"That was a really, really great moment for me." and photos! (Hilary)

The cousins got baptized!

Dear Family,

First and foremost, I love you. I hope none of you ever forget that. I am so blessed to have each and every one of you in my life and I am so thankful for everything you do for me.

Okay, I am well. I am healthy. I am getting enough sleep. I am doing well emotionally. The bed bug issue is the least of my concerns, and please tell Gram thank you so so much. My shoes are great. I am wearing my boots ahorita.

Wednesday was the baptism of Gi. and Mi. and they were confirmed yesterday. They are so amazing. It is so refreshing. I love those girls. I attached a picture. We have a few new investigators right now. Our problem is getting our investigators to attend church. We have emphasized the importance of it, but they're either on vacation or have work that they legitimately cannot change. That's one tough thing for humble people unless they really really have a sure testimony and faith. Anyway, I mean, there is so much we can do still. I think they need a personal conversion that helps them build their faith.. Or maybe their testimonies will come AFTER the trial of their faith. Ah. I don't know. We're working hard though.

The other day in a lesson with a sweet lady (who is so anxious to join the church but is working on earning the money to get married first) her daughter joined us. She is 18 and we introduced ourselves and she asked us why we were serving missions. I love that question. It was really cool because after she was like, "Wow, I didn't realize how happy you were to be doing this. I can see how much joy it brings you and how much you value it." That was a really, really great moment for me.

Okay, so cool that you saw Nate! Ah, I love that kid. Hope he's doing well. I wrote Cyd Squire and mailed it to her a few weeks ago. I received a third package from Mom -- THANK YOU. It contained candy and pajamas and odds and ends. So fun to get stuff from home.

So Tuesday we had a "new missionary training/follow up" and I got to see Hna. Ellis. I guess she is super sick! I am so worried about her. I will write more in a letter, but don't forget to pray for her please! And cambios were yesterday and thank goodness we get to stay here in Santa Ana. I don't ever want to leave.

Okay, time is flying by. I am amazed. Okay, I love you!

Hna. Norton

"We have hot water!" and other good news (Hilary)

May 2011

Dear Mom and Dad,

I love you both so much. It is so good to hear from you every week. In the morning on our P-days we print our emails and walk around Quito looking down at the pages just smiling and laughing. It's so so great.

Usually I organize my thoughts and have so much to write. I have a lot to share, but this might be short because I hope to be able to write Sam and Mitch. And can someone give me Adam's email address? Or better yet, Adam, email me!

Okay, we went to the offices this morning and I got more letters (from Mom, Sam (via Mom), and a Dear Elder from Sister Lauren Burton -- ( Sister Burton was Hilary's Ma on the trek several years ago) Please please tell her thank you so so much. It was so fun to hear from her and her letter was so encouraging and fun to read. She is so awesome.) AND two packages - one from Mom and one from Mary Anne Grant (via Mom)! Please tell Sister Grant thank you so so much! (Sister Grant was one of Hil's Young Women leaders yrs ago) She's so sweet and thoughtful and I have always been so grateful for her friendship to our family. And Mom, thank you for the scriptures! I am in the process of figuring out what to do with my others. Okay, I mailed some letters last week and more this week. Mom, thank you so so much for all you are doing for me. I am so amazed. I love you and hope all is well. 

Okay, things are good here in Santa Ana. Cambios are coming up soon, but I think we get to stay. At least that is what I hope. I love this area. We have a baptism this week for Gi. and Mi., the cousins. You would be amazed at how great they are. They're 15 and 14 and their parents aren't members, but they have aunts and uncles and cousins that are members. But they're so great! They're reading so much and are working on personal progress and have filled out all of the pamphlets that we give them. They're always bearing their testimonies to us and asking us questions to make sure they understand things. The other day Mi. pulled out her For the Strength of the Youth pamphlet and was like, "So this part means that when I start dating I should only go out in groups and not one-on-one, right?"  Also, this week we found a really awesome family. M. is the name of the Mom and she is so great. She kept asking questions like, "So, how can I know that this is true?" and things like that. Which is so cool because really we're here to INVITE people to ASK for themselves. I love that about this work. OH, and with Y - all you that prayed for Y, good news! She has a baptismal date! Okay, here's the story (I copied this from my letter to the president):

In our district meeting this past Thursday we talked about a few key points that you have given us as guidelines in the work. One was that we need to pray when an appointment falls through. I had not previously learned of this rule, but we put it into play that night. An appointment fell through and we had a member with us so we said a prayer and began to contact a little. We came across a woman who seemed moderately interested and we set up an appointment to visit her Sunday. Sunday came and she was not home. As we were standing on her porch, we looked across the street and saw a reference who had somewhat been avoiding us. Her name is Y. We crossed the street and greeted her and asked her when we could visit her. She said, "Now isn't so good.." and her son then said, "Why not? Why don't we go to the house right now?" She thought for a second, and said, "Okay, sure, now is good." We walked with them to their house, taught them about the first two principles of lesson 1, answered a few questions, and invited them to be baptized. They accepted. The spirit was so strong and we had a really great experience with the family. It was cool for me to see the promises that God keeps when we are obedient. This work is like one big puzzle we're putting together. It is such a blessing to see the results.

Okay, I have been saving the best news for last. In a couple weeks, Elder Holland is coming to visit our mission and speak to us. That's right. If you weren't previously convinced that I got called to the greatest mission, now you are. Elder Holland! I wonder if he will recognize me from Grandpa's funeral?

Okay, I am going to write my brothers. I love you two. Thanks for all you do. I couldn't keep going without knowing that I have your support and prayers. I hope you are happy and healthy.

Hna. Norton

...I even knocked a guy over (I didn't mean to and I apologized) then ran past him dribbling the ball! (Hilary)

I love this photo of Hilary (taken a couple of years ago)

Querido Mundo,

GRACIAS one thousand times over for your letters. I went to the office today and picked up letters from Veronica, a letter from Ian, a letter from Joey Norton!, and Dear Elders from Kenz, Abby, and V. I have the greatest friends and family. I know everyone feels that way, but I honestly feel that I have it the best. And the greatest part is that I get to read the testimonies of my family and friends every Monday. You all don't know how much your letters mean to me! Mom, thank you for writing so consistently. I love your letters more than I can explain. Dad, your letters are so important to me. I am printing and saving all of them because it means so much to me to get bits and pieces of your wisdom. Mitch. Whenever I have a question, you're the first person I think of to ask. Thank you for all of your mission advice. Please keep it coming.

ADAM. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I'M SENDING A LETTER YOUR WAY. SO SORRY IT WILL BE SO LATE. I love you dude. You amaze me. You are one of my biggest examples. En serio.

Okay, another P day. Wow. Things are going by very quickly. And we've already started to see changes here. nooooooooooo. I'm far away from home and from all the people I've known and loved, so once I get accustomed to someone here and then they leave it's so sad! The mission is so bittersweet. It's so hard to see all the trials that so many people are having to face. I am literally amazed. But, it also is so awesome to be able to share with them the one thing that will bring them eternal happiness.

Okay, some business. Can you forward me Sam's emails? I don't receive them. (Grandma Bonnie, Thank you so much for the new scriptures! I love you so much and hope you're doing so well!!) I haven't received any packages from you yet Mom. But my comp says that in the past, for other missionaries, packages have taken like three months. So, I'll keep you posted.  Also, I didn't delete my Pinterest. It must have disappeared after some period of time. Please tell Veronica I'm writing her and I love her. And Abby too. And I mailed a letter to Caitlin today.

Okay, the barrio Vargas (ward) is doing really well. Our bishop is so great and he really has a lot of enthusiasm for the work. We've been working with him a lot this week and it is making a world of a difference. I feel like I am really starting to catch on and find my place here in the work. I have been doing what I can to live in the "now". Sometimes I have a thought about school or family but then I remember that I only get to do all this amazing work for a year and a half (I'm almost a sixth of the way in!!! Almost three months! WHAAAT?) and I am like aaah focus focus focus!

Okay, so many random thoughts. Things have been going well in our companionship. It's cool to see the fruits of when we're both intune and working so hard together. We've shared a lot of thoughts and had moments where someone will ask a question about a specific verse in the bible that we both read separately the day before so we were both able to explain. So so cool. 

J. P. is doing well. He's progressing, but ever so slowly. We have three other investigators with baptismal dates, and they are also doing so well too. Two cute primas (cousins) who are just best friends (remind me of me and Ran) and are learning so much. They're seriously awesome. Also, our other investigator is the women we helped a couple weeks ago with her daughter. Now is her time. She's in such a hard situation and yesterday after we were talking with her she said, "I've been trying to find a place to go. I want to leave so badly. But now I know. I'll go to the Lord."

So, in the CCM I was the unofficial seamstress. Literally I fixed more pants and shirts than I can count. Here in the field, I have been helping a lot of people with their English. I love it. It's fun to be able to use my hobbies. Also, in the CCM, we played soccer every day! At first I just ran and played volley, but then Hna Ellis and I got up the guts to play soccer with the elders. It was awesome and I am pretty sure my brothers and dad would be so proud of me. I got pretty into it and even knocked a guy over (I didn't mean to and I apologized) then ran passed him dribbling the ball! Wooooooooo. I bet you all have a hilarious image in your head now. Oh, and I guess I talk a lot in my sleep, and often in Spanish. My companion says the other night I was teaching a lesson in Spanish in my sleep. So. Don't know what that means. Jajaja. We have a cell phone, but have to leave it in our apartment. So the other day we were in a cabinas shop and there was a TV with the olympics! AH. I wanted to watch so badly! But did a very good job of not looking. But I love the summer Olympics and London. So, we're the only missionaries to have served in this barrio who have ever washed the dishes of the members after they feed us... What's that all about? Come on, missionaries. Step it up.

Things aren't going too well with investigators F, A, Y, or E. But we're not giving up. And sincerely, thank you everyone who prayed. I know that your prayers were heard. I think it is just a matter of timing for some.

Okay, I should go. I love you all. Thanks for everything. CHAO.

Hermana Norton

"Démonos cuenta de que el privilegio de trabajar es un don, que el poder de trabajar es una bendición y que el amor por el trabajo es un triunfo." President David O. McKay

("We must realize that the privilege of working is a gift, that the power of work is a blessing, and love for the work is a triumph.")

"Freely you have received and our Heavenly Father will expect you freely to share with His other sons and daughters these glorious truths." President George Albert Smith

I'm a real missionary with awkward tanlines and bed bugs (Hilary)

Hey everyone,

   I love you all and I hope you're doing so well. I love receiving your letters (Mom, today I received a card from you.. and the scriptures from Grandma with my name inscripted on them.) and emails. It's really cool for me to be able to see the happiness that our family has from the outside. I mean, I'm still on the inside of the family, but I'm just seeing pictures and hearing about what you're up to and realizing more and more how blessed and happy we are. God is good.

   Okay, I hope Cali is fun. I hope the Rice family is doing so well. I care about you guys so so much! Dad, good luck with the Rolls Royce...
   Okay, a few things I've been wanting to share: First, the food here is better than I've ever had in my life. I mean, nothing beats a home cooked meal by Mom, but people here are like, "What kind of food do you like, Hermana Norton?" and I'm like "THIS food!" Always soup and rice and bananas and corn prepared in all different ways. I need to make a journal of all the amazing things I eat and get the recipes. I have yet to eat anything seriously gross, like guinea pig. Prayers are answered.

Hilary's companion, Hrm Rodriguez, at their apartment

 There is a volcano we can see from our window and I think sometimes there is lava coming out of it. (Wow, I can't believe this sentence made it into my weekly email. How insignificant.)
   I have tan lines on my feet. I don't know why I feel like that is so noteworthy, but to me it means that I'm a real missionary. A real missionary with awkward tanlines and bed bugs (yep. but the members here tell me that I have fewer bites than the Hna who slept in my bed before me... so... there is a silver lining to every cloud, right?)

  Our newest investigator has a baptismal date, but is extremely sick and can't attend church, thus, we have to push off his baptism. It's a big bummer because he is so receptive and really progressing, aside from church attendance (J.P). 
 We've also been working with a girl named G who is so great. The problem we often run into is that the people want to learn and are so anxious to listen, but don't realize that they need to be baptized to receive all the blessings promised. I've been trying to put more emphasis on the Book of Mormon because once they gain a testimony of it, they will realize the need to join the true church, and not just rely on the Catholic baptism as a child. I want so badly for these people to have this. I'm trying to do what I can and need to so that I can be an effective instrument.
   Mom, I want you to know that the families here in this branch have taken such good care of me. I think if you knew how much they do for us missionaries you would be brought to tears in gratitude. I am so thankful for the members here and I just wanted you to know that there are people on this side of the world taking care of me that you should express gratitude for.
   Okay, I want to share two quotes.

"We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." Jeffrey R. Holland

"Those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle -- one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itselfñ it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us -- not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed." E. Uchtdorf

This is how my testimony has come. Especially in these past few months of my life, February to now. I am so grateful for this Gospel and I can testify that Heavenly Father knows each of us personally and our circumstances. He is real. This is the true church. The Book of Mormon is true and contains the fulness of the gospel. Christ lives and loves us.

Hna. Norton

"Estoy ocupada en una gran obra!" (I'm busy in a great work) Hlary's email

photo courtesy of travelsblog.net

   First, I love you all. I just stopped by the mission office and picked up my mail. A Dear Elder from Kenz and a Dear Elder from Caitlin! SO good to hear from my best friends. I love those girls. I'm so excited for Kenz. (Hilary's friend McKenzie Giles leaves Wednesday on a mission to Croatia) She's going to be awesome. And I about cried reading the letter from Caitlin. Those girls mean so much to me.

   I think I'm good on money. You probably know better than I do.  I don't think they use US stamps here. I only used those in the MTC with the reverse pouch. But I'll be sending some letters today and I'll just buy Ecuadorian/international stamps. Thanks for the info on the other things and thanks for delivering the gift to Kenz.

     Okay, things are good here. The week has been a roller coaster. There were moments when I missed my family so much but then reminded myself of President Hinckley's story about writing his dad about coming home. I kept saying to myself, "Forget yourself, and just go to work." Then there were other moments when I was so high on life. This work is so rewarding. People we meet with say the nicest things about how we're "sacrificing so much" but I don't feel like I am. I feel like I'm gaining so much more than I could possibly give. But I'm working on giving and giving in every moment. I'm trying to be exactly obedient because I'm realizing how important that is. I'm trying to forget about home and put my whole heart, might, mind and strength in the work. Hence the subject, "Estoy ocupada en una gran obra y no puedo ir." (Nehemiah 6:3) (I'm busy in a great work)

My companion is great. She is a great missionary. We're working hard and, on our own time, we laugh a lot.

     Okay, Friday was the baptism of G. It went very well. She's so strong. Her story is so amazing. I'll write it in a letter. We've been working with a less active family who is just awesome. Their hang-up is that they have soccer games on Sundays. Well, the other night we had a really awesome lesson with them and found out the mom (also, G.) was baptized when she was 13 but never confirmed! So, we're working with her to get her ready. She just can't really progress too far without.. attending church. Which she says she is sure she will not.... There has to be something else there, huh? We're working on uncovering her iceberg. So, this weekend I was fasting for her and we didn't make much progress with her, but another investigator attended church! So when we use the phones in the cabinas shops (because for a while we didn't have a phone) my comp would make the calls and I would talk to the man at the counter. He's so awesome. Anyway, Saturday night we were walking by his shop and I stopped in and invited him to church. Sunday morning, about ten minutes before the meetings ends, he walked in. I wanted to shout for joy, but that's not necessarily acceptable during sacrament meeting in the LDS church. But my heart was very full. He's doing really well. Turns out he actually lives in another branch :( thus we have to pass him along to some elders. un gran regalo, (a great gift) if you ask me. He's already read the book of mormon and is really receptive and doing really well. (His name is E.). Okay, so recently we've had a lot of appointments fall through and contacting is a little difficult because the people here are strict Catholics. But last night we were walking down the street to the home of a woman we'd visited once and a woman walking past us was crying. She looked at us and we reached out to her and she just hugged my companion and cried and cried on her shoulder. We walked with her back to her house and there worked with her and her daughter for a loooong time. They have both been working through some major trials and it has caused a lot of tension between them. Anyway, I feel like we were able to help and she just kept saying, "I was ready to just die and then I saw you guys and I know God sent you to me." Anyway, they've been very receptive and I feel like they're so ready for the gospel! In every way! (Salazar family)

     Mom. You rock. I'm so excited for our whole family to be speaking Spanish! keep going! Dad, I love you and I love receiving your emails! I hope things turn out in your calling. Tell me all about it, I can't wait to hear. Also, ASEA. And Romney.

     Mitch, thank you so much for your thoughts. I'm absolutely going to apply them. We need more references. That's a really hard part of the work. I'm going to use your suggestions tonight. I love you. Tell your wife happy belated birthday for me. When is your baby girl due?!?!?!?!?!

     Okay, I have to go. Thanks for everything.

Hermana Norton

Hilary in the mission field ... and photos!

Okay, hello everyone.

Thanks for all the emails. I love you all so much. I printed some this morning and was walking down the sidewalk reading them and just smiling and laughing. People were staring; then again, they always stare.

I love my zone. I love this work. It feels so good to be out in the field. We´re in an area called Santa Ana. It's so pretty. Green and hilly. Our apartment is up pretty high and we have a giant window with a gorgious view. You should google earth it. From our window we can see a giant statue of some virgin and also a huge basilica (which we visited today which was amazing!).

My companion is Hna. Rodriguez and she is great. She's funny and knows her way around and does a good job teaching. She is from Mexico.

Okay, I know I shouldn't be worrying about things at home, but I really need to know 1. What's the status with my car. 2. with my computer. and 3. Can you check my grades? go to byu.edu

Okay, so before I left the Lima CCM (mtc) I had to give a talk. It's nerve wracking because every week they give everyone a topic and then in sacrament meeting they announce who will speak. And I was called. It went well though. I've been complimented multiples times on my pronunciation and grammar... So, that's reassuring. I think it is obvious to some that I'm trying so hard to be grammatically correct and for that reason I talk somewhat slowly. But I know that when I work hard, Heavenly Father blesses me with the gift of tongues, as well as the gift of interpreting tongues (jaja because the people here speak so quickly and I am actually able to understand them.) That same Sunday, I had my farewell interview and the branch president told me that he wished I was staying in Peru and he hopes more Hermana Nortons come to the CCM. Haha I thought that was really sweet.

Okay, did you get my request for a package with scriptures? What's the update there? You could just order them online and have the shipping address be my address. If you have bought them already, and have yet to ship them, let me know because I have a couple other things I need. Thanks!

Okay, things in the field are going very well. Almost every day we eat lunch with a member family and they take such good care of us. We're so so blessed. We have a baptism set up for this Friday for a very special woman named G. This week, we're going to invite four people to be baptized. They're all very ready and I have really high hopes for them. Please pray for Y., A, F, and E.

I need to go, but I want to let you know that every day I'm out here I realize more and more of why I'm serving a mission. It's not just for the people of Quito or for me, but it's also especially for my children. Please look up the quote by President Hinckley about sister missionaries. Okay, I love you!

Hermana Norton

The quote below is the one Hilary was referring to. It is powerful! joanna

“Today many sisters are being called to serve. Many more are preparing to serve. Not because they aren't married or don't have anything else to do, but they have the desire to serve. One reason that the Lord wants more sisters to serve is because within the next generation He will send His priesthood army to the earth. He wants to send choice spirit children to mothers who have been prepared, properly trained, and taught in the gospel. What better schooling can a mother have than the experience and growth she gains through serving a mission.” --President Gordon B. Hinckley