Here we go!

Subject: Here we go!
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:54:44

What up with it?

Just kickin it here in Lima bustin down doors like a crazy person! Don’t worry about the letter it happens sometimes. So you have turned into Dad, sit down and in two minutes OUT like a light?

I'm really glad you guys went to church Sunday I know the more often you do it the greater your strength will get and your faith will grow. Thats cool. Whats new with Jordan Mortimer, and if you know ALL the Mortimers? Im happy you got a kick out of the photos. I had fun at the Castillo de Chancay as you can tell!

Whoa! Tanya got divorced? That’s crazy! On a side note Jordan is the bomb! I really love the Mortimer’s; they give me something to shoot for as a return missionary. If I can come back as spiritually strong as them I would consider it a blessing over and above what initially hoped for. Joe and Katie Mortimer rock, send enviales saludos. Wow, Carter Zufelt got back already? It’s been two years, how crazy! Im sure the ladies will be taking a number to go out with Carter.

I am happy to hear that Chris is going to invest in his education and even more excited that for once his parents are helping him do something of significance.

Johnny and Carol still doing their thing. Great for them that they are thinning out a bit in their "youth." Annette is in the apartments where the missionaries live, that’s interesting. James' now feels your pain if you know what I mean! Matt is same ole same ole. That is too bad things didn't work out with James and his roommates not paying their share as agreed.

The photos of a wedding are a mix of members and our converts in Pucallpa, when I was in the jungle. There is a massive baptism also where all the people that got married got baptized the same day.

I would love to talk to Jordan because the sooner he leaves the better for him and his future, the more he puts it off its just delaying his progression spiritually and temporally and that is something he will regret for the rest of his life but it's in his hands. If he wants I will make time to talk to him about the mission from an old mans perspective. Rob A might go to Alabama that’s crazy. Good for him for finally getting As in his college classes.

Gotta go because I'm running late I will write more next time!

Love,

Elder Morton

I'm alive and kickin!

Subject: I'm alive and kickin!
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:54:48

Hey yall!

SO as the title entails I am adjusting to the new responsibility as a senior companion. I am becoming more responsible about achieving our goals as a companionship and less just worrying about doing my half of the job. These three weeks have flown by, August is almost over and it feels like it just started last week! You probably have received a manila folder with a CD of photos and a letter for Rob A by now.

Today we have a free P-Day so I will write you guy another letter and send you another CD of photos because the other one only has the photos I took after my disc was erased. For some reason the computer cant read my other 400 photos using my USB but can read the photos from the chip directly.

It’s really interesting to see the ward from the perspective of a missionary. I never knew how lazy I was with my callings before but now I have repented and will do a lot better when I get back! My faith, through trials is growing and more than that I am putting my faith in action instead of treating it like a Christmas present that I wipe the dust off now and then to play with for a bit once a year, and forget about it. I really believe that if we do the hard things and let God mold us we really can have it all, or really have all that we need to be happy and healthy enough to overcome the trials and persevere till the end of this life.

We are really making a change in the way the members in this ward look at the missionaries in a positive way and as a result they are helping us a whole lot more. The mission really is the bomb because we are forced to dig down deep inside to find that special something we never new existed to get the work of the lord done in his way, and not our own. Everyday I realize more and more how very important it is for a young man to go on a mission, and especially me. I thought I was good and good was enough before but I have realized that its not. Its not even close and that’s why I hadn’t achieved the things I had wanted before the mission because I wasn’t capable enough on my own and will never be, but as long as I do my best, always striving to be better and submitting to the will of the lord anything is possible. The same goes for you guys if you submit yourselves to the will of the lord, be humble, obedient to the commandments and patient in the big picture things will go your way. Not everything will go smoothly but overall you will be blessed according to your obedience. I love you guys and pray for you always. I hope that you can learn from my experiences and draw strength from my strength in the lord because I know for a fact that if we follow the commandments faithfully, and follow the advise our our church it will be more than worth it.

I didn’t get a letter from you so things must a little crazy or you sent it and I didn’t get it like many other times but all in all I, as always look forward to hearing about the goings on in the good ole US of A! So till next time I love you guys and pray you receive many blessings while I am here in Peru!

Love,

Elder Morton

Things are going well

Subject: Things are going well
‏Date: Mon 8/10/09 8:56

Hey yall,

Another correspondence from the crazy world of Peru:

Thank you Mom for always having me in mind even though I’m so far away and all. You should be getting a letter and a CD with a few photos on it, but it’s not all because the computer couldn’t read my chip 100%. There will be a manila folder that has a letter to Rob A and the CD is for the whole family to enjoy. Thanks for sending the box. I should get it sometime next change.

My current companion is from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and this is his last month and a half in the mission before he goes home. He looks like Giorgio and is a bit like Giorgio as for his personality but less reserved. We get along well and because of that were working really well and busting our behinds. Elder Archila was my companion the last change and yes he is from Guatemala.

I want you to write whatever is comes to your mind as far as the goings on in California and whatever you have heard from Italy, San Francisco and everyone else recently, also what’s new with you and Dad.

I will continue praying and working hard and maybe eventually the lord will soften her heart. It doesn’t matter what the trial is you can overcome it Read Ether 12:6 and after that read 2Nephi2:27-29. You can do it I know it. You two are smart enough and hard working enough to achieve anything, just put your confidence in the lord and yourselves and you will accomplish your dreams. When I get home I will be busting my behind because I understand now how truly important the family is. Doesn’t worry I will find the woman I want to raise a family with and we will be a team like you and Dad. I am so very grateful for the fact I am here on the mission. The Lord is molding me in his hands here. It’s not always easy, or fun but it’s more than worth it. At times I regret not doing this sooner but there is nothing I can do about that now, just make the most of it as possible and I am doing that. Everyday I understand why the members of the church, although they have problems like the rest of us are a whole lot more successful and its because the men went on missions and learned humility, patience, diligence to the lord, and how to apply Christ like attributes to every day life. The woman learns the same principles as well. They LIVE the gospel, and that’s the difference.The grandchildren will grow up eventually. They have you and Dad as examples and if they so choose they will incorporate the example you have given them in their own lives to some extent. Chris seems to be turning out alright. For his sake I hope he goes to church and emulates the great examples of young men that there are in the Rocklin 2nd ward.

About Elder Rich I was mistaken he isn’t in our zone exactly. The elders in the mission office have a different P-day and zone meeting although there in the district of one of our district leaders and send him their numbers. I have no idea how that works. Elder Rich seems to be doing well. We had our interviews with the President and the assistants Friday the 7th and 5 hours later and 7 lessons later the meeting ended and we went on our way. I haven’t heard from Ezra Saenz since February or March when he called me and told me he would send a package. Have you heard from him since then? I have been really concentrating on improving in three categories because I feel as though if these three fields are strong I will have the tools to improve the rest and they are humility, patience, obedience. Be careful what you ask the Lord because you get it eventually. I have been given many opportunities to better myself in these categories and I'm sure that will continue to improve for at the very least the rest of my mission! We somehow did the impossible and got the husband of a member to commit to baptism this month and the missionaries have been trying for 7 years to do so. It goes to show that everyone has their time.

I love you and pray for you always. I too look forward to returning home, but I know the Lord needs me here for another 10 & 1/2months. The time will fly by and next thing you know the popular phrase will be "One time in the mission....." and there will be many more special moments to share.

Keep on keeping on yall!

Love,

Elder Morton

Living the dream

Subject: Living the dream
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009

Hey all!

Yes I received the code to my card but I hope I won't need it until I buy my farewell cards towards the end of my mission. In regards to the box it's all good I got a box the week before changes with some stuff that I needed. It would be really great if in the next box you send me some Q-tips.

It would do those grand kids well going on a mission! It really changes us and makes us more humble, patient, & obedient. It gives a clear understanding about our purpose in life and how to accomplish our goals but submitting to the will of the Lord, if we do that things will work out for us a whole lot better than we could have done on our own.

Things are great in Lima. My new area is basically the Peru version of Stanford Ranch. The area is full of rich people who are ready for the gospel. It's ironic really because my other experiences here in Peru were, up till now the contrary, if they had money they didn’t need religion. It's not really a new job it's just a reason to be more responsible and work harder because if the area isn’t successful it's my own fault.

My new companion will complete his 2 years of service in September and he is really a great guy. He reminds me of Giorgio a lot, but from Bolivia. The pensionist is really good and I probably will gain a few pounds while here. Yes Elder Rich has one more change after this one and he is home! I am really happy for him because he has really been a great example of being the best possible missionary in every moment, up till the very end. I respect him a whole lot and I am really excited because he is in my zone again.

Keep up the good work and I’m sure if you pray a whole lot and keep reading your scriptures and going to church you will get the permanent position at Sears. Wow Melinda has always been a bit sickly but that’s sad she had a stroke. In regards to the San Francisco crew just keep in touch with them as much as possible and what’s new in their lives.

Figure out a way so that you can go to church every Sunday even if its only for an hour its THAT important! In regards to INA functions be creative. You can always have functions in your house. It's one thing to know the principles of something, applying them is another animal completely. It's all worth it and then some, Church, INA compliment each other and really if we are converted and do what’s necessary we will receive the blessings after the trial of our faith.

Read the book of "Ether" in The Book of Mormon, it's an eye opener. Especially chapters 4 and 12. I teach these principles on a daily basis and over the course of 13 months I have seen the huge difference between those who live the gospel and those who understand the gospel and yet don’t apply it. I really want for you, my family the absolute best but if you don’t apply your faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ his suffering was in vane. All he asks is that you have faith in him, repent of your sins, be baptized, receive the gift of the holy ghost, and preserver till the end of our lives and if we do that we will receive eternal life. "You can do it!"

Love,

Elder Morton