE AND GOD IS WITH ME.

Love you all and hope you're all doing so well. We have had a lot of changes lately. 

President,

To begin with, I want to thank you for the opportunity I have been given to help finish training the Hermana Davila. Although it is hard to say goodbye, I am really looking forward to starting my time here and I am excited for the opportunity.

What happened Tuesday really threw me off for a little bit . Our leaders were explaining to us how we needed to move forward and not put attention on what had happened.  I can testify that when I am trying to do what I know God needs me to do, He is 100% willing to support me. He gave me strength and comfort and peace throughout the week, which is exactly what I was praying for. I think the whole experience has just helped me recognize how real God is, as well as the necessity of opposition.

Our numbers for this week weren't as high as we would have liked for them to be. In Imbabura I have found that the weight or responsibility of the missionaries is as much re-activating as it is working with investigators. I have really seen conversions in Imbabura (with converts as well as with members) and I think there is nothing as satisfying knowing that you are able to play a part in that. I am grateful every day for the privilege it is to be here and I want to keep working harder to deserve the confidence of my leaders, as well as my God, as a representative for this perfect church.

F. and L. were able to be confirmed yesterday; they live far from the chapel and have a lot of responsibilities Sundays. They have been waking up hours earlier than usual to finish they chores so they can attend church. After what happened last Sunday, I think they recognized even more the need to strive.

Yesterday in the morning we woke up at 5:30 to travel to a community where a few of our investigators with baptismal dates live. We arrived and did what we could to invite them to come to church. It is really disappointing to work really hard and do everything within our control and watch the members and investigators unwisely exercise their agency, but I guess it will give a little more perspective to life. Hermana Packard reminds me of what great training the mission is for parenting. I am grateful for the experiences and the lessons learned here in the mission.

I want to mention how grateful I am for the time I had with Hermana Marca. I don't know a single person that is more humble than her, nor anyone who tries harder to better themself every day. It was a privilege. She is a great missionary. I hope to be able to apply what I learned from her and pass it on to the members, investigators, and other missionaries.

Hermana Norton

Well, we had transfers, as I am sure you noted. I am finishing the training of Hermana Davila. She is great. I am a little nervous to be senior companion and to be training!!!!!!!!!! BUT. I am excited more than anything. Tuesday we are going to try to call at ten. My skype account is hermananorton or Hermana H. Norton. I put that I am in Ibarra Ecuador. Look me up and add me so that when I log on Tuesday I can accept your request and call at that moment. I love you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

PS. Got a couple packages and letters this week!
THANKS PATRICK!  LOVE YOU, ABBY.  WRITE ME, VERONICA.


This photo to the right was Christmas morning 1993. She looks pretty excited about seeing what Santa brought ... and who wouldn't be? 

* a "Beauty and the Beast" poster
* pink legos
* a Jasmine dress up set (from "Aladdin")
* a hot pink "Fashion flip phone"
* and "Barney" in the stocking ... oh wait ...
that's Mitch's stocking. What in the world was Santa thinking? Sorry, Mitch!

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). 

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