August 19, 2014- The One Year Mark

So sorry it's been so long:

Friends and family,

Believe it or not, this week I hit my one year mark. I know, it's insane isn't it? I feel like it was last week I was writing my first email home. But a year has gone by and here we are. It's been the greatest year of my life. I've had to deal with challenges I couldn't imagine and I've received more blessings than I ever thought possible. I am definitely not the same person I was a year ago. But that's the point, right?

This last week has been good. I'm still in the Paradise Stake in Las Vegas with Elder Borden, from Hawaii. I'm also serving with Elder Howe from Alabama. He's staying with us until he goes home on Wednesday. He's hilarious. Both are great elders and I'm happy to be serving with them.

One of the benefits of serving with a Polynesian companion is that somehow, we always get fed. It's great. Other Polynesian families are so willing to give us food. We never go without. Huge blessing. Elder Borden has taught me a lot about Christ-like love. He cares for people genuinely. We've grown a lot serving together and I have a testimony of team work. We can't do it all on our own. That's why Father gave us families. 

This week my testimony has been strengthened because of the Book of Mormon. That book has been critical in my understanding of who Christ is. I truly know that it contains the words of eternal life. It fills my daily life with purpose and direction. As the people we teach read from its words, they find their own answers. If you desire to strengthen your relationship with God, read it and pray about it. The power of those verses is undeniable. And it's open to all who want to read it. Just try. Read from it, ponder what it says, and especially ask God if it's true. He will tell you. He's told me. I have a real witness that I can never deny is true. It came as I asked Him to help me understand and to reveal to me if that Book was from Him. And knowing that it is makes all the difference in the world. I would invite you all to be in the Book of Mormon every day. You will never regret it. It adds color to life and grounds me to the Rock of the Savior. I love that Book so much. I hope you do too. Stay safe, take care of each other, and trust that Heavenly Father has good things ahead for you! 

Happy 1 year!

Elder Norton