Elder Morton, Senior Companion!

Subject: I’m going to Lima as Senior companion!
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:24:16

Hey yall!

Our next change is this Wednesday the 29th and I have done well enough to be senior companion which means I’m in charge! It’s crazy to think but its true, the president trusts me enough to be a leader. I thought I would never be capable with the way I was progressing, but you never know what the future holds.

I did receive the box you sent June 12th with the soap, razors, protein bars, powder, vitamins and calcium which the calcium will last me my whole mission! I also received the photos, letters and garments.

I am now in the process of writing Rob the Animal and I will send the letter out as soon and possible.

I burnt a DVD of all my photos and will send that out too. My weight is more normal now. I am probably about 135-140 I would guess but I have no idea really. I am basically used to the food now so all is well there. Oh yeah tell Rob A that he should eat more meat and less protein powder!

Wow Jackie got hitched! She looks happy so I’m happy for her. I’m even happier to hear that Dad got to walk his daughter down the aisle.

That’s cool that you visited Earl and he was happy to talk to you guys. Those old people need a visit every now and then to keep them going. It’s a service that I wish I did more of before the mission but now that I have learned the value of service I will be doing more of it when I get home.

It's been tough here as a missionary in Huaral because the people don’t really want to listen to us or our message and its sad because really there is nothing to lose and everything to gain being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have learned so very much to confide in the Lord a whole lot more and that the key to real joy not only is having faith but being obedient to what we know is true. I am grateful for making the decision to go on a mission. I wish I had the faith in myself and the lord to have done it sooner. I know that this is what the Lord wanted for me all along and now I am lucky enough to experience it for these two years. The principles I learn here I will be able to apply not only as a missionary but as a latter day saint, a son, a brother, an uncle, and eventually a husband and a father. Its absolutely priceless.

I pray that my family too may have the desire to know for themselves why their little brother, uncle or friend is in Peru preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s because as crazy as it sounds, families really can be forever. The only way they can know for themselves is to ask God himself if its true in a prayer, and if they pay attention they will receive an answer.

I would like if Mom did our family history for the next 11 months because when I get back I want to do the temple work for the Giosso’s and Morton’s. A name here a name there when there is time.

So how is everybody doing? Sounds like Annette is still very busy and that’s ok. James is growing up and that’s really great. Chris is turning out to be a good young man; I knew he could do it. Wally and Jenn are the same it seems. Mike and Sunny seems to be happy with their little rascal and I'm really excited to see him when I get home.

What’s the latest on the San Francisco crew? Jimmie, Fu and the kids, Semaj, China and my newest nephew. Joyce, Revonda, and her rascals. The young guns? Bill and Sue, Jenna, Adam, Corey, Brett, Michelle, Colon, Adrian and his brother.

Especially how are you guys doing? The old guns hanging in there? Rocklin 2nd and 6th any good news from there? I received a letter from the Rocklin 2nd wards young women who did a camp out of some sort and wrote the missionaries. It was cool.

As always I love you all and pray the best for you. May you overcome all the trials Satan throws in your way and cling even more firmly to the "iron rod."

Love, Elder Morton

Letter from Huacho/Huaral, Peru

Subject: Huacho/Huaral, Peru
Date: July 10, 2009

Hey Fam!

I don’t know how I managed it but I have a few extra minutes this morning so I am writing a little bit of what’s going down with me in Huacho/Huaral. First of all it isn’t the jungle, so right now it’s a bit cold, but I brought a sweater.

This branch has over 1,500 less active members and about 100 that attend weekly. The church doesn’t have a computer so everything is kept track on paper so finding addresses to houses is an adventure. I, somewhere along the line obtained a negative attitude towards Latino’s and all because of my developing pride and impatience. After two verbal fights with my companion in two weeks I had no choice but to look inward on the situation and come up with a solution. I realized that needed to change not just for now, but for the long run, and in a big way. I’m in the midst of that now, and I am grateful in every way for the opportunity in which God has blessed me with to actually become humble and patient like Josh, Jon, and Joe Mortimer and all the other really great young men that served missions and now are great men of God. I respect them a lot.

I've had a lot of time to think of what I want to do with my life when I get home and the Team INA business will be a big part. I want my family to have the opportunity to see the world and how good we have it where we live. If I bust my behind I will get married in a year from when I get home from the mission and a year later we will be able to buy our first house. At this rate by 30, my wife will be a full time mom and I will be working part-time for “the man” and part-time for myself. At age 33 I will be retired and a full time dad. It’s possible and all’s I have to do is obey the commandments, work hard, and stay humble. I hope you guys are working the business as well as going to church amongst the craziness.

How crazy is that? I’m talking about my own family, wife, and kids like it’s just around the corner and I have almost a year left to serve before I can do anything about these things. I’m getting old before my eyes but that’s inevitable really. I am changing in just about every way possible but I know it’s what God intends for me and I’m happy with the man I am becoming. I’m not the man I need to be but thanks to the mission I’m getting there little by little. God has a plan for us and if we do our part we will be blessed temporally and spiritually.

As a missionary I see the difference between the faithful members and the so so and the reason why the faithful seem to always have enough in every sense, not necessarily rich but enough to over come trials; it’s their faith and obedience to the commandments. All we have to do is keep on keeping on in a positive way and with a whole lot of faith nothing is impossible, no matter age, race, or looks.

I love you and pray you are all well. Please give my shout outs to everyone we know and love.

Love, Elder Morton

Letter from Elder Morton, 07.20.09

Subject: ¡Estoy muuuuy bien! Gracias
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:54:20

Hey yall!

Wow Jenn and Wally are once again with Jenns Mom?

Thats crazy that the great grand mother suffered a stroke, thats not good.

That Mike likes to work far from home but who can blame him with the crazy family he has LOL! Wow Ryder has 7 teeth already? He is growing up quick but thats how kids are! In regards to Annette let her do her thing. She knows where you live, your email, phone and cell number at this point its in her hands. You cant worry about her, you have more important things to do like take care of your health.

I'm glad Chris has turned out to be a promising young man. Thats more than I can say for the rest it seems. Selfishness and pride seems to be more the rule than the exception. I, through these last few months have realized humility, patience and charity are three big keys to success and real happiness in life. I heard that Dad totaled his truck and he was a bit shook up but alright. Its good to hear nothing drastick happened. Say hello to the Mortons for me, all of them!

I have changed a whole lot its crazy. I was thinking about it the other day and I still have a whole lot to learn and 11 months to do it in! I dont make the nasty comments every time someone says something I dont like and I am taking criticism a lot better; Im basically taking it like a man! Sometimes its better to not make a scene and do what you have to so you can get what you want in the end. The woman I marry will have to be great because of our kids, if they take after me they will be crazy for the first 23 years! These past 2 months really have been humbling for me. Its been really good because I truely believe I needed it more than I knew. I am discovering on the mission not only how important the family is but what I want for my own family and what I will need to do or sacrafice in order to get it. I realized the first two years of my post mission life will be hard, but if if I take what I have learned here about faith, obedience and dilligence it will be worth all the hard work in the end because my family will have the life I want for them, the life they deserve.

I hope you guys are still doing your all to build your spiritual wealth as well as financial wealth. I know you guys are capable of great things it just take a little bit of faith, obedience, and dilligence and you can have it all!> I love you all. Please keep me updated with all the crews from Rocklin to the Bay area to Italy and everywhere else because I got love for them all!

Love,

Elder Morton

Castillo de Chancay Castle in Peru, 07.06.09

Letter from Elder Morton, 07.13.09

Subject: Growing up in Huaral
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:37:57

Wow!

Last week for you guys was crazy with the accident and all! That’s cool that Matt said he would be there for you guys. It seems like the two babies are growing up James and Rob that is LOL! It is nice to hear Wally Jennifer helped Dad lending him their car. I was sorry to hear about Matt & Annette I hope things work out for her and my nephews.

It’s true what they say in INA, they always change the deal and the deal always requires more work for the same pay. Are you guys still working the business or just buying the products? I know you can do it and not only that, but you NEED to do it because you guys aren’t getting any younger and you cant keep up this pace for long or you will work till you die, literally!

Jackie finally made the commitment, good for her! Rodney seems like a good guy. Yes, please send photos. I look forward to the smiles. Wow Claire will be 9! Please send her a very happy Birthday from Uncle Rob! Ashleigh will be 14?! That’s crazy to think. Man Mike will be 31, the babies are getting old! Yeah, that’s right Wally and Jennifer’s Anniversary is in August. 10 years of bliss, you got to give them props for making it work and not giving up when they could have many times.

I haven’t received that letter from Rob A but that’s because we didn’t have interviews with the President June and July it looks like it will be towards the end before we have interviews and changes are the 29th so by sometime this month I will receive that stuff. I will write back and give Rob A my opinion as soon as I receive the letter, without a doubt.

I recently wrote you all a letter and I’m sending it today with a cool post card from a place we visited as a zone which is near the area me and my comp get to preach the gospel. I am also going to look for an area to burn my pictures onto a CD once again so I can send you the photos I promised. You would be proud of me. I am really growing up. It only took a year in the mish to break me down enough to be willing to change but its happening. It’s so much easier to learn when you are humble and willing to take criticism and advice from people who really know what they are talking about. The culture is different here and I am actually adjusting and changing my way to interact with people for the better. They are sensitive here and I’m really learning how to sweet talk so that I don’t offend people and so that I can be a more effective missionary.

You and Dad are still going to church, praying, and reading your scriptures right? I sure hope so. I pray for you all a lot and I hope you follow the prophet and his counseling’s because they are modern revelation and we will be blessed if we follow what he and his apostles say.

I love you all and have faith that if we do all we are able Jesus will make up for what we lack and we will be blessed spiritually and temporally and with the excess we can bless the lives of our family and friends.
You can do it!

Much Love,

Elder Morton

Elder Morton 06.29.09 in Huacho

Letter from Elder Morton July 06, 2009

Subject: LIFE IS CRAZY SOMETIMES!
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2009 16:13:07

Hey yall!

I heard about Micheal Jackson and didn't believe it at first. It seemed like a bad joke. It's something that seems like it will never happen, but even the most talented and or famous die. I didn't know Farra Fawscett died, but as you said she wasn't doing well for quite some time. As of now I am good on protein, vitamins, soap, and shampoo for a while. I think I should be good for at least this change. Chris is going to church? Good for him. It's the best atmosphere he could possibly be in. Chris always had a good heart, he just ended up in the wrong crowd for a few years. It's great that Chris has the desire to finish school. His education is of great importance for his future and the more he gets the better for him as a man.

Wow there is dry rot in the bathroom, that will be a tough job. The kitchen floor needs to be replaced too? Man that is crazy.

That is James for ya. I was like that also. Man on that note I'm sorry for how immature, and proud I was. These past few weeks have been a real eye opener for me. I never realized how disobedient I was really until now. The mission is such a big help with young men like myself that need to be more humble, patient and obedient because there is no choice but to be that way or you can't have any success.

Are you serious?! Wow how crazy is that?! Brad Smith is in Santiago, Chile and Zach Zufelt is in the MTC? Man those little ones grow up so fast! How is Elder Cook in Texas? I bet he is doing so well. He was the type of young man I wish I was and pray my kids will be like. I will have to write him a quick note. Yes people can still write me at dearelder.com. I get those every time we have interviews with the president. Once a month basically. Yeah forwarding the emails with photos to my yahoo account is cool.

Speaking of photos is the problem with the I was going t mail you is that someone erased all my photos in Pucallpa the jungle) and a member has a program that retreived all my photos which is awesome. The problem is now here isnt any computers that want to read this disc to burn a CD. I will look around for a place here but I havent had a chance yet because every monday and tuesday we are in a bus for three hours for P-day and another three hours for zone meetings so basically all my free time is spent in a bus, but today we have our p-day in my area so I will look around.

Every day I am here I realize how many opportunities I had and how blessed I was and Wow I didn' take advantage of my blessings at all and for that I'm here, 26 years old in a country that's nothing like Rocklin, CA. I am just now learning things that 19 year old kids learn in the church. Where did the time go? God is so patient with us. I have a year left to work on my weaknesses so that I can be a good missionary and by the grace of God alone I will return home the man I was supposed to be. Pray for me, I will need it!

I love you guys so very much and pray every day that you too can overcome your trials and hard times. Remember to always keep the cammandments and never give up no matter what the adversary says.

I love you all!

Elder Morton