"... then they started to try to take the mic from me." (Hilary)

Hi everyone! Thanks for writing!

Sean McClellan is in Ecuador in one of my old sectors
and ran into a family that knows me...
Sent me this picture this morning. hahaha

So fun to hear from you all! It has been a crazy week. And it flew by. I can hardly believe it. I hope I get to finish my mission here! There is a lot of potential in this sector and I am really enjoying the challenges as well. C A is a friend of a member here. He has been attending church for a couple weeks now and is really interested. He has absorbed everything and is very believing. Yesterday in Gospel Principles we taught about the church in ancient times and the church in these days. He understood well and was determined to later offer his own prayer to know if it was all true. E is doing well. He is a reference from a less active family. He is progressing and completing his commitments and has actually been a strong pillar for this family. He attends church and studies and really has the desire to do what is right. D is the boyfriend of a less active member. He is in the process of getting divorced so that he can marry his girlfriend (the member he is living with). We've spoken with them about obedience, chastity, the temple, and also many of the lessons to help reforce her testimony and build his. Yesterday D expressed to us his desire to be baptized. He is doing his part to get things worked out with his divorce and said that he wants to get married as soon as possible. He began as an apathetic investigator, but is actually studying and praying and attending church and little by little seeing the blessings of the Lord. He also really connected with the story of Joseph Smith.

This week we couldn't do divisions because I got sick again. But I am feeling much better and the mission nurse is aware and helping me. Today we dropped off little notes we wrote to all the sisters in our areas. The other day we were talking about what we wanted to do with our assignment: not just the basic, but all we are able to do (Doctrine and Covenants 123:17).

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; 

and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, 

to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

I had a really interesting dream the other day that I decided I want to share. Dreams never really make that much sense, so just bear with me. I guess I was asked to plan a ward activity here in Quito and I decided I wanted the theme to be the restoration/Joseph Smith. I had it all planned and a lot of people showed up and it was going really well but something turned wrong and some members started showing another church video which was not what I had planned. I was trying to exercise patience so I just let them do their thing, knowing that at least I would be able to close by sharing my testimony. But the video just went on and on and everyone started leaving because they were bored. I finally stood up at front and started to bear my testimony about Joseph Smith and nobody listened. They were all putting the chairs away and then they started to try to take the mic from me. It was so weird (I am laughing to myself as I type this) but they were not letting me share my testimony. I felt so strongly that I needed to testify of the importance of the restoration and the validity of Joseph Smith. Anyway, that is how the dream ended, they were like following me through the chapel and I was anxiously trying to bear my testimony in the mic. WEIRD. What does that all mean? HAHA. Since that day I have been doing my best to always testify of Joseph Smith. I really do know he was a prophet called of God to restore the church! I just wanted to share it because I remembered what was happening to me before the mission. I remember that article I was writing and all the research I had to do for it and how the adversary took advantage of the situation and really shook my testimony. I know today that everything is okay though. I am glad I have been able to strengthen my testimony and have these experiences.

Another funny story. My companion has accumulated a lot of things here in the mission and yesterday she called the assistants to ask for permission to drop off a package in a bus station (Quitumbe) just outside of the limits of our mission. The bus would take it to the station in her home town and her family would pick it up. The assistants gave us permission. Today we went to Quitumbe and it was a long trip. I didn't have any money because our dueña had just passed by the apartment to ask for the money for the light and water and I literally gave her all I had left. Hermana Cantos had almost twenty dollars and was paying for the bus (which is 25 cents) until I could get to a money machine and pull out personal money. Well, in the bus on the way to Quitumbe someone robbed Hermana Cantos without us knowing. We got to the station, couldn't send the package, didn't have any money to get back to our mission, and while we were waiting trying to figure out what to do, I realized I couldn't even go to the bathroom! The bathroom entrance fee is 15 cents and we literally did not have anything. I called the secretaries (secretly wishing that Sam were my mission secretary at that moment) and we all just laughed. We took a taxi to the offices and they paid for it. The good thing is we had permission, so it was just a funny incident. But my poor companion! Her $20 and her cedula (ID type of thing) and everything : Needless to say it has been a long day.

Well, Hermana C is finishing her mission soon, as you know, and she is doing a good job of really reflecting on what she has learned and also taking advantage of every second left. I have learned a lot from her. She lives with her inactive siblings and stepdad, who is sick. Her mom passed away years ago. She was a source of support for her family and siblings before the mission, but had the desire to serve a mission. She worried about leaving her family, but took the step. The Lord has been watching over them during her whole mission. Last week she received an email from a sibling saying that they had attended church that Sunday for the first time since she has been gone. It has been such a beautiful blessing for her. I feel so grateful to be her companion and learn from her. I have been very blessed during my life and feel like the mission is helping me so much to put things into perspective. I will never forget these experiences. 

Hermana Norton

"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).