Letter from Elder Morton, 05.25.09

Hey yall!

I received a box on Friday when we had interviews with the President. The letter was marked April 25th. It had beef jerky, cereal, protein powder, multi vitamins, protein bars, floss, toothpaste, gel, aftershave, and conditioner.

Wow! Jackie is 2 inches taller, I want that surgery! LOL! It’s good to hear she is getting better and feeling less pain, maybe she won’t have to take so many medications.

So you support the business as a consumer, but your not building it? Come on Mom you guys can do better than that. It may not be easy but if you put your faith in the lord and give it your best he will fill in the rest so that you can accomplish your dreams, look at Wade and Terri Simmons! Mom and Dad they are not superior to you, they just accomplished their dream sooner because they stuck with it longer, but you can always refocus and get on that stage with them and enjoy the blessings associated with putting the lord first and working like nothing is impossible. Keep up the good exercise and eating healthy, you will reap the rewards of that decision soon. Don’t stress about things just plan things out in order of importance and organize your time like Steve Jones talks about so that you can do the things you want to do, not just the things you HAVE to do.

Don’t worry about what anyone else is going to do. They know the deal and if they don’t want to cooperate tell them Uncle Rob said "They have one week to get their act together or the door is open" That goes for all them. They aren’t babies anymore. James is getting his act together, if the rest don’t fall in line there is no excuse. I am really proud of James. I knew he could do it. It’s a shame it took him so long to have the confidence in himself to make it a reality.

It's good to hear Annette stopped by for a visit that was a nice surprise. Good to hear it went relatively well.

Rob A managed a 4.0 that’s really good! That’s something I couldn’t do when I was there, but now I am a completely different person. On that note there is a better way than he took and I will share that with Rob A when I write my letter to you guys.

I plan on returning to Fitness 19, if possible and working my way up to manager as a short term goal. I have a whole lot more to offer as a return missionary than I did before. I can speak Spanish fluently, I no longer have fear with talking to strangers, and I am a lot more organized in my daily habits as well as super motivated. Meanwhile I plan on working the business like Clarke Broome and being active in the church doing whatever I can during the week and enjoying my Sundays in the church and with the family.

Its good to hear things are better for for Mike and Sun. I feel bad for Wally. Is Jenn going to the gym? You two need to get it going!

As the title said I am really finding myself here in the jungle. It has been a tough road here, but my pride has shrunk considerably and at the same time my patience has grown immensely. I now understand what a man really is and has to be. I realize now that before my mission I wasn’t the type of person, (no matter how good or nice I was) that could honestly have had a serious relationship with the type of Mormon girl I was looking for. Return missionaries if they were obedient and worked hard, are a completely different animal than any other guy in the world. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to serve for these two years, its something very special and I thank you Mom and Dad for making it possible. Please say Hi to the Morton’s, the Roes, the Souza’s, the Crombie’s, the Giosso’s, the Minguzzi’s, the Wilson’s, the Mc Keevers, the Watkins, Kelvin, all of the YOUNG GUNS, Rocklin 2nd, Rocklin 6th and Everyone who cares about me because I love them ALL!

Love,
Elder Morton,

Letter from Elder Morton, 05.18.09

Subject: I loved the pictures!!
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 16:00:24

Hey Fam!

I really enjoyed the photos of Jimmie, Fu, Syaka, Masai and the family. I hope Japan treated the Wilson's.

Vic and Chris are really remind me of Jeff and James.... Brandon to me looks almost the same as before I left;

Ryder is growing fast, and is a cute kid.

I hate to break it to you but I didn’t receive the packages you have sent when the zone leaders went to Lima a week and a half ago. I don’t know what happened but I think its a matter of laziness on the part of the missionary who is responsible for getting the packages and sorting them out according to zones.

Wow 100 degrees! That’s HOT, its been pretty chill here with a little rain and some sun as well. Don't miss any meals. You better eat dinner, you need that nutrition!

That’s Rob A for ya, he will want to get big once again so he can lift the big man weights.

I really did enjoy the photos of Semaj and the family. I will be talking to him when I get home if not sooner. I am glad your mothers day went well with the family, that’s a blessing in itself.

That’s Vic for ya. He does what he wants and if someone doesn’t like it "whatever" That is a shame that he has that attitude still. So you once again are stressing so much you busted a blood vessel, be careful! At least the gout is gone that’s good.

That’s cool Brandon had a day at the park with the elders. They are a great influence for Brandon because they will tell him how it is and their words are inspired of God not of man.

Wow! How crazy is that?! Futaba had breast cancer? At least the recent news is that’s she is clear of that. Your email was true. Every good and bad experience is for a reason. We're here to learn and grow. We are not on vacation, were here on earth to prepare to face God after we die and explain our actions and thoughts and if we prove worthy we can live in true happiness forever with our families.

We baptized another great young man this Sunday and that rocks! The devil really works hard on people before and immediately after their baptisms. The only answer is faithful prayer, scripture study and doing all that is possible till the impossible!

My new comp and I are working hard and truly changing the hearts of the people, or better said God is changing the hearts of the people we come in contact with and its really a great experience.

I pray that my family and that includes our family friends keep strong and never lose the faith because there really is more to life that to be born, live, have kids and die.

I love you all more than ever before!

Elder Morton

Letter from Elder Morton, 05.11.09

Subject: Kicking it in the jungle
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 15:53:49

Hey all!

I enjoyed the call last night. It was really nice to talk to everybody. Sorry for my loss of words but I’m thinking in Spanish now so some things are lost in translation. Nevertheless I was really pumped to hear that although things are crazy yall are keeping a positive attitude.

I love the pictures of Zion, Semaj, China, they seem really awe struck but happy and that’s what counts. Wow Brandon should get refocused on school because his future is more important than he realizes and if he doesn’t kick butt in school now he will not obtain the skills he needs to be successful in life later. The good news is that despite all the drama he seems pretty happy and that makes me happy. He is a great young man and if he thinks positive and stays engaged in a worthy cause, there is no limit to the success he can achieve. I don’t really agree with the wine tasting deal for Justin’s 21st Birthday but hey, at least they are doing something relatively constructive together.

Just wondering how are Jimmie, Futaba and the kids doing? How is Kelvin, Bill, & Sue Makimoto and the Young Guns doing? Is Cammie still going to the gym like a champ?

How are Wally, Jennifer and Claire? Mike, Sunny, and Ryder seem good which is awesome! I am really proud of James and that he’s finally found someone he really clicks well with and that he is moving in the right direction in life. I knew he could do it. It seems as though Vic is staying positive and has a good quality goal. I hope he achieves it and more.

I think Annette should go to church, specifically the ward in the area in which she is buying the condo, maybe with you guys one Sunday. You can find out where, when the ward meets in her area easily on the internet. I really think it would be the positive reinforcement she needs. She is a good person, but I think she, like most people in the world doesn’t know what our purpose in life is. With that we get lost in worldly things and our faith dwindles to nothing if we remain in this state long enough. With that basically life sucks. I have been there I know how it feels, and I don’t wish that on anyone especially my sister because I love her. It’s up to her though.

Mom and Dad I am pumped you too are staying positive considering all the craziness, but I feel like you still have more in you, you can do more. Keep going to church, the gym and don’t let the excuses of the adversary convince you that "next week we will go" is ok. Study the scriptures, pray like everything is in Gods hands and work as though everything is in your hands. God will guide you and bless you along the way. In regards to the business you know what you need to do. Just do it. Impossible is NOTHING!

I love you with all my heart.

Elder Morton

Getting Brass Plates Part 2

In the Book of Mormon, there is the story of Nephi and his brothers. Getting the Brass Plates from Laban,

Semaj & China with their newborn "Zion"

Elders in Peru with Elder Morton

Letter from Elder Morton, 05.04.09

Subject: Still in the jungle!
Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 16:14:37

Hey yall!

I had time to look at the photo marked "Elder Morton & Elders in Peru Soccer players" The people in the photo are: Elders Rich, Clarke, Garnica, Cuellar, Agiular, Choc, Elison, Mamani, Yo, Moreira, Figueroa, Quintana, Merril, Rojas.

I received my birthday box on April 29th for our entrevistas with the Prez, and the letter inside was dated March 16th and had 2 shirts one Medium and other Large (Medium is better), 2 bags of protein powder and bars, beef jerky, batteries and cereal. I have not received that letter with $30 that Dad sent.

If you could send four things of floss, a few bars of soap in the next package that would be awesome and a new VISA because the VISA that I have was done as of March of this year and if there is an emergency I will need to use my money from home. I should receive another box this upcoming Monday because the Zone Leaders are going to Lima for training this Wednesday or Thursday, and will bring whatever the office has for us back to our area. I’m good on socks, and garments, tennis shoes, vitamins. I don’t know when we will be calling yet but I would think in the morning or night.

Wow it’s Justin's 21st and Brandon’s 17th B-days, enjoy them and the time you have with them. Keep Vic & Brandon in check the best you can but you’re not their Mom, they know the rules, if they don’t want to play by them, they can try to find another place to stay. Don't worry about it, I doubt they'll find anyone that worries about them or cares about them like their Grandma!

Are you serious?! JAMES IS MOVING OUT? I’m so very proud of him there isn’t words to say. I knew you’d learn Mom; you are smarter than you give yourself credit for.

These Peruvians are from another world and when I get home I have MANY stories to tell.

RE: Abeyta's diet. That’s Rob A for you, he wants to get BIG, and then a month later wants to get RIPPED.

I remember Jack La Lane he is the bomb, someone to look up to even though we're about the same size! LOL from reading your description you sound like a commercial for the bike!

Keep on trucking Mom, I know you can do it all, every day take a step or two towards you goals and before you know you will pass up your goals and will need to adjust your goals. You can do it if you always have your goals on mind or reminders. It’s like the mission, if we think about baptisms we will baptize people, if we think about home or girls we will do stupid things with girls and go home!

I get to stay in the jungle for another 6 weeks which is cool with me. I like the jungle, when it rains, it’s the bomb, but when there isn’t rain I look more Latino every day! I am getting to the point to where I really can converse comfortably with the people here which for me is really cool. I have no idea but up to this point I have baptized 24 people and it seems like that number will be climbing fast these next few changes, God has a plan for us all I know this to be true we just need to exercise our faith by working hard so that he can steer us to achieve his purposes for us.

The same goes for you guys at home. God has a purpose for you all and its greater and grander than you can imagine but the only way you can realize your god given potential is DO what you know is right. Go to church, study your scriptures, magnify your callings in the church, work hard in your jobs and plan time every week to work the business and go to meetings and before you know it you wont need a "JOB" anymore and will be able to have more time to relax or whatever you want, maybe see the world! This is something I have prayed about every day and I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that it’s true. That’s what’s in our future, we just need to believe it’s possible and do a little bit every day until it’s a reality.

I look forward to talking to you on Mothers day and I love you all and pray the best for you all.
Please send my love to the family and friends and I’m still waiting on pictures from Semaj’s wedding and son. Send my love to Jimmie and Fu, Kelvin, Rocklin 2nd and Rocklin 6th, Young Guns, and everyone that cares for me and I for them.

Love,
Elder Morton

Lima Peru Soccer Team of Elders

Elders in Church Play in Lima Peru

Letter from Elder Morton, 04.27.09

Subject: 10 Months down 14 to go!
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:42:02

Hey yall,

As of now I don’t know what hour I will be able to call but when I know you will know. It's good to hear you guys are hanging in there with your health and Vic And Brandon are helping out. Wow gout huh? Well do what the doctor says and don't be stubborn. Good luck with working out! Yeah keep eating that clean good food, who cares about taste?! Keep up the prayers and good hard work.

I am jazzed to hear that you guys are staying plugged in to the business, I know that it will pay off in the end in more ways than one. That's cool my homie Ezra contacting you, he is a great guy and equally was a great missionary which I believe he will make just as good a business owner in Team INA. I feel you about the weather it's hot and then raining in the same day. I will keep you posted about the box so don't worry. What's Ezra doing in Lima?! Is he stalking me? LOL! I'm still in the jungle for at least one more week... after that I can not say.

Things are going really good here, my Spanish is finally coming along, although there are a few people who like to take the wind out of my sails by telling me my Spanish sucks. I am working hard and trying to have love for them but this is the mission overcoming trials by exercising your faith and forgetting yourself.

We had three baptisms Saturday the 25th and that was BOMB! Alex, Rosa, Isaacs are great converts. At this point in regards to missionary work I am almost competent enough, I believe, to be a senior companion which is really cool for me. Every up and down on the mission that experience I realize more and more how truly important the mission is for young men. It's the reason; I believe those returning missionaries that stay active in the church are so successful both spiritually and temporally.

I pray for all you guys family and friends every day and I love you all. I hope as I'm here you are there receiving the blessings as a result of my hard work because I know you guys need it! Please say Hi for me to all the family and our homies as well. I really love the mission. Who knew Id love something so mentally challenging in which I can't lift weights as well?! It’s all good, when I get back, I'll get back to lifting weights ASAP!

Keep the faith and always remember we are all children of God which means our potential is unlimited.

Love,

Elder Morton