Well Done, good and faithful servant ...

Sunday November 17, 2013

(Hilary's last email below)

"Saturday seven of our investigators were baptized and Sunday confirmed!! Here are pictures. 

Also, C's son just turned eight and he was baptized too. 

Love you!!!! See you soon!

Hermana Norton"

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Tuesday November 19, 2013

At the airport …. Ready and Waiting ….!

…. and she's BACK!

"I know it without a doubt" (Hilary)

Hi all! Hope everyone is doing well! So fun to hear from everyone!! Also I love seeing pictures! Thanks for keeping me in mind! Lots of missionaries mention that there is a time during the mission that people forget to write them, but luckily I have been blessed with the greatest family and friends that never forget to write.

The week went well. We did a lot for the assignment, which is cool. It is always neat to know that when something is going wrong, people turn to us for help. Also that President trusts us. I really feel grateful to have this assignment. My companions are doing well. They have been such a huge blessing to me at this time. I really love them with all my heart and I am seriously going to miss them.

I just finished the Book of Mormon and, as I do every time I read it, kneeled in prayer afterward to confirm my testimony of the truthfulness of the book. It was a really special experience for me that I will never forget and I am very grateful for the challenge we were given to read the Book of Mormon in less than 90 days. It helps us to grow closer to Christ, strengthens us to understand our purpose in life and our duties, and motivates personal repentance. It definitely builds my testimony that this is the true church. 

I know it without a doubt. 

I have always loved verses 32 and 33 of Moroni 10 :

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him,

and deny yourselves of all ungodliness;

and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness,

and love God with all your might, mind and strength,

then is his grace sufficient for you,

hat by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ;

and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ,

ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ,

and deny not his power,

then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God,

through the shedding of the blood of Christ,

which is in the covenant of the Father

unto the remission of your sins,

that ye become holy, without spot.

And I always love the phrase that says that if we serve Him with all of our might, mind and strength, THEN is His grace sufficient for us. I have a firm testimony that even after doing ALL we possibly can, the only thing that could save us is His grace and mercy (2 Nephi 25:23 is one of my all time favorite scriptures).

23 For we labor diligently to write,

to persuade our children, and also our brethren,

to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God;

for we know that it is by grace that we are saved,

after all we can do.

It is a humbling acknowledgment and it makes my gratitude grow everytime I ponder on His saving Atonement. I know I am very weak. But I also know that when I do my part, my Heavenly Father is willing to give me strength and save me.

Got a letter from Sam this week! TE QUIERO. Te voy a escribir muy pronto. Cuando yo ya esté en casita.

Dad, I got your email last week. Thank you so much. It was really encouraging and motivating for me. Thank you so much. I think with the housing, I will just ask for your help when I get back. Is that okay?? I have a feeling there will still be opportunities.

Okay, I think that is all for now. Write me if there is something else! I am on for another half hour.

Love you all! Hermana Norton.

P.s. Mitch mentioned that finishing the mission "should be like Olympic runners... As they approach the finish line they SPEED UP instead of slowing down. Not only that but the LEAN FORWARD dedicating themselves even more to winning. My philosophy is if you don't finish your mission EXHAUSTED you probably did something wrong haha." I love that and I am speeding up right now.

 Love you!

Are you curious about the Book of Mormon? Click HERE for a free copy

"I hear roaring laughter and run back in to see that she has sat on the cake!" (Hilary)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILARY!

Hi everyone! Hope you have all had a great week! Thanks for writing!

We have had a really great  week and I am feeling much better than I was last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. I mentioned to Sister Berrett (the new mission nurse) that I had been struggling a little emotionally for all that had been going on with my health. There have only been little problems, but I have felt sad and frustrated at times. But I have seen a few little miracles this week and I feel that the Savior is aware of my small problem and helping in my situation. I have really felt that He is lifting the load and that He is also making me stronger to be able to bare. I recognize that my problems are so small. I know there are others that are working through SO much more. I am just grateful that Heavenly Father knows me and is willing to provide me with the challenges and the solutions that I need to grow.

I have always felt very strongly that Heavenly Father puts certain people in our paths so that we can grow and learn. I love the quote by President Kimball that  says, "God does notice us and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs." I have felt that Sister Irepan has been an answer to a silent prayer. I am so grateful to have this time with her and I know I will be able to finish strong and happy. She is an excellent missionary. She knows what she is doing and she is thoughtful and obedient. I am grateful to have her as my companion. Each one of my current companions has been a huge blessing for me at this time. The other day an elder mentioned that if I were still in the other mission I would be getting home this week. Later Sister Irepan mentioned that and was like, "These two extra weeks of your mission are like a gift to me! I know there is so much I need to learn from you." It was really cute.

We had a stake activity this week for our investigators and it turned out really well. A lot of people showed up (many more than we were expecting) and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We are working hard as a zone to be able to have a "Noche Blanca" this month and have been seeing the fruits of our labors.

Friday Sister Bastidas and I did divisions with Sister Ortiz and Sister Palau. It went really well. We had very little time because of their mini-conference, but we were able to accomplish so many things and it was a real testimony to me that when we do things the Lord's way He helps to accomplish much more than we could ever do on our own.

This week we have a family of investigators that are progressing which is a blessing to be able to see. The Pillajo family has a baptismal date for the 16th of this month. We have been fasting and praying sincerely for this family and I know we will see miracles.

Okay, my birthday was so great!! I received three cakes, so I think Ecuador likes me. I will send pictures. So much fun. One of my companions had a birthday last month and we did a lot for her so I think there is now this mentality that we have to do bigger and better every time. My sweet companions did so much for me this week. On my birthday at midnight they woke up and got out of bed and  brought in a cake and balloons and a little gift and were singing happy birthday. It was so hilarious because I was so tired and confused at first then just felt really grateful. We were all laughing when I set the cake down on my bed to grab my camera in the other room. As I am searching for my camera I hear roaring laughter and run back to see that Sister Irepan had sat on the cake as she was trying to set up her camera. Hahahaha it was soo funny. She was just so tired. Anyway, that day we had our District Meeting/Mini Zone Conference and after the meeting the zone leaders came in with a giant cake and a card that everyone from the zone (of like 30 missionaries) had signed. The tradition here is to "bite" the cake and people always shove your face into it as you are biting it. We enjoyed that as well. I know if I have skin problems this week it is because of all the icing and sugar that had been smothered all over my face again and again. Then we had lunch with a super great family (last name Ocarez) that is from Chile. Sister Ocarez cooks really really well and had invited a few people over that shared the same birthday. So we had an awesome lunch and it was so fun. That day was the stake activity for our investigators from the whole stake and it turned out really well. A lot of people showed up and we had a lot of fun. I will attach pictures with explanations.

Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with "Yasu." I laughed out loud when I read the story about what he and his friend said to Adam. Haha Adam is a good sport. I am glad he has a brother/friend for a week. Tell Adam I can't wait to see him in a couple weeks! I hope he and I can hang out a lot. He is the greatest.

Sister Maza got the packages and she loves everything. She is so grateful. 

Okay, I have a good amount of time left. Respond if you can! Love you all!

Sister Norton

Catching up with Hermana Norton ( 2 emails & photos )

Oct 21, 2013

Hi everyone! It has been a long great week! I am a happy person and an especially happy missionary. Thanks for writing. I won't have time to write much today because of an activity we had that went much longer than it was supposed to.

Hm, what to write? Things are good here. Still with my four companions. We are able to divide and conquer which is super nice, especially in this sector which is somewhat difficult. We have been doing divisions and it is going well. I love this assignment. We have had a good week. We have been working really hard and are in the process of finding new people, because many investigators aren't progressing. We have been contacting and teaching new people and have found a couple families this week. The blessing is realizing that the Lord has guided us to these certain people for specific reasons and it is so apparent and we see His hand in our day. 

I have also been meditating a lot about the greatest moments of my mission and I have concluded that they are not necessarily baptisms but they are the moments that I see a real conversion in the people. When they make the connection, whether it be before the baptism, after, or years later, these moments are really the most beautiful. It is a sign that their actions and their experiences and their obedience has caused a change in their hearts and they have chosen to really accept Christ in their lives. It is such a blessing to be here in the mission.

The story you mentioned that Jacqueline had shared with you was a different sister. She is a super great sister who served her mission here in Quito years ago and one of her converts just recently got called to be a Seventy!!! WOW, right??? Anyway, she is so awesome and going through a really hard time and a few weeks ago I just really felt like we needed to visit her and it was definitely an impression from the Spirit. What a blessing it is to have his guidance. We can't do this work without him. 

Okay, by the way an elder told me that TODAY is registration for winter semester. But I don't know how to get all of that taken care of. Listen, can you please please please get it taken care of? Is there anyway you can get me into a couple classes real quick? Like D&C, a couple classes for the "English Language" major and a couple for the journalism major. Maybe a Spanish class as well? Maybe there is someone you can talk to about all this? Like a counselor on campus or something. Can you just do a little investigating? If you can't get it all worked out I am sure I can next week, but I would like to jump on that.

Okay, I have to go now.  I love you all! Sorry about the short email!

Oct 28, 2013

Hi all! Hope you are doing well! Thanks for writing! I love to hear from everything (and I never get tired of saying it, do I?). I especially enjoy receiving pictures of the world's cutest nephews and neice and long letters from my dad and mom. I love you so much Dad and I am glad you are doing so well. Thanks for writing. It means so much to me! I love seeing the photos of the trip!!! I hope you had so much fun!

The week went well. We are working hard and we did splits a few times. The sisters are doing well and I love sharing time with them and learning from them. It was my last time with Sister Galdame; I really have grown to love her. I am going to miss her. I am really grateful for all the friendships I have made here in Ecuador. Speaking of friendships, Jenny Farinango and her family came to visit me the other week. It is so great because they know where to find me and when I am least expecting it they pop and surprise me. I love them.

Well today there were emergency transfers and I was "robbed" of my "daughter". She was sent to Otavalo and I am finishing the training of another Sister, Sister Irepan. She is from Guadalajara, Mexico. I am going to send a picture of the five of us before Hermana Tarax had to go!

Okay, a funny story. A while ago we were doing our weekly planning for this week and one of my companions mentioned my birthday and started singing happy birthday in English (it is one of those things that everyone knows in English... I don't know...) So I started singing along, saying, "Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me!!" It was funny and we were all laughing. Well, my poor companions have learned that I sleep talk. Everyday. Usually I am talking in Spanish, teaching a lesson, testifying, etc. But sometimes I speak in English and they can't tell me what I was talking about because they don't understand. Well, the other night I said something they did understand. I was singing "Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me!!!" Sleep singing!!! QUÉ GRACIOSO. I died laughing when they told me the following morning. I guess underneath all this selfless, serving sister missionary is a little girl who is just excited to celebrate her own birthday. How funny.

I will love to go to the temple with Carolina and her family!! I am so excited! The family get together sounds great. I would like to keep things low key but I really want to see all the family. Thanks so much!

Enjoy the time with the Japanese exchange student! I wish I could have been there to meet him! That sounds like a fun experience!

I am going to start preparing my talk. I am excited. And don't worry, whichever date works.

Okay, love you all! Thanks for the pictures!! Can you forward Sam's email?

Hermana Norton

"No Greater Joy in Life" (Hilary)

Dear Everyone,

I love you all so much. It is such a blessing to hear from you all so often. What a blessing that P-day is weekly, right? I think the leaders of the church must understand how important it is that we have this time to communicate with our loved ones. I think I was trying to be strong at the beginning but I am getting to that point where I am willing to recognize how weak I am. I need the support and love from all of you. I would not be able to do this if I didn't know that there was a giant group of people back at home praying for me and sending me words of encouragement. You are all the greatest!!!

Okay, so it is funny because we have a pretty decent sized companionship, right? Four people. About two or three days of the week Sister Bastidas and I are doing divisions, and the other days we are in meetings and picking up sisters here and dropping them off there and training them, so it isn't like we're getting so much done but today President sent us another sister. Had you ever heard of a companionship of five missionaries? Neither had I. She has been having a lot of problems with obedience and I think it is kind of a last chance thing. She is a really sweet girl and I have been working one on one with her a lot this week. I can imagine the sadness and frustration she is feeling. I really care about her and I am hoping she can get things cleaned up so she can serve her full 18 months. 

Saturday C and J were baptized. The two had different schedules so we had to do two baptismal services. They were two of the greatest, most spiritual baptismal services I had attended. C is incredible. Her whole family showed up and afterward she shared the sweetest testimony. Needless to say, half of us were crying the whole time. I admit that a couple times the thought has crossed my mind that my contribution hasn't been as great as it could be if I weren't struggling with health issues. I have wondered if the Lord is pleased with my work performance or if someone else should be here right now in my place. But I know with all my heart that I needed to be here at this time to meet and work with C. I feel like she was one of my best friends in the premortal life (excuse me for being so sappy) and I am so sooooo grateful to my Heavenly Father for letting me meet and work with her. J is amazing. He is an 11 year old kid who has been attending church for about a month with his neighbors. He is a rock. He, his sister, and his mom were going to get baptized the fifth, but his mom and sister backed out. He got baptized alone Saturday and has been an amazing example to his family. Obviously his parents are supporting his decision and during the baptism the whole family realized that they also need to make the step. They realized what a courageous example their son was giving them. I hope they will choose to be baptized soon. They have a really special family.

I have been enjoying my mission a lot lately and the other day I had a really neat experience with a less active sister. She has a great family. She has commited a lot of mistakes in her past and has a really sad family life, but just wants to do what is right. She is very, very humble. They hardly ever eat and her 17-year-old daughter had a tumor removed from behind her eye about two months ago and they just have had trial after trial. We have been helping them a lot and I have just grown to love their sweet family. Anyway, N, the mom, has her weaknesses and the other day she was feeling so sad and frustrated for not being a better mom. She was just kind of giving up and she and I were crying and I realized how important it is for me to be able to find these people in the afterlife. I care about them so much and just want them to fight and give their all -- for selfish and unselfish reasons. I care so much about all of them. 

"There is no greater joy in life than being anxiously engaged in the Lord's work" 

 Elder Ballard

Okay, about the shoes, I think I am okay. I mean, my shoes look awful but I am a missionary, that is to be expected, right? I will be ok.

About a month ago a friend (Joe.. remember him Kenz? from the spiral jetty??) sent me the talk by Elder Corbridge about the fourth missionary. It has been so inspiring for me. Elder Corbridge teaches that many "obedient" and "successful" missionaries serve with all their might and strength but withhold their heart and mind. That called my attention. I reflected on how  I might be committing the same mistake. He later explained that if we surrendor ourselves completely to the Lord, He will make out of us so much more than we could ever make out of ourselves. And we will be eternally happier. I am working hard on leaning on the Lord. Giving Him my whole self. It is a challenge, but as Elder Corbridge explains, I know it is the only smart way to serve a mission. He explains that we have to do all this with a sincere heart or we will not change or progress (D&C 58:29, Moroni 7:6). I love that thought. I am so grateful to know that my Heavenly Father is willing to let me make mistakes and try to improve. I am learning more and more each day of my weaknesses and depending on Him more and more.

Mom, I am doing the same challenge with the book of Mormon and it is great. You should mark certain things in certain colors. That little copy of the BOM will become really really important to you. I love mine and I am going to save it forever. Dad, hope the halloween dance goes well! Are you healing? I would love to go to Cali in December! Let me know!

Mom, quick question, can you call BYU and see what kind of info you can get? When I should sign up for classes, my password and everything... THNX

Okay, I love you all.

Hermana Norton writing from rainy Quito