We're still going strong!‏

Hello there everyone! I hope you are all doing very well on this fine day! I know that I am! This morning we got up and went to our area early for a service project; we rebuilt a roof! So we get there at about 8:30 and we go to get the laminate pieces. I was thinking like 4 or 5 feet tall laminate pieces that are about 3 feet wide that would way about 15 lbs! ummmm..... no...... We get there to pick up 30 FOOT LONG LAMINATES that are about 4 feet wide and weigh 120 lbs! Ummm..... this should be fun! So we had to carry 5 of these bad boys out of the factory and to the members home. after taking 3 we decided "let's just take the last 2 together"..... UGH! That thing was a beast! Holding 240 pounds of laminate above your head between 6 people doesn't sound that bad, but it was still pretty tough. Then came the fun part! Taking rickety wooder ladders and leaning them up again the house and holding this thing about our head and passing it to the elders and member that were up top! It was tough, but it was a really fun service! 

Rainy season has gotten here early!!! Really early! So it has been raining every afternoon at about 6 o'clock. The dark clouds settle in and the rain pour out. The first few days I didn't have an umbrella, but there was one specific day that we were walking and Elder Blotter DID bring an umbrella, but there was sadly not really room for two.... No big, I didn't mind getting a little wet. We were walking on the sidewalk of one of the main roads in our area and I look over at Elder Blotter cause we were talking. Cars had already been going past us, but while looking over, out of the corner of my eye I just see a red mini cooper that is flying down this road and all I see out of the corner of my eye is that this guys car is about a foot off the sidewalk and going through an ENORMOUS 25 foot long puddle up against the curb..... dang it....... I only see a 6.5 foot wall of water that punches me in the face and soaks me with dirty backed up drainage water.... It was cold. Elder Blotter was on the other side of me so he didn't get as wet, but I just got soaked! Anyways, that day we were walking around and we were just getting wetter. We decided to go with a very less active man that hasn't bee to church in over 20 years, and he is only 40. We show up to his house soaked to the skin and he lets us in. We felt we should share a conversion story about the anti-nefi-lehitas. We explain it and how they were truly converted to the gospel.... PAUSE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: This man is inactive for some issues that his parents had with their marriage, and he still is holding an awful grudge towards his father and another member of the church.

PLAY: He looks at us as we are discussing a little bit, and he asks a question: "How did they forgive the people that killed all of their family members and friends? I have noticed that I have very strong feelings that I need to fix, and I would like to know how they did it so that I could also do it."

This was an AH HA moment because we had been wondering if this man was really understand that he needed to change. THis man had been thinking and was guided by the spirit to know that he needed to change. What a miracle!

This email is getting pretty long, but I just wanted to post an update on the familia Acosta Velazco. They are doing great! We are hopeing they get baptized next saturday! They are such an incredible family and I love them very dearly! I hope you can include them in your prayers!

The weeks get faster, but I am also noticing that I am learning even more things! The adversary is just a liar and a distractor. He doesn't have the power to remove answers from God or spiritual experiences so he just does his best to put so many things into our mind (including doubts, hobbies, business, job, etc.) that we get distracted enough to not remember the good things that we have recieved from God. Opportunities are like the bus. Even though we are waiting for them, all the adversary wants to do is distract us just long enough so that when we come back to our senses the bus has already passed. I know that christ came to help us overcome our weaknesses and be able to take advantage of the opportunities in our lives. He loves us. He has done everything for us. I know that the atonement really happened! It is the greatest sacrifice in history and even though not in history books, it is the historical event that we should know the most about. I know God lives and watches over us! I know you can all feel his love if you want to! Look for him every day! Help other find him! I know people are prepared for all of us!

Have an excellent week! Thank you for all of your love an support!

Elder Norr

2 Transfers left!‏

WOW! I cannot believe how fast this last transfer was, and honestly, I think it was probably one of the hardest transfers that I have had. But now it is over and this transfer is going to be even better! So now Elder Blotter and I are in just a normal companionship and we have already met some pretty awesome people this cycle in the area. Yesterday we went out to work, and we already found 2 new people that said they would come to church on Sunday with us! YAY! Also, we are hoping that a couple of the investigators that we are already teaching will be able to come with us to church this week and we shall see if we can help them take another step towards baptism! :)

Today was weird. Today Elder Schaap went home. I met him my VERY FIRST DAY OF THE MISSION! We have the same trainer and everything. And we have been in the same district, zone, house, for about a year! It was kinda weird saying bye to him at the airport, but he served his time, and now it is time for me to finish serving the rest of mine! It is just strange now that people that I have know for a long time start to go home. It just seems like time is going by SOOO Quickly now!

Cool experience! So yesterday we had to go on an errand to help out one of the assistants that went home today. We had to run to the market in the center of town to pick up a couple of last minute things he didn't have time for. So on the way back, instead of taking the metro train like normal, we decided to try something different and take the metrobus. it is pretty much like a metro, but they are buses instead of trains and drive on the surface streets of Mexico City. So we get on and the bus is supposed to stop at station "Ethiopia", but instead it goes about 2 stations and everyone gets off. We are like "sweet! Now we can sit down!" nope, the only people on the bus were us and a man sitting towards the back that the sides of his head almost shaved and longer, slicked back hair on top. We asked him if the bus was going to ethiopia and he told us that it should. However, a minute later, we got off the bus. The other man decided to go talk to the conductor. SIDEPOINT: So the doors on the metrobuses are like double-doors that also pivot (if that makes sense). So they just kinda scissor together, hard, when they shut. So the man comes back to talking with the conductor, and he already looks upset. If that isn't enough, he is about to step out of the train, and the conductor shuts the doors on him; he is pretty much just talk pinned in between 2 hydraulic doors. We were close, so I ran over and pried the door open so he could get out. At this point, the man is pretty ticked, but thanks us for helping him. When the next bus comes, we get on, and I am standing pretty close to him. He has his headphones in, and suddenly I just feel the impression: "TALK TO THIS MAN!!!!!!" I tried to not really think about it, because truth be told, he kinda scared me a little bit haha After a couple of minutes of repeatedly feeling this same way, I decide to talk to him. We start out talking about las vegas, and life, but to make a long story short, I start explaining a little bit about the missionaries, and he starts having questions, and as things just keep moving along, not only do we get the chance to explain a little bit about ourselves, but we get his address, and we get to explain quite a bit about the restoration, and he wanted to learn more!!!!!!! He doesn't live in our area, but we are going to pass the reference to the other elders in our mission! Hopefully he will get baptized before I go home so I could go!

I don't think I really have too much more to write this week! Things have been going well, and for the most part I have been healthy (always a good thing!). I suppose that I will just end this week's email with my testimony of the restored gospel. We must understand the importance of what Joseph Smith really did! We must understand that we would not have the gospel today if he had not had the courage and faith to ask our father in heaven to know which church was true! I testify that we must know these things if we expect to find peace in this life. I know that the church has been restored through Joseph Smith, and that the Book of Mormon is true! Where would we be without the knowledge and testimony that we receive through the book of mormon? Think about it. I know that Christ leads his church. I know that we are imperfect people, but that if we strive, we will be made acceptable before God! He loves us, and wants us to learn and grow! Let us strive to understand more fully the restoration of the gospel and the blessings we receive, have received, and will receive in the future because of it! I know this will help us stay strong in times of need! :)

I love you guys! 

Hope you all have a good week!

Elder Norr

P.S. Picture time! 

1) A selfie with all of the newbies/ assistants that got here on monday!

 2) Sister Luque. She got here when I was being trained. She is back home in Argentina!

 3) What? Even luchadors get hungry sometimes! haha

Saying Bye to Elder Schaap at the airport

 It wouldn't be an airport trip without the Krispy Kreme doughnut stop!

 Bowtie family pic at the changes!

Bringing Presents Home!!!

Ok, so this time I need to write so you guys know what things are.... haha 

First, this are called "guitarrónes". They are the huge guitar that they use in mariachi bands! Second, So skeletons are a big part of the mexican culture, and they have these really cool porcelain/ clay statue things and they are awesome! 3RD, please tell me that you all know what these are! SOMBREROS!!!!!!!!

First, Alebrijes! They are sweet! 

2nd, This is black clay stuff from oaxaca! Also really cool!

Finally, this is this sweet little bag store! Probably what you would like mom for your scriptures!

Week of Miracles!‏

 This week was absolutely incredible! I just felt that there was sooo much revelation and good things that happened last week! We have been doing well with our investigators! Guadelupe has been progressing really well! We taught her the plan of salvation and she totally understood it. She has committed herself to reading the book of mormon more too! SHe couldn't come with us to churhc.... :( but we have an appointment with her tomorrow! We are hoping to meet her family! 

Funny story! So, my companion, Elder Blotter, thought he saw the other 2 office elders go down into the bottom floor where all the bunk beds are (basement, super cool, perfect for sleeping) for a siesta. It was p-day so there wasn't a problem, but my companion and I have a different p-day so before we left (they had shut the door to the room so no one would go in and mess with them like we normally would) Elder Blotter grabs a spair mattress and wedges it inbetween the stair and the door. It wasn't like they couldn't get out because if you pushed the door a little harder, the mattress would just fall anyways. It was just a little funny thing. We get back home, and the mattress is still in place, and the door is still locked. We came to the conclusion that they had not really been in the room like my companion had thought.. Anyways, that was just background... So last night I went down to shut off the lights and make sure the door was shut. I noticed the light was on in this bedroom...... freaky..... So we decided to go in through a sketchy basement window. it was pitch black, and I was with both the assistants when we jumped down there. We drop through the window into the bathroom (there is a door inbetween the bed and bathroom) Elder Perea (assistant) jumps down first, and then i jump down with him. I go and open the door quick, and there is nothing in the room.... no one..... nothing..... Hmmmm. So i go and unlock the door, and I was looking for the lightswitch and elder perea sticks his hand out the door and shuts off the lights...... :/ The light swith to the room was in the hall and someone had turned it on by accident without noticing!!!! We were freaking out there for a while thinking about why the light was on haha 

So, now for the SUPER AWESOME SPIRITUAL STUFF! There has been a family that has not been to church really in almost 5 years. The family Macedo. When I first got to the area, a member told us where they lived and we went to see them. We would go at least once or twice a week and not find them. Finally after a couple of weeks, his brother opened up and gave us Brother Macedo's phone number. I called him and they said they would go to church, but they didn't.... They hadn't really went to church even though they had said multiple times to ward members that they would go. Well guess what?!??!?!?! They have been going for the last 6 sundays! :) YAAAAAAAAY! We have been teaching them once a week in their home. It is a family of 3 and they have a little boy. This last thursday we taught about the importance of scripture study and the spirit was SOOO STRONG! Finally, at the end of the lesson, they told us they wanted to share something with us. What was it? quote:"Elders, starting this sunday, we are going to pay our tithing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" YESSSSSSSSSSS! It was such a sweet moment, and then they asked to take a picture of us with them and they are going to print it out and send it to us! AWESOME! 

The spirit has been sooo strong lately! And I feel like I am definitely becoming more in-tune with it. I know that this church is true because any church can have good things happen in it, but only in the true church can constant miracles become a reality! I know that God lives and even though I have never seen him, I feel his love and his protection. he listens to us as we pray and strengthens us when we stand in need! I am grateful for the gospel in my life and know that if we follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, we will find happiness, and I mean TRUE HAPPINESS forever! I know it!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Elder Norr

Just Pictures

Here are some pictures from this last week! These little girls are the granddaughters of one of our investigators that has been going to church for 2 years! They are so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Conference weekend!-20 Months Out

Hello there again! Many of you are probably wondering where I have been for the last couple of weeks. I guess no one saw my "gone proselyting" sign on the door of my room haha 

Things have been really cool lately! We have found lots of really cool people that are accepting the gospel and we hope we can help them accept a couple of baptismal dates by the end of this week and invite them to come to church with us. 

First off, I don't really write too much on mondays cause wednesday is our P-Day. Since we are the secretaries, everyone comes in on monday for mail and other stuff and we don't really get th chance to do anything, so we have P-day on wednesday so if you don't see anything from me on monday or tuesday then don't get discouraged, cause it will get there. 

First the funny, then the really spiritual, even though it is all good stuff! So friday we were asked to not leave the offices for safety reasons, but no big deal. So, things were just pretty normal. Got up, ate breakfast, did exercise, and then we get looking at this little tiled 10 x 12 foot patio that we have in the very middle of the building. It has no ceiling or roof and has concrete walls on all sides with a door to get in. What happened with a bunch of 20 year old creative, hard working, active, handsome young men with way too much free time on their hands? We cut the top off of a 5-gallon bucket, grabbed some screws and a drill and put up a basketball hoop in the patio. We didn't have a ball, so we resorted to my volleyball, and just had 1 on 1 on 1 games to 21 for hours! It was so much fun, but I woke up sooooo sore the next day! It was a really awesome conference weekend! There was fun, but also the spirit!

Who got to watch conference?! I did! This time was my last general conference, and I decided to watch it all in spanish! It was a little bit of a different experience, but the spirit was there all the same! One of our incredible investigators named Guadelupe (Gua-day-loo-pay) come to conference, and in the second talk I noticed she had closed her eyes for a sec (that's normal), but during the congregational hymn I asked her how she had felt and she asked me about my notebook that I was jotting things down in. I told her that as I listened the spirit would sometimes tell me to write things down that would help me in my life and my issues and those were the things I was writing down. I then asked her "do you know what the holy ghost is?" She replied no, and I explained a little bit to her about who he is and what his role is, and then I mentioned that maybe while she was at church, talking to us, praying, singing hymns, etc that she may have felt peace or love. She lit up and said "I FEEL THAT! I have honestly jsut had sooo many of my questions answered in these last few minutes that I have been here (the first hour of conference). I really feel that way here now." It was SOOO AWESOME! The spirit was soo strong, it was just like a cloud (figuratively) in the church building. Guadelupe is soo awesome and wants the gospel in her life! Can't wait to see her tomorrow!

That should be it. I think one of my favorite things from conference is from Elder Caussé of the seventy. "The path doesn't change that much, but our eyes do." (I hope I translated that right) Many times the things that we do in our life based on our circumstances seem rather ordinary and we fall into the habit of seeing things as ordinary, or even boring. This can include church activity, sports practice, scripture study, homework, even everyday miracles, but we must be careful not to fall into this thought process. Everyday miracles are still miracles, and maybe we just need to open our eyes a little wider to see something new and exciting in the routine things we do daily, weekly, or monthly. God has given us the incredible ability de recibir revelación por medio de su santo espiritu, y if we pay attention, nos daremos cuenta de verdades hermosas y nuevas en the everyday things that to us seem "ordinary". I know that the lord will talk to us and give us guidance if we listen, and if we look for something new and exciting, we will find it. I got 20 months now.... that's weird, but I find myself getting excited over things like it was my first month in mexico, and I'm LOVING IT! Try it! You'll have a great week!

Elder Norr

Pictures