¡Me va bien!

Subject: ¡Me va bien!
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:24:04

Hey yall!

I haven’t received the box with vitamins yet but I’ll get it soon. That’s cool that Dad went to the temple because it rocks! I hope you guys make some time once a month to go and do a session it’s worth it! Wow Robbie Cook gets home tomorrow?! How time flies by. I’m sure Robs return will be great for everyone! Man that Steve Reynolds. I hope he is doing well. The weather is changing all over and I plan on moving to the state that stole our weather when I get back!

My new comp is Elder Parizaca and he is from Cochabamba, Bolivia. He isn’t trunky like many of my previous companions and follows the rules so it’s a bit strange for me but I have to clean up my act a bit and be a good boy lol! The Michael Jackson shirt was cool! I like it. Yes, it’s hard for me to pray in English now. I can communicate in English when I speak with someone from the states but its weird talking to a Latino in English, it throws me off. It will be weird the making the transition and all when I get home but I will be fine. The good news is you can always study Italian and if you work the business enough you can go on vacations in Italy and you will get your Italian back in no time.

I'm sorry you have not seen Justin since Thanksgiving. He’s doing his thing which sadly enough doesn’t really include family and that needs to change sooner than later. At least everyone is getting along.

Yes I heard it's been snowing in Northern California and have seen pictures with a whole lot of snow in Utah...provecho!

The things that I need would be razors, protein bars, vitamins, toothpaste, white sox and whatever your heart desires! I am sending the CD today so you should get it soon.

Good for Chris! Education is really important but even more important is what you do with that education! The U.S.A. is full of opportunities for people who want to work hard and learn. Literally we can be and do what our heart desires and that’s a privilege that not everyone has. We need to take advantage of the blessings that God has given us and be grateful that we have been born where and when we have. On a missionary note we are working hard here in Lima. It’s a bit tougher to work in an area that you have basically contacted everyone and their grandma and they all know you and say no I am still not interested in "your church".

I have been here for 4 months now and I have made some great friends and when I go I will miss them a lot but I plan on making a come back with the family in a few years when I am an emerald in the business and I have a bit of freedom from "The man"= (9:00-5:00 JOB). Literally I have family here and I can’t wait for you guys to meet them. I know that you’ll get along great!

Can you believe that I will be home in 5 months? The time has gone by so fast I truly am amazed. I truly am a changed man and yet there is a whole lot more to learn. If I do the best job possible I know that the lord will bless you and me.

I thank you all for making it possible to serve a mission, I will never forget it and it will be a legacy truly great in the Morton family to have missionaries all over the world as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was all made possible by our family and friends. Thank you all. Keep the dream alive!

Love,

Elder Morton

My week was good, and yours?

Subject: My week was good, and yours?
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:48

Hey yall!

Actually it’s been chill here, humid but not too hot. Its actually rained in Lima a few times which is practically the end of the world for them because it just doesn’t rain here. I haven’t received another box yet. That would be cool if Alberto could visit you guys for a bit in March.

About the temple in Italy are they actually building it and if so when do they plan on finishing? I want to go too! Holla at Bishop Smith, brother Knecht, Brother Gibson and that I am doing great! Please do what you can about my license to renew it I would appreciate it a lot.

Yes I plan on going back to Fitness 19 because I need to get back in the gym BAD! That’s cool about Rocklin going to state but for what Basketball, Football, Wrestling, or Baseball? I need to work hard from the get go because I have a lot of plans and little time to accomplish them in.

The changes were this last Wednesday January 13th and I am staying here in Lima till February 24th. I am excited because my new comp is super spiritual and just a great kid. I truly believe we will do some great things this change.

On a funny note I am forgetting my English and I didn’t notice it until now, because for some reason people are asking me what does this mean in English, and I have to think hard for about a minute until it comes to me! I have realized that I am a missionary and the transition to the "Normal life" will be awkward. Who knew? The good news is that God is blessing me every day more and more and I feel he is molding me into a better person. I know that he is blessing you guys as well. I hope you keep working hard and going to church and obeying the commandments so that he can bless you more and more.

Be patient, I am coming home soon but I am needed here I know this to be true. I pray more than anything that one day my family decides to accept the gospel in their lives. I am really happy that James is starting to think about the Bible and spiritual things a bit more and well and his education and working hard. He is capable of great things if only he trusts in himself and God. The same goes for you all because the lord has big plans for the family if only you believe that anything is possible. One thing I have come to realize in the mission is that we set our own limits not our heavenly father and the way we do it is by doing nothing at all or whining about our trials without doing what it takes to overcome the problem.

Let’s stay positive as TEAM. INA always tells us we can be financially free and with that freedom we can do great things for many people because serving others makes us feel good and it pleases the lord.

You guys are the best! Until next time I love you all and pray for the best.

Elder Morton

Wow! Alberto needs a razor!

Subject: Wow! Alberto needs a razor!
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:30:03 +0000

Hey yall!

Well, I got the garments, razors and scalp serum. The garments that I like are called "Cotton/poly" The others aren’t my cup of tea. Getting old sucks but as you guys say....its better than the alternative! Get ready to retire but do it in style! Do it like Wade and Terry Simmons! You can do it I know it! Thanks for sending me the rechargeable batteries. I will put them to good use! Thank you but I am good on a CD player.

I pray things work out with you guys and your financial situation. I have heard that the U.S. is almost 80% recovered from the economic crisis. That makes me feel a lot better.

I realized the other day that James is going to be 40 this May! We are getting old huh? I will be 27 this March.... who knew I would survive this long without being strangled! As a child I was sure a hand full for you and Dad, but I am learning my lesson here.

I plan on going back to Fitness19. Actually I plan on working two jobs and doing the business. I need to start making enough money from the get go to start saving for a house! I know things will get better by June because it’s up to us and how we look at things whether it’s a cup half empty or half full. We decide how good things are not the circumstances. Yes Mom stay positive and behave! I completely agree on making the goal for Italy 2012! I am already planning on it! As far as I am concerned they are family and I love them as such. Sorella is sister huh? That’s right; I need to study Italian also when I get home! That’s cool that she sent the family a box. I understand about the panetone because I ate panetone for a month! All of December, breakfast, lunch and dinner! I am down for some pasta! I miss good food! Don’t worry about what to make fo me when I get back, cook whatever your heart desires! Cool I was wondering about my license because I will need that ASAP as I return to drive to my two jobs and attend college!

It’s good to hear that you are feeling a little better. I hope there will be no need for the use of your cane by the time I get you back, we need to get you back in the gym and I also hope in June you won’t need the wheelchair-cart because that would be a huge relief for you. You took the words from my mouth you have a trip to Italy to prepare for and I’m coming back! Don’t worry about the Christmas lights you can take them down unless you just don’t feel like it.

I saw Alberto's photo with Giorgio at Christmas at their mamma's house and Alberto needs to shave! lol Wow Alberto´s boss had a baby that’s cool. Alberto is the man and that’s cool that they trust him so much in his job to give him so much responsibility. I am even more excited that he got to date some gGirls! That’s always good news. I hope Alberto is able to escape from his job and stop by for a visit with you guys while he is nearby in Denver, U.S.A. That would be really special. I hope Alberto finds his good deal on the house he wants to settle down in Modena, IT. So the new girl’s name is Denise interesting.... she’s pretty, interesting and talented good for him! Yes we love the Minguizzi family because they are the bomb! Send my love and best wishes to the Minguzzi family and that 2012 we will be occupying those rooms with pleasure! After what you’ve been through it good to have something to look forward to and mtake a goal to achieve it.

I have to say the lord really knows what he is doing with us. Really all we need to do is work hard and consult the lord faithfully and we will be led to eternal happiness. The lord has bigger plans for us than we can imagine we just have to BELIEVE and JUST DO IT! The temple is a great source of strength and personal revelation. Prayer also helps us keep in touch God so that we are not led in the wrong direction. I love you all and I know you are capable of anything.Keep the dream alive!

Love you all,

Elder Morton

New year new Elder!

Subject: New year new Elder!
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 14:42

Hey yall!

It’s good to be in 2010! It’s a new year full of new opportunities and new arrivals! Let’s not count the months down because we can’t afford to assume and lose blessings and opportunities! Don’t worry about me! I am a bit older and more experienced with these things and I only take my camera with me when we do things as a group - tourist as a zone or when I leave a zone to say good bye to the great families I have come to know well. As far as money well I have about $10 on me and usually no more than that. Don’t worry about that because my back pack is always at my feet where they would have to be a bit more obvious when robbing me and I don’t think they are that stupid. I plan on sending you a CD soon with a letter and some small stuff from Perú.

That’s cool that Annette is being social. I hope she is doing constructive things with her free time. Really I don’t know a whole lot of 43 year old single men from the church, but you never know! I know some Peruvians that fit that description but I wouldn’t recommend them for her. That’s cool to hear you chilled on new years eve, I think its just what you need.

What do I need? More dress socks, rechargeable AA and AAA batteries and you guys to work the business like never before so that when I get home you guys will be in a different economic situation than when I left. That way you can teach me how to do the same for my future family! I see that getting a job and all that starting over stuff with college will be hard but with help the transition will be less abrupt. I hope you were able to renew my license so that I can get to work right away and get ready because I am coming! Wow! I am really proud of James. He is really coming around. As you said there is hope! I sure hope he has the same or more interest in these things when I get home!

Talking about the Roe's the CD that Chris sent me is the BOMB! Its greatest gospel hits CD and I like it a lot! It gets me motivated and my comp doesn’t speak English.

Going to physical therapy you will get to recover from the daily grind of the week a bit more this year, which means you will have more energy to keep on keeping on! Wow! That’s really cool that Semaj and Redondo have their own businesses. I wish them all the best in their business ventures! George sings Hip Hop? Or more R&B? Either way I like both! Yeah by the time I get married he will be famous so that’s cool with me! I hope we get "The family discount".

Jill and Dean are going to the Mormon capital of the world good for them! Wow Jenns car took a dive that’s crazy! That’s nice of you to give her your car but you worked out some kind of deal with them right? I hope so. I am happy she is finally moving forward and looking for a new job. In regards to the car I am not even thinking about that yet. I do plan on buying something more my style as soon as possible though depending on the dinero situation! That’s cool that Josh (Mortimer) still remembers his Spanish really well. He must have studied more in college.

As for me I have been working my butt off spiritually and physically. I have a comp that’s super prideful and thinks he knows everything and isn’t afraid to say so. It makes me realize how important humility really is and how much of strength it is as well. I am learning a lot this change. I know that the lord is on my side and I can overcome any trial if I confide in him, be humble and bust my butt doing the right things. I have to say the mission is the best decision I have ever made and will never regret doing. I thank my God my family and the church for giving me this opportunity to serve the lord and really be truly converted to the only true church on the face of the earth.

Love,
Elder Morton