Letter from Elder Morton, 06.29.09

Subject: I like good news!
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:06:32

Hey yall,

I received your box from May 10th with the debit card, vitamins, hair stuff and protein. I haven’t used the debit card yet but I will check to see if it works. I’m glad to hear you got a break on the mortgage, that’s a blessing.

Well I guess we have to look at what’s going on in peoples lives to really understand why they act the way they do. Basically their life isn’t what they'd hoped for and they aren't getting any younger and their disposition can only get worse as things continue do not to go their way. They feels as though they did everything right but still their life isn’t going in the direction they want.

The only thing you can do for them is pray for them, love them and help them when they let you, the best you can.

In regards to Jamie and Jordan, you did your best to mend wounds that are 14 years old and well on that note at least your conscience can be free. What’s up with these unhappy people is they do not have the gospel in their lives so really they don’t get it. They don’t understand really what our purpose in life is, period and that’s huge.

The names of all my companions: Elders Saenz, Garnica, Ayala, Mamani, Aguilar, Choc, and Archila is my current comp.

I don’t have much more time because the bus was late and I don’t get my normal hour. I love you all and pray for you daily. See you soon....

Love

Elder Morton

Letter from Elder Morton, 06.22.09

Subject: P´Huacho me fui!
Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:23:25

Dad, Día del Padre Feliz! Happy Fathers Day! Thank you for all that you've done and do for me, I really do appreciate you. I couldn't have asked for a better Dad than you. One of many things I've learned this year is how important family is. You all mean a lot to me.
Much Love,
Elder Morton

Hey yall!!!

So I’m here actually in Huaral. It’s a huge branch that once was a zone and now is the area of two missionaries. This change for no apparent reason has been a rebirth for me. I am taking the lead and contacting everyone including people chilling on their roof! I am super excited because I feel as though if were obedient and diligent we will be effective tools in the hands of god to work miracles.

I haven’t received a box yet but if there is one to be received I will receive it tomorrow. I am now using that big bottle of shampoo because now I have all my luggage where as before my big suit case was in Lima because we can only have one suit case that weights 42lbs. We will see how well it works with my hair situation but I look at it like this; my grandpa Andrew was bald before 30 and he didn’t have a problem with the ladies!

Wow that’s really good news about the house! It seems like the hard work is paying off! Yes keep working hard and doing what you can to drop the weight, its at this point starting is a life and death situation like I said. I would like it if you were healthy enough to ENJOY my kids no matter how crazy they are but in order to do that you need to take care of yourself, and quit putting yourself last for a while, spiritually, temporally and financially.

Don’t let comments like that from Mike at Fitness 19 stop you from doing a good thing such as going to the gym? It wasn’t his intention for you to stop going to the gym, but go more often.

I have learned so much and I have another year left! They have no idea what life is really about or what really matters most. I see why Mormons are so much more successful in life in general. There are always exceptions but for the most part LDS families really are united in one cause, the eternal happiness of the family, not in cool toys and things that don’t last.

I am so very grateful to be here in Peru. I understand more so now the example that Joseph Mortimer gave in his homecoming talk that first Sunday he was back from the Mission about being in debt to God and through our good works trying to pay him back and yet when we do so he blesses us even more making it impossible to ever settle the debt. I feel that way now. The harder I work and baptize people more and more people he blesses me even more every day with life lessons and memories that are priceless. I am not the same man I was when I left home and it’s not a bad thing at all. I am not perfect. I never will be perfect, but I understand our purpose in life and for that I’m forever grateful to God for calling me here and my family and friends for making it possible to be here. I love you all and wish you the best that life has to offer.
Much Love,

Elder Morton

Letter from Elder Morton, 06.15.09

Subject: Me voy a Huacho!
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:56:38

Hey yall!

As the title entails I’m going back to the beach. Or more accurate to the desert! I should get a box by next week because the zone leaders have a meeting this Wednesday in Lima so all of them will be in Lima receiving training and all the stuff for their zone. I will keep you posted on that. Thanks Mom for all that you do, I really appreciate it.

How crazy is that?! James is actually doing it! He is moving away from the nest, which is really awesome! I’m proud of that big guy. The thing in regards to the baptisms is that it has nothing to do with me. There are so many people prepared by God himself to receive the gospel that a weird gringo who can’t speak Spanish very well that as of yet doesn’t really get how to be a really good/knowledgeable missionary can baptize them because their just plain ready.

When one moves out one move in, it’s like a family version of a hotel. I see that things are still as crazy as when I left with the grandkids and my siblings. That’s a shame.

I agree Mom concentrate on getting healthy physically, spiritually, and mentally, because you will need it when I have kids! They will be 6 mini me’s running around soon! You need to go to church every Sunday, it isn’t always easy but it’s worth it, just exercise your faith and you will reap the rewards later. In regards to the business that too requires a lot of sacrifice but is not only worth it but essential if you want to ever be financially stable to say the least. I know you have dreams still and the only you can accomplish them is if you’re right with God and have more money coming in than you can spend and the only way that will happen for you guys is praying, studying the scriptures, and going to church and working the business. You can’t think or act like a consumer in this business and expect to be successful.

I will read Rob A´s letter about him giving up on the business, but I’ll tell you now there is no excuse. Keep working the business Mom and as I said before be creative in finding new people who want to build the business, and NEVER GIVE UP!

Please send my love to Jimmie, Futaba, Masai and Sayaka. I feel as though Jimmie and Futaba are my brother and sister in law in the fact that I love them like family and their kids seem like my nephew and niece. You should be receiving a CD with photos within the next two weeks and you will see a variety mostly of my first area, a few photos from my second, and a whole lot from my third (The jungle). My new area you won’t see till later. Elder Rich is the bomb and so is his Mom, I look forward to meeting them when I get back home, next year!

Things are going really well here so I am a bit bummed to leave but that’s the mission life. Change is the norm. It doesn’t matter my next area will be great too! I am really enjoying myself because I have learned so much this change and I feel like I am able to communicate and do the work expected of me. It only took a year! I have a long way to go but I remain positive because honestly I understand our purpose in life, which was what I lacked for the first 25 years of my life. It’s not as I thought before. There is a reason for the difficulties and the struggle, to get better and to exercise our faith so that we can become better and if we follow the commandments and persevere till the end of our life God has a place for us in his kingdom.

Tell everyone I love them and wish them the best. Please in addition let me know how things are going with everybody.

Love you all

Elder Morton

Elder Morton's Soccer Team in Pucallpa

Letter from Elder Morton, 06.08.09

Subject: My purpose has changed
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:56

Hey yall!

It's been crazy here in the jungle, but what’s new? Changes are next week so I have no idea what’s going to happen there. I could be changing venues or maybe not. We’ve made it almost a year folks, prepare for the arrival of Elder Morton, it's coming fast!

This change flew by faster than ever. We have made so much progress with the ward here it’s the bomb! The members are more excited about missionary work than when I arrived, and they are actually helping instead of watching us work.

I realized something the other day in regards to my mission as a missionary. I was thinking about changes and becoming senior companion so that I can be a district or zone leader in the next few changes so that I can set a good example for my future generations. I realized that maybe that’s not what God has in mind for me, maybe I’m just supposed to be the best missionary I can be and really become a "real Mormon" so that my future generations can be district, zone leaders and assistants to the President. So I decided to not worry about setting the bar high for my kids but giving them a firm foundation to build upon. My testimony is really growing and I feel like I will be a much better example and of more help to my family and friends when I get home. I really understand the importance of marriage and the family, in which before was just a nice idea to me. On that note what’s new with you guys? Still alive and kicking I hope. How’s everybody’s health doing? Is Rob A readjusting better? How are the grand kids doing? Are my brothers and sisters keeping their noses clean? Jimmie, Fu and the kids working like crazy people as usual? What’s new with Semaj, China, and Zion and the San Francisco crew? Are the young guns still living the dream?

The Rocklin 2nd and 6th wards are still the best in the world and that’s the truth! Is Dad still hanging in there? Is James getting ready to move yet or what? Oh yes and if you could clear my junk mail in the oompa email account to keep it updated that would be great!

Hey Ma are you still in contact with those missionary Mom’s deal and if so please stay in contact with Elder Rich’s mom because I want to visit him and his family when I get home because they really seem like good people. It goes without saying Elder Rich really is a great guy.

I love you guys a whole lot and I look forward to hearing from you next week.

Love,Elder Morton

Letter from Elder Morton, 06.01.09

Subject: 2 bautismos más!
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 16:02:29

Hey yall!

As the title says we baptized two more people and the cool part is that these two families are complete. Now they’re all MORMONS! How cool is that?!

Good to hear you dropped a little weight and your blood pressure went down, good job, keep up the good work! How do you get chicken pox? Man you get to do all the fun stuff, good luck with that! The old folks are falling apart, I feel ya because I am still going bald, so I will be in the same boat as Dad when I get home, how crazy is that?!

Yes, Brother Solomon is awesome; I knew it a long time ago! It's true! No family is perfect no matter how loving or active in the church they may be, but were not here to be perfect or seem perfect, were here to prepare to live with our families for time and all eternity if we follow the commandments and do all in our power to perceiver till the end, then we will have the honor to do so.

Good to hear Jackie’s health is improving. It seems that Vic hasn’t changed much, and the same goes for Jeff. As for the INA business if you REALLY believe you can do it and that its really WORTH the effort you will FIND A WAY to make it happen. Be creative, and work with what you have. You will beat this thing I know it! Don’t worry about what the Young Guns do or don’t do just do your very best and you will reap the rewards soon.

Its a shame about Mike & Sunny moving into a 5th wheel for a year before they can afford to buy a home a home to raise their baby in, but they will overcome this trial. The cool thing is that Sunshine will be able to stay home with the kid and raise him the way they want to raise him.

Are Wally, Jenn, and Claire are crazy as ever? That's too bad they weren't able to stop by for Mother's Day. On a lighter note its super hot here and I’m looking like a balding Peruvian. I really like the jungle even though it’s an entire different world. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since we were in Utah saying good bye. Man does time fly by when you’re having fun! It hasn’t been easy but it’s been an experience that I will never forget. In regards to the photos basically the computers suck here so I haven’t been able to burn a CD but I found a place that I can burn CDs straight from my disc. So I will send the disc to you guys tomorrow. Sorry about the delay but I did all that I can do to find a place for 2-3 P-days. My comp Elder Choc is helping me a whole lot with my Spanish and adjusting to the life of a good missionary. Who would have thought? Me of all people, a missionary and almost a good one at that. Being a good missionary was never something I thought I was capable of but I have changed a whole lot. I really understand the importance of the family unit, and my fear of people is pretty much gone with my pride out the window. I am so very grateful for the family and friends that put up with me all those years.

Please say hi to the family and friends for me. I love them very much. More than they know. Please keep me updated with everybody and what’s new with them.

Oh yes if you could send razors and that Nutrilite "Cal Mag D" that would be great because the food here doesn’t have much Calcium.


Remember NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Love,
Elder Morton