February 23, 2015- Matthew's Testimony

Hey everyone!
We had a great week this week. Our friend KC Foltz made the decision to be baptized! He is 13 years old and is a sharp kid. His family has a really cool story too. His Grandma, Sister Odonahue, was raised in the gospel but fell away and made some wrong choices. Her actions not only took her away from the peace of the gospel, but also put her children on paths that brought them a lot of struggle. She said that when she finally realized what had happened, she felt an overwhelming amount of agony for the consequences of her actions that hurt her children. She worked hard to come back, got a temple recommend again, and has been going there weekly since. As part of her reactivation, she promised the Lord that she would do all she could to bring her children back. Recently, her son Casey and his son KC (funny, I know) left California and moved in with her for a time. She immediately got to work. Casey is a member of the Church but isn't very involved anymore and his faith has dimmed. But his son KC accepted the invitation to listen to the missionaries and work towards baptism. He's a great kid. I remember one of the first lessons we had, he asked us "What is a testimony?" What a great question! What is a testimony? Why do so many Latter-Day Saints focus on bearing their testimonies? How does one gain a testimony?

A testimony is something that you know to be absolutely true and is centered on the gospel. It's obtained by a witness from the Holy Ghost about certain principles of the gospel. We experiment upon the word of God by reading the scriptures and applying what we read in our lives. We see the difference and blessings that come from living those teachings. Knowing that a principle of the gospel is true means you have a testimony of that principle. Testimonies are never complete in this life, I think. There is always something more to learn and a deeper understanding to attain. I love my mission because it has taught me a deeper level of understanding on the most basic principles of the gospel: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, covenant keeping and making, and being led by the Holy Ghost. I truly know that these principles bring blessings and happiness to our lives. 

So after explaining what a testimony was, I asked KC what he knew was true. He said "Well, I have a testimony! I know that the power of God is real!" Since this was his second lesson and hadn't grown up learning about the gospel, I was a little surprised. I asked him how he knew that. He said

"Because of my Grandma. She's gone through a lot of pain and sadness. She has had 2 husbands pass away and has been through a lot. But she's happy! Only the power of God could make her happy after all that." What a simple testimony.

I agree.

I know God lives and loves us. I know the fullness of the gospel has been restored to the earth through Joseph Smith. I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is true. I love that Book. I know these things through a number of real-life experiences. I hope you all can identify what is the root of your testimony and take the time to think about why you know it to be true. Then search the scriptures, live what you learn, and watch your testimony grow. It's a guarantee formula for everyone! 

Love you all!
Elder Norton

February 16, 2015

Dear Family,

So I'm still in 7 Hills, and I'm loving it. It's definitely harder than a lot of areas still, but it's getting much better. Our mission has two focuses: Become a Preach My Gospel Missionary for Life and to build a new stake. So our charge as Zone leadership (us and the Sister Training Leaders) is to create a zone culture where we can do this! Our Zone vision is to create "Self-Sustaining Wards" and push from behind so that we can help change our member's hearts so that they're the ones doing the work. So far so good! We're focusing on improving ward coordination meeting, teaching with the members, and participating in ward council. Those are kind of our three pillars to achieve this. It's been amazing to see the blessings that are coming because of it. We've had two families this week invite coworkers to take the lessons in their homes. Both have been amazing spiritual experiences for us, the investigator, and the members. Truly, it's the best way to do missionary work. One of them, Rick, has committed to baptism at the end of March. I can see in him a longing for the Savior. He's so burdened by guilt and shame. He made some heavy mistakes in the past that have hurt his family. He's seeking relief. I can't wait to help him discover the Savior through the Book of Mormon. What an amazing book. I wish sometimes that I could forget all about it so that I could have the opportunity to open it up for the first time again and feel what these people feel. That Book has power! 

I've been learning so much about leadership. We're encouraged to have a personal vision, to become something. I want to become someone who enables others to fulfill their potential. And it's amazing to me how Heavenly Father has helped me with that request. He's taught me about balance in the work, sharing responsibility, helping others see their strengths, succoring the weary, and so much more. I sometimes can't really believe just how spiritual life can be. Spiritual experiences can happen every day. They should! It means our progress is on track and when that's in place, what more do we need to worry about? I think part of why the gospel brings peace into our lives is because it gives us the assurance that when trials come, we'll have the ability to make a right decision. It gives us confidence that we know no matter what happens, we know how to choose the right. I love that. I'm starting the final quarter of my mission and I feel like I'm just beginning to understand faith, repentance, covenants, the Holy Ghost, and enduring. I trust that the end of my mission won't be the end of this progression. In fact, I've decided that it won't be. It'll just be the foundation for it. I have such a desire to be good. I just want to be good. And I'm very grateful to be a part of a Work that is simply good. 

I love you so much!
Matt 

February 9, 2015

Hey here's just a small miracle that happened this week!
Last week we contacted a woman who was carrying in her groceries. We helped her carry in the rest and got talking to her and her husband. They're Alicia and Jim Adison. Cute little family, very nice. We talked about Christ and about prayer. They are very active and happy at their church and I was really afraid that it was going to turn into a bit of a bash session between churches. We said a prayer with them and asked if we could come back. They agreed! So this last week we went over to teach them. I was still really doubtful that it was going to be anything but a bash. Just had that feeling. But I was so wrong! We asked if we could present our missionary lesson to them and they said yes. We taught them the Restoration (it took a while, since they both talk a lot) and it went really really well. In fact, Alicia started crying from the Spirit when we taught her that Christ appeared in the Americas. We asked her what she was feeling and she said "an overwhelming amount of love." they accepted a baptismal date and said they wanted to come to church! Just goes to show you, sow wherever you go! You never know who's ready. We're excited to work with the Adisons. They're a great family. Anyway, that's something special that happened this week! Sure love you!
Matt 

December 28, 2014

Hello Everyone!
Hope you all had a good Christmas and that you're going to have a safe New Year. It's incredible that this year is already over. I can't believe it sometimes. Yet here it is! 

I had a wonderful Christmas. The people here took care of us. We ate some delicious food and being able to Skype the family was a special treat. Everyone looks so much older! (except Mom and Dad, of course). I think my favorite part of Christmas was the stockings. My companion and I had the idea that it would be fun for our missionaries to wake up to a Christmas stocking like you would at home. So we bought a bunch of socks (actually we bought double the number we needed because we forgot that they're sold in pairs.....) and filled them with cuties and candies and other stuff that we had. We hit a few of the missionaries Christmas Eve, but we soon realized that we didn't have enough stocking stuffer stuff to stuff every stocking! So we called the missionaries we had already given one too to ask if they had any stuff to stock the stuffed stockings. And this was the coolest part: when we called to ask, they told us that they had already gathered things together for the other missionaries and that they were writing notes to these missionaries. It amazed me how quickly the missionaries want to turn around and give as soon as they received. Immediately they wanted to give a gift, as little as it was, and went about doing it on their own initiative. In fact, they all asked if they could help deliver them. So at 5 30 Christmas morning, we went out to deliver stuffed stockings that were stuffed full of stocking stuff. What a good way to start the day. I could feel an extra sense of love from the Savior. It wasn't much that we had to give, but it felt wonderful to give what we had. The rest of the day just got better. I testify that the Savior is real and loves us. He gives us the choice to go  out and help His fold. I want that feeling again, because it felt like He was smiling at us. What a special feeling. Christ is real. I've felt his love and felt his forgiveness. He's given me strength and I have a growing relationship with him. I love this gospel and this Church. There's so much good here. I love you all and pray that one of your New Years goals will include strengthening your relationship with God. It's so worthwhile and more valuable than anything else you can do. And if you would like some tips on how to do that, ask the missionaries!

Love,

Elder Norton 

Pictures of the Holidays

Good ol' Matthew

December 23, 2014

Hey!!!

This week was incredible. Last week was VERY hard, but this week was very rewarding. It was still hard! But we saw so many miracles. We found a family of 5, a family of 4, 2 friends of some youth here, and two sisters from Russia. All in one week. The Lord was very merciful this week and it was so relieving. Now we're going to do everything we can to keep them. We've been really really blessed. This week was also our Christmas Conference (I'll send pictures), interviews with President, and zone training. Busy week! This one will be too, I hope.

Anthem is really a great place. Yes, lots of rich people, but so many good people too. This last week we were asked to be a part of a family's scavenger hunt and so the people at the party would have to find out where we were and come and take a "Selfie" with us. But when they came to find us, they brought us stacks of presents. I was really surprised, but felt so thankful. It was so nice of them to think of us and go out of their way for us. This ward is excellent. It's pretty small, but it's got variety all around. Well balanced between old people and little kids. Got a decent amount of youth. What I love about this ward is that those who are active are really converted. The majority of them don't go through the motions, but are willing to lift extra if they need to. It's a good ward for sure. There's lots of doctors offices around, dentists, orthodontics, real estate offices, and law offices. We have (get this) a private airport that's also in our area. We live in one of two apartment complexes, which is where we're able to talk to the most amount of people. I'm making some good friends here, too. 

Being a zone leader is good! In interviews, President Snow told me that the most important thing about the mission is the missionaries. He said God can get baptisms when He wants too. But He allows us to participate because we need to learn to be the leaders of the Church someday. So he said that as leaders, we have to go before them to provide them a safe environment to progress, experiment, and learn for themselves. It helped me shape my focus for who I want to be. I want to be someone who provides people opportunity to reach their potential. He's a wise man! I would say the hardest part is dealing with all the little minor details of day to day leadership while still juggling the bigger picture stuff AND the work in my own area. But I really love being a Zone Leader. It's fun :) 

I'm happy and healthy. Enjoying every day as best I can. Trying not to worry too much. I'm getting much better at that. Please tell Amanda I'm so so happy for her. She looks happy :) That's so good to see. 

Love you guys! 

Elder Norton 

These are pictures of a group of some of my close friends on the mission. We all served together in Paradise and now we're all back together again in the same zone. :) Also, I got to see President Snow- ho- ho! 

A compilation of emails from the last update-

November 10, 2014

Hey everyone! Greetings from the Anthem Stake in Henderson! 

Anthem is most well known for being really rich. Holy cow. It's SUPER rich. I'm sending a few pictures of the houses. One is just a random house. The white one is Mike Tyson's. Yup. Mike Tyson lives in my area. I want to go knock on his door but the last time missionaries did that, he didn't really like it. And it's one of those communities that has guards at the gate and stuff. CRAZY. 

My new companion is Elder Lopez, from Uruguay. Well, he was born in Uruguay. He came out on his mission from Salt Lake. He's a great guy and we're already laughing a lot. Some genius put a ping pong table in our apartment..... I'd like to shake his hand. What a great way to unwind after planning! 

This last week we had Elder Bradley D. Foster from the Seventy come. He gave us some wonderful instruction on working with members and being a part of every aspect of Hastening the Work of the Lord. I love being a minister. It's such a great calling to have. I love teaching people about the Savior and seeing them develop their own love for him. It truly brings light into their eyes. Elder Foster's message mainly consisted of two related principles: God loves you. And He answers your prayers. I can testify that's true. I can testify that I've heard His voice and felt His love. He answers prayers. My goal is to work on knowing what to pray for! What a wonderful promise. I know that's the same for you too! God loves you and He answers your prayers! Love you all! Take care!  

 November 17, 2014

The Lord is definitely not forgetting about us. I can feel it. This area is known to be really hard. It's not as hard as everyone thinks. You just have to be smart about it. For example, we have an old folk's home with a lot of people in it but we can't proselyte in there. So we're going to go into it and teach all the old people how to do family history :) A little more long term, but it will sure be worth it. I love the talk on "the Fourth Missionary." Incredibly inspiring. I don't have my own copy, so if you have a chance, I'd love one! Thank you. 

I love you lots. Don't worry about me out here. The Church is home for me. And so when I'm working for the Church, I'm pretty much just working from home ;) Not a bad gig. Love you tons!!!!! Hugs and kisses!
Elder Norton 

November 24, 2014

This week was pretty good. We worked hard and saw blessings. As always! But this week was especially good because I got to go back to Hacienda ward for a baptism! His name is Kane Owens. I may have talked a little bit about him before, but I'll tell the story again anyway. 

One day, Elder Borden was on exchanges and was walking around our apartment complex. He street contacted a man and asked if he was interested in the gospel. The man said he wasn't, so Elder Borden asked who else he knew that might be interested. The man pointed to an apartment and said "I think they have something to do with the Mormons." So Elder Borden knocked on the door and Monica Farmer opened the door. Elder Borden and Monica grew up in the same ward! They had no idea the other was there. Monica was actually at her friends house. But a few weeks later, she and her boyfriend Kane moved into the same apartment complex that we lived in! They had just happened to meet. Kane had been "investigating" the church for two years. He had actually gone to a ward campout in Hawaii and had met Elder Borden there before Elder Borden's mission. They were going to school at UNLV. So Elder Borden and Monica set up a time for us to come visit and catch up a bit. On our first visit, Kane said "yeah, I've been wanting to get baptized! Where have you guys been?" It was pretty much smooth sailing from there! He already had a testimony of so many things. The biggest challenge though, was the living situation. They were living together but weren't married and so it was preventing him from getting baptized. This was a big trial of faith. They didn't have another place to move out to and at 20 and 19 years old, marriage was a big commitment. I got transferred out while we were still teaching him. But a few weeks ago, I saw Elder Borden at a meeting and asked how Kane was. He smiled really big and told me that the night before, they had gotten married! After a lot of prayer, they had decided to do it! It was a small ceremony. The Bishop, the elders, and the couple. What an act of faith!! I was so happy when I heard it. This last Saturday, Kane was baptized by Elder Borden. He gave an awesome testimony afterward. What a happy story! I love this gospel!!!
Love you Mom!
Elder Norton

P.S. Guess what? Monica, Kane, and Elder Borden just found ANOTHER friend from high school who is living in that same apartment complex!! He's also going to get baptized. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL! The Lord's timing is incredible!

Kane is the one with the lei on. The guy in the gray suit coat is the friend from high school

December 8, 2014-

How could God not be real? He is so real. I love inspiration. I love vision and hope. I love hard, sweaty work. And I'm really glad to hear that you're receiving inspiration for your family. :) That makes me so so happy. Not sure why, but I think it's because it means my family is rooted deeply in the gospel. How lucky are we to know about these things! 

Haven't gotten the CDs yet. But I probably will soon. Saturday night we had a ward Christmas dinner. It was amazingly spiritual. Also ridiculously fancy for a ward dinner (it was catered, with a menu. Suit jackets required. Oh, Anthem.) But it was very spiritual. the Bishop's brother came down and talked about the condescension of God. We had amazing musical numbers. During "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" on a cello and piano, I felt the Spirit so strongly and the inspiration I got was about you guys! I know what I want to send you all for Christmas. I'll send it as soon as I can. And I may or may not have completely bawled thinking of you guys together on Christmas morning.... :) Only one more away. Thank you for your emails! It's lifted my day a lot. I love you so so much.

Elder Matt