Change is normal here in Perú!

Subject: Change is normal here in Perú!
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:53:31

HEY YALL!

Brother and Sister Davis! How are they? Send them a shout for me please because they always have been great examples for me and I hope to be a lot like them when I get married.

Jordan is a great kid and when he gets his vision back he will go on his mission, because there is still time and he will never regret it.

My week has been great and my new companion is just what I needed TRANQUILO! His name is Elder Cahui. I feel the spirit again and that makes me happy. The new guy is from Perú but is really humble especially considering he is going to be a brain surgeon!

I am near the chapel where we have our change meetings on a hill....again. It’s a zone called Tahuantaysuyo.

When I get back I have plans on studying Spanish more thoroughly and once again Italian and really studying seriously this time so that I can speak three languages fluently.

Yep I lent my kit to a missionary for a moment and never got it back because he got sent to the jungle and who knows when I will see him again! So appreciate your sending me one if you can. THX!

Wow! That's great the Crombies were nice? So you and Mike are more trunky than I am....thats ok! I am really pumped to see Ryder for the first time. It will be really cool!

If I get the box before Christmas I will wait to open it until Christmas day as always. Yes next Christmas I will be home...Christmas 2010 here I come!

The photos were cool. I know all of them but one who is from another mission and they are all really great missionaries and great young men. Landon....how weird....he is a RETURN missionary now....how time flies by!

Hey Dad keep it real and I too cant wait to tell stories like all the other old people do!...lol! Really the mission is a special time. There is nothing like it, you really find yourself and are given the chance to redefine one-self which is an incredible thing. I can't lie I am looking forward to coming home and making right the things that I didn’t even know were wrong before and really taking full advantage of what life has to offer. I have a lot of work to do but this time I have the knowledge and help of God needed to accomplish my dreams and really make a positive impact in the lives of others. Don’t worry we are working hard and taking names!

I hope the blessings fall your way in abundance for at least these last 8 months because after that it’s up to ourselves once again to follow the commandments and do our part to receive the blessings that we want and need.

I love you all and look forward to speaking to you soon.....in less than two months! I pray all is well with you guys in Cali, Ohio and Italy spiritually and temporally and we should plan on taking a trip to Italy for the "Open doors" to the temple in Rome, Italy! It will be in 2011 or 2012 so if we are obedient and work hard we will be able to make a visit and show The Minguzzi´s what those Mormons are all about... Eeternal families! On that note send a shout out to all the families and friends.

I love you all,


Elder Morton

Patience is a virtue.....‏

Subject: Patience is a virtue.....‏
Sent: Mon 10/19/09 8:52 AM

Hey yall!

I received the box you sent with the Foot cream, lotion, Gold bond foot powder, protein powder, toothpaste, and all. Thank you, I really needed it!

That’s cool that you are going study the Book of Mormon with the ladies in Relief Society it will really help you resolve your problems and strengthen your faith in our savior as well as give you more hope in life. Yes Brother Shields rocks!

Yes, Cami told me she was going for her masters and I think that’s a great decision.

Get back to training as soon as you can even if it isn’t much but you need to get your body back in the habit of training so that you can heal faster.

Justin wants to play in the military band? That’s cool I hope he gets in and he is happy with the results of his decision. Justin is a good kid but he is confused and that’s sad because he doesn’t really believe in god or if he does he doubts if god loves him. He needs help. He needs direction. The only problem is he won’t listen to the missionaries. Contininue to be there for him.

Also keep the hope alive with the business. Never give up, just keep trucking along adding one person here, and another there and before you know it... PLATNUM! I really pray that you guys find it in you to persevere in all the good things that you are doing because it’s worth it!

Yes, I have a new comp and I got the news that I will be with him for another 6 weeks. There was an emergency change and my original comp Elder Zabala was replaced by Elder Davila and I am also in a different area here in Lima. That was three weeks ago and today we received the real changes that happen every 6 weeks and I am staying here with Elder Davila for another 6 weeks. Elder Davila is Peruvian and super prideful. It seems as though I need to learn more patience and humility or at least that’s how I am going to take this trial.

You've asked me a couple of times what I'd like in my Christmas box. If you want you can send me some cool ties and more socks like you sent me last time, the black ones with the section that has breathing holes in them at the top. Maybe another shoe shining kit like James bought for me because someone borrowed my shining kit and my brush is missing and now I can’t shine my shoes like before. Maybe some more Mormon Church music. But really it’s up to you because I don’t really need anything right now. The only thing I need is for you all to keep your noses clean, going to church every Sunday, doing the right things and good solid prayers couldn’t hurt.

That’s really all from Perú. I am just making the most out of the mission as one should do. As I've said before in my letters these two years really mold us for the future if we truly forget ourselves in the work. We learn how to communicate, how to plan for success and really how to accomplish goals by putting God first. Selfishness really inhibits us from having the success we desire! We learn that God has bigger plans for us and if we listen to the whisperings of the spirit we will do what it takes to obtain what it is that God wants for us which is true happiness.

These two years truly are the best two years of a young mans life and I am blessed to be a missionary. I am far from perfect but with time I can become more like Christ if I do his will and follow his commandments till the death. I am changing but it’s not me who is responsible it’s the lord. The only reason I have grown up is because it is necessary; because it’s what the lord wants and needs of me. The reason others you've spoke of haven’t grown as I have is because they are lost “in the world” not knowing which way is North and which is South. I feel for them. Satan is good at what he does and I pray that one day they will decide to change for the better so that they may truly understand how much the lord really loves them. The only way they can do that is listen to the missionaries, this I testify of without a doubt in my heart concerning its truth.
May we pray and follow the lord starting today.

I love you all,

Elder Morton

Crazy / Cool week!

Subject: Crazy / Cool week!
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009

Hey yall!

Sorry for the late notice but we went to the temple today and so we are doing our email thing today and not Monday. I didn’t know last week so I wasn’t able to pass the word in my previous email.

I am glad to hear Justin and Chris were happy to hear from me. I hope they do well in their studies, jobs and keep their noses clean. What Chris is doing is really good for him and his future if he sees it through the end. The same for Justin, if he focuses on the correct things he can do a whole lot of good with his talents. When it comes to the house do all you can and pray, that’s all that you can do. I hope everything works out with your car and we will see about the Volvo. No promises...LOL! I haven’t received the package yet but the farewell meeting is this Friday and usually we receive letters and packages after those and the change meetings which are next week. In one of those two meetings I should get when I have coming to me! I have no idea about Christmas because the companion I have now probably wont be with me then, but you never know. Heck I could spend Christmas in the Jungle this year, you just don’t know. Whatever you send we will both like I am sure of it! As of now I am good on clothes, shoes and socks so don’t worry about that.

Wow how crazy that you had a bad reaction to the flu shot! The good thing is that you are feeling better now. That’s interesting what happened with Sharlene. That goes to show you one better stay up on things so that you know when you are getting robbed. I hope you two find a way to build the business to a rate at which you can retire without any problems. If you concentrate a bit more on using every moment to its fullest you guys can do it! You two deserve a break before death.

I know what young men think at their age because I once, not too long ago, was there! That’s strange to say! All in all I am doing well here. Every day there is a new challenge but I love it! I have to think on my feet and that is one of the many abilities I lacked before the mission. I really feel like God is molding me here in the mission because in 25 years of doing things on my own I couldn’t do half the things I am doing now.

Honestly I feel like as long as we confide in the lord NOTHING is impossible! I speak Spanish and for me, that in itself is a miracle! I am so very grateful for these two years I have to forget myself and really search for what it is the lord wants me to do and not what it is that I want to do. In almost 16 months I have changed the way I think, and do things for the better and I can honestly say I am MORMON! I am a different man than I used to be and I feel as though it’s a good thing. I am not perfect by any means but at least I am improving in a big way. If it wasn’t for the mission I would never have become the man who I am...NEVER! It's because of that they stress the mission in the church so much but what Jo Mortimer said is true "You can be the best missionary there ever was or the worst, it depends on you"

I have noticed how much of a difference humility and patience make in who we are and how people perceive us. It makes an even bigger difference as missionaries I think. Those who really work hard for their love of the Lord and the people are the ones who will have that true conversion and be great men when they get home. Those who work for their pride and for recognition they will probably baptize a lot of people but they won't change for the better, but actually for the worst and when they get home things won't work out for them as they thought.
That’s some of the things I have learned in my time here in Perú. There is a whole lot more but that will have to wait till next time.

Send my love to everyone you can: Family, friends, extended family, loved ones and maybe not so loved ones!... LOL!

Keep the faith alive and remember that God loves you more than you know!

Love,

Elder Morton

Keepin it real in Perú!

Subject: Keepin it real in Perú!
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 15:55:21

Hey yall!

I remembered about two days before Dads Birthday and well I couldn’t do a whole lot about it but HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! AT least you had a good anniversary it seems.

Man it seems when one moves out 2-3 moves in and when you get rid of one you get another! Oh yeah the 3rd was Ryder’s Birthday huh.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYDER! That Ryder I’m sure he is a whole lot of fun. I’m glad you had some time with him.

Speaking of change, Friday I had to change areas because my ward joined with another ward and I was sent in an emergency change to another ward where my comp and I are both new to the area. The actual changes are the 20th of this month I think, but I doubt we will be going anywhere but you never know.

Wow it sounds like its time for a new car, maybe this time you can buy one that will last for more than 3 years.

Jill and Dean are planning to move to Utah? That’s good for them. Wow Danielle is going to graduate from high school when I get home?! It doesn’t seem like she is going to be 18 but I guess time flies by. That’s cool that the girls are figuring things out.

That’s a bit sad that Justin has decided to go into the military. He won’t pick up a whole lot of good habits. That is if he isn’t careful. If he watches it and sticks to the principles you have taught him he will be ok. If Justin goes into the military he will be their property for however long they have him under contract and if there is a war they can pull him into service. I personally prefer to be free to make my own life decisions, but if he is smart he can have a great life, not stable but paid for.

I have been humbled by this change and realized that in the mission there is only one constant....CHANGE! I look for the opportunity to learn from this new area and my new companion. I know that God has something special for me to learn and for that reason I am here. I can’t complain, I really like being a missionary at this point. I still have a lot to learn but at least I am, at this point capable of adjusting to the new challenges. It only took 26 years but finally I am becoming more like the man I wanted to be and thanks to the mission I will be able to become the man God really intended me to be when he sent me here.

I thank you Mom for always writing me and sending me packages. The Latinos don’t receive letters, emails hardly and packages even less. I am very blessed to be from the United States and especially to have been raised in the family in which I am in. I pray my kids will feel the same on their missions as I do, Grateful.

I love you all and pray for you always,

Elder Morton

Keep the faith yall!‏

Subject: Keep the faith yall!‏
Date: Mon 9/28/09 8:56 AM

Hey yall!

We are busting our butts here in Lima and by the grace of God we had another baptism this week! I know one thing is for sure and it is that God has something special planned for this part of Lima I am in. We are not baptising people here because we are talented or so convincing that the people feel the need to be baptized, but really we are tools in the hands of the Lord to realize his will. This is true because its absolutely a miracle that we are baptising people here. We are working hard and recieving blessings and I am loving the lessons we learn in the mission. I am maturing a lot and learning how really to be a man of my word and do things without fear. The mission is so important in the lives of young men, it really molds us and prepares us for the future.

Regarding your letter concerning my nephew Justin, if I were Justin I would focus on my education first because if he goes in the military he will be government property for however long he signs up. If I were him I would talk to Mike Morton first about the military before entering. I think he should take what the military says half seriously because the recruiting officers are salesmen for the military and they will tell him what he wants to hear for him to sign up. Its what he gets on paper that really matters because thats what they will honor. Justin's a grown man now and part of that is making hard decisions and doing it intelligently. Every big move we make will shape not only our lives but the lives of our family so we better choose wisely. I feel for Justin. I dont know what the deal is with his mother but that is why I find it so important to put our priorities in order while we still can. It's obviously too late for my older siblings but there is still hope for Justin and Brandon regarding college and the careers they choose. I pray that things start working out better for Justin. He is a smart, talented young man and really has unlimited potential. The sad thing is that we can't do anything about the decisions that our loved ones make, just accept them and do our best not to repeat the same mistakes ourselves.

Wow! Thats good to hear that you guys are still working the business keeping in touch with the Young Guns! I am sorry to hear my siblings are having financial probleems but it seems to be more the rule than the exception these days in the USA. Please send out a shout out to Wally & Jenn, Mike & Sunshine, they are all in my prayers. How's James, & Jeff, Vic doing? & The rest of the family? How's the new bride and her hubby? How are the Crombie's? & the crombie girls?

That's sad to hear Rob A hasnt really changed a whole lot. He is still all about himself. Sometimes things and or people don't change but we cant do anything about that; what we can do is make sure we are always improving our weak points day by day and confiding in the lord that he will help us along the way to accomplish our goals and dreams.

HAPPY 25TH! I sure hope you enjoy your special day! It's an accomplishment in which I pray to have the same blessing one day. You two are great examples of perserverance and hard work. I love you not only because you are my parents but because you are my friends in which I know I can count on. Keep on perservering, I know its worth it.

Send my love Rocklin 2nd & 6th and to the whole Team INA Crew, our family and friends that we know and love. They are always in my prayers and one day I know that they will be members of the true church too, maybe not today or tomorrow but one day.....Oh yes on a more positive note.....only 9 months left!!

Much Love,

Elder Morton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOLLA AT CHRIS FOR ME!‏ :-)
Mon 9/28/09 9:09 AM

Hey Chris,

I had a few minutes and remembered that you wanted me to write you if I had some free time. How are you? I hope you are doing well. Keep up the good work in school and at home. Your education is so very important and not only getting it but what you do with is what really matters. You have great potential and if you listen to what the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ say you will be blessed in many ways. If you really confide in the lord you can do literally ANYTHING your heart desires if it's just. If you want to be a millionare you can do it, but be the best man you can be. Dont be selfish with your blessing if anything always think "What more can I do?" "How can I bless the life of another who has less than I?" If you do all that and follow the commandments faithfully you will never lack. I love you and pray the best for you.

Keep the faith!

Much Love,

Elder Morton